Chapter 7 - Hibiki

****The Present****

“OKAY, I think that’s enough details.” Riko quickly announced, looking more than a little uncomfortable. She had stood up suddenly from the dining table—my poor granddaughter. For someone far from innocent or naive about intimacy, she’s still timid and reserved. I suppose that’s something she gets from her father. 

Her boyfriends, however, suffer from no such shyness. “What? But it was just getting good.” Forrest pouts. Yes, I said pouts. The boy is going to be twenty-one, and he’s pouting because he’s not getting the juicy details of the first time Yūri and I slept together. He’s an odd one but endearing in his own ways.

“Forrest.” Riko rolled her eyes, smacking his shoulder. “Would you like me to call your grandmothers and ask them to give graphic details of the first time they slept with your grandfathers? Cause I can be Lilith, and Thereza will spill the tea as happily as my grandmother is.” she asked, putting her hands on her hips, narrowing her eyes at him.

All three boys shudder. “Okay, point made, sweetheart. No need to go threatening us with sex stories of our grandparents.” Darius assured, getting up from his spot to wrap his arms around her, resetting his chin on the top of her head. “Forrest was joking. Weren’t you, Forrest?” Darius cuts a look to his youngest brother that was a clear threat. If Forrest didn’t say he was joking, Darius was probably going to punch him. 

Forrest laughed, giving Riko a big grin. “Of course I was joking, babe. While your grandma is still hot, I don’t need illicit details of her sexcapades. I’d rather have our own sexcapades that our kids and grandkids will cringe at the mere mention of.” he winked. Riko flushed bright pink. We could turn the lights off and use her blush as ambient lighting. 

“We’ll try to keep the story as PG13 as we can.” I assured Riko with a smile. “Thank you, grandfather.” she sighed, letting herself relax in Darius’ embrace. “So shall we continue the story, or do you want to stop and maybe pick this up next time? Also, how will we handle this after we leave? We’re only in town for the long weekend.” Yūri questioned, cocking an eyebrow. 

“Oh. Um, well, if you two wouldn’t mind, you can email me bits of the story. Darius and I can go over what you tell us while here to get started.” Forrest shrugged. “That should work nicely. Then if there is more graphic content, Riko doesn’t have to hear it.” I nodded. “As long as I don’t have to hear it. And Forrest, if you get too graphic with your drawings, I’m not going to read your manga.” Riko warns. “I’ll make a PG13 rated version just for you.” Forrest laughed. 

“It’s getting late. We can continue the story tomorrow. We should rest our old bones.” I yawned. “Of course. We’ll see you tomorrow.” Riko smiled, stepping out of Darius’ arms to hug me and then Yūri. Gathering our things, we headed back to our hotel to get some much-needed sleep. I’m not as young as I used to be, and after the sex this afternoon, I was spent.

My sleep was restless as old memories long buried were coming forward. I blame Forrest. He wanted to hear our story. And it’s not all sunshine, rainbows, and hot sex. There was violence and danger that hovered over our story like a storm cloud. I’d forced back the more grouseome parts of our love story in favor of the happy moments. 

I would prefer not to tell Riko the dark side of the story, but I know I can’t hide it from her. It’s for the best that she gets the full story. And I knew that as we arrived at their place this morning, it was time to delve into the darkness of our story. “Why do you look so grim?” Elijah asked as he set out a tray of tea and snacks. He’s a kind boy, thoughtful, and mindful of people’s feelings.

I sighed, taking a seat as Yūri fixed me a cup of tea. “Oh, he’s fretting over telling what happened next. Since we’re glossing over the illicit details of our first time together.” she explained for me. “Thank you, my love.” I sighed, sipping the tea. Elijah makes a good pot of sencha tea. 

“Is it that bad, grandfather?” Riko frowned as she settled into a spot on the sofa with her boyfriends. Well, with two of them. Darius had work this morning, so he’d not be joining us. “It’s not exactly happy memories. But I won’t lie or withhold anything from you.” I sighed. “Now then… let’s continue our tale.” I frowned, letting my mind go back.

****1972****

It had been a week since my wild night with Akio Yoshida. It may have only been afternoon when we arrived at my place, but it wasn’t until well after sunset that she left. I don’t even know what time she did leave. We’d fall asleep on my bed in a sweaty satisfied heap. She was definitely a goddess, a sex goddess. Because no way would your average woman be that good in bed. 

But even after how incredible our time had been, when I woke up in the pre-dawn hours, I couldn’t find her. The only things that even indicated she’d been there, beyond the marks she’d left on my body, were the crumbled flowers that had been in her hair scattered around my studio apartment. 

I sighed, not focused on the case file on my desk as all my thoughts were on her. I’d tried to look her up in the phone book. But there is no Akio Yoshida listed. And for the one Yoshida in the phone book, let's say the old man was very annoyed at my phoning him and used several curse words as he told me not to bother him again.

She either gave me a false name or lives outside the area that the phone book covers. I’ve considered looking at phone books for other cities nearby. I want to find her. I want to know her. I wanted to get closer to her, which was not like me. I don’t date much. 

Committing to one person didn't seem like a good idea, with my job taking up so much of my time. Yet for this girl who may not have even given me her real name, I want it. I want to spend time with her. I want to know everything about her. Fuck did sex with her mess my head up that bad? 

“Hibiki? HIBIKI!” Rickie shook my shoulders. I blinked. “What?” I asked, coming out of my daze. “Get up, man. We got a call. Someone called the tip line. They spotted a girl dressed like Kitsune breaking into Judge Jonathon Myers’ place. Let’s go, and maybe you can crack this case fast.” he said, shoving my hat onto my head. 

I quickly jumped out of my seat, grabbed my gun and keys, and raced out to my squad card. I needed to stop thinking about Akio. I needed to focus on Kitsune. As I sped from the precinct to the judge’s house, I was trying to think what motive she’d have to go after him. He’s not my favorite person in the world. He often has let criminals go with slaps on the wrist. Is he a one-off like some of her other victims, or is he like the criminals that have ended up losing their heads to her blade?

As we reached the house, I could hear screams and gunfire coming from inside. I was already racing inside with Rickie hot on my heels. A maid was cowering in a corner, shaking like a leaf. “Where is Judge Myers?” I demanded. She pointed a shaky finger at the stairs. I nodded and started taking them two at a time. Based on the sounds of a fight, she’s still here.

I could capture Kitsune tonight. It would do wonders for my career, that’s for sure. I kicked in the door and realized I was too late. Judge Myers had emitted his last scream as his blood splattered across the room, Kitsune’s blade making a clean and precise cut across his throat. 

She could have taken his head off, but she didn’t. She wanted him to suffer. Fuck, this woman is a psycho. I resisted the urge to gag as I shielded my face to avoid getting blood on my face. “STOP! San Francisco Police!” I shouted, raising my gun. I froze, a shiver going down my spine as this masked killer’s head turned to me. 

Her lean body contouring in her leather jumpsuit, and if this were any other situation, I’d be fascinated by her curves. But this is a crime scene, and I just witnessed her murder someone in cold blood. I felt her eyes on me through the mask. I should fire. I should take the shot and bring her down. 

But before my brain managed to process this and tell my finger to pull the trigger, she threw a smoke bomb at my feet. My eyes burned as purple smoke filled the room, causing me to cough as I stumbled into the hall needing air. “Hibiki?” Rickie calls out as he catches up to me, having been checking the lower floor. I coughed and shook my head. “He… he’s dead. She threw a smoke bomb at me.” I explained between coughs.

After I managed to catch my breath, we went back into the room. The smoke had dissipated. I frowned, looking at the open window, the sheer curtain fluttering in the breeze. She got away. I could have stopped her. This is my fault. I let a murder get away. I glanced over at Myers, who was lying in a pool of his own blood, her calling card sticking out of the cut in his neck.