Detective Hajiri; Volume One

CHAPTER FOUR

Over Six Years Ago..

"Sasuke would've been fifteen, maybe sixteen now." Hajiri started. "Pale complexion, blind in both eyes, unnaturally light hair. Looks bleached but it isn't."

"And the rest of your family?"

A cop was reading his movements intently from across a steel tabletop. Security cameras were fixed on him from both corners. Claustrophobic and restrained, Hajiri continued.

"My mother was just as pale, albino, they called it. Same light eyes, long white hair. Thin frame, always luxuriously dressed. She adored Sasuke.." His hands twitched uncomfortably, "Dad was tan, blackish hair that looked almost red in the sun. Dark complexions run in the family, I think he married mom to distance from that some. Called her 'ethereal, angelic' beyond that they weren't particularly affectionate."

"And to confirm, your father is dead." He asked, pitiless, casting a critical glare at the prisoner's fidgeting hands.

"To my knowledge, yes."

"Any other traits run in the family?"

"Not really.." Hajiri bit his lip, eyes narrowed and swept to the side. "I mean, Kojimas tend to be on the shorter side.."

"I can see that."

"Please say they'll find Sasuke," The prisoner pleaded, looking back at him with shining, dark eyes.

"We'll certainly try." The cop stated, dismissively.

"He's just a kid, sir. He likes story books and dressing sharp and taking way too much sugar in his tea." Hajiri continued. "He needs routine and consistency. He always got mad when I'd mess up his book collection, but he liked when I'd read to him. And we liked to play with fire, we burnt a hole in the carpet once. We would always-"

"Is this gonna help us find him?" The cop butted in.

"If he's hiding, he likely isn't alone. He's highly independent, but he's always had servants to accommodate for his shortcomings. He carried a silver cane." Hajiri pressed, desperation on his sleeve. "He rarely left the estate growing up, for safety reasons, I'm sure, but he hated new environments, too. He can't handle-"

"And when's the last time you've seen him?"

"Probably last Christmas.. or wait, I didn't make it to that one.."

The policeman looked unimpressed.

"But I wrote to him very frequently during my travels." He corrected.

"When's the last time you received a response?"

Hajiri paused. "Maybe three years ago?" He could feel the urgency dropping.

"He couldn't have been captured or killed during that time?"

The prisoner's heart drummed loudly in his ears. "I would've known." He whispered, uncharacteristically quiet.

"Are you sure?"

"I would've known," He reiterated firmly, cutting him off.

Just then, the interrogator's

walkie talkie sputtered. "3012's got a visitor."

Evidently unsatisfied with that day's questioning, the officer signaled for an escort to take Hajiri away. "I thought they only admitted family," The criminal expressed his confusion as they unhooked his cuffs from the cold metal table.

"This was part of your negotiations, remember?" The policeman gestured upwards at the cameras as they seemed to fall asleep.

"I don't remember-" Hajiri started, standing from his chair as a prison guard tugged on his arm.

"I don't owe you an explanation, 3012, now get to the visitation center."

As required, he saluted, shoulders falling back with the most reverence he could muster yet the most casualty he could afford. He marched out of the room and down the hall, wondering who could be awaiting him.

He had no more family. If he did, they were in hiding. Most of his distant relatives had been slaughtered at his birth, potential heirs to the feudal throne. Potential threats to the Emperor's lineage. And friends were few and far between, most of whom lived lives of crime and secrecy themselves.

Hajiri walked into the visitation center to find a boy who was almost unrecognizable. His blond hair was shiny and buzzed around the sides. His cheeks were rounder than he'd remembered, and full of color. But his eyes, harrowed and pale blue, were impossible to forget.

"Hey, Hajiri.." The boy started, having finally grown into sixteen.

Hajiri sat in silence for a moment.

"...Julian?"