Cloak and Dagger

Case File #3

When another sun cycle bloomed, the members of Cloak and Dagger found themselves hunkered down in the daytime bar. This of course meaning the lack of drunken hooligans as well as rambunctious noise and haphazard actions. Instead, it was a quiet room with the ceiling fan buzz loud enough to prevent total silence.

Aiko was back behind the counter as usual, washing dishes and going through stock as she kept a watchful eye on the child sitting patiently on the countertop, a cup of water in his small hands. In the far corner of the spacious rectangle, the blond detective sat with their clients - a middle aged couple - as they fidgeted and looked around apprehensively. Surveying the occupants once more proved that neither Yumi nor Tsubasa was seen. One could assume that Tsubasa only worked the night shift and wasn't taking any part in the detective part of the business, or so Aiko claimed.

It was then that Yumiisu burst from the kitchen area in a grand stupor. "Sorry for the wait!" his shrill voice carried all the way across the room.

Annoyingly shrill, Kura noted as the raven flounced over with a peace offering of hot tea - four cups in total. He smiled, lacking teeth or any form of glint in his closed eyes.

"Thank you," the woman of the pair graciously accepted the hot drink, holding the porcelain in her shaky hands and relishing in the steam rivets misting against his pale complexion.

"Now, please tell us your tale," Kura waved them forward, nudging for the information that would hopefully give them a jump on his supposed "case".

"My wife has stalker," the man said stoutly in a thick Russian accent. His counterpart sipped at the scalding liquid, eyes downcast. At Kura's expectant stare, the bearded male continued. "It started out as simple joke. She would find message taped to her car window. She laugh it off. But over course of time, it get worse. When morning paper is delivered, there an extra sheet in bundle promising future violence to Natalya Volkov. It now phone calls. Dark words threaten her death. I call police but they insist they can't do anything unless physical act has taken place. She has yet to be jumped, but I can assume it only matter of time. They bother us at work and home. Mr Oshiro, we're very important people in business realm. I can't have rumors and threats tarnishing our public image, da?"

Kura was going to step in to say something, but Yumiisu beat him to it. And not in the language he originally thought.

"Г-н Волков, мы благодарны вы пришли к нам за помощью."(1) Yumiisu reeled off, grinning as he saw the surprise on the older man's face. It was obvious he wasn't expecting his home language to be spoken by a supposed ametuer.

"Просто найти ублюдка, который ставит под угрозу мою жену,"(2) Volkov answered, mildly pleased that he could speak freely as if he was in his home country. To his gratification, red eyes glimmered and their host's head bobbed in understanding.

"Обещание."(3)

"My card," Volkov reached into his suit and handed over a business card. "Call when you need. Call when you find information."

"Of course," Yumiisu snatched the parchment with slender fingers before Kura had the opportunity to grab it himself. "You know where to find us." He said with a chilling smirk.

The Russians stood, offered thanks for their time and tea before their eventual departure from the establishment.

Yumiisu pursued his intent on smiling and waving partings even as the door closed shut slowly.

"Russian, huh?" Kura broke the raven from his trance, speaking more of a statement than a question. Carmine cat eyes turned and fixed the other with a distant gaze as his head cocked to the side, furthering the feline facade. "What's wrong with Russian? Does it bother you that you can't speak it, Sakura?" Now the little insect was smirking, revealing a toothy grin that gave any passerby uncomfortable shivers.