The Case-Book of Kakashi Hatake

The Beginning {Part 11}

"Ah, Kakashi," Shikamaru said, peering up from his desk, "I'd almost begun to miss our morning meetings. How long has it been now, six days?"

"There was no point in coming by when I had nothing new to report," I retorted, picking up on the sarcasm in the younger man's voice.

He crossed his arms and lowered his voice into an impressive mimicry of Morino, "So you have something to report, then? All your evenings in the dingiest of dives finally yield something useful?"

"I found them."

All mirth and good humor fell from the Inspector's face in an instant. "The men who killed Asuma, you've found them?"

I nodded and took a seat, "They were there in the Gunbai last night, and I listened in on their conversation. I know where they're going to be today at noon."

"Where?"

"The Shushuya. I already scoped it out this morning before coming by; it's an establishment on the banks of the Sumizome, about a block from where I live. Apparently the fish and chips there are to die for."

"I don't give a damn about its menu, Kakashi."

I shrugged. "We shouldn't go in alone; don't you police have some sort of protocol for things like this? Backup perchance?"

"Normally, yes," Shikamaru steepled his fingers, elbows resting on the paperwork coating his desk, "but not right now. We're in the middle of what people are already starting to call the Third Great War, and the police system is so understaffed it's pitiful."

I smirked, "Well, at least you've got me."

He snorted, "Maybe I'll get to see what all the fuss concerning the great Copy Nin is about."

Choosing to ignore that barb, I carried on detailing everything that I had learned to Shikamaru until it was time for us to leave to intercept the murderers we'd been hunting for over two weeks.

The cab ride there passed in utter silence, and I could see the Inspector's hand going down occasionally to finger to holster of his gun or pat where the handcuffs were stored on his belt. I couldn't blame him for the nerves; it was just going to be the two of us going in.

Stepping down from the hansom, I took in the front façade of the Shushuya. It was small, occupying the ground floor of a three story building, and all the detailing of the small establishment was done with wood panels. It was cozy, and the air drifting outside smelled divine. I was definitely going to try their fish and chips after this case was over.

There was lively chatter when we stepped inside as lunch-goers carried on their conversations, but two men stopped talking the moment I stepped inside with Shikamaru in tow: Hidan and Kakuzu. They both set their silverware down beside their plates and tensed, eyes landing on me with far too much recognition to be comfortable.

All other noise ceased as we made our way to the table housing the killers.

"Hidan, Kakuzu," Shikamaru stated, voice carrying through the now silent room, "you are under arrest for the murder of Asuma Sarutobi."

Patrons were looking on with interest, engrossed by the drama enfolding around them, much more than they had bargained for, but they soon became uneasy as the two men did not stand or comply with the law, reclining further into their seats and staring up at the Inspector with contempt.

"Kakuzu, it looks like a copper is here for us," Hidan stated as he leaned back and crossed his arms with a manic smile.

His companion grunted in reply. "And he's brought our eaves dropper with him," he grinned at me. "Want me to send your 'sister' our regards?"