The Art of War

Waging War

"There has been a new victim and we are awaited at the crime scene...what are you doing?" Yukine looked confused back and forth between Yato and Hiyori. Just as he moved around the monster of hedge he saw a small bundle of money exchange its owner. "Do we get paid for involving this idiot in the case?"

"Um...no. This is about a private matter, not work," Hiyori murmured in a nervous tone and embarrassed avoided any eye contact. It only increased Yukine's wonder about what the money was meant for.

A long time to speculate about it wasn't granted to the young police officer, because Yato jumped up from his chair with a large, inadequately happy grin. "There is nothing better than starting work on a new case with a fresh crime scene," he declared with a likewise inadequately loud volume.

While walking to the door in high spirits he turned around to Hiyori. "The police will pay for this meal? Thanks for this marvelous invitation. And don't forget Hiyori: In one month, on Sylvester!"

With energetic steps Yato left the café and after a short pause – clearly more confused than moments ago – Yukine followed him. Not without saying goodbye to Hiyori, paying a portion of the bill and making clear with hand signs that he wanted an explanation about to bundle of money at a later point of time. The only answer he got was Hiyori's comment that she will bring Yukine's case files back to the precinct for him.

On the street he was greeted by a still grinning Yato. More exhausted then he should be after a meeting of this length, Yukine pursued the way towards the crime scene without saying a single word. "We are lucky. The new crime scene isn't far away from here and we can reach it quickly on foot," Yukine explained when Yato started to walk next to him without demanding information.

Since no more details that Yato needed to know before they reached the crime scene came to mind and he was feeling Yato watching him, Yukine tried to fill the silence with a conversation. That he was deeply interested in the answer to this question, he wasn't able to deny. "What was this bundle of money for?"

As answer he initially only received an amused laugh. "Curiosity killed the cat~"

In unbelief he stared at Yato. Such words he would rather expect from a fortune cookie, not from a grown-up man. "Are you kidding me?"

"You shouldn't stick your nose in matters that don't concern you. This quickly develops into a bad habit. Additionally it could get you into trouble." A cheerful hum, that was the all-out opposite of his words, resounded from Yato.

Now horror marked Yukine's face. "I hope you don't involve Hiyori in any criminal scheming? With what are you blackmailing her?"

"I'm the villain and Hiyori the innocent princess? You have to at least look closer at her. She isn't as innocent as she appears to be." Yato realized his words were falling on deaf ears. "I'm not allowed to go into details, because it would make Hiyori really angry – and you don't want to witness that – but before you take me away in handcuffs: It's for a bet."

"A bet?" Disbelievingly Yukine looked at Yato and hence nearly ran into a street lamp. At the last moment he saw it in the corner of his eyes and barely managed to evade it. Yato's snicker, that had to inevitably happen, contributed to the deep red coloring of Yukine's face.

Without further ado Yukine decided to get through the remaining distance in silence and with increased speed. He had never imagined that he one day will be glad to finally reach a crime scene.

Unfortunately Yato wasn't planning on following Yukine's intention. "Why the hurry all of a sudden? The corpse won't run away. We aren't taking part in a zombie movie," he already started to complain.