The Art of War

Tactical Dispositions

"Thank you very much for your cooperation," Yukine thanked the older woman. Unfortunately he wasn't able to hide his disappointment, it was easy to see on his face. Three days have passed since the last murder and even after many interviews of possible witnesses they hadn't made any progress. Additionally it didn't helped that Yukine was on edge at work since the same amount of time.

"What a shame, nothing new," murmured the reason behind the strain on Yukine's nerves only a few centimeters behind him. Startled Yukine jumped around and at the same time moved a step back. A slight red shimmer arose on his cheeks, when the memory of the kiss appeared unasked before his eyes.

The last days this memory had been his steady companion and it wasn't helping that Yato didn't know what the words 'personal space' meant. Whenever possible he stood inappropriate close to Yukine or even touched him. Yato hadn't mentioned the kiss itself until now, but it wasn't needed to drive him to insanity.

He had to solve a series of murders and couldn't waste his time with the intrusive specialist. An intrusive specialist in which he wasn't interested in at all. In this direction. Not interested at all. Even with those blue eyes he could watch for hours...if they wouldn't belong to Yato.

There was one thing Yukine had confirmed during their work together: Even those blue eyes weren't enough to forget about Yato's terrible character traits. At least as long as they weren't focused on Yukine and sent a chill down his spine. Like right now.

"What's up? Do I still have specks of my lunch in my face?" Yukine yelled at the owner of those eyes. He was at least used to those looks to the point where he was able to act snappy on the outside, even though inside of him it was different.

Carefree Yato shrugged. "You should stop with those broody faces or the wrinkles on your forehead won't go away one day," Yato commented with a casual tone, "besides laugh lines would look better on you. With your pleasant voice you must have a beautiful laugh."

Had Yukine thought that he slowly got his expressions back under control they slipped promptly. With slightly opened mouth and a look between disbelief and dismay he stared at Yato. "We are investigating a murder series. MURDER. Not the most suited environment to laugh."

Sulking Yato observed the passerby on the other side of the street. "When it is only us and we aren't talking about the case it should be possible? I would love to hear you laugh."

"As if we ever talk about the case," Yukine retorted annoyed. "You barely show any interest in questioning witnesses. You didn't ask a single question."

Once again Yato shrugged. "Why should I ask questions? Yours don't let anything open that I could cover with mine." Surprised about the compliment about his work Yukine was about to thank the good-for-nothing Yato, until – "Besides it increases my chances to listen to your voice. When asking questions I would robe myself of this pleasure."

With a slight red shimmer on his cheeks Yukine looked down the street they were standing on. He wasn't used to this type of compliments. It didn't changed a thing that Yato already used this compliment three days ago in his hotel room.

To spare himself a direct answer to Yato's statement Yukine skimmed the information on his notepad. This last questioning – the neighbor of the first victim that just came back from a stay abroad – was the last point on his list with tasks for today. Slowly he wasn't able to think up other possibilities to investigate and the time was running out. If the murderer keeps up his current pace Yukine will soon have to visit the next crime scene.

There has to be some clue. Nobody was perfect and could commit that many murders without making a mistake. Yukine must have overlooked something. If he only had more experience. If he only hadn't gotten such a case at the beginning of his work as police officer. If, if, if.