Butterfly Kisses Part 1

Chapter 25: Kidnapper on the loose

Kyoto, Japan, Midday

Koneko prowled the streets, sniffing the air as she went. Her claws scratched the side of the Ashen Bar while the neon blue phoenix above her illuminated the road. Pale skinned arms recoiled to their master, lifting him up onto the rooftop of the bar. Alcohol and smoke stained the air, clumps of pollution gathering like bees swarming a wasp. 

"Have you found anything yet, Mitsuki?" Bright yellow eyes glowed in the dimly lit alleyway she faced. 

"Not yet but keep on the lookout. Evidence could be anything." A second pair of yellow eyes fell beside Koneko's. White hair barely missed his face upon its descent. 

Puddles of alcohol made the air seem thick and toxic. The smoke billowing out of chimneys and spewing out of half burnt cigarettes didn't help. Apart from the five heroes in training and their pro mentors there were no life signs at all. Well not that a bar would ever have people in the middle of the day, mind you, but it still felt unnatural. 

Strands of navy blue hair blew past Mitsuki and Koneko and she let out a voice.

"Stop dawdling around, we've got to find the kidnapper and his victim." In that moment, with an intimidating stare, she looked dangerously calm for a seventeen year old looking for a kidnapper. 

"Just leave them be Kaiyo." Soothing notes filled the air with slight happiness, "I'm sure they're doing all they can to help." 

"You know ever since Akihari was reported dead AND a criminal that's all you've been saying." Kaiyo replied almost sneeringly.

"Don't you dare mention Aki-chan in front of me. She was my closest friend and none of us noticed anything wrong." The notes became short and sharp, like a blade. The usual demeanour of an innocent young girl twisted into a crueller, more evil form.

"If you didn't notice anything was wrong then you clearly weren't as close as you say you were." Kaiyo spat back with anger pumping through her veins.

"We were a lot closer than you ever could've been. You tried so hard to become friends with her too because you're desperate for-" 

Clang!!!

The familiar ringing sound of metal bars hitting each other rattled in the students' ears.

"Quiet!! I do not expect that sort of behaviour, especially when out on a mission. Is that clear?!" There she was. Mockingbird patrolled this section of Kyoto every day so it was only natural for her to appear. 

"Yes ma'am." Kyokuuta and Kaiyo stared down at the floor but still away from each other. The obvious hatred between them just grew.

"The only ones who aren't doing the work here are you two. Soraia, Mitsuki and Koneko are all putting the effort into this mission so I expect the same from you, understood?" Glaring at them, she didn't wait until she got a reply.

A cat snuck over to the opposite side of the street and looked up at the neon blue logo of the Ashen Bar. It noticed a section of it was 'flickering' so it froze, contorting back into the original human form.

"Mitsuki, there's something wrong with the sign. There's  a section of it that's not lit up." She pointed up at the sign, to which Mitsuki hastily heaved himself up and onto the roof. Getting a closer look at the sign was more difficult than you would think. The sign was magnetised to the front of the building, rather than being placed on the roof. Thankfully, a green coated Koneko dug her nails into the graffiti of the wall and climbed up, making it to the famous logo of the bar.

"Don't worry, I've got this." She smirked, immediately grabbing onto the unlit section of the sign, ripping off a sticky note reading:

Look North East towards the fire. You might be able to find me there if you're quick enough.