Genma had vanished, and curiously, so had Ryouga. All that remained were her, Akane, Kasumi, and Soun. "He's not an arsonist," Nabiki said firmly. "Look! Just point him at the fire! I'll do a quick little public service here -- Daddy! They'll let you go if you can just shed a single tear!"
The waterworks began, quickly washing away the flames, and revealing the guttering, ash-filled remnants of Ucchan's okonomiyaki-ya. "Well," she said curtly. "That was pointless. But there you go."
"And illegal!" one of the police officers nearby shouted. "Someone was responsible for the fire here, and -- merciful kami! Is this a wok with a human arm on it? These look like teeth marks!"
"Oh, Saotome-san sometimes gets hungry," Kasumi said apologetically, offering one of her dazzling smiles to the civil servants. "Since we're only bystanders here, is it alright if I take my sisters home?"
"Er," the policeman said, blinking. "Um. Well, I'd love to help you, but, um, I'm afraid we're going to need to keep you for questioning, you see, because--"
"Oh, no," Kasumi said, smiling even more brightly, and waving a hand dismissively. "You don't need to ask us any questions."
"I don't need to ask you any questions," the policeman said back.
Gesturing again, Kasumi added, "There's really no reason for us to be here."
"There's no reason for you to be here," the policeman replied in his monotone.
Nabiki's mouth opened; she first noticed by the sensation of her tongue drying out as her jaw hung loose. She closed her mouth quietly, but with effort and reserves of self-control she hadn't known she possessed. For a moment ... just a moment ... she had exchanged a glance with Akane, and both younger Tendos had shared a look of stark terror.... And then Kasumi looked back at Akane, and the mask of rage consumed her.
Nabiki schooled her expression to a flat, mercenary gaze, and Kasumi's glance seemed to pass over her, returning to the policeman. "We can be on our way," Kasumi said, putting a tiny giggle into the end of her voice at the end of it.
"You can be on your way," the policeman concluded, eyes glassy as he stared forward into nothingness. And then Kasumi walked away, Akane following, and Soun a half-step behind.
Nabiki watched, and then....
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(Posted Sun, 17 Jul 2005 06:21)
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