A/N: I did it! Here I present you the first chapter of the TsubaHono crime fiction I mentioned in the end notes of my previous story! This is different from my usual lighthearted works but I hope you'll still enjoy it ^_^
There'll be graphic violence in the story so if you can't bear the thought of our beloved girls getting hurt, I suggest you click the 'back' button now :)

Chapter 1: When She Had an Angel

Click clack. Click clack. Furious typing on the keyboards. Shuffle shuffle. Hurried flipping of documents. The fourth-floor office in the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department was a hive of activity.

Riin- A hand picked up the phone before the first ring ended.

"CIB Unit 47, Ayase speaking," a crisp, feminine voice answered. All other activities in the room ceased as four pairs of ears pricked up. "You found out where they are dealing? Great- What? In fifteen minutes?" Sky blue eyes widened at the new information. "We can only reach in twenty. No, don't take action on your own, understand? Honoka? Honoka!" Ayase Eli slammed the phone down, startling her team members who had gathered around her the moment the call came through.

"Where's Honoka?" Concerned amber eyes peered intently at Eli. Sonoda Umi had a sinking feeling in her stomach from the way the call ended.

Eli bolted up, grabbing the bulletproof vest draped over the back of her chair. "We're heading to Setagaya. Honoka has tracked the Blue Men to an abandoned warehouse there. The drug deal will take place in fifteen minutes when the buyer arrives. Knowing her, she's going to intervene on her own if we don't make it in time."

"That reckless idiot." Umi clenched her jaw as the group of four raced down the station's corridor to the entrance where their car was parked.

"The Blue Men are highly armed. She's gonna die."

Eli shot a disapproving look at the scarlet haired woman running behind her. "We won't let that happen and I trust Honoka."

"As much as I'd like to believe that, Honoka's luck can't last forever," quipped Yazawa Nico, backing up Nishikino Maki's earlier claim. "The Blue Men are ruthless. Police or not, they kill on sight."

Eli gritted her teeth, blonde brows furrowed in deep thought as the car's engine revved to life. Their teammate Kousaka Honoka had a knack for barging into dangerous situations in order to achieve the operation's objective even at the expense of her own safety. Her luck had always been astounding, allowing her to emerge unscathed or with minor injuries. The number of lectures the optimistic ginger had chalked up over her years of service never succeeded in making her change her ways.

"Eli." Umi's solemn voice snapped the inspector out of her thoughts. "I remember Kira-san's team is investigating something around that area. Shall we ask them to back up Honoka?"

Kira Tsubasa- widely acknowledged as the most promising young inspector the Tokyo Police had had in years.

Eli and her team had worked with Tsubasa's unit a few times in the past. She knew she could count on the gifted brunette and her two trusty co-workers, Yuuki Anju and Toudou Erena. The trio were highly efficient in solving cases and could be just as brutal as the criminals. And, Eli thought with a wry smile, Tsubasa would do anything to keep Honoka safe.

"Call them," ordered Eli.

"Yes, Ma'am!"

Tsubasa stared hard at the red flashing dot on the tracking device attached to the car's dashboard. It hadn't moved for the past five minutes. The 26-year-old exhaled in relief.

"You are such a stalker," Erena remarked, voice laced with amusement. Tsubasa's eye twitched.

"Don't say that, Erena. Tsu-chan is just worried about her girlfriend." Anju giggled. "But Tsu-chan, you will get cross-eyed if you keep staring like that."

Tsubasa grunted in annoyance. "Cut that out." She stepped a little harder on the gas pedal.

"We are speeding, you know," reminded Erena who was in the front passenger seat. "And for God's sake, focus on the road instead of that bleeping red dot of a hyperactive carrot top. I don't wish to die in a car crash."

"She's not hyperactive," Tsubasa retorted.

The tallest of the trio snorted. "Yeah, yeah. Shall I pretend I don't see her bouncing like a puppy whenever she sees you? Plus the time she practically danced into our office because she came up with a cheesy theme song for the police force? Does she think we are the Power Rangers or something?"

Silence fell between them.

"Fine. Maybe just a little," conceded Tsubasa with a small sigh. A gentle hand squeezed the short leader's tense shoulder.

"Don't worry, we'll let you know if Honoka-san moves from her spot," Anju offered kindly from the backseat before giving Erena a that's-enough look. "We know she means the world to you. Right, Erena?" Erena recognized the warning tone in Anju's voice and reluctantly agreed. She shouldn't push her luck.

In just under five minutes – thanks to Tsubasa's F1-worthy racing skills - the car came to a screeching halt outside an auto junkyard located a good distance away from the main streets. As they exited the vehicle, they spotted Honoka's lime green Kawasaki Ninja parked next to the rust-covered gate. Tsubasa smiled as she briefly recalled the time Honoka insisted on that particular model because its colour reminded her of Tsubasa's eyes.

Please be safe, Honoka.

She checked the tracking device again and her heart lurched when the dot representing her girlfriend started moving. Night had already fallen and the dingy place was shrouded in darkness save for a few scattered street lights; she feared she could not find Honoka in time.

BANG!

Tsubasa cursed. It had already started.

More shots cracked through the air. The trio jumped into action, sprinting towards the gun battle. They stuck close to the towering stacks of scrapped cars as they moved along with their firearms drawn. Between the tiny gaps, Tsubasa spotted a flash of familiar orange in the distance but it was gone in the blink of an eye. She crouched low and took aim from behind the banged up hood of a red Audi as running footsteps approached.

One second. Two. And she discharged her weapon at the next person to enter her field of vision. The body fell with a solid thud. It was a clean shot straight through the cranium, typical of Tsubasa's style.

Don't you dare lay a finger on my girl.

She leapt out and fired another two shots, effectively taking out two more armed thugs. Tch. Small fries. The ones in charge were probably making their escape as they wasted their time here. A distinct click - the kind that sends a chill down one's spine - sounded from behind and Tsubasa barely dodged the barrel of bullets that riddled the spot she had previously occupied. Taking cover behind a van, she found herself cornered. Whoever was wielding that submachine gun obviously didn't care about running out of ammunition, leaving her with no opening to even get a shot in. But if he thought this inspector was content with being a sitting duck, he was dead wrong. Tsubasa bit her inner cheek and threw her gun high into the air. In the split second the man was distracted by the flying object, she whipped out a dagger and struck him right between the eyes. She smirked. All those dart games after work hadn't been in vain.

Retrieving her weapons – and flicking the warm blood off her blade before keeping it – she scanned the area for her partners. As expected, they were holding off the gang members without breaking into a sweat. A bunch of lifeless bodies littered the ground; no one had managed to get past them.

"I'll leave here to you ladies!" she yelled over the sound of gunfire.

"Yes, yes. Go get her, tiger!" Erena shouted back with much sarcasm.

"Good luck, Tsu-chan!" cheered Anju, not taking her eyes off her targets.

Tsubasa was glad she had them as teammates. As annoying as they could be at times, especially Erena, she knew they always had her back. She took off in the direction she saw Honoka running in. The powerful roar of an engine caught her attention. Right ahead was said woman clinging onto the roof of a car that was speeding towards the exit. She's been watching too many Hong Kong action movies, Tsubasa thought, resisting the urge to facepalm. Closing one eye, she aimed her gun at the back tyre.

"Honoka, jump!"

The ginger did as told without hesitation and landed with a side roll. Tsubasa busted the tyre, causing the car to swerve wildly and crash into the junkyard's gate. The heavy steel snapped off its hinges, crushing the front of the vehicle. As the driver stumbled out, head bleeding, he was met with two guns pointing at him.

"Hands up where I can see them." Tsubasa's eyes steeled into a hardened gaze, her voice low.

The portly middle-aged man dropped the briefcase he was hugging and raised his trembling hands. Honoka handcuffed him to the steering wheel of a nearby car while Tsubasa continued to hold him at gunpoint. They opened the aluminum case, revealing its contents - full packets of white powder stacked on top of each other. The pair exchanged knowing nods.

As they rounded up the handful of surviving gang members - the rest were wiped out by Anju and Erena - Honoka turned to Tsubasa and asked, "How come you are here?"

"Because I received news that a certain sergeant was intending to pull a Rambo." The brunette flicked Honoka's forehead, earning her a yelp. The pout on Honoka's face was all it took for Tsubasa to soften her gaze and ruffle the other's already messy hair. Honoka took the chance to squeeze Tsubasa in a brief embrace, visibly chuffed by her girlfriend's surprise appearance.

"Is he the one?" Tsubasa tipped her chin towards their captive.

At that, Honoka's face fell. "He's just the head of a small local gang called Eastern Dragons. Most of the Blue Men managed to escape and the ones left behind are just a few lackeys and the Eastern Dragons. But," she tapped her earpiece, "I've informed Eli. Hope she can intercept the Blue Men."

"At least we've got the goods and enough evidence to put this guy and his gang behind bars. One less nuisance on the streets," consoled Tsubasa before turning to her teammates. "Any Blue Men caught on your side?"

Erena gestured to a rather young-looking man kneeling on the dirt with his hands cuffed behind his back. Aside from a few bruises and a small trickle of blood oozing from his mouth, he was considered one of the luckier ones. He raised his head in a show of defiance, glaring intensely at the officers.

And then he chuckled.

"What's your problem?" Erena frowned, fighting the urge to wipe that smirk off his face with a well-aimed backhand. He spat at her foot, marring her black leather chukka with sticky blood.

"Why you-"

Before Erena could lash out at him, Tsubasa clocked him in the jaw with the butt of her pistol before shoving the muzzle against his temple. His eyes rolled back from the impact.

"Apologize," growled Tsubasa. But all he did was to laugh even louder, shoulders shaking vigorously. Then just as abruptly as it started, his laughter died before he muttered something incomprehensible under his breath.

"What?" Tsubasa nudged his head roughly.

"You will not get any info out of me," he repeated. With a determined - and somewhat crazed - look in his dark eyes, he bit down hard on something in his mouth. "Long live the Blue Men!"

"No you don't!" Tsubasa grabbed his jaw, forcing his mouth open. But it was too late. She spotted the vacant spot where a molar should be. The henchman made a strangled gasp and sucked in rapid but shallow breaths. Seconds later, his body fell limp. "He's dead," Tsubasa announced after she was unable to detect a pulse. "Probably cyanide poisoning."

Honoka wailed, tugging her hair in frustration. "There goes our only lead!"

"That may not be the case if Ayase managed to capture them," Tsubasa reminded. As if on cue, Eli and the rest of her team arrived in their nondescript black Nissan Skyline GTR which simply looked the worse for wear with numerous bullet holes in its cracked windshield.

"They escaped," Eli informed, looking ashamed.

"And Nico got shot," Maki added.

The black-haired officer beside her protested immediately. "I did not! The bullet only grazed my arm. Understand the difference!"

Maki merely twirled the ends of her hair. "If I hadn't pushed you down, you'd have suffered more than a graze."

Nico opened her mouth to rebuke but found herself speechless because the younger woman was right. Ignoring her two bickering subordinates, Eli explained their encounter with the notorious criminal organization, "I regret to say we were no match for the Blue Men. They attacked us with submachine guns so I had no choice but to abandon the chase for the team's safety. Sorry we wasted your efforts in tailing them, Honoka."

"No, no! Not at all." Honoka was quick to dismiss Eli's guilt. "What's more important is that you girls are all right."

Umi strode up to her longtime friend. Honoka gulped soundly at the furious glare directed at her.

"Can you stop being so reckless? Do you know you could have died by throwing yourself into such a dangerous situation? Eli told you not to intervene on your own but you didn't listen!"

Honoka inched a step back, sweat dripping from her forehead. "But I'm fine, aren't I?"

"That's only because Kira-san's team found you in time! When will you get it into your thick skull that you won't always be so lucky? The Blue Men are no small-time gang. Do you know how many of our comrades had died in their hands?" Umi bit her lower lip when she felt it start to quiver. "I... I don't want to rush to a scene only to find your corpse one day."

"Umi-chan..." Guilt gnawed at Honoka's heart, spreading through her chest. She had been so oblivious to her childhood friend's feelings all this while. A hot sensation stung the back of her eyes. "I'm sorry, Umi-chan..."

Tsubasa stood by the side, a casual hand on her hip, and watched with an affectionate smile as her girlfriend crushed Umi in a bear hug. She looked away when footsteps approached her.

"Thank you, Kira-san," Eli said with a small bow.

"It's nothing. Actually I should thank you for informing me. Like Sonoda, I don't want anything to happen to Honoka too."

"She can be quite a handful, can't she?" Eli glanced at Honoka.

Tsubasa shrugged. "Yes, she can. But I love her all the same."

A faint blush crept upon Eli's cheeks as she coughed into her hand. "You are truly direct with your feelings."

"I've always been this way." The fellow team leader grinned.

After lengthy interrogations, Eli's team could not acquire any useful information from the Eastern Dragons members. The Blue Men were extremely careful not to divulge their base of operations to their buyers. And their means of contact were only temporary, vanishing without a trace after the messages were conveyed.

In short, the Criminal Investigation Bureau was back to square one.

Even though they had taken down the Eastern Dragons and prevented the immense amount of heroin from leaking into the drug market, they were now left with no leads on the source of their headaches. Their informant told them the Blue Men had halted all dealings after the incident at the auto junkyard but before the police could fish more information out of him, he disappeared. Perhaps he had chickened out like most informants; perhaps he was discovered and silenced by the Blue Men. No one knew. In the following weeks, Eli's unit raided nightclub after nightclub but all their efforts only resulted in the arrests of more drug abusers and insignificant peddlers.

"Ah, I'm so tired!" exclaimed Honoka as she slumped into the plush maroon loveseat, tossing her head back. She closed her eyes as exhaustion took over. Days of non-stop aimless searching had turned up nothing. No sign of their informant. No sign of the Blue Men. When she felt the space next to her depress, she sidled up to the slight body. A slim arm draped itself around her shoulders, pulling her close. From the soothing warmth and light apple and magnolia scent, she didn't have to open her eyes to know it was Tsubasa.

The rest of Unit 47 settled down in the other cushy seats around the low mahogany table. The group were at their usual hangout spot after work - a cozy darts bar located in the bustling Shinjuku. It enjoyed a steady stream of regulars but was never crowded which was what they liked about it. Earthy grooves of smooth jazz instrumentals played over the sound system. The soulful saxophone tunes coupled with the mellow glow of rustic country-style pendant lights filled the bar, relaxing its patrons.

A young woman sporting silky taupe hair that hung at the small of her back waltzed over, a bright beam on her amiable features. She stopped beside Umi's one-seater and half-sat on the leather arm.

"The usual tonight?" she asked the group in a melodious voice that could melt anyone's heart. As she waited for their responses, she leaned against Umi, causing the bluenette to stiffen.

Nico rolled her eyes. "Jeez. Aren't you the cavewoman, Umi?"

"Yeah," agreed Maki who was twirling her wavy hair with an unimpressed expression. "You and Kotori have been dating for years. Isn't it about time you get used to her touches in public?"

If Umi was trying to kill the two smart mouths with her glare, she was failing terribly. No thanks to the fiery schoolgirlesque blush taking over her cheeks. At this moment, the curvaceous woman next to Eli spoke up, a mischievous glint shining in her turquoise eyes.

"You two are actually agreeing on something for once." Toujou Nozomi waggled her eyebrows devilishly at the duo. "Nicocchi, have you started dating Maki-chan without telling us? How could you? And I thought we were such good friends." Nozomi put a hand to her ample bosom, feigning hurt.

"W-Wh-What?!" Nico stuttered. "No way!"

"W-Who would want to date someone who looks like a kid?" Maki snapped though the darkening red on her face was not helping her case at all.

A growl escaped Nico's throat. "Who are you calling a kid? I'm older than you, you goddamn baby!"

"Says the person who is still wearing high twintails!"

Eli sighed. Turning to her girlfriend, she chided, "Nozomi, did you have to do that?"

Nozomi simply stuck out her tongue and sat back to enjoy the heated exchange. Suddenly, a thought materialized and she leaned close to Eli, lips almost touching the inspector's ear. "Don't you think they'd have lots of angry sex if they got together?"

"Wha... Nozomi!" Eli all but spat out her drink, completely aghast. "I do not want to have that image in my- Argh, too late." She gripped her throbbing head, clearly distressed by the latest mental image her cheeky lover had injected into her mind.

Minami Kotori looked on in worry. She was never one to like disputes. "Erm..." she started uncertainly. "How about drinks on the house today if you two stop quarreling?"

Nico whipped her head towards Kotori, eyes sparkling. "Really?"

"Cheapskate." Maki had to say it.

"You-"

But before they could continue, Umi stood up and stalked over to the two officers. Her imposing figure loomed over them, casting an ominous shadow.

"No free drinks." She narrowed her eyes pointedly at Nico who shuddered from the sudden - and unwanted - attention. "Kotori, you are running a business. We can't take advantage of you. If these two won't shut up, I will personally escort them out." As she voiced the threat, she rolled up her sleeves menacingly.

"Fine," Nico conceded even though her indignant expression said otherwise. Maki crossed her arms and glanced away - a telltale sign she didn't desire Umi's escort service.

Later, when the drinks and snacks arrived, the snoozing Honoka caught a whiff of the Osaka-style deep fried skewers and awoke with a start, nearly bumping Tsubasa's chin.

"Food?" she asked, still bleary-eyed.

"Yes, and your favourite cocktail," answered Tsubasa, somehow unfazed by the large patch of drool on her shoulder while the rest cringed in disgust.

Honoka's face lit up. "You got it for me?"

Tsubasa nodded. "I hope that's what you want tonight. I took the liberty of ordering it as I didn't want to wake you up just now."

"Of course! I'd drink anything you get for me!" As if to prove her point, Honoka grabbed her glass and took a large gulp only to choke when the alcohol went down the wrong pipe. Kotori hastily passed a napkin to her sputtering friend. By the time Honoka was done coughing, her face was almost as red as Maki's hair.

"Honoka, can't you be a bit more civilized? Seriously, you aren't a child anymore," lectured Umi. Having been friends with Honoka since they were diaper-wearing tots, she was used to the Leo's impulsive - and often embarrassing - actions but it didn't mean she condoned them.

"Kotori-chan, Umi-chan is scolding me again!"

"Stop disturbing Kotori! She's can't always help you!"

Nozomi hummed, another impish thought hatching in her mind. The sly grin was all Eli needed to know her girlfriend was up to no good again. Her headache increased tenfold. "Say," Nozomi began, replacing her smirk with a thoughtful finger to her plump lips, "the three of you grew up together but Umi ended up with Kotori. Wouldn't it be interesting if Umi got together with Honoka instead?"

Umi balked at the idea. "NO. I would die an early death."

"You are so mean!" whined Honoka.

"Sloppy. No self-control when it comes to food. Always procrastinate. Drool in your sleep. And you almost killed Kotori and me when we were kids when you made us climb that tree with-"

"You are still upset about that?!" Honoka asked in disbelief. "That was twenty years ago!"

Umi huffed, crossing her arms. "Honestly, I don't know how Kira-san stands you."

There was a collective gasp and Umi felt five intense gazes burning into her.

Tsubasa raised a finely groomed brow when her name was mentioned. All along she had been content to relax in the corner but she couldn't let it slide when the spotlight was on her. That, and the topic involved her beloved girlfriend.

Umi's face paled.

"Are you questioning my taste in girls, Sonoda-san?" Tsubasa leaned forward, elbows resting on her thighs as she steepled her fingers. Her voice was quiet, and deathly cold - not unlike the one she used on criminals.

"N-No, I didn't mean it that way..."

Honoka felt a snicker bubbling up her throat but she fought it down. She knew Umi had always been on the edge when it came to Tsubasa as the brunette, despite being Honoka's girlfriend, was ultimately their superior in the force. And Umi, a stickler for rules and ranks, was adamant about not crossing that line.

"You aren't wrong."

"Eh?" Honoka blinked in confusion when Tsubasa cast an impassive sidelong glance her way.

"She is messy, has a bottomless pit for a stomach, doesn't run her errands until the last minute and," Tsubasa gestured at the damp splotch on her black blazer, "drools on me all the time." She released a long, exasperated sigh. "Why am I with her?"

No one in the group breathed, clinging apprehensively onto every word.

Honoka's stomach churned. Cold sweat beaded her forehead. A tide of emotions washed over her. Fear. Guilt. Anxiety. Had Tsubasa finally had enough of her?

The flat line that was Tsubasa's lips curved at the corners.

"Because she's Honoka. And I love everything about her."

The tender smile that Honoka was so used to returned and she nearly burst into tears when she launched herself into Tsubasa's arms.

"Uwah! You scared me there!" Honoka cried into the crook of Tsubasa's neck, rubbing her face against smooth skin.

Tsubasa let out a hearty chuckle. "Sorry, I couldn't resist- H-Hey! Even though I said I love everything about you, you don't need to be so generous with your mucus!"

The others finally breathed.

"Gosh, Kira-san! Don't do that again! My heart almost stopped for Honoka," Eli groaned. All she wanted was to have a nice drink and chill after work; she really didn't need these shenanigans. Mirth shone in Tsubasa's clear irises while she ran her fingers through Honoka's soft apricot locks. Then she peered expectantly at Umi.

"Does that answer your question, Umi-san?" She dropped the surname, her voice no longer icy as if it had been warmed by the very woman in her embrace.

A crystal white pearl sports sedan pulled up outside a traditional Japanese sweets shop near Akihabara. A large navy flag bearing the hiragana 'ho' fluttered in the cool night breeze. Two young women exited the vehicle and walked towards the quaint entrance of the two-story building.

"Thanks for sending me home." Honoka stopped when she reached the door.

"My pleasure," Tsubasa replied with a soft smile.

"Sorry I can't stay over at your place tonight. I really, really want to! But my parents need my help tomorrow morning before the shop opens." Honoka's shoulder sagged. Cuddling Tsubasa to sleep had got to be one of her favorite activities together with munching on bread.

"Silly." Tsubasa lifted Honoka's chin. "There's always next time. You have the key to my apartment anyway. Drop by whenever you like." Hand still holding Honoka's chin in place, she closed the distance between them, capturing peachy pink lips with her own. She could taste the lingering traces of Honoka's screwdriver cocktail from earlier; it was a tantalizing mix of sweet and bitter. Darting her tongue out, she gave Honoka's lips a quick lick before pulling away and laughing at her girlfriend's surprised expression.

"No fair!" Honoka cried.

"It's payback for drooling on my jacket." Tsubasa winked, right hand resting confidently on her hip.

That night, as Honoka snuggled under her warm covers, she closed her eyes, picturing Tsubasa's charming visage in her mind. It was a bedtime ritual she did whenever she couldn't sleep over at Tsubasa's place, believing it would help give her sweet dreams about her girlfriend. Just as she was about to drift off to dreamland, a deafening crash shattered the peace of the night. Her senses jolting awake, she threw open her room's window and squinted into the darkness. A black tabby darted out from the tiny alley behind her house. It bumped into a recycling bin on the opposite side of the street, causing another ruckus when the bin toppled over and spilled its contents.

"Just a stray cat, huh..." Frowning, she stood there and listened closely for any suspicious sounds.

None.

A strong wind whooshed through the neighborhood, rattling flimsy shop signs and windows. Honoka shuddered from the sudden chill and fumbled to close the window. As sleep pooled on her eyelids, she shuffled back to bed, consciousness gradually ebbing.

If only she had investigated the crash…

A/N: Thank you for reading! Do let me know what you think in the reviews. My new job starts in Oct but I'll try my best not to take too long between updates as I really want to see this story through to the end.