Secrets within

Chapter 1

'Fuck me' Leon sighed as he looked at the body of a woman mangled and torn apart. Her once blonde locks soaked crimson with her own blood. Glancing around the room he spotted a cage against the far wall covered in shadows.

Looking around the crime scene he spotted his partner Jill. She was yelling at one of the rookies who had contaminated the scene by stepping into the rooms. Glancing around the room he took it all in. The blood covered walls, the slashed pillows their stuffing spilling out onto the bloody floor. He walked around the room making sure not to miss any of the clues left from the slaughter.

Sad blue eyes stared at the photos of the girl on the walls. It looked as if she was always surrounded by people. His eyes darkened in rage at the thought of such a young life cut short. The victim was only a seventeen year old student. Newly arrived for college and working to become a doctor.

Sighing he made his way back to his partner. "Jil I'm gonna start the report can you get the copies and photos from forensics?"

"Yea, why Leon where are you goin, you usually do it yourself." She was worried lately Leon had become more responsible even going so far as to do his paperwork on time. She was really surprised when he suddenly stopped going to the Count's Pet shop in China town.

Even the chief was starting to become worried at this more somber and professional leon. It was starting to freak out some of the other cops too. They were all used to the loud, annoying, gutter drawl havin, suspicious leon not this model of cop behavior. He spoke with no hint of the New York streets not even making rude comments about women. It was very scary if you thought about it like he was a completely different person.

Jil growled to herself before grabbing Leon by the arm and dragging him from the apartments. "What the hell is wrong with you lately Leon?"

He just stared at her his eyebrow raised silently in question.

"Don't give me that look. What the fuck is going on you don't act like yourself and I haven't seen you in china town in over a month." She fumed as he stood still not saying a word.

Sighing he smiled at her a bare perk of his once vocal mouth. "would you believe me if I told you that this is who I really am."

She stared dumbfounded at him. It took a moment before she was once again glaring at him her eyes burning in fury. "Yeah right I've know you since we were in the academy this isn't you."

He shook his head blond hair pulled back in a tail. He looked away from her for a moment. "Jil there's more about me than you know but its fine nothing remains the same forever."

With those parting words he left her alone staring at his broad back.

China town

Count D sat at his table one leg dangling upon his silk clad knee. Looking around the shop he watched his animals talk among themselves. Gently he lifted his tea to his lips taking a small sip. He had been restless lately without the constant company of the Detective who frequently came to his shop. Even totetsu, who was one of those within the shop who professed hatred for the detective was discerned by his absence.

He couldn't think of any reason that the detective would not show up especially for tea time. He glanced down at the totetsu who sat beneath his chair. "T-chan what do you think happened to detective orcot?"

Totetsue snorted rolling his golden eyes "Hopefully he got shot, I don't care as long as he doesn't come back"

D frowned "T-chan that's not nice he has his uses."

Totetsue frowned huffing "He causes more trouble than he solves, stupid human."

D just frowned down at the slender red haired totetsu in exasperation. He looked once more to the door and stood a false smile upon his lips as he heard the shop bell ring. Stepping forward he face his newest customers a young be-speckled girl her brown eyes going wide as she stared around the shop. The pets ignored her and focused on the man standing behind her. He was taller than D and about as tall as Leon. His eyes were what made them focus on him.

They were an unusual shade of pink slightly feral reflective like an animal. He was glaring at the totetsu and kitsune, Ten-chan smirked at him and lounged on the sofa letting his body stretch out full length giving the intruder no thought. D ignored this interaction smiling at his newest customer. "Welcome to count D's petshop where we sell hopes and dreams how may I help you young miss.

The girl smiled her face lighting up a little before she spoke. "It's nice to meet you count I'm Lisa Genson. I'm looking for a companion for my friend leo he's been alone lately."

She turned to look at the guy behind her tugging on his arm. "Come on leo you need something to occupy you and what better than a pet."

Leo growled at her grumbling under his breath about meddling women. He sighed before nodding "Fine whatever you want but make sure it's something small and….."

He stopped talking mid sentence before glancing around the shop eyes wide. He took a discrete sniff before he stepped back closer to the door. Turning to Lisa he smiled a little stiffly "Hey Lisa can you wait in the car."

She was about to protest before he used puppy dog eyes on her. She huffed but nodded. "Fine but you better have either a fish or a cat when you get out, go it."

He nodded and watched her walk out before he turned back to the count. He glared eyes shining a little in the dim shop. "Why is the scent of the gaurdian within this shop kami?"

D was startled but didn't show it as he stood his ground. "I have no idea of what you speak nor of what you are."

Leo shook his head. "I do not believe you have forgotten my kind seeing as yours helped to destroy us."

D's breath stilled as he became as still as a statue. "I still know not what you speak of so please do tell me what you are."

Leo snarled teeth elongating "I am one of the few left that guard this universe, a keeper of the tomes of knowledge. I am what your ancestors called Shariska."

With that said he reverted to an animal like form it looked like a large tiger with fur the color of sunset and eyes the shade of blood. Its tail was split into three each a different color from red to gold and orange. It bore massive teeth like those of a saber tooth tiger and claws pitch black like those of a dragon. Transforming back he glared once more "I know not why a guardian has visited this place but I warn you do not anger it lest this universe be destroyed."

With those words he left the shop in stunned silence.

End