It was one of those nights, one where thunder hung thick in the summer air. It hadn't broken yet, but you could almost feel it.

"Ja ne, See you tomorrow," Mai Called leaving the office. She picked up her bag and headed out the door. I looked up from my typing to watch her leave. I knew it was just the thunder but I had an uneasy feeling watching her leave alone tonight. As it happened occasionally, I sent a shiki out to follow her. We all had our own ways of protecting Mai now. She was an orphan and a part of our awkward family. Although silently and unknown to the rest of them, I once in a while had my shiki follow her. An added protection and a way for me to know she got home all right. This was one of those nights.

Not too long after Noll and I put away our work and drove home. He bounced a few ideas on cases or spoke of how ridiculous a case was. He only spoke like that when he too felt the nervousness or worry of the day, I nodded but mostly ignored the youth, the thunder broke, and the downpour started. Hard and fast, I could barely see the road. We made it easily to our apartment house; he stayed in my quarters while we made a small dinner, and ate. I know I was far too silent. He knew something was up but would never pry into the situation. It was right when we were clearing the table when my shiki returned; I dropped the dish into the sink.

"I have to go" I muttered, I walked out of my slippers and slid my feet in my shoes and continued walking, not bothering to tie them. I didn't have time.

"Where are you goi…" Noll's voice was cut off by the door closing behind me.

Sliding into the car I shifted into gear and drove in the direction my shiki divined. I stopped a block from Mai's house in an alleyway; a guy appeared and walked away. Leaving the car running, I darted into the alleyway. There in a crumpled pile laid Mai. I approached and a small whimper came from the pile.

"Taniyama-san?"