In the Silence of Moonlight [part one]

A fickle moon illuminated the back lake through a mist of eerie green. There had been celebration outside the Wall when it re-appeared in the sky, its brief replacement by the copy earth, which itself then vanished, not going entirely unnoticed by the population. Within the gate though, it brought only renewed knowledge of the creature's entrapment there; its inability to extend its will beyond the Wall, which was strange considering the influence it once held even whilst the Other was asleep.

It knelt by the waterside. By the little light reflected on the surface, it greeted its reflection. By all it could tell, it looked like her; the same mouth, the same nose, the same hair. The only exceptions were the burning orange eyes; like a cat's in the shifting darkness. It didn't understand. Pale fingers reached for the image, but snapped back as the tips touched the surface. It didn't burn exactly, but it was so cold. Colder than the Antarctic wind.

It clutched its hand to it, tears welling in its eyes.

"So what was it you did before coming here?" Misaki asked curiously. They were stood outside an office building near the American embassy. Their target was a diplomat supposedly in charge of maintaining peaceful relations between the Americans and the Security Bureau – a difficult task given the obvious refusal of the CIA to withdraw their occupation forces, despite international disapproval. According to an ear in the government, he had done surprisingly well, but Morita was not so sure. There was something too…clean about his records.

Too perfect.

Thus, he had sent Lilly and Misaki on recon to discern whether or not he was 'bent'. For her experience in Section Four, Misaki suspected the same. Still, they had a few minutes before he would appear and she decided to jump on the opportunity to interrogate Lilly. The girl by her side shifted at the question, passing it off as a stretch.

"Normal things: school, work." The words rolled off her tongue as naturally as bird singing in the morning. Misaki suppressed a frown.

"What kind of work?"

"Not something that compares to this." Lilly chuckled. The action lighted her face, but there was something…odd in the way she laughed. Tinkley. Fake. But after watching the girl, both in deception and truth, she could sense only a flicker out of place behind the disguise. She bristled in frustration.

"And what do you actually do here?" She blurted out, unable to keep the question down. Lilly gave her a wearied look.

"I supposedly organise and review our staff resources to optimise the efficiency of operations." She said bluntly. "But since no one else was taking care of organising the report files either, Morita assigned that too. I asked to come into the field when it got so dull I realised I'd started doodling on the back of the files."

She sighed heavily, and for a moment Misaki could see genuine tiredness shadowing through the sculpted features. She fought to maintain her anger, but inevitably Lilly's distress caused it to ebb. Not that she was about to give up.

"But why come here to work in the first place?"

"Gap year to work overseas? It's not that unusual." Again the words were so natural they made Misaki want to scream.

"Then why did you lie about your name?" Lilly stared at her, expression unreadable. With a touch of curiosity. And then, because since she'd started she might as well continue, Misaki added "And how did you come to contact the Black Reaper?"

Lilly didn't answer that. She was gazing at a tree slightly over Misaki's shoulder.

"I suppose I neglected to deceive you on that count." She said quietly, at the same time carefully opening her mind and locating the shadow hidden in the branches. Misaki opened her mouth to say more, but seemed to think better of it. Lilly remained silent as her mind focussed toward the glowing strand, listening to its rhythm. It took a great effort to stay in control, but she managed to close onto its distinctive hum without touching it, listening to the ripple of its mind; letting it flow through her own. Yet still all she could distinguish were the vaguest of surface emotions. The rest tangled irretrievably before she could grasp them. In her frustration, she moved closer, forgetting how dangerous this was, and willed the mind to hers; to feel anything, anything at all that wasn't grey static…

In a split second, a wave of tumultuous apprehension and concentration crashed against her, followed quickly by a flash of rage. It was the briefest moment, yet Lilly felt the pain and terrible guilt that lay beneath as though it was her own.

She had touched the strand.

It took all her will not to cry out; not to sob uncontrollably. Fighting panic, she jerked painfully back before the memories began, the other strand coiling instinctively, though mercifully making no motion to trap her. Misaki gave her a look of utter bewilderment as the clutter of emotion rushed over her face, but before she could master herself she felt a voice inside her head.

Do not try that again.

She recoiled, but already the anger was receding, replaced by concern that lapped gently over her fractured nerves.

I have to practice she murmured into her head. I recognised your mind. I would not have been so reckless if it were someone else.

She felt an odd churn of emotion ranging from exasperation to irritation as the strand attempted to disentangle itself. With a second pull, she disengaged and found herself standing in front of Misaki, brown eyes boring into hers.

"What happened?" She demanded, unnerved.

Lilly breathed slowly out.

"Nothing to terrible."

The black car rounded the corner, sunlight flowing off the surface. The windows were mirrored, making it impossible to see inside, but by the infra-red picture on the camera Misaki concealed against her coat there were two men in the back seat. The two women watched as it passed by; the men glanced at the girl with the pretty black hair, before returning to their conversation. The larger of the two, a man with a shock of grey hair growing determinedly over his forid, shifted nervously as the other continued.

"I can assume your continued co-operation?" His companion said lightly. The man grunted.

"In that case we will expect delivery by the end of the week."

"I can't just re-direct an entire shipment. People will notice!"

The other, whose sallow skin resembled an amphibian, narrowed his eyes.

"I am certain people will notice even more if certain interesting information was to come to light in the event you are duplicitous." The grey haired man sank into his seat. "But you have a point. It won't need to be re-directed far, just…enough for it to be waylaid. Does that satisfy?"

The man nodded.

"Good." His sallow-skinned companion tapped the window behind the driver. As the car pulled to a stop, he got out and leaned into the driver's window, kissing the young woman passionately on the lips. The grey-haired man turned away, but the other turned abruptly back to him.

"See that your men are in place." He commented casually.

"I thought your man had bugged it!" Misaki stared harshly at Morita.

"He used a private car." Seiko said quickly. "We're scanning the police database for the number plate."

"The fact he used a private car and not the one provided says to me he's worried about surveillance." Morita mused. "He's hiding something."

"Well, I've been over the reports on him – the official ones and the ones from the man in the Diet – and I really can't find anything." Lilly confessed. "Either he's a true man of peace, or he's really very good at keeping his books."

"How good?" Morita asked shrewdly. Lilly hesitated.

"Good enough that if he is bent, he couldn't have fixed them himself. He must have some sort of network in his department."

"Very well. Get me background on everyone in that office. In the meantime," He looked back at Misaki. "See if you can't get a little closer to our 'friend'."

Misaki looked taken aback, but nodded. Hazuki frowned.

"Why is it so important we investigate this politician?" She demanded haughtily. Lilly got the feeling that anyone who got overpaid to sit and talk about war made Hazuki's fingers itch.

"Because," Morita growled. "If he is corrupt, the Americans could use it as an excuse to withdraw their ambassador. Relations are strained as it is; suspension of negotiations would be disastrous for both the country and our ops. So we investigate."

The room was silent. Eventually Chokichi cleared his throat. Lilly jumped in mock surprise, enjoying the ridiculous look of apology he gave her.

"It'd be easy enough to get Misaki a position near him." He assured Morita earnestly. "We already have intel on the inside."

"A few minor changes to the team would do the trick." Lilly agreed absently. "Perhaps one or two security updates."

Morita nodded, nostrils flared with something between anger and anxiety.

"Oh, and I almost forgot." He announced as the rest began attending their work. "We are still in the dark to his motivations, but we can't rule out the possibility of BK-201 trying to interfere. Be on alert. Beyond the current mission, his capture or removal is the number one priority."

"Sir!" Chokichi acknowledged swiftly. Lilly sighed privately. Of course, she had other ears…

Hei followed the car as far as the dingy alley where the man had been dropped off. The decision to follow him and not the car came from years of experience with the mob's scheming, but it was a calculated risk since Hei had not the time to familiarise himself with the location. Once, he could have asked Yin to tell him the layout – to guide his feet when the ground became foreign. Only when she had fallen prey to Izanami, her companionship stripped from him, had he realised how much he relied on her eye.

Or perhaps it was her constant watch that had allowed him to travel without fear.

These thoughts writhed like snakes in some deep compartment of his mind, but for the moment he was focussed, his mind absolute. Whatever eyes the streets, they saw only a shadow flying between the lintels of windows as the sallow-skinned man marched suavely forward. He entered a shabby apartment building; the shadow followed.

The man stopped at the third floor and rapped on a door. It opened only slightly, revealing the face of a small, scared looking old man behind a chain. The youth with the earplugs, suddenly at the other end of the floor, flicked a button on the device in his hand. The old man made a feeble attempt to cower behind his door, but his sallow-skinned visitor was unperturbed.

"I bring good news. You will soon have a cure – assuming, you will buy. And be willing to distribute the rest."

The old man mumbled incoherently, bowing to his knees. He made to shut the door, but the man outside gripped its edge.

"Oh, and the...special item, don't worry yourself with that. It already has a buyer."

The man mumbled again, trembling. His watery eyes fixed on the man at his door, before realising he was dismissed and instantly disappearing inside. The sallow-skinned man smiled to himself before returning down the stairs, glancing about.

"Did you get that?" Hei asked the air once the man was out of sight.

"Loud and clear." The earpiece answered. "Military medical stores sold on the black market? Lucrative."

"Your politician is stealing from the CIA."

The earpiece crackled as Lilly let out a quiet sigh on the other end. Hei could hear a muffled discussion, but it was cut short by her statement that the two women should remain unforthcoming until they had more information, hoping the tape from the car would clarify. When Morita announced that their target had avoided the bugs, Lilly was hardly surprised, however, knowing such a dangerous game would not have been undertaken without precaution. It was no matter – Misaki would soon uncover the evidence, knowing now what to look for, and the only remaining question pondered whether he was bought or blackmailed, either of which could be transferred to Section Three and the information silenced. Problem solved.

No, both she and Hei were considering different riddle – the secret item seemingly hidden in the shipment. They agreed it was unlikely the diplomat knew of it, but if Misaki acquired them the identity and destination of the shipment they might be able to deduce its significance.

Lilly flashed her long, natural-black eyelashes at Chokichi as he watched her leave the lab for the filing room. It wasn't long before she returned, profiles in hand, and laid out her plan for their insider network. Chokichi hung on her every lyrical word, blinking as she asked him a question.

"Sorry?"

"Well, I was only thinking if we approached this from the other angle – investigate any persons who might have taken an unscrupulous interest?" She flashed her eyelashes again before continuing. "Even from the ambassador's staff?"

Chokichi nodded, slightly dazed.

"You'll have intel's report by the end of the day."

"Hello, Mr Fujita," Misaki bowed heavily. "Your assistant has been deemed unsuitable. I will be your new PA."

Fujita looked her up and down, and then again, brushing his grey hair out of his eyes in a mixture of confusion and mild disbelief. Inwardly, Misaki cursed. She had planned to imitate the way Lilly wrapped every man around her little finger, but somehow it had come off very wrong. Never before or since did Kirihara Misaki think it a bad thing she was not girlish enough.

"You?" He asked in a monotone.

"It will be until a replacement can be found." Misaki assured him. At this, he looked much happier.

"Well I'm sure you'll fit in – until the replacement arrives." Suddenly he looked nervous. "Nevertheless, I'm sure you will do more than an intermediary job."

Out of habit, Misaki slammed her heels together and saluted. Fujita stared.

"I will keep your affairs in order." She assured him, though he still looked a little unconvinced.

"Very…good." He said slowly. "I have important business over the next few days. I don't want it fouled up by a woman losing my papers."

Misaki fought the urge to snarl, but luckily Fujita wasn't taking any notice.

"Your first task is to write out a letter summarising the upcoming transferal of military supplies from the Security Bureau's holding area to CIA regional headquarters for me to sign. And then tidy this place up, I don't like mess."

This time Misaki actually bristled as he stood and brushed past her to leave the office. He hadn't even bothered with her name. Forcing herself out of her posture of near rigamortis, she sidled to the desk and used the access Chokichi provided her to open the files. It took only a moment of scanning to know what Fujita planned to do: his insistence of 'openness' between the two operating bodies forced the shipment to be delivered by truck and through centre of Tokyo. This in itself wasn't suspicious – inside the city, the sheer military force would no doubt be enough to protect it, unfortunately, as Misaki saw immediately, the goods in question were not in port in Tokyo: they were in Iwaki, over two hundred kilometres to the north-east through extremely rough terrain. Perfect for an ambush.

Slowing her eyes, she drank in every detail. When her memory was full to the brim, she primly completed her task and removed the pen drive, but not before she noticed something odd – an icon for a file, tucked innocently in the bottom corner. The name 'Kishimojin' stirred something like recognition as she drew her attention to opening it.

CLASSIFIED MATERIALS. Perishable organic matter with possible links to activities inside the gate. An unconventional appearance and unusual effects on surrounding human physical and mental conditions suggest similarities to the Heimer Effect on plant life observed within hell's gate. HANDLE WITH EXTREME CAUTION. CONSIDER ITS DELIVERY TOP PRIORITY SUPERCEDING DELIVERY OF OTHER MATERIALS. ITS EXISTANCE IS NEED-TO-KNOW. ALL OTHER INFORMATION IS CLASSIFIED. CODENAME: The Kishimojin Flower.

Misaki stared with open mouthed incomprehension. What had the Americans discovered, and why were they going to such lengths to conceal it? Surely, a scientific discovery ought to have been handed to PANDORA, though she acknowledged the organisation's lack of real power, despite its re-instatement. If they thought this 'Kishimojin Flower' was valuable, it wasn't a stretch for Misaki to imagine them taking it for themselves.

Kishimojin…

The name was familiar somehow, though Misaki didn't waste time on it as she gathered her wits and re-adjusted her mask.

"Yamada Tarô." The malachite eyes narrowed.

"He's been observed with our friend on several occasions, all discrete. But it never indicated an illicit arrangement, so intel thought it unimportant."

"Unimportant?" Lilly fought to keep the incredulity off of her face. "Yamada is one of the business partners of the new 'family'. He organises the hauls – the reports have him arranging deals with the Americans on the ground."

Chokichi frowned.

"He was never indicated as a threat." He mused.

"The smuggled items…they were little more than perfume, silks, occasionally narcotics – small things that would turn a quick profit without being viewed, as you say, as threatening." Her slender fingers traced the edges of the manila folder with some concern. "Nonetheless, he certainly has the contacts to attempt something more...ambitious."

"He intends to use his new relationship to expand his commerce." Chokichi wondered.

"More than that," Lilly flicked the liquid-emerald irises to his, voice dropping with urgency. "He may be using him to steal directly from the CIA."

Her colleague's face drained of colour.

"If the American embassy found out…"

"We must contact Misaki."

She swept quickly from the room, elegant even in her hurry, pulling a sleek phone from her pocket as soon as she was out of earshot.

"Details?" She asked tonelessly.

"The shipment passes south-east of Mt Tsukuba at 0500 hours two days from now." Misaki listed carefully. "The materials will be most vulnerable then."

"Anything else?"

She's expected this Misaki hissed to herself. It goaded.

"Something called the Kishimojin Flower. The Americans seem very keen on keeping it with their own."

Lilly suppressed a mocking grin.

"So like them to put that keenness into trusting politicians."

"They think it has something to do with the gate."

The twitch in the sculpted lips faded.

"Will you be reporting it in?"

"Of course." Misaki sounded harassed. "You might not realise it, but I do not have loyalty solely for your deceptions. I have a duty to report anything that may endanger us or our operations: I won't betray it on your whims."

Lilly sighed.

"As you will."

Despite the season, it was cold in the hills. Lilly lay flush against the crest of earth, Misaki at her elbow. It would be another forty minutes or so before light made its touch on the horizon before them, though the waning moon was enough to cast them in eerie shadows.

As soon as Misaki mentioned the name, Morita had tensed. Every muscle seemed to spasm before ordering their immediate preparation to intercept, regardless of their previous orders and motives, just that they move as fast as possible.

And then he had taken her aside to ask for contact with Madame Orielle.

She had said nothing, betrayed nothing, and complied. She saved her mounting anxiety for Hei.

"For this Flower?" He asked, voice easily as concerned as hers.

"What do you know about it?"

"Only what you know. I would speculate it's some sort of weapon. Or artefact."

"Like a meteor fragment?"

They stood together, each in equal silence as the evening poured over them.

"If it is significant to Madame Orielle –"

"We must retrieve it first."

She surprised herself with her conviction, but behind it lay a coil of fear. The very thought that they might be in striking distance of something of such apparent power dispelled all reservations she had of letting Section Three lay hands to the object. Looking to her dark-eyed companion, she saw the same train of thought. They couldn't miss an opportunity like this, nor risk the consequences of the alternative.

"It's a name from my childhood." Lilly snapped back to the present.

"What?"

"Kishimojin." Misaki whispered. "I knew I recognised it. It's from the stories I grew up with."

"How do you mean?" Lilly responded warily. "You mean your mythology?"

She hadn't meant to sound patronising. Misaki shot her a look. She opened her mouth to enquire further, but they were interrupted by the sound of an approaching convoy. In the half-light, Lilly counted six vehicles: three large trucks, two escort jeeps and a smaller black van taking the lead. They watched them pass, concealed by the rise, before stopping abruptly. Misaki tensed.

And then all was chaos as the gunfire started.

More than perfume Lilly thought as she saw the Kalashnikovs. Despite their motley appearance, the mob-men knew what they were doing, dispatching the soldiers with the ease of a surprise attack. She watched their pattern, directing the shadow that flitted above them before joining the rest of her team. Hei was invisible to them, although she knew his hand would be unmistakable when they retreated empty handed. Beneath that thought lay her fear – though for whether he would fail, or for what he would find she didn't know.

The Black Reaper felt his eyes dance as the bullet ricocheted off of the metal in front of him. He ducked as another skittered past his nose, falling to a crouch on the precarious ledge that jutted from the door. They could see him now – solid against the lighter grey, but they still had little to aim at.

Like a spitting cobra, a hand flew from the door to fire a wire straight at the shooter's neck. The man dropped his gun with a strangled snarl, but Hei resisted the temptation to send a bolt of electricity into his windpipe. He did not need the light giving him away, so he waited, eyes fixed on the gun at his feet. Almost a minute crept by before the contractor felt the tremor of crushed bone flick through the wire. His companion, unable to see, continued to fire right up until the other collapsed to the ground. Then he ran. The wire whipped back into place.

No witnesses an old voice spoke. But it would have wasted time.

Gloved fingers located the opening mechanism before more of them arrived, slipping inside with the grace of a feral cat and re-closing the door. There was nothing within to suggest a special container, but then it wouldn't have been so obvious. After a little searching, the same fingers found a small, black case, just different enough to suggest it might require special treatment. The Black Reaper flipped a small object into his palm and made short work of the lock. He wasn't sure what he had been expecting – something otherworldly, most definitely. The glow that often accompanied things taken from the gate.

The night-eyes stared, curled fingers unable to move.

Not this.

The creature felt the stir of power as it stared at the moon. Something it had felt before, and it was angry. How dare it exercise its magics whilst it could not? How dare it presume to flaunt its freedom?

The Other stirred beside it, her violet eyes shimmering in the light.

"You did this?" It demanded of her.

Yin shook her head.

In its cooled setting lay a cutting of a black pine, needles yet alive with taught green. Sprouting from this was a flower, silver-white; beautiful, but growing absurdly outward as if it realised the strangeness of its origin.

A white lily.