FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

On the same day that Kiryu had busted heads at the Airenas Temple, he returned to the office to speak with Obakimura. The sound of furious button mashing filled the room along with faux-Egyptian music as Kiryu found his patriarch with young Obara, sitting together as they played a fighting game where a bat-headed succubus squared off against a giant pharaoh with a cobra's head in the midst of a ruined town.

"I'm gonna getcha!" the junior cried.

"Nah-uh boy," Sanjin kept tapping, "come on get close to me I dare ya!"

"SOUL FIST!"

"HAH, you teachin' me to block or whut?!"

"I'm biding my time, here comes the drill!"

The succubus flew through the air on leather wings to suddenly turn her legs into a spinning drill, before the pharaoh blocked hard and grabbed her to wrap her body in tight mummy bandages and slam her into the floor.

"WHA-AWW!"

"HAHA, tech-grab!"

"Obara-kun?" Kiryu asked from behind. "I thought you were out with Sa-Rhee-kun."

"Oh yeah," the youth nodded keeping eyes on the screen, "he helped me with my project, but then he got tired and went back home."

"Was he alright? He didn't give you trouble did he?"

"Nah, well...he got mad a few times, I wanted to ask him about Kanrai and he flipped out! That was kinda why he went home."

"Ahh." Kiryu pointed at the screen. "This a new game you're playing?"

"Nah," Sanjin shook his head, "Night Warriors, Obara-kun brought his Sega Neptune round."

"This game is AWESOME!" Obara cried hammering his buttons. "I played this all the time back home, even my mom played it a couple times!"

"Well it is thuh same company that did Beast Fighter, they know them good fighting games."

"I stopped a kidnapping at the temple."

"WHUT?!"

They paused their fight at Kiryu's words and turned their heads.

"A, k-kidnapping?!" cried Obara.

"This family, Kamoebara," Kiryu crossed his arms leaning against the door, "they were trying to take one of the priestesses, I think she used to be a sex worker and somebody wants her back."

"A family doin' pimp work?" Varan shook his head. "Fuck's sake, whut clan wuz it?"

"Jinuchu Clan, ever heard of them?"

"Naw, you got a look at their pins?"

"No pins, but jackets, three golden points that make a crown."

"I see..." Sanjin rubbed his jaw, "I'll let Shisa-han know, is Shoji-sama alrigh'?"

"She is," Kiryu nodded, "she can handle things, always has since Imagawa left."

"Who's Imagawa?" Obara asked clenching his feet.

"The other priest from the temple, it's supposed to be run by two priests, but he backed out over some disagreement."

"That must've been a bad argument, so that means Shoji-sama's running two jobs?"

"Basically," sadi Gojirama stepping out, "anything you want me to do Varan-san?"

"Nope," the patriarch unpaused the game and the two kept playing, "just keep an eye on our folks, keep yer ears to thuh ground fer that there killer."

"Got it, I'll call you if I find anything."

Taking his leave Kiryu headed back out on the street, wandering his way east towards Nagamichi Street and checking along their businesses. Things were somewhat quieter, as if the city were bracing itself for a revelation, or perhaps because of the school holidays coming to a close and less youths hanging out on the streets. Either way it made Kiryu tense, his hands becoming fidgety as he pondered whether or not to hit the arcades.

The Stega arcade on Nagamichi was smaller than the one in Theater Square, but it served its purpose well as he thought perhaps it was best to go in quick and try a few rounds of Puyo Puyo to destress himself. Then he looked round the corner into the alley and saw a strange alien-looking individual.

"Is...is that a giant...mushroom?"

A tall gangly fungus stood in the damp corners of the alley, their head covered in bulbous orbs beneath a large straw hat whilst garbed in rustic farm clothes with a satchel round their hips and a twisted staff in one hand. Curiosity drew him closer, but he had his fist clenched at the ready.

"Excuse me."

"Ahh...you have come, future friend."

The mushroom bowed with a soft voice and thin beady eyes.

"I have known this day would come."

"What?"

"We are all but travellers on the road yes? And on that road we must forage, and feast what is given, nourished by our sweat, our tears and our steps on the great path."

"...are you trying to recruit me?" Kiryu frowned.

"No, my good sir." The fungus reached out with long eerie fingers resembling stalks. "I wish only to...entreat you to a world that was once beyond your imagination. Heh...hhhheh."

His laugh triggered a primal danger in Kiryu's mind as he stepped back slightly. The fungus reached into his satchel and brought out a seemingly innocuous-looking little shroom of blue tips.

" A sample, for you my good sir."

"Are you selling narcotics?" Gojirama clenched his teeth. "We don't do that in Kaijurocho."

"What is...narcotics, good sir?"

"Drugs, is this some kind of drug?"

"The only drug you shall experience is the joy of tasting something new," said the toadstool, "please, good sir, do not refuse my gift."

"Stop talking in riddles." Kiryu stepped closer with hardening face. "Is this a hallucinogen, or not?"

"Wh-what? Sir, perish the thought, it is simply the most divine of treats I wish to spread to the world!"

"Really? So it's just a normal mushroom, it won't make me go on an acid trip and start ranting and attacking people?"

"NO!" The shroomhead gasped pulling back. "Oh my good sir, I would NEVER cater to such falsities of delirium, on Matango's spirit I would never!"

"Matango?"

"Yes, I am Matango."

"So, you, on your spirit's honour?" the saurian squinted.

"Ah, of course, forgive me," the merchant bowed once again, "I am not used to the world beyond my isle. I am Matango, son of Matango, grandchild of Matango, all who are Matango, are Matango."

"Aaaah," Kiryu nodded, "you're from the country, right. Where are you from exactly?"

"I am from Matango, the home of Matango, an isle adrift on the great sea of Matango."

"Alright, well...how much do you know about Tokyo?"

"This be my pilgrimage," Matango clutched his staff, "I have been chosen by Matango, to take his name and spread the joy of Matango across the land."

"By selling mushrooms?"

"Correct. After centuries to ourselves, the elder Matango decided it would do good for one of us to travel and see if the world was ready for...Matango."

"Well," Kiryu rubbed his chin, "I'm not here to tell you how to do your business but, you should know offering mushrooms on the street is a very quick way to get arrested."

"What?" Matango gasped. "But, why?"

"Because normally the kind of kaiju offering mushrooms ARE the ones offering acid trips that make you go crazy."

"Ohh...be this...true?" The fungus reeled back. "Would such poor souls be so far gone from Matango that they would offer poisons of the mind so willingly?"

"Yes," Kiryu nodded severe, "so you want to sell these mushrooms, are they for cooking or eating?"

"Both my good sir! They are of purest Matango, the love, the life and the joy of Matango encapsulated inside each and every phylum. I assure you I would never offer poisons, Matango is life, but never death!"

The toadstool offered his sample shroom once more with hopeful glinting eyes.

"Will you not take this journey with Matango, to a realm of bliss that your tongue has never seen?"

Hmm. Kiryu slitted his eyes. He does seem pretty sincere...must be some kinda monk, I don't want to look bad to a tourist who just talks weird, he knows what poisons are and he's being too honest to lie.

"Okay." He nodded. "I'll take your sample."

"OH, thank you!" Matango bowed. "Please, enjoy, my new friend!"

The mushroom was small enough to eat in two bites, Kiryu gingerly taking a bit off the top and chewing between his teeth. The moment the fungus spread across his tongue, his eyes widened with a spark through his buds at the most incredible taste he ever had, a pure revelation as angels sang, devils wept and for the briefest moment in time, he thought he had experienced Nirvana with the image of a grand moth sweeping through his mind and her wings caressing his face. A single tear came down his cheek. To describe the taste would be an insult to Matango. He knew what Matango was, and now Matango knew him, as he ate the whole shroom with a blissful warmth that filled his soul.

"Gods." He shuddered wiping his cheek. "That...that was...beautiful."

"Ahhh, I am so happy to hear!" the toadstoll clapped his hands. "Do you know now the joy of Matango?"

"I don't...know, I-I've never tasted anything like this."

"Of course, to know Matango the first time is a true experience unrivalled by this world or the next, eheeh, hee HEH...heh...heh."

"Are you planning to sell these?"

"Regretfully so," said Matango bowing, "I wish I could give them free, but the truth I am here in this...marvellous city, this open cavern of steel is that I must sell my wares for funds to continue my travels."

"Ahhhh," Kiryu nodded with a smile, "that's fair, I understand."

"I am sorry to ask, I wanted to give at least one taste for free since there is no price one can put on Matango."

"Well, it was really good so...how much are you offering?"

"Two-thousand yen per stalk."

"Hmm, sounds pretty reasonable, how about I take five then?"

"OH, thank you so much my good friend!"

The mushroom giddily offered five little shrooms bundled in a bag as Kiryu paid him.

"I hope you and your friends shall find bliss with Matango," said Matango.

"I certainly did," Kiryu smirked, "but, just to make sure, you should be more upfront about what you're selling, a lot of kaiju can take it the wrong way like I did, so from now on, tell them it's cooking shrooms."

"I shall my friend, tell me, what is your name?"

"Kiryu," the saurian bowed, "good luck with your journey, Matango-san."

"Thank you, Kiryu-san," Matango bowed in turn, "I hope we meet again, somewhere on the roads of providence as we journey to the fates!"

"I hope so too."

Stepping back onto Nagamichi Street, Kiryu took a long down south before stopping outside the Don Quijote megastore and swiftly turning back up north. Once he came close to the cafe Pronto, he noticed a familiar shape of a hulking spiked back in a red letterman jacket as he stepped in to meet the manager.

"Hey Kiryu-san!" the baboon bowed. "Can I get you something?"

"Sure, chai tea please."

He sat himself down opposite of Anguirou Sano, watching him burn his gaze into the tabletop with a tightening grimace.

"Good thing you don't have energy powers," Kiryu joked, "you'd have to pay for the table the way you been staring at it."

"Hmm?" He looked up and shook his head. "Oh, hey Kiryu. Howsit going?"

"Pretty good. Thought you'd need some help."

"Do I? I dunno, my head's all kinda fuzzy these past few days I can't even go to the arcade."

"Mmm." Kiryu leaned forwards. "What do you want to do? Truthfully."

"I...I want this killer fucking dead." Sano balled his fists. "She...she's out there, and I-i...I hate sitting around like this, I can't fucking focus knowing she's still out there not rotting in prison for what she did."

"You want to help me find her?"

The armoured creature nodded tightening his lip, clenching his eyes shut as he struggled to hold back his tears before the manager came round with their drinks.

"Here ya go."

"Thanks Hime-san," Kiryu took a sip of his tea, "hey, can I ask you something?"

"Can't stop you," the baboon shrugged.

"You seen a lady around the city with red wings, sloping head that looks like a shovel?"

"Mmmmnope, sorry."

"Alright, thanks."

She walked off as Sano drank his coffee. They sat in silence for a brief while, until their glasses were empty and the spikeback took a deep breath.

"I wanna find her," he started. "I wanna find this bastard and make her know how much she'll pay for Tsuchi-chan."

"Alright." Kiryu nodded. "But we're not killing her."

"What if she don't come quietly?"

"Then we do what we must. We take her in alive to the cops, but if she wants to go down fighting, then that's what happens."

"...fine." Sano offered his hand. "Let's do this, brother."

The saurian smiled as they shook hands, fiercely gripping Sano's fist feeling a fire in his belly and a glint in his eye as they headed out onto the street. They searched up and down Nagamichi, asking the same description of the red-winged devil but no response came. Eventually they went south to Showa Street and walked into Tenko Holdings, the green banner of its pale sunset barely inviting anyone to come in and see their offers as an office room of desks would welcome them.

"A-AH!" A gecko in sweaty polo shirt rubbed his fingers. "U-um, c-c-can I, h-help you?"

"Hey there," Kiryu waved his hand, "don't worry, you're not due payment for a while, just wanted to say hi."

"O-oh, that's good, um..." he started breathing too hard, "helllllooo?"

"Wow what's this guy's deal?" Sano muttered.

"I had a dispute with him a couple weeks back," said Kiryu, "don't worry, he's harmless."

"I-i would, like to apologise for my behaviour last time," the manager bowed deeply, "Ushigawa-san explained everything to me-"

"Hey, it's fine." Kiryu smiled disarming and offered his card. "No harm done, it was just a misunderstanding."

"Right, oh, I'm Yamamori," the gecko offered his card in turn, "junior manager of Tenko Holdings."

"Nice to meet you proper, we only came in to ask something, it's not related to your business."

"Well, yes I'll try, and I'm terribly sorry again about the misunderstanding just, I-i, I had troubles with...yakuza before."

"Really?" Sano stepped up cocking his head. "What kinda trouble?"

"I-i come from Yokohama, there's a t-terrible clan there and they ran things s-so horribly and, when I arrived and heard about the Toho Clan I-i expected the worst!"

"Damn, how bad is this alliance?"

"I don't want to talk about it...please," Yamamori clutched his fingers tight, "but Ushigawa-san told me how your clan works and I daresay it's a lot more civil than what I am...accustomed to."

"Yeaaah I know we're kinda weird," Anguirou shrugged, "our boss is all about respecting the community an' saying fuck you to the government."

"Haha, hah, w-well I certainly feel that when it's election day HAHAHAHA, HAH, ahah, aaaah."

An awkward silence came through the office, the other reptilian workers keeping their heads down to work away as the junior manager felt his legs turn weak.

"So what IS this place about?" the spikeback looked around. "I never really understood it."

"We're a financial group," the gecko pulled up a chair, "we buy stock and manage shares from other organisations."

"So, that's it?" Sano shook his head. "But, why?"

"So we can influence business decisions of smaller companies and help guide them towards better investments. We're sort of a financial ally, at least that's how we see ourselves at Tenko."

"Uhhh...huh?"

"It's like backup in a videogame," Kiryu leaned over to Sano, "you call an ally to dig you out of trouble, so you don't use up all your items."

"O-OHHH, right okay I gotcha, so you guys are like a summon!"

"I uh...I guess?" Yamamori blinked rubbing his head. "But yes, we help small companies and in turn we own part of the stock."

"Like a summon taking up your MP yeah, got it!"

"Anyways," Kiryu asked, "have you seen a lady with red wings, has a head like a shovel, flat on the top and real pointy?"

"No," the manager shrugged, "is she a customer?"

"I don't know, but if you see anyone like that, please call us, it's very important."

"Alright, I will."

"Thank you." Kiryu headed out to the door. "Take care Yamamori-san."

"And you, Kiryu-san!"

With a gasp of relief as the yakuza departed, the gecko slumped in his seat and felt his stomach rumbling.

"Gods, I haven't eaten all day...maybe I should get something over at Sushi Gin."

Walking back to Tenkaiju Street, Kiryu and Sano travelled all the way up north towards Theater Square and stopped at the Hotel District. Without any leads and a growing frustration in their minds, Gojirama took his friend to the baseball centre partly to help vent their stress and get the itch out of their fingers. The sound of aluminium bats pinging off of balls echoed throughout the hall of green where thick netting covered the stalls to catch errant white orbs that flew too far, or too little from the large home run targets looming above the pitchers' cubicles.

"Anywhere else we haven't looked?" Sano asked taking the bat.

"Pink Street could be good," said Kiryu watching, "lot of creatures go back and forth, if the killer hunts at night there's a good chance someone saw something."

"Makes sense. Alright, how about if I beat you at these home runs, you buy me dinner?"

"Hah, alright."

"What, no teasing about coming back to my place?"

"Nope, because I'm getting a free dinner."

"Hahah, dream on big guy."

With a few practice swings the spikebacked kaiju readied himself on the batters' mound as the pitching machine hurled its first ball. A few soft-serves would lower his guard, before the fastballs came flying and a few curveballs caught him out with hard sweeping arcs as he ended up with 6 out of 10 hits.

Kiryu stepped up to the plate, already familiar with every shot the mechanical pitcher would throw as he knocked almost all of them out of the park, the cracking slam of the bat ringing through his arms as one ball caught him just a bit too sharp, flying high before it suddenly dropped through his guard and rolled past his feet.

"Daaaamn," Sano clapped, "nine out of ten, you come here often?"

"Most days yeah," Kiryu smirked tapping the bat on his shoulders, "helps me calm down, it's great when you've had a rough day."

"Yeah...though I think that guy over there needs more work."

"COME, ON, FOR FUCK'S SAKE!"

The sound of a shrieking fit came from two batting cages down as everyone turned towards a very frustrated-looking kaiju with dark grey muscles and a sharp silver head resembling a chicken with antennas, a blunted length shaped like a periscope looming from his forehead as he swung with belligerent fury at the balls flying too fast for him to catch.

"FUCKIN, COME ON, THAT WAS A CHEAP SHOT YOU SUNUVABITCH!"

"Sir, please calm down," a raccoon from the centre spoke behind the cage, "if you can't control yourself I'll have to ask you to leave."

"HOW 'BOUT YOU CONTROL THESE BULLSHIT FUCKING BALLS!?"

"This is the advanced course sir, if you want to practice may I recommend the beginner or intermediate-"

"I'M NOT SOME BASIC BITCH, YOUR MACHINE'S THE DAMN PROBLEM!"

"Sir, PLEASE stop shouting this is a family entertainment centre!"

He tried to calm himself and took the next swing as the holographic image of a wolf stared him down, masking the pitching machine behind as it struck out another ball past the grey chicken who stomped with clucking fits of apopleptic rage. Creatures started watching with nervous amusement as he failed his sixth swing, his body shaking with internal scream that everyone could hear. Then came the seventh swing, and he missed again, the ball whipping past his guard as he stared at his bat, and his head shook with bile.

"GODS, _FUCKING DAMMIT! _"

He slammed the bat downwards with such force that it bounced off the ground and straight back into his chin, spinning upwards above his head as he staggered with blistering scream. Then he heard the pop from the machine and turned to see the baseball flying at his head, crunching with a devastating speed straight between the eyes before he crumpled onto the ground. The bat fell on his head with a clobbering thunk. Then the last two baseballs before the machine stopped, and a cackling ripple filled the audience watching.

"Hohohohoh shiiiit," Sano snickered with his phone capturing the scene, "that dude got fucked real hard!"

"Yeah that was...amazing," Kiryu rubbed his chin, "seeing himself get hit from below, left him wide open for a single strike."

"This is totally going up on Screecher, damn that made my day I gotta zip this to Obara-kun."

"Heh...alright."

At least he's happy, Kiryu smirked looking at his friend, but that guy hitting himself with the bat...that gives me ideas for something I can use in a fight.

As they left the batting centre with renewed spirits, the sky had gotten darker with the faint rosy fingers of dusk creeping over the horizon as they walked on down to Geiger King and stuffed their faces full with burgers, milkshakes and a few fries to top things off for Kiryu's celebratory dinner. The small fast food diner with its blaring red-and-yellow tiles was almost harsh in the glow of the neon lights flicking on from outside as they sat down to eat.

"I was expecting you to go to Kanrai," muttered Sano through his burger, "not that I'm complaining."

"Some days you just want something fast," said Kiryu tucking into his.

"Yeaaah I feel that." Anguirou slurped from his shake. "We off to Pink Street after this?"

"Yeah," Kiryu grimaced chomping half his food, "businesses should be opening, we can ask the barkers since there's plenty."

"I can already tell you're dreading it, not sure why."

"It's just not my scene."

"Oh good, cuz I ain't paying for any of that."

"You already have Basu-chan anyway," Goji stood up finishing his meal, "how is she by the way?"

"Ahhh pretty good," Sano smiled wiping his hands, "we had a good talk about stuff, out of business hours even."

"So are you two dating, or?"

"I'm not...sure." The spiked kaiju took the tray of wrappers back to the counter. "It's kinda weird and I don't wanna say it here."

"Alright," Kiryu nodded as they left, "I'm glad she's alright, it must have been terrible."

"I felt way more bad for her than me, I mean she's a civilian she shouldn't have to deal with that. She even took me back to her place for a talk."

"Really?" They stepped into the alley round the corner.

"It was...kinda weird but it felt good?" Sano rubbed his neck. "Like she wasn't expecting me to make any moves and I just...wanted to talk."

"That's good of you," the saurian smiled, "that means she trusts you a lot."

"I mean don't get me wrong, I like girls but...I just don't like Basu-chan in THAT way, you know?"

"What do you mean?"

"Is..." Sano rubbed his fingers, "is it weird I love a lady but I...DON'T wanna have sex with her?"

"No, not at all," Kiryu patted his back, "whatever makes you comfortable, have you told her that?"

"I-i haven't, was waiting for her to ask and kinda hope she never does haha I mean I'm just fine being...with her, you know?"

"I understand. What matters is you're both there for each other."

"Yeah."

Anguirou smiled with a sense of relief as they walked over onto Pink Street, the lights starting to click on with lurid displays of saucy slender insectoids and risque reptilians, wearing everything from lingerie to wedding dresses to punk rock outfits befitting every sort of interest. Barkers were out in full force, clapping hands by the dozen with promises of special offers and exceptional partners.

"Come on down we got the finest bugs this side of Tokyo!"

"You lookin' for some fur, or a li'l scale to grind on, we got it all!"

"These ladies are newlyweds, all kitted out ready for the honeymoon!"

"Masters and mistresses, looking for pets, are you ready to be one?!"

"Dare you enter the DARK QUEEN'S REALM and lay-I mean-slay her with your mighty sword?!"

"Heyyyy handsome!"

A voice called out to Kiryu as he turned to see an effeminite kitsune in a svelte blue suit with long locks of golden hair.

"You looking for a job big guy?"

"No thanks," Kiryu waved his hand, "we're just looking for someone-"

"Ohh why even bother, with that fine ass of yours round the pole you could make ten-thousand an hour."

"I'm, not here for that, what pole?"

"Stripping hun!" the fox clapped his hands bending forwards. "You look nice and fit in that suit, a lotta folks would pay good money to watch it come off and see those thunder thighs."

"No, thank you," Kiryu struggled to contain his blush, "we're searching for a specific-"

"Ohhhh a threesome is it, he your brother?"

"Kinda," Sano grinned, "can we ask you something?"

"You can try," the kitsune licked his lips, "I know quite a few folks who'd love to take two brothers at once, a li'l 'family bonding'?"

"Wh-what?!"

"Look," Kiryu stepped forwards, "have you seen a lady with red wings and a head that's flat at the top, looks like a shovel?"

"Mmmmm...can't say I do," the fox grinned tapping his chin, "you like the winged ladies huh?"

"You know where we can find ones like that?"

"Yanno...actually, yeah, there's a place called Eye Behold You, I remember a lady with red wings coming out of there, it's on the corner up north."

"Thanks," Sano gave a thumbs up, "so uh, what about me?"

"What about you hun?"

"Yanno, would I look good stripping?"

"Ohohohoh, sweetie no." The fox simpered shaking his head. "You look good on a bed, not on the pole."

"Wha, what's that supposed to mean?!"

"Never mind we're going," Kiryu grabbed his arm, "thank you have a good night."

"You too thunder thighs!" the kitzune waved him off. "Mmmph, what a fucking slice of cake."

Walking up north Kiryu sighed feeling his cheeks start to flush, Sano snickering at his expression before he scowled with a little smirk as they found " EYE BEHOLD YOU". Suddenly Kiryu pulled Anguirou into a doorway and pinned him against the wall.

"Wh-wha, what the-"

"Shh, quick, put your hands on me."

"What the FUCK?!"

"Murata's right behind you," snarled Kiryu, "don't look, now pretend we're making out."

"Oh fuck off dude no!"

He grabbed Sano's hands and put them on his body, covering up his suit with the spiked back of his friend as he peered over Anguirou's shoulder. Dressed down from his usual police clothes, Murata approached the barker of the club, a goblin shark of silver skin with a claw-shaped mouth under a sharp piercing snout from his pointed head, glimmering like the fins down the back of his suit.

"Evening sir," he bowed, "interested in someone to keep you warm this evening?"

"Perhaps," Gaho nodded pulling out his phone, "seen anyone like this in your group?"

"Hmmmm..." the shark squinted at the photo of the killer, "ahhh yes, she's a feisty one for sure, would you like me to make an arrangement?"

"Yes please."

"We do ask for payment in advance of course."

"I understand," the detective brought out his wallet, "you accept cash?"

"Always." The shark grinned under his snout. "May I have a name to tell her who is calling?"

"Yeah. Toto."

Murata paid him as the barker pulled out his phone and texted her, whilst Kiryu kept watching from the doorway. Sano's hands kept rolling around his body, wrapping tighter until their chests crushed together and Gojirama pressed his head against his friend's cheek. He started breathing harder, Sano tightening himself with his thick tail twitching uncomfortably, his friend trying to keep eyes on Murata as the shark barker put his phone way.

"Madame shall see you in room sixty-nine, at the Scirocco Hotel."

"Thank you," Gaho bowed, "have a good night."

"And you a better one."

As the officer left, the barker snickered and slid back into the door of his club. He brought out his phone again and made a call that Kiryu overheard.

"He's coming now. Deal with him."

Once the shark turned himself round and entered the club, Kiryu left quickly with Sano as they marched down the street.

"W-wait, Kiryu hold up!" the spikeback pulled against him. "What's the problem?!"

"Something bad's going down," Kiryu kept walking, "Murata needs help."

"Why we getting involved with that cop it's not our problem!"

"Because he's about to get 'dealt with' and you know well as I do what creatures mean when they say hat."

"It's a sex club, why they wanna whack a cop?!"

"I don't know, but I'm not letting it happen."

"Oh heyyyyy!" the kitsune stripper waved to them in passing. "Back for more you extra slice?"

"No, but," Kiryu stopped and turned to him, "do you know where the Scirocco Hotel is?"

"Ohohohhh, you found someone! Who's getting dessert, I won't tell promise."

"It's, a friend, I need to know where they're going."

"Woah woah hey, sweetie," the fox patted Kiryu's arm, "I never kiss and tell, what other folks get up to is their business."

"No, it's not like that, my friend is in danger!"

"Danger?"

"Wait, friend?" Sano leaned forwards. "Kiryu he's a-"

"Are you helping me or not?!"

The lieutenant stared down at Anguirou with a sudden lurch with a fierce look in his eyes. Sano drooped with a gentle nod before Kiryu turned to the kitsune.

"We overheard a barker send our friend to a room and then saying to 'deal with him'."

"Oh, oh no that sounds bad," the fox stepped back, "barkers don't do that sort of language, and they certainly don't do roleplay."

"So where's the hotel?"

"Over at Park Boulevard," the stripper pointed north, "just east of all the hotels but you can't get in normally. It's a...special hotel, for sex clubs that cater out certain rooms, you need a forward appointment."

"Shit, what do we do?!" the spikeback clutched his head. "Maybe there's a back way in, we could-"

"Waaaait wait wait wait." The golden fox wagged his finger. "No need to be so brusque, you can get in by normal means."

"How?!"

"I have a card...that I'm willing to offer, IF...your friend here allows me to put him on the stripper pole when you're free."

"Are you SERIOUS?!" Anguirou snapped. "We got someone about to get shanked, or worse and you wanna-"

"I'll do it."

They both gasped as Kiryu nodded.

"One night of stripping is worth saving someone from a bad mistake, no time to think."

"OOOOH, aren't you a big hero," the kitsune clutched Kiryu's hands, "even your heart's big as your muscles. Alright, a deal's a deal."

From his slender paws he pushed a keycard into Gojirama's thick scaled fingers, a serpent's head sprouting from a rose engraved upon it as the fox patted his chest.

"Take this to the clerk at the reception, do you know what room you're after?"

"Yeah," Kiryu nodded.

"Show them that card and tell them what room, you'll get there in a flash. BUT, remember you owe me, and if you try to welch on me..."

He suddenly grabbed Kiryu to pull him close.

"My employer will hunt you down, and you'll be feeding a whole garden with your thick sexy corpse. Understood, sweet-cakes?"

"Perfectly." Kiryu smiled stepping back. "Thank you, what's your name?"

"Myobi-chan, I'm at the Violon Autumn, every night so I'll see you soon!"

"Alright, Myobi-chan I'll see you sometime this week."

"I know you will."

They headed off quick as they could, darting towards the Hotel District in the far north as they swerved through the foot traffic and entered into Park Boulevard, the long backroad that went along the perimeter of Kaijuro Hills and where the homeless liked to sit. Within five to ten minutes, they found themselves outside the Scirocco, a medium-sized place with several floors rising above, and whilst nowhere near as large as the main hotels in the northwest of the city, it had a sultry seductive air with a few traditional hanging lanterns, a sliding door and a pebble-stoned front that gave the barest effort invoking the Edo period.

Inside however that facade disappeared in an instant, a much more modern hotel lied within as they found in-line floors of marble, and sturdy doors with handles as they approached the reception desk where a severe-looking sparrow sat with a puffed-up face.

"Hey", Sano put his hand forth, "we need room sixty-nine, pronto."

"Do you have a reservation?" she raised her feathered brow.

"No, but that's not impor-"

"I'm sorry, but this hotel is reservations only, if you have no reservation I must ask you to leave."

"Does this help?"

Kiryu offered the card of the serpent's rose as the sparrow suddenly gasped clutching her beak.

"O-oh, m-m-my apologies, sir! Room sixty-nine you said?"

"Yes, urgent please."

"R-right this way...oh." She turned to the row of keys on her back wall. "That's odd, someone already has it."

"We need that room" Kiryu tightened his fist, "do you have a spare?"

"O-of course, yes, for you sir absolutely but I will need this back."

The sparrow pulled out a skeleton key as the Toho members rushed up the stairs to find rooms 50-70. Through halls of orange wallpaper and dimly-lit lamps, they searched between doors where the sounds of moaning and giggling could be heard as they tried to slow their steps and gingerly rush without making too much noise.

"You know he's gonna be pissed off," said Sano, "what if he arrests you?"

"He won't," Kiryu shook his head, "if he's doing an investigation he won't make it bigger than it is."

"He can still kick your ass and you can't do shit if he does."

"I'll deal with that, I'd rather have him alive and pissed off at me then dead or kidnapped."

"There it is!" Anguirou pointed to the second-last door. "Alright let's get in an-"

"Scuse me boys."

Two shadows came from behind and suddenly pulled them into rooms 65 and 66, Kiryu trying to kick back as a pair of arms grappled around his waist, whilst Sano immediately threw himself backwards to stab into the thug's chest before he tripped and fell into the room as the doors closed to the sound of flying fists.

Ten minutes before Kiryu and Sano reached the hotel, Murata had entered Room 69 to meet his contact. Inside the room was a large heart-shaped bed and dark maroon walls with a mood lighting that cast his face in darkness.

"Hi there, big boy." A lady's voice came drifting from the shadows. "Hope you haven't...been waiting long."

"Not at all," he shook his head, "you might just make my night."

"Really?" she slid down across the bed. "Well, I hope I can reach all your...expectations, sir. Would you like something to drink?"

"I'd rather...get to it, if that's okay."

"Ohhh but I insist, it's on the house even! Please?"

Her voice became a softening whimper that tugged Murata's senses.

"I-i...I'm rather new at this s-so a little...drink helps me loosen up, and it's so sad to drink alone, is that...okay?"

"Hm...alright," Murata sighed with a smile, "I am taking up your time, so I'll drink with you."

"Mmmmm, thank you. My name's Jin Gerumba, come, sit by me please."

He could tell it wasn't Gyao Shin by the look of her profile, seeing a bronze flat-headed triceratops in a sleek yellow serape with burning amber lines interwoven between. Her nostrils resembled two horns, a third from the top of her head almost resembling a coiff of ivory hair. From the side table she brought out a bottle and two glasses.

"How would you like me to start?" she asked.

"I like to take things slow," Murata sat beside her, "build up to the good results."

"Oh good...I love taking things nice and slow."

"That's good, I'm the sort of guy who doesn't like to rush things."

"Yeah?" she started pouring their drinks. "I like that in a male, no need to rush through things."

"Long as we both get what we want, right?" Gaho chuckled. "It's no fun if your partner doesn't enjoy it as much as you."

"Oh yes...absolutely."

Turning her back to Murata, Gerumba brought out a small packet of powder and raised it over one of the glasses.

"I hope you like wine...this is my favourite brand."

"Well you must have good taste," said Gaho nodding, "I'm a soju guy myself, you ever had it?"

"N-no, never." She offered him his drink. "I'll try some after tonight, Murata-san."

"Thank you." He took it as they clinked glasses. "Then let's make a toast to a good night."

She tried to hold her smile, slowly taking her first sip as she watched him raise the glass to his beak.

In room 66, Kiryu struggled against his attacker grappling him from behind in a sultry room, a lush crimson bed with lava lamps and a dresser from Imperial. Driving his elbow back, he shoved the skull of his attacker into the wall, giving him time to quickly pull free as he turned to face a blue ox with thick snorting nostrils, horns buried into the wall and a black jacket that barely contained his muscles.

"NNNGH, gurgh!" the bovine yanked his horns free and cricked his neck. "Didn't you hear the lady at the desk? You don't get a reservation, you don't come up."

"I'm here now aren't I?" Kiryu shrugged with a smirk. "You going to give me a good time or what?"

"Ohoh, I'll give you a good time." The ox stepped forth cracking his knuckles. "Hope you don't mind but I play real rough, just like your little cop friend's gonna feel in the morning."

"That's good," Kiryu flexed his fists, "hope you remember the safe word. Cuz I don't."

He beckoned the thug with taunting fingers as the bull came for a swing, Kiryu ducking underneath with a straight uppercut that knocked him slightly, but not enough to stagger him as he drove his head forwards to regain balance as well as trying to pierce Kiryu's face with his sharp horns. The kaiju grabbed said horns and quickly dragged his head in a circle, before the ox dug his hooves into the carpet and suddenly lunged forwards to grab Kiryu's waist with both arms and threw him over his shoulder.

Landing hard on the bed, Goji looked up and saw the bovine pull out a switchblade from his jacket, coming down for Kiryu's chest as he grabbed the thug's wrist and stopped it short of his ribs, the blue ox pushing harder with his whole weight down on the blade inching closer to Kiryu's skin. With one hand shaking hard to push the knife away, the saurian grabbed one of the lava lamps and hurled it at the bison to smash on his face, smothering gloop on his snout as he reared back in a snarl.

"GRRAAARGH!"

"What's wrong?!" Kiryu snorted. "I thought you liked to play ROUGH!"

Pulling back his legs he slammed them into the ox's stomach like a kangaroo, throwing him back against the door as the dinosaur rolled off the bed and waited for the fiend to attack. With a lunging stab of his knife he went for Kiryu's belly, the reptile grabbing the other lava lamp and deftly parrying the blade with a clinking scrape of the glass. The bovine thug slashed and jabbed as they stepped round the room, Kiryu keeping his guard with the lamp before the ox thrust too far and missed him completely, grazing his suit with a thin cut.

Kiryu leapt forth immediately and clocked the bovine's face, following with a heavy smash of the lava lamp on the bull's arm to make him drop the knife and kick it away in the corner. The ox grabbed Kiryu's throat in a blind rage and slammed him against the dresser, forcing his head back and strangling him with fingers tightening.

"How's THIS for rough you FUCKIN' NOSY BITCH?!"

Clenching his neck Kiryu grabbed for the drawers beside him and scrabbled around for something to use, grabbing a small pear-shaped object that he shoved into the ox's mouth. He suddenly realised what it was as the bull pulled back with a retching cough.

"GU-UUUUGH! UUUUGH, y-you sick FUCK you know where that's bee-URGGHH!"

"Hey, don't kinkshame."

Kiryu smirked before he gave a winding football kick straight to the bovine's chin, knocking him back hard as he fell on the bed before a stomping foot from the reptile crushed his lungs.

"Now...tell me what you want with Murata."

"NNNGH, or what?!"

"Or I'll make you scream REAL good until you beg."

Meanwhile in Room 65, Sano was facing his partner for the night, a red-headed horse with burning dark mane and a white jacket. With a more medieval room styled after a quiet farmhouse with bed full of straw, open-topped candle jars and a stone larder with a mirror on top of it, Sano had little time to have mixed feelings about the decor when the horse swung for his head with a steel baton.

"Shouldn'ta come here little prick!"

"WHA-HEY!"

Ducking low Anguirou swiped his tail at the stallion's legs to knock him down, running for the door before the thug grabbed his foot and dragged him down hard to try and roll on top of him. Raising his club high he was blocked by Sano's arm before the spikeback pulled up his legs and curled his spine easily to form his body into a ball. Wrapping his feet round the back of the horse, he rolled suddenly forwards to crush the equine's head against the side of the bed before he scrabbled on top.

"I don't got time to deal with you, dumbass!"

"The FUCK you call me?!"

The horse slammed a hoof into Sano's gut and sent him crunching against the door.

"My mother was a SAINT you fuckin' bitch, just for that I'm gonna kill you, REAL slow!"

Stomping towards him with his baton glimmering in the light, he struck the door when Sano rolled out his path as the kaiju quickly grabbed one of the candles.

"GET BACK! You touch me, the whole place goes on fire!"

"With what?!" the stallion snorted. "An electric candle, you fucking idiot they're not gonna have open flames here!"

"Oh...shit, well you better still not touch me!"

"Buddy, after I'm done with you, there won't BE enough of you left to touch!"

With a baseball swing the horse struck against the wall and smashed the mirror into a dozen pieces, Sano ducking under the swipe and throwing the candle jar at his head as it bonked off and clattered to the floor, giving Sano a chance to bullrush the thug and backfist him hard across the face, spinning him halfway-round to slam his foot in the stallion's back and send him crumpling at the wall.

The horse was not yet out as he hurled his baton like a dagger, blunt-stabbing his head to make Sano reel back with a shriek before the thug came charging with a full headbutt to Anguirou's stomach. Stumbling back the spiked saurian shuddered from the hit and almost fell on the larder, balling himself up to bitchslap the equine with his long tail and briefly startle him before rolling forwards once more to crush the stallion harder under his weight, his spikes tearing through the jacket and scarring over the horse's chest before he grabbed the punk's head.

"Knock KNOCK!" He threw the stallion against the door. "Special DELIVERY!"

Punching the horse twice across the face, Sano backed up for a furious shoulder charge that slammed him straight through the door with a vicious crack. Throwing his entire body on top of the equine, Sano fell into the hallway and looked up in time to see Kiryu also on top of his opponent.

"Hey, howsit going?" Anguirou grinned.

"Ehh, I've had better," Kiryu shrugged, "he wasn't my type."

"Haha, same. Alright!" They both stood up brushing themselves off. "Room sixty-nine, let's go!"

"Nice."

Heading to the second-last room in the corridor, Kiryu gently unlocked the door and braced himself for a hard kick. The moment he slammed his foot against the door, his friend came charging with his fist raised and ready.

"MURATA!"

"A-AAAAGH!"

"GET AWAY FROM HIM!"

"K-KIRYU!?"

The spikebacked yakuza came barging in with fists swinging before he suddenly stopped seeing the frightened lady fall off the bed, Murata quickly leaping up to block them.

"Are you alright?!" Kiryu said.

"What the HELL are you doing here?!" the turtle snapped.

"We heard that barker at the club!" said Sano. "They were gonna do you in!"

"I know." He rolled his eyes. "You think I came here not thinking I would be targeted?!"

"W-what?"

"This lady here was telling me about it, before you both barged in like the thick-headed punks you continue to be and frankly I should detain you now for breaking and entering!"

"I have a key," Kiryu produced his, "s'not really breaking and entering if I just enter."

"Who, wh-who are you?!" the triceratops clutched her serape. "Oh gods I didn't say anything, I swear!"

"It's fine they're just Toho thugs," Murata pulled her up. "Don't worry they're not with me."

"That how you talk to someone who just saved your ass?!" Sano pointed. "There's two guys out there who grabbed us when we came to get you!"

"Also," Kiryu added, "one of them told me about how their employer wanted to rub you out for getting too close."

"Is that so?" The officer rubbed his beak looking to the lady. "Sounds like you got a backup testimony."

"Y-yes." Gerumba brought out her unused packet of powder. "They...th-they told me to drug you, so they could dump you in the river, but I couldn't do it, I just-"

"It's fine," Gaho nodded, "I understand you're being forced."

"Yes, they...th-they, keep an eye on things in Tokyo."

"Who's they?" asked Kiryu. "Is this Jinuchu Clan?"

"N-no," Gerumba shook her head, "I...don't know who that is, but-"

"Hold it." Murata stood up walking towards Kiryu. "This is still a police investigation, you two are not involved."

"What?!" Sano cried. "You can't be serious, we just busted our asses to save you!"

"It's not your job to save me, nor is it your job to keep pursuing this, I warned you before about interfering with police investigations!"

"Oh fuck off cop we're in a sex hotel, none of us should be here without a reservation!"

"Firstly, I DID have a reservation," he jabbed Anguirou's snout. "Secondly, I can still detain you, I'm still on duty so back off, and get out before I put the cuffs on you."

"Ohoh yeah, still on duty going to a sex hotel that'll look reaaaal good on your report!"

"Sano." Kiryu patted his side. "Let's just go."

"What?!" Anguirou cried.

"Murata's right, we're not part of this investigation-"

"WAI-WAI-WAIT, wait!" He turned jabbing a finger at Gerumba on the bed. "If this...this investigation, i-is this about the Host?!"

"No it is not," Murata shook his head, "this is about a separate investigation, you know there's more than one crime going on in this city, thanks to you."

"The fuck you doing not hunting that killer down, you waiting for her to kill again?!"

Tthe turtle grabbed Sano hard by the collar and shoved him against the wall.

"I am pursuing the Host, ALONG with other duties I must attend to because, as much as you don't want to admit it, there are other criminals lurking around in this city including the one you see everytime you look in the mirror!"

"The fuck, get outta my face or-"

"Or what?" Murata clenched his beak. "You raise your fist, and I will drag you down to the station by the horn and you'll never wear a suit again after the trial."

"That's a big threat." Kiryu stepped up beside him. "You sure you want to make that bet?"

"Are you threatening me back?" Gaho turned to him.

"No, it's curiosity. I like you Murata, don't make me take that back."

"Too bad, I don't like you, I don't like your clan, and I won't take that back, Kiryu. I don't care what bullshit moral code you yakuza have, but in this city, I am the law, NOT you."

He pushed Sano over to the door and gave a thrusting sweep of his hand.

"Now get out. My reservation was with Gerumba-san, and neither of you were invited."

"Fine." Sano rolled his eyes. "Last time I ever fucking help you."

"Agreed, and if I see you again wherever I'm investigating, I'm bringing out the cuffs."

"You might want to save two for her buddies out there." Kiryu pointed to the hall. "But I understand. Just promise you'll tell us if you find anythi-"

"I don't owe you anything." Murata snarled. "I will inform the public, when we have all the facts and you will know when everyone knows."

"Alright, understood, Murata-san."

With a bow Kiryu left, much to Sano's blithering insult as they stepped over the two thugs still splayed out in the corridor. Murata went over to cuff the ox and horse for safety's sake, before stepping back inside the room.

"Sorry for that," he closed the door behind him.

"Are they friends of yours?" asked Gerumba on the bed.

"Absolutely not," he walked back over to her, "just two mobsters, they're obsessed with Tsuchimura's death since she was from their clan."

"She, sh-she was?!"

"So it's likely they're trying to hunt down Kaneyama and make an example of her. Now."

He sat back down on the heart-shaped bed.

"You were telling me how the 'Eye Behold You' was a front for whoever ordered you to poison me."

"Yes." She sighed rubbing her fingers. "I'm not in trouble, am I?"

"Only if you had actually tried, but if you're being forced to then I can help you."

"Really? A-are you sure?"

"Positive. I won't let anyone come take you, Gerumba-san, if you fear for your life then I will do what I can to protect you."

"...thank you." Jin nodded stroking her face. "I'm with the Daiei Alliance. They come from Osaka, they...they're the ones that Gyao Shin Kaneyama's with."

"Osaka?" Murata squinted. "That's...an awful long way to start snooping around Tokyo."

"I don't know much about why she was here, or what she wanted to do, I was just ordered to knock you out because...you were getting close."

"Do you work for them directly?"

"No," she shook her head, "just the club they own, they said that I...wouldn't have to pay rent the next few months if I just slipped you something."

"Well, thank you for not doing so," Gaho grinned rubbing his head, "much as I enjoyed the drink, I still like soju better."

"Hmhmhm, maybe I should bring some next time."

"Next time?" he raised his brow. "You flatter me Gerumba-san, I'm sure you have better more accessible clients than me."

"I mean well, you go off-duty eventually, right?" she smiled rubbing her arm. "I'm sorry I couldn't be much help."

"No no, you helped me plenty," he waved his hand, "though that said, do you know any places Kaneyama would lurk, perhaps other fronts for this Daiei Alliance?"

"I-i'm not sure," Jin clasped her head, "I think I remember something, just give me a minute."

"Who were the other two out in the hall?"

"That was Gozuhara and Mezugawa, they're bouncers for the club. They're not really with the Daiei, they just got hired as...backup."

"So they can keep me incapacitated if your plan somehow fell through."

"Y-yes." She bowed. "I'm so sorry, again."

"It's fine Gerumba-san," he straightened his back with gleaming shell, "what matters is you didn't do it, I'll overlook your temporary possession of narcotics considering your difficult position."

"Thank you. I'm...surprised, I wasn't expecting a cop to be so...well-"

"I'm just trying to keep creatures safe," he nodded, "I'm here to help, not to fill a quota."

"Heh, never thought I'd hear a cop say that...oh!" She clapped her hands. "I remember, where Kaneyama might be!"

"Tell me, please."

"There was this old bar, she talked about it sometimes, said it was the only place she could drink in peace. I think it was called Atlantea."

"Do you know the address?"

"No, it closed down years ago, I just remember her saying once that 'if anyone needs me, I'll be at Atlantea'."

"Alright, well that's not a common name so that definitely helps." Murata lifted himself up. "Thank you Gerumba-san. Would you like me to escort you back home and put you under protection?"

"Wha, sh-should I be?" she clutched herself.

"Do you feel like you should be?" He offered his hand. "It's up to you, I won't say no."

"......could you?"

Her voice became plaintive as she stood up beside him.

"I...I-i'm scared of her, Murata-san."

"I don't blame you. I've seen what she can do. Come on."

He took her hand as they left the room and stepped over the bouncers.

"I'll get someone to pick them up, don't worry."

"That's fine," she nodded, "you sure you won't be in trouble?"

"Nah, just from my partner. He always hates when I have fun on my own."