Good Morning (Aiko/Sigurd)

The day started with a knock on her door, two men dressed in police uniforms squeezed within the confines of its peephole.

“Miss Aimi? It’s the Police.”

Whenever she made her way to the door and peeped, Aiko’s eyes would see who exactly had come to speak with her. One of them, the shorter of the two who looked to be about 5’7”, wore black shades over his eyes. His complexion is dark, a goatee on his chin with a clean shaven head. The other is taller, seemingly over 6’. He’s lighter in complexion with a buzz cut. His face is hairless but scarred.

“We’re here to ask a few questions.”

One might immediately wonder if this is about what had happened only a week ago. A little recap: a man had tried to kidnap Aiko for whatever reason before she was saved by an off-duty police officer. For all she knows, the aggressor and his men were all taken into custody. The couldn’t have been further from the truth, but there’s no real reason to deny the officers at her door answers.

It’s weird that they’ve come back after she was already interrogated following her rescue, but you never know when a simple case evolves into more.

BLOOD AND PASSION WOVEN TOGETHER

GOTHIC DREAMS AND CRIMSON POWER

Police? This soon? A weariness instantly went down Aiko's spine as she had just recently returned to Tokyo from Karakura Central. She doubted the police would respond this soon, and they didn't look like the local police she knew.

As her heartbeat increased, she felt something telling her that this was a set-up. Even if it has nothing to do with what happened in Karakura Central, there were still plenty of stories of crooks robbing, kidnapping, and doing god knows what else to women, the elderly, and other vulnerable sets of the population for their dark desires.

Without hesitation, Aiko edged toward the backdoor, her feet barely making a sound as she slipped out into the cool night air. She activated her home security system from her phone, ensuring the cameras captured the faces of these so-called officers for future reference. Her eyes darted around, scanning the dark alley behind her house. Every instinct told her she needed to get out fast.

With a swift glance at the fence, Aiko resolved herself and, without a second thought, scaled it. Her breath came in quick, shallow bursts as she hit the ground on the other side, her pulse pounding in her ears. For a moment, she paused, listening for any sign of pursuit before darting down the alley, her legs carrying her away from the ominous threat closing in. She wasn’t going to be an easy target tonight.

"I don't think she's answering the door," The taller man stated as the shorter guy knocked again.

"I see that, moron," The shorter guy grumbled as he fished in his pocket for a pack of cigarettes. He popped it opened and placed one in his mouth, using a lighter to light it. After a quick drag and a huff of smoke, he's stepping away from the door. "Tear it down."

The larger man nodded his head, reaching into his jacket's pocket for what looked like a metal pipe. However, he didn't use it on the door, his hand suddenly changing color to match the pipe. Soon, his other hand and face were the same color as the pipe: silver, sleek, and unblemished. With a snort, he then rammed his shoulder into the door, cracking it. He then did it again, this time knocking the useless thing off its hinges as the alarm sounded. He'd step inside.

The shorter guy would follow, huffing and puffing more smoke. "Search the place," He'd order as the two of them looked around. Aiko might have gotten a good distance away, but the two men would have regrouped after a few minutes, the house soon darkening with smoke as the shorter man's cigar seemed to produce a hefty amount.

"We got enough, so let's scram."

With a chuckle, they both went out through the front door, the shorter man clicking his teeth against the cigar before a spark left from between his lips, igniting the smoke in the air. Aiko, wherever she is after leaving her house, would hear a firetruck's horn blaring eventually.

BLOOD AND PASSION WOVEN TOGETHER

GOTHIC DREAMS AND CRIMSON POWER

Time passed, and when the coast was clear, she swiftly returned to her house after recording everything and sending the information to the police and other friends and family. There was a look of fear behind her eyes, but more profound than that was anger—anger for being targeted against something she hadn't even started. All because she was at the right place at the wrong time.

As the police and firemen handled the scene, a blood aura emitted from the woman as she then became detached from the scenario unfolding before her. Seeing her house in flames as the firemen did their best to handle the blaze could make many people go into hysteria, break down in tears or ask the gods themselves why this is happening to them. But Aiko, in her heart of hearts, knows why. Insurance could handle the cost of damages to her home, or perhaps even finding a new home with her parents help or a gofundme. Material things would sort themselves in time.

No.

Aiko's mind was lingering over into hate for these pig-headed men that fucked her life over. One way or another, even if it wasn't the smartest idea, she would get her revenge. It was clear this wasn't going to stop until she dealt with them. Aiko’s lips twitched into a grim smile, the reflection of the flames dancing in her eyes. The time to call for help was nearing, and she wasn’t foolish enough to think she could handle this on her own. But the contempt boiling in her blood dulled the fear, sharpening her focus into something far more dangerous.

This wouldn’t end until she made sure it did. On her terms.

"Now that her house is gone, it's a waiting game."

Clothes discarded into a dumpster, smoke filling it before the outfits were incinerated, the short man looked at his partner dismissively.

"Yeah, but what if she has those securities that takes photos and stuff?" The bigger man questioned. "She could send our faces to the police."

"And? You know how these things go, Mike. The police won't do shit when they see she has a hit on her. They'd never cross the board."

Lighting another cigarette, the man stepped out the alley, watching the smoke rising in the distance. What a conundrum. That chick could be anywhere. She could have even returned to the scene. Well, either way, she's doomed. If they don't get her, someone else will. And to think, this is all because that idiot Chester got himself killed because he was being too handsy with his women.

"Yeah, but if we cause too many probs... Well... Chester wasn't done in just because of that girl."

The smaller man sighed as they stepped out the alley and walked down the street back towards the house. Like he said, the cops didn't seem to pay them any mind, as they stood across the street and watched from a set distance.

"That's her, ain't it?"

"Yep."

One pointed out Aiko, the other confirmed, but they didn't try anything, not here out in public. The smaller man took a long huff of his cigar and blew out a single smoke ring, one that travelled until it'd hit Aiko in the back of the head if she couldn't see it coming. The light traces of Reiryoku might tip her off, but it'd do nothing, even if hitting her. She'd just get a sudden eerie feeling she's being watched.

However, the two men would turn and start walking away, leaving a trail of smoke behind as they did.

BLOOD AND PASSION WOVEN TOGETHER

GOTHIC DREAMS AND CRIMSON POWER

A blood-red aura from Aiko caused the smoke from the cigar to dissolve and dissipate before it touched her. She was far too pissed and lost in her contempt to not let some of her power bleed out. As she handed evidence of the crimes to the police, all Aiko wanted to do was find whoever did this and make them pay.

But reality, as always, demanded her attention elsewhere. Her phone buzzed incessantly with concerned messages from friends and family, and she shot off quick texts, reassuring them she was fine. Meanwhile, the police peppered her with questions, trying to piece together what had happened, talking about next steps—where she’d go from here, how she’d recover from the house fire, what her options were for relocating.

So while that hatred was on the forefront of her mind, other matters needed to be tended to for the time being. With a passing glance behind her, she would get the feeling that she was being watched, but at this point she didn't care. If anyone was dumb enough to make a move while she was in public, then she'd welcome it and hopefully get those bastards put in prison or worse.

The coming hours, days, weeks—hell, even months—would be tough. But now, at least, she had a goal, a purpose driving her forward. She was ready for whatever came next.