Three Days Grace [Oracle/open] [Finished]

[Shounin Aika]

Aika lightly giggled at the comment about her Miss. Karo guise.

"No, no," she started, "I just like to play dress-up once an a while. To tell you the truth, i was glad that you did, that wig was getting hot on my head. I should have went for the red head look." she laugh but mad a serious look, "But if you were there, maybe you could help me with this..." she stopped speaking to gather all the information and how to present it in a way not to say everything but enough for the man to understand.

"From what I know the person",she started as she walked over to a hand rail and laid her back on it, 'I was talking to, Creed, was following a person named Risa, the person I was following here in Japan. Though I know for a fact that she was using a fake name...anyway she was seen at a gay club with an unknown man with a collar on his throat. After wards they were seen at the park, this park was close by to where you were at, they ran into two more people in suits, twins maybe."

She then paused for a second to look around.

"This is the part i heard on the phone just now from Creed: Risa, the boy with the collar and the twins were attack by a man in a cape. Risa then took off with the boy toward the the hotel they were staying at where the the man with the cape then attacked. She couldn't see what happen next because I fire somehow broke out. When it stopped, the man in the cape was gone and Risa and the boy was safe...."

She then paused again.

"But one thing I don't get is, when the fire broke out, the young man with the collar vanished. When the fire was gone, he was back...i find that very strange and as a Private Detective i can't help but think if that boy was connected to what happen. Your thoughts?"

[Oracle]

Oracle leaned against the railing across from Aika, putting on a face of curiosity as well. Just by her reassuring of Sara's whereabouts and the activities of Oracle's mission objective under his Hako disguise made him one hundred percent sure that she was somehow related to the two Devil Saints, even if she isn't their mother. But the fact that she was looking for them made him realize one other aspect.

She had no idea where they were.

Oracle frowned a bit to illustrate deep thought on his face. He brushed his hair back to make himself look more convincing.

"Hmm," he pondered. "Your story is intriguing, Aika. I do remember seeing a fire at the park from the window seat from the restaurant. When it disappeared, I simply figured that the firefighters took care of it." He looked at his female company. "The restaurant was near the middle of the tower; where a lot of the tourists go because their too scared to head to the very top. Saying that, I wasn't close enough to see anyone, especially some man in a cape." Then he chuckled. "Kinda reminds me of that Superman II movie," he thought out loud. Then he shook his head with a smile on his face.

"Anyway," he said, getting back on track, "what would a couple like this 'Risa' and this boy with a collar around his neck be doing in a gay bar to begin with?"

[Shounin Aika]

"Oh right, I forgot to mention that they were gay," she said in a calm matter. In truth, Aika didn't really care about her daughter's sexuality, not one bit.

"Risa and B.W.C, boy with the collar, were there for some unknown reason. Thats all I know really. I guess that she was taking a break off work."

Aika looked up, taking a deep breath and letting it out.
"I always said I wanted to take a break back then. At least they are living their life like their father..."

[Oracle]

That proved it. The little slip-up instantly told him that Aika Shounin was the mother of Shadow and Sara Akuma. But in a way, he didn't want to be right about that one. Oracle only hoped that aspect was just a theory because he had grown a certain want for the woman before him, in more ways than one surprisingly. Chiyo had been the only other woman he ever wanted, and ever since her death, he never had an actual craving for another woman.

Wanting even a one-night stand with the woman before him, let alone an actual relationship with her could jeapordize his mission to find that flowershop. And for some strange reason, he could start to sense that there was something within her that wanted him as well. Oracle had never been so torn between two decisions before. When he dealt with Chiyo and Tomo, he clearly made him realize that he wanted both of them by letting Tomo know first hand on the same bed Chiyo was asleep on.

Then there was the fact that this was only a manipulation of his true form. Sure, it was the only disguise he had that was closer in looks to his true reveal, but Aika didn't know the real Oracle. She never even heard of the fairytales told in the mortal realm. Plus, her daughter was too accustomed to the Hako guise she met in Paris. If he chose to get involved with Aika, he would jeapordize everything he worked so hard for, just to place something in his spirit that had been missing a long time ago.

Oracle honestly did not know what to do. Either choices consequences were devastating. But he wasn't the kind to allow his emotions to take over his judgement. And if he couldn't have both currently, he'd find a way to have both at the same time eventually.

Oracle looked at the ground as he continued to walk with Aika with his hands in his pockets, seemingly thinking.
"Well," he started, "I guess I should have known the guy had to be gay in order to be wearing a collar. I take it you guess their related?" he asked as he looked at her. "You mentioned their father. Is it he that you're looking for and you hope that one of the two in question knows his whereabouts?"

I am so going to hate myself for this, he thought to himself.

Little Lotty, let your mind wander...

[Shounin Aika]

You mentioned their father. Is it he that you're looking for and you hope that one of the two in question knows his whereabouts?

Those words sent a shot through her heart and she instantly looked down on the ground.

"No," she said in an almost softer voice to the point that it sounded like a whisper in the wind, "Their father is dead, I am not looking for him." She turned her face away after she said that. She tried to hold back tears that were beginning to form.

"And the two of them are NOT related. Just two strangers who happen to bump into each other. My only concern with Risa and the other one I'm looking for is to to keep them safe. That's all"

[Oracle]

Oracle knew he struck a chord when he mentioned their father. Something told him that Shadow and Sara's father were dead, but he had to make sure. Because he started to care for Aika, he felt sorry he pushed to that level. But he had to be sincere and gather information at the same time.

"I'm sorry," he said, sounding somewhat purposely confused. "I didn't know that would strike a chord there. It wasn't in my place to question your investigation."

Then he smiled as he raised her face, first feeling the soft skin of her cheeks.

"Hey," he said somewhat reassuring. "I know what can cheer you up. You like Balloon Flowers?"

[Shounin Aika]

When Aika heard the words "Balloon Flowers", she instantly thought of her daughter, Sara. She had to smile from the thought of the day she had someone take away Shadow and Sara's memories of each other to elude who ever it was that wanted her dead. She remembered that she went out to a local flower shop and bought two flowers

A rose for her boy and a balloon flower for her girl. It was the only thing she wanted to give Sara at the moment, knowing fully well that she was not going to see her only daughter again or at least for awhile.

Her thoughts returned to the man that held her head in place by warm hands. She closed her eyes and smelled...

That scent, she thought, It's her's... With out a doubt in her mind, Aika remembered that scent. For her, it was something she couldn't forget. It was Sara's.

Aika backed away slowly and looked at the man with a mix of worry and question.

"You," she started to speak in a calm way, "You were near Risa, weren't you? Just who are you?"

[Oracle]

Oracle could honestly say that he was not expecting this situation to occur. Everything seemed to go so well. But the mentioning of the Balloon Flower must have somewhat triggered something within her. Oracle only mentioned it because of something he was conciously aware of, and something his subconcious was trying to figure out. His conscious mind wanted to soothe her, while his subconscious mind knew that the Balloon Flower was Sara's favorite, hoping that if Aika was responsible for that trait, she could lead him to the flower shop.

Oracle had to keep up this stchick. He didn't want to crack under pressure and, oddly enough, he didn't want to lose her. He placed worry on his face and looked at her somewhat concerned.

"I already told you," he said. "My name is Markus. If you want a last name, it's Bleache'. I'm part French, you see. And I swear to you, I was nowhere near that incident. I have witnesses that I can call stating that I was inside the Eifel Tower eating dinner with some public officials that night."

Oracle saddened his face.

"I truly am sorry, Aika," he said. "I honestly only wanted to help." Then he looked at her, with a look of passion in his eyes.

"How about we continue that tour?" he suggested. "Or, if that's past your interest now, how about I take you to dinner?"

[Shounin Aika]

Aika knew he was lying, some how. If she wanted proof that this man named Markus was really who he said he was, Aika had to play along.

Even if it meant using the flower shop as bait.

She moved her black hair away from her eyes and gave a soft smile, "Sorry about that," she said sticking her tongue out in a playful manner, "I just get so worked up about a case that I get a little...er...crazy. But dinner," she went over and placed her arm around his, "Sounds goo. Where would you like to go?"

There's a 50 percent chance, Aika thought to herself, that he is lying about not being near my daughter. I will find out what what makes you tick Markus and if I find out if you were near her, I will hurt you...

[Oracle]

Oracle caught her thought after accepting his invitation to dinner. It almost made him sad that this afternoon had to come down to this. He honestly started to care for her. And the fact that he had to lie made matters worse. But, she did accept his invitation to dinner, so that was a plus. And if everything worked out right when they got to the restaurant, there could be the possibility that he could get things back to the way they were before he found out all the information that he did.

"There's this nice sushi place I saw advertised in a newspaper when I got to the Hotel," he said. He pointed with his free hand. "I believe it's down the road that way."

Then he once again got caught up with Aika's looks as he gazed upon her face. There was a radiance about her that made him smile sincerely when he stared.

"By the way," he said. "You have really beautiful eyes..."

[Shounin Aika]

Aika smiled sightly at the comment. It was the only thing that she could do because she was starting to feel story for the man.

He's so nice to me.... she thought as she led the way to the sushi place, to which she knew a lot about, she use to work there. it was for a misson and the only thing that could be said about the whole thing was food eating people is not a sport.

"Thank you." she finally said, "I'm surrprised that you are not married or at least screwing someone's brain out. Why don't you tell me about your love life, Mister Bleache', I'll tell you about mine."

[Oracle]

Oracle chuckled a bit. Well, his Markus Bleache' persona chuckled. It seemed that the situation was slowly starting to revert back to it's normality. But the fact that there was still a hint of stubbornness he could detect in her spirit made him uneasy. He had to make her trust him; if not to become a possible love interest, then a very good friend.

Something that Oracle seemed to lack nowadays.

"Well," he began, "I was a bit of a wanderer before I found my place in the world." He looked ahead of him, comforted by Aika's arm around his. "Before I found my purpose, I lived a carefree life, using my looks and my mentality to get what I wanted." He looked at Aika with somewhat of a sincere smile. "I was a bit of a trickster back then," he admitted.

"Anyway," he continued as he once again looked ahead of him, "I thought that one day all of my mind games would catch up with me, so I decided to leave my childhood home. I traveled everywhere I could, blending in with humanity rather easily."

Then he paused.

"That's when I met Tomi," he said. "A real find, she was. We were in a very lengthy relationship that, now that I think of it, was covered in nothing but sex. In a way, my old mentality slowly started to sink into my being, manipulating her and tricking her so that I could get my way. But then I did something I thought I never would do; I fell in love with both her and her best friend.

"Chin was her name. She just had twins due to artificial incermination, and for some strange reason, I was drawn to her. I developed a want for both of them, and when I told Tomi, she couldn't believe it. But, with my manipulative spirit, I convinced her everything was okay, and we ended up forplaying on the same bed Chin was asleep on. I still have no idea how that happened."

Oracle cleared his throat. He was somewhat proud of himself. He was able to tell the truth and still hold his identity. Everything he told Aika actually happened. The only difference was that Tomi and Chin were actually Tomo and Chiyo; the first two beings he actually developed feelings for.

"Being ashamed of what I did, I once again wandered the world for a while. About two years later, I find out that Tomi was getting married, and that Chin was dead. I was heartbroken over Chin's death, and Tomi made it evident that there was no way that there could be anything between us anymore; even as friends. So, heartbroken and on the verge of suicide, I tried to find satisfaction wherever I could; even if it was only for one night. But I realized that in order to realize who I am, I had to go back to my childhood home. When I did, a lawyer was there, waiting on me. He was there to tell me who I was, since I never got a chance to know my parents."

Oracle was clearly talking about his first meeting with Satori when he told him that he was an offspring of the Shijin. But he knew that if he told the truth completely without exaggeration, that he would be looked at in a different light.

"It turned out that they left me a very abundant fortune," he said. "And ever since then, I have made my life better for myself, vowing never to love again..."

He then once again looked at Aika, who was seemingly oozing beauty and sincerity from her face. The fact that she was able to pause his train of thought left him paralyzed by the tongue. It wasn't until a smile of admiration was visible on his face when he was able to complete his thought.

"...until fate ran me into the right one for me," he finished. He brushed his hair back with his free hand. "So," he said. "How has love conquered your soul, Aika?"

[Shounin Aika]

Aika clasped her hands as she try to think it over. There was only one man that really took her heart and carried it around his neck. She did too and they were happy, not like the others she, to put in better terms, just fucked with no remorse. It was he who accepted the fact that she was no longer of the Mortals and yet stayed to the very end of his life.

She remembered the day that she got the call that he was shot and the look on Shadow's face when he heard it.

Nothingness, as if the very part of him was gone.

"Yes," she finally spoke, "There was one that had me . I thought that he would never leave me but..." she took a deep breath, "He was a police officer and I was driving without a license. I was never good you know." she laughed a little before continuing, "He smiled at me and for some strange reason, I was just....I have no words for it but I knew that I wanted to be with him. He was the reason that I want to be a detective, he was my drive..."

She held more tightly on the man' arms.
"We got married after three months of dating and on that day I found out that I was with child, My Son..."

"Fast forward, I found out that I was going to have a little girl as well and I take time out out of work...that's when things went sour..." She looked around and thought about what she told Markus. Most of the things were true, she just mixed lies with truth.

The truth was that she started the Devil Saints with a group of humans and magical folk alike. She did in fact though get caught going pass a red light. The reason she had to take off work was because of death threats and the head chairs of the Devil Saints having power problems.

"My husband was killed while helping another officer by a rival gang. " She said those words with a whisper in her voice that only seem to get lower as she continued, "It was like a part of me died with him...but I'm good now...."

She looked up, "I know some where that he is watching me and our Kids. My son is just like him and my daughter wares my wedding band around her neck to remember him by..."

She just sighed.

[Oracle]

Oracle took his free hand and wrapped it around Aika's shoulders, trying to comfort her. He never felt inclined to do that to anyone before; not even Chiyo. Oracle had to admit that there was definitely a strangeness about her that seemed to keep him around. He wanted to do more to try and comfort her. There was so much more that could ease her pain and give them the comfort that they both knew they wanted from each other but were too afraid to act. The tension was making Oracle sick; this was the opportune moment to make her his.

He was juggling his wants and desires with his mindset. That kind of a combination is never good at all. Sure, it might be a good show to the audience for a few seconds, but if you don't know how to combine the elements you could drop them all on the floor; your credibility shattered and your career instantly over. So, while his arm was around Aika, Oracle's mind was contemplating an idea on how to seal this moment.

Then it hit him.

Once Oracle looked ahead after staring at the one in his arms, he noticed that they were at the restaurant. He smiled and rubbed her shoulder to get her attention.

"Look," he said. "I believe were here."

Then, with an upward point of his finger, he directed her vision to a piece of mistletoe hanging above the entrance he secretly made using his void magic.

"And it looks like they're a little ahead of their Christmas decorations," he joked.

Oracle looked at Aika, star-strucked as usual. This was the moment he was awkwardly waiting for. He took his hand and gently caressed her cheek as they stood underneath the mistletoe.

"You know," he began, sounding rather seductive, "Mistletoe can be deadly if you eat it..."

[Shounin Aika]

Aika smile was just as seductive as the man speaking to him. She lean in close, grazing her cheek with his She breathed in the scent of aftershave and the cheek it self felt warm to the touch and it made her giggle like a high school girl on her first date. Aika got close to the man's ear, blew into gently and simply said

"But a kiss can be even deadlier if you mean it." She then turned around to find a seat. She laughed along the way over to a table in the corner, a man with wild white hair standing over there watching the beautiful woman walking over to the location.

"Aika," the man said in a husky voice, "It's been years. You're not here for a job again, are ya?"

She laughed "No, I'm just here with a friend of mine." she turn to look at her company.

"That's good," he shouted, "I was beginning to wonder if you were playing for the other team." he began to make a roar of laughter.

"Yeah, Yeah...Just get me the usual set for me..." she said with a sigh.

[Oracle]

Oracle watched as Aika pulled in closer to his face, seemingly about to grant his wish. He readied himself for the impact of the lips, closing his eyes and ready to savor the moment. But he seemed to miss her face all together when he opened his eyes to see Aika maneuver past him and blow in his ear. He reacted like an insect sensitive to the wind; stiffing up instantly under the breeze. Then he heard her speak.

"...But a kiss can be even deadlier if you mean it."

Oracle watched Aika as she laughed all the way to her seat, while he was still frozen by the passionate lead-on she gave him. The only thing he was able to do after he was able to move was allow gravity have its way with his head.

Damn, he thought. I cannot get a break today!

He then made his way over to the table after Aika somewhat introduced the waiter to him. Oracle nodded with a smile as he took his seat.

"That's good," he shouted, "I was beginning to wonder if you were playing for the other team."

"Yeah, yeah... just get me the usual set for me," she said with a sigh.

Oracle rose an eyebrow. Hearing that line easily set him up for a cliche' one liner, but decided to save it for an appropriate time. He rose his hand to get the waiter's attention.

"Just start me off with a strong Bourbon Chaser, thank you," he mentioned.

The waiter with white hair wilder than Oracle's nodded. "You got it, buddy," he said. He stared back at Aika. "Hey, Aika! Take care of this one, will ya? He looks like a keeper!"
Then he went in the back.

Oracle crossed his leg as he somewhat slouched in his chair across from Aika. "What did he mean by that?" he asked.

[Shounin Aika]

Aika lean against the bar, crossing her legs as she did. She looked at the man with eyes full of happiness, real happiness. It has been quite a while since this woman has had anything to be happy about but it was still wasn't true happiness while this man tried to win her heart with petty one liners that she can counter just as well.

"What he was talking about," she started, "Was that I use to do the whole blind date thing and well..."

"She came back with a a different man every night!" the man with the wild white hair shouted as he came back with a bottle of Vodka and a tray with Jell-o Shots-two red and one green- and Markus' drink. He placed the the tray next the Aika.

"Hey Aika," the man called out "What was that poem you said, I can't remember it..."

"I don't like you right now Toni," she laughed as she grabbed the Vodka bottle and spun it around effortlessly in the palm of her hand, "But since I have a guest..."


"Hair of the Dog
Can work sometime
But never for me
I suffered through mine"

She threw the bottle in the air still spinning. She walked in Markus' direction.

"I swore I would never
Mix my toddys again
But once I felt better
I drank 'till insane,"

"So the moral of this story
Is really quite clear
If you're going to indulge,"

Stopping just at the man's foot, she back-flip back to her spot only to catch the bottle with her right hand and poured the contents over the jell-o shots.

"Don't blend booze with your beer!" She took the green one, holding it in the air said "Cheers" and drank it and slammed it on the bar.

[Oracle]

Oracle's jaw hung open after seeing the agility she displayed during the performance. It seemed that he was unable to blink, even. He wanted to speak; he wanted to clap; he wanted to do something. But with one look down, he knew what his next move would be.

Oracle immediately uncrossed his legs and scooted his chair to the table, hiding his legs underneath the table linen.

Among other things...

"An excellent performance, Aika," he said with a small clap of his hands. He smiled. "From the looks of things, you could have had an equally impressive career as a dancer along with your detective work..."

[Shounin Aika]

Aika shrugged her shoulders as she grabbed a another glass, the red one.

"You have to be a jack-of-all-trades to do the things that I do. It's fun and all but I don't really have those romantic love affairs they have in films, you know that I mean?" She took another drink, swallowed, then slammed the glass on the counter once more.

"Tell me, you had any nicknames when you were a child," she said as she sat on one the stools and crossing her legs as she did, "Just wondering..."

In fact she wanted to see is she can get anything from this man, anything useful. She still didn't trust this man fully and being the woman that she is, was going to find out in this place.

[Oracle]

"Two, actually," he said as he held up two fingers with his free hand. He spun his drink around. "They were given to me by my... associates back where I was from."

He took a sip of his Bourbon, then smiled as he continued his tale.

"The one I took a fancy to was 'Pontius,'" he said. "You know, from the Roman Pontius Pilate? People said that I had a way of myself being both judge and jury. So, they started to call me Pontius."

Then Oracle looked down at the table, seemingly starting to relive bad memories. "The second one, however," he said, "I didn't take too likely."

He looked at Aika with his own serious glare; the first time he allowed his own bit of self to be revealed through a mortal disguise.

"They called me 'Abomination,'" he said calmly.