Tastes Like Karma

Gusts of wind swirled snow into the air causing fresh powder to sprinkle itself among outstretched tree limbs. Another frigid breeze would blow and lazily scatter the dusting to earth. The cycle repeated itself spreading the chill into the bones of every living thing deep into the woods. Red orbs watched the dance, finding a peaceful lull in the circular flurry. He enjoyed the snow. The frigid air that bit his cheeks and the blank expanse of colorless flakes gave him a sense of true peace he rarely found elsewhere. If the vision was left undisturbed it remained a picturesque landscape. Clean. A fresh start. All scars, mistakes, unsavory deeds, and regrets were hidden beneath the glaring white. Snow was nature’s clean slate. He had always admired that along with the sense of privacy it offered to the earth hidden deep beneath it.

Akaime could appreciate the sentiment. He knew a thing or two about burying the past. Breath clung to the air in a fog as he crouched. A bare hand gathered up a clot of snow and he stared at it, embracing the icy chill that seeped into his fingers. He wiggled them, allowing them to crumble apart and drift back to the place she’d disturbed. A soft smirk teased his mouth. It had been too long since he had seen snow. His soul almost felt refreshed in just the few days he’d been wandering in it. Few things were more perfect, in his eyes, and his stare wandered over the contrast of pines, bare trees with deep colored bark, and the pure white land. Such beauty in its simplicity; a trait not often found in his life.

A howl interrupted his serene thoughts. Back to business.

Akaime stood, black boots pushing snow into wet clumps around his ankles as he turned and peered into the thick forest to his right. Dense trees entwined their limbs and branches glittered with a coating of frost. The snow inched higher on his legs the deeper he wandered into the forest. A sigh tumbled from his mouth, and he pushed his way to the lump of fur he wanted to inspect. Cherry droplets marred the snow, leading him directly to where the color pooled out and soaked the frozen crystals. So much for the beauty of the land remaining intact.

The corpse lay half buried from sporadic winds yet was still difficult to miss with its dark coat sticking up in matted tufts. Akaime stared down at it, intelligent eyes gathering every bit of information they could. Its jaw fell at an odd angle hanging on by a thread, one eye missing and a gaping socket in its place, and the bones of its ribs cut through its decaying flesh like crooked spikes. The sight would have been jarring had he not grown accustomed to death long ago. Even so, it made his stomach turn.

He glanced at the pleasant scene behind his longingly before turning back to the body splayed out beneath her. An unknown liquid seeped from the open wounds and wove its way along the top of the snow.

“You always manage to ruin nice things.” He murmured at the infectious looking ooze as he stooped down.

Leather gloves pulled from a pocket were tugged on in quick succession. Another coat pocket rustled as he dug a compact out of it. The ivory cover opened, etching of a butterfly glinting in the haze that drifted between the trees, and he extracted a sliver of glass from the compartment hidden within it. A hiss escaped into the air along with the stench of something burning. Vision darted to the carcass. Mottled flesh bubbled and melted, spewing forth tiny pockets of odor that carried an acrid stench that assaulted his nostrils. The body began to cave in on itself. The effect spread out to the pulsating tendrils splayed out from the remains. Akaime wrinkled his nose at the pungent smell.

The job wasn’t always pretty… in fact, it almost never was.

Gloved fingers swiped at the earth, attempting to gather even a smudge of the substance on the slide, but the moment it touched it the glass began to crack in his hand. The effect crawled up the clear surface. He released it before it could synge his glove and watched as it joined the sizzling mess at his feet.

His brow knitted as he narrowed his eyes. Another chance lost yet again. He flipped the compact closed with a resounding snap and tucked it away. This was the third corpse in half as many days and he was no closer to his goal. The only evidence of the wolf remained in the shape of a splatter charring the earth. How was he expected to take a sample for analysis if the damn thing corroded only minutes after death?

“You’re an odd one.” Annoyed mutter.

A pained howl rang out in the distance as he turned to the town. The walking on water technique offered little sound lending itself greatly into his decision to rent it. Another howl pierced the air. his spine straightened as he stared with a hardened gaze, listening for yet another yelp. A tilt of his head accompanied a smirk, and he pulled the goggles resting atop his hair down over his eyes. Fur lining embraced his cheeks as he tugged the burgundy hood back over his head. Maybe he would have another chance at a sample.

“If at first you don’t succeed,” melodious tone belied the frustration he felt, “die, die, again.” Snow kicked up behind as he sped away, seeking the latest victim.

---

The old barn door squealed with protest as Akaime put all his weight into pulling it open. Piles of snow scraped aside blocked the second from moving. The sound died out in the screaming winds that beat against his exposed skin. Rosy cheeks burned as he hauled his goggles off and tossed them on a rickety table near the door. His failure to gain anything tangible left his mood as bitter as the wind outside. 

Shadows receded as warm light spilled out from an oil lamp set on overturned crates. Another three days, five total, since his arrival and he was no closer to finding the source. He mulled over the facts he’d gleaned from bits and pieces of reports viewed on departure for Key Country. There had to be a tie between a wandering female and the contagion affecting the beasts. Why else would he have been sent here? The contractor did not waste its time with lost children or sick animals… no. There had to be something more to this.

First, there was the matter of the young woman who had been wandering in these woods. The company had caught wind of a rumor that he held something they sought. By the time Akaime had arrived the girl was gone.

Impressive, considering his condition. That alone bothered Akaime and sent his mind whirling. People did not tend to get up and walk away when they were at death’s door. He personally knew it was not impossible, but doubted very much the girl had any form of the training he did… he needed more information.

Second, the animals were contracting something, though it only affected the medium-sized carnivores. Odd, but a thought for another time. Their decay rate was unparalleled, and signs pointed to some connection to a poison. What that poison precisely was… well, that was an entirely different matter and Akaime had no answers for consideration.

Third, the town seemed to be unaffected by the tragedy and the condition of the wildlife continued to pass unnoticed. At least the latter of the third made a little sense. There seemed to be no rhyme or reason to the contamination and the lack of corpses meant it could be weeks, or even months, before anyone noticed. A sickened animal consistently wandered off on its own to die, leaving the town none-the-wiser and free from attacks.

Akaime began to walk in a lazy circle, arms crossing over his waist, as he considered all the details. Had he missed something? Overlooked anything? There were too many absent pieces, an incomplete puzzle stretched out in front of her, taunting with its hidden message as he tried to snap it all in place. Soon his paperwork was in hand, and he was thumbing his way through details of the last carcass that had denied his efforts. It can’t be a coincidence.  Akaime stopped, fingers going to his chin as he considered this, and a chill that winter was not to blame for crept up his spine. A connection was being drawn, and he didn’t like where the lines extended. He required more information.

---

It took Akaime very little time to reach the hospital. Glittering snow gave way to the artificial glow of town lights. Almost every window was alight, and he saw a line of cars parked along a side lot. The sight would have been impressive if it didn’t feel so out of place in the sleepy Key town. Several people moved in and out of the entrance, some wandering off with their hands near their face as they tried to light their cigarettes.

Heat blasted into his face as the doors swooshed open, and he reached up to run slender fingers through ebony strands. The attempt to shake excess snowflakes free resulted in a mess of snow tumbling down his shoulders to the floor. SShizuping twice he made his way to the front desk. Signs told him precisely which direction he would need to go.

Akaime paused in his step only long enough to check behind the counter. Medics were rushing through a hall wheeling a man with a bandage caked in blood. The fabric was dripping, wrapped around a stump where his hand had once been. The burly man was creating quite a ruckus with all his wailing. All attention was on him as everyone stared. All he had to do was time it correctly.

The double doors at the opposite end held no key, no wall sensor, no button of any kind. They opened from one direction only. The commotion still drew attention, leaving him to casually lean against the wall waiting for his opportunity. It came much sooner than he would have thought. A doctor burst out from behind the doors, both swinging wide, and made a beeline for a couple with puffy red eyes. One person’s sorrow was another person’s fortuitous distraction. Akaime scampered through the gap before it slammed shut.

Empty hall stretched out in front of him, squeaky tile shining in the bright stretch of lamps running overhead, and he sauntered at a casual pace to the elevators in the center of the hallway. Polished silver beckoned, but he slipped on his gloves before pressing the button. A single ding and he was climbing his way up the floors. He took the momentary reprieve to prepare. There would only be one chance.

Fingertips pinched his cheeks and lower eyelids. his skin puffed up and turned red and he rubbed his eyes until they were glassy. A quick tousle of his hair and he was ready.
Two more floors. Akaime leaned against the thin metal railing and viewed his reflection. Perfect. he looked as though he had come in overnight.

When the mirrored surfaces slid apart it revealed the quiet floor of the ICU. Despite the remodeling the hospital had undergone only weeks ago the area was cleared of debris and all the signs had been accurate on their guidance to this destination. Another plus. If nothing else, Akaime could commend the people here for their efforts. Obviously, the hospital would be the pride and joy of such a cozy little town where most buildings did not reach above a second floor.

A lone figure manned the medic station centered in the large room. The ICU took up one entire wing of the upper floor. As many curtains were pulled aside showing empty beds as there were curtains closed to give patients privacy.
Learn to follow safety procedures. Akaime took in the number of visible rooms at a glance. How many accidents do you expect in a town like this? The amount was overwhelming. It seemed as though the hospital expected to store at least half the population at any given moment. Could the accidents he’d heard about really be that bad? Instead of the hospital, maybe they should refine the refinery. Humor glistened in his eyes as he approached the desk.

Akaime stood, arms casually crossing, as he waited for the young man to greet her. His eyes were locked with the computer, but finally he shot a glance his way. Their eyes met and he looked back at the screen. Akaime tipped his head and cleared his throat. Pure disdain twisted his features when he looked back up at him again.

“Uh… can I help you?” His gruff tone was far less than cordial. Brown eyes dropped back to the monitor as though he would leave as long as he was busy. Well, someone clearly had more attitude than they did acne, and that was saying something.

Akaime leaned against the desk, avoiding the full cup of tea abandoned on its surface, and stared him down. “Well…Shizu,” he kept his eyes from staring at his name tag, “perhaps you can. I’m here to question you about the young woman you let escape the other night.” His head shot up, so quick he was certain there should have been a popping sound from the force on his neck. The bulge in his throat bobbed violently. “Was anyone else with you on the floor when it happened?” he continued, waving his arm in a slow motion at the closed rooms. 'What do you know about busy little bee?' Akaime held considerable knowledge for most of the answers he sought, but he was curious to see the excuses the faculty would provide.

Shizu’s mouth opened and closed several times, taken aback by the accusation that it was his fault he had fled the hospital. The calculated guess that he had been working that night was not unfounded, and his reaction told him more than any words could have. He could practically hear the gears turning in his mind as he tried to gather his wits. His jaw snapped shut and he jutted his chin out.

“Who are you?” Suspicion twisted his tone.

Short brown spikes wiggled as he moved, his hair coated in so much product it almost looked like he had dipped his head into a vat of grease. 

“I work for the Key Diamyo.” he purred, watching his eyes widen in surprise, “It seems you weren’t very forthcoming during the last visit. I’m here to make sure things are done right this time.” There existed no hesitation in his response, only confidence and that no-nonsense tone that came with years of dealing with such situations.

Now, he began to visibly sweat. Feigning a bored look, Akaime glanced at the coffee mug. Steam rippled in waves from its surface. He began to flip through a sheet attached to the desk and the more papers he scanned back and forth, the more his face began to twist into a mix of confusion and annoyance. “There’s no note of...” He paused and eyed him suspiciously. “Ya got identification?”

Pity you had to get smart. This will hurt you more than it hurts me. Akaime nodded and reached back into his pocket. At the same time, he shifted his weight so that his elbow would strike the mug on the counter. Aim perfect, it spilled over dousing him with its contents. He jumped up from his seat with a hushed curse, slapping at the scalding liquid all over his scrubs. Akaime held a rectangular item curled in his palm as though he were preparing to flash a badge at him.

“Stay here.” He snapped, nearly spitting the words in anger, and stormed off. If the drama queen was as predictable as he had been thus far, then he was likely headed to the bathroom… at the other end of the hall. Sometimes, it’s too easy. Units in the third and eighth alcoves began to beep and scream. Several medics rushed past, and one yelled for a cart while another crawled up on the bed. Akaime knew there would not be a better chance.

Akaime flipped the item in his hands around. his phone beeped once and ejected a chip. Swinging around the counter he inserted the chip into the computer and began to type. Slender fingers danced over the keyboard as he dug around for any information on the nameless young woman. Once his screen displayed a confirmation of connection, he snatched the chip and inserted it back into his phone. A purge command blinked on the tiny screen. Absolutely no hesitation when he accepted the prompt. The monitor flashed once as the device erased any lingering trace of his access and copies of the files he had taken. Machines sputtered their alarms, and he could hear the flatline from where the medics were scurrying around. Akaime never glanced back as he made his way to the elevator.

---

Akaime soon found out how the poison had bacterial as well as fungal parasites with hive minds often choosing specific hosts, and affecting their behavior, but rarely has he ever seen sophisticated “choosing” from a parasite to a host.  Akaime had to kill everyone infected and the one who created it to completely eradicate it from the region. It might still exist, though he insists that if any traces of it are found, they are immediately destroyed by remaining civilians in the area.  It’s bad enough that the spores from the regular organisms can be inhaled and infect people that way, but it will be even worse with the organism itself in charge and using humans to gain numbers once again. With that being said, his contract was done.

[Exit]
TWC: 5,001
Claiming: (Everything 25% off due to Max Stat)
+8,000 Ryo
+4,000 Ryo (Completing two missions being C-Rank MN)
+40 AP
188/188 to Genjutsu Release (Mastery: Hand Seals)
1500/1500 to Way of the Wicked (Changing Clan Spec from Genjutsu to Ninjutsu)
1125/1125 to Water Pressure Trigger
2138/2138 to Storm Release: Squall Sabre (Master: Increased Stat->Power +20)

5001 - 4951 = 50 WC left to be discarded into the abyss