part0041

The car pulls over outside Narita International Airport. The drive took just under an hour from the apartment. It felt longer for me because I was folded into the passenger side of Ichiro’s Suzuki Roller Skate. He was kind enough to bring us here.

I’m well on my way to recovery, which I guess I have Ruby to thank for as much as the fine folks at GlobaTech Tokyo. If it wasn’t for her threatening me with violence if I so much as breathed in the direction of the door to my hospital room, I wouldn’t have rested up half as well as I have.

The three of us stand in a loose triangle on the sidewalk outside the main entrance. The sky is gray and harmless today. The weather is cold without being particularly bad, despite the time of year. Ruby and I have an overnight bag with some essentials inside. No point in having anything other than carry-on baggage for the flight.

It’s been a week since President Schultz called me. I’m well enough to travel, so we’re heading to D.C. in a couple of hours.

I extend a hand to Ichiro, which he shakes gladly. “Thank you, my friend. For everything.”

He laughs his trademark, slightly insane belly laugh. “Shinigami , it has been honor!”

“At least you’ll be kept busy and out of trouble,” says Ruby before embracing him and kissing his cheek. “Now you have your noodle bar back.”

He laughs again. “Busy, yes. Out of trouble? Never!”

I smile. I’m going to miss him.

“It was a nice gesture from Akuma, handing back control of your business,” I say. “I’m really happy for you. I felt terrible that you had to give it up in the first place.”

“A necessary evil. And the right choice. Good deeds breed good deeds.”

I smile. “Fortune cookie wisdom?”

He smiles back and taps his chest. “Ichiro wisdom.”

“And our slate is definitely clean?” asks Ruby.

Ichiro nods. “Akuma Oji was very clear. The blood debt Adrian owed for Santo was paid by taking out Kazawa.”

“That’s good,” I say with a sigh of relief. “I guess with Kazawa out of the picture now, a lot of Tokyo is in a state of flux. You look after yourself, Ichi.”

“Quite the opposite, Shinigami . I suspect word got around that Akuma paid you to wipe out Kazawa. The Oji-gumi are back on top. Everyone else back in line. Peace on the streets.”

“Uh-huh. That’s worked out very nicely for everyone, then. How, I wonder, did that slightly dramatized version of what happened travel around so quickly?”

Ichiro shrugs and remains silent.

I let slip a small, knowing smile. “I suspect whoever did it was experienced enough and smart enough to know what would happen if such a story got out. How it would benefit everything the way it has.”

He shrugs again and winks at me.

“We’d best get going,” says Ruby.

I grab my bag and sling it gently over my shoulder.

“When will you be back?” Ichiro asks me.

I shrug. “I honestly don’t know. Ryan wasn’t exactly forthcoming with information. I’m not sure what he wants me for, but I’m hoping whatever it is doesn’t take long. I need a vacation.”

He laughs. “Stay out of trouble, Shinigami . You too, Shi No Tenshi . See you both when you return.”

That means Angel of Death.

Ruby blushes. I think she’s happy she has her own nickname.

Ichiro nods a final farewell. He gets back in his car and drives away, leaving Ruby and I standing side-by-side, looking at the entrance to the airport.

“You ready for this?” she asks.

I shrug. “Does it matter?”

“I suppose not. Presidential orders an’ all that. So, are we?”

“Coming back here?”

“I don’t know. Would you want to?”

“I don’t think so, no. You?”

“Honestly? As long as I’m with you, I couldn’t care less where we are.”

She smiles and takes my hand in hers. We walk into the airport, immediately swallowed up by the sea of people as we prepare to head back to the States.