Of Cinder and Bone

by Kyoko M

  His jaw dropped. “I absolutely do not gaze at her.”

  “Mm-hmm,” she said without looking at him.

  “You—I—just…” He ended the sentence fragment with a growl and walked into the bathroom, grumbling things under his breath.

  After she heard the spray of the shower starting up, Kamala knocked on Fujioka’s door and then entered after she was invited in. She found a room similar to theirs, but with mahogany walls instead of cream. Paintings of old samurai and ladies of leisure in kimonos adorned them, most of them signed by artists she didn’t recognize. Her closet was large, but mostly empty, as she seemed to only wear slacks, button-up shirts, and boots in various muted colors: black, brown, deep grey, navy, and hunter green.

  Fujioka sat in front of her vanity, brushing her hair. She flicked her gaze over to Kamala’s reflection. “Yes?”

  “If you don’t mind me asking,” Kamala said. “How did you and Jack meet?”

  Fujioka lifted an eyebrow just barely. “He didn’t tell you?”

  “He told me. In a Jack sort of way.”

  “Ah,” Fujioka said. “Zero details. Men often do that. Why do you want to know?”

  “I like to know all the factors when facing a situation I’ve never been in before. I like being informed. It helps me do my job better when I have every available variable. It isn’t personal, Fujioka-san. I don’t know you. I’d like to know you.”

  “Not personal, you say?” Fujioka asked, setting her brush aside and picking up her comb. “Is that why you’re asking me while he’s in the shower?”

  Kamala clenched her jaw a bit. “I thought you would feel more comfortable without an audience.”

  “What do you think I’m going to tell you?”

  “That you slept with him.”

  Fujioka smiled. “Is that a problem?”

  “Only if it’s going to become a distraction for Jack. He’s got enough on his plate. He can’t afford to make mistakes when the stakes are so high. So again, I ask you, how did you and Jack meet?”

  Fujioka gathered her hair together and began to plait it in a French braid. “Very well, Dr. Anjali. Since you were polite about it.”

  “I’m impressed.”

  Jack turned to see a stunning Japanese woman approach him after most of the students filed out of the classroom. He cleared his throat and tried his best not to stare.

  “Pardon?”

  The woman nodded towards the doorway, where Shinobu stood chatting with a couple of pretty girls. “The kid doesn’t get star-struck much, but he pretty much gushed all over you. You’re the first person at this institute he’s done that to.”

  “Well, he’s young. He’ll learn that I’m basically a big boring nerd in no time at all.”

  “Boring? A man who wants to bring a living, breathing dragon to life? I’m not sure you understand the definition of that word.”

  Jack chuckled. “I’ve always been bad at English.” He offered his hand. “Call me Jack. And you are?”

  “Misaki Fujioka.”

  “Is that your son?”

  “If you think that spoiled little shit is my son, you’re on drugs.”

  Jack gave a start. “Oh. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you. Is he a friend of the family?”

  “No, he’s my meal ticket. I’m his bodyguard.”

  Jack’s eyebrows shot up. “Wow. Guess I didn’t recognize his name. Must be quiteimportant. Is this his first time in the States?”

  “Yes. His father is overly precautious. I don’t think anyone intends to harm the little baka, but for the rate they’re paying me, I’ll play babysitter for as long as they want me to.”

  Jack couldn’t resist a grin. “Not one for kids, eh?”

  “No. Good thing I never had one.”

  “Ditto. Well, this room is scheduled for a class soon. Why don’t I walk you out?”

  Fujioka shook her head. “Better yet, why don’t you buy me a drink tonight?”

  Jack stared. “Ah. Okay. What time?”

  “I’m stuck with the brat until nine o’clock. After that, I’m free.” She reached into her pocket and withdrew a business card, pressing it into his palm.

  “You pick the place. I haven’t been to Cambridge before. You’ll lose points with me if you choose poorly, so think it over and then give me a call.”

  Jack swallowed and pocketed the card. “Right. Will do.”

  Fujioka smiled. “I’ll see you tonight, Dr. Jackson.”

  She slunk out of the door, barking at Shinobu to get moving or she’d leave him there.

  Several hours later, she pulled up to a Mediterranean restaurant called Oleana and glided inside. Jack sat at a table, bouncing one long leg up and down nervously until she appeared around the corner. He rose and pulled her chair out, which she permitted, and pushed her closer to the table before taking a seat himself.

  Fujioka checked out her surroundings and then shed her coat, revealing a navy satin dress and silver necklace, as well as lots of smooth skin. “Went for broke, didn’t you?”

  “Your comment about losing points struck a chord,” Jack admitted a bit sheepishly. “I didn’t want to disappoint.”

  “Been here before?”

  “Yep.”

  She tilted her head, examining him as he opened his menu. “Found it on Trip Advisor?”

  “Yep,” Jack said. “Highest rated thing in the city. Please don’t hurt me for lying.”

  Fujioka let loose a demure little laugh that made him shiver. “Alright, you clearly haven’t done this often, so I’ll let you off the hook for now.”

  She opened her own menu. “And I only hurt people when they pay me to.”

  “Good to know.”

  They ordered food a little while later, as well as drinks, and after a couple of glasses of wine, Jack seemed to relax.

  “So, how did you get into the business of bodyguarding?”

  “Is that a word?”

  “Mm-hmm, totally.”

  Fujioka sipped her martini. “Spent some time in Special Forces, but after a few years, I realized I was getting sick of following orders. I’m grateful for what I learned there, but it wasn’t where I wanted my life to go. I like the freedom to do what I want. I’m an independent contractor and I choose who I work for. It’s as simple as that.”

  Jack glanced this way and that, leaning in and dropping his voice. “So, if we got jumped by armed men right now, what’s your first move?”

  “Well, I do have a big, strapping, handsome man right in front of me,” she purred, trailing her fingertips across the back of his hand.

  “…to use as a human shield while I get out my gun.”

  Jack choked on a laugh. “Oh, nice. Well, at least I’ll die a hero.”

  He paused. “Wait, are you really armed right now?”

  “Yes.”

  He dropped his gaze to her svelte body. “…where?”

  Fujioka sat back a little as the waiters came over with their meals. “If this dinner is as good as it sounds, you might find out for yourself.”

  Jack blushed crimson and was happy to have food to distract him from that lovely little thought.

  After dinner, they headed to Cambridge Common for a couple more drinks before going back to her hotel to have a proper good night.

  “So.” Fujioka smiled slowly. “Care to come in for some terrible coffee?”

  Jack cleared his throat, lowering his gaze. “I’m… not sure that’s a good idea.”

  She arched an eyebrow. “Seriously? You mean you don’t want to?”

  “Wow. Um, no. That’s not even close. I’m actively trying to keep my hands to myself and hide the tent I’ve got going on under this trench coat.”

  “Then what’s the problem?”

  “I’ve, uh… never done this before.”

  She stared. “You’re a virgin?”
/>
  “God, no!” he practically yelped. “No, I meant… I’ve never slept with someone I’ve only known for a day.” Jack paused, glancing at his watch. “Hell, not even a day. Almost exactly four hours.”

  She chuckled and crossed her arms, leaning back against the car. “Aren’t you old-fashioned?”

  “I know,” he sighed. “That’s probably why women aren’t exactly kicking down my door to be with me. I’ve been in a few relationships before. I tend to take things slow. It’s just how I am.”

  She watched him for a bit as he shuffled expectantly, his expression guarded. “Okay. Here’s how we fix this one.”

  She stepped in close, her voice soft but playful. “I’ve already let you wine-and-dine me, so there’s no obligation to go on any further dates. I’m here until Sunday. That’s six days. I usually work from eight am to ten pm, depending on the kid’s social activities. How about I call you after I get off my shift and then come over to your place and we can spend a few hours screwing each other silly? After Sunday, we’ll exchange emails and keep in touch, and you can go on about your old-fashioned ways unscathed. After all, it’s not a one-night stand if I see you for a whole week.”

  “Uh.” Jack gulped. “I’m fine with that, if you are.”

  She patted his chest. “I am. Now come on. Your tent is showing.”

  Fujioka stood and pushed in the chair to her vanity. “I could go on describing what happened after that, if you like.”

  Kamala took a deep breath and answered with a tight voice. “Not necessary.”

  “I mean, he’s far more flexible than he looks—”

  “That’s more than enough, thank you.”

  Fujioka squinted at her and then a look of pure astonishment stole across her face. “Oh. You don’t know, do you?”

  Kamala gave her a confused look. “Know what?”

  Fujioka shook her head. “Bakayarou. He didn’t listen to a word I said.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “It’s not important for now.” She heard the door open in the guest room and motioned towards it. “Let’s go.”

  She walked out. Kamala fumed to herself for a moment and then followed. Jack stood near the mirror on the dresser, doing up his tie.

  “Ladies,” he said in greeting. “What did I miss?”

  “A lot, apparently,” Fujioka said. “But we’ll discuss that later. For now, I need to brief you both.” She gestured a hand at Jack. “Our first problem is this goliath. He’s going to easily stand out no matter where we are, since most of the people in this city don’t top six feet tall. Aside from that, he’s also relatively handsome, and some of the younger girls are going to flock to him like seagulls around a beached jellyfish.”

  “I was going to be flattered, but then you called me a jellyfish and it hurt my feelings.”

  Fujioka continued as if she hadn’t heard him. “Our main objective is to stay in public places where it would be too hard for one of Okegawa’s men to kidnap him. We’re going to be walking a lot: me upfront, the two of you behind. Dr. Anjali, you will need to keep eyes on him at all times and immediately alert me if you see anything out of the ordinary.”

  Kamala nodded. “Done.”

  “Don’t draw either of your weapons unless you’re in a life-threatening situation. The first rule of firearms is: do not ever point a gun at something you don’t intend to destroy. Some of the people we talk to might try to bully, intimidate, or insult you. Do not let it get to you.”

  Fujioka glanced at Kamala. “Especially you. In Japan, we still have to deal with learned behaviors like misogyny. You are quite beautiful, but to them you’re a foreigner, so we will encounter some men who will either make a pass at you, or refuse to acknowledge your presence even if you speak directly to them. Don’t lose your temper.”

  Kamala snorted. “It’s not my temper you have to be worried about.”

  “Hey,” Jack protested. “I knocked a guy out one time. Are you going to hold that against me for the rest of my short life?”

  “Yes.”

  “Some people are just ungrateful. Ow!” He rubbed his arm where she’d hit him.

  “She has a point,” Fujioka said. “No heroics. You’re a scientist. Be analytical. The people we’re going to deal with will abide by certain rules of honor, but if you cross them, your life expectancy drops. When we’re not out actively investigating, you will both keep brushing up on your Japanese. Some people here speak English, but it’s very elementary and you’ll need to be able to understand as much as possible if we run into anyone from the Yamaguchi-gumi clan.”

  She handed them each a small, slender folded map. “I have encircled meeting places in case the shit hits the fan and we are separated. Head there immediately and wait for two hours. If I’m not there by then, I’ve been compromised and you’re back on your own. I’m going to recommend that if something happens to me, you chalk this up as a loss and go home. It’s better than the alternative.” She stepped closer to Jack. “Do not let them get their hands on you, Jack. They will extract the information one way or another and you will not leave Tokyo alive. Do you understand?” He nodded. “Good. Now, you mentioned something about having something to locate the dragon with?”

  “Yes.” He picked up the tracker. “This is prototype Faye developed. It can track the dragon’s DNA and locate her within three miles. Pete sheds her skin frequently due to a genetic mutation, so there will be scales anywhere that she’s been held.”

  “Smart. Keep it out of sight. If they figure out you have it, they might panic and move her again. I don’t know where she is yet, but I have an idea where to start. We’re going to talk to the guy who saw her smuggled in through customs.”

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  HITORI NO YORU

  As far as safe places to rat on the yakuza went, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden certainly wasn’t a bad choice. Visitors tended to compare it to Central Park because of its beauty, elegance, and thousands of types of trees and flowers to enjoy. Around every corner was a new sight, a new smell, and colors bursting with life and vitality, whether it was by the water with its cherry blossoms or in the greenhouse filled with chrysanthemums. The weather decided to behave, granting the trio fair conditions to walk towards the meeting place.

  Or, rather, try to walk to the meeting place.

  “Sumimasen!” A couple of teenaged Japanese girls waved their cell phones and scurried over to Jack. “Issho ni shashin wo totte mo ii desu ka?”

  “Gomen nasai,” Jack said, a strained but patient smile on his face. “Machiawase ga atte, isoideimasu.”

  They pouted, but he smiled wider and bowed formally at the waist, which cheered them up, and jogged to catch up with Kamala and Fujioka. By this point, it had happened so many times that neither woman even broke stride.

  “Is this what it’s like to be famous?” Jack grunted as he reached Kamala’s side. “Because…no. Not for me.”

  “A little late for that, Jack,” she reminded him. “You created a dragon, remember?”

  “Shit. Guess I should have thought that one through. But at least then people want to take a picture with me for my scientific achievements instead of my looks.” He clutched his chest, pretending to look deeply hurt. “I feel so objectified.”

  Kamala snorted. “Welcome to my life. Do you know how many times people at MIT have called me ‘exotic’?”

  “You’re shitting me.”

  “Afraid not.”

  “How have you not become a serial killer by now?”

  Kamala shrugged. “Too time consuming.”

  “…good answer. I’m starting to understand what you have to deal with on a daily basis, to some very limited extent. It’s weird being the outsider for once.”

  “I’m used to it. It’s the same as when people find out my mother is from Bangalore and my father is from Islamabad, so I know Urdu, Kannada, and Hindi. I fi
nd that people always want me to pick an identity, either Muslim or Hindu. It tells you a lot about perspective, doesn’t it?”

  “Yeah. We get so wrapped up in our own lives that we forget there are other ways to live.”

  He lifted his head a bit, staring into the treetops and the afternoon sunlight streaming in between the leaves and branches. “Not a bad way to be reminded, though. I could get used to this place. Fangirls aside, of course.”