Disclaimer: Gakuen Alice, and all that belongs to the trademark, is copyrighted by Higuchi Tachibana. The plot of this story, however, belongs to me.

Smooth Criminal

Written by Scherzkeks

Chapter One: The Devil's Deal

If there was one thing that wasn't very likeable in a jail, it was the toilet. The bed was comfortable, the food was great, and everything was available for free. Basically, you had anything you needed in a jail. No wonder criminals did what they did! But the toilet – yuck! Didn't anyone bother to clean it? I could smell it 20 meters away from its location.

I cringed.

As I walked along the aisle of prison cells, the inmates grew interested and moved towards the bars. Murderous and perverted faces surrounded me, eyes following me to my destination – the last cell. Officer Yome unlocked it and allowed me inside, closing the door again.

There was only one person who resided in the cabin. He sat at the end of his bed, blankly staring at the could-have-been-white wall. I walked in and stopped in front of him. He slowly turned to me, his bright blue eyes throwing me a sharp look. I gulped, trying to stay as professional as I could. I'd done this a thousand times. There was no way I got scared now.

I glanced at the document and turned poker-face to him, "Ruka Nogi, is it?"

He didn't reply. I sighed and grabbed a seat, "You know, Ruka, you will have it easier if you cooperate with us."

He shot a look at me and smirked mockingly, "You call this easy? There's no way you can make me talk. I know how you people work."

"Your case is conspiracy. If you lose it, which you probably would, you'd have to be detained for three years. No bail if you refuse to work with us," I told him.

"He'll get me out of here," was his confident reply.

"Not if we catch him," I said almost enthusiastically. "As for your buddy, he has been sued of thievery, public riot, and murder. That's a sentence to death penalty for him. Have I mentioned that he has been given a "shoot-when-seen-order"?"

He twitched. Gotcha, I thought and smiled, "Which is why if you work for us, we might give your friend a lighter sentence. You know? Maybe spare his life?"

It was so fast, I didn't notice before it was too late. My back was on the floor, he on top of me, and his hands wrapped around my neck, his intentions steadfast. He didn't care, I offended him. I must die. But just in time, the officers pulled him off me.

The officers held him back like a ravishing monster. But I could see it in his eyes, though. He was actually considering my offer. After all, his friend was better in prison than dead. Funnily, I was touched to see that he was truly concerned about him. It was rare to witness that with accomplices in crimes. Usually, they would turn their friends in.

Now he was meek. I nodded at my co-workers as a sign to release the boy. I smiled, awaiting his answer.

"Fine," he decided. I didn't say anything. I knew he had more to say. "But on a couple of conditions."

And there it was. I looked at Officer Mochu and he nodded. I exasperated, "Sure, let me hear them."

"Don't hurt Natsume," his reply was fast. It was as if he didn't have to think. "Take back the shoot when seen motion and take him here alive. No death sentence either."

"Consider it approved," I said. "Life sentence instead. Shoot the next deal."

"I want you to arrest him yourself. No help from the others. Just you and you alone."

I froze. Wait, what was that again? I should arrest the most wanted criminal myself? I was just an office police. I've never worked practically. The team never let me. Besides, if the best policemen couldn't catch him, how could I? This Ruka was definitely brainy.

"I can't possibly agree –"

"Well, then the deal's off," he said dismissively. I sighed, frustrated. I tried to gather every possible idea in my head, but no avail. "It's either that or we don't have any business here."

"Alright, alright!" I responded impulsively. "Approved it is, fine. You're a cunning one, aren't you?"

He grinned.

I wondered out loud, "No wish for yourself, Ruka?"

"None," he said without any thought.

"Immunity? Lowering of sentence? Anything at all? A five star hotel room of a cell, perhaps?" I suggested.

"Nope," he stood firm. "I just want you to comply with all the conditions I mentioned. I don't want anything for myself. I deserve this after all."

He smiled earnestly. I was taken aback by that.

"One more thing, though," he said. I knew it, there was a catch. It wasn't just that. I braced myself for his next condition.

"You kill Hotaru Imai." He dropped the bomb. There was no tentativeness visible in his eyes. He wanted this. He seriously would exchange his friend's life for another person's.

"No! There is no way!" I protested violently. I was panting. I couldn't fathom his term.

"Kill Hotaru Imai or kill the deal!" He retorted. Nothing could change my mind, neither his. "Seriously injure her, I don't care! Just do it, or I won't help you."

I was burning in fury. My body was heating up in rage. I worked for the good, justice. The last thing I would do is take an innocent person's life. Ruka was out of his mind. He surely knew the weight of his request, yet why would he ask it? Did he really expect me to do it?

What is Ruka Nogi up to?

Author's note: I know I should be revising my old stories, but…I can't help but write this. I haven't written anything decent for months!

Thank you so much for reading! Please do review. Reviews are loved.