JackalGod: I've been toying with this plot in my head for some time now and have finally decided to put it down on paper. I've explored some different theme's in particular fic, hence the rating. I hope you enjoy it, because it's been quite the trouble to write. I've already written the second chapter, but I thought I just post the one to see how well it would be received. If I get lots of reviews I'll post the other chapters, if not I won't both taking up space. I've written this in the English version so I'll be using Mr/Miss/Mrs rather than san/chan/kun etc. Although I prefer Akabane drawled Ginji-kun it didn't fit with that Miss. Natsumi I had been writing with. Put up with for me just this once, as I usually do prefer to write the Japanese style.
Warnings: Like I said this story will contain theme that some people may be offended by, such as rape, drug use and strong violence. If any of these things offend you, don't read my story. I won't feel bad, in fact I'd rather it be read by people who will enjoy it.
Disclaimer: Get Backers is not mine. Though I'd love it if Akabane was. Oh well.
Nurse Jackal – Chapter 1
JackalGod
Scalpels in hand the black coated figure, graceful slashed at it's opponents. Blood splattered almost artistically onto the ground. The person's face split into a grin as the last enemy fell. The imposing knives vanished with a faint shing. The individual tugged gracefully at the large hat that had somehow remained in place throughout the entire dance. Nearby the sound of a trucks motor caught the person's attention
"Are you done?" asked a girl with blue hair, her own mouth sporting a slight smile. The older man in the truck with her grinned and motioned the black coated figure over
"Times a wasting Jackal." he said
"Of course." said the figure reaching up to brush away an unruly fringe "It would be most unprofessional to keep our client waiting."
Twelve months previous
"I still can't believe how much she's grown." mused Hevn lightly as Natsumi practically skipped out of the Honky Tonk, her shift over
"I know," agreed Paul folding his newspaper and placing it on the counter "she was such a 'little girl' when we first met her. It's hard to believe she's eighteen now."
"Barely eighteen," reminded Hevn "just by a few months. But still, for a girl her age, she's suffered so much."
"She's dealing with it," said Paul firmly "and besides she's got to keep it hidden, at least for now. Ban and Ginji would never understand."
"I'm glad she came to us though, after the accident. Having already lost her mother, having her father pass away as well." Hevn trailed off with a sigh.
"Yo, we're back!" called Ban and he and Ginji strolled into the Honky Tonk
"So how'd it go?" asked Hevn
"Great, we had time to put up some flyers." said Ginji enthusiastically "And the lady client was pleased as well."
"Oh good, that's nice to here." said Hevn
"Any chance of paying off your tab?" asked Paul already knowing the answer
"Freakin car got towed again." grumbled Ban making Paul laugh "Don't laugh, we just had enough to get it back."
"Why am I not surprised. You guys never change."
"A truth that has it's good points I assure you." came a smooth voice that made Ginji jump
"Jackal!" snarled Ban glaring at the man in the doorway
"Good afternoon Get Backers." replied Akabane pleasantly
"Good afternoon Mr. Akabane." said Ginji utterly terrified but polite. Akabane smiled and sat down at the counter. Paul was immediately in front of him
"What would you like?" he asked
"Black coffee please," replied Akabane "and a pizza for Ginji."
"Oh no, Mr. Akabane you don't have to." said Ginji not really wanting to accept anything from the dark man
"Please I insist." purred Akabane as Paul's phone rang. The red-haired answered it casually but his face changed to horror almost instantly
"Where is she!?" he exclaimed making Ginji look to him concerned
"What's all the commotion?" asked Kazuki walking into the café followed by Shido "Why are you yelling?"
"It's MakubeX." said Paul "Natsumi has been taken to Lower Town, against her will."
"No Natsumi!" exclaimed Ginji his eyes wide
"Things are always entertaining around here." said Akabane placidly gaining death glares from everyone in the room
"We have to save her, we can't allow Miss. Natsumi to be injured." said Kazuki "If we all go, we'll find her much faster." the others nodded nearly out the door. Akabane smirked slightly and stood up
"I think I'll accompany you." he said following them down the street towards the Limitless Fortress
"Why the hell are you coming!?" demanded Ban
"The more the merrier." said Akabane "Besides I didn't come all this way to the Honky Tonk to have you leave."
"Bastard." snarled Ban but made no more comments. They hurried into Lower Town intent on finding Natsumi, giving her description to everyone they could find. After several hours of searching they split up to cover more ground, Ban, Ginji and Akabane in one group, much to the Get Backer's dismay and Shido and Kazuki in the other. They hurried through the streets desperate to find her, when their path was blocked by three men holding lead pipes
"So came to get your girl back Lightning Emperor." snarled one "Well by the time you get to her it will be far to late. When boss is done, you won't even recognise her."
"You bastard!" roared Ginji lunging at the men closely followed by Ban. It didn't take them to long to beat them, they were after all just street thugs. When they were done it was Ginji who first noticed that something was wrong
"Mr. Akabane is gone." he exclaimed
"Wondered why he wasn't killing them." said Ban pulling out a cigarette to calm his frazzled nerves
"But where is he!?" asked Ginji panicking "What if he finds Natsumi first!?"
Natsumi cried openly, she was in so much pain.
"That's right girl scream for me." snarled the groups leader tearing the last of her clothes off and kneeling down next to her "I bet the Lightning Emperor wanted to be the one. Oh well." With that he pulled her hard against him relishing in her anguished scream. An exaggerated sigh sounded from nearby making the man turn
"I figured even you had your limits, Raoul." said Akabane standing in the doorway his expression cold
"Mr. Akabane." said Raoul not seeming to realise his impeding doom "Wanna go? I've barely started."
"No I don't think so." said Akabane and with a flick of his wrist Raoul's head exploded in a spray of blood, soaking the walls and floor, but Natsumi was thankfully spared.
"Are you alright Miss Natsumi?" asked Akabane tilting his hat slightly, his lips frozen in his 'polite smile.' Natsumi stared back at him her eyes wide, her trembling arms trying vainly to cover her exposed form
"M...Mr Akabane." she stammered her voice hoarse from screaming. Akabane's smile vanished when he realised just how badly she'd been injured and then looked down at the man he'd just slaughtered
"So kind of him to think of keeping his diseases to himself, wouldn't you agree?" he stated lightly before slipping his coat off his shoulders. Natsumi let out a sound of fright, already traumatised from her experience, seeing a man she knew to be dangerous starting to take his clothes off, it was more than she could bare. Akabane smiled softly in what would have been a kind and reassuring way, if it were anyone else, but as it was him it was just plain creepy. "Don't be afraid." he said his voice barely a whisper as he held the coat out to Natsumi "You need something to wear." Natsumi let out a nearly inaudible sigh or relief and nodded, allowing Akabane to slip the coat around her shoulders, before scooping her into his arms. She gasped loudly and threw her arms around his neck. Akabane just smiled. "Now, shall we find the Get Backers? I'm sure they're anxious to know that you are safe." With that he swept from the building holding Natsumi tightly, as if reassuring her without words that he wouldn't let anyone else hurt her. Natsumi sighed slightly, the trauma of the event finally catching up with, and rested her head on Akabane's chest.
It wasn't long before Akabane located Ban and Ginji had been panicking at the though of not being able to find Natsumi in time.
"Natsumi!" exclaimed Ginji immediately running over. His fear of Akabane a mere trifle compared to Natsumi's welfare. Akabane shook his head as Ginji prepared to do a happy dance
"She's tired Ginji." he said "Could you postpone Chibi-Ginji until we return to the Honky Tonk?" Ginji nodded vigorously taking the exhausted Natsumi from Akabane's arms.
"Alright Ginji, lets get going." spoke up Ban lighting his hundredth smoke of the evening, the stress of Natsumi's disappearance had him smoking them one after another, with no breaks.
"Right Ban." exclaimed Ginji several octaves lower than normal, being mindful of Natsumi's state.
When they arrived back at the Honky Tonk, Hevn and Paul took one look at Natsumi in Ginji arms and let out a collective sigh
"I'm so glad she's safe." said Hevn who's been out of her mind with worry "So glad you found her."
"Actually it was Mr. Akabane who found her." said Ginji sitting the still coat wearing Natsumi into a booth at the far end of the café. Hevn immediately turned to Akabane who was standing in the doorway, coatless
"Thankyou, so much, for helping Natsumi." she paused a sudden thought scaring her "How was she when you found her?" Akabane opened his mouth to answer but caught sight of Natsumi's horrified look from across the room, and smiled
"I got there just in the nick of time." he replied making Hevn and Paul release the breath they'd been holding "Although I did lend her my coat, for modesties sake."
"Of course, thank you again." said Hevn before muttering under her breath "It's just been one thing after another with her." Akabane frowned slightly at this and was going to ask when movement outside caught his eye
"Oh Get Backers." he said "Perhaps you should be going?"
"Why?" asked Ginji clueless
"Yeah what's the matter Jackal, I thought you liked spending insane amounts of time with us." said Ban smugly
"As much as I do, it's just..." he pointed outside to wear Ban's car was being towed up the street
"Sonofa..." exclaimed Ban dashing outside followed closely by Ginji who stopped at the door when Akabane caught his arm
"While you're out perhaps you should tell the others that Miss Natsumi is fine. Seems a shame for them to be worrying needlessly." said Akabane before releasing the nodding Ginji, who gave a quiet 'right' before tearing down the street after Ban, who could be screaming for the truck to stop. Akabane smiled fondly after his Get Backer's before turning back to Natsumi who'd pulled her arms through the coat sleeves and buttoned it up. Akabane forced himself to stop thinking about Ginji and strode over to where Natsumi was sitting
"May I?" he asked, ever polite. Natsumi nodded and he took a seat next to her. He felt her stiffen ever so slightly before relaxing
"Regardless," began Akabane his voice to low for Hevn and Paul to hear "of what I told them before about your condition..."
"Please Mr. Akabane." begged Natsumi cutting Akabane off "I didn't want Mr. Ban and Mr. Ginji to know, but I will tell Miss. Hevn and Chief, but not right now."
"Very well." replied Akabane satisfied that the girl wouldn't keep it all to herself. The sat in silence for some time, long past Hevn excusing herself to go see a client who'd called. Akabane was more than happy to remain sitting there for hours, it didn't bother him. Natsumi on the other seemed to want to say something, but was working through her words. Akabane smiled softly at this, knowing how polite the young girl was. Akabane was however quite surprised to hear Natsumi say, her voice barely audible even for him
"...I want to be stronger." He looked across at her, she was staring straight at him her eyes determined and repeated herself "I want to be stronger."
"Is that so?" asked Akabane as if it were a common statement. Natsumi bit her lip, nervous about speaking her mind to some as dangerous as Akabane. For she wasn't the airhead everyone thought she was, she knew exactly who Akabane was, his job, his relation to Ban and Ginji and his shudder-worthy pastime. Steeling herself for whatever Akabane's reaction would be Natsumi asked her question
"I want you to teach me how to fight. Make me stronger, please." she added her eyes huge. Akabane didn't answer for a moment, he merely sat there regarding her with an impartial air.
"As encouraging as it is to know, you'd like to know how to defend yourself," began Akabane acutely aware that Natsumi was hanging off his every word "Why ask me, surly Midou, or Ginji would be able to help you."
"Mr. Ban and Mr. Ginji would never agree." said Natsumi sadly "They see me as to much of a friend, for them to drag me into their world" Akabane smirked slightly at Natsumi's choice of words "In fact everyone that could possibly teach me would refuse for that same reason. I'm just the naïve café girl." Her tone was slightly bitter and it made Akabane appreciate the girls intentions even more. "But I know that you wouldn't care," Natsumi paused here hoping she wasn't being rude, but feeling that it would be best to speak her mind "whether or not I remain a little girl is of no concern to you, all you care about is entertainment. Mr. Ginji told me, that it's all you want out of a job. On top of that you're obviously very strong, or Ban and Ginji wouldn't be as afraid of you as they are." she cut herself off here when Akabane's eyes narrowed
"And how exactly would you repay me, if I do agree to teach you?" he asked wondering what she would say
"Whatever you wanted," said Natsumi without hesitation. Akabane chuckled softly amused by her determination
"I'll think about it." he said getting up from the table and turning to go "Now, I suggest you go home, you've had a very trying day. Oh and be sure to see a doctor." with that he strode out of the café.