Hello!
... I normally have more to say in the beginning... ( In Freezing Darkness I usually write a bunch of stuff before I start the story)
... *Shrug* Maybe I'll have something important to tell everyone after the chapter. So, here's the second chapter. Enjoy!
Atsushi fell asleep against Dazai on the way back to Yokohama. The ability user looked out the train window as the evening sky and silhouettes of trees and houses passed by. Dazai glanced back at Atsushi, who rested curled up against him. Part of him had predicted the he'd look out the window for a while, too excited by the thrill of adventure to sleep. It looked like his sheer exhaustion took over. The child stirred as the train rattled a bit, and Dazai put a hand against his head, soothing him back into sleep.
He'd known exactly what he was doing when he took Atsushi. Taking the child into the Armed Detective Agency's custody was not one of those spur of the moment kind of things. It had been a calculated move, similar to every strategic advance he'd ever made. Part of it resulted from a simple curiosity for why Atsushi had been shackled and caged. Why was he different? Why was he dangerous? The other part was the need to pull him out, to give him a fighting chance. He was just a child, after all. Whatever he'd done could not have merited such a punishment.
His plan wasn't difficult at all. He would simply explain Atsushi's treatment in the orphanage and that would raise enough questions to get his records and hopefully get him relocated to a more humane environment.
Well, in any case, Dazai thought as he pulled a book from a hidden pocket in his coat. There's nothing I can do until we get back to the Agency.
About four hours rolled by before the voice on the loudspeaker announced that they would be reaching Yokohama in less than five minutes. Dazai lifted his head from his book, eyes slightly tired from reading for so long. Atsushi's head still rest against Dazai's side.
He gently scooped the child from the seat. Atsushi moaned slightly, but was otherwise quiet. I wonder if he's mute. Dazai thought as Atsushi blinked tiredly. Looking back, in all of the six or seven hours he'd spent with Atsushi in that day, the child had never spoken. He had only whimpered. He thought a little more about it and shrugged. Probably trauma.
"You can go back to sleep," Dazai said when he saw Atsushi's wide eyed, yellow and purple gaze taking in his surroundings. "We have some time before we make it to the Agency." Atsushi's eyes remained open.
When Dazai said some time, he meant about ten minutes. It wasn't a long walk to the agency, but really Atsushi most likely needed his sleep, every minute he could get. It wasn't as though he'd be unable to sleep in the next morning, but a kid his age shouldn't be up so late. Dazai sighed as he walked. Oh, well. This way he doesn't get rudely awaken by fluorescent lights and Kunikida's yelling.
Dazai wondered if Atsushi would rather walk on his own, but he seemed comfortable where he was. Besides, he'd walked a portion of the way to the train station and that had probably been a work out for his little legs. Chances were good that they were sore at this point.
"Okay," Dazai began as he climbed up the stairs to the Agency office. "It might get kind of loud." He paused for a long moment before looking back at Atsushi. "Actually… It will get loud." He walked up a few more steps. "They're kind of crazy, but there are worse people to live with." He stopped just shy of the door with his hand on the knob. "Are you ready?" Atsushi blinked, which was enough confirmation for Dazai.
He threw the door open. "Good evening, everyone!" All eyes turned to him. A beat passed. Then came the bombardment of questions and comments came.
"Where did the kid come from?"
"What did you do?"
"I knew this would happen eventually."
"Dazai, you idiot!"
"What happened?"
Atsushi flinched from surprise and Dazai shifted his hold on him. "Look," he said over the noise. "I'll answer everything in a little bit." He walked to Doctor Yosano. "Doctor, can you give him a check up?" Dazai asked as he handed the child to the woman. She held him on her hip like she was holding a toddler or infant. Akiko smiled slightly and gently pinched one of his cheeks.
Dazai frowned and covered the boy's ears with his palms. "No dissections," he ordered with a low voice. "Just a standard exam. Make sure he's not infected with diseases, check for medical issues, or fractures. That's it."
Doctor Yosano clicked her tongue impatiently. "Don't tell me how to do my job. It's not as though you can name every muscle in the human body." She shifted, taking Atsushi with her to the infirmary. The child looked back, weary to be passed on to a different person, especially one with such an… unsettling aura. Dazai looked back at him, making an expression that said that everything would be fine.
Dazai exhaled heavily. That woman… He thought. Sometimes I don't think she's totally sane. Despite his questions about her sanity, he could tell by the way she looked down at Atsushi, she wouldn't cut him open. Not this time at least…
A heavy hit landed on Dazai's shoulder. He'd expected that.
"Why don't you tell us what's going on, Dazai?"
Dazai smiled his signature smile that gave nothing away. "Let me start from the beginning then, Kunikida."
Okay! I'm back!
Thank you everyone who reviewed. This story got more reviews than I expected and it really means a lot that people comment on it! So, special thanks to Guest, Guest, EvilMindedZ, YolkyGoblin, and Chiharu Himeji! You guys are the best!
Also, random thought, Atsushi as a tiger cub...Who else thinks we should get this in the anime?!
Bye!