A/N: Hi everyone! So sorry for the long wait. I had been busy prepping for the JLPT exam and also got sidetracked by Pocky Day (those of you who follow my fics would know what I'm referring to). Anyway, I'm back and I hope you guys are still with me on this ride!

Chapter 4: Angels Fall First

Tsubasa is gone.

Pain ravaged every nerve in Honoka's body. Her head felt like it was on the verge of bursting. She couldn't move a muscle except for her leaden eyelids. Even so, all that surrounded her was darkness when she opened her eyes.

Tsubasa is gone.

The thought clamored in her head. It echoed like an infuriating devil on her shoulder that wouldn't go away. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes while an overwhelming sense of dread crushed her chest. She couldn't sense Tsubasa's presence.

"Remember I love you."

Never had she seen so much sadness in Tsubasa's eyes. She didn't have time to think then but now, her mind was starting to put the pieces together. Tsubasa had always placed Honoka's happiness and safety above her own. There was only one reason Tsubasa would leave her in that situation just now: to keep Honoka safe.

But what about you? Where are you, Tsubasa?

She wanted so much to thrash her limbs about and knock off whatever the hell was covering her body but she couldn't move, at least not for now. It smelled like cardboard and cat's piss.

Footsteps. Not one set but several.

"Damn it, where is she?"

"Nico, check the tracking again!"

"I'm on it but it shows that she's here!"

The footsteps were near, probably just a few feet away.

"Is this damn thing spoilt? She should be right where we are!"

And they stopped next to her. Honoka recognized those voices anywhere. She forced the air up her windpipe and exerted all her energy to squeeze out a small grunt.

"Wait! Did you guys hear that?" It was Maki's voice, followed by the sound of rubber soles scuffling against the ground. Whatever was on top of her body was lifted in one swift motion and Umi's startled face came into view.

"Honoka!" The bluenette dropped to her knees beside her battered friend. Fresh lacerations behind ripped clothing greeted the officers. Gathering the frail Honoka into her arms, Umi hugged her close. "You're safe! I'm so glad!"

"U-U…." Honoka cursed her parched throat. She tried again. "U-Umi…ch…"

"Shh… It's okay, we've got you." Umi felt fingers curling weakly over her knuckles.

"Ts-Tsu…ba…sa…"

There was an unsettling pause when Umi averted Honoka's wide, searching eyes. The silence was deafening. Honoka scanned the faces of her other teammates and found the same grim look.

"Toudou-san and Yuuki-san are searching for her as we speak," Eli said.

Honoka shook her head, not believing it. As some of her strength returned, she pushed herself to her feet, supported by Umi. The sharp pain in the back of her neck was gradually dwindling to a dull ache. Tsubasa might have been fast but Honoka had a good guess of what she did - striking a pressure point which caused immediate unconsciousness. It was a move Tsubasa used when she needed to disable her opponents. Although impressive, it was highly dangerous because she could easily wipe out the person's life by simply altering the angle of her hit. That was why she had refused Honoka's previous pleas to impart the skill to her; she didn't want Honoka to live with the guilt of accidentally killing someone. While Tsubasa had no qualms about killing criminals if it meant a step closer to achieving her missions' goals, the same could not be said of Honoka who occasionally suffered from nightmares of the lives she had ended.

Honoka felt her eyes watering again at the mere thought of Tsubasa and the way she protected her, both physically and emotionally. Shrugging Umi's hands off, she limped towards Eli, grabbing a fistful of her leader's shirt. "Eli, we need to look for Tsubasa! She's in danger!"

Eli's phone vibrated and the blonde accepted the incoming call.

"Ayase, we tracked Tsubasa's mobile signal and found her phone a few streets away from where you are… and some traces of blood at the scene. It looks like she got into a clash with whoever she was up against. But there's no sign of her anywhere. We suspect she's been taken."

Honoka's knees buckled. She was so close to Eli that she heard everything Erena said. Why would the Blue Men take Tsubasa? What did they want with her? And, the question that had plagued her since Tsubasa saved her, how did Tsubasa know where she was? She wasn't supposed to know about her operation to bait the Blue Men. Adrenaline pumping through her veins, she clutched Eli's shirt more tightly than before and brought herself up to the blonde's height.

"How come Tsubasa knew where to find me just now? Did you tell her? I asked you to keep it a secret from her!" She was near hysterical, desperate for answers.

It was gut-wrenching for Eli to look Honoka in the eyes. They were bloodshot and teary. Bulging and screaming. The eyes of someone on the edge of breaking down. She held Honoka's wrists.

"Sorry."

Honoka seemed lost for a moment, her mouth opening and closing soundlessly. "W-Why… I trusted you!"

"Honoka, calm down!" Umi yanked the agitated ginger back when she lashed out at Eli.

"Kira-san overheard my briefing with the rest when she came to look for you after you left for Roppongi last night. Yuuki-san said she trailed you after her own work ended," explained Eli. "Sorry, Honoka. I was careless."

Honoka took an unsteady step back. So that was why Tsubasa reached home later than her and was coy about it. Honoka bit her trembling lip. Tsubasa, you idiot…

"Honoka you need to get your wounds treated. We'll work with Kira-san's teammates to find her."

"No! I'm going to look for Tsubasa too!" Honoka spun on her heel but a dizzy spell whirled in her head. Her eyes rolled back and her world darkened for a second time that night.

"Honoka!"

When she came to, the bare white ceiling of the hospital greeted her. Something soft tickled her bare hand.

"Tsubasa!" she gasped, bolting upright. Pain ricocheted off the inside of her skull and she flinched. Someone squeaked from her bedside. Wide amber eyes and a head of taupe hair entered her vision.

"Ko…tori…chan?" Honoka uttered dumbly.

"Honoka-chan!" Kotori's face broke into a relieved smile as she threw her arms around Honoka. "I'm so glad you are awake!"

"Have they found Tsubasa?" Honoka pulled back from the hug and held Kotori by the shoulders. When Kotori's gaze dropped, she knew the answer and it felt like a thousand knives stabbing her heart. Steadying her breathing, she asked, "How long have I been out?"

Her sullen friend held up two fingers.

"Two hours huh…"

Kotori shook her head. "It's been two days, Honoka-chan."

"What?! No, no… what am I doing here? I've got to go look for Tsubasa!" She jumped down the bed, ripping off the tubes inserted into her uninjured right arm in the process, only to have her weakened legs collapse under her.

"Honoka-chan!"

Honoka banged her fist on the floor as she let out a frustrated growl. So useless! Tsubasa could be dead and here she was sleeping her time away.

"Sorry, Kotori-chan. Can you bring me to the station?"

"But the doctor-"

"Please!" Honoka grasped Kotori's sleeve in a death grip, anxiety lending her strength. "Take it that I'm begging you!"

Never one to be able to turn down her childhood friend's requests, Kotori caved despite knowing Umi was not going to like it. Possessing a maiden's heart, she could put herself in Honoka's shoes. If the person abducted was Umi, she wouldn't be in the mood to be an obedient patient too.

She sighed. "Let's go, Honoka-chan."

Eli massaged her tense temples and scanned the office with wearied eyes. Nico was slumped over the computer keyboard at her desk. Maki was nursing a cup of instant coffee. The redhead never drank such cheap stuff but when one's body had scarcely gotten more than a few winks in over 48 hours, even the finicky Maki would resort to coffee dregs to keep awake. As for Umi, the hardworking lieutenant was scrutinizing the live feed from traffic cameras all over Tokyo. The ghastly, dark rings under her usually sharp cognac eyes added years to her age.

Two days. It had been two days. The higher-ups were breathing down on their necks. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police had lost their brightest inspector and they wanted her back ASAP. Eli ran a frustrated hand through her limp blonde hair. If she hadn't approved Honoka's request, this wouldn't have happened. If she had been more careful, Tsubasa wouldn't have discovered the operation and followed Honoka. But that would mean Honoka would be the one missing or dead now. Eli's phone vibrated. It was a message from Erena.

It was a false lead. We are heading back now.

Eli growled, chucking her mobile back onto the desk. They had been taking turns with the remaining two members of A-RISE to follow any possible leads to Tsubasa's whereabouts but they had just been going on a wild goose chase. It was as if the Blue Men and Tsubasa had vanished into thin air.

The door to the office swung open with a huge slam, jolting everyone.

"Honoka!" Umi was the first to react. "And Kotori! What are you two doing here? Honoka, you should be in the hospital…" Her questioning gaze turned to Kotori who wore a guilty look on her face.

"Sorry, Umi-chan…"

Umi dragged a palm down her face and exhaled heavily. She was in no state to flare up and knowing her girlfriend's submissive nature, it was unreasonable to expect Kotori to be able to stop Honoka. She took in Honoka's appearance; the sergeant's left arm was still in a sling but at least some color had returned to her face. The diagnosis was a dislocated shoulder - thankfully not broken - and a slight concussion.

"How are you feeling, Honoka?" she asked as she walked over to help her friend.

"Better than Tsubasa…"

The team winced. They knew Honoka didn't mean it in any other way but it still burned to be reminded of their incompetence.

"What's the situation now?" Honoka asked as Umi made her sit down on a chair.

"We are still searching." Eli came to a stop beside Honoka. She bit back the apology that was at the tip of her tongue. No more. She had enough of saying sorry. She wanted to deliver good news to her beloved subordinate. Laying a hand on Honoka's back, she said, "I believe in Kira-san. She's tough."

Honoka bit her chapped lip and nodded. She too, wanted to convince herself this was Tsubasa they were worrying about. The Tsubasa who could take down an army of hooligans single-handedly. The Tsubasa who could crack even the hardest cold cases. The Tsubasa who had graduated from the academy with the highest scores in recent history.

Her Tsubasa. Her Tsubasa who had promised to never leave her.

Honoka shook her head when she felt her throat constricting. No, now was not the time to cry. She had to be strong because that was what Tsubasa would want her do.

Knock! Knock!

The team recognized the visitor as the station's receptionist. She carried a plain brown box in her arm.

"There's a parcel for Unit 47," she informed, passing the package to Maki who dismissed her with a curt nod.

Eli took the box from Maki and turned it over. There was no return address and the words on the front of the parcel were formed by individual letters cut out from magazine and newspaper pages. A frown settled onto her haggard features. She shook the box. From the sounds, there were two objects in it.

"Eli." Umi handed her a pair of latex gloves and a cutter.

Biting her inner cheek, Eli made a careful cut along the strip of masking tape and opened the flaps.

A DVD? And the paper sleeve is tainted with what look like dried bloodstains.

Taking a closer look, Eli realized there were similar dark stains on the inside of the box. She clenched her jaw, remembering there should be a second object. Lifting the DVD, she nearly dropped it when she noticed what was underneath.

A bluish grey finger. The part where it was severed from the hand had smooth edges, indicating it had been a swift and clean cut.

"Holy fuck!" Nico stepped back, bumping Maki in the chin.

"Let me see it!" Honoka snatched the pinky from Eli. Her breathing hitched when she noticed a tiny diagonal scar below the top joint. "N-No…" she choked. Tsubasa had a similar scar at the very same spot. She knew because she had a habit of playing with Tsubasa's fingers whenever they watched TV together.

No words needed to be exchanged; Honoka's reaction confirmed everyone's suspicions.

"There's still a DVD. Let's see what's inside before we jump to conclusions," reminded Eli as she popped the disc into the player. She took in a deep breath, steeling herself.

The monitor came alive with a visual of a blindfolded and gagged Tsubasa slumped in a chair with her hands tied behind her.

"Tsubasa!" Honoka rushed forward, a shaky hand reaching out for the screen. How she yearned to embrace that figure she missed so dearly. Tsubasa's shirt - always perfectly pressed without a single crease - was scuffed and riddled with countless dirt and blood patches. Raw bruises and cuts marred the handsome face which never failed to make Honoka's heart aflutter, the fair skin ruptured with painful red blooms. Dried blood and sweat matted Tsubasa's short bangs to her forehead.

"Shit. No way."

Erena and Anju had just returned to the station from their fruitless search. All fatigue escaped their bodies when they spotted their leader on the screen. Not wasting another second, they joined the group gathered around the computer.

A hooded figure wearing a black robe that touched the ground entered the frame. His face was concealed by a blue mask.

"Greetings. I believe you recognize your comrade." The pitch of the voice that spoke had been severely altered, sounding like a robot. The figure grabbed a chunk of Tsubasa's hair and yanked her head back roughly, causing her to grunt in pain. A sickening chuckle escaped his throat. "She wasn't our original target but since we couldn't find the orange-haired one, we took her instead. We know she is one of you, your best even. Put up a good fight." As if bearing some sort of grudge, he threw a hard right hook to Tsubasa's jaw.

"No!" Honoka screamed. Her heart stopped when Tsubasa's head lolled back like a broken rag doll's.

"Let's make a deal. You have been making it hard for us to run our businesses recently. If you stop your investigation, we'll keep her alive. But if you don't, we will torture her. Slowly. Until she dies. How does it sound?"

The figure walked off screen for a while before returning with a wooden crate that was almost as tall as Tsubasa's knees. He set it down in front of her. Another hooded figure untied Tsubasa's left hand. Thick layers of rope still wound around her torso, binding her to the chair.

"To show our sincerity, we will present you with a gift. If you break the deal, we will send you more."

His accomplice handed him a gleaming machete that seemed capable of slicing through the toughest hide. He gripped Tsubasa's left wrist and slammed it on the crate. Curling her other four fingers and leaving just the pinky as it was, he raised his machete. And paused.

"Oh, and just in case you miss your comrade's lovely voice."

The second Blue Man ripped the black duct tape off Tsubasa's mouth.

"What are you doing?" Tsubasa demanded, her neck veins bulging under paper-thin skin. But her question went ignored.

The figure swung the machete downwards, chopping off her finger in one fell swoop. There was a stomach-churning thunk when it cut through bone.

Tsubasa screamed. It tore through the room like a great shard of glass, piercing into their consciousness. It rang loud and clear, promising to haunt all present for the rest of their lives. Her body writhed violently against the rope. Blood gushed from the fresh stump that had once been her pinky.

The figure picked up the severed digit and showed it to the camera.

"Have a good look at your present. Remember the deal."

And the screen turned black.

The room was silent. No one spoke. They couldn't believe what they had just witnessed. Umi had tucked Kotori's face into her shoulder seconds before the horrifying moment. Honoka stared blankly at the ashen and icy finger still in her hand. It wasn't a fake. It really belonged to Tsubasa.

"Wait," Anju broke the silence. As shaken as she was, she wasn't about to dwell in shock. She was one-third of the famed A-RISE that Tsubasa had proudly led. Through their time together, Tsubasa had taught her and Erena to never neglect the smallest details. She made a few clicks on the mouse and replayed from the point Tsubasa's finger was hacked off.

"Are you sick? Why are you watching that part again?" Nico protested but a glare from Eli stopped her from saying more.

"Don't question Anju," Erena warned sharply. Having worked together for so long, she was certain Anju must have picked up on something. The brunette was not one to get rattled easily despite her dainty appearance.

Another thing Tsubasa had drilled into their heads was to leave clues in the situation that any of them was abducted. Anju believed their Tsu-chan would practise what she preached.

"Observe Tsubasa's other fingers," instructed Anju as she replayed the scene for the third time. To an untrained eye, it would seem like Tsubasa's hand was spazzing from the pain but to the investigators who were well-versed in the Morse code, she was secretly sending a message through the way she clenched and unclenched her remaining fingers.

"A-i-w-a-3."

Erena dug deep into her memories, very sure she had come across this name before. Her eyes widened when it hit her. "Aiwa Electronics! The company was bought over by Sony in 2002. Tsubasa should be in its old warehouse!"

Anju tapped her chin thoughtfully. "The old warehouse is in Ikenohata district, Taito ward. The '3' in Tsubasa's message should mean level three."

The members of Unit 47 swallowed thickly. The rumors about A-RISE having an higher than average IQ were true. They were on a totally different level.

"Kira-san's mental strength is unbelievable…" Umi uttered, flabbergasted by not just the duo's knowledge but Tsubasa's unwavering will to survive too. Anyone else would have been on the brink of losing their sanity, perhaps even lapsing into shock but Tsubasa truly lived up to her name and retained her calm and wits.

"That's our Tsu-chan!" Anju exclaimed, a smirk curving her lips at the mention of their tenacious chief. "Let's go and save her!"

Erena made several quick taps on her mobile. "Hello, Kurosawa-san? Toudou Erena here. We need backup from the Special Unit now."

"Wait!" Umi called. "What if the Blue Men find out we are going to save her? Won't they kill her?"

Anju and Erena halted their movements.

"This is our only chance of getting Tsubasa back. If we don't take it, it's a guarantee she will die," answered Anju matter-of-factly.

"We'll take the gamble." Erena took a few strides before she stopped. "And we trust Tsubasa not to be a weakling." She continued towards the door, signaling the end of the conversation.

The silently listening Maki raised an eyebrow. She had to admit she was impressed by the trio's teamwork even when they were separated. They didn't give a fuck about risks; they embraced them.

"So this is A-RISE…"

Honoka stared out the window, watching but not paying attention to the scenery whizzing past. She wished the car would go faster. The case's breakthrough was certainly a silver lining in the cloud ever since Ishida's death but she wondered how long Tsubasa could hold up. The video could have been taken up to two days ago. Was she even alive now? Honoka's fingernails dug tiny crescents into her palm. Tsubasa's soul-shattering cry replayed over and over in her head.

It must have been frightening, right, Tsubasa?

Inhaling deeply, she tugged the sling off her left arm.

"Oi, what are you doing?" Maki frowned. She and Nico were in the backseat with Honoka.

Honoka rotated her left shoulder gingerly, working out the kinks; it was still sore but bearable.

"You are not participating in the operation, you promised," reminded the younger woman. "And put that sling back on if you want it to heal faster."

"I'm fine," Honoka insisted and stretched her arm. "See?"

Maki's scowl deepened. "Your recklessness was what caused Tsubasa-san to be caught."

"Maki!" Nico slapped a hand over Maki's mouth but it was too late. The biting words had already slipped out. "You idiot! This is not the way to show your concern!" she admonished in a harsh whisper. "Honoka, you know how Maki is. She's just worried you'd get hurt again," she explained hastily in an attempt at damage control.

Honoka laughed bitterly. "It's okay. It's my fault. I fell for the Blue Men's trap." Her ocean blue eyes were downcast, occasionally reflecting orange when the light from the street lamps shone in. "But," she looked up with a smile that did not reach her eyes, "this is why I am going to make up for it."

Wait for me, Tsubasa.

Tsubasa had forgotten how her mouth or anything else tasted. All she had been tasting for the past few days was the bitter, metallic flavor of blood. She coughed. Her voice came out like gritty desert sand. Her mouth was cottony, her throat dry. She rolled onto her stomach, propping her chin against the filthy floor. The dish of stale water sat a short distance away. She licked her cracked lips and winced when her tongue swept against an open sore. Wriggling onto her knees, she nudged herself like a worm towards the thing closest to an oasis in the bare room. It had been at least 36 hours since the video recording and her captors had released her from the chair after it. She was then left alone in the dingy room with her hands bound behind her back.

When she finally reached the grimy shallow dish, she took a few thirsty licks at the water. What a joke. She was no different from a dog. She would laugh at her pathetic state now if she possessed the energy. As tempting as it was to gulp down every drop, she restrained herself. This was all they were giving her - the bare minimum to survive. She fell back onto her side after she was done, feeling extremely drained even though she had hardly moved. She hissed when her festering wound grazed the floor and jerked her hands up in reflex. Having been left to bleed out after her finger was cut off, she would be glad if the infection didn't spread to the rest of her hand.

She wondered if she would get to see Honoka again. A wistful smile worked its way to her bruised face when she thought of her girlfriend, missing her boisterous voice and sunshine smile. Heck, she even missed her drooling face.

Hey, Honoka, are you angry with me?

Her eyelids fluttered closed as her strength gradually faded away. It was getting harder to keep awake.

Erena… Anju… you two had better seen my message. I don't think I can hold on much longer…

A/N: Thank you again for reading! Not too sure when the next chapter will be up because I'm getting sidetracked again and this time it's Christmas :P I hope to get the Christmas one-shot out on time so please look out for it! (Yes, it's going to be TsubaHono again ^_^;)