Hi. Thank you to all reviewers, and sorry about the hold-up. Things are really busy for me right now, what with exams. I'm really surprised I got this much done in two weeks. R and R please.

Disclaimer- Not mine. Not likely to be unless the author and artist dies and gives me the series in her will. Once again- not likely.

Chapter 9

"Okay, let's stay calm," Takenaga said softly to Mrs. Toyama. "We have to figure out where he would go. It depends on whether he is Yuki, or..." Takenaga trailed off, unwilling to bring up Yuki's illness.

"It's all right. I know about Hiro-san. I've known about him since Yuki was a little boy," Mrs. Toyama said tremulously. "And I know that Yuki can hardly fight him."

"How long has Hiro-san been with Yuki?"

"Since he was five. I will tell you more as soon as I know that Yuki is safe and not being a threat to others," Mrs. Toyama said firmly. "If he escaped, then Hiro-san is likely in control. So, he needs to be found before he can hurt someone else."

"Where would he go?" Takenaga asked. "Yu... Hiro-san is very unpredictable."

"He doesn't know that you have moved from your old place, Oda-kun," Mrs. Toyama suggested. "He might go back to finish the job."

"Finish the job?" Takenaga asked, and felt an ache in his chest.

"Oh. I'm sorry. That was so unfeeling of me," Mrs. Toyama said with a blush. "He would likely want to kill the people who are responsible for his imprisonment. That's you and Takano-kun."

"Oh. Smart," Takenaga said appreciatively.

"I've learned a bit of criminal psychology in these last two weeks. Let's go," Mrs. Toyama said grimly.

"Can't we wait for Kyohei?"

"There's no time!" Mrs. Toyama said fiercely. "I want Yuki to get better. He will not get better if he is dismembering random people on the street. Leave a note for Takano-kun."

"All right," Takenaga said meekly.

Takenaga hadn't gone to the mansion since the day of Ranmaru's death, and the sight of it abandoned and crossed with lurid yellow police lines brought back several unwanted memories. Memories of Ranmaru lying lifelessly in bed, his hands and eyeballs on the bedside table. Memories of Yuki drenched in blood and sobbing half-crazed in the corner of the bedroom. Takenaga closed his eyes tightly and willed himself to keep calm in front of the seemingly fearless lady leading the way.

"Are you going to be all right?" Mrs. Toyama asked quietly. "I realize it must be hard for you."

"I'll be fine. This is to help Yuki," Takenaga said more bravely than he felt.

"Good boy," Mrs. Toyama smiled sincerely. "Now come on."

Mrs. Toyama had a miniature flashight in her purse. She nonchalantly crawled through a broken window of the mansion and held out a hand for Takenaga.

"Watch yourself. There's broken glass," she warned gently. Even in this situation, she had an agreeable motherly air that Takenaga could trust.

The place was delapidated and looted on the inside. It was amazing that this much damage could be inflicted in two weeks. Mrs. Toyama's flashlight flirted with dark corners and long halls, and they cautiously checked each room, secretly afraid of what they might find, very worried that there was no sign of Yuki.

"He must be here!" Mrs. Toyama said frustrated, and opened one more door. Her light shined in and Takenaga realized this used to be Yuki's room. A whimper came from underneath the bed, and someone scrambled away from the light.

"W-what do you want?" a familiar voice asked frightened, and long spindly hands encrusted in blood clutched the sheets as Yuki pulled himself onto the bed. "Where am I?"

"Yuki. It's me. Mother," Mrs. Toyama said quietly. "You're at the mansion you lived at, remember? It's all right. Come here."

"No," Yuki said, and his eyes stared downwards.

"Don't worry, Yuki. I won't hurt you. You know that."

"I know that... but..." Yuki's eyes shut tightly, and he hid his face in his arms. "I'm covered in blood, and I can't touch you. I'll kill you..."

"Yuki," Mrs. Toyama said firmly. "Look at me."

Yuki quietly did so. Takenaga saw that his face was weary and gaunt, and he was shaking violently. He was a wreck. As Mrs. Toyama made eye contact with her son, Yuki's gaze jerked away and he put his hands to his ears.

"Yuki. I have gone through a lot of trouble find your friends and I have tracked you down to this old place. I am currently breaking and entering. Make an effort please," Mrs. Toyama commanded firmly. "Come now. I know you are stronger than this. You are my son, and I am not going to lose you to Hiro-san. Not if I can help it."

Yuki groaned, and collapsed trembling on the bed. He was sobbing into his arms, unable to stop. Mrs. Toyama sat beside him and unabashedly put a hand on his back as he moaned, "I'm sorry, mom. I'm not as strong as you told me to be..."

"Shush. My boy will overcome this. I know my boy can," Mrs. Toyama whispered, and Takenaga realized the unashamed care and pride she had in her son. "You belong to yourself, not to him."

Yuki's thin form stilled, and he looked up. Takenaga saw the ominous glint in his eyes that he remembered from that night, and panicked he yelled, "Get away from him quickly, Toyama-san!"

Mrs. Toyama withdrew quickly and pulled out a gun. Takenaga stared at her. He had no idea how well-prepared she had been.

"You will accomplish nothing dead, Hiro-san," she said. It was as if her personality had changed with Yuki's. "I will not hesitate to shoot you if you do not let Yuki go."

"You make it sound as though I am holding myself hostage, mother," Yuki laughed wickedly. "You've known me for my entire life. You should know by now that we are one and the same, shouldn't you? So none of this true to yourself nonsense please, and point that gun elsewhere, mother."

"I will shoot if you do not fight him Yuki. I have nothing but deepest contempt for any blood of mine that does not fight. I know you are better than this. You are my son, damn it!" Mrs. Toyama yelled.

Takenaga noted immediately that Yuki's mother was verging on hysteria, and despite the controlled front she put on, she was not prepared at all for this sort of situation. He wondered what to do, and realized that all of his options were extremely risky. Attempting to disarm Mrs. Toyama would surely result in gun fire, and attempting to restrain Yuki would definitely result in any number of gruesome finales. Waiting any longer however, would climax in death. Takenaga was completely helpless.

Uh oh.