Chapter nine
Before A Storm
Hi Everyone…. Okay I'm sorry for not keeping my promise but I went through a lot of things in that small period of time. I'll try my best to update the next chapter tomorrow because I want to finish this before I travel…
There will be another Author's note at the end of the Chapter…
And Tony… What's up? This chapter may be a bit boring but it's probably going to be ur favorite… Looking good XD you're going to have a nice moment in this chapter ;) …
Well here's the chapter:
Ai got out of the terminal in the airport shakily, hoping to not be noticed or in the least, recognized in the Tokyo international airport. She carried her small bag with her protectively, hiding what was inside.
She ordered an espresso from a small café in the airport and took her seat. She opened her bag and looked at the case Jodei-Sensei had given her and Conan each before moving to Los Angeles. It had the seal of the FBI on it, which was probably the only reason why the police let it get on the flight.
She placed her hand on the box's cover and imagined the fight she was going to start.
And hopefully end.
She wasn't going to sacrifice herself this time; no. That would be stupidity. She wouldn't be able to ensure anyone's safety that way. She placed her hand on its seal and stroked it comforting herself, if not the case that she was going to be alright. She even left an address to ensure it.
She grabbed her espresso cup and inhaled its scent before taking a sip.
A hand went on her shoulder.
Ai flinched, letting out a gasp and nearly burnt herself with her hot beverage as she turned to face the person.
"Volcano" Ai spoke coldly, and not too reassured.
"Don't worry. I'm with you. We're rebelling against them" Volcano told her with the trademark organization smirk on her face.
Ai gave her a look. "How am I supposed to believe that?" She asked.
"…Best said somewhere discreet, like in my car" Volcano replied.
Ai gave Volcano a look but stood up protectively carrying her bag away from Volcano.
Volcano put some change on the table.
"Okay let's go" Ai said.
"Come on already!"Conan yelled. "We have our plans; now let's get in one of the planes already!"
Jodei looked away sadly. The FBI station was a wreck. Paper work was flying everywhere, people were yelling at others, blueprints were scattered on tables…
But the one thing that pissed Conan off was that they had planned their entrance to the organization a thousand times already; everyone had the battle plan memorized by heart and they weren't even in the plane yet which would last hours before they reached Japan.
Didn't they know that every second they waste could lead to losing Ai?
Ai…
Conan missed her, with her wonderful smile, her playful smirk, sarcastic tone and her kisses. He wanted to already be in Japan but that was impossible.
Jodei's frown became a concerned look. "We don't have permission yet Cool-Kid"
"Permission? My ass! Ai could be dead right now for all u care! I should've run after her in a plane ages ago but nooo you had to make me go over some bullshit battle plan!" Conan yelled.
Phantom glared at Jodei but looked away quickly.
Jodei opened her cell phone and dialed her boss's number.
Conan looked at the others. Ran and Jackson were cuddling while Agase was working on some invention and Heji was practicing filling a gun with ammunition and unloading it. Phantom and Vermouth were sitting in a corner. Phantom looked upset while Vermouth held a tall glass of wine. 'Should she be drinking at a time like this?' Conan asked himself.
"Hello Chief?" Jodei greeted.
Conan turned away from Vermouth to look at Jodei. She looked nervous but confident at the same time.
"We need permission to board the jet planes now. So hurry up with the form." Jodei said.
She listened for a few seconds.
"What?! You want us to do nothing? Two women's lives are at stake here! We could bring down the organization once and for all! … So what the whole organization will be there? And it could be a trap?! We have our…err …recent special forces. We're going to have tough man power… I don't care what you think. We're already late as it is. When we finish this assignment I'm resigning." And then Jodei hung up.
"So?" Conan asked.
"Everyone get up! We're going!" Jodei yelled.
Everyone but Vermouth who looked completely lost and suddenly so weak she looked nothing like the strong woman she usually was. The secret she held in her eyes that made her a woman was gone. The spark disappeared. Instead there was hopelessness. Defeat. Loss. Remorse.
"What's wrong with her?" Conan asked Heji as they walked.
"I don't know, but that's her third glass of wine." Heji replied.
"Belmont!" Conan called. "Let's go! No drinking on the job!"
"Let her" Phantom spoke up. "She'll need all the alcohol in her system she can get."
Conan looked confused. Phantom helped Vermouth up, since she looked sort of tipsy.
"Why?" Conan asked.
"Don't you understand why the made it the same place that we- both Phantom and I know? They would've just given Sherry a new address to give to you all if it wasn't for us. It's their message to us. I'm the Boss's favorite you know and he doesn't want to replace me." Vermouth explained.
Conan looked confused for a second more before he raised his eyes in realization.
"Oh…" He said. "I'm sorry. You don't have to do this"
"I do" Vermouth replied. "I made mistakes Tantei-Kun. I must make amends."
Her voice was quaky and shaky as if she wanted to cry. Conan couldn't believe what Vermouth had become. He wanted to cry from the sight but he didn't think it was going to do any good at the time.
Conan walked outside with everyone, Jodei and three squads who were loyal to her. Three gleaming jet planes were outside, but each one had a guard. Jodei stood in front of the first jet plane.
"Out of my way" Jodei ordered, putting as much authority in her voice as possible.
"You don't have permission Ma'am" The guard told her.
Jodei looked like she wanted to scream when everyone heard a noise and turned their heads to see a jet plane land in one of the small nearby runways.
But this one didn't have any FBI seal on it. Instead it had a seal of a white bird wearing a white cloak.
To top it up and make it easier to guess whose plane it was, the door opened and Tony came out, her hair nearly flowing out of her ponytail.
"Come on!" She yelled to them. Everyone ran to the plane.
When Conan entered, Elena Miyano hugged him.
"I know how you're feeling. We're gonna free Shiho-Chan from this curse I put her in once and for all okay?" She asked.
Conan nodded and then went speechless from the large bazooka she had on her back.
"We were all wondering why you were so late so we decided to let you all join us in this turbo jet plane" Elena told Jodei.
Jodei grinned happily and went to sit down, looking stressed out.
Phantom was one of the last to enter, and when he was passing Tony, she grabbed him by the shirt. He looked at her as she closed the door. She blushed a little and looked away, but Phantom knew a bit enough about girls to understand. He pulled her closer to him and kissed her gently.
Heji and Jackson whistled and whooped for him.
Conan smiled a bit and imagined Ai and himself kissing.
Ai would've been happy to see these two kiss…
"Okay Everyone!" Elena Miyano yelled. "We're going to take off now and in a few more hours we're going to end the Black Organization!"
And the shouts of agreement were sounded.
Ai and Volcano walked together toward the parking lot. Ai was scared but at the same time she could see she was still safe- in no danger.
For now…
They neared the car.
Ai gasped to see it's passenger.
Vodka.
"You tricked me!" Ai snapped at Volcano.
Volcano sighed. "I didn't trick you. We're really rebels. Just get in the car. Capishe?"
Ai huffed as she opened the back door and took her seat.
Volcano entered.
"Vodka" Ai greeted.
"Sherry" Vodka replied just as cooly.
Volcano suddenly had a small smile and blush on her cheeks but before Ai could parse anything it was gone.
"We're going to take you to Gin for now but just so you know we're on your side okay? I'm going to take your purse and return it when you're inside. We're going to try to get you out before the others- your friends arrive and you can get out of harm's way, and then the organization will be distracted for easier killing. We're going to have people in the inside as well to take them down from within so you'll have back up in getting out. I assure you." Volcano said.
Vodka placed a hand on Volcano's knee. She gave him a small smile.
"Oh my God! You guys are so not dating!" Ai declared in a sarcastic tone.
"And you're not dating anyone either" Vodka replied in the same sarcastic tone.
Ai remembered the-err-time between Conan and her. The thought made her blush.
Volcano grinned. Vodka smiled, yes…smiled.
Ya I finally updated! The action is going to fully start in the next chapter which I'm writing at the moment and will publish tomorrow. But it will be the last chapter I'm writing before I travel because my flight is on Monday night. After that if I update the chapters are gonna be extra small. But hopefully a lot though there was originally three chapters and an epilogue left.
And to everyone who's interested in the conclusion to this trilogy – I'm gonna make it! But im not sure if I can write it soon or not. I love this story with all my heart so I cant end it like this.
The name, sneak peak and all that good stuff will appear along with the epilogue of In Shelter!
Love u guys and thank you for ur comments! See you soon!
