Me: so sorry it was a bit late… Chapter 6 of my longest Furuba fic as of the moment…

Yuki: Maybe you should start updating your calendar inste--- (stops in midsentence) you mean, you have other ones?

Me: why, thank you Yuki! I never thought that you were this interested in my works!

Yuki: of course, I'm interested. I'm interested to know how many readers you bribed to read this…

Me: (whacks Yuki on head) Don't mind him, folks. Just remember to keep reading… Oh, leave a review too! Credits!

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Redemption

By Shiri Chizumi

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Chapter 6: Unreasonable Doubt

"Thanks for bailing me out, Akito" Tohru said dully a few hours later, as Akito drove her home from the police station.

"They couldn't have detained you, Tohru… They had no evidence on you."

"They did anyway. If you didn't pay the bail…" her voice trailed off. "I could be spending the night in---"

"Don't think about it anymore, okay? You're tired. You need some rest."

They drove in silence for almost an hour.

"Akito, I---"

"Hmm?"

"I-I… I mean, if you don't mind…"

"You know you can tell me anything, Tohru…What is it?"

"Umm… if it's alright with you… I would like to go back to the Old Folks' Home to get my stuff."

"Of course." Akito agreed. Then in a soft voice "We both have unfinished business to clean up."

Tohru's face lit up as she gave his cold cheek a peck.

Both were unaware of the car following them.

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"Hey, Mrs. Murdock," Tohru greeted sadly, "I know you don't actually want to see me but I just came by to…"

"Nonsense, Tohru. In fact, I'm glad that you came," Mrs. Murdock's said, her face grim.

"Come closer, dear"

"What is it, Mrs. Murdock?" She sat down at Mrs. Murdock's bedside, staring at the window sadly.

"Where is your friend? The dark-haired boy?"

"Who, Akito? He's waiting for me outside the door. He thought he'd give us some privacy." She wondered why Mrs. Murdock would ask about him.

"Thank God." Mrs. Murdock said under her breath. " Now, listen Tohru… I don't believe for a second that you pushed Mrs. Kibitz down those stairs…"

"Really?" Tohru asked, her eyes brimming a little, "At least, I got you on my side… you and Akito…"

"And that's who I wanted to talk to you about… This boy, he is not your friend---" Mrs. Murdock shook her head, shuddering at the memory. "At first, I thought that it was a dream… a nightmare, when you entered the room with that boy. I prayed that my eyes were wrong. But after what happened to Mrs. Kibitz…"

"That boy is evil, Tohru. Stay away from him. He has killed and will kill again,"

But Tohru was barely listening. Were they so desperate for suspects that they would accuse just about anybody? If she wasn't so tired, she would have laughed.

She just smiled at Mrs. Murdock, "I don't agree with you, Mrs. Murdock, but thanks for caring anyway," She was too drained to argue with the woman. Akito would never hurt her nor anyone else for that matter.

She picked up her bag and walked out of the room.

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Private Investigator Paul Wilkins, spying from the bathroom, stared as Tohru Honda walked out of the room. She whispered something to her friend, Akito then walked down the hallway. Strangely, the boy just stared after her, until she had turned the hallway, before entering the room of Mrs. Murdock.

Perhaps the boy wanted to talk to Mrs. Murdock? About what?

Paul privately debated whether to follow Tohru or listen in on Akito and Mrs. Murdock's conversation. Maybe the two were hiding something to protect the girl. The girl had not been charged, even though she was the main suspect, since there were no witnesses to the crime.

Maybe he could unearth some clues here.

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"Hello, Mrs. Murdock." Akito greeted casually, a weak smile on his face. "Did you have a nice talk with Tohru?" he closed the door softly behind him.

The woman looked at him with obvious fear, even though she tried to hide it. "Yes, I… just thought to give the poor girl some support. That's all." Her voice trembled slightly.

"Oh, I see." He stepped closer to her. She was already on her feet, backing away. "Giving her support? How very nice of you… and what did you tell her?" His voice became lower and deeper, "Did you warn her about a certain friend?"

"Don't move any closer!" the woman warned, her face ashen. "I'll scream if you move one step closer!"

Akito's eyes narrowed and the woman flew across the room, slamming against the wall. She wiggled uselessly, like an insect. Her mouth opened, but no sound came out.

"What's wrong, Mrs. Murdock? Cat's got your tongue?" he moved until he was only a few feet away from the woman. "Tohru's mine." His pale skin seemed to gleam and his smile became vicious. "I won't let anyone stand in my way."

That's when he heard the door creak open. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the investigator, Paul Wilkins.

Oh, so you want to pay as well?

Akito watched as he slowly entered the room, gun raised at him.

"Hello, Wilkins. Nice of you to drop by."

Bullets ricocheting out of his body, Akito jerked his hand and knocked Wilkins to the floor, unconscious.

"Now to finish what I started…"

That's when he heard the sound of footsteps. Then a gasp.

"Akito?"

It was Tohru.

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Yuki: such a cliché…

Me: Yeah, I know… don't worry… it gets better…

Yuki: leave her a review, will you?

Me: gosh, Yuki… I never thought that you could be so nice…

Yuki: Just quit pointing that thing at me!

Me: no way! It's fun!