Chapter 10:
The Answers Lie in the Truth Part 1
Cat- Just to let you guys know that the last chapter was an actual chapter and not the update. I deleted that XD
"And it's hard to hate someone once you understand them." ~Lucy Christopher
"You don't know how terrible I felt. I felt betrayed, and I didn't know what to do…"
"I don't need answers from you." Ichigo said. She moved her leg just an inch and a fiery crack of pain spiked through her. Ichigo gasped in agony as she looked down. There were gashes in every limb; one in both of her arms and thighs. They were bleeding very slightly, and the fact that Mint had a knife in her hand stained with blood, there was no doubt that she did it.
She also noticed that she was only in her bra and underwear. "What…what happened? What did you do to me?!" Ichigo shouted.
Mint smirked. "Now, now. Am I denied the right to have fun? Those were just the beginning of what I'm going to do to you."
Ichigo's eyes widened in fear when she realized her hands and feet were chained together. All she could do now was to buy herself time before Mint actually does kill her. "So…what's this about information about Kisshu?" She asked.
Mint chuckled. "Eager, I see? Well, I was bound to explain it at some point, so why not start now? But if you interrupt me, I won't hesitate to have some more fun with you, got it?" Ichigo nodded feverishly, and Mint began her story.
"Well, when I was just five years old, I joined this agency called the GAD; which stands for 'Guardian Angel Detectors'. Kind of a weird name, but if you understood our cause, it makes sense.
"Now, when I got there I was informed that a boy named Kisshu was not agreeing to be a part of us. I understand why, considering what we have to do. So, every day I would come and talk to him about how amazing our agency is so he could warm up to the place. Of course it didn't work, but he ended up being forced to join a few years later, which you don't need to know about.
"So, long before I was born, my dad, the president of our agency, did some research and found theories on how angels were protecting some people directly. He was angered at the thought of all those people dying with diseases, starvation, and other things, and the angles wouldn't even help them. Claiming that, it was not right.
"So he did some further research and found that there were only five angels that were originally sent from heaven into our world. There was even one all the way in the United States, but they were dealt with accordingly. Then, he came up with an idea to create this agency to find them and make them go back to where they came from, so the people would have equal treatment as everybody else.
"Upon hearing this explanation, I jumped at the chance to join, knowing that what he was doing was right. Although, joining has cause me to do some ungodly things to make our cause a reality. I don't care as much now, because I met you, and you are a real pain in my ass.
"So back to Kisshu. When a new recruit joins our agency, they get a shot and some other things so that they would remain faithful. Knowing that Kisshu was still somewhat defiant, they gave him some 'special treatment'. They did an operation on his brain to alter his memories. They implanted research that my dad found, and programmed his brain to hate the angels and the people that were blessed. We have technology advanced enough to allow us to do that.
"Inside that shot that they gave us has enhanced our senses, including eyesight. We are able to see the tiniest of details in anything, which is how we are able to find the protected. They usually have a very small mark somewhere on their bodies.
"A few years later, Kisshu and I came to this school to continue our job, and we were able to find four people. Sadly, one of them was my sister, Zakuro." Ichigo gasped at this. "Yes, it was heart-wrenching to see my sister go through that, but we're really close now. Anyway, Kisshu and I were already together then, so I'll leave that part out. But, two years later, you show up.
"When you walked in the classroom, Kisshu immediately scanned your body for any strange markings from the skin that was visible; looking in the usual places that they were found before. He couldn't see any, so he discontinued his search. But I found you intriguing.
"I did some research on you family and birth documents, and found something very peculiar. Listed under eye color was dark brown, but it also said that you have a hairline thick of blue around your pupil."
"So?" Ichigo asked impatiently. She didn't comprehend why this all connected to Kisshu lying to her.
Mint glared and walked up to her. She placed the knife right on Ichigo's neck. Ichigo stiffened at the feel of cold metal against her skin.
"What did I tell you about interrupting?" Mint snarled as she put pressure against Ichigo's neck, causing a small cut to appear and blood to start leaking from it.
Ichigo gasped at the sharp pain that coursed through the spot. "I-I'm sorry…" She mumbled, tears threatening to spill out.
Mint then removed the knife from Ichigo's neck and walked back to her spot. "Ichigo, have you seen your angel before?" She asked as she tilted her head to the side.
Then something clicked. A hairline of blue… "My…parents said that when my emotions ran high, my appearance would change. I would have black hair and icy blue eyes…"
"Exactly. That blue in your eye represents your angel."
"But…I was told that it was multiple personality disorder…"
She cackled sarcastically. "How stupid are you? It's scientifically impossible to change appearance when having one of your personality changes. You were told that from a young age, so you never bothered to look into it. No matter how ludicrous it sounded."
Ichigo started tearing up. All of this…was a lie? And Kisshu knew… Ichigo gasped at the sudden pain that shot through her head. All these images and memories flashed in her mind to one night.
~Flashback~
"Hi, Ichigo." He said. Ichigo almost melted at the sound of his deep, masculine voice.
"Hi…um…"
"Masaya. Ayoama Masaya." He smiled brightly. Ichigo smiled and nodded.
"Nice to meet you." Ichigo said.
"Likewise. Now, assuming you read my text, I have some important information about Kisshu." Masaya said with a serious tone. Ichigo nodded slowly, signaling him to go on. Little did she know what she was about to find out would truly be mind-blowing.
"Instead of telling you, I'll just give it to you." Masaya said as he got a manila folder from his bag, and handed it to Ichigo. He watched her read the papers inside it, looking for any reaction in her eyes. Soon enough, when Ichigo was done reading, her expression turned into one of hurt and sadness with a hint of anger.
Ichigo placed the folder down as a tear escaped her eye. She quickly wiped it away. Ichigo smiled up at the concerned boy. "Thanks, Ayoama-kun. I appreciate you telling me this. Do you want to meet up outside for lunch tomorrow?"
Masaya smiled genuinely. "Sure. I'll see you around, k?" He left the café as she nodded; the folder still sitting on the table. Ichigo quickly pulled out her phone and texted Kisshu.
I need to tell you something. Meet me outside the café.
Then she got up as she threw the folder away and sat on the bench beside the doors.
About ten minutes later, Kisshu sat next to Ichigo on the bench and kissed her cheek. He smiled when he pulled away, but it faltered when he saw her blank expression. "Hey, what's wrong?" He asked with worry.
"Why?" Ichigo asked, her anger slowly rising.
"Why what?" Kisshu questioned.
"Why didn't you tell me you were a part of some secret agency?" Ichigo half-shouted. Kisshu froze. Fuck. He thought. We have to go somewhere private.
Kisshu dragged a protesting Ichigo to some trees to conceal them. Ichigo crossed her arms "Well?" She demanded.
"How did you find out?" Kisshu asked quickly.
"I have my sources. So why the hell didn't you tell me?" Ichigo yelled.
Kisshu sighed. "I wanted to protect you…"
"And then hurt me later on? What the fuck is wrong with you?!"
"It's my job Ichigo. I didn't have a choice." Kisshu yelled.
"You're wrong. You always have a choice. I think I'll make a choice right now. I'm breaking up with you!"
Time seemed to freeze for Kisshu as her words sunk in. Then his eyes turned red as they filled with anger. He grabbed Ichigo's wrists and pinned her to a tree and started screaming at her.
"NO, I DIDN'T HAVE A CHOICE! AND I DO NOT ACCEPT THAT! YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BREAK UP WITH ME. WE WILL STAY TOGETHER AND YOU WILL BE HAPPY WITH IT. ALL I WANTED TO DO WAS PROTECT YOU FROM THIS, AND HERE YOU ARE YELLING AT ME?! I SHOULD BE ASKING WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?!"
Ichigo stopped struggling after she realized it wouldn't do any good. She stood there in fear of what he was about to do next. Surprisingly, Kisshu released her and took a step back. His eyes had an excessive amount of hurt in them.
"I never intended for you to find out this way. Which is why, I have to go into emergency protocol." He took out a needle from his bag and jerked Ichigo's arm toward him as he stuck the needle through it. He flinched when Ichigo yelped.
"This will alter your memories. Now you won't know anything." Ichigo fell to her knees as the world began to spin around her.
"I will find out eventually….and even if you don't like it…I'll be hurt even more than I am now…" Ichigo murmured, loud enough for Kisshu to hear. She slumped to the ground unconscious.
Kisshu stared at the limp figure. He sighed deeply as he said, "I'm sorry."
~End Flashback~
"I…learned all this before…" Ichigo whispered.
Mint cocked her head in confusion. "What?"
"I learned this…from Masaya. He gave me a folder with all this in it…and Kisshu stuck me with a needle that was supposed to make me forget…but it only made it harder to remember…"
Mint smirked as she thought, Nice play, Masaya. "Now you see all the lies Kisshu has told you. He never really loved you. It was all for the job."
It was all for the job… Ichigo thought. "But…there's one thing I still don't understand. Why…are you gonna kill me if it's not necessary?"
Mint's expression turned devious as she said, "You really are clueless. I've been with Kisshu since we were kids. When he was twelve and I was eleven, we promised each other to stick together. A year later, we got together as boyfriend and girlfriend. I was happy then. I was able to stand the weight of the organization on my shoulders with him beside me. But then, two years later, you came.
"We started drifting as we commenced our plan. He grew more attached to you day after day. Then, a month ago, we broke up; all because of you. He didn't know why he felt so drawn to you at the time, but he stated that it was all for the job a week later, and I understood. That was around the time you found out about us and he had to commence emergency protocol.
"You don't know how terrible I felt. I felt betrayed, and I didn't know what to do. After he said that, I believed him till this day; and I still believe it. But I still felt like something was taken away from me, so I took it out on you; knowing that when you were gone, he and I would be together." Mint wiped the tears from her eyes.
Ichigo was shocked, to say the least. Ever since she came here, she cause everybody pain and suffering, which, now, seems like all she's good at. "I'm…sorry…" She mumbled.
Mint started laughing. "You should worry more about yourself. When I'm done with you, Kisshu will always be by my side."
Ichigo started to get angry. "It wasn't just for the job. He loves me. I know that for a fact. He would never hurt me, even if he lied in the past. It's what he had to do to protect me!"
Mint shook her head. "You have no idea, do you? Just after he asked you to the dance, we met in this very place. I even have a recording." She took a recorder out of her purse and clicked play.
"It's about time you showed up. I've been waiting for almost an hour! Anyway, status report on the target?" Mint's voice.
"Going great so far. I have her wrapped around my finger. She's my girlfriend already, so we should be able to commence the plan at the Snowflake Ball." Kisshu's voice. For some reason, the word's "Snowflake Ball" had a clip to it.
"Excellent. You're a fast worker. I commend you for that."
"Thank you. So, do I get a reward for being a fast worker?"
"You deserve it."
Some kissing sounds were heard.
"I love you."
"I love you too, Mint."
By now, Ichigo had tears streaming down her cheeks. It was all a lie. Everything he said to her. All those heartfelt words and special moments were down the drain with one recording.
Mint smirked. "Now you see. Nothing he had said to you was even close to the truth."
"He lied to me…everything was…a lie…" Ichigo sobbed. "You two are…horrible people. You deserve to go to hell!" Ichigo yelled.
Mint's anger skyrocketed as she hurled the knife right into Ichigo's calf. Ichigo screamed in pain as the knife penetrated deep into her skin as blood started pouring out.
"DON'T YOU DARE SAY THOSE THINGS ABOUT KISSHU! IF ANYTHING, YOU'RE THE ONE THAT DESERVES TO GO TO HELL! THE FIVE OF YOU AND THOSE FUCKING ANGELS! YOU'RE LUCKY I DIDIN'T KILL LETTUCE WHEN I HAD THE CHANCE!" Mint screeched.
Ichigo froze, tears still cascading done her flushed face. Lettuce is one of us?
Mint continued her rant as she pulled something out of her purse. "YOU ARE THE BIGGEST BITCH I HAD EVER SEEN! I DON'T EVEN HAVE TO PERFORM THE SPELL ON YOU, I COULD JUST KILL YOU RIGHT NOW AND THE ANGEL WILL LEAVE!"
Ichigo's heart stopped at the sight before her. Mint had a gun in her hand, aimed right at her head. "Die, you asshole." Mint snarled.
"STOP!"
Mint froze as she turned around. The girls gasped when they saw Kisshu standing in the doorway, a look of panic painted on his face.
"Stop, Mint. You don't need to kill her. It's not gonna solve anything." Kisshu coaxed.
"Why shouldn't I?" Mint pushed.
Kisshu looked pass Mint and straight into Ichigo's eyes. "Because…I'm in love with her…"
Mint's eyes widened in horror as Ichigo just looked away with disbelief. "How can I believe you? All you've done is lie to me." Ichigo sobbed softly.
Kisshu's eyes widened as he looked back at Mint. "What the hell did you do?" He asked menacingly.
Mint smirked. "My job. And it's about to be completed." She raised the gun back to Ichigo's head. "Say goodbye to your little girlfriend, Kisshu."
Boom
The shot was fired and Ichigo flinched, waiting for the end. But it never came. When she looked up, she gasped. There was a figure standing in front of her; a woman with black hair and large, feathery wings. The bullet was in the nearby wall.
"K-Kurai?" She whispered.
The woman turned her head and smiled at Ichigo sideways. She had icy blue eyes. "Kurai! You saved me!" Ichigo exclaimed with a bright smile.
Mint and Kisshu were astonished. Standing before them was an angel that they were supposed to hate. Kisshu felt anger bubble for some reason; like something was taking over his mind.
"You…" He whispered as he took a step forward toward the angel. "You and all you're goddamn angel friends…" He took another step. His eyes changed to a fiery red. Mint was horrified at this new Kisshu, and she knew that the organization had done something else to his mind.
"…leave all these people around the world to starve and live in poverty…" Kisshu's voice was demon-like.
"…because you only want to protect those who you want to protect. You make me sick." He snarled. He was a foot away from the angelic being as he glared at her with all his might. But Kurai seemed unaffected as she stared right back.
"We are doing this for a greater cause; for the sake of the world you know." Kurai spoke with a melodic voice that could lull a baby to sleep.
"Bullshit! All you care about is yourselves, you selfish son of a bitch!"
Kurai's eyes softened as she said, "Kisshu. How could you say that to your own grandmother?"
Cat- I am the master of cliffies, MWAHAHAHA! Just kidding, but yeah. This was a really long chapter, wasn't it XD I'm glad I decided to split this into parts… Anyway, I noticed I haven't gotten very many reviews lately. You guys are really important to me and my writing, so I'm hoping I didn't lose too many of you during my semi-hiatus while I was grounded. You guys are the fuel that keeps me writing :) So please leave a review? I might be able to release the next chapter earlier than usual, just to let you know. I hope you enjoyed! Ja ne!