Chapter 9: A New Approach

The clock on the wall in the small interrogation room softly ticked away, the only noise in the room. Ruby sat on one side of a large table, staring at a soon-to-be-occupied chair waiting on the other side. Once they had arrived to the police station, the officers placed her in this room and told her to just wait. Therefore, she had been sitting there for the past half-hour, watching as the clock slowly crept further into the one o'clock hour.

The reaper sighed and shifted slightly, the cuff encasing her wrist clinking in response. How badly she wanted her beloved Crescent Rose, having had her weapon striped away almost immediately. She knew that her scythe presently sat outside the room, probably being peered at with fearful eyes. I mean, what's wrong? It's just a giant scythe that can also shoot sniper rounds and can be compacted to sit on my hip. Nothing scary here.

She could feel her Aura recharging, slowly filling her with energy while at the same time patching up her battered nose. Blood tarnished the fine silk sleeve of her kimono from when she tried to stop some of the flow earlier, staining the delicate fabric. However, thanks to the large mirror covering one of the walls, she could see that she still had a small amount of crimson smeared across her face.

I'm going to have to apologize to Tamaki and the twins later for ruining it.

Before she could get bored enough to try falling asleep, the door to the tiny room opened. A man made his way into the room, slapping a folder onto the table and plopping down in the opposing seat.

Ruby quickly picked up on a couple of interesting items about the man. He wore a nice business suit, his police badge tucked in the breast pocket. Salt-and-pepper hair was slicked back to expose dark, stormy eyes. He folded his hands together to rest his chin on, staring at her over his thin-framed glasses.

"Good even, miss. My name is Inspector Shiratori of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police. Can you please provide your name, age, and current residency?"

Deciding to play along, Ruby answered honestly. "My name is Ruby Rose, age 15. I currently live with Tamaki Suoh and attend Ouran Academy."

A spark of interest illuminated those dark eyes, but it was quickly smothered. Humming, he wrote down the information on one of the sheets in the folder.

"Thank you for cooperating. Let's cut to the chase, then, since I know that it's late," he stated, starting to remove some photographs from the folder and placing them on the table. Silver eyes scanned the familiar images of the bank and the robbers in their White Fang imitation masks.

"Tonight, at approximately 12:35 pm, an officer on duty at the festival occurring at Hakusan Shrine was alerted to criminal activity by a high schooler. After alerting nearby forces, he followed the high schooler to find three criminals tied up behind a shed located away from the festivities. According to another high schooler on the scene, there was a robbery occurring at Teito Bank, located in the 5th chome. The officer was also informed that one of their friends had rushed off to the scene of the crime to try and stop the robbers single-handedly. After alerting appropriate personnel about the robbery, he arrested the three criminals, interviewed the two high schoolers at the scene, and then returned to the festival."

The inspector showed a couple more photos and the written interview of Hikaru and Karou. "At approximately 12:54 am, our branch was informed of the robbery occurring at Teito Bank. Appropriate personnel were sent to apprehend the robbers. Upon arrival at 1:02 am, they found half a dozen masked individuals knocked unconscious and a young teen wielding what looked to be a giant cosplay weapon. While the officers were able to stop the digital routing of the money, over 3 million yen in cash have been reported missing. As such, all aforementioned individuals were arrested and brought to the station for questioning."

Ruby mentally cursed. She thought that Hirofumi only used the smoke screen as a disappearing act. Instead, he also used it to hide him snagging some of the money-filled cases before making a break for it.

Sighing, he set down the folder and regarded the younger girl. "Now, after looking at the write-up of the officer at the festival and the one for the raid on Teito Bank, I can conclude that you were the 'friend' that went to try and stop the robbery herself." Storm clouds gathered in his eyes as he leaned in. "Would you care to explain how you happened to be at the scene of the crime before the police showed up, armed with such a dangerous weapon?"

Ruby swallowed thickly. How can I explain what happened without giving away my connection to Torchwick?

Before she could answer, the door to the interrogation room swung open. The two occupants turned their attention to look at another officer standing in the doorway, looking a little winded.

"Sir, sorry to intrude," the man stated, giving a salute. Nodding, Inspector Shiratori stood and stepped just outside to converse with the officer. Apparently, whatever the man said to him wasn't what he wanted to hear, the older officer's voice raising slightly in irritation. Silver eyes curiously watched as the two reentered the cramped room, the older male gathering up the scattered photos and papers while the younger quickly removed the handcuffs ensnarling her wrists.

"Well, it looks like you are off the hook for tonight, Miss Rose," Inspector Shiratori exclaimed, slight bitterness lacing his words. "You must be very close friends with the famous Ootori family to have them personally represent you for release. According to them, you were there defending the bank and shall be deemed a hero for your actions. While I would gladly like to ask for the truth from you, my superior and his 'benefactors' believe otherwise."

Ruby was slowly guided by the younger officer out of that tiny room, before being stopped by the Inspector one last time. "Trust me when I tell you this, Miss Rose. I am determined to get the truth about this case, and I won't stop until I have it." And with that, the two parted ways.

The younger officer, who introduced himself as Officer Takagi, guided Ruby through the chaotic police station. When they arrived at the entrance, Ruby broke into a smile at the sight of the Kyoya, with Crescent Rose leaning against the wall next to him. Standing adjacent was a stern statue of a man dressed in a silk suit and tie. Probably the guy who got me out of interrogation.

"Took you long enough," Ruby teased.

Kyoya smirked in response. "To be quite fair, you didn't exactly give me a lot of time. Honestly, you're even more problematic than Tamaki."

Laughing, the reaper retrieved her beloved scythe, quickly compacting it and tucking it away back under her sash. She couldn't help but snicker at the looks of fear in the nearby officers' eyes as the two made their way outside to join the others.

Once outside, Ruby was surrounded by the other Host Club members, almost dying from the ginormous group hug threatening to crush her. The next several minutes were filled with questions about if she was alright and what happened at the Bank and in the police station. Ruby tried to answer them the best she could while wiping the remaining blood off of her face with an offered handkerchief.

"Everyone," Kyoya announced, catching the club's attention. "Due to how late it is and the matter at hand, let's get into the limousine and continue this conversation on our way back to Tamaki's house."

Muttered agreements ensued, leading to the Hosts packing themselves into the back of an awaiting limousine.

As the group rode down the partially empty streets back to Tamaki's mansion, Ruby recounted the events that transpired at Teito Bank and the information she gained during her time in the police station. Everyone was enthralled at the narration of her fight with Hirofumi, oohing and ahhing at the right moments. After she finished with her tale, Haruhi was the first to speak up.

"Hirofumi… I feel like I've heard that name somewhere before," she mused, turning to look over at the bespectacled teen. "Kyoya, wasn't he some dangerous serial killer that was arrested years ago?"

Kyoya nodded, scrolling through his phone, looking at information on the man. "Hirofumi Matsuno. Around 40 years of age with jet black hair and a defining scar across the bridge of his nose. Before his incarceration five years prior, he was a dangerous criminal with a violent record. Several accounts of arson, robbery, and manslaughter have been reported with him as the prime suspect. For a while, he was known as The Black Snake and terrorized Japan for almost 15 years. Reports say that he was broken out of prison almost two weeks ago, and that his current whereabouts are unknown."

Thinking back to her interactions with the deranged man, the name he gave his weapon now took on a new meaning. The Snake Constellation, huh, she thought. Probably thinks he's indestructible now thanks to Torchwick. I'm going to have to be careful around him.

"To think that someone like him is out and about in Tokyo…" Hikaru started.

"…and that he's working with that Torchwick guy," Karou finished, both of them shuddering in response.

"Thank goodness that you got out of there okay, Ruby-chan!" Honey said, springing across the car to tackle the reaper in a hug. "I don't know what would've happened if you had gotten hurt."

"Mitsukuni," Mori said, pulling the smaller boy back into his seat. "She was injured, remember?"

"I know. I mean really hurt," the blond pouted, throwing his arms wide in emphasis.

"If only I was there to protect you, my flower," Tamaki stated, dramatically moving his fan in the air like he was conducting an orchestra. "It's extremely ungentlemanly to punch a woman, no matter the circumstances. When I get my hands on him, I'm going to teach that lowlife to never disrespect a young lady again."

A beat of silence filled the back of the limo before the twins burst into laughter.

"Man, boss. I know you're eccentric at times, but you're not that crazy," Hikaru chastised.

Karou continued. "This man is a dangerous escaped convict. You have no possible chance of even getting close to him."

"Besides," Haruhi added, laying a hand on the taller blond's shoulder. "The only ones in our group who could stand a chance against him, besides Ruby, are Honey-senpai and Mori-senpai. We simply don't have the skills or training to face Hirofumi, or any of Torchwick's men."

Haruhi has a point, the Huntress-in-training mused, staring out the window to watch the city lights stream pass. Besides for Honey and Mori, no one else has the ability to fight Torchwick and his cronies. Even those two, with the training they currently possess, were barely able to take on a Beowolf. Without proper training and equipment, they have no chance in ever succeeding.

Ruby paused, a thought suddenly coming to her. Torchwick was recruiting individuals from all over Tokyo to join his ranks, skilled or not, as evident of those teens at Paradise High. If he can train people from this world to use weapons from Remnant, why couldn't she?

We just need a new approach.

"I have an idea," she started, catching the attention of everyone in the limo. Seven pairs of eyes widened as she explained her idea to them. "If you really want to help, I can teach you all how to fight with weapons from my world. When I landed here, around a dozen crates full of weapons and Dust crashed in the forest along with me. I can teach you to use them as a way to protect yourself and others. That way, if and when Torchwick and his men come, we'll be ready."

No one said anything for a minute. She could see the gears turning in their eyes as they digested her proposal. Surprising, Haruhi was the first one to speak.

"Normally, I wouldn't support these rich kids doing anything crazy that could hurt themselves," Haruhi said, glancing over at her fellow Hosts. "However, from that encounter on Friday, as well as what happened at Teito Bank, I think that knowing how to defend ourselves would be better than doing nothing."

Tamaki beamed, perking up in his seat. "Alright, gentlemen. It's time to fight back. Torchwick will regret the day that he decided to mess with the Ouran High School Host Club!"

Everyone cheered, the air filling with excitement. As the limo wound its way through the streets of Tokyo, the twilight soon to lighten with the dawn of a new day, eight teens began to plan their counterattack.

X

And that's a wrap! FYI, I'm not dead and will still be writing this story, so please be patient of my haphazard chapter posting. Thank you to all who have favorited and followed the story so far. See you next time! :)