Chapter 11
"I'll be the lookout." Shinra quickly said, the group hiding around the corner watching the familiar building having walked there after being dropped off nearby by the bus gang.
"No one is the lookout! We go in, make our point and leave." Shizuo growled.
"Well, they know our faces. All of them, nerds and old guys. If you don't come in they know you're out here." Kadota added.
"With our luck, they still remember us." Mikado sighed.
"There are metal scraps over there and bricks over there where the building crumbled a little." Erika observed. With their plan talked over again they charged in with Shizuo in the lead loudly announcing their entrance by breaking in the front sliding door. Their eyes wandered over the room, everyone having an object to throw in hand and poor Tom, Shinra, Saburo and Kadota could still not really cope with the sheer absurdity of the fact that they barged in to throw heavy objects at old fragile men. Two of the old men caught their eyes hurrying to the front as fast as they could go which really wasn't fast at all each carrying a gun, locked and loaded. The throwing began with Shizuo and Izaya taking the first shots, the bricks reaching the old geezers heads before the trigger could be pulled knocking them out cold. A sprint for the guns from Walker got stopped with solid line of bullets which Walker barely dodged retracing his steps. Their eyes got drawn upwards to the machine gun where the bullets came from fired by one of the old guys hiding behind some boxes.
"Damn it!" Shizuo roared and whipped around to the modified catwalk dashing towards it. Another shot from a hidden spot rung out grazing Shizuo's cheek and another bullet pierced Shinra's hand before the brick could be thrown, the stone falling to the floor. Their plan slowly failed surrounded by old men and nerds alike all wielding guns and out of throwing objects, Shizuo held down by the threat of shooting one of the boys.
"We are going to die… and I won't be by Celty's side." Shinra sniffed.
"Well, are you going to shoot us or not?*" Izaya calmly asked sparking conversation from a silent stare down.
"You're going to pay us back.*" One of the old men answered before his comrades joined in.
"We sell their organs!"* One suggested the Ikebukuro residents except Izaya left in the dark.
"That should bring enough cash…*"
"Isn't there any other way we can pay you back?*" Izaya quickly inquired.
"Well… they ain't ugly… prostitution.*" The other old guys agreed nodding their heads while the Japan crew could only stare at Izaya who didn't bother to let them knowing what's going on although they could tell by his face and responding that it didn't sound good for them.
"How about we rob a bank for you?*"
"Yeah right so you can run off? Forget it, faggot.*"
Izaya's eyes narrowed at the remark trying to think of any option he could offer but the old men leaned towards prostitution or organ selling, both options very undesirable for Izaya and co. A little ray of sunshine and hope came with Johnny having remained quiet and thought deeply about something.
"Isn't there that fighting ring?*"
"The one where you win money with each round?*"
"Yeah, that one! I don't understand how they make money…*"
"We'll gladly earn you money in a fighting ring!*" Izaya smiled, the old men mulling it over as the Ikebukuro residents tediously waited relieved when one of the old men motioned for the guns to be put down.
"Anything funny and you're shot and we're selling your organs.*" Carl warned.
"We won't try anything.*" Izaya promised finally turning to his companions. "I negotiated us out of our organs sold and prostitution. They know a fighting ring where you can win enough money to pay them off."
"As long as we get to live." Tom sighed. The nerds started to leave although two stayed behind guarding the exit with guns and the old men lowered their guns, some putting them away in a safe others tucking their smaller one under their shirts. Carl motioned for Izaya to come over, the informant walking over to him while the others just awkwardly stood there. Shizuo patted his pockets for cigarettes to cool his nerves but found none, Bruce noticing him smoking himself.
"Want one?*" Bruce offered and even though Shizuo didn't understand a word he knew the gesture accepting the offering and lighting it.
"Here is how the ring works; you get paired against someone randomly and you go round after round knocking out after another as far as you can go. The more rounds you win, the more cash you get. You figure out under yourselves who fights, I'm guessing the boy with the arm in the sling won't. I don't care who fights as long as you win enough money to pay us back. No weapons are allowed.*" Carl explained.
"When do we start?*" Izaya asked.
"Bill, when does the fighting start?*" Carl yelled sounding just audible enough to Bill.
"Later in the day.*" Bill answered.
"Fight!? Where!?*"
"Someone knock out Willy!*" Bruce shouted. An old man not known by name yet wheeled over in his wheelchair closest to Willy and hit him over the head with a pipe giving Bruce a thumb up.
"We should lock him a room until talk about fighting is over." Olaf commented. Saburo and Kadota glanced at each other thinking the same thing; if they slimed in a little they might just gain the old men's trust. "Izaya, ask them which room." Kadota said taking one arm of Willy seeing stars while Saburo grabbed the other. Olaf showed them and the two males set Willy down on a couch, Olaf locking the room from the outside and thanking them.
The crew came together in a group and Izaya started explain. "You are paired at random against somebody and the one who wins goes into the next round until they are knocked out. The more rounds you stack, the more money you win. No weapons are allowed."
"How do they make any money?" Tom questioned.
"That's not of our concern. Masaomi-kun you won't be fighting." The blonde pouted a little although his arm was still sore.
"Shizuo, no offense, but I think you should step back too." Tom turned to his blonde friend with a sorry.
"It's fine, I get it." Shizuo replied knowing the problem lied with his short fuse and they couldn't risk owing more because of the fighting ring being taken apart by a raging Shizuo.
"I'll step back too, I can't fight." Shinra said.
"Mikado won't last a round." Masaomi put in earning a little offended glance from his friend but Mikado was partially glad too because Masaomi was right; he didn't fight well.
"Anyone else?" Izaya asked into the group receiving yes and nods from everyone else.
"I'm going in if needed." Shizuo added, the others agreeing.
"That's settled then.~"
"When do we start?" Kadota asked.
"It's later in the day we have a few hours to kill. They will tell us when we are heading off." Izaya replied. The group sighed a little wondering what to do to pass the time. At least they'd be even with the drug gangs. For the other two and the mob there only seemed one option; hit them hard and run. The old men kept an eye on them here and there with the two nerds keeping guard but went back to their daily activities which included complaining about their ailments, misunderstanding said dick jokes confusing poor Johnny. A lot. Unfortunately only Izaya could enjoy the verbal exchanges while the others could only wonder what was said. The seniors didn't really talk to them more busy howling about their ailments here and there and they knew besides Izaya, none of them understood them anyway creating an awkward atmosphere with the Ikebukuro crew just sort of sitting and standing there in close proximity carrying on their own little conversations. Under gun supervision, Shizuo was allowed to vent outside for a moment crushing a dumpster before he would crush Izaya's head.
"Before we're heading off, we are going to eat.*" Carl hobbled over to Izaya continuing by telling what the restaurant where they picked it up had to offer and asking what they wanted from it to eat and drink.
After the meal, everyone squeezed into a couple of vans, two hijacked by the nerds and license plates popped off with Masaomi and Mikado kept at gunpoint as precaution.
"We're here. We are all staying in one group and don't think you can slip away here; we'll have the two kids always at knife or gunpoint even when you don't see it.*" Carl warned, the crew entering the building met silent from outside and met with yells, seat, fighting rings with people beating the crap out of each other, crowds and neon sign pointing out a bar on the inside. Carl took the lead to a counter signing them up with Izaya telling him in which order. They left the counter and stopped by a ring watching the last two fights in it. Izaya went first. The informant quickly started to miss his knife as his opponent proved slower but tough and Izaya's punch power wasn't really spectacular although he dodged well. Almost like a nimble cat he moved out of harm's way with acrobatic acts annoying his opponent and eventually with wimpy punch power and using his feet, Izaya managed to wear his foes down and knock him out.
Bill snorted waking up from a little snooze, Izaya starting to tire as every fight dragged on quite a bit and his opponent proved swift on their feet too along with having more punching power. The informant had already stacked 9 rounds, nine very long rounds. A fist caught Izaya in the face sending him stumbling back but not knocking him out yet. Three more rounds dragged on, Olaf blinking as he tried to keep his eyes open before Izaya got punched out in the 13th round unable to keep going. Tom slipped in next, his fights more lasting shorter lasting a good 11 rounds. Erika made 8 unfortunately facing two of the toughest fighters yet, Walker going in after her while the old men offered ice packs to each one finished for the bruises. Walker exceeded at dodging and used his legs more than his fists bending his back so much and easily in between during fighting that it made some of the old men cringe just thinking about an aching back. Walker's twisty and bendy fights making him look like some sort of ninja stacked whole 10 rounds, Saburo fighting next.
"How close are we to earning enough?" Masaomi asked turning to Izaya covered in bruises.
"I'm not sure but think about it this way; if we win enough we'll be fine anyway and if we only have the option of fighting back. It doesn't matter if we know how far we are in between only the end result matters.~"
"…" Masaomi stared at him with a deadpan expression wondering why he even asked in the first place now. Shizuo glanced at the old men, few rubbing their backs after Walker's show of agility, Carl catching his glance and moving his hand causing Mikado to twitch as the knife blade poked his skin threatening the blonde silently. Saburo fell after 9 rounds followed by Kadota having the pressure of being last and racking up enough rounds to earn the rest of the money owed. Kadota proved extremely resilient still going strong after 8 rounds but the after an astounding 14 the impact of the continuous fighting started to show a little. 3 more passed but the others eyes widened at Kadota's opponent in the 15th being a guy twice the height and size of the Japanese man. And not tired in the least little bit.
"How many more rounds?* Izaya inquired to Carl.
"If he beats this meaty guy, you are all good to go. If he doesn't and it doesn't look good now, we'll have a talk. However, we'll acknowledge what you've earned and choose something that won't likely kill any of you. If you're smart, you'll make it shorter for all of you by selling out the girl and the two boys people will pay for them.*" Carl replied.
"What did he say?" Mikado quietly asked. Izaya didn't reply right away deciding if he would antagonize the teen by giving no actual answer like he did to Masaomi or actually answer.
"It's in your best that Dota-chin lasts this round.~"
'My best interest?' Mikado pondered to himself. Aren't they all screwed if they didn't earn enough? His eyes wandered back Kyohei's fight, their friend rather on the losing end pounded constantly forced on the defense every second. Another punch slammed into his arms raised for a block, Kadota stumbling backwards his eyes briefly sweeping over Mikado now unsettled from Izaya's reply and blinking over and over again and Masaomi glared over at the informant when not watching the fight. He had to win but his opponent didn't make it easy in the slightest delivering painful blow after another. Shizuo kept shifting his sunglasses, a sign the man needed to vent soon. Ducking out of the way, Kadota struck out at his chance catching the other guy in the gut with a solid punch which got brushed off far too quickly from his muscle covered body. The Japanese fighter grimaced, a knee slamming into his own gut knocking the breath out of him sending him stumbling to the ground. Kyohei managed to find his feet again able to deliver two more solid blows but they showed no effect, not even in the slightest even though they should. The fist rushed out at his face knocking him off his feet and sending him into the fence, his vision blurring failing at every attempt to get up. The bell ringed signaling defeat, his eye starting to the others Mikado even more unsettled now from Izaya's reply and Masaomi got unsettled from Mikado being unsettled because of Izaya. Shizuo helped up his friend escorting him out of the ring and the old men turned to leave but someone presumably staff at the ring stopped them.
"He's with you?*"
"Yes.*" Carl answered for the entire group.
"Hold on a moment.*" The group waited, the super beefy guy stomping away after a heated conversation and the guy having approached them came back. "Your opponent used steroids and that's not allowed. You automatically win.*" Izaya turned to the others with a smile and the old men erupted in cheers, the knife tips leaving the boys' side.
"We won. Dota-chin's opponent cheated and we're even with the old guys.~" Smiles grew on their faces, cheering themselves and Carl turned to them.
"Well then, we're even. Let's get that cash and then you're free to go. But on a little side note; we might be old but we are bad men, don't cross us again or we might not be in such a good mood. Or forget this fighting ring exists.*"
"Let's not keep you waiting then.*" Izaya replied, the group going to a booth were the cash got handed out, the group heading out of the building where Shizuo promptly found a dumpster to be imagined as Izaya. The old men left without another word slamming the doors shut of the van clearly showing they wouldn't be giving rides and drove off.
"It'd be really convenient now for the bus gang to show up…" Tom commented.
"There are some cars over there and I can pick locks.~" Izaya hummed.
"I think we stole enough." Kadota countered.
"Does another vehicle or so really make a difference?" Shinra muttered.
"We can't outrun the vampires…" Mikado added quietly. "They are along the way to the harbor."
"Let's get this over with…" Saburo sighed, his body aching.
"Saburo!" Kadota exclaimed.
"I don't want to agree with Izaya but do you want to be eaten by vampires?" Masaomi dead panned. Kyohei sighed, all eyes shifting to two cars closest to them, one with five seats and the other with seven. Izaya proceeded hearing no protests while the others provided a shield blocking the view, Shizuo popping off the plates with ease and Walker wire starting both cars. Saburo insisted on driving even though he was sore and Shizuo drove the other car, both groups speeding off, the ride rather quiet as Izaya didn't share the same vehicle as Shizuo and Masaomi with potty and food breaks on their little remaining cash about to hit rock bottom.
"And we bump into each other again." the bus gang driver greeted as they entered a restaurant sick of canned food in the city with the harbor. "What happened to you guys?"
"Got in a fight." Kadota replied.
"Wow, quite the fight… You four hid somewhere?" the bus drive joked motioning to Shizuo, the teen and Shinra.
"I don't hide." Masaomi and Shizuo growled the taller blonde louder.
"It's a long story… We'll tell you after eating, alright?" Saburo sighed.
"We are?" Shinra asked receiving no answer. After food and a long talk in the bus with leaving out details and conveying that they pissed off quite a few people, the bus gang got really intrigued which led to ultimately counting off who they pissed off.
"The mob will never let you leave the country…" The driver remarked with worry, Izaya playing translator and the three other bus gang members nodded in agreement.
"We know that." Shizuo grumbled. "Which is why we'll hit them hard and jump on the next boat we see."
"They will probably see that coming.*" The Walker alike chuckled.
"For that plan to work you'll need more manpower and faces they won't expect it from, no offence.*" The Kadota like said.
"I don't think anyone one is willing to just join us…" Shinra sighed.
"Wrong!*" The Russian woman smiled.
"We can't ask you to do that!" Kadota exclaimed.
"You're not, we are coming of our own free will whether you like it or not." The bus driver grinned.
"But they'll go after you too!" Masaomi pointed out.
"Which is why we will be disguised!*" The female gang member explained.
"Cosplay! I'm going as ninja!*" The Walker alike added with excitement.
"I don't like this…" Kyohei grumbled guilty to have them dragged in.
"That's alright.*" His counterpart smiled.
"We'll go back to the town where we met if you don't mind, that's where she's got her cosplay stuff." The bus driver said starting the bus.
"It won't be enough for all of us. But I have a friend and her friends have tons of cosplay stuff.*"
'You've got to be kidding me… it can't be them…' Kadota sighed.
"Are you all done yet?" Izaya asked twice, once in Japanese and once in Russian his throat growing dry.
"I'll take over translating." The bus driver offered, Izaya accepting with a thank you.
"May I know your friend's name?" Kyohei asked.
"Katarina.*"
"Does she have a fiancé named Vincent?"
"Yes, do you know her?*"
"Yes" Kadota answered for everyone.
"Want me to drive straight to their base?*"
"Yeah.*" Katarina delighted at seeing them again, opening the door for them. "I'll replace any stuff we use afterwards.*"
"No it's fine don't worry about it.*" Katarina smiled. "Did you anger more people? I thought the plan was to get home."
"It's depressing, you don't want to know." Shinra sighed sitting down on a couch.
"A few but they're not really the biggest problem." Kadota added, the Ikebukuro crew getting seated and Marty coming out of nowhere acknowledging them with a little wave before warming food up a snack in the microwave. The bus gang busied themselves with their disguises.
"So, you're dressing up too?"
"Sadly not." Walker sighed.
"What happened to your arm?" Eric asked suddenly popping up behind Masaomi seated on a couch beside Mikado, fully dressed.
"Got in a fight." Masaomi replied and Eric tilted his head folding his arms over the back lean and leaning down.
"What happened to your neck?" Eric further inquired in a husky tone.
"Hey Eric, he's got it too." Dave added eyeing the smaller tended area having appeared beside Eric. Masaomi shuffled away as Eric ignored all personal space, his lips just a breath away from his neck.
"Somebody tried to stab me." 'With their teeth.'
"Really? I know something that would cause a wound there." Eric purred, both blondes trying to subtly poke the other boys but Katarina glared at them.
"So what brings you here again?" Katarina changed the topic.
"Well…" Saburo trailed off unsure what to say. They couldn't drag the cosplay gang into this too! But that left only lying and what reasonable reason explained their friend's in Russia acquiring disguises and arriving here with them not getting disguises? Unfortunately, Katarina beat them to it.
"Trouble getting out of the country from pissing off people?"
"Yeah" Kadota answered in defeat.
"We've been trying to leave via boat but they are clogging up the harbor." Erika explained.
"The plan is to hit them hard and run to the closest boat." Shizuo added.
"And they are helping you?" Katarina motioned to the bus gang.
"Against our wishes, yes." Kadota answered.
"Ah… don't like help." Katarina giggled.
"It's not that, it's…"
"I'm listening." Katarina purred sipping hot chocolate from her mug.
"We pissed off very dangerous people that tend to hold grudges."
"Come on, Dota-chin. Enough mystery, spill it."
"Oh not you too! Where did you even…" His eyes wandered to Erika giving a shrug and smile seated beside Katarina. "We angered the mob along with smaller gangs that won't give up. They are all at the border lying in wait."
"The mob? Puuh… you're going to need more fighters to win that and make your escape."
"Don't think about it…"
"Too late! We're helping out!" Katarina grinned.
"Do you all have a death wish!?" Shinra groaned.
"No but we like action and we stick by our friends." Katarina replied.
"Can I use the whip?" Eric asked excitedly.
"I want the butterfly knives!" Dave exclaimed.
"Go ahead."
"I can't stop you, can I?" Kadota chuckled.
"Nope!" Katarina smiled.
"Can I persuade you and your group to wear disguises so the mob won't remember the right faces?"
"Alright."
"Eric, I have a great idea!" Dave smiled.
"Hold on, all of you. How many groups are there?" Katarina asked.
"The mob makes up over half and there are two more gangs lingering in that city somewhere. From what we saw, I didn't see them mingle." Izaya supplied. "Is there a plan forming?~"
"Kind of. Hmmm… If all of them would come together, they could end up fighting each other as well…"
"They are probably spread out…" Shinra mumbled not quite certain where Katarina went with this.
"Is the plan to drag them all into one massive fight?~"
"Yes but we need something they can't resist even if they suspect a trap. Splitting up is a bad move but if it's only for a minute or so, we'll be fine. What do you know about these groups?"
"They want us dead." Shinra sniffled.
"Would they shoot you right on sight?"
"Yes."
"Well, not all of us." Kadota butted in.
"Who won't they shoot right away?"
"Well, we have the creep… the suckers… got even with the nerds and old geezers so they don't count… and the mob." Shizuo concluded.
"So three?"
"Unless we missed anyone." Mikado nodded.
"And who won't they shoot?" Katarina asked, all eyes drawing to the teenage boys shifting specifically to Masaomi.
"Oooh, what a bad boy…" Dave snickered.
"Alright, so at least three groups… They might not stick right at the harbor to avoid attracting attention so we'll assume they all need to be lured there. We have one Masaomi…" Katarina's eyes wandered to Eric and Dave.
"I can be bait for one of the two gangs…" Mikado offered.
"Can you outrun them?"
"I think so…" Mikado shrugged.
"I'll take on the suckers." Masaomi decided quickly as he was the faster runner between the two.
"That leaves the creep to me."
"Now we still need a second Masaomi for the mob." Katarina pointed out. "Up for a little cosplay and running, Eric?"
"Anytime." The boy grinned.
"It's settled then." Katarina placed the mug on a little table standing up and whistling calling everyone together as the bus gang just finished up, Erika helping out with the disguises along with the eerily alike bus gang female.
"Dota-chin, you look stressed out.~" Izaya remarked.
"Don't call me that." Kyohei growled. Masaomi, are you will be able to outrun the va- suckers?"
"Sure, we probably won't do this at night so they have to be careful not to get hit by any sunlight!"
"Doing it at night would be better to keep cops out of this." Shinra commented.
"Lights at the harbor and street lights will leave sufficient lighting for fighting." Tom agreed.
Masaomi smile fell slumping on the couch. "I have to be."
"Do any boats leave at this time though?" Walker pointed out.
"Yes, but not many. However before we just storm in though, we should make sure any boat we board heads for Japan." Izaya said in a serious tone dropping the lofty attitude.
"And how do we find that out?" Saburo sighed.
"All I need is a laptop.~"
"Here you go." Vincent handed over his laptop having heard the boat dilemma over the excited otaku talk.
"Thank you.~"
To their relief and luck, a boat for Japan did leave. However, only one and not the coziest one but still better than no ride at all. After Eric, now mimicking Masaomi and Dave had their disguises done insisting on wearing leather the duo decided to nag the poor blonde and his friend about the who 'the suckers' are and what happened. Eric even managed to copy Masaomi's voice so well he almost tricked Mikado into revealing it before Katarina put a stop to it having her disguise done. Some were as simple as face paint or masks, other got a little bit more elaborate or eye catching, Eric and Dave being in the last category although Eric had clothing matching Masaomi's over his leather attire. After going over the plan, everyone piled into the bus able to fit them all with no seat remaining and Eric had tried to weasel his way beside Mikado to try to nag more but Katarina caught on placing him beside Dave by the ear although she accidently grabbed Masaomi's ear first apologizing profusely. The first stage of the plan being finding the targets had to be the most risky part as there was truly no way to plan for anything. Their time passed by driving around near the harbor looking out the windows after arriving in the city and if finding them took too long, they had to wait an entire day. The first familiar faces came from the mob and Eric got dropped off out of sight starting to stalk the men with the hood up, his phone waiting on the signaling text from Katarina while Mikado and Masaomi would receive a message from Kadota after all three got dropped off with the bus heading straight for the harbor. Mikado nervously got off second out of sight as their eyes had spied the teen gang and Shizuo after a growl got off too not willing to let Mikado go alone but intend to stay out of the gang's sight so their plan wouldn't be ruined. As the bus drove away his mind arrived at the fact that Masaomi would be on his own too.
Masaomi took a deep breath, the bus doors opening and the teen exited glancing over his shoulder at the others. "I'll come with you. Don't worry, I'll stay out of sight.~"
"No" Masaomi growled. Why did Izaya have to be this way? However, his no didn't have the usual bite because he seriously was a tad worried about not outrunning the vampires. This way Izaya could actually come in as help and stall as fodder. Of course Masaomi didn't say that. But it came to mind and the informant noticed the missing bite to the no walking off the bus with a smile.
"I wouldn't trust him either but it might be better to have him come along." Shinra said.
"Aw come on Shinra, we're all on the same side here.~"
The underground doctor rolled his eyes, the doors closing as the bus pulled away with Kadota and Katarina signaling to move out. Masaomi and Izaya had no time to exchange words as hurried footsteps neared, the slim man leaping away and Masaomi dashing forward towards the harbor catching the gay vampire's grin that favored him mumbling a "Found you." followed by a couple of more vampires although it wasn't the same number as before. Masaomi literally ran for his life, the other two boys in the same shoes.
Eric smiled having the time of his life chased by mob members barely unsettled by his legs being shot at luckily missed by all so far, one of them calling others who then again called the rest of them together and from a top view you'd see a surge of people like a colony of ants pulling together into a stream after having been separated with another tiny colony coming from another side.
Mikado glanced over his shoulder seeing the last teen dart out of an alley joining the chase in glee. His legs ached and his breath ran out slowing down the boy after so much running and he hadn't reached the harbor yet, his pursuers quite quick on their feet. Suddenly a lamp post crashed down skewered by a pipe flying put of the shadows slowing down the teen gang and tripping two, squashing none. Mikado smiled pouring all his strength into the last stretch.
Masaomi panted, the vampires sported incredible speed and Izaya had intervened already three times out of sight slowing them down. The two gay brothers had narrowed their eyes towards the darkness a few times but none of the vampires drifted away from the chase. Masaomi's face lit up as harbor faintly came into sight filling him with a spurt of energy.
'Masaomi' sprinted out of the street smack into the harbor starting to crowd by followers confusing the hell out of the teen gang following Mikado as they saw the actual Masaomi panting strongly stumble onto the scene and while the mob was just as confused until Eric laughed loudly stripping right there and ruffling up his hair as the fighting started interrupted in its first few seconds by a yellow school bus entering the scene with a blaring honk catching one vampire two teens and 10 mob members with its snout sending them sailing through the air in excruciating pain coming to a skidding stop. The doors flew open using the moment of surprise as the fighters piled out with a war cry, Katarina tossing Eric the whip and Marty leisurely walked out last with a boom box blaring music causing Mikado and Masaomi back to back to stare as the battle escalated. Every fight, the cosplayers played a song the current one chosen by Eric and Dave being 'The Bad Touch'
"Isn't that kind of unsafe?" Mikado stuttered saved Shizuo throwing a dumpster at an attacker while Masaomi punched the lights out of another standing beside his best friend and Katarina shot a man point blank without a sweat.
"Nah, Marty is a sharp shot." Katarina winked and next instant proved true, Marty sitting on the hood of the bus with a hand gun looking rather dreamy but his wrist moved swiftly and his finger pulled the trigger. The bullet left the gun tearing through a finger at the trigger of the gun pointed at Marty intercepting the shot and continued through a hand, race through the tiny space between hand and lid of thrown trash can to tear through a skull at just the right position to keep going coming out the other end and lodged in a rearing polar bear having joined the fray. Mikado and Masaomi gaped whilst fighting although Mikado dodged more than anything and sputtered with suppressed laughter noticing that the polar more pissed by the second being attacked from all sides still had the pen stuck in its nose unsuccessful at removing it. Izaya realized again as the blade slashed through a throat how much he had missed his knife during the fighting ring. Shizuo ran out of objects to throw forbidden to touch the bus resorted to using people instead and punched the enemies into the star filled night sky. Walker used the art of ninja acrobatic feats causing at least twice a mob member to shoot another whilst wielding a flamethrower given to him by the cosplay gang. Saburo and Erika used pipes while Kadota smashed his fist into another face. Masaomi wound up with the psycho girl smiling sickeningly sweet at him with a cleaver although Izaya danced into the way locked in a ridiculous knife fight with the girl which morphed into a triple fight catching the teen gang leader diving for the boys.
Dave tripped pleading on his butt with pleading eyes, the attacker wielding a knife. "P-please…*"
"Shouldn't have picked a fight a then.*" The mob member smiled crouching down and grabbing Dave's collar pulling him closer about to stab but Dave's fright instantly blew away, quivering lips settling into a satisfied smile as the butterfly knife slipped into sight and slashed across the throat.
"You shouldn't underestimate our opponent.*" Dave chided, the body falling limp beside him with a shove. His eyes darted to the click of a gun pointed at him but a whip crack across the wrist so hard that skin split, the mob member dropping the gun which Dave quickly kicked away.
"No one hurts my Dave!*" Eric growled, cracking the whip again smacking it into the guy's crotch crumbling into oblivion.
"Oh Eric…*" Dave purred standing up skipping closer to the other boy cracking the whip again right into two faces with expert skill, Vincent shooting at vampire a few feet away. The Ikebukuro crew weaved their way to the boat only having five minutes left before it left, the bus gang and cosplay gang able to hold their enemies off pretty well and the hollering of old men caught their attention, Carl locking eyes with the for a fleeting moment before hollering, "Throw in Willy!*" their escape came to a skidding halt as the polar bear blocked their leap to safety with a snarl bleeding from various spots but ignoring every wound with ease. The bear growled deeply putting a paw forward, the Ikebukuro residents taking a step back.
"Any ideas?" Mikado stuttered.
The bear suddenly glanced sideways as another animal snarled leaping at the bear's face and digging its fangs into bone and flesh being none other than Collie with her hairs raised. The polar bear roared smacking at the collie letting go and dropping down before the meaty clawed paws got her growling menacingly while everyone except Izaya shouted "Collie!" in joy. Collie attacked again viciously using her smaller size to her advantage striking quickly and from all sides as the bear roared again and again trying to maul the dog. The bear roared even louder as a shot rang out from Leena having shot at the bear with a shotgun, her eyes narrowed, Anska wielding a slick hand gun and Ruben wheeling in a motorcycle performing a wheelie and jerking the vehicle knocking an enemy out with the front wheel.
"L-Leena?" Masaomi breathed, a little baffled like his companions at their arrival.
"I had a gut feeling my baby is in trouble." The woman chuckled ruffling Masaomi's hair affectionately. "We'll hold that back, hurry to your boat sweetie."
"Hurry boat!" Anska urged grazing the teen gang member on the cheek barely pulling back in time and catching a mob member dead between the eyes. Leena turned to the bear again driven out of the way by Collie having sustained a scratch over her back but undeterred, the Russian woman yelling for the dog to duck. Collie obeyed immediately and the woman fired catching the unrelenting bear in the face blinding him in one eye. Masaomi quickly gave a one armed hug and hurried off with the other jumping off the edge and sailing over the gap, crash landing onto the boat in the nick of time pulling away as the cargo ramp closed on its own and the surprised and nervous sailor checking over the cargo again quickly got subdued. The crew slid down against the hull, boxes and container breaking out into suppressed laughter as the large ship parted the sea.
"I love your new family!" Shinra exclaimed cheerfully throwing his arms around Masaomi in a hug. The teen chuckled glancing at the overjoyed Shinra, 'Me too.'
"They're out of sight, retreat!" Katarina shouted, the cosplay gang pulling away and rushing into the bus with the bus gang. The driver hit the gas mowing over fifteen more mob people and a vampire in the process seething as shots pinged off against the strengthened metal of his precious bus swerving the long vehicle around and speeding off. The polar bear roared and ran off, Collie bounding after Leena and Anska into a car parked safely behind cover pulling away with Ruben slammed the wheel down on another head before speeding after the car. The old men disappeared as quick as they came although they forgot Willy for the first five minutes acting like a human turret and had to go back subduing the old man and dragging him into a van without being shot or stabbed. The distant howls of sirens echoed through the night sky and the mob and gangs scattered leaving the ugly scene leaving stains and bodies as mark behind.
"I send Shinra a text just now." Celty informed the other two girls sitting in the room with her.
"Hey, I got a text."
"Better answer while you can." Kadota remarked.
-On a ship on our way home.- Shinra replied quickly just in time before his signal faded not receiving Celty's reply anymore being –That's great, we can't wait to see all of you! Except Izaya.-
The ship ride went smoothly, the few times one had to pee able to sneak to the top and disappearing again luckily no one having to poo. Kadota protested stealing food but caved in after seconds, hungry himself and his stomach loudly announcing it. The crazy bunch managed to keep fighting to minimum only exchanging blows verbally and their eyes filled with relief after a journey that seemed to last forever hearing a sailor announce the imminent arrival to another as they hid out of sight. Over the course of the boat ride, every not remembered instance came into crystal clear detail, embarrassing some all over again having already felt embarrassed when told by other people. With every detail of the trip clearly in mind now it made them realize yet again how much they' had worked together just to screw over people in their whacked out state. Leaving the ship docking at the harbor didn't go smoothly at all on the other hand as they dashed away laughing insanely with sailors yelling after them but ultimately deciding not to charge after them. The group slowed down on the sidewalk leaving the harbor finding their answer to their location on a sign in the familiar Japanese. The sign informed them of being in Akita.
"Finally back in Japan! Well, I don't know about all of you but I'm going to get some money and catch a train ride." Shinra cheered.
"Aw come on, Shinra don't be a party pooper!~" Izaya chided. "Let's finish this trip together all the way to Ikebukuro. And Saburo is still missing the van!~"
"I'm taking the damn train before spending any more second with you flea!" Shizuo growled.
"Go ahead Shizu-chan, take the train. I don't care for you coming along, actually it's be much more pleasant without you." Izaya replied and the blonde ripped out the nearest sign swinging out at the informant dodging easily.
"We'll help find the van." Masaomi smiled glancing at Mikado agreeing with a soft smile.
"Thanks." Saburo smiled.
"We have things to do though, we can save some time with the train." Kadota pointed out. We flew off in Saitama so we can take the train until Saitama before continuing on foot."
"Shorter route or no together trip, I want to see Celty." Shinra stated firmly.
"Sorry to be a party pooper but I have to get back to work." Tom sighed.
"Fine." Izaya pouted at Shinra. "Shizu-chan, you're still standing here."
"I'm not leaving the kids with you!" The man growled. Tom sighed but retraced his few steps. Better be there to stop Shizuo from raging. The group stopped by banks first Kadota paid tickets for everyone insisting on it although he left out Izaya, revenge for calling him Dota-chin causing the informant to pay for himself.
"Oh, you're coming Tom?~"
"What is another day?" Tom shrugged.
"The super ninjas' adventure continues!" Walker exclaimed. The train ride passed uneventful. The stretch between the airport and halfway through their Saitama journey still remained blurry causing them to guess that this was the point where they lost the van as they remembered having the van with them in the beginning. Izaya had also skillfully locked out all accounts in his growing whacky thinking it'd be funny with no easy way to return although that was all resolved now and surprisingly they had all held back throwing Izaya under the train. On the train their friends called and Izaya declined being greeted by Chikage before anyone else could say yes causing a mumbled debate, the informant winning by making a point that it would ruin what they just agreed to and thinned the chances of finding the van if they accepted rides. Mikado's bandages by the neck got removed too and Masaomi's wounds there reached the halfway point having been bitten more than his friend. No phones stolen each holder in blackmail still in possession of it, no broken train, reassured anxiously waiting friends and girlfriends, well fed and hydrated, armed with money, ready for anything the train rolled to a stop and the Ikebukuro group disembarked onto the last stretch of their journey back to Ikebukuro.
Finally another chapter. Well looks like chapter 12 will wrap it all up. I want to say thank to everyone and sticking by me even though updating late. You're all great and I don't know about you all but I see you as my friends. Stay tuned for future Durarara! stories and for the coming chapter. I hope you enjoyed the chapter and let me know what you think.
Guest: This is wedged between the X2 anime and it's explained a little in another chapter. To make it short it's kind of just before Mikado and Blue Squares pounce on Ruri's stalker but due to an accident he doesn't show up and Mikado runs into Masaomi. I used shitty, lame accidents to stop all major baddies in that arc which also conveniently put them out of business right until this story and it goes all back to normalXD