Mamoru-Hen Part 3

* *

Satoko didn't show up to school the next day. Everyone was worried about her, but they couldn't do anything. Every time someone tried, Satoko denied everything. Club activities were canceled again, but Keiichi knew that would happen. He had more important things on his mind.

He made preparations for what was to happen tonight. He dug a large hole that would serve as a grave.

'It's better than he deserves.' Keiichi thought.

He went back to his house to put up the shovel and his phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Keiichi? It's Mion."

"Oh, hey Mion. What's up?"

"Well, we tried to bring Satoko to the festival, but her uncle wouldn't let her leave."

'Damn.'

"I'm sorry Keiichi. I tried."

"No Mion, it's not you're fault. It's okay."

"Well, okay. I'll see you later?"

"Yeah. Later."

He hung up and threw thee phone at the wall.

'Damn it! Oh well. I thought this might happen. I've got a back-up though. I'll save her no matter what.'

* *

Later, when he was sure everyone was at the festival, Keiichi snuck back into the school and into the front office.

He put a napkin over his mouth to distort his voice and he called Satoko's house. After a few rings, Satoko's uncle answered.

"Hello?"

"Yes, is this the Houjou residence?"

"Yes?"

"Is this Teppei Houjou?"

"Yes. And ho is calling?"

"This is the Okinomiya Police Department."

"And?"

"We have found the body of a person you may know."

"Who?"

"The identification said 'Rina Mamiya.' Do you know this person?"

"Damn. Yes, yes I do. How did you get this number?"

"This number was on her list of contacts."

"Ah."

"If you could come down and claim the body."

"Yeah sure. Where is this place at?"

'Crap, I didn't think about that.'

"Oh yeah, next to the fire department. Okay, I'll be right down."

He hung up.

'Good. And when you leave, I'll be ready.'

* *

Keiichi took the gun he bought and his shovel and got into place. He rode his bike down into a brush pile and hide where he wouldn't be seen. He hadn't counted on it raining but that wasn't important. He only had revenge on his mind.

When he saw the light from the scooter Satoko's uncle owned, he got ready. He unfolded his shovel and pulled out the gun. The scooter drove by and he fired twice. The tires on the scooter blew and it went off into the brush.

Keiichi ran over with his shovel at the ready. He saw Satoko's uncle lying on the ground getting up.

"What the hell just happened?"

Keiichi jumped down screaming and pounded the shovel on the ground. Satoko's uncle realized what was going on and ran for his life. Keiichi followed suit.

After a few minutes, Satoko's uncle thought he'd lost Keiichi and started laughing to himself. He wasn't paying attention and fell off a small ditch. He looked around and saw his scooter.

'Damn it! I ran in circles!' he thought,'That crazy kid's gonna kill me!'

At that moment Keiichi steeped out from the trees and readied his shovel. He was about to swing, but he heard something in his head.

'Don't do it Keiichi!'

'What?'

'Don't. This isn't you.'

'No. No it isn't.'

Instead of swinging he pulled out the gun and fired.

It didn't hit Satoko's uncle though, just right next to him.

"Now leave!"

"Wha-?"

"Leave! Leave Hinamizawa! And if you ever return or call the police."

He held up the gun threateningly.

"I'll find you."

At that point, Satoko's uncle scrambled away with a look of terror on his face.

When he was out of sight, Keiichi fell to his knees and and thought, 'I did it. I saved you Satoko.'

He then gasped.

"Satoko!"

He put the gun in his pocket, folded his shovel and got his bike and rode to Satoko's house.

* *

Keiichi pulled up to Satoko's house and went inside.

"Satoko! Satoko! Are you here?! Satoko!"

He went from room to room and didn't find anything. He finally found Satoko's room and saw she was inside.

"Satoko. There you are."

She wasn't facing him or moving.

"Satoko? What's wrong? Satoko?"

He placed his hand on her shoulder and she turned around with tears in her eyes.

"Nii-nii."

She then fell over. Keiichi then saw blood. Her blood. She had slit her wrists.

"Nii-nii...You came back..."

"Yes, Satoko. Your new Nii-nii is here. Everything will be just fine."

He grabbed some gauze and bandages and wrapped her wrists. She hadn't cut very deep so he knew he had to get to Dr. Irie.

"Nii-nii..."

"It's okay. I'm here."

"Satoshi..."

* *

Keiichi got Satoko to Dr. Irie in time to save her and that took a load off of him. He sat diligently by her room just in case her uncle came back. And if he did, he was prepared.

The next morning Keiichi was woken up by Dr. Irie. He brought him into his office.

"So, Keiichi. How did you know Satoko tried to commit suicide?"

"I didn't."

"Then why were you at her house?"

"I was worried about her. I just wanted to make sure she wasn't hurt." 'Technically that is the truth.' he thought.

"And do you know where her uncle is at the moment?"

"No idea." 'Technically, also true.'

"Hmm."

He got up and walked over to Keiichi and put his hand on his shoulder.

"Thank you for saving her. I just hope it didn't put too much of a burden on you."

"Not at all."

"Well, I hope after all this, you have a clear conscience."

After that Irie left the room.

'Does he know? He acts like he does, but he doesn't seem bothered. Why am I thinknig this? I didn't do anything wrong? I didn't even hurt anyone. No, the only one who got hurt is Satoko and all that fault goes to her uncle.'

Keiichi walked back to his post and Irie came out of Satoko's room.

"She's awake now. I told her what happened. She wants to see you."

"Really?"

Keiichi went into her room and saw she was indeed awake.

"Satoko."

"Hey, Keiichi."

"Are you feeling okay?"

"Yeah."

Keiichi took a seat.

"Thank you, Keiichi."

"For what?"

"For saving me. That was a stupid thing to do. So thanks."

"Don't mention it. Anyone else would have done the same thing."

He got up and walked over to her.

"I'm just glad you're okay."

"Has my uncle come by?"

"Um,no. No one seems to be able to find him."

"Oh."

The look in her eyes said that she was both extremely happy about this, but also deeply depressed.

"Don't look so sad. It's okay."

He then wrapped her in a large hug.

"I'll protect you. No matter what. And if anything happens, I'll be sure to tell you first."

Satoko was shocked by this. But she softened up and started crying on his shoulder.

"Thank you...Keiichi-nii."

Keiichi was glad she had called him this, because he felt like he was a big brother to her.

And he would protect her. Just like Satoshi had.

* *

End of Part 3

Author's Note: Sorry it took so long to update. I've been busy with other stories and just now am having time. Well, I hoped you liked this chapter. I wanted this for mostly later-story stuff. The chapters after this will mostly develop into a mini-plot tied to the main plot. What's the main plot you ask? That's for me to know and you to find out. Ja ne~