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Lonely Boy XIV

Akira stood on the fifth-floor balcony of the Mizuho apartment complex with a gun in his hand. He'd just pronounced a sentence of death on the man kneeling in front of him, Naito Eizo. Akira knew he was guilty of being an accomplice to the murders of Wakaba Ishiki and Kunikazu Okumura amongst many others. He also had a hand in framing Akira for the assault on Masayoshi Shido, and he was the architect of Shido's rise to the Prime Ministership an act that almost took Japan back to the days of militaristic dictatorship. Akira knew that Eizo had ordered the beating of Ann Takamaki, a woman Akira loved.

Even though he was guilty of all these crimes, Ryuji Sakamoto's words kept running through Akira's head. "We're Phantom Thieves; we don't kill."

Akira lowered the gun from the back of Eizo's head. The scent of piss hanging in the air as a puddle spread around the knees of Eizo's jeans. Eizo froze as he heard a clicking sound behind him, seconds later he found the clip from the Glock hanging centimetres from his face. "I should kill you for what you've done Naito Eizo, but I won't lower myself to your level. I will not stain my hands with your blood. I am a Phantom Thief."

Akira walked away stuffing the clip and the un-discharged round from the Glock in his pocket leaving Naito Eizo kneeling in a puddle of his piss.

Akira walked out of the apartment complex stopping when his shadows reappeared. The taller of the two Yakuza members stepped up to stand beside the teen. "You did the right thing."

"Yeah? It doesn't feel like the right thing to do," Akira replied scornfully.

The older man smiled. "You could kill him, but it won't bring back the dead, and the satisfaction you'll get out of it comes at the price of a piece of your soul. Be glad you figured that out before you did something you couldn't take back."

Akira nodded taking a deep breath handing the older man the paper bag with the Glock and its clip to him. "There is a river nearby, could you…?"

"I'll take care of it."

The shorter of the two men joined them on the street. "So, now what?"

Akira groaned rubbing the back of his neck. "I have a lot of apologising to do."

Sojiro Sakura was putting away the last of the clean dishes in Café Leblanc's kitchen when he heard the bell above the door ring signalling someone had entered. Sojiro frowned knowing that he'd locked up after seeing the last customers out for the night. Sojiro walked up to the counter finding Akira Kurusu standing in the entryway his backpack hanging from his left hand.

The teen rubbed the back of his head with his other hand looking at the floor, "Sakura-san, could I stay in the attic for the night?"

Sojiro adjusted his glasses bringing a cigarette to his lips. "Did you take care of that business you were in such a rush to deal with?"

"No, I left it unresolved, for now. I realised there were more important things I needed to do first."

Sojiro nodded indicating Akira should take a seat. Akira did so and waited for Sojiro to join him in a booth before speaking. "I haven't been very fair to you recently Sakura-san. I've been selfish and bone-headed. Ever since I got the drugs, Eizo was poisoning me with out of my system all I could think about is killing him. When it came time to pull the trigger… All I could hear was Ryuji parroting my own words back at me. 'We're Phantom Thieves; we don't kill.' He was right, all I wanted was to get revenge, but that won't change what happened."

"So, what do you plan on doing now?"

"I need to make up with the people who care about me. I want to fix things boss, starting with things between us."

Akira took a deep breath locking his gaze on Sojiro's face. "Sakura-san, I am very sorry about the way I treated you and your family. I will understand if you don't want me to stay."

Sojiro sighed tipping some ash into the ashtray in front of him. "I won't say that how you've been acting didn't upset me, but we're family Akira. I will never throw you out onto the street. You always have a place here, but I'm not the only one who needs to hear that apology."

Akira nodded replying, "I know. May I go to your house boss?"

Sakura nodded. "Help me finish cleaning up, and we'll go together."

Akira and Sojiro tidied the café before leaving and walking to the Sakura house. Once inside they walked up to Futaba's room. Sojiro stepped forward and knocked. "Futaba, it's Sojiro, can we talk?"

"Leave me alone Sojiro. It's Saturday night; I don't have school." Futaba replied her voice muffled by the door.

"I have someone here to see you."

"I don't care!"

"Futaba, it's me, Akira."

A few moments of silence followed Akira's announcement. Seconds later Futaba's door opened enough to allow Akira to enter. Sojiro lent against the opposite wall lighting another cigarette. Akira walked inside closing the door behind him. Futaba sat on the bed directing Akira to the computer chair nearby. Akira sat down facing a stern looking Futaba.

"You're a jerk Akira-kun."

Akira ducked his head nodding. "Yeah, yeah I am."

"Why did you shut us out? We wanted to help you?!" Futaba demanded angrily.

Akira frowned rubbing the back of his head looking down at the floor. "I, I didn't want you guys to see me like that. I was high and hurt, the first few days after coming out of the coma I felt like I was going crazy. I could feel my skin crawling, and my brain was going a million miles an hour. I didn't want you to see what he'd done to me. I was ashamed of myself."

Futaba groaned grabbing Akira by the arm pulling him over to sit beside her on the bed. Futaba pressed her head into his arm punching him gently in the chest several times before wrapping her arm around him. "You're a big dummy."

Akira allowed himself a small smile. "Does this mean I'm forgiven?"

"You have to make me curry for a week… no, two weeks and promise you won't do anything like that ever again."

Akira nodded. "Deal, I promise never to walk into a crazy person's trap ever again. Even if the crazy person is you."

Futaba punched Akira in the chest again. "Baka."

Akira exhaled stepping inside the glass monolith that was the headquarters of Okumura Food. It also happened to be the home of Haru Okumura. Akira scratched the back of his neck approaching the counter. "Um, hi, my name is Akira Kurusu, I'm a friend of Haru's. I was hoping I could go up to see her."

A stern receptionist looked Akira, dressed in simple black pants and a black long-sleeved shirt a once over. Akira could feel the sweat gathering on the back of his neck as she studied him. The woman pushed her glasses up her nose regarding Akira with a sour expression. "Young man, we have lots of young people come into this building and claim to be Miss Okumura's friend. Now unless you have other business I suggest…"

"Kurusu-san?" A voice asked cutting into Akira and the receptionist's conversation.

"President Takakura, d-do you know this man, sir?" The receptionist asked sounding slightly fearful.

"Yes, I do, he is a close friend of Miss Okumura's. I assume you're here to see Haru?" Takakura asked.

"Yes, sir. I, ah, we've had a falling out recently. I've been trying to mend things but well… This young woman was doing as Haru asked and not letting me up. She's very good at her job."

Takakura smiled saying, "Well, I'm sure if you and Haru talk things out it will all be smoothed over. I know she's very fond of you. The board was very appreciative of how you helped Haru after her father's death. She's becoming a fine young woman."

Takakura led Akira towards the lifts to Haru's penthouse. Akira glanced back at the receptionist who mouthed a silent thank you. Akira smiled giving the young woman a wink before he and Takakura disappeared into the lift.

Takakura and Akira stood looking out the lift window. Akira rested his hand on the wall staring out over the Tokyo skyline. Sights like this and people like Takakura were what made losing his Metaverse powers worth it. People still could choose their destiny no one was bound to a fate decided by a false god. Not even him.

Akira blinked hearing the bell signalling that they'd arrived at the top floor penthouse. Takakura asked Akira to wait as he knocked and then entered the apartment a few seconds later. After a couple of minutes, Takakura returned summoning Akira inside.

Akira walked down the steps into the penthouse seeing Haru standing across the room from him staring out the floor to ceiling windows that spanned the left side of the apartment. Takakura positioned midway between the two facing Haru. "I'll leave you two alone."

"Thank you, Takakura-san," Haru replied.

The two waited in silence for Takakura to leave before Akira spoke, "Thank you for seeing me Ha…"

"It's Miss Okumura or Okumura-san Mr Kurusu. Only my friends can address me by my first name." Haru replied cutting Akira off. Haru kept her gaze focused on the window and the world beyond as she spoke, her voice was harsh a tone Akira had never heard her use before with anyone.

"Y-yes Miss Okumura."

Meanwhile downstairs a faux blonde-haired teen entered the building waving at the receptionist who waved him through towards the private elevator to the penthouse level. Ryuji Sakamoto stumbled as he tried to enter the lift almost crashing into Takakura who was made to walk out.

"Oh, uh, sorry Takakura-san, I didn't think anyone would be coming out of the lift." Ryuji offered by way of an apology.

"I was coming back from showing one of your other friends up to see Haru-chan," Takakura replied with a small amount of annoyance that was overridden by his amusement at Ryuji's enthusiasm to see the young heiress. Takakura reflected for a moment on how Haru's father would have felt about Haru seeing a man like Ryuji. Takakura had done some checks into Ryuji's background to make sure Haru wasn't getting involved with someone who would hurt her. Ryuji had a troubled upbringing, and his grades could use work, but all reports on the young man said that he was someone who cared about others mainly his friends and his mother. Takakura judged Ryuji to be a good man for Haru despite what her father might have thought but then considering what Kunikazu Okumura had almost subjected the poor girl too for his gain Takakura didn't give a damn what the elder Okumura would have thought.

"Other friend, who was it?" Ryuji asked.

"Akira."

The blood drained from Ryuji's face, Takakura was puzzled, but he wasn't given the time to ask why as Ryuji moved around the older man and into the lift. Ryuji paced glancing up at the floor counter occasionally as it climbed towards the penthouse. Ryuji's fingers flexed as he tried to take his mind off all the things Akira might be saying or doing to Haru. Ryuji didn't want to think the worst of his best friend, but after their conversation the previous day Ryuji felt as if he no longer knew who Akira was.

Ryuji burst out of the lift and crashed through the doors of the penthouse. Akira turned to face his former best friend stopping in mid-step towards Haru. Ryuji didn't have time to think as his body acted his fist connecting with Akira's jaw sending the older teen sprawling to the floor.

Akira grabbed his aching jaw as Ryuji loomed over him. Ryuji's eyes darkened glaring down at his former best friend as Akira collected his glasses replacing them on his face as Haru cut between them. "Enough! You've done enough Ryuji, leave him be."

"You're defending this… this fucking murderer?! He…"

"He's done nothing, at least not yet. We don't pre-judge people without evidence first. That's how the Phantom Thieves work." Haru bit back as her brown eyes filled with fire forcing the blonde teen to finally back down.

"He said…" Ryuji tried to argue before Haru cut him off again.

"Akira is in a bad place right now. I remember what you told me, but we make decisions as a group or not at all. We never agreed to disband the Phantom Thieves; we never agreed to abandon him no matter how stupid he may be acting. We're a team, and no gods or devils can destroy that. Akira is here so we should hear him out."

"And if he's gone through with it?" Ryuji asked.

"Then, then we'll take him to the proper authorities."

"Ok." Ryuji agreed turning his attention to Akira grabbing him roughly by the arm pulling him up and then shoving him back down onto the couch behind them. With Akira seated, Ryuji walked to the other side of the room to be out of punching range of Akira who stared at the ground.

"Ok, Mr Kurusu. What did you come here to say?" Haru asked firmly sitting across from Akira.

Akira took a deep breath before replying. "Ryuji's right, I was going to kill Naito Eizo. I bought a gun from my Yakuza bodyguards, and after Ryuji left yesterday, I caught a train to Mizuho. I waited there until after dark and then Eizo appeared. I caught him by surprise and forced him to his knees."

"And then?" Haru pressed clenching her hands into fists on her lap, Haru's stomach was twisted into knots. Haru cared deeply about Akira, not as intensely as some of the young women in their circle of friends but enough that it broke her heart to see him in this condition and situation. All Haru wanted to do was gather Akira in her arms and cradle him until the pain went away but now wasn't the time for that, Haru had to know the truth from Akira's mouth.

Akira licked his dry lips as his eyes remained firmly locked onto the ground. "I had Eizo at gunpoint; I was ready to pull the trigger but… I couldn't. All I could hear was Ryuji's words in my head. I left Eizo to contemplate his existence kneeling in a puddle of his piss. If it weren't for Ryuji, I would have pulled the trigger. I know what I've done is inexcusable, but I hope you'll at least accept my thanks, Ryuji."

Ryuji grunted offering a curt nod to let the shaggy-haired teen know he'd heard him. Akira ran his fingers through his hair deciding to continue while still stubbornly staring at the floor. "I pushed my friends away when I should have been holding onto you tighter than ever. What Eizo shot me… no, that's not fair. I chose to avoid you guys; I was embarrassed and ashamed. I didn't want you guys to see me like that. I could feel the urge for revenge burning inside me. I thought pushing everyone away would make it easier on you when I eventually killed Eizo. I thought if you hated me it wouldn't bother you."

Ryuji and Haru glanced at each other silently before Ryuji spoke. "Are you still planning to kill Eizo?"

"No, not anymore. I have something way more important to do. I want to try put my life back together; I want my friends back. I know that can't happen, but I at least wanted to say I'm sorry. I've been a bad friend and worse leader. I don't deserve everything you've done for me or the tears that have been shed over me."

Akira rose slowly to his feet still looking at the floor as he bowed in Ryuji and Haru's general direction. "Miss Okumura, Sakamoto-san, thank you for your time."

Akira turned on the balls of his feet and walked out of the penthouse pressing the down button to summon the lift. Akira waited feeling drained by the morning's events trying to ignore the pain in his jaw thinking about his bed in the attic planning to flop down and sleep as soon as he got back. It was that or cry, and Akira was fed up with crying.

Akira tensed feeling a strong hand grab his shoulder spinning the teen around. Akira braced himself for another punch to the face but instead was surprised by a hug from Ryuji. "You're a fucking idiot."

Akira let a laugh escape his lips as he gingerly wrapped his arms around Ryuji. Akira could see Haru smiling as she stood in the doorway of the penthouse. Akira's strained protests were ignored as Ryuji dragged him back inside immediately enveloped by a hug from Haru.

"M-miss Okumura…" Akira began.

"You can call me Haru. We are friends after all," Haru replied with a smile.

Akira hung mid-step trying to process the behaviour of his friends as he was grabbed in a headlock by Ryuji and forced back to the couch. Haru and Ryuji sat in separate chairs opposite him but close enough that he couldn't manoeuvre around them to get to the exit.

"Look, we're not going to deny you've been a complete fucking jerk recently but there have been some extenuating circumstances," Ryuji explained.

Akira raised an eyebrow. "Wow, having Makoto do all your homework is paying off."

"Fuck off du… wait, was that a joke? Fucking hell Haru Joker might still be in there somewhere."

Akira shrugged allowing Haru to take over from Ryuji. "What Ryuji is trying to say is we all make mistakes and after everything you've been through I think we owe you the benefit of the doubt. All I ask is that you never do something like that again. Next time I won't be in such a forgiving mood."

The two boys winced and nodded seeing the intense fire burning in Haru's eyes. "Y-yes ma'am," Akira replied ducking his head sheepishly.

"After all of this, we're done with Eizo, right? Please tell me this is over?" Ryuji asked.

"No, I'm not quite done with him," Akira replied quickly adding, "I'm not planning to kill him, but we can't leave him to run free. For one thing, he's still gunning for me. My mother is also still in danger whether she knows it or not and regardless of how I feel she's still my mother, I still want to protect her. I also can't let Eizo attempt to rebuild the United Future Party. That scandal left a scar on Japan that won't fully heal for decades, and I won't let Eizo tear this nation apart for his gain. We're going to stop him, but we'll do it together as the Phantom Thieves."

Ryuji and Haru glanced at each other again this time with grins on their faces both rising to join Akira. Ryuji stuck out his hand. "Well, I'm in."

"You're not going without me." Haru agreed placing her hand over Ryuji's.

Akira nodded joining his two friends by covering Haru's hand with his own. "Then we're agreed. Just not yet, we need to plan this carefully. Besides I still have other people to apologise too and bridges to mend."

Haru and Ryuji nodded. "That's tomorrow's problem bro. Today's problem is the fact I still haven't beaten you at Mario Kart."

"This again?" Akira groaned playfully.

"My gaming reputation has been tarnished; I demand satisfaction!"

"You're funny Ryuji," Haru replied with a giggle walking over to the house phone. "Mister Iori, please bring the car around we'll be down in a few minutes. We'll be taking Akira back to Yongen-Jaya. Yes, I expect to be there for several hours."

Haru ended the phone call and returned to Ryuji and Akira who was looking pensive. "What's wrong Akira-kun?"

"Can we make a stop on the way back to the café? I need to apologise to Yusuke too."

Haru Okumura's Rolls Royce Phantom stopped outside the Kosei High School dorm. Akira got out after reassuring Ryuji and Haru that he would be ok to handle it alone. Akira went to walk away when he felt a hand on his arm, looking back he stared into the brown eyes of his best friend. "Listen, dude, just take it slow with Yusuke. He's a bit crazy, but he's still your friend, if you explain what's been going on inside your head he'll understand."

Akira nodded entering the dorm. Walking up several flights of stairs he stopped in front of the room on the third floor. Akira knocked on the door Yusuke answered his face soured when he caught sight of the person on the other side. "Hello, Kurusu-san."

Akira rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly looking down at the ground for a moment to avoid the accusatory look in Yusuke's eyes. "Hello Yusuke, may I come in."

"I don't think…" Yusuke began before a hand on his shoulder distracted him.

"It's ok Yusuke. I was just going." Ann announced as Yusuke moved back opening the door wider to allow her to leave.

"Ann…" Akira said as his stomach twisted into knots inside him. Ann glared a hole through the boy giving him a shoulder check as she walked out. Akira moved to go after her before a hand pulled him back by the arm.

"I think you should leave her alone for today," Yusuke responded firmly tightening his grip on Akira's arm.

"I-I see…" Akira replied looking downcast, "How, how is she?"

"Not well. Your behaviour has deeply hurt her. I have done my best to comfort Ann, but there is only so much I can provide. I am not you."

Yusuke stepped back inside his dorm room as Akira followed. Akira took a cursory glance around at his surroundings. Akira had been told before by Yusuke that his room was small, but he'd understated it. The room was barely bigger that LeBlanc's kitchen. A small closet was embedded into a wall near the window while the bed was shoved into a corner of the room parallel to the door which also served as the only seat aside from the stool that stood in front of Yusuke's latest painting which was currently covered by a sheet. Akira walked over to stand in front of the picture but made no move to lift the cloth out of respect for his friend. "Something inspired by chaos?"

"Chaos, regret, despair, and anger," Yusuke replied.

"I see. I came here to apologise to you Yusuke. I don't think it's going to be enough, is it?" Akira asked as he looked back at Yusuke. The shaggy-haired teen noted that the shoulder of Yusuke's shirt was still damp from Ann's tears.

"Not today. You are my best friend Kurusu-san, but the way you've treated us recently has left me feeling very angry, Ryuji's story magnified my feelings of anger. Ann came here today in tears after she woke up from a nightmare. Ann told me that she'd dreamt about you being murdered in prison."

Akira ducked his head a look of shame crossed his face. "I'm sorry for being a bad friend Yusuke. I hope that means something."

"It does. However, I am not the one you should be apologising to."

"I know, thank you Yusuke."

Akira walked out of Yusuke's dorm room and down the stairs to the street. To his surprise, Haru and Ryuji were waiting for him with Ann standing a few metres away. Ryuji lent against the suicide door glancing over at Akira as he approached. "So, rain check on Mario Kart?"

"Thanks, Ryuji."

"We'll stick around just in case Ann tries to kill you." Ryuji offered.

Akira walked from the car to Ann stopping just out of her reach. "Hello, Ann."

"Hello, Akira-kun. Out on bail?" Ann asked coldly.

"No, I um, I didn't go through with it," Akira replied indicating they should sit on a nearby bench. Ann nodded walking over to the bench with Akira trailing a short way behind. Ann sat down by when Akira made to sit Ann put her bag in the way. When Akira moved to sit next to Ann's purse, she pushed it again so that he wouldn't be able to sit. Akira took the hint remaining standing and moving a short distance from Ann but still close enough that they could talk without having to raise their voices.

"Oh?" Ann asked sounding genuinely curious.

"I've been angry since Sae, and that detective pulled me out of that storage locker in Mizuho. I was so angry I didn't see how my anger was affecting my friends. I was so stupid I pushed everyone away in a vain attempt to protect you from being hurt. When I had Eizo at my mercy, the only voice I could hear was Ryuji's. He told me Phantom Thieves don't kill. I wanted to believe that those rules didn't apply to me anymore, not after what Eizo had done but I couldn't ignore the voice in my head. The gun is now at the bottom of the Yamazaki river, and Naito Eizo is probably planning how best to kill me."

"I'm glad you didn't kill him Akira."

"Thank you."

Ann rose from her seat turning to face Akira. "That doesn't mean I've forgiven you or I ever will. You hurt me very badly Akira. I've never let any guy get as close as you did, and you broke my heart. I've never felt what I feel for you, but I can't do this anymore. You're not the person I loved anymore Akira, and I can't wait around forever for you to be him again."

Ann walked up to Akira placing her hand on his chest she stood on her toes and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you for everything Akira. I will miss you."

Akira stood staring at the ground as Ann walked away. Ryuji and Haru waited as the heavens opened. Akira stood being saturated by rain as tears rolled down his cheeks. "Goodbye Ann-chan."

To Be Continued…

Thanks to the following people for reviewing.

Rebfan90

Duplicate User Name

FluffQK

Shadow Joestar (Is the KO thing at the start of your reviews a Jo Jo's Bizarre Adventure reference I'm not getting?)

Review responses

Lelouch Strife: I'm sorry that you feel that way. I hope you'll keep reading regardless.

Zeromaru Chaos Mode: Thank you for all your reviews, I'm glad you've enjoyed the story so far. I hope this chapter wasn't too disappointing. Will Eizo be killed, hm, I guess you'll have to keep reading to find out?

The Tigers: You're the only reviewer that didn't wish for Eizo's death. I don't know what that says about my readers but hey… I also hope the length of this chapter was more suited to your tastes. I'm not one for very long chapters. I usually aim for about three thousand words unless a point in the chapter would make a good cliffhanger.

Killer Words Thank you for your kind words in chapter 12. Also, I haven't watched the third season of DxD yet so that character is a mystery. I thought you might have been referring to the creepy priest from seasons 1 & 2. Now that would be fucked up.