Chapter 25

A few days later at the Narumi Detective agency.

Raidou had just gotten back from speaking with Satake. When he walked in the door, Tae greeted him.

"Any luck?" She asked, putting on a pot of coffee. Raidou just shook his head.

"I thought maybe Satake would have heard something but no luck." Raidou told her. Gouto jumped up on the desk and sat down.

"Once again we're back to square one. No one can just vanish into thin air. At least, that's what I use to think." Gouto said.

"Well there's only so much you can do. I'll keep my eyes and ears open, maybe I'll get lucky." Tae told Raidou, handing a cup of coffee to him. He thanked her and took a sip.

"I just hope Jean's okay." Raidou said.

"Hey I doubt he'd hurt her. He never tried to attack her, just you and Narumi. Plus he needs her help." Tae pointed out. Raidou nodded and took another sip of his coffee.

"Actually speaking of Narumi how is he?" Tae asked.

"Still unconscious. He's been pretty much the same way since Jean disappeared. After we got back, I called a doctor. I was right; he does have a concussion, not to mention the black eye. There's a bite on the back of his head too."

"A bite?" Tae asked an uneasy look on her face.

"I'm guessing from Cerberus. Apparently Lobo wasn't kidding about his demon using Narumi as a chew toy." Raidou explained.

"What did Lobo do to him?" Tae said.

"I asked him that myself." Raidou answered an angry look on his face. After Lobo's master had disappeared with Jean in tow, Raidou had been left with a furious Lobo and an out cold detective. Realizing he couldn't bring both back, Raidou summoned Orthrus.

"Do you need my help, Summoner?" It asked.

"I need you to carry Narumi on your back. I have to bring Lobo back to the Herald and I can't leave Narumi here." He told his demon. It nodded and knelt down beside Narumi. Keeping an eye on Lobo, Raidou managed to lift Narumi onto the demon's back. As Orthrus stood up, Narumi fell forward onto its neck. Thankfully he didn't slip further. Finally Raidou grabbed Lobo's arm and together they left the dark realm. Once Lobo was in the Herald's custody, Raidou returned Orthrus to its tube and sent off for the agency.

"Wow, so you carried Narumi all the way here from Shinoda?" Tae asked him.

"Kind of. He did wake up after a while and tried to walk on his own." Raidou answered, remembering the odd looks people kept giving Narumi. They probably thought the older detective was drunk, the way he staggered around Tsukudo Cho. Once they got back, Narumi stumbled over to the couch and collapsed onto it. He managed to take off his hat and shoes before he passed out again.

"I wonder what we'll have to tell Narumi when he wakes up." Tae said.

"I really don't know. I'm hoping we get Jean back before that happens. Though the chances of that happening are slim to none." Raidou answered. On the couch, they both heard Narumi groan. They watched him a few minutes but he didn't show any signs of waking up.

"He got hurt pretty bad didn't he?" Tae asked even though that was obvious.

"More than just his body, I think his spirit took a blow too. Being helpless against another summoner probably took its toll." Raidou said, his coffee forgotten now.

"What do you mean?" Tae asked him.

"Before the other summoner disappeared, Narumi tried to go after Jean. When I tried to stop him, he got mad and tried to shake me off. I told him that Jean was sacrificing her freedom to save his life and I let go of him. He collapsed a few minutes later and I carried him back here." Raidou explained to the reporter.

"So he wasn't lying." Tae commented.

"What do you mean?" Raidou asked her. With a sigh, Tae went on to explain the events of the other day and the conversation she had had with Narumi.

"That's pretty much everything I know. I kind of promised I wouldn't tell anyone about our chat. Somehow I don't think that matters anymore."

Still sitting on the desk, Gouto looked over at Raidou.

"So Narumi does care about Jean. I never thought he'd admit something like that, especially not to Tae." Gouto commented. Raidou actually had to smile at that last comment.

"What's so funny?" Tae asked a little bemused.

"The thing is I didn't expect Narumi to fall for anyone." Raidou responded. "Once, months ago now, Narumi told me something. The woman he fell for would be someone who put the needs of others before themselves." Raidou told her.

"I think you're right." Tae replied. "It's kind of sad."

"What do you mean? "Raidou asked her.

"That Narumi finally finds a possible girlfriend and she gets kidnapped." Tae commented.

"So what happens now? Wait and see if Jean shows up or keep looking for Lobo's master?" Gouto asked. Raidou set down his cup into the sink and turned to Tae.

"There's still a chance that Lobo's master could come after me." Raidou spoke and Tae stared at him, surprised.

"Why would he come after you? No offence but he has what he wants. "Tae asked him and Raidou actually smiled.

"He may have Jean but he hasn't tied up all the loose ends. He still needs to stop anyone who'd interfere with his plans and that would be me." Raidou explained and started for the door.

"So where are you going?" Tae wondered.

"To Shin Sekai. It's the only other place I can think of where someone might have seen or hear something. I hope so anyway, for both Jean and Narumi's sakes." Raidou responded and held the door open for Gouto. Together they left Tae standing in the office and headed for Ginza cho. Tae wandered over to the window and watched the pair walk down the street. Once they were out of eyesight, she looked over at Narumi and sighed. All this happened because of a man and his insane plans and he got caught in the middle. A short while later she left, trying to think of some way to help.

Sometime later, Narumi finally woke. The first thing he noticed was the silence. "Raidou?" He called out and getting no answer, decided to sit up. Immediately he wished hadn't. A wave of lightheadedness struck him and he groaned. Narumi held onto the armrest of the couch so he didn't pitch forwards onto the floor. When the dizziness passed, he took a deep breath and climbed to his feet. A little unsteady, he made his way to his desk. He made it to his chair and sat down heavily, rubbing his forehead.

'Where is everyone?" Narumi wondered out loud. As he sat there, he tried to work out how he'd made it back to the agency. In an instant he remembered something. Jean waving goodbye.

"Oh my god. He has her." He whispered. "I said I'd protect her too. It's my fault."

Moments later Raidou walked in and stopped when he saw Narumi. He was sitting at his desk with a vacant look on his face.

"Narumi?" Raidou said looking worried when he didn't respond. He walked over to the detective and waved a hand in front of his face. Narumi did look at him for a moment then looked away.

"What's wrong?" Raidou asked, clearly puzzled by Narumi's personality shift.

"It's my fault." He whispered and Raidou stared at him.

"What are you talking about? What's your fault?" Raidou asked him and Narumi finally turned around.

"Jean's gone and I let her go. I caused this." Narumi said his voice cracking. Suddenly he stood up and made for the front door. Raidou grabbed his arm and Narumi spun on him, instantly furious

"Let me go, I have to find her." He almost shouted. Raidou just shook his head and tightened his grip on Narumi's arm.

"I said let go!" Narumi shouted and lashed out at Raidou. Raidou let go of the other detective's arm and moved backwards at the same time. Narumi missed and off balance, fell forwards. He landed hard on his knees. Standing over him, Raidou watched as Narumi sat there. When Narumi didn't stand up, Raidou spoke up.

"You can't keep blaming yourself. Jean willing gave herself up so Lobo's master didn't murder you. Jean values your life above her own. Don't go throwing your life away by rushing out there and getting yourself killed. Take some time off, heal and then help me think of a plan to get Jean back."

Narumi just sat there silently, and didn't respond. Finally Raidou decided to leave Narumi alone for a while to calm down and left, Gouto in tow.

Sitting in silence Narumi had heard what Raidou had said. He felt ashamed at having lashed out at his friend but he hadn't been himself. That's no excuse he though as he slowly stood up. Making his way over to the couch he collapsed onto it. After a while he put his head in his hands and started to sob.

End of chapter 25