I know Takeru is supposed to have a son, but I want him to have a daughter. So there. ^_^ And no one has asked, but I want to tell anyway: Akihiko looks kind of like Armand from Interview With A Vampire. He's the one that's kind of tall with long, straight black hair. You can think of him any way you like.
LOL, my sister just pointed something out to me. Takeru was married to Hikari in the first chapter and in the second he's married to Anii. WHOOPS! My mistake. Just ignore that. -_-
And I have no idea how to hot wire a car. I know! I'm a horrible rebel! But if you notice that it's wrong, then sorry.
* * *
Daisuke stared at the pictures on the wall, his eyes searching for more than what the picture gave. He searched their frames, the wall surround them, and the glass that covered them. Anything that might lead him to find what he needed. This was one of the few times he'd managed to slip away from Akihiko and the other three without one of them questioning his motives. He'd been treading on thin ice before, but now he was practically walking on water, if not about to fall in.
In the time that Daisuke had spent at the Keshena home – not knowing how long since there were no clocks and he hadn't left since arrival – he'd made a few opinions about the new environment. First, he didn't like Vanyusha, the Russian. The large man seemed to eye him with a certain taste that he did not want to expose. Hroc and Habacus simply ignored Daisuke, but Vanyusha definitely had something on his mind.
Then there was Akihiko. The man sent chills through Daisuke every time they locked eyes. Regret was beginning to weigh heavily upon Daisuke's shoulders, and he often studied the halls for a means of escape if need be. Akihiko had told him that later they would go to visit Dante-Shi Kenta. This bothered Daisuke, but he wouldn't allow Akihiko or any of the others know that. He couldn't let them know that, yet there was something about the name Dante-Shi that did not please him.
"It's time…"
Daisuke startled and spun around.
"Did I frighten you?" Akihiko laughed emptily. "You are quite amusing, dear Daisuke. Please, come with me. The others are waiting, as is Dante-Shi."
Akihiko led him back to the front door, handing him his coat, and the two stepped outside. The sun was high in the sky, but the dark storm clouds that had overcome the sky earlier were still there and they created a shade upon the earth as they dripped rain here and there. The black car that Daisuke had come in till sat in the circle drive, except now a black van sat behind it and upon its driver seat was Hroc.
"Habacus will go with Hroc, but you are to come with me," Akihiko said, and led Daisuke to the car as Habacus, who'd at some time gotten behind them, went to the van. "Vanyusha will stay here, which I know pleases you some."
Daisuke looked at Akihiko but said nothing. It wasn't long before he was staring out the car window at the buildings and people zipping past. He was constantly on edge, not only because of Akihiko's presence, but that each minute he was getting closer and closer to Dante-Shi, a name that he was beginning to coincide with fear. The worst part was that Akihiko didn't have to be told this; he appeared to know perfectly well of how uneasy Daisuke was.
"What do I do?" Daisuke asked.
"You, my friend, are to do what I told you to do. Stand and look pretty." Akihiko smirked at the comment and glanced at Daisuke staring out the window. "However, I will warn you this: don't object to anything Dante-Shi tells you or asks of you."
"May I know why?"
"Because you will be dead if you do."
Well, that is certainly convincing. Daisuke thought. I'm a fool for letting him convince me to take this.
* * *
"Ken!" Daisuke couldn't help the flutter that went through his heart upon seeing his old friend. It'd been three years… so long. And how had Ken managed to find him? He gave the now young man standing on his door jam a very surprised happy look. "What are you doing here? How did you find me?"
Ken brushed his still long hair behind his ear and smiled. "Hello Daisuke. It's been a while. I'm in the police academy now, and I just thought I'd look you up. You know… for old times sake."
Daisuke grinned brightly. "The come on in!"
* * *
Ken shuffled through files both on his computer and on his desk. He was looking for as much information as he could on Motomiya Daisuke, Ishida Yamato, Keshena Akihiko, and the one commonly referred to as Dante-Shi. Oddly, Ken had never heard the last's first name, and that was one of the things he wanted to learn so he could go farther into his search. Papers were scattered all over the floor surrounding Ken's desk and his fellow employees walked past with curious looks. None of them had seen the famous Ichijouji Ken get so messy over a simple case.
Only Ken wasn't working on the simple case that he was supposed to be working on, and there was only one person besides him who knew this. That person, at the very moment, was making his way to Ken's desk with a very unhappy look on his face, and happened to be the one person that Ken had to answer to.
In the computer screen, Ken saw the reflection of his supervisor and groaned inwardly. "Yes Ganji?"
"Ichijouji, what is this?" Ganji demanded. "You're supposed to be working on the murder case I assigned you to about a month and half ago, and you haven't even started! Now, there are families that want answers and I can't have you slacking off for personal things."
"This isn't personal," Ken muttered, still not turning around.
"Then what is it?"
"I'm looking into the Dante-Shi case, which…" Ken finally turned around to face his superior. "If you don't mind, I'd like to be reassigned to."
Ganji sighed. "Listen, Ichijouji, you're a good agent, a damn good agent, but we that case is way out of your league. I already have someone working on that case, and I assure you that that person doesn't need your help."
"Then why hasn't this person caught his man yet? I already have a good jump and know exactly who to talk to!" Ken jumped from his chair and grabbed a folder he kept on Yamato. "Here, look at this. Ishida Yamato, ex-famous rock star. I know he has something to do with Keshena Akihiko, and Keshena has connections with Dante-Shi. Now, if I can only get…"
Ganji waved his hand to silence Ken. "Yes, you have done very well to get this far so fast, but the person I have assigned has gotten much, much further and worked hard to maintain his position in the case. I don't want you screwing everything up. Now, work on your case, or quit."
For the first time, Ken was asked to turn down a case, and this appalled him. It had taken him a whole of two weeks at the max to get as far as he was, and this supposed person working on the case had to have taken at least a year or so. So why would someone who knew as much as Ganji not switch their places? It was obvious Ken was getting somewhere, and he wasn't going to let a job get in the way of him. "In that case, I quit."
Although, Miyako would be quite ticked.
"Don't," Ganji warned quietly. Several of the other employees had stopped what they were doing to watch the fiasco. "Ken, as a friend, I advise you to not go any further into this. You have no idea what you are dealing with. I've already lost two agents on this case, and I'm most likely going to lose another. I need you to stay. Wait till we get more information and then I'll call for you, but for now, just stay quiet and mind your own cases."
"I can't do that," Ken snarled. "I grew up with Ishida thinking he was a friend, and only most recently I have learned he is my worst enemy. How do you think that makes me feel? To know that one day, I might have to put a bullet through one of my friends? To know that he would kill me in a second if I were to hesitate? I can't let this drop. I want to find Dante-Shi and stop him, and Keshena Akihiko. And if… if Ishida Yamato has any connections with them, then I will stop him as well."
Ganji shook his head sadly and stepped back for Ken to walk past. "Dig your own grave."
Ken gave him a glare, grabbed some portfolios off his desk, and stomped past. He ignored the looks everyone was giving him, some being sympathetic, some not understanding, and others simply shaking their heads and going on with their work. Ken, of course, would come back later to clear off his desk, and he was certain Ganji would again ask him not to prod at things that weren't his business and offer him his job back. Ken simply couldn't do that knowing what he knew.
And since when had there been someone on the Dante-Shi case? As far as Ken had found, there wasn't a single soul working on the case. It was merely floating around the station like a whispered rumor. Was there even a Dante-Shi case, or was it just wishful thinking that many of the detectives had. After all, Dante-Shi had been accused several times of various murders and the like, but he was convicted for none and the cases were dropped. From what Ken had learned, Dante-Shi had friends in high places, and now – thinking on that – Ken began to believe that even Ganji was a part of it all.
I can't believe that. Ganji has always been an honest man. Ken's rational thought forced its way past his anger and suddenly he wanted to run screaming down the street for he had just quit his job and his wife was going to murder him without any mercy. He was tempted to turn around, go back into the station, and apologize, asking for his job back, but – being of the male gender – his pride told him to wait just a little longer to do such.
"Oh, hello Ichijouji-san."
Being pulled from his thoughts was never an option that Ken enjoyed. He lifted his head to snap a greeting at whomever it was that just so happened to be passing him and felt it polite to disturb the most important of his reflections. Conversely, it was Yagami Taichi standing before him on the sidewalk, and he quickly closed his mouth. Taichi and Yamato were good friends, the best of the best to be truthful. Certainly they still told each other everything.
"Hello, Taichi," Ken said brightly, plastering a smile to his face. "How are you today?"
And I gave you permission to use my first name… when? Taichi thought with a distinct hateful note, but opted to not voice this current notion. "I am doing just fine. "How're Miyako and the kids."
I hate that. If someone wants to know how they're doing, why don't they go see for themselves? "Fine, fine. Miyako's finally making me quit my bad habit of smoking," Ken replied politely. This also reminded him of how Yamato used to smoke. "I guess after me, the only person we'll have to un-addict will be Koushiro."
"Yeah, I got Yamato to stop a while back, and I'm glad I did. I used to hate it when he'd smoke in the car. It'd filthy up the windshield, you know?" Taichi laughed good-naturedly.
"Oh yes, wasn't that back when you two used to date?" Ken asked. A dark smirk crossed his features when Taichi abruptly dropped his smile and looked shocked, then embarrassed. He gave Ken a sly look.
"I should have known someone like you would figure that out. Mr. Detective," Taichi said quietly in a slight mocking tone. "But yeah, that was back when we dated. We were young and stupid then."
"So you were," Ken said. He didn't try to hide the venom in his voice.
Damn, I hate you. Taichi forced a smile to his face. He knew Ken never let go of that darkness, and he was glad Yamato had given him a heads up on something. "Yeah, yeah. Stop teasing. You know, Yamato and I used to place bets on when you and Daisuke would finally get together. I guess we were all shocked when he disappeared. I believe I lost a lot of money then."
Ah ha. Hit your soft spot didn't I, you twit? Taichi covered his triumphant smile with a plain look that he often used. It was also the reason people considered him dumb. If they only knew.
Ken frowned and shied as soon as Taichi's words reached his ears. That was still a painful subject for him. Daisuke… Why'd I have to screw that up? "Um… yes. I suppose we were all very shocked."
I hope this has been long enough… Taichi took a quick look at his watch. Oh yeah! Time to go! "Hey – listen, Ken. I'd love to stay and chat some more, but I need to be getting on. My son's game starts in a little while and I wanted to be there when it does."
"Um… sure…" Ken was still thinking upon Taichi's previous words to really care. "I'll see you around, then."
"Yeah, around."
Taichi gave a slight wave, not really expecting one back, and not getting one either. He rolled his eyes as soon as he was past the one who had just wasted five minutes of his time, brushing lightly against Ken as he did. He was glad to have turned the subject on Ken as fast as he did, which happened to be something he was very good at. When Ken had looked up at him, he recognized that interrogating look, and worried that for a moment Ken was going to trip him up.
Not what happened though… fortunately.
Taichi glanced over his shoulder to see Ken still standing thoughtfully in the middle of the sidewalk, and ducked into the alleyway between two buildings. He walked deep into it, throwing glances back every now and then to make sure he wasn't being followed. Soon he came to the end and leaning against the concrete wall was his good friend.
"Did he have anything on him?" Yamato asked, stepping from the shadows.
"Oh yeah," Taichi replied, smirking. He pulled two portfolios from under his coat and handed them to Yamato. "He nearly got the better of me, but I remembered what you said about something happening between him and Daisuke."
"Mmm," Yamato murmured, looking through one of the portfolios. He held up a picture for Taichi to see and smiled. "He's been following me, the little rat. And…" Yamato went through the other portfolio. "It appears he's curious about Akihiko. Hmm… and Dante-Shi. This kid doesn't know what he's getting himself into."
"Did Ganji ask him to drop the case?" Taichi asked, looking over Yamato's shoulder at the information.
"Yeah – Ichijouji quit, actually – instead of dropping it. Such a fool," Yamato sighed and closed the portfolios. "Alas, it's pathetic. He's going to get himself killed, not that it will bother me."
"Oh come on, Yama. You can't really want him dead, as annoying as he can get. He was digidestined after all," Taichi laughed.
"Yes, perhaps not, but who really cares if he was destined or not. I certainly don't, and it would be easier to do my job if he was sticking his nose where it didn't belong." Yamato placed the two portfolios in his inner-coat pocket. He gave Taichi a cynical grin. "You want to come tonight? I might need your help…"
Taichi shook his head. "No. I don't think I'm up to fighting against a powerful man at the moment. I'll call you tomorrow morning, and if you don't pick up then I'll know you're dead. Have fun – oh, how about one last kiss before you die?"
Taichi took Yamato's face in his hands and kissed him. Yamato didn't object nor respond. He merely gave Taichi an amused look when he was released from the affection. "Now, now. You're married and I have a lover."
"A lover that hates you," Taichi snorted.
"Sad, but true," Yamato laughed. "See you, Tai."
Taichi gave him a wink. "Hopefully not in Hell."
* * *
I'm getting married to Miyako today, Daisuke.
Daisuke was still staring out the car window, although now the busy streets of Tokyo were replaced with the open land of the countryside. Trees whipped by as the car moved down the wet roads towards wherever its destination happened to be. The rain was still dripping after its long pour, and the gray clouds still covered the sky. And yet, even with darkness of the gray, Akihiko wore his sunglasses, as if to cover his eyes to keep Daisuke from seeing the lack of a soul there.
"Tell me Daisuke, why is it that you only dance?"
Bits of conversation had been going between the two, but never anything that Daisuke was too interested in. This, however, made him shift in his seat and take a sideways glance at Akihiko staring at the road. He replied quietly and coldly, "I was taught to wait for marriage."
Akihiko let out a dry laugh. "And you are how old now? Twenty-eight? Don't tell me you're still a virgin after working in a strip joint."
Again, Daisuke thought of how he really didn't want to discuss this with anyone, let alone with Akihiko. "Not that it's any of your business, but no. I'm not."
"How was your special moral put off then?" Akihiko asked.
I'm getting married to Miyako today, Daisuke.
A painful grip took hold of Daisuke's chest and he closed his eyes as a worthless attempt to shut out the ache. "I don't believe that is of anything you should know, Akihiko."
The man driving didn't appear too upset about the lack of information. "Whatever you say, Motomiya."
The car dipped into silence once more.
* * *
"What about the others? Are they doing fine?" Daisuke asked, shuffling a bit uncomfortably.
Ken spun some of the spaghetti on his plate around his fork. "They… miss you… I miss you… We all wondered so much, Daisuke… Why did you leave?"
The question was not something Daisuke wanted to answer. He averted his gaze from Ken's and looked at a picture hanging on the restaurant wall. "Let's not talk about that Ken. It's in the past and I'd rather forget it. What do you say we head back to my place and catch up?"
* * *
"Bad habit. Very, very bad habit," Ken muttered to himself and stared at the pack of cigarettes in his hand. He hadn't even realized he'd bought them until he was out of the store and about to light up. His body was screaming for the nicotine, but his mind was telling him he was in enough trouble with Miyako already. The mixed feelings were driving him crazy.
With a frustrated sigh, Ken tossed the cigarettes into the nearest trash bin. This had become an every day occurrence for him. He bought cigarettes, and then threw them away, only to do it again the very next day. A waste of money, to be sure, but he never thought about what he was doing until after.
Ken reached into his pocket to get his portfolios out, hoping to maybe go over them again in case he happened to pick up on a clue he missed the first time around. It took a while for his tired mind to clue in that he was missing the two items. When he did figure this out, he began to search his coat frantically. He ran his hands through his hair, pausing them at the top of his head, and stared at the ground, his eyes going back and forth like they were reading something there.
What did I do with them? I know I grabbed them before I left… Giving an agonized groan, he slumped against the wall of the building he was nearest to, and looked towards the sky, letting his hands drop to his sides. He went over everything from the time he left to where he was now in his mind. He came to the point where Taichi was leaving and remembered…
"Damn it!" Ken turned around and slammed his fists on the wall. The grate of the brick left several scrapes on the side of his palm, but he was too angry to think about the pinch-like pain coming from there. Taichi… I can't believe Taichi did that… I am such an idiot! He knew exactly what to say… But how…?
Yamato.
* * *
A large mansion loomed out from behind the trees that lined the road. Daisuke straightened in his seat and rolled his window down to remove the glare caused by the window. The place was like something he'd seen out of a movie. It had to be at least three stories high and just was wide. Surely Dante-Shi didn't have the place all to himself. He had to share it with somebody. What can one person do with all that room?
"It is very big, no?" Akihiko said, pulling through tall gates and into the circle drive in front of the place.
Daisuke opened his car door and got out, eyes on the place the entire time. Little water fountains were on the nicely trimmed lawn, rows of flowers lined the sides of the house, and bushes cut into various shapes and animals were scattered here and there. Nearby, Hroc and Habacus were getting out and appeared unfazed by the size of the mansion. Clearly they had been to visit Dante-Shi before. Akihiko was amused with Daisuke's reaction to the place and took him by the arm, leading him up to the front door. These, too, marveled Daisuke, as they were carved into a beautiful design.
Hroc appeared on Daisuke's other side as Akihiko rang the doorbell. "You approve?"
"Yeah… This place is huge… He must be loaded," Daisuke murmured, still scanning his new surroundings.
"Yes?" The voice buzzed from a speaker beside the front door. "What is your name and business?"
"Keshena Akihiko. I'm here to bring Dante-Shi some new information," Akihiko replied. He flashed Daisuke a secretive smile, but the other was still too busy adjusting to notice.
Promptly, one of the two doors opened and a young lady in a maid's outfit appeared. She bowed and allowed the four to enter, closing the door behind them and having to use all of her strength to do it. Akihiko waited patiently for her to lead them and as soon as she was ready, they were on their way to wherever Dante-Shi was hiding in the mansion.
The walls were a soft blue color, a stark contrast to Akihiko's black ones, more pictures lined the wall, and, as they moved along, Daisuke noticed that most of the people in the pictures had died of natural causes or been killed. He recognized Akihiko in a few pictures, standing with the murdered ones, a sadistic smile on his face.
Daisuke stopped walking, his eyes suddenly very big.
Standing with a man who'd died of a heart attack about six months before was Ishida Yamato. Daisuke studied the picture. Yamato was smiling in a similar way that Akihiko was and he had his arm thrown around the man like they were friends. But the man was a very prestigious lawyer known as Mori Kokan. He'd been a young man for a lawyer of his status, in his early thirties, who'd made his way to the top very quickly. His death had been unexpected, and some believed that he'd been murdered…
"Daisuke!"
Daisuke blinked and moved to look at Akihiko glaring him.
"We do not have time for you to waste. Stop dawdling," Akihiko ordered sternly.
With a nod, Daisuke followed them, wishing for nothing more than to be able to smack the smirk off of Hroc's face. Daisuke didn't bother to look at the pictures anymore. He was confused and his mind was muddled. The group came to a door and ushered inside by the maid. The air took a distinct opposite change and got very cold; so cold that Daisuke could see his breath every time he exhaled. They were heading down some stairs, and – he guessed – to the basement, which was why the temperature dropped.
Habacus opened the next door for them since the maid had stayed at the top of the stairs. As Daisuke passed him, he flashed the same secretive smile, and this time Daisuke caught it. Does he know? The room they were now in was dimly lit. One lone lamp was on in the corner, but it provided very little light. Daisuke had to squint in order to see Akihiko, who'd disappeared farther into the room and was whispering to some one. Their outlines were barely distinguishable against cement-like walls.
A man stepped from beside Akihiko and into the light. He grinned like a mad man at Daisuke and flicked the ashes from the tip of the cigar in his hand. Everything came into place. He was in the open now, and in real deep. They had known the entire time and they had set everything up perfectly. Today was the day when the attack was going to be made, and he had failed his assignment to keep a very important man alive.
And if they know who I am, then…
"Oh shit."
* * *
Ken shoved Daisuke onto the couch, and move over him with a hungry look. Daisuke looked rather amused and drew Ken closer to him to whisper, "You only just found me two days ago. A bit anxious, hm?"
Ken licked his lips and shook his head. "I've missed you… a lot…"
* * *
Yamato stepped onto the elevator and pressed his brother's floor number. He dug around in his pocket for the apartment key Takeru had loaned him as the elevator moved. He found it, along with a gum wrapper and a bouncy-ball that he'd gotten out of a prize box. There were plenty of other things in his pockets, but he didn't need to bring them out just yet. There would be time for that later. The doors opened and Yamato stepped out, moving the key between his fingers. There was so much for him to do and only six hours left.
"Hello Yamato."
Yamato stopped walking, and let his eyes slowly rise from the key he'd been staring at to Ken leaning against Takeru's door. "Hello Ken."
Ken glared at him. "Where are my files that you had Taichi so graciously steal for you?"
"A pile of ashes in my trashcan," Yamato replied with a smile. Ken's hand flipped down to his belt, and Yamato did the same, both drawing a gun at the same time. He gave Ken another dark smile. "Now, now, no hard feelings. You were getting too nosy, Ken, and you never realized what you're missing that was placed so nicely into your hands."
"What are you talking about?" Ken growled, cocking his pistol.
There was the sound of another pistol being cocked only it wasn't from Yamato. Ken froze when he realize the noise was behind him. He felt a hand slide down his arm to his hand and he let his grip go on the pistol for the person behind him to take. His pistol was dropped and kicked to Yamato, and the hand moved down Ken's side to pull the other, smaller gun from there. Then on to where he kept his swiss-army knife.
The person behind him placed a hand on his shoulder and pushed him against the door, jerking his hands behind his back to be cuffed. He was then flipped back around to face the person. "Taichi."
Taichi grinned. "Hey Ken."
--
"I thought you said you didn't want to be a part of this?" Yamato asked from inside Takeru's kitchen. Ken was currently cuffed, tied to a chair with plastic jump rope, and had a waded sock in his mouth with tape over so he couldn't spit it out.
Taichi was sitting on the couch across from him reading a magazine. He glanced at Ken over the top of it. "I didn't want to be, but I knew Ken would realize he was missing those portfolios sooner or later so I followed him. I guess I ended up becoming a part."
Yamato walked into the room with two sandwiches and gave one to Taichi. He flashed Ken a smile. "Sorry Ken, I ran out of mustard."
Ken scowled and emitted a muffled growl.
"Anyway, I figured I wasn't doing too much tonight and decided to be a part of this. It'll probably get me in loads of trouble, but you know what? Akihiko can take this and shove it up his ass for all I care," Taichi muttered, emphasizing his words with his sandwich.
"Yeah, he's been a bit tight these last few weeks. Why do you think?" Yamato took the magazine Taichi had previously been reading and opened it.
"I don't know," Taichi sighed. "He's been all secretive with his answers, but Vanyusha said something about him finding the detective that's been on Dante-Shi's tail for some while now. Of course, Russians aren't the most reliable people. I wish I'd gotten to talk to Habacus or Hroc, but they'd left with Akihiko when I got there."
Yamato looked up, surprised. "Left? To where?"
Taichi shrugged. "I don't know. They never tell me anything unless they want somebody dead."
"Huh," Yamato mumbled and glanced at his watch. "Oh, it's time."
* * *
Daisuke woke up when he realized that there was a draft from Ken not being next to him. He cracked open his eyes and looked around the room for Ken. Standing nearby, and hurriedly getting dressed, was his violet-haired friend, and now the person he couldn't help but love. After all, Ken sought him out and lavished him with affection. How could Daisuke not love him?
"Good morning sunshine," Daisuke whispered.
Ken froze, and turned to look at Daisuke, a faint blush spreading across his cheeks. "Good morning, Daisuke."
He continued buttoning his shirt, rather nervously, as Daisuke sat up and stretched. Daisuke gave Ken a weird look and reached for his hand. "Come here…"
Ken jerked his hand away from Daisuke and jumped away like a frightened rabbit. The two of them stared at each other, one confused and the other about to burst into tears.
"Ken? Are you okay?"
"…I'm getting married to Miyako today, Daisuke."
* * *
Daisuke rolled onto his side and opened his eyes. The first thing he noticed was that his head was throbbing painfully. He tried to move his hands but found they were bound behind his back. With an exasperated sigh, he looked down at his feet to see if it was the same for there. Yep. Well, this made escaping that much harder. Why didn't they kill him? Surely they knew he was going to try to escape sometime. Or were they trying to torture him by freezing him? It certainly was cold enough.
"Ohh…" Daisuke forced himself to a sitting position and scooted to the wall, which was thankfully only a foot away. He caught his breath and let his head fall back, closing his eyes. How could I have not seen this coming? "This bites."
He wasn't an expert on escape – that was Takeru's job – but figured one could only try. He could either die here, or try to escape and die, and if he did escape he could spend the rest of his life running from Dante-Shi. Well, that was appealing. He couldn't simply give up, however. He still had a job to do, and tied or not tied, he was going to get out of the place.
* * *
"We have three more hours, and I'm sure that whatever Akihiko is busy doing, he's not going to be doing it long when he finds out Takeru isn't dead," Yamato mumbled, staring at the ceiling from his spot on the couch. Ken made several muffled noises, catching his attention. He looked from the ceiling to the tied detective and sighed. "You know, Ken, if you promised to not kill me…"
"And me!" Taichi piped.
"And Taichi," Yamato rolled his eyes, "then I'd let you go so you could help us, but to be honest with you, I don't think your promise is worth much."
"Mmphm mm."
Yamato looked to Taichi. "I can't decipher that. What did he say?"
"Something along the lines of 'let me go,'" Taichi replied, not really interested in what Yamato was discussing with Ken, but the gun in his hand that he was trying to load.
"Here's the deal: help us, and we'll let you go," Yamato proposed. At Ken's dirty look, he added more strictly, "We'll both get what we want, Ken, but if you attack the two of us, you aren't going to get very far. If I know Akihiko, he's bringing plenty of reinforcement."
"To think," Taichi said, "this is all Takeru's fault. You know, you're really going to have to start watching what he writes."
* * *
Daisuke peered around the corner, and then back at the two men who were supposed to be watching him lying on the ground, one knocked out and the other dead. He had both of their weapons just in case he wasn't able to sneak from the place quietly. He remembered the way that he'd come in with Akihiko, but he knew just as well that it'd be suspected he'd go that way. He had to find a window or something.
There were doors everywhere, making everything just that much harder. Dante-Shi must have been confident that Daisuke wouldn't escape because there was hardly a soul around. He still slipped through the mansion quietly. He knew Dante-Shi was watching him. There were cameras everywhere. They were simply waiting for Daisuke to make a wrong move. Don't worry, be happy… Daisuke thought to himself. Look at me, I'm happy!
I'm not happy. I'm going to die.
No! No negative thoughts! Takeru would not be pleased. Daisuke moved around yet another corner, and – for the first time since he'd broken out – came face to face with another person, a man that looked – judging by his clothes – to be a security guard and was carrying a donut in one hand. They of them stared at each other, wondering if the other was really there. But then Daisuke grabbed the gun he'd tucked in his pants, and the man reached for his gun. The two of them drew and had the guns next to the other's head at the same time. The staring contest continued.
"Look it," Daisuke said at last, "It's not like I'm going to get very far. Why don't you just let me get a head start?"
"Not happening, Mr. Motomiya. I have been given orders that you are not allowed to leave the premises," the officer replied.
"Come on! Dante-Shi is a horrible man," Daisuke pleaded. "Why are you working for someone like him? You could be doing so much better."
The officer faltered, but regained his current bravery. "I think you should come with me."
"Yeah, yeah," Daisuke mumbled, and let his gun drop to his side. The officer stuck his sandwich in his mouth and held out his hand for the gun, Daisuke reluctantly handing it over. As he did this, however, he unexpectedly grabbed both the officer's hand and pushed them apart. A shot was fired, but it went straight into the wall, and Daisuke knocked his head into the officer's. The officer fell to the ground, knocked out cold, and Daisuke stumbled back, holding his forehead painfully.
"Damn it! That hurts!" he shouted, rubbing the now very sore spot. Wincing, he leaned over and grabbed his gun. There were some keys on the officer's belt, and he gratefully took them, chirping, "Thank you!"
There was some noise down the hallway, and Daisuke spun around. Coming around the corner were three more security guards. He 'eep'-ed and took off at a dead run. Bullets whizzed past him, once even grazing his arm, along with cries for him to 'stop that very minute' and that there 'was no escape.' Personally, he really didn't care and continued to run, turning only to fire a few shots. There were people coming from in front of him now, and he dropped into the nearest door, slamming it shut and locking it.
He knew he didn't have much time and turned around, hoping that wherever he was would have an escape route. His eyes widened at the sight before him. Talk about lucky! He'd moved right into the garage, and there were plenty of cars for him to choose from. Okay, something fast to get me back to Tokyo in time, but something that could take down those gates if needed. Sports car would be nice, but could it bust through? Decisions, decisions.
It wasn't until he'd decided and gotten in one of the sports cars that he realized he didn't have a key. Groaning, he looked through the keys on the ring he'd taken, but none of them were car keys. He slammed his fist on the steering wheel – for good measure – and went to the floorboard to removing the panel to get the wires. Taking one of the keys, he basically sawed through the two wires, thinking how next time he did something like this he'd have to remember to bring a pocketknife.
The security guards on the other side of the door were contemplating how to get through now, after an unsuccessful attempt of breaking the door down. Daisuke looked up and frantically started to move the key over the wires harder. The first one broke, but Daisuke knew he had to do something before the officers realized they could fire at the lock. Daisuke moved from the car and looked around for something he could put in front of the door. There was a car nicely placed facing the large doors of the garage, which put it sideways instead of vertical like the rest of the cars.
Daisuke ran to the front of the car and began to push on it. The car wouldn't move; the parking break was on. He moved around to the side of the car and tried to open its door, but it was locked. Daisuke growled and took his gun out, firing a few rounds at the window. It shattered and he reached inside, pulling the break lock.
That accomplished he again went to push the car and – much to his delight – it moved, right as the officers start firing at the lock. When they finally hit the lock, Daisuke already had half of the back end of the car in front of the door. They tried to open the door, but it slammed against the car. However, Daisuke's triumph was short lived as they could reach through the crack and fire at him. He ducked and, figuring the door was blocked enough, went back to cutting the second wire.
Somehow, he managed to get through it and pressed the two cut wires together, pressing on the gas as he did. Hoping in, he slammed the door shut and shifted the gears, moving very quickly to the aluminum garage door. In a flash, he ripped through it and was speeding down the drive towards the gates.
The word of his escape must have traveled quickly because people were shooting at him from all sides. He had to swerve around some standing in the middle of the drive. The gates were closing in front of him, and he shifted to a faster gear. The car zipped through, barely clearing one side with an inch and scraping along the other side.
"Whoo-hoo! Who's the man?" As he was speeding down the slick, wet road towards Tokyo, the phone rang. This was kind of odd to him and he picked it up. "Um, hello?"
"Very good Daisuke, but you have little time to live," Dante-Shi laughed. "And you stole my favorite car!"
"I didn't steal it," Daisuke replied light-heartedly. "I'm only borrowing it. I hope you have a good lawyer, Kenta. You'll need one. I'm going to have you locked away for life."
With that, he hung up.
* * *
"He should be here any moment," Yamato whispered to Taichi and Ken – who'd been allowed to be a part of the scheme under certain terms. He grabbed a few clips, and moved towards the bathroom.
"Where are you going?" Ken demanded.
"It would be stupid to stay clustered together, Ken. We need to spread out. I suggest either you or Taichi get the kitchen or one of the bedrooms," Yamato replied over his shoulder.
Before Ken could reply, there was a knock on the door. Yamato dashed into the bathroom and Taichi gave Ken a nod before hurrying to the kitchen quietly. For a brief second the apartment was completely silent, and then the sound of a door being kicked in echoed through it. Lights – being strapped to the tops of guns – shined into the living room where Ken was hiding behind the over turned couch. He didn't want to risk cocking his gun just yet, and waited.
How did I get myself into this mess?
Gunshots roared in the air, startling Ken. He went topside and took a few shots himself before ducking behind the couch again. One would think the soft cushions wouldn't protect a person against bullets, but Takeru was no fool and had metal plates on the bottom of the couch for that very reason. Ken could see the dents in the metal from the bullets hitting it and suddenly felt very afraid. This was worse than any situation he'd ever been in before.
But the three already in the apartment had an advantage. The only entrance was the front door – unless Akihiko and his men were smart enough to go through the balcony – and as the foe came through it, three different guns were fired. This was not what Ken had expected when he came to Takeru's apartment to get Yamato. He'd never wanted to kill anyone, but here he was. I should have listened to Ganji.
Taichi didn't see the person entering the kitchen from behind him, having gone through the balcony and one of the bedrooms to get to him. He was busy firing on the ones still coming through the door when a gun was pressed against his head. Wisely, he stuck both hands in the air and let his gun drop. He was promptly turned around to face his captor.
"Yagami. I wouldn't have thought," Akihiko snarled. "Ishida was always one to cause mutiny, but you usually obeyed."
Akihiko smacked Taichi across the face, using the butt end of his gun. Taichi yelped and fell to the floor. Flipping his gun back around, Akihiko cocked it and aimed it at Taichi's wincing form on the floor of the kitchen. He sneered, eyes aflame with the hunger for death.
Yamato heard Taichi's cry and gave a silent prayer that he'd be all right. The men had stopped coming through the front door, and beyond Ken in the kitchen, Yamato couldn't see Taichi. He scowled and tried to catch Ken's attention. Apparently the balcony was the new entrance and if Ken didn't know that he'd be trapped between the couch and Akihiko. At the moment, Yamato really needed help. He wouldn't be able to last long by himself.
"Ken!" He hissed. Ken's head slowly appeared from behind the couch. "Get up here! They're coming through that way. Hurry!"
Miyako is going to be so pissed off! Ken thought as he leaped over the couch and made a run for Yamato in the bathroom. He only had a few feet to go when he heard the shot and felt the pain in his arm. Crying out, he dropped to the ground out of instinct, gun flying from his hand. He rolled onto his back and reached for it, getting his hand stepped on in the process. Again he cried out in pain, and withdrew very quickly. Standing over him was Akihiko.
"Well, well. I finally get to meet Ichijouji Ken. Get up!" Akihiko growled. Ken did as he was told, wincing as he was grabbed by the arm that had been shot and jerked up faster. Akihiko held him around the throat and held the gun next to his head. "Ishida! I know you're in there! If you don't come out in ten seconds, your second friend here dies, too!"
"Kill him! I don't care!" came the reply.
"He really doesn't," Ken rasped. He tugged at Akihiko's arm, trying to get air.
"Shut up," Akihiko snarled. He struggled against Ken for a moment, and a new idea popped into his head. An evil smile went across his face. "What about Motomiya?"
There wasn't an answer. Yamato slowly came form around the corner, his gun aimed at Akihiko and Ken. "What about Daisuke?"
"I guess you never knew that your little treat was working against you, did you?" Akihiko asked. He laughed at Yamato's puzzled expression. "I knew from the first time I saw him that I'd seen him before, and what do you know? Turns out he was the one that I'd been after for years. At first I thought you were conspiring with him when I saw you two together, but I soon found that you had no idea who he was. An old friend, ha!"
Both Yamato and Ken were stunned. Ken was the first to ask, "Where's Daisuke?"
"And you!" Akihiko said to Ken. "You worked for Ganji and yet you never had the clue that he worked with Yamato! How do you think Ishida got away with all those murders so easily? And Yagami? Do you think the two of them just magically did everything alone?"
"Where's Daisuke, Keshena?" Yamato demanded, Ken still in alarm. "What did you do to him?"
Akihiko laughed viciously. "I imagine he is being tortured very slowly by Dante-Shi's men right about now. Vanyusha!"
Yamato hadn't even noticed the Russian behind him until Akihiko spoke up. He soon found himself flying onto the ground in front of Akihiko from one of the brute's blows. He still had his gun, though, and went to shoot his attacker, but Vanyusha was too quick for him. The Russian wrenched him to his feet, locking his arms behind him.
"My, my, it looks like you are in quite the predicament," Akihiko mocked. He waved his hand dismissively to Vanyusha. "Take him downstairs while I take care of Ichijouji. I can hear the sirens already. We don't want to be caught up here."
Right as Vanyusha turned to drag Yamato out of the apartment, he was greeted with the end of a pistol. Gasping, he backed up, only to be shot.
"You!" Akihiko cried. "But how did you…?"
"I had a fast car," Daisuke smirked. "Your friend Kenta isn't very good at holding prisoners. Now, it would be wise if you let go of Ken and drop your gun before I resort to extreme measures."
"Like hell I will!" Akihiko threw Ken away from him and aimed his gun at Daisuke, firing a round. Daisuke stumbled back, hand holding his side, into the wall. Yamato grabbed his gun from the floor and fired upon Akihiko several times. Akihiko grinned at him and fell to the ground, a puddle of blood already forming around him.
Ken was by Daisuke's side as he fell to his knees, and then the floor. Yamato was soon beside him also, and rolled him onto his back. Yamato lifted Daisuke's hand from his side, wincing at the amount of blood there. He pressed both his hand and Daisuke's back on the wound and looked to Ken. "Go check out Taichi and anyone else who's still alive. Akihiko was right, I can hear the sirens, so they should be getting here soon."
Ken nodded and, with a hesitant look at Daisuke's weakening form, ran to the kitchen.
"Daisuke," Yamato whispered, lifting Daisuke's head into his lap. Daisuke looked at him, eyes dulling over. Yamato was frantic now. "Daisuke! You have to stay awake. Come on! Don't die on me. You can't die on me!"
Daisuke closed his eyes and reopened them slowly, croaking, "This… isn't my… job… I'm only… supposed… to get… the infor… mation…"
"Shh… You'll be okay, just stay awake. I'm sure the doctors can fix you up," Yamato replied quietly.
"Hello? Hello?"
"In here!" Yamato and Ken called at the same time. A police officer appeared in the apartment, looking around incredulously. Yamato motioned the officer over. "He's been shot."
"Lots of people seem to have been shot in here," the officer replied.
Yamato gave him a dirty look. "He's still alive! Get a damn paramedic up here!"
The officer rushed out, just as more were rushing in. They went from person to person, looking for anyone else alive. In the kitchen, Ken confirmed that Taichi was still alive, but barely. That relieved Yamato somewhat, since his friend hadn't wanted to be a part of it all in the first place.
The paramedics came in, moving Yamato aside so they could do their job. He watched as they moved Daisuke onto the stretcher, placing an air mask over his face, and rushing him out. Yamato followed them down and even to helicopter they were putting him in. He tried to get inside – feeling that it was his fault Daisuke was hurt – but they pushed him out.
"I need to go with him!" Yamato shouted over the roar of the aircraft.
"No can do!" the paramedic replied. "You'll have to wait here!"
Yamato looked through the glass at Daisuke. "Daisuke! Don't die on me! Please don't die!"
Ken appeared by his side and pulled him away so they could take off. "Yamato! Let them get him out of here!"
"But Daisuke…" Yamato whispered.
I'm so sorry Daisuke… I'm so very sorry…