The whole group were at the edge of Mugenjou in less than two after Hevn delivered the helpful items; a map, building blueprint, some lighters in which Yoji planned to steal soon after and a very long rope with a bell. Whether using them was not the point, but what the items were used for. The map and blueprint can help a bit, but a lighter and a rope? They would have to decide how to use it when they needed it.
The sight of Mugenjou was rather surprising to the assassins, but the rest were unfazed by its look. Buildings of all sizes were either half shattered or plain old, with paint peeling off at every corner. Not to mention the place was dusty and filthy. They entered the abandoned streets following Kazuki, being the one with the map and Yoji always peering into it as well.
After passing several blocks, they reached a huge metal door which was rusting till brown. After managing to open the door, the group stepped into the eerie darkness of the underground passage. Wondering whether the lighter was for such use, they used three out of the five lighters received from Hevn.
Ginji, Ken and Kazuki held the lighters, while Ban and Yoji used their own reluctantly(for smoking to be exact). Kazuki screened the surrounding area, while Shido used one of his 'bat signals' to analyze the place despite the darkness. He picked out a few trash, when his senses caught something.
"Wait, there's something there", Shido pointed into the darkness. Omi gulped and held onto Shido's arms tightly in order not to get lost in this place, as his friends slowly and carefully headed to the direction. "We're getting closer, twenty meters."
Yoji beside Kazuki got ready by pulling his wire out, and Kazuki had one of his bell in his hand. They heard footsteps. Two sets in fact, and they got louder each time. They were heading in their direction. Kazuki hesitated moving forward, but Yoji continued taking silent steps, when a deep voice startled him.
"Kazuki?" They rest stared wide-eyed in the darkness. They turned to Aya who glared back at them regardless the fact whether they saw him or not.
"Jubei?" Kazuki said out loud. Two people came into view, one blonde, another brown-haired person.
"I knew it was you. Makubex said that you were in Mugenjou, so Toshiki and I thought we might come to get you."
"Who're they? And how do they know you?" Yoji asked in a pissed voice. Opposite the blonde frowned.
"We should be asking you that, and why're you standing so close to Kazuki?"
Yoji growled and the other growled back. "Um… That's Jubei and Toshiki, my bodyguards."
"Bodyguards?!?"
"Why are you so up-tight for? And what relation are you to Kazuki?" Jubei asked in an angry tone. The rest stared at Jubei, then at Aya. And back at Jubei again and Aya.
"Stop looking at me like that", Aya scowled.
"They sound so alike. For a moment there I thought Aya was speaking", Ken told Ginji silently. Jubei, upon hearing it, turned to Ken's direction.
"What are you talking about?" Ken looked back in amazement. How did he hear him? He spoke real softly even Omi behind him can't hear it.
"So, you know about the case of the unknown murders?" Ginji asked.
"I wouldn't say murder, but failure of experiment that lead to the lives of the person", Toshiki replied, at the same time cooling Jubei off. Before any of them said anything else, Jubei cut in.
"Let's head down to Makubex's lab. Over there, he can explain the rest."
It took a short while of walking until the group finally reached Makubex's lab. There, Makubex was screening through some things with Sakura by his side. Another guy with sunglasses was also standing beside Makubex.
Yoji went up to the girl first, which nearly caused him his life because of some needles. He turned and growled out loud at Jubei who did Aya's trademark glare.
"What the hell is wrong with you? You have a grudge on me or something?!?"
"Don't think of doing anything to big sis!" Jubei snapped back. The fight goes on ignored.
"Ginji-san, minna-san, I have got really important things to tell you, and at the same time help you." The silver-haired kid said as he got off his seat. He took notice of Aya's presence and Aya stared back at him. "Aya-san, you are probably in danger of being in this case, do you know?"
Aya flinched. This was no ordinary person. First of all, how did he know his name? He nodded in reply and the boy nodded as well.
"Apparently, the Takatoris that are still alive now, are supposed to be dead, am I right? Something unexpected came up right after they died. Someone resurrected them and made them alive to do a job to that person, and that is Mike. The Takatori themselves did not know about this, but Mike became their first-hand assistant." He paused.
"And now Mike's top priority is to get rid of you, Aya-san. Do you know why?"
Some gasped while others watched with shocked gazes at Makubex. Aya lowered his head. They rest turned to him for an answer, including Ban who had a slight worried look across his face.
"Even though Mike used to be my partner, but he was jealous of me. Other people mostly looked up to me, while he always got ignored. He left Kritiker, and since then I had no idea where he went."
The story added up now. The others understood the situation clearly, and now know the motive of this mission. One last puzzle though…
"If that's the case, what do we need to get back?" Ginji asked all of a sudden.
Makubex smiled. "A very good question indeed, Ginji-san. Hevn-san told me the item, or should I say person. You need to retrieve Mike. He knows about Kritiker, and they want him back. The assassins would need to get rid of the ones that were meant to stay dead."
The rest of the discussion was based on Mike's hide-out, while Aya, Ban and Akabane stayed away from the conversation. Akabane was at another side of the room, eyeing Aya carefully which made the redhead real uncomfortable.
"Something isn't right about this. Why is he looking so calm and collected?" Aya asked softly. Ban beside him shrugged.
"That freak's like that. I bet he has something up his sleeve."
It was then Omi called out for them to come. Both of them went over to the group, and Kazuki spoke out.
"Mike wants to get Aya, so we have to be extra careful. Midou, you can take of him am I right?"
"I can take care of myself thank you." Touche. Aya was back to his icy self again. Ban smirked and teased Aya.
The redhead got pissed and actually considered whether he should take his katana to run him down. The rest sweat-dropped and attention was drawn to Akabane who was cackling.
"You should really be careful. You will never know when 'they' come and take away your little toy, Midou-san."
Ban tossed a glare at the doctor, who simply smiled back.
"Anyway, use this tunnel to get to the building the fastest. I'll direct you using this headset. Jubei, Toshiki and Emishi will go along to help."
"What? Those two are going?!?" Yoji roared. Toshiki and Jubei got crossed and the rest sweat-dropped.
"Oi, Yoji, don't create a fuss about it", Ken said. Yoji frowned at the brunette and turned to Kazuki's bodyguards.
"Well, I don't need you around, so stay out of my way!"
"You stay out! We have other things better to do!" Both of them countered back.
Yoji stuck out his tongue at them and Kazuki sighed.
"Well, better get going", Shido said. Emishi came over to Omi's side and started playing some stupid things.
Omi was trying hard not to tell off the joker, but he was really getting scared at how Emishi did some really weird tricks. Shido ignored his friend and pulled Omi along. The assassin sighed in relief as Emishi started complaining about Shido stealing his audience.
"We have got to go now."
"Good luck", Makubex said as he watched the group leave the room.
Alrighty! (I always seem to start with that) I'm up with this and on to the next! Look out for updates on Thursdays. That's when I can play the com the whole day, or look out in the weekends. This are heating up up up! Muah ha ha. Apaarently, more pairings are going to be coming up... Mainly Shido X Omi, Yoji X Kazu (despite his first impresson of Kazu), added with a little salt and pepper from Jubei and Toshiki.Ginji and Ken are really good friends! XD But they're not a pair... unless you want me too... but I got a problem with who's 'on top'....
Mujyakina--> Urm... about Makoto... You'll just find out later. XI The next chp should be more fun as the group enters Mikey's tower! (Aha... Mikey is my way of calling him... kinda reminds me of teenage mutant ninja turtles. Ha ha)
Bao-chan--> Apparently, Ban in real life is shorter than Aya. O.o Aya's 1.78 while Ban's 1.75. Oh well, we can imagine Ran shorter ne?