Vol. 3
Ch. 14
Break These Chains
Odasaku breathed hard. "Dammit," he groaned, kicking up some grass near where Alu had disappeared with frustration.
"Even if we had interfered, it's not what she wanted," Ango sighed. "I tried to tell you, she had a plan."
"That doesn't matter!" Odasaku looked at Ango exasperated. "We don't know anything about that man!"
Ango pursed his lips. "Actually, my division is now aware of him and has every intention to continue to gather intelligence on him."
"Ngh," Odasaku ran a hand through his hair, frustrated still. "That doesn't help us locate her!"
Odasaku's phone rang. The men paused and Odasaku quickly answered it. "Hey, how are things on your end?" Ranpo's voice came in through the speaker.
"They'd be better if that girl hadn't gone with Fyodor of her own free will," Odasaku said, grimacing.
There was a momentary sigh. "I see, she did it after all." There was no surprise. Odasaku wondered if everyone else knew about this and he was just the only one actually concerned.
"Wait, you knew she was going to do this too?" Odasaku asked, flustered. He glanced to Ango. Ango just looked like a cool cucumber. That wasn't helping.
"She said as much earlier," Ranpo said curtly. "Does that mean you're alone?"
"Ango is here," Odasaku admitted.
"Get somewhere safe with those children. Agent Sakaguchi should have already procured such a safe spot," Ranpo ordered Odasaku. "The girl Sakura is safe as well. She'll be reunited with you shortly."
Odasaku wasn't satisfied with that though—well the part where Sakura was safe made him so relieved he thought he'd lose his balance—but in regards to Alu, he had so many questions. "Wait, hold on—what about that girl?"
"There's no point going after her," Ranpo said sharply over the phone. "She's made her decision."
Odasaku wanted to say more but Ranpo hung up, abruptly, leaving Odasaku with just the dial tone and a lot more questions than answers. "I understand you're concerned," Ango said, hoping to calm Odasaku down a little. "But that girl is more capable than you realize."
"It's not about being capable!" Odasaku looked at Ango, upset. "Don't you get it?"
Ango didn't and he frowned, his expression saying as much. Odasaku just groaned. Ango didn't know if he had a right to call Odasaku by his informal name but he found himself doing so out of habit, anyways,"Odasaku," Ango continued, "I'm confident she'll come back to us."
"Why do you even care?" Odasaku said, honestly confused about Ango's involvement.
Ango pursed his lips. Finally, he pushed his glasses up his nose. "I'm here because I realize there are actions I need to atone for."
Outwardly that sounded almost noble. But Odasaku had learned Ango wasn't the noble type. And unlike Dazai, who despite everything had put his trust into him, Odasaku hated to be the one to be actually heartless. "Were you ordered to get that girl to join you," Odasaku's question cut through like a sharp cold steel knife. It wasn't a question. He was looking for confirmation to an existing suspicion he'd had since he'd first seen Ango arrive with the girl.
Ango was quiet. But he nodded. Odasaku felt hurt. Of course Ango was never here because of him or the orphans! This guy was just selfish—as always it would appear. Feeling powerless to give any sort of aid to the girl, Odasaku knew his only option was to focus on the orphans. He just hoped that girl would return to them all safely. Working with Ango was leaving a bad taste in his mouth as it was.
Alu breathed. Stepping through the portal with Miss Elise, she found herself in a rather nice hotel room? Blinking, she looked around. This was no cheap hotel either. It was clearly lavish. Trying not to get distracted by the details, Alu's focus fell upon the woman who stood in the center of the living room.
"We meet again, child," Miss Austen said, tilting her head with a bemused smile.
Elise narrowed her eyes and stepped in front of Alu with her arms folded across her chest. "Don't try anything funny," she said, haughtily.
"Yari!" Another voice said, bouncy.
Alu blinked, turning to see —for the first time in a long while— a familiar boy who ran over to Yari who had left Fyodor's side to hug him back. It was Ryou. He had long since changed out of the prisoner clothing. So, it really was true. Alu did feel relief that Ryou was okay after all. Yari hugged him sniffling. "Ryou! I'm glad to be back!"
Miss Austen hummed, glancing at Fyodor. "You did deliver, after all."
"Was there really any cause to doubt me?" Fyodor mused, lounging against the wall, casually.
"I suppose not." Miss Austen gazed at Alu. "I admit his method was a bit extreme," she sighed. "However, it looks like no one was harmed in the end," she hummed.
Alu frowned. "No one was harmed because I was prepared," she said, curt. "If that man had succeeded, a little girl would be dead. Are you telling me that you're seriously okay with that?"
Miss Austen was quiet. She did glance at Fyodor. Fyodor just shrugged. "Sacrifices for the Greater Good do exist," he said. "Besides," he smirked darkly, "I think you'll be interested to know this girl has many skills in those fox tails of hers," he hummed.
"That is fascinating," Miss Austen nodded, gazing at Alu again. "He said he'd be able to test the extent of your abilities."
"Is that what he said?" Alu sighed, glancing at Fyodor, with exhasperation. "You know, you could have just asked if you wanted to speak with me?"
"I find people are more honest when they are forced to act," Fyodor shrugged. "Besides, I have to say I'm pleasantly interested in your skills, myself."
"I'm going to make one thing clear," Alu rolled her eyes. "I'm not here to join anyone. I'm here to talk with Ryou."
Ryou put his hands on his hips, looking to Alu. "Well that's good! Cuz I wanted to talk with you!"
"You had a little girl kidnapped to get an audience with me?" Alu repeated.
"So?" Ryou shrugged. "Like Mr. Fyodor says, Sacrifices are a thing," he waved a hand dismissively. "The important thing is that you're here now!"
Alu felt worried and disappointed. "Do you have so little value for the lives of others?"
Ryou looked at her. "I like lives that have value to me."
Ranpo's words echoed in her mind. "If you go to him you won't get the answers you're seeking."
Was this what Ranpo meant? Was Ryou really so heartless despite being so young? Did he truly lack a caring bone in his body for those that weren't of use to him? Alu looked at Miss Austen. "So it's true. You work for Ryou."
Miss Austen looked momentarily surprised but she just chuckled. "I work with him," she corrected Alu. "You could say we're business partners."
"Human trafficking isn't a business, it's wrong," Alu said, curtly.
"That's not all we do!" Ryou cut in, defensively. "That's just a small part of the bigger picture!"
"It's still wrong," Alu said, frowning at him.
"Look when the world is fair, you can tell me what is right and wrong," Ryou scoffed. "But this is all about survival. Right Mr. Fyodor?" He smiled at Fyodor like he was idolizing him. Alu was worried that perhaps this man had influenced this boy negatively.
"It is a dog eat dog world out there," Fyodor mused. "It's best to remember that, Alu."
"I don't believe that's all there is to this world," Alu retorted, curt.
"Hey!" Ryou said, brightly, interjecting. "Since you're here, that means we can return to Europe, finally!"
"I said I'm not going with you," Alu said, frowning at Ryou.
"But you said you came to see me!" Ryou asked, puzzled.
"I came to see you and well, I think I understand better now the type of person you've chosen to be," Alu said, sadly.
"I'm not a bad person!" Ryou said, upset. "Miss Austen! How can I get her to understand that?"
Miss Austen eyed Alu, thoughtful. "Why don't you come with us?" She asked, curious. "Not to stay, but to observe Ryou? You made all this effort to see the boy. Why leave so soon?"
"I never said I was leaving," Alu said, glancing at Miss Austen and Ryou. "I just said I wasn't going to leave Japan. As long as you remain here, so will I."
Fyodor was quiet during all this but he finally headed for the door. It would seem his work here for now was done. "Stay in touch, Mr. Fyodor!" Ryou said brightly.
"I imagine we will be," Fyodor hummed before he exited.
Alu still had questions about how to track down Gide but she had a feeling she'd be able to encounter that man at a later time. Her priority was trying to get Ryou to turn over a fresh leaf before it was too late. "Rintaro is getting very antsy," Elise said, gazing at Alu. "If all you're going to do is talk, then I need to get back to him."
"Yeah," Alu said, smiling at Elise. "I'll definitely keep in touch. Thanks Elise, for having my back," she smiled at Elise.
Elise was quiet. Even though she'd been told to attack this girl at their last encounter, Alu still chose to call upon her when she needed help last night. She didn't want to leave Alu alone with these people but Rintaro was losing steam—and whining—about being apart from her for so long. Elise nodded before she just faded away.
Alu knew Elise would be in touch. Gazing at Ryou and Miss Austen, and the little girl, Yari, Alu knew her work was cut out for her. But, she was determined to at least get these two kids to turn over a fresh leaf before it was too late. As for Miss Austen, she wondered if that woman was capable of wanting to change. Spending time with them, would be the best way to determine this—and perhaps stop any future human trafficking incidents from occurring. Or the kidnapping of small children and strapping bombs to them. Yeah, Alu would seriously have to lecture this Ryou kid on the company he chose to keep.
"It's not too late to change, start over," she began.
"Why would I want to do that?" Ryou asked, puzzled. "I'm happy where I am! And now, you're going to finally belong to me!"
Suddenly, Alu felt something sharp sticking out of her side. With wide eyes, she looked down. A dart was sticking out of her. Miss Austen smiled, holding what she thought was her parasol but now the tip revealed it was actually the barrel of a dart gun. Suddenly, a huge wave of wooziness washed over Alu. Miss Austen hummed, "…Sorry dear. But we don't make deals with our prey. Welcome to the laws of the animal kingdom."
Alu found herself blacking out. This was bad. Of course they'd waited for Elise to leave before doing anything! Dammit. She just wanted to talk. Why did things have to be complicated? Alu crumpled to the floor, unconscious.
Ryou hummed. "Let's get her back to our corporate office. I'd rather not deal with the Japanese government again. One way or another, she'll be mine."
Yari was quiet but she gazed at Alu's unconscious form. "Are we going to hurt her?" She asked, tentatively.
Ryou grinned at her. "What? No! As long as she cooperates we'll have her be useful to us! Think of her like having a pet!"
Yari usually didn't question anything about the way these two operated, but today had been a day and Yari was beginning to wonder what she wanted to do. Even so, despite this, Miss Austen and Ryou had taken her in when she had nothing. They were her family. They were all she had. She'd do anything for them. "Should I open my portal?"
"Yes," Miss Austen said, smiling. "It's time we boarded the ship and sailed home."
"Go Rashomon."
With no warning, the hotel room door was sliced clean like butter, and bright red and black light shot into the room, slicing the portal that Yari had just created. Yari cried out in pain, as her portal ability was sliced in half—resulting in a solid red slash appearing across her own chest. Ryou cried out in alarm, rushing to Yari's side. "Yari!"
Miss Austen's eyes narrowed and she protectively pulled out a gun, pointing it now at the young man standing in the doorframe, dressed in frills, his empty eyes glaring at them. "Who the hell are you?" Miss Austen growled.
"Heh," the young man sneered, "I'm your worst nightmare."
"Don't kill," Mori's curt tone replied into the young man's earpiece. The young man grimaced. He was itching to kill. Not only had he learned that Dazai had shown his face after defecting from the Mafia a month ago—but he had shown his face for that insufferable weak man, Sakunosuke Oda! It was like rubbing salt into the wound of his pride!
Miss Austen smirked, her ability activating, allowing her to peer into the heart of her opponent's pride and prejudice. Oh, this was a juicy one. Manipulating him would be almost too easy. "We shouldn't be your actual target," she said, eyes narrowed at him.
"Tch, shut up!" The young man flared, and his ability lashed out at her. Miss Austen dodged, but the bed behind her didn't have the same luck. It groaned as it was sliced in half, collapsing in on itself.
Miss Austen's eyes flashed. Taking that girl would have to wait for another day. Ryou growled and he pushed Yari at Miss Austen. "Get her to safety!"
Miss Austen nodded. Wordlessly, she grabbed Yari and took off, while Ryou let out a battle cry and unleashed a glowing blade from his hands. It veered like a tightly drawn arrow on a bowstring, headed right for the dark-haired young man. Blinded by the bright light of the blade's glow, the young man hissed, as Miss Austen managed to get past him with Yari. Angry, he unleashed Rashomon in its entirety on Ryou. "You little shit!"
"Sending him in was the worst possible decision," Dazai said, coldly, glaring at Mori with exasperation.
Standing on the sidewalk away from the fairgrounds was Dazai, Kunikida, and the other members of the Armed Detective Agency. Sakura was currently being returned to Odasaku so she wasn't present.
Dazai hung back with Kunikida, but they along with Ranpo, Yosano, and Fukuzawa had their attention all on Mori as he directed Akutagawa. Dazai was apprehensive using Akutagawa but it wasn't his call.
Mori sighed deeply, rubbing his temple. He knew the risk of sending in Akutagawa but at the time, it was his only option that would prove to be 100% effective in retrieving Alu from harm's way. Elise had notified him of the address and he'd sent Akutagawa to back the girl up—but as per usual—his temper got the better of him and now it seems a blood bath was breaking out. "Akutagawa is effective, however that girl is naive to think no casualties are possible. Even you must understand that, Fukuzawa."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean—you put her—and everyone involved— in danger by sending in that boy," a grating voice demanded from near him. Mori opened his eyes to see the impatient face of the man who hated him most in the world.
Ranpo and Yosano also gazed at him. Though, Yosano was mostly just glaring at him like he should drop dead. "It would seem as though he has lost his temper and plans to leave no survivors besides her," Mori said with a frustrated huff. "And no—it wasn't on my orders."
"Tell us where she is, right now," Ranpo said, sharply.
Mori sighed. "It's too late but sure, why not." He gave the address to them, but his mind was on how he'd have to clean up after Akutagawa—again.
Dazai narrowed his eyes. He knew a quicker way to stop this blood shed. He didn't want that girl to feel like it was her fault if those kids got hit with Akutagawa's wrath. "Let me talk with him," he said curtly.
Mori blinked with some surprise but he nodded. He handed his earpiece to Dazai, wordlessly. It was a bit surreal, these two acting so normal today when the day before Dazai had threatened to shoot him. Neither man was one to dwell. "Akutagawa," Dazai said curtly.
Back in the hotel room, where Akutagawa had Ryou up against a wall, choking him with Rashomon, Ryou's sword being used as the only shield between his heart and the power of Rashomon piercing through him, Akutagawa froze. That voice… "?"
Ryou took the moment that Akutagawa showed the slightest sign of hesitation to slash right into his stomach with a sharp yell, piercing Akutagawa's special ability. Akutagawa coughed up blood, staggering back. Ryou panted hard, covered in slices himself. But, his eyes had a strange fire in them. He wasn't one to back down from a fight. "Bastard…I'll kill you!" Ryou yelled and he aimed his sword right for Akutagawa's heart.
S—-SShnkkkk—
Ryou's eyes widened.
Akutagawa's eyes widened.
"Akutagawa! Stop fighting! Retrieve the girl! That's all!" Dazai barked, apprehensive. Ranpo had already taken off with Yosano to locate the girl with Fukuzawa and Kunikida. Dazai was fine with staying behind. It allowed him to keep a better eye on Mori Ogai.
"Ugh…" Akutagawa gurgled into the mic. It sounded like he was losing blood.
Dazai grit his teeth. Damn, if only he was there! "Akutagawa! What's going on!"
—Crackle. Crackle.
The mic went dead. Dazai hissed with irritation, throwing the earpiece on the ground. "Dammit," he looked at Mori, agitated. "The signal is dead."
"That is troubling," Mori sighed. Despite this, he hung back. Preferring to observe from the shadows, he wanted to see just how things would play out. He had exerted enough energy as it was allowing Elise to be so far from him as it were. He needed to recharge, despite her agitation in her his mind to be let out. There was nothing more he could do at this time. It was ironically in the hands of those simpletons.
Dazai took off in the direction Alu was in. That was an understatement of the century.
"!?"
Ryou and Akutagawa's eyes were wide in unison shock. A silver glowing tail blocked Ryou's blade from piercing Akutagawa in the chest—instead the blood dripping was light purple in color and dripping down the thickly furred fox tail itself.
Alu panted, eyes glowing gold, orange, red, and rose shaded, as she wobbled, her silver ears out, her hair white and silver, her other eight tails out and having pulled Ryou and Akutagawa away from each other, leaving them wrapped in her tails —unable to move freely.
"Enough!" Her voice echoed, exasperated, and both boys knew that the entity they were dealing with—was much more powerful than either of them.
Akutagawa's body shivered and trembled. This girl was healing his wounds! Rashomon was a force to be reckoned with but this girl—she wasn't even human—or an ability. He coughed, violently, blood trickling out of his mouth. Alu put him down, allowing him to cover his mouth with his hand.
Ryou meanwhile just stared with awe at Alu. Alu set him down as well. Ryou instantly summoned his sword back to his side and he made a shrill whistling noise. Alu flinched, the high pitched ringing catching her off guard. Suddenly, a black hole opened up and Ryou just smiled at Alu. "Call me," he said cheekily, and he carved his number into the floor. With the confidence not expected of a mere kid his age, he hopped backwards into the black hole. But his lips mouthed something else. Alu's eyes flashed.
"Get down!" She yelled to Akutagawa and she tackled the boy, no older than herself at least, to the ground as reddish lightning blasted through the wall, headed for where Akutagawa and her had been standing before. Ryou sneered.
"I look forward to your capture!" He disappeared.
Akutagawa grunted, and he moved quickly, getting to his feet with Alu, not even blushing a little at having a girl on top of him moments before. Alu appreciated a guy with his priorities straight. "Tch," Akutagawa growled. "Now I understand why the boss was keen on retrieving you."
"Akutagawa, right?" Alu blinked at him. She knew of this kid. He was a terror in the night—a literal scream. He would kill anyone—regardless of who they were if they stood in his way. She grimaced. He was so young—and yet to be like this? Really, Mori Ogai really liked to recruit nut jobs. But she had to focus on the masked lightning ability user that now shot more lightning at them.
They both dodged going in separate directions. "It's time to end this," Akutagawa growled and he summoned Rashomon once more to launch at the red lightning itself.
"No! Don't kill them!" Alu shouted, eyes widening as she sensed the blood lust charging Akutagawa's attack.
"This world is kill or be killed, I don't have time for your immature preaching!" Akutagawa hissed and Alu roared.
"I said no killing!"
SSSSKKHHNNKK!
SHHLLKK.
The lightning ability user's eyes widened as blood dripped onto their mask. Akutagawa's eyes widened as well. Alu gripped Rashomon in her claw like silver hands. She grit her teeth even as her blood drooled out past her fangs and her grimacing expression as she grit her teeth. A hole appeared in her chest, where Rashomon now nestled, having been blocked from penetrating the body of the intended target by Alu's own body being thrown in as intervention.
"You fool!" Akutagawa coughed, horrified. He hissed, and he pulled Rashomon out of her.
"What did you do!" A horrified voice shouted at Akutagawa. Akutagawa turned to see some members of the Armed Detective Agency appear. The horrified voice belonged to Yosano. She ran past Akutagawa but the lightning user recovered—enough to blast Lightning at her feet.
"Yosano!" Kunikida quickly grabbed her by the arm, swiftly pulling her out of the way of the blast.
Alu's vision was going black.
You're such an idiot. Always throwing yourself into harm's way. Start caring about which side you're playing for.
Juubi. I said, no casualties. I believe there's more to people than what is presented at face value.
Pretty words for someone with a gaping hole in their chest.
Alu's bloody lips curled into a bit of a twitching smile.
Heh. You're probably right. Sorry, Juubi… I can't do anything it seems, without you.
Alu crumpled to the arms of the lightning user that held her now. Akutagawa would have attacked him again but Kunikida suddenly yelled, "Don't you dare attack them again!"
Akutagawa glared at the annoying brat. "If I don't, they'll get away."
"She's bleeding out! Let me heal her!" Yosano cried out to the lightning ability user. But Alu's body was glowing Silver. Everyone quieted down as Alu's body glowed silver and her form seemed to grow a few inches taller and more lean—no, she was changing?
The lightning ability user felt a punch connect with no warning to the side of their face—their mask cracking off. With wide eyes and in pain, they dropped Alu to the ground. Fukuzawa was swifter than even Rashomon, and he reached to catch her in his arms before Akutagawa.
But, like a cat, she landed on her feet, long hair flowing behind her like nine silver tails, her ears twitched, and she straightened up, to reveal she was not a girl anymore—no this person, wasn't Alu. This person with the piercing gold eyes with rose shaded pupils, was a boy? The clothes were torn but showed that on her chest and stomach, the wound was healed completely. The boy slipped off the torn up bra comically and tossed it at Kunikida. Kunikida would have blushed normally and said something chastising but he was in such shock that the torn bra just smacked him in the face.
Yosano helpfully picked it off his glasses. Kunikida and Yosano just looked to the president and Ranpo, not sure what to do.
"My, my," the boy smirked, flexing his arms. "So it seems I've been let out, to play."
"Who the hell are you," Akutagawa snarled.
"My name is irrelevant," the boy hummed. "All you need to know is that I'm truly indebted to you for freeing me, Akutagawa Ryunosuke."
"So you're the fox harboring inside of her." Ranpo Edogawa was calm as ever, just gazing from the broken door frame.
Everyone looked to him in surprise and then back at where the Not-Alu stood, grinning like a deranged hunter in pursuit of juicy prey. "Points to the little snot-nosed detective," the fox sneered.
"Your name is Juubi, and you're the ten-tailed demon fox that lives within her," Ranpo clarified for the others. "If you're out, then that means her life really is in danger, correct?" His tone was serious with no room for error.
Juubi's eyes flickered.
The Armed Detective members looked at him with instant horror. Akutagawa meanwhile, hating having nothing to do—targeted Rashomon at the lightning user who was now lying on the floor, having been slammed into a wall by the force of the earlier punch. Fukuzawa quickly moved aside as Juubi shot past him, and with his bare hands, he caught Rashomon by the throat. The ability thrashed, and Juubi just smirked darkly. "You're a naughty boy, aren't you, Akutagawa-kun?"
