"Ahhh!" Minato screamed out as Hamuko tried to locate the main source of pain.
"Is it here?" Hamuko asked, putting a bit of pressure on his ribs.
"Dammit yes!" Minato shouted in pain. Hamuko winced at his cries.
"Sorry," she apologized. Minato was lying on the couch. He just had a painful battle with the brute, Keima, even though Minato had broken all of his limbs and rendered his hands useless; Minato was still in a lot of pain. Bruises and burns dominated his body from Keima's earlier and more successful strikes.
"…Should I massage it?" Hamuko asked seriously. Minato for a moment forgot all the pain that was coursing throughout his body and his face lit up.
"No!" Minato replied frantically, his face burning a bright red.
"Yes," Hamuko replied simply, before throwing Minato on the ground. Minato winced from the pain but immediately, Hamuko's warm hands clasped his stiff shoulders. Minato groaned as Hamuko massaged his shoulders.
"Tch. You really know how to make things go your way," he muttered. Minato wouldn't admit it, but he felt at ease.
"Teehee," Hamuko giggled and stuck her tongue out playfully.
"Darn it," Minato cursed, "That prick really gave me hell."
"At least we'll be able to find out who he is," Hamuko replied, letting go of his shoulder. Minato stiffened a groan.
"Oh yeah, Minato?" Said bluenette turned around to face her. Hamuko grabbed him by the face and kissed him on the cheek, Minato blushed and pulled back. Minato gaped at Hamuko.
"Thanks for the save back at the hideout," Hamuko giggled and stood up, walking past Minato, but not before petting him and then walking up the stairs.
Minato wiped the lipstick off his cheek. "Damn. Crazy red headed girl," Minato muttered with a slight smile. He attempted to stand up however he winced from the pain once he did. "Ouch, spineless asshole," Minato cursed at the brute, "I'll be sure to pay him a visit soon…" He smirked at the sadistic images that swam in his mind.
Minato slept and he wanted to skip the next day. Even if Yamaghishi was missing he didn't give two shits about an unknown girl getting lost in the school. She could die for all he cared, but of course, Hamuko saw things differently. After a few rounds of Minato vs. Puppy Dog Eyes, the blue haired devil finally surrendered.
Hamuko dragged Minato towards the faculty office. Yukari, Junpei and Mitsuru were already present, interrogating Natsuki Moriyama. Minato sighed in annoyance as Hamuko let go of his collar.
"Hold on Mitsuru. This isn't an interrogation," Ekoda barked, making a vein prop on Minato's forehead. It was time to speed things up a bit.
"Alright, you sad pathetic excuse for a teacher. Let that IDIOT speak," Minato growled at Ekoda who immediately went quiet.
"Talk," Minato growled at Natsuki. Mitsuru was surprised. He was able to shut Ekoda up in just seconds.
"I… uh…" Natsuki fumbled.
"Spit it out, woman!" Minato smashed his fist on the table. Natsuki flinched and finally, started speaking.
Minato turned around. "I ain't dealing with this shit. When you idiots get the gist of it, meet me in student council," he ordered and walked out.
Minato waited for the rest to arrive in the room. Mitsuru locked the door and turned to her team mates.
"Tonight, we will infiltrate the campus. Our objective is to rescue Yamagishi," Mitsuru ordered.
"I don't get it. Is Fuuka inside the school?" Junpei asked curiously. Minato bit back the urge to smash his head on the table.
"She's in Tartarus, you idiot," Minato spat. Everyone turned to look at Minato. "Honestly. You don't know? She's been missing in the school and at midnight, this shithole turns into the blasted tower. Ever since she got locked in the GYM, that wuss has been trapped in Tartarus."
"How… Do you know that?" Yukari asked.
"Common sense," Minato replied curtly.
"Indeed," Mitsuru nodded.
"Ugh," Minato groaned in pain as he tried to get up from the chair. "Crap. My sides feel like hell…"
"Minato-kun is still hurt," Hamuko cried. "Can you go like this?" she asked.
Minato like always could care less that whoever died. But, Hamuko was going and he had to be there. He wasn't going to trust her to the pink wearing skank or anyone else.
"I'll go," Minato ignored the pain and stood up. "What's the plan?" Minato turned to Mitsuru.
Mitsuru was a bit surprised at Minato asking her. However she realized that while Minato was very selfish and for lack of a better term, a douche, he did deem her actions were brave and he respected her at least.
"I don't know. This operation is risky. You could all end up lost in Tartarus," Mitsuru sighed.
"And how can she still be…" Junpei trailed off, "We can barely handle an hour."
"I don't think so. This might be a theory but I believe time functions differently in Taratrus. So, even if ten days has passed for us, only ten hours have passed for her."
"Yeah, but," Junpei tried to say something.
"Shut your traps," Minato sighed, tired of the useless back and forth chatter. "Let's just go in and we can find a teleporter if we get lost. Move your asses, or are you gonna let her die?" Minato growled.
Everyone went quiet. Mitsuru eventually spoke up, "I agree. We are aware of the risks, but we just cannot ignore it. Prepare for tonight," Everyone, even Minato, nodded at Mitsuru's order.
"Oh good going, asshat," Minato snarled at Junpei who was trying to unlock the backdoor of the school.
"Dammit, this just won't open." Junpei tried to unlock it. Minato grabbed a hairpin from Hamuko and shoved Junpei out of the way.
Junpei was about to protest until he heard the sound of a lock being opened. Minato threw the hairclip back and opened the door. "Idiots," Minato spat, before walking inside.
"Awesome, Minato-kun," Hamuko held out her fist, which Minato bumped.
"Tres bien," Mitsuru smiled at Minato who nodded.
"Oui. But there's no time for compliments. Let's get going," Akihiko said, walking ahead.
"What's the big deal anyway?" Yukari asked.
"Tray ben? What is that? French?" Junpei groaned. "Lousy senior and their lousy French…"
"It's 'Tres Bien' you blockhead," Minato growled at Junpei before walking behind the seniors.
The team stopped at 2-F. Yukari was walking carefully, with Junpei teasing her about haunted schools. Minato had his MP3 player on. At least he could tune the two idiots out for a while. That is, until Hamuko took his headphones out, making Minato scowl at her.
"Can… we turn on the lights?" Yukari asked, fearfully.
"Aww, you scared?" Junpei grinned.
"No, Stupei!" Minato sighed.
"Stop cal-" Junpei was cut off.
"Shut up, both of you, you really give me a headache," Minato growled at the two. Both Yukari and Junpei had seen Minato's uncontrollable wrath, so they decided to keep their mouth shut. It was probably in best interest for both of their lives.
"We will check the janitor's office. You four check the janitor room," Mitsuru commanded. Minato nodded curtly.
"The faculty office?" Junpei snickered. "Maybe we'll find some test questions," he grinned. Imagine how awesome that would be for him…
"Maybe I should go to the faculty office too," Akihiko chimed in. "It sounds interesting…"
Mitsuru closed her eyes and smiled. A rather wicked yet sweet smile. "Are you planning something unscrupulous under my supervision?" she smiled wider and continued, "If so expect to be severely finished," Pin drop silence prevailed in the room, after Mitsuru declared the penalty.
"Hahahaha, wusses," Minato laughed, blowing his bangs up, momentarily, revealing his other silver eye. Yukari, unknowingly, stared at Minato.
Minato ignored the stare that was directed at him and cocked his head towards Mitsuru. "Take asshat with you, Hamuko and I will check the faculty office," Mitsuru nodded, as if approving.
"Can… I come too?" Yukari asked somewhat shyly. Minato cringed, but didn't show it.
"Of course," Hamuko grinned. Minato sighed at her. Who the hell needs a harpy like Yukari? Not bothering to give his two cents, Minato walked ahead, ordering the other two to follow them.
Hamuko skipped behind Minato. Minato again, plopped his headphones and walked ahead, trying to avoid whatever Yukari was saying.
"Minato-kun!" Minato nearly tripped as Hamuko hugged him from behind.
"Are you nuts, woman?" Minato asked, perplexed. He would have screamed if he didn't quickly register what was happening.
"Teehee," Hamuko giggled in reply. Minato sighed. He couldn't really stay angry with her. It used to bother him, but now, he didn't care. It was nice having a friend.
Yukari watched the scene with a rather pained expression. What did Minato see in Hamuko exactly? What was the difference between herself and Hamuko. "Why's… she so… different?" she asked herself quietly as a bit of jealousy began to creep inside her mind.
"Come on," Minato ordered Yukari to come forward. The brunette nodded slightly and walked towards them.
The trio of three, walked into the main hallway. Minato looked around, before cringing slightly and rubbing his sides to lessen the pain. He did break a couple of ribs during the fight.
"Do need help?" Yukari asked politely. Minato shrugged her politeness off. Yukari sighed inside, usually, she would just point at any guy and he would abide to her will, but it just wasn't working on Minato.
"Who's there?" Minato's eyes opened wide at the voice. Someone was there. Minato quickly grabbed Yukari and shoved her behind a pillar. Minato quietly and carefully, grabbed a hold of Hamuko and pulled her into a hug, hiding behind another pillar.
"Stay quiet, okay?" Minato felt Hamuko nod into his chest. He tightened the hold around her, crossing his legs. The flash illuminated the hallway. Minato ignored the pain in his sides and ribs, one shout and they would get caught.
Yukari wanted to shriek. She was behind another pillar, although standing alone was quite helpful. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. Hamuko had her head placed onto Minato's chest. The demented bluenette had his head buried into Hamuko's auburn hair.
"Tch. Must be a fox," The guard lamented, before switching the light off. "This job doesn't pay that well, either," he muttered before he walked away. Minato sighed in relief as he looked down towards Hamuko. The sadistic persona user blushed profusely, backing away.
Hamuko rose her head up and gave a rather perverted smile, "Geez, Minato-kun. You were latching onto me like a vice," she giggled.
"N-No, t-that's not it," Minato stammered.
"If you wanted a hug, you could have just asked ya know?" Hamuko smiled warmly and hugged Minato again. "Like this!"
Minato sighed. "Man. she's childish," he sighed but didn't break away from the hug.
Yukari was feeling annoyed, she was being totally ignored right now. She was about to yell, but then, something happened.
'BEEP!' Minato's phone buzzed, making Minato and Hamuko jump away. Minato's anger flared. The phone separated him from Hamuko. The electronic shall pay.
"Piece of shit," Minato grabbed his Galaxy S4 and smashed it onto the ground, before stomping on it multiple times. "That'll learn ya," Minato growled.
The two females stared at the scene in shock. Hamuko wanted to sob, 'That was a perfectly good phone. The phone of my dreams.' After Minato ended the assault, he ordered them to move into the faculty office.
Class room key. "Shit."
Club room key. "Aww, crap."
Student council room key. "Fucking hell."
Store key. "Piece of sh-"
"That's enough," Hamuko snapped, grabbing a hold of Minato's ear. "I'll wash out your mouth with soap."
"Sorry," Minato replied, quietly searching for the keys after Hamuko let go of him. Hamuko smiled at his willingness and continued searching with Yukari.
"What does it say on this one?" Yukari asked Hamuko. The auburn haired girl squinted to see the markings, but she couldn't quite make it out.
"Can ya read this?" Hamuko asked Minato. The blunette summoned a flame around his hands, lighting the place up. "…Morgue."
Hamuko gasped and dropped the key. "Are you trying to scare me or something?" she growled. Preparing a fist of her own, she grabbed Minato by the collar. "Thou shall pay thy price!"
"Key, key" Minato shouted, pointing at the lone, bronze key that was lying on the ground. Hamuko let go of her grip and huffed, harnessing a flame around her own hand. She could do that too.
"Bingo. We found the jackpot," Hamuko grinned, dispelling the flames. Minato sighed. At least they were out of the faculty office.
Minato and the two females walked out of the hallway and were greeted by Mitsuru and the rest. Minato dully ignored Yukari's and Junpei's bickering and handed the key to Mitsuru.
"Woah, what's that?" Junpei gawked at the broken mobile phone, courtesy of Minato.
"That's what I broke," Minato snarled. "And, if you don't be quiet Your face will go through the same pleasantries which that piece of shit went through," he growled. Junpei flinched and kept quiet.
Spasms of pain shot through Minato's body again, making him grasp Hamuko's shoulder for support to stand.
"Are you sure that you want to go ahead?" Hamuko whispered. Minato nodded.
"NO! You'll stay right here," Hamuko scolded. "You haven't healed from your injuries yet." Minato tried to protest but Mitsuru cut in.
"I agree with Marie. Arisato, you must heal. You might slow the team down."
"The hell do you-" Minato yelled at Mitsuru but was stopped by Hamuko's rather stern look.
"You. Will. Stay. Here," she said with a tone of finality. Minato sighed. No use arguing now.
"Alright," Minato sighed, turning his attention to Akihiko, Hamuko and Junpei, "Hamuko will lead!" Minato declared.
"No arguments!" Minato hissed venomously at Junpei who went silent. "Let's go. The Dark Hour will be here any minute now. Let's save that wuss," he said.
Hamuko saluted. "Don't worry. I'll lead them to victory!" she declared, walking ahead. Minato and the two females walked outside. Once Hamuko entered the gym, the world shifted around her into the usual for the hour, and she remembered no more.
Yukari looked over to Minato and Mitsuru. The bluenette had his eyes closed, resting his back against a pillar. Mitsuru was tapping the portable computer that was embedded into her motorbike.
"Nice ride," Minato complimented.
"Thank you, Arisato." Mitsuru smiled, before working on the computer again. Again, awkward silence prevailed in the lobby of the green monstrosity.
"Hehehe," Yukari giggled nervously, clearly not liking the silence. "I hope that girl is alright," she sighed.
"Yes. But unfortunately, no place is safe during the Dark Hour," Mitsuru replied curtly.
Mitsuru's suddenly picked up a signal. She hurriedly typed on her gadget and tapped into her personas ability, "Akihiko? You are higher up than I expected."
"Is everyone alright?" she asked. Minato at this point, stood up.
"I do… got… separ…" It was more static than Akihiko's voice. "SHADOWS!" The sudden word made Minato jump. Hamuko was alone and she wasn't safe.
"Shit!" Minato grabbed his sword at charged at teleporter, only to be stopped by Yukari.
"No, Minato-kun, you can—" Minato shoved Yukari away, ignored Mitsuru's orders and ran into the teleporter, Evoker and sword in hand.
"Get back here!" Mitsuru shouted but it was too late. Minato opened his eyes and found himself in Tartarus.
"Alright, Mitsuru said that they are higher up than she expected. Must be on the above levels," Minato mused, tightly gripping his sword. Minato's eyes widened as a Steel Gigas came running towards him. Minato dodged the blow and struck the sword right into its gut, dissolving the wanna-be wrestler.
"Tch," Minato valiantly ignored the pain in his body. "No use bitching around," With that, he ran through the blood filled corridors, climbing floor by floor.
"Hamuko!" Minato shouted at the top of his lungs, "Where are you!?" Minato screamed out the next second as something struck him on the back. A Dancer's sword was sticking right into Minato's back. The bluenette screamed in hate as he quickly turned around and summoned Death. Thanatos gave out a hollow roar and basked in the fear of the Shadow, before utterly demolishing it.
"Crap. Shouldn't have used that," Minato cursed. The moment had gotten the better of him.
Minato painfully pulled the sword out from the back and threw it away, "Hamuko!" Minato shouted again, before detecting a set of stairs. He quickly ran towards it and climbed them.
'Oh shit,' was all that Minato could say. The thing that stood in front of him was none other than the Reaper.
"Shit," Minato cursed out to the full moon. He was broken, bloodied and nearly devoid of SP.
The Reaper laughed hauntingly as he raised his revolver towards Minato's head. Minato smirked despite the situation.
"Tonight's gonna be hell."
BANG!
Minato dropped to the ground, in a bloody mess as the Reaper laughed again.
AN: Heeeey, cliffhanger ahoy! Ahaha... I'm almost sorry for the readers. Thanatos, I'm cold. XD
Well, I'll see you guys later! Please review, Nights and I would appreciate it! Welp, Sayoonara for now!
Nights : Thanks for the reviews everyone! Minato is in deep shit right now. He can't summon Thanatos anymore. What will happen? Keep reading to find out. Please review. Seeya guys later.