AN: Hello again! I'd like to start this note by saying that I have no idea how frequent I'm going to be putting out these chapters. I hope to be updating every 2 or 3 days, as long as I'm not swamped with school work. Also, if there is anything that annoys you about my writing style, please leave a review. I've never written before except in creative writing tests, so any constructive criticism is helpful. Hopefully you enjoy this chapter!
A sharp pain exploded in Makoto's shoulder, the force of the bullet penetrating the flesh launching him back and to the floor. A sharp cry left his mouth, the almost banshee-like shriek ringing out in the small book store. Yasuhiro had evidently been woken by the gunshot, as he awoke with a start and instantly yelled out in fear. Makoto looked over to Byakuya, the contorted look of pain and surprise burned onto his face. He had gotten up as quietly as possible as soon as the gunman turned his attention to Junko. Rather he had attempted to get up as quietly as possible. As Toko too was frightened by the gun, she had kept her head in Byakuya's lap, much to his chagrin. When Byakuya stood swiftly, he had launched her off of him, startling their attacker to the extent that he fired his revolver blindly. There was a look of remorse on his face as he stared blankly at the shorter man writhing in agony on the ground.
Kyoko was instantly at his side, the fear of the firearm seemingly put to the wayside as she checked his wound. She found the bullet wedged underneath him and breathed a sigh of relief. ''The bullet passed all the way through.'' She looked over at Hina, who already had taken some gauze out of one of the bags closest to her. ''Hina, apply pressure to his right shoulder, please.'' The Detective spoke calmly, a stark contrast to Asahina's rushed ''kay.'' The Swimmer ran over, wary of the man who still stood above Junko, though his attention was no longer on her. The Fashionista took the opportunity to shuffle across the floor towards Byakuya. The gunman's arms dropped to his side briefly, before he clearly found the motivation to point the gun at Kyoko. She kept her usual stoicism, choosing to meet his gaze with an equally vicious expression to his one.
''NOBODY MOVES!'' He suddenly burst out. He kept his gun trained on Kyoko but darted his eyes around the room. Kyoko lifted Makoto's head off her knees on which it had previously rested, urging Asahina to keep his head off the cold ground. She stood slowly, never stopping the eye contact between her and the largest threat in the room. ''Do you really want to shoot another person today? One that poses no threat to you?'' Kyoko asked almost too aggressively for someone in such a dangerous position. ''DON'T EVEN TRY TO…''The gunman stopped in his tracks as he heard the almost animalistic groaning coming from Toko on the ground. ''What the fuck is wrong with her?!'' He asked in a panic. ''Make her stop or somethin' blondie?'' He started his request as a command but it became more of a question towards its end. Toko's back was to the intruder, but her chest rising was visible to him. Byakuya, despite not being thrilled at being referred to as 'blondie', complied with a smirk. ''You heard her Jack, stop groaning and be a good guard dog.''
The deranged man erupted into laughter for a small period. ''JACK?! What kind of name for a girl is J-ACK!'' He was cut off a pair of scissors lodged into his gut, the owner cackling maniacally. ''First off, I'm not a girl.'' Jack whispered into his ear as she twisted the scissors in his torso. ''I'm a very sophisticated LADY!'' She announced as she tore the blade out of him, creating a huge wave of blood that coated the ground in front of him. The Ultimate Murderous Fiend pushed her victim all the way to wall and gripped him by the shoulders to stop him sliding down it. ''Usually I only do this to pretty boys, but it's been years since I last did it!'' Genocide Jack looked over to Byakuya expectantly, seeking approval for what she was about to do to. Byakuya looked at the rest of the visibly shaken group. Only Junko's eyes expressed a want for the attacker's gruesome murder, but he was expecting such an insane woman to wish to see that. He looked closer at Makoto than he did anyone else.
He was sill breathing heavily, but he was still watching Toko's other self hold the grimy man against the wall. The Heir looked back to Jack and shook his head, the Murderer's face losing some trace of glee at the sight. ''Too bad, buddy! You don't get the honour of dying in such an awesome way! I'll just let you go now!'' The Murderous Fiend released her grip on his shoulders allowing the wounded man to drop to the ground, a hoarse scream of agony escaping his lips as he slipped to the ground. Jack turned to Makoto and the two other girls by his side. She knelt down next to Junko and untied her hands. Junko immediately made her way to her feet, seemingly unfazed by being nude from the waist down (save her left boot). She picked up her clothing and went to the corner of the room to get changed. She still had the tape over her mouth, which made her just as silent as the rest of the group who, save for Jack's soft humming, had gone about their respective business in an attempt to ignore the pained noises from the seemingly harmless man resting with a whole in the stomach by the barricade.
Kyoko and Hina went about making Makoto as comfortable as possible, propping him up on a bag and giving him some water. Makoto would be subject to disinfectant in a few minutes time when his laboured, panicked breathing calmed. Junko stayed in the corner of the room and Byakuya noticed that even with her hands free, she made no move to remove her gag or attempt to find the gun that had been lost in the commotion. Jack had been staring out the window, the sun now high enough to justify it to be morning. She sneezed. When she turned to the rest of the Ultimates, her eyes widened and she began hyperventilating. ''She g-got out ag-again didn't she? I'm sorry M-Master, I didn't mean to, I swear I didn't want to let her out again!'' Byakuya walked over to her and dragged her through the gap in the barricade the intruder had somehow made during the early hours. They returned about three minutes late, a huge blush accompanying the wide grin on Toko's face. ''So I was helpful…'' She mumbled disturbingly to herself. Byakuya knelt down next to the wounded man and began to search his pockets. ''What is your name, heathen?'' He demanded dryly. ''As if… you'll live long enough to remember it, rich boy.'' The distinctive flick of a switchblade met his ears, and he had little time to react to an attack from the critically injured man. Luckily, he didn't need to react.
A whizzing noise raced by his head, an arrow almost splitting the man's head in two. Byakuya launched himself backwards onto his rear, spinning his head in the direction where he assumed it to have come from. Despite the sun being high enough to see the majority of the street, a figure stood in the darkness of an alleyway, the glint of steel on a bow and the shine of formal shoes being the only visible trait they had. Those who were tall enough to meet the figure's eyeline stared at him while Makoto and Hina stayed below the height of the table barricade. The figure walked backwards further into the shadows, disappearing from sight. ''Relax, everyone. I think we may have found an ally.'' Byakuya said confidently, but with a trace of scepticism behind his words. Byakuya saw the gun underneath the leg of the corpse that sat on the far-left wall. ''Does anyone hear have any experience with firearms?'' Kyoko stood sharply, an stretched an open hand. ''My grandfather taught me when I was younger, I carried one occasionally during my detective career.'' The Progeny looked around the room for any others with experience but found a series of empty looks. ''So be it.'' He tossed the gun to the Sleuth and turned to pick up the knife that may have been his murder weapon moments prior. When he looked back at the small huddle, he found that the Ultimate Hope was slowly making his way to his feet. ''I'd like everyone to get their bags and stuff together, we're leaving.'' The Luckster said through gritted teeth. ''I'll carry your bags for ya Makoto!'' Yasuhiro exclaimed as he rushed over to Makoto's bags on the opposite end of the room from the body. ''At least let me carry one as well, dummy!' Hina yelled as she jogged over to The Shaman. ''Thanks guys…'' Makoto muttered under his breath as the rest of the group went about packing up their things.
Junko strolled over to Makoto and grabbed him by the hand. Makoto attempted to protest, but Junko's grip was too strong as she dragged him over to the corpse. She pulled the arrow out it and handed it to Makoto. ''You want me to use it as a weapon?'' He asked slowly as he raised an eyebrow. Junko rolled her eyes and huffed as well aa she could with her mouth covered. She pointed to the shaft of the arrow, which had writing on it that he hadn't seen during his quick inspection. ''Travel north if you want your 'salvation'''. Makoto read aloud. He eyed Junko again. ''This the place you spoke about in the last class trial?'' The Mastermind nodded. Makoto stared at her for a moment, before putting his hand on her cheek. Junko's eyes widened for a split second, before she felt a tug at her skin. The short boy rolled the piece of tape into a ball and threw to the floor, wincing as the sudden movement hurt his shoulder.
''What one earth are you doing?'' Byakuya questioned from across the room. ''Do I have to remind you that she is a criminal mastermind?!'' He shouted at the pair. ''Exactly'' Makoto retorted. ''If she is as much of a genius as we all know her to be, then not only would she have already escaped, but she could be extremely useful to us, no?'' ''I agree. If she is the Ultimate Analyst as she claimed to be during the final trial, then she could even predict things that Yasuhiro couldn't.'' Kyoko explained mater-of-factly. ''Do none of you see the dangers of allowing a maniac who caused the destruction of the world and society as we know to roam free amongst us, some of the last healthy humans left on the face of the Earth?'' The rest of the teen prodigies stayed silent, unsure of what side they should be on. ''Why don't we let her 'loose' for a little while to see what she can do for us, huh?'' Hiro asked after a few seconds of considerate silence throughout the group. The rest of the group shrugged their shoulders or stayed quiet, or in the eyes of Byakuya, went against him. The Heir sighed.
''If she kills all of us in our sleep, you'll regret trusting her so blindly.'' He added in frustration as he opened the gap in the barricade once more and began his journey north. Toko immediately began as soon as she saw his exit, spurring the Swimmer and Fortune Teller to join her. Kyoko checked the barrel of the revolver as she walked out, pulling her backpack onto her shoulders as she did so. ''Thanks for helping me out there hope boy.'' Junko whispered seductively as she rested her chin on his good shoulder. ''I am very appreciative.'' Makoto exhaled slowly. ''If you are that appreciative, you can help me put on the rest of these bandages as we walk.'' He said, voice lacking any emotion that Junko may have been searching for with her attempt at sex appeal. He threw her a small roll of bandages, and began to walk over to Kyoko, who's heels he could see on the other side of the barriers frame. She regarded the corpse a final time, before she and Makoto left Monokuma's master in the room alone. Junko giggled gleefully as she began her journey too, a small blush donned on her face. ''I'll make you fall into despair one of these days, lover boy.''
