AN: Hello again! I've been trying to make chapters longer as I progress, there's just so much that I think of whilst writing, and its usually stuff that isn't in my original drafts. Hopefully people like longer reads, I'll try to cut down if it's not preferable. Enjoy!
Makoto noticed that Junko was constantly adjusting her walking speed to be directly to his right during their pilgrimage to the 'salvation' she had spoken about. Kyoko was to his left at most times, less than happy that Makoto had to cease conversation when the Fashionista came within earshot. Byakuya led the group this time, never turning back except to check on Junko's behaviour. His face was often a frown or a disgruntled expression, but even the less observant amongst the class noted that his face was contorted into a scowl. Even Toko, who often found herself talking at him even when he was angrier than usual held back to a few meters behind him. Asahina and Yasuhiro, the two Byakuya had often described as 'the dimwits', were deep in conversation about what they thought their old neighbourhoods looked like. Both of them attempted to be optimistic but knew that the likelihood of anyone they use to know being alive was very slim. Makoto piped up with a small speech that revitalised the conversation, but this time about what they remembered of their family and the positive memories they had. The Ultimate Hope noticed that Junko was barely able to keep herself from making a derogatory or depressing comment, so he made eye contact with her specifically and slowly shook his head. She seemed to get the message and chose instead to pester Makoto and Kyoko for the remainder of the short journey.
''Hey Makoto?'' She asked with the largest puppy eyes she could muster. ''Do you think I'm attractive?'' She said with a devilish grin. Makoto stayed facing forward but adjusted his eyes to look at Kyoko. She had her usual stoic expression, but the slant of her eyebrows was a big enough tell that she was eagerly awaiting his response to the question. He turned to meet Junko's gaze. ''Physically, yes. In terms of your personality, far from it. I would go so far as to say that it's difficult to be attracted to you due to your clear insanity.'' Junko smiled brightly. ''That means I just have to change myself, or…'' She closed the already miniscule gap between them and pinched his cheek. ''I just have to change you.'' She said the last part with incredible innocence, but Makoto knew that her methods would be less than humane. He chose to remain silent and reached outward slipping his hand into Kyoko's gloved one once again. He gave her hand a similar reassuring squeeze as he had the night before and she gave him a soft smile. He returned one of his own, much to the amusement of The Mastermind, who giggled inwardly.
The Ultimates had been walking 'north' for about 45 minutes, and after several detours around roadblocks and overturned vehicles, they came across another arrow. It was embedded in the roof of a car, which was on stacked at the top of a wall of crushed cars. ''Guess that's a sign to start climbin', huh?'' Yasuhiro suggested, putting his foot into a small crevice along the wall in preparation to climb. ''You cannot be so stupid as to scale a wall without checking if there is a way around?'' Byakuya asked condescendingly. Hiro immediately regained his footing and rubbed the back of his head. ''I guess we should check…'' He offered sheepishly. ''Okay, then we'll split into two pairs and a three and check along this stretch for another road heading the same way.'' The groups were obvious, Junko with the Detective and Luckster, the 'dimwits' formed a pair as did the two glasses wearers. They began to search the surrounding streets for any route in, only to find near identical walls, however they lacked the lone arrow they had discovered on the first obstruction. The group returned to this first wall after what they assumed to be 30 minutes, but they lacked a watch or clock to observe the passing of time efficiently. ''Well then'' Byakuya said after confirming that there were no other entry points. ''I suppose we'd best begin our ascent.''
It came as no surprise to the teens that Hina, who had been starved of almost all sport since their time in the academy, was pumped for an activity that required physical activity. The wall was barely wide enough for all of them to begin climbing at the same time, but Makoto had suggested that they do so to avoid being separated. The wall was not difficult to climb, it was almost as if someone had made spaces that could support hands and feet. Makoto, to the surprise of himself and the other reached the top first and stood shakily. He jumped down to the ground, which he instantly regretted as he felt he landed on his back. He screamed as he contacted the asphalt. The bullet wound in his shoulder was practically begging not to undergo anymore stress or pain and he had severely aggravated it. With his eyes squeezed shut, it was difficult to determine who's hands were pulling him to his feet. When the pain subsided slightly, he opened his eyes to see Junko. He furrowed his brow in confusion and he was tempted to question her until he saw that she was looking straight past him, her face devoid of all emotion. He spun his head enough to see behind him. A pack of rabid dogs were at the opposite end of the street, many of them on their haunches and snarling. ''Run, you imbeciles!'' Byakuya yelled from his position with the other on top of the wall. They didn't need to be told twice.
Junko grabbed Makoto's hand and began to run, pulling him into a department store, or at least the remains of one. He didn't know where she was leading him, but he wasn't really bothered as long as it meant escaping the rabid mutts were chasing them. Despite their head start on the canines, they were already a few metres behind, much to Makoto's annoyance, though not to his surprise: he was extremely injured and running like a zombie. They had managed to get some leeway by snaking in and out of various isles, but the store only had one door at first glance, so they would have to leave the way they had entered. Junko had dragged Makoto into the changing rooms and hid in one of the stalls. Luckily, the layout of the store meant that not only was each individual stall large enough for two people, but the changing room was only about a ten second sprint from the door. However, a ten second sprint for a human, is likely 3 seconds for a dog starting in roughly the same position. Junko didn't bother speaking and Makoto didn't really want to interrupt her. She was staring very hard, her mouth making obvious syllables but no sound coming out. He assumed that she was using her Ultimate Analyst talent, so he chose to try analysing the situation for himself. The two stayed silent for quite a while, attempting to use logic to escape their situation.
After several minutes Junko stopped talking to herself and looked Makoto straight in the eye. She gave him her infamous grin, in what he assumed to be reassurance. It wasn't. She grabbed him by the shoulders and threw him out the stall door, knocking him into one of the few remaining metal shelves. This in turn fell onto the next, which fell into the next and so on. Several dogs were crushed (not fatally Makoto hoped) and many more were blocked by the new barrier. He realised Junko's plan; use his luck to their advantage. He wasn't too happy about the possibility of his death or the newly renewed pain in his shoulder, but he chose not to whine as it had given them a lifeline.
The Mastermind jogged over and pulled him up, and they made their way out the door onto the road where the wall with their group stood. They were going to climb up the wall but noticed that this side was covered in barbed wire. Byakuya informed them that they were trying to release Genocide Jack to protect them, but Toko didn't have a painless way of rendering herself unconscious. The dogs ran back out of the store and began to encircle the Ultimate Hope and Ultimate Despair. The plan in the store had clearly worked in some regards, as the pack's numbers were reduced. The Luckster had counted 9 when they first spotted them, but there were only five now. This was still enough to kill them or cause any other variation of painful experience. He looked up the wall once again. Kyoko and Aoi were nowhere to be seen, and the Heir and The Author were trying desperately to make the latter sneeze. Yasuhiro looked on in awe, and Makoto was surprised to discover that he wasn't looking at them. ''HEY!'' The Fortune Teller screamed in desperation. ''Help them please!''
Makoto turned a full 360, searching for the source of Hiro's outcry. He eventually found it in the direction he was initially facing. A black and silver blur was practically already upon them, rushing from dog to dog, even beheading one that had jumped up to Makoto whilst he was distracted. The sheer force of the blur knocked Makoto and Junko onto their rears. They continued slicing through their animal attackers, the red eyes of their saviour the only discernible thing about them as they came to a stop. The carnage of the assault was all around them, canine corpses littering the street. The crimson eyes stood out from under the cloak that the figure wore, but the entire face was made visible when they pulled down the hood. Makoto then noticed that the person before them only had one arm, with the other being a stub from a point that was south of the elbow about an inch or two. ''O.M.G!'' Junko screamed gleefully. ''What happened to you arm, stubby?'' The figure ignored the comment and raised their sword to the Fashionista's throat. ''I don't need two arms to survive.'' She said confidently. ''I'm the Ultimate Swordswoman.''
