Defy

Chapter 18

Author Notes: We're back folks...i wanted to upload this sooner in the week but i've been sick(so apologies for that) Now things have been rough, we're in desperate need of peace and serenity...I don't own Nanbaka.

3rd P.O.V

The calm before the storm was taking place at Nanba. Much like both times before Elf was gone, vanished with no trace of his presence despite the hard efforts of the guards patrolling the area.

Momoko knew that he was still lurking in the shadows, playing the waiting game. This time however she would take no chances or miscalculate. Elf will be in her custody no matter what! She could only pray that there were no more casualties.

"Momo. Kenshirou and Hajime are escorting their prisoners to their new cell." Mitsuru handed her the papers she needed to sign, and other reports that desperately needed to be looked over.

It was going to be a long day, as she also had to call Seitarous' family and deliver the bad news. "Good, I expect Aki is still unresponsive?" Her co-worker grimaced, confirming her assumption.

She knew this was going to happen, as this has happened twice before. "Yeah, she's barely spoken since waking up. Hopefully the boys will be able to cheer her up." The warden hoped for the same thing.

Though...if it were Momoko in Aki's shoes, she probably would never feel better. She would more than likely remain a scared, paranoid mess until Elf was caught for good. The older woman couldn't help but respect the girl, she was nearly half her age yet she kept going despite the hardships she was dealing with.

Still there was only so much trauma one could endure, and Momoko was finding herself worrying that maybe Aki's finally reached her limits. She was so young and carried such heavy burdens. "Stay strong Aki...you have to."

Meanwhile...

"Wow look how spacious it is!" They were trying way too hard. "Ohhh I claim this spot~" She tried to muster a smile, for them if not for herself. "Give me back my plushy!" But she just didn't have the heart for it.

Musashi ruffled her hair, giving her an understanding smile before going in, setting up his futon. "We will be picking you up for dinner within an hour or so." Everyone nods towards the two supervisors, Rock especially looking forward to eating.

Kenshirou walks off, eager to get as much work as he possibly can get done within the time limit. But Hajime stayed in front of their cell a tad longer. "Brat." Blinking, Aki looks up, barely prepared to catch the bag that her guard threw.

"Huh?" Without giving any sort of explanation Hajime stalks off, leaving her and her cellmates confused. "Cat treats? What on earth are you gonna do with those?" Realization came within an instant, and with a small ember of warmth she manages her smile. She would have to remember to thank Hajime later.

Though everyone is still not quite understanding they see her shuffle closer towards the bars. Keeping her gaze low to the ground, she shakes the bag of goodies. "Kuu." Everyone(minus her brother) watches as a tiny black cat comes strutting in through the rather thick opening. "Aww what a cute kitty~"

Nico goes to his knees, cooing as the furball approaches Aki, nudging the girl to go on her knees as well. Immediately the hat wearing cat rubs his head all over Aki's palm, purring in affection.

"This is Kuu. Hajime's cat." A meow rings through as Aki introduces her friends to the little bundle of fluff. "Look they got matching scars." Rock snorts as Nico tries grabbing their newest friend. It becoming a small game of cat and mouse. Or in this case human and cat. "How'd you meet him?"

Musashi sits on his futon and pillows, he couldn't see his sister's reaction. But he could hear the soft underlay in her tone. "Back before you all arrived I escaped even more than I do now. Often times Kuu would find me, keeping me company until Hajime arrived to drag me back." She cared for Kuu a lot.

And it made perfect sense to him, Aki had always wanted a pet when they were kids. Though Jun had terrible allergies, and the apartment they lived in Tokyo had a no pet's policy. "Come here Kuu- let me pet you toooo~" Of course Aki would seek companionship.

"I'm surprised, the man seems rather cold. Especially to you little sister." Uno nodded, agreeing 100 percent with the the blind criminal. Hajime always was so harsh to Aki, and it made him curious. "Hajime knew the truth from the beginning right? How come he was so mean to you?"

Uno has tried to read the relationship between Aki and Hajime for ages now, but he still couldn't figure out what was going on. The bald man was an asshole, insulting her and not hesitating for a minute to give her a smack on the head.

Her body language was calm as she saw Nico try to get ahold of the pet guard using the abandoned cat treats. "He's a good guy. If Zen is the dotting, protective older brother, Hajime is the stern, protective dad or uncle. He cares, but he couldn't show any favoritism to me or risk Elf finding me out." Plus Hajime didn't really do affections.

The guy was a strong, disciplined supervisor of Nanba prison, the roles her and he played couldn't allow any sort of familial attachments anyways. Still that didn't mean he didn't care. He was the kind of person to prefer letting his fists and actions do all the talking for him.

With all the recent chaos, she wished she could piss him off like she used to, actually missing him smacking her upside the head for her stupidity. Hesitatingly she reached a hand up to her scalp, feeling disappointed when she couldn't feel any lumps.

"I know I've caused him a lot of grief. I'm sure if he still had hair it would turn white with all the stress." She had tried to keep her voice upbeat. "Jyugo..." However they could all see through her false cheer, she couldn't mask the guilt she had.

Her fingers absently continue to stroke Kuu as she thought...there was something she had to say to them. "Hey Uno? You remember when you asked me who it was I promised to keep my gender a secret?"

The british man blinks for a moment before nodding. Personally he hadn't thought much about that particular detail, of course he had assumed Aki had promised the warden. "Yeah why?" His girlfriend nibbles on her lip, contemplating a bit longer, she had to strengthen her resolve.

His mouth parts, understanding now that much like the girl herself, the explanation was more complicated then he originally believed. "Well... technically everyone involved believed that it was a secret that needed to stay hidden but originally that person was me. After Zen lost his eyesight-" Her cat companion meows as her hand stills.

Phantom images blurred with her reality as she recalled that horrific scene. "Jyugo? What's-?" Shaking her head she willed the memories away, she had to do this. "...I realized how weak I was. Jyugo and Aki were both useless against Elf as despite it all he was still able to find me."

Sure he didn't know who she was at the time, but it was terrifying nonetheless as she watched her psycho fiance try to kill her brother. She had been frozen in fear, unable to even look away as he slashed as Zen.

"It hit me that no matter what I was only living on borrowed time. And though I figured only Zen would care when I eventually kicked a bucket I was scared that I would forget the position I was in." Her free arm lifted up in the air.

She twists it slightly, allowing the heavy shackle resting against her wrist to shine in the light. Her expression bitter as she kept talking. "I didn't want anyone getting hurt or dying because of me, at the time I thought a physical reminder would ensure I wouldn't let anyone in again."

What a fool she was, the damn chains were useless in keeping her vigilant. "Of course it didn't matter, I made the same damn mistakes I made as a child." Sorrow glazed over her two different colored eyes. Her furry friend meowed, sensing her distress and hopped onto her knees.

Planting his paws on her chest so he could nuzzle her chin. She gave him loving strokes down his back, grateful for his comfort. "And now because of me, Seitarou is dead and all of you are in a mess I can't ever hope to clean up." A scratchy tongued licked her now falling tears. The boys weren't sure what to do.

"Sister..." Quickly she wiped them away, jostling Kuu in the process. All of her companions stared at her stunned, unable to respond as she turned her body around to face them.

Still on her knees she lowered her head towards her makeshift family, her head gently landing on the floor. "I'm sorry. For everything." There was silence as she kept her head bowed to the ground.

It was ok if they never forgave her for the danger she had forced them in. Actually it was probably better if that happened in the long run, since it would mean Elf would have no desire to hurt them.

If they decided to walk out on her she would let them, without hesitation. That didn't stop the stinging sensation in her heart over the thought of losing them however. "Raise your head moron."

Uno's blue eyes were waiting for her as she did as told. He had moved, nearly inches away, so clearly she could see the love and concern over her in them. He cupped her cheek, his warmth seeping into her skin.

"It's ok." Bringing tears to fall down once more. Rock piped up from behind the couple, his words representing them as a whole. "None of this is your fault, and even if it was we're not going to let you deal with this by yourself." Nico came up from behind, encircling his arms around the girls waist.

His already loud voice screaming into her ear. "Yeah! We're your friends Jyugo! Or-wait...would you prefer to be called Aki or Jyugo? No offense but it's getting confusing." A watery laugh breaks through her sobs. "You idiots. You should just stay away."

Her three friends reach for the crying girl, holding her close. "Group hug!" She nestled into their embrace, craving the touch. Even Musashi joins in, bloody tears falling down from his blindfold.

Up until now he hadn't truly grasped the pain his sister in all but blood had undergone. And it left him ashamed, knowing he was so useless. "Shut up Zen, if it wasn't for you I wouldn't be here right now." Of course the two sobbing siblings argued over his statement.

Both being stubborn, closer than ever before. Things were finally starting to look up for her, and she relished the people in her life. Holding all of them close with a strength none of them though they had.

"Bout damn time she got her shit together." Kenshirou and Hajime were listening to the teens chatter. Or more like Kenshirou was listening in as Hajime smoked a cigarette, allowing a small smile to form.

The scarred man receives a look from his co-worker but says nothing as Kuu sneaks back out, meowing. "You know pets aren't allowed in Nanba Prison." Kenshirou narrowed his eyes in suspicion seeing Hajime's now widening grin. "If that's so then why are you here dog boy? Good job Kuu."

A blush forms on the ex police officer's face, insulted with the rude statement. He was a dog trainer and an ex officer of the canine division but he wasn't an actual dog! Not caring for Kenshirou's offended expression, building 13's supervisor extinguishes his cigarette.

It really hasn't been that long since they left the kids, but he figured he had given the brats enough time to sort things out. "Alright line up!" Kuu had done his job acting as an anchor for Aki to pick herself back up. Now it was Hajime's turn. And his job was to make sure that Elf is no longer able to hurt Aki...no matter what.

To be continued

Author Notes: Ohhhh i'm annoyed! I had to rewrite a good portion of this chapter due to an accidental misclick before I was able to save. Yes I finished but it's not what I originally wrote, this was the best i could do from memory so I'm sorry if it sounds off.

Sigh ce la vi! Thanks for reading everybody, if you like this series and want to show some support please feel free to fav/follow/review as it always means so much to me! See you all next time. tchao for now~