Defy
Chapter 19
Author Notes: I have returned-with another chapter! Before we start I just want to say thank you to all who have kept up with the story. I haven't done any shout outs or anything but i did want to let people know how grateful I am for them checking this story out. So...thank you lol. I do not own Nanbaka.
3rd P.O.V
Time passed, things had quieted down though Aki never let herself lower her defenses. After that night with her heart to heart talk with the guys, she found herself finding hope once more.
And with it came newfound strength and resolve. Third time was not going to be the charm for Elf, no matter what she was going to ensure that she and her friends survived.
"The game room is finally ready-woohoo! Come on Jyugo~" Nico pulled her with him, all but dragging her, much to everyone's amusement. "Last one there's a rotten egg~" There were a lot of things she found herself thinking about, and with the downtime it left her the opportunity to really self reflect.
Her mask was still totally shattered into pieces, and over time she found herself accepting it with no intention of trying to fix it. Though her fellow escape artists still called her Jyugo even when they were alone.
"We met you as Jyugo, so that's what we'll call you."
"Aki's a pretty name, but we like Jyugo better!"
"Like I said before, it doesn't matter who you are, you're important to us. When this is all over, I'll call you by your true name, and show you off to the world~"
That last statement of course came from Uno the idiot. He made her blush horribly as he held an arm around her shoulders, causing their friends to cat call them. She found his gesture and promise rather touching. She was still embarrassed over the memory. "Hey."
Although with Uno being more vocal to the group about his relationship with her brought forth a new obstacle. Mainly the fact that Zen was taking his role as big brother with gusto, intimidating the boys(Uno most definitely) with his wicked grin.
"I understand that Aki can make decisions for herself and I approve of your relationship...but I will tell you this. Should you do anything to hurt her...anyone ever hurt her, even accidentally-I will drag your ass to the depths of hell for all eternity."
No one wanted to cross paths with him, and Uno especially was nervous as he swore he would never do such a thing. Though Musashi backed down, satisfied with the gambler's answer, he still kept a watchful ear out for the two.
It was a day neither her or Zen thought they'd live to see. "Ugh what are you doing here?" Honey scowled seeing the group enter the game room, already he had started playing with the dart game set up.
"This is an interesting sight to see." Trois smiled as he raised a hand, giving a small wave before returning to his match with Qi. Gasping, Nico lets go of his poor female victim only to rush for Upa, squeezing him tight. "Master~" Huffing Aki straightened herself, unable to hold back a chuckle.
Her laughter increasing as Rock and Uno jumps onto the dance dance revolution machine, doing goofy looking moves while trying to imitate the ai dancers on the screen. "Best play while you have the chance Jyugo." Musashi ruffles her hair before taking a seat on the couch.
With his lack of sight he decided to forgo on the games, especially since he wasn't too big a fan of them anyways. Instead he brought a book in Braille for him to read. His sister shuffles closer to him, and she fidgets.
"But I don't know how to play any of these." The tanned man had an easy solution to his little sister's problem. "Hey Uno, Jyugo's never played pool! Mind showing him the ropes?" Aki stared at Musashi in horror, how could he do this to her!?
Not even a second after he uttered that statement arms wrapped around her waist, making her squeak in surprise. "No problem~" Musashi waved the two away, hearing dramatic, menacing laughter coming from Uno before he went back to his book.
He didn't have a care in the world. "Damn you Musashi." Said boy grinned all the more hearing her scalding whisper as her boyfriend took her to the pool table. It was perfect timing too as Trois had just finished his game against Qi.
"Now here's the deal, we each got a pool stick that we hit this white ball..." Aki frowns, trying to understand the rules, and Uno is patient, demonstrating how to play. Trois pitches in as well, a curious expression in his eyes.
There was a change in Jyugo he could see, but couldn't quite grasp. In general he liked the raven haired boy, and didn't mind helping to teach him. Completely unaware of the fact that he was a she and that Uno was dating her.
It was some of those reasons that prevented Uno from snapping his stick in half from jealousy. His grin was tight, but he didn't try to separate the frenchman from his girlfriend.
Jyugo was her own person, free to friend and talk to anyone she liked, even if he was jealous he had no right to boss her around or control her social circle. Not only was it not a becoming trait of a gentleman, but it would make him no worse then Elf.
And that would be the worst thing he could ever do to her. So he laughed and smiled, no matter how forced it seemed with the mental note to harass Hajime for that special date night he wanted to do.
The girl deserved a date worry free, and he was determined to give it to her. "Heyyy Number 15~" Aki flinched as she scratched her white ball, pouting due to Mitsuru distracting her.
"Dammit." The childish man approached her and immediately Uno and her were suspicious. She had admitted to him that Mitsuru reminded her so much of her father, and that meant she could easily see the signs of trouble. "What are you up to?"
He had the nerve to clench his chest, as if hurt from her question. "Ohh don't be like that Number 15~ I've come so I can give you the medicine the good ole doctor gave me." She groans, leaning against her stick as she remembered the old man mentioning something of the sort.
Cursing her fate. Of all people she knows why Mitsuru? With his teasing comments and big fat mouth came unwanted trouble. "Medicine?" And really unwanted attention as Uno narrowed his eyes on her, though she refused to face him.
"Number 15's injuries though are healing are always at the risk of reopening or getting infected so he's been visiting the doc so he can apply a special cream to help with the healing process, until the stitches come out and burns go away." Trois was blinking, looking at the shorter boy in a new light.
Frowning at the information given. "You're still recovering from your wounds from the tournament Jyugo?" She nodded, though it wasn't technically true. Her bullet wound had closed ages ago, but she was still undergoing treatment for the 1st and 2nd degree burns that plagued her skin.
Nowhere near as bad as the stitches that was sewn into the still tender flesh from Elf's recent assault, but it helped with her cover story. No one minus her group were aware of her attack during the lockdown. So she shrugs, giving a sheepish grin, folding her scarred hands behind her back.
"Been a slow process." The perverted ladies' man nodded in understanding before taking his turn in the game, angling his stick into proper position. Meanwhile Mitsuru was whispering into Uno's ear, making small gestures with his hands.
Aki tried to continue focusing on the game between her and Trois, but in the end she sucked, had terrible luck and was wondering what the hell those two menaces were talking about. "And that's game Jyugo. You lose."
She swore, scratching her hair. She just had to hit the dumb eight ball into the slot, giving her an instant game over. "Maannn." Admitting defeat she thanks the pretty boy for the match.
It was fun even if she did suck. "My pleasure." Suddenly Aki felt a familiar arm wrap around her waist, pulling her close. "Aww too bad Jyugo! Better luck next time~ Still it was good timing since Mitsuru wants you to take the medicine." Sighing she relents, waving bye to everyone as she follows after the guard.
Uno surprisingly step by step behind her. "And why are you coming mister?" He gives her a small smirk. "Figured I'd help keep Mitsuru out of mischief, not to mention..." He pauses his sentence to take ahold of her hand. "It gives me the chance to do this."
Said guard huffs, slightly offended. "If it's anyone who should be kept out of trouble Number 11, it's you." The two men start a banter war, all good fun as they lead her back to their cell, leaving her standing in front of the bars with furrowed bars.
"I thought we were going to see Dr. Otogi?" In a flash Mitsuru tosses something to Uno who easily catches a small tube, her ointment to aid her still recovering wounds. "Be good kids~" Whistling a happy tune he stalks off, leaving the teens on their own for some privacy time.
Of course he kept his gaze beneath his sun glasses open, he wouldn't leave them entirely on their own, especially with Elf still lingering around somewhere, but he felt those two deserved some quality time together.
He could only hope the others don't find out about this, or he's screwed. "So with the medicine Otogi told Mitsuru that you don't need to see him as often with your injuries unless something goes wrong, and wanted this applied twice a day."
With that knowledge came the understanding that Uno was here to help with the application process, and it made her blush. Mitsuru the bastard was playing matchmaker as it dawns that she's finally alone with her boyfriend, who was doing his best not to make this awkward.
Or at least anymore awkward as it already was. Just like any other day she was wearing her one piece stripe jumper. So if Uno was going to rub the cream, she had to strip. "Uno?" As if she couldn't blush any worse her mind loved to prove her wrong. "Way ahead of you." His back was already facing her.
Giving her the chance to take off her clothes. "You know you don't have to do this. I can manage fine on my own when it comes to this." Yawning slightly Uno stretches, cracking his back slightly. "But I wanted to. I haven't been a good boyfriend lately."
In her eyes that wasn't true, and as she slipped her arms from the tight sleeves she vocalizes her thoughts. "A bad boyfriend wouldn't think twice before trying to sneak a hug or ask permission to give me a kiss on the cheek. Let alone stay with said broken girlfriend that's been raped and nearly killed." Uno wasn't Elf.
A fact she knew just like she knew the differences between night and day. She could make an entire list of things she loved about Uno and how he wasn't like her ex. He thought she didn't notice those moments where he grabbed her. His hesitance was barely noticeable. But she saw the differences, she felt it.
"You're not broken. You've been hurt, and mistreated terribly, but not broken." She closed her eyes, smiling to herself as she sat down. Soaking in his confident statement, as if it was an obvious answer. "Ok, i'm set."
Given permission, he once more faces her, finding himself blushing and chuckling as he takes in her appearance. "What?!" He couldn't help but laugh harder, seeing Aki with her bandages reminded him of a mummy from one of those movies Nico had them watch awhile ago.
Looking at her was like looking at an anime girl come to life. "Sorry sorry." He lived to tease her, she was just too cute. "Let's just get this done and over with!" Grumbling under her breath over her boyfriend's idiocy she starts unbinding the gauze around her shoulder.
To be continued
Author Notes: So the original chapter got waaayyyy too long, so this is getting cut up, so we got a two for one deal~ I'll have to edit the second part a tad so that it makes sense in the beginning.
We'll see what happens next time with our adorable couple~ Guys if you like this series so far please feel free to fav/follow/review as I love this story way too much and appreciate the fact that others like it too~ See ya next time-tchao for now~