Before the leaving the house, we tried to fix all the glaring injuries and such like the large cut above Mondo's eye. Leon didn't seem too pleased about having more of his clothing being used for impromptu medical supplies, as Hina used his jacket sleeves to make a makeshift bandage. Now that I didn't have any adrenalin pumping through me, I could really feel how sore I actually was. My shoulder was pretty much in perpetual pain, as well as the spear wound I suffered back at the academy. With no medicine I had to, unfortunately, just live with it. Once we were all ready to get going, we set off down the road, myself leading while Mukuro insisted on navigating. We started off at a brisk walking pace, full of vigour and enthusiasm. However, that enthusiasm was short lived as our marching slowly turned into a slow and arduous slog. The long and boring country roads seemed to stretch on forever, only to chain into large inclines then declines. It didn't help that the sun was being particularly merciless. Soon enough, I began to flag just a little and let Mukuro power on ahead at the point of our messy formation. After what felt like more than just half an hour, we breached the top of a steep hill to be greeted by a town in the valley below.

Mukuro looked down at the map, before looking back up and pointing down into the valley.

"That's our destination"

"Finally…" Huffed Hagakure as he tiredly staggered up the hill.

"How are you already knackered?" Oowada said as he watched the shaman struggle to the top.

"Hey… respect your elder… dude" Hiro retorted between exasperated breaths.

"Pft… Whatever dude" Mondo shrugged.

I shaded my eyes from the bright sun to gaze on the town below. There was one large road that seemed to run straight through the centre of town. In the middle of the main road was a circular hub with some building or monument in the middle, smaller streets branching off from the centre. On the outskirts seemed to be the more industrial area, with old looking factories set in even older looking courtyards. While taking one more sweeping look at the valley and the town below, I noticed a small building on the right side of the valley.

"A cabin maybe...?"

This building, whatever it may be, had a small trail that lead right down to the town. I was so engrossed in probing the area for its secrets that I failed to notice Mukuro slide up next to me in almost silence until she opened her mouth.

"Plan of action?"

"I've got a plan, kind of" I Responded "I don't think going right into the town from the main road would be a good idea, too exposed and we don't know what could be waiting in ambush"

The soldier nodded in agreement.

"So I was thinking we could maybe go to that hut right there" I said as I pointed up at the rocky side of the valley. "Then swing down from there, right into the town, via that dirt track. Thoughts?"

"I'm willing to trust your judgement, you haven't screwed up yet" She voiced while turning her head to the side to look at me, a wry smile adorning her lips.

I rubbed my neck awkwardly in embarrassment, trying my very best not the blush.

"Well there was the whole bridge fiasco this morning"

The girl shrugged.

"Well I don't think any of us saw that coming, not even Kirigiri"

"Well I'll try not to screw up and disappoint you from now on then..."

Turns out my attempts to not blush was in vain as I felt my cheeks fire up slightly. The soldier, who was apparently trying her best to not look at me wasn't faring much better.

"W-Well make sure you don't" The soldier replied, voice quavering slightly.

I nodded, feeling quite self-conscious due the burning coming from my cheeks. I turned and headed back down a little to the group.

"Alright guys, we still have a hike ahead of us" I said, knowing full well what the resounding response would be anything but positive.

Mondo grunted, Kyoko sighed, Hiro cried a little and Hina seemed a little too excited for her own good. Again, we marched, but this time on loose rocks and shale which only served to exacerbate the journey. On the positive side of things, the view from the path was beautiful. The town nestled into the basin of the valley, its sprawling shape just peeking out of the canopy of trees that sat on the incline itself. Another positive was the fact that the sun was being partially impeded by a spattering of clouds, not so much that the sky was overcast and dreary but enough so that we weren't being pelted by sun light all the time anymore. I was interrupted from my sight-seeing when I felt someone tap my shoulder.

"Hey Naegi, you said you wanted to talk to me" Hina piped up from behind me.

"Oh yeah, sorry Hina, I guess i forgot" I responded with a bashful grin. "Got a lot of things on my mind"

The swimmer giggled a little, a sound that could make the most serious of people crack at least a small smile.

"Not surprising, you've got a lot on your plate"

"We all do" I shrugged, as I continued up the hill. "So how do you feel about the whole Ishimaru thing?"

"Eh, what do you mean?"

"Well you did really well" I enthused. "I was just wondering if you felt comfortable"

"Y-Yeah think so" She answered.

"After what happened I've been thinking about something…" I looked at my walking companion, looking for approval to speak my mind.

"Go ahead" She nodded.

"W-Well…Uhh…" I murmured.

"Spit it out Naegi…"

I paused to gain some composure and clear my throat

"Well, as much as I want to avoid it, people are going to get hurt…I'll try to minimize risk but even so, i don't think we can completely avoid it. With that in mind, I was wondering if you could be the group's medic. O-Only if you're comfortable with it, please don't feel like you're obliged to say yes or anything"

Hina smiled as she heard me descend into some babbling about how she shouldn't feel pressured into it. The brunette gave my arm a gentle tug to get me to stop talking.

"Why were you so awkward asking me" She inquired, knowing all too well that there was something up.

"I-I don't know…" I muttered "I guess… I just feel bad for asking"

"How so?"

I rubbed my neck awkwardly. "I dunno, I suppose I feel as though I should be taking responsibility for it"

The only respond was a jab to the arm and I rather pissed-of looking Hina, completely opposite to how she was literally thirty seconds ago.

"Wha-?" I managed to utter before getting jabbed a second time, this time the shot connected right to my midriff.

"Don't be so selfish Naegi" She huffed with a pout.

"I-Im not being selfish" I stammered back, trying to rub away the pain from my stomach. Boy did she have a punch on her, even if it was just a light one. "I-It's just dangerous you know? Also…I feel like I need to prove myself to you guys" I confessed.

"Naegi…" She sighed "you can't do everything yourself you know"

"I know that bu- " I tried to rebuttal. I was already quite aware of the fact that I still had quite a few chinks in my armour but I guess I was just scared of seeming weak. How could the group believe in someone that they perceived as undependable or even fragile?

"Shh, Hina's talking now" She hushed with a dismissive wave. "I get that you want to prove yourself but you gotta see that we want to help you. We don't expect you do to everything yourself, you're not weak for letting people help you Naegi. The best leaders know how to delegate"

I looked at the pristine picture below as I let her soft words to ferment. She was right. Hina may not be what you would define as 'book smart' but she was most definitely wiser then people give her credit for. "You're right…"

"Damn right im right!" She shouted with a happy little skip and fist pump. The swimmer's smile shone brightly, which caused me to grin back happily. Another skill in Hina's locker is that she can be incredibly infectious at times, in a good way that is.

"So I suppose it's a yes then?"

"Of course, I'll try my best!" she addressed with a straight face and a salute.

"You don't have to salute me Hina" I said, awkwardly scratching my cheek.

She let an airy little giggle before jogging away to catch up with the front of the pack.

"I know!"

I couldn't help but laugh a little as I saw the swimmer bound up the hill with energy.

"It would take a lot to stop that girl that's for sure…"

Meanwhile…

Makoto Naegi. About as ordinary as it comes when it comes to names. That being said, the name certainly felt familiar to the detective. Funnily enough, that exact same sentiment was akin to the boy in general. When she was near him she couldn't help but detect this faint sensation of belonging, like she was accustomed to him. Perhaps it was because he was just that kind of person, someone who could make people feel comfortable around them pretty quick. Hell, he'd managed to get her to start referring to him by his first name and vice versa in a pretty short amount of time. Then again, it was him that requested it to begin with. The detective looked back at the two bringing up the rear. Makoto was rubbing his neck ruefully as Asahina seemed to be chiding him. However, it didn't take long for radiant smiles to return. A couple of seconds later; the swimmer jogged past the detective and right to the front with Mondo, leaving the Luckster to hurry along a rather grumpy looking shaman. The cabin wasn't that far away, maybe about five minutes. Out of the corner of her eye, Kirigiri noticed Ikusaba walking slightly behind her. Dropping her pace slightly, the Detective pulled up alongside the Soldier.

"Ikusaba"

"Kirigiri"

"I was wondering if I could inquire about something" Stated the detective.

"O-Oh okay, go ahead"

"You are the one that informed me of my talent, im curious as to what else you know about me"

"I think you would be better off speaking to Makoto about that, he was closer to you then I was" Mukuro answered with a flick of her head towards the boy, who was now practically dragging Hagakure up the hill "Then again he was close to everyone…"

"I see" acknowledged the detective. "He seems like the type that can get along with anyone"

The soldier let out a brisk snort.

"Why do you think he was elected as leader by the headmaster? It certainly wasn't for strength or intelligence, it's down to his people skills"

Kirigiri hummed softly.

"While we are on the matter, what can you tell me about the Headmaster?" Inquired Kirigiri. "He seems like a rather enigmatic character"

The soldier reared up in surprise by the question, her spine straightening out till she was bolt upright. Kirigiri noticed this immediately, but that didn't the Soldier from trying to play it off as nothing.

"I-I…I'd ask Makoto that, not me" Mukuro deflected, inwardly cringing at her rather shaky response and the fact that she practically pushed the responsibility of telling Kirigiri of her father unto Naegi.

"I understand" Kirigiri said, accompanied with a flick of her hair in a way that Mukuro would define as maybe a little offhand.

"Kirigiri…" called Ikusaba as the detective began to walk off. The girl looked over her shoulder, brows knitted rather thoroughly. "I-I do want to help you; I just think Makoto would be better at explaining things to you…"

The other girl's brow unknitted slightly, her body language relaxing a little a little bit.

"I appreciate that Ikusaba" said Kirigiri softly. "I just want answers"

"Well if there is anything else you want to ask; I can try to help"

The detective looked at the panoramic view of the town below, looking rather thoughtful for a moment before turning back to the soldier.

"What can you tell me about your sister…?"

XxX

The cabin was completely isolated in the high reaches of the valley, absolutely nothing to accompany it but rocks and the odd patch of grass. Mukuro and I approached the building, keeping low to the ground as we made it up the final part of the hill. The others, however, hung back on my instruction. Soon enough, we made it to the window. I stood up ever so slightly from my previously crouching position to peer into the cabin through the window. Unfortunately, the curtains were pulled too.

"How do you wanna go about this" I whispered too Mukuro.

"We could go through the window, or by the door" She breathed.

"No point getting broken glass everywhere, we go through the front door very slowly" I instructed with a point.

The Soldier gave a slight nod. She then creeped up to the door, myself close behind her. I placed my hand on her shoulder as gently as possible to get her attention but not surprise her or catch her off guard.

"Mukuro. Be careful"

She didn't respond. I'd seen her get like this before. I guess you could call it 'her zone' as cringe worthy as that sounds. While in said zone, her mind takes a back seat as her instincts takeover. She wrapped her fist around the door handle, knuckles turning white. She progressively began to twist the door knob, bit by bit. I could feel a familiar mix of emotions stir inside me. Anxiety, worry, dread, fear. I didn't have time to let my emotions get the best of me though as the door began to creak to an open.

"Watch out" Mukuro commanded, holding her arm out to stop me from movement.

"H-Huh?" I gasped.

Without replying, she pointed towards the doorway. Although at first I couldn't see what she was so worried about, I soon noticed a thin line running from one side of the frame to the other. Said line was about 5 inches off the floor, perfect height for someone to walk into, and so narrow that it was practically invisible.

"Mukuro, you honestly amaze me" I remarked, thoroughly impressed.

"T-Thank you" She muttered back.

Though she refused to take her eye off the prize, I could see a dash of pink grow on the freckled face of the Soldier.

I pulled the knife I kept tucked away within my belt. "Would you like to take the honours?"

Mukuro put her hand out, demanding the knife. I placed the blade in her outstretched palm, which she then used to cut the taut wire. The way she diligently went about her work, ever so daintily snipping the wire, just served to impress me more. She then reached around the door frame to find what was primed to kill us. When her hand reeled back, it had the addition of a hand grenade; complete with nails hammered into the explosive.

"You can hold unto that" I said meekly as I pointe at the nasty little contraption.

I turned back to the group of four hiding in the bushes down the path and gave them a signal that the coast was clear as Mukuro entered the home.

"Makoto… Get in here" Mukuro exclaimed from inside the building.

Hearing this, I quickly dashed into the cabin's doorway. I was met by a horrific smell that assaulted all of my senses so powerfully it felt like I had run straight into a wall. It was unmistakable. I've smelt it too many times now that I knew what it was. The odour was the distinctive stench of death. I pushed my hand out swiftly to stop the four from advancing any further. Three of them stood, frozen. On the other hand, Kirigiri carried on unperturbed.

"You guys wait out here, I don't think you're going to like what you see if you come in" I suggested.

"You sure?" Oowada grunted.

"Think so, I'll call you if I need you. Stay on your guard, maybe have a look around to see if there's anything of use nearby but don't stray too far"

After saying this, the group of three dispersed. I stared into the black abyss that was the dark dwelling. I could faintly make out the low droning of hundreds of flies from inside the far reaches of the home. I took a deep breath, gaining my composure, before making a few intrepid steps forward.

Inside, the first thing I noticed was just how warm it was. It was like I had just stepped into a sauna. I felt genuinely queasy and nauseous as the sickly sweet aroma of rotting flesh and the dizzying heat mixed into a horrible concoction. This, however, didn't stop me from taking tentative steps into the middle of the room. On one side, was a normal everyday kitchen you'd see outfitted in any cabin. This was connected to a living room-esque space, complete with furniture and a television. On the carpet below the TV, I noticed splashes of dark carmine against the soft beige of the carpet. The blood had long dried up, however, that didn't stop me from observing the large drag marks that led right around the corner, to the cabins rear. I followed the long stain, all the way. The hum of flies growing louder and the stench growing more repulsive as I progressed.

Upon turning the corner, the two girls turned around and behind them I saw what was causing the smell. Two bodies. One was sprawled on the floor, a sea of dry blood under them. The other was impaled unto the wall with a large spear imbedded in their chest. Seeing the seen caused a scream to bubble its way up my throat. I clamped my hands over my mouth, trying not to let a scream bubble its way up my throat. I guess you could say it worked. Instead of a fully-fledged shriek, I let out some weird sort of gargling noise.

"Despicable, isn't it" Kyoko muttered as she crouched down to investigate the cadaver on the floor.

"F-For the life of me, I don't know how you investigate it like it's nothing" I said as tried not to look at the two corpses right in front of me.

"I suppose being the ultimate Detective desensitises you to this sort of thing" The purple haired girl mused "Then again im not exactly thrilled to be doing this"

"Agreed" I replied as I staggered my way over to the other body.

It was hard to imagine this thing in front of me was ever human. Below the body was a dried puddle of god-knows-what, meanwhile, the body itself was not much more than a husk. The flesh had blackened with time, rupture's in the skin from where the voracious maggots that worked their way within the cadaver.

"Not the best way to go…" I whispered, to no one in particular.

Mukuro hummed in agreement behind me.

"Being speared to death isn't exactly high on my 'most preferable ways to die' list either" She said before walking back around the corner.

Deciding I didn't want to have to look at the sight any longer, in fear of losing my breakfast, I stepped away.

"Kyoko, you found anything out?" I asked.

"Well this woman has long slash marks across her stomach… I think she was gravely injured; then someone, probably that man, took her here and she finally bled out…" She said grimly as she pointed to the long drag marks in the blood.

"I wonder if they were a part of a group…" I asked to no one in particular. Who knows, we may meet their friends down in the town below. If they are down there, the real question is if they're friendly or hostile.

"Well if they were, the rest of the group may be long gone. These bodies have been here for maybe a month. You can tell by what stage of the decomposition cycle the body is going through" Kyoko explained as she stood up, brushing her blouse and skirt off in the process.

I looked at the body Kyoko was standing over. Just as she said, brutal slashes peppered her stomach.

"Monokuma's. No doubt" I said, the faint feeling of bile rumbling deep in my throat.

"You know how I said I thought I was desensitised to it" She mumbled, not tearing her eyes away from the gruesome scene.

"Y-Yeah…"

"I don't think anyone can become truly numb to it…" She confessed, her voice barely above inaudible. Although her mask was for the most part intact, I could tell she was thinking about something from the small dip in her speaking voice. I wouldn't call It fear. It was more akin to apprehension. Maybe after spending so much time with the young detective I was gradually becoming to read her emotions, little by little. I could probably even hazard a guess at what she was thinking.

"Is this what we can expect from now on?"

I bit my lip a little before reaching out for her hand and giving it a short but gentle tug.

"I think we should go Kyoko" I comforted as I walked away from the scene.

She didn't respond, she just followed.

"Ah Naegi!" shouted Hina from outside the house. "Look what Mondo found!"

The swimmer proceeded to pull me by my collar, Kyoko following me closely behind. Hina kept leading me till we got down the drive a little, it is there that I saw Oowada's legs dangling out of the drivers set of an old looking jeep. The car was parked in a bay that the owner of the cabin probably used back in the day.

"Awesome! Only two more to go then" I cheered enthusiastically as I inspected the engine. "Was it just sitting here then?"

"Yeah" answered Mondo from inside the car. "But there's a reason for it"

"Oh" I groaned, enthusiasm ebbing.

Mondo picked himself out of the foot-well of the car before slamming the door shut.

"Battery's flat and the drive belt is knackered"

"Is that fixable?" Questioned Kyoko.

"Piece of cake if I had the parts, which I don't"

I looked at my watch. 2:15 PM.

"Alright, we're gonna have to walk down to the town regardless and there must be a mechanic somewhere around there. We go down there, we find the two extra cars, we find replacement parts for the jeep, we get out. Any questions?" I proposed as I closed the hood on the car.

"Yeah, can we stop for lunch? Please?" Begged Hiro.

He was answered by Mondo smacking him on the back of the head. The shaman spun round on a dime to face the biker, who was whistling nonchalantly.

"Weren't me"

"Wh-What? Naegs! Oowada's bullying me!"

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I started wandering down the path towards the town.

"No rest for the wicked, huh?"

A/n

Hey people! Look at me, i updated twice in a month. You proud? Please be proud.

Anywho, this chapter wouldve been out like a week and a half ago but i managed to fracture my metatarsal (top of your foot) while playing football or soccer if your a yank. so ive been in and out of hospital and stuff. Like it swole up so bd that when i went to buy a pair of boots today, i was a 11 shoe size on my uninjured and a twelve on my injured XD

So going forward, im travelling to france on tuesday, and i wont be back till the week after car so i should have a lot of time in the car and just sitting in my hotel to write the next chapter, but i dont know if ill br sble to upload it, depends on the signal out there. Hopefully it wont be too long till you see nother update.

Have a good weekend guys and girls, favourite, follow, comment, review, Kudos all that and ill see you soon!