This will be a long one but I want to get this story finished soon this will probably be the second to last chapter. A few twists and some slight inspiring scenes. Please read and Review! Thanks to all that have reviewed so far!
Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis, all rights belong to Takeshi Konomi.
It was to Tezuka's understanding that Sakuno was down somewhere in the labyrinth of hallways under the so called school, he had an idea that the child of the family that owned the grounds was the one who was keeping her and of course the other students. That was assumed but it is still unclear the motive or what is actually going on. He knew he at least needed to find her to make sure she was safe and by the terrible smell emitting from every direction it was a good thing he was. He started to make his way down the hallway looking through doors finding very little evidence to where Sakuno may be. He didn't want to yell out her name and proceeded to be cautious as he walked, he didn't want to be caught off guard by a teacher or anything like that.
It smelled so bad, rats were running around and the grime was so unbelievable down here that it was sickening to walk forward and take another breath in. It must have led to a sewer or something of the kind because this sort of smell could make him wince in pain. He checked another door just from the window peering in and noticed a person slumped up in the corner, they weren't moving but Tezuka slowly opened the door.
"You there, are you okay?" He asked not wishing to venture closer because it could be a trap.
The person didn't move and seemed lifeless, it was dark so Tezuka couldn't tell if the body was breathing. His noble nature got the best of him and he decided to go and see if the person was still alive. He walked over to the person, kneeled down and placed a hand on its' shoulder, it felt cold to the touch and he quickly withdrew his hand. He noticed now flies were buzzing around and landing on the body, he stood up and walked back away before leaving the room and shutting the door as quietly as possible.
He was sweating a bit and his heart was pounding in his chest, he had to shake it off though and keep going. His mission was to find Sakuno, and Inui called the police so they should be here any minute. He continued down the hallways and took a look at his map. He wasn't sure where to go but felt he should get as far away from where he was, Sakuno wouldn't be in such a dirty place.
To his dismay as he walked further from the entrance more and more flies and rats were showing up. He knew what that meant and hoped he didn't see Sakuno yet. He turned a corner and saw a few bodies sprawled out on the ground, blood was everywhere and his eyes widened in shook. This was ridicules to say the least, this couldn't be happening, did he just walk into a horror movie? He wanted to go back, he wanted to turn and run back and leave this place as soon as possible but he made a promise to himself he wouldn't. He would see this through and Tezuka never went against his word, it may be possible that Sakuno needs him at this very moment so he couldn't go back now. He delicately walked past the bodies and continued his search ignoring hanging figures he caught glimpses of when he walked by the rooms and the blood that seemed to leak under the door frame to the outside hall.
His stomach was turning and he was sweating from the stress and the smell, the buzzing of flies wasn't too helpful either. This was hell and Sakuno was somewhere in the middle of it, he hoped still alive. At one point he came to a pretty young girl with long black hair in a neat braid, she was the only body in the hallway, but had a gun shot in her head. The blood was ruining her perfect hair and clean clothes. She looked peaceful though and it seemed as if she took very good care of herself. He looked at her for a little bit longer and continued on his way and slightly wondered who she was and that maybe she was a friend of Sakuno.
"Now, I've told you some good stories, lets watch what's going on the television, things are starting to get exciting." Rai said smirking darkly as he switched on the remote for the sound.
What was heard almost broke Sakuno into a sob, the sounds of begging and pleading could be heard. Each yell more pained then the last as her teammates were tortured with what they feared most in the world. Maro was in a world of mirrors of all different sizes and some of which were cracked, he was squeezing his eyes shut but he seemed to recalling something so painful and wanted to flee. He was jerking around with all his strength but it was useless, his tears wouldn't stop flowing. Juro was yelling in rage and pain, as he too seemed to be recalling some dark past. Sakuno's breathing hitched and she had trouble swallowing, Rai then brought her attention to Juro's screen.
"Here's something good, I'm sure you'll like this." He said pointing to the screen and from what Sakuno could tell it was Yoi who entered.
Juro was yelling and cursing at her with all his strength, he looked ready to kill her. She didn't say anything but went over to the latch by his left arm and set it free. He stared at her confused and Sakuno was too very confused on what was going on. Rai didn't seem to mind though and just kept watching silently. Juro still being upset about being tricked and stuck in this torture chamber used his free hand to grab her. She was too quick and grabbed his arm and quickly broke it over her knee with a terrible force, the sound of his breaking bone could be heard from the microphone in the room and rang in Sakuno's ear. She grimaced. Juro's screech of pain was overwhelming and Sakuno let tears slip again. Rai took noticed and smiled a childish smile.
"We'll break you one way or another." He said and Sakuno felt a burning heat she never felt before. She hated him, she hated him so much, she wanted to hurt him even though she knew she was powerless against him. She wanted him to feel pain and understand what the pain he has putting everyone through felt like. Sakuno stopped breathing for a moment when she realized what she was thinking, she then took a deep breath. The hate she was feeling was no good, it was no way to think. She had to stop thinking of how she wanted to hurt him and start thinking of how she was going to stop her friends from getting hurt anymore then they have.
"So I…" She started absentmindedly.
"Hmm…What is it Sakuno-chan?" Rai asked with a small smile with the old concern he used to have in his voice long before.
"I…need to help them, I need to find a way." She said.
He didn't seem pleased and then let out a sigh as he looked back at Juro's screen, suddenly his cell rang and he quickly answered.
"Ah, Kaito How are things going? …Hmm?.. Really now? That's different…What's the guy look like? ….ohhhh, hahaha! Hahahaha! Wow! What luck! What channel? …okay thanks. No, no. Bye~" Sakuno was confused and looked at the phone then to Rai, he turned around and smiled a grand smile. She didn't like that, it seemed to be a bad sign.
"Guess who came." He said but she refused to answer.
" A captain by the name of Tezuka-san has come to play the hero." Sakuno's eyes widened in shock and horror, this was the worst thing that could happen, Rai was going to kill Tezuka and she's stuck to this chair unable to do anything about it.
Rai turned satisfied with her expression and quickly punched in the numbers to the channel he wanted. There on the t.v. screen was in fact Tezuka walking around the hallways by passing some bodies. He came to rescue her so she should feel relieved but it seems he is in more danger then she is. Rai wanted to torture her not kill her, he mostly wanted her to kill herself if possible.
For a moment time seemed to stop and both people in the room were silent till something caught their eye. Yoi left Juro's room after she broke his arm and now was in Maro's room. She undid all his bindings to the chair but she left the room quickly and locked the door. Maro banged and yelled on the door and looked behind him only to see mirrors he turned back and faced the door, the only surface with out a mirror. He knelt to the ground hands still clenched in a fist on the door, he was crying and muttering to himself. He stopped for a moment and then he burst up and stared at the door for a moment before lunging himself towards the mirrors. He punched and smashed them to the ground until none was left hanging. When he finished he sat down on the chair and tried to catch his rampant breath.
Sakuno felt proud of Maro, he wasn't going to let some stupid mirrors get him. He was strong and was going to face his fears and move forward. Sakuno felt a little more hope seep back into her heart then looked over to Rai who himself seemed to be smiling as well, a knowing smile. Sakuno looked back to the screen and Maro was calming down and slumped against the chair, for a moment he stayed like that before shaking his head a bit.
"Maro is strong…" Sakuno whispered, Rai heard that but said nothing and watched the screen.
He was still and suddenly Maro looked around and found a long piece of broken mirror, he picked it up with a shaky hand and his eyes seem dull and lifeless. He looked at the mirror piece, into his own eyes and seemed transfixed. Sakuno started to dread what would happen next and her heart began to race. Those shaky hands brought the mirror piece arms length away. He pointed it towards his neck the sharp sliver was aimed for his neck. Sakuno shook her head in dismay wishing she could stop him, she knew what was coming. Those hands that were shaking became steady as a resolve was finally formed in Maro's mind. He took the mirror slice and rammed it through his neck with one swift motion. He fell down with a thud over the many other broken mirror pieces.
Sakuno choked and gasped for air, she was too shell shocked to think clearly. Her vision began to get hazy as the little hope that filled her up left her with out a trace, taking whatever else left with it.
"You understand now? Hmm? Can you even hear me now?" Rai said leaning close to her.
Sakuno continued to stare at her feet.
"See, what hope does to you? Then once it's ripped away there's nothing left just an empty shell." Rai mentioned folding his arms, watching her form stoically.
"Are you done?" He asked and leaned forward to try to see her face.
She hesitated then shook her head no. "I want…to live…still. I want….that…I just"
She couldn't seem to finish and didn't move her head up to look at him. For a moment everything went blank and she didn't notice her bindings being undone until Rai took her arm and helped her up out of the chair. Her legs were wobbly and she couldn't stand for a moment, she looked to Rai who was holding her up.
"You've gotten stronger, or maybe it was in there in the beginning so I'll cut you a break. You can leave this room and go find Tezuka-san but Kaito, Yoi, Shiro and I will be coming after you two, if you two get out alive you win." He said.
"What about everyone else?" Sakuno mumbled, with all that has happened she wasn't sure what was a normal response.
"They will be my trophies." He said softly.
He then drug her to the door and pushed her out of the room. Before closing it he said he would let her meet up with Tezuka first before going after them. He seemed to be in good spirits. Sakuno tried to run but couldn't help but stumble and fall a few times, it was becoming so hard to think lately. She wanted to meet him though she just wanted to meet someone to be with anyone, it was becoming so hard to stand alone. She then registered what Rai said earlier when she turned a corner, he was going to keep Nana, Usagi, Juro and Kyo until they kill themselves. She had do something, but what could she do? She was so powerless and small.
Find Tezuka, that was her only thought, find him and ask for help that's all she could do now. She seemed to be wandering aimlessly now, the walls and doors all blending together seemed to only spine and make her even more lost. She was running around and found herself at many dead ends and started to pant with fear as regret was building up in her stomach, the fear of being all alone and lost was getting to her. Finally getting too tired to run she slowed to a walk and yelled out Tezuka's name, almost sobbing as it came out. She was so lost and tired right now, she felt like a child, a hopeless child and she needed to be found and protected, she felt so cold.
"Te-Tezuka- sempai! p-please, Tezuka-sempai!" She was trying to regain her composure but it was so hard to even steady her breathing.
"S-Sempai! H-Hello! Please!" She yelled once more and walked down another empty hallway. She took a deep breath and rested her body on the wall.
"I just…need to calm down…calm down….just calm down." Her mantra was working a bit and she caught her breath. Rai said he wouldn't start till she found Tezuka maybe she will find him closer to the exit, but where was the exit from here? She was directionally challenged enough as it was now adding hallway upon hallway with no real distinction between them was not helping. She was a little mouse in Rai's little game and he wasn't going to let her go till she broke, and Tezuka was in danger as well because of her. She felt another wave of disgust run through her body as she realized how selfish and horrible she was being, running like a coward unable to help herself. It hurt but she knew that it was something she couldn't help.
"Sakuno-san?" Sakuno jumped a bit with a yelp and looked behind her to see Tezuka looking ghastly pale with a bit of sweat on his forehead.
"Sempai!" She gasped in surprise she looked into his eyes with relief and she remembered what Rai had mentioned earlier. "We need to leave now, you're in danger!" She said.
"Understood, this way." He said with a nod and motioned for her to follow.
He then took her and started to run, not too fast but he wanted to get out of here as much as she did. Sakuno was thankful, it was great that Tezuka had a good memory, but as she past the many doors she wondered if this was alright. Leaving her friends behind, they didn't deserve to be tortured and she didn't deserve to be free. This was such a complex feeling and her natural instinct was butting heads with her morals.
She looked forward down the hallway in front of her and then to Tezuka who had a firm grip on her wrist, she swallowed hard as she knew what she had to do. The moment he gets out she'll go back down and try to persuade Rai to let the others go. It was the only way to keep them all safe, if it wasn't for her meeting them and being in their group they wouldn't have been targeted. That was her resolve but she had to get Tezuka out first before anything with-out him getting hurt. They got to the older, dirtier hallways and she could smell the scent of death everywhere but she didn't seem to take it as bad as Tezuka did, he clenched her wrist tighter to the point it hurt.
"Hey, where you going Sakuno-chan?" A door opened ahead of the two and Yoi walked out with a small smile. Tezuka slowed down and stopped a few feet away and stared at her with caution.
"Yoi-chan, please move aside and let us go." Sakuno said and was thankful she didn't stutter.
"Hmm…No, hehe" She said as her blue eyes sparked.
Tezuka seemed to glare at her but made no motion forward.
Yoi decided to make the first move and walked forward to them. "I don't know why Rai has so much interest with you, I guess your lucky."
With out another word she ran towards Tezuka and sent out a punch which he dodged easily, letting go of Sakuno's wrist. Yoi kept on her attack, she was reasonably fast but Tezuka was much faster. Sakuno watched as Yoi kept on attacking him, ignoring her completely. She watched for a while wondering if Tezuka was going to stop dodging, he may not feel comfortable hitting a girl but in this situation he shouldn't think about things like that. He never attacked back and Sakuno was getting concerned that this was going to lead nowhere and more people were bound to come.
"Sempai! let's just escape!" Sakuno said and tried to move forward as Tezuka dodged another punch. To her displeasure someone else caught her wrist and she turned to see it was the usually adorable Shiro, he was smiling to her and leaned close and took a whiff of her hair. "You still smell good, hehe." He said as Sakuno jerked her hand away.
He moved closer yet again and Tezuka noticed that and forgot about Yoi, a big mistake. She hit him square in the gut and knocked him against the wall. He slid down in pain and shock, he had no idea she was that powerful it was almost inhuman. Sakuno tried to run to him but was held back by Shiro, Yoi ran and aimed another punch at his face, he was able to doge it last minute and a dent in the wall was proof enough. She stepped back and shook her hand slightly, her knuckles were bleeding a bit but that spark in her eyes didn't waver.
Tezuka stood up and glanced quickly to Sakuno then back to Yoi, he guessed there was no choice but to defend himself. He prepared himself for a fight and Sakuno watched for a moment before snapping back to Shiro, she kneed him in the gut with enough force to let her go.
"Tezuka-sempai, run!" Sakuno yelled.
Tezuka without a moments hesitation took off running to Sakuno and they proceeded to run from Shiro and Yoi who followed behind. They turned down a few hallways when they thought they lost them but something didn't seem right.
"We're lost." Tezuka said solemnly. Even with a map there was no way for him to know where they were without a reference point.
Sakuno wanted to facepalm but was too shocked stupid to do so. She stood there for a moment looking at Tezuka before trying to figure out what to do next. She looked down the hallway in front of her then back to Tezuka. They would have to find they're way back to where they were without being caught.
"It's okay, even if we just need to run and hide, I had Inui call the police before I came. They should be here soon." He said almost to himself to boost his spirits.
Sakuno smiled a sweet smile to Tezuka and nodded. "We can do it." She said thoughtfully.
They started to wander around and Sakuno let go of some of the stress she had been building up, if the police were coming then they can save the others and all Sakuno had to do was make sure she got Tezuka out alive. He still seemed pale but he looked more confident in a way. If the police were coming they just needed to survive till they got here and saved them. She survived this long another couple minutes shouldn't be that bad, maybe the police were on the campus grounds right now on the way down the stairs, yes that had to be it. They continued around a corner then heard talking and foots steps and went back around the corner as they waited and listened.
"Geez, I thought you had a one-hit K.O.?" The muffled voice of Shiro said.
"Well he was extremely well built with muscles protecting him." Obviously Yoi's voice said back with a huff.
" Well he seemed fine, I can't believe Sakuno kneed me in the gut though, that was a shock." Shiro said as they turned down the hall that Sakuno and Tezuka were about to go down.
Sakuno gulped and the two of them nodded and slowly backed away. They found another hallway and proceeded to walk down it briskly.
"Wait…I smell her. Yes! This way." Loud footsteps were heard and Sakuno gasped in realization that Shiro had a remarkable ability to track people.
He took a smell of her to get her scent so he could find her. The two quickly ran down the hallway and hurriedly opened a door and went in. It wasn't the best idea but they couldn't help it in a panic. They went to the back of the room and waited hoping that Shiro wasn't as good as a dog and would go past the room. At first it was silent then the running steps could be heard getting closer.
They ran past the room and Sakuno let out a quiet sigh of relief, there was nothing but suddenly the foots steps could be heard coming back. Sakuno stayed stiff and quiet and she dreaded when they stopped in front of the door and they both peered in with smirks plastered on their faces. Tezuka walked over and got between Sakuno and the door, the door knob was turned ever so slowly and slightly creaked open. Suddenly two gun shots were heard, Sakuno screamed and the door slowly slid open. Two thuds could be heard hit the ground and blood started to pool over the floor.
Sakuno stared at the bodies shocked then looked at the open door to see Kyo and Nana standing behind the bodies each holding a gun in hand. They both looked serious and determined, Nana looked up her face look drained but she gave a little smirk.
"Glad we found you Sakuno-chan. Lets get out of here." Nana said and offered her hand.
So, I think this story has one more chapter to go! Finally huh? I guess this is another cliffhanger but on a more positive side.
I gave Tezuka a very human personality to go along with his stoic-ness, he can't stand blood and gore too much. I'm sorry to all the Tezuka fan girls about having him get punched, at least his face is okay
Fun Fact: Maro's fear of mirrors and reason of death stems from his mothers death. He was 5 and she was driving him to a playground. A truck carrying huge mirrors was in front and the rope holding them in snapped and they went flying out. It broke the car window and it was more likely the broken glass from the front window was what killed her, but the inside of the car was littered with mirror pieces and blood. That scared him for life.
Also I apologize for mistakes or errors, for some reason when I transfer over a word document sometmes words get left out or smushed together. I try to re read over it but sometimes my eyes just glaze over. I'm not sure why it does that though.