Chapter 9: Threat
They hadn't done this in a while and personally, Soul wondered when those weird officials Death City sent in would leave so the kids could go back to these lame little tasks. The fact that he and Black Star were sent away on a call together was bad enough. The azure haired assassin had already been in a strangely groggy and irritable mood that morning and his mood hadn't improved after three hours of travel. Checking his watch, Soul wrinkled his nose in disapproval. Right around this time he could have been enjoying dinner. Maybe that was another factor adding to Black Star's horrible mood. Sighing, the death scythe reached into his pockets and allowed his eyes to roam over the sheet Kid had handed to him. Black Star came to a stop beside him.
"What're we doing here again?" He asked, a bored expression on his face.
"We were requested to look into a string of disappearances." Soul answered. "For the past couple of weeks, the town's authorities have been having reports of people coming up missing. Women more specifically. Normally they don't come to Shibusen for help, but apparently they have no choice in the matter according to their Mayor." Black Star gave a grunt of acknowledgment.
"Yeah… but I've never heard of this town before. I feel like over years we've made contracts with places and this place doesn't even sound familiar." The assassin informed, eyes narrowing as he took in the practically unpopulated streets. It wasn't even nine yet and there was no one around. Granted, it was a small town where nearly everyone had to know each other, and it was the middle of the week, but there should have been some type of late night straggler… at least in Soul's opinion.
"We're in a small place. They must have curfew, especially with what's been going on." Soul offered. "Let's just figure out where this mayor lives so we can get this over with." He had started to walk ahead, only to frown when Black Star hadn't moved. He glanced over his shoulder and noticed the assassin glancing over his shoulder suspiciously. "Hey…"
"Someone's watching us… Ya can come out now!" Black Star called, turning fully. Soul blinked in confusion and peered into the darkness as a figure came out. It was a middle aged man, rubbing the back of his neck nervously while clutching a metal bat in his other hand. He looked to be a city worker on his way home.
"I-I'm sorry… You're here for the mayor you said?" The man stammered, looking at the newcomers hopefully. Soul gave a slow nod and the man relaxed. "That's good. We thought you were here for other means."
"What would that be?" Black Star asked. The man looked uncertain.
"There's a lot that's been going on in these parts… We're all constantly in fear that we could be next." He explained. Soul and Black Star exchanged looks.
"How long has this been going on?" The scythe asked and the man looked around almost anxiously.
"It's not something to talk about in the streets… not safe." He chocked out, eyes darting around. Black Star rolled his eyes in exasperation and started to walk away himself.
"Useless." He grunted out, not noticing the man watching him carefully.
"You…"
"Eh?"
"That mark on your arm…" Oh no… "You're from that clan?" The man was pointing an accusing finger. Nearly forty years later and people were still reacting. Soul had only seen people respond to Black Star's tattoo once and he had been completely thrown for a loop that there were still people living in fear of an annihilated clan.
"I don't have a clan." Black Star spoke up. "I have a family. A wife and a daughter. I don't know what you're talking about." He said easily and continued to walk away. Soul swiftly asked for directions which were hesitantly given before joining his best friend. Practically everything was closed or closing down and windows were being shuttered shut.
"You've taken an interesting turn." Soul hummed as a large house came into view. Black Star cocked a brow at the white haired weapon. Soul glanced back. "That no clan comment I mean." A scoff was returned.
"Does it look like me and my girls are that much of a threat?" Black Star asked. "I mean, yeah, we're pretty unstoppable, but I want to live in as much peace as I can provide for my daughter. She's not a monster and Tsubaki isn't some weapon on mass destruction. I won't let any one categorize them either."
"Big words from a big man I see."
"Wouldn't be any less." The pair stopped outside the large wooden doors, Black Star wrinkling his nose at the affluent structure and appearance. The building definitely stood out from everything else in the town. Soul didn't really approve himself. Everything else had been so quaint. He was beginning to wonder about the living situation of the people. "For this guy's sake, I hope he isn't pompous."
"We could only be so lucky." Soul agreed before reaching up and knocking. It was a few moments before somber looking older man in a suit, as expected, answered the door. He seemed briefly taken aback by the appearance of both men, but eventually let them in, leading them to where the mayor sat in his study. Looking up, an older man cracked a slight smile. He was a heavy set, tall man that looked as though he had done his own share of heavy lifting when he was younger. His graying, dark facial hair gave him an almost grizzly look if it hadn't been sharpened. His slicked back hair matched, dark and slicked back. He stood and reached out a large hand to the pair.
"Ah, you must be from Death City. I'm the mayor of this little town." He informed. Black star nodded in response but Soul took the lead and shook the expectant man's hand. "You look different from people we're used to seeing in these parts."
"Is it offensive?" Soul asked and the older man chuckled. "Not at all. I hope you didn't come across any problems. We've been a bit on edge with the way things have been going and a source said that Death City had people to turn to about this predicament." He gestured for the pair to take a seat, but they declined. Soul was hoping for a more in and out meeting and was wishing the man would simply get to the point, explain the situation and they could react based off of that.
"We hear you've had some disappearances. Why would anyone suggest you call on our people? We aren't private investigators or anything." Soul informed. The mayor took a seat, leaning back in his chair.
"I'm aware, but you see, there's something special about your people." He laced his fingers in front of him on the desk, eyes pinned on the pair. Black Star was looking distractedly at the décor of the room, but Soul kepts his eyes focused on the man. "This town is fairly young. Founded it ourselves about twelve years ago in hopes of escaping crime and evil. We wanted to live in peace you see. Raise our children away from the unpleasantries of the world and for a while we managed this… but then, we started to notice something about the youth of this town. They grow and want to see the world, you know. Do either of you have children?"
"Yeah" Soul answered after a hesitance. "A boy… he's got a girl himself." Black Star only grunted in response, prodding at one of the knick knacks on a shelf across the room. "I'm not gonna say I know much about teenage rebellion, but kids are gonna be kids, y'know?" The mayor gave an acknowledging hum.
"Yes, I suppose they are, but all the same, there are certain values we like to instill in our people in order to keep the peace, so when our youth leave and return with dangerous ideals and practices we can't help but to wonder where these ways were adopted." He continued. Soul raised a brow.
"You think a group of teens are behind this?" He asked. The mayor had opened his once closed eyes, pinning Soul with an unreadable expression before sitting up and reaching into his desk. He pulled out what looked to be a simple golden bangle.
"Jewelry though?" Black Star scoffed, but was easily ignored.
"One day one of our kids came back with one of these, boasting that with this he had the power to overcome evil." Soul blinked in confusion and even Black Star's interest was piqued. "I wondered what evil they could have possible been thinking of. Then, weeks later there are attacks and disappearance in a town that's gone several years without incident. The boy… well he is in no condition to speak, not after witnessing the mutilation of one of his long time friends, but there was one thing that stood out in his muddled words… Shibusen."
"What?"
"Shibusen… A school that breeds evil into this world. People like you… and those children of yours." Black Star's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"I knew there was something messed up about this." He growled. Soul kept his cool, though he glared darkly at the mayor.
"So what did you call us here for? To find a way to imprison us and question us about our establishment?" he asked, his voice tense. The mayor reached out, flicking the golden bangle on desk.
"I want to see if you people are really as human as you say you are." He answered and door opened, men pointing guns at both him and Black Star from different angles. "You can fight, but I want to see the magic that's instilled in this band… Now which one of you is the weapon here?"
"So this was all just a trap?" Soul asked, his expression never changing as he took in their situation. The men all seemed poised to shoot at any given moment, but there was something else off about them. The mayor held his ground however.
"We have not place for people like you in this world. Not when innocent people are being harmed and corrupted." He answered. Black Star let out an indignant laugh.
"You honestly think that we're going to let you just take us out? Do you know who the hell you're dealing with?!" He growled and easily slammed a few of the men out of his way. Soul never moved from his spot glaring at the mayor who seemed unfazed by the entire situation. Something wasn't right. "Black Star Big Wa- huh?" That was it. There was no shake of the room or blast of wind or cries of panic and pain. Nothing. Why was there nothing?
"So it works after all." The mayor chuckled darkly. Soul turned to Black Star who looked at his palms in confusion.
"It didn't work." The assassin stammered. "What the…" He glanced to his side when he heard the distinct sound of a gun cocking at his head. Soul froze as well.
"Looks like the woman was right… There is a magic that can protect us from your evil after all, meaning these bullets should do a significant amount of damage as well… Boys, take care of them." Without hesitation, both men jumped, managing to dodge the bullets coming at them. Soul swore under his breath, dodging as a bullet grazed past his cheek.
"I can't transform!" he growled as he elbowed one of the lackeys off of him. He elbowed one man into the ground, but not before noticing the blank expression not only on the man's face, but the vacant look in his eyes before he hit the ground. Black Star had slammed a few of them out of his way, but it seemed like they got up without hesitation. "What the…"
"These aren't just any fighters… They've got a little something special." Soul let out a shocked yell when he felt himself suddenly being dragged to the ground. Looking down, hands were coming from the floor, wrapping around him and pulling him down.
"What the-!"
"ARGH!" Black Star's cry could be heard and he could be seen with several of the now darkening men pulling him down. They looked like those creatures they had seen three years ago when they were in Seattle and if Soul was correct, there energy was slowly being drained from them. That was evident as Black Star visibly paled while trying to thrash out of their grip.
"I have to admit, part of me feels bad for having to do this, but I can't have my people living in fear of people like you." The mayor spoke as he pushed himself from his seat, a pistol in hand. "You see, we've heard reports of these strange people of Death City transforming and fighting monsters, but how on earth can you always expect demons to protect you from other demons?"
"We're not demons, you bastard." Black Star growled. "We're normal fucking people!" The mayor scoffed.
"Normal? Since when is the ability to punch through walls or transform into tool of war expected to be something of normalcy?" he asked indignantly. "If you wanted, your kind could easily take over and I, for one, would prefer a world where weapons were made of steel and metal. Not flesh and blood. You're practically breeding children of war and with this new magical tool, it looks as though your people can be taken care of after all."
"What the hell have we ever done to you?" Soul growled, eyes narrowing and sharp teeth bared.
"Simple… you took my son from me." The mayor stopped short and pointed his gun at Black Star, one of the still human like minions stood in front of Soul and lifted his gun as well. "I hope those children of your valued their final moments with you."
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"DAD!" Ayame shot up, gasping for breath and grasping at her bedding. Looking around, hair standing on end, bangs in her tired, frantic eyes as she peered through the dark at her clock. It was early three in the morning and she'd have to be up in the next four hours to get ready for school. Reaching up, she realized there were tears streaming down her cheeks. She blinked in confusion before hurriedly wiping them away with the sleeve of her shirt. What was that dream and why did it seem so real? There was a light knock on her door.
"Aya?" Her bedroom door opened slowly and Zeke poked his head in. She could just barely make out his tired expression. "I heard you yell. Are you alright?"
"Y-yeah… just a bad dream." She chocked out, wondering why she felt so unnerved and suddenly cold. She curled further under her blanket, pulling her old stuffed monkey to her. Zeke never moved, staring at her for a moment before moving further into the room. He stopped and knelt down, poking her forehead with a blank expression.
"You look like you've seen a ghost." He said quietly.
"I told you it was a nightmare…" Ayame responded in tired irritation, recoiling further under her blanket. Zeke reached out, brushing her bangs from her face.
"Ever since we were kids you'd have nightmares when your dad would have to go on missions. You're such a daddy's girl." He teased sleepily, causing his partner to scowl.
"Go away." She huffed and he laughed in response. Pushing himself up from where he was crouched on the floor, Zeke climbed over her to the further side of the bed and settled in.
"No, I think I'll keep you company." He answered, not fully lying down, but leaning into propped up pillows. Ayame rolled over and faced him, wrinkling her nose in slight disapproval when she saw him with his eyes closed and breathing lightly. There was a brief silence between the two before her partner spoke again. "You wanna talk about it?"
"About what?"
"Your dream."
"…"
"Ayame?"
"No… not really." At this Zeke finally opened an eye and they stared at each other through the darkness of the room. "It's the same dream it always is when dad has to go away. He leaves and doesn't come back…"
"Why?"
"Because… he's only human after all." Pulling her beat up monkey plush to her, Ayame curled up even further and closed her eyes, trying to fight back building up tears. "My dad is awesome. I know he is, but sometimes I wonder if he forgets he's only human, y'know. Remember that time when we were kids and he was in the hospital for three days cuz of some injuries from a mission? I don't like it when he's gone… especially without his own weapon to fight with."
"Your dad is the strongest person in this entire city." Zeke reminded, sinking further into the bed. Ayame sniffled slightly.
"Yeah I know but that doesn't stop me from being scared." She said quietly and opened her eyes when she felt Zeke lean his forehead to hers. "… Zeke…"
"I'm gonna stay with you tonight, ok?" he started and opened his eyes to look into hers. "Tomorrow when we get to school we're gonna check in and see if our dads reported back in and see where we can go from there. I heard they were given a simple check in assignment so I'm sure they're both home by now and in their own beds, y'know?" Ayame stared at him uncertainly.
"You think?" Zeke grinned at her, a smile that resembled his own father's without the sharpness.
"Yeah. Everything will be fine and if not, we've got each other, right?" Ayame stared at him silently wondering when Zeke learned how to say all the right things. He had always been supportive and helpful, teasing aside, and she knew she could rely on him, so she held back in awkward feelings she may have felt as she clung to his shirt and allowed herself to fall asleep against him with hopes that those nightmares were nothing more than her insecure fears.
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"They're not back yet."
"I thought it was a simple search and capture?"
"It was a small town that no one ever even heard of. It should have been an in and out deal, especially for those two."
"Did they even check in once they arrived?"
"Kid, this is a problem." Letting out a sigh, the Shinigami allowed a serious look to cross his features at he looked at his concerned colleagues. Students were forbidden to go on missions while officials were investigating, so staff and others were sent and the current concern was the fact that at least seven members of the staff had yet to return from their assignments- including Black Star and Soul. Maka and Tsubaki were less than pleased.
"Black Star and Soul have gone on countless assignments together and accomplished them successfully. I'm certain that they're fine. They were sent out fairly late so they may have simply crashed once the task was completed." Kid offered, looking at the two women pointedly. Tsubaki wore a concerned look on her face while Maka was less than pleased.
"Black Star always checks in with me after an assignment when we're not together, Kid… I think something's wrong. Even last night…" She trailed off, eyes lowering. Kid looked at her thoughtfully but Maka's voice snapped his attention to her.
"Kid, something isn't right. There are too many others that haven't reported back and this has become a trend since those officials arrived. You have to do something!"
"The day has only just started," Kid stated promptly. "I've sent out some forces to check in on missing assignments and as for today, if Black Star and Soul haven't return, lessons will be cut shorts, students will be sent home and we will have to look further into these requests we've been getting." Tsubaki was twisting her hands anxiously in front of her, eyes downcast, while Maka wore her concern and annoyance easily on her face.
"It's those officials," All their attention turned to Liz who was frowning, arms crossed and looked pointed at her husband. "I told you not to allow those people in. They're up to no good and I don't trust it. Things have been going downhill since their arrival."
"Liz…" Kid warned but she immediately went on the defensive, hands on her hips and eyes narrowed.
"Don't you dare, Kid." She growled, causing him to falter. "You know something is wrong and it needs to be addressed NOW! How the hell do you expect to explain to these kids where their professors are? Where their senpais are? Where their PARENTS are!?" she yelled, face reddening.
"Elizabeth!"
"Don't Elizabeth me! I don't want those people in this school anymore. I don't want MY son in danger! You do something now or so help me, Death the Kid, I will do it myself." She threatened. Tsubaki and Maka were practically forgotten in the background, but the newest arrivals seemed to catch every ones attention.
"Hey! You're all here!" Ayame beamed at the grownups as she led the way into the Death Room, Zeke, Liam, and Aimee following her. The girl wore a big smile on her face as she came to a pause just at the landing, looking to the adults expectantly. Kid froze slightly, glancing at his colleagues, who were looking back at him expectantly. He turned back to the group of teens.
"What are you…"
"Are our dads back yet?" Zeke interrupted. "Ayame hasn't shut up all morning about how she hasn't seen her dad yet today." The girl stuck her tongue out at her partner before turning back to the golden eyed Shinigami.
"My dad always calls me or mom when he's made it or when he's coming back from an assignment. I'm guessing maybe I missed it sine me and Zeke slept through our alarm this morning… but its lunch hour and I still haven't run into him or Uncle Soul."
"Not to mention Star-sensei wasn't here for our lesson and neither was Sid." Aimee added.
"They all figured you would know what their status was." Liam chimed in, hands in his pockets and slightly annoyed look on their face. "I tried to tell them sometimes missions last longer than expected but no one seemed willing to listen."
"He's right." Kid spoke, expression softening and ignoring the hard stare of not only his wife, but Maka. "Sometimes things take a little longer, especially if a new issue is-" Kid stopped speaking when yells echoed down the long walk way that led toward him. Everyone had turned and looked, wondering who was coming towards them. "Who is…"
"Shinigami!" One of the older students had come rushing in, pale and panicked. He was panting and pointing shakily towards the direction he had come from. "Y-you have to come! People have returned and it doesn't look good!" His voice cracked and he looked to have tears welling up in his eyes. Kid swore under his breath when the group of teens rushed from the room, shortly followed by Maka and Tsubaki. Liz had shot him a look before bushing past him herself. When they gathered outside, Kid pushed through gathered students and stiffened at the sight. Sid and Nygus had returned, as did Marie and Azusa, but they weren't alone. He paled at the bloodied bodies that were carried back.
"What happened?" he demanded, hushed voices echoing around him as he walked forward, examining the wounds of the younger pair that had been carried back. They looked like they had fought their way through a mob… but why would that have been an issue if they were both a weapon and a meister duo completely capable of holding their own.
"They were found like this." Azusa informed. "I was able to track them down easily but their soul wavelengths were very feint... Almost like being blocked." She glanced to the side at the Marie, who was composed despite the tears in her eyes.
"They aren't as bad as those two though." Kid's eyes moved over to the bodies that Sid was placing on the ground and he felt his heart skip as Tsubaki and Maka rushed forward. Placed gingerly on the ground were an unconscious Soul and Black Star, covered in blood and looking as though they had been tortured.
"Dad!"
"No way…"
"Death Scythe too?"
"This can't be for real."
"What do we do?" The panicked, hushed voices of the students echoed in the shinigami's ears and only his wife's uncertain voice seemed to snap him out of his thoughts as he watched two of his students and children he had watched grow up cry over their father's unconscious forms.
"Kid…" Liz whispered, her voice cracking. "I don't know what's going on, but is it safe to say I don't feel like we're safe anymore?"
To be honest, he didn't blame her.
Author's Note: Please review. Comments? Concerns? Complaints? Speculations? Let's see what you think so far :D