Chapter Twelve - Denial

"This place isn't in bad shape," Isogai observed, looking over the office, "It's a little dusty, but it's not quite as abandoned as your contact said it would be."

"Yeah, it looks like there's still an internet hook-up," Okajima said, turning on an old computer. It turned on with loud chime. Kataoka was examining the television. She pressed a button and jumped when the television buzzed to life.

"We've got an active cable hook-up here," Okano muttered, leaning down to change the channels, "That'll be helpful at least. We can monitor the news."

"Just what kind of place is this?" Maehara wondered, "It's obviously an office of some sort."

"Do you think it's Yakuza?" Itona asked. They shivered at the thought.

"I hope not," Okajima muttered, "The last thing we need is some beefed up dudes with tattoos coming to beat us up." He flexed his non-existent muscles to emphasize his point.

"I don't think that's going to happen," Nagisa said, "Godai-san may not like us, but I don't think he's the kind of guy that would set us up like this." Although, he wasn't quite so confident in that assertion. He wondered how he and Lovro became acquaintances. The businessman wasn't exactly the kind of person Lovro liked to associate with. Although, Nagisa thought, I'm never going to get the chance to ask him now.

"We're back!" Two voices called as they entered the office. Kayano and Nakamura were on food duty. Since they were the best actresses of the group and knew how to use the make-up they had swiped from Sugaya's place, they were elected to go out and get provisions for the large group. They were dragging in six rather large plastic bags full of food. The group had been lucky to find that the bottom level of the office had both a small kitchen and a bathroom attached.

"Finally!" Terasaka exclaimed, taking a couple of the bags from their tired arms, "What'd you guys get?"

"Some ready-made bentos. Curry, onigiri…" Kayano said.

"Fruits, vegetables…" Nakamura continued, "And beer of course!" Okajima chuckled.

"Good choices, ladies, good choices."

"We should be able to make a good meal from this tonight," Kayano explained, "Although we only got enough food to last us for the next two days." She gave Nagisa an apologetic glance, handing back his credit card. "Sorry that we have to use your money."

"It's alright," Nagisa assured, "It's my fault you're in the mess anyway."

"We got it!" Okano exclaimed, finally finding the channel that they wanted. An older woman was on screen, sitting next to a serious-looking older man. They were reporting on traffic conditions. Maehara and Okajima were already breaking into the snacks. Nagisa took a seat on the couch, next to Karma. He listened to the report with half an ear.

"And now, we turn to Yoshimune-san for the weather," the woman announced.

"Karma, are you doing alright?" Nagisa asked, looking at him with concern. He was pale and sweating. He had taken to barely moving to reduce the pain.

"Other than the bullet wound, I'm fine," he said dryly. Nagisa's brows furrowed in concern.

"Are the painkillers working?"

"As effectively as they can."

"We should change your dressings soon," Nagisa said, "The last thing you need right now is an infection." Karma grunted in agreement.

It was after a moment he asked, "Do you know how long these take to heal?"

"About two weeks," Nagisa replied, "Most of the pain will be gone in about ten days, assuming no strenuous activity. Though you may still feel pain with movement for several months." Karma groaned.

"So I'm useless?" Nagisa chuckled.

"I wouldn't call you useless," he said. After all, you're the one that decided to come and save me. They fell into silence as the man on screen went over the five day forecast. It was going to rain tomorrow. Wonderful.

"You've been thinking about it too, haven't you? About what we're going to do?" Karma asked lowly. Nagisa glanced around him. He still wasn't quite sure the implications of their situation had hit any of the others yet.

"Yeah," Nagisa said after a beat, "I don't think we can stay here for long." He looked at Karma, who was regarding him seriously.

"We're probably going to have to leave the country, aren't we?" he asked.

"Yeah," Nagisa admitted, "I can't see us being able to get out of this easily. Sooner or later we're going to need to flee."

"It's a shame," Karma said, "I kind of liked it here." Nagisa swallowed a lump in his throat. This is my fault. They were suffering because of him, they would have to abandon everything they had built up in the last 26 years. Karma met his eyes. "But, I trust where you're going to lead us."

"W-why?" Nagisa spluttered, "Why would you trust me?"

"Because I know you won't abandon us again."

"Yeah. I won't," Nagisa said, mostly to himself. He wouldn't abandon them again, he couldn't. If they truly wanted him to leave, he would turn around and not look back. But until that day came, he would help them stay alive and get back on their feet. It was a promise.

"Now back to our ongoing coverage on Shiota Nagisa." Nagisa's head shot towards the television. The room silenced, conversations ceasing. Even the ravenous Okajima and Itona had stopped their minor feast of potato chips. "There is an ongoing joint investigation being conducted by the Ministry of Defense and National Public Safety Commission on how the suspect was able to escape." The screen cut away to a serious-looking woman with dark, short hair.

"Rest assured, we are fully cooperating with the investigation. If anyone has any information on the suspects, we urge them to contact their local law enforcement agency as soon as possible." The screen cut back to the anchors.

"Officers have found further evidence of plans to assassinate the remaining Ministers upon raiding The Pink Octopus Maid Café." Isogai, Kayano, and Maehara stiffened. "They have also found documents to suggesting a money laundering operation." The screen cut away to a garishly decorated building surrounded in police tape. Police were everywhere. Inside, outside, examining every square inch.

"T-that's not-!" Isogai spluttered weakly. The screen cut to a shot of a girl in a wig and a short maid uniform.

"I can't believe it! Maehara-san, Isogai-san, and Kayano-san didn't seem like those kind of people." Another cut back to the anchors.

"Investigators are saying that this assassination group may only be a small part of a bigger organization. Citizens are urged to key an eye out for any suspicious activity. Once again, if you have any information on their whereabouts, please call the hotline below. Do not engage with them." The story shifted to international news, but no one was listening. Isogai let out a choked sob, falling to his knees.

"Yuuma," Maehara said gently, grasping his hand and kneeling next to him. He buried his head into his husband's shoulder.

"W-we spent so much time building that café and making it ours," he choked out in between sobs, "So much time and effort and love went into it, Hiroto."

"I-I know," Maehara said, tearing up himself, "I know, Yuuma." He wrapped his arms around his husband. Nagisa turned his eyes away from the scene, guilt gnawing at his heart again.

"W-we're not going to be able to go back," Isogai said quietly.

"Yes we will," Maehara said firmly, "We'll be able to go back. I-I'm sure of it. We-We'll see our employees again, we'll spend time trying to fix that damn light that keeps flickering, and w-we'll clean up afterwards, complaining the whole time." Maehara's voice grew shakier with each word. "W-we'll go back."

Nagisa took a look at Kayano, whose whole body was shaking. Silent tears streamed down her face.

"We're not," she said, her voice cracking and wavering, "We're not going to be able to go back." She curled up. "We're not going to be able to go back!" Nagisa averted his eyes, unable to keep looking at the emotional scene.

"W-well, if we prove the conspiracy…" Kataoka started.

"We'll be arrested and spend years in jail in the process! Even if Nagisa is innocent, we broke a suspect out of the goddamn Ministry of Defense! Even if we somehow got proven innocent, who's going to return to a café where suspected terrorists operated? Who's going to hire us again?! It's all gone!" Kayano exclaimed. Nagisa shut his eyes, the guilt overwhelming him. If I hadn't been arrested…if I had been more careful…if I had made my escape earlier…This wouldn't have happened.

This is my fault.

The truths of Kayano's words were hitting the makeshift team. The implication of her words stabbing their way through their hearts. Nakamura's hand curled into a fist, her nails digging into her skin.

"Shit," she swore, echoing the sentiments of the entire room. Isogai's sobs began to die down, replaced with sniffling.

This was his fault. This was his fault. Those four words repeated themselves over and over in his head.

This is your fault, Nagisa.

That evening, they fell into fits of uneasy sleep. The revelations of the last few days were finally catching up to them and sinking into their skins. Their sleep was punctuated with fearful fits and nightmares. Karma was wide-awake, his mind stuck on other thoughts. Maehara and Isogai were sleeping against the wall across from him, wrapped in each other's arms.

Karma had always been envious of them. What they had was so simple and easy. They never strayed from each other, and they never spent days worrying about whether the other reciprocated their feelings. There was never any doubt in their relationship that they meant the world to each other. Even in the early days, it had been so simple for them.

"Guys, you'll never guess what I just saw!" Nakamura said, running in. Karma perked up, interested. She always had the best gossip.

"What is it, Nakamura-san?" Kayano asked, taking the bait.

"Oh my god, are you guys ready for this?" She said, catching her breath. "Guess who I saw making out behind the school!?" Karma sat back. Okay, this was a little less interesting than he hoped.

"Uh…Sensei and principal?"

"No! You're disgusting!"

"Come on, Nakamura, don't leave us hanging!"

"Alright, alright," Nakamura said, conceding, "It was Isogai and Maehara!" There were shouts of surprise. Karma arced an eyebrow. The serious leader type and the playboy? Dating? Did she really expect them to believe that?

"Are you serious?!"

"Shit, I owe Okano 2000 yen!"

"No way, I don't believe it!"

"What's everyone shouting about?" Isogai asked as he walked in, Maehara right behind him. A couple of girls started giggling while the rest of the class went dead silent. Isogai gave them a confused look. Nakamura, who didn't have any sense of subtlety, drove straight to the point.

"Make out with anyone behind the school recently?"

Maehara and Isogai both went bright red, confirming, at the very least, Nakamura's report. Karma arched his eyebrow. Did they really…?

"T-that's, w-well..." Isogai stuttered. Nakamura laughed. She enjoyed seeing their usually composed friend flustered. Isogai turned towards Maehara for help. The blond was equally as flustered, but recovered quickly. He smiled brightly before wrapping his arm around Isogai's waist, bringing him in.

"Yeah, we're dating," he declared. He kissed the boy on the cheek, somehow making Isogai even redder than before. "What of it?"

"Nothing~" Nakamura sing-songed, "Although, I think Kataoka owes some people some money now." The aforementioned girl buried her head into her hands.

"W-wait! You guys bet on us?!" Isogai exclaimed, finding his voice again. Karma glanced towards Nagisa, who was laughing along with the rest of the class. He smiled and wondered, are there any bets on us…?

Karma sat up, pulling a cigarette and a lighter from Terasaka's stash. He left the office, stepping outside into the stairwell. It had been a while since he had last smoked. He didn't really need the burn of the drag, but breaking an old friend out of the Ministry of Defense, losing his job, and becoming Japan's most wanted warranted a smoke.

"I didn't know you smoked," a familiar voice said, "You probably shouldn't be doing that with your injury."

"You're still up, Nagisa," Karma observed coolly, "And I can do what I want. There's no doctors here to stop me."

"As are you," he countered, "When did you start?"

"College," Karma admitted, taking a drag of the cigarette, "After I learned that my parents had died on a trip." Nagisa didn't say anything for a moment.

"I'm sorry to hear that," Nagisa said genuinely.

"It was seven years ago, and I didn't know them well enough to feel much."

"Still, it can't have been easy," Nagisa said, breathing in the smell of tobacco. They fell into an uncomfortable silence. They needed to talk, but bringing it up was more than a little awkward. Neither had ever been very good about being forthright with their feelings.

"Karma, we need t-"

"You're feeling guilty," Karma stated, cutting Nagisa off. He gave Nagisa a piercing stare, daring him to lie.

"I am," Nagisa admitted, "I keep thinking of how things could have turned out differently. If I had been more careful, none of us would be in this situation. If I had tried to escape earlier…"

"You'd be dead," Karma said frankly.

"I don't know about that. I've been pretty good at escaping before. When we have time, I should tell you about the submarine in Dubai." Nagisa chuckled at the memory.

"You know, everyone was hesitant about helping. No one was ready to jump to my side to help break you out of the Ministry." Karma took another drag of his cigarette. Nagisa was still, taking in his words. "I'm the one that urged everyone to help. I assured them that everything would be alright. I'm the one that trapped them into this. You shouldn't feel guilty, if anything, it should be me."

"But you didn't know that I was framed," Nagisa protested, "You had no reason to think that it would go so wrong."

"I could say the same to you," Karma shot back, "You didn't know we would come, you had no involvement in our participation. So why do you feel so bad about it?" Karma felt the guilt gnawing at his heart. It was dumb, he knew. His friends had been well aware of the risks when they had agreed to help him. But Karma couldn't help but think that if he hadn't been so pushy about it, maybe it would have turned out differently. He had been prepared to risk his life for Nagisa, but the others hadn't been so confident.

"Because I don't believe anyone should risk their lives for mine," Nagisa answered quietly, "What have I done to deserve that?" Karma stared at Nagisa in disbelief. What had he done to deserve that? What hadn't he done? He had suffered through months of mental torment after he killed Koro-sensei, he kept a strong face, and was just as kind and understanding as he was before the assassination. He was always there for everyone.

"Do you really think that little of your own life?"

Nagisa just gave him a sad smile. Karma took one last drag of his cigarette before dropping and stomping the butt.

"Well, I don't," Karma declared. He gave Nagisa a side-long glance. "You know, if you had asked me to leave with you, I wouldn't have had any hesitation."

"Why?" Nagisa asked, "I've done nothing for you." Karma gritted his teeth together. How the hell was he going to explain to Nagisa how wrong he was? How was he going to tell him that he was the first person who treat him like the kid he was instead of fearing the delinquent he projected? That Nagisa had showed him the value of others? That he was the reason that Karma was finally able to open up to others? That he was the first and only person that Karma could love?

"You don't even know what you mean to me," Karma finally said, facing Nagisa. The smaller man had a baffled look on his face. Karma stepped forward and Nagisa instinctively took a step back. Karma pinned Nagisa against the wall. Blue eyes met brown. His free hand cupped Nagisa's face. His friend was hesitant, unreactive. Karma closed the distance between them, their lips meeting for the second time.

This wasn't like their last kiss, their first kiss. That one had been hurried, long-due after so many years of missed opportunities. It was meant to settle the remaining regret of his youth. This one was different. Karma intended to show Nagisa just how much he meant to him. How much he shaped his youth and just how much he couldn't let go.

Nagisa was still, unsure of how to react to the kiss. Karma's tongue darted out to claim Nagisa's lips as his own. He sucked and pulled at Nagisa's lips. I've never been able to connect to anyone like I have to you. Reluctantly, Nagisa's lips parted. Karma took his time to explore his mouth, like he had in so many dreams. I've been into you for years now. His tongue swiped against Nagisa's teeth. The man shivered, relaxing bit by bit. I've only dreamed of being able to kiss you like this.

Nagisa let out a muffled groan, which Karma supposed might've been his name. Nagisa's arms encircled Karma, one hand resting on his upper back, the other gripping his shirt. He swiped against the roof of Nagisa's mouth, loving the way the blue-haired boy curled into him with each movement. I've waited so long.

The hesitation in Nagisa was gone. His back arched and head tilted to get a better angle. He intertwined their tongues together, refusing to be taken so easily by his friend. Karma let out an involuntary moan as Nagisa's fingers teased the sensitive skin around the collar of his t-shirt. Karma's skin light up with every subtle touch and tease. He wanted more. He needed to show Nagisa how much he meant to him.

Nagisa… Karma conveyed with another swipe of his tongue against his mouth. His hand moved from the wall behind them to the small of Nagisa's back. His fingers dipped below the waistband of his pants, circling the sensitive skin. I love you.

They finally pulled away, their need for air finally overcoming their need for each other. They remained inches away, their hot breaths mingling in the cold evening air.

"Karma," Nagisa whispered, "I-I had no idea."

"It's my fault. I never told you."

"No, it's not," Nagisa insisted, "But…what do you want out of this now?"

Karma frowned. What did he want out of this? Their situation was far too bizarre for a traditional relationship route. Did he ever really want a traditional relationship though? Sure, what Maehara and Isogai had was nice, but was it really for him? Could he ever do that? Nagisa didn't turn his piercing stare away, but waited patiently for Karma to find his words.

"I'm not sure," Karma eventually said, "But I want to try something between us."

"Are you sure you're not just chasing what you couldn't get in high school?" Karma's vision went red. How dare he?! Before he realized what he had done, Nagisa's shirt was fisted in his hand. To his credit, the assassin didn't react, he just regarded Karma with the same infuriating cool stare.

"That's not…" Nagisa rested his hand over Karma's fist. He gradually uncurled his fingers. "That's not what it is."

"Karma, I want you be fully aware of where I'm coming from when you think about this. I have spent the last eight years working alone. My only interactions with people have been as either acquaintances or business partners. I've not built a meaningful relationship with anyone since I left." Nagisa cupped Karma's hand in his own. "I'm not even sure if I can love anymore." He gave Karma's hand a short kiss.

"Nagisa…"

"Karma, I want you to think about what you want, I mean really think about it. I'm willing to try what you want. But I want you to realize, that when it comes down to it, I might not be able to reciprocate your feelings." Nagisa let his hands drop at his side. "I'll give you as much time as you need."

Nagisa turned, leaving Karma alone in the hallway. He felt cold all over and lonelier than ever. What did he want out of this? Was Nagisa right? Was he just chasing the one that got away? Were his feelings a misguided reminder of his failures in high school or was it actual love?

He wasn't sure anymore.

Sugaya sighed as he looked over his apartment. He had left for work before the group of outlaws left, so he couldn't see them off. All things considered, they had done a decent job of cleaning up the apartment. Other than a few empty cans and couple of dirty dishes, his apartment was spotless.

He felt oddly guilty and relieved at the same time. Once he heard the news that his friends had been identified and were now on the run, he had kept one ear open on the news, trying to gather any information at all that would help them. He heard the lies that the news was sprouting, and it took all of Sugaya's will not to shout obscenities. They're innocent he wanted to yell and shout to the world. But he couldn't, because he had no proof.

The newspapers and blogs had begun to call them an assassination group, formed on Japan's own soil. They were suggesting that the group may have been involved in other murders and assassinations over the past five years. That they wanted to totally destroy the order that the Japanese government had created. The thought horrified the public.

"Investigators have found more documents confirming plans to assassinate three of the deceased ministers at the Pink Octopus Maid Café." Sugaya turned away in disgust. His heart ached for his friends. He hadn't been particularly close to the three, but he had remained in tentative contact with them. He had watched them build their café from the ground up. He couldn't even imagine what they were feeling right now.

Sugaya picked up a lone can from his coffee table. It was kind of unfair that although he had volunteered to help them (perhaps more enthusiastically than some of the others in that group), he got out totally scot-free. He didn't want to face what they were going through, but it was sort of unfair that he didn't have to.

He dumped the half-empty can down the sink, tossing it into the recyclables. Maybe there was something he could do. He was, after all, the only one who knew the truth about the "assassination ring" that could still move freely. He was the only one who still had access to his cell phone, and could easily contact somebody.

His eyes fell on a small scrap of paper on his counter. It was an address, presumably where they were headed to next. He flipped it over, a small note was on the other side.

Thank you, Sugaya. Only contact us in case of emergency.

He pocketed the slip of paper. He pulled out his cell phone, flipping through his contacts. There had to be somebody, anybody.

His fingers stopped over a name. It was a risk, but it was worth a shot at least. If he was lucky, they wouldn't rat them out. He hit call. The phone rang a few times, Sugaya's heart dropped with each ring. Then it stopped.

"Hello?" a familiar voice said, "Sugaya?"

"Yeah," he said, swallowing a lump in his throat. God, he really hoped he wasn't accidentally damning his friends by calling them. It was risky to contact a member of the police force, but if there was anyone that could help his friends…

"What're you calling for? We haven't spoken in months. Is it about the news?"

"Listen, I need help, and I don't know who else to turn to," he said, "I think you and your husband are our best bets." He heard shuffling over the ear piece. He could imagine her confused face.

"Alright," the woman said slowly, "What do you need?"

"Look, Nagisa and them were framed. They're totally innocent."

"How do you know this?"

"Just…just trust me. I can't begin to explain all of it. They need help, and you two are the only ones I can think of that can help them. So please…" Sugaya pleaded.

"Alright, alright, calm down. What do you want us to do?"

"I know where they are. Go talk to them, then you can figure out what to do."

"Okay," she said slowly, "Text me their address. Ryou-kun and I will do our best to see them tonight after work." Sugaya let out a relieved breath.

"Thank you so much. I owe you one, Rinka-chan."

A/N: That make-out scene was the single gayest thing i've ever written and i've written guys straight up having sex