I froze and my eyes widened. The dish I had been holding shattered when it fell from my grasp as I ran towards the phone.
"Who are you?" I shouted desperately holding the cool device against my heated ear.
By then, however, it was too late. The dial tone droned continued to drone on while the phone hung limply in my hand. I stood there, my eyes dark, as I heard Ami's footsteps race down the stairs.
"Amu, are you okay?" she asked alarmed.
"Y-yeah."
She sent me a questioning stare when her eyes made contact with the broken glass on the kitchen floor, but didn't say a thing and retreated back upstairs. Silently, I grabbed a small wooden broom and a pink dustpan and began clearing up the glass. The anger was beginning to surge forward. It must've been Hikaru, I thought furiously. Who else would be angry enough to threaten me? I threw the glass away, and began to clear away the food. But how did he get my phone number?
Sighing, I threw that away as well. I turned off the lights in the kitchen and went to sleep.
The Next Day
"Ami! Get dressed we're leaving!" I shouted.
She emerged but stood at the top of the staircase with an annoyed expression.
"I going to stay home; I don't feel like going anywhere today."
"Didn't you hear-
She eyed me strangely.
"No?"
That's right, she hadn't heard the message that had played last night.
"It doesn't matter, we're leaving."
She groaned and stormed into her room, slamming her door for extra effect.
"I'll be waiting in the car!"
Normal POV
Hikaru traced his finger over the lines of the cell wall restlessly. After he had called Amu last night and left her the message, he had felt a surge of power. A knock came at his cell door.
"Who is it?" he called out but stopped short when he realized there was shadow.
"Did you call her?" the man asked.
"Yeah."
"Good. Listen, I should've told you this last night, but don't tell anyone what happened between us yesterday. And if I get word of what happened, I'll kill you," he muttered his voice full of ice. "Do you hear me?"
Hikaru shivered not from the cold but from fear.
"Y-yes."
"Good."
And with that the man left. Hikaru now scoffed knowing the man was gone now. He wasn't scared of a pathetic man who couldn't show his face.
Amu POV
"Amu, where are we going?" asked Ami warily.
"It won't be as long as last time. I'm going to see if Kukai, Rima, Kain or even Nagihiko to accompany me to the jail where Hikaru is staying at. And then afterwards, I'll go report this stuff to Karyn and Anju's brother, Taro, and maybe stop for some ice-cream later?"
Parking the car in the closest parking spot near the building, Ami and I walked inside.
"Good morning Amu dear!" chimed Suzuki beaming me a smile. "Oh? And who's this adorable thing?"
"Glad to see you Suzuki and I'm sorry about the other day. I didn't mean to cut you off like that. And this is my little sister, Ami."
"Hi," said Ami immediately wiping away her sour expression and putting on wide smile.
"Oh you are too adorable! And don't you get yourself all gloomy. Before you came here, this was a daily cycle that occurred between Ikuto and Kukai. Anyways, what can I help you with today?"
"Oh, is Kukai, Kain, Rima, or Nagihiko here today?"
Suzuki flashed me an apologetic smile.
"You just missed them dear. They left ten minutes ago on a mission together. What are the odds they'd all be gone at the same time," she said laughing.
"Well anyways, thank you."
"Anytime."
Dragging Ami along with me, I opened the door to my office and stepped them absorbing the energy of the familiar space. Something tugged at my heart as I opened the small drawer beneath the surface of my desk. Hope was strangled by disappointment. Of course the necklace wouldn't be returned. It was probably already pawned off.
I was just about to leave when I noticed a small piece of paper on my desk. Frowning, I unfolded it and read its contents.
I am going to destroy you Amu Hinamori by taking the things most dear to you. And the first thing is your beloved necklace.
My eyes widened as I reread the contents trying to make sure I had read it right. I shook my head. No matter how many times I tried to analyze it, a threat was a threat. I whirled around to check Ami. I sighed in relief when she was only gazing at a few framed pictures on the wall.
"Are you okay Amu?" asked Ami looking at me with alarmed eyes once more.
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"You're pale."
I nervously laughed it off and shoved the note into my pocket.
"Come on let's go," I muttered.
I shut the door behind me and made sure to lock it. Just as we were leaving, I bumped into somebody. Their hands wrapped around the upper part of my arms.
"I'm sorry!"
"Are you okay Amu?"
I looked up and smiled in relief.
"Hey Yosuke."
He however did not smile, but held onto my arms firmly.
"Are you alright Amu? You're as pale as a ghost!"
Grinning, I wiggled out of his grip.
"That's what I told her!" exclaimed Ami suddenly.
Ignoring her, I returned my gaze to Yosuke, "I was simply disappointed at something. That's all."
Nodding his head in relief, he accompanied Ami and me out to my car.
"So where are you gals headed?"
"I was going to head down to the jail and pay a visit to Hikaru. I have a personal note to score with him."
I wasn't sure if I was imagining it or not, but his eyes darkened considerably for a moment before returning to their normal shade.
"Mind if I tag along?"
"Get in," I said simply.
Later
"Excuse me officer, I would like to visit Hikaru Tenachi."
The burly man at the desk gazed at me with a hard expression before turning his attention to the computer.
"He currently does not have a visitor with him right now. I'll call an officer to escort you two."
"Two?" Ami asked eyeing me.
"I'm not taking you with me."
"Amu!"
Ignoring her, I turned to the officer.
"Would you mind keeping an eye on her?"
"Sure," he answered warily.
Nodding my head, I turned to Yosuke.
"Let's go."
A female officer strode over towards us soon and escorted us to Hikaru's cell. At the same time convicts eyed us dangerously. I generally tried to avoid any sort of eye contact, but every once in a while, my eyes would wander and contact would be locked. It seemed the further we walked into the jail the icier it became. The woman stopped in front of a cell and turned around to face us - her blue eyes somewhat apologetic.
"The visitors' area is still being built. You two are cops?"
I nodded my head.
"I'll be just around the corner then."
Before leaving, she knocked on the cell and opened the door.
"You have visitors."
I eyed the open cell door incredulously.
"Horrible security," I muttered under my breath.
Yosuke nodded his head and the two of us stepped in being careful not to fully go in in risk of him attacking us or escaping. Hikaru looked at me with dangerously dark eyes; the grin on his face was tight. Yosuke tapped my shoulder.
"Sorry Amu, would you be alright if I took this phone call?" he asked holding up his vibrating phone. "I don't want to leave you here alone, but I think it's urgent."
Flashing him a smile, I shooed him away and then returned my attention to Hikaru. I matched his dangerous gaze but by tenfold.
"I don't appreciate being threatened you filthy bastard."
He scoffed and with my anger growing rapidly, I punched the wall. I however did not admit or show that my hand was hurting like hell now. I tried to cringe on the inside if I could help it.
"How'd you get my phone number?"
"I don't have to tell you anything."
"ANSWER ME!" I screamed punching the wall again and this time leaving bits of blood on the brick wall.
I was angry because he was the one responsible for the death of Karyn and Anju. I was furious at the fact that he even had the audacity to threaten me twice. I was desperate because I needed to stop this before Ami and everyone else got hurt. And I was frustrated because I had broken the number one rule of a negotiator: to be calm in all situations.
Taking in deep, slow breaths I re-asked my question.
"How did you get my phone number?"
"As I explained to you before, I don't have to tell you anything."
Every emotion I was feeling rolled into one: hate. I stormed up to him and punched him in the face, pushing him down in the process. I sat on top of him and heaved him up by his shirt.
"Who the fuck gave you my phone number?"
"I-I can't tell."
For that I punched him in the face again.
"Who gave it to you?"
"I-I can't tell you!"
I punched him again and again as we repeated this cycle endlessly.
"You refuse to answer, fine. How about a different question you disgusting piece of scum."
He looked at me with relief in his eyes.
"Why did you leave that note on my desk?"
"What note?"
Anger flashed through me like a lightning bolt.
"Don't play dumb asshole. The note you left me telling me I was going to lose every precious thing to me. The necklace!"
"I swear I don't know what you're talking about!"
Now I didn't care. I shoved his head hard against the stone floor and began punching him.
"Sorry about that Amu, I didn't mean to take up so much ti- Amu!" exclaimed Yosuke running up to me.
"Take this crazy bitch off of me!" shouted Hikaru just before I punched him again.
"Amu, this isn't going to help you!"
"It's helping right now!" I shouted furiously while tears stung the back of my eyes.
"Amu!" shouted Yosuke as he pulled me up from Hikaru and slung me over his back.
"You're a real life saver ma-
He kicked Hikaru right in the side rendering him unconscious.
"I could care less about your bullshit."
He carried me out of the cell, locked the door and let me down. I folded my arms over my chest and walked away silently – Yosuke kept up with my fast pace with his long strides. When we got back to the front, Ami ran over towards me demanding to know every little detail. I shrugged all her questions off and drove to Taro's house.
Later
"You found out who started to gun fire?" exclaimed Taro in shock although I could visibly see the relief in his eyes.
There was a faint reminiscent smile on my lips at his reaction. I pulled out a picture of Hikaru and handed it over to Taro.
"This is the man that began the first fire – Hikaru Tenachi."
Taro studied the picture before handing it back to me.
"I am sincerely grateful for what you have done Amu. Thank you."
I blushed lightly.
"N-no…it's the least I could do after what happened to Karyn and Anju. Really."
We didn't spend much time talking to Taro, and afterwards the three of us bid farewell to him and left.
"Yosuke you should come with us to get ice cream!" exclaimed Ami beaming him a satisfied smile.
"Ami!" I scolded.
"It's fine, and sure. After all that hard work, I'm sure we all deserve a little treat."
Sighing, I pulled into the nearest ice cream parlor and we ordered. Yosuke and I took a seat and slowly ate our ice cream while Ami was at the counter deciding which toppings she wanted to sprinkle over her vanilla bean and coffee ice cream mash up. She finally wandered over towards our table when an idea came to her head.
"Let's take a picture!"
"A picture?"
"Yeah, after looking around at the photos on the wall, I figured I wanted to make a scrapbook."
She pulled out her phone and steadied it on Yosuke and me.
"Say 'cheese'".
"Cheese!"
Ikuto POV
Silently, I pulled myself out of bed and tiptoed across the floor, trying to remain careful so Sasuke wouldn't wake up. I pulled on a gray t-shirt and a pair of pants and slipped out of the room without another word. The hall was quiet, as it should be at midnight. From the window nearby, I saw the flickering light of the warehouse. Sighing, I made my way to the entrance.
There were a few men I recognized, especially the man standing closest to Hidetoshi. It had been the same one who had rendered me unconscious for hours after he had punched me with his knuckle ring. The others, I had seen here or there. And despite of staying in the gang for a few days now, there were men, I noted, that I had not seen before at all. When Hidetoshi's steely, icy eyes landed on me, he grinned wickedly.
"You have finally graced us with your presence Ikuto."
The men were beginning to crowd around me; each of them looked annoyed.
"It's about damn time too. How long were you going to make us wait?"
"Do you honestly expect me to stay up all night like a horny teenager? As if," I scoffed.
"Why you little-
I shrugged them off and to avoid further conflict Hidetoshi led us to the other warehouse where the supposed raid was to be held. I tried to maintain enough distance from Hidetoshi without being too close or too far. As we were walking, I realized with dismay that I could not attack him tonight because I had yet to talk Sasuke about the whole mission.
The warehouse wasn't too far I realized after Hidetoshi stopped us to whisper his 'battle plan'.
"You guys are all very well of what your job is. Ikuto, you're new. I'll go after the boss beat him up pretty bad or possibly kill him depending on my mood. You all are to go and pick up as many women you can."
It was then I also realized that this man didn't have a beating heart. No, his heart was ice, frozen in place. He truly was someone who would kill on a whim and it sickened me to the core. I followed the other men inside feeling an unusual cold presence brush up against me. The man who had beaten me up took charge.
"Okay, ready you guys? We'll beat the guards up first and make the women scared, and then we'll pick them out one at a time. Ready, set…GO!"
I really had no choice did I? With every guard I stumbled upon, I'd kick them in the back of their knees and press the pressure point on their neck with mu thumb rendering them immobile. This way I technically didn't have to injure them as the others were doing. As I was 'fighting' I saw from the corner of my eye that the girls were huddled around each other in fear. My heart sank; I wasn't going to hurt them or the guards. If only they knew that.
The man with the knuckle rings beat up his last opponent and looked around the warehouse with a satisfied grin.
"Okay guys, grab yourself a girl. Ikuto, you only get one, because you're a newcomer."
My eyes were dark as I heard the women screaming and crying in terror. I grabbed a petite black haired girl by her wrist and pulled her up silently not bothering to look at her. She struggled against me, but I only held onto her wrist firmer making sure I didn't hurt her in any way.
"Do we go back now?" asked one of the men who had two girls by their hands and one slung over his back.
"Yeah, the boss said he needed to check some things out alone."
They all cheered and ran off; I followed behind them slowly. Once we were far enough from the group of men and the warehouse, I let go of her hand. She glared at me with cold green eyes before raising her hand and bringing it down hard.
I held her hand firmly to stop the contact between her hand and my face.
"Let go of me you bastard! I know what you're planning and-
I quickly covered her mouth and stared her right in the eye. She looked terrified. Sighing I removed my hand from her wrist and mouth.
"Listen," I muttered quietly. "I'm with the SWAT, and I'm going to try to get you guys out of here, okay? I get that you and everyone else are scared out of your minds, but you're going to have to cooperate."
"B-but the guards in there."
Sighing, I dragged my hand through my hair. An action I hadn't done in a while.
"I just pressure pointed the ones I fought. They're not injured, just unconscious."
She nodded her head and began the walk to the gang. I looked up at the sky.
I really did need a smoke right about now.
Author's Notes
Hello! So here's another chapter…it was actually pretty exhausting to write this one. Anyways, so apparently fanfiction has done some changing around while I wasn't on the site. The idea of having a cover seems pretty cool, but I liked the site better before…Oh well that's just my opinion. Hehe…
** Waah I'm sorry you guys :P I was going to do a 2-in-1 update but I got lazy last minute. TT . TT it's sad right to get lazy on the last 4 pages of the chapter...i'll probably upload it tomorrow or a day after tomorrow so keep an eye out for that!
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