Chapter 11: At the Gates of Edoras

Previously…

Without warning, Shirai-san shook Misaka violently whilst screaming into her face. "FIRST YOU HAVE A SIBLING! AND NOW YOU HANG OUT WITH THESE STRANGE AND POWERFUL PEOPLE? MAGICIANS? MAGIC GODS? WHAT THE HELL IS ALL THIS?" She threw Misaka away and twisted around, laughing and crying hysterically. Then she saw Oni-chan beneath her tears, and she whipped around and shrieked, "THEN YOU TELL ME THAT YOU WENT TO HAWAII WITH HIM!"

She jabbed a finger at Oni-chan.

Misaka-san blushed and looked down, sheepishly towing the floor. "Umm…Yes?"

I could almost see a mushroom cloud billow out of Shirai-san's head.

"WHY DID YOU NOT TELL ME ALL OF THIS? WHY DID I HAVE TO FIND OUT ABOUT THESE THINGS NOW? I THOUGHT WE WERE FRIENDS?! HOW COULD DO THIS TO ME?!"

Without warning, Shirai-san bolted past everyone in her path and shot off into the darkness. Everyone else watched her go, too lost to even follow.

"…et-to…shouldn't we go after her?" I said.

"Ugh!" Misaka groaned, massaging her temples. "She does this all the time. It's just another one of her antics. She will be back."

But Oni-chan wasn't so sure. "Come on, let's go see what the matter is."

We found her sitting in an empty room. Her elbows were propped up on the table, and her hands were laced together. She stared at the wall, deep in thought, but shifted her gaze when we arrived at the doorway. She studied us carefully, scanning us with questioning gaze. Before long, her eyes focused on Misaka-san, and she smirked.

"W-w-what?" Misaka said stiffly, "Why are you looking at me with such concern?"

"I'm very worried," Kuroko responded coyly, "You've been keeping so many secrets from me. I'm hurt that you can't trust me. Or are you so scared that I couldn't keep something as terrible as this?"

"I-I don't know what you are talking about," Misaka-san said tensely.

Kuroko just laughed and spoke in a creepy high voice, "Oh but Onee-sama, you know exactly what I'm talking about!"

She stood and sauntered over. "A certain description has been cropping up all over the hospital records," Her grin widened. "Middle School-aged girl with brown shoulder-length… Wearing a Tokiwadai Uniform…does this sound familiar?"

Misaka grew pale. Kuroko laughed again. "Now I'm sure that you haven't visit so many hospitals so many times. Certainly, you couldn't have gone to three hospitals at the same time!"

"Kuroko" she laughed nervously, "I-I-I can explain—"

"Shhhhhhhh!" Kuroko placed a finger against her lips. "You don't have to lie to me. I know you have reasons for covering it up."

She glanced at Oni-chan, and her eyes darkened with suspicion. He trembled under her gaze. "Please! We'll do anything."

But Kuroko shook her head. "I want the truth of this matter, and you will tell me everything. However, I am aware that you have concerns that prevent your divulging of the information, so I'll give you ample time to prepare."

She pushed passed us and turned around, suddenly cheerful.

"Well that's enough of that," she beamed creepily, "We will have more time talking about that later."

With a hop and a skip, she disappeared down the hall. Suddenly, it was like fifty tons of weight had been lifted from everyone's shoulders. Misaka collapsed to the ground, and Oni-chan had to lean against the wall for support. Kanzaki-san, Stiyl, and Sasha went after Kuroko, but Index stayed behind.

"Touma," she asked, "What is going on?"

"She knows about Misaka's sisters," Oni-cha answered, "Among other things."

Misaka stared at him in disbelief, but he shrugged and said, "She knows too."

"Ah! There they are!" Yomikawa-sensei exclaimed as we came to view. "Hurry up, you slow-pokes!"

She and Kuroko were already waiting by the gate. As soon as we gathered around her, she turned and swiped her ID on the card reader. There was a loud buzz before the door unlocked with a loud "Clang!"

We all crowded into a narrow holding area, with just enough space for us to stand in single file. The far end was closed off with an identical security door, and a narrow window ran along the side. A guard peeked out from inside and spoke to us.

"Leave any weapon you bear in my office."

Yomikawa nodded and she turned to us. "You heard the man! We can't let you through so armed. You can take your weapons back before you leave."

I went past without trouble, as did Index-san and Oni-chan, but Kanzaki-san stood for a while, hesitating. "It is not my will to put aside my blade, or to deliver Nanasen to any man."

The guard frowned. "It is the rule of Anti-skill."

But Kanzaki-san protested still. "It is not clear to me that the will of Anti-skill, though they are the peacekeepers of this city, should prevail over the will of I, Kanzaki Kaori, supreme pontiff of the Amakusa Church!"

At this, Yomikawa-sensei stepped swiftly into Kanzaki's way. "Well, this isn't the Amakusa Church. You stand in the Jurisdiction of Academy City," she retorted.

"Hmph! I don't see why Academy City has any sway over me."

"You'll do as we say, or you won't be going inside," Yomikawa's hand drifting to her holster. "Need I remind you that your presence here is a privilege requested by the English crown? We would bar your entry even if you are the Queen of England herself!"

Stiyl let out a puff of smoke. "This is getting tedious." He said, "Needless is their demand, but it's useless to refuse. They will have their way in their own domain, for better or worse."

"Truly," Kanzaki scoffed, "I would do as they bid me, were this only a Shinai or that I bore any sword but Nanasen."

"Whatever its name is," Yomikawa-sensei growled, "You will leave it here, or your friends will go on without you. Would you fight all the members of Anti-skill by yourself?"

"Objection: She is not alone." Sasha pulled back her cloak revealing an arsenal of hand tools—Hammers, chisels, hand saws, even a crowbar were hanging off her body. She glowed at the Yomikawa-sensei. "I repeat: Not alone!"

In a flash the guard pulled out a semi-automatic rifle, and Kuroko and Misaka prepared for battle.

"Stop! Stop! Come on guys, calm down!" Oni-chan stepped in between all of them, waving his hands around. "We're all friends here! Or else we should be! We have an enemy baring down on us as we speak, and I can hear him or her laughing at us!"

Stiyl snorted. "You're one to talk, after aiding and abetting a known fugitive of the Anglican church!" he sneered, "You're lucky our errand is pressing! Out of the Way!"

He pushed passed Oni-chan and stood before Yomikawa-sensei. "There!" he said, spreading out his arms. "As you can see, I am unarmed."

But Yomikawa sensei patted him down anyway, and she pulled out a pack of red cards, each printed with a five-pointed star in the middle.

She raised an eyebrow at him. "I am not as naïve as you think. A reliable source has told me how your powers work, and that they depend at least partially on these cards."

The red head whirled around and glared at Oni-chan. Undeterred, Yomikawa-sensei pocketed the cards. "I hope you wouldn't mind if I hold onto it."

Kanzaki smiled. "It seems that everyone has somethings too dear to trust to another."

Oni-chan turned to her. "Please, Kanzaki-san. These are my friends and wouldn't wish any harm upon you. Besides their either espers or normal people, what can they do with magical items?"

The swordswoman sighed. "As always, you put way too much trust in other people. In doubt, a warrior of worth must trust to her own wisdom," she said, "However, if you believe they are worthy of honor with no evil purpose, then I shall have no more objections. Very well then."

Slowly, Kanzaki untied her weapon, and herself ducked through the narrow opening. She propped the nodachi upright against the wall.

"There I set it," she said, turning to the guard, "But command you not to touch it, nor to let anyone else lay their hands on it. Death shall come to any man who draws it save for myself."

The guard nodded nervously "O-okay."

Sasha came up next. "First remark: if they have Nanasen to keep them company, my tools may stay here too without shame."

She unbuckled some straps, and all of her tools fell to the ground with a loud thud. She cracked her neck and massage her shoulders. Then, she gathered up her tools and pushed them through the opening. "Here are my instructions: Keep these well, for these are the tools of Hiram Abiff, chief architect of King Solomon's temple, recovered after the third Crusade. Keep these well."

Wonder came into the man's eyes, and he hastily set them next to the sword. "No one will touch them, I promise you."

Finally, Kuroko and Misaka came up then. Both gave up their book bags, and Kuroko unstrapped the belt she had wrapped around her legs. When at last everyone was ready, the guard turned to his console, but just as he was about to pressed two buttons, his eyes found me. At once, he froze and then grew furious.

"What are you doing Yomikawa?" He snapped. "Are you seriously bringing this kid in here?

Yomikawa rolled her eyes. "Obviously not!"

"What!" I stared at her in shock, but Yomikawa-sensei ignored me. "I'm taking her to my office to finalize the paper work. I just need to kids off first."

I felt like a sledgehammer had been knocked into my chest! How could they not let me in! It wasn't fair! I tugged at her pants leg, crying, "But Sensei! You can't be serious! I wanna go too!"

But she shook her head at me. "This is no place for a little girl."

"But Sensei! I want to stay with Oni-chan!"

She shook her head. "There's nothing to see. You've already met the prisoner last night. I don't see why you need to see him again."

"But…"

"But nothing! Honestly, you shouldn't even be down here in the first place!" She turned to Oni-chan, "I'm sorry for not realizing this sooner."

"No, not at all!" Oni-chan walked towards her. "The fault was my own. I was so caught up today's happenings, that I didn't even consider her presence here!"

"But that's not fair! Come on!"

"Otohime!" I jumped at his sudden shouting.

He squatted down next to me and looked me in the eye. "This is for your own good. I've seen too many people get dragged down to this level of the darkness. I couldn't bare it if you ended up here too!"

"But I'm not afraid of the dark!" I said, "As long as you're next to me, I don't care where I am!"

"Well I do!" Oni-chan exclaimed. "Didn't you see that binder containing all those names? What do you think it will do to me if I find your name on that? What would your mother and father say if you went missing under my watch?"

"I…I…" my mind was an empty void. What could I possibly say next?

"But what about Fremea's case? I thought we were going there together afterwards!"

Oni-chan shook his head. "I'm sorry if I made that promise with you, but I can't take you there, especially if it's after curfew. This isn't a game! Whatever's happening in her dorm isn't some child's play! I can't in good conscious bring you along with me!"

I chewed on my lips and looked down at my shoes. I really wanted to stay here with him, even if he was going to see that monster or stay up late at night. I looked up to see if he had changed his mind, but his eyes were fixed on me.

I sighed, "Okay."

Oni-chan smiled.

"Good girl!" he ruffled my hair before standing. He glanced at Yomikawa-sensei and said, "Would you send her to her dorm room after you're done? It's getting pretty late, and she needs to check in before dinner time."

Yomikawa-sensei rolled her eyes. "Baka! I'm not your personal driver! I'll see what I can do."

She pulled out her phone and walked away. Oni-chan turned back to me. "I'm going to drop off your stuff later this evening. In the meantime, you have a lot stuff to do."

"But what about Fremea's case?" I asked again, "If I'm not coming with you, then who is?"

Oni-chan smiled. "Don't worry. I'll think of somebody."

He glanced at Misaka, who raised an eyebrow, "I distinctly remember that you sent me away before I could even hear about it. You had better fill me in on the details."

Oni-chan nodded. "Of course."

"…Yeah? Okay, perfect! Bye," Yomikawa hung up. "Alright then, Konori-chan will come to pick her up later." She glared at the boy. "You owe me, ronin!"

Oni-chan cringed but bowed anyway. "Thank you, Yomikawa-sensei."

Yomikawa sensei clasped me on the shoulders and pulled me to one side. Then she motioned to the guard. "We're ready!"

The guard gave her a puzzled look. "Are you sure? There are no barriers between them and the prisoner! What about the Level 0? Aren't you being too careless?"

"Ha! I'm more worried about they will do to him!" Yomikawa laughed, "As for Kamijou-kun."

She looked at the group in front of us, a motley band of misfits and grinned. "Someone has to keep this rabble in line, isn't that right?"

Oni-chan groaned as some of the others shared knowing looks.

"Fakuda!"