CONTACT!

"If she were gonna run to the next nearest city, what would that be?" Ash asked, nearly frantic, as he pulled on his shoes and stepped out the front door. "Like, big city. Not," he locked the door, "the next nearby town."

"Who said she's leaving the city?"

Ash raised his eyebrows in a gesture that seemed to scream, 'Are you kidding?' "She ran away," he said, voice raising in question even though it wasn't one. "She'll be going somewhere. I'm assuming she'll pick a city, not some small town she'll be easily found in."

They slipped into the car.

"That's what you did. She's not you, Ash." Eiji replied. "I don't think she'd leave Izumo like you left Cape."

The key turned in the ignition.

"Izumo's big enough for a kid to feel they can hide out in. I don't see her leaving."

Ash's frustrated hands shifted the car into drive and pulled away from the house.

"Ash?"

"The police will be checking here first, Eiji. We should check where they won't. We need to—"

"And don't you think there's a reason they will check here first? Because it's—"

"The easiest start."

"No. Because it's the place she is most likely to be."

"Well, that's your opinion."

"And the police."

Ash was quiet, anxiety bubbling under his skin as he drove. He felt like he was back in New York, only without a vital piece of himself. If only Eiji had told him where those damn bullets had been. He drove without disclosing the destination to Eiji.

"The train station?" Eiji asked as he gathered where they were headed. "Ash, if she got on a train, she'd be long gone by now anyway."

"Well, we have to check!" Ash shouted in the small car. Eiji jumped in the seat beside him. "Sorry," he added, much softer, regret palpable in his voice. "We have to check," he repeated. "She could be waiting to board one."

Eiji nodded. "But if she's not there, we stay here. I don't think she'd leave Izumo," Eiji added for a second time.

When they arrived at the station, it was bustling with people, namely businessmen and women making their morning commute. Ash ran from Eiji like a bad dog, weaving in and out of people, poking his head into the train's cars, looking for Akira. Ash took the approach of speed; catch her while she's here… if she's here. Eiji, in contrast, followed at a much more sane pace. He took the approach of gathering information. 'The girl on the news, have you seen her? Please I know her family well, we are all very worried.' 'Have you seen this girl?' 'She's only seven years old, have you seen her?' To his dismay, he found no leads.

They stayed long enough for three trains to pass through the station, emptying and refilling with passengers before zipping away.

Eiji caught Ash by the arm as he passed him on the way to search another train car. "She's not here, we're wasting time."

Ash heard Eiji's words but his eyes were looking past him, still searching the crowd of people desperately.

"We need to go look somewhere else."

Ash said nothing, in fact, he failed to give any sign that he had heard Eiji at all. He shifted on his feet, trying to get a better look at the passersby.

"Ash, come on." Eiji held his arm firmly and started to walk in the direction of their car. "We need to keep moving."

"If she didn't leave the city, where do you think she'd be?" Ash asked when they reached their car again.

Eiji pondered the question for a minute. "I think she'd hide herself away somewhere she felt safe."

"Like?"

"She couldn't be at school because they would have already searched the building. And I doubt she's with a friend, the parents would have discovered her by now. She's probably somewhere that gets a decent amount of foot traffic. Somewhere she can hide in plain sight."

"At this hour?"

"No, she's just a kid. She's thinking about places that are crowded during the day. She would remember them like she's experienced them. Somewhere like a shrine or Inasa Beach. Maybe a shopping mall. Or something like that."

Ash was quiet, clearly wanting to respect Eiji, but not agreeing with his assessment of the situation.

"Ash, please. I know it's hard but you have to realize she isn't you. I've known the Ibe family since before Akira was born. Trust me, she'd stay."

There was a long pause.

"Okay." Ash shifted the car into drive. "Let's check the beach."

As their eyes scanned the horizon, no small child stuck out, but the coastline had crevices for a child to hide, so Ash and Eiji searched with eyes wide.

It was particularly windy as they walked along the beach, searching for signs of Akira. It was still early in the day, a few joggers and elderly couples sprinkled the beach though there weren't any families to be seen. Besides, the weather was unusually cool for late spring, the beach couldn't be expected to be too crowded on such a day.

Ash's phone buzzed in his pocket as they searched. A text was waiting for him on the lock screen. 'I need you to call me,' the text read. He instantly called the contact and held the phone to his ear.

"Who is it?" Eiji whispered, but whoever it was answered before Ash could respond.

"Ash." It was Iku-san, Eiji recognized her voice easily. "I saw the news this morning," she said swiftly. "I'm assuming you did too?"

"Huh? Yes, yes of course I did." He knew where this was going. "Eiji and I are out looking for h—"

"Ash. You know I must ask," she continued, cutting him off. "And please, tell me the honest truth. Did you have anything— anything at all— to do with that child disappearing?"

He stood, holding the phone, mouth agape. He was speechless, shocked she would even ask him such a thing.

"Ash?" She asked, concern growing in her voice.

"No." His answer was firm in contrast to his spell of silence. "No," there was an edge of anger in his voice, "and honestly I'm offended you asked that."

"Ash, please, you have to understand that after what you disclosed—"

"I don't care! You know more about my past than anyone." The last word was ground, as a harsh whisper, into the phone. "You should know I'd never do that. I'd never kidnap a fucking kid, Iku, fuck."

"I didn't think you kidnapped her, I was worried you were… hiding her away for her own safety."

Ash's eyes narrowed as Eiji's brown eyes beside him widened at the conversation. "That is kidnapping," he hissed into the phone.

"Yes. It would be."

"But you thought I would be so stupid as to not realize that?"

"People do stupid things under stress, especially when they are acting out of haste. And good intentions are not always well executed."

"Well, I didn't do anything of the sort." His voice was still feral.

"Do you really think I'd let him?" Eiji asked loudly so Iku-san could hear. He sounded offended. "That would land him in jail, you really think I'd let that happen?"

"Stranger things have happened." Eiji rolled his eyes. There was a short silence. "Besides, I felt I may have pushed you toward it. Perhaps my ultimatum made you act rashly."

"Well, it didn't," Ash said curtly. "I was prepared to do what you asked of me."

"Mmm," she nodded on the other line.

There was another pause, longer this time. Ash almost hung up when she finally spoke again. "So you're out looking for her? It's windy where you are. Inasa?"

"Yeah." He gave her no further response.

"Will you wait for me? I would like to help you look."

"Why so you can keep a fucking eye on me?" He asked, perturbed and hurt that she would have thought for even a second that he was capable of something so foul.

"No, Ash, so I can help bring that girl to safety."

Ash scoffed.

"Really, if we hadn't had the conversation that we did only yesterday, I would never have thought…" She sighed. She knew all Ash heard was excuses. "And besides, I had to legally cover my ass." She smiled.

On the other end, Ash's face softened. He'd never heard her curse before, nor had he ever heard someone in her position acknowledge that they too could be flawed.

"Well hurry up. And bring good shoes, I won't have you slowing us down."

On their respective ends, they both smiled into their phones, hers a little wider than his.

They searched the beach and then moved onto the wooded area behind it. Ash had nodded in approval when Iku-san arrived. She was wearing, what Ash considered to be, sensible clothing; she dressed in long pants, fit for walking through the brush they currently found themselves in, a long-sleeved t-shirt covered by a windbreaker, and tennis shoes that appeared to have seen more than a handful of hikes. Her long dark hair was tied tightly in a high ponytail. Sensible. Ash was pleased.

She had apologized to him again when she arrived. Ash waived it away, muttering simply, "You were just doing your job." And that had been that. Because, although he had been offended, deeply so, when she had first called, the more he thought about it, he would have asked himself the same question. He would have been disappointed in her, quite honestly, if she could only assume the best of him, specifically after the conversation they had had just the day prior. After all, it always was the people you least expected who turned out to be creeps. He knew that all too well. How many times had a nice, well-respected teacher taken advantage of a young Ash? Far too many times than he cared to admit. In fact, Blanca had been the only one who ever hadn't. And Cape Cod's beloved coach? No one suspected foul play with him until it was too late. Furthermore, how many of his abusers were once the victim themselves? As much as he hated admitting it, she was right to suspect him. Maybe he'd even tell her so later when she was seated in the comfort of her office.

It was almost noon when they decided to move on. They proceeded to the lighthouse on the beach, followed by a nearby shrine, followed by several other tourist destinations, and finally a nearby shopping mall.

Every half hour or so, throughout the day, Ash would check the news. Around five o'clock, Shunichi called. He too had been out searching, with Akira's parents and a small search party provided by the authorities.

To everyone's dismay, Akira was still nowhere to be found.

The bell rang, dismissing the school day. She went to her cubby like any other day and grabbed her school bag. Her friend, Emi, asked if she wanted to play after school, but Akira declined. Her father had grounded her for the next two weeks, all of her misbehaving paying off in the least helpful way.

She had purposefully left his car windows open in the rain, leaving the drenched, now odorous, car undrivable for days. It was the proverbial final straw that broke the camel's back. He and her mother had to take the train to work, an inconvenience that made them akin to peasants in their eyes. Not to mention they had to pay to get the car detailed.

She thought it would be her golden ticket to the back of his hand. Or his fist. Or that of her mothers. It had summoned his wrath but, again, in the least helpful way.

She cowered in the corner of their cold, sterile living room, shaking as he threw things near, but not at, her. He broke three dinner plates that night, but not a single piece of glass made its way to her. Of that, he made sure. Instead, he pelted her with curses and angry shouts. He told her horrible lies about her being a worthless daughter. He'd always wanted a son, and that night he told her for the millionth time.

A son would never act this way. No son of his would bring such shame to their father. No son of his would rebel like this. A son would be obedient and respectful. A son would never make him anything but proud. [You're a disgrace,] he had told her, [Maybe I should have you go live with your uncle.] Her bloodshot eyes had lit up in hope. [But that wouldn't be fair to my brother,] he had said, noticing her reaction. [Why should I dump you on him?]

After he had finished his screaming, he had left her there, huddled in the corner, surrounded by broken china. She sat there, shaking and sobbing for what felt like hours.

Her mother entered the room, after some time. [This floor had better be spotless before you go to bed, young lady.] She placed a dustpan and brush, as well as a vacuum, at her feet. [Two weeks. Your father and I have decided you are to be grounded for two weeks. You will come straight home after school, have a small dinner, do your homework and go to bed. No leaving the house. No friends. No fun. Two weeks.] She spun on her heel, mindful of the glass, and left the room.

Akira started to cry harder.

[And if this room isn't spotless before you go to bed tonight, I'll make it three,] she added with a shout over her shoulder.

Seven-year-olds aren't fit to clean up so much as spilled juice, let alone broken china. It took her the better part of an hour to sweep the floor, and another half hour to vacuum. Of course, her vision being clouded with tears did not help. By the time she finished, the floor was clean, but her hands were covered in several cuts. There was a piece of china in her foot that she had to dig out with tweezers. She studied the small hole in her arch, wondering if any of her teachers would believe how she got it. Ash or Eiji would believe her, but she had no way of seeing them right now. Her parents vowed to never let her go back to their house.

That was the night she decided she had had enough. She thought of the bag in her room, packed in case of emergency. But tonight she was tired and her parents were on high alert. Surely, her mother would be checking the living room soon to see if she had cleaned it sufficiently. And then she would be checking on Akira. If she ran tonight, she would be caught. Tomorrow, she decided. She'd transfer the clothes and ¥500 to her school backpack and tomorrow, after school, she'd run.

She knew exactly where she would go.

Shunichi invited the three to his place, at the end of a long, grueling, and unfruitful day. Ash expected Iku-san to pass on the invitation, making excuses that this blurred professional boundaries, but she didn't. Perhaps she was still feeling guilty for her words to Ash that morning over the phone. Or perhaps she wanted to hear if Shunichi had any news to report from the search team. Or perhaps she too wanted to dim her thoughts with Shunichi's promise of beers. Regardless, she was there.

They pulled up to the small house Shunichi called home. In addition to Shunichi's old Honda, there was a fancier, much nicer car parked outside the house as well; a luxury vehicle Ash recognized as Kazuya's.

"I'm not going in there, if those fuckers are inside," Ash spat, referencing Akira's parents.

Eiji's eyes widened in recognition. "I don't think that would be a good idea anyway. From what Shunichi's told me, I think they'd both like to kill you."

Iku-san's eyes studied the pair, wondering what Ash had done to upset them so.

"Yeah, well, I'm sure I would like to kill them more."

"Sorry, who?" Iku-san finally asked.

"Akira's no-good, worthless, sorry-excuse-for-parents."

Her brows lifted in a hint of humor. "Wow, now that's a reputation."

Ash caught her eye in the rearview. "They're no good, abusive fucks. There's nothing funny about that."

Her face, which had only inched away from stoicism, now returned to its default, serious state. She had found humor more so in Ash's ever-colorful description, rather than who and what situation he had been describing. Though Ash wasn't fond of excuses, so she opted for a short apology. "Of course. Sorry, Ash."

His eyes left her and returned to the house. "Come on." He stepped out of the car.

"Ash, wait," Eiji followed. "Your first instinct was better. Going in there isn't a good idea."

Iku-san was on their heels.

"No. Talking about them made me realize I'd love to fucking tell them off."

"Ash—"

But he was already knocking, pale fist connecting with Shunichi's door.

The door, like the rest of the house, looked cheap, like it could be kicked in without much effort. The peephole at the top screamed 'apartment complex,' though he owned the place. The front of the house was narrow, large enough for just a door and one fair-sized window. Judging by the exterior, the house couldn't have been more than nine hundred square feet. It was covered in an off-white siding that looked as though it should have been replaced a few years back. It buckled in a few places, and that was just in the part of the house visible from the street. Though despite its common appearance, the place was clean. The siding was as clean as old, sun-bleached siding could be. The window, though on the small side, harbored no cracks. It was well-painted and maintained. The yard was well-manicured, bearing a small cherry blossom tree and a handful of azalea bushes.

It was fine for Shunichi, but it was no place to rehouse a child, Ash couldn't help but think, as he waited for someone to open the door.

Growing impatient, he gave the door another round of pounding with his fist.

It was Kazuya who opened the door. [What's he doing here?] he asked, looking behind his shoulder to Shunichi.

[You guys got here fast,] Shunichi remarked, scratching his hair with an awkward smile. It was clear he had hoped Akira's parents had departed prior to their arrival.

[Maybe he's here to confess,] Tsuma, Akira's mother, added from deeper inside the house. She stepped forward. [After all, he seems to think he could raise our own daughter better than us.]

She was a tall woman with dark, long hair that she wore pulled back in a low, neat bun. She was dressed in a dark gray pantsuit that let a white silk blouse peek through the top. Pearls lined her neck and black, simple pumps adorned her feet. She wore no wedding band, Ash couldn't help but notice. [My parents don't love each other,] he remembered Akira telling him not long ago.

It made him sick that this was what she wore to search for her daughter. Playing the part of the rich, upstanding mother, Ash supposed.

She stepped closer to Ash, peering into his eyes only an inch or so shorter than him in her heels. She was daring him to speak.

And speak he did.

[A fish could raise her better than you.]

[What did you say to me?] She hissed.

[I think you fucking heard me.]

There was a scuffle inside the house as Kazuya attempted to lunge forward at Ash. Shunichi held his brother back with relative ease, though he was grateful he had previously shed his socks. Bare feet gave him much more stability.

Smack

Tsuma stuck Ash with a strong hand, her long, manicured nails stinging his cheek. He was grateful, now, for her lack of a wedding band.

Ash cracked a wild smirk and glanced over his shoulder at Iku-san. [And there's that temper.]

Iku-san was holding Eiji's wrist quite tightly, urging him to stay put. It wouldn't help anything for him to lunge forward as well.

[Please, let's not act like animals,] Iku-san pleaded.

Tsuma's sharp gaze focused on her. [And who are you?]

[I'm helping to search for your daughter,] she said simply.

Kazuya stopped fighting his brother's grip and Shunichi loosened his hold.

Ash stepped forward, pushing past the horrible woman. He met Kazuya's eyes. [Giving up so soon? I thought you would have loved to beat the shit out of me?] Ash taunted, with fierce, devilish eyes. [Or do you only beat up children?]

Kazuya, reservations thrown to the wind, shouted and rushed forward at Ash. This time his brother's strength was not enough to stop him. His fist connected with Ash's cheekbone. Ash stumbled back, losing his footing, and tripping backwards over a coffee table in the small house. Kazuya was straddling his abdomen in a fraction of a second, fist meeting Ash's face again.

"Ash!" This time Eiji did step forward, though he didn't make it far.

Iku-san tugged him backward by his shirt. She gripped his shoulders to pull him close enough to whisper, "He's provoking him, he knows exactly what he's doing."

Eiji stalled, though his face was red with rage and his eyes were clouded with concern.

In front of him, he watched as Kazuya continued to lay into Ash. Ash put up no signs of a fight. He didn't even raise his arms to shield himself from the man's angry blows.

Shunichi finally managed to pull his brother off Ash. Once standing, arms pinned behind him, Kazuya gave Ash a final blow; a swift, harsh kick to his ribcage. The sound seemed to ricochet off the walls like a gunshot. Ash coughed violently.

Eiji squirmed out of Iku-san's hold and rushed toward Ash. He helped ease Ash into a sitting position, cradling him as he did so. Wind knocked out of him, he continued coughing and gasping for breath.

Kazuya scoffed. [To think, you had us fooled for so long, Ei-chan. Who would have ever thought you'd fall in love with a man, a horrible one at that.] He spat at the floor where Eiji and Ash sat.

Angry tears spilled down Eiji's cheeks.

Shunichi pushed his brother toward the door. [How dare you. I want you out of this house,] he hissed.

Kazuya met his eyes with a wild expression. [We were just leaving.]

[No.] Ash managed from the floor, face bloody and already starting to swell and purple. [I think you should stay. I'd love to share this little encounter with the police.]

Iku-san, who had moved inside and shut the front door behind her once Kazuya's foot connected with Ash's ribs, held up her cell phone. [Way ahead of you, Ash.] Not only had she called the police, but she was filming.

All hell broke loose then.

[You bitch!] Tsuma screeched.

Both of Akira's parents scrambled toward her. Or perhaps they were making their way to the door. In all of the commotion, it wasn't exactly clear.

For a third time, Shunichi apprehended his brother, this time pinning him to the ground.

"Do not hurt them!" Ash shouted from the floor. He struggled to right himself.

Iku-san's jaw suffered a blow from Tsuma. It burned more than she expected. Never in her sheltered life had she been punched. Hell, she had never even been slapped, unless in jest. She swore she could feel her jaw swelling already. Her tongue instinctively inspected her teeth, unsure if they would all still be rooted in her jawbone. She saw, in what felt like slow motion, a second fist hurling towards her. She closed her eyes and braced for pain, but the attack came up short. A strong, pale arm aborted the attack. "How dare you fucking touch her," Ash hissed in English, far too angry for his non-native tongue.

Ash twisted Tsuma's arms behind her back and brought her to her knees. "You too are going to have a hell of a time trying to talk your way out of this one." They couldn't understand him, but the tone was enough to send shivers down their spines.

From the window, blue and red lights marked the arrival of the authorities.

"Ah, just in time." Ash had never been so relieved to see a squad car. "Eiji, why don't you let our guests in."

Her friend, Emi, was sad Akira couldn't play but soon got over it as another friend declared themselves free that evening. They ran off, telling Akira, [Next time, you should come too!]

She left school as she always did. It was common for children, even children of her age, to walk home from school alone, so no one thought it strange to see a young girl walking down the street.

She knew where she was going; she had been there before. She wasn't, however, entirely sure howto get there from her school. Like many places, she knew only how to get there when starting at her own house. So, she walked home first.

Neither of her parents were home when she arrived there. She decided to step inside and grab a jacket. Spring weather could be so fickle.

Inside the house was quiet. It was brighter than normal, the living room lamps were turned on. And it smelled like someone had been making tea. She scanned the room for her parents, but saw no one. She grabbed a jacket from her closet and proceeded toward the front door.

[Your mother told me what you did to the car.] A male voice sounded from the direction of her parents' bedroom. [You really are an awful girl.]

She spun around to see the man she knew to be her mother's 'business partner.' The one her father didn't know about. She was too young and innocent to know what, but she knew there was something indecent about their relationship.

[Where's Mom?] She asked, trying to bite back the fear in her voice.

[Your father has a dinner party for work, she's accompanying him.]

[Why are you here?] She tried so desperately to sound brave.

[I think a better question,] he stepped forward, [Is where are you going?]

She took a step back, inching toward the door. [My friend's,] she lied.

[But you're grounded.] He smiled, it was icy and terrifying. [That's why I'm here. To make sure you behave yourself.]

[My father doesn't know about you.]

He cocked his head. [Aren't you perceptive.]

She retreated another step.

[But you're wrong. He knows of me. He and your mother have an agreement.]

Her eyebrows furrowed, she had no idea what that was supposed to mean.

[And he knows I'm here tonight.] He gestured at himself, that same sterile smile strung up fakely on his face. [I'm your babysitter.]

"I'm so sorry," Ash said softly to Iku-san.

She stood, unconsciously shaking at the window, watching as the two officers, who had responded to the call, escorted Akira's parents into the back of the squad car. She tore her eyes away from the scene before her to meet Ash's eyes. His face looked pitiful; already black and blue and swollen almost beyond recognition.

He offered her an ice pack– Shunichi's sole ice pack– as a peace offering.

[I think you need that more than I do,] was all she said.

"I've seen worse."

[So?]

"Just take it." He placed it in her hands. "It's my fault you got caught in the middle of that."

She brought the pack to her jaw, wincing at the cold. She moved away from the window, sitting herself down on the couch. Ash remained by the window, watching with satisfaction as the squad car pulled away.

Eiji and Shunichi had disappeared into the kitchen. Ash could hear Eiji making tea and Shunichi fumbling around in a utensil drawer, searching for, presumably, a bottle opener.

[That was a brave thing you did,] she told Ash. Her tone was quiet and even more low-pitched than normal, clearly still shaken. She spoke in soft Japanese rather than the typical English she used in Ash's presence; she was too tired for English.

"My hope is he and his wife haven't laid another finger since the day I confronted him. Which is good for Akira," he paused and turned away from the window. "Obviously." He sat beside her on the couch. "But we need some solid evidence of his— both of their— violence." He smiled, crooked and strained by swelling. "I'm happy to act as the punching bag."

[Which is brave,] she added definitively. There was something akin to pride in her eyes.

"Sure."

[Ya know, it won't kill you to take a compliment once in a while,] she smiled, half of it disappearing behind the ice pack she still held to her face.

His face was too swollen to tell if he was smiling back.

Shunichi returned to the small living room bearing three beer bottles. He placed two on the coffee table in front of Ash and Iku-san.

Shunichi extended a hand toward Iku-san. [Shunichi Ibe,] he said. [I realized we've not properly met.] She shook his hand. [Reina Iku.] Her hand was ice cold. [I'm Ash's…] her voice trailed off, not sure if Ash was okay with her telling this man that.

"Therapist," he finished for her.

[Yes.]

[Pleasure to meet you.]

[Mmm,] she nodded.

Ash knew she must have a first name, in fact he was sure he had absentmindedly seen it on her business card countless times, yet somehow, the fact still surprised him. It was as strange as hearing a teacher called by their first name.

[So you're the girl's uncle?]

He nodded. He sat down in the armchair near the kitchen doorway, perpendicular to the couch. He took a swig of beer. "Good to know you still have some of that New York fight in you, Ash."

"I hardly put up a fight." A beer bottle kissed his lips.

"Yeah, we can all see that," Eiji muttered sourly, returning from the kitchen with tea for himself and a makeshift ice pack that was really just ice tied up in a kitchen towel. Tension brewed in the air.

Eiji sat beside Ash. His body language was stiff, angry.

Shunichi and Iku-san tried to pass the awkward silence with sips of beer.

"Don't complain," Eiji handed Ash the towel filled with ice. "And just hold this to your face." He stood and left the room, returning moments later with a pack of frozen peas to act as a second ice pack.

"Which side?" He asked, referencing his ribs.

Ash pointed to his right side.

Eiji lifted his shirt to inspect the damage. The bruising on his ribs looked somehow impossibly worse than his face. It was a dark red, angry splotch a little larger than the foot that kicked him. "Damn, Ash, why are all your plans always so self-destructive?"

"I couldn't fight back, Eiji. I couldn't let there be any room for discussion on who started that fight."

"You could have blocked a few punches!" Tears swam in Eiji's eyes. Remembering they were not in the privacy of their own home, embarrassment hit him. Eiji stood and retreated towards the sole, small bathroom adjacent to the living room.

Ash adjusted his shirt and put the bag of peas against his side. He winced in pain. There were tears in his eyes, though they were only visible in one eye thanks to the swelling around the other.

"You should get that checked out," Iku-san said softly. She hung her head, eyes suddenly focused on the state of her fingernails. "I shouldn't have looked but…" She glanced up to briefly meet his eyes. "Well, I did. And I think it's possible you may have a fractured rib or two."

"I do not have time to get this checked out." He stood, suddenly angry. He felt he was the only one who truly understood the gravity of the whole situation. "I don't have time to be here. Akira does not magically stop being lost because the work day has ended— or because the sun is setting. She is out there somewhere," he wove a hand through the air in a vague pointing motion. Drops of water flung across the room from the bag of peas in his hand. "Either in Izumo or further and we cannot stop looking because we're tired. Or because I'm injured." His head shook with exasperation. "I've already been sitting here too long. I need to get going."

"Ash, you're in no condition—"

"I've fractured ribs on several different occasions. Know what the treatment is? NSAIDs for swelling and pain control. In most cases, you just have to suck it up and wait for it to heal. Dino's private fucking physician told me that." Iku-san winced at the implication. "I'll be fine."

"Unless your fucking lung collapses," Eiji grumbled from behind the bathroom door.

"If I get short of breath, you'll be the first to know," he replied sarcastically.

A foot connecting suddenly with the door was Eiji's only reply.

"Sit down, Ash," Iku-san ground out.

He opened his mouth to argue.

"Sit. Down."

He did as he was told.

She met his eyes. "I happen to know that you love the man behind that door more than anything on God's green earth. You can lose your temper with me but do not act like a dick to him. You are stressed and in pain and scared. You can not help Akira in this state. So sit here, ice your wounds, and try to calm down before you say more shit you regret." She inhaled deeply and stood. "Lay down, actually. Lay down and just," she paused, surprised to find him actually adjusting to fill the length of the small couch. "Just try to calm down."

She took a swig of her beer and turned to Shunichi. "Got anything stronger than this."

She found Shunichi blushing. "You just subdued the Lynx."

"The what?"

Benadryl was a beautiful thing.

Akira felt threatened by the man in her house. He was tall and slender, wearing a dark suit, looking as if he had come straight from work to watch her. She had seen him before in her mother's presence, but this did not make her trust him any more. He made her stomach churn and she hated the fact that she was alone with him.

She was certain she could not outrun him. And she definitely couldn't fight him.

But perhaps she could outsmart him.

So instead of trying to run or fight, she played along. She acted like the moody, ill-behaved seven-year-old he was expecting. To her surprise, he made them both dinner. And when he wasn't looking, she dissolved three Benadryl into his hot tea.

She knew one was enough to make her sleepy. She often resorted to taking them when her parents argued at night. Sometimes, it was the only way for her to trick her body into falling asleep.

Three, she decided, would be the right amount for an adult.

And it was more than enough.

He collapsed into his plate of food midway through dinner.

Part of her was worried the man would not be okay, she had never collapsed like that. Perhaps she gave him too much. The other part of her told her this was perfect. She could finally escape unhindered.

She cleared the table of all evidence she had eaten there. She donned her jacket and backpack and slipped out the side door.

She'd be traveling in the dark now. That was far less conspicuous than she would have liked. She may seem strange now to someone driving by. It would now be clear she wasn't on her way home from school. And what type of parent lets their child roam around in the dark?

But no matter. She was finally leaving. She was finally going to be free. Her heart pounded as she broke into a run. For the first time in weeks, a smile spread over her face. She wasn't far from her destination now. There was light at the end of the tunnel.