Third-Person

Len's spy arrived late into the evening, her timing precise and impeccable. She came through the back door with a series of knocks to prove it was her. Miki invited her into the house, the group waiting anxiously. She could tell they all had hope in their eyes but she knew that high hopes had an even stronger impact once they fell through.

"I'll do my best to answer whatever I can, but I make no promises the answers will be what you seek," she said as she sat on a stool.

Len rolled his wrist, "Doesn't matter. You're the most useful person I've got and we have an emergency. A while back, two of my members were brutally attacked while on a walk through the forest. Unfortunately, at the time, one of the members was just a civilian. They both suffered horribly by the work of the Eros. They left gashes in her calf fitting the description of her as a marked target. Today, another one of our members was taken presumably by the Heartless. I was beaten up and they grabbed her. Magicians Doll named Rei had told us he's a Heartless and his group had her taken."

His informants brows furrowed as she leaned forward.

"Rei's not a Heartless. He's a Demonic. If the Heartless did take your associate, he wouldn't have authority to control that. I was there just a few hours ago and the Demonic haven't made a report on your beating, Len. Nobody in our gang went to do this job. Either he's bluffing about the Heartless specifically taking her... or he had someone else do this." 

The group was silent, each holding back a spiteful comment or a sob. Many had questions, but would they go answered? Or would they even like the answer?

"But I do have pertinent information for you," she began, "There's an allying gang boss to the Demonic doing his damnedest to get any information he can on your base, your whereabouts, etcetera. He wants a surprise attack on you to take over your territories."

"Does this mean he's the one responsible for taking Defoko?" Gakupo asked as he walked towards her. The informant silently pieced the things in her head and she bolted up.

"Len," she snapped her fingers in his direction to grab his attention. It was successful, "Assuming you don't have any more questions, I'm going to ask around and see if he took her. I'll keep you updated."

She did a quick survey of the room, but nobody came forth with their questions. [_____] thanked her with a slight bow.

"Thank you, Ruko." Len whispered as he nodded. He couldn't stand without assistance. The informant bowed quickly and left out the back door immediately. The air was thick and gelatinous. Nobody wanted to leave. Miki went to the kitchen and came back with a candle and a box of matches. She lit the candle and placed it on the mantle.

"You're more than welcome to pray with me," she said as she knelt down and ducked her head. Gakupo followed suit and prayed the hardest he could. His tears were a testament to how much he was pleading to whichever god would listen. A few others began praying, silently hoping the pain would resolve soon and they'd have Defoko back in their arms unscathed. [_____] bowed her head with hopes that Gakupo wouldn't suffer such pain. She held onto hope that Defoko would come home and they'd all celebrate with a big party. And nobody would ever go missing again.

Len received a message from Ruko. He didn't want to desperately get his hopes up, but he read the message hoping it was about Defoko. And it was, sort of. But it made his throat close up.

Unknown Sender:
I'm sorry I left rather abruptly

Unknown Sender:
But if this boss who's obsessed with you organized this attack to take your friend, this could be grave for her

Unknown Sender:

This boss takes no prisoners

Unknown Sender:

He does things his own way and throws fits if he doesn't

Unknown Sender:

You all are safe in that house for now... You may want to relocate soon though just in case

Len shuffled uncomfortably in his seat, aching to move. He didn't want to be confined to any form of bedrest due to how serious the situation was, but with his injuries, it would only get in the way and he needed to be in utmost shape.

"I'm going to sleep in the room down here. Can you ask Miki to get me some pain meds and a water?" he asked [_____]. She nodded with a small smile and grabbed his wrist, adding a little squeeze before letting him go.

The candle had dwindled down and many were tired, but the fear in their veins kept them wide awake.

"I need to go home and be with my kids. Right now I left them with their babysitter, but the girl needs her rest too." Teto said as she pulled her things together. Meiko grabbed her coat and car keys.

"I'll go with you. Safety in numbers, right?" she asked and twirled the carabiner around her index finger. Teto nodded and held her hand up.

"I want to check on Gakupo and Let first."

Meiko nodded and let her go do what she needed to. Teto walked over to the couch where Gakupo was laying down practically motionless. He'd cried all he could.

"We're not going to let the bastards who did this to our gang get away with this," she told him. He tilted his head slightly and closed his eyes, curling into a ball as his body shook with another round of sobs. Teto pat his arm and pulled up his blanket, her heart heavy with agony.

In the guest room, [_____] was talking to both Len and Miki about relocating.

"He might come back with whichever gang wants us out of the picture. It wouldn't be a good situation either way you spin this, so I need you to keep an eye out for a safe place for us to convene."

"I have an idea, actually. I need to check in with him first, though." Miki said. [_____] glanced at the doorway where Teto sheepishly waved.

"I'm going home with Meiko. Safety in numbers. And I want to take this time and just be at home with my kids."

Len nodded from his spot on the bed, "Even though it's pretty late, give them hugs from us too, okay?"

Teto smiled and nodded, waving goodbye. She hoped Len would recover quick enough and if push comes to shove, that everybody would be ready to fight. Something about the situation was shady, but she needed to hold onto hope. Teto met with Meiko by the front door and the two left.

"Do you want to drive? I've sobered up for the past few hours enough to drive, but it's up to you," Meiko said. Teto grabbed the keys and directed the other woman to the passenger side.

"Do you want me to take the midnight to morning watch? Or would you rather take the first watch?"

Teto sighed, "I don't think either of us can really sleep. With everything going on, it's going to weigh on our minds. If you want to sleep, don't let me stop you."

Both women were quiet for a long moment before Meiko let out a heavy sigh of her own.

"This may sound completely ridiculous, but with everything that's happened, I don't know if I'll ever be lucky enough again to tell you this," Meiko said. Teto was confused to say the least, but she gently encouraged the other woman to continue.

"I like you. I really like you. And I'm worried if our gang is being targeted, who else could be taken from us? Who else could be taken from me?" the brunette leaned forward and dropped her head into her hands. Teto realized Meiko's true feelings were laid bare. She was always the one to be snappy or make some kind of joke to be cold and distant. Meiko was hardly one to be open with her feelings even when the going got tough. However, given the circumstances, she was fearful to never be allowed a greater moment to speak her truth when the opportunity presented itself, "So with this in mind, do you think I could ask you out?"

Teto was mostly silent and Meiko refused to look up from the floor of the car.

"I like you too," Teto began, keeping her eyes on the road.

"But?"

"No "But's". I like you too and I will take you up on that offer once all of this is resolved. As for now, we do what we can to aid Defoko and Gakupo."

Meiko let out a breath of relief and smiled softly, turning to look at Teto. The redhead laughed lightly and held out her hand for the other woman to take. Meiko did and squeezed it gently, resolve filling her soul.

*****

Gakupo was drained from the events of the day and fell asleep on the couch while Gumi stayed up and kept watch. Momo, Ia, Rin, Miku and [_____] stayed in one of the guest rooms upstairs while Piko and Leon slept in the one across the hallway. Miki s

lept in the third guest room as Len couldn't walk up the stairs and was left in the master bedroom.

[_____] couldn't sleep and wandered downstairs. Gumi passed her by with a small head nod and was about to walk off when [_____] tapped her arm.

"You okay?" the girl asked, tucking her green, dyed hair behind her ear. [_____] wanted to instinctively say yes, but she wasn't. She shook her head. Gumi looked around the empty hall and peeked around the corner to see Gakupo completely knocked out. She grabbed [_____]'s wrist and led her to the dining room and sat her down. The girl burst into tears and let all of her anxieties spill. Everything leading up to Defoko's abduction and Len's attack... it ate her alive. She wasn't used to this.

"I'm still very new to this and I'm second guessing myself in this situation. I'd liked to think when the time came, I'd be able to do more to help. Right now, I feel useless and I'm worried if I really will be any help. Defoko is missing and I'm worried about her. Len's hurt and I don't know if he'll recover in time."

Gumi leaned against the wall with her arms crossed, listening to [_____] intently. Everything the girl said struck a chord with her. Although it was so long ago and the initial feelings slowly ebbed away, the original feelings still haunted. She was was once in that position; worried and crying, spilling her doubts and fears.

"I won't lie, it's not going to get any easier when it comes to processing these emotions, but you will become somewhat numb. You can't fuck up here—it's almost impossible unless you intentionally do something stupid. But believe me, you're so much more useful than you think yourself to be. Just having you here has greatly improved all of us. You're our beacon of hope, [_____]. You're out good luck charm and I have faith in you. Hold onto my faith with me.

We can only play the waiting game at the moment, but when the time comes, I know you'll be more than exceptional."

A thin smile spread across [_____]'s face as she wiped her eyes with the palms of her hands, "Thank you, Gumi. It all just happened so fast... I think I'm still on edge."

Gumi stood up parted ways with the other girl. [_____] sat in silence for a few minutes longer before going up to the fridge and getting a water bottle. She then made her way back towards the stairwell when the door to the master bedroom caught her attention. She contemplated for a moment and rapped on his door.

"Come in," he said from the other side. [_____] turned the handle and walked in. Len was rubbing his eyes with the little bedside lamp turned on the nightstand.

"Did I wake you?" she asked. Len shook his head and pat the edge of the bed for her to sit. [_____] sat down and took a sip of water.

"What are you doing up?" he asked softly. She halfheartedly shrugged and stared numbly at the water bottle in her hands.

"The day was rough. What once started out as a fun party turned into a massive shit storm. I had a talk with Gumi though and finally settled some of my nerves, but I'm still a little uneasy."

"About what?"

[_____] sighed and stared him in the eyes, "That I won't be good enough for anybody."

Len's heartstrings were tugged on.

"What if I can't help anybody? What if I panic or run away? I want to help, but what if I can't do much to help you guys? This gang has become my family. You all have become so important to me and I'm worried I can't perform to the extent you y'all might need me to be." she explained.

Len held his hands up and let them slowly land in his lap.

"We get there when we get there, [_____]. I'm not about to throw you into immediate danger. I trust you'll make your own correct decisions. If and when that time comes and you're needed, trust your instincts—your intuition—not what you think we want you to be. If you feel the situation is too hairy and you bolt? Do it. Demon Fang doesn't hold standards: we don't. You're supposed to freely be yourself and fuck the little voice in our brains telling us who we should be or "need" to be. We as humans are not perfect beings, but you are to me. None of us are going to force you into a situation. If you need to sit something out, please let me know."

Len opened his arms out and [_____] leaned forward to give him a hug. He smiled against the top of her head and kissed her temple.

"Thank you..."

"It's no problem. Now go to bed. It's been a long day." Len said. The two said their "good night's" and finally, [_____] was able to have some peace of mind. No matter how short lived.

Reader's P.O.V.

"Do you have any idea how worried sick I was about you?!" Uncle Yohio cried.

"I checked in with Aunt Ann! And she was totally fine with me sleeping over at Rin's! It had gotten too late and she told me it would be safer if I stayed over,"

"But isn't Len her brother? And didn't you two just start dating, young lady? Don't think you can fool me."

"But Uncle Yo, us girls had our own separate room! He wasn't even home; he stayed with his friends that night!"

Although my uncle was skeptical, he finally calmed down some and pulled me into a hug.

"I'm sorry I freaked out. I know the kid is a good person, I can only imagine his family life. I'm sure his sisters are just as swell, I just get so worried about you. After what happened with your parents and then the thing in the woods—I'm just..." he trailed off and squeezed me just a little tighter before letting me go.

"I'm sorry. I thought Aunt Ann would have told you." I said.

He shrugged, "Same here. But tell us both next time, okay?"

I nodded affirmatively and waiting around awkwardly.

"Does this mean I can stay out again? The girls and I were going to go to the mall after lunch and we were going to karaoke."

My Uncle Yohio was close to not letting me, but caved.

"Yes, you can go. Be home by dinnertime at least."

I gave him a quick hug and ran upstairs to change before going to meet the girls at the mall. I wasn't lying. When the gang woke up, Len said he wanted us to take our minds off the major things happening... well, not entirely, but he had his reasons.

"Hey Rin, I want you and the girls to go out shopping today to take your minds off this for now. It might seem a little insensitive given the circumstances, but I need to talk with Miki, Gumi, and Gakupo the most."

And that's what Len told Rin who shortly after told us. It was a bit unorthodox, but we decided to roll with it. We believed in Len and Len had to know what he was doing.

I quickly showered, changed, and ran out the door to the mall. Once we met up, we were all a little hesitant. Momo was the most distraught with such heavy emotions weighing her, but Miku and Rin tried their best to cheer her up. It was hard to keep the harrowing thoughts at bay, but we needed to focus on our little task for the day. Ia and I were the ones who lagged behind the group. She herself couldn't help the thoughts weighing her down.

"It feels wrong. I know she's only missing, but I feel like we should be doing something right now," she whispered to me. I nodded and fiddled with my hands.

"There's almost nothing we can do at the moment. It's a waiting game for now and I just have to hope everything will fall into place. As for now, how about we just pretend?"

Ia laughed bitterly, but agreed and linked my arm with hers. We mostly window shopped, but we didn't but anything. Momo and Miku bought matching hair pins and Rin found a new pair of slip-resistant boots.

By the time the sun was setting, Len sent a group text that the gang meeting was cancelled and we should all head home. The girls walked me home and left shortly after. When I made it through the door, the comforting smell of my favorite food wafted through and I smiled warmly.

I peeked my head into the kitchen to see my aunt and uncle dancing as they cooked. I gently laughed, "I'm home,"

My aunt Ann looked a little embarrassed but composed herself and coerced me into the kitchen.

"Dinner's almost ready, but oooh, what did you buy?"

I looked down, almost forgetting Momo handed me a little bag that the girls collectively got little trinkets and stuff.

"These cute little bracelets and some socks with these little sushi print. They say "I'm on a roll"," I giggled. There were some clip-on earrings and the hair pins Momo and Miku bought. In fact, they bought one for each of us in a different color... so when we got Momo back, she'd be included.

I didn't have time to get all sad in front of my aunt and uncle, so I told them I'd go wash my hands and set the table for dinner.