(n) a source of help, security, or strength; something to turn to

◇─◇──◇───◇──◇─◇

Fritzgerald, the rich man from America, the one with annoyingly blond hair and a smug smile, has appeared before Y/n and Atsushi. He didn't even need to sneak up on the two, he just casually walked up to them and greeted them like an old friend. How snotty.

Y/n put an arm in front of Atsushi while the smaller looked at the American with a shocked expression. Y/n gritted his teeth and glared heavily at Fritzgerald, almost like the man was a heavy burden that Y/n has been carrying around for centuries.

"What a cliched reaction." The wind seemed to carry out Fritzgerald's voice as he seems to suddenly disappear from the two detective's sights.

"Wha..?!" Atsushi cried out as he took a step back, but then he bumped into something.

Feeling the body, Atsushi turned around quickly and threw a punch. However, Fritzgerald was faster, and stronger, as he grabbed Atsushi's fist and held it in place. Y/n whipped around, and his eyes widened in shock. Not even his hair could stay over his eye anymore.

"This attack is just as typical," Fritzgerald claims, smiling down at Atsushi. "The leader of the guild himself is here to collect the two of you despite the objections from his folks, you know? I was expecting a little bit more of a warm greeting."

Atsushi's foot suddenly skids on the floor slightly, show how much force he was trying to put into the punch only for it to go nowhere because of Fritzgerald. 'Such a strong arm...! No way... Combat-class ability?!' Atsushi thought to himself.

'However... if this man is defeated... the war will be over!'

Suddenly, Y/n kicked Fritzgerald in the chest. The sudden power behind the kick made the blond drop Atsushi to the ground and stumble backwards a bit. Y/n let out a small huff as he stood in front of Atsushi protectively. Atsushi stared up at Y/n in shock before looking back at Fritzgerald.

Fritzgerald merely smiled, a hand on his chest where he was kicked but he was still standing. "...That was a nice kick, my dear." He looked back at Y/n, completely unfazed. "Worths, a hundred thousand... My turn~"

Fritzgerald suddenly launched a kick to Y/n's head. Y/n was quick enough to block it with his arm, but he lost his footing. The kick was powerful, leaving a bit of air behind and throwing Y/n to the ground. Y/n grunted, not in pain, but in shock.

"Y/n?!" Atsushi yelled out. He then turned to Fritzgerald with pure anger. "You bastard!!" He quickly got off the ground and dashed to the blond.

"Oh~ Sorry," Fritzgerald teased as he shrugged, not even worried that Atsushi was running headfirst to him. "What's this? You want a turn too? Well..." He opened his arms invitingly. "...be my guest."

"Atsushi, wait no!" Y/n called out as he was kneeling and dusting the dirt off of him.

Atsushi didn't listen, too tunneled vision to even hear Y/n's warning. He raised his leg and kicked Fritzgerald on the head. However, despite there being a crack in the neck, Fritzgerald only snapped his neck back in place and smiled at Atsushi. This shocked Atsushi as a chill ran down his spine.

"Very good, but worth much less. Ten thousand dollars at best, but..." Fritzgerald trailed off as he raised his leg and kicked Atsushi so hard that there was an auditable crunch of ribs. Atsushi was sent flying to a nearby wall, slamming onto it. "...the bounty we put out was seven billion."

"ATSUSHI!" Y/n shouted as he ran over to the were-tiger. He was quick to catch Atsushi from falling onto the ground and hold him delicately as blood rushed down Atsushi's mouth and head from the impact. "Atsushi... Hey, come on, talk to me, sweetie."

Fritzgerald walked up to the detectives. "If this is all the tiger's got, then he's really not worth that much money. And won't you look at that? The nightmare master himself being so delicate, I didn't think I would live to see it." He sighed. "You really are filled with surprises, aren't you, my dear?"

Fritzgerald carefully traced Y/n's jawline and placing his hands on Y/n's chin. He carefully lifted Y/n's chin, forcing the other to look up at him. Fritzgerald smiled at the glare present in Y/n's eyes. His hands softly pushed Y/n's hair away, giving himself a better view of the pretty (e/c) colors.

"Truely magnificent," Fritzgerald claims, stoking Y/n's cheek. "Don't worry, my dear. The seven billion is only for the tiger. You, however, are priceless for me."

"Fritzgerald..." Y/n grumbled under his breath, holding Atsushi closer to him.

Atsushi couldn't help but stir slightly in Y/n's hold. He carefully peeked open his eyes and see Y/n and Fritzgerald over him. Y/n, feeling Atsushi stir, quickly looked down to see if he was awake. However, Fritzgerald only yanked Y/n's hair to make him look up. Y/n wince slightly.

Fritzgerald raised a brow before looking at Atsushi, he then smiled. "Oh, don't despair, old sport. Your worth lies somewhere else, I'm sure. Now... I'll be taking you both with me. Don't try any funny business otherwise you most definitely will regret it."

Atsushi felt like crying again. 'As always... I have caused everyone nothing but trouble...' He thinks to himself, angry for who he's become, angry at everything that made him himself. 'I'm sorry...' Angry that everyone will now have to come get him. 'I'm useless...' Angry that Y/n was once again dragged into his mess. He closed his eyes.

"Wait." A small voice called out, the voice faint but still can be heard.

Fritzgerald and Y/n looked besides them with widened eyes. Y/n's breathe hitched slightly as he held onto Atsushi closer, almost like he was telling him to look too. "Kyoka..." Y/n breathed out, a whisper.

Atsushi twitched slightly from the name. His eyes fluttered opened and looked towards where Y/n was looking. His eyes widened as well as he could see a very familiar figure with a very familiar kimono on.

"Oh, I remember you!" Fritzgerald claims, snapping his fingers in realization. "You're in the lower ranks of the Mafia, according to the reports, aren't you supposed to have gone M.I.A.?"

"No, my name is Kyoka." She states with a dull voice with a hint of unknown emotion behind it. "A member of the Detective Agency. Nice to meet you."

Suddenly, she was in front of Fritzgerald in seconds, a knife in hand and swinging it at him. Fritzgerald gasped lightly in shock as he stumbled backwards dramatically, dodging Kyoka and her knife play. The wind seemed to pick up and for a moment, it seemed like Kyoka was floating.

Fritzgerald glared at Kyoka, his smile from before long gone. "Wha... What a barbaric country... For a dainty young girl to swing a black without giving away the slightest bit of murderous intent..."

Kyoka suddenly turned away from Fritzgerald and started to walk off. Fritzgerald raised a brow before he realized why. Kyoka had Atsushi in her hand and was rushing away. Fritzgerald watched with widened eyes as Kyoka jumped off of the railing and onto a boat from below them. Fritzgerald narrowed his eyes.

"But... what about..." Fritzgerald muttered to himself.

"Mr. Fritzgerald," Y/n called out calmingly to the blond, making him turn around quickly. Y/n smiled at the blond, hair coving his face, wrists together and towards Fritzgerald. "Will you not be taking me away?"

Fritzgerald narrowed his eyes in suspicion. "You're still here... I would think that the girl would've taken you with her."

Y/n merely shrugged, still keeping his smile. "Well, it seems like she's much closer to Atsushi than to me."

Fritzgerald thought for a moment. He then smiled at Y/n and carefully traced where Y/n's collarbone would be with his hand. "So, it seems that you're severally mistreated in the agency, no? People picking favorites... Don't worry, I'll make sure that never happens when you're with me." He began to walk off, expectantly wanting Y/n to follow.

And Y/n followed with a smile. "Oh? Is that true? Well, then... I'll be expecting great things from the Guild~"

Y/n smile suddenly turned into a frown when Fritzgerald began to ramble on about work and his back was towards Y/n. He was glad that Kyoka listened to him at the moment, he didn't think that Kyoka would take Atsushi for a moment there.

"Take him," Y/n whispered into Kyoka's ear when Kyoka rushed at Fritzgerald and had shocked him.

Kyoka's eyes widened when Atsushi was suddenly in her hand instead of Y/n's sleeve. However, having no room to argue, nor the time, Kyoka merely nodded and followed Y/n's direction.

Y/n smiled as he closed his eyes in a content manner.

"What would allude you better, my dear? Tea or wine?"

"(Fav. tea/wine) sound amazing right now."

───◇──◇─◇

"I find it hilarious that you got away so quickly only to end up back in front of me, young were-tiger," Fritzgerald claims as he, Atsushi and Y/n were now in his office.

Fritzgerald was drinking in a tall glass of expensive champion while sitting in a high-class office chair. Atsushi had his arms tied together with metal and other handcuffs due to how destructive his ability can be. However, Y/n was sitting in a much simpler chair, off to the side, sipping on his beverage. If Y/n's disappointed, it could've been hidden better before than now.

Fritzgerald continued with a smirk, "Are you enjoying your cruise on Moby Dick, our air-borne ability base?" He didn't bother to let Atsushi reply. "Moved beyond words, eh? Splendid."

Atsushi couldn't help but glance at Y/n for a moment. However, he flinched when he noticed that Y/n was glaring him down. He quickly looked back at Fritzgerald. He didn't know whether Fritzgerald was the scariest guy in the room or was an angry Y/n because he got himself caught again.

There was a sudden click behind Atsushi, making him turn to see who it was. His eyes widened slightly when he noticed that it was a girl, a simple girl but someone he knew. Of course, he knew her, he fought against her and won. However, now she was reduced to maid work?

"Ah, Miss Montgomery?" Fritzgerald questioned when he noticed that Atsushi's attention was on her. "Well, those whose ability has been figured out have no strategic value. But she begged to be allowed to stay, so there you have it."

Atsushi's eyes lowered for a moment remembering what she cried to him when they were fighting.

Y/n glanced at Montgomery for a moment. However, he was slightly surprised when the girl came up to himself with a (kettle/bottle) in hand. "Oh? Why, thank you, dear," he said softly. "It's very much appreciated."

The soft words startled Montgomery for a moment. However, she could only shake her head and silently give Y/n more of his beverage. She then continued off with her 'work' and cleaned the place, replace the tablecloth, and more to the best of her abilities.

Fritzgerald smiled and then looked at Atsushi, making the were-tiger look back at him with a nervous gaze. "Now, about why I took you with me. I brought you here because I think you should know what the Guild is after."

"What?" Atsushi muttered.

"We are searching for a certain book."

"A book?" Y/n whispered, besides he's also a prisoner to Fritzgerald's antics.

"It's the only book in existence that is impervious to fire and all abilities. Someone with the ability of clairvoyance prophesized that book in question is currently sealed within this piece of land known as Yokohama."

Atsushi glared. "What does that have to do with me? What does that have to do with any of us?"

Fritzgerald tilted his head slightly. "You are quite literally our 'tiger beetle' or guide, if you will. We're playing host to you here in the air because we can't have you reduced to ashes along with the city below us."

"What...?"

"The special ability department has been stripped of its power. All that remains are the Detective Agency and the Port Mafia," Fritzgerald continued, both prisoners listening closely. "But these two organizations are seriously a handful. It'd save me a lot of trouble just to raze the whole city to the ground."

Atsushi looked at Fritzgerald in horror. "Raze to the ground? What kind of ability would be powerful enough to..."

"This thing." Fritzgerald suddenly pulled an old looking doll from behind him. "Ring any bells." The doll was 'crying' blood and a splitting smile. Of course, Atsushi knew that doll.

Y/n glared. "You wouldn't..."

Fritzgerald waved Y/n off. "According to my tactician's estimation, if we tear open the head of this doll, approximately 1/5 of the city's population will be cursed." Atsushi relived his past events of almost killing Y/n, someone he deeply cares about, in horror. "I, too, feel sorry for sacrificing the innocent locals...

"However... we can't leave 'the object' in a country so puny and undeveloped. It should be put in the custody with power and responsibility like us. This is the emergency plan... otherwise known as...

"The Incineration of Yokohama."

"Fritzgerald, I don't think you know just what you're doing with that doll," Y/n claims as he stood up from his seat, placing his cup down on the table. "It would be wise if you didn't continue with this plan."

"Why is that, my dear?" Fritzgerald questions. "Is it because people will die? I already knew that was going to happen so there will be no worry."

Y/n narrowed his eyes in warning. "No. Because that doll will cause-"

The doll suddenly starts laughing. That maniacal laugh that echoed the walls, echoed the halls, and even the whole Moby Dick itself. The horrible laughter made Atsushi flinch and look at it in pure terror. Y/n stepped back with caution, keeping his eyes on the doll like it would jump at him.

"It's begun then," Fritzgerald claims, holding the doll. "Now all that's left is to damage this doll. That would be the trigger the activation of the ability."

"All right... I surrender!" Atsushi said with desperation. "The Detective Agency and I will provide our full support in aiding your search..."

Fritzgerald raised a brow. "Oh?"

"So please... anything but that ability. Please don't damage the doll..."

"I see that's a very interstation proposal." Fritzgerald smiled. "Fine. We'll establish a partnership." The smile turned sour as the doll suddenly ripped.

"But only with those who survive this..."

"No..." Y/n muttered to himself as the doll's hysteric laughing came to an end and small 'kekeke' are all that came out of the 'dead' doll. "Everyone..."

'Please be careful...'

───◇──◇─◇

Y/n stared at himself in a mirror. He was sitting at a very nice vanity, decorated in beautiful details and carvings. A brush was sitting beside his hand that was on the surface of the vanity, a beautiful brush, and expensive. Y/n was glad that he got such a beautiful room to be in, despite being a prisoner.

Y/n grabbed the brush and simply brushed his hair. He would stare at the side for a while before promptly closing his eyes, imagining his past where he had nothing to worry about. Imagining his mother brushing his hair for him when he was just a boy. Imagining his father detangling the knots with his fingers.

However, when Y/n would open his eyes, he'll realize that he had stopped brushing a long time ago. He would be snapped back into reality. He is trapped, a bird in a cage, a lion in a ring, a fish in a bowl. He would just be an animal for people to look at, gawk at, then left to their lonesome. An animal, not a human that he so desperately wanted to be.

Suddenly the room around Y/n began to shift and change. Y/n jumped up from his seat and looked around. Now, he was in a children's playroom, bright colors and childish. He lowered his hand slightly. He turned around and he relaxed, seeing Atsushi and someone else with him.

"Y/n!" Atsushi called out as he rushed over to Y/n.

"Atsushi," Y/n breathed out as he opened his arms, letting the were-tiger run into his hug. "Oh, thank goodness you're safe." He carefully pets Atsushi's head with care.

"Y/n," Atsushi said again as he pulled away, looking up at the taller male. "We're able to get out."

Y/n pulled back too in slight surprise. "Really, now?"

Atsushi nodded as he gestured the person from earlier to come closer. "Y/n, this is..."

"Miss Montgomery." Said girl and Atsushi were surprised that Y/n remembered her name. "You'll be helping us?"

Montgomery blushed a bit at Y/n's soft tone of voice, embarrassed. "I- Yes, I will be. However..." She stuttered with furrowed brows and handed a bag to Y/n. "I was only able to take one parachute."

Y/n nodded. "I see... Well, sweetie, I think you should have it." He gestured the parachute to Atsushi.

"What?!" Atsushi gawked. "But wouldn't it be better if you? You're definitely much more powerful than me and way better at this stuff too!"

"Sweetie, we don't have that much time right now," Y/n warned as he forced Atsushi to take the parachute. "If I stay here, I'll be able to give the agency enough time to get everything settled. Besides, Fritzgerald really wants me to stay, remember the room difference?"

Atsushi blinked. "Yeah... I got a cell, you got a five-star hotel room..."

Y/n chuckled and nodded. "Yes, yes. So, an even better reason to send you out instead of me." He gave Atsushi a pat on the shoulder. "Don't worry about me. I'll be just fine. Now go, quickly now."

Atsushi hesitated but nodded, nonetheless. He put on the parachute and Montgomery opened the playhouse doors, letting rushing winds in. Atsushi didn't want to leave as he looked back at Y/n, who only gave him a reassuring smile. He then looked at Montgomery.

"Hey, are you sure this is fine?" Atsushi asked one more time. "Are you really invincible as you say you are in this room?"

"Once I send Mr. Y/n back to his own room, I will completely seal this room off," Montgomery confirmed. "I will be invincible."

Atsushi furrowed his brows. "But doesn't that mean... You can never get out of here?"

Y/n's eyes widened. "What?" He muttered to himself.

Montgomery huffed. "Just how dumb are you? It's obviously just an excuse." She then pushed her hair out of her face. "Make sure you survive... then come back and get me out. I'll be waiting..."

"Understood," Atsushi said with a nod, a firm look on his face. He then jumped out of the Moby Dick, parachute on his back.

Y/n couldn't help but chuckle. "My, what a reckless man..." His gaze that looks towards Montgomery, who was still looking out of the door. "Miss. Montgomery..." The girl glanced up at him. "When all of this is over, if you still want a job, I know a really good cafe that's in need for employees."

Montgomery blinked as her eyes slightly widened, her lips agape as she processed what Y/n said. However, she then gave Y/n a small smile and nod. "Yeah," she said. "That wouldn't be too back."

Y/n smiled warmly as the room around him started to shift and change back into the room he was put in. "I'll see you later, dear."

Montgomery's smile dropped slightly as she waved to Y/n, seeing him slowly disappear from her ability's room. "I'll... see you later."

◇─◇──◇───◇──◇─◇
[A/N: When I tell you, you guys are not ready for the next two chapters
lmao]

Words: 3403