Inescapable | Thirteen

"Yahaba Shigeru, correct?"

The blond turned, his eyes narrowed at the sight of the brunet in front of him. Kozume fixed his glasses, giving the prisoner a small nod of greeting as he entered the cell.

"Who are you? You're no ordinary cops."

"My name is Kozume Kenma, but people calls me Neko. Nice to finally meet you, Yahaba-san."

Yahaba gave him a skeptical look, "Neko? I heard he was killed by the military."

Kozume shrugged, "Cats have nine lives, don't they?" He let out a deep breath and continued on, "I know you might find that hard to believe, therefore I'm willing to do whatever it takes to prove that I'm not a fake."

"No need. I don't care who you are, but if you're skilled enough to break into this place, I won't mind listening to what you have to say." Yahaba ran his fingers through his hair, "So? What brings you here?"

"Remember your partner? The Mad Dog, Kyoutani Kentarou?" Mai asked, as she entered the room. Yahaba slowly nodded, narrowing his eyes at the woman.

"You were with the cops, lady. What are you doing here, working with a criminal?"

Mai was about to reply, when Kozume stopped her and spoke up instead. "My organization wants to recruit the Mad Dog, but just like what our informant said," he motioned to the blonde woman, "he will follow only your orders."

"So you want me to join your gang, and tell Kyouken to do as you say."

"Actually, your membership is optional," Kozume replied, "And besides, none of you will be put in any real danger. We mostly work behind the screens, with just a few exceptions. Like this one, for example."

"I don't mind joining your gang. In fact, I would like to get revenge towards those who had locked me inside this cell." Yahaba turned to Mai, and gave her a mocking look. "But answer my question: what are you doing here? You were the one who took care of my case."

"And after that, I quit my job." Mai crossed her arms, "I'm that kind of 'go big or go home' person. If I can't catch both of you, I'd rather get none. My co-workers never believe me when I said that you weren't working alone, and it doesn't help that you never said a thing, either." She turned away, huffing slightly, "And that's why, we're on the same side now."

'Twenty minutes. You should hurry, everyone.' Trojan's voice rang through their earpieces. Kozume's attention went back to the blond inside the cell.

"Anything else, Yahaba-san? If it's all done, I suggest we all should leave now."

"Alright, let's go."

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It was Friday night, around eight p.m., and as always, Tokyo was filled with life. Weekends are usually a moment for most to relax and enjoy a break from work, but it doesn't feel that way for a certain golden-eyed man.

Bokuto Koutarou is his name. A prideful man in his mid-twenties, and an elite military agent. He had been working for years in this department, but even his experience wasn't enough to ease his current worry.

Well, after all, it was uncommon for an underground informant to suddenly contact a government official. A high-ranked one, too, at that. Asking him to come alone, that sounds like a trap, but since he's allowed to choose their time and place of meeting, Bokuto decided it wouldn't be so bad to follow the informant's terms and conditions.

"Welcome!" a cheerful voice greeted him, as he entered the cafe. A very familiar voice, in fact. Bokuto turned towards the counter, giving the blonde woman a small smile in greeting, before he made his way towards his usual seat and sat down.

"It's not yet Saturday, and you're already here, Bokuto-san. Did something happen?" This time, the blonde woman had stood beside him, offering him her usual smile as she gave him the menu.

"More like, something was about to happen, Yachi." He motioned her to lean closer, and continued, quieter, "Someone contacted me a few days ago, claiming he wanted to share some information. We're meeting up here, if you don't mind?"

"Why would I? Anything you need me to do?"

He swiftly pulled out a gun from his backpack, handing it to the woman, their hands under the table. She quickly hid the firearm in her apron, giving him a questioning look.

"If anything happens, shoot him. Don't kill, just immobilize. Can you do it?"

Yachi Hitoka, the owner of the cafe, nodded. "Roger that. Is that all?"

"Just one more thing: can I set up a recorder here?"

"Go ahead, Bokuto-san." Her smile returned, "So, what would you like to order?"

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'Take the left turn, then go straight. Eighth door on the right, unlocking in five, four-...'

"Your friend sure has skills, Neko," Iwaizumi commented, a small smirk on his face. Mai rolled her eyes, while Kozume only sighed, pushing the said door open and entered the hall, followed by four others.

'I would appreciate a more direct compliment, Kishi-san,' Konoha replied, 'You're almost there. Last door on the right. It's unlocked, but there's a guard on stand by.'

"Just one? Piece of cake."

'No, Snow White.' Konoha scoffed, 'He's got a really easy access for back-up. You need to finish him quietly.'

'Snipers on the third floor, and guards outside. I need one of you to take care of them so I can get closer,' Inuoka added, 'Anyone? Please hurry, they will soon notice our van.'

Iwaizumi let out a tired huff, turning towards the brunet. "Neko?"

"I know." Kozume motioned for Mai to come closer, and handed her a small syringe, "Here, a tranquilizer. Surely you can distract him to use this? I will take care of the ones outside."

"B-But-..."

"Remember, we don't have much time. Just yell my name if you need help, Snow White-san," Iwaizumi assured, "And Neko, don't die."

"Not planning on it." The brunet's attention landed on the two ex-prisoners, "Who's better at sniper riffles here?"

Tendou immediately put his hands up in the air and shook his head vigorously. And a moment later, Kozume and Yahaba already ran upstairs towards the third floor.

'Almost there, Neko. Right, stop. The door in front of you, that's it. Six snipers in total, two right beside that door. Can you do it?'

Kozume sent Yahaba a daring look. "Six outside. We each take care of half, good enough for you?"

Yahaba nodded. "So we just burst in and take them out?"

"Exactly."

The blond let out an amused chuckle, "If you say so, Neko." He muttered, before he slammed the door open. The two ran out, quickly knocking the first two guards unconscious.

Kozume grabbed the now-free sniper riffle and aimed it at the remaining two guards, while Yahaba took the guard's dagger, running while throwing it to take down another. For the last one, he grabbed one of the riffle and swung it onto his head.

As he walked back towards Kozume, the brunet gave him a look. "So you're more of a short-range type? Oh, right, we need to give you a codename, too."

'Creampuff!' Mai's excited voice rang through the earpiece. 'We're on our way out now, Neko!'

"Creampuff it is, then." Kozume lifted the sniper riffle and placed it on the railings in front of him, "Watch my back. We still have the ones outside."

"That codename isn't official, right?" Yahaba grunted, "There's no way I'm using it, it doesn't even sounds like a name. I need something more intimidating."

"We can arrange that," Kozume admitted, his eyes fixated on the scope, "Can you use this riffle?"

"...No. I'm not good with firearms."

"Damn." Kozume looked up, though his left hand was still holding the riffle in its position, "Get me another one. The riffle."

Yahaba did as he was told, and Kozume placed the second sniper riffle a few inches beside the first one. His golden eyes now was searching for his target, while Yahaba asked him another question.

"About all of these, recruiting Kyouken and me. You want us to join the Golden Cats?"

"The Golden Cats was gone the moment I 'died'. I want you to help my new gang, The Strays. I heard you were good with explosives?"

"I still am."

"As expected. That will be useful for us." Kozume's eyes left the scope, now staring down at the gates outside, where two guards were standing with their weapons. "You see those? And the silver car, 300 meters from the south?"

"Yeah. Ours?"

Kozume nodded, "Inuoka? It's just the two of them, right?"

'Yes, Neko-san. Trojan-san sent me the location of the others, they're almost outside.'

"Roger." And then, Kozume pulled both the triggers.

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Bokuto glanced at his watch, and sighed. Half past eight, yet the informant hasn't arrived. He's starting to have his doubts.

The owl-like man took another sip of his coffee. He pulled out his phone and turned on the screen, frowning at the sight of dozens of unread texts. Most probably from Suzumeda, regarding updates of her work. That's what she usually did, after all.

Suddenly, his phone vibrated, and a new notification appeared on his screen. A text from Black-Owl, asking 'I'm almost there. Your exact location?'

'Table 11, Wild Sunflower Cafe.' Bokuto typed the reply, before placing his phone away. He called one of the nearby waitress and politely asked for the menu. It already seems like it won't be over anytime soon, so might as well order snacks, right?

He was almost done reading the list of pastries, when a voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Sorry, I'm late." Followed with the sound of someone pulling out the chair, the stranger continued, "Have you been waiting for long?"

"Don't worry about it," Bokuto replied, as he put the menu on the table, and stood up, "Nice to finally meet you-..." he stopped midway as he recognized the man in front of him.

"... Akaashi...?"

The ravenette nodded, "Bokuto-san," he greeted back, "It has been a while."

The two took their seats, and Akaashi spoke up, "So, I suppose I should explain everything beforehand?" Bokuto wordlessly nodded, and he continued, "Alright. Go on, ask whatever you want."

"What happened to The Golden Cats? They all disappeared."

"But we never leave," Akaashi replied, "And officially, The Golden Cats were never disbanded, just inactive. Everyone but two of us started another gang."

"What's the gang's name?"

"Regarding the organization, there's not a thing I can tell you. The Golden Cat's rule still applies; we are not allowed to put other members' safety at risk."

Bokuto scoffed, "Then who are those exceptions?"

"Iwaizumi Hajime and I. As you can see, I became an informant. While Iwaizumi, now he works as an assassin. His latest job was to kill a well-known businessman during the silver anniversary celebration of the Idaina company."

"So that was..."

"Exactly," Akaashi nodded, "Do you want me to find him?"

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Red:
I found another one!

Red:
A black-haired one, tattoo on his arm. His friend called him Akaashi?

White_Rabbit:
He's one of the co-founders. Akaashi Keiji. Member code: 2. Good job, Red. Where is he?

Red:
Tokyo, and from their conversation, he's not leaving anytime soon.

White_Rabbit:
What are they talking about?

Red:
Woah, I didn't know you were this nosy.

Red:
Just kidding, don't kill me. I can't hear them clearly, but they mentioned The Golden Cats. The guy he's talking to seem to be some kind of dangerous gangster.

White_Rabbit:
What are you talking about?

Red:
He carried a gun, a real loaded gun! And he gave it to one of the waitress! She's secretly watching them now!

White_Rabbit:
A real gun, in public? Quite bold. But that doesn't necessarily mean he's a gangster, right?

Red:
He's alone. Any kind of government officials would have gone with a back-up team. He's all by himself.

White_Rabbit:
Suspicious. If you can, try to take a picture of him. I'll do more research later.

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Any guesses on Red and White_Rabbit's identity? :3

-Rae

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