Thanks everyone! So since this was already written, here is chapter 16! I know my updates can sometimes be quick which may be a hassle at times since it give you all a lot to read
But feel free to comment whenever you want and on whatever chapter you want if you wanted to but didn’t have a chance for a previous posting
So this is the last part of AKB’s past, next chapter we’re back to the present! Hope you all like this! Enjoy the read & if you have anything to say please comment!
Replies:Chichay12: Today the posting of the chapter shall be! & you’re welcome
Dieyg48: Glad you find it interesting! I’m worried I’m boring you guys T_T & yeah, the ‘friend’ concept is knew to Minami so good think she was able to make some! As for the saving, you’ll see what happens in this chapter
olive29: You’re welcome, here is the next chapter today as requested
bunny_rabbit: A part of her will always be an airhead no matter what world indeed
The inspiration for Rena’s claws came from wolverine! Total badass!
Enjoy the update!
Archer1992: Let’s see how the saving will go!
Takaminafan49: Here is the update!
& glad Mariko’s role was understood, she was a mystery when first introduced to Minami! Lol glad you liked Haruna’s airhead moment!
kenjoy12: You’re welcome, thanks for your enthusiasm for the fic!
Shinoki: Wmatsui, yay! Yeah, this is one of the reasons why Minami relied on Rena a lot in the future
& glad you found Taka’s friend making method cute~ that’s what I was going for ^^
X_Last-Cross_X: Don’t apologize!!! Feel free to comment whenever you want on whatever chapters you want! Haha ‘Takatiny’ I like that name
As for members going to the alternate world... it could very well happen
cisda83: Glad you find it interesting
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Chapter 16 - The Birth of AKB part 4 Rena and I were racing through the sewers towards the government base. She wasn’t surprised when I showed her the underground system I used, instead she was impressed.
As we kept running side by side, I spoke up, “so um...how are things with Jurina”
She gave me a curious look but then kept her eyes forward. “They’re great actually. She’s a handful, but a good and strong kid.”
“I see...That’s good...about that time, um...I never got to say thanks...for helping me and all. Actually, I was pretty cold from the way I remember it” I admitted.
She let out a small laugh, “you really are trying to change. Don’t sweat it; we both aided one another then. Sure you may not have been the friendliest company to keep around, but you held up your end of the bargain.”
I nodded, though obviously she couldn’t see since we were still running. I may not be great at reading people like Atsuko is, but I could tell that Rena was a good person.
“Alright, just around that corner there” I informed her as we slowed our pace. “Up the ladder through the bars should take us to their basement level. I’m sure the government still doesn’t know about these entrances, so the traps they set must be on their main floors.”
“We won’t know what to expect once we’re in there, traps still could be in place, and they could still be waiting for you. We’ll have to be careful, find your friends then get out.”
I nodded, and we both headed up.
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Once in the basement, we confirmed that we were in the clear, and that we’d head up to the first floor.
“Do we have a plan?” Rena whispered.
I raised an eyebrow, “what are you looking at me for?” I asked perplexed.
“Well...do you?” she ignored my last question.
I sighed. “If they were expecting me, they probably set up the traps by their supplies on the east wing. The west wing is where the prisons usually located...so they could be on either end.”
“...Do you think they’d kill them right away?” Rena bluntly asked, and I flinched. Though it was a valid question.
“...I don’t know” I honestly answered.
“...So where should we head first?”
Suddenly, out attention was directed towards the sound of shouts and gun shots. “I’m guessing that way” I said, and me and Rena ran through the halls towards the east wing.
Rena and I both took out our guns and held them in our hands as we ran down the hall. The gun felt unfamiliar, and yet familiar in my hands.
As we ran, we spotted two guards up ahead, and they caught sight of us as well.
“Hey! More intruders!” the young man yelled. He was about to raise his gun to fire but Rena reacted first by shooting him in the chest. His partner raised his gun but I held mine to him as well, as did Rena.
“If you were smart, you’d drop that gun” Rena instructed. He looked back and forth between us, gun still raised.
Idiot. I fired my revolver and shot at his gun, sending it flying out of his hand. I then charged him and kicked his stomach, he fell on his back and I aimed my gun at him again. “Let’s try this again. Where are the group of girls who infiltrated this base?” Rena walked over beside me.
“Ha! Those brats are probably dead by now. They won’t cooperate, and there’s too many soldiers” he smirked and my temper flared. I fired the bullet right beside his head and he screamed.
“That’s not what I asked.”
“Okay! Okay! They set off the trap on the east wing and fled to the south, soldiers are chasing them down to a dead end.”
“We should hurry after them” Rena informed. I nodded and looked down to the soldier and cocked my gun.
His eyes widened. “No please! Please don’t kill me! Please!” he pleaded. I hesitated for an instant, and that was enough time for the soldier to pull out a knife and spring forward. I still didn’t pull my trigger, instead I tried to dodge, but he managed to cut my left arm. A shot then rang out and I saw blood pour out of his chest as he fell to the ground. Rena stood behind him with her gun aimed.
I let out a breath of releif. “Than...” Rena grabbed me by my collar and slammed me to the wall. I winced as my left arm made contact.
“Are you an idiot? That was careless! If you’re not serious about saving your friends then you shouldn’t have come” she glared.
I glared back, “of course I’m serious!” I tried to pull her hand off me and move but she tightened her grip and slammed me back into the wall.
“Then act like it! If you go hesitating like that again, you’ll get us both killed. You’re not working alone anymore Takahashi, get that through your head. Your actions right now will determine if you’re friends and us get to live”
I lowered my head, ashamed of myself. She was right; it wasn’t just my life on the line anymore. I wasn’t working solo anymore to just steal some things...I was here to save my friends. I looked over at two dead soldiers and flinched again.
Rena sighed and let go of me. “It’s either them...or us Takahashi. Next time, don’t go pulling out your gun if you don’t plan to properly use it” she walked ahead of me.
I gripped the gun that was in my hand and followed behind Rena.
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As we headed towards the others, I quickly cut a piece of my jacket and Rena helped tie it on the cut on my left arm.
We arrived at the east wing and saw many dead bodies lying around. Thankfully none of them were the people I knew.
“Clearly they were here” Rena said.
I nodded. “There’s the path to the south wing, let’s hurry”
On our way, we ran into a few more guards. Wanting to keep our presence hidden as we approached, we decided no guns till we reached the south wing. Rena sprang out her claws and cut down the soldiers in her path. I took out both my daggers and immobilized the soldiers then knocked them out. I could start to feel the pain from the cut in my left hand, but ignored it and kept moving forward.
As we got closer, the sounds got louder. The shouting, the shooting.
We saw the pathway end at a turn and stopped at the corner.
“You ready for what’s behind there?” Rena asked.
“I don’t have much of a choice” I answered. We both nodded and charged in.
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Yuko’s POV We were getting creamed...well not entirely but close to it. There were a lot of soldiers, and only five of us. We were exhausted, running low on ammo, therefore relying on our close range weapons.
So far we were managing to hold up, only sporting a few minor injuries, but we didn’t know how long we could fight them off. I stuck by Sasshi’s side. She wasn’t much of a fighter, so I was assisting her. I had my katana out and was cutting down any soldier in my way. One came up at my side and fired his gun. I swiftly deflected his bullet with my blade and cut his gun in half, then ran him through the chest with the katana.
“Sasshi! 12 o clock!” I shouted. She quickly turned in the proper direction and fired. The other soldier dropped.
Haruna’s POV Mariko and I fought back to back. Both I and she had out our tonfa guns. Striking the close by enemies and shooting the ones at a distance.
“How long can we keep this up?” I panted as I shot another soldier and slammed one of my guns to another’s head.
“For as long as we have to!” Mariko said as she flipped a soldier over her shoulder and slammed him into the floor, and then shot him.
Atsuko’s POV “Ah!” I shouted as I stabbed a soldier in his chest with my dagger, swiftly pulling it out and stabbing the one who approached behind me. Another soldier raised his gun and fired, but I used his friend who I’d just killed as a shield, and then drew out my own gun and shot the guy.
I quickly looked around at my friends and saw them exhausted as well. I don’t know how long we can keep going.
“Woah!” I heard Sasshi yell. I turned and saw she was on the floor, a soldier smirking as he held his gun at her. Before I could react, a shot rang out and the soldier collapsed as the bullet went through his chest. I turned in surprise and saw a girl I didn’t recognize...and beside her was... “Minami!” I shouted. Happy to see the older girl came for us, though I admit surprised to see she was with someone else.
I made eye contact with Minami and she smiled and nodded. Her way of maybe telling me things would be okay. I also nodded and went back to fighting.
Minami’s POV I ran into the battle and immobilized as many soldiers as I could. I used my daggers to cut them on the arm and legs then slammed the base of my dagger to their heads. I heard one approach behind me and I quickly ducked, brought out my leg and slid it in a 180 degree motion, bringing the guy down to the ground. I grabbed him from his collar, lifter him slightly then slammed his head back down to the floor to knock him out.
Looking over, I saw Rena was handling herself well.
I stood and saw more soldiers approach.
Damn it, just how many are there...I touched the gun strapped to my waist, and slowly pulled it out. My hands shook as I held the revolver...
No time to hesitate...no time to hesitate....no time to hesitate. “Bitch!” I heard someone angrily yell. I turned and saw a soldier slam Atsuko into the wall. She dropped her weapon as he kicked her in the stomach. She slid to the floor and coughed, and he aimed his gun at her. “I’ll teach you not to mess with us! Why don’t you beg for your life, maybe I’ll let you live” he smirked.
My heart constricted. Suddenly, I felt like the only people in this room were the soldier and Atsuko, because that’s all I could see. When she tried to recover, he kicked her down again and kept telling her to beg for her life.
My breathing became eratic, my vision foggy...and yet very much in focus. Images flashed through my mind...this time of the soldiers killing my parent’s right in front of me.
No...No...Not again...I’m not that same helpless little girl anymore...I can fight! You won’t...You won’t take anyone else away from me! Anger quickly radiated through my very core. I lifted the gun with shaking hands and aimed it at the soldier. “You won’t....I won’t let you” I whispered. I gripped the gun and held it steadily in place. I felt something inside me snap as he struck Atsuko again, and I fired.
The bullet struck him right in the head, and he instantly fell to the floor. Atsuko raised her head as she wiped the blood from her lips and looked at me, but I was no longer looking at her.
I shifted my gaze to the other soldiers.
No hesitation. I won’t let them take anything of mine anymore. A soldier ran at me and I raised my gun with no effort and shot him in the head. I heard another approach from behind and without even having to look; I pointed the gun behind me and fired. Heard him fall. I walked up to a soldier who was cornering Sasshi and grabbed him by the collar, pulling him backwards and slammed him to the floor.
He looked up with shock, raised his hands, “please don...” I shot him before he could finish.
I turned back to Sasshi, saw her looking surprised as well. “Hand me a spare gun” I casually told her as I held out my hand.
She just nodded and handed me a pistol. I loaded it and turned back to the battle, a gun now in each hand.
Atsuko’s POV That fraction of a second I met Minami’s eyes, I knew something was wrong. No...Not wrong...because for some reason, I felt like she was still herself. That she was in control. But I knew this was something she didn’t want to do...
Was it? I stood myself up from the wall, and watched as Minami gunned down every soldier. It didn’t take her more than one shot to each solider. She never missed, always getting them in the head. Instant kill. Sometimes she’d only glance at one soldier on one side, then looks to another, but shoots both at the same time. It’s as if the guns were extensions of her arms. She knew where the enemy was, and she knew who the enemy was. She fired at the soldiers surrounding Haruna, clearly confident in her abilities to not hit her.
I saw Yuk run up to me. “Woah...Is that the same Minami we know”
I looked on with sad eyes as Minami mercilessly gunned down the soldiers. I couldn’t see her expression, and I wondered if it was the same as back then, however, when she shot down the final soldier, she calmly lowered her hands to her sides, loosely holding the guns. Slowly she turned back to me.
No...It wasn’t the same expression as back then, it changed. When I first caught her eyes earlier, they looked angry...vengeful...but now, it seemed she was calm, like she was sure of what she’d done. Determined to do it.
This time she’d killed for the sake of protecting us, not for vengeance...That didn’t change the lonely look in her eyes though.
I slowly began to walk up to her. Haruna and Mariko stood to the side and watched, Yuko helped Sasshi up and they also stayed in their place. The girl Minami came with just watched curiously. I stopped in front of Minami. She was staring at the last soldier she killed.
“Minami?” There was no response. “Minami!” I said a bit louder. She looked to me, her eyes steadily losing that fogged up appearance. She still wasn’t saying anything. I looked down to her hands and saw she was still gripping both guns in her hands.
“Minami, it’s okay now. It’s over. We’re all fine.”
She slowly looked around, as though she had to confirm herself if we were all really okay. “Minami” I tried again, grabbing hold of one of her wrists with each hand. “You can let go of the guns now”
Her eyes widened, and her hands loosened. Both guns clattered on the floor. She looked around the room again, and broke out of my hold, raising both her hands to cover her mouth. She looked like she was going to be sick. She stumbled over to the wall at the corner, fell to her kneees, and started coughing, and then threw up.
“Minami!” I ran over to her, and I heard the others follow, also worried.
I crouched down to her level and softly patted her back. I kept doing that until she got her breathing under control and raised up her head.
Minami’s POV I wiped my mouth with my sleeve jacket and took it off, threw it to the floor since it was covered in blood as well. I felt everyone’s eyes on me and it made me worried, worried to see what expressions they held.
“Minami” I turned my head when I heard Atsuko called. She looked at me with worry and tears slid down her face. I was shocked.
Did I scare her? I lowered my head “Sorry...I always seem to make you cry... even though all I want is for you to smile”
“You... really are an idiot. I’m just crying because I’m worried. Because there’s nothing I can do to make things right, to make you not hurt” she said.
I was taken aback.
“You did have us worried for a second there, glad you’re okay though” Haruna smiled down at me.
“Yeah, thanks for coming to help us” Sasshi gave me a piece sign.
“We would’ve gotten creamed if it weren’t for you; clearly you’re a skilled fighter...and a good friend. Thanks for coming for us” Yuko smirked.
“We should also thank you for bringing your friend along” Mariko smiled over to Rena.
“I owed her one...besides; I could tell she was serious when she asked for help, and I was curious to meet the people she’s trying to change for” Rena said.
........
I was honestly happy at the moment. For once a feeling of total bliss washed over me and tears streamed down my own face.
“Why are you crying!?” Atsuko said as tears continued to fall.
“B...because. I’m happy...I know it sounds stupid...but I’m just happy you’re all okay. And you’re here. I was so scared at first...scared I wouldn’t be able to save you guys, but now you’re all still here...so I’m happy” I cried. “sorry”
“Idiot, that’s not something to apologize for” Atsuko laughed through her tears and encircled me in a firm hug. We both cried in each other’s arms.
Yuko’s POV Sasshi titled her head, “I don’t really get it but...they’re crying because they’re happy right?”
I smirked, “indeed they are”
“Aww, they’re like two little kids, so cute” Haruna commented.
Mariko chuckled, “well, that’s because they are still kids...we tend to forget that these days don’t we. It’s nice to see them act their age once in awhile”
I nodded, a sad smile gracing my face. Indeed one had to grow up fast in this world, but looking down at Minami and Atsuko, I couldn’t help but smile. I’m sure the both of them had a tough life, but it was because of people like them that I fight. And seeing the two now, I knew they were people I wanted to fight for. Fight for them so maybe they could still be kids once in awhile.
In a way it was odd, here we are surrounding these two kids, while a bunch of dead soldiers surrounded us....however, we didn’t care. Somehow, being together made everything alright, I even shared a greeting smile with the girl Minami had brought.
After some time, Minami and Atsuko pulled apart and dried their tears.
“Come on, we should get out of here” I said.
Minami’s POV Rena offered me her hand to help me up, and Yuko offered Atsuko. We both stood with their help. I looked to each and every one of their faces and smiled.
“Woah Minami, you look pretty cute with a smile” Yuko commented.
I blinked, “uh, thanks” I said awkwardly as Atsuko hit Yuko.
“Stop, she’s not used to that” she scolded.
Yuko gave Atsuko an accusing look, “how come you get to tease her!?”
Atsuko stuck out her tongue, “just because”
“Um...can I say something?” I asked. They all looked to me. “Um...thanks. I know it was probably odd to have seen me like that a few minutes ago when I was fighting...but I don’t want to lie and say that’s not who I am. I did lose control for a second there but...honestly, I knew full well what I was doing, and I accepted it. For once...for once I wanted to fight for someone else other than myself or for revenge. I was okay with pulling the trigger. So if it’s okay with you all...can I stay by your side, and continue to fight?” I nervously asked.
There was a collective silence for a bit, but then Yuko smiled. “We already established you’d be staying with us Minami, no need to ask”
Atsuko nodded, “are you sure you’re oaky with it though, I mean, we’ll continue to strike the government”
I nodded without hesitation. “I can’t keep running for the rest of my life. I’m making no difference the way I am now. I want to be able to create a future for everyone where they can live in peace...To do that, I have to fight, and I know I can do better this time, because I have a reason to fight” I said with determination.
“Well then, we’d be more than honoured to have your help Minami” Mariko smiled.
“Sorry to break this up, but Minami, want to introduce us to your friend over there” Sasshi said as she pointed to Rena.
I laughed, “Sorry. Everyone, this is Rena. We shortly teamed up about a year ago, and I asked her for help”
“Then we should thank you as well” Atsuko said as she walked over to me and grabbed hold of my arm, “just an acquaintance then right” Atsuko gave me an innocent smile that sent shivers down my spine.
I looked over to Rena, “...A friend...if she’s okay with me calling her that”
Rena smiled, “I don’t mind, but do you all think we can take this conversation somewhere else?’
We all nodded, but I remembered something. “Wait; let’s head over to the west wing first. There may be prisoners that need freeing.”
They all agreed, and we walked over.
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As we walked, Atsuko kept holding my hand, and I didn’t mind the action. Rena looked over to us and asked, “I’ve been curious about this but...Takahashi, why are you wearing a dog collar.”
........
“Eh!” I looked down and saw I still had the collar on. “Atsuko!” I turned to her and she raised her hands in apology.
“Sorry! I left the keys at home!”
“She’s lying, she lost them” Yuko pointed out as Atsuko glared at her.
“L...lost! Wait, I won’t have to wear this for the rest of my life will I?”
“Don’t worry about it Minami san, I can probably take it off” Sasshi reassured as I sighed in relief.
Wait...probably?! We reached the cells but saw them empty. However, I saw a shadowed figure in one of the cells in the corner. “There’s someone there” I said.
We walked over to the cell, and saw a girl sitting in the corner. She had light brown shoulder length hair, and was covered in dirt. Although, even with all the dirt and scratches, she was still beautiful. I began to walk up to the cell but Mariko held me back.
“Careful...even if this is a government prison, sometimes their prisoners really are dangerous and not so innocent.”
I gently shrugged her off; “None of us are innocent” I smiled at Mariko then walked up to the cell. The girl raised her head and looked at me with caution. In that moment, I realized what I wanted to do. Taking out my dagger, I pierced the keyhole and broke the lock. Opening the cell doors, I slowly walked over to the girl. She seemed about my age.
“W...what do you want” she cautiously asked. I saw that she had little fangs when she spoke.
I kindly smiled. “Nothing, I just want you to trust me” I held out my hand to her, and saw she was surprised. It felt good though, to reach out a hand to someone. To offer someone a chance, a chance I would’ve loved to have long ago, but do now.
I kept my hand extended, and the girl slowly reached over and placed her hand in mind. Smiling, I grabbed hold and helped her up, then walked out of the cell.
“I’m Takahashi Minami” I introduced myself.
Her eyes slightly widened, but she calmly said, “Itano Tomomi”
The others walked over. Giving me curious glances. I looked to Itano, and each one of them.
“You’ve come up with something, haven’t you” Rena guessed.
I smirked. “I want to fight...to help others...to change things. And if we want to go up against the government, we’ll need more people...more friends”
They all looked surprised.
“You don’t mean like...create our own army” Sasshi asked.
I shook my head and smiled, “No...I mean create our own family”
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End of chapter 16!
My next update will most likely be July 10th!
Topic: Travel To A Distant World: The Recruitment (Mayuki) [side story] (Dec 29 2013) (Read 143404 times)