Thanks for your comments and for reading everyone! Chapter 20 is here!
The replies are at the end of the chapter this time since a few spoilers are mentioned in the replies
I’ll do my best to upload chapter 21 tomorrow!!!
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Chapter 20 – The Rescue(Government Base) I regained consciousness after who knows how long. Slowly, I lifted myself off the floor and held my stomach. Lifting up my shirt, I saw a pretty big bruise forming.
Just great. Letting out a breath, I used the wall to lift myself up.
I’m going to need to come up with something else if I want these guys to keep me alive. Think Minami, think! After a few minutes, the captain and two other guards came down to my cell again. “Oh Takahashi san, finally awake I see. Hope that kick to your head jogged your memory, otherwise in less than 24 hours you’ll be dead” he glared.
I let out a light breath and smirked, the captains eyes widened at my sudden change. “You don’t want to do that captain, because if you kill me, you’ll never know what I did with the chip and what we have in store for you”
His eyes grew furious and he glued himself to the bards of the cage, “bitch! What did you do! You didn’t destroy it did you!”
I let out mocking laugh, “now why would I do that. You said it yourself, that chip had enough power to wipe our base out...so I got to thinking, that kind of power is too much for me to handle, so why not go to my old friends and see how they’d like to put it to use”
Oh god I hope he’s buying this! He gritted his teeth and fear sparked in his eyes, “so that’s why you returned to your little friends huh...no matter, they wouldn’t know how to use it to the full extent, it wasn’t even 100% complete, not at full power!” he shouted in denial.
I grinned, “It has enough power...besides, my team has quite the tech genius. Fact is, if you kill me, there’d be nothing stopping my members from blowing this place up to smithereens”
I could see the anger and hate in his eyes, he gripped the bars tightly and yelled out in anger. “I swear I’ll kill you! If it’s the last thing I do!” He strutted away in anger and the guards followed. As soon as he left, I let out nervous breath and sank to the ground. “I’ll leave the acting to Atsuko and Yuko, and stick to singing” I leaned on the wall and closed my eyes, still exhausted, and prayed I’d won myself some time.
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“Takahashi, wake up. Takahashi. Takahashi!” A man’s voice urgently whispered. I stirred in my sleep and with effort opened my eyes.
Slowly I lifted myself off the wall and when my vision was clear, I saw someone was kneeling directly in front of me. Surprised and shocked, I backed away and glued myself to the wall, but when I saw the persons face, my eyes widened. “Eh! Akimoto san!”
Now standing in front of me was Akimoto Yasushi, wearing an old looking government uniform. He seemed a tad younger than the Aki-p I knew and slightly more fit...But no doubt it was Aki-p. I just kept staring like an idiot.
Eh, wait. Aki-p is part of the government! He put his finger to his mouth, “shhh, keep it down Takahashi, we don’t want anyone to notice us.” Huh? I turned my head and saw the cell door was open, and outside it lay two soldiers on the floor. I wasn’t sure if they were knocked out or dead.
“Here, I believe this is yours,” he said as she handed me my watch that the soldiers took when bringing me in. “We need to be as quiet as possible if we want to get out of here alive”
Finally snapping out of my daze, I said, “Wait a minute. What’s going on? Why are you helping me?”
“The answer should be obvious. I owe you from the past” he said as she stood and walked out the cell doors.
The past? So with the other Minami. How do the two know one another? Should I keep pretending to be her? I strapped on the watch and took out my Itoshisa sword from it. When Aki-p gestured it was clear to come out, I did.
“Seems your fight with the government will never end Takahashi” he said in a tone of sadness as he cocked his gun. “Do you have the chip hidden in a safe place? Won’t do anyone any good if the government got their hands on it.”
“Huh...Oh yeah, it’s safe.”
He signalled me to discreetly follow behind him as he kept checking each corner while moving ahead. I gripped my sword in my right hand and held stomach with my left, it still hurt. “Wait Akimoto san”
He stopped and turned to face me. “Um, I’m not sure how much you can rely on me to back you up in the fights. I’m kind of rusty with a gun and only have this sword.”
He raised an eyebrow, but then let out a breath, “that’s troublesome. I’m not too confident I can get us out of here alive myself. I was counting on your assistance.”
I lowered my head, “sorry”
I could tell his eyes were still on me, and when I looked up to meet his, he said, “You’re different.” My eyes widened but that’s all he said. “No matter, back me up as much as you can, I’ll handle the soldiers. Hopefully we can do this swiftly” I looked at my watch and said,
“What if I call my friends?
“No, not inside their base, they’ll pick up the signal and come right at us. Follow me”
I followed him up the stairs, and we both stopped at the doors.
He took out a dagger and fastened his gun to his waist as he then quickly ran through the door and grabbed a passing soldier. He caught him from behind, holding his mouth with one hand, and then slit his throat with the dagger using the other hand.
He then took out a silencer and attached it to his gun. A soldier that just rounded the corner noticed Aki-p, but before he could react, Aki-p shot him in the chest.
“Come on,” he told me. I followed him out and we saw three soldiers ahead just talking. “Damn...wait here” he told me. He hid his gun then just walked out casually towards the soldiers.
Eh! “Hello fella’s”
The soldiers all turned and greeted him. “Oh, Akimoto san, we heard you were back at base for a visit. You missing the old days when you used to be the general” one soldier gave a friendly smile.
Aki-p laughed, “no those days are behind me, but I do need a favour”
“What is it?”
“Stay still” Aki-p grabbed the two close soldiers and knocked their heads together. They fell to the ground, the other responded to slow and Aki-p withdrew his gun and shot the guy.
I came out and stood beside him.
The hell is going on? “Hey! What do you think you’re doing!?” A soldier on the other side yelled as he raised his communicator and shouted, “The prisoner has escaped! She’s on the east wing!”
“Damn! Come on Takahashi” Aki-p and I ran the opposite direction of the soldier.
Now the whole base will be after us...So much for a quiet escape. ----------------------------------------------------------------
(Jane’s POV) Mayu, Atsuko, Yuko, Rena and I had already entered the base from the underground path. We’d taken out a couple soldiers without drawing attention.
“The prisons should be on the east wing, we can assume Minami is there” I said.
We stepped out in the main halls and saw two soldiers strolling. “I got it” Mayu smiled as she reloaded her wrist mounted crossbow on her right hand and aimed it at one of the soldiers. She fired and the sharp metal rod stuck the soldier in the heart, instantly she fired another one and killed the other soldier.
“Nice” I complimented, almost forgetting how deadly Mayu could be. Rena scouted ahead and stopped at a corner, listening. As soon as a soldier rounded the corner, she pierced him with her claws. His friend also rounded the corner, shocked, he raised his gun but Yuko fired at him first with her silencer. Rena held up her hand and showed us four fingers. Atsuko and I both nodded and together we ran forward and rolled as we passed Rena, both of us aiming our silencers at the four approaching soldiers. Atsuko and I both took out two, perfectly in synch.
I signalled the others to follow and we stopped once we reached a room filled with soldiers who were actually high on alert guarding their post.
“We need to get past them to get to the east wing” Mayu said as she pulled up blue prints from her watch.
“Where’d you get that” Rena asked.
Mayu shrugged, “from one of the soldiers we killed back there, I quickly transferred the information to my database” she said casually.
I smirked then looked ahead. “So us five against about 20...I like those odds” I grinned.
Yuko smirked, “won’t even break a sweat”
“You guys remember battle strategy number 8?” I asked.
Atsuko smiled, a twinkle in her eyes, “don’t underestimate us”
Instantly we all took out thermal vision goggles, something we’d developed and upgraded from the original scopes, making it easier to see. Yuko, Atsuko and I took out another silencer, now each of us carrying two guns. Mayu and Rena only took out one, since Rena had her claws and Mayu her wrist bow on the other hand. We each attached a laser to the bottom of our gun. Rena then took out a smoke bomb and we all crouched around the corner.
I nodded. “Let’s do this”
Rena threw the smoke bomb into the room, and it instantly went off. The room completely covered. We could hear the soldiers panicking. Quickly, we all rushed into the room. The thermal goggles helped us see through the smoke, and the lasers helped to better aim at the soldiers. We all fought in perfect synch, none of us aiming for the same soldier, each knowing who to go for. It was as if we’ve never fought apart.
I fired both my guns swiftly in different directions. A soldier fired his gun but ended up shooting his partner. He then to out a knife and swung it when I approached him. I blocked it with one of my guns and used the other to shoot him.
Rena sliced away at the close by soldiers and fired any approaching ones. Mayu fired her crossbow and shot the soldier heading to Rena through the head. Yuko and Atsuko fired their guns back to back. We kept up this rhythm until we were sure no one was left standing. The smoke began to clear, and the room revealed 20 dead soldiers at our feet.
We put away our goggles. “Great, now we need to...”
“The prisoner has escaped! She’s on the east wing!”
We all turned to the communicator on one of the soldiers and Mayu grabbed it. “Guess that’s Takamina” she said.
The alarms in the base went off.
Yuko sighed, “There goes being discreet, this place will be on high alert now”
Just perfect. -------------------------------------------------------------------
Minami’s POV Aki-p and I ran down the corridors, trying our best to avoid fighting too many soldiers. One came at us and I managed to cut him on the leg, slowing him down, and Aki-p finished him off.
“This way!” he shouted. We were about to round a corner but he held me back. “Footsteps are approaching...get ready.” I held my sword in front and he aimed his gun, he told me to wait behind the corner and he jumped out while pointing his gun forward.
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Jane’s POV As the girls and I were about to round the corner, I heard something. I readied my gun and as soon as I the figure step out, we both aimed at one another...and froze.
My eyes widened in shock, and so did his.
“Minami what’s wrong?” Atsuko asked.
Rena, Yuko, Mayu and Atsuko aimed their weapons at them. “Wait!” I shouted as held my left hand to halt them.
It can’t be...but I could never forget his face. He slowly began to lower his gun and raised his hands in surrender. “Now those are the eyes I remember...I’d never forget you” he said as he let out a small smile.
I was frozen in place, gun still aimed at him, the others waited for my instructions.
He raised an eyebrow, “I mean no harm, and I know you’d think otherwise, but I hold no ill will towards you. As a matter of fact...a peace offering” he gestured for someone to step out from behind the wall, and the person who emerged was...
Minami! I could tell she was just as shocked when she turned to see us...Mostly me.
“Eh! Everyone!” she smiled.
“Told you it wasn’t goodbye” Yuko grinned.
“We came to get you” Mayu said.
“With some help of course” Rena smiled as she looked to me.
She stared at me but then smiled, “It’s weird...but it’s great to finally be able to meet you”
“Y...Yeah, glad you’re okay. You’re friends are very worried about you” I tried to smile but my focus was still to him and my gun was still raised. Minami raised her hands in panic,
“Wait, he’s the one who helped me escape. He’s not a bad guy. His name is Akimoto Yasushi”
I gulped, “no need for introductions...I know him...in a sense...which is why I’m having a hard time believing he hasn’t put a bullet through my head yet”
Atsuko came beside me, “what are you talking about Minami”
I let out a nervous smile, “look closely Atsuko, is he not familiar to you...I know it was long ago, and that your focus was not him, but it should ring a bell”
Atsuko stared intently at him and her eyes widened in realization, “It can’t be...He’s the soldier you let live during the massacre when I saw you”
I could see the others were shocked at the news.
“Yeah...That’s him...didn’t know if he’d survived the fire or not though”
(Soldier was mentioned in chapter 14 of Jane's past) Hands still raised, he said, “I survived...Thanks to you...As a matter of fact, I was the only survivor. You showed me mercy and let me live”
“Don’t act thankful...I killed all your men back then...almost killed you. You can’t possibly tell me you don’t want revenge.” I glared.
He slowly lowered his hands, “not everyone believes revenge is the answer...but I do not seek it...not to you anyhow. You killed terrible men back there...and I too was a terrible man. A terrible coward too. Yet you let me live...and I was forever grateful for that. Coming out of that massacre alive I realized how precious life was. I went back to my family, and swore to be a new man. I resigned from the government and lived an honourable life from then on. Told myself my fight was over...However, I’d always kept my ears open to you young one, and prayed for you and your friends. When I’d heard you were captured, I decided to pick up my weapons again and come to aid you. I will always be in your debt, little warrior” he bowed before me and I looked to Atsuko.
She smiled and nodded, “I believe in his words...and so do you”
Nodding, I lowered the gun and he raised his head.
“We should hurry and leave her, once off their land they will not pursue us”
“We just need to get past the bridge from the base, I have reinforcements waiting there.” I said. I turned to Mayu, “do those blueprints tell us of a quick way to get out of here?”
Mayu was scanning the map, “here!” she pointed, “it’s an emergency exit just down the path, and it shouldn’t be too heavily guarded.” I nodded. It was definitely the right choice to bring a as few members as possible on this mission. It made the escape easier too.
“Minami, here” Atsuko called,
“Yeah” Both I and the other Minami answered and we looked to one another.
The other Minami raised a hand, “to make this less complicated just refer to me as Takamina. I’m very used to that anyways”
We all nodded and Atsuko handed me a revolver, “no need to be silent anymore, let’s get out of here” I nodded and we made our way to the exit.
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Takamina’s POV We all headed towards the exit at a fast pace. The members and Aki-p were swiftly shooting and killing anyone who was getting in our way, not letting anything slow us down.
"This way!” Mayu said as she rounded another corner. “Over there!” We saw the exit just up ahead. The others ran to it and I followed, however, before I could take another step, something grabbed me from behind and yanked me to the floor.
A soldier who looked beaten held his sword high and was about to bring it down on me. I managed to roll out of the way and as hard as I could, I kicked his shin. He yelled out in pain and that gave me enough time to get back on my feet. I raised my sword and striked his, sending it flying out of his grasp. I was about to pierce him with my sword, but suddenly, the other Minami came forward and caught my sword with her bare left hand. She then quickly fired at the soldier with the gun in her right.
I was taken aback by her action, and I could see the blood trickle from her palm as she finally let go of my sword.
Before I could say anything, she grabbed my arm and dragged me out after the others. We stepped out the doors and kept running. As we ran, Minami yelled, “Contact Sasshi, and tell her we’re heading towards the rendezvous point.”
Rena ended up calling Sasshi as we ran through the forest. We kept running without looking back, and finally after some time, up ahead I saw a huge cargo vehicle. At the wheel was Yui, and in the back where the cargo usually was, were about a dozen members.
“Quick” I saw Yuki and Sayanee gesture for us to hop in. Yuki grabbed hold of Mayu's hand and helped her in, and Sayanee assisted me. They raised an eyebrow but no one questioned why Aki-p was with us.
“Yui go!” Minami shouted as Yui turned the vehicle around and drove us further away from the government.
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In the back, we were all catching our breaths. The members kindly welcomed me back and I smiled.
I looked over to Minami who was getting her hand patched up by Atsuko. After catching my breath I asked, “neh Minami, why did you go and do that back there?”
She just glanced at me then focused back to Atsuko. “Doesn’t matter” she said.
I narrowed my eyes, “it does matter. You hurt yourself; I could’ve killed that soldier”
Rena then spoke up, “that was the point, she didn’t want you killing him”
“Eh, but she killed him” I said.
“It’s okay for her because she’s killed before. She means, Minami didn’t want you to stain your hands...You’ve never killed a person before. I’m sure Minami wants to make sure it stays that way”
Oh...That’s right...I was about to cut that soldier down like it was nothing but...who knows how I would have felt after doing it. I looked to Minami, “thanks” I said. She just nodded.
“You can tell us what happened at the base once we get back to ours” Yuko said.
By nightfall, we were back at the base. We all got out the vehicle and headed to the front doors. Once inside, we headed to the main lobby where the rest of the members were.
Once inside, my eyes widened as I saw the most bizarre thing. There were two Jurina's running around the room playfully chasing one another. I saw Yuko animatedly talking to Haruna while making wild gestures. I blinked and turned to look at the Yuko who stood beside me, she just raised an eyebrow at the other’s actions. I turned back to see two Sasshi’s doing...
WOTAGEI! The hell! At this point my mouth was wide open.
“Minami!” I heard a familiar voice shout with relief. I saw Atsuko running to me. Before I could respond or do anything, she ran right at me and wrapped me in a tight hug. Due to the impact, I held onto her to make sure she didn’t fall but we both ended up falling to the ground anyways.
“Minami! Minami! Minami!” she kept shouting my name as she burrowed her head in my neck. I felt her tears on my skin and gently rubbed her back and patted her head. I didn’t even think about why or how she and the others were here...Fact was, she was here...She was with me, and all that mattered now was comforting her.
“It’s okay Atsuko. I’m perfectly fine, really” I smiled and waited for her to lift her head, as she did, she unknowingly put pressure on my stomach by her arm and I winced.
Her eyes widened as she grabbed my shirt and tried to lift it. I held her hand down and tried to keep her from lifting my shirt. “I’m fine!” I lied. She glared and I loosened my grip, allowed her to lift my shirt.
“Minami you’re hurt!” She said worriedly as she stared at the bruises on my stomach.
“It’s nothing, I mean yeah it hurts but they’ll go away in due time” I gave a lopsided smile, and before she could scold and lecture me, I said, “I’m glad you’re here, Acchan”
She paused, and then nodded. I smiled to her, and she finally returned my smile.
“Ahem!” Yuuchan cleared her throat as she and my members all stood above me and Atsuko. We both blushed and stood up.
“Glad you’re okay general manager” Yuuchan smiled.
“I knew Takamina san would be okay!” Jurichan happily said.
“Takamina san!” Sasshiko yelled as she wrapped me in a suffocating hug, Yuuchan and Jurichan had to pull her off.
“We just got her back, don’t go killing her” Yuuchan joked.
“What are you guys doing here?” I asked, though happy for their presence.
“Time for explanations I guess” Mariko sama declared.
First, everyone explained how the other Minami and my members came here, which explained the chip that captain wanted. That led to my explanation of everything the captain said, and then finally, Minami explained who Aki-p was.
I suddenly jumped up from my seat after...Jane,
yes easier to call her Jane like my members do. After Jane finished her explanation, I remembered. “The captain!” I shouted.
Everyone looked to me to continue. “I think he’s the same one you told me about, the one who led the ambush on you guys”
Jane’s eyes grew angry, “he was there! At the base!” Atsuko grabbed her shoulder to calm her down.
I nodded, “yeah, he was there, he’s the one I mentioned asking the questions about the chip...But what I really wanted you to know was, he said something about the incident! Thinking I was the other Minami, he asked if I was still mad that he’d tricked me and caused my friends to detest me...and that it didn’t seem to last long though...”
I saw Jane clench her fist. I spoke again, “so um...please don’t be mad at each other anymore! I’m sure Jane is innocent!”
The alternate world members seemed taken aback, but a few smiled. “Yeah we kind of discussed that before coming to rescue you” Rie said.
“Thank you for letting us know though, it further backs up Minami’s innocence” Atsuko added.
I let out a sigh of relief, glad they somewhat had things resolved.
Jane stood and faced everyone, “we could all use some rest. And I’m sure Takamina wants to catch up with her friends. Let’s call it a night and discuss what will happen tomorrow. There’s much we have to resolve regarding sending these girls home and...Perhaps...a large upcoming battle.”
I was surprised by that last part, but her members seemed to understand. Mariko sama smiled at me and my friends, “you girls can all share a spare room we have. Should be large enough for you if you don’t mind bunking”
I nodded my thanks as I smiled at my friends.
Mariko sama then turned to Aki-p, “we have one spare room left, and it’s yours if you wish. You did help us, so you’re welcome to stay the night”
He bowed in gratitude, “I’ll kindly accept that offer” he said.
I looked around and realized that was our cue to leave. “I can show Aki-p to his room, I know the way around now, and then I and my friends will head to ours”
“Thank you” Mariko sama smiled.
Before walking off, Acchan said, “oh Takamina, hold on” she ran over to Jane and gave her a hug, whispered something to her and Jane nodded. I frowned, I was sure it was just a friendly gesture or something, but I admit I was jealous...
Why am I jealous! With Atsuko back at my side, I walked off with Aki-p and the four girls who came to this world.
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Jane’s POV Acchan stopped before leaving with the others and suddenly came running in my direction. She gave me a light hug and whispered, “thank you...For bringing back Minami safely like you promised”
I nodded.
That promise won’t be complete until I get you all back to your world safe and sound. She then ran to Takaminas side, and they left.
I turned around and saw Atsuko giving me a quizzical look. Instantly I blushed, “she was just saying thanks!” I defended.
She tilted her head, “I didn’t say anything”
Your look said it all! Mariko laughed, “Alright, we’ve all had a long day. We should also call it a night.” The member noddeds and everyone began to leave the lobby.
Jurina ran up to me as she clung to Rena’s arm, “those girls are really interesting Takamina san! Can we talk to them more tomorrow! There’s so much me and the others want to know” I smiled and ruffled her hair.
“Sure thing kid”
Rena bid me good night and left.
Sasshi then came forward, “I’m just as awesome as I thought I’d be! Can’t wait to hear more about their world tomorrow...Like how you apparently danced to some pretty out of character songs” Sasshi grinned and I glared. She ran away before I could hit her.
“She was flirting with you!” I heard Yuko whine to Haruna who sighed.
“She was just being friendly...actually she mostly talked about her....’nyannyan’”
Yuko pouted, and I smiled, glad to know Yuko was still her same old self when she wasn’t stressed.
Haruna sighed, “I’ll make it up to you later, so let’s just head to bed, I’m tired,”
Yuko smirked, “Hai! Whatever you say!”
As Yuko and Haruna passed, Yuko stopped and said, “we’ll talk more tomorrow Minami...Um...the members are glad you’re back”
I nodded and the two left.
Miichan, Tomochin and Mariko bid me good night, and soon enough it was just me and Atsuko.
“Um...I guess we should head to sleep as well...I’ll take the couch in the lobby here and see you all tomorrow”
Atsuko gently grabbed my hand before I could turn, “Minami...this is your home...and your room is still your room...Don’t leave me alone there anymore” she said with sadness, and guilt once again built up in me.
I squeezed her hand reassuringly, “I won’t ever leave you again, if you’re okay with me by your side”
She smiled, and hand in hand we went to ‘our’ room.
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Replies: FlameHazeKatsu: Yuuchan does not hold back with her questions! & lol right on, yeah Atsuko is usually violent to Jane out of love!
Acchan was prob thinking that she hopes she doesn’t treat Minami like that, even though she’s tsundere to her in her own way
& the ‘welcome’ back part was right, but the kiss is yet to come, though it will
olive29: No prob, hope you enjoyed this update! & lol, the OW members teach their perverted/harrsement ways to the AW eh
Well both Yuko’s are perverts, it’s just AW Yuko saves her antics for Haruna behind closed doors
Kochiki: Both Sasshi’s are forever goofballs
& yeah, Yuuchan is bold to ask that
Thanks for thinking this is a ‘masterpiece’ *__* Hope you enjoyed the update
Archer1992: Must be weird for them! I know I’d be freaked out to meet another yet different me
Chichay12: You’re welcome! Thanks for looking forward to this update! Hope you enjoyed it!
bunny_rabbit: Yes..yes Yuuchan had to voice that question
& lol yeah Rena dodged a bullet there, but I’m sure she’d find a way to handle em
Lol both Sasshi’s do have that effect to leave someone speechless
ALSO, I included the wotagei thanks to your mention of it :3
Takaminafan49: you’re welcome! Hope the chapter answered your questions
sakura_drop_: lol it’s okay, squeal over Rena and Yuko to your heart’s content
Glad you like Atsumina moments! More to come in chapter 21! & lol not a fail comment, I enjoy your comments so thanks for always writing :3
Shinoki: Queen Sasshi would be epic
& thanks again for pointing the error in Jurina’s name
Thanks for looking forward to this chap! Please look forward to the next as well
AshuraX: The dude you wanted to appear has made an appearance!
X_Last-Cross_X: Takamina having to save Takamina indeed
Topic: Travel To A Distant World: The Recruitment (Mayuki) [side story] (Dec 29 2013) (Read 143493 times)