Souls In Hiding

Rescue Squad

< Author's Note >

I'm finally continuing this book. Hope it's been worth the wait and it doesn't end up like pure and utter shit :)

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"Phantom Thief?!" Kokichi laughed, earning a hard slap to the face from one of the guard's pinning him to the floor in a kneeling position. Guess I shouldn't speak out of turn. As Miu would probably say, kinky.

"I've never met a phantom who's caused as much trouble as you. Your soul would be perfect." Monokuma slowly approached the boy until he was only a meter before him. "How do I get it?" Kokichi remained silent, not daring to give anything away. The boy could feel his wounds reopening with the number of slaps he was receiving. 

Monokuma paced around the room, throwing ideas around to analyse a reaction from Kokichi. "How about I throw salt on you? Burn you alive? Drown you? Stab you with an iron blade?" Each time he refused to answer, a guard kicked or punched Kokichi into the tiled, now bloody floor. "I will find out eventually Kokichi, you can't hide from me forever." Monokuma knelt in front of him, grimacing at the sight of the foul liquid oozing from Kokichi's face. "Take him back to the cells."

Kokichi felt disoriented as he was hoisted into the air as he stumbled out the large throne room doors. Neither of the men took care in transporting Kokichi nicely, so he was glad once he fell onto the familiar hay-strewn stone base of his shared cell. Himiko immediately grabbed Kokichi and sat him on the same bed as before, taking off his red bandages and replacing them with clean ones. Kokichi groaned in pain as a very important question flashed through his mind. "Where do you even get these from?"

"Korekiyo steals them. I'm surprised the guards haven't questioned it yet." 

"Himiko what are you doing with that degenerate?!" A girl with oddly tied hair pushed in between Himiko and Kokichi, glaring at the latter. 

"He came in when you guys were gone. Let me help him." Himiko demanded, the girl didn't back off though, pulling the red-head away.

"I'll do it. Korekiyo Shinguji, nice to meet you." The masked man held out a hand which Kokichi shook. Korekiyo gently started wrapping a new, clean bandage around his head.

"Tenko Chabashira. Himiko's girlfriend." Tenko didn't seem to want to get any closer to either Kokichi or Korekiyo than what was required.

"She doesn't like men, considers them all degenerates," Korekiyo whispered. Kokichi nodded in response, not wanting to disturb the violent aura radiating from Tenko. "All done." Korekiyo stood and made his way back to another stone slab, presumably his bed.

"I wonder how much longer we have to be trapped here with these things." Tenko spat the last word like it was filth.

"I'm sure we'll be out soon," Kokichi mumbled. If he cares enough to find me, that is.

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Shuichi shuffled along the beaten grass and dirt, listening to the chatter of his friends around him. He originally wanted everyone possible to join the Kokichi rescue party but some people had to stay behind. Gonta and Kirumi don't like violence, Angie's powers weren't needed and Kiibo needed Miu around for some maintenance. It's not a good idea for a rescue party to have too many members anyway.

"It's too dark to continue, let's set up camp here," Maki ordered. Shuichi sighed and took off his cloak, only just realising how dark the woods were. Feeling the cool night breeze against his face Shuichi made his way through the trees to collect firewood. Ryoma appeared next to the vampire, a small amount of firewood in hand.

"Need some help?" Shuichi shrugged, inviting Ryoma along if he wanted to help.

"You've been leading us around based on your sense of smell alone. How are you so sure we're heading in the right direction?" 

"I'm certain of it. I know what blood smells like." Shuichi mumbled, slightly annoyed with the interrogation. 

"Right, obviously you know what your food smells like." Shuichi held back the flurry of curse words he could've uttered at that moment. How many times have I told them, vampires don't drink blood! That's just fucking gross. "Hey what about Kaede? How does her magic work?" Well, he is new to the group, it'll help him to know.

"She can cast five spells per day. Once she reaches her limit it's like her stamina runs out and she needs rest. Not the strongest power but definitely up there." Shuichi explained, slowly collecting more firewood in his arms.

"What about Kokichi? I've heard so much about him, what can he do?"

"Will you just shut up already?!" Shuichi yelled, baring his fangs at the ex-knight. He quickly closed his mouth and looked down at the ground in shame. "Sorry... I didn't mean to shout I'm just really stressed and-"

"It's okay Shuichi, I understand. I shouldn't have barreled you with questions like I just did." Ryoma and Shuichi shared an understanding nod, making their way back to camp with their collected firewood.

Once upon their camp, the two found Maki and Tsumugi dishing out some of the rations they had prepared the night prior. Shuichi and Ryoma created a firepit, Shuichi struggling to light it. Maki had enough of watching the frustrating ordeal so she snatched the flint from him, lighting the fire effortlessly.

Tsumugi handed Shuichi an apple, making her way around to hand another to each member of their party. He carefully took it and watched how the shine of the moon shimmered off the apple's peel. Having no appetite, Shuichi wandered over to the supplies and carefully dropped the apple in with the other rations. Sighing, he flung his head back and staring at the stars shimmering with life above them. They sent waves of calm through the vampire with every sparkle.

"It's okay, we'll find him safe and sound. Believe me, nothing will have happened to him." Rantaro appeared next to Shuichi, following the vampire's gaze. 

"Yeah... I hope so." Shuichi mumbled. Kokichi, where ever you are, I hope you're okay. Please stay strong, I'm coming.