The Little Thief

Chapter 3

At the hotel
Sakura's POV
This is one fancy hotel. Rich people...I swear. Once we got up to the penthouse, Soryu carried me to Saya's room so I could put her down to sleep and then go down to the lobby where the rest of the guys were.

"So, what do you want to know?" I asked as Soryu put me on the couch.

"Why are you being chased?" Eisuke asked.

"I ran away from him. You honestly think he's happy that I ran away from him with his daughter?"

"What are the Black Pythons up to?"

"I don't know exactly. All I remember was him saying something about the Ark Plan. It's supposed to wipe out all of Japan. He wants to use it to gain power over the world leaders. Basically, world domination."

"Why?"

"I'm not sure. He used to be a really sweet guy. Then, one day, he completely changed. I don't know why. May be he was suffering all this time by himself and then he just snapped or something else may be going on with him. I don't know, but I couldn't even recognize him."

"A sweet guy?" Baba asked.

"Yeah. He took me in when I was close to death as a child. It may have seemed like he forced me to join but I joined with my own free will. I owed him for saving my life so I figured joining him would be How I re-payed him. I really respected him and how he treated everyone as family. Things have changed though and nothing will ever be the same."

"When did this change occur?" Eisuke asked.

"About 6 years ago."

"Can you tell us about it?" Soryu asked.

"It was an ordinary day, except Akio was expecting an important guest. When he walked in, I sensed something strange about him. Normally, Akio allowed me to watch over his meetings but this time he didn't. I respected his wishes and stood outside the door. I heard bits and pieces of his conversation. The stranger offered a deal about this weapon and Akio got really mad. I've never seen him so angry in my life. He was against the whole world domination thing. Curious, I slid the door open a crack to see what was going on. The stranger showed him something. I couldn't quite make it out since I was so far away, but I knew something changed in him that day. His expression grew dark and the stranger got up and left, smirking at me as he walked by. I knew the stranger did something to him and it was confirmed when he got violent. So, I searched for the stranger but he disappeared and was never seen again. Eventually, I was fed up with the way he was treating everybody and left."

"So, this mysterious stranger is the reason for his behavior change?"

"That's what I think, but there's more to it. I saw how stressed he was getting and tried to help him as best as I could, but he was trying to keep everything to himself. He wanted to do everything by himself and I got mad. I told him I was here if he needed someone to listen but then he told me to leave and shut me out. I have a feeling he was bundling everything inside and whatever the stranger did helped him release everything he's been holding in. May I ask why you're so interested in this?"

"We had a great relationship with the Pythons for a very long time until 6 years ago when the Pythons became independent. They fought mob after mob to gain more power. I figured they got a new leader but I was mistaken. I was confused as to why he became power hungry all of the sudden."

"I appreciate your concern for him. He was really special to me, too. He made me happy and I felt like I finally found a home. It was heartbreaking to see him lose himself and become power hungry."

"Do you wish to have him back to the way he was?" Ota asked.

"It would be nice, but it won't change the damage that's already been done."

"He may not be able to change the past but he can fix the future," Baba said.

"That's so cheesy."

"But it's true."

"Perhaps. I think it would be nice if Saya could grow up with a dad. Mine was always abusive, I don't want her to have the same childhood as me. Nobody should have to suffer the way I did."

"What do you mean?" Ota asked.

"It doesn't even matter anymore. They no longer have control over my life. Akio freed me from them. Just like Akio freed me then, I want to free him from whatever is possessing him to do all these evil deeds."

"Then, we'll help," said Baba.

"No thanks. This is something I have to do by myself. Just promise me you'll keep Saya safe."

"You can't fight him alone. You're going to need help."

"Who said I was going to fight him? Akio once told me, 'violence is to be a last resort. If there is a way a problem to be solved peacefully, solve it peacefully. There is no point in unnecessary bloodshed.' If the real Akio is somewhere in there then he won't fight me. He'll talk things out with me."

"But what if he's not?"

"I believe in Akio. He won't go down easily. I shouldn't have run away like I did. I was only worried about Saya's safety. I didn't once think about him and his suffering. I'm going to go back and save him."

You've been avoiding him for 2 years. You really think he'll just see you without violence? Remember, he's not the same man you once knew," said Eisuke.

"See ya." I leave the hotel and go find Akio.