(DISCONTINUED! REWRITE IS OUT NOW) Down the Rabbit Hole {Danganronpa}

Chapter 4 ~ Queen of Assassins

The next day, Shuichi had spent most of it watching Kirumi work. Every once in a while, Shuichi would ask a question, which was starting to get on her nerves. Having enough, she hit her hand on the table and stood up.

"Enough," she said, trying to tone down her anger. She started pushing Shuichi out the front door. "Go. I don't care where, just go."

"Wait," Shuichi yelled. "Could you give me a map or something?"

"I don't have one. Just don't go that way." She pointed towards the direction Shuichi had gone yesterday. "The Akamatsu's can be very trigger happy."

"Even Kaede?"

"Especially her." Shuichi shook his head in disbelief. "Just trust me on this. Anyways, if you're looking for Kokichi, he should be that way." Kirumi pointed in a different direction. "He will be in a big castle. Also, you may want to be cautious while you're there. It's safer than the Akamatsu's mainson but still pretty dangerous."

"Is there anywhere that isn't?"

"Nope. Now go. You need to work on getting home anyways." Kiumi slammed the door.

Shuichi walked in the direction she pointed too, which involved another trip to the woods. Fortunately, it didn't take long for him to find the castle. It was bigger than the mainson and had a maze as a front entrance. Despite knowing he'd get lost, he went it.

After awhile of aimlessly walking around, he heard footsteps. They sounded like running coming right towards him. Two people stopped in front of him, pointing their swords. It was Tenko and some girl he didn't recognize. Well, they did seem a bit similar, but nothing was ringing a bell. The girl had grey hair in braided pigtails.

"Wait," Tenko said to the girl. "He doesn't look familiar. Who are you?" I thought Kirumi said this was safer, Shuichi thought. He took a deep breath and decided to try to act confident.

"My name is Shuichi Saihara," he replied. "I'm looking for Kokichi." The two girls exchanged a look. Tenko nodded.

"Follow me," said the girl he didn't know. Tenko walked off. Shuichi followed.

They walked into the castle, then went down a bunch of halls. Shuichi started to feel like they were going in circles. After awhile of walking in silence, he said something.

"So, if you don't mind me asking, who are you," Shuichi asked.

"Why would I reveal my name to you," she asked.

"Well, I told you mine." Silence. "Fine. Anyways, how much longer do we have to walk?" Still nothing. "Because I'm pretty sure were just walking in circles." She stopped. Shuichi tried to walk around her but she pulled out her sword. Shuichi froze.

"What are you to Kokichi?" Her voice went dark.

"U-um... I don't know..." She put her sword against his neck.

"Do you think he'd mind if I killed you?"

"P-probably." Shuichi didn't actually believe that but hoped it would save him.

"Good." She brought back her sword, about to strike, when someone grabbed it.

"Enough, Peko," Maki said. "I'm fine with the feud as long as it doesn't affect me. This does. You know I'm supposed to determine the fate of those who trespass." Peko put her sword down.

"Maki," Shuichi asked. "You're here too?" Maki narrowed her eyes.

"Come with me." She grabbed his arm and started pulling him away. "I don't know who you are, but if Kokichi is the one that invited you here-"

"Actually it-" he stopped himself before saying Kirumi. She'd probably be pissed at him for revealing her name. Maki stopped walking and turned to look at him.

"It was who?" Shuichi gulped. He could see the death in her eyes.

"It was... by accident. I saw the castle and wondered here." Maki scoffed.

"No one just wonders here. Everyone knows about this place."

"Well I didn't."

"Then how did you know my name? Not many people do?"

"U-um..."

"Answer me." Shuichi tried to think of a believable lie.

"I told him," someone said. Kokichi appeared between the two.

"Kokichi," Maki growled. "Why?"

"It slipped. Anyways, I'll be taking him." Kokichi grabbed Shuichi's other arm and tried to pull him away, but Maki didn't let go.

"Who said I was going to get him live? He did trespass."

Kokichi suddenly broke into a run, pulling Shuichi with him. Maki, unprepared for it, lost her grip. She watched them run, knowing she'd have a word with Shuichi later.

Kokichi and Shuichi ran till they were outside. Though this time it was in the back, not front. The two catched their breath. It took Shuichi a second before he realized he could finally talk to Kokichi. Well, yell was more like it.

"Okay, now I want answers," Shuichi yelled. "Where are we?"

"Where in the castle of assassins," Kokichi replied. "And you just met their queen."