The Missing Cowboy Bandit

Chapter 1

The day started as any other would. Ishimaru woke up before the sun rose, the stars still shining in the sky. He stretched out his limbs and grabbed his uniform. Kiyotaka put it on and grabbed something to eat for breakfast then left for work. Simple. But what he has to do would not be easy, nor simple. Ishimaru had to go find his best friend, Mondo.

Oowada had been missing for almost a week, which is not like him at all. Usually, the cowboy criminal would do something stupid than go to the tavern and have a drink or too, than get in a fight. He had never just disappeared, not being the type to run from any type of danger. Mondo must have had a change of heart, that's what Ishimaru would tell himself. After all, wanted posters printed with his name could be found all over the town.

Ishimaru walked behind his house to the stable, where his white horse was located. He walked in and took it off its lead, mounting on it. Kiyotaka then directed his steed to go, galloping to the center of town where the most crime took place. 'Maybe Mondo will come back today. He might even turn himself in." he told himself, trying to stay positive about his current situation.

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Ishimaru dismounted his horse, yelling and clamouring coming from the inside of the tavern. Kiyotaka rushed in, holding his pistol out just in case things got worse. "Everyone stop right now!" He ordered, looking around the crowded establishment. He could see the owner, Aoi, crouching behind the counter of the bar with Maizono and Komaru. He could also see Sakura breaking up one of the fights in the back of the tavern. Everyone stopped, looking at the sheriff. Well, almost everyone. "Who the hell do you think you are, telling us what we can and can't do?" A man with a rather extreme looking pompadour asked angrily. "I am Sheriff Ishimaru!" Kiyotaka replied, pointing his weapon to the delinquent. Oowada resisted for a moment, then started to walk towards Ishimaru. "That doesn't mean shit." Mondo said, looking down at the sheriff. "I don't listen to no one. You gotta earn my respect first and having that stupid badge on your shirt doesn't doesn't mean anything." Oowada said, poking his index finger on the golden sheriff badge on Ishimaru's chest. Kiyotaka huffed and looked back up at the rebel. He started to put his gun back in its holster. "And what exactly would someone have to do to earn your respect?" Ishimaru asked, his anger rising. Mondo smirked, crossing his arms. "Meet me at the field just outside of town. 9pm sharp. " Oowada said. He walked over to a table and slammed some money on it to pay for the drinks he had, shoving past Ishimaru to the exit of the tavern.

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Ishimaru tied his horses lead to a wooden pole at the entrance of the town, starting to walk around. Not many places were open yet, but there was still always the possibility of something happening in the early hours of the day. He gave quick hellos to shop owners who started to open their businesses. They all happened to notice how off he'd seemed recently though. Usually he would give them a smile and maybe even have a small conversation with them. Now he just mumbled them a quick greeting and maybe waved. They all didn't know why he seemed so different though.

No one knew what Kiyotaka and Oowada had, nor could they understand. Why would the sheriff and a criminal associate themselves with each other anyway? But they really were close. When people weren't around, they would talk for hours, chatting about what their dreams were and anything that came to their minds. Ishimaru cherished Mondo as his best friend, his brother. He cared about him deeply and whenever he got hurt from a fight, the sheriff would always patch him up and reprimand him about his bad choices. Mondo would just roll his eyes and chuckle. How he wished to go back to those times.

"Sheriff, are you alright?" Makoto Naegi asked, tapping Kiyotaka on the shoulder. Ishimaru hadn't even realized that he was standing still in the street. His eyes were glossy, tears threatening to fall. Kiyotaka wiped his eyes, nodding in response. "Yes I am perfectly fine." he responded, sniffling. Makoto sighed looking at Ishimaru sympathetically. "It's fine to be sad sometimes y'know." he said, keeping his hand on Kiyotaka's shoulder. Ishimaru stayed quiet, looking down at the dirt road. "You wouldn't understand. It's-it's foolish, really." the sheriff responded, avoiding looking at Naegi. "Even if it is, it's best to get whatever is bothering you off your chest. You'll feel a lot better." Makoto responded. Ishimaru doubted what he said, sighing. Even so, there was the possibility it could help. "It's about Mondo." Ishimaru mumbled.

Makoto nodded, thinking about what that could mean. "Do you want to find him? To bring him to justice or something?" he asked Ishimaru curiously. Kiyotaka hated lying, but that seemed better than telling the detective that he was friends with a criminal. "Yes. I am disappointed in myself because I could not reprehend him before he ran to...where ever he might be now." Kiyotaka replied. Naegi seemed to believe this, nodding at what he said. "Well, we could probably get some others to help you find him!" he said with a small smile. "No no, that won't be-" Before Ishimaru could finish, Naegi had grabbed him, leading him further down town. "Come on! We would have to find people and quick! We wouldn't want him getting even further, right?" The detective said. He sighed and nodded, following behind Makoto. "I suppose so." He replied with a small frown. Ishimaru had a bad feeling about this, but tried to ignore it.