The Second Phantom

A Specials Job

"Will you let Hideaki-kun on this extraction team?" Jun asked, his head bowed slightly to me.

I swallowed hard and looked at Hideaki-kun, my heart beating harsh in my chest as I thought about it.

Jun's eyes were glazed as he continued, "Kuroko-kun, if Hide is on this mission we could save the lives of our brothers and sisters. Please, I beg you." 

"Kuroko-kun..." Hideaki-kun muttered, his eyes glazed and low as well, almost pleading with me. 

I took a deep breath and nodded, "But, you have to promise to come back in one piece."

Hideaki nodded and hugged me tight, "I promise Koinu." 

The atmosphere shifted dramatically once he let me go, orders were given fast and Hideaki raced off to fulfill his duties. There was a rush about the yard as everyone jumped into action, my heart was uneasy as we headed inside behind Hideaki. 

"Kuroko-kun, stay beside me," Jun spoke as more controlled chaos ensued around us. 

I nodded as tables were shifted about, command centers set up, uniforms and weapons were displayed and the team that had been assembled stood as others gathered around them to set them up for their mission. 

"Toru!" Jun called out as he was handed a headset.  

"Yes sir!" 

"What's the last report look like?" Jun spoke. 

Toru nodded and looked at his files a moment before glancing at me, "Sir, is it wise to have a special-"

I clenched my jaw and looked away, he has a point. I know Hideaki has told me quite a bit about his life here but still.. is it wise to know this much about an organization that's supposed to be secret?

Jun narrowed his gaze, "Toru." 

"Ryou Inoue," Toru started immediately at the stern tone of his leader, "Was the team leader and after a  mistake of one of his teammates, the members of the Crow gang opened fire. It was too much for the rookie team to handle. The last report they sent in, they were cornered and placing their last line of defense, no news on any surviving team mates or otherwise." 

"Wait, a rookie team was sent in as a survey?" Hideaki asked as he walked up, "Who approved that?"

Toru shuffled through the papers he had with him, "Uh, I-"

"What does it matter now?" Isamu asked as he walked over, "What matters now is saving them right?" 

"Take Isamu with you, to see his handy work." Jun hissed, the cold feeling flowing from him. 

Hideaki nodded and looked behind at his team, "Listen up!" 

His tone made me jump slightly but I watched in awe as he spoke, his authority over his everyone here amazed me.  The group around us straightened out and turned their eyes towards him as he started speaking, a chilling silence coming before he spoke. 

"We are these rookie's last hope, they're pinned and scared. Any Crows you see, kill them on site but don't stray any further from our mission, we get them out alive and bring out brothers and sisters back home where they belong. Am I understood." Hideaki spoke, his last words more of a statement than an actual question to them.

"Yes, Shadow-sama!" The group replied fast. 

He didn't have to raise his voice in the slightest as he spoke, 

Hideaki nodded, "Jun, you'll have things prepared yes?"

"Who are you talking to?" He muttered, sadness dripping from his words, "Go!"