85JUNJOU TERRORIST
XVI
TRY
"I'll see you for lunch" Miyagi's voice called out through the kitchen, moving along the old professor as he walked out the door, "remember to take the"
"I know!" Shinobu clipped and he could almost hear "brat" but seriously, how many times did the guy needed to repeat the same thing? He was considering not answering messages for a bit, when his phone felt weirdly lighter and lighter. Frowning he looked at his hand, the sleek device blurry, as if he was seeing it through a filter of some kind, he tried to blink but his body wouldn't obey, he just kept on looking at the rectangular device, focusing on the shiny case, the background turning black, enclosing all around him. He could hear his breathing, louder, faster, but his body would not change, just the world, steadily disappearing into the darkness. "I'll see you for lunch"
He thought light would reassure him, he would see the parking lot, professor Kamijou and Misaki. It had been difficult to talk to the cat, but when Misaki's face relaxed, when the small smile appeared, he felt a burden he didn't know he was carrying, move away. He should have talked to him before, he should have warned him, he should have gone straight to Miyagi's office. Instead, light only brought the world to a collision of horror, the rhythmic tumble of the car on a dirt road bringing years of desperation back to him.
Waking up the professor had been useless, for a moment he had feared the worst, pet drugs should never be used on humans, but the professor was breathing, although slowly, he was at least, still breathing. Running away ended up being useless too, even more so, he felt embarrassed, since for half a second, when he turned back and saw Misaki on the ground he truly considered to keep running. "I'll see you for lunch"
He didn't stop to wonder if he should have kept going, he didn't wonder if he would have made it. He just swallowed the pain when the bastard punched his face and proceeded to inject more drugs into his system; his body knew what the drugs were meant for, burning easy, running fast, so it made sense when he woke up at their arrival. No way he wouldn't recognize the bunker corridors, the dark floors. "It's no use", and he knows it, but still… "I'll see you for lunch" he fights, he pushes his body forward and back trying to open enough space to run. But they're waiting for him to do it, and he's pushed against a wall, them injecting even more drugs "It's too much! My babies! My babies!" No use is no use, the world goes back to black.
When he comes through, he's well detained inside an isolation chamber, in a cage with no food and only a ratty blanket for coverage. Shinobu didn't feel at home, his mind blocking away the "natural acknowledgment" of the place, how easy to recognize, how deeply he knows that room. He just shakes and stretches as far as the cage allows him, checking his body's movement; since there's no puncture, tape, markings or cuts he figures they have isolated him for the stunt he gave at the entrance. Lifting the gray piece, you might call a shirt, he felt the hardness of his stomach, still there, their baby is still there. A long shaky breath came out as he pressed his palm against it. "Not fair" just when he felt happy. Shinobu caressed his belly, the only warmth was running over his cheeks, leaving a contrasting cold tray. He had wanted to let Miyagi notice the bump, for him to press his hand on it and smile, he wanted to see Miyagi smile because of their child and now...
Using the blanket to cover himself, he let his back rest against the wall and the cage's bars, drifting off to the only place he could be free.
"I'll see you for lunch" Miyagi's smile was brilliant, using his free hand to poke softly at Shinobu's forehead, "Don't forget to take your vitamins". Shinobu's brows furrowed instantly but before he could whine like everyday Miyagi bent enough to touch Shinobu's lips in a sweet short kiss. "Let me care for you brat". Really, what could he say to that? His tail whipped, almost cracking against the air, lips pouting too, "fine" Again, Miyagi smiled, maybe even a little smug, the old man. "Hotpot! I want hotpot!" the professor stops, the door almost closed, so he opens it a bit more and turns to look at his lover, "I'm craving hotpot, take responsibility" Ahhh, not so smug now, hah? But the professor doesn't grumble as he hoped, he just smiles, only a soft hmph escaping, "fine, let's meet a the restaurant in front of the station, we'll have hotpot" Shinobu chose not to smile triumphant, but his tail formed circles to his side. Miyagi smiled with his eyes, so adoringly, grabbing the door again, "you have to wake up thou" Shinobu blinked at him, "I'm awake Miyagi, what are you talking about?"
"No, Shinobu, wake up"
"But…"
"Shinobu they need you to wake up"
Pain. The light was too bright, the space was frigid cold, his body no longer accustomed to the harsh treatment was stiff and aching at every joint. He was also hungry, how long had it been? Shinobu worried his bottom lip; every time he tried to escape, or when he fought the experiments, they would put him there without food, sometimes for 2-3 days, other times for a week, just getting water. "Miyagi, please help me"
Looking around he noticed a water bowl, he drank from it slowly, then, he reclined his body against the bars, letting the world disappear, merging back up into his home.
"I'll see you for lunch" Miyagi's voice was rough, still a bit asleep, his body was crossing the door frame when Shinobu's hand shot at him, grabbing fistfuls of his suit, the cat inwardly cringing at the material suffering under his sweaty palm, but he didn't let go, and Miyagi turned to see him, his brows already knitting together, not even noticing the crumbled fabric, juts focusing on the cat's expression. "Shinobu?"
"I'm not feeling so good…" As Miyagi walked back into the apartment Shinobu let go of the fabric, and grabbed hold of the old man's free hand. "it's nothing serious, but I just…" he toyed with the hand, turning it around, pressing his palm against Miyagi's palm, feeling the nails, "you want me to stay home with you?" Shinobu's head bounced softly, there was no fear of anger or annoyance, he heard Miyagi sigh and his body surrounded Shinobu's in a warm embrace. "I'll be working from home thou"
"it's fine… I have homework too"
Shinobu breathed in deep, highlighting in his brain the components of his beloved's essence, the cigarettes, the cologne, the old books acidic tones, and the leather of his old beaten-up briefcase. This was home. He was home.
"They're here Shinobu"
"No"
"Wake up"
Shinobu's eyes take less time to adjust to the bright light, the door is open, two people inside and a third person coming in. He recognizes them. He sees the food tray and he cannot help moving his tail between his legs, the fur rising up like a raggy duster, his ears pulling back almost flat against his scalp. There's no need for 3 people to give him his food.
And again, like the symphony of his life, there is no use in fighting. There was no use in running, in trying to scape, or screaming, there's no use in anything he tried to never come back. Still, he did, all of them, as they grunted and pulled, pushed and took their time.
"don't be such a prude" their rotten smell made him gag "little kitty likes to play, you must have fucked your ass off to get pregnant"
"they say you can take up to 3 people now" Shinobu gasps and tries to claw at them, but they have taken care of those, he has no way to protect himself "Miyagi!"
"Don't worry, we're not supposed to damage the goods, we won't triple stuff you, we'll wait, till they cut them out." the tallest of them sneered, he had a light scar from his left ear to the left corner of his mouth, Shinobu remembered the guy, and he remembered the feeling of leaving that scar on him. The guy was probably enjoying the terror, when pressing his finger in an horizontal line over Shinobu's belly.
- 0 -
"The food was not worth the trouble" Shinobu grumbled, letting his body hit the sofa, he knows he's pouting, he knows is childish, but he feels like acting out. "Don't be a brat, you have to keep eating to care for them" Miyagi is just typing on his computer, not even looking at him, so he huffs and puffs, "if you let me cook something"
"No, no, until the doctor says the amount of exert that you can do I don't want you doing more than walking" Miyagi's blue pen points at him in such a firm way, Shinobu feels like batting the insulting tool away, maybe even burying it in one of the muddy pots. Annoyingly he just huffs again and looks away, he knows he needs to keep eating, he has to keep calm, be patient, be smart. "Take care of them Brat"
"I know"
"Take care of you and them"
"I know"
- 0 -
He doesn't make a point on counting the times the trio comes back, he just couldn't help noticing it's had only been 3 times because the amount was so unnaturally low, and one could guess, he can be thankful for small miracles. Whether they're busy, doing someone else or dead he doesn't care, although it would be better for him if they were rotting in the woods, becoming the food of whatever animals passed by. The guard that came instead was new, much taller than the three of them and seemed not to know what to do, which sounded ridiculous but was quite distressing, what more you need? Just place the food and leave. The guard checked every corner, looked at Shinobu over and over, placed the food, looked around again, acted as if he was gonna open the door, then look around again, then only then, finally opened the door and left. The same, every time. What was wrong with the guy? Shinobu just shook his head and took the food tray closer to the metal bars. He preferred the weirdness, as long as it stayed on that lane.
Whenever he was not dreaming he thought of Misaki and professor Kamijou, because of what Nowaki said he knew the professor was expecting at the moment of capture, would they evaluate him? Would they try to extract the fetus? Would they keep him? Would they kill him? He had never heard of human deaths in the laboratory, they had deep holes filled with Pets, but no humans, he would be the first. Was Misaki also expecting? He barely remembered a silver haired guy pushing or maybe pulling him away from the kitten, when he had the panic attack, was he his owner? His boyfriend? He didn't even remember if the guy was a pet or a human. He didn't even know what to hope for, if the kitten was pregnant the laboratory would definitely try to keep the kittens and use them or sell them, if he wasn't, well, they would make sure he got pregnant, probably selling him to the highest bidder, since he is a rare expensive breed.
"This is all my fault Miyagi, if only I had spoken before… if only I had said something"
He didn't think they would keep him in the white room forever, it was not meant for such long periods of time, but it did surprise him to be moved after a few more meals, all of them brought by the new weird guard. There was some discussion on their way, they had no care to yell in front of him, why hide it? Shinobu's just another pet, another product, so he listened intently, and he's not happy with what he hears. More importantly, he's terrified.
"Un-bonding"
"Miyagi, Miyagi, Miyagi, Miyagi, Miyagi, Miyagi, Miyagi, Miyagi, Miyagi, Miyagi, Miyagi, Miyagi, Miyagi, Miyagi, Miyagi…"
He's pushed into another room, dark as all the others, and into another cage, maybe even smaller than the one in the white room. They kept on arguing it seemed, but he didn't care anymore, he was now deeper in the bowels of the laboratory, he was not getting out. "Miyagi"
- 0 -
"n…"
"un"
"nobu!"
"please Shinobu!" like a string pulling his head Shinobu lifted it and looked to the darkness, his eyes adjusting quickly to it, he waited. "Shinobu-kun, I think… they think I'm pregnant!"
"Misaki?" Shinobu grabbed the bars forcefully, his eyes narrowing to open a line, try and see the young cat.
"Shinobu-kun! Yes, yes I'm here, please, get closer, the place is not well lit, I can't see your face very well" Shinobu craved to open the cage, his body, exhausted and used weighted him down, almost making him shake. "Shinobu I'm so sorry, I should have stopped them, I…"
"don't" Shinobu pressed his forehead against the bars, closing his eyes, "you couldn't have done anything, they're twice our size and they have been trained for this" his own body's state was quite the great example of that, "most probably they have been doing these for years now" since I was a kitten
Talking with Misaki calmed his nerves at times and frayed them at others, it wasn't surprising that he had no recollection of the place, since he had been recently kidnapped when he was saved, still, it wasn't a blessing in disguise entirely, since then, Shinobu had the harrowing responsibility to explain the horrors of the Laboratory. "They experiment on pets, they have done many things, it is not knowledge what they seek, they just want profit" And my children are now part of the product for profit. "you said you're pregnant?"
"that's what they said or, I don't know, the memory is becoming jumbled, I don't know" Shinobu bit his lip, pressing his fingertips till they turned white against the thick metal, "did you mate?"
"… yes, a few weeks ago"
"was it your heat?"
"Yes" Misaki's voice cracked, it went high and it was not what Shinobu wanted to hear, it made things so much difficult, "then you're probably...are carry… pregnant" the responding angst-imbued whine was not unexpected, still, it was painful to listen.
"but I would know if…" Shinobu moved away from the bars, took the tray and pulled the food closer. "you were young, and this was a nightmare" he slurped whatever mix of gruel they had given them, "it must have been easy for your mind to forget... safe and sound in a family" he new he was petty, envious of the life he was never given or allowed "it is easy to forget"
Shinobu already felt guilty for causing Misaki to be at the parking lot when the van appeared, he also felt guilty for been the reason why they were there, but now, knowing he was also the reason why the cat was pregnant and in such a brutal situation… what word was worse than guilt?
"oh… yeah, I guess so… I'm sorry" sorry won't give you your freedom back…
"no… at least it helped me bond with my lover" Misaki seemed to be fighting tears again, almost hiccuping, "if I hadn't bonded, but still was there, I would have been kidnapped without mating… I rather… if I never…" Shinobu swallowed the food he kept putting in his mouth, said nothing, just heard the heart broken mewls, understanding the sorrow and despair. "Miyagi"
"I'm sorry" Shinobu took a deep breath, what else could he say? He couldn't even promise retribution, or something, anything. Finally, maybe, a blessing in disguise, that professor Kamijou chose that moment to call out; hearing his voice helped calm his wrecked nerves a bit more, knowing the human had not been harmed… yet, although the professor's voice did nothing to hide something, it was not shock or fear, it wasn't just the situation, remembering Nowaki's words he feared to ask if he knew he was also carrying. Pregnant.
"… he had a chip, we took it out, we gave it to some lab"
"what?!" Shinobu waited, counting in his head, when nobody opened the door, and no steps where heard he went back to the questions and thoughts racing in his head. "maybe we have a chance!" Indeed, his thoughts piled, he went through them, trying to go one by one, and how they could use the situation to actually escape. Professor Kamijou's call sealed their chances, since now he knew Nowaki knew, and he would know what to do, or at least what to try.
They would need to curve their excitement and hope, the guards could easily notice the change and that would hurt their plans. The un-bonding created the biggest obstacle, since it shortened their window, and put both of them at risk of great damage, physical and mental.
"be brave Misaki-kun, Shinobu-kun, you already survived this place, we can do it again"
"Miyagi, I'm gonna try, I'm gonna try my best, please, wait for me!"
- 0 -
Over the next feedings they observed the guards, who worked at what time, who was easiest to lie to, who should be avoided. Shinobu narrated to them in as much detailed as he could, the usage of the rooms, the lights-off issue Nowaki used to run away, and how they had talked about the un-bonding previous to him been set "free". Most information could have changed, be completely different at this point, but still, it could be useful, so they talked, and he answered all questions he could, from the professor and Misaki.
As expected their conversations were not isolated from the room, quickly he began to notice bodies moving, tensing, listening intently to what they were saying. He was more worried about them listening than the guards. The guards would just separate them, the caged pets could betray them in worse ways, in the mad desperate hope of getting more food, less chemicals or even freedom, since they were talking of liberating Misaki, that had been the most expensive purchase at that time, something he heard the director complain about more than once, and three times over when the escape had happened.
He didn't mention the others to Misaki or the professor, he knew Misaki could feel them, but both chose to act as if their movement was normal or unimportant. He did mention multiple times how their escape had to include as many Pets as possible, not only to increase the chances of success, but to also free all the other victims of these place. Shinobu didn't know if the traumatized Pets would understand what he was saying, or if they would even care or believe it was possible, but he still said it, just in case.
Shinobu didn't mention how they were preparing him for the test un-bonding, he didn't have to, Misaki pointed it out soon enough. "It's possible…" yeah, just a possibility, "most probable, that they'll try to break my bond with Miyagi" voicing it out, just as he thought, made it all so much more agonizing, his stomach cramping and twisting in knots, drowning in acid.
Professor Kamijou's words did not help in the slightest, why was he hiding, whatever the lab was doing to him?. He was not a very good actor or liar, and truly, in their situation, it could make it more difficult for them to escape.. maybe that was why he was hiding it. No matter, he felt no strength to demand he answered, since he was the reason why the human was caged, poked and prodded.
Shinobu also pointed out the strange guard, how he's entering the room more times than the others, how he keeps on looking around. Misaki agreed quickly, in his last act to steal a tool the guy had talked back at the coat-guy, something non of the others did.
"He's new for sure, but I don't know what's his issue"
His last incursion had given them a new scalpel, but Misaki's reaction worried Shinobu more than the safety and courage he felt with the knife. It took long, maybe too long for the cat to open up about what had happened, and what it meant for their plan. They were not ready, they wouldn't be ready at 5 days, but 4 days was way more stressing.
"We'll have to try"
"It's too risky!"
"We don't have any other choice"
- 0 -
"I'll see you after lunch" Miyagi's voice was sweeter than ever, his warm breath touching Shinobu's ear while his whole body protected him in a hug. "Everything is going to be fine"
"I think I know how to let Kamijou and Misaki free… and maybe the others" he muffled against the old professor's suit jacket, the piece was not as thick as his winter suits, but it was still infused with the smell of smoke and books. "I won't be able to run"
"Shinobu-chin" the name shook Shinobu's body, as if causing pain and joy at the same time, "Try"
"I'll try"
"Try real hard"
"I promise" even in his dreams the nightmare followed, fear and dread clutching at him, tears damping his beloved's suit. "Miyagi"
"Try"
- 0 -
Retching noises seemed to foresee the day ahead. Shinobu thought of commenting about it, pressing Kamijou, but they were so close to running, would it help in any way? It didn't matter, quickly Kamijou was taken away, both Misaki and him looked at the professor going with the guards, both breathing erratically, the plan depended on them being all together.
"what do we do?"
"I don't know" Shinobu clutched his knife against his palm, using the cold sharp point to keep his boiling anxiety from overflowing.
With so much unknown, the fast return of the professor didn't do much to calm them, and the longer the professor took to answer, the harder it was to keep the panic at bay. Worse, when they both heard the professor crying softly, as if trying to muffle his voice.
"I'm fine, it's okay, just really horrible meals"
"What happened?" Shinobu hated demanding, but this could put their plan in danger
"Nothing, I'm fine" how stubborn this man
As the second feeding came they all prepared for the attack, Shinobu placed the scalpel in a thin fabric, over his ankle, tight as best as he could. Misaki wouldn't have any weapon, since he would be faking illness, but Shinobu would use the scissors laying on the corner of his cage, give the wire to Misaki, and when the professor got out he would be able to use the scissors.
In a way, professor Kamijou's nausea and vomit helped them, because everyone would definitely believe another one was nauseated. It wouldn't be easy to force the vomit out, specially because he shouldn't vomit much, but it would push them enough to open the cage.
There was no clock, but he could tell the time had come, it was just about. The door opened, Shinobu breathed deep, counting, when 3 guards came forward, not the right ones, his heart froze, his body flinching away, his insides churning. Non of them had food trays.
"Did you miss me?" the 2 bastards got closer, he really felt like vomiting. The third guard strangely doesn't stay, walking briskly to the back, the sounds of his boots going towards Kamijou's room. "seems you liked getting pounded and found where to whore yourself out"
"Fuck you" he felt no bravery, no strength, but he could fake it quite well
"You have more spunk than before, it won't last" Shinobu moved away from the front of the cage, his breathing kicking, they never allowed drunk guards to work, he shouldn't be... "did you know that all the un-bonded pussies go crazy? They become sex toys, but they plan to sell you immediately, since you're used goods, so this is my goodbye"
Shinobu couldn't help his body moving, grabbing hold of the bar at the farthest back of the cage. It was futile, the guard's hands pulled him by the leg, the joint burning hot white pain, his hand wretched off the bars in one swing, his whole body falling and slamming against the thin fabric they called a mattress.
"umff" Shinobu's hands were a better protection for his face and belly, his body twisting so he squished his whole arm instead of his belly, only hitting one side of his head. It hurt, not as bad as his joint, and it made him dead weight for a few seconds. He heard the grunting, the cursing, finally they dragged his body out of the cage and the other guard was able to help pin him down.
"You have to take 5332 to room 3" Both guards turned towards the door's light, the forgotten guard looking at them with an impassive face, hand still holding his communication device.
"go" the guard pinning Shinobu's arms said, moving both hands together to free his own hand and pull Shinobu's pants down. "Try" Shinobu shakes, tries kicking, even biting. But the other guard pushes the first one to the side, "you do it!"
Unfortunately they don't waste their energy. The first guard hitting Shinobu's head, badly, were he previously hit it against the floor. All sound disappears for 2 seconds, air stopping inside his throat.
"Fine" the guard's hands pull away from his legs, and the first one uses his own legs to keep Shinobu's still and apart. He only turns his head to check his co-worker opening Misaki's cage, and that's his mistake, in one forward movement Shinobu closed his mouth over thick skin, puncturing the arm fast till he tasted blood. The human reacts naturally, going back, trying to free his arm and Shinobu lets him go, moving himself back and using his short claws to keep the guy away from him.
Misaki is reduced quickly, kept against the floor by the scruff of his neck. The first guard takes one hand, twists the wrist and pulls Shinobu to the floor, grabbing the other hand to place both arms behind his back.
"No, he's pregnant too!"
Shinobu gasped against the floor, his cheek rubbing roughly against it. "we can get more like him, of you dear, that's another story" Shinobu closed his eyes and pressed his forehead against the cement, biting his bottom lip in a useless attempt to hold back tears.
"We have taken already too long, shame we can't put you two in the fuck room" Shinobu hears Misaki's cries of pain, so he scrunches his eyes tightly close. "But I guess becoming a fuckhole will be enough for you"
More noises, rustle of clothes, chains, the cage door closing, "Try" Shinobu turned his head to the side and forward, seeing towards Misaki, the cat dragged behind the guard, crying, and when he looked back Shinobu closed his eyes slowly, his ears, previously down to the sides twisted back, flat against his head, flickered forward, back and finally up. Misaki has one second, recognition filling his eyes and he blinks slowly back, finally going forward to face the door. And both guards disappear with Misaki.
"It's time"
The guard moved back, certainly searching for his handcuffs, but Shinobu was not gonna wait for him to find them. He breathed in deep, stretched his legs to the sides and twisting his hips he made his legs fly in a circle, hitting both the guard's head and back, moving Shinobu's body to the side at the same time. The impact was not meant to hurt the guard, but it did destabilize him, freeing Shinobu's arms and lifting the weight off his body. He waisted no time, rolling to one side and getting up, using his tail to keep balance while he moved towards the side of his cage, grabbed the scalpel and launched himself back to the guard, going directly to the side, without attacking, the guard turned to defend himself, exactly what Shinobu was hoping for, so when he jump to the side a part of the neck was exposed and he plunged the blade against it. He didn't know how much he would need, he just went as deep as he could, as fast as he could, then he pulled the knife out, jumping away from the falling body. The neck was important, the guard must not be able to cry for help, and indeed, the gurgled sounds helped.
Quickly Shinobu looked around the groaning body, the guard was more focused on stopping the blood than attacking, but he wouldn't take his chance for granted. When he noticed the keys around his belt he used the knife again to moved it up, hold the ring with two fingers and slash the used, cheap belt and pull the key from it.
"-" more gurgled sounds and trashing, Shinobu cared non for the curses he was surely trying to scream. He would not be torturing him again. He did want to relish on his suffering, but their time was running out, so he went to the door and clicked the safety lock on it, then run to the back and through the door, using what little light there was to find the professor's cage. "Shinobu!"
"I'm here professor! I'm here!" his hands shook and it was difficult to use the skeleton key, but Kamijou placed his hands over his, calming him enough to insert it and turn it over the lock. The cage opened quickly, the professor grabbing the second key, hoping it was a skeleton key as well.
They said nothing, they just took one row each, opening the cages one by one, the professor giving just one quiet "yes!" when the first cage was opened on his side. The victims were not moving yet, and while Shinobu hoped they would do so quickly he was not going to stay and give them a pep talk.
"Run" Each time he opened a cage he only said one word, and moved to the next, when he finished the row there were only 3 cages against the door's wall, he opened 2 of them, since the third was empty. "run"
From one corner to the next Shinobu checked every cage, all doors open, when he reached the right corner, with the opening for the other room he met Kamijou's eyes, he nodded his head, no need to explain anything about the blood stains on his shirt or pants. "we're sticking to the plan" Shinobu quickly shook his head "they're going too fast but they will check the process, they would NEVER ruin their product, so they'll come for me"
"you're the only one that knows how to escape"
"I'm also the only one that knows were the electric room is"
"fuck…"
Shinobu lets the professor see him chuckle and smirk, "Go left, the unbonding is done on the same operation's room, is big enough, stay on the room beside it, when the lights turn off and they communicate my escape you'll hear them, they're never not loud. Go for Misaki, take a phone, run and call the cops"
No time to discuss, they both looked trough the door's window, as dirty as it was, they could see at least if there were people around, when it all seemed clear they opened the door and Kamijou poked his head out. "Clear" he whispered and they both run their separate ways.
"Try"
"I promise" Miyagi is not there to hear his whisper, but Shinobu hopes, that no matter what happens in the end, that he knows… that Miyagi gets to know he kept his promise.
Author's note: Hi! Sorry, I remember saying I was gonna try to finish the fic last year and now we're in February, still some chapters away from the end… sorry. Let's just say life is beating me up and it's not responding to my safeword. Yes, there's still some more drama and angst but it's almost over. Hope you like this chapter.