Kill the Traitor?

 We all tensed up.

“Shit, if I had considered reinforcements I shouldn’t have done this plan. Sorry iota, and everyone.” Said Hiro as he ran his hand through his hair, roughening it up.

“No… I was the one who pushed you to go with it” Replied iota, her voice was shaky over the earbuds.

“Alright iota, how many red masks and how many black masks are there?” Asked Aoi.

“I’d say around 30 red masks, and 1 large black mask man.” Replied iota.

“What’s the situation at your end?” I interrupted.

“I’m still hiding, they are all heading into the inner layers right now. They’re coming for you.” Said iota frantically.

“Alright iota calm down. Stay hidden, do not come out under any circumstances. These guys are too much even for us to handle.” I ordered her in a calm and stern voice.

“But how would you…” Muttered iota.

“Don’t worry about us, Gray and I have been through much worse, we haven’t given into despair yet.” Reassured Aoi with a smile.

That’s right, this isn’t the worst situation. Together, we can always find a way out.

“Fine, but Grayfish better go on a date with me after this! Seriously, putting his fiance through so much worry!” Said iota as she hung up.

Aoi looked at me and mouthed the words “fiance?!”

I waved my hands to dismiss the thought. Meanwhile, Hiro was clutching his head with both his hands, he was bent over and his eyes wide. His body was convulsing, he was trying not to vomit.

“Damn. They had reinforcements waiting for us this entire time… we played right into their hands.” Muttered Hiro.

Aoi and I walked over and put an arm on both his shoulders. “Hiro, if you fall into despair, then we lose. If you haven’t, then we still have a chance to win this.” I told him in a soft voice.

“I came up with a plan and kept it from you. The plan failed. It’s the same as me betraying you! I’m a traitor through and through! Once a traitor is always a traitor… ha!” Screamed Hiro as he turned to face us with tears coming down his eyes.

“Sure it didn’t work out. Sure it was bad that you didn’t tell us. However, you haven’t betrayed us a bit. Your plan was much better than the one we came up with, and it wouldn’t have gotten so close to success if you had told us. You’re incredible.” Said Aoi as she used her fingers to comb through Hiro’s hair.

“Plus, as a GrayWolves’ elite, you have to have some independence of your own.” I replied with a smile.

“It wasn’t just you I betrayed.” Wailed Hiro as he cried.

“Let it all out, it’s not good to keep things in.” Said Aoi.

“We have to be quick,” I whispered to Aoi.

“It’s not like we can do anything right now” Replied Aoi.

“Fine,” I said. “Let’s hear what Hiro has to say.”

We sat Hiro down on the floor, and waited for him to calm down a bit, then he started.

“I was born in America, my mom was Japanese, and my dad was an American. Both my parents were American soldiers, so growing up, I was taught how to fight. I was told to use my strength to protect those I loved. I told them I wanted to become a soldier, and protect everyone! My parents applauded me with tears that day, and took me out to a restaurant.

One day, their military base was attacked by terrorists, those terrorists were a mafia known as the Red-Foxes, who were comprised of many ex-military or discharged soldiers who held a grudge against the military. My parents had died protecting their base. They died by the guns of the Americans they had sworn to protect and also by the guns of former allies.

It was that day I had realized that it was pointless to protect everyone, especially if you aren’t strong enough to do so. I killed my dream of becoming a soldier. Not everyone deserves to be protected. My new dream was to become stronger, not so I can protect anyone, but so I won’t die like my parents had.

My parents were the first people I had betrayed. I rejected their beliefs and values, and completely did a 180.

At that time, I was searching for true strength just like Gray is right now. I joined the Red-Foxes later on, they were the ones who had destroyed my illusion of the world. I was both grateful to them and hateful of them. For a good while, I had sympathized with their philosophies, the strong tower over the weak, the weak adapt to become strong, and those who couldn’t adapt won’t survive.

In order to survive in the mafia, I was forced to grow up, forced to get stronger on my own. I met my senpai there, his name was Kenny, and he protected me within the mafia like I was his own son.

I eventually rose the ranks and became one of the first red-masks. It was then that I got to meet their boss, who always lurked in the shadows. He told me of his true intentions, which were to transcend beyond humanity, to become a god himself. He took off his mask. The mask wasn’t hiding a face. He had no face.

I was disgusted, and I was terrified. The overwhelming aura around him had my stomach convulsing and my eyes stretched wide. He was becoming no god, it felt like he was the very definition of destructive power. He was no longer human.

When I was dismissed, I no longer saw the Red-Foxes the same way again. I never saw true strength the same either. This wasn’t true strength, it was just horribly wrong.

One day, I decided to leave the Red-Foxes for good. I set down my mask and snuck off. I joined the military and worked at the same base that my parents had. The Red-Foxes were the next people I betrayed.

One day, a large gang war broke out near my base. It was between the big 5, who were the largest 5 mafia in all of America at that time.

Apparently the leader of the Chicago Beasts had been slain, along with the leader of the New-York kings and the Silver Beasts. The various mafias had taken down all the police stations and were trapping the citizens inside the city. My military was called in. I was brought into action.

I went on a rampage, letting loose years of pent up hatred on everyone, both mafia and citizens alike. I would have kept going if I hadn’t met a girl there. She looked around 14 and was protecting her little sister by huddling in front. I cocked my gun and pointed it at her.

“Thanks for killing them, mister.” She said.

I wasn’t sure why, but I dropped my gun afterwards and wailed. She wasn’t fazed by everyone I’ve killed, since they weren’t people who deserved her protection. The only person she would protect to the end of this world was her sister.

I ran towards her. “You have someone to protect.” I said.

“I’m the older sister, and our parents were killed. I’m the only one who can protect her. She needs me.” She said as she looked up at me. “Do you have someone to protect, Mr. Soldier?”

Not anymore

That was what I thought, however, that wasn’t what I had answered.

“You guys. I will protect you guys. Please don’t call me mister, I’m only 16.” I replied. I felt a surge of strength and determination within me. In my heart, I vowed to protect these two with my life. Now I finally have someone to protect.

I took the older girl’s hand however, she nodded her head at me and pointed at her little sister. Her little sister rolled up her pants and revealed a large scary wound on her leg. So I bent down, picked her up and carried her on my back. I motioned for the older girl to follow me.

Moments later, we were trapped by a gang who sported a claw tattoo on their arms. They were the Chicago Beasts and they were all armed with guns, however, I was not fazed. I managed to fight them all off, but not before being shot in the leg. When more of their reinforcements finally came, I couldn’t do anything but lie on the ground, covering the two girls with my body. I braced for impact. There were many shots that went off, however, none came at us.

Kenny senpai had brought a team of the Red-Foxes here to rescue us despite me leaving them. Even though I didn’t like the Red-Foxes, I still had met many people who were important to me. I eventually rejoined the Red-Foxes and became a red-mask again.

The military and my country, I betrayed them as well.

I had requested to take care of the girl and her sister. I found out the older girl was called Itsuka, and her little sister was Natsuumi. I was grateful for the Red-Foxes, for Kenny senpai, and even for the boss, who had approved of me rejoining. However, I still didn’t agree with their philosophies but I owe them so much now. I swore my loyalty to them, and helped them out with many missions, earning their respect for me back once again.

Itsuka and Natsuumi also joined. Itsuka had worked hard to become a three-whisker while Kenny senpai was a red-mask just like me. Natsuumi though, always remained a one-whisker, since her injured leg had been infected and paralyzed her bottom half, she was left wheelchair bound.

Despite not being able to do much, Kenny senpai and I begged the boss to let Natsuumi stay. He complied with our request and even sent personal guards to maintain her safety. Even though the boss was so kind to us, I still can’t forget what lies underneath his black kitsune mask.

Things were well within the Red-foxes for a year. A year later, there was an incident at the mafia headquarters that changed everything.

Natsuumi was brought into the Red-Foxes’ lab, we were told that they might have something that can unchain Natsuumi from her wheelchair! Both Itsuka and Kenny followed me to the boss’ quarters to express our gratitude.

However, everyone was put onto high alert as we were told that something had gone wrong. Natsuumi had broken out of the lab, and was crawling on all four legs. Her eyes were wild and she had foam coming out of her mouth. Kenny, Itsuka and I tried to catch her but she suddenly sprouted wings from her back and flew.

She flew straight towards the boss. A loud ripping sound followed as the boss reached his hand through her chest, and then pulled it out along with a rain of blood splatter. He left the room, and we rushed over to Natsuumi.

“It was painful. They messed with my mind, my body. It was torture. They tried turning me into a monster. It was scary. I don’t want pain anymore... ”

That was the last Natsuumi had spoken.

We were told to keep this incident a secret from everyone. We kept quiet about it, just thinking about it disgusted me.

I promised Itsuka that I will bring the Red-Foxes down one day. The boss’ goal towards human transcendence was inhuman, and should not happen. We were angry at how Natsuumi was used for their experiments, however, it was our fault for expecting too much. There was no way the mafia would accept someone who couldn’t do anything, we knew the boss had ulterior motives all along.

The boss probably sensed our hatred towards him, so he sent the three of us on separate missions outside the mafia. I was sent to Japan to spy on the GrayWolves, while Itsuka and Kenny-senpai went elsewhere.

During my stay in the GrayWolves, I was moved by how you guys did things, it was different and outside my perception of a mafia. When I swore my loyalty while becoming an elite, I had sworn it with all my heart. I had betrayed the Red-Foxes again. However, I still pretended to be on their side, for I needed some connections in the Red-foxes in order to eventually take them down. Then everything else, I’m sure you already know of.” Finished Hiro.

No one spoke a word for the moment. Damn, Hiro has it tough.

“So why did you kill Itsuka back there?“ Asked Aoi.

“She was going to get killed either way, since things with her and the boss aren’t good. She told me she wanted to die by my gun alone. So we had devised a plan to use her death to help the GrayWolves. However, her death means nothing now that the reinforcements are here.” Said Hiro.

“No. It means everything. To know that such a wonderful and beautiful person has given her life and hope in us, we can’t do anything else but succeed.” I said as I wiped my tears away.

“That’s right. We won’t let you say her death was meaningless. When this is over, we will bury her in the GrayWolves cemetery.” Replied Aoi.

“You guys… I swear, I won’t betray you!” Said Hiro as he thumped his chest twice. Aoi and I did the same.

“According to iota, the reinforcements are heading here.” I said.

“I’ve already activated all the security systems, and have them at high alert.” Responded Hiro.

Alright, so that was what is buying us time right now. Through the security cameras, I can see the Red-Foxes banging against the gates that won’t open up. Though, when the large black mask charged at it, he completely destroyed the thick metal. We still don’t have much time.

I turned my microphone on. “Iota, how’s it going on your side?”

“Oh heya Grayfish, I’ve already taken down 3 of these red-masks guys. As long as I can keep hiding, I can probably take them all down.” Replied iota.

Aoi and I froze, Hiro clenched his fist.

“Iota!! Where are you right now?!” Asked Hiro frantically.

“I’m tailing them in the hallway, everytime they turn a corner, I grab one and slash him with a knife. Don’t worry guys, I’m going to save you!” Said iota, I heard the slice of a knife and the thump of a body. “Another one down!”

Damn it that brat! I had told her to stay where she was. However, it’s not going to make any difference for me to scold her now.

“Hurry! We have to run towards iota!” Screamed Hiro as he disable all security and bolted out the room. Aoi and I were running after him, heading into the fight without a plan.

When we finally found them, I saw that one of the Red-Masks was dragging a squirming iota by the hair. She was tied up and gagged.

We all clenched our fists so tightly our knuckles popped, and our nails drew blood out of palms.

くそ！(Damn it)