Author's Note:
Hi guys, it already has been 10 days over A YEAR since I first published this story, I would like to thank all of you for all your continuing support^^ You guys are amazing and I am happy to have you as my precious readers. Your coments make me awfully happy and I am always super excited when I publish the next chapter. You guys are the reason that my hard work is worth it, all those gruesome hours /seventeen hours per chapter!!!!! pay off.
I know I am not the author who gets to publish every day or once a week, and sometimes I am not able to meet my two-week schedule because of school, but still this story matters so much for me and you guys are amazing! I love you guys so much and I guess I am rambling too much already, but I just wanted to express my gratitude. You guys motivate me to keep going and for that I am thankful. I want all of us go this path together and ask of you to sometimes be a bit patient with me *sweatdrops....
Well here is the next chapter enjoy!!
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What happened previously:
"Rohan, why are you holding a pen? Do not tell me you are going to fight in your condition?" You asked in amusement, back turned to the manga artist who flinched.
"N-No! I-I wanted to sketch this and write a memo before I lose consciousness! What a wonderful story! And I just experienced something amazing. I am so happy!" He muttered, his face an absolute mess but the crazed look in his eyes was still present as he started working on a ripped piece of paper, the bookshelf still trapping him underneath it. "I do not get to experience something like this often. If I can make it work in my own project-" He started.
"It is no use! Until he dies, he will keep trying to use anything as material for his manga, no matter how horrible the experience!"
"At this point, you have to commend him. Putting good and bad aside I have to admire hat attitude! He really is a super manga artist!" Koichi breathed out.
"He is quite interesting I agree~" You added.
"There you are manga artist! I AM not done PUNCHING YOU!" Josuke screamed towering over the green haired male.
"You sort of have to commend him too!" You pointed at Josuke in amusement, who was beginning to pummel the poor manga artist.
"Y-Yeah." Okuyasu nodded his head.
From outside the mansion one could see how the windows of the entire first floor were being shattered and the sound of punches echoed inside.
TIME SKIP:
Currently you were relaxing, lying on the couch, having sccessfully brought all three boys to school and having calmed down an agitated Josuke. Rohan however, seeemed to have suffered under several injuries which you mostly healed, however Josuke hismelf refused to restore the destroyed furniture, which honestly you could understand. Reading the last of Rohan's manga, Koichi lend you yesterday, turned the last page, noticing an announcement:
!!!! Rohan Kishibe's Pink Dark Boy, Notice on Hiatus!!!:
Thank you for always reading Pink Dark Boy. For personal reasons, we will be on hiatus for about one month!!!!
Chuckling you closed the volume, putting it on the small table, heading to the kitchen, grabbing the phone.
"Hello Jotaro, do you and Joseph want to join me for a sandwhich? I bought some at the Saint Gentleman's bakery. Should I come over to the hotel?"
Let's go hunting!
It was early afternoon while you and Jotaro were walking back from the hotel, strolling down the road in search for the young Higashikata in awkward silence. Just a few moments earlier Jotaro had received the call from his wife, both of them were discussing the matters of their divorce while you sat there in the background, soothing a crying baby girl, hearing every word, biting your lip as Joseph himself was having a nap on the luxurious soft couch.
"Y/N, you alright?" Jotaro spoke up, facing forward snapping you out of your thoughts as you flashed him a lazy smirk, rolling your eyes.
"I should be the one asking you that." You sighed, shoving your hands in your coat's pocket, golden eyes staring at the sky tiredly as Jotaro looked at you briefly pausing.
"You know it is for the best, Y/N. You know this better than I do." He grumbled, tipping his hat. "Nothing good would come out with them being involved with me." He grumbled under his breath.
"Then what about me? Do you think that I would be any better?" You asked calmly. "Honestly I believe I am a pretty bad influence, you know. .... I am even deeper entangled in this mess than you and I am not cutting ties with hem." You began to get more and more worked up as Jotaro stopped dead in his tracks.
"Stop saying that Y/N. Jolyne likes you way more than me anyway." He spat out. "Do not think I do not know how obsessed you are with the idea of me staying with the. Why don't you start begging me for it! You are the only one questioning the divorce! My wife agrees with me! There was no passionate love to begin with. I am doing my only job I have to do, I am keeping them safe! I am keeping my daughter safe!"
Standing there you stared at him in disbelief as you furrowed your eyebrows in confusion.
"I know why you did it; I am just saying that it does not make any sense. Joylne cares about y-"
"She does not!" He gritted out, shutting you up as you took a deep breath.
"You are stubborn.... So when you regret putting them in danger and are now cutting off ties with them, why did you marry in the first place?" You questioned calmly. "I mean I respect your decision, I just do not want you to regret it in the end. You care for Jolyne a lot, despite not actually voicing it.... At least I believe o-"
"Y/N...." He turned to you.... What if I told you that my affection had always belonged to someone else than my wife and I was just trying to fill up something in myself.... What will you say?" He asked, a dark shadow casting over his eyes as he caught you a bit off guard.
"You must be joking." You chuckled. "Since when?" you asked turning away from him as he started at you back longingly.
"Since I realized that my wife was not the one for me..... but it probably goes back to my teenage years." He revealed, walking after you after a moment of hesitation.
"Does she know?" You questioned not facing him as you pushed your hair back ,shielding your eyes from the sun, letting the soft breeze ruffle up your short hair...
"Why don't you tell me?" Jotaro whispered, however his words did not reach your ears. "You cannot be that cruel, right? You.... Will I ever be enough for you to notice me?"
"Jotaro?" You turned to him worriedly. "Does she know?" You repeated.
"No." He stated curtly. "I guess it would be better for me not to reveal my feelings to her."
"Understandable." You agreed. "We kind of live in another world; trouble seems to be always following us, right?" You laughed. "At least you can tell me everything if you need someone to talk to." You tried to cheer him up. "I am still you gorgeous godmother after all~" you winked as Jotaro clenched his fists, hiding them in his coat pocket as he forced a small smile on his lips.
"You are right, Y/N."
"Well." You tried to change the topic after an awkward pause. "It seems to be finally getting warmer." You pointed out as Jotaro kept silent. "Summer in Morioh is always beautiful. A lot of tourists are sure to visit." You chuckled, looking down the streets. "Do you think Jolyne would like to visit?"
"Probably." He sighed, thinking about his little girl and her beaming smile that was only reserved for you and her mother.
"That would be nice." You closed your eyes, throwing your left arm over his shoulder as he flinched a bit in surprise. "Good, grief, Jotaro..." You laughed as he hid his surprise behind a scowl. "Oh, there he is!" You perked up. "Oi, Josuke!" You yelled as said high school student turned to you happily, hearing your voice.
"Oi, Y/N! Jotaro!" He waved back, holding his school bag in his left hand as you and Jotaro walked closer, Jotaro putting a hand on your waist, making Josuke's eyes dilate for a second.
"Coming back from school'?" You asked, come on put your bag inside "We have plans, join us!"
"Josuke, we are about to go hunting." Jotaro stated, his face not betraying any of his emotions despite a bit of smugness as Josuke's eyes widened in surprise.
"Huh?"
"Come with us." He ordered, turning around as you and Jotaro leaned onto a fence as Josuke quickly put his bag inside, throwing it carelessly on the floor, sprinting back out, seeing you and Jotaro walking away.
"W-Wait a second, Jotaro, Y/N! Did you just say hunting?" He called after you two, stuttering a bit. "Does that man...." He trailed off, grinning sheepishly. "We are going to be hunting down some chicks with nice bodies? I am a guy who is more into pure love so I have never done that. I wonder if I can do it...." He muttered looking at you as Jotaro's eyes were hid under a black shadow, shoulders tensing up.
"Josuke, that is not exactly what I had in mind~" You clarified amused. "But If you want to do that too, I can help you with that too, but not right now okay?" You winked as he blushed in embarrassment.
"Akira Otoishi confessed yesterday." Jotaro quickly cut off your conversation.
"Otoishi did?" Josuke immediately turned serious.
"Before his identity was revealed he was using the bow and arrow. He happened to soot a rat with the arrow." Jotaro explained the situation.
"A rat?" Josuke repeated in disbelief.
"The rat did not die after it was shot. It writhed in pain and freed itself from the arrow, then ran away. So even though it is a rat, this means that it definitely obtained Stand abilities. I am not sure what kind of Stand it is but we have to hunt it down before something happens."
"Exactly, Kakyoin just called me, he is currently questioning Akira, he said there might be a possibility that more than one was shot, but Akira is a bit unwilling to give any more information."You sighed, letting go off Jotaro's shoulder but he continued holding onto you as you decided to let it be for now, thinking that he would want some comfort.....
-
"Here have some." You muttered handing Jotaro three shimmering bullets as Star Platinum flicked one after the other shooting empty cans from a fence a few meters away, knocking them down without a problem. "Impressive." You whistled, clapping your hands as Jotaro retreated his Stand.
"Wow!" Josuke pumped his fist as you hopped onto the yellow wooden fence behind you, observing the surrounding fields, standing watch just in case someone should decide to come all the way out into the fields.
"Getting a small, quick rat into your Stand's range will be difficult." Jotaro said rationally, taking up the role of a mentor. "But by using the bearings you range will increase to about twenty meters. This should be obvious, but it will not work against a Stand. You will only be able to use it to defeat the user. Try it."
"What? I have to do it, too?" Josuke asked as Jotaro handed him another three, dropping them in his hand. "I do not know.... My mind tends to wander when ball-shaped things are involved." Josuke rambled as Jotaro did not listen to him, putting the three cans back to their respective places on the fence.
"That is true; you were always oddly fascinated with marbles I bought back from Egypt." You chuckled thinking back at Avdol, giving them to you from his fortune teller shop. There were a warm reddish color where small flames seemed to dance inside and when you held them up against the light one could see moving pictures inside telling little stories. He told you to gift it to "the young boy from Morioh". Avdol was such a sweetheart, you remembered. I am glad he is holding up well. He N'Doul and Chaka seemed to get along well whenever you called and are working well together.
Blushing lightly Josuke waved his hands around in embarrassment, burying his face in his hands.
"Stop teasing me, Y/N!" He mumbled as you began laughing.
"Yeah, yeah. Now focus, Josuke." You instructed as he caught himself as purple stand aura surrounded the teenager who manifested his Stand Crazy Diamond.
Flicking two bearings, Josuke managed to shoot off the first one without any problems while the oter hit the fence by a few millimeters.
"The second one was so close!" Josuke groaned in frustration, complaining.
"No bad. I would five it eighty five points." Jotaro stated. "But before our pursuit, I will give you a warning. When dealing with living creatures you need to put composure ahead of speed." Jotaro spoke up clearly walking towards Josuke, pointing at him. "If the rat enters your range and you miss it, it will never step into your range again. So do not fire until you are positive you will hit it!" He leaned closer and closer as Josuke leaned back as Jotaro entered his personal space. "I am not trying to put pressure on you but remember that." He emphasized his last words.
"I am feeling plenty pressured now." The young Higashikata mumbled, gulping nervously, looking over to you unsurely. "Are you not trying too, Y/N?"
"Look, Y/N does not have to prove anything-" Jotaro spoke up as you pulled out another bearing from your coat pocket.
"Oh no, please I want to show off for a bit." You smirked, flicking it with Hamon casually, hitting down the remaining can without a second of hesitation.
"Wha-"
"As a noble, I had to learn how to hunt, or to be more precise, deal with a gun. So my aim is pretty good. Do not worry about me too much." You grinned, jumping down the fence picking up the cans back up, putting them in Jotaro's backpack, patting the Kujo's shoulder in the process motioning the to follow you.
-
"Apparently, Akira Otoishi shot the rat near this irrigation canal." Jotaro informed Josuke as all three of you were walking next to a small river on the small grass stripe between the river and the cement wall with the fields on top.
"Given the area, it was probably a brown rat." You added, taking in your surroundings, starting at the muddy water for a second longer than necessary. "Brown rats can swim, are able to live anywhere and eat anything. The big ones reach about twenty to thirty centimeters long and some can weigh one kilogram. They can also jump about two meters." You trailed off, keeping your eyes on the ground, searching for trails in the mud. "Jotaro, you know how to read trails right? Keep your eyes open." You addressed the adult.
"... Right, it, I already found it here." Jotaro announced, squatting down as Josuke looked over his shoulder cautiously.
"Aren't those a bird's tracks?" The teenager asked hand on his chin as you covered your mouth with your gloved hand, trying to stifle a laugh, seeing that Josuke had absolutely no clue at all.
"Their front paws have four digits and the back ones have five it is dragging something, forming this S-shape. This line was made by its tail." Jotaro explained to the teenager as you nodded, smiling approvingly.
"That is correct. It is a rat that must be around twenty centimeters long. However I am not able to determine on how many are living here, but they definitely have marked this place as their territory." You agreed, turning a leaf on the plant next to Jotaro, noticing a small black insect on it. "There is a tick on this leaf. That means rats come through here often."
"Yeah." Jotaro nodded grimly, standing back up again.
"Concluding there is without a doubt a nest deep in that drainage channel." You declared, taking Jotaro's wrist, pointing at the opening of the drainage channel a few meters away on the cement wall, not noticing Josuke's jealous glare and Jotaro turning his face away hiding it in the shadow of his white hat. "Of no, than the drainage tunnel itself must lead to their hide-out."You added.
Snapping out of it Jotaro decided to speak up again. "For now, we will set a trap here and video tape it?" He announced as he gave you his brown backpack as you took out the camera handing it to Jotaro before walking over to Josuke, unpacking some mouse traps with baits already put in them.
"That is one of those cameras that lets you watch while you are taping right?" Josuke chuckled a bit uncomfortably as he took out another mouse trap, pausing. "You are not using cheese for the trap?" He questioned squinting his eyes.
"It is a crumb of tempura." You answered as the black haired Kujo and you sat up the camera.
"Cheese is too extravagant for rats." Jotaro mumbled, holing the tape while you held the camera steady.
Getting distracted by a fly, Josuke tried to swat it away as it kept on bothering him. Turning his head to the left the teenager noticed an entire group of the buzzing insects cornering something in the high grass to his left side.
"There sure are a lot of flies...." The high school delinquent muttered, pushing the grass aside swiftly as his eyes widened in horror. "JOTARO! Y/N! Th-This is...." He immediately covered his mouth and nose with his left hand, sweat tickling down his ghostly pale skin as he felt his stomach twisting as you and Jotaro walked over quickly as both of you stopped dead in the tracks seeing the gruesome sight.
A galantine-like cube filled with flesh and innards was presented in front of you as you saw the heads of dead rats sticking out of it whose faces were contorted in fear, the smell of death and rotten flesh intensifying.
"Rat corpses?" Jotaro gasped, covering his mouth in disgust.
"It is exactly what it looks like. It is like jelly from stewed fish" you observed, picking up a fallen tree branch in your hand, poking a hole in the cube cautiously as blood began spurting out, Josuke looked ready to throw up but held it in.
"Y/N, what....why the heck are you poking at it?! "Josuke gritted out as Jotaro recomposed himself, putting on the neutral mask again.
"... It is flesh." You revealed, taking a closer look as you gave Jotaro the tree branch switching positions as he moved closer, observing the flesh sticking to it as you stood back up again. "What do you think of it?"
"It looks like the flesh of these rats was melted once, then hardened again. And they died from having the flesh under their skin melted." Jotaro concluded.
"What do you even do to leave behind a corpse like this?" Josuke grimaced as you helped up Jotaro as he threw the stick back to the ground a shadow casting over your eyes.
"What a terrifying ability." You muttered grimly.
"But we can probably assume it is the work of the rat that we are after." Jotaro mumbled, putting his hands back in his pants pockets.
"It used its Stand?" Josuke asked in terror.
"Probably it killed the others and made their territory its own. So it is definitely making a nest at the end of this drainage channel." You sighed.
"But the question is if something capable of doing this will just stay quiet." Jotaro stated.
"Perhaps it would be best to eliminate it then? Is this what you are suggesting" You asked curiously.
"Yes." Jotaro confirmed as you only nodded at his words.
"Then we proceed as you see fit." You replied, shrugging your shoulders, walking up the white cement stairs as Josuke hurried behind you, while Jotaro was left behind taking his brown bag, swinging it over his shoulder following behind you until all of you stood at the upper level as you took a pair of binoculars from Jotaro's bag, following the drainage channel calmly with your golden eyes.
"Looks like the drainage channel leads to the farm." Jotaro pointed at the bulling in the middle of the fields.
"Then we might already be too late." You put them down with a heavy heart.
"R-Really?" Josuke stammered as you gave the binoculars to Jotaro.
".....they have a chicken coop, but there aren't any chickens." The man informed seeing two cars, one red, and one blue in the barnage to the side and an empty yard. "There are no signs of live at the house either. It does not look like they just went out and the front door is not locked."
"So the rat must be there." You stated as Jotaro nodded dead serious.
"And just as I feared, it is likely that the people living there have already been killed. Y/N, let's go check out that house."
"What about m-"
"You too Josuke."
"Then let us approach with caution." You advised as the other two nodded, heading over to the empty farm.
-
Stepping onto the yard, you could feel the wind changing as the air seemed to get thicker and harder to breathe in.
Pushing opened the white door, Josuke took a careful peek inside the room, before pushing it open completely, walking stepping inside as he observed the bright spacious room which was adored with a wooden floor small brown armchairs with a table to his right next to the windows, the cupboards and staircase that lead to the upper floor.
"That rat will let us approach within a certain distance because it is confident that no slow human is going to catch it." Jotaro stated, stopping inside right after you. "It does not expecting us to blast bearings at it. That is how we will get close enough to nail it in one shot." He trailed off as you leaned onto the stair railing, while Josuke checked out the small table.
"Found something. Rat droppings." Jotaro muttered, catching your and Josuke's attention as both of you walked over to the Kujo. "It is not made up of grass or grain either. It is meat.... They are heading towards this room. Let's check it out" Jotaro suggested, standing back up as you and Jotaro followed the trail.
However, Josuke stopped briefly staring a bit doubtfully at the dark room behind the stairs, deciding to check this room inside instead.
"What is that?" He asked himself hearing a weird sound coming from inside. "The sound of a refrigerator's compressor?" He mumbled as suddenly the door inside the dark opened, weak light behind it as Josuke flinched back slightly. What the heck? He thought. Does the refrigerator in the house open on its own? Has the magnet in the door weakened? His mind was racing as his sky blue eyes slowly trailed down, seeing the back of a rat's body inside the refrigerator. What?! There it is! Damn it! It is right there! That is what opened the refrigerator just now! Can rats actually open refrigerator doors?! Nah... Someone living here must not have shut the door all the way. And .... Am I actually naïve enough to believe that? This rat is a Stand user! Josuke reminded himself.
"Jo-" He tried to call out to his older nephew, flinching.
Jotaro and Y/N are not here! They already went to the next room, turning back to the dark room, his eyes widened in terror as he gritted his teeth as he came face to face with the cold eyes of the rat as the animal held a piece of raw meat between its paws, however the way it positioned itself seemed as if it was ready to attack him.
Great. Now our eyes have met. Josuke thought, sweat tickling down his face as in this moment the door of the fridge opened even wider, revealing the cube of flesh of an elderly man and woman inside. Th-this is.... His eyes flickered around at the horrifying display. Their bodies contorted into a full meat pile with their faces having a weird expression engraved in them. Their eyes were rolled back, mouths open wide like they were screaming silently.
Did the rat do this?! Noticing that their eyes were still moving he gasped. They are still alive.... Are you telling me that rat used its Stand to turn the owners into this, and then preserved them in the fridge? He concluded, unable to move as the rat began nibbling on the piece of human meat.... And it is eating them! Damn it... Jotaro and Y/N are not coming back. That means I am going to have to kill this thing. He thought determinately, putting his right hand in his school uniform's pocket to reach for the bearings. When dealing with living creatures. I need to put composure ahead of speed right? He recalled Jotaro's words. If I do not get it in one try it will figure out my range. That is what he said right? Damn it..... Talk about pressure! From here, the tale and chair are slightly in the way. I am going to make sure I blast this bearing right into your forehead.
Stepping into the kitchen he went to take his chance. Stay right there for a bit.... As the rat looked up in alarm. Shit! Josuke cursed in his mind. It stopped eating. If I move any more, it might run away! I have no choice! It will be an adventure, but I am going to have to shot from here! He carefully observed the rat's actions as his body surrounded with purple Stand aura. IT is moving! Now!
Manifesting Crazy Diamond he flicked the bearing as the rat jumped up, the bearing connecting with its body.
"Yes!" Josuke gritted out, however the rat got back on its feet, despite its wounded shoulder. "It was not a fatal blow!" he realized as dark green Stand aura emitted from its body and its Stand, a small metallically construction with four short lefts and head with a camera lens in the middle and a cannon on its back....
"There it is! That must be its Stand! You are going to try to attack me? Do not underestimate me! I will get you with the next shot!" Josuke declared as then the not began running, heading around the table.
Crap! It is running under the tale to get away! He realized. Kicking the table with Crazy Diamond he hoped to trap it. I am not going to let you go!
"Jotaro, Y/N, what are you doing?! The rat is here!" He called out to you as suddenly the rat's Stand's body flipped over, cannon pointing at him, targeting the teenager's face.
That shape.... "Shit! It is a Stand that shoots something!" Flicking another bearing while at the same time the enemy stand fired off a needle at Josuke. What should I do? Slap it away with my bare hands? But that is gross, so maybe not... Using Crazy Diamond it grabbed a frying pan, deflecting the dart in incredible speed and accuracy and speed. Which is it? Did I hid it, or did I miss? Josuke asked himself as the rat came out still alive as Josuke gritted his teeth.
"You bastard!" He cursed as in that moment the rat's body twitched before collapsing to the ground. "Yes, I nailed it!" Josuke squatted down, chuckling. "I did not hit it in the forehead, but I beat it. That was close.... I hope Y/N will praise me." He whispered, a faint smile playing along his lips. "Jotaro! Y/N, over here!" He shouted loudly. "I got the rat! It is over!"
-
Entering the kitchen you and Jotaro looked around quietly.
"Jeez, what were you doing?" Josuke sighed. "You guys went missing at the most crucial time. I felt totally stranded. But wouldn't you know it... I just barely made the bearing shot. I was not trying to do a pun with barely there.... I had a Stand that shot something like needles. I bet if they hit you, they melt your flesh. The people who live here not hit, but they are still alive. I can fix them with Crazy Diamond. Or you can do it with Heal, Y/N." Josuke offered as you nodded.
"If we do not take care of this by sundown we may have a problem." Jotaro spoke up grimly.
"Huh?" Josuke replied startled, caught off guard.
"There was one more; we were just attacked by it." He stated presenting his melting hand to Josuke who stared at it wide-eyed-
"Jotaro! Y-Your hand.... Y/N, you did not fix it-"
"I was hit in the next room. I could have dodged it. Grabbing it to figure out the effects of those needles was a mistake. Just by touching the needle with the effects of those needles was a mistake. Just by touching the needle with Star Platinum some kind of Stand poising courses through you, melting even Stands. Getting hit by five or six of those would be enough to turn a human into mush." He stated as some weird liquid, streaming from an opening of his hand as Josuke flinched back in disgust.
Thank goodness I dodged!" Josuke thought. I am lucky our personalities as so different.
"I told Jotaro that it was a bad idea to do so." You shrugged your shoulders. "But he insisted that he would volunteer as a guinea pig, entering the room first to see the enemy Stand's effect, Well at least I only let one of those needles hit him. LOCKED OUT OF HEAVEN is pretty useful in situations like that." You smirked. "So I finished off the other rat, however I noticed another one, hushing by the staircase out of the door to the fields. It must have figured out you finished off the other one in the kitchen and what I did to the other." You sighed annoyed, manifesting Heal, fixing up Jotaro's hand as Josuke let out a sigh of relief, before walking over to the fridge.
Damn why does there have to be another one?! Josuke cursed on the inside in frustration.
"You are currently thinking: Damn, why does there have to be another one?! Right?" You chuckled as Josuke looked at you in surprise before nodding sheepishly. "Yeah I am not satisfied either, but we have to suck it up and deal with it as best as we can. So I would like to make a suggestion:" you declared, catching both of their attention. "I think it would be best for me to stay back here." You stated, taking out your phone as both men binked in disbelief.
"What are you talking about Y/N?" Josuke waved his hands around frantically as you sighed.
"You see, I want to heal the farm's owners, but I am not sure if they will be save when a rat is still roaming around freely. We would not want it to attack them again and put their lives at risk even more, but we cannot ignore the escaping rat." You said calmly. "I want you to follow it. With Josuke's Crazy Diamond you are able to fix Jotaro when it comes to it and I remain here to look for other possible threats and look for their nest before healing the owners. What do you guys think? Of course I will come after you two when I finish here, but let me call Kakyoin first, let's see if he got more information from Akira-" You muttered as Jotaro curtly nodded in agreement you dialed to Sppedwagon Foundation.
"Y/N! Finally! We have tried to call you several times already, same with Jotaro." A smooth male voice scolded from the other side as you rolled your eyes in amusement.
"Nice to hear from you too Kakyoin, impeccable timing, but let me explain first. We were in pursuit, so the ringers of our phones were turned off. So why were you calling, I do hope that it has to do with Akira."
"You-..... Yes. Akira Oitoishi hid the fact that he had shot three rats." Kakyoin replied huffing. "Did you confront them already?"
"Yeah, two are already dead but thankfully we now know that the one we are going to chase is the last threat. Thank goodness we won't have to search for more then." You laughed happily. "You hallways had great timing."
"Y/N let me confirm. It was three and not four or five?" Jotaro asked, grabbing your shoulder as you nodded, but repeated his question for Kakyoin to answer."
"Yes, there is no doubt about it, Jotaro, Y/N." Kakyoin replied, pushing the red lock to the side, twirling it around his slender finger casually, while reading the report, scanning the same line for a second time, before putting it back on his desk. "Trust me in this. After all we threatened Akira that you would come personally to castrate him.~" He laughed hoarsely amethyst eyes twinkling a bit, clearly humored at his genius approach.
"Good grief." You fought back a sadistic smirk. "How did you know how I would react?" You laughed jokingly. "But thank you so much, it is a great help."
"You are welcome, Y/N." He smiled. "Just call me sometimes; I kind of feel neglected... lot actually." He muttered. "Oh and greet Jotaro, Anne greets you too from china, she complains too much about you having to visit her at the company when you find time. Best of luck." He said, hanging up as you started at your phone wide-eyed
"What?"
Josuke looked at you in wonder as you aught yourself, turning to Jotaro.
"Kakyoin greets you." You said smiling
"Good grief.... Akira Otoishi, that bastard." Jotaro grumbled. "Way to go." He mumbled guiding you out of the farm after you healed up the elderly couple, deciding to leave them resting in their living room to rest before they would regain full consciousness as Josuke trailed behind you.
-
"It kills everything in its territory whether they are humans or its own kind. It only cares about itself. IT is not a creature that should be allowed to live on this Earth anymore.." Jotaro stated, his eyes scanning over the fields, tipping the tip of his hat.
"That is true, I mean I kind of feel sorry for it in some way, but we do not make a difference between evil Stand users it does not matter if they are animals or humans." You nodded. "I mean we fight and kill them too, or at least we make them incapable of hurting others." You laughed thinking back at the various death Stand battles you fought over the decades with various companions.
"Jotaro, Y/N, wait!" Josuke shouted following behind the two of you through the fields. "How are we even planning to chase after a tiny little rat that has run out into this giant field?"
"The author of Seton Animal chronicles. E.T. Seton said; there is no animal that cannot be tracked." Jotaro quoted. "Rats have a habit of not wanting to go down an unfamiliar path. Which means, without a doubt, it went back toward that irrigation channel. And if they do not eat constantly they will die from starvation after about then hours." Jotaro stopped, hunching over, stopping next to a vegetable field, pushing on cabbage to the side to show that some stems had bite marks and chunks ripped out on it. "There.... Those bite marks are fresh."
"Yes! This is awesome!" Josuke pumped his fist in joy, grinning. "We will be able to corner it!"
Heading back to the drainage all of you took a quick look at the traps you had set up before.
"Take a look at this. It did not even glance at the bait in the trap." Josuke said dejectedly while Jotaro checked out the recording, while you held an eye open for the enemy Stand user.
"It is on the video."Jotaro muttered. "Its ear looks like a leaf that has been eaten on by a bug. Let's call it Bug-Eaten from now on." He decided as you and Josuke leaned over his broad shoulder to stare at the display to observe how the rat behaved around the traps.
"You are bad at giving names." You laughed lightly as he glared at you in annoyance, taking a deep breath continuing his commentary of the rat's actions.
"Look at how cautious it is.... Unlike earlier.... We can probably bet that Bug-Eaten will not let us within twenty meters of him after witnessing Y/N killing one of his comrades first hand..... these are rifle rounds." Jotaro stated, taking them out of his right coat pocket, holding them in his right hand. "Just in case I brought four rounds."
"A-Actual rounds?!" Josuke stuttered in disbelief.
"Because of air resistance, when round bearings fly over twenty meters, the point of impact goes off-course. With the head off this round, we will be okay up to seventy meters." Jotaro explained as Josuke stared at it doubtfully.
"Am I going to shoot that with my Stand's hand too? I am not confident about this at all." He smiled nervously.
"Do you have Hamon or a rifle?" You asked, sarcasm dripping from your voice as Josuke flinched as you rolled your eyes in amusement. , putting a gently hand on his shoulder to comfort him. "I guess not, but do not worry, you can try, after all Jotaro and I will have your back, right Jotaro?"
".... I guess I will just have to do it." Jotaro ignored you as you whipped your head around to stare at him in disbelief as he walked away.
"Jotaro-" You were ready to stop him as suddenly Josuke stood up, speaking up loudly.
"Hold on... Why did you have to say it like that? That kind of pissed me off. I am the one who took care of the other one! Sure it was not a perfect shot, but-"
"-Right. So carry two rounds." Jotaro cut him off immediately, holding two round in the teenager's face.
"Huh?" Josuke gasped dumbfounded, taking them while you ran up to Jotaro to walk beside him.
"You are sly." You snickered as the faintest smile tugged on his lips.
"You can say I learned from the best."
"Oh~?" You raised an eyebrow.
S-So much pressure.... Josuke panicked.
Still following the rat's trail, Josuke dodged a spider's web as you saw the trail ending in a deep water puddle as Jotaro went through it completely unbothered while you walked on the surface using Hamon breathing to keep yourself dry. Josuke however stopped dead in his tracks, grimacing.
Slowly taking off his shoes and socks he held onto the end of his pushed up pans leg's, he took extremely careful steps to not get his clothes wet, his socks and shoes hanging from his mouth-
"Be careful Josuke, there are leeches in this puddle." You called out to the teenager as he gasped in horror, loosening his jaw as his shoes fell into the puddle as he grimaced, groaning. "I was joking by the way." You muttered under your breath as Jotaro smirked in amusement, shaking his head. Everybody who knew you, would have know that if it actually was the case, you would have carried over both men than letting them go in in the first place.
TIME SKIP:
"Impossible....." Jotaro breathed out, stopping as you held your arm out, stopping Josuke.
"What is wrong?" Josuke asked confused.
"Be careful, Josuke. The footprints suddenly disappear here." You informed him as the teenager ran up to Jotaro despite your warning.
"What is this?! Why did the footprints disappear?" He questioned looking around frantically. "I know! It is under the dirt. It must have dug a hole then covered itself."
"That would not be the case." You dismissed his idea quickly. "This is most like a form of backtracking."
"What?! I did not think that rats did it." Jotaro looked at you suspiciously.
"Backtracking?" Josuke repeated quizzically, feeling at a complete loss.
"Let me explain; Backtracking is a special instinct that wild animals have in which they go back the way hey came to hide from an enemy. In Japan, it is said that brown bears, weasels and rabbits do this. But to this date, there is no record of rats backtracking too. We have to assume that our enemy has some form of intellect." You muttered as all three of you pressed your backs together instinctively, scanning your surroundings.
"Does that mean, basically, that the rat put one over on us?" Josuke inquired as you nodded.
"Yeah it does." You gritted out. "Look we are in an open area with hills surrounding us; this is an ideal hunting ground for the enemy."
"Things are not looking good." Jotaro mumbled. "This terrain.... We might actually be the ones who are being hunted.
"Something is staring at us." You voiced Josuke's thoughts, your back turned against theirs as you could not see the small sniper Stand up the hill, pointing at you group.
"We need to hide behind a rock." Jotaro gritted out. "Move calmly." He instructed as you nodded.
"LOCKED OUT OF HEAVEN!" You yelled as the golden bubble manifested around all three of you as all of you carefully walked to the boulder next to Josuke. Meanwhile Jotaro took out some rounds.
"Bug-Eaten's Stand's attack is not too fast for us to see. Do not miss where it is coming from. If we can find where it is hiding we will shoot it instead-"
"Jotaro stop talking now and hunch over, I am about to disband the barrier." You mumbled as Josuke noticed something in the grass nest to the boulder, reaching out for it as suddenly a mouse trap snapped shut squishing his fingers between.
"What the hell is this?!" Josuke yelped in pain as you and Jotaro's head snapped around startled as Josuke desperately tried to take it off as your barrier disappeared due to your surprise.
Suddenly Josuke was shot in his through in incredible speed.
The rat used the trap that we set for it? And it even knew my LOCKED OUT OF HEAVEN ability!
"Jotaro, use your Stand!" You commanded.
"STAR PLATINUM The WORLD!" Jotaro manifested his Stand, golden Stand aura surrounding him as time froze- "..... Good grief." He breathed out as Star Platinum flicked the infectious needle away from Josuke, before the poison was ale to spread as the time resumed again, the mouse trap falling to the ground.
"HEAL!" You shouted as your Stand caught Josuke, healing his small wound immediately.
"Do not panic. I already took out the needle and Y/N is healing you up now." He mumbled to a shocked Josuke. "Y/N, were you able to track back where the shot was coming from?"
"Yeah, I figured out where the rat is hiding." You confirmed, pointing up the hill. "Halfway up the hill, near these three rocks." You revealed grimly..
"You are amazing, Y/N! The rat, you and Jotaro! Am I the only loser this time around?!" Josuke hung his head low.
The sun was already beginning to set as the sky turned into a warm greenish color as Jotaro looked trough the binoculars to assess the distance between your group and the enemy Stand user.
"It is sixty meters away. It does not look like it is going to shoot more needles yet. It knows that if it shoots too much we will be able to pinpoint its location and attack. Stubborn little bastard." He cursed as all of you took shelter behind the boulder.
"Why are you complimenting the rat?" Josuke hissed
"Actually he is cursing it this time." You pointed out earning a groan from the young male.
"Well that is hardly the point, Y/N. We need to do something." Josuke urged. "He knew exactly that you would let down your barrier when you are startled."
"Yeah, it took me off guard as well." You nodded. "but it is not surprising, it witnessed my ability for the second time now."
"Well said.... Josuke we need to give it everything what we got or Bug-Eaten is going to get us. I will give you all four rounds. Y/N do you have your own?" Jotaro asked.
"Of course. We should act before it gets even darker, the sun is about to set too." You waved him off.
"Josuke, at this distance, it will go up like a slider so aim one centimeter lower than the target, Y/N... cover his ass if he needs it." Jotaro said, handing the teenager the binoculars as he stood up tall as you rolled your eyes at him.
"Jotaro? What are you going to do?" Josuke panicked.
"He obviously is going to meet the rat." You shrugged the purple haired male off.
"I am going to get closer so it will shoot the needles. You two are going to find out where it is, Josuke, Y/N. And then you are going to attack." Jotaro stated seriously, walking towards the hill.
"You are trusting a two hundred eight year-old woman's eyes that much?" You called after him mockingly. "You are great bait after all."
"Wh-What?!" Josuke screeched, "Shouldn't Y/N go up there?"
"No exactly not." You said calmly. "The rat knows I am able to summon a barrier, so it would not waste any needles on me and rather escape, with Jotaro going up we have a chance that the rat thinks it can take down one of us and is more willing to give away its position .... at least it would not escape." You pointed out "And yeah, he want to me to keep an eye on you."
"You are the only one I trust to watch out that the brat can do it." The white clothed man spat, walking up the hill with heavy steps. "Even if I get hit with one or two of its needles, I can have Crazy Diamond or heal fix me. But Josuke you cannot fix yourself and I am not sure if your Stand will be fast enough to catch the rat, Y/N-"
"You ungrateful brat!" You screamed. "I am perfectly able to finish the job, do not act so stuck up just because your Star Platinum is a little bit faster than my Stand!"
"Good grief, Y/N, I just want to tease you, no need to get worked up so much." Jotaro mumbled under his breath. "Aren't you always complaining about your clothed getting ruined due to battles?"
"Crazy Diamond can now repair it." You rolled your eyes until you stopped, eyes widening as you saw the light of the setting sun reflecting on a small shiny surface up the hill as Josuke gasped in horror seeing it too, as he pressed the binoculars against his eyes.
"I-I need time to mentally prepare!" The teenager mentally panicked as you put a shot in his hand.
"You got this Josuke, your have four rounds, so when you miss every time I am just going to take over and you will have to treat me to diner at Tonio's." You smirked as you saw three poisoned needles flying towards Jotaro, who called upon his powerful Stand, stopping time.
"STAR PLATINUM; THE WORLD!"
Evading all three at once he took a swift step to the side as Bug-Eaten had to reshift his Stand to target at the Kujo, while Josuke desperately treid to pinpoint the rat's location.
"Did you find it Josuke?" Jotaro shouted. Damn Y/N is going hard on the boy....
"N-No.... It moved right after it fired!" Josuke informed his older nephew.
"Alright, I will try to get closer while going up the side of the hill." Jotaro declared. "Look for the moment I it fires."
"The moment it fires?!" Josuke gritted his teeth, sweating bullets. Th-The pressure!
"Calm down Josuke." You sighed. "Just focus. Look!" You pointed at one boulder up ahead. "I see something shimmering from over there, check it out!"
"There! I see it!" He lip up happily, seeing Bug-Eaten standing behind his small with dark green aura surrounded sniping Stand.
Suddenly it shot again as again Jotaro tried avoiding I with is time stopping ability, however this time, some needles were being reflected from the rocks behind him, hitting his right leg and arm.
Turning back he looked at the rock behind him startled, seeing it melting in front of his eyes.
"That bastard calculated that I would dodge and then fired the needles at the rocks? It ricocheted?" He realized as the poison started spreading as his clothes and flesh began liquefying as he fell to the ground with a heavy thud.
"Jotaro!" Josuke panicked as you held him ack forcefully, shaking your head.
"Do not look at me, Josuke!" Jotaro screamed. "Aim at the rat! Get it right when it about to attack!"
This is no good, I have got four rounds, but I will not get any more chances and then Y/N will take over, I will be just a helpless burden to them... but I also cannot waste any precious time---
"Stop it now Josuke. Focus, do not get distracted. You have one task, execute it as best to your abilities, trust yourself and you Stand. No pressure. Here we go, Josuke.." You whispered in his ear, smiling reassuringly, before turning to Jotaro, yelling. "Jotaro! Get up; you look like you are already dead! Do not tell me two pathetic needles are enough to bring down the man who fought against a hundred year old vampire at seventeen and is now going to lose against a mere rat? Do you actually need help? If you do not move, you will be an easy target!" You shouted, starling Josuke as Jotaro clicked his tongue, rolling his eyes, getting back up.
"There Y/N! It is the same spot as before. But it is hiding behind the rocks. Damn it! If only it was looking over here-" Josuke mumbled.
Again needles were fired, avoiding most of them, one still managed to hit Jotaro in his right chest area as you groaned as he hunched over in pain.
"-But I have got to do this! I am just going to have to hit that small target-"
"Josuke do not fret too much, I can get to Jotaro any time, take your time, he was not hit fatally so I advise you to take a deep breath instead-"
"Will you kiss me when I hit it?" Josuke asked you blinking as you turned to him tilting your head to the side.
"What?"
"Nothing Y/N, I am suddenly feeing stronger." He replied, his posture was relaxed as his eyes were shining with newfound determination as you still could not wrap your head around his request, raising an eyebrow.
"You are still underage." You declined, calmly as his eyes widened before he broke into a small grin.
"Well then I wait until I turn off age...I am going to get you, you little bastard."
Flicking the bullet with Crazy Diamond time seemed to slow down as all of you held your breath in anticipation as it then connected with the boulder the rat was hiding behind just a few millimeters too low.
"Josuke missed." Jotaro whispered, in disappointment, but felt oddly relieved as he got on his knees as his entire right arm had transformed into an unsightly mass of meaty liquid.
"Well the deals off. Any more ideas, Josuke?" You asked as he grinned, passing by you, stepping out in the open as he posed as the rat focused its attention onto the new threat.
"Finally got you, I thought you would look if iI missed and face your body this way." He stated, his eyes drilling into the rat's grey ones with breathtaking intensity, one eye looking through the pair of binoculars.
"He is so extra." You chuckled, standing back up, dusting off your pants, posing together with the teenager, and leaning onto his shoulder as he shifted his weight to move closer to you.
"I would like to reveal your next line, rat, but sadly I do not think that there is a possibility for you to do so." You laughed "Josuke.... Bug-Eaten is all yours." You laughed.
"That is right! So now I can target you for sure, rat!"
Manifesting Crazy Diamond in a blink of the eye Bug-Eaten's eyes widened as the bullet closed in as it squealed in terror as the shot connected killing it instantly with a purple flash.
"In the end you prevailed, I am proud of you Josuke." You smiled, patting his shoulder.
"Well, I was not a loser at all; call me Josuke Higashikata, the man who deflects pressure!" The teenager announced excitedly while you shook your head in amusement, jumping up the hill to get to the injured Kujo.
"Seems like I will invite you to dinner." You snickered, looking down at him. "To make it up to you, of course." You winked as you manifested Heal quickly.
"Shut up." He closed his eyes. "So... The Stand rats that Akira Otoishi created..... Considering the destruction of nature that humanity brought on. I am not sure how to feel...." He muttered to himself.
"I understand what you are thinking Jotaro, I have to agree too." You admitted, lowering our volume.
"At least, Josuke's pretty reliable." He mumbled as you fixed him up, with a familiar warm golden glow emitting from your and his body.
"This surely was one of your stupid trials, right Y/N?" He looked up to you lovingly. "Why else did you try to convince me to let Josuke join?" He sighed as you only smirked knowingly.
"You have gotten quite sharp with age." You shrugged him off. "I mean, we both know how cruel this world can be, Jotaro." You sighed as he agreed as you sat down next to him on the grass, looking down at a celebrating teenager. "Josuke is still young and lacks experience in dealing with Stands. What is wrong with pushing him a little in the right direction when he clearly wants to exceed his own abilities.... Nerves of steel would definitely be helpful, don't you agree?"
"Good grief, Y/N, you are just too much sometimes. He is still a boy." He replied, closing his eyes.
"You were around his age when we fought Dio." You fired back with a soft voice as he laid his head in your lap tiredly. "I just want to protect everyone I care about and the best way possible, to do so is to make them stronger when they are surrounded by danger. and keep them away from danger when not necessary."
"... Y/N, what danger are you talking about?" Jotaro hummed as you kept silent, biting your lip refusing to answer his question as he opened his eyes a bit, smiling a bit. "At least we can finally relax a little." He mumbled as both of you stared into the sunset, the breeze ruffling up your hair as you heard Josuke's shouting in the background.
Still you could not really feel at ease as you could feel trouble creeping up behind you.... You did not know why, but your gut feeling was never wrong before and it told you that it was only the calm before the storm....
To be continued ->