-Chapter 20-

Jeanne looked up at her very tiny little jail cell window. She still hadn't regained her strength. But she knew bad things were starting to happen. Tears welled at her eyes, threatening to drop onto to stone cold floor. She remained curled up in her little corner. This wasn't what she'd hoped would happen. It wasn't what she expected, either. She was all alone... Again.

"I-If only... If only that night hadn't happened... Miyako... Inchou... Fin... Access... C-Chiaki... No one's here for me. And I need them... More than ever. But they aren't here... Now what? What do I have to live for? Sinbad can seal the demons, and he's better at it than I am. Miyako and her dad can handle the criminals on the loose. Inchou can continue his life the way it should be. Fin can finally be free of me, after all, it's obvious she doesn't like me anymore. Access can stay with Chiaki as normal. So... Is there any reason for me to stay alive? And... Is there any reason, any purpose that I should serve? I can't think of one at a moment's notice. Wait! Notice? The fake letter that Chiaki gave me! The fake notice! Chiaki loves me! If I were to go away... What would become of him? Chiaki... Is he reason enough to continue life? I guess... A-And my children! W-What would they do without me?! They can't go motherless! But... I can't see them... I can't take care of them... I'm stuck here! No... I-I... No... I have to pull through! For Chiaki! For my kids! I have to!"

Kaitou Jeanne took out her ribbon-like weapon, in case she needed it on a moment's notice. She looked around, trying to figure out how to get out. The window could easily be broken through, but she was still so big, she wouldn't be able to fit through it. Nice thought to have... The only reasonable way out would be the doors to the jail cell. Well, to Jeanne, at least, this was reasonable enough... She'd cause a ruckus, but... But then what? What next? They'd catch her again, that's what. So much for that plan... But if both the exits failed to satisfy her, how would she get out? This was the million-dollar question. One that'd be hard to answer. She had no other alternative. She'd have to use the appropriate way out. Knock on the door and ask to get out. Though, Jeanne's knock would be different from what one would expect.

Jeanne pulled up her ribbon and slashed through the iron doors. That was Jeanne's knock. Now for her ask! Jeanne ran through the doors and ran into the police brigade she knew would be waiting for her. The crowd was to big to jump over. Either the crowd or her, anyways...

"Are you going to go down easy or will I have to take you down myself? Knock you guys down to size?" she cockily asked.

"Nice bluff, Jeanne, but we aren't going down as eaily as you'd hope!" they answered.

"Hmmm... Well. Sorry to hear that. I don't like hurting you guys. But you do look kind of cute when you're flying in the air, like birds."

"L-Like birds?! What an insult!"

"It was meant to be one."

"Why, you little-"

"Whatcha gonna do? Huh, big guy?"

"B-Big guy?"

"Yeah. Personally, I'm into big guys like yourself."

"Into?"

"Mmmm... Strong muscles, great hair, nice face... Oh, yeah. My dream guy..." she said dreamily.

All the cops were thinking, 'Wow! She's really cute when you get to see her up close like this!' while Jeanne was thinking, 'I think it's working!'

"I-I have great hair!"

"But! I'm the one who has the muscles! She said she's into that!"

"I'm stronger, though!"

"No you aren't!"

Finally, Jeanne's plan was all coming together.

"Well, I also like smart guys... Mmmm... And cute ones." she said.

"Um! I'm smart!"

"I'm cute!"

"You wish!"

"Yeah! Not on your life!"

"You think you can win Jeanne over?!"

"Do you think you can?"

"You wanna take this outside, buddy?!"

"Anytime, anywhere!"

"Oh, really?"

"Yeah, really!"

"That's it! You're going down!"

The whole group broke into a physical fight. Jeanne's plan was successful and she snuck right out.

Now out, she headed for the one reason to live: her family.