A Second Chance
"Zutto issha ni iyou"
He can hear his fading breaths, and gingerly reaches forward, tucking a loose strand of sapphire hair back into place.
He's still sleeping, without any consciousness making him aware of the chaos reigning outside of his bubble that he has tucked himself into.
Kai grips a pale, cold, small hand in his own, marveling at the fact that Aichi has managed to stay asleep through all of this. He can remember those long rides in the van to tournaments, and when Aichi would fall asleep in the van, having worried himself into unconsciousness. A small noise would have woken him up, arms and legs flailing as he panicked, eyes wide. But instead, he is asleep, slumped into a massive throne that seems to swallow the slight boy in darkness, and Kai can see that he is shivering.
Aichi's hand is so cold and fragile.
Kai worries that if he squeezes the small hand, it will be crushed-because Aichi looks so fragile in this state, almost like the beat-up little boy Kai gave Blaster Blade to.
A feathery squeak comes from behind Kai, causing the brunette to turn around, scanning the room skeptically. His green eyes trace the room repeatedly, until he catches it-it is a spirit.
It is Aichi.
The small boy's spirit is floating behind him, the same long coat swirling around him, the same crisp white cravat fluttering underneath his chin.
And it is painful for Kai to see him like this.
"K-Kai-kun..." The blunette's voice is apprehensive and shy, laced with uncertainty.
"Aichi." Kai feels anger bubbling up within him. How how did Aichi end up a disembodied spirit?
And who is inside his body?
"N-nobody Kai-kun. Nobody but Void." Kai looks up at Aichi, shocked.
Aichi has a bit of Void's essence within him?
"H-hai. It came from the Reverse." Kai feels the sharp pang of guilt pierce him.
He did this to Aichi.
It was his fault that Aichi was stuck here!
Aichi must've seen the despair on Kai's face, because a ghostly hand rests on his shoulder.
"It's OK Kai-kun. I am getting rid of Void, so I'll be able to come back soon, ne?" He speaks softly, dulcet tones sweet and light as always. Kai relaxes at Aichi's touch, and the small spirit smiles.
"Just wait."
And Kai stands next to Aichi's immobile body, and watches with a hawk's gaze, as the spirit floats back into its body, and Kai can see the changes.
A bit of color rising to sallow cheeks.
Faint, choppy breaths evening out.
And Aichi's hand grows slightly warmer in Kai's grasp.
The remaining members of Team: Mate rush in, and the Quatre Knights are not far behind, and Galliard lets out an indignated noise as he catches sight of the brunette next to Aichi.
Sapphire eyelids flutter open, and Aichi takes in a sharp breath, his eyes pained.
Of course. Void is probably trying to lay claim to Aichi's body.
The small blue-haired boy can be seen biting down a cry of pain, as red mist seeps out of his body-Void is leaving.
And the resulting explosion is so large, that Kai finds himself back on Earth when he regains his consciousness.
Aichi isn't on Earth.
And Kai despairs, as he must have died in the explosion.
Until a few weeks later, Kai can see Aichi, in flesh and blood, floating in his bedroom, a soft white coat with golden trimming on, and a white tee shirt with shorts that stop, come mid-thigh.
He is crying when Kai rushes to hug the small boy, and Aichi thinks that maybe, Kai is crying too.
FIN
