A/N: This is a Jin x Tsubaki drabble or short. The ending isn't as satisfying as I hoped it would be but I was in a rush and had many complications leading to it. Anyway, enjoy, read, and review if you'll like - just no negativity.
For Cosmo, for being patient with my lazy ass :)
After the Crisis... Part One
• • •
He was weak and battered, leaning to Yukianesa for support. His body littered with wounds inflicted by that Snake and the splitting Image of his sister. But, the battle was over. He was victorious but at a devastating cost.
That empty shell of white armor lied against the Cauldron, with the Nox Nyctores embedded into the marble wall.
Unbreakable was the armor. Or so it was said.
Jin knew who resided behind that faceless mask. The legendary Haku-man died, and apart of Jin went along with him.
He was struggling to get both feet under him with his breathing vague. He coughed up blood, unwanted tears mixing with the crimson stain on the floor - keeping the luminous fluid moist with each drop.
He struggled to stand, but ultimately failed in his attempt - dropping to the floor this time. He begins to crawl with what's left of his strength, hoping to reach the body of his brother's before he himself bleeds out.
Brother...!
But his efforts were in vain.
Jin lied in defeat, ready for the darkness to consume what's left of his life. No help was coming. Every soul in the NOL Branch used to create Kusanagi. The building voided of life.
But a voice spoke out against the impending darkness.
A familiar voice.
"Jin!"
Tsubaki...
The red-haired lieutenant fell to her knees, pleading for the major to try and sit upright, but to no avail. The more she pleaded, the more Jin felt he was fading away.
Suddenly, a green aura engulfed the darkness surrounding him, and his eyes open wide. His vision was blurry, but he could make out the woman who came to his assistance.
Her attire was dirtied and torn, blood stained the incorruptible white of her military uniform. She wiped at the tears that trickled down her eyes, applying her healing Ars to the best of her abilities with high hopes of saving her childhood friend. Hopes in saving her love.
"Jin, please, I need you to stay with me!" Tsubaki pleaded, her voice becoming raspy under her cries.
The major done his best to stay awake, to stay with his childhood friend. Tsubaki was the only person left in his life.
He watched himself die, he watched his brother die, he watched his sister die.
The unwanted memories of his childhood returned. Saya, Ragna, and that old lady who watched over them. All torn apart for the second time in his life.
Tsubaki cradled Jin in her arms, a hand placed firmly against his bare chest - constantly applying the healing ars until she herself felt weak. It took Jin in tenderly cupping her cheek to cease her actions.
"You mustn't, Tsubaki," he worded weakly. "You'll tire yourself out..."
Tsubaki's hand overlapped the one placed to her cheek, tears threatening to downpour once again. She kissed the palm of his hand, tightening her grip around it.
They embraced in the silence as their world began to fall apart and start from scratch.
Just another possibility of the Continuum Shift.