Hey, yoall. Guess who's back? Yeah, I kinda didn't receive a positive feedback on my last chapter, but of course, the fault is all mine. I'm truly, truly sorry if the last chapter was really mediocre and I hope this one can wrap things up, or at least balance the good-bad scale in this little story. In this chapter, since I'm feeling kinda experimental, I'll put some anime-shounen references and themes here. if this is gonna end awesome, forced, strange, bizarre or just plain ridiculous, it's up to you. now, to the story!
as always, dark souls does not belong to me. Thank you very much.
~~x~~
Heads up, Kurokiba!"
"Ugh...!"
I tried to dodge it, But it was no use: that punch hit me right in the stomach, and I spit some blood because of it. Just five minutes with Tsubasa Suzuki, and I was already tired as hell. What the hell...
I discovered how he "works": he would give me a hammer-kick from time to time, But if I approach too much, a single spinning kick would send me flying to the metal fence in the edge of the rooftop. He was strong, and fast, worse of all: he was unprecticdable. I've received too many kicks and punches to know how fast he is. His brother is the same, But since he is dealing with golden boy and Solaire, I guess I'm safe for now...
There he is again: he jumped towards me, lifting his foot to try to land a Hammer-kick on me. I dodged it and rolled in a circular pattern, reaching his back again. But when I tried to kick him there, Suzuki turned around and kicked me in the stomach, again, sending me flying to the fence. I'm glad I knew he would do this, so that I could block it with my arms crossed. Still hurts like crap, But at least I can still stand. I stood from the ground and put myself back to my fighting stance...
"Say... Kurokiba-kun... Why do you fight me?" But instead of fighting back, the older brother simply crossed his arms behind his back, and sighed. That question... Actually caught me off guard, as I lowered my fists to give him my confused gaze.
"Huh...?"
"Yeah... Y'know... Golden boy is fighting us because we kinda pissed him off, and your air-headed friend is fighting my brother because he think is fun. Me and brother are here because of gang business..." And then those piercing eyes behind black shades turned against me. Suddenly, I felt all my strenght being sip out of me. "But... How about you? You're not one of the Fina member, nor is trying to protect your friends. When I said I was going to intervene, you just stood in my way. But... I can't sense any kind of hostility from you. What gives? Do you really want to fight me?"
"..."
"...?"
"I... I don't know..."
Really... I don't know why I'm fighting. I mean... Solaire and Lautrec are already fighting the younger brother. Of course Suzuki-san would intervene and help his outnumbered younger bro. Me? I just stepped up for him, preparing myself for a fight. I could just stepped out and see those four fight for keeps.
Man... What the hell Am I doing? Do I... Do I like fighting that much? Stepping up into the crossed fire like that. I am... Senseless? All those years fighting bullies I was just using my appearence as an excuse to beat the crap out of others? Or Was I just trying to gain some attention? Why... Why did I stepped up here in the first place? I could've just walked away... Like I could've walked away from the other fights in my past...
"Sorry... But I can't answer that..." I looked to my own feet. What a pathetic Feeling. I feel like garbage now. But before I could sink myself in my own thoughts, a foot kicked me in the guts! I cough a little, stepping back a little. In front of me, Suzuki-san was stabbing me with his stern eyes. Was he... Mad at me?
"If you don't know the answer... Than you're less than garbage, Kurokiba!" He roared. He tighed those brass knuckles of his on his hands and jump toward me. I tried to block it, But he was faster, and punched me in the guts again. Before I could do anything, he lifted his leg and kneeled me right in the face. It wasn't enough to break my nose, but it started to bleed. "What are you?! A lady?! If you don't know the aswer for why you fight, then you're just an animal! A beast! A mindless life form!"
"What...?! I... Uhh!" I couldn't retort him. First, because the Barrage of punches and high-kicks were distracting me, and second because... He was kinda right. Was I... Not different from those bullies back in junior school? Out of nowhere, Suzuki pulled a Paint-spray out of his jacket and pointed it against me, litting his lighter in front of it. Pressing the button, he released a whip of flames against me. It burned my uniform a little, But fortunately no big damage, But I was stumbling a little.
"Kurokiba... You're just a brat! You don't deserve be in the world of True Men!"
The world... Of true men?
Before I could retort him, something was tossed against my side, and pushed me to the protection fence. When I could put two-and-two together, I saw it was Solaire and Lautrec again. They seemed beat up. I turned my gaze back to the Tsubasa brother, and while the younger brother was laughing at us, Suzuki-san was looking me with dissapointed eyes.
I could no longer see, hear or feel a thing. After that scold from Suzuki-san... All my fighting Spirit was gone. No... I guess I didn't had any to begin with. I mean... I could fight... But everything now seem so meaningless. I could fight... But I didn't had any reason to it. Was I... Just like those bullies? Fighting and picking others up for the sake of fighting and picking others up? Was I just luring others to fight me? Everything now to me was blank and quiet. Maybe Lautrec was cursing and calling me things. Maybe Solaire was laughing and telling jokes. I didn't know... I didn't care...
Mom...
"Well... Sorry, But I guess I didn't introduce myself, is it?"
"Huh...?" A friendly voice reached my ear and snapped me back. Lautrec was trying to get himself up, while I was still on the floor, probably looking pathetic. Solaire, on the other hand, was standing up, smiling like always, his arms crossed in front of his chest, the Wind of that afternoon blowing his golden hair in an epic way. He looked like one of those heroes from comic books... It was actually very cool.
"Well... Tsubasa brothers, excuse my rudeness, and let me be known by you two!" And out of the sudden, he lifted both his arms like a bird, ducking his head slightly back, and sniffing the air a little. When he stopped that... Gesture, he sharpened his eyes. So sudden, the younger brother took a few steps back. "My name... Is HYUUGA SOLAIRE! I am a honor member of the Sun gang, helping those in need and casting the darkness away, like our Father Sun itself! Remember that, Tsubasa brothers!"
"The Sun gang?!" The younger brother stepped back again, But, faster than eyes could see, my sunbro dashed to him, his arm forming a hook. Before he could lift his bat, the bald brother was caught in a Lariat move! Right in the throat. He gasped and cough a little of blood. Solaire was still smiling, and stepping hard in the ground, he finished it by pushing his arm while standing still, making the brother fall back and Clash his ass against the floor.
"The Sun gang's signature move: Lighting Spear!"
"Why... You...!" But the younger brother was not beaten yet. Standing up from the floor, he caught back his Silver bat and was about to hit Solaire from the back. But...
*SNAP!*
"What the hell...?!"
"Well... You fuckers already know who I am. But since you're dumb as shit, I'll said one more time!" Lautrec appeared out of nowhere, and wrapped his long, golden scarf around the younger brother's neck. He moved his precious piece of silk to make the brother face him, and then punched him right in the guts. "My name is KINTOKI LAUTREC! Fina gang second in command and Lady Fina's most trustworthy man! Remember that before talking shit about my lady, you squid-breath scum!"
After that, the younger brother was sent flying against the fence. I didn't know why, But the epic, if not silly, speeches were reaching deep in me. The Sheer determination of both fighters were giving me strenght to stood up. Maybe... Maybe I had a motive. No... Wait!
I have a reason!
"Hey, Sunguy, 'Sun gang signature move' my ass! That was a Lariat, and you fucking know it!"
"Heheheh... Sorry, friend. But It's so cool to say that!"
"Tch... Those two... Don't worry, lil'bro... I'm coming!" I saw as Suzuki-san was stepping hard, trying to reach my friends. Before he could do it, however, I stepped up in front on me. He gazed me with those sharp eyes again, But, for some reason, that Intimidation attack... Wasn't working on me anymore. "Tch... Step back, Kurokiba. A brat like you have no right to fight me!"
"I am... I am...!"
"Fine. This is what happens when you not Listen to your olders, kiddo!" He reached his Paint-spray and lighter again, preparing his fire whip again.
"I am Kurokiba Mukuro! I may be not the strongest, or a second in command, or even a good and reliable friend...!" I reached my jacket and wrapped it in a single whip itself. In a swiff move, I snapped the lighter off Suzuki-san's, althought my jacket was burned a little. Seeing him without his most powerful weapon, I tossed my burning cloth away and dashed to him. "But if there's something I am good at is bashing bullies and troublemakers... BECAUSE THE ONLY THING THEY CAN DO IS HARM AND THREAT PEOPLE LIKE ME!"
"You... You...!" I prepared a punch against him. Seeing that his flamethrower was not going to work now, he tossed his Paint-spray to a random direction and prepared a punch himself. In the end, since he was taller and his was longer, he reached me first, landing a breaking punch right in my chest. I gasped and cough a bit of blood. My hand, which was trying to reach his face, weaked up, and fell from his hand down. "Huh... All talk... But I guess this is enough for you, Kurokib-..."
Before he could complete his speech, using the remaining of strenght in me, I reached his collar with my Falling hand and grip it. He gave a surprised Gasp, and before he could react, I pushed him closer and headbutted him right in the nose. I heard a cracking noise, I probably break his sunglasses. I could feel his hot blood Running down my forehead, and he start twitching under my grip. In the end, silence. I didn't feel like talking. And he was probably unconcious or in the verge of being.
"Ehe... Eheheheh... I was... Wrong... Kurokiba..." I heard above my head. I turned my head up, and in a fast and surprising move, Suzuki-san reached his arms around me and... Hugged me. I am now staring at his face, and behind his broken sunglasses, his green eyes were giving me a brotherly aura. "Welcome... To the world of true men..."
"Suzuki-san..."
"You are... You are... A man, now, Kurokiba..." He said, slowly sliding to a side, his grasp around me weaken with the passing seconds. In the end, he colapsed on the floor, unconcious. We've won. The other brother was out of comission as well, and Lautrec was now stealing some money from him. Solaire could only do his little silly gesture to the Sun. Me? I could only stare at the fallen delinquent beside me.
So... I guess this is my reason. I fight because... I don't want others to suffer what I've suffer. Is not exactly a good reason. But is the best I have. This is the reason... Keeping me away from hollowing. If the way to hell is filled with good intention, then so be it, I won't let any Bully to haunt this place...
"Huh~... Good show. Good show indeed, mister Kurokiba."
"What...?" Snapping me back to reality, I turned my head around to see a student, probably one or two years older than me, with black, smooth hair with a strange yellow beret, shades under his yellow eyes and wearing the jacket of his uniform as a cape, standing in the exit door, resting his back against the frame of the passage. In the right sleeve of his jacket, there was a small piece of red cloth reading "Disciplinary comitee"...
...
I'm screwed, ain't I?
"Oh! Hello there, mister Kirishima!" Out of nowhere, my sunbro, with a few bruises in his face, reach a hand around my shoulders for support and smiled to the new character. I turned around and, surprisingly, Lautrec was nowhere to be seen.
"Good afternoon, mister Hyuuga. I guess your lunchbreak was more... Exciting this time around. Am I correct?" Huh? What the hell? I mean, me and Solaire are clearly beaten and out of a fight, yet, that guy seemed quite elated (did I get that one line right?) to be here. I wonder. The said other student came closer and bowed. "You must be Kurokiba Mukuro. It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Kiriyama Oswald. I'm am a member of the Disciplinary comitee of Lordran High."
"Er.. Likewise, mr. Kiriyama." I bowed as well. We lifted our heads in the same time and, the moment we crossed gazes, I turned my eyes to other direction. I'm embarassed. A member of the student Disciplinary comitee here after a brutal fight. That was just uncool. Well, Hell or heller, here I go. "Look, I know I can't escape detention or worse, But... Can I have my word about the event? I mean..."
"What are you talking about, dear Kurokiba?" Oswald, however, laugh it off and reach his hand to pet me in the head. Was this suppost to calm me? To the tell truth, that's a little creepy. I don't know if he's just messing with me before giving me the bad news or just hitting on me. Either way, I am now uneasy. "Huhuhuhuh... Don't worry. Those two are nothing But trash. You and mr. Solaire, however, did me a great favor by putting the Tsubasa Bros. Out of comission."
"Wait... So, you're not gonna report us?"
"No~pe. In fact, I'll give you both an extra point for helping in school matters." He smiled. Again, too creepy to my taste. Seconds later, however, he leaned his head Foward, making the cap of his beret cast dark shades on his eyes. "I'd hate to press anything AGAINST you, mr. Kurokiba. But, y'know, school matters are School matters. Please, don't go Hollow."
"O-Okay..."
"Don't worry, Oswald. Mukuro is a good kid!" Solaire light the mood by smiling back to him. Oh, how I envy his innocence. That guy... Was creepy.
"Is that so? So I'll have a worry less in my note. However, if you see any problems or any student breaking the rules, don't hesite to report me." Yeah, like that would happen. Seconds after an akward silence, the school bell rang, announcing the end of lunchbreak. Oswald flicked the cap of his beret, pointing his golden orbs back at us, then smiled. "Well... It looks like lunchbreak is over. Now, gentlemen, would you kindly go back to your classes? Don't make me report you two."
"No problem, Oswald. We're going." Laughing one more time, Solaire jockly saluted the black figure and took his way downstairs. I bowed one more time and did the same. In the Middle of the stairs, I turned around to my sunbro.
"Hey... Solaire... Do you know him?"
"Huuh~... Yeah, I mean, kinda. Oswald is a transferred student from Carim district. From what I heard of, his family has a legacy of law enforcers and policemen. It was because of that Gwyndolin chose him as his right-hand in the Disciplinary committee."
"Wow... Sounds important."
"Yeah... But I heard some nasty rumors about him too. Apparentely, he can be bribed pretty easily." And after that, Solaire laughed. Well, that was surprising. He did not seemed uptight like Gwyndolin. He was playful and, althought creepy (okay, I'll stop.), very amicable. But better not to mess with him. "Also, I heard that he and Mr. Lautrec had some... Problems in the past, back in Carim district."
"..."
"So much that he jumped from the roof just to not face mr. Oswald. I think the incident was really THAT bad..." Yeah. I can imagine Golden Boy jumping out of his troubles' way. Now, I wonder what happened to him. If he's remotely human... Meta-human, he'll need another kind of Lady Fina... Lady Mor-Fina, that is!
...
What the hell is wrong with me?
"That's good news I guess. I hope golden boy is alright."
"Yeah. Me too. We should Hang out one of these days!" Trust me, pal. Even I, who was with him for literally five minutes, was thinking this was a bad, bad idea.
In the end, we parted ways, and I took my way to the my classroom. Unfortunately, however, I was too late, since a pair of fierce, red eyes stabbed me as soon as I entered the room.
"Mr. Kurokiba... Please be aware that I'm not patient with late students. Since this is your first time, I'll let that one pass. But..." And my homeroom teacher, a tall, pale woman with ebony hair, fierce red eyes, a large book under her arm and wearing an all-black suit said that to me. Granted, I was actually relieved. From what I heard of, Ms. Aidou Fuuka were one of the most strict teachers in Lordran. She could move like no one, faster that eyes could see, like she simply multiple herself during class, and I heard also that she'd hire a student to be her spy in every class. Not to mention, rumors said that she was one of the bosses of the Mist gang.
That scary lady was... My homeroom teacher. Just my luck.
"I'm sorry... Aidou-sensei..." I lowered my head in Shame.
"Huuuh~..."
"What...?" But When I back it up, The first thing I saw was Aidou-sensei's eyes staring at me. I stumbled back, but, under closer inspection, I noticed that her eyes were actually... Kinda concerned. She touched my forehead, and a sting of pain hit right there.
"It's bleeding. The wound probably clot, But you'll get an infection if you're not careful. Huh... Kids these days..." She sighed, and then pulled out a pack of bandages out of her table to give it to me, sitting on her chair after it. I was dumbfounded. I looked at the small box in my hands, then back to her. To the box, and back to her. A small figurative vein of rage popped in her head. I've upset her. "What are you waiting for? A summoned phantom? Go back to your seat. Treat that wound of yours there."
I bowed to her, saying sorry all the way. I'd hate to upset a teacher, even more if she happens to be leacturing me for the rest of the semester or year. I dashed back to my seat, and sat it there. Aidou-sensei sighed yet again and then started her lecture.
I stitched a bandage in my forehead and sighed. The pain would go away, But the talk I had with Suzuki-san would stay. So... That's my reason. Fight so that no becomes a victim of bullies anymore. I don't know if that's noble or just plain stupid, But this is the only reason I have in mind.
World of true men, eh?
~~X~~
So... What do you guys think? I little more deep into our chosen undead, as well some character development, albeit a little forced. I took the "true's men world" from my favorite arc in Steel Ball run and, I have to said, Thanks araki. Now, what do you guys think is best: to write a new chapter of Daily souls or start a new arc with Mukuro? I'm a little splitted here.
Thanks for reading again, now, up to the names!
- Squid-breath scum: it's a rather rude slang term. Apparentely, the smell of squid, dried squid, smells almost like semen. So lautrec is saying that Rin's breath smells like semen, or rather, he is a c*ck-sucker.
- Kiriyama Oswald: "Kiriyama" can mean "misty mountain". I kinda ignored him in my first walkthought, and since he is in one of the taller places in the undead burg.
- Aidou Fuuka: By her description and appearence, try to say her name out loud a few times. Does it ring any bells? :3
Well, I guess that's that. Stay golden, yoaal. until next chapter~
