FINALLY, A NEW CHAPTER!
Well, I guess that by now it is common knowledge that my updates have nothing like a regular thing attached to them. So, in order to make it up to you, I wrote a ridiculously big chapter this time! And all happen during a SINGLE DAY, sheesh!
Song that inspired me: No Light, No Light, by Florence+The Machine.
Note 1 - Please recall the notes made on the previous chapters.
Note 2 – Forgive me for the lack of talent to write action in the field. I feel more comfortable with psychological stuff so, yeah, I tried.
Note 3 – They're getting older, I'm gonna cry ;_; Anyway, thanks for reading, sorry for the typos and send me a review if you feel like it! :)
DISCLAIMER: Anything from K doesn't belong to me, though this fic is mine and was written just for fun.
.
.
UNTIL THE DAY I DIE
Fighting Against You - Part I
.
You are the hole in my head, you are the space in my bed
You are the silence in between what I thought and what I said
.
To occupy his brain, Munakata became the best. If someone foolishly tried to win on a duel, he'd win with just using the sword. If an emergency occurred, even though he always tried to negotiate pacifically a solution to the conflict, he'd win with his incomparable power. It cost at first, to be merciless, but he had learned perfectly how to lock away his heart. The frail Reisi, the insecure boy and the dependable being didn't exist anymore at surface or even on a deep level.
He was proud with the change. Now all that existed was the fair and strong Captain of Scepter4. Munakata was also thankful for it. Despite that, he was conscious that an empty space had appeared in his being despite all the things he had gained in return.
While completing his endless puzzles, he didn't try to find it and fill it. Instead, he used them so fill their empty spaces, in order to forget about his own empty spot. It worked, surprisingly. Therefore, his personal office and home had their walls covered in majestic pieces of classic art, all picturing the possible scenarios of imposing battles or simple landscapes, but nothing more than that.
Nothing personal.
Nothing that truly belonged to him.
Leaving the window, ignoring an abandoned dog on the street down below, he reached the desk. His phone was ringing.
- Yes. – he answered after having grabbed the earphone.
- Captain, there's a highest importance matter we need to discuss.
- Come.
- Right away. – and hung up.
After a moment, a subtle knock on the door was heard. He gave permission and the door was open. His secretary came in with a considerable amount of papers. It seemed to be a file.
The young woman looked at her Captain without saying a word. His expression was severe and there was no light in his limpid blue eyes. His elegant traces were still beautiful but also austere. Trying to keep it professional, as always, she focused and put the papers on the table. However, was it possible to keep it professional? She didn't think so.
- We have a problem near a primary school. HOMRA is preparing an invasion to an old building which is being used as headquarters by a rival gang.
- HOMRA again? – asked Munakata with saturation in his voice. Those tugs only knew how to brainlessly raise their fists to prove strength.
- This time I'm afraid… the Red King himself will do the work.
A pause. Now he was seeing the problem: public security. The Red King's fame was undeniable, though he strongly doubted that the facts matched the gossip. Nonetheless, it was true that he was unpredictable and used the fire as he pleased. A child could be hurt on his way home, the surrounding buildings could be destroyed, lots of families could become homeless…
- At what time?
She hesitated but the second after her eyes became even more serious and the urgency in her voice made her point very clear:
- Now.
There was no time to prepare a strategy. There was no time to even gather the necessary amount of men to face HOMRA and the Red King. There were no mean available to efficiently protect the innocent ones.
It was, indeed, an emergency.
- I'll go. – Munakata said, turning his back to his secretary to hide how displeased he was by the situation. Taking the chance, he went and lifted his coat from his huge and comfortable office chair.
After dressing it, the Blue King wondered how his secretary got a hold of that important piece of information faster than any member of the Researchers. The answer was incredibly obvious, he concluded by the time he tied his sword belt to his waist.
She let him pass by and prepared to follow him out of the room. He stopped and so did she.
- When will be the exam?
- In a few weeks, Sir.
- Good. I'll need you on the field. The sooner, the better.
Seri saw him leave and would have smiled if the worry she felt wasn't so strong. Munakata had managed to avoid any kind of contact with Suoh for almost three years: first, during his internship he had refused any call or letter, only accepting to see his parents during the visit period; then, he has always done all the paper work and there hadn't been so far a real need of his presence on the field.
Things started to change last month. HOMRA people became bolder and more violent. They grew in number as the dangerous fame of their king spread out like a crazy fuse dying to reach the barrel full of inflammable liquid. They didn't hide anymore and stared doing whatever was necessary to achieve HOMRA's goals.
Having that in mind, Seri didn't know what kind of situation was waiting for Munakata but was dead certain that neither of them would be pleased with what the other had become: a wild King and a cold one. Being a mere secretary for now, even she could see just how wrong that was. If it had been within her power, she would have done anything to make sure they didn't part from each other.
Anything.
If pure Munakata was growing into that kind of man, she didn't want to image how Suoh was coming out. She didn't want to imagine the pain Kusanagi's must be feeling. Just being allowed to watch, powerless, to the end of a being he respected and desired to protect was probably unbearable. Knowing how much pain it all caused… she'd definitely do anything.
.
You are the night time fear, you are the morning when it's clear
When it's over, you're the start, you're my head and you're my heart
.
Earlier on that day, Mikoto was sitting in his room floor with his back supported by his bed. The light which came from the window between the bed and the damned sofa illuminated the division and turned almost transparent the piece of paper he was holding in his left hand, resting on his raised knee. He knew every single word by heart and lost count of the times he wanted to burn that letter and reduce it to nothing – "No blood, no bone, no ash".
Nonetheless, he resisted. It was a souvenir.
The letter said the essential but he could shorten Reisi's sober and ridiculously formal words to something like "I'm sorry, I'm helpless, I love you, goodbye". It seemed like it hadn't been easy for him to find out he was bound to become the Blue King. Also, it clearly was something beyond their power, so Mikoto decided to keep it as a constant reminder. It was time for Reisi to fulfill his duty and he had enough courage to accept it. Who was Mikoto to deprive him of doing so?
Accepting what Fate presents us with is a virtue, according to Totsuka, and redhead found himself agreeing with that. Without caving in and with his mates' precious and vital support, he was able to meet new people and, finally and for the first time in his life, he was granted with a real family. It all started with Anna but the others came across his way naturally, running from trouble or loneliness.
Overall, he felt fortunate.
A noise on the door turned his attention from the sun passing through the window. Izumo came in without asking for permission and sit on the floor in front of him, having the sofa supporting his back. He looked tired and beaten up. Mikoto knew that expression; it was the one that appeared when no one was paying attention. He missed that brat.
- You miss him? – Izumo asked, noticing the letter. If Mikoto missed Reisi then it was ok to miss her too, wasn't it?
- Sometimes, but I can manage. It's not like I've believed we'd always be together.
The other man felt surprised but the redhead just made a gesture that meant "I don't care". It was true that some nights were nightmarish and he'd dream of how disposable and ridiculously insignificant he felt when Reisi departed. He'd dream as well with words that his lover never said and with what he could find once they meet again. However, he'd always been aware of Reisi's enormous potential and, knowing it, only a mad man would dream of restraining it.
In the end, Mikoto didn't have anything to offer, after all. All he could dream of was rescue people like him and hope for them. Sadly, that was something Reisi had never been able to understand because all he could see in his actions was violence – the violence which was used to camouflage despair, sorrow and fear of the grotesque monster called Loneliness.
Although Reisi had only seen violence, he still loved Mikoto. He went against a lot of principles and convictions until he finally surrendered himself. The lacks of understanding caused desperate need, but also fear... Still, after all the troubles, they managed to overcome their issues and enjoy their time together.
Having overcome what happened, he believed that that was what should matter and remain.
Yet, in the mornings when the sky assumed that pale light blue color, Mikoto used to remember. Even though Reisi had left him long ago, he was still capable of recall every trace of his rare smile, every corner of his complicated nature and every feel of his divine body.
He tasted it, had it and could still remember it. It wasn't that bad.
- You should leave that letter then. It tells nothing new.
Mikoto looked at it and smiled.
- I always liked his presumptuous handwriting.
Hearing it saddened the other man. He had no possessions of Seri. Not even a picture or a lost item. But she still called him, to take care of emergencies. It was better than nothing even if she coldly ignored his feelings every fucking time and even if when he mentioned something unrelated to HOMRA or Septer4 she hung up the phone.
It took a while to learn her rules. For both of them, he was sure of.
- You've grown so much so quickly, my King. – Izumo commented to shake off those thoughts.
- Don't mock me, old man.
They laughed.
- Ya need somethin'? - Mikoto asked, finally. Izumo knew he often sleeps until noon so there must be a significant reason behind that visit.
- Just to tell you it's time to bring down "that" place. – the older man said, hiding his apprehensiveness.
- I see. – he replied, reflecting about the issue.
As Mikoto raised his head, the remembrance period was over. He was no longer inside his room but in front of a degraded building. The wind was pleasantly blowing and he could feel the presence of all his clansmen behind him. Meh, he felt lazy but also bored. What a tedious day, full of memories and spacing out. He needed a damn good fight to get his head out of the clouds.
The building they were looking at belonged to a hideous group of low lives who used to threaten kids and women nearby, robbed the elders' possessions and hit the crap out of those who stood against them. That neighborhood has been living in fear for a considerable couple of months and even if they obeyed the gang's orders, they were still not safe. The scumbags were always imposing more and more.
Despicable.
That aside, how'd they come in?
Izumo was standing right by his king's side with his sunglasses and a handkerchief around his neck. The way he looked up at the building told the redhead he was probably thinking about the same.
- Anna – The Red King started, looking to the girl standing on his left side – ya'll stay outside. Keep an eye on us with your map and contact me if there's a problem. Gotcha? – the little girl nodded, looking at her beautiful red ball, held in between her hands.
- Mikoto-san. – a clansman called in the middle of a crowd, making his way to the front.
- Hm?
- What if we lure them out instead? We can ambush them. It's easier to fight on an open space.
Mikoto turned around and saw a geeky brat. After considering it for a second, he agreed.
- Aa. It'd be easier to avoid surprises.
Saruhiko smiled. His idea had been accepted while dumb Yata just watched. See? Suck it. Locating him in the crowd, the raven haired boy frowned. Even though dumb Yata hadn't been on the spotlight, he still looked full of pride, fierce and untouchable. How annoying!
Feeling observed, said boy turned his head and looked Saruhiko boldly in the eyes, as always. It was so disgusting that he immediately broke the eye contact. Why was there so much fire in Yata? Why wasn't there that fire in him?
A huge noise startled him.
The Red King had sent two big fire balls randomly at the building. The impact was massive and originated a small explosion as terrified screams cut the air. The commotion started and HOMRA prepared for the fight. Saruhiko wondered how could they do so in the middle of that noisy mess but even his organized reasoning disappeared as he saw all those low lives running away like mice through the front door.
Preparations weren't needed. Just the mere fact of seeing them served the purposed.
HOMRA approached them without fear and stopped their coward intention. No one would leave that place so soon.
Yata was the first one to jump on a little skinny man and hit him hard with his baseball bat. After that, all HOMRA started the attack. Kusanagi did it slowly, well aware that most of his opponents were no match for him and Totsuka just observed the scene by Anna's side in order to protect her if needed.
The Red King was calmly evaluating the small fights, proud of his clansmen skills. Although waiting for the group's chief was making his blood boil with adrenaline he didn't bothered helping his subordinates.
One of his favorite followers was swaying around his skate board as he prepared himself to win the third fight. He was fast, even though he carried two heavy objects with him. That was a nice and competent kid.
Not far from that place, Saruhiko also found himself observing Yata. Again. He made such an unnecessary and flashy show off, it was irritating. How was he supposed to fight if he couldn't focus? It was like he was looking at a ridiculous and lousy actor.
- Won't you fight, Saruhiko-kun?
Surprised, he turned around, blushing. How stupid of him, to let his guard down in the middle of chaos.
- Totsuka-san! – he felt relieved, but confused. How did he end up so far from the place he recalled in the middle of battle? He didn't recall getting nearer the little girl as well. He needed a good justification and he needed one in that instant – Mikoto-san isn't fighting. – he suddenly said, surprised and confused. Why would he fight while his King was just looking around enjoying the violence surrounding him?
- That's because our King is fair. Don't you think it'd be a dirty move if he did so?
He felt ashamed. That was obvious.
- I do, I'm sorry.
- Maa – the man said with a chuckle as he kindly put a hand on his shoulder – you don't have to fight if you don't want to. Stay here with us and root for Yata-chan, but don't forget where you are.
- Ugh, nothanks – he spilled the words like soup and get rid of that that hand – I'll fight. – he finished with a still nauseous expression on his face and mingled with the confusion.
Totsuka did a gesture with his shoulders, what could he do? Thinking reasonably now, it was time to stop fooling around. The fight hadn't been on for too long, but the destruction it was causing was tremendous. The building right next to half destroyed one had already been hit and the noise was so intense that a group of civilians started to gather on the ends of the long road. They were curious about what was going on but too afraid to come closer and discover it by themselves. That aside, fire and fume had invaded the place. It was time to warn Kusanagi, because things could get out of hands in no time. Furthermore, the head of the bad guys hadn't showed up yet. Mikoto wasn't fighting… yet.
Once that happen, the situation would certainly be even more dramatic.
- Hey, Kusanagi-san! – Totsuka ran towards his companion after he hid Anna on a safe spot. Other than that man, he knew that there was no one able to make Mikoto see the damages that could be done to innocent people. – Kusanagi-san!
He stopped at some point. Something didn't feel right.
Kusanagi was looking right back at him, shocked. It was unusual for him to mingle with battle but was it that surprising? He was HOMRA, after all; it was legitimate if he wanted to protect his friends from whatever could come against them. However, the other's expression was scary... Was… was there something behind his back? Was his life in danger?
Trying to choose carefully his words, Totsuka tried to understand the situation.
- Kusanagi...
The second after Kusanagi's expression showed pure terror and he snapped out of it.
- MIKOTO! – he shouted as loud as he could in the middle of all havoc. – MIKOTO! – he'd started running in Totsuka's direction. The blond man turned around and, to his surprise, his back was turned to the building's entrance, where Mikoto was disappearing into a turmoil of fume and flames. No, it couldn't be.
- W-wait, Kusanagi. Kusanagi!
Totsuka grabbed his friend's arm in the last instant.
- What are you doing! – he protested.
- What are you doing? Planning on getting toasted?
- Let go, dammit, he'll fry if we don't…
- He's a King! He controls fire, you blind head! – Totsuka scolded. Kusanagi stopped forcing him and looked confused for a bit. – He's capable of greatness, Kusanagi! You shouldn't forget that!
- Never forget what? – Izumo asked, confused. Totsuka was talking also to himself, trying to convince both of them, wasn't he?
A woman's voice was heard. Being so absorbed in the feelings of the moment, both men didn't even noticed they were kneeling on the floor. Looking up, surprised with the command tone of that voice, Kusanagi's heart skipped a beat. She came? Seri came after he'd call in order to prevent unnecessary casualties?
No, she hadn't.
Instead of Seri, it was Anna who was severely looking at them. He felt punched in the stomach.
- Are you guys finished? – she asked, mad, after having demanded them to shut up.
Looking at the always calm Anna with her hands on her waist and a mean expression in her eyes was something new. She'd left her safe place just to prevent them of being foolish? If so, Totsuka was thankful.
- We are Anna – Kusanagi answered in the moment he was getting up and helping the blond man do the same.
- Forgive us, Anna. – Totsuka concluded with an apologizing smile.
- Good. – the girl said, now looking up at the taller man – Scepter4 is here. Captain Munakata has required an audience with you.
Totsuka looked around. It was true, Septer4 had arrived and the blue butterflies were already spreading all over the place. Butterflies? No, they were more like desperate ants looking for food.
Next to him, Kusanagi laughed, bitterly. "Captain Munakata" wanted to speak with him while his once precious Mikoto was catching fire? Please, what a spoiled, lunatic and self-centered brat. And who the heck requests an audience at an open air space? What a complete idiot.
- Hey, Munakata! – he screamed, after localizing the imposing figure who was standing relatively close by. All HOMRA was looking at the three men since they had stopped fighting against his adversaries when Septer4 arrived. Nobody wanted trouble with the law and the police force, much less when the Captain himself was present. – Do you know why I won't give you a fucking audience?
- Kusanagi… - Totsuka tried to advert, in vain.
Oh no, Reisi surely needed to taste his own poison this time. Trying to ignore the satisfaction he was feeling in anticipation, Kusanagi raised his voice once again and shout without shame to whoever wanted, or didn't want, to listen.
- BECAUSE MY DAMNED KING IS INSIDE THIS FUCKING BUILDING! –his voice echoed and everybody was paralyzed with surprise or fear – WHO GIVES A SHIT ABOUT AN AUDIENCE RIGHT NOW, HUH?
His King?
Reisi blinked as those words hit him without mercy. It felt like the whole world had fallen hard into his shoulders.
Mikoto...
It was Mikoto.
Reisi's expression hardened when he looked at the building engulfed by flames. Was Mikoto burning alongside it? Or was he the one burning it down? Why did he come inside, in the first place? To save someone or to destroy someone's house? Was he guilty or innocent? Was he… dead or alive?
There were too many questions invading Reisi's methodical reasoning. He tried to equate every possible hypothesis and adequate his behavior to said happenings. He trusted his training to be able to keep calm, composed and to do it efficiently… but something inside his head was ringing like madness. A colossal pool of redness was spreading and being spilled over every single thing. He couldn't hear or speak anymore. All he could still do was see.
And he saw Mikoto.
Mikoto burning, in the middle of fire.
Mikoto was fire.
And Kusanagi was astute. He could clearly see panic in those icy eyes. Poor Reisi, he had no freaking idea about who the Red King was. He could play all the games and fake all the performances he wanted too, but he'd never beat the Red King. He'd never beat Mikoto's genuine and fierce nature. How sad, yet funny.
A small explosion cut Kusanagi's thinking and made everyone look at the building's entrance. The last gang member who was being ordered to sit inside a Septer4's van screamed for his boss when a shadow appeared surrounded by smoke. However, all HOMRA were well aware that the man coming out wasn't him. It was their king.
Leaving the building without a scratch, the Red King walked without worries. It was a relaxed posture but, at the same time, his superiority was terribly clear to anyone's eyes. The greatness of his proudly raised head and the confidence of his smile were disturbing. The hot aura surrounding him was dangerously soothing and his keen eyes were filled with knowledge.
Totsuka smiled and went to meet him.
- Mikoto-san! Are you hurt?
Yata and Saruhiko headed there next.
- Mikoto-san! You did it! – Yata exclaimed full of joy.
- Suoh-san, did you… – Saruhiko dared to ask.
In no seconds all HOMRA were surrounding him, yelling and congratulating their magnificent king. Their trustworthy, just, harsh and warm king.
Who was that man? He certainly wasn't the one he left behind on that cursed day… No. He had grown both in mind and physical appearance. He was an entirely different man when compared to the one he used to know. This one… this one was the infamous Red King.
Satisfied with the outcome of the mission, the Red King smiled and answered to his clansmen as if they were equals. While he was congratulating them about their good work, and being scolded by an angry Kusanagi, his happiness was palpable. That was clearly his family, his comrades… the ones who will always be by his side, no matter what.
How odd was that?
And how strange was his perception, Munakata thought as the Red King felt he was being observed by him. In no time, the redhead's expression changed to hostile and HOMRA sensed it. Forming automatically something like a corridor in order to give their king a passage, they went quiet and silence filled the air.
Reisi had always imagined how their reunion would be like, but could never have pictured it like that. Not when all the factors he was familiar with were gone, including himself.
- Oh, if it isn't Septer4's Captain. – commented, casually, the Red King.
A HOMRA clansman laughed and replied loudly.
- Even he wanted to watch the event with his own eyes, eh?
HOMRA laughed with glee.
- An anonymous arraignment was made in Septer4 Head Quarters. – Reisi spoke with a neutral tone, but due to his imposing stature everyone shut to listen. He was also a king, after all – Therefore I personally came here to ascertain the situation.
- I have nothing to declare. – the redhead said with irony and a provocative smile.
- HOMRA put public security in danger… again.
Oh, HOMRA did so much more than that, Captain. HOMRA also scared the shit out of people, spanked, destroyed and reduced every malignant thing to nothing. His King, however, was in a whole different level. He was capable to kill and was willing to do anything to protect his own people, even if it meant turn into a hideous beast. Yes, he was that kind of man.
Would you leave him if you knew what he was capable of?
And will you leave him, if he ever tells you what he has become?
Look, Reisi… it's so easy for him to assume it before he crowd but I bet it'd be too damn hard to say it to you out loud.
- Fuck off – answered the Red King, with a smirk. Then he turned his back to all Septer4 and left with the glorious and proud flame of HOMRA following him.
.
You want a revelation, you wanna get it right
But it's a conversation I just won't have tonight
.
It was the first time that someone had purposely ignored his request.
Such a bitter sensation…
Such a lonely feeling.
-w-
A.N:
To arisanightray: Because Munakata's a very stubborn little guy, that's why! I mean, we all want to comfort him and he keeps his door shut even to Seri. Joke aside, thank you once again, I'm glad you liked it! I felt like there was a glorious soundtrack behind Seri all the time xD
To AngelRuby235: I hope you'll get suppa happy with this huge update! :D Thanks a lot for thinking so, I can rest at ease and fool around a bit then. Seri's awesome but I have a BIG thing for Kusanagi, he's too cool for school, can't help myself and had to put him in the spotlight again! See you next time ;)
To Setsura: Are you alright? Hope you didn't injury yourself! Hope I've answered your questions with this chapter and congratulations with guessing a bit of their reunion! I confess that for long I had planned to write a hurt and betrayed Mikoto once they met but I changed since we're talking now about the Red King. He owns the whole thing, you know what I mean? So, yeah. Your reviews are very detailed; it's always a pleasure to read them! If they're big it just lets me know how much you put into reading it and commenting it :) I couldn't agree more with you in your analyses. Thank you!
To psychemenace: Thank you for your review, I'm happy you're enjoying it! And I know, right? They're too damn sexy, it should be illegal!
