...
Allied Enemies
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When they stepped into the room, something was amiss, the air practically smelling of grievance. Ritsuka was sitting at the table, unseeing gaze somewhere on the opposite wall, ears flattened and unmoving. He had a mobile in his hand. Soubi was at a window, smoking, just like Ritsu, who was leaning on the table. Nagisa was propping herself on a chair, nervously re-arranging biscuits on a plate in front of her. Behind her, the Zeros were standing, focused on her restless hands.
Seimei frowned:
- What's happened? Regretting we're not the murderers that much?
Ritsuka hit the table with an open palm:
- Do not talk like this! – his voice shook – You're innocent, alright? Go home!
Nisei sent Seimei a meaningful look.
- Ritsuka – the older Aoyagi started, silently moving towards his brother – What has happened? I'm serious, you all look as if someone died.
Ritsuka bit his lip, shaking his head. Soubi turned from the window and came to his side as well. Ritsuka threw himself on him, clutching his shirt. Ritsu sighed and the Zeros glared at Seimei with sad anger. It was Nagisa who broke the silence:
- Yes, they did! – she crushed a biscuit – There's been another murder, we've just got the info.
- Where? How long ago? – Seimei asked, not knowing whom to look at. Everyone turned their eyes away from him, condemning him even in their grief – It couldn't have been us, you must realise it!
Again, Nagisa spoke, voice wavering:
- I-we know – she admitted – There are cameras in the bathroom – spotting Seimei's indignation, she added – They don't show the insides of the stalls, neither do they register the sounds, don't worry. As for your questions – he looked hopefully at Ritsu and patted his hip, but he ignored her – We don't know when it happened. We do have a place though: about 35 kilometres from here, near the river bank.
- Someone should be sent to investigate – Seimei stated quietly, talking directly to her.
- I-I understand – she stammered, not anxious of him, but completely distressed by the news – Someone will definitely go...
Ritsu blew another cloud of smoke. Soubi was gently rubbing Ritsuka's back. The Zeros had ducked their heads.
Seimei took a step towards Nagisa, knowing without looking back that Nisei had leaned on a wall, assuming his typical position that enabled him to observe and listen keenly, without taking a part in a discussion.
- They have to check the time of the murder, at least roughly, it may be important. As well as try to determine the cause of the death.
Nagisa opened her mouth to reply, but Ritsuka interrupted her, angrily twisting in Soubi's arms:
- It's a spell, of course! They died in a battle! – he shot, irate – What's this to you? Why would it matter that people died?
- It's natural to be interested – Seimei explained calmly – Having killed yourself doesn't make you indifferent towards death.
- How can you talk like that! – Ritsuka's eyes were teary – You should have been arrested, thrown in a prison!
- I know – Seimei smiled – As should your murderers. The difference is, you aren't able to find anything giving a testimony to my crimes, whereas you may be able to produce proof against them.
Ritsuka was openly crying now. He'd rather he have never seen Seimei again in his life than know the real him. Soubi's efforts did nothing to calm him down.
- Just go home! – he choked out.
- But Ritsuka – Seimei tilted his head cheekily – You seem to forget you kidnapped me to help you solve the mystery. I've told you it'd be my decision when to withdraw and the time for that hasn't come yet.
Soubi glared at him murderously when Ritsuka began to hiccup. Actually, everyone were looking at him with the same killing glare. He fully expected to be attacked, at least verbally.
As usual, he was right.
- You what! – of course, even Seimei couldn't have predicted that the first one to explode would be Nisei – Decided to help them! Have you completely lost what was left of your mind!
- Nisei – Seimei warned. A little encouragement from his own fighter would be appreciated.
- Don't 'Nisei' me! – the fighter yelled, strolling to his side, furious – You wanna help them? – he spat – They fucking kidnapped me, tortured me! Doesn't it mean anything to you! – he looked genuinely hurt.
- Do not exaggerate – Seimei reached out to put an arm on Nisei's shoulder, only to have his hand smacked away.
- Don't touch me – Nisei's tone was icy, with a broken undertone – I don't want you to touch me, you lying son of a bitch!
- Nisei – Seimei was quite close to begging, at least as close as he would ever get. He honestly hadn't foreseen what reaction his words would cause and he begrudged not voicing his thoughts differently, it hadn't been his objective to harm Nisei.
- Don't – Nisei put his hands up, as if to protect himself from Seimei – All I've ever wanted was to trust you!
- Please, Nisei, listen to me – Seimei tried to appear unthreatening – I didn't mean it that way.
- You didn't mean to offer your help? – the fighter snorted.
- Not that. I fully meant everything I've said about them, helping them and all – he silently begged Nisei to understand he was talking about the promise he'd made in a bathroom.
Nisei may have caught up, but he was still eyeing Seimei suspiciously.
- Nisei – he sighed – If you don't want to stay here, I'll understand. You don't have to, feel free to go. It's your decision whether to stay and work with them or to leave.
Nisei remained doubtful. It wasn't like Seimei to offer him a choice.
- Go home if you wish. I will not force you to stay.
- I wish to leave – he stated cautiously.
- I won't try to pretend to be happy, but I won't stop you – Seimei truly hoped Nisei would stay. The case seemed to be challenging, it'd be great to have him by his side – Just wait for me at home.
Subdued and strongly suspicious, Nisei swiftly made his exit. As soon as the door shut after him, Seimei dropped to a chair. He was utterly devastated, though its only outward sign was his paleness. He could never do anything right for his fighter.
- Why do you wish to help us, as you've put it? – Ritsu spoke up, breaking the silence.
- I wish to see the bastard in whose place Nisei was almost tortured to death killed – he spat, not in a mood to take any shit from anyone.
His fierce boldness must have made them suddenly trust him. Ritsuka even smiled slightly, noticing how all his brother's actions seemed to be concentrated around Nisei. He did hate the fighter wholeheartedly, but it was still good to see Seimei care about anyone, no matter how hard he was trying to mask it.
- Alright – he said, furrowing his brows – I guess we should go now, before the police gets informed about the corpses.
Soubi stood up:
- I'll get the car.
- Thanks – Ritsuka smiled at him – We need to hurry. Is there anything we should be aware of? – he asked Ritsu.
- Nothing that I could think of – he wasn't proud to say that, but Ritsuka only shrugged and hurried after Soubi.
- Wait – Seimei caught his sleeve – I wish to go too.
Ritsuka's tail began swinging in agitation.
- Please, Ritsuka. I see Soubi's great at protecting you, but I may be helpful with the corpses. After all, I do know some things about murders.
Ritsuka bit his lip, torn between gladly accepting any help in that hopeless case and his distrust towards Seimei.
- It'll be strictly professional – Seimei pushed, praying Ritsuka wouldn't get it wrong – You do not need to be afraid of me, Soubi could stop me from harming you any time now that I'm alone.
The sad tone that Seimei couldn't keep away from his voice saying the last two words made Ritsuka agree.
...
They were walking towards the car, Soubi's arm protectively around Ritsuka's waist, Seimei trailing behind furious at himself, when a dark figure stepped from the shadows near the Toyota.
Soubi instantly assumed a fighting stance, but a person only laughed unpleasantly.
- No way I'll ever leave you alone with those fucking majaderos, Seimei!
Seimei was pleasantly surprised, for once in the last few days.
- Nisei! – he practically ran to his fighter's side.
- Nisei, Nisei – the other parroted, chin up – Who did you expect? I'm the only idiot around stupid enough to risk his hide on your every little whim...
...
A/N I'd say: 'Finally some action'. I'm deliriously happy when I get the smallest comment, so - feel free to leave some proof you've read it ;) Especially concerning characters as I'm a little unsure whether I don't make them too much OOC.