Disclaimer: the world knows 07 isn't mine.
Apparently Yayubaru1's PC's busted. So until then, I don't have beta (sad, I know) so please bear with all the errs~ or you can PM me for any mistakes I have done (I'm too lazy to double-check it all over again *sigh*) :p
Alex5L: No, don't worry. I don't plan on killing him in this story. After all, I like him :)
Thanks for all who have reviewed! Here's chapter 10 for you~
Teito's head was pounding with pain. The back of his neck throbbed as his stirred awake. Painful memories invaded, the moment haze cleared in his head, drawing a trickle of water on the corner of his eyes. A silent, chocked sobs escaped his lips. His hands wanted to fly to his mouth, preventing another sob from escaping, but failed. His wrist was clasped firmly with iron hampers that were tightly attached to the wall above his head.
Teito glanced at his feet, noticing the lack of restrain. A pained smile nearly formed on his lips but instead, he drew a shaky breath. Teito's eyes roamed around the small jail. There was nothing noteworthy except for a strange light that seemed to come out of nowhere but from the ceiling. There was no light bulb, yet the room was well lit. His attention finally fell on a small glass window above his head. Teito couldn't peer fully beyond the glass in his position, but it was enough for him to know that he had been placed in an underwater prison. There was a school of fish swam by one moment ago.
The brunette closed his eyes. Memories he never knew existed returned to him in a rush, so had the moment of regret. Images of Vertrag's smile when Teito shot him were replayed in his head again and again. Water finally fell from his eyes and his lips whispered inaudible sorrows.
"Why are you crying for our enemy? You did well and should be happy for that."
Teito glanced up without raising his head. Kuroyuri and Haruse stood beyond the iron bars of his jail room. Teito's gaze moved from Kuroyuri who was wearing his military uniform, to Haruse who wore the same outfit as the guard. Looking back to the smaller of the two, Teito felt bitter in his throat from rising bile as Kuroyuri smiled in amusement. The raven simply stared at him, devoid of emotion. Another tear rolled down his cheek and Kuroyuri finally wiped the smile off his lips. Instead the pink-haired boy cocked his head to the side, glancing impatiently at the brunette.
Kuroyuri sighed softly before motioning Haruse to open the door for him. The raven fished out a bundle of keys, bounded together with a large iron ring. Haruse swiftly picked out a rust-smeared key and slid it into the keyhole. The door was soon unlocked with a soft click and the tallest man swung it open. Kuroyuri stepped in and walked until his eyes leveled with Teito's.
"We're going to have a full raid to this place in a week. Ayanami-sama wanted you back, so stop looking so miserable. I don't care if you have grown attached to the hunters; just remember that we still have your precious Mikage and his family in our hand."
Teito's finger twitched, but his face was flat. "Mikage and his family had moved here. You can't touch them anymore," the brunette resisted. Kuroyuri's smile grew. "Don't be silly. The fact that Haruse and I am here prove that we can kill them anytime." Teito's eyes grew wide with surprise, but hid them well. Neither Kuroyuri nor Haruse noticed the turbulence in his mind. "Besides," the eye-patched boy continued with a smirk, "We had disposed one as a reminder for you."
"What…the hell are you talking about?"
Kuroyuri's soft laughter echoed in throughout the room and deserted hallway, but Teito was still frowning. He was agitated for answer. If not for the bound he would have threw himself to the smaller boy. Still smiling amusedly, Kuroyuri walked a step closer and pulled his knife. With a swift motion, Teito had been unbound. He fell knee-first to the ground but quickly recovered.
"Do you know," Kuroyuri started slow, waiting for Teito to meet his gaze. When purple met green, his smile grew again. "…that woman's death was no accident."
"Who are you talking about?" Teito asked, slightly faltering. He had known the answer to the question, yet he asked. He hoped fervently it wasn't who he thought it was. But fate was always toyed with him, even now.
"You know who I was referring to. Mikage's mother, if you remember?" Teito's nearly dried eyes began to water again. He gritted his teeth, trying to hold out but failed. Kuroyuri watched the tears fell once again in irritation. "If you have time for that, do your job better. This time it's only the old woman, but next, it may be Mikage for all I care." Kuroyuri it waved off so casually and that made Teito saw red.
He gritted his teeth in frustration, knowing very well there was nothing he could do. But he could care less. Teito nearly snapped and attacked the two elites barehanded when Kuroyuri turned back slightly, unaware of Teito's intention. He threw a steel dagger with simple, black hilt to the floor beside Teito's feet. Teito took a full minute stare at the sharp object, his head worked fast to calculate the possibility of getting out alive.
Teito licked his lips once. "Are you the only ones sent here?"
Kuroyuri paused; his eyes were scrutinizing the brunette. With his head hung low and eyes fixed on the knife, Kuroyuri couldn't read him. Teito stayed like that for a moment until he felt Kuroyuri shrugged and walked out of the cell. Instead of the pink-haired assassin, his Begleiter answered in a hushed tone. "Katsuragi is waiting for us just beyond the Church gate. The rest has to prepare for the raid, that includes you, Teito Klein."
Teito lips quirked up in a desperate smile. His hand reached out for the knife glinting dangerously on the floor. He stared down at the weapon, letting the weight sink in as his hand accustomed itself to the knife. He twisted it a bit, making several short slicing moves before nodding to himself. Kuroyuri was already out of the cell when Teito looked up with the knife in his hand. Haruse followed suit with his back on Teito.
Without thinking, the brunette had charged in, uncaring of the loud clinking sound of metal hit the floor. Before any of the elites noticed him, Teito had appeared behind Haruse. His hands clenched hardly on the hilt of his knife as the sharp point pierced Haruse's back. The taller man gasped in pain but it only made Teito pushed the knife deeper into him. A cry finally escaped the raven's lips and he fell to his knees with Teito's knife still attached firmly to his back. Red seeped through the white fabric, staining its once clean white.
Teito panted heavily. His hand was shaking from adrenaline rush. He knew, at this point he care not about his own life. Hell, he never had from the very first moment he was made a killer. With not much difficulty, Teito pulled off the knife. The moment its steel left the body, red gushed out in a burst, smearing his face and the front of his robe.
"Kuroyuri…sama…run," Haruse gasped, feeling his death looming in the air. His support was only one weakening elbow and knees while his other hand stretched out to reach for his precious master.
The boy with eye-patched spun around swiftly, barely avoided Teito's slash. A few pink strands fell to the dark floor, contrasting with rough-black bricks. Teito didn't look down, instead stared intently at Kuroyuri. The latter glanced to the side, at the bloodied body, and then back to meet Teito's eyes. Hatred glazed his rose-colored eyes.
"Do you know the situation you're in, Teito Klein?" the smaller boy hissed dangerously. Teito swallowed visibly but never falter in his stare.
Teito clenched his hand again to make sure his knife was ready to attack of defend. His eyes glanced briefly at Kuroyuri's hand which rested cautiously at the hilt of his rapier. They both stood slightly apart, stance readied to guard or counter should any of them move.
The brunette was the first to move. His feet shifted slightly in effort to gain the better position. Kuroyuri shifted nearly reflexively, following Teito's movement in the opposite direction. Teito stepped backward and almost stumbled when his feet stopped at another body. This time it was the real guard and life had drained away from the ghostly face. Teito glanced back a second, wincing by what he saw. The two guards were killed merciless and messily. Their blood smeared the dark wall and forming a black pool on the floor.
Teito tore his eyes away from the body, once again focusing on Kuroyuri. The latter had his rapier lifted in front of his chest, but his eyes kept glancing back to Haruse. Teito knew from the constant fidget, Kuroyuri barely managed from rushing to Haruse's side. It was a very weird feeling to see a killer – an elite one, at that – having concern for others. It was strange and disturbing at the same time.
Kuroyuri glanced to his side once again after Haruse's pained gasp. Teito did the same but his focus returned slightly faster. Kuroyuri's eyes were still fixed on his Haruse. While his mind was battling over the decision to approach Haruse, Teito made a quick run toward the unsuspecting boy. His rapier was raised barely on time with Teito's quick slash. Before his defense returned, Teito struck relentlessly. The sound of metals clashed echoed noisily in the stone-walled underground. It was truly a wonder no one had come to find them yet.
Teito ducked, rolling his body to the side when he saw Kuroyuri's rapier swung to his head. His back hit the wall and Teito's hand reflexively rested on the cold and rough bricks. With slight difficulty, Teito adjusted his knife. His breath came short as his vision swam lightly by the sudden rush. Teito's green eyes were fixed on Kuroyuri's eyes. His head was busy calculating and anticipating his next move that he missed a small move to the braided boy's weapon hand. Kuroyuri stormed ahead, charging toward him, full of killing intention.
One second, that was the only paper-thin difference from death and alive for Teito at the moment. His eyes stared widely at the rapier which pierced left arm. A second late, Kuroyuri would have his chest holed. Teito looked down to his hand which was shakily stayed on the knife. It had succeeded to left a long gash of red across Kuroyuri's shoulder to the cheek. The silence was stretched with their hard breathing as the only sound. Teito winced in pain as Kuroyuri tried to pull his rapier from his arm, gasps escaped his lips.
"I don't care what my order was, I'll make sure you'll regret ever hurting Haruse," Kuroyuri hissed dangerously at his ears but Teito didn't flinch. He stared back with equal intensity of hatred. "Make me," the brunette challenged. He swiftly raised his knife, drawing another long slash to the side, aiming for Kuroyuri's exposed neck.
If it was so easy to kill one of Ayanami's best men, surely Teito's life wouldn't be so jumbled. Teito's green eyes followed a blur of pink as Kuroyuri mercilessly pulled his rapier from Teito's arm. Kuroyuri was trying to avoid Teito's attack, but the effect was more painful for Teito. Blood spluttered on his sleeve where the gaping hole was. He felt wave of throbbing pain attack his brain, making his eyes swam in dizziness. Teito swayed in his step, unable to make a straight stand. He had his good arm rested on the wall as well supported his weight.
It took only a second, before Teito managed to regain his awareness, Kuroyuri had sent a powerful kick to his bleeding arm. Teito's eyes clenched shut from the sudden shock. A restrained whimper escaped his dry and chapped lips. Sensing another sound was about to escape, Teito bit his lips hard until he felt metallic-taste in his mouth. He refused to give Kuroyuri the pleasure of hearing his pained voice.
Another kick landed on his body, this time his side. Out of reflex, he caught the foot and pulled it forward as hard as he could. Kuroyuri lost his balance and stumbled on top of Teito. Before the pink-haired assassin recovered, Teito quickly grabbed the blade that was nearly forgotten in his hand, and sent it to the back of Kuroyuri's shoulder.
Teito heard the scream, not his, but close enough to make his ear rang. With his arm still throbbing, Teito felt his vision went white for a moment. From hazy consciousness, footsteps and voices reached their ears. Teito groaned; good hand flew to rub his head. He felt imposing weight on his chest left and cracked his eyes open.
Kuroyuri's eyebrows were twisted in a deep frown as his face contorted into pain. Teito's knife was stood firmly on the back of his shoulder, but he could see blood dripping from the flesh, to the metal and down to the floor. Kuroyuri extended his good hand to the knife and pulled it out confidently, though not without a low hiss of pain.
Teito rose to his feet, albeit faltering. The thundering footsteps drawn closer and he urged his feet to run. His eyes were raised a slight bit, warily noticed Kuroyuri had done the same. Teito knew it must be so hard on the shorter boy to leave his precious Beglieter, but he had no choice. Teito, as well as Kuroyuri, was aware of how dangerous it was to disobey Ayanami. At least, the pink-haired boy knew Haruse wouldn't be killed just yet even if he would probably be caught or worse, tortured. At least he would be alive.
Following Kuroyuri, Teito found himself dragged to a deserted long and narrow corridor. It was dark and without light. Teito could smell moss and damp air. He huffed. A trembling gasp escaped his mouth as he felt a burning sensation of his wounded arm.
He was in the dark and disoriented, but Teito never stopped walking. He didn't even know if this was the right way to reach Kuroyuri. The darkness was heavy and imposing, but it wasn't unwelcome. The feeling of being left alone, floating in a dark like this actually helped to clear his mind. Hasty footsteps followed him from beyond the thick mist of dark. Teito glanced back to a dot of light in the far distance. He had yet to see any figures but from the echo, pursuer might be closer than he thought.
Focusing back to the extending darkness in front of him, Teito jogged slightly, trying to keep more distance. It hadn't even reached a minute when his bare toes hit a solid cold. Teito winced but noise barely slipped through his parted lips. He cursed silently, body very still in darkness. Teito was feeling lost; like being thrown to a middle of a thick forest in the middle of the night. If not for the narrow corridor, Teito wouldn't know which was left or right.
Teito's hand rose up in front of his chest. His palm faced out, feeling the cold but smooth surface. It was unlike his sides which felt more like rough brick, the obstacle wasn't without bump, but from the feel, it was most probably iron. Heart jumped again in his chest, draining away his tire with hope. With another hand, Teito began to feel more of the metal, knowing very well he had reached a door. At this point, not even the burning in his arm could stop him.
His numb hand finally arrived to the knob. Without thinking much, Teito pulled it down and slipped discreetly inside. It was so much darker here since the light never penetrated the place. The smell of moss was stronger when mixed with smell of earth. Teito glanced around, finding nothing but floating darkness. In his head, Teito was debating of whether he should stay or go through the iron door again. He knew, either way, pursuers were closing in, he would be caught. Instead of letting the growing panic overcome his senses, Teito closed his eyes. His breathing evened out as his heart slowed down.
He was calm; too calm, in fact, when Frau and the rest of the hunters found him. The iron door swung opened with a loud creak behind him. Light flickered on above his head, illuminating his surroundings. Teito opened his eyes slowly. The first thing he saw wasn't what he had expected. The room was small, that was expected, but in the farthest end, there was a small plant and a tomb.
"Here lies a great man, and a father. Bastien."
Teito could felt himself froze. Sorrow replaced the growing detachment. Teito remembered that name. He turned, not bothering hiding the sympathy in his eyes. Frau's eyes were locked with his. The blue-colored eyes were angry and saddened. Teito didn't understand the anger, but being in here must have affected the blonde greatly.
Castor squeezed Frau's lightly. The blonde hunter gave a strained smile as response. Teito could practically hear his heart stammered with stabbing pain. It was a pain he didn't recognized. Every time he saw Frau made such expression, it was as if Teito could also felt the internal turmoil. He felt Frau's grief. It took him a very long time to realize, but at last he understood. He had fallen in love with Frau.
Small smile graced his lips and he hung his head low. Teito looked up, once again drowning his mind into Frau's cerulean eyes. His hand was extended to Teito. The brunette stared silently at the hand, battling over the decision to ignore it or follow his body's desire to hold it. Now that he had compromised with his feeling, Teito had the worst urge to touch Frau. And that desire won over his rationality. Teito raised his good hand to Frau. The latter seized his wrist with iron grip. It was hurt but strangely Teito didn't mind. All he could think about was the contact. Frau's palm against his burning skin sent pleasant tingling all over his body.
He looked up once again, finding himself captivated by the blonde more than anything. His head was already pounding before, but it had gotten to the point where his body felt weak. It could be the fluttering he felt by the contact, or logically speaking, his lack of blood. He didn't care either way.
Teito distantly heard the sound of his own blood dripping on the ground, absorbed by the earth and leaving only dark spots. If he had to fall, he knew he would fall into Frau's strong arms. He felt safe, just thinking about that. So he let go and relaxed the tension. His feet gave away and his body fell with a soft thud into Frau's chest. His consciousness was already slipping, but Teito remembered something he must tell them before fainting. If he didn't manage to convey the message, they all would have been dead by the time he woke up. So he forced his eyes to focus on Frau's.
"They're…here…" Teito whispered softly. "…the raid…in a week…Mikage…" Frau's eyes widen in surprise, but he concealed it well. It nearly made Teito smile but the boy didn't want to waste his energy for that. Instead, he weakly grabbed Frau's fingers. "…sorry…I'm..."
"Stop it." Frau's voice was hoarse. Teito didn't know what he heard in that voice. It could be rage. It could also be concern, but his head felt funny at this moment. He didn't think he could stay awake any longer. His arm burned, so did his side. It seemed that Kuroyuri managed to break a few ribs there. Even breathing was such a chore right now.
'I have yet to tell him about Father…' Teito regretfully thought as his consciousness finally slipped into the comforting darkness.