HOMRA'S Black Cat
Multiroute Fanfiction
Choice CA – AC Part 5
Bonds and Innocence Route
"Like hell you did!" Yata yelled, as Nekota just stared at the man. "Quit making shit up!"
By now HOMRA's vanguard was making his way down the pile of rubble he had been sitting on, bat in hand. An angered look on his face, as he headed for them and Bandō rubbed a hand over his face in annoyance.
"I did!" Chitose yelled, as he looked at the strain and never once looked at the approaching skateboarder. "By the time I finished telling you, you were asleep."
"Bullshit!" Yata growled, as Eric got up from the crumbling wall and jumped down to walk toward them. "You're just trying to butter him up so you can hurt him again!"
"Bandō just said to leave them alone, Chihuahua." Eric spoke, as he easily caught the skateboarder and set a hand on his shoulder before he could get too close to the womanizer and cat strain. "Let them talk."
"Fuck off, dog!" Came the growled response, as the teen's arm was shoved away and enraged hazel eyes moved from the blonde to the brunette. The bat in his hand being pointed at the still trapped man. "He practically destroyed Nekota and I'd rather be stuck with Fushimi than let him get away with it! He deserves to get his ass kicked!"
"And you said that was Nekota's decision, so let him decide." The blonde spoke, as the skateboarder glared at the ex-gang pet. "Come sit down, Yata."
The moment the chestnut-haired teen's name left his lips everyone stared at the blonde in shock. An annoyed look on his face, but serious, before he grabbed the skateboarder's beanie and walked away twirling it around on his pointer finger.
"Fine, then I'll keep this."
"Oi! Give that back!" The older demanded, as he dropped his bat and followed after the younger. One hand trying to cover his ruffled hair, and the other clenched at his side. "Sōlt!"
The vanguard's yelling continued, as the blonde easily climbed back up on the crumbling wall beside his partner and held the hat just out of the older's reach. Something that pissed him off immensely, due to the height difference between the skateboarder and the wall, as he started swearing at the younger and Eric just smirked at the annoyed male and then to them.
It taking the strain a few seconds to realize Eric was distracting the vanguard so they could talk, and he looked to the older. A slightly amused look on his face, till he felt the younger's eyes on him and glanced toward him nervously.
"I really did say it." Chitose spoke, nervous, but serious.
"You didn't seem serious after you woke me up?" The strain shot back, as the brunette winced and looked to the ice pillar beside him.
"W-Well Mari was always a sensitive subject and I panicked when I saw your face." Came the nervous response, as the strain raised an eyebrow.
"You panicked?"
"I know that doesn't sound like me, but I really do like you and the last thing I wanted was to lose you because of- well, because of a girl I don't love anymore."
"Don't-?"
"I accidentally ran into her while I was trying to hide from the guys and…well I did find her cute, but she couldn't compare to you." Chitose spoke, as he looked to the strain. "I know it's stupid, but every second I talked to her I was thinking about you and how I could apologize properly so you'd understand. Then Mari told me that I should beg and never let you go…and then I felt like an asshole for hurting both of you, but Mari and I made up and went our separate ways."
A scoff left the younger, as he looked away with an annoyed and pissed expression.
"Like I'd believe that."
"We did! Mari means nothing to me!" Chitose yelled, as Eric and Yata stopped fooling around to look at them in surprise. Akagi, Bandō, and Fujishima quietly watching them. "I may have hurt her, but she knew I loved you before I even apologized to her and she respects that! Hell, I wouldn't have come back if I didn't love you!"
"You've been gone for two weeks!" Nekota suddenly yelled, as everyone flinched and a wall of ice suddenly came to life behind him before he could back up. "Two weeks!"
"I was afraid-"
"I had to live at the bar!"
"I didn't mean-"
"I had to learn to control my powers!"
"Wh-What?" By now the brunette was staring at him in shock as he glanced at the ice around him. "So these are-"
"I fell apart because of you." Came the teen's quiet response, as the womanizer turned to look at him and a regretful look fell over his face. "It hurt so much. I just wanted to make you happy and-"
"You did make me happy."
"You disappeared for two weeks!" Nekota yelled, as Chitose flinched. "Y-You're horrible."
"I know."
"I hate you."
"I do to."
"I-I wish you hadn't come back." Came the shaky response, as the brunette stared at him in shock, his eyes wide. "Why did you have to come back?"
By now the air around them had turned cold, as frost started to cover the ground. The teen feeling his shoulders starting to cake with ice, and Yata cursing from below Eric, before the sound of footsteps came toward them.
"Leaves them alone, Chihuahua."
"Like hell I am! Nekota will freeze himself to death if we leave him like that!" The vanguard yelled, his announcement making Chitose stiffen in front of him.
"Kouji?" Why did he sound so upset? He was hurt, not the brunette. He shouldn't sound like that.
The sound of HOMRA's signature flames coming to life filled the air, as steam glided through the air and a warm hand touched his cheek. The contact making the younger flinch, before the sound of cracking ice echoed in the strain's ear and a second hand joined the first. Yata protesting a few yards from them, as the crashing of ice sounded and the hands on his cheeks moved so arms could wrap around him. Something that had him jumping, before he noticed the signature black vest and maroon and pink plaid shirt. A sight that had him stiffening, and tears welling up in his eyes, as warmth covered him from head to toe in a gentle embrace of calming fire.
"Do whatever you want to me." Chitose spoke, as fingers wove into the strain's hair and a gentle, firm, hand rested on the middle of his back. "Freeze me, burn me, beat me, kill me. Whatever will make you happy, just please don't cry, Kouji. I love your smiling face and I want to see it again."
In the next moment heavy sobs filled the air, as the teen's knees weakened and the two of them ended up on the ground. The younger clinging to the older's vest, as he sobbed into his shoulder and let everything go. Something that had Yata and the others freezing, while a gentle hand ran through his hair lovingly. Each sweep and touch making each heave and sob worse, before his tired and sore body caught up with him. The fatigue slowing his sobs down, before an occasional sniffle echoed and Chitose's flames kept him warm. The brilliant magenta tinged flames caressing his once freezing body, as they danced and flickered around them. A sight he found mesmerizing, before he finally pulled himself together and wiped at his eyes.
"Nekota-" Yata started, before a soft grey haze came off the teen.
"Take off your shirt." He ordered, as the others looked at him in confusion.
The brunette thankfully not complaining, as he yanked the zipper on his vest down and shrugged it off. Each button on his plaid shirt coming next, before he pulled it off his person and set it on top of his vest. A calm look on his, even when the teen reached out to touch his chest, before he slowly relaxed.
"Turn off your powers." Came the command, as the fire extinguished the next moment. The younger glancing at the edges of HOMRA's insignia peeking out from below the man's boxers, right on his left hip where he remembered it being, before he glanced at the others. "He's going to need first-aid after this. Just enough so it won't cause severe damage."
A nod left the others, as Fujishima jumped off the wall to head out of the building and grab the first-aid kit off his bike. It taking several minutes for him to come back with the bag, and give the teen a nod, before he let out a deep breath and let himself transform. The change hurting less than he remembered from the last time, before he found himself tangled in his clothes and looking up at the brunette. A small smile on his face, as he carefully untangled him and rested him in his lap, the younger's clothes being set next to his.
"Go ahead, Kouji." Came the brunette's calm voice, as the teen turned cat nodded and his fur came alive in bright red fire.
Something that had everyone flinching, even the brunette in front of him, before the teen relaxed the blaze to a dull roar. Yata letting out a sigh of relief a little way a away from them, before blue eyes glided over the untouched skin on the others chest. Each sweep making the older increasingly nervous, before the cat sat up and set his front paws on the man's chest. A jolt reaching him under the pads, before he firmly rested his right paw on the man's chest, over his heart, and a sickening burning smell filled the air.
One that had the other's wincing, and Chitose biting down on his lower lip, as the brunette held his gaze on the strain. Pain shown clearly on his face, but love still visible, before he leaned down and pressed their foreheads together. An action that had the little cat's heart fluttering, before he pulled his paw away from the patch of burning skin and Fujishima headed toward them. The man quiet like normal, as he knelt down beside them and Chitose leaned back so the wound be accessible. An injury that was an extremely angry red, and starting to turn pink around the edges, and yellow in the center.
"Second degree burn." The animal lover spoke, as he opened the bag and pulled out the necessary items he needed.
"That's fine. I deserved it." Chitose spoke, as the fire around the teen faded and the brunette gave him a soft smile while he gently rubbed behind the teen's ear. "I deserved much worse."
A soft purr followed, as he curled up in the man's lap and Yata huffed in annoyance. Their vanguard most likely not as pleased with the punishment, but satisfied enough that he got punished at all, as his beanie fell on his head and he glanced up to find Eric beside him. The blonde smirking slightly down at him, as he flicked his forehead.
"Told you Nekota could handle it, Chihuahua." In an instant pink dominated the teen's face and he glared at the other.
"Japanese, Sōlt! Japanese!"
"Do you realize how long we looked for you?!" Dewa yelled, as he glared at the brunette.
"Masa-"
"Two weeks!" The glasses wearing man interrupted, as he jabbed the man in the chest and he hissed. "Two fucking weeks you had me running around the city looking for you! I've been in ever nook and cranny in Shizume and for what? For you to shown up on your own and not even bothering to text or call me?!"
"M-Masa-"
"What if you got attacked, or mugged, or Yata really did get a hold of you and killed you?!"
"Oi!" The vanguard yelled in offense, as the womanizer's partner continued to jab him in the chest.
"I should beat you myself!"
"M-Masa, that really hurts." The brunette finally managed to get out, as the man blinked at him in confusion and looked at his finger resting right on his vest over his heart. "Can you move your finger?"
At that the glasses wearing man pulled his hand back and watched him as he unzipped his vest and unbuttoned his shirt halfway. A noise of pain leaving him, as he pulled his shirt to the side to reveal a gauze pad on the spot his friend had been jabbing and glanced at the blonde behind the bar.
"Can I get some ice, Kusanagi-san?" A nod left the bar owner, as he put ice into a plastic baggie for him and handed it to him. "Thanks."
"I thought they didn't-" Dewa started, as the brunette lightly chuckled.
"Yata and the others didn't, but Kouji did." He spoke, as he set the ice gently against the gauze and relaxed a little when the chill passed through the fabric and to his heated skin. His partner turning to glance at the strain sitting on the couch in front of the window and teaching Yata to speak English. "Don't be mad at him, Masa. I deserved it and he needed to pay me back for hurting him."
"He burned you."
"I deserved a lot worse and you know it."
"How bad is it?"
"Second degree burn." He responded, as a frown fell over the man's face. "Don't look at me like that. At least Yata-chan didn't get to me."
"Why burn you once, though? If he was that upset then-"
"He wanted to make sure I wouldn't forget." Chitose spoke, as he watched Nekota frown at their frustrated vanguard. It more than obvious their lesson was failing. "He left a permanent mark on me that I'll live with for the rest of my life like he had to live with the pain I caused him."
"So you didn't make up?"
"Not completely. At least not enough to be like before. We're pretty much just comrades, even thought we both love each other, we're not ready."
"He's not ready." His best friend corrected, as the brunette nodded and Nekota messed up Yata's hair the moment he recited the correct phrase in English. An excited look on the vanguard's face, as Nekota chuckled and lightly smiled. An expression he dearly missed. "So you're going to properly wait for him like a normal person?"
"I'm here for when he needs me, till then I wait." A nod left the man beside him, as he held out his hand to him. "What?"
"Wallet."
A confused look fell over the brunette's face as he dug into his pocket to produce the leather folding case. One his best friend took and flipped open, before pulling several cards out with practiced ease and headed it back to him.
"Masa-"
"No more bar hopping, then." Came the order, as the womanizer frowned. "You can drink at home like everyone else."
"You're horrible." Came the whine, before Yata excitedly stood up and let out a noise of excitement. Gibberish he didn't understand leaving his lips, as Nekota laughed and Eric frowned from across the room. English being swapped between Eric and Nekota, as Yata seemed to be concentrating really hard to understand them.
"I really wish I paid attention in English." Chitose sighed, as Kusanagi frowned at the three clansmen. "What are they saying?"
"Nekota is teaching Yata how to swear, since he learns that faster, and Eric is egging them on again."
"So the usual." The brunette chuckled, as he watched them and Yata pointed at the blonde while speaking English. That was till Eric snapped.
"Quit fucking around and teach him proper English!" The blonde yelled, as Nekota raised an eyebrow in amusement.
"I'm trying! It's not exactly easy!" Yata yelled back, as he glared at the blonde.
"Then actually use your brain! You have one, right?" Eric snapped back, as the cat strain stood up and pushed the skateboarder in the direction of their youngest clansmen.
"If it bothers you that much you teach him." Nekota spoke, as both clansmen shut up and the blonde and chestnut-haired teen stared at one another in shock. "You guys can stand each other for that long, right?"
"Like hell I can!" Yata yelled, as he looked at the strain and pointed to the blonde. "All he does is insult me every time I mess up!"
"I doubt I'll teach him any better, besides he has the attention span of a goldfish."
"Excuse me?!"
"Great, then have fun." The strain spoke, as he patted the skateboarder on the back and headed to the bar. Both teens watching him walk away in a stupor, till he sat down and they started arguing with one another again. "Can I have my medication and some water, Kusanagi-san?"
"Sure Nekota-kun." The blonde spoke, as he moved around to get the requested items and Kamamoto and Fujishima tried to pull the two teens apart. "Your ribs bothering you?"
"Transforming probably wasn't smart." Came the response, as he gratefully accepted the pill and glass of water.
"We told you to be careful." Kusanagi reprimanded, as the teen swallowed the medication with a bit of water. "Do you need to see a doctor?"
"No, it's not that bad. Just a little sore."
"Let us know if it does get worse."
"I will." A nod of acceptance to the response left the right hand man, before he returned to his previous task and Chitose watched the younger in regret.
"Sorry, Kouji." He spoke, as the strain turned to blink at him in response, before shaking his head.
"It's alright. I knew what I was doing."
"It's my fault you had to transform, though."
"It was my idea to use that type of punishment, not you, so don't worry about it."
"What did you do to him?" Dewa asked, as the teen raised an eyebrow at the man's slightly protective tone.
"Burned my paw print into him." Came the calm response, as the man sipped at his water.
"Paw print?"
"I transformed and used my paw like a brand." Still the teen spoke calmly, while his best friend's frown deepened. "Now he'll remember and won't leave me alone again."
Silence followed after, as Dewa stared at the teen in surprise and the teen watched the water in his glass with a blank look. One he used to avoid showing emotions, his deepest ones.
"Kouji-"
"He doesn't belong to you." Dewa snapped, as Chitose looked at his best friend in surprise and Nekota frowned at the man.
"I never said that."
"You 'branded' him."
"To remind him that-"
"You burned him."
"He hurt me."
Silence fell over the pair, as Kusanagi watched them wearily and Chitose nervously looked at the two of them.
"Masa-"
"That could get infected and it's right above his heart. He could die."
"My paws were clean and Kōsuke was right there with a first-aid kit. He was treated immediately after."
"Masa, just let it go please." Chitose spoke, as his best friend frowned at him.
"So you're fine with this? That he's permanently marked your body?" His battle partner demanded, as the brunette glanced away from the man. "He-"
"That's enough, Masa." He ordered, as the man next to him stiffened and stared at him in surprise.
"Chitose-"
"If I wasn't ok with this I would've done something." The womanizer continued, as the man frowned. "I told Kouji I'd take whatever punishment he saw fit, even if it meant killing me, so I'm ok with this. It'll heal and I'll be left with a scar, and I'm fine with that. So drop it."
Silence passed between the two of them, before a scoff left his friend and he left his seat at the bar. The man moving past Yata and Eric, who were still yelling insults at one another, in English if he was correct, as he left the bar and the door slammed behind him. The sound pulling the entire bar into silence, as Yata frowned at the door in annoyance.
"The hell is his problem?" The vanguard demanded, as Kusanagi sighed and glanced at the two teens. "What?"
"If you're going to argue do it outside." He ordered, as he leaned against his beloved bar. "If you wake up Mikoto I won't protect you this time."
A wince left both boys, before Chitose glanced toward the strain and felt his heart sink. Nekota's once annoyed, but calm, expression now nothing more than distress as he looked at the teen in worry and reached a hand out toward him.
"Kouji?" He quietly spoke, as the other flinched away from him and set his glass on the counter.
"I'm going to go get some fresh air." He muttered, before he headed upstairs and out of sight.
"Kouji?" Came Chitose's voice, from the doorway to the roof, as the teen stared out at the darkening sky and bright lights.
The air around him cold, but no frost or ice present on or around him, as footsteps carefully moved toward him. Each step making the teen curl into himself more, as the male stopped just beside him and looked down at him in worry.
"Can I sit next to you?" When he said nothing the man carefully sat next to him. "I'm sorry about Masa."
"He was right though." Came the quiet response, as he felt the older's eyes on him. "I permanently marked you, you're body, and I don't have the right to do that."
"I told you it was fine, Kouji. Hell, I said you could do whatever you wanted."
"But I marked something personal, and I can't take that back." He shakily replied, digging his fingers into his arms wrapped around his knees. "I shouldn't have done what I did. I should've done something different. I should've-"
"Kouji, breath!" Chitose ordered, as the man's hands suddenly grabbed his shoulders and shook him. A move that startled him, but brought him to the present enough to get him breathing again. "That's it. Just focus on breathing."
"Chitose-" He shakily started, before a finger wiped at the dampness he hadn't noticed before off his cheek.
"Who hurt you, before I did?" The womanizer quietly asked, as the teen harshly swallowed.
"A-A lot of people." Came the choked response, as tears filled his eyes and he felt himself being lifted into the man's lap. "A lot of humans."
"Did they leave scars?" Another nod. "Can I see?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Th-They're ugly." In response hands tilted his head up and kind brown eyes met his watery sapphire ones.
"No part of you is ugly, Kouji. You're perfect."
"I'm ugly." Came the sniffled response, as arms wrapped around him and held him close. "A-And I…you…I'm horrible."
"Let me see, Kouji." The man quietly requested, as the teen's illusion on himself slowly snapped.
The older's hand on his back slowly, and gently, sliding down to the edge of his shirt and under to caress his skin. The touches making him wince, before the fabric was gently slid up his skin. Each pull and tug dragging the fabric up his back, before the male suddenly stiffened and the teen buried his face into the older's chest. The warm fingers that touched his back nearly making him sob harder, as they traced lines across his flesh. Each graze making him tense, before the male's whole hand rested on his back as he held him tightly.
"You're still perfect."
"I'm ugly."
"Then we're both ugly." Chitose spoke, as the teen suddenly lifted his head up in fear the man was angry with him. "And so is Yata, Kamamoto, Akagi, Bandō, Dewa, Eric, Fuji-"
"Yo-You're all-"
"We all have scars, Kouji. Physically and mentally." He spoke, as he placed a hand over the spot the new burn was. "And this is just another one to add to the countless others I'll get in the future. The only difference is that this one is important, because you made it, and it means something very special."
"But I'm still-" He tried to protest, before hands cupped his cheeks and a soft kiss pressed against his lips. "Chitose…"
"I love you, Kouji and nothing will change that."
In response to the brunette's words tears welled up in his eyes and he scrubbed at his face. A smile making it's way onto the womanizer's face, as he let the teen's shirt fall back into place, and held him tightly.
"I love you, too, Yō."
Scarlett: *waves to the camera, back in her dorm* And here's your new chapter everyone! *beams*
Nekota: *sitting on the couch next to her, frowning* An hour before midnight
Chitose: *smirks, wrapping an arm around Nekota* If you were that bored I could've entertained you, Kouji
Nekota: *frowns at the man* I may have just forgiven you, but that's not happening for awhile. Not as long as Yata says so *smirks when the womanizer flinches*
Scarlett: *chuckles, smiling at the camera* Anyway! Here's the new chapter for you all! Nekota has forgive Chitose, with a burning price, Dewa is mad at both Nekota and Chitose, Eric and Yata still aren't getting along, and Nekota and Chitose had a somewhat fluffy scene with a kiss! *beams, before winking* But don't ready yourself to step off the ride just yet, my wonderful readers. We still got one chapter before the ending choices and this is just the calm before the storm! So get ready for the hurricane! *beams*
Nekota: *frowning at her* Are you full of puns today, or-
Chitose: She's not really awake right now. *pokes her and yelps when she smacks him, frowning*
Nekota: Ah, that explains it.
Scarlett: *turns to the camera* anyway, for the meantime, HOMRA's Black Cat will continue to update on Saturdays, instead of returning to Fridays, because I don't know how school, assignments, and my current secret project is going to work, so bear with me till I figure everything out. Until then *bows* Please enjoy your new chapter!
Reviews Answered:
Panda Master X: *giggles* of course you're cute, hun. You're my cute little fan.*reads review, before chuckling* I don't know, hun. I'm known for my wonderful plot twists and cliffhangers. You think you can anticipate my next move? *beams innocently, while Nekota frowns, reading review* Hell yeah Chitose deserved part of all this hate. His past life style had this all set up to go very wrong for him, so it was a matter of time before it got him into a crap load of trouble like he ended up in with Maria in K Memories of Red. *shrugs* And it's a simple card I was waiting patiently to play. *reads the rest of review, smirking and waving* Enjoy the chapter hun and let me know how I did. *winks*
RainStorm2122: *rubs the back of her head* Yeah, sorry for the shortness. I wanted to make the last chapter longer but I simply ran out of time, so I apologize, but I made this chapter a little longer as an apology. I've just been extremely busy with my sprained toe, moving back into college, and I went to Ohayocon yesterday. So my mind wasn't really on the fic till today. Nonetheless, I hope this fits your expectations.
lokithehotty: *nervously laughs* sorry hun, the way the chapters are set up aren't complete and I don't move the whole set of chapter to where they really go till I finish the route. That way everyone who wants to review can. So I apologize for that. Nonetheless, I'm glad you like the fic *beams* and I hope you enjoy this chapter as well *bows*
K and it's characters do not belong to me. They belong to Furuashi Hideyuki, GoHands, and GoRA.
Nekota however belongs to me. If you wish to use him, please ask permission before using him.