Self-beta so if anyone finds an error, please do tell me about it.
Disclaimer: I do not own Guilty Crown or any of it's characters and story plot/arcs. What i do own is my ideas if any, that are incorporated into the fic and the few changes that I've made.
Enjoy~ R&R
*A slight edit to a sentence
Guilty Crown - Sins of an Emperor
Phase 10: Prey
Previously on Guilty Crown – Sins of an Emperor
I chuckled before telling her to open it.
Once more, she gasped and fingered the two pictures before boldly giving me a kiss on the cheeks causing me to blush and telling me that she loved it.
I smiled and showed her my own locket and as we gazed at our lockets, our hands intertwined softly and at that moment, for just a brief period of time despite whatever would happen… All was right in both our worlds.
Scene: A church in an unknown area
A person is seen lying on the ground seemingly in pain, as the person stretched his hand that had a blue watch on it, the scene pans to view the person in a closer view and we now are able to see that the person is actually Jun Samukawa, Yahiro's brother…
Now what on earth is he doing here, when the last we saw him was during Shu's escape from the Isolation facility? Let's find out…
Yahiro entered the room with a bag of groceries when his eyes widened seeing his brother on the ground groaning in pain.
He quickly ran over to Jun as he placed the bag of groceries and grabbed Jun just as he was reaching for the knife that was just a few meters from where he was standing!
Yahiro asked concerned, "Jun, are you okay?" when Jun looked up with a worried gaze.
Suddenly, footsteps follow by a crash was heard outside the room as Yahiro turned towards the sound with narrowed eyes.
Scene change: Outside Yahiro's room.
A squad of GHQ soldiers was storming into the church as Segai had a nun at gunpoint with the gun right in her mouth.
Segai smiled before saying "Thank you very much." and released the nun as she looked down at the ground in distress probably since she gave the location of whoever the GHQ was searching for despite the sanctuary that the church was.
Segai smiled understandingly as he said.
"There's no need to blame yourself, you are human after all." as if mocking her
He then followed the soldiers up the stairs.
The soldiers who had gone ahead, kicked open a door only to enter the room and find it empty with its window opened.
Segai then entered the room and went over to where Jun was last laying on; picked up a piece of crystal that was on the ground.
"That's too bad… We let them escape."
However instead of being deterred by the failure, he smirks as he looks at the crystal and says.
"It looks like we've got a bingo."
Scene: Tennouzu First High School grounds.
P.O.V: Shu
"One week? Hey… isn't it bad for you to absent for so long?"
I was speaking with Gai while taking my break.
"There are some things that can't be settled unless I go."
I thought about it for a moment and did think of some situations that required the leader's presence.
Gai then told me. "Stay quiet and have fun at school for a while."
Fiddling a bit with the locket that hung on my neck, I smiled at the advice before telling him, "Yes, yes… I'll be a good boy here."
With that, the line went dead and Souta called for me to help with the camera…
Scene change: inside Tennouzu First High School: Class 2-A
Kanon and Hare were in the class, with Kanon looking at fortune telling by horoscopes while Hare began to say.
"Shu seems different lately… He seems more confident or something; it's like he's a different person."
Kanon selected something on her device before suggesting. "Maybe something happened at Ooshima? A vacation on the southern islands… The adventure of summer love! And with that, a boy climbs the stairs to adulthood!"
"Cut it out!" Hare screamed as if in anguish, the thoughts that began to run rampant in her mind were not helping at all.
Kanon giggled before sighing as she once again began saying.
"But you know… life doesn't always go the way you want."
Hare looked up from her own device showing the same thing Kanon was looking at as she asked.
"Are you talking about Yahiro-kun?"
Kanon gave a nod as she said, "I tried going to the facility but they said he hasn't shown his face there."
She began selecting items on her device as she murmured. "Even though we used to play together there…"
Reaching a certain page, Kanon began to read…
"Huh? The thing you're looking for is in the aquarium?"
She seemed disappointed as she commented, "But the thing I'm looking for isn't a fish you know…"
Hare playfully laughed at her misfortune, only stopping when Kanon asked, "How's yours?"
She looked down at her device and began to read as a wondering look appeared on her face, "Your lucky item in love is a tiger-striped kettle."
Kanon had an incredulous expression on her face as she exclaimed. "Huh? Where would you find something like that?"
Just as she said that, a kettle that was tiger-striped, rolled in from the door…
"This is…" Hare began
"A tiger-striped kettle…" Kanon finished as they got closer to it…
Scene change: at the same time when Kanon and Hare began talking in the class.
"Ok I'm going to start shooting! The scene where the heroine finds out about her lover's death. Take five!"
"Shu! Move the camera over to that side!" Souta shouted while pointing towards the area he wanted me to move the camera to.
"Alright!" I hefted up the camera and brought it over to the designated area…
What were we up to? Well our club's leader: Souta decided to make a short drama film thus we were here with me being the camera man and Inori being the main lead obviously.
Although I have to wonder, why Souta had to use a tiger stripe patterned kettle as a lover's memento out of all the things he could've used.
As I placed the camera down, my locket came out and I held it fondly before opening it to take a look at the pictures within once more.
I smiled as I reminisced about the times I spent with Ayase, after our first date. Seeing me in a daze, Souta approached me waving the kettle that I mentioned earlier as he shouted.
"Hey Shu! Don't daydream over there!"
Just as I was about to shout at him to be careful. The kettle flew from his grasp and through a window that was thankfully open as it'd be troublesome to explain what had happened.
I turned to face Souta who was looking at his hand as if not believing what just happened and told him
"That was lucky Souta; if that window wasn't open, you'd have to answer to teacher! So be careful!"
He rubbed his head sheepishly before apologizing to which I sighed and told him after handing him the camera.
"I'll go get it…"
I entered the school building and quickly went up the stairs as I muttered about overexcited people.
As I began climbing flights of stairs, I reminisced about another time in which I spent a day or more like a night with Ayase…
A smile grew on my face as I remembered that night…
It was a week after our first date, we were in the training room, me practicing dodging against a armed Endlave while Ayase practiced her aiming. Our training session was interrupted as Tsugumi's voice sounded from the speakers.
"Shu! Aya-Nee! Wanna go to the festival at town later? There'll be fireworks!"
I looked at Ayase's Endlave with a smile and asked, "Well? There are fireworks…"
I could just imagine her rolling her eyes but I also noticed the slight excited tone she used as she replied, " Alright, Tsugumi, we'll be coming along as well."
Cheering in joy, Tsugumi responded, " That's great! You two better go and get ready, Aya-Nee come to my room after you freshened up and Shu, meet us at the entrance later on. "
As Tsugumi finished announcing that, Ayase who had come out of her cockpit and I gave each other curious looks but she simply shrugged and with a smile we went our separate ways to get ready.
I got ready pretty quickly and waited by the entrance for at least ten minutes before I heard footsteps and a familiar wheelchair sound heading towards me.
I got up from where I was leaning on the wall, waiting for them and turned only to freeze at the sight before me…
Sitting in her wheelchair as usual, except Ayase was wearing a kimono…
It was a pink with flower petals of various types and colors as its design, the obi was pale yellow in color and it fit her perfectly…
"Ayase…?"
She looked at me with a tilt of her head silently asking, "yes?"
I smiled, " You look beautiful in that Kimono."
The shy smile and blush that appeared on her face made the wait worth it...
My reminiscing ended as I reached the floor where the kettle had entered the building, the smile still pasted on my face… I walked through the hallways finding the opened window which would lead to me finding this kettle…
Eventually I found the window and I quirked a brow at the coincidence as it was right in front of our class's door which was surprisingly open.
I entered the class saying, "Excuse me! Have you seen a kettle?" and then I saw it lying on the floor while two of the people present in the room were also looking at it was if they saw a ghost.
"Kanon? Hare? Why are you two looking at the kettle as if it's a bomb?"
Their gaze snapped up to look at me as Hare shouted while blushing all of a sudden making me quirk a brow at her antics.
"Shu!"
"What? The two of you haven't' gone back home?"
Kanon ignored my question as she pointed at the kettle and asked, "Ouma-kun is this yours?"
I rubbed my head sheepishly as I explained, "Actually, Souta's using it for his film, and it's supposedly a lover's… memento? I still think it's weird for a kettle to be a memento though."
I shook my head deciding not to think about it too much as I began walking over to the kettle as I continued.
"Anyways, he said Inori's suppose to hold on to it." I shook my head getting rid of my thoughts before they begin going rampant in my mind once more.
As I bent down to take the kettle, I didn't see the expression on Hare's face or the concerned gaze Kanon sent to Hare.
All of a sudden, Kanon grabbed the kettle and raised it before telling me with a fake worried voice…
"I forgot something in the club's room! I'll carry this over there for you, so in return, can you accompany Hare while she goes shopping?"
Blinking at the request, I gave a nod knowing that it wasn't too much of a request as I said.
"That's fine but…" What would Souta say about me skipping out on him…? Oh well, Kanon will hopefully explain.
Hare exclaimed, "Kanon-chan!" only to be greeted by the kettle as Kanon mentioned, "It's your lucky chance!" before leaning and whispering something I didn't hear though Hare seemed to blush slightly.
Kanon then rushed out of the room as she began chanting, "Do your best, do your best! Lucky chance!"
I quirked a brow as I turned to Hare asking, "What this about a lucky chance?"
Hare seemed uncomfortable with the question as she shakily replied, "I-I wonder…"
Looking back at where Kanon left the room, I gave a sigh and turned to Hare once more with a smile and said.
"Well shall we go?"
She gave a timid nod as she took her bag and walked ahead with me following her
I wonder…does Hare like me? She seems to blush quite often when I'm around… or maybe I'm just misunderstanding all of this… Besides, I like Ayase; this isn't the time to think about other girls…
"Shu?" Hare had turned back to see why I was taking so long, I gave her an apologetic look as I said, " Sorry, spaced out for a moment."
Hare looked at me for a moment before suddenly blushing and turning around, continuing on with our walk to the station apparently.
Scene change: GHQ headquarters.
"I heard that a ghost has appeared." General Yan spoke before opening up a panel that showed a picture of the room in Ooshima where Shu and Gai had lost their objective to Keido.
General Yan then pushed the panel towards Keido and mentioned.
"At the Ooshima research facility, someone entered the facility using Doctor Ouma Kurosu's ID."
Haruka, who was behind Keido, had a shocked expression on her face due to not being able to believe that someone had used her husband's ID…
General Yan stared at Keido with his fingers intertwined in front of him as he said, "You must have some kind of explanation for this… as his former colleague, Professor Keido Shuuichirou."
Keido's stoic gaze continued to stare at his superior as he smoothly replied, "No, I don't."
Scene change: Interior of a train
P.O.V: Shu
As the train kept on moving, I gazed at the stops that this train would make on my device as I wondered where exactly was Hare going to go shopping at and asked her.
"Hey, Hare? Where are we going and are you going to be buying a lot of things?"
"Ah… yeah I will."
I nodded to myself as I muttered, "Hopefully I'll be able to carry them." I then began reminiscing once more about that night when we went to the festival…
After everyone met up at the entrance, I looked at all the members who were going… amongst them were those that I knew personally: Oogumo, Arugo, Tsugumi and even Shibunji was coming along.
Tsugumi was pretty excited, she couldn't stop talking about what there was to do while we waited for the fireworks… Ayase and I laughed when Arugo challenged Tsugumi to a contest when she playfully mocked him saying that he would never be able to catch a goldfish with a grin.
As Oogumo just shook her head at the both of their antics, the rest of the members along with Ayase and I simply continued our way to the venue of the festival which was just a walking distance from our base, what a coincidence…
I turned my gaze to Hare when she suddenly exclaimed,
"Um!-"
Suddenly, the train screeched to a halt and Hare lost her balance and fell onto me, thankfully I was holding on to the railing or we would've fallen.
We both looked at each other and Hare had a slightly blush on her face as she looked down.
I asked, "Hare? Are you alright?"
She then began to mumble, "Shu… I…"
My eyes widened… as I assumed what was about to occur…Hare continued…
"I…I lik-!"
Just as she was about to confess and I was about to reply to that confession, someone barged into the train through the opened door on our side causing Hare to stop and both of us turned to see the person crash to the floor as a container for blue pills fell out.
As the person began to stand up, my eyes widened as I recognized the person… He began to collect the pills he had dropped as I muttered loud enough for him to hear.
"Yahiro…"
Yahiro tensed up before turning to face the both of us saying,
"Shu…"
He stood up while putting away his hood and continued with a question, "What are you guys enjoying yourselves?"
Hare was quick to reply, "It's not like that, Yahiro-kun! This is-"
I interrupted her as I addressed, "Yahiro… do mind if we have a little talk? Not here though, too many ears."
Hare seemed confused by my words while Yahiro smirked and responded, "Sure…"
A bit annoyed at his attitude, I narrowed my eyes before turning to Hare with soft eyes and told her.
"Hare… sorry but can you go shopping by yourself? I have something to talk about with Yahiro that I don't want anyone else to hear about."
Hare seemed a bit disappointed but agreed nevertheless.
As we continued to ride the train in silence, with me keeping an eye on Yahiro while we waited for the train to stop. I noticed a security camera that had its focus on us and thought …
I wonder though…is anyone recording or watching this scene right now…
Ohh if I only knew….
Scene change: Industrial Area somewhere.
As we then got off the train at the next stop, I bid Hare good bye once more and apologized before asking Yahiro to lead the way.
As we entered some kind of industrial compound, Yahiro began…
"They announced that they were going to dispose of Jun."
My eyes widened in surprise at that piece of information before remembering that despite that… he betrayed me so I can't be that lenient.
He continued," So we used the confusion of the moment to run away."
I gazed seriously at Yahiro whilst following him… I was intrigued, how on earth did he get out of there without getting caught in crossfire while moving a crippled person…
He furrowed his brow as he continued, "I thought that I couldn't leave Jun in that place any longer,"
He then said something that enraged me…
"Go on and laugh already. Even though I obtained it as a reward for selling you out, in the end, I ran away." Without any
Ticked off, I grabbed his shoulder and made him turn around only for him to meet my fist causing him to recoil and stared at me in shock as I shouted.
"Bastard! I've wanted to do that to you ever since you've betrayed our promise, and what's with all the pity talk. Didn't you get Jun away in time? Aren't you both alive and safe for the time being? "
His eyes grew in surprise, probably due to the words I spouted out as I began to calm down, his face grew a bit solemn and he muttered to himself softly but I was still able to hear.
"Shu… Sorry."
Despite not knowing how he really felt about that incident, I'll let bygones be bygones for now, but I'll never forget the fact that he broke my trust once…
I stared at him as he nursed the mark I caused by punching him in the face… Damn that's gonna leave a bruise.
I then asked him with narrowed eyes looking for anything suspicious around us,.
"So, where are you leading me?"
Just as we began walking once more, I caught sight of a figure spying from the gap between buildings… I wonder who that could be.
Yahiro without turning back to look at me, answered. "Not much further, just that building up ahead."
He pointed at a building surrounded by warehouses and we entered it without any problems whatsoever.
We kept silent the whole way up the flight of stairs that we continued to climb, we reached the fifth floor before we stopped climbing and I followed Yahiro into a room and he immediately shouted, "Jun! Does it hurt anywhere?" Yahiro was holding onto Jun-kun who had fallen off a couch.
The sunset hindered my vision slightly due to its glare but I was still able to see the fear on Jun-kun's face as he looked at me, softening my expression, I gave him what I hoped to be a gentle smile as Yahiro began to explain…
"Its okay, Jun. This is your brother's… "When he seemed reluctant to say it, I continued for him.
"My name's Ouma Shu, I'm your brother's friend."
That seemed to calm him down slightly as his body began to relax instead of being tensed, I took the opportunity to glance around the area and saw that it was surrounded by fish tanks housing various kinds of fishes that I would've known if I had paid attention in class during that day… Fishes huh… I remembered the match that Arugo had challenged Tsugumi to…
"I-I can't believe it…"
"Hehe, what'd I say! I knew there was no way you can catch a goldfish!"
Arugo was sulking as he stared at the ground in despair while Tsugumi just looked on triumphantly.
I shook my head with a smile as Ayase giggled, I then turned to face her as I asked. " Well? Shall we go have a look at what else there is to do here?"
Still with a smile on her face, she agreed and with that we spent the rest of our time playing around in various stands, tossing rings, shooting prizes down and even giving the goldfish catching stand a try to which I actually managed to get one!
"Here you go…"
Ayase looked at the bag which contained the goldfish I caught in confusion as she asked, " Eh? But Shu, you're the one who caught it."
"Nah," I shook my head as I smiled, " I wouldn't know how to take care of it and besides is it wrong to want to give it to you?"
"Ah..." Ayase gave a soft smile as she gazed at the swimming goldfish before looking at me and saying, " In that case, I'll be sure to take of it, thanks Shu."
With that we met up with the rest of the Undertakers by the shrine which had the best vantage point for us to watch the fireworks.
As the fireworks began luminating the night sky, I held Ayase's hand and gave her a smile as the rest continued to watch the beautiful scenery , I was sitting by the entrance of the shrine while Ayase was right beside me and we kissed softly as the brightest firework shone in the sky.
As the Sun continued to set and Yahiro tucked Jun-kun back onto the couch, my smile turned into a frown as I prayed that this uneasy feeling I had would just be a feeling…
Scene Change: a GHQ Facility.
"We have confirmed the location of the target," an image of Shu along with Yahiro and Jun was shown on the monitor.
Colonel Eagleman or Dan as he liked to be called praised. "Great! Nice guts!"
Present in the room where officers in charge of maintaining the pilot's safety along with Daryl Yan and from an unknown place, Major Segai was also having a video conversation with them.
Daryl addressed Dan muttering, "Do you really need my Endlave to take care of a little pest?"
Dan grinned as he lectured, "That's not it, Boy! A dragon goes all out with its power even when taking down a slime."
Daryl muttered to himself, "Like a dragon would eat a slime…"
Dan ignored that remark as he turned to address Segai, "Which is why, Scarface!"
Segai knew what Dan wanted him to do as he answered immediately, "OK, Dan! Leave the rest up to me! It'll be 'Mission Clear' with guts!"
Giving a thumbs up along with a cheerful smile, Segai cut of the feed before standing up and muttering,
"This is the art of the political game."
Scene Change: Back with Shu.
P.O.V: Shu
It was now night outside as I sat down on the ground while Yahiro had tended to Jun-kun's needs.
As I continued waiting for the reason he had brought me here, he suddenly asked.
"Can you… lend me some money?"
I narrowed my eyes at the question… So THAT'S the reason he brought me here…
He continued, "Running away and eating… it all takes money."
I inquired, "So… you went through all that trouble to show me Jun-kun just to ask for that?"
Despite my tone, he continued pleading.
"I'm begging you, Shu. I'm the only one who can protect Jun now."
I was about to mention his parents when I thankfully recalled…
"Please…"
That his parents were lost to the Lost Christmas event… he had been depressed about it when Hare had asked but he quickly got over it apparently because of that, I didn't want to bring up such thoughts.
I thought about what to do for a few minutes and as I came to a decision…. I really hate my kindness sometimes…
I brought out my phone and called HQ as Yahiro looked at me in surprise… Yea, yea go on and look at the most dumbest person on earth… helping out the person who betrayed him… Though in my defense, I'm just doing this because his brother is innocent.
HQ picked up and Ayase's voice sounded.
"Shu?"
I smiled unintentionally briefly though she couldn't see it before turning serious as I asked, "Hey… Ayase, sorry about the urgency but is Gai there?"
Ayase's worried voice replied, "Gai had already left… Shu are you alright? You sound distressed."
I closed my eyes and thanked whatever gods that I had the chance to meet such a wonderful person before opening them and said.
"I'm fine, Ayase thanks for asking. However, right now there's someone I want protected, it's an Apocalypse patient, the cancer has already begun to spread."
Ayase seemed even more concerned as she began to say, "Hold on a second… What going on, Shu? Why the rush?"
I noticed a glint of metal and hoped that was not what I expected and told her, "Sorry, but you're just going to have to trust me on this… please… I'll tell you all about it later, just come pick us up at point Yellow One ASAP, we'll be there in an hour, max."
Ayase gave out a sigh before telling me, "You are so going to inform us about the entire situation later on, we'll try and get there soon, be safe… I'll see you…" Ending it with a slight loving tone.
I smiled even though she couldn't see it and told her, "No problem, see you later, and don't worry, I'll be good."
And with that I ended the call.
Yahiro seemed surprised at my actions as he muttered in disbelief, "Shu… you…"
I sent him a determined gaze as I remarked, "This doesn't mean I've forgiven what you did. But… it's a fact that Jun-kun hasn't done anything wrong."
Yahiro gave me a thankful and understanding nod before I helped him carry Jun-kun over to a trolley located just outside the building and we entered a warehouse.
We began moving over to the other side as Jun-kun continued to make sounds, it seems as if he was uncomfortable.
Yahiro tried to comfort him saying, "Sorry, Jun. Please hang in there for just a bit more."
After receiving a nod and Jun quieted down, I cautiously opened the door and we exited that warehouse.
I closed the door behind me as we continued to make our way to the designated area, I continued to look at my surroundings and just as I turned to look at the other side, a bullet nearly hit my feet as I jumped back just in case.
"Move it!"
I quickly ran along with Yahiro as fast as we could as the rain of bullets kept coming at us from afar from our right… Snipers?
I was cursing the entire way; I just had to jinx it! Great… now they've found us already and there's still at least 45 minutes before Ayase should arrive.
Yahiro noticed a vehicle left behind by some construction works and he shouted through the sound of gunfire, "Let's use that!"
I quickly stopped him and just as I did, the vehicle went up in flames, destroyed by what was probably an Endlave.
Redirecting our escape path, I headed for the nearest building: which was another warehouse…
We quickly entered warehouse to use as cover as I began thinking… that Endlave should appear any time now.
We were safe for the moment though… as I muttered, " Great… they just had to have a trap ready for us, we'd better not go off doing something stupid or obvious lest we get killed."
Yahiro simply gave me a nod though I could detect a small hint of surprise in his eyes, I then began thinking of ways for us to get out our current predicament… well there were two ways: one, I pull out Yahiro's Void and use it to stall for time but that would cause another person to be unmovable which is a disadvantage… or two, I pull out Jun-kun's Void and let Yahiro take care of his body…
Well… considering, Jun-kun's state of being, option two is not available actually, so I guess it's down to option one… Just as I finished mentally deciding that, I looked Yahiro in the eye before moving forwards as a blue aura appeared on the ground through a runic circle that was associated with the Voids.
I was about to reach for Yahiro's Void as I muttered, "Sorry about th-"
But before I could even do so or even finish my in advance apology, Yahiro grabbed my hand and pushed it away, shouting.
"What were you just about to do?"
I cursed under my breath as now I would have to explain something I didn't want to otherwise we're going get killed here…
"I have an ability… It allows me to extract the hearts of others as a weapon. With it, I can even bring down an Endlave…"
Yahiro didn't believe me as he scoffed before looking at me like I was some kind of idiot as he began.
"And you expect me to believe that?"
I narrowed my eyes at his tone whilst he continued.
"Weren't you the one to call in those guys? You hypocrite!"
My eyes widened before narrowing once more in rage at Yahiro's accusations,
I went over to him and grabbed his collars before he could do anything and shouted, "Shut up! I'm not like you: a traitor… I don't betray people like you do… I don't simply desert them just out of spite!"
That seemed to shock him as he made no move to get rid of my hold on his collar, I then told him in a determined voice, "I promise to get Jun-kun out of here with the best of my abilities, so just let me use you so that we all can survive!"
I then quickly plunged my hand into his chest as crystal-like ribbons burst out and I pulled out the pair of shears before grabbing Yahiro and placing him, leaning on the wall; whispering,
"Sorry… but I'll be using this for now."
Just as I stood up, I heard a thud behind me and turned back to see Jun had fallen off the trolley… I quickly went over and asked him if he was okay.
He looked at me frightened so I quickly calmed him down saying, "Its alright, your big brother's safe, just unconscious."
He still looked a frightened as he shook his head and said with a muffled voice due to the crystals blocking his face.
"T-that's not it…"
"Eh then, what's the matt-"
Before I could even ask him that, an explosion occurred and smoke came into the building as an Endlave rushed in.
It was a normal Endlave Jumeau but it had a new attachment on its right limb that looked to be some kind of armor with fingers… Before I could ponder on the new object further, it turned around and I quickly told Jun, "I'll be back soon!"
A voice that sounded familiar to me came from the Endlave.
"It's you again, you faceless pest!"
I groaned… it just had to Daryl… I then ran off in another direction, leading Daryl away from Jun-kun's location.
It was a success! What with Daryl laughing behind me whilst heading for me shouting in maniac glee.
"Run away, run away!"
I turned back to see why he had stopped moving and saw that Daryl was pointing his new Endlave's armament and shouted.
"I've brought something special today!"
Then one of the fingers shot out from the armament, heading for me and I dashed to the left only for the finger to continue chasing after me.
The finger was faster than I could run, so I stood my ground and slashed at it just as it came close. It vanished in a burst of particles.
Daryl then started moving once more and he said, "Not bad. But what about rapid-fire shooting?"
He then shot all four of the remaining fingers as I cursed before trying to dodge all of them.
Just as one of them was about to reach me, they suddenly turned away and began to fly towards another area.
I quickly followed them just to see Jun-kun getting impaled by a needle like apparatus located within the fingers.
"Shit!" the object continued to bring Jun-kun upwards as he was impaled by the needle and crashed o to the building where it stopped moving.
I was horrified… Did this mean Jun-kun was dead? The crystals on his body were falling in pieces and he was unresponsive… blood started dripping!
My eyes could only stare in shock as I continued to watch the horrific scene in front of me.
Daryl suddenly screamed and I turned around to see his Endlave getting covered by some kind of purple light.
The wire connected to the finger that had impaled Jun-kun then began transferring something… I looked back and saw that the crystals on Jun-kun's body were disappearing…
My eyes widened… Don't tell me!
I quickly turned back to the Endlave only to see the crystals burst out of its right hand and its shoulder blades.
The crystals quickly formed all around the body leaving some of its armor in sight as the Endlave suddenly screamed with Jun-kun's voice!
"What the fuck is going on!"
Just I shouted, I heard the sounds of wheels whirring and two more Endlaves came into sight…
Great… just what we needed, reinforcements.
I backed off as the two Endlaves approached the half-crystal one, only to step on the cable that the finger was connected to causing Jun-kun's body to fall to the ground.
I cursed as I saw the body bounce off the ground due to the height in which it was dropped as I ran towards it. I quickly looked at where the needle had impaled him but surprisingly found that besides a hole… Jun-kun's body was unmarked…
I began shaking the body asking, "Hey… are you ok? Jun-kun?"
When the body didn't even responded… I was horrified… What was I going to tell Yahiro…? Oh sorry Yahiro! You brother got killed, impaled by homing finger that contained a needle? I quickly remembered that the crystals were transferred from Jun-kun's body to the Endlave which also gave out a scream with his voice… maybe…
The two Endlaves surrounded the crystal one cautiously before one of them asked.
"Hey, what's going on? What happened?" just as the Endlave suddenly wretched in pain and began screaming!
Suddenly on the right side of its face, three claw-like marks appeared glowing in read before it used its crystal-covered claw to pierce through the Endlave in front of it, destroying it instantly.
The other Endlave aimed its gun only to be sliced into two by the crystal Endlave… that was fast!
As the explosion's shockwave passed and flames were being ignited around us, I quickly bent down and covered Jun-kun's body with my own, I had placed down the Void and looked up only to see the crystal Endlave coming towards me. I quickly grabbed the Void and prepared myself to run only to halt as the Endlave passed us and continued onwards behind me which was-!
Yahiro! I quickly turned back to see it attempting to crush Yahiro with its hands and hastily placed Jun-kun's body down before rushing over to the Endlave and hoped that I wouldn't be too late!
As it was applying pressure, I quickly jumped and stabbed the chest causing a white light to cloud my vision!
As my vision became clearer… I noticed that I was still holding on to the pair of Shears but what was surprising to me… was the fact that Jun-kun was standing in front of me!
The place quickly flashed white for a moment and the whole area changed into ….
"Isn't this…Roppongi?" it was indeed Roppongi… but it looked to be at a whole lot better state than it was now…
I muttered to myself as I saw the people in front of me frozen as If encased in ice… "It's before Lost Christmas…"
"That's right."
I quickly turned to face whoever was behind me… but why did that voice seem familiar…
After I turned to face behind, I knew why that was so… it was Jun-kun…
"Hey…" I began… I mean what could you say to a person whom you just saw getting impaled by a foot long needle.
He surprisingly gave a small smile as he said, "We're finally able to talk."
Suddenly a childish voice rang out, "Whoa, thanks!"
It came from in front of me and I turned to see two of the people that were supposed to be frozen were moving and talking…
"This is something special for your birthday" another voice rang and it was another child though he looked older than the one in the sitting down.
… He… he looked like Yahiro! And the Yahiro look-alike began placing something on the little boy's wrist before revealing that it was the watch that Jun-kun had…. So… those two were Yahiro and Jun from before Lost Christmas occurred…
Jun-kun behind me began, "December 24th, 2029. This is when I was the happiest in my life."
His tone then changed from being wistful to being solemn as he continued, "Soon… Lost Christmas will occur."
I let out a gasp at that piece of information… I only then realized that 2029… that was indeed the year that Lost Christmas happened…
"I want to continue on with my journey… holding onto just this happy memory."
He was gazing fondly at his watch before looking up and stared at me requesting.
"Shu-san… Please use that Void to cut my life."
My widened eyes stared at the Shears I was wielding as Jun-kun continued, "My big brother's Void… is one that cuts lives."
Still shocked, he continued with an even more shocking comment, "It's a Void to bury me."
I finally shook of my shock as I shouted, "That's ridiculous! Why would Yahiro's Voi-"
Wait…! How did Jun-kun se-
He suddenly floated up as he began to speak once more.
"The crystals that stole my freedom in turn gave me the power to see Voids."
I thought that I would be able to be surprised anymore but I was wrong… from Jun-kun's statement… did that mean that Gai also had the virus? Or did he undergo some kind of experiment to cause him to be able to see Voids as well…
"With that power, I was able to see big brother differently from the facade he showed me."
"W-what… do you mean different?"
Ignoring my inquiry, Jun-kun continued, "So many times now, I've seen the unkind parts of kind people: My friends, my relatives, the people at the health centre, my brother who thinks of me as a burden and Shu-san… you're probably the same too."
To say that I was surprised was an understatement… though I guess I can hardly be called kind… I am using my friends as tools to fight with…
Jun-kun started at me sadly as he continued, "If I keep living like this any longer… then this sadness will come at me countless times."
Damn… to think his view of the world could be changed that much due to the crystals that were on his body... I shudder to think how that would feel, to know that the person tending to you and talking with you is in fact hiding their true intentions and thoughts…
Jun-kun then stated, "I'll come to hate even my brother. I want to move on as the me who always loved my wonderful brother…"
Why… Why is talking as if he isn't dead yet I mean… isn't this some kind of last moment before you move on event?... why is talking to me as if he is begging me to…! No... No... Don't tell me.
"So... Hurry!" an explosion then occurred behind me where the scene of Roppongi was and as I turned to see the scene once more…
It was covered in flames and everyone was in disorder… chaos was everywhere… people were running away in panic and fear… this was just like that-!
Familiar pain shot through my head…
A scene… two boys…. Standing in front of each other… in a church…
Flash!
The doors opened… a figure with long hair approached…
Flash!
A bright light shone from the long haired figure… and everything erupted into flames.
As the pain cleared… and the flashes went away, I murmured…
"Lost Christmas…" so that's when that event occurred... but who were the two in my memories…
"Big bro, I'm scared! I'm scared!" the scene in front of me focused on where Yahiro and Jun were… they were inside a building that had collapsed and Yahiro had his arms around Jun as he tried to comfort his little brother.
"You'll be fine! Because I'm here with you." He released Jun from his protective embrace for awhile as my eyes grew teary at the scene…
"I'll always …. I'll always be with you!"
The Endlave who had its hands on Yahiro and was crushing suddenly appeared kneeling… and Jun-kun's voice appeared from it once more…
"Please… I'll kill my brother if things continue like this."
Seeing that the pressure on the hold began to grow… I blinked before narrowing my eyes in determination and turned to face Jun-kun who had a red circle around his body and positioned the Shears to be able to snap off the circle…
"Brother… was I an annoyance to have around?
I…
"Did I completely mess up your life?"
Am so sorry...
"Did you hate me?"
Yahiro…
"Even I felt that way about you!"
I'm going to have to break my promise…
I screamed as I sliced the red circle and Jun-kun's body fell backwards…
Tears fell from my eyes as Jun who had his eyes closed murmured to me.
"Thank you…"
Thank you…? I don't believe I have the right to receive thanks… I… I killed you… My eyes widened when reality sank in...
"Jun!" I tried to grab a hold of him as he continued to fell back while saying.
"Big bro… I love you."
And just as I was about to catch him… the realm we were in disappeared… and Jun-kun faded into particles and became one with the wind…
My eyes refocused from the bright line that shone and I instantly heard Jun-kun's voice screaming loudly in pain… The Endlave that had a hold on Yahiro was twitching and turning, writhing in pain…
I was horrified… this proved… that I had indeed done something to Jun-kun… did I… Did I really kill him..,?
The Endlave suddenly stopped moving as it crashed and the glow from its eyes stopped…
I mindlessly went to Yahiro's body, not even bothering to check if Jun-kun's body was actually still there… I picked up Yahiro and brought him out of the building that slowly began to burn in flames…
I brought him over to a bench that had a shade… and returned his Void. He slowly woke up and as he opened his eyes, he abruptly shot up and asked me with panic in his voice.
"Where's Jun?"
I couldn't even bare to look at him… I still hadn't got out of my shock from finding out I had indeed killed Jun-kun… despite the fact that it was to save his beloved brother…
As If a zombie had bitten me, I lifelessly answered, "He died…"
Yahiro's eyes narrowed in rage as he asked me.
"What did you just say?"
I repeated the same words…
"He died…" I then walked over and gave him the watch that Jun-kun had on which I found in my pocket… Jun-kun probably wanted to give his brother one last memento…
Yahiro gasped as he saw the watch before looking up at me with horrified eyes, "Shu!-"
I must've looked like a wreck… my eyes should still show my horrified expression… I told him…
"I killed him… I didn't mean to… but he asked me to… he wanted to move on, knowing that he loved his brother…"
Yahiro stood up in a fit of rage and sorrow before punching me causing me to fall to the ground though I didn't react… I felt that I deserved even worse…
"I can't believe I actually trusted you… "He then walked away as if all meaning in life was gone… all of it… washed away in the rain.
I stood up after a few minutes and slowly… made my way out of the shade and out into the rain… As I continued walking, I eventually met up with Ayase along with Tsugumi…
Ayase must've seen how I looked like as she asked in a concerned tone.
"Shu! What's wrong? Are you alright?"
I however continued to approached them and as I got near to Ayase… I kneeled down and grabbed her into a hug while letting out my sorrow that had finally gotten through.
Finally updated! I'm SO sorry for the delay, as I've mentioned on chapter 9, I had exams and just recently got back some of them test papers ..
Thanks for the reviews in the previous chapters and I hope this chapter is alright... not much changes except a few scenes~ I tried using more line breaks, what'd you think? Is this better or should I just go on with how I've been making my chapters?
In any case, I'll be working on the next chapter! Cya all, thanks for reading!