As it seems, the story had come to an end. I don't intend to make it long. I'm considering if I should foreshadow a sequel here which I decided not to in case I need to change the plot. I got a feeling that if it ever materialised, it will be the final part. I haven't decided on the name of the whole series. Maybe it will be named as "The Kings' Bond" or "Bonds of the Kings".
I haven't resolve some of the issues in this part and it will be done in the next story if I can come up with one. I'm still brainstorming and for some characters I already have ideas how to go about resolving for e.g. Totsuka and Suoh, Suoh and Fushimi and Fushimi and Munakata.
Thanks for following the story. I enjoyed writing this story. See you again if I'm able to come up with the sequel. I notice that I ended this chapter with another birthday.
Reviews are appreciated.
Chapter 11: Many Happy Returns
It was the New Year and a new beginning. Three months had passed by. Shizume City was business as usual. Life goes on.
A male with messy black hair and a pair dead-fish eyes with black framed glasses came into Bar HOMRA. It was after a full day of boring college lecture. He came in for a drink.
"That's good. You're doing it right so far." Kusanagi had a new part-time assistant in his bar.
It was a male with black hair and brown eyes. He had an honest face and Kusanagi took a liking to him instantly when he came for an interview. He was slightly older than 20. At least Kusanagi's network said so. More importantly, his data fit the bill of someone else having the same name and face from Scepter 4, Kusuhara Takeru. It was said he was killed in action during his first mission with Scepter 4, a hero they called him. However, here he was up alive and well.
Kusanagi started to smoke. He watched him as he made a series of cocktail as instructed.
"Kusanagi-san I'm done." The boy, Kusuhara presented proudly his work of rainbow cocktail. There were 7 colours which seemed to represent the colours of the seven kings.
"I'm impressed. You're even better than my previous part-time staff." Kusanagi recalled how challenging it was to guide him to even shake the can right. In the end, he had him serve as waiter instead.
"Now you make the cocktail and I'll serve." Kusanagi decided causing the boy to blush.
"I'm just teasing you, Kusuhara." He gave the kid a pat. "You're officially a staff of bar HOMRA. Welcome!"
And so Kusuhara was on the way in training to be Kusanagi successor not as a member of the Red Clan but as a informant since he had his sword returned rightfully to Scepter 4 relinquishing his responsibility from the Blue Clan.
"Hi!" Kusuhara handed the bored looking Fushimi a mix of two layered cocktail. It was a blue and red theme of course like his aura when he utilised it.
"Thanks for coming here to support me." Kusuhara said. Fushimi and Kusuhara sort of became friends after the "Roulette Ritual" incident. Kusuhara was obviously the one who took the initiative to want to get to know him better. Fushimi was a bit annoyed at first but he was not exactly unfeeling.
"Let's try and play friendship." was what his reply was. Kusuhara did not mind at all. He was grateful that Kusanagi had taken him in after the incident. Kusuhara Takeru had planned to return to police force but Zenjou dissuaded him from it. If he wanted to be involved in their mission, he could still do it in another way and he recommended a role of informant. Kusanagi would be glad to have him. He was overloaded dealing with paperwork transferred by the undead King who temporarily took over just the admin work while the other from the Special Police Force dealt with the security mainly from the Green Clan logging request to punish his men. Of course he would not give in.
"Fushimi is just trying not to show his true self. Don't force him to be a nice guy. He is not trying to show how much he wanted to support us in the background during his free time as we're short handed." Kusanagi said to Kusuhara teasingly. Fushimi hated this part of Kusanagi for reading his mind. He did not mind coming back to HOMRA part time. He was not interested in seeing Munakata's smug face and Suoh Mikoto who was living off him under one roof.
Fushimi removed his glasses and observed it. He was still unable to believe that his eyesight damaged by the Green Clan during the incident Suoh and Totsuka had saved him from became perfect after returning to the Earth with Munakata. It was like the slate had healed him from the injuries as a remuneration for fixing it with his aura. It was not like it was going to make him a King. He did not want it either. Fushimi polished his glasses. It just did not feel right without it so he still wore it.
"It's just that Captain have enough men around him to get the job done. Even the monster Director Zenjou Gouki is also working full-time by his side now after surviving the aftereffect of that drug. That's why I decided to get a scholarship and study in university. Beside I hate seeing his face." Fushimi took a sip of Kusuhara's cocktail. He was of the age to drink by now. It was something he would lose out to Misaki as he received the license to drink before him but he would be able to drink a lot more alcohol as long as he was alive and much more than Misaki would ever had. It hit him for the first time Misaki had been an adult for a short while. Fushimi unconsciously scratched his scarred mark of HOMRA.
"I know. It's the school the esteemed member from Green Hirasaka Douhan is studying in." Kusanagi reminded that they should not underestimate his information network. Fushimi had not given up on revenge. With the "Roulette Ritual" being stopped, all Kings regained their thrones and their respective Sword of Damocles. Hisui Nagare was still the Green King who was at large plotting something in the dark. If only they could do something in the open against the cunning Green Clan which had destroyed all evidences of their doings.
"Aya as well. Until Hisui Nagare is taken down, I'll not be appeased." Fushimi tightened his grip around the wine glasses.
"Don't break it!" Kusanagi almost yelled. No one messes with his Bar or the assets of his bar.
"For the cocktail, I... This is my first alcohol since coming of age." Fushimi said much to the two men's dismay. Kusuhara smiled knowing that the young man was thanking him but he didn't want to put it in words. Kusanagi did a facepalm being reminded of a certain Silver Clansman who had never drank milk in his life. All these were supposed to be normal to most people but for them like Fushimi, it did not come to be normal. He could not believe that Munakata had made no attempt to buy Fushimi a drink.
Speaking of coming of age, Kusuhara had something to say.
"Today is his birthday and we're all invited. " Kusuhara reminded them.
"Shall we go? His Majesty won't like it if we're late for his "wife's" birthday. Fushimi is coming along too." Kusanagi was ready to go anytime. He planned to drive them there. Anna and the rest had headed to the party venue already.
"I want to go home and meet Misaki in my dream." Fushimi groaned in his mind as he was being pulled along by an excited Kusuhara. He would rather visit Misaki by his grave if given a choice.
A red haired man just came out of Scepter 4 Captain's personal dorm in his yukata style pajamas. If one were to be thinking too much, he and his partner could have been making love in there.
"Suoh Mikoto, can't you be gentle? Go and die!"
The man known as Suoh ignored the annoying monotonic voice and slide the door shut. He merely broke something and caused him pain. He started smoking. He was not going to admit his mistake.
It was like a dream that Suoh Mikoto had not been punished by the Sword of Damocles, killed by Munakata and he had all that he wanted in life. Almost. In his mind, there was a certain young man with honey brown hair. It seemed like yesterday they were talking on the rooftop. That was their very last heart-to-heart talk before he finally left his HOMRA officially and was reborn as the Purple King. Both of Munakata and himself happened to be saved by him and his power as a King. Of course, Munakata remained the Blue King.
Suoh stared and focused on his fist which was engulfed in red flame instantly. He became a Strain, one who could not be King was the definition. His attention was turned to a woman who was in the progress to be conquered by the bartender of her favourite Bar which happened to be his favourite.
"Captain." She stopped in her step as she blushed. Suoh Mikoto seemed as though he just woke up. Not only his hair was messy, he was not dressed properly.
"Sorry, looks like I came at a wrong time." She muttered. She could not believe how Munakata could allow Suoh Mikoto to stay in his dorm for personal supervision of a highly dangerous Strain. They had grown closer probably more than just friends.
"I just want to tell Captain that everyone is waiting out there. We'll head out first if Captain wanted to drive instead." Awashima could trust that lazy lion to pass on the message right?
Inside the room, another man in glasses was being thrown in despair. It could be seen by others that he was abandoned by his spouse.
"Suoh Mikoto, you're going to pay for this. Ahh.. my teacup..." Munataka was mourning over his newly bought broken teacup. Suoh Mikoto just got too much strength on his hand that he managed to crush it easily not to say some of them were melted from extreme heat.
"You're annoying for a man who draw on my face and undress me anytime you wish in my slumber, Munakata!" He yelled back at the direction of the door. He could not believe it. It must be fate that they ended up hanging together and got closer since they survived their respective ordeal of almost losing their lives and Totsuka was the one who saved their lives.
Totsuka Tatara had never once came to see him.
"Try me and see if I'll forgive you." Suoh took a puff from his cigarette thinking about the unfeeling but yet heartwarming clansman of his.
A girl with long pinkish hair, Neko was running down the streets carrying wines and stuff. The day was 5th January. It was the birthday of one of her companions. She combed her hair neatly before a glass window outside a shop as another male materialized behind him.
"Need my help, XX-chan?" Totsuka Tatara offered.
"Eh? You're coming today, Tatara?" Neko almost screamed.
"Why? He's my friend as well." He pouted in disappointment. As expected no one liked to have an undead King for birthday parties. Totsuka was just teasing her when Neko started apologizing.
"Hahaha. Did you think I'm this petty?" Totsuka helped her with the wines she placed on the ground. If he decided to materialise he looked no different from normal human.
The two of them remained silent while walking. It was awkward. They had acknowledged each other as "childhood" friend. Neko was still a Silver Clansman.
"Thanks for convincing me to let go. Your King is really a nice guy. I had wanted to deal with Mizuchi myself but I ended up saving myself from destruction heading down to a path of never return." Totsuka said in an exaggerated tone with a pose like he did back in bar HOMRA when Anna requested him to sing and he was proud of it. The Silver King had saved them. He paused a little before continuing.
"I'm sorry for causing you so much pain." Totsuka finally said. He had been contemplating how he should face the others especially those who knew him especially a certain red haired man. He was no longer keeping the hairstyle he had cut for him. He had overheard him telling Munakata that he preferred his old messy hair style as he did not need to spend energy in styling.
"Will King forgive me?" He was feeling unsure.
"I'm sure lion senpai will forgive you. He had forgiven me." Neko shook her head to reassure Totsuka. They were thinking about the same issue. Neko blushed even further when he took her hands.
"XX-chan, I know this is overdue but I have to talk to you about this." Neko blinked in surprise at his words as the young man knelt before her. They were at the bus stop waiting for transport to head to Miwa Ichigen's old residence. That was where Kuroh was staying now.
That was right, this day was 5th January, the birthday of a certain Silver Clansman. Kuroh was sitting in the corridor of Ichigen's residence and staring up at the sky reminiscing about the past with a certain King. They were together for a short while. These memories would last forever.
He could never forget the Silver King, the last King he would serve. He had passed away on his arms taking the full blunt of the punishment by the Dresden Slate for defying its will to all the rest of the Kings. All other Kings had regained their throne but Shiro had never woken up. He held his body until he turned cold and he was separated from him by the members of Scepter 4. Kuroh had lost Shiro.
He begged him not to attempt the ritual but he just would not listen to him. Kuroh would always regret for not being able to stop Shiro.
"Hush hush, Kuroh is a good boy. Sorry, I didn't want to end like this." Kuroh was trembling as he held him on his arms. Shiro had done his best. He had worked hard. He reached his hand out for Kuroh's face wishing to see it for one last time. Perhaps, he was just too weak. Kuroh would always regret for not being honest to himself as his hand fell limp by his side.
Kuroh had isolated himself since then. He missed him so much.
"Yahoo!" He heard a voice chirped as he was dozing off.
"It's only Neko." Kuroh tilted his head slightly from the pillar he was leaning on.
"Can't you put in energy in greeting me?" Neko pouted, her hand on her waist.
"That's right." Totsuka added. He headed to the kitchen as decided to cook in a whim. If there was a place Kuroh did not want anyone to enter, it was the kitchen.
"Stop there, Totsuka Tatara! You kings have your own domain but the kitchen of especially House of Ichigen-sama is my domain and no one step into it without MY permission!" Kuroh whipped out his Kotowari out of nowhere and point at the sixth King who raised his hand up in response to surrender.
"That's a better response. He's fine, Neko." Totsuka was merely testing him.
"A new Gold King has appeared and I decided to go and meet him with Neko. I'm acting under the former Gold King at least in terms of administrative matters. I thought I should hand over his work to him so I can go back to my hobbies." Totsuka said to Kuroh helping him in the kitchen. Both had acknowledged one another as they had helped one another when Kuroh first came to Shizume city in search for Ichugen's successor.
Kuroh saved Totsuka from being assaulted while Totsuka took care of him when he fainted from fever and took care of him over the night. Kuroh did consider if Totsuka was an angel sent by Ichigen to take care of him. He would never forget the canned peach he has left him. It reminded him of what he had asked from Ichigen-sama who encouraged him to make his request.
Neko was playing with the ingredient having fun.
"Stop that Neko, it's meant to be eaten after they are cooked." Kuroh pointed his ladle at her. Neko pouted. She decided to sneak away to the living room where Anna had arrived with her guys to set up for the party.
Anna had given specific instructions and the guys got into their respective tasks in putting up the decoration.
"It's used to be done by Tatara. This time round I'll do it." Anna decided feeling determined about it. She would be the King who organised parties.
"Anna, we're behind you. NO BLOOD NO BONE NO ASH!" The hot looking Kamamoto shouted. He was still unable to grow fat.
"And we've got reinforcement." Kusanagi added. He, an excited Kusuhara and a bored looking Fushimi stood at the door.
"Ah Takeru!" Neko greeted rushed over to shake Kusuhara's hands. It had been a long while since they met.
Scepter 4 members who were off duty joined in the party. Munakata arrived later with a tired looking Suoh. Before long, it turned into a gathering without Kuroh's knowledge as Totsuka was keeping him busy in the kitchen.
Kuroh almost dropped his steamboat when he saw large group of people hanging around his beloved Ichigen-sama's living room and dirtying the place he just polished that morning.
He turned to Totsuka who had already escaped for obvious reason. He was supposed to be walking behind him.
"SURPRISE!" Neko sprayed Silly String right on his face. Kuroh's face darkened. Who the hell they were to make themselves at home even if they were Kings. He could not say that out loud before Munakata and Anna of course.
"Yatogami Kuroh, you better be honoured that we are willing to be invited and came to your party." Muankata sipped his tea with Suoh who was trying not to break or even melt the teacup. It belonged to Miwa Ichigen's precious collection not Munakata's he was more than willing to break.
It was supposed to be Kuroh's birthday party and it turned out to be a bonding session between the three clans and Kuroh was busy serving the guests while they chat, play games and war almost broke out with Scepter 4 VS HOMRA and Fushimi was caught in between. HOMRA still saw him as part of them since he was seen loitering around the bar quite often whenever he was free.
"Smile." Neko reminded Kuroh holding up a new camera from Totsuka to take photos of him. Totsuka empahsised on collecting memories so Neko would do just that.
"I decided to go with him." Neko said in an apologetic tone. It was not betrayal. Totsuka needed her help. It was better for all of them. Kuroh placed his hand on her shoulder.
"All the best, Neko. It had been a pleasure to work with you."
"Thank you for taking care of me." Even though the time they had together was short. They were close to one another. Kuroh was like a naggy mother nagging at her to dry her own clothes when she got drenched but he ended up helping her dry her hair. He saved her from the threat of JUNGLE and he trained her in battle. Neko felt blessed to have met him.
Kuroh could controlling his anger after a few hours of hell in playing games, blowing candles and having food fight. This was indeed a surprise and he would have extra work to do. Kuroh was cursing to himself when he was interrupted by a familiar voice by an irresponsible man.
"Don't you like the party I have ordered for you?" A white haired boy in suit with a ribbon tied over his head hovered above Kuroh who was cleaning up some spilled drink on the ground. He sat up from the giant gift box he requested Munakata and Suoh to deliver to Ichigen residence surrendering a Strain he had picked up as payment. He talked Anna and HOMRA to organise a surprise party. They were looking forward to a performance of spinning Shiro by an ignorant Kuroh. Shiro almost took in Munakata and Suoh's ideas but he decided to become a present instead after listening to Totsuka's suggestion later on. He looked like a birthday gift presented specially to Kuroh. Kuroh was shocked as he looked up to the young man.
"Hush hush, don't cry. Things will work out well." Shiro patted Kuroh's head. His expression turned dark.
"ISANA YASHIRO!" Kuroh's voice echoed in the house and the party ended successfully with all Kings and their clansmen happy.
These bunch of Kings and their clansmen somehow was blessed with happiness. Shiro bowed at them as they were leaving with some needed to be dragged out as they were down with withdrawal syndrome from alcohol. Neko was most reluctant but Anna persuaded her to leave them alone. Shiro had met Neko before this and they had talked and resolved their issue between them.
"Happy Birthday, Kuroh!" Shiro greeted handing him a small bottle of sake. It was toast to his coming of age. Kuroh frowned at Shiro who drank. He could not believe he was close to a century old if he did not know him better.
"Shiro, how?" Kuroh wanted to ask.
"That's how it's." Shiro could not explain. He and Totsuka had intended to become history in their respective ways but it seemed that they still have something which they were unable to let go tying them on earth. All Shiro could do now was to pull Kuroh into a hug.
"From now on, please don't go." Kuroh requested. He was too taken aback to find other words to say.
"Yes, yes, how can I bear to leave my beloved wife right? I can't stand seeing him standing by another King's side after all." Shiro was amused by the fact that he was picking up clansman from other clans making them dual colours. He glanced at a blushing Awashima Seri who nodded at him in acknowledgement earlier. She was holding Kusanagi's hand and Shiro had understood what was going on.
Shiro's words really annoyed Kuroh. He wanted to pull out his Kotowari and like before he would threaten to cut off his tongue but not today. He was too happy to receive such a wonderful birthday present. He knelt down before Shiro all the sudden startling him.
"You'll be the last King I'll ever serve." Kuroh took his hand and kissed. This would be his promise to Shiro.
No matter what would happen from now on, the Kings would walk and-in-hand and overcome all their obstacles that would come their way. That was their promise to each other. They would be able to stand strong with the strength of their bonds growing stronger than ever.
The esteemed member of JUNGLE, Mishakuji Yukari stood above a rooftop observing another raid by Scepter 4 on an experiment facility. Scepter 4 managed to accomplish their mission.
"Let's move our objective to the next stage, Yukari." Hisui Nagare using the parrot as his medium flapped his wings signalling him to follow him. They had got the information they needed.
"Yes, my King." Yukari replied with a sadistic smile.
The war between the Kings was far from over.
Neko seems OOC as in my setting she had regained her "real" self. If Neko can work with Mikoto in radio drama material, Tatara will be an easier guy to work with. They seemed close as they had been together before they were forced to separate. I do hope it make sense.
