To the Darkest of Nights We Go

~Dystopian AU ~

Chapter 36

Written By: RinoaDestiny

King of Fighters, Chizuru Kagura, Kyo Kusanagi, Iori Yagami, Terry Bogard, Andy Bogard, Mai Shiranui, Blue Mary, Rock Howard, and Joe Higashi all belong to SNK

Mai was inconsolable.

It was to be expected, really. Even though Mary was with her and Terry as well, the other woman couldn't stop weeping. She hadn't released her death grip on Andy since his demise a couple hours ago and no one even tried to get her to do that. Everyone understood how badly this hurt but how much worse it was for her. Andy was her boyfriend – potential husband-to-be, if that had been in the planning – and now he was gone.

So no one attempted to raise the issue about what came next. Rock didn't expect anyone to. It was still too soon and too raw, and Mai was bound to become hysterical if they took Andy away. Terry – Dad – was also grieving, but held himself rigidly, presenting a strong front that would probably come down when he was alone. None of them had gotten any sleep. None of them wanted to, or even thought about it.

Sobs filled the air, filled the room and Rock stared at the scene before him, quiet and sober and wishing none of this had happened. That they were in Southtown – Second South fighting the good fight – so that even if there were deaths, they'd be at home. Among allies. Among friends and even among enemies with whom they might be able to forge a reluctant truce. Everyone in stronger numbers against O.R.O.C.H.I., and if the god decided to bring his worst, they'd bring their best. Only if…

He folded his arms upon his knees, rested his head against them and listened to the sounds of grief continuing, ceaseless even as the seconds slipped by.

Phase Two and one of their own was dead.

Just like that.

The morning hours crawled upon them and they finally surrendered to their bodies' desire for sleep. Mai, exhausted after a night of grief and tears, fell asleep holding Andy. Terry and Mary slept next to each other, each leaning upon the other's back. Joe had slipped away to sleep in some other room. Rock had dozed off where he sat against the wall, head pillowed on his arms. His foot had fallen asleep as well, pins and needles stinging in the numbness. Unconsciously, he felt himself shake it, stomping his foot on the floor until the unpleasant sensation faded.

He continued sleeping.

He was also the first to awake. When he did, he was hungry.

Joe wasn't in the supply room, so Rock was able to retrieve what he needed and slip out. With everyone else still caught in dreamless slumber, he took his meal to the communications room, turned on the lights, and applied himself to filling his stomach. Then, in the silence and growing heat of the afternoon – he'd slipped out for a quick look – he turned the comms on, wore his headset, and checked for nearby frequencies.

Nothing. That was a good thing. If there were any nearby, he'd have to wake Dad up, because any frequencies this close meant trouble. Then again, since they were dealing with professionals, he doubted the soldiers would give themselves away. Unless they meant to.

There was always that possibility – a stratagem in play.

Even now, with a death, they had to consider that.

Rock manned his station until he got tired of sitting and then took a break. Headed back to the sleeping quarters, pushed the curtains aside, and saw that Mai was awake. Awake, disheveled, heartbroken, and still unwilling to leave Andy's side.

Andy, who had been dead for several hours by now.

He was young. So very young and he had no relationship experience to speak of. The only commonality he now shared with Mai was the death of a loved one but how was he to bridge his experience with hers? He'd lost his mother at a young age. Mai had lost Andy only last night and they'd been together for far longer. Who was he to presume to ask how she was holding up? He wasn't about to ask if she was fine, since he wasn't fine when his mother died and only ignorant people asked that (not knowing what else to say).

"Mai," he said, keeping his voice low to avoid waking Terry and Mary, "how are you…"

The older woman didn't say anything for a minute. Only ran a hand through Andy's hair, brushing it aside from his face as if he was only sleeping. Rock kept his mouth shut, unwilling to impinge upon this private moment.

Then, Mai raised her eyes to his face and her next words broke his heart.

"He'd be alive if it wasn't for me."

He understood where this came from and it was unfair. No one knew – could've known – how events would unfold. That there were stealth patrols – in Ikuno, nonetheless – lying in wait. No one could've foreseen the double patrols that endangered their return. So while Mai suggested the food run with Andy being recon, Rock couldn't level any blame at her.

Not that he needed to.

Mai had already done it to herself.

"You wouldn't have…"

"Andy was worried about me. About me getting hurt. Well, he was right. Except he got hurt. And it's all because of me."

Unspoken was the implication that Andy's death was her responsibility. She believed this; he saw it reflected in her eyes.

Rock winced.

"You see? I shouldn't have…if I had waited…"

"Would it have changed if Joe went with Andy?" That had been the original suggestion, Rock remembered. Would it have changed this outcome?

"I don't know. I'll never know." Mai's voice was quiet. "Rock, can you leave me alone for some time? At least until Terry wakes up. I need…I need to…"

"Yeah. Sure." He stepped back, letting the curtain fall. "When Dad's awake, I'll come back."

"Thank you, Rock."

He left. Returned to his desk, to his headset, to the controls and monitors.

There were some serious issues ahead to discuss. To handle.

Mai needed time to prepare herself for that. To mask grief with pragmatism. He didn't think she'd stopped mourning – only put it on hold. Because when Dad awoke, he knew what they had to address next. He'd been too young when his mother died to deal with the next stage after a death. What to do with the remains, the funeral, the final farewell.

But now, he was older and he knew what came next.

They had to face this part as a team or else…

Rock fiddled with the controls. Adjusted the volume.

He'd think about it later. When Dad awoke and Mai was ready. As ready as she could be, for someone who lost a loved one.

Comments: Finally. Quite short but this chapter was in a block for at least a week before the words finally began to spill forth today. Hopefully, it gets easier from here.