To the Darkest of Nights We Go

~Dystopian AU ~

Chapter 37

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

Saya and Yoshiro weren't the de facto leaders of the small group in the subway, Kyo later found out. However, because they were the ones that stumbled upon him and Yagami, it was their responsibility to take care of the newcomers. They'd been the ones who patched him and Iori up and without any complaint consented to his needs. A larger cot was brought into the side room, which he placed next to Yagami's – old habits die hard – along with some extra blankets and a pillow. When he was comfortable and sitting alongside the other man, he was given some food.

It was the food that took him by surprise. He'd been eating non-perishables for so long, so used to nothing having flavor that when Saya handed him the bowl of soup, he stared at her in astonishment. It wasn't much – some greens and root vegetables in what smelled like a thin miso broth – but it was real food and something he hadn't had in a long time. His stomach rumbled and the scent of the soup was luxurious.

He didn't think this existed anymore in a world wrecked by war and ruin.

"How?"

Saya smiled. "There's a little plot of land that still grows flowers. So we used some of it for the radishes and greens. The miso belongs to one of the men we met. We can use it if we like, but we try to keep it for special occasions."

"You give it to visitors?"

"You looked like you hadn't eaten in a while. We thought you might enjoy it."

He looked down at the contents in the bowl. The radishes translucent in amber-colored broth. The greens cooked and soft. It was the closest thing to a home-cooked meal and suddenly, he missed his mom's cooking. Missed her and his family, whom he hoped were still alive. Were still hanging on and keeping the rest of the clan strong. His dad could do it and so could his mom. He wished he could be there with them – a son missing so much – but he had other responsibilities as one of the Sacred Treasures and that was a higher calling.

Still…

"Thank you," he whispered, aware that his eyes were wet.

The girl nodded and moved away. Closed the door and left him alone.

He wept then in the silence – wept until his tears ran dry. Only then did he retrieve his soup, which he'd put aside and partake of it. Ravenous as he was, he tried to drink it slowly, to savor the flavor and textures. After so long on rations, crackers, and anything that was dry and could still be eaten, this was a banquet. It wasn't until he devoured the radishes, gobbled down the greens and licked the bowl clean that Kyo allowed himself to rest.

He slept beside Iori, who still lay unconscious on his cot. Slept on a content and warm stomach and passed into dreams he didn't remember. Just a comfortable darkness, quiet and full.

Hours later, he awoke and noticed that Iori had been tended to while he was out cold. The wrappings around his hands were clean and bright and even the dressings around his torso had been changed. Hair gone rust-red from dust spilled over his face, the harsh planes now smoothed by sleep. He didn't look so tormented anymore and it didn't seem like the nightmares reached him now. Kyo reached over and gripped his hand, the cloth wrappings soft and smooth under his fingers. "I'm still here, you bastard. Hang in there, okay?"

The other man only breathed in and out, slow and silent.

Kyo raised his head, stared at the light humming above and redirected his gaze back down. He didn't say anything. Just waited.

"It's not safe out there. Stay here. I've already told everyone to stay inside."

"Why? What's wrong?"

Yoshiro's face tightened. "There are more soldiers on the ground than usual. Combing the area – some sort of manhunt underway. Better to stay low."

"Oh." Kyo went silent for a moment. "They're looking for us."

"For you?" Yoshiro's eyes widened. He had the beginnings of a moustache, Kyo saw. "But why? I know you told us you fought the soldiers but…"

"We were the spearhead against O.R.O.C.H.I. Were," he repeated, his tone growing bitter. "When they took over Shinsaibashi, we went against them. We lost that. We plagued their footsteps, tried to disrupt their plans, fought them every step of the way and…" He sighed and looked down at Iori, who still lay in between life and death. "And look at us. The way we are now."

"So they drove you out?"

"Our leader's dead. Things happened. To us. To him." Kyo shook his head, as if that could rid the permanent memories etched within. "We were three. We're two now and…"

"I'm sorry."

"We almost didn't make it past the border to here. Almost died. And he…"

"What about him?" the other man asked, quiet and sincere.

"He knew we'd make it past. Said so and while he was…" Kyo fell silent again. Squeezed Iori's hand but received no response. "I thought he was dying. He said he was fine but he wasn't."

The older man glanced down at the redhead lying on the cot. "He was staying strong for you."

"He shouldn't have had to. I should've." The bitterness was back and the corrosiveness of it ate into him. "When our leader died, I assumed the position. I should've been the one holding it strong for him. Not for him to…he's been through so much already…I should've…"

Yoshiro laid a hand on his shoulder. "You need to take it easy on yourself. This takes time. You think Saya and I got to where we are right when the war began? We didn't, you know."

"But I don't have time."

"You're learning. You'll make mistakes. That's all right, as long as it doesn't kill you."

"But he's –"

"You're not the one that stabbed or shot him. Kyo," Yoshiro said, addressing him by name for the first time, "if he wakes up and you're not around, what do you think will happen?"

Kyo looked down at Iori and didn't say a word.

"If he wakes up and you've given up hope, what does he have left?"

Nothing.

"Being a leader means carrying that weight. But you don't have to carry it alone. I think he understands that. That's why he's still here. That's why we're here with the others – to help the leaders who protect and shelter us. I don't think it's ever meant to be done alone, Kyo. You'll drive yourself mad if you do that."

"But…"

"If he pulls through, why don't you talk to him? See what he says? You said you're two now. Two, Kyo. Not one. You made it through the fight together. You see what I'm saying, right?"

"It's just so hard."

"Yeah, it will be." The older man gave his shoulder a small shake. "I think you're supposed to be here, Kyo, to hear this. Stick by his side. He needs to know you're still here, if he survives."

"How did you…"

"How else? We learned, we scraped through, we survived. And we're still here, learning. That never stops, and maybe one day, Saya and I can lead others once we're ready."

"I hope you don't have to."

"If this war ends and we're still alive, then we're lucky. Otherwise, that may not be for us to choose."

"But don't you have –"

"A choice?" Yoshiro released his hold on his shoulder and stepped back. "Not necessarily, Kyo. If people need leaders, someone needs to answer the call."

"Like I did." Bitterness again. He couldn't seem to get rid of it.

The other man looked at him and his expression softened. "Maybe some rest will do you good. You've been up and about and you're still hurt. Get some sleep and maybe he'll be awake by then."

"You really think that'll help?" His tone was petulant and Yoshiro deserved none of it but Kyo couldn't prevent it. It just came out, as if it'd been there all along since Kagura-san died. "That it'll just solve all of this?"

"No, but I think you've been through a lot. You've had enough of it."

"I have."

"Then get some rest. We're still here. No one's gonna find you down here."

Kyo opened his mouth, thought twice, and closed it. He wasn't tired but he didn't feel like leaving his cot or this room – not while Yagami still fought for his life – and throwing a fit wouldn't do him much good. Yoshiro and Saya couldn't help with his problems and the only person who understood him was…

He gripped Iori's hand again, feeling his fingers through the wrappings and although the other was warm, there was no reaction. Don't quit on me now, Yagami. It was selfish asking this of the other man even within his mind but Kyo knew he couldn't do it alone. Would lose himself completely if Yagami died, even if he had allies here.

And now the soldiers were hunting, looking for them…

"I have nowhere to go."

He did – Ikuno, but not without Yagami. It wasn't a lie.

"We'll let you know when it's safe."

Then Yoshiro left, leaving him with Iori and his fears about what would happen in the hours to come.

Kyo did a recount of the days. He maintained this habit – had to know how much time elapsed since all the incidents and events that occurred. Today was day ten. He'd lost day nine to being unconscious or asleep. The late evening of day eight, Iori was already unresponsive after that battle with the elite squad that nearly got both of them killed. And if he judged the time right, they were heading into the later afternoon hours, which meant Yagami had been out for close to two days.

His heart sank.

If Yagami didn't wake up the next day, then he'd have to consider the other dead.

Yoshiro had forewarned him, just in case.

But he didn't want to think of just in case. Because if that happened…if Yagami died…then he was a failure. Failed to keep the team together, failed to look out for him, failed to…

Just failed. There was nothing else to say if that happened.

And if Iori Yagami died…

What else was left for him? Nothing. Nothing at all. Nothing but waiting for the end, for when O.R.O.C.H.I. crushed humanity under its foot and the Sacred Treasures – Team KKY – failed in its trust to keep the god bound, sealed away.

All because of him. Because he couldn't do what Kagura-san did.

And that, Kyo reflected, was all entirely on him.

Across from him, Iori lay silent. His brother, his former rival, the only soul left in this entire conflict who knew him best. It'd been close to two days. Approaching the third soon.

If he didn't wake up…

"Come on, Yagami," he said, more of a plea than anything else, "you can't leave me by myself fighting this. You can't."

But Iori didn't say anything or respond and Kyo, holding his hand again, prepared himself for the worst. Prepared and knew he wasn't ready. Wouldn't be, if and when it happened.

Because he wasn't Chizuru Kagura.

He was never born to lead…not like this.