For These Scars
~Chapter 32~
Written by: RinoaDestiny
King of Fighters, Kyo Kusanagi, Iori Yagami, Saisyu Kusanagi, and Benimaru Nikaido belong to SNK
Kyo was on edge. Had been since yesterday.
Being confined at home was punishment enough; yet, his father compounded it by keeping him on constant surveillance. There were clan members outside his door, outside his window, one in his bedroom, and if he needed to use the bathroom, someone waited for him in the hallway. He wasn't given any free time to himself, which increased his anxiety and disallowed him from contacting Iori and Benimaru about the sudden change in circumstance. Not even his mother could gainsay his father on this – he'd broken trust and therefore, was considered untrustworthy.
Mealtimes were tense, silence falling cold and sharp between sparse bits of conversation. He'd eaten quickly and escaped, trading one confinement for another. He'd sooner deal with one of the many unknown members of the clan than sit across from Uncle Hajime and his father. Particularly, his father.
He'd spent his previous afternoon calling Yuki because Saisyu insisted. Was summoned to his father's study and under his watchful gaze, was told what to do. Instead of arguing, he did it, knowing all the while Yuki wouldn't pick up. She didn't. All his calls went straight to voice mail; whether because she was busy or just ignored him, the outcome was the same. After half an hour of that, his father relented and released him.
Uncle Hajime had been waiting for him in the hall, but hadn't said anything to him.
That was fine. He wasn't in a talkative mood, either.
Rather, he was worried. Worried and paranoid.
This felt much like the day his father told him he knew about his and Iori's relationship. The vibe was similar, and the fallout had been catastrophic. If his father suspected something was up – had plans of his own – then the possibility of being blindsided was high.
Too high.
Benimaru didn't know. He'd no idea how his friend would react to seeing his father there.
Iori? His lover was terrified of his father. If Yagami saw Saisyu there…
Would he turn and run? Fight? Or just stay where he was, uncertain of how to react?
The entire Japan Team would be at the park, with Goro left in the dark as to recent developments. Not including him, the Kusanagi clan would be represented by his father, his uncle, and another stalwart clan member. Iori would be by himself, the only living member of the Yagami clan left.
All of them – minus Goro – had a part to play in this. Either nothing would happen or…
Or his father had plans and things were going to end badly.
Kyo cracked his knuckles and glanced at the other people on the train. His father, sitting across from him, never once removed his gaze. There wasn't anything Kyo could do anyway – Uncle Hajime sat next to him, the guard to his prisoner. He didn't recognize the third clan member. Just knew he was some distant cousin. This cousin of his leaned against the wall by the nearest door, as though blocking an escape route. Boxed in from all sides, Kyo could only sit and observe his fellow passengers.
The standing salaryman reading a newspaper, briefcase by his feet.
The girl with her phone – a charm dangling from it – with her finger flicking upward, as though browsing websites.
A little boy asleep next to his mother, who had her nose buried in a book.
A young couple sitting side-by-side, shy and awkward and obviously new to their relationship. The girl blushed; the boy kept glancing at her. Kyo looked away, remembering when he was new to relationships. The first time he saw Yuki in high school and the day he approached her, asking if he could date her. He'd been unsure then as well and bracing against rejection. How he felt when she accepted. What it was like when they went out, enjoyed movies and had dinner together. Her smiles when he got gifts for her from abroad. The time spent in her company.
It'd been great, then, and he never thought it'd end.
But it did, and the cause was his relationship with Iori.
While both he and Yagami had girlfriends before – Iori wasn't inexperienced on that front, either – Kyo realized early on that he was the emotional anchor for the other man. Iori had tried having relationships before but also lost them. He hadn't asked – wasn't his business – as to how those ended. Besides, both of them were adjusting to the oddity of being lovers after being life-long enemies and rivals and that…well, that took time.
About a month, if he recalled correctly.
In that time, Iori had been confused. Hadn't reckoned with the newfound emotional toll and weight. It was different, Yagami had said, compared to his girlfriends. For one, he hadn't hated those women. There was no prior history, no blood feud, nothing. Second, he'd felt more strongly about Kyo than he had them. Why? Kyo laid it out for him – obsession for so many years, plus clashing in the tournaments. Hatred was a strong emotion, after all. It was bound to spill over in another way.
It explained, in part, why Iori loved so fiercely.
It also was reasonable to consider their relationship new ground – besides the obvious – since they had to relearn each other. Their first few conversations felt strange; it took time to reshape their usual sniping into something less barbed. Not everything changed, but some things did. Fighting became sparring and all the physical contact led to the next step. Their first time together past the kisses was uncomfortable and Kyo never saw Iori turn that shade of red before. It was an aspect they had to learn together like everything else.
In the end, they were just another new couple. Familiar acquaintances, fledging lovers.
But in becoming so, he lost the relationship he already had.
Kyo looked at the young man and woman again. The girl rested her head against the boy's shoulder. Yuki had done that before. The boy looked at his phone but was smiling. That was him once, too. Long time ago until recently. They could've been like this had he kept silent – would've sat like this on a different train on another day, looking like a perfect young couple.
His phone was in his jacket pocket. He didn't need to look at the time.
Iori resting on the couch, face calm in sleep after an all-day concert.
The other man's back against his, warm and strong.
The expression on Iori's face shifting from mute surprise to faint pleasure when Kyo commented on his hands one afternoon. Iori's hands mattered – for fighting and for music. Large, decently-muscled, fingers long and callused, and each with a network of fine scars. Those hands were also capable of other things, which was unsurprising considering Iori's dating history.
Sunlight shifted in the train. Kyo turned and looked behind him. Through the window, the familiar cityscape mellowed, light lending warmth to the atmosphere. Not a single rain cloud threatened the sky, which was high, clear, and blue, and there was a mild breeze that banished humidity. Altogether a fine day, except for the fact that his father accompanied him.
His throat closed tight. He tried not to let his thoughts show on his face.
Were his friends already at the park? Was Yagami there as well?
If they were, then once he arrived, he needed to…
He had to find Iori. The question was how? With his guardians and father hanging around, shaking them off his trail would be impossible. He needed to confer with Benimaru as well – see if he located Yagami – and then either disappear or give a plausible reason to.
Mistrust of the other clan members sank into his gut. Something was amiss.
If they realized what was up, and found Iori first…
Kyo had no doubts whatsoever how that'd end. Iori wasn't in any condition to fight, let alone fend off two or three Kusanagi clan members. His uncle wanted Yagami dead. If his father had figured out this was pre-arranged, then Iori wouldn't die immediately. Torching someone to nothing took time, a lot of skilled practitioners, and plenty of open space to create an immolating flame. But none of that precluded possible breaking of bones or worse.
As weak as Iori was, the other man still had a fighter's reflexes. He wasn't going down without a struggle, which meant if his clan found him first…
He'd suffered enough.
Kyo didn't want to see him hurting anymore.
Just as he turned back, the intercom on the train chimed in, announcing arrival at the next station. It was their stop. Across from him, Saisyu shifted, planting both feet on the floor of the train compartment. Next to him, Uncle Hajime uncrossed his arms. His cousin pushed off the wall, standing straight beside the door. While the other passengers leaving at this stop also grabbed bookbags, purses, or put away their phones, Kyo found his family's actions purposeful.
Purposeful and ominous.
He unwound himself, playing at casualness, hiding his anxiety.
Sharks smelled blood in water. If he let it show, then his father would know.
It'd be over before they even hit the park.
As the train pulled into the station, Kyo was on his feet along with many other passengers. His father came to stand beside him and with Uncle Hajime nearby, he was flanked. His distant cousin gave him a cool gaze; Kyo ignored him. Today, none of the others wore any insignia declaring their clan. Saisyu forewent the usual kimono, exchanging it for a short-sleeved T-shirt, pants, and walking sneakers. His uncle and cousin followed suit and while that wasn't strange – the weather was great outside – Kyo wondered if it was for mobility's sake.
Easier to fight without additional clothing hampering movement.
Or, easier to take someone unawares by not declaring clan allegiance.
It was just tightening the knot in his stomach. They were here, needed to walk a short distance, and then he wasn't sure what would unfold. Hoped the rest of the Japan Team would assist, if need be.
He couldn't do it alone. Not if he also needed to watch out for Iori.
The train stopped. The doors opened. Following the flow of traffic, Kyo stepped out onto the platform. His uncle stuck close to him, as if able to read his mind. His father and cousin joined them and along with everyone else, began to depart for their exits. His father led in front, his cousin was behind him, and his uncle still stayed beside him. A triangular formation meant to keep him boxed in. After his shenanigans in his father's study, none of them took any chances.
It all meant a possible confrontation.
If. If things went to hell and he had to…
He was getting ahead of himself. It didn't have to turn out that way. He was only worrying himself by imagining worst-case scenarios. They weren't even at the park, yet.
"Kyo," his father said, breaking the flow of his thoughts, "what are you thinking?"
Nothing. Nothing his father needed to know.
"It's been a while since I've sparred with Beni and Goro outside." Divert the direction of the conversation. He wasn't Aoi, but dammit if he couldn't do this much. "Why are you asking?"
"You've been silent the whole time."
"And that's a problem?"
"It's not like you, son." Was his father hinting at something? "Concerns me."
Well, it concerned him now, too. Paranoia bit again, gnawing at the possibilities in his brain. What did his father know and how did he…if he even did. Not knowing what his father knew, or having an angle of attack for it just…
Iori would've figured it out by now. How to approach this.
He didn't have any counter to Saisyu's last statement. Decided not to respond.
Saisyu's gaze fixed on him for a few seconds longer than he liked before his father looked away. Kyo felt vulnerable, besieged, and floundering in undercurrents he barely understood. Being a fighting champion was nothing if he couldn't combat this. His elders were more experienced in this aspect; he was the green one here.
They continued walking, silence falling over them like a shroud. Having reached their exit, they left the station behind and directed their footsteps towards the park. Kyo knew the park. Had been there before. While it had open spaces for the general public to stroll through and amusements for kids to play on, it also had secluded spots. He understood Iori well enough by now – the other man had mentioned being able to see Kyo, but Kyo not being able to see him – to realize where the other might be situated.
The only problem was there were several spots like that scattered throughout the park. He and his friends could stroll through, but…
He couldn't leave at every change of location. That'd be suspicious.
Neither could he send Beni off, or even Goro. Goro knew nothing and since he didn't want to implicate Beni, having him disappear in intervals would be weird as well.
Which meant…
Which meant he had to find a moment to vanish. Vanish and never come back, since he'd have absconded with Iori by then. The uproar when his father and uncle realized that would be…
Their lives were forfeit at the moment of discovery.
He had to be fast. Find him quick and get the hell outta there.
After some time, Kyo saw the park. The well-tended foliage, the spots of grass in the designed landscape, the colors where the climbing apparatuses for the kids were, and the scattering of water fountains discernable by the multiple small rainbows in the air. As they got closer, he also noticed Benimaru and Goro standing by the nearest fountain. Benimaru's hair was down and his clothing was casual, fit for May weather. Goro wore sandals and had a T-shirt and pants on. His signature headband was nowhere in sight.
Kyo couldn't break free from the formation surrounding him. The men around him refused to yield. He only hoped Beni wouldn't overreact to seeing his father. There was so much that could give them away. All of them, except Goro.
They drew nearer and Beni saw him. Noticed Saisyu as well and something stirred in his face – the slightest flicker – before it went away in the next instant. He hoped his father hadn't seen it – had been distracted by the crowd. Anything to steer away his razor-sharp focus.
"Kyo!" His friend stepped forward. "Glad you made it!"
He advanced past his uncle. Uncle Hajime didn't stop him. Good. If he had, Kyo wouldn't have hesitated in elbowing his way past. "As if I'd pass up the chance!" Just play along for now – pretend he was only here for this. "Daimon! How's your family?"
"Doing well. How are you, Kyo?"
"Fine." Not really, but the less Goro knew, the better. "You ready to spar?"
The bigger man chuckled. "Ready when you are."
Beni gave him the briefest of glances. Kyo saw it but didn't acknowledge it. Not yet. "Let's get away from the crowd. Over there," he said, pointing at a patch of untaken grass. "Won't set it on fire, I promise."
"You always say that," Beni retorted, the levity in his voice undercutting his sarcasm.
"Mean it this time."
"Before we do, I need to piss. You?"
Oh, sneaky. "Now that you mention it, yeah. Been holding it in on the train."
"Not good for you. Come on."
He didn't look at his father, uncle, or cousin. If they were going to follow him, there wasn't anything he could do to stop them. The restrooms were in the main public building. Walking alongside Benimaru, he kept his eyes forward. Didn't glance to either side or behind him. Less suspicious that way. Also, if he was keeping up the pretense of being here just to hang with friends, why would he be worried about someone tailing him?
Once they got inside and within the restroom, which was fortunately empty, Beni strode past the urinals and went into the larger stall. Kyo took a quick glance around and followed him inside. Then, he realized Beni wasn't joking about needing to piss, so he looked away.
"Why's your dad here?"
"I don't know." Good to know Beni was asking the same question. "He dropped it on me two days ago."
"Why?"
"Hell should I know?" That was the problem. He didn't understand why. "I didn't say anything that could've –"
"Kyo, does he know?"
"He shouldn't. I didn't let anything slip."
"What if he just suspects? Because."
"Because what?"
His friend finished his business and zipped up. "Weird, isn't it? He just suddenly decides to join you. Why now? Why today?"
His gut sank. Something was wrong. Something was… "You don't mean –"
"Kyo, if he knows…"
"Yagami." Kyo looked at Benimaru and saw the same realization strike him. "He's not…he won't…"
"Shit. If he does…what the hell are you gonna do?"
"You know where he is, Beni?"
"We only got here a few minutes before you did. Would've looked odd if we disappeared."
"I need to find him."
"And then?"
"I won't be back, Beni. It won't be safe."
Benimaru stilled across from him. Went silent for a few seconds. "You realize –"
"I know. I can't leave him. Not this time."
"And Yuki?"
"She knows. We're done. She broke up with me."
His friend winced. Put his hand over his eyes. "Kyo, that's…" Benimaru sighed. "You need any help? Distractions?"
"If you can. Be careful, Beni. It'll be dangerous."
"They won't –"
"I know." Kyo headed for the stall door. "Thanks, Beni. I need to go."
"Daimon?"
"Tell him something. Dunno what. He's not a part of this, Beni."
Silence.
"Stay safe, Kyo. You and Yagami both."
Yagami was dying, but Beni didn't have to know that truth. "Thanks. We'll need it."
He opened the stall door, exited the restroom, and bolted out one of the side doors. Edged around the building to catch a glimpse of the other Kusanagi clan members. Immediately straightened, a frisson of alarm going off in his head. When they'd entered, there had been three: his father, uncle, and cousin. Now, he only saw two. His father and cousin.
Where was his uncle?
Shit, no! Did he already…was he…
Did his uncle – his father? – have the same idea? Find Yagami? Which meant his father knew? Or suspected? Which meant…
Shit! He didn't have time to ponder. If Uncle Hajime got to Iori first…
Kyo broke into a run, veering away from the wide open space. Iori was a solitary type – preferred the quieter places. Some place where Kyo couldn't see him. Foliage. Trees. Bushes. Hidden areas in the cool shade. Start looking there. He had to search and fast. He couldn't let Uncle Hajime beat him to the punch on that, because…
Iori wan and sweating, weak and exhausted on the couch.
The other man weeping against his shoulder, burdens too heavy to bear.
The expression of grief and suppressed desire etched in Iori's face that day. The day he couldn't remain behind with him. The day they finally met up after their forced absence.
Iori wasn't dying today. Not from Uncle Hajime, his father, or his clan.
Goddammit. Where are you, Yagami?
The first location he sought sheltered an elderly couple under some trees. They glanced at him as he approached, conversation interrupted. He apologized and sped off.
Wondered where his father and cousin were. Had they realized his disappearance and started looking for him? If so, he needed to move faster. Was Benimaru causing some commotion? Giving some reason for his sudden vanishing act? Would it even work?
I know he's here. He wouldn't miss it. He…
Location number two was vacant. There was a stone bench, but it was unoccupied without any sign of personal belongings. A spot no one decided to use yet.
The sun was hitting its zenith. Rising high and bringing the incoming noon heat.
Kyo wiped the sweat off his face. Continued searching.
Number three was taken by a gaggle of girls chatting and exchanging pictures on their phones. They exclaimed at his entrance. This time, he didn't apologize. Just ran out of there, swearing under his breath.
The more time he wasted, the more likely his uncle…
Uncle Hajime despised him. Despised and hated Iori despite Kyo's insistence that the other meant no harm. He was wasting time and his uncle was probably doing the same as him. Only, if his uncle discovered Iori before he did, there wouldn't be any mercy. What could Yagami do in his state against a man fully intent on inflicting additional pain? Death?
Come on, Yagami. Give me a sign you're here.
He continued looking. Empty spots and taken benches. Lovers, friends, schoolkids, men and women by themselves reading or enjoying the breeze. No sign of Yagami. Not in this area. The park was large, but not that big. Kyo abandoned the fruitless search and went elsewhere.
"Kyo Kusanagi!" His father bellowing out his name.
He didn't look back. Didn't want to risk it.
Crossed the grounds, ran straight ahead and encountered his cousin.
The younger man shifted into a firm stance, hands extended for battle. His jaw was set, chin jutting out and the furrow between his brows deepened, emphasizing deep-set eyes. "Don't do this, cousin."
He barely knew the guy. Didn't even know his name. "Get out of my way."
"You're making us lose face. Causing a ruckus."
Kyo didn't want to hear any nonsense about disturbing the peace or harmony or the usual social norms right now. He wanted this cousin of his out of his face, and who exactly was causing a commotion at this moment? His cousin was looking for a fight, not him. Sure, he could try to go around, but that'll have the other man at his back and that was an amateur's mistake.
"Get. Out. Of. My. Way. Now."
His cousin's jaw clenched tighter. His foot moved forward.
If that was the way he wanted it…
Kyo rushed ahead, already flowing into his well-ingrained footwork. Sliding into position, he met his cousin in the middle, stringing into the first of his punches. The other man blocked and then tried to counter with his own. Big mistake. Parrying his cousin's punch aside, he landed his second blow right into the other man's gut, doubling him over. His third and last cracked square into his cousin's left temple. Eyes rolling into the back of his head, the man dropped at his feet.
There was a presence behind him and then something else.
His sixth sense went off, alert at full blast.
He jumped, feet clearing the ground.
A tremor shook the ground, rattling small pebbles. Around him, people cried out in terror and there was a sound of someone falling. His father's voice splitting the air with a curse. Landing back on both feet, Kyo took off, dashing away from his unconscious cousin. Daimon had bought him some time – no one else could've done that – and his friend didn't even have to.
He wasn't sure what story Beni told him, but it didn't matter.
His teammates were helping him. That was enough.
Yagami! Where the hell are you?
He'd spent precious minutes fighting his cousin and in that interim, much could've happened. His uncle could've come across Yagami, could've…. Kyo gritted his teeth, banished the thought, and sprinted into the other side of the park. It was quieter here, cooler, and plenty of foliage shrouded the landscape in different shades of green.
Iori wouldn't miss this. He was punctual. If he wasn't on the other side, then…
He was here. Had to be.
The question was where?
He began searching as he had on the other side, swift and thorough. Water jetted from fountains behind him in the distance – he could hear them – and then the sounds disappeared when he ducked deeper into the secret areas of the park. Empty benches. The odd couple or person in a clearing by themselves. He moved on, continued looking, going from place to place until…
Until he ran into a small secluded space with a lone bench. He would've passed by, but for the fact that the dirt and grass here was flattened. He smelled the telltale stench of burnt hair and flesh. Felt his skin prickle, goosebumps rising. It was here. A closer look at the bench revealed bloodstains, some scarlet and wet and others dried rust-brown.
Yagami had been here. Where was he now?
And why the odor of charred…
He glanced off to the side and shuddered.
Marks in the grass. As though someone had been dragged on the ground through to the other…
Kyo clenched his jaw – his teeth hurt – and burst through the bushes, following the trails carved in the grass and dirt. Stopped as though jerked to a halt, a string yanking him to standstill.
Iori lying on his back, one feeble hand wrapped around Uncle Hajime's arm.
Uncle Hajime's hands around Iori's throat.
Blood on his uncle's torn sleeve. Scorch marks on the stained fabric.
Wetness in Iori's tortured gasps. Something was wrong with him.
All this Kyo processed in a split-second and then his world went red. Roaring – his uncle turned at the sound – he charged, bulldozing the older man over and away from Iori. Both of them tumbled, crashing into nearby greenery. Branches snapped. Leaves scattered. Kyo rolled to his feet, crimson haze still there, glaring with outright hatred at his uncle. Blood pounded in his temples – rhythm chaotic – and Uncle Hajime gave him a derisive sneer as he, too, recovered.
Behind him was violent coughing.
"Knew you're up to no good." His uncle jerked his chin upward, as if directing him to Iori's suffering. "Gonna fight me, nephew? For him?"
"What'd you do to him, uncle?"
Uncle Hajime's answering glare would've turned a lesser man to stone. "You see what he did to me?" The torn, blood-soaked and burnt sleeve. "Still think he's good, Kyo?"
"You attacked him first."
"You believe that? You'll always take his side, won't you?"
Red in his vision, hovering. Iori's coughs were wet. Something was wrong – he'd been injured and in a dire way. "What did you do to him?"
"What should've been done before."
Kyo lost it.
Launched himself at his uncle, fists flying. Rage consumed him; the pulsating in his head hammered against his skull, throbbing. There wasn't any Uncle Hajime anymore. Just a man he hated – wanted dead. His blows failed to land. The other man sidestepped, parrying his punches with ease. It wasn't supposed to happen this way. Wasn't…
Air driven out of his lungs.
The ground meeting his knees.
His uncle's fingers twisting tight in his hair, yanking his head back. "Always knew he turned you."
"Let him go, Hajime."
Saisyu's voice in the small space, commanding.
Kyo's stomach plummeted. Uncle Hajime released him and stepped aside.
Ice in his veins, blood running cold. Across from him – close and yet too far – Iori lay pinned beneath his father's foot, which applied pressure between the other's shoulders. Blood on Iori's face; his pallor drawn and stark, worse than when Kyo last saw him. Yagami's hands splayed out before him, fingers limp. Was he still alive? Or was he…
"You remember what I told you last time, Iori Yagami."
A faint tremor shook the fallen man's body.
"Brother, where's –"
"Rei's currently unable to join us. He'll be some time recovering."
"From what?"
His father's stare bored into him. "From Kyo."
Silence. Kyo sensed rather than saw his uncle's attention slew towards him. "Did he?"
"Unfortunately, yes."
"A traitor through and through. You'll let Shizuka-san know?"
"Of course."
Just then, a voice the barest of whispers spoke. "Kyo…"
His father's reaction was immediate and savage. The foot atop Iori's back rose and stomped down; Yagami emitted a small cry and then fell silent. Tears pricked Kyo's eyes, yet he didn't look away.
"Hajime, take Kyo home."
"Yagami?"
"I'll deal with him."
Pain the knife in his heart. "No. You won't." Kyo rose to his feet, ignoring the soreness from where Uncle Hajime struck him. His intent was always to leave with Yagami – to protect him, to watch over him until the end. It was the plan he'd thought about telling his mother, but decided was too early to reveal. Now, only the bitterest opposition would suffice. Let them think him a traitor – he didn't care anymore.
"Hajime."
Movement from his left. Kyo shifted stance, repositioning himself.
Ducked to avoid the incoming fist. Saisyu circling on his right. Iori lying on trampled grass, silent and still. Kyo bit the inside of his cheek, tasting blood. His father at his back. That needed to change. Twisting his body, hurling it skyward, Kyo launched himself over his uncle. Upon landing, he spread his feet apart. Resumed his stance and anchored himself there.
His uncle was the first again to clash with him, tendrils of flame flickering from his fists. Kyo blocked high, shifted to divert the fist aimed at his midsection, parried that aside, and drove his own blow home. Uncle Hajime staggered back; however, he didn't fall. In that split second, Saisyu dove in, preceded by a rippling wave of flame.
Kyo countered, Orochinagi sweeping ahead.
Both Kusanagi flames vanished, devouring each other.
Through this, Saisyu's leg swept out, aiming for his face. Kyo hurried back a few steps, but the edge of his father's shoe grazed his cheek. He winced – blood had been drawn. Already, his father completed the revolution of his movement, turning into another. He couldn't retreat too far – didn't want to lose sight of the battleground or Yagami – but if he didn't create more space, his guard was going to break. If his father got within his guard…
He wasn't going to lose. Couldn't afford to.
Yagami. Yagami was…
Got his hands up in time to block the upward strike. His father was too close. This was dangerous. Kyo dropped low, lashing out with his feet to bring his father down. Saisyu toppled, but when Kyo scrambled up, Uncle Hajime was there to meet him. Only fast footwork saved him from taking two punches to the head, which would've knocked him out. Wetness streaked down his face, falling damp onto his shirt.
He set his jaw.
Charged his uncle – saw his eyes widen – grabbed and threw him.
The thud of his landing was satisfying.
But now his father was back on his feet and heading straight for him.
Kyo backpedaled, steering his steps towards Yagami, who still hadn't made a sound. His heart clenched, hurt. If Iori was lying dead there, then…then all this was…
No. Don't think that. Not now.
Saisyu roared in, fist flying. Kyo dodged, sidestepping the attack. The punch sailed past him, speed rippling the folds of his shirt. His father's enraged eyes. Again, too close. What must he do to shake him?
He countered with fire, mindful of the foliage around him. Kept the flames small.
His father's answering arc – flame whipping high, heat like a blade.
Kyo turned aside, was forced to shield his face.
A beefy forearm looped around his neck. Yanked him backwards. His heels scrabbled in the grass and dirt, trying to find purchase. Uncle Hajime behind him, arm pulling tight.
"That's enough, nephew."
It wasn't.
He opened his mouth but it wasn't in retort. With a loud grunt, Kyo flung his weight backward, driving both him and his uncle to the ground. His elbow rammed into Uncle Hajime's gut on the way down, expelling the older man's breath. Extricating himself, Kyo threw several quick and hard punches in succession to the other's face. Blood and bruises, sounds of pain…
His arm seized, wrenched back in its socket.
"Enough, Kyo."
Saisyu. His father. His wrist in a bruising grip with fingers that wouldn't let go.
"We're going home. And then you –"
Crackling in the air. Static charge. The hairs rising on the back of his neck.
"RAIKOKEN!"
Kyo pulled himself free, quickly, before the lightning attack connected. His father made a sound – limbs going spastic – and collapsed behind him, falling with a soft thud. Only then did Kyo turn. Only then did he assess the scene – take in the sight of Benimaru and Goro there and realize what his friend had done. Both of them stood there, looking down at his father and uncle sprawled in the grass. Benimaru offered him a hand.
"Kyo, you okay?"
"I…" He took Benimaru's hand but forgot whatever he meant to say. Letting go, he scampered to his feet and tore off towards the other fallen man in the grass. The one who truly mattered – the reason why he was here.
Iori lay with his cheek pressed to the blood-sodden grass, eerily quiet. Kyo turned him over, mindful of possible injuries and hissed when the grating sound of broken bone shattered the silence. The redhead didn't move, didn't open his eyes – was unconscious, withdrawn into a place beyond pain. Kyo placed a gentle hand upon the other's ribcage, prodding carefully through the bloodstained shirt. Iori's lower ribs on his left side were cracked, the curve of his chest caved in. It explained a lot about his breathing, which was faint.
It also meant the worst.
"Fuck," Kyo said, having nothing else he could say.
He sensed Benimaru and Goro behind him, but didn't turn around.
Iori was dying – the hours closing in fast – and he hadn't been able to say anything to him. Hadn't been able to – had to fight, to defend; yet, his uncle's lethal intent had been done, despite all his best efforts. Already, through the angry red imprints on Iori's neck, Kyo glimpsed the darkening of multiple bruises. Uncle Hajime's hands closed around Iori's throat.
Iori's breathed word. His name.
Kyo closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and bowed his head.
Silence around him and in this hidden place, it was heavy and still and unchanging. No wind, no sound – nothing. Time suspended, so long as he remained here.
But he couldn't stay. Not now. Not like this.
He opened his eyes. Gathered Iori into his arms – the other limp, weight of no consequence – and stood.
"Kyo," Benimaru said behind him, "where will you go?"
"I don't know," he said, gazing down at Iori, whose pallor was turning gray. "But he's not dying here. Not with them here. Not…"
Took a shuddering breath. Held back his tears.
"Don't worry about us, Kyo. Do what you have to."
He nodded.
"Thanks, Beni. Daimon."
Silence around him like a shroud – gentle, even with this coming to an end.
He left and didn't look back.