Things where heating up; the Kingdom of Science was preparing for the winter according to his trusted spies, but they were also doing other things in between. Tsukasa wanted answers, but most of all he wanted one main thing. He wanted it more than the loyal gang of ruffians he ruled over; it was something he knew he needed more than everything else. This one thing had become an obsession; the one opponent that would not bend to his will, or power. He wanted it capture this person; to cage them, and in time break them. He touched the cracks on his face and thought back to a time not too long ago.
His voice gruff and menacing. "So swear on your life that from now until forever, you'll stop trying to create a scientific civilization for mankind."
Tsukasa stared down at the shorter guy; he was not surprised to see those crimson eyes locked on his own. The fire behind the younger man made him appear to be glowing. He had given Senku an ultimatum; don't bring back everyone, just the young and pure of heart.
Tsukasa never once wondered about his own tainted heart. "Do that Senku, and I won't have to kill you!"
He watched Senku think, but he already knew what the genius's answer would be. He did not want to kill the other teen, but he never wanted to be used like he had been over 3700 years ago. Only his sister knew the kind caring person he really was and wanted to be. His fans and supporters only knew and cared about his strength and what profit he could win for them in the arenas. He was a piece of meat, and an animal they could cage and order around to do their bidding. Senku and Taiju had never once commanded him to do anything he did not want to. They had lived together, worked together, and bonded over survival in this Stone World.
He watched Senku think and he felt his own features soften. "Senku, I won't kill you if I don't have to." Seeing that handsome face lost in thought; Tsukasa averted his eyes a bit. "So swear to me here and now; swear that you'll give up on science."
"That's the only thing I could never so." Senku simply replied with a stunning confident smile.
Tsukasa really did not want to kill Senku; the odd kid had stirred feelings in him that he had never felt before, Senku had earned respect by what he did for everyone around him. Tsukasa couldn't help but like the smaller guy, but he could not agree with the plan to revive everyone. Tsukasa for only the second time in his life; he felt like he was going to cry; but he fought this feeling to maintain his tough lion-like intimidation.
Tsukasa looked up and then smiled slightly. "Right, I knew that'd be your answer."
"Don't give me that crap. No matter what I said; you would've killed me someday, just in case." Senku rationalized with a smirk.
Tsukasa couldn't help but agree; Senku not doing science was like trying to get a fish to breathe air. The two teens looked at each other both locked in on their exchange; neither teens cared that Yuzuriha had called out for Taiju moments ago.
"Try to finish me in one hit, Kay? It wouldn't be logical to have blood gushing everywhere." Senku said as he cracked his neck.
The genius did that a lot; especially when he was getting excited, Tsukasa figured he was now posturing.
Tsukasa couldn't even muster a confident anything; he shaded his eyes with his dark hair. "Don't worry, I'll snap your cervical plexus in one blow." He looked at Senku. "You'll lose consciousness and die instantly." There were facts in his words but no strength in his voice. "I won't make you suffer, and I won't miss."
Wind and warmth from the fire swirled all around them; Senku radiated nothing but calm confidence even in the face of death, and Tsukasa couldn't help but smile as he thought one more thing.
Tsukasa moved towards Senku. "Senku, if we had only met 3700 years sooner, if we'd met before this planet became a stone world." Tsukasa cleared the his from his eyes which now were clear and full of hope. "You just might've been my first friend ever."
"Maybe." Senku replied his eyes catching Tsukasa's brown ones again.
The look was pure serenity and the smile was true and kind. Tsukasa was crumbling inside but he felt he needed to do this. Sensku never moved once as the 'Strongest Primate High Schooler' readied to strike; he knew Senku would not flinch, or beg, or try to run. Tsukasa struck the other boy and knew the hit was on the mark; Senku started to fall backwards on to the rocks. Taiju reappeared and caught his friend; on the other side Yuzuriha was sobbing, and now so was Taiju.
Tsukasa wanted to join them, but he callously said. "He felt no pain, and I trust as his friends you will give him a proper burial."
The big fracas with the gunpowder happened immediately after that; he touched the burn scar on his chest and sighed. He smiled as he thought about the impressions Senku left on people inside and out. It was more than blind obedience it was his way that he amazed you every single day with honesty, facts, and amazement.
One of his scouts came back and shook him out of his reverie. He filled him in about what was going on in the other place; they had already attacked the village twice, but Senku's smarts had foiled their plan before too much destruction could be way-laid. The villagers were nearly done rebuilding and were toiling away; also he was handed a treat he had not thought about in a long time, it was cotton candy. It was pure and sweet and melted in his mouth; outwardly his expression never changed, but inside he was swooning. Tsukasa was taken aback that Senku was alive, but he also was glad. Out of everyone here in this new world the only opponent worthy of Tsukasa's full attention was Senku; this was going to be exciting he thought with a smirk. He got up from his seat and left everyone in his gang to prepare for the coming cold; he had other fish to fry, and plans for a little hunting and trapping perhaps.