To the Darkest of Nights We Go

~Dystopian AU ~

Chapter 75

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


The magatama was smooth, unchanging, and a solid weight in his hand. Kyo kept rubbing his thumb over the curved edge, as though the repetitive motion offered a form of comfort. The Yata mirror around his neck, next to the locket with Yuki's picture. Mementos of his dead and he was alone with them, staring at the wall, the stairs, and the landing below.

There were loud sounds above and to the left of him, but he couldn't discern the voices or what they said. It probably mattered little, anyway.

With Yagami dead, Kyo cast his wandering thoughts back to when it all began. To when things began to change in drastic and desperate ways, O.R.O.C.H.I. solidifying its hold over Osaka. How Chizuru, sometimes despairing of his and Iori's bullheaded rivalry, left them to sort out their differences. That was early on before the culling and bloodshed.

Before Yuki died, leaving him bereft.

Before Yagami's bandmates died, leaving the other enraged.

Before Iori's mishap at Shinsaibashi as O.R.O.C.H.I. started building their stronghold there. How their rivalry lost its edge and became reshaped into something else – something stronger, binding, and selfless.

"You should've let me help." Iori's blood on his hands, dark against the other's shirt.

"Didn't realize they…" The redhead coughed, spattering a light spray of crimson across the paleness of his palm. "Thought it was just…"

The injury wasn't fatal, but either someone scored a lucky shot – likely – or had seen Iori and targeted him. Less likely, because if O.R.O.C.H.I. knew where he was, Yagami would be dead or captured by now. It was fortunate Iori had his earpiece with him, which was how he managed to send a hurried distress call to them back in headquarters.

Kyo had wasted no time in dropping everything and rushing over.

"I've got you," he said, keeping his voice low. "Kagura-san's waiting for us to return. Lean on me. We'll get out of this."

"To think a Kusanagi would save me…"

"Shhh. Talk later. Let's go before they find us."

Iori hadn't seen him the same way since and delivered on his end when Kyo later found himself in dire straits. Their teamwork improved – joint fighting skills honed in the battlefield – and bickering over stupid inconsequential things tapered off and then stopped. Kagura-san was pleased, no longer having to plead or force their hand into mutual cooperation.

"Will you be assisting each other today?" The older woman – only two years their senior – smiled, placing an earpiece in his hand. Chizuru looked tired, but they'd accomplished a lot during the previous week and now, he and Iori intended on heading back into Shinsaibashi for yet another attempt. To say she was glowing wasn't inaccurate – Chizuru beamed with approval.

"O.R.O.C.H.I.'s laying more groundwork in Shinsaibashi," he said, fitting the small device in his ear and adjusting it. "We have to stop them before they get stronger."

"So scorched earth tactics?"

"If we must." Iori's instincts were keen and his fighting finesse deadlier than ever. If they stood a chance to stop their enemy in their tracks, Kyo needed his former rival. They guarded each other's backs well and their version of literal firepower was enough to melt certain obstacles. "Maybe we can rebuild the locale once we drive them out."

"Good luck. Where's Yagami-san?"

"Getting some last minute preparations ready."

"Come back safely. I'm glad it's all behind you."

"Our rivalry?"

"Yes." Dark eyes, dark hair. A shirt that needed replacing. Kyo slotted it into his mind to find a suitable blouse for Chizuru during his next supply run. "You work better together without it."

Kyo was about to reply when Iori's voice interrupted his train of thought. "You ready?" The redhead handed him a small bag full of medical supplies, expression serious.

He nodded.

Shinsaibashi hadn't buckled down to them – Orochi's forces gaining ground quickly and amassing men and weapons in alarming quantities – and their third attempt ended in disaster. Routed, he and Iori fled, taking refuge in several abandoned buildings and tending to each other's wounds. Scrapes, bruises, and lacerations were majority of their injuries. Kyo had suffered two grazes from bullets narrowly missing a direct strike on his limbs.

Iori, suffice to say, had been relieved he was okay.

The other's touch was gentle, applying disinfectant to the ugly gashes. They looked worse than they hurt, Kyo thought even as Iori reached into his bag for bandages. There was a bloodstained strip of cloth around Iori's head, where a piece of shrapnel had cut his left temple open. They'd destroyed some heavy artillery but not without consequences.

"Flex," Yagami said, cutting a length of bandage free with his other hand.

Kyo complied, tightening his grazed bicep and watched as the other man worked in deft silence. He followed Yagami's unspoken instructions, only laying back to rest after his wounds were tended to. Their impromptu safe house didn't have much; yet, it was some distance away from Shinsaibashi and clean enough. They couldn't go back to headquarters yet, for it was still too risky. Maybe after a few more days of hiding.

"How are you feeling?" he asked Iori, for the man had taken position by the door, keeping first watch. The sun was midway down the sky, early harsh light mellowing.

"Bit dizzy." At least the shrapnel didn't give Yagami a head-on lobotomy. "It'll go away."

"I might be getting used to this."

"To what?"

"Your ministrations." Iori's mouth gaped open before closing, which was subtly amusing. "No, I'm serious."

"Save your compliments, Kyo."

"Can't take one, huh?"

"Tch."

"Fine, whatever. Thanks again, though."

Chizuru had been in considerable panic at their radio silence, but had consoled herself with the fact that they were together. Days later, disheveled and recovering, they hauled themselves back. The priestess hovered over them, making sure they weren't feverish or suffering further complications until both he and Iori commiserated with each other. Soon enough, Kagura-san gave them space, which they were grateful for.

Then came the days when their food supply ran low.

Shinsaibashi was a lost cause, but they tried again, stubborn to a fault.

Nothing was gained from it – rations or weapons – and they admitted to a bitter defeat. It was the first time Iori looked unsure and Kyo couldn't say anything to ease his mind. Instead, they focused on scrounging for food, for the threat of starvation loomed in their future.

Amidst all this, Chizuru soothed their fears.

"We'll divide what we have carefully." She looked at him and then turned to Iori, her face calm and reflective like her mirror. "If we eat less, we'll have enough for the next two months."

"That's barely any at all." Iori's voice was low, a deep rasp. Uncertainty lingered in him, a definite scar from their failed self-imposed missions to take back their prefecture. "We can't do anything with that amount."

"You and Kusanagi-san continue your joint food runs."

"And?"

"Leave the rationing to me, Yagami-san." Concern slipped into Chizuru's voice. The woman laid a hand on Iori's arm. "Are you all right? You seem…worried."

"Are we to wait and starve? Kill ourselves before Orochi does?"

"You take care of Kusanagi-san and he'll do the same for you. I'll watch out for all of us. Promise." A smile, meant to offer solace. "The war's not over yet, Yagami-san. Don't give up now."

"I'm not. Just…"

"It's hard, I understand. You're used to getting your way. To winning. But that doesn't always work."

An altering in Iori's face – something naked and vulnerable in his eyes for a fleeting second. It was gone before Kyo could register what it was. The other man nodded, a stiff motion and then moved away. Headed for their small sleeping quarters. Kyo watched him leave and then turned back to Chizuru, whose gaze had shifted to him.

"Are you all right, Kusanagi-san?"

"Better than he is." He lifted his hand and scratched the back of his neck. "We can't take back Shinsaibashi."

"Then don't. It's not worth the risk. You've tried your best."

"Tell that to him. It's…more personal for him."

"He doesn't like admitting loss."

"No." Once again, Kyo glanced down the narrow hallway towards where Iori had headed. Silence and he wondered what Yagami was doing. "We thought we could brute force it. Couldn't. It's not easy…knowing that."

A look of sympathy. "Keep him company. He's not alone."

Kyo nodded. Made to leave.

"Oh, Kusanagi-san?"

"Yes?"

"Whatever you and Yagami-san find, we'll put into the ration pile. I won't let us starve."

"I know you won't." He trusted Kagura-san. She'd been right about everything all along – if only he hadn't been so boneheaded to miss the obvious signs. "Good night, Kagura-san."

"Thank you."

Kyo groaned, leaning forward and buried his face in his hands. The magatama slipped, pressing against his cheek and he kept it there, unwilling to shift its position. When they were three – when Kagura-san and Yagami used to be alive – and they united against Orochi, they had strength and resilience. Chizuru kept him and Iori sane, managed the parts they couldn't and delegated responsibilities. When she died, he felt it spiral away and with Yagami broken, everything headed for ruin.

With Iori's death, Kyo felt whatever remained was lost.

All that was left was him and three treasures.

He barely clung on, life becoming automatic and the world was seen as though through a thin veil. Unreal. As if he didn't belong here – shouldn't. He felt like an imposter, carrying the remnants – the physical reminders – of the other two.

It wasn't fair. Nothing was.

All that stood between the world's end and Orochi was him.

The sword of the Kusanagi – that bitter unwanted destiny.

Tears slid down his face, unchecked. Three treasures and what was he? Living while the others were gone?

He remained seated on the stairs, heard sounds pass him by, and couldn't stop crying. The jewel was cool to the touch against his face, now wet.

Chizuru looked at them and smiled. "Kusanagi-san. Yagami-san."

He returned her gaze and saw Iori do the same, showing mild surprise. The other man had been fiddling with a headset and now his hands were still, the device in his lap.

"What is it, Kagura-san?" Kyo asked, curious.

"I'm thinking we can celebrate a little today."

"What for?" Yagami said beside him, the curtness in his tone softened by astonishment.

"I feel we're actually a team now."

He and Iori exchanged a glance, which they both redirected at Chizuru in silent unity. Whatever they did seemed to please her, because she looked happy. With elegant strides, she crossed the small space over to them and laid a hand on each one of their shoulders.

"Like that," she said and it took a few seconds for it to sink in for Kyo. Iori stared at him, also realizing how their joint action was interpreted, opened his mouth and then closed it. "Yagami-san, don't deny it. You're one of us. You belong here."

"Not denying anything."

"So, uh…" Kyo cleared his throat. "How are we celebrating?"

"You've brought back some interesting rations. Why don't we sample them?"

"A feast, then?"

"Hardly." Kagura-san laughed. "But it is something new."

"Could do with a change," Iori grumbled, headset forgotten.

"Thank you, Yagami-san. So, how about it, Kusanagi-san? Shall we?"

Chizuru's smile was contagious; Kyo returned his own, feeling strangely lighthearted. "Why not?"