Title: Bond
Summary: After the deal of Death and Aroon, the allies actually become closer. This was a calm before storm- because they knew what was coming next.
Word Count: 3426
Notes: As usual, Lotus/Hanako and Rin belong to polar-stars in tumblr and Cancion/Emile belongs to polar-star-dorks! I'm happy that I was finally able to do this chapter because bonding time is actually really fun to write! [Plus the next chapter will have some serious parts so! And the last chapter and the one before that gave a serious vibe jkbdfg]
Also thank you IceColdSea for your review! 3 3 I'm still very happy you love this AU! 3 3
A mission came in, and the only thing that stayed in the mind of Nene was worry. She didn't know if everyone would be able to cooperate with one another, and hell- she hasn't mastered the gun yet. The moment Lotus explained there was something that was going to happen, she knew that she had to be ready for the day. Even if she tried her best to prepare herself mentally. she couldn't bring herself to: She couldn't.
It was another way of risking lives, but this time there was no choice of only "escape". The letter sent to them was a threat- a letter of "fight to the death". They wouldn't let the allies escape that easily from the situation, so they had no choice but to aim for them first. They had no choice but to plan ahead and attacked the enemies first... Would they survive?
She began shaking her head, snapping out of her thoughts. It was nonsense to think about negative things right now- at the moment, she had to focus on what was around. Her eyes opened slowly to spot a female holding her knife, looking at her with her crimson eyes. "Misses Eizan, is there something wrong?" She asks, her voice rather blunt.
"I'm fine." Nene answers, trying to ease down her thoughts. She lied because she didn't want to worry the other. Gaia hid her knife and she turned around. Maybe she was able to read her lies? Hopefully, she wasn't like Death who would piss off at her if he knew she was lying.
"You were worried. I don't know what caused it- but I know that you were." With this, Gaia left the room without any "goodbye" or "see you" but instead- "I'll call your husband to make you calmer." The little comment of hers made Nene fluster a bit. Really? Is that going to be his permanent nickname to her?
The door was closed and just seconds later, a male banged the door open, looking worried.
"HOW DID YOUR CHEST GET STABBED, WOMAN?!" He was sweating and it seemed like he ran to the door. He was breathing heavily while going closer to observe her.
"I didn't get stabbed?" Nene was confused by his sudden reaction. Didn't Gaia tell him that she was worried? Who told him she got stabbed? He noticed how firm Eizan gripped her, even looking at her whole figure.
"Then why the fuck did she says that you were stabbed in the chest?!" He shouted and the girl who told him that just a moment ago peeped from the door before doing a "peace" sign with her fingers and leaving. "Goddamnit, she probably meant it in her own shitty figurative way."
"She did. But do you believe that I'll be stabbed so easily? I believe that you're underestimating me." She sighed and Eizan just "tched". She raised an eyebrow at his reaction.
"Is it bad that I worry about you easily? I have to protect you."
Nene just stared at his eyes for a moment and she noticed how serious he was. "It isn't bad." She answers. "But if you want me safe, you have to trust me." After those words came out of her mouth, she saw the man placed a cigarette in his mouth and light it up.
"Of course I trust you."
Once the two went out the room, they saw their fellow allies talking to each other. They noticed that there was something that was pretty odd about the situation. Aroon was walking around in circles as he read the plans. He would normally sit down and listen, but there was something that he realized.
"We won't be able to actually enter this area unless we could get permission from a higher-up. The people we're up against is pretty clever." Aroon was the one talking and once he flipped the page, he was skimming through the text. "There's only one person who I know that will be able to give us some fake letters to enter this area."
Lotus nodded her head, agreeing with his idea. "I'm well informed that it would hard to get the access of the area, but the people who sent a threat to us would never expect us to attack from this side." She explained why she chose that place. "However, I'm pretty confused. Who can we possibly meet up to get this permission you mentioned?"
Aroon looked aside for a moment, and it was to look at Death, who was crossing his legs. "I believe he know that someone as well. Gaia and Cross as well." He stopped talking and he handed the files back to Lotus. "But thank you for the plans. I'm sure that we'll follow as it said in the papers. If it's okay with you, may you repeat it for the couple who was busy in the room?"
Kuga suddenly whistled after he brought this up. "What was Greedy Shit and his fiance doing in that room." He smirked. "I wonder~!" Suddenly, Kuga felt a bullet pass in front of his face. "Get a better aim, ya shit!" He yelled at Eizan, even having a grin on his face and before Eizan was able to shoot again- Nene sighed.
"We should listen to what Lotus has to tell us before you two start shooting each other again." She rolls her eyes before looking at the female who was currently holding paper. "Lotus, if you may- can you kindly tell us the plans for the mission?"
"Of course." She says before smiling. "I would want everyone to know how it goes for it to be perfect anyway." She was always a perfectionist when it came to her plans, so she would always discuss it so no one would mess it up. Eizan soon followed that Nene said, but he glared at Kuga for some second before doing so.
"I swear I'll shoot you later."
"If you can, fucker!"
Isshiki pulled him back by the shoulder before smiling nervously. "Not now, Kuga... They really have to listen. This is our first mission with the rest, we don't want to cause any problems." He was much more considerate than the person protecting him, and he was often considered as the peacemaker between the two.
"Fine." Kuga huffed before leaning on the chair. "Whatever you say, Mister All Smiles." Surprisingly, he was obedient to him. It was probably because he knew he was right. There was a plan to follow like always, but there was a difference. It wasn't an escape plans like usual, but it was a plan to eliminate someone. "But I better be able to have fun after it's explained."
Canción smiled at Kuga and nodded his head. "Don't worry! We will have fun! I know that Death has prepared his cards, so we might be able to play!" He completely misunderstood the concept of "fun" is to Kuga, but he didn't want to ruin the happy mood of Canción.
"Yeah, cards seem fun!" Kuga quickly replied. "It's like a game with the mind and shit like that. Maybe you can play the guitar while some of us play, unless you want to play with us, Guitar boy!" Despite his fun being different from his since it was annoying Eizan in general, he really didn't mind what Canción had in mind.
"You guys can play. I'll love to play my guitar to an audience!"
Isshiki was listening to their conversation and he smiled at the two. At first, he was pretty worried that Kuga may not be able to get along with anyone too much- but it seemed that he was doing the small favor pretty well. As of now, he seemed to be able to communicate with anyone inside the gang of Aroon.
"You seem rather enthusiastic, Isshiki." A male with long blonde hair sat beside him. "I haven't seen you for a couple of months, and I'm glad I'm able to be in your presence again!" He grinned happily and Isshiki turned his head to look at Shot- however, he was already aware of his real name. He was someone who tried to aim for him before, but his goal changed ever since he joined X-terminate.
"I am pretty happy, Julio... I mean, Shot." He wasn't used to calling him the latter since he always knew the male was Julio Shiratsu. However, he had to get used to this already before he says his name in front of somebody who wasn't an ally.
"You should get used to that code name, we're going out together soon!" It was quite weird that someone like him seemed like a fan of Isshiki even if he used to aim for his head. It must be because he saw the true potential of Isshiki some time ago.
"Don't worry. I will!" Even if it may be quite fast-paced, he didn't mind the change. "I'll keep your code name in my mind."
"You better! If not, I'll feel like I'm forgotten by one of the greatest males in the world!"
"Thank you for the compliment, Shot!"
Kuga looked back at Isshiki for a moment to notice that there was another person near him. "Hey. Pst. Who was Butt-chin-kun again?"
"Shot." Bullet replied, but she was currently leaning on the wall and acting cool. "That's his name." She fixed her shades and Canción only looked behind him before his face lit up.
"Hi, Bullet! Why don't you come and sit with us?" He moved a bit to give her space and she raised her hand to signal that she didn't need to sit down. He went back to his previous position. "Is there something you're doing?"
Bullet nodded her head, as she began staring to a distance again. "Yes. I am. It's something very important to I and Death. I'm currently observing Etsuya Eizan and Nene Eizan as they listen to Hanako. I have to see if there are any romantic gestures or the alike."
"Are you and Death making a research project about Greedy Shit and his cranky wife?"
"No. Not quite, but now that you mention it... Maybe I could suggest that to him." Bullet liked the comment of Kuga, thinking that she should have been doing that with Death much earlier. "Thank you for your idea."
"Well, I can help you with that." It was a funny thing that Kuga actually considering to help them. "If I go out drinking with Greedy Shit and Stupid Red Hair Clips again- there might be some new information you'll get."
"Oh! Later when we play cards, I can play a romantic song and you can observe what their gestures are! If I notice something, I'll tell you as well!"
"Thank you for your support." She really appreciated both of them for their offers. "Be sure to give every information about these two being romantic together." Maybe it was because of her that people were added in the group of people who knew that the "engaged couple" will end up falling in love for real.
Death was watching Gaia set some food on the table. "Do you need some help?" He asks and she only shakes her head. He didn't know why she never asked for help even if there were a lot of people to serve. "So you want me to just sit here and watch as you do that?"
"Yes. Sit there." She replies before she placed down the dish. "This is the only time where I feel like my family members are around me again. I prepared them food and set the table all the time. This chore makes me feel as if they're alive."
There was silence between the two and he decided to go close to her, giving her a small pat on her head. "Sorry. I wasn't able to do anything." He hid the little sadness he felt in him as he always kept on a tough and threatening side most of the time. There were times where he showed how he really acted, and it was only to a couple of people. Aroon was definitely one of them, and she was one of them too.
"It's... not your fault." She allowed him to pat her head, her expression not changing. "So don't blame yourself." Once he placed his hand away, Cross was seen on the opposite side of the room. By instinct, she threw a knife at the direction of Cross who quickly got the knife with their hand. "Cross?"
"Yeah." They shrugged. "It's me. Who else is a ginger with blue eyes like mine?" They went in the situation. "But Gaia is right. You shouldn't be blaming yourself, leader. And Gaia, you shouldn't blame yourself either. No one should blame anyone in this room. Just blame the murderer. The mastermind."
"You're always so logical. That's why you're the first member I recruited, Cross!"
The scenario which may have turned out sadder changed, and it was because of Cross. "Sure, sure- Whatever."
Gaia listened as the two continued to converse and it was just continuous compliments from Death and Cross replying with almost no emotion. Little acts like this always made her feel like she was back in the past. Masae hid her mouth with her hands so she wouldn't show her little smile. "I like this feeling." Cross and Death looked back at the petite woman for a moment, and they noticed that she had some tears on the corner of her eyes.
"Ah shit. We're doomed. Aroon is going to kill us. Bye world. Let me ascend into heaven and watch the marriages of the couples from there and-"
"You're exaggerating, dear god..."
Gaia couldn't control herself and she ended up giving a little laugh.
Times like this, she treasured it a lot.
"Target, what are you doing? Come back inside." Raven pulled him back inside, a bit pissed he'd do something like that. "We're not allowed to show ourselves to public.
"I was defending the front porch." Target had a big figure who looked like he could take several hits, but she was still upset with his action because him being seen can give out their location.
"And risking to be seen? Think properly." The two were inside the house of Aroon and the female looked rather pissed. She let go of the man and he instantly went to the living room couch to sit there. Before she could scold him further, Sukiru was seen coming in the room.
A bit worried about what was going on, he raised a question. "Is there a problem?" He was someone who acted kind to all the allies and Raven just went past him, ignoring the question.
"He's the problem."
"That woman-!"
The door was shut behind her and she closed her eyes to sigh. The moment her eyes opened again, she spotted Aroon talking to Lotus. "Oh." She softly said these words and decided to stay in place, hoping she won't be noticed.
Aroon was looking at Lotus jotting down notes as he continued to talk. "We're supposed to be there by 11AM asap or else she's cutting off our deal. She's always been strict with time." She nodded her head as she continued to write. "So we have to inform everyone inside the alliance to wake up early or else we can't go with the plan. Let's announce it after dinner."
"Understood, Leader." She stopped on her tracks the moment he decided to place his head on her shoulder. She froze up and her face became slightly red. "That was sudden... Do you have any problem with that woman?"
"No. I do not. It's that I've been thinking a lot recently." He began sitting on a chair and Lotus decided to sit in front of him. "I've talked about it with Death, but it's thoughts I can't really tell anyone but him."
"You don't need to tell me." She replies. "But I hope you know that no matter what, I'll stick by your side." She didn't know what words would be the best to calm him down, but those words seemed to do the trick since the male suddenly wrapped his arms around her.
"Being with you makes me feel calmer, so I hope you don't mind me resting for a bit."
"Leader, you always act like everything is fine with you..." Her face got a bit redder because of his closeness, but she allowed him to do this. She even hugged him back. "Here, rest for a moment. Even for a couple of minutes." She felt him nuzzling to her and she even heard a soft "thank you".
For some minutes, Aroon was just staying on her and she only ruffled his hair as he did. Raven observed them throughout the whole thing until Aroon went up and looked at her direction. "Raven, were you there the whole time?" Quickly, Lotus coughed and tried to change the topic.
"Ignore the question." She didn't want to hear the answer because she could have seen her flustering over the male. "We should go eat dinner, Gaia is probably done."
He began laughing. "Whatever you say, my flower." He went off of her and began walking out the door. "If you tell Death about this, I'm shooting you."
"Rodger. But do you like her?"
"Confidential. We should eat."
The group was already on one long table that was set by a couple of people eating together.
"We know we'll be in a wild ride in three days, but let's have a great dinner anyway." Death chuckled as he raised his glass. "The food was blessed by Gaia herself and the drinks were made by yours truly. Be careful, one of the glasses has poison!"
For a moment the group stopped chatting and Death immediately showed a frown. "What? It was a joke."
"That was a terrible joke, Death. 3 out of 10 for the effort." Eizan replied and Death only rolled his eyes.
"You're just no fun! I wouldn't poison anyone! Well.. At least not any of you." He began sipping his alcohol. "I promise~!"
Nene sighed softly and Eizan took a sip from her drink. "What are you doing?"
"Checking if it's poison." Eizan muttered before placing her glass back down. The moment he looked up- he saw Bullet with a camera, Kuga grinning and Aroon just chuckling while highfiving Death.
"An indirect kiss?" Canción brought up while tilting his head while Gaia thought for a while before nodding with what he said. "That's actually pretty soft!"
"It seems soft. I believe it's soft. Therefore, it's soft."
"THIS WAS A TRICK, WASN'T IT?!"
Before anyone could fight during dinner, Nene sighed and continued to eat. "Etsuya, we should eat now. Didn't Aroon mention there will be an announcement after we eat?"
"Oh damn, she went first name! You have to follow her, Eizan!"
"Aroon, you fucking bastard."
After a couple of minutes of talking to one another and eating- they all finished. "So what were you going to tell us, Aroon?" Isshiki finally brings up this question, and he began to explain.
"We should get up at 8 and prepare everything by 9. Once it's 9:30 we should leave this place. We have to get the permission slip as I've said before."
"So who are we meeting, leader?" Sukiru asks this and Aroon begins running his hand through his hair.
"An old friend of mine. She'll present herself to you. Also there's one requirement she asks us to do, but I am not sure if you'll all agree to this."
"And that is?"
"Bring no weapons." He states. "So be prepared for tomorrow."
They only had less than a day to prepare for this meeting... a meeting they can't avoid.