For These Scars

~Chapter 2~

Written by: RinoaDestiny

King of Fighters, Kyo Kusanagi, Iori Yagami, and Saisyu Kusanagi belong to SNK

"Come on, Yagami. Pick up."

He was supposed to meet Iori tonight at his place – eight o' clock as usual – but he'd made it a habit to call and check just in case. Yagami tended to be preoccupied sometimes with an active band schedule or he just wanted to enjoy his afternoons. So Kyo usually called at five, which gave them at least a three hour window should plans change. That had worked for the last six months and Iori appreciated the gesture, since he had more to do with his time. But that also meant picking up calls and Iori tended to be fastidious about that. The other man had subtle quirks – only revealed when they got close – and Yagami's iron-clad punctuality was one of them.

So it didn't make sense when his texts weren't returned within the hour.

Or his calls left hanging, unanswered.

Kyo frowned, looking down at his phone. It was a little past six and still nothing.

Was Yagami sick? Called away on business? Or just asleep?

He had a spare key to Yagami's apartment, given to him within the first month but he didn't use it often. Whatever hours Yagami set, he respected. The last thing he needed to do was barge in, intruding on a quiet hour. Iori had more patience for him nowadays, but even he knew his limits and how tight a hold the other man kept over his temper. Until he got to know Yagami, he didn't believe the other had self-control.

That was one of the many things he'd been proven wrong about.

Iori also really did hate violence. In the six months they'd been together – early mornings and late nights shrouded in secrecy – the other maintained a calm demeanor. This was broken occasionally by Orochi's intrusion into Iori's mind, which caused the other a fair amount of agitation. Supposedly, if he understood it correctly, the god demanded to know why his follower – Yagami had scoffed at that and loudly – was in bed with the enemy and not murdering him where he lay. Those were the only times Yagami got violent and from his observation, Iori hated them all the more for disturbing his peace.

It was one of the other nuances about the man he got to know as time went on.

Looking back now, it was hard to believe they were once rivals, hatred keen and unyielding. Until something happened between them – Yagami coming to terms with his obsession and how hatred gave way to genuine affection (difficult to comprehend at first) – and how that altered everything. His amusement at his former rival's diehard attitude towards him, his method of teasing the other man at every meaningless death threat, and even that changed. Somehow. He wasn't sure when the changes affected them both, but they couldn't go back after that.

Kyo doubted their ancestors saw this in their clans' futures. It just didn't seem possible.

It was fifteen after six now and his phone was silent.

No return calls. No texts back. Nothing.

He had dinner with his family first. After that, he'd drop by Yagami's place, see what was up. Because this was strange. Iori didn't break routine, didn't just go off the map. He just wanted to make sure he was okay.

But that came after. Eight o' clock was his usual time. Going to eat with his family was also routine and part of the maintenance of secrecy. Because if he broke routine, that would appear odd and he didn't need anyone cluing in on what he did during his unstructured time. During his late evenings or his early morning hours.

Kyo pocketed his phone, put his helmet on, revved up his bike, and took off towards home.

Dinner was uneventful, though his mom cooked up his favorites and his dad imbibed a bit of sake. Kyo, not much of a drinker, avoided the alcohol and focused on finishing his soup, rice, pickled vegetables, and fish. He tried not to appear hurried – that'd give him away – but his mind constantly went back to the unanswered calls and texts. The spare key was in his room, kept secreted away (he didn't want anyone to find it), and he needed to get it before leaving.

Yagami lived half an hour away, reachable by train. Even if he left a bit late, he didn't think Iori would mind. Kyo was more lax with punctuality – except for during the tournaments – and the other man really didn't seem to mind at nighttime. Not when nighttime meant settling down, quiet words exchanged – sometimes laughter and what passed for humor when it came to Yagami's dry wit – and then physical actions besides fighting (although he'd quipped before that that passed as foreplay). Yagami had given him a look, guffawed, and then quipped back to stop being ironic or poetic. Or whatever the hell he was trying to say.

They didn't say much afterwards, anyway.

Kyo kept his face neutral. When his mind ran down memories like these, it was easy to betray himself unknowingly. He had an estimate of the time – was finishing his meal – and if he left soon, he'd be able to catch the next train out to Yagami's place.

He hoped he was okay. Just asleep or working on a piece, which often needed concentration.

He refrained from checking his phone. That, too, would give him away.

When the time rolled to twenty after seven, Kyo placed his chopsticks down on his rice bowl, complimented his mother for the excellent meal, and prepared to head to his room. His mind was already on route to Iori's apartment, to check in and see how things were going.

His dad's voice broke into his thoughts. "Kyo, son…you heading somewhere?"

"Yeah. Got some event to go to."

"I see. I need to talk to you for a bit. Mind if you join me?"

Kyo hesitated but recovered quickly. "Sure." He hoped this discussion wouldn't take long. If he missed this train, the next one wouldn't arrive until twenty minutes later. He didn't want to be that late.

"Let's leave your mother in peace and quiet. Come on – let's head to my study."

His dad's study was in the left wing of their traditional compound, far from the center and therefore, perfect for matters such as this. Kyo followed, walking down corridors he knew from memory – shoji running down the hall and tatami in each room – until they reached the study. It smelled pleasantly of ink and paper, of the red paste used for their name stamps and his dad turned on the small desk lamp, green glass aglow, for night was soon to fall.

They were two weeks into April and the days were still short.

"Sit down, son."

Huh. So this was going to be a long conversation, then? Kyo wondered what his dad wanted to talk about. He couldn't think of anything particularly urgent or important. He sat down, puzzled.

"So what's this event you're going to? I know you usually give details in advance, just in case something happens."

Was that what this was about? "There's a concert new in town. The latest rock band."

"And they're playing tonight?"

"Yeah." He was really confused here. Why was this important? Why was his dad even asking this? It seemed trivial.

"Are you taking Yuki with you? A date, perhaps?"

"Huh?" That was usually a question his mom would ask, not his dad. Something was off here but he couldn't figure out what. "Yuki doesn't like rock music, Dad."

"So you're going alone?"

"Yeah." What was going on here?

"No one else?"

"What are you getting at, Dad?"

"You sure you're not meeting someone else there? Someone you don't want me to know about?"

Oh shit, what? What was his dad implying? That sounded dangerously close to… "What are you talking about, Dad?"

"Oh, Kyo, son…I expected better from you."

"What?"

"I know, son. About you and that Yagami boy. You weren't going to a concert tonight, were you? You were planning on meeting him."

Shock wasn't even the appropriate word to describe the sudden emotion he felt. Ripped free from his moorings, more like. Horror at the realization that his dad knew – how did he know? – and he was speechless for a minute, unable to formulate words to make any coherent response. He was stunned, as if felled by an executioner's hammer. Like a sacrifice at some ancient altar, the stench of blood and smoke in the air.

"I've known for a while, son. And I'm very disappointed."

Chills went down his back hearing that. Saisyu was rarely disappointed but when he was…

"Dad –"

"How long has this been going on, Kyo?"

"Dad, it's not –"

"The truth, Kyo. You wouldn't lie to me, would you? Although you already did, it seems. I taught you better than that."

"Dad, you need to listen to me. It's not –"

"Your mother doesn't know. Yuki doesn't know. How could I break the news to her – that her boyfriend – my son – is fooling around behind her back with a boy. And not just any boy – your rival, our clan's enemy, someone I wouldn't trust with my life. A fact you seem to have conveniently forgotten."

"He's not…he's not the enemy anymore, Dad!"

"They never change. You have forgotten that too as well."

His father's study was suddenly constricting – too small, the walls closing in fast – and Kyo struggled to keep himself above the dangerous undercurrents of this discussion. His dad knew – how? – and that meant Yagami was…could be…

A scary thought occurred to him. "Dad, have you done anything to him?"

"Why would he concern me? It's you I'm worried about."

The lack of response. The unanswered calls and texts. Was he simply paranoid?

"Kyo…your irresponsibility unfortunately requires me to take some desperate measures. You clearly cannot be counted on to fulfill your obligations to the clan."

What the hell did that mean?

"From today, you cannot leave the house unless you are accompanied by another member of the clan. Someone we all trust. Someone who cannot be subverted."

"I'm not a child –"

"You certainly are not a man if this is the action you take!" His father shot back, the words sharp and cutting. "Until you lose this foolishness about that boy –"

"I'm not a child anymore! I do not have to –"

"Yes, you do. Sit down, Kyo. Sit down and listen, because I'm not done yet."

Somehow, he'd risen to his feet during that last bit of shouting and as his father's words sank in, Kyo realized something was coming to an end. It was lingering over the horizon, like the edge of a blade against his neck, and as he sat down, emotions swirling in complete turmoil, he knew what it was. His freedom, his relationship with Yagami, and Yagami…

The other man was happy now. What would this –

"I need the keys to your motorcycle. Anything that would allow you access to transportation. You clearly cannot be trusted."

His own father saying this to him…

"Dad…"

"Your keys, Kyo. I need your phone, too."

"That's not –"

"You're under my roof and you will follow my rules. You can either be acquiescent and filial or I'll have to call the clan's rules into effect. Which would you rather follow, Kyo? Don't make it difficult for me, son."

Like hell he was giving up the keys or his phone. Or anything that was – is – his, for that matter. He was the heir – could and would make his own decisions. "I'm not giving you anything, Dad."

"Be very careful, Kyo."

"You cannot do this."

"I can and I will. The clan's interests come first. You know that, or you did, until you decided to lose your head over that Yagami boy –"

"Will you stop calling him that?"

"He's the enemy, Kyo. Always has been and always will. No matter how much you deceive yourself."

"You don't even know him!"

"Why would I need to?"

"This is pointless!" he growled, rising to his feet again. "I don't need to listen to this!"

"Kyo, son…"

"Don't 'son' me! I'm leaving."

He would have, too, if it wasn't for the fact that he was suddenly aware of multiple presences outside his father's study. When they'd walked in here, they'd been alone. No one else had accompanied them and the hallways had been empty. Had been. They must've come in and stood waiting outside during their conversation, which by now was very heated. Kyo was furious – what did his dad know about Yagami anyway? – and this intrusion by other members of the clan only pissed him off even more.

"You had –"

"I told you, son. You cannot be trusted. Now will you go willingly or do we have to take extreme measures? I don't want to fight you, son but I will if I have to."

Kyo seethed. He clenched his fists, reddening.

"So this is how you do things, huh? Underhanded like some –"

"I wouldn't finish that sentence if I were you, Kyo."

"What are you waiting for?" he barked, directing his voice – rage and hostility honed and keen like a sword edge – to those standing outside. "You're here to take me, aren't you? Do it already!" He slammed the shoji door open and stepped out – back straight, chest forward, and eyes straight ahead, glaring.

If he was to be a prisoner confined within his own home, so be it for now. But he wasn't going to let it happen by cowering. By submitting to his father without any say of his own.

He'd play along for now. For now.

He was still going to leave somehow and find Yagami.

Like hell his father was going to separate them. Like hell.