For These Scars
~Chapter 26~
Written by: RinoaDestiny
King of Fighters, Kyo Kusanagi, Iori Yagami, Saisyu Kusanagi, and Benimaru Nikaido belong to SNK
"You damn fool. Call her back. Tell her you misspoke."
Kyo crossed his arms, stood with his legs apart as if anchoring himself in his father's study, and gave both Saisyu and Uncle Hajime the stoniest glare he could muster. Sure enough, like his mother suspected, his father found out about his fallout with Yuki and displeasure quickly followed on the heels of that discovery. Now, his father and uncle wanted to do damage control, calling him to account for his "error in judgment" and part of that meant getting Yuki back.
That wasn't happening for obvious reasons.
"I didn't misspeak. I told her the truth. You want me to lie again to her, Dad?"
"Tell her you're confused. That you're –"
"All false. She'll know that."
Rigid silence. His father returned his glare with an impressive and frightening one of his own; Uncle Hajime's scowl was no less intimidating. "It's all because of that boy, brother. He's the one behind this."
"Leave Yagami out of it, uncle," Kyo said, narrowing his eyes. "He has nothing to do with it."
"He has everything to do with this. Your insolence. Your recklessness. Where did you learn them from, eh? That boy twisted you – turned you against us. Against your own."
"He didn't do anything."
"Saisyu, listen to him. Listen to your son. Still, he ascribes good to that Yagami brat and why? Because –"
Kyo bristled. "Uncle, don't you dare –"
"I'm only telling the truth, nephew. You think because you bedded the bastard that –"
He took a step forward, an intentional threat. "Stop right there, uncle."
"You see how he talks, brother? Is it allowed?"
Knowing what was likely to happen next, Kyo steeled himself and met his father's stern gaze. No, talking back to elders was never allowed – rude and against everything he'd been taught, but Uncle Hajime knew nothing about their circumstances. Attributing what he knew about Iori to only sex and nothing else was…it was insulting. What his father and uncle didn't understand and never would was that he'd been permitted to know the other side of Iori Yagami. The vulnerable side – the side Iori rarely revealed unless he trusted someone. Kyo could count the number of people Iori trusted on one hand, which was very few. The fact that Iori trusted him was…
No, they wouldn't understand. No explanation he gave would ever enlighten them on that aspect. It was a waste of breath even trying.
"Apologize to your uncle, Kyo."
A command, not a suggestion. He knew this would happen.
"He's wrong."
"He's your uncle. Your elder. Apologize. Or have you forgotten your manners entirely, Kyo Kusanagi?"
His full name. His father only used it when he misbehaved or there was something important he needed to know. This was the former instead of the latter; only, he wasn't a child anymore. His uncle was wrong and he shouldn't have to bow and say sorry because he outranked him by age. It wasn't like his situation with Yuki at all.
"Uncle Hajime's mistaken, Dad. It's not what he assumes."
"You presume to correct your elders?"
Kyo stood his ground, kept his gaze level with both older men and stayed silent. On the wall behind his father and uncle were scrolls with bold calligraphy, characters for 'courage' and 'wisdom' written with large brushstrokes. The wooden panel from the clan archival building was here somewhere, but Kyo erred on the side of caution and didn't glance around. He wanted to ask his father about the technique – about what the hell he exactly did to Iori – but the premature timing would backfire. Would result in Iori's death by fire. So he kept his mouth shut.
It was what the other man would do, he supposed.
"I assumed incorrectly, eh?" His uncle strode forward, keen expression sharpening. "How so, nephew? You threw aside your girlfriend for that bastard."
Kyo breathed through his nose. Didn't say anything.
"Decided to play around, huh? Forgivable, if it'd been anyone else. But your rival…the boy who swore to kill you…"
"He never followed through."
"Because he had other plans, Kyo." Uncle Hajime circling around him, steps like tightening ropes in a snare. "Taking our clan down was his first priority."
"Bullshit."
"Oh? You think because you slept with him that you know him so well?"
"If he wanted to, he'd have done it already."
"Or he changed his plans. Used you instead. Divide and conquer." His uncle stopped in front of him, crossing his arms as well. "Ever think of that, nephew? About how gullible you are?"
The one detail his uncle and father weren't aware of was how it all began. Iori hadn't been the one to initiate – wasn't even cognizant of the change occurring within him. Kyo had to point it out to him and then had to explain further, since it only confused Yagami more. If Yagami had started it, then his uncle's farfetched theory might seem sound. However, the origin of their relationship past the rivalry wasn't with the other fighter at all.
Kyo stared at his uncle. Revealing that fact mightn't be wise right now.
Uncle Hajime scoffed. "You believed him. What did he tell you, Kyo?"
Nothing. Iori didn't seduce him or speak pretty words. He was the one that…
"You don't understand him. Same with you, Dad."
His father stepped forward, bringing his hands out of his sleeves. "I understand he's taken my son and turned him into a dimwitted fool. Stop this nonsense, Kyo."
"Did you even care for that girl, nephew? Or was she just a –"
"You know I do."
"Still?" His uncle looked at him with sneering disbelief. "Then why was she upset yesterday?"
"That's between me and her."
"And the clan." Saisyu cut in, interposing with authority. "You disrespected Yuki. You elevated your enemy above your family, your friends, your intended. Whatever Iori Yagami told you, you believed. Believed and lied. To me, to her, to everyone. You should be ashamed, Kyo. Instead, you stand here and spit hard words at your elders. You should be apologizing. But you're not."
"The clan doesn't run my life."
"The clan's the reason why you're even important."
"Maybe that was how it was done in the past, but now –"
"Did Yagami tell you anything about his clan? How they dealt with insolence?"
Kyo stiffened. Somehow, this sounded familiar.
"I've been lenient, Kyo. Too much, it seems. You will call Yuki. You will beg for her forgiveness and you will do whatever is necessary for her to return to you. All the rest is past, including your shamefulness with that boy."
"Yuki's not going to –"
"Whatever it takes, son. You will make amends to her."
"She's not coming back."
"She will, because you'll be responsible for that."
"Brother." His uncle gave him a passing glance and then directed his attention at Saisyu. "Perhaps the wronged girl needs some recompense."
"In what way?"
"Eliminate the problem."
"Wait, Hajime. That's too –"
"Why?" Kyo asked, stifling his horror but not his anger. "What did he do to –"
"You need to ask?" His uncle snapped back with greater ire. "Disgracing the heir of the rival clan. That called for war before."
"He didn't –"
"Hajime, there are conditions." His father turned, saw his expression, and discontinued the discussion with his uncle. Kyo fumed, certain he was going to be dismissed. After all, his father disavowed any involvement regarding Iori Yagami and maintained that stance to this day. But Kyo knew those conditions Iori now lived by – harsh, soul-crushing, withering – and if the two older men had plans to end Iori's life…
"Conditions, brother?"
"What conditions, Dad?" He was going to play the fool. Find out as much as he could. "Didn't you say Yagami didn't concern you?"
"Your father's talking to me, nephew."
"Let's save it for another time, Hajime."
"What conditions?" he pressed, rage heightening his senses until everything in his father's study seemed sharper, details in sudden focus. The lamp with dust on its green glass panes. The open ink box with an unused brush by its side. Shoji dappled with sunlight and faint shadows from outside. The whiteness of the tatami, smooth beneath his feet. The straightness of his father's back – of the posture he'd taken. Disapproval etched deep in Uncle Hajime's face even as he stood before and to the left of his father like a guard.
"I'm done talking to you, son."
"What conditions? Did you talk to him, Dad?"
"It's none of your concern, Kyo. It's time for you to leave."
"You did, didn't you? Why else would you –"
"Kyo Kusanagi!" His full name again. "My discussion with you is over."
Just like that, huh? Brushed off like all the previous times. His hands were clenched; he stood with legs apart and from his uncle's wary look and positioning, Kyo knew he'd become a threat. He wondered what Iori saw that day – if it was something like this. Had his battle-honed instincts warned him or was he completely taken off guard? Had he realized Saisyu showing up meant danger? Yagami hadn't wanted to fight Saisyu and his father…
His father had apparently taken the advantage and injured Iori.
No…not injured. Driven him to the edge, where he remained.
It'd been about a month and a half, now closer to completing two months. Until he'd found a way to communicate and finally meet up with Iori, the other man had struggled alone. Now, Iori had about a week – maybe a little less or a little more – before his father's vengeance for an imagined wrong took its final toll. June was near, but Yagami mightn't live to see it.
All because of…
Kyo loosened his fists, closed his stance, and tried relaxing his shoulders. He still burned with rage but Uncle Hajime and his father appeared ready to fight. There were also other clan members here – would probably be outside the study – and while he could fight them, he wouldn't come out unscathed. Getting himself hospitalized wasn't smart. Yagami needed him whole and healthy, not incapacitated himself.
"If his name shows up in the public obituary, I'll know who's to blame." He kept his voice quiet and calm; yet, saw both older men register his tone. Kyo turned to leave, already extending a hand outward to push aside the sliding door.
His father's voice halted his action. "Remember what I told you about traitors, son."
He stood there, recalling the tragic story his uncle told him. About the woman from his clan and the young man from the Yagami clan. How the blood feud prevented them from escaping their fate. How both were seen as betrayers of the cause – one executed and the other sent on a mission to die. How unfair it all was.
"Uncle Hajime told me as well. They weren't traitors, Dad. None of them were."
He slid open the door, paper and wood giving way to the long corridor within the house. Took a step out. It felt like freedom. Behind him, his father spoke. "I want you to call Yuki. Today. Don't make me remind you, son."
He didn't bother responding. Yuki wouldn't pick up, or even if she did, the ensuing conversation would be short. They only broke up yesterday and it was his fault. She wasn't going to accept any apology – not when he was still involved with Iori and she was aware of it. If her parents knew the truth as well…
Groveling before her wasn't going to work. He'd made his choice.
Time to live with it.
"Did you hear me, Kyo?"
"I did. I have plans on Saturday, Dad. Outside with Benimaru and Goro. You have any problems with that?"
"Your uncle will –"
"And one of the other clan members. I know. So I'm fine, right?"
Oppressive silence. Kyo waited.
"One day, you'll see this is all a big mistake, Kyo. You'll regret this."
Kyo took the final step out and didn't turn back to look at Saisyu. He slid the door closed behind him, put his hands in his pockets and started walking back to his room, ignoring the other clan members.
Regrets? Certainly. He felt bad for Yuki – for what he did to her.
His relationship with Yagami? A mistake?
Never.