In death...
[An X and Yami no Matsuei Crossover fic]
Standard disclaimers: X = Clamp, YnM = Matsushita Yoko-sensei
Chapter 3
It was a woman's scream. And Seishirou would not have bothered about it had he not glimpsed a white trench coat disappearing in the direction of the scream. Still shielded, he made to follow. Pushing past indifferent people who simply continued on with whatever it was they were doing. Screams had become so commonplace in Tokyo that no one took notice anymore. It was sad really. But Tokyo was just such a city. And there were just so few Subarus.
A battle was in progress when Seishirou arrived at the deserted avenue. A woman ran past him in a frenzy, heading for anywhere but the battle. The owner of the scream, Seishirou presumed. He could not be bothered. Subaru had saved her. It was comforting to know that despite everything, the kind, gentle Subaru still existed.
His opponent was obviously a skilled onmyouji, and very accustomed to fights. Though Subaru was no less talented, he did not have as many experiences of real fights. His only serious opponent was Seishirou, and he never gave it his all, due to his Wish. All things considered, Subaru was handling himself exceptionally well.
Perhaps being the Sakurazukamori had trained him somewhat. Seishirou winced at this thought. Now, when he thought back, his so-called penance was perhaps the most cruel thing he could have done to Subaru. Not only leaving him, stripping him of his cause for living, but also making him his own nemesis.
Lost in his thoughts, Seishirou saw the trick only at the last moment. A hoard of shiki was sent at Subaru, concealing a deadly bolt. Subaru had either not discovered it, or did not want to bother about it. Either way, the consequences would be unacceptable.
Unshielding, he threw himself in between Subaru and the blow. The impact threw him against Subaru, sending the both of them sprawling across the floor. Before the last of his strength could leave him, Seishirou sent a bolt of energy towards the assailant. Mismatched silver eyes widened as the blow hit him squarely in the chest. Spurting blood, he vanished, leaving behind only a few strands of silver hair. At that point, Seishirou blacked out.
Subaru froze as a body appeared out of thin air and took the blow for him. It had been a long time since he had had a decent fight and he wanted to feel pain again. Hence, he had not dodged. Of course, there was that fact that his opponent reminded him of Seishirou. Not in the Fuuma way, but in the mocking way in which he fought. So much like the way Seishirou had always fought with him. Until their last battle.
The black suit loomed larger and larger in front of him till it blocked his entire vision and he was sent sprawling to the ground. He knew he did not freeze due to shock of the apparition. He froze because he knew exactly whom his rescuer was. Seishirou.
He had sent out one last blow before losing consciousness. But before he completely blacked out, he gave a murmur that jerked Subaru to his senses.
"Aishiteru...'
No way. He did not say it. Nor did he mean it. After what he did to him, he could not mean it. Right?
Subaru knew he was a sucker. Towards Seishirou, he always had been. Despite his obaa-sama's warnings he had trusted the veterinarian with all his heart. Only to have it torn up by the very hands he loved right before his eyes. Even then, he could not stop loving Seishirou.
Hence, even though he knew it was just a trick, Subaru scooped him up, arms straining with effort. The silver-haired opponent had vanished and people were starting to arrive at the scene. Wanting to avoid unnecessary confrontation, Subaru leapt up onto the roof of the nearest building and started home, all the while thinking about how stupid he was to bring Seishirou home because of a semi-audible murmur.
It was only when he reached the apartment that he realized that Seishirou was alive, and in his arms.