Title: Underground
Author: Lennith
Rating: PG-13 (this chapter. Expect R for later chapters.)
Pairing: Kazuma/Ryuhou overall. KazuTachi too, because variety is the spice of life! Ohoho!
Disclaimer: I am not a genius, hence I did not create Scryed! The story and all characters belong to Bandai, Yosuke Kuroda, Yasunari Toda, the little green gods, Bill Gates, and whoever else contributed to their creation. Namely, not me!
Warnings: This is a yaoi fic! If you don't like man on man action, please don't read this! If you do read this, it's your own damn fault so don't come crying to me when you have nightmares about your chemistry teacher giving your brother a cavity exam. Also, as you can see, I have a twisted sense of humor. I should put a warning for that too... Probably plenty of swearing, blood, guts, and adult situations. M/M sex in later chapters.
A/N: Uwa! I'm so happy that I got some reviews on that last chapter! I was afraid my story would just be left floating and unread on simply because A.) The story is awful, and B.) s.CRY.ed is a horribly underappreciated anime. And that would make me oh so very sad T-T I have a tendency to fall in love with less-than-mainstream series, you see. Anyway, back on topic!
Eloy Brightdreamer: My very first review!!! ::worships, throws petals at feet:: Thank you so much for bothering to read "Underground" and thank you so much more for giving your opinion! I know chapter 2 is wonky I just changed it again, haha. Like I've mentioned, I'm a complete newbie to I've actually changed that chapter three times, trying to work out the kinks. But thank you for letting me know about that, because I'd thought I'd finally had it fixed until you mentioned it! Hopefully this chapter will be more agreeable X3 And I'm so happy that you feel that my Ryuhou is believable That's really been my struggle... I'm sure you know what I mean, as a fellow porn-WITH-plot author, but I've seen way too many yaoi fics where the characters, though doing delightfully naughty things with one-another, are so out of character that it just doesn't seem even remotely plausible. I'll work hard to keep up to your standard and I can't wait to read your fics too! If I start to stray, please smack me upside the head and set me back on the right track. I'm not a member of the KazuRyu comm on LJ, but I'm certainly considering joining and posting there, now that you've mentioned it.
Cheza-chan: Oh, my darling, dearest Rena! clings I'm so happy you got a chance to read and review me! "I wanna see Kazuma screw Tachibana so bad now... rams her head into a wall" LOL! I know, so do I! I wasn't planning on putting anything too graphically KazuTachi so as not to turn off the KazuRyu/RyuKazu fans, but now that I have it in my head, it's so hard to ignore. I expect to throw in a little KazuTachi hankypanky next chapter or the one after... and if I get encouragement I may do a little side fic covering the KazuTachi months before Ryuhou comes bashing in. Good idea? Bad idea?
Hum, yes! I hope more people will read and review soon... Mostly just because I'm still quite insecure with my baby. snuggles Ryuhou You poor, lovelorn, confused idiot, you...
-Lennith
ixi
Chapter 2: Lost and Found
And I hate...
And I hate...
And I hate elevator music,
the way we fight,
the way I'm left here
silent.
Oh, these little earthquakes... Here we go again.
Oh, these little earthquakes... Doesn't take much to rip us into pieces.
Tori Amos, "Little Earthquakes"
ixi
As soon as he was out of the house, Ryuhou's jaws clenched and started grinding again. Despite his previous efforts to train himself out of the habit, this time he made no effort to stop himself. His mind was far too busy thinking murderous thoughts to deny himself the simple pleasure of mashing his teeth together. It wasn't until he realized that he was about to put his fist through a nearby tree that he managed to get a grip on himself. His kuckles collided roughly with the bark of the said innocent bystander, sending it splintering to the ground and causing his hand to smart. After a moment's consideration he withdrew, rubbing his hand gingerly. Such childish behavior left him bewildered. What was he so angry about? The fact that Kazuma was in a homosexual relationship? He mulled this over, continuing his walk at a more steady pace. Surprisingly the idea of Kazuma preferring men didn't really bother him. It made perfect sense to him, actually. Kazuma viewed people he cared for who were weak to be a heavy burden. As odd as it was for a man who couldn't seem to stay in one place for long or devote himself to a single task without running off on his own, Kazuma was actually unerringly responsible when it came to the people he held close to his heart. Having a relationship with a tender woman would be an unbelievably painful thing for him. Having a relationship with a strong fighter like Tachibana would be not only more pleasurable for him, but much more compatible to his way of life. He'd never found homosexuality to be particularly distasteful himself for that same reason. Both of them lived the life of a soldier... to be romantically or even physically involved with someone who was outside of that was, for him, impossible. It was unfair to leave someone behind; to leave them without them knowing when you're returning, if you'll be returning. Maybe it wasn't true of all women, but from the women he'd known, the constant risk of the one you love never coming back seemed to break them so easily. Ryuhou didn't like causing people, especially women, unnecessary pain and so had avoided any such relationships. Even so, he had not come through unscathed. Cherise's sacrifice was like a ring of lead around his heart, even now.
His hand hurt. So did his head and chest. So, if it wasn't the idea of homosexuality that bothered him, what was it? His stomach lurched unpleasantly as a reason began to surface before he could push it down in denial. Could it be that he was angry that Kazuma had chosen Tachibana? He shook his head vigorously as a far more reasonable explanation formed itself in his head. 'Here I am spending all this time looking for the bastard without rest and I find he's been enjoying a warm bed and a warm body while I've been sleeping in the dirt. It's only natural that I'd be furious when he's been fucking Tachibana left and right and center...' He curbed his thought roughly before his mind could conjure more graphic visualizations and he felt the seething hot anger in his stomach die down with the train of thought. Ryuhou, proud and orderly as ever nodded to himself in approval. He'd found the source of his anger and it was a reasonable one. He flexed his hand testingly. The stinging pain was also fading. Now he wished that uncomfortable feeling in his chest and stomach would follow suit, but of course it didn't. With a sigh he continued down the street, hoping he'd find something to distract his attention.
About a half hour of wandering brought him to the watermelon fields, where Urizane and Eelian were clearly visible among the workers there. Time had seemed to be as kind to them as it had to Tachibana. Urizane had always been a hearty and resilient person anyway, but he had always seemed happiest when tending his melons. Eelian was more of a fragile breed, but the peaceful village had taken the wasted, fearful look from his eyes and he'd gained a little weight. They both smiled broadly and rushed up to him when they took note of their former commander's presence.
"Ryuhou," Urizane greeted between short breaths, "what on earth are you doing here? What's up? There a fight? You need our help?"
Eelian smiled mildly. "If there was something happening nearby I would have known. Welcome, Ryuhou. It is good to see you."
Ryuhou managed a small smile himself. It was good to be back among friends, and a little of his anxiety lifted. "Thank you, Eelian, Urizane. I've been trying to find Kazuma. I know he's been here recently and it's the best lead I've had in a year."
Eelian's eyes widened and Urizane let out a booming laugh. "Figures you'd be chasing that guy around. Should have guessed it first! A year though, huh? You're still persistent, I see." Ryuhou coughed and looked away, a bit unsure of what he was supposed to say to that.
"Ryuhou, my alter hasn't been very reliable lately but I can try to look for him for you," Eelian offered softly, glaring at Urizane who continued to chuckle as Ryuhou got more and more irritated. "If he's likely to be nearby then there's a higher chance I might find something."
The green-haired young man brightened visibly, ignoring Urizane's baiting. "That would be exceedingly useful, Eelian. I'd appreciate it," he said a little too quickly, which caused Urizane to grin broader. Eelian also smiled, his pale face looking more alive than Ryuhou had ever remembered seeing it while in Holy. The boy was obviously happy to be of some help, because immediately he closed his eyes and summoned his alter. It actually didn't take more than a few minutes before his attention focused.
"Found him, Ryuhou. Four kilometers one hundred and twenty seven meters south-southeast from here. I can give you the coordinates if you want," he said smoothly, writing the GPS coordinates on a scrap of paper. Ryuhou's face blanched and his jaw dropped. After a year of searching he hadn't expected to get Kazuma's location so easily! He mentally cursed himself for not asking for Eelian's help months ago.
"What is he doing? What's his condition?" he asked coolly, once he had enough sense to take the paper and speak in a normal voice.
"He's wounded and sleeping in the wastes," Eelian answered. "I doubt he'll be running off anytime soon..."
"Thank you, Eelian. Sorry, but I'm leaving now. I'll see you two later." And with that Ryuhou turned sharply on his heals and stalked purposefully back to the town to acquire that blasted gasoline.
Urizane and Eelian stared after Ryuhou's practically running figure for a moment. It was Urizane that broke the shocked silence with a chuckle. "I guess some people and things just don't change. He'll be back, so let's go back to work."
Eelian silently agreed.
ixi
Kazuma awoke to the sound of an approaching vehicle. His body tensed at the intensifying thrum of the engine. "Kuso... Can't a guy have some peace out here?" he muttered to himself. His left hand reached out searchingly for his right arm, as if making sure it was still there, and was rewarded with a fresh wave of pain. Despite Tachibana's warnings he had been careless again. He figured what was the use. No matter what, his arm would always hurt if he altered, and if it wasn't in constant pain it was frighteningly numb. He massaged the sore flesh gingerly, hoping the vehicle would pass him by because he wasn't sure if he could come up with the strength right now to get to his feet and fight right now. The alter criminal closed his eyes again. The sun was too right to sleep properly, anyway. To his dismay the noise only got louder and coughed as a wave of dust passed over his face and the air was filled with the sharp squealing of brakes. When he opened his eyes again he could make out the wheels and chassy of a jeep, not unlike one of the hundreds of vehicles Kimishimi had owned and he'd destroyed, and an all too familiar figure getting out of it. His lips curled into a feral grin. He'd been hoping to put this off for a while longer, yet hoping every day that they'd meet again. Feeling a bit of his strength return to him, he managed to prop himself up on his left elbow in the dirt.
"Fancy meeting you in a place like this," he drawled as his rival and ally stood before him. He was surprised when Ryuhou didn't instantly retort and took a moment to look the young man over. The scars on his cheeks had lengthened a little since he'd seen him last and he'd obviously lost weight; he could tell, even beneath the t-shirt and denim that looked so ridiculous on him. His hair had grown rather long, and it was obvious the other had simply never bothered to cut it. His face looked lean and hungry, his ruby eyes cold and glittering like a snake's. They both regarded one another silently, Kazuma waiting for some sort of response from Ryuhou until his patience finally broke. "If you're going to just stand there and glare at me, I'm going back to sleep," he announced irritably and lowered himself back to the unyielding dirt. He never made it to his "mattress" though because before his head could meet with the ground Ryuhou had grasped his collar and forced him into a sitting position.
Ryuhou drank in the other's face as if he'd never see it again, making up for all the lost time. "What the hell is wrong with you, Ryuhou?! Either say something or let me go back to sleep, you bastard! That hurts!" Kazuma fought to escape from the older boy's hold on him, but he was weakened with pain and exhaustion and Ryuhou's grasp was as firm as steel at his neck.
"Who's a bastard?" Ryuhou said coolly. "Who's the one who's turned his back on everyone and made me run after his sorry, ignorant, and incredibly stupid ass for a year?!" His reserve broke so quickly, his words dripping with venom and frustration as he unknowingly pulled the man a little closer. Tachibana had been right. His reckless altering had caused the scars on his body to deepen and spread much more quickly than they had on his own body. The growth of the scar below his eye, now just kissing the bridge of his nose, was evidence of it.
Kazuma chuckled gratingly. 'His reaction is even better than I'd hoped,' he thought to himself. He raised his hand in a mock salute. "Why, that'd be me." He grunted in pain as Ryuhou released his grip and shoved him roughly backwards. Although it took no small effort, Kazuma forced himself to his feet as Ryuhou rose to his own and started to walk away. The former Holy officer was obviously furious, much to Kazuma's michievious delight. "Aww, Ryu-chan, did you miss me? C'mon, talk to me. This silent treatment is making you seem like a girl," he taunted, reaching a hand to Ryuhou's shoulder, as much as in need for support on his feet as a teasing gesture. He was rewarded with a sharp blow to the said hand and he floundered for a moment for his balance before Ryuhou turned and steadied him. The touch was again, far from gentle. Kazuma could tell by the other's eyes that he was one step away from getting a hole in his stomach if he didn't watch his words. The dusty young man raised both his hands in surrender, feeling enough pain in his body without another added injury. The man's silence was quickly eating at his short temper though. "Spit it out already, Ryuhou! Obviously there's something you want to say to me, so say it!"
The problem was, of course, that Ryuhou wasn't sure what he wanted to say. For all the time he'd been chasing after Kazuma, he'd never put much thought into what to do once he'd actually caught up to him. His fingers clenched a little more into Kazuma's shoulders, not intending to cause the other pain, as it surely did, but to make sure he was actually there. He opened his mouth to say something, but finding neither breath or words he snapped it shut again. All he was aware of was the pounding of blood in his ears and Kazuma's warm flesh beneath his fingers. His emotions fluctuated dangerously between murderous anger and intense relief that he'd been able to meet the man before he'd killed himself. He hadn't realized how long he'd just been standing there staring and clutching at Kazuma or how close he'd gotten to the other until suddenly Kazuma leaned forward. Ryuhou didn't know what was happening until it was too late, and the slightly shorter alter user closed the small distance between them and planted a firm kiss over his lips. It only lasted a couple seconds, but it seemed an eternity rolled by. Ryuhou's fingers first relaxed around the other's shoulder reflexively before tightening crushingly again. Despite anything that Ryuhou had heard people say about kisses, it wasn't soft and sweet at all. Kazuma's lips were rough and dry from being in the wastes so long. The confused, green-haired man didn't even realize that he was actually letting this happen until he felt Kazuma's tongue press his lips. His red eye flew open and he roughly shoved the surprised alter user backwards, wiping at is mouth curiously though trying to pass it off as disgust.
"What in hell do you think you're doing, Kazuma?!" he said in a very low, deadly voice.
Kazuma grinned and chuckled, obviously rather pleased to have flustered his rival. 'I wonder if he knows he's blushing? Or if he knows he's pretty when he blushes? Best not say that. You're lucky he hasn't torn your head off already.' "Well," he started with a drawl, "you were just eyeing me up, looking like you wanted to do it but didn't know how to go about it, so I thought I was tired of just standing there with you leering at me so I did it myself." He grinned even more at Ryuhou's small cough of disgust.
"You are an irresponsible, incorrigible bastard, you know that?! People have been worried about you!" Ryuhou spat out, his temper finally giving.
"Aw, you've been worried about me, Ryu-chan? I'm flattered," Kazuma said in a honeyed sort of voice, unable to resist milking all the fun out of this situation he could get. He licked his lips thoughtfully. "Hm, watermelon. You've been visiting that watermelon freak, Ryuhou?" He instantly regretted it. Ryuhou's open hand collided with his left temple, making the world dance playfully for a second.
"Idiot! Haven't you even thought about Tachibana?!"
Kazuma sobered, straightening himself upright and drawing himself to his full height. He smirked a little when he noticed he was a little taller than Ryuhou this way. "What about Tachibana? He knows I come and go as I please."
"He's your lover!" Ryuhou spat out, instantly feeling a little embarrassed and stupid once he'd said it. "Can't you be a little more considerate? You have the manners of a pig."
To this, Kazuma took some offense. "What goes on between Tachibana and I is none of your concern. He knew what he was getting into and it's nothing but casual, ya hear? Why should it bother you?" he sneered now, knowing he had his rival right where he wanted him. "Are you jealous, Ryuuhou?"
The usually collected man made an odd sputtering noise before his eyes narrowed. "I don't know what you're talking about, cretin," he snapped.
Kazuma only answered with another laugh. "You know, Ryuhou, for someone who think's they're so smart you're really quite stupid." Kazuma dared to lean closer, tilting his rival's chin up with his gloved hand though it pained him. "I thought you would have gotten it by now."
Ryuhou's stomach curled in on itself uncomfortably, but he used the opportunity to grab the other cruelly by the right wrist. "I'm taking you to Tachibana's for treatment. You're injured. I don't care what you do while you're there, but if you run away from me again, the next time I catch you I'll beat you until you lose all your teeth and you won't be able to see at ALL because your left eye will have to be sewn shut." He shoved Kazuma into the passenger seat and carefully buckled the man in before walking around the front of the jeep to take his place in the driver's seat. Kazuma grinned a bit sheepishly.
"Guess I can't argue with that logic," he said playfully, leaning back into the upholstered seat and finding it far more comfortable than the rocks he'd been resting on earlier.
ixi
A/N: Whew, one chapter done in one day! Don't expect this sort of fast-food delivery service every day, folks! Talking to Cheza-chan and reading my reviews inspired me to press onwards and outwards! Poor Ryuhou, Kazuma is confusing him so XD ::Rattles Ryuhou so his head snaps back and forth:: IT'S REALLY NOT SO HARD TO UNDERSTAND! JUST FOLLOW YOUR HORMONES, DOROTHY! Hahaha, sorry, Ryuhou, don't kill me. And Kazuma, you owe me $20 for letting you have that kiss so early on in the story. C'mon, cough it up...