Ugh...school is evil. At least it's not Monday...that's what everyone has been saying, anyway. I don't really understand why it being a certain day has anything to do with it, though. I thought the only bad thing about Monday was it's the first day back to school, and since that was Tuesday this week (at least for me), then shouldn't Tuesday be bad? People are confusing...Anyway, enjoy!
CeTe: Heh, but then again, that's why we love him! Oh, counting all the other fics? He's not even in the ballpark of single digits if you're doing that. He screws up so much... but we always forgive him...for some reason (I've still yet to figure that reason out). Obviously, because we love him, but why? I guess that's Kanone for you, though, so confusing...I'm sure he's elated that you love him (only a tiny bit of sarcasm there). You'll find out the caller in a second, as for what Kanone's planning...I doubt even he knows. Thanks for revieiwng!
Red Kitsune Flames: Poor Ayumu, I think he's addicted to the abuse. He sure seems to be addicted to Kanone, who provides the abuse (even if it is only mental). I have that urge sometimes, too. So, it may be weird, seeing as how I'm weird. I usually try to supress it, but it's hard. I don't want to just start laughing out loud, though, or else it would raise questions from the other members of the household. I was thinking about making the caller someone you all would never suspect, but it actually is Kiyotaka. That's mainly because there's an actual reason he's calling, it's not just some twist to make the story more itneresting (though, I'm sure it did). Jeez, I seem to be ranting a lot more that usual. Huh...oh well, thanks for reviewing!
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Eyes' peircing gaze was currently directed at the phone in his hand, "What do you want?"
The man on the other end chuckled, "Don't sound so edgy, dear, I was just checking up on you. It seems Kanone is planning something again."
Eyes glared at the nickname; only one other person had ever called him 'dear', and that was a long time ago, "I have no intention of getting involved with neither Kanone nor Little Narumi." he lied. Though he knew Kiyotaka could help them bring Kanone down once and for all, he couldn't bring himself to sink to Kanone's level. Joining forces with Kiyotaka would mean betraying Kanone; that wasn't something Eyes was prepared to do.
"Why do you insist on lying so openly to me?" the older man questioned, "Even if you could stay away from my brother, which I know for a fact none of the Blade Children are capable of doing, you still have hope; hope that Kanone's eyes will be opened." Eyes hated to admit it, but Kiyotaka was right, "So, then, have you had any contact with Kanone? I was informed that he and Ayumu were...together."
Kiyotaka knew those words had hit home, and he could practically feel the glare Eyes was giving him, "Their personal life does not concern me nor does it concern you; let them do what they will."
"How can my little brother's personal life not concern me?" Kiyotaka asked, "And how can you act as if you don't care who Kanone is with?"
"That's none of your business." Eyes growled, "If you have a purpose for calling, then state it."
Kiyotaka chuckled, "It's still too easy to get a rise out of him." he thought. While Eyes was the most unemotional person Kiyotaka had ever met, you just had to know what subjects were sensitive. Or rather, what subject, that being Kanone, "My purpose for calling was to request your assistance."
Eyes knew what Kiyotaka was talking about; he wanted the younger one to help him kill Kanone, "I won't betray Kanone." he replied, leaving no room for argument.
"What? You mean like he betrayed you?" Kiyotaka asked, "Honestly, Eyes, I thought you were a little less naive than that."
"I am not naive." Eyes corrected him, "I know Kanone has no feelings for me, and I'm not foolishly hoping that will change anytime soon."
"Then why?" Kiyotaka asked, honestly confused, "Why do you continue to put your trust in someone who doesn't even love you?" It wasn't often Kiyotaka was confused; hell, it almost never happened. Eyes, though, could always confuse Kiyotaka. The latter wasn't sure why this was, but he figured it had something to do with the boy's lack of emotion. That trait made him very hard to read, at least to Kiyotaka it did.
"Why do you continue to wonder about things you have no right to wonder about?" Eyes retorted, getting annoyed, "I will not aid you in killing Kanone. Neither will the others, so leave them out of this."
Kiyotaka laughed, "I wouldn't have even considered the others for this; they don't have the emotional ties to Kanone that you obviously do. Still, you do realize if Kanone continues on this way, someone will be hurt."
Eyes knew Kiyotaka was talking about Ayumu. He knew that Kanone wouldn't give up until he had proved whatever it was he was trying to prove, and that Ayumu, depsite his claims, was just as stubborn. In the end, one of them would end up suffering a crushing defeat, "I never said I would sit idly by and watch Kanone destroy his and Ayumu's lives." he informed the older one, "I simply refuse to go as far as killing him, and if you choose that path, I will stop you." With that, Eyes flipped his phone shut, and stared at it, wondering if he was being a complete fool for refusing Kiyotaka's offer, and his help. He sighed, "Kanone, you may not love me, but I will still protect you." It had been a promise Eyes had made to Kanone many years ago, and Eyes didn't break his promises so easily.
Flashback (trust me, you won't hate Kanone in this one! You know who you are.)
Eyes and Kanone were walking, side by side, back to the former's home. They had just come from his mother's funeral, and now they were going to pack his things. It had been agreed on by all parties involved that the best option would be for Eyes to simply live with Kanone, since he had no parents or siblings left to care for him. Kanone glanced to Eyes, "Your mother passed on so suddenly." Silence met his observation, and he continued, "Eyes, listen to me." more silence and a glance told him to continue. Kanone stopped suddenly, forcing Eyes to do the same as he lowered his umbrella in front of the silver-haired boy, "It's best to cry when you want to cry."
Eyes stared straight ahead, not daring to look into Kanone's eyes. If he did, he might not be able to look away again, "I'm not that kind of child anymore." he replied. It was true; after everything Kanone had taught him, after everything that had happened, he wasn't the same. How could he be expected to be?
"We grew up together; yet, in all that time, I have never seen you cry." he informed the younger one. It was a bit sad, in Kanone's opinion, that his friend refused to cry. Though, his silence was one of the qualities that made him so mysterious, not to mention more attractive, "Sometimes, it's good to control your tears, but sooner or later it will become natural to hold them back, and eventually, your heart will stop feeling anything at all." Kanone had seen it happen before, people who refused to show any emotion. He saw the horrible, miserable people they became; he didn't want that for Eyes, "The more you can't cry, the less sadness you'll feel." Kanone raised his own umbrella, and took Eyes' from his grasp, ensuring the younger one heard his next words, "Eyes, you're simply too nice, so you should cry. Even if you are one of the Blade Children, you don't want to lose what's important to you."
"Crying doesn't change anything." Eyes objected, "Besdies, being a bloodless and tearless demon will be best when I face my destiny." he glanced at Kanone, almost afraid to speak the next words. Though, he knew it was ridiculous ot think Kanone's answer would be 'no', "But you'll be beside me. You'll be with me, and you'll cry in my place, won't you?" he asked, though they both knew the question ran so much deeper. Eyes was asking Kanone if he would stay with him, not abandon him, and love him. Even if Eyes never returned the emotions that Kanone gave him, he would still appreciate them.
Kanone smiled, "Of course." he replied, handing Eyes his umbrella back to emphasize his point. He knew what Eyes was asking for, and he would give it to him, as unhesitantly as he had answered.
"Then that's enough. If you're with me, then I know I won't lose the things most important to me. I know it." Though, that was almost a given, seeing as how Kanone was the thing most important to him. The two began walking again, heading towards home, "Even if we're in the pitch darkness, if we're together, we'll continue forth without losing our way."
When they came in sight of Eyes' home, Kanone stopped once more, Eyes following suit, wondering what stopped the older one this time, "Eyes?" As he expected, no response came from the other boy, "Make me a promise."
"A promise?" Eyes repeated, wondering what Kanone was getting at.
"I promised to cry for you, so you won't have to, but I want you to promise me something as well." Eyes stayed silent, wondering what Kanone could possibly want from him, "Protect me." Kanone said, his voice nearly a whisper, "Protect me by protecting yourself. You see, while you say you won't lose the things most important to you by staying with me, you are what's most important to me. No matter what happens Eyes, promise me that you'll protect yourself."
Eyes stared at Kanone, slightly confused, "If we're together, though, why can't you protect me?"
Kanone smiled slightly, "There are things only you can protect yourself from." he replied, though gave no examples, "I'll teach you how, but when the time comes, it must be you who protects yourself, no one else will be able to."
Eyes didn't understand, but agreed anyway, trusting in Kanone's words, "Alright." he promised.
Kanone's smile widened, "As long as we're together, Eyes, we'll always have each other. Never forget that; we may be cursed, but we are still friends."
"I won't forget." Eyes told him, and made a mental note to do just that. Kanone got serious all of a sudden, and moved Eyes' hand that was holding the umbrella so that it came to rest by his side. He mimicked the motion with his own umbrella, and leaned down to place a gentle kiss on the pale lips. Pulling away, they started walking once again as abruptly as they had stopped.
End Flashback
Looking back, Eyes supposed he understood Kanone's request, he just didn't understand why the request had been made. Of course, now he wasn't so naive, and wondered if Kanone had been planning the entire time to go to such extremes to try and keep Eyes close. If he did, why couldn't he realize that it would just push the younger one away? "Perhaps he never truly loved me." Eyes thought, but nearly slapped himself at the thought. At one time, Kanone had loved Eyes very much; why else would he make such a request? He shook his head, making his decision once and for all, "As long as you still cry for me, Kanone, I'll protect you."
Kanone, on the other hand, couldn't be bothered with memories right now, as he was trying to get Ayumu not to hate him. It had pained him to listen to the boy cry himself to sleep, but when he wouldn't talk to Kanone the next morning, the latter saw a big problem in his plan. He needed Ayumu to cooperate if this was to go through flawlessly.
Cooperating, however, was not Ayumu's main concern; finding Madoka was. He was hurt that Kanone wouldn't tell him where the older woman was, and also incredibly suspicious. He knew what the older boy was up to, but refused to play another one of his games. The last time he had nearly died, and if it hadn't been Kanone's infatuation with him, he wouldn't be here today. He wondered if this time Kanone's love would be enough to help him survive, or if he would need more. Of course, Kanone thought he needed to lose something, belief in himself, but he wasn't convinced of that any longer. He supposed the real question was, in the end, who had the stronger will and belief in himself: Ayumu or Kanone?
Obviously, the latter had a strong upperhand, having perfected his beliefs and followed them for many years, and it terrified Ayumu a little to go up against the older one. If Kanone was the reason even Kiyotaka wouldn't come back, which (by now) Ayumu was sure of, then what could he hope to achieve? Unless it was true that he really was stronger than his brother, but his self-doubt, though significantly smaller than before, was still there and it prevented him from believing such things could be true.
Doubting whether or not he really could best Kanone now, Ayumu didn't noticed the latter sneaking up on him and wrapping his arms around the chocolate-haired boy's waist. Ayumu jumped, and he heard Kanone chuckle in his ear, which didn't make him feel much better. It wasn't a happy chuckle, but a cruel one, and Ayumu remembered for the first time since he and Kanone had gotten together how dangerous his boyfriend was. He tried to tell himself Kanone wouldn't hurt him because he loved him, but that little voice in the back of his head told him that he had hurt Eyes, and that he had loved the younger Blade Child very much.
"Why so tense?" Kanone asked, almost mockingly, "You're still convinced I've got something up my sleeve?"
"You're telling me you don't?" Ayumu replied, glaring at Kanone the best he could for their position. Kanone basically had him shoved against the counter with no way to moved basically anything. If this wasn't a show of the older one's dominance, Ayumu didn't know what was.
Kanone laughed a little, a real laugh, "Well, I can't lie to you; I am planning something." he confessed, openly.
Ayumu tensed back up at this, and hated how much Kanone underestimated him. He was telling Ayumu that he was going to stab him in the back, that he would betray him, and he still expected the younger one to stay? Of course, his claims of having Madoka hostage would keep the younger brother here, within his grasp. Once more, the question popped into Ayumu's head, "Why is he doing this?" he knew the reasons now, but not the motivation. Perhaps it was the oppostie; he knew why Kanone wanted to face him again, but he didn't see why the older one couldn't be satisfied with being Ayumu's equal instead of his superior.
"You don't need to be so tense, dear." Kanone informed him, moving his hands from around Ayumu's waist, and finally allowing the younger one to turn around. When he did, Kanone brought his arms back around the slender body, pulling Ayumu closer, "You could end this all right now, you know." Kanone whispered in his ear.
Chills ran down Ayumu's back as he listened to the tempting words. How easy would it be to give into Kanone right now, to throw away everything he had worked for just so it would be over? Kanone knew he was weak, and he was playing every available card he had, and still having a few tricks to store up his sleeve for later. Ayumu thought it over, thought how weak he really was, and how impossible it was to defeat Kanone. Only a fool would go against the older one, but he had to. If not for himself, then for Madoka, "I can't." Ayumu whispered his reply, "I can't and you know it, so why are you trying so intently to make me forfeit before the game has begun?"
Kanone laughed, "Well, at least you can see that much. Perhaps I sold you short." Thinking it over, Kanone shook his head, "Or maybe you don't really believe that, maybe you have no justification to back your argument up." he looked to Ayumu, expectantly. The younger one simply glared, telling Kanone he had a reason. This made Kanone smile, "Of course you do; Madoka, correct? Or, perhaps it's the myth that you will find your brother if you come out victorious." he paused, then leaned in closer to Ayumu, "Or could it possibly be that unconscious desire to succeed and live up to the expectations of others?"
Ayumu hesitated, knowing Kanone was right. Everyone was counting on him to come out the victor in this little game between him and Kanone, to redeem himself and give them their hope back. He couldn't just give up now and disappoint all those people; especially Hiyono and Rio, they had so much faith in him. That made him think, for the first time, maybe he really did have the strength to defeat Kanone. If someone as proud as the Blade Children, even Eyes, could admit that they, for lack of a better word, needed Ayumu, then perhaps there was some truth to their claims. He galnced at Kanone, "I'm not concerned with others' expectations of me. Those whom say they rely on and believe in me have no expectations of me because they believe I will win, they don't expect me to. Everyone has the desire to succeed, not everyone has the ability. The difference is a fine line and depends all on your self confidence and expectations of yourself. You have high expectations of yourself, while I have none whatsoever, and as high as you may feel right now, dominating me in every aspect of our lives, you will come falling back down eventually." Kanone's eyes widened, wondering where this burst of self confidence came from, not liking it one bit. Ayumu took the opportunity to slip out from the older one's grasp, "Now, I have to go, or I'll be late for school."
Hearing the door shut snapped Kanone out of his daze, and he glared at the spot where Ayumu had been, "Where did that come from?" he wondered, then realized that it must have been the other Blade Children and that Hiyono girl. Most likely the latter and Rio giving Ayumu his hope and courage. Pulling his phone out of his pocket, he quickly dialed a number, "Yes, Polaris? Change of plans."
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Hmm, perhaps it wasn't best to let Kanone know he had this newly gained self confidence. Especially if he decides to regret it later. And what kind of changes is Kanone making to his plan? Now we know that Kiyotaka is involved somehow, pretty directly, but how? Heh, questions, anyone? Review!