Rei has lain near death after a run-in with an assassin nearly two years past. Together with the White Tigers, the Bladebreakers decide to remove him from life support and essentially end his life. But just as the doctor is removing the life-giving machine from Rei's body, Kai receives a mysterious phone call instructing him to keep Rei alive for three more days. However, soon after the call, this seemingly simple task gets harder – much harder. Someone wants Rei to die...badly.
Vivir
By: Ceriadara
"And you're positive that he's the one?"
"Yeah."
"Good. Is everything in order?"
"Aleksander is waiting in the alley as we speak."
"Excellent. Well done."
"Thank you, sir."
"..."
The man hung up his phone.
Rei stepped outside the dojo, the crisp, cool autumn air caressing his tan cheeks gently. He loved September best out of all the months – never too warm, never too cold, always just a hint of Christmas and a tantalizing reminder of summer on the breeze.
Today the sky was overcast, steel gray clouds scattered over the horizon. Weak spots of sunlight struggled through the the thick barriers here and there, red and gold leaves dancing in a breeze. He smiled, tilting his head up towards the sky, raven bangs whipping around his face. He took a deep breath and strode down the front walk and onto the sidewalk, heading for the park.
He did this often – when the others were at a movie or he had gotten a day off from training. He would quietly slip out of the door and make his way to the park, just to enjoy the season that he happened to be in, just to think and clear his head...take a rest from the chaos that was the Kinomaya dojo.
He reached the entrance to the park. Waving to the security guard, Kyoujou, with a smile, he made his way in, glad to be free of the responsibility of being mother hen to the team for a little bit longer. He sat down on his usual bench, head tilted back, golden eyes closed gently, a small smile lighting up his features.
He allowed his mind to roam free as he sank into sleep and dreams came to claim him.
He woke an hour later to the sound of Itari's yelling. "Rei! The park's closing!"
He sat up and waved to Itari to show him that he was up before standing and stretching.
"You should really tell someone when you're going to disappear for three hours."
Rei jumped, startled, letting out a yelp. He spun around to face..."Kai! Don't do that! You scared me half to death!"
"...Too bad. I was hoping you'd go all the way."
Rei rolled his eyes. Today was obviously one of those days for him. First the fire at breakfast, then Takao falling down the stairs and breaking his ankle, then him falling asleep at the park, and now Kai was being sadistic again.
"Obviously you didn't. Hurry up, Kon. We need to get into the car and back to the damn dojo."
Rei's eye twitched. Kai was being more bitchy than usual...maybe Kai was a girl? Rei suppressed a spurt of laughter.
"What the hell are you smiling at now, Kon? The car's this way. Hurry the hell up, we don't have all day."
Rei frowned. "Look, Kai, I'm sorry if I worried you, but...you don't have any right to snap at me."
"You didn't worry me, Kon. I'm pissed because Kinomaya broke his ankle, Mizuhara is on a sugar-high, and Kyoujou is being weird again. Get it?"
"Yeah, well, I don't see myself on that list."
"You're the only one that can handle them and you vanished! Now get in the damn car!"
"Look, Kai," hissed Rei, "I don't know what the hell your problem is tonight. Maybe you've been drinking, 'cause you're not yourself. I'll walk home, thanks very much."
Without waiting for Kai to speak, Rei turned on his heel and strode off into the night.
Who the hell does he think he is? Yeah, he's my captain, but this is a free country! He knows I always go to the park...
He slowed down to a walk, sighing. He was near the edge of town where the dojo was located now. Just a few more streets...
He glanced down one alley. The shadows seemed to swirl and materialize into something solid, something shaped almost like a man...
He shivered and pulled his jacket closer to him. He hurried down the street, taking more steps more quickly, almost running but not quite. He felt an inexplicable wave of fear crash around him and the thought suddenly, randomly ran through his head...
I'm going to die.
Then he heard the gunshots.
Kai slid behind the wheel of his convertible, fuming. Why couldn't Kon be agreeable like he usually was? Why'd he have to pick today to be rebellious, of all days? He knew that yes, everything that had happened was not the neko-jin's fault and that he had no right to snap at him, but god, Rei had no right to disappear like that...
Kai's hands tightened somewhat on the steering wheel as he braked for a red light, thinking over what he had said. He cursed under his breath. He had finally completely lost his cool in front of someone...at least Rei would keep it to himself...
He hoped.
But he truly had been worried about the younger boy, alien as the feeling was to him. So many feelings were so foreign to him...but some felt good, felt right...
He sighed, leaning back against the cool leather seat, foot gently pressing the accelerator. He lowered the top slightly to let the cold September air brush against his skin. Suddenly he heard a sound break through the night, something that was all too familiar...
Gunshots.
Then came the screams. First a long scream of pain, quickly fading, then more, stronger ones, panic-filled. He raced to the scene, screeching to a halt. A large throng had gathered around the front of an alley only a few streets from the dojo.
He got out of the car, searching for the raven hair and white jacket that symbolized Rei. He knew that if the neko-jin were there, he would be helping in any way.
He pushed his way through the crowd until he reached the front lines.
He froze.
He had found Rei.
He sank to his knees, vaguely aware of the jostling of the crowd, of the wailing and screaming, barely aware of the sound of the ambulance fast approaching. All he saw was the raven strands floating through bright crimson blood.