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Chapter 6
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Age 9
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"Ryōhei-chan!" Hibari's mother knelt beside me, pulling at my wrist. My lips quickly caught the herb, tongue pulling it further into my mouth. Oops. "You shouldn't eat the leaves right out of the bag!" She frowned at me, and I felt my ears heat up at the look in her eyes. Why am I being scolded…?
Kyōya scoffed to her right, and I quickly sent him a glare. Shut up! "Un." I mumbled around the plant, not looking away from the male and simultaneously avoiding the woman's gaze. Mamma's boy… His head snapped towards me as if he heard the thought, and I quickly looked forward again, nibbling on the mint leaf and waiting for the light to turn green. Phew. That was close.
"Don't worry, Suzume-chan," Otōsan placed a large hand on my head, and I blushed furiously at the name: because it wasn't directed at me. "It's a bad habit. Right, Ryōhei?" I quickly stuffed another leaf in my mouth to hide my mortification and replace the one I had spit out, ignoring the exclaimed, "Ryōhei-chan!"
"Un." I grunted in answer, not meeting any of my companion's gaze, face hot.
"If you say so, Akio-kun…" She muttered, unconvinced. My blush deepened at her voice, and I began to grow impatient as the light stubbornly stayed red.
Leilei Suzume. That was her name. The fucking nickname my father gave me that I was so fond of was her given name!
DO YOU KNOW HOW EMBARRASSING THAT IS?!
What's even more embarrassing was taking three years to realize it!
The light turned green.
Thank god!
I nearly raced into the street in my impatience—if Otōsan hadn't caught the collar of my track jacket that is. "Ack! Pappa!" I flailed, causing Kyōya to snort in amusement. I sent him a glare, the boy rolling his eyes and walking ahead with his mother. Bastard! You're enjoying this!
Otōsan laughed, releasing me and stepping off of the curb, large hand ruffling my hair. "Sorry, sorry. Stay close to me, Suzume." My cheeks flushed with heat, ears warm and lips pulled into a scowl. Now I know he's teasing me.
"Un…" I mumbled, looking at the herbs in the paper bag in my arms to distract me. I heard him laugh, and I trailed after the straight hem of his jeans, trying not to think about how I possibly looked like a duckling. All because I didn't want him looking at me…
He was wearing boxing shoes, I noticed, nearly making me laugh which I didn't want, since I was supposed to be mad at him. Even outside the ring… I quickly glanced at my own feet at the thought, ready to compare them. His were taller, and black with white soles and red lines along the side. My own were currently peeking out from my track pants. Ah, shoe's untied.
I promptly stopped, placing the grocery bag to my left. The white laces were dirty already, and I wondered if Okāsan would get mad at me for soiling them so quickly. Maybe an excuse would help? Kyōya stepping on them seems plausible, huh?
"Ryōhei!" My head snapped up at the voice, eyes widening at the pure fear on Otōsan face.
What…? A dark blur appeared at the corner of my eye, and I turned my head to look. "Ryōhei!"
A car. Tinted windows.
Fuck…
I wasn't going to make it.
I was fast. I knew that. It was one of the advantages I had when playing against older opponents and having them underestimate me.
But I wouldn't make it. I knew my limits, and this was one of them: my body couldn't keep up with my mind. It would take too much time to push this blasted nine year old body to its feet and then run for—
Oh my god, my father was running towards me.
No…
My mind worked overtime, feeding me unhealthy images and probabilities when Otōsan was added to the equation. My heart tried to keep up to the stress a single moment could give me, my breaths coming in painful gasps of panic.
He was—
"NO! STAY AWAY!"
Too late.
His palm connected with my chest, and something cracked under the force. My breath left me violently, painfully. And then I was in the air, eyes wide open, taking in the scene.
I had a front row seat after all.
There was the sound of a thunderclap as the bumper hit him, the cracking of glass as Otōsan's body slammed against the windshield, the thumps of a broken figure travelling along the hood and then I was looking at the sky before a tremor travelled along my spine originating from the back of my head.
My vision shook, eyesight blurring, lungs closing, ears ringing. There was a heaviness that settled in my limbs immediately, thoughts hushed to vague threads of mind so quickly I didn't bother to think about it.
I was tired. So tired...
Stay awake!
But… But I… didn't… want to…
Stay awake! Wake up!
Mmm...
My hearing cleared to muffled noises, and there was a ringing that annoyed me, loud enough to shift the fog in my mind. What… is that..?
It was screaming.
Is it mine…?
And then the pain hit me.
And I was awake.
I clenched my teeth, vocals aching to echo the cries that pulled me from the momentary bliss, adrenaline racing to numb the agony in my head.
Ugh! Fuck. Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! What the hell happen—?!
Otōsan.
The thought pierced my mind so suddenly that I sat up, brain knocking against my skull, nausea riding up my throat at the sudden movement. "Ugh," I swallowed, temples pounding, breath harsh.
A mantra began in my head.
Otōsan. Otōsan! Otōsan!Otōsan!
I pulled myself to my knees, limbs shaking, joints attempting to lock themselves. My eyes caught sight of Leilei Suzume still on the opposite curb, one hand keeping Kyōya face embedded in her skirt, the other over her mouth, tears travelling over her knuckles in shock. Slowly, she pulled a cell phone out of her purse, fingers trembling over the screen.
My vision widened, taking in the car, the open door, the dented metal, the broken glass littering the ground, the driver. "Hah hah." Kneeling over a still body!Hand. "Hah hah." Hovering over a figure's torso!
Something snapped.
"GET AWAY FROM HIM!" I flew at the man, scraping my hands and elbows in my haste. I roared, throwing myself at him. My nails scratched at his throat and face, little claws trying to gouge his eyes out, peel the skin from his skull, expose the rotten flesh underneath—
Kill him! Kill him! Kill him! Kill him!
"Ryōhei-chan! Stop! Stop it!" Hibari's mother tried pulling me away, but I resisted, fought against the woman to get to the male who had—! To my father—!
I'LL KILL YOU!
"He killed Pappa!" I screamed, voice box tearing. There was only one thing on my mind. "I'll kill him! I'll kill him! I'll kill him! I'll kill him!"
KILL! HIM!
"Ryōhei…" The word was like a bullet to the brain. My body froze, psyche gradually descending from the maddened haze. Slowly, ever so slowly, heart pounding and praying, I turned my head towards the pile of flesh and broken bones, honey colored eyes trying to disguise the pain shining from the iris.
"Pa..ppa…?" He's—! I wriggled out of Leilei Suzume's hold, tearing the knees of my track pants as I slid towards the immobile male. "Pappa!"
He's alive! He's okay! Everything's—!
Oh my god.
"Is it that bad…?" He asked with a laugh, voice cracking in the middle. Yes. I hurriedly corrected my facial expression, but I knew he saw, and it made me so mad.
It was bad. So, so, bad.
I swallowed the bile at the back of my throat. Oh my god… oh my...god! "N-No," I lied, finally able to regain my voice, even if it did escape in a gasp. Don't worry about that. Otōsan's—! "A-Anyway, we need to stop the bleeding! So—," I jumped when he cupped my cheek, the physical contact taking me by surprise. He slowly brushed his thumb against my cheekbone, the action strangely hypnotizing as he did it again. And again. And again.
"You look just like your mother…" Crack.
I forced out a laugh, hands encircling his forearm, fingers shaking against his skin. Don't tell me he's— "You s-sound as if—"
"I love you, Suzume…" Crack. My trembling increased, tears leaking out of my eyes. "I'm proud of you…"
"D-Don't joke around about s-something l-like this!" I sniffed loudly, trying to stop the mucus frantically escaping my nose. "Y-You'll make me mad!"
He chuckled, or tried to at least. The sound was wheezy and high pitched, almost like a whistle. It sent a shiver up my spine at just how wrong it was. Stop. Stop it. Don't you dare—! His eyes trailed over my shoulder, "Kyōya…" I jumped, gasping in surprise as I followed his gaze.
Kyōya's face was unhealthily pale, small hands shaking in fists. His eyes were the darkest I've seen, and he stood there, staring at my father with his lips pressed together.
"Take care of her for me, will you?" Crack.
"Shut up!" I yelled, surprising even myself at my voice's intensity. "Shut the fuck up and let me stop the bleeding, old man! Stop talking as if you're about to die, because you aren't! I won't let you die here, you hear me?!"
I was not ready to lose anyone again.
I had not been ready to lose Monday. I was definitely not ready to lose him.
I wasn't.
I shouldn't be ready.
This shouldn't be happening.
He blinked, the shock on his face slowly fading to amusement as I tried to catch my breath. He turned back to the boy, lips pulled up in laughter, "What do you say, Kyōya?"
"Shut up!" Don't you dare—!
"Un."
"Don't encourage him!" I nearly screamed, glaring at the now composed child. Shut up! Shut up! You're giving him ideas!
"Ryōhei."
"What?" I snapped, head turning sharply. My scowl fell at the mirth on his face, and I felt a strange feeling tickle my senses.
"Don't let a man push you around okay?" I paused, caught off guard. He was giving me that happy-and-proud grin he always gave when he ruffled my hair, or when he gently tugged at my fringe to make my head cock slightly.
It was… halting my panic…
"U...Un." I exhaled, mostly to keep my mind from stalling, to keep the fear running my system.
"Good," He breathed. He closed his eyes, turning his head to have his face tilt towards the sky, "I can sleep now." He murmured, sighing.
The statement drove home, the sound of the siren picking up my breathing and heart rate. The duo quickly summoned my muted hysteria, and it returned with tears and trembling hands.
"D-Don't fuck with me! The ambulance is coming!" I stuttered, hands working at his twisted hip. Stop the bleeding! Stop the bleeding! "J-Just stay awake! Don't fall asleep! Listen to me! What the hell am I supposed to tell Kyōko huh? She's eight years old! A kid her age still needs a father around! And what do I say to Mamma, huh? That I stopped in the middle of the road to tie my shoe and that you pushed me out of the way? No! Don't fuck with me! Your sense of humor is as bad as Kyōya's! And he beats the crap out of me when I tease him! Which is all the time! I know that it's stupid of me, but I think it's fun, and he blushes sometimes before kicking my ass again, but it shows he cares and—!"
"Ryōhei," I stopped, blurry eyes staring at my hands burying in flesh, elbows locked, body hunched in adding pressure. There was a hand on my shoulder, the touch careful and probing. Did Kyōya just— "He's dead."
De...ad…?
No.
No no no.
De...ad?
No. No. No! No! No! No! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!
Dead?
Inhale.
"UWAAAAHHH!"
The world shattered.
"WAAAAAAHHHHH!" There were figures in uniform pulling at my shoulders and hands… "PAPPA! PAPPA!" Prying my fingers from his jacket… "PAPPA! PAPPA! PAPPA! PAPPA!"
Taking me away from him…
"PAPPA!"
Swarming him from my vision….
"WHAAAAAAAAA!"
Have to…get to him!
"PAPPA! PAPPA! PAPPA! PAPPA! PAPPA! PAPPA! PAPPA! PAPPA!"
WAKE UP!
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Sasagawa Akio died on Wednesday, March 3rd, at the age of 33.
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I was vaguely aware of Leilei Suzume pulling Sasagawa Hina outside of the house. Not even a minute passed of simply listening to the clock's ticks echoing in my head before a call of, "Mamma!" woke me up so sharply, I was left gasping as if breaking the surface of icy water.
Nono—I'm not ready for this! I'm not ready for this! "Mamma?" Kyōko's footsteps were suddenly so much louder in the tense silence, and Kyōya tugged at my hand to pull away at the noise of her approach.
But I couldn't.
I tightened my hold, knees shaking, tears pooling in my eyes as I was filled with a sudden selfish need to keep him here. Please don't leave me—Stay with me—Don't go—Pleasepleaseplease—Don't let go of me, Kyōya—Stay—You're the only thing—Keeping me—Sane—I can't lose you too—Please don't leave—
Kyōko was in front of me.
My heart pounded, sweat trailing down my temples. Pleasepleaseplease—
"Ah! Onēchan! Okaeri!" She grinned, honey colored eyes bright, caramel colored hair curling around her ears.
My heart stopped.
Oh my god… My teeth chattered in horror, realization turning my blood cold. Oh my god…
I suddenly understood why Sasagawa Akio had closed his eyes.
Because if I had seen death in those orbs…the same shape and color as Kyōko's…
"Hm? Where's Mamma? I wanna ask her if I can sleep over at Hana's!" The tears ran down my cheeks at my revelation, body trembling in fear.
If I had seen death in those eyes...I would have gone insane…
My shaking increased, Kyōya's hand keeping my conscious present in the now, letting me slowly process Kyōko's, "Eh? Onēchan! Why are you crying?!" as I squeezed the life out of the ligament.
I inhaled shakily, air bumping along my vocal cords. How the hell...am I supposed to do this? "K-Kyōko—"
A wail.
A shiver ran down my spine at the despair in the voice, the fine hairs at the back of my neck and on my arms standing straight up. RUN!Run! Run! Run! My instincts screamed, and beside me, Kyōya shared my feelings, looking ready to bolt.
"Huh? Is that Mamma?"
I was suddenly awake.
"Kyōko," I placed my hand on her arm, keeping her here, eyes travelling to Kurokawa Hana at the staircase. Runrunrun! "I'll convince Mamma to let you sleep over at Hana's. So go pack up, okay?" I spoke slowly, praying my voice didn't reveal my alarm.
Her eyes glittered like stars. "Really?" She gasped in delight. She threw her arms around my waist in happiness, grin lighting up the world. "Thank you, Onēchan!" She turned and ran up the stairs, throwing a "I'll be right back, Hana-chan!" over her shoulder.
I watched her enter her room, ears anticipating the click of her lock. Come on, come on. When it came, I stepped towards Kurokawa Hana, dragging a skittish Kyōya behind me. Almost there, Kyōya almost there. "Hana…" I leaned forward, speaking as quietly as I dared, "When she comes back down, take the back exit. I'll call you later on when I'll be picking her up. I just need you two out of here, okay?" She stared at me for a moment, eyes narrowing when Sasagawa Hina's cries escalated. Come on, Hana! Trust me!
"Okay." She murmured, an unhealthy maturity on her face.
"Good." I breathed, relieved and sighing in hopes my heart would slow. I suddenly grew worried. "Take care of her for me, will you?" I murmured, unable to hide behind my fringe.
Her face softened, and she gave me an almost amused smile. "Always." She promised.
"Thank you," I breathed, banishing my tears of gratitude as Kyōko appeared at the top of the staircase.
"I'm ready!" She cheered, skipping down the stairs. Sparkles followed in her wake, the effect unable to distract me this time. She headed for the front door, and my breath hitched—
"Ah, Kyōko!" Hana pulled at the girl's shoulder, causing the girl to blink in surprise.
"Mm? What's wrong, Hana-chan?" She questioned, looking innocent and oblivious.
My mouth opened to save the day—"Let's go out through the back. I know a shortcut that could get us to my house faster." She supplied quickly, and my mouth shut up in surprise, impressed at her smooth ability to lie. Especially to Kyōko no less.
"Okay!" Kyōko grinned, following the darker haired girl with a cheerful hum. Hana paused for a moment, letting Kyōko through first. She turned and looked at me, eyes consoling.
Don't tell me… "I'm sorry." She turned and quickly followed her best friend out, possibly not able to take my emotions.
Haha...it's that obvious…? I bowed my head, the tears returning. It had been so easy for her to read me, possibly because she too had lost her mother not too long ago. And yet Kyōko… should I be glad that she could accept anything I told her so easily?
Another wail emitted from behind the door. This time, the effect had goosebumps appearing on my skin, and the animalistic instinct to run was so strong I was paralyzed from the fear.
I was tired. I didn't know what to do anymore… What do I do?
"Sasagawa." Kyōya pulled at my hand, tugging me from the disgraceful state. I lifted my eyes to meet his, already missing him calling me by my first name.
"What?" I tried to say, the word escaping as a plea instead. I don't…
He pulled at my hand again, insistent. "Let's run."
The idea sounded too pleasant. Please! "Un." I grunted, hiccuping violently. I was glad. So, so glad, Kyōya was guiding me through the blurry tears.
Because… Because I…
I don't know how to say, 'Happy Birthday,' to Kyōko tomorrow...
Thanks to:
Thao Sama (haha, thanks), Dustflame (she's...oblivious about herself, I guess), little101 (haha, no comment), MusicOfMadness (thanks, I want to read yours now), chibi-no-baka (thanks a lot, I'm working on those loop holes now), Not-Gonna-Update (uh...should I have her say it?), BrokenAria (sorry! i was planning his death since chapter 3...), Wolf of the Nightly Moon (thanks!), shadow-binder (thanks!), animagirl (haha, you read my mind!), Juliedoo (thanks a lot!), unlimited tears (haha...they're not an official paring yet...maybe soon?), Yamamoto Fan (haha, of course!), Allykrau (ah, good enough?)
I am not satisfied with this chapter... at all. I don't think I expressed Sunday/Ryōhei's emotions properly... especially since I planned Akio's death since Chapter 3...
Guys, I'm horrible. I don't deserve you. Sniff.
Hey, is Kyōya OOC? I feel... man, he's hard to write but so easy to understand—why do you do this to me Hibari Kyōya?!
Ah! Not-Gonna-Update-san has pointed something out! Should Sunday/Ryōhei adopt, 'extreme'? I have a few ideas on how to incorporate it, but in all honestly, it totally slipped my mind, like chibi-no-baka-san's reminded of Canon!Ryōhei's relationship with Hana...haha?
Ahem. Anyways, please review?
—prince
