Chapter 9 : Revelation

Author's Note : Almost there..

The vet was located some blocks away from their battle ground. But they tried to run as fast as they could and went straight to the emergency ward. Right now, Kouta was the only one waiting at the receptionist, because he insisted that Mitsuzane should go back home. Zack also went on another patrol before going back to Baron's base. The dried blood that seeped into his Gaim hoodie reeked a bit, but his mind went to the little cat.

A moment later, the doctor went out to tell him about its injury. It wasn't a threatening wound if treated with care, thankfully. Then Kouta saw the cat, still sleeping on the examination table because of the leftover of the anesthesia. The vet lent him a cage, because it was dangerous to carry a cat with a stitched wound on arms.

Kouta tried to move him carefully, but waking the cat in the process. When it saw the cage, a mewl of protest went out. "I know it's annoying, but it's only for this time.. Your wound's pretty big, be patient, OK?"

Not surprisingly, the cat complied as Kouta put him inside the cage. The man sighed heartily and went home.

After reaching his apartment, Kouta rearranged the cat's basket bed. He rummaged his closet to find another blanket and put it onto the bed to boost its comfort. After making sure the bed was not too squashy or too rigid, he carefully released the small animal. He could tell the cat was still weakened by the wound. The man offered him some meal and milk, but the cat just closed its golden eyes.

Just some moments ago, the feline was moving like a small powerhouse and fought against the Inves. But now it seemed to be less active, its body was almost motionless except for the respiratory systems. At least all of its feet are fine. And at least the injury didn't penetrate its inner organs. The dark-haired man couldn't imagine how lethal would it be if the wound went two or three centimeters deeper.

Kouta sat down on the floor and reached his hand to stroke its head again, careful not to touch the bandages. As if hoping that every stroke would ease its pain. Somehow, he couldn't took his mind off from the cat. Maybe because it was injured. Maybe because lately there were so many injured people around him. Or killed. Or missing.

The young man often got affected if there was something wrong with the people around him. It was in his nature to look after people, and he couldn't fend off his mind from the overwhelming anxiousness if he knew someone was in danger. That was why he tried to help around as much as he could. Although he didn't know if his action was pointless or not. He just wished somehow he could made it better.

Yet sometimes the inevitable slipped from his hand.

"You're so brave, Neko-chan.. " said the dark-haired man with a sad smile. But a subtle quiver was apparent on his voice, reverberating on the empty air between them. Kaito could tell the changes thanks to his sharp ears, but it wasn't pleasant to hear. At all.

Those half-lidded eyes became muddled with dark clouds again. God, why this man was so easily being emotional? Why did the man made such a big deal about this accident? What he did last afternoon was only assisting, nothing else. With a body of that size, there was no way he could do something significant. He was just unlucky to get a cut. Yet it seemed to have a great impact on the young man.

"Kaito.. is always like that.. he's always brave. Braver than me. Challenging enemies with his strength.. I kinda envy him so much for that, you know?"

Slowly the small feline held up its gaze into the man's face upon the mentioning of his name. There was a brief pause, as the cat's attention unknowingly directed towards the only voice in the room.

"But.. he's always by himself. I'm.. I'm always worried about his safety.. That's why.. when he said I can help him infiltrate Yggdrasil, I was so happy.."

The dark-haired man's form started to tremble, chest heavy with choked air while tears sled out from the corner of his eyes. He gripped his cold fingers and erratically inhaled another air. Only to let another stream fell from his cheeks.

"I just.. I just don't want to see anybody in trouble again.. But now he's missing. I don't know where did he go.."

Somehow, the man Kaito called his adversary was looking even smaller than he ever remember. The Gaim user retracted his legs and wrapped his arms around them, burying his wet face with soft whimpers. Just like a small child who lost his mother. Just like how Kaito used to be in the orphanage, on the night where he refused to go to his own bed, gazing at the large window and wishing that his parent would come for him again. The Baron user was still surprised by how depressed this man was because of such a minor problem. He was nobody for Kouta, and so did Kouta to him, so what was with the commotion? Why did it matter so much for Kouta?

Kazuraba..

Kaito was always, always alone. And he always letting himself being alone, all by himself. Because that was the way he used to be, and that helped him to burn his resolution into his mind. To prevent his heart from wavering from his ambition. It was easier to carry out his mission if he was alone. Also because he knew his life resolution didn't exactly following the common sense, he didn't need to involve other people in his path. But this time.. only this time, he didn't want to see someone sank in grief in front of him.

If only he could say that he was here with him.. If only he could do something about those tears..

Don't waste your tears on me..

Kaito unconsciously stepped out from his bed, slowly walked towards the dark-haired man. He reached his side and nudged him near the waist. The pain instantly shot through his small body, but he tried not to pay attention. His action startled Kouta, diverting the man from his woe. Their eyes met for a moment, before the feline rubbed at him again. Kouta smiled weakly, wiped the remaining droplets, then he opened his arm to let the cat climbed into his lap. For a while, silence was the luxury they enjoyed as warm bodies mingled with each other. Somehow, peace found its way into Kouta's expression and that made Kaito breathed with relief.

"Neko-chan.." asked the man timidly."Will you stay? I mean.. if you don't have any home to go back to.."

Stayed.. here?

Maybe.. maybe it was possible..

Maybe it wasn't that bad..

Maybe it was meant to be.

At least, for now. Since he didn't exactly have any ready plans. As always, he replied with a mewl.

"So.. Should I give you a name, then?"

The feline heard him muttered a few names, but all of them sounded silly (blame Kouta with his lack of class). He guessed he just had to accept his fate of being a pet. And being called other than his real name.

"Should I.. named you.. Kaito?" At that moment, the former Baron leader thought he might died from skipping a heart beat.

"Ahahah.. haha.. I'm-I'm just joking.. I-I mean, it's a pretty cool name.. Ah damn, why did I even mention that bastard's name.." said Kouta, as his voice was getting lower and lower towards the last part of his sentences.

The dark-haired man scratched his hair in panic, his cheeks flushed a little as the awkward moment slipped between both of them. Both were unaware of each other's pounding heart. The organs were racing fiercely within their chest, leaving them dumbfounded on the floor. That fluttering feelings returned back, just like what happened yesterday to Kaito. He wished he could prevent the nervousness from creeping into his skin, but it was useless. His stomach churned again as he felt the blood rushed into his face. All of this happened without his consent and he was frustrated with himself.

Why? Why did he had to react like this?

Did he.. did he somehow.. attracted to the young man?

This man, who was oblivious to the great conspiracy of the Yggdrasil? The one who was stupid enough to endanger himself for others? The one who was taking his life so leisurely and happily pranced around? The one he deemed as his rival? The one he was sure the least person

What kind of fate would dawn upon them now?

Then suddenly, lights emitted from the cat's body, engulfing his lithe form. The phenomenon happened so fast that Kouta got no time questioned what just happened. The light blinded him enough that he shut his eyes completely. He had witnessed the most supernatural thing from Helheim Forest, but this thing baffled him even more. In front of him, the very man he had been searching for, materialized like a fairy tale came alive.

"..Kai..to..?"

How could the cat transformed into Kaito? Was that a new Arms or something? Cat Arms? But wait-

If that fluffy-tailed cat was Kaito all along, then all of this time, the brown-haired man was with him?

Then.. All of the things he did, all things he said, all of it without knowing the real identity of the cat..

His face was instantly stroked with multiple blushes and steams seemed to jumped out from his head.

The brown-haired man spoke with his human voice for the first time. "Kazuraba, this is-"

But before the brown-haired man could explain anything, Kouta screeched in panic as he went outside the apartment, running away into God knew where.

Leaving the still very dazed Kaito behind.

With Akira, who had just arrived in the apartment from her work, confused as she watched her brother ran away and found a stranger in her home. A very awkward meeting ensued.

Author's Note : Am I making Kouta too OOC? Or making Kaito too OOC? I'm soooooo sorry.. OTL

Also sorry for the cheesyness.. I kinda overloading it, I think..

And the last bit.. I don't think Akira has ever met with Kaito around episode 20-30 so yeah I left the ending like that, haha..