Oops, I meant this event being longer. Not a chapter itself. Everyone can't resist a happy Lubba!
Enjoy^^
"Heart cherries or blood cherries?" Tatsumi stood blankly at the front of the merchant. Lubbock had halved the items on the list so they could get everything quicker. Unfortunately, Tatsumi was barely on the second item out of eight.
"U-um... Erm..."
"Kid, they're just cherries." Tatsumi mentally slapped himself from having an anxiety attack and weakly pointed to his right.
"Uh h-heart cherries?" The family is Heartfield after all...
"That'll be seven coins." A lot less expensive than the southern parts of the country. Tatsumi paid off the fruits and headed for the next item. Pumpkins. The family is seriously addicted to pumpkin pie. He wondered how Lubbock was doing on the other side of the district. Hell, Lubbock may already be done and waiting on him to pick up the pace.
In what seemed like an hour, Tatsumi had finally finished his part of the list and went to the less noisy area of the village. He and Lubbock agreed to wait at the opening after finishing the errand. By the time they get back to the mansion, Lubbock's mother plans to spend the whole afternoon cooking while everyone socialized and played games together. Albeit that seemed to be the routine, there was always a liveliness to the family that made everyday unique and unforgettable. It will definitely be hard to leave such a place like that, but as he and Lubbock agreed to, they will make time to visit.
"Ready Tatsumi?" Lubbock asked suddenly. Tatsumi had jolted from his sudden appearance, but nodded.
"It doesn't seem like the villagers had recognized us. It's to be expected. News tend to travel a little slower around in rural areas." Tatsumi said. It was not as though he intended to experiment with not having a disguise. He just happened to forget his jacket and the villagers just happened to focus on making money. Which is good for now.
"Yeah, that's why it's best to leave as soon as possible. You know, in case any wanted posters gives them a new idea on how to make money." Lubbock said with a sigh.
"No worries. We're not leaving forever. Only until this whole war against the Jeagers dies over." Tatsumi said. "Think about it. You could tell me all about your past, we can wonder around here, watch the skies, especially since these trees are a lot bigger. And maybe-"
"Tatsumi." Lubbock interrupted. Tatsumi instantly shut his rambling up with a sheepish grin.
"Aha, well you get the point anyway."
"Actually, once everything is over, I was hoping to get to know you more." Lubbock said. Tatsumi blinked.
"H-huh? But what else is there to know?" He asked and Lubbock had exhaled deeply with a pink tinge to his cheeks. Shit, now he's blushing himself as well.
"I dunno. Maybe your past too, the way you think, j-just stuff I'm still curious about." Lubbock muttered. "You spend so much time focusing on me. It would be unfair not to switch gears once in a while."
"I see..." Tatsumi trailed off before grinning widely. "Alright, after dinner, I'll tell you a little about me as a kid. Just know, I was a huge brat. It's amazing how much I've changed. I actually stopped stealing food from people's plates." He reminisced happily. The mere fact that Lubbock wanted to know more about him set off fireworks in his chest. This time, he did not bother to question this indifferent feeling.
"Heh, we would have gotten along as kids." Lubbock joked and Tatsumi laughed.
"If only that were the case. Imagine where we'd be right now if we had met a lot sooner." He responded. It was meant to be friendly. However, an image of him and Lubbock holding hands flashed in his head. It seemed he wasn't the only one with an unusual imagination because Lubbock's face seemed to be more red than his. Tatsumi wondered what he was thinking.
"Hey..." Lubbock had stopped walking with a timid expression. Tatsumi stopped as well and his heart raced from the sudden change in the atmosphere. The leaves blowing off the trees seem a lot more vibrant than usual.
"What it is, Lubba?"
"... Nothing." Lubbock began walking again and Tatsumi greatly expressed his disappointment.
"No fair! You can't leave me hanging like that!" He complained and a satisfied grin stretched across Lubbock's face.
"Too late. Maybe another time." Lubbock said with a small laugh. Although Tatsumi was in a very light-hearted mood, he could not help but shake off the feeling of not getting to hear what he wanted to hear, and what he wanted to hear was a mystery to even himself.
"You suck..." Tatsumi muttered in defeat. They finally reached the gate of the house, which was already open.
"Hm, Lauren must be out as well." Lubbock said as he shut the gate behind them. "Jeez, just how big is this dinner anyway...?"
They reached the front door and opened, Tatsumi being the first to step in.
"Mrs. Heartfield, we got everything you needed!" Tatsumi called out. Lubbock stepped beside him and they both glanced at each other with slight confusion. The mansion is uncharacteristically quiet. The curtains were drawn too, making the building dark and eerie.
"Maybe a nap?" Tatsumi unsurely reasoned with a shrug, but Lubbock was already striding toward the kitchen and Tatstumi had no choice, but to set down the basket on a nearby table and follow. A sick, uncomfortable feeling started to seep into his stomach. Something is not right. Nothing ever turns out right.
The tight knot in his stomach worsened when he saw Lubbock abnormally freeze by the opening of the kitchen with a blank expression. Just as Tatsumi quickly caught up, his eyes widened just as he barely heard a basket clatter onto the tile floor.
Mrs. Heartfield was standing rather stiffly with a tall, unidentified male behind her. Tatsumi's eyes slowly made its way to the knife held rather dangerously close to her pale neck.
"Wh-what...?" His body began to shake severely. Nothing is going to end well. Perhaps...
He slowly grabbed the handle of his sword and in response the knife pressed closer. It's no use. He can't act rashly, especially if Lubbock's own mother's life is on the line.
Just then, it crossed his mind.
"Wait a minute! Where's everyone else!?" He demanded at the man. The man continued to hold his position.
"... Taken care of." The pitiful sound Lubbock made ignited all the fire in Tatsumi and his sword was out the sheath in the next second.
"Tatsumi, no!"
"Boys, it's a tra-!" In what seemed like a mere red flash before his eyes, Lubbock's mother fell headless to the ground with a sickening thump. The man dropped her head by the hair and it toppled on the ground, spilling even more blood on the tile, before rolling right before Lubbock.
Right then and there, Tatsumi's mind zoned out. His blood pumped so viciously that his chest began to hurt. His vision had a red tinge and he swiftly swung his sword at the man, who dodged it effortlessly and dashed out through the dining room.
"Come back here, bastard!" He screamed, hot on the murderer's tail. Before he could take one more swing, the house rumbled furiously. His unbalanced footing caused him to hesitate, in which the man stepped through an open window and escaped. Tatsumi ran to the window, but the man had already disappeared.
"Careful now, before you blow an eye out!" He looked up in confusion before he clenched his teeth with a dangerous look.
"Lauren..." He growled deeply. The sibling had a smirk as he was seated on the edge of an airborne vehicle.
"What? Can't blame me for not wanting to be beheaded for housing two wanted deadmen." Lauren taunted and Tatsumi could only clench the windowsill tightly.
"Do you have any idea of what you've done!?" He yelled at the older male.
"I'm aware of it. Let's just say some sacrifices are needed for the fun little secret I must share with the Prime Minister in the Capitol. You know, the one both you and my silly little brother believed there was an issue with." His teeth ached from being clenched so hard, but it took all the willpower not to curse Lauren to a thousand hells.
"Y-you're fucked up..." He muttered to the floor, visibly shaking with anger. "You're fucked in the head you selfish bastard!"
"Or maybe you're the one brainwashed into thinking what Night Raid is currently doing is okay." Lauren finally said before the plane began to take off. Tatsumi hated the defeat eating away at his strength. If only his sword had cut into the flesh of one of the enemies, at least one...
He suddenly remembered what happened in the kitchen and ran back to the area. There, he came upon the most heart-wrenching scene of Lubbock kneeling before his mother's head with a silent stream of tears pouring down his face.
Tatsumi now felt useless. He could only stand and watch his friend shake and sob in the pool of blood. Tatsumi looked away from the lifeless eyes of Mrs. Heartfield, hardly noticing moisture running down his cheek.
"Lubba-" Lubbock had stiffened before jumping up and rushing upstairs. Tatsumi called out his name and ran behind him, wondering why his friend was suddenly moving frantically.
"What are you-!" Tatsumi paused his question. His throat closed up when he stood behind Lubbock in an open bedroom. Two bodies laid mangled and bloodied on the carpet floor, no doubt the other two siblings. Before Lubbock could stare any longer, Tatsumi spared him the next few painful seconds by pulling him back in the hall and into his arms. He could not stand it. He could not stand this overwhelming pain.
"Wh-what about d-dad...?" Lubbock's muffled voice came about and Tatsumi shook his head, holding the teen closer. His action spoke much more louder than words because in the next second, his shirt began to soak.
All good things do come to an end.
If only he had been more prepared for it.
