Jin x Makoto Stories

Hope SIN

Chapter 2: False hero

For him the sole act of waking up came as a surprise. Even in dreams, he closed his eyes and by doing that the exit from that dream world never appeared. Off in the distance he heard a faint voice, but it sounded as if it was being absorbed by darkness, the sound of something precious…shattered. He, becoming something different entirely. This sensation makes his head…shatter and it escapes logic, this is why, Even in dreams he awaits for day, as light will cover his darkness. For the dark night in his mind to be dispersed by light.

"Guh! N…Not Again!" a blonde young man awoke in a bed, covered in bandages.

Jin Kisaragi awoke and took note of the room in where he was, a circled window which had the light of day entering his room. Some bookshelves, crammed with books, yellow walls and a wooden floor. Litchi Faye Ling's Clinic was where he found himself. Immediately, his hands searched for his sword and found it on the side of his bed. Putting aside the white blankets, the young man got up.

"Where was I? I fought Hakumen and…That girl…Nanaya…" before he could continue his wounds acted up. "Ugh…this level of wounds should be nothing…" He closed his fist to the searing pain.

"You must not move."

A raven haired woman appeared in a rather revealing dress, her hair had a sort of panda tied to it, and she wore a white and red Chinese dress. Her Lips were painted in a pretty pink; however the sides of the dress revealed her underwear. Jin scanned her as he moved his serious gaze to the smiling Litchi Faye Ling.

"You…who are you?"

"I'm Litchi Faye Ling. This is my clinic. You're in Orient Town now."

"How did I…?"

"You were gravely injured. Your friend, Makoto Nanaya brought you here."

"Nanaya huh? Where is she?"

"Right here sempai."

From behind Litchi, Makoto appeared in her black uniform, an expression of nervousness, rarely seen in her, could be easily pointed out. The blonde young man eyed her for some seconds and wondered if he was okay as he had her face beet red.

"Um…uh…how…how are you feeling?" the squirrel said fidgeting.

"I'm fine. Thank you." The major dismissed coldly.

Makoto turned her eyes to a smiling Litchi. The truth really was…Litchi had smelled Makoto's small admiration for her Sempai and perhaps, misunderstood. Though, somewhere deep inside the girl's heart she couldn't bring herself to deny it. The Orient Flower and doctor knew Jin somewhat well. Cold and uncaring; with that in mind gave some tips to the embarrassed officer. Smile, keep hope up even if he doesn't smile, always be sweet and use your figure to seduce him. Even the Hero of Ikaruga couldn't resist. Despite Makoto's protests. The blonde's somewhat cold response gave her a small hope.

Litchi had wondered if Makoto was into the cold guy "stereotype" to which, she fervently denied and defended herself with admiration. But, the doctor's persistence made her waver and thus Litchi had dug up…something hidden to Makoto herself. With a session from the woman, the beastskin found herself wondering what to do. Jin Kisaragi was by far, filled with apathy and coldnesss; More than she imagined, even in his good days at the academy. But Hakumen's rather cryptic remark made her be somewhat happy. If one of the 6 heroes said there was still hope, there was.

"Major…Jin Kisaragi was it?" Litchi said.

"You again…don't expect me to thank you."

"Don't it's my job. Thank Makoto."

"I…it's not necessary…" the mentioned girl dismissed. "All that matters is that sempai is fine."

"Anyway, I'll be going to where my fate awaits me." Jin tried to get up and Makoto contained him rapidly.

"No sempai! You're wounded! You can't!"

"Out of the way!" the hero tried to get out of her arms.

"No way! You can't." she said, holding him tightly with her eyes shut, as she didn't want to see his cold eyes, not anymore.

"I Can. Now move!"

"Enough!" Litchi said chastising Jin. "I don't know what you're after, but this girl didn't get a wink of sleep taking care of you! If you hurt her I won't forgive you!"

Jin moved his surprised gaze to the squirrel who smiled sheepishly. Surprised green eyes met sparkling brown. The young man was a bit surprised for no one, in his life had done that for him outside work. Sure, the NOL saved him but because of duty…Makoto was doing this for another reason, one that escaped his understanding. Nothing was in it for her, no reward, and no award. He was a rebel from the NOL what could she gain? Surely not that idiocy that people called friendship…was it?

"Um…heh…heh…Thanks, I guess."

"Why?" Jin inquired with a bit of surprise.

"Ah! You just got up and look parched…Sempai is thirsty! I'll go get some water!" Makoto disappeared from sight.

"Why…?" the baffled praetorian guard asked.

"That's girl may be a bit energetic, but her feelings are true and pure. Don't you dare hurt her." Litchi said glaring at him. "You know, you'd be more popular if you smiled more, though many girls like the bad guy…" Litchi recommended.

"Hmph. I didn't tell her to come along and…"

"Do learn to be grateful or a rather sad life awaits you." With that the doctor disappeared on the hallway. "Makoto, I'm going to run some errands."

"Eh? W…wait…"

"Remember…smile. Good luck." Litchi said in an encouraging tone.

Makoto brought a jar and a glass of water towards the bandaged man. He was looking vacantly towards the blue sky. With care she poured a bit onto the glass and handed it to Jin.

"Thanks." He said coldly and began to drink.

"No problem sempai. How are you feeling?" she asked with a smile.

"Fine."

An awkward silence. She wondered how her red haired friend managed to keep with his coldness and moreover, still look at him in the same way. To her, Jin was a good young man with good intentions or so she used to say but, seeing him now…it was a totally different story.

"Why?" He asked out of the blue.

"Why what?"

"Why are you still here? You brought me to a clinic. Why do you still hang around me?"

"That again? No need to be so aloof Sempai. Besides, the more, the merrier."

"I don't think so."

"Sempai…why do you put other people aside?" Makoto asked sadly.

"Didn't I tell you yesterday? I…"

"No sempai. I want another reason. Yesterday I banged your truth. Not all people are bad, or lie."

Jin couldn't find a straight answer. Why? Ever since he could remember he was alone. At this point in his life why should he care? Tsubaki? she had helped him sometimes but not definitively and back at the academy, many people had befriended him…but his reason…

"I've lost interest in all." He said closing his eyes.

"Sempai, I promised I'd stick with you."

"You would do better in going with Tsubaki or that pile of garbage of a woman. I don't need anything or anyone."

The day passed with Makoto being silently next to the resting young man, once in a while he'd catch a bit of her form. With dedication she changed his bandages, brought him food or water and to his chagrin, watched over him. She wasn't about to let what happened in Ronnin Gai repeat itself. As the night fell, the hero opened the window and the now night sky received him. Fortunately all he could see was a small tree and some shining stars, no full moon.

"Um…Sempai?"

"What?"

"I thought…you hated the moon…" She asked timidly.

"I do. But I like the stars."

"Really?"

"I've always like the night sky. But I hate the moon."

"Hee, hee. You're so weird sempai."

"Am I?" he asked turning to her.

"Truly! But that makes you, you!" she gave him her trademark smile. And that act alone, made him close his eyes.

"I…can't understand it…her passion…her resolve, her determination of sticking with me? Letting her come along has no rhyme or reason…I've known that being with others is useless…Yet why am I letting her get to me…? I should just leave her but…but…" the young man stared up at the sky. "I…can't be here. It's no good…" he murmured to himself.

"Sempai?"

"Nothing."

Somehow in what was left of his feelings the young girl, made a tiny part of her come along, although, he hated it. That smile, that gentle warm smile was somehow able to melt the ice he'd built around himself.

As time passed, Makoto found herself sleeping; she had no wink of sleep ever since he was found. Jin, with great anxiety expected her to fall asleep.

"Sempai…zzz…"

The young man got up and took his katana. He was about to go when his eyes went to Makoto one last time.

"Yet in my chest…it hurts…leaving her…" he carried her to the bed and gazed one last time before going to meet fate.


"Damn…I should have known better!"

A now awakened Makoto ran through the darkness of Kagutsuchi. Jin was a wild one; she should have tied him up. At least, however, this time she knew where he was. The altar on top the NOL HQ, The Cathedral of the Symbolic Domination was jut below it... She was willing to bet her tail that Jin was there.

The young woman arrived and sneaked into the building not without reading the always cryptic remark…

Hypocrisy is a homage that vice pays to virtue.

The young woman never could understand that proverb. With no time to ponder, she went to look for the major.

Silently she sneaked in the cathedral and saw Jin on the center standing with a rather…disturbing smile.

"Sempai?"

Soon she would understand why. A man clad in red and a black hakama appeared on the other side of the Cathedral. He wore a large sword on his back, lots of belts and iron boots. Jin's smile soon became…twisted, as she could describe it. His whole facial expression looked like he was some type of twisted psycho.

"You bastard…is it you Jin?!"

"Ah…yes brother…We finally meet again!" He said in a childish yet somehow psychotic tone. A chill ran down her spine.

"What the hell are you doing here idiot?!"

"Why does it matter? We both are here…that is…that is all that matters."

"Wonderful. I take things are ending up as they always do?"

"There is no choice is it? It's destiny after all for you to die by MY HAND ALONE! Now dear brother, I'll kill you once and again and again!"

"Outta the way Jin. Last chance. Whether I go PAST you or THROUGH you is your choice."

The man clad in red, his brother glared furiously at her sempai. While Jin just had an ecstatic, yet twisted smile in his mouth. Makoto found herself in disbelief.

"What's going on here…brother…? Wait! That face…! He's Ragna the Bloodegde! The one in the posters…! Then…he's Sempai's…brother?! But what does he mean kill him?"

"You're not going anywhere brother." Jin said giggling. "N...not again giving me orders Yukianessa, shut up, shut up, silence, SILENCE!"

Jin felt as if his head was to be split in 2. The Nox's voice resonating in his head. He grabbed his forehead in pain. Makoto was inclined to go and help, yet something withheld her. A bit of fear and as a spy her instinct told her when to enter. Jin's face right now was something not even Tsubaki or Noel had seen or anyone…wanted to see.

"Jin...you!"

"Hahahaha...I beat it brother! That damned power of order in my head for so long ha, ha, ha...!"

"Power of...order? You're resistant...that son of a...he knew that and yet chose to use you...!" Ragna clenched his fist upon deducing what had happened and who had done it.

"Ahahahha! Why does that even matter? Yukianessa, the power of order...they're only the beginning! That's in the past now! Ahahahaha! You and I are the only ones who exist right now brother! I can finally, FINALLY...kill you! My choice, MINE! Now we can have some fun!"

"Shit… You lost it this time, wake up idiot!"

"Ahahahaha! He he…Ahahahaha! Let's go brother!"

"S…Sempai? No…that can't be him…he can't…he can't! The sempai I know is…is…a good person! Not a cold blooded murderer!" Makoto closed her eyes as she dared not look at this…Jin that was standing there. Laughing like a kid and a murderous expression on his face. She watched only fearing for Jin's safety. Yet his laugh made her heart chill.

"Dead Spike!"

"Hishōken! W…what?"

A dark spike appeared on the floor. Jin expected his ice blade come out but…nothing. The spike hit him dead with no defense. Inflicting pain and setting aback the already injured major. The spy watched in horror the battle unfolding. Ragna watched unimpressed, thinking this was a part of his brother's…joy.

"What's the matter cry baby?" he questioned. "Eat this Jin! Teriyaaah!" Ragna unleashed his soul eater.

"Yukianessa…activate!" he thought. "Reitō!"

Expecting a giant wolf head to come out, Jin met deception as only his elbow reached his brother's attack. The blade filled with darkness sent the blonde to floor, much to the horror of the long tailed spy. The hero got up and tried to draw his sword and…as if it were a ton of concrete he couldn't activate it.

"Hell's Fang!"

Jin put the sheathed sword in between his brother's dark fist and him as a defense. Ragna then noticed something was wrong. At this point half, of the cathedral should be frozen yet not once had his brother drawn his blade. Jin was filled with shock, why couldn't he draw his sword?

"Jin…you bastard are you underestimating me?!"

"Kuh…!"- Jin gritted his teeth. "Yukianessa what's the matter? Why won't you activate?!"

"Sempai…can't draw his katana?" Makoto murmured to herself. "What's going on here?"

"What the hell is wrong with you? Attacking me out of nowhere and then holding back?! Sorry, but I don't have time to play with you!"

"No…No that's not it! Why is this…happening?!"

"Stop it, stop your insanity! More importantly, there's a question I want to ask you."

"You…have a question…for me?"

"Why are you here? Why am I your target?"

"Huh…'why?!' Surely, you could come with a better question than that. To kill you brother, that is my purpose."

Makoto couldn't believe it. That was the reason for going away from the world? To deny the existence of the positive things of life? To kill…his own flesh and blood? Brotherhood was a delicate subject to her, as she had a lot of siblings but she could not understand why he would want to kill, and with such a psychotic face, someone close to him.

"Jin…draw that Yukianessa…" Ragna challenged.

"What are you going on about brother…?"

"Just draw your sword!"

"Yukianessa activate! What's the matter Yukianessa?!" Jin closed his eyes in frustration.

"Tch. It's just like my master…Shit. Jin, you know the Nox Nyctores choose their wielders, right?"

"Of course…and that's why Yukianessa has chosen me..."

"I have no clue as how they're made, but each has a will of its own. That is how they select their owners, and they're willing to do anything to protect those who wield them." Ragna glared at his brother. "BUT…in exchange, those wielding it must pay a certain price. Of course, it can be anything…But there is no doubt as the wielder has to lose something."

"…" Jin simply heard his brother go on.

"Lose something? That's it! The sword…that sword…that…thing! It…took sempai away!"

Makoto then knew, whatever psycho conduct her sempais displayed was because of that katana, but what kind of power did it have to make someone so calm like him, act like a murderer.

"Jin, you idiot…what have you lost? Surely you must know. You've tied to that sword ever since that incident ten years ago."

"I'm…Yukianessa's Master…"

"Then draw your sword and counterattack, Come on! I'll be your opponent."

"Gah! Why?! Why?!" the blonde grit his teeth.

"Why you say…are you an idiot? The answer is simple…You're not using the Nox Nyctores; The Nox Nyctores is USING YOU!"

"No…That's a lie…!"

"Jin, I heard this from my master, you have some kind of power…although he failed to specify exactly what it was. But when the time comes and, it can overcome Yukianessa's own…Then you will be "My ultimate and last enemy"… At least so he says."

"I'll become your enemy…brother?"

"H…how can this be? They're brothers and yet… want to kill each other?"

The horror struck Makoto. Whatever that sword was, it had her hatred. Not only had it used Jin but made him a socio-psychopath that wanted to kill. And to make matters worse, took him away from everything, from Tsubaki…from her even. A mix of sadness and anger were in her heart, anger at the truth she'd heard. Sad that Jin let himself be controlled.

"I'm sure you understand why you can't draw Yukianessa anymore."

"…" The major opened his eyes in shock.

"Hey Nox Nyctores Yukianesa, I dunno how much you hate me, but I'd be worried about my little brother taking trying to take control of you. If you value your carcass that is…My little brother here is pretty strong. Even my master agrees. I guess the tables have turned and now, you have to repay my brother for all that you've taken from him."

"B…Brother…"

"Jin, don't get the wrong idea. I haven't forgiven you. I never will forget what you did back then…now or ever, definitely. I'll settle my score with you when the time is right, and to make it clear you bastard, I'm talking to you, not the sword."

"Heh, heh, heh…that's it. Brother…I…I will kill you most definitely!" With that Jin rushed towards Ragna and once again tried to draw his sword.

"I've got no time! Unleashing magical formula!" Ragna glared as his brother as he closed his fist "Jin, you idiot!"

A dark aura surrounded Ragna. Guantlet Hades went straight for Jin and was ready to defend himself with his sheath however, a clash of metal was heard and the blade never touched the defenseless major.

"Astral Impact! That's as far as you go!" Makoto with an uppercut had stopped the SS criminal in one blow. Jin was in shock to seeing here in front of him, again. This time, barring his way.

"YOU! What're you doing here!? Get out of the way Nanaya! Or I'll cut you down!" Jin said in the harshest tone he could.

Makoto met his eyes. Hatred, madness, loathing for her…? Her brown eyes were shining in the cathedral's candle lights but the young man had a rule, whosoever became an obstacle between him and his brother was gonna be CUT down.

"Sempai…please! Listen to me! Your sword…!"

"Out of the way tail lady! Jin…DISAPPEAR!" Ragna went past her and charged his hand in dark energy.

Ragna's hand turned into a claw of the Black Beast as he snatched his brother. Lifting him up over his head, the white haired youth bombard him with dark tendrils, much to Makoto's horror. At the end, he closed his hand making the claw explode and sending Jin flying. 70 cruel hits were dealt to the blonde hero, Makoto rushed to his side.

"B…brother…ugh…"

"This is the proverbial…Karma." Ragna said eyeing his defeated brother.

"SEMPAI! W…why?! You're his brother?! Why did…?" the beastkin said angrily.

"Don't meddle in other people's business lady. And who the hell are you?" the white haired criminal asked.

"Don't meddle in other people's business…!" The tailed girl turned towards Jin. "Sempai…hang on…"

"That idiot…he should learn to thank other people." Ragna closed his eyes and the aura surrounding him disappeared.

"Why?! He's…you're…his…brother…right?!" Ragna interrupted Makoto.

"You wouldn't understand. And I don't get why you give a damn about him. He doesn't give a damn about…anything except killing me."

"It's not true…sempai….sempai is…" she said trembling.

A single tear fell from Makoto to the bleeding Jin. Ragna couldn't believe it, someone crying for his little, stuck-up, jerk brother. Memories of old times came, and as for a moment, a small smile made its way on his lips.

"That little crybaby is no good. Even now, he causes problems to everyone."

"And you don't?! You almost kill your little brother…You…YOU!"

Ragna locked gazes with Makoto. Dual colored eyes met hurt, angry and sad brown, but deep upon them he could also make…longing and rejection.

"Out of…the ugh…way…Nanaya…I can still fight."

"Learn to stay down Jin." The white haired youth remarked.

"Sempai!" Makoto rushed to his side to meet the usual reaction. Her being pushed aside. "Brother…"

"No Sempai! You're at your limit!"

Upon hearing that and, understanding his brother was in good hands he turned to the stairs

"You little cry-bay someday I'll settle my score with you."

"Wait…Ragna the Bloodedge! I've got a ton of questions for you!" she said jerking her fist.

"And I couldn't care less."

His monochrome cold eyes met her protective brown eyes; the criminal for a second eyed his weakened brother and the girl's eyes. Wet and as shiny as glass. Her intentions were fair, that much he could know. Before he could say anything, a tremor shook the entire cathedral; Ragna's glaze hardened and stared to the ceiling, Makoto's first impulse was to protect Jin.

"An Earthquake?! No! Is that Noel! This is bad!"

"Noel?! Noel Vermillion?! Wait brother, I'm…" Jin sais weakly trying to get up.

"Noel?! What with her?!"

The red jacket youth disappeared in the stairs and while Jin tried to get up, Makoto stopped him, irritating the major but, before they could argue a voice was heard in the Cathedral.

"Hello! Ladies and Gentlemen! Is this thing on? Testing…1…2…3…"

"That…voice…Captain Hazama" The wielder of the power of order pronounced angrily.

"I'm going to guess someone now just said 'Captain Hazama'. Did I guess? Did Major Kisaragi say "that voice" I bet he did! Such a shame, I'm NOT here, or there. Wherever is it you are, I'm somewhere else, being busy, unlike two certain idiots I could mention. So I've got no time to play with you."

"…I can't sense his presence…a Shadow?"

"How can he…?" the squirrel said trying to locate him.

"I WOULD LOVE to entertain you guys but…I have work and stuff so…you know…BUT, don't feel lonely. For soon you will have a puppet show all for yourselves in which YOU are the main attraction! Little squirrel babe, and wannabe hero Bye!"

"Hazama…get out here, bastard." The green eyed hero challenged.

"Disgracefully, he is rather…occupied at the moment." An elegant voice said.

A man clad in a purple cape, white pants and an opera mask came out in front of the duo. Relius Clover with his usual vacant look made an appearance. Makoto felt as if he looked upon them like things and not people, not only he had a dangerous aura around him but also, an elegant yet…dark air. With the arms, she embraced the hurt major in a protection-fashion.

"We have not met have we? Relius Clover, at your service. The pleasure is mine, Makoto Nanaya."

"Colonel Clover from the Research department…"