Engage Me.
A/N: Forgive me, forgive me, forgive me. ;_; I'm so sorry this took so long. Majority of it had been done for months but I wasn't satisfied (still not very). I'm so sorry for the guest people. :c Thank you to everyone who have been patient!
at post time & date : I'm tired. Just wanted it up already. I'll go back and revise a few things later. So if you read it asap, there might be some mistakes (as always).
Replies:
xenocanaan : Ahhhh! Thank you so much! I'm glad you find the two of them adorable, it makes me really happy to hear. I may or may not give a further glimpse into Sakura's friendship with Fon. :) I hope you'll continue to stick around to find out if I do ^_^ Thanks for another review!
OceanRuins : Those 'arse'-like traits of him definitely makes him loveable adkfjaldf HAHAH but you already know me. Sakura is definitely slightly masochistic when it comes to him, good inquiry LOL. And ah yes. Sometimes it's hard to remember that he's still human, eep. She kinda likes art? But she sucks at it, and you know that too now HAHA. Oops. Anyway, thank you for your review as always and I'm glad you liked their first kiss. c:
kimikokimono : Thank you thank you thank youuu! Your advice / reassurance is really helpful. ;_; I think I already PMed it but it makes me feel a lot better about my sucky / slow updates. I appreciate your understanding! :')
tonbarrie : Eep, thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it. c: I want them to be reunited too :c It's not as fun writing when they are apart (but I'm stupid, I'm the writer so I should be able to do it but- some things must happen first).
TintedRain : YOU'RE SO ADORABLE LOL. It's nice to know how much these things affect you ^_^ I hope you will like the sections in this chapter too. I'm looking forward to seeing how you will react!
Infinite CloudySky : (Your name disappears when I put a period, I don't know why :c ) I'm sorry, I'm a little confused on what you mean? But I don't like reading love triangles either. It's up to you guys for interpretations or anything but I don't exactly have one planned. :) I'm glad you love this fic though!
Sky65 : Ahh oh my god. You're so sweet ;_; Thank you sooo much for telling me this. I really hope I won't disappoint even if I'm getting lazy.. Ahhh. But this encourages me a lot. And it always makes me incredibly happy when people thank me for writing because it's such a wonderful thing to hear from someone. :')
animegirl.r : Thankkks! c: Well, it was slow, but here's the update. Enjoy! :D
First Person ; Nanase Sakura
Cold.. I shivered as I woke up, snuggling deeper into my blanket. I groggily looked at my clock. Ten... Guess I'll get up…..
Ugh. My eyes landed upon a black jacket. I quickly pulled it, draping it over my shivering form. My light purple camisole was too thin and not at all helpful.
It still smelled like him, and it brought a warmth to my face. I wonder what he was doing right now.. What he had done since he arrived.
I cleared my throat but the next time I swallowed made me frown. My hand pressed against my neck, unhappy with the fact that it hurt every time. Oh nooo. I cannot be getting sick- I HATE being sick.
I tried to ignore the sore throat and went ahead with my daily routines along with a thought that I should spend time with Akane today. But, I also kept checking my phone, hoping for a reply. How ridiculous. Really.
It was weird. Actually, it was just stupid. One day going through my life like I had been for the last few years. Then I.. was engaged? And became a stupid, clingy, needy, obsessed- Stupidstupidstupid.
Third Person (Limited) ; Hibari Kyoya
He glanced at the phone screen quickly, reading over the message again. What an idiot.
Kyoya shoved his hands into the pants pocket, feeling a quick shiver from the cold climate. It was even colder since it was early in the morning.
He found a nice spot near a bench by a street light, cool wood and freezing handles. Without too much of a thought, he pulled out his phone and tapped the button under her contact before he could hesitate. If this idiot doesn't pick up, he won't call again-
"Hello."
How quick. It almost made him scoff. He could only imagine her sitting there waiting for him to call. She seemed almost like a puppy, excited to see or hear from him. In fact, it seemed like she was almost jumping for joy. Smile.. So.. Wide.
"Hib- Kyoya?" She must be with his mother. "Why aren't you showing your face?"
"No need," he answered simply. She really shouldn't be picky when he was bothering to do this at all.
Her lips formed a small pout. How childish. "I want to- Ah!" Did she finally notice? Slow. "Is that?! Is that.. Is that the Eiffel Tower behind you?!"
He pulled the phone farther (despite the lack of help it gave) with a slight frown. Volume. This woman.
But her brown eyes widened, sparkled even. So maybe it wasn't so bad. Annoying, but not so bad. "Ah, it's so beautiful. Akane-san," she called with a turn of a head. "Come look!"
He was only here because he wanted to take a walk around the area, explore a bit. And so he ended up here. For his mother perhaps.
"Ah, Kyoya. How are you?" His mother's voice was heard before she appeared on the tiny screen. She sat down beside the pinkette. Kind and gentle smile. "My! How beautiful!"
"Good," he murmured as he tilted the phone for a better view.
"Fon is here too," she informed. As if the martial artist was waiting to, he poked his head into the screen with a ridiculous smile and wave. Like he didn't know the situation here. It made Kyoya almost roll his eyes.
"We miss you! Don't we, Sakura?" Mother nudged the girl beside her. The herbivore nodded slowly, a slight pink spreading over her cheeks. She was doing that fidgety, fidgety, blushing kind of thing. He figured that she wanted to be here too. He knew she was the type to like places like this.
"Paris is the city of love. Kyoya, how come you didn't take poor Sakura with you? Don't tell us you're having an affair."
The pinkette stiffened up. He couldn't tell if she looked like she was about to overreact or if she was about to laugh at the thought.
Kyoya frowned though. "Huh? Why would I when one annoying one is more than enough?"
His mother bursted into soft laughter. The girl, on the other hand, looked pleasantly surprised. Widened brown orbs, sparkling and all. "Kyoyaaa.."
He wanted to throw something at her head. Too bad he couldn't.
Instead, his mother continued to ask a few questions and made idle chatter. Meanwhile, he often found himself how he wounded up doing things like this and having to deal with a pink herbivore (the one that keeps trying to peek over his mom's shoulder to look at him with a silly expression).
After a while, she gave a wink and left out the vicinity with the storm arcobaleno to "give them time alone". Which only served to make the pinkette stiffen immediately.
He wondered shortly to himself if she ever noticed how easily he affected her all these years. But she must, for she turned red as a tomato, pink as her hair, or even sometimes pale as a sheet when it comes to him. Hn.
It made him smirk,
(and her, very confused).
First Person ; Nanase Sakura
It was still dark, so the Eiffel Tower twinkled like a million collective stars, forming a structure against a night sky.
The early rise of dawn after was equally breathtaking. The palette of blue and purple hues breaking into a blend of orange and yellow, smeared onto a canvas that is the sky.
But I wonder which sight I was more enchanted with. Him..or the one behind him. But I kind of knew I couldn't keep my eyes away from.. what little of his face. He probably didn't even know he was doing something really sweet.
I was close to being sure though. That.. He made everything look different. In a beautiful way.
"...Is it cold?" I asked for a conversation.
"It's manageable." Geez. He could just say yes or no.
I paused for some seconds, unsure what to say. But no matter, something stupid comes out anyway. "Look, I'm wearing your jacket," I pointed out with a grin.
"I can see that."
I pulled the phone a little further so he could actually see it on me. "Doesn't it look great on me?"
"No." Douche.
"Looks better on me than it does on you." I stuck out my tongue- He looked like he wanted to cut it off. I got ready to apologize and begged him to spare my life (not really, not until he flew back here anyway) but…...
"..Kyoya."
"What?"
He wasn't even fully shown on the screen, but of course not. It was only a slice of his face, an eye. Though it was enough to strain my heart. And it was beyond enough.
But well, human nature can be pretty greedy. "Can I see?" My voice is barely passed a whisper.
"See what?" He grumbled.
"Your face," I answered while instinctively looking away out of embarrassment. Then why ask, I questioned myself. I turned back to witness his eyes widening for a short second before they were normal again. He was also frowning of course. When wasn't he?
Steel blue orbs hid away behind shut eyelids before a short sigh escaped from thin lips. Slowly, the camera moves farther and it felt... impactful? My cheeks were flushed immediately and I stared at my phone like an idiot. The worse part was that.. I could see myself. Though I saw him more.
"I miss your face," I breathed out. I miss you, my mind spoke from within. UGH- Gross. I waved my hands about in a dismissive manner. "You know- the terrible scowl and all."
He didn't answer, only a quiet snort. Well.
It was partly a tease but... Partly wasn't. Looking at him made me feel shy, made me want to hide my face. I saw my own reflection in the little square, blushing and covering my smile. Or squeals, I wasn't sure. What I was sure, and somewhat ashamed about, was how my eyes kept trailing down to his lips- STOP. What is wrong with me?
I was being ridiculous. I tried to change the subject.
"I wish I was there too." I wasn't entirely sure if I wanted to be at Paris, or to simply be by...
"Then go." Okay then. Talking to these things with Hibari Kyoya was like talking to a rock.
"Well.. I want to go with you."
There was a short sigh. "And?" ..WHAT IS HIS PROBLEM?
"Then take me." I frowned. He made my life so hard. Actually. I made my life hard.
"You're annoying."
That.. would have hurt. Iffff I wasn't used to it. Sadly, I was. "..That's not a no..?"
"It's amazing you can differentiate." He's an ass!
But sarcasm made me smile anyway (since I ignored the eye roll). "Then it's a promise!" I teased.
He only answered in a scoff. Oh, I know he wants to say more. It probably tickled his throat to hold back on a response.
"Kyoya." He had always been doing things that I found utterly unsafe. And I know, even if I don't really know.
"What?"
Scars upon his bare skin that told tales I never once asked about. Perhaps it was because I was scared to know. But it might be because.. I trusted him.
"I can't wait.. I can't wait for you get home."
I noticed there was a slight change in expression. Not huge. More like.. Dare I say, softening? JUST SLIGHTLY- And I take it back.
"... Well wait." What choice did I have?! But it meant he would be back, that he would return home. And that was almost enough for me.
"Obvi-" The ringing on the other end cut my me off. He frowned at the screen before murmuring, "have to go." I nodded slowly, except rather disappointed, and watched as the facecam call disconnected.
….
I stood up slowly and sighed, putting my phone back into the pocket of my light washed denim jeans. Ah, what now? Maybe go-?!
"Ah," Fon murmured when he caught me, hands under my arms. My legs suddenly felt weak or- Rather, my whole body felt weak? "Are you okay?"
"I think I stood up too fast," I replied with an apologetic smile as I turned my head a bit to face the person behind me. "Thank you."
His lips dipped into a small frown as he straightened me up. "You don't look well." But his expression changed, concern loosening into a smile. "Miss him already?"
"N-No!" I stammered with embarrassment. I had done well- okay, without him. I could manage.
"Excuse me," he murmured before a hand raises in front of me, slipping under the pink fringe. Palm pressed against my bare forehead, "You're warm."
"I think I may have a slight fever."
His small smile persisted despite furrowed eyebrows. "You should rest."
"Um.. Yeah. I think I'll go lie down in Hi- Kyoya's room."
He nodded slowly, seemingly satisfied with my answer.
I think his next expression, confused, must be because I was somewhat narrowing my eyes at him.
"Something the matter?"
"No, it's just.. I'm thinking that.. I don't like him because of his looks- Ah, I mean.. You two are a little similar- Well, I-"
He chuckled, amused. I was embarrassed. That was so random, I wasn't sure where it came from.
"Are you calling me.. Us, unappealing?" He asked with a gentle, teasing smile.
"N-No! I meant.. I meant that you're much kinder.. You know.. So.." Shut up, please, I begged myself. "Like. I could have picked…? Someone else..?"
Fon didn't seem to understand much of what I was trying to say. Well, that made two of us.
"B-But I really, um, l..ove-" I cleared my throat. "Love.. him instead. Out of all people..? So.. Uh, ignore me."
This fever was getting to me. I think.
He chuckled again. "An interesting thought."
I was flustered, I want to just.. Leave. "Sorry.." I mumbled.
He shook his head, still smiling somehow. "I understand. I think sometimes there's a person you're attracted to. And it doesn't always make sense," he told me.
I nodded slowly, fully understanding. An arm extended, and he patted my head. I felt like a child, but a happy one. How.. How old was Fon again?
I tilted my head a bit. I was about to ask but then-
"Ah," he murmured when he caught me again. I frowned after having my balance fail me for the second time. "You should really go rest."
"I think so too." And did as I was advised.
..
It was a dim, unlit room that I did not bother to change so there was only natural lighting behind translucent paper of closed shojis. His scent permeated the surrounding air- No, his scent was the air.
Even though I already knew, I just always found his room to be so.. organized. And well kept. Like there wouldn't even be a single speck of dust on nay of the surfaces. But I believed that people who didn't even really know Hibari would figure that about him. He was one that liked- No. Obsessed? With order.
After being in an area for awhile, the natural thing would be to eventually get used to the scent. If it wasn't reeking, maybe. And after awhile, yeah, I started to not notice what the room really smelled like. But there were things where his scent more strongly lingered. Or perhaps I was just close to it.
For one, his futon. His blanket. His pillow. It was...at the same time comforting.. but not? It was uncomfortable..?
Now that I was lying here in his house.. in his room.. without him, I realized that yeah, I didn't like it. Things like this made me wonder just what had I been doing these past years. If I was on autopilot, living a rather numb life. There was some happiness, momentary happiness. But it all came down to simply being content.
Though was it strange? That being happy didn't technically mean happiness?
That sorrow and angst, fighting for or fighting with the person you love, the ability to do that and still fight again, was it strange? That it could also be a part of happiness?
..There had been a few times where I slept in the same room as Hibari. Usually when I got terrible headaches or sleep paralysis. My active imagination would scare the hell out of me. And Akane would not be home. Plus, her bedroom was far down the hallway, whereas his was next to mine. And I wouldn't want to wake up her hardworking self. Hibari was hard working but, who cares? He'd manage.
The first time I had to explain to him (continuously bother him until he was too tired). It took a lot of persistence and resistance of all his grumbles (also some threats here and there) but I managed to stay. Somehow.
Anyway, I pulled my futon over and slept near him. Which was good enough for me and okay for him. He merely turned back around and resumed sleeping. I even tried not to not move or breathe too loudly in case he'd kill me. May or may not have been watching his strong back. Well- The point was I made it out alive.
The next time though, I came in with my futon bunched up and he just turned his back against me, continuing to sleep with only a soft grumble and threat (couldn't miss those).
Once, a loud noise made me jump- jump as I scurried behind his back and under his blanket. He narrowed his eyes and complained in low murmur, lightly hit me on the head- then continued to sleep. Hibari smelled nice. Like home. But a little different, more of his individual scent.
One morning, I woke up earlier than he did. I found myself thinking how nice and peaceful he looked- then he woke up. I instinctively hid behind my blanket, all except my eyes (because no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't quite tear them away).
The moment spent in silence between us, watching each other, felt like an eternity. Though a mere few seconds. I figured his groggy mind was processing why I was there, so I allowed him to do so. Instead, gazing into a pool of steel blue. I spent the time pondering over the color. Maybe perhaps, just a cool grey? Cold as his personality.
I tried to find my voice before muttering a good morning. He scoffed then turned around. I felt like I awoke from a short trance.
But it was in the waking moment of finding him by me, I had this really strange thought that, this was the person I wanted to wake up to. Not because he was good looking (to be honest), or not even because he might have been the person I was closest to whether or not I admitted it then, and definitely not for some creepy perverted reasons.
I wasn't sure what, except for the feeling that it just felt right. One of those moments where I realized:
This..This is where I am supposed to be.
..
Also. There had been a time when there was loud ruckus in the backyard, late at night when Akane wasn't home. Before I had a chance to do it myself, the door to my room slid open and I jumped before freezing completely still. But it was Hibari.
And I let out a breath of relief instead (strange, actually). Frown, eyes furrowed and everything. The usual.
He walked over with a finger in front of his lips, telling me to keep silent.
The thought of him coming in to check up on me or get me sent a warm feeling through me. Of course while I was somewhat sure he was one of the strongest people alive and being by such a person would by default give me a great sense of security.
But it wasn't that. It was the fact that he came in to check up on me right away is what gave me that warmth, that reassurance. Also something else. But I didn't have time for that (I didn't know then that it would be just be some cat).
…
Anyway, the thought of being here without Hibari made me uncomfortable. Or well, somewhat sad.. Maybe. So it was back to the comforts of my (lonely) home.
I woke up with an awful sore throat that still demanded attention. I shivered and quickly pulled the blanket higher over me. But I was still cold. Too cold.
My hand lazily slapped against my forehead, instinctively groaning when I felt the hot temperature. Shit.
'Kyoya, I think I got sick. σ(^_^;) ' I texted slowly with one hand, pressing enter before I could think about it and decide against it. Not that he would really care. But.
My lids grew heavy, I was probably about to fall back asleep- But my phone vibrated. And to my surprise, there was an immediate reply: 'I thought idiots don't get sick.'
' Ha. Ha. Guess I'm not an idiot. (¬_¬) ' I replied.
' You are. '
' (๑°^°๑) ... '
' That just proves it. '
' How mean! '
..Ah, no reply. Perhaps I should have said something else- Oh!
'Your bird. (•ө•) ' ...I'm stupid. Aren't I? But how often do I get to text him?
' Go to sleep. '
' I just woke up though. How come you type so emotionlessly? ' Then again, probably because he was emotionless. Normally. ' You need to a put a face,' I typed.
'No,' the chat updated.
I needed one that conveyed my disappointment. So I picked a ' (•﹏•๑) '
I watched as the '...' continued as he typed. I wondered what he would say-
' (-_-) ' ..Wow. Amazing. But clearly he was in the mood to somewhat entertain me. Otherwise, the conversation would have ended- Well, before it even started.
I went through the emoticons and found myself easily amused. ' This is you. ( ｀∧´) "Tetsu." And then Kusakabe-san comes in like (￣^￣)ゞ "Yes, Kyo-san!" ' I was having fun. Maybe too much.
' Then this is you: _ ' …? What.
' There's just a line.. '
' I bit you to death. '
' Oh. (´･_･`) ' I admit, that was a little funny. A little.
...No reply. I should probably stop bothering him. Wasn't he- Or shouldn't be doing something? '..I think I will go get medicine now. ' The wisest thing I said all day! I was sure he would agree too.
' Hn. ' was the reply. Who types 'hn' anyway?! Might as well not reply-
But, there was no point denying the smile that stretched across my face. How easily satisfied was I?
Some minutes later, I figured I should really get up and checked my temperature. After I did, there was no denying that I was sick and in need of medicine. And of course, I happened to have run out. Just my luck. Really.
I should go buy some medicine, I thought to myself as I pulled on a simple coat and dragged my feet out the door. The convenience store should have some.. And it wasn't so far away. So there was no point driving.
I was in no condition to drive. Then again, I was in no condition to walk either. But I needed it and I had no one to bother for it.
My hands idly rubbed against my arms, hugging myself in some form of warmth as I walked. Teeth started to clatter and a shiver ran down her spine. Coldddd. I'm so COLD, damn it. How much farther- Shit.
The road in front slowly blurred so I found it a good idea to pause, hand pressing against a nearby brick wall. How.. How much more? I really should've just taken the car or asked ANYONE or…
One free hand pressed against my forehead, checking the temperature that has risen far from before. I wasn't going to deny that I was sick but- This was a bad idea. I reached clumsily into my purse, trying to find the- !
A breeze- A gasp. Someone-
"Mmmf-"
A hand. Hand over my mouth, there-
"Quiet or I'll slice your throat." Cold. Metal. Neck. Mouth, hand.
I did the only thing I could have thought to do, and my teeth clamped down heavily upon bare palms.
"FUCK!"
I roughly shoved the person behind me away, not the best self defense, and ran as far as I could. My footsteps slammed loudly upon pavement. I was in the search of anything, anyone. But no one was around and the next house was… far.
I shoved my hand down into my purse, clumsily trying to find my phone. Even in a situation like this, the first thought that came into my mind was call Hibari, not the police. It seemed safer, more secure. But he wasn't home- !
"Do you really think you could get away with that?" His smile turned into a menacing snarl, contorting his face in a look of pure malicious intent.
-!
My back slammed roughly into the brick wall, something rammed Into my stomach- a fist? And I jolted forward, wind knocked out of me. The surface dug into my back painfully.
Sharp intake of breath.
Can't. Breathe-
Large hand gripped my neck, tightening- squeezing. KILLING.
Air, I need air, I-
"Is this the one?"
"Yeah. She was the one seen with him and his mother."
Him? Mother? Oh-
"Let.. Let me.." ...Go. I croaked out, strangled. My breathing was obviously decreasing as the hand only tightened. Can't, I can't-
I started to kick with futile attempts, unsure what to do. My hand weakly gripped his wrist, trying to wrench his grasp off of me but- It's useless, it's- !
"A-" I gasped, slumping onto the ground with a careless shove from the assaulter. I choked while trying to breathe. What do I- "AH!" I yelped. Pain, lot of pain, my.. My hair was being yanked back, held behind me with a relentless force. Hair, head, scalp- My scalp felt like it was going to be torn off soon.
Help, someone-
What do I- WhatdoIdo? If I..If I.. If I put up a fight, would it escalate the situation? Should I.. Should- What could I do? I can't, I-
"Hurts, doesn't it?" The man snickered darkly.
Bad. This is bad. I have to,.. to get out of.. To- "Ah!"
He yanked further, higher, and my head was pulled back. My hands were shaking out of fear, I can't, I-
"Tell us where Hibari Kyoya's mother lives and maybe I'll kill you quickly."
What- They're after..? After Akane? Whatdotheywant? Whataretheygoingtodo? I don't know, I-
The police.. The policehasto do something-
I reached my hand slowly into my pocket on the side, hoping I could call without them noticing since they turned to speak to each other. This is my chance, my..
I blindly dialed with the numeral positions I've committed to memory. One more, one-
"Oh?"-
"-!" I coughed, doubling over as he kicked me down. I could- "AH!" I screamed as he kicked my hand, stomping-! Crushing. Hisfeet,myhand,he-
"Get the phone," he ordered to the other one. His partner picked up the object that was a few feet away from me. My only chance.
"Thanks to you, now we can call that bastard. Let him hear you suffer."
My eyes widened despite the situation. More panic rushing through me, suffocating. I can't.. I can't let him worry but-
Whatcouldhesomehow.. What if he could somehowsaveme? Whatif-
"Or tell me where his mother is."
The question snapped me out of my trance. I bit down on my lip, extracting blood. Trying to calm myself if possible. It's not, it'snotpossible but.. I.. Not Akane, I can't. "No," I answer firmly. "I-AHK!"
My back hit the wall behind me with a hard kick to my side. Ithurts, it- "St-" My heart thumped wildly as he dragged me up and- "-!" Slammed me into the brick wall, digging into my back. Fuck-
The taller one took some steps away from me and held the phone up to his ears. Despite the other man screaming into my face with his horrid breath, I crane my neck to the other side, paying more attention to the one on the phone.
"Ah, Hibari Kyoya."
My eyes widened and I started to struggle fruitlessly, kicking with whatever energy I had left. Why?!
"Aw, I'm so hurt," the man pouted and his comrade snickered. "You don't remember me?"
"Is this your little friend here?"
The one by me pulled me by the hair, I bit my lip and held back any noise.
I glared defiantly, refusing to speak. The guy with the phone nodded to the other one- !
I screamed as he sliced a knife by my arm, cutting it. Blood. Warm, red blood. MY blood.
"Now, what will it be, pinkie?"
I gave out a forced, raspy laugh that cut short of breath. "Try again."
He punched me, hand releasing my collar the same time, so I slid against the dirty ragged ground. Skin scraped against rocks of harsh asphalt ground that cut into my flesh. Imprinting. Digging. HURTING.
I winced at the stinging pain as I coughed out blood but it was all growing sort of numb by now.
Like your body being so damaged, everything started to not seem any worse than the previous pain. That kind of numb. Not the no-feeling numb, unfortunately.
"Thanks to your pretty little courageous girlfriend here, you get the honor of telling us where your mother is."
I didn't want to hear his voice. No- if I heard it, I'd definitely lose myself. Lose any inkling of courage, of defiance, of mental stability. I'd want to be desperately saved. To cling into his voice with all the strength I had left.
But I can't.
"Don't touch her." A hiss so low and hateful it was almost a snarl. "Or you'll be wishing I'd let you out of your misery." A voice so familiar, I'd associate it with home. A tone so fearsome, I'd be hiding for the rest of my life if it was directed to me.
But it wasn't. It was for me. And the feeling inside me was one that felt of a motion like collapsing inwards, toppling over each other.
I whimpered and shuddered, having the burning sensation of upcoming tears demanding to break free. My hand clenched in front of me, shaky and pathetic. Weak and useless.
"Oooops!" They laughed heartily before their eyes darkened. "And what could you possibly do? Before it'd be too late."
Hibari's name begged to escaped my lips, I swallowed it down countless times over and over.
Akane, mother. She..
I bit down my lip and my nails started to dig into my palm. "Kyo..ya, I'll b-be-... O..kay, s-so-AH-!"
Stomach. Fist, he rammed his fist into my stomach- "I-I'll b-be-!" Again. And-
"Look at you, being so brave. And how much more can you keep it up!?"
His menacing laugh mixed with the next blow of pain as he punched me again. It hurt. But I started to get use to it, this twisting agonizing PAIN. Burning. Seering. But now, slightly numbing.
"HUH?!" the man bellowed, snapped.
"U-!" Air-
"STOP." Hi- I've.. I've never heard him raise his voice so loudly, so- "I'll murder you." I was sure I had some broken bones, but even in this danger, I paid more attention to the way his voice shook with anger.
It somehow made me more resolute. I can.. I can do this, I can't do anything but.. I won't let them get to Akane, I won't.
"This is a waste of time," the other grumbled with boredom.
"Killing your pathetic girlfriend will be enough. We'll find your mother after." I didn't have to look to hear the evil smirk that crept on his face. "Say your goodbyes. Since I'm.. generous. Hm?"
"Sakura-"
"Kyoya, I-"
"Aw, how touching~ Bye," the man singsonged disgustingly.
"I-"
Love…? You..? Am... Sorry..?
"Fight. The ring-"
The ring..? Fight? What is-
...
"..The bitch lost it," he spat, glaring down at me with a hateful expression as the phone fell down, crushing under his feet. Over. It's.. Over..?
I didn't blame them. I just scoffed, slightly laughing even in the situation I was in. It hurt to laugh. I never expected to ever hear 'I love you' and well, if I was about to die. It would have been nice.
But the ring? And fight?
What about this engagement ring? Was that his way of saying such words?
Ah. But at least he said my name. I can't believe one of my last thoughts would still be marveling over such a trivial thing. Ah, what is this? This is sad, this is.. the last time I'll hear his voice.
They were talking to each other now. But I didn't care anymore. What could I do? In such a state..
"Just shoot her." Just shoot me.
"Why don't we torture her more? After what that bastard did to our people."
"I wan….."...
This was probably supposed to be where the heroine fought to give up, find some kind of way. That was not me.
Akane would be depressed.. Heartbroken. If she knew, she might blame herself.. I thought of her crying into her hands, shaking, and losing herself into negative thoughts. I wanted to reach out to her- but I wasn't dead, yet.
M.M would be sad.. But she would also be furious more than anything. I imagined her pacing back and forth, crying but also yelling at nobody in particular. I imagined her frustrating screams with tears, not utterly depressed sobbing. Ah… I won't get to go to all those sales without her. We won't eat desserts together… I hope she finds a new best friend.
Father would be surprised, displeased. He would feel a strain but he wouldn't be as hurt as Akane. He might feel regret, but not heartbroken. He would endorse himself more in research, if it were possible, while I would be joining mother.
My coworkers.. My past classmates. Most people would attend my funeral. They'd leave a rose, a few tears perhaps or a small frown. They'd try to think of any moments we'd have together, though it would fall short and shallow. For I knew many, but didn't know much. I was close to few.
Hibari... No, Kyoya..
I… I still-
My hand was in front of me though the vision constantly swerves in and out of focus. I barely closed my eyes- ! But it shot open again when an aching impact was sent to the side of my stomach.
I coughed and curled up slightly, having been kicked again.
"I don't have time for this."
I was thinking of her smiling face. Her radiance, her love. Her kind words and kept promises. I was thinking about her-
But I was also reminded of darkness. Perpetual darkness. Infinite pain. And maybe even Hell.
The softness of her kindness and the aching sharp stabs, cold rough fingers strangling my neck till I couldn't breathe or scream or cry or LIVE-
"DO YOU WANT TO DIE?"
..No.
...No?
I'm scared.
I'm scared of pain. It hurts. I don't want to be hurt anymore.
I'm afraid. I don't want to die.
"TELL ME WHERE SHE IS, BITCH."
But...
"I'll ne..ver... let you lay... a hand on her."
Over my dead body, bastards. I would never.. I would never jeopardize the remaining time Akane had left. If I could help her.. Repay her in any way that I could. I will. And this was it.
"You little bitch. What do you think YOU can do? We'll kill you and find her anyway."
Pathetic.
I won't. I won't let you. You won't touch her.
I tried to press up, shakily, but I managed to get on my knees. I won't let them, I won't-
"What the?!"
"You told me she was a civilian!"
"She is!"
I wondered what it was that upset them. Then I felt a kind warmth.. calming coolness on my left hand. I strained my neck to see and my eyes widened.
I was definitely going crazy- but they seemed equally afraid of that as well. So much for a bunch or magic tricks or light effects that Kyoya put into the ring. Whatever. It was probably science and technology.
"Killing her would be enough anyway. Get it over with."
My smirk twitched up hatefully, I was certain. If I was going to die, then I was going to die mocking them.
"A-Af..raid of a l-little..light?"
I would put this irregular thing to good use but.. I was tired. Exhausted. And my eyes fought to stay open. But I felt a bit lighter, somewhat. I stood on wobbly legs, begging to give in. But I stumbled forth, trying to run-
"Agh-"
"Where do you think you're going? What happened to all that talk, you little bitch?" he snarled into my ears as he yanked my hair back.
Though in a quick instant, I was sure I caught the glimpse of...red? And the distant muffled sounds of men groaning.
The gun clicked by my head, its touch cold to my temple, and I closed my eyes.
No white light. No flashbacks. Just a pool, an ocean of regret. And I was drowning-
I should've.. I should've done so much more.. I should've said more things.. I should have told him.. told Akane, told Emu, told father.. Father. I never forgave him, father, I...
"Say goodbye."
In this situation, I would have been as stupid as Hibari credited me for if I were to believe my ideal knight in shining armor would come for me. He didn't.
Even if.. Even if he always did-But, this was no fairytale.
My lips stubbornly twitched into a faint smirk. No happy ending for me.
"Goodbye-" -!
Gunshot. An immediate but dulling pain surged through me.
And I lost conscious...
The welcoming, painless darkness engulfed me..
I have.. so many regrets.
Sorry, Akane-san...
...Kyoya...
..Emu...
Even mother... father...
...Good..bye.