18. Gray clouds cast a dark shadow
"This *pant* really *pant* sucks!" Niki barley got the words out as she all but dragged herself behind the frowning Naruto, who was quite literally running circles around her at the moment.
Were they even allowed to do this?!
"You're slow and you get tired too easily. At this rate, you're gonna die." As smooth as always.
Niki clicked her tongue at his harsh critique and then took a deep breath, pausing mid-step, only for her hands to instantly hit her knees not a moment later as she all but collapsed. Her legs were shaking, her knees buckled, and she was pretty sure there was still another hour or so before sunrise. To be honest she wasn't sure how much longer she could keep this up. It was here that Niki took a moment to really consider her current situation.
Why was she up at this ungodly hour with Uzumaki Naruto of all people? Running of all things?
The truth was that even she wasn't fully sure why...
Naruto extended a fist as he glared at her from above and then thumbed her down.
That jerk!
"This is a test of your endurance, and currently, you are failing miserably. I knew children that could do better."
"Well...you don't have to be so r-rude about it..." She mumbled in-between breaths. Not all of them could do the impossible things he could after all.
Naruto made a face. "Hmm? What's that?" He put a hand up to his ear and openly mocked her with a dry tone. "Speak up. I can't hear a damn thing you're saying princess."
Niki only panted in response, too tired to say anything else. When Naruto barged into her room in the middle of the night and tore her warm blankets from her, she should have gone with her gut and kicked him out right then and there. Thinking back on it though, she doubted she could have done anything regardless. So it was with a heavy heart that she dragged herself out of bed and followed the blond.
Naruto eyed her for a moment, until a sigh escaped his parted lips. "Here. Drink." He said, extending a hand with a bottle of water in it to the exhausted Niki.
The brunette shakily took it, and after struggling with the cap a little, quickly drank her fill. Her entire body thanking her as she greedily downed half of its contents in seconds with no end in sight. Taking this brief respite as a perfect opportunity to explain himself, Naruto did just that.
"Like I told you before, this was a test of endurance," he crossed his arms as he spoke, "you failed of course, but that isn't a bad thing. I already expected as much." The way he could so easily pin her down with nothing but a single glance made Niki feel like a child being scolded by an adult. "Unfortunately since we don't have the time or the resources to train your body, I'll have to sharpen that brain of yours instead. Your smart, Niki, really smart. Of course most of that is book smarts. You most certainly don't have what it takes to kill one of Them, let alone another person." Here he paused. "At least, not yet."
Niki blinked and almost choked on her last chug of water, suddenly standing upright. She opened her mouth to protest but Naruto beat her to it, an ominous shadow cast over his features within the darkened night.
"I know what you're going to say...or more like, I know what you're thinking...but, you're wrong." Naruto pointed toward the city in the distance, where crimson pillars of fire and charcoal black smoke lit up the darkened skies above. "All of this, it isn't going anywhere and it will only be getting worse from here on out. I need you to be ready, you need to be ready."
Be ready? She fought back a scoff. How could anyone ever get used to this? Niki could still hear the screaming and the wailing, the terrible, stomach churning sounds of wet smacking and chewing. She could still see all of their expressions twist into ones of agony as their bodies were mangled and their limbs quite literally ripped away from them.
And the blood...oh god, all of the blood...
How could anyone ever 'be ready' for something like that?
Well, apparently, he could...
Naruto stood across from her, a simple white shirt and sweats on, lips pursed and expression as predictably cold as usual. He was used to this. The screams didn't bother him, the blood didn't phase him, in fact he looked as if he'd seen this all before a dozen times over. He was a person who was ready. A person who she'd misjudged time and time again, a person who while unusual in his own way was proving to be just that — a person.
And most importantly of all, the fact that he was here, with her. It spoke volumes of his current mind-set. Even she could tell that much.
"How do you know if I'm smart or not...?" The brunette spoke up again after the silence had passed, her attention suddenly on the empty bottle in her hands.
"Misuzu liked to brag about you," Niki visibly stiffened at the mention, Naruto noticed it but chose not to comment, "more than once she's mentioned your grades in the past. She'd go on and on about how unlike her, you actually had beauty and brains. Though you seem to lack any nerve."
Niki's grip over the bottle tightened.
"You have the capability to stand up for yourself, but you're lacking in a decent backbone. Lucky for you, I'm going to get you that backbone. The only way I know how, the way I was taught..." A ghost of a smile spread across his pale skin. "You might actually hate me by the end of this."
The way...he was taught? Niki was caught up on those last few words alone.
"Come on, let's head back." Naruto stated, his hands shoved into his pockets as he gestured for her to follow with his head, unkempt shaggy blond hair flailing about.
The brunette watched him for a moment longer than she probably should have, as he was suddenly frowning, a hard look directed her way.
"It's impolite to stare." He said.
Niki almost stuttered. "You...you need a haircut." She mumbled meekly in response, her head still dipped.
Naruto blinked and then snorted. "Whatever, come along princess."
"..."
Niki watched on, her jaw hanging, as Naruto shamelessly undressed right in front of her, in the middle of her room. The blond was half-way about to take his pants off when she'd finally found it in her to speak up. "St-stop!" She cried, a pink blush adorning her cheeks as she covered her entire face.
Naruto leveled her with a blank stare and shrugged, before proceeding to take his pants off. He then folded the sweats neatly over his forearm and carried them with him to the bathroom. "I'm gonna take a shower. Don't wait up." He said before shutting the door behind him, not even a minute later and Niki could hear the water of what was supposed to be her shower-head running.
Which was exactly why the girl did the exact opposite of what he'd directed and stood there firmly rooted to her spot, and waited. Until the door opened again and Naruto stepped out, a towel wrapped around him and steam obscuring the rest of his naked body. Of course that same blank expression was still plastered on his face.
"You're still here? I thought I told you not to wait." The blond commented dryly, a single hand manually drying his hair.
"W-W-What are you d-doing in my room?!" Niki squeaked out, her hand back over her face. The few bits she could see from behind the cracks of her palm colored her already pink cheeks crimson.
Naruto tilted his head, seemingly confused. "I'm going to live here." He said it as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "My room is getting rather...crowded, so I'm going to move in with you. To make a long story short, you and I are going to spend a lot of time together from here on out."
The brunette opened her mouth to protest but couldn't find the words. Instead she stood there like an idiot, her jaw hanging as he nonchalantly passed her by. It took a full minute for Niki, who'd never seen a man in such a state, to gather her wits.
"You-you-you can't do that! You're a boy and I'm a girl and—" She started, only to be immediately cut off.
"You're kidding me right?" Naruto sighed, a thin-lipped frown over his features. "What the hell is it with you women? I'm not some pervert."
"You got naked right in front of me!" She exclaimed.
"And? It isn't the worst thing I've done in front of you." He retorted while leaning his head on his arm.
At that, Niki paused.
He was right...
Why was she so embarrassed? It's not like she's the one who was half naked, she still had her decency!
And Naruto may be a lot of things, but he was no pervert. He may have been an anti-social downer, but not once had she ever caught him drooling over a single girl in Fujimi. For a long time she'd wondered if the blond was gay, or maybe just not interested in any gender. Then one day, Misuzu asked him out of the blue, and he burst into an eccentric fit of laughter immediately after. It was the first time she'd ever heard him laugh, but, it wasn't one of joy.
It was...indescribable, the sound and expression he'd made. It made her feel as if he were laughing for an entirely different reason than them.
"Y-you can't just invade my space like this..." Niki trailed off weakly, her eyes still finding themselves looking at everything but him.
"Oh, your personal space you say?" He scoffed at the notion. "Do you still not get it, girl? You don't have that luxury anymore. Don't get too comfortable here, at any moment, it could all come crumbling down." A cold chill ran up her spine at his words.
Yesterday, she would have disagreed with him. Today however...after everything she'd seen, Niki knew, more than anyone else just how right Uzumaki Naruto really was.
"I'm still not allowing this. I-I'm not okay with this!" She spoke up after a moment had passed.
Naruto only shrugged in response. It didn't take a genius to see how he felt about the matter. "Alright, I get that. When you get the courage to actually make me leave, I'll leave. Until then, you should probably shut your eyes, unless you'd like to get a glimpse of my tailed beast that is." He let a half-smirk rise when she practically tripped in her frantic attempt turn around.
Ha, tailed beast...
That was a good one.
Once the initial shock of it all had faded and once Naruto finally decided to dress himself, an odd silence settled itself between both of them. It wasn't awkward, at least, it wasn't any more awkward than any other time — but it was peaceful, in a way. The thought that he willingly chose to be here was still a foreign concept to her, but, it wasn't one she outright hated anymore. Of course, the simple truth of it was that out of everyone they'd been forced to semi-team up with, both of them knew each other the best.
She felt comfortable at his side.
"Hey...how exactly are you going to make my mind 'sharper'? What do you mean by that?" Niki spoke up, her eyes trailing the fan perched in the center of the ceiling ash she pulled her knees close. What he'd said before left a sinking feeling in her gut.
Naruto cracked a single eye open as he regarded her, "I don't want to ruin the surprise."
"What if...what if I don't like surprises?" Niki whispered, already feeling her ship gradually begin to sink.
"That's tough luck, life's full of them." He retorted.
She had nothing to say to that. And then, just like that, the silence returned. And it sat with them until the sun rose and a new day finally began.
Saeko couldn't believe her luck. Here he was, all alone, making breakfast of all things.
"My my, I didn't know you could cook, Naruto-kun." She smiled at him as she approached, and to her surprise, she received a small nod of recognition in return.
"I didn't just clean tables for the old man. Besides, If I didn't, I would have starved to death." The blond said while stirring a pot. Somehow, she giggled at that.
Saeko found her spot over the closest stool to him, where she sat and merely watched him labor with a smile. There was no one around as far as she could tell, it was only them, and she was rather pleased with the fact. The rest of them were either attending the Don's morning announcements with the hopes of hearing good news or still in bed. All tuckered out from the previous days events. Personally she could care less if things ever went back to normal or not.
The world was always like this after all, and as always, only the strong would survive.
"Eggs?" Naruto suddenly spoke up.
"Hmm?"
"Do you want some eggs? You're probably hungry, right?" He spared her a glance and waited for her response.
"Oh?" Saeko smiled, "is it not the duty of the woman to cook for the man, Naruto-kun? You would stain your honor by making me, a woman, breakfast?"
Naruto stared hard for a moment before speaking. "You've got a messed up family, don't you?"
Saeko let out another giggle. "Yes, I believe I would like some eggs."
Naruto nodded and turned his attention to the sizzling pan. "So what's your plan?" He asked while attending to the soon to be food.
Most would have wondered what he'd meant but Saeko was, as expected, already one step ahead of most. "Why...follow you of course, Naruto-kun. This outbreak won't be so easily cured and mankind is a wholly sinful beast, there's no going back now. I believe we've already discussed this."
"We have," he nodded, "I was just wondering if you were still so adamant about chasing after ghosts."
Within the span of a few minutes a fresh plate of scrambled eggs was set before her.
"Whatever could you mean, Naruto-kun?"
He paused mid-step. "You've said my name like that four times now, and all four times, you've managed to make me feel uncomfortable."
This time, instead of a giggle, a genuine laugh escaped her. Naruto could only pinch the bridge of his nose and wonder what in the actual hell was wrong with this woman.
"Niki!" He cried out shortly after, "come get your food!"
Almost simultaneously, two different things happened. Saeko lost every bit of mirth and the flustered brunette hurriedly turned the corner and took a seat next to her.
"S-Sorry, I couldn't find any juice."
Naruto clicked his tongue. "No doubt Souichiro is hoarding it. Probably hoping to ease people into the simple stuff as quickly as possible"
"Hello, Toshimi Niki." Saeko greeted the girl with a friendly smile.
Niki 'eeped', apparently not entirely aware of the Busujima heiress's presence until now. "S-Saeko-san! I-I mean, Busuj—" She was quite literally caught off-guard.
"It's quite alright." Saeko reassured. "I personally think that after everything we've been through, we're beyond last names."
Niki nodded her head slowly, thankful for the distraction that was Naruto setting a plate of food for her out as it took those piercing blue eyes off of her. She'd noticed quite a while ago that similar to Misuzu, even the smallest action that Naruto took was enough to warrant the eternity of Saeko's attention. Like a magnet, her eyes were drawn to Naruto almost naturally. Now that she thought about it, Naruto and Saeko shared quite a few similarities in spite of the fact that they were on total ends of the social spectrum.
The top of the food chain and the very bottom of it.
"Well you two, eat up." Naruto said as he took a nearby seat for himself, a plate of his own creation waiting for him to dig into.
The three ate in relative silence, alone and undisturbed within one the grand kitchens scattered about the estate. Niki's gaze wandered as she slowly chewed, inwardly amazed at the size and beauty of the kitchen itself. A mix of classical Japanese and modern western.
God only knows how much this all probably cost...
"But why is it so big...?" She wondered aloud, only to realize a moment later what she'd done. "Oh, I'm sorry, I-I was thinking aloud..." She trailed off.
"My my, Niki, you seem even more nervous than usual. Did something happen?" Saeko winked while Naruto spared her a glance.
The blond swallowed before deciding on answering the brunettes queries. "The guy who lives here is super paranoid. He had this place built huge on purpose, with hallways like a maze and the only map to it all burned in his head. A little over the top in my opinion, but it worked out rather well for him." He explained to her.
Saeko took note of the 'worked' instead of 'work', but filed that tidbit away for a more appropriate time.
Niki couldn't help but think that Saya's father really must be like all the stories said after hearing that. A cold, unflinching man bordering mad dictator.
"Takagi-san isn't that bad, Niki. He is an intimidating figure, but like everyone, he has his weaknesses." Saeko added whilst attending to her own food. "By the way, I must say...excellent job, Naruto-kun! It was a simple meal but it was wonderfully made nonetheless. You truly are a pro!"
Niki nodded her head in agreement. It was surprisingly good for just scrambled eggs and veggies. Naruto only shrugged his shoulders at the compliment and merely continued to eat in silence.
From the wide window, Niki could see out into the courtyard where a crowd slowly gathered outside in mass. The survivors who'd managed to make it through the first day of this catastrophe stirring from their tents or exiting the estate as Souichiro, accompanied by his wife and daughter, regarded them all from atop a tall podium. They couldn't hear what he was saying but the stern expression on his face spoke for him. And the way the crowd hung on every word...truly a superb show of leadership.
"What do you think he's telling them?" Niki asked again, the question directed at both of her seniors this time.
Next to her, Saeko lightly shrugged.
"Who knows? If he's a smart man, he'll try to keep everyone relatively calm. Although that calm won't last long. I'd give it another week until people really go crazy."
Naruto's gaze flickered over to her for a moment, and as always, she awaited him with a smile on her face.
"Y-you really think so? Only a week...?" Niki stuttered.
Saeko nodded her head. "It only took a day for things to get this bad, imagine another seven."
The younger girl gulped. She hadn't even thought that far ahead yet. But if things were really going to get that bad, then what chance did they have? A sudden thought struck her in that stool, with a half-eaten plate of eggs in front of her, one that she'd been hoping to repress for the longest time now. If a life of running, hiding, and fighting for your next breath is what awaited them, then what was the point of prolonging it? What was the point in even trying?
Was that what it meant to be strong?
If so, she didn't think she wanted any part of it.
The morning was always a rather robotic and routine experience for Takashi, he practically did the same things everyday. It went wake up, lay in bed and stare at the ceiling for as long as possible, then get up and shower and head to school right after. It never failed him.
Except, this time around, it wasn't his bed he was laying in or his shower he'd be using.
As kids he'd stayed the night at the Takagi estate before, but this was different, this wasn't just a sleep over. He couldn't leave whenever he wanted and go back home to his mom, to his house. And what that man said to him yesterday...it left him feeling uneasy with a bad taste in his mouth.
"Relax kid! Kick back and let the grown ups handle this, you've done enough!"
They'd laughed like it was some kind of joke. They laughed as if people weren't being eaten and the dead weren't threatening to eradicate them all. They laughed as if he, and everyone who came with him, never spilled all of that blood or fought tooth-and-nail just to be here right now. They didn't know about their sacrifices as 'kids', or about the people that didn't make it alongside them. They didn't know a damn thing...
And how could they? They weren't there.
So then, what right do I have to be angry? Takashi sighed as he stalked his way toward whatever racket had woken him up. His steps were slow, his posture mirroring that of a bow. And all the while this look was plastered on his face as if he were thinking too hard about something. Rei disappeared yesterday, and when I finally find her...she runs away from me. He could have sworn she'd been crying too!
Takashi had too many questions and not enough answers at this point.
And of course, there was his biggest problem...
They called me leader. He mused to himself. They look at me as a leader, but I'm the furthest thing from one He'd almost gotten them all killed three times now because of his own selfishness.
What's more, he didn't even care! What kind of leader was that?! What was a leader anyways? Someone who was strong and capable? Someone who was willing to make that 'ultimate' sacrifice? Someone charismatic or smart? He was none of those things. He was average at best really.
Definitely not worth her time... a voice whispered in the back of his head. Takashi bit his lip and fought the pang of rage that shot throughout his rigid body.
It...it didn't matter if he was worth her time or not. He would protect her regardless! The girl whom he loved with all of his heart! The woman who would one day be his wife! He'd do anything for her! Even if she herself didn't fully understand or see it yet. Knowing that his anger would serve no actual purpose, Takashi exhaled a deep breath and tried to shift his focus.
Onyx eyes landed on his charging phone atop the counter as a thought crossed his mind. 'We're all supposed to me up today, aren't we?'
Saya's text was pretty clear.
"I suppose I should get this over with..." He murmured.
"I'm not going."
"Why not?"
Naruto spared Saeko another glance and spoke. "Because I don't want to. Because I don't care. I could keep going..." He trailed off.
"They'll expect you to be there you know. I'm sure everyone has questions." She leaned in and smiled while absently brushing a strand of violet hair from her cheek. "And you want things to go smoothly, trust me. So seeing as you've no choice, you should at the very least make an appearance. You knocked three of them out, Naruto-kun, and pretty much imposed your will on the rest. I know it was you. That delicious feeling of malice and rage. I know it's you..."
Naruto scowled at her words. "You're treading dangerous territory again." He warned.
"Oh, I'm sure I am," Saeko responded coyly, "but the fact of the matter is. You really don't have a choice. Unless of course you decide to...hmm, persuade them, like you did before? Take away all choice and make them do what you want? I mean...it works." She finished with a wide smile.
The most disturbing part about that smile was that it wasn't a fake smile, but a real one, an honest one. It was genuine satisfaction all around. She meant every word.
"I've got better things to do than sit and be ridiculed by people who don't know a thing about me. This isn't school, I don't have to put up with it."
"But...that's the problem." Saeko interjected. "No one knows anything about you, Uzumaki Naruto."
Dark blue eyes peered into her own lighter blue, and right before her eyes, they froze over. "And no one will." There was no scowl, or a frown, or anything remotely resembling an emotion on his face. "No one needs to know anything." He rose from his seat, and Saeko felt a cold sweat form as he circled the table and approached. "My secrets will die with me." He was in front of her now, and idly, she noted a cold steel was pressing against her neck.
Her eyes widened by a tiny margin.
"There you go again... My my, is this the only way you know how to handle things, Naruto-kun?"
Naruto's eyes narrowed dangerously. She was still trying to play games with him, even now?
Cheeky girl.
"You get weirder and weirder every time I talk to you alone." Naruto commented, the knife still pressed to her throat.
"And you less patient."
"Do you really not care about your life?"
"No, not really." She smiled at him. "As long as you're the one doing the killing, I could care less."
The sound of running footsteps alerted them both to a nearby returning presence, and not a second later, Niki came sprinting down the stairs her phone in hand. When she'd finally reached the bottom, the immediately girl leaned against a wall and huffed, her head bowed as she took a moment to rest. When she finally felt like she could talk again, Niki spoke.
"H-Hey guys, I just checked the time! We're all supposed to meet up soon! A-Are you coming?"
Naruto put down the dish he'd been scrubbing, and after a brief exchange with Saeko, shook his head a no.
"I'm gonna have to sit this group meeting out. You should too, of course, you won't listen to me so do whatever you want." With his piece being said the blond returned to cleaning the dishes, leaving no room for any arguments.
Niki fought the urge to sigh. Really though, she expected as much.
Her gaze then turned to Saeko, who greeted her with a short nod after quietly contemplating it. "Yes, I believe I'll attend. Ever since coming here it feels almost like we never grouped up in the first place, don't you think? It makes me rather sad."
Niki flinched at her seniors words. Her own thoughts having led to a similar conclusion.
Naruto fought the urge to sigh at the brunettes obvious hurt. Wonderful, she's got attachment issues too. Getting her to actively want to leave this place and these people would be difficult. And while they were an oddly skilled group, they were all — himself included — ticking time bombs. It was only a matter of time before one of them exploded first and took everyone else out with them. He could protect Niki, but not from everything, not all the time. He couldn't constantly watch over her. And clones...he could use clones, but then he himself would be constantly weakened. And his already limited time would be cut in half.
"O-Okay..." Niki nodded, her eyes trailing over to Naruto one last time. "Are you sure you don't...?"
"I'm positive." He responded with his back to them. "Now go on and go bother someone else." He then ushered them off with his free, but still rather soapy hand.
When he was sure they were gone, Naruto rinsed the plate in his hands, dried it, and then put it on the rack before washing his hands. The water was cold, but he didn't care. It didn't bother him anymore. With a sigh, Naruto dried them, then placed both hands in his pockets and leaned back against the counter. A contemplative look on his pale face as he watched the crowd outside finally start to disperse.
All this talk of making her stronger, of sharpening her mind...and I don't even know where to start.
Danzo showed him no mercy. His first lessons were on how to break a man, how to tear apart his soul and take his will. How to make him malleable. And he was both the student and the dummy. On his first day as a newly apprenticed root member, Danzo had him kill twenty-four men. Prisoners with the death sentence, one for every hour on the hour. The newly inducted Hokage would read the man/woman/child's crime out to him, and then he would deliver their punishment. It was hard the first couple of times, but by the ninth body, it got progressively easier.
Niki wasn't like him though, she wasn't put in the position he was put in and forced to act. And the only person she'd really risk it all for was already dead...
The girl didn't have much in terms of motivation at present time.
So then, what are my options? Naruto brushed a hand through his hair and sighed again. At this point, even he was starting to miss the simplicity of a world without Them. His gaze lingered on Souichiro for a moment longer. I suppose I really don't have many choices...
"Captain," Joe whispered, one eye shut and the other looking down a wide scope, "I can take the shot at anytime."
Rika frowned, both because of how uncomfortable it was to lay on top of a roof in full riot armor and because once again, this was a complete waste of her time. Her goggles obscured her eyes behind a sheet of dark orange and her thumb impatiently stroked the trigger of the powerful rifle she held in her arms. Below, a group of three officers were running for their very lives as a dozen infected madly chased them down.
"Orders?"
Rika allowed herself to shift into the role of commander and spoke. "They didn't alert the whole horde and they were smart enough to not waste any bullets. Let them come back in. As soon as you see them get through the barricade, open fire. And remember, one bullet to the head people, that's it. We need ours more then They do."
A quiet chorus of. "Yes, captain!" Followed her deceleration.
When the three men made it past the barricade, Rika pulled the trigger first. A single round that killed not one, but three of the monsters in go. The bullet sailing and tearing through skin and bone as easily as a hot knife would cut through butter. An entire line of men and woman dressed in black, their own rifles prepped and at the ready, followed suit.
It was over in seconds.
"Clear! Everyone get down there and run damage control!" Rika ordered.
There were no words spoken this time as the SAT forces acted, their boots hitting the ground hard as they rushed to attend to their own.
Rika watched them for a moment before her attention shifted to the tall, clear glass windows that separated the surviving civilians and the special forces. Behind them, men and woman watched on, fear and terror clear in their faces as they mutely looked on while the now dead bodies were burnt and disposed of. Mothers turned their children away and held them close, and anger flashed in the eyes of a select few.
Perhaps those they'd just killed had been friends or family? At this point, there was no way of telling.
What I wouldn't give for another pack of smokes right now... She trailed off.
"You alright, captain? Need me to massage your breasts for you?" Joe teased while fixing his hat.
"You've got a better chance at your ex-wife calling than my boobs, pervert." Rika retorted with a faint smirk.
"Ouch," the man flinched, "Oh well...always worth a shot." He shrugged. "So then, what's really on your mind?"
The woman remained silent for a moment until a soft sigh escaped her. "An entire day and not a single word from her... How about you? Have your kids bothered to get into contact with you?"
Joe shook his head a sad no, a somber look on his face. "No...I don't like to think about it, but it's only been a day. Too soon to worry."
"In our line of work it's never too soon to worry."
Joe grimaced at that. "Please, don't remind me..." He trailed off with a sigh of his own. "Just keep your head up. It's terrible right now, so it can only get better right?"
Next to him, Rika pulled her glasses up, her eyes glued to the scene of what seemed like hundreds of monsters as far as the eye could see. To the far waters, where black smoke rose and served as the only tombstones to the planes full of people that tried to escape, but were instead taken over mid-flight and crashed as a result. At least it ended quickly enough for them.
"Keep your head up, eh...?" Rika mumbled. The woman reached into her personal pocket and pulled out her cell.
Zero messages. Zero missed calls.
Joe was right. Things were terrible right now...
But that's about as right as he got. Things wouldn't be getting any better, and definitely not any time soon. They still had everything to lose and nothing to gain. What was even worse was that she was still here...wasting precious time.
"So, what is it you wanted to talk to me about? What's this deal you want to make with me, your father?"
When she'd asked him to talk in private later on after the announcements were done, Souichiro would have almost said no, had she not practically strong armed him into it. Now his only daughter sat across from him, her lips set into a thin line and her arms crossed over her chest. An air of total seriousness about her. Which could only mean one thing...
"You know exactly what this is about."
The Don sighed. "So I was right. This is about the engagement?" A frown marked his stoic expression. "I thought you said this wouldn't be a waste of my time, Saya."
The girl didn't even flinch. "It isn't," she said, "but I'm happy to know that talking is me is considered a waste of time."
"It is when there are people dying. My people dying." Souichiro stated, his fingers interlocking as he leaned back into his seat. "Besides...you know that wasn't what I meant."
Saya uncrossed her arms and sat upright. "It doesn't matter how you meant it. My engagement, that I want no part of, does. Papa...why won't you listen to me? I don't want to marry him! He's a terrible person and he's only in this for himself! He—"
"—Is the heir to one of the most influential families in all of Europe, and if our families were to join, the Takagi name would cross the very sea's themselves and you'd be untouchable. Whether you like it or not, this is your duty. We all have one. You don't have to love him. If he would use us, then we will simply use him in return."
He underestimated just how twisted Naoya was. Saya grit her teeth.
"Do you hear yourself right now?! You're whoring me out, you know! Your precious daughter!" She cried, slamming her hand down on his table at the end of it.
Her father didn't let up one bit despite Saya's anger, all too used to her outbursts and tantrums already. "I never wanted to skip high school, I wanted to stay with my friends," he began after she'd simmered down, "I never wanted to enlist. I never wanted to join SAT, but, it was my duty. I sacrificed my happiness and my youth to be where I am now, so that you could sit here today, safe, and raise your voice at me. Your mother and I gave it all up to make sure of that, just as you will do the same for your children... It is our way, Saya, it is why the Takagi name has always maintained and survived where other families have not."
The girl snorted. "Tch, there it is again. Our duty. Our name... I don't care about any of that dad, and if it makes me unhappy, neither should you..." She trailed off.
It was a deadlock.
"You should care." The Don spoke, his brow furrowed. "That name you hate so much got you everything you take for granted."
Everything she took for granted?! Saya would trade all of that crap away for a simpler life! A life where her mother and father actually see her and not everything else around her!
"This was pointless...I guess I've got no choice, papa."
"What are you—?"
"Uzumaki Naruto is here." Saya said while glaring into her fathers steely eyes. "He's here, with my group, and if you actually take the time to consider what I'm about to say. You might get a chance to talk to him yourself."
Souichiro paused, never once looking away as his hard gaze met his daughters determined one.
So...this is your game?
A faint smirk lingered on his handsome features.
"Uzumaki Naruto? Who is this? The name doesn't ring any bells."
Saya clicked her tongue. "Don't act stupid. You never failed to ask about him at least once a week."
Souichiro hummed aloud. "Ah, yes, Uzumaki Naruto. I do believe it's coming back to me now." The man nodded. "Okay, I'm listening, go on."
Saya took her seat again and began her explanation. "Uzumaki is here with us. We wouldn't have made it out alive if it weren't for him. He is a good friend." She was lying out of her teeth, but her father didn't know that. "I can get you an audience with him, but only if you order Tadeshi to leave me alone the hell alone. At least until this all blows over."
"And why would I do that? Naruto is a guest in my home, is he not? What's stopping me from calling him myself." It was here that a smile the likes of which Souichiro had never seen before fluttered to life on his daughters frail features.
"You don't know Uzumaki, dad. You'd have a better chance curing this illness than getting him to comply with any of your demands."
Souichiro let out a bark of laughter at that, one that surprised even her. He laughed and laughed for a good ten seconds at a joke that she wasn't really getting.
Really though Souichiro couldn't help it, the girl didn't know just how right she was...
"What's so funny?" Saya asked with a tight lipped frown, obviously not as amused as her father.
"Nothing. I'd imagine it must be true if you're the one saying it." He responded while stifling his smile. "I won't lie to you, the boy has always been of some interest to me. Anything that could better our family is, and I would like to talk to him..." He seemed to consider it before nodding his head. "Very well, Saya, give me some time to think about it."
Saya fought back a smile and nodded. Two years of desperate pleading and heated arguments, and all it took was appealing to his wants to even get him to listen. Perhaps her father really wasn't any different then the other men in the world. The only problem now was how she'd convince Uzumaki to agree to her plan. If the gods were smiling on her, he'd be just as easy to convince.
Saya glanced at the clock hanging high above behind her fathers chair and idly took note of the time. She couldn't quite help the groan that escaped her lips.
"Something wrong?" Souichiro asked with a raised brow.
"No, nothing important. I have to go dad. Let me know what you decide on."
Her father nodded and waved goodbye as she closed the door behind her, a scowl on her face. She didn't really want to do this right now...but there was no other choice.
Out of the eleven that arrived together, only six bothered to show up. Within the rather spacious and extravagant room that belonged to Saya herself, those six sat together, sharing awkward glances and making small talk among each other while they waited for their host to show up. When the door opened and Saya stepped in, the talking instantly ceased and a silence suddenly rested between them all.
As always, the loyalties were easy to spot. Takashi was near Rei by the bed,her hair pulled up while a scowling Shizuka checked her over. Saeko sat by Niki on the love seat and Ishiyama sat across from them. The teen fiddling with his laptop, fingers at blazing speeds as random images reflected off of his glasses.
"This is it?" Saya said bitterly. It wasn't exactly what she'd expected...
Uzumaki wasn't even here, she couldn't give less of a damn about Yuki, and Hirano could take care of himself. That only left the other girl, Kawamoto and the child.
"It looks like it..." Rei added with a wince as Shizuka rubbed a rather sore spot on her back. "Naruto is nowhere to be found, neither is Hirano. Yuki didn't want to come and Alice is with Yuriko-san."
Saya blinked. "My mother?"
Rei nodded while Shizuka placed a heating pad over her shoulder. "Mhm, she offered to watch her for me while I came here."
That was...odd. Her mother was kind and she loved children, but she was also a careful and guarded woman. At a time like this one child wouldn't be enough to take up her time.
"Saya, what's this all about?" Takashi asked, a frown on his face.
"Indeed, I'm quite curious myself as to why you've called us together like this." Saeko crossed one leg over the other and smiled.
Niki didn't say anything, only waiting for the others to speak in her place.
"I take it this is about our goals?" The last of them commented, never once taking his eyes off of the screen. Most turned a curious eye to the tech savvy teen.
Their host nodded and clarified, "That's right. I wanted all of us here so we could discuss plans from here on out." Saya pursed her lips. "We're safe at the moment and there's no need to run. We have optimal time to think and react. So that's why I'd like to get a clear picture of what you're going to do now."
The each shared another glance.
"Plan...?" Takashi echoed.
Saya nodded again. "Yes, your plans. Originally it was to find shelter and then find our families, right? Well, has anyone changed their minds about that?"
Takashi blinked slowly as a realization slowly settled. The plan... he'd almost forgotten about that! He'd almost forgotten about his mom... It may have only been two days, but really it felt like an eternity spent just trying to survive. He was so caught up in that revelation that he never noticed how Rei seemed to physically stiffen at the mention of family, her breath hitching as fresh wounds gradually began to bleed once more.
"R-Right, yeah, that's still the plan." Takashi said and turned to the rest of them for validation.
"Not for me." Ishiyama flipped his laptop around so they could see what he'd been looking at. "I'm staying here. Even if my parents are out there, I'll just die trying to find them at this rate. Look at this..." He pointed to a particular article, "this was just updated this morning."
It showed images of different countries around the world. France. Italy. America. China. They were all up in smokes while packs of Them roamed the streets like groups of hungry lions. Their mutilated bodies dragging about and bumping into one another. Ishiyama clicked again and again, and each image showed the same thing.
Sometimes it was Them, sometime it was other people. Looting, killing...
"The reports are slowing down in some places, but it's all the same. Riots, looting's, murders. It's like the world is coming to an end..." He trailed off, the end more mumbled to himself than any of them.
None could tear their gaze away from the disturbing pictures, each for different reasons. They all knew it was this bad, but too actually see everywhere else was sobering to say the least.
"In light of that," Saeko spoke up, "my father is your fathers tutor in the way of the sword. I believe I'll be the safest here until I hear word from him."
Niki was already too aware of her choices. Besides, it's not like her family cared. They didn't care when she was a child and they defiantly don't care now that she was almost an adult. Niki was lucky to see them once every six months as it was. They were probably already somewhere safe on some remote island with plenty of protection, ready to wait this all out. Their daughter the very last thing on their minds.
"I-I'm staying too..." She said softly.
Saya nodded at the three of them and regarded her oldest of friends. "What about you, Rei? Your mom and dad are both members of the SAT forces. I doubt you'd be able to find them before they found you."
Takashi may have loved Rei far more than he loved her, but the girl was still one of her oldest friends. Even if she did feel a little resentment toward her she'd never go out of her way to hurt Rei.
The brunette stayed silent for a brief second as she thought on it before speaking up. "I...I don't know. Do I have to decide right now?" The way she said it filled her heart with a strange mixture of worry and anger.
Saya crossed her arms and made her way to the balcony that overlooked the estate. "No. You don't. Take all the time you need, but remember...we don't have much of it." She said while fixing her glasses. "I'm asking all of you this because at some point, my father will ask you the same thing. And he will not be as patient as I." Here she hesitated. "...I guess what I'm trying to say is. We all made it together, and I wouldn't be here if not for every one of you. The least I can do is pay you back."
Indeed, each and everyone of them, even those who weren't here at the moment, were all apart of the reason why they'd made it out in the first place. They'd squabbled and argued and huddled together in fear. They'd broken skulls and ran over bodies together. They screamed and bled and clamped down hard just to see the next sunrise.
...but they did it. Together.
"I agree with Miyamoto-san." Shizuka spoke up. "We can't decide on something like that right now. We should think things over."
Takashi felt his heart start to race and his palms sweat. Saya was right! They'd made it out the school and the streets together! They'd fought their hardest to be here! As much as he didn't want to admit Takashi had connected with these people in a way he'd never connected with anyone else before. He'd certainly never driven the end of a bat into someones skull until just yesterday.
For what though? So we can all go our separate ways and die there? Saeko wanted to stay, and how could he fault her for that? It was safe here! She knew these people. He was positive everyone else shared in her sentiments too.
And Rei, it looked like she wasn't even sure what she wanted anymore...
I thought that was my job. He thought darkly. To be unsure.
"Okay..." Saya finally said after the silence had passed. "We'll talk about this again some other time then." She finished with a long winded sigh. She received a few thankful nods in return, but for the most part, it didn't look like they'd be changing their minds anytime soon. Hopefully her support would be enough to keep her hound of a father off their backs.
And still, nothing is resolved. She felt drained just thinking about it.
"Say...Ishiyama-kun, just how are you connecting to the internet right now?" Shizuka asked suddenly while peering over at the stupefied teen.
Ishiyama leveled her with a blank stare. "Uhhh, the wifi?" He responded slowly.
Shizuka perked up almost instantly as it dawned on her, her palm coming up to gently tap her forehead as if she'd just realized something obvious — which she did. "Does anyone have their cell? I need to make a quick call!" She chirped happily.
The door to his office was opened without warning and in stepped Naruto right after. His expression blank as he took a seat across from him.
Souichiro didn't even bother to look up from his paperwork to address him.
"Are you ever going to tell me the story behind that mask?"
Naruto ignored him and presented a question of his own, "Are you ever going to fix that receding hairline?"
The Don let out a dry chuckle. "Witty as always." He said while putting his pen down and offering the blond his full attention. "So, to what do I owe the visit?"
"Hayate's dead."
You could've heard a pin drop. Those normally hard eyes softened and the lines on Souichiro's face become all the more prominent as a sigh slipped past his pursed lips.
"That is...saddening. He was a beloved teacher and an old friend. How?"
Naruto's lip twitched into the makings of a snarl as he thought about the 'how' of it. "It wasn't Them, if that's what worries you. It was probably a group of punks who thought the shack would work as a good hide out. The old man probably didn't give it up...he put up a fight." Souichiro's hands curled into tightly wound fists as he continued. "...But he was out numbered and too old. They struck his head with something hard and it killed him instantly. Then they stuffed his body in the closet before looting the place."
"...Did you find them?" The Don whispered after a moment, his head dipped and a dark shadow cast over his face.
Naruto shook his head a no. "I never looked. Rei was with me..."
Souichiro held up a single hand to stop him. "You don't have to explain yourself, I understand. Still...it would have been nice to know those urchins received a proper punishment."
"They will." Naruto assured. "Fools always die together."
"And the intelligent die alone." Souichiro added whilst leaning back onto his chair. "Yuriko will be devastated when I tell her the news."
"Yeah...I suppose she will be. Anyway, that's all I had to tell you, so I'll be going no—"
"How well do you know Saya?" The Don asked suddenly.
A deadpan stare and a raised brow were his only responses. "Come again?" Naruto murmured.
"My daughter, Saya." The Don repeated, his tone and expression even. "How well do you know her? Would you say you're close friends?"
Naruto snorted at the thought. "Unless the definition of friends has changed, then no. Your precious gem probably thinks I'm some cold blooded killer."
"But you are killer."
The blond lightly shrugged his shoulders.
"I never denied it."
Souichiro crossed his arms in response to that, the black uniform he wore stretching as his muscles bulged by the movement alone. "Well, she seems to think you are good friends. Good enough to use you as a bargaining chip to get out of her engagement."
At that, Naruto's brow furrowed. "That's news to me. I don't blame her though, she must be feeling desperate. You are forcing this on her after all," he made a face, "and her suitor. He's as bad as it gets."
"Oh? And how would you know this?"
"I've stalked these halls for a long time when you kept me locked up. Day and night. With all kinds of different faces. I've seen every dirty secret this place has to hide, and not all of them are your dirty secrets..."
Souichiro frowned at that.
Naruto, feeling as if he'd done his part, quickly stood and shoved his hands into his pockets. Turning his back on Souichiro with full intent on making his exit regardless of what came next. His hand already was twisting the knob when the Don chose to speak up one last time. As he did so often.
Really he expected as much.
"We talked about what you owe me, and you do owe me. Now it's time for you to do your part. In three days time, a small squad of my best men, myself included, are paying a visit to the nearby power plant to settle an important dispute. I'd like you to accompany us."
Naruto was about to rebut him, tell him that he didn't owe him or anyone in this world a damn thing...but, he'd be lying to himself if he did. Two people cared for him here, when he had nothing to offer and no way to repay them, and those two people were now dead. And he could have prevented it...
The truth was, he did owe this world something. What was given to him wasn't much, really it wasn't, but it was more than he'd ever had in his entire lifetime.
"I'll think about it."
The door slammed shut, and Souichiro was once again left alone in his office.
Well...it wasn't an outright no.
Two figures approached the gates of the Takagi Estate, a woman and a man. Both were injured and on the verge of death by the looks of it. The man was younger and wore a distinctly familiar school uniform. The woman, she was older, and was dragging the younger one along with all her remaining strength, his arm slung over her shoulder while she fought to stay conscience for just a little longer.
She didn't know why she was here, or the how of it really. She didn't care. All she knew was that behind those tall iron gates was relative safety.
"We...we made it, Yamada." She breathed out.
The teen didn't respond.
Kyoko took a moment to marvel at the size of the estate before exhaustion overcame here and she dropped, Yamada falling next to her with a quiet thud. Darkness crept up along the corners of her vision, and she could faintly hear the sound of running footsteps and men shouting before it all went black.
We...we made it...