Disclaimer: Don't own anything but Kuro Tenebris!
"No."
"Oh come on!"
"I told you a hundred times Natsu. No!" Kuro growled and turned around.
"Come on man! Hang out at the guild! We're nakama after all!" Natsu grinned at the glaring Kuro.
"You might consider me nakama but I don't." Kuro grunted "I joined so I can get stronger. Simple as that." He scowled before vanishing in thin air.
Natsu frowned before going back at the guild.
"Matchstick!" Gray yelled as soon as he entered before charging at him. He stopped suddenly "The hell are you looking so down for?"
"Kuro doesn't want to hang out with everyone." Natsu muttered.
"Give him time Natsu." The short master spoke "He needs to…adjust."
"The master is right Natsu." Erza affirmed "Leave him be and let him come to us."
"Can't believe I'm saying this but tin-can's right." Mira shrugged.
"Yeah." Natsu sighed before glaring at Gray "What did you call me Stripper!?"
"I called you matchstick, flame brain!"
"You wanna fight ice princess?"
"Bring it on!" and with that the usual brawl started anew.
Makarov was deep in thought as were Erza and Mirajane.
From what Erza told them, Kuro had a lot of power at his fingertips but not fully under control. Makarov briefly humored the idea of Kuro turning against them if it meant achieving his goal. He shook his head. Fairy Tail had a way of changing everyone in it for the better…his thoughts drifted to his son, Ivan…Mostly, everyone. He really hoped that the young man wouldn't have a change of heart.
Mirajane's thoughts were less accusatory and more thankful. Even after these last days she was utterly thankful towards the black haired mage. If he wasn't there… she couldn't fathom the idea of her sister dying and Elfman being her killer. She shook her head and got up before going to find Kuro. She had to thank him properly…somehow.
Erza couldn't help but be wary of Kuro. He was an incredibly powerful wizard. He did fight with Laxus and reached a stalemate after all. The master did intervene but she had a feeling that neither of the two combatants were at full strength…or even at half. Overall he was an exceptional warrior but there was always something…off about him. He often stared into space and whenever he did that he always changed his facial expression. It was like he was talking to someone.
On the road to town.
"Would you stop that?" a young petite girl asked angrily.
"How can I lil'sis? There's finally someone who I can fight on equal grounds with!" a tall athletic young man grinned sadistically "Oh I wonder how he screams!" he moaned a bit.
"You, are a total sadist." The young girl sighed before stopping at a sign.
'Magnolia-5 miles north.'
The young girl smiled before taking her hood off, letting her short green hair out and sighing. The cloaks were fashionable but did they really have to make you feel like you're in an oven?
"Kuro Tenebris huh?" she muttered before she and her brother continued to walk towards Magnolia.
On the outskirts of the town.
Kuro was practicing his sword techniques with a deadpan expression on his face. He grunted and slashed at a tree. The heat was almost unbearable but it was a good thing as it increased his tolerance to fire based magic…he hoped.
"We're nakama!"
He screwed up his hit and ended up tripping right into the tree he attacked.
"Ouch…Something on your mind tripster?"
"Nothing." He groaned and rubbed his forehead before going back to practicing.
"Aha." Kira's voice dripped with sarcasm "And I suppose what that pink haired kid said isn't bothering you."
"Of course." He smirked.
"Sure it doesn't."
"What do you want me to say?" he asked, suddenly angry. A rare thing for him "That I want to fully join them? To smile and be happy like them? To forget what happened to me?"
"I'm asking you to live a little! You already know that those people there haven't had a happy childhood or life even! Stop acting like what happened to you is the most horrifying thing ever…because it ain't! There are some people that lost a lot more…"
Kuro winced. He knew he crossed a line. Kira's life wasn't exactly sunshine and rainbows…Compared to his tenants life, his was like a stay at a five star hotel. "Sorry." He muttered.
"It's…It's nothing." The tone in which he said that in meant more than nothing but Kuro didn't press him. Some things are best let forgotten. He shook his head before heading back home. He wasn't in the mood for any requests…actually now that he thought about it. A request should make him lose some stress. With that thought he turned around and went to the guild.
He never noticed the pair of blue eyes watching him from behind a tree. Mira frowned…Who was he talking to?
The massive brawl was still there. He grunted before quickly making his way to the request board and picking a job.
'Eliminate the Dark Guild in the vicinity of Ravenwood. Reward 500000 split amongst the wizards.'
"Why did it need to specify that?"
"Maybe it's a co-joined request? Like you'll work together with people from other guilds."
"Maybe." He shrugged and tore it off the board. He signaled to Makarov who simply nodded. He was out the door and into a train car in about half an hour.
"Excuse us." A young girl with light green hair entered the guild "But can we talk to the guild master please?" she asked as the tall figure of a cloaked male appeared behind her.
"What is it young ones?" the short master spoke.
"Has a Kuro Tenebris joined your guild?" she asked.
"…Yes. What of it?" he frowned.
The young girl sighed "He plans to do it again Nii-sama."
"Not if we can stop him." The brother grunted before overlooking everyone.
"Plans to do what?" Erza asked as she got up from her table.
"He never told you, did he?" the tall boy sighed "Go ahead sis."
"We used to friends with him. Best friends in fact…until he snapped and killed everyone in our small village. He slaughtered everyone…my friends…" she looked down as small droplets of water dropped down "Our mom…she thought of him as her own son and begged him to stop. He just grinned and killed her anyway. Nii-sama and I were the only ones to escape." She sniffled as her brother hugged and comforted her.
Makarov frowned. There were reports about a massacre in a village but the murderer was never found.
"In what year?" Makarov asked.
"It was x780, June 20th." The brother grunted.
The date matched. His frown intensified. Did Kuro really do it?
"Back then he kept calling himself Kira during the killings…" the sister muttered "It was horrible. That's why we would like to talk to him, see if he really did it. If he lies I can tell since my magic allows me check. Could we stay until he shows up please?"
"Very well. But it may take a while. He has recently went on a mission."
"We can wait."
Everyone nodded and quieted down after that.
On the train.
Kuro yawned before stretching and looking out the window. He should be in Raventown in about three hours. He nodded to himself before putting his feet up across the compartment and getting comfortable.
"Excuse me, is this compartment free? The other ones are completely full." A girl's voice broke him out of his thoughts. He looked to the left and saw white.
"ARGH! My eyes! Too. Much. White!"
"No." he said before straightening up. He motioned for her to sit down and she followed after closing the door.
All was silent for a few seconds. Only the sounds of the train could be heard and the occasional bird could be seen passing by the window.
"Are you a mage?" the girl broke the silence "From what I can tell, your sword is not normal." She registered what she said before apologizing "I apologize if I'm intruding."
"Not at all. Yes I am a mage. I'm on my way to Raventown."
"Oh? So am I. What guild are you from uhh…"
"Kuro Tenebris." He raised his hand for a handshake "From Fairy Tail. You?"
"Kagura Mikazuchi." The two shook hands "I am from Mermaid Heel. We are not very well known…well compared to Fairy Tail that is." She smiled slightly.
"Popularity means nothing while on the battlefield." He said sharply before looking outside.
"She's like you."
"I know…Wonder who put her on this path."
"Got no clue kid."
"Would you like to partner up?"
"Suit yourself." He shrugged before the two kept talking, mostly about their magic. Of course, Kuro kept most of his a secret. Two hours passed before the train stopped.
"Hmm. Looks like we're here." Kuro muttered.
Kaguro nodded before they got off the train.
The two were walking through town and with every step that Kuro made he was being disgusted more and more. Children were seen begging on the streets. Most of them were malnourished and had rags for clothes.
Kuro shook his head and continued walking until he felt a tug on his shirt. Turning around he saw a little girl, no older than eight looking up to him with her hands outstretched. She had an innocent smile on her face. She was missing a couple of teeth and had clothes that barely covered anything.
Crouching down to her eye-level Kuro asked" What is it?"
"C-can you give me some food?" she stuttered.
Kuro sighed "Sorry. I don't have food" The girl looked sad "But here." He handed her some money "You can buy some food with that."
The girl gained a toothy grin "Thanks onii-chan!" she ran off. Most likely to her home. Kuro frowned at her nickname. "Onii-chan huh?"he muttered.
"That was nice of you." Kagura commented.
"Any decent person would have done it."
"I don't see people waiting in a line to give her food." She retorted.
"…Let's just finish the mission." He spoke with determination as they asked where their employer was.
The two were outside of a small run down building. Kuro narrowed his eyes a bit. There was going to be trouble. He knew it "Talk to our employer and see what you can find. I'll stay outside and try to gather some info."
She nodded and did as he said.
While waiting for the girl to come back he couldn't help but notice the kids that were playing some kind of ball game. One of the smaller children kicked the ball a little harder than needed and sent it flying into the face of a passing adult. The man was muscular and had the air of a 'Grunt'.
"Hey brat! Watch where you're kicking that ball!" the man glared.
"S-sorry mister…" the kid mumbled and the man snarled.
"Oh so now you can't talk!? You need to be punished you little brat!"
The mother of the child ran and shielded her son "Please. Don't hurt him. I'll punish him myself!" she begged.
"OUT OF MY WAY, WENCH!"
The man slapped the woman across the cheek with the back of his hand. The force knocked her aside into a crowd of people.
"Mama!" the boy cried out.
"Where do you think you're going?"
The man grabbed the boy by his neck and easily lifted him of his feet. The child struggled to get free but the brute of a man's grip was too strong. The crowd started to rumble. It was clear that everyone wanted to do something but they were too afraid. The mother tried to get to her child but was restrained by two men.
The man was ready to snap the boy of the neck before he found himself flying into a nearby bench. The kid was falling but was caught by the collar of his shirt by Kuro who had his sheathed katana in his left hand pointed towards the man's body. Putting the boy down, he asked" You alright?" the boy just nodded and then ran to his mother after a quiet thank you. The mother bowed to Kuro and thanked him before running.
"Who the…hell are you?!" the man got up and growled at him, blood dripping down from the cut on his forehead.
"Who I am is of no concern to you." Kuro calmly spoke "What your concern should be is how many injuries would you like." He lightly touched his sword. The dark smoke started to emanate immediately.
"H-Hey boss." One of the men previously holding the mother stuttered "W-We should just get back at the guild."
"Why the fuck is that huh?" he snarled.
"T-T-The guy is Kuro Tenebris." The other said while backing away "There are stories about how he eats the hearts of his enemies and bathes in their remains!"
"Y-Yeah! He's a total demon! We can't beat him on our own. Let's just get back to the guild."
"…Fine! Know this Kuro Tenebris! The next time we fight will be your last!"
And with that the three were gone.
Kuro sighed and let go of his katana.
He stopped for a bit.
…
…
"Sooo…You eat the hearts of your enemies?"
He choked on his spit suddenly "No! Of course I don't!"
"And you don't bathe in their remains?"
"Don't make me end our link."
"Do you know what you just did, boy?!"
"I do believe I saved the life of a boy and his mother." He shrugged.
"You just made things worse for us! Now we'll never hear the end of this."
"Aww pipe down will ya, ya old fart?" a young woman's voice spoke from behind the crowd. The people there made way for her to pass. She had black hair that reached a bit past her shoulders. Her eyes were a deep orange color and she wore a simple outfit made out of a brown jacket with a medium black skirt and long black socks with brown sneakers.
She was smoking and adjusted her short white scarf before speaking "So you're Kuro Tenebris eh? Heard a lot about you." She said before circling him "Though I imagined you would be taller." She smirked before she patted him on the head.
"AHAHAHAHAHAHA! I like this girl kid!"
Kuro's right eyebrow twitched angrily "That's because I'm barely sixteen."
She smirked and puffed some smoke in his face "Coincidence. So am I." she continued to smirk before advancing forward. Her modest chest hit his head with a 'Boing' sound before he registered what happened.
He violently jumped back before stuttering "T-The hell!? I'm not that kind of guy!" he yelled and blushed slightly. He could hear Kira's cackle in the back of his mind. He shook his head.
"Relax." She took another drag out of her cigarette before continuing "Name's Kana Akashi and I guess you could say I'm this town's resident somewhat guardian."
"Somewhat guardian?"
"As in I somewhat protect this people. I'm the reason they are alive after all. If I hadn't negotiated the terms with those brutes these people wouldn't be alive. Ain't that right gramps?" she looked at the old man who simply nodded "So what brings you here?"
"I and another seek to eliminate the guild."
"Ah. So the girl in the building was with ya? I already talked with her." She shrugged before sighing "Look. You can't take that guild down with just two members-" she put her hand up to stop him "-you could take them out if we weren't here. But we are. So as soon as you attack the guild building they'll swarm us here."
"So in other words we need to split up." Kagura spoke as she approached suddenly "How do you think we should proceed Kuro-san?"
"We should wait a day or two. They'll most likely expect us to attack now."
Kagura nodded "So we wait and then strike when they least expect it."
"Well then!" Kana spoke while dropping the cigarette on the ground and stepping on it "Why don't we relax for a while?" she smiled before showing them to her house. It was by far the biggest and the better out of everyone's there.
Kuro narrowed his eyes at that. Why was she living better than everyone else?
"It's because the people thought it would be nice for me to live here." She shrugged.
…How did she…
"Read your thoughts?" she smirked "I'm a bit of a telepath."
"…"
"That's not a very nice thing to say!" she pouted at him before the three entered. The inside was cozy even it wasn't very expensive looking. Kuro shrugged. It's not like he was living in a better place than this.
"Sorry for the mess. I don't clean a lot of times." Kana grinned with her cigarette between her lips.
"No problem." Kagura shrugged "It is rather cozy." She complemented.
"Thanks."
"…" Kuro remained silent before noticing a photo on the wall. It was one of Kana and an older boy. The two were very much alike "Brother?" he asked as he glanced at her.
She sighed "Yeah…he's not around."
"Sorry." He muttered before stretching "Well. We should rest now Kagura-san." The younger girl nodded before Kana showed them their rooms. They weren't going to share one, thank God. He wasn't about to hear the end of it from Kira if that happened.
"That hurts."
He smirked before closing his eyes and going to sleep.
At the guild.
"Do you two have a place to stay for the time being?" Erza asked the two strangers. They never revealed their names. They weren't going to stay here long anyway…at least that's what they said.
"Yes. We already talked about that with a lady. She was really nice and let us stay for a night for free!"
Meanwhile, as Erza distracted the two siblings, the other members were whispering amongst each other.
"Do you guys really think he did it?"
"Of course not!"
"Pipe down flame brain. You want them to hear us?"
"Gray your clothes."
"Crap!"
"I don't think he did it. Why would he save us if he did that?"
"Mira does have a point. We'll just ask him when he comes back."
Close to morning.
Kuro woke up with a startle. He gripped his left arm and panted before the aching sensation stopped.
"You okay kid?"
"Yeah…Just a bad dream." He could feel Kira nodding before getting up and going into the living room. The lights were off but he could see just fine. He saw Kana's form curled up into herself with her head resting on her knees sitting on the couch there.
"You okay?" he asked as he approached the fridge.
"Y-Yeah. Couldn't sleep though." She muttered as she quickly wiped her face of tears and looking away from him "Hey Kuro?"
"What is it?" he asked before preparing to make breakfast.
"Well first of all I didn't say you can use the kitchen."
"Can I use the kitchen?"
"Go ahead." She smirked before she looked down again "How do you do it?"
"Do what?" he asked.
"Don't give me that. I know you lost some people. It's how you carry yourself-"
"You're treading on thin ice here Kana." She continued as if he hasn't said anything.
"-So how do you do it? How do you continue to live?"
"…I don't know." He shrugged "I think about the bastard who did that and I see myself killing him. If not for me then so other people won't go through what I did."
"Ah…I see." She got silent after that "I sometimes wonder if I should have died with him." He slammed the pan he was making breakfast on the table.
"Don't ever say anything like that. You being alive? That's a gift your brother gave you. Cherish and nurture it." He glared "Some people would kill to have another chance. You feeling guilty is not only pathetic but also disgraceful to them!" he growled "Live your life to the fullest and never forget."
"Wow." She smirked "You give some pretty nice speeches." She teased but internally she thought "Kuro…Thank you."
"So your happiness is a mask?" he asked quickly changing the subject.
"Not…exactly. Sometimes my usual personality rises up but there are times when I'm pathetic and sad." She smirked "Kinda like a few minutes ago." She patted him on the head as she got up "What, did I make you worry little one?"
"Stop that." He grunted and she thankfully stopped.
"So. What's your story?" she asked.
"My story?"
"Yeah." She shrugged and got a cigarette "Was just wondering how'd you ended up in a guild. You don't look the type of a guild mage."
"That is correct. I joined to get stronger…though how things are going I cannot do that." He sighed "They are idiots and morons…"
"But…"
"But I…somewhat enjoy their pestering."
"How?"
"I do not know." He sighed "In any case. You should go wake Kagura-san up. I will go take a shower and then we can eat." She nodded and went to do just that.
Unbeknownst to them, Kagura was already awake and listening to them.
"Live your life to the fullest and never forget huh?"
An hour passed and the three ate.
"Shall we attack today?"
"Yes. I shall attack their base while you defend. Is that alright with you?" she nodded before he followed. He got up and stretched before leaving "Be prepared." And thus he vanished into thin air.
She got up and exited the building before readying herself.
"So when do you think that brat will start causing a ruckus?"
"How the hell should I know you chicken brain?! Whenever the fuck he does that he's dead!"
The doors to the castle like building exploded, flying into the wall next to them.
"Knock, knock." Kuro smirked as the dust settled "Time for a little extermination." His smirk turned feral before he dashed forward.
In the basement of the building.
"You know what our mission is right?"
"Of course." A young man scoffed "Do you take me for a fool? Just remember your part of the deal. After I do this, my sister goes."
"Of course, Laminas-san."
Back in the main hall.
Dodge.
Right.
Left.
Strike.
Slash.
Cut.
Break.
"Kill~"
"Ye-no."
"Damn. Worth a shot."
As Kuro was handling the much greater number of foes he expected he couldn't help but let his mind drift away as he fought. He briefly wondered what the members of Fairy Tail were doing before crushing that thought with no mercy. He didn't need them…did he?
He scowled before gathering magic in his left hand. He smirked before impaling his sheath in the ground and expelling the black colored magic as shadowy smoke. He turned around as his enemies fell unconscious due to the smoke. He dusted himself before he stopped.
His thoughts were interrupted by slow clapping "Bravo. Bravo!" a voice said from above him "Nice job, taking out those morons. But let's see how you do against someone half decent!" Kuro widened his eyes as the man summoned black flames from his hands. The man appeared to be his age. He had long black hair and brown eyes. His attire was made from simple black jeans, a vest and a hoodie.
"I'm Shinji Nikko. A true Fire God Slayer." he boasted "But you can call me your killer!" he yelled before charging towards Kuro. Kira's host simply leaned towards the right before kicking the man into a wall.
"I'd rather call you weakling." He smirked as he patted his leg, taking out the fire before it could do anything.
"Hmm. You are strong. What is your name?" Shinji said as he got up and dusting himself off.
"…Kuro Tenebris."
"Well then Kuro-san…Let's have some fun!" he yelled and his form was enveloped in black flames before charging once again.
"Bring it on!" he smirked before drawing his blade.
Kagura sighed as she cut down another charging fool. They were complete idiots. Not one of them proved any real challenge.
She kicked one away before all of her senses, her instincts screamed at her to dodge. She did and rolled out of the way of a descending sword.
"Hmm. Impressive. Normally people just freeze up when they feel that much killing intent." A voice spoke casually and smoothly.
"…" she remained silent and prepared herself. The man in front of her was no pushover. She could tell. One wrong move and she would be dead. She frowned before parrying a blow from the man's own katana.
Everything was silent except for the sounds of clashing blades or in her case sheathe. The man smirked suddenly before kicking her in the ribs and slashing at her abdomen. She thankfully dodged but lost balance and fell down.
The man took this opportunity and stabbed at her. She rolled out of the way before tripping him.
He jumped out of the way before roundhouse kicking her away. He smirked before cracking his neck and motioning for her to 'come on'.
She scowled before calming herself down. Anger would lead to mistakes. She narrowed her eyes and charged forward once more.
The two black haired teens met in a clash. A massive explosion destroyed the castle.
"Fire God's Bellow!" Shinji yelled and expelled a massive amount of black flames towards Kuro.
The swordsman smirked and cut the fire in half with a single swing before twirling his katana around and pointing it at Shinji "That all you got?" he mocked.
"Oh I got more!" Shinji grunted and punched the ground "Let the fires of heaven purify you! Fire God's Apocalypse!" and with that yell, giant pillars of flames burst out of the ground. Kuro cursed and dodged out of the way.
"His magic is impressive."
"Let's admire the way he can kill me later shall we?"
He jumped away from a pillar before Shinji suddenly appeared before him and slammed him into the ground "You're gonna burn in my holy flames!" he smirked before fire began crawling down to his hand. Kuro grunted and before the flames could reach his head, kicked the other boy into the air.
He winced while in the air. Kuro grunted once again before jumping after him. He appeared behind him "You should feel honored. Not many people make me use this." He said before grabbing Shinji and throwing him into the ground before going after him. "Devil's Breakthrough!" He spun around and kicked the other boy in the abdomen as he landed. He spun on his hands before jumping and punching him with his left hand, knocking the boy unconscious.
He panted and dusted himself off. He began making his way to the village after that. He had a bad feeling about this…
"Where do you think we're going?!" Shinji yelled suddenly as a black pillar of flames was around him. His hair fluttered wildly and his form seemed to be made out of flames "We're not done yet!" he said and dashed forward.
"Yes that's it, woman! Fight more! Make me feel alive!" the boy grinned ferally as he blocked strikes from Kagura's weapon. His grin turned into a sadistic smirk before head butting the girl. She lost her footing before he tackled her to the ground. He was about to plunge his blade in her heart before he was hit on the head by a rock.
He turned his head to the right to see Kana there with a glare. He growled and prepared to kill her but Kagura knocked him away with her sword. She got up and panted "Thank you."
"Anytime!" Kana spoke before running back.
"Enough, woman." The boy growled as he got up "I will pass judgement on you." He set into a stance with his sword by his side "Blade of the Betrayed- Judgement Cut." He yelled and slashed once. He slowly sheathed his sword.
"Fire God's Supper!" Shinji yelled as he encased Kuro in black flames. The swordsman had to stop himself from screaming in pain. He tried to escape and Shinji chuckled "Don't even try. Nothing can escape these flames. Not even your ashes." He laughed cruelly.
"Tch." Kuro scowled before smirking.
Shinji continued to laugh before a katana burst out of his chest. He gasped before his flames disappeared and he turned back to his normal form. He fell down on his front side. He barely had enough strength to ask "How?"
"You should make sure your enemy is actually caught in the attack." Kuro shrugged "At the last moment I flashed backwards and pretended to be hit." He sheathed his sword "You should get that wound checked out by the way." He straightened the collar of his coat before running towards the village.
She blinked.
But it was enough.
The moment he sheathed his sword, thousands of…wounds appeared around her. He smirked before lightly tapping the handle of his sword with his pinky finger. The wounds in the space opened and cut her all around.
She couldn't even scream in pain before she collapsed.
Kagura fought with everything she had.
She was one of the best swordswomen in the whole country and that wasn't bragging, that was fact.
So why was she so weak right now?
She collapsed on the ground, dozens of cuts on her body and she simply stared at the man as he approached Kana.
"I'm sorry. It's not that I want to kill you…I need to kill you. You understand right?"
"I understand that you weren't a complete asshole before you and your sister got kidnapped."
"I've been called worse before." He slashed.
Kana closed her eyes. This was it.
She was going to die.
Heh.
All she wanted in life was to meet someone and have a life with that someone.
Now that she thought about it her standards were rather…unique.
She didn't want any ordinary man.
No.
She wanted her knight in shining armor.
Her Prince Charming.
But alas she couldn't have it.
"Live your life to the fullest and never forget him."
She opened her eyes to see the silhouette of a man above her. She looked at his clothes before looking up to him.
"K-Kuro?" she said in wonder.
"Tch. Making me save your sorry ass." He muttered "You should get out of here Kana. You'd just get in the way."
"Hey! I wouldn't get in the way!"
"Kana!"
"…Fine. But you owe me for this." She grunted and ran with a smile on her face "That's two times I owe you Kuro." She neared the hurt Kagura and helped her on her feet "Are you alright?"
"Yes. Just some minor wounds. I need to…help him." She struggled and almost fell.
"You need to rest. He can handle himself." She smiled.
"Who are you?"
"You first."
"…Fukushu Laminas."
"Kuro Tenebris. I would shake hands but I don't do that with my enemies."
"Heh. Neither do I. Why do you help these people?"
"Because no one else will." He narrowed his eyes.
"Kid…This guy is like you."
"Elaborate maybe?"
"There's…something…someone inside him. Like me but more…I can hear…thousands. You gotta be careful kid. I can't heal you now. That thing inside him is granting him more power than normal."
"Dully noted." He scowled before jumping away and setting into a stance. The other boy followed with a feral smirk.
"We're both exhausted Tenebris. So how about we end this in one attack eh?" he prepared to draw his katana as black and green smoke rose from the blade and all around him.
"Agreed." He nodded before doing the same as Laminas.
"That stance…" Kira muttered but no one heard him.
He grabbed the handle of his sword as the usual black and red tendrils of darkness surrounded him. He smirked before preparing to run.
Laminas opened his mouth to speak and multiple voices talked "Blade of the Betrayed: Final Judge!" he smirked as the smoke enveloped him completely. It took the form of countless demonic faces grinning evilly.
Kuro growled before smirking "Muramasa Sword Technique: Drive!" he roared as a single demonic skull appeared and dashed forward. Laminas followed him.
Their bodies became blurs.
Both black but different.
One green.
One red.
"Fukushu Laminas huh? For some reason I agreed to end this in one strike. He seems to have some honor so I guess that's why. I don't know why but I don't want to lose to him. Normally I couldn't care less about winning or losing as long as it was fair but here I got this burning desire. Doesn't matter. As long as I and Kira fight together…"
"Kuro Tenebris. I heard stories about you. One of the strongest mages in the world that even the council tried to get a contract with: you could have become a wizard saint but you refused. Now it doesn't matter. I'm sorry but my sister is in danger. You're in my way so I have to get through you! I don't care how strong you are! As long as we fight together…"
"It's been a while Horitsu…too bad we couldn't talk of old times. Unfortunately for you Kuro is far stronger than your host. As long as he and I are in perfect sync…"
"Kira…We finally meet again. Unlike the last time we fought you are one, we are many. That is why…"
Their blades met in an explosion of air and magic power.
Kuro and Laminas glared at one another while struggling to overpower the other. Above them, the smoke the two emanated took the form of two beings. Kira and a green spectral being with black armor. Its skin was transparent making it easy to see the countless broken bones. Weirdly enough, the being had five swords stabbed into its chest.
"We won't lose!"
All four of them roared before Kuro pushed harder. He smirked before cutting through Laminas' sword and slashing him on the abdomen. Kuro winced before he continued his attack, slicing the earth before and turning around and sheathing his sword slowly.
"Heh…You really are strong…" Laminas muttered before he collapsed.
"That…was a good fight…" Kuro panted before he collapsed as well.
A day later.
Kuro woke up to the sound of the door closing. He grunted before opening his eyes…eye. His right eye wouldn't open no matter what he did.
"Kira?"
"…Sorry kid…Couldn't heal it."
He got up on the soft bed and yawned "Any reason why you came here Kana?" he asked as he looked at her.
She blushed and hid her hands behind her back "Is it wrong if I came here to see if you're alright?" she asked.
"I am fine. Now please get out so I can change."
"Okay." She sighed "Hey Kuro…"
"What is it?" he groaned as he got out of the bed. He was hugged from behind by the taller girl.
"Thank you…" she said with a smile on her face before leaving "Shorty!" she laughed as she said that.
His right eyebrow twitched before chuckling and gearing up. He exited soon enough with a black patch over his right eye. There was a scar under the patch.
"Kuro-san. I see you are fine."
"Yes. Not a lot of things can mortally injure me." He said as he sat down at the table there "Is the town any better?"
"Yes. Would you like to see it?"
"No. I need to get back to Fairy Tail." She nodded "Where did that boy end up?"
"A girl came and picked him up before vanishing." She said "I couldn't follow her. I was too injured…I'm sorry."
"Don't be." He sighed.
He was soon back in Fairy Tail. The stars were covered up by heavy rain clouds. He didn't mind that. He always felt refreshed in the rain. Too bad it couldn't wash everything away.
He opened the doors to the guild expecting the usual brawl. Instead of that, everyone watched him intentily. He blinked before Erza walked up to him.
"What is it?"
"You have some explaining to do Kuro? When were you going to tell us about Kira?"
He widened his eyes slightly.
"How'd she know?!"
He simply scowled "You have no right to ask about that Scarlet." He turned around to walk away. Erza put her hand on his shoulder to stop him "Get your hand off of me." He said while glaring.
"Not until you explain who you really are!" she demanded before Kuro kicked her flying into the request board. If everyone wouldn't have been furious they would have winced at the sound of Erza's armor and ribs breaking. He scoffed before leaving.
"Get back here!" Natsu yelled before someone beat him to the point. The master now in his titan form stopped Kuro from leaving by blocking his exit with his hand.
"You're not going anywhere Kuro! I was about to overlook anything about your past deeds but attacking a member of the guild is unacceptable!" he roared.
Kuro looked up at the massive form of the master with a heavy frown. He couldn't beat him. Not now at least. He scowled before sighing "Look. I can't tell you about Kira. You'll just have to trust me."
"How can we trust you, when you don't trust us?"
"Hey I trust him." Mira said through the crowd. Everyone looked at her "What? The guy saved Lisanna, Elfman and I. It's the least I could do." She shrugged.
He smiled slightly before scowling and dodging to the left. He winced as the shot grazed his shoulder.
Everything stopped.
"Oh crap. I missed." The young girl whom they housed for these days said from the second floor. In her hand was a revolver with smoke coming out of the barrel of the gun.
"What is the meaning of this?" Erza asked with a glare as she got up.
"Oh man you guys really are stupid." She laughed "That guy is fucking innocent!" she scowled as she pointed her gun at him again "He's got something that belongs to Master! And we're gonna take it back."
"…" Kuro scowled while cracking his neck.
"I'll ask just once Tenebris. Hand over Kira now and maybe we'll work out on a deal!" she offered.
"You won't like my terms." He said before drawing his sword. The usual darkness appeared before he smirked. His happiness was short lived as the brother of the young girl came in and slashed at Kuro with his claymore. He fortunately blocked but was sent outside in the rain.
"Nice work moron! Now we have to fight in the rain! I was just done with my hair too!"
"Sorry lil'sis. You know how excited I can be." He grinned before running outside.
"You're probably wondering why you people can't move right now." The young girl said suddenly "Well that's because our bodies emit demonic pheromones. They attract potential mates but also paralyze lesser beings." She looked at Mirajane's she-devil form "And only true demons can ignore them." She smirked.
Natsu growled as steam emanated from his form.
Kuro grunted as he used his sword as leverage. He just wanted to come back and go to his house so he could rest a bit. But no! These two just had to show up!
"You should know, Kuro-san, that I respect you." The boy said as he grinned "I heard that you're supposed to be super strong. Are you going to make me go all out?" he tilted his head before charging forward. Kuro scoffed and parried the obvious blow.
"Gah!" he yelled as he was cut on the abdomen. If he hadn't dodged at the last second…
"What the hell was that?"
"I got no clue kid."
"So the stories are true. You are really fast. Good jump by the way. If you don't mind coming off as a fraidy cat. What're you scared me?" the boy smiled as he approached Kuro. He got on guard "You know that didn't work the first time. Why would it work the second?" he blinked and Kuro was gone.
"Keep your head in the fight." Kuro muttered as he thrust his sword at the boy's back. The claymore blocked it but it did send the boy crashing into a store.
"Kid. I think I got it."
"All ears here."
"The normal reflex time of the average sword user is around 0.9. Your reflexes are at the 0.1 mark. But when I look at this guy and analyze him. Well…his reflexes are around 0.05. Maybe less."
"So when I attack, he can make two or more attacks in that time…"
"This will be a tough fight kid."
"This is a battle of attrition here. I'll have to end this fast."
"Ahahahahaha!" the boy laughed as he exited the shop. The small building crashed down "You actually managed to hit something! That's good. How much are you going to fight now Kuro-san?" and with that he charged forward. Kuro followed. The two became blurs but it was clear who had the upper hand.
The boy roared as he kicked Kuro into a wall after a well-timed parry. He smirked and dashed towards Kuro's body before impaling him on the wall there. Kuro struggled to free himself…
"This is a shame Kuro-san. I thought you would be stronger than this." Lightning struck "But you are weaker than the last guy I killed. He managed to at least wound me." He smirked "But you, you can't even cut me and now, you'll bleed to death in the mud." He smirked before pulling out his sword and walking away.
Kuro scowled as he lay in the mud. The rain fell harshly but he didn't care. His whole body hurt. Was he going to die? Was Fairy Tail going to survive? Was he not going to fulfill his ambition?
No…
He was going to kill that bastard!
He was going to avenger her!
He was going to live!
With that thought he picked himself up and staggered before using his katana as leverage. He grunted as the wound closed painfully with steam rising from it.
The boy stopped as he heard Kuro getting up.
"How the hell?" he asked as he saw the black haired boy panting with a massive amount of black smoke rising up from his form "How are you alive? You had no pulse back then!" he widened his eyes as he jumped backwards. His chest now had a long single cut. Blood dripped slowly from his chest and he looked downwards.
"I can cut him…" Kuro thought "If I can cut him…"
"Then you can beat him!"
"What's this?" the boy grinned sadistically "You're thinking you can beat me!" he declared while the wound healed on his own.
Kuro narrowed his eyes before doing a downwards slash. The boy grimaced but managed to hold Kuro's sword. He coughed before jumping back only to have to block again. He was successful but blood still erupted from his shoulder.
"He's gotten faster!" the boy thought as Kuro kept slashing at him. He was able to block most strikes but Kuro would occasionally sneak in a slash. He jumped over the boy and cut his back, sending him crashing into the dirt.
"Sorry about this." Kuro sighed as the rain fell even harder "But I had to end this quick." He began walking away.
The boy laughed crazily as he got up. The cloak that hid his features now rags, allowed Kuro to see his face. He had short brown hair with golden eyes and two horns sprouting from the side of his head and pointing to the sides.
"A half breed."
Kuro nodded silently before reading himself.
"End this quick?" he laughed at that and got up "Why would you do this when we're starting to have so much FUN!?" he screamed and dashed forward. Kuro blocked his slash "How did you come back from the dead huh?" he yelled and slashed once more. The black haired teen rolled and slashed the boy's abdomen. He didn't even flinch "And how come you're so much stronger all of a sudden?" Kuro jumped backwards only for the boy to slam him into a wall by his head.
"This battle opened the door to so many questions! But for now let's just have some fun with this fight!" he prepared to cut Kuro's head off before he was kicked away. Kuro fell down and panted. He was exhausted…
The boy chuckled before he impaled his claymore into the ground and roaring. Golden energy surrounded him, gaining the form of a humanoid skull.
Kuro realized what the boy wanted to do and followed suit. He sheathed his katana and drew on its magic. Black smoke surrounded him, gaining the form of a demonic skull grinning with evil intent.
"To answer your question, I'm not fighting alone like you are. I'm borrowing the power of Kira to do battle with you. As long as he and I fight together, there's no way we can lose to you."
"Ha! Your approach is that of a weakling. Talking about power while banding together with others, only a weakling would say that." The boy smirked "Well that's not my approach." He picked up his claymore and set ready to charge "Weaklings…DIE!" he yelled as the energy-made skull grinned sadistically and he charged forward.
Kuro scowled and the skull above him continued to grin evilly before dashing forward. He roared and slashed along with the man.
As the two swordsmen clashed blades, the two skulls fought for dominance before the demonic skull bit into the other skull and destroyed it completely.
A massive explosion rocked the place, clearing any rain falling down there before it resumed shortly after.
The dust from the explosion settled. Any light was covered up by the dull, grey rainclouds. You could barely see in front of you.
Lightning flashed.
The victor smirked before a hand burst out of his back. The red eyes gleamed in the darkness as lightning flashed again and the body fell down.
"Ahh. Finally. Did you kill him?" the girl asked as he entered.
"Yes."
She stopped what she was doing and turned around.
Kuro stood there soaking wet with blood on his…well everything. He had a smirk on his face as she went from shock to anger and then to fear. His un-bandaged left arm held his sword.
She just stood there before shooting once. Kuro cut the bullet in half.
She smirked as Kuro fell down.
The halves of the bullet changed trajectory and hit both of his legs.
"Wow. You must be stupider than I thought. Still. You are strong. Never thought I'd see that moron get killed by anyone." She mussed before preparing to shoot him in the head "Say goodbye Tenebris." She smirked as she prepared to pull the trigger.
She never expected to get sent flying into the wall by a flaming fist.
"N-Natsu?" Kuro coughed.
"Kuro's a member of Fairy Tail!" The pink haired boy yelled while standing protectively over Kuro "You wanna get to him, you gotta go through me!" he yelled and was engulfed in fire.
Suddenly everyone was able to move. They fell down and panted.
"What the?! He…He couldn't be…" the girl thought afraid "No…He burned the pheromones out of the air with his fire…yeah that had to be it!" the girl scowled before making a breakthrough to the exit. She was stopped by members of the guild.
She smirked and jumped away before grabbing Happy from mid-air "Now…Unless you want me to kill the little fleabag you'll either let me go or you'll kill Tenebris. You're choice." The members blocking the exit sighed and made way for her "Good choice." She said before jumping into the cold dark night and throwing Happy back to them.
"Who were they?"
"…"Kuro coughed before vomiting blood.
"Kuro!" someone yelled but he didn't recognize who before he fainted.
"So what they said was a lie…" Erza looked down at that. She jumped to conclusions and pressed Kuro on. No wonder he broke her armor…and ribs "I was a fool for believing them! When he wakes up I shall let him hit me once more!" she declared.
"I can do that for ya Tin-can." Mira grinned "But I think he already hit you enough for a crap load of mistakes. He did break you armor after all, not to mention your ribs."
"Yes."
"Porlyusica will be here any moment." Makarov informed them. He couldn't help but feel hopeless. One of his children injured one other and now one of them is not waking up. Dammit he should have seen it sooner!
"Gah!" Kuro suddenly woke up with a startle. He grinned before looking at everyone "So this is how it's like to have a body. Phew. I forgot." He grinned again and looked at his…Erza blushed at that.
"What are you talking about?" Mira asked "And why the hell are you smiling so damn much."
"Well. I ought to introduce myself first." He got up while ignoring his bleeding legs and bowed "My name…Is Kira!" he yelled "Pleasure to meet you sexy ladies. Not so pleasurable to meet the others." He winked.
The women there didn't know if they should blush or be crept out. They chose the latter.
"Wait…Kira? So that means that what they said was true?!"
"Not…exactly. I did kill a lot of people and destroyed a ton of villages. But Kuro never did inherit my blood thirst." He shrugged before leaning on a pillar.
"You talk as if you're not the same person." Makarov narrowed his eyes.
"Well of course we're not!" he laughed before patting the old man on the head "You see shorty, Kuro and I are bonded. The sword used to be my prison but now his left arm is." He lifted his left arm to show them.
"Why are you telling us this?" Erza asked.
"The kid wanted you guys to know ASAP so he let me take over." He waved his hand dismissively while eying Natsu…There was something familiar now that he looked at him. He widened his eyes "Are you Igneel's kid?" he asked.
"Igneel?! You know him!? Where is he?!" Natsu grabbed Kira by the collar of his shirt.
"Back off pinkie, I got no idea where the lizard is. Just wondered if you knew where he is so we could fight like old times." He sighed contentedly before he twitched "Oh! Looks like the kid is ready to wake up." He mussed out loud "Cya around Fairies!" he waved before kneeling over. He got up and scowled.
"Now do you believe me?" he asked.
"…How did you end up with him in your arm?"
"It's a long story." He said.
"We have time." Makarov narrowed his eyes.
Kuro followed.
It looked like a fight was about to break out before Kuro sighed "Fine. I'll tell you." And with that they sat down and Kuro told them everything.