-April 2nd, 2013
Mihashira Tower
9:50 A.M
"I'd like to say this has been a pleasant surprise but I thought you'd be in on this too, Weismann. That and this situation is anything but pleasant I'm afraid," Nagare hissed as the group approached him, his eyes narrowed when they locked onto Mikoto's. "Red King, I had hoped you and I could settle things on the same side, I'm very disappointed that you have aligned yourself with these two, is there any chance I can convince you to switch allegiances?"
"Think I'll pass, Nagare." Suoh answered as he removed his hands from his pockets, every Aura in the room ignited, shining brightly as they stood on the Slate, contact with the stone giving each of them even more power than they could truly contain. "The days of us getting along have long since passed."
"You know this man personally?" Munakata questioned as he adjusted his glasses, eyes flitting between the two Kings in question.
"At one time the Red King and I had often engaged in casual conversation, it's easy to see why so many people flock to you. You're quite the charmer, compared to these two you and I are much more alike. We crave power and people follow us blindly, seeing nothing but our strength and the things we can provide for them. You put a little more effort into relations than I do but we truly are cut from the same cloth," Hisui smirked.
"Hardly, you think everything is a game," Suoh replied wistfully as he let out a shuddered breath, "Nagare, is there any way we can convince you to stop this?"
"Red King you should know me better than that," the wicked grin that was sent his way caused his Aura to burn even hotter, "this is nothing but a game. My clansmen are all players, pawns, and here I have the very pieces I have sought out for so long. In chess the king is useless, leaving the queen to do his bidding and protect him, but he remains the strongest force in the game because of his title. While you all stand before me, relaxed and waiting for me, the opposing King, to make a move your knights and queens move about to meet mine in battle. Take them out and the king is leftovers, useless even," Nagare's eyes glowed a deep green as he reached up to tap a button on his laptop. "Checkmate."
Suoh glanced at the other two Kings he was aligned with out of sheer confusion when nothing happened, though on the other side of the room the Green King cackled.
"Green King, Hisui Nagare, what exactly are you playing at?" Reisi asked as he strode forward, a clearly unamused look on his face as he cut the distance between him and the man in the wheelchair by half.
"Would you like to see?" The man laughed as he pressed another key on his laptop, bringing up a projector that showed the hotel they had just left up in smoke. Burning and crumbling as debris churned in the sky, their hearts sunk at the sight.
"Damn you Nagare, your people were in there! How could you do that to your own clansmen?" Munakata growled as he unsheathed his sword, pointing it at the man behind the screen. Mikoto held his fists up, anger boiling under his skin as the image that was being displayed evaporated, he cursed under his breath, hoping that everyone, even the annoying Blues and Silver Clansmen managed to escape unharmed.
"Please do you honestly think I care about those pawns? My people are here in this building, waiting for my signal to move in and finish off the remnants at the hotel. Weismann don't worry too much about Neko, I have ordered for her to be brought back here. I have a strong interest in that Strain, she could prove useful after all. As for your dear friend Kuroh Yatogami...well...I cannot make any promises." Nagare paused before pressing another button on his computer, "Sakuna, Yukari please move in. Tenkei keep me updated on any new developments and send Kotosaka to that building, I want eyes all over that place."
"Sir."
"Aye, Nagare-chan."
"Finally!"
"That's it, I don't know about you but I have lost my patience," Suoh grumbled as his Aura swelled around him, "you've messed with the wrong person, Nagare."
"Damage to the slate would be an unfortunate event, wouldn't it?" Hisui asked with a tilt of his head, the Red King glanced down at the artifact under his feet with a look of understanding.
"So that is why you chose to come here, knowing we could not fight you while we were in this room," Shiro exclaimed as he extended his parasol, "it appears you have had the upper hand this entire time."
"Part of playing a game is about having good strategy, I saw your moves before you even lifted a finger. Do you think I hadn't predicted all of this? You wound me," the Green King feigned offense as he relaxed in his wheelchair.
"What do you want, Nagare?" Suoh hissed as he neutralized his Aura, fearing that should he let it explode that the very slate that gave him power would rupture and break.
"Honestly I want control of this tower and the slate, but I have a feeling the Blue King would rather die than hand these over to me, he explained with a click of his tongue, eyes lighting up when Reisi glared at him. "So I will watch you suffer instead, your hands are tied here. I will pull your clansmen apart, limb by limb, and you can watch it all as I always have too, from behind this very screen."
"They're plenty strong enough to handle any people you send for them," Reisi announced as he lowered his sword, if only a little, "do not underestimate us so."
"You're thinking of going back for them aren't you? Going to make sure they survive this is a noble cause but I will not allow you to do such a thing."
"You have nothing to offer us and you will not hurt the slate," Mikoto commented as he continued to walk forward until he stood next to the Blue King, "you would not let go of your own power so easily."
"I see, so you think I'm afraid of losing my power," Nagare chuckled to himself, "what will you do, Red King?"
"Suoh, Weismann, shield the Dresden Slate," Munakata commanded as he poised his sword at the ready, "allow me to fight him. Just focus on protecting the slate, no matter what the cost is."
"Oh? You've come up with a plan of your own have you?" Hisui smirked as a wave of green, almost mimicking vines, sprawled out from under him and shot across the floor. Mikoto and Weismann stamped their feet on the floor simultaneously, sending rays of silver and red to meet the oncoming wave of power that diminished in strength when it hit Munakata's feet, the rest sizzled out before it could cover the ground. "You intend to fight me one on one while these two protect the Dresden Slate, I'll admit I'm surprised someone like you could come up with such a plan but don't think that this hasn't been accounted for."
"Your intellect knows no bounds, you are man of genius and wit but let us see if you fight like you think," Reisi countered as his Aura swelled around the hilt of sword, slowly covering the length of the blade. Mikoto and Shiro formed a barrier around the stone in the center of the floor, shielding themselves and the ancient artifact from harm, leaving the Blue King and Green King alone outside the shield.
Suoh gritted his teeth.
I'm not used to being on the defensive but we don't have any other choice. Munakata...the fate of our clans lies in your hands...so don't screw this up.
0o0o0o0o
Hotel Lobby
10:15 A.m
"Get back, everyone get back!" Izumo screamed over the loud explosions that rang throughout the building, Yata stood with his back to the bartender's, Seri and Saruhiko stood beside them in a similar fashion as they projected their Auras to build a barrier around their clans. Some members of Jungle included. "We need to get out of here, now."
"Red and Blue Clansmen, two of Jungle's highest ranking clansmen are moving in on us, I will handle the man with a sword, are any of you capable of fighting the younger of the two?" Kuroh asked as he approached their barrier, himself and Neko were shrouded in an orb of silver.
"Leave that one to me, Kusanagi-san," Yata proclaimed as he glanced back at HOMRA's strategist, "I'm still ready for a fight."
"Allow me to help as well, I owe you one I guess," Saruhiko grumbled the last words under his breath.
"Absolutely not Fushimi, you're injured an-"
"Seri-chan if the boys want to work together and fight then let 'em, we are needed here to make sure everyone evacuates." Izumo smiled apologetically at her for cutting her off, though she still looked the slightest bit displeased she reluctantly agreed. "Go with the Black Dog and finish this fight, we're counting on ya'."
"You got it, Kusanagi-san," Yata smiled as he grabbed his skateboard and the metal pole that was attached to his belt loop, "Kamamoto, help them out while the Monkey and I handle things."
"S-sure, Yata-san!"
"Let's go," Kuroh announced as he and Neko worked with them to shield themselves from the crumbling building as they approached the now broken down glass doors, once their feet hit the pavement outside Neko pointed upward. Above them flew a green parrot, one that both Yata and Saruhiko recognized as being the one they had seen when they had worked to hack into Jungle several months back. "Ignore it, it's only here so the Green King can watch what happens."
"So that's the Green King's medium?" Saruhiko asked with a click of his tongue, "so that's the bastard that attacked me."
"We've got company," Kuroh stated as he rested his hand on his sword, the two approaching Jungle clansmen froze in their tracks, "Neko, let us handle this. Intervene only if something goes poorly."
"But Kurosuke, I want to fight too!" The girl whined but was silenced when a deep chuckle erupted from the older of the two Green Clansman's throat. She reluctantly backed away, placing a good amount of distance between her and the other five people who stood in front of the building. Pedestrians were nowhere in sight thanks to the block being shut off from the rest of the city, so any chance of harming civilians was practically nonexistent, leaving no excuses not to battle it out in the middle of Shizume.
"Kuroh, it has been too long," Yukari exclaimed with a wave of his hand, "allow us to settle things, yes?"
"Yes, let's do just that," the Black Dog replied as he drew his sword, aiming it at the other man as he began to unsheathe his.
"Sakuna, entertain those two, will you?"
"This should be fun," the young man smiled as he brandished a dark black rod, from the top a green scythe made of his Aura extended outward threateningly.
"You ready, Saru?" Yata asked as he flipped his skateboard onto the ground, the metal rod in his hands glowed hotter than magma.
"Yeah, let's end this," Fushimi answered as he drew his sword, ignoring the sharp singing pain that ripped through his arm at the notion, beside them the Black Dog and the man named Yukari began their duel.
"Whenever you're ready come and get it," Yata called out as he extended the hot metal pole that rested in his hands, Sakuna wasted no time in taking him up on that offer. His scythe collided with Misaki's weapon in an array of colors, Saruhiko took that opportunity to let out a few of his knives, sending them flying towards the Jungle clansmen who managed to break the deadlock he was in and spin the scythe around to deflect the blades that hurdled towards him.
This time Fushimi rushed him, sword poking and swinging in the air as if his arm didn't feel read to give out as he matched every movement the young boy threw his way, Yata in the meantime spun on his skateboard, a trail of smoke filtered in the air as flames whipped around the wheels of his favorite secondary weapon. Eventually the pillar of fire grew until it towered in the air like a fearsome tornado made of burning hot flames, as soon as Saruhiko had the younger man in another deadlock he locked eyes with Yata, seeing through his Aura.
"Now Misaki!" He yelled as he was pushed back several feet, his focus shifting elsewhere as his arm threatened to give out on him, the skateboarder shot him a confused look.
"Move out of the way first!" He shouted back, horror written on his face when Saruhiko sent him a knowing look. Sakuna was stronger than his appearance would let on, he seemed annoyed at their conversation but worry shone in his eyes as he didn't dare turn around and see what was in store for him, Fushimi wouldn't allow that as he threatened to slice him into two should his focus slip from the task at hand. They had the younger man cornered, Saruhiko wouldn't let the opportunity pass up.
"Misaki do it!"
"B-but you'r-"
"Trust me!" He screeched out of frustration, not fully realizing the irony in his words in the moment though they echoed in his head as he watched Yata's face contort into determination with the slightest hint of fear, with a noise that could only be described as a battle cry he slid out of the fire tornado he had created and hopped off his skateboard, his Aura covered his leg before he practically kicked the swirling pit of flames towards them. Saruhiko chose to duck then, sending knives flying at the Green Clansmen's feet so he was pinned between the Blue Aura radiating off of his sword and the Red Aura that pulsated from the knives, Sakuna was trapped, just like they had wanted.
Yata's Aura crashed into them moments later, sending Saruhiko flying backwards as the flames slammed him into the opposing wall of another building. Sakuna who had taken the brunt of the attack was sprawled out on the ground, his scythe well out of reach as the Red Clansmen encircled him on his skateboard, flames forming another twister that saw the younger man trapped in the pulsating fire. A yelp of pain could be heard when Misaki put the flames out, leaving the younger man singed, his Aura glowed weakly around him. "Had enough?"
"Y-you'd h-hurt yo-your own c-comrade?" The Jungle member chuckled darkly, voice heavily laced with the sound of agony, "y-you're j-ju-just like N-Nagare."
"Fuck you, don't compare me to that bastard!" Yata exclaimed harshly as he grabbed a pair of handcuffs from his pocket, leftovers from when he had helped contain certain members of Jungle before the explosions had shaken the building's foundation. "Neko, don't just stand there, contain him for me, will ya'?"
"Sure!" The Strain chirped all too happily as she rushed to his side, hands extending outward as she sealed their opponent in an orb of silver, once he was secured Yata pushed himself over to the wall Fushimi was halfway imbedded in, a frown pulled on his lips.
"'m Fine," the Blue Clansmen hissed as he weakly pushed himself off of the wall, to his surprise he had no burns in sight but the way he had slammed into the wall hadn't done him any favors.
"It's thanks to you that we managed to make that confrontation simple," Misaki said as he wasted no time in helping Saruhiko back onto his feet, even then he didn't let go, instead choosing to throw one of his arms around his waist as he helped drag him to front of the building. Saruhiko hadn't even realized just how far he been pushed back.
"Where's the Black Dog?" Fushimi questioned as he hissed in pain as his arm contorted awkwardly between himself and Yata, who immediately mumbled an apology.
"Dunno, he and that other guy took off, I'm sure he'll be all right."
"Oi, you two, over here!"
Both of them turned their heads to look down a small back alley that wrapped around the side of the hotel, Izumo and Seri stood there with relieved expressions on their faces.
"We contained one of them but the Black Dog is still fighting that other guy somewhere else," Yata proclaimed as the duo approached them, "did you manage to get everyone out safely?"
"Yeah, no casualties on our side or the Blues, sad to say a few members of Jungle weren't so lucky. A lot of people fled before the explosions took place and those we hadn't moved to the vehicles...well the police will deal with that." Izumo explained as he shot Fushimi a funny look, "Seri-chan, let me escort this Green Clansmen to a containment vehicle, see that he gets some medical attention."
"I'm fine," Saruhiko groaned though the look the other three gave him threatened to say otherwise, he eventually caved in, allowing Misaki to drag him to one of their medical units. Seri saw that they arrived safely before going back to work on containing and handling the situation. They sat in silence as the medical staff looked him over, saying his Aura must have prevented bodily harm when Yata's attack hit him, in the end they had overpowered the Green Clansmen Sakuna but he felt like the fight had been almost too easy. Like his opponent's mind had been preoccupied with other things but then again, it probably was.
"Other than some cuts, scrapes and that bullet wound you're fine," Benzai mumbled quietly as he sat down a stack of papers on the opposing side of the van, "just take it easy, we'll handle things from here."
Moments later Yata and Fushimi were the only ones left in the van and the tension had grown thick enough to cut it with a knife. Both of them were preoccupied with their own thoughts, neither knowing that the other was worrying about his respective King just as much as the other one was.
It was quiet for quite some time after that, but in that amount of time Saruhiko grew tired of the silence and decided to drop the bomb he had been carrying around with him for months, not caring if the situation was the right time to do it.
"Aya Oogai is dead."
0o0o0o0o
Mihashira Tower
10:35 A.M
Mikoto watched the vines of the Green Aura sink into Munakata's arm, literally shattering his shield and skin like it was made of paper, but what came after was more unexpected. The Blue King sunk his sword into the vines, sending a shock wave of blue straight back to the Green King who could only watch as it collided with his own barrier, successfully breaking through as it slashed at him, blood spewed into the area where it struck. Suoh cursed under his breath as he regained control of his own Aura, refocusing his power onto the wall he and the First King made to shield the slate from the battle.
Reisi didn't seem bothered by the wounds that seeped a deep crimson, in fact he looked at them as if he was making a mental note of how it happened, seeing as he had never fought Nagare before it had been foolish of him to think he would escape unharmed, though the Red King doubted he thought that in the first place. The projector from the laptop in the room lit up, showcasing a particularly grueling battle that was going on between a member of Jungle and Saruhiko, Mikoto stared at the funnel of fire that cascaded into the top of the screen, he felt his heart rise to his throat when it was released. Crashing into the two dueling on screen and sending them flying backwards, it was then that aggressor came into view.
So you're safe after all...Yata.
"That boy is quite a nuisance, both he and Fushimi are actually," Nagare laughed as he returned the attention to his opponents, "it's like watching you two in a mirror. They work well together, poor Sakuna didn't stand a chance."
"You sound troubled by this," Weismann exclaimed as he studied the Green King's changing expression with a frown, "is he someone important to you?"
"That is none of your concern," Nagare hissed in response, something that brought a smirk to Mikoto's face.
"It would be a shame if he was slayed, don't you think?"
"What did you just say?" Hisui growled, eyes glowing daringly in the Third King's direction.
"Why don't you give your clansmen a call and tell them to execute all high ranking clansmen, Suoh? I wouldn't put it past your lot and besides, it's only fair seeing as they've caused us this much trouble." Munakata laughed, a sound twisted and dark even for him as he spoke of their execution as if he was speaking of the weather.
"Good idea," he called back with a knowing look as he shifted his stance so his left arm held up his end of the barrier, leaving his right hand free to pick his phone out of his pocket. "How would you like for them to be slain, Green King? Slowly and painfully is what I'm inclined to say," he said with his usual bored tone of voice, "after all you've done this is what they deserve."
"Sakuna will not be defeated so easily, nor will Yukari, do not underestimate my clansmen," Nagare seethed as his eyes flitted back towards the screen, widening a bit when he saw Yata slap a pair of cuffs on his clansman's arms. He pushed a button on his laptop then, shifting to an aerial camera angle that saw the Black Dog and the man named Yukari engaged in heated combat, though the Silver Clansmen looked a little worse for wear it was apparent that he was currently winning his duel, his movements screamed of confidence as he blocked everything the other man threw at him before striking with precision, sending the elder male flying out of the camera's view. He pressed another button.
"Tenkei, tell Yukari to fall back for now," Nagare insisted as he kept his eyes trained on the screen ahead of him. The other Kings looked at each other in understanding.
This is why you don't mess with people's lives Suoh thought as he studied Hisui's worried expression.
"Nagare, Sakuna has been captured, should I make a move to retrieve him?"
Said man looked conflicted.
"Tell you what Nagare," Mikoto commented as he held his cell phone up for show, "you stop this now and we won't kill your friends, how's that sound?"
"Kill him if you must, I am looking at the bigger picture."
Now that hadn't been what he was expecting to hear.
"The bigger picture is death for you, keep this up and I will have no choice but to use lethal force," Munakata warned as he pointed his sword at the man in the wheelchair, "I'm done waiting for you to make up your mind. Your forces are done for, we are clearly the victors here. If you manage to kill me you will have the immortal King and the Red King left to deal with. Not even you would stand a chance."
"Tenkei take Yukari and head back to base, we have no other choice at the moment." Nagare sighed as he cut off his connections with the outside world, his undivided attention falling back to the Kings in front of him.
"Is that an order for a retreat? Are you abandoning your endeavor?" Reisi asked in need of clarification as he honed his Aura into his blade, just in case things didn't go the way he hoped.
"Wrong, this is now a battle between Kings, should you all fall then your clansmen will have not won anything, not every pawn has to fall for a King to be put into checkmate." Hisui smirked as he sent a flurry of raging vines forward, hitting not only the Blue Aura but the other King's Auras as well, though the effort was in vain, it was a bold move of defiance. "I will not bow to the likes of you, this is a fight to the death."
"This is your final chance to surrender, I will not go easy on you," Munakata boomed as he took on an offensive stance, Mikoto eyed the pool of blood on the floor as the substance continued to drip down the Blue King's arm.
"I don't expect you too, give it everything you've got, Reisi Munakata."
Suoh watched on as the two of them clashed again, this time the movements were faster and hard to keep up with but with every blow and every strike that was exchanged there was nothing being held back. His usually bored looking eyes glowed with interest as he saw Munakata slice the Green Aura to shreds as he advanced to close the remaining distance between him and the other King.
Nagare wouldn't be so easily beaten, he continued to push his Aura onward, meeting the Blue Aura every time the colors flew in the air. When Reisi was in striking distance with his sword it was then that the Green King smiled, a wicked grin that made him look the true depiction of evil, what came afterward was something Munakata seemed to have predicted because as the Green King sunk into the floor he threw up a barrier around himself to shield himself from any surprise attack that would result thereafter. For a moment, the room was dead silent. Hisui Nagare was nowhere in sight.
Like something out of a bad horror movie the Green King reappeared just feet away from the Blue King, Aura pulsating into a makeshift spear-like weapon as it launched itself at the shield of light that surrounded the other King, Mikoto felt his eyes widen at the familiar scene. Just when he thought things couldn't be more coincidental Munakata turned, though the Red King didn't see it like that in that moment. Instead he saw himself in his comrade's shoes, face to face with a young girl who he learned was named Aya Oogai, and when the Blue King's sword pierced the skin of Hisui Nagare's chest the blood spilled out of him the same way it had when it had been his clansmen.
There was a noise of shock that escaped the Green King's throat as he stared down at the blade that was buried in his abdomen, blood soaked Munakata's sword hand though he didn't seem phased by it at the time. The Blue King Drove his sword the rest of the way in, filling the air with a cracking sound as bones broke and gave way to the blade he wielded, the leader of Jungle looked up at them in shock, his Aura bursting into a thousand pieces as a dull glow encased his body.
When Reisi ripped the sword free from the other man's chest blood splattered against the dark blue coat he always wore, the rest seeped down from the stab wound in the other King's chest, more dripped down from the corners of his mouth. Suoh felt like his stomach churn at the similarities between the situation and the one he had been in all those months ago.
Hisui Nagare slumped in his chair, eyes slowly closing as he mumbled under his breath, words so faint Mikoto had to strain his ears to hear them. "I guess I n-never ha-had the u-upper hand..."
"Is he...dead?" Weismann asked with wide eyes as he stared at the scene before them, the slate at their feet did not so much as glow.
"No, I didn't aim for anything vital, just a spot that would cause him enough pain to be subdued, I'm placing him under arrest and from there we will find a way best to execute him. He does not have the right to live after all the harm he caused but he also do-"
A rumble shook the building before the rest of the words could be spoken, while their attention was drawn elsewhere a pair of hands snaked their way out of the ground, wrapping around the wheelchair the Green King used, he began to sink into the floor of the building. Before any of them could even lift a finger he was out of sight, no one else moved in after them and none of them spoke as the initial shock wore off.
"I suppose his clansmen couldn't follow his orders after all," Munakata grunted as he sheathed his sword, not even bothering to wipe the blood off of the blade. "What a pity."
"Well hopefully he has learned a valuable lesson," Weismann commented as he let his Aura break, silver sparks cascaded from where the barrier had once stood. "I don't think Hisui Nagare will be this foolish in the future."
"We can only hope that is the case, Suoh, Weismann, I think it's safe to say this mission has been a success. Please return to your clansmen, I will not leave the slate unattended but I will inform my clansmen that I am all right."
"All right? Cut the crap, your arm looks like it's been put in a meat shredder," Mikoto commented as he called off his Aura, his usual look of disinterest returned to his face as the adrenaline rush faded away.
"I'm fine, there is no need to worry about it," Munakata said happily as he glanced over at the Third King.
Yeah I wasn't worried... Suoh wanted to say but stopped himself from doing so, instead he turned on his heel and headed towards the thick gold and blue doors that were the only way in and out of the room, Weismann followed him closely. He spared one final glance back at Reisi Munakata before he pushed the doors open, eager to get back to his clansmen so they could finally call it a day.
I could really use a nap...
0o0o0o
"She was killed on the day Jungle attacked?" Yata asked Saruhiko as a look of understanding swept over his features, he did his best to hide the shock he felt at the new found information he had received.
"Yeah, she was the only casualty."
The skateboarders eyes grew wide.
Only casualty on that day? That means... he glanced over at his ex, noting how no malice surfaced on his face which led him to believe he was still oblivious to how it had happened. If he knew Mikoto killed her...no, she tried to kill him first. He was protecting himself, don't think like that, he forced himself to repeat the sentiment over and over again. He believed the Red King's story, there wasn't a doubt in his mind that had been what really happened but his stomach churned nonetheless.
Aya is dead...Saruhiko's only true family member is gone...
"I remember the day we tried to send a signal to the Himmelreich," Misaki whispered sadly as he relaxed onto the cold medical table he was seated on across from Saruhiko, he brought his knees to his chest. "Even though so much happened on that day...I had a lot of fun."
"Yeah," Fushimi mumbled as he stared up at the light fixtures on the roof of the van, "so did I."
"I'm sorry, Saru."
"Don't be sorry, there's no sense in it at this point," Said man sighed as he closed his eyes, eyebrows knitting together out of frustration. "She was your friend at one point too, I...I'm sorry I didn't mention this sooner."
"No, don't be, this must have been a lot for you to deal with," the brunette replied with a frown.
"I've had some assistance, I guess," the Blue Clansmen answered with a click of his tongue, "the Captain has been surprisingly helpful."
"I'm glad you haven't had to go through this alone, then." And Yata meant that, he saw the way his old friend's features changed at the mention of the Blue King, it was subtle but it was something he had noticed long before they had ever known anything about clans and Kings. Back when things had been a lot simpler for them. "So...you and the Blue King, huh?"
"What?" Fushimi deadpanned as he scowled at the other man who only chuckled weakly in response, "what I do is none of your business."
"Shouldn't you say 'who I do is none of your business'?" Misaki cackled when his companion pulled a knife out from under his sleeve, "chill, I was just joking." No I wasn't.
"I had something I needed to tell you but," Fushimi paused as he pulled his vibrating cellphone out of his pocket, checking his messages with a sigh of relief, "your King is on his way back here."
"Mikoto-san is all right?" Yata exclaimed excitedly as he tried to change the topic, though after hearing about Aya's passing it was a bit hard for him to keep his mind on any one subject that didn't involve old memories that he felt were better left in the past.
"Yeah, everyone is fine. Hisui Nagare managed to escape but they're all fine, the Captain is waiting at Mihashira Tower for backup to arrive and then he will handle the rest." Saruhiko paused as he got a text message, Yata on the other hand stood up and hovered behind him, looking over his shoulder much to the other man's dismay.
From: Captain Reisi Munakata
Everything is fine so try not to worry. Seri tells me you've been injured again...I thought I told you that part of becoming more like a leader meant taking less risks. Still, she said it was superficial at best, I would continue to preach about injuries but I've managed to get a few myself. Worry not, everything is fine and this battle is over. I'm proud of what you accomplished today.
"Good god he texts like talks," Misaki giggled as he chose to ignore the way Saruhiko told him to shut his fucking mouth, being polite had never been one of the Blue Clansman's personality traits. "Well Saru, I guess I better get back."
"Yeah," said man answered with a sigh, "we're even now, right?"
"Mhm, we're even," the brunette confirmed as he turned to hop out of the van, he stopped when he heard his name being called quietly. "Yeah?"
"There's something I'm going to tell you but it might take me some time to say it, if you ever get a text from me then you'll know what it is."
"You'd willingly text me?" Yata gawked as he looked back at the dark haired man, Saruhiko sent him a small smile, something so completely out of character that it sent chills down his spine.
"After all of this I think I owe it to you."
The skateboarder nodded his head in understanding, "well when the day comes I'm all ears. See ya later...Saruhiko."
"Yeah, see you."
Yata hopped out of the van then, grabbing his skateboard from outside the vehicle he quickly made his way to where his fellow clansmen were loitering around, he was relieved to see most of them were unharmed for the most part, minus a few cuts and scrapes. "Hey guys," he exclaimed as he came to halt in front of Anna and Tatara who smiled at him in return.
"How's he doing?" Izumo asked as he took a drag off of his cigarette, eyes half lidded out of exhaustion and what the younger man presumed was stress.
"He's gonna be fine, Mikoto-san is on his way back."
"Yeah Seri told me, the Blues will be heading out in a moment and after that we're free to head on home, too. The police will be dealing with the mess while Scepter4 takes a much needed break," the bartender explained as he leaned against the exterior of HOMRA's van. "Speaking of the devil, here he comes."
Yata whipped his head around as quickly as he could, eyes locking on Mikoto's frame as he and the Silver King walked through the crowd of various clansmen. He tried his best to contain his excitement at seeing his boyfriend but eventually mumbled "fuck it" under his breath and hopped off his skateboard, legs carrying him as quickly as he could as he flung himself into the older man's arms. Mikoto caught him with ease even though he hadn't been expecting it, he buried his face in the crook of the Red King's neck as he wrapped his legs around his waist to help hold himself up. I don't give a shit if anyone sees this side of me anymore, I'm so glad you're okay, he thought to himself as he hooked his arms around the King's neck.
"Yata..." Mikoto mumbled quietly as he wrapped his arms around the younger man's waist, "are you hurt?"
"No, I'm fine," he insisted as he released his vice grip, reluctantly dropping back down to his own two feet, he looked up at his King. "Are you okay?"
"Ah."
"You had me worried sick when you disappeared like that with the other Kings," Misaki admitted as he followed after the older man who approached a snickering HOMRA, one glare shut them up pretty sufficiently.
"Sorry," Suoh grumbled as he reached up and took the beanie off of the shorter man's head, tossing it at him before he ruffled his hair affectionately. Anna all but attached herself to the Red King after that, grabbing his hand as he relayed the last hours events to them with a tired tone of voice, seemingly too exhausted to launch into great detail about it though no one could really blame him.
"Well, should we head back then?" Izumo asked with a yawn as he stretched out his limbs, something that made practically everyone in their clan repeat the same action.
"I'll cook us all breakfast," Yata offered weakly as he stuffed his beanie in his cargo shorts, not bothering to fix his surely disheveled hair. Beside him he heard the Red King's stomach growl, "I'll make you your favorite," he added with a laugh as everyone in HOMRA chuckled at the sudden interruption.
"I swear you all act like an old married couple," Kusanagi smirked as he dodged the enraged look his best friend shot his way. "Okay boys, and Anna, let's roll."
Everyone climbed into the large van without further coaxing, all too tired to do anything but what they were told at this point. Mikoto sat in the last row with Anna to his right and Yata to his left, the young girl laid her head on his shoulder as she drifted off to sleep shortly after they left the police checkpoint.
"Mikoto-san, there's something I want to do later today, will you go with me?" Misaki asked as he leaned his head on the window, watching Shizume fly past him in a blur of colors and faces, the Red King grunted.
"What is it?"
"I think it's time I checked in with my mom, I haven't seen her since the Monkey and I left, she probably thinks I'm dead." He answered with a sad smile, remembering the look on Saruhiko's face when he announced how his last true family member has perished. It had struck a cord with him, made him realize that despite everything and the new family he had for himself that he would be devastated if something happened to the family that had forgotten him. "I don't really think they miss me too much but I think this is something I need to do, I need to have some closure."
"What brought this about?" Suoh asked as he reached forward and smacked Tatara on top of the head for eavesdropping, said man yelped in pain before apologizing repeatedly.
"I don't know, I just want you to be with me when I do it." Yata lied as he glanced back out the window, he doesn't need to know I was friends with Aya once, the same way Saruhiko doesn't need to know that Mikoto was the one who killed her. Some things are better left unsaid.
"Okay," the King agreed with a small sigh as he leaned back against the headrest, eyes closing as he fought off the wave of exhaustion he felt spill over him, his stomach growled loudly in protest. "You're gonna cook first, right?"
"Yeah, I planned on it," the brunette replied as he too let his eyes slip close, nervousness swelled inside him at the thought of seeing his family again, sensing this Mikoto reached out and placed a hand on his head, ruffling his hair soothingly.
"It's gonna be fine," he whispered reassuringly, something that made the anxiety Yata felt retreat if only a little.
"Yeah, I hope so," Misaki said as he leaned into the touch, "thanks for agreeing to go with me."
Mikoto grunted in acknowledgment, the van went quiet after that, everyone wrapped up in their own thoughts as they headed back to the bar a lot of them called home.
0o0o0o0o
"Captain, welcome back." Seri exclaimed with a salute though her stature showed the true nature of how she was feeling, relieved and exhausted both.
"Hey," Fushimi added as he sat up in his hospital bed, a scowl on his face as he looked over at the Lieutenant. "Can I go now? I've already told you that I'm fine."
"No Fushimi, you're not going anywhere," she huffed as she placed her hands on her hips, "I swear you're the most stubborn man on this planet," she paused as her eyes trailed back to the Blue King. "Captain, your arm!"
"Fret not, Ms. Awashima, it's nothing too serious. Please have a medical unit come in here to properly bandage this and I will be fine afterward," Reisi insisted as he walked around the blond and took up a seat on the other bed closest to Saruhiko, who was staring at him with inquisitive eyes as the Blue King shrugged his blood stained uniform off. Scepter4's third in command looked sick when the older man removed his shirt, showing off the deep gashes and stab wounds that tore into his right arm.
"Well that looks...disgusting," Fushimi stated with a click of his tongue, averting his attention from the Captain and onto to Seri who stood there with a look of shock on her face, she quickly left the room then. Call the medics so I don't have to look at that, he thought to himself as he relaxed back onto the bed, exhaustion hitting him like a bullet train.
"You appear disturbed," Munakata said with a smirk as he studied the younger man's facial expression, "it's not that bad, I assure you."
"Well it's making me sick just looking at it."
"So don't look at it," the Blue King laughed, much to the younger man's dismay.
"Jungle is finished," Saruhiko commented as he held out a disposable PDA, pulled up to the website Jungle had laid claim to. In deep green pixelated text the log in screen was replaced by two simple words, GAME OVER.
"Well that's good to hear," Munakata commented as the medical staff rushed into the room, making quick work of caring for his wounded arm while they got fluids into an IV to administer to him. All the while Fushimi watched them work silently, studying every movement that came from either the medical team or the Blue King.
"Captain please rest for at least a few hours," Benzai pleaded as he flipped one of the machines on, starting the IV drip he had been given.
"Of course, thank you for all your hard work," he exclaimed as he relaxed back onto the stiff mattress, sighing in frustration when he and Saruhiko were the only ones left in the room. "This day has been beyond tiresome, we will have a lot of work to do when we are able."
"Tell me about it, I hate office work," the younger man seethed as he turned and looked over at the Blue King. "Captain I have a question to ask you."
"What can I do for you, Fushimi-kun?"
"Well, I just need an answer, honestly. I've noticed that there is a large gap in strength between normal clansmen and their lieutenants, why is that?"
"That's a difficult question to answer, but we do have a theory surrounding it," Munakata answered as he gave Saruhiko his undivided attention. "A King's second in charge is usually someone close to them, someone they have fought with time and time again and also someone they have a strong bond with. A King must trust his second in command with their life, and vise versa. That being said we have hypothesized that because of the nature of their relationship that they are able to access more power because a King has no doubts about that person's ambitions and loyalty. Think of Ms. Awashima and I or Suoh and Kusanagi-san for example."
"And what would you say if another clansmen who was not second in charge began to display extraordinary changes in strength?" Fushimi grumbled as he recalled the way Yata had appeared to him during their fight earlier in the day. He had his own theories but was still unsure about the whole thing.
"Well is there something you can give me for background information? Who did you notice a change in? This way I can give you a better theory," Reisi explained as he twirled his finger around one of the cords that pushed medicine into his arm.
"It's Misaki," Saruhiko answered in short, groaning out of regret as soon as the Blue King chuckled.
"Well we can theorize the same sort of thing here, though we have never seen Totsuka-san fight we can likely assume he too has a much stronger Aura than someone like Rikio Kamamoto, this is because of his relationship with the Red King."
"So you're saying because Misaki is someone important to him he has gained more power?" Saruhiko asked in need of clarification, he let out a rugged breath as he disregarded the amused face his boss gave him.
"Precisely, though this is another theory with no scientific proof we can assume because of the nature of their relationship that he has quickly gained more power, intimacy might be a key factor seeing as no one else in that clan would display a change of power except for Yata, who knows the Red King better than almost anyone now."
"So he got more power because he had sex with his King?" Fushimi really regretted asking that, that was one mental image he really didn't need in his head.
"Perhaps, perhaps not, there is no proof of any of this." Munakata shook his head slightly to clear it of the thought, "anyway, I'm glad everything went well at the hotel. You do need to proceed with more caution though, Fushimi-kun. When we are both well would you like to begin shadowing me? We have been so busy these last few months I have not had the time to devote my attention to that."
"Sure, I guess," the younger man answered with a click of his tongue, though the prospect of getting more training and expanding his intellect was a bit exciting he didn't let it show. "Sir?"
"Yes, Fushimi-kun?"
"Do you think the Slate would hint at who the next King is going to be?"
"That's another impossible question to answer," Munakata replied with a look of slight surprise, "are you insinuating that you think Yata will become a King one day?"
"It crossed my mind in that moment, the Blue Aura reacted chaotically when it sensed the Red Aura that permeated from him, it was hard to contain...I've never had that happen to me before."
"Well while that is interesting and I'd love to test that theory there is really no way we could ever know, not unless Suoh or myself renounced our throne and I don't see that happening for quite some time." Reisi announced as he let his eyes close, a smile pulled on his lips. "For now, Fushimi-kun, just enjoy your carefree life and allow me to deal with the responsibility of being a King, should the day come that you are destined to take my place then I hope my lessons stick with you and help guide you."
"Yeah, you're right," Saruhiko mumbled through a yawn.
"Fushimi-kun, in honor of our new partnership would you mind joining me for dinner this evening?" The Blue King asked with a smirk as he watched his clansman's face contort into understanding, though it did brim on confusion.
"Are you asking me as your co-worker or a-"
"Actually I would like to take you out, as in on a date." Munakata clarified with a small laugh when he watched the smaller man gawk at him, clearly unamused when laughter met his ears.
"If you're buying then I suppose I can do that," Fushimi murmured as he turned on his side, "now be quiet, you're annoying me."
"If you say so, Fushimi-kun," Reisi smirked as he too rolled on his side, eyes finally closing for the last time that morning as he fell into a deep sleep.
If you say so.
0o0o0o0
"Mikoto-san I think I made a mistake, maybe we should just go..." Yata whined as he gripped onto the passenger door handle, regret washing over him as he stared at the house he grew up in. The windows in the house were lit up with artificial light considering the sun had set half an hour ago, but it also told him the people he had set out to see were in there. Now he wasn't so sure he wanted to see them.
He and Mikoto both had dressed up as nicely as they could, after he had expressed wanting to make a decent impression on them as if that would atone for everything he had done. When he left his mother's house all those years ago he had fled like a house in a hurricane, not leaving anything behind but destruction in the form of his dresser drawers being tossed and emptied, his posters shredded and scattered about. It was as if he hadn't had any qualms about how they would feel when they found it, come to think of it he hadn't cared.
He glanced over at his King, who wore his usual dark jeans but sported a tight fitting leather jacket and a red and black plaid scarf around his neck, it wasn't cold per say but the night chill of spring called for a little cover from the elements. Yata himself had worn a pair of dark jeans and a black v-neck tee shirt with the leather jacket Mikoto had given him over his shoulders. Even his hair, though it was down, was styled into a purposely disheveled look, it was the best he could do at the time.
As if to snap him out of his thoughts Mikoto slugged him on the arm, relatively hard.
"Ow!" He hissed as he cupped his shoulder blade with his hand, "what was that for?!"
"For being an idiot, let's go."
That obviously leaves no room for an argument, he thought as he let out a deep sigh, finally prying open the car door as he joined up with the Red King who waited for him by the driver's side door, he grabbed his arm reluctantly.
"Mikoto-san, I'm...what if they get angry that I'm here?"
The older man glanced down at him with a look of sheer annoyance, "stop thinking like that, what did I tell you all those months ago?"
"What do you mean?" Misaki questioned as he let the leader of HOMRA pull him into an one armed hug.
"I said when you say something you need to mean it," he grumbled into his ear, sending chills down the skateboarder's spine in the process, "quit trying to take back what you say because you're scared. Face your fears or else you'll never get over them."
"You're right, you've taught me a lot about facing my fears...I need to do this, don't I?"
"Yeah, you do," Suoh murmured as he kissed the top of his forehead, "sorry I hit you."
"You hit everyone, it's a sign of concern coming from you," Misaki laughed as he wrapped his arms around the taller man, anxiety beginning to fade away the longer he was in his boyfriend's arms, Suoh smirked at the sentiment.
"Sometimes," he corrected, "sometimes people deserve it."
"That's true," Yata concurred as he let go of his King, "well...let's do this." Mikoto nodded his head in agreement.
He braced himself as he walked down the concrete walkway that lead to his childhood home's front door, when he was in front of the thick wooden door he spared a glance back at the Red King who was silently urging him to do it, and with reluctance he brought his knuckles up to the surface, knocking a few times before he stuck his hands in his jacket pockets.
"Coming!"
Came the almost immediate reply, his mother's voice, his stomach tied in knots when he heard the familiar sound of locks being undone. Seconds later the door swung open, revealing the face of his mother who looked like she hadn't aged a day in the years they spent apart, her eyes widened in shock. "Misaki?"
"Hey...mom..." he offered weakly as tears sprung into her eyes, before he could even blink he was in a vice grip of a hug, his mother clung to him desperately as she sobbed into his shoulder.
"Where have you been? Do you have any idea how worried I've been?" She cried, her grip on him refusing to falter, "we thought you were dead, Misaki. How could you worry me like this?"
"I know...I should have called..." he replied with a frown as he held onto her, not at all understanding why she was so upset over his disappearance.You didn't pay attention to me when I was here and yet you missed me when I was gone?
"Where did you go?" His mother asked as she finally let him back out of the hug, though she did keep her hands planted firmly on his shoulders.
"Saruhiko and I bought a place, but a lot has changed since then," Yata replied with a look of disdain, "I'm not ready to talk about that though, I just wanted to see you."
"Thank God you're okay, is Saruhiko all right?"
"He's fine mom, we just don't...talk very much anymore," he explained weakly as he looked back into the house, where his two small siblings stood, staring at him in shock. "Minoru, Megumi...you've gotten so big, you probably don't even remember me that well..." a look of sadness swept over his face, something his mother frowned at.
"You can make up for that in time, Misaki, not everything is wasted," she replied as she placed a hand on his cheek, "I'm so glad you're home."
"Where's Yuto?" He asked as he continued to glance into the house in search of his step father.
"He's in the living room, please come in...but first, who is your friend?"
Yata had completely forgotten that he had brought his King with him, when he looked over his shoulder he was standing there with his usual bored look on his face though the skateboarder could detect the small twinge of a smile that pulled on the corners of his lips. The more time he spent with the redhead the more he noticed things everyone else seemed blind too, sure he usually looked disinterested most of the time, but there were very subtle things that he did that hinted at other emotions, ones that were lost on everyone but his boyfriend. This was one of those times, his mother looked intimidated, his siblings hid behind her, refusing to peer out to look at him again, Yata couldn't help himself but laugh.
"Mom this is Suoh Mikoto, he's been a huge influence on me since I left, he's been a real hero to me. I wanted you to meet him," Misaki explained as he walked out of his mom's hold and grabbed the older man by the arm to drag him over to where they stood.
"It's nice to meet you, Mikoto-san," she said nervously as she stuck out her hand, nearly sighing in relief when the Red King shook it without hesitation.
"Nice to meet you, too."
"Well please, come in, come in, we were just about to have dinner. Would you please stay?" She asked as she held the door open for them, Minoru and Megumi ran off then, yelling something about going to play with some toys. Yata nodded his head as he followed her into the familiar home, Mikoto was hot on his heels as they walked to the living room, taking their shoes off before they entered all the way. There his step dad sat, eyes fixated on the television screen as if he didn't notice them, whereas his mother had hardly changed he couldn't say the same about the man in front of him.
"Dear, look who came by," his mom insisted as she stepped aside, her husband turned his head as he locked eyes with Yata.
"Good lord, Misaki is that you?" The man asked as he slowly got up from the couch, a smile pulling on his lips when the skateboarder nodded his head. "We've been worried sick, we thought something happened to you!"
"I know, I'm sorry about that..." Yata explained as he looked down at his hands, to his surprise his step father placed a calming hand on his shoulder.
"I'm glad you're here, I'm so relieved to see you unharmed. Are you doing okay? Where have you been all of this time?"
"Honey, save the questions for when dinner is completed." The woman joked as she slipped an apron over her head, "please have a seat, the meal will be done shortly."
"Right," Yata answered as he did as instructed, following after his former teacher as he sat on the same couch he had used when he lived in the home. "It's good to see you..."
His step father smiled back at him.
"It's good to see you, too."
Mikoto shot him an I told you so look as he relaxed onto the couch next to the skateboarder, through his smugness Yata could see something akin to happiness on his face. He couldn't stop the smile that grew on his face as he glanced around the room, listening to his siblings argue down the hall, his mother hum in the kitchen, and his step father and Mikoto begin to have a conversation. It was a perfect ending to a terrible day. He leaned his head back on the couch, eyes staring at the ceiling before he let them slip close.
It's so good to be back here again.