Chapter 18: Whole Again

"My heart only ever had one thought, one want. One need. Despite all, in spite of all… All my heart ever wanted is you."

- Stephanie Laurens, "The Edge of Desire"

-Faction 3: Mel's Roof-

The two assassins pulled themselves up using the slick ledge of the damp roof. The night was chillier, the wind cooling the fresh Darkling blood the still covered Sora's skin. She was used to having the blood of others on her hands, a feeling she wasn't sure she would ever be freaked out about anymore. The woman was deep in thought, a piece of her still worried about Tai's injuries. Come on… Don't go soft on the world. Enough has been taken from you. It's best to not care.

"You alright?" The question came from Sam, the man pulling himself up next to her mid question. She gave him an unconvincing smile, nodding. "How come I don't believe you… Was it that bad?" Sora looked at the horizon.

The thing is, the fight between her, Taichi, and the Darklings was simple. Should have been simple. But he got brave and comfortable and let down his guard. Sora's memory blurred at this point. She had lunged, her dagger landing as always. That's when she heard Tai groan in pain, the sound of blood spilling on the dark tile below his body. She reacted quickly, the final Darklings meeting the same end as the others. Death.

She caught Taichi before his shocked body had hit the floor, enhancing her strength to carry his weight. Sora did struggle a bit, for Tai was almost a foot taller than her. Dragging him the best she could, Sora made it to the courtyard of the palace, holding back worried tears as she watched the blood pool under Taichi's body and the color drain from his face.

"Tai… Stay with me, okay? You're going to be fine…" Sora said, trying to keep her voice from shaking. Tai had weakly smiled at her, fighting to keep his eyes open. "Joe… Get me to Joe. He can heal." Sora nodded, hating how upset she was. As an assassin, she was trained to see death and pain as things that happen, not things to be cried over.

Tai leaned against Sora, the small redhead now supporting his whole weight. Unconscious. Taichi was unconscious. Her breathing was quick and uneven, her legs starting to give out. That's when she felt the weight being lifted off of her and distributed to another body. Sam. Sam was there now.

"Hm? Oh. No it's fine… Everyone gets stabbed." Sora shrugged it off, putting on her best mask. "Like Lanus always said, an assassin only keeps companions. Those who are easily disposed of, not felt for." Her words sounded numb and Sam gave her an uneasy look.

"Yeah… But Lanus is dead. You killed him, remember?" She nodded, "yeah, but I can't help but wonder if his words were true. Especially in a world split into three factions." Sam just nodded, not responding. The two sat in silence, watching the moon cross the horizon.

-Faction 1: Northside-

Izzy grunted as he slammed into the cool earth on faction 1. He rubbed the back of his neck, rolling a kink out of his right shoulder. You'd think I'd get better at that. He chuckled at himself, brushing his dark jeans.

"You're back… Why?" He turned towards the female voice, smiling as his eyes met Celina. "Good to see you too," he replied jokingly. The smile he had hoped for tugged at the corners of her lips, a gleam in her eyes. He reached out, caressing her cheek softly in his hand"Why are you here, Izzy?" Her words were quiet, hushed.

Izzy cleared his throat, removing his hand and licking his lips out of nervousness. "I… We, the others, have joined together in faction 3. The only two missing are Takeura and Yamato," he said. Celina looked to the ground, "well, they're both here. No promises on how smoothly things are going. Yamato took out most of our guards. He can… Shoot ice…" Izzy nodded, his feet beginning to pace. "I have a plan to get him to Jump with me. Both of them." This made Celina confused.

"I thought you couldn't Jump with others," she questioned him. Izzy smiled nervously, "I'm going to have to hope that's not true. I did it once before, maybe this time I'll be just as lucky." Celina raised an eyebrow, chuckling at his confidence. "Just be careful, Yamato seems like he's not one to hesitate when it comes to killing." Izzy gave her a reassuring smile. Celina turned to leave, but quickly turned back. She hesitated for a moment before closing the gap between her and Izzy. Softly, she pressed her lips to his before turning back and leaving him.

Izzy hurried through the small alleys of Northside, trying his best to remain quiet in the silence of the town. Where are they, he thought to himself. He turned a corner, the two brothers appearing in his view.

Takeura was surrounded by wind and Yamato had ice on his fingertips. You know, Izzy, maybe you should let them sort it out… He jumped as Yamato shot a sharp piece of ice at his brother, Takreura deflecting it with a strong gust. "Yamato! This is useless! Side with me and I can help!" Takeura was trying his best to reason with his brother, but to seemed like a lost cause.

Yamato gritted his teeth, trying to stand his ground as the wind hit him at full force. "No! No one can help me. They won't let that happen!" By they, Yamato meant the crown. They were always in his head, always watching. "Don't you remember? You're my brother!" Takeura was shouting over his winds, his face flushed in disbelief and anger. Yamato shot another piece of ice in response.

Izzy couldn't believe his eyes. How could Yamato not remember? Breathing deeply, Izzy jumped from the shadows, waving his hands like a mad man. "STOP BOTH OF YOU STOP." Takeura's eyes widened in surprise and disbelief. Yamato lowered his hands from the distraction. "We have to leave! Please!" Izzy was focusing more on Yamato, not trusting the older brother.

"Who are you?" Yamato asked, his face in a snarl of anger from being interrupted. "I'll tell you later, but you two have to come with me. It's…" Takeura was worried. He didn't know where Izzy was going with this. "It's Mimi!"

It worked. Yamato blinked, the ice on his hands melting to water and falling to his feet. "Mimi…" He whispered her name, "take me to her. Where is she?" Yamato was demanding, just what Izzy needed.

Reaching his hand out, Izzy beckoned for Yamato to take it. Yamato didn't hesitate. He grabbed Izzy's hand, eyeing as Takeura grabbed the other. "But what about Northdife?" Takeura asked. Izzy smiled, "I think it's in good hands…" Celina would be just fine.

Closing his eyes, Izzy concentrated. A moment later, the three of them were falling.\

-Faction 3: Mel's Goods-

"Mimi, I just think the color pink is overrated," Joe said, changing the bandage on Tai's side. Mimi clicked her tongue, "you obviously have no sense of trendiness then, Joe." Joe frowned at her, "I live in a world split into factions and I happen to be placed in the shittiest one. Do you think I care about trends?" Mimi playfully rolled her eyes, Kari snickered. Tai grabbed his side, laughing. "Guys, c'mon. Laughing still hurts."

Joe let out a small laugh, "then be more careful. We aren't going to stop just because you have a boo boo." This made Kari laugh harder, she loved when Tai wasn't babied like a trophy child. "Any who, you're almost healed up. That knife cut you deep. You're pretty lucky the best assassin to ever live happens to favor you over her contract." This made Mimi giggle, "Oh, she definitely favors Taichi. Always has."

Tai blushed deeply, "she's going to hear you! Her senses are wildly good." Mimi playfully stuck out her tongue. "Good. She needs to know she doesn't hide her feelings that well."

Kari sighed, crossing and uncrossing her arms frequently. Nervous habit, Tai thought as he eyed his sister. "Kari, stop worrying. I'm sure he's fine." She smiled, but not enough to convince her brother that she was okay.

"Anyway, so the color pin- AH!" The wall beside Mimi bent strangely, three bodies falling out of it. She grabbed her chest, breathing heavily as the men groaned.

"He did it…" Tai said in awe, "he jumped with two others!" He helped Izzy off of the ground, brushing his shoulders before hugging him tightly. "How?" Izzy laughed, "I honestly have no idea, Taichi!"

Kari stood, rushing to Takeura's side. A few tears spilled down her cheeks as happiness filled her chest. "Takeura! Are you alright?" He smiled at her, hugging her as she kneeled next to him.

The room was loud, but Yamato only focused in on her. He pushed Tai and Izzy, the two men tripping over chairs, as Yamato made his way to her. Mimi. Mimi covered her mouth as he reached for her, embracing her. He cupped her face in his hands, pressing his lips to her forehead.

"Mimi… Mimi… You're alive. What did they do to you." She smiled at him, tears in her eyes. "Nothing, Matt. They saved me. Helped me!" Her words were full of joy. They didn't hurt her. That's all Yamato needed to know before he kissed her, letting her know he still loved her and missed her.

Tai raised a confused eyebrow, "did I miss something?" Izzy chuckled, resting his hand on his friend's shoulder. "Meh. We can get explanations later." Tai shrugged his shoulders, the explanation enough for now.

Sora slipped through the window, Sam the door. Both assassins had their daggers drawn and ready, their eyes darting around the room as they crouched. "What's happening? Why all of the screaming?" Sora asked. "Jeeze you guys are quiet and quick! I didn't even see you guys come in. I just got back with the brothers!" Sora sheathed her daggers, the weapons disappearing back into her black suit.

"Oh…" she said quietly, turning back to the window to return to the roof. "Sor, you guys should just stay in here. We have to plan anyway…" Tai said quietly, his fingers wrapping around her wrist, asking her to stay. She looked to Sam. He shrugged, sinking into a chair and crossing his arms. Sora eyed Tai's fingers, the met his brown orbs. "I guess that's a good idea…" She pulled her wrist from his hand and crossed her arms, leaning against the wall next to him and Izzy.

Yamato finally pulled his attention off of Mimi, taking in the scene. "Who…" he was confused, but the people around him were familiar. His blue eyes landed on his brother, regret clouding them as the memories overwhelmed his mind. "I… I'm so sorry you guys…" Everyone just smiled, "It's cool, man. We've all tried to kill each other at least once. Others a few more times." The others eyes flashed to Sora, she raised an eyebrow and shrugged, smirking.

"Tell me where you are, pet." Yamato shook his head, blinking the words free of his thoughts. "Now that we're all together," Tai said, "should we plan how we're going to overthrow this mess of the factions?"

*Author's Note

The gang is back together! I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter! Happy readings :)