Day 31

Kuro slammed his sword into the fountain's side profile and followed it up with an overhead chop to the metal through the mutt's metal snout, slicing this once beautiful piece of lovely décor into smaller and smaller pieces. An arduous process that took several hours, but Kuro had time.

If he didn't have food, didn't have light, if he didn't have her, he sure as hell had time. How little of it he had left.

When the hacked metal pieces were littered around the floor, he didn't let his frustration extinguish. He let it plume and spread, the fury raging inside him needed to be accelerated and he let his sword continue its work.

The following hour had its silence disturbed by the constant bashing and smashing of those broken pieces until they were completely flattened. Leaving them in pieces that could be fit by the dozen in a single hand. That is, if someone wanted to hold shattered piles of jagged metal shards that way.

The desecrated remains of the darling decoration were littering the area and the once proud piece of art was broken and busted down into just these unfocused, unfamiliar peaks of protruding iron and steel out of a still water basin. Jutting out of the ground as if the earth had been opened and a piped burst and this is the evidence that it happened.

So in short, not at all resembling the pair of dogs that inspired the original piece in the first place. Kuro huffed and groaned, taking his sword in hand, cursing it along with the fountain and with an overhead swing, threw it hard against the nearby wall. The sword spun in cycles before it implanted itself deep into the stone. Kuro grunted and heaved in the dark. His jaw clenched and his hands coiled into tight fists.

She said she would come back. She said she was his friend. And she didn't come back. She didn't return. He didn't know if she was safe, if she got into a fight that she didn't survive, or if she decided he wasn't worth coming back to. Any answer would have been preferable to none.

The unknown of this whole situation was what bothered him so. To the extent that he came out here to vent some frustration by some shadow sparring against nothing until an unfocused swing spun him around and he caught the enamored eyes of the canines staring at each other. Ignoring his plight with an unchanging glare and that is when he lost his temper.

The small pitter patter of feet came behind him, Dusk's eyes squinted as they looked over the bent and shreds of metal Kuro made. A testament to the unending frustration Kuro had been dealing with for the last month. Dusk couldn't help but listen. The last few hours of them trying to shout over the rage and the yelling were all for naught. Dusk had to wait for the flames to die down before dousing the embers.

Even now, Dusk could feel the seething rage radiating off of him as the intense heat radiated off a raging inferno. Dusk's paw rubbed over one another, glancing over the plaza floor and avoiding pieces of debris as they slowly stepped towards him. Stepping on the tips of their pointed toes as they walked.

"Hey Kuro… are you alright? Are you done?" Dusk asked in a shy tone, Kuro's legs immediately giving out from underneath him and making him fall onto his knees. Kuro didn't have the strength in himself to try and wrestle back up onto his feet. He stayed down amongst the rubble he made, his hands slowly moving to cup the basin water and splash a handful of it into his face. The water shocks his system and quickly trickles down his chin and nose as he stares deep into the murky basin.

Seeing the faint outline of his silhouette in the dark waters beneath him, the glow of his orange eyes staring back into him. Full of rage and sorrow, threatening to break into tears at any moment. He was tired of being hungry. He was tired of the dark. He was just tired.

"Yeah." Kuro muttered gently, quickly taking his hand and smashing it hard into the waters. Displacing the water all around the basin floor and growling. The last of the water spilt away. "Yeah, I think I'm done."

"What happened?" Dusk inquired sheepishly, Kuro's lips pulled into a facetious smile as he shook his head.

"Those dogs were starting to annoy me, Dusk. With those dumb stares and those stupid smiles." Kuro explained through a groan and a hollow laugh. He despised how happy the pair of them were, lovingly sharing a glance towards one another. How they had each other and didn't need anyone else. Kuro raised his hand and from within the wall, his blade recalled back to his hand with its familiar shadowy smoke cloud. He planted it into the ground, using it to slowly bring himself up onto his feet. He glared over at Dusk, a loose defeated smirk on his face. His voice breaking apart at the seams as he spoke. "They looked so happy. I couldn't stand it."

Kuro's eyes shut as he felt a few tears race down his cheeks and his shoulders pull together and his hands begin to shake. He gasped for a breath of air as he shuddered out a bemoaned grunt. His body vibrated in rhythm with the rattle of his violent wail. The sound of it echoing in the emptiness of the plaza. The silence that answered made his wailing worse.

"Kuro-"

"It would have been better to not know what it felt like, Dusk. To laugh with someone, to feel that warmth around another person. To be… well to be." Kuro said amidst his groans and his shuddering tone. He shook his head, baring his teeth as he tried to settle his breathing. "You know? Kairi. Xion. The sounds of people. For a short moment, a second, I thought that maybe - maybe - it would be ok. Maybe… maybe I'm just not supposed to be around people."

"Kuro, please. Think about what you're saying." Dusk pleaded, walking over to him and resting their paws against his arm. Feeling it recoil at the touch and seeing him turn to them with a voided gaze. "You can't give up."

"Maybe the voice didn't want me to die someplace quickly… Maybe they wanted me to die slowly. To punish me. That's why I'm here. To be punished painfully." Kuro muttered, the thought of the voice being this tormentor less of a guiding light and becoming more and more of a damning apparition, sent to just torture him. Kuro tapped his head against his closed hands, his eyes staring down the cheek of the blade. "Maybe I'm… I'm supposed to die here. That's why the lights went out. To keep me in the dark. That's why there is no food. To starve me. That's why everyone went away. To keep me in silence. Because I'm supposed to just… perish. Alone. Unbothered. In the silence."

The next sound came from nowhere, the shattering of wood on stone as the right gate door was thrown open with a hammering kick. Kuro's eyes widened, shooting towards the gates. In a brief moment, he swore he could feel his heart leaping into his chest as he imagined Xion arriving with a basket full of food, apologizing profusely for her being late and giving him a warm smile to comfort him in the dark. He would have made a joke about having set aside a dinner made ready for her that surely would have made her laugh. A sound Kuro desperately wanted to hear as he imagined the two would have eaten together as they had done days ago. As he wanted to do for so many days after.

He didn't receive such a greeting. Dusk jumped behind Kuro, fearful of the possible danger. Kuro tapped them with a sure hand, his eyes focused on the door.

"Hide. Now." Kuro ordered Dusk in a low voice, before rising up and moving off to the left as Dusk moved to the right. "Hey!"

A blinding ray of light shot over to him as he moved and shouted, his hand instinctively blocking out the beam as he cringed at how bright lights could be. He had already forgotten how bright unnatural light could be.

Dusk scampered away from the light, moving to hide behind the walkway wall beside the fountain. Trying to avoid being seen.

"Alright, partner. Get those hands up." The voice was a rumble, deep and powerful. The whirring sound of a machine being heard as the man spoke. The voice huffed, before taking a few heavy steps forward. The pounding of boots against the stone echoing in the plaza. "You alone out here?"

Kuro's eyes refocused and tried to make out the person standing on the other side of the light. When his eyes finally adjusted, he found standing in front of him was this bulky wide muscle bound man.

He wore an open brown leather vest, with a black tank top and dog tags hanging off of his neck. They wore dark leather combat boots and dirt colored canvas pants. Their left arm held this huge black flashlight, the right arm ended at the elbow. In the place of a forearm and hand with this metal machine attached to the arm with six rotating barrels aiming at Kuro.

The tinted glasses rested along his nose and his lips pulled down into a stiff frown. Kuro turned toward the huge stranger, who he realized was a full head and shoulders taller than himself. Twice as wide and twice as muscle bound.

"I'm alone out here." Kuro muttered with insincere confidence, raising his sword up to prepare for whatever could happen next. That's when he heard the, 'tsk-tsk-tsk' come out of the man's mouth.

"You don't want to do that." The stranger spoke with a gruff voice, the whirring of the machine attached to their right arm beginning to spin a little faster than before. "Stand down while you're talking to me. Now."

Kuro, uncertain what exactly would happen if he didn't lower his sword, decided it was best to not test this stranger too much and lowered his sword. The whirring of the machine stopped soon after. The man let out a harsh chuckle in response as he stomped his foot into the stone.

"Yeah, that's what I thought, boy." He said, taking a few more steps away and then flashing his lights around. The beam hovering over the broken fountain, the overhead loft above them, and the stairwell leading up to the cottage. "All the same, I don't think you're all alone out here. There could be Heartless about. Or even worse. Give me a moment to scan this place for any other bodies and I'll get back to you on what you're going to do next."

"Heartless." Kuro mumbled, his eyes going wide as the man moved and walked about the plaza. If he were to find Dusk-no. Kuro decided with a steadfast breath and a fast pumping heart. His fist clenched and his grip on his sword tightening. This stranger wasn't going to find Dusk.

The man moved to a wide gait as he sauntered over to the wall that Dusk had hidden themselves behind earlier. The whirring of the machine started back up as he moved ever so slowly. Getting closer and closer to the corner.

Kuro squinted his eyes, squeezing his left hand and silently summoning his shield. Once his armaments were drawn and at the ready, Kuro began to slowly step around. Prowling back into the dark as he kept an eye on the man with the machine arm.

"Come in, Barret. Barret. What's your status? Over." Barret's walkie-talkie sounded off, Barret dropping the flashlight into his pocket and lowering his hand to turn on his microphone and speak. He coughed out to clear his voice. Eyes moving off of Kuro as they continued to scan the area. Looking for any possible hostile threats or uncertain movement.

"Barret here. Found a civilian out here in the Third District. I'm clearing the area befor-" Barret then hears the rushing of feet, his barrels turning towards the sound and seeing a blur rush towards him in the dark.

Kuro brings his blade down into the spinning barrels, knocking them towards the floor before pulling his left arm back and smashing the edge of his shield against Barret's cheek.

The blow connected and rocked the hulking man back. A few unsteady stomps were heard and then the sound of shattering glass followed. Barret's tinted glasses had broken with the strike to the cheek. His face contorted in a dull surprise at the sound of glass smashing to the floor. Barret let out a sigh of discontent and immediately turned his attention to the 'civilian.' A flat expression on his face as Kuro twirls his sword and readjusts the grip of his shield. His dark brown eyes aflame with fury as he gnashed his teeth together.

"Barret, Barret, is everything ok? Over." The voice on the walkie-talkie says, Barret's left hand turning his microphone on whilst giving Kuro a harsh glare before speaking in response.

"Civilian's actually hostile. Going loud." Barret said, before the whirring of his machine begins to go, the spinning barrels blur together as Kuro hesitantly raises their shield. "Over."

"Barret! Wait!" The transmission is cut off with a flick of his thumb.

Kuro steps back with immediate concern as the larger man cracks his neck with a stiff twist of the chin. Barret's right arm shot up and a barrage of gunfire rattled out of the six rotating barrels along the outstretched appendage.

The rapid machine gun fire lit up the plaza in a series of bright white and red dazzling flashes. The contact the machine guns had against the shield sparking and knocking the shield back. Kuro's feet dragging along the surface of the floor as he tries to maintain his balance.

All around him, the bullets that made contact with the steel ricocheted and found purchase in the stone walls all around them. Tearing through the layers of smooth rock and exploding up clouds of broken stone on impact.

The force of the machine gun fire sent repeated shocks up and through Kuro's arms, the shield threatening to rocket out of his hands and leaving him exposed had he not readjusted his grip and tightened his hold of the canine faced shield.

And, just as quickly as the barrage began it also ended, a series of rapid fire clicks soon followed and the plaza was no longer flashing. Kuro, no longer feeling the rattling, took action. He charged forward in a sprint, lowering the shield and taking a swipe with the blade. Aiming to maim Barret's good arm.

Barret swung his right arm to meet the sword, catching the blade between two of the barrels and shoving the sword away just as well. Kuro, seeing Barret left his left shoulder open, swung his shield to meet Barret's shoulder as it was exposed from the shove.

Barret's left arm swept across his barrel chest to catch Kuro's forearm. The much larger man grappled and began to squeeze the muscle in Kuro's arm and raised him up off of the ground without much effort. Kuro lets out a roar of anger and pain as the hand clutches tighter on him. Swinging out his legs to kick him off. The toes of his boots are unable to get enough leverage to put some power behind his heels.

"You son of a bitch. You tried to pull that shit agai-" Barret cursed before he was interrupted by a swing of the blue hued sword smashing up and into the area just below his left arm pit. The blade slammed deep into him before Kuro lifted both of his heels up while Barret was hurting and jammed them hard into Barret's powerful chest. Dragging the sword back with him as he dismounted.

The force of the blow knocking Barret's grip of his forearm loose and rocketing Kuro back away from the gun-armed man. Kuro landed with a heavy knock against the stone, rolling over his shoulders and up onto his feet in a single move. Choking up on the sword in his hand and moving to raise his shield once more.

The sound of a bolt slamming back followed by the bone chilling jingle of an ammo belt, all of it capped off with a sinister chuckle. The machine gun barrage resumed soon after, a few concentrated bullets from the steel storm catching along Kuro's left arm before he could properly raise the shield, once again fighting against the pressure of the rapid fire bullets as blood trickled down his arm and dribbled off his elbow. Fighting through the pain as he could feel the blood move and see it staining the stone beneath him in a short inconsistent blood drip.

"Damn it, you little bastard. Got one off on me. Won't be happening again." Barret muttered with a low rumble, closing the distance on Kuro while counting his own bullets. Just as he felt the empty clicks vibrate his arm, Barret struck.

Kuro dropped the shield to respond and there he could see Barret closing in on him. Before he could react, Barret grabbed him by the right arm, his hand closing around Kuro's sword held fist, and lifted him up off the ground. The six barreled arm rolled back and knocked up into Kuro's stomach with a devastating uppercut. The six protruding tips jammed hard against his abdomen. Before he could catch his breath, Barret raised his arm up and brought down the action and magazine carrying portion of his forearm across Kuro's cheek.

The immense weight and power of the strike surely knocked a few teeth loose as Kuro rag dolls in his arm. Barret swings his arm back as though he were casting a lasso, Kuro being spun in the air in a short rotation before being smashed hard against the stone. Kuro bounces on impact, dropping his sword and landing on his shield. Huffing and breathing as he attempts to roll over onto his stomach and get back onto his feet. Barret raises his left foot and tries to bring it crashing down into Kuro's skull.

Kuro brought the shield between the boot and his face, the heel stomping down into the steel and making Kuro's arm buckle under the pressure of the weight. Kuro barked out in response, his yell getting caught in his throat as he tried to push back against Barret.

"You gotta be tough if you're gonna be mean." Barret mumbled deviously, letting out a hearty laugh. Hollering out in sheer adrenaline as he digs his heel further into the shield.

Kuro glanced around in a hurry, seeing the sword just out of reach and his arms were losing their strength from this disadvantageous position. He let his right hand go off the shield to call the sword, only to feel the shield be pushed further against him when he shifted his hand. Kuro returns his hand to the shield edge, trying to keep from being crushed.

That's when he sees the small trickle of blood dripping off to his left, sprinkling down onto the stones beside him. Kuro immediately recalled the wound under Barret's left arm, clenching his jaw as he struggled to shove the foot off. Barret grunted impatiently before raising his foot back up to stomp down on the shield again. Hoping to crush the shield flat with the hostile underneath his boot.

Kuro extended out his right arm, a swirling smoky shadow pulling the winged staff into his hand. The jewel between the wings began to glow into a bright yellow, as Kuro brought his voice up to shout. "Bolt!"

Barret cocked his head in confusion as the thunder rolled and a bolt of lighting struck his shoulders. The flashing golden light illuminating the plaza for a moment. His echoing shout of pain nearly rattling the bones in Kuro's body.

Kuro used the opportunity of the missing foot and the daze to roll out of the way, getting up onto his own two feet and bashing the edge of the shield into Barret's chest to create a moment for some breathing room.

The blow was struck, iron dog teeth smashing into his abdomen and Barret reacted in turn. Cocking his left fist and going for a swing.

Kuro ducked under the wide left hook, dropping his staff into the either and knocked his right hand up into the open wound left by the sword with a solid punch. His knuckles smashing against the slice, coating his knuckles in a thin layer of blood.

Barret groaned in pain as the strike made contact, swinging his gun arm to knock Kuro away, only for Kuro to parry the incoming swing with a shield bash towards the tip of the barrels. Knocking the gun back and reading another incoming punch from Barret.
A left straight from Barret is dipped under by Kuro who then continues to hammer away at the open side with two quick punches. Each blow contorting the gunman's face and making him utter a curse under every breath.

Barret stepped back and moved his left arm over to pull back the bolt to reload his Gatling gun. Kuro bashes the edge of his shield to Barret's wrist, leaving a bloody divot in the muscle followed by a hard body shot right into his wound once again. Barret's eyes aflame in fury, a grunt of irritation growling out of his mouth.

Kuro pulls the shield back for another bash yet again only for Barret's forehead to smash into his nose, the headbutt knocking Kuro back and gripping his possibly broken nose with his free hand. A torrent of blood draining out of his nose.

Taking about eight unsteady steps back, Kuro grunts out in pain. With a grunt, he extended out his right arm and called his sword back into his hand. The blue hued blade affixed in his grip as he bounces in his spot and prepares to keep fighting.

Kuro huffed, eyes squinted as he twirls the blade in his hand and growls out in a rage at Barret. His tongue tasted the blood draining out of his nose from the impact. He gives Barret a sick grin, one with blood covered teeth. He then smashes his blade into his shield and roars. The clanging echoing in the district.

"Come on! Is that all you-"

Kuro was caught off by a forearm locked around his throat and a hand curling around the back of his head. Immediately, Kuro felt his breathing get constricted. His arms swing wildly in an effort to fight this new stranger off. His legs move to pull him away, only for a pair of slender legs to be thrown around his waist and over his thighs. The pair locking him into place and stopping his movement.

Being disoriented by the lack of air and the sudden weight on his back, he is swiftly taken to the ground. The stranger's body took the brunt of the impact as they fell. His hands drop his weapons immediately, as he paws aggressively at the thin arm around him. The hold was solid, and he didn't have the strength to try and claw them off now. Then he heard a very soft whispering coming from behind him requesting him to just go to sleep. Then came a silent coo of 'shushing' in his ear, the voice quiet and almost sensual. The lack of air, the taut arm around his neck and the sudden strange sounds were disorienting to Kuro. To say the least.

The darkness quickly takes hold. And Kuro didn't have the strength to truly fight back anymore. Not that he could find it in him to do so anymore. His arms fall to the side, and he no longer hears the shushing.

Kuro goes limp in the stranger's hold, easing into unconsciousness swiftly and easily enough. The stranger lets out a short giggle feeling his cheek against their chest, before letting him slip out of their grasp. Kuro is left on the stone, resting on his side with his eyes shut.

Barret huffs in annoyance, rubbing his forehead with his thumb before grumbling a few curses under his breath. Staring disdainfully at the unconscious silver haired opponent.

"I had that son of a bitch's number, Jessie. You didn't need to hop in." Barret murmured with a groan. He walked over to Kuro, pulling back the bolt and pressing the barrels into his cheek. His eyes furiously focused on the man as he prepared to fire. Just as the barrel begins to spin, Jessie swats at the barrels playfully, shoving them off of Kuro's face.

"Relax, Barret." Jessie said with a sweet giggle, her eyes shifting from the unconscious man to Barret. Her legs folding under her bottom and her hands resting along her knees. Her chin nudged in his direction. "He's going to be taking a little nap. We can talk to him when he wakes up."

Barret grunts, stomping away from Jessie with a growl. He taps his closed fist against his thigh, scoffing at the idea of talking to this guy. Much less than just finishing the job.

"Give me a goddamn break." Barret mumbled, shaking his head and letting Jess get up on her own two feet. She does so, wiping the excess dirt and soot off of her pants as she stares down at him. She crooks her head, giving him a meek smile.

"Mind giving him a lift? I am a lady, after all. " Jess asked with a short huff of air, her hand moving to comb through her hair before walking back to the First District gates. Slipping past them. "I think Rinoa found a place to set up shop back in the main square. Hope you like coffee, Barret!"

Barret huffed in annoyance, his boots knocked on the stone and kicked up ash before letting out an irritated groan, grabbing Kuro up by the jacket and lifting him up off the stone floor. With a swing, Barret saddles the unconscious Kuro over his shoulder and carries him to the main town square.

"It ain't gonna be no Seventh Heaven." Barret grumbles as he throws open the door and walks through. Leaving the Third District full of bullet holes and spilt blood.

Dusk watches from around the corner, antenna bent anxiously and eyes full of worry. Dusk glances around in fear, before slinking back into the shadows, hiding among the dark.

"Power sleeps within you…" "Let's take the raft and go—just the two of us!" "Come on, lazy bum. Wake up."

"Kuro. Are you ok?"

"The power of the guardian. Kindness to aid friends." "I won't let him go!" "Inner strength."

"Kuro. I need you to know-"

"Open the door, lead me into everlasting darkness!" "The key bearer shatters peace and brings ruin."

"They are coming for you Kuro, you need to be strong. It's going-"

"The power of the warrior. Invincible courage." "But it's your heart they really want…"

"Kuro, I'm truly sorry-"

"I'm so glad that-

-you're okay."

"Hey there. Who are you talking about?" Her voice echoed out of the dark in a sweet tone. The trailing of fingertips against his skin is felt despite the residual pain in his skull. The gentle brushing of this kind hand over his forehead and his cheeks were made with a tender stroke. "Tell me about them."

"She's someone important… I think. No. I know she's important. She makes my heart… flutter. And ache. All at the same time. She's in my dreams. She's in my head, all the time. I can feel her now. She's in my heart." Kuro mumbled into the dark with a sincere yearning and a soft whimper. With a cadence and a tone that wasn't his own. The voice that spoke out of him was hopeful, joyful and held happiness first and foremost. His lips pulled back into a tender smile, despite his eyes shut and his mind not exactly out of its fog yet. "I feel a pain in my chest like I miss her. Even if I can't describe her face, I know she's beautiful."

This confession is met with a shuddering sigh and a gasp for air. The clapping of hands together and a quick series of boot stomps.

"Oh, and he's a romantic!" This new voice was higher pitched and full of energy. Her voice carried a youthful excitement, and an innocence to it. That's when there is a lifting of Kuro's chin, and his breath escapes out his lips.

Kuro's eyes open to the smell of blood, feeling it trail down his throat as he tastes it on his teeth, his lips smacking together to drive the taste of copper out of his mouth as he settles his head up and tries to shake out his migraine. The disposition of a warmer voice now gone, replaced with the echoing pain in his skull.

"Easy there, easy now." The first voice spoke out, the fingertips once again on his cheek as he felt a cool glass press against his lips and ice cold water trickle into his mouth. The sensation spiking his blood and sending this rushing sensation to his head. Making him dizzy. The glass is pulled away. Kuro whimpers through licked lips and a wordless whine. The glass returns slowly. "I need you to spit this out so you don't swallow your own blo-"

Kuro ignores the order, preferring to slug down the glass of cold water until he feels not a single drop left in the glass. Even going as far as to lick the edges of the glass with his tongue. The glass is pulled away not a moment sooner. He huffs and shifts his eyes. Trying to readjust his eyes from the darkness into the sudden glow of multiple light sources. When he can finally settle his vision, he first sees the several pairs of eyes locked solely on him.

He tries to jump away with no success. He makes the chair legs dig further into the floor. He tries to pull his arms up, only to feel his wrists rub hard against a tightly bound rope and his chest constricted by a similar bind. He tries to kick, and finds his legs in a similar position.

The barren room of the once prosperous cafe is illuminated by small handheld lanterns placed around the room. One beside Kuro's feet, highlighting the two closet pairs of eyes. One along the dining room counter where the gunman sat and one sitting on one of the only two tables that Kuro hasn't destroyed yet.

"I said you needed to take it easy." The woman with dark brown eyes and midnight black hair resting along her shoulders. Her bare arms pull away from Kuro, the long blue sweater pulled right around her chest and trailing behind her. Her black top matching Barret's, her skirt made of denim and her black ribbon hanging off of her arm. She pulls away, standing up straight and looking over him with a soft expression. Her eyes gentle and her gracing a thin smile. "Barret, you really did a number on him. I'm glad I was able to slip him that potion or else he might not wake up for a few more hours."

"He shouldn't have been asking for an ass kicking, Rinoa." Barret grumbled about, leaning against the bar counter with his Gatling gun arm resting along the top. His glare resting on the now awoken Kuro. "So, this punk ass boy finally woke up."

"Yeah, he's awake. Oh my god! Look at those eyes. Barret, you didn't mention his eyes being so pretty!" A hand cups his chin and forces him to turn towards the owner of this peppy voice. Her brown eyes and fair skin was what Kuro noticed first. Her eyes were wide and full of joy, and russet colored hair tied in a high ponytail. Along her forehead was a red headband, which only served to make her brown eyes look so much darker and pop against her light skin. Her chest sported a shiny metal breastplate, with a blue undershirt leaning out from beneath the steel. Her brown gloves were metal plated, the shine of them bouncing the light off of the lantern and into his eyes. "Goodness, it's like staring into the setting horizon. And he's cute to boot-"

"We get it, Jessie. Calm down before you give him a heart attack." Barret rolled his eyes, standing up and walking over to the currently bound Kuro with his heavy steps. The boards beneath him creaked under him as he stepped. The massive man towered over the two women, as he moved besides them. "Let's talk to this bastard about this new world we found. So, Bastard, what's this place called?"

"Traverse Town." Kuro muttered to the larger man, flexing his wrists and testing the tension in the ropes. They were tight. He wasn't going anywhere. "It is called Traverse Town. My name isn't Bastard. It's Kuro."

"You two are dismissed." Barret stated, letting out a low huff of excitement as he turned to the two women. "I want to talk to our esteemed guest."

Kuro's eyes glance over the once empty and busted cafe to see Rinoa and Jessie listen to Barret and begin stepping away from him. The pair of them moving towards the front doors. Jessie gives Barret a quick tap on the shoulder and shoots a wink towards Kuro.

"Don't rough him up too bad, Barret. I like them rugged, not ragged. I'll be going to see if I can find the power grid! Get these lights back on. See you later, Barret. Catch you later, Kuro." Jessie winked towards Kuro, seeing his eyes light up as he heard her talk. Something she noticed almost immediately. She slowed her pace and lingered in the doorframe, her back pressed to the wood as she let her left arm drape behind her neck and emphasis her neck and chest. Her left leg rising up against the wood and bending, providing a great profile of her thigh and hips. Trying to tantalize and tease him. Kuro, however, didn't focus on her body. He instead focused on what she said. "See something you like?"

"Turn on the lights?" Repeated like machine gun fire in his skull. The idea of it is almost too good to be true. But he had to hear it again.

"The lights." He mumbled in a heartbroken whimper, his breathing heavier and his eyes swelling. "You-you can really turn on the lights again?"

"Oh, darling." Jessie said with a sweet expression as she pulled her thumb to her lips and gently nipped it with her teeth. Suppressing a giggle as she stares at him. His sharp chin and serious face, sullen orange eyes that held a stern stare, and his stubble covered cheeks made her heartthrob. Her cheeks warm up as the prisoner's horizon colored gaze rests on her. "Just for you, I'll work on it double time."

Rinoa rolls her eyes, taking her hands and shoving Jessie the rest of the way through the doorway. Rinoa shuts the door behind them soon after. Kuro hears this whistle as soon as the door slams shut, the sound of paws rushing to her side outside the doors. Jessie was humming a loud tune that Kuro didn't recognize and she continued humming until she slowly drifted away.

The room is filled with silence, an uncomfortable one that is quickly ended when Barret huffs and pulls up on his belt. Walking over and tapping Kuro's cheek with his wide hand to have him refocus his attention. Kuro turns to Barret with a stern look.

"Eyes up, kid." Barret rumbled in a low hush, before letting his hand rest loosely on his hip. "You can play the helpless romantic later. Right now, I'm the most important thing in the world to you. You answer my questions truthfully and we just might get along. Understood?"

Kuro, with no other options, nods to confirm his understanding.

"First. Are you alone out here, Kuro?" Barret asked, crossing his left arm over to scratch at the area his gun-arm met his flesh and staring down at Kuro. His dark eyes meet Kuro's orange as the two of them share a glare. A battle of nonverbal engagement. Kuro was weak. He was tired. He was hungry. He was mentally exhausted. So it wasn't such a surprise. Kuro broke the connection first and clenched his jaw. He let out an uneasy breath through his nose as he smacked his blood chapped lips. "Where are your friends, Kuro?"

"No, no. I won't tell you unless you promise not to hurt them." Kuro requested, moving up to meet Barret's gaze once again. His orange eyes easing and his breathing getting a little heavier. "They're my friend, please. They're all I've got. I don't want anything to happen to them. Please don't hurt them."

Barret shifts his head slowly in contemplation, reaching up to rub his chin in thought. Kuro glances down at the machine gun arm, a painful image of what that could do to Dusk making him feel bile rise up into his throat. Barret shrugs, before shooting the silver-haired prisoner a thin grin. Barret nods in agreement to the request.

"As long as they ain't Shinra, I'd be willing to promise that." Barret stated, before walking over to Kuro's side and getting down on one knee. Meeting him eye to eye. Kuro could see the bags under his eyes, meaning he hadn't slept in a while. Kuro noticed the same bags forming under his eyes. His face covered in a thick, unkempt beard, which Kuro read as him not having the time to shave. Wherever Barret was from, he hasn't slept or taken care of himself since. Kuro met his gaze, before giving him a nod that he in fact wasn't alone. "So, Kuro. If that's your name. How long have you been planted here? A week? Two?"

"It is my name. I want to say I've been 'planted' here for over thirty days. I think." Kuro mumbled, mentally doing the math in his head quickly as he hears Barret huff out in surprise. Out of the corner of his eyes, he scanned over the busted and barren room. A cafe he assumed was full of chairs and tables at some point before they got turned into kindling. A pile of which he found stacked outside the cottage in the Third District that Barret searched while Kuro was out. Barret looked over at him with an interested stare. A month without any outside resources in a dying world? "Yeah… at least thirty days."

"You survived all that time? With your friend? Alone?" Barret asked before seeing a few tears swelling in Kuro's eyes as he simply nodded in return.

"Almost didn't… The lights went out about two weeks ago. Then the food ran out. I was about to start eating dog food until you three showed up." Kuro grumbled with a weak, defeated grin. The thought makes him cringe as he lowers his head. Kuro attempted to hide his tearful eyes, only for Barret to veto that idea by moving to tap Kuro's shoulder with a heavy but tender hand. The kind that made Kuro flinch, feeling the restraint felt under his touch. The sense of kindness that Barret wanted to give him. He was hesitant when he turned his eyes towards Barret, who looked down at him and simply nodded down towards him. Barret pulled his hand away and took a few steps back.

"I'm sorry you had to deal with that, kid. Now, let's keep going. Have you run into anyone working under the name Shinra? They're soldiers. They would be hard to miss. They'd be carrying guns and wearing armor." Barret said, rolling his shoulders back and letting out a heavy groan. That's when Kuro noticed the tattoo that rested along his left bicep. It was a faded skull against his dark skin, with a splash of red behind it in huge spikes. Kuro shakes his head.

"I've been fighting Heartless only. Can I ask what your issue with this Shinra is?" Kuro asked, seeing Barret let out a low chuckle and shake his head. His left hand rose up to brush over his beard and let his fingers comb through the follicles. "I can tell you really hate these soldiers."

"What isn't my issue with Shinra is the better question. You sure you ain't heard of them?" Barret inquired, as he took a few pacing steps around the cafe floor. His gun-arm swinging at his side with every step. The light illuminating off of the lantern giving definition to the six barreled gun and showing off it's intricate design and craftsmanship. Kuro shakes his head, watching him pensively. Barret walks over to the front doors of the Cafe, slamming his fist against the doorframe and venting out some frustration. His shoulders slouching and his head falling down. His chin tapping between his collarbone and his breathing getting slow. His eyes grow dark as he glares out into the street. Staring over the barren, dark street. Kuro recognizes that stance, that breath. Barret was tired. Barret has been fighting for a while now. Just like him. "They are these planet terrorizing sons of bitches who make their living draining the life out of worlds, then turning it around and selling it to other worlds. Bleeding the planet dry like a goddamn pig for slaughter."

"What do you mean, bleeding the planet dry'?" Kuro asked with a hint of confusion, squinting his eyes as he focused on Barret. His back leaning back against the chair he sat in as he nods his head toward the much larger man. The idea that people would willingly destroy a planet for resources didn't make any sense. "These Shinra people destroy worlds like the Heartless?"

"And when the world they are bleeding dry decides to keel over from being ravaged beyond recognition? They ditch the dead world and move onto the next. Find whatever world is plentiful and full of valuable resources. They have done it to dozens of worlds already. And I refuse to continue to let it happen again." Barret turns to Kuro, his eyes turning towards his prisoner. He walks over and jabs a hard finger into Kuro's chest. Pushing him further into his spot. Emphasizing the point home. "The Heartless are what they are. Heartless. But they are also mindless, destructive and dangerous things. I've dealt with Heartless for almost ten years now, and Shinra for even longer than that. And let me tell you something, partner. Heartless, they don't have the choice to be malicious. Heartless what they are made to do. But men? Especially Shinra men? They have choices to be malicious or to be benevolent, and they choose to be evil. And that makes them far worse than anything I have ever seen crawl out of the dark."

"Heartless don't choose… They are just destructive by their very nature. But… but men can be evil. Because they choose to be evil." Kuro summarized this narrative, his eyes reflecting this lightbulbing igniting realization of the introduction of this new viewpoint. He nods slowly in agreement, then looks up at Barret with full attention. Seeing Barret stare down at him with a similar stare. "What if a Heartless could choose to be good? What if you met one that chose not to be evil?"

"Then they're better than Shinra. And that's good in my book." Barret stated with a hearty chuckle, giving Kuro a quick wild grin before it returned to its typical frown. He leans back and nudges his chin towards the ceiling. "That's Shinra for you. Worse than the darkness. Worse than the foulest smelling shit."

Barret spits on the ground of the cafe, shaking his head in disdain as he paces slowly around the room.

"I can tell. Listen… I don't know what my word is worth. But I don't like these… bastards you're talking about." Kuro said, with a lowly grin. Barret nods, walking over to the cafe doors and staring out the window. His left arm reached out to open the door with a hard pull. He points out into the plaza with his gun-arm, a few pivots of his feet to underline what he said next. "What are you doing here, Barret?"

"This world is a special place, kid. It sits right at the precipice of the realm of light and the realm of dark. Resting in the Realm Between. Few know of this world, fewer have even heard of it. To be perfectly clear, we happened upon this place by accident. Shinra is in the market for worlds thriving, full of life and light. This world ain't it. Sitting in the dark like this. Which means that even if they were to find this rock, they wouldn't want to take it anyways. Which makes it great for us to use. And you? You should be dead. This world should be dead. But you ain't dead. And neither is this world. You needed someone to show up, and we needed this world to be here." Barret spoke with a low grumble. He glances over at Kuro and shifts his body towards him. His head crooked to the side as he slowly meandered over towards Kuro. A glint of hope in his dark eyes. "Some people think destiny's hand drives us her way and we are just in for the ride. Screw that. I take the wheel of my own life, and destiny can kiss my ass for all I care. But sometimes…" Barret rumbled when he spoke before letting out a harsh laugh. He leans in close, his left hand dropping behind Kuro's back. "Sometimes, a blue moon kinda thing, she might end up pointing me in the right direction."

Barret, with a few finger pulls, undoes the knots and pulls the binding cord away from Kuro. Kuro rubs his raw wrists with his hands. Letting out a low sigh. Taking a few easy breaths.

"Thanks, Barret." Kuro mumbled, his thumb rubbing against the raw flesh and rotating them in short circles. "So, destiny?"

"Maybe destiny has it in for you. Maybe it has it out for you. I don't really care." Barret shrugs with an unburdened indifference to the carefully laid plans of fate. He extends a hand out to Kuro, a wicked grin on his face. "All I know is you can pick one hell of a fight. And I need all the help I can get if I'm going to take the fight back to Shinra."

Kuro weighed the possibilities of joining this man in his crusade against this military force. On one hand, Barret and those two girls could be lying to make him lower his defenses and kill him when he least suspects it. And the other hand, there was a grafted machine gun that didn't drill him full of holes the second he fell into unconsciousness and didn't fight back. Then there was this pull in his chest, something that echoed a sentiment of protection out through his body. The vague remembrance of something called world order and protecting the light coming to mind. These Shinra people destroyed worlds, and made a living suck the life and light out of them. If there ever was a cause to fight for, Kuro was sure this would be the one. This was a calling. A mission that made Kuro's blood pump and his eyes gain some grit.

Kuro, with a determined grin, rose to his feet and took Barret's hand with a stern grip. The squeeze of Kuro's hand was all the confirmation Barret needed as he gave him a sure shake. Barret let go, giving Kuro's shoulder a rough pat and escorting him back outside.

"Next thing we need to do is set up a base of operations. A place for us to hold council and devise our plans. Where's your friend?"

"I'll find them." Kuro said with a determined nod, walking into the plaza street with Barret. The two of them glancing out over the First District with slow nods and a resolved feeling swelling in their chests.

Maybe it was destiny, maybe it was coincidence. But when the two walked out into the square, the lantern lights flickered slowly to life, a sensation of pure joy echoing in Kuro's chest and then, eventually the lights illuminated the streets. The neon signs and the street lights were aglow once more. Filling the world with light. Kuro smiled warmly, letting out a sincere chuckle of happiness as he walked over and pressed a hand to the lantern post. His arms shuddered on contact as he made note to not take the light for granted ever again.

"Thank you, Barret." Kuro mumbled, Barret giving him a gruff grin. Barret threw his gun-arm across his shoulders, before flashing a wicked grin to Kuro and walking towards the Accessory shop. Barret spoke again, just after reaching the top of the stairs and glancing over his shoulder at Kuro.

"No thanks necessary. Welcome to Avalanche, kid."