AD 2207, 1/15, 6th Hierarchical City of Yabiko – NOL Branch
Hibiki Kohaku is an empty person. A tool, meant for their lord's exclusive use. This is the truth they have always known. So, why? Why must Kagura try to encourage that part of themselves that still isn't empty? Are their warnings so empty as well?
These are the thoughts that race through Hibiki's head as they calmly clear away the day's stubble with a straight razor. Kagura's neck is bare to them, the bobbing Adam's apple a tempting sight. How easy it would be, to sink the razor into the flesh…
Kagura smirks down at them, humming, "You're thinking too hard again, Hibiki."
Hibiki still can't understand his confidence. That they won't give in, that they won't kill him. What does he even see in them, to be so doggedly persistent in his pursuit?
Hibiki scoffs, "One of us has to do the thinking around here, sir."
Kagura rolls his eyes good-naturedly. "Yeah, yeah." He grins. "Still, you're way too tense. How's about I give you a massage?"
Hibiki glares at him in warning.
Kagura sighs, "Sheesh. You don't have to take it that way, you know."
Hibiki wordlessly clears away the last of the stubble, tempted to leave a nick to sate their anger. But they refuse to give in to such childish notions as displeasure. They're empty, after all.
Instead, they move back to drop the razor in its proper place. They look down their nose at Kagura, huffing, "I suggest we begin the day in earnest if you wish to keep to your birthday traditions, Lord Kagura."
Kagura frowns, but then smirks at them mischievously. "I think I'll just stay in tonight."
Hibiki scowls. They know well enough what he's getting at. "I would advise against that, Lord Kagura. I hardly think you'll be able to get away with your usual antics around the base."
Kagura simply grins. "Nothing usual about tonight, Hibiki. I've got big plans."
Hibiki's frown deepens. That means trouble.
The day passes as routinely as any, save Kagura's swift responses to requisitions and the like.
Hibiki spends each minute counting down to the end of the day, when they'll doubtless need to make themselves scarce again. They have no intention of playing Kagura's games.
Normally, they'd watch him closer than ever on his birthday, when he is liable to destroying himself with alcohol and wooing. But now… Now they feel as if being close to him in that state would end in disaster. He is, after all, a foolishly overconfident man nowadays.
Before they can make good their escape, Kagura cuts them off at the door, looking so cocksure. "Hey now. The night hasn't even started, and you're already gonna bail?"
Hibiki stares wordlessly. This man…
Kagura continues, "C'mon, there's something I wanna show ya."
Hibiki sighs, "Very well, Lord Kagura. I'll humor you."
Kagura grins almost childishly with glee. He throws an arm around their shoulders, likely to keep them from fleeing, and leads them through the halls, to Carl Clover's old makeshift workshop.
Hibiki furrows their brows as a familiar scent hits their nose…
Kagura casts the door wide, crowing, "Ta-da!"
Hibiki's eyes narrow at the sight of a proper pottery. They turn their stare to Kagura. "Lord Kagura…"
Kagura smiles. "A little birdie told me that you liked to mold clay, so I thought I'd get you set up so you don't have to sneak off to do it."
The gesture is considerate, resourceful, and utterly inappropriate. The gall of this man is…
Hibiki huffs, "How do you know I'll use this place, Lord Kagura? I prefer privacy."
Kagura grins. "Thought about that. Here." He produces a singular key. "Had the locks changed. This here's the only key." He presses it into their hand. "Go crazy, I just thought this'd be easier."
With that, Kagura releases them, walking away. He calls back, "Just make me something nice, yeah?"
Hibiki stares after him for a moment, then glances down at the key, gritting their teeth slightly.
AD 2207, 3/20, The 7th Hierarchical City of Kazamotsu– Lakeside Port
Hibiki sighs as they cast their line. Kagura insists that they take ample vacation times now, and brought them along with him on his yearly fishing trip, to celebrate their survival of the Embryo.
Whilst Hibiki inherently understands that such an outing is not that unusual for them, Kagura's behavior has been considerably more… intimate. Holding open doors, asking for their opinion, even little touches to their arms here and there…
Kagura glances over at them, humming, "Don't tell me you're getting bored already?"
Hibiki doesn't glance back, huffing, "As I recall, this is your pastime, Lord Kagura."
Kagura seems to hesitate, before quietly murmuring, "Would you rather we do something else?"
This time, Hibiki does spare a glance before looking away from those earnest eyes, damning the slight warmth rising in their breast. They sigh, "No, Lord Kagura. This is why you brought me along, after all."
Kagura frowns, reeling in his still empty line. He sighs, "Hibiki, if you're not enjoying yourself, then there's no point." He pats their shoulder. "Now c'mon, what would you like to do?"
Hibiki stares back at him coolly. "What I want… shouldn't matter."
Kagura huffs, "Well, it matters to me!" He looks deeply into their eyes. "Hibiki, please. I brought you here because I want to see you relax." He sighs, "Guess that's pretty selfish, but still… I want you to do what you want."
I want to kill you, Hibiki thinks darkly. It must show on their face.
Kagura frowns sadly, reaching out to touch their shoulder once more. "Hibiki…"
Hibiki slightly sets their teeth as a pang of guilt shoots through their breast. They look away. They tranquilly hum, "I would like to go someplace quiet, and drier than this, Lord Kagura."
The tension building in the air seems to dissipate for a moment as they stare down at their reflection in the lake's murky depths. Why must he do this to them? What is it that he sees?
Out of the corner of their eye, they see Kagura offer a slight smile, as well as his wrapped hand as he rises to his feet.
Hibiki obediently reels in their line and then rises of their own power, ignoring the hand.
Kagura's smile broadens a bit as he retracts his hand and strides down the street. "I think Carl told me about a book shop come café around here…"
Hibiki huffs, "It's in the other direction, sir." They begin to walk that way, ignoring Kagura's smirking gaze as best they can as he begins trailing after them.
AD 2207, 6/6, The 13th Hierarchical City of Kagutsuchi– Hanging Gardens
Hibiki stares idly at the animals that now roam around the gardens since the Kusanagi Incident. They huff tiredly as they turn their eyes to the vast sky. They'd been overseeing some changes in the structure of the Kagutsuchi branch when Kagura insisted that they come out to the gardens.
Hibiki registers the sound of familiar sets of footsteps, Kagura is finally rejoining them, it seems. They turn to address him with a scowl, only to blink in confusion.
Kagura smirks as he hefts a tray holding steaming tea cups and a covered dish. He happily calls, "C'mon, Hibiki. Lord Homura gave us some time off for lunch."
As they obediently follow Kagura to a circular table near the center of the platform on instinct, Hibiki furrows their brows, narrowing their eyes. They instantly recognize this farce for what it truly is, of course, but why would he so brazen as to do it with the Imperator nearby?
Kagura waits for Hibiki to sit properly before uncovering the dish. "Got you a little something."
Hibiki stares incomprehensibly down at the dish. It's full of wagashi, their favorite sweet. They slowly meet Kagura's eyes with a frown. "Lord Kagura… what is this?"
Kagura shrugs, contently humming, "A little birdie told me you like wagashi, so I got some of the best from down in the markets."
Hibiki can't help but scowl at his audacity. They scoff, "A little birdie, indeed." They lean forward to glare properly up at him. "Lord Kagura, how long do you intend to have this little game last? It's been almost half a year."
Kagura's eyes narrow as his face sobers into a serious expression. "See, that's where you're wrong, Hibiki." He brushes noses with them. "I'm not playing games, this time."
Hibiki glowers. "I've told you; I shouldn't feel this way. Honestly, you are hopeless."
Kagura solemnly stares back at them. "Hibiki…" He brushes away their bangs once again. "Didn't I tell you already? When I fight for the people I care about, I'm stronger than the gods."
Hibiki fights back a shudder in their breathing. Their lord is...
Hibiki narrow their eyes into slits as they back down, scowling harshly.
Kagura sighs, sinking back into his seat somewhat as he stares sadly at Hibiki. "At least have one, would ya? I didn't go out of my way for nothing, you know."
Hibiki obediently swipes a candy to pop into their mouth, hating the way it brings delight into their world. Of course, he'd find a proper confectionary. He really is intolerable…
Kagura seems to rise with relief, smirking. "Well, it's good to see that I got it right."
Hibiki's irritation swells. They snap, "Don't get ahead of yourself, Lord Kagura."
A moment later, Hibiki's eyes widen at their own naked display of emotion.
Kagura grins like he's won some sort of lottery. "I dunno, Hibiki. You seem to be enjoying it."
Hibiki stares daggers into their lord as they hum, "You need to stop this, Lord Kagura."
Kagura frowns. "Are you saying that because you don't want me, or because you think you shouldn't?"
Hibiki narrows their eyes back into slits. "It doesn't matter what I want. I am your weapon. Don't confuse me for one of your conquests."
Kagura scowls. "This again? Hibiki, you're not a tool, you're a person. What you want matters. If you really want me to back off, I will. But it has to be what you want, not what you should want."
Hibiki feels their anger grow to a fever pitch. They can't… This isn't… They disappear into the shadows without another word, Kagura's sad eyes haunting them all the way back to their office.
AD 2207, 8/3, The 4th Hierarchical City of Naobi – NOL Branch
Hibiki stares at the door as they wait for Jin to return to his office. Their patience for Kagura's antics is wearing thin, and if any could grant them a strategy for reprieve, it would be Jin. He has, after all, managed to shake Kagura's interest before.
Eventually, he enters the office, oblivious to their presence in the shadows. They wait a while longer as he begins to go through the day's retinue. They've always admired his work ethic.
Finally, after he's gotten through the first stack of reports, Hibiki steps fluidly from the shadows. Quietly, they hum, "Good morning, Lieutenant Colonel Kisaragi."
Jin pauses for a moment to glower over his shoulder. He huffs, "What do you want, Captain?"
Hibiki meets his gaze evenly. "I've come for some information." They step around the desk. "About Lord Kagura."
Jin coldly sneers. "I don't need you to tell me the obvious, Captain." He stares down his nose. "Let me guess; you want him off your back."
Hibiki feels irritation creep up their spine, but stoically nods. "That's correct, Lieutenant Colonel. You seem to have shaken his prior interest, so you seem the best option for this."
Jin huffs, "Why not just tell him you aren't interested?"
Hibiki narrows their eyes. "I have, and he's always responded with his usual nonsense."
Jin quirks a brow.
Hibiki sighs, "He says that I should 'do what I want, not what I shouldn't want.' It's absurd."
Jin rolls his eyes, prompting a glare.
Jin scoffs, "Then just tell him you want him to back off. That's simple enough, right, Captain?"
Hibiki continues to glare coldly at Jin. "I just told you; he doesn't listen."
Jin leans forward. "So, you have told him that's what you actually want, correct?"
Hibiki stills for a moment. "I beg your pardon?"
Jin stares at them with an icy intensity. "I mean, obviously you've told him that yes, you really do want him to leave you alone. If not, then you've just been making a fool of yourself."
Hibiki's glare intensifies. "So, what do you suggest I do?"
Jin angrily scoffs, "I just said; tell him that you actually want him to leave you alone. If you can't do that, you're as hopeless as he is." He resumes his paperwork. "Now, get the hell out of my office."
Hibiki decides not to retort again, opting to leave as they'd entered. They swear they can hear Jin muttering something, though it escapes even their keen senses.
AD 2207, 11/7, The 6th Hierarchical City of Yabiko – NOL Branch
Hibiki stares at Kagura, blinking in utter disbelief. "I beg your pardon, Lord Kagura?"
Kagura's confident grin widens. "I said you have the day off. I've got everything under control, and it's your special day, right?"
Hibiki narrows their eyes. So, he really is doing this. How irritating… "I hardly think I can leave you by your lonesome in good consciousness, Lord Kagura. Now, allow me to—!"
Kagura slams the office door behind him. "Nope. You have the day off. That's an order, Hibiki."
Hibiki coldly stares at the now closed door, their fingers clenching slightly. This… is unacceptable. Breathing deeper than before, they try the door. Locked.
Hibiki scoffs, "Lord Kagura, I must insist that you stop being so childish. I am not going to have a 'day off,' as I haven't need of one."
Kagura calls through the metal, "I said relax, Hibiki! Are you disobeying my orders now?"
Hibiki clenches their teeth. He really has become insufferable. He's not taken a single one of their warnings seriously, and now this? No. They'll just have to show him.
Hibiki glares at the door, calling back, "I wish to spar, Lord Kagura."
There's a pregnant pause, and then Kagura opens the door slightly, smirking. "What was that?"
Hibiki stares at him, scowling coldly. "I said, I wish to spar, Lord Kagura."
Kagura looks them over, humming, "Hmm… You sure? You seem pretty tense right now."
Hibiki can't help but glower. Oh, this man… They hiss, "Yes, Lord Kagura. Please, follow me."
Hibiki turns, striding down the halls, towards the Yggdrasill Seed.
Kagura shuts the door with a chuckle, and their hackles rise further.
The journey to the Seed is blessedly silent, though Hibiki grinds their teeth as they feel Kagura's eyes roaming over them. There's a warmth pooling inside them. They hate that foreign feeling.
As they take their place, their hands settle on the comforting handles of the Kagari Rokushikisouken, their twin swords. They made sure that there's a plentiful supply of disposable blades for them, so now all they need do is to put them to use.
Kagura hefts his massive flat sword, Mumei, a confident grin on his face. "Just tell me when."
Hibiki narrows their eyes as they burst forth. "Now."
Hibiki opens by sending one of their clones Kagura's way, which he casually cleaves in two. They then leap over his head, shooting their disposable blades and throwing down knives, some of which manage to nick him as he blocks them with the flat of Mumei.
Kagura then spins, slamming the flat of Mumei into another clone as Hibiki replaces the blades and slashes at his gut.
Kagura shunts back to avoid the worst, getting his shirt cut open in the process. He grins. "Getting a look at the goods, huh, Hibiki?"
Hibiki gnashes their teeth as they glower darkly at him, twirling around him to slash at his back, cutting his shirt as he ducks forward, tattering the garment.
Kagura hums, "Geez, if you wanted me undressed, you could've just asked. I liked this shirt."
Hibiki hisses, "Stop that." They jump forward and land a kick on the side of his turning head, stunning him. They follow up with a cross cut, leaving a bleeding 'x' across his pectorals.
Kagura hisses, "Guess it's time to kick it up." He ducks their next strike, tearing off his shirt and throwing the remnants over their face.
Immediately, Kagura's sweat and cologne assault their senses. They choke momentarily as the heady combination forces itself into their nostrils, burning into their memory.
The next thing Hibiki feels is blunt pain as Kagura slams the flat of Mumei into their chest, sending them flying. The wind leaves their lungs as they feel their ribs bruise from the strike.
Hibiki coughs as they roll out of harm's way, avoiding being pinned under Mumei as they cast off that damnable shirt. Their cheeks flush with exertion and some strange emotion they don't recognize. This foreign heat pooling in their gut… They must eradicate it.
Hibiki sends themselves forward, leaving a clone behind as they aim for the throat, a feint.
Kagura sends out a burst of dark energy, which Hibiki twists around to cut at his legs, landing twin slices on his thighs, drawing blood and causing him to stumble back.
Pressing the advantage, Hibiki lands a lunging, ducking pair of cuts on his shins, ensuring he stays in place for a moment as they twist into a spin kick, landing flush on his jaw, sending him crumpling.
Kagura stares up at them as they cross their blades at his throat, hissing, "Do you see me now, Lord Kagura? I'm a killer, a tool. Nothing more. Now stop this—!"
Hibiki freezes as Kagura brushes their bang's aside once again, biting their blades slightly into his throat, drawing thin lines of blood.
Kagura smiles softly. "Someone this beautiful, has no business calling themselves a tool."
Hibiki stares at him, their eyes full of death. "I could kill you."
Kagura's soft smile morphs into a lazy smirk as he looks at them through hooded eyes. "Try it."
Hibiki's palms sweat as they move to draw the blades in that practiced motion. They… They…
Hibiki confusedly murmurs, "Why can't I do this?"
Kagura's smirk softens into something comforting. "Because you don't want that, Hibiki." He leans ups, thickening the lines as he presses against the now retreating blades. "You want me."
Hibiki's arms drop to their sides. They stare at him, perplexed. "I… I want to kill you. I've thought about it so many times."
Kagura presses a gentle kiss to their cheek. "Yeah, I remember." He smirks. "But you never did."
Hibiki blinks, trying to maintain a cold façade as confusion and that warmth swirl through them. "I do believe I just bested you, Lord Kagura."
Kagura quirks a brow, looking ridiculously confident again. "You did, didn't you?"
Hibiki eyes widen slightly, then narrow into slits. They hiss, "You held back."
Kagura shrugs, chuffing, "Guilty."
Hibiki drops their arms to their sides, staring at the man under them with contempt, confused. "Why?"
Kagura shrugs once again, looking supremely confident as he continues to stroke their cheek. "Guess I just couldn't get into third gear, with such a lovely opponent."
Hibiki swats his hand away, scowling. "If you'd been wrong, you'd be dead."
Kagura leans in closer, humming, "Guess it's a good thing I know my favorite raven, then."
Hibiki pushes his face away, scoffing, "Never call me that again. In fact, shut up."
Kagura gently grasps their wrist, peeling off their glove before kissing their palm. "Make me."
Hibiki glances down at those flushing lips, then back into those disgustingly warm eyes. The warmth in their gut is at its fullest. They quietly groan as they pull their hand back, shuddering.
Kagura's smirk dims somewhat. "But if you really want me to— Mph!"
Hibiki bites his lips to force open his mouth. If they're to do this, they'll do it with the fullest dedication, as always. The tang of blood doesn't distract from, but rather adds to the heady taste of Kagura. His spit burns like alcohol, his arms entrapping them in a furnace as they entwine their tongues.
Hibiki pulls back for a moment to stare at him murderously. "You do realize that I will not allow you out of my sight at all from now on, correct?"
Kagura simply grins like a schoolboy. He croons, "Wouldn't have it any other way. Now c'mere, give daddy some more sugar."
Hibiki smacks him hard on his bloody chest. "I will NOT be calling you that, Kagura Mutsuki."
Kagura winces, then infuriatingly smirks. "Then it's a bet."
Hibiki enjoys shutting him up far more than they should. Needless to say, their work falls behind.