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Throwing Stones

Chapter Thirty-Three: Future Promise

He'd heard old tales about Shinigami, even when he was just a kid. He'd heard stories about the man always being wrapped in darkness and possessing an aura of death itself. Those brave enough to meet his gaze were often snuffed out. So when he'd first laid eyes on the legend himself, he expected something more. Standing before him though was just a normal man.

Seiichi's mundane appearance only added to his confusion.

Shouldn't the most prolific killer in modern history be scary? Looking at him now, all he could feel was a small twinge of pity for the man.

Higurashi Seiichi was currently just a mere slip of a man. With a tall, lanky figure and thin arms. He had hardly any muscle tone on his frame. If anything, he looked as if he would fall over if poked the wrong way. Tartarus must've been extremely hard on him both physically and emotionally.

Touya watched as Seiichi cradled Kagome in his arms as if he were terrified she would utterly break.

His fingers twitched at his side.

How was it that the most dangerous villain in their world was a better father than the number two hero? Was there just something about the pro hero field that attracted narcissists and terrible people? He couldn't fathom it.

He observed as the rest of the group watched their interaction in a mixture of happiness, relief and a small amount of jealousy. Nearly every single one of them had come from shitty families. His own dad was so obsessed with becoming the number one hero that he'd destroyed both his wife and his children to make it happen. As for the others, he didn't know too much about them specifically but the only person who ever got outside visitors besides himself was Tenko. Even then it was just his mom and sister coming to see him.

It was strange witnessing a parent show such unreserved adoration for their child. It made a very small and childish part of him feel a bit jealous. He couldn't help but also feel a small amount of relief though. He was glad to know that despite her current circumstances, Kagome did have family who loved her. That was more than he could say for his own parents.

"I'd like to have dinner downstairs with everyone." Kagome glanced over at him with a look of concern.

Touya stepped forward without a word. He slid his arms under her legs and beneath her shoulders before he lifted her from the bed effortlessly.

"Then let's get you downstairs. Walking us off limits for the next few days." He flashed her a brief smile, "I'll be your personal transport vehicle until then."

Touya's smirk widened when he caught sight of her sharp flush.

He didn't miss Seiichi's not so subtle glare nor the tensing in Hawks' own shoulders. As jealous as he was of Kagome's family, there was no rule stating that he couldn't give them a bit of hell.

Touya carried Kagome to the elevator and hit the button for the lobby. At least half of their group and Seiichi managed to make it in before the doors shut on them. He hardly spared the older man a glance as they stood side by side awkwardly with Kagome cradled in his arms. To her credit, she appeared blissfully unaware of the odd silence that'd formed between them. She was so lost in her excitement over her father being present that she didn't notice anything else.

Touya briskly walked towards the dining room once the elevator doors opened and seated her in her usual spot. He grabbed the chair at the head of the table next to her. Tenko made his way into the kitchen while Hawks and Seiichi took the doors next and across from her respectfully,

Touya fought the urge to smirk at Seiichi's sharp glare.

He couldn't say that he was used to being given the third degree by anyone's father. Due to his scars, there wasn't a woman around willing to spare him a second glance. If anything parents would simply point at him and use him as a walking billboard of what would happen if they were reckless with their quirks. So being in this situation and actually being glared at by Kagome's father like he was some sort of threat made him feel just a tiny bit fuzzy inside. The man's fury fueled his desire to mess with him even more.

Everyone crowded around the table with them as Tenko took over dinner preparations. At this point he was the only one any of them trusted to handle food. All the rest of them were either just barely passable at cooking or were utter dunces. So it was better than he volunteered for it.

"How long as this been going on?" Seiichi looked between him and Kagome suspiciously.

A sly smirk spread across his lips.

He lowered his arm across the back of her chair and settled in his own seat comfortably.

"We started this program a few months ago back in April. We managed to fix up the Saito's place and the main market square. We're working the fields next." Kagome rattled off, blissfully unaware of the tension swelling between them.

By this point Hawks had joined Seiichi in this glaring contest. Both men were mirror images of each other. The same downward dip of their lips, furrowed brows and pointed stares. One would thing they were biologically related were it not for the start physical difference between them.

"Yeah, she's been a real sweetheart." Touya decided to fan the flames, "She got us all taken care of from the moment we arrived."

By now he could feel even Tenko's gaze putting holes in the back of his head.

As fun as this was, he had to give Kagome some breathing room. The last thing he wanted was for this joyous moment to be ruined for her.

He threw her a short smirk, "This one's always been reliable."

The men settled down some as the food was eventually served. They'd pulled extra chairs up to the table and squeezed in together uncomfortably to make room for their extra guests. Kagome was pressed flush against his side while he kept his arm curled around her chair's backrest. Their legs and thighs were pressed together causing her blush to darken.

"So what did you do before you fell into trouble?" Seiichi decided to break the ice.

The question was a loaded one but he wasn't shy of answering it.

"Tried picking up an honest job but I never got past the first interview with this face." Touya gestured towards himself as he spoke, "Eventually crime was the only way I could make any sort of living. So here I am. Pissing off my old man was just a bonus during my crime spree."

He felt Kagome's hand rest on his knee in a reassuring manner. It only lasted for a brief moment but it was enough to make his body relax.

"What about you, old timer? You got any tales to share with us?" He gave him a curiously look, "I've heard rumors but it's still weird seeing you in person."

That time Seiichi was the one who smirked.

"Listening to the rumors alone, it'd make me sound like some sort of monster but that is the nature of stories. They exaggerate the minor details and remove the 'human' aspect of villains." Seiichi leaned forward, "I have no tales from my time as a monster for you lot. What I can tell you is that I found someone I loved dearly and she is the reason I became the man I am today." He flashed Kagome a warm look, "I don't regret that decision either. So the only advice I can give each of you is to find a future you're willing to risk everything for."

Touya glanced at the older man.

It almost sounded like he was encouraging him in some weird way.

As everyone finished with their meal, the guards swiftly surrounded Seiichi once more. Kagome's face grew panicked as the wall of uniformed officers blocked her view of her father. A wave of fire raged within his veins.

"Let the fucking man bid his daughter goodbye before you drag him out of here." Touya snapped at the officers. "The kid suffered a fucking heart attack. Don't go trying to give her another one by making her watch you treat him like some sort of fucking dog."

A few of them at least had the awareness to look ashamed of themselves while others yet begrudgingly stepped away.

Touya reached under Kagome once more and lifted her into his arms. Wordlessly, Hawks and Seiichi both followed him into the elevator. They didn't have to wait long to reach the second floor and a tense silence filled the air as Touya eventually brought Kagome back to her bed and helped her under the sheets.

He stepped away in order to give Seiichi one last moment with his daughter before he had to return to Tartarus.

"Papa," Kagome referenced her parent with an adorable nickname. "Will you be alright?"

Seiichi pressed his lips against his daughter's brow, "I should be asking you that. You're the one on bed rest." The man's face turned serious, "Please don't ever scare me like that again. When I heard that you'd had a heart attack, I nearly had one myself. I can't tell you how much I yelled to get the guards to let me see you." He combed his hand over her face affectionately, "Sometimes you can be too much like your mother. The both of you care so much for other people but don't do enough for yourself. It's okay to be a little selfish. No one will blame you for it."

Seiichi squeezed her hand as he gave her one final kiss goodbye on her forehead, "I'll see you next month. I want to hear more about the progress you all have been making."

"Papa," Kagome reached for him once more, "One day, I want you to come home too."

Tears welled in the older man's eyes. He nodded wordlessly before he bid her a final goodbye. Touya carefully shut the door behind him as they left Kagome for the night.

"Keigo," Seiichi addressed Hawks. "Keep an eye on her as much as you can. I do t think this will be the last time her heart will give out."

"And you, young man," He turned towards him. "I'm no fool. I know the sight of a man that's been completely enraptured. If you're going to stay by my daughter's side then you better damn well do it for eternity. I won't accept anything less."

Touya tucked his hands in his pockets. It'd be easy to make some sort of snarky comeback and insult him but right now, he felt no urge to do so.

"Yeah? Like that wasn't my plan already." He snorted through his nose, "Now let's get you downstairs. Wouldn't want the police force to get trigger happy because you're taking too long up here."

Touya gave a beckoning wave of his hand, "Hurry it up old timer. I'd rather my future father-in-law didn't get his ass tased."

His lips curled into a smirk as he heard the other two bristle at his comment.

If he couldn't fuck with his own dad, then poking at Kagome's father would just have to do for now.

His smirk widened.

The future sounded fun already.