Chapter 12
Just You and Me
Chris practically kicked the door down and entered Fine's mansion. A million thoughts raced through her mind. This had to be a trap. Something was going to happen. She may very well not get out of here alive. But if one of them stood up was Takeru's safety. She had tried calling him countless times on her way here but his phone was dead. She scanned her surroundings carefully as she entered each room, looking for her friend.
"Where the hell are you, goddamn it?" She cursed under her breath."You better...I swear to God if you don't show up now-"
"If you're looking for Takeru, I'm afraid he's no longer alive."
Fine appeared from across the hallway, sporting what seemed to be a revealing golden armor."You really came all this way here just for him? Even though he's part of the reason why your parents died?"
"He had nothing to do with that! And you're lying! He's not dead!" Chris barked, her arms shaking as she struggled to even aim at Fine."Why...why would you toss us aside? We trusted you! You said you'd help us extinguish the flames of war! To make this world a better place! But you were just using us! Takeru was right!"
"The way you do things, Chris...Things would never have worked." Fine shook her head in mock disappointment."You never even had a chance. You were less useful than a flea. As for Takeru? I honestly don't need him either. I simply kept him around to keep you happy and make you obey. But it's not like I expected him to win the Rider War. It's a good thing I have a backup plan for that. I do want to see this so-called God that gave him his power. That's why I had him killed. Isn't that right, dear?"
Chris froze in place when she felt a cold hand on her shoulder. Cypher forced her to face him by grabbing her chin, his mask hiding his identity."That's a nice look. But it seems she doesn't believe that Takeru is dead. Otherwise, I would have seen an emotion I see so often. Hopelessness. But I made it quick, don't worry. He didn't suffer. Much."
"You lie! There's no way he's dead! You're messing with me!" Chris snapped, aiming her crossbow at him, but Cypher slapped her hand away before kicking her in the gut, sending her crashing against the door.'How the hell is he so strong?! He's not even transformed!'
"Go ahead and kill her. I have no further use for her. Dump the corpse where you left Takeru's" Fine cruelly ordered, a sardonic grin on her face."Kadingir is almost complete anyway. There's no need to keep this charade."
Chris was unable to hold back her tears and switched her crossbow for Gatling guns, firing at the ceiling and causing it to collapse.
Cypher dashed after her, grabbing his can and unsheathing it like a sword, revealing a sharp blade.'I haven't recovered from my many fights. I don't have the luxury of transforming for long right now so I'll have to be careful.'
"And where exactly will you run?" Cypher screamed between laughs."He's dead! It's better if you just die now and save yourself the trouble of crying for him!"
"Where are you, Takeru?!" Chris sobbed, her tears streaming down uncontrollably. He couldn't be dead. He just couldn't. He promised he would always be there for her. With his goofy smile and his corny one-liners. And the way he would try to give her hope of one-day making things better. He seemed so invincible before like nothing could faze him. Even after getting almost crippled, he didn't let that deter him.
"Let's go together." She wiped her tears in vain, remembering the day they decided to escape from the Breaker Alliance together and start a new life."Just the two of us are all we need. To make a new world together."
And now he was dead? Impossible. That couldn't be! Chris knew they had to be playing her. Right? But Fine had so heartlessly discarded them as if they were mere objects. After years of doing her bidding, she just forgets them like that? And what if she wasn't lying? She ordered their deaths, didn't she? So what if he really was killed? By Ouja.
"TAKE-"
Suddenly, a door opened behind Chris and a hand covered her mouth, pulling her inside before shutting the door.
Chris immediately squealed, sobbing and thinking that her life was coming to an end and she would never know why Fine abandoned them and worse... what happened to Takeru. Humiliated and reduced to nothing before her death.
"Stop squirming, Chrissy!" An all too familiar voice whispered. Once her eyes became accustomed to the dim light in the closet, she saw him. Wearing his regular clothes and sporting a sling for his arm. Orange hair she would often convince him to comb it to no avail. It was Takeru.
He slowly uncovered her mouth, giving her an awkward laugh."Hey...sorry I didn't answer. My phone kinda...broke."
"You're alive..." Chris whispered, her words not reaching Takeru.
"Woah...It's...been a long time since I've seen you using Ichaival." Takeru wolf-whistled at her with a grin."Sorry, sorry. You can punch me later but hey, you look beautiful. But...if you're using it, it means things aren't looking good, right? You hate singing."
"You're alive..." She said again, this time a little louder but Takeru still didn't hear her. She slowly reached out to him, afraid to touch him as if he would break upon her touch.
He chuckled at her gesture, guiding her hands to his face."But still...I'm happy to see you're okay. It's been hell over here. Cypher being the asshole that he is tried to assassinate me but I managed to run. Lucky for me, that bastard is sick enough to play with his pre-Owie! Hey, that hurts." He giggled, feeling Chris's hands rub his face.
"You're alive..."
This time, Takeru heard her loud and clear. He looked up at her and since his eyes had accustomed faster to the lack of light, he could see a faint smile and tears."Chrissy..."
"You're alive!" She tackled him against the wall, burying her face in his chest. The Zolda user was stupified. He never would have expected this kind of affection from Chris."Chris, you're touching me..."
"I thought you were dead!" Her voice muffled against his chest."They said they killed you...that you died...that I wasn't going to see you ever again."
"Hey...look at me." Takeru crossed his legs, gently helping her to sit on the floor. He tenderly wiped the tears from her eyes, but they seemed endless. He laughed in good nature, switching over to comb her hair with his good hand.
"How can you be like this...? Be so accepting..." Chris avoided his gaze, ashamed."You were right all along. We were just being used by Fine. You always knew and I never paid attention to you. If I had...They said you died. That they killed you...I didn't know what to do. My head was all over the place and I couldn't think straight."
"It's not your fault." Takeru sighed, continuing to play with her hair."I said I suspected Fine without definite proof. You wouldn't have believed me. I was just being paranoid and talking out of my ass. I...honestly thought she cared about us. In her own twisted way."
"But you said we should have left. We should have run together. But I was so hellbent on doing this shit that I...I..." Chris shook her head. Takeru was astonished. He had never seen her in this state before. She was always confident and arrogant, thinking she could take on the world if she had to. But now she was acting like a regular girl who had her heart and hopes broken. This was the lowest she's ever been. He flinched.'Maybe the second time.'
Not like he could complain. He felt responsible for even getting her in this situation."You brought up a good point before, dummy. We didn't have anywhere else to turn to. This was the only place we could call home. And besides, what if we did run and found someone even worse? Honestly, this isn't that bad."
"How can you say this isn't that bad when we're literally hiding in a closet because a psychotic assassin is trying to kill us by orders of the woman we called mistress?!"
"And there it goes." Takeru had to admire Chris' ability to change emotions in a second. He guessed this was because she was a girl but also because of puberty. Or so he believed. He didn't know."Look, we're alive. Cypher and Fine were manipulating you. They did the same to me. They've been feeding lies to us to make us more distant from each other. And while I know they're full of shit...I still formed part of the terrorists that got your family killed. And because of that, you were treated like a sexual object. Merchandise...I couldn't save you or those other children in time. And I know what you always say. That I shouldn't let my father's sins be carried by me, but...if I had acted sooner..."
"We're both full of regrets, aren't we?" She lowered her gaze, resting her forehead against his."I thought I was the one holding YOU back because you were busy trying to make amends for what happened to me. I thought that you were giving it all you had just to make me smile and I was afraid one day that would have gotten you killed because of me."
"I guess we both thought something about the other, huh?" Takeru snickered, ruffling her hair, earning a blush."But come on now. I do it because I care. You're my only friend and we've been together since we were kids. And at this point, we're all we got. I'm just surprised that you...well, you're close to me right now. I mean, all these years you would hesitate to even touch my hand but now?"
"Maybe it was the fear of losing another precious person. The trauma...I'll confess right now it's not easy to deal with it. I can't look at another person without thinking they're plotting something against me. And I could never forget what those people did to me. No matter how much I begged and told them to stop...they...they-"
Deciding on what the best thing to do was, Takeru simply went for a hug and rubbed her back."It's okay. I'm sorry I wasn't able to do something sooner. But now we're different. We can fight back. We can protect each other. We're not weak children anymore."
"I'm still stronger than you." Chris condescendingly said, rubbing his back.
"Maybe. But I have improved a bit." Takeru shrugged, still holding her in a hug."Wanna hear a joke?"
"Oh, God. Not this shit again." Chris groaned, pulling back with a smile."If it's one of the same lame-ass jokes from when we were kids I don't want to hear it."
"Huh? Come on, they weren't that bad." Takeru playfully jabbed his finger against her arm."Just hear me out, alright? What do you call a well-balanced horse?"
"What?" Chris rolled her eyes with an amused smile.
"Stable."
"My God..." Chris groaned, facepalming."After all these years you still can't tell a decent joke!"
"Yeah? What about this one? Why did the bicycle fall over? Because it was two-tire! Ha, get it?"
Chris deadpanned, and he could feel her judging him
"Okay, that was a bad one." Takeru gave up, sighing."But I made you laugh, right?"
"I think your stupidity is what makes me laugh rather than your attempts at making jokes." Chris lightly punched his arm, but he winced."But I guess I've grown accustomed to them. It was all we ever did."
"I also told you some of my stories on the battlefield." Takeru reminded her."Sure, they were a little boring since I wasn't in the front lines most of the time but it was good to kill time, right?"
"Yeah..." She trailed off with a wistful smile."If it weren't for you, I would have been shipped off to God knows where and been treated as a toy. Thank you..."
"And if it weren't for you, I would have died a lonesome death on the battlefield as a failure of a soldier. So thank you." Takeru shot her a grin, giving her a peace sign."I guess we're even."
"I guess so." Chris nodded.
"You feeling okay? No more sad thoughts?"
"Quit treating me like I'm a kid, damn it." Chris groaned in annoyance."But yeah...I guess I'm okay. What are we going to do?"
"For now we have to get the hell out of this place before they find us." Takeru reached for behind him, pulling out his Magnuvisor."Check it."
"You can use your visor without transforming? How?"
"I don't know. I just visualized it in my head and it appeared. It's just my visor though. Can't exactly use my cards unless I transform. I've tried."
Chris helped herself off Takeru, grabbing his hand to pull him up. He whimpered in pain, leaning against the wall."You okay?"
"Yeah...my wounds are mostly healed but my back is still killing me. Feels like my spine is being pulled."
"Can you run? I'll carry you if I have to."
"What? No!" Takeru shook his head with a blush."Besides, you're our best fighting chance. I can fight but I won't be of much use."
"That's plenty for me." Chris nodded, grabbing his hand."Don't you dare die on me, you idiot. I'll kick your ass if you get another scratch, you hear me?"
"Yeah, yeah." Takeru huffed but squeezed her hand in return. Both of them smiled at each other, their faces a little closer than they thought.
'No, not yet.' Takeru told himself.'Not the best moment for a confession.'
The orange-hair young man took the initiative and had Chris open the door for him as he slowly peered outside with his visor close to his chest.
"I was starting to think you were doing some...explicit things in there."
Both teens gasp, quickly turning to the source of the voice. Cypher stood at one end of the hallway while a group of Noise gathered in the opposite direction, cornering them.
"I was listening in to your little reunion. I decided to let you have a final moment together" Cypher leaned against the wall, tapping the floor with his cane sword."How heartwarming. To discover that your loved one isn't dead but alive. And after countless attempts at me to destroy your relationship, it bloomed, stronger than ever. How wonderful. Your emotion is so strong it's blinding, even with my mask on. A heart-warming story, but even so, not one I haven't heard from in my journeys."
"Yeah, like you would understand the bond between two people." Takeru aimed at Cypher while Chris deployed her missiles at the Noise, back to back.
"Actually, I do. Surprising, isn't it?" Cypher sighed, his gaze landing on Takeru."I used to have someone who cared about me genuinely. It was bizarre, to say the least. I never understood it until much later in my life. Someone who tried to make you laugh and explore things as they are. Someone who tried to understand you and sympathize with you. Yes, I did have a friend. A very good friend. So full of emotion and colors. My mentor called him a failure of an anomaly. An assassin with strong emotions that could kill in cold blood. He was what I always wanted to be. I try to mimic him from time to time and see if I can someday feel what he felt."
"And what happened to that friend?"
"I killed him." Cypher sighed, and pushed himself off the wall."I thought I would feel something if I lost my most important person. Maybe I would understand finally what makes people truly alive. But I didn't feel a thing. No matter how much I forced myself to do so. I felt nothing. I'm not like you two."
"No shit you're not, you psychopath!" Chris shouted with all the venom she could muster."You're a mindless killer that doesn't care about anyone or anything!"
"Fine is just using you too, just like she used us." Takeru attempted to reason with him."She'll use you to get her wish."
"Oh, I am very much aware of what kind of person Fine is, trust me. Way more than you think. But unlike you, I'm not just a disposable pawn. She's paying for my services. Our relationship is that of an employee and an employer. And yours was merely a master and their slave. Besides, I've served worse people in my life than her. Sure she's what you may call evil and whatnot. But if you think she's bad you have yet to see the worse humanity can offer."
Cypher began approaching them, his cane gracing the floor and leaving a trail."I have nothing personal against either of you. I honestly thought we could have gotten along and maybe we could be friends-"
"Like hell we would be your friend!" Both Takeru and Chris yelled, earning a chuckle.
"Sure. But like I was saying, I have to kill you." A dangerous glint could be seen from Cypher's mask eye holes."And you know what, Takeru? I feel so generous that I'll kill you first and put you out of your misery first.
Takeru tensed up, gritting his teeth and pulling the trigger of his visor.
Cypher cut the energy bullets with the blade of his cane as he continued approaching them."You won't have to suffer when I kill Chris. And after you die, I will make it my mission to kill her after she reaches the strongest emotion she's ever experienced."
Chris began shooting her missiles at the Noise, killing off a few but more of them emerged and took their place.
"I swear on my honor as an assassin I will hunt her to the ends of the earth and the deepest parts of hell if I have to!" Cypher was now sprinting at Takeru."She will never know what peace is and I will never stop chasing her! I will ruin both of your lives so you can show me your true emotion!"
"You'll have to get through me first, you fucking motherfucker!" Takeru used his visor to block the blade. He tried to kick Cypher's feet, but the latter flexed his leg and was able to remain standing. Cypher grabbed his throat and slammed him against the wall.
"It appears as though you're still not at 100%. That's a shame."
"Get the fuck off him, you bastard!" Chris switched one of her gauntlets to her crossbow, shooting arrows in rapid succession.
Cypher dodged all of them with inhumane speed, throwing his cane at her. Chris narrowly avoided the edge of the blade from piercing her head but was unable to block the incoming knee slamming against her stomach. Fortunately, Chris quickly recuperated and slammed her feet against Cypher's torso. The Ouja Rider stumbled backward and tripped when he stumbled upon Takeru, who was laying on all fours.
The mercenary aimed his visor at Cypher and was about to shoot before he kicked his hand, sending the visor flying in the air. Chris quickly shot a missile to the ceiling, creating a massive hole. She grabbed Takeru by the hood of his jacket and jumped in the air. Takeru caught his visor, shooting a few small flying Noise chasing them.
Cypher chuckled, reaching for his pocket."I didn't know you knew I enjoyed chasing my victims."
Chris released Takeru who fell on his knees, grimacing."Takeru!"
"I'm okay. My wounds are acting up, is all. Shit, he's so fucking fast, even without his damn armor."
"And nimble too." Chris noted."Can't exactly shoot him down in such a narrow corridor and him jumping all over the place. And..."
"Yeah, I was there and you could have shot me too." Takeru finished her thought."Seems like I was the only slowing you down. Sorry about that."
"No. It's not your fault. I-" Chris's eyes widened once realization washed over her."So this is how you feel?"
"Yup. But don't worry, I have an idea." Takeru grabbed his Zolda deck from one of the pockets of his jacket."We're in the open now so you can go nuts if you want. But I have a way to blow this whole place to shit and take that bastard down."
"Don't do it!" Chris grabbed his good arm."You can't fight with just one arm, you need both of them! And if you keep fighting, you might reopen the wound in your arm. Let me handle this."
"We don't have much of a choice, Chrissy. Fighting Cypher is one thing but also a shit ton of Noise? Not even you can do all that. This time, we'll work together. Once we see the opportunity, we'll make a break for the forest. When we're a good distance away, I'll use my Final Vent."
"Alright..." Chris reluctantly nodded.
Cypher, who had already transformed into Ouja, jumped from the ground and landed on the rooftop with them. Noise began crawling up.
"I hope you don't think you'll have the advantage because we're in an open area." Ouja twirled his neck, cracking it."We're all in a rough state due to our injuries. I still haven't recovered from my fight with Ryuga and the others and neither have you, Chris. And Takeru seems like he's about to fall over. With one hand, he can't even use his Advent Cards."
"One hand is all I need to kick your ass." Takeru extended his arm with his deck, his V Buckle appearing around his waist."Henshin!"
In a flash of light, Takeru was clad in the Zolda armor with a sling holding his broken arm and his visor in the other.
"I'll hold you to that." Ouja drew a card from his deck, opening up his Venovisor and inserting the card.
Advent: Venosnaker
ATK: 5000
Venosnaker peered over the rooftop behind Chris and Takeru, spitting venom at them.
Both teens leaped out of the way in time but were separated in the process.
Zolda landed harshly on his back, the pain causing him to drop his visor.
Ouja sprinted toward Takeru, quickly activating a card.
Sword Vent: Venosaber
ATK: 3000
Taking advantage that his hand was free for the moment, Zolda drew a card of his own. Before he could reach his visor, Ouja struck him with his blade, sending him rolling.
"Fucking hell..." Zolda fought the urge to scream when the weight of his body fell on his arm.
Chris clicked her tongue, unleashing a volley of missiles at Ouja. Ouja was quick to jump back, knowing full well Chris was minimizing her firepower with Zolda in the middle.
"At first, I thought you were both naive and sad children who thought the world could change just by trying to make it with violence. But you know, I recently met someone very interesting. Someone that has the potential to have the strongest emotion driven towards the strongest goal."
"Like I give a shit!" Chris switched to the Gatling guns, trying to shoot down Ouja but he was too quick and blocked with his Venosaber.
"So I think I understand you a little better." Ouja continued leaping around, watching as Chris was forced to change her attention to the Noise behind her. Once he was clear, he squatted down, amused."Which is why I knew that eventually, Fine would get tired of you after you're done being useful to her."
"You talk like you really understand her!" Zolda grabbed his visor, holding his card between his fingers."But then again, a nutjob like you would!"
"You're wrong. As an assassin, I have a self-imposed rule not to judge my clients based on their desires. But that woman...she's wrong. No human in this world can truly understand another. Not even through pain. And that's simply because people's minds are different."
"That's stupid. It's because we're different that-"
"No, you got it wrong. Each human mind has the potential to be its own world. They see what they want to see and believe what they want to believe. Or so it's what my mentor said. But some of us are defective, see. Like me. I can't feel any emotion despite wanting to do so. And for that, I can't understand other people and sympathize with them, And neither can you. People have their inner struggles and demons. Parts of them that they don't want the world to see. All you see is the surface level. We never truly understand another person. But..." Ouja readied his sword, pointing the edge at Zolda."While we're not able to understand them as individuals, we can see their emotions. That's why I want to see every emotion you make. I want to understand you even if it'll be the tip of the iceberg!"
"What the hell is he talking about?!" Chris seethed, kicking away and a Noise, planting the barrel of her Gatling gun in another before firing it. She leaped back to regroup with Zolda.
"We have to leave now." Zolda ran towards the metal part of Fine's mansion, peering down to the dark abyss below."On second thought, maybe not...I'm afraid of heights.
"Don't be a wuss. We can't go the other way." Chris looked down below, growing nervous.
"Running won't work!"
"Chrissy!"
"Roger!" Chris grabbed the card from between his fingers and mimicking the action she was so used to seeing, inserted the card in it.
Advent: Magnugiga
ATK: 6000
Magnugiga emerged from the ground, firing a few bullets and missiles at the Noise.
Advent: Venosnaker
ATK: 5000
Venosnaker slithered swiftly at Magnugiga, but as it lunged at it, it grabbed it by its head and began spinning it around before tossing it back to Ouja.
"Next one, Chrissy. Let's settle this." Zolda nodded.
Chris obliged, reaching for his deck and drawing a card. She furrowed her brows after seeing it was the one with his symbol on it."As soon as we attack, we'll have to jump."
"Yeah, I know." Zolda walked up to Magnugiga's back, inserting his visor into a small compartment."It's been a fat minute since I've used this."
Final Vent: End of the World
ATK: 7000
Magnugiga deployed all its weapons, ranging from laser beams, missiles, bullets, and more. Chris stood a safe distance behind it, also displaying all her artillery.
Mega Deth Party
"I thought you were going all out too?"
"I don't exactly have time to charge up for that." Chris locked on to their enemy and the army of Noise with him.
"Oh..." Ouja said in horror. He quickly ran back as both Chris and Zolda fired everything they had at the Noise. Ouja's body was launched far away into the lake after projectiles landed close to him. The entire rooftop of Fine's mansion was destroyed alongside some of the trees around it. Chris grabbed Zolda and jumped off the ledge, heading down below. She took a last glance at the mansion on the hill, swearing to return one day to settle things with Fine.
A few hours later, the pair reached the city, undoing their transformations and crashing down on a bench.
"Shit..." Takeru gasped for air, holding a hand to his chest."I'm so rusty after not moving much for a whole month..."
"Did we kill him?"
"Probably not." Takeru sighed, sitting up and noticing the blood on his cast."My Final Vent is strong but the shots covered a wide area. Meaning the shots are scattered and are more suited for a large group of enemies, not one. I think one of my missiles sent him off the roof anyway but he won't be chasing us for now. Maybe."
"Your arm!" Chris sat on the other side, examining his arm. The wound had opened up, and some of the switches had come off."I have to patch this up quickly."
"I'm fine for now." Takeru reassured her."Well, I'm in pain. But we don't have time to go to a hospital or something."
"It'd be stupid to go to a hospital anyway. Close space and those damn useless doctors. So what is the plan?"
"I would suggest just taking a bus out of town, then we go to an airport and get the hell out of the country. But knowing you, you want to get back at Fine, right?'
"Hell yeah." Chris clenched her fists with determination."I can't forgive her for what she did! Throwing us away like trash after we trusted her and did what she wanted for so many years. And making me believe you were dead..."
"Then I suggest we start looking for a place to rest."
"But we don't have money for that." Chris pointed out."We could just go to an abandoned place."
"Hell no, I'm not sleeping on the floor with my busted back and arm." Takeru frowned at her idea."Plus I'm hungry as hell. And we need to bathe. Look, I have some saved-up money on my offshore account from back when I was a mercenary. I promised myself only to use that money for emergencies, but...this is a good emergency as any. I'll have to withdraw all the money too. I can't just go around using this..."
Takeru pulled out a credit card from inside his Zolda deck."I'm sure Cypher can track down any transactions, so once I withdraw the money, he'll know we're around here. It's a risk I'm willing to take. We'll need the money to sustain ourselves."
"Okay..." Chris slowly nodded, unsure of his plan. After resting for a bit, Fine's former underlings walked around in silence. Chris unconsciously reached for Takeru's hand, receiving a surprised gasp."Don't get me wrong. I just don't want you running off or getting lost."
"Sure thing. But you know I'll never go anywhere without you. I'll always be around."
"Stop crying! Crying isn't going to do any good!"
The pair's attention was averted to two children sitting on a bench. One of them was a small girl, crying and the other one was a boy who seemed frustrated.
"Oh, no. He better not be bullying that poor girl." Chris marched over, followed by an exasperated Takeru.
"Don't do anything rash."
"Shut up." Chris hissed, nudging him in the ribs and turning her attention to the boy."Hey! Don't bully her!"
"Huh? I'm not bullying her." The boy defended himself."She just..."
The sobbing turned into wailing and that made Chris's anger flare up. She rose her hand, ready to smack the kid."I told you not to bully her!"
"Wait, don't-"
"Leave my brother alone!" In the blink of an eye, the girl was in front of her apparent brother.
"Jesus Christ!" Takeru quickly grabbed her arm, his eyes wide."Were you going to smack the hell out of this kid?!"
"It was the only way to get him to stop bullying her!" She argued back.
"He's my brother!" The girl was quick to explain."I was just tired of walking and he got upset...but please don't hurt him!"
"And what are you kids doing this late at night in this shady park?" Takeru asked, releasing Chris' arm."It's dangerous."
"We lost our dad and we tried looking for him but we can't find him." The boy said.
"Huh. Jeez, what a lousy dad. How can he just lose a couple of kids like that?" Chris placed her hands on her hips.
"Dad is not lousy..." The poor girl sniffed.
"Yeah, well you're lost now so what does that say?"
"Hey, don't make my sister cry!" The boy pushed Chris off his sister. Chris snarled, ready to teach him some manners but Takeru was the one to get in between them.
"Everyone calm down." He sighed, ruffling his hair."Sheez...Look, we can help you guys out if you want. Four pairs of eyes are better than two, right?"
"Fine, we can help I guess." Chris shrugged nonchalantly."As long as they stop crying."
"Well, dad said not to talk to strangers..."
"The other choice is for you guys to look by yourselves, but be warned that you might stumble upon dangerous people." Takeru rose his finger."So make your decision."
"I think we should go with them." The girl said to her brother."I'm tired and I want to go home already..."
"Okay...but you guys better not do anything weird or else!"
"I like your spirit." Takeru grinned at the boy."Protect your sister at all costs. That's important. Chrissy, I'll be going ahead to the bank. I'll meet you guys in a bit."
"Sounds good. Be careful. We don't know if you know who is around."
"Right." Takeru removed his jacket, handing it to Chris."Here."
"Huh? What for?"
"Your hand was freezing!" Takeru pointed at her."You're cold. So just take the jacket and warm yourself up."
"But what about you, mister?" The girl tilted her head.
"My long-sleeved is fine for me." Takeru's close-fitting long-sleeve shirt hugged his body, accenting his muscles."Just don't be stubborn and take it, alright? I don't feel like arguing right now."
"Fine. But next time worry about yourself first." Chris put the oversize jacket on, blushing furiously."Now hurry up and get the money. I'm not a babysitter."
"Yeah, yeah." Takeru brushed her comment off with a smile. He waved them goodbye, jogging away.
"That boy is funny." The girl giggled."Is he your brother, miss?"
"Huh? No. No, he's not."
"Then he's your boyfriend." The boy stated.
"No! Definitely not!" Chris grabbed their hands, pouting."He's just a fool who's stuck with me and I'm stuck with him."
"Really? It seems like he really cares about you. He gave you his jacket, after all."
"I..." Chris couldn't argue with that. He was too nice.'I don't deserve him. No, what am I thinking? Get over what Fine said, Chris! She tried to trick you!'
"You're kidding me..." Takeru counted the money in his hand, swallowing the lump in his throat."This is it? 70000 yen?"
He knew that Pesos were worth not as much outside of their country, but he certainly wasn't expecting that much of a difference. He had withdrawn 10000 Pesos, which were roughly equivalent to 70000 yen. While this seemed a lot, Pesos were worth less compared to Yen. And in Japan, 70000 wasn't much to sustain themselves in the long run. He threw his card away down a sewer and pocketed his money.
"Let's see...we can't exactly stay in the same place otherwise Cypher might catch us. So we'll have to lodge in very cheap motels or something. As for the food, we'll have to ration what we can." He examined his arm, frowning at the sight. If he kept moving it around as he did earlier, he was sure the bone was going to come out again.
"I should probably hit up a Don Quijote and buy some things. Bandages and alcohol to treat the wound. Maybe some snacks for Chris and the kids." He momentarily forget the pain he was in and focused on that thought. He entered a nearby convenience store, purchasing a box of chocolates and some medical supplies he would need. He heard the rumbling in his stomach and ate a few of them, nearly crying at how delicious they were. It had been a while since he had eaten something other than soup, so anything was appreciated.
'It's going to be us against the world now...' Takeru looked around him, enjoying how nice and colorful the streets looked. The people walking by. It looked so peaceful.'But it's always been that way, in retrospect. And with Fine and Ouja after us, it'll be hard to relax. They have the Noise with them. And I'm still recovering. But...I can't let that slow me down. Chris needs me. And I refuse to let her down ever again.'
"I told you creeps, I don't want to hang out with a bunch of losers like you!"
That voice. Takeru glanced ahead and saw Chris and the kids being harassed by a group of thugs. The kids hid behind Chris, startled.
"Come on, girly. We just want to invite you to some drinks and have a good time with us." One of them approached her, licking his lips at the sight of her chest."You'll like it."
"I said piss off, you sack of shit. You're scaring the brats!"
"Just let those let those kids go or something." Another one tried to convince her."You're their sister or what?"
"You know, we could just hold them for a ransom. They look young. I'm sure their parents would be willing to pay a fortune for them."
"Over my dead body, fucker! So fuck off. I'm sick having to look at you, disgusting slimeballs."
"Hey, that was uncalled for." The big man approached her with a malicious smile, extending his arm to grab her chest."How are you going to repay us, huh?"
"Yo."
The man stopped inches away from her chest, looking over his shoulder?"Huh?"
Takeru marched over to them with an impassive expression, leaving his bag on the floor."Thanks for keeping an eye on my girl, but you should leave now. You see, I'm the possessive type, so I hate when my woman talks to other men."
"Takeru." Chris breathed, glad that he hadn't been ambushed while he was away.
"Take the kids away, Chrissy. I don't want them to see this."
"There he goes again." Chris sighed, pulling the children with her."Always trying to be dependable. That idiot..."
"She's leaving!"
"Great. So you're her boyfriend?" One of the thugs walked up to Takeru, seizing him up."You don't look like much. That woman is too much for a little boy like you."
"Yeah? Maybe." Takeru smirked, unfazed as he stared up at the thug's eyes."Leave now. I don't want to do this in the middle of the street."
"Hahaha! You guys hear this kid?!" He hollered to his friends."He thinks he can hurt us!"
"With just one arm? Yeah, right!"
"But if we beat him up we can have our way with his girl so go for it."
"Sure!" He turned back to Takeru."Hear that, boy? Your girlfriend will enjoy real men today-" A hand grabbed his face in a swift move. He was unable to do anything as Takeru slammed him on the floor head first, knocking him out. Blood poured from the back of his head and Takeru touched it, playing with it with his fingers.
"So...who's next?"
"That little!" Another thug rushed at him blindly. Takeru splattered some of the blood in his hand, getting it in the thug's eyes."My eyes!"
"You won't need them!" Takeru gave him a roundhouse kick in the torso, breaking a few ribs. Just three remained.
"He's just a kid with one broken arm. Don't fuck with us!" They all pulled knives from their pockets.
"I can't exactly pull my gun here..." He glanced around at the civilians spectating."Too many people."
Two thugs came at him from both sides, brandishing their knives. Both of them went for a stab, but Takeru sidestepped, grabbing one of their hands and changing the trajectory of the knife, impaling the other's leg. The man cried in pain, falling to the ground and as the other one was still in a stupor, Takeru finished him with a kick to the face.
The last thug took a step back, intimidated by Takeru's performance."Boo!"
He screamed in terror, dropping his knife and running for his life, leaving his pals behind."Someone call the cops or something. I'm out of here." As soon as it started, it was over. He admits he did go a little overboard, especially with his acting. But something inside him snapped when they were about to touch Chris.
"This time it's different." Takeru told himself, calming down."I can defend her and fight back."
Up ahead, Chris and the kids were chatting with a man, which he assumed it was their father since Chris was acting rather embarrassed.
"It was nothing, really." Chris rose her hands."My friend and I just happened to stumble upon them, that's all."
"And there is he!" The boy pointed at Takeru, who had pulled out the box of chocolates from his bag."Mister, you scared those scary men away!"
"Yeah. Those scrubs had nothing on me." He puffed his chest with pride."Right, Chrissy?"
"Compliment yourself all you want. I could have taken them out myself." She averted her gaze, but he expected a much."What did you buy?"
"Some snacks and some stuff for my arm." He set the bag on the floor, pulling out a box of chocolate."You guys want some? They're yummy. You can try some too, sir. There's enough for everyone."
"Can we, dad?"
"I don't see why not. You and your girlfriend have been very kind to my children."
"We're not a couple." Chris corrected him, stuffing her face with chocolate while blushing.
"But he called you his girl! That means you are together!"
"He was just bluffing! Right, Takeru?" She turned to Takeru for help, but the young mercenary's cheeks were crimson, and twiddled his thumbs"Right?! Takeru?!"
The children laughed at the older pair, sharing their chocolate.
Chris smiled at how close they were."You guys get along so well. How do you do that?"
"We fight a lot." The brother hugged his sister."But we then make up again."
"And we get along! And then we fight again and make up again!"
"Hey, that sounds like us." Takeru grinned at the children."Chrissy and I fight a lot too. But it's mostly her going off on me."
"You're making me sound like I'm hysterical." She folded her arms under her chest."You just do dumb things and someone has to correct you."
"Yeah. I guess." Takeru shrugged in good nature. The pair said goodbye to their family and continued their way around town."Want to go eat somewhere?"
"I'm okay with the snacks you bought. Maybe tomorrow." Chris yawned, stretching."I'm tired."
"Yeah, same here." He nodded. It had been a long day. They were both emotionally and physically drained. They searched for a motel and rented the first room they could find for the night.
"Really? This dump?" Chris was unimpressed with the one-room apartment. It had one bed, a sofa, and a small kitchen next to the bathroom.
"We can't exactly go to a five-star hotel, Chrissy." Takeru sat on the sofa, grumbling at how hard it was."Great...my back..."
"How much money do you have now?"
"Not much, apparently. Val Verde is a third-world country after all." He said, checking over how much money they had left."So we'll have to rent shitty rooms for the time being. Sorry. I know it's less than ideal."
"No, it's fine. At least we have a bed." Chris sat on the bed, relaxing a bit.
"But don't worry. One day I'll get us a big house. With a pool too!" He excitedly told her."Once we get out of this nightmare."
"You still think about that?"
"Of course. It's my motivation to keep going." Takeru nodded with a solemn look."My wish is for you to be happy. If I can do that, I won't need to risk my life fighting other Riders to get that wish."
"Takeru...you can just leave, you know." Chris glanced down at the floor."You said you wanted to become a soldier, right? You can still do it. Don't stay here because you feel obligated. I know you're not too interested in getting back at Fine. I can't run. It wouldn't feel right to just leave and leave things as they are. I won't run from my problems."
"That sounds just like you. But I know I can't just run from this and leave you by yourself." He sat with her on the bed, pulling her close with his arm. She rested her head on his shoulder and him on her head."Besides, you heard Ouja. He's coming for me and then you. If we ever want to be at peace, we have to first kill that guy. And given how strong he is, we're better off together."
"I'm sorry this isn't what you expected out of me." Chris sighed."You probably thought things would be better by now, right?"
"True, but they do say that the more good things take, the better they will be." Takeru assured her."You were great with those kids. I knew it. You could be a great teacher if you wanted. When this is all said and done, things will be better."
"We'll get that big house and settle down. You'll be a soldier and maybe I'll become a teacher. I don't know yet."
"I can't cook so we'll have to learn."
"It shouldn't be too hard." Chris said, rubbing his arm."We've done harder things than cooking. And as for a family..."
"It's way too soon to think about that. I'm not sure if you even want a guy like me."
"I don't know..." Chris trailed off, her cheeks flaring."I don't know what it feels like. To be in love."
"Neither do I." Takeru confessed."But...maybe it's what I feel...about you."
"About me?"
"Yeah...but I never had any experience before, so I wouldn't know. My Ma used to say to just go with my heart about these things. I think that's why I fell for you that day. I told you I didn't go with you and Fine to make amends, but...in a way I did. Not just for you, but for those kids my family sold and I couldn't save. Watching those kids today... filled me with hope. Hope that one day no more children will have to suffer like us. And...well, my point is that I like you. Like, a lot."
"Takeru..." Chris was stunned by his words. She knew he was infatuated with her, but she always dismissed this as him just flirting.
"Maybe it's too soon for this but now that our lives are in danger...we might not have another chance like this so I'll say it anyway. Chris Yukine, I love you. With all of my heart." Takeru breathed, separating a bit from her to give her space."Like, I love you. Ever since I first saw you. And when I learned the truth about you, I was hooked even more. Because you're beautiful to me, but if one day you find true happiness, you'll be even more beautiful. You deserve the whole world and I want to make that happen. Not just for you, but for me as well. It's selfish, I know. But it's how I feel."
He knelt in front of her."We've been friends for a long time now, haven't we? And while at first, you tried to avoid me for following you and Fine, you eventually allowed me past your barriers. I was so happy. Happy that my friend allowed me in. We went through hell together and we did some messed up things. But we can fix all of that starting now. This is a new beginning for us. And I'd like for us to walk this path. The path to a new paradise, together."
Chris was speechless. Debating whether to punch his lights out or tackle him. She opted for both. She punched him in the gut before engulfing him in a hug."I...I don't know. Can this even work? I'm broken, Takeru. Those men...did horrible things to me...you could just get another girl. A normal one. One who hasn't had her purity tainted. One who has a family waiting for her at home...I'm crude, unrefined, hot-tempered, and vulgar. I don't think I'm good at all for you. There are better women out there for you..."
"You're also assertive, smart, responsible, kind, and very sincere if not bold. And you put up with me. I know there's a great girl underneath those walls you built. I know that better than anyone in this world. I don't ask for perfection. I ask for you, Chris Yukine. And no one else."
"I...well...I don't know..." Tears threatened to escape her eyes."I just...don't know if I can lose anyone else. I hate my parents for stupidly dying, trying to unite the world with songs. And leaving me all alone...But it hurts. You're all I have left. The only one who understands me and wants me around. I couldn't..."
"Then we'll fight together," Takeru assured her, crying as well. Chris noticed this and went to wipe the tears from his eyes, causing him to chuckle."The two of us together are the strongest team there is. Fuck adults and fuck everyone else. We're all we need. And we'll stop the flames of war by force if we have to."
He kissed her on the forehead, taking a step back."I don't want to force anything on you. You've been through enough emotions today so I understand. You don't have to give me an answer now. Or ever. But know that I'll always be here whenever you need me."
"Thank you..." Chris allowed herself a smile. A pure and happy smile. One that she hadn't used in a very long time."Thank you..."
"There's a smile." Takeru happily commented, removing his jacket and chain."We should probably get some sleep."
"You're still wearing that big lock?"
"Yeah, my Ma gave it to me when I asked her I wanted to look like a tough guy when I first started to train." He grabbed the lock, staring at it wistfully."I know I look like a retard walking around with a lock around my neck, but it's a memento from her."
"No. I think it's fine." Chris smiled, causing his smile to widen.
"I'll take the sofa," Takeru announced, removing his shirt and wearing only a sleeveless shirt. Chris had chosen to remain with her dress on for the night.
"No, it's okay." Chris stopped him."I told you I trust you. You wouldn't do anything to hurt me. You can stay in the bed with me."
"Are you sure? I mean...it seems wrong."
"Well, you're the one wounded." She pointed out."So either get on the bed or I'll take the sofa. Your choice."
"When you put it that way, I can't say no." He shrugged, secretly thanking her for not having to sleep on the uncomfortable sofa. Once the lights were off the pair lay on opposite sides of the bed, facing each other.
"Chrissy?"
"Yeah? What?"
"I don't think you hate your parents."
"What makes you say that?"
"I mean, you cried for them. You mourned them. I think you hate the way they died and the reasons behind their deaths. You think they pointlessly died to stop conflict with their songs. But in reality, I think they risked themselves to give the people in Val Verde hope. And as someone who's seen and caused a lot of death by the pull of a trigger, I can guarantee you hope is something you'll barely if ever see in war."
He took a moment to breathe, collecting his thoughts."I don't hate my family either. Even though they weren't my real parents, I loved my Ma and Pa. My Ma raised me and clothed me and gave me all her love. And despite what he did, I can't stay I don't love my old man. I hate what he stood for and the things he caused...but he made me the person I am today. Toughened me up and showed me the way around a fight to survive. Plus...at the end, he gave me the Zolda deck and accepted the end. Giving us our freedom and hope, just like what your parents tried."
He reached out for her hand, interlocking fingers."And honestly? No matter what, I think it's impossible for someone to not cry for their parents. And now it's our turn to give people hope. We'll find a way to stop all wars."
"Together, right?" Chris asked.
"Together." He confirmed."But first, we need to deal with Fine and Ouja. Can't exactly start a new life with those two breathing down our necks."
"I think...I think I don't hate my parents." Chris closed her eyes, her eyelids becoming heavier."But I don't know how to feel. I don't know what to feel. My head is still in turmoil about everything that's happened. It happened so fast."
"That's life for you. Sometimes things just happen in the blink of an eye and hit us square in the face. Maybe you don't know how to feel. But we have plenty of time for that. After all, we got two minds working together. My struggle is your struggle and your struggle is mine. We'll laugh together and cry together. So don't go thinking you have to carry your burdens alone."
"You're one to talk. I hope you don't try to act tough while trying to protect me. It makes you look stupid because you think I don't know. But I do. So rely on me a little more, okay?"
"Gotcha." Takeru closed his eyes as well, yawning."Well, goodnight. We'll get some breakfast tomorrow. Love you."
"I..." Chris fidgeted under their covers.
"It's okay. Like I said, I don't expect a reply right now." Takeru chuckled at her bashful behavior."But eventually...it would be nice."
"Eventually..." Chris trailed off, her body succumbing to slumber."You'll always be here, right...?"
"Yeah. Of course." Takeru drawled as he was about to pass out."Always."
The pair drifted off to sleep together, their hands never letting each other go.
Long chapter but I felt like these two needed it. I'm thinking of giving each Rider their own individual short chapter to explore their backstories a little more so we can understand them better. I have a Takeru one almost ready and will release it by the end of the month probably. I'll release them in order of appearance but in no particular order. Either that or just do a flashback on the chapters. We'll see how that goes. But like always, thank you so much for reading, and don't forget to leave a review, a favorite and a follow if you're enjoying the story! Your support is very much appreciated!