Chapter Text
February 14th 2016
2:59: 00 p.m.
Saruhiko made his way out of the halls of the now crowded university. Though, he wasn't alone as he had strongly wished to be at the moment. Much to his surprise, Misaki had made it to class on time.
Not only that, but he had sat directly behind Saruhiko and swiftly filled the hoodie part of Saruhiko's zip hoodie with papers. Saruhiko had only managed to read one and it was a threat; so he had assumed that the rest were the same as the first.
"Hey!! You could at least stop and hear me out!!" Misaki shouted and threw his skateboard to the ground. He jumped on the board and propelled himself forward, "Damn, asshole is ignoring me.."
Saruhiko sped up and looked over his shoulder to see an obviously flustered Misaki. "Give me one reason why I should hear out your idiocy? You've already gave me an earful."
"Idiocy?!" Misaki grumbled and kicked off the asphalt as hard as he could. He maneuvered his board so that he'd be circling the taller man, "Just fucking listen! For like once in your fucking life, Saru!!!"
Saruhiko nodded firmly, but came to hault as he realized Misaki was circling him. "Hmph, neat trick." He exclaimed with a hint of bemusement and sarcasm.
"Don't change the damn subject!!" Misaki shouted undertone. He came to ear grinding hault as the nose of the skateboard skid against the ground.
Saruhiko rolled his eyes as he felt himself yanked downwards. He grinned a little, "I don't kiss jackasses." He had to bit his tongue to keep from laughing at Misaki's surprised expression.
"W-Wh-?! OH FUCK YOU SARU!!" Misaki stammered quietly as not to draw attention. He knew Saruhiko was only trying to get under his skin and just about every single one of his tactics worked. He found himself beat red in the face, "I'm not joking...do any of that shit one more time, and I'll make sure to change the security lock on the door. Car and house both you stuck up bastard..."
Saruhiko huffed and smacked Misaki's hand hard enough for him to retreat. He fixed his dress shirt underneath his hoodie, "You know, you would unintentionally lock yourself outside with me. Knowing you can't remember a damn thing when you you choose fight before flight out of blind rage."
"So?!" Misaki retorted out of irritation. However, paused in the silence as he realized what Saruhiko meant. Though, to be certain he stayed silent and waited for Saruhiko to say something.
Saruhiko grinned triumphant as he walked away from his short friend. Knowing that his silence would unnerve the skateboarder. He felt the presence and instead of the sound of wheels against the concrete it was instead feet and they sounded a little too fast to be playing catch up. 'Five, four, three...' As if knowing that something would come flying – Saruhiko swiftly stepped to the side. "...Ahh, counted to early..." He exclaimed boredly.
"I...fucking...said..." Misaki panted out as he heaved. Saruhiko grinned in amusement and that provoked Misaki farther as he narrowly dodged the small fist. "Mother fucker..."
Saruhiko caught Misaki's fist a loose grip, "You happen to be missing a shoe, Cinderella." He said, jokingly and felt Misaki's fist slip. This caused Saruhiko to instinctively grip tighter than normal and noticed the pained expression. "...Misaki–"
"Don't 'Misaki' me," Saruhiko frowned and released the small fist. Unfortunately, Misaki managed to kick his back and received a familiar glare instead of the uncomfortable frown. "Let's just get in the fucking car and go."
Dark eyes watched as Misaki made a beeline straight to the vehicle after grabbing his shoe. He scanned over Misaki's expression and wondered what the older man was thinking of; without wasting too much time he walked to the drivers side of the vehicle and sat down. A wolfish grin appeared on his face as Misaki began to bang on the window.
"Open, the door..."
Saruhiko shook his head and turned the vehicle on, he then reclined his chair. He hummed to himself as he began to think about the importance of today and the extra stopped they would have to make before the big reunion. A heavy sigh escaped and he glanced at Misaki from the corner of his eye.
"Saru you damn monkey!!! The door!! The fucking lock!!! Open it!!!" Misaki smacked the window with his left hand, open palmed. As soon as he saw Saruhiko shake his head again in refusal; his fist came crashing through the window and he was in pure rage once again.
Astonished, Saruhiko glared angrily at Misaki. "You busted the damn window Misaki!!!!" He yelled as he found himself red in the face.
"WELL, YOU WOULDN'T OPEN THE FUCKING DOOR!!!" Misaki shouted as he unlocked the door from the inside. He began to brush away the shards of glass from his seat and ignored the pain in his hand. "You don't fucking listen, I asked politely if you could open the door. And you fucking grinned like it was a damn game!! You know the importance of today and you shittng around is gonna make us late!!!"
Saruhiko slammed both hands against the wheel. Misaki seemed unfazed and discarded his skateboard and backpack to the backseat. "Son of...ugh, Misaki! I can't keep throwing money away just because, you want to fuck everything up!! The fucking window?! Are you insane?!" Saruhiko questioned as calmly as possible, "I've wasted nearly seven hundred and twenty-five thousand, nine hundred and fifty-two yen because of you!"
"And?! Why should I give two fucks?!" Misaki shouted defensively and crossed his arms.
Saruhiko reached out and yanked Misaki's badly damaged hand into view, "This...is just another thing to pay for. Why?! Because a certain someone can't control their obvious anger issues!!" Misaki yanked his hand away and balled up his fist, "See look, first to fight before thinking." He pointed at the bloodied fist. Misaki stupidly looked downwards getting embarrassed and immediately turned away. "Not everything can be solved by violence."
"That's what you sày," Misaki stated and kept his view from his peripheral vision. At this point the two had refused to look at each other but, continued to bicker back and forth as the drive to the emergency room began. "Stupid monkey..."
"Idiot Mi~sa~ki..." Saruhiko grumbled and gripped the wheel.
"Fuck you!!! Don't say my name that way!!" Misaki kicked the dashboard and kept his fist clenched tightly, "Creepy fucker..." Silence settled and he found his curiosity pulling.
Misaki glanced curiously at Saruhiko. This did not go unnoticed, "What is it now?" Misaki became startled and for a split second hazel eyes met dark eyes. He searched Misaki's sudden vacant expression.
"...Uh, well I was wondering..." Misaki peered at Saruhiko and pointed at his eyes, "Glasses...? Saru you're as blind as they come when you aren't wearing glasses. How the hell did you not get into an accident?"
4:05: 08 p.m.
The halls found itself crowded with high school students. Class was finally over along with the day for most of the students and most hung around to wait for a friend to hang out with. Others, immediately rushed to leave the island school and would sometimes cause a stamped.
A girl with long snow colored hair and pale skin to match, packed her bag. She glanced out the window and placed her red hair band on to hold back most of the free hanging strands. A smile found itself upon her pale face and she began to wave to her lingering classmates as she left the classroom.
"Alrighty, see ya," a young man said before turning back to his friends. "So, yeah like Strains and everything just up and vanished..."
The short girls' head perked up and she pressed her back against the wall. She tuned in on the conversation that she had constantly tried to ignore, but now she found it near impossible.
"Dude, you heard that too?! Shit man, so its not a rumor? Former Strains can have normal jobs and their damn records are being wiped clean?"
"Oh, my god!! Shut up, you guys heard that too?! You know why I heard?"
"What'd ya hear, Sūkūmō-chan?"
"Well, thàt girl you just said, bye to was one of those things!"
"I knew something was weird about her..."
"You should totally stop talking to her. She is like a freak of nature."
A slight pang hit the girls' heart, but she ignored it. Determined to listen to the gossip, she waited a little longer outside the classroom and she was thankful that the halls were empty at the moment.
"C'mon, guys...how do you even know? I call bull crap on that claim."
"You know Sūki-sama is right...maybe you should stop talking to her. Hisao...you listening?"
"Unfortunately, yes..." Hisao sighed heavily.
"Don't go giving out ugly nicknames stupid!!" Sūkūmō exclaimed. She then laughed, "But, Meebo is right...you'll just end up as much of a reject like that Minoru kid. Freaks of nature like literally..."
"...Dammit, can't you just stop being a bitch for one day?"
"And could you stop being so repulsive for one second? No? That's what I thought." Sūkūmō said, voice dripping of sarcasm.
"Oh, yeah...I just remember some bitches, namely Sūkūmō Ayumi, just so happened to be born that way." Minoru angrily retorted. "She isn't bothering YOU so why the fuck do you get to ridicule and pick and prod at her?! What gives you the right?!"
"Hmph...typical delinquent." Sūkūmō stated calmly. "I'll have you know that my daddy owns–"
Unknowing, the girl found herself swimming and nearly drowning on her thoughts until a loud sound caught her attention. The quiet girl found herself startled as she heard movement from inside the classroom. Quickly, she moved out of the way of the door as an angry individual came storming out and she tried to catch a glimpse of her defender's features, but failed. A frown formed and her heart sank, she could tell the boy was lonely just from one glance. Though, she had never tried to interact with anyone outside of HOMRA and former clansmen affilated people.
A heavy hearted sigh came from within the classroom, "Wow...you didn't have to go that far Yumi...and he's right, you are way too harsh on people you've never really talked to..." Anna could only guess that was from Hisao.
"Oh, well. That's just life Hisao. Also, if you even want to join the club you'll have to not associate yourself with freaks," Sūkūmō sighed dramatically, "Typical of a Yata...it's like the freakish nature seems to get passed down."
"How do you know the Yata's?" Hisao asked, curiously.
"Oh, my brother and his friends use to bully his older brother and some other guy," Sūkūmō stated bluntly.
Meebo clicked his tongue, "I heard you told me that a while ago...but didn't you also–"
"...?" She gasped at the last part of the conversation. Quickly, she took off and nearly made it impossible for the remaining students within the classroom to notice her. Eyes steady to the floor, she continued to run and wounded up running into what she believed resembled a wall.
"Could you wa..." She looked up from where she was on the floor. The boy she had ran into smiled slightly and stuck his hand out. She stared up, red eyes meeting a light shade of brown. His hair was long and unruly, she'd guess he didn't brush it out or comb through the obviously thick strands.
"Anna Kushina, right?" He asked bluntly. She took the strong hand and nodded silently. "If you haven't noticed I'm the delinquent that nearly ran you down when I left the classroom." He blushed slightly as he noticed how close Anna was and he cleared his throat and took a step back. "Well, uh sorry 'bout nearly running you over. Guess I'll see ya in class tomorrow..."
Anna immediately reached out and grabbed his wrist, stopping him from leaving. "H-huh?" He stupidly looked at the pale hand holding onto his wrist and he looked up, "W-what's u-u-up? I uh, k-kinda gotta go..." He looked away as his blush deepened.
"Minoru Yata?" Anna asked and she smiled as she received a nod. Minoru refused to face her out of pure shyness and Anna held back from giggling. "Thank you...for standing up for me back there."
Minoru laughed nervously and ran his free hand through his dark brown hair, "Ya know...it's nothing really..." He fell silent and mustered up enough courage to glance over his shoulder, "Your welcome. I just ya know...you just don't deserved to be talked about like that. Strain or not."
"You're just like him..." Anna muttered and released her grip. Minoru out of surprise looked back at her and she could tell his face was filled with confusion.
His brow scrunched up and he tilted his head, "Just like–"
She shook her head, "Nothing. I've got to leave now, and if you get lonely...I'm always free to talk to! Bye, Minoru!" Just as fast as she had came towards him, she had left and she felt disappointed for leaving so early.
"–who...?" Minoru whispered to no one. He sighed and found himself annoyed due to not understanding what Anna was saying. "Who the hell am I just like...?" Minoru watched as Anna made her way over towards another male student.
The teen had long grey hair and used bobby pins to hold back most of the loose strands. He stood a foot taller than him and Minoru always seemed to get the vibe that he had an sense of arrogance about him.
"Pfft, fuck it..." Minoru muttered. A scowl on his face, he went back to changing his shoes at his shoe locker. Deciding to leave the question for another day and hoped he'd get a straight answer.
Anna beamed brightly at the tall teenager, "Thank you for waiting for me Sukuna."
"Yeah, well I would've left if I hadn't seen you run into that Yata guy," Sukuna tilted his head towards the short teen. Sukuna took her bags from her, even as she protested, "Just at least let me help with this, sheesh. You're getting picked up by that big guy, Kamamoto Rikio?"
Anna shook her head as they began to walk away, "No, he had to be at the grave sight early. Both Rikio and Izumo, should be there already." Sukuna gazed at the girl curiously.
"Then who?" Sukuna asked, slightly exasperated.
Anna thoughtfully looked towards the sky. A smile on her face she answered, "I think...Rikio said that Masaomi would pick me up."
"As long as someone is picking you up. Don't want to have to worry about you just wondering the city like that by yourself." Sukuna mumbled and followed closely behind Anna. "Tell those two morons...Fushimi and Yata that the game is on."
Anna giggled and playfully slapped Sukuna on his shoulder. Sukuna grinned, "Those old men ain't got nothing on me, 'specially when it comes to gaming." He gazed down at the small albino girl and playfully bumped into her, "Whoops...ha." The two began to laugh happily and neared the school grounds exit.
6:30: 54 p.m.
Izumo watched as the large man in a black designer sweat jacket, took out several incense. The large man stooped down and began to set up incenses around two familiar graves.
"Heh, got the air smellin' good there. Totsuka-san it's been a while..."
Izumo walked up behind him and had out his lighter. "Rikio you'll be needing this," Rikio silently thanked him and he turned watching as the others set up the chairs and place covers on the ground, "Bandō start on setting up the firepit. Shōhei, I'm sure you and Yō can handle the set up." Shōhei shot him a thumbs up. Izumo sighed and looked at the time on his phone, "Of all the damn times...shit."
"Light it up, Kusanagi-san?" Rikio asked and ran a single hand through his long hair.
"No, not yet." Izumo stated and looked over at the parking lot, "Masaomi...Yata-chan...where are you?"
Yō lit up a cigarette and shoved his lighter into his pocket. "Yo, Izumo!" He called out and the older man turned around, "Fujishima and Eric are on their way with the canteen. Also, Masa-chan said both he and Anna are on their way.”
"Mmkay, and Yata-chan?" Izumo questioned. Yō shrugged and went back to his work and helped Shōhei space out the chairs.
7:27: 02 p.m.
"Misaki were you at all listening to the nurses and doctors?" Saruhiko asked and yanked off Misaki's headphones. They had finally made it after spending hours in the hospital and Saruhiko had never been so happy to kick Misaki out of the vehicle. "Out, now. Please, before I die from your longevity of being in the same damn vehicle."
Misaki snatched his headphones back, "No, cuz I got you there!! So why should I have to listen?" He opened the car door, "By the way, thanks for convincing them to not keep me over night...Ahh fuck my ribs!!" He doubled over forgetting not to put pressure on his side.
"Stupid." Saruhiko managed to slip out before Misaki slammed the door shut. He exited the drivers side and was quickly greeted by Anna. The young teen hugged him tightly and he grumbled under his breath.
Misaki threw a straight left jab and Saruhiko nearly coughed, feeling the wind being knocked out of him. The glare from the skateboarder told him that he didn't appreciate the way he continuously pushed Anna away.
"Yata-chan!!" Rikio got up from his spot and ran straightforward to Misaki.
Izumo turned at the sound of the former vanguards name. "About time..." He muttered and put out his cigarette to greet the skateboarder. "Yata-chan about time..." He fell silent. Quickly, he noticed that Misaki was silent and his eyes fell upon Misaki's appearance, "...Should I even ask?" He then grimaced at the poorly patched up passenger window.
"Yata...yada yada yada..." Yō said, a cheeky grin plastered upon his face. Masaomi had stayed seated silently and stared into the crackling flames.
Shōhei sat a familiar guitar off to the side. He stood to greet Misaki, "Glad you made it, Yata-san!!" He blissfully waved to the short skater.
"He's here, eh?!" Saburōta grinned and swept his bangs to the side. He placed his trademark hat on and followed suit.
Eric smirked as he looked at Misaki, "Tch, chihuahua kaum verändert und er hat den schlauen Fuchs an seiner Seite bekam." He exclaimed in German loudly enough for Misaki to hear. Both, Saruhiko and Misaki, glared at the blonde but, the gesture was calmly brushed to the side.
"Eric..." Kōsuke chide his young friend. Though, he himself had laughed slightly as he missed the crazy bickering between the two.
Saruhiko snorted as he crossed his arms, "Halten Sie sich auf zu sagen Scheiße wie das, Retriever." Amused, he watched as blue eyes widened before looking off to the side. Misaki snapped out of his one-sided glaring match and looked at Saruhiko; he glanced at frustrated blue eyes and smirked proudly.
"Sie lernen schnell zu verdammen. Und leider für mich und vielleicht Sie, ist der Chihuahua zu verdammt langsam." Eric replied quickly as he nudged his head towards Misaki. He then grinned widely, "Otiia, e kore e taea te kēmu tonu ki te kore e hoatu e ahau ki a koutou he Monkey wā pakeke."
As quick as their triumphant victory arrived, it crashed as Eric once again came out the top dog. Misaki grunted and shoved his hands deep into his pockets. Lips pressed tightly together, Saruhiko was quickly challenged once more. Unable to come with a smart remark, Saruhiko shifted his weight to one side as he grumbled.
It had became an interesting game between the two and as Eric would jump from language to language; only when he was caught off guard by Misaki speaking perfect English and that was two years ago.
This year Eric chose to insult Misaki in German and wounded up dragging Saruhiko into the language wars. However, Saruhiko learned quicker and Eric would speak to both men in different languages.
Before, Misaki managed to curse Saruhiko and Eric out – Rikio had came and pulled the little man into a bear hug. Misaki squirmed around and he groaned at the sharp pains running in his side, "Dammit...Kamamoto. It's nice to see you too and all but, I'm kinda beat up at the moment." He breathed a sigh of relief as he felt his feet touch base with the ground.
"Ah, sorry Yata-chan." Rikio rubbed the back of his head slightly embarrassed. Misaki pulled him from the embarrassment with a friendly pat on his back and a playful punch to his shoulder.
Kōsuke eyed Misaki up and down before addressing Saruhiko, "Hey. So, what happened?" He asked, nonchalantly.
"Hmph, if you're curious just ask the idiot yourself," Saruhiko said and watched as Misaki picked Anna up into a big hug. "Always doing something stupid..."
Saburōta snickered, "Sounds like he heardly changed. How's it living with the guy?" He took off his sunglasses as he fondly watched the vanguard.
Eric ruffled Misaki's hair and received a light jab to his cheek from the older man. "Long time no see, retriever." Misaki jeered Eric playfully, "Yo, Kusanagi-san!!" He waved at the bar owner.
"Like living with a child..." Saruhiko answered with a disturbing amount of honesty.
After, the greeting everyone sat in their respective seats. Unfortunately, Saruhiko was stuck sitting between Misaki, who had Anna seated next to him and Rikio, who had stuffed his face with marshmallows. Misaki soon got up with Anna in tow and the two went to pay their respects to Tatara and Mikoto.
"Finally, got that day off." Izumo joked as he took the empty seat beside Saruhiko. He took out a cigarette and offered Saruhiko one, but he declined. "Suit yourself...so Fushimi-san..."
Saruhiko grumbled, wishing to be left alone. However, he knew that the former second of HOMRA had done nothing to him and he decided that making small talk would be better than being bothered by Misaki. "Misaki tells me your business has grown considerably?" One brow raised as he looked questioningly at Izumo.
"Heh, he's not lying if that's what you're wondering," Izumo allowed smoke to escape his nostrils and he glanced over at Misaki, "Yata-chan fails miserably when it comes to hiding things...either that or the others are stuipd, which could be the case for Chitose, or they probably don't want to piss him off."
"Tch, the amount of stupid ass things he's done the pass few weeks has been nothing good." Saruhiko cut his eyes at his friend. He shook his head, "I could strangle him." Izumo laughed inwardly and looked at the absent expression.
"If I may ask for an example?" Izumo held his cigarette loose between his lips. Saruhiko pointed to his eyes and Izumo frowned, "That was my next question. I wasn't sure if you'd answer, but how?"
His fist clenched tightly and Izumo noticed this, but wasn't sure of the reason. "Dismantled them and two days later...our toilet was mysteriously clogged." Izumo looked to the side quickly to hide a grin of amusement. "He then thought it would be amusing to dump a bucket of ice on me while I was showering. I've had to change the lock security system more than the given amount."
Misaki felt cold air against his lower back and chills ran up his spine. Anna looked at him, noticing his violent shivering, "Misaki are you cold?" She tilted her head as the skater stared over in Saruhiko and Izumo's direction. "Misaki...?"
"...Do you ever get that feeling that someone's talking about you...and you just get so damn pissed cuz you've got no clue what they are saying about you?" Misaki asked as he glared at Saruhiko. Oddly enough, he was glaring back and Misaki huffed before turning to the headstones, "...Nah, I wouldn't say cold."
"Do you believe in ghost, Misaki?" Anna asked bluntly. Misaki tensed up and clenched his pants leg. Sensing that Misaki wasn't going to answer – she spoke up, "Maybe, it was Tatara or Mikoto. They're letting you know that they are–"
Misaki quickly covered Anna's mouth and she raised her eyebrow. "P-p-please, Anna nooooo m-m-more....you k-kn-know how I feel about–" He began to hyperventilate and the same cold feeling over came him once again.
"GHOST!!!" Yō shouted within less than an inch away from Misaki and before he could laugh, he received a straight left. Though, karma quickly got Misaki as he groaned from the way he had turned.
Saruhiko shook his head at the attention bring commotion. "Negative one hundred." He exclaimed and leaned farther back in his seat.
"Saruhiko is right, that attempt was shit," Eric agreed and leaned against a large tree that his seat was near. Kōsuke shook his head, bemused by the entire situation.
Saburōta fell out of his seat and he found himself being supported by Shōhei's back. As his friend focused on tuning the guitar – he found himself unable to stop laughing at Yō and Misaki. "W-wow..." He wiped away a tear and grinned, "Their both downed. I'd say priceless on that rarity!"
"Tch," Masaomi gazed at Yō and clicked his tongue, "Stupid bastard. Should've seen that coming."
Izumo chuckled as the smoke escaped from the sides of his mouth. He also followed suit and leaned back into his seat. Gaze shifting from the downed Misaki and Yō, to the crackling flame. From the corner of his eye he saw Saruhiko leave his seat to pester the obviously pained Misaki; even Rikio had left his seat to check on the former clansmen.
His eyes drifted back towards the flames and a smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Told you two...you've got nothing to worry about. They're all growing fast. Yata-chan and Fushimi-san finally understand one another – he even comes and hangs out at the bar with everyone. However..." He silently drifted off and wondered the plains of his worrying thoughts.
He frowned and glanced at Masaomi. The man had hardly interacted with everyone, besides playing a couple of guessing games; he had been silent. He had overheard the worry as Yō stressed to get Masaomi to be more active. Surprisingly, even Eric tried to convince him to open up and failed, but was able to hold a long conversation with Masaomi without it ending awkwardly.
"Hey, guys!" Izumo snapped out of his thoughts at the sound of Kōsuke, "Akagi's about to play." Kōsuke waved for everyone to come over towards the fire pit.
With the help of Saruhiko and Rikio, Misaki was helped to his seat and then the pair helped Yō to his respective seat. Anna seated herself right beside Saruhiko, once he himself was seated.
"Right, got it!!" Shōhei said happily and adjusted his hold on the old guitar. His hand brushed pass Tatara's signature and he glanced to the sky, "Happy twenty-sixth, Totsuka-san!! This is to you...as well as to Suoh-san!"
Izumo crossed his legs and looked at everyone before leaning his head back. He locked his hands together, rest them on his stomach and closed his eyes. This had almost been ritualistic for him when Shōhei would play the guitar. It made him feel closer to his late friends, as if they were right by his side.
Misaki stood from his seat and made his way to Anna's side; a light tug at his pants leg and he glanced down at the teenage girl, smiling before seating himself on the ground. Saruhiko had also found himself silenced by the soft strumming of guitar strings and he sighed lightly. Anna took a quick glance at both Misaki and Saruhiko, she then locked hands with the two and much to her surprise Saruhiko reciprocated the gesture.
Saburōta leaned his head back, rested against Shōhei's shoulder and closed his eyes. Yō grumbled under his breath rubbing his nose and leaned his head on Masaomi's shoulder. Masaomi removed his hat and bowed his head.
Eric walked to the gravestone and sat down, "Four years too long...you've no clue on how much I long to go back to that very first day I was found." He removed his hood and was joined by Kōsuke.
"Those were the days, huh? Totsuka being so naive and trusting..." Kōsuke muttered and touched both Mikoto and Tatara's headstones. "You knew Mikoto would be angry, but now...you can both rest easy and don't worry about Izumo-san, we don't let one day go by without giving him a call."
Eric laughed silently and nodded, "It's true. He's dedicated to the both of you...and he still is hard on himself about what happened." Eric sighed before standing up with Kōsuke doing the same, "But...it's fading – the guilt. He's helped us deal with our grief and now it's our turn."
"You know...Totsuka-san was right." Misaki muttered and gripped Anna's hand tighter. Saruhiko looked at him, slightly puzzled. "I mean...it didn't all work out in the same year, but it worked out the next. Ha...finding yourself in so much trouble and you've lived off of your own words. Now, you've got us living off those exact same words..." He whispered as he trained his eyes on the crackling flame.
Anna smiled shyly and brought both Misaki and Saruhiko's hands together, "Tatara told me something...a year before his death. He told me that you two will only come to understand one another if the other was in a dire situation." She looked at the starry sky. Both, Misaki and Saruhiko glanced at the girl then at each other and ultimately looked towards the night sky.
As Shōhei began to vocalize the memorable lyrics, the sound of a motorcycle engine neared. Immediately, the strumming of guitar strings ceased. Masaomi was the first to stand and left Yō to fall to the ground.
Izumo sighed heavily at the silence and got out of his seat. Misaki shot up with obvious irritation, "Dammit, who the–?" As soon as he turned around he was immediately silenced when Izumo threw one hand up.
"...Why if it isn't the Black Dog, Kuroh Yatogami, himself..." Izumo muttered and grinned at the newly arrived guest, "And graced with the presence of the Immortal King himself–"
Izumo found himself cut off as Anna sped past him, "Mister Adolf!!" She hugged him and let go of him to greet Kuroh, "You both came..."
"Well, yes of course," Adolf started off with a bright smile. He waved at the others, "It's something that Kuroh's been wanting to do for years...but, you know with him being so busy and sorts."
"I ain't got no problem with you guys," Misaki started off and rubbed the back of his neck. Saruhiko hadn't stood but, he looked over his shoulder out of curiosity. "But, what are you doing here?" He questioned with an eyebrow raised.
Kuroh removed his helmet and placed it on the handlebar. He discarded his keys into his pocket and smiled at Anna before glancing back up, "To pay my respects." His eyes met each and every single one of the former red clansmen before landing on the graves of the late Vassal and King.
"For what? You never knew him." Yō said as he picked himself up off the ground.
Izumo sadly smiled before seating himself back down, "Ahh...that's simple Chi-san..." His starting words caught the others attention, "You see, once upon a time Tatara ran into the Black Dog with pursuers hot on his ass. The Black Dog saves him and Tatara notices that the kid who saved his ass needed caring for himself."
"And how would you know this?" Saruhiko voiced a question that he was sure that the others wanted to voice.
Izumo took his PDA out and held it up for everyone to observe. Misaki stared vacantly trying to find his way through the silent answer. He gritted his teeth and huffed, "I don't get it!!" He shouted out of confusion.
"Not much to try and actually figure out," Masaomi exclaimed and fixed his glasses to the bridge of his nose. Kuroh patted Anna on top of her head and began to trudge his way towards the grave. "Tatara contacted Kusanagi out of honest pure curiosity."
Izumo laughed slightly, "Bingo. Right on the nose, Dewa." He lit up another cigarette, "The moron called to ask what I brought for him when he caught a cold...and well from there it was just questions about the late Colorless King and his Vassal, the Black Dog." Cigarette smoke escape as he laughed at the memory. For him ever memory of the moments he shared with both Tatara and Mikoto felt as if it were yesterday, be it silly or serious.
Misaki found himself speechless along with most of the others. Kuroh stood before Eric and Kōsuke, the two men silently thanked him before stepping aside. Saburōta, who hadn't stood or turned around, watched as Kuroh lowered himself to formally pay his respects.
"Feeling a little self-righteous, eh?" Saburōta questioned.
Kuroh opened his eyes and stared at the green covered earth below him. Slowly, he lifted himself as to sit properly in front of the grave, "Are you accusing me of doing this to settle my subconscious?" He threw back calmly. "To make myself feel better?"
Saburōta blinked, slightly surprised by the reaction. He sighed and stared at Kuroh's back, "Not at all..."
"Wow, Bandō..." Misaki pinched the bridge of his nose, "You're an ass I get it, but seriously you'd actually think that somebody like him," He gestured over to Kuroh, "Would be that sort of person?"
Kuroh smiled at Misaki's way of defense. A quick search through his trenchcoat and he pulled out the old letter, "I apologize for taking so long to properly thank you for my care." He fell silent as his eyes bored into picture framed gravestone. "Though, from what your friends say about you...I really wouldn't have to worry about you getting angry."
Adolf removed his own helmet, but stayed by the motorcycle. "Ahh, how I long to visit the grave of my loved one..." He felt dejected as his thoughts wondered to his sister and the deceased Gold King.
"Mister Adolf," Anna injected and caught him by surprise, "If you truly wish to visit them...then why not just go?" Her eyes filled curiosity and confusion.
Running a single hand through his white hair, his eyes shot from Anna to Izumo. His silent attempts to get help went unnoticed as Izumo hadn't heard his comment nor Anna's question; or at least pretended.
He groaned feeling defeated by the young albino girl. Pressing one hand against her back, he ushered her over towards Kuroh. As soon as the two reached the Black haired young man, Adolf stooped to one knee.
"Well, Kushina-sama you see..." He started off, voice not yet wavered. Reaching into his back pocket he pulled out several seeds, "As simple as it may appear and seem, it's not all that." His pale hand began to dig through a small patch of dirt, "Do I truly have the right to pay them my respects? I who have cheated death one too many times? There is not justice nor honor...that's why, I can't – it isn't right or fair."
Anna stood between Kuroh and Adolf, watching soft gentle hands rummage through the dirt. Just as Shōhei picked back up, Anna found herself looking at the seeds "Mister Adolf it's you that has been planting these flowers?" She spoke up as Shōhei played the guitar gently.
Adolf peered at her and waved the seeds off, "Ahh...uh, yes. That actually has been Kurōsuke and I," He looked back towards the poorly cultivated ground, "We've been doing this since—" Just as he was going into deep; he found himself splashed by a small amount of water.
"Idiot they'll be completely useless if they didn't have water," Saruhiko towered over Adolf alongside Misaki. Adolf scooted over to allow the two men to empty the bottles of water overtop the lifted patch.
Adolf laughed wistfully, "Yes...that did seem to slip my mind."
"Many things slip your mind," Kuroh exclaimed sourly. Adolf sighed and hung his head low, "That's why you need people around."
Misaki snickered, "Yeah, he is old as shit. You've been on the game of life since when? Like, early nineteen hundreds?" He crushed the plastic bottle and Saruhiko passed his empty one to his older friend.
"Well...about that..." Adolf laughed as he grinned nervously. Misaki frowned and raised his eyebrows curiously as he finished crushing the second plastic bottle. "I was ninty years of age in the year nineteen forty-three. So, I'm well over one hundred and prefer to not celebrate birthdays; mines at the least." There was an awkward silence alongside jaw-dropping astonishment at the admissions. "It's so much fun to celebrate you young whippersnappers days of birth than some old national German treasure like myself!" He snapped his fingers and ruffled Anna's hair.
Yō quizzically stared at Adolf, "Here is my honesty and I don't know about the others cuz I can't speak for them but...that's fucking awesome and weird as shit at the same time. Like...I would've expected you to just turn into dust — especially since the slate is ya know gone." Most of the others began to mutter and nod in some form of agreement at Yō's words.
"Is that why you can't see them? Your friends?" Anna dolefully questioned as her eyes drifted to Mikoto and Tatara's headstones. "Because of the unnatural..."
Pratically staring through the headstones, she found herself comparing Adolf's obvious decades long term suffering to Izumo's current ongoing struggle with his own loss. Though each loss was different their suffering had the same amount of potency. At times Anna would find herself stumbling upon Izumo talking to himself and she would listen; sharp ears catching ever negative comment and the insane convention that he was unworthy of standing before his late friends.
Adolf sighed as he stood up, "I guess...in a way that could just be it." Before glancing at the graves he helped Anna to her feet and then Kuroh. The three walked over towards the campfire to warm themselves. Everyone else, with the exception of Misaki, Saruhiko and Izumo had moved closer towards the fire after a gusty breeze had blown pass.
"Do you see them in your dreams?"
The corner of his lip twitched into a half smile. He found it adorable that Anna had so many questions though, he strongly wished for it to have been a different subject. 'I wonder how long have you've had these questions...' Picking up a nice sized twig he prodded the dying flame, "I'd say the true question is — do I have a right to meet them within my sleep. I haven't dreamt in years and when I do it's just emptiness."