BLACK✦STAR

gaosun:

It was funny how quick his quiet anger simmered at the words Mighty Sun Fighter. Not violence, not his laugh or voice, or that Tiger loved this side of him. They were a reminder that his conduct wasn’t proper of upholding the ideals he held close in his heart. Like a sudden strong cold breeze in a mid-summer day, his mind cleared again, but his position remained steady.

He wonders how many times he’ll willingly break his own rule for Noboru.

Silently, he eased up the pressure on his head, sliding it through the familiar blond hair in the same way he would for his boyfriend. He dug his finger into his scalp as he dragged his hand down. It didn’t last too long though, quick to grab a fistful and yank back.

“I don’t care whether you enjoyed this or not. I don’t care if you still love me or not. If you’re going to keep bothering us, fine. But,” He tugged again, bringing himself closer to his ear, “know that I will do anything to keep Noboru safe and happy.” The corner of his lip quick up as he added, “And I really don’t know how far I’ll go for him.” 

He released his grip on his hair, straightening up; amber eyes still locked on Tiger’s head, a small teasing smile on his face.

“At least you begged properly this time~.”

He immediately tensed at Gao’s touch, familiar with the want to give him a false sense of security before causing harm. Tiger remained still under his hold and gave way to no reaction, not even when his hair was mercilessly tugged back. A small grit of the teeth of course, but he wasn’t going to show the other any fear or pain.

Did he like it this way? He wasn’t exactly sure. All Tiger knew was that any and all attention given from Gao was what he wanted, even if it was getting beaten to a pulp in a fight.

Oh, if only that were possible for him.

     “Heheh… Hahahahaha!”

Gao’s words elicited nothing but laughter, his opponent remaining still for all but a few seconds before summoning Flash Lance, Blitz Tiger and using it’s deadly sharp edge to cut distance between them.

Whether or not he managed to slice any part of him, it didn’t matter; Tiger’s tongue crept along the side of the blade before a dangerous grin returned to his features.

     “You won’t be getting off with a mere scratch this time. Are you sure you want to tango with me~? It’s alright if you… want to run. In fact, wouldn’t it anger your precious lover if you engaged in combat anyway?”

The Purgatory Knight’s timing is either the best or the worst depending on the point of view. He catches sight of his charge engaging another familiar face and walks towards them, not even bothering to mask his presence. It would be a fool’s errand, as there is no way to approach quietly while his dark armor swathes his frame.

“Tiger. That’s enough. How long do you intend on fooling around?”

He doesn’t so much care for Tiger’s safety as he does for the irritation Tiger will bring if he does get hurt by Gao. And the Purgatory Knight knows that Gao is one of the most capable people. He also doesn’t care for the look that Gao gives him. He makes a conscious effort not to even look at Gao as he brushes past him.

How dreadfully ironic. That Jack would run into this Tasuku here, of all places… He knew it was possible thanks to the nature of how the scientists retrieved people from their home worlds. People from different times…and sometimes, more than one.

“So you can’t even recognize me anymore… How far you’ve fallen. Though I suppose…it’s partially my fault that you ended up this way.”

It was a pitiful sight. He had never wanted to see Tasuku at this low ever again, and yet here he was, standing in front of him He stepped closer, his gleaming, golden eyes boring into the alternate Tasuku’s, and he saw the despair swirling within.

“Look into my eyes and tell me that you can’t recognize me, Tasuku. Surely, you haven’t become so blinded by Gaen Kyouya’s twisted ideals that you’ve lost sight of who your real allies are.”

The Purgatory Knight takes an involuntary step back as the other boy approaches him. The golden eyes with slit pupils don’t leave the Purgatory Knight’s trembling vermilion even once. The longer he looks, the more scared he feels, but the more it dawns upon him.

“Jack?”

The name tumbles from his mouth tentatively, like he has no right to be saying it--and he doesn’t. Not after what he’s done. But the Purgatory Knight is shaken to the core, and the only thing he knows how to do is lash out. 

In his throat clung a lump, forced down with a swallow. The sight was still a difficult one to wrap his mind around; when the last he’d seen of the knight was towering over him, poised as executor before meeting his own demise. It puzzled him as to why now, and if his and Tasuku’s paths had yet crossed. What the fallout would be.

“Two years ago. An alternative version of this city appeared, you were the Tasuku-kun of that place. I know a little through my alternative’s memories, but there’s more to the story I don’t know about. There has to be. Your being here makes that much clear”.

His heart thumped wildly, twinging now and then when pondering the possibilities which could have led to the Purgatory Knight’s conception. How alike he may be to the variation Aichi remembered. And delving for answers was equally daunting. Though without trying, he couldn’t understand anything about the other.

Attempting to calm that frantic beating, he took a slow breath, lessening the surface tension etched into his expression (even if those sharp pounds continued). “You don’t act like the Tasuku-kun I know. What happened?”

He listens quietly to the other boy’s explanation. It sounds far-fetched even to him. But then he remembers that green, chipper irritant who claims something similar, that there is somehow another Tasuku here, and that Tasuku is the reason that everyone knows who he is and reacts with as much as reproach as this boy did.

It’s hard to believe, but so is this entire situation. A stranger has no reason to lie to him, as familiar with the Purgatory Knight as he is.

A distinctive sight was it to see that armour; and an unpleasant wave of stomach-churning in accompaniment. When the symptoms of panic quickly plagued his frozen body, he did combat it with a conscious fight. Devolving into a mess would do no good, he’d wanted to learn how to hold himself together when posed with a fight-or-flight scenario.

To be sure, for peace of mind, Aichi removed his phone, swiping through the frequent contacts and tapping on Tasuku’s name, initiating a call. Only a couple of rings were necessary to deduce the device wasn’t on the other’s person, bringing with it some relief that it wasn’t the Tasuku who had been living with him, so he killed it before an answer from the other end.

Ultimately, that did nothing to change the fact that it was Tasuku’s face on the boy, who had appeared after so long as though haunting him after putting the dreaded memories behind him.

“It’s a system within the city,” he answered, with an attempt to maintain a calm tone present within his voice. Still were his breaths calculated in rhythm and depth to grapple the frantic pace his heart set. “A part of it come down to what point in time you were brought here from, not everyone will be of the same time.

For us, it’s a bit more complicated… I’ve met you, but the same isn’t true from your stance”.

The boy removes his phone from his pocket and seems to make a call. A call for help? An ultimately futile action. The Purgatory Knight has no quarrel with strangers. He knows how counter-productive it would be to attack a potential ally.

Strangely enough, the boy puts the phone away before anyone on the other end can pick up. He wonders, then, what the action is for. It’s no matter. It appears to be a benign action, and the Purgatory Knight chooses not to acknowledge it.

“You’ve met me.”

He repeats the words, incredulously, as if testing them on his tongue. It’s a little hard to swallow, yes, but given the overall strange situation, he supposes that anything is possible.

… Fate had an incredibly sick sense of humor. 

Rouga listened in silence, jaw clenched so tightly that it was almost painful. Just after his match with Kodo Noboru… So this version of the Purgatory Knight truly was from a different timeline, then–one entirely separate from the one his murderer had hailed from. He was entirely different from that person…and he really had no idea about anything that had happened, or about what level he’d sunk to in another reality. The possibility that this Ryuuenji Tasuku was lying to him seemed unlikely.

After all, the Purgatory Knight he had crossed blades with that night wouldn’t have wasted time and effort trying to talk Rouga down were he actually standing in front of him.

“……”

Grudgingly, the teen lowered his spear–but refrained from deactivating his Core Gadget completely. For some reason, the realization that this person had no intention of fighting or killing him again offered surprisingly little comfort. 

“… If you approached me looking for some kind of alliance or truce, my answer is no.” Rouga finally ground out. “We are not on the same team. I haven’t been a member of Disaster or Team Purgatory for two years since I got here, and I have no interest in returning.

“If you’re looking for help, get it from someone else.”

The news that Rouga has cut his ties with Disaster is startling and unexpected; the fact that he’s been here for years, even more so.

“Two years? How can that be? I just saw you in that waiting room.” But Rouga appears adamant about not forging an alliance at all. He clearly isn’t willing to divulge anymore information. In fact, Rouga doesn’t seem willing to drag this conversation out a second longer.

“I don’t need help. From anyone. I only wanted a confirmation. But fine.”

He thinks, as he walks away, that he doesn’t want to spend company with someone whose values clashes so thoroughly with his own.

(He thinks, also, that a small part of him is envious of Rouga, for being able to cut the ties that keeps the Purgatory Knight anchored to a place he no longer feels right in. Rouga has spread his wings and is soaring freely as the Purgatory Knight remains grounded.)

“Umm…. how else can I put this?”

Trying to brush off as much of that brash hostility as he could, Kakeru kicked at the rubble near his feet coyly, eyes darting about in search of a clever bring about.

“Ah! Have you heard of symbiosis, Purgatory Knight-chan?  Two different species come together to live closely, rather it be mutual, commensalistic, or parasitic. If we stick together, we can only benefit from one another’s company… sure, one of us may or may not have a hidden agenda, but do you really have anything to lose?”

There would be double the protection, twice the alert to their surroundings, and not to mention, an interesting tale to unfold from following this Tasuku from another possible timeline. And just as he was sure he would say no, Kakeru leaned in to invade the other’s personal proximity, their noses just barely touching for good measure.

“Weellllll?”   

Kakeru leans far too close for his comfort and the Purgatory Knight withdraws before turning on his heel. When Kakeru is out of his face, the Purgatory Knight finds it safe to speak again.

“Hmph. You seem like the parasitic type to me...and only the parasites benefit from that kind of symbiosis.” 

But he has a feeling that Kakeru will follow him regardless of what the Purgatory Knight’s answer is. He is already exhausted from this entire encounter, and doesn’t want to waste anymore breath telling Kakeru off. He feels like the only way to get him to stop dogging his steps would be to kill him.

He also cannot deny that there may be benefit in having an extra pair of eyes. The Purgatory Knight is barely familiar with Hive City, let alone this district. An attentive companion may be the only difference between life and death in this situation.

He briskly begins walking down the stony path. In a cold voice, he speaks to Kakeru once more.

The very sight of those narrowing crimson eyes is what made Kakeru feel that twisted sense of glee; usually Tasuku would just get exasperated or play along, but this one was so on edge… so serious! Suddenly, he wanted to see what made him tick… what made this one so different from the Tasuku he knew. Wanting to stick close by to this Purgatory Knight just to confirm whether or not he was a threat–if he was just as possibly soft hearted as the one he admired–Kakeru pursued the conversation.

“Well, Purgatory Knight-chan, it’s a lot easier to think of it that way, right?”

Hop skipping over to the armored doppelganger and twirling on his heel until they were face-to-face once more, did Kakeru then provide his proposal.

“So… if you’re not looking for a fight, how about we team up, then? I’m super resourceful, and I even have rations in my bag! I’ll definitely find us a way out, what do you say?”

Part of the Purgatory Knight wants to accept the proposal.

Another part of him, the part that has had his trust shattered again and again, is suspicious of this cheerful fellow. His red eyes are trained on Kakeru as he skips closer, and he notes that Kakeru is deceptively dexterous in spite of the clumsy show from earlier. Another act.

Which of this boy’s faces is his true one? He doesn’t have time to think on it. He bristles at the horrid nickname and glares at Kakeru.

“Don’t talk to me with such familiarity. I told you, I don’t know who you are. I don’t know about what you said earlier either. About you knowing a ‘Tasuku-chan.’ As far as I’m concerned, we’re strangers.”

So quick to retort… Clearly Kakeru’s words managed to dig way past the intimidating metal he used to cocoon around himself and right into that fragile skin of his. In a way, Kakeru wanted to tease him more for the entertainment of it, but he knew better than to play with his food…

“I was looking after you because you looked like such a cute, lost lamb! The way your little hooves go clunk, clunk against the rubble is so precious… I had to make sure no wolves came to gobble you up! Fufu…” Metaphor aside, Kakeru wanted to get more to the point, hands shifting into his empty pockets just to rattle the other into a defensive position once more.

“But you know…. you look just like my Tasuku-chan…. So I have to ask you a question now:…

“What are you planning to do now that you’re here, not Tasuku-chan? Are you a good little lamb? Or a wolf in sheep’s clothing…?”

“What?” 

This boy isn’t just strange, he’s outright bizarre. The Purgatory Knight is certain he has never met him before, yet he speaks with such familiarity. He’s quite certain that Kakeru is the only stranger not to be intimidated by the sight of his purgatory armor. Is he trying to get under the Purgatory Knight’s skin?

He hates to admit it, but it’s working. There’s something about Kakeru that grates.

“Do you think this is a game?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m the Purgatory Knight. I’m not Tasuku anymore. Why are you speaking as if you know me? This is the first time we’ve ever met.

… And just like that, the other had reacted with frightening reflexes, confirming his nagging suspicions almost subsequently.

“Ohhh~! That was pretty cool!”

Putting on his best impressed airs, Kakeru gave a few mocking claps in consideration to his tone, noting that this was, indeed, not the Ryuenji Tasuku he had been hoping to meet. Another doppleganger, huh? Just like that other me…

“Hmm? I’m Futaboshi Kakeru. An aspiring doctor for Buddyfight Monsters.”

Shrugging his arms to show that he meant no harm–as long as things remained civil, that is–Kakeru tilted his head, all the while putting a finger to his chin in thoughtful observation. 

“Say, aren’t you rather inconvenienced in that shabby, clunky armor, stranger? What’re you so afraid of hiding in there? And my, what a sour look in your eyes….”

The boy is mocking him. The Purgatory Knight recognizes that kind of tone all too well, but he chooses not to comment on it. It would do him little good to rise on his haunches at that.

“Futaboshi Kakeru?” The name doesn’t ring any bells. But if he’s studying a profession that has to do with Buddyfight, then he must be from the Purgatory Knight’s world. The Purgatory Knight doesn’t know whether to be relieved or disgruntled. He opts for disgruntled and bristles a little when Kakeru decides to begin running his mouth.

“I’m not afraid of anything.” The quickness with which he refutes Kakeru only suggests that he’s trying to prove himself. To whom? Not even the Purgatory Knight knows. “As for everything else... It’s none of your business.”

… Kakeru had been separated from any and all familiar faces. As he assumed, everyone had been spread across the unknown territory around the edges of the imprisoned concrete jungle, left to the mercy of unversed nature and beasts alike. With everyone frazzled and out of their element, it was hard to assume who you could trust, given the demographic of Hive City’s regulars… At most times they were more ferocious than the rumored monsters prowling the lands before him now. 

Though it didn’t take a savvy strategist like Kakeru much to remain calm and try to gain his bearings. He was still equipped with his handy medical supply pack, filled with a few days worth of water and food; it could stave off until he found some resources he could utilize, be it by conventional or unconventional means..

Give or take several hours into the late afternoon, Kakeru caught wind of a heavy sound traversing the rocky earth, what came to his perception as heavy metal carefully making its wallowed trek up the mountainous road… Quickly retreating into some nearby bushes for camouflage, he awaited his uninvited company’s emergence. 

Eh?! That’s–!!?

….. Stopping himself before he would emerge, the coincidence in which this was happening was too good to be true; not to mention the absurdity of the fact that the Ryuenji Tasuku he knew was waltzing across a ravenous path in a full suit of glaring gold and black armor.

I’ll keep close and follow him to see where he goes for now….

At least this would make things exciting.

“You’ve been following me for some time now. Show yourself.”

That piercing command making the covert doctor click his tongue peevishly (The game was over now! No fun…), Kakeru unhesitatingly popped out from the surrounding foliage, giving a cheerful reply all the while.

“Wow! ☆You caught me~! Guess I gotta come out now, fufu…”

Stepping forward with a clumsy trip, the branches Kakeru was holding on purpose for this moment went flying towards the other, fully anticipating the reaction to his charade as the answer to his assumption.

“Wh-whoooppps!”

The bespectacled boy emerges from the bushes and stumbles towards him is so strangely chipper that the Purgatory Knight is convinced immediately that it’s an act. But the branches now flying towards him like knives are very much real.

He reacts quickly and grabs a fallen branch off the ground, slashing them all away with a single swing. Something like this isn’t even worth expending his limited Disaster Force for. Barely concealing his annoyance, he looks the boy over. He doesn’t seem very serious about the situation, but the issue remains that he was tailing the Purgatory Knight. 

The day is just one inconvenience after the other.