For Liveman family

[tsukigata]

I grin, as I look over my shoulder to the unconscious form of their son. I have Jinmers with me as well. I have yet to find Mazenda, Obler, Ashura, or the great Bias-sama. But I will prevail.

I will hurt the Livemen.

I will have my vengeance.

Comments

[yellowlion]

I'm kind of hanging off Yuusuke when he talks, partly because I don't feel good, and partly because I'm anxious as hell.

Things never go well when Kemp's taunting Yuusuke. It's been a long time, but I could never forget that. But there's no choice. Yuusuke's aware of what Kemp's like, at least.

[redfalcon]

"How are we going to do this?" I whisper. I don't know if Kemp has actually bugged our car or whatever but either way I'm not taking any chances.

[yellowlion]

I look at him in bewilderment. "I -- I don't know," I admit. "You go one way, I'll go the other?"

We weren't exactly known for cunning plans even back when we were officially active.

[redfalcon]

I pull out a metal detector. During one of my many mid-life crises I bought it to go hunting for old coins and other such things that are pretty boring but fetch bajillions at auction, "we need this. It'll pick up any bugs or bombs."

[yellowlion]

...

I nod. "Good idea."

[redfalcon]

I explain to Jou that the best plan would be to get out the detector and use it to scan every inch of ground before we take a step forward. Like clearing a minefield, see? It should keep us safe from exploding things, and, if we're lucky, many kinds of snare or trap.

[yellowlion]

I'm finding it incredibly hard to concentrate, and I've sat through five billion incorrect recitations of the periodic table during tests, with barely a yawn.

That is a smart idea, though.

"You think it's really Kemp?" I murmur to Yuusuke after I'm done nodding and agreeing with him. "Or someone pretending to be Kemp?"

We buried him.

[redfalcon]

... Actually, that's a good question. It sure as hell sounded like Kemp, "well, you saw him. What'd he look like? Who else would take Katsumi?"

[yellowlion]

I shrug helplessly. "Looked like him, but hell if I know. I guess we go by Occam's Razor, and how much does it suck that the simplest solution is for someone to be resurrected from death?"

[redfalcon]

I wave the metal detector, "whoever he is, he's dangerous. He's set a trap. We need to be careful, so let's use this and don't make any sudden moves."

[yellowlion]

I nod. "I'll go first. I'll be your shield."

Just like old times. I don't have the brain power to go second and watch, just now, anyway.

[redfalcon]

I frown, "you're not disposable you know. We should go together. The kids need both their dads." I.e. in one piece.

[yellowlion]

I blink at him dazedly. "But you're the only one in decent condition and if you don't get to Katsumi, he's screwed," I manage. "I'll be okay."

[redfalcon]

"Yeah, but you know, never leave a man behind and all that." I pat his arm, "c'mon. After all this time you think I'd just use you as a human shield?"

[yellowlion]

"I would've thought that'd make you more inclined to use me as a shield," I say ruefully. "And you were happy enough to do it back when we were active!"

Not that I'm not appreciative. The two of us aren't always all that demonstrative, though I know he loves me and he should damn well know I love him.

[redfalcon]

"Yeah, but we're, like, old now. Megumi and the kids need us."

I need him, too.

"Right." I switch on the metal detector and swing it in a wide arc around us. No bleeping. I don't know if that means that there are no bombs or that the thing isn't actually working.

[yellowlion]

I squeeze his shoulder, and fall in next to him. I still feel like crap, but if this is where he needs me, focusing, helping this way, then of course I'll do it. I'd follow him anywhere.

There's a beeping from the left.

[redfalcon]

"THERE'S SOMETHING OVER THERE," I hiss in a wonderful stage whisper. It could be any number of things, such as the drain cover or lamp post only metres away. But it could also be a mine.

I'm not taking any chances. I move to the right.