[Mushverse, for the Shinkengers] Well, time for Plan B

[kogarashinomai]

I don't know how the others did it but they got to Takeru, for which I'll need to pay them a visit. Messiah's pissed and shrieking about traitors and revenge but if it thinks I'm going against Takeru it can think again. There are other ways to get the job done that don't involve him; they'll just be a little more complicated, that's all.

I wish I knew I'd be able to count on Nee-san but she's not really herself anymore, she might follow an order to take Takeru down and that's really not part of the plan at all, not that I have much of a plan right now. Still, if Takeru's with the other three then getting him back gives me an in with them and that would work better. There's no-one that can stop us when we're all together.

Comments

[kabukisamurai]

Getting Tono back was a great relief, even if Genta refuses to leave his side, and for good reason, since I have a twisting gut feeling that if we were to leave Tono to his own devices for even a moment, he'd do something foolish, self destructive and generally bad.

Now the matter falls to Chiaki and Mako, and how we're ever supposed to save them in the way Genta saved him. Mako, from what I understand, isn't even partly herself anymore, and Chiaki...

Chiaki.

I don't know if they have any intention of trying to take Tono back, but I won't...

Can't...

No, won't let them.

[kogarashinomai]

I slip inside the mansion grounds to try and get some idea of how things stand. They haven't raised the wards against me, is that because they can't or because they won't? Well, that doesn't matter, all that means is that there aren't any external defences to stop me. Or Nee-san either, if it comes to that.

I circle the grounds, a little surprised to find them so empty, even of kuroko. Is there anyone here except the others?

I contemplate going inside: it's more of a risk in terms of being caught but it's also the only way of getting the answers I need.

[kabukisamurai]

I've been doing what I can to stay out of the way while Genta attempts to reason with Tono. Mostly this leaves me out in the courtyard, training.

I know I should probably be out, about, on the town, trying to track down leads that will take me to Chiaki and Mako. But I can't seem to leave the mansion until I'm sure Tono won't be trying to sneak out alone.

It took a long time to come to terms with Genta and Tono's relationship. He's still my Lord, regardless of how he sees himself, and Genta is a great friend, and a true Samurai at heart, if not by blood, and the idea of them... Well.

It doesn't bear thinking about. Just as long as we don't lose Tono.

Again.

Something... isn't right, I realize. The grounds are quiet but it's a silence filled with anticipation.

I head out into the surrounding grounds of the mansion, trying to track down this odd feeling of distress. I hope it's not simply Tono. He and Genta have been locked away in Tono's room all day.

[kogarashinomai]

I'm just completing a circuit of the grounds, when something suddenly seems off. I can't put a finger on it but this is definitely not good. Both the exit to the grounds and the door to the mansion are too far away, depending on who it is out here I may not make it to either before I'm spotted.

I slide around the corner, keeping a careful eye on my surroundings.

[kabukisamurai]

There. As I come around one corner of the building, I see something shift around the far corner. Nothing in particular to make me assume it's anything but a trick of light and shadow, except for an odd sense of familiarity.

I'm nothing if not cautious. I call my Shinkenmaru to my hand before I sprint as quietly as I can, past the mansion's main entrance and around the anomalous corner.

"Chiaki," the name tumbles from my lips before I can restrain the impulse, but as soon as I say it I know I'm not entirely correct. She's not the same, anymore.

[kogarashinomai]

The sound of my name makes me freeze and I spin, Shinkenmaru appearing in my hand. Crap. Ryuunosuke. It would have to be him, wouldn't it.

"Ryuunosuke," I reply, assessing all possible escape routes while keeping an eye on him: Kotoha and Genta I could have got past, Ryuunosuke is going to be harder.

[kabukisamurai]

My heart feels like it's crawling out my throat as I watch her, especially the way she immediately draws a sword against me. After all we've been through together, and now I am simply an enemy in her eyes.

No, they're not her eyes. They're being used by someone, something else.

I wish I'd had a chance to speak with Genta at greater length, to discover how he'd finally swept Tono from the evil's grasp. Can I do the same for Chiaki?

I have to.

I keep my Shinkenmaru in hand, but lower it slightly. I won't be the first to strike at a friend.

"Chiaki." I repeat finally, trying to keep my voice even. "What are you doing here?"

[kogarashinomai]

"You can't seriously expect me to answer that," I tell him, watching the movement of his chest more than his eyes: if he plans on striking it will be more obvious there. He's not particularly sneaky but his expression is a whole mixture of conflicting emotions and I'd rather not rely on that to tell me if he's planning on something.

[kabukisamurai]

"You should." I return, my voice as steady as I can manage to make it. Which is not particularly steady at all, and I silently curse myself for the show of weakness.

How do I help her?

"If you are here for Tono..." I swallow and try to meet her eyes. "I will have to fight you. I don't want that."

[kogarashinomai]

I snort in derision, briefly taking my eyes off him in favour of rolling them in disbelief. He can't seriously expect me to just blabbing, even he can't be that naive.

I don't want to fight him either, truth be told, and not just because I'm outmatched. It just feels... wrong, the possibility of fighting him and that's an uncomfortable realisation so I do what I do best:

"Are you that much of a naive fool?" I taunt, lowering my Shinkenmaru from its guard position to twirl it a couple of times, ostentatiously studying the blade. "You really think Takeru is all Messiah cares about? I didn't think even you were that stupid, Ryuunosuke."

[heavenfan]

My majesty Messiah is most displeased at the present time, so it's fallen to me to restore its spirits. I keep having the strangest urge to offer to cook, even though majesty does not need to eat. And neither do I, now that I've been fitted with so many performance upgrades.

I will mention this when majesty is feeling better. Perhaps it will do something about this unexpected glitch in my programming.

[kogarashinomai]

I frown as I keep an eye on Mako. Something's not right, beside the obvious. I should find out what it is, work out how it factors into my plans.

[heavenfan]

Chiaki is another disciple of Messiah, like me. But she is more loyal and efficient. That's why she has not needed as many improvements to her system as I did. She's watching me now. I pretend not to notice her. If she becomes aware of the strange desire to cook, or any other aberration, she is likely to cause trouble for me with my majesty.

[kogarashinomai]

My mouth thins into a hard line as I watch her. I don't know why Messiah changed her this much but I don't like it at all and it bothers me even more now that Takeru's gone. Mako would have been loyal without any of those... changes.

My thoughts are bordering on disloyalty and I pause, torn between horror at having such thoughts and not actually giving a damn because my loyalty was always to Takeru first.

[heavenfan]

I'm aware that Chiaki expects me to acknowledge her. So I scan my system for a response that won't alert her that anything might be wrong, "Good afternoon, Chiaki. It is a fine day for serving our majesty." That'll do it.

[kogarashinomai]

"Yeah," I agree belatedly, snapping out of my thoughts and giving her an easy smile that would never have fooled the old Mako. "I wonder what the plans are for today."

Aside from 'go after the traitor and bring him before me' anyway.

[samuraisister]

I'm perched in a tree near the front entrance. Partly thinking, partly watching.

I don't know how to help. But we'll figure something out.

[sonofshiba]

I have made copious notes about Messiah. I have dug back through my recollections, for names, faces, of those I have hurt, so that I can send money to them -- or their families, for those I killed -- with notes apologising for the money being nowhere near enough to compensate for what I have done.

There is much more to do, yet, but I find myself standing at my bedroom window, gazing out, unseeing.

[sushisamurai]

I stay with Take-chan. I sit beside him while he writes, while he eats the sparse bits of food he allows himself. I sleep beside him, but on the floor, longing to simply roll over and slide under the cover beside him. Wrap my arms around him as easily as I once could.

I keep myself from indulging in selfish wants. I give Take-chan his space, though I stay near him. I know if I leave him alone he will try and do the 'honorable' thing, which will probably be ending his own life.

I can't let him. He's too important. To me. To the Shiba clan. To the world.

I wish Kaoru-san was reachable right now. I've tried to contact her, when Take-chan isn't paying attention, but even Jii and our Kuroko can't find her. Probably hiding form Messiah.

I can't blame her.

Take-chan seems fixated on his window. Like he's not even looking out it properly, like he's just staring at the glass. I'm currently seated on his bed, playing with Ika-chan and Shishi-kun, letting them tumble around my fingers like a jungle gym.

I watch him, smiling sadly. He's alive, and free, and I can be happy about that. But he's still so broken. So lost. I wish I could help him.

I am failing him.

[sonofshiba]

I should be elsewhere. Scouring this place for my two lost team members; those I have near destroyed, body and soul.

Ah. Not mine. Perhaps once they were, as I was theirs, but no longer. There is only one within my reach who can be helped in the slightest, smallest way.

"Genta," I say, voice hoarse from disuse, without turning. "You should take some time to care for yourself, also."

[sushisamurai]

I jump a little when he speaks, almost knocking poor Shishi-kun clear off the bed. He recovers, and I help him back over to my hands, giving him a little pat in apology.

"I'm fine," I start, glancing back over at Take-chan. He hasn't moved from his position at the window, hasn't turned his head to face me. I swallow hard, and manage to keep my voice light, conversational.

"I'm not starving myself or anything."

I want to keep him talking. I want to draw out his joy again. "Are you hungry? I can make sushi for us."

[sonofshiba]

I turn, at that, and inspect him. "I am not hungry, but I thank you," I say carefully. I dislike the lines of weariness, of concern, etched from the sides of his nose to the corners of his mouth.

I turn back again. Perhaps I will think of something else useful, and gazing at him feels too... too raw. "This is not a good environment for you," I say after a pause.

[sushisamurai]

"Take-chan," I reprimand gently, feeling like I should stand and go to him, wrap my arms around his waist and lean gently against him. I miss holding him. I miss being held by him. I miss all the things I'd coaxed him into being comfortable with before all this Messiah mess.

"Take-chan," I repeat, glancing at him again before returning my focus to Shishi-kun and Ika-chan. "This is the only environment that I am in any way okay in."

I clear my throat. I swallow hard. "The only environment I desire is one with you in it."

[sonofshiba]

"I will not leave until the others are safe. Please do not worry," I say quietly. Ah, I have hurt him so badly, and that has never been my intention. Another error to add to my collection.

"Genta..." I turn again, and take two steps towards him. My hand lifts unbidden to his hair, but does not quite connect. "I am concerned for you."

[sushisamurai]

I hold a small breath in my throat when his hand lifts, but he doesn't quite make it to my hair. It hurts that he's afraid to touch me. Hurts more than I can express.

I keep my eyes on the origami in my hands for a moment, swallowing hard before I look up at Takeru. I try to smile brightly for him, try to be encouraging. I'm scared it doesn't quite reach my eyes though. "I'll be okay. I am okay. I... I'm happy that I have you back."

Even if that's still only a half truth.