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

Entry tags:

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

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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."

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.

"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."

"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."

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.

"Ah," I say gravely. He cannot even smile fully. And it is my error, my fault, my mistake that has done this to him.

The sooner I leave, the sooner he can grieve and then start to live his life again.

I hate to interrupt them, knowing as I do that they are probably working out quite a bit of... things that don't concern any of the rest of us.

But it is imperative that Tono know sooner, rather than later. His relationship with Genta, while important, cannot trump the importance of our team.

I knock hesitantly on the doorway to Tono's room, hoping they don't simply send me away without hearing what I have to say.

"Tono? Genta?"

I'm about to grab at Takeru's hand, tug it close and kiss his knuckles, or press his palm to my chest, or simply hold it tight until my grip makes his hand sting.

But then there's a knock at the door, and I groan and curse softly under my breath. Knowing those that are in the Shiba house with us I know it must be important, but this is important too.

It's Ryuunosuke. I look to Takeru, waiting for him to answer or deny his call.

I withdraw again almost immediately. Not physically.

I nod to Genta, then take swift strides towards the door to open it. "Ryuunosuke."

I hear Genta's whispered curse, of course I do, and I feel badly, but...

I drop to one knee when Tono opens his door, ducking my head before looking up at him.

"Tono, Chiaki has returned to us."

"Chiaki-chan!?" I fumble to my feet, managing to somehow not fling Ika-chan and Shishi-kun across the room as I do.

I come up behind Takeru, resting a hand on his shoulder and looking down at Ryuunosuke, hoping he looks up so I can search his eyes. "Is she okay? Does she need anything? Food?"

My eyes half close and I exhale softly. I manage not to lean into the comfort afforded by Genta's touch, but only just.

"Excellent news," I say quietly. "What happened? What can I do for her?"

I look past Tono to Genta and give a little nod at his question.

"She is fine, as far as I know." I clear my throat and duck my head again. "The Kuroko have taken her to her room, and I came immediately to report."

I take a deep breath, trying to put my thoughts in order. "I happened upon her purely by chance. We fought, briefly, but she was obviously struggling with her... situation. There was some kind of device on the back of her neck. I've destroyed it, and she..." Are there tears in my eyes? Possibly yes. Oh well. "She was her again."

I stand up slowly. "I would ask permission to seek Mako."

My heart does flip flopping leaps inside my chest. And I am torn. So very torn.

I want to stay at Takeru's side.

I want to let Ryuunosuke be at Chiaki's side.

But I also want to be at my best friend's side. Now that she's free.

"Take-chan..." I grip Takeru's shoulder a bit more firmly, and kiss the corner of his mouth. I would kiss him harder, and more deeply, but I know Ryuunosuke is uncomfortable still with how close I am to his lord.

"Don't you dare leave while I'm gone." I say, quietly and firmly, to Takeru, before pulling away.

I grip at Ryuunosuke's shoulder, and then leave him with Takeru, dashing of down the hall toward Chiaki's room.

"Excellent work," I say with great relief to Ryuunosuke.

Genta... kisses me, and tells me not to leave. I nod once, briefly, and watch him with wide eyes as he runs towards Chiaki's room.

"Stand. Please," I say to Ryuunosuke. "Kotoha is searching for Mako." I will go out too, but I will wait to at least speak with Genta. "You can be spared for a few moments to visit with Chiaki, Ryuunosuke."

I avert my eyes when Genta kisses Tono, and swallow hard when Genta commands him not to leave. I'm torn between being frustrated with Genta still being so blase as to give Tono orders, and being concerned that this order was necessary in the first place.

I meet Tono's eyes briefly, then turn my gaze back down to the ground.

"Is it safe for Kotoha to be out alone?" I hate to question him, and I hate myself even more for seeking a reason not to go, to be by Chiaki's side.

"As you say, Tono."

"Kotoha has been careful," I say quietly, trying not to show just how little I trust my own judgement at this point. "She has not gone far from here and has remained in contact."

Kotoha is plenty strong, and I certainly trust in her abilities. I'm just so distressed over this entire situation.

If he were anyone else, I'd want to be hugging Tono. But he is Tono, after all, so I simply duck my head.

"Would you come see Chiaki with me? I'm sure she'd appreciate it."

A smile with no humour. "Ah, Ryuunosuke. You are polite as always, but no. Hearing of her health is enough. I will not impose on her."

If she asks for me, later, or comes to find me, I will most definitely see her. But as to why she would, I do not know.

I can't help but frown at the tone in his voice, not to mention the complete lack of emotion on his face. This I was used to for a long time, but not since...

Not since Genta.

"Genta's imposing." I point out. "I'll be imposing too. You should see her. Speak with her. You have shared in something terrible and, forgive me if I'm being too bold, Tono, but I believe you could both benefit from supporting one another."

The sound of running feet tells me who it is before the door slides open, no-one else is that unrestrained around here. Well, except for me.

"Hey Gen-chan."

I fling the door to Chiaki's room open, ready to jump inside and pounce on her.

But I stop just inside the doorway, hovering with my hand on the frame. Chiaki looks like hell, and it hurts. It kills, actually. My chest twists up in all kinds of knots.

"Hey," my throat is all tight, my voice low. I do my best to smile for her though, because I am really happy to see her alive and mostly well.

And, most importantly, free.

I gently slide the door shut behind me, and move closer to her, kneeling down beside her bed and reaching out to pat her head very gently. "It's good to see that clarity in your eyes again."

I swat at his hand reflexively, but I suppose I don't really mind. It's good to see him again without being on the opposite side.

"It's good to be back," I agree. Damn it, he looks so sad, even though he's trying not to. "Don't look at me like that, Gen-chan. Give me a day or so and I'll be fine."

Even if I have no idea what I'm supposed to do next.

I feel like I want to both laugh and cry all at once, which results in just a watery eyed wide grin spreading over my face.

"How are you feeling?" Damn it, if Takeru won't let me fuss over him, I can at least try and fuss over Chiaki. "Are you hungry? Thirsty? Cold? Can I get you anything?"

"Shitty," I admit. No way in hell I'm admitting to certain other people but Gen-chan's okay. "My head hurts like hell." It's probably going to be sore for a while until it heals properly, too. Not that Ryuunosuke had much choice when he pulled the implant out but the damn thing had sharp edges.

"I could do with a drink, though, if you're offering."

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject