[Mushverse: For Genta and Takeru]

[interpolate]

We've done a fair amount of research since Hiromu accidentally ran into the Vaglass agent that looks just like me, and what we've found out has been disconcerting to say the least. Troubling enough, especially where a certain previous Sentai team is concerned, that it's back to undercover for me. I need to make contact with my best bet at finding out what's going on there, and the best way to do that is to place me back into class at Amanogawa, so I have an excuse to go to Genta's sushi cart.

Of course, for the first two days the cart is dark and folded up, unmanned. I worry that something's happened to him, until the day he shows up as usual, welcoming the few customers that have time.

I sidle up to the counter while his attention is focused on a dark haired boy with a cat perched on his shoulders. Well, it takes all kinds.

"Salut, Genta."

Comments

[interpolate]

I stare blankly down at the ground where the once-flaming blade is simply lying there now. Takeru, and obviously he is indeed Genta's dear friend Takeru and no longer an agent of Messiah, looks shaken, and it takes me a moment to actually piece together his words.

I lower my Sougan Blade with a little sigh. "Oh, zut." I mutter, glancing at Genta, and back and Takeru, and back again.

"Please, forgive me for believing you weak enough to have fallen again." I say to Takeru with a little bow. "My name is Etienne, and you have nothing to fear from me." There's a handkerchief in my pocket and I turn to offer it to Genta with an apologetic little smile.

"Where would you like me to start?" I ask my confused friend. "The harness, or the double that Takeru mistook me for?"

"

[sonofshiba]

I take in a deep, trembling breath, and manage to compose myself enough to respond. "On the contrary, I am indeed sufficiently weak. This has proven that to me, and I will leave before causing further harm."

[sushisamurai]

I accept the handkerchief from Etienne with a small nod of thanks, wiping the blood from my hands and doing a brief inspection of the wounds. Not too bad. I've certainly had worse in my time as an honorary Samurai.

"Etienne, what... what double? What are you..." I'm about to ask him some questions that are foremost in my mind, but then Takeru...

"Take-chan," I shout at him, my voice serious and maybe just a little stern. I stomp my foot, and grab at him to keep him from running away. My blood, not flowing ass freely now, but still coming, smears his arm when I grab him tight, and I don't let go. "Don't you dare run away from this. Don't you dare run away from anything."

[interpolate]

I bite my lip at Genta's confusion. It's hard to explain, since I don't even know the whole story myself yet. I pull my uniform jacket back over my harness, just in case of unsavory passers-by.

I wince a little when Genta shouts at his Takeru, but I can't help the fond little grin that tweaks at the corner of my mouth. I should probably get this Takeru together with Hiromu, I think they could learn a lot from one another.

"Please, ShinkenRed-san, please don't blame yourself for this." I say quietly, hoping he has the sense enough to listen to Genta, but offering my opinion at the same time.

"Genta, I..." How do I explain the self-proclaimed right hand to Messiah masquerading around with my face?

[sonofshiba]

Genta grabs my arm. His blood is slick on his palm and... and on me, which pushes the metaphor to the point of emotional collapse.

I look at my arm, then I look up at his face, all defences down. I shake my head wordlessly. I do not know what I am negating, just... just all of it. This is not right.

"If one has a faulty weapon, a faulty tool, that continually causes harm, then disposing of it is not 'running away'," I say at last, voice hoarse.

[sushisamurai]

I keep my hold on Takeru's arm steady, despite the sting this causes my wound. The pain is nothing compared to the pain I felt while he was under Messiah's thrall, nothing compares to how much my chest aches when he talks about leaving.

"You're not a tool. You're my best friend. My Lord. My..." My voice is low, loud enough for Takeru to hear, and maybe loud enough for Etienne to hear too. I know he already has an idea of the bond between me and Takeru, I doubt he'll be put off by my words. "My lover."

There is so much more to say between us, but not here, not out in the open.

I look over at Etienne, offering him an apologetic smile. "Maybe we should talk someplace more private?"

[interpolate]

I can't help the look of absolute disgust that flits across my face at Takeru's statement. If faulty weapons are something that need to be disposed of, then the Go-Busters would have been eliminated a long time ago.

I clear my throat and shoot a sheepish grin at Genta. "You're right, unless-"

Oh, speaking of faulty and broken. It's just about the worst possible time, all things considered, but I've never been able to anticipate it or stop it from happening. When my Weak Point hits, it strikes me like a poorly timed train.

I feel myself start to crumple before the darkness clouds my mi-

[sonofshiba]

He looks appalled, as well he should when faced with one who has hurt him and hurt him and attempted to hurt him again. He collapses, and I move to catch him.

I sigh.

My intentions must wait. "To the mansion," I say quietly.

[sushisamurai]

I'm about to move to catch Etienne as he suddenly crumples to the ground, but then Takeru steps in before me, gathering the poor kid up in his steady arms.

I nod at his instructions, taking a brief moment to close up my cart before I rush off after Takeru.

I fall into step beside him, wringing my hands together despite the sting. I am worried about Etienne, and still worried about Takeru. I am worried about the state of the city, the country, the world.

[sonofshiba]

...I wish Genta would have more care of his hands. "I will bind them once we have cared for him," I say quietly. "Does he often pass out?"

[sushisamurai]

"Huh?" I blink at Takeru once, twice, then look down, finding my hands being wrung together. They aren't bleeding as bad as they were, but with my worrying them, they haven't exactly stopped bleeding. "Oh."

I shrug, and look up, as far as poor Etienne. "I don't know. He's always seemed fine when he's visited my cart."

I hope he'll be okay.

[sonofshiba]

"Aa," I say quietly. "I will hand him over to the kuroko, and I will make enquiries. I assume his team will be looking for him."

[sushisamurai]

I bite my lip to keep myself from rambling too much. That isn't the proper thing to do right now.

Once we reach the mansion the Kuroko fuss, gathering Etienne up and rushing him off for treatment. I know his team will need to hear about him before they worry too much.

I know how well the Kuroko take care of people, and I leave Etienne in their careful hands. For now.

My hands are throbbing dully by now, but I don't pay much attention to them, even going so far as to wave off a lingering Kuroko that wants to fuss over them. It's not too serious, and besides, Takeru said he would bind them.

"Take-chan.."

[sonofshiba]

The kuroko take Etienne, leaving an absence in my arms. I am barely holding myself together, and his weight was assisting. Foolish of me.

It takes me a moment to realise that the kuroko can ascertain how to communicate with his team, probably better than I can. Also foolish. I instruct one accordingly, and note that Genta has dismissed another who wished to care for him.

"Come with me, if you will," I respond hoarsely to Genta.

[sushisamurai]

Takeru's voice sounds like hell, somehow worse than it has since I got him back. I nod at his words, following after him where he leads.

I wish I could find words to help him. He's been distant enough as it is, now I'm scared he might withdraw further.

I can't let him. We need him.

I need him.

[sonofshiba]

I take him to the bedroom, invite him to sit on the bed, then I kneel in front of him with the first aid kit.

These wounds are not terrible.

They are, however, caused by my sword. My actions. I quietly begin to bind his wounds.

[sushisamurai]

I'm perched on the edge of the bed, arms resting on my thighs while Takeru kneels and starts to bandage my hands.

He's being careful and gentle, but also focused. He won't look up at me, and that hurts more than the lingering sting of my hands.

"Take-chan," I begin, softly. Then stop. I'm not sure what to say, I've said everything I feel more times than I can count since his return. I don't know how I'll ever reach him.

[sonofshiba]

"Aa," I say softly, as I finish. I close the lid of the first aid box without looking, then take his hands in mine again.

Head bowed over his hands, I can feel myself beginning to shake.

[sushisamurai]

It's not your fault, I'm about to tell him. Again. Maybe if I keep repeating it he'll actually start to believe me someday.

But then he starts shaking, little trembles running through his shoulders, and I can feel a lump start to firm in my throat. "Take-chan?"

[sonofshiba]

I nod jerkily in response to him, but I cannot speak. The tears have begun, and I find myself folding forward, crumpling.

I cannot bear this.

I must.

But I cannot... without his assistance.

[sushisamurai]

He's crying.

I move my hands aside as he slouches forward, and his head comes to rest on my knees.

I hover for a moment, one hand resting on the back of his head, feeling him vibrate against my palm, even through the bandage.

After that moment I tug him closer, pull him in as far as position will allow, so that his head is resting in my lap.

"Take as long as you need," I say softly, my own voice tight with barely contained emotion.

[sonofshiba]

My arms go around his legs, and I know I should feel shame at this, should be concerned about relying on his strength yet again when I have barely finished bandaging him from the last time I hurt him.

But I cannot feel anything but fear, and worry, and... and love, as I clutch convulsively at him. He may not understand me, my voice is thick with tears, but I murmur, "I thought -- thought I'd lost you..."

[sushisamurai]

There have only been a few times when I've seen Takeru truly broken to the point of tears, and never has he clung to me so tightly, not in a situation such as this.

He clings to my legs, and I work one of my hands into his hair (while being mindful of the bandage). I grip a little, and run my fingers slowly through. I do my best to sooth him.

"You didn't lose me." I sniffle softly, my own eyes stinging a little. "I'm not leaving you anytime soon."

[sonofshiba]

His hand is a comfort on my hair, and I allow myself to simply relax against him. Tears still drip down my face but the initial storm has passed.

"I could not -- could not bear it," I admit into the fabric covering his knee. "I am so sorry, Genta. I should be stronger, but again I rely on your strength. I should leave, but..."

[sushisamurai]

He says that word again, and I feel a sharp clenching in my chest. I cling a little more tightly to his hair, ignoring the dull throb this causes my palm.

"Don't you dare leave. Not when I've finally got you back." I swallow hard, still fighting my own tears back. "Do you know how scared I was when I removed that thing Messiah put on you? I didn't know if it would work, or if it might kill you..."