二十九 (Accidental Video Post, Japanese)

[onikui_tengu]

[The communicator falls onto the street below with a clatter, the video feed fuzzy with static before revealing a rear view of Haruka standing in front of a Trance Rhino, poised and ready to attack with a sturdy mop in his hands. But where is his partner...?

The Noise charges at him, and blocks the impact of its horn with the handle of the mop. He gets pushed back, the soles of his shoes scraping against the ground. With a shout, he reaches one of his hands up and then brings it sharply down near the Rhino's face like a tiger attacking its prey. It falls back, and that's when the tengu rushes in with a relentless assault. Clawing and smacking at it with the mop.

The Noise doesn't go down easily, as its attempts at running Haruka through with its massive horn clearly show, but he ultimately becomes the victor as it finally fades into a wisp of formless... noise. He collapses to one knee, catching his breath.]

Haruka!

[Kantarou can be heard, running up to him where the camera can't catch it. There is quiet, until the sound of a fierce smack can be heard as Haruka hits his partner's hand away.]

Don't touch me!

[[ooc Comment log post for Kantarou! Also, Haruka has gone sort of aggro from the sudden death of Sakon.]]

Comments

[7th-warrant.livejournal.com]

Very well...

I will answer your question then.

[comment log]

[onikui-haruka.livejournal.com]

[Haruka pocketed the communicator, and pushed open one of the double-doors that made up the entrance to the high school. He made his way into the main hallway by a few steps, and then turned around so that he could let his back just hit the other wall.

Letting out a tired sigh, the tengu just let himself slide down until his bottom hit the floor. It would be fine if he waited here, in case more of the Noise decided to come.

But why the hell did he feel so worn out in the first place? It wasn't like him. He knew that better than anyone else could.]

[comment log]

[7th-warrant.livejournal.com]

-The sound of Testament's footfalls echoed into the building moments later. Lute was left in charge over at the school, and he felt confident enough that the others would be fine without him. He was needed elsewhere...

Also taking a seat, though across from Haruka, he let out a sigh, resting his pipe on the floor next to him.-

[comment log]

[onikui-haruka.livejournal.com]

[Haruka looked up, brushing a few stray bangs of his hair aside with his fingertips as he watched Testament's boots step into the hallway. He shook his head with a short laugh. Stubborn.

His eyes wandered over to the pipe, and he smirked. Though he was certainly one to scoff when he had a mop to fight with. He was surprised the stupid thing had not been broken into pieces yet.]

...so you came.

[comment log]

[7th-warrant.livejournal.com]

You didn't think I was?

-He drew in a breath, brushing his hair back as he regarded the other.-

So... about your question...

[comment log]

[onikui-haruka.livejournal.com]

[He shook his head slowly. But not in response to the question.]

You're as stubborn as he is, so I knew that you would. That's just your way...

[Then Haruka leaned his head back, and patiently waited for that answer.]

[comment log]

[7th-warrant.livejournal.com]

-Testament waited a few moments, just listening to the sounds around them before he spoke. Oddly enough, his response was another question-

Do you remember how you felt when I died?

[comment log]

[onikui-haruka.livejournal.com]

[He instantly became stunned. There were too many things about that question that felt wrong and outright unexpected.

Haruka pulled the fingers of his right hand in, clenching them tightly into a fist.]

How can I forget? It wasn't something I ever expected... and it made me want to teach that twisted bastard and his group a lesson all the more.

[comment log]

[7th-warrant.livejournal.com]

-Testament felt that dramatic shift in the other, but did not falter-

But why did you react that way? What made you feel so strongly about it?

[comment log]

[onikui-haruka.livejournal.com]

Because...!

[Haruka started out strongly, but then his resolve weakened as his thoughts began to slip in.] Because...

[His head sank, as did that fist from before. The back of his palm hit the floor, and his fingers slowly opened back up.]

...I wasn't able to do a thing. In that moment between life or death, I couldn't be there to protect you... or anyone.

[comment log]

[7th-warrant.livejournal.com]

-Testament paused a moment. There was another long period of silence before he slowly crawled over to the other, reaching up a hand to brush Haruka's cheek-

There's your answer then.

[comment log]

[onikui-haruka.livejournal.com]

[Most of the tension in him seemed to be released in a single quiet breath as Testament brushed his cheek. Haruka didn't look him in the eye, feeling the heat rise steadily up to his face.]

I can't accept this.

I'm not strong enough if it means that I can't protect the ones I... may actually care more about than I'd like to admit.

[He might have even surprised himself with those last few words.]

It's happened too many times. I've had enough.

[comment log]

[7th-warrant.livejournal.com]

-Testament scoots himself to sit beside Haruka now, placing a hand on his leg as he continues to smile gently at the other. He had to choose his words carefully...-

Do you really want to become the sort of person that won't be so strongly effected by these deaths?

[comment log]

[onikui-haruka.livejournal.com]

[Haruka watched as the Gear moved closer, eying the hand placed on his leg. One of his own hands drifted toward it, fingertips lightly brushing over top of the other's.]

That was how I started, Testament. You've seen how I am now. It wouldn't be so easy to try to go back. ...It might not even be possible.

One day, I'll get my chip out. I'll be able to do more than I have been able to without it. That's the truth.

...Until then, I'll keep trying to prevent that. Over and over, until I never have to feel this damn bad again.

[comment log]

[7th-warrant.livejournal.com]

Until that day comes, then...

-He finally takes Haruka's hand, gently lacing the fingers together-

I... I won't be made to leave you again. I will give you my strength.

[comment log]

[onikui-haruka.livejournal.com]

[Haruka's fingers give the other's a light squeeze, and he inclines his head to lean on the Gear's shoulder for a moment.]

Only if you make such a promise without having to feel regret for it later...

[Turning, he leans forward to place a soft kiss along the edge of Testament's collarbone.]

If death ever takes you from me in this place again, that wound won't be so easy to heal a second time.

[comment log]

[7th-warrant.livejournal.com]

-Testament flushes slightly at Haruka's embrace. It had been some time since they were allowed to be this close...-

This time... Yes, I'm sure I can make that promise.

[comment log]

[onikui-haruka.livejournal.com]

[Haruka silently replaced his head on the Gear's shoulder, and in his eyes he looked a bit... relieved. But having to recall that memory, and live in the wake of a friend's death in their time now.

He closed his eyes, and his tone became a bit desperate, tinged with emotion. Maybe... regret?]

Stay with me like this... for just awhile longer.

[comment log]

[7th-warrant.livejournal.com]

-There was no hesitation in Testament's response. He spoke softly, pressing a kiss to Haruka's hair-

For as long as you want... I will be here by your side.