[One-Shot] 覚悟 | Kakugo
I hate you.
Those words still resounded so deeply in his head, incessantly echoing. Digging his fingers through his wet hair, his scoff resounded in the darkness.
“But I love you…” his lips whispered. He tasted blood on his tongue. It looks like he doesn’t have much time left.
A shaft of moonlight made the blade in his hands glitter: his katana. The only thing keeping him alive right now.
It was his own fault for going after them on his own. Despite being told not to, despite fighting against the one he loved, he still went.
“Fine, do what you like! I hate you!” those words that still resounded in his heart. Sighing, he leaned his head back. He was wounded, but it was his heart that hurt the most.
His ears caught the rush of footsteps. Damn, they found me already. Not that it was any surprise since he was trailing blood.
Gripping his katana, he readied to fight again.
“I’m sorry…Sho,” he felt himself smile as he rushed out of hiding and drove his blade straight through a man’s stomach.
---
“What’s wrong with you? And where is Kazu, he’s late,” their leader and captain of the 1st Unit, Ohno looked around for one of their group members, Ninomiya Kazunari.
“Sho-san, I understand you’re agitated but please sit down,” their youngest, Matsumoto Jun spoke up.
“No, you don’t get it! He told me he was going after the enemy soldiers by himself! I told him not to but he wouldn’t listen. What if he actually went? What if he got himself killed?!” Sakurai Sho, the captain of the 2nd Unit yelled.
Jun just sighed as he continued to polish his katana, “Knowing him, it’s likely that he did go off into enemy camp.”
Their leader remained silent, his eyes still looking out into the darkness, hoping to catch a glimpse of their member somewhere.
“Trouble!” suddenly Aiba Masaki, captain of the 3rd Unit came bursting into the room, “Kazu came back! He’s injured and enemy soldiers followed him here!”
Sho was the first one to react by immediately running out the door.
Ohno turned now, eyes alert. “Alright, go tell the men to get ready and barricade the gates. If you’re outnumbered, find the best way to escape. Come on, Jun, you’re with me.”
Sheathing his sword, the youngest stood up without a word and followed his captain out the door. Despite being the youngest, he was their leader’s vice captain, commanding the respect of all their men with his brilliant strategies and sword skills.
Aiba followed suit, haori flying behind him as they hurried to the door. Two of their men were supporting Nino who had collapsed as soon as he reached the gates. Sho took one of his arms now, “Go help the men at the gates, I’ll take care of him. He’s my vice captain after all. Get the 2nd Unit to be on medical support! Go!” The men scrambled to fulfill his order.
Ohno stooped to check the wounds, “They’re pretty deep. I’m surprised he made it back in one piece. Sho, take care of him. Don’t worry about what’s going on outside, I’ll make sure your men know what to do.”
“Thanks, Satoshi,” he gave a grim nod before he left carrying Nino on his back. Heading through the dark corridor, he could hear men shouting orders before the roar of battle and the clashing of swords ensued. Moving towards the furthest room of the mansion, he gently laid Nino down on the futon. Deft hands removed his bloodstained haori to reveal deep gashes and stabs across his chest and stomach.
All the while he worked silently, listening to the sounds of battle outside. Gently wiping the blood that was still flowing from the wounds with a cloth and a basin of water, he checked the wounds for infection. Sakurai Sho, captain of the 2nd Unit was their medical expert.
Checking vitals and temperature, he wasn’t the least bit surprised to find his vice captain running a fever. But still he said nothing. Lifting the man slowly, he bandaged the wounds with care. Lying him back down again, his hands finally stopped to look.
Sweat was dripping from Nino’s forehead and those injuries will take at least a month to heal completely, but he was alive.
“You idiot…” he whispered, finally letting the emotions he had held back go, “I told you not to go. Why do you never listen to me?”
Anger and frustration formed tears that he couldn’t stop. Clapping a hand to his eyes, he could only cry as the sounds of fighting muffled his sobs.
Suddenly, he felt something on his hand. Looking up, he saw Nino, weak but awake. “Hey…” he greeted with that familiar smirk.
Stunned, Sho couldn’t find words. “It’s not as bad as it looks. You’re reacting as if I died or something.”
“You…you idiot! I told you! I told you not to go! You never listen to me!” Sho was suddenly animated, his eyes filled with anger as he yelled.
Nino just chuckled as he looked away, “This again? I’m injured here, can’t we give it a rest?”
“You don’t care, do you? They’re fighting out there because of you. You had to go kick the hornet’s nest, then leave the rest of us to deal with it,” Sho’s voice grew dark.
There was no reply, only the sounds of metal ringing and incoherent shouting filled the silence.
“I’m sorry…” it was a whisper, but Sho caught it. In the darkness, he saw tears in Nino’s eyes. The man was crying.
“I’m sorry,” he said louder, “Look at me. Fighting’s the only thing I’m good at but…I can’t even do that right. What’s wrong with me?” He chuckled again but it wasn’t a sound of mirth. He hid his face behind a bandaged hand.
Sho couldn’t find any words to say. A part of him was still angry but the other had already forgiven his vice captain for his actions. He understood Nino the most; it was why he chose the man to be his vice captain of all things and he knew the younger man wasn’t one to jump headlong into battle usually. But this time…
Nino suddenly started to cough in violent fits. Sho quickly helped him to sit up, holding his shoulders, noticing that blood was already seeping through the bandages. Removing his hand, Sho saw a dark stain on the white bandage.
“Kazu…” Sho started but Nino shook his head.
“I know, but don’t,” he wiped the blood from his mouth and slowly lay down again.
“But -” Sho tried to say something but was cut off by the look Nino gave him. He had never seen his vice captain look so serene before.
“Shouldn’t you be outside with the men? I just need sleep and I’ll be fine,” he said now.
But Sho was afraid to leave him more than ever now. “Go, I’ll be here when you get back,” he insisted.
“F-Fine. Just try not to move too much. I’ll change your bandage later,” reluctantly, Sho got to his feet. His heart told him not to go but he was a captain; his men need him. Nino just nodded and watched him go off.
Left in the darkness, he finally let himself show pain. His abdomen was numb and breathing was hard, but he had to put up the act or else Sho would never leave. He knew the trouble he caused, but from the sounds outside, he knew they were winning.
He had accepted the fact that he was dying when he first found out about it a few months ago. But he wasn’t scared of death; he knew it was inevitable that he would live a short life since he followed the path of the blade.
He had planned on leaving this world doing the only thing he knew he was good at: fighting. But halfway through, he longed to see Sho’s face again. To hear his voice again. To feel his touch again. To see his smile again.
It was why he returned. He didn’t want to die; not yet. Not when he still had a lot of things to say.
For Sho, he would win the whole war if he could. But he knew this illness will kill him. Anger bubbled from his heart and up through his throat before he let out a frustrated scream.
The door slid open with such force that he was shocked. Sho stood there, out of breath. “What happened? Where does it hurt?” he demanded.
Nino blinked at him before he laughed. “You have sharp ears,” he commented.
“W-What? Aren’t you in pain?” Sho came in and slid the door closed.
“No, stop worrying. I’m fine,” Nino smiled.
“How can I, when I have an idiot like you as a vice captain? I can’t help but worry when it comes to you.”
“Sorry, captain. I’ll try to be more careful next time.”
Sighing, Sho sat down and pulled out a small white packet of folded paper. “Medicine. I’m going to cure you even if you don’t want to.”
Nino could only blink as he took the paper packet. “T-Thanks…”
Sho quietly poured water. Turning, he was about to hand the cup to Nino when something warm pressed against his mouth. “Mm..!” he accidentally dropped the cup, feeling his body freeze in shock.
When Nino pulled away, they were both breathless.
“Y-You..what was…” Sho pressed the back of his hand against his mouth, feeling his face burn.
“An apology? Ah, captain, you spilled the water. How am I going to take my medication now?” Nino nonchalantly straightened the cup as if nothing had just happened.
“Who apologizes like that?!” Sho burst out.
“Captain, don’t yell. It might aggravate my wounds more,” said the younger man now, grinning.
“You little - !” in anger, Sho reached out and pulled Nino’s ear.
“Ow, ow, ow! Ow! Captain, my ear!”
“You’re making fun of me now? Hm? You’ve got some nerve,” Sho laughed as he pulled Nino right into his arms. His vice captain didn’t fight as he landed squarely into his chest. Gently, Sho’s arms circled around his shoulders.
Reaching up, Nino held onto Sho’s forearm, feeling warmth seeping into his own skin.
"I'm sorry for what I said before. I don't hate you. I was just so frustrated with you," his captain said now.
"I know. I'm sorry," he apologized again.
“We’ll get through this together. Promise? No more crazy stunts,” Sho’s voice was gentle.
“No more crazy stunts,” he agreed, “But there’s no ‘together,’ Sho. I’m dying, no one can stop it. No one can cure it.”
“Do you want me to pull your ear again?” Sho threatened lightly, “We don’t know unless we try. I didn't become a medical expert just to sit around and watch you suffer in pain. Just promise you’ll stay with me for as long as you can.”
Finally, Nino smiled, burying his face into Sho’s sleeve.
“I promise…”
---
Don't ask, I have no idea what this is XD I just wanted to write something short for one of the members of my new quartet 4DS (because all four of us are gamers and have Nintendo DSs :D): ayumi_kitty ♥ The title means 'resolve' or 'preparedness'. Is this consider drabble? Fluff? No idea, but enjoy it anyway~ :D *poofs*
Those words still resounded so deeply in his head, incessantly echoing. Digging his fingers through his wet hair, his scoff resounded in the darkness.
“But I love you…” his lips whispered. He tasted blood on his tongue. It looks like he doesn’t have much time left.
A shaft of moonlight made the blade in his hands glitter: his katana. The only thing keeping him alive right now.
It was his own fault for going after them on his own. Despite being told not to, despite fighting against the one he loved, he still went.
“Fine, do what you like! I hate you!” those words that still resounded in his heart. Sighing, he leaned his head back. He was wounded, but it was his heart that hurt the most.
His ears caught the rush of footsteps. Damn, they found me already. Not that it was any surprise since he was trailing blood.
Gripping his katana, he readied to fight again.
“I’m sorry…Sho,” he felt himself smile as he rushed out of hiding and drove his blade straight through a man’s stomach.
---
“What’s wrong with you? And where is Kazu, he’s late,” their leader and captain of the 1st Unit, Ohno looked around for one of their group members, Ninomiya Kazunari.
“Sho-san, I understand you’re agitated but please sit down,” their youngest, Matsumoto Jun spoke up.
“No, you don’t get it! He told me he was going after the enemy soldiers by himself! I told him not to but he wouldn’t listen. What if he actually went? What if he got himself killed?!” Sakurai Sho, the captain of the 2nd Unit yelled.
Jun just sighed as he continued to polish his katana, “Knowing him, it’s likely that he did go off into enemy camp.”
Their leader remained silent, his eyes still looking out into the darkness, hoping to catch a glimpse of their member somewhere.
“Trouble!” suddenly Aiba Masaki, captain of the 3rd Unit came bursting into the room, “Kazu came back! He’s injured and enemy soldiers followed him here!”
Sho was the first one to react by immediately running out the door.
Ohno turned now, eyes alert. “Alright, go tell the men to get ready and barricade the gates. If you’re outnumbered, find the best way to escape. Come on, Jun, you’re with me.”
Sheathing his sword, the youngest stood up without a word and followed his captain out the door. Despite being the youngest, he was their leader’s vice captain, commanding the respect of all their men with his brilliant strategies and sword skills.
Aiba followed suit, haori flying behind him as they hurried to the door. Two of their men were supporting Nino who had collapsed as soon as he reached the gates. Sho took one of his arms now, “Go help the men at the gates, I’ll take care of him. He’s my vice captain after all. Get the 2nd Unit to be on medical support! Go!” The men scrambled to fulfill his order.
Ohno stooped to check the wounds, “They’re pretty deep. I’m surprised he made it back in one piece. Sho, take care of him. Don’t worry about what’s going on outside, I’ll make sure your men know what to do.”
“Thanks, Satoshi,” he gave a grim nod before he left carrying Nino on his back. Heading through the dark corridor, he could hear men shouting orders before the roar of battle and the clashing of swords ensued. Moving towards the furthest room of the mansion, he gently laid Nino down on the futon. Deft hands removed his bloodstained haori to reveal deep gashes and stabs across his chest and stomach.
All the while he worked silently, listening to the sounds of battle outside. Gently wiping the blood that was still flowing from the wounds with a cloth and a basin of water, he checked the wounds for infection. Sakurai Sho, captain of the 2nd Unit was their medical expert.
Checking vitals and temperature, he wasn’t the least bit surprised to find his vice captain running a fever. But still he said nothing. Lifting the man slowly, he bandaged the wounds with care. Lying him back down again, his hands finally stopped to look.
Sweat was dripping from Nino’s forehead and those injuries will take at least a month to heal completely, but he was alive.
“You idiot…” he whispered, finally letting the emotions he had held back go, “I told you not to go. Why do you never listen to me?”
Anger and frustration formed tears that he couldn’t stop. Clapping a hand to his eyes, he could only cry as the sounds of fighting muffled his sobs.
Suddenly, he felt something on his hand. Looking up, he saw Nino, weak but awake. “Hey…” he greeted with that familiar smirk.
Stunned, Sho couldn’t find words. “It’s not as bad as it looks. You’re reacting as if I died or something.”
“You…you idiot! I told you! I told you not to go! You never listen to me!” Sho was suddenly animated, his eyes filled with anger as he yelled.
Nino just chuckled as he looked away, “This again? I’m injured here, can’t we give it a rest?”
“You don’t care, do you? They’re fighting out there because of you. You had to go kick the hornet’s nest, then leave the rest of us to deal with it,” Sho’s voice grew dark.
There was no reply, only the sounds of metal ringing and incoherent shouting filled the silence.
“I’m sorry…” it was a whisper, but Sho caught it. In the darkness, he saw tears in Nino’s eyes. The man was crying.
“I’m sorry,” he said louder, “Look at me. Fighting’s the only thing I’m good at but…I can’t even do that right. What’s wrong with me?” He chuckled again but it wasn’t a sound of mirth. He hid his face behind a bandaged hand.
Sho couldn’t find any words to say. A part of him was still angry but the other had already forgiven his vice captain for his actions. He understood Nino the most; it was why he chose the man to be his vice captain of all things and he knew the younger man wasn’t one to jump headlong into battle usually. But this time…
Nino suddenly started to cough in violent fits. Sho quickly helped him to sit up, holding his shoulders, noticing that blood was already seeping through the bandages. Removing his hand, Sho saw a dark stain on the white bandage.
“Kazu…” Sho started but Nino shook his head.
“I know, but don’t,” he wiped the blood from his mouth and slowly lay down again.
“But -” Sho tried to say something but was cut off by the look Nino gave him. He had never seen his vice captain look so serene before.
“Shouldn’t you be outside with the men? I just need sleep and I’ll be fine,” he said now.
But Sho was afraid to leave him more than ever now. “Go, I’ll be here when you get back,” he insisted.
“F-Fine. Just try not to move too much. I’ll change your bandage later,” reluctantly, Sho got to his feet. His heart told him not to go but he was a captain; his men need him. Nino just nodded and watched him go off.
Left in the darkness, he finally let himself show pain. His abdomen was numb and breathing was hard, but he had to put up the act or else Sho would never leave. He knew the trouble he caused, but from the sounds outside, he knew they were winning.
He had accepted the fact that he was dying when he first found out about it a few months ago. But he wasn’t scared of death; he knew it was inevitable that he would live a short life since he followed the path of the blade.
He had planned on leaving this world doing the only thing he knew he was good at: fighting. But halfway through, he longed to see Sho’s face again. To hear his voice again. To feel his touch again. To see his smile again.
It was why he returned. He didn’t want to die; not yet. Not when he still had a lot of things to say.
For Sho, he would win the whole war if he could. But he knew this illness will kill him. Anger bubbled from his heart and up through his throat before he let out a frustrated scream.
The door slid open with such force that he was shocked. Sho stood there, out of breath. “What happened? Where does it hurt?” he demanded.
Nino blinked at him before he laughed. “You have sharp ears,” he commented.
“W-What? Aren’t you in pain?” Sho came in and slid the door closed.
“No, stop worrying. I’m fine,” Nino smiled.
“How can I, when I have an idiot like you as a vice captain? I can’t help but worry when it comes to you.”
“Sorry, captain. I’ll try to be more careful next time.”
Sighing, Sho sat down and pulled out a small white packet of folded paper. “Medicine. I’m going to cure you even if you don’t want to.”
Nino could only blink as he took the paper packet. “T-Thanks…”
Sho quietly poured water. Turning, he was about to hand the cup to Nino when something warm pressed against his mouth. “Mm..!” he accidentally dropped the cup, feeling his body freeze in shock.
When Nino pulled away, they were both breathless.
“Y-You..what was…” Sho pressed the back of his hand against his mouth, feeling his face burn.
“An apology? Ah, captain, you spilled the water. How am I going to take my medication now?” Nino nonchalantly straightened the cup as if nothing had just happened.
“Who apologizes like that?!” Sho burst out.
“Captain, don’t yell. It might aggravate my wounds more,” said the younger man now, grinning.
“You little - !” in anger, Sho reached out and pulled Nino’s ear.
“Ow, ow, ow! Ow! Captain, my ear!”
“You’re making fun of me now? Hm? You’ve got some nerve,” Sho laughed as he pulled Nino right into his arms. His vice captain didn’t fight as he landed squarely into his chest. Gently, Sho’s arms circled around his shoulders.
Reaching up, Nino held onto Sho’s forearm, feeling warmth seeping into his own skin.
"I'm sorry for what I said before. I don't hate you. I was just so frustrated with you," his captain said now.
"I know. I'm sorry," he apologized again.
“We’ll get through this together. Promise? No more crazy stunts,” Sho’s voice was gentle.
“No more crazy stunts,” he agreed, “But there’s no ‘together,’ Sho. I’m dying, no one can stop it. No one can cure it.”
“Do you want me to pull your ear again?” Sho threatened lightly, “We don’t know unless we try. I didn't become a medical expert just to sit around and watch you suffer in pain. Just promise you’ll stay with me for as long as you can.”
Finally, Nino smiled, burying his face into Sho’s sleeve.
“I promise…”
---
Don't ask, I have no idea what this is XD I just wanted to write something short for one of the members of my new quartet 4DS (because all four of us are gamers and have Nintendo DSs :D): ayumi_kitty ♥ The title means 'resolve' or 'preparedness'. Is this consider drabble? Fluff? No idea, but enjoy it anyway~ :D *poofs*