badfic_manor | Spell 001 [Text] [Backdated to dawn]

[Now he honestly looks worried.]

I didn't know you had a sister, Kio.

[And now there's that almost laughter, long, soft, high]

Me neither!

Wait there.

[And in an inordinately short time, Soubi appears next to Kio. Don't ask how Soubi knew where to find him. He puts his hands on his shoulders and forcefully guides him to a chair, then sits across from him, leaning forward onto his knees to look at him.]

Tell me what you remember happening.

[Kio obeys and practically collapses into the chair. He's chuckling now, and they sound like sobs wracking through him]

I...I...Soubi, he's back! Seimei is alive, I saw him. He was there with a man with long hair and...they took me somewhere. I passed out and when I came to there were these two men, Yurio and Hideo, they had me in a cell. Yurio was teasing me, Hideo was...evil. And then they left and she came in. She looked just like me and she called me "onii-chan"

I know it happened.

[He watches Kio's face closely as the other speaks. His expression doesn't change from one of concern at any point, not even when Seimei's name is mentioned.]

Did you ask her if she was your sister?

I said we looked like twins...she said she was my sister...then she left...she was gone.

[He suddenly clings to Soubi, holding onto him tightly]

Why don't I remember her?!

[He pulls Kio off of him and looks him in the face.]

I don't know. But if that happened to you, I should be able to remember rescuing you...

[He's starting to think this is all a very impressive, reality-shifting word-spell.]

Tell me everything that happened after Ritsuka and I left you in the school lobby. Up to when you woke up here.

Everything?

[Kio swallows]

Everything.

[Kio starts in an undertone, he tells him about Seimei and Nisei, he tells him about Seimei threatening to destroy his mind. He whispers for Soubi to stay away from him and to keep Ritsuka away from him. He tells him more about Bloodless, everything he saw, everything he smelled, everything he felt, everything that crossed his mind. He tells him about the woman in the chair, about how, after greeting him with an "onii-chan" and being surprised that he didn't remember her, how she left him there. Then how Soubi came and set him free, how Soubi and Ritsuka told him that it was over, that they'd won.

Then he stops and he licks his lips.]

Then...then I went to see Shikiko. Sh-she didn't tell me anything really, she said it was before her time. And then I left there and I went back to your apartment because I wanted to go out and get drunk and try not to think about it and then...then I woke up here.

[He listens to all of this intently, not interrupting once, but nodding thoughtfully here and there. But when Kio is done, he quickly begins asking questions.]

Who is Shikiko, Kio?

[Murmurs]

My daughter

[Soubi arches an eyebrow for a moment, but then his expression becomes neutral again. He can't doubt what Kio is saying before he's done.]

You asked your daughter about a sister you don't remember? How would she know, if you don't?

[He shrugs]

Shikiko-san, she knows a lot. She was raised in a special home for women in my family, I wasn't allowed to see her much when she was growing up. It's against the rules.

I'm sorry I didn't tell you before.

[He grips the cloth of his pants on his legs, staring down at the ground]

I'm sorry I never mentioned her.

I should have said something.

I'm sorry.

[He shakes his head, completely disregarding Kio's apology. It's best to get the information out of him now, before he becomes too upset to talk.]

So she didn't know anything about your sister. Did you talk to any of the other women in that house?

[He's combing Kio's story for the names of any Fighters or Sacrifices that he might recognize. That would explain all of this.]

Yeah, Sheiko, Shikiko's mother. I didn't ask her anything though. She's not...she's a bit...

[Kio trails off]

I didn't think she'd know.

[A nod. He doesn't recognize that name, either, but that doesn't mean she isn't a Fighter. She's obviously a grown woman, and to make Kio sleep with her... well, that has to mean something, doesn't it?]

I see. And just after that, you went to my house, and woke up here?

[He nods]

Yeah, that's it.

[A slow nod. The story doesn't make sense, but there's an explanation in it. This must be a spell.]

I see, Kio. I must have been asleep for a while. Your memory seems fine.

[Best to just keep him calm until they can find Ritsuka.]

I'm not tired, Soubi! I need to know what happened! Who were those guys? What happened to Seimei? What the Hell is going on!?

[He shakes his head, unwilling to feed off of Kio's emotions.]

We need to find Ritsuka. Then we can answer those questions.

Everyone keeps trying to shut me up or snub me! You're my best friend, don't do this to me! Please, Soubi! Please!

[He waves a hand in front of Kio's face, almost carelessly.]

Shh. I know. You're very tired, Kio. I can see it, your eyes are drooping. You're too tired even to ask questions.

[He wraps his arms around Kio's shoulders and gives him a warm hug.]

Go to sleep.

[And Kio falls into his arms, he sniffles and weakens and falls asleep]

[Good. One hug, and he's asleep. Much easier than trying to put Youji to sleep. He's very glad that Kio is this pliable in his hands; it keeps things from getting dangerous. Slowly he stands, supporting Kio in his arms, and, as if Kio weighs nothing, hauls him over to his bed. He lays him to rest under the covers and leaves silently.]

Spell 001 [Text] [Backdated to dawn]

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