Third Person
~
Kuro's vision swam in spotty ripples as soon as he opened his eyes. He let out a soft groan, reaching his hands up to his face to rub at them.
The hands in question felt heavier than they should and as soon as he could open his eyes without feeling a headache creep in he discovered they were bound in cold heavy shackles.
He was chained down in the center of a circular blood seal in the middle of the room, and countless bright yellow, paper talismans spun around his prison, thoroughly restricting the usage of his powers.
Closer inspection led to the realization that words scrawled on said charms were his real name. Whoever it was behind this definitely wasn't t taking any chances.
It also meant they knew way too much about him.
"Yep, I'm definitely screwed," he sighed out through gritted teeth.
"Oh, you're awake. Thank goodness, I thought I'd gone overboard," the voice he'd come to hate over the last few hours sang from outside his spell cage. He turned around with flashing eyes.
The only person aside from him in the circular dimly lit room was the person behind all the madness. He was standing over a work desk with several scrolls and elixirs littering its surface.
Bright violet eyes stared back at him with adoration and excitement, they had a manic gleam to them that greatly unsettled him as well as dug up some odd familiarity.
"It's been so long Kuro, I'm sorry our reunion had to be this way but I tend to go overboard when I'm excited...or displeased." He grinned, taking a closer step toward the cage.
Kuro was up on his feet instantly, snarling and making to close the distance but his chains would only let him go as far as three steps before harshly yanking him back.
He was a foot or two from the barrier dividing them.
"Who the hell are you and what do you want with me?" He asked the man.
The infatuated look on the other's face instantly broke down into disbelief, "Kuro-chan...you really don't remember me?"
Kuro gave a noncommittal shrug, he didn't feel bad in the least but he was a bit irritated at himself, "Should I?"
"We literally trained together for four years, how else would I know your name?"
Kuro sat down cross-legged, a thoughtful hand on his chin. Four years and training could only be traced to his time under his master. Which meant this person was most likely an old classmate.
But he'd never told any of them his real name.
Except for one.
He snapped his fingers, grinning as he finally figured it out, "You're that big brother that was always obsessed with me!"
The other's face broke into an embarrassed blush, "You don't have to put it that way!" He exclaimed gesturing wildly.
"What was your name again...Kama, no...Kiku, nah that's not it...Atsu-"
"Kutsuki Akio," the violet-eyed young man groaned running a hand through long dark locks that were tied back with a ribbon.
"Ah yeah, that's it! My answer is still no if that's what you kidnapped me for," Kuro said with a dismissive wave and disgusted shudder to drive home his point.
"No? Are you sure? I mean...kidnap is a strong word-"
Kuro waved his shackled arms for emphasis.
"I guess it does kind of look that way, doesn't it."
"You also crashed an entire train full of hundreds and hospitalized my friend, I'm definitely not forgetting any of that," Kuro's smile left his face once he remembered Ryu, "I'm going to make you pay."
Akio scowled, folding his arms with an unapologetic look, "He clearly wasn't worthy of you."
Kuro's chains rattled once more as he tried to force another step forward, "I'm going to kill you."
Akio waved dismissively, "You're wasting away on some useless revenge quest when your talents could be used for so much more, Kuro," he sighed sadly, turning around to head back to his work desk, "Ever since we graduated from the Lady's care, I've never stopped worrying about the scared little boy that slowly came undone by my side."
Kuro clenched fists came loose at his sides, eyes never leaving Akio who was watching his as well.
"You've really grown, it's obvious, but you're not strong enough to take him on, just accept that and let's move on." The older male said, hurt and frustration creeping into his airy tone.
Memories were flooding back, not like Kuro could ever really forget. Those four hellish years were spent under the woman that only made herself known as Lady West.
A sadistic monster of a woman whose goal was to turn children into the worst versions of themselves for whatever cause. She encouraged them to embrace the darkness, to disregard their lives all for the sake of pleasure and power.
He was only five when she took him in. He had escaped Nightmare's hold but was on the verge of death. She gave him only two options; death or vengeance.
In those brutal four years, he suffered alongside many others just like him. All they'd ever know was suffering and the delight in creating it for those who stood in their path. He was the youngest but his smarts and natural talent got him through a lot, especially after he'd realized that no one was coming to rescue him.
There was no one alive to care.
Except there was one person in that dark world that quietly took his hand at night when he sobbed into his pillow.
A boy seven years older, Kutsuki Akio, who went by the name Kikuo. Back then, Kuro had gone by a name Lady West had given him before he finally settled on 'Kuro' after getting his powers.
The last test they'd had to take before graduating was a one-on-one battle to the death.
Kuro could remember Akio's words even back then.
***
'I'm happy we didn't end up against each other,' the older boy had said as spun a poison needle in his hand.
'Me too,' they were sitting beneath one of the many staircases in a hidden temple. So far from civilization and the world, they'd grown up in.
'I would have let you kill me though.'
Kuro turned to stare at the other with incredulous eyes. He could tell Akio cared for him, more than one should, especially in conditions like the one they were in. It should have comforted him, but he'd stopped feeling comfort a long time ago. People always wanted something back, but he said nothing and let the other continue.
Akio chuckled, an adoring gleam in his eyes, 'I'd be entirely happy to die by your hands but I'd be far happier to spend the rest of my life by your side. I can't wait for this hell to be over.'
Kuro gave a nervous smile, putting a bit more space between them, he'd become touch averse in recent says. 'Just don't die tomorrow.'
In the end, they'd both been given extra points for the most gruesome kills.
***
"But right after our graduation, you left to pursue your own interests, and I would have no problem with that if it wasn't some suicidal fantasy." Akio slammed a hand on the table.
"I knew to stop you, I'd have to be stronger than you, and find a way to remove all that hate in your heart. So I used my skills to build my own following," he gave Kuro a proud grin, "I'm my own Master now Kuro, those guarding this temple are my own disciples. Not to mention I'm one of the most feared assassins in the underworld, impressive right?"
"Good for you, Akio, good for you, but I don't give a shit," Kuro stated in a deadpan tone, eyes scrutinizing the man before him. He couldn't bring himself to care for their reunion, not after what had happened with the train, with Ryu. He wanted retribution.
If Akio's desire was him, then his was the other's death.
"Kuro, leave Nightmare behind, join me to take over a world that isn't some out-of-reach delusion. If you stop now it'll be easier to bargain with him in the future. It's better than going against him." Akio pleaded, moving back to the cage, reaching a hand through the barrier to stroke the younger's face but Kuro made a biting motion with his teeth.
He chuckled, pulling back.
"Disagreeable as ever. From a scared baby boy to a vicious irresistible viper. You truly never cease to amaze me."
Kuro glared, tugging at his chains again.
"Get comfortable, It'll be not too long from now and we can put this all behind us."
Kuro's brows furrowed in confusion, "What are you planning to do?"
Akio's violet eyes crinkled with sick mirth, "A means to seal your memories and alter them. I was searching for years but I found the right ingredients for the spell. I know it would have been better to complete it first but seeing you give that mere human the smiles you used to save only for me," he set the talisman he'd been holding ablaze from irritation, "Let's just say, I couldn't help myself."
"You're sick in the head Akio," Kuro snarked as he fell to the ground, punching it in frustration. He was completely powerless in this situation, and he had no one to blame but himself. He wondered if Kira and Troy would come to his rescue.
Again.
Just like with the Jorōgumo.
'When did I become so useless...so dependent?' He hissed inwardly.
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