Third Person

~

Kira left the small garden before Kuro and Ryu could catch unto her presence. She only managed a few steps out before she crashed into someone else.

That someone was Troy.

"Watch where you're going," he said as she righted her stance.

"Sorry about that."

"It's fine, your stepfather told me to come to look for you and the brats. Did you see them?"

"They're having a moment not far from here."

She noticed the blond's brows furrow slightly, "I'm not sure I trust that Takahashi kid."

"Same here. You feel it too right, this strange energy has been hanging around for some time since they started hanging out."

"What do you suggest we do?"

Kira shrugged, pulling out her phone to call Kuro, it was getting late and they had a long night ahead of them.

"I can't think of anything right now, and I figured that since Kuro hasn't said anything-"

"Did you consider the fact that he's saying nothing because he wasn't to keep lying to himself that it's not a problem? And you're just going to let him continue that way?"

Kira flinched, thumb hovering over the screen of her phone. Troy was glaring daggers into the back of her neck.

"I can't believe this, why are you both so-"

"What the hell do you want me to do?!" She snapped turning around to glare at him, eyes blazing with emotion, "You want me to tell him he can't have friends? That he can't catch a break? That he shouldn't look forward to seeing someone at some point of the day all because of some crazy feeling we're not even sure the cause of?!"

"I'm telling you to do your job and stop letting emotion cloud your judgment, that kid could be an assassin sent by Nightmare for all we know and you're just going to let it go because nothing has happened right now?"

"We'll cross that bridge when we get there." She said hotly.

"What if it's too late Kira and the bridge burns before we get there?" He asked coldly, leveling her with a stony look.

She turned away, putting the ringing phone to her ear, "I'll talk to him about it," she conceded with a sigh.

***

Kira didn't bring it up that night during practice, or the one after that as well. She was putting on her outdoor shoes after school and still panicking about how she'd go about the whole thing.

Crushing people's happiness wasn't her thing, but Troy was right, as a leader, she had to make the right calls for the good of the team.

Kuro wasn't waiting at the gates as usual so after lunch the group split up once more. Jade and Momo to their respective homes and Haru to his to prepare for some big family event he claimed he'd dread ("too many people").

That left Kira with Troy who said he'd follow her back to practice. There were times she wasn't sure if he'd grown to like her presence or if he was still waiting for her to turn evil so he could put an arrow through her heart, but his hovering was a familiar presence.

It was a normal day. Hardly anything differentiated it from the days before it but still, a dark eerie tension hung in the air like the world was waiting for something. A taut string they all couldn't see waiting to snap and unleash a chain of events they never expected.

Kira held the volleyball in her hands, glaring at worn letters she had never paid attention to.

Something was about to go wrong, and irked her she didn't know exactly what.

***

"I wanted to see Kira at practice today, I get the feeling she's been wanting to say something to me," Kuro said absently as they strolled away from the Ryu's school.

They'd been hanging around the area since the closing bell, the exact time Kuro had arrived to meet up.

"We can still go if you want," Ryu said, leading them to the side of the road, and stopping in front of a little kiosk to buy some Pocky sticks. Kuro snatched a pack out of his hand, "Freeloader."

Kuro grinned at the insult, "You hurt my feelings."

They chuckled as they neared the crowded train station.

"So, do we go?" Ryu questioned.

"Yeah, but let's drop off at a closer station this time, my legs are killing me," Kuro whined as they neared the train.

"We've barely walked ten minutes," Ryu deadpanned.

Kuro was about to shoot back a response when a cold shiver ran down his spine, like eyes were on him, blatantly drinking him in with evil intent. He stopped walking, scanning the area. If he could use his powers right now, he would have searched the area in under a minute but if there was any real danger, he couldn't leave Ryu's side.

"Kuro! Hurry up! The train will leave any second!" Ryu yelled, not bothering with how much attention he was calling.

Kuro gritted his teeth in frustration, he hated this feeling, they should leave and find another way to Kira's school.

He was just about to suggest it but a hand grabbed him, pulling him into the train just as the door closed and the vehicle started to move. He looked up into Ryu's eyes in panic.

"Dude, what's up with you?" Ryu huffed pulling them down the cart to look for seats. Ryu spotted one, about to sit when Kuro held him back, a lady with a visible baby bump sat down heavily.

"I'm fine, just...stay close, yeah?"

"Not like there's anywhere to go, we'll be standing a while is all, hope you'll be okay, lazy freeloader?"

"I'll be fine," He said curtly, unable to joke with his nerves on end like this, he observed everyone in the cart because that feeling was yet to leave.

The train picked up speed. Kuro held on to the straphanger and kept a lookout, still conflicted about what was going on.

What the hell? He rubbed his head in confusion.

The train sped up once more, jerking only a little.

He held on to the top of Ryu's gakuran. The other looked down, about to ask if something was wrong when all of a sudden the vehicle jerked once more, speeding up at an alarming rate this time. People screamed as they were jostled out of their seats. The white lights turned red and emergency sirens blared. Voices came over the speakers but Kuro wasn't paying attention.

He grabbed Ryu and dragged the confused boy to the nearest window. He planned to break it and fly them out of there but no matter how much strength he put behind his hits, the glass didn't shatter.

He scowled in confusion as a deep rumble of manic laughter engulf the train. They were all thrown around again as if the train was spinning on the tracks like some sort of rollercoaster.

He lost his grip on Ryu, landing hard on a beam and crashing into the wall of the vehicle, "Nice try Dark One but this train is mine now." A voice said close to his ear. He turned to see a man's face on the wall.

Someone who could possess objects. This was bad. More screams surrounded him as the train began to hit the walls of the tunnel, smacking people this way and that, but all Kuro could think of was Ryu.

He couldn't find his friend anymore, the dim lights and bodies being thrown about were putting him off. He had to do something but he had no idea what. The world was a frenzied blur of fear and panicked screams

'I just wanted to protect one person,' he scowled in his head, tears gathering in his eyes as his wings sprouted out, feathers dancing all over the cart, trying to find Ryu and get him to safety. The screams slowly died out as more people died either from shock or the amount of impact their heads had taken.

Kuro didn't care, he only wanted Ryu, and right after he would kill the bastard who dared to do this.

The tension in the air snapped just as his vision zoomed in on Ryu holding on to a straphanger as the train spun once more. Relief morphed to dread as the sound of groaning metal was heard, before Kuro could do anything, there was a loud bang, the sounds of a collision, and more screaming.

The force knocked Kuro into a brick wall that seemed to come out of nowhere.

Midnight feathers fell to the ground as he landed on the floor, dazed. Struggling to piece together what was happening. He forced himself to stand, he'd taken worse hits.

'Ryu...' The voice in his head groaned, or maybe he'd actually called out, he wasn't sure.

He got a pained groan in response, turning to his side, he could see a body not far from his, lower half buried under some rubble from the destroyed tunnel.

Stolen story; please report.

His eyes widened in shock and horror, "Ryu? Ryu! Ryuunosuke?! Hey! Answer me!" He screamed, calling on his powers, and about getting to his feet but an acrid smell filled his nose, burning his lungs and causing him to stumble a few inches from his friend. He needed to hold his breath but the stench was weakening him quickly, burning through his throat and his resolve. He reached his hand out to Ryu's when a foot came and kicked the other's hand away.

"What an interesting human you've chosen to attach yourself to Kuro-chan," a smooth, amused male voice said. It was different from the one of the person who possessed the train. Kuro looked up to glare at the person but through his blurry vision, all he could see were bright, violet iris peering down at him.

"Who..."

"Shhh my dear, it's time you rest now, once you wake up, you realize I did this all for you, you're getting soft." A white-gloved hand ran through his hair.

"Yo, Boss, we done here?" The train possessor called.

"Oh yes, but do come here a minute."

The sound of footsteps rang in his ears followed by a loud scream and the sound of a knife piercing flesh and bone. A hand fell beside Kuro's face, splashing blood all over him.

There were sobs but no words.

Kuro was slowly slipping, struggling to hold on.

"Kuro-chan, if you don't necessarily agree, we could talk, find the owner of that hand and you'll find me." The person referred to as 'Boss' said. Kuro wished he could see the sick bastard's face, wishes he could drive his own boots into it. There were sounds of police sirens and the commotion of a slowly gathering cloud.

"Looks like it's time I leave, let us reunite soon, Ta-chan," Those were the last words Kuro heard as the gas finally shut down his system, his final thoughts lingering on the name he'd been called, so familiar, yet so far away.

***

Kira was pushing through the crowd to where the emergency forces were parked, waves of worry and anxiety pumping through her veins with every step.

Twenty minutes ago, she had unlocked her phone to browse through the internet during her five-minute break. What greeted her was breaking news of the train crash that had taken place where Kuro had told her Ryu schooled.

It was a stretch but she tried his phone and once he didn't pick up, she dashed from the practice hall after taking permission from the coach.

She and Troy used their powers, getting to the scene in record time and changing back as soon as they were close enough not to warrant attention.

With her sonic airwaves, she picked out Kuro's position and headed towards him, he was seated in the back of an ambulance. Some medics tried to keep them away but she didn't care, she used her strength and shoved them out of her way before throwing herself at him.

"Kuro! Thank goodness!" She squeezed him, "What happened?" She asked pulling back to study him, there were smudges of blood all over his face.

"Kuro?" Troy called out.

"Stop pestering the poor thing, he's clearly traumatized," The nurse that had been attending to him said.

"I'm fine." He said dully, hopping to the ground and walking into Kira's arms, "See?"

"You're a pretty lucky kid, just a few scratches, from a train crash." The nurse said before turning her attention to others that needed her help.

"They're all dead, it's all pointless," Kuro muttered into Kira's shoulder, she shuddered as the words sunk in.

"That can't be true, I'm sure-"

"THEY'RE ALL DEAD KIRA!" Kuro screamed, squeezing her much more for support, she held him closer before he could sink to the ground, "When I woke up, it was just me and Ryu, and I'm not even sure he'll make it, there was so much blood."

"We can't do this here you two," Troy said, tone flat but not harsh. He pulled them out of the station, scooping out the area and taking them into the crowd.

Once they were in the quiet safety of a nearby tea shop, Kuro broke down, burying his face into his arm and letting out a torrent of tears.

Kira stroked calming circles into his back while ordering some tea for them. The air around them was riddled with uneasiness.

"Dark magic was involved, wasn't it?" Troy asked once the sobbing had died down.

Kuro sniffed softly, raising red rimmed meeting his, "Yeah...but it wasn't Nightmare."

"Who was it then?" Kira passed him some green tea.

Kuro stared into the swirling liquid before pushing it away from himself, "I don't know," he licked at some blood at the side of his lips, "But if Ryu doesn't make it, I'm going to kill them."

***

"He's stable, for now at least," the male doctor said flipping the chart, "Your son's a fighter, Mr. Takahashi, be proud of that."

Kira was standing outside Ryu's room with Kuro and Ryu's parents.

Mrs. Takahashi's sob of relief was heard clear as day. The night was slowly wearing on but Kuro had refused to leave until he heard the news of Ryu's surgery. Kira was still in her practice clothes but she was ready to be his support no matter what.

"Unfortunately, I regret to inform you... please do sit down, first."

"We can't sit down doctor, what's wrong?" Mr. Takahashi pressed.

"The doctor sighed, "Ryuunosuke's spine took some serious damage from the collapsed roof, beneath that were several shards from the train explosion that went deep into his skin."

Kira could feel a cold chill at her side, she looked down at Kuro who was probably jumping to conclusions already. "Doc, what are you trying to say?" She asked.

His voice was solemn, "I'm saying, Ryuunosuke may never be able to use his legs, even if he does wake up."

A terrifying aura suddenly filled the room, and several lights flickered and burst around them. Kira quickly and discreetly took hold of Kuro's hand, 'Calm down.' She told him in his head. Luckily no one seemed to pay attention due to Mrs. Takahashi's break down, loud pained sobs filled the ward.

"I apologize," The doctor said, "There are treatments that can help speed up healing and if he's lucky there's a probability he might walk."

"How much of a probability?" Kuro bit out.

"About twenty-five to thirty percent, not much but it's still hope," The doctor encouraged, "It's all very expensive though."

The Takahashi couple exchanged a dismal look.

"We'll pay," Kira blurted out before thinking, it didn't matter, if Ares had heard, he would have offered all the same, "Once I call my guardian he'll agree to it immediately."

"Dear, you don't-"

She raised a hand to cut Mrs. Takahashi off, "We're his friends and we know it's hard for you right now so let us help," She added a bow, "Please."

Kuro stalked away from them, their argument fading into the background as he used his abilities to get to Ryu's side and keep people from noticing.

The machine monitoring his heartbeat was going worryingly slow, giving the illusion he could flatline any second. His breaths were shallow beneath the oxygen mask. Bruises littered parts of his face and torso that the bandages couldn't cover.

Kuro reached out to touch, to at least feel some sort of warmth that would indicate Ryu would be back soon and everything would be okay, but nothing could be okay anymore.

'Ryuunosuke may never be able to use his legs again...' the news continued to echo over and over until it blurred into static, white noise that slowly gave raise to anger, self-loathing, and hunger. A primal hunger to take out all this burning rage and frustration on someone.

He clutched at the railing on the side of the hospital bed. Memories he never wanted to look back on flooded to the surface, taunting him.

'You weren't made to save, my disciple,' he could almost feel her firm demanding hands at his neck moving to his face, squeezing, pushing, molding, 'All you were born for is to bring disaster to those you love...or destroy in their name.'

His hand hovered over Ryu's legs beneath the blankets, "I'll avenge you Ryu, and right after, I won't bring you any more trouble," He muttered harshly under his breath.

Kira had noticed Kuro enter the room but she said nothing, her mind more focused on trying to convince Mr. and Mrs. Takahashi. When that was finally managed, she retrieved the younger boy and forcefully dragged him over to Troy's house.

"You don't have to put me under anyone's charge you know?" Kuro stated blandly as they trudged through the small street.

Kira flashed a small, tentative smile that she hoped looks comforting. She had no idea how to deal with this and she could feel the barrage of negative emotions rolling off Kuro in waves.

What had happened was frightening, to say the least, but beyond that, she was curious. Why would someone go so far as to kill hundreds of people just to set up a meeting with Kuro? It was absurd, but absurdity was quickly becoming part of her everyday life.

They arrived at the door to Troy's home and after a few knocks, they were greeted by Xie Ren who wore a solemn look on his usually cheerful face.

"I heard about what happened, I'm sorry Kuro," the young man reached out a hand but Kuro gently pushed it back.

"I'll be fine," he murmured with an acknowledging nod before entering the house.

They watched him disappear into the living area after taking off his shoes. Kura turned to Ren, "Take care of him, please."

"I can only try, but it must be hard. How did the visit go?"

Kira winced visibly.

"Not good?"

"More like very bad. Ryu might never walk again,"

"That's terrible,"

"I know. I wish I'd been there... I kept getting these feelings that something was going to happen. I should have connected it much quicker because it happened with Haru too."

"Kira, there was nothing you could do..."

"There was, I have all these instincts and feelings running on overdrive but I feel useless. Every time I think I'm making progress, some new threat rears its head to make things worse. Now, someone's after Kuro."

Xie Ren stared, unsure of what to say to all this. He wished that Master Wei or some more competent adult were around but he was the only one these children could come to for the time being. He restrained himself from sighing and pulls up memories of his training.

Kira could see the complicated look on the slightly older guy's face. As amusing as I was, she could tell he wanted to help but he wasn't the person to burden with her troubles.

"Where's Troy?" She quickly changed the subject.

"He's meditating in the garden at the back." Xie Ren answered.

Turning away, Kira gave an understanding nod, "Tell him to let me know if Kuro gets better, they don't have to come for patrol if he's not, I'll handle it myself."

"Are you sure that's okay?"

She flashed a grin she'd become a master at perfecting, "Trust me."

***

The first thing Kira did on getting home was to reassure Ares (and maybe herself a little) that everything was okay after delivering the news. She feigned being tired to escape more questions as she headed toward the hall to her room.

She never wanted to make him worried, especially not since Kat had recently started acting up again.

She groaned heavily before falling onto her mattress, the cool press of cotton sheets on her face comforting the swell of emotions in her chest. She squeezed her eyes shut at the feeling to cry, there was no time for crying. There was no time to confront the swell of emotions in her chest.

Turning to her window, she stared at the glowing patches of colored lights flooding into the room from the city outside. No matter what happens, the world just kept moving. No matter how much destruction, nothing stops.

And she hates that.

Sometimes, all she wanted was a break, some time to process and think it all out. Some time to talk to someone who would get it from her perspective instead of telling her to keep moving, when every day made her wearier than the last.

None of them knew the exact time but they did know that each passing day brought them closer to the moment Nightmare would deliver his final strike.

And Kira didn't want to be the reason they failed, that responsibility was beyond her.

"Sometimes, I still find it funny you know?" She says to the dark, knowing that Lucifer and Mammon are there, "Demons, yokai, magic, all of it...I still find it hard to wrap my head around it. Like I'll wake up and everything will slip to the back of my mind like a fever dream.

"I'll be back at the mansion in Washington, I'll walk downstairs to meet Ares and Claire arguing, Kat will shove past me and we'll sit for an awkward breakfast."

She pulled her knees to her chest.

"Recently though, I've stopped wanting that, and it's because of them," flashes of memories fill her head; the first visit they all took to the aquarium, laughter-filled lunch breaks with Jade and Momo, slow, sleepy study sessions with Haru and the surreal nights on rooftops with Kuro and Troy, the wind billowing past them in gentle sweeps.

Those moments had cemented themselves into her mind and she wondered if she'd be able to keep them if she were no longer with powers. Yet some part of her yearns to let it all go all for the sake of normality, a normal with no gory deaths or scary fights.

"For how long can I hold it together guys?" She asked drowsily before sleep claimed her.

***

Kira is woken an hour later by the alarm that she set so she could head out for patrol. It was sometime around midnight. She thrust herself out of bed and stumbled in the dark briefly as she checks her phone.

There are no messages from Troy or Kuro. She briefly toys with the idea of calling either of them and was about to toss it side when the device rang loudly once more. This time with her ringtone.

Troy's name flashes across the screen with a candid photo of him she'd managed to sneak when the three of them were at some no-name coffee shop.

She slid the screen to accept the call, "Hi, Troy-"

"Kira! Get down here fast!" Xie Ren's voice assaults her ears in the calm quiet of her room.

"What's going on?" She asked, jumping out her window and transforming mid-fall, landing on the slightly shorter building across from them.

"Kuro and Troy are fighting in the middle of the street, no costumes or anything and they're just- I don't know how to stop them!"

"I'll be there in a sec," she bites back, ending the call and dashing off in their direction. What the hell was wrong now?