Kira

~

By the time we climb out of the sewers we're all covered in blood and bits of flesh which I try not to let my thoughts linger on. I had also discovered my new found fear of spiders.

I gag constantly as we trek into the cold, desolate streets, my phone letting me know it was just a few minutes after four in the morning.

On a Saturday thankfully.

I can practically hear my bed whispering sweet nothings in my ear already.

Speaking of which, my gaze shifts to Kiro who's on Troy's back, he'd definitely be enjoying it if he was awake. "Is he going to be fine?"

"Yeah. I'll just take him to my place. He'll wake up and leave on his own later." The older blond replied.

"Doesn't he have…a guardian or something?" I know he'd said he has no family when we first met but that didn't mean he had no one, right?

Troy gives me a skeptically raised eyebrow like he can't believe my ignorance, "Kuro has no home," he's a few steps in front of me, "He's been that way since I met him. As a Magic user, he's unaffiliated, as a person…"

"You ever tried getting him to stay?"

"I didn't, someone else did, he declined," He casts a glance at the smaller boy on his back, an unreadable expression in his gaze, "I don't have the energy to waste by convincing stubborn morons what's good for them. He'll live, no matter what, so that's enough for me."

'How does he eat?', 'Where does he sleep?', 'What about when it rains?' All these questions float around my head, not satisfied with a ‘He'll live.’

Troy is speaking before I can ask, "I don't know how he does it but it's none of my business. Knowing him doesn't mean knowing about him, all I do know is that his parents were killed by Nightmare and he wants revenge." Troy turned to me, "That's all he needs us for. Revenge. Don't think about his age or how young he looks, his issues go beyond enjoying the taste of blood, don't get swept up in it."

It's funny, I already feel we're all being swept along.

But I hold my tongue.

We keep walking, taking back alleys I can find through my map app until Troy tells me he can fly once more. He spreads his wide sparkling wings, adjusting Kuro so the boy rests properly in his arms. We hear mumbled words from the unconscious boy and it soothes my nerves a bit. Troy only looks more agitated.

"Drool, disgusting," He huffs, glancing back at me, "Get home without causing trouble."

I nod with a dismissive wave, "Yeah, yeah, and rest up. We've got school after tomorrow. You look like trash." My lips twitch in a victorious smile as I note the twitch in the corner of his eye.

Good, have a taste of your own medicine.

I should have known better as I'm nearly blown back by the force at which he takes off. His wings beating even strokes through the air.

Petty bastard.

I'm still watching their silhouettes against the slowly brightening sky, the sun is coming up and soon people will be safe to move once more.

I'm alive.

We're alive.

I spread my arms, falling to the ground as tears of relief pour down my face.

***

I wake up sometime around noon. Feeling slightly better but my muscles still aching when I moved. I pick my phone up and put it off silent mode as I male my way to the kitchen.

"I was staring to think you'd sleep the whole day away?" Ares teases me with a grin, he snatches the coffee packet out of my hand and replaces it with a mug of tea. He liked to limit how much we had since it's bad for our health or something.

I don't really mind except for times when I was really in a coffee mood. I decide to let it go for today.

One missed call from Troy.

I can feel my brows furrowing in concern.

"Was okay," I reply automatically to something Ares said but I didn't quite hear.

He plants a kiss on my forehead, pulling me from my worries, "I ordered gyudon from a local restaurant. Your share is in the fridge. Brush your teeth right after and join me and your sister for a movie, okay?"

It was probably going to be some new anime he wanted to get us into.

I give him a bright smile, "Sure."

He smiles back, hurrying in the direction of the living room. I look back at my phone, at the missed call, spirits falling when I remember that Kuro doesn't have this.

I want to check on him.

The number picks up on the first ring!

"Kira! What took you so long!"

"Kuro?!" I really shouldn't be stunned he sounds so...fine…

"Yeah! I'm okay but Troy isn't, poison from yokai or Demons really messes with his system. He's sick."

"No, I'm not, you nuisance. Give me back my phone," I can hear Troy's muffled voice in the background.

"He's lying and he's terrible at it. Anyway, we won't be able to meet up today. I'm afraid he'll croak if I leave his side for even one second, like geez you should see how pathetic he looks."

"Stop making false statements, It's only a slight fever." Troy hisses, he sounds closer, there's the sound of footsteps, maybe a struggle and a whine on Kuro's part. It seems Troy has the phone fully now, "Vermillion, I'm fine, the brat doesn't know what he's saying."

"I know you are. Rest up, Angel boy."

"Don't call me that," He snaps before hanging up. I smile to myself, some part of me happy to see those two as friends now even though I know they'll never quite see me the same.

Am I dumb for thinking that?

Maybe.

And probably dumber thinking they'd open up to me. I have no idea what the future holds but my chest feels lighter knowing they'll be by my side.

If only for a little bit.

***

The next time I see both of them is in front of the school gates.

I'm surprised to say the least.

Given that they'd missed our morning jog, I assumed Troy was still too sick to resume school that day.

Apparently, I'd been wrong.

He’s there, in full Hamada High uniform, hair shorter but still long enough to pull back into a simple but elegant ponytail that falls past his shoulder blades. He looks better when it's braided but he’s still hot, as Kuro would say. I can't help wondering how it grows when he changes to his vigilante outfit but I doubted he'd tell me. The expression on his face tells me he'd rather be anywhere but here but I can sense some excitement in the sharpness of his gaze.

Kuro is by his side dressed casually, with his scarf as always, and bouncing excitedly on the balls of his feet as he constantly says words I'm sure the blond is pretending not to hear.

I approach them, "You're both here?!"

"This is my school too now."

"Sure, sure, Troy's a big boy now." Kuro pouts, "Just don't go making friends and forget about me."

"You're not my friend and such things are merely a waste of time."

Kuro rolls his eyes dramatically, turning to me he pulls me into an unexpected hug, "Thanks, he told me what you did back there."

"Anytime," I beam, taking off my bag and reaching into it to pull out something. I push a white box into his hand, seeing his eyes nearly pop out of his head when he realizes what it is.

"I told you not to bother with this."

"I think I decide what I bother with or not when it comes to my friends," My smirk falls when I notice he's watching me with confusion.

"Kira-"

I cut him off before he could refuse me, "I took care of the internet and everything, you can also come and visit sometimes. We have extra rooms in case you want to sleep over," I add quickly, "I know for a fact Ares wouldn't mind, Kat might take some getting used to though."

A chuckle bubbles up from him, there's a glassy look to his eyes when our gazes lock again but he’s smiling, "I'm fine Kira, but I'll stop by, maybe I'll tie Troy up and bring him with me."

"That's kidnapping," The older boy points out in irritation.

Kuro pretends not to hear.

My face relaxes into a smile of my own, I can work with that.

"We're going to be late Vermillion,” Troy scowls at me.

I gave Kuro one more hug before grabbing Troy's arm and pulling him through the entrance, ignoring his protests to unhand him, "I'll show you around, you're going to love this place."

He merely sighs, trying not to make a scene.

I glance back over my shoulder at Kuro on the sidewalk. He's focused on the phone, a single glistening tear slipping down his face, he rubs at it harshly with his sleeve before he walks off.