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 Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2014 1:02 am
 ~::Shrine of Penitence::~
Not a real shrine, but a small, traditional home mostly overgrown with moss and snow on the outskirts of Sapporo. It's called a shrine due to a pair of small Inari statues on either side of the cracked walk up to the front door. Inside is a single room with a fireplace at the center.
Barren of nearly any luxury, its relatively remote location and miniscule size make it an ideal location to simply hide away and avoid the eyes of enemy Servants.
...
It is the temporary hideout of Third Holy Grail War Masters Kaori Sakurazaka and Munakata Kei.
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Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2014 9:12 pm
Munakata Kei, the Deadly Nightshade of the Human Weapons Unit
"...I'm not simply a man who kills for no reason. It's because I have a reason that I kill. Because I wish for the Grail, I'll kill you. Because you threatened Kaori, I'll kill you..."It never really sat right with him when he was home like this; it sat even more uncomfortably upon his shoulders when he thought about his partner out there in the city on her own. He was the type of person who preferred to take action whenever possible, though he was always mindful of the murderous urges that he kept suppressed inside himself. Even so, he wanted to be out there with her right now so that he could watch her back. She could handle herself, certainly, and with the servant she had called to her side he was positive that she was protected should the worst occur and another Master wandered into her location looking for a fight. That didn't mean that he wanted her to have to fight, particularly if they were fighting blind against their enemies. The Third Holy Grail War, which they had been drafted for despite having no initial interest in the affair, was only just begun in earnest and throwing yourself into the first available fray with this many potential enemies was a surefire way to let your enemies get the jump on you. They could discover what class of servant you had, their abilities, potentially even their identity if you got into a life-or-death battle with a powerful enemy. The less the enemies knew about them the better...and the more they knew about their enemies, the better their own odds would be.
That's why they had decided upon this mission, a scouting effort out into the city. Only one of them would go, to see what they could learn of the other Masters and Servants. And even if one of the two of them were to be discovered and revealed their Servant's true nature, there would still be one of their two-person alliance about whom the enemy knew nothing. At least, that's how they hoped it turned out.
"I read you loud and clear, Kaori," the man called Deadly Nightshade spoke into his headset's microphone, the phone connecting him to his ally out in the city at large. The war was young, and so was the night around them. He listened intently for the words of his partner and spoke back to her in full confidence. No one else in the war was likely to have formed so strong an alliance as theirs already was. And with the power of their two servants...they had an advantage that nobody else in the competition could claim as their own. "Keep a sharp eye out for any other Masters. It's just like any other mission; we want to make sure that you see them before they see you." He took a breath...a twinge in his stomach made him ache, fingers unconsciously resting upon the hilt of his most prominent weapon, his sword...the other masters...there was on guarantee they wouldn't be trying to kill himself or Kaori. Could he resist the urge to do the same? His eyes closed...
'Focus,' he whispered inside of his mind, reminding himself of his pledge...of the fact that he was not alone, 'To win the War, we don't have to kill other Masters. Only the Servant has to die, and that's the reason they are here in this world. And my Servant...cannot be defeated. Isn't that right?'
...
Behind him, a warrior with wild white hair and a brilliant armor stood watchful, nodding solemnly, eyes shimmering in the dark-lit room of their remote hideaway.
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Posted: Thu May 01, 2014 9:50 am
Munakata Kei, the Deadly Nightshade of the Human Weapons Unit
"...I'm not simply a man who kills for no reason. It's because I have a reason that I kill. Because I wish for the Grail, I'll kill you. Because you threatened Kaori, I'll kill you..."It was hard to describe what he was hearing on the other end of the line; one moment he was talking with Kaori, the next all Hell seemed to be breaking loose at the former Sapporo Dome where she was scouting out her enemies. Hearing her confident voice reassuring him and telling him to be safe had been enough to help him to put some of his unease to rest; now he found himself suddenly on the very edge of his patience. Every ounce of instinct inside of him begged him to leave the place they had marked as their hideout and kill every last person who was there to threaten her, every servant that he could have cut down by his own. He had to restrain himself, maintain control...he reminded himself like a mantra inside of his mind, over and over, that Kaori could handle this...that it was his duty to stay back and let her analyze their opponents with her own skill, her own servant, waiting for his own time to join the fray properly and unsheathe his killing blade. But it was hard to remember when the thought of her out there right now fighting against God-knew-what kept running through his mind. She was powerful for any Master, certainly, but against the likes of the Heroic Spirits that were their servants even she was sure to come up lacking. Human weapon or not, there was a difference between a mortal and Heroic Spirit. She might...need him...damn it!
"Kaori, speak to me!" his words were uncharacteristically sharp, a concern within that could only be heard when matters concerning one Kaori Sakurazaka were in play. His eyes flitted back to the figure standing behind him as if searching for answers, but he found none in the Servant's face to satisfy him. He could only listen to the chaos through the communicator and hope that whatever storm had landed at the Coliseum was something within her realm of control to handle. He could only hope...and that was enough to frighten even the Deadly Nightshade, a man who was as a blade, honed to its very finest razor's edge. "Stay hidden and tell me what you see. Is it a Servant? And if so, do you see any Masters? Talk to me..."
It was beyond frustrating not being there...not being able to see, to stand at her back and watch it for her. But he had to trust her...he did trust her. They had entered this contest for a reason, and together...he knew they were the strongest team. Together, they'd win. He just had to believe it...
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Posted: Thu May 01, 2014 6:38 pm
Calling: Kei Munakata
From: Kaori Sakurazaka The frantic voice at the other side of the line made her snap away from her thoughts, her fingers pressing over the headset, to listen to Kei's voice more clearly. "I am fine," her voice finally answered in a hushed, low voice. "I apologize for not answering sooner..." he sounded worried, and really...if their roles had been inverted, she'd too be anxious. To just listen without knowing the situation was frustrating at the very least... "A Servant just showed up in the most pompous way possible...King Iskandar. No Master to be seen, though. Ah, wait-" Two more voices joined in and the Yamazakura let out a little breath, shifting slightly on her place behind one of the columns, to get to see who else had arrived. "Two Masters, it seem... they haven't summoned their Servants yet, though." Her fingers curled and uncurled...adrenaline tinging, reading her for whatever situation. "Kei... a fight will break out in here soon..."
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Posted: Thu May 01, 2014 10:48 pm
Munakata Kei, the Deadly Nightshade of the Human Weapons Unit
"...I'm not simply a man who kills for no reason. It's because I have a reason that I kill. Because I wish for the Grail, I'll kill you. Because you threatened Kaori, I'll kill you..."There was nothing worse than not knowing; even though Kaori was keeping him informed as best she could over the communicator, there was an undeniable feeling of helplessness that filled the Deadly Nightshade as he listened to her recount the increasingly-dangerous situation at hand in the Coliseum. His hands clenched around the hilt of his sword and the urge to rush out and kill filled him with an impulse that was nearly too great and powerful to ignore. They were threats...the two masters, the boisterous servant, whatever else was there...Kaori could defend herself against masters, but if the Servants were to all turn against her? Her Servant was skilled, strong, but he couldn't imagine a Servant that could stand against three Heroic Spirits at the same time. It wasn't safe for her to stay there...and yet, wasn't this the invaluable opportunity to gather information that they had hoped for when she had gone out to scout the city after their initial summoning? Concealment, gathering information on their enemies from the shadows, it was a simple strategy but one that even her Servant would have deemed most effective. Masters without Servants...Servants without Masters...if she could conceal her presence enough to avoid them, she might learn their identities, their weapons, even their Noble Phantasms! She needed to stay...and yet...
"Did you say Iskandar? You mean the King of Macedon, Alexander the Great?" his English was a bit rusty, but the most common name of that Heroic Spirit was the latter...the tension heightened to an almost insurmountable degree as the name passed his ears. No was no way, absolutely no way that his summoning wasn't dangerous for all of them. Alexander wasn't known as the King of Conquerors who united the known world for nothing...but if he was here, what class was he? Saber? Rider? Lancer made sense to him from the historical view. If they could discern that, they'd know what to expect from him to some degree, wouldn't they? But did he risk having Kaori there alone any longer when the situation was this dire? "Stay hidden! Do not go out there, Kaori! Whatever you do, this is not a fight we want to get into lightly. ...But if they do notice you and you can't escape, don't hesitate. Call me. I'll use a Command Seal to send my Servant to your side and get you out of there if I have to..."
...
His communication was suddenly changed into a momentary static by the eruption of an explosion in the side of the Arena on her end, the next thing the swordsman heard the piercing cry of the Berserker in the night air, a shriek that made his ear ache and his spine run with cold chills. Nothing that sounded like that could be anything good! "Kaori what's going on? What was that sound?!" It was too much...too damn much to hold back! Had he inadvertently sent Kaori to the most dangerous spot in the city on the opening night of the War? Damn it, he knew he should have insisted on going with her! He should have...no, no they were strong...she was, and her Servant...and she wasn't a fool. If she couldn't win, she'd escape, and if she couldn't escape, she'd call him. He knew she would...he just had to believe it. But that didn't make the waiting any easier. Next time, he would go on his own. He'd insist...
'Just make it back tonight,' he thought to himself, clenching his hand so hard around his blade's hilt that his skin nearly cracked against it and his knuckles turned a taut, bloodless white, 'Kaori...'
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Posted: Sat May 03, 2014 10:12 am
Kaori Sakurazaka, the Wild Cherry Blossom of the Human Weapons Unit  "It's getting dark..." her voice came out just above a whisper, not moving from her resting place against the door frame to gaze at her companion. her eyes taking in the sight in front of her. It looked so peaceful... the snow and the vegetation around almost concealing the small house entirely..., it felt so surreal...so very different from what she'd seen the night before in the Coliseum. She had gotten valuable information back there...and she had been extremely lucky to get out of the arena in one piece. Those spirits...were stronger than anything she'd seen before. If a normal human were to go against them, it would be certain death. The image of the Berserker with its weapons...The Rider in its chariot...the other with its holy sword...The cloaked figure that had appeared out of thin air... and the aura they all radiated... It made her thoughtful. Her gaze fixed on her fingers then, as they curled and uncurled. This was more dangerous than any mission, but they could succeed. She was sure of that. They were capable...and they had plans...and now...they had just a little information on the enemy. Little by little...they would gain terrain.
Kaori shifted on her place to look at her companion, her strong gaze softening, her lips breaking that thin line they had set themselves in hours before. Still...deep inside, she was terrified. Her rough exterior wouldn't let the feeling show, but...she was scared of losing him. She couldn't lose him. She trusted him with her life, though. They had been together for so many years... they had gone through so many ordeals. She knew the way he thought...and he knew her better than any other person. If they were together...she could at least be at peace. If they win...they'd win together. "Kei..." And if they lose... then she'd have the comfort of knowing...she would be with him then as well...wherever it might take them. "Let's get ready..."
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Posted: Sat May 03, 2014 1:59 pm
Munakata Kei, the Deadly Nightshade of the Human Weapons Unit
"...I'm not simply a man who kills for no reason. It's because I have a reason that I kill. Because I wish for the Grail, I'll kill you. Because you threatened Kaori, I'll kill you..."Last night had been too close; his blood had pumped so fast and his pulse thrummed so hard in his ears that he was sure the drums would burst and drive him crazy. Berserker, two Riders including the great Alexander of Macedonia, one Saber known as Godfrey of Ibelin, an Assassin, and more hooded figures had all shown up at the Coliseum; by some miracle, however, they had all escaped the dangerous situation alive. What made it even more incredible was that Kaori had been able to escape with all that information without expending any Command Seals or revealing the identity of her servant to the others. It was an uncanny stroke of luck, and one they couldn't hope to duplicate on the second night of the war. Time had passed and the daylight drifted into night, but neither of them spoke the truth that they knew was beginning to grow certain in their minds...tonight, one of them was going to have to fight for their lives if they were going to make any headway in this war. By their agreement the night before, it would have been the wandering swordsman's turn to explore tonight...that she hadn't revealed her servant meant that it was just as far this way, since now she could play the unknown 'trump' card that they were relying on in their strategy. And yet, he knew that convincing her not to go out tonight in the middle of this War was going to be a difficult proposition.
He didn't want to leave her, didn't like fighting when they weren't together so that he could always watch her back against the cowardly tactics of others. She could hold her own in any fight, but there were so many ways to die on the battlefield...and he had pictured them all inside of his mind, whether he wanted to or not. Killing, death...they were more than mere possibilities to him, but realities inside of his mind, visions that he could never hope to escape. He imagined a thousand different ways that he could lose her, many of them by his own hand, during the day gone by...and every single one of them frightened him. And yet...this was a War worth fighting, wasn't it? For the life they hoped for, for the world itself, for her family, for whatever wish they would end up making upon the Grail if one of them turned out to be the victor of this tournament to the death...it was worth the fight, a chance they couldn't pass up. And it wasn't as though they hadn't risked their lives before, right?
"It's time," his eyes, closed for almost the duration of the day though he had not once seemed to drift entirely off into sleep, opened to glance towards the dawning dark outside of their window...and using his sword's scabbard as a brace he pushed himself to his feet and walked slowly across the floor to the door where his companion sat, pausing as he stood before her...waiting as if contemplating what he wanted to say to make her understand what they needed to do...what she already knew needed done. "It's my turn tonight, Kaori...but if you think it's best to go out yourself tonight as well, I won't stop you. I'm going to the Sapporo Tower; a landmark like is the perfect location to scout out the city, which means it's a likely battlefield for the Holy Grail War. ...There's a good chance I'm going to have to fight if I'm there. Stay in touch over the communicator." There were a thousand things he could have said, but they would have all sounded like a goodbye, which he had no intention of saying. He wasn't going out there to die, and though it would only be prudent to say all he needed before he risked his life, there was no need...he was a killer, not a victim. Fight it with all he had, he would always know the truth of his own heart. And yet somehow she had always forgiven him for that...looked after him, been his friend...
He knelt down before her and lowered his head for just a moment, almost as if to ask for forgiveness...but instead he raised his eyes and caught her cheek within his palm for just a second, offering her a solemn, stern expression that was filled with words that didn't really need to be said in the end.
"If anything happens...if you're in any danger, call me. I'll send him to your side and be there myself soon after. I promise."
In a moment he leaned forward and his face hovered inches from hers...but rather than pressing his lips to the ones just before him he instead averted at the last second and kissed her forehead just once, softly. The door slid open a moment later, a pale young man slipping out into the moonlight with the sword that he lived by clutched between his fingers. It was getting darker and darker in Sapporo now...soon, the sky above them would be pitch black save the starlight and the city awash with the blood of Masters and Servants. If he had any luck, there would be very little of that where he was going...and any blood that stained the ground, not his own.
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Posted: Sun May 04, 2014 1:14 am
Kaori Sakurazaka, the Wild Cherry Blossom of the Human Weapons Unit He had stayed the night before for her...and now it was her turn to wait for him...to do the same. It was something they had agreed on, both of them knowing it would give them better chances at success, and despite her initial urge to just get out of these four walls that seemed to close on her with every minute that passed, she stayed. One acting as a scout...the other as a trump card in case things didn't go as plan and got dangerous, it really was the best chance they got. And yet...the bitter aftertaste remained after he left. They hadn't said much...but she had felt the silent tension of unspoken words and fears in the air. He hadn't said much...but she knew he was just as aware of the dangers that could be lurking out of their little safe haven as she was. She knew...that he might have to fight...and she knew...he would give his best. Kei Munakata was skilled...his Servant was strong, but...if something like the fight of the Coliseum broke out there at the Tower, she knew...he wouldn't be able to hold up against so many opponents. Though, he was smart, and he knew how to choose his fights. If anything, Kei was more level-headed than her...wiser...more composed when difficult situations were concerned. And she wasn't at all hotheaded either. She trusted Kei.
So why did the skin on her cheek where he had brushed his fingers still burn...the place on her forehead where his lips had landed felt like a hot iron pressed against her skin? They hadn't say much... but the promise had been there... He would return. She had to believe he would.
It felt like hours before she heard from him, a sigh of relief escaping her lips as she nodded to herself. "Be careful... It could be an amb-" Before she could finish, the air had been sucked out of her lungs, a cold laughter and a commotion making her aware that Kei wasn't alone after all. "Kei! Answer me! What is going on?" Was it a Servant? Another Master? Please... he had to be alright...
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Posted: Sun May 04, 2014 1:21 am
Calling: Kaori Sakurazaka
From: Munakata Kei 
Munakata Kei, the Deadly Nightshade of the Human Weapons Unit and Saber
"...I'm not simply a man who kills for no reason. It's because I have a reason that I kill. Because the night is young, I'll kill you. Because the night is dark and full of terrors, I'll kill you..."...The commotion of the battle could be heard through the communicator...the initial strike, Kei's intake of breath as the Lancer attacked, the clash of steel on steel as Saber intercepted...and then his orders to his Servant before he beat feet over the edge. He knew she'd be worried so he'd needed to update her. Still, nothing he could say would likely assuage her knowing that the danger they had been anticipating all along had finally stricken home.
"Kaori, I'm at the Sapporo Tower; I was attacked by an enemy Lancer. Saber's engaging him now," his voice finally sounded through the communicator clearly, informing his partner of the precarious situation he had found himself in, "He's strong...it's going to be a dangerous fight. I'm pulling back to a safer distance for now and scouting for the Master..." He knew telling her all that wouldn't do any wonders for her nerves...but she needed to know the truth, know the situation. Their strategy would only be useful if they worked in tandem, after all. Even so, Kei had faith that his Saber was more than up to the task of the fight before him. He wasn't called a Heroic Spirit for nothing, after all.
...
His voice seemed to cut out there for a moment, only his breathing audible as he moved through the metal beams in search of something, someone. He was listening for her as well, any advice or words she had for him, he was more than willing to hear them. He was still, after all, quite used to working with her in tandem. And you'd be hard pressed to find a better pair when working together than the two of them in the whole of Japan...
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Posted: Sun May 04, 2014 1:54 am
Kaori Sakurazaka, the Wild Cherry Blossom of the Human Weapons Unit It was worse than she imagined. Waiting...listening...imagining the worst, without to reach out and help was the worst torture the violet haired woman could imagine. Metal clashed against metal, and for a moment, even if it was just a second of silence, she believe she would go mad. Kei's voice answered to her ear then, and she felt all the tension leaving her body. "Get out of there, Kei! You are not hurt, are you?" she blurted out before she could even listen to what was happening; his voice the only thread she had to keep herself composed. Or...as composed as she could be with the current situation. She listened...and for a moment, her shaky breathing was the only thing that could be heard...followed then by a loud slam. Her fist hit the wall before she could even think about it, a curse leaving her lips. A Lancer! And one that didn't mind attacking the Master instead of the Servant, at that.
"Stay safe..." Her fingers curled into fists, her gaze turning to her Servant only for an instant, almost as if hoping for some kind of answer, before returning her gaze back to the door. It was so tempting to just bolt and go to him. "Don't put yourself at unnecessary risk, Kei. Scout for the Master, but... leave it if you don't find him after a while. Last night Servants were moving without having their Masters close...so, this could be the case this time as well." Yet again...she didn't actually took the time to scout for the ones controlling the Heroic Spirits... "And Kei..." she paused for a moment, almost as if deciding her words, before shaking her head. No...she didn't need to say it... He would be back with her. "Don't hesitate to call me if things get worse. We are a team...and I will be there when you need me." Instead...she reminded him of their agreement. She could use a Command Seal to send her Servant to his aid...and like she said...she would be there not much after. For him.
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Posted: Sun May 04, 2014 7:27 pm
Calling: Kaori Sakurazaka
From: Munakata Kei
Munakata Kei, the Deadly Nightshade of the Human Weapons Unit and Saber
"...I'm not simply a man who kills for no reason. It's because I have a reason that I kill. Because the night is young, I'll kill you. Because the night is dark and full of terrors, I'll kill you...""I'm fine. Saber is fighting Lancer further up the Tower; Lancer set it on fire so I need to get clear before the Platform collapses. Short time," it was all he could do to get that much out before moving again, knowing that wasting anymore time might get him in a bit more trouble than he needed to be amidst this Tower. He was grateful he didn't need a ladder, nor did he need to wait for an elevator to descend; for once, being a Human Weapon was turning out to be useful for his own devices. Fortunate...but he couldn't let his guard down. Not yet. "No sign of the Master...I'll scout on the way down. Stay on the line," if it came to it he might need her help, but the last thing that he intended to do was pull her Servant away from her in the middle of this War. If another enemy showed up where she was, she'd be screwed; and Command Seals were too precious...when he could manage the situation on his own. Winning this War, to him, was secondary; in the end, what mattered to him more than anything was her survival. He'd protect her...until the end.
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Posted: Wed May 07, 2014 6:13 am
Munakata Kei, the Deadly Nightshade of the Human Weapons Unit
"...I'm not simply a man who kills for no reason. It's because I have a reason that I kill. Because I wish for the Grail, I'll kill you. Because you threatened Kaori, I'll kill you..."The door slid open at last, ending what must have been an extended period of silent concern for the girl who had been on the other side of it most of the night; through the shadows he slid inside, letting it slide closed behind him and his body be embraced by the warmth of the room and the dim light that remained. Coming home had been tricky; he didn't want to lead anyone back to their location and he made certain to erase his tracks as best he could so that they couldn't be followed by anyone skilled in the art. But he had needed to move fast if he didn't want to finish the battle from before, and he had done just that. It wasn't that he didn't believe he could beat the Shimazu; their swordsman ship was a skill they trained, certainly, but his was a skill that he was born with...honed to the finest of sharp edges. That said...to defeat that man he knew what he would have to do; to defeat that Servant was the better option but he couldn't expect their Servants to simply duel when that man was more than willing to bypass honor and attack the Master in place of the Servant in order to get what he wanted. No, to defeat that man his best option was the one option that he couldn't accept. No matter how insulting the man was, no matter what he thought of him for the group that had kidnapped him and changed him into the weapon that he was, there was no way...no way in Hell...that he would allow himself to kill Sieg Shimazu. He wouldn't kill anyone, no matter...no matter how much his body ached to do it.
"Ha..." he let out a breath, back pressing against the door as he slid down slowly to a seated position, as though all the tension were draining out of him at once. And yet...as he sat his body seemed to quiver, his feet tapping the floor anxiously as his knees rocked with the vibrations...his eye settled upon his fingers on his left hand and he saw that they were shaking with anticipation...his right hand clenched so tightly around the hilt of his blade that he could feel it biting his skin, every ounce of his control required not to draw it and let the blade do precisely what it was meant for. His control was wavering, no matter what his mind kept telling him...he wanted, no...his every instinct was telling him that he needed to kill! That man...another man...any man! Somebody! He just needed to see the blood spill, to cut skin and gouge out their eyes and...he could picture it, so many ways...so many hundreds and thousands and millions of ways that he could kill the people of his city! He...he couldn't... "Ha...ha..."
...His eyes couldn't stop staring at his fingers and the way they were shaking; was he...in spite of all his training, all that he had said and promised Kaori...was he still so much of a monster as all this?
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Posted: Wed May 07, 2014 5:50 pm
Kaori Sakurazaka, the Wild Cherry Blossom of the Human Weapons Unit A hand settled over the trembling fingers, while fingers carefully brushed over the cheek, guiding his gaze over to the pair of crimson orbs that now looked at him with an intense, yet gentle gaze. "Kei, listen to me..." Her voice was low, only for him to listen, laced with the care and trust she had for him. Kaori had heard the entire ordeal, and even when some parts weren't clear, she knew of the Master that had intercepted Kei and his Servant...and how the coward had ordered to kill her companion. In that instant, she had only wanted to eliminate the man...make him suffer in ways he wouldn't think imaginable...to take away everything and anything he cherished and then end his miserable life. She had wanted to hurt him. The sole idea of having Kei snatched away from her drove the violet haired woman mad, and she had been just a second away from bolting out of the door to find her companion, to kill the man who dared to threaten him. And the moment she heard his breathing, and couldn't hear the man nearby, she had known he was out of immediate danger and...the Yamazakura felt she could breathe again.
Silence was all that she had heard...the footsteps and breaths the only sounds that kept her sane...that had kept her gaze on the door of the little haven they had found for themselves. When he walked inside and slipped to the floor...she had known there was something wrong. Kaori could say with most certainty that she knew Kei Munakata better than anybody else. And it was in these times, times when he felt himself slipping; his control leaving his grasp; that she had to be his support. Now more than ever. And so...she would be there for him. "Kei... just look at me...listen to my voice. You are strong. I think I've known you long enough to believe this. Don't doubt yourself..." Her fingers laced with his, her eyes never leaving his. "I don't doubt you..." There was no fear or desperation in her voice... not a single time did the thought of him attacking her cross her mind. She knew him...she believed in him. "And know that...I will be here. I haven't forgotten our promise, Kei... but I am definitely sure I will never have to defend myself against you." And softly, with the utmost care, she leaned closer, leaning up and pressing her lips softly to his forehead, returning the gesture he had given her earlier. "You are no monster...trust me."
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Posted: Wed May 07, 2014 6:42 pm
Munakata Kei, the Deadly Nightshade of the Human Weapons Unit
"...I'm not simply a man who kills for no reason. It's because I have a reason that I kill. Because I wish for the Grail, I'll kill you. Because you threatened Kaori, I'll kill you..."It was an instinct he had lived with all his years, that driving willpower to kill that made him both arguably the deadliest member of the Human Weapons Unit and the weapon that he never hoped to become. That feeling that whenever he saw someone he wanted to kill them, that instinct which told him exactly the best ways to take a life, that sight which honed in on vital areas instantly, weapons wherever they were...it had taken him from his family, it had forced him into a project that had changed him, it had stolen from him any chance he ever had at a normal life. Now, it threatened to overwhelm him and take the very last things that he had in this world that he could call his own...his control, his vow...he knew that Kaori was one of the few who might be able to stop him if he were to lose it, but it was no guarantee. His mind raced with images of how he might kill her if he were to lose it, his body ached to do just what his instinct craved, but inside his heart was a terrifying fear that he would lose her. Would she die if he lost control? Could he be the one who would kill her? All it would take was one kill, one loss of focus, one moment of weakness to give into that unconscious desire and he could lose her forever...take from her her very life! The thoughts streamed through his mind like a news stream ticker, unstoppable, unwanted, and as he shook he struggled with every exercise, every breathing repetition, every mantra that he knew to calm himself.
If she saw him like this she would remember what he was...she would see what lay beneath his calm veneer...she might remember that though they cared for one another he was only one step away...one bad day...away from becoming the demon that the Human Weapons Unit masters had imagined him to be. Would she still want him, then?
"Ha..." he breathed deeply, that fear gripping him...the fear of what he might do...of what he was capable of... "Ha..."
...
It was only then, at the depths of his fear that her fingers settled over his own; her voice spoke softly, caring, the grip she had on his hand reminding him that he wasn't alone. He wasn't...a monster, because a monster couldn't feel the warmth of her hands, and a monster couldn't have earned the trust of a woman as discerning and confident as Kaori Sakurazaka. Even when he doubted himself she still believed in him, didn't she? She could see him shaking, see that wavering control, and she could still stay so close to him that he could feel the tips of her violet hair brushing against the sides of his forehead and temple, teasing him...the comforting smell of her reminding him that she wasn't going anywhere. And while the images flashed through his mind he could feel them calming, his breathing, his trust in her and affection for this person trying to will them away...one by one...until the gentle white noise that came with feeling her this close began to overpower the screams inside his mind. He could...feel her lips against his forehead, and he remembered that...there was a reason he had allowed himself to become close to her. He remembered why they worked so well together. That unspoken trust, that salvation that he found in her, and the sword watching her back that would never waver.
...
They were hundreds of miles away from Tokyo where they had been raised, maybe more, and yet here at the cold heart of Sapporo he felt...home. Because home was a girl named Kaori. No, he'd never make her defend herself against him...he'd die first. If he raised his blade before her, he would take only one life in all his time...his own.
"I'm...I'm back..." he whispered in the dark, feeling the madness dwelling deep inside of him begin to recede at last, fingers pulling her just a little closer as he finally let his body began to relax, "I am in your debt...again...Kaori..."
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Posted: Sat May 10, 2014 12:57 pm
Kaori Sakurazaka, the Wild Cherry Blossom of the Human Weapons Unit "Welcome back." Arms hesitantly slid around the dark haired Human Weapon, pulling him closer against her in a tight embrace that might have looked clumsy and awkward to anybody else. Still, there was a gentleness and care there that couldn't go unnoticed, at the very least. Kaori wasn't one to be open about how she felt in most occasions, but she was honest when she actually did show these little signs. And if there was a single person for whom she'd give everything she had...that was this person in her arms right now. "I knew you'd be here..." Her lips brushed his cheek as she whispered, the tiniest of smiles curling at the corner of her lips. "You don't owe me anything, Kei..." The violet haired girl leaned back slightly to look at him then, giving him a meaningful look. "Being here with you is no obligation to me...I am here because I want to be. Because... we are a good team. Because you are important to me." And she didn't want to lose any of that.
"Remember that, Munakata." Her fingers gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze, before they fell back to her lap, "And remember that I will always be here for you. If you ever feel like faltering...remember that. I got your back...as I know you got mine."
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