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[adventlead]

[Falling to the ground, Kadaj's communicator is accidentally turned on video. If one looks to the corner, they will see that he's in the public library. But not much can be seen other than that, seeing as Kadaj's back is to the screen. As his leg is grabbed, a voice that isn't his can be heard, even though the one in question isn't seen.

A

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[purgatory_maren]

[Unaware of what just happened, Minato was positive by the time he got to the library the fight would be over. Whoever or whatever was involved most likely fled or one of the two would be a big pile of broken bones and bruises while the other laughed, he thought. Kadaj was good at getting into these situations. This time, though, he had a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach, knowing what he would have to do. Kadaj attempted to set fire to the library and assaulted someone. He would have to make good on his promises to keep work and personal life separate and arrest the remnant. All the talks he'd had with him, he figured he'd understand but

[prodigal_axe]

[Shinjiro darted through the city at a ground eating pace. By the time he stopped in front of the library, his lungs were screaming at him. He had to pause and suck in a breath before he could go on. Pieces of conversations floated through his mind, taunting him. What he'd said to Rinoa.]

'He'll be fine.' 'It's all talk, nothing's actually happened...'

[And now, one sick twist of a weapon made lies of all that. Made them ominous. A jinx, even. He felt dizzy and sick-- but had no time to dwell on any of that. After one more impatient breath, he headed inside the library. Steeled himself for the sight that awaited him. But the first person he locked eyes on wasn't one he expected

[purgatory_maren]

[At the sound of the voice Minato swung around and cut his blade through the air with a lethal downward slash, but way too far away from Shinji to do much else but send a gust of wind from the force. Minato's expression was twisted- crooked and trembling smile, sweating and pale. But his eyes... There's nothing familiar about them. Crazed almost. He stared through the other young man as if the truth stood behind him, horrible and mocking, and if he could only cut it in two none of this would ever have happened. The katana trembled in his burning grip and his dry lips parted, sticking to one another as they peeled apart to make way for his unstable words.]

...N-no... You go outside... YOU get the fuck out...

[Eerily calm as he always was, those words held an underlying bite. What right did he have? What right did anyone have- coming in here and telling him to leave his lover there on the floor for the wolves to-- The wolf. The blue-haired boy swung around without a bit of warning and slashed, ending the wolf that crept up behind him

[prodigal_axe]

... Sorry. Not gonna happen.

[The sword flashed in Minato's hand and sent a vicious blast of wind through the air, ruffling Shinjiro's hair and coat-- but not his expression. He didn't even wince. The traces of pain bled off his face. He'd deal with all that later. Had to put them away for now if Minato was going to fall apart like this

[purgatory_maren]

[Minato's eyes darted up toward Shinji as he neared, tense and dangerous like an animal guarding it's prey as he assessed the situation. His heart pounded hard in his chest and once in a while an invading thought managed to slip through his clouded mind- 'What are you doing, Minato?' 'Your friend wants to help you', 'He cared, too.' It helped him to ease off of his friend and he turns his gaze back down. Why was he looking at this? Why did he want to reach out and stroke his hair when he shouldn't even be so close?]

Who knows how long it'll be... Two days. Three? A week? What if he doesn't come back, Shinji? If they fix him and ship him off someplace what could we really do about it?

[Minato's trembling made it harder for him to stay balanced, even on his knees and without thinking he sat down. Who even cares anymore... the blood was Kadaj's. Maybe that was why he could look upon him that way, touch his blood. As different as they were, Minato was at one with him and he couldn't just look away from the gory mess in disgust. Strength

[prodigal_axe]

[Though he picked up on the predatory stance, Shinjiro decided to ignore it. Not the time to worry about that. Instead, he slowly looked over Kadaj's ruined, still form-- it had taken seconds, just a few of them, to make him into this broken thing. He slowly moved his scarred left hand and rested it on Kadaj's forehead--brought it back coated in blood. So much of it. He could barely think straight or hear what Minato said, but it sparked a memory from long-ago conversations.]

Three days... I think.

[When Minato sat down in the spreading gore, Shinjiro shot him a guarded, concerned look. Kadaj or no, he ought to drag him right out of there. But he didn't, wouldn't. Any minute now that torn corpse would disappear. Might as well let him stay here until then. And he'd stay, too. But after that...? He wasn't sure where to bring his friend. The hospital, maybe. He didn't seem as crazed, but he didn't look well either.]

Whatever. Stay here for now, if you want. I'll just do the same.

[His stubborn, rough tones were a little distant. More

[purgatory_maren]

[Uncontrollable waves of... jealousy? Possessiveness? -Washed over him when Shinji touched Kadaj. Even he hadn't done that. Hadn't even covered him or stroked his hair. If he could think clearly, he'd think there was no reason to feel anything like that. The angry emotions he felt then had no backing, just there because there was something wrong with him. Shinji had done nothing, and he knew it