Amber 06./12. // akame
amber 06.
kame/jin // (koki/maru and surprise pairings)
pg-15 for this chapter // fluff, romance, angst // AU
word count (for this chapter). 3,195
It was devoted, it was passionate, it was love. Perfect, wonderful and so very fragile.
o6. Moss Agate
Everything was a blur. Everything was a mess. Chaos itself. It was the point when the mind shut itself down and refused to proceed any more information.
Jin started to think that at some point of his life he just lost contact with reality and now he was trapped in dreamland. Or this was a part of some conspiracy. It could be one of Yamapi's lamest jokes. It had to be because something like this could be part of some cheap soap opera, maybe.
If someone had told this Jin like six months ago, he probably would have been laughing for an hour at it and he would have said that the likeliness of this happening was, let's say, zero. It would be absurd.
“A child? Kamenashi has a son?” Yamapi stared at his friend incredulously, who just stated the news with a blank face. Yamapi suspected that Jin had already gotten through the phase of oblivious seething and now he was just trying to stomach all he had gotten to know.
The two friends gathered with Koki and Nishikido Ryo at Jin's place after the latter had called them and arranged an emergency meeting.
Jin only nodded. “He must be five or six years old, as far as I could see it.”
Koki stared ahead silently; for him it was a bit too much of the surprises by now.
“Someone else? The mother?” Ryo asked, scribbling some unreadable characters into his notebook.
Jin shook his head. “I didn't see anyone else. Not that I really wanted to, if you know what I mean.” He didn't get an answer to this and a frustrated sigh ripped out of the other three men's mouth at the same time.
“Did you hear the boy's name?” Ryo continued the investigation, professional as ever.
“I didn't.”
“Are you sure... that...” Koki started, voice unsure, which made Jin's blood boil with sudden anger as he threw his hands in the air in annoyance.
“Yes, I'm sure, Koki. It was his child, even the blind could see it.”
“Calm down, Jin,” Yamapi tried to warn Jin in the gentlest way possible, without making him any angrier then turned to Ryo. “Maybe it's time to turn to the police, don't you think?”
“No,” Jin protested immediately, the coldness in his voice and his eyes was getting more and more familiar to all of them in the past few days. This didn't mean Jin wasn't being completely stupid at the moment, at least that was what crossed Yamapi's mind as he snorted in disbelief.
“Come on, Jin. Kamenashi will get out of our hands. He will escape.”
“He won't.”
“How do you know?”
Jin didn't answer him for a long minute, blinking with a somewhat confused look, as if he was trying to figure it out himself. Then he looked up at Yamapi. “I just know. There is something else behind all this and I want to know what it is. I want Ryo to get as much information about him and the boy as it is possible. I gave him one week to give the stones back to me. If it doesn't happen, I have to know what his weakness is.”
“You mean you want to know with what you can blackmail him with?”
Jin shrugged. “You can say that, too.”
“Jin-”
“Can you do that for me, Ryo?”
The detective nodded and stood up. “It can't be that difficult. I'm getting all the information done by the weekend.”
“Wait for me, Ryo,” Yamapi called after the shorter man and spared Jin another glance. “If there is something I can do, let me know, Jin.”
The man nodded in response as Yamapi walked out, leaving Jin and Koki alone.
“Well... that's... that's a bit uncomfortable, isn't it?” Koki laughed until nervousness suddenly made him stop abruptly, his voice fading. “Jin...”
“What did it feel like?” Jin asked, eyeing Koki sharply, who seemed to be utterly confused by the question. “To see him again after two years?”
Koki nervously licked his lips. “Well... uhm... weird. Shocking. I don't know, what do you want to hear from me, Jin?”
“Do you still love him?"
Now that made Koki completely speechless. He just widened his eyes, staring. “What the...”
“Answer me, Koki. Do you still love him?” Jin started to lose patience, his voice rising, warning Koki about a possible outburst.
After a moment of silence, Koki finally found his voice. “After that, I called Yuichi and I didn't want only comfort from him, if you know what I mean. I hope this is enough to answer your question.”
Jin seemed to ponder on that but didn't speak anymore. Truthfully, Koki just wanted to ask back. After thinking about it for a second, he decided not to. He knew what Jin felt, he knew it without asking. It was written all over his face, that Jin was trying so hard to hide behind the mask of indifference. Koki would believe him if he hadn't known him so well and if he himself hadn't gone through the same before.
Koki wondered if Jin was jealous, if the question the other asked was any indication, and how all this would influence their friendship. Kazuya unintentionally - or better to say that not caring about anything - stood between them and even if Koki didn't lie, and when he saw Kazuya again, he realized how he felt towards the man, it would be way too early for Jin to do the same. Because then and there Koki realized that all he loved about Kazuya was just a false dream, a mirage, illusion. Everything they had was a big lie and after two years this recognition pushed Koki towards Yuichi. To start something anew; to move on.
And even if everything was a lie for Jin and Kazuya as well, Jin was still too deep into this mess. Koki didn't feel anger or hatred towards Kazuya anymore because it was not important anymore; Kazuya was not important to him anymore, and this was what Koki felt when he saw Kazuya again. The only thing Koki truly felt about it, was deep concern for Jin and about their friendship. He didn't want Jin to lose himself over it, even it looked like Jin was going just exactly in that direction.
“Jin, it would be better if you just gave up and quit. I mean, if you think you can get the stones back, then do that, but then just forget it. Forget Kazuya.”
Jin's face contorted for a brief second and the older man blinked slowly. Koki could literally feel his heart being squeezed in his chest.
“I'm going to do just that, Koki. I just need to know what's behind all this. It's driving me crazy not to understand why he did it. There must be some kind of explanation.”
“Jin, Kazuya is a swindler. Even if he has a kid, that doesn't matter one bit.”
Sighing, Jin looked down and rubbed his hand over his face. He looked so tired that it made Koki stand up and go closer to him. Gently placing his hand on Jin's shoulder, he attempted a lame gesture of comfort, even if he knew it didn't really help.
“I guess you're right,” Jin whispered then let Koki pull him into a friendly embrace.
Jin patted Koki on the back as a silent thank you before pulling away. He could feel the hesitance in Koki's movements, he could hear the questions left unsaid, perhaps because he had been wondering about the same questions before.
“Dude, I don't wanna be a sap but-” Koki started, sounding embarrassed. “You know, whatever happens, I will be here.”
Despite himself, Jin found his lips curve upwards. “Koki, nothing's changed between us, okay?”
Koki grinned. “Of course,” he said, relieved. “I'm going now, I have a date.”
Jin smiled a bit wider. “Have fun. Say hi to Yuichi for me.”
“Okay. If this mess is over, I'll introduce him to you.”
Jin nodded and wasn't able to not smile genuinly seeing that huge grin that almost split Koki's face in half. A few days before he thought he was the luckiest person on Earth and now he would have done everything to be in Koki's place.
'This is also going to be over once,' Jin said to himself, for the hundredth time that day. He would have to close this once and forever and then everything was going to be okay. When he wouldn't need to think of Kazuya in every minute, 7/24. Then it would be okay.
And Jin was sure he just needed to get over the hardest part and he convinced himself that nothing could surprise him anymore. He didn't know he was wrong. So gravely mistaken.
-
The week passed like it had never been there. Jin was trying to bury his thoughts into work, since that was a thing they weren't lacking. He and Yamapi was trying to figure out how to fill the large gaps in the budget and how to compensate for that several-million-yen setback that succesfully made them fall out of the competition in the market.
Fortunately, it wasn't impossible, but it wasn't easy either. While they had to deal with the anger of Golden Bay and convince them that they are actually capable of deal with the situation, Jin and Yamapi were working overtime to find new partners for their business. And this pushed Jin to the verge of exhaustion by the end of the week.
Jin didn't know if he ever slept this little in his entire life but when he counted the hours he spent with sleeping, it was still less than the amount divided to one day before.
The tragedy of the statitics of rest was somewhat subdued by the fact that this way Jin didn't really have time to think of Kazuya that much and that flooded him with sheer happiness. Of course this was a little bit far from the truth but Jin thought he would rather live with that blissful lie than losing his mind over thinking about what happened.
That didn't mean he was not doing so. Only it wasn't non-stop. When he worked, he didn't think about it. Only in every break he took, while he was heading home, while he was going to work. When he looked up from a catalogue, when he ended a business call, when he was having a bath, ate and any other time when he wasn't concentrating on his work fully.
That way the week passed and ended way too slowly or too fast - it was the question of point of view, Jin didn't really know his preference on the issue - and he found himself sitting in front of Ryo who dug a hole into Jin's eyes with his gaze, fidgeting with a manila folder in his hand.
“What is it?” Jin asked, forcing his features to appear as calm as it was possible at the moment.
“Jin, before I tell you anything, remember what you promised. You're not going there, you're not going to meet him again. You're going to let me deal with this.”
Jin didn't like it. At all. He could feel his stomach rise with the uneasy feeling that appeared in the back of his mind. He knew in that moment that his predictions were probably true and there was something else hidden behind Kazuya's behaviour.
“Just tell me what you got to know, Ryo.”
With a sigh, Ryo nodded. “Kamenashi was married.”
Jin pursed his lips to gulp down the anger that made them tremble and didn't give any more visible reactions.
“He was nineteen, the girl went with him to college then they got married. The boy was born a year later, now he is five years old.”
Ryo paused and Jin tried to mentally prepare himself for what he was going to hear.
“Then I don't know what happened but the girl disappeared.”
“What do you mean by disappear?”
“She had probably left Kamenashi and petitioned for a divorce. So they did divorce and there is no trace of the woman anymore, I suspect she isn't even in the country anymore.”
“She left Kazuya alone with the kid?” Jin's mind couldn't really follow Ryo's words after hearing that and got stuck with the information. How could she leave her child like that?
Ryo hesitantly nodded. “Jin, this is not all but maybe it is better to -”
“Spit it out, Ryo.”
“It seems Kamenashi has become the master of deceit after the woman left him. He had done several times what he did to Koki and you. He uses his charm to get to know wealthy people, he always chooses those who have money or deal with treasures. He slowly seduces them, makes them trust him only to strike when they are the less prepared. Then robs them and disappears. He moved to a new place after each time with his son and he is very careful not to leave any trace behind.”
“Why?” Jin asked simply, willing his voice to stay steady. But to hear that he was none other than one of Kazuya's victims, so casually and objectively was a little bit more painful than he thought.
“Well,” Ryo hesitated but knew he couldn't hide anything from Jin. “I couldn't figure it out until last night.”
Jin was holding his breath and he wasn't even aware of it.
“He went out with the kid yesterday, until then the boy didn't even step out of the apartment. I followed them yesterday, they went to the hospital. The boy is ill, Jin. Very ill, he is practically dying.”
That was certainly something that robbed all air from Jin's lungs. He could feel Ryo's worried eyes on him as he nodded slowly. “Go on.”
“I couldn't fish out all the information because Kamenashi made sure not to leave any documents behind but it looks like the boy has some kind of heart disease. His doctor is called Morishita, one of the best and most expensive specialists in Tokyo. Those patients who look almost hopeless belong to him. If you ask me, I would say that Kamenashi's motive is pretty obvious. To be one of Morishita's patients is not a thing anyone can afford. The treatments and the medication cost a fortune. But without them the boy would probably be dead by now.”
There was silence after that, Jin had no idea what to say. His head felt like it exploded. He raised his hand slowly and raked his fingers through his hair, leaning forward. “This must be some kind of joke.”
“Jin, remember what you promised. I'm going there tomorrow and ask Kamenashi to give the stones back. Or it may be better to call the police.”
Jin shook his head. “No.”
Ryo started to seriously fall into despair. “Jin, I know that things are not going the way you imagined but-”
“This for long has nothing to do with what I imagined, Ryo.”
“I know. What if you just let him go? I mean... we shouldn't let him do to others what he did to you and to Koki but you should quit until you can.”
Jin just stared ahead, falling into complete passiveness, deep in thoughts.
“Jin, quit it until you can,” Ryo repeated. “You have nothing to do with that kid.”
“Not with him, but I have something to do with Kazuya, don't you think?”
“But-”
“What's his name?”
“What?”
Jin was expressionless. “What's the boy's name?”
“Oh,” Ryo turned some pages in the folder. “Kohaku.”
Jin turned around sharply, eyes reflecting surprise, even shock. “Are you kidding, right?”
“No, why?”
Jin answered with a silent but painful sigh.
“Jin, what's wrong?”
“Nothing,” Jin rubbed his forehead and squeezed his eyes shut. It was painful to even think now. “Thank you, Ryo. For everything.”
“It's okay. So I'm going there tomorrow and-” Ryo stood up.
“No, thanks, but no.”
“You're going there, aren't you?”
Jin nodded slowly.
“I think it's a very bad idea but I can't convince you, am I right?”
“Yeah.”
Ryo sighed and shot Jin a worried glance then after a moment of hesitation he lowered himself on the sofa again. “What's going on in your head, Jin? I know that what you heard now makes everything appear in a different light, but that doesn't-”
“I won't forgive him for decieving and robbing me,” Jin cut him off. “But-”
Ryo could see the dilemma written so clearly on Jin's face. He could see no matter how Jin wanted to stay away from all this, he wouldn't be able to.
“Do what you want, Jin. If I can help, let me know, okay?”
“I won't say no to this offer, Ryo. Maybe I will need your help.”
“I see,” Ryo nodded and stood up once again. “Take care.”
“You too. Thanks, Ryo.”
Jin followed the shorter man to the door and as he closed the door behind him, he noticed that his hands were trembling sightly. Yeah, what the hell did he think when he thought that nothing could surprise him anymore? And things didn't speak about pleasant surprises in his case.
Jin leaned against the door and could feel how a new decision started to take shape in his mind. It wasn't that strong that it could supress the feeling of hurt and betrayal, but it was strong enough for him to be able to push all the thoughts he felt selfish aside for a while. And while he was wondering if that idea was really worth the trouble he was sure he was going straight into, he tried very hard not to imagine what Kazuya must be feeling right now; Kazuya who was alone with a child whose life was in danger.
Moss Agate
Moss agates are considered the most powerful of the agates. It was the agate of warriors. Moss agate is the most powerful of the agates that helps balance emotional energy. It helps the user to let go of anger and bitterness, so the emotions are balanced. When used in jewelry the moss agate is believed to bring the wearer health, friends and riches.
Moss agate enhances concentration, persistence, endurance and success in one's endeavors. It is an abundance stone.
Moss Agate strengthens in times of stress.
It is helpful in relieving sensitivities to weather and pollution. Midwives use it to assist in successful birthing. It is used to speed up recovery, conteract long term illnesses, cleanse the circulatory and elimination systems.
Next: 07. Amethyst >>
a/n. Hello *waves" It's been a while, I'm sorry. I hope there is still some people (besides Shai <3) who are still interested in the story. This chapter is not that exciting but I can promise a lot of Akame interactions in the next one. It's going to be longer as well:)
Take care, see you <333
kame/jin // (koki/maru and surprise pairings)
pg-15 for this chapter // fluff, romance, angst // AU
word count (for this chapter). 3,195
It was devoted, it was passionate, it was love. Perfect, wonderful and so very fragile.
o6. Moss Agate
Everything was a blur. Everything was a mess. Chaos itself. It was the point when the mind shut itself down and refused to proceed any more information.
Jin started to think that at some point of his life he just lost contact with reality and now he was trapped in dreamland. Or this was a part of some conspiracy. It could be one of Yamapi's lamest jokes. It had to be because something like this could be part of some cheap soap opera, maybe.
If someone had told this Jin like six months ago, he probably would have been laughing for an hour at it and he would have said that the likeliness of this happening was, let's say, zero. It would be absurd.
“A child? Kamenashi has a son?” Yamapi stared at his friend incredulously, who just stated the news with a blank face. Yamapi suspected that Jin had already gotten through the phase of oblivious seething and now he was just trying to stomach all he had gotten to know.
The two friends gathered with Koki and Nishikido Ryo at Jin's place after the latter had called them and arranged an emergency meeting.
Jin only nodded. “He must be five or six years old, as far as I could see it.”
Koki stared ahead silently; for him it was a bit too much of the surprises by now.
“Someone else? The mother?” Ryo asked, scribbling some unreadable characters into his notebook.
Jin shook his head. “I didn't see anyone else. Not that I really wanted to, if you know what I mean.” He didn't get an answer to this and a frustrated sigh ripped out of the other three men's mouth at the same time.
“Did you hear the boy's name?” Ryo continued the investigation, professional as ever.
“I didn't.”
“Are you sure... that...” Koki started, voice unsure, which made Jin's blood boil with sudden anger as he threw his hands in the air in annoyance.
“Yes, I'm sure, Koki. It was his child, even the blind could see it.”
“Calm down, Jin,” Yamapi tried to warn Jin in the gentlest way possible, without making him any angrier then turned to Ryo. “Maybe it's time to turn to the police, don't you think?”
“No,” Jin protested immediately, the coldness in his voice and his eyes was getting more and more familiar to all of them in the past few days. This didn't mean Jin wasn't being completely stupid at the moment, at least that was what crossed Yamapi's mind as he snorted in disbelief.
“Come on, Jin. Kamenashi will get out of our hands. He will escape.”
“He won't.”
“How do you know?”
Jin didn't answer him for a long minute, blinking with a somewhat confused look, as if he was trying to figure it out himself. Then he looked up at Yamapi. “I just know. There is something else behind all this and I want to know what it is. I want Ryo to get as much information about him and the boy as it is possible. I gave him one week to give the stones back to me. If it doesn't happen, I have to know what his weakness is.”
“You mean you want to know with what you can blackmail him with?”
Jin shrugged. “You can say that, too.”
“Jin-”
“Can you do that for me, Ryo?”
The detective nodded and stood up. “It can't be that difficult. I'm getting all the information done by the weekend.”
“Wait for me, Ryo,” Yamapi called after the shorter man and spared Jin another glance. “If there is something I can do, let me know, Jin.”
The man nodded in response as Yamapi walked out, leaving Jin and Koki alone.
“Well... that's... that's a bit uncomfortable, isn't it?” Koki laughed until nervousness suddenly made him stop abruptly, his voice fading. “Jin...”
“What did it feel like?” Jin asked, eyeing Koki sharply, who seemed to be utterly confused by the question. “To see him again after two years?”
Koki nervously licked his lips. “Well... uhm... weird. Shocking. I don't know, what do you want to hear from me, Jin?”
“Do you still love him?"
Now that made Koki completely speechless. He just widened his eyes, staring. “What the...”
“Answer me, Koki. Do you still love him?” Jin started to lose patience, his voice rising, warning Koki about a possible outburst.
After a moment of silence, Koki finally found his voice. “After that, I called Yuichi and I didn't want only comfort from him, if you know what I mean. I hope this is enough to answer your question.”
Jin seemed to ponder on that but didn't speak anymore. Truthfully, Koki just wanted to ask back. After thinking about it for a second, he decided not to. He knew what Jin felt, he knew it without asking. It was written all over his face, that Jin was trying so hard to hide behind the mask of indifference. Koki would believe him if he hadn't known him so well and if he himself hadn't gone through the same before.
Koki wondered if Jin was jealous, if the question the other asked was any indication, and how all this would influence their friendship. Kazuya unintentionally - or better to say that not caring about anything - stood between them and even if Koki didn't lie, and when he saw Kazuya again, he realized how he felt towards the man, it would be way too early for Jin to do the same. Because then and there Koki realized that all he loved about Kazuya was just a false dream, a mirage, illusion. Everything they had was a big lie and after two years this recognition pushed Koki towards Yuichi. To start something anew; to move on.
And even if everything was a lie for Jin and Kazuya as well, Jin was still too deep into this mess. Koki didn't feel anger or hatred towards Kazuya anymore because it was not important anymore; Kazuya was not important to him anymore, and this was what Koki felt when he saw Kazuya again. The only thing Koki truly felt about it, was deep concern for Jin and about their friendship. He didn't want Jin to lose himself over it, even it looked like Jin was going just exactly in that direction.
“Jin, it would be better if you just gave up and quit. I mean, if you think you can get the stones back, then do that, but then just forget it. Forget Kazuya.”
Jin's face contorted for a brief second and the older man blinked slowly. Koki could literally feel his heart being squeezed in his chest.
“I'm going to do just that, Koki. I just need to know what's behind all this. It's driving me crazy not to understand why he did it. There must be some kind of explanation.”
“Jin, Kazuya is a swindler. Even if he has a kid, that doesn't matter one bit.”
Sighing, Jin looked down and rubbed his hand over his face. He looked so tired that it made Koki stand up and go closer to him. Gently placing his hand on Jin's shoulder, he attempted a lame gesture of comfort, even if he knew it didn't really help.
“I guess you're right,” Jin whispered then let Koki pull him into a friendly embrace.
Jin patted Koki on the back as a silent thank you before pulling away. He could feel the hesitance in Koki's movements, he could hear the questions left unsaid, perhaps because he had been wondering about the same questions before.
“Dude, I don't wanna be a sap but-” Koki started, sounding embarrassed. “You know, whatever happens, I will be here.”
Despite himself, Jin found his lips curve upwards. “Koki, nothing's changed between us, okay?”
Koki grinned. “Of course,” he said, relieved. “I'm going now, I have a date.”
Jin smiled a bit wider. “Have fun. Say hi to Yuichi for me.”
“Okay. If this mess is over, I'll introduce him to you.”
Jin nodded and wasn't able to not smile genuinly seeing that huge grin that almost split Koki's face in half. A few days before he thought he was the luckiest person on Earth and now he would have done everything to be in Koki's place.
'This is also going to be over once,' Jin said to himself, for the hundredth time that day. He would have to close this once and forever and then everything was going to be okay. When he wouldn't need to think of Kazuya in every minute, 7/24. Then it would be okay.
And Jin was sure he just needed to get over the hardest part and he convinced himself that nothing could surprise him anymore. He didn't know he was wrong. So gravely mistaken.
-
The week passed like it had never been there. Jin was trying to bury his thoughts into work, since that was a thing they weren't lacking. He and Yamapi was trying to figure out how to fill the large gaps in the budget and how to compensate for that several-million-yen setback that succesfully made them fall out of the competition in the market.
Fortunately, it wasn't impossible, but it wasn't easy either. While they had to deal with the anger of Golden Bay and convince them that they are actually capable of deal with the situation, Jin and Yamapi were working overtime to find new partners for their business. And this pushed Jin to the verge of exhaustion by the end of the week.
Jin didn't know if he ever slept this little in his entire life but when he counted the hours he spent with sleeping, it was still less than the amount divided to one day before.
The tragedy of the statitics of rest was somewhat subdued by the fact that this way Jin didn't really have time to think of Kazuya that much and that flooded him with sheer happiness. Of course this was a little bit far from the truth but Jin thought he would rather live with that blissful lie than losing his mind over thinking about what happened.
That didn't mean he was not doing so. Only it wasn't non-stop. When he worked, he didn't think about it. Only in every break he took, while he was heading home, while he was going to work. When he looked up from a catalogue, when he ended a business call, when he was having a bath, ate and any other time when he wasn't concentrating on his work fully.
That way the week passed and ended way too slowly or too fast - it was the question of point of view, Jin didn't really know his preference on the issue - and he found himself sitting in front of Ryo who dug a hole into Jin's eyes with his gaze, fidgeting with a manila folder in his hand.
“What is it?” Jin asked, forcing his features to appear as calm as it was possible at the moment.
“Jin, before I tell you anything, remember what you promised. You're not going there, you're not going to meet him again. You're going to let me deal with this.”
Jin didn't like it. At all. He could feel his stomach rise with the uneasy feeling that appeared in the back of his mind. He knew in that moment that his predictions were probably true and there was something else hidden behind Kazuya's behaviour.
“Just tell me what you got to know, Ryo.”
With a sigh, Ryo nodded. “Kamenashi was married.”
Jin pursed his lips to gulp down the anger that made them tremble and didn't give any more visible reactions.
“He was nineteen, the girl went with him to college then they got married. The boy was born a year later, now he is five years old.”
Ryo paused and Jin tried to mentally prepare himself for what he was going to hear.
“Then I don't know what happened but the girl disappeared.”
“What do you mean by disappear?”
“She had probably left Kamenashi and petitioned for a divorce. So they did divorce and there is no trace of the woman anymore, I suspect she isn't even in the country anymore.”
“She left Kazuya alone with the kid?” Jin's mind couldn't really follow Ryo's words after hearing that and got stuck with the information. How could she leave her child like that?
Ryo hesitantly nodded. “Jin, this is not all but maybe it is better to -”
“Spit it out, Ryo.”
“It seems Kamenashi has become the master of deceit after the woman left him. He had done several times what he did to Koki and you. He uses his charm to get to know wealthy people, he always chooses those who have money or deal with treasures. He slowly seduces them, makes them trust him only to strike when they are the less prepared. Then robs them and disappears. He moved to a new place after each time with his son and he is very careful not to leave any trace behind.”
“Why?” Jin asked simply, willing his voice to stay steady. But to hear that he was none other than one of Kazuya's victims, so casually and objectively was a little bit more painful than he thought.
“Well,” Ryo hesitated but knew he couldn't hide anything from Jin. “I couldn't figure it out until last night.”
Jin was holding his breath and he wasn't even aware of it.
“He went out with the kid yesterday, until then the boy didn't even step out of the apartment. I followed them yesterday, they went to the hospital. The boy is ill, Jin. Very ill, he is practically dying.”
That was certainly something that robbed all air from Jin's lungs. He could feel Ryo's worried eyes on him as he nodded slowly. “Go on.”
“I couldn't fish out all the information because Kamenashi made sure not to leave any documents behind but it looks like the boy has some kind of heart disease. His doctor is called Morishita, one of the best and most expensive specialists in Tokyo. Those patients who look almost hopeless belong to him. If you ask me, I would say that Kamenashi's motive is pretty obvious. To be one of Morishita's patients is not a thing anyone can afford. The treatments and the medication cost a fortune. But without them the boy would probably be dead by now.”
There was silence after that, Jin had no idea what to say. His head felt like it exploded. He raised his hand slowly and raked his fingers through his hair, leaning forward. “This must be some kind of joke.”
“Jin, remember what you promised. I'm going there tomorrow and ask Kamenashi to give the stones back. Or it may be better to call the police.”
Jin shook his head. “No.”
Ryo started to seriously fall into despair. “Jin, I know that things are not going the way you imagined but-”
“This for long has nothing to do with what I imagined, Ryo.”
“I know. What if you just let him go? I mean... we shouldn't let him do to others what he did to you and to Koki but you should quit until you can.”
Jin just stared ahead, falling into complete passiveness, deep in thoughts.
“Jin, quit it until you can,” Ryo repeated. “You have nothing to do with that kid.”
“Not with him, but I have something to do with Kazuya, don't you think?”
“But-”
“What's his name?”
“What?”
Jin was expressionless. “What's the boy's name?”
“Oh,” Ryo turned some pages in the folder. “Kohaku.”
Jin turned around sharply, eyes reflecting surprise, even shock. “Are you kidding, right?”
“No, why?”
Jin answered with a silent but painful sigh.
“Jin, what's wrong?”
“Nothing,” Jin rubbed his forehead and squeezed his eyes shut. It was painful to even think now. “Thank you, Ryo. For everything.”
“It's okay. So I'm going there tomorrow and-” Ryo stood up.
“No, thanks, but no.”
“You're going there, aren't you?”
Jin nodded slowly.
“I think it's a very bad idea but I can't convince you, am I right?”
“Yeah.”
Ryo sighed and shot Jin a worried glance then after a moment of hesitation he lowered himself on the sofa again. “What's going on in your head, Jin? I know that what you heard now makes everything appear in a different light, but that doesn't-”
“I won't forgive him for decieving and robbing me,” Jin cut him off. “But-”
Ryo could see the dilemma written so clearly on Jin's face. He could see no matter how Jin wanted to stay away from all this, he wouldn't be able to.
“Do what you want, Jin. If I can help, let me know, okay?”
“I won't say no to this offer, Ryo. Maybe I will need your help.”
“I see,” Ryo nodded and stood up once again. “Take care.”
“You too. Thanks, Ryo.”
Jin followed the shorter man to the door and as he closed the door behind him, he noticed that his hands were trembling sightly. Yeah, what the hell did he think when he thought that nothing could surprise him anymore? And things didn't speak about pleasant surprises in his case.
Jin leaned against the door and could feel how a new decision started to take shape in his mind. It wasn't that strong that it could supress the feeling of hurt and betrayal, but it was strong enough for him to be able to push all the thoughts he felt selfish aside for a while. And while he was wondering if that idea was really worth the trouble he was sure he was going straight into, he tried very hard not to imagine what Kazuya must be feeling right now; Kazuya who was alone with a child whose life was in danger.
Moss Agate
Moss agates are considered the most powerful of the agates. It was the agate of warriors. Moss agate is the most powerful of the agates that helps balance emotional energy. It helps the user to let go of anger and bitterness, so the emotions are balanced. When used in jewelry the moss agate is believed to bring the wearer health, friends and riches.
Moss agate enhances concentration, persistence, endurance and success in one's endeavors. It is an abundance stone.
Moss Agate strengthens in times of stress.
It is helpful in relieving sensitivities to weather and pollution. Midwives use it to assist in successful birthing. It is used to speed up recovery, conteract long term illnesses, cleanse the circulatory and elimination systems.
Next: 07. Amethyst >>
a/n. Hello *waves" It's been a while, I'm sorry. I hope there is still some people (besides Shai <3) who are still interested in the story. This chapter is not that exciting but I can promise a lot of Akame interactions in the next one. It's going to be longer as well:)
Take care, see you <333