[Multichapter] The Watches Series: Apocalypse (8/15)
Title: The Watches Series: Apocalypse
Authors: tsuchi8562
Beta: andreja1989 <-- as always arigatou ♥
Pairing: SakurAiba, MatsuMiya, OhnoxOC
Genre: Fantasy, Drama, Romance
Rating: PG-15 (this chapter)
Disclaimer: No, we don't own anything... We're just Border Watch's glaziers
Summary: It looks like the end of everything they knew... Will their world collapse?
*MASTERPOST*
"I should have dragged that idiot back to hotel but no... I just let him go alone, knowing what can happen to him... Fuck!" Ninomiya was walking in circles around Sakurai's room, beating himself up with guilt. The older man didn't understand practically a thing from what Kazunari had said and it was clearly written on his face. Kazunari took a deep breath and sat on the chair, trying to calm down and repeat everything.
"He got stubborn and wanted to go out to look for Ohno. He got fixated, repeating over and over again he saw him. He thought he has something to do with things that are going on here. I went with him, but we parted near the river. I didn't hear from him since then. His phone is off... I have a bad feeling."
"Maybe his battery is dead? There is no need to drop on any conclusions right now... I bet he is eating breakfast somewhere in small Italian restaurant..."
"Don't tell me that to do!" Nino barked, clenching his hands in fists. How he can stay calm when Matsumoto can lay dead in some dark corner of Rome? "I'm sorry... I will go to look for him."
"I would go with you but have few things to investigate here..." Sho took a deep breath and rubbed his face. "I got some new information about what was going on here with former vessels. It seems that some of them are killed by Vatican but Masaki and Nila were murdered by somebody else... Somebody Rome doesn't know about... Ninomiya-san, something's going on here..."
"Wait... Another piece of puzzle? We have enough of this mess already... Sakurai-san, you think J could get hurt by person who killed Aiba-san?"
"I don't know... It seems they are only after ex-vessels but who knows? Maybe Matsumoto-san got in their way?"
"I'm going to find him, can't waste any other minute... Please, call me if he appears here..."
"I will, don't worry. You call me when you find him."
"See you..." The Dark Watch officer grabbed his coat and went outside, cursing slowly on the rain that suddenly appeared. Tugging deeper in his jacket he tried to call Jun one more time, hearing the same message, announced by sweet voice he already hated. With every passing minute and every step he got closer to the place he saw Matsumoto last time, his heart got squeezed tighter and tighter. Imagination threw awful pictures of the younger man's body covered with blood at him, not allowing him to stay focused anymore.
"Come on J, where are you... Show me your pretty annoying face...." Kazunari whispered and looked around, trying to find any trace of the latter. With no hope, he dialed the number again and again, each time listening to the same recorded message . His worry overshadowed his logic. He needed to calm down and focus on the case, wake up the real officer in himself, investigate the case and in order to do that, Jun should become another mere stranger. Kazunari took a deep breath and tried to guess which way Matsumoto could go.
"Focus, you moron..." Nino scolded himself and decided to check the left side of the river. It was further from the place Aiba was killed and, if he remembered well, this part was pointed by his lover. He stopped calling Jun, afraid his battery won't survive it and he will need his phone in case the younger one or Sakurai wants to contact him. The Dark Watch officer was wandering around Rome, without any particular goal, trying to find any clue which can help him find the one he was looking for. After one and a half hour, Ninomiya just sat on the bench and cursed quietly. This doesn't have any sense. He can't possibly find one person in such big city alone but at the same time he can't count on anybody. Sakurai has his own stuff, trying to solve the puzzle that was becoming more and more complicated. Kazunari can't possibly interrupt his investigation. Of course finding Matsumoto was important but their investigation had higher priority. Sho kept on gathering all clues, despite the pain he surely feels after what happened to his boyfriend. If only there was somebody who can help him...
"Ninomiya-san?!" Familiar voice woke Nino up from his thoughts. For a tiny split of a second he hoped it was Jun's voice but then he saw a face he expected the least. His co-worker from times he was still in Light Watch was standing in front of him, smiling widely as if he saw a very good friend. "What are you doing here?"
"Just a trip... You know, anniversary and since J likes Italian food I thought I will take him here. And why are you here, Takahashi-san?" Kazunari smiled weakly, trying to look like a simple tourist. Even though the curiosity was squeezing his guts, he stayed calm.
"Chief got called by Italian Light Watch and didn't want to come alone... I am his deputy so he dragged me here as well."
"Seitou is here? What a surprise... Any idea why he was called? I will understand if you won't tell me, I am on the other side anyway..." Nino smiled and leaned back on the bench. Things got even more interesting than he could have expected...
"I can't help you with that. Not only because you are in Dark Watch now, but also because I know nothing. And, just between us, I don't think chief knows it either." Takahashi sighed and sat next to Ninomiya. "On one hand I didn't want to leave Japan but seeing what is going on there... Small break from this hell doesn't seem bad..."
"That bad?" The Dark Watch officer frowned and wondered if he should make the latter talk. In the end, he didn't even have to try as The Light Watch worker spit everything by himself.
"I won't lie to you, it's getting more and more fucked up there. I know we're on opposite sides now but you would find out anyway. Plus I don't see you as my enemy, even though I maybe should..." The man took deep breath and looked around to check if nobody can hear them. "Dark Watch from Chiba practically doesn't exist anymore. It was absorbed by Tokyo one soon after over half of officers were killed by the bomb set in their headquarter. Of course Light ones were blamed, seeing the recent tension between both Watches it was obvious it will end this way..."
"And what about Grey ones in Chiba? Did they move to Tokyo as well?" Kazunari asked nonchalantly, trying to keep calm.
"Are you kidding me? This is the only Watch that is doing really great. They washed their hands clean and don't interfere. And why are you so concerned about them anyway?" Takahashi frowned and looked at the latter with curiosity written on his face.
"Not about all, just about one. I used to work with him few years ago and wondered how he is, that's it." Ninomiya sighed, knowing he won't get any more information from his former coworker. His thoughts got back to Jun and he decided to take a risk. "Tell me, did you see Matsumoto? He was supposed to be here fifteen minutes ago but he is late..."
"No, I didn't see him... But I am sure he will be here soon... Listen, Ninomiya-san, I have to go. Chief will kill me if he won't be able to find me after his meeting with these Italian guys... Oh, and just so you know, this conversation didn't happen."
"Of course not. See you..." Nino smiled weakly and leaned back again. This case was becoming more and more fishy. The vessels are being killed partly by Vatican's boys partly by unknown culprit, Jun is missing and now Seitou was called here... Those three things has to have something in common but the picture is still too chaotic and they have only few clues. Right now the most important thing was to find Matsumoto. Ninomiya didn't care about the rest. After taking a deep breath he got up and went again in the same direction as before. Jun went that way the day before and even Kazunari wasn't sure where his boyfriend went exactly after he lost sight of him, he decided to trust his hunch. Without even thinking, he let his legs lead him in unknown direction. While looking around, the Dark Watch officer tried to focus on every single thing he saw, hoping for any hint. When he saw corner of a small picture, squeezed under wooden palette leaning against the wall he knew it all. In split of a second Nino picked up the crumpled photograph and cursed loudly. The cheesy image of Jun's and his kiss was almost torn in half and definitely didn't look cute anymore... It was terrifying, moreover because of the small blood stain more or less in the middle.
"This doesn't have to mean anything.... That idiot could just cut his hand..." Ninomiya whispered to himself, trying to chase away horrible pictures his imagination pushed in front of his eyes. It was true that the photo could be destroyed like that by Matsumoto but after their last meeting, the Dark Watch officer seriously doubted it. He knew very well that his boyfriend carries it in his phone case all the time, cherishing it like the most valuable treasure. Once, when he lost his phone he was mad more because the picture was gone than because of the device.
Kazunari looked around again, this time feeling his sight became sharper and that he can solve this case. Adrenaline filled his blood and as soon as he found few red drops on the sidewalk. Driblets changed into stains, stains into one big red puddle in the middle of a small street. This was the moment when Nino knew everything already. Jun's shattered phone thrown in the corner, near the trash cans and a knife said more than enough. Of course there was a possibility that it wasn't Matsumoto's blood; that he was just defending himself but with all events that were going on around, Kazunari didn't believe that. Even though he felt his own pulse, it seemed for him that his heart stopped. Just as if somebody ripped it off his chest with bare hands and then chew on it slowly.
Loud scream left Ninomiya's throat as he tried to push all the despair and pain away and tried to stay focused on the investigation. Whoever did this to his Jun, he will pay for this. The murderer will regret he was ever born. The Dark Watch officer took a deep breath to clear his thoughts at least a bit and looked around one more time to find anything that can help him get the killer. The blood trails looked like somebody was dragging Matsumoto's body probably to a car parked nearby, as the claret smudges disappeared in one point. Nino kneeled next to the stain and touched it with his fingertips, smoothing the blood which already soaked into the cement. His hand moved more to the left to grab the knife which was most probably the murder weapon. Kazunari could swear he saw it somewhere before, its ornament was very original and unusual for such blade. Pushing that aside, Ninomiya checked the place again. He picked up Matsumoto's phone and put it inside his bag when some black object caught his eye. It was wallet with four golden katakana letters which made all the pieces of puzzles click in his mind and created horrible picture.
SE・I・TO・U
***
"He's dead." Kazunari stated surprisingly calmly while entering Sakurai's room.
"W-wait? Who is dead?" Sho frowned, confused probably by the latter's indifference.
"J... Was killed. Like in Aiba-san's case there is no body, but there is no doubts he is dead... Though you may say I am in better position here because I know who did it."
"Hold on... Are you saying that somebody killed Matsumoto-san?! But why? And how?" The Border Watch officer was obviously in shock. Kazunari took a deep breath and told everything, from the meeting with his old colleague till the discovery in the dark alley somewhere. He didn't forget to mention his suspicions about the culprit. The older man was silent for a longer while, slowly processing everything he just heard. Nino let him do that, needing the muteness to gather his thoughts as well and starting to plan each detail of the sweet revenge.
"But that doesn't have sense... Till now only former vessels were killed. Yes, it seems that by two different culprits but still, the common point was the fact that they had Treaty inside them in the past. Why killing a mere Dark Watch officer? It seriously doesn't have any sense!"
"Sakurai-san, with all due respect... J's death has nothing to do with anything you were investigating here. This fucking bastard killed him because he wanted to hurt me for betraying him. Seitou was my boss and he probably thought that I will become one of the best Light Watch officers ever. He was repeating I have potential. But then J appeared and turned everything upside down. First I left and got my memories erased and then I changed sides. He is mad and blamed J for this... Apparently he took the opportunity now, with all the chaos and the fact he is in Rome..."
"Wait, aren't you going too far with your conclusions? Why Seitou-san would risk everything he has to get rid of Matsumoto-san? Plus he is not so stupid to leave his wallet and knife on crime scene. Calm down and let's think everything over again..."
"I don't have time to think, Sakurai-san. I need to act before that cold-blooded murderer gets away..."
"Ninomiya-san, please... Try to think logically... The thing you say has at least few holes which..."
"You don't understand a thing, do you?!" Nino exploded. "You can only focus on your former vessels' case! I won't drop this only because you think this have nothing in common with everything that is going on here. It has!!! Can't you see?! War between Light ones and Dark ones became a fact! Grey ones just watch from aside and wait till we kill each other..."
"That's not true..."
"Then what is!? Grey ones killed your Aiba. Light ones killed my J. This is the only truth we should care about. I will make Seitou pay for his crime with or without your help. But I swear, if you get in my way I will treat you as my enemy." Kazunari looked straight in Sho's eyes and before the latter could reply he left his room, closing the door with loud smack. He headed straight to his room, to gather his thoughts and come up with any plan. His former boss will have to die, that was for sure. The more painful way the better.
"Shit..." Nino hit wall with his fist, frustrated that nothing can come across his mind. All he could think of was if Matsumoto felt any pain. How long did he defend himself? Did his last word or at least thought concerned Kazunari?
"How could you do that to me you idiot?! Is that your stupid revenge for my decision about erasing my memories back then?! Why? You idiot! I want you back! I want you here! HOW COULD YOU?!?!" Ninomiya kept on hitting the wall with his fists, not caring about the blood coming from his cut skin. He noticed that he is sobbing only when salty tear fell on abraded knuckles, causing slight burn and when his lungs begged for air. Ninomiya closed his eyes and slowly kneeled, pressing his forehead to cold wall and he let himself grief. Kazunari recalled their first meeting, their relationship and unique and weird kind of showing love to each other. Matsumoto made insults the most intimate sweet nothings and Nino adored it so much... But now? Who will call him midget?! Who will yell at him and in next second taking his breath away with a kiss? Who will take care of him? And, the most important, who he can love? Jun was the first and only person who caught his heart and didn't let go. And now... Half of Ninomiya was murdered with his boyfriend.
"I will kill you..." The Dark Watch officer whispered to empty walls and closed his eyes. He lost track of time and only when he felt his legs numbed, he crawled on way too wide bed, grabbed Matsumoto's pillow and as soon as he lay down, he drifted away in nightmare land.
***
Kazunari took a deep breath and finally killed the urge of smoking a cigarette. He didn't have time for that right now anyway, waiting for his former coworker Takahashi. It was impossible to contact directly with the head of Tokyo Light Watch, so Ninomiya hoped his ex-colleague will help him in this matter but he was getting late.
"Sorry for keeping you wait, I had to hide for at least fifteen minutes... There was some fight in front of our hotel... I tell you, this is crazy..." The Light Watch officer shook his head and sat next to Nino on the same bench they met the day before.
"It's okay, I just got here myself. Did you tell your chief I want to meet him?"
"Yeah I did. He was quite surprised and he said he has some really important meeting today so he couldn't come."
"It's a pity because I really would like to talk to him... I didn't see him in ages. You know, after I switched sided he was kind of mad at me..." The Dark Watch officer looked at the latter to check if he knows something. After all he was still the best interrogator in Tokyo...
"I will ask him again today. Ninomiya-san, it's not that he was mad... He treated you like his son. I know it sounds cheesy and all, but when you left he felt like his heart was ripped off..."
"Funny you put it in this way..." Kazunari smirked and leaned back. Who ripped whose heart here? Takahashi frowned and waited for the latter reply. "I felt totally different..."
"You are aware that Light and Dark Watches weren't enemies, right? Well yeah, at first it looked like that but now? We're just coexisting and trying not to get in each other's way, to save the Treaty, that's it. You didn't switch sides, you just took the best path for you."
"You really see it in that way?" Nino frowned and looked at the latter without even listening to his reply. They weren't opponents? Then why Seitou murdered Jun? He was the sad and poor one? Dark and Light are not enemies? Then what sense is in their existence in the first place? Kazunari suddenly stopped feeling as Dark one or Light one. He wasn't neither of them and at the same time he was both. Light gave him his identity, Dark took it away... Dark gave him Matsumoto, light took him away... World will be the better place without Watches at all...
"I need to go..." Ninomiya said suddenly, getting up and heading toward his hotel. War was approaching, it was unavoidable. And since Light took the only person he loved, he will stand on the only right side. And he will kill Seitou with his own bare hands.