[NaNo 2012] Trigger || Chapter 4
Title: Trigger
Rating: PG-13
Characters: Yabu Kouta-centered, appearances by many
Chapter wordcount: 1,858
NaNo wordcount: 6168
Synopsis:
When someone dies they always leave something behind in their wake. Usually this is something material like money, jewelry or clothes. Other times they leave behind precious memories, feelings and a special smile.
But very rarely they leave behind something different, a special kind of power, only meant for those strong enough to handle it. A Trigger.
After his grandfather's dies in a horrible fire, Kouta finds himself able to communicate with those from the other side. Being a young orphan and from that moment on homeless, he uses his gift to survive, asking food and shelter in exchange of messages from those who already passed on. But after he gets involved in a fight between a spirit looking for his body and a demon, Kouta finds his live to take a whole different turn.
A/N: will try to get back on track again with this.
They arrived in the dinner room early. The food had yet to be served and in the corner a group of small boys were playing a card game together. Despite everything, it had a home-y feel to it and Kouta tried to relax as he followed Tottsu.
“They look so young,” he says as he cocks his head towards the children.
The corner of Tottsu’s mouth turned downwards, obviously displeased, “they are. Yuya and Maurius are barely any older than 12, far too young to be roaming around here an experience what we do. But since they’re already activated it’s safer for them to be with us.”
Kouta nods understanding but when he opens his mouth to speak, his stomach speaks for him. While Kouta ducks his head in embarrassment Tottsu laughs again and gives him a gentle pat on the shoulder, “you have been out for three days, I would be surprised if you weren’t hungry. Stay here, I’ll get you something good.”
Kouta nods and watches with a clenched stomach how Tottsu leaves him alone. Several people cast a glance his way, spiked by the new face, but not curious enough to walk over and find out whom it belongs to. Kouta puffs his cheeks as his hands nervously fiddle with the ring on his finger. He contemplates going over to a loud group of people that seem to be his age to introduce himself to maybe make some new friends. However, before his decision his made a voice behind him pipes up and a man with a sharp face and dancing eyes sits down next to him.
“So you’re the one that has been hogging Hasshi’s and Tottsu’s attention!”
Kouta is not sure how to answer that, so he just slowly nods. The stranger lets out a laugher and gives him a light jab in the side, “no need to be scared. I’m not planning on eating you.”
“You’re not going to eat anything,” Tottsu’s voice interrupts as he sets down a place and eyesKawai suspiciously. “He hasn’t eaten in three days, let him enjoy at least this meal.”
Kawai sighs and leans back into his chair. “I wasn’t even planning on stealing his food,” he offers Kouta a wicked grin, “Hiromitsu’ll be back tonight and a very reliable source told me he’s bringing back pizza.”
Tottsu rolls his eyes, unable to hide the small grin that plays on his lips. He hands Kouta his chopsticks and says, “don’t be too fixated on the pizza rumors, it’s usually not true, but Senga likes to think it’s funny to make people believe it is. Now, dig in!”
He breaks his chopsticks and mumbles a small thank you before attacking the plate Tottsu brought along from him. With a pleased smile on his face, Tottsu watches how Kouta stuffs his mouth with dumplings.
“Dwis is weally goowd,” he says, mouth full and jabbing the food with his chopsticks. Both Kawai and Tottsu laugh and Tottsu cheekily adds, “I’ll leave your compliments with the chef.”
“Massu is barely a chef,” Kawai argues as he tries to steal one of Kouta’s dumplings. The younger boy is faster and flicks the man on the hand with his chopsticks. Kawai cackles, rubbing his sore fingers, “but his dumplings are to die for.”
Slowly the dinner room is filling up with people and Kouta enjoys the sight of mixing and mingling. He senses the differences between alive and deceased better than he ever did before, but there seems to be no one who really cares, so he decides not to do so either.
The room isn’t big or spacious, there are no windows but the lightening is atmospheric and pleasant for his eyes. The benches and tables are obviously old and worn and much like the walls it’s hard to find a spot no one has written on yet. There is laughter everywhere and the more people walk in the more The Underground feels like a family.
“Ah! Yabu-kun! There you are!” A voice pulls him back from his thoughts and Kouta blinks. When he looks up he finds himself staring at a bulky boy that grins back at him. “I see you’re eating! Good! I was afraid that you would disappear if we didn’t find a way to feed you soon. You’re already so thin.”
Kawai bursts into laughter, not stopping even after Kouta gives him a scandalized look and Tottsu plants his elbow in his chest. It takes Kouta a few seconds to register the voice and after he’s chewed and swallowed the last set of dumplings he says, “you were also in the room when I woke up.”
“This is Hasshimoto Ryosuke,” Tottsu says, “he is Kawai’s spiritual guide.”
“But I’d rather have you calling me Hasshi!” Hasshi adds. “We already have so many Ryosuke, Ryota and Ryo-chan’s, I like being original.”
Kouta chuckles in return,”Hasshi it is.” He then turns his head towards Tottsu and Kawai and frowns lightly as he heals in the bowl of noodle soup Tottsu also provided him. “What’s a spiritual guide?”
Kawai and Tottsu share a look and it’s Kawai who opens his mouth, “it’s the person that activated you. They become your partner and strength in battle, especially when you just start out.”
“Some people are able to graduate from their spiritual partner, when they’re strong enough or when the soul feels like it’s time to move on and finally rest in peace,” Tottsu adds. There is a slight change in his voice and Kouta eyes him carefully. He doesn’t elaborate on it and Kouta supposes he shouldn’t ask. Instead, he says, “so that means Takaki is my spiritual guide, right? He was the one that activated me.”
“That… We don’t know for sure,” Kawai answers, dropping his head in his arms and lying down on the table, “we need to see Domoto-kun for that, but he’s out with Kitayama to find more information on the demon that stole Yuyan’s body.”
“Ah,” Kouta says flatly, looking a bit disappointed. Despite the fact that Takaki called him an idiot several times, Kouta feels like he owes him from bringing him here. After all, he hasn’t felt this welcomed in years and these people barely know him.
“What will happen to Takaki’s spiritual guide?” He continues to ask. His food is almost gone and so is his appetite. There is however a huge hunger for answers.
The other three fall completely silent and Kouta feels like what he asked was wrong.
“Haruma gave up his soul to save me, he is the reason I can return to my body as soon as we kick that bastard out,” a voice behind him says. Kouta turns around and faces Yuya, who looks tired and smaller than the first time they met. Kawai and Tottsu look back at the young male who’s lips have formed a small line on his sunken face. “That’s why I’m gonna get my body back. With your help, if we end up being united by the council or alone.”
“Don’t say that Yuyan,” Hasshi interrupts, “you’re never alone.”
Yuya shrugs a reply and turns around, leaving the dinner room. As he leaves, Kouta can see people staring at his back, waiting for him to be out of sight. When the door falls closed behind him they gather their heads together to discuss the subject.
Kouta bites his lower lip and pushes his chair back. “Excuse me for a bit,” he mumbled hurriedly as he dashes out of the room.
Hasshi, Tottsu and Kawai share a look with each other and remain silent until Kawai can’t take being solemn anymore. “I’m gonna be on look out! If Kitayama comes back with pizza, it’s gonna be mine!”
~*~
“Takaki, wait up!” Kouta says as he takes a spurt towards the lost soul.
Yuya turns around and raises his eyebrows, “’s’up?”
“I just-“ Kouta takes a deep breathe, mostly because he hasn’t run in a while and his body in general isn’t too used to moving after three days of lying down. “I wanted to thank you, for bringing me here. And I wanted to tell you that, regardless of whether you become my guide, I will help you.”
Yuya’s expression changes, but only slightly. The hardness in his eyes turns a little bit softer, to Kouta’s relieve. He bobs his head as the corners for his lips curl upwards a little, “Thank you… Yabu-kun.”
“No problem,” Kouta grins back, “well, I’ll catch you later then, I’m going to see whether the desert is just as good as the real thing.” He turns on his heels proceeds to make his way back to the dinner room.
“Hey!” Takaki yells at his back.
Kouta turns around and looks back, being the one with raised eyebrows this time, “hmm?”
“Maybe you’re not that stupid after all.”
He frowns and grumbles, “I could have told you that sooner, you know.”
~*~
To keep him under indefinite watch, Kouta was placed into the same dorm as Tottsu and Kawai. When they had forced the boy to sleep, the both of them return to the simple living area.
Kawai aimlessly pokes a fire with his stick as Tottsu lays himself down on the couch and watches the gentle flames dance. He closes his eyes and listens to the crackling sounds of the fire and relaxes his entire body. Tottsu lets out a small yawn but Kawai he has no intentions of falling asleep.
“You miss him, huh?” Kawai says.
Tottsu remains silent and curls himself up in a ball. He squints his eyes until he sees stars and feels how Kawai forms a dent in the couch as he sits next to him. He lifts his head and shuffles over to Kawai, so he can drop his head in his lap. Kawai’s long fingers trail aimlessly trough his hair as he hums an old song they used to sing when they were younger.
A tears rolls over Tottsu’s face and Kawai sighs once more, curling his fingers in Tottsu’s hair and pulling it gently, “it wasn’t your fault Shouta.”
With a quick motion Tottsu sits up, looking at Kawai with mixed emotions. He opens his mouth to speak, to explain himself maybe, but shakes his head in defeat when he finds himself lost for words.
“Shouta-“
“He already died once, thanks to me he had to leave everyone behind again.”
Kawai frowns, pulls up his legs and eyes Tottsu, “he did what is expected from a spiritual guide, against the highest price maybe but he would have never done it if he didn’t want to safe you Tottsu, we have been over this more than once.”
Tottsu looks betrayed and looks away, “he was far more than my spiritual guide, he was my friend.”
“All the more reason for you to understand his decision. You would have done the same for any of your friends,” Kawai argues back. He firmly holds onto Tottsu’s shoulders and pulls him back. “Listen to me, Gocchi was your friend, he was my friend, he was Hasshi’s friend and he was everyone’s friend. Every one here loved him and everyone was devastated after he sacrificed himself for you. But none of us hated or blamed you for what happened. So stop blaming yourself, it’s not like he’ll come back.”
Again, that look of misunderstanding and betrayal in Tottsu’s eyes and Kawai adds, “but I can tell you, if he would be able to come back he would. So he can smack you on the back of your head and tell you what an idiot you are.”
Through tears of sadness, Tottsu snorts. Kawai grins back smugly and pats Tottsu over the head, “stop crying now please, I can’t take it.”
Tottsu sniffles and with his sleeve he wipes away his tears. “Thanks Fumi,” he says, offering the other man a watery smile.
“No, “Kawai says, shaking his head, “Thank you, for not crying anymore. God you’re ugly when you do.”
Tottsu raises his brow and elbows Kawai in the stomach, “you rotten-“
“Ahum,” it’s Hasshi who stands in the opening, with an amused smile lingering on his face. Obviously he hasn’t been standing there for long, but long enough to hear the teasing insults, “Kitayama-kun and Fujigaya-kun have returned.”
“What about the pizza?”
“There is none.”
“Goddamnit.”
Rating: PG-13
Characters: Yabu Kouta-centered, appearances by many
Chapter wordcount: 1,858
NaNo wordcount: 6168
Synopsis:
When someone dies they always leave something behind in their wake. Usually this is something material like money, jewelry or clothes. Other times they leave behind precious memories, feelings and a special smile.
But very rarely they leave behind something different, a special kind of power, only meant for those strong enough to handle it. A Trigger.
After his grandfather's dies in a horrible fire, Kouta finds himself able to communicate with those from the other side. Being a young orphan and from that moment on homeless, he uses his gift to survive, asking food and shelter in exchange of messages from those who already passed on. But after he gets involved in a fight between a spirit looking for his body and a demon, Kouta finds his live to take a whole different turn.
A/N: will try to get back on track again with this.
They arrived in the dinner room early. The food had yet to be served and in the corner a group of small boys were playing a card game together. Despite everything, it had a home-y feel to it and Kouta tried to relax as he followed Tottsu.
“They look so young,” he says as he cocks his head towards the children.
The corner of Tottsu’s mouth turned downwards, obviously displeased, “they are. Yuya and Maurius are barely any older than 12, far too young to be roaming around here an experience what we do. But since they’re already activated it’s safer for them to be with us.”
Kouta nods understanding but when he opens his mouth to speak, his stomach speaks for him. While Kouta ducks his head in embarrassment Tottsu laughs again and gives him a gentle pat on the shoulder, “you have been out for three days, I would be surprised if you weren’t hungry. Stay here, I’ll get you something good.”
Kouta nods and watches with a clenched stomach how Tottsu leaves him alone. Several people cast a glance his way, spiked by the new face, but not curious enough to walk over and find out whom it belongs to. Kouta puffs his cheeks as his hands nervously fiddle with the ring on his finger. He contemplates going over to a loud group of people that seem to be his age to introduce himself to maybe make some new friends. However, before his decision his made a voice behind him pipes up and a man with a sharp face and dancing eyes sits down next to him.
“So you’re the one that has been hogging Hasshi’s and Tottsu’s attention!”
Kouta is not sure how to answer that, so he just slowly nods. The stranger lets out a laugher and gives him a light jab in the side, “no need to be scared. I’m not planning on eating you.”
“You’re not going to eat anything,” Tottsu’s voice interrupts as he sets down a place and eyesKawai suspiciously. “He hasn’t eaten in three days, let him enjoy at least this meal.”
Kawai sighs and leans back into his chair. “I wasn’t even planning on stealing his food,” he offers Kouta a wicked grin, “Hiromitsu’ll be back tonight and a very reliable source told me he’s bringing back pizza.”
Tottsu rolls his eyes, unable to hide the small grin that plays on his lips. He hands Kouta his chopsticks and says, “don’t be too fixated on the pizza rumors, it’s usually not true, but Senga likes to think it’s funny to make people believe it is. Now, dig in!”
He breaks his chopsticks and mumbles a small thank you before attacking the plate Tottsu brought along from him. With a pleased smile on his face, Tottsu watches how Kouta stuffs his mouth with dumplings.
“Dwis is weally goowd,” he says, mouth full and jabbing the food with his chopsticks. Both Kawai and Tottsu laugh and Tottsu cheekily adds, “I’ll leave your compliments with the chef.”
“Massu is barely a chef,” Kawai argues as he tries to steal one of Kouta’s dumplings. The younger boy is faster and flicks the man on the hand with his chopsticks. Kawai cackles, rubbing his sore fingers, “but his dumplings are to die for.”
Slowly the dinner room is filling up with people and Kouta enjoys the sight of mixing and mingling. He senses the differences between alive and deceased better than he ever did before, but there seems to be no one who really cares, so he decides not to do so either.
The room isn’t big or spacious, there are no windows but the lightening is atmospheric and pleasant for his eyes. The benches and tables are obviously old and worn and much like the walls it’s hard to find a spot no one has written on yet. There is laughter everywhere and the more people walk in the more The Underground feels like a family.
“Ah! Yabu-kun! There you are!” A voice pulls him back from his thoughts and Kouta blinks. When he looks up he finds himself staring at a bulky boy that grins back at him. “I see you’re eating! Good! I was afraid that you would disappear if we didn’t find a way to feed you soon. You’re already so thin.”
Kawai bursts into laughter, not stopping even after Kouta gives him a scandalized look and Tottsu plants his elbow in his chest. It takes Kouta a few seconds to register the voice and after he’s chewed and swallowed the last set of dumplings he says, “you were also in the room when I woke up.”
“This is Hasshimoto Ryosuke,” Tottsu says, “he is Kawai’s spiritual guide.”
“But I’d rather have you calling me Hasshi!” Hasshi adds. “We already have so many Ryosuke, Ryota and Ryo-chan’s, I like being original.”
Kouta chuckles in return,”Hasshi it is.” He then turns his head towards Tottsu and Kawai and frowns lightly as he heals in the bowl of noodle soup Tottsu also provided him. “What’s a spiritual guide?”
Kawai and Tottsu share a look and it’s Kawai who opens his mouth, “it’s the person that activated you. They become your partner and strength in battle, especially when you just start out.”
“Some people are able to graduate from their spiritual partner, when they’re strong enough or when the soul feels like it’s time to move on and finally rest in peace,” Tottsu adds. There is a slight change in his voice and Kouta eyes him carefully. He doesn’t elaborate on it and Kouta supposes he shouldn’t ask. Instead, he says, “so that means Takaki is my spiritual guide, right? He was the one that activated me.”
“That… We don’t know for sure,” Kawai answers, dropping his head in his arms and lying down on the table, “we need to see Domoto-kun for that, but he’s out with Kitayama to find more information on the demon that stole Yuyan’s body.”
“Ah,” Kouta says flatly, looking a bit disappointed. Despite the fact that Takaki called him an idiot several times, Kouta feels like he owes him from bringing him here. After all, he hasn’t felt this welcomed in years and these people barely know him.
“What will happen to Takaki’s spiritual guide?” He continues to ask. His food is almost gone and so is his appetite. There is however a huge hunger for answers.
The other three fall completely silent and Kouta feels like what he asked was wrong.
“Haruma gave up his soul to save me, he is the reason I can return to my body as soon as we kick that bastard out,” a voice behind him says. Kouta turns around and faces Yuya, who looks tired and smaller than the first time they met. Kawai and Tottsu look back at the young male who’s lips have formed a small line on his sunken face. “That’s why I’m gonna get my body back. With your help, if we end up being united by the council or alone.”
“Don’t say that Yuyan,” Hasshi interrupts, “you’re never alone.”
Yuya shrugs a reply and turns around, leaving the dinner room. As he leaves, Kouta can see people staring at his back, waiting for him to be out of sight. When the door falls closed behind him they gather their heads together to discuss the subject.
Kouta bites his lower lip and pushes his chair back. “Excuse me for a bit,” he mumbled hurriedly as he dashes out of the room.
Hasshi, Tottsu and Kawai share a look with each other and remain silent until Kawai can’t take being solemn anymore. “I’m gonna be on look out! If Kitayama comes back with pizza, it’s gonna be mine!”
~*~
“Takaki, wait up!” Kouta says as he takes a spurt towards the lost soul.
Yuya turns around and raises his eyebrows, “’s’up?”
“I just-“ Kouta takes a deep breathe, mostly because he hasn’t run in a while and his body in general isn’t too used to moving after three days of lying down. “I wanted to thank you, for bringing me here. And I wanted to tell you that, regardless of whether you become my guide, I will help you.”
Yuya’s expression changes, but only slightly. The hardness in his eyes turns a little bit softer, to Kouta’s relieve. He bobs his head as the corners for his lips curl upwards a little, “Thank you… Yabu-kun.”
“No problem,” Kouta grins back, “well, I’ll catch you later then, I’m going to see whether the desert is just as good as the real thing.” He turns on his heels proceeds to make his way back to the dinner room.
“Hey!” Takaki yells at his back.
Kouta turns around and looks back, being the one with raised eyebrows this time, “hmm?”
“Maybe you’re not that stupid after all.”
He frowns and grumbles, “I could have told you that sooner, you know.”
~*~
To keep him under indefinite watch, Kouta was placed into the same dorm as Tottsu and Kawai. When they had forced the boy to sleep, the both of them return to the simple living area.
Kawai aimlessly pokes a fire with his stick as Tottsu lays himself down on the couch and watches the gentle flames dance. He closes his eyes and listens to the crackling sounds of the fire and relaxes his entire body. Tottsu lets out a small yawn but Kawai he has no intentions of falling asleep.
“You miss him, huh?” Kawai says.
Tottsu remains silent and curls himself up in a ball. He squints his eyes until he sees stars and feels how Kawai forms a dent in the couch as he sits next to him. He lifts his head and shuffles over to Kawai, so he can drop his head in his lap. Kawai’s long fingers trail aimlessly trough his hair as he hums an old song they used to sing when they were younger.
A tears rolls over Tottsu’s face and Kawai sighs once more, curling his fingers in Tottsu’s hair and pulling it gently, “it wasn’t your fault Shouta.”
With a quick motion Tottsu sits up, looking at Kawai with mixed emotions. He opens his mouth to speak, to explain himself maybe, but shakes his head in defeat when he finds himself lost for words.
“Shouta-“
“He already died once, thanks to me he had to leave everyone behind again.”
Kawai frowns, pulls up his legs and eyes Tottsu, “he did what is expected from a spiritual guide, against the highest price maybe but he would have never done it if he didn’t want to safe you Tottsu, we have been over this more than once.”
Tottsu looks betrayed and looks away, “he was far more than my spiritual guide, he was my friend.”
“All the more reason for you to understand his decision. You would have done the same for any of your friends,” Kawai argues back. He firmly holds onto Tottsu’s shoulders and pulls him back. “Listen to me, Gocchi was your friend, he was my friend, he was Hasshi’s friend and he was everyone’s friend. Every one here loved him and everyone was devastated after he sacrificed himself for you. But none of us hated or blamed you for what happened. So stop blaming yourself, it’s not like he’ll come back.”
Again, that look of misunderstanding and betrayal in Tottsu’s eyes and Kawai adds, “but I can tell you, if he would be able to come back he would. So he can smack you on the back of your head and tell you what an idiot you are.”
Through tears of sadness, Tottsu snorts. Kawai grins back smugly and pats Tottsu over the head, “stop crying now please, I can’t take it.”
Tottsu sniffles and with his sleeve he wipes away his tears. “Thanks Fumi,” he says, offering the other man a watery smile.
“No, “Kawai says, shaking his head, “Thank you, for not crying anymore. God you’re ugly when you do.”
Tottsu raises his brow and elbows Kawai in the stomach, “you rotten-“
“Ahum,” it’s Hasshi who stands in the opening, with an amused smile lingering on his face. Obviously he hasn’t been standing there for long, but long enough to hear the teasing insults, “Kitayama-kun and Fujigaya-kun have returned.”
“What about the pizza?”
“There is none.”
“Goddamnit.”