[log] Kaidoh Kaoru, Inui Sadaharu
Date: Monday, October 31
Characters: Kaidoh Kaoru, Inui Sadaharu
Rating: PG... PG-13? Nothing really bad. Honestly.
Summary: Kaidoh takes a trip to Inui in an attempt to find information on Ohtori's whereabouts...
Kaidoh sighed and nearly turned around for the fourth time that afternoon. He was finally outside of Inui-san’s apartment building, staring up as he had been for at least ten minutes. He still didn’t know whether he should go up and talk to the other - he doubted Inui-san would want to see him after what had happened last time, but he also desperately wanted to know that Ohtori-kun was okay. He’d made up his mind (after two days of searching) not to go after the other - he wanted to, and badly, but after… what had happened, maybe that wasn’t a good idea. The only thing he could do for Ohtori-kun now was leave him alone and hope he would be all right. Ohtori obviously didn’t want to be with him - or even around him - anymore, so Kaidoh had resolutely decided to at least honor that wish.
He took a deep breath, adjusting the racket case on his shoulder and pushing the front door open, hiking up the stairs to Inui’s apartment. He pulled the hood of his hoodie down - he didn’t need it, really, not with the image inducer, but he didn’t want anyone looking at him all the same right now - and stopped in front of the correct door. After another few minutes, he raised his hand and carefully knocked, sideways. “Um… I-Inui-san…?
The door opened quicker now, than it usually did. Inui was moving around in the apartment more than he used to, but it still only opened a crack, big enough for him to peer out and see with his eyes a figure trying to disguise himself behind a network of light imagery that would have fooled any person with normal vision. He recoiled slightly. "What do you want?" he asked slowly, wondering to himself why any mutant, ANY MUTANT, would want to look human.
Kaidoh flushed and took a step back - Inui-san seemed angry, and he’d known he would be. He took a breath. “Um. I… I, um. I had a question… I need a favor… but I can’t pay you as much as you wanted last time.” He took off his racket bag and shoved it before him. “I… er… I can pay you what I have, and you can have my rackets if you want… they’re worth a lot… I just. I just needed to ask you something. I know you probably don’t want to see me.” Who would?
"I'm not looking for money..." Inui said slowly, opening the door a little wider, "but I'll take this anyway." He grabbed the bag and tossed it over into a dark corner. "What do you want, then?" He folded his arms over his chest. Even in the darkness of his apartment, there was a glow from the hologram surrounding Kaidoh like an aura of light. "Information, I'll assume," he jumped ahead. That's all he was good for anyway.
Kaidoh winced a little as Inui threw the rackets behind him into his apartment - he’d been willing to offer them, true, but realizing that they were actually gone now was… But that wasn’t important. “Y-yes…” he offered, embarrassed and sheepish. “Well… I wanted to make sure you were okay, too… I guess you are.” He flushed again - of course Inui-san was fine now, he must think Kaidoh was really stupid. “I. Um. The… the person I asked you about last time. I don’t want to know where he is… j-just if you’ve seen him and if he’s okay…” If he didn’t know where Ohtori-kun was, he wouldn’t be tempted to go looking, he decided.
Inui stared at him for a long time, before glancing towards the window, eyes narrowing. "He's around. I've seen him. But his pattern is erratic. And I don't often times venture out of the city." He glanced back at Kaidoh. "But from what I can tell, it means don't look for him. Know your boundaries. When someone runs away, that means they don't want to be found." He spoke from personal experience. He had run away from someone before too, hadn't he?
Kaidoh bit his lip. “Yeah,” he said quietly after a moment, looking away - suddenly it was hard to speak. Hearing from someone else exactly what he’d been worried about, that Ohtori didn’t want Kaidoh to find him, hurt more than he’d thought. “I… um. I know he doesn’t want to see me anymore.” He couldn’t believe he was so stupid - how could he have believed Ohtori really wanted to be with him? Not when he looked like this; Ohtori must have… realized that night how stupid it was to try and be close to someone like Kaidoh. “I w-won’t go look. I just… needed to know. Thanks. W-will the rackets be enough, as payment?” Inui-san didn’t do things for free, after all.
Listening to an emotional teenager lament about how he had just suffered through some sort of heart break - this reminded him of Renji. Was it just him, or were this boy, and his old partner more similar than they needed to be? He waved away the thought. He did not want to listen to a young teen's angst. And he certainly didn't want any payment, but he liked watching people squirm when he took their precious belongings. "Yes. They'll be enough."
Kaidoh nodded, sure that Inui-san could see him in the dark, because he could still barely see a thing, even with the light from the door. “Okay. Uhm… it might be too much to ask, but… i-if something bad does happen to him… could you tell me?” He winced again - Ohtori-kun wouldn’t want his help, anyway, not now, but if something happened Kaidoh was willing to risk that to make sure he’d be all right. “I could pay you… with something else. I hope.” He really didn’t have many other possessions, and nothing was as precious (or expensive) as his rackets. He didn’t know what he’d bargain with next time.
Inui tilted his head a little further in Kaidoh's direction, before letting out something of a sigh. Persistence. Perhaps, was this how Renji fel-- no. Because from what he had heard, and from the data he had collected, watching, observing, that silver haired boy had some kind of heart. "... fine. If something happens. I'll tell you."
“Thanks,” Kaidoh said softly, bowing a little. “I… I must be wasting your time. I’ll, um, I’ll just go now.” He headed back for the door (and the light), hoping he could make it all right in the dark - really, how did Inui-san live like this -
He yelped as he tripped over something - the edge of a rug? But Inui-san hadn’t had… That wasn’t important now, though, as he went toppling over, feeling like an idiot, and crashed into the taller mutant, knocking them both to the ground. “Oh God - oh shit, I… are you okay? I’m sorry!” He scrambled off of Inui-san, his face burning - really, how could he be so clumsy? “I’m sorry,” he repeated, “I didn’t mean to…” He made up his mind to go back and stay firmly put in his room for the next year. Once he was sure Inui-san was all right.
Inui had seen it all before hand, but he did nothing to stop it. In that part of his mutation that could predict movements before it would happen, he could see Kaidoh fall forward into him, but then as the impact happened, there was a snap. He heard it, and felt it. His body hit the floor, and there was a flicker of sparks from where several of his wires had been severed from his body. Then there was silence.
“Ah - shit! Inui-san?” Kaidoh felt like he was going to cry - if he’d done something to Inui-san, he’d never forgive himself. No - Inui must be all right. He shook the other, trying to see in the darkness. “Inui-san… Inui-san? Oh, no, you have to be all right - I didn’t mean… I’m sorry, I mess everything up - you have to be okay!”
Inui woke to shaking, confused. He was convinced, he had to have been shut down. There was no information. He couldn't feel the constant transfer of data from his brain to his computer and back. There was silence. None of that soft whirring that reassured him that he was alive. He opened his eyes. No. His eyes were already open. He blinked several times more, and his slowly his mouth dropped forward to gasp, "I.... I can't see...."
Oh no, oh no - “What?” Kaidoh asked, trying to help the other up, cursing himself over and over and over - he was so clumsy, and now he’d hurt Inui-san. “You can’t? Are you… I mean… I… did I do something? I must have - oh shit, Inui-san… I’m so sorry -” Maybe it was just temporary… he hoped. Maybe Inui-san had just fallen wrong… but this was still all Kaidoh’s fault, and he desperately wanted to leave, to get out of the way before he did something worse, but how could he, when Inui-san was clearly not all right and it was all his fault?
Desperately reaching for his neck, Inui's fingers found the wires; all but three of them had survived the fall. He was feeling something he hadn't felt in a long time. Fear maybe? His hands were shaking at least. He couldn't see. There was nothing but darkness. His computer wasn't there anymore. He couldn't communicate with it. What had happened. "I can't see..." he repeated, "I can't see..." He tugged at the wires, before giving up and giving the other three a pull, ripping them from the back of his neck - the first time in years.
Kaidoh winced as Inui… did something. “I… I’m sorry,” he repeated softly, resisting the overwhelming urge to bolt and run. “Maybe you shouldn’t… can I… what can I do?” he asked desperately, not having the slightest idea how to help, not knowing what he could do, just knowing that this entire mess was entirely his fault. He felt terrible, and he didn’t know how to make it right.
"Nothing. Nothing. There isn't much you can do." Groping, Inui moved through the apartment to find the light switch, hoping the flood of light would clear his vision. It didn't. He avoided cursing out loud, and leaned against the wall, feeling the wire pieces in his hand. What... was he now that his computer was detached from his body? He couldn't even see anymore. That had been his mutation from childhood, now it was gone? Now he was no better than... than... Renji!?
Kaidoh’s stomach fell as Inui switched on the lights - once he could see properly, he could tell that the wires had been ripped out of his neck. He reached out one hand to check Inui’s neck, then pulled back as he realized that he probably shouldn’t touch the other mutant, and especially not there. “I’m so sorry,” he whispered. “I really didn’t mean to… I…” What on earth could he possibly do to help now? Should he just leave? But could he just leave, with Inui-san… blinded like this?
".... for all those days I spent pondering over the possibility," Inui said slowly, "this was neither a scenario, nor consequence I had taken into consideration...." His hand loosened, wire falling to the ground. "This is almost laughable, really. Thank you." And then he did laugh. A scary laugh. One that seemed genuinely amused over the situation, and completely bitter at the exact same time.
Kaidoh stared at Inui, almost frightened by the way he sounded. “W-what are you thanking me for?” he asked, not really understanding. “C-can you fix it?” Inui-san must have some idea how to fix something like this, if he’d been pondering the possibility like he said. “S-should I help you with something? Or… I… should I just go?” He felt like the clumsiest, stupidest person on the planet.
"I can't see... I can't fix anything right now," Inui said slowly, pulling the backpack off his back and setting it down on the floor. With the weight off his shoulders he felt as though he could straighten up for the first time and tried it. He felt taller and lighter. He also felt hungry. "You should go. There's no way of remedying this situation...."
“Oh,” Kaidoh said forlornly. “I could…” He was about to offer to help, but he was afraid he would just make things worse. He blinked - yes, he’d offered to leave, but now that Inui-san had suggested it too… should he really? “I… maybe I shouldn’t leave you alone like this? I… I know I did this… but I can help? I can try…” What else could he do? “D-do you want me to get anything?”
Inui shook his head slowly, "No... I'll be... alright." He pushed himself away from the wall and turned, attempting to walk to the kitchen and almost instantly walked into another wall. He stumbled back a step or two, a hand moving to his head.
“Inui-san!” Kaidoh sprang from his spot on the floor, taking the other by the shoulders, blushing and hoping he was all right. No, he couldn’t just leave Inui-san here like this. He would only hurt himself. “I’m staying,” he said as firmly as he could. “I c-can’t leave you here like this. Here…” He led the other to the couch and sat him down gently. “What were you looking for?”
Inui was in a state of shock. He had walked into a wall. He never... but the more he thought about it, the more he realized he never relied on any other senses besides sight. He had the layout of his apartment memorized, but suddenly he realized he didn't - not when it was disconnected from him like that. He wasn't in pain, just... shocked. Bewildered. Enough to not even notice that he was being touched or moved towards the couch. He turned in the direction of Kaidoh's voice. "No... I'm fine. I was just.... walking. You can leave..."
“But… but I… No,” Kaidoh said again, firmly. As stupid as he might feel, and as much as he wanted to leave, Inui-san was more important. He had to take responsibility for what he’d done. “I can’t leave you like this, Inui-san… it’s my fault. You’ll hurt yourself again. I’m… sorry. B-but I have to stay and help.” He had to sound firm, even though he was blushing like mad, and wanted to run away and hide. Otherwise Inui-san would never listen to him. And he didn’t want Inui to get mad at him.
"No. I don't need help," Inui insisted, waving a hand at him, still trying to focus. He saw nothing but darkness. It was terrible, this feeling of being unable to see. Seeing was his
livelihood. Seeing was all he knew... "I won't... hurt myself. I just won't move for a while."
Kaidoh sighed. “What do you mean - Inui-san, that won’t work! I… I mean… you have to move! A-and you don’t know how long this will - I have to stay. Uhm. I w-won’t bother you but you can’t really expect me to… um, just leave you here.” He was so stupid - so stupid, he had to stay and help. Couldn’t Inui-san see that? “Just for a few days. Um. I r-really won’t be a bother but you really might hurt yourself otherwise.”
"I've... gone days without moving before," Inui said slowly, groping out at the air in front of him. "I'll be fine. Really. I don't need some... some kid hanging around trying to help me. It's not logical. I'll be fine..." His voice quieted slightly. That was a lie, wasn't it? He couldn't do anything without his sight.
Kaidoh shook his head - not that the other could see it. Why was he making this so difficult? He was blushing and he felt terrible already for causing this whole mess. “N-no. Really. I’m s-sorry, Inui-san, but I’m not leaving,” he said, much more firmly than he felt he had any right to be. “J-just… don’t argue. You won’t even notice I’m here… uhm. Unless you need me. Okay?” He paused, really hoping Inui-san would stop arguing. At least he really didn’t seem to be getting angry. “Is there anything you d-do need?”
Inui turned his head in Kaidoh's direction. How could any one person be so persistent. No. More like, how can any one person possess so much concern and kindness to insist on helping someone even if it would take days... even if it was their fault. He stared - well, he would have stared, but he kept his face turned in that direction. He didn't say anything though. He was trying to process this information, but without his unit.... it was nothing but confusion. Like... there was no real reason behind it, like some people were just naturally that kind.
Well… at least Inui-san had stopped arguing. That was a good sign. “I’m… I’m really sorry for this whole mess,” he said, sighing. He wished he wasn’t so clumsy and stupid and… good for nothing, really. “Um… I- I’ll go get some food and m-make you lunch… since I’m going to be so much trouble anyway…” He had the sneaking suspicion that Inui-san probably didn’t have any food, and he still had a bit of cash, since Inui-san had taken his rackets as payment.
"... there's food in the kitchen," Inui said slowly, turning his face away from him. "I don't really eat it, but it should be safe. If you're going to stay here, better you don't starve." He stared at the floor, eyes squinting, wondering if he concentrated hard enough, he would be able to see light.
“Oh. Um… I’ll m-make something, then. You should eat too,” Kaidoh said, hoping he wouldn’t sound like too much of a nuisance. But he did figure that as long as he was here, he might as well make sure Inui-san took decent care of himself. And ate. “Y-you can just have some if you feel like it.” He hoped that the aroma would make Inui-san more likely to agree to eat. Maybe, he thought, as he headed for the kitchen, glad at least that he could turn on the lights now to see what he was doing.
Inui glanced towards the kitchen. Somehow the thought of food seemed more appealing, which was strange. He never gave food a thought. Never. And yet, here he was, actually thinking that there was a chance he might be hungry. He was hungry. He felt hungry, at least. No. Wait. What was going on? He flexed a hand. At least the mechanics in his body felt the same....
Kaidoh made sandwiches, figuring they were safe and that hopefully Inui might like one. He brought them out, along with some water, and set them on the low table. “Um… t-there’s sandwiches… if you want one. And water, if you’re maybe thirsty,” he said, feeling like a mother, and knelt beside the table, waiting to see if Inui would eat one or not.
Inui reached out, hesitating as the tips of his fingers brushed against a glass, and then against the table, and then finally a sandwich. He recoiled quickly, hands pulling back to his side. Then he tried again, fingers following the surface of the table back to the sandwich and lifted it. Smelled it. Somehow smells were stronger when he couldn't see. He didn't like that. He wrinkled his nose and muttered something under his breath that sounded like gratitude.
Kaidoh smiled just a bit as Inui took the sandwich, hoping he would like it. “Um… if you want more you can just let me know. Y-you can think of me as your… um… personal servant if that m-makes it better,” he offered, realizing how stupid that sounded and blushing again. They ate in silence for a few moments - rather, Inui-san ate; Kaidoh watched him to make sure he was doing all right without being able to see.
“… Um,” he said after a while, hoping Inui-san wouldn’t mind if he made conversation, just for a little while. “Are you… okay without your… computer? I mean… h-how long have you had it?” He hoped that wasn’t prying too much. But he was sure Inui wouldn’t answer him if the taller mutant didn’t want him to know.
Inui turned his head upwards towards Kaidoh's voice again. He stared - or he looked as though he were trying to stare - before formulating an answer. His head tilted back down towards the sandwich (it was barely half eaten) and replied, "10... years maybe. 10... 11... the exact number escapes me right now..."
“…Oh.” Kaidoh stared at Inui-san, trying to imagine what it would be like to be attached to a computer for so long. “T-that’s amazing… I. Uh. A-are you okay now without it?” he asked, feeling guilty all over again. “I’m so sorry - I… I hope you’re all right like that…” He did have to admit, Inui-san looked totally different without the “backpack.” He… sat up straighter, and looked like he was much more comfortable… even if he was blind.
"Not particularly," Inui replied, "I don't like it. I've only ever been disconnected from my computer for research, upgrade and repair work. And each time I was shut down, so this experience of being alive and moving while my unit sits discarded somewhere... over... there..." he gestured with a hand in the direction of where he thought he dropped off the bag (but he was actually aiming several feet off).
“Oh,” Kaidoh said again, softly. “I - I really… W-well it’s all the more important that I stay and help you then. I promise, I won’t be a bother.” Inui-san must really hate him right now, and just be trying not to show it. “And I’ll leave as soon as it’s fixed,” he said with a bit of dismay, seeing how far off Inui’s indication was from the actual bag. He took the empty plates back to the kitchen, figuring that he should also keep things as neat and clean as possible. He was more than a guest - he was going to be a servant for the next few days, and he was going to be sure that Inui-san’s apartment was in much better condition when he left than it was now.
Characters: Kaidoh Kaoru, Inui Sadaharu
Rating: PG... PG-13? Nothing really bad. Honestly.
Summary: Kaidoh takes a trip to Inui in an attempt to find information on Ohtori's whereabouts...
Kaidoh sighed and nearly turned around for the fourth time that afternoon. He was finally outside of Inui-san’s apartment building, staring up as he had been for at least ten minutes. He still didn’t know whether he should go up and talk to the other - he doubted Inui-san would want to see him after what had happened last time, but he also desperately wanted to know that Ohtori-kun was okay. He’d made up his mind (after two days of searching) not to go after the other - he wanted to, and badly, but after… what had happened, maybe that wasn’t a good idea. The only thing he could do for Ohtori-kun now was leave him alone and hope he would be all right. Ohtori obviously didn’t want to be with him - or even around him - anymore, so Kaidoh had resolutely decided to at least honor that wish.
He took a deep breath, adjusting the racket case on his shoulder and pushing the front door open, hiking up the stairs to Inui’s apartment. He pulled the hood of his hoodie down - he didn’t need it, really, not with the image inducer, but he didn’t want anyone looking at him all the same right now - and stopped in front of the correct door. After another few minutes, he raised his hand and carefully knocked, sideways. “Um… I-Inui-san…?
The door opened quicker now, than it usually did. Inui was moving around in the apartment more than he used to, but it still only opened a crack, big enough for him to peer out and see with his eyes a figure trying to disguise himself behind a network of light imagery that would have fooled any person with normal vision. He recoiled slightly. "What do you want?" he asked slowly, wondering to himself why any mutant, ANY MUTANT, would want to look human.
Kaidoh flushed and took a step back - Inui-san seemed angry, and he’d known he would be. He took a breath. “Um. I… I, um. I had a question… I need a favor… but I can’t pay you as much as you wanted last time.” He took off his racket bag and shoved it before him. “I… er… I can pay you what I have, and you can have my rackets if you want… they’re worth a lot… I just. I just needed to ask you something. I know you probably don’t want to see me.” Who would?
"I'm not looking for money..." Inui said slowly, opening the door a little wider, "but I'll take this anyway." He grabbed the bag and tossed it over into a dark corner. "What do you want, then?" He folded his arms over his chest. Even in the darkness of his apartment, there was a glow from the hologram surrounding Kaidoh like an aura of light. "Information, I'll assume," he jumped ahead. That's all he was good for anyway.
Kaidoh winced a little as Inui threw the rackets behind him into his apartment - he’d been willing to offer them, true, but realizing that they were actually gone now was… But that wasn’t important. “Y-yes…” he offered, embarrassed and sheepish. “Well… I wanted to make sure you were okay, too… I guess you are.” He flushed again - of course Inui-san was fine now, he must think Kaidoh was really stupid. “I. Um. The… the person I asked you about last time. I don’t want to know where he is… j-just if you’ve seen him and if he’s okay…” If he didn’t know where Ohtori-kun was, he wouldn’t be tempted to go looking, he decided.
Inui stared at him for a long time, before glancing towards the window, eyes narrowing. "He's around. I've seen him. But his pattern is erratic. And I don't often times venture out of the city." He glanced back at Kaidoh. "But from what I can tell, it means don't look for him. Know your boundaries. When someone runs away, that means they don't want to be found." He spoke from personal experience. He had run away from someone before too, hadn't he?
Kaidoh bit his lip. “Yeah,” he said quietly after a moment, looking away - suddenly it was hard to speak. Hearing from someone else exactly what he’d been worried about, that Ohtori didn’t want Kaidoh to find him, hurt more than he’d thought. “I… um. I know he doesn’t want to see me anymore.” He couldn’t believe he was so stupid - how could he have believed Ohtori really wanted to be with him? Not when he looked like this; Ohtori must have… realized that night how stupid it was to try and be close to someone like Kaidoh. “I w-won’t go look. I just… needed to know. Thanks. W-will the rackets be enough, as payment?” Inui-san didn’t do things for free, after all.
Listening to an emotional teenager lament about how he had just suffered through some sort of heart break - this reminded him of Renji. Was it just him, or were this boy, and his old partner more similar than they needed to be? He waved away the thought. He did not want to listen to a young teen's angst. And he certainly didn't want any payment, but he liked watching people squirm when he took their precious belongings. "Yes. They'll be enough."
Kaidoh nodded, sure that Inui-san could see him in the dark, because he could still barely see a thing, even with the light from the door. “Okay. Uhm… it might be too much to ask, but… i-if something bad does happen to him… could you tell me?” He winced again - Ohtori-kun wouldn’t want his help, anyway, not now, but if something happened Kaidoh was willing to risk that to make sure he’d be all right. “I could pay you… with something else. I hope.” He really didn’t have many other possessions, and nothing was as precious (or expensive) as his rackets. He didn’t know what he’d bargain with next time.
Inui tilted his head a little further in Kaidoh's direction, before letting out something of a sigh. Persistence. Perhaps, was this how Renji fel-- no. Because from what he had heard, and from the data he had collected, watching, observing, that silver haired boy had some kind of heart. "... fine. If something happens. I'll tell you."
“Thanks,” Kaidoh said softly, bowing a little. “I… I must be wasting your time. I’ll, um, I’ll just go now.” He headed back for the door (and the light), hoping he could make it all right in the dark - really, how did Inui-san live like this -
He yelped as he tripped over something - the edge of a rug? But Inui-san hadn’t had… That wasn’t important now, though, as he went toppling over, feeling like an idiot, and crashed into the taller mutant, knocking them both to the ground. “Oh God - oh shit, I… are you okay? I’m sorry!” He scrambled off of Inui-san, his face burning - really, how could he be so clumsy? “I’m sorry,” he repeated, “I didn’t mean to…” He made up his mind to go back and stay firmly put in his room for the next year. Once he was sure Inui-san was all right.
Inui had seen it all before hand, but he did nothing to stop it. In that part of his mutation that could predict movements before it would happen, he could see Kaidoh fall forward into him, but then as the impact happened, there was a snap. He heard it, and felt it. His body hit the floor, and there was a flicker of sparks from where several of his wires had been severed from his body. Then there was silence.
“Ah - shit! Inui-san?” Kaidoh felt like he was going to cry - if he’d done something to Inui-san, he’d never forgive himself. No - Inui must be all right. He shook the other, trying to see in the darkness. “Inui-san… Inui-san? Oh, no, you have to be all right - I didn’t mean… I’m sorry, I mess everything up - you have to be okay!”
Inui woke to shaking, confused. He was convinced, he had to have been shut down. There was no information. He couldn't feel the constant transfer of data from his brain to his computer and back. There was silence. None of that soft whirring that reassured him that he was alive. He opened his eyes. No. His eyes were already open. He blinked several times more, and his slowly his mouth dropped forward to gasp, "I.... I can't see...."
Oh no, oh no - “What?” Kaidoh asked, trying to help the other up, cursing himself over and over and over - he was so clumsy, and now he’d hurt Inui-san. “You can’t? Are you… I mean… I… did I do something? I must have - oh shit, Inui-san… I’m so sorry -” Maybe it was just temporary… he hoped. Maybe Inui-san had just fallen wrong… but this was still all Kaidoh’s fault, and he desperately wanted to leave, to get out of the way before he did something worse, but how could he, when Inui-san was clearly not all right and it was all his fault?
Desperately reaching for his neck, Inui's fingers found the wires; all but three of them had survived the fall. He was feeling something he hadn't felt in a long time. Fear maybe? His hands were shaking at least. He couldn't see. There was nothing but darkness. His computer wasn't there anymore. He couldn't communicate with it. What had happened. "I can't see..." he repeated, "I can't see..." He tugged at the wires, before giving up and giving the other three a pull, ripping them from the back of his neck - the first time in years.
Kaidoh winced as Inui… did something. “I… I’m sorry,” he repeated softly, resisting the overwhelming urge to bolt and run. “Maybe you shouldn’t… can I… what can I do?” he asked desperately, not having the slightest idea how to help, not knowing what he could do, just knowing that this entire mess was entirely his fault. He felt terrible, and he didn’t know how to make it right.
"Nothing. Nothing. There isn't much you can do." Groping, Inui moved through the apartment to find the light switch, hoping the flood of light would clear his vision. It didn't. He avoided cursing out loud, and leaned against the wall, feeling the wire pieces in his hand. What... was he now that his computer was detached from his body? He couldn't even see anymore. That had been his mutation from childhood, now it was gone? Now he was no better than... than... Renji!?
Kaidoh’s stomach fell as Inui switched on the lights - once he could see properly, he could tell that the wires had been ripped out of his neck. He reached out one hand to check Inui’s neck, then pulled back as he realized that he probably shouldn’t touch the other mutant, and especially not there. “I’m so sorry,” he whispered. “I really didn’t mean to… I…” What on earth could he possibly do to help now? Should he just leave? But could he just leave, with Inui-san… blinded like this?
".... for all those days I spent pondering over the possibility," Inui said slowly, "this was neither a scenario, nor consequence I had taken into consideration...." His hand loosened, wire falling to the ground. "This is almost laughable, really. Thank you." And then he did laugh. A scary laugh. One that seemed genuinely amused over the situation, and completely bitter at the exact same time.
Kaidoh stared at Inui, almost frightened by the way he sounded. “W-what are you thanking me for?” he asked, not really understanding. “C-can you fix it?” Inui-san must have some idea how to fix something like this, if he’d been pondering the possibility like he said. “S-should I help you with something? Or… I… should I just go?” He felt like the clumsiest, stupidest person on the planet.
"I can't see... I can't fix anything right now," Inui said slowly, pulling the backpack off his back and setting it down on the floor. With the weight off his shoulders he felt as though he could straighten up for the first time and tried it. He felt taller and lighter. He also felt hungry. "You should go. There's no way of remedying this situation...."
“Oh,” Kaidoh said forlornly. “I could…” He was about to offer to help, but he was afraid he would just make things worse. He blinked - yes, he’d offered to leave, but now that Inui-san had suggested it too… should he really? “I… maybe I shouldn’t leave you alone like this? I… I know I did this… but I can help? I can try…” What else could he do? “D-do you want me to get anything?”
Inui shook his head slowly, "No... I'll be... alright." He pushed himself away from the wall and turned, attempting to walk to the kitchen and almost instantly walked into another wall. He stumbled back a step or two, a hand moving to his head.
“Inui-san!” Kaidoh sprang from his spot on the floor, taking the other by the shoulders, blushing and hoping he was all right. No, he couldn’t just leave Inui-san here like this. He would only hurt himself. “I’m staying,” he said as firmly as he could. “I c-can’t leave you here like this. Here…” He led the other to the couch and sat him down gently. “What were you looking for?”
Inui was in a state of shock. He had walked into a wall. He never... but the more he thought about it, the more he realized he never relied on any other senses besides sight. He had the layout of his apartment memorized, but suddenly he realized he didn't - not when it was disconnected from him like that. He wasn't in pain, just... shocked. Bewildered. Enough to not even notice that he was being touched or moved towards the couch. He turned in the direction of Kaidoh's voice. "No... I'm fine. I was just.... walking. You can leave..."
“But… but I… No,” Kaidoh said again, firmly. As stupid as he might feel, and as much as he wanted to leave, Inui-san was more important. He had to take responsibility for what he’d done. “I can’t leave you like this, Inui-san… it’s my fault. You’ll hurt yourself again. I’m… sorry. B-but I have to stay and help.” He had to sound firm, even though he was blushing like mad, and wanted to run away and hide. Otherwise Inui-san would never listen to him. And he didn’t want Inui to get mad at him.
"No. I don't need help," Inui insisted, waving a hand at him, still trying to focus. He saw nothing but darkness. It was terrible, this feeling of being unable to see. Seeing was his
livelihood. Seeing was all he knew... "I won't... hurt myself. I just won't move for a while."
Kaidoh sighed. “What do you mean - Inui-san, that won’t work! I… I mean… you have to move! A-and you don’t know how long this will - I have to stay. Uhm. I w-won’t bother you but you can’t really expect me to… um, just leave you here.” He was so stupid - so stupid, he had to stay and help. Couldn’t Inui-san see that? “Just for a few days. Um. I r-really won’t be a bother but you really might hurt yourself otherwise.”
"I've... gone days without moving before," Inui said slowly, groping out at the air in front of him. "I'll be fine. Really. I don't need some... some kid hanging around trying to help me. It's not logical. I'll be fine..." His voice quieted slightly. That was a lie, wasn't it? He couldn't do anything without his sight.
Kaidoh shook his head - not that the other could see it. Why was he making this so difficult? He was blushing and he felt terrible already for causing this whole mess. “N-no. Really. I’m s-sorry, Inui-san, but I’m not leaving,” he said, much more firmly than he felt he had any right to be. “J-just… don’t argue. You won’t even notice I’m here… uhm. Unless you need me. Okay?” He paused, really hoping Inui-san would stop arguing. At least he really didn’t seem to be getting angry. “Is there anything you d-do need?”
Inui turned his head in Kaidoh's direction. How could any one person be so persistent. No. More like, how can any one person possess so much concern and kindness to insist on helping someone even if it would take days... even if it was their fault. He stared - well, he would have stared, but he kept his face turned in that direction. He didn't say anything though. He was trying to process this information, but without his unit.... it was nothing but confusion. Like... there was no real reason behind it, like some people were just naturally that kind.
Well… at least Inui-san had stopped arguing. That was a good sign. “I’m… I’m really sorry for this whole mess,” he said, sighing. He wished he wasn’t so clumsy and stupid and… good for nothing, really. “Um… I- I’ll go get some food and m-make you lunch… since I’m going to be so much trouble anyway…” He had the sneaking suspicion that Inui-san probably didn’t have any food, and he still had a bit of cash, since Inui-san had taken his rackets as payment.
"... there's food in the kitchen," Inui said slowly, turning his face away from him. "I don't really eat it, but it should be safe. If you're going to stay here, better you don't starve." He stared at the floor, eyes squinting, wondering if he concentrated hard enough, he would be able to see light.
“Oh. Um… I’ll m-make something, then. You should eat too,” Kaidoh said, hoping he wouldn’t sound like too much of a nuisance. But he did figure that as long as he was here, he might as well make sure Inui-san took decent care of himself. And ate. “Y-you can just have some if you feel like it.” He hoped that the aroma would make Inui-san more likely to agree to eat. Maybe, he thought, as he headed for the kitchen, glad at least that he could turn on the lights now to see what he was doing.
Inui glanced towards the kitchen. Somehow the thought of food seemed more appealing, which was strange. He never gave food a thought. Never. And yet, here he was, actually thinking that there was a chance he might be hungry. He was hungry. He felt hungry, at least. No. Wait. What was going on? He flexed a hand. At least the mechanics in his body felt the same....
Kaidoh made sandwiches, figuring they were safe and that hopefully Inui might like one. He brought them out, along with some water, and set them on the low table. “Um… t-there’s sandwiches… if you want one. And water, if you’re maybe thirsty,” he said, feeling like a mother, and knelt beside the table, waiting to see if Inui would eat one or not.
Inui reached out, hesitating as the tips of his fingers brushed against a glass, and then against the table, and then finally a sandwich. He recoiled quickly, hands pulling back to his side. Then he tried again, fingers following the surface of the table back to the sandwich and lifted it. Smelled it. Somehow smells were stronger when he couldn't see. He didn't like that. He wrinkled his nose and muttered something under his breath that sounded like gratitude.
Kaidoh smiled just a bit as Inui took the sandwich, hoping he would like it. “Um… if you want more you can just let me know. Y-you can think of me as your… um… personal servant if that m-makes it better,” he offered, realizing how stupid that sounded and blushing again. They ate in silence for a few moments - rather, Inui-san ate; Kaidoh watched him to make sure he was doing all right without being able to see.
“… Um,” he said after a while, hoping Inui-san wouldn’t mind if he made conversation, just for a little while. “Are you… okay without your… computer? I mean… h-how long have you had it?” He hoped that wasn’t prying too much. But he was sure Inui wouldn’t answer him if the taller mutant didn’t want him to know.
Inui turned his head upwards towards Kaidoh's voice again. He stared - or he looked as though he were trying to stare - before formulating an answer. His head tilted back down towards the sandwich (it was barely half eaten) and replied, "10... years maybe. 10... 11... the exact number escapes me right now..."
“…Oh.” Kaidoh stared at Inui-san, trying to imagine what it would be like to be attached to a computer for so long. “T-that’s amazing… I. Uh. A-are you okay now without it?” he asked, feeling guilty all over again. “I’m so sorry - I… I hope you’re all right like that…” He did have to admit, Inui-san looked totally different without the “backpack.” He… sat up straighter, and looked like he was much more comfortable… even if he was blind.
"Not particularly," Inui replied, "I don't like it. I've only ever been disconnected from my computer for research, upgrade and repair work. And each time I was shut down, so this experience of being alive and moving while my unit sits discarded somewhere... over... there..." he gestured with a hand in the direction of where he thought he dropped off the bag (but he was actually aiming several feet off).
“Oh,” Kaidoh said again, softly. “I - I really… W-well it’s all the more important that I stay and help you then. I promise, I won’t be a bother.” Inui-san must really hate him right now, and just be trying not to show it. “And I’ll leave as soon as it’s fixed,” he said with a bit of dismay, seeing how far off Inui’s indication was from the actual bag. He took the empty plates back to the kitchen, figuring that he should also keep things as neat and clean as possible. He was more than a guest - he was going to be a servant for the next few days, and he was going to be sure that Inui-san’s apartment was in much better condition when he left than it was now.