[Multi-chapter] The Watches Series: Avidity (14/15)
Title: The Watches Series: Avidity
Authors: syunikiss1990
Beta andreja1989 <-- Thank you so so so much!
Pairing: Matsumiya
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: PG-15
Disclaimer: We own nothing but the plot. Oh, and the club is ours...
*MASTERPOST*
“Impossible…” Matsumoto softly whispered. His tight grip around Ninomiya’s wrist loosened and he didn’t need to look at him to know that his mouth was hanging open too. The burning building in front of them was completely wrecked, parts of the roof lying everywhere and flames licking every part of what was left of the building they could reach. They were certain Sakurai wouldn’t come out of it alive, yet he was stumbling out of it, extremely pale and covered with blood and ash. Finally Matsumoto seemed to get the control over his body back as he rushed forward to help the wounded man.
“I… I couldn’t save her… I…” Sakurai couldn’t finish what he wanted to say as he collapsed to the ground. Ninomiya was just in time to catch him before he reached the ground with his head which would have caused an even greater injury. Behind them Jun could hear the sirens of an ambulance and not long after Sakurai was carried into the wagon. Believing the Border Watch officer was in good care now Jun turned back to the burning building where fireman desperately tried to put out the fire. Ninomiya stood beside him in silence, the two of them looking at the almost unnatural scene in front of them. Finally Jun found his voice back, trying to speak out his thoughts.
“What does this mean? The Treaty… What will happen now?” Ninomiya pulled up his shoulders. Behind them they heard an almost maniac laugh which made Matsumoto’s blood boil. Furious he turned around and walked over to Ohno who seemed to find this situation hilarious.
“So officers. What will you do now your precious Treaty is destroyed?” He laughed loudly until Matsumoto stepped forward and slapped him hard across his face.
“Shut up! You have the right to remain silent, use it!” He would have loved to shoot the man's head of that moment but he knew that would be appreciated by the Watches. Sabotaging everything, lying to them, that irresponsible action with his car where he could have killed Ninomiya and now he managed to destroy the one and only thing that kept the world in balance. He didn’t deserve to be shot, he deserved a long, slow and painful death. Roughly he pushed the man inside the waiting car, making sure he would at least hit his head against the doorframe. It didn’t fulfill his need for his revenge, to make him pay for the pain he had caused but it was still better than nothing.
“Why so furious? Are you mad I killed the Treaty or because I hurt someone?” Jun felt his cheeks slightly heathen up. After another yell at him to shut up he slammed the door shut, signaling to the driver to take him away. They would take care of him later, if he would have to look at that man’s face any longer he knew he would snap completely. For a moment he met the questioning eyes of Ninomiya but he quickly turned his gaze away. Could Ohno be right, was he so mad because he had hurt his partner? Even though he tried to tell himself otherwise? A sudden thought hit him. If the Treaty was destroyed, would that mean he and Ninomiya… He shook his head to stop his thoughts immediately. Now wasn’t the time to think of that kind of stuff, they needed to start the Trial for their criminal.
***
The interrogation of Ohno was long and hard but unlike his messenger boy he didn’t have a closed mind and eventually he broke. They managed to get all the names of the people who were inside the gang. Every single one of them was tracked down, taken into custody where their memories would eventually be erased. They wouldn’t give any more trouble but Ohno was a different matter. What he had done was unacceptable, just erasing his memories wouldn’t be enough. There were thoughts about sending him into the emptiness but most of the people opposed the plan. There was a chance he could be regained if he was just sent into it. Finally, almost two weeks after they had arrested Ohno, they were in front of the judge who would give the final judgment. Everyone who had been working on the case were present, including the heads of all three the Watches, all the attention on the judge.
“Ohno Satoshi, you are hereby charged for kidnapping, attempt of destroying the balance and murder. You are sentenced of life-long imprisonment in the Border Watch prison, without any chance to get released because of good behavior. Do you have anything to say before you are taken away?” Ohno smiled, the smile of a madman which sent shivers across Matsumoto’s body.
“The only thing that I regret is that my objective wasn’t reached. Balance should be kept by nature, not by humans.” The comment surprised Jun. His objective wasn’t reached? What did he mean with that?
“Take him away.” The judge said with a disgusted face. While the short man was dragged away he looked at the paper in front of him again.
“As for those gang members, make sure their memories are erased regarding this case. Sakurai-san, can I leave that in your care?” Sakurai nodded slightly. Matsumoto noticed the older man was still looking unwell, even though he managed to get out of everything without much damage. He had been surprised he wasn’t present with the interrogation of Ohno but now he saw the man wasn’t in a state where he could do much. After the trial finally ended Matsumoto and Ninomiya finally got their chance to talk to their Border Watch partner.
“I’m fine really.” The man said when they asked about it. “It’s just that the Treaty is hard to keep inside.”
“Wait, what? You have the Treaty?!” Sakurai looked a bit surprised at Jun.
“Yes, you didn’t know? If the Treaty would have been destroyed we wouldn’t be standing here. You would have known immediately, the balance would have been destroyed right away.” Ninomiya frowned.
“Is it really possible that the balance is kept by something that doesn’t even exist?”
“Oh it does exist, just not in a way you would think it exists. As long as someone has the vow of the Treaty inside him or her it stays intact.”
“So that means the person who holds that vow is the Treaty? You are the Treaty?” Jun asked, trying to grab the situation fully.
“Yes. When it became clear I couldn’t save that girl I had to take it. I’m a safe keeper of the Treaty but I’m not suited for keeping it inside. Just a little longer, then I can pass it on to Aiba.”
“You are giving the Treaty to that man?!” Both Ninomiya and Matsumoto said surprised. Sakurai nodded weakly and looked like he wanted to explain it but before he could, he fainted. A couple of minutes and a glass of water later he could continue.
“I’m sorry, it happens all the time, it’s just so consuming to keep it inside. But Aiba is a perfect vessel, he is perfect for the job. As we speak he is being prepared for it.”
“But he tried to destroy it in the first place!” Matsumoto said a lot harder than needed.
“He didn’t. He was only used for delivering messages, he didn’t know much about the objective. He just did as he was told without asking questions. I think Ohno didn’t trust him enough for more than that.” Sakurai said. Before they could ask more questions the older man was called away and left Jun and Ninomiya behind who were now the only ones left in the room.
“I heard you got a promotion” Ninomiya said, looking at him. He couldn’t stop the smile that formed on his face. Yes, he finally got his wanted promotion. The day after they had arrested Ohno Takeo-sama had called him inside his office and was pleasantly surprised with the way things had gone in this case. Jun had proved himself like he was supposed to do and unexpectedly earned a higher rank within the Dark Watch.
“How about you?” Ninomiya stayed silent for a while, staring into space.
“I still have to talk to Saitou-sama about that, I didn’t have time for it yet.” The answer puzzled Jun but it didn’t look like he would get any explanation. Somehow it felt like he had asked the wrong question which leaded to an awkward silence between them.
“So that’s it, case closed right? Only some paperwork left.” Jun said to break the silence. He should be glad the case was finally closed, that he would no longer have to work together with that Light Watch officer. But then why did he feel so damn gloomy? Why did he feel so confused and empty? It must be because of the end of the case, right? Since they had worked so long and hard on it and now he had nothing to look forward to yet which could light the fire inside. That had to be it.
“Right, and after that I finally don’t have to look at your face anymore” Was it just his imagination or did Ninomiya really sound not that convincing and bratty as he used to be?
“Well then, we should make sure that part is taken care of soon then.” Jun tried to smile but all he managed was a weak smirk. They set a date to finish the last parts that needed to be taken care of and then parted, each on their way home. While he was walking on the street something suddenly hit Jun. He had the number of the Light Watch officer, he could always call the other man if he wanted a nice, hot adventure. Seeing how much the other had loved their adventures so far he was sure he wouldn’t oppose on the idea.