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[killtohero]

This is Kazutora. Got a message? Well, what're you waiting for?

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[invinciblemikey]

(he can't speak for someone he didn't know. all he can do is join the pieces. it's been swimming in his brain ever since baji died, the idea that he could perhaps walk away and walk the path of darkness - but he still had emma. he still had izana to save. he hasn't experienced all these losses to feel forsaken yet.

there's a smile on his face. whenever things are tough, there always is, and he gathers all courage in him to place a hand on kazutora's own set.)

Are you all alone? Are you really all alone?

(because mikey's, as hard as it is, is right in front of him, holding his hand as he had a few years ago.)

You're mine, Kazutora Hanemiya. You're never going to be alone.

[killtohero]

[There's a moment of hesitation, of eyes widening, shoulders trembling, of Kazutora staring at Mikey before he'd look down, hands clenching into fists beneath Mikey's, and simply start to cry.

How could Mikey say that to him, after everything he'd done? After killing Shinichiro? Killing Baji? Trying to kill him?? How can he still want to keep that promise of owning him, being there for him-?

He'd shake his head, biting his lip, before he'd choke out a response.] No--

No, I can't let you do that again, Mikey, not after everything I've done. I don't deserve it. I don't deserve you, I don't deserve anyone, and I--

[The sobs would come stronger now, waves of guilt and despair that would make him crumble to his knees were he not sitting.]

I'm sorry -- [He'd gasp, and the words would start to tumble over themselves, spilling out of him like marbles loosened from their canister.] I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry--

[What else was there to say? What else was there to do but to echo his remorse over and over and to strive to be better.]

[invinciblemikey]

(there are many sides of the blonde who is taking a deep breath. from incorrigible brat, to charismatic authority that could shook one to their core - and that's the one he is going to employ, his voice firm and thundering as he attempts to break kazutora from his loop.)

Tora. Look at me.

(and here he goes.)

It'd be a lie to say what you've done doesn't bother me, and I ain't no liar. You took my brother, aided in the death of my first love, and you kept my beloved friend from me.

(three. kazutora's own self counts in the body count he's left behind.)

If I don't forgive you, and if you don't forgive yourself, all that will be for nothing. It's a process, and I don't think it'll be easy for any of us, but can you give me my friend back, Kazutora?

[killtohero]

[Kazutora would look up slowly, tear stained, eyes wide, pupils pinpricks. Mikey's face was there. Mikey was there. His voice was hard, but his words were soft. He had that natural authority Kazutora couldn't even dream of having.

Draken had said something similar. That he still thought of Kazutora as a friend, and it had pissed him off. Because he still /wanted/ that, but he couldn't forgive himself. And if he couldn't forgive himself, how could he expect anybody else to forgive him? How could he expect anyone else to want him, when all he wanted to do was just die?

But Baji had changed that. By taking the blame for his own death, by forgiving Kazutora no matter what.. And Mikey, with his declaration that Kazutora was always a part of Toman, had changed that.

But he still couldn't understand it. What could he do to make up for what he'd done? How could he ever repay his debt?]

I-- want to, Mikey, but how-- how could that ever be enough...?

[invinciblemikey]

You're not the one who gets to decide that.

(while the words come out strict, perhaps crueler in message, it's soft in tone as he reaches to rid kazutora's face of his tears.

this isn't the same boy he nearly killed, or would have killed, if baji hadn't fucked that all up. this is someone who needs him, as per protocol, and he won't turn his back. not when he sees there's will.)

I say that, for now, it's enough. You're crying, Kazutora, not attempting to strangle me. Isn't that something? Live with us, and be free from this. Let me save you.

(ok but who's saving mikey)

video;

[invinciblemikey]

I'm assuming you're here, too. Are you okay? Kazutora, can you hear me?

[killtohero]

Mikey-?

[Kazutora would sit up with a start, lifting the charm he had wrapped around his wrist to see Mikey's holographic form, looking back at him. He'd immediately tear up, glad beyond reason to see him there and to hear his voice.]

Haha, fuck am I glad to see you, holy shit! We were talking, and next thing I know, I'm in this weird fairytale town!

Where are you? Can we meet up??

[invinciblemikey]

I know, it was like that for me too.

(not over it, that's for sure, but they were getting somewhere back in the afterlife. if he couldn't save everyone he thought he would, he can at least keep them together. glue.)

We can. I'm living with Takemitchy, I'll make him run errands and I'll bring you some food, yeah? Where you at?

[killtohero]

[So Takemichi was there too.. wasn't he also at that other place? The one with the souls? Kazutora had never run into him.. ... did that also mean Baji was here...?]

Food sounds awesome. I'm right outside of town, shacking up at a barn owned by these farmers who said I could stay if I did some work. I have no idea how to do any of this stuff, but eh, money is money, right?

[He'd send Mikey an approximate address]

Hey, Mikey.. have you heard from Baji? Is he here too...?

[invinciblemikey]

You can move closer if you want. This place is pretty nice, ya know? I can keep an eye on you here, too.

(alright. it's not far. he can go soon.)

I feel he is, I just haven't seen him yet.

[killtohero]

[Mikey, always helping. Kazutora can't wrap his head around it, just like always. He never could understand how Mikey could act so selfish and then do such selfless things.

He'd smile at the holographic form of his.. friend.]

Yeah, it's okay? I won't be imposing on you and Takemichi? I don't really know the guy, I don't want to freak him out.

[Squinting..]

No, I do want to freak him out. [Decided, grinning.] But I'll be good about it, Mikey, I promise.

I can come to you, then? I just need to tell the owners here and get my money.. And I want to try and find Baji. .. if he's here.

[invinciblemikey]

I don't think so. He's worried rather than scared about you and shit. That's just who he is. You should spend more time with him.

(takemitchy is his savior, in so many more ways than one. if he can bring some spark into manjiro's dead eyes, he can bring so much more to kazutora. mikey's sure.)

Baji's here for sure. You can just come, that's completely fine, 'Tora.

[killtohero]

Worried?
[That strikes Kazutora as odd; he barely knows Takemichi, after all..

But he smiles at Mikey's hologram and tilts his head, his earring, the only thing he still had with him, tinkling in response.]

Yeah okay, I'll just come to you then, eh? [He stands up and brushes dirt off his knees.]

Where am I going?