Sinners and beggars don't play a part here

[toremainbehind]

[Auctions.

Izumo hated those with a passion, and his family coming and forcing him to partake in one is enough to raise his shackles. It's inhuman to sell people for entertainment, especially ones experimented on to be used as fighters.

He's lost his taste for them quickly the moment his family has decided to use Mikoto, his best friend, as one of the earlier models. Reining in his best friend was easy at first until he's gone control, forcing Izumo to submit control over to Totsuka. While it hurts, Izumo can trust Totsuka to care for Mikoto, allowing them to stay in his house so that Izumo can find a way to reverse whatever's been done.

Nothing's worked out so far, though.

Izumo ignores the excited chatter as he makes his way through the crowd, his disgust for it evident on his face.

"It'll be okay, it'll be okay!" Totsuka's voice rang in his ear as Izumo presses his phone against it. "King and I are fine--so will everything else. Don't worry too much."

Izumo has to hold back an urge to sigh, ending the call after Totsuka promises him to give him an update on Mikoto's condition.

He idly listens to the seller list off the 'products' when Izumo's eye catches sight of a young blond man.

Still in his teens, but looks as if he's seen through enough fights in his life.

Izumo frowns, interest piqued, and he makes his way to the front.

His family wants him to get something? Fine. But it'll be on his own terms, and he's not going to allow anyone to touch what belongs to him and tell him what he should do with whomever he decides to 'purchase'.]

Comments

[redstray]

[ Eric wakes up blearily a few hours later, his head stitched up and arm bandaged. He barely has time to open his mouth before he empties out the content of his stomach. H

e feels a hand rubbing circles in his back. A voice calmly explains he's really injured wifh a concussion and sprained wrist. Even if fighters heal a bit faster he'll be needed bed rest for quite awhile.

Eric nods a bit at Fujishima's wirds, barely registering them through his throbbing head. He received some water before he heard the mention of getting Kusanagi. His owner...who he tried to kill. He shut his eyes, feeling scared and helpless. ]

[toremainbehind]

[Fujishima goes to fetch Izumo quickly, telling him that Eric's awake.

The news is nearly enough to get Totsuka and Mikoto to follow, but Izumo simply waves them down.

He'll be fine.

Izumo gives a nod of thanks to Fujishima before he heads upstairs to Eric's room. He quietly opens the door, leaning against the doorframe.]

Eric.

[redstray]

[ He stares at his owner, a bit shaky from fear and pain. He looked down, ashamed.]

I'm...ready for any punishment you have. Even termination...

[toremainbehind]

I'm not going to punish you.

[redstray]

I...what? Why...why not?

[toremainbehind]

Considering it was my idea in the first place, you weren't in the wrong, so there's no meaning in punishing you.

[redstray]

Ah but...un-understood...

[ He kept looking down, still feeling bad about injuring him. ]

Are you okay?

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo places a hand on top of his head.]

I'm fine. A bit sore, but I'll live. Mikoto did more damage than you, anyway.

[redstray]

[ He winces a bit from the headpat, his head hurting from the stitches.]

At least you weren't too badly injured.

[toremainbehind]

[He's sure to keep it gentle.]

What about you?

[redstray]

[ He closes his eyes.]

I've had worse. But, my head is making everything turn sideways.

[toremainbehind]

If that's the case, then you should rest.

[redstray]

I remembered something though...About the girl that gave me this marble.

[toremainbehind]

[That catches Izumo's attention.

So it was a girl.

Could it have been Anna?]

What did you remember about her?

[redstray]

She had red eyes...and white hair...we met a few times at the hospital.

[ He frowned, because, why was he at the hospital so much? He didn't remember that. ]

She gave it to me and said to protect. Because if I had it, and I was in trouble...someone would come and help me...

[toremainbehind]

[...That was definitely Anna.

Izumo closes his eyes, recalling his younger sister. Always a sickly child, it wasn't unusual to see her in the hospital. Always hated, but she was always strong in ways Izumo could never be.

Almost unconsciously, his fingers curled around the marble hanging around his wrist.

Izumo remembers the smile she's given him the one time he's visited her alone. It was the kind of smile that told him that she's found something or someone to look out for, someone she's considered to be special enough because she told him she had given someone a marble, and that person will be someone Izumo will save in the future.

"I trust that you and that boy will be able to become a family."

Izumo misses her and he opens his eyes, staring down at the marble.]

Do you remember if she's said anything else?

[redstray]

I...

[He frowns, trying his best to remember. He could feel it there but the more he tried to grab it, the farther us went until there was nothing.]

I'm sorry...I don't...don't remember anything else.

[toremainbehind]

That's fine, Eric. But you have remembered something, at least.

[redstray]

There's...one other thing I remember. About my previous owner...

[toremainbehind]

What was it?

[redstray]

He wanted my necklace. My marble. His girlfriend thought it was pretty and wanted it for herself...so he ordered me to give...and I refused.

[ He shivers a bit.]

It was the first time..I had ever refused...and he got mad, so mad. And went to grab it like you had. I...remember grabbing him and just hitting him over and over. There was so much blood and screaming. But I didn't want to give it to him. I even hurt his girlfriend when I came to, her arm and face were bleeding. Then...they took me away and I listened...

[toremainbehind]

....It was good that you refused then.

[Izumo focuses on the marble around Eric's neck.]

That marble is precious to you. It's only natural that you'd want to protect it, especially since the little girl who gave it to you told you to keep it safe.

[redstray]

I...I didn't think...think I could do that...or knew why...

[ His eyes and body felt heavy as he teetered to the side. His injuries telling him to rest. ]

But...'m glad I kept it safe for her...

[toremainbehind]

[A soft smile and Izumo gently holds him as he teeters.]

Rest, Eric.

[redstray]

Still...need to...do...I hurt...so many...

[ He trailed off as he leaned in a bit to Kusanagi's touch. It felt...nice somehow. He barely had time to wuestion why before he passed out, sound asleep.]