justonetruth | (no subject)

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K-Kaito? [ Softly, at first, and shaken. She touched the still-wet blood staining her front, touched the ragged tear in her shirt that marked the entry point of the bullet—pressed her hand over her ribs, over her heart, feeling the rise and fall and the steady, rhythmic beating…

And then she threw herself out of the bedroom she'd found herself in. The hallway was deserted; she broke into a run. ]

KAITO! ANSWER ME!

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[There's a moment where his grip tightens, his gaze searching her expression and condition with sharp clarity. Her paleness and the effect of the blood loss doesn't go unnoticed, and it's obvious she needs rest-- or at least take a few moments to herself to work out exactly what had happened. But he's already dealt with his own Aoko enough to know that suggestion wouldn't go over well, particularly not in the face of an emergency]

... I swear, each and every Aoko comes without the ability to be even the slightest bit selfish. You're acting as though you aren't hurt at all.

[But his fingers slip away from her arm to free her. The Aoko he knows is tough, and he has no reason to believe this one is any different. He's still hovering close, however, glancing around the hallway. If he's letting her go, he's at least going to help her look]

Does he have any particular defining characteristics?

[ Quietly, with a wry smile, ] I'm not hurt anymore.

[ She does her best not to stumble when she pulls away. She has to stay strong, no matter what. ] My Kaito? He's my age, and his hair is a little longer than yours. He's got some scars around his lips, and… [ A few details about what he's wearing go here. ] I'll know him if I see him, or hear him.

[ For a moment, she sounds almost uncertain. Kaito will he here, right? But—no, of course he will be. He has to be. ]

[... definitely doesn't like the way she's putting that, and he finds himself almost hoping she means something managed to heal her before the unthinkable happened. But common sense and experience tell him otherwise-- and hope is a frivolous emotion that would do nothing to change what is, anyway. Ah... but he has to shove those uncomfortable and distressing implications aside for now, if he's going to stick with her until she finds her own Kaito. With a deep breath, he hand dives into his pocket, searching]

I wasn't speaking of only outward injuries, Aoko. [And he pulls out a small bottle of swirling blue liquid, reaching for Aoko's hand and placing it firmly in her palm. He doesn't let go of her hand when he finishes]

A small drink should be enough to take off the edge and return some of your strength, but don't take all of it. If he's really hurt, he may need the rest.

[With that, he nods toward the hallway] Shall we?

[ A bottle…?

Wide-eyed surprise soon softens into gratitude. ] Thank you. [ If this is a curative, she really doesn't intend to drink any of it until she knows just how Kaito is holding up. As much as she wants to be optimistic—is optimistic, she has to be optimistic—she was in Sabra for long enough to know that sometimes…

She takes a deep breath, catching her smile before it can falter. Beneath her panic and worry, the determination that carried her this far sparks and burns. ] Mm, let's go!

[ FORWARD, MARCH. ]

[AREN'T YOU FORGETTING SOMEONE]

Miss Aoko, where—

[—oh.

The Aoko that rounds the corner is certainly of a likeness with the Kaito that Aoko's discovered, in clothes and inventory if in nothing else. But she takes a step back in surprise when she catches sight of them, suddenly acutely aware of her own state — and of Kaito's inevitable reaction]

K-kuroba.

[She can try to hide her worry, but months in the Neath has already taught Kaito how to spot fake smiles. He doesn't comment on it, however.

And even if he had wanted to, he's interrupted by the appearance of another Nakamori.

His reaction to this Aoko's condition is much more severe. Particularly since he knows he's his, and he's never seen her look that bad before]

-- Aoko?

[ You know that saying about everything happening at once? ]

Oh! I'm sorry, Aoko-san, I-

[ - cuts herself abruptly, head jerking up. She'd heard something, faintly… thought she'd heard something, anyway, and it was pure reflex that made her call out. ] KAITO! [ Seconds later… That. That sure was an answering cry of 'Aoko', sounding so shaken and hopeful that her heart breaks just that bit more.

She whirls to look at the other two, frantic. ] I have to go—thank you—Kaito-san, please take care of Aoko-san! [ She bows, short but deep, before spinning on heel and dashing down the hallway. ]

[The distant calling of her name in a voice similar yet not to his almost makes it feel like an echo, but the younger Aoko is bowing and darting away before he can really say anything else]

Wait-- [... of course she would run without taking any of the tincture herself, and he heaves a heavy sigh before turning back to his own Nakamori.

Her condition is... less than ideal (and although he doesn't necessarily recognize the green and clear fluids, he can tell they're poisonous), but she at least looks like she had rested some. Or downed a bottle of tincture. One of the two, and he's betting on the former

His frown is deep as he grapples between going after the younger Aoko to make sure she doesn't collapse and fretting over his injured Nakamori instead]

... are you all right? [Okay, brief fretting first, and if her response gives him confidence that she also won't collapse at any moment, he can go after the younger one.

Today just isn't a day for Aoko health, it seems]

[the drawn look on her face implies that rest was not a factor, but she's doing her best to hide it]

Ah—!

[s-so many things happening. She glances between Kaito and the direction her double ran off in, her expression torn]

I-I'll be quite fine. [for the moment. If they're lucky] We should follow her, quickly.

[whether that is her double's Kuroba or isn't, she has the feeling they should be there. Circumstances are not being kind to them]

[he reaches out, hand brushing against her upper arm, taking a hold of her for a moment as he gives her a reassuring squeeze. her surprise, hesitation and exhaustion almost make him insist she rest while he follows, but... Aoko's stubbornness was legendary.

and she was right. whatever the other two had gotten into, it was probably best that they at least check up on them to make sure they were okay]

If you insist. But don't think you're getting away with this that easily. [his hand drops from her arm, and he turns on his heel to follow the younger Aoko down the hallway]

You're assuming I have anything to get away with.

[it's a bare mutter, but she follows]

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