Kage doesn't stop running till he is through the door to his home. When he finally stops, he takes a moment to slow his breathing. "I kind of feel bad for running away… but I think trying to talk to her would have made it worse." He sighs in exasperation. "Why are girls so complicated?" He realizes that he's letting her into his thoughts again and shakes the thoughts out of his head, getting ready for his daily routine.
As he moves across the rooftops of the moonlit city, he searches desperately for something to get his mind back on track. A burglar, or mugger, or even just a delinquent would do at this point.
One roof after another.
Alley after alley.
Empty.
Of course this city is calm on the one night he needs a distraction.
He freezes as his phone rings. His stomach twists into a tight knot as he sees that there is no caller ID. He accepts the call, keeping his voice steady despite his fear. "Hello… Father…."
There is a long silence, and for a moment he allows himself to believe he is wrong, but then a deep voice comes through. "Kurai," his voice is very similar to Kage's own, but deeper, "I expect that you know why I have called you?"
Kage's hand clenches into a fist, the strain of the material of his gloves is audible as he responds. "Yes, Sir, I do."
The voice on the other end of the line remains cold and distant. "Good. I am very disappointed in you. I was able to send Hitoshi to what you insisted was 'your' city and clean it up in a single night without you even noticing. All. Because. Of. That. Girl." Kage's fist clenches harder at the mention of Tsubasa, anger burning inside him as his father continues speaking. "You are never safe from my sight, Kurai. If I catch you slipping again, then Hitoshi will become a permanent addition to 'your' city and you'll be scraping that girl off the sidewalk. Do I make myself clear?"
Kage squeezes the phone to the point of the screen cracking, all hesitation forgotten, but before he can speak, a faint echo of footsteps cuts through the silence. Slow. Deliberate. He turns, and there he is. A red oni mask nearly identical to Kage's own gleaming under the flickering alley light. Hitoshi. "The old man asked you a question, Kurai." Hitoshi mocks, his cruelty slipping effortlessly through the cracks in Kage's restraint.
Kage glares at Hitoshi, the empty eyes of his mask suddenly a mirror of the hollow rage burning inside him. "Don't you dare call me that."
Hitoshi laughs cruelly, unphased by his threat. "Still pretending you're more than a puppet? Face it, little brother, you're just the old man's favorite toy."
Kage snaps, his muscles tensing to strike. Hitoshi mirrors him, his stance lowering without a hint of fear. But then a single word from the phone makes them both freeze. "Silence." There is a long pause, both Kage and Hitoshi frozen. "Hitoshi, I sent you to correct Kurai, not antagonize him. If you force me to choose between you and my Masterpiece, then you will be erased."
Hitoshi tenses, fists clenched by his sides, but he knows better than to argue further. "Yes, sir."
Their father moves on, as if Hitoshi's response didn't matter at all. "Kurai, cease contact with the girl, or I will correct you more forcefully. Hitoshi. Return. It seems you've forgotten your place."
Hitoshi bows. "Yes, sir." His teeth grit as he turns away, but then he freezes as he hears Kage's voice.
It is not loud.
Nor angry.
Just a single word that shatters their world.
"No."
There is a deafening silence. The whole world stopping to watch as the tension grows. Hitoshi is the first to speak, turning abruptly. "What do you mean 'no'?" His voice is filled with anger and spite, but they are forced, there only to hide the utter dread inside.
Kage remains perfectly calm, speaking clearly into the phone to ensure his father hears. "You will not be hurting Tsubasa. I have spent my whole life cowering before you, afraid to fail your expectations. But I will not allow you to threaten her. Leave her out of it. Or I will do everything in my power to destroy you."
Silence returns to the alley, broken only by the small drops of rain that have started to fall from the sky.
Hitoshi is shaking with fear and rage at Kage's actions, knowing that his own punishment will be much harsher because of the insolence. But before he can speak, their father's voice crackles through the speaker. "Listen to me very closely, Kurai. I made you. I own you. And I will not have my authority challenged. My word is law and you will do well to heed it." There is a pause, as if he is waiting for Kage to protest, but when there is none, he continues. "You told me to leave the girl out of it. And I shall. So get her out of it. You have a week. If she is still interfering, then it is you who dug her grave and not me. The call is terminated and Hitoshi leaves, unable to remain in Kage's presence anymore.
Rain drips from the chin of Kage's mask, his body trembling, though even he can't tell if it's from cold or fear. He falls to his knees, his body finally able to relax as his breathing returns to normal.
He clutches his chest, the flood of emotion too much to process. Slowly, he drags himself to his feet and begins the long trudge back home. The rain falls harder as he walks, his wet clothes clinging to him as he continues. Thoughts elude him on his trek, his mind numb from the day's sudden turn. Once his feet find their way to his home, he follows the stairs to his basement, collapsing on his mattress. His bed offers what little comfort it can to his broken mind as he lies there, wide awake, soaked clothes chilling the sheets, silently begging for the night to end.