Black Blood: Awakening

Chapter Two: Blueprints

--

Not much has changed since Kyo-1 and Kyo-2 freed the shadow prototype a few days ago. He was still a tiny bit antagonistic, and waiting for Kyo-2 to finish a task of his own made him a tiny bit impatient. Then again, being stuck in an underground area for a long while would grate on someone's nerves, anyway.

"Why the hell is your friend taking two hours to get one set of new clothes?"

"Could be worse. You were stuck in that pod for about three years. Two measly hours should be nothing to you. Besides," Kyo-1 said as he kicked the floor with his heel a little, "If he screws this up, we might as well forget about your actual plans... right, Kusanagi?"

With that question, the clone in the torn black school uniform only responded by looking up at his sudden 'companion' of sorts, "You don't even know what my plans are."

"Really? For starters, you said that your name is indeed Kyo Kusanagi... so I'm sure that you want something."

"I can't belive that I'm bothering with this, but go ahead. Try to guess."

"I don't need to guess. It's obvious that you want your old life back. Think about it; you were in a suspended state for nearly three years while someone who looked like you happened to be living the life that you missed. Am I right?" is what the one in the navy uniform asked, now waiting for a response.

"Probably."

"I bet you that there isn't a 'probably'. You want your old life back."

"And let me guess... you want to help, is that it?" Kusanagi sarcastically asked as he looked at his 'companion' of sorts, "Well, I don't need it. As a matter of fact, I don't even want it."

Of course, Kyo-1 remained unfazed, "Is that so? You know, if 2 and I never came here, you'd still be stuck in that pod. And besides, what do you remember aside from your name and your fighting abilities? Go ahead, tell me... since you're so confident that you don't need any help."

With that question, a few minutes of silence passed before the shadow clone finally responded, "Tch. I don't remember anything else."

"I thought so. And that's why 2 and I want to help you out."

"You sound like a scummy rehab doctor."

"And you don't need to be sarcastic about this," the one in navy said as he looked into the shadow clone's eyes, "Now... do you want our help or not?"

"You really are serious, huh?"

"Very. You have to realize that we technically have the same goal. We're looking for him as well."

"Hmph. Fine. But on one condition... you may have the brains, but you and your friend will have to answer to me. You got that?"

"I think I can live with that. 2, on the other hand--"

"He'll get over it."

"I doubt that."

After that, there was another long bout of silence, which happened to be interrupted by an arrival...

"Well, that took a lot longer than I thought," Kyo-2 said as he looked at his rather quiet partners, "What's with the silence here? Am I interrupting a marriage proposal or something?"

"Oh, so the smartass is finally back," the shadow clone simply muttered, "Peachy."

"Hey, I didn't like being out that long, either. You know I had to be careful about swiping this stuff here."

"Well, of course," Kyo-1 responded, "Any evidence could pin the clothes that he took to the one that we're looking for. And it wouldn't be any fun trying to break him out of a jail cell. We'd look like a bunch of idiots if that ever happened."

"Yeah, and I'm in no mood to deal with something like that," the clone in crimson said as he pulled out three boxes, handing two of them to his partners, "Here you go. Christmas came early for us."

"Wonderful. Clothes. It's what every kid wants for Christmas, huh?" Kusanagi sarcastically asked.

"It's either that or you're walking around with those dried-up rags that you call an outfit."

"Yeah, yeah, I know. Anyway, about that plan of yours... what do you know so far, you blue flunky?" the shadow clone tersely asked, causing the one in crimson to raise an eyebrow in response.

"Well, I only know that we only have to look through one city, which isn't too bad. Then we'll have to find out who he usually associates with. And if it's necessary, we'll find a way to use one of those people to get to him," Kyo-1 said as he opened his box, "It's obvious that they won't come quietly, though. I'm very sure that the people who he hangs out with aren't stupid."

"No kidding. So, what can we do right now, 1?"

"Nothing major. We'll just have to rest up and start searching tomorrow night. We'll have a higher chance of not acting so suspicious in public," the clone in the navy uniform began, "And besides... I think a certain someone's hands still need to heal from that impromptu prison break of his."

In an almost immediate response to that, the shadow clone could only look at his crudely bandaged hands which were stained with dried blood, "This is nothing. I've been through worse."

"So you say. Anyway, are you sure that you're going to be ready for this?"

"I've been ready. The sooner we find that faker, the sooner I'll be able to give him a nice live cremation..."

----

"Miyuki, you know that you didn't have to carry all of this. Besides, don't you remember what he told me? I was supposed to come alone," Emi simply said.

"Oh, please, it's not like he'd notice. We're like three blocks away from his place. I do have a question for you, though," Miyuki said as she raised one of the two bags a bit, "Did you have to bring your own spices, too?"

"Well, he said that I was supposed to bring my own ingredients, so... I had to cover my bases a bit."

"Yeah. You covered two stadium's bases with this. Anyway, just make the stuff that I told you to get, and you'll be fine. Okay?"

"Are you sure that he'll like it?"

"Hey, all you have to do is cook it right. I'm sure you'll have no problems doing that," the redhead replied as she smirked, "Oh. I think we're about two or so blocks away now, so I think I should split from you. You know, before he apparently notices me with his super sight or something."

"I won't be surprised if he did. Okay, then, I'm off. Wish me luck."

Miyuki only smirked in response, "Luck? Heh, I don't think you'll be needing it. Call me when you get home after your little session, okay?"

"Sure. I'll see you later."

"Yeah. Later."

As the two went their separate ways, the purple-haired girl could only worry a bit as she neared her destination...

'Oh, dear... what if I waste his time? I sort of wish that I didn't bother him with my problems...'

Oddly, she was a bit too caught up in her thoughts... to the point where she passed his house. Once she realized her mistake, she could only shake her head and chastise herself as she turned around and ran to her location.

'No, no. Miyuki's right. I guess that I do worry too much. Stop panicking and get this over with.'

After that, Emi simply took a deep breath to calm herself down and knocked on the door...

"Um, Kusanagi-san? Are you there? It's..." she began to say before she immediately stopped herself and sighed, "He doesn't even know my name yet. Of course he doesn't know who I am."

As the door in front of her opened, her nerves nearly got to her again.

"I, um... hello again."

Of course he happened to be the one who answered the door. And now she happened to be staring at him.

Perhaps Miyuki was right. Maybe she did consider him to be a bit attractive.

"So. You had four days to prep, and you're still a nervous wreck, huh?"

"I, uh... no, it's just that..." Emi mumbled before she trailed off, causing Kyo to smirk in response.

"Hey, don't feel so bad. I have that effect on the ladies sometimes. Might as well get in here before whatever you have spoils."

"Oh, um, sure. By the way," the purple-haired girl started as she stepped inside and removed her shoes, "Why did you bother with this?"

"Isn't it obvious?" he casually replied as he pointed to the grocery bags that were in her hands, "Like I was gonna pass up the chance for free food, even if it's going to be made by a shy girl like you. Follow me."

Unbeknownst to him, she tried her hardest to hide another blush that formed on her cheeks.

"You know, now that you're here, I might as well get some answers out of you."

"Eh?"

"Why are you so surprised? I'm not going to just roll over and immediately train you, Miss No-Name."

"Oh, no, no, it's not that," Emi responded as she shook her head a bit and placed her bags on the kitchen table, "It's just a bit intimidating, that's all. I mean, asking someone like you to train someone like me... well, if you're going to train me..."

"Oh, yeah, it is a big 'if', isn't it? Might as well start cooking so I can get to interrogating you a bit."

'Great. As if I needed the extra stress...' she thought to herself as she pulled out a couple of skillets before clearing her mind, "Um, sure. What do you want to know?"

"We'll start with an easy question. Who are you? I want your given name."

'I'm Emi. I'm a ninny who got roped up into this mess,' she thought before she finally answered, "I'm Emiko. My friends call me Emi for short."

"Well, I'm not your friend, but you're Emi to me. Next question," Kyo calmly said as he leaned back in his seat, "Why did you want me to train you?"

"To be honest? It wasn't my idea," she said as she placed the fresh fish in one of the two heated skillets.

"Oh. So it was that noisy friend of yours, huh?"

"Yeah. She had this idea that you'd help me control my flames, and--"

"Are you sure that you have flames? Because I don't think I have the time to deal with a female Shingo."

Emi only cleared her throat and filled the other skillet with water and rice before responding, "I obviously don't know who this Shingo person is, but I know that you're only saying those words because you haven't seen them yet, Kusanagi-san. I can assure you that I do have that power."

"Okay, okay, fine. Prove it after you're done cooking. Next question... what's two plus two?"

She could only blink in response to that, "I... I'm sorry? It's obviously four. Why did you ask me that?"

"Hey, I'm just trying to get you to lighten up a little. You seem kinda stressed out."

"Well, yes, but--"

"Stop. We're not having those 'buts' there," he said as he looked up, "And you're going to burn that fish if you don't watch it. Might as well kiss that possible training goodbye if you do."

"Oh, dear. I'm so sorry about that..."

----

As if cooking for him wasn't nerve-wracking enough for her... now he asked her to eat with him.

She obviously didn't want to, but it was either that or walking home on an empty stomach.

"So, um..." Emi started to say as she nervously poked at her fish and rice, "Is there anything else you'd like to ask me?"

"Yeah. Are you allergic to your own cooking?"

"Um, no, it's just that... you know..." she muttered as she continued to stare at her plate, "I barely know you."

"Oh. So that's why you're worried, huh? Getting caught up in something that's out of your reach... trust me, I know the feeling."

"Does that include being a bit flustered?"

"To you, probably. Me? Never," Kyo replied as he began to eat, "Getting worried just makes everything worse. Now, then... how about another question?"

"I don't have the option to refuse, do I?"

"Heh. Nope. Now, then... have you ever fought before?"

"Forget fighting, I've never thrown a single punch or kick before."

"I see. Well, that's not going to be a problem. Give me your hand."

"Pardon me?" the purple-haired girl asked before blushing a bit, "W... why?"

"It's not a marriage proposal or anything. Just give me your hand."

"Oh. Sure, I guess..." she meekly replied as she held out her right hand, "What do you want me to do?"

"Just close your eyes and concentrate. That shouldn't be too hard, right?"

As she followed his request, she immediately felt his hand holding her own...

"Harder," he simply said, "Holding back is only going to hurt you."

After that, she began to take a deep breath and slightly winced in pain, "I don't know if I can do this."

Obviously, she couldn't notice the slight frown that was on the Kusanagi heir's face...

"Stop making excuses and let it out! Harder!"

In only a few moments, a tiny burst of flame began to emit from her hand. Unfortunatey, that caused her to let out a slight cry of pain and she quickly snatched it away.

"What the heck? Are you okay?" he asked as she rubbed the palm of her hand.

"I'm so sorry, Kusanagi-san. It's just... the other side effect..."

"Oh. So they tire you out when you don't use them, and they hurt you when you do? Sounds pretty crazy."

Emi could only react with a somewhat weak smile, "I know, it's one of those lose-lose situations. I guess that's why my friend thought about you helping me with this, considering that she said that you were a master of fire... right?"

He didn't bother to say anything for a few moments as he ate again, which caused her to fidget in her seat a little, "So, um... I guess I showed you what you wanted to see, Kusanagi-san. What now?"

"Now?" he said before he smirked at her, "How about a little proposal? My training in exchange for your cooking. Does that sound good to you?"

"R-really? Oh, sure!" the purple-haired girl happily replied as she held out her hand, "You have a deal, Kusanagi-san!"

As he shook her hand in response, he simply said, "Nah. It's 'Master Kyo' now."

"Okay... Master Kyo. I promise you that I'll control these flames."

"Good. I hope that you don't break that promise. Start eating, Emi."

--

"Itty Bitty" Author's Note: I just wanted to use an excuse to get the Kyo clones out of the school uniforms. Plus, it wouldn't make sense for three guys who all look alike walking all over Osaka wearing the same thing, only in different colors.

Then again, it didn't make sense when NESTS did that, either. But I digress. Anyway, the outfits were all based on actual color schemes that Kyo had in The King of Fighters Maximum Impact 2 (or The King of Fighters 2006, if you want to use the title from outside of Japan).

For Kyo-1, I used regular Kyo's Another B costume, but his hair won't be dyed. Kyo-2 has regular Kyo's Normal E costume, and Kusanagi has Kyo Classic's Another F costume, and his hair also wasn't dyed.

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