Kamen Rider Kiva AU: Boxed In (1/?)
Feb. 10th, 2008 08:18 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
estiriseOkay. Three episodes into this series and I get struck with an AU plotbunny. I promised ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-syndicated.gif)
angel_negra that I'd post it, so here's part 1. Oh, and apparently they've changed the spelling from Fangaia to Fangaire, so I did too.
Title: Boxed In (part 1/?)
Series: Kamen Rider Kiva (AU)
Author: Estirose
Rating: 13+
Disclaimer: The Watcher, Executioner, and Hotaru belong to me, the others don't.
Summary: In a world where the Fangaire are known and only a few rogues kill people, hunter cells still exist. In one of them, against the law that says that half-Fangaire are to be raised exclusively by the Fangaire, is a young man named Kurenai Wataru. However, things beyond his control bring him to the attention of the Fangaire, and they take action.
Part 1 length: 8100 words.
Boxed In
by Estirose
c 2008
Part 1
She surveyed the reports and files with a faint air of distaste. She'd spent years tracking the various hunter groups in Japan - and some around the world - making sure they were not a threat to her people.
She herself was nondescript, quiet, didn't make waves. The local populace was used to her, used to the fact that she only came out to feed, didn't bother her. The rise of technology meant that she didn't have to. She had moles in hunter groups that reported to her, agents ever vigilant looking for new groups and individuals.
Her files categorized each group and individual, evaluating their threat to her own people in certain criteria - their beliefs, their fanaticalness, their ability to carry out an attack. Some hated all of her kind, the Fangaire, considering them parasites upon humans; others only wanted to execute the Fangaire who attacked humans, killed them.The Fangaire had their own executioner for those cases, but some humans wanted to do it anyway, no matter how much the Fangaire pointed out that the rogues were under control.
She opened one file. Group 17-A-R. It had been operating for some thirty years, enough to have some second generation members. Its members were only after the rogues, which had made them less of a threat, until yesterday. She remembered the phone call from her mole within their group.
He'd used a service that made it hard for his cell to trace his calls. Call a number, hang up, have it call you back, and then dial the number. She recommended that all her agents and moles use it if possible, to make it harder to be found out. And this mole was sensible - he used it for everything, from her independent examination of his own records. Never trust moles completely, after all.
"They have Kivat," he said simple, the simple sentence making even her shiver. Kivat was a sentient, biomechanical bat that gave its possessor the ability to form the Kiva armor, an armor effective against her own kind.
"Who wields it?" she asked, letting no trace of her fear enter her voice. He no doubt thought her the shadowy voice that reported to a true master, as if a woman couldn't be responsible for running their intelligence operation.
"I don't know," his voice was hesitant. "I couldn't ask without seeming suspicious." She'd always counseled patience with her agents and moles; it was good that this one was heeding her advice. "Kivat rests in Kurenai Otoya's house."
"Understood," she said, terminating the call.
And now she was looking at the records. Kurenai Otoya, a violinist and violinmaker. Reports painted him as a romantic and a womanizer. He had one son, Wataru, who looked like he'd follow his father in both the violinmaking and the hunting aspects of his life. Wataru was one of two second-generation members; Aso Megumi was the other. Little was known about Wataru's mother; how Otoya had gained custody was also a mystery, and he'd never married.
To use the Kiva armor, they'd need either a sympathetic Fangaire to donate blood to a human wielder, or a half-Fangaire, a Fandiri. Enough Fangaire blood in the wielder's system and the armor would form. She hoped it was not a Fandiri; to have humans pervert the children of the Fangaire against them made even her blood boil. If it was a hunter-raised Fandiri, they'd have a hard time holding on to the child, much less rehabilitating it.
It would take a little time, going through each member's records and discovering any irregularities that meant that this group had hidden a Fandiri; she'd pay special attention to Wataru's and Megumi's records, with Wataru's records of the more importance because of the seeming lack of them. Humans were not supposed to have custody of the Fandiri; the Fandiri were the Fangaire's children, and were raised as such.
The next difficulty would be in isolating either child for testing. The testing was easy enough, the right herbs, the right food, they would cause the hidden Fandiri to show their true ancestry, a blush that echoed their Fangaire ancestors'. Most hidden Fandiri were taught to avoid those foods, those herbs, to run and hide if accidentally exposed. And their hunter parents would protect their Fandiri offspring, and become fanatical if their child was taken away.
She could do without another fanatical hunter group.
Investigation first. Then she'd figure out what to do if it turned out that there was a Fandiri in this hunter group's midst. That delicate operation probably wasn't hers to do anyway; all she could do was advise them on how to proceed. And hope that they didn't botch things.
* * *
The Executioner sipped at his tea. "A hidden Fandiri. Interesting." He was average too; someone that most humans wouldn't take a second look at, most Fangaire either. Neither of them associated much with other Fangaire, their duties too important to deal with the rest of their kind. She liked it, and she knew that he liked it too. He looked over at her, studying her, smiling as if she was the greatest thing in the world.
"Interesting to you. Dangerous to the rest of us." She took a sip of her own tea. "Hunter groups aren't as harmless to the rest of us as they are to you."
"This is what happens when you raise Fandiri to not know how to hunt," he pointed out. "If they knew how to hunt, knew how to defend themselves, then the human hunters wouldn't be so dangerous to most of them." He settled back in his chair. "A side effect of making sure we don't cull the humans to the point where they're not useful."
"Hunter-born Fandiri aren't exactly compliant when they're caught," she pointed out. "The last few have had to be kept confined for the rest of their lives. They either try to kill us or they go back to their groups. They never accept what they are."
He grinned. "To them, that is what they are; you've got to understand their mindset. To them, Fangaire - at least some of us - are the enemy. It's like dealing with a rogue."
"That's your area, not mine," she said. She eyed the roll, so innocent-looking. A Fandiri would blush for hours after eating it; for her, it caused a brief, rainbow-colored blush to appear on her skin.
"Of course," he told her. "Our jobs are simple. I end lives, Chooser finds worthy new ones, and you make sure the humans don't kill us." He grinned again. "My job is simple; I don't envy Chooser."
She nodded. Unspoken was the fact that even among the rare Fandiri, most of them would live mortal lives, grow old, and die. It was only when the Fangaire were in need of replenishing their numbers was Chooser called to find worthy Fandiri to convert to Fangaire. There were a few exceptions - her successor, Executioner's, Chooser's - their apprentices would be converted as soon as they were ready - or at least legal adults.
"Watcher," he said, leaning forward and addressing her by her title, "I think I know what to do with Kiva's wielder. And if you're right, your little rogue Fandiri."
"Tell me," she said, intrigued.
"It's not well-known, but the Kiva armor *can* be shattered," he said. "It's not well known because it's hard to pull off. But I've shattered the armor several times, it can be done."
She gave a tight nod. If the armor could be shattered, all well and good, but that would put the human or Fandiri inside in danger if they were near a rogue. Not that she cared much for hunters, but even misraised Fandiri were their people, their children, and a human life was worth saving. Even if only to be fed off of later.
"There's a rogue that I've just confirmed," he said. "A rogue that's killing humans. We've kept it under wraps, but it would be a perfect opportunity to leak it to your hunter group. I'm sure they'd deploy Kiva - they'd be insane not to."
She nodded again. "You'd have to stop Kiva before engaging the rogue. If there's no Fandiri, if Kiva's wielder is human....."
"Human or Fandiri, I'll make sure they're safe," he said. "Then I'll contain the rogue." She didn't need to question what would happen next - if Kiva's wielder was human, they'd be warned, and then taken to a Fangaire-run hospital until their blood was clear of Fangaire elements; if it turned out to be a Fandiri - Kurenai Wataru, if she guessed right - then they'd be taken into custody. "I'd like to take custody of this one. A Fandiri who knows how to fight would be a good apprentice."
"If he is one, he's apt to run away," she warned. "It won't be all fun and games." Though, for the Executioner, it might be; he was not exactly *typical*.
"I know," Executioner said. "I've talked to the ones who had custody of them. It's because they expect that these kids will be able to adapt - and then they handle them like that. They should be going with the hunter instincts, not trying to suppress them."
"And you want to try your hand at it?" she asked, raising her eyebrows. Somehow, he didn't strike her as being a good choice for a parent, more likely to play games with an apprentice than properly raise them.
"If it is a hunter-raised Fandiri," the Executioner said, "He won't understand what most Fangaire would try pushing on him. Me, on the other hand, I know what it's like to hunt and fight. I think he'd feel more comfortable with me."
"Or she," the Watcher pointed out. "Kurenai Wataru's records could have been made in such a way to distract us if, say, Aso Megumi is their real Fandiri. If they have one."
"I don't care," the Executioner said. "Either way, it's a feral child. I'm probably the only one that can handle it. And you know that the Council's been pushing me to find an apprentice anyway."
"Usually, that means someone fosters them *first*, and then you find them and persuade them, not foster the child in the first place," she felt obligated to point out.
He shrugged. "Why not cut out the middleman and get it right in the first place?"
"You're serious?" she asked. "He - or she - is going to be a lot of work."
"I'm always up for a challenge," he said, taking a large sip of his tea. "And it'll keep me in practice."
She shook her head. "You're impossible."
He answered with a laugh. "Maybe I am."
* * *
Executioner kept Watcher's words in mind, though, as he hid. The rogue Fangaire was in his house, waiting for the pretty girl he'd invited that night to snack upon. Watcher had promised him that she'd found a realistic way to alert this hunter cell, and just the hunter cell they wanted, and so they should be coming. Or at least Kiva's wielder should. There would be a complication if the others came, though he'd brought his own restraints for Kiva's wielder, restraints that would keep said wielder from being carried off by his cell members while the Executioner's back was turned.
The girl went to the door, the rogue invited her in. He'd take his time, the Executioner knew; the rogues usually liked to play with their food. If the Executioner could save the innocent human, he would, but capturing Kiva and then taking care of the rogue - preferably capturing him as well, but if needed, the execution would take place then and there. After all, there was a possible Fandiri child to keep safe, not to mention the human if she was at risk.
He heard conversation soon after, quiet conversation. One speaker was bobbing up and down, one was steady. He recognized the bobber; it was Kivat, and the other voice was male. Kurenai Wataru, perhaps? He wouldn't know until he saw the person in question; he'd at least seen all the photos for the members of that cell.
The biomechanical bat floated into his view, followed by another form. Kurenai Wataru, he recognized the boy from the pictures. Kiva's wielder, it seemed. Talking about their target.
As the Executioner watched, Wataru reached for Kivat, capturing the bat in his hand and then bringing him down to bite his other hand. Patterns formed on his body - face and neck, actually, though Executioner had no doubt that the pattern continued under his clothing - and Executioner took a breath. Hunter-raised Fandiri Wataru was, then, and as a Fandiri, had to be neutralized and taken to safety quickly.
The armor formed, and Executioner watched as Wataru-as-Kiva walked past. He'd have to strike fast, and blessed the fact that the rogue had soundproofed his manor, not likely being able to hear the fight. He struck quickly, and soon the Kiva armor was dissolving, Kurenai Wataru laying on the ground. He picked the boy up before Wataru had a chance to fully regain his senses, dropping him into the box he'd prepared earlier, and locking it. It would be too heavy for the rest of his cell to move quickly, and the Executioner should be done with his true prey before they could otherwise get him out.
Then he took care of the rogue. The rogue forced him to execute then and there, which he didn't mind, but he knew the council did. They liked to draw the death out, make sure the one who killed understood why he or she had to die. Executioner preferred the clean way, the fast way.
As the shaken human thanked him, he sipped a little bit of her energy to help regain some of his own. She didn't seem to mind, they never did. He just smiled, gave her the card of a local trauma counselor sympathetic to the Fangaire, and escorted her out.
Kivat dove at him several times as he went back to retrieve Wataru. Once he got to where he'd put the boy, he could see why; Aso Yuri was standing there, weapon at hand, while Wataru's father Otoya was attempting to pick the lock. He wondered where Aso Yuri's daughter was, and then decided probably someplace nearby. "I suggest," he said, "That you leave the area. The occupant of that box is under my protection."
"The occupant of *that* box," Aso Yuri said sharply, "Is not going to become your next meal."
He stopped himself from laughing at her. "You know as well as I do, Aso Yuri, on what the boy is. And why I can't allow your group to keep him."
"You," she said, gesturing with her weapon, "Are not going to be allowed to kill any more humans."
This time, he did laugh. "I am not the rogue, Aso-san," he said. "He was my kill, and I took care of that one." He didn't shift out of his armored form; he wasn't stupid. "That one, on the other hand, is the Fandiri child your group has hidden for seventeen years." At that point, Kurenai Otoya had managed to unlock the third tumbler and pop the lid of the box. "And before you run off with him, thinking you can keep him away, I'll let you know this: he will be registered and he and your cell will be hunted until he is safe."
Kurenai was helping his son out of the box, Aso was standing firmly in his way. He really couldn't blame them for thinking he was the rogue, and even if he wasn't, a danger to Wataru; hunter cells had a bad tendency to do that. Hurting them and taking the boy would only make them fanatical, and he owed it to the Watcher to not let that happen.
"I am the Executioner," he said, noting from Aso Yuri's posture that she recognized the name. "I have done my duty. I have killed the rogue you sent Wataru after. But Wataru is Fandiri, not human. He doesn't belong in your world."
"Kivat?" Aso Yuri asked, not taking her eyes off of him.
"He is who he says he is," the bat responded. Kivat wasn't on his side, the Executioner knew he wasn't, but he was glad that the bat would affirm his identity. He didn't want to fight with these people, just protect the child.
"Wataru is human," Aso Yuri said. "I can guarantee that."
Executioner snorted. "Then why don't we all go down to the local hospital and test him? If he's not, I relinquish my claim." He knew she wouldn't; he knew that the tests would confirm what Wataru was, then and there. Kurenai was disappearing with Wataru, and Executioner strode forward. "I don't hurt humans unless I have to," he said. "But if you don't move out of the way, I will." It was an empty threat, he knew he'd have to let them leave to preserve the peace. Besides, he knew what the boy was, he could be retrieved. It would be good to match wits with the hunter cell, test Wataru's skills. He'd know what training the boy needed when he gained custody of him.
Suddenly letting the boy go seemed like a really good idea.
Bullets struck his armor, bouncing off harmlessly. He turned to look at the source. Aso Megumi; he recognized her too. But he said nothing. He turned back around, to look at her mother and to watch Wataru.
But the boy and his father were gone. Mentally sighing, he strode away, not in the direction the Kurenais had likely gone, not threatening in any way to the Aso family. For the moment, they had Wataru... but he'd get the boy back.
* * *
"So, you had him, and you lost him." Her tone was not judgmental, she endeavored to keep it neutral and unattached.
"Temporarily," he said. "We know where he lives, what's the hurry? We want them to relax. Besides, you didn't want them turning radical on you."
"No, but I was rather hoping that you'd have at least tried to retrieve him," she said. "Though I hear the Council is less forgiving about that than I am."
"They still gave me custody," he pointed out. He examined her files, the ones that she had brought. "Technically, Kurenai Otoya doesn't have any legal authority over Wataru anymore. I just have to pick Wataru up."
"By waiting for him to transform again?" she asked, watching as he flipped through photographs. At least he was careful to keep her items in order. "They'll be anticipating that."
"I've assured the council that I will have Wataru in my home within a month," he said. "Right now, he's in hiding. Give them a week, and he might be allowed to go out. I'll hunt him then."
"You've started calling him by his first name, then," she noted.
"He is my child, Watcher," he reminded her. "And my apprentice. I called him such before the council."
"You have to find him first," she said, taking the file back.
"And try not to enrage the hunter cell he's in." the Executioner leaned forward. "You know, that cell would do a lot of good if we brought them in."
She could have been forgiven if she dropped the file, scattering the contents about on his floor. But she didn't, because she retained enough control, even though she nearly did, and she frantically straightened the papers and photos.
"Or at least let them be involved," he said, musing it through. "It might make them happy. And that would remove any complications with Wataru; if he's happy, if they can see that he's doing what he's been brought up to do, they might back off."
"You're proposing diplomacy with a hunter cell?" she asked.
"Why not?" the Executioner asked in response. "That would give the next Executioner some hunter ties, and if we worked on making sure that cell stays alive and reproducing, there might be several generations for us to draw on. Can you imagine third and fourth generation hunters that are willing to help instead of hinder us?"
"They wouldn't precisely be a hunter cell," she pointed out. "They'd be a group of helpers, nothing more. And how do you plan to breed hunters without making them resent it?"
He shrugged. "I'll figure out a way. Bring in new members, have them get married, make sure the next generation's indoctrinated. Can't be that hard."
"Speaking of that cell," she said, making sure her file was still straight and together, "You do realize you've left a Fandiri not only with humans, but with a hunter cell?"
The Executioner shrugged again. "It's not like they're going to harm him, Watcher. I'll have custody of him eventually... why make it more painful than it has to be? Besides, it's a hunter cell. I trust them to take care of him until I can hunt and capture him."
She resisted commenting on how strange it sounded to her, much less other Fangaire. Humans might be needed to feed upon and breed with, protected because of that, but she'd never heard of leaving a Fandiri with a biological human parent. It ran counter to making them suitable to being changed into Fangaire. Then again, if Wataru was the Executioner's apprentice, he was allowed some eccentricity; he'd be changed regardless.
"I'm aware of the risks, Watcher," the Executioner said. "I think they're worth it if I can do this."
"If you can do this," she echoed. She looked down at the file. "This is a risk that could destroy us."
"Or maybe just me," the Executioner said. "I better get Wataru and start training him then. You never know when we're going to need a new Executioner." His tone was laced with a wry humor. "Now that he's named as my successor, at least there will be a succession. Humans and Fangaire wither without change; I figure five years into the twenty-first century is a good time to start bridging ties with the hunters."
He got up. "Thank you, Watcher, for letting me look at these again. I'm sorry I won't be available for a while. I'll be busy hunting my apprentice and training him."
"I have a feeling that you will do what you need to do," she said simply.
Grinning at her, he bowed and left the room.
* * *
He'd called it right when he said that Wataru would eventually be allowed to leave his house. He'd had agents watching the Kurenai household and that's about the time it took for the family to relax its guard a little. Kivat shadowed the Fandiri when he went out, but that was of little matter. He'd shattered the armor once, he could do it again.
Of course, he hoped he'd gained enough intelligence that he could surprise Wataru, prevent him from grabbing Kivat and changing. That was one of the things he always did: measure the strength of his enemy, prevent that enemy from using those strengths. He should be able to grab Wataru fast, take him to the van, restrain him. Then he'd take the boy home.
And if it didn't prove to be that simple? Well, he'd enjoy the hunt. He was in good shape; if the boy ran, he'd follow, if he failed he at least would have a better idea of how Wataru behaved. More information made it easier to train Wataru to follow in his footsteps.
So he followed the boy, from a discreet distance. The trick would be to grab him while Kivat had scouted ahead far enough that he couldn't grab the bat. When Wataru ducked into an alley (a bad idea, the Executioner could have told him) , the Executioner grabbed the boy. A simple laced pad with a drug that worked best on Fandiri, a few minutes of struggle, and Wataru would be unconscious, ready to be taken to the van. He'd take measures, of course, to make sure Wataru didn't try to kill him on the way home, but otherwise it was going to be a simple operation.
Of course, everything didn't go quite as planned. Kivat may not have had weaponry, but he did have his wings, battering at the Executioner's face, trying to get him to let go of Wataru. Not that he could have swung at the bat; Wataru himself was trying valiantly to get the pad off his face before he collapsed, kicking the Executioner in the knee while clawing at his hands. The stalemate continued for a few minutes until Wataru succumbed to the chemicals, collapsing into the Executioner's arms.
"This child is in my custody," he told Kivat. "You were only holding off the inevitable. He is Fandiri, he *will* be with his own kind."
"Executioner," Kivat said, acknowledging him and his title. "He has family."
"I know," Executioner said. "And understand. But he can't hide being a Fandiri any longer. His family can't protect him, you can't protect him. Let me have what's mine." Why he was pleading with the bat, he wasn't sure. Maybe it was because he wanted Wataru's hunter cell to cooperate. Of course, for that he needed Wataru to cooperate. And for that, he needed to get Wataru home.
Kivat was still flapping around. "Give a message to his family for me. I will be seeing them. Go!"
Reluctantly, the bat complied. Executioner put Wataru down gently, jogging to his van to park it closer to the alley, and then hauling Wataru inside. There were manacles attached to the wall, and he put Wataru in them, not wanting to have any surprises. He stroked his hand through Wataru's hair while draining energy from him - more energy than one normally took when feeding, but excusable to keep Wataru from having the strength to do much of anything. The energy sated him and would speed the healing of his hands, knee, and face.
As expected, Wataru woke up on the drive to the Executioner's home. But he said nothing, the only notice the Executioner had that his new foster child was awake was the rapid clattering of the manacles. He said nothing also, preferring to wait and talk to Wataru when they arrived home.
At his house, he drove his van to its secluded driveway, parked it, and opened the back of the van. Wataru was sitting there, intent on trying to open the manacles, not paying attention to the Executioner or anything else. Single-minded, apparently. The Executioner would have to partially remedy that. "Hello, Wataru."
At his voice, the boy stopped, frozen in fear. The Executioner gestured at his manacles. "Will you behave if I take these off? Or will you run and make me hunt you down again?" He himself didn't know what he'd prefer; a game of cat and mouse in his own territory seemed like fun, but on the other hand, he wanted Wataru to settle in and accept his fate.
"Either way, it's up to you." He took the key and opened the manacles, stepping back and folding his arms. If Wataru ran, he ran.
But the Fandiri just looked at him dully. Executioner wondered if he'd miscalculated the drain, or if Wataru had been instructed on what to do if suddenly captured. Maybe both, he decided. "I do have food inside, if you want."
Still no response. Executioner had to wonder if he'd have to carry Wataru inside. It was very hard to force someone to eat, he knew; he might have to feed Wataru with energy instead of solid food. It wasn't something that could be done in the long run, but a day or two of energy feeding would keep the Fandiri alive until he got the idea that he was going to not be handed back to his cell, and that he was staying with the Executioner.
Or at least until he couldn't stand his stomach growling anymore. He was a teenage boy, after all. They, based on what he remembered, ate a lot. Wataru might grudgingly eat, but he would eat.
Wataru, after a few minutes, climbed out of the back of the van, staring up at the Executioner's home. He still didn't say anything, but he did move, much to the Executioner's relief. It was as if the boy was willing to admit that he was there for the moment. The Executioner could live with that; If needed, he'd just take care of the boy and keep him there until he realized that was where he was staying. And when Wataru finally realized it was home, then he'd start training him with all he needed to know to be the Executioner's apprentice.
Because, whether Wataru liked it or not, he was named as such and if the Executioner died, he would be changed so that he could fulfill his role, seventeen years old or not. The Executioner doubted he'd be dying anytime soon, but one never knew in his position. Chooser might have had the most difficult job, but the Executioner had the deadliest one.
He slipped an arm over the boy'd shoulders. "Let's get you fed and set your bedroom the way you like it. Then we need to have a talk." It was the best he could do at the moment, given Wataru's nonresponsiveness. If Wataru decided to open up, that was all well and good, and if he didn't? Well, the Executioner had sometimes waited weeks to get the best shot at a particularly slippery rogue Fangaire; he could wait for Wataru.
* * *
It turned out that he didn't need to feed Wataru with energy; the teenager ate, if mechanically. Not stupid then. Probably realized he'd been drained, too. There was too much intelligence in those eyes to indicate otherwise. Despite council orders, he hadn't fed Wataru anything that would bring out signs of his Fangaire ancestry. He was sure he'd get into some hot water on that, but as the Executioner's apprentice, Wataru would need stealth, and that meant blending in with the humans. If he needed to, he had the foods that would, but he just didn't see the point, especially since he figured Wataru needed to ease into his new life.
No matter what anyone else thought, he did know that getting Wataru to accept this change would not be easy. The markings that most Fandiri took pride in, Wataru had been taught to hide, and it would be a while, no doubt, that Wataru could accept what the markings meant. If Wataru seemed likely to start running away, he'd start feeding him those, but right now? If he wanted to make a connection, he had to reach out to the human that Wataru thought he was, and make him into the Fandiri he was and later the Fangaire he was going to be.
Showing Wataru to his room netted him the same mechanical acceptance Wataru had given the meal. He had to admit that he had no clue what Wataru liked, past the little things the Watcher's reserach had netted him. The room was a soothing peach; the dresser and bed were sturdy wood, as was the wardrobe. He'd bought a few shirts and pants based on what the Watcher knew of Wataru's measurements and tastes in clothing. He had yet to visit the Kurenai house to claim Wataru's belongings, as per tradition; he figured he'd put that off until he was sure that Wataru was able to feed himself and was a little more responsive, or when he was at the point where he started needing to make peace with the hunter cell Wataru had come from, whichever came first. He needed to integrate Wataru's past life with his new one anyway; the blending of those two worlds might not only ease Wataru's transition but give him valuable allies.
He let Wataru take a nap while he pondered how to approach his hunter cell. Kurenai Otoya was probably the best choice. The man had slept with a Fangaire at some point in his life; he obviously didn't hate the Executioner's kind. He may have even loved her, even if their coming together was to produce Wataru and nothing else. He'd have to ask the elder Kurenai when relations weren't so strained. Once he straightened out relations with Kurenai, the others would eventually come to accept things, especially if they still had access to their Fandiri hunter. The Executioner had no problems with Wataru having access to the armor when hunting a rogue, and after Wataru was changed, the Executioner would make sure they had access to the blood they needed for one of them to form the armor.
One sometimes had to be unconventional if one was going to survive.
Eventually, he heard noise - had to be Wataru coming down the stairs, since the two of them were the only ones in the house. If it was an unexpected guest, then he'd figure out what to do with them, but the plodding reassured him that it was just Wataru. If it was someone smart enough to act like Wataru, then he had a problem on his hands, and a Fandiri to check up on and protect.
Strange how he'd become so protective over the last week or so. But then again, even he was of the view that Fandiri should, as a whole, be raised by the Fangaire. A select few should be left to be raised by humans, in that his viewpoint differed, but that was only because he felt the Fangaire world needed shaking up, and where else were they going to get competent apprentices for his position anyway?
But it proved to be just Wataru, head hanging down, mechanically thumping his way down the stairs. The boy's head came back up to survey the room, though, which cheered the Executioner. Not stupid. Definitely wasn't stupid. Once he got his strength back, he'd probably be exploring the whole damn place and figuring out the best way to get out. Hopefully the Executioner wouldn't have to chase him down too often. But then again, it would be a good hunt.
Wataru knew how to hunt, too, but he'd probably not fought a full-blown Fangaire before, just humans. And he'd need to know how to do that. All the good reason to change him when he reached twenty, so he'd have the weaponry he needed to survive. The Executioner would share techniques, teach him to hunt even better than he was. Once Wataru had accepted his fate, he'd see how the boy was with weapons; until then, at least they could play cat and mouse.
And even if Wataru found a way to run home, he'd get the boy back. Maybe then he'd have a talk with Kurenai Otoya. Or even the two of them together. The two of them together would be good, though he doubted Wataru was stupid enough to go straight home. Maybe to the home of the Aso family or some other safehouse, but not straight home.
Ah well.
"Come in, Wataru," he said in his most disarming tone. "Have a seat; we need to talk."
Or at least he would talk. He had his doubts about Wataru.
Wataru walked quietly over to the seat that the Executioner had indicated and sat himself down. For the moment, he was obedient. He let Wataru settle into the armchair and made himself comfortable.
"I'm your foster parent," he said, aware that this might be an awkward talk after all. "The Fangaire council has given me custody of you. My job is to kill Fangaire that either have gone rogue or want to die. Both I and they thought that, due to your background, that we would get along better."
"You were the one that attacked me." The voice was barely audible, but it was a complete sentence, more than he'd expected to get at this stage in the game.
The Executioner nodded. "I set up a trap to catch you, or whoever was in the Kiva armor. We had some intelligence about your hunter cell, and your paperwork was a little... substandard. So we took a real rogue, fed your cell the information, and poof, you showed up. You've got very distinctive Fandiri patterning, by the way."
Wataru just looked at him. No response this time.
"There's a way to shatter the Kiva armor. I'll tell you someday, maybe after you've changed."
The boy's eyes widened at the last word. "My title among the Fangaire is 'Executioner'," he said, keeping an eye on Wataru. "For the reasons I explained before. You are not only my foster child, you're my apprentice. If and when I die someday, you'll step into my job. Since that might be tomorrow or centuries down the line, you need to be changed to full Fangaire so you'll be ready." He paused. "It's not, despite what you believe, a fate worse than death."
Wataru shook his head, but didn't say anything. It was as if that one simple sentence was all he was willing to say to someone he no doubt perceived as the enemy.
"Look at it this way, Wataru. It's what you were born to do. Just in a slightly different and legal way. If you go after rogues now, within reason it'll be legal. Of course, if you get it wrong, you'll have to explain it to me so I can explain it to them. And they'll be more comfortable if you don't solo hunt until your change."
He decided to leave out that he wanted Wataru to work with the cell he'd been born into, and certainly would leave out the plan to make sure that cell bred and continued until Wataru was ready to deal with that.
"You'll get used to it," he said. "In the meantime, I'm sure you saw the clothes. I have food for you to eat. Anything you need from where you grew up, I can pick it up. Except Kivat. I don't think he likes me very much." He paused. "This is your home now."
Wataru only shook his head. Not willing to accept yet, apparently. He shouldn't be surprised.
"I'll leave you to your thoughts. Library's upstairs, a few doors down from your room." He wondered how long it would take for Wataru to find the very cliched secret passage he'd had installed there. It was practical and fun at the same time. "Kitchen is out the door behind you and to the left." He hoped that Wataru would feed himself. Energy infusions were still not out of the question at this point.
* * *
Hiraoka Hotaru was sitting in the same chair that Wataru had occupied, a few days later. To his surprise, Wataru hadn't escaped yet, as far as he could tell. Maybe biding his time.
To be honest, he'd rather have Wataru. As uncommunicative as he was - the only thing the Executioner had gotten out of him than that one sentence was a few scattered "thank you"s - at least he wasn't about to ream the Executioner out for things that weren't quite proper.
He studied her. Her clothing was not old fashioned, not trendy. It spoke of someone who took care of accidental Fandiri turned over as babies and young children, one that was used to being spat upon in the brief time before she found homes for them. Wataru was probably the first child not handed over to her for the last few centuries, and that was only because the Executioner had used his pull. Needless to say, she was a one-woman social worker force when it came to the Fandiri, and she wasn't about to allow Wataru to escape without examination.
The Executioner had no doubt that if she'd gotten her hands on Wataru, he'd be even more withdrawn than he already was. She would have tried to force him to be Fandiri when he wasn't ready, and the Executioner would have had to undo that damage on top of getting Wataru to trust him and be his apprentice. He doubted she'd get a sentence out of Wataru, and the boy was speaking to him after a fashion. He counted that a victory.
"I saw Wataru," she said, speaking up. "Part of the condition of you getting custody of him was making sure he understood he was Fandiri. That boy is very much human. You haven't even fed him anything that would bring his patterning out."
"I rely on stealth, my lady," he said. "As my apprentice, he needs to as well. I'd rather he slowly realize what he is than get used to having them. Besides, if I force him to display his patterning, he won't trust me, and if he won't trust me, he won't see the point - and the pride - of being Fandiri." He wasn't about to mention the part about making sure Wataru stayed integrated with his cell. He was sure she wouldn't like it. "He's a hunter by nature. Give him time to understand that some of that - a lot of it - comes from his Fangaire heritage."
"You're sure you can convince the boy?" she asked, obviously doubtful.
"He's a hunter. I'm a hunter. We understand each other." He looked at her. "This is not a big change for him. The more comfortable he is, the faster he'll adjust being Fandiri. I realize this is not a traditional way of handling hidden Fandiri, but he is not traditional, and my job requires being unconventional. We fit together."
"Please tell me you're going to do *some* things traditionally, like retrieve his belongings from his family?"
"Of course," he said. "I'm sure that he'd like to have his clothes. And violin." He paused. "He is a violinist, after all."
She nodded. "I don't like it," she said, "But I grant that you need an apprentice, and it is something useful for him to keep his mind occupied. I'll be watching his adaptation, though. If you can't handle him, I'll make sure I find someone who can."
"Oh, I can handle him," the Executioner said. "He's not going to start killing Fangaire left and right. He's not stupid. He was brought up by smart people who just happen to want to kill rogues, that's all."
"I should let you know," she said, "That I couldn't stand to see him looking like a human. I fed him. He's got lovely markings, you know." She paused. "And to rebut your point about stealthiness - who expects a Fandiri to hunt?"
The Executioner thought about that, and conceded that she had a very good point. "I'll bring that up with him. That's something both he and I should be thinking about."
"I'm glad I could help." She paused. "Has he said a word since he got here?"
"Yes," the Executioner said. "Not much, a few words, but I think he'll open up." Especially after he brought Kurenai Otoya to come visit his son. "I think he'll adapt better than any other hunter-raised Fandiri you've seen."
"Given the failure rate with those Fandiri, I hope you're right," Hiraoka said. She sighed. "I want this to go right for once."
"So do I, my lady," the Executioner said. "I'll keep working with him. I think you'll be pleased by the results."
"I hope so," she said. "The rest of the council would like to see him too, eventually. And, even though his circumstances are special, so would Chooser. I trust you can convince him to wear his markings for them?"
"I can try," he said. "And if he trusts me, he'll do it. He is Fandiri. He just is working on realizing that."
She nodded. "Then that is all I can ask." She looked at him. "Just remember, Executioner: he is a child. If you can't protect him, I'll find someone who can."
"Understood." There wasn't much more to say after that. He knew she meant well, knew that more than anybody else the protection of the Fandiri was of the utmost importance. He was also sure that letting Wataru reassociate with his cell was not what she'd consider protecting him. But Wataru was his child now, and he'd protect the boy. Even from her.
* * *
Wataru tried to escape two days later.
Or more accurately, he did escape - using that little hidden passage leading just almost to the back door, slipping out in silence. He had probably been waiting to regain his strength and for some event like Hiraoka-san's visit to take his leave.
Any other new Fangaire foster parent would probably have been panicking. The Executioner gave him a one minute head start once he heard the distinct, though soft, closing of the back door.
His house was still more familiar to him than it was to Wataru; for the moment, he had the advantage. His estate had high walls, though again there was a hidden door there, too. He wondered if Wataru had mind enough to locate it, or if he'd try to scramble over the wall, or even try to push the gates open. He was small enough that he could probably slip through if he tried on the gates; the walls were rough cement, so he could try that too.
The Executioner wasn't too worried. He strode out the back door, looking and listening for a taletell scramble or push. He didn't hear either. The hidden door seemed still to be closed. He strode along the path, quietly, coming upon Wataru as Wataru was contemplating using a tree branch to help him over the fence. The Executioner made a note to have it trimmed.
"I don't think that's going to work, Wataru," he said, and the boy twirled around so suddenly he almost lost his footing. "It could, I suppose, but not today." He paused. "You'd need a stronger branch." He demonstrated by pulling on the branch, which obligingly snapped. "See? If you're going to use improvisation to get over a wall, make sure it works."
Wataru blinked at him, likely uncomprehending as to why he'd be giving tips on how to scale his own wall.
"It probably isn't the first wall you've scaled," Executioner said, "It definitely won't be your last." He paused. "Let's go back inside."
He took the boy by his shoulders and led him back inside. "As I said, Wataru, what I'm training you for isn't much different from what you were being trained for before. I don't have a problem with you trying to scale my walls, though there *are* easier ways to get out." He'd let Wataru chew on that one. "I'm not your enemy. I'm your foster parent. There's a difference."
Wataru shot him a look as if to say "Oh, really?" but still kept his mouth shut.
"I have a trip up to Tokyo tomorrow," he said. "If you leave, I'll hunt you down; it's part of the promise I made to the council. But I hope you stay; I think you might like to stick around to see what I bring back."
He hoped that Wataru knew enough about the Fangaire that he'd think that the Executioner was coming back with his belongings. He was hoping to bring more. Like, say, Kurenai Otoya. That was technically forbidden, but if it would get Wataru to open up, it was all well and good.
Besides, he was terrible with tradition, at least when it came to things other than killing people. He freely admitted that; the council still forgave him anyway. It was good to be the Executioner.
angel_negra that I'd post it, so here's part 1. Oh, and apparently they've changed the spelling from Fangaia to Fangaire, so I did too.Title: Boxed In (part 1/?)
Series: Kamen Rider Kiva (AU)
Author: Estirose
Rating: 13+
Disclaimer: The Watcher, Executioner, and Hotaru belong to me, the others don't.
Summary: In a world where the Fangaire are known and only a few rogues kill people, hunter cells still exist. In one of them, against the law that says that half-Fangaire are to be raised exclusively by the Fangaire, is a young man named Kurenai Wataru. However, things beyond his control bring him to the attention of the Fangaire, and they take action.
Part 1 length: 8100 words.
Boxed In
by Estirose
c 2008
Part 1
She surveyed the reports and files with a faint air of distaste. She'd spent years tracking the various hunter groups in Japan - and some around the world - making sure they were not a threat to her people.
She herself was nondescript, quiet, didn't make waves. The local populace was used to her, used to the fact that she only came out to feed, didn't bother her. The rise of technology meant that she didn't have to. She had moles in hunter groups that reported to her, agents ever vigilant looking for new groups and individuals.
Her files categorized each group and individual, evaluating their threat to her own people in certain criteria - their beliefs, their fanaticalness, their ability to carry out an attack. Some hated all of her kind, the Fangaire, considering them parasites upon humans; others only wanted to execute the Fangaire who attacked humans, killed them.The Fangaire had their own executioner for those cases, but some humans wanted to do it anyway, no matter how much the Fangaire pointed out that the rogues were under control.
She opened one file. Group 17-A-R. It had been operating for some thirty years, enough to have some second generation members. Its members were only after the rogues, which had made them less of a threat, until yesterday. She remembered the phone call from her mole within their group.
He'd used a service that made it hard for his cell to trace his calls. Call a number, hang up, have it call you back, and then dial the number. She recommended that all her agents and moles use it if possible, to make it harder to be found out. And this mole was sensible - he used it for everything, from her independent examination of his own records. Never trust moles completely, after all.
"They have Kivat," he said simple, the simple sentence making even her shiver. Kivat was a sentient, biomechanical bat that gave its possessor the ability to form the Kiva armor, an armor effective against her own kind.
"Who wields it?" she asked, letting no trace of her fear enter her voice. He no doubt thought her the shadowy voice that reported to a true master, as if a woman couldn't be responsible for running their intelligence operation.
"I don't know," his voice was hesitant. "I couldn't ask without seeming suspicious." She'd always counseled patience with her agents and moles; it was good that this one was heeding her advice. "Kivat rests in Kurenai Otoya's house."
"Understood," she said, terminating the call.
And now she was looking at the records. Kurenai Otoya, a violinist and violinmaker. Reports painted him as a romantic and a womanizer. He had one son, Wataru, who looked like he'd follow his father in both the violinmaking and the hunting aspects of his life. Wataru was one of two second-generation members; Aso Megumi was the other. Little was known about Wataru's mother; how Otoya had gained custody was also a mystery, and he'd never married.
To use the Kiva armor, they'd need either a sympathetic Fangaire to donate blood to a human wielder, or a half-Fangaire, a Fandiri. Enough Fangaire blood in the wielder's system and the armor would form. She hoped it was not a Fandiri; to have humans pervert the children of the Fangaire against them made even her blood boil. If it was a hunter-raised Fandiri, they'd have a hard time holding on to the child, much less rehabilitating it.
It would take a little time, going through each member's records and discovering any irregularities that meant that this group had hidden a Fandiri; she'd pay special attention to Wataru's and Megumi's records, with Wataru's records of the more importance because of the seeming lack of them. Humans were not supposed to have custody of the Fandiri; the Fandiri were the Fangaire's children, and were raised as such.
The next difficulty would be in isolating either child for testing. The testing was easy enough, the right herbs, the right food, they would cause the hidden Fandiri to show their true ancestry, a blush that echoed their Fangaire ancestors'. Most hidden Fandiri were taught to avoid those foods, those herbs, to run and hide if accidentally exposed. And their hunter parents would protect their Fandiri offspring, and become fanatical if their child was taken away.
She could do without another fanatical hunter group.
Investigation first. Then she'd figure out what to do if it turned out that there was a Fandiri in this hunter group's midst. That delicate operation probably wasn't hers to do anyway; all she could do was advise them on how to proceed. And hope that they didn't botch things.
* * *
The Executioner sipped at his tea. "A hidden Fandiri. Interesting." He was average too; someone that most humans wouldn't take a second look at, most Fangaire either. Neither of them associated much with other Fangaire, their duties too important to deal with the rest of their kind. She liked it, and she knew that he liked it too. He looked over at her, studying her, smiling as if she was the greatest thing in the world.
"Interesting to you. Dangerous to the rest of us." She took a sip of her own tea. "Hunter groups aren't as harmless to the rest of us as they are to you."
"This is what happens when you raise Fandiri to not know how to hunt," he pointed out. "If they knew how to hunt, knew how to defend themselves, then the human hunters wouldn't be so dangerous to most of them." He settled back in his chair. "A side effect of making sure we don't cull the humans to the point where they're not useful."
"Hunter-born Fandiri aren't exactly compliant when they're caught," she pointed out. "The last few have had to be kept confined for the rest of their lives. They either try to kill us or they go back to their groups. They never accept what they are."
He grinned. "To them, that is what they are; you've got to understand their mindset. To them, Fangaire - at least some of us - are the enemy. It's like dealing with a rogue."
"That's your area, not mine," she said. She eyed the roll, so innocent-looking. A Fandiri would blush for hours after eating it; for her, it caused a brief, rainbow-colored blush to appear on her skin.
"Of course," he told her. "Our jobs are simple. I end lives, Chooser finds worthy new ones, and you make sure the humans don't kill us." He grinned again. "My job is simple; I don't envy Chooser."
She nodded. Unspoken was the fact that even among the rare Fandiri, most of them would live mortal lives, grow old, and die. It was only when the Fangaire were in need of replenishing their numbers was Chooser called to find worthy Fandiri to convert to Fangaire. There were a few exceptions - her successor, Executioner's, Chooser's - their apprentices would be converted as soon as they were ready - or at least legal adults.
"Watcher," he said, leaning forward and addressing her by her title, "I think I know what to do with Kiva's wielder. And if you're right, your little rogue Fandiri."
"Tell me," she said, intrigued.
"It's not well-known, but the Kiva armor *can* be shattered," he said. "It's not well known because it's hard to pull off. But I've shattered the armor several times, it can be done."
She gave a tight nod. If the armor could be shattered, all well and good, but that would put the human or Fandiri inside in danger if they were near a rogue. Not that she cared much for hunters, but even misraised Fandiri were their people, their children, and a human life was worth saving. Even if only to be fed off of later.
"There's a rogue that I've just confirmed," he said. "A rogue that's killing humans. We've kept it under wraps, but it would be a perfect opportunity to leak it to your hunter group. I'm sure they'd deploy Kiva - they'd be insane not to."
She nodded again. "You'd have to stop Kiva before engaging the rogue. If there's no Fandiri, if Kiva's wielder is human....."
"Human or Fandiri, I'll make sure they're safe," he said. "Then I'll contain the rogue." She didn't need to question what would happen next - if Kiva's wielder was human, they'd be warned, and then taken to a Fangaire-run hospital until their blood was clear of Fangaire elements; if it turned out to be a Fandiri - Kurenai Wataru, if she guessed right - then they'd be taken into custody. "I'd like to take custody of this one. A Fandiri who knows how to fight would be a good apprentice."
"If he is one, he's apt to run away," she warned. "It won't be all fun and games." Though, for the Executioner, it might be; he was not exactly *typical*.
"I know," Executioner said. "I've talked to the ones who had custody of them. It's because they expect that these kids will be able to adapt - and then they handle them like that. They should be going with the hunter instincts, not trying to suppress them."
"And you want to try your hand at it?" she asked, raising her eyebrows. Somehow, he didn't strike her as being a good choice for a parent, more likely to play games with an apprentice than properly raise them.
"If it is a hunter-raised Fandiri," the Executioner said, "He won't understand what most Fangaire would try pushing on him. Me, on the other hand, I know what it's like to hunt and fight. I think he'd feel more comfortable with me."
"Or she," the Watcher pointed out. "Kurenai Wataru's records could have been made in such a way to distract us if, say, Aso Megumi is their real Fandiri. If they have one."
"I don't care," the Executioner said. "Either way, it's a feral child. I'm probably the only one that can handle it. And you know that the Council's been pushing me to find an apprentice anyway."
"Usually, that means someone fosters them *first*, and then you find them and persuade them, not foster the child in the first place," she felt obligated to point out.
He shrugged. "Why not cut out the middleman and get it right in the first place?"
"You're serious?" she asked. "He - or she - is going to be a lot of work."
"I'm always up for a challenge," he said, taking a large sip of his tea. "And it'll keep me in practice."
She shook her head. "You're impossible."
He answered with a laugh. "Maybe I am."
* * *
Executioner kept Watcher's words in mind, though, as he hid. The rogue Fangaire was in his house, waiting for the pretty girl he'd invited that night to snack upon. Watcher had promised him that she'd found a realistic way to alert this hunter cell, and just the hunter cell they wanted, and so they should be coming. Or at least Kiva's wielder should. There would be a complication if the others came, though he'd brought his own restraints for Kiva's wielder, restraints that would keep said wielder from being carried off by his cell members while the Executioner's back was turned.
The girl went to the door, the rogue invited her in. He'd take his time, the Executioner knew; the rogues usually liked to play with their food. If the Executioner could save the innocent human, he would, but capturing Kiva and then taking care of the rogue - preferably capturing him as well, but if needed, the execution would take place then and there. After all, there was a possible Fandiri child to keep safe, not to mention the human if she was at risk.
He heard conversation soon after, quiet conversation. One speaker was bobbing up and down, one was steady. He recognized the bobber; it was Kivat, and the other voice was male. Kurenai Wataru, perhaps? He wouldn't know until he saw the person in question; he'd at least seen all the photos for the members of that cell.
The biomechanical bat floated into his view, followed by another form. Kurenai Wataru, he recognized the boy from the pictures. Kiva's wielder, it seemed. Talking about their target.
As the Executioner watched, Wataru reached for Kivat, capturing the bat in his hand and then bringing him down to bite his other hand. Patterns formed on his body - face and neck, actually, though Executioner had no doubt that the pattern continued under his clothing - and Executioner took a breath. Hunter-raised Fandiri Wataru was, then, and as a Fandiri, had to be neutralized and taken to safety quickly.
The armor formed, and Executioner watched as Wataru-as-Kiva walked past. He'd have to strike fast, and blessed the fact that the rogue had soundproofed his manor, not likely being able to hear the fight. He struck quickly, and soon the Kiva armor was dissolving, Kurenai Wataru laying on the ground. He picked the boy up before Wataru had a chance to fully regain his senses, dropping him into the box he'd prepared earlier, and locking it. It would be too heavy for the rest of his cell to move quickly, and the Executioner should be done with his true prey before they could otherwise get him out.
Then he took care of the rogue. The rogue forced him to execute then and there, which he didn't mind, but he knew the council did. They liked to draw the death out, make sure the one who killed understood why he or she had to die. Executioner preferred the clean way, the fast way.
As the shaken human thanked him, he sipped a little bit of her energy to help regain some of his own. She didn't seem to mind, they never did. He just smiled, gave her the card of a local trauma counselor sympathetic to the Fangaire, and escorted her out.
Kivat dove at him several times as he went back to retrieve Wataru. Once he got to where he'd put the boy, he could see why; Aso Yuri was standing there, weapon at hand, while Wataru's father Otoya was attempting to pick the lock. He wondered where Aso Yuri's daughter was, and then decided probably someplace nearby. "I suggest," he said, "That you leave the area. The occupant of that box is under my protection."
"The occupant of *that* box," Aso Yuri said sharply, "Is not going to become your next meal."
He stopped himself from laughing at her. "You know as well as I do, Aso Yuri, on what the boy is. And why I can't allow your group to keep him."
"You," she said, gesturing with her weapon, "Are not going to be allowed to kill any more humans."
This time, he did laugh. "I am not the rogue, Aso-san," he said. "He was my kill, and I took care of that one." He didn't shift out of his armored form; he wasn't stupid. "That one, on the other hand, is the Fandiri child your group has hidden for seventeen years." At that point, Kurenai Otoya had managed to unlock the third tumbler and pop the lid of the box. "And before you run off with him, thinking you can keep him away, I'll let you know this: he will be registered and he and your cell will be hunted until he is safe."
Kurenai was helping his son out of the box, Aso was standing firmly in his way. He really couldn't blame them for thinking he was the rogue, and even if he wasn't, a danger to Wataru; hunter cells had a bad tendency to do that. Hurting them and taking the boy would only make them fanatical, and he owed it to the Watcher to not let that happen.
"I am the Executioner," he said, noting from Aso Yuri's posture that she recognized the name. "I have done my duty. I have killed the rogue you sent Wataru after. But Wataru is Fandiri, not human. He doesn't belong in your world."
"Kivat?" Aso Yuri asked, not taking her eyes off of him.
"He is who he says he is," the bat responded. Kivat wasn't on his side, the Executioner knew he wasn't, but he was glad that the bat would affirm his identity. He didn't want to fight with these people, just protect the child.
"Wataru is human," Aso Yuri said. "I can guarantee that."
Executioner snorted. "Then why don't we all go down to the local hospital and test him? If he's not, I relinquish my claim." He knew she wouldn't; he knew that the tests would confirm what Wataru was, then and there. Kurenai was disappearing with Wataru, and Executioner strode forward. "I don't hurt humans unless I have to," he said. "But if you don't move out of the way, I will." It was an empty threat, he knew he'd have to let them leave to preserve the peace. Besides, he knew what the boy was, he could be retrieved. It would be good to match wits with the hunter cell, test Wataru's skills. He'd know what training the boy needed when he gained custody of him.
Suddenly letting the boy go seemed like a really good idea.
Bullets struck his armor, bouncing off harmlessly. He turned to look at the source. Aso Megumi; he recognized her too. But he said nothing. He turned back around, to look at her mother and to watch Wataru.
But the boy and his father were gone. Mentally sighing, he strode away, not in the direction the Kurenais had likely gone, not threatening in any way to the Aso family. For the moment, they had Wataru... but he'd get the boy back.
* * *
"So, you had him, and you lost him." Her tone was not judgmental, she endeavored to keep it neutral and unattached.
"Temporarily," he said. "We know where he lives, what's the hurry? We want them to relax. Besides, you didn't want them turning radical on you."
"No, but I was rather hoping that you'd have at least tried to retrieve him," she said. "Though I hear the Council is less forgiving about that than I am."
"They still gave me custody," he pointed out. He examined her files, the ones that she had brought. "Technically, Kurenai Otoya doesn't have any legal authority over Wataru anymore. I just have to pick Wataru up."
"By waiting for him to transform again?" she asked, watching as he flipped through photographs. At least he was careful to keep her items in order. "They'll be anticipating that."
"I've assured the council that I will have Wataru in my home within a month," he said. "Right now, he's in hiding. Give them a week, and he might be allowed to go out. I'll hunt him then."
"You've started calling him by his first name, then," she noted.
"He is my child, Watcher," he reminded her. "And my apprentice. I called him such before the council."
"You have to find him first," she said, taking the file back.
"And try not to enrage the hunter cell he's in." the Executioner leaned forward. "You know, that cell would do a lot of good if we brought them in."
She could have been forgiven if she dropped the file, scattering the contents about on his floor. But she didn't, because she retained enough control, even though she nearly did, and she frantically straightened the papers and photos.
"Or at least let them be involved," he said, musing it through. "It might make them happy. And that would remove any complications with Wataru; if he's happy, if they can see that he's doing what he's been brought up to do, they might back off."
"You're proposing diplomacy with a hunter cell?" she asked.
"Why not?" the Executioner asked in response. "That would give the next Executioner some hunter ties, and if we worked on making sure that cell stays alive and reproducing, there might be several generations for us to draw on. Can you imagine third and fourth generation hunters that are willing to help instead of hinder us?"
"They wouldn't precisely be a hunter cell," she pointed out. "They'd be a group of helpers, nothing more. And how do you plan to breed hunters without making them resent it?"
He shrugged. "I'll figure out a way. Bring in new members, have them get married, make sure the next generation's indoctrinated. Can't be that hard."
"Speaking of that cell," she said, making sure her file was still straight and together, "You do realize you've left a Fandiri not only with humans, but with a hunter cell?"
The Executioner shrugged again. "It's not like they're going to harm him, Watcher. I'll have custody of him eventually... why make it more painful than it has to be? Besides, it's a hunter cell. I trust them to take care of him until I can hunt and capture him."
She resisted commenting on how strange it sounded to her, much less other Fangaire. Humans might be needed to feed upon and breed with, protected because of that, but she'd never heard of leaving a Fandiri with a biological human parent. It ran counter to making them suitable to being changed into Fangaire. Then again, if Wataru was the Executioner's apprentice, he was allowed some eccentricity; he'd be changed regardless.
"I'm aware of the risks, Watcher," the Executioner said. "I think they're worth it if I can do this."
"If you can do this," she echoed. She looked down at the file. "This is a risk that could destroy us."
"Or maybe just me," the Executioner said. "I better get Wataru and start training him then. You never know when we're going to need a new Executioner." His tone was laced with a wry humor. "Now that he's named as my successor, at least there will be a succession. Humans and Fangaire wither without change; I figure five years into the twenty-first century is a good time to start bridging ties with the hunters."
He got up. "Thank you, Watcher, for letting me look at these again. I'm sorry I won't be available for a while. I'll be busy hunting my apprentice and training him."
"I have a feeling that you will do what you need to do," she said simply.
Grinning at her, he bowed and left the room.
* * *
He'd called it right when he said that Wataru would eventually be allowed to leave his house. He'd had agents watching the Kurenai household and that's about the time it took for the family to relax its guard a little. Kivat shadowed the Fandiri when he went out, but that was of little matter. He'd shattered the armor once, he could do it again.
Of course, he hoped he'd gained enough intelligence that he could surprise Wataru, prevent him from grabbing Kivat and changing. That was one of the things he always did: measure the strength of his enemy, prevent that enemy from using those strengths. He should be able to grab Wataru fast, take him to the van, restrain him. Then he'd take the boy home.
And if it didn't prove to be that simple? Well, he'd enjoy the hunt. He was in good shape; if the boy ran, he'd follow, if he failed he at least would have a better idea of how Wataru behaved. More information made it easier to train Wataru to follow in his footsteps.
So he followed the boy, from a discreet distance. The trick would be to grab him while Kivat had scouted ahead far enough that he couldn't grab the bat. When Wataru ducked into an alley (a bad idea, the Executioner could have told him) , the Executioner grabbed the boy. A simple laced pad with a drug that worked best on Fandiri, a few minutes of struggle, and Wataru would be unconscious, ready to be taken to the van. He'd take measures, of course, to make sure Wataru didn't try to kill him on the way home, but otherwise it was going to be a simple operation.
Of course, everything didn't go quite as planned. Kivat may not have had weaponry, but he did have his wings, battering at the Executioner's face, trying to get him to let go of Wataru. Not that he could have swung at the bat; Wataru himself was trying valiantly to get the pad off his face before he collapsed, kicking the Executioner in the knee while clawing at his hands. The stalemate continued for a few minutes until Wataru succumbed to the chemicals, collapsing into the Executioner's arms.
"This child is in my custody," he told Kivat. "You were only holding off the inevitable. He is Fandiri, he *will* be with his own kind."
"Executioner," Kivat said, acknowledging him and his title. "He has family."
"I know," Executioner said. "And understand. But he can't hide being a Fandiri any longer. His family can't protect him, you can't protect him. Let me have what's mine." Why he was pleading with the bat, he wasn't sure. Maybe it was because he wanted Wataru's hunter cell to cooperate. Of course, for that he needed Wataru to cooperate. And for that, he needed to get Wataru home.
Kivat was still flapping around. "Give a message to his family for me. I will be seeing them. Go!"
Reluctantly, the bat complied. Executioner put Wataru down gently, jogging to his van to park it closer to the alley, and then hauling Wataru inside. There were manacles attached to the wall, and he put Wataru in them, not wanting to have any surprises. He stroked his hand through Wataru's hair while draining energy from him - more energy than one normally took when feeding, but excusable to keep Wataru from having the strength to do much of anything. The energy sated him and would speed the healing of his hands, knee, and face.
As expected, Wataru woke up on the drive to the Executioner's home. But he said nothing, the only notice the Executioner had that his new foster child was awake was the rapid clattering of the manacles. He said nothing also, preferring to wait and talk to Wataru when they arrived home.
At his house, he drove his van to its secluded driveway, parked it, and opened the back of the van. Wataru was sitting there, intent on trying to open the manacles, not paying attention to the Executioner or anything else. Single-minded, apparently. The Executioner would have to partially remedy that. "Hello, Wataru."
At his voice, the boy stopped, frozen in fear. The Executioner gestured at his manacles. "Will you behave if I take these off? Or will you run and make me hunt you down again?" He himself didn't know what he'd prefer; a game of cat and mouse in his own territory seemed like fun, but on the other hand, he wanted Wataru to settle in and accept his fate.
"Either way, it's up to you." He took the key and opened the manacles, stepping back and folding his arms. If Wataru ran, he ran.
But the Fandiri just looked at him dully. Executioner wondered if he'd miscalculated the drain, or if Wataru had been instructed on what to do if suddenly captured. Maybe both, he decided. "I do have food inside, if you want."
Still no response. Executioner had to wonder if he'd have to carry Wataru inside. It was very hard to force someone to eat, he knew; he might have to feed Wataru with energy instead of solid food. It wasn't something that could be done in the long run, but a day or two of energy feeding would keep the Fandiri alive until he got the idea that he was going to not be handed back to his cell, and that he was staying with the Executioner.
Or at least until he couldn't stand his stomach growling anymore. He was a teenage boy, after all. They, based on what he remembered, ate a lot. Wataru might grudgingly eat, but he would eat.
Wataru, after a few minutes, climbed out of the back of the van, staring up at the Executioner's home. He still didn't say anything, but he did move, much to the Executioner's relief. It was as if the boy was willing to admit that he was there for the moment. The Executioner could live with that; If needed, he'd just take care of the boy and keep him there until he realized that was where he was staying. And when Wataru finally realized it was home, then he'd start training him with all he needed to know to be the Executioner's apprentice.
Because, whether Wataru liked it or not, he was named as such and if the Executioner died, he would be changed so that he could fulfill his role, seventeen years old or not. The Executioner doubted he'd be dying anytime soon, but one never knew in his position. Chooser might have had the most difficult job, but the Executioner had the deadliest one.
He slipped an arm over the boy'd shoulders. "Let's get you fed and set your bedroom the way you like it. Then we need to have a talk." It was the best he could do at the moment, given Wataru's nonresponsiveness. If Wataru decided to open up, that was all well and good, and if he didn't? Well, the Executioner had sometimes waited weeks to get the best shot at a particularly slippery rogue Fangaire; he could wait for Wataru.
* * *
It turned out that he didn't need to feed Wataru with energy; the teenager ate, if mechanically. Not stupid then. Probably realized he'd been drained, too. There was too much intelligence in those eyes to indicate otherwise. Despite council orders, he hadn't fed Wataru anything that would bring out signs of his Fangaire ancestry. He was sure he'd get into some hot water on that, but as the Executioner's apprentice, Wataru would need stealth, and that meant blending in with the humans. If he needed to, he had the foods that would, but he just didn't see the point, especially since he figured Wataru needed to ease into his new life.
No matter what anyone else thought, he did know that getting Wataru to accept this change would not be easy. The markings that most Fandiri took pride in, Wataru had been taught to hide, and it would be a while, no doubt, that Wataru could accept what the markings meant. If Wataru seemed likely to start running away, he'd start feeding him those, but right now? If he wanted to make a connection, he had to reach out to the human that Wataru thought he was, and make him into the Fandiri he was and later the Fangaire he was going to be.
Showing Wataru to his room netted him the same mechanical acceptance Wataru had given the meal. He had to admit that he had no clue what Wataru liked, past the little things the Watcher's reserach had netted him. The room was a soothing peach; the dresser and bed were sturdy wood, as was the wardrobe. He'd bought a few shirts and pants based on what the Watcher knew of Wataru's measurements and tastes in clothing. He had yet to visit the Kurenai house to claim Wataru's belongings, as per tradition; he figured he'd put that off until he was sure that Wataru was able to feed himself and was a little more responsive, or when he was at the point where he started needing to make peace with the hunter cell Wataru had come from, whichever came first. He needed to integrate Wataru's past life with his new one anyway; the blending of those two worlds might not only ease Wataru's transition but give him valuable allies.
He let Wataru take a nap while he pondered how to approach his hunter cell. Kurenai Otoya was probably the best choice. The man had slept with a Fangaire at some point in his life; he obviously didn't hate the Executioner's kind. He may have even loved her, even if their coming together was to produce Wataru and nothing else. He'd have to ask the elder Kurenai when relations weren't so strained. Once he straightened out relations with Kurenai, the others would eventually come to accept things, especially if they still had access to their Fandiri hunter. The Executioner had no problems with Wataru having access to the armor when hunting a rogue, and after Wataru was changed, the Executioner would make sure they had access to the blood they needed for one of them to form the armor.
One sometimes had to be unconventional if one was going to survive.
Eventually, he heard noise - had to be Wataru coming down the stairs, since the two of them were the only ones in the house. If it was an unexpected guest, then he'd figure out what to do with them, but the plodding reassured him that it was just Wataru. If it was someone smart enough to act like Wataru, then he had a problem on his hands, and a Fandiri to check up on and protect.
Strange how he'd become so protective over the last week or so. But then again, even he was of the view that Fandiri should, as a whole, be raised by the Fangaire. A select few should be left to be raised by humans, in that his viewpoint differed, but that was only because he felt the Fangaire world needed shaking up, and where else were they going to get competent apprentices for his position anyway?
But it proved to be just Wataru, head hanging down, mechanically thumping his way down the stairs. The boy's head came back up to survey the room, though, which cheered the Executioner. Not stupid. Definitely wasn't stupid. Once he got his strength back, he'd probably be exploring the whole damn place and figuring out the best way to get out. Hopefully the Executioner wouldn't have to chase him down too often. But then again, it would be a good hunt.
Wataru knew how to hunt, too, but he'd probably not fought a full-blown Fangaire before, just humans. And he'd need to know how to do that. All the good reason to change him when he reached twenty, so he'd have the weaponry he needed to survive. The Executioner would share techniques, teach him to hunt even better than he was. Once Wataru had accepted his fate, he'd see how the boy was with weapons; until then, at least they could play cat and mouse.
And even if Wataru found a way to run home, he'd get the boy back. Maybe then he'd have a talk with Kurenai Otoya. Or even the two of them together. The two of them together would be good, though he doubted Wataru was stupid enough to go straight home. Maybe to the home of the Aso family or some other safehouse, but not straight home.
Ah well.
"Come in, Wataru," he said in his most disarming tone. "Have a seat; we need to talk."
Or at least he would talk. He had his doubts about Wataru.
Wataru walked quietly over to the seat that the Executioner had indicated and sat himself down. For the moment, he was obedient. He let Wataru settle into the armchair and made himself comfortable.
"I'm your foster parent," he said, aware that this might be an awkward talk after all. "The Fangaire council has given me custody of you. My job is to kill Fangaire that either have gone rogue or want to die. Both I and they thought that, due to your background, that we would get along better."
"You were the one that attacked me." The voice was barely audible, but it was a complete sentence, more than he'd expected to get at this stage in the game.
The Executioner nodded. "I set up a trap to catch you, or whoever was in the Kiva armor. We had some intelligence about your hunter cell, and your paperwork was a little... substandard. So we took a real rogue, fed your cell the information, and poof, you showed up. You've got very distinctive Fandiri patterning, by the way."
Wataru just looked at him. No response this time.
"There's a way to shatter the Kiva armor. I'll tell you someday, maybe after you've changed."
The boy's eyes widened at the last word. "My title among the Fangaire is 'Executioner'," he said, keeping an eye on Wataru. "For the reasons I explained before. You are not only my foster child, you're my apprentice. If and when I die someday, you'll step into my job. Since that might be tomorrow or centuries down the line, you need to be changed to full Fangaire so you'll be ready." He paused. "It's not, despite what you believe, a fate worse than death."
Wataru shook his head, but didn't say anything. It was as if that one simple sentence was all he was willing to say to someone he no doubt perceived as the enemy.
"Look at it this way, Wataru. It's what you were born to do. Just in a slightly different and legal way. If you go after rogues now, within reason it'll be legal. Of course, if you get it wrong, you'll have to explain it to me so I can explain it to them. And they'll be more comfortable if you don't solo hunt until your change."
He decided to leave out that he wanted Wataru to work with the cell he'd been born into, and certainly would leave out the plan to make sure that cell bred and continued until Wataru was ready to deal with that.
"You'll get used to it," he said. "In the meantime, I'm sure you saw the clothes. I have food for you to eat. Anything you need from where you grew up, I can pick it up. Except Kivat. I don't think he likes me very much." He paused. "This is your home now."
Wataru only shook his head. Not willing to accept yet, apparently. He shouldn't be surprised.
"I'll leave you to your thoughts. Library's upstairs, a few doors down from your room." He wondered how long it would take for Wataru to find the very cliched secret passage he'd had installed there. It was practical and fun at the same time. "Kitchen is out the door behind you and to the left." He hoped that Wataru would feed himself. Energy infusions were still not out of the question at this point.
* * *
Hiraoka Hotaru was sitting in the same chair that Wataru had occupied, a few days later. To his surprise, Wataru hadn't escaped yet, as far as he could tell. Maybe biding his time.
To be honest, he'd rather have Wataru. As uncommunicative as he was - the only thing the Executioner had gotten out of him than that one sentence was a few scattered "thank you"s - at least he wasn't about to ream the Executioner out for things that weren't quite proper.
He studied her. Her clothing was not old fashioned, not trendy. It spoke of someone who took care of accidental Fandiri turned over as babies and young children, one that was used to being spat upon in the brief time before she found homes for them. Wataru was probably the first child not handed over to her for the last few centuries, and that was only because the Executioner had used his pull. Needless to say, she was a one-woman social worker force when it came to the Fandiri, and she wasn't about to allow Wataru to escape without examination.
The Executioner had no doubt that if she'd gotten her hands on Wataru, he'd be even more withdrawn than he already was. She would have tried to force him to be Fandiri when he wasn't ready, and the Executioner would have had to undo that damage on top of getting Wataru to trust him and be his apprentice. He doubted she'd get a sentence out of Wataru, and the boy was speaking to him after a fashion. He counted that a victory.
"I saw Wataru," she said, speaking up. "Part of the condition of you getting custody of him was making sure he understood he was Fandiri. That boy is very much human. You haven't even fed him anything that would bring his patterning out."
"I rely on stealth, my lady," he said. "As my apprentice, he needs to as well. I'd rather he slowly realize what he is than get used to having them. Besides, if I force him to display his patterning, he won't trust me, and if he won't trust me, he won't see the point - and the pride - of being Fandiri." He wasn't about to mention the part about making sure Wataru stayed integrated with his cell. He was sure she wouldn't like it. "He's a hunter by nature. Give him time to understand that some of that - a lot of it - comes from his Fangaire heritage."
"You're sure you can convince the boy?" she asked, obviously doubtful.
"He's a hunter. I'm a hunter. We understand each other." He looked at her. "This is not a big change for him. The more comfortable he is, the faster he'll adjust being Fandiri. I realize this is not a traditional way of handling hidden Fandiri, but he is not traditional, and my job requires being unconventional. We fit together."
"Please tell me you're going to do *some* things traditionally, like retrieve his belongings from his family?"
"Of course," he said. "I'm sure that he'd like to have his clothes. And violin." He paused. "He is a violinist, after all."
She nodded. "I don't like it," she said, "But I grant that you need an apprentice, and it is something useful for him to keep his mind occupied. I'll be watching his adaptation, though. If you can't handle him, I'll make sure I find someone who can."
"Oh, I can handle him," the Executioner said. "He's not going to start killing Fangaire left and right. He's not stupid. He was brought up by smart people who just happen to want to kill rogues, that's all."
"I should let you know," she said, "That I couldn't stand to see him looking like a human. I fed him. He's got lovely markings, you know." She paused. "And to rebut your point about stealthiness - who expects a Fandiri to hunt?"
The Executioner thought about that, and conceded that she had a very good point. "I'll bring that up with him. That's something both he and I should be thinking about."
"I'm glad I could help." She paused. "Has he said a word since he got here?"
"Yes," the Executioner said. "Not much, a few words, but I think he'll open up." Especially after he brought Kurenai Otoya to come visit his son. "I think he'll adapt better than any other hunter-raised Fandiri you've seen."
"Given the failure rate with those Fandiri, I hope you're right," Hiraoka said. She sighed. "I want this to go right for once."
"So do I, my lady," the Executioner said. "I'll keep working with him. I think you'll be pleased by the results."
"I hope so," she said. "The rest of the council would like to see him too, eventually. And, even though his circumstances are special, so would Chooser. I trust you can convince him to wear his markings for them?"
"I can try," he said. "And if he trusts me, he'll do it. He is Fandiri. He just is working on realizing that."
She nodded. "Then that is all I can ask." She looked at him. "Just remember, Executioner: he is a child. If you can't protect him, I'll find someone who can."
"Understood." There wasn't much more to say after that. He knew she meant well, knew that more than anybody else the protection of the Fandiri was of the utmost importance. He was also sure that letting Wataru reassociate with his cell was not what she'd consider protecting him. But Wataru was his child now, and he'd protect the boy. Even from her.
* * *
Wataru tried to escape two days later.
Or more accurately, he did escape - using that little hidden passage leading just almost to the back door, slipping out in silence. He had probably been waiting to regain his strength and for some event like Hiraoka-san's visit to take his leave.
Any other new Fangaire foster parent would probably have been panicking. The Executioner gave him a one minute head start once he heard the distinct, though soft, closing of the back door.
His house was still more familiar to him than it was to Wataru; for the moment, he had the advantage. His estate had high walls, though again there was a hidden door there, too. He wondered if Wataru had mind enough to locate it, or if he'd try to scramble over the wall, or even try to push the gates open. He was small enough that he could probably slip through if he tried on the gates; the walls were rough cement, so he could try that too.
The Executioner wasn't too worried. He strode out the back door, looking and listening for a taletell scramble or push. He didn't hear either. The hidden door seemed still to be closed. He strode along the path, quietly, coming upon Wataru as Wataru was contemplating using a tree branch to help him over the fence. The Executioner made a note to have it trimmed.
"I don't think that's going to work, Wataru," he said, and the boy twirled around so suddenly he almost lost his footing. "It could, I suppose, but not today." He paused. "You'd need a stronger branch." He demonstrated by pulling on the branch, which obligingly snapped. "See? If you're going to use improvisation to get over a wall, make sure it works."
Wataru blinked at him, likely uncomprehending as to why he'd be giving tips on how to scale his own wall.
"It probably isn't the first wall you've scaled," Executioner said, "It definitely won't be your last." He paused. "Let's go back inside."
He took the boy by his shoulders and led him back inside. "As I said, Wataru, what I'm training you for isn't much different from what you were being trained for before. I don't have a problem with you trying to scale my walls, though there *are* easier ways to get out." He'd let Wataru chew on that one. "I'm not your enemy. I'm your foster parent. There's a difference."
Wataru shot him a look as if to say "Oh, really?" but still kept his mouth shut.
"I have a trip up to Tokyo tomorrow," he said. "If you leave, I'll hunt you down; it's part of the promise I made to the council. But I hope you stay; I think you might like to stick around to see what I bring back."
He hoped that Wataru knew enough about the Fangaire that he'd think that the Executioner was coming back with his belongings. He was hoping to bring more. Like, say, Kurenai Otoya. That was technically forbidden, but if it would get Wataru to open up, it was all well and good.
Besides, he was terrible with tradition, at least when it came to things other than killing people. He freely admitted that; the council still forgave him anyway. It was good to be the Executioner.
