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estiriseThis is an AU that I've been playing around with. Since I've been word-warring for ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
getyourwordsout, I got a bit done on it today. Here's part one.
Title: To Dance the Dance
Author: EstiRose
Fandom: Kamen Rider Kiva (AU)
Rating: 8+
Summary: Mio knows that loving a human means death. But she does it anyway.
Word count: 3726 (this part)
Mio sometimes remembered that to love a human was to die by the Queen's hand. But she had also heard that the Queen fell in love with a human and was cursed to die by her subjects' hands. Maybe there was no Queen; maybe it was safe to love.
Because she loved Wataru-san. Who was human. And if there was no Queen, that meant that she could love him. She'd heard that love didn't discriminate between genders or races; it certainly didn't seem to discriminate between species.
She dreamed of the day that Wataru-san would ask her to marry him. The day that they could become one, the day that they could truly express their love.
But of course, she was Fangire. He was human. The fact that it shouldn't happen meant that of course it did happen.
So, with that in mind, she took a picnic basket out to the park. She and Wataru-san would have a picnic. If she died that day, if she died the next, then so be it.
"Thank you for inviting me, Mio-san," he said politely as she set the food out. Most Fangire, with some exceptions, ate human food; partly to blend in.
"Thank you for coming, Wataru-san," she replied. "I'm glad that you were able to come." She blushed a little at that. Wataru-san was a wonderful person and she didn't care that he was human.
Wataru-san smiled and started eating. She ate along with him, glad that she was able to make him happy.
They enjoyed a good meal until a woman appeared, hair back in a pony tail, but still more elegant than Mio could ever hope to be. "Your night has come," she intoned.
Mio froze. Queen! Queen had come to punish her. The woman held her hand out, and the crest formed. She shook her head, hoping against hope that she could at least get Wataru away from there so that he'd live instead of dying for her mistake.
But Wataru-san was standing up, crazily enough, trying to protect her. She sprung up, inserting herself between Wataru-san and the Queen. "Wataru-san, run!" she cried, hoping that he would get out of there and save himself.
But he didn't seem inclined to. "Only if you come with me," he said, which would have been romantic had this not been *Queen*, that he wasn't risking death by staying there.
If she ran, she'd die and he'd die with her. If she got him to run, then he'd be safe. "She's here for me."
She could see Wataru's expression harden as she looked back at him. "Leave this to me, Mio-san," he said, and Mio could only wonder what level of crazy Wataru was at, because she'd be running if she knew that she had a chance of getting away.
"N-no," she said. "Thank you for knowing me, Wataru-san," she said, closing her eyes. "Thank you for being there for me."
It was time for her to die, and she knew it, and therefore she had no strength to push Wataru-san away.
Suddenly, she could not feel Wataru-san behind her anymore, and then she realized that Wataru-san was *tackling* the Queen foolishly and bravely. It was like he'd gone mad, totally mad, that he wanted death himself.
And then Wataru had pulled the woman away. Mio grabbed her purse and ran; if she found Wataru, she'd get hm to safety; otherwise, she'd do what she could.
Shortly after, she found two figures fighting. A Fangire in a reddish shade, presumably the Queen from her looks, and a fighter in armor. Kiva? She'd heard that Kiva killed Fangire. There was another fighter, too. Maybe he was that one.
In any case, she was unable to move, only able to watch as the two combatants wrestled with one another, the Queen and the man in armor. She knew she should run away and find Wataru-san, but the fact that it was her life, her love that had brought the Queen here caused her to freeze in place. Maybe some part of her wanted to die. Maybe some part of her wanted to be blasted away for her sins.
But soon, the combatants were out of view again and she sagged to the ground. Would Wataru-san be okay? Should she go back and look for him where they'd been picnicking? She had no clue, she didn't know, and it scared her to go back and find out. For Wataru-san to be so brave, so brazen, to risk his life for hers touched her, but at the same time, it scared her that he was going to die for doing nothing more than being too brave.
Only after a while could she stand up and force her back to the picnic. Wataru-san staggered back after her, and she wondered how beaten up he'd gotten before the armored figure had gotten there. "Wataru-san, are you okay?"
She didn't really want to explain why the QUeen had gone after her, but it was better if Wataru-san knew why it had happened so that he knew to stay far, far away from her. She'd have to refuse his phone calls and him if he didn't understand why he should keep himself safe. "I'm okay," he said, sitting down beside her. "Are you?"
"I'm... okay," she said haltingly. "I'm sorry, Wataru-san."
"Why was she after you?" Wataru-san asked, moving closer to her. She wished he could comfort her, or vice-versa, but she also knew that the love between them was futile, that they'd never have any peace.
"BEcause I'm Fangire, and I love a human." She knew he'd ask what a Fangire was. Maybe it was a good thing. Maybe he'd refuse her once he knew, and that would save his life. He wouldn't get near her and therefore he wouldn't be a target.
"Why can't Fangire love humans?" he asked as he shyly took her hand. "Why did that woman come after you?"
"Queen punishes those who love humans," Mio said slowly. "That is her job. Fangire are hunters, humans are prey. So it's forbidden to love those who are prey."
"It's possible for Fangire not to feed," Wataru said gently. "I knew one that was like that... he was wonderful." There was a sad smile on his face, and Mio had to wonder what had happened. Had Wataru-san been in love before?
"You know what Fangire are," she said, wrapping her mind around that concept. "Wataru-san, did you love him? Did you have a boyfriend?" It made no sense to have a boyfriend, much less a human one, for a male Fangire.
"Oh, no, no!" Wataru said, blushing a little. "Oomura-san was a friend of my father's; I asked him to teach me violin-making."
"Oh," Mio said. "Is he okay?"
Wataru's smile vanished. "No, he was killed. By IXA."
Mio shivered. "The human-made system." She looked over at him. "How does Wataru-san know so much about Fangire? Or are you Fangire?" She thought not. Otherwise Queen wouldn't need to go after Mio for loving Wataru.
"No, I'm not," Wataru-san said. "I'm just... I've known about the Fangire for a long time." He looked over at her. "I never thought Mio-san was one."
Blushing, Mio said, "She'll be back. I'm going to be dead, soon, Wataru-san. It's best to save yourself. I don't want you to die with me."
"No," Wataru said. "I'll defend you, Mio-san, with my life." he looked at her intently. "Mio-san is precious to me."
"Wataru-san," Mio said, and then stopped. How was she going to get him to stop protecting her? It's not like she needed it, after all. "Please. Don't. I broke the law, and the punishment is death."
"I can't let Mio-san die for love," Wataru-san said. He held her hands. "I won't let you die, Mio-san. I won't!"
"Wataru-san," she said. There seemed to be no words beyond what she'd said before to make Wataru-san save himself. After all, Wataru-san needed to be safe, and then she could die with the knowledge that he'd find a human some day, somebody else, and be happy and have children and die. Not be like he was like this, dying for Mio, who didn't deserve it. "Please...."
He smiled at her. "I won't let you die."
She closed her eyes. How was she going to save him if he wouldn't let her?
* * *
The fact that Mio-san was a Fangire was a surprise to Wataru, but he knew that she was a good person. And if Oomura-san could be good, so could Mio-san. Protecting Mio-san had been important, even if he hadn't known about her then what he knew now. He would protect Mio-san forever and ever if she gave him the chance.
What bothered him was what she'd revealed. That Fangire were forbidden by law to love humans, the punishment being death. And yet, Mio-san had loved him anyway. That made him even more determined to save her. If he had to go out and find this Queen, kill her, he'd do it to keep Mio-san safe. If there was nobody to hurt Mio-san, then they could be happy together.
In order to keep Mio-san safe, he'd have to spend time with her and endanger her. Become her bodyguard, confront the Queen when she came calling, save Mio-san. He hoped that Mio-san wouldn't refuse him the chance to do that. He wanted Mio-san to be safe and happy and this would keep her safe and happy.
It wasn't like he had anything important to do anyway, or at least nothing that wouldn't hold. He'd completed all of his latest repairs, and he'd always eaten light. He had enough money to live on, thanks to his mother.
With that resolved, he dialed Mio-san. He'd outline the plan to her, and hopefully, she'd agree. He didn't want her hurt, and he doubted that she wanted to die. "Hello?" Mio-san asked, "Wataru-san?"
"Mio-san?" he replied. "I... could we talk? Over food, I mean. Here."
She ate food, he knew that. Maybe most Fangire did. In any case, he hoped to get her to agree to be watched over, protected, until Queen was dead. There had to be others who had evaded Queen, maybe he could convince her that way, and if worst came to worst, he'd tell her about Kiva, and hoped she wouldn't freak out. He doubted Kiva had a good reputation among Fangire.
"Y-yes," Mio-san said hesitantly, and he had to wonder why. Was she afraid of the Queen? That would make sense. "But not today, Wataru-san. I-I have to... to think."
Sighing in defeat, Wataru said, "My home is always open to you, Mio-san."
"I know, Wataru-san," Mio-san said, "But... you saw the Queen."
"And it's not going to stop me from loving you," he said firmly. "I promise you, Mio-san, I'll protect you."
"You can't, Wataru-san," she said. "Please. I know you mean well, but... I can't be responsible for your death!"
"You won't be, Mio-san," he said, trying to assure her of the fact that everything was okay now and she was safe.
"Wataru-san...." Her voice trailed off. "I... I'll come over to dinner. Sometime."
"My home is always open to you, Mio-san," he repeated. "Please come over soon, Mio-san."
"I... I...." And then the connection suddenly ended.
Knowing Mio-san would take a while to figure things out, he put his phone down, only to have it ring a minute later. Wataru looked at the display. Nago-san. Curious as to what the bounty hunter wanted, he answered the phone. "Hello?"
"Wataru-kun," Nago-san said abruptly. "I'm taking you to lunch."
"Um, okay," Wataru said, a little confused. Why would Nago-san be treating him to lunch? It had to be something important. "Where."
"Watermill Cafe," Nago-san said, giving a set of directions. "Meet me there."
Having no clue as to what Nago-san wanted, Wataru scratched his head and went to meet him. After Nago-san ordered food for both of them, he pointed out a figure sitting at a table near the water. "That man," Nago-san said, "Is a wanted robber. I want you to capture him."
"Me?" Wataru asked. "But, why?" Why would Nago-san want him to do that? Nago-san was much better at such things.
"It is a step towards retaining your purity," Nago-san said. "Go!"
"Um. Okay." He had no clue how to do that. Then he remembered how the police had treated a suspect, and so walked up to the man that Nago-san had pointed out. "Hello, Robber-san." He wished that Nago-san had given him a name. It sounded politer than a title in this case. "Could you please come with me?"
The man exploded up, knocking his table over into Wataru, and taking off. Wataru chased him in confusion. "Stop! Please, stop! Please?"
But the man didn't want to stop, though he did slow down. Wataru was in good shape, so he caught up with the Robber, but the man was a better fighter than he was without Kiva to back him up.
Wataru was being tossed around, losing a shoe in the sandpit in the fight, when another person stepped in. A man, in white, coming to join the fight. Wataru could only sit and stare as the man and the robber went at it.
But finally the Robber ran away. Wataru didn't think that Nago-san would be too pleased with him, but there wasn't much he could do. And then the man was retrieving his shoe and looking at him strangely. "Wataru-kun?" the man asked, searching his face. "Wataru-kun, is it really you?"
"Eh?" Wataru asked. How did this man know who he was? He didn't know too many people, after all.
"You don't remember." The man said, disappointed. He looked around wildly, finally casting his eyes upon the sandpit. Wataru watched as he piled sand up into a sandhill, and suddenly was reminded of his time with Taiga-kun, before Taiga-kun disappeared. He watched the man build it, spotting the glove.
"Taiga-kun!" He was rewarded with a smile on the man's part. "Taiga-kun, is it really you?"
"You haven't changed a bit, have you, Wataru-kun?" the man said, smiling. He had to be Taiga-kun, he had to be! How amazing it was to see his friend again, and in such a place. "Still having to protect you."
Wataru blushed. "I guess a bit," he admitted, and Taiga-kun's smile broadened.
"I want to catch up with everything!" Taiga-kun pronounced. "I've got so much to tell you... and I imagine it's the same with you." He kept smiling. "Give me your cellphone number, Wataru-kun, and I'll give you mine."
"Oh, okay," Wataru said, reaching for his cellphone as Taiga pulled out his.
Even the arrival of Nago-kun yelling at him couldn't dampen his joy.
* * *
Mio finally agreed to meet up with Wataru-san, if only to finally convince him that he needed to let go, to be safe, to not be with her. That was the only way she could imagine him managing to live now that the Queen had targeted her. It would be hard for her to be rude and tell him that she was breaking up with him as he served her food, but she wanted him to live.
So, she let him serve her lunch. "Wataru-san, I...."
"It's okay, Mio-san," Wataru-san said, smiling at her. "I know you want to keep me safe."
"That's why we can't be together, Wataru-san," Mio said, hanging her head. "If I don't see you, she can't kill you as well as me."
"No, Mio-san, she's not going to kill either of us," Wataru-san said firmly. He grasped her hand. "I won't let her."
"But you're human, and... she can kill you so easily." She shook her head, and tried to gather up her courage. "I can't see you. I can't risk you."
"Mio-san, I can defend myself," Wataru-san said gently, but firmly. "You don't have to be afraid for me." She looked up; he was smiling.
"How?" Mio asked. How could he? He was human. She could kill him in a heartbeat if she wanted to, the Queen could kill him in even less.
"Because I... I have Kiva." He looked down, as if ashamed. She didn't blame him; she was in shock too. The rumors were that Kiva was the King's armor, and yet Kiva was killing Fangires. Somehow, somebody was using it to kill her kind. And that someone was apparently Wataru.
"Wataru-san? Why?" Mio asked. She couldn't imagine Wataru-san killing anyone.
"I don't know," Wataru said. "I've been able to, ever since I could remember."
"Yes, but... why are you killing Fangires, Wataru-san? Or are you the one?" She didn't want to ask, and yet, if Wataru was killing them, she deserved to know.
"I... I'm compelled to, Mio-san." He looked at the table, as if it would absolve him of his guilt, and it was clear to her that he felt guilty.
"Compelled... oh, I'm so sorry!" Mio said. "B-but you've never attacked me."
"I only attack Fangire who are attacking humans, Mio-san," he said. "Usually, many of them." He was still studying the table as if it would give him answers. "I try to resist it sometimes, but it's hard." He looked up at her. "I'm sorry, Mio-san."
Mio shivered. Someday, Wataru might feel compelled to attack her just like he'd attacked the Queen. Her Boyfriend might have no choice but to kill her. "So, you'd kill me, if you had to."
"I know Mio-san wouldn't make the Bloody Rose sing," Wataru-san said. "I know Mio-san is a good person and only has to do what she has to do. Mio-san wouldn't stalk people to terrify them before killing them."
She blushed; she'd done that before. "I... I've done that too. Sometimes. But usually I'm too shy to do that to anyone."
"Mio-san is a good person," Wataru-san said, smiling. "I knew it." He took her hands. "I will protect Mio-san with my life if I have to."
"I... I don't want you to do that," she said. "Not to risk your life like this. Wataru-san is a good person, too, even with the compulsion."
He nodded. "Will you let me protect you, Mio-san? I don't want you to die because you loved me...."
"I can't ask you to do that for me," she said. "But I can't stop you either, Wataru-san. I just don't want you to die."
Wataru-san smiled. "I won't," he promised, clenching her hands.
* * *
With that settled, Wataru prepared to follow Mio-san around and protect her. But a call from Taiga-kun interrupted his preparations; Taiga-kun wanted to meet him for lunch. Wataru wished that Taiga-kun had chosen a better time, but he was still eager to see his old friend again.
So, he met Taiga-kun at Taiga-kun's amazing business. Taiga had told him it was a funding company. It looked so fantastically large and amazing that it took Wataru's breath away.
A man walked by him as an older man with a ponytail walked him in. Taiga-kun was waiting in the lobby. "It's amazing," was all that Wataru managed to say.
"Glad you like it," Taiga said, with some amusement. "I've worked hard to make it a good company."
"It's still amazing Taiga-kun is a company president," Wataru said enthusiastically. "Taiga-kun must be very proud."
"I am," Taiga-kun said, smiling. "But let's go to lunch. We'll be meeting my fiancee there."
"Fiancee?" Wataru asked. He stepped back. "I can't interrupt things!" Taiga-kun's fiancee had to be beautiful and so well mannered.
"Yes you can," Taiga-kun said, his smile becoming broader. "She'll be so keen to meet you, Wataru-kun. I've told her so much about you...."
"Um, okay," Wataru said. "What's her name?"
"Takada Miu," Taiga-kun said, ushering him out of the building. "The restaurant's nearby, within walking distance. Why don't you tell me how things are going in your life?"
"Um... well, I have a girlfriend too," Wataru said.
"You do?" Taiga-kun sounded delighted. "What's her name?"
"Suzuki Mio," Wataru told him. "She's really nice." He blushed. How simple that probably sounded to Taiga-kun! But he did like Mio-san. And he wasn't going to lie to Taiga-kun.
"Do you think you're going to marry her?" Taiga asked. "Or is it...."
"I hope to ask Mio-san someday, but...." He had to kill the Queen first and save Mio-san so that the two of them could live in peace.
Taiga grinned. "I'm sure you'll do fine." He patted Wataru in the back. "I have faith in you, Wataru-kun."
"Thank you," Wataru said, feeling uncertain. Of course, he'd have to make things safe, but he could do that.
They soon were led to a table in a private room, and Wataru had to wonder how rich his friend was. The woman at the table was wearing a hat, but her features looked familiar. "Miu, dear, let me have you meet my childhood friend Wataru-kun."
She stood up, and Wataru realized after a moment that she looked familiar, though he couldn't quite place her. She, on the other hand, stared at him as if he'd grown three heads. "He's Kiva!"
Taiga looked too stunned for words. Wataru himself stared at her dumbly before realizing Queens went with Kings and Taiga had to be King and all of his plans were shot because Taiga would be pissed if Wataru killed her and-
Wataru stumbled out of the room before anything else could happen.
getyourwordsout, I got a bit done on it today. Here's part one.Title: To Dance the Dance
Author: EstiRose
Fandom: Kamen Rider Kiva (AU)
Rating: 8+
Summary: Mio knows that loving a human means death. But she does it anyway.
Word count: 3726 (this part)
Mio sometimes remembered that to love a human was to die by the Queen's hand. But she had also heard that the Queen fell in love with a human and was cursed to die by her subjects' hands. Maybe there was no Queen; maybe it was safe to love.
Because she loved Wataru-san. Who was human. And if there was no Queen, that meant that she could love him. She'd heard that love didn't discriminate between genders or races; it certainly didn't seem to discriminate between species.
She dreamed of the day that Wataru-san would ask her to marry him. The day that they could become one, the day that they could truly express their love.
But of course, she was Fangire. He was human. The fact that it shouldn't happen meant that of course it did happen.
So, with that in mind, she took a picnic basket out to the park. She and Wataru-san would have a picnic. If she died that day, if she died the next, then so be it.
"Thank you for inviting me, Mio-san," he said politely as she set the food out. Most Fangire, with some exceptions, ate human food; partly to blend in.
"Thank you for coming, Wataru-san," she replied. "I'm glad that you were able to come." She blushed a little at that. Wataru-san was a wonderful person and she didn't care that he was human.
Wataru-san smiled and started eating. She ate along with him, glad that she was able to make him happy.
They enjoyed a good meal until a woman appeared, hair back in a pony tail, but still more elegant than Mio could ever hope to be. "Your night has come," she intoned.
Mio froze. Queen! Queen had come to punish her. The woman held her hand out, and the crest formed. She shook her head, hoping against hope that she could at least get Wataru away from there so that he'd live instead of dying for her mistake.
But Wataru-san was standing up, crazily enough, trying to protect her. She sprung up, inserting herself between Wataru-san and the Queen. "Wataru-san, run!" she cried, hoping that he would get out of there and save himself.
But he didn't seem inclined to. "Only if you come with me," he said, which would have been romantic had this not been *Queen*, that he wasn't risking death by staying there.
If she ran, she'd die and he'd die with her. If she got him to run, then he'd be safe. "She's here for me."
She could see Wataru's expression harden as she looked back at him. "Leave this to me, Mio-san," he said, and Mio could only wonder what level of crazy Wataru was at, because she'd be running if she knew that she had a chance of getting away.
"N-no," she said. "Thank you for knowing me, Wataru-san," she said, closing her eyes. "Thank you for being there for me."
It was time for her to die, and she knew it, and therefore she had no strength to push Wataru-san away.
Suddenly, she could not feel Wataru-san behind her anymore, and then she realized that Wataru-san was *tackling* the Queen foolishly and bravely. It was like he'd gone mad, totally mad, that he wanted death himself.
And then Wataru had pulled the woman away. Mio grabbed her purse and ran; if she found Wataru, she'd get hm to safety; otherwise, she'd do what she could.
Shortly after, she found two figures fighting. A Fangire in a reddish shade, presumably the Queen from her looks, and a fighter in armor. Kiva? She'd heard that Kiva killed Fangire. There was another fighter, too. Maybe he was that one.
In any case, she was unable to move, only able to watch as the two combatants wrestled with one another, the Queen and the man in armor. She knew she should run away and find Wataru-san, but the fact that it was her life, her love that had brought the Queen here caused her to freeze in place. Maybe some part of her wanted to die. Maybe some part of her wanted to be blasted away for her sins.
But soon, the combatants were out of view again and she sagged to the ground. Would Wataru-san be okay? Should she go back and look for him where they'd been picnicking? She had no clue, she didn't know, and it scared her to go back and find out. For Wataru-san to be so brave, so brazen, to risk his life for hers touched her, but at the same time, it scared her that he was going to die for doing nothing more than being too brave.
Only after a while could she stand up and force her back to the picnic. Wataru-san staggered back after her, and she wondered how beaten up he'd gotten before the armored figure had gotten there. "Wataru-san, are you okay?"
She didn't really want to explain why the QUeen had gone after her, but it was better if Wataru-san knew why it had happened so that he knew to stay far, far away from her. She'd have to refuse his phone calls and him if he didn't understand why he should keep himself safe. "I'm okay," he said, sitting down beside her. "Are you?"
"I'm... okay," she said haltingly. "I'm sorry, Wataru-san."
"Why was she after you?" Wataru-san asked, moving closer to her. She wished he could comfort her, or vice-versa, but she also knew that the love between them was futile, that they'd never have any peace.
"BEcause I'm Fangire, and I love a human." She knew he'd ask what a Fangire was. Maybe it was a good thing. Maybe he'd refuse her once he knew, and that would save his life. He wouldn't get near her and therefore he wouldn't be a target.
"Why can't Fangire love humans?" he asked as he shyly took her hand. "Why did that woman come after you?"
"Queen punishes those who love humans," Mio said slowly. "That is her job. Fangire are hunters, humans are prey. So it's forbidden to love those who are prey."
"It's possible for Fangire not to feed," Wataru said gently. "I knew one that was like that... he was wonderful." There was a sad smile on his face, and Mio had to wonder what had happened. Had Wataru-san been in love before?
"You know what Fangire are," she said, wrapping her mind around that concept. "Wataru-san, did you love him? Did you have a boyfriend?" It made no sense to have a boyfriend, much less a human one, for a male Fangire.
"Oh, no, no!" Wataru said, blushing a little. "Oomura-san was a friend of my father's; I asked him to teach me violin-making."
"Oh," Mio said. "Is he okay?"
Wataru's smile vanished. "No, he was killed. By IXA."
Mio shivered. "The human-made system." She looked over at him. "How does Wataru-san know so much about Fangire? Or are you Fangire?" She thought not. Otherwise Queen wouldn't need to go after Mio for loving Wataru.
"No, I'm not," Wataru-san said. "I'm just... I've known about the Fangire for a long time." He looked over at her. "I never thought Mio-san was one."
Blushing, Mio said, "She'll be back. I'm going to be dead, soon, Wataru-san. It's best to save yourself. I don't want you to die with me."
"No," Wataru said. "I'll defend you, Mio-san, with my life." he looked at her intently. "Mio-san is precious to me."
"Wataru-san," Mio said, and then stopped. How was she going to get him to stop protecting her? It's not like she needed it, after all. "Please. Don't. I broke the law, and the punishment is death."
"I can't let Mio-san die for love," Wataru-san said. He held her hands. "I won't let you die, Mio-san. I won't!"
"Wataru-san," she said. There seemed to be no words beyond what she'd said before to make Wataru-san save himself. After all, Wataru-san needed to be safe, and then she could die with the knowledge that he'd find a human some day, somebody else, and be happy and have children and die. Not be like he was like this, dying for Mio, who didn't deserve it. "Please...."
He smiled at her. "I won't let you die."
She closed her eyes. How was she going to save him if he wouldn't let her?
* * *
The fact that Mio-san was a Fangire was a surprise to Wataru, but he knew that she was a good person. And if Oomura-san could be good, so could Mio-san. Protecting Mio-san had been important, even if he hadn't known about her then what he knew now. He would protect Mio-san forever and ever if she gave him the chance.
What bothered him was what she'd revealed. That Fangire were forbidden by law to love humans, the punishment being death. And yet, Mio-san had loved him anyway. That made him even more determined to save her. If he had to go out and find this Queen, kill her, he'd do it to keep Mio-san safe. If there was nobody to hurt Mio-san, then they could be happy together.
In order to keep Mio-san safe, he'd have to spend time with her and endanger her. Become her bodyguard, confront the Queen when she came calling, save Mio-san. He hoped that Mio-san wouldn't refuse him the chance to do that. He wanted Mio-san to be safe and happy and this would keep her safe and happy.
It wasn't like he had anything important to do anyway, or at least nothing that wouldn't hold. He'd completed all of his latest repairs, and he'd always eaten light. He had enough money to live on, thanks to his mother.
With that resolved, he dialed Mio-san. He'd outline the plan to her, and hopefully, she'd agree. He didn't want her hurt, and he doubted that she wanted to die. "Hello?" Mio-san asked, "Wataru-san?"
"Mio-san?" he replied. "I... could we talk? Over food, I mean. Here."
She ate food, he knew that. Maybe most Fangire did. In any case, he hoped to get her to agree to be watched over, protected, until Queen was dead. There had to be others who had evaded Queen, maybe he could convince her that way, and if worst came to worst, he'd tell her about Kiva, and hoped she wouldn't freak out. He doubted Kiva had a good reputation among Fangire.
"Y-yes," Mio-san said hesitantly, and he had to wonder why. Was she afraid of the Queen? That would make sense. "But not today, Wataru-san. I-I have to... to think."
Sighing in defeat, Wataru said, "My home is always open to you, Mio-san."
"I know, Wataru-san," Mio-san said, "But... you saw the Queen."
"And it's not going to stop me from loving you," he said firmly. "I promise you, Mio-san, I'll protect you."
"You can't, Wataru-san," she said. "Please. I know you mean well, but... I can't be responsible for your death!"
"You won't be, Mio-san," he said, trying to assure her of the fact that everything was okay now and she was safe.
"Wataru-san...." Her voice trailed off. "I... I'll come over to dinner. Sometime."
"My home is always open to you, Mio-san," he repeated. "Please come over soon, Mio-san."
"I... I...." And then the connection suddenly ended.
Knowing Mio-san would take a while to figure things out, he put his phone down, only to have it ring a minute later. Wataru looked at the display. Nago-san. Curious as to what the bounty hunter wanted, he answered the phone. "Hello?"
"Wataru-kun," Nago-san said abruptly. "I'm taking you to lunch."
"Um, okay," Wataru said, a little confused. Why would Nago-san be treating him to lunch? It had to be something important. "Where."
"Watermill Cafe," Nago-san said, giving a set of directions. "Meet me there."
Having no clue as to what Nago-san wanted, Wataru scratched his head and went to meet him. After Nago-san ordered food for both of them, he pointed out a figure sitting at a table near the water. "That man," Nago-san said, "Is a wanted robber. I want you to capture him."
"Me?" Wataru asked. "But, why?" Why would Nago-san want him to do that? Nago-san was much better at such things.
"It is a step towards retaining your purity," Nago-san said. "Go!"
"Um. Okay." He had no clue how to do that. Then he remembered how the police had treated a suspect, and so walked up to the man that Nago-san had pointed out. "Hello, Robber-san." He wished that Nago-san had given him a name. It sounded politer than a title in this case. "Could you please come with me?"
The man exploded up, knocking his table over into Wataru, and taking off. Wataru chased him in confusion. "Stop! Please, stop! Please?"
But the man didn't want to stop, though he did slow down. Wataru was in good shape, so he caught up with the Robber, but the man was a better fighter than he was without Kiva to back him up.
Wataru was being tossed around, losing a shoe in the sandpit in the fight, when another person stepped in. A man, in white, coming to join the fight. Wataru could only sit and stare as the man and the robber went at it.
But finally the Robber ran away. Wataru didn't think that Nago-san would be too pleased with him, but there wasn't much he could do. And then the man was retrieving his shoe and looking at him strangely. "Wataru-kun?" the man asked, searching his face. "Wataru-kun, is it really you?"
"Eh?" Wataru asked. How did this man know who he was? He didn't know too many people, after all.
"You don't remember." The man said, disappointed. He looked around wildly, finally casting his eyes upon the sandpit. Wataru watched as he piled sand up into a sandhill, and suddenly was reminded of his time with Taiga-kun, before Taiga-kun disappeared. He watched the man build it, spotting the glove.
"Taiga-kun!" He was rewarded with a smile on the man's part. "Taiga-kun, is it really you?"
"You haven't changed a bit, have you, Wataru-kun?" the man said, smiling. He had to be Taiga-kun, he had to be! How amazing it was to see his friend again, and in such a place. "Still having to protect you."
Wataru blushed. "I guess a bit," he admitted, and Taiga-kun's smile broadened.
"I want to catch up with everything!" Taiga-kun pronounced. "I've got so much to tell you... and I imagine it's the same with you." He kept smiling. "Give me your cellphone number, Wataru-kun, and I'll give you mine."
"Oh, okay," Wataru said, reaching for his cellphone as Taiga pulled out his.
Even the arrival of Nago-kun yelling at him couldn't dampen his joy.
* * *
Mio finally agreed to meet up with Wataru-san, if only to finally convince him that he needed to let go, to be safe, to not be with her. That was the only way she could imagine him managing to live now that the Queen had targeted her. It would be hard for her to be rude and tell him that she was breaking up with him as he served her food, but she wanted him to live.
So, she let him serve her lunch. "Wataru-san, I...."
"It's okay, Mio-san," Wataru-san said, smiling at her. "I know you want to keep me safe."
"That's why we can't be together, Wataru-san," Mio said, hanging her head. "If I don't see you, she can't kill you as well as me."
"No, Mio-san, she's not going to kill either of us," Wataru-san said firmly. He grasped her hand. "I won't let her."
"But you're human, and... she can kill you so easily." She shook her head, and tried to gather up her courage. "I can't see you. I can't risk you."
"Mio-san, I can defend myself," Wataru-san said gently, but firmly. "You don't have to be afraid for me." She looked up; he was smiling.
"How?" Mio asked. How could he? He was human. She could kill him in a heartbeat if she wanted to, the Queen could kill him in even less.
"Because I... I have Kiva." He looked down, as if ashamed. She didn't blame him; she was in shock too. The rumors were that Kiva was the King's armor, and yet Kiva was killing Fangires. Somehow, somebody was using it to kill her kind. And that someone was apparently Wataru.
"Wataru-san? Why?" Mio asked. She couldn't imagine Wataru-san killing anyone.
"I don't know," Wataru said. "I've been able to, ever since I could remember."
"Yes, but... why are you killing Fangires, Wataru-san? Or are you the one?" She didn't want to ask, and yet, if Wataru was killing them, she deserved to know.
"I... I'm compelled to, Mio-san." He looked at the table, as if it would absolve him of his guilt, and it was clear to her that he felt guilty.
"Compelled... oh, I'm so sorry!" Mio said. "B-but you've never attacked me."
"I only attack Fangire who are attacking humans, Mio-san," he said. "Usually, many of them." He was still studying the table as if it would give him answers. "I try to resist it sometimes, but it's hard." He looked up at her. "I'm sorry, Mio-san."
Mio shivered. Someday, Wataru might feel compelled to attack her just like he'd attacked the Queen. Her Boyfriend might have no choice but to kill her. "So, you'd kill me, if you had to."
"I know Mio-san wouldn't make the Bloody Rose sing," Wataru-san said. "I know Mio-san is a good person and only has to do what she has to do. Mio-san wouldn't stalk people to terrify them before killing them."
She blushed; she'd done that before. "I... I've done that too. Sometimes. But usually I'm too shy to do that to anyone."
"Mio-san is a good person," Wataru-san said, smiling. "I knew it." He took her hands. "I will protect Mio-san with my life if I have to."
"I... I don't want you to do that," she said. "Not to risk your life like this. Wataru-san is a good person, too, even with the compulsion."
He nodded. "Will you let me protect you, Mio-san? I don't want you to die because you loved me...."
"I can't ask you to do that for me," she said. "But I can't stop you either, Wataru-san. I just don't want you to die."
Wataru-san smiled. "I won't," he promised, clenching her hands.
* * *
With that settled, Wataru prepared to follow Mio-san around and protect her. But a call from Taiga-kun interrupted his preparations; Taiga-kun wanted to meet him for lunch. Wataru wished that Taiga-kun had chosen a better time, but he was still eager to see his old friend again.
So, he met Taiga-kun at Taiga-kun's amazing business. Taiga had told him it was a funding company. It looked so fantastically large and amazing that it took Wataru's breath away.
A man walked by him as an older man with a ponytail walked him in. Taiga-kun was waiting in the lobby. "It's amazing," was all that Wataru managed to say.
"Glad you like it," Taiga said, with some amusement. "I've worked hard to make it a good company."
"It's still amazing Taiga-kun is a company president," Wataru said enthusiastically. "Taiga-kun must be very proud."
"I am," Taiga-kun said, smiling. "But let's go to lunch. We'll be meeting my fiancee there."
"Fiancee?" Wataru asked. He stepped back. "I can't interrupt things!" Taiga-kun's fiancee had to be beautiful and so well mannered.
"Yes you can," Taiga-kun said, his smile becoming broader. "She'll be so keen to meet you, Wataru-kun. I've told her so much about you...."
"Um, okay," Wataru said. "What's her name?"
"Takada Miu," Taiga-kun said, ushering him out of the building. "The restaurant's nearby, within walking distance. Why don't you tell me how things are going in your life?"
"Um... well, I have a girlfriend too," Wataru said.
"You do?" Taiga-kun sounded delighted. "What's her name?"
"Suzuki Mio," Wataru told him. "She's really nice." He blushed. How simple that probably sounded to Taiga-kun! But he did like Mio-san. And he wasn't going to lie to Taiga-kun.
"Do you think you're going to marry her?" Taiga asked. "Or is it...."
"I hope to ask Mio-san someday, but...." He had to kill the Queen first and save Mio-san so that the two of them could live in peace.
Taiga grinned. "I'm sure you'll do fine." He patted Wataru in the back. "I have faith in you, Wataru-kun."
"Thank you," Wataru said, feeling uncertain. Of course, he'd have to make things safe, but he could do that.
They soon were led to a table in a private room, and Wataru had to wonder how rich his friend was. The woman at the table was wearing a hat, but her features looked familiar. "Miu, dear, let me have you meet my childhood friend Wataru-kun."
She stood up, and Wataru realized after a moment that she looked familiar, though he couldn't quite place her. She, on the other hand, stared at him as if he'd grown three heads. "He's Kiva!"
Taiga looked too stunned for words. Wataru himself stared at her dumbly before realizing Queens went with Kings and Taiga had to be King and all of his plans were shot because Taiga would be pissed if Wataru killed her and-
Wataru stumbled out of the room before anything else could happen.
