Zero Heart: The Sequel

[hunting]

[Ace is probably experiencing a very violent and jarring drop that will deposit him (none too gently) right in the center of that familiar river of blood. Which means that, yep, that nagging sensation at the back of Ace's throat is back.

1]

Comments

[hunting]

[Zero is pressing more against the tree now, speaking rapidly, frantically.]

"... nobody's forcing my hand. This is... my decision. I can't keep binding myself to this... guilt, no matter how much I still care about you. I can't get better like that... I have to get better so I don't hurt the ones precious to me."

[deadofknight]

That's right.

[hunting]

[Ichiru is actually sounding angry now and look, even showing up not too far away from the tree, sword in hand.]

"Guilt's all we've ever had.

And if you think you're ready just because you have him now, you're wrong. There's still more for you to figure out."

[deadofknight]

Jeez, are you hard of hearing or something? It's not your turn to talk.

[hunting]

"Hn, you're right. No more talking."

[Attacking now!]

[deadofknight]

[blocking!]

Oh, looks like you are hard of hearing after all! Either that or just stupid, I guess. I don't know if I can repeat myself using smaller words!

[hunting]

"Ichiru, back off!"

[A thorny vine shoots up from the ground to wrap around Ichiru's ankle and toss him away from the fight.]

[deadofknight]

We were talking before you interrupted, you know.

[hunting]

[Zero is just working on pushing himself back into a regular stand at this point.]

[deadofknight]

[waiting! keeping an eye on Ichiru, though.]

[hunting]

"... What do you need from me, Ace?"

[deadofknight]

Hold him still so I can tie him up.

[hunting]

[Ichiru gets up and glares at Ace over the edge of his blade.]

"You really are vindictive, Ace. Brother's taste has worsened greatly."

[deadofknight]

Better get it all out of your system now, because you won't be speaking for a very long time after this.

[hunting]

"To you anyway."

[deadofknight]

We'll see about that, won't we?

Zero, I'm waiting~

[hunting]

[The ground beneath Ichiru suddenly pulses to life with a blazing purple symbol in the same shape as Zero's tattoo.

Ichiru's eyes darken and he looks straight at Ace before smiling, as he lets his sword fall to the ground.]

"Why would I resist the wishes of my brother's heart? Especially when he is so sure he is ready.

Hmm, I wonder how long this will last..."

[deadofknight]

[w h a t e v e r, pulling out his rope]

[hunting]

[True to his word, Ichiru's not resisting. Just keeping his gaze locked on Zero's. Zero, for his part, looks deeply pained, but the symbol underneath Ichiru never wavers.

Ichiru lowers his voice. This time the tone carries no emotion, just certainty, even in its question.]

"How much do you think you can truly change?"

[deadofknight]

[continues with the binding as if he hadn't heard anything...]

[hunting]

[His gaze remains with Zero, as if sharing a silent prophecy. But Ace will notice that the air around them has become considerably colder, almost to the point of freezing.]

[deadofknight]

[ggglancing at Zero briefly to see if this is his doing... temperatures don't affect him that much, but he does speed up the tying so the cold can't make his fingers clumsy.]

[hunting]

[Zero seems confused by the look. The fingers of one of his hands are also clearly digging into the part of his arm he's holding while he stands, especially under Ichiru's gaze.]

[deadofknight]

[to Zero]

Are you the one dropping the temperature?

[hunting]

[Ichiru interrupts:]

"He's not the only one with some control over this place. He just has more. Call it a... reflex."