--Lone Wolf and Cub--

[threebetrayals]

[Maybe it was stupid to go "fuck it" and run away from his mother's house last month, but frankly Kunikaki cannot be bothered to think it was stupid. He is seventeen and absolutely fucking tired of his mother's bullshit and his sister's somehow worse bullshit. (He gets it, he understands that his mother never recovered from her sister's death, but he doesn't have to deal with it anymore.) So yeah, he ran away.

And now he's pretty sure some freak is following him as he winds his way through the city, trying to escape the fucker, but whatever. He'll make do.]

Comments

[book2thehead]

[When the trail stops so does Heizou, looking up toward the taller buildings with a look of surprise. Huh. That's interesting. What could possibly be around here that's worth stopping for?

He takes a little time to pinpoint exactly which building his target has ducked into, and then... finds a nice place to wait. He even grabs a quick snack at a nearby food cart to occupy himself in the meantime.]

[threebetrayals]

[An hour or two passes and the sun starts to set before Kuni decides it's probably safe to start making his way back down to street level. He needs to find somewhere to sleep tonight anyway. This balcony will be his last resort.

So he parkours down and starts heading towards where the rest of the runaway homeless kids tend to congregate. Just to see.]

[book2thehead]

[Heizou had very nearly forgotten all about his unusually scented friend. An hour or two on and he got absorbed into getting some reading done on his phone and checking emails. But as soon as the other hits street level, Heizou's head jerks up, catching the scent once again and falling into focus.

And so his trailing resumes once again. He keeps a further distance this time, but eventually... Heizou comes to recognize the area. It's a place he's frequented before, when he first arrived in the city. And almost immediately some puzzle pieces start to click into place. For now it's still just a theory, and he needs to verify it one way or another, but... He feels like he's on the right track.]

[threebetrayals]

[Kuni reaches the main area where they all sort of gather, but he stays on the fringes. There's others sitting around, talking and stuff, but Kuni just stays back, observing. Nothing seems interesting or at all relevant, he's not hearing any talk about a new place to stay or a home that won't be stupid about things. Does he want to stay on that balcony, though...]

[book2thehead]

[Yeah... Heizou knows this spot. It's much the same as he remembers it, even though he hasn't come back to this particular place in a while.

He pulls his hood up over his head, tucks his hands into his pockets, and surveys the group from his own safe spot on the outer fringes. Naturally his nose finds the person he's been following, and with his interest still as piqued as ever, he moves casually to a place nearby. And before there's a chance to get away:]

Haven't seen you around here before.

[threebetrayals]

Then you haven't been here in a while. Fuck off.

[Who is this weirdo?]

[book2thehead]

I make my rounds, that's all.

[Heizou finally turns to properly look at this guy. Dark violet hair, blue eyes, a piercing gaze... Hmm.]

Y'know... I do feel like I've seen you somewhere else, though.

[threebetrayals]

[He tenses slightly, but he scoffs.]

Not likely.

[book2thehead]

No?

[He tilts his head to one side with an easy smile, his own eyes bright with curiosity.]

It's not like it matters here, right? You don't plan on going back, after all.

[threebetrayals]

Fuck off.

[And he is making a beeline for anywhere not there. He can't go back to that part of town, clearly. Maybe he needs to find a new city entirely...]

[book2thehead]

[Whoops, right back to following!]

I'm only asking because I was hoping you could help me out with something~ I could give you a place to stay while you do!

[threebetrayals]

I'm not sleeping with you!

[book2thehead]

[He actually looks affronted at that, cheeks flushing pink.]

I.... That was never on the table, I promise.

[threebetrayals]

[.........

Kuni stops. He needs money.]

Thirty seconds.

[book2thehead]

[Heizou at least looks pleased that they've come to a stop, even though the blush on his face persists for a moment more.]

I've got some business that'll be taking me out of the city for a while. The people I work with will need someone to help them out for a few days while I'm gone... And it'd be nice if you could housesit my place as well. Just until I get back.

[threebetrayals]

And who do you work with...?

[Is it the mafia?]

[book2thehead]

[Pfft, you wish--]

It's a small private eye agency. That's why they're gonna need another set of hands while I'm gone.

[threebetrayals]

...fine. I guess. For now.

[It sounds pretty simple, or at least safer than the mafia.]

[book2thehead]

Really?

[He looks surprised by how easy that was, but also pretty pleased.]

Great! The name's Heizou, by the way. What should I call you?

[threebetrayals]

....Wanderer's fine.

[He is not giving his name.]

Or Wanda, there's some kids who can't say that so either one works. I guess.

[book2thehead]

[He can't help the amusement that spreads across his face.]

Wanda, huh? Sounds good to me~

Have you eaten yet, Wanda? We can grab something before I show you where I live if you want, Wanda.

[threebetrayals]

[A Look.]

I know you can say Wanderer. Use it, or I'll find somewhere else to sleep and your job can get fucked.

[book2thehead]

[He just laughs. So prickly!]

Alright, alright, I'll save it for an emergency.

[Heizou, what--]

C'mon, I'll get you something to eat on the way.

[threebetrayals]

What does--

[Okay, whatever. He'll start to follow.]

Why me?

[book2thehead]

[And Heizou will lead!]

Hmmm, just call it a hunch I've got about you.