Felines Reunited.
Ibuki stared out over the river, watching the rain hit it. It was strange being back here. It was here he had his first kiss all those years ago. The place he had proposed to Gon. The place where they had their last argument, Gon had returned his ring and last seen each other.
Oh how he had regretted that night so much ever since.
How he wished they were meeting again in better circumstances.
He’d done his best to try and ensure the gumi left Cherryton Academy alone, but he had failed. Students had been kidnapped, would be eaten. Sony had replaced him as the Chief’s lieutenant. The Shishigumi’s reputation had descended to lower then it had ever been, their honour destroyed. They stood upon the brink of destruction. The divisions within the Shishigumi were more pronounced then ever.
Everything he had done had been for nought. And now Gon’s dream was likewise also being burnt.
Lighting a cigarette, Ibuki looked to his right as he heard footsteps and smelled a oh so familiar scent. Gon looked tired. A few more wrinkles but still handsome. The flicking of his tail, taught gait told Ibuki all he needed to know. As usual Gon was smartly dressed, though soaked.
Gon was furious. Enraged but as ever holding it back, controlling the fury. The slight frown and regret in the tiger’s eyes made Ibuki wince. He’d abandoned Gon to try and preserve the Shishigumi but not challenged the Chief as he dragged them down. He’d forsaken the man he loved and yet only taken half measures for the cause he had done so.
“You’ve gotten old. Why now Ibuki? Why my students?” Gon spoke harshly as he joined Ibuki under the bridge, leaning against the wall. Ibuki couldn’t help the slight thrill that went down his spine as feeling Gon standing beside him again.
“Believe me please, I had nothing to do with it. I’ve told Agata to try and get them out, Sabu is going willing to help. But Sony is now the lieutenant, he’s brought in friends and relatives of his. He went against my orders to leave your students and the Chief fucking rewarded him!” Ibuki’s frustration boiled over, actually saying about Sony’s ascension out loud brought up just how much he had failed, had lost to the fore.
Gon huffed sadly, holding a hand up for a cigarette. Ibuki stared at it, Gon had quit years ago, just before their argument.
“A student died recently. Was devoured on school grounds. Oguma and that coward of a mayor closed down the investigation, claiming it would be a good chance for Oguma’s son to prove himself as Beastar.” Gon said numbly as Ibuki placed a cigarette into his hand and lit it for him as the rain grew heavier.
Taking a long drag, Gon then blew out, watching the smoke waft up. “He was an Alpaca called Tem. Was a popular guy, liked carnivores. And his killer is still out there, still free just because that rich bastard wanted his son to have the glory of capturing him. Poor brat would have been a shit Beastar, just another Yafya. He had no interest in trying to even investigate Tem’s death, only used it to try and improve his image. Fucking kid tormented the carnivores on campus, abused those in the school’s drama club. There was actually a party in the carnivore kitchen when his was killed in that car crash you know? Someone even baked a lifesize cake with sparklers shoved up his ass.”
Ibuki knew Louis had bullied carnivores relentlessly in his old life, but to be hated that much?
Chuckling laconically, Gon continued. “And now with four more students gone, presumed dead? I’ll be lucky to still have a job by summer. Hell it’s the least I deserve, they were under my protection, I should have made sure there was some kind of security at the festival grounds with all the devouring at the moment. Good chance it will be a herbivore as my replacement, the school will be segregated most likely.” The tiger’s voice was dripping with self-recrimination.
Ibuki’s mouth dropped open slightly, cigarette falling to the ground as he turned to look at Gon. Gon’s dream was in ashes as much as his, his striped prince looked so defeated, so consumed by guilt and regret in that moment. “I’m sorry. I am so, so sorry. I should have stopped the Chief years ago. This.. this is all my fault.” Ibuki quietly said, wrapping his arms around Gon, hugging him tightly. He was slightly softer then the last time Ibuki had held him, there was still strength there but a softness that spoke of years behind the desk.
For several seconds Gon froze. Then tentatively, the tiger returned the hug, spitting out his cigarette. “It’s my fault, I should have increased security after it was clear the police were useless. I.. I need you to give me instructions on how to get to the Shishigumi mansion. Please Ibuki.. I need to try and save my students. They are just children, they don’t deserve to die to young. I.. I don’t want to fight you Ibuki but I need to try and do something.” Gon quietly said, and Ibuki swore he could hear a coin spinning in the air.
He couldn’t fight Gon. He would not be able to. He’d rather flee. But if Gon tried to rescue the students… The image of the Siberian tiger’s body hanging among the Chief’s trophies made Ibuki shudder. But Gon wouldn’t give up, he never did when he was set on something, and that regret in his voice… Ibuki had a horrible feeling Gon was determined to rescue the children or die trying.
But he wouldn’t die alone.
Ibuki had chosen the Shishigumi over his fiancé once before. And despite that what had he achieved? His days were numbered anyway with Sony’s triumph. Ibuki was going to die, that he knew. But if he could die alongside the man that even after all the years he still loved, die reclaiming some of the honour that had been blackened and fouled so, so much for a cowardly glutton of a Chief? Maybe even insure Gon survived?
Then by Rex and all the spirits, Ibuki would die in glory befitting a lion.
“Let me help you. Fight alongside you. Please Gon I can’t see you die and that will happen if you try and rescue them alone. You were right all those years ago. It’s a false pride the Shishigumi have cloaked ourselves in. Gon I can’t watch you die. I.. I should not have chosen the Shishigumi over you, I can’t do that again. Let me help you save your students Gon.” Ibuki spoke determinedly, Gon’s eyes going wide in amazement.
For the first time since before that horrible night, Ibuki heard Gon chuff, the deep sound as musical to him as ever. Placing his forehead to Ibuki’s Gon, replied. “Thank you Ibuki, thank you so much.” __ All comments welcome!