Beginning of a Tragedy [Karakura-cho, backstory]

[Suigintou]

(OOC: This thread is for Kouyama Riku and Kouyama Haruka's backstory only. In case you can't tell from the dialogue, they've just seen a movie.)

"Did you see that!?"
"What!? You weren't even watching that part!"
"Yes I was!"
"While you were in the bathroom, that's a talent."
"I was not in the bathroom then!"
"Oi, Riku! Wasn't he!?"
"Don't ask me!"
"Ha! See!?"
"That doesn't prove anything!"
"Ahh, shut up already!"
"Yes, Riku-okaa-sama~~"
"What!?"
"Haa? Riku-chan can't take a little teasing~?"
"Baaaaaaaka da. Both of you."

Folding his arms, Riku pretended to ignore the pair behind him, feigning irritation until they reached the crosswalk where they parted ways. Turning around, he stuck his tongue out at them. "By the way, Takashi, you were in the bathroom. But as I remember, Kei wasn't watching either, because he was too busy getting more food so he could flirt with the girl at the snack counter."
"Wha? Aa, Kei, you liar!" Takashi shoved the dark-haired boy, who grinned in response.
"Okay, okay, you win, Riku~ I'm sorry~" Kei held up his hands in a gesture of surrender. "Ja naa, Riku, Haruka."
"Ja naa," Takashi echoed, apparently finding Kei a convenient armrest. Kei shoved his arm off in protest.
"Mm. Ja." Grinning, Riku turned to his brother as the two walked away. "I wanna try that new drink I told you about, mind stopping to get some before we go home? I'll buy you one."

[Bishiglomper]

Haruka watched the exchange of goodbyes, bringing up the rear of the group and waved to Kei and Takashi with a pleasant smile on his face. "Catch ya later, guys!"

He came to walk beside his bother, glancing at him at the side looking bored and bringing his arms behind his head in a stretch. "Ahh, but Riku-chaaaan, didn't you get enough to drink at the movies? Too much sugar isn't good for you, you know." Haruka rustled Riku's hair, knowing he despised it. He liked teasing his little brother; he was so cute all huffy-like.

[Suigintou]

Riku batted Haruka's hand away, frowning. "O~kaaaay, I guess Haruka-chan doesn't want his little brother's generosity~ and after I was sooooo nice, offering to buy you a drink....I suppose I'll just have to keep that game for myself, too....What a shame, really. But if that's what you want..." Oh, he knew Haruka loved to tease him and annoy him, but that was a game Riku was just as good at himself. "That is, unless Haruka-chan would reconsider..." At the name, Riku poked his brother hard in the place he knew the taller boy was ticklish, grinning to himself at the reaction. "Weeeell?"

[Bishiglomper]

Haruka squeaked, flinching, jumping out of the way before Riku decided to tickle him again, "Ah! Ooi, not fair Riku-chan! I take you all to the movies and this is how you treat me? You're so cruel, little brother."

Haruka knew when he was beat. What a way to bring out the artillery before the fun begins~! Riku was such a party pooper. Haruka really wanted that game; he'd been begging him for weeks!

"Aaaalright, alright~ We can stop at the store on the way home. But it's getting late, so we shouldn't take too long. I have cute girls I could be talking to by now~" Haruka sighed, but with a whimsical smile on his face. "Ah, the things I do for my little brother and his friends."

An evening at the movies with the guys instead of chatting with cute girls~ Haruka was a teenager, he should be out getting into trouble! -Or so his uncle would tell him. Haruka figured he had plenty of time to be a radical teenager. However Riku wouldn't be interested in hanging out with his big brother much longer; entering the radical teenage years himself. No, Haruka was alright with puting his social life on hold when his brother wanted to hang. What would another 20 minutes out of his day hurt?

[Suigintou]

Riku, grinning in satisfaction, looked around. Now that he had won, which store to go to? Hmm...that one! Without pausing to look at his brother, he started across the street. "How geeeeeeenerous of you. Anyway, hurry up! If you're so impatient to get to your girls, you should try to keep up with me." He abandoned Haruka to enter the store, but paused in the doorway. Where were the drinks? And maybe he'd pick up some snacks while he was here...

"Oi, Haruka! Help me find this stuff!" Riku dug through some boxes near the entrance, hunting a certain flavor of pocky. They had to have it, right? And he wanted to get some more of those spicy snacks Haruka had gotten recently. What were they called again? And did he even have enough money? Well, if not, he could borrow some from Haruka. What were big brothers for if not borrowing money, right?

[Bishiglomper]

Haruka blinked, starting after Riku. "Oi! I could keep up with you if you don't run off unexpectedly!" He had to stop suddenly at the curb, in an effort not to be hit by an oncoming car. Right. Should've checked that; duely noted, he thought.

"Riku!" Haruka spotted his brother rummaging through candy near the entrance. "Oi, I thought we were here for your drink?" He crouched down behind his brother unawares to stare at him. Had he been able to see Haruka, he would catch the mysterious smirk placed on his face. "I hope you brought enough cash, little brother~ 'cause I seem to have spent all mine buying a certain someone popcorn at the movies.."

[Suigintou]

"Uwaa! Haruka! Don't sneak up on me like that!" Riku turned to glare at his brother, frowning. "Fiiiiiine, but don't ask me when you run out of money and want something. Anyway, I decided to get more, so don't complain." He stood, looked around, and moved to the back of the store, looking among the shelves as he went. "Gonna get anything, or you just gonna stand there?"

[Bishiglomper]

He shrugged, "Eh, might as well pick up some snacks for the weekend. Oh, did I mention? Dad said something about taking mom out for their anniversary this weekend. I'll be in charge for two days. Be right back!"

Haruka waved, already walking down a few rows where his desired junk food was stocked next to his favorite soft drink, melon ramune! Grabbing one for his little brother also, he made his way back down the aisles browsing for anything else that looked interesting. "Ooh.."

Freeing a hand, Haruka picked up a random toy from one of the shelves. It looked like a plastic ice-cream cone with a white teflon ball on top. He grinned, having gotten an amusing idea.

"Riku-chan! Lookit this," He waited until his little brother turned around to push the button on the cone- which popped the teflon ball right off Riku's nose. It then dangled just below the cone by a string.

Ahaha~ Yes. Haruka was easily amused. Especially when it meant ticking off his favorite target.

[Suigintou]

"Riiiiiight, I'll make sure I listen to you aaaaall weekend, onii-samaaaaaa." Riku continued to look among the shelves, still trying to recall the name of the snack and not bothering to look at his brother.

Until he brought over the toy, that is - and he promptly got a faceful of ball. "Hey!" He glared at Haruka, getting up and grabbing it, then shoving it onto a shelf. "Aren't you too old for toys like that?"

A jingling at the entrance announced that someone else had walked into the store, but Riku ignored it, frowning as he walked past his brother. "I found what I wanted, you ready to go?"

He stopped suddenly as he neared the counter, nearly dropping the packages in his hand as it came into view around the shelves.

A pair of men stood at the counter, dressed in dark clothing, their faces hidden. And...

That...that was...

Riku tried to say something to Haruka, to tell him to stay back, but he had no voice. That was a gun. He was frozen, even as the man nearest to him turned and looked at him. The second man was shoving money rapidly into a bag, and the store clerk dropped to a crouching position behind the counter, trying to get out of their sight.

"Don't come any closer," the nearest man said in a low, gruff voice, tightening his grip on the gun.

[Bishiglomper]

Haruka pouted, "Well you're no fun." He followed his younger sibling toward the front, checking his arms to see if he had everything. "Mmm, I got us some ramune and a bag of those.. Riku?"

He stopped his fidgeting with his snacks when he nearly bumped into Riku who hadn't quite stopped at the counter. Almost immediately he caught the scene and froze on the spot. He first saw the man stuffing the cash, his eyes darting toward the other men. They all had guns. Haruka began to panic.

"Don't come any closer,"

Wide eyes were drawn to the man tightening his grip to his weapon. The man's words seemed to snap Haruka out of it to just enough to have the sense to see how Riku was doing. He as just as frozen as Haruka was. And still out in front of him. Terrified for his brother only slightly more than himself, he made a decision.

Haruka was close enough to a rack, and amazingly managed to slowly put his packages on the nearest shelf without shaking too hard. His eyes were on the man closest to them, the one who spoke; but his attention was taken temporarily to the masked man behind the counter. Haruka then grabbed Riku and pulled his dear little brother close to himself, hoping the move wouldn't cost them their lives.

"It's alright Riku," He didn't dare say above a whisper, "We'll be out of this soon."

[Suigintou]

Were he not so afraid, Riku would have jumped at Haruka's touch. He didn't turn to look at his brother, but somehow, having him there...

It made him feel more comfortable, even if just a little bit.

He didn't move, didn't speak, didn't dare breathe louder than necessary, becoming aware that his entire body was trembling. He wanted to run, but even if he hadn't been afraid of what the men would do if he did, he wouldn't have been able to.

He felt...completely helpless.

[Bishiglomper]

Haruka didn't dare relax even though he had his brother securely in his arms; that wouldn't stop any harm the burglers might decide to do. But he kept silent and still while the men did their deed and hoped they would leave soon.

Truth be told, he felt slightly more comfortable being in contact with Riku. More grounded, somehow. Haruka wasn't gonna lie, he was panicing but Riku needed someone not cowering in fear not unlike the cashier.

As soon as they were out of this, he would take his brother straight home and not leave for at least a month.

[Suigintou]

Riku tried to keep his attention on Haruka, but his fear was overwhelming. It made him numb, and he firmly gripped the packages in his hands, as though holding them would somehow give him reassurance if he clung tightly enough.

The gun-holding man barely glanced away from them and didn't turn his gun away, looking at his partner only long enough to make sure he was still putting money in the bag. "Hurry up," he snapped irritably, waving the gun.

The second man started to reply, but it was cut short by the sound of sirens in the distance. The other cursed softly, turning his eyes toward the window without taking his gun off the brothers. The sirens grew louder, gradually, clearly coming in the direction of the store - and the gunman turned, angered, toward the counter. "You! You called them, didn't you!?" he demanded of the terrified clerk, leaning over the counter and turning his gun on him. Several shots rang out, and Riku winced and turned his head, trying and failing to keep himself from jumping. But the attention of the gunman didn't return to them. He turned on his partner instead, snatching money and beginning to shove it in himself. "You idiot! You don't work fast enough! If we get caught, it's because of you!"

"Shut up," the one with the bag snapped, "this whole thing was your idea!" He snatched the bag away and turned for the door, ignoring that money spilled out onto the floor.

"Where do you think you're going!?"

"Out of here before we get caught! And don't think you're getting half after this!"

The gunman, enraged, grabbed hold of the other's sleeve and pulled him back. He stumbled, and his mask caught on a display rack hung over the counter, pulling off to reveal his face. Riku stared with wide eyes, not knowing what to do. He wanted to turn to Haruka, as though his brother would somehow have an answer, but he still couldn't move. The gunman cursed again, turning the gun on them. "You see what you've caused?" he hissed at his partner, and an audible click indicated that the weapon was ready to fire. "Now we're going to be in even more trouble." And without a bit of hesitation, he fired.

Riku felt himself fall against his brother, the packages slipping from his hands, glass shattering on the floor. He slipped further, but before he even reached the floor, he heard a second shot, one he knew was meant for his brother. A soft thud sounded as he hit tile, but through the pain and shock, his thoughts were focused in one place.

"Ha-Haruka..."

He couldn't see him. And though he wanted so strongly to, despite his attempts to fight it, his eyes closed.

[Bishiglomper]

"RI-" A second shot sounded and Haruka slumped to the floor, barely registering the pain in his chest as the shock overtook him. Mostly from seeing his baby brother murdered before his eyes, followed by the fatal hit that pierced his chest.

As he lay on the cold tile floor of the convenient store, his mind vaguely registered the soft whisper of his dying brother. It hurt to breathe. His body hurt so much he was almost numb to the pain. His head was spinning and his body felt cold, and damp. Perhaps from the lack of blood that was now spilt, steadily pooling beneath him. Those last few seconds felt like a millenium to him. 'Ri..ku...' How Haruka wished he could answer his brother..

It was all he could muster to just open his eyes, squinting through the blurriness to his sibling who lay just in front of him. He tried to reach out, one last time... but the world was falling out beneath him, getting darker and further away. That last thing he heard before succumbing to the darkness were shouts and sirens.


---------------------------------------------------------------------


Haruka awoke feeling lightheaded. He sat up, holding his head; his eyes still shut until the sensation passed. Squinting at the bright twilight sun over the horizon that infiltrated his eyelids, he stood up. He looked around. It... looked familiar. Karakura town? How'd he end up there..?

Absent-mindedly he made to scratch at his chest, feeling a tighness there. It was uncomfortable. Haruka stilled, however, when his hand hit something VERY unfamiliar. He tore his gaze from his surrounding to... a chain? It hung from his chest like some sort of morbid accessory.
'What the hell?' It felt heavy; must have been the cause of the discomfort he first felt.

He tugged at it, but it didn't budge. It was as if it were part of his body now. But nothing was making sense! What was going on? Where was he, how'd he get there?

Almost as instantaneous as the questions rushed to his mind, images followed just as quickly. The movie, their friends... something about a drink. The convience store? The robbers! ...RIKU![/b]

Locked in his confusion Haruka spun around, looking every which way before darting down an empty backstreet. He had to find Riku! Make sure he was alright... but was he alright? He remembered getting shot; did this mean he was dead?

He didn't think he felt dead, but then again.. what would that feel like? If he were a 'ghost' or something, where was his body? The biggest mystery was why in the world did he have this damn thing attached to his chest! And why was he suddenly in the streets of Karakura? He hoped he got answers soon, being in the dark did nothing to calm the fears rapidly piling in his chest.

Haruka continued running, not knowing what else to do, nor caring where he ended up. There was only one thing on his mind and he focused on it.

"Riku!"

[Suigintou]

Riku's fingers slid numbly across the cold metal at his chest, exploring the unfamiliar chain and tracing its length up and down, again and again. It was a reflexive action, with none of his focus on it, though focusing on anything was an ability that seemed to escape him at the moment. Things entered his thoughts and just as quickly slipped away before he could grasp them, no more than shadows of memory to his dulled mind. Haruka. The store. The gunshot. The pain, as real and vivid as the weight that had appeared in place of the hole in his chest that had caused it. Fear gripped him at the memory, sudden and wild, and he tightened his fingers around the chain, beginning to pull and pull with all the strength he could manage. It wouldn't budge, and he tried harder, the action growing from frantic to manic, until finally his fingers slipped and he stumbled forward from the force. His hand hit the dirt in front of him hard, and his wrist twisted painfully from the impact. The boy stared at it. It hurt. Somehow, he hadn't expected to feel pain, now that he had--

He froze as he finished the thought. He had died. It was something he had known from the moment he woke up, but thinking it, truly realizing it, hit him as a physical blow. He leaned back, resting his back against the wall behind him, and pulled his knees close. Where was Haruka? He looked up, noticing his surroundings for the first time, but found no answer in them. It seemed they had been separated. He had to find him - the realization and sudden purpose spurred him to stand, though the action was difficult; he hadn't realized how badly he was shaking. He took a step forward, using the wall to support him, but stumbled, then another, more confidently, and before he knew it, he was running. He didn't have a clear destination, but he had to move, as surely as he had to breathe.

By the time he heard the voice that called for him, he had no idea how long he had been running. He had long passed the point of exhaustion, but had kept going, terrified to stop. That voice, though...he knew it, even though it was faint, would've recognized it anywhere.

"Haruka!" His own voice broke from disuse, and Riku turned around, searching for the source of his brother's calls. "Haruka!" It was too dark now to see anything clearly; the streaks of orange in the sky indicated that the sun hadn't fully set yet, but the buildings surrounding the streets cast shadows that blocked the majority of the light. With no other option, he picked a direction and began to run again, looking right and left at every side alley he passed. He had to be close now, he had to find him...

And then the street he ran down opened on to a larger one, and Riku turned, squinting as a streetlight just above him turned on. Momentarily blinded, he paused, but then saw something less than a block away - a shadowed figure, difficult to make out while his eyes adjusted, but familiar nonetheless.

"Haruka!"

He ran toward his brother, his legs protesting the effort the entire way, and finally dropped to his knees in exhaustion as he reached him. With the single-minded task of find him complete, everything that had happened seemed to hit him at once, and before he could stop himself, he realized he was shaking again, and crying, and fighting to keep himself from being sick all at the same time.

Mingled with the mess of emotions, though, was a deep, overwhelming relief, and Riku's hand gripped Haruka's shirt so tightly he could feel his own nails against his palm through the fabric. He didn't remember reaching out, but was glad that he had. He needed the contact, slight as it may have been.

"We're--Haruka, we're..."

He couldn't finish the sentence, and he didn't have to. A fresh wave of tears constricted his throat, but he didn't fight them.

He had Haruka, and for now, nothing else mattered.