Constant [Get Backers, PG, Drama, Kadsuki/Jubei]

Title: Constant
Author: Gen X (joyeuxnoel)
Fandom: Get Backers
Type: Drama
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Get Backers was created by Yuya Aoki and Rando Ayamine. No copyright infringement is intended and no money is being made from this creative venture.
Summary: Kadsuki and Jubei together should always be a constant in each other's life.
Notes: Present scene is at the end of the anime, since I haven't read the manga. (78 mins, 1653 words)



As long as they're together, then she knows he will be all right.

The smoke is too thick, she can't even see him now. They were two figures racing into the distance, but now there is no sign of them. She can only hope. He made it out in time, now he just to keep running. Into the darkness, welcoming and silent, and far away from their enemies. They'll never find him there.

She coughs, and her own tears sting at her eyes. Her sleeve feels gritty against her face. It isn't helping much, she coughs as much as she breathes. The room is filling fast, she can't stay here long. The only problem is, there doesn't seem to be anywhere to go.

The flames continue to rage. The sounds don't even register anymore. The sickening, damning popping as the air ignites is lost. The crackling as it laps at the walls is nothing more than white noise. The acrid, charred smell doesn't matter, not when she can't breathe.

She braces herself, and stares at the doorway. Her vision is blurry and she draws her smoke stained sleeve across her eyes. The exit seems to move, illuminated by the damning glow. Perhaps it would be better to choke to death, inhale the smoke and let it lull her into a fast sleep. She looks out into the distance.

There is no sign of him.

She takes that as a good sign.

The heat is intolerable and its stifling sense competes with the smoke. The next room is equally ablaze. The once familiar space has become a maze that has no exit.

Or more appropriately: a tomb.

She shies away from the hallway, just past the doorframe. The only wall is made of fire. There's no way. Her heart is pounding and her lungs are burning. She closes her eyes, and hurtles down the small enclosed space.

She makes it halfway before she stumbles, and falls.

There is no one to hear her screams.

* * * * *

There is no one to hear her screams.

She didn't want to yell. It seemed... silly, juvenile. Besides, she should have known better. In Mugenjou, a plea for mercy would only bring out more predators. Yet, there were no stars to be found in the sky, only twisted broken metal, and fear is never rationale. The first cry was in surprise; the second was in pain. The third was of her making, a yelp from an attacker as she turned and fled.

Her feet pound against the ground. Shoes leave clear marks in the thin layer of dirt. It is an easy enough trail to follow. Even if it weren't, they could always follow her trail. Small bottles, supplies for the pharmacy, and a smattering of computer chips which have fallen from her grip in her haste. They were important enough for her to venture out for, but they are of no importance to them. Pills are ground into the dirt, and metal chips mangled beyond any possible use.

She pauses, looking about frantically at the end of the alleyway. There used to be an entrance, albeit a haphazard one. She would have had to climb over broken two-by-fours but there would have been more than enough room for her to get by. Instead, there is a broken metal grate. She tugs on it stubbornly, it rattles, giving away her location. It's far too heavy to move and not thin enough to break through. She tries to pretend she isn't scared.

She tries not to think how her heart is pounding, and how her eyes are closed.

She tries to pretend her shoulder isn't bleeding.

She tries to pretend she's somewhere else.

Her breathing sound so loud, that she almost doesn't notice the wind. Her hair whips up and about as it rushes down the alley. The dark purple strands pelt her face, and she shuts her eyes even tighter. The empty rush of wind is the noise she can hear.

She doesn't hear her pursuers slamming into the building's wall. The crack of concrete is loud, and their moans of pain are even louder. She can't hear the dull thud as needles fly into flesh at angles never intended, or the twang of a taunt string as it slices through veins.

"There's more coming. I'll hold them off, you get her." It's a familiar voice, seeming to float upon the wind as if it commanded them. Slowly, the thrum of air dies down, fading as he moves away.

"Where is she?" The voice is gruff but welcome. She opens her eyes slowly.

A blood soaked needle lays at her feet, and it's not an unwelcome sight. However, the drop of blood that hits the ground next to it is a different story. Another drop hits the sand, and another. Tentatively, she looks up, then quickly away. She closes her eyes again in horror. She swallows hard, tasting the bile in her mouth.

The needles can hold a lot of weight. If she had to guess, judging from the corpse, probably about 160 lbs, if not more. She needs to move, crouched underneath a body is not her desired place, but that would require opening her eyes.

A hand brushes her shoulder, and she jumps. Her eyes fly open, and it's a welcome sight. Too good to be true and her elation is obvious to see.

"Are you all right?" His voice is gentle; it always is, just as his smile is always comforting. His words almost have a lyrical quality, punctuated with the soothing tinkling of his bells.

"Toshiki's waiting," Jubei interrupts. Cold steel is nestled between his fingers, as his attention is split between two places.

"You saved me." Her voice is heady, and she looks at him as if he were an angel. The world always seems to spin when she's around him, but even more so now. Her voice is tiny, weak. "I dropped the supplies," she explains. "I didn't think anyone would be there..."

Before she realizes it, she's in his arms. She doesn't remember falling. How horribly melodramatic, if she had enough energy, she would be embarrassed. As it stands, she can't bring herself to stand. It's comforting to be held, she thinks. It's a nice sensation. She feels loved. She feels safe.

He's speaking now, but he's no longer looking at her. Sound fades away. Her words come out as a whisper. It takes too much effort to move her lips. Did her lips even more or was she just imagining that they had?

She raises a hand, or at least she thinks she does. Even if she can't say it, she knows he'll understand. That's how much faith she has in him.

Her eyes say the words she means, and she hopes he'll understand.

Kadsuki-san.

Don't leave me.

* * * * *

"Don't leave me."

Jubei's voice is firm. She watches, concerned, her fingers move absently on the keyboard. She's run diagnostics. The doorway is blocked, otherwise she would make a tactful exit. Instead, she ducks her head, and pretends as if she isn't listening.

"You left me once," he continues, accusingly. The tension is thick in the air, oppressive. The sound of the keyboard is the only thing to be heard in the background.

Kadsuki shakes his head.. "You knew why, and it hasn't changed. The information might not be accurate, but still, if there's a possibility for answers. My parents--"

"I was there." His hand whips through the air, cutting off words and demanding silence.

"Jubei. You understand." His words are beseeching, yet something stronger lingers just underneath. Just like before, his mind is already made up. He will leave. It is just a matter on which terms.

Jubei wants to be certain that those terms include him. "I understand you were going to leave. I'm not sure as to why you weren't going to say anything."

"You don't have to follow me," Kadsuki explains. It should be condescending and demanding but it's not. There isn't any indication that he means it as a slight. "You have responsibilities, you have your sister."

The typing continues more rapidly and she wishes she could disappear.

"You don't need to come with me."

"You don't need me," he states flatly, cutting through all the discussion.

"That's not what I said." He shakes head, and there's a tinge of somberness to his voice.

"And if I wanted to?"

"Then, as always, I would welcome you at my side."

Jubei nods, and turns away from him. He walks deliberately over to the computer. She looks up, as he stands by her side waiting. Belatedly, she stands, sensing this is a moment. He embraces her, so tightly she looses her breathe. "Sakura, be safe. I won't be here to watch over you."

"It's okay," she reassures, but her eyes are not on her brother. She nods in his direction. "You have a promise."

"We'll be back. Please tell Toshiki and Ren that as well." Kadsuki smiles, so earnestly she can't help but believe him. He pauses at the door. "Take care."

A soft jingle and he's gone into the night. Her brother turns looking back at her one more time. She smiles reassuringly.

"I have to," he reiterates. "I need to."

"I understand."

"I want to," he confesses.

"I know." She waves, a smile upon her face. Who is she to stop him?

There is just the hint of a smile from him, but it's so plain to see, and he heads proudly out the door to follow. At his side is the only place her brother belongs. It's the way it's always been. It's his purpose in life and Sakura understands that. Moreover, she'd never think of interfering. No matter what they'll face, no matter what will happen, none of it is of any consequence.

She does not worry.

As long as they're together, then she knows he will be all right.

~fin~