It took three days of delirious dreams, drifting in and out of consciousness and a killer headache until his fever subsided and became tolerable. Within those three days he stayed in the cave, he and Mayhem moved a little deeper where the cold breeze could barely reach them.
Kurayami's eyes fluttered open, his vision still blurry and his mind hazy. He tried to sit up but his body felt heavy, as if his limbs were made of lead. Mayhem, who had been curled up beside him, perked up and mewed softly, as if asking how he was feeling.
"I've been better," Kurayami croaked, his throat dry and his voice hoarse from disuse. He reached for his backpack, rummaging through it until he found a water bottle. He took a long swig, the cool liquid soothing his parched throat.
As his senses slowly came back to him, Kurayami took stock of his situation. He was still weak and his body ached all over, but the worst of the fever seemed to have passed. He knew he couldn't stay in this cave forever, but he also knew he wasn't in any shape to make a run for it just yet.
"Looks like we're stuck here a little longer, Mayhem," he said, scratching the cat behind the ears. Mayhem purred, leaning into Kurayami's touch. In that moment, Kurayami was grateful for the companionship. He didn't know what challenges lay ahead, but at least he wasn't facing them alone.
"The moment I recover enough to walk, we leave this cave. More preferable, we leave Kyoto for good," Kurayami said, his voice still weak but filled with determination. "Hopefully it's been long enough for the search party to subside."
He reached for his backpack again and rummaged through it until he finally found what he was looking for. He spread the map between him and Mayhem, the paper crinkling beneath his fingers.
"So here's the plan," he said, tracing a route with his finger. "We take a bus to Nagoya and from there, an airplane to Fukuoka."
At that moment, Mayhem mewed as if expressing his doubts.
Kurayami sighed. "Yeah, I know. I technically can't enter the airplane without a parent, not to mention all the bandages on my face. I'll be way too suspicious. Which is why we won't be entering as passengers. We'll sneak in with the luggage."
Mayhem mewed once again, his tails swishing back and forth.
"We could do the same for the bus, but I would rather not," Kurayami continued. "I could use an adult as a scapegoat, like telling them they are my aunt or something, dropping me off so I can go back home. Anyway, we'll cross that bridge when we get there."
At that moment, his stomach grumbled loudly, echoing in the quiet of the cave. Kurayami sighed as he pulled the last granola bar from his backpack. With that last bar gone, he officially had run out of provisions. The only other thing remaining was half a bottle of water.
"Before we leave, we'll have to get more supplies," he said, more to himself than to Mayhem. The cat's food had also run out two days ago, which led to Mayhem hunting for rats and mice within the cave. The loyal feline never left Kurayami's side, as if he was guarding him as he recovered.
Kurayami leaned back against the cold cave wall, his mind spinning with plans and possibilities. He knew the journey ahead wouldn't be easy, but he was determined to see it through. In all honesty though, he didn't know what to do after he managed to escape from the Shie Hassaikai for good.
Within the Yakuza, he had a role. He might have hated it, but it was clear. He was a dog, he followed orders and he was on a leash. But now... now he was free, or at least as free as someone on the run could be. What was he supposed to do? He never went to school. True, his grandmother taught him a lot and educated him well, and the Yakuza didn't just train him to be a mindless dog, they did educate him. They made sure he was taught all the school subjects and then some more. But school was a foreign idea. Interacting with peers, acting as a part of society, being a normal kid... he had no idea how to do that.
The only actual memory he had from attending school, even if it was kindergarten, was the one when his quirk awakened. It wasn't a good memory. He was called names and was accused of taking away quirks. He even remembered his teacher back then telling him he had a 'cursed touch'. It was the reason why he was homeschooled afterwards, well that and... his mom's passing.
That day, her gentle touch and her melodic voice was what made him come out of hiding. He can't really remember her now. His uncle didn't even allow him to see pictures of her. He only remembers that she was safe and warm, he remembered that she had a gentle smile and a sweet melodic voice. Her eyes were kind and her hair smelled like cinnamon, spicy and sweet at the same time. Unfortunately, he couldn't put a face to the woman that gave him life.
His lone eye settled on his hand. He doesn't remember her quirk but he knows his was nothing like hers. He also knew he was the spitting image of his father, a man unknown to both of them.
"Thanks for the genes, dad," Kurayami muttered under his breath. "Really hit the jackpot with this quirk."
As he grew older, he understood his uncle's love for the nickname he gave him: Zaiaku, meaning sin. He was born from a one night stand, a meaningless interaction for two people, two strangers, that only wanted to have a fun night. That night gave him life, but it wasn't supposed to.
"Guess I should be grateful, huh? Wouldn't want to miss out on all this," he said, gesturing sarcastically to the damp, dark cave around him.
He fisted his hand, his knuckles turning white. He knew his quirk was rare and yet he couldn't do anything but hate it. Erasing other quirks with his touch was what made the Yakuza so interested in him. It had to have come from his father's side. Maybe he should look for him.
'Don't be ridiculous,' he thought, scoffing at his own idea. 'The only thing I know about the man is that we look alike. I'm not even sure our quirks are connected. And even if I managed to find him, then what? "Hey, you don't know me but I'm your son. I was raised in the Yakuza and killed a shit ton of people. Oh yeah, by the way, I'm nine years old. Nice to meet you, dad." Yeah, I can see how that goes.'
Kurayami shook his head, a humorless laugh escaping his lips. 'Face it, Kurayami. You're on your own. Always have been, always will be.'
He glanced over at Mayhem, the cat's eyes glinting in the dim light. 'Well, maybe not entirely on my own,' he amended silently. 'But still, a long way from a happy family reunion.'
With a sigh, Kurayami pushed himself up from the cave wall. Dwelling on the past wouldn't change it. All he could do was keep moving forward, one step at a time, even if he had no idea where those steps would lead him.
Using the wall to steady himself, Kurayami slowly made his way towards the river. The cool, damp air of the cave clung to his skin, making him shiver slightly. But the thought of fresh water, of washing away the grime and sweat of the past few days, propelled him forward.
As he walked, his mind drifted to his current situation. He needed to wash his face and change his bandages. The risk of infection was still high, and with the fever he had developed from straining his body, he wasn't sure he would be able to survive if an infection set in. The thought sent a chill down his spine that had nothing to do with the cave's cool temperature.
Kurayami might have hated his life, might have resented the hand fate had dealt him, but he still didn't want to die. He hadn't fallen that deep into despair, not yet. There was still a spark of something inside him, a stubborn will to survive that refused to be extinguished.
Reaching the river, Kurayami knelt down on the rocky shore. He cupped his hands, bringing the clear, cool water to his face. It was a shock to his system, but a welcome one. He could feel the water washing away not just the dirt and grime, but also some of the heaviness that had settled in his heart.
He knew he couldn't stay here forever. He needed to keep moving, to find a way out of this mess. But for now, for this moment, he allowed himself to simply breathe. To exist in the present, without the weight of the past or the fear of the future.
Beside him, Mayhem lapped at the water, his pink tongue darting in and out. The sight brought a small smile to Kurayami's face. At least he wasn't completely alone.
"We'll figure this out, Mayhem," he said softly, more to himself than to the cat. "Somehow, we'll figure this out."
With renewed determination, Kurayami set about changing his bandages. It was a painful process, but a necessary one. Each wince, each sharp intake of breath, was a reminder that he was still alive. Still fighting.
And he would keep fighting, keep moving forward, until he found a way to reclaim his life. Not the life the Yakuza had planned for him, but a life of his own choosing.
No matter how long it took, no matter what obstacles stood in his way, Kurayami would not stop until he was free. Truly, completely free.
⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽ ☆ ☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅
It took another two days before Kurayami could actually stand and walk around without stumbling everywhere. During those two days, he had started having doubts about whether Mayhem was an actual cat. The feline made sure to bring him food and water, teleporting back to the convenience store multiple times and bringing back enough provisions for a week.
Kurayami had two theories about Mayhem's true nature, each more far-fetched than the other.
The first was that Mayhem was actually a human with not one, but two quirks: transformation and teleportation. In Kurayami's mind, he pictured a suave, debonair spy, using his feline form to infiltrate enemy lairs and gather intelligence. The convenience store trips? Just a cover for his real mission - keeping tabs on the Shie Hassaikai's movements. It was a thrilling notion, the idea of having a secret agent as an ally.
The second theory was even more outlandish. Kurayami suspected that Mayhem might be a yokai, a supernatural entity from the old folklore his grandmother used to tell him. Specifically, he imagined Mayhem as a nekomata, an evil cat spirit. According to the tales, nekomata were once regular cats who grew too old and too large. They gained the ability to walk on their hind legs, speak human tongues, and even shape-shift into human form. Most nekomata turned on their owners, killing them as their first act of evil.
In this scenario, Kurayami pictured Mayhem as a centuries-old spirit, finally free from his former master. Now, the nekomata was seeking his second divine meal - and Kurayami was the unlucky chosen one. The food and water Mayhem brought? Merely a ploy to fatten him up, to make sure he was in good condition before the feast.
Kurayami shuddered at the thought, casting a wary glance at Mayhem. The cat stared back at him, his eyes glinting with what Kurayami could only describe as amusement. Could cats look amused? Kurayami wasn't sure, but he wouldn't put it past a nekomata.
Of course, both of these scenarios were highly unlikely. Kurayami knew that. But after days cooped up in the cave with only a feline companion, his imagination was running wild. He had to entertain himself somehow, and if that meant conjuring up secret agent cats and evil spirits, so be it.
Shaking his head, Kurayami chuckled softly. "I'm losing it, Mayhem," he said, reaching out to scratch the cat behind the ears. "Next thing you know, I'll be saying you're the reincarnation of the Sage of Six Paths."
Mayhem purred, leaning into Kurayami's touch. For a moment, the boy allowed himself to forget about the theories, about the Yakuza, about everything. For a moment, it was just him and his cat, finding comfort in each other's presence in the midst of a chaotic world, but alas it was time to move on.
"Okay Mayhem," Kurayami said, his voice echoing slightly in the cave. "It's early in the morning, meaning people will be leaving their houses for work. That gives us a chance to sneak into an apartment, wash ourselves-"
At this, Mayhem interjected rather loudly, his meow reverberating off the stone walls.
Kurayami sighed. "Okay, fine. Wash myself and grab a bite, maybe some provisions for the road as well."
With that said, he started gathering his things. He looked around the cave, making sure he hadn't forgotten anything, and collected all his garbage so he could throw it away. Before leaving the cave, he made sure to turn the phone back on. He had switched it off before collapsing on the first day in order to preserve its battery, but it was now at 38%. He would have to charge it soon.
Kurayami took one last glance around the cave that had been their sanctuary for the past few days. It wasn't much, but it had kept them safe and hidden. Now, it was time to move on.
"Ready, Mayhem?" he asked, shouldering his backpack.
The cat mewed in response, his two tails swishing in anticipation.
Kurayami nodded. "Alright then. Let's go."
With Mayhem by his side, Kurayami stepped out of the cave and into the early morning light. The city of Kyoto stretched out before them, bustling with life even at this early hour. Somewhere in that urban jungle was a way out, a path to a new life. They just had to find it. And hopefully they would be able to make it to Fukuoka.
⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽ ☆ ☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅
The shadows of the alleyway clung to Kurayami and Mayhem like a second skin as they watched the apartment complex from their hiding spot. The early morning breeze carried with it the scent of the nearby river, mingling with the aroma of freshly baked bread from a nearby bakery. Despite the enticing smells, Kurayami's stomach twisted with unease. The presence of Yakuza agents in the area, however few, was a stark reminder of the danger they were still in.
A family emerged from the complex - a man with his two children, a boy and a girl, followed by a woman hurrying to catch up. They piled into the car and drove off, the sound of the engine fading into the distance. As soon as they were out of sight, Kurayami and Mayhem made their move.
Kurayami took out his knife and twisted the lock effectively opening the door, within seconds, they were inside, the beeping of the alarm system filling the air. But Kurayami was ready. His fingers flew over the keypad, his brow furrowed in concentration, until the beeping stopped and the silence of the apartment enveloped them.
"And that's how it's done," Kurayami said, a cocky smirk playing on his youthful features. Mayhem, in response, rolled his eyes - a gesture so human-like that it could be haunted, but at that point Kurayami had long since stopped questioning his companion's quirks, a cat rolling it's eyes? sure, why not? -
"Oh, come on, you can at least act impressed," Kurayami huffed. But Mayhem simply stared at him, his gaze intense, before vanishing into thin air. Kurayami's jaw dropped, a flabbergasted expression replacing his earlier bravado. He didn't except from his trusty companion to straight up and vanish on him. "Stupid cat and your teleportation quirk, you think you're so cool," he muttered under his breath.
Shaking his head, Kurayami made his way to the son's bedroom, the boy looked around his age, maybe a year or two older than him. The room was a treasure of childlike wonder and comfort, a stark contrast to the grime and pain that had been Kurayami's constant companions. He selected a set of clothes, reveling in the softness of the fabric against his skin, before heading to the washing machine. He stripped off his own tattered garments, tossing them into the machine along with the rest of his clothes, and setting it to the fastest cycle. The hum of the machine filled the apartment, a soothing background noise to Kurayami's thoughts.
Afterwards, he moved to the bathroom to take a long-awaited bath. He stood in front of the mirror, slowly and methodically unwinding the bandages that covered his wounds. The bruises had mostly healed, the once vivid blues and purples now faded to a sickly yellow. The cuts were reduced to thin, pink lines, stark against his pale skin. But it was his eye that drew his gaze.
His former obsidian orb had turned to a milky white, a telltale sign of blindness. The cut ran from his temple to his cheek, cutting through his thin black eyebrow. It looked so much better than it did a week ago, but now, without the bandages which he had used as an excuse for the lack of vision from his left eye, the reality of his partial blindness hit him with full force.
Kurayami's hand trembled as he reached for the eyepatch he had found in the son's room. He secured it over his ruined eye, the black fabric a stark contrast against his pale skin. He looked like a child playing at being a pirate, but the gravity of his situation was far from a game.
He was still a kid, so walking around with an eyepatch wouldn't be too weird. People would either think he was playing around or that it had something to do with his quirk. Either way, it was a lot better than walking around with bandages.
But the eyepatch couldn't hide the truth from Kurayami himself. He stared at his reflection, at the boy he barely recognized. The boy who had seen too much, lost too much. The boy who now had to navigate the world with only half his sight.
He would have to adjust his fighting style to compensate for his lost vision. He would have to expand his senses, particularly his hearing. He couldn't afford to be taken by surprise from an attack on his blind side. He couldn't afford to be weak.
The fear of Simon-Sensei catching up to him again tried to claw its way up Kurayami's throat, but he forced it back down. If she found him now, with his eye as it was, he wouldn't last even five minutes against her. He wouldn't be able to run away again.
Kurayami took a shaky breath, forcing himself to look away from the mirror. He stepped into the bathtub, letting the warm water envelop him, soothing his aching body and troubled mind. He breathed in, then out, trying to calm his racing thoughts.
He could make it. He would get out of Kyoto and move to Fukuoka. There, he would have more freedom. There, he could decide what to do next. He just had to take it one step at a time, one day at a time.
A splash and a clatter yanked Kurayami from his thoughts. Mayhem had appeared on the edge of the tub, a brand-new toothbrush clenched between his teeth. The cat stared at him, his gaze almost expectant. Kurayami scowled at the cat, snatching the toothbrush from his mouth. "Are you saying my breath stinks?" he asked, indignant. Mayhem merely blinked at him, a picture of feline innocence.
For a moment, Kurayami let himself enjoy this small, normal interaction. Let himself pretend that he was just a regular kid, taking a bath and playing with his pet. Let himself forget, just for a moment, the weight of the world on his small shoulders.
But the moment couldn't last forever. Kurayami had a long road ahead of him, a road full of danger. But he also had a survivor's will. And he had Mayhem.
Together, they would find a way through this. Together, they would find a way to be free and maybe along the way, he would find a purpose, one of his own choosing.
⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽ ☆ ☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅
A few hours later, Kurayami found himself waiting for the bus, sitting next to an old couple and their teenage granddaughter who was heading to Nara. He hadn't planned on using them as part of his cover, but when the opportunity presented itself, he knew he had to take it. Blending in, being forgettable, that was key to his survival.
So he played the part of the outgoing kid, chatting with the couple about his 'grandmother' who was in the hospital recovering from a kidney stone removal. He wove the lie easily, adding details about how she couldn't escort him to the station because she was still recovering. The couple nodded sympathetically, completely taken in by his story.
To really sell the act, Kurayami even played a few rounds of UNO with them, forcing a smile and a laugh at all the right moments. It was exhausting, this pretense of normalcy, but it was necessary.
As they played, Kurayami's mind kept drifting to the black Adidas duffle bag at his feet. Inside were two more sets of clothes, stolen from the family apartment, giving him a total of six outfits including the one he was wearing - a blue and white checkered jacket over a black hoodie, black cargo pants, and a black Adidas beanie. And of course, his brand 'new' eyepatch.
In his backpack, he had provisions for both himself and Mayhem. Food, water, medical supplies - everything they would need for the journey ahead.
When the bus finally arrived, Kurayami made a show of hugging the old couple goodbye, as if they were his own grandparents. The action made his skin crawl, the wound of his real grandmother's loss still too raw, but he pushed through it. He had a role to play.
As he boarded the bus, Kurayami couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt for using the couple. They had been kind to him, and here he was, lying to them, using their kindness as a cover.
But he pushed the guilt aside. In the world he lived in, kindness was a luxury he couldn't afford. Survival had to come first.
"Going back home kid?" the ticket-checker asked him.
Kurayami smiled, a big toothy one that brandished his childishness, making sure the gap in his front teeth was visible. "Sure am, i had some fun hanging out with my grandparents and cousin, we even went to Toei Studio Park" he said with fake excitement. Meanwhile, Mayhem hid in the shadows out of sight.
"Sounds like you had a wonderful trip young man, have a safe trip"
"Thank you sir!!!" he said as he got up and bowed to the older man as he left to check other peoples tickets.
He found a seat near the back of the bus, Mayhem curled up in his duffle bag to avoid attention. As the bus pulled out of the station, Kurayami allowed himself a small sigh of relief.
One step closer to Fukuoka. One step closer to freedom.
But even as the city blurred past the windows, Kurayami knew he couldn't let his guard down. He was still in danger, still being hunted.
He pulled his beanie down over his eyes, feigning sleep. But his senses remained alert, ready for any sign of trouble.
This was his life now. Always on the move, always on the lookout. Trust no one, rely on no one but himself and Mayhem.
It was a lonely existence, but it was the only one he knew. And if it kept him alive, kept him out of the clutches of the Yakuza, then it was worth it.
As the bus rumbled on, carrying him towards an uncertain future, Kurayami held onto that thought like a lifeline. He would survive. He had to.
⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽ ☆ ☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅
Upon arriving in Nagoya, Kurayami immediately blended into the shadows, his instincts kicking into high gear. He knew he couldn't afford to be seen, couldn't risk any watchful eyes reporting back to the Yakuza. He had to be a ghost, invisible and untraceable.
With practiced ease, he navigated the winding streets, always keeping to the edges, the dark corners where eyes tended to slide past. His destination was clear in his mind: the airport. He had a plane to catch, a new city to disappear into.
But as he walked, he couldn't help but notice the kids around him, kids who were just coming back from school. They walked in groups, chatting and laughing with their friends, their voices light and carefree. Some were with their parents, holding hands or riding on shoulders, their faces alight with simple joy.
Kurayami felt a pang in his chest, a longing so acute it was almost physical. Was it so bad, to want what they had? To want to be like them?
He imagined himself in their place, a backpack full of books instead of stolen provisions, his biggest worry being a math test or a school project. He pictured himself walking home to a real home, to parents who loved him, who would ruffle his hair and ask about his day.
For a moment, he let himself get lost in the fantasy. Let himself pretend that this could be his life, that he could be just another ignorant child, blissfully unaware of the dark underbelly of the world.
But the fantasy couldn't last. The weight of the duffle bag on his shoulder, the press of the eyepatch against his face and the backpack on his back, they were constant reminders of his reality. He wasn't like those kids. He could never be like them.
Kurayami shook his head, forcing the thoughts away. He couldn't afford to dwell on impossible dreams. He had to focus on the here and now, on the plan.
He quickened his pace, weaving through the crowds with the agility of a street kid who knew how to make himself unseen. The airport loomed ahead, a bustling hive of activity.
Once inside, Kurayami found a quiet corner and sent Mayhem to work. The cat, with his uncanny intelligence and teleportation quirk, was the perfect scout. He could get into places Kurayami couldn't, could gather information without being noticed.
It didn't take long for Mayhem to return, a knowing look in his feline eyes. He led Kurayami to the luggage area for the flight to Fukuoka, then teleported their bags inside.
Now came the tricky part. Kurayami needed a distraction, something to draw the attention of the airport staff so he could sneak onto the plane unnoticed.
He gave Mayhem a nod, and the cat sprang into action. In a blink, he was on the other side of the luggage area, yowling loudly. Heads turned, people murmured in confusion. Was that a cat? How did it get in here?
As the commotion grew, Kurayami made his move. Silent as a shadow, he slipped into the luggage hold, finding a spot between two large suitcases. He arranged himself carefully, making sure he was completely hidden from view.
Moments later, Mayhem appeared beside him, looking far too pleased with himself. Kurayami couldn't help but grin. "Good job, buddy," he whispered, giving the cat a scratch behind the ears.
Together, they settled in for the flight, Kurayami's heart pounding with a mix of fear and exhilaration. This was it. They were really doing this. Leaving Nagoya, leaving the Yakuza's immediate reach.
It was a step into the unknown, a leap of faith. But it was also a chance, a fragile hope for a different future.
As the plane took off, Kurayami closed his eyes, letting the rumble of the engines wash over him. For now, he was safe. For now, he could breathe.
But he knew this was just the beginning. Fukuoka was waiting, and with it, a whole new set of challenges.
But he was ready. With Mayhem by his side, he could face anything. They were a team, a family of two against the world.
And they would keep fighting, keep surviving, until they found a way to live on their own terms.