TRIGGER: CH 3

 Chapter 3

He floated in and out of consciousness, thanks to his injuries and overall fatigue. There's probably not much damage but coupled with the distress over his current predicament, it certainly doesn't help much with relaxing.

In his hazy state, he vaguely registers rustling sounds, hushed voices and the pressure around his wrists disappearing.

It's gone as soon as it comes.

A blink and he's gone, the space in between the two of them suddenly feels too wide, leaving Ryuga in a strange sort of high. 

Pulse wild, breathing erratic, anticipating an attack that didn't come.


"Now that it's clear, let's go through the plan.

Considering what had gone down during the supposed operation that you did, it can be said that you have practically been abandoned, and I'm sure you feel the same. They would try very hard to convince everyone that you, their ace, had fallen in the line of duty. They'll spun grandiose tales of your noble act of sacrifice in order to let your team members escape. They would probably set a search-and-rescue just for a show,-"

The wild gestures stopped and he glanced around, "-couldn't imagine the delight they must have felt over this success."


By then, he had just barely managed to regain some control. It's terrible. His gut feeling was right, and there's nothing he can do about it.


"But then, I'd be of no more use to you. Unless if you're thinking of sending me to haunt them."

The other fully turned towards him, wearing an expression of mock thoughtfulness. 

"Mmm, not really. I'd still have some use for you. Considering that as a 'dead man', you're practically mine and it's entirely up to me to do as I feel like." 

"You're insane. How are you even a human?" 

The other only smiled at that question, somehow looking rueful and sinister at the same time. You know I am not one.

"However, having you pronounced dead would hurt the long term plan so, I'll release you, on one condition."

"And that is..?"

"You are to return to me after you have recovered. The place and time shall be informed later by my men. In the case where you fail to turn up, the exchange will be nullified and I'm sure you know what that means."

"Basically, you're telling me to sell my soul to you - out the tiger's jaw into the crocodile's. Either way I don't have a choice do I?" The last part came out as more of a statement rather than a question.

"It's good that you get it fast enough." The pleased smile and the light tone makes it seem as of he's addressing a learning child.


His current situation is not at all helpful. With his energy seeping away every second, arguing proves to be a difficult task, and fighting back is impossible, considering his physical restrictions. What's new? He had gone through enough shit in his life. This is just another one in the long list of things.

Then, his remaining energy just vanished, leaving bone-deep weariness. His body is already starting to shut down, pulse dropping and his vision blurring at the edges. 


All of this is just too much for his current mental state. He barely registers the other closing in the distance again. He can feel the other's fingers curling under his chin, tilting his head upwards. The gesture being impossibly gentle. "..You're hurt quite badly-" 

His head were slowly dropped, but those touch lingers. The other's hand slowly slides along his jaw line, fingers lightly pressing the base of his skull.


The examination is interrupted by the door opening.

"Mikage-sama, the preparation is done."

"Very well then-" The hand is pulled away, together with its warmth. "-I suppose it's a good bye for now."
His consciousness slips away along with those fleeting touches.



---



The next time he came around, he woke up to the soft beeping of the cardiac monitor, and the clean white sheets of the ward.