Two Halves

Chapter Five: Let's Be Alone Together

Truth was Kuro didn't go to bed that night. As soon as the Dark Hour started, he found himself upstairs in the control room. Kuro was glad to find Ikutsuki wasn't here. Instead he saw Mitsuru, sitting on the comfy brown leather couch placed around a stylish coffee table. Then, again this entire room was actually decently stylish. It was also always immaculate, too. He supposed it was that Kirijo money that made this entire place sparkle. The very person who was responsible for their day to day operations was Mitsuru. Mitsuru, like always at this time, was meditating. Her eyes were closed, it might have seemed like she was taking a nap to anyone else. Kuro knew better. A familiar twinge went off in the back of his mind. It was that shared resonance fellow sensors had between them. As far as they knew, they were the only two people in the entire world with this type of ability. Their mere existences were priceless. Both of them knew this fact well. Maybe it was that fact that made them close. Both of them understood their importance. Their roles meant so much more than either of them. It meant the life of every person on this island. Being the only two with this ability meant they had to be the best. Mitsuru trained her talents every Dark Hour. It was one hour. A short sixty minutes within distorted time, and space every day at the stroke of midnight. It wasn't a lot to work with. Still, they could not be dissuaded, or think twice; all because it meant the lives of far too many more to be selfish.

Mitsuru's red eyes met Kuro's with a quick flicker of her fine crimson eye lashes. Kuro found himself smiling at her instantly. He always thought Mitsuru had pretty eyes. Looking in them always made his heart go aflutter with excitement. They were bright rubies that always held the light of calculating, calm intelligence. Even during her daily life, she held this serious gaze. Right now, her eyes held a flicker of happiness. It was a rare exception she made for her longest lasting friend, and comrade. A little smile graced her red, full lips. "Evening, Kuro." Mitsuru greeted him. Something about that singular greeting was graceful by the way it fell off of her lips. Knowing Mitsuru, it was only natural.

"Evening, Mitsuru." He returned it, giving her a polite nod. He made himself at home across from her on a foot rest that served as a seat. It was his seat for all intents, and purposes. Sitting like this made for easy communication. Eye contact made their conversations effortless. It was a thing only sensors really understood. It was part telepathy, part intuition based on years of service together. He didn't even need to ask… His eyes blazed molten gold. The rings in his eyes spun like pin wheels caught in a storm. Their minds touched. A feeling like lightning arced down his spine. Information streamed through his mind quickly. The city flashed bit by bit, block by black. Thousands of souls were felt all at once. A twisted golden tower extended onwards into the sky like a sinful lance cast down from a wrathful heaven by the fallen one. It struck one night… And never left their world. So many mysteries abounded about the place. They'd been fighting this war for years, but they still hadn't gotten any farther than first floor.

In a moment, the vision subsided. Kuro frowned slightly, processing everything he just saw. His eyes shifted back towards hard black. "Nothing new…" He let out a disappointed sigh. "Same as always…"

Mitsuru nodded slightly. "Yes." She acknowledged. Matter of fact was the nature of her tone. There was some jesting on her slightly curved lips, though. She tapped the new hard bound tome sitting next to her. "You know what they say, Kuro: "No news is good news." Be happy there isn't anything for now. I know I wouldn't mind a short respite for once. I could finally finish this book then."

Kuro rolled his eyes, shrugging carelessly. He didn't bother laughing. His gestures were those of a typical teenager. Right now, he spoke with a serious tone. He was no nonsense. This was Kuro on the job. Mitsuru's gaze grew equally as serious. "This mysterious "they" are probably Apathy Syndrome by now with that attitude. We have the people now, finally. We should undertake a more aggressive approach while we have this new member. I can feel it. She's the forward momentum we need in this fight."

A deep frown marred her beautiful features. Just the implication that Runako was the one troubled her. He could tell. Kuro knew of the difficult relationship between his seniors, and Runako Gekkou. He didn't know why they didn't like her. "What makes you so sure?" Mitsuru asked pointedly, eying him with obvious dubiousness. "Gekkou does have a certain history… It's why she's always been a solo agent until now."

"I believe what I'm saying." Kuro answered firmly. He didn't break his line of vision with Mitsuru. By this point, it was beginning to become a starring contest. A lot of people were scared of Mitsuru. There were times even a lion like Akihiko couldn't keep her stare. Kuro knew the truth was the only means of matching Mitsuru in a war of attrition like this. Not that it would be easy. "You have a certain history yourself. EXECUTION much, sis? C'mon, it can't be much worse than this."

Mitsuru glared at him for a moment. This was the warning signal that even made Akihiko shiver. Kuro merely smirked back at her, gesturing for her to continue. It was her turn to sigh. "Fine, Kuro…" She relented, coughing into her first before she continued. "Runako Gekkou is the chairman's daughter as you well know. However, she isn't the type to follow orders. Gekkou does what she wants. She charges recklessly head on into danger without any forethought. She has no respect for authority; except for the chairman. I've seen her first hand. This is the one thing I've ever disagreed with the Chairman on so fervently. I never wanted her on this strike force. However, the Chairman's decision trumps all short of my father."

Kuro found himself laughing. Mitsuru's face became puzzled. He cracked a fond smile, chuckling between his words. "So, Runako is like Akihiko, or Shinji. No wonder I get along with her."

"I saw…" Mitsuru said slowly, brushing the hair out in front of her eye. "I saw you two holding hands when the Dark Hour started."

Kuro's cheeks flushed deep red. He scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "You saw…" He stated softly. "I guess I should've known."

Mitsuru's gaze softened on him, shaking her head. "I'm not going to judge you, Kuro…" Her eyes locked with his in a moment of understanding. "Just don't let your judgment be clouded. I know you know better. I simply get concerned sometimes…"

Kuro reached over, put his hand on her's. He smiled gently. "Thanks, sis." He said gratefully, giving Mitsuru's hand an affectionate squeeze. "I'm glad I always have you to look after me."

Mitsuru blushed so brightly it matched her hair. It was quite a rare sight to see. Then again, only he saw her like this. Akihiko would dead if he ever saw this; most likely because he would tease her into an icy rage. Mitsuru merely squeezed back. She was very quiet for a few moments, as if she were taking in the feeling. "I'm glad to have you around as well." Mitsuru looked like she wanted to say more. Silence permeated for a few more moments. She squeezed his hand again. This time she did it much longer, and harder. It didn't hurt. It was rather pleasant. Her hands were always soft, and delicate. Mitsuru had a rather downcast look on her face; like she'd lost somehow.

Kuro raised a dark brow. "You alright, Mitsuru?" He asked quietly, tilting his head in a concerned way.

Mitsuru perked up, losing her the sad look in her single visible eye. "I'm fine, Kuro." She answered, waving him off airily. "Go get some sleep if you're not going on patrol. You look a little tired after having such a big day."

Now that Mitsuru said it… He felt a little out of it. He couldn't stifle his yawn. "Okay…" He stretched, getting up from his seat. His bones popped back into place audibly. His joints also loosened. "You're completely right as always, sis. I'm going to bed… 'Nite, Mitsuru."

"Good night, Kuro."

Mitsuru watched him leave. She closed her eyes. Darkness was consumed by a flash of images. She felt herself drift back into her nightly routine; searching everywhere for any signs of trouble, and spots of concern. Mitsuru quietly refined her abilities. All so she could protect those she did hold dear.

XXXXXX

The next morning, Kuro got up easily. He used to not be a morning person like Runako. Discipline taught him to fight his low blood pressure. Kuro did one hundred and two crunches… One hundred, and twenty two pushups. A lot of stretching exercises to loosen him up beforehand. It plain sucked to get cramps. He hit the weights, too. Practicing with the ninety pound weights Akihiko helped him pick out at the fitness store. Kuro wiped the sweat off of his face with his cotton soft towel after he finished up. A year ago, he would have been wiped out by now. He dripped with sweat. It glistened on his forehead as he looked himself in the long mirror set up. He flexed his arm, making his bicep show a decently proportioned muscle. Just by seeing him in his uniform, you wouldn't have been able to tell he was actually athletically proportioned. He didn't want to be ripped. He only wanted strong enough to improve his game against the Shadows. He lifted up his tank top, taking a look at his flat stomach. He was never fat, but he was always skinny. "A skinny, skinny runt." Like Shinjiro once deadpanned. He lost all of his little bits of baby fat that used to linger. He was starting to see the beginnings of abs form on his abdomen.

Kuro felt pride well up in his heart. It was these moments where he felt like all the hardship was worth it. He grinned at the image of himself in the mirror. "You should be proud." He told himself firmly. "You worked hard at this." He had to reinforce himself to keep himself going at it. He noticed his height… Kuro scowled tightly. "You're still short though, dummy. Work on that."

He suddenly realized he struck a nerve with himself. "Great…" He muttered angrily. "You're calling yourself short. Nice way to build yourself up, and knock it down."

Kuro marched over to the tiny fridge sitting by his door on top of his dresser. He grabbed a tiny milk carton, and guzzled it back. He slammed the fridge shut. He crushed the empty carton in with his bare hands. He tossed it over his head towards the waste bin. He didn't realize he missed totally. Kuro matched back to the mirror. He made sure to give it the business. Kuro felt the need to shake it. "YOU FEEL GOOD! YOU FEEL GREAT! YOU CAN BE THE TALLEST MOTHER IN SCHOOL! YOU CAN MURDER ALL THE SHADOWS! YOU CAN MAKE RUNAKO SWOON OVER YOU! YOU ARE THE MANEST MAN! DON'T CALL YOURSELF SHORT! YOU CAN DO THIS, DAMMIT!"

A knock sounded off by the door. Yukari Takeba's voice worriedly drifted from the other side of the wooden door. "Kuro-kun… Are you okay…?"

"Shit…" Kuro cursed under his breath. Sometimes he forgot he lived with other people. His face got one hundred percent hotter. "I-I'm fine, Yukari…" He stuttered. "Just fine. I'll be out in a few…" If he had less self-control, he might have head butted the mirror. That's how dumb he felt.

Kuro got dressed in his uniform. He meekly stepped out, gulping down some. Yukari stared back at him, small smile cracked. She'd gotten the dirt on him. He looked to Yukari pleadingly, "Please don't tell anyone… Especially Runako."

Yukari crooned. It was definitely the puppy dog eyes. He didn't exactly realize it. Kuro was actually did have the power to make women croon. Just in the opposite manner he desired. "Aww… It's okay, Kuro-kun…" She patted the slightly shorter boy on the head, ruffling his dark hair. It made Kuro's lips twist into a dissatisfied scowl. "I promise."

"Yukari…" He managed to bite out measuredly. He barely was containing his intense annoyance. "Please don't treat me like Ken. Please don't…"

Yukari immediately retracted her hand. Kuro fixed his hair messy hair. He wore a pout that might have given Runako competition. She restrained herself. Yukari had to seriously stop herself from treating him like a little boy. He was a year younger than her… He looked so much younger than he should be. She guessed it was his height. If he were taller, he might have been the object of many girls' desires. Sorta like that blue haired guy she saw on that street corner once. He was hot. If only that street traffic hadn't gotten in her way…

"Yukari!"

Kuro glared up at her, still wearing that pout. Yukari smiled at the boy, letting out a small apology. "I'm sorry, Kuro-kun. I know how sensitive you are about well…" She tried her best find the most politically correct way to say it without making him mad. "…your appearance. I also know how hard you work every morning on your training. Did you go on your morning jog with senpai yet?"

Yukari mentally patted herself on the head. A good way to change the subject was to mention his daily exercises. It predictably got him happy, and excited. "Nah." He managed a happy boyish grin. "I completely missed him. I texted Akihiko. He said he got up before five! And did ten laps around the school track! I wish I was that much of a beast!"

Kuro eyes shone brightly with admiration. He respected Akihiko a lot. Then again, so did half of the guys and girls in school. Kuro was hardly a fanboy… Thankfully. He was one of the few people who were on a first name basis without the honorifics with both Mitsuru, and Akihiko. How he managed that was a mystery for the ages. Maybe not totally. Yukari corrected herself. Kuro was actually popular in his own right at school. He wasn't Akihiko, or Mitsuru by any means. He was pretty easy to get along with. Barring his single tiny berserk button, he didn't get angry easily. Something about his pluck, and good natured attitude endeared him to others quickly. Yukari could admit she was not immune to it in a non-ironic way, surprisingly.

"Shouldn't we go get Runako?" she asked, interrupting his comprehensive description about his routine that Akihiko made up for him. He was trying to impress her. Yukari was impressed the first time… It started getting old after the tenth time. It was enough that there was one Akihiko… Two was actually a terrifying thought.

"You're right!" Kuro replied quickly, snapping his fingers. He made a thoughtful face. "Let's go before she makes us late. Maybe I should ask her if she wants to join me for my routine…"

They arrived at Runako's door. Kuro proceeded to knock on it. "Hey, Runa!" He called out loud enough to make sure she woke up. "It's time to wake up! School's in an hour! Get that pretty head of yours done up, or else we'll leave without you."

"Nooooo, Kuro-chaaan~!" Runako's pillow muffled whine came almost instantaneously. "I don't wanna get up! If want me you're gonna hafta make me!"

Kuro sighed, turning to Yukari. He rolled his dark eyes. "Just go on without me…" he said tiredly. "I can tell this is gonna take a little while."

Yukari deadpanned. "Yeah. That's what I was gonna do regardless. I definitely could have spoiled this part of the story…"

Kuro shot back flatly. "That's the type of spoiler I could have tolerated…"

"See you, Kuro…" Yukari patted him on the back comfortingly. She sympathized with him. It had to be a little tough being her boyfriend. "Good luck and Godspeed."

"Thanks, I'm gonna need it." Yukari left him by himself. To be more precise: it was him, Runako, and a locked door separating them. That actually didn't sound so bad. The general idea of having Runako to himself sounded like heaven. A perverted grin crossed his face... He looked around. Making sure no one saw that. He was sure he looked like a creep with that smile.

"Runako…" He said forcefully. It was more playful, but he tried his best to sound semi convincing. "You better be ready, young lady."

"Oh, I am…" Runako giggled. "It's you who should be ready for me!"

Kuro snorted. "Yeah, right. I'm more than ready. I did totally lift this morning!"

Runako tittered pleasantly. "I'm sure you did, hot stuff. I'm a lone, and vulnerable teenage girl! Whatever will I do?"

Kuro laughed at her dramatics. This was starting to get to fun. Being a little late might have been worth this dumb game. "Okay, drama queen. I'm coming in whether you like it, or not!"

Kuro was surprised. Her lock was already undone. It was slightly suspect. Kuro brushed it aside. This was a game. Not a Shadow hunt. Kuro stepped into the room. He got a nice look at the Runako's room. Her things were still packed up in their boxes. Kuro made a mental note to help her unpack later. Apart from the boxes… It was a little cluttered. Random stuff littered the floor. Kuro stepped on something soft, and silky… Runako's panties were lying on the ground. He blushed something fierce. This actually was the closest he'd ever been to a girl's panties… Well, besides that one time in the library. That was a story for another time.

Kuro tried his best to hold back his teenage hormones. He put those pink, frilly things out of his mind. "Alright, Runako… It's time to face the music." He said bravely, stalking over to her bed while avoiding any other cute ordinance. Beneath those crimson red dog pattered covers, he saw a lump that looked too much like a human being hiding. Just from the position, he could tell she was toasty and warm. Very comfy. Kuro wouldn't mind being in there with her… It was a temping… Too tempting. He shook himself, stopping himself from doing anything stupid.

He ripped off the covers. "One, and done like a band aid." Kuro blinked. "Huh…?" All that was there was a large person sized pillow. "Where'd she…" Suddenly, he felt a pair of lithe arms wrap around him. He almost jumped out of his uniform. "Aw…" He looked directly upward to see Runako smiling down on him. "Did I scare you, Kuro-chan?" She asked smugly, pressing herself against him further. "I guess the sensor isn't quite as good without his super powers."

"Y-y…" Before Kuro could even finish his sentence, he fell onto the bed with Runako. He could feel her warm breath on the back of his neck. She nuzzled his hair, giving him a good sniff. "You smell like sweat, Kuro…" She said softly into his ear. Kuro paled. He totally forgot to take a shower before getting dressed. "Don't worry, though. I like it. The sweat's a sign my boyfriend works out. I like the fact you're trying hard for me. Lemme reward you, Kuro-chan."

Kuro felt her lips against his ear. A small peck on his upper ear lobe. Then, there was a bit of teeth. Kuro shuddered. It felt so weird, and yet…awesome. Runako nibbled gently on his ear. Her tongue pushed against his ear. The wetness was familiar. Just like their kiss yesterday. Kuro blushed furiously. That wasn't the first time he'd ever kissed a girl. What was a first was this. Runako clearly liked taking the lead. Usually, it was the exact opposite. He didn't hate this, though. Not by any means.

Runako tittered in his ear. She hugged him tightly, two very soft somethings pressed onto his back. "You're tense, Kuro-chan." She teased him. "I can imagine you blushing. I wish I could see the look on your face myself."

Kuro weakly denied it. "Am not."

Runako chortled. "You're a bad liar."

"I am." He agreed without hesitation, smirking a little. He put his hand on Runako's. He gave it a gentle squeeze. "You caught me, Runa."

"I don't mind staying like this for a bit, do you?" She asked him quietly, burying her nose into his shoulder. He shook his head. "Nope…" Kuro answered slowly. "I'd rather be late than miss out on you, Runa."

"Aw…" Runako cooed. "You're so sweet. You'd risk getting scolded for me."

Kuro shrugged carelessly. "I've been through worse."

"I like that confidence…" She commented lightly. "Think you can say that to my face?"

Kuro turned in her arms, putting his around her lithe form in return. "I'm all yours, Runa. Not even wild Shadows, or scholastic obligations could drag me away."

Kuro did behold one of the more beautiful sights he'd ever seen in his life. He saw Runako with her long red hair down for the first time. Her hair was a little frazzled from sleep. That was okay to him. He thought it was sexy. The way the morning light struck her hair in such a way that made it seem like it was glowing; almost on fire with angelic furor. He touched her hair, running his gently through those silky soft strands. He savored the feeling of it. Next he touched her cheek; her skin was very soft too. It was white like alabaster. It turned a rewarding shade of pink. Runako blushed shyly, her shiny jewel like eyes were downcast away from him.

Kuro could simply say one thing. "You're beautiful, Runa."

"T-thank you," she stammered, red eyes still refused to meet his dark ones. "I've been called hot. This is a first, though."

Kuro shook his head, letting out a disdainful snort. "They're just idiots. They wouldn't know it even if it was an inch from their face."

Runako's lips were suddenly on his. They kissed for a long moment in each other's arms. They finally broke it off. They could have done more… This just seemed like it was enough. After a long time in peaceful silence, they fell asleep in this position. Moments like this were worth it. Even under pain of death of Mitsuru's executions.

XXXXX

Author's note: Been a long time, hasn't it? Well, I thought I'd put out this. Mostly just to let you all know this story is still alive. This was gonna be a lot longer, and action packed. Somehow, this felt right. I know this story has been slow. I admit I'm not great at jumping into it head on. With Runako, and Kuro getting together so suddenly I figured that fleshing this out bit by bit might be smarter. I dunno. Tell what you guys think. I can't promise anything, but I will be working on this story more. Two Halves is my priority over everything else. Everything else I'm working on… (Well, except getting a job.) is secondary. So, look forward to more.

Also, look at Missing Halves if you like this story. It's a little collection of one-shots I have. They're mostly discarded concepts that I threw out. In the most recent, installment… Kuro has a little intimate moment with Yukiko Amagi. I was pondering what Kuro's life might be like if he continued into Persona 4. Losing Runako left a huge empty spot in his heart. I guess you could say Inaba, and Yukiko help repair that hole. So, if you liked fluff like this. Please go, and read that.

Thanks for reading, guys. See ya next time.