thirty six

keep the thorns

THE DAY OF THE ATTACK

All the full-time faction leaders had gathered in the auditorium the morning of the attack, psyching each other out and waiting for orders. Fujio, Yasushi, Kiyoshi and Tsuji were day drinking, crumpled beer bottles lying on the floor. Tsukasa was nursing a half-empty beer with a bemused expression on his face as he looked on at his comrades, before directing his attention to Sakura, who was sparring with Nakaoka as Fujio tried to correct their form and give them pointers.

Sakura looked lively as ever, a huge smile on her face as she blocked one of Nakaoka's punches. A couple of days ago, I had taught her some moves, and she seemed to catch on quickly, giggling as she fought the younger boy.

The entire spread just made what I was about to say so much harder.

"Hey, can I talk to you guys for a minute!" I called out, my voice echoing through the cavernous room and off the piles of discarded school furniture.

"Sure thing, Cap!" Fujio shouted, throwing his arm up in a mock salute

"What time do we roll out?" Kiyoshi asked, something like amusement on his face.

Yasushi bounced up and down on the balls of his feet, swinging his arms animatedly in a series of mock punches. "Yeah, when do I get to go out there and hand them a serving of whoop ass?"

I was surprised he could say that entire sentence with a straight face as the faction leaders burst out into laughter, save for Todoroki, who rarely even cracked a smile.

"Yeah, about that 'serving of whoop ass'.." I said hesitantly. "You're not coming."

Everything seemed to stop. Even the music Nakagoshi had playing got turned off.

"Not coming?" Shibaman narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean 'not coming'?"

"Exactly what I said."

"We've been training all week for this!" Nakagoshi shouted. "They almost killed Nakaoka! This is retribution!"

I cut him off "That's exactly why you're not going. There's simply no way I'm putting you in that much danger."

If looks could kill, the ones from the full-timers would have shot me dead. But I had to stand my ground. This was what was best for them, and I needed the kids to understand that. Noboyuki was one thing, but this was Doubt.

It wasn't even the same sport.

"They marched in here and hit us when we were down!" Fujio shouted "You expect us to just let them do that?"

"I've been up against these guys before, Hanoaka." Todoroki spoke for the first time. "You don't know what you're getting into. I do."

"Which is why Todoroki is coming with us. So is Tsuji. They're both adults, and they've both been in this fight before." I said sternly.

"What about me?!" Shibaman whined "I fought them last time too!"

I sighed heavily. "You're about to be a father, Shibaman. That changes things. It's not just about you anymore."

The young father-to-be cursed, kicking at an empty beer can. But I knew that he knew I was right.

And I don't think I had ever seen Jamuo look so relieved. The poor kid was probably still traumatized from Kidra.

"What about me?" Kiyoshi prodded. "I'm twenty-three, I see no reason why I shouldn't be included in the adults' fight."

"Because you act like a child." Nakaoka suggested.

"Shut up, Tiny."

"Croissant Head"

"Hey!" I shouted, trying to gain their short attention spans back. "Fine. Kiyoshi, you can come with us. But I want the rest of you to stay put. If anything happened to you guys, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself."

The four of us were about to head out when something Fujio said took me aback.

"So what was all that about showing them we belong in S.W.O.R.D?" The Hanoaka boy said gravely. "Was that just for show? Just so you'd have an army when you let your feelings for Murayama get in the way of your sanity?"

"Are you serious right now, Fujio?" I said slowly, turning around. "What is wrong with that tiny little brain of yours?" I laughed at how ridiculous it all sounded. "What I was trying to do was to get you all on the same side. To see that there's no goddamn point in fighting each other. To get you to work together like you did against Kidra. But it was all a waste, I see. You were back at each other's throats the next chance you got. I was eighteen when Surzuran and Housen went to war, and Genji had divided that damn school more than anyone thought possible. But you know what? When it really mattered, the rest of those damn kids were there. Because they had each other's backs. Me and the rest of the Sato Seven were there too, at the behest of Serizawa. Because they were all Crows, and they looked out for each other. But I don't see that loyalty here. Not anymore."

The kids stared at their feet. they knew I was right. I'd only ever seen them as a united force once, and it was likely all for different reasons. But that was no way to go about life. If I could teach these kids one thing, I had hoped it would be that blood is thicker than water, and that family isn't always the one you're born into.

I should have known they weren't going to listen.

___

The crisp breeze sliced through the air like a knife as I stood restlessly with the other part timers. Nakabayashi was downing from a flask like it was going out of style, the large transport lorry blocking off the entrance to the bordertown. Kiyoshi was drunkenly rambling with one of Hiroomi's friends in the Daruma- I think his name was Raita-, the five Babies in their white jackets looking increasingly nervous as time passed.

Nakauki was leaning against the black truck, puffing aimlessly on a cigarette. "Are you sure we've got enough people here?"

"We don't." I answered "We've just gotta grandstand until Housen comes through."

Odajima had gone back to the school hours ago to try and convince Sachio, but I had my doubts. Even though I believed in Odajima, I knew that Sachio's honor and Housen's reputation were also at stake. Nobody wanted a repeat of what happened with Narumi Taiga.

"Dude, if you keep chain smoking like that, your lungs are going to be too shot to even throw a punch." Nakazono remarked, staring at Nakakuki.

Nakakuki rolled his eyes. "Come on. I gave up alcohol, let me keep my damn cigarettes!"

Nakabayashi shrugged. "It'll kill you one day."

"You're one to talk, downing imported American whiskey like it's going out of style."

"This is how I pre-game!" The sunglass-clad med student threw up his flask. "Anybody want some?"

Nakazono's hand was the first one to fly up. "Give it here. The future in-laws are here, always bugging us with questions like 'when are you getting married', or 'when are you giving us grandbabies'. It's like, dear god woman, I'm only twenty-four! let me figure out my own life first."

Rolling my eyes, I turned away from the three Nakas, turning my attention back to the empty road ahead of us. I had a bad feeling in my gut, something not too different from unease.

Hiroomi had dragged Daichi into this mess, the poor boy literally shaking as Hiroomi patted him on the shoulder. Daichi had no muscle, and definitely no way to defend himself. Eventually I sent him inside with Noboru, but he wanted revenge as well. I just worried that we might have to throw him into the fire in order to get out of this.

"Where's Yuken?" Todoroki asked, raising an eyebrow. "I thought he'd put up more of a fight with the rest of the Four Kings."

"He'll be here!" I shouted, annoyance in my tone. "He has to be!"

"Take it easy, Dori-chan." Murayama said softly, interlocking his fingers with mine, the sun glinting off the rose gold ring. "We've got this."

"We don't." Futa, another one of Hiroomi's friends pointed out. "But it's nice to think that we do."

"Shut up, Futa!"

"Jeez, I was just trying to help!"

I was about to say something when I was distracted by the wailing of a horn coming from the direction of Oyakou, followed closely by high-pitched screaming, Doberman Infinity and out-of-key rapping.

I wasn't sure whether to laugh, scream or call them all idiots.

"What the hell." Furuya mumbled, getting up from his perch on the ground, beer bottle long forgotten

"Oh no, they fucking didn't." I shook my head in disbelief.

Hiroomi cocked an eyebrow "Who is that?"

I smiled. "Those are my kids."

Behind the wheel was an overly excited member of Todoroki's faction, who I doubted actually had a license. Hanging out the side of the trailer without a care in the world was none other than Fujio Hanoaka, screaming into the wind while waving an Oyakou flag.

"Did somebody call the cavalry!?" Yasushi shouted, sticking his head up over the cab.

"I should have known you idiots wouldn't listen!"

NOTES!!

guys it's happening-

only seven? six? chapters left ! ! !