[ Information is a valuable commodity, but obtaining something that one considers worthwhile is no easy task. When lacking in concrete evidence beyond a few photographs or the word of an enemy, that information is not worth the effort needed to obtain it. The outcome doesn't justify the risks taken unless one is willing to take that gamble.
...and he is.
It hadn't taken much, given that he'd used Haruki just as much as he used anyone else. He knew how close Haku was to breaking, how close he was to having that chance, that one chance -and there could be no others afterward, so it had to be perfect- to have his little brother back with him, how close he is now to skirting his own death at Haku's (or one of the others') hand. Everything has to be perfect or this would all be for naught. ]
What do I want?
[ Echoing the question right back at him, the extended hand retracts, reaching into his pocket to fish out the gun, his only weapon and only line of defense save for physical combat, pointing it at Haku. ]
What... do I want...?
[ A long, pregnant pause follows, and he cocks the gun, taking careful aim... and then tosses it toward Haku, out of his own reach. It's not loaded, the magazine empty, not even a round in the chamber. The only bullet it had contained was the one that had claimed Eiri's life, and now it's useless, so it's discarded.
What does he want? What he wants is right there in front of him.
Crouching down and balancing himself on the balls of his feet, arms resting on his knees as he leans forward, watching him intently, he makes the split second decision to offer Haku a chance he hadn't intended to give when he'd initially hatched this plan...while still pushing to see just how broken he really is. ]
Mitsuni Haku, what is it you want? To return to Sakura and be reassigned again, a jinx to anyone tied to you? To be set free from it all, and leave behind the guilt, the blame, the loneliness...? Or perhaps you'd rather have revenge, despite not knowing who's at fault? It's there if you want it, though. A life for a life, that's how it goes, right? Sacrifice one to avenge or protect the other? An enemy for an ally, the guilty for the innocent ...maybe an uncle for a brother?
[ Think about it. He'll wait. He's not going anywhere, after all... not without Haku. ]
Looks like someone hit growth spurts for both of them.
...and he is.
It hadn't taken much, given that he'd used Haruki just as much as he used anyone else. He knew how close Haku was to breaking, how close he was to having that chance, that one chance -and there could be no others afterward, so it had to be perfect- to have his little brother back with him, how close he is now to skirting his own death at Haku's (or one of the others') hand. Everything has to be perfect or this would all be for naught. ]
What do I want?
[ Echoing the question right back at him, the extended hand retracts, reaching into his pocket to fish out the gun, his only weapon and only line of defense save for physical combat, pointing it at Haku. ]
What... do I want...?
[ A long, pregnant pause follows, and he cocks the gun, taking careful aim... and then tosses it toward Haku, out of his own reach. It's not loaded, the magazine empty, not even a round in the chamber. The only bullet it had contained was the one that had claimed Eiri's life, and now it's useless, so it's discarded.
What does he want? What he wants is right there in front of him.
Crouching down and balancing himself on the balls of his feet, arms resting on his knees as he leans forward, watching him intently, he makes the split second decision to offer Haku a chance he hadn't intended to give when he'd initially hatched this plan...while still pushing to see just how broken he really is. ]
Mitsuni Haku, what is it you want? To return to Sakura and be reassigned again, a jinx to anyone tied to you? To be set free from it all, and leave behind the guilt, the blame, the loneliness...? Or perhaps you'd rather have revenge, despite not knowing who's at fault? It's there if you want it, though. A life for a life, that's how it goes, right? Sacrifice one to avenge or protect the other? An enemy for an ally, the guilty for the innocent ...maybe an uncle for a brother?
[ Think about it. He'll wait. He's not going anywhere, after all... not without Haku. ]