synthneon | noein au because ya can't stop us || [song quote]

[ Her head tilts to the side. So, he's not familiar to Karasu? She's not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing. Maybe he's not known to the other dimensions. Maybe he's just hunting her...

"Until this happened"? Does he mean talking with her? Had he intended to simply grab her and return home with her, without realizing she was a Haruka? Maybe the fact she is one doesn't matter as much because his Haruka surely is back home waiting for him.

She smiles slightly then. ] I don't think they'd believe that. How could any version of you not find any version of me?

[ She pauses and blinks at his admission. It sets a bell off in her mind, and a strong pull comes from deep inside her. One hand lifts and hesitantly reaches out for him. She stops part way--hand in between them--realizing he may not wish to hold her hand. Still, the invitation remains there if he wishes to take it. ]

You have. [ She smiles gently once more, as if to properly say hello to him now...

Then, she feels an electric charge in the air again. Her eyes widen and her head snaps forward to the water of the pond. It ripples as another hooded figure comes upwards. Long blonde hair comes to a sharp point from the hood. Beaded eyes meet her gaze and Haruka immediately snaps her hand back and stands, stepping a few paces back. ]

Of course, YOU would find the Dragon Torque first. [ The figure stands on top the water and turns his attention to the other one. ] Karasu.

[ He may not know a lot about the mysterious masked figure, but if this person is bothering Haruka, then he just might make it his goal to find out more about him in order to get him to stop.

As far as meeting with her and talking with her like this, Karasu had no particular expectations about how the situation would unfold. Perhaps a part of him hoped for an easy apprehension of the sought-after Dragon Torque. But perhaps another part of him hoped for the chance to talk with her. And although he might pretend that he didn't want to do so because of the chance of a possibility that she shared more than just a name with his Haruka, he would be lying to himself if he continued holding to that pretense. ]

You're right. [ He shakes his head once as if silently laughing at himself, even if he shows no sign of really laughing. ] It doesn't make sense, I know.

[ He finds himself reaching out for her too, as if some force is guiding him to join hands with her. But before they can connect, he also feels the same electric charge that draws her attention, and he immediately tenses in grim anticipation. Of course it was foolish to think that they would remain uninterrupted and undetected.

And of course it would be Atori who found them. ]

Atori. [ If looks could kill, Atori wouldn't be still standing there. ]

[ Haruka glances between the two. So, this other man came with Karasu. He's not affiliated with the man in the mask. Which means this one is here to take her away to Karasu's home. That way they can use her to save their dimension. He isn't here to ask, she can tell by his demeanor, he's here to take.

Haruka takes a step back.

Atori sighs. ]

Always there to steal the glory. Though, if we've found the Dragon Torque... [ Suddenly, he is in front of Haruka. Looming over her. ] We don't need to observe it anymore.

[ Haruka tries to step back once more to put space between them. Atori is faster. His hands reach up and clamp onto her arms. Haruka screams in surprise and tries to wedge herself free.

Then, a crackling.

She stops as her eyes drop down to Atori's hands. They crackle with lightning. ]

Behave and we won't have an accident.

[ Karasu doesn't even hesitate, immediately moving to put himself between Atori and Haruka. But of course, Atori gets there first, putting his hands on her, and that is when something inside Karasu snaps. Electricity crackles, his eyes narrow, and tension takes hold of his frame. ]

I found the Dragon Torque. [ The glare on his face deepens as he stares Atori down. ] Let go of her.

[ If any sort of accident happens here, it will be because Atori got in the way. ]

Let go. [ He would rather not resort to using force, but he will if Atori does not back down. And then he moves closer to Haruka, sparing a glance behind him to see if she is all right. ]

[ Her gaze meets his, unsure if she is all right or not. The electricity, lightning, whichever, has yet to harm her. She's certain this Atori could if he felt pressed to. He could knock her unconscious and take her away and no one would be any wiser... ]

You found her and didn't tell anyone. Don't tell me you've gone soft. We will just bring her back. [ Then, his lips curl. ] I hate that look on your face.

[ Haruka yelps suddenly as her arms start to tingle. ]

Make me.

[ If he could materialize a place for her to hide, he would do it within seconds. But as it is, he can't do that, and there is nowhere for her to hide. Even standing behind him is not safe, not when someone like Atori is present. ]

I must protect Haruka. [ The words slide out before he can call them back, but that is his intention now, regardless of whatever one he came here with originally. ]

You want to take her? [ He scowls at Atori, the glare on his face deepening. ] You'll have to go through me.

Haruka? Tch. This is the Dragon Torque. She's not a real person. [ Atori's gaze narrows. Then, his lips curl. ] I won't let you take the glory this time!

[ Atori shoves Haruka down to ground. Hard. Then, he moves backwards in order to summon what seems to be rods from his back. A charged shot is blasted at Karasu.

Haruka pushes herself up, shaking from the sudden pain in her side. She watches as the two clash. Time seems to freeze then with no breeze, no animals, even the water does not ripple. Haruka can see the Dragon shape take form in the sky.

She opens her mouth to tell them to stop fighting. It's dangerous. It'll react and then...

Nothing.

Time returns to normal and in a blink of an eye Karasu and Atori are gone. Haruka pushes herself to stand with her eyes wide. She can't sense them anymore--they're not far away. They're just gone. As if they were never there.

Except they were. She knows it. Not by her location remaining in the spot she shared with Yuu, but by the sudden pain and numbness in her heart. He was gone again.

Yuu left her behind.

Haruka's eyes water before she slumps to the ground. A hand rests over her heart. That bond feels severed again. How... ]

noein au because ya can't stop us || [song quote]

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