[The culture and sports festival couldn't have gone any worse - well, that was a lie, but at this point it doesn't mean much. Gamagori was dead, Inumuta and Jakuzure were gone, Matoi hasdn't woken up since the aftermath...and nudist beach hadn't the resources to do anything all that helpful. While he can appreciate their determination, determination alone wasn't going to get them through this. They needed resources they didn't have, and here, as he attempts to lead hundreds of civilians to safety through their ruined surroundings, it's even more apparent just how much of a disadvantage they're at.
Despite that, he had to go out and do something. It'd been tough without the rest of his friends around - far quieter, lonelier, that much was certain - but the time for mourning was over. He had to carry on like they always had, even if they were down to two. Matoi really needed to get herself awake sometime soon.]
C'mon, this way! It's not too far from shelter!
[His voice is loud enough to lead people in the right direction, plus having his gang here to help keep the crowd under control was handy...but if they were attacked he'd be the only one able to really do anything, he knows that.
These days, it was harder and harder to be the optimistic one.]
[The crowds of Covers land with heavy impacts each, shaking the ground with every landing. As if they weren't already intimidating, there is another crowd of them still floating in the air, still attached to their mother thread and awaiting human batteries. They encompass the group of gang members, their numbers more massive and more powerful than any of the gangsters and wayward sons that are trying to escape.
But they aren't attacking right away. Not just yet.
Two Covers part, making way for a slightly smaller Cover suit, this one... different. A human wearing this suit now, with that familiar blue hair and familiar blue glasses. He's grinning, pushing his hair out of his eyes with a gloved hand.]
[Everything's already falling apart around them, and he knows he should be focusing on that instead, but he's overcome with a lot of feelings at once the minute he hears Inumuta's arrival...shock, grief, even a certain level of relief. It's a complicated feeling to describe, but it draws his attention away from his surroundings. The armed gang members standing around pull in a little closer, raising their makeshift weapons - anything they could arm themselves with on such short notice really, swords, chainsaws, tire irons - while Sanageyama stands at the helm, taking a step forwards from them.]
H...Houka!
[But although he's blind, he doesn't need to be able to see to know there's something wrong.]
[It's so weird, using that name, but this wasn't the time for formalities. Even the sounds of his subordinates being advanced upon doesn't distract him from the only thing on his mind right now.
He seems to almost ignore what he said to him, shaking his head.]
Please, come home with me. Lady Satsuki and I- we need you back. We miss you. And we've already lost Gamagori for good. We don't want to lose you too.
[Said with such sarcastic scorn. He's still smiling, but it's so so bitter.]
I've never had a home, Sanageyama. I've always been on my own, even at Honnouji. Living with you was only a temporary part of my life. I've heard this all before, you know. "We miss you, we love you, why don't you come back to us?" Spare me.
[A sigh, entirely for show.]
It's a shame we lost Gamagori, though. He would have been a good asset to have. Anyway.
[The Covers approach the gang members, going as far down as their connecting thread will allow, intending to consume the gang members while Inumuta speaks.]
I'm going to take this as as resistance. I was somewhat hoping you'd try to fight a little.
[Considering the members of his gang don't give a fuck about some well dressed nerd, they immediately start trying to fight back, wildly swinging their weapons in a useless attempt at driving back their attackers. Some of them even try calling out to Sanageyama, mostly for direction of some kind, but he's clearly just too focused on his old friend to notice.
Of course, it's not just about Inumuta. The idea of losing his family weighs heavily on him, and how easily he dismisses Gamagori's death like that hurts as well. The fact things can never go back to how they were no matter what he does. Even if he saves Inumuta, even if they save Jakuzure too and defeat Ragyo, things can never go back.]
Cut the crap already, there's no way it all meant nothing to you!
[Another step forward.]
Even with how things were, no matter how hard things ever seemed, we all took it on together! Supported each other! That's what a family does!
Our family, Houka! The six of us, all together! Not just me, not just Lady Satsuki, but Iori as well! He wants you back too! Don't throw it all away for nothing!
[Distracting Sanageyama is partially the plan here. Inumuta was always good for planning, and while he's talking to his green-haired "friend," the Covers easily devour a handful of gang members.
Inumuta takes a few steps away from his Cover bodyguards, knowing that by upsetting Sanageyama, he increases his chances of finally being able to take out the small rebel force. Sanageyama and his gang had been on the run for a while now, and that's when Ragyo decided that Inumuta would be best utilized as a final blow to their forces.
He's quiet though, eyes maybe a little less manic than they were before, after Sanageyama mentions family. He looks away, affected.]
...
Well.
[Aaaand then he's back to that creepy smile.]
It'd only be five now, wouldn't it?
You bring up a good point though. I'd forgotten about Iori. His Sewing Club is doing wonders for our cause, but I imagine the president of the Sewing Club would do us even better.
[Inumuta turns to a Covers suit, speaking to it.]
Go tell Jakuzure to make sure Iori lives during the final Nudist Beach raid. I'll be finished here shortly.
Dammit, dammit, dammit, he can't let this happen. In that tell tale flash of sparkles and light, his uniform generates the green star ahead of him; he runs through it, emerging on the other side clad in his transformed MK.III uniform, swinging his sword several times once he's closed in on Inumuta. He's as fast as ever, so it's difficult to even follow the brief period in between when he started attacking, and finished.
However, Inumuta's completely unharmed. It's the COVERS closest to him that are suddenly shredded to pieces, white fabric bursting outwards all around them and falling down to the floor, like snow.
He is, however, standing right up against Inumuta, looking down on him with his sword raised.]
Don't make me do this. If it means protecting what little I have left in this world, I'll strike even you down.
[Meanwhile, the screams of the remaining gang members ring out, and are silenced. Soon, it's a field of nothing but Covers, Sanageyama, and Inumuta. ]
I don't want to take you down, Uzu. I want the same things you do. I might be alone, but I know how much family means to you. We can be together, you just have to join us. Things won't be the same as they were, but they can be close. Isn't that what you want?
[He takes some of the hit, flipping backwards in typical Inumuta manner before most of the damage goes through, and lands on his feet.
Despite taking the hit, he acts as if nothing's happened.]
You know you don't really believe that. Telling yourself lies isn't going to help you, in the end. It's me, Uzu. And this is the happiest I've been in a long, long time.
[With that, Inumuta snaps his fingers and the Covers start enclosing on Sanageyama.]
Your uniforms been tearing for a while now. I can see the seams at their limits.
[As much as it irritates him, he knows Inumuta is right. His uniform had lasted quite a while without repairs, but it's reaching it's limit, and he knows it won't hold out much longer. The moment it comes apart, it's over. He wouldn't be able to fight any longer.
If that happens, then that's definitely when he'll...
No, no point in thinking about that right now. He can still "see" all around him, so he knows where all of the COVERS are. The only thing he can do is start cutting through each one as it comes closest, but at this point it's a battle of attrition, and he's at the disadvantage here.]
I didn't ask- [Cutting through another.] -for the running commentary!
[Instead, Inumuta just laughs as Sanageyama cuts through the Covers.]
You can't keep this up forever!
[And like it's timed, it's as if the Cover forces triple, some even bigger than the initial ones Sanageyama is fighting. They start to overwhelm him, working to start restraining his arms and legs.]
[Yeah, irritating as hell when you try to swing your weapon and feel your arms won't move. Even now he's struggling, pulling his arms as hard as he can to try and break free, but to no avail. He knows he isn't shredding these damn things if he can't use his weapon, which restraining him has stopped successfully.
Can't even move with his legs restrained too.]
Knock it off, you glorified dishrags! Let go of me!
[The Covers hold him tightly as Inumuta replies, hands in his pockets and approaching Sanageyama. It's only when he's close, just a few inches away, that he takes his hand out of his pocket and places it on Sanageyama's shoulder.
Houka strokes the fabric of Uzu's regalia, the life fibers in Inumuta's outfit convincing the life fibers in Sanageyama's regalia to deactivate and return to their untransformed form.]
[Once his uniform returns to normal, his expression makes it very apparent he's no idea what the hell is going on. He was really able to do something like this now, too?
His body is still tensing entirely, because he's still struggling - it's just even less effective now that he's powerless.]
I don't want this Inumuta, and I know whatever's left of you in there doesn't either! Don't do this!
[ A Cover, still attached to the Original Life Fiber from above, floats down behind Sanageyama. Most Cover suits simply devour the human involved, but under the right supervision, they can be influenced to all the human some higher mind functions. As a member of the Elite 4, Inumuta and Sanageyama both already has some immunity to Life Fibers. That works in their favor in situations like this.
The Cover begins to open up, preparing to consume Sanageyama.]
[Happier like this? Yeah, right. He knows whatever happiness he gets out of this is just going to be some kind of delusion. Keep him going with some degree of pacification, then point him in the direction Ragyo wants him to start swinging.
As the COVER closes over him, he starts thinking about it. Inumuta had mentioned they were going for the nudist beach headquarters next, right? That'd mean Satsuki, Iori, the nudist beach guys...Matoi too, if she's still unconscious. To think they'd bet so much on that girl and here she's more useless than she's ever been when they really need her. Maybe it's unreasonable, but as much as he knows the festival - and everything she learned from it - was probably tough on her, the stakes were really high right now, and their numbers were falling fast. She was their last hope and she couldn't do anything right now.
But then it clicks in his head he's just as useless now too, isn't he? He'd no right to judge her if he was going to just roll over and give up like this. He'd no right to talk about uselessness if he was going to be useless as well. No matter what, he couldn't give up, not until everything really was out of control.
As long as he had even some amount of consciousness, no matter how little it was, he still had a chance. He could still muster up some resistance and fight.
[So while it might seem like he's given up once it's completely enveloped him, the fabric at the front of the cover suddenly stretches outwards, like he's trying to punch through it, although it doesn't work.
But then it happens again, this time barely missing Inumuta's face.
And again.
But the fourth time, the hand that pushes out against the fabric is open, closing suddenly to grip it from within. His other hand does the same on the opposite side, and then it seems like he's starting to pull the cover from either side, making an attempt at ripping it open.
Surely he won't succeed without his uniform, right? There's no way a regular human could-
Except the front of cover where the buttons are closed starts to stretch, even if it's only by a little bit. Sanageyama's face is visible through the gap and damn, he looks pissed. After a few more seconds of pulling, as hopeless as it seems, he actually succeeds in ripping the cover in half and pulling it off of him, either side slumping to the ground and bits of shredded fabric falling with it.
His muscles ache from how hard he had to try to pull that off, but it doesn't really show. He still just looks pissed off.]
You think...Sanageyama Uzu is the kind of man who gives up so easily? I'll rip these all open one by one if I have to.
[Inumuta pulls back after the second time, watching with a mix of surprise, concern, and... excitement. He can't stop grinning, mostly out of madness, but some part of him is downright giddy at seeing this. Maybe it's the real Inumuta, happy to see Sanageyama fighting back and winning.
It's when Sanageyama pulls through on the fourth try, Inumuta's body language says scared, but his expression conflicts with fascination.]
Uzu...
[He sounds a little relieved, but none the less has to take action. The Covers back off, though.]
I should have known this wouldn't have worked on you. Your willpower...
I don't want to kill you. I already said that. Family, Uzu.
[He sounds so awful when he says this. But he's back to being super close again.]
My Covers don't fit you. That's true. But your Blade Regalia seems to suit you just fine...
[He holds out his hand, red fibers feeding out from a nearby Covers suit into his hand. It's not just a few strands though. The whole suit is coming apart, stitch by stitch.]
I said I'd repair your regalia for you. Allow me.
[And with that, Inumuta twirls a bit of fiber at the end of his finger, guiding the thread towards one of the rather large tears in Sanageyama's uniform. They weave their way in, first filling the obvious gaps in his outfit. And then... taking it a step further. They dig deeper than just fabric, moving into Sanageyama's skin and mind.]
[Well shit, this is far worse than what he was doing before. It takes all of his strength to maintain his composure because the sensation of life fibers forcing their way through you, physically and mentally, is incredibly painful.
Talking is just wasting energy, but...when has Sanageyama ever shut up?]
[Like he said he was going to. Houka's frowning as he does this though, the amusement gone like he's disappointed all of a sudden. Like he expected Sanageyama to be able to escape this too, some invincible hero that couldn't ever lose to the side of evil. The side he's on.]
This is going to hurt a little, but it will feel better later.
[No, even for him, this is difficult. Having them try to consume every part of his body at once makes it so hard to fight back, he's struggling to maintain consciousness. But if he slips out of consciousness, he knows it'll be easier for them to take over. Naturally, he's gonna fight until the end.
But even he knows when he's lost, so with the time he has left, he's gonna make the most of it.
When he speaks again, it's not that he sounds weak, just...distracted. As if most of his attention is on something else.]
I tried to make things easier. You were too strong for it.
[He knows what this feels like. Or, well. To some degree. What he's doing to Sanageyama is much, much worse than what happened to him. With this suit, he feels numb, but he's still in there to a degree. Can be spoken to, can understand. Maybe reasoned with. But with Sanageyama... it will hurt. The pain will never stop, really. But it's the only way they can keep Sanageyama on their side if he's too strong for the Covers.
[He stops suddenly, posture straightening - instantly, almost like a snapping motion - and he yells out in pain.
It's starting to hurt so much that he can't focus, but he's not finished talking, so he's damn well not going to stop.]
...I...I wanted you to see family could be relied on when you needed them. That your family could be...good, but...I guess in the end, I let you down. I'm no different fr-ugh.
Anyway, if- if you're in there, sorry...and when Lady Satsuki does save you, tell her...tell her I'm--
[He was gonna say sorry, but he seems to have finally passed out. Without him resisting anymore, the loose parts of his uniform start to cling to his skin and spread across it. Won't be long now like next comment i mean.]
[Inumua's eyes get a little blurry when he watches Sanageyama be tortured by the Life Fibers. He doesn't know why, he still has his glasses on and everything. He brings a palm up to wipe at his eye, trying to alleviate the issue, and his glove comes back a little wet. Disgusting.
On the inside, Houka's fighting as much as he can, but it's been too long since the Cover became his outer shell. His efforts go mostly ignored by his body, and what little of his mind he can tap into, only gives him useless changes like crying. He wants to touch- to comfort, to hug, something- but he's done so much damage with his own hands already, the best effort he can do to make the situation lessen is to pull his hands away as much as he can. The Cover doesn't seem to care at this point what Houka attempts to do against it, because the fibers have already started to weave their way into Sanageyama's mind. He's already passed out, but Inumuta keeps speaking to him.]
I-It's okay, Sanageyama... We're still going to be family. Don't you see? You're going to be so strong like this. It's what you've always wanted. I wanted you to be h... happy. I'm sorry. I couldn't let you kill yourself like Gamagori. But you're not going to leave, like this.
[If it sounds like the mumblings of a madman, that's probably because it is. He's mostly just talking to himself at this point. ]
[Once the material has completely covered his body, it seems to cling even tighter and lose any of it's distinguishing features, forming over every part of his body that's exposed until there's nothing to be seen of the man beneath it, apart from his hair. His body jostles all of a sudden, panicked, and it sounds like he's struggling to breathe through the fabric covering his mouth, head and neck stretching out far as if trying to get away.
It might even seem like he's managed an escape of some kind again, as his arm bursts through the fabric surrounding his arm at the elbow, leaving nothing but an empty sleeve shaped like his forearm dangling lifelessly. However, it's discolored and grotesque, not to mention it goes limp almost immediately, while the empty sleeve bulks up suddenly, changing to become a large gauntlet reminiscent of his older uniforms, while the arm bulks up so much it's far too large for the more regular proportions of the body it's connected to.
The other arm seems to do the same thing, both abnormally large hands suddenly thrusting downwards into the ground as if gripping into the earth for support, but it doesn't last long - his legs undergo a similar transformation, each one ripping through the back of the knee on his uniform, while the uniform bulks up much like the arms had. The uniform has no feet, just two pointed ends like his first regalia, each one digging into the ground to balance. But as painful as it all looked, it's nothing compared to what happens after; the spikes and star crest of his uniform emerge on his body, but they burst through his skin and the material of the uniform, quite literally, blood spitting out from around the holes they've made in his body. The last to emerge are the three on either side of his neck, at which point the remains of his blindfold suddenly wraps around the rest of his head and his neck, leaving nothing but a single deformed eye, still stitched, glaring through the gap remaining around it. With that, his torso bulks up to match his limbs, but even though it's better than before, his body is still just...so strange. Nothing about this is right.
Of course, not that Inumuta will notice, all things considered.
Almost immediately, Sanageyama rips his arm free from the covers, which aren't even large enough to hold him down anymore, and swipes his arm in their direction, ripping through about three or four of them and destroying them rather easily. He inhales, hoarse and muffled, sounding even pained to an extent, and then he directs his attention to Inumuta and the rest of the covers, lifting his arm and slamming it down in their direction, to try and crush them. Better get your "family" under control, or else he's going to just try to mindlessly wreck everything. Considering he's more life fibers than human now though, it shouldn't be too difficult.]
It was one thing when this happened to Matoi- like a train-wreck you can't look away from, and continue to watch in horror as the cars run off the tracks and crash into each other while still hoping that the passengers are alright- but it's so much more than that now. This is Sanageyama Uzu, someone who he'd consider his brother, going through so much pain and torment and it's his fault, all his fault.
With Matoi, there was distance from her Berserker tantrum, both emotionally and physically. Now he's having to back up and jump away as the Cover forces are shredded so easily. This isn't the Sanageyama he knew before. This is a monster that he created, and now he has to tame it. ]
Sanageyama!
[He knows calling him by his name is purposeless right now, but now he's the one who's a little emotionally compromised. The Cover controls his actions and thoughts, but it's losing it's grip on his subconsciously said words. If there's one thing he knows about how to fix this situation, it's that Sanageyama won't tire himself out. Inexhaustible energy, that's what he's known for. Waiting and hoping that the other will simply stop isn't an option.
So he's going to have to stop him on his own. Maybe the fibers in his outfit can convince the fibers in Sanageyama's to stop the rampage. It's the only way he can think of, right now. But that also means he'd have to get close enough to do that...]
[Of course there's no real acknowledgement, as the thing standing before Inumuta isn't even Sanageyama anymore. It's acting purely on instinct, and there are only two things he knows for sure right now: his body hurts and it won't stop, and the only things around him are the covers and Inumuta. Without the required level of intelligence to actually consider what's actually causing him this pain, he figures some kind of external force must be the problem.
But even if he knew, he wouldn't know how to make it stop, either. So like a wild animal, all he can do is trash around, consumed by his anger in the hopes eventually it'll stop hurting. Even the fact that some of the covers he's rampaging his way through were his former comrades doesn't stop him, because chances are he's completely forgotten they're in there, or that they even exist anymore. Everything he ever held dear is gone from his mind, so there's nothing left but the instinctual drive of self preservation, consumption, and destruction.
But from the way he's moving, it's obvious he's fighting his way through the covers to get to Inumuta, advancing through the waves of enemies to reach the one that stands out from the rest.]
[He doesn't run. He knows he's being targeted, and running would only leave his back open to Sanageyama.
What makes him different from other Covers is that he has thought. In exchange for sheer massive power, the logical and strategy parts of his mind were left on. He could take a hit from something like Sanageyama right now, but he wouldn't last a full fight. There's too much hurt, pain, and unbridled force coming from Sanageyama.
He can't analyze in the same way he could with his Probe Regalia. That was stripped from him when he lost to the Covers, simply being a Mark Two wasn't enough to hold up against the forces they were fighting against. His only option is the analyze with his mind, and look for an opening as Sanageyama comes thrashing towards him.
It's not unlike the time a five-star student came towards during an experiment Iori was running. Rushing with brute force but no thought. Predictable, to a degree. But he has no means of disarming the opponent this time, and he also doesn't want to. He needs to simply make contact.
When Sanageyama is close, only a few feet away, Inumuta prepares himself to move.]
[Once he's shoved the last cover out of his way, Sanageyama charges within range of Inumuta, suddenly swinging both arms inwards to try and crush him between both of his fists. Of course, considering his newfound strength, it'd be more like having two trucks crash into him from either side.]
[He's still fast, and while Sanageyama is strong, his speed has suffered from this transformation. He moves like a charging bull, heavy but unable to stop. It works for Inumuta though, staying in the same spot as long as he can without risk of being hit. When Sanageyama swings down his fists, Inumuta makes his move to jump out of the way, and run behind Sanageyama. Hopefully, before the other can turn around, he puts a choke-hold on the other by the back of the neck. Not really to do damage, but to just get a hold on him.]
[His head bends backwards to try and get a look at Inumuta behind him, before he reaches behind to try and take a swipe at him with his hand again. It's an awkward angle, so it might be pretty difficult for Sanageyama to hit him, but it's still something to be wary of. He could probably tear a chunk out of Inumuta's midsection like this.
It could be avoided easily enough though, especially if he just orders him to stop now that he has a hold of Uzu.]
[Which is exactly what Inumuta intends to do. He keeps his near-chokehold on Sanageyama's neck, avoiding the wild swipes from Sanageyama and trying to will his Life Fibers to force the other's to accept his own. Inumuta's Cover suit was woven together with one hundred percent Life Fibers from the start, it has more authority in it than say, the Blade Regalia that was originally sewn with only thirty percent. The Life Fibers that Inumuta had forced into the Blade Regalia are still adjusting and settling in, and so the lesser Blade Regalia should accept it's subordination to Inumuta's command.]
[And stop he does. It's not immediate, of course; mid-swing, his whole body shudders and his arm does halt, hand open and fingers bent, his single eye(although still sewn shut from the look of it) staring at Inumuta from over his shoulder.
His name being spoken means little to him now, considering he's all but lost his identity. It's just an instinctual response, life fibers higher than his own on whatever sort of hierarchy they have subduing his will, with no choice but to obey. His fingers droop, both arms fall to his sides and finally he turns his neck to look ahead, completely still.
Now that he's stopped rampaging, there's nothing but the sound of his hoarse breathing through the material around his face. Everything hurts so much, but he can't move. He can't do anything about it. He can only wait.]
[The only reassurance Inumuta can offer is a few pats to Sanageyama's shoulder as the other relaxes- or at least stops attacking- as he climbs back to solid ground.]
Soon, Sanageyama.
[Inumuta says, despite knowing that any and all words said essentially mean nothing to this being.]
We'll meet up with Jakuzure, and finish off the Nudist Beach camp. Soon we'll have something for you to fight. Bear with me a little longer, Uzu.
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winterfish
no subject
Date: 2014-06-04 03:30 am (UTC)Despite that, he had to go out and do something. It'd been tough without the rest of his friends around - far quieter, lonelier, that much was certain - but the time for mourning was over. He had to carry on like they always had, even if they were down to two. Matoi really needed to get herself awake sometime soon.]
C'mon, this way! It's not too far from shelter!
[His voice is loud enough to lead people in the right direction, plus having his gang here to help keep the crowd under control was handy...but if they were attacked he'd be the only one able to really do anything, he knows that.
These days, it was harder and harder to be the optimistic one.]
no subject
Date: 2014-06-04 04:16 am (UTC)But they aren't attacking right away. Not just yet.
Two Covers part, making way for a slightly smaller Cover suit, this one... different. A human wearing this suit now, with that familiar blue hair and familiar blue glasses. He's grinning, pushing his hair out of his eyes with a gloved hand.]
It's been a while, Sanageyama!
no subject
Date: 2014-06-04 04:24 am (UTC)H...Houka!
[But although he's blind, he doesn't need to be able to see to know there's something wrong.]
What've they done to you??
no subject
Date: 2014-06-04 04:48 am (UTC)[Inumuta grins more, and it's not visible to Sanageyama, but he can probably hear it in his tone. ]
It's an improvement, Sanageyama.
[He flicks his wrist, sending a small round of Covers to specifically target the weaker looking gang members, aiming to hold them rather than attack.]
Now we can do this the painless way, or ... Well, it's really cliche for me to finish the line. You know what I'm going to say.
no subject
Date: 2014-06-04 05:01 am (UTC)[It's so weird, using that name, but this wasn't the time for formalities. Even the sounds of his subordinates being advanced upon doesn't distract him from the only thing on his mind right now.
He seems to almost ignore what he said to him, shaking his head.]
Please, come home with me. Lady Satsuki and I- we need you back. We miss you. And we've already lost Gamagori for good. We don't want to lose you too.
[He doesn't dare ask about Nonon.]
no subject
Date: 2014-06-04 01:28 pm (UTC)[Said with such sarcastic scorn. He's still smiling, but it's so so bitter.]
I've never had a home, Sanageyama. I've always been on my own, even at Honnouji. Living with you was only a temporary part of my life. I've heard this all before, you know. "We miss you, we love you, why don't you come back to us?" Spare me.
[A sigh, entirely for show.]
It's a shame we lost Gamagori, though. He would have been a good asset to have. Anyway.
[The Covers approach the gang members, going as far down as their connecting thread will allow, intending to consume the gang members while Inumuta speaks.]
I'm going to take this as as resistance. I was somewhat hoping you'd try to fight a little.
no subject
Date: 2014-06-04 03:13 pm (UTC)Of course, it's not just about Inumuta. The idea of losing his family weighs heavily on him, and how easily he dismisses Gamagori's death like that hurts as well. The fact things can never go back to how they were no matter what he does. Even if he saves Inumuta, even if they save Jakuzure too and defeat Ragyo, things can never go back.]
Cut the crap already, there's no way it all meant nothing to you!
[Another step forward.]
Even with how things were, no matter how hard things ever seemed, we all took it on together! Supported each other! That's what a family does!
Our family, Houka! The six of us, all together! Not just me, not just Lady Satsuki, but Iori as well! He wants you back too! Don't throw it all away for nothing!
no subject
Date: 2014-06-04 04:13 pm (UTC)Inumuta takes a few steps away from his Cover bodyguards, knowing that by upsetting Sanageyama, he increases his chances of finally being able to take out the small rebel force. Sanageyama and his gang had been on the run for a while now, and that's when Ragyo decided that Inumuta would be best utilized as a final blow to their forces.
He's quiet though, eyes maybe a little less manic than they were before, after Sanageyama mentions family. He looks away, affected.]
...
Well.
[Aaaand then he's back to that creepy smile.]
It'd only be five now, wouldn't it?
You bring up a good point though. I'd forgotten about Iori. His Sewing Club is doing wonders for our cause, but I imagine the president of the Sewing Club would do us even better.
[Inumuta turns to a Covers suit, speaking to it.]
Go tell Jakuzure to make sure Iori lives during the final Nudist Beach raid. I'll be finished here shortly.
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Date: 2014-06-04 04:49 pm (UTC)Dammit, dammit, dammit, he can't let this happen. In that tell tale flash of sparkles and light, his uniform generates the green star ahead of him; he runs through it, emerging on the other side clad in his transformed MK.III uniform, swinging his sword several times once he's closed in on Inumuta. He's as fast as ever, so it's difficult to even follow the brief period in between when he started attacking, and finished.
However, Inumuta's completely unharmed. It's the COVERS closest to him that are suddenly shredded to pieces, white fabric bursting outwards all around them and falling down to the floor, like snow.
He is, however, standing right up against Inumuta, looking down on him with his sword raised.]
Don't make me do this. If it means protecting what little I have left in this world, I'll strike even you down.
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Date: 2014-06-04 07:07 pm (UTC)[Meanwhile, the screams of the remaining gang members ring out, and are silenced. Soon, it's a field of nothing but Covers, Sanageyama, and Inumuta. ]
I don't want to take you down, Uzu. I want the same things you do. I might be alone, but I know how much family means to you. We can be together, you just have to join us. Things won't be the same as they were, but they can be close. Isn't that what you want?
1/2
Date: 2014-06-04 07:16 pm (UTC)[Yeah, look how much he's fucked up. It only took Inumuta showing up to completely throw him off, and now they're all gone.
Maybe he's not cut out for this whole leader thing after all.]
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Date: 2014-06-04 07:19 pm (UTC)-not Inumuta!
Don't speak to me so casually!
[Worst case scenario, he's gonna try and go down like Gamagori did. Otherwise he's just a liability.]
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Date: 2014-06-04 07:57 pm (UTC)Despite taking the hit, he acts as if nothing's happened.]
You know you don't really believe that. Telling yourself lies isn't going to help you, in the end. It's me, Uzu. And this is the happiest I've been in a long, long time.
[With that, Inumuta snaps his fingers and the Covers start enclosing on Sanageyama.]
Your uniforms been tearing for a while now. I can see the seams at their limits.
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Date: 2014-06-04 08:46 pm (UTC)If that happens, then that's definitely when he'll...
No, no point in thinking about that right now. He can still "see" all around him, so he knows where all of the COVERS are. The only thing he can do is start cutting through each one as it comes closest, but at this point it's a battle of attrition, and he's at the disadvantage here.]
I didn't ask- [Cutting through another.] -for the running commentary!
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Date: 2014-06-04 09:18 pm (UTC)You can't keep this up forever!
[And like it's timed, it's as if the Cover forces triple, some even bigger than the initial ones Sanageyama is fighting. They start to overwhelm him, working to start restraining his arms and legs.]
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Date: 2014-06-04 09:32 pm (UTC)[Yeah, irritating as hell when you try to swing your weapon and feel your arms won't move. Even now he's struggling, pulling his arms as hard as he can to try and break free, but to no avail. He knows he isn't shredding these damn things if he can't use his weapon, which restraining him has stopped successfully.
Can't even move with his legs restrained too.]
Knock it off, you glorified dishrags! Let go of me!
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Date: 2014-06-04 10:18 pm (UTC)[The Covers hold him tightly as Inumuta replies, hands in his pockets and approaching Sanageyama. It's only when he's close, just a few inches away, that he takes his hand out of his pocket and places it on Sanageyama's shoulder.
Houka strokes the fabric of Uzu's regalia, the life fibers in Inumuta's outfit convincing the life fibers in Sanageyama's regalia to deactivate and return to their untransformed form.]
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Date: 2014-06-04 10:26 pm (UTC)His body is still tensing entirely, because he's still struggling - it's just even less effective now that he's powerless.]
I don't want this Inumuta, and I know whatever's left of you in there doesn't either! Don't do this!
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Date: 2014-06-04 11:12 pm (UTC)The Cover begins to open up, preparing to consume Sanageyama.]
You'll be happier like this. Trust me, Uzu-kun.
1/2
Date: 2014-06-04 11:32 pm (UTC)As the COVER closes over him, he starts thinking about it. Inumuta had mentioned they were going for the nudist beach headquarters next, right? That'd mean Satsuki, Iori, the nudist beach guys...Matoi too, if she's still unconscious. To think they'd bet so much on that girl and here she's more useless than she's ever been when they really need her. Maybe it's unreasonable, but as much as he knows the festival - and everything she learned from it - was probably tough on her, the stakes were really high right now, and their numbers were falling fast. She was their last hope and she couldn't do anything right now.
But then it clicks in his head he's just as useless now too, isn't he? He'd no right to judge her if he was going to just roll over and give up like this. He'd no right to talk about uselessness if he was going to be useless as well. No matter what, he couldn't give up, not until everything really was out of control.
As long as he had even some amount of consciousness, no matter how little it was, he still had a chance. He could still muster up some resistance and fight.
That was his resolve.]
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Date: 2014-06-04 11:40 pm (UTC)But then it happens again, this time barely missing Inumuta's face.
And again.
But the fourth time, the hand that pushes out against the fabric is open, closing suddenly to grip it from within. His other hand does the same on the opposite side, and then it seems like he's starting to pull the cover from either side, making an attempt at ripping it open.
Surely he won't succeed without his uniform, right? There's no way a regular human could-
Except the front of cover where the buttons are closed starts to stretch, even if it's only by a little bit. Sanageyama's face is visible through the gap and damn, he looks pissed. After a few more seconds of pulling, as hopeless as it seems, he actually succeeds in ripping the cover in half and pulling it off of him, either side slumping to the ground and bits of shredded fabric falling with it.
His muscles ache from how hard he had to try to pull that off, but it doesn't really show. He still just looks pissed off.]
You think...Sanageyama Uzu is the kind of man who gives up so easily? I'll rip these all open one by one if I have to.
And if you were really Inumuta, you'd know that.
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Date: 2014-06-05 02:25 am (UTC)It's when Sanageyama pulls through on the fourth try, Inumuta's body language says scared, but his expression conflicts with fascination.]
Uzu...
[He sounds a little relieved, but none the less has to take action. The Covers back off, though.]
I should have known this wouldn't have worked on you. Your willpower...
[He laughs into his palm.]
You're so strong.
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Date: 2014-06-05 02:37 am (UTC)[It'd make the most sense for Inumuta to just kill him, he figures. If he isn't going to be an asset, then he's just a liability, right?
The thought makes him consider fleeing, but without his uniform, he wouldn't get very far.
So he backs off two or three steps, raising his weapon with both hands and assuming a stance.]
I don't suppose you'll let me go, for old time's sake?
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Date: 2014-06-05 02:56 am (UTC)[That grin says that there's more to it than just that, but he's not saying anymore.]
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Date: 2014-06-05 02:58 am (UTC)Hell no buddy.]
...nice of you to offer, but I really should be going.
Everyone will worry if I'm late.
[Another...two steps back...]
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Date: 2014-06-05 03:01 am (UTC)Stay still, Sanageyama.
[GETTING CLOSE AGAIN.]
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Date: 2014-06-05 03:02 am (UTC)LATER LOSER, HE'S RUNNING FOR HIS LIFE.]
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Date: 2014-06-05 03:07 am (UTC)Do you like being man-handled, Sanageyama?
Because you're being man-handled again. By Covers. Cover-handled.]
Sanageyama...
1/2
Date: 2014-06-05 03:08 am (UTC)It was worth a shot.
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Date: 2014-06-05 03:10 am (UTC)You already saw your covers don't work. I'm not a good fit.
If you're going to kill me, get it over with.
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Date: 2014-06-05 03:41 am (UTC)[He sounds so awful when he says this. But he's back to being super close again.]
My Covers don't fit you. That's true. But your Blade Regalia seems to suit you just fine...
[He holds out his hand, red fibers feeding out from a nearby Covers suit into his hand. It's not just a few strands though. The whole suit is coming apart, stitch by stitch.]
I said I'd repair your regalia for you. Allow me.
[And with that, Inumuta twirls a bit of fiber at the end of his finger, guiding the thread towards one of the rather large tears in Sanageyama's uniform. They weave their way in, first filling the obvious gaps in his outfit. And then... taking it a step further. They dig deeper than just fabric, moving into Sanageyama's skin and mind.]
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Date: 2014-06-05 03:51 am (UTC)Talking is just wasting energy, but...when has Sanageyama ever shut up?]
Wha-...what...the hell are you doing now...
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Date: 2014-06-05 04:06 am (UTC)[Like he said he was going to. Houka's frowning as he does this though, the amusement gone like he's disappointed all of a sudden. Like he expected Sanageyama to be able to escape this too, some invincible hero that couldn't ever lose to the side of evil. The side he's on.]
This is going to hurt a little, but it will feel better later.
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Date: 2014-06-05 04:16 am (UTC)But even he knows when he's lost, so with the time he has left, he's gonna make the most of it.
When he speaks again, it's not that he sounds weak, just...distracted. As if most of his attention is on something else.]
H...Houka, mm...
...'m sorry.
stay awake kiva
Date: 2014-06-05 04:46 am (UTC)[He knows what this feels like. Or, well. To some degree. What he's doing to Sanageyama is much, much worse than what happened to him. With this suit, he feels numb, but he's still in there to a degree. Can be spoken to, can understand. Maybe reasoned with. But with Sanageyama... it will hurt. The pain will never stop, really. But it's the only way they can keep Sanageyama on their side if he's too strong for the Covers.
And he misses Sanageyama.]
I'm sorry too.
omg im not sanageyama!!
Date: 2014-06-05 01:44 pm (UTC)[He stops suddenly, posture straightening - instantly, almost like a snapping motion - and he yells out in pain.
It's starting to hurt so much that he can't focus, but he's not finished talking, so he's damn well not going to stop.]
...I...I wanted you to see family could be relied on when you needed them. That your family could be...good, but...I guess in the end, I let you down. I'm no different fr-ugh.
Anyway, if- if you're in there, sorry...and when Lady Satsuki does save you, tell her...tell her I'm--
[He was gonna say sorry, but he seems to have finally passed out. Without him resisting anymore, the loose parts of his uniform start to cling to his skin and spread across it. Won't be long now
like next commenti mean.]big babby
Date: 2014-06-05 04:11 pm (UTC)On the inside, Houka's fighting as much as he can, but it's been too long since the Cover became his outer shell. His efforts go mostly ignored by his body, and what little of his mind he can tap into, only gives him useless changes like crying. He wants to touch- to comfort, to hug, something- but he's done so much damage with his own hands already, the best effort he can do to make the situation lessen is to pull his hands away as much as he can. The Cover doesn't seem to care at this point what Houka attempts to do against it, because the fibers have already started to weave their way into Sanageyama's mind. He's already passed out, but Inumuta keeps speaking to him.]
I-It's okay, Sanageyama... We're still going to be family. Don't you see? You're going to be so strong like this. It's what you've always wanted. I wanted you to be h... happy. I'm sorry. I couldn't let you kill yourself like Gamagori. But you're not going to leave, like this.
[If it sounds like the mumblings of a madman, that's probably because it is. He's mostly just talking to himself at this point. ]
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Date: 2014-06-05 04:35 pm (UTC)It might even seem like he's managed an escape of some kind again, as his arm bursts through the fabric surrounding his arm at the elbow, leaving nothing but an empty sleeve shaped like his forearm dangling lifelessly. However, it's discolored and grotesque, not to mention it goes limp almost immediately, while the empty sleeve bulks up suddenly, changing to become a large gauntlet reminiscent of his older uniforms, while the arm bulks up so much it's far too large for the more regular proportions of the body it's connected to.
The other arm seems to do the same thing, both abnormally large hands suddenly thrusting downwards into the ground as if gripping into the earth for support, but it doesn't last long - his legs undergo a similar transformation, each one ripping through the back of the knee on his uniform, while the uniform bulks up much like the arms had. The uniform has no feet, just two pointed ends like his first regalia, each one digging into the ground to balance. But as painful as it all looked, it's nothing compared to what happens after; the spikes and star crest of his uniform emerge on his body, but they burst through his skin and the material of the uniform, quite literally, blood spitting out from around the holes they've made in his body. The last to emerge are the three on either side of his neck, at which point the remains of his blindfold suddenly wraps around the rest of his head and his neck, leaving nothing but a single deformed eye, still stitched, glaring through the gap remaining around it. With that, his torso bulks up to match his limbs, but even though it's better than before, his body is still just...so strange. Nothing about this is right.
Of course, not that Inumuta will notice, all things considered.
Almost immediately, Sanageyama rips his arm free from the covers, which aren't even large enough to hold him down anymore, and swipes his arm in their direction, ripping through about three or four of them and destroying them rather easily. He inhales, hoarse and muffled, sounding even pained to an extent, and then he directs his attention to Inumuta and the rest of the covers, lifting his arm and slamming it down in their direction, to try and crush them. Better get your "family" under control, or else he's going to just try to mindlessly wreck everything. Considering he's more life fibers than human now though, it shouldn't be too difficult.]
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Date: 2014-06-05 06:28 pm (UTC)It was one thing when this happened to Matoi- like a train-wreck you can't look away from, and continue to watch in horror as the cars run off the tracks and crash into each other while still hoping that the passengers are alright- but it's so much more than that now. This is Sanageyama Uzu, someone who he'd consider his brother, going through so much pain and torment and it's his fault, all his fault.
With Matoi, there was distance from her Berserker tantrum, both emotionally and physically. Now he's having to back up and jump away as the Cover forces are shredded so easily. This isn't the Sanageyama he knew before. This is a monster that he created, and now he has to tame it. ]
Sanageyama!
[He knows calling him by his name is purposeless right now, but now he's the one who's a little emotionally compromised. The Cover controls his actions and thoughts, but it's losing it's grip on his subconsciously said words. If there's one thing he knows about how to fix this situation, it's that Sanageyama won't tire himself out. Inexhaustible energy, that's what he's known for. Waiting and hoping that the other will simply stop isn't an option.
So he's going to have to stop him on his own. Maybe the fibers in his outfit can convince the fibers in Sanageyama's to stop the rampage. It's the only way he can think of, right now. But that also means he'd have to get close enough to do that...]
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Date: 2014-06-05 06:44 pm (UTC)But even if he knew, he wouldn't know how to make it stop, either. So like a wild animal, all he can do is trash around, consumed by his anger in the hopes eventually it'll stop hurting. Even the fact that some of the covers he's rampaging his way through were his former comrades doesn't stop him, because chances are he's completely forgotten they're in there, or that they even exist anymore. Everything he ever held dear is gone from his mind, so there's nothing left but the instinctual drive of self preservation, consumption, and destruction.
But from the way he's moving, it's obvious he's fighting his way through the covers to get to Inumuta, advancing through the waves of enemies to reach the one that stands out from the rest.]
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Date: 2014-06-05 08:33 pm (UTC)What makes him different from other Covers is that he has thought. In exchange for sheer massive power, the logical and strategy parts of his mind were left on. He could take a hit from something like Sanageyama right now, but he wouldn't last a full fight. There's too much hurt, pain, and unbridled force coming from Sanageyama.
He can't analyze in the same way he could with his Probe Regalia. That was stripped from him when he lost to the Covers, simply being a Mark Two wasn't enough to hold up against the forces they were fighting against. His only option is the analyze with his mind, and look for an opening as Sanageyama comes thrashing towards him.
It's not unlike the time a five-star student came towards during an experiment Iori was running. Rushing with brute force but no thought. Predictable, to a degree. But he has no means of disarming the opponent this time, and he also doesn't want to. He needs to simply make contact.
When Sanageyama is close, only a few feet away, Inumuta prepares himself to move.]
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Date: 2014-06-05 08:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-06-05 11:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-06-05 11:39 pm (UTC)It could be avoided easily enough though, especially if he just orders him to stop now that he has a hold of Uzu.]
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Date: 2014-06-09 01:52 am (UTC)Sanageyama, stop.
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Date: 2014-06-09 02:13 am (UTC)His name being spoken means little to him now, considering he's all but lost his identity. It's just an instinctual response, life fibers higher than his own on whatever sort of hierarchy they have subduing his will, with no choice but to obey. His fingers droop, both arms fall to his sides and finally he turns his neck to look ahead, completely still.
Now that he's stopped rampaging, there's nothing but the sound of his hoarse breathing through the material around his face. Everything hurts so much, but he can't move. He can't do anything about it. He can only wait.]
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Date: 2014-06-09 02:44 am (UTC)Soon, Sanageyama.
[Inumuta says, despite knowing that any and all words said essentially mean nothing to this being.]
We'll meet up with Jakuzure, and finish off the Nudist Beach camp. Soon we'll have something for you to fight. Bear with me a little longer, Uzu.