Travel The Distance

Chapter 44

We stayed there, knelt at the foot of the maypole, for what felt like forever. The blood on my knees turned cold and the smell started to make my head swim. Being around the pure blood of the innocent made Ground Zero toss restlessly in my soul. We both knew we would never eat somebody just for the sake of it, but having such a delicacy spilt at my feet was almost painful to ignore.

When Shoto finally stood up, he seemed to still be in a trance. His hood fell back as he moved, revealing his well-known split hair, I was quick to conceal it within his hood once again. Shoto didn't notice me at his side. His blurry eyes were focused on one thing, and one thing alone. The castle. The castle which loomed over us like a threatening diety was the only thing Shoto had sights for. Nothing, not even the abusive actions of the guards, drew Shoto's attention away from the castle. He walked as though he had a purpose (I suppose he did), I nearly had to jog to keep up with the rapid pace he was setting out for us.

"Shoto! I know that you're mad. I know that you want revenge, but we really need to make a plan and you need to calm down a little bit!" I snapped. I wasn't used to being the voice of reason in these circumstances.

I tried to take Shoto's arm and pull him back, but he shook me off angrily. I knew that his anger wasn't directed at me, but it still hurt when he spun around and finally addressed me with a fire burning in his eyes and a sneer painted on his face.

"Calm down?" Shoto hissed savagely, "You want me to calm down? After seeing both of my parents' dead bodies hung on display like they're fashionable decorations for the town square?"

"I understand what you're going through, Shoto, but do you think storming in there with no plan, sword-swinging, is gonna achieve much. You're going to get yourself killed! So stop and think for a fucking second so that you don't get both of us killed!" I snapped back. I had used up all of my limited patience, so I reverted back to my default emotion of anger.

"Oh, I'm sorry your highness, because you're the perfect person to talk to when it comes to calming down and not seeking revenge. You were going to kill my father. You're the one who fixated over that for thirteen fucking years instead of moving on as any normal people would. The whole reason we're here is that you want revenge, but as soon as I want to get revenge we need to stop and think about it? You're the one who leapt out of bed and decided to travel halfway across the continent to kill a man without knowing fuck all about him! Don't lecture me about this, Katsuki, when you're no fucking better" Shoto seethed. My heart dropped and my stomach swooped uncomfortably the more Shoto spoke.

Maybe his words did hold some truth to them. He was right, of course. But that didn't make his words any less scathing. That didn't mean they didn't strike me in the heart and make me upset in a way I thought Shoto could achieve.

Shoto must have regretted his words, for his eyes glowed briefly with guilt and remorse before hardening again into a cold veneer of anger once again. I knew in my heart of hearts that Shoto didn't mean what he had said, not really, but that didn't mean they didn't hurt. I was a simple man, really, my default emotion was anger. It was my defence mechanism. So, what else could be expected but for me to reply with my own scathing remark.

"Fine. I can tell when I'm not wanted. But when you storm into that castle and see the rest of your family strung to the ceiling with their own intestines, don't come crying to me. When you're on the verge of being killed by Shigaraki and his little cronies, don't expect me to turn up and save your ass because you couldn't wait for a few extra hours so that we had a solid plan. I waited for 13 years to get my revenge so that it was perfect and he got what he deserved. I don't care that your asshole of a father died. I'm frankly glad and he got what he deserved." I snarled at my partner. I spun on my heel and marched away from him before the tears which were beading in his eyes could roll down his pale cheeks and entice me into apologising and staying by his side.