Alice In Borderland: Riptide (Season 2)

EPISODE EIGHT: WHERE DO WE STOP

"I tweaked your outfit from Lupercalia," Kuina says, a broad grin on her face as she plops down in an easy-chair across from where you sit on the small couch in your suite's parlor-area. "It is now the perfect suit for playing nearly any game they can come up with."

     "Perfect. You can show it to me later," you murmur, setting down your wine glass even as she reaches for hers. "Have you heard anything about Chishiya? Why'd he collapse when Aguni touched him?"

     "Hmm," Kuina licks the wine from her lips, considering the dark red liquid in her glass as she swirls it around "Aguni had nothing to do with it. Chishiya had another of his vision-things. Took awhile to stop the nosebleed. He's fine now."

     "Good. I'll check on him later. Maybe after I try on the suit? Give him a thrill?"

     Kuina laughs wickedly at your eyebrow wiggle and sultry smirk. "If you go in there wearing that, he's gonna have a coronary." She looks thoughtful. "Well. Then Niragi would be pleased."

     You give her a distracted little smile and she reaches over to pat your hand.

     "how has he been, anyway? Niragi. He seems to be handling the enenra well..."

     You nod, lacing your fingers together with hers. "Seems to be, yes. But sometimes–I don't know–it's like he's not really there. We'll be talking and all of a sudden he's so... angry. Or we could all be discussing something serious and then he makes some smutty comment... I'm worried about him, Kuina. There has to be some way to get that thing out of him and make his soul whole again."

     "Hmm... if the demon possessing him came with this place, there might be something buried or hidden here, keeping the enenra from leaving the area and doing–well, whatever it is that smoke demons do."

     You both chuckle awkwardly, then glance up as a shadow crosses the open doorway. A long arm props itself against the door jamb, followed by a lanky, tall body and a head of spiky blonde hair.

     "Karube," Kuina says happily, kissing the back of your hand and leaping into his arms. She wraps her long legs around his waist and kisses his waiting lips with a loud smack.

     "Kuina," he rumbles, a slow, sexy smirk crossing his face. He laces his fingers together under her butt, holding her in place for a few more quick pecks before setting her feet firmly upon the floor and turning his gaze on you. "I thought you might be interested to know that Chishiya is awake. Aguni's sitting with him. Evidently he feels like you really need to know about the vision that made him black out."

     "I'll be right there." Karube nods, kisses Kuina once more, slaps the door jamb, and heads away down the hallway. You gnaw on your lower lip as you head to the room which has become a recovery room of sorts. As you enter with a light tap of a fingernail against the doorframe Aguni looks up, meeting your eyes with his, which are suspiciously reddened.

     "Chishiya," you murmur, and he turns his head on his pillow toward the sound of your voice. As his cloudy orbs search for you, you gasp and raise your hand to cover your shock.

      "Aijin? I would say it's great to see your face, but... well, obviously I can't."

     "Chessy, your eyes..."

     "Yeah. I can only see things inside my head now. Hah."

     You take his hand in yours. "Tell me your vision. Maybe it'll be the catalyst to bring back your sight."

     "It's worth a shot, I guess. I need to tell you anyway. Aguni? Are you still here?" He reaches his free hand toward the older man, and the ex-Yakuza clasps his hands around Chishiya's smaller one.