someone to protect || tokyo revengers

40

I woke up to swollen eyes and a sore throat. My body was hot with a sheer layer of sweat on the surface of my skin.

For each breath I took, an acrid scent pierced through my nose causing my eyes to widen. The air that enveloped around me was murky and thick. Becoming louder as I awoke, I could make out crackling noises from down the hall, almost like those of a campfire.

My home reeked of smoke.

As I jolted up and came to a realization, I stood frozen in my bedroom unable to stand steadily on my trembling legs. I hurried to cover my nose and mouth with a handkerchief and firmly gripped the doorknob to my bedroom door. After a deep breath I forced myself to swing open my door, revealing a dark black hallway at an even hotter temperature.

"Aunt Wakana!" I shouted, my shout muffled through smoke and cloth. Though I tried to walk through the thick tunnel of smoke, I quickly was disoriented and began to cough. My eyes burned and began to water.

The moment I became aware that I must act fast, it was as if my body froze, unable to move. I was only left queen questions I most likely would never get answers to.

How did the fire manage to spread so fast? Had I slept through it? There was no signs of our fire alarms going off, though I was sure our house had been equipped with them. 

Most of all, what caused this?

I wasn't even sure if Aunt Wakana had escaped already. Part of me was sure she would never even consider leaving me behind in our burning home. Surely she was still inside.

I collapsed onto the floor and began to crawl to her bedroom doorway. For each inch I moved I could feel the pendant of my necklace dig into my hot skin. I was already weakened from the gas, and though I knew I couldn't survive much longer with the exposure to it I kept going.

And through my foggy vision, I caught a glimpse of what seemed like dancing ball of light - the fire. I could almost see it expand closer towards my hot body limp on the floor.

I opened my mouth to shout once more, hoping my voice could reach her through the crackling flame. However when my mouth opened it was greeted with a dark cloud of smoke which caused me to cough uncontrollably. It was no use.

As I rolled onto my back and tried to push myself up and off of the ground, my eyes fluttered and my body once again fell limp. It was clear no human could survive with such balmy, thick air.

Before I could gasp one last time for air, I felt a strong grip lift my weakened body by the wrist. My legs dangling below me, I steadily planted my feet. Through the thick smoke and hot air, I could form a sight of a familiar face. 

Her body was hot and her face was covered in ash. Even so I knew it was my Aunt Wakana.  However, she was almost unrecognizable with a patch of discoloured skin and blisters spread across her eye. Clearly she had been burnt quite terribly. 

As I took a moment to eye her up and down, my hand shot to my mouth to see the whole left side of burned, her ripped clothing exposing blood-rushed burnt skin practically melting away. The fire was only inches away, about to swallow us whole in any moment. It had already began to cave around us, leaving only one path to an unopened window. 

"Run y/n! Before we are closed out!" she yells as lifts what's left of her shirt collar to cover her mouth. I do as she says and without looking back, I make a run to the only chance we have left. 

But when the footsteps behind me come to a halt, I crane my neck to view the sight behind me. The interior of my house is collapsing. A burning supporting beam has fallen, and with it my mother. 

Her legs stuck underneath the heavy mass of wood, I could only see her torso and weak arms that struggled to pull herself out. 

Though I tried to scream, no sound came out. I took a step towards my beloved aunt, though forcefully pushed me away with all the strength she had remaining. 

"It's no use! Just go" she yells at me. "You won't be able to free me" 

Before I was able to fight her words, I felt my feet lift off the ground and strong arms around my aching body. I kicked and struggled as I was pulled away from my burning aunt. Before I could realize I firefighter had me in his arms, I noticed I was already that he was headed for the window. I glanced at my aunt one last time who wore a smile of relief. 

Turning my head frantically to get a clearer look around me, I was enveloped by the sudden cold environment outside of my burning house. Lifting me up and out the window, uniformed men and an ambulance had already made their way to my home. My eyes were met the frightened ones of my neighbour who stood nearby the fire truck.

As my body was placed down on what seemed like an uncomfortable board, I ripped of my gas mask and sat up, grasping tightly as the wrist of a masked doctor.

"There's still someone in there! Please-"

She looked at me with dull eyes and then eyed the house fire once more. Almost completely up in flames, I could only sit and watch as firefighters ran into the mess in hopes of saving the closest thing I had to a mother. Surely they could lift the beam. They were firefighters after all. 

I couldn't lose her. Who would be there to comfort me if she were no longer here? Who was to take care of me? Was there anyone left for me to love?

I covered my ears tightly but I was still able to hear the shouts of the firefighters and crowd of neighbours that had formed outside my home. Sirens continued to ring and concerned shouts of neighbours echoed through. 

I couldn't quite recognize any of the curious crowd, until I caught a glimpse of soft lavender hair who was already headed in my direction.

"Mitsuya" I sobbed as he lifted me up and held me in his arms. I clutched his shirt, soaked by my tears shortly after. "Do you think she's still alive?"

He didn't answer. He only hugged me tighter and I could feel his tear drop onto my cheek. I clutched the necklace my beloved aunt had given me, though I felt as if I should rip it off. It should have been me. 

It was a sight I don't think I can ever forget - my house up in flames, horrified shouts and the smell of smoke. The last time I ever saw Aunt Wakana, and the day the true battle began.