Shifting Times | One-Shot Collection |

I Can't Do It

Synopsis: As Mitsuzane watched them try to kill his brother, he suddenly couldn't handle the thought of being an accomplice and tries to right his wrongs. Unfortunately he didn't plan the rescue attempt very well and now they both are knocking on death's door.

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Mitsuzane didn't understand why his hands were trembling as they walked through the crack into Helheim. The two groups went their separate ways. That seemed to only make it worse.

"What's with you?" Yoko almost immediately picked up on him.

Mitsuzane couldn't meet her gaze, "Nothing. Just... nervous, I guess."

"Are you doubting what were doing?" Yoko got closer.

"N-no. Nii-san... is in the way. He... he needs to go... I'm just... I've never done something like this before..." Mitsuzane mumbled.

"Then come on. We need to go before Sid gets too far into it." Yoko started walking.

Mitsuzane followed behind her. His mind was running wild and his hands still wouldn't stop trembling. He was about to watch them kill his brother. And he was helping them. Even if he personally was not going to get his hands dirty, the fact he was just letting this happen and not stopping them made him just as guilty. Would Takatora hate him forever if he found out?

It was hard to come to terms with. He was killing the one person in his family who was left. The one who had taken care of him for so long. Even for as badly as Takatora messed up raising him, he was still his brother. Mitsuzane knew deep down that all those hurtful words he had been told were just Takatora trying to protect him. He just didn't want to believe it.

Before he knew it, they reached the fight. Sid was taking on Takatora. Yoko transformed and joined in. Mitsuzane watched, eyes wide. So many different emotions were running through him as he watched the two of them beat his brother.

"This is it." A hand was placed on his shoulder.

Mitsuzane glanced over at Ryouma, "No going back now. They've exposed themselves as being an enemy to him."

"Indeed. Smart boy." Ryouma chuckled before he went to join in as well.

The entire altercation was a blur to Mitsuzane. He knew they exchanged words, but none really registered in his head. His heart was pounding so loud it was drowning out everything else.

The next thing he clearly saw was Sid holding Takatora toward the edge of a cliff. And that was when his brother finally realized he was around.

"Mitsuzane!"

Mitsuzane felt his heart pound louder. He felt like he might pass out. Why did he have to notice him?

"Run, Mitsuzane!"

Run...? Even in this moment all Takatora cared about was him staying safe? And here he was... an accomplice in his murder.

No. No... He couldn't. This wasn't right. He couldn't do this. Takatora didn't deserve to die. Mitsuzane couldn't find enough reason left in him to convince him otherwise. Despite everything that had fueled this decision before, it meant nothing to him now.

Mitsuzane rushed forwards and slammed himself as hard as he could into Sid. It caused Sid to let go of Takatora and stumble backwards. Sid clicked his tongue in annoyance.

"Guess we'll just send both brothers to an early grave."

Sid charged at Mitsuzane. Mitsuzane was frozen. He didn't know what to do now. He hadn't thought the rest of this rescue mission through. As Sid swung his weapon, it was grabbed and blocked.