Living A Dead Dream (Baji x OC)

57

"So, what do you think he wants?" 

"I dunno. Maybe he wants to talk about the whole time-leaping thing?" Danny suggested.

Earlier in the day, Mikey had gotten ahold of both Takemichi and Danny, saying he wanted to talk to them before the meeting. So, there they were, walking to the shrine. Takemichi's bike was out of gas and Danny didn't want him driving her's, so they walked.

It didn't take them too long to get to the shrine though. And once they reached the top of the stairs, they could see Mikey standing where he always did.

"Hey, what's up?" Danny asked as they got closer.

He turned to look at them both. "Sorry for taking up your time," he said after a moment.

Danny instantly took note of the dark circles forming under his eyes and even the way his shirt seemed to hang slightly looser from his body. She couldn't even make a comment about it though before he started talking again. 

"I wanted to talk to you both. Can you tell me about it? Everything about you coming from the future?"

The three of them sat on the small set of stairs that Mikey usually stood atop. Takemichi and Danny would take turns talking, explaining their experiences. They told him every last detail they could think of, and no matter how much they talked, Mikey sat and listened intently, deeply engrossed with their story. His face never showed any reaction, but his eyes would soften at times, widen ever so slightly at others, and even harden a couple of times. Then, gradually, things got more emotional.

"I'm sorry, Mikey!" Takemichi sobbed. "I couldn't save Emma..." He clenched his fists, tight enough to where they turned white and trembled slightly.

It went silent for a few moments. During that silence, Danaju placed her hand on her brother's shoulder, giving it a light reassuring squeeze. What's done is done. There was nothing they could do now.

"It's weird," Mikey said, breaking the silence and making the other two look at him. "The first time I saw you two... One of you was so badly beaten up in that fight against Kiyomasa that you could barely stand while the other shattered a bat with one hit... Your backs were bigger than anyone on the field that day. It's as if you were carrying countless burdens." He closed his eyes, his mouth pulling into a faint smile. "You both are cool, you know?" His eyes fluttered open again as he looked at something far off, something the twins couldn't see. "The Hanagakis are my heroes."

Danny was touched by his words, but they didn't sit right with her. Something was off. Why... why does it sound like he's saying goodbye...?

Mikey stood, that same smile still on his face. "I thought I would be creating an era..." 

Then, the faint sound of countless footsteps met Danny's ears. 

"Get up, you two," he calmly said.

Takemichi was the first to stand with tears still staining his cheeks. Then, Danny quickly followed suit.

"Can you hear it?" he asked, a grin taking over the smile he once had. "These are the footsteps of our era!"

Everyone from Toman came up those familiar stairs. Every Captain, Vice-Captain, and all of the division members. He... isn't. Is he? Danny silently thought. There was no way she could be right this time, yet-

"That's why I've decided..." Mikey said lowly, confusing the twins. "EVERYONE, LISTEN UP!" he announced. "We have made a lot of sacrifices, but after defeating Tenjiku, Toman is now Japan's top gang! Right now, we've created a great era that will be handed down to generations to come!"