Broken Road (a RiDe and TaNi love story)

Chapter 11

~Minutes before Richtofen and Dempsey's arrival~

Takeo held Nikolai's hand, gently squeezing it as they began to explore and become familiar with the new area. They found themselves back at the gondola room, but had no complaints. Learning here first would be a wise choice. Takeo gently pulled Nikolai along to the stairs.

"A window at the bottom and top of the stairs...another in the middre of the second fright, and two near the gondola," Takeo spoke, making mental notes.

"Da, and three doors. Room too open to hunker in, should we need to," Nikolai added, seeing his lover nod agreement.

Still, something wasn't right, Takeo felt something was off. Right after letting go of Nikolai's hand, time stopped and everything was still, including the Russian bear, whom never seemed to stop. The Jap walked back to Nikolai, waving a hand in front of his face.

"Nikorai? This is not funny if this is supposed to be a joke," he frowned, folding his arms.

No response.

"Nikorai!" he exclaimed. Thinking Nikolai would continue to be still until receiving a kiss, he tenderly pressed their lips together, blushing crimson. A laugh broke him out of his thoughts and his eyes widened.

Takeo bit his lip in worry as he spun around, quickly drawing his katana when seeing a man before him. His shaggy, white hair was cut at a nice, short length, perfectly revealing pale blue eyes. A beard and mustache met up along his cheeks as well. His attire consisted of a red-pink scarf, a beige coat, and black pants with a brown vest and black shirt underneath being partially visible.

"Who are you?" he growled, wary. The man's eyes seemed to light up with mischief.

"Never mind who I am. The real question; can you trust Edward?" he inquired, smirking, his English accent rather heavy. Takeo's eyes were wide, quickly narrowing into a glare aimed at him.

"Of course I can! He's my ototo!"

"He's lied to you about this mission, though~"

"No! He may not have tord us what we are doing yet, but he wirr!" The male before him gave a heavy sigh before disappearing. Takeo calmly looked around, hiding his nervousness.

"If that is how you feel," his voice echoed throughout the room like a bell, British accent somehow heavier. Before Takeo could figure out the origins, a searing pain went through his entire back. The mysterious man had taken a knife and made a large gash going vertically down his back, just barely missing organs, arteries, and his spine. Takeo let out a cry of pure pain as he collapsed to the floor. The male had disappeared and all was moving again from the scream.

"TAKEO!" Nikolai cried, dashing to his lover, immediately putting pressure on the wound.

~Now~

Takeo had his eyes clenched shut as Nikolai gently laid him down on his stomach. The bed was a comforting and welcome change from the cold, hard floor he had previously been on. The Jap clutched the bedsheets, desperately fighting to make the pain go away.

Each of his comrades and the Keeper looked upon him, worry clearly written on their expressions. When questioned about the wound, Nikolai claimed not to know anything of what had occurred, explaining everything he remembered. It was Takeo who finally spoke up.

"T-time was stopped by a m-man with p-piercing, pare brue e-eyes," he stuttered, coughing. Richtofen's eyes widened, his skin paling.

"V-vas his hair...vhite?" whispered Richtofen, softly gulping.

"Hai."

He knew then who it was and grew angry. Angry wasn't even the right word, he was beyond furious! His older brother figure had been hurt by one he had once trusted. He would not let this go easily! To keep from anyone seeing his anger, Richtofen quickly walked out the room, Dempsey and Shelindria following.

Takeo slowly looked up at Nikolai, weakly taking off his hat. He smiled when seeing the light brown hair, gently running his fingers through. Nikolai softly smiled and laid beside Takeo, pulling him close.

"Nikolai is sorry," he murmured.

"What for, Nikki?"

"I...I failed to protect Takeo." Takeo smiled a touch, continuing to idly play with Nikolai's hair.

"It is arright, we did not know such an occurrence wourd happen," he replied, nuzzling his love's cheek. Nikolai nuzzled back, but still couldn't help but feel guilty. If he hadn't allowed Takeo to let go of his hand...if only it had been him instead. Why did this have to happen to his sweet cherry blossom!?