Regularly Irregular

CHAPTER 21 - Recovery

Your jaw dropped when your eyes landed on the large scar decorating Kakyoin's back. You had no idea what, or who caused it, but you understood immediately that whatever wound it came from was life threatening in the past. There was no other explanation for it, it had to have come from his time in Egypt, and if that was the case it was most certainly the reason he never told you about the trip.

Kakyoin had been hurt. He had been hurt so bad that he felt the need not to tell you because he knew you would worry. He knew exactly how you would react and he was right. Even now, as you lay tied up against the cold basement floor all you think about was the pain and suffering he must have gone through to earn those scars.

Whatever it was that happened to him, you knew he didn't deserve that. Yet here he was, standing between you and a crazy revenge seeking woman once again risking his life for someone other than himself. You couldn't take it. Not the sadness that clenched your heart, the guilt, nor the thought of him getting another scar because you. Kakyoin's breathing was already heavy and despite the strong facade he wore on the outside, you could tell he was already reaching his limit.

No matter what, you needed to protect him. Even if it meant getting scars of your own.

Instinct took over your body as Crybaby materialized besides you. The sweat that was forming around your restraints turned from salty liquids into solid spikes. They ripped and tore away at the rope until it was thin enough for you to snap with your own strength. As soon as you were free from the bindings you jumped to your feet, wiping away the tears that had been streaming down your face. The wet droplets rolled over you hand, becoming a sharp blade as they flipped over the side of your hand.

You looked down at the clear form you now held with a death grip. It looked similar to a shard of glass, sharp enough to cut and draw blood. It brought no damage to your palm though, not that you would have cared if it did. For the time your torn clothes and exposed body left your mind as you used Crybaby as a stepping stool. She crouched down, linking her hands together for you to step on.

You actions came naturally, as if you had done something like this a million times before. Taking a few steps back, you got a running start as you jumped into Crybaby's hold. She launched you forward in the air, right over Kakyoin and in the direction of Joy. Even the curly haired psycho was shocked to see you flying towards her. She didn't even have the time to comprehend what was happened before you crashed into her, digging the blade of tears in your hand directly into her eye.

Joy screamed out in pain, tumbling over backwards with you still on top of her. Your mind went completely blank as Crybaby rushed to your side. Joy tried to call her Stand back, but yours was faster. As you held her body down, your own Stand was able to catch Seventh Sense. The burn of the acid on your hands was only present for a minute. Before you even had the chance to understand what was going on, pints of blood began to leak out from Joy's body from various holes that now pierced her skin. Her bloodshot eyes were filled with nothing but pure hatred during her last moments, not that you really understood that at the time.

When you turned around to look at your Stand, she was holding a spiked ball in her open palm. On closer inspection, you realized it wasn't just a ball, but Joy's Stand. Crybaby had taken the liquid acid that coated the frog and turned it against the user by turning it into hundreds of thin spindles that shot through the entire thing. You looked from your stand to the motionless body below you, the weight of what you had done finally settling in.

You pushed yourself away from Joy's now lifeless body, backing away until your back hit a wall. You trembled as your eyes moved to meet Kakyoin's, who was also still trying to register what just happened. Noticing that Joy was now out of commission, Jotaro quickly finished his own battle. The two boys approached you slowly as you clutched your knees to your chest.