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Chapter 6

The power armor shot forward blowing Raine through the wall of the high rise apartment complex. Raine spun about feeling the pain of the blow but over the years he'd learned that pain was irrelevant. It was a vestigial reaction to damage to the body in a body that couldn't be killed. He grit his teeth seeing the lights of new las vegas all around him as he fell but one set of lights was out of place. It was the jetpack of the power armor boosting its way out of the building.

Raine was fast in twisting about and throwing his Kama's at the armor latching himself to it as he was jerked high into the air pulling his shoulders out of joint at the sudden jerk. He let out a yowl as the chains pulled at his skin where they attached but he didn't have time to focus on the pain. He opened his blood red eyes and the fires of rage returned as he began to climb the chains to the power armor.

The armor surprised at what had happened turned to look back at the fennec climbing the tethers and kicked on the afterburners trying to roast the climber's chains. To the suit wearer's dismay the chains heated up and caught fire but didn't seem to have any structural problems and the metal held through the high heat.

Raine was starting to gain on the power armor as he pulled himself along the taught chains gritting his teeth through the pain in his shoulders and the heat from the jets. It was then that the armor dove quickly into the streets of the city below. Raine found himself being dragged along the asphalt and dodging cars as they rushed by.

Tipping his head up Raine saw a bus too late he found himself smashed into it and thrown into the dark desert again. He got down into a crouch with a growl as he let the kamas fall into his paws waiting for the strike that he knew would come. The great scythe came from the shadows of a nearby bolder as the black shadow soon followed.

The fennec lifted his blades to block as he grit his teeth and stared down the gleaming red eyes of the cloaked figure. He found himself rapidly blocking and parrying the scythe as it was spun with expert dexterity only to use the momentum to slash at the robes themselves. The creature stumbled back as it was hurt letting out a groan while Raine was yanked back into New Los Vegas being dragged behind the power armor.

Gripping the chains Raine whipped himself around a street lamp making the metal creak and strain until his blades cut through the jetpack finally and the power armor fell from the sky smashing into the street below as the leaking fuel created a massive fireball in the middle of the street sending people running in hundreds of different directions screaming.

Raine stood his ground as the suit slowly got to its feet with a loud bang as it stomped into the concrete and its night vision green eyes flickered to life. It stood there for some time watching as the wounds on the fennec actually started to close and the sickening sound of popping bones was the sound of its bones putting themselves back in place. The fennec grit his teeth and hissed as his wounds reset themselves while rage burned in his eyes.

The suit ran at Raine throwing a punch as a huge blade snapped out from its elbow blade facing the fennec. Raine dodged the fist but found himself thrown back into the dark desert as the blade cut the fennec in two at the torso.

The black canine was ready again blocking the attack that came from the reapers blade and using the curvature of his own blade he used the momentum to send him skyward as his other arm swung the kusari kama down at the cloaked demon only to have it knocked away as the monster shot itself skyward for its prey.

Raine had to yank the kama back to himself so hard it nearly dislocated his wrist as he started to block the furious swipes of the scythe again this time they were hard enough to keep him held in the sky. Desperately trying to find an opening the fennec found it as he spun back towards the ground. The reaper started its swing but Raine reached into his now torn trench coat and pulled free his six shooter while pulling the hammer back and tugging the trigger.

A puff of ash appeared behind the powered armor while the Kama's shot out of it and wrapped their chain's around the helmet. The suit seemed surprised as it turned grabbing the chains and effortlessly it threw the fennec aside into a building as its left arm swung about and the palm opened firing a high explosive grenade at Raine.

The fennec kicked off the wall he was smashed into grabbing the grenade mid flight and tugging the chains into his arm markings he was rocketed close to the armor as he stared it down holding the grenade between them he hissed, "See you in hell!"

The white light and heat of the grenade was only momentary as Raine found himself once again in the dark desert this time with a twisted black creature in front of him. His eyes went wide as he realized this monster was a true yamitsu, the undead scourge that had nearly taken the world during the last cataclysm.

The creature howled in rage as it saw where it was making the black fennec feel a chill run up his spine from the airy sound. It was agile and fast for something rotting away making Raine have to go on the defense as bony claws were swiped at him relentlessly. He waited for the right moment when he felt the cold breath of the cloaked monster behind him to grab the Yamitsu's arm and using its momentum he spun it over his shoulder to take the scythe sweep.

In a puff of ash it was gone and the reaper's lust for Raine's soul seemed to be satiated. Lowering the cowl Raine saw his own face looking at him with a nod. He had bought himself a free pass through the darkness of the spirit world with that tainted soul.

"Requiescat un pace," Said the fennec as he turned away and stepped back into the physical world of New Los Vegas.

Raine leaned over the twisted wreck of the power armor suit and saw the black ooze of the destroyed Yamitsu flowing from its cracks. It took him time before he found the core markings and with a frown the angel wings on either side of the embossing.

His rage grew inside again as he now knew Semling was behind this and if he had control over true yamitsu the world was in danger of another cataclysmic event. Tearing the serial code free with all his strength all Raine could do was look to the black night sky and let out a howl of rage and loss.

Ridley woke to the sun in his eyes and frowned as he hadn't sleept well that night at all. After what he had done to Que he felt terrible and his body ached from the night before. Slowly the black fennec sat himself up and shook his head knowing he would have to face this eventually. Slipping out from under the covers he walked to his dresser and picked out a pair of boxers this time. He slipped them on and walked down the stairs to the first floor to find Que watching the television rather intensely.

The darker canine looked confused for a moment before looking to the screen and seeing devastation in New Los Vegas. It was cut off by a husky in a black suit wearing a red tie as the seal of the president of the free lands showed at the bottom of the screen.

"My fellow free men and women I come before you today with grave news. As many of us know a large portion of New Los Vegas was brought to ruin last night as a power armored suit attacked and killed many civilians. I want you all to know that the Black Knights are looking deeply into this matter and the possible connections to the dead-lands. This news weighs heavily on our shoulders and all of us should pray for the safety and future prosperity of the people in that city."

"While sources claim the vigilante and terrorist Raine Diam is behind the attacks we have no evidence to support that claim at this time. We suggest you not listen to the rumor mills as they simply make money off of your fear. All of our ability is going into this investigation and this administration promises to keep the result public as we always have. At this time we can confirm that the pilot of the suit was in fact a True Yamitsu."

"I know this is a scary thing for many of you to hear and it weighs heavily on my heart to say it as well. I can assure you all security measures will be taken to keep the deadlanders out of our free world and that all our focus will be on retaking more of the deadlands from the vile beasts. What concerns us more is the connection to Angeltech industries. An investigation is already underway to uncover if this power armor was an older model stolen by the deadlanders or a newer model supplied to them. We will inform you all once we have more information."

Que was transfixed on the screen while Ridley sighed heavily shaking his head. He heard his phone ring on the second floor and seeing that the yellow fennec was distracted the darker one decided it best to check on what was happening. He ran upstairs and grabbed his phone putting it to his ear, "hello?"

"Ridley," Replied the feminine voice on the other end. It took him a few moments to realize it was Rukan.

"What do you need Rukan I'm sort of in the middle of something importaint"

"Ridley... your father died last night in the New Los Vegas attack..."

Ridley froze as a chill ran through his body. He closed his eyes and shook his head slowly, "I'm sorry what?"

"Raine found him in his bath tub with slashed wrists... but... It was obvious he hadn't done it to himself."

The black fennec sat down on the edge of his bed and shook his head again trying to process everything, "So you're saying my father was murdered last night?"

"Yes..."

Ridley had all sorts of emotions flow through him then as the words finally set in. He closed his eyes and rubbed his temples leaning forward slightly. He was at a loss of words. He sat there in silence for some time before Rukan spoke again softly, "He'll be buried in two days. I'll set everything up so you can be there."

"yeah... thanks... Where by the way?"

"Home... Kyoto Japan."

Ridley sat in silence again as he felt his eyes burn, "You found his murderer?"

"Raine did... He dealt with it... I'm sure you saw the results on the television already. You can speak to him yourself when you arrive in Kyoto. Your plane leaves tomorrow morning so I suggest you get ready."

The phone on the other end hung up leaving Ridley alone. It was when he felt this settle in that his tears began to flow. Setting the phone down on the night stand he held his paw there quietly for a few seconds before he gripped the lamp and threw it across the room letting it shatter on the far wall with a roar of fury.

He stood himself up and spread his wings wide as the red marks started to glow including his eyes. They burned bright for a few moments before he fell to his knees and started to cry openly burring his face in his hands.

Que was quick up the stairs to find his friend crying. The yellow fennec approached quietly and softly put a hand on Ridley's shoulder speaking softly, "What's wrong?"

Ridley looked up at Que seeing only a foggy outline of the fennec through his wet eyes. He wanted so badly to be alone but at the same time knew it would only make things worse. He reached forward and pulled Que close to himself as the wings wrapped around them both and he continued to cry.

Neither of them spoke a word as Ridley cried out his sorrow and pain. The black fennec began to realize all his missed opportunities to make a better relationship with his father, all the times he should have said how he felt, how grateful he was. It was too late to tell him the most important thing.

"So you're leaving?" Asked the Canine feline hybrid from the darkness of the living room before he sat forward and turned on the light. Ridley was holding a pair of suit cases in his paws hoping to sneak out that night and never come back but he had been caught.

Ridley put the cases down and turned to his father frowning slightly as he spoke, "Yes..."

Kele nodded and sat back in his chair before motioning to the couch, "Sit with me son... Tell me what's wrong."

The black fennec shook his head slowly standing between the suitcases as he spoke, "I don't want to tell you. If you haven't figured it out yet then you have your reasons already."

"DON'T TAKE..." Kele steadied himself lowering his tone as he finished, "Don't leave without at least telling me where you think I went wrong."

"Shut up! You spend so much time in the bottom of a bottle since mom left that you don't even see what's happening around us! You're a disgrace Kele! You lost mom and didn't even fight for her! You just let her go because you're a Diam! How fucking pathetic can you get!? You barely even notice I am here ever since the accident! Uncle Narwith was the one there when everyone was afraid of me because of a fucking mark," Shouted Ridley as he folded his ears back and tore into his father.

Kele stood himself up and shouted back, "That man is not your uncle!"

"Oh you're right! Cause he's more like a father than I have ever had! At least he had the balls to be seen with me in public! I don't care about the blood that runs through his veins Kele all I care is that he was there for me while you were busy getting drunk! I've had to cover for you too many times now! Get your shit together," replied Ridley with raised hackles as he picked up his suit cases and started for the door again.

"Don't you walk out on me boy! I'm your father," Shouted the hybrid as he started to storm across the room only to see Ridley make his way out the door.

The black fennec threw his suit cases into the back of his car and slammed the door. Kele stood on the porch with folded arms in the cool night air shouting, "Get back in here!"

Ridley didn't reply as he opened the driver's door and slipped inside watching Kele storm down the front steps and shout through the window, "I'm your father!"

Ridley frowned deeply as he rolled the window down and shook his head, "You had your chance at that... All you are to me now is a problem... One I don't need."

Upon hearing the news of Ridley's father's fate Que insisted that Ridley skip class with him for the rest of the day. They spent some time around town trying to get Ridley's mind off of the situation but it always seemed to drift back to the last words he spoke to his father in anger. The regret in his heart hung heavily inside him never seeming to let go of the pit of his stomach.

It was getting dark outside before Ridley spoke again over dinner with Que at the local diner. "The last time I spoke to him... I told him he was no father of mine... I said terrible things."

Que nodded slowly putting his food down and looking across the table he frowned as he put a paw on Ridley's own, "Don't beat yourself up over it Ridley... We all make mistakes."

Ridley had a sort of lifeless look in his eyes as he looked down at his food with a weak nod, "Yeah... I guess."

"So... are you ready to talk about it," Asked Que gripping the other fennec's paw softly.

Ridley shook his head as he looked up and for a moment he gripped the paw back, "He was murdered... Raine apparently took care of that situation."

"Oh... I see. When are they going to bury him then," asked Que softly as he rubbed his thumb against the other fennec's paw endearingly.

Ridley looked to their paws holding one another and closed his eyes. He felt the thumb against his fur and skin, the emotion behind it breaking him down inside as he knew he had just very nearly made the same mistake with Que the night before that he was pained over with his father.

"Que... I'm sorry about what I did last night... I shouldn't have said those things... I shouldn't have pushed you away," Said the black one as he opened his eyes and looked into Que's own.

The yellow fennec looked surprised for a moment before a soft smile appeared on his face and he gave a slow nod, "I know... I understand why you did it and it's a valid reason. Believe me I was tearing myself apart last night thinking about it but... You're not the only one with baggage Ridley. It's not fair for you to decide who gets to be happy and who doesn't either. Everyone deserves a chance and I'm glad you're giving me mine."

"yeah... I guess so. It's not right to deny you happiness because I'll be miserable when you're gone," replied Ridley.

"That's not what I meant Ridley. You shouldn't think about those things it's not good for you. You should focus on the happy things like now... you're in your first real relationship with someone. Someone cares about you and isn't afraid because of what you are... and I don't care about what you might become. I care and I want to know more about you, I want to know you," said Que as he gripped Ridley's paw a little tighter than before.

Ridley nodded slowly looking down at their hands again before he spoke, "I leave tomorrow for Kyoto Japan. It's spring still so the sakura should be in blossom. I'll make sure to get you pictures I suppose. I shouldn't be gone for long."

Que smiled slightly and nodded, "Actually I know..."

"How?"

"When we went back to my dorm I found a ticket for me in an overnight envelope. I think she wants me to come along. I don't know why... but I figured it would be better for you to tell me than for me to tell you that I knew." Replied the yellow canine softly as he gave Ridley's paw a final squeeze and he let go.

Ridley was surprised at this wondering what Rukan was thinking about when she bought Que a ticket as well. He was secretly grateful but at the same time felt like she was invading his privacy in a way he didn't like. She was already watching him like a hawk which wasn't fair at all to start with.

"you're not happy?"

The words made the black fennec look up from his food and he shook his head forcing a slight smile, "It's not that. I just don't know what's going through Rukan's mind. It bothers me that she's so deep in my life now... It's not fair that the Black Knights get to spy on me all the time and all..."

The two spent the evening next to the pond looking out at the water as Ridley came to terms with the present issues and Que did everything in his power to be there for his companion. The water was calm and almost like glass though the slight bite in the air was still there with the falling darkness as winter's hold was still there in the darkness of night.

After a few hours of star gazing they decided it best to retire for the night and get their things together for the trip in the morning. The two canines walked back to Que's dorm to collect his things before retiring to Ridley's dorm. The yellow fennec knew better than to try to put the moves on the grieving dark canine but he did offer plenty of support as they packed up for their trip. Few words were exchanged mostly about the happenings around the campus and idle banter.

It wasn't until the clock read two in the AM that the two seemed to be too exhausted to stay awake any longer. Breaking barriers they spent their first night in the same bed. It was small with the two of them in it but Ridley welcomed the comforting embrace of Que to soften the blow.