Try Again.

Kuro actually didn't know what day it was. Hard to keep track of time in a lizard. He was glad when Jun hinted at it though. Made it a lot easier to guess, even if it was a rather rhetorical question. "That's the spirit Jun! You should have them trapped in here." His voice chimed in.

Seeing Jun cut the wrist, Kuro proceeded to ready the area of the cut. For now he'd harden over the slit. If Jun flicked his wrist, Kuro would be ready to liquify it. If he requested the scythe, so be it. Kuro could handle that too. Jun wasn't a novice at killing, apparently. At least, not anymore. This was no longer the Jun that Kuro had once known. No, this was what Kuro had taught him to become. It made him kinda proud to see this in action...

Jun's heart fluttered, completely flush with praise. Part of his mind berated him for such a pathetic action. The way he responded to praise was dog-like. He decided not to fight this nature. Maybe he was given this collar for a reason. That couldn't be right though. He certainly didn't feel "cursed" now.

The hour approaching for people to arrive, Jun's mind shifted through similar memories. "Trapped..." He said, his tone oddly curious for the simple statement. "I was trapped once." Conviction grew in Jun's voice, but was still mired in his usual timid nature. Even still, this may be as firm as he would ever be. "In a place just like this." Jun moved around to the back entrance, and secured it shut with a bone lance. He would wait outside, and enter behind the service.

Kuro took a moment to think about that. "That so...? Tell me about it sometime?" He asked, kinda curious again. "I was trapped in a forest for a few years. Stuck in my weapon form to think." He added, figuring he might as well throw in a story of his own. After all, wasn't like he hated the kid. Was just survival.

With that he'd wait and listen to anything Jun had to say, still focusing on the slit wrist so he didn't forget when the people would come. After all, running into a building full of terrified people unprepared could lead to unnecessary complications that they didn't need any part of.

Jun gave a nervous, however content smile. He had never heard anything from Kuro's past before! Was is simply because he didn't ask? That couldn't be it. He was never this close, or received praise that didn't involve potato chips. It was obvious. He was simply better this way. He was never any use as a meister. Granted, he didn't have a lot of proving time, and held considerable skill, but it was never of any use. That's the most important thing in life right? Be... Helpful?

Jun opened his mouth to speak, but people were already entering the church. He closed his mouth, and simply waited in silence around the corner. There were about a dozen people in the Church now, and service was beginning. It was unlikely that anyone else show up now. "Now?" He muttered to Kuro, as if he needed permission to begin.

Kuro watched the people gather. It pleased him to see that this many people gathered in one place. Soon enough it would be their grave. "Now." Kuro replied, seeming pretty eager to kill. Kuro was like a kid in a candy store, and since he was no longer a lizard, he was going to rob the place.

Keeping himself ready, Kuro had nothing to do but wait on Jun's move. Kuro acted tough, and bullied, and complained, but in reality he couldn't do anything without a suitable host. If his host was helpless in a fight, so was Kuro. It wasn't a pretty reality to Kuro, but it was reality none the less.

Hanging on the word, Jun turned the corner instantly with the drop of the sound. Pushing past the doors ever so causally, he sprouts another spike from his palm. His left arm is flung in a crescent, aiming the cut across the entire room for attacks Kuro's discretion, the right sending the spike hissing through the air towards the pastor with uncanny accuracy. Not to say he was the hardest opponent to hit, but Jun couldn't help being a little proud. Not just anyone could do that from this distance... Maybe Jun was getting too used to this. He didn't even hesitate this time.

For the most part, he was turned off now. He wouldn't even register the gasps of the crowd as their spiritual leader fell groaning to his knee's. One thing's certain. This wouldn't be pleasant for Jun when he -woke up-. Part of his mind was already planning escape however. This wasn't everyone in the town, but it was day-time now. People were alert, and ready to report him. They needed to be long gone by the time any authorities heard of this. Most of all the DWMA.

With Jun's wrist flick, Kuro liquified the black cut and sent the blood out in a spray, hardening it into sharp needles as it exited the body. The total of spikes shot was five, of which four hit target. One man was pegged through the right side of the back of his chest, ensuring a slow death. The other victims included a woman spiked in the right arm, a child who took a hit to the left shoulder, and another man hit in the left leg.

Kuro, moderately pleased with his work, proceeded to form one of his miniature scythes in Jun's free hand. A church wasn't as small as a house, so they could probably swing pretty freely with the decreased range it offered in this form. It was a pretty good trade of usefulness for range.

Jun's smile broadened, as he jogged and took a leap onto nearby man, digging Kuro into the base of his neck. There still wasn't any joy in killing, but he was so happy now. He didn't realize until now how empty his hands had felt this whole time. The weight, the balance?!... Perfection... He thought quietly, yanking the scythe out through the front of the mans body in a surprising feat of strength from his size.

The crack and squelch of wet bone was unpleasantly sobering. Jun hoped from the body to make another strafe with his wrist. After all, this needed to end sooner than later. He couldn't let anyone escape this. His eyes crossed the room for targets. Many of whom were being disappointed with the back entrance. This was the part where people got defensive, like any cornered animal. It may get slightly tricky.

It felt good, the blade tearing through flesh and bone alike. The flat metal piece was perfect for it, and Jun's new strength certainly didn't hurt. He was almost glad he ran into Jun again. They made a scarily good pair sometimes. Jun knew most (if not all) of Kuro's powers, after all. Plus, now that Jun was comfortable, and we use the term very loosely, with killing, they could actually get things done.

"Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, nothing to stop us!~" Kuro chimed from his blade to toy with their heads. Why not? It was true. Unless one of them found the time and guts to whip out a cell phone, nobody would know. Even if they did, one of the pair would hopefully see and target them specifically. They'd be gone before anyone missed these poor fools.

Jun felt is stomach churning. He had never killed anyone so up close. And when he did, it was never so messy. He staggered forward slightly, his world spinning. Not like this. He wouldn't mess this up after so much waiting. Jun sharpened his mind towards the goal at hand. Kuro's hungry... Was that another smile? Kuro's comment must have done it. This was sick right? They were monsters.

Jun strode to the side to catch a woman in flight by the neck with Kuro, the blade gashing her wide open. Was he so low that he could react on an instinct now? Killing without a thought. With mercy, Jun aimed his next spike to the child Kuro had wounded. Every movement was becoming more difficult. He had never heard screams so loud. Never cries for mercy. Jun staggered backwards again, colors becoming painfully scintillating, and his mind locking onto the now haunting voices. Wait... No, there weren't sounds anymore.

Jun's body began to move again. Different now. It was like he was a meister all over again. The moves were more efficient, and single step in his form was wasted. He spun into two others, Kuro strafing across a man's torso while a bone made its way into separate targets skull skull. How many was that? How many were left? He could no longer spare the coherency to tell.

Kuro was surprised. Jun was proving himself more and more with every blow. It was promising. Perhaps if he stuck around awhile Kuro could make it to a decent count? After all, it wasn't every day you find someone willing to let you live inside of them... Finding a new host could be put off a little longer...

"Scream, scream, as loud as you can! Seven are dead by a stranger's hand!~" Kuro sang out eerily. It was all a game to him now. What started as a man's fear of death ended in a twisted decent into madness fueled by a hunger for the forbidden fruit of pure souls, and now he had dragged a young meister in his prime down with him. Why was he proud of that? Eh, who cares? This was fun!

Was that how man now? No, that's not possible. It was just one right? To give them the edge he needed? How could this have happened? How did one comfortable pitty kill amount to this amalgamation of screams, and disconcerted faces. But these weren't really his thoughts! No, never! Never think of this! Never think, think, never think! It began it's loop like flow, echoing in his mind until it finally amounted to nothing. White noise. There was nothing left of him for this chaos. No part of his personality could bare it, but ever last fiber in his formerly meaningless existence cries, screams, yearns for it. He was used to this by now. This wandering aimlessly. Sensation-less movement. It dominated his time to the point of weeks flying by in the blink of an eye. What were a couple minutes now?


Singing? Was Jun singing? No, that was Kuro. They weren't the same person, were they? No, of course not, how silly. Oh what sensations. So warm, and secure. The white noise was so calming. So easy to give into. They probably think he's mad or something by now. Maybe that's why they sounded so angry. Maybe that's why their eyes wouldn't stop judging him. No... They weren't even looking now? W-why? What's wrong with me? Am I messed up!? Why am I so fucked up!?! The sounds peaked through the white noise only to spiral out back into the meaningless haze of madness.

The warmth. Blood coated Jun's hands, and lower arms now. He had butchered two more. This time, vacant of finesse. There was a foreign blood-lust that he couldn't identify with. There were several ruby stained bone blade protruding throughout his body, Kuro's form having seen the most use. The final three were huddled in the far corner of the room. The deadly pair standing between them, and salvation.

Kuro was impressed. Jun seemed to work rather quickly. Of those in the church only three remained, huh? Perhaps Jun wasn't so useless anymore. The very thought that Jun was but a tool made Kuro feel like a monster... And he liked it! Is this who he is now? The great scientist who discovered near immortality, nothing more than a young boy's inner monster...?

No. Kuro was no longer that scientist. That scientist died to bring Kuro into this world... This moment... This realization... This was the true day that Professor Joshua Fulton died, and in his place rose the future demon blade of choice for a kishin... Yes! Not only would he build himself, he'd build a host! If not Jun then someone else. This was his choice. This was his decision. He'd achieve this goal or die trying!

Now Kuro would speak, his voice a bit more serious than before, but still hinting at an enjoyment of this twisted game. "Let's finish this, I'd like to ask you some things." This was all Kuro said, falling silent and trusting that Jun would know what to do.

"Finish this?... Finish them..." Jun's mind affirmed the order. He leaned over and started laughing. There was no happiness. Simply the minds reaction to something he couldn't stand. A broad, and grim smile cracked itself into his face, his true feelings betrayed by the tear gathering in the corners of his eyes. "I hate killing. Kuro loves it. I love it. Love killing...." The thoughts raced to the decision in a mere moment.

"Y-you really should play harder if you want to win!" Jun called through his deceptively menacing  laugh, as he lurched into an explosion of movements. A combination of stabs, and gashes delivered haphazardly left the final three dead. "Kuro... Are you pleased?" He asked, shaking a bit, as his consciousness returned to something more normal.

Suprisingly, the scene of gore didn't bother him a great deal. This was proof to him. "I can never go back..." He would think, as he went about the room, collecting souls at a lazy pace. There were twelve. Six for each, if Kuro didn't decide he wanted Jun's as well. With the souls inside of a sack-cloth bag, Jun made his way out of the church, and waited for Kuro to ask his questions.

Kuro was surprised. Was this really the same kid that he'd met back then? Eh, it didn't matter. What mattered was that this kid had skill, and their souls matched. Even if it wasn't the same Jun, Kuro was satisfied with their skill. After all, this was exactly the kind of power he needed for now. Hopefully Jun felt the same way.

Kuro drew the scythe back when Jun finished. [color=grey]"Yeah Jun, more than pleased actually."[/grey] Kuro said, taking a moment to run the questions to follow in his mind. It only took a moment before he spoke again. "First question I wanna ask. Mind if I stick around a bit? Turns out not a lot of people want a scythe living inside them. Besides, you've grow respectable since I took off."

Kuro had goals. If fulfilling these goals meant helping Jun with whatever side task he wanted help with, then so be it. It wasn't like Kuro was in any hurry right now. The DWMA probably didn't even know of his existance, and if they did they wouldn't spend too much effort on a messily dark weapon of his current standings. Now, when things start heating up, he may have a real problem. Nothing he couldn't handle with a good host. Which meant he needed a permanent host to bulk up... Right now his old friend here was looking pretty qualified...

Jun couldn't help the near goofy smile that spread across his face. Kuro was happy with him! Even better, found him "respectable"? He felt the need to hug his weapon, which was of course very impossible. Finally, Jun's head seemed to clear a bit, the madness calming, and giving him room to think comfortably. This was something he had sought ever since he left the school.

"P-please stay?" He replied, shaking his head as he realized how desperate he had sounded. He couldn't afford to seem weak around Kuro. That's what made him leave the first time, right? "I-I mean-!.. If y-you want, it's f-fine." He managed, his tone half panicked.

Jun plopped down onto the ground, and opening the bag to let the bright orbs roll across it in front of him. "S-six each... I-If you want to split them evenly..." Jun would really rather split them evenly, but he was willing to give Kuro the better portion if he wanted. Just one for Jun at least. One to make the worry stop for a moment. Picking up the one farthest away to make sure Kuro didn't have to reach for it, and slowly gulped it down, reveling in every second of the clarity it brought him.

A childish excitement was growing in Kuro. That was a green light. Kuro had permussion to use Jun as a host now. "Great!" Kuro exclaimed, confirming his claim by re-opening the scar on Jun's spine and taking his full monsterous form. While Kuro would have liked to consume the lot, that would mean trouble down the road.

"Even is fine. It'd be pointless to only build myself up if I'm staying." He said, leaning over Jun to pluck a soul and consume it. While Kuro could just absorb the souls into himself, he liked this method better. It suited him more. "Since I'm staying..." Kuro began, swallowing down the soul and continuing. "Mind if I ask what your long term goals are?"

Kuro could gather souls wherever Jun happened to wander, so this didn't matter much, but Kuro wanted to know what he would be used for in the long run. His only goal right now was to grow to a demon blade. After that, he wanted to build a kishin while he continued to grow. A weapon as meister dependent as him needed someone even stronger to wield them, otherwise their own level was useless.

Jun was uncontrollably proud of Kuro's reaction. He had never imagined he would see Kuro so happy, let alone with HIM. Kuro really wanted to stay that badly. Not only that, but wanted to split the souls with him like an equal. Jun couldn't see through the veneer that this was likely a means for an end for Kuro, and his mind immediately accepted this as an act of benevolence.

He worked another soul past his maw, slightly faster than the first time. He would need the help to answer the question. "W-well... Y-you see, I don't r-really have any... I-I was just gathering souls b-because I wanted to be stronger." He rushed the thought out, his octaves bouncing on ever syllable in a spastic display of his anxiety.

Jun flicked another soul into his mouth directly after the sentence, to calm himself from what he had said. What he left out was the fact that he had wanted this new strength to win over the affections of Kuro in particular. He couldn't seem weak now, right? Not after finally getting what he wanted. What he so needed.

Kuro was alright with this. No goals meant they could plan one later and focus on surviving the low-count phase. Eventually they'd have time to do whatever they wanted. He plucked a second soul, plopping it into his mouth and letting it sink into his make-shift throat. "Alright, I'm sure we'll find one after awhile. For now we can stick to this." He finally replied, making sure to note this was the second soul.

"Last question." Kuro began, plunging number three into his mouth and swallowing. "And this one's really important." He added, pausing to grab another in his hand and give it in intense stare. "I love souls as much as the next dark weapon, but..." He paused again, still staring at the soul.

Kuro gripped it in his hand, looking down at Jun. "Can we stop and pick up some potato chips? Lizards can't exactly carry a bag out a store." He finished, popping the small orb into his mouth, marking four.

Jun could barely take the suspense Kuro created. He hung on every anticipating syllable, and promptly untensed upon hearing the request. He was worried he would be eating people, and smashing babies soon. No... Chips... Some things really never change.

"O-oh... Of course..." Jun said, realizing he had eaten his remaining souls in a fit of nervousness. He would wait for Kuro to do the same, and stand to leave. Of to the nearest convenience store it was. That, then where-ever it was the road lead them for now.

Kuro popped down the last two, patting Jun's head. "Perfect. Let's go then.~" Kuro chimed, marking their departure as he shrank back into Jun's cut, sealing it black so it didn't leak. This was the re-start of a beautiful partnership, as far as Kuro was concerned.