Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The overhead light seemed too bright. Bright enough that it hurt Yuito’s eyes whenever he looked at it, causing him to keep them shut. He shouldn’t be scared, he shouldn’t be scared… he needed to be brave, like the dragon that lived in the neon. Kaito always seemed like the dragon. He was always brave. Yuito could be too.

“Let’s begin the procedure.” A voice said as cold hands lifted him up, despite his squirms. They put him down in the chair, the horrible chair that always stuck to his skin and locked the cold metal around his wrists and ankles. Yuito was trapped, held in place as he tried very very hard to be brave. Yuito started to cry.

“You like Baki don’t you Yuito?” one of the research assistants asked as she fitted the device on his head, the needles already scratching him. Yuito didn’t want to be here. Yuito nodded anyway, everyone loved Baki.

“If you’re good, you can have a Baki sticker.” The lingering promise was there. He just had to be good. He had to be brave. He had to be.

The device was turned on, the electro pulses ripped though his body and into his brain. Yuito didn’t know what they were doing, but it was something about fixing him. Yuito knew he couldn’t see things that other people saw.

It hurt. Everything hurt. He wanted them to stop. Why couldn’t they stop?

“Mommy! Mommy it hurts!” Yuito cried out, trying to pull uselessly against the metal holding him in place and looked frantically for Mommy. Yuito wanted to hide away in his Mommy’s arms and never feel the pain again. Maybe they could finally go back to the house where he had his own bed and where Kaito lived. He could be normal just like Kaito was. Maybe he didn’t need to see the neon.

“He’s only four years old.” Mommy looked at him with sad eyes. She was always sad. Yuito wanted to run to her.

“Mommy!”

Yuito watched helplessly as two of the research assistants lead his Mommy out of the room. Away from him. While he was left behind. Yuito was scared. He couldn’t be brave. He couldn’t be brave. Everything was too much pain. The needles on the device going though him. Yuito couldn’t take it anymore. He cried harder, his tears blurring his vision.

Why couldn’t they stop now?

Yuito tried to think of the story. He was scared now so he just needed to ask for courage. If he asked the dragon, he could be brave like Kaito. Kaito wouldn’t be crying right now. Kaito was strong.

There in the neon, just like the signs that always displayed that Yuito could never see, was the red dragon. It was bright red and covered the wall looking right at him. Yuito wondered if this is what Kaito saw.

“Help me!” Yuito cried out.

The dragon looked at him again, and Yuito felt something on his shoulder.

Then everything went black.

Yuito slowly opened his eyes, the sharp white of the sterile ceiling staring back down at him. Yuito blinked a few times, trying to sit up but felt too tired. His head really hurt. The hospital blanket was around him… someone must have carried him to bed.

“Oh Yuito” Mommy’s soft hand stroked his hair as he laid down. Mommy was here… that must mean everything is going to be better now. Mommy always made things better.

“How are you feeling Sweetheart?”

“Mommy, it still hurts.” Yuito told her. Mommy placed soft kisses on his forehead, and laid down on the bed next to him. Yes this was safe. Yuito always felt so safe when he was left alone with Mommy.

“Am I better now? Can we go home?” Yuito asked.

“Not yet… but you’re getting stronger. And you were so brave today during everything.” Mommy said with a smile. Yuito thought the smile still looked sad. If he could get better faster then Mommy wouldn’t be sad all the time. Or if he had just been born like Kaito. Kaito never made Mommy sad like this.

“I saw the dragon. In the neon. I can’t see the neon but I saw the dragon.”

“Did you? Did the dragon help you be brave?”

“He made the pain go away. Mommy will you tell the story again?” Yutio asked. He liked hearing the story. He hugged his Baki close to his chest, breathing in the familiar smell. Baki was happiness. Yuito needed to be happy. Here hurt too much.

“Are you and Baki comfy?” Mommy asked.

“We’re comfy.” Yuito promised.

“When the extinction belt first fell, people were scared… they had no one to turn too and the monsters known as Others appeared and roamed the land. It was a dark and scary time. Then a bright dragon appeared to Yukumo Sumeragi and gave the people hope… when they were in need he’d led them courage and strength so they would know that they could face anything. Under the dragon’s wisdom and guidance they were able to fight back against the Others… they were able to do things that seemed scary… for when the people always needed him he was there. The dragon gave his soul and entered the neon so that he may watch over everyone and should anyone in need, they can always find him and ask him for the courage and strength. He’s the one when the little girls need help on a test… he’s the one when mothers have children… he’s the one when the little boys scrap their knees playing in the streets… he’s the one when fathers need to carry their children into the shelters… he’s the one when friends face bullies… he’s the one when the OSF walk into danger while the rest of us run away… our true scarlet guardian.”

“When I see the neon, I’m always going to say hello and thank you.” Yuito decided.

“That’s very kind of you Yuito.”

“Mommy… can I go play now. I feel better.”

“Of course you can.” Mommy gave him a smile, one that still seemed sad. Yuito wanted to stop making Mommy sad.

“Play with me!”

“Okay.”

Yuito carried Baki out, he knew it was a secret that the researchers didn’t like he running around and playing. He’d heard them talking about it in whisper voices. But if it made Mommy happy then Yuito decided it was worth it. And he was sure Daddy wouldn’t let them be mean to him about it. Daddy was very important to New Himuka and everyone had to listen to him.

In the neon he wasn’t supposed to see, Yuito could see the red dragon on the wall again. He was smiling at him this time.

“Mommy, let’s follow him!” Yuito ran after the dragon… going from room to room as he danced along the wall. If Yuito kept seeing the neon maybe that meant he was almost better! Yuito was getting excited. Could Kaito always see the dragon like this?

A girl around his age was standing in the doorway, the dragon above her. She had white hair and looked right at him with a blank face. Surrounding her were so many red strings! Was she new? Yuito was the youngest one here, everyone else was older like Kaito or even grown ups. So maybe now he’d have a friend!

“Hello. I’m Yuito!”

The girl looked at him again and walked off, leaving a trail of red strings and the dragon floating above her. Yuito looked back, his Mommy wasn’t there anymore but he really wanted to follow the dragon. Yuito clutched Baki in his hand and followed after her.

“Where are we going?” Yuito asked running after her. The girl looked back at him before turning a corner and disappearing. Yuito looked around confused. He wasn’t supposed to be by here. Not near Ryou’s room… his Mommy always wanted him to stay away. Ryou sometimes hurts people. Ryou doesn’t like being in the hospital.

Yuito hesitated looking around once more for the girl. A loud crash and screaming came from Ryou’s room. At least the door always locked. Yuito run away before the nurses could see him and tell him off.

Yuito held Baki in his hand as he made his way back. He hoped Ryou didn’t know he was there. Ryou liked to bite. Ryou couldn’t hear him, could he?

Bump.

Yuito looked up… the man he’d walked into was huge. Even bigger then his Daddy, with a long black jacket and a scar on his eye.

“Sorry Mister.” Yuito apologized.

“It’s fine.”

“I’m Yuito Sumeragi! And this is Baki!”

“Karen. My brother used to like Baki.” Karen replied after a moment.

“Baki is the best. My friend Hanabi got him for me because I’m sick. He’s going to stay with me in the hospital while they make me better.”

“You’re sick?”

“Just not born right really. I don’t see the neons.” Yuito replied. Everyone else could see the neons, Kaito could see the neons and once he was better he’d be able to see them too. Just like he could see the dragon.

“Oh you’re inept.”

“Is that what it’s called?” Yuito asked. Karen didn’t answer, he nodded. Yuito thought that sounded like a funny word.

“Mister Karen… did you see the red string girl? I was following her but she disappeared.”

“Red string girl?”

“Yeah… she was standing under the dragon. From the neon. I can’t usually see the neon but I can see the dragon. From the story Mommy tells me. She was under him and there was red strings all around her. But I don’t think they were coming from the dragon.” Yuito answered.

“Have you seen her before?”

“No, that was the first time. Then she went away. I think she’s near Ryou’s room. I hope he doesn’t bite her.”

“Ryou? He’s another patient here? Did he see her too?” Karen asked.

“No. Ryou’s not allowed out of his room. But I heard him. He’s throwing things again.”

Karen gave Yuito a look then that Yuito didn’t really understand. It was strange, he was a grown up yet he was listening to Yuito properly. Not just smiling at him like grown ups always did.

“I like talking to you Mister Karen.”

“You do?”

“Yes… you’re really nice. Mister Karen, are you a Scarlet Guardian?”

“Yes. I’m a Septentrion.”

“Wow… they’re the really cool ones. My brother Kaito told me. So you fight the Others?”

“I do.”

“Does the dragon help you? Like the story?” Yuito asked, eager to hear more tales about the dragon that gave people strength.

“I haven’t seen him, but I’m sure he’s guiding us. In the neon.” Karen replied after a moment.

“Yeah! He gives all the Setenrons courage. My Mommy told me.”

“Septentrion.” Karen repeated slower.

“Sep-ten-tri-on.”

“That’s right.”

“Karen Travers. What brings you to this facility… and to my son?” Daddy asked as he walked around the corner. Kaito stood by his side, not looking at Yuito. Yuito thought Kaito had gotten taller.

“Daddy! You came to see me! I think I’m getting better. Daddy did you know Karen is a” Yuito looked at Karen again. “Sep-ten-tri-on?”

Karen nodded. Yuito felt really proud that he could say that long word twice.

“I did. Is there Others here I am unaware of?”

“No.”

Yuito wasn’t sure but he didn’t think Daddy and Karen liked each other. They kept looking at each other.

“Kaito… why don’t you take Yuito back to your mother?” Daddy asked but Yuito didn’t think it sounded like a question.

“Come on.” Kaito took Yuito’s hand and pulled him away.

“Goodbye Karen!” Yuito called out as he left with Kaito.

“Why do I always end up babysitting?” Kaito grumbled. Yuito didn’t think he sounded happy.

“I’m sorry Kaito. I’ll be better soon!” Yuito promised. He could see the neon when he saw the dragon. That must mean he was getting better. He could go home with Kaito. Kaito laughed then. Yuito wasn’t sure why Kaito was laughing at him.

“No you won’t. You’ll be here a long time.”

“I will?”

“Yes. And keeping my mother with you.” Kaito looked angry then. Yuito didn’t want Kaito to be angry with him. Kaito snatched his hand away and shoved Yuito to the ground. It hurt but not like the doctors hurt him. But Kaito had never hurt him before. Would everyone just hurt him now? Would Mommy hurt him? Yuito started to cry. He didn’t want Kaito to hurt him.

“I’m sorry. I was mean.” Kaito knelt down next to him then, dried his eyes with his sleeve and rubbed his back. That felt nice Yuito thought. Kaito didn’t seem to be angry with him now.

“I didn’t mean to be sick Kaito.”

“I know. I’m not mad at you. I was being mean because I miss you and Mom.”

“Not my fault?”

“No it’s not your fault.” Kaito gave him a smile then. That made Yuito feel happy. He wanted Kaito to like him. Yuito had the best big brother in the world. He was going to be strong like him. Like the dragon.

“You’re here because you’re very special Yuito. See, we made you born a dud so we could put a special power in your head. Dad said we stole it from Togetsu. Our family has a special destiny… and you’re going to help us. When you get your power, you’re going to take down the extinction belt and you’re going to fight the moon.”

“I… I am?” Yuito asked confused. That sounded funny. Why would Daddy want to fight the Moon?

“Yeah… it’s our destiny as Sumeragis.”

Yuito saw the dragon the wall behind Kaito then… it was dancing back and forth. The dragon that helps Karen when he’s fighting. He’d be helping Kaito just like the dragon.

“I can help you Kaito! Just like the dragon helps.” Yuito promised.

“Kaito, I thought you were taking Yuito to your mother.” Daddy said.

“I was but Yuito fell over. He’s okay now.”

“I’m okay.” Yuito repeated. He watched as Karen walked away with someone. He looked like he was a Septentrion too. Karen looked back at him then and said something to the man he was with. Yuito thought Karen looked sad. The dragon followed Karen and the man away. Yuito hoped he’d see the dragon soon.

Yuito blinked himself awake… his back and muscles still felt sore from the last battle and his head was splitting. It took him a moment to process everything. He was sure he’d remembered something else from his time at the old OSF hospital. It seemed his memories were always flooding back to him now, like they had been locked away but the lock was opened.

Yuito took in how quite the hideout was… despite everything, it seemed almost peaceful with everyone still sleeping.

Yuito looked up at the ceiling, where he could see the dragon. He hadn’t seen it since that day in the hospital. Was it because he was here with Kasane? She was sleeping with her legs tucked to her in the chair next to him. He couldn’t be sure but he was sure that girl was Kasane… much younger but it was her. Kasane had mentioned something about dreams of red strings hadn’t she? Yuito made a note to ask her about them again.

Yuito slowly got up, careful not to disturb anyone and made his way to the bathroom to try and clear his head. What was former Major General Karen Travers doing at the hospital that day? Why had he spoken to him for so long as he did? Why did his Dad seem unhappy that Karen was talking to him? What did the dragon he’d seen that day mean? Why was it back now all of a sudden? And how had he seen Kasane that day?

Yuito sighed as he splashed water onto his face… he doubted he’d get answers anytime soon. Come to think about it… hadn’t Captain Seto said that Karen was interested in him when he was a cadet? Did the former Major General remember talking to him in the hospital? More questions that would never be answered he sighed.