Persona BLEACHED 2: Part 39

Chapter 39: And I Saw a Pale Horse, named Death
April 5, 2029
"You sure this is the place?" Kitty asked.
She, Sakuya and Ryōma were at an apartment complex in Ikebukuro. Ryōma was peering inside one of the apartment windows.
"I'm positive. She sent me the address a week ago." he replied.
"Could they have fled when the monsters began appearing?" Sakuya asked.
Ryōma hit his fist on the door. "Damn it all! Grr...right when I realize what's actually important, this happens."
"Hey man, they could still be hiding somewhere. Don't go assuming the worst already." Kitty suggested.
"Easy for you to say. The apocalypse begins and I'm supposed to assume my son and his mother got out of it alright? You and your eternal optimism."
"Look at the streets, Ryōma. There's no one. They could have all fled once Kerberos arrived. Is it just the adult tendency to assume the worst? They could have escaped." Sakuya retorted.
"In that case, I've got no reason to keep babysitting you. I'm leaving."
"Oh, for...if you're this dense, it's any wonder--" Kitty began.
"Ahem. Before you all start ripping into each other."
Jin suddenly appeared behind the three.
"CRIPES, not you again! Come to finish the job, Chuckles?" Kitty demanded.
"Take it easy, youngblood, I'm not here for trouble."
"Hang on a sec...you're talking. Like, talking talking. And not being all crazy. And alive. Um, excuse me, whaaaat."
"It's a long story. All you need to know is that I'm here to help."
"Looking at the current situation, I don't think your brand of help is necessary." Ryōma said.
"I'm sorry, the guy who tried to assassinate a bunch of high schoolers is lecturing me on morals? I actually care about my kid, genius." Jin bit back.
"Why, you..." Ryōma reached for his sword.
"Not here, Hyrule man." Kitty got in front of him.
"Mirai-sama, is everyone else alright?" Sakuya asked.
"Everyone's safe and sound over at Shinji's store. Few of my mates got banged up fighting off Kerberos, but they'll manage. The important thing is getting you all over there." Jin replied.
"Count me out. I need to find my--" Ryōma began.
"Your family's not here, ace. They vanished with the rest of this city outside our circle of trust. Going off and getting eaten by those demons won't do anything to bring them back. But what I've got planned can. And we could use all the help we can get."
"And you expect me to believe you upfront?"
"You look at the state of the place and think otherwise? Look, Tsutsugo. I don't trust you for one goddamn second. But hunting for your kid tells me that you at least have a conscience. Man-to-man, father-to-father, I know you'll do whatever it takes to get junior back. I know how to do it. I've had Kerberos inside of my head for my entire adult life. I know what makes her tick. We need all hands on deck. So drop the lone wolf act and give us a hand. For once in your life, do something for someone else."
"....." Ryōma thought for a moment. "Do you really believe you can beat her?"
"I do. We managed to wound her. She's down, but not for long. Let's go over to Shinji's, and I'll explain everything."
"...fine. But only until I get my son back. After that I never want to see any of you bastards for as long as I live."
"Trust us, the feeling's mutual." Kitty uttered.
Jin took out his phone. "Wait a sec, yours is working? I couldn't get us in here with mine." Kitty asked.
"It can't get us in and out of Tokyo, but it can get us around the city. Now let's move before more of those things come for a snack." The four teleported off.
They arrived at Shinji's shop. "I come bearing gifts." Jin said.
"Is it cupcakes?" Shinji asked.
"Can it, four-eyes." Tan griped.
"Unreal. So the kids did get away. Some of 'em, at least." Shūjo said.
"Hey, so...Kitty, right? Is our Keebie not with you?" Kyoko asked.
Kitty looked down, staying silent. "I'm sorry...him and the others, they, um..." 
"I see...I was afraid of that..." Kabu muttered.
"Oh, God...please, not my baby..." Kyoko uttered.
"Calm down, Thunderbolt. I don't think your boy's gone. None of them are. Kerberos is feeding off of their power. She needs them alive." Jin reassured. "And I know exactly where they'll be."
"Please, tell us, Mirai-sama." Sakuya asked.
Kitty felt a tug on her hand. She looked down to see Shizuka holding it. "Hi, Kitty Kat."
"Princess, oh, I'm so happy to see you..." Kitty picked her up. "Hm? Still holding onto Purrloin, are we?"
"Can't sleep without it. Did you find my moms?"
"We did. And we're gonna go save them now. If your Uncle Chuckles would hurry up with explaining."
"I was getting to it. And please never call me 'Uncle Chuckles' again." Jin said. "So, about my plan. I believe where Rin, Rose and your friends are currently is within the Metaverse."
"You mean like one of those Palace places, right?" Kitty asked.
"Something like that. Not just any Palace, though. Kerberos' own personal keep."
"Figures someone as messed up as that would have a twisted view of reality. And this is where Rin-Rin and everyone else are?" Tenko asked.
"That'd be the most likely place. There's a domain deep, deep within the Metaverse where all of mankind's worst emotions and thoughts linger. This is where Kerberos draws her power from. The most vile and despicable place you could think of."
"My consciousness was there for a good while, before Hiyoko brought me back. It's...beyond comprehension how terrible a realm it is. To subject people to such a place...it's evil in its purest form."
"And that's...that's where Prof and the others are?" Kitty asked.
"Hmph. And you're expecting a couple of school children to traverse such a place?" Ryōma scoffed.
"Don't have much of a choice, do we?" Jin turned his attention to Kitty. "I know how awful this sounds, but it's not hopeless. We can get your friends out of there, but it won't be easy. And you might be the only one who can do it. Kerberos...she's afraid of you."
"Of me? What for? I'm just...compared to a monster like that, I'm nothing. What could I ever do to her?" Kitty asked.
"You can get through to your friends where no one else can. Free them, and we cut off Kerberos' power supply. She isn't invincible. Take away her power, and our job becomes a thousand times easier."
Kitty thought about it. "Welp, I've gone this far without kicking it. Can't turn away now, can I? I'll...I'll do it. I'll get everyone back, and that kangaroo-loving freak can finally go away for good."
Sakuya put her hand on Kitty's shoulder. "We will get them back. I'll see this to the end with you. No matter the trial."
"Thanks, Mag...thanks, Sakuya." Kitty answered.
"And what about you, Hero of Yomiuri? Having second thoughts?" Jin asked.
"A million of them. But far too many lives are dependent on the outcome of this little quest. Plus, it's an adult's responsibility to ensure the safety of the children, yes?"
"Exactly. Which is why I'll be going with you." Jin said.
"You what? Are you nuts?" Tenko asked.
"I've been to that place once already. They'll need a guide. And I've got a lot to make up for."
"No no no no, I've almost lost you fifty-odd times now. My little heart can only take so much."
"I had a hand in making this mess, it's my responsibility to clean it up. I have to settle things with that murderous witch, once and for all."
"Then we're gonna come with."
"That's not happening. Once Kerberos wakes up, you need to be here to fend her off. She knows you can hurt her. I'm better off helping with the rescue mission."
"...stupid doof. Fine. But promise me you'll come back in one piece. With everyone. I'm not gonna be a 25-year old widow, ya hear me?"
"I'll try to avoid letting that happen. So, Ms. Kitten...are you prepared?"
Kitty had the Metaverse app opened up. "I think so. No turning back now. It's final dungeon time."
"There's a reference I can appreciate. Steel yourselves. This won't be pretty."
Kitty pressed the button, and a portal opened. "I know I'm not the most trustworthy gal in the world...but I'll bring everyone back, or die trying. That's a promise you can believe."
With a final wave to Shizuka, Kitty and the others stepped through the portal.
---
"What...okay, this...I'm both surprised, and not." Kitty uttered.
The four were surrounded by rocks.
"Ugh...it smells like sulfur. Like rot and decay." Sakuya griped.
"As should be expected from someone so vile. Where did you drag us to, Mirai?" Ryōma demanded.
"Exactly where you're thinking. The holding place of all damned souls. Where else would the most vile creature in the galaxy store her power?" Jin explained. He approached the gate.
It bore a single, foreboding message: "Abandon all hope, ye who enter here."
"Ladies and gentleman...welcome to Hell."
"Could you, um...could you go back a bit?" Kitty asked.
"This is where the Shadows of impure souls go once their corporeal lives have ended. This place has existed since the universe's beginning, but was taken over by Kerberos after her descent into madness. Now, on top of being where wicked Shadows congregate, it's used as a torturing ground for those she has taken an 'interest' in. It consists of eight floors, or 'circles', where souls are divided up and punished according to the nature of their misdeeds." Jin explained.
"So...Spawn was a documentary series, is what you're saying." Kitty said.
"In a manner of speaking...yeah, you could say that. Course, McFarlane got his ideas from Dante, who would've gotten his from--"
"FOCUS, idiots." Ryōma griped.
"Pardon me for being technical, but didn't Dante's Hell have nine floors?" Sakuya asked.
"Smart girl. This Hell mostly resembles the one scribed by Dante, save for the absence of one floor: Limbo. As you can imagine, a plane where pure souls reside in peace isn't something Kerberos has any use for. This world of hers begins with horror and only gets worse as it goes deeper. And at the very bottom is where Kerberos' true self resides. That'd be where Rin is."
"So the wench has spent her existence gathering souls to torment for eternity. To think the Master claimed she was once a noble spirit." Ryōma said.
"Sure isn't noble these days. So if the Professor's at the very bottom, where's everyone else?" Kitty asked.
"Most likely scattered throughout the other floors. Kerberos' torture targets the very core of a person's self. They'll likely be in extreme agony, physically and emotionally."
"Say no more. Sooner we find them, the better." Kitty walked on ahead.
"Heh." Jin chuckled.
"I wasn't even trying to be funny this time." Kitty said.
"No, I'm not laughing at you. That look in your eyes just reminded me of someone..."
---
"What's with this ridiculous wind? I thought Hell was supposed to be an onslaught of lava, not the middle of a hurricane!" Ryōma griped.
The four were atop a long wooden bridge, set over a large ravine. The wind was howling, and rocking the bridge back and forth.
"These are the Cliffs of Lust. Souls found to be guilty of giving in to their base desires are condemned to spend eternity being battered by harsh winds. 'A howling gust of helpless discomfort'." Jin explained.
"So where are these tormented souls? I haven't seen a single one." Sakuya said.
"Down there."
Beneath the bridge, the ravine was filled with Shadow selves, being tossed back and forth by the winds, flying through the air and into the cliffs themselves. Many of them grabbed at the bridge, but would come up short.
"That's...that's a lot of them. And this is just the first circle?" Sakuya asked.
"There's no shortage of sinners, Ms. Tsumomo, never has been. Especially ones that spent their lived surrendering to their...shall we say, baser urges." Jin replied.
Kitty had stopped. "Hang on..."
"What is it, Kitty-san? Do you see something?" Sakuya asked.
"Hard to tell from here, but..."
On the other side of the bridge, there was a large number of trees. Kitty could make out a figure, hunched over and on their knees, attached to a tree by something. The winds were knocking them around, stopping and starting repeatedly.
"I think I see someone...is that--"
Kitty stopped. Something was grasping her leg.
Hanging onto her leg with one hand, and grabbing the bridge with the other, was a teenage boy with silver hair and wearing the Naruki Academy uniform. "Well, well, well. What's a fine specimen like you doing in a place like this?" he said with a longing gaze on his face.
"YUCK! Let go, creep! No touching without permission!" Kitty yelled.
"Sorry, my lovely, but I don't see boundaries. I just see potential." The boy had his tongue out.
"Oh-Em-GEE! Who's this incel loser, anyway?!"
The boy suddenly found himself with a blade to his throat, courtesy of Ongyo-ki. "Ginrei Hibiki. Why am I not surprised?" Jin said.
"Oh me, oh my, is that Jin Mirai I'm looking at? And with a fixed voice box and everything! Guess it hasn't been that long, has it?" Hibiki said.
"About ten years, dirtbag."
"Wow. You'll have to excuse me for losing track of the years, what with me flying around a cliff all this time."
"You know this loser, Mirai?" Ryōma asked.
"Unfortunately. He was one of Ishimaru the Elder's errand boys back in our Academy days. Even then, he was a perverted leech. The Reaper killed him to keep him from spilling any of old Kyohei's dirty little secrets. Seeing him here isn't at all surprising."
"Aww, and here I thought we were friends, Mirai. But hey, since you're here, you can finally repay me for crushing my rep and getting me killed. I've already chosen what I want in return. I'm taking this girl!"
"GET BENT!" Kitty brought out her Persona, and blasted Hibiki with a lightning spell. He let go, and went flying back into the ravine.
"Bleh, my leg actually feels greasy now. Not even through one floor and I already need a shower." Kitty groaned.
"What a revolting degenerate. Was he like that when he was alive?" Sakuya asked.
"Oh, yeah. One time he made fun of me for being mute. Tenko responded by kicking him in the gonads. It was actually fantastic." Jin replied.
"Remind me to get your wife's autograph next time I see her." Kitty said. She shook her head. "Ugh, never mind that! Someone's still in trouble over there!"
The group, still holding on tightly to the bridge's ropes, made their way across.
The sight that awaited them was more shocking than they thought it would be.
Chained by his hands to the tree was Sahir, bruised from having dealt with the wind for an extended period. His eyes, covered by shadow, were glowing the same shade of red as Kerberos'.
The wind picked up again, and he was starting to be lifted up off the ground. Before that happened, Kitty caught him.
"Oh no you don't, Kicks. No more playing kite. It's gonna be fine now." she assured. "Someone get this chain off of him!"
"Don't...bother..." he muttered.
"Huh?"
"I had this coming...it's what I get for being reckless...I've gotten everyone in trouble for running on ahead...my soccer future was derailed...and then all those girls I've pestered...getting whacked around by the wind's the least I deserve..."
"Sahir-san...what are you saying?" Sakuya asked.
"Sakuya...I'm sorry for being such a fool...I like you, a lot...but being around me is too dangerous...I really am a reckless good-for-nothing..."
"Hey, what gives?! Since when are you this mopey about anything?" Kitty protested. "Now I know this is bad...you've never talked like this before. A mopey frown doesn't suit you. You're the guy that jumped up on the first day of class to introduce yourself. The guy that jumped in front of Sakuya to take a hit from me. You're not a good-for-nothing."
"Please don't talk like that. You helped me to see the error of being with Death's Hand. You took a hit for me when I frankly deserved it. And as far as the flirting, I see it as a mood-setter. And also..." Sakuya turned red. "I rather like being called pretty."
"Seriously man, you can't break now. Cuz then I'll start to freak out and no one needs to see that. We need our mood setter, especially now. Please, Kicks?"
"...yeah. Yeah! What am I even saying?!" Sahir shook his head, and his eyes returned to normal. "I'm not gonna turn into a sad sack just cuz that red-hooded witch is making me! Forget that!" He got up. "Thanks for the pep talk, girls, now let's go find the--OOF!" He fell over, still attached to the tree. 
Sakuya tried to subdue her laughter.
Ryōma sighed. "Before you get yourself killed, let me break this thing..."
"W-wait a minute, what's he doing here?!" Sahir questioned.
"Calm down, dude, he's with us." Kitty reassured. "And before you freak out, he is too." She pointed at Jin.
Ryōma produced a ball of ice, hitting the chain with it and freezing it. He swung his sword at it, shattering the chain.
"I get kidnapped from the moon, get imprisoned in Hell, and now I'm being saved by Death's Hand. I think I'd like to go back to Spain now." Sahir uttered.
Sakuya wrapped him in a hug. "You mope about running off, then as soon as you snap out of it you try to run off. You never change."
"Well, uh, I, that is, I, y'know, uh..." Sahir began babbling. 
Kitty giggled. "Shoe's on the other foot, and ya can't handle it. Ya love to see it."
"Okay, enough with the happy reunion talk, we still have seven floors to get through. Remember that?" Ryōma interrupted.
"Mr. Grinch has a point. We can't afford to hang around for too long. The others are still in danger." Jin said.
"Yeah, you're right. Let's get a move on." Kitty turned to begin walking, then put her arm around Sahir. "Happy to have you back, Kicks. Maybe everything'll be okay after all."
"Kitty...hugging me? I, um, I-I-I-I..." Sahir began stuttering.
"Uh-oh, I think I broke it..." Kitty joked. Sakuya giggled.
Jin looked on ponderously. "You've been eyeing her this whole time, Mirai. What's going through that head of yours?" Ryōma asked.
"Oh, it's nothing. The more I see of these kids, the more I can see how much they've picked up from Rin. The optimism, the compassion, knowing exactly the right thing to say. She taught them well." Jin replied.
"I'll just pretend to take your word for it."
"I bet you 2000 yen that you'll be part of the clique before this is over."
"I'll learn how to ride a unicycle before that ever happens."
"Ooh, practicing being the entire circus, are we? Interesting career direction."
"How were you able to procreate?"
"Through bottomless charm and wit."
The two followed after the teenagers, bantering the entire time.
---
"Still cold and miserable. Though I will say you weren't lying about it getting worse the further we go." Ryōma said.
The group was at the entrance of a dark swamp. A cold rain was falling relentlessly. Shadows were slogging and writhing in the muddy bog.
"This is the third circle, the Bog of Gluttony. Those who surrendered their souls to an endless hunger are forced to wallow in a vile swamp. The mud in the bog is mixed with the icy, unending rain into a disgusting mixture. This is the punishment for those who willingly indulged in harmful vices. Not just food or drink, but any number of addictions and obsessions." Jin explained.
"Even with all the souls here, they seem unaware of anything and anyone around them..." Sakuya pondered.
"A cold, miserable, solitary existence for cold, miserable and solitary people." Jin said.
"I'm still shivering from those cliffs...how are we getting through this crud?" Kitty asked.
"And here's where the hero steps up to take the penalty." Sahir said.
"I...don't get the metaphor." Kitty replied.
"I-I actually don't either, after thinking about it. Shoot, now I look like a dork." Sahir sighed. He shook his head. "Focus, Musa, focus! Hero time, that's what I was getting at." His eyes flared up, and a flaming aura surrounded him. "Alright, that oughta keep the cold away. Just stay close. This should be easy now."
"Good thinking, Sahir-san~." Sakuya hummed, inching closer to the embarassed Sahir.
The group proceeded through the bog. The Shadows took notice of them, but the flames emanating from Sahir kept them at bay. "Wretched fools probably haven't seen the sun's light in years. To spend any amount of time in such a foul place as this is a horrifying prospect. To think there are things even worse than this beyond here..." Ryōma mused.
Something caught Jin's eye. He stopped.
"Mirai-sama, is something the matter?" Sakuya asked.
"...that can't be. No...not here. That's not..." Jin muttered to himself. He slogged over to the right of the group.
"You see a coin on the ground or something? What's gotten into you?" Kitty asked.
Jin approached a Shadow, hunched over and on its knees. "...it...it is you."
"Mirai? Another friend of yours?" Ryōma asked.
The Shadow looked up. His dark hair was tied back, and he had a goatee. He looked shocked to see Jin. "What...what are you doing here--" he asked.
Jin responded by punching the Shadow. "Damn old fool!"
"Whoa, what's this all about?" Sahir asked.
Jin hoisted the Shadow to his feet. "I warned you. We all warned you. You couldn't pass by a corner shop without buying a pack of those little lung-killers, and look where it's gotten you. Knee-deep in mud like the crap you put into your system."
"You did tell me that, yeah. A lot. And how'd you end up in Hell, boy?"
"I'm not dead yet, old man. I'm here to get people out that shouldn't be here."
"No one's here that shouldn't be, boy. But looking at you now, guess I shouldn't be calling you that, huh? How are your mom and sister, by the by? Did you ever end up with Tenko-chan?"
"Mom and Mimi are doing fine, now. As for Tenko, you might be happy to know that you just became a grandfather."
"Damn, for real? And here I was afraid you'd fall to pieces with me gone. Good on you, boy. I'm sorry for all the trouble I must've caused. Didn't imagine a few cigs here and there would've gotten me damned. I'd suggest getting out of here and fast, if I were you. Lot of people way worse than me crawling around."
"I'm well aware of that." Jin grumbled. "I hope you realize how much of a gut punch this is. I spent my life emulating you, conducting myself the way you taught me to. Past the addiction, you were always good to us. So seeing you here, tormented alongside actual evil people...how do I react to this?"
"You keep being a good man, Jin. Don't make the mistakes I made. You take care of your family and keep doing the right thing. Much as I don't like saying this...I don't want to see you here ever again. I'm sorry you had to see me like this."
"...not as sorry as I am." Jin turned to leave. 
"Jin?"
"Yeah?"
"How many times has 'Devils Never Cry' played in your head since coming here?"
"Don't know. Lost count after five loops."
"That's my boy. Wouldn't expect anything else."
Jin shook his head, and walked back to the group.
"So that guy...he kinda looks like you. Who is he?" Kitty asked.
"A ghost. Nothing more." Jin asserted.
"That was an awful long time to be talking to just a ghost." Sahir replied.
"Let's just leave it at that. We don't have the time to dwell on everything. Right, Mirai?" Ryōma asked.
"Right. I can sort through this later. The sooner we get out of this muck, the better." Jin answered. The children walked on, but he pulled Ryōma aside. "I heard the rumors about why you were kicked out of baseball. The illegal drugs. Were they true?"
"Not a damn bit of it. I've never touched a PED in my life. Never needed it."
"Good. Keep it that way. It's a dark path to take. One where no one comes out the winner. And it ends here in a waste of frozen sludge."
"I'll keep that in mind." Ryōma walked off.
Jin turned back to his father. He said nothing, and walked away.
The group continued through the muck. "*pant* *pant* Sorry, I gotta sub out for a bit...keeping this up this long's wearing me out..." Sahir uttered.
"It's alright, dude, just breathe. You did more than enough to get us here." Kitty assured.
"Just as well, looks like the edge of the swamp is just up ahead. Stay alert. Kerberos wouldn't leave such a sensitive place unguarded." Jin said.
As if on cue, a loud growl could be heard coming from the edge of the bog.
"What...was that?" Sakuya asked.
"That would probably be something in the nature of a guard." Ryōma replied.
The group rushed to the swamp's edge.
Near the exit, there was a large, dark-colored creature resembling a dog, with two heads and a snake-like tail. It was snarling, and biting at what looked to be a cage.
"There, in the cage...isn't that Kenny?!" Kitty exclaimed.
"....." Kenji was indeed trapped inside of the cage, his left arm chained to one of the bars. Much like Sahir, his eyes were a dull crimson. 
The dog swatted the cage in the direction of the group, landing in front of them.
"Punishment...need more...punishment..." Kenji muttered.
"What's wrong with you, man?" Sahir asked.
"GROOOOOOOAR!" the dog creature roared out. It began approaching the group.
"ME ORTHRUS! ME GUARD CIRCLE OF GLUTTONY! LADY KERBEROS TELL ORTHRUS TO PUNISH RED MAN! RED MAN LIKE BEING PUNISHED! ORTHRUS MUST PUNISH UNTIL RED MAN BREAK!" it bellowed out.
"Likes being punished? What's this thing talking about?" Sakuya asked.
"Punished by Mother...punished by Mirai...my existence brings misery...I deserve only punishment..." Kenji repeated.
Kitty stepped in-between Kenji and the dog. "Get lost, Fido! Go find some shit water to drink! You're not taking Kenny!"
The monstrous canine sniffed Kitty. "GRRRR! LOUD GIRL IS PINK CAT LADY! ME TOLD TO BITE PINK CAT LADY TO CHUNKS! THEN ME GET PRAISE FROM LADY KERBEROS! NOW PINK CAT LADY DIE!"
The dog opened one of its large mouths, only for an object to fly into it. The dog started to choke, and turned its afflicted head away from Kitty.
"I thought you could use a nice round of catch." Ryōma constructed another ball in his hand, using mud from the bog. He chucked it at the dog's other head, causing it to choke as well. Ryōma unsheathed his sword, and quickly moved past Orthrus.
A slashing motion was detected, and both of the canine's heads were detached from its body. The monster's remains dissolved into shadow particles.
"You're welcome. Again." Ryōma said.
"Somebody get this thing open!" Kitty yelled.
"Hang on a tic." Sahir rapidly rubbed his hands together, generating an intense heat. He grabbed the metal bars, which became inflamed, and they broke off.
Kitty picked Kenji up out of the cage. "Oh thank God, I needed my daily dose of scouser snark right about now."
"Punish me...toss me in the bog...I deserve no less...I bring my family shame with my every action...my very existence is an affront...a mutant like me deserves an eternity of torment..." Kenji uttered.
"Kenny, I'm not gonna lie...you were the biggest creep when I met you. If you'd stayed that way, I might've thrown you into that swamp myself. But you've tried being better, and I love you for it. Being raised the way you were makes it hard for you to connect, I get it. I'm no angel, either, y'know. But what's done is done. I'm not gonna let you lie around in a dirty swamp forever just because you think you've done something wrong by existing. If that's what someone thinks about you, then they aren't worth another thought. You're not a bad guy, Kenny. You've just made mistakes. Like me." Kitty embraced him. "Besides, who's gonna match my jokes if you're not around?"
Kenji said nothing. After a minute, his eyes returned to normal. "If you're expecting me to say something meaningful back, you're speaking to the wrong person, Katherine." he said with a smirk.
Kitty hugged tighter. "You just did, buddy."
"I still need to get home...can't let that project of mine go unfinished. I'll be finishing it with a little more gratitude, now. And...Kitty?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you."
---