Best Friends

_{Author’s Note: Whoops, haha. That picture killed me. So I wrote it out. This is part one of two, by the way. Part two will be written tomorrow or the day after. Also. Fuck Idate.}

_{Characters: Shirogane, Yukisada, Idate.}

_{Pairings: Shirogane/Yukisada friendship}

_{Warnings: Gore and Blood. A lot of it.} 

_{Summary: Yukisada and Shirogane go for a walk. It’s too bad Idate happened to sneak up on them.} 

_{//part two\}

“Uh, Shirogane, shouldn’t we not be here?” the young owl boy asked, glancing around him. Earlier that day, Shirogane and Yukisada had decided to go for a walk, just as they did everyday. It was a part of their routine- something familiar and almost warm about it. There was something inherently wonderful about normalcy. The two were best friends, they even lived together- it was the type of bond that could not be broken. This factor only served to make the walks even more enjoyable.

Yukisada took walks everyday to lose weight (of which he gained from his excessive consumption of sweets), and the wolf was always happy to go out with his friend. Of course, he also went out with the others at times. Just recently he and Peraco had gone for a walk to visit Rock, though the easily frightened wolf was reluctant, and had enjoyed themselves as well. At the same time, there was something different when it came to his best friend. Perhaps it was that they had known each other for longer than they could remember, or maybe even that they spent most of their time with each other- either way, Yukisada and Shirogane were indisputably close.

Whenever the owl would go out on one of his trips, the other would mope around more. The house seemed more empty and cold without the kind-hearted boy’s presence. Shirogane always made sure the house was in top shape by the time his companion returned- wanting to somehow pay back the one who stuck by him through everything and let him live off of him. Frankly put, without Yukisada in his life, Shirogane would be lost. He was known as a coward, a crybaby, the useless stupid wolf, but it was Yukisada who helped reaffirm his worth. Whenever he was upset, the owl was there, bearing kind words and warm treats to soothe him.

Often times the wolf felt like he was a burden to his friend. The other did so much for him, and Shirogane often did very little in return. It was through the little things that he attempted to show his appreciations- joining Yukisada on his walks, offering to cook dinner when he could, keeping Peraco’s siblings away from his stash of treats- but it never felt like it was enough. Without Yukisada, Shirogane would have nothing. The owl provided warmth, a home, kindness, understanding, and friendship. They were more than friends, more than best friends, it was a sort of companionship that could never be forgotten. Yukisada would do anything for Shirogane, and Shirogane would do his best to do anything for Yukisada.

The two had been walking around Iceberg Isle, going to say hello to Peraco and the others along the way. Suno had attempted to bully Shirogane again, but Yukisada had intervened and asked the snowman not to. Surprisingly enough, he had listened. Why the snowman had was beyond the wolf, usually the other would tease and taunt him despite what the snowy owl would say. It was a strange bump in their normal routine, but nothing life-changing. Shirogane did not like life-changing things.

After that, the pair had made their way around the Isle, moving along aimlessly. Visiting Rocma was out of the question, she would glare at them and slam the door in their faces if they tried to even come close. Sure, she asked Yukisada to watch Mafuyu now and then when she was busy, but in her opinion, he was still a boy and boys were below her. For the wolf, it was nice to have someone who knew his pain. Rock never bothered with Rocma, and Idate was infatuated with her. Yukisada understood, and that was more than enough.

Rock was also a no, as neither were very well acquainted with him (though Yukisada tried), and Squid was someone best avoided when he was hungry. While the owl had suggested they go and feed Squid for Rock, Shirogane had been against it. The giant creature was from a foreign sea, with scars and long tentacles that could grab and break, of course he was afraid. As usual, his best friend understood. Nodding in compliance, he suggested they continue to walk around.

That was how the two now found themselves standing in the Orca Danger Zone. Shirogane had taken the lead, saying he wanted to get back before sunset so they could eat, and led them through the quickest route he knew. Memories of going the same way with Peraco flashed in his mind, but the wolf shook them off. He didn’t see the orca around, and Yukisada knew how to fly away from danger. There should be no trouble, and if there was, Rocma would most likely come down and save them. Despite her words, the polar bear often came to their rescue.

The air was crisp and quiet, the only sounds being the lapping of waves against the icy island and the snow crunching underneath their feet with every step. Pulling on Yukisada’s hand, Shirogane made to pass through quickly, hoping to reach home before dark. While he was confident they would be alright, the boy knew there was always a chance for trouble to arise. Idate had a way of sneaking up on a person.

“It’s alright, we’re just going through quickly,” the wolf had replied, pulling along his best friend. He prayed that this would not end up like last time, that they would not need Rocma to come save them from Idate.

Of course, the universe had the annoying habit of hating Shirogane.

Before the boy even realized it, sharp pain blossomed on his back. Falling forwards, the wolf could only stare in horror at the massive icicle impaling him from behind. His back was stained with blood, the red coloring forming a circle around where the ice had hit him. It was a surreal experience. It hurt, immensely so, but the cold numbed him. Where was he again? What had just happened?

Looking up, Shirogane stopped in shock at the sight before him. Idate stood tall, a toothy grin upon his face as he approached the boy. No, no, this couldn’t be happening. He had thought they would be alright, that nothing could go wrong. He had been the one wrong.

Yukisada watched from behind the orca, staring in shock as his best friend lay bleeding out on the ground, helpless and being approached by a predator. What could he do? The snowy owl was not nearly strong enough to take on the orca, and Shirogane was pinned to the ground by the icicle. There had to be something he could do, anything even-!

Idate grinned, glad to finally have gotten the arctic wolf. For too long Rocma had interfered with him (though he didn’t necessarily mind her company), he would finally be able to get the meal he had always wished for. Stepping forward pointedly, he paid no heed to the owl behind him. Yukisada was able to fly away, and birds were much more tricky to capture than foolish wolves. Then again, he had never tasted snowy owl meat before. Perhaps he could try some. The man knew how Yukisada was, just as well as he knew how anyone on the Isle was. If Shirogane were in trouble, the owl would easily throw himself into the line of fire to protect his friend.  

The thought made Idate smile.

It was simple enough, and he could even get two meals for the price of one. Attacking Shirogane first would cause the stupidly loyal boy to go to save his friend rather than save himself. That way, he could grab Yukisada before the other had the chance to save himself and then devour Shirogane afterwards. Besides that, Shirogane would certainly show a delicious reaction to it. The thought alone made his mouth water.

Approaching the downed boy, Idate stepped forward and slammed his head down into the snow. A new injury opened on the other’s cranium, blood pouring from the fresh wound. Ah, the sight was truly savory. If only he could make it even more so…

At that moment, Yukisada stepped in. Getting between Shirogane and Idate, the owl spread his arms out wide and blocked the orca’s path. It was a tactic used by owls to defend themselves against predators, and Idate had made it clear he was a predator. Usually, the golden-eyed boy would be willing to give others his trust and friendship. Idate was not the usual. Protecting his closest friend meant more to Yukisada than being civil towards the orca. Shirogane meant the world to Yukisada, and the owl would protect him until his last breath.

Shirogane stared up at his friend, horror in his eyes once he realized what was to come. How could he have been so stupid? Of course Yukisada would try and save him, that was how the other was. Instead of flying away like any other creature would have, the owl had thrown himself into the line of fire to save his useless friend. It was enough to bring tears to Shirogane’s eyes. While the boy was ashamed of himself for always crying and acting weak, even in this situation, there was nothing he could do about it. Yukisada was going to get hurt, and it was all his fault.

“Y-Yukisada-! G-Go…get out of…here…!” the wolf called out, trying in vain to save his friend. Even if he himself had to die, it was better than the owl being harmed in any way. Yukisada was too soft and warm and kind and friendly and trusting and loyal and- he couldn’t die. Shirogane would not allow it.

“…Sorry, Shiro, but I can’t just leave you,” the other replied, turning his head to the side to address his friend.

“N-No…Yuki..you’ve got to-!” Shirogane tried again, hoping that the other would listen and leave him to fall.

“Oh, my, my, what do we have here?” Idate grinned, showing off his sharp teeth. Lighting his cigarette, the orca continued, “A little owl that wants to play hero?” he blew out a length of smoke, “Sounds like fun. Mind if I ‘play’?” he questioned, expression dark.

“I-Idate, you need to stop. L-Leave Shiro alone,” Yukisada spoke up, standing his ground. Even if it led to his untimely death, the boy was determined to save his most important person.

“Hmm…” the orca paused, seeming to think about it for a moment. Without warning, the taller grabbed Yukisada by the neck and easily lifted the bird off of the ground, one of his sandals falling off in the process, “…I don’t think so. But, if it makes you feel better, I’ll play with you first before moving onto the useless wolf.”

“G-Gggh!” the owl protested, raising up his arms to counter the orca’s hold on him, gripping tightly on the other’s hand.

“See? Now isn’t this fun,” Idate smiled, tightening his grip on the other’s neck. Suddenly, the orca slammed the bird’s head into the ground, raising him back up again.

“N..Nn..” Shirogane watched in horror, unable to stand the sight as blood began to drip from Yukisada’s head onto his pale face.

Moving once more, the killer whale slammed his fist into the owl’s soft stomach, causing the boy to spit up a mouthful of blood. Red liquid dripped down onto Idate’s gloves, making them warm and sticky. He found he quite liked the sensation. Yukisada’s fingertips were stained with red as well, their usual pure coloring marred by the bloody mess.

“Stop…!” the wolf cried out, unable to take any more of this. It wasn’t right, someone as kind and friendly as Yukisada did not deserve something like this!

“No,” Idate smiled in a friendly manner, using his sharp fingers to cut a deep diagonal line into the owl’s right leg. The clothing tore from the sharpness of the killer whale’s hands, blood flowing freely from the new opening. Steam began to rise from the wound, the owl’s internal temperature contrasting with the frigid air.

Shirogane clawed at the ground, trying in vain to escape from the icicle and save Yukisada. He could get Rocma, or, or maybe even fight the orca himself. Anything to stop this horrible torture. Blood stained his claws, the growing pool underneath him pointed as the culprit. The wolf could not even feel pain at this point, just a raw and desperate need to get out get out getoutgetoutandsavehisbestfriend!

“Ha, ha, how cute of you to try and escape,” the man continued to smile wide, cutting an x-shape into Yukisada’s right-hand as the boy’s face rapidly turned purple from lack of air. Ah, this was so much fun! He hadn’t had nearly enough fun in quite a long while. While it was entertaining to fight with Rocma now and again, this torture was what he truly enjoyed. The scent of blood, the warm sensation, it was what he craved. Speaking of craving, he was feeling rather peckish at the moment.

Even so, he was going to continue to move slowly. Opening his mouth, the orca savagely bit off one of the fingers on Yukisada’s left hand, spitting it out behind him. He would eat them later, for now, he wanted Shirogane to suffer. The wolf stared at the dismembered appendage in shock, halting in his scrambling to escape. The sight was truly without comparison. Repeating the process, the killer whale ripped off another finger, dropping it just out of Shirogane’s reach.

The trapped boy had dug into the snow hard enough to make a dent into the ground. With each finger added, he became more and more desperate. Watching as Yukisada dangled helplessly before him, being cut into and torn apart by the sadistic man before him and unable to even scream, was too much for the boy. It was horrifying beyond words. It was truly a sight without comparison. A horrible nightmare that he wanted to wake up from. Letting out a cry, tears flowing from his eyes, the wolf begged, “Please, please, stop it! Stop!”

Turning his head to stare at Shirogane, Idate opened his mouth wide, two rows of sharp teeth displayed, and bit into the owl’s left arm. Still keeping his eyes on the other, he turned his head back and forth ripping the limb off a little below the shoulder. Blood gushed from the wound, staining both Yukisada’s clothing and the ground beneath which he was held above. The pure white surface of Iceberg Isle was tainted with the rust-colored liquid. Even still, Yukisada could do nothing but let out gasps.

Somewhere along the way, the boy had bit his tongue, perhaps from the pure unadulterated pain he felt. Blood dripped from his mouth, joining the growing pool below. The normally white snowy owl was being dyed in a brilliant red.

Still keeping his eyes on the now shocked-still wolf, the man grabbed the arm in his free hand and bit into it, enjoying the flavor. Hm, owl wasn’t too bad in the end. It didn’t taste as good as shark, but it was certainly a delicious treat. Deciding to continue his torture, the orca spoke up and addressed the devastated wolf, “Hey, where should I cut him next? I’m going to cut him a thousand times over. You can choose where you wish he’s hurt next.”

“Stop it! Stop it! I’m begging you, please, stop it!” the wolf cried, having gone past what he could handle long ago. The sight of his best friend’s arm being ripped off and bit into was so disgusting and horrifying he could not even begin to describe it. Why? Why had this happened? If only he had not suggested they go this way. If he hadn’t, Yukisada would still be alright. Yukisada wouldn’t be bleeding out as Idate choked him, one arm already gone for good.

The implications of what had just occurred hit Shirogane like a train. Yukisada’s arm was gone. His best friend’s arm was gone. That meant that one of his wings was gone. The other would never be able to fly again. His closest friend had just lost one of the most important things to birds- freedom. Now he would never be able to simply fly away from Idate. Yukisada was forever grounded, and it was all Shirogane’s fault.

“Gue…g-gehushi…” the boy gasped out, body shaking as he continued to lose massive amounts of blood.

Shirogane cried, screaming again and again for Idate to let the other go and- “Take me! Eat me instead! Stop it, just…just stop!” -but to no avail. His own blood loss was beginning to take it’s toll. The wolf fought to keep his eyes open, not wanting to faint and leave Yukisada to suffer alone, but it was to no avail. Before the boy had a chance to even realize it, he had lost consciousness.

The last thing he saw was Idate’s mocking grin, his best friend’s blood dripping from the other’s face and the owl’s arm in the man’s grasp. Yukisada’s eyes were shut tight as he cried, tears falling as he desperately clawed at the orca’s hand with his remaining arm.

The last thing he heard was Yukisada’s gasping, growing more shallow with every moment. Idate’s laughter rang out over his friend’s quiet attempts to speak, but it was the owl’s crying that remained ringing in his ears.

The last thing he smelled was the overpowering smell of blood. Both his own and Yukisada’s covered the area, masking any other scent. The killer whale’s cigarette left the faint smell of smoke mixed in, but the blood was overpowering.

The last thing he tasted were the salty tears running down his face, unable to stop the dam that had burst within him. For once, the situation would have even the most hardened warrior on his knees weeping.

The last thing he touched was the cold snow, claws digging in painfully, even still trying to escape and save his comrade. Blood fell from his claws, wounds opened by his scrabbling against the hard ice.

And the last thing he felt was despair. An utter hopelessness that he and Yukisada were going to die. Regret and guilt that he had caused this, that he had brought this upon his best friend. He was the one to blame. The emotional pain ran over the physical pain he felt, which alone was nothing compared to what Yukisada must be feeling.

And with that, Shirogane’s consciousness was no more.