Work Text:
Maki thought the hardest part about being in a ‘relationship’ was going to be hiding it. She never expected she would encounter something more difficult than even that.
When they’d first met by chance, Peko had instantly caught Maki’s eye. There was just something about her that was so… Familiar. But not only that, she felt a strange sense of connection with her, almost. And despite the fact that they were going in opposite directions, when they shared a glance - even for just a moment - Maki could feel a shiver run up her spine. She knew nothing about this other individual yet, but she could sense strength in her. The way her gaze pierced through Maki in a way that she might do to others, or the way her posture suggested that she was always on high alert, looking for something, how she was undoubtedly strong and trained in ways that Maki wasn’t or was. Strangely enough, she could almost see the same realization in the other’s eyes, too, but in the next moment, she’d already disappeared.
Some part of her knew that they would never cross paths again and that it was just a chance meeting once in a lifetime, but another part of her hoped that they would see each other again, so long as it wasn’t in combat. She would’ve been a strong opponent, Maki knew. An ally would be much more appreciated than a foe.
And, besides, there was no time to think about that, because Maki had things to do. She couldn’t stand around and think about someone she’d never see again. But, even despite her words, she found herself thinking back to that girl she’d passed over and over again.
To her surprise, it wasn’t that long until she saw that girl again. Only a week, in fact. This time it was at the park. Maki wasn’t there on ‘business’ as it were, and it seemed that she wasn’t in a rush, either, gaze trained somewhere in the distance and expression as neutral and fierce as ever.
Maki could feel a connection form between them, even without a single word shared between them. With just one look, the other turned to her, her eyes as red as blood and as strong as fire - and yet there was something behind them, too, even beyond the suspicion and intrigue. Something Maki had known years ago and thrown away in place of more useful things to her progress as an assassin. A strange unspoken understanding between them.
This was a trained individual, Maki knew. Her clothes hid most of them, but there were scars that seemed to litter her skin and, if the sword on her back was any indication, she had seen danger, too.
The silence between them was deafening, as if the entire world had stopped and that time itself was holding its breath.
In one swift motion, the other reached behind her back, pulling the sword from its place - and just as quickly, Maki realized that it was headed in her direction. Eyes narrowed, she flung herself backwards, keeping herself steady on her legs, reacting as fast as a cat. “What business do you have with me?” She challenged, voice strong and yet so soft at the same time. The kind of strength that came from necessity. Even through her stern gaze could Maki see the faintest hint of respect glittering in her eyes.
Maki did not smile, it was not something she did. Still, her form eased just a bit as she realized that the sword was not sharp but instead blunt and made of bamboo. A mighty weapon still, yes, but not a weapon that was designed to kill in one blow, at least not without proper training and a terrible mess to boot. It wasn’t a weapon worth killing with, really. “You wield that weapon well,” she noted. Funny, really, how she would run into the one person who had the skills she did not.
The other’s eyes softened a bit, seemingly noticing her defensive stance weakening. Her stance, too, began to weaken as the blade lowered. “And you dodged well,” she added, “your reaction time is fast.”
A silence stretched between them, but despite the brief hostility, Maki didn’t feel particularly threatened.
“What is it that you do?” Maki finally asked as the other lowered her weapon completely, keeping it tucked neatly at her side as she scanned the horizon once more.
“Let’s say I live to serve.”
Maki almost chuckled. What a way to put it. “How interesting. I suppose I could say that, too.”
Perhaps they were more similar than Maki could have known. Maybe they even worked in the same field - albeit different areas.
Somewhere in the distance the call of a bird cut through the soft sound of wind. As if on cue, the other’s posture straightened and she turned just barely towards Maki. “I must be going now,” she announced, taking a step forward, her blade finding its way back to its case.
“Perhaps our paths will cross again,” Maki muttered, giving her a small but knowing nod as she made her way down the small hill and into the distance.
It was only a few days later that they happened to run into each other again. This time, Maki had just finished another request under the darkness of night. The stars glistened above as she made her way through darkened alleyways and through the city with the stealth of a crow, swift and silent. Her supplies had been discarded elsewhere. Someone else would find them and take them away. The area was too busy for her to be seen with it.
The streets were busier now, with people going about their nights from one place or another, perhaps after their jobs or with friends - whatever the case, it didn’t matter much to Maki. All that mattered was that it was busy and everyone would be distracted.
It seemed she was more distracted than she realized, too, as the sound of someone addressing her nearly made her jump out of her skin and attack, but she was able to restrain herself fast enough as she spun around to face-
“You again,”
-That same girl from before with the piercing red eyes and silver hair. Her gaze was just as piercing as before, but this time it was filled with curiosity and a strange almost kindness that she wasn’t used to. Perhaps it was that same understanding again. “We meet again,” she agreed softly, keeping her voice level and calm. The other girl didn’t seem threatened this time, and, if anything, was more calm. Her posture was strong as it was last time, but it didn’t hold the same stiffness that it had during their last meeting. Maki wasn’t used to recognizing people like this, it was… Odd, almost. They said curiosity killed the cat, but… Well, Maki worked with death all the time - she might as well ask. “May I ask for your name?”
The other paused for a long while, not exactly contemplative, but thoughtful. It was as if there was a mental battle occurring in her mind until finally- “Peko,”
Maki nodded slowly, not offering her hand but instead- “Maki.” It was smart of her not to give out a last name so easily, Maki noted, not that many would, but, still. It almost came as a relief to her that Peko was not so gullible.
“I didn’t think I’d see you again,” Peko began slowly, her eyes trailing around the area rather than keeping an eye on Maki herself. It was a strange feeling, really, that she wasn’t being perceived as a threat despite likely being the most dangerous person in the relative area.
“Neither did I,” She agreed. It was almost like their paths were more deeply intertwined than Maki had originally thought. Perhaps there was something more to this than she’d originally considered. Following her gaze into the crowd, Maki hummed. “In that case, I hope to see you again.”
“Leaving already?”
Maki huffed, “I don’t imagine you’d want me disturbing your work,” she replied simply.
Peko nodded slowly, “I see. Well, thank you, and let us see each other again at some point,”
And see each other again they did. It was almost like a routine - each day that passed was another day in which they would get closer and closer to seeing each other again. It almost became some kind of game in which Maki would constantly be scanning the streets for the one familiar face in her life that wasn’t directly associated with business.
Their interactions, while brief, were pleasant. Maki found it was the one part of her day that she could almost say she looked forward to.
And over time their glances turned from neutral to warm - the understanding between them seemed to deepen with every interaction and each word shared. It was like there was some kind of underlying message to everything they said - something that could be gleaned through the monotonous chatter they found themselves a part of.
In a lot of ways Maki felt selfish when she’d finally asked - just off-handedly - if they could meet outside of their working hours. Of course, it seemed that neither of them had such a thing, but… Well, they made it work. She could still remember the way Peko’s eyes had sparkled with relief when Maki had asked. It was as if she’d been thinking the same thing but hadn’t had the strength to say it aloud.
Their interactions outside of their by chance meetings were brief - barely anything more than an hour at most - averaging out to about 15 minutes. But, slowly, they found more and more time. They were willing to sacrifice just a little more to see each other.
It was unspoken between them, like most things were, but it seemed that they both found a deep comfort in their meetings that they couldn’t get elsewhere. They’d both killed people. They’d never outwardly admitted it, sure, but they both knew it to be true. Maki could tell in the way Peko’s stare held a kind of deep emptiness that came from watching the life leave someone’s eyes for the first time by one’s own hands. She could still recall that same memory in her own mind and how that emptiness had never disappeared. If it had, she wouldn’t be able to keep doing it.
It was during one of their longer nights together that Peko had finally let herself speak aloud rather than leaving her true words to be discerned through deep looks and basic greetings. “Is it selfish of me to say that… I missed you?”
Maki hummed softly. Under any other circumstances she would have agreed. It was, indeed, selfish. But, she, too, had been doing the same thing. She’d be nothing more than a hypocrite to say that. “Maybe,” she said instead, keeping her voice quiet, “But… I have, too. So that would make both of us a bit selfish.”
Peko didn’t respond directly, but let out a long breath instead. It shook at the edges, just barely, but it was enough for Maki to discern the feeling behind it. What it meant to be human after years of being nothing more than a pawn in a larger game. It had taken hours of them interacting for Maki to even begin to let herself feel those kinds of emotions again, the ones that reminded her that she was more than a killing machine. No, even if she was a killing machine, she was a killing machine with lungs to breathe and a heart to pump blood. A brain to think and eyes to see.
It was that same night that Maki admitted the same thing aloud, too. Some part of her just needed to hear it said aloud, as if it would make things any more truthful. “If we’re being selfish,” she began slowly, staring deeply up at the sky and the stars above. “Being with you makes me feel… Alive.”
Peko exhaled again, in that same slightly shaky way that proved that she needed to breathe to survive. “I… Feel the same,”
The rest of their night was quiet, but Maki let her hand rest against her heart as she stared up at the endless sky. She could see from the corner of her eye Peko doing something similar.
And when they finally had to part ways, Maki found herself wishing Peko farewell and a silent wish for her to stay safe.
Their late night meetings became more common after that, and their durations began to stretch, skirting along the edge of being dangerous. And yet, Maki supposed she didn’t care much. The comfort she found from it was almost addictive and she found herself yearning for more after each of their meetings.
It was common for them to find each other in some park or on top of some abandoned building and just watch the stars. It was their secret.
In a lot of ways Maki found herself yearning for the stars, too, and they became quickly associated with Peko herself. Every time Maki imagined Peko she could see the white of her hair like a distant star shining in the sky, or the red of her eyes like a massive red giant just waiting to explode. A burning passion somewhere beyond that Maki could only respect. A dedication for a job that would never disappear.
“I think about the stars a lot,” She admitted one night.
“You do?”
“Yes…” She muttered. Finding the words was much harder when they weren’t just floating around in the background, waiting to be grabbed at and inspected closer than necessary. Like bacteria under a microscope. “Sometimes I long to be up there.” She continued slowly. Away from everyone. An escape from what they had been doing their whole lives. It was impossibly selfish for her to want something like that, but… Well, she’d already been making a lot of selfish decisions. What was one more?
Peko didn’t respond for a while, but her gaze had dropped from where it had been, now trained on Maki instead. “I get what you mean,” she replied quietly.
Somewhere in the back of her mind, Maki could hear herself screaming. If either of them were caught, they’d likely be dead. She still didn’t know what exactly it was that Peko did, but she knew it was dangerous, not unlike her own job. Saying something like that could mean the end. Wanting something for themselves?
“Maybe…” Peko whispered, “Maybe one day we’ll make it there.”
Together.
Maki could only wish on the stars above that would never heed their call.
They lived dangerous lives, that fact had become clear to Maki one night when they had been tentatively sharing stories. Stories that were masked from their deepest truths, but ones that had the same meaning attached to them. Maki told her of stories in which she would climb buildings and trees and that’s how she got those scratches on her arms, or how the scar that looked too sharp to be a mistake was from when they’d been acting as if they’d been playing with swords when she was young. Peko told her of similar stories, of running along alleyways with her friend and tripping - having to protect him from the fall, or how they were once cornered and she had to use her sword for defense. None of the stories were completely true, that much they both knew but, still, there were truths hidden within.
And while they’d never spoken it aloud, Maki felt there was something there between them. Something deeper than the word “companion” could really convey. Not even the word “partner” came close enough to the true definition she felt she needed. But thankfully it was just the two of them, so she didn’t need those kinds of words when they could understand each other perfectly well.
The true danger of their jobs was yet to be seen firsthand. Not until that fateful night - a night in which they weren’t supposed to meet. Not until the day after, at least.
She’d been given a high profile job - a dangerous one at that, more so than usual. Through the alleys of the city she traveled, with that same speed and precision she always had. A cat dark as night, senses sharp as its claws. Her target was a powerful one, well known in the city. It would be a difficult target. She knew the risks, but it was a job she couldn’t refuse.
Somewhere, approaching from the opposite direction, was a woman, quick as a white rabbit with strong strides and long leaps.
She appeared as a shadow in the corner of Maki’s vision, at the other end of the alleyway - enshrouded. Even then, Maki could see the silvery shine of her hair and those red piercing eyes, just as mysterious and dark as they’d been before.
They both stopped in their tracks. Peko’s eyes widened and Maki could feel her mouth fall agape. She should have known something like this could have happened and yet, she still couldn’t believe it. Unlike their other meetings, something told her that this was no chance. No, this encounter was deliberate and planned.
“I was told you’d be on your way,” Peko’s voice rang out through the empty street, echoing across the large stretching walls. Her sword reached out from the shadows, glinting in the light. That was no bamboo, that was real metal - dangerous and sharp. Intended to kill.
The pieces started to fall into place in front of her eyes. Maki’s target, the biggest Yakuza boss in Japan. The leader of the Kuzuryu Clan. A leader that important could never rule alone. They needed someone by their side to protect them. To guide them. Who else but Peko would fill that kind of spot? It all made sense now. Instinctively, Maki found her gun poised ahead of her, already loaded. “Peko,” She greeted, trying to hide the way her voice broke at the edges as she attempted to keep her composure. She was on the job, after all. Assassins didn’t cry. “I should have known.”
Slowly, Peko nodded, her silvery hair slowly shining more and more as she stepped out into the open. She said nothing but Maki could see it in her desperate gaze, just barely hidden by the glare in her glasses. ‘I wish I didn’t have to do this,’
Maki wished she could express a silent apology through her gaze, but business was business, wasn’t it? This was nothing but a job to both of them. Taking another step forward, Maki pointed the crossbow upward, more deliberate than before.
“May I have your name before we end this?” Peko asked.
Maki paused for a long while, trying to stop her hands from shaking. “Harukawa,” she muttered into the darkness. When was the last time she’d told anyone that? Even people in their organization. “Maki Harukawa.”
Slowly, Peko nodded. “Pekoyama Peko.” Maki wished her name wasn’t so cute, it would only make this worse. Peko frowned. Maki hated the way her heart seemed to squeeze at the sight. Had they met years ago they might have been friends working beside each other. Her few memories of Peko’s smile were small but strong in her mind. She’d hate for this to be her last memory of the warrior. The warrior whose name she’d only just learned, yet she would remember for centuries to come. “I cannot disobey orders.” She whispered.
Maki’s eyes darkened and her expression hardened into one of a mask. The same mask she often defaulted to. She couldn’t communicate anything more. Her feelings had nothing to do with this any longer. “Neither can I.”
Peko’s eyes didn’t move from where they were trained on Maki, narrowed and prepared to strike. Her expression became serious as the realization seemed to fall on them both. “Very well, then,” she began slowly. Her grip on her sword strengthened and she took a step forward, “I… Apologize for what I must do, Maki Harukawa.”
Maki supposed that was the least she could do as well, “In that case, I apologize, too, Peko Pekoyama.”
BANG-!
She shot first, but, as expected, Peko was fast, having expected the shot she’d jumped to the side. Pushing herself forward with the help of a stray box, she rushed forward with immense speed, sword outstretched and a fire burning in her eyes despite the tears that seemed to have formed - albeit briefly - in the corner of her eyes.
Even with years of experience and training, reloading a crossbow while in motion came with difficulties - dodging strikes only made it more challenging. Peko was good with the blade, too, wielding it with ease. It seemed somewhat ironic, in a way, that the one weapon Maki could never wield, Peko did. Swords had always been too messy for her liking, anyway. They would have made a good team. It was simply unfortunate that they happened to be on opposite sides.
Their battle was intense. Maki found herself using her years of training more than ever before, taking shots with the crossbow, dodging behind stray boxes and things. Peko got a few good blows against her arms, finding herself bleeding, but Maki herself had gotten a few good shots as well, evident in the slits in Peko’s clothes. The blood stains weren’t visible only from her dark clothes.
The worst part about it was how much they knew about each other. In a lot of ways that gave them both many advantages. They knew where each other’s weak points were, and what their strengths were. In almost every other way, however, it was a disadvantage. Each strike that Maki attempted to make felt like another betrayal - and each swing of Peko’s sword felt like her heart was being sliced in half until it was being crushed into little unrecognizable pieces.
She should have never gotten attached in the first place, that much she knew. And yet… Did she regret it? She couldn’t tell. In the heat of battle it was impossible for her to really focus on her emotions, especially when she usually kept them as separated as possible.
Each blow they traded felt like it had dozens of memories attached to it, making the wounds sting more than they already did.
Their fight continued and continued-
Arrows lined the wall, and she was quickly running out. Pushing herself up to the walls she yanked them from their spots, reloading as she dodged out of the way. They were both beginning to slow.
Maki… really didn’t want to end this, but… She had to. It was Peko’s life or her own. So she stayed where she was, in a more vulnerable position than she might usually let herself, and waited for Peko to approach, crossbow loaded and ready to fire.
Unlike how she had been previously, Peko approached with hesitant precision, movements slow and calculated rather than swift.
Maki tightened her grip to stop her hands from shaking as she raised the weapon, an apology lingering in the back of her mouth, yet she couldn’t seem to open her mouth to speak them into existence. With an unsteady breath, she closed one eye, aimed for the heart, and pulled.
“-Gah!”
In the same moment, Maki felt her grip on the weapon falter as it clattered to the floor. Coughing, she stared downward in something akin to horror as blood sputtered from her mouth. There, in her chest was Peko’s sword, driven straight through her. Her eyes darted back up, finding Peko in a similar state. The arrow had struck and she’d dropped her hands from her blade, instead reaching up to pull out the arrow, dripping with blood. Maki would usually detest such a decision, but she realized now that it didn’t matter much as she, too, let her hands rest on the hilt of the blade, pulling it free as it fell to the floor. Maki followed after, dropping to her knees. They were practically as good as dead already.
“Y-You strike a good blow,” Maki praised, her body naturally dragging itself down backwards as she lay against the ground, breathing from her mouth as pain coursed through her senses.
“And you… Good aim,” Peko added, similarly lowering herself to the ground against her back, gazing upwards at the sky.
A sudden silence stretched between them, suddenly feeling emptier than ever without the sounds of fighting. It was odd, really. This wasn’t unlike some of their earlier meetings. Lying on the ground and staring up at the sky, filled with stars, no words being shared between them. If Maki just closed her eyes, it was almost like nothing had changed at all. She could almost imagine her wounds disappearing as the two of them just sat there for hours.
But she didn’t. She could still feel the warm blood pooling around her body, sticky and gruesome. Had it not been so obvious, she might look like one of her previous targets.
“Can I admit… one last thing?” Peko whispered, coughing as she seemed to struggle to get the words out, suddenly breaking the silence.
Maki, lying by her side and grasping at her own wounds, could barely even look over. Peko was good with a sword, Maki had to give her that. Her lack of knowledge about swords had made the battle more unpredictable. “S-Sure. We’re gonna die anyway,” she muttered, letting her voice soften now that there were practically no more stakes in addition to her breaths beginning to slow. There really was so much left to say that she just couldn’t.
“I… Might be incorrect but-“ she breathed, shaky and weak, unlike all the other times they’d met in which Peko seemed so mighty and strong, even with her delicate moments. She always seemed as if she could push through anything and everything. “-I believe this feeling I felt - this connection to you… was more than I realized.”
Maki turned, even through the pain that washed through her body. It was nothing compared to the way her heart seemed to skip beat and any blood that still remained in her body rose to her cheeks. Her breath caught in her throat, despite already being so much weaker. “W-What?”
Peko smiled sadly, her eyes locked on the sky above them. Starry and dark, no moon in sight. They didn’t have much time left. “Maybe I’ll see you in the stars?”
Maki never believed in the afterlife before this, but she almost found herself wishing for something beyond. Maybe they would find each other. Maybe they wouldn’t. She had no way of knowing. She’d be better off wishing on one of those distant stars. “I-“ she breathed, blinking rapidly. Assassins didn’t cry. Maki didn’t cry. Not even in the face of death. Not even after her heart had been broken into pieces and begun to repair itself again, but nowhere near fully healed like a puzzle with pieces missing and broken. “-I hope so.” But maybe in the face of Peko Pekoyama, she would let herself. Just this once. “I’m- I’m sorry.”
Another long stretch of silence. Maki could hear Peko’s breaths now along with her own. “I’m sorry, too,” she replied.
All at once hundreds of thousands of words seemed to flood Maki’s mind, desperate to be heard. How perhaps it would have been better if they’d never met - even if they wouldn’t have had any of those blissful experiences together, they wouldn’t have had to face betrayal. How maybe they shouldn’t have kept it a secret at all, maybe they wouldn’t have found themselves here. Or even that they should have just run away.
But she didn’t say any of those things. There was no reason wishing now when none of them would come true. The only thing she could truly be thankful for now was that she could be by Peko’s side one last time underneath the stars and that their secrets - however big or small - didn’t have to be secrets any longer.
“I’ll miss you.”
With one long breath, Maki let her eyes shut for the last time as the world faded away from her senses.