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[kof][fanfic] The Color Purple: Act 1-20

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Paul Khao Soo

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Feb 18, 1997, 3:00:00 AM2/18/97

The Colour Purple... The King of Fighters '95

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Notes about the King of Fighters tournament:
Garou Densetsu (Fatal Fury)-The King of Fighters '91
Garou Densetsu Part 2-The King of Fighters '92
Garou Densetsu Part Special-The King of Fighters '93
The King of Fighters '94
The King of Fighters '95
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Act 1: Hajimete

It was a lazy Friday afternoon, and all time seemed to go much too
slowly. The world was much too peaceful and at times you could even find
amusement as you watched the trees sway in the wind, or leaves rush across the
dusty road. It was a simple life these people lived... Once in a while they
would call up old friends and chat about the weather, or even remember happy
days, when everything was so much simpler. Noone is really satisfied with the
mundane lives they live, everyone thirsts for change, for some colour in their
dreary lives. They want an adventure, or even a chance to make their mark in
the world. Beyond the endless paperwork, the rush jobs, or even the simple
chores. "I just want a change! I just want to make a difference in the world!

I just want to feel needed! Feel that I am worth something." Inside their
timid exteriors dwells a desire to become someone else, someone new... Maybe
each one of us wants to live in our own world... A place free from the mundane
rituals of the real world, where one can play by their own rules, where anyone
can be the best.

In the middle of a vast plot of land surrounded by seemingly endless
forest stood a fortress, no a palace, protected by layers of high reaching
walls and barricades, and only the drifting cherry blossoms could so much as
step inside this magnificent complex. A maroon haired figure stood slump next
to a pond, waiting, contemplating... Between his dark crimson locks you could
see glints of hate shining within his eyes. He had his back in an arc, almost
petrified, and his arms would dance slowly, weaving one over the other-so
smoothly and swiftly that you could hear the sweet whistle of the wind resonate
throughout the stone garden. Over and under the pair would dance, and leading
would be long dexterous fingers who would move independently from each other
digit. He was pacing through ritual exercise, going slowly, then fast all the
while twisting his body like that of a water wave. His palms would hit high,
then low, twisting and curling, around an invisible entity. A female voice was
suddenly heard from the background saying "Young master, your father would like
to speak to you... about the tournament..."

"SHUT UP!" He yelled, not even slowing his rhythm. "I am busy."
The kimono clad servant only knelt a few meters from him and bowed
lowly.
"Your father said that it was urgent that he speak to you before he
leaves for Paris."

He only flinched in disgust and cocked his arms back. He closed his
eyes and went into steady rhythmic breathing, and to the servants amazement,
his hands slowly flickered, and burst into purple flames. His eyes darted
open, looking straight at the concrete wall roughly fifteen meters in front of
him. In a twinkling, his knees tensed and the mud beneath his feet gave way
and exploded towards all directions as he lunged towards the wall. His right
palm connected first, slapping the stone, and leaving long cracks over his palm
mark, again and again he would slap, claw and punch in a dizzying frenzy,
occasionally leaving purple fires in the cracks, and staining the wall with his
own warm blood. Like a savage animal, he would relentlessly flail and maul his
enemy. After a few minutes, he pulled both arms in a snap, and the servant
could faintly see the terrifying amount of damage inflicted on the concrete.
What happened next was blindingly quick as well- the young master let out a
scream so inhuman, it sounded more like a wild animal. He put his hands into
fists and the tense veins bulged from his temples... The flames in his fists
grew brighter and danced frantically like a hungry beast. Dust flew into the
servant girl's eyes and wind seemed to come from all directions encircling the
young master, making the grass skip left and right, and the cherry blossoms
encircle him. A scream ran through the air...
"Asobi wo Owarida!!!!!" The young master howled.
Both palms dug deep and the wall exploded into purple flames. The
servant girl fell back in fright, and looked in amazement at the pile of ruble
which was once the courtyard wall. The young master, with an evil visage
trodded towards the girl, crouched down and held her chin firmly with his blood
soaked hands.
"What is it that my father wants?" the young master questioned her.
The young master's eyes tightened into small slits as he grinned evily at the
girl. He grasped her kimono with both hands and tugged, making both of their
eyes meet.
"Are you afraid of me? Do you love me? Do you hate me?" the young
master sneered.
He tugged sideways and almost shredded her kimono with hardly any
effort. The servant only turned her head to the side and tried to keep herself
covered.
"Please forgive me for bothering you, young master." she apologized
pathetically, as she handed an envelope to her master. "Your father asked me
to give this to you..."

The young master examined the envelope he now had in his hand... It
was pearl white with gold trimmings on the side, and it was sealed with blood
red wax... imprinted with an initial "R". He took his eyes away from the
letter for a moment, and looked over at the servant girl who was still kneeling
but trying her best to cover her half naked body with her shredded kimono. The
young master gripped what was left of her collar and hoisted her up. The girl
stood calm with her eyes closed and teary... She looked so unafraid the young
master thought to himself, but he could see fell that she was shaking all over.

"Why? Why do you do this?" The young master shouted at her.
He put his cheek next to hers and licked the blood that stained her
cheeks. Then slowly he slid his hands down her shoulder and held her wrists.
The servant girl refused to move, probably because of fright. He continued to
caress her thighs and wrapped his other arm around her back.

The envelope burst into purple flames behind the girls back, leaving
only blue ashes and a letter in the young master's hand... with his cheek
still on her's, his eyes rolled left and right, reading... His other hand
went between her torn garments, but she still didn't move, and he could feel
her heart race quicker with every passing moment. His fingers crawled over her
chest, down between her thighs, and found its way to her shoulders once again.
He fixed his hand over her shoulders and stretched his arms full, looking over
at the still unmoving girl. The young master's face slowly became calm, and
his eyebrows relaxed as his eyes widened, almost out of pity at the tear
streaks on the maiden's face.
"Why do you allow my father to do this to you? Why do you not get
angry when I treat you like this?" He cooly said. "Do you enjoy this? I can
see from your eyes, from the way you act, this isn't at all your will. What
has he against you? Is he holding someone you love, is he blackmailing you?
Look at me face to face... Talk to me... I am not like him... Consider me a
human, talk to me like another person damn it! I have seen you day by day,
succumbing to my father's earthly desires. Don't you have any self respect at
all...?!?"

The young master's hand tensed and shook the girl's shoulder, every
fiber of his being begging for an answer. All he wanted was to be able to talk
to anyone like a human being. He has lived all of his life in isolation,
within their family's palace like complex. He always got what he wanted,
pleasure, pain, desires, but all he wanted was to be able to talk to someone
like a person- the way friends would laugh and play together as he saw in the
television, but all he had were mindless servants, each had their own reasons
for being there... sometimes it was for the money, blackmail, or even because
their entire family was destroyed by his power-hungry father. This young
master's father was a Yakuza don, and held silent power which rivaled even
those of the figurehead in the government, but unlike those corrupted fools
seated in power, his father was free from the rules. He could rape, steal,
kill, and even control the lives of any human being, much like a god.

The young master could sometimes pick out individuals in his large
brothel of servants, special individuals... priests, soldiers, even the sons
and daughters of other Yakuza families that his father destroyed with a wink of
an eye, but this girl seemed different, and he couldn't understand her. She
didn't seem like she hated the inhuman acts his father was doing to her, and
according to the other servants, she wasn't kept by force... she was a servant
because of her own free will.

"Is it loyalty then? Did my father save your family from another
Yakuza? Did he adopt you? Is this why you still endure the hell he gives you?

Loyalty? You must think so highly of him, don't you? You see him as the
kindest individual in the world... you, a complete stranger who he offered a
new life to."

The young master pulled her towards him, and the servant girl only
cried and hugged the young master tightly. He took of his black jacket, put it
over her tattered clothes, and moved her aside.

A piece of paper floated down from behind him, and spontaneously burst
into purple fire... "This is an invitation made, to those worthy to step into
the hallowed walls of the King of Fighters Tournament... Announcing the 1995
King of Fighters tournament. The event will be conducted as the previous ones,
and we welcome both new and old teams, However, we will implement a new rule
this coming year... Break a spine R... His excellency will be expecting the
young master Iori Yagami... Please make plans for the upcoming year... dated
May 27, 1993...

<two years... two years of freedom> Iori thought to himself...

The wind howled softly, and Iori brushed his hair to the side...
"When I return, I will be more powerful than you can ever imagine....
So, I have two years to explore the outside world..."

Iori grinned and slinged his leather duffel bag behind him, and walked
out the towering gates that marked the opening of Yagami palace the gates that
hid a legacy of deceit pain, suffering, and selfish dreams, and now this young
man would leave it all behind to live his life, a life he hopes to be his own,
but inevitably, it would be one his father had laid out for him...

Act 2: Joe's Diner

The street were decievingly peaceful at night, but during the day, it
would bustle with activity... The Morning sun prevented anything from being
tucked away. All around you'd see individuals that lead different walks of
life... There would be lovers quarreling, children playing, girls laughing,
businessmen dashing, and even the occasional diner crowded with a ruckus of
people. This peninsula is called New Hong Kong, an artificial island, which
started when the treaties between nations became so complex that countries
couldn't even decide where to trade goods anymore... so they decided to make
their own island.. and in this place, races from all over would converge to
lead a new life, free from the politics that bound them back home... Little
Italy, Neo Tokyo, North Mexico, and many other little towns held their own
culture and legacy...

The cherry blossoms were in bloom and scattered the pretty pastel
leaves all over the town. So this town is called little Italy, and a well kept
secret is a nice joint called Joe's diner. It seemed like any ordinary truck
driver's haven, but the simple food had it's own unique style... Sometimes
when you've tasted great food, you find something new, and you realize that you
haven't experienced simple food... well, that's what Joe's diner is there for.

It's not a fancy French restaurant, or a bistro... It's a place where good
home style meals are slaved on by an individual who loves to cook... It comes
from the heart, the art of cooking, and not done for show.

Iori, with his leather duffel bag slung behind him, walked into the
diner. It had an old American feel. There were James Dean posters on the
walls and those nostalgic looking coke vending machines, and classic juke
boxes. Iori sat down on one of those stools on the bar, and looked over the
menu. His posture was shot as usual and he wore the grim look on his face. He
started to get impatient, having been waited on his whole life by a harem of
servants, he never experienced an atmosphere where HE had to wait. In fact, he
didn't know how to act in a restaurant.. It was kind of amusing to the other
customers seeing this man sit on the bar, and looking around, seemingly not
knowing what to do next. Iori got frustrated and hit the bar with his fist.

"What the HELL are you staring at!" Iori growled at the snickering
customers jeering behind him. Then as he was about to get up, and reach for a
random victim to release his frustrations onto, a fan tapped his shoulders and
Iori swung aside, and began a motion for a backhand.

Iori's backhand flew straight aiming for whoever's unfortunate face was
behind him. He hit, but didn't feel flesh or bone... It was wood...
"Hey, Okyaksama {customer}, you shouldn't act like that, we may be
slow, but we're not THAT slow... Just don't leave so much of a tip okay, but
don't harass the other customers." a young lady in a skimpy looking waitress
outfit cooed.

Iori looked at his hand in surprise and saw a wooden fan clipped onto
his wrist, and in a blinding twist the fan slithered around his arm and forced
his palm back on the bar.

The cheerful waitress only smiled. She was wearing one of those
stereotype "waitress on roller blades" outfits that were so popular back then.
She had a pink top and a short ruffled skirt. Iori glanced at her chest and
saw a pin... Mai, it read.

"Now," Mai asked, "what do you want for lunch?"
Iori looked puzzled, so Mai pointed to the menu. Iori looked over and
slid his finger over the numbers and reached 'Philly cheese steak'. Iori
grunted without taking his slit tense eyes off the naive looking waitress.

"Yoshi {okay}!!" Mai cheered and went off behind the bar and called
out the order number into the window that lead into the kitchen.

Iori sat on the barstool once again to regain his composure and
wondered what the napkins and those tubes with pepper and salt were doing on
the countertop. Iori felt through his jacket, it was cut off just below his
chest, and he slid his hand under thae flaps to get his pack of Lucky Strikes.
Iori tapped it and slid a stick into his mouth, and waited, then he realized
that he didn't have a lighter in hand and he also didn't have any servants at
his beck and call. So he picked up a napkin and lit it. The tissue exploded
into purple flames and he used that to light his cigarette. Just after he took
his first puff, he heard a call come from the kitchen.

"Oi! Okyaksama {customer}, Be careful when you do that okay... I love
this diner more than my own mother loves me. Understand!?!" came the voice of
the chef.

Iori peeped through the window and saw someone from the neck down...
the front was covered by a white apron that had 'Joe can cook' embossed on it.
He examined some more and noticed bandaged hands grip the edges of the window,
and slowly he could see an Asian chef lean over and peep through the window.
The chef had a tall white hat on which abruptly fell as it hit the end of the
edge. And beneath the had exposed hair in tall spikes as if the chefs hat's
sole purpose was to mold this guy's hair. The chef introduced himself as Joe
as he went around the side and to the kitchen door. Joe hung his apron up and
all he was wearing underneath was a white T-shirt, a pair of orange Bermuda
shorts and a pair of Nike sneakers.

"Hey, I haven't seen you around town," Joe smiled to Iori... Joe
looked over to Mai and asked her to take orders while he kept the customer
occupied. "I know pretty much everybody in this town, cause one reason or
another the guys go to Joe's Diner.... Sometimes they go here on dates, on
business, even illegal sometimes, but I keep my mouth shut because it IS an
honour thing... Hey, one time a couple had their wedding, or was it first date
anniversary here... Yeah it's a great place." Joe gossiped and looked to the
side at his James Dean Memorabilia.. "Hey, I guess you ARE new in town, tell me
where you're from? I'm building up on my 60's rebel stuff, and I haven't seen
many diners like mine... so tell me..." Joe continued as he turned around to
face Iori, but to his surprise he saw noone there...

"A-re?" Joe stammered, as a sweat drop trickled down his temple.
Without warning a tray hit his head from behind, making his eyes popped from
his head... Joe turned around to see an agitated Mai towering over him.
"BAKA! {idiot}" Mai scolded, "Look, you scared him off! He probably
got sick and tired of your talking.. that's why I do the talking and YOU do the
cooking remember?" Mai pouted and walked away... "And he looked kind'a cute
too."

Joe rubbed the back of his head and his eyes slit. <That's not an
ordinary man...> Joe thought to himself. <I felt some power radiating from
him, and it was a good thing Mai stopped him before he could wreck my
restaurant.. He IS new in this town, and doesn't look too friendly... I may
have to keep an eye out for him..>

"JOE!!!" Mai screamed once more.
"Hai HAI HAI!!! {ok ok ok}," Joe stammered as he threw both arms to
the side like a mime... "I'll get back to the kitchen okay!"

Joe leaped over the bar and reached for the kitchen door, he felt
something strange and looked behind him. Joe was in awe as he saw the napkin
still burning, and had melted through the countertop and onto the concrete
floor, the napkin, not even showing any signs of ash or burn...

Act 3: Yume

Approximately 3 blocks from Joe's Diner, away from that nostalgic old
American feel, was a construction site, and it was nothing like the old easy
going neighbourhood- there was the thunder of machinery and hollering
construction workers. The scorching heat beat down on these guys harshly,
sweat covered bodies fighting against the fatigue, just to get along in life.
It was a simple life for these men and women. Probably kept on their toes by
the hardships of this blue collar lifestyle, but away from the troubles of a
rich complicated life. They lived in their own world, and functioned as a
family, unlike businessmen who would have 'business friends'- it was a dog eat
dog world up there, but to these guys, they were all brothers, suffering from
the same pain and pleasure.

A stout, bearded man came over and did his rounds yelling "Hey guys,
It's lunchtime, drop all that shit and get some din 'kay!!!"... He has no name
to his businessmen superiors, but to his men, he was called Dad... He was the
closest they could get to a father figure at work- their outstretched palms
would get no concern from the bigshots, but Dad... well, 'Boss' sometimes,
would be there to stick up for them. Dad would get sincere, warm smiles day to
day, and he, no matter how fatigued or stresses by his own bosses, would always
have time to pat his men on the back and comfort them.

The sound of the clanking and roaring gears would stop as he walked by,
except for one certain individual who Dad had to personally drag out of work.
The thundering jackhammer would just go on and on relentlessly, deaf to Dad's
calls. Dad came over to him, a sweat drenched workaholic wearing the same
white tank top over his shredded jeans day after day.

"Hey kid, your body can't go on this way if you don't get some grub."
Dad smiled.

The muscled man, finally gave in and turned the hammer off. He set it
on the ground carefully and reached for his towel and ran it through his
drenched face and blonde hair.

"Yeah, thanks Dad..." he said.
"You know," Dad asked as he usually did to this man, "I can't
understand why you still work this fucked up job... I mean, you're brother is
up there... he practically OWNS this company, and still you work here and get
your hands dirty... I just don't get it."
"Well, like I always tell you guys... The rich life isn't for me. I'm
not like my brother. I prefer a more simple life."
"But what does your brother say about this?"
"Well, my brother and I don't get along very well... we do things very
differently, and besides we've been in rivalry since we were very young... We
lost our father at a very young age and had to live our lives our way. He went
his way and I went mine... Besides, I don't want to owe him anything."
"Your father was killed right?" Dad asked.
"Yeah... It hit us pretty hard back then... I was so crushed that I
just ran away from it all. I'm sure my brother was filled with the same anger,
but he had more ambition than I did. He did better in school and put up this
company. He thinks that one day he can buy away his sadness or maybe buy his
revenge. I guess he was the smarter of us both... You can't survive on dreams
or desire alone in this world alone can you?"
"Hey, don't talk that shit with me, kid... Sure we might not be happy
with our simple lives here, and yeah, I want to do some stuff with money too,
but..."

There was a moment of pause and the jeaned man continued to wipe the
glittering sweat from his muscular arms and under his shirt.

"Dad," the golden haired man exclaimed, "People can't survive on
dreams and love alone you know... Sure it's good stuff, but you need bread too
right?"
"Hmmf!" Dad grunted, "You're just a wishy washy drifter, kid... You
haven't seen the other side of the fence. Up there it's a dog eat dog world.
There 'aint no such thing as brotherhood, or love up there- only money and
power... That's what makes life worth living up there! And once you start,
it's like a drug you can't have enough of it. Sometimes you have so much greed
that you forget your dreams and what you wanted in the first place. Corrupted
by power, and lust... the simple things don't matter anymore."
"I'm just a simple kid, Dad."
"Just remember, kid, down here were closer to the earth, and far away
from the clouds... and the people close to the earth are more in touch with
their dreams and hopes... The rich have no dreams like we do."
"Sometimes I wonder what my dream is... I keep on fighting... I fight
all the time that after the fight, I don't know what's left for me... there is
only emptiness and longing. I've been in the revenge business for so long that
I don't know what to do afterwards."
"You worry too much kid. You should eat your lunch and take this stuff
one day at a time."
"You said that money and power are like drugs, but what about hate and
longing? Dreams... don't they destroy you too?"
"Only if you let em, kid... Just remember, down here in this hell hole
of a world, we simple folk only have our dreams, and the moment those dreams
are turned into money and power, then it's all over! I've been up there kid,
and I asked myself what I was doin'... sleepin with wenches 'vry night and
drinkin my youth away. I felt so good... so strong, but it all came tumbling
down in a snap of some god's fingers. I lost my dreams, both up there and down
here, but I realized, yeah, the world is full of dreamers like us who seem so
pathetic and selfish, but if you let your dreams go like I did once, what have
you left?"

The jeaned man patted Dad on the back and just smiled.

"Hey, Dad" he said, "Take it easy okay, I'm not that lost yet."
"You just remember that I'm doing this because I care about all of
youse... You guys are the closest I have to a family."

The jeaned character pulled out a red cap from his back pocket and put
it over his eyes as he grabbed a submarine sandwich from his crimson duffel
bag.

"Hey!" Dad yelled out as his 'son' walked away, "I forgot why I came
to you... There's that kid.. waassis name, the guy with the blue jeans and
the headband... He's been hanging around like always at the fence waitin to
eat lunch with you."
"Oh... Tell him I have to take a shower and I'll meet him at the Pier
okay?"
"Hey, Terry Bogard!" Dad yelled again, "You've got a cute ass, you
know that!"

Terry just laughed out loud and brushed his behind with his hat.

"Dad, you should get a wife!"
"Nawww... she left me long time ago!"

"And I might skip some days off work 'kay!?!"
"Sure! Terry," Dad smiled, "You work too fucking hard anyway, by the
way, what do you have to do?"
"Uh, there's this thing coming up.... Got to vent out some
frustration."

Terry reached for an envelope that was in his hand and threw the
crumpled mess behind him... It was read by the wind, the sand and those who
cared about the ambitions and pains of these insignificant folk... and it
said: "Master Terry Bogard is cordially invited to participate in the annual
King of Fighters tournament of this year 1993..."

Act 4: Silent Jealousy

You look up and see the towering height of Little Italy's skyscrapers.
These man made dreams reach up high, hoping to one day reach the heavens, but
most of the time, these saints lose sight of their dreams, and while refusing
to look back at the earth, to where they once conceived their ambitions, the
high of success just keep them hanging, and much like their dreams, it will
never reach heaven and is inevitably doomed to fall from grace.

You mind scales the walls, admiring the splendor, scaling story by
story, trying to imagine what hides behind each window... higher and higher.

"Damn it!" yells that seniour vice president as he sent his palm down
on the table like a piledriver.

Andy Bogard had fought all his life and with his blood sweat and tears
as he climbed the ranks to his position in the company now, but he is only
plagued by anxiety, worry and hate. It was a board meeting and what was on the
table were the excruciating demands of the labour union, and as usual, Andy was
blamed for this. According to his superiors, the only reason the union had so
much courage to put up such demands was because his brother was one of them,
and his superiors assumed that Andy was in league with these fools to put the
company down for his own gains.

"I SAID..." Andy exclaimed, "I have NOTHING to do with Terry Bogard!"

Andy stormed out of the board meeting with the rest of the room in
utter stupor. Andy headed back to his office, completely ignoring his
jabbering secretary's long list of appointments he had for the day.
"Mr. Bogard, you..." His secretary uttered, only to be answered by
the slam of the door.

Andy looked at the tall mirror by his closet, and examined himself. He
ran his hands through his slicked back blonde hair, and brushed the dust from
his khaki blazer. The took of his circular spectacles to wipe and put them
back on as he straightened his tie.
"Bastards..." Andy muttered. "One day I'll just put them all away..."

Andy turned to his desk and in a bloodshot stare, glared down at the
framed picture on it. It was Terry and himself, younger, and in happier days.
Terry was wearing his blue overalls and had a green cap on, while Andy wore a
white oxford shirt and had a nice clean crew cut. Andy walked over and picked
up the picture carefully and tried to stab it with his eyes. He let out a
scream and cocked his hand back... After a moment, he let out a breath and
calmly set the picture down on the desk once more...

"Why.." Andy thought, "Why am I not content? I've done everything
better than you... I stayed in school, I got up this company, and I trained
under the best teachers all my life... and you,... AND YOU... You FUCKING
DRUNK BASTARD!!! You just ran away... I looked up to you and noone was there
to protect me, to grow up with me. I wasn't independent like you. I had to
learn the hard way, alone how to live with all the hate I had when our father
died... So I fought... I climbed, tore shred and destroyed all my opponents,
just to succeed in this life.. and be the strongest, most powerful man there
is. When the time came for us to face Geese, the man who killed our father,
you appeared... You had left me alone and came back to steal the glory that
was rightfully mine!"

Andy's mind drifted and went black. he could see the swirling black
take shape... and the shapes were blocks, then edgy, it shifted into
machinery, and in an instant, there was dust, noise, heat and sweat. Andy
looked up and he saw himself walking towards the construction site. A
flashback of past regret...

"Look, it's Mr. Bogard," the construction workers muttered under
their breath... "What's he doin ' here in a place like this?" they wondered
in unison, while keeping themselves away from Andy's line of sight for fear of
being struck down.
"TERRY!" Andy bellowed, "TERRY! Where the Fuck are you! I've had
enough and I'm going to finish it now."

The supervisor, a stout bearded man came from the terrified crowd, and
confronted Andy.
"What do you need Mr. Bogard?" Dad asked.
"Where is he, where is Terry?"
"I'm not so sure, I think he's taking a leak right now, maybe you can
come back later...."

Andy stopped Dad from finishing his sentence and in one firm motion
picked up Dad by the collar and left his feet dangling half a foot off the
ground.
"Shut up you old pig!" Andy growled, his temples fuming and his eyes
tensing. "You have nothing to do with our family affairs, so BUTT OUT!"
"Mr. Bogard," Dad insisted, "Let's calm down.."
"I've had enough of you..." Andy spat out as he cocked his fist back,
about to strike at the terrified supervisor, helplessly hanging in the air.

"ANDY!!!" came a voice from behind the gathering crowd of construction
workers...

The crowd of stunned construction workers abruptly looked behind them
and like the red sea, the crowd parted, revealing a tall blond haired man who's
face was covered by the shadows of his red cap.
"TEEE-EEERRR-RRRR-YYY..." Andy growled as the veins on his neck
pumped.

Terry pulled up the tongue of his cap to expose the calm grin on his
face.
"What do you want Andy? I haven't been skipping work you know. If you
have something to say, say it to me, not at Dad."
"You bastard! Finally decided to come out of hiding huh?"

Andy dropped Dad and started to pace towards Terry, emitting a strong
aura that made the other workers step back as if exposed to a repelling
magnetic force.

"Terry, just what the fuck are you trying to prove by coming here?"
Andy barked.
"I just want to find work Andy, I didn't know that you worked here
too... I.."
"Shut up!" Andy interrupted. "Are you trying to bring me down? Do
you know what I go through everyday.... It's because of you the workers are
like this they say to me! Your brother works down there, so they think they
can pull a few strings... My job's on the line because those goddamn pigs
blame their mistakes on me and say that this is all I plan I have to take over
the company!"

Andy came over and yelled these words directly in front of Terry's face
and pushed him back with both palms.

"Do you know.." Andy exclaimed, "Do you know how many asses I had to
kiss, how many boots I had to lick, and how much blood sweat and tears I went
through to get to this position... I'm not going to let you destroy that... I
won't let you destroy this dream like you did the rest of my other dreams.... "
"Andy," Terry said with calm visage, "You're taking this too
seriously, I just came here for the rent money, not to do you any harm. I
never intended to d...."
Terry's sentence was cut short by Andy's pitiful face. Andy's eyes
loosened, his brows dropped, but his fists tightened and started to bleed.

"Eversince we were young... You had to be better didn't you? You
wanted to be the best, and didn't care who you stepped on. I looked up to you,
but you were never there for me, you were never there to notice how much I
thought of you as my idol, my hero... And when Otosan {father} died, you left
me... you ran away from home and left me. I was alone and afraid, and that
anxiety ate me inside out. BUT NOW TERRY! but now, I, I am the hero! I am
going to be the best!" Andy shouted as his eyes narrowed and his visage
changed to insane anger. "I don't care how many dreams I destroy and how many
lives I've trampled on! Nothing will ever oppose me again, and nothing will
scare me again... From those days alone, weak and insecure... lonely; from
those memories, I swore that I would become better, and if it means doing away
with you, I will!"

Andy took of his blazer and threw it in the air. He flexed his arms
and the sweat trickled down and ran around his firm muscles. Andy put his
fists in front of him and started breathing in controlled gasps, and slowly,
the wind started to blow and the dust from his feet rose and encircled his
tense body. He spread his feet about a foot apart and rooted them to the
ground in a fighting stance. Terry only smiled and said...
"Come on Andy, we don't have to do this... I'll just buy you a beer
sometime tonight okay." Terry joked with a kind smile...
"Damn it, Terry," Andy yelled, "Face me or not, I'll kill you here and
now."

Terry just turned away and walked back to his jackhammer to continue
his work, but the infuriated Andy ran towards Terry, with his eyes milky and
pupiless in pure hate. The ground tore up from beneath his feet and Dad ran
between the two as it seemed apparent that Andy was going to cleave Terry in
two from behind.
"Stop this madness!" Dad yelled as he used his body as a human shield,
hands spread wide to get between the two.
"URUSAI JIJI! {Shut up, old man}" Andy roared, "If you want to die
with him, then go ahead!" Andy Raised his elbow, and to Dad's horror, flames
erupted from his forearm, wrapping his elbow in raging flames.
"ZANGYA KEN!!!" Andy called out, leaving the stunned supervisor unable
to move away from pure fright.

An echoing thunderclap was heard, and dust whirlwinds flew from side to
side. Andy looked on, and found the shaking supervisor on his bottom below
him, unharmed... and when Andy looked up, there was a gloved hand holding his
elbow back. The raging flames still burned and tried to eat through Terry's
hand, but instead slithered through his fingers and around his wrist like wild
snakes.

Andy, stunned, met Terry's eyes, to his horror, Terry's face had
completely changed from calm and naive looking to grim and determined...
Terry's brows tensed and his temples fumed.
"Andy Bogard... If you have any problems with me, you take it out on
my person face to face, but once you involve any of my friends, I swear, I will
kill you without mercy!" Terry snarled. "So, you want to fight eh? Well
you've done it now..."
"IKUZO, ANDY!!!!! {Let's go, Andy}" Terry bellowed, as he tossed
Andy's elbow high and sidestepped aside...
"{Terry, I will finish you today...} K'sama wo buuts KUROSE!!!"

Andy recoiled from terry's fling and he cocked both hands back, sending
sweatdrops flying in all directions. Terry circled around Dad and pushed the
stunned supervisor to the side to protect him form harm , and at the same time
keeping Andy away from his colleagues. Terry rushed towards Andy with his fist
extended as this was his "BURN KNUCKLE", but Andy saw this and used his left
arm to slap the punch away. In a complementing motion, he sent his other palm
up towards Terry's belly, but all he hit was Terry's left arm which was
covering his chest. Terry immediately transferred his center of gravity to his
upper body and swung his hips around 360 degrees, and while using his left foot
as a brace, he twisted and flung his right arm around and rushing down like a
sledgehammer aimed for Andy's shoulders or maybe his head. Andy's teeth
clenched as his eyeballs went off to the side spotting the deadly "CRACK
SHOOT". Andy sidestepped to his left and watched Terry's foot, as if in slow
motion to his trained eyes, drop in a steady arc, then, in a twinkling, he put
his hands on Terry's knee and used all his strength to follow the crack shoot
and send it flying down in the hopes of making Terry lose balance. Andy's
right hand pushed it all the way down and he used this momentum to swing around
a full circle and send his left elbow towards Terry's chest. Something snapped
in terry's reflexes and he sent his hands down on the ground as to get in a
handstand position. Terry twisted 360 degrees with his hands and projected
himself up spinning in the helicopter "LIGHTING TACKLE" attack. Andy, shocked
at his brother's quick recovery broke from his "ZANGYA KEN" and dodged the
attack to the side.

Andy collected himself at the side as Terry landed from his spinning
move. Both of them, gasped for breath and with their hand up in defense tried
to figure out their opponent's next move. The anxiety was biting at their
heels much like a scene from a seedy old western movie.
"Why did you do it Terry? I had Geese in my hand then. I had trained
all my life, and found and bought informants to tell me who had killed our
father. I deserved to be the one to break him. You left the family on your
own, and just appeared out of nowhere 'to collect' after all the work I had put
in to find him. YOU SON OF A BITCH! You used me again you selfish bastard!"
"No, Andy, think again..." Terry said, "Who do you think is more
selfish between the both of us?"
"WHAT?!? YOU SON OF A BITCH!!!"

Then at a drop of a hat the ground beneath Andy exploded, as a
whirlwind enveloped him, sending his golden lock up into the air. Andy cocked
his palms in front of him and his arms began to radiate a soft warm glow...
the glow exploded to raging flames as Andy exclaimed "HISHYO KEN!!!" and a
fireball flew towards terry... There was a blinding light and Terry put his
hands to his eyes. The construction workers covered their eyes too, as the
blast exploded and send shards of the iron construction fence all over the
yard. Andy looked up in pride to gloat over his brother's dead body, but as
the dust started to clear he saw a capped silhouette dash towards him...

"No, Impossible!" Andy exclaimed..
"ORA ORA ORA!!! {come on come on!}" Terry yelled apparently unhit by
the HISHYO KEN. Before Andy could react Terry pulled his arm back and bellowed
"POWER WAVE!!!!" when he was just a little over a meter away from the stunned
Andy.
"JESUS!!!" Andy yelled with his hands crossed in a blocking stance in
front of his chest. "He's going to do the power wave so close to me... I'll
die for sure.." Andy thought.

Andy braced himself for the coming shock, and tried to muster up
courage to peep between his arms. He saw a flash of red approach him, but when
it hit, it made a soft tapping sound and dropped to the floor.

Andy flung his hands aside and looked down on the ground.. Below his
feet, he saw terry's red cap mocking him... "Shit!" Andy thought, "it was his
cap.. it wasn't POWE..." Then in a moment he realized that Terry wasn't in
front of him, and even if it was just for a brief second, Terry could gain the
advantage. Andy spun around almost automatically and as expected, Terry was
behind him. Andy in a panic, spun around and sent a backhand off to Terry's
face.

It was silent for a while, and the workers toppled over each other to
see who was the victor. Terry had his left palm parallel to his cheek, and in
his hand was Andy's knuckles still shaking from the pressure. Terry's own
knuckles on the other hand, was a inch away from Andy's belly. Andy fell back
in shock and looked up to Terry in awe. Terry merely wiped his sweat with a
towel, picked up his hat and trodded away back to his work. Andy sat on his
bottom for a few more minute in total shock and disappointment, his earlier
combed and dignified hair, now messed up and dirty from the rumble. Andy's
mind faded and he say another version of himself... when they were kids...
Andy was flat on his bottom and his face full of punch marks and his pants
soiled. Terry was looming over him with an outstretched arm and a smile, but
know all Andy could see was his brother's back walking away.

Andy's mind returned to his room, brooding over the picture on his
desk...

Andy's secretary buzzed in on the intercom just in time to wake Andy
from his trance. "Mr. Bogard, the floor manager, Mr. Riley called... it's
concerning your request to keep an eye on Mr. Terry Bogard for you... Mr.
Riley says that Terry will be taking a few days leave this month...
"Thank you Sally." Andy answered, as he wiped the sweat from his brow.

Andy looked at his pile of letters, and saw one quite distinct from the others.

It had a blood red wax seal on it... Andy just smiled and brushed his hair
back with his arms..."So, Terry, I guess I will be getting another chance at
you..."

Act 5: Boy London

Iori walked out casually out of Joe's Diner, duffel bag in hand with a
bag of chips he so calmly 'persuaded a terrified customer to give up'. Iori
was slowly becoming aware of his awkwardness and his apparent inability to
adapt to his new environment and had to find some time to recollect and plan
out how he was going to survive in this world he had never been in before.
Unknown to him there was an ominous shadow following him from behind...
stealthily prancing, dancing within walks of people and hiding his aura from
even Iori Yagami, the most feared of Yagami palace...

Iori succumbed to the growling sounds of his stomach and cursed his
pride at the diner.
<One of these days my damn pride will kill me, my hunger will get the
best of me...>
Iori was going to reach for the bell which was supposed to be strapped
to the back of his belt, but when he felt for it, there was nothing...
<Eh???> Iori wondered... <Where's that damn bell>
Iori continued to frisk his butt and back but couldn't find what he was
looking for.
<Oh shit!> Iori thought, <I'm not in Yagami palace anymore, I don't
have any servants to call with my bell...>
A large sweat drop ran down Iori's temple, and vertical purple lines
striped his forehead...
<Hara het ta na...{uuuuug... I'm hungry}> he groaned to himself...
Iori heard a crunch from his coat pocket and unveiled the pack of chips
he got from Joe's Diner and examined it. All his life Iori had lived in Yagami
palace and had never seen a pack of chips before. Although he did see
commercials on TV of people eating them, he just couldn't bring himself to
remember how they did it. Iori tried to poke a hole into the pack but failed
miserably; then, he attempted to pull the entire thing apart, but he heard a
faint crunch and decided that, that wasn't the way to do it. He stuck his palm
out and in an instant purple flames danced on his fingertips, he tried to burn
a hole slowly but it didn't work on the foil wrapping. In frustration Iori
screamed and threw his fist up and sent it down hoping to crush the pack open,
but before his fist made contact a girls voice called out...

"Hey, that's not the way to do it, silly!" The voice called out. "You
need some help?"

"Eh? Nani... {what?}" Iori looked up slowly with a growl. "What do
you want!" Iori shouted.

"Hi!!!" the girl said still smiling despite Iori's verbal attack.

Iori stepped back and was shocked that the girl seemed unfazed by his
yell. This girl stood over him, she was dressed neatly in a sailor fuku, a
girl's school uniform with a brown leather jacket over it. Her hair was dark
brown, had little red streaks and came down to her shoulders, and she was
holding a little kindergarden girl by the hand. Iori looked at the trembling
child who hid behind the girl's skirt while peeking one eye out to him. Iori
immediately pulled back and taken by surprise, tried his best to keep a calm
face.
<eh? what's going on, it's only a kid, what am I so guilty about...>

"Hi! My name is Seirimi-chan." Seirimi said as she pointed to her
nose, and this, she said as she slowly pulled the little girl from behind her,
"This young lady is Miyuki."

<What the hell is wrong with this Seirimi?> Iori thought to himself,
<Why the hell isn't she afraid of me?> Iori grumbled and his face became firm
again.

"Look Bit..." Iori stammered as he looked down at Miyuki.. "Look girl,
what is it that you want?!?!" Iori growled.

Miyuki chan hid behind Seirimi and started to cry a bit. Something
snapped in Iori's mind as his chest began to hurt as she looked at Miyuki's
teary eyes... Iori stopped at that instant and calmed down. He sat back and
tried to calm the girl down by keeping his distance.

"Ano... {uh...}" Iori mumbled to Miyuki. "Stop it okay..." Iori
tried to say without looking so concerned, as he looked as if he was annoyed.

Seirimi smiled to Iori still seemingly unfooled by Iori's tough image.
Somehow Iori thought, she knew what was going on in Iori's head, was it his
actions, was it the way he talked or was it his eyes.. Iori thought to
himself, was there some flaw in Iori's image that made Seirimi unafraid of him,
he wondered.

"Anyway, please don't worry about Miyuki-chan, she just is very shy and
likes to cry a lot." Seirimi said as she waved her hands up and down in front
of Iori. "Miyuki saw you with the bag of chips and wanted to help you. She
was too shy to come here so I came with her.."

Suddenly an unbearable thunderclap echoed behind Iori and sweat drops
raced down his face as his whole face blushed. Iori's eyes widened and it
seemed that his face turned into a cartoony nature (Super Deformed FORM).

"Na... Na.. NANI!?!? {wh..wh..what the!?!}" Iori exclaimed. "I..
I..."

"Oh, come on, it is okay, I assume you haven't eaten junk food before
and I admire that in guys, it shows they have discipline or have self control
you know..." Seirimi smiled.

"I .... I...." Iori stammered.

"Here here... Miyuki-chan, come help this nice gentleman and open the
chips..."

"Un!" Miyuki-chan said happily as she smiled and wiped her tears.

"OI KORA!!!! {HEY YOU!}" Iori yelled as he put one foot on the bench
(still in Super Deformed FORM), with shark teeth protruding from his mouth. "I
am talking here!!!"

At that moment a shadow emerged from the shadows of the trees and made
the leaves rustle. Iori was still jabbering and moving his jaw like a bear
trap, when a sudden thrash was heard and wood flew in all directions.

"GOT 'IM!!!" The shadow exclaimed...

When the dust cleared Iori was standing on the broken bench still
yapping like a crazed maniac. BLINK BLINK went the shadowy figure as Iori
seemed to pay no attention to his attack...

"'EY YOU!!!!!" The assailant yelled.

But his yell was in vain since Iori still paid no attention to him and
continued to try to demoralize Seirimi.

<That's it!> The dark figure thought to himself with his fist
clenched...

In a blurr, it happened, his attack. There was a loud thunderclap and
the figure smiled, but to his surprise, Iori was balancing on one foot dodging
the attack, and all that he hit was the soil where Iori's foot was. In an
instant, Iori's face became serious again and he turned around to face his
attacker..

"What do you want, asshole?" Iori growled in a terrible tone that send
shivers up the man's spine.

Iori analyzed the man from his feet up, he was wearing tight black
leather pants, and had a spiked leather jacket over a white tank top, his hair
was blonde and spiked except for the little rats's tail that was waving in the
wind behind him.

"Finally got you attention 'ey?" He mocked. "You looked kind'a
pathetic back there bloke, canna even open a packet of crisps!" he jeered.
"Got the sudden urge to beat the mug out of you you stupid Jap! I just can't
stand spoiled people like you, funny in the head and crap! He he... you think
you're so tough, I'm a gonna beat you silly."

The man pointed forward and turned to face Iori, "AND THEN..." he
yelled, but to his surprise Iori was back in his Super Deformed body trying to
pry the bag of chips from Miyuki's little hands. This time, it was the man's
turn to turn Super Deformed and a crow flew behind him slowly, squawking,
signifying his embarrassment since noone was paying any attention to him.

"HEY!!! I'M TALKING HERE!" He yelled as he attacked again.

In a twinkling there was a blurr as he jerked, and almost
simultaneously, Iori, with his trained eye and sharp reflexes followed the dark
blurry shadow that was approaching. Iori was ready to sidestep the attack,
when he realized that it wasn't him that was the target but the pair of Seirimi
and Miyuki. At an instant, Iori's legs tensed like they always did and
prepared to leap towards his opponent to knock him unconscious, he was in no
danger so he could easily do away with the guy in a flash, but somehow his legs
wouldn't move, SHIT! Iori thought to himself...

The world moved in slow motion for Iori's quick movements, and he
traced the blindingly fast shadow, for sure it would hit the two square...

"BAKAYARO! {IDIOTS!}" Iori shouted, "GET OUT OF THE WAY!!!"

Iori put his palm to Seirimi's chest but Seirmi suddenly wrapped her
hand around Iori's wrist and twisted it somewhat... <What the hell?> Iori
thought <How can she do that? She's guiding my thrust..?>

"YOU PERVERT!" Seirimi yelled as she tried to move Iori's hand away.

<You idiot...> Iori thought...

Iori snapped his wrist and palm and reversed the twist and Seirimi lost
her grip. Iori then turned his hand upside down and positioned it to her belly
instead.. <Okay...> Iori calculated, <This much pressure won't draw blood...>

"WHHUUUURRYAAA!" Iori growled, as he cocked his palm back a few
millimeters and pushed forward.

The thrust from his palm send a sudden pressure to Seirimi and she was
pushed backwards and fell into the bushes. Seirimi yelled in fright and the
leaves rustled...

<Wait..> Iori thought...

Iori thought right as Miyuki was still standing in the path of the
attack unaware of the apparent danger. <How???> Iori tried to think, while
seconds seemed to pass like minutes then hours for him... <SHIT!> Iori
snapped, <She was holding my wrist with both hands and let go of the girl...>
Iori grit his teeth and looked at Miyuki, his plan was foolproof Seirimi was
supposed to be holding onto the girl and pull her back as well, if Iori tried
the same approach with the girl Miyuki's bones would surely shatter no matter
how softly Iori would do it, or worse it would kill her. There was no time so
Iori jumped towards Miyuki grabbed her and tried to leap again... In a painful
thud, something skimmed Iori's thigh, not much damage but it was still a close
call. Miyuki, in Iori's arms couldn't help but watch in horror as the bag of
chips fell slowly to the ground and exploded as the attack hit it squarely.

Time started to flow normally again and Seirimi stood up from the
bushes infuriated, but when she saw the attacker, and Iori setting Miyuki down,
she understood the matter at hand. Miyuki just stood there and it took a few
seconds for it to register in he r mind but when it did, she burst into
tears...

"Eh!?!" The man smiled, "So, will you take me serious..."

"U...RU...SAI!!!! {SHUT UP!}" Iori interrupted. The man was taken by
surprise and fell a step back. "What the FUCK do you want damn it..."

"Hey Hey! I just want to have a match with you, baby!" The man
mocked.

"Don't call me BABY, DICKHEAD!" Iori growled... Iori split his legs
about 2 feet apart and the brown leather strap in between his legs snapped and
tightened. He raised his left palm up in a claw and had his right low and
defensive. He relaxed his wrists and started to move them smoothly in circles.

"K'sama wo BUUTS KUROSE!!! {I'll kill you , bastard!}" Iori
threatened, "sono mama SHINE! {prepare to die}" The dust from Iori's feet
started to rise and the wind started to encircle his aura... The leaves around
him twisted turned, and flew around him. Miyuki stopped crying and looked in
awe at Iori, same went for Seirimi.

The man smiled... "My name is Jack White..." The man jeered, as he
snapped a red blue and white bandanna around his head. It snapped and gripped
onto his head and he tied it securely with one hand... "Pleased to make your
acquaintance..." Jack had his hands to his sides like an old time cowboy ready
to go for his gun, and Iori just smirked at the ignorant looking fighting
stance...

"IKE!!! {LET'S GO!}" Iori yelled, as he slouched down and like a
tidal wave, went down and slithered up to attack his opponent, but suddenly
Jack reached for something behind his jacket and it leapt out like a viper,
something solid hit Iori's shoulder and Iori stepped to the side to see what
sort of foul play was going on and cursed his carelessness. Jack held a red
staff, it was in three pieces and was held together with a long rope fixed in
the middle of the tube. With a sudden jerk of his wrist, Jack made the sticks
click and lock into a single long pole, and flipped it around his wrist as it
were a pencil. It spun and spun and mocked Iori even further. Iori couldn't
win from a distance and decided that he had to get in close to attack. He
concentrated and his white shirt started to flutter like wings.

Jack twisted his staff and tried to break Iori's stance for he knew
what Iori was trying to do, the staff hit Iori's chest and Iori spat out. Jack
didn't slow down. He rushed and started thrusting his staff to Iori's joints
and pressure points, and it ended when Jack hit Iori's chest squarely and Iori
spat blood.

Jack just laughed as the crimson ran down his lip, but to his horror,
Iori was still smiling, smiling a sinister smile that said I have won. Iori
got up and wiped the blood on his thumb and licked it. Seirimi went BLINK
BLINK... and blushed...

"DOSH TA!" Iori called. An in a flash purple flames appeared in
Iori's palm. He moved his fingers and shaped it into a ball before throwing it
onto the ground like a skipping stone, and in a twinkle it raced on the ground
like a dashing phantom set on engulfing Jack in it's fire.

"Oh, no no no..." Jack smiled as he threw his staff forward. It split
into three pieces and hit the ground directly in front of Iori's DARK THRUST.
It made the ground shatter and smothered the flames. "Gotcha!" Jack
exclaimed, but he had realized his demise too late, as Iori ran towards him
with his right hand extended hungry for his face. Jack couldn't recall his
staff in time so he tensed his legs and leapt high into the air. Iori's hand
grabbed thin air, so instinctively he leapt backwards and he bumped into
something, he looked behind him and there was Seirimi. Iori's eyes widened...

"WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING HERE!?!" Iori shouted... "You women are
always getting in the way!"

Just then something snapped in Iori's mind as he heard a whistling
sound, and from the corner of his eye, he could see Jack coming down twirling
his pole... screeching.

<TEME... {bitch...}> Iori thought. <3 seconds...> he calculated as
he just stood still in front of Seirimi. Calm and emotionless. Seirimi
wondered what was going on and suddenly a thud was heard as Jack's stick hit
Iori's back.

"...." Seirimi yelled, realizing she didn't know the man's name...

"JUST GET AWAY!" Iori yelled as he started to get up.

Jack just smiled and held his pole in front of him in defense.

"Heh, you're not strong at all.... Who cares about the woman, I don't
want you to hold back... I want to know just how strong you really are.. COME
ON!" Jack called... "If you don't maybe I can do you a favour and get rid of
the kid too, ey?"

At that moment, Iori's eyes, started to twitch, and his hair flew...
"ONORE {BASTARD}... Fine, I will attack you with all my strength..."

"Ano... {uhm....}" Seirimi tried to come closer, and tried to wipe the
blood from Iori's mouth, but she abruptly stepped back as flames started to
bite her hands when she got too close...

"Okay!" I will attack you with all my power!" Jack called... Jack
spun his staff around and around, behind him, to the side, behind his neck
twisting it and turning it around his wrists and arms, and to Seirimi's horror,
the crimson staff blurred in the blinding speed and it changed as flames
started to form from the blurr. "Take this...!!!" Jack called as he released
the ring of fire. The fire engulfed Iori and Jack just laughed...

Seirimi was overcome with guilt, because of her Iori lost and could be
dead, no normal person could survive such an incredible attack.

Jack thought to himself <You're not so tough...> as he remembered an
earlier conversation. There was a blonde haired man who had his hair pulled
back and wore a tie and business suit.
"Remember, you're job is to protect him at all costs. His father is
one of the most powerful Yakuza lords there is, and he came to me for help. He
wants his son to be protected at all costs and wanted to hire a bodyguard. I
want you to do it." The towering figure instructed him. "With this he will
owe me a favour, and a favour from the great Yagami is like a wish from GOD...
do you realize that, but if we fail, it will mean our deaths.. Do you
understand!"

"But Geese," He said, "I don't want to baby-sit some spoiled brat who
had a silver spoon up ass since birth... you know me better than that! All
those rich people know is to manipulate others and control them. I don't want
to cover his ass in some tournament. He probably can't een fight for himself."

"SHUT UP!" Geese said. "You know better than to go against my wishes
you piece of trash." Geese pushed the kneeling man to the wall and his staff
flew to the other end of the dark office. Geese tugged him from the collar of
his jacket and glared at him like a rabid animal. Don't forget who carried
your sorry English ass off the gutter when you were a child.. heh, you were
nothing but a petty thief back then. I trained you, taught you how to live,
how to survive, lift your sorry ass from the shit hole you were living in.
Without me you would still be eating rats at that back alley. Your body and
soul belongs to me, don't you forget that!"

Geese kicked him in the gut and blood started to pour out of his mouth.

He tried to maintain his consciousness and try to crawl to Geese.
"I am sorry, I am sorry, Geese..." He wheezed, as he tried to hug
Geese's shins.

"HUMPH!" Geese smirked. "Like the dog you are. Don't you forget that
you owe your life to ME!"

ME... those words echoed in Jacks head while at that time blood was
dripping down from his mouth and nose like a faucet. He could see himself, as
a child, in the alleyways, he would scavenge for food and shelter, he had no
mother or father that he knew, a bastard child abandoned because of something
that went wrong in some unknown brothel one dark night, around him were curses,
yells, Rich people.. he knew, who treated him like trash and mocked him.
Throwing leftovers to his face which he would gladly eat. And the pimps would
take advantage of him too, they would sell him to lecherous old men, pedophiles
who enjoyed violating his body, but he was soon immune to the pain, and would
do anything for food.

And the rich mens' children would be no different, they would treat him
like a rag doll and beat him with sticks... They would beat him and beat him
mercilessly and he would cower and cover himself in the gutters as he
whimpered, and before he lost his consciousness he would see the sticks stained
with his own blood, red, shining, warm, the red sticks that drove him insane.

Then one night it was the same he guessed, he would be sold as meat
again to some perverted millionaire, those who would buy happiness from others'
pain. When the room opened he saw a man in a black business suit, a blonde man
who had his hair slicked back. The pimp left him and the man asked him to sit
on the bed next to him. He said his name was Geese, Geese Howard. Jack stood
up and started to undress, and stared blankly at Geese, like a soulless
machine.

Geese looked at his chest and back and saw burns, cuts and gashes. "No
No," Geese said, "It's not like that, I have come to take you away..." Geese
got his shirt and put it on Jack once more.

Jack who was about 11 years old screamed out... "WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU
WANT OLD MAN!" Jack yelled. "Don't toy with me, just get it
over with, STICK YOURSELF INTO ME and get it over with, leave your FUCKING
bookmark." Jack cried... "I don't mind, but please.. please don't deceive
me..."

"No No, I...." Geese tried to reason...

At that moment the door swung open and Dick, Jack's pimp, stormed into
the room...
"WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU doing... You piece of shit!" Dick yelled, you
trying to scare the business away!?!" Dick pulled out a pole from the back of
his trousers and hit Jack square in the jaw. Jack flew to the corner of the
room and his blood flowed like a waterfall down his eyes. He saw the stick in
Dick's hand , it was red, red with his own blood, patches were fresh and the
rest of it was flaky and dried up. Then finally at that moment, Jack snapped,
he lost all composure and started laughing, bellowing, hollering... Dick, got
scared for once, he was the god in that hellhouse of a brothel, and he had
never known fear before, he rushed at Jack and hit him in the cheek. Jack's
face swung to the side, stopped and slowly he turned around, his face was blue
and black and red all over, but he just smiled an insane grin. Dick proceeded
to beat the rest of his body, but Jack just stood there, unwavering. He had
taken worse beatings and it is remarkable how the human body under so much
pressure and exposure can adapt. Jack could no longer feel any pain. Dick
screeched out in horror as the bleeding mess walked towards him smiling. Dick
raised the pole up and swung it down with all his might, but he made the
mistake of closing his eyes. Jack dodged the blow and with a pair of scissors
in hand, slashed dick's wrist up to the bone. Dick yelled for help, but noone
could hear him, in his hell house there were moans and screams, screams of
pleasure and pain, and noone would care about yet another cry for help, it's
just another whore having fun someone would think. Dick shivered in the
corner, and without a blink, Jack slashed both of Dick's legs. He shivered and
pleaded Geese to help him, but all that Geese could do was watch in both horror
and amazement at Jack's unwavering visage. Jack calmly beat Dick to death with
the stick left and right, until his brains spilled on the floor. Then Jack
cowered in a corner and started hugging the pole, strong it and putting his
cheek against it.

Geese approached him slowly and Jack got up. He ran towards Geese, but
Geese was prepared. He put his arm under Jack's wrist and blocked the hack,
and his hand slithered around Jack's wrist and when he was in an arm lock
grabbed the pole. Jack realizing he was overpowered, gave up and knelt on the
floor. Geese threw the stick aside.

"You are not like the rest... Come, I will give you a new home and a
new life..." Geese said.

Jack cried and slowly made his way to this man, his hand were all
bloody and he wrapped him arms around Geese. Jack cried in joy that finally
all his pain and suffering will be over, for a god has come for him...

It was back to the park and Jack looked at his pole and remembered...
As the fires died down he thought to himself, <Geese, I will always remain
faithful to you... I owe you my body and soul..., but I cannot, I cannot
forgive a rich man's son, I will not let them abuse me ever again, and before I
serve him as a bodyguard, he has to prove to me that he can fight for
himself... heh, but he was weak after all... I am sorry geese, I have been
unfaithful, when I return I will accept any punishment...> Jack turned around,
and started to walk away.

"Wait!!! JACK WHITE!!" a voice came. I challenge you!

"Eh?" Jack smiled as Seirimi confronted him. "YOU?!?! HA HA! Don't
make me laugh...."
Jack shot his pole and it split into three pieces and dove to seirimi,
Seirimi could only cross her arms to wait for the blow, but then there was a
sudden rush, pain, no it was heat, purple flames hit the pole from the side and
singed the edge of Seirimi's skirt.

"I said get out of my way!" came a boom from behind... It was Iori,
hand in his pocket and two of his fingers from his other hand in his mouth.

<IMPOSSIBLE!!> Jack thought, he dodged my blow!

"BAKAYARO!!! {IDIOT}" Iori called as he walked towards Jack, don't
you underestimate Iori Yagami... "

Seirimi's eyes widened <Iori.. Yagami...?>

"You PIG!" Jack yelled, "I'll finish you off this time." but before
he could even lift his staff, purple flames came after him, he had no time to
block the onslaught, all he could do was dodge them. To his horror, Iori raced
in and followed his DARK THRUST like quicksilver, and in a moment Iori was
right in front of him, smiling... Jack started to sweat in fear, trembled all
over. Iori put his finger tips on Jack's bare belly and started to move then
up and down...

"How does it feel?" Iori sneered... "The feeling of fear as it races
through your body... Just like the feeling of a young girl in love..." Iori
reached down and put his mouth next to Jack's ear and whispered sweetly...
"Asobi wo Owari da... {the game is over}"

Jack felt a sharp feeling, and when he looked down, he saw that his
belly was bleeding. and as Iori traced his fingers up slowly the cuts got
longer and longer. What is he doing? How is he doing this Jack thought in
horror. It wasn't nails, it wasn't a blade, it was just Iori's fingertips.
Could it be? Jack thought.. It's the bludgeon slash... There is an old
technique, a legend of how trained individuals could move so fast and make
their fingertips vibrate so fast that the pressure would tear skin, and then
Jack knew that this 'rich man's son' was no weakling, and his lust for revenge
had finally caught up with him... Iori acted, stabbing and slashing. His soft
fingertips would pass Jack's flesh and at first he would feel nothing, but then
his skin would tear open and blood would spray out, and right after purple
flames would engulf it and cauterize the would, it was sickening how the wound
would open and close in an instant, only to be cut once again, and when Jack
was at the brink of exhaustion, Iori crossed his wrists and wrapped it around
Jack's neck and lifted him up"

"Sayonara... gaijin-san {good bye, Mr. Englishman}" Iori jeered.

"Mai... Maiden ... Masher..." Jack whimpered.

"BOOM!" Iori yelled and dropped Jack on the floor... Iori exploded
into a fit of laughter and walked back to Miyuki...

"Why?" Jack called out, at the edge of consciousness.

"Why? Because I don't want to kill you.. BILLY CANE" Iori smiled.

<WHAT?!? He knew who I was...>

"Remember to introduce yourself first Billy," Geese said back then,
"He doesn't know who you are, just knows that his father hired a bodyguard to
protect him..."

<He knew...> Billy thought <All this time I didn't want to divulge my
identity so he would fight for real... If he knew who I was he would hold back
or even not fight knowing that I was his bodyguard... Yet, he held back, if
this were a real fight... He ... he would've killed me!>

Billy picked up his pole and used it as a brace to set him up. <Why...
did he spare me...> "Was it your father? Was this why you didn't kill me?
If I had won, I would've killed you! I hate spoiled brats..." Billy
pathetically yelled.

"Naw, I just like you that is all... HA HA HAHA HAA!!" Iori said and
smirked.

<What kind of man are you, Iori Yagami? I had once thought all rich
men were selfish, power-hungry and immoral... but you, you are different...
Eversince those days, alone and hungry, I had no regrets when I killed... and
when I was with Geese, he trained me and removed all form of emotion within me,
murder meant nothing...> Billy thought... But this once, just this once, he
didn't know exactly why, he didn't want to kill this one man...

Seirimi put her hands on her chest relieved that Iori was safe... Iori
walked towards her and she started to blush. She thought of her plan of
attack, would she hug him, or say sorry then cry, or do all three at once.. YES
Seirimi thought, all at once, and he can't resist, the moment is perfect...
"Iori!!!..." she started, but the stopped midway as she looked down...

"Do you wanna cookie? Iori-kun?" Miyuki offered... On her tiptoes
trying to reach Iori's mouth.

"Uz! Arigato {thanks}!" Iori mumbled as he ate the cookie whole...

Seirimi just fell apart as she saw Miyuki jump up and kiss Iori on the
cheek...

Act 6: Formula for love in the modern world...

"I love her..." the cloaked figure pleaded.

"So you do... but you have to prove yourslef worthy first. I can't
have an outsider, moreover a commonperson to marry into my family." Yoshiki
Kusanagi exclaimed.

"I will do anything... anything you ask... just name it
Kusanagi-sama... (lord Kusanagi)" said the figure hiding in the shadows.
"Anything at all, just for her sake..."

"Very well, if you want to have my daughter, then do me this
'favour'..." Yoshiki Kusanagi sneered as he flashed a sly smile... "Kill
him... Kill Iori Yagami and if his father gets in the way, do away with him as
well..."

The Yakuza, a feared, almost legendary organization. Some say they are
nothing but big time theives, others say that they are honourable individuals
who go against the government, in the hopes of setting the people free from
their dictatorial authourity. However you might see them, there is one evident
fact. They have been around for as long as the individulas who rememebr them
do. Shadowy and mysterious, they even fight wars amongst themselves. True,
the world fights wars with new rules now... Through politics and other such
seemingly harmless means, and now instead of bullets and blades, warriors use
paper, words and money. The Yakuza have adapted to this change in society, but
have not completely forgotten about ancient means of war, through
assassination, and this is why the Ninja still exist in this modern world, to
fight the selfish wars these so called criminals lead.

This man, who stood before Yoshiki Kusanagi; he is a ninja, an
individual who trained since birth in the Ninja ideals... Discipline, Loyalty,
Honour, and Faith in one's physical ability. Unfortunately he has one
downfall... He has not been exposed to the modern world, and interacted with
the characters who play this deadly game of chess. Since birth he had been
secluded in the mountains as well as his fellow brothers who studied under the
deadly art of invisibility. Those were the only people he knew, he had the
false comfort that all people were like this... Honourable, good hearted,
disciplined, and full if hope and desire.

As a Ninja, he had been trained under harsh conditions, so that he
could overcome the weaknesses of his own human body, after 17 years, he had
learned to conquer 'insignificant' weaknesses such as hunger, fatigue, and
other such human inhibitions. However he is still a human, a man at that. No
matter how many times he gambled his life, dodging shuriken {throwing stars},
dashing through mine fields, and leaping from one tree to another, he cannot
conquer one flaw in human nature. Love. Nothing in this world can ever
deprive or erase this emotion from your being. There is always one true love
that can either make you a man or will utterly destroy you.

"Eiji Kisaragi... If you can kill both Iori Yagami and his father, I
will grant you your worldly wish... such is the true power of a Yakuza."
bellowed Yoshiki Kusanagi. "Here take two of my finest Ninja guards, I am not
a fool, and I know that you alone cannot hope to survive in the Yagami
stronghold."

With that, Eiji's sillhouette became a blurr and he was gone. Kusanagi
snapped his fingers and suddenly two shadows dropped in an instant from the
beams on the ceiling.

"Accompany him, and do not fail me, the both of you. Mikaido, Masa...
Go..." Kusanagi pointed outwards and with his leave, the two ninja guards
disappeared into the dark moonlit night.

The wind was cool and sweet smelling, the grass waved as if they were
alive and the moonlight gave them the distinct silery glow made them radiate
with beauty. Occationally a blade of grass would fly up, but you could see
noone, only s sudden gush of wind, but if you had a trained eye and looked very
closely, you could barely see faint shadows twitching in the moonlight. Three
ninja guards moving as swiftly as shadows in the night... Doing what they were
trained for, the only purpose of their existence... Discipline and loyalty, but
something else was driving Eiji Kisaragi. He had fallen in love with Kaori
Kusanagi daughter of Yakuza god Yoshiki Kusanagi, and would do anything
physically conceivable to win her father's blessing. For generations the
Kusanagi and Yagami clans have been at war. None ever gaining the upper hand.
Up until it struck them. Destroying another clan all at once would take
forever, may it be through ancient warfare, or modern political methods, and
also, assassinating a mafia god is almost as easy as threading a needle with
blind eyes. So they thought, why not kill the next generations, and maybe if
they did away with the future Yakuza god, then maybe the clan would die away.

<Iori Yagami... Who is this man? I wonder if I am powerful enough to
defeat him...> Eiji was a simple man who lived his life in the mountains and
didn't know such tactics the Yakuza play. He had only one goal, to prove his
love by defeating Iori Yagami, and the situation arose, his father as well.

And behind him, the two Ninja guards Kusanagi had sent with him
followed on...
..

Yagami Palace, isolated from the rest of Japan, hidden in the high
mountains. It was located in a rural area, away from civilization. For
generations it has withstood numerous wars and showed of nicks and cracks in
its walls to prove it. Clmbing up the mountain was no feat for the three Ninja
guards, it was as simple as jumping from one building to another. The way they
leapt great distances took then as much effort as a walk in the park to any
everyday individual. The first obstacle was the moat, at least there were no
electric fences, but undoubtedly there were numerous inside. Yakuza palaces
have shunned away modernization, and they think it unhonourable to rely on such
technology to guard their strongholds, they prefer to use the traditional
archers and Ninja guards. As if on que, a whiz came through the air, Eiji's
trained senses kicked in as if by reflex and he sent his arm up to cover his
neck. In a twinkling, there were 5 blunt thuds and when he looked at his arm
he saw 5 steel darts. Darts that were as big as pencils and had red silk tails
on them.

"Five!" Eiji whipered as forcefully as he could, and in a blinding
instant, five thuds were heard... either falling as leaves rustled or with a
loud splash. The two ninja guards walked next to him and knelt down.

"Daijyobun ka {are you all right?} Check your arm, the darts were
probably poisoned..." Mikaido whispered in a grim tone.

Eiji unwrapped the bandages on his arm and wrist and unveiled a wooden
block with five spikes sticking into it.

"Daijyobun yo... {I am fine}" Eiji said. "They all hit the wood."

"Here..." Masa said as he offered another wooden block. "Hurry up, we
don't have much time, they probably know we are here already. But if we are
lucky, they will underestimate us and did not bother to call for
reinforcements..."

"Uz {okay}.." Eiji confirmed, as he nodden his head.

Masa licked his bloody fingers and threw the severed Ninja guard's head
over his shoulder...

"Heh, Yagami guards are so arrogant, I see nothing has changed since I
was one..." Masa smiled.

The wall was easy to scale, the occational arrow gave them some trouble
but then they were prepared for this. The Yagami Ninja guards they assumed,
were arrogant and overconfident. According to their knowledge, Yagami Ningja
guards would not inform their superiors of intruders because such action just
bothers their masters and it was seen as an act of weakness, and most of the
time the Guard who spoke of bad news was executed. This, the trio thought
could make their mission easier.

Once over the wall, they checked their wounds and pulled out the
occational dart or arrow that they failed to dodge while scaling the wall. The
first wave of Ninja guards came, a dozen of them. Eiji, Masa and Mikaido were
prepared, and what ensued was a magnificent battle. It was as if you were
watching a ballet. The shadows played the role of the dancers, so gracefully
leaping, spinning and prancing. Occationally you could see eyes in the
darkness as a dancer dashed across the moonlight. Eyes that showed grim
discipline and determination. There was the sudden sound of rushing wind and
the occational sound of metal kissing. When their skills failed them the steel
would drink blood and radiate with the warm crimson, but the Ninja guard would
not call out or scream in pain, for fear that his weakness would endanger his
brothers who's position would be exposed.

The occational phantom would fly across and glints of light flew
through the air. Moving as one soul, one mind and body, the trio cleaved
through the barrage of Yagami guards. Masa being one of them one time on his
life knew that the Yagami Ninja guards were the most feared assassins in Japan,
but they were conceited bastards and were too overconfident, unlike the
Kusanagi guards who would work as teams, the Yagami guards would never resort
to such 'weak willed methods' and attacked chaotically as individuals. Slowly
the Kusanagi Ninjas took down the wave, and stood in a moment to admire their
work and pray for the souls of their enemies who neither hated them or wanted
to kill them for sport, it was all duty, the loyalty that was their downfall.
Eiji looked on, seemingly unfazed by the pile of bodies scattered over the
courtyard and decorated the walls with blood. Mikaido took the time to lay
them on their backs, and cross their enemies' arms in their final rest, and
Masa cried softly as he unveiled their masks one by one and burst into tears
when he recognized an old friend that he had killed in the line of duty.

<Why, Masa thought to himslef.... I left this damn place becaus I knew
it was evil, and that evil destroyed us slowly. Our sacred ideals were
corrupted by the Yagamis... but I guess this is my punishment from the gods
for breaking my word of honour, for breaking my loyalty to Yagami... I will
have to live with the guilt and the blood of my friends soiling my hands.>

Eiji seemingly confused with their actions came over and put his hand
over Masa's shoulder.

"Let's go..." Eiji said quite forcefully, "We don't have much time
and we have to do away with Iori before sunrise. We can't waste our time
here."

Masa snapped and collared Eiji as he rose. "What the FUCK do you think
you are you SON OF A BITCH!" Masa whispered in an angry tone. "You don't
inderstand what it feels to kill your own brothers... People you laughed, got
drunk with, shared your pleasures and pains with. What are you? Some animal!

Don't you have any speck of remorse in you?"

Eiji slithered both arms under Masa's arms and broke the hold on his
collar. "I have my own reasons for doing this. Do not forget that a Ninja's
code of loyalty supercedes all else, and if a ninja cannot even accomplish
that, then you are not even qualified to become a Shinobi {ninja}."

Masa's eyes narrowed and the veins in his temples fumed, as he pulled
out his katana {sword} from it's home in his back and slashed at Eiji's throat,
there was a glint of light and a ring of steel. As their eyes focused in a
matter of less than a second, Eiji saw Mikaido's blade up at Eiji's throat
blocking Masa's katana.

"There is no need to do this," Mikaido said calmly. "We all have our
own ideals, and we will have to settle our differences later, but Eiji is
right, a Ninja's code is bound in Loyalty. You should know that most of all
Masa..."

Masa only grunted and returned his katana back. The trio disappeared
and appeared on a rooftop to tend to their wounds.

"Why are you doing this Kisaragi?" Mikaido asked Eiji.

"For love.... I fell in love with Kusanagi's daughter and I would do
anything for her..."

"You do realize that Kusanagi would not easily let an outsider take his
daughter, more less a lowly Ninja guard like ourselves." Mikaido reasoned.
"He won't let you get away with it. Come on, my family has been serving
kusanagi for generations, and I know these things... There is still a chance,
find another lover, finish your loyalty by doing one last admirable mission.
If you kill Iori you will surely gain the admiration of Kusanagi and he may
even grant you your freedom. But please don't go and chase these silly
dreams."

"That's what makes men weak I guess..." Eiji muttered. "You are calm
and calculating, Mikaido. But no matter how much training I had undergone I
cannot deny this feeling in my heart. Remember that loyalty drives you and I
feel the same way. Loyalty above all else, but for once, I just want to do
something I want, I want to believe in my dreams, and do not want to spend my
whole life making my masters' wishes come true. Just this once, I want to
prove that I am a human, and have dreams of my own."

"Loyalty you say?" Masa uttered. "You are a strange Ninja guard
Eiji... Faithful and Loyal yet a dreamer as well. I am sure Mikaido envies
you, but he is too practical to think of such dreams, and I on the other hand
have been a rebel all my life. I am tired of being a Ninja guard, and Kusanagi
gave me one more mission, this one, if I accomplish this he said, If I can
finish this one mission and accomplish killing Iori I can be granted my
freedom. I know that I am very inportant to them, since I was once a Yagami
guard, and they question me, they are afraid I might join another clan, and
divulge their secrets. I would be happy to become a farmer in the Kusanagi
fields. I am tired of killing."

"A farmer you say?..." Eiji smiled... "I just want to live forever
with Kaori Kusanagi and it doenn't really matter what happens..."

Masa smiled a bit under his mask, and his eyes radiated a soft glow for
a moment.

In an instant, an arrow sliced throughthe air and was headed towards
Eiji's forehead. Mikaido was around 10 meters away, and he knew from Eiji's
actions that he was too engrossed with his fantasies to ever dodge the blow.
In a blinding motion he reached for a throwing star and threw it towards the
arrow. The world slowed down as Mikaido saw the Shuriken {star} spin, and to
his horror, it missed the arrow, by only a few millimeters. Mikaido's eyes
widened in shock as the arrow bit flesh. Masa was standing in front of Eiji as
the arrow shiverred in Masa's shoulder. Eiji quickly grabbed the arrow and
pulled it out as if it was a speck of dust and as the arrow sent blood in all
directions and tore flesh, Masa couldn't help but call out softly.

Two rooftops away, a cloaked Ninja guard stood with an empty crossbow
in his hands.

"So, it's the traitor himself... HAHA! It looks as if your new master
sent you back to get killed here."

"MAKOTO! You... damn you! Why did you speak, now I know who you
are... I cannot fight you this way." Masa called.

"Idiot, it was you who's the blabbermouth. I have watched your party
since you scaled the wall, and when you called out when he pulled the arrow
free, I knew it was you for sure... Never mind, I will have no regrets when I
kill you. This is for all the friends you betrayed you bastard. You left us
and now you came back to kill us all. Traitor!!!"

"You son of a bitch!" Mikaido called out as loud as he dared to and
threw 5 Shuriken {stars} almost simoltaneoiusly. Makoto merely pulled out his
blade to deflect the first 3 then stuck out his forearm to catch the last 2.
Mikaido just stood in awe, as he knew this Ninja was not a simple footsoldier
unlike the earlier ones they encountered. "Masa never wanted to betray you.
The man who killed your brothers isn't him but Kusanagi. You should know more
than anything what a loyal Ninja has to go through."

"Shut up!" Makoto yelled. "I do not care, all I want is compensation,
revenge and blood for my comrades."

"Then you will fight me!" Mikaido called, as he stood and drew out
more of his shuriken {stars}. As he stood, Masa grabbed on to his arm and
pulled him down.

"No, this is my fight... The gods' plans have come full circle and
their punishment for me has come... I have to defend my honour and attone for
my sins..." Masa said calmly. "Mikaodo, if I do not make it out alive, I want
you to know that I have loved you more than I would have my own brother. He
pulled Mikaido's masked face towards his and kissed his lips and remembered the
feeling of his cloth mask on his own. NOW GO!!! Both of you..."

"un.." Eiji said as he grabbed Mikaido by the waist. "MASA! You
bastard! Don't do this!"

"Humph, didn't I tell you I was tired of killing? Maybe this way my
soul can rest easy in heaven." Masa muttered out as the images of Eiji and
Mikaido diappeared into the shadows.

Masa pulled off his mask and cloth that covered his hair. It was dark
brown and in spikes he had a firm face and his eyes had long scars racing down
them. He ripped off his shirt and took off all the peices of wood on his body
and threw all his spiked balls and shuriken on the courtyard. Decorating the
grass with spikes which would easily immobilize an individual who dashed
through them.

"Take off your mask... We have nothing to hide... Let me see your face
and your eyes. Fight like a true Ninja." Masa called.

"Very well," Makoto answered. He pulled off his mask and shirt and
did the same and studded the courtyard with his own weapons. The pair pulled
out their swords and it glistened in the moonlight. There was no more talk.
The only dialogue would be the song of metal on metal, and the argument would
be settled with death. One second they were there, and in another all that was
left was the glowing sweat that had been in place of their bodies. The pair
moved in perfect unison and harmony. Running like squirrels on the rooftop,
jumping up and over obstacles, all the while staring each other down, and their
steel would resonate and sing out a lovely ballad. They reached the end of the
roof and leapt off. They took care not to drop all the way to the ground or
their feet would be torn to shreds. Even in midflight their swords danced.
Masa arched his shoulders back and he braced his heels on the wall behind him
and he used his momentum to send him to the opposite wall and then repeated the
action back. Like a rubber ball he bounched back and forth on the parellel
walls and he slowly made his way up the rooftop. Makoto on the other hand used
his fingers to grab hold of the wall and slowed his descent, he then sent his
feet perpendicular to the wall and to Masa's admiration , started to run up.
With one more leap, Masa was on the roof and Makoto followed suit. Tirelessly
the two slashed at each other mercilessly, and they slashed so swiftly that the
cut on their bodies opened and dripped blood tens of seconds after it was made.

Suddenly there was a shrill whistle from somewhere, and Masa knew that Ninja
guards were alerted and would soon scatter the whole complex, and discover them
all. Masa was going to take the fight elsewhere but as he prepared to leap to
the next roof, an arrow buried itself in the back and he fell like a lead
weight down towards the ground. The pain ran thoughout Masa's body, but he bit
his lip, and tried with all his might to stand. Makoto scaled down the wall
and walked calmly towards him making sure not to act so hasty as to step on the
spikes. Behind him a dozen archers came.

"Such a good fight, but I grow weary, and I am sure Yagami-sama is too,
so I will end it for all of you." Makoto said apologetically..

"Humph, this sucks..." Masa smiled, before he bellowed a primal scream
that resonated through out the complex.

"You bast..." Makoto stuttered...

Eiji and Mikaido looked behind them as they ran to the main complex.

"Mikaido, what the hell is he doing... He's gone insane!" Eiji said.

Mikaido only closed his eyes in sadness... "He isn't... Have you
wondered why we haven't met any Ninja Guards? It is because he is drawing
their attention. He's sacrificing himself for our sake."

"Masa..." Eiji whispered...

Eiji and Mikaido knelt for a moment in the bushes outside the
protective walls of the main complex.

"Mikaido, I always wondered. Your mask isn't like a normal Ninja's.
Your hair is sticking out. Did you cut the top of your mask on purpose?" Eiji
asked.

"Heh, this?" Mikaido pointed to his hair tyhat was exposed from the
top of his mask.

"I've been loyal all my life, but like you said, we're all human... I
have a rebellious streak in me, and this is the only way I can express it. But
what the hell, we've come too far, let's not waste Masa's sacrifice and kill
Iori."

A barrage of arrows and darts attacked the pair, and without movement,
the weapons tore through cloth, and if you looked at it closely, it was just
logs wrapped in cloth... an ancient Ninja technique. The two looked back and
forth to spot their assailant, but there was nothing to be seen.

"Let's get out of here..." Eiji said as he recklessly got up from the
bushes.

"You idiot!" Mikaido called, but it was too late and all that Mikaido
could do was take the berrage of darts square on his back.

"Mikaido..." Eiji said as he caught him from falling.

"Fuck, you're reckless, Eiji, heheh..." Mikaido smiled, "I guess it
must be your youth, but I envy you for that. Just go, I willl draw their
fire."

"Mikaido... I..." Eiji stuttered.

"If you won't go, you wont be able to get Kaori." Mikaido said as he
threw a flare a few meters from him...

"You fool," Eiji said. He knew that the guards would be on to them
any minute now because of the flare, so he just hugged him and when he helped
him on his feet disappeared towards the main complex.

Eiji crawled on the beams that criss crossed the ceiling and like a mouse
made no sound and weaved hi way through it. <This should be it. Eiji thought.

Iori Yagami's quarters.> He saw a shadow kneeling in front of a purple candle
staring blankly, and to his awe, saw the individual's fingertips erupt in faint
purple flame. <It is him... but wait...>

The figure stood up, and to Eiji's horror, it was only a child,
probably 8 years old. <GOD DAMN YOU, Yagami! Eiji cursed, You sent me to kill
a child... But... Kaori...>

Eiji contemplated for a few minutes which seemed like hours. He
questioned what was more important, his love or slaughtering a child. He put
his hand to the pockets in his robe and held his darts in his hand. <Quickly
and suddenly, he thought, this way he won't suffer.> Eiji's hands shook as he
aimed for the back of Iori's neck. <...Kaori... Eiji muttered> The next
moment, a dart clanged on the floor right behind Iori. Iori turned around
deathly calmed and grinned a wicked glare. Eiji was standing behind the child
ashamed of himslef.

"Please, do not fight back... I will make it as quick and painless as
possible." Eiji apologetically said.

"Idiot!!!!" Iori sneered out loud.

Eiji was taken aback and suddenly noticed a figure step out of the
shadows behind Iori...

"Kisaragi-kun," Yagami-sama, Iori's father said as he put his hand on
Iori's shoulder. "I admire your honour.... If you had attacked my son from
the back my archers would have struck you down in an instant."

Yagami-sama snapped his fingers and around 30 archers revealed
themselves from the dark shadows... <My GOD!!! Eiji said to himself...>

"Now Kisaragi-kun," Yagami-sama said, "I know you come here because
Kusanagi promised to grant you your inner most desires, such is the way of the
Yakuza. But are you sure you owe him your loyalty?"

"Yagami-san," Eiji said. "I have come here because he promised his
daughter to me. I cannot bring myself to kill a child, but I challenge you to
a duel. Prove yourself to me, and fight me on equal terms. If I defeat you, I
promise not to take your son's life, and I will stop fighting and become...a...
a.. I...I won't become a Ninja anymore."

"Oooh?" Yagami-sama smiled... "You? Defeat me? A lowly Ninja guard
hoping to defeat a Yagami? You must be joking. But then I must admire your
skills if you got this far... You must realize that if you kill me, you won't
leave here alive, and besides you must thank your friends for their final gift
to you."

As if on que, two bodies fell from the ceiling. It was the dead bodies
of Masa and Mikaido. Eiji stood calm and shed no tears, since he knew that
they died honourable and willfully.

"Now, Kisaragi-kun, do you believe that Kusanagi will grant you wish?"
Yagami teased as he pulled a letter from Mikaido's pocket. It was stained in
blood and Yagami-sama tossed it to Eiji. Eiji picked it up and read it...
[Masa, Mikaido, Remember my promise to you, I will grant you both your
freedom, upon the completion of your final obligation... Accompany Kisaragi to
Yagami palace and after he kills Iori and if he succeeds in doing away with
Yagami, kill him, and then I WILL GRANT YOU YOUR FREEDOM... -Yoshiki
Kusanagi.]

"Well, it seems that I admire or should I say, pity your friends...
HAHA... It looks like they were given the same proposal as you
HAHAHAHAAAA!!!!!" Yagami-sama laughed. "Why don't you join me? I could use
a man like you..."

"Loyalty huh..." Eiji said to Masa and Mikaido's motionless bodies...
"No, I didn't lie to them when I said I was loyal... Please, grant me a duel
with you..."

"Very well, but I do not want to soil my hands with your blood..."
Yagami-sama said as he pushed Iori slowly towards him. "Saaa, Iori {now,
Iori}, kill him for me.

Eiji saw but could not beleive as the 8 year old took of his cap, that
exposed his maroon hair, and shreded his kimono. He wore dark purple jeans and
a black studded leather jacket. In an instant Iori instantaneously burst into
purple flames...

Act 7: Innocent B-O-Y

"I want to grow up..." said one little boy who thought he could
conquer the world.

Children ran around and round the playground, proclaiming their
immunity to the harsh world around them. Happy and free, and yet so ignorant
of their 'power', so much unlike the adults who would walk up and down the busy
streets for no apparent reason, these children had everything these mindless
office workers did not have. Happiness and freedom. Why? That is because
they are innocent; innocent of the present evils of the world, but once they
acquire knowledge of things like evil, hypocrisy, jealousy, greed and pride,
then they have forsaken their childhood, forced to coexist with the suffering
that comes with bearing the knowledge of the real world. In such cases like
this, knowledge destroys. It is a wicked cycle, where a child is denied
happiness because he is "Too young..." and the false hope is implanted in his
mind that when he grows up... Thus the child forsakes everything "childish..."

and to his despair, he realizes the paradox of freedom...

What does it mean to be an Adult? It means having to conform to
society's chains- chains that inhibit one from what he feels is important over
what is just; beaten into their minds by society...

... and an irony, to be free, a child must become an adult.

"When I grow up..." these kids would say...

So what is this the greatest power that exists in the world? Innocent
boy?

Billy Cane sat in the tree in thought, thought of the events that
happened six months ago when he first set eyes upon his new master, Iori
Yagami. Iori did not even fight him whole heatedly and yet he defeated Billy
rather quickly. It was more than just tarnished pride. Billy never did want
to fight, broken up in the streets of London, treated like garbage. He always
cursed his fate and blamed it all on the rich, those who would use the power of
money to control the lives of people like him. He blacked out his mind, and
like a blind racist, he blamed it all on the rich. Hate and desire, poverty
and suffering were all because of the rich. It was a dog eat dog world where
the wealthy businessmen could buy anything, the law, happiness it would seem,
and even human soul.

And the only way the poor could revolt was through violence, such
barbaric ways were the only weapons they had, and Billy questioned who of the
two sides were relly at fault.

How he narrowed his views on life and focused it all on his bitter
memories. He never questioned his prejudice until that moment Iori said "I
like you, that is all...", and with that Billy gave Iori his respect. He
looked up in the sky and then at the rustling leaves in the tree, then he asked
himself <Why? Why is Iori like this?> He looked down at the playground and
saw Seirimi chan playing with the schoolchildren in by the jungle gym. Then he
looked farther to the kindergarden just a few meters from the playground, over
the sandbox, and the small grassy field. In one particular window stood a
maroon haired man with circular spectacles, dressed in tight fitting purple
jeans and a khaki sportcoat. It was his master Iori whom he was assigned to
protect. Billy couldn't help but cough a bit as he noticed Iori smile a bit
and burst out in laughter as the children crawled over and around him in play.
Iori didn't know that Billy followed him wherever he went, so Billy could only
be taken aback at the smile he rarely saw from a bitter visaged man. <Could
this be it...?> Billy wondered as he pulled an apple from his blue jean
overalls and took a heafty bite and wiped his mouth with his British flag
bandanna.

"AAAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!! You incompetent morons!" Iori yelled as he
tried to tear his hair out.

The children he was taking care of only looked at each other in
confusion as to what 'incompetent moron' actually meant. "Grown up talk..."
they would mutter to themselves, and not slowing from their pace continued to
molest Iori, pulling on his jacket and climbing on top of his head and
shoulders. Occasionally, one of his students...

Oh, upon meeting Seirimi Iori figured out that he needed a JOB in order
to pay for his living expenses, and presumably, his 'allowance' from Yagami
clan was not enough to satisfy both his high living costs and his pride as
well. Seirimi suggested that he should work for the local Neo-Tokyo
Kindergarden. It would help him adjust to the outside world since he had been
living too much of a 'sheltered life'. Iori failed to inform her that he was
getting an allowance from his Yakuza family , in fact he didn't mention he was
a Yakuza at all. Anyway, with no other alternative to waste his time, he
decided to become a kindergarden teacher.

Well, back to the story; occasionally, one of Iori's students would
climb on top of the shelves and he had to rush over while a kid was holding on
to his leg with all fours. <Hell, when I was a kid, I didn't have the guts to
do this... or neither did I have someone to...> Iori's train of thought broke
when he saw Chiyomi who was on top of the shelf, lose balance and started to
fall over. Iori's reflexes kicked in and in one motion, he broke Jiro's lock
on his leg by slithering his fingers through Jiro's hands and legs, then jumped
towards Chiyomi. He caught her in mid flight, and curled into a ball. The
book shelf toppled and came down on him, books, toys, and all.

"Yagami-sensei (teacher Yagami), where are you?" came a chorus of
children. Iori's students went over and tried to dig their teacher from the
mess of books and stuff. They saw him hugging onto Chiyomi, protecting her
with his back. The kids helped Chiyomi out and continued to play, leaving
Iori's legs, which were sticking out from the mess, trembling in midair. After
five minutes, Iori knew he had been forsaken and emerged from the pile like an
undead zombie...

"OI KORA!!!! (Hey you bastards) What the hell is your problem you
insensitive little brats!!!! I swear I'll make you eat pavement one day."
Iori screeched as he started waving his hands up and down in a super deformed
nature, complete with alligator teeth. As usual, his students looked at each
other ignorant of these 'grown up' words and merely grinned, more in confusion.

"Don't you know who I am?" Iori growled, then posed as intimidating as a
Yakuza boss could.

"You're Yagami-sensei..." one of his students replied. Iori realized
how useless it was to try to intimidate these children, and his joints just
froze as a large sweatdrop slowly ran down his cheek.

"BAKA! (Silly...)" Chiyomi said, and her classmates followed suit.

Iori's teeth cringed and he picked up Chiyomi by the collar... Iori
started to open his mouth when his solemn mood was broken with..

"Yagami-sensei, you're hurting me..." Chiyomi said softly.

Iori realized that he had just lost his temper, again, and set her
down carefully. Iori let out a breath to keep him calm, and just looked at
Chiyomi apologetically.

"Now, let's just quiet down okay, if you quiet down and behave I will
show you all a..."

"Youko wet her pants!" He heard a voice call out, as he was
interrupted. Iori cursed his luck and accompanied Youko to the corner of the
room and helped her change her clothes. After the excruciatingly embarrassing
experience Iori slapped his cheeks to get the blush out then continued.

"If you behave I will show you all a trick...." Iori coaxed.

"What is it, what is it, Iori-sensei-chan ?(chan is used like the
English -dear or -darling)" Miyuki interrupted again.

<I...Iori.. -sen... Iori-sensei...-CHAN!?!?!> Iori cringed just
thinking of how his father might react if he was seen being called this, but he
kept his cool.

"Yoshi...(okay)" Iori exclaimed as he put his finger up in the air.
Iori concentrated and slowly it started to glow, then a soft purple flame
appeared from his finger tip. For the first time all of Iori's students
dropped what they were doing and admired their teacher with 100% attention.
Iori made the flame dance on his finger tip, and like a snake he made it twirl,
then go around to 'sit up' on his palm. The flame grew, and in a flash, Iori
snuffed the flame in his fist.

There was a long silence, children stupefied at the 'trick' then all
at one they stuck out their fingers and held their breath, their cheeks puffed
up. Iori couldn't help but tremble all over... it started from his feet,
rushed up to his knees, then when it reached his chest, he couldn't hold back
and exploded into a fit of insane laughter... The laughter echoed through the
room and any self respecting adult would explode in a fit of anger, but to
Iori's surprise, the kids only laughed back, trying to mimic his mockery.
<This is useless...> Iori said to himself as he shook and tried to cover the
warm smile on his mouth.>

Miyuki came over and tugged on Iori's jacket prodding him to bend over
so she could whisper something in his ear.

"Iori-sensei-chan, how do you do that?" Miyuki asked. "When I grow up
I will be able to do that too, ne?"

Iori knelt down and grinned at Miyuki. "Maybe... but it is not the
what is out here that is important" Iori said as he put his left hand on
Miyuki's shoulder. "It's what is in here that counts." Iori finished as he
pointed at Miyuki's chest.

"huh?" Miyuki said in confusion.

"You must get what is inside... You know when you are feeling angry or
scared sometimes? You feel something cold in your chest, but when you are
happy, you feel warm. Take it, and try to put that warmth in your stomach,
then let it flow to your hand then your fingers." Iori stood up and looked at
the kids who were eavesdropping on him... "Only good.... only good people can
do this..." Iori stammered a bit. "When you grow up.. maybe if you still
remember what I said, well, maybe..."

Iori put his hands in his pocket and leaned on the wall. <What a bunch
of kids...>

Seirimi came into the room and informed Iori that it was time to
dismiss class. Iori, aware of an outsider, calmed himself and glared at
Seirimi. "What do you want now?" Iori grunted. Iori got up and eyed Seirimi
evilly trying to stare her down, he stood there for almost a minute and Seirimi
decided to walk around him...

"Iori, have you been picking on the kids again?" Seirimi said as she
looked at the toppled bookshelf. "That look won't hide the fact that you've
been too rough with these kids... Clean up the mess now!"

"Shut UP! Wench!" Iori shouted. "I've got no time for these things."

One boy from the crowd started laughing "Her name is Seirimi,
Yagami-Sensei forgot her naaame, forgot her naaame..." He giggled.

Iori snarled to himself, and faced Seirimi... "I've had it with these
kids, I'm never coming back!!!" Iori said angrily to Seirimi and stormed out
of the classroom, but Iori always returned the next day, as he's been doing for
all of 6 months now...

Iori left the schoolgrounds with his leather folder clipped between his
arms and his hands in his pockets. He felt a familiar aura, then looked to the
side. He felt the wind rush to him and pink flower petals came flying towards
him, engulfing the environment with a sweet fragrance.

"How corny... Typical of him..." Iori grumbled as he clipped a sakura
petal between his two fingers, and set it aflame in an instant.

"How do you do, Iori Yagami?" came a man who appeared like a spectre
from amidst the cyclone of petals. He was middle aged, but was built for
someone of his years. He wore a white kimono with navy blue flower patterns,
and had each of his hands in the other's sleeves. He had blue wrappings on his
feet and wore tall wooden clogs. However, his most distinguishing feature was
his slicked back hair, that had the front sticking out like spikes. "It has
been a long time, you have grown since last we met."

"Oi, Ji Ji (hey, gramps), you've come back for more eh?" Iori sneered.

"Oh,... not really, I have come because of your father's wishes. I
am..."

"Shut the FUCK up, Kisaragi!" I'm not finished with you yet!" Iori
called.

"SIGH...." the middle aged Eiji let out... "It's been 14 years and
still you can't get over it... It must be terrible to live a Yakuza... so
edgy and can't even let things go..."

"Humph, It doesn't matter, my father probably sent you to the
slaughter. How nice sending you to me so that you could be killed!" Iori
smiled evilly. He threw his folder to the sidewalk, took off his jacket and in
a flash, shred his clothes pants and sweater, he showed off his 'Sex Pistols'
fashion leather pants complete with the strap in between, and his waving white
oxford shirt..

Billy jumped from the tree he was sitting in and stood coolly at the
sidewalk between Eiji and Iori.

"JOUTOU-MADDEY {bad accent for Chotto matte = wait a moment}
Playtimes over gramps! You're not gonna come any closer, rooster man!" Billy
called in a macho fashion. He twirled his stick around his arms and let it
crash on the pavement, making crack marks. "I'm going to give your sorry ass
till the count'a five, and then I will have to be forced to dump your sorry
bottom in the rubbish bin. WAHAHAHYAHAYA!"

Billy looked to the pair, but as usual he was ignored again...
"AAAAARRGGGHH!" Billy let out in a blast. Neither of the two removed their
glare from the other's icy stare, Iori, being warm and vengeful, while Eiji's
cool and calm. Billy pulled off his bandanna and bit it to relieve his
frustration. The turned into a silly looking Super deformed body and started
to beat the trash cans to pulps just to get their attention, and after four
crows came by cawing out and making him realize his incompetence, Billy decided
on the direct approach. He pouted, trodded over to Iori and popped the
earphone from Iori's ear...

"I AM TALKING HEEEEEEEEERRRREEEEE!!!!!!" Billy haullered to Iori's
ear. Iori seemingly annoyed glared at Billy, and sent chills through his body.

"What do you want? I will handle this _O-K-A-Y_?" Iori said
condescendingly.

"But.. but... I have to..." Billy tried to argue that defending Iori
was his job.

"I am not deaf okay..." Iori snarled at Billy... Billy turned back
into Super deformed form and with his eyes in semi circles let a sweatdrop fall
down his cheek, as a strap from his overalls, slid down his shoulder. Iori
took out his walkman and threw it to Billy.

"Here, take care of it for me... I wouldn't want you to get HURT."
Iori said sarcastically. Billy only sat on the wall that surrounded the school
and popped the earphone in his ear.

"Hmmm, British... uh... yes! Sex Pistols!" Billy said in triumph.

"Haaaaaaaaaahhhhhh..." Iori said as a sigh, as Billy started to mutter
the lyrics to 'Anarchy in the U.K.'

Iori focused again on Eiji, with his hands in a ready fighting stance.
This time, you won't run away like a coward... Kisaragi..." Iori Taunted.
Iori charged up and the wind encircled him. Iori was standing next to the
mailbox, and Eiji was around ten meters away from him, next to a streetlight.
Iori moved like an arrow, his elbow leading the way, engulfed in purple flames,
hungry for blood. Eiji refused to move and merely shut his eyes.

"Are you going to run again!?!" Iori shouted a split second before he
expected to make contact. He cocked his elbow back and with a hand in a claw,
slashed at Eiji's midsection. However, Iori merely went through Eiji as if he
weren't there and when he looked at his palms he saw a bunch of pink petals.
Surprised, Iori skidded to a halt and looked back to find Eiji's back facing
him, still standing erect and calm next to the streetlight.

Iori crushed the petals in his hand and burned them, leaving purple
ashes which scattered on the pavement. "Omoshiroi (interesting), this fight
might be more than I had dreamed of..."

Act 8: Girl

Her father walked away sighing, and the little lady was knelt on her
knees which were in a 'V' shape, her kneecaps touching. She wiped off her
tears and tried to get up slowly, all bruised and broken up, yet still full of
desire and spirit.

"One more round oto-san (father)!" she called in defiance...
"Challenge me one more time, I will learn it this time!" She said
wholeheartedly with her gloved hands clenched in fists. "Mooo, II desu! (come
on, I can take it, it is okay!)..."

Her father dressed in white pants and a maroon shirt, topped with an
orange vest merely turned around and sighed a breath of disappointment. He
turned around and put his hand on his temples, looking rather angry or somewhat
annoyed at his daughter...

"What is wrong with you..." Her father, Joseph called out forcefully.
"Will you just give it up! It looks awkward enough that I am fighting with a
little girl okay, people think I am a child molester or something." Joseph
extended his index finger condescendingly at his daughter. "What are you
trying to prove anyway?!?"

The little lady looked up teary eyed, not from the bruises on her body
or from the painful blows she suffered from her father, but what hurt were his
words, words that hurt a hundred times more than his kicks or punches. She
buried her face in her hands to try and hide her tears from him. She clawed
her knees to somehow let the pain overcome her grief, to let no sign of
weakness show, but it was in vain as the streams of tears trickled through her
fingers and down her cheeks and neck.

"Humph, you're pathetic!" Joseph called out, cross armed as he threw
his head into the air. "Go play with your dolls or something..."

The girl's shoulders shook from her sobs and she quickly took away her
hands, steadily sniffing up the tears and runs that were dripping from her
nose. With a loud scream, like a cry of inner desire, more than of sobs, she
got up and rushed for the small blade which hung on the gym wall. She returned
to her earlier position and knelt down, clutching the blade with her tense
little hands.

"What are you going to do? Kill yourself?" Her father continued to
mock. "What can you hope to accomplish with your weak will?"

The girl only wiped her tears with her white sleeves, and with a click,
the dagger came free from its sheath. Joseph looked in awe at his daughter.
Part of him was laughing at her pathetic display, but part of him felt some
sort of concern, he wondered if his daughter was serious. She held the dagger
with her right hand and let her hand move freely, sending it a distance from
her chest, with a reversed grip more like a stabbing hold. She clutched the
back of her long blonde hair with her other hand and in one swipe, golden
streams cluttered the floor. She threw the dagger onto the side and stood up
in anger. Her long golden hair, that fell over her shoulders, that flowed in
the wind and made her the envy of her classmates was now nothing but uneven
cuts that hardly reached her ears.

Her father looked in awe at her action, but after a while began to
laugh... Laugh insanely that made her more and more furious. She ran towards
her father and leapt forward, her fist leading the way. Joseph used his hand
to parry the blows, blocking and throwing her attacks aside. With her short
arms, she was definitely at a disadvantage and tried her best, put her physical
capabilities to the limit just to keep up with her father. She would strike
furiously but none of her blows would connect, and occasionally she would get
slaps from her father mocking her sloppy defense. Her blood boiled the more
slaps she took, and will a valiant yell, she dodged one of his slaps and
flipped backwards, used her hands as a brace to send her feet up in a
somersault kick. Her left foot led the way and broke her father's defense,
then her right came and hit him squarely in the jaw, making spittle fly to the
side. She got up and when she realized what she had done out of anger, she
cautiously approached her father. Joseph clutched his cheek in shame more than
in pain, and stared through his daughter. Before she could say anything, he
sent a punch that felt like a jackhammer to her midsection then swept her of
her feet before her brain could tell her the punch even connected, before she
hit the ground, her father grabbed her in midair by the shirt and threw her to
the wall. With a loud thud she skidded down the gym wall and rolled down the
floor, clutching her belly with her arms. She curled up in a ball keeping her
knees close to her midsection. She was burning inside, and she tried to keep
herself from crying out, to kept the warm feeling stuff inside her from
dripping down her lips.

Her father only looked in disgust and proceeded to walk away.

"W...wa... oto... (father..)" She gasped painfully, "I can... don't
leav..."

Her father did not even look around to his hurt daughter. "Why did I
have to be cursed with a daughter... I only wanted a son." Joseph, went out
the door and closed the lights, leaving her in the darkness. She sobbed
silently.

The only thing she wanted was love from her father, but she had to
settle for bruises and wounds, for the bitter impulses felt like sweet
sensations to her, it was the only thing she would get from her father, the
only way she would be noticed. It was the only sensation that told her she was
alive.

It was around 4:00 PM now; a petite bodied high schooler, who was just
dismissed from class went to her part time job. She wore a neat looking
western style girls' uniform, unlike the sailor suits more popular with
highschools. Her name was Yuri, Yuri Sakazaki and she let out a little smile
when she looked up and read the sign of the club she worked waitress at... La
Bijoux.

She came through the door and marveled at the great establishment she
worked in. It looked so small from the outside, but when you went in, you
could only marvel at the elegant surroundings. There were tables everywhere, a
small stage for the jazz band, the high ceiling was spectacular, and the mile
long bar that lined the wall. She smiled again. Yuri seemed always cheerful
and was proud to work in a neat place, not like a seedy tavern, but more a
place to sit and relax in a peaceful atmosphere. She looked around for her
boss... "KING! KING-san!!!" Yuri yelled with her hands as next to her mouth.

"Where are you! KIIINGG!" Her calls echoed throughout the place, but no
answer came. Yuri decided that she was taking a nap upstairs and decided to
change for work.

Yuri went over to the den and took off her jacket and shirt. The
uniform was simple, a brown skirt, ruffled long sleeved blouse and a matching
jacket. She unbuttoned her skirt and upon hitting the floor, a cold hand
touched her shoulder.

"Ey, sexy! How's it going!" came a man's voice from behind.

Yuri blushed and quickly pulled her blouse in front of her trying to
cover her front. Realizing that it was useless since she was wearing nothing
but underwear, she quickly swung around and threw her palm out.

SLAP!!! The booming echo resonated off the den's walls as the
surprised man flew to the sofa. The sofa skidded before toppling over on its
side. Robert Garcia held his head "Aiyaaaa, that hurt," he said as he
massaged his cheek and his head that hit the floor.

"You pervert!" Yuri shouted as she quickly put the uniform on.
"That's what men like you deserve, you don't think about anything but chasing
women."

Robert got up and straightened his hair and clothes. He put his pony
tail on and proceeded to pat his long white pants, and straightened his maroon
shirt and brown leather vest. "Come on, I was born this way, never able to
resist beautiful women." Robert purred.

Yuri blushed for a bit then realized it was Robert he was talking to,
and pouted instead, right after giving him another hefty swing ofcourse. "Why
don't you grow up! If you weren't Oni-san's (big brother's) best friend, I
would've done away with you looong ago! Women aren't playthings you know, you
can't just pick them up left and right."

"Why?" Robert asked with a grin "Do you feel jealous when I do?"

Yuri just sighed and left him alone in the room, still babbling away.

Yuri walked over and decided to put up the tables and chairs,
occasionally calling out her employer's name and after a few calls of "GET YOUR
ASS OUT OF BED!" she finally heard a reply as King came down the stairs still
half asleep.

King dug her fingers in her shirt yellow hair and let out a long yawn.
Yuri's eyes opened wide when she looked at the half conscious individual
leaning on the railings. King was still half naked in her sleepwear. She had
a white, long sleeved blouse which was wide open at the front and the wrist
cuffs unbuttoned, not helping to cover the black sports bra that she wore and
the dark panties that stuck out under the white top.

"Nnngghh," King mumbled, "Is it time to open already?" King continued
her slow seemingly drunk pace down the stairs.

"ARARARA!!! King-san, don't come down!" Yuri pleaded as she came over
to her.

"I'm okay, I am not drunk..." King said.

"NONONO!" Yuri exclaimed, "Robert is here... he's" Yuri's warnings
came too late as a man with heart shapes in his eyes came rushing over, leaving
a trail of dust behind him...

"Kiiiinnnnggg-chaaaaaaannnnn!" Robert cooed as she ran past the
worried Yuri Sakazaki.

"Look out!" Yuri called, "King-san!"

The moonstruck Robert raced up the stairs and threw himself at King,
his lecherous fingers leading the way, targeted for her breasts. <a little
more.. little more...> Robert said in midair, but he felt nothing except the
cold clammy feet that met his face in mid-flight. King, still not fully awake,
had her leg up straight at Robert's face, not even breaking from her dazed
stance, she was still leaning on the railings. Robert skidded down her feet
and with a barrage of thumps, he slid down the ripple of stairs to be met at
the bottom with Yuri's curses of Wretch and Hentai (pervert) as she stomped on
him furiously in Super Deformed form.

"Well, go on..." King yawned at Yuri, "I will go change, and meet you
in a few minutes." King yawned one last time and stretched her arms up before
going up the stairs to her room.

Robert forced himself up and Yuri continued to set up the tables...
"Ittai!!! (ouch)" Robert said rubbing his nose, cheek and head at the same
time. "I thought it would be today."

"Good for you!" Yuri said coldly.

"Sigh, I don't understand her, she's so cold and unfeeling all the
time." Robert complained. "How can someone so attractive like her be so, so,
unfeminine."

"Goes to show what you know..." Yuri said, now dusting the tables and
wiping them.

"Eh?" Robert said with a confused visage. "Is it me? Does she hate
me? Waaaaagghhh! Have I become ugly all of a sudden!?!" Robert quickly
looked at the mirror and flexed his muscles vainly.

Yuri went over to Robert and whispered in his ear "Don't you know, King
hates it when guys hit on her? She was raised as a boy by her dad... Don't you
wonder why she acts so tough?!?"

"Really!" Robert called in amazement. "Awww, she's no fun. But no
worry" Robert said in reassurance as he sent his fist to his muscular chest.
"I, Robert Garcia, ThE WoRlD's GREATEST LoVeR, will awaken the woman in her!"

"Cut it with the Don Juan deMarcio act okay! I've seen the movie and
you're no loverboy!" Yuri said at his cheesy display.

Robert paid no attention to Yuri's insults and just looked at the
staircase up to King's room. <King...-san> Robert whispered to himself, but
more to the closed door that was the only thing that ever listened to him.

By 8:00 PM, the customers would fill La Bijoux with their chatter,
whispers and laughter, a great atmosphere that made it seem so homey, somewhat
easy going. A great place to be In New England, one of the many grand wown in
New Hong Kong, the place that brought different people together...

Robert acted as bouncer, he stayed outside to greet acquaintances and
frequent customers, always flashing a hypocrite smile to keep them happy, he
also had to keep ruffians and undesirables away, usually 'referring' them to
local bars which they could freely cause trouble if they wanted. Two figures
came in, the usual customers, Todo and Duck King. Duck was all smiles patting
Robert on the back and sometimes offering him tips or a bottle of whiskey to
get on his good side. On the other hand, Todo and Robert were old enemies, and
Todo never even bothered to greet Robert. Robert on the other hand, not
wanting to displease King simply smiled and greeted him even if he was ignored.

Yuri lead the customers to their tables and made sure the jazz band was
doing their job. Yuri didn't have to worry about the band since they were
doing a splendid job and had real talent. It was as if they could implant
emotions into their customers, the flowing rhythms would make the crowd sad,
angry and happy all at the same time, and the customers just loved the sweet
melodies they'd play.

King was at her post, as bartender. A call would come from the far end
of the bar, and she would make a mental note while Yuri piled order slips on
the long spike next to the cash register. In blinding speed, King would create
the drinks as if she was merely playing. Once she finished, she threw it and
it would slide down the mile long bar to it's customer, and off she was to her
next order. Well, she could handle many things at once and could always engage
in little chit chat with customers as she continued to make drinks with her
autonomous hands. There is an invaluable rule in this business, you have to
always be happy, almost hypocrite to your customers, but you cannot go against
that. That is what they come to you for. They want to escape from the stress
of their real life jobs, wanting a change from the rough and hectic
officeplace. They turn to you to create an whole new world, and environment
where they can escape from their worries and troubles.

King was making a few screwdrivers when Yuri came over with another
order slip. "Busy night huh?" Yuri said as she wiped her brow. "Maybe we can
have a drink with Robert tonight, but nothing strong for me okay, I have a quiz
tomorrow." Yuri smiled.

"Sure, sure, just don't tell anyone I corrupt the youth. Besides, I
need your help to drag me to my bed when I get plastered after, HAHA!" King
said. "I sure as hell can't trust that Garcia!"

"You know, King-san," Yuri said, hoping to get some chit chat as a
little break from waiting tables. "Robert, he really likes you. Have you ever
thought of wearing a skirt?" Yuri remarked as she looked at King's attire. It
was hardly feminine, She had a collared white blouse, maroon top almost like a
tail-less tuxedo, and corduroy pants, all tied up on top with a bowtie. "The
pants you're wearing hardly suits you. You have a great body, shouldn't let it
go to waste." Yuri said while trying not to sound too forceful as to upset
her.

King threw the two screwdrivers as she called out her customers' names
to prepare them, and her sweet tone of "Shinjuni-san, Kurosawa-san,
screwdrivers coming up.." became cold and harsh as King sent her hand to the
bar. "Look, Kid!" King said firmly to Yuri. "What I wear and how I act is MY
business, you're not working here to be my image consultant."

Yuri just smiled apologetically and put her tray up to cover her chest
with crossed arms. "Gomen gomen.. (sorry sorry)" Yuri apologized, "I didn't
mean it like that I was just saying.." King walked down the bar and made a
zombie as she poured a shot of Whisky in a glass for herself. Yuri feeling
guilty, only walked away, hoping that King would forget about the incident
later when clean up time came.

A shout suddenly echoed from outside the door; it was Robert, and with
a loud crash, the door opened. Two towering brutes with large pot bellies
dressed in leather and jean biker gear, chains and spikes and all, trotted into
the room, occasionally bumping into and toppling chairs over. Yuri, wanting to
apologize for her earlier conversation with King tried to confront the two
ruffians. She was starting an attack when one of them approached her and
flipped up her skirt, making Yuri drop her stance, and sit on the floor trying
to cover herself. Yuri cried at her weakness, and tried to verbally assault
the two instead.

The two bikers pushed some customers off their barstools and leaned
over to King.

"Hey, baby, why don't you make me something that will let me feel
good..." He jeered. "GHAHAHA, got any brew on you!"

The second took an interest in King and tried to coax her, but only got
cold stares.

"Sorry, but I do not waste good drinks to uncivilized brigands like
yourselves, please leave my club." King said calmly not even looking up from
the drinks she continued to make.

"Ooooooo, a tough one." The first sneered. "What's wrong, you don't
like the way I look? You too stuck up to look at a man like me."

"I don't judge people by what they look like, you got that!" King said
forcefully, "But the moment you harass my customers, I won't have you messing
up the peace in my club!" King said, her voice steadily rising. "How'd you
get in here anyway?"

"Aw, you mean the beefcake outside?" The second laughed, "He wasn't
too much of a challenge..."

<KEH!! What a useless, sorry ass I have for a bouncer,> King thought,

"Now, be nice, and give me some service, baby!" The first joked as he
held Kings hand and tried to pull her to him. King slid the cocktail to a
customer down the bar with her free right hand and sent a backhand to the first
thugs face, which sent him scampering to the floor. The second quickly
reacted, brandished a knife and stabbed at King. King still uneasy at fighting
behind the bar, and worried about her other customers could not react in time
and she could only watch as the blade flew to her face. In a sudden rush drops
of blood flew and landed on the bar, steadily trickling. King looked up and to
her surprise, Robert had caught the thugs knife. The thug sent the knife in a
stabbing grip, and Robert made sure that the blade went between his middle and
ring finger when he covered the man's fist in a vice grip. He was off by a bit
and the knife slashed through his leather gloves and cut his hand up pretty
badly.

"Robert..." King uttered in surprise... looking relieved at his
appearance, then suddenly shifting to a firm gaze, "You screwed up, you jerk!"

"Sorry," Robert said apologetically with surprisingly warm eyes and a
sincere face which startled King, who was used to his lecherous grin. "They
told me they were your friends and were going to take you out on a date, so I
got jealous, and they got the jump on me." Robert smiled, eyes closed.

King's stern look became mellow again, and she had to control herself
from blushing. The warm atmosphere between the two was broken when the thug
twisted his hand free and slashed at Robert. The knife cut King's face and
slashed her blouse open. King was expecting Robert to be all over her and
covered herself preparing to slug him at the slightest provocation, but to her
astonishment again, Robert instead grew furious and collared the thug, staining
the thug's jacket with the blood from his hands.

"YOU SON OF A BITCH!" Robert yelled. "Don't you touch her!!!"

King leaned at the back of the bar, confused at Robert's sudden change
of character and watched him hoist the man up in the air. Robert sent his foot
to the thug's chest, then his groin, then his knees, and eventually making his
kicks seem like a blur, balanced the ruffian in the air, with the barrage,
finally ending it with a roundhouse that sent him crashing into a pile of
unoccupied tables.

"You IDIOT!" King shouted, "You ruined the tables!" Robert only
smiled at her, and with a two fingered salute, sighed and dragged the two
bodies out the club and 'referred' them to another establishment.

By the time it was 3:00 am, Yuri had put all the chairs on the tables
and swept the floor, and she also did away with the broken tables. While Yuri
was doing the dishes and cleaning out glasses, King sat on the barstool, with a
bottle of Cognac and a shot glass in her hand. Robert came in with his
bandaged hand, and still wore his shredded glove over it. He came and sat next
to King and reached for a shot glass behind the bar, and poured himself a
drink.

"Rough night huh?" Robert said as if he was trying to apologize. "The
customers left early..."

"It's all your fault... I could've handled it!" King scolded. "You
always have to get your dick in the way! Don't you think I can handle it
myself, you braindead twit!"

"I was only worried you know, It is part of being a man." Robert said,

"A guy's got to be strong, and protect those he ... he .. he cares about."

"You think I can't take care of myself huh!" King snapped back
angrily.

Robert's eyes, closed slightly as he tried to calm King, and he ran his
fingers down the cut in her cheek. "It's still bleeding." Robert said softly
as he proceeded to lick up the blood and kiss the wound.

King stood up to get away from Robert and put her back on the bar.
Robert got up and stood a foot away from King with his hands in his pockets.
"Sorry... couldn't help it... punch me if you really hate me..." Robert went
over and out his hands on King's shoulder and hugged her. King was trapped in
confusion and shock, not knowing what to do. She just sighed and put her
forehead on Robert's chest. The next moment, Yuri came out from the kitchen
with a pile of trays...

"King-san!!! I am going home!" Yuri called, "You want me to bring you
to your room?"

Yuri stood in awe at Robert who was embracing King tightly, but it
seemed like an illusion when he heard a loud thud and Robert's groan, as he
clutched for his groin upon reaching the floor curled up like a ball.

"It's okay I am going to sleep." King said. She finished another shot
of Cognac and went up to her room and slammed the door.

<Sigh, Yuri puffed, You NEVER learn do you...> Yuri got her bag and
proceeded out the door.

Robert was still curled up on the floor, clutching himself. <Heh,
damn...> he sighed, but his frown slowly turned into a peaceful smile as he
closed his eyes, and tried to numb the pain with his accomplishment.

Act 9: Lemon

(A note to those unfamiliar, the term 'lemon' is Japanese Slang which
refers to anything having to do with 'sex'. As such 'Cream Lemon'. Other
equivalents include 'H' or 'Ecchi'. I hope I explained it well enough... ^_^

-Susan)

High School life is great. It is a self contained world all on its
own. Unlike the real world which has shades of gray, in High School everything
is clear cut in black and white, there is good, and there is bad. No
questions. The rules never change, and anyone can win. A monotonous life
which many dreamers fail to appreciate until they leave the secure walls that
confine them. Their dreams fail them in the real world, as the regret eats
them alive.

The day was lit up with the bright sun. Birds were chirping, the
leaves swayed, and the wind was cool and calming, but a High School student's
weekday is like any other... Dead, dreary, and it just sucked. Day by day
these individuals would put on their school uniform, complaining about the lack
of fashion, were herded to class like cattle, had to put up with stupid rules,
always wanting to be free of this pathetic existence. Except for one Asian
boy... Kyo Kusanagi walked down the path on the way to school. He had his
black formal uniform unbuttoned in the front, his sleeves rolled up, and his
bad bandanna to keep his long hair off of his face. A real cool guy,
heartthrob of the nation. Unlike the rest of the dreamers; Kyo knew... He
realized the secret behind High School life and understood, because unlike his
sheltered classmates, who were with family and friends, and were sheltered from
the pain of the real world; Kyo was alone... Lack of fashion? It saves me
the trouble of increasing my wardrobe. Cattle? I don't have to worry about a
schedule. Rules? It is more exciting to break! Without a father from a young
age, he took life as it was given to him. Harsh and real, not like some dream
of fairy tale.

It must suck to be a sophomore at the age of 19.

"Oooooh, he's so cute..."
"I want him so bad..."
"Nnnng... Why won't he notice me..."
"Today, I will get him today!"

From the corner of his eye, Kyo could see the red faces, the incessant
screaming, the whispering of the girls amongst themselves. Sometimes, a girl
would come over to him and no matter how calm the approach, she would always
break down and stutter when they started to exchange words. Some burst into
tears upon touching him, and others turned red and fainted. Kyo didn't mind,
actually he loved the attention, something he never had as an orphan. One
might think that the guys in school hated him, jealous of him... but it was
the contrary, all the guys looked up to him. Kyo had it all. He had the
charm, the looks that made him look angelic, the courage and the fighting
spirit. Someone every guy could look up to.

Everywhere Kyo went, he had a platoon of his fan club, which
practically comprised the whole female populous on campus, whether it be
student or teacher. This school was the only family he had.

The chimes signaled the first class, and Kyo took his seat next to the
window. It was French, and as Kyo was about to sling his feet on the table
Madame Dupont came into the room.

"Monsieur Kusanagi..." Dupont said sarcastically, almost angrily, "I
am sure you are very comfortable, but I will not be able to see your lovely
face if you sit like that."

The girls in the class instinctively stared daggers at Dupont for
picking on their beloved Kyo. Paying no attention, Madame Dupont began with
the lecture and started reading out French text out loud for the class to
follow. Kyo merely stared out at the window, dreaming... The trees, the
leaves, the grass, so peaceful... Dupont went on and on, and soon her voice
became mumbles, then murmurs until Kyo could hear nothing. His eyes started to
close slowly, turning the world dark... and purple...

"Oto-san!!! (Father)..." an 11 year old Kyo screamed, but it soon
turned into a hoarse cough as his own blood choked him. He tried to look ahead
of him, to his father, but all he could see was crimson, streams of his own
blood. A vague outline of his father, staggered in front of him.

"Run away, K..kk..Kyo..." His father Saishyu beckoned with an
outstretched hand. "Run... run..."

Instinctively, Kyo ran to his father's arms, cursing his weakness, for
the unknown assailant had swatted him aside as if he were a mere fly. Defiant
to the end, Kyo held on to his father, not wanting to let go. In an instant it
came... Flames... red... white.... no, it was purple. It came towards him
hungrily and hoped to devour him whole. In an instant, Saishyu grabbed ahold
of his son's blue denim jacket, now stained maroon, and turned around, taking
the full impact of the fiery attack with his own body, protecting his beloved
son.

"OTOSAN!!!!" Kyo called out. Saishyu fell limp on Kyo's shoulders and
valiantly, Kyo tried to drag his father away with his weakened limbs. It was
no use, and the dark shadow slowly came closer and closer. The footsteps came
slowly, and softly, but to Kyo it seemed as loud as thunderclaps, mocking his
insolence with every step. Kyo shook all over, fearing the imminent death that
was about to take him.

"Kyo..." came a faint whisper. "Son, I plead you... run away. Worry
not about me, my life is over. I have to atone for my crimes..."

Saishyu had once told Kyo about their family's legacy. They were
Yakuza, the underground crime lords who secretly controlled Japan. It was a
brutal, bloody life, and Saishyu, being a peaceful man did not want anything to
do with it. When Saishyu was 25 he was destined to fight Yagami-sama, Iori 's
father. The ritual was conducted every generation, where a Yagami and a
Kusanagi were to engage in a duel to the death, and the victor would surely
flourish over their opponents for they were seen as favoured by the gods.
Saishyu could not take it, the senseless waste of life, the bloodshed, and the
immorality. Ironically Saishyu was one of the most skilled fighters Kusanagi
had, and he refused to fight when he was chosen to go against Yagami-sama, so
he ran away, fleeing from his destiny to start a new life. However, a Yakuza's
life is never that simple. It would not matter if you are a mere slave or a
part of the family, an act of defiance must be met with death, as such, to
prove an example to other future offenders. Saishyu knew that he would be
stalked to the ends of the earth, or worse other Yakuza families would take
advantage of the situations and do away with him. Saishyu thought his dreams
would last him forever, so he married, had a son. He never realized the cruel
fate he had set for his only child. Another baby to be sacrificed to the harsh
and horrid world, and moreover, he would be met with a society that would not
greet him kindly, for the name Kusanagi meant only fear and hate. It seems
like Saishyu's past has finally caught up with him...

"Escape..." Saishyu gasped, "Grow strong... avenge me, but do it out
of honour, not hate... I am sorry to have brought you to this worl..." With
those words a hand gripped Saishyu's head and lifted him up with ease. Kyo
staggered back and cowered to a wall. He could only watch as his father burst
into flame. In a twinkling it was over and the unseen assassin merely, slammed
SaiShyu's corpse into the wall, embedding his head in place. Kyo cried tears
flowed from his eyes, but the fear chained him down.

The killer flashed a wicked smile and bellowed, "KYO KUSANAGI!!!
continue to read from where I stopped!!!"

Kyo snapped out of his daydream and turned to face a rather infuriated
Madame Dupont. "Kyo, translate the next line for us..."

Kyo looked around and realized his apparent predicament and looked
around for a book. One magically appeared in front of him. He flipped through
it and found a bookmark, a little piece of paper with the name Hiromi and a
phone number. Kyo looked to his side and nodded in gratitude as Hiromi blushed
and covered her face with her hands. Kyo looked calm as usual and started to
translate the English into French...

"Where is the bathroom..." Kyo began...

"Monsieur Kusanagi, I want the French!" Dupont snapped.

"I know, I know, let me talk okay..." Kyo said. "Kuesukei loo sallei
la bannz..." (Bad French in homage to the bad Japanese to English classroom
scenes in Anime ^_^... Which was hard to do since this is an English fanfic...

-Susan).

"Do you ACTUALLY pay attention in my class Kyo?" Dupont said, "Or do
you plan to be a sophomore the rest of your life."

Kyo slammed the book on his table and forcefully walked over to Dupont.

He stared at her in the eye and clenched his fists. Dupont taken by surprise,
had to lean on the table and wipe her brow as Kyo walked out of class and
slammed the door behind him.

It was PE class next.

The boy's locker room was filled with incessant chatter, screams and
random cursing. There was a little talk about math, last nights basketball
game and gossip about the girls on campus. In math, there were the nerds, in
PE the jocks, but right there and then, all of them were equal. All of them
close friends. A man's relationship is so unlike a romantic one, platonic in a
sense. There is nothing to hide and most of the time nothing to be hypocrite
about.

"Boy, you're ugly!" came a voice.
"Oh yeah, Fuck You!" was the reply followed by hearty laughter.
"Do you want to play ball after class?"
"Naw, I have to go to work."
"I met this new girl on campus..."
"I'll steal her from you when you're not looking..."

Kyo smiled to himself. The atmosphere was calm and thoughts were open,
much unlike a romantic relationship. He knew that once they graduated, they
wouldn't be this close ever again. In the dog eat dog world, there was nothing
quite like this. They were blinded upon leaving these campus walls, and
hypocrisy, greed, and lies superseded all else.

Kyo hung his jacket on the bench and took off his shirt. The locker
room was hot and his sweat ran down his muscled chest. He sunk behind Tony and
grabbed him by the neck and messed up his hair.

"Noogie Noogie!" Kyo yelled, and Tony toppled over trying to break
free of his hold and turned a bench over. Kyo stood in confusion, for he heard
more than a bench crash. He looked out the window and to his surprise saw a
troupe of girls peeping.

"Aiyaaa! Kathy's got a nose bleed!" came a voice. Kathy blushed and
ran to the bathroom in embarrassment. Kyo's eyes widened and looked down to
see his pants down, and a bunch of guys behind him were rolling over in
laughter. Kyo abruptly pulled up his pants and wrestled the hysterical group
behind him. Some guys came over to the window and showed off in front of the
girls, but the girls ran away screaming "Hentai!!! (pervert / weirdo)"

Kyo sighed and just put his PE gear on.

Five... four... three... Kyo as well as the rest of the class
murmured. The bell echoed the sound of relief. It was lunch time at last, and
in a matter of seconds, the classroom was as bare as the Sahara, leaving the
stunned math professor holding his piece of chalk up, talking to an invisible
audience.

Upon stepping out of the classroom, Kyo was fair game. His friends
signaled him, like a track and field coaches -to RUN!!! They spread their
arms out and acted as a human barricade when the stampede of girls rushed to
offer their lunches to Kyo. 'A service of friendship' the guys always said, as
their composure and stern faces turned to jello when the girls' bodies pressed
on to theirs trying to get through.

It was open season every lunch time, and Kyo had to find new
passageways to get to the open fields or quadrangle because his 'fan club'
would always plan it out and block routes he used quite frequently. Hang a
left and right, up the stairs then jump down. Into classrooms and out windows,
but it would always end as he was overwhelmed by their sheer numbers when he
was pushed to a dead end.

"Take my lunch, Kyo."
"No, I made this especially for you."
"I worked on this since this morning."

Kyo only smiled and tried to keep the riot of girls away from him.

"Kyo!" Came a voice from above. Holiday threw a stretch of rope down
and a number of guys up on the wall tugged, sending Kyo up. Followed by the
disappointed calls of his admirers below. Kyo ran as fast as he could when he
got over and quickly bought a large bowl of noodles from the cafeteria, which
he quickly ate it in the quadrangle. The girls just sighed, and decided to pan
a better attack for tomorrow.

Holiday ate his cheese burger next to Kyo and patted him on the back as
usual.
"They're getting better, Kyo." Holiday smiled.
"I must be getting rusty." Kyo replied.
"You know, sometimes I wish I was like you... so popular with the
girls.." said Holiday.

Kyo only sighed and drank the rest of the soup bottoms up. He wiped
his mouth with his sleeve and fixed his gaze at Holiday.

"Holiday..." Kyo said as he put his hand on his shoulder. "You have a
great girlfriend, and I should be the one who envies you..."
"Who me?" Holiday said as he pointed at his nose, confused. "But you
can have any girl you want."
"HA HA!" Kyo laughed. "Then why don't I still have one?"
BLINK BLINK went Holiday.
"You see... Do you really think those girls love me? Naw!!" Kyo
smirked as he waved his hand in front of Holiday's face. Kyo looked up and
talked more to himself than to Holiday... "They may think they do, but
seriously, it's just my looks. I don't want to have a hypocrite relationship
based on something superficial like that..."
"Don't jerk me off, Kyo!!!" Holiday said slyly... "I know deep down
you enjoy it..."
"Get out!" Kyo shouted suddenly.
Holiday only looked in confusion "Hey, I was only Jokin..."
"Get the FUCK OUT!" Kyo yelled again, now more forcefully...
"Look, I..." Holiday now said in an angry tone as he pointed at Kyo
furiously.
"I said, GET THE FUCK OUT OF THERE!" Kyo said as he pushed Holiday
aside with both palms sending him a few meters away.

In an instant, there was a flash of steel. Kyo's body instinctively
moved. He planted his left foot on the ground and shifted his center of
gravity, at the same time crossed his right foot over his left and sent kick in
a roundhouse. There was a faint thump and a clang as something hit the steel
fence. On the ground lay a metal dart.

"Get out of here..." Kyo said calmly to Holiday who sat on his bottom,
confused yet again. In an instant four ninja guards dressed in white and gray
urban fatigues appeared like ghosts.

"Uz... (hey!)" Kyo said smugly. Without any more words, the four
ninja attacked. Two from behind one from above and another straight at him.
Kyo put his fists up in a defensive stance and waited until the last moment to
make his move. The one at the back came first as he expected. One led the way
and attacked from above while the other followed from behind. A jump, and the
first ninja was in the air. Kyo instinctively jumped too and with the sun
behind him, the ninja could only see a faint silhouette. Before his eyes could
refocus Kyo was already on top of him. He had both hands clenched to each
other and sent them down like a double ax handle. The ninja ate dirt. Kyo
knew he had the advantage since these ninja did not have the edge of the
shadows to aid them. Plus, Kyo knew the quadrangle gym like the back of his
hand, from the numerous times he had to use that same knowledge to escape his
groupies. With the first ninja dazed, Kyo focused his attention to the
remaining three. Two came from both sides and one from above. Kyo ran towards
the stage where announcements were done during assembly. He looked for some
wire, but to his despair he found none. Kyo had his back to the wall, and the
three ninja under false security charged head on. One was more eager than the
rest and flew ahead in a flying kick. Kyo grinned and pushed back the wall
behind him. It was a collapsible wall to the ninja's surprise, the same
assassin who could not change his flight path. The ninja's kick hit the stage
floor and before he could recover, Kyo hopped up and delivered the wave smash.
Kyo's left kick led the way and hit the ninja's abdomen, then he followed with
his right which hit square below the jaw and sent the victim up in the air.
Kyo not satisfied jumped up to catch up to the rising body and gave it another
kick before using the double ax handle again to send him crashing down.

<Two more? Kyo calculated, let's see 4-2=... ??> He decided to put it
aside and take on any that were left.

The wind sang out, and Kyo reached for the curtain. He tugged with all
his might and the curtain came crashing down, catching all the ninja stars that
were meant for his person. The next moment, there was smoke. Smoke bombs. In
a matter of seconds the curtain was torn to shreds, and when the ninja examined
the remains, they found no trace of Kyo. Before they knew it, Kyo appeared out
of nowhere and grabbed one of them by the neck. Kyo charged his hand and it
slowly began to erupt into red yellow flames. His hand exploded and sent the
unconscious ninja flying back, pinning his comrade.

Kyo collared the remaining ninja and questioned him. Kusanagi ninjas,
Kyo thought. He had been stalked for almost his entire life by these
assassins. Not taking to his father's sins lightly, even Kyo had to pay his
debts too... The ninja handed him a letter and when Kyo read it, it seemed
that there was more to the affair than what he thought.

"Kusanagi wants you back..." The ninja said. "They want you to fight
against Yagami. If you survive the duel..."
"What?!?" Kyo snapped angrily.
"You will be allowed to live a peaceful life.
"I don't want to get involved in that you bastard!" Kyo yelled in his
face. "What did my father die for then!!!"
"Ha ha... The ninja chuckled... but I know the identity of the man
who killed your father. Master Kusanagi knows... In the paper..." The ninja
wheezed as he ran out of breath and fainted before Kyo realized he was choking
the man.

Kyo looked at the letter and it revealed the name of the killer,
..Iori Yagami.

"Natsuko come on, please?" Yuriko begged.
"I don't want anything to do with Kyo, okay!" Natsuko sounded annoyed.

"I'll never do it!!!"

Natsuko stood under the shadow of the cherry blossom tree cursing
herself. <How do I get myself into this mess...> She thought as she examined
the gift in her hand. <Why can't Yuriko give this to Kyo herself... The
things I do for that spineless girl... If only she wasn't my best friend...>
She held her grocery bag in her left hand and tossed the package in her right
as she waited by the gate for Kyo.

"What was that all about?" Holiday asked Kyo.
"Just old friends..." Kyo smiled sarcastically.
"It was awesome, you're so smart using the stage and stuff..."
"Read this!" Kyo said as he gave a piece of paper to Holiday. "It
will explain everything."
"F" Holiday said in confusion.
"What the Fu..." Kyo said immediately upon withdrawing the sheet.
"They attacked you because you failed your math test?" Holiday looked
dumbfoundedly.
Kyo looked at the crumpled sheet and it was his math test which he
handed to Holiday by accident. "No No, this is..."

Kyo was cut short by the parade of girls waiting for him by the gate to
walk home with him.
"Whoa! And with that show you put up lunch time, they won't let you
off easy, man!" Holiday called as he signaled Kyo to run for his life.

Kyo patted Holiday on the back and waved as he began his run, the girls
in close pursuit. He ran down the street, through the alleys, knocked over
some garbage cans and double backed to the school, with no luck.

Natsuko watched Kyo speed away and hated herself even more. <Why do I
have to degrade myself for this guy... "I promise, okay", she remembered
herself say earlier to Yuriko and sped of to catch Kyo.">

Seeing the double back as useless, he decided to cut through the park.
Natsuko got angrier as the chase went on and decided to take a short cut and
hope to corner Kyo once he got to the other entrance of the park.

Kyo pushed the branches aside and leapt over the shrubs.

"Kyo-chan, wait!! Walk home with me."
"I love you Kyo!"
"I'll die for you."

Kyo smiled for a moment and then put his mind back on his path. Kyo skidded through a pile of leaves and tried to regain
his footing and ran though the falling pinwheels. <Die for me? Yeah, I'm
sure...> Kyo saw the back entrance of the park and smiled in relief. He was
home free. In his excitement, he noticed that his pen was slowly sticking out
from his front pocket, and Kyo's footing suffered as he tried to regain his
balance and pop the pen back in. He fumbled with his thin leather portfolio in
his hand to try to get to his pen when Natsuko appeared in front of him. Kyo
skidded to a halt and the pen flew out, right into Natsuko's grocery bag.

Natsuko, was far from happy and relieved that she had finally caught up
to Kyo. She was going to hand him Yuriko's gift when Kyo looked behind him,
and upon seeing the horde closing in, grabbed Natsuko by the wrist and ran off
with her. He looked up to Natsuko, she didn't seem like the groupie type. Her
hair was light red and went up to her ears. No earrings, no makeup, simple
girl. Kyo apologized to the girl and upon deciding that she wasn't part of the
others, went on. Without any time to figure out what was going on, Natsuko
stumbled and was forced to run off with him.

After another ten minutes of pursuit, Kyo and Natsuko rested in an
alleyway and took a breather. After a moment of rest Natsuko stood up and got
Yuriko's gift to give to Kyo and get the whole fiasco over with. <Damn
womanizer... Natsuko thought.>

"Hi!" Kyo looked up as he got his strength back.
<What now? You going to hit on me?> Natsuko wondered.
"I need something from you..."
"What do YOU want!?!" Natsuko spit out.
"Do you have my pen?" Kyo asked politely.
"Eh?" Natsuko muttered.
"I think it's in your bag." Kyo said between pants.
"Uh,.... sure..." Natsuko dug in her bag and pulled out Kyo's pen.
"Thank you very much. Sorry I had to drag you through all this... I
didn't want to get your bag back there." Kyo explained. "So, did you were
going to do something back there right?"

Kyo combed his hair with his hands and smiled innocently, his warm eyes
catching Natsuko's.
"Uh.. this... this..." Natsuko stammered.
"Oh... Thanks..." Kyo smiled as he took the present. "Your name?"
"It's.. its from... the pre.." Natsuko began as she clenched her
fists to get her words straight.
"What's your name?" Kyo asked again fearing he had said it too softly.
"Ah... Ko... ko.. Kobayashi... Kobayashi Natsuko..." Natsuko
stammered as she felt her cheeks starting to warm up.
"Nice name..." Kyo said. "I should take you out for coffee some time,
sorry about what happened. I'll have to repay you."

Kyo approached her and Natsuko backed up until she hit the alley wall.
With nowhere else to go, Natsuko only closed her eyes in fright, but somehow
she didn't want to run away, as if her legs and mind didn't want her to move
from her place. She sensed Kyo getting closer and closer.

"Are you into lemon?" Kyo said calmly. Natsuko blushed furiously and
didn't know what to do. She began to shake all over and sweat feverishly
drenching her shirt, all the way into her underwear.

She felt Kyo's hands in hers, and she felt something in it... ..
<Hard... round, she thought.. ug... naw... what could... > Natsuko thought.

She opened her eyes and forced herself to look.

"Ja ne! (See ya!)" Kyo waved as he walked away.

Natsuko looked down at her hand and saw a lemon that fell from her
grocery bag.

..

EPILOGUE:

Kyo fumbled through his folder and looked for his phone book, with the
ninja's letter in the other hand. Along the letter was an invitation, to the
King of fighters 1994 tournament... The longer he looked at the letter the
angrier he became. He clenched his fists and set his eyes on the glass phone
booth. When he cocked his hands back, he somehow remembered his dying fathers
words, about how much fighting and violence destroyed him and the Yakuza's
name. The Yakuza were once peacekeepers his father said. They fought for the
people against feudal dictators who spread tyranny over Japan, but their power,
it destroyed them, and they became nothing but violent animals.

How Ironic, Kyo thought that he must repeat the same cycle his father
gave his life to avoid just to avenge his death. No matter how civilized an
individual or a society becomes, it all boils down to one thing.. Fighting...
Fighting and fighting until there is nothing left...

Kyo flipped through his little pocket phonebook and went to N... Ni..
Nika.... Nikaido... Bennimaru Nikaido Kyo said out loud as he put a coin in
the phone and dialed.

The rustling in his pocket caught Kyo's attention... It was the gift
Natsuko gave to him. Kyo looked at the card and read it with a smile [To Kyo,
From Natsuko], how convinient it would was to be in Yuriko's handwriting...

Act 10: Dear Friends...

"I hurt myself today, to see if I can still feel; I focus on the pain,
the only thing that's real.... What have I become? My sweetest friend,
everyone I know, goes away in the end. You can have it all; I will let you
down, I will let you hurt...

-Nine Inch Nails

..
"You ask me why I am so cold? Why I do not beleive in affection and
love?" Iori said to Eiji in a sad, stern voice. "It is because I never had
any friends. Friends are only for the weak. In this life you have to care
only for yourself... Noone else! Why direct your dreams upon someone else!?!"

The clock rang threee bongs and a chime. It was 3:15. The wind blew
in their eyes but they didn't even blink, and Iori turned around saving Miyuki
from seeing his true self. Sparing her from seeing the hate in him. A child
should never see a fight.

"Be strong, my father said, and with that he took all my friends
away..." Iori picked up his leather folder and walked back towards home,
leaving an unmoving Eiji and clueless Billy, with their backs to the sunset.

..

A six year old Iori looked out of his window like an old crone, trapped
within the protective walls of Yagami palace, in his dark unlit room he seeked
refuge. The light switch was unworn and dusty, probably from years of neglect.

It was a spacious room. Next to Iori's window was his grand futon, a desk and
chair in the other end, and rows of closets and drawers. It was a silent
evening, just after sunset, and he looked out to the achres and achres of open
land outside the perimeters of Yagami Palace. Yagami palace was far away from
civilization, hidden away under the protection of nothingness, open lands, this
nothingness, proved amble and effective security.

The silence was calming, it put a smile on his face, but just for a
moment. Time had no meaning then. The dark peaceful room was a place where he
could think. Deprived of his childhood, he only had himslef. When most
children would play and laugh amongst friends and family, Iori sat by his
window and thought. Why... The reasons behind his existence. Seeing no drive
in life but to be strong, to become the best, to rule and conquer. Such were
the idioms taught to him by his father. Those are the only reasons to live in
the world.

He sat down on the floor with his back to the wall, and slowly let his
eyes focus in the blackness. He reached for the pole that held his window open
and it came down with a loud crash. Pitch black, alone. Children fear the
dark, because it harbours the unknown, but Iori loved it, for he knew about the
darkness, in it you can really see yourself. What you really are. In the most
peaceful of nights you could hardly see anything, you could feel your
surroundings. <Alone..., Iori realized, I am alone>. This is the reason for
existence. In the dark peaceful room you gained knowledge about solidarity.
It would be you against the whole world. He held his finger up and it produced
a soft purple flame, a faint light which left Iori exhausted, but after a few
seconds he would do it again, and again.

Five... Four... Three... he counted to himself slowly. Each one a
mental note of what he once thought was a reason to continue on with his
existence. It was a long list at first... To smile, to laugh, to learn from
tutors, to run in the grass and feel security amongst his harem of servants who
raised him. Mother... He extended all ten fingers and as the time went they
started to extinguish one by one... My mother is dead, and with that one flame
snuffed, I am not a child anymore... and another died. One by one... Two
were left... I hate you...father.... This left one purple demon which floated
down to his palm.

"And then there is me..." Iori whispered to the emtiness who listened
intently when noone else would. With that he snuffed the flame in his hands.

During the morning Iori would take his lessons form his tutor, Russ
Walker, language, history, science, and by lunchtime he would sometimes ask his
tutor to show him some television.

"But your father strictly said not to..." His tutor hypocritically
replied, grinning between breaths.

With a snap of Iori's fingers, one of his young female servants came
into the room. Here is the usual payment.

"As you wish Iori sama..." The servant girl said monotonously while
bowing low.

Iori wondered what his tutor ever wanted with the young girls but he
didn't care, it was his Yakuza blood probably, to satisfy the worldly desires
of the people.

Commercials utterly facinated Iori, it was his only link to the outside
world. Soon his father found out, and had Russ Walker killed. And without the
black box, another flame flickered and died.

By the afternoon, Iori took a short stroll out in the vast meadow. He
felt the breeze kiss his cheeks, and felt safe in the vast emptiness. He
stretched his arms and let out a scream.

"Take me now. ROAR!" He bellowed.

"What's wrong with you?" came a voice from behind him.

Iori instinctively turned around and sent his hands up in guard.
Behold there was a little girl just a little shorter than Iori. She had rosy
cheeks and a little smile that stood out from her short yellow raincoat and
hat. Occationally, children would take field trips to that part of Japan, but
the children never dared to venture near Yagami Palace. 'It is a place where
Demons and Ogres lived' warned their teachers. Bad people live there and you
should go near it. Iori always looked at the happy children running around
from his window, but they never came, never saw him, as if he never existed.
How jealous and painful he felt inside. He was like the darkness, which
children were afraid of. Happy children never questioned their fear of the
dark, or why they shouldn't go near Yagami palace. Iori and the darkness were
the same.

"Do you want to play?" She asked.

"Play?" Iori said slowly, never having the opportunity to use the term
before.

"Yeah, here... take this ball." she said smiling...

Iori held the sphere in his palms awkwardly. Rolling it from one hand
to the other musing at what a useless object it must have been. It was hollow,
made of paper, and could have been easily crushed by a babe.

"Throw it to me!" the little girl called from a distance of probably
two meters away.

Iori smiled wickedly <How retarded this is... he thought.> Digging
his feet to the ground, he threw it with all his might. Not wanting to look
stupid by throwing a paper ball around, he made it look like it was a fight.
He grit his teeth and threw, but to his surprise, the ball slowed down in mid
air and floated to the girl.

"Nice!" She said, and returned the paper ball gently. It glided
gracefully in the air, and fell into Iori's waiting hands.

Iori turned red and irritated. He mustered up all his anger and hate,
not wanting to be showed off by another, he threw the ball with both hands
cocked back as far back as it could go. This was to no avail... It seemed
like the harder he threw it the more tired and slower it would fly through the
air.

"Softly... Softly..." The girl teased. "Like this..." and she
tossed it up in the air effortlessly. Iori caught the ball again, and snarled
at his futile efforts, so he tossed it back like he was told, and it glided
smoothly. It didn't jerk or lose path, or fell. It floated peacefully right
to her hands. The little girl smiled and tossed it back. The game went on for
ten minutes probably, each tossing the paper ball back and forth. Iori's face
twisted with both shame and frustration, but he was still returning the ball,
sometimes tossing it softly, others trying to send it like a rock to her face.
The sun started to set and Iori realized that he had been playing for too long.

"I have to go home..." She said.

With that Iori breathed deep one last time and tossed the ball as
softly and gently as he could. The paper ball flew in a perfect arc, landing
to her waiting hands. For some reason that Iori couldn't understand, his chest
didn't feel heavy anymore, and he felt warm despite the cold wind.

"See you tomorrow." She waved.

"Ano... Kimi no namae wa? (uh... Your name?)" Iori stuttered.

"Miyuki.... Miyuki..." she said.

The Yagami servants gossiped amongst themselves at to how strange
Iori-sama had been acting fo the past few days, seemingly... cheerful, they
muttered. Tutoring came and went for Iori, as well as practice, putting his
best effort to get it done. He breezed through lectures, finished homework,
and did away with the practice dummies he had for training. He looked at the
large clock tower that was in the Yagami courtyard, what was once seemingly
useless was now the pinnacle of Iori's life... Just a few more minutes and it
would be four fifteen. Iori raced through the gate keepers and ran as free and
worryless as a bird. Never had Iori felt such desire in his life. What could
this feeling be, he mused. He ran and ran as fast as he could and as always
Miyuki was waiting for him by the old cherry blossom tree.

He hardly sat in his room anymore. He didn't want to become strong or
fight. He got better with his 'trick', and one by one his fingers would light
up.

It was a peculiar feeling to Iori, having someone other than his
servants to talk to. He would occationally get mad at her for disagreeing with
him.

"No, I think pineapples are better than cantalopes." Miyuki would say.

Iori would fume and instictively cock his fist back, but he slowly
began to change... It felt strangely nice to meet someone who didn't agree
with everything you said. Unlike the numerous servants who would bow down to
his wishes, Miyuki was... different. She didn't want him to talk in a loud
tone, she didn't want him to frown, and she always said what she felt.
Children are so open with their emotions and feelings, and you must praise them
for that. Something sorely lacking in the adolescent society.

Miyuki lived with her parents who were simple farmers and sent her to
school in the city, and would catch a ride with one of their neighbours who
worked in a construction site down in Little Italy. Iori always wondered why
she wasn't scared like he rest of the city children. It was probably because
of her upbringing. Simple folk are very trusting, kind, and open, unlike city
kids. It's not the city children per se, but more of what their urbanized
elders feed to them.

Miyuki was always picked on by the school children who lived in the
city. They called her country girl and other mean things. Children may be
innocent, but they can be the most horrible individuals once they start losing
what they once had inside and give way to the process of 'growing up'.
However, especially on field trips, they never dared insult Miyuki when Iori
was around. Occationally, there would be a brave, or very stupid boy who would
spit out an insult at Miyuki. Iori's eyes would become slits, and his stare
struck fear into the other children, to the point that a mere look would make
someone pee in his pants. It never got to blows though. No matter how angry
or how hurt Miyuki felt, she would stop Iori...

"Don't fight, it's wrong." Miyuki pleaded to Iori.

For the first time in his life Iori felt responsibility towards someone
other than himself. It was his duty to look over Miyuki and not let her be
hurt, but she saw her scared eyes when he got angry. <fight...??? Iori
thought over and over...>

Upon returning home one day Iori confronted his father. It was time
for practice and Yagami-sama was waiting for his favourite son to come and spar
with him.

"Oto-san (father), I do not want to train anymore." Iori said
forcefully, something he never dared do before.

"Idiot!!!" Yagami-sama growled.

Iori's rational thought came back for a moment, but he dismissed his
fears and stood to his convicions.

"I do not want to fight anymore." Iori said again. "I do not want to
spend my whole day studying and fighting anymore..."

"It is the child..." Yagami-sama said sternly with a furious look in
his eyes. "I thought you would see the futility of such things... but I guess
I was wrong. Iori do not defy me!!!"

With that, Yagami-sama turned around and marched back to the main
complex without another word. Iori felt a different kind of fear, fear
probably induced from his knowledge, knowledge of the adult world which never
passed the minds of other children. Usually he would take physical punishment
from his father. The kicks and beatings were truly painful, but Iori was in
control. He wouldn't cry out, and when it was over it was over. When he
stumbled back to his room, he was safe, and able to live for another day.

This time it was different, his father left without raising his fist.
This worried Iori because he was aware. He felt uneasy not knowing what his
father was about to do, but at the same time he wasn't naive and could guess
the inevitable.

The next day he sped off to meet Miyuki by the cherry blossom tree.
Wishing and hoping, but his fears were confirmed when he didn't see the smile
on her face.

"My family has to leave." She said between sobs. Iori wanted to tell
her everything, he wanted to tell her about his father and he wanted to fight
it, but he knew it was futile. In the most sorrowful moments Iori laughed. He
laughed out loud, as hard as he could. Miyuki didn't feel insulted, but just
didn't understand the reason behind it. <How ironic, Iori thought to himslef.
This is a simple country child, who was not afraid to go against me, Iori
Yagami, but I don't have the courage to go against my own father.> Iori
thought up excuses, he wanted to comfort her, or offer an explanation, but he
couldn't, so he did the only thing he could. Laugh. He laughed so hard until
it hurt, until tears flowed down his smiling face. Until he could no longer
feel or think anymore.

"Here, take care of her." Miyuki said quietly as she handed a snow
white kitten to Iori.

Iori stopped laughing and looked at the cat that was in his hands, and
after a while, let it drop to the grass. He hated the cat, he hated Miyuki's
parents, he hated the tree, he hated his father... Miyuki said goodbye and
walked away as the sun set. This time she wasn't coming back. He felt a tear
go down his cheek, and then drops, tears from the heavens. The peaceful breeze
suddently howled, deafeneningly. The rain poured, and stung him. It made the
kitten curl up by Iori's feet. Iori let out a primal scream, but the
thunderclap dulled it. He wanted to tear the cat limb from limb, but when he
held it, he couldn't. He saw himself in the kitten, so weak and it relied so
much for Iori's protection. It reminded him of how he relied too much on his
father, that like that cat, he was a pet whom Yagami-sama played god over, no
different from the rest of the Yagami servants. I have to get away, Iori
thought to himself... out of this goddamn place.

Iori staggerd in the rain, all the while keeping the kitten in his
jacket to keep it safe.

"Kill the cat." Yagami-sama commanded Iori.

Iori knew he couldn't hide Miyuki's last gift forever. He tried so
hard to do so, but as always it all ended in failure. In the eyes of his
father, he was powerless, and was destined to fail miserably.

"Kill... IT!" The voice echoed.

Iori looked blankly at his father, trying to think up the words in
defiance, but his father stared down at him. Yagami-sama's glare destroyed his
will, it made him feel inferior. His father just grabbed the kitten from
Iori's hands and threw it to the wall. There was a weak cry, before the kitten
rolled and started to shake. At this point Iori had lost everything, he had
lost his courage, Miyuki, and he lost himself. He walked over to the
shiverring kitten and squatted.

"Does it hurt?" Iori whispered, and he slowly saw the fear from the
kitten's eyes disappear for it's master was going to save her. "I will set you
free..."

Iori held the kitten's neck firmly and broke it with one twist. He
looked at it's limp body hanging by his fingers, and he cried. What had just
died in his hands was more than the kitten, more than Miyuki, it was Iori who
died. All those memories died.

"I envy ... envy you..." Iori cried softly, his words breaking from
his sobs. "But I was stronger." He poked his fingers into the carcass and
blood ran down his fingers and hands. <Die Die Die, he said to himself.> With
you, will die all the hurt, all the weakness. I will find the hate. The red
blood streamed down. It felt warm and painful to the touch. Iori bit down on
his tongue hard, for he knew his show of suffering would only please his
grinning father. Instead, Iori did what he had always done, his only refuge.
He laughed again. Insane. Bellowing across the rooftops. Louder and louder
until his mind was blank. Purple. The purple flames burned away any trace of
the body; Iori's memories. The colour purple that cleansed the mind body, and
soul.

EPILOGUE:

Iori sat in his room like he had done before, with his back against the
wall. Total pitch blackness enveloped him. It offered comfort, the darkness.
Always ready to listen, and offer no criticisms.

Five... Four... Three... he counted to himself slowly. Each one a
mental note of what he once thought was a reason to continue on with his
existence. It was a long list at first... To smile, to laugh, to learn from
tutors, to run in the grass and feel security amongst his harem of servants who
raised him. Mother... He extended all ten fingers and as the time went they
started to extinguish one by one... Miyuki is dead, and with that one flame
snuffed, I am not a child anymore... and another died. One by one... Two
were left... I hate you...Iori.... This left one purple demon which floated
down to his palm.

He let the flame burn more, feeding it with his emotions. It rose and
flickered wildly as he smiled.

"I will grow up, be strong, and then I will be free..." Iori promised.

Act 11: Redemption

"Here is your new desk job." The warden coolly said to Jenny, the
newbie secretary. Jenny flashed a hypocrite smile and slowly laid her box on
the small desk in front of her. It was nothing special, but then she wasn't
any hotshot executive she thought. It was only for a summer job. She would
take messages, refer people, and basically sell her smile to visitors. It was
all for a change of impression the warden probably thought. Of all the many
jobs she could've taken it had to be this. Well, it did pay better than most
waitress jobs, so she was sort of content.

The place she worked in was Chee Penitentiary, the only penitentiary in
New Hong Kong. Situated in Khi Korea, not much of a residential town. As she
unpacked her box of stationery and books, she wondered if this place would be
condusive to her health, both physical and mental. She WAS in a place that
housed dangerous criminals, crazed lunatics, and worst of all....

"PERVERTED MANIACS!" She said out loud... The two guards who were
standing by the front door looked at her in surprise. Jenny quickly regained
her composure and flashed the smile that won her the desk job. She sighed and
giggled a bit, as the guards went back to their game of cards without realizing
what just happened.

Jenny complained to herself, all the while
standing up pencil cups and setting up the electronic typewriter provided by
the warden. she continued... <All I want is to have
a great boyfriend, a cute pet and a sweet sweet home... ^_^> Jenny looked up
from her mess and fantasized about a wonderful summer. Maybe this summer she
would meet the man of her dreams, but something snapped in her mind and she
realized the horrible looking inmates she might see in this dump. <Yuck...>
She thought and went on with her cleaning.

"Excuse me, do you know where the warden is?" Came a voice... "He is
expecting me."

Jenny stopped in mid-thought. She looked up rather annoyed
but it all suddenly changed when she saw the man looking down at her with half
closed puppy eyes.

"I have come for the parole program..." He flashed a smile.

<Ug...> Jenny started to blush. In front of her was the cutest guy
she had ever seen in her entire life.... <He must be a model... No he is a
model I am sure...> A smiling boyish looking cutie was standing right in front
of her. He was wearing a white T-shirt underneath a cream-yellow sportscoat.
His undercut hair made him look even more boyish, and Jenny couldn't hide the
expression on her face that was screaming 'TAKE ME, TAKE ME NOW...' Jenny
dropped all of her stuff and frantically shifted though her papers to look for
the intercom.

"uh..... You have a nice....uh... jacket" she stuttered, not knowing
how to go about with a conversation.

"Thanks." The man widely smiled, making his eyes squint more.

"Warden, there is someone here to see you... uh..." Jenny paused...

"Kim..." The man said. "Kim Kap Hwan..."

"Sigh... Mister Kim Kap Hwan..." Jenny cooed, but cleared her throat
as soon as she realized that she was flirting with the telephone. "AHEM! He
is here for the Program..."

Jenny put down the phone and was thinking for the death of her what to
say, or else she'd surely lose him.

"Uh..." Jenny started....

"You know, I have never seen you here before..." Kim said. "You make
the place look friendlier." Jenny swooned and thanked her lucky stars, at last
she could make something of her life... Have her handsome boyfriend, her cute
pet and her sweet sweet home...

"Uh.. what is the Parole Program anyway?" Jenny asked, It is my first
day here."

"Oh...:" Kim answered... "It is where citizens take inmates out...
to picnics and walks in the park and things like that..."

<UUUUUUU!!!!> Jenny gripped her skirt in angst... As Jenny was
shivering in anxiety, she suddenly bit her tongue... <eek!> She thought as
she covered her mouth... <This is not a good sign> And there she went with
her superstitious 'horoscope' self.

A lady stepped out behind Kim, "Kim, do you really think it is safe
here?" She asked.

Jenny examined the lady behind Kim. Not bad looking... She was
wearing a long skirt. Nothing flashy. Pretty plain and simple.

"You're girlfriend?" Jenny asked both scared and annoyed.

"Oh, her?" Kim said as he waved his palm in front of her jokingly..
"No she's not." Kim laughed softly.

Jenny let out a big breath she was keeping in all that time and smiled
to herself. Her dream wasn't jeopardized... <Must be his older sister...>
Jenny smiled in relief.

"She's my wife." Kim said, still smiling his close eyed smile.

<MY WIFE!?!!?!!?!?!?!!?!> The words penetrated Jenny and sent her soul
falling a hundred stories. <NOOOOOOO!!!!> She echoed in her mind.... A
sweat drop ran down the side of her temple.

"'To-san... (Dad)" Came a voice tugging on his pants. "I'm tired of
holding Boo." complained a little boy who was holding a baby girl wrapped in
pink sheets.

"Okay, son give Boo to Mommy..." Kim coaxed, STILL with the smile on
his face. "You're a good boy Don."

<SON!!!!> Jenny cried out inside once again, now the number of
sweatdrops increased and strands of her hair started poking out from the rest
of her earlier, combed hair.

"And Boo is..." Jenny was afraid to ask...

"My newborn daughter..." Kim said.

<DAUGHTER.. DAUGHTER.. WIFE.... SON.... WIFE..!?!?!?!> The words
mocked her as she strangled her skirt.

"Well, got to go now, nice meeting you..." Kim looked down at her
desk.. "..Jenny.. hope you have a nice summer." Kim and his family waved as
they went through the gate next to Jenny and into the penitentiary proper.

Jenny bit he skirt and wanted to tear it to shreds... <NO NO NO
NO!...> The two guards obviously still played cards... "BULLSHIT!" one
called...

Jonathan, a prison guard with a double barreled shotgun slung on his
shoulders escorted them to Kim's 'adopted' inmates' cell.

"We should have more nice people like you Kim-san" Jonathan said
sincerely. "If there were more happy families like yours this town would be a
better place."

"But you'd be out of a job then..." Kim said as he laughed a soft
'mister Rogers' laugh.
Jonathan laughed back.

"True, true..." Jonathan said. "Here we go... Chang... You take
care of him now, and the missus and kids too. Beautiful daughter..."

The iron bars slid to the side, opening the cell. These cells were
built for only one, but they had to make an exception and tore down the walls
separating two adjacent cells to make room for this behemoth, Chang Koehan.
The sounds of chains could be heard echoing from the dark corners of the cell,
and Myon Saku, Kim's wife, and Don hid behind Kim. Kim on the other hand was
full of energy, and skipped into the cell.

"Oiiii! CHANG! Ohaiiiyooo Gooozaiimasu!!! (Hey! CHANG! Goood
Moorniing!)" Kim smiled. A bald headed, bloated man stood up and walked
slowly towards Kim. As he stepped into the light Myon Saku took a step back
from the cell, and Jonathan's eyes twitched.

"Good Morning!" Kim said again, clapping his hands and sporting his
'mister Rogers' smile.

Chang, unshaven and his uniform much too small for him only grunted and
stooped down to pick up the iron ball that was chained to his ankle with just
one hand. The black iron ball was about as large as his head, maybe bigger,
but he lifted it with ease. Chang slinged it over his shoulder, menacingly,
but Kim still smiled a warm smile.

Chang's brows tightened, but as soon as he heard the cock of Jonathan's
shotgun, he eased out and put the iron ball in both of his palms showing that
he wasn't going to try anything. Jonathan escorted them into the briefing
room. There was a long table with chairs around it.

"Just like the police TV shows..." Kim said as he usually did. "But
where are the double sided mirrors?"

"Kim-san, this is a briefing room, not an interrogation cell..."
Jonathan smiled, getting somewhat tired of saying the line everytime he took
Kim to that room. Jonathan slinged his hand behind his neck and chuckled as he
fiddled with his hat.

"Okay, I will take it from here. Leave the Myon Saku and the kids with
me, I will be fine." Kim said, inviting Jonathan to leave them alone.

Jonathan waited until all of them were seated... Kim's family on one
side and Chang on the other before leaving the room and going back to his post
at the gate next to Jenny.

Myon Saku held Boo in her arms and sat uneasily in the chair, making
sure that Kim was between her and the giant.

"So how has it been going, Chang?" Kim asked. "Where do you want to
go today? Do you like Chinese food?" Kim received no answer, but still
eagerly assaulted Chang with questions and smiled intently.

"Why did you have to bring her..." Chang growled in a low tone that
made Myon Saku move her chair an inch away.

"Oh, sorry, let me introduce you to Myon Saku, she's my wife and these
are my kids, Don and Boo Hwan..."

"I know THAT!" Chang bellowed as he rose from his chair and angrily
approached Kim's family. Chang pushed Kim aside and collared Myon Saku, who
was holding on to Boo tightly. Myon Saku started to cry in fright and Don
hugged his mother by the legs to try and pull her away.

"So THIS is mister Roger's wife... HA!" Chang called. Kim walked
calmly to Chang and put his hand to his shoulder then to his wrist and eased
him until he let go of his wife...

Kim STILL smiling, "Now now, Chang, that isn't nice..."

"Dear, I think it is time for us to go, take the kids outside... Let's
walk in the park..." Kim invited. Myon Saku immediately grabbed her son and
raced out the door, leaving her husband behind in her fright.

"Chang..." Kim smiled...

Jenny furiously organized her desk and cursed at her bad luck. Just
then, Jonathan had come back from escorting Kim and his family.

"Whew..." Jonathan sighed as he wiped his brow.

"Eh?" Jenny said to the guard.

"Oh, you're the new girl?" Jonathan said. "I'm Jonathan, pleased to
meet you." He extended his hand and shook Jenny's. "So I see you've met Kim
and his family.. Great guy there!"

"Uh.. yeah..." Jenny mumbled.

"He's a model you know..." Jonathan said. Invisible daggers started
stabbing Jenny's chest.

"He's got a great wife too..." He continued. More knives came to
Jenny, now making her head a pincushion.

"So, What does he do here anyway?" Jenny asked, brushing her hair and
doing away with the invisible daggers.

"Oh, he's part of the Parole program... He reforms convicts..."
Jonathan said.

"Yeah..." Jenny said, not really paying any attention.

"He's the best the program's got. He reformed so many felons.
Bloodthirsty guys for the most. He's dealing with Chang Koehan now, and also
Choi Bounge starting today."

"So, what is Chang in for?" Jenny said calmly while filing her nails.

"They say he killed his wife."

"EH!?!" Jenny looked up shocked.

"Yeah, found her sleeping with another guy and whacked them both."
Jonathan said in a spooky tone.

"And Choi?" Jenny asked in fear, expecting the worst."

"Ugh! He's a psycho... He butchers children." Jonathan said grimly
serious.

Chang collected himself and pushed Kim to the half open door, slamming
it shut.

"I hate you, Kim!" Chang bellowed. "You treat me like a kid! Don't
patronize me!"

For the first time, Kim shut up and listened.

"You come here, play mister good guy... and think you can play dad
over me!" Chang continued. "Well, I don't need you! You show off your wife
to me eventhough you know what happened. You think she's so sweet and loving.
How long have you been with her... 3 years 4? HA! Once you get married, the
magic is over. It doesn't last, and soon she cheats on you..."

"Shut up!" Kim yelled.

"Eh?" Changed looked down, to a puny man in his eyes.

"Shut up!" Kim growled, as his eyebrows tensed and his canines
flashed. He charged towards Chang and sent a knee to his abdomen. Chang,
totally unprepared took the blow squarely and wobbled back to the wall. Never
even in his wildest dreams had Chang imagined that Kim was capable of fighting,
he picked up his iron ball which rolled on the floor next to his feet. As
Chang stood up, Kim leapt back and started another run, this time stooping low
into a leg sweep. Kim's feet found its way between the giant's legs and with a
twist sent Chang off balance, in one motion, Kim's footsweep dug into the
ground and he used the foothold to hop up straight and cocked his other leg up
until it touched his shoulder much like a vertical 'split' or an 'ax kick'.
Before Chang could descend from the leg sweep, Kim's second ax kick, came down
and hammered him to the floor. Before Chang could mutter a word, Kim collared
him and hoisted him up.

"Don't you ever!!!! EVER.. touch my wife or threaten my children ever
again! You understand..." Kim said.. without smiling.

"Jonathan-san," Myon Saku said while running. "It's Chang..."

"Shit..." Jonathan spat, and ran over to the room, his shotgun leading
the way. Jenny only held her appointment book by her chest uneasily.

Jonathan raced to the conference room and with his double barrels
leading, kicked the door wide open.

"Jonathan-san," Kim said, now smiling... "The door was unlocked you
know..."

In surprise, Jonathan slowly put his shotgun down and saw Chang sitting
in a chair, with Kim, his arms slung over Chang's shoulders, smiled like a
child hanging by a gorilla's back.

After asking about his new assignment, with Choi, Jonathan escorted Kim
to the ends of the penitentiary, to the maximum security area.

"Are you sure about this, Kim-san..." Jonathan asked deeply concerned.

"Choi?" Kim asked

"You KNOW what he did..." Jonathan prodded. Chang only looked to the
side pretending not to listen. Why DO you do this, Kim-san?" Jonathan asked.
"You KNOW these people were found guilty, they're criminals, I wouldn't let my
family even BREATHE the same air as these lowlifes." Chang tensed and his grip
on his chain tightened. <Lowlifes???!!> Chang said to himself in anger.

"I know, they were found guilty..." Kim said calmly. "I do not
question that... What I do understand is that they did what they did FOR A
REASON."

"Heh... Whatever suits you... Do you still believe in those stories
of criminals being falsely accused and shit like that?" Jonathan smirked.

"I do not question whether or not what they did was wrong, I question
their motivations, this is something justice is blind to." Kim said.

Cell M-01 was in front of the party. After inputting a code in a
computer lock, sliding a card, then physically unlocking 5 locks, the 12 inch
metal 'door' swung open with the help of motors, letting some light through the
iron bars that kept it's host in check.

"I'm asking you one more time, Kim, ARE YOU SURE?" Jonathan said as he
uneasily shuffled his feet and frantically searched for the right keys to the
gate."

"Peachy positive..." Kim winked.

"Heh!" Chang grunted. "You're hopeless. A loser!"

"Okay.. we need two people to open the next gate. Chang, if you try
anything funny, I'll blow you away. Here is a key." Jonathan unhooked Key
number one from the keyring and handed it to Chang. I have Key two, I have to
go to the left end and you go to the right end of the bars. We have to unlock
it at the same time you got it?"

Chang positioned himself by the right side of the bars, and waited for
instructions, not wanting to try anything since the shotgun didn't look too
friendly. Kim stood easily by the crack in between the two where the bars
would part. On Jonathan's signal, Chang twisted the key. A clang was heard
and gears and motors started whirling as the bars parted. Kim walked in as
soon as he could fit in, and with his palms by his mouth, called out "Choi!"

"KONO O BAKAYARO! (YOU FUCKING IDIOT!)" Jonathan called as the
irresponsible Kim waltzed into the dark cell.

Kim had to take some time to readjust to the pitch black interior of
the cell. It was stuffy and humid but he could feel some sort of wind rushing
by him. He looked around but he could see nothing. He could only hear insane
chuckles, sneers, and giggles. He caught a glint of steel and when his eyes
focused, he could see a short man, approximately half his height, hanging by a
ledge like a canary, snickering, giggling evilly without end. The thing looked
hideous, and frightening, even to Kim. A green shirt, red suspenders, a wide
black hat, and he had something in his hands, long fingers? No, they were iron
claws. The black steel shined menacingly, and to Kim's horror, they were
dripping... blood. Kim felt a sharp pain and realized that his legs wouldn't
move on his command. Kim's legs were dripping red, blood red, red as a fresh
rose. Kim crouched down and reached for his bloody shins, and bit his lip.

"Jesas Kurayst..." Kim bit.

"OH MOTHER OF GOD!" Jonathan gasped as he rushed towards Kim. He
forgot to let go of his key and it dropped off onto the floor. With that
release of his key, sirens broke out and the security mechanism kicked in,
closing the iron gates.

"SHIT!" Jonathan cursed again! Now, slinging the shotgun on his
shoulder and away from Chang. Chang saw this. Jonathan searched frantically
for the keys, on his hands and knees scouring the floor.

Chang saw his opportunity and let go of his key. Beating an escape.
<At last...> Chang rejoiced.

Kim looked up helplessly as he saw in slow motion, Choi leaping into
the air, and his claws hungrily chattering against each other. Hungry for
blood, meat and bone.

"Heh!" Chang grunted. "You're hopeless. A loser!"

"You KNOW what he' did..." Jonathan prodded. Chang only looked to the
side pretending not to care. Why DO you do this, Kim-san?" Jonathan asked.
"You KNOW these people were found guilty, they're criminals, I wouldn't let my
family even BREATHE the same air as these lowlifes." Chang tensed and his grip
on his chain tightened. <Lowlifes???!!> Chang said to himself in anger.

"I know, they were found guilty..." Kim said calmly. "I do not
question that... What I do understand is that they did what they did FOR A
REASON."

"Heh... Whatever suits you... Do you still believe in those stories
of criminals being falsely accused and shit like that?" Jonathan smirked.

"I do not question whether or not what they did was wrong, I question
their motivations, this is something justice is blind to." Kim said.

"Don't you ever!!!! EVER.. touch my wife or threaten my children ever
again! You understand..." Kim said.. without smiling.

"Peachy Positive.." Kim called out.

"ORA!!!!" came a booming sound as Kim tried to stand...

Choi screeched eagerly on his descent, but a booming thrash came to
meet him. The sound of metal echoed thoughout the chamber. Cries, giggles,
screams, clangs, all at once. A large hand wrapped itself around Choi's head
as easily as anyone would grip a tennisball, and rammed Choi into the concrete
wall.

Kim looked up panting from fright and the loss of blood to see Chang,
pinched between the closing iron bars, making the machinery cry out and
struggle. Chang shivered all over and the veins on his temples bulged. His
forearm muscles tensed and the pythons of veins on his arm beated and pumped
furiously as he forced Choi's head into the concrete. Choi squirmed and
flailed like a rabid raccoon as Chang embedded his hand deeper and deeper until
Choi stopped squirming.

"Little murdering shit..." Chang mumbled in gasps as the gate squeezed
the life out of him.

"Chang..." Kim stuttered and reached for Chang's knees with his
blood-soaked hands. The giant looked down and gave a grimacing frown at mister
Rogers before he fainted between the sandwiching gates.

..

EPILOGUE:

With bandaged legs, Kim walked out of the penitentiary with a smile
(again as usual). Leaving the frustrated Jenny pouting on her desk, and the
half scared Jonathan considering a resignation.

Myon Saku, with Boo cradled, and Don in her hands, made sure they
walked ahead of the trio who were behind them.

Chang lumbered sluggishly, his tight prison uniform now replaced by a
large, loose sweatshirt, which could never hope to cover his bandage wrapped
belly entirely. Kim laughed innocently when he looked down at Chang's grey
jogging pants, and he still had the iron ball chained to his ankles.

"The key's right here..." Kim teased. "Come on, smile..."

Chang proudly held his iron ball in his palms.

Behind them was Choi, who had bandages wrapped around his bald head.
Moving spastically, and snickering softly to himself. He was licking a
lollipop. A grape flavoured one. With that in his hands rather than the
claws, he looked so harmless...

Kim smiled and with a pat on Chang's back he grabbed the picnic basket
from his wife's arms and led them all to the park.

Back by the penetentiary one of the guards called out "GO FISH!"

Act 12: Endless Chain

With a bellow of the steam horn, the transport ferry docked on a
nameless island. The clang of chains eased down the drawbridge that exposed
its insides. Without a thought armed men dressed in coats and shades
surrounded the vessel and welcomed the cars that one by one drove down the
single road leading from the dock to the sole mansion which marked the center
of the island. Mercedes, Bentleys, and Rolls Royce paraded down the bridge,
showing off their owners' wealth and power. One automobile caught everyone's
attention though. It was a pink Cadillac. Saving no room for etiquette or
poise, the monster roared down the path and overtook the smug millionaires that
slowly made their way down the road. The armed Asian goons could only stare in
both amazement, and disgust at the Cadillac's seemingly 'barbaric' behavior.

Behind the wheel slouched a cheerful middle aged man dressed in white
from head to toe. With a smirk he slid his palm over his slick back hair, and
pulled out two long strands of hair and let the permed locks dangle in front of
his face. Like the rest of the millionaires here he came to see Ching. For
the right price you could get the weapons you needed, from a virus to a
missile.

"Eat dust, baby!" The driver waved, and all the cars behind him could
see was the license plate 'RALF'.

The pink Cadillac came to a halt by the main gate of Ching's mansion
sending clouds of dust in all directions, and making the coat and tie security
guard cough up.

Slinging his arm over his door, Ralf flashed his smile to the Chinese
man who was staring down at him in disgust.
"Hey, man..." Ralf sneered as he combed his hair with his palm. "You
gonna let me in?"

The doorman unslinged the walkie talkie from his back pocket and looked
straight up at the gate camera which was linked to the main mansion.
"Hai Koko Gwai Lou ah! ({insult:} It's that foreigner.)"

With that, the sound of motors could be heard and the towering gates in
front of Ralf rolled open. The doorman locked a wicked gaze at Ralf and swung
his hand left and right signaling that it was okay for Ralf to pass.

"Heh heh, Thank you, baby!" Ralf sarcastically called as he made his
engine roar off.

"Fucking Asians," Ralf cussed as soon as he was far away from the
gate, on the way to the main complex. "Think they own the world..."

A Shuriken (Throwing star) came down and grazed Ralf's wrist. He let
out a faint yelp and within seconds 3 Ninja had appeared from the shadows.

Ralf, young and cocky only smiled at the three Ninja who stood proudly
at the wincing mongrel in front of them. It was supposed to be a simple
mission. Get some papers and then get the hell out of the complex. Ralf
thought it was boring so he decided to pick a fight, he knew the assassins were
following him anyway. Ralf stood up slowly and smoothened his red and green
bandanna and twisted his hair around his fingers.

"Fucking Asians, think you own the world eh?" Ralf said smugly at the
Ninja leader.

"Oh, so the mongrel barks even when cornered eh?" The leader mocked.

"Your mother's a mongrel you ugly bastard!" Ralf jeered. "That's why
you have those masks to cover those things you call faces."

The two Ninja behind the leader snarled menacingly and reached for
their swords, but the leader stopped thm with an outstretched hand. The two
obediently withdrew and tried to pacify their tempers as best as they could.

"You foreigner slime... mercenaries I think you call yourselves...
this is all false pride. Proud and arrogant. You come here alone thinking
yourself superior. Now all you have left is your petty ego." The lead Ninja
lectured.

"Well, at least I don't have to hide behind numbers like you, I can
hold my own ground..." Ralf returned.

"No, you don't understand. What you mercenaries fail to comprehend..."

"Master, this Gaijin (outsider), has no honor, you are just wasting
your breath..." One of his subordinates interrupted. The Ninja master calmly
put his palm up and the Ninja fell silent.

"See," The master said to Ralf, "My subordinate follows my orders
without question. It is not an issue of fear or obligation. It is of respect.

This is something you selfish, bloodthirsty killers can never even begin to
understand. We live in honor, under the code of discipline. To train our
minds and bodies, killing is a necessary evil we do unlike you who do it for
the sake of killing."

"All you do is hide under an empty slogan." Ralf yelled.

With this, five other Ninja appeared from the trees and brandished
their swords.

"Come on... ALL OF YOU! Show yourselves." Ralf mocked, "You can't
hide in the trees like squirrels!"

This was the last straw, and all the ten remaining Ninja came down with
fires in their eyes. The master held his hand up again to calm the Ninja
behind him and walked slowly towards Ralf.

"I am not a dog like your kind, mercenary." The master said as he held
his sheathed sword out, inviting single combat.

The rest of the Ninja saw the signal and sheathed their swords. One of
them called out "Master challenges you to single combat.", making sure this
Gaijin knew what the gesture meant.

"You're a fool, Gaijin (outsider). Like the rest of your racist,
overconfident kind. What do you hope to accomplish by blurting out these
insults. All you are doing is getting my students anger..." <Oh my GOD!> The
master stopped and stuttered in his mind.

"And you! Jappy..." Ralf snarled as he beat his fist in midair.
"What you failed to realize is you are dealing with a mercenary."

Ralf held the radio which was slung over his head. He reached for the
mike and pushed it next to his mouth. "Gabriel, Abigail..." Ralf muttered.
"I need some divine intervention."

With that command, a shower of bullets came from the hidden. The
divine intervention from Ralf's guardian angels came and destroyed the group of
ninjas that sat helplessly out in the open.

<You're right, I am nothing like you...> Ralf thought to himself.

The Ninja did not scream or cry out in their deaths. All their lives
was a journey for spiritual upliftment, and to die this way, to be cheated
rather that n die cheating was a good was to die as any. For that one brief
moment, when the Bodies collapsed like rag dolls to the snipers' fire, Ralf
questioned his convictions. He had always thought mercenaries, like any other
'hired' killers were evil, a necessary evil in the business, in the world. He
had never known or understood any other code. The Ninja master's words and
actions made him think again. The body of the master fell limply in front of
him. Was he weak? Was that why he died?

Ralf kicked the lifeless body in front of him. Weak... that was the
only reason he could muster. An empty slogan, a weak excuse to calm down a
confused conscience.

After some glasses of champagne, some small talk, and a number of
Hour'Deurves, Ching, the weapon monger, trotted down his towering staircase to
meet his guests in the dining room. Ching wasn't impressive at all. He was a
short Chinese man, with a long mustache and a goatee. He had two European
women slung in each of his arms, and had a fat cigar in his mouth. He too was
dressed all in white, from his coat, tie, trousers, to his shoes. He smugly
gazed over his numerous customers who paraded in his home like eager penguins,
and shrugged a bit when he saw the sole man dressed in white. Ching cussed in
disgust but just straightened his outfit and smiled at his mindless bimbos.
Taking two crackers topped with shrimp and cream in his palm and a glass of
champagne, Ralf chugged them both down and wolfed the glass bottoms up, like
aspirin.

"Nice jacket...." Ralf grinned. "Great accessories too..." while
looking at the clueless escorts.

Ching ignored the arrogant wretch and raised both his arms up to make
himself the center of attention.

"Gentlemen... Thank you all for coming to my humble island." Ching
called. "Welcome... But before business let's have some lunch at the dining
room. My servants will lead the way."

With that the penguins and the grinning polar bear were lead into a
magnificent dining room. Like cattle they were herded in, almost in single
file.

"Hey, move it slowpoke." Ralf immaturely sneered at a very annoyed
man. "Move your ass, I'm hungry." Ralf cut in the line and the businessmen
made sure not to associate with him.

The high ceiling and the grand chandelier made the room overwhelming
and very impressive to say the least. Surely, Ralf thought, that on those
walls, the towering ceiling, and the grand chandelier cost numerous lives,
dirty money and death. If you could pile up the bodies it took to scour the
money to build such a mansion, it would fill the palace twice over at the
least. Like many things, it seemed beautiful from the outside, but within held
secrets that are too horrible to realize.

"Hey, I want something to drink," came a wee voice next to Ching. It
was Ching's son, Lap Tak. The 8 year old boy enjoyed mingling with the adults,
and loved wearing his own coat and tie during these 'parties'.

Lap Tak lead the guests to their assigned seats from the door, and when
Ralf came storming, cutting in line Ralf just patted Lap Tak on the head and
made his way to the table.

The usual ten course meal awaited the guests. Ralf looked to the left
and the right. Around him were cool businessmen sipping away at their soup and
munching slowly at the steaks that were bought with the blood of innocents.
Ching trusted noone, and did not allow any of his customers to carry weapons or
have bodyguards. Eventhough the hypocrite businessmen around him were as
helpless as babies, they remained cool and calm. However, their smiles
couldn't hide the greed and ambition in their eyes. Lap Tak was probably the
only individual who was enjoying the dinner. Amongst the hypocrite mingling
and plastic smiles, Lap Tak immersed himself in this grown up activity. Ralf
wondered how he would react when he learned the truth when he grew up. Would
he change as well like these other fools? And what of Ralf? Were his reasons
of his being here pure, or were they selfish as well?

Ralf enjoyed the soup, it was mushroom. He didn't bother with a spoon,
why would he? He just took it down from the bowl straight. The maids sent
each dish after each other and Ralf liked the steak most of all. He got his
fork and rammed it into the hunk and bit off it without even thinking.

"Mr. Ralf," Ching said in a sarcastic tone. "There are steak knives
you know..." Lap Tak laughed innocently at Ralf who was making obnoxious faces
at Ching when he wasn't looking.

The other guests merely ignored Ralf and proceeded to eat as if he
didn't exist. When desert came, it was down to business. Ching snapped his
fingers and one of his many maids brought in a briefcase with a small test tube
inside.

"Gentlemen," Ching announced. "We all know why we came here... It is
for this!"

Ralf stopped eating and glared at the briefcase intently. This, Ching
mentioned was the new 'weapon' that was so hyped. It wasn't a missile, or a
bomb, it was a drug. It wasn't a harmful drug at all. In fact it was
supposedly a cure. Long ago in the time of world war. There were numerous
researches on drugs which would enhance a soldier's fighting ability, but all
the development came up with were mind controlling drugs, and viruses. The
killers in development were so intent in making the ultimate weapon, silent and
merciless, that they never bothered to find cures. The cure was what Ching had
in his hands.

However, there were no humanitarians in that room. Ralf knew the
purpose of the cure. How typical of human greed. None of the bidders in that
room wanted to share the cure, what they wanted was power. For if one nation
had a cure for mind altering drugs, they would be free to use the drug on any
enemy without fear of retaliation. It is such an irony on how man can easily
pervert things meant for the good.

In the wrong person's hands this test tube could make dreams, wealth,
or even petty ambitions like terrorism come true.

"So what's in it for you?" The blonde waiter next to Ralf asked.

"It is for a friend..." Ralf muttered half heatedly.

"BUT... Gentlemen," Ching continued, "We seem to have a snake in the
grass in our midst. Isn't that right Mr. Lucifer?" Ching coaxed evilly as he
pointed to Ralf.

With those words, Armed guards came storming into the dining room,
ready to blow the white suited Ralf to kingdom come.

"Mr. Ralf, you must be a fool to think someone like me was unaware of
the plots of a petty mercenary like yourself. Your employer doesn't want to
bid? Then I will send back your body as a 'sorry' card. Such stupid faith you
foreigners have. You come to my home, thinking me an ignorant slob, come in
unarmed no less, and think you can take this prize away without a fight? Ho
ho..."

Ralf stood up and threw his chair back. Ready to storm his way out he
put his hands in a defensive stance in front of him. Just like Ralf, thinking
nothing of the pistols and machine guns that were pointed at him.

"To live and to die..." Ralf smiled as he tensed his forearms,
waiting, waiting for something, anything to happen that would make the
situation tip to his advantage.

"Tsk tsk," Ching said as he rocked his head. "You don't seem to
understand. You are already dead. The soup was poisoned..."

"What the..." Ralf muttered. Ralf's arm started to jerk before it
fell limp by his side. Fighting the feeling of numbness in his body, he tried
to keep himself from wobbling and hoisted himself on the chair next to him.
The five armed guards laughed to themselves and three of them even came close
to Ralf to further make fun of him.

"The moment you came in those doors, the poisoned food was waiting for
you..." Ching gloated.

"HHHUGHK!" Came a grunt from a man sitting next to Ralf and abruptly
fell into his plate of cake.

"What the HELL?!?" Ching gasped.

"Just kidding" Ralf smiled to the three armed men. Ralf lunged
forward. The goon in front of him gasped and spat blood. Ralf kicked the
goon's bloody body away from him and exposed the steak knife he never used.
Two guards were at opposite sides of the room, still unaware of what was
happening, and two were left near Ralf. One was behind him and the other to
his side. Ralf dug into his jacket pocket and exposed a champagne glass which
he had kept earlier. With that in his palm, he slapped the goon next to him,
shattering the glass and embedding shards in his face. The goon screamed in
pain, but Ralf put an end to it with a steak knife to his throat. The one
behind Ralf had a long machine gun. With that false confidence the goon cocked
it and aimed. Ralf tensed his legs and leapt, not away, but just the opposite,
he jumped towards his opponent. The odds were tipped against the goon now,
since he had no room to shoot Ralf. Ralf smiled, he cocked his hand back
slowly, and in a blur, his fist became a bullet and embedded itself deep into
the goon's chest, breaking ribs like they were made of Styrofoam. Ralf's
trained ears heard a click below him and he spun around to see the first goon
he had stabbed still moving and aiming for his chest. Ralf grabbed a stunned
businessman behind him as a human shield, and reached for some forks and knives
from the table. With those in hand, he clipped a knife between his fingers and
threw one across the table, jamming it in a customer's forehead. He threw his
human shield towards the goon who was still shooting him and at the same time
stabbed another clueless businessman repeatedly with a fork. Ralf rolled and
finished off the pinned gunman who shot at the human shield by sending two
fingers in his eyes.

"Guard the door!" Ching yelled. "Don't let him escape."

One of the remaining two gunmen shot out random fire at Ralf but hit
three stay victims as Ralf rolled across the table. Ralf grabbed a machine gun
from his roll and kept the attacker at bay. The guard by the door took careful
aim and snickered as he caught Ralf in his crosshairs.

"Would you like some champagne sir?" said a waiter next to him.

The gunman looked to the side but only saw an open palm racing towards
his field of view, smashing his nose and sending it up his brain.

"Clark!" Ralf called. "A waiter this time huh? You're just full of
surprises!" Ralf stood up from his roll and continued running around, killing
a dozen more victims and any other gunmen who made their way into the room from
the kitchen.
"Didn't recognize you..." Ralf sneered. His virgin white suit now
tainted with crimson . The true colors of a mercenary's soul.

"Hey!" Clark chuckled smugly as he put his shades on and loosened his
bowtie.

Five new gunmen came in from the main door. One got clipped by Clark
as he showed his ugly face. The bullet came and went mercilessly making the
goon's brains splatter across the floor. The second gunman rolled and hit
Clark by the leg, letting the remaining three through. The three rushed
towards Ralf. Clark was pinned down by the door. Ching was still breathing
and his son Lap Tak was clutching on to his father's leg. The customers were
dropping like flies and now only five of them were left. Ralf pointed his gun
but cursed himself when he heard the empty clicks. There was a spark and the
chandelier came falling down thanks to Clark's precise shot. The fixture got
rid of the five remaining businessmen and one of the three attacking Ralf. The
lights were out for a moment so this was their chance. Clark leapt up despite
the pain in his leg and grabbed the blinded goon by the waist. With a roar he
wrapped his arms around and twisted the goon around, smashing the goon's back
on his leg. A perfect backbreaker Clark thought as he heard the melodic crack
of bones. Before the lights went out, Ralf etched the positions of the two
remaining goons in front of him in his mind. He went for the closest one.
Ralf rushed, with his left punch leading the way, he broke ribs, in one motion
he spun around and delivered a backhand to the goon's cheek, deforming a mass
of it. Before the goon could even fall over to the side, Ralf completed the
move with an upper and shattered his jaw. The last gunman's eyes focused on
Ralf, and random fire bit into Ralf's side. Ralf grimaced in pain and rolled
under the table. With his back to the ground, he kicked upwards and tipped the
table over, giving him a barrier for the last rounds of bullets.

Ching reached for his pistol and went cautiously to the light switch.
He flicked it on and immediately scanned the room. He saw the white coat and
started firing. He hit his target squarely on the back and it fell over.

"Got you!" Ching laughed as he walked towards the white suited body.
Ching kicked the body over. To his horror, it wasn't Ralf at all who he shot.
It was the last gunman. The sweat flowed down Ching's cheeks as he heard the
cock of a hammer and the pressure of the barrel behind his head.

"Ran out of ammo?" Ralf said grimly behind Ching.

"Wait..." Ching said. "Let's make a deal... Come on, I have the
money, I will pay you double.. NO TRIPLE of what your employer did okay?
You're a mercenary right? You work for money right? Come on..." Ching
rambled.

"This is for other reasons." Ralf said in a grim tone. "You remember
Sergio?"

"Yes.. yes.. He was that mercenary too..." Ching stuttered.

"He was my father. You killed him."

"You've got to be joking... come on, it was in self defense, he was
hired to kill me. A man like me has lots of enemies you know. It wasn't
personal. You got to believe me."

"I know that." Ralf growled. "I hated him. I hated his job. The
blood he had on his hands..." <But he is still my father>, Ralf thought
<Ironic again, that this is the only way for me to avenge him.. to become as
evil and worldly as he had become.> "It is an endless chain, Ching. Revenge."

"No, don't harm my father!" came a voice from below. Lap Tak was
beating on Ralf's legs. "Why do you want to kill my dad. You're a bad man."

"Yes, you are the one who is evil!" Ching mocked. "I do not kill
people, I am only a businessman, I sell things. I only kill those who want to
kill me for their own selfish reasons. Why do you need an empty slogan to
justify your actions. It was your father who you should blame."

"My eyes, my eyes!" Tommy called out. Out of control, and afraid
Tommy waved his machine gun and started shooting random fire in all directions.

"Shit!" Alex called out in frustration and anger. "He's in shock."

"Teme... (bastard)" Clark called out. "He shouldn't have gone up to
point if we wasn't up to it. You're an idiot Alex."

"Shut up! I am in charge here" Alex yelled while rolling to dodge
Tommy's barrage of random fire.

"Fuck..." Ralf said, "At this rate, we'll be killed... Tommy!
There's noone shooting you, there are no enemies!" Ralf tried to reason to
Tommy.

It feel on deaf ears as Tommy hysterically continued to shoot.

"Fuck!" Ralf cursed again louder as he drew his Glock pistol from the
holster. "Tommy!"

There was a loud clap of thunder as Ralf's wrists shivered a bit, not
from the recoil, but from his indecisiveness. The bullet ripped through
Tommy's thigh and sent him sprawling down on the ground. Ralf prayed that
that hit would end it, but quite the contrary, Tommy drew out his uzi from his
belt and started to fire more, faster, more unpredictable, dangerously.

"Kono Bakayaro (You idiot!)" Clark yelled. "We'll all die. Looks
like Tommy's luck just ran out." Clark stood up, drew his browning and aimed
carefully for Tommy's head. "If you're gonna do something, don't do it half
assed!"

Clark fired a round, but he missed the rabid wolf that scampered and
rolled around. There was more fire from Tommy, and one slug embedded itself
into Clark's shoulder. Clark let out a grimacing yell and fell to the bushes.

"Clark!" Ralf screamed. In that moment, all reason stopped, and
instinct kicked in. Ralf's hand swang like how your foot would jerk when hit
by those small rubber mallets. Two shots fired out. A precise hit, a sure
kill.

Tommy, like a deer, jerked and feel over limp.

..

"Shut up!" Ralf yelled as he kicked Lap Tak aside and grabbed a
fistful of Ching's hair. Ralf shoved his pistol head into Ching's mouth.
"Blow it!" Ralf roared. "You slime! I hate you...."

Saliva slid down the barrel as Ching started to choke and his teeth
chattered on the black steel in his fright.

"This is for Sergio." Ralf whispered...

"No...!!!" Lap Tak shouted.

"Wait... Ralf!" Clark yelled as he got up.

"My father is the best there is." Ralf said to his grade school
classmates. "He is a secret agent. Cool huh? He shoots bad guys and is a
hero."

In war when you kill someone, you're a hero... But in the peaceful
world, it doesn't work that way. Criminal or executioner, you're all
murderers.

"Dad... It's time to go home... Stop going out so late at night, mom
gets worried." Ralf called as he shook his father who was out of it, in a bar
with his buddies.

"Johnny... Mike... Where are you?" Sergio, Ralf's father mumbled
out.

Ralf was a college freshman, and the dreams of his father playing hero
were over. Ralf knew the truth. Sergio wasn't some big shot secret agent, no
James Bond, noone would make a movie or write stories about his adventures.
Sergio was a mercenary. Killing not for patriotism, glory or justice. It was
all for money. Lives meant nothing to mercenaries anymore. Blood just meant
points and points meant their paycheck. Whether they killed a drug dealer or a
nun, it was all the same.

"Don't die you idiots... Wussies..." Sergio continued to mumble.
Ralf and his mother lived in constant agony and worry whenever Sergio never
came home. To normal families it just meant that Dad was out on a night with
the boys, but to Ralf the worry wasn't confined to getting lost or a bottle, it
was the perverse overtime at work. Overtime that could mean a bullet in his
brains or dying slowly in the gutter.

His hero, Ralf's perfect vision collapsed whenever he saw Sergio this
way. HE had vowed never to become like his father. He couldn't bear the pain
he would give his loved ones. There can be no room for emotion in a mercenary,
but an individual devoid of emotion is impossible.

How things have changed since that time... When Ralf was still a
child. All broken with the truth. The knowledge and truth. His realization
of the world his father lived in.

"...and another link to the endless chain..." Ralf blew a hole through
the back of Ching's head that send chunks of head in all directions.

The silence that ensued afterwards was deafening. Clark slumped in
exhaustion on a chair. Lap Tak sobbed spastically next to his father's ground
up body and cradled it in his arms.

"FUCK!" Ralf cursed and threw the empty magazine to the floor and
loaded in a new one. He raised it and pointed it to Lap Tak.

Clark ran and kicked the gun from Ralf's grip.

"What the FUCK do you think you're doing." Clark shouted. "Have you
gone insane? The kid isn't part of the contract."

"You don't understand at all you selfish bastard!" Ralf spat back.
"All you know is deals.. and money.. and killing. You're nothing but a
butcher."

"No it's you who's trash! You're the one who gets personal vendettas
mixed up in business, and that's what fucks you up!" Clark yelled. "Remember
Alex? You were always his favorite and kept you off point. I hated him for
it, but I knew that couldn't do anything, because it was part of the business,
to send one man off for the sake of the whole platoon. If I had let it get to
me, I would be dead by now, just like how fucked up YOU are."

"Okay Clark, it's showtime." Alex called out as signaled that it was
his turn (again) to go act rooster.

Rooster is a term used back in 'Nam. It refers to the 'point man',
someone in the platoon who is sent out ahead of the rest of the group, short of
a human sacrifice, to draw out snipers, traps and mines. When the 'rooster'
would 'crow' it would mean that there were dangers up ahead. A mandatory
sacrifice for comradeship.

Clark knew he wasn't in good terms with Alex, their troupe commander.
Alex always liked Ralf the best. However, unlike Ralf who was unstable and
emotional, Clark never became bitter. He took it all in stride, and with every
time he came back alive, he saw it as a gift. A chance to prove himself. It
became a game to Clark, as to who would be the last to stand. Like a group of
moths who circle the flame. If you don't go near enough, you'll go down the
first time you pass the flame. Clark became calculating, and remorseless.

He played the game, and loved the feeling of how he could win it by the
rules. Stay alive and you win to try your luck again, but in truth, the game
was playing him.

Ralf's temples fumed and he sent his fist towards Clark's solemn face.
Clark slid his arm under Ralf's, this sent his punch off. Clark then rammed
Ralf's abdomen with his elbow and coiled his arms around Ralf's waist. With
all the strength he could muster, Clark flipped Ralf over as easily as a
cheerleader would flip a baton, and send Ralf's back dropping down to his
jagged knee. Ralf tensed and in an instant reached for his waist and grabbed
on to Clark's arm, and like a gymnast spun around avoiding the backbreaker.
Upon hitting solid ground, Ralf dug his heels deep and charged with his fist
leading, Clark followed suit, and they both hit each other's lungs, knocking
the air out if it. They both twisted simultaneously and sent a backhand to
each other's face. They wobbled for a second and dug uppercuts into each
other's stomachs. Clark wobbled back while Ralf knelt and spat blood.

Still not satisfied, Ralf charged and send a hundred fists punching up
towards Clark. Clark saw the move and countered it identically. Knuckle met
knuckle and the shattering claps resonated down their arms and bones. Still
noone gained the upper hand.

Ralf let out a yell and with that his fists burst out in flames. Clark
could hardly keep up, since the force of Ralf's punches was overwhelming, that,
couples with the flames needed his full effort to keep them at bay.

"How's THAT!" Ralf called as he kept the flames dancing on his fists.

"You know nothing but to yell and scream in your bitter world. Unlike
you, I live with the cards dealt to me. I learned from the times I was at
point. Bitterness and hate don't exist in my world. I mold it to my
advantage. You don't need to be just strong when you're at point."

Clark dealt his secret hand and increased the rhythm of his beating.
He kept up with the power of Ralf's barrage and more. His punches would keep
in pace with Ralf's, just keeping them away from hitting, but now he became
faster. For every punch Ralf would send, Clark would reply with two, and to
Ralf surprise, he couldn't counter all of Clarks hits. More and more punches
would get through his wave and hit him in the chest. One by one Clarks fists
would break through and pound Ralf's lungs. At the brink of exhaustion, Ralf
gave in and Clark ground him up, his punches lifting Ralf up an inch and then
two then three off the ground, and it ended with a full swing which sent Ralf
sprawling to the ground.

"He's just a kid, forget him. More guards are coming, lets make a
break for it." Clark said condescendingly.

Ralf stood up in frustration and wiped the blood from his chin and
lips. He switched his gaze at Lap Tak who's tears had dried up. All that was
left was hate in his eyes. Lap Tak kept the sobs in him until it hurt, but he
wouldn't cry or sniffle any more.

"So, I am the bad man huh?" Ralf whispered softly to Lap Tak, who
would not hear him. "You hate me now don't you?... Then GROW UP! And when
you do, I will be waiting for you. Then you can take your revenge..."

Clark led the way out the dining room with Ralf following suit. Lap
Tak knelt amongst the parade of dead bodies. He held his 'good', 'innocent'
father in his hands, and clenched his fists.

This is the life of a mercenary. A game. The rules are simple... To
live.. To die... The game has no end... And noone can break the rules of the
Endless Chain.

Chapter 13: Death, the ultimate high...

"Very well, but I do not want to soil my hands with your blood..."
Yagami-sama said as he pushed Iori slowly towards the 17 year old Eiji. "Saaa,
Iori {now, Iori}, kill him for me.

Eiji saw but could not believe as the 8 year old took off his cap that
exposed his maroon hair , and shredded his kimono. He wore dark purple jeans
and a black studded leather jacket. In an instant Iori burst into flames.

"Teme (bastard)... Yagami..." Eiji stuttered, but before he could
protest, Iori was a blur. Using his minute and slender body's speed to his
advantage, slithering like a greased serpent, his elbow leading the way. Eiji
totally taken by surprise, caught the elbow in the gut, and Iori followed with
his left hand. He swang his clawed hand like an uppercut and dug his fingers
into Eiji's diaphragm. Eiji tensed his gut to prevent any sort of internal
damage and quickly grabbed a hold of Iori's left wrist with his right and after
dislodging Iori's fingers, pulled the boy in and to the side, hoping to make
Iori follow through and lose balance. The 8 year old tumbled a bit and lost
his footing as Eiji pulled him in. Instinctively Eiji's left elbow came up
ready to ram Iori's unprotected nose in. Eiji hesitated and instead, spun his
hand over and instead of the elbow, let his palm grab Iori's back and with a
handful of Iori's leather jacket, followed through and let Iori pass him
harmlessly. Within a few seconds Iori regained his footing, spun around and
hopped up about a foot or two. He used his momentum to come around with a
roundhouse kick aimed for Eiji's head. Eiji ducked down, expecting the
roundhouse to pass harmlessly, but he couldn't dismiss the evil smile on Iori's
face. To Eiji's surprise, he had fallen for Iori's expected trick, and instead
of the roundhouse passing harmlessly, Iori's foot stopped right on top of
Eiji's head. Eiji, now in a kneeling position, crossed his hands over his head
as the ax kick came down. The force came as a surprise from such a small
bodied fighter, and made Eiji's elbows bend. In a flash Eiji diverted the
hacking kick to the side, and when the cross block broke, Iori's blow came down
as hard as a hammer into Eiji's collarbone. Eiji winced as the vibration
shivered down his arm, numbing it, and before anything else, Iori held his
right hand in his left and tucked it in. With his right elbow leading, Iori
drove a shoulder ram into Eiji's lungs, knocking the wind out of them, making
his head spin and his legs wobble in its squatting position like a dazed duck.

<Jesas...> Eiji cursed to himself. <I've got to get away from
here...> Yagami-sama only smiled and praised his son silently with his
menacing grin. Breaking his crossed hands, he waved to Iori with the back of
his hand like you would shoo a dog, prodding Iori to finish off the
insignificant, weak willed Eiji.

Eiji looked around with his eyeballs, to the left and right, looking
for some open avenue of escape.

"Looking to run away, Kisaragi-kun?" Yagami-sama sneered. "Did you
hear that?" He mocked again, kicking the lifeless bodies of Masa and Mikaido.
"He's going to run away.. HAHAAHAHA!"

"KONOYARO (son of a bitch)!!" Eiji roared as he sped to Iori. Iori
smiled and sent his clawed hands in defense, eagerly waiting for Eiji to
sacrifice himself in such a daring and stupid assault. Iori had his left hand
up now, and his right close to his own belly. The left hand had his index and
middle fingers poking out like the fangs of a cobra, aimed for Eiji's eyeballs,
and his right hand would be ready to finish the job by sending all four digits
through his throat.

Unlike a sprinter's dash which relies on long leaps, covering as much
distance in the air as possible, the ninja dash is firm and spends as little
time as possible in the air. It is so timed and focused that each conscious
step is measured. It is more centered on dextrosity rather than power or
speed. More like a very very fast walk, a ninja can instantaneously change
direction, and is always in control. Eiji continued, running like the wind,
yet making no sound as swift as a cat. Iori smiled and was ready. In an
instant, Eiji was directly in front of Iori, his left fist close to his lungs,
and his other hand behind him flat on his back. The rush of wind, the tensing
muscles, all the nerves in both their bodies screaming in alarm in that last
moment. It made no sound. Iori attacked... Ready to gouge Eiji's eyes out,
and his other flying up to make him suck air out his throat. Eiji's eyes slit
and when Iori hit target, he could have sworn he made it, but when he looked
all he had in his hands was Eiji's mask. Iori tensed and realized that Eiji
was already behind him, rushing for his father. Iori could not follow the
illusion, but Yagami-sama could, quite easily.

The last instant, Eiji waited for the precise moment that Iori's claws
blocked his line of vision, and for that instant, Eiji twisted his ankles and
sidestepped, right around Iori without him realizing it, and sidestepped again
, running 'through' Iori. With that sidestep into the original path the wind
which was pulled out from the sidestep was sucked back in, stilling the air and
completing the illusion. Paying no further attention to Iori, Eiji changed his
focus to Yagami-sama. From it's place behind his back, Eiji made his right
fist extend behind him like a streamer, a fist except for his ring and pinkie
which poked out like a stinger. Now that Eiji's steps were second nature, he
changed his breathing to deep rhythmic gasps drawing in energy and focusing.
The vision of Yagami-sama came closer and closer as he ran, and in the last
precise moment that Eiji knew Yagami would not dodge, he dealt out his secret
hand. Aiming for Yagami's throat, he swang his right hand like a blade, and
his last two fingers left a deep orange afterimage, a semicircular light, much
like a scythe which marked the path of his cutting fingers.

"SHI-NE!!! {DIE}" Eiji yelled, fueled with desire. His fingers
passed through Yagami's neck like a hot knife through butter, easily lopping
off his head. But there was no reaction from Yagami-sama's grim demeanor, and
to Eiji's terror, the image of Yagami-sama exploded in a swirl of sakura petals
and what was in his place was the lifeless body of Masa. Eiji stopped, as
blood from Masa's neck splashed across his face, drenching his hair, making it
sticky and caking it.

"MASA!!!!" Eiji screamed...

Laughter followed from behind him, and as Eiji turned, Yagami-sama
pinched the back of Eiji's neck, numbing his spine. Eiji could only watch as
Yagami-sama put his palms forward and started to trace circles in the air, big
circles with his right palm and a small one with his left, ever so often
switching from big and small left and right. The circular space in front of
Yagami warped and Eiji felt himself being thrown back, before Eiji could
comprehend the damage capable of Yagami's pressure barrier, he was hurled back
into the concrete wall. A stencil of Eiji's limp body started to crack and
form on the wall, pushing him further and further in. Yagami-sama abruptly
stopped the motion and as suddenly as it happened, the pressure in the air
equalized and the crater in the wall exploded flinging Eiji onto the ground
like a rag doll.

Yagami made one final sign to Iori to finish the job. Eiji tried to
haul himself up, using his arms to move. He reached in front of him, and in
his hands he felt cloth, the cloth Mikaido's ninja mask. As Eiji pulled the
mask towards him, he could remember Mikaido's works. For him to go on, to
flee, escape from this life. The image faded and when Eiji focused again he
could only see Mikaido's corpse.

Eiji looked up and Iori was slowly making his way to Eiji. Determined
not to take death like a dog, with his belly on the ground, Eiji hoisted
himself up with what strength he had left. It was either him or Iori, it had
boiled down to that. He had to get away, forsake his friends' bodies, and
somehow, someday take his revenge. With a smile, Eiji donned Mikaido's mask,
which only covered the lower section of his face. Iori stopped and let his
opponent get a few more moments to regain his stance.

Eiji let his mind wander off, Like a lamb ready for the slaughter Iori
thought. In a slouch Eiji let his eyebrows lose its tension. He ran his
fingers through his blood-soaked hair pulling it back, and slowly the front of
his hair stood up spiked from the bloody slick back. The warm crimson ran down
his cheeks like tears and yet Eiji didn't close his eyes. The ninja put his
open palms to his side and stood straight, leaving his body open to any attack.

The spiked hair was Masa's strength, the open cut ninja mask by the
hair was Mikaido's sign and Eiji Kisaragi cast all his faith into the wind. A
futile defense, Iori examined, hit him anywhere and he would go down for
sure... The other ninja archers could not see it, but Yagami-sama could. A
soft yellow glow enveloped Eiji. Trapped in a state between death and life,
all the world seemed to fall silent and he could hear the wind and the
whistling of the trees perfectly. Yagami-sama was taken aback for a while and
quickly snapped...

"Iori!! FINISH HIM NOW!!!!" Yagami-sama yelled.

Iori moved instantly, rushing towards Eiji like an arrow, ready to pull
his heart out. There was an explosion of blood and Iori poked his fingers into
Eiji's chest. To Iori's horror, he couldn't feel a heartbeat.

"O..Ottt.. To.. Otosan.. (f..father)" Iori stuttered in confusion
and fright.

Doubt. Faith...

Once you remove all doubt from yourself, then your opponents' will
increase by a hundredfold. When you conquer doubt in your abilities, then you
can conquer even death.

Eiji's lifeless body glowed even brighter to Yagami-sama's eyes, and
eventhough he was supposed to be dead, Eiji raised his right palm and placed it
firmly onto Iori's shoulder. Blood flowed from Eiji's mouth and the murmurs
which were once indecipherable became clearer, the voice was not only Eiji's
but of Masa and Mikaido's as well.

Yagami-sama looked on, as specters of Mikaido and Masa floated and
merged into Eiji's corpse.

Is the true power, the greatest power in the world... death?

"Ki... koh.... HO!!!" Eiji bellowed.

A soft light started to glow from the ninja's hand, and in a moment, it
flashed sharply. Sending the light through Iori's shoulder. Iori flew back
all the way into the wall and skidded down like a sack of potatoes.

Eiji turned back menacingly to Yagami-sama, who was more infuriated
rather than scared.

"Let him... go..." Masa and Mikaido's voices slurred from Eiji's
blood-filled mouth when Eiji was only a foot away from Yagami-sama. Eiji
focused all his attention into Yagami-sama's midsection. The surrounding world
went black, leaving Eiji and Yagami-sama alone to Eiji's perspective. Eiji
focused more on the point in Yagami's chest until Yagami's body blurred and
before Yagami-sama could do anything in retaliation, Eiji started to walk
closer, leaving a trail of afterimages, specters of himself behind him. Like a
ghost, Eiji walked through Yagami-sama. The ninja archers broke from their
cocked stances, and Iori as well, tried to stay awake to witness the event that
was unfolding in front of him. An arrow raced past Yagami-sama's cheek and was
headed to the back of Eiji's neck. It stopped in midair, and fell to the
ground in two pieces, split through the center of the arrowhead. Eiji's last
two fingers floated in the air.

"I want Masa and Mikaido's bodies.." Eiji's own voice moaned.

"I killed them and they belong to me, you will owe me a favour then,"
Yagami-sama said to the specter.

"So be it..." Eiji said.

The ninja walked over to Masa and Mikaido's body and slung them both on
his shoulders effortlessly. Without a word, the ninja marched slowly to the
wall and as the last of his body phased through the wall a swirl of sakura
petals came pinwheeling from the wall.

EPILOGUE:

A few miles from Yagami palace, the 17 year old ninja knelt down.
Something in his dead chest started to move. One beat and two, in no time his
heart was pumping again, the colour came back to his cheeks, and his eyes
started to dilate normally now. Still unsure of what just happened, Eiji
looked at the dead bodies of Masa and Mikaido, his fallen comrades.

"KUSANAGI!!!!!!" Eiji Bellowed in the bamboo forest and collapsed on
their bodies, beating their chests, as hard as he could, he tried to breathe in
their mouths, his mind void of any rational thought. With enough faith maybe
he could bring them back to life.

"BAKAYARO!! BAKAYARO!! (idiots!)" Eiji yelled to their lifeless
bodies. The events that came moments ago came back to him. He wanted the
power, once again to make them live. Eiji yelled louder and louder... hoping,
praying, but noone listened, noone answered. Eiji dug his fingers into the
soil till they bled. After an hour, he slumped back onto a bamboo tree and put
his face in his hands.

"Kusa...na..gi...." Eiji whispered...

With a stern look, Eiji held his katana (sword) in his hand and slung
it on his back. He put his comrades' bodies on his shoulders. His knees
wobbled but he trodded on.

<To Kusanagi palace. > He called silently. The guards thought they
had seen a ghost as Eiji appeared, wet with blood, looking like Masa and
Mikaido because of his mask and hair, with the two bodies on him. The guards
fled in horror, and the few who dared oppose his fury fell to his blade. The
power was slowly flowing through him once again. The faint yellow glow, now
more radiant and visible to even normal folk made him look like an angel, or
death.

Masa was behind him in a piggy back and Mikaido was over his left
shoulder. Eiji, Masa, and Mikaido, all three were together for their
vengeance, to seal the game and pay Kusanagi back for the bad hand they were
dealt.

The fiercest of the Kusanagi Ninja were stationed outside the sleeping
quarters of Yoshiki Kusanagi, and this was where Eiji's battle truly began.
The beat of his heart slowed down and his eyes became pupiless. Two ninja
came. running down the tall marble stairs. As if Eiji had nothing on his
back, he sped up to meet them half way. The two ninja jumped in the air and
Eiji followed suit. Before either of the two defenders could aim, Eiji's sword
was out its sheath. In a blinding slash the ninja on the left took the slice
by the eyes, and his head split in two. Eiji's blade freed the other's head
from his shoulders.

Five now. The first lead the way and the rest followed behind. Quick
to the attack, the leading katana (sword) tore through Eiji's side, but it was
futile as Eiji merely let his ring finger and pinkie slide on the ninja's face.

That was the last thing that entered that ninja's mind. Fear overcame the
final four. Echoes of 'he can't die,' and 'we won't make it' passed through
them. The doubt that clouded their focus. Which came as their downfall.

The alarm sounded and the rest of the ninja concentrated to defend
Yoshiki Kusanagi's room, but if they wanted Eiji, they would have to wait
another eternity because Eiji headed for Kaori Kusanagi's room instead.

With tears in her eyes, those of joy, Kaori held his lover's cheeks,
pulled him close and kissed him. It was a silent pact.

Kyo Kusanagi, 6 years old. Looked in awe at his cousin, kissing at
what he thought for sure was a ghost.

Eiji had come back for the prize he was cheated of. The glow became
brighter and faded. Eiji, Masa, Mikaido and Kaori were gone. Thus their
revenge was completed, if at least one of the trio was happy...

Chapter 14: La Bizarre love pentagon

With a skip of glee, Yuri waltzed through the doors of La Bijoux, Her
place of employment, King's jazz club. It was around 1:30 PM, too early for
Yuri to check into work, but today was a half day at school for her. She was
usually at work past 4:00, ready to open the pub, at the earliest, 6:00 or
maybe on Mondays, 8:00. <What the Heck...> She thought. With an early start,
maybe she could take it easy, or better yet, beat Robert to the dressing room.

Yuri jingled the keyring in her brown schoolbag that hung over her
shoulders until she found the correct doorkey and went into La Bijoux. the
chairs were still upside down on the tables. This was a good sign. She
proceeded to head for the den...

Upon entering, Yuri quickly put her back to the door and closed it
shut. She then proceeded to open the cabinets and looked behind the couch, to
any nook and cranny Robert Garcia may be hiding. With no sign of that pervert,
Yuri finally put her mind at ease. Maybe this was her lucky day. Without
another thought, Yuri set her bag on the coat rack and threw her brown blazer
on the couch and proceeded to pull down her skirt. Yuri went over to the
closet, opened it and looked into the 6 foot mirror on the closet door. She
gave a little smile and ran her hand through her hair before unbuttoning her
blouse. She felt a slight cramp bellow her belly all of a sudden, and decided
to take a leak. Yuri casually walked over to the bathroom and opened the door.

Lo and behold, when Yuri entered the bathroom, there was Robert,
sitting calmly on the toilet seat, pants down, split legged, reading an old
issue of Newtype. Sensing the sudden change of atmosphere, Robert slowly
looked up from his reading. Yuri, front open and skirtless; and Robert, with
his pants down, stared at each other, their brains trying to digest the
inconceivable scene.

A few seconds passed...

"Hentai!! (pervert)", They both screamed in unison.

Yuri stormed out of the bathroom, and Robert instinctively covered his
privates with the magazine.

Yuri went to the couch, grabbed her skirt , and went for the exit of
the den. Robert came out of the bathroom, now with pants on in pursuit.

"What the hell is..." Robert started, but was muffled by a near
endless barrage of throw pillows.

Yuri blushed furiously and ran out to take refuge behind the bar.

When finally safe, Yuri's hands went on auto-mode; buttoned up her
blouse, pulled up her skirt, put a headband on, and armed herself with a slew
of steak knives, ready to make Robert a pincushion if he dared show his
perverted face.

Then something caught Yuri's eye as she scanned the long bar table in
front of her. It was an open envelope, and a letter. Being as curious as a
cat, Yuri picked up the letter and envelope. It was from King's father.
Before her mind and conscience could tell her that what she was doing was
rather rude, she was hopelessly lost. Yuri's eyes widened and she couldn't
stop reading. Never mind, someone else played conscience for her.

"Is that for you!?" Boomed a voice as Yuri was halfway into King's
letter.

Yuri was so engrossed with the letter that she didn't notice Robert
step into the main bar area, and a jingle of steak knives chimed as Yuri
dropped them all in surprise.

"I... I..." Yuri stammered, losing her train of thought.

"You're early!" Robert immediately cut in, taking advantage of the
fact that Yuri had momentarily forgotten what just happened.

"Half.. Half day..." Yuri spat out. "I was... out early today."
She said erratically as she desperately tried to put the letter back the way
she found it.

Robert grinned a little. The red on Yuri's cheeks started to glow and
she broke into a cold sweat...

"Uh... You won't tell King about this.." Yuri said, her tone lost
between a command, a question, and a request.

Robert grinned again, closed his eyes and slapped his forehead. "Come
on, let's fight." He said.

"Eh?!?" Yuri replied in some strange, awkward, but obviously confused
tone.

"Upstairs. The gym." Robert called. Use one of King's leotards...
Let's spar."

The confused Yuri merely nodded like a zombie and went to the den to
change. Before Yuri collected her senses, a black and gray leotard was already
in her hands. She let out a heavy breath and put it on.

King's gym was on the second floor of La Bijoux; not the stairs
leading up to King's bedroom, but the revolving staircase in the den. the gym
had an 'all in one', one of those exercise contraptions you see on the home
shopping network out on one corner, and pads scattered all over the floor. The
walls were just mirrors and Robert didn't bother to pull down the padding for
the walls that would come down like venetian blinds.

"Robert-san!" Yuri called from the bottom of the staircase.

"Up here; You don't have anything to do anyway." Robert answered.

Robert was wearing a white tank top and gray sweatshorts; By the time
Yuri was up the stairs, he was already putting on his sparring stuff. The gear
consisted of gloves which covered your knuckles and the side of your palm with
padding, as well as elbow guards, knee pads, and shin guards. Garcia put on
some padded shoes as well. Robert pointed to the lockers, and Yuri proceeded
to put on some of the gear as well.

"You want to put on _body_ armour as well?" Robert asked.

"No, I think you can keep your hands off where they don't belong..."
Yuri answered sarcastically.

"Okay, okay!" Robert called as he slapped his palms together. "Let's
do it!" and he went into a stance with his fists up.

"Are you sure? We might wake up King-san..." Yuri said, "We have to
set up soon as well..." She tried to think up excuses not to go on.

Robert only flashed a reassuring smile. Ryo Sakazaki, his best friend,
was Yuri's overprotective brother, and what Ryo hated most was to see Yuri do
any fighting. As expected, Yuri loved to fight, and it was like cutting school
or underage drinking for her; gives her a sense of thrill. With one last wave
of guilt, she asked Robert if it was okay.

Garcia knew the answer she was waiting for. "I won't tell your
brother," He said. With that, Yuri gave a big smile and answered by putting
her fists up.

What time is it?... 1:45 PM?? King, hardly the early bird, couldn't
tell. Her long sleeved white shirt was open, and from the waist down, she was
covered under her white sheets. It was quite a surprise she was up this early.

Chances are, she hardly had any sleep last night. It wasn't the fatiguing
work, but because of something more sobering.

"'To-san... (father)" King whispered to herself in her sitting
position.

King brushed away her hair from the front of her face, but it flopped
back down to her frowning face. She looked to the side and saw a stray pack of
Marlboros a maroon haired, seemingly belligerent Japanese left behind. Today
must have been "What the heck" day. King fumbled through her drawers until she
found a lighter. King pulled out a cigarette out and lit it. She sucked on it
slowly, nothing happened, but as she tried to breathe normally again, her lungs
gave in and she coughed up a storm.

"K'soo... (damn it)" She said. "How can they stand these."

The pack of Marlboros came flying into the trash can, and King tried to
clear her lungs and wipe the sweat off her brows with the sheets.

"K'soo... (damn it)." She said again, trying to clear her throat, to
purge the bad taste from her mouth.

Yuri kept a steady beat, pacing her attacks as not to tire herself too
quickly. She let go a quick jab to Robert's face, then a full swing, a usual
pattern, and Robert turned his face to the side for the jab and heaved his
upper torso to dodge the swing. Although it was a predictable routine, it was
a good one since it kept her opponent at bay and didn't leave her defense open.

High-lows. When Yuri's full swing missed, she was quick to step back and
target Robert's belly. Robert sent his palm down and slapped the jab off.
Yuri broke the routine and suddenly attacked with a quick kick to Robert's shin
guard. Robert was taken aback and withdrew his shin. Garcia watched Yuri's
feet, expecting her to attack with a quick kick to his face now, akin to his
own patented high-low lightning kick. instead, Yuri used the momentum of her
dropping kick to lever her upper body and swing a left hook to Robert's cheek.
The padding dulled any sort of pain, but Robert still recoiled from the punch.
A split second later as he looked back, Yuri spun all the way around, nailing a
clear hit at Robert's belly under his high block with her turning kick.

Yuri kept her foot there for a moment, then slowly she withdrew her
leg, keeping it bent and let it hang in the air; for dramatic effect ofcourse.

She kept her eyes locked to Robert's... Waiting. Garcia gave a nod and a
cheerful look, acknowledging the clean score. Yuri smiled and relaxed from her
"Chun Li" stance, elated and full of glee.

"Ya Ta Ze! (all right)" Yuri cheered. A great finish to a long
fifteen minute routine.

Yuri let out a breath she had been holding because of the balancing
stance, and let her bottom come crashing down to the floor. She lied back and
spread her arms wide, taking long deep breaths. She looked to the side and
smiled to her mirror image in congratulations, then let her line of vision go
up to the ceiling. Yuri closed her eyes and just wanted to stay that way
forever.

"Uz." Yuri heard a grunt from Robert.

Yuri opened her eyes and saw Robert, in a squat next to her, offering a
white towel. She hoisted herself up in a sitting position with her feet wide
and scrubbed her face furiously with the towel. by this time, Yuri's breathing
had slowed down and normalized. She ran her towel down her neck, wiped her
beading sweat that ran down her heaving chest and finished off her damp arms.
Yuri was letting some air between her leotard and shirt when she heard Robert
again. When she looked up, Robert was bending down with a tall icy glass in
his hand.

"Lemonade?" Robert offered... "No vodka." He was quick to add,
reassuring the paranoid Yuri that it was clean.

Whether or not it was spiked, Yuri couldn't care less, for a nice tall
cold glass of anything was what she wanted right now. With no argument, Yuri
hosed the Lemonade down in an instant, showing no mercy, even sucked on the
cubes of ice. She finally remembered to continue to breathe when she was sure
that she had left the glass void of even a drop of lemonade. In front of her,
Robert stood up and took off his tank top, making beads of sweat bounce of his
firm, muscular chest. He had in his hand a large pitcher of lemonade with
squeezed halved lemons and ice cubes floating in it. Before he could even sit
himself down properly on the mats, the rim of the pitcher was already kissing
his lips, and he was chugging it down like there was no tomorrow. Yuri was
staring at the crazed Garcia as the lemonade slowly disappeared, as if there
was a hole in the pitcher. Unconsciously, Yuri didn't notice her gaze wander
off, and she was unknowingly staring at Robert's naked torso, admiring his
heaving chest. At work, Robert's purple shirt and orange vest had remarkably
hidden his <great looking body>, she mused. She was about to imagine what his
butt would look like, then suddenly snapped out of it, realizing that this was
Robert, of all people she was looking at. She decided to look up at his mug,
maybe his obnoxious face would sober her up. Robert was tired as well, no Jim
Carrey imitations here, the fatigue showed even up to his limp looking face,
that they wouldn't so much as twitch to curl into even a faint version of his
devilish grin. In some sort of way, Yuri was kind of insulted. Here she was
in a sweaty T-shirt and leotard, Robert was inches away from her; Not just
anyone, it was ROBERT we're talking about, as sober as a rock. She didn't
break her somewhat uneasy look at Robert. His hair was a mess, strands of hair
coming loose from his neat ponytail, and streaking his face. Yuri felt a blush
from her cheeks, more than just the result of the spar.

Robert suddenly opened his eyes without warning, surprised to find Yuri
staring blankly at him.

Sensing the uneasy and moreover, awkward atmosphere, Yuri quickly stood
up and bowed low.

"DOMO ARIGATO GOZAIMASU! (thank you so much)" Yuri shot out too
quickly, in gratitude of the drink Robert had unexpectedly prepared; and SHARED
with her. Afraid to look up and show her blushing face; She remained in her
bowing position.

Robert let out a chuckle, then a laugh. "Oooh... " Robert cooed.
"Ojosama (mistress) Yuri-sama is thanking meee, Robert Garcia for his
services." He said in a joking sneer.

Yuri stood up slowly, wondering if she made herself look like a fool,
and more importantly, if Robert noticed that she had accidentally 'looked him
over'.

"Ano... (Uhm...)" She mumbled, keeping her hands behind her back and
shuffling her feet.

Robert flashed his usual evil grin.

"BAKA! (jerk) HENTAI! (weirdo)" She called. Now feeling more
relieved that everything seemed back to normal.

Robert answered with a somewhat forced laugh, and slung his hand behind
his neck in embarrassment. More like a halfhearted facade than the expected
lecherous grin of malice. This worried Yuri a bit, but decided that Robert
being tired merely affected his sex crazed nature.

"How is Ryo-kun?" Robert broke the long silent tension.

"Oni-chan? (big brother)" Yuri said. "Uh, he's okay..."

"Still having trouble with him?" Robert asked.

"A bit. he's still the same... just like 'to-chan. (dad)."

"After all this time, he still doesn't want you to train?"

Yuri pouted. "Moooh! (expression of frustration) He's still as
stubborn as he always was. Chauvinistic and bossy."

Robert returned with a reassuring look. "You do know that he's only
trying to be onisan (big brother). He cares for you. He didn't even sleep
when you were in that mess. You got in trouble once already, and he just
doesn't want it to happen again...

Yuri's mind floated back to that incident in Southtown. The trouble
when she was kidnapped. Yuri thought about it, and truly she was grateful to
her brother, and to Robert for all that they had done for her. She eased her
tense shoulders and let a smile come from her face, but she was still
determined. Robert returned the smile.

"So what does he do now? Ryo I mean..." Robert changed the subject...

"Oh, he's..." Then she paused and covered her gaping mouth with her
hands. "AiYA! I forgot all about it!"

"What?! WHAT!?" Robert said in confusion.

"I've got to go."

"Go where?!?"

"I'll tell you later!" Yuri frantically answered. "I was supposed to
meet him today."

"Well you'd better wash up, he might get suspicious." Robert advised.

Yuri put down her empty glass and raced for the descending staircase.
She held onto the rails but paused before she took her first step down.

The sparring; The gentlemanly attitude; The lemonade; The talk; The
concern; and the advice.

Yuri looked back at the cross legged Robert.

"Domo... (thanks)" Yuri said with a soft look in her face, this time
the words came more sincerely. "Domo ne..."

Chapter 15: The boys always settle it after school.

"Are you going to run away again!?!" Iori Shouted a split second
before he expected to make contact. He cocked his elbow back and with a hand
in a claw, slashed at Eiji's midsection. However, Iori merely went through
Eiji as if he wasn't there and when he looked at his palms, he saw a bunch of
pink petals. Surprised, Iori skidded to a halt and looked back to find Eiji's
rear facing him, still standing erect and calm next to the streetlight.

Iori crushed the petals in his hand and burned them, leaving purple
ashes which scattered on the pavement. "Omoshiroi (interesting), this fight
might be more than I dreamed of..."

<This is going to be harder than I thought..> Eiji mused in
frustration.

"You executed that quite perfectly." Iori said.

"Thank you..." Eiji answered respectably, hoping that to be the end of
it, but it was all in vain as Iori came again, this time, from the air, his
foot leading the way. Eiji's eyebrow twitched repeatedly at Iori's stubborn
pride, and the ninja just slapped his brow as a sweatdrop dribbled down.

<It can't be helped I guess...> Eiji finally realized.

Eiji blocked the flying kick with his arm and stepped back to dull the
impact. Upon hitting the ground, both of Iori's legs shot out in the hopes of
clipping Eiji's legs. Eiji skipped up and started the execution for his
Pegasus kick, both his legs acting like jackhammers aimed for the sitting
Iori's belly. Iori rolled to the side and Eiji only kicked pavement. The
Yagami hoisted himself up with his hands and immediately Eiji was on him, his
hand on Iori's chest.

"Ki-Ko-Ho!" Eiji shouted, hoping to end the fight quickly like he once
did.

To Eiji's surprise, Iori moved blindingly fast. He dodged to the side,
twisting his hips, and letting his upper body fall to the side. Eiji's palm
flashed, and the luminous spike shot out, but hit only thin air.

"I've become better since last we met Eiji Kisaragi." Iori roared in
defiance. He dashed with a short uppercut... the DEADLY FLOWER, and Eiji
crossed his arms to cover his belly. The right fist hit but the block muffled
it. Still at it, Iori followed through with his left, aimed for Eiji's chin.
Kisaragi tilted his head back forcefully, dodging the upper cleanly. Iori
refocused his target on Eiji who was still tilted back in his dodge, and hopped
up in the air. Clasping his hands in the other, Iori delivered the finale, a
double ax handle. The double fisted smash hacked down, targeted surely for
Eiji's nose, but the hit was stolen from Iori once again as Eiji exploded into
pink sakura petals.

"But if that is your logic Iori Yagami, the same must then apply for
me...!" Eiji called from some unknown location.

Iori landed in a slump, his hands between his legs, just recovering
from his missed smash. Iori realized his demise too late as Eiji materialized
from the storm of petals behind him. A fist came swinging for Iori, with the
menacing ring finger and pinkie acting like streamers for the attack. The
orange sickle-like afterimage trailed the swing.

<Damn, it, don't just stand there...> Eiji cursed to himself.

Iori's eyes widened as he witnessed the deadly attack.

<K'soooo!!! (damn it)> Iori screamed inside.

A flash of crimson came as Eiji's fingers were only inches away from
Iori's cheek. Billy had intervened, and his Bo (stick) twirled and slammed
into Eiji's wrist in it's flight path. Eiji winced from the shock and his arm
twisted in an awkward position, forcing him to tumble to the side to prevent
his whole arm from breaking from the impact.

"What the fuck are you doing, you old fart!?!" Billy shouted, the
walkman in his other hand, standing next to the school wall. "You want to kill
him?!??"

Eiji smiled in both relief and agitation at Billy's intervention.
"Oh... So you can fight after all..." Eiji sarcastically spat at Billy.

"You son of a..." Billy came screaming, his twirling Bo (stick)
leading the way. Billy sent a barrage of bludgeon stabs towards Eiji, but the
Ninja easily dodged them like a walk in the park, tipping his body left and
right, high and low. "Give it up old man." Billy shouted.

"And YOU... You dimwitted, foreigner... (Gai Jin)" Eiji began but was
cut short...

"You shut up!" Billy cut in with a full swing of his stick.

Eiji put his arm by his side to catch the blow and braced himself. The
Bo (staff) hit squarely on his arm and Eiji skidded a few feet from the impact.

<This arm will give me trouble for the next few days> Eiji cursed to himself.

"ARRRRGGHHH!" Billy screamed as he cocked back for another swing.

"...And YOU! Can't you fight without your toy." Eiji called as he
swang out.

Two glints of light appeared and headed towards Billy. A ninja dagger,
about a foot long embedded itself into the big red stick forcefully, breaking
the flow of Billy's swing, and the other cut deep into Billy's wrist, making
him lose grip of his weapon. Billy winced in pain and gripped his wrist.

"Not only are you rash, you're dumb as well." Eiji spat. He put his
hands in the air and clasped one hand in the other, his fists were in a double
ax handle like Iori's but Eiji's index fingers and middle fingers were exposed,
like a child's 'toy gun'. Eiji swung down, the attack a more powerful version
of his pinkie and ring finger slash.

"Kasunigiri!" came a quick mantra, and a vertical deathscythe came
arcing down after the double handed slash. Billy looked in horror at his
impending doom, and all he could do was close his eyes and hold his breath.

There was a slap, and Iori stood calm and emotionless next to Eiji, his
hand, gripped firmly at Eiji's shaking wrist, stopping the downward slash.
There was a shadow made from his long bangs that made Iori menacing and
deathly, but unlike the rash fool he was earlier, he was still now.

"You've changed... Are you really Eiji Kisaragi? The man who gave up
Ninjitsu?" Iori moaned.

Eiji's eyes widened, and he broke from his sudden haze. Eiji put his
hand over his brow to cool his temper and looked up to Iori... <..and so have
you... Iori...> I am sure Eiji wanted to say at that time.

"How easily you give in to your short temper..." Iori reminded as he
walked away and reached for his folder, and plucked his walkman from Billy's
still awe struck state. Iori started to chuckle. "Kaoiri Kusanagi... You are
good, Eiji, good enough to be my bodyguard, quite a shame you were broken by a
woman."

"Te-me!!! (bastard!!)" Eiji retaliated, clenching his fist a but
immediately calming down, realizing he had just lost his temper again, falling
to Iori's play once again. "You wouldn't understand... You're as cold as a
dead fish, Iori."

"Me?" Iori started to chuckle wildly. "I am being lectured by some
old goat who doesn't fight anymore because his wife died. What a weakling you
are, Eiji. Such a waste of your fighting ability."

"Don't you dare talk about Kaori like that." Eiji said a little more
forcefully.

"Maa na.. (oh well, -or- whatever)" Iori said to empty air as he
turned around to walk away. "At least you proved that you could still fight.
You belong to me now."

"You bastard, I don't have to go through this... It's for..." Eiji
forced himself to slow down again and took a few seconds to calm down. "Look,"

He said coolly now. "You've got your reasons and so do I. I just can't
understand why you still act like this... cold and uncaring. You probably
don't know what it means to love another person.. to have friends!"

"You ask me why I am so cold? Why I do not believe in affection and
love?" Iori said to Eiji in a sad stern voice. "It is because I never had any
friends. Friends are only for the weak. In this life you only care for
yourself... Noone else! Why direct your dreams upon someone else!?!"

The clock rang three bongs and a chime. It was 3:15. The wind blew in
their eyes, but they didn't even blink, and Iori turned around saving Miyuki
from seeing his true self. Sparing her from seeing the hate in him, A child
should never see a fight.

"Be strong, my father said, and with that, he took all my friends
away..." Iori picked up his leather folder and walked back towards home,
leaving an unmoving Eiji and clueless Billy, with their backs to the sunset.

"Hell, did you go and fight me just to give me some lecture, you fresh
brat.!?" Eiji called out.

"One... You can fight..." Iori mumbled out loud to the lackeys behind
him. "Two... To test if you really can break your vows of non violence for
real... And three... to prove to each other that we are not the same people
we used to be..."

The school doors opened and the children came out to go home. Ignorant
of what just happened, they went their separate ways, shouting their good-byes
and see-you-tomorrows. Miyuki called out to Iori Sensei chan, but he didn't
want to hear.

"Jaaaaaa neeeeee!!!! (bye) Iori Sensei CHAN!" Miyuki called. Iori
stopped for a moment and stood up straight. Miyuki smiled, and Iori slouched
and was on his way home again.

"Humph! Now I have to stay next to a hypocrite 'peaceful' old fart who
has a temper of a horny dog." Billy scowled with his arms crossed next to
Eiji.

"And YOU, are an imbecile who can't fight like a man." Eiji returned
looking away snobbishly.

"I don't like you, you rotten old smelly cheese." Billy sneered.

"And I am not too fond of YOU either..."

"Oh yeah..."

The two bickered on so loud that Iori could hear it as he walked down
the steep road. A sweatdrop trickled down Iori's temple and he only dug his
hands deeper in his pockets and shriveled up to himself like it was the dead of
winter. <Fools, surrounded by fools...>

Back outside the school, superdeformed Eiji was throwing rubbish bins
at Billy who was busily swatting them aside with his stick.

"Take this...!!!"

"Oh yeah..."

EPILOGUE:

Iori walked down the hill and as the afternoon sun set, the shadows
grew longer. Next to the telephone pole stood a figure, hidden by the dark.
He stood up from his leaning position and exposed part of his face into the
light.

"Iori.. Yagami..." Kyo Kusanagi whispered to himself. Kyo crumpled
the piece of paper in his hand that had the name of his father's assassin.

Chapter 16: Aniki ano baka...

<I'm gonna be late. I'm Gonna be late.> Yuri's mind frantically
thought. She let the water beat down, to get the soap off her eyes.

Yuri almost fell over when she tried to jump out of the bathtub and
felt for a towel. Each of her hands moved independently of the other. Yuri's
left arm wiped her body dry and the right blow-dried her short brown hair.
Once she was dry, Yuri pulled up her panties, strapped on her bra, then
rummaged through her bag. She was out of the bathroom in a flash, buttoning
her tattered jean shorts which were cut off just above her knees, and wore a
brown leather jacket over a pink T-shirt.

From the den, she headed off to the exit, expecting the cab she called
earlier to be there by now to take her to little America stadium.

"Robert-san!" She called to Robert who was sitting at the bar with a
fresh new shirt. "Cover me, I'll be back as soon as Aniki (big brother)'s game
is over. Tell King, okay?"

Robert's face hardly moved, and he just followed Yuri with his
eyeballs. He put his new pitcher of lemonade down and signaled a short wave.

"Thank you!" Yuri called. "I'll owe you one."

Robert broke from his pool of thought and swiveled on his barstool.
With another flash of his palm he said "Good-bye..." and "Be back soon..."

"I think I need to get your advice when you get back." He replied.

And with that, Yuri was off to Ryo's game, hoping she wouldn't be late.

It was a terribly slow day for Billy, and so he decided to take some
time off of the day to relax. He doubted that he was crucially needed at the
kindergarten to play bodyguard to Iori Yagami against a bunch of tykes. Billy
had his feet up on the chair in front of him and was munching on some popcorn,
waiting for the football game to start. Today's game was USA versus Mexico,
and Billy wanted to see what this 'football' was all about, and also, what was
so hot about the local USA team. Billy just needed some time alone for a
change, away from Iori who he just couldn't understand, and the bossy Eiji who
plain just got to his nerves. To top the whole thing off, Hopper, one of
Geese's more prominent goons had met with him earlier... Billy tightened his
British flag bandanna and popped another kernel of pop corn into his mouth. He
wasn't going to ruin his afternoon by thinking of those stuck up pair and
bother himself with the politics of his mission, conveniently reminded to him
by Hopper. Billy decided to just settle down and watch senseless violence
present itself as sport. Luck was never on Billy Cane's side. The next
moment, two towering blacks lumbered to the seats in front of him. One had a
phoenix suns jacket, shorts, and cap on; The other sported a mohawk hairdo,
and had a black jean jacket on. The distinguishing factor in the second one
were his bandaged arms which came from his fists all the way to his elbow.

"Hey man, move them feet will ya." The first called and swatted
Billy's feet of their perch on the chair.

the second man merely grinned, crossed his hands and sat down next to
his companion. Billy's face fumed in anger for they took him too lightly,
something Billy can never stand.

Yuri tried to convince the security guard in front of her that she
really WAS Sakazaki, Yuri Sakazaki, and that the letter in her hands was really
from the coach of the Mexico Hombres. Still the guard regarded her as some
groupie wanting to get into the Hombre's locker room. At the edge of patience
(and scared that her brother might become furious at her tardiness), Yuri was
about to shout out when coach came to her rescue.

"Hey, Matt," the silver haired, muscled coach said as he patted the
security guard on the shoulder. "It's okay, that's her."

Matt nodded and quickly apologized to Yuri, <Ryo's sister>, Matt
thought. he slumped humbly and shook her hand, telling her that if anyone
gives her trouble, to just call and he'd take care of it. Yuri couldn't help
but turn her nose up snobbishly, but the bravado turned to giggles as Matt put
his index fingers together in shame. It was okay, no hard feelings.

Coach was probably in his forties, but his build made you think twice.
He rubbed his nose and gray mustache. Coach parted and went off to get a
drink, saying that Ryo was waiting in the Visitor's locker room, through the
tunnel and across the football field.

Yuri walked past the home team's locker room and the next character she
met was not as appealing. A bulky gorilla came lumbering to her. An ugly
football player, full on with armour tucked under his blue uniform. Yuri
cringed as she saw the sight and quickly tried to find some avenue of escape.
She was in the dimly lit tunnel under the seats above, the only way out was
into the locker room or to double back and flee.

"Hey babe!" Brian groaned, a voice that sounded like a drunken ogre.

Brian Battler came next to Yuri and it forced her to retreat to the
tunnel wall. Brian put his hand on the wall and leaned. He flashed a smile.
Yuri put up a sour look when Brian showed his filthy yellowed teeth. His
breath alone could've downed an ox.

"Hey, doll, you goin' my way?" Brian slurred.

Yuri almost puked at the cheesy line. She never ever imagined, even in
her most terrible nightmares that buffoons like these still existed. Yuri just
gave an upset look.

"Hey dickbrain..." She spat. "I've got no more time for this."

Battler couldn't imagine how his 'macho charm' could falter, so he
tried a more direct approach.

Brian put his left hand on Yuri's shoulder and stroked his right on
Yuri's hip.

"Come on, you don't have to play hard to get." Brian cooed.

Yuri's skin crawled at his touch. She would rather a hoard of greasy
tentacles reach out for her. Instinctively, Yuri put up her stance, and
instead of the conventional slap, she cocked her fist. Brian's eyes widened in
surprise and smiled obnoxiously. He closed his eyes and slipped his index
finger under the grille of his football helmet, poking his cheek.

"Cuum on, cuum on..." He mocked obnoxiously. "Punch widdle; poor
widdle me, raaayyt heeer..."

Yuri fumed and tightened her fist.

"WHHUUURRYYAAA!!" came a thundering bellow.

A fist came thrashing in like a juggernaught, the taunt knuckles
obliterated the side of Brian Battler's Helmet, which sent the obnoxiously
fresh orangutan tumbling to the end of the tunnel.

Yuri's eyes popped out in surprise, and she slowly let her still cocked
fist drop. She looked the other way, towards the opening of the tunnel, to the
field. The sunlight silhouetted the ominous figure who stood next to her. It
took her a few moments to get a good look as the light shifted.

"Onichan! (big brother)" Yuri cheered.

True enough, it was her brother, Ryo Sakazaki. His face was flushed
red in anger, and the black stripes under his eyes made him more menacing.
Yuri turned a concerned look at her brother's hand which was still in a tight
fist, and trembling with tension. The fist was bleeding terribly, so Yuri
fumbled for her handkerchief. The wound was bad, but it was nothing compared
to Brian's shattered helmet, it's side wide open. If that was his skull, he'd
have been a goner for sure.

"You fucking pig!!!" Ryo growled. "If you so much as lay a hand, no,
A FINGER on my sister again, I swear, I'll KILL YOU!" Ryo's voice unstable and
booming.

The veins on Ryo's temples pumped savagely, and it took five minutes or
more, and all of Yuri's strength and diplomacy to convince Ryo to tun around
and lead him back to the Hombre's locker room.

The football game had hardly begun, but the two black men in front of
Billy were already shouting, cursing and making obnoxious remarks and sounds.
The mohawked boxer was yelling and booing while the basketball player, with a
ball in hand, was jumping up and down like a crazed frog. The two effectively
ruined Billy's view who was trying to sit calmly behind them. Billy's eyebrows
twitched erratically. He tried to keep calm 'lest his blood pressure soar
through his skull. Billy kept his arms crossed, but couldn't help but bang his
crossed legs as he slung them once again onto the seats in front of him. The
two black men, Lucky Glauber and Heavy D., immediately stopped their exhibition
and turned around to face the enraged Billy who couldn't hide his furious
visage. Billy kept silent, not wanting to get into any more trouble.

"Hey man, wuss your fickin' problem?!" Lucky exclaimed, thrashing a
fist out, with the thumb, index and pinkey fingers poking out.

"Yeah, fool!" Heavy D., the boxer was quick to follow, an evil eye
gleaming.

Billy had already gotten himself into trouble, so he followed suit. On
instinct, Billy darted to a stand. His eyebrows met and he tried to end the
whole skirmish with a menacing stare. It wasn't that easy. The boxer matched
the look. The crowd was smarter, audience within a 10 seat radius decided to
"relocate for a better view".

"So, you bad eh?" The boxer teased. "You a bad mother now eh?"

Heavy D. started poking Billy in the shoulder, teasing him
incessantly, all the while hurtling racial slurs his way.

Billy's shoulders shook, not from the pokes, but from the anger boiling
in him. his eyes bore into the boxer, and the foolish Heavy D. put on the
pressure, the pokes turning into slaps with his open bandages palms.

Flashes; Shots; Memories flooded Billy's thoughts, of an earlier
time. Billy slowly recalled his torn childhood. A rich, filthy pedophile
poking him like a dog and slapping him on the cheeks and shoulders. The
younger Billy only whimpered, like a faked orgasm, pleasing the bloated
pervert.

"Sit down, fool!" The boxer exclaimed, and with one last forceful
heave with both palms, Billy sailed back to his seat.

That was the last straw, all the wrong buttons were pushed. A horrible
vision revealed itself in Billy's mind. It was a haze of red as he saw
numerous lecherous faces push him face first onto the filthy mattress. A
younger Billy felt hands pushing him down, mushing his face into the cushion,
and finally, a familiar zip and jingle as his abuser's pants came free.

A little more and Billy would've been sweating blood. He had just used
up all his patience with the boxer, and like a viper, reached for his holster
which was just above his butt. He unbuttoned it and felt for his Bo (Staff).
The smooth pole felt good to the touch.. reassuring to Billy. Faster than a
mousetrap, a hand gripped his wrist. Billy spun around to see Eiji sitting
behind him, holding fast onto his wrist. Eiji was wearing a white hockey mask,
but the 'rooster' spikes of hair on his head was still sticking out. Making
his head look like a white pineapple.

"No, Billy." Eiji said firmly, his eyes projected an imposing stare.

"Eiji... Teme... (bastard)" Billy snarled.

"Let it go, it's not worth it."

"Fuck you coward!" Billy came back. He swiveled his wrist and hand,
and not expecting such a dexterous feat from , of all people, Billy, Eiji
didn't see him twirl his hand, and reverse the hold. Now Billy was gripping
Eiji's wrist. Billy squeezed hard and pulled the ninja close. "If you want to
run away, FINE! Just stay out of my way!"

Eiji's eyes turned from a glare to a look of awe. "You're... Hurting
me..." Eiji said calmly.

"Hey, faggot!" Heavy D. stepped in. "You look at m..."

He couldn't finish his sentence. In a fit of rage, Billy gripped his
staff with his right hand, and with a flick of his wrist, the three piece stick
was stiff and whole. Billy sent his elbow up and cocked back in a hacking
stance. Without any more thought, he sent the Bo (staff) hurtling down like a
sledgehammer into Heavy D.'s collar bone. The fool winced in pain and his
incoming insults slurred as he felt half of his body fall numb. Still he
gargled to speak...

"SHUT UP!" Billy roared as he twisted his body like a corkscrew, as
far as it would go. He swang his weapon like a baseball bat, and his sheer
fury was reflected in the awkward and tense curves and position of his mouth
and lips. Frowning, puckered, and gritting all at once.

Billy's weapon hit the side of the boxer's jaw, twisting his face in a
deformed stare. Billy's victim flew headlong into a garbage can not so far
away. Heavy D. was foaming and in dreamland before he even hit the concrete.

"Hey man, it's cool..." The ball player, Lucky, frantically stuttered.

"It was just a joke... I got no weapons, man, it 'aint fair...."

"Fuck you.." Billy uttered bluntly as he threw his staff straight as a
spear to Lucky's right wrist, making him lose grip of the basketball. Lucky
broke into a cold sweat, evidently losing his ace in the hole.

"B...Brian'll get you." Lucky stammered.

As if on cue, Brian Battler, superstar of the USA jaguars went flying
into the air. The spectators gazed in awe at the ogre who was floating 10 feet
in the air with his uniform torn, showing a shattered shoulder pad. Below him
was Ryo Sakazaki's fist; and down went Battler like a 'falling star' should.
At the bench, the coach for the Mex Hombres bit his cap and threw it to his
feet in frustration. Surely there was going to be some sort of penalty for
this, but it was quite a sight to see Ryo Sakazaki walk slowly towards the
endzone, with the rest of the jaguars steering clear from the raging bull. It
was a ridiculous touchdown.

"Your... Your sister..." the battered Brian convulsed on the ground,
trying to remember the insult he foolishly began to fling at Ryo Sakazaki.

The terrified Lucky stood unmoving as the overalled madman approached
him. Billy calmly put his palm on Lucky's chin and squeezed his cheeks
together, making the ball player pucker up before Billy sent a devastating
right hook crash. Before Lucky could topple over, Billy caught his jacket and
punched his abdomen. Lucky's eyes almost popped out from their sockets. Billy
collared him with both hands and threw Lucky over his shoulders, towards Eiji's
seat. As expected, Eiji was already in the next seat, avoiding the throw,
anticipating it before Billy even lay hands on Lucky's collar. Eiji sat cross
legged and stuck one of those thin Chinese pipes into one of the holes of his
hockey mask. Occationally, puffs of smoke exited through the other holes.
Eiji stared disappointedly at Billy; and Billy, not wanting to lose any more
sanity, walked off.

"Idiot..." Eiji puffed.

"At least I don't settle my problems by running away."

EPILOGUE:

"NO! We've been this before!" Ryo shouted at Yuri. " You are not, I
repeat, NOT, going to join the King of Fighters." With that, Ryo threw his
helmet to the floor and went into the locker room.

Yuri knelt on her knees and cried, hiding her face in her hands.

..

Chapter 17: The Pathetic faith of lovers...

A middle aged man wearing a white kimono decorated with navy blue
flowers covered his eyes from the sunlight as he looked up from his chore. He
held a bamboo broom in hand and was busily sweeping the leaves from the front
yard of his simple house in the bamboo, away from the worries of the busy
streets of town.

"Anata... (Darling)" came a faint voice from behind. He turned
around and saw a lady running over with her arms open. A smile cracked the
man's face but slowly the image disappeared, and he was left looking at his
open door. A mirage....

A group of birds came out from the treetops all of a sudden. The man
stopped his sweeps, held his bamboo broom firmly in one hand and waited,
listened to the trees and the wind.

With their cover blown, three ninjas exposed themselves from the high
branches. One wearing a black uniform came down first, and the other two,
wearing dark green and brown fatigues followed. Before the last two could even
touch the ground the lead sped off to attack. The steel caught the light and
flew towards the gardener. The man tightened his grip on the broom and used it
as a vertical blocker, and when the blade was half way into the bamboo he
twisted it, making the hollow bamboo a clip, preventing the blade to cut all
the way through. The first ninja was stunned and with his momentum broken, the
gardener had a few seconds of confusion to his advantage.

"K'sama... (damn you) Kisaragi!!" The black ninja spat, but before
he could say any more, Kisaragi was up and moving. He still had the blade
lodged in the bamboo with his left hand, so he pushed it wide and the blade
followed, leaving the ninja open. Kisaragi swerved his left foot around the
broom and kicked mid height, the blow hit the ninja's gut and forced him to
squat. Kisaragi put the same left foot on his opponent's knees and like a
staircase, stepped up and kicked the man's throat with his right heel. With
that, the first ninja was immobilized and gasping for breath.

Without even a breather for Kisaragi, the two remaining ninja
descended. The one on the right hacked his sword down. Kisaragi, much too
perceptive switched hands, and how the broom was in his right. He sidestepped
to the left, raised his elbow up and put the broom perpendicular to the ground,
next to his shoulder. As Kisaragi had planned, the katana (sword) missed his
head and the side of the blade slid down the bamboo like a train on a bamboo
rail. Kisaragi bent the broom in an arc and the blade skidded down quick and
harmlessly to the ground. Before the ninja could take his eyes off the tip of
his blade which was embedded in the earth Eiji switched hands again, his left
was already holding the broom and he let his right hand free in a quick jab.
The midway joint of Eiji's middle finger stuck out from his fist and jammed
itself into the ninja's temple, making his eyes go all white.

"Owari da! (It's over)" came a voice from the side.

The last ninja came running in a stab. Eiji just looked on. The
ninja's eyebrows met in glee, but his joy was stolen at the last moment. The
assassin tensed his grip for the slash and measured the distance between
himself and his target. It was just a meter or two away, and the ninja cocked
the sword back, but to his surprise Eiji suddenly appeared in front of him,
just a foot away.

"Ba..bakana... (impossible)" The ninja mumbled.

With one swing, Eiji slapped the ninja, sending him to the ground.

"What do you want Yagami..." Eiji mumbled to the awe-struck Yagami
ninja.

A new ninja dropped from the treetops and landed in a kneeling
position. A female ninja, Eiji noted. She took off her dark purple mask and
looked up at Eiji. Eiji, had his hands up when the air was disturbed, but
slowly put down his guard.

"Kaori?" Eiji said...

"No, I am called Yamashita. A captain for the Yagami ninjas." She
said. "Yagami-sama sent me to deliver a message. You are indeed Eiji
Kisaragi, downed three of my best men, yet you didn't kill them."

"But.. you look like..." Eiji said slowly.

"I was told it might catch your attention." Yamashita answered as she
put her hands behind her neck and threw up her hair. She tossed a bundle of
wrappings which Eiji caught without a thought. He untied the string and undid
the cloth. Inside was an arrow cut in half. The arrow was in two pieces, as
if someone had taken a blade and starting from the arrowhead cut through the
very center of the arrow. "Yagami has come for your services."

"Eh?" Eiji grimaced, and stared menacingly.

"You do remember the promise you made that night." Yamashita came back
unfazed. "In exchange for your comrades' bodies. I was there."

Eiji turned around and looked down at his feet. "I do not kill
anymore." Eiji said bluntly. "It was not me who was talking."

"You know it was you innermost desire, Kisaragi. What your body and
mind refuses to accept, your heart..."

"You know nothing."

"You have no say in the matter, Eiji Kisaragi." Yamashita said coldly.

"But do not worry, it not an assassination Yagami-sama requires... A
bodyguard..."

"A WHAT?!?" Eiji spat back, taking it as an insult.

"No sarcasm..." Yamashita followed closing her eyes and grinning.
"Yagami is aware of your new life... A farmer?" She smiled widely. "Still
your skill cannot be overlooked."

Eiji tensed his fists and faced her again. "Who?" he said in a deep
tone.

"You know of him... Iori Yagami." Yamashita answered.

Eiji's grim visage slowly cracked and he started to snicker, then
laugh, and finally Eiji fell into a fit of laughter. A laughter of caused by
both humour and irony. "Yagami Iori..?" Eiji laughed. "I do not think my
services is needed for a killer like that." Eiji spat back quite frankly.

"The young master is scheduled to join the King of Fighters Tournament
a few years from now. Yagami-sama merely wants you to escort him since he is
not familiar of the world outside the Yagami palace walls." She explained.

"I am sorry, but don't you think my abilities would just be wasted
baby-sitting a spoiled brat like that?" Eiji came sarcastically. "Doesn't
Yagami have a better favour to ask of me?"

Yamashita smiled and chuckled to herself, all the while keeping her
eyes closed and her arms crossed. Eiji didn't like that look. It was a visage
that said she knew something he didn't, that she had some hidden hand to play.
"Yagami-sama expected as much, so he told me to tell you this... Eiji
Kisaragi..." She began, "You are familiar with Rugal Bernstein...?"

Eiji instantly stopped his laughter and stared intently at the female
ninja as the word R-u-g-a-l formed on her lips. She smiled when she got his
attention.

"He is the sponsor of the King of Fighters Tournament... If you and
Iori-sama won the KOF 95, then you would be able to call a meeting with him..
surely..." She said with a poison tipped tongue.

"Kaori is dead..." Eiji shouted, throwing his broom down, and staring
angrily at the lady tempting him.

"Oh? Maybe I have said too much already? Don't you want her? For
Kaori Kusanagi to live again?"

"Kono ama! (you bitch)" Eiji cursed. "She's dead. They killed her a
long time ago. These rumours can't be true!"

"True, Yoshiki Kusanagi did kill his own daughter because of her
defiance, but it is still your choice. Can you bring yourself to believe that
the rumours are false? I think I know your answer already. "Sore dewa,
Kisaragi-san (then, farewell, Kisaragi-san)" Yamashita called as she
disappeared in a flash, along with the rest of her soldiers.

Eiji went into his hut and knelt in front of an iron chest, covered all
over by cobwebs and dust. With a few firm sweeps of his sleeve, Eiji dusted it
until he could once again see the brass of the metal hinges and edges, as well
as the brunt red of the rosewood.

"So it has come down to this." Eiji whispered to himself.

Eiji pulled out a metal pipe from the cabinet and wedged it
between the padlock and the iron clasp. The rusted lock broke free instantly
and the corroded metal crumbled as it hit the ground. <Suman... (forgive me)
Masa, Mikaido.> Eiji said in deep thought. The hinges screeched as they
twisted, and Eiji dug into the chest that had not been opened in fourteen
years. Inside was Eiji's old ninja uniform, as well as Mikaido's mask which
was cut to show his hair, and Masa's katana (sword).

"Sashiburida... Tomodachi... (how do you do, my friends)." Eiji
smiled. The sword had a long piece of cloth wrapped around the sheath and hilt
area, just by the finger guard which prevented the sword from being opened, and
at the end was a lump of red wax, still whole and crimson after so many years.
Eiji held the blade in front of him, his right hand on the hilt and his left on
the sheath. With one tug, the cloth shred and the sword came free. The
sunlight from the window seeped into the dark room, and the blade caught the
light, amplifying it, and with a simple twist of Eiji's wrist, the light was
gone, as if the blade had eaten it. Eiji took a blanket and put as much of his
clothes in a bundle, as well as any other things he needed for his journey.
When all was done and packed, he took out the sword one last time.

Eiji was in the dark room, and a candle stood on top of a tall iron
rod. The room was dark save for the candlelight, and the only other thing in
it was a low table with a picture of Eiji's deceased wife, Kaori. With his
thumb, Eiji pushed the finger guard of the sword an inch and like the wind, the
blade flew, and before you knew it, back in the sheath. After a few seconds,
the candle slid a bit from the precise cut in between it. The flame still
flickered and Eiji smiled at Masa who was not with him anymore.

"Dewa, (good-bye) Kaori-chan." Eiji cried bowing halfway to the
picture. "I hope to see you again, if I cannot bring you back to this world, I
will join you in the next." and with that, Eiji stepped out of the house. He
opened three tins of gasoline and doused the house all over. In one toss, a
torch came twirling into the house and set it aflame. Eiji looked at the
picture one last time and made his way into the city.

The wooden frame caught fire almost immediately and quite slowly but
surely, the hungry fires devoured Kaori's picture bit by bit. Eiji had broken
his vow, all for his love, and if he failed, there would be no more reason to
continue living. He had lost everything, his pride, his honour, all for love.

So now all he can do is hope, for the future, and maybe his desire can
lead him back to happiness again.

"Kaori..."

Chapter 18: No need for asking, no need for thinking.

Jazz music filtered through La Bijoux; acting as theme song, and
fulfilling the promise to the numerous patrons- an escape from their normal
lives. The paperwork and deadlines can wait for another time. As usual part
owner of the club, Duck King, and his now worn out and half drunk companion,
Todo (wondering where in the world Heavy D is... in the ICU), were having the
time of their lives to the left of the bar.

It wasn't that busy a night, luckily it was Thursday, luckily for Yuri.

King didn't feel any extra work for La Bijoux tonight so she let the issue with
Yuri slide. Robert, who was busy acting as bodyguard, and Maitre'D to fill in
for Yuri assured King that Yuri just went to see her brother and would be back
any moment.

A familiar face stepped into the club.

"DOHSHTA!? (How's it going?)" came a yelp from cheerful Joe Higashi,
who was dressed in a collared shirt, Khaki pants, and a sweater slung over his
shoulders. Ofcourse, still sporting that spikey hairdo.

Robert sent a waving hand and jogged up to meet the customers. When he
arrived to shake Higashi's hand, he also noticed two more figures behind. Mai
Shiranui was almost dragging Andy Bogard into the club, and it was quite a
picture to see Andy's dumbfounded, slightly irritated face as a cute Mai
cradled his arm in hers. Robert let out a greeting to the lovely couple. Mai
closed her eyes, smiled widely and wiggled her fingers.

"So when's the engagement?" Robert joked.

Andy, on the other hand, wiped his brow with his handkerchief and let
out a forced smile. Andy was about to return the greeting but Mai pulled him
eagerly to a table, insisting on one close to the jazz band.

Joe looked around, and over Robert's shoulder.

"Yuri-chan isn't here?" Joe asked.

"No, she'll be a bit late." Robert replied while he wiggled his hands
under a large napkin like Maitre'Ds should.

"Sooh ne... (I see...)... King san ne?"

"Oh, she's behind the bar." Robert answered as he led Joe Higashi to
the bar, as instructed many times by Mai. (To leave Andy and her alone for as
long and as much as possible.)

Robert called one of the free waitresses to give Joe a small glass of
iced water and apologized as he had to get back to work. King walked over to
Joe from behind the bar, wiping a champagne glass with her apron.

"Busy as always, Eh, King-san?" Joe began.

"Maa ne... (so - so)" King answered in a smile. "It's always like
this you know.. So, what can I get you?"

"Anything you think is good..."

"I don't know..." King said tentatively. "Feeling like coffee?"

"Have one with me, you look tired," Joe laughed.

King went to the shelves behind her and got some dark bottles. She
prepared two tall glasses filled with ice and mixed the cold coffee, liquor and
topped it off with Irish Creme.

"I guess you'd be busy tomorrow..." Joe said. "Why don't you come
over to the diner this Saturday. Maybe before you open."

King sipped her drink and let two beers slide down the bar to keep the
waiting customers satisfied. At the other end was Makoto Udeshii and Abigail,
with then done and nursing their drinks, King could take a break.

"Well..." Joe prodded.

"I don't know..." King answered slowly and indecisively.

"Come on, you've never been to my place, and here I am sitting at your
bar almost every night."

"BAKA! (idiot)" King said jokingly. "You're just playing chaperone
to those two lovebirds." King motioned with her eyes to Mai and Andy.

Andy was still on his first glass of champagne, while Mai had already
downed three of some pinkish orange concoction. Andy seemed very worried, both
at the number of drinks Mai can keep from her head and the fact that Mai was
still cradling his arm, coming closer to him, her hands often massaging his
shoulders.

"You'd better keep an eye on Andy." King teased.

"No, It's Mai I have to keep off Andy when we're done here." Joe
replied.

King laughed so hard that she had to put her drink down and covered her
face with her apron.

"That's it," Joe returned to the subject. "Saturday evening, I'll
cook for you."

With that, Joe tapped his glass to King's and drank it down. King just
grinned and drank her's too.

Yuri came into the bar already in her uniform. She breathed a low sigh
as she saw no trace of anger in King's face as she entertained Joe. She saw
too that Robert was hard at work filling in for her, so she sped off to relieve
Robert. She was also glad that King was out of her seemingly depressed slump
as of the days past.

Robert saw Yuri come in and a wave of relief swept him. He greeted
Yuri and looked King's way and told her that Yuri had arrived. King just
nodded and excused herself from Joe to get back to work.

Yuri noticed something strange then, because Robert had been acting
funny lately; too nice, Yuri noted. Now, away from a customer, King put up a
depressed look, blankly staring at the champagne glass she was repeatedly
wiping. Robert was trying to get some chit chat started with King, two tables
away, but all he got were nods. King was visibly ignoring Robert. It was
probably something Robert had done, what could that vile fiend've done this
time. It was out of the norm though. The only time King would shut herself
from Robert or sometimes Yuri was if she was angry at something, it didn't have
to be them in particular, or if she ignored Robert blankly when she was drunk.
There were no indications of either, there was neither the angry look or the
joking indifferent visage. King was just gazing into the champagne glass in
deep thought, probably a heavy cloud rested above her head. Yuri couldn't
begin to guess. She walked over to King casually with a thought on her mind as
well. The letter addressed to King by her father she 'accidentally' half read
probably held some clue.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Came a question with a double
meaning; Yuri tried to piece the puzzle in her head mentally.

It took King a few moments for King to look up and realize that Yuri
was addressing her.

"Uh, tell Robert you can take over his tables." King answered, and
with that, ended any chance of a conversation. King went back to the champagne
glass. Just like a child caught in one of her fathers formal diners, bored and
feeling out of place, she tried to plant her thoughts in the seemingly mindless
thing she was doing. Whatever she was thinking of those past few days, she was
trying to keep from her mind by keeping herself busy. Like a child caught in a
formal dinner, out of place. The child had to keep herself occupied, fiddling
with napkins, or playing with toothpicks, for it was better than staring
blankly, outward, looking stupid, trying to comprehend ideas in an environment
you couldn't understand and felt an outcast to.

Yuri shifted her gaze to Robert who had run out of things to say. He
too was probably feeling like an outcast. He smiled, just like the kid could
do when he couldn't answer any more questions or run out of 'grown up' things
to say. Yuri could see through the smile because Robert's eyes couldn't hide
it. An invisible barrier started to develop between the two. More than once
since Yuri came in that nigh, did she think, or even, suspect, that Robert,
knew more than she did, but just wasn't sure.

<There was no need for asking; No more need for further thinking> The
girl thought to herself as her father played the businessman. The poor girl
felt no higher than an accessory as she folded animals from her cloth napkin.
She couldn't understand, and didn't know what else to do.

Just no need for asking; No need for thinking.

It was closing time once again, but unlike what the trio did, this time
for the past week, King asked that she be left alone at the bar during closing.

The familiar champagne glass was now filled with the yellowish fizz. What
transpired in her mind was hers alone to keep. It would all be over by the end
of the week. A week, or the end of dinner, it was the same.

It was okay, the father replied to his daughter. You just sit and
we'll go home after I'm done with the dinner meeting.

King watched the many bubbles float up and pop. No answers here.

"Meet me at the den," Yuri remembered Robert say when closing time
neared. "I need to ask you something."

There were no lights, a customary thing during closing, it just didn't
pass Yuri's mind to turn them on. Besides, it ruined the view. She was gazing
at the crescent moon, and the studded night sky. Yuri had her hands in the
other behind her back casually, the black leather couch was between her and the
window. Maybe she was falling into the same state as King she thought. Yuri
had numerous things she was juggling in her mind. Her relationship with King
and Robert had been shaky recently, almost unpredictable, but tonight, it
clearly hinted that it would turn for the worst, for little words were
exchanged between them. That was bad enough, she even had to deal with her
brother and father who were blatantly against her desire to join the King of
Fighters; (and not to mention the oafs like Brian Battler, filthy,
unattractive, and without a clue.) For a moment, math science an English held
no importance. When the bar closed, the lights were shut , and the music
ceased, the realties began to seep back in. There was a bluish light outside,
from the neon La Bijoux sign. It flickered and died, no doubt Robert was
closing and was on his way. When the sign flashed no more, it was like a
'closed' placard at the gates of Shang-rila. The world of escape had to end
for another night. It didn't last forever.

For the first time, Yuri questioned the reason behind her continued
stay in La Bijoux. It wasn't for the money, not for the show, even a
secretarial job would present more prestige than being a waitress - a Maitre'D.

It was for the ambiance La Bijoux furnished, moreover, the security, peace of
mind, and friendship Robert and King provided. Now that this stood on shaky
ground, her confidence faltering and her calm nature so easily stolen when
closing came, Yuri wondered if she wanted to continue working here.

Robert came into the dark room, and Yuri noticed, that he was silent,
didn't even say any words of greeting. He put his back up and closed the door
behind him. She noticed as well when Robert subtlely locked the door.

<What'd you lock the door for!!!> Yuri's mind blurted out, but she
kept silent, calm, her heart telling her that there was no need to argue.

Yuri stood unmoving and just pushed her back as far back as possible
until the leather couch kept her from going any further. Robert still kept
silent and came closer. When Robert was only a foot away from Yuri , she
panicked a bit and stepped back. The couch hit the back of her knees, making
them bend. Yuri fell sitting on the couch and Robert dove limply, facefirst
onto Yuri's collar. Instinctively, Yuri put her hands on Robert's shoulders
which were on top of her now.

Yuri tried to maintain a degree of control: over her frantic mind,
over the awkward situation. She told herself not to jump to any conclusions,
but it was hard to do with all of Robert Garcia on her. She just gave in and
trusted Robert. Yuri lifted her hands from Garcia's shoulders and wrapped them
around his neck and hugged him.

<Itsumademo...Whatever happens will be>

Robert made no further, and just rested his forehead on Yuri's
shoulder.

"I'm tired... tired of all of this..." e mumbled. "I need to ask you
something..."

The pieces of the puzzle weren't getting any clearer, but they talked
anyway, whispered softly in the intoxicating darkness. Only the walls hear,
they listen intently.

"Can you cover for me... tomorrow... an for King too?" Robert
mumbled.

Yuri closed her eyes and smiled at her naiveness, on earlier occasions
she would never even let Robert get within four, no, eight feet from her, and
now, her arms were wrapped comfortably around his neck. <So, you're finally
taking King out on a date, eh?> Yuri chuckled in congratulations inside.

On earlier times, she would never let Robert get within eight feet from
her, and now, her arms were wrapped comfortably around his neck. Robert was
not the same Robert Garcia she knew, but something inside Yuri made her worry.
Robert had changed, and most probably because of an event that happened, or
WILL happen. Yuri, too, knew that she had changed because of the altered
environment. For some reason, she didn't want to let go, fearing that the
changes in them would change everything else around them. A small part of her
didn't want Robert to go with King. She wanted everything to be the same as
before, with the lecherous Robert, King's wishy washy likeness, and Yuri's own
bossy, untrusting attitude.

There's no need for asking; no further need for thinking.

...'lest you be dragged into a world of confusion you can never return
from... soon, the business dinner will be over.

Chapter 19: Asian Wonder

"Hello, this is Jouta, I am not here right now, but if you leave your
name , number and a brief message after the beep, I will try to get to you.
Bye Bye."

-BEEP-

When it's too silent you can't help but beg for something, for anything
to happen. It was this way throughout the coliseum; Blinded by the darkness,
the crowd isolated themselves with their individual murmurs which was eaten by
the evening air. In an instant, a monotonous humming sound could be heard.
Live speakers. The crowd fell silent and gradually, the humming drowned out
the whistle of the wind. There was a shrill whistle of the microphone, and
soft breathing resonated throughout the complex... Random piano keys chimed
and then a voice came.

"Do you feel the night?..." Cooed the voice. "I'm crazy for you..."

As if on cue, the crowd exploded with life, cheering and screaming in a
fueled frenzy. The bodies jumped and screeched in glee. Robe clad fans tied
their headbands, started beating on their drums and throwing confetti in the
air. Teenage girls swooned as their banners and flags darted up in the air.
Like marshmallows in a bowl of cereal, floating over their heads. On them were
flashy words like [Benimaru Forever!!!], [We LOVE Benimaru.], and the like. A
mantra spread through the crowd, the chorus to the coming song... "SO LOVE ME,
TAKE ME AWAY WITH YOU..." The piano continued playing, now, less random, a
beat started to form, a rhythm, and with the piano, the crowd sang, pleading
for their idol to come. The piano stopped abruptly and at the same instant, a
lightning bolt came down; A man on stage caught it in his like as if he were a
lightning rod, and with the flickering electricity on his hand, you could see
his head as he put it close to the light. Reminiscent of the blues brothers,
he had the legendary hat and shades.

-BEEP-

"Oi Nikkaido, this is Zachary... Guess what, Tom just had a baby,
we're all going to his house to celebrate, hope you can come okay?"

-BEEP-

"Hey Benimaru, What's with you? You still on tour or something? You
selfish bastard!! HAHA ^_^. Just kidding, come on, the boys and I are going
to get a beer, you wanna come? Call me okay... 862-3305."

He stretched his arm up in the air and the electricity slithered down
his arm around his black sportcoat and right down to his dark slacks. The
spark of lightning disappeared into the floor. As it hit got absorbed by the
stage the floodlights and multicoloured spotlights illuminated the performer.
The man stood with his legs in an upside-down V, his arms behind him. Five
other men, similarly dressed marched onto stage and stood as their lead stood
in front of them. The lead took off his hat and shades with his left hand,
threw them to the crowd and in the same motion, used his right hand to shred
his coat and slacks. With all attention focused on him now, Benimaru Nikkaido
stroked his hair up until it was stiff and standing. Benimaru covered his face
with his hand and seductively, slowly slid his palm down, revealing his
androgynous face. Continuing his slow ooze, his hand ran down his sleeveless,
shoulderless black leather shirt, all held up by a single leather strap.
Benimaru had his white, skin tight leather pants that probably squeezed his
balls up his ass. Benimaru snapped his hands up to his trademark hair one last
time and arched his back, putting his crotch forward. With the speakers put up
to their limits, the synthesizers, organs and electric guitars started dishing
out hip, fast paced idol pop beats that fused with the girls' screaming. The
five dark costumed men behind Benimaru danced spastically in unison. In one
harmonized choreography, they sent their hands up, looked to the left, jumped
up and spun around, did splits and started another routine.

-BEEP-

"Nikkaido, this is Mickey. Man you work so much, you don't answer any
of our calls anymore. Are you still alive? Catch you later okay..."

Benimaru ran to the mike and as if he was going to swallow it, began
singing, and in between gasps looked sweetly at the hypnotized audience,
occasionally catching a glimpse of a fainting fan.

Not only was Benimaru a cute idol face, body good enough to eat, or was
it his singing that captivated the audience; it was the light show that was the
crowd pleaser. During the chorus and the more upbeat runs, he would wiggle his
fingers, and lightning would run though in between his digits, slithering
around his arm and jumped up and over like juggling balls. Benimaru put his
legs together, hung his arms up in a makeshift cross and let the lightning
envelope him in a chain of light.

The adolescents love his music...

"...LOVE ME NOW..."

Tunes of easy love, young love...

"...DANCING INTO THE NIGHT..."

Where it's wrapped in candycane and tinfoil, the kind of love, the only
kind the youth can understand.

"...I WANT YOU... I'M IN LOVE WITH YOU..."

A fairytale... The music is as falsified as snow white, but
sometimes...

"...I'M CRAZY FOR YOU..."

If the ignorance makes you happy...

"...I'M CRAZY..."

It's a simple preaching...

"...CRAZY..."

-BEEP-

"Jouta. Hello... Uhm... I just wanted to say hi. I haven't talked
to you in such a long time. You're never home and I can never reach you at
work number... call back okay... love you... click..."

-Beeeeeeep-

It's crazy. It's so easy to fool these mindless youth. Lost and
confused, they hunger for a hero, a hero with all the answers. He isn't a
leader, not a god; unfortunately, he isn't a hero as well. He's nothing but an
entertainer. He gives his fans what they want, reassurance in a youth that can
be lived like a pop song, easy and care free. No, he's no hero, none of the
songs are his own, none of the dance steps or the fancy lighting. He is
nothing but a medium for the zombied masses; and at the end of the concert, he
picks up his red and white electric guitar and slings it over his shoulders.
He runs his fingers over it slowly, gliding his hand up it's shaft.
Remembering... He plucks a note and with a light smile, he ends the show like
he always does...

Benimaru puts the guitar onto the side and speaks coolly, solemnly to
the mike...

"Thank you." Benimaru says as the lights dim and leaves him alone .
All this is the fame, glory, all for his followers.

"Good luck, Jouta." A young red haired girl said behind her boyfriend
as she tugged lightly onto his black leather jacket.

Jouta Nikkaido was a simple boy who lived out in a arm somewhere in the
outskirts of Hokkaido, Japan, but the simple life wasn't for him, he thought.
With only his guitar and his ambition, he decided that he would make a name for
himself. Maybe in NHK he mused, in little Tokyo, maybe he could make his
dreams come true.

"Even if you don't make it, I'll still be waiting, don't be afraid to
come back okay?" She said sweetly. She couldn't bear to see her beloved Jouta
off, but she didn't want to get in the way of his dream. Jouta only lived for
one thing, to be free of such a simple life, and be a musician. She had fond
memories of them sneaking out in the middle of the night , and up on green
hill, Jouta would bring his guitar. It came naturally for him, as if his
fingers were dancing, plucking lightly on the guitar strings, and he sang like
the evening wind. Soothing and calm. His songs were about a simple life,
about things you take for granted, but she enjoyed Jouta's ballads about love
the most. Love... It was harsh and painful, but you knew it was real...

There was a long hiss as the shuttle arrived.

"Well, I'll be seeing you." Jouta said as he waved when he got up the
steps.

"I love you." She replied, her wide happy smile covering her teary
eyes.

Jouta jumped down, kissed his girlfriend one last time and returned to
the annoyed yet chuckling bus driver. Jouta sat down at the very back of the
bus and sank his hand deep into his pockets. A crumpled white piece of paper
had three names... Hide, Toshi, Yoshiki and a phone number. These guys needed
a singer, hopefully someone who could do rhythm guitar, and Jouta wanted to try
his luck.

..

At night these streets come alive. People bickering down the
sidewalks, the bike gangs roaring across the asphalt, the occasional squirming
and misunderstanding here and there. Although there are one of two discos,
this is live house territory, a crammed basement stuffed with enthusiasts who
want something fresh and new. Hopeful garage bands longing to make it big.
Strut and fret their time to be judged by cretins. There is a neon sign above
the descending staircase. Live House GUN. A place where you humble yourself
like trash and make your dreams come true.

There are no commercials, no billboards, no cocky radio deejays
bloating your ego. All they have is faith and that small black felt board with
those cheap white plastic letters. Toshi, Yoshiki, hide and Jouta. In a bad
haircut band called GUY. Screaming, hungering to be noticed for their worth.

"Hide, get your bass, let's tune." Toshi said as he dragged his guitar
across the studio.

"Jouta," Yoshiki called from the other side of the room. "Master (the
title for the guy who owns the live house), said that a talent agent is gonna
be in the crowd tonight; you'd better do good. Got it?"

"No problem!" Nikkaido replied with a reassuring smile, his red and
white electric guitar in hand. Jouta ran his fingers through the strings like
anyone would make one's fingertips dance on a pool of water. "We're gonna make
it big, I promise you..."

"Nikkaido-kun," Master smiled. Master is probably in his mid
thirties, his white silvery hair is tied back in a ponytail. It's not his
black goatee that makes him look quite strange, it's his curly mustache that
twirls in a spiral... Yes, like curly fries.

"Lucky break. Ms. Takahashi wants to speak to you alone in the
office." Master brushed up next to Nikkaido and patted his butt with both
hands.

Jouta Nikkaido's heart skipped beats when he stood face to face at the
office door. What was behind door number one wasn't merely a car or a new
Tupperware set, it was his band's future, his future and his dreams. A million
thoughts ran through his mind that made the gibberish of the new York stock
exchange seem tame. Should he have changed, was his pony tail neat enough,
what should he say, should he be formal or easy going. Jouta stretched out his
hand, and the doorknob gyrated with his tension. Before he could even take the
ritual deep breath, the door swung open, and Ms. Takahashi bade Nikkaido in.
Jouta's eyes widened and his heart fell a thousand miles. Something in the
back of his neck snapped but Jouta tried to force himself to regain his
composure.

"So, you're Jouta Nikkaido..." Ms. Takahashi cooed seductively as she
looked Jouta over, head to toe like a hunk of meat.

Takahashi was only a head shorter than Jouta, but this didn't hide the
aura that was radiating from her. Takahashi's hair was in a ball, all pulled
up to resemble a plum with tiny streams of hair occasionally running down the
sides. Her lips were blood red, and her thin triangular sunglasses made her
look more sinister. With her manicured, 2 inch long fingernails, Takahashi
invited Nikkaido to sit and went straight to the point.

"I was impressed" Ms. Takahashi smiled. "I want you. I can start
your concerts and make you famous."

At that moment, Jouta's heart raced with joy, and he couldn't hold his
smile back.

"You liked us? Really?!" Jouta exclaimed with his hand behind his neck
in embarrassment. "you're going to give GUY a deal?"

"No... You don't understand..." Takahashi said grimly between puffs
of her cigarette. "Who I want... Is you..."

"I... I don't get it.." Jouta said confused.

"I don't care about your band, all I want is just you. With your
looks, I can make you an idol star in no time." Takahashi smiled. "You don't
even need to worry about songwriting, all you need is some dance lessons and
you're all set. With that face, you'll make it in no time."

Each heartbeat was as loud as thunder and felt like an eternity to
Jouta.

"you son of a bitch!" Hide cursed as he swung his fist into Jouta's
belly, making Jouta wince and crumble against the wall.

"What the fuck.." Toshi cut in, shocked at the sudden turn of events.

"Tell him, Yoshiki." Hide growled, lighting a cigarette and crushing
it between his lips.

"The concert... It's canceled." Yoshiki said in a monotone, without
even looking up from his slouch. "They say Takahashi was behind it."

"Neeh, Jouta... You've been skipping band jams lately, and you've been
seeing that Takahashi bitch a lot. Just what the fuck are you up to?"

"Look, don't get angry..." Jouta tried to calm hide down as best as he
could.

hide slammed his palm to the wall and eyed Jouta menacingly.

"you sold us out... Didn't you?" Hide growled.

"look, let's not jump to conclusions, right Yoshiki?" Toshi tried to
plead to everyone.

With his expressionless face, Yoshiki hid behind his dark circular
shades... "I don't know anymore."

"Answer me, damn it!" hide yelled at the top of his lungs. "What've
you been doing behind our backs all this time?"

There was no answer and Jouta merely looked to the side, not wanting to
meet eyes. Hide cocked his fist back, but through frustration just gave up and
picked up his bass.

"The things you hear in a bar aren't entirely bullshit you know,
Jouta." Hide scowled as he opened the door. "You wanna be a pussy licking
idol singer? FINE!" Hide slammed the door and Toshi followed to try and calm
the bassist, who knows what Hide might do with a temper like this.

"If there's a jam, WE'LL call you." Yoshiki mumbled as he slung his
duffel bag over his shoulders. It was his way of saying that it was all over
if Jouta wanted out. Jouta knew, and with that, Jouta was left alone in the
studio. It happened so fast, and the empty room seemed to sneer and taunt him,
like a million freckle faced tattle-tails snickering "GOOD FOR YOU!" while
wagging a million index fingers left and right. Jouta bit hard and grimaced
uncontrollably, making the veins on his temples pump. With all the strength he
had left, he slammed his fist on the wall, and to his surprise, waves of
electricity appeared from the walls and ran through his fingers. In a
delirious state, Nikkaido tensed all over, unknowingly drawing all the current
from around him. Nikkaido's eyes started to whiten, and his head felt like it
was about to split. In an uncontrollable haze, he sent his fist through the
wall, in an effort to expel the power within him.

EPILOGUE:

The lights dimmed and slowly, the speakers died out. As the crowds
murmurs fade away, the peace and stillness return to the stage. Without a
word, the roadies come from the shadows and do their jobs, pulling wires and
lifting speakers. There are no more cheering crowds, or flashing lights.
Benimaru's time is up.

Chapter 20: Happy - Sad; Happy - Sad.

"...Monday You can fall apart; Tuesday, Wednesday, break my heart.
Thursday, doesn't even start; It's Friday, I'm in love..."

-the Cure.

What a horrible feeling it is, to be so tired, yet you can't sleep..
It's like oversleeping. Your mind is awake yet your body is screaming at your
aching joints. Instinctively , you lie in bed, but it ultimately makes it
worse. Shit, what a horrible feeling, I feel like trash. I fumble through the
white sheets; I've got to command one limb at a time to move. Just next to my
bed is a dresser and I look at the mirror - look at my undoubtedly limp and
lifeless face. My short blonde hair's a mess. Ug, and my white shirt, I fell
asleep in it again, well, figuratively speaking. At least I was smart enough
to take off my pants, it'd probably be ten feet up my ass if I'd have worn 'em
to bed. Oh, this is cute. The shoulder of my shirt just slipped down, maybe I
should pose like those models do, exposing a bare shoulder.

"....."

Humph! The sports bra ruins the effect... I seem so out of it now.
What self respecting guy would give me the time of day... Wait, what am I
thinking... Sigh... I'm back where I started now, with my back on the
mattress, all energy drained. I could've sworn I heard someone knocking...

King broke from her trance when she realized that Robert was the one knocking.

<But it's only 8:30... In the MORNING!!> King's mind screamed. So
she put up the covers and pretended that she was fast asleep.

"King... King-san, I know you're awake. King!!" Robert called.

Robert was answered by mumbles and faint groans from under the sheets.
It wouldn't have changed anything even if King had remained silent.

"NNGGARGH!" King growled, thanks to Robert's constant poking.

"HA! Knew it!!" Robert greeted. "Good morning."

King turned around, still in bed, the sheets were a little below her
neck. She stared grumpily at Robert.

"Teme (jerk), did it ever occur to you that I was sleeping." King
groaned.

"We're going out. You said okay last night." (yeah right... That
never happened. -Susan)

"What?!? Who with?"

"Just you and me." Robert answered.

"WHAT!" This time, more forcefully. "You mean.. like... a date?"
King's voice now softening to an unbelieving whisper.

"Bin-Bong! (bingo!)" Robert cheered, his hands forming a hand gun.

King refused to believe and hid under the sheets. Robert continued to
nag King and started to pull the covers off. The covers were pulled down to
King's nose and she tried to hold on to the sheets.

"Get up! Get up!" Robert nagged while he pulled the sheets.

"Dame!! (don't) I'm not dressed!" King answered in retaliation.

"Yeah right." Robert said. "I'm not going to see anything I haven't
seen before", referring to the sight he sees every time King would NORMALLY
wake up. (and walk down the stairs)

"Please... ROBERT!" King pleaded, her voice almost bordering to sobs.

Robert saw the look in King's eyes and stopped his teasing. Robert
held his hand out to King. She reached out with her right arm and held her
sheets up to her chest with her left. Robert offered her a cup of coffee to
get her going.

"Since when did you become the bashful type?" Robert sarcastically
asked.

"Shut up." King said, not even taking her gaze off the insides of her
smoking cup of coffee.

"Well, you're going to get dressed, even if I have to do it myself!"
Robert declared with a mischievous gleam in his eye.

"Ba-ka. (stupid)" King said flatly, snobbishly, but her bravado was
stolen the moment Robert reached for the covers once again. It was a tug of
war again; King was now at a disadvantage without her right hand that was busy
with the coffee.

"yada! Dame!! (no, don't!!)" King pleaded. "okay, you win, I'll get
dressed!"

Robert smiled from ear to ear. He got King's coffee cup and proceeded
to walk out.

"I'll be waiting outside." Robert said. "Hurry up and get dressed
okay..."

Outside King's room was a small landing that lead to a descending
staircase which opened to the club proper. Robert Garcia sat on his bottom on
this landing and leaned onto the wall just outside King's room. So, this was
it, he'd finally done it, but somehow there was something missing... Robert
had dreamed of this moment for months, but now it didn't seem so fulfilling.
He tried to look down to his neck, and there hung a set of gold chains. Macho
chains, he remembered. When he was sixteen, he wanted to have those chains so
badly, went to the shop everyday, just to marvel at them. Then one day, he saw
a man walk into the store...

"How much are those chains?" Robert heard him say to the saleskeeper.

Robert's chest felt so tight he could hardly breathe. Someone was
going to take his dream away from him... Robert praised goodness when the man
took out his wallet and mentioned that he didn't have enough and would come
back for the chains.

So, Robert decided he'd do something about it. Instead of looking like
a loser and getting upset and frustrated everyday, he'd work for it. Robert
took part time jobs, carrying crates from the dock to trucks in the mornings,
went to school and then worked in a small shop in the afternoons. Never had
Robert been so determined. He thought nothing of the fatigue and the time
spent with work; thoughts of those gold chains kept him going. After a months
of perseverance, he had finally gotten enough. The gold chains were still
waiting for him; Robert smiled in glee, and when he had bought the gold, he
rushed home and stood in front of the mirror for hours. The first thing he did
the next day was show his prize to Ryo who had worked along side with him at
the pier, and Ryo's sister, Yuri who was at the shop with him all that time.
Their smiles and congratulations made him proud, but that was it. Robert
immediately quit his jobs and spent the rest of his time sitting in the
sidewalk outside his house, doing nothing. After a short while, the magic
faded. Robert felt bored and useless. The only other times he felt alive was
when he was asked by Ryo to help rescue Yuri in the Southtown incident, and
also when he worked at La Bijoux, trying to win King's attention...

It was all coming to an end now as Robert waited patiently outside
King's door. Just like a schoolboy, wasting away during summer vacation,
Robert sat. This was stupid, really. People are never content and can't live
without pain and hardships. It's part of being a fighter.. To be a dreamer...

There was a click, and the doorknob to King's room turned. King was
wearing a plain white T-shirt, Khaki safari shirt pants that had those insane
number of tiny utility pockets, and brown hiking Dr. Martens.

"Well, you ready?" King asked.

"Don't tell me you're going out wearing that!" Robert countered. "You
should change, wear a skirt or something."

"Now YOU'RE going to tell me what to damn wear!" King spat out,
looking irritated and upset.

Robert put on a calm smile and motioned for King to cool down. "That's
not what I meant..." Robert said coolly. "here." and he handed a large black
cardboard bag to her. "Try these..."

King peeped into the bag and immediately looked up, her facial
expressions clearly saying "No."

"Please?" Robert begged. "If only just this once."

King let out an exhausted puff and went back into her room.

Robert remembered the preceding night, just after closing when he was
alone with Yuri. Yuri held out her hand and gave the black cardboard shopping
bag to him.

"Here, you might need this." He recalled Yuri say. "Remember, don't
be rude... and never leave a lady behind, always walk next to her."

Robert nodded, thanking her for the advice and support.

"Uh..." Yuri stammered. "...good.. luck..."

Yuri stood in the darkness with Robert, the moonlight silhouetted
their bodies. Yuri ran out of things to say, to advise Robert, so she just put
faith on him. She just wished him the best of luck. Yuri couldn't do anything
more and just stayed... out.. of destiny's... way. Yuri walked out of the
den, slung her bag, and went home.

King exited the room a second time and stood still and unmoving in
front of Robert with her new outfit that was given o her. She wore a long
sleeved, white blouse and over it, she had an overall type top, beige, which
went down to become a long skirt that went down to her ankles, just above her
short white socks and platform sandals. In King's hands she held a soft, beige
linen hat.

Robert couldn't help but grim immediately.

"Don't laugh..." King said. "That's it, I'm going to change!" and
she spun around to reenter the room.

Robert quickly reached out to King's wrist and turned her around.

"It's beautiful." Robert said solemnly. "It suits you better... than
the others..."

----

Ora! ANOTHER satisfied customer served by PsychoShonen...
Time to spread peace and love... Start a revolution.

+---------------------------------------------------------+
"...I want to find all the lonely people.. For we will be the joke that
changes the world. If only for your happiness..."
-MonsteRock Band 95 (Joker)
+---------------------------------------------------------+

PsychoShonen Instructional homepage:
--->http://www.contrib.andrew.cmu.edu/usr/soo/index.html
Mail:
-->s...@andrew.cmu.edu
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