Prologue: Paying the Price

"How much is it?" Kyo tested the skull in his hand. A very nice weight.

"How much do you think it's worth?" The old man beside him chuckled.

Kyo gritted his teeth. He wasn't a man known for his patient or childish indulgence such as 'guessing games'; though he was known for his temperamental attitude. However, today, he tried to restrain his ire and be nice. "I don't know."

"Fifteen dollars for it." The man sighed, bluntly disappointed that his try for a game was turned down so immediately.

"No return policy, right?" Kyo inserted his finger into the empty eye sockets before pulling it back.

"Yes."

"I'll take it." The words tumbled out of his mouth before he could even process what he had just said. Kyo handed the skull to the man.

The man smiled as he unclasped his hands from behind his back. "A very good choice indeed."

As Kyo counted his money for the 'little trinket', the man smiled down at him and asked, "Would you like a bag with it?"

Kyo nodded as he continued to count. Just as Kyo was about to set the money into the older man's extended hand, he retracted it back with slight hesitance.

"What's wrong?" The man frowned. "Do you not want it?"

"You said that this was fake, right?" Kyo eyed the skull in the thin, black bag.

"Yes." The man smiled, probably amused by Kyo's wariness.

"Are you sure?" Kyo recalled the feel of the skull in his hand and the way his fingers felt when he placed it in those empty sockets. It felt off almost as if he was treading in forbidden area. "It looks so real."

"Of course." The man made a small gesture around the whole vicinity. "It looks real because we sell good stuff. It's antique, young man. You would be surprised at the prowess that some masters of the arts had back then."

Kyo just swallowed dryly before reluctantly placing the wad of cash into the waiting man's palm.

The man smiled at him again, almost as if Kyo just relieved him of a great burden before quickly checking the money.

"That's it." he picked up the bag and let it hover above the counter, in front of Kyo. As if to encourage Kyo, he added, "Enjoy your new purchase."

Kyo took it in a sweaty fist and rigidly ambled toward the door.

"Good luck with exploring your new antique, young man." He waved as Kyo gave a quick sideway look back before disappearing behind the door. A sole bell that hung above the door chimed as it knocked into the shut door. The man's smile disappeared as it formed into a frown. "You're going to need it."

A/N: I'm slightly embarrassed to put something so short up. This is probably the shortest work, actually, it is the shortest thing I have ever posted. Thus, because of the length, I will deem this as a prologue and not a real chapter.

You see, my friend texted me about an hour ago in a panic and thus, in return, I reciprocated that panic. We texted for thirty minutes before we said that we would settle that certain said situation tomorrow. So, I'm supposed to go to bed, but since I needed something to settle my nerves, I wrote something real quick. I believe this took about twenty minute. I have always wanted to write something about skulls and Kyo. ^^

By the way, how do you like the title of the prologue? I think it's funny since there can be a couple of different meanings for it.

Since this was an outlet and a spur of the moment (like most of my work. I'll try to update my other stuff.), I'm not sure if I'm going to continue this.

If you want me to continue this, please review.

If I get followers and reviews, then I most likely will continue this. Can't be harsh now, can I?

Anyway, I hope this turns out well and thanks those who decide to review/follow/ favorite.

Anyway, please R&R. Reviews inspire me and make me happy. No flames please. Constructive criticisms are always accepted with open arms.

4/30/13