Title:
Carpe Diem
Pairing:
Joshua x Neku
Rating:
NC - 17 (In later chapters - as of now, it's only PG-13-ish)
Summary:
After a year of undisturbed peace, a freak accident drags Neku
Sakuraba back into the hectic and dangerous UG. This time,
however, the stakes are higher not only for the fourth-time Player,
but the Composer as well.
Comments:
Joint 'fic between Caitlin ( feverishlove on LJ)
and
myself. Prepare for a decently long fic, 'cause we're probably
already 6 or so chapters in, and still going.
WARNING:
Joshua and Neku start out IC, but start drifting slightly OOC as the
fic goes on.
--oo0oo--
Carpe
Diem
Capitulus
Una
It was the typical day in Shibuya down near the park. Shiki had texted Neku earlier that day with the invitation to chatter with herself, Rhyme, and Beat. Considering Neku rarely got to see his friends, even after the four all received second chances; it was obvious that the orangey brunet lunged on the chance to spend time with his only three friends.
Neku walked silently down the street near Towa Records. The murmuring of voices and beeps of cars rushing by nearby seemed so scant compared to the memory of scanning an area. A thousand voices resonating at once; some giggling, some screaming in agony, others whispering…Neku was surprised that he had managed to scan so often. So, the everyday bustling of Shibuya no longer bothered him…he had no use for his once perfunctory purple headphones that he wore everywhere.
He hadn't been past Madoi City for awhile…so ambling through the once familiar streets spurred countless, fuzzy memories into Neku's mind. The missions, the heartache, the—He shook his head absently and hurried his pace. He hadn't thought about the Game in over a month and now was not the time to start picking up old, bad habits.
The skinny teenager paused at an intersection, waiting eagerly to cross to see the faces of his eccentric friends. His mind lingered off, though, as he stood there. Was the UG even back?... Why had they all been given a second chance? Were players rushing by him right not to accomplish a mission?
Without really thinking, Neku stepped out onto the road, thinking he had heard the beeping that signaled it was safe to walk. What he had heard was the faint beeping of his cell phone, in his memory, informing him of an incoming mission. The sound was ironic, almost, due to the fact that when Neku trudged across the road, a car so gracefully rushed up the road and screeched to a halt. The dilatory breaking was all it took to knock the once introverted brunet out and engulf him into bitter darkness that seeped through his skin and into his body as his mind shut off.
And as his body numbed, his mind repeated one phrase.
Not again.
--oo0oo--
There was no way of knowing just how much time had passed before familiar noises began to ring in the boy's ears once again. The shuffling of feet, some stomping, others idling every few seconds, others rushing past without a second thought - the melodic tune of the crosswalk signal - the chattering of hundreds of people, their voices all meshed into a dull buzzing sound as light just barely began to penetrate his eyelids. There were no sirens, no screaming. Nothing out of the ordinary.
Well, almost nothing.
"Good morning, sleeping beauty." A pair of cool fingers brushed against Neku's forehead, before pulling at a lock of orange hair in a somewhat bored fashion, letting the strands fall back on his face with a giggle. "How undignified... sleeping with your stomach exposed like that. Really now, you might actually catch a cold."
Neku groaned some. Damnit. It felt like he had just fallen through ten miles of concrete…not like he had ever experienced that sensation before, but it was a comparable comparison. Regardless of the pain that was slowly edging away, Neku's head lifted up. His tired eyes met the scrambling of feet, shoes of different colors, and the distant background noise of a commercial booming through the area. This combination of noises belonged to only one place—Scramble Crossing.
Neku at once jolted up when another person's touch and words registered in his brain. He sat back in alarm as his eyes met with a body that he had once willed himself to forget because it 'was just in the past, Neku'.
"No!" he hollered in anger as the realization that he was back in the UG. "Damnit, why am I here?" he demanded as he stared with unforgiving eyes at the other. Of course, the realization of who it truly was hadn't set in yet. Too many things to adjust to at the moment.
"Well, why else?" He was met with the familiar sardonic grin and cold stare of blue eyes, the other boy twirling his hair idly. "You died, Neku. Again. Welcome home." The last statement was uttered in a sickeningly sweet sarcastic tone.
Neku blinked a few times, just watching the other's smug demeanor. The orange-brunet felt his left eye twitch before a new wave of anger spread through him like an untamed wildfire.
"You! You had something to do with this!" he accused angrily and reached outward. His shaking fingers curled around the loose collar of the other's shirt and attempted to yank the other closer. "I'm not dead! I didn't die! This isn't happening!..."
Joshua was unfazed at the display of unbridled hatred wafting off of Neku like a foul stench, even as he was pulled closer by the collar of his shirt, forcing him to look the boy directly in the eye. "I only wish I could take such credit." He replied in an even tone, still smiling as if amused by this untimely turn of events. "But you died on your own this time. Such a terrible mistake, really... Rushing past traffic to see your dear friends, hm? Blissfully unaware until a vehicle broke every bone in your body and smashed your head right into the pavement."
Neku's anger continued to grow exponentially. Everything about this boy irked him—everything about his voice, his looks, and above all—his prissy attitude! By the end of the silveret's spiel, Neku was about to pin the taller to the ground and duke it out with his already curled up fist but…the end brought him a sudden silence.
That was right…he had been crossing the street to see his friends…and. "Cut the morbid crap out, Joshua," Neku grumbled as he let go of the other's collar, his mind already getting used to the sadistic and cruel ways of the other. "I'm so glad you enjoyed watching me die, again," he added on in an utterance of pure aversion.
"Hardly. It was quite the messy sight - I wouldn't care to see it again." Even at the admittance of such a crude opinion, Joshua still continued to smile, straightening up his shirt after the collar had been crumpled in the brunet's fist. After all, Neku was always so easy to read - this sort of reaction was more than expected on the Composer's part. For a moment Joshua mused about how well Neku was covering the psychological stages of death... even after said death. Hm. That sort of irony didn't amuse him as much as he initially thought.
"...And why are you here? I thought big-bad Composers, like yourself, had more important things to do with their time. Or are you and your minions placing bets again? If so, tell me this time instead of leaving me in the dark and shooting me," he muttered harshly and rubbed at his bruised arm.
His gaze flicked off Joshua and down onto his bony arms that were littered with small scrapes and bruises. Thankfully nothing of the car crash was present on his body. It would have been quite the sight if he was in UG in that condition...
"Mm, I suppose with that attitude, I should simply return to my throne, and leave you out here stranded without a partner." The silver-haired boy pondered aloud, crossing his arms with less amusement than he initially had at the start of this lovely reunion. "Really now, after I came all this way to make sure you had a fighting chance against the Noise, you repay me like this? I thought I taught you better manners than that, Neku."
Neku twitched. Sure, Joshua had taught him some good things, but he had shattered his trust, lied to him, and killed him. Not once, but friggin' twice. How could he be so calm around his murderer even after a year had passed?
Neku exhaled loudly and remained seated on the ground. As long as Joshua was nearby, just incase a noise attacked, he was fine. "I can find a partner myself," he muttered and eyed Joshua for a brief moment. "And I don't get why'd you make a special appearance just to welcome me back to hell."
"Oh, so my lovely Shibuya is now Hell, hm?" The Composer faked a hurt tone, placing a hand to his chest as if he was completely taken aback by that statement. "I believe that's only after you're erased." His smile seemed to grow just slightly as scarlet Noise symbols morphed into existence, surrounding them one by one. "The clock is ticking, Neku... now are you going to stop being a sore loser and accept my offer? Or would you rather be Noise food?"
Neku watched the noise with a rather deadly look. He thought he had seen the last of those damn things... His stomach churned and he wanted nothing more than just to die. Perhaps he could just brood about and--no, he needed a partner so the noise would stay the hell away.
"Don't think I've forgiven you," Neku stated coldly as he promptly snagged Joshua's hand and curtly clasped his fingers around it, eyes shutting. Blue light engulfed him, the pact already tying his body and binding their souls.
Joshua gave Neku a smirk as his hand fit inside the other's, the familiar blue light encasing both of them. Already, the smaller Noise began to form from the symbols - mostly frogs at this point - but the others began to back away at the formation of the pact. "Or course, dear." He replied in a mocking tone, thrilled with the rush of energy that flowed through both of their veins. The silver-haired boy vaguely remembered the first pact he had... back when he was still a Player in the Game... it was empowering, but it paled in comparison with the bond he has now twice with Neku. Perhaps it was because of his Imagination... after all, Neku was a formidable opponent. "Let's get this over with quickly, shall we?" He grinned at his partner.
"Whatever you say, Josh..." Neku nodded albeit his statement and got to his feet, reaching for his player pin. He paused, then sighed mentally in relief when he realized his pins from a year ago had once again appeared. He was about to call forth a psych when he realized that his hand was still firmly clasped in Joshua's. He let go quickly, as if he burned, and quickly went to casting a lightning strike.
Joshua blinked, having been unaware that their hands were still clasped together as well - but all that went through his mind was how amusing it was when Neku acted as if he was holding onto the tail of an enraged viper, and not his hand. He simply giggled and disappeared, heading into the separate ground he used to fight in, quickly disposing of the Noise with little power. He needed to stay hidden after all, act like a Player - at least, for now.
"Good job, Neku" He grinned as he reappeared beside the brunet, hands in his pockets. "I thought you'd be out of practice from your years' worth vacation, but I guess I was wrong."
Neku rolled his eyes and willed himself to deal with Joshua for now. Half of him just wanted to give the game up and be erased, and half didn't want that--he owed it to his friends to try.
A pause.
"...You're the Composer. Can't you just bring me back to life? Or do I have to 'deem' myself worthy in your oh-so powerful eyes?" he mocked and folded his arms to his chest, head tilted. He already knew what the answer would be so he braced himself.
"Mm, perhaps you do." Joshua nearly purred, giving the other boy a knowing smile. "After all, it'd be such a shame to say goodbye when you've only just gotten here. Don't you want to catch up? I'm sure I've been missed dearly."
Neku groaned. So Joshua was keeping him here for his twisted pleasure? Ahahaa...wonderful. The brunet sighed and allowed his shoulders to slouch some. Another week with the crazy pretty kid. Even more wonderful!
"...You are the spawn of evil," he decided and took out his player pin, idly rubbing the back of it to keep his mind off the silveret beside him.
"I missed you too." He giggled in a mocking tone, blinking as his cell phone began to ring. Neku's wasn't going off at the same time either, so that must mean...
Without a word, he flipped his cell open, reading the text message that was hastily put together. For a moment, a look of fear washed over Joshua's face - well, at least as close to fear as he ever got, which was only vaguely distinguishable from his few array of emotions. "Looks like we've got a mission." He spoke in a steady tone, closing his phone almost a little too quickly. "CAT Street, five minutes. Let's book it." The silver-haired Composer was always practically unreadable, but this time, there was something slightly off with his actions. Something a little more... stiff, perhaps?
Neku eyed Joshua for a moment. He was about to argue that his phone hadn't gone off but the five minutes deal caught him off guard. "Five minutes?!" he hollered and jolted up in the air in alarm. That would mean they'd have to run... and Joshua hated to sweat and..argh. If he caused him to lose this mission he was mincemeat from the grave…
"Come on!" Neku stated in a flustered voice as he grabbed Joshua's wrist and began racing towards the Department store area to race towards Cat Street. Too bad he didn't catch on to the trick Josh had used once more.
Joshua sighed inwardly once he knew his little white lie seemed to work, but wasted no time relishing in relief. In an instant he grasped his hand over Neku's wrist in return, tightening the hold they had on each other, and began to sprint, all but completely dropping his 'defenseless' facade and quickly ran through the street, soon having to drag Neku behind him.
It didn't take long before their first wall was spotted, the black-hooded Reaper not far from it, leisurely leaning back against a telephone pole, hands stuffed in his pockets. "Of all the..." Joshua mumbled to himself, for a moment cursing his own will that formed the creation of the Wall Reapers.
He didn't slow down, eyes set forward as his grip tightened on Neku's wrist.
"Joshua!" Neku warned as he spotted the reaper himself. "There's going to be a wall!" he barked, a bit short of breath from the running. But, he was in shape so it didn't bother him too much. But seriously! Reapers meant walls and was Joshua nuts? Were they going to just bolt through the damn wall?
"Stop, would you!? I'm not in the mood to slam into an invisible electric fence!"
"Not now, dear." Joshua replied in a somewhat strained voice, before focusing his energy, glowing a faint white around his entire body. So much for keeping a low profile... Sanae was going to kill him. For a moment he closed his eyes before they snapped open and the light around his body shot straight through the crowd and morphed into something reminiscent of an arrow, flying past the Reaper and right into the wall.
Before it completely shattered it into a million little semi-transparent pieces.
"What the-!" The Wall Reaper jumped as Joshua plowed through without so much as a second glance, still dragging Neku behind him, not missing a beat.
Neku blinked in dumbfounded surprise as he was rushed through what used to be a wall. He stared in mortification back at the reaper and the nonexistent wall. His head snapped back forward as he raced with Joshua, his eyes wide.
"Since when could you do that?" Neku demanded as his hand instinctively tightened around Joshua's wrist in return.
"Since when have I couldn't? This is my game." He replied back in a stiff tone, sounding much more like a Player - there was actual concern and haste in his voice.
Problem is, Players couldn't exactly dismantle a wall at will. Oh yes, and this was Joshua. Any time he seemed even semi-serious, there was usually a problem.
And it didn't stop there. Two broken walls later, the Reapers began to catch on and finally decided something was wrong (which probably should have been deducted at the first broken wall, but they were hired for brawl, not brains). "Who-oaa, slow down!" Three Reapers flew down from the roofs, hands glowing with energy as they began to summon Noise, the scarlet-colored symbols materializing the air beside them. Really now, weren't they supposed to report this sort of thing before rushing in like fools? Well, not that Joshua was complaining... "I'm not sure how you managed to break through the walls, but-"
The silver-haired boy didn't even let the Reaper finish before he lashed out a hand glowing with white ethereal light, and sliced it in the air, forming a large bullet that slammed right into the black hooded figure and successfully scaring the other two off. For a moment Joshua's gaze met Neku's - his usual laid back, if not somewhat cold stare had turned fiery, rage boiling up inside of him. He was doing his best to stay calm, but even he couldn't do that in this condition. He quickly avoided Neku's gaze and instead concentrated on the path ahead. They were almost there…
By that point Neku had deduced that something was very much wrong. As he continued racing with Josh, his body sweating from everything that had just happened and the rush of the hot air against his skin, a thought occurred to him. He lifted his right palm (thankfully his left was preoccupied) and inspected it. No timer...
He sighed mentally. Great. He had been tricked again. Neku mentally smacked himself but the brief stare into his eyes that Josh had given him had spoken volumes. Something was off and it had scared the Composer out of his wits and smug demeanor.
Neku chose not to say anything and continued with his partner, hand absentmindedly slipping just the slightest away from the Composer's wrist and towards his hand.
They rushed through the park underpass and across the bridge in record time, not that he had the leisure to give himself a mental pat on the back for that. An eerie screeching sound resonated from above the clouds - before a large explosion just seconds behind them nearly knocked both boys off their feet. Oh god, they were already here...
"NEKU! GET IN THE CAFE!" Joshua yelled as he used the last bit of physical strength he could get out of this body to propel the brunet in front of him, still running at top speed. They were close, so close... If they could just make it to the doors-
Another otherworldly screech filled the air before another explosion, and a pain shot through Joshua unlike anything he's ever felt before. He let go of Neku's hand, faltering in his steps before he froze altogether, a large glowing white arrow protruding through his chest. For a split second his eyes widened in pain before they closed and he fell to the ground in a soundless 'thwump'.
Neku crashed into the front door and hurried and then slammed the door shut. He slumped down the side of the wall and peered weakly over his shoulder. "What the hell was that Jo-" he began but then froze. Where the hell was he?!
"Joshua?!" he demanded and held the doorknob shut before looking outside. His stomach lurched and he gripped the handle tighter. "Joshua?!" he repeated louder his time when his eyes locked with the fallen form of the silveret.
"Mr. H! Where are you?! Josh...Josh is..." he gasped and debated running outside.
Sanae Hanekoma was already at the door, pushing past Neku none too gently, obviously having expected them - but he expected them both to walk in the cafe... intact. With nearly inhuman speed he picked up the seemingly lifeless boy that once lay sprawled on the streets, dragging him in and shutting the door tight behind him, muttering a few incomprehensible words before the door glowed a faint green, fading back to normal within a few seconds. "The back room, Phones." The older man repositioned his hold on Joshua before leading the way past the 'employees only' door, setting the fair-haired Composer down on a couch, faltering as he looked at the shining arrow that was now embedded in his superior.
"You are ten kinds of stupid, you know that Boss?" Sanae grumbled before standing and rushing over to a nearby cabinet, practically throwing its contents onto the counter below.
Neku slowly walked over to where Joshua was resting. His hands twitched uneasily by his sides as he crept over and stood by the fallen Composer's side. "What the hell did you get yourself into, Josh?" he murmured and eyed the teen for a long moment. He couldn't have pushed him out the way, right? He just...
Neku shook his head and tried to block that thought out. Joshua would never do that. Nope... "Is he...dead?" Neku dared and looked over at Sanae.
"He will be if I don't - aha!" Sanae triumphantly pulled out what seemed like a small gold ring from the plethora of junk that once filled the cabinet, and ran back over to the motionless boy on the couch. Without missing a beat, he placed the ring over the white arrow, and the offending weapon faded, causing Joshua to flinch in pain, before fading back into unconsciousness, his silver hair covering his eyes.
"I think he'll be alright... I was able to get that arrow out of him before it killed him." The older man sighed, rubbing his neck stressfully. "I'm in all kinds of shit now too I suppose..."
"Care to explain what's going on?" Neku murmured and slipped down onto his knees beside the couch to survey Joshua. To think that he had almost died...it seemed illogical and impossible.
He kept his gaze locked with the unconscious boy, as if somehow entranced by how different he looked.
Sanae groaned aloud, running his fingers through his hair nervously. "Simply put..." He paused for a moment, as if still taking in the severity of the situation. He never expected Joshua to do something like this... "He broke the rules, Phones."
"What rules? He's the Composer, isn't he? All high and mighty?" Neku muttered and glanced between Joshua and Mr. H, biting his bottom lip absentmindedly. What rule could Joshua possibly break?
Another sigh. "Technically, yes. Joshua has the ability to morph, break, and create everything in Shibuya... but even Shibuya has rules of its own. Not that many might I add, but he happened to break one. And when a Composer does that... the Angels come down to inflict divine punishment, if you will." There was another uncomfortable pause as Sanae wondered just how he was going to explain all of this to Neku without rattling his brain. "There are two parties in play here, Phones. Not just one. Composers and Angels have about the same level of power, even if they rule over different territory. But to make sure one doesn't overstep their boundaries, they each have their own rules that should never be broken - but when they are, Joshua here can inflict punishment on an Angel, and, as you've seen... visa versa. It's to ensure that neither party will become too powerful."
Neku nodded slowly, uncertain if he truly believed that or not. But still...he had seen that arrow and those screeches that had sent shivers down his spine and made his clutch at Joshua's hand in mortification. The male paused. "What rule did he break, then?" He was interested. Whatever Josh had fucked up on caused this.
Sanae gave Neku a meaningful look. "When you died, Phones, your soul had already been refined through Joshua's game. You're pure, and thus, prepared for the next world. Joshua's job is to refine souls like yours through his Game, to ensure a happy ending. Reincarnation is one possibility, whereas an unrefined soul will turn into Noise, or be driven towards Hell. An Angel's job is to take refined souls and guide them where they need to go. In short, you were supposed to go to the afterlife Phones, not come back to the game. Joshua overstepped his boundaries by taking you before an Angel could... he wanted to give you another chance."
Neku eyed Sanae for a moment. He then burst out into brief laughter. "Joshua? Risk his life for me?" He laughed and then ceased when he realized that it wasn't funny and actually true. He paled and then averted his eyes, almost ashamed. "...Why the hell would he do that for me?" he muttered and looked uneasily to Joshua.
"He'd never admit it, the stubborn boy he is..." Sanae took a few steps back and settled into a chair, taking a pack of cigarettes out from his back pocket. "But he really cares for you. Even after you lost the final Game to him, he still sent you back with the others, and he kept Shibuya alive." He paused to laugh, recalling an embarrassing thought. "He was sulking for a while after you left. Said it was boring without his little proxy. I guess that's his own way of saying he missed you - but he was glad to see you were alive and happy."
Neku rolled his eyes. It was like Joshua to call him 'his proxy' as if he were just some toy used in a bet, which he truly was. But... Neku looked back to Joshua. He had risked his own life? "Will he wake up soon?" he murmured and kept his gaze on the fallen boy. He resisted touching the silver hair, not wanting to give Mr. H any wrong impressions.
"I would hope so. It'll be a while before someone up there comes down to see why he's not dead... a day or two at most. We gotta figure out what we're going to do before then... if anything." The older man slouched and lit his cigarette, taking a deep breath in before sighing out a breath of smoke. "The way things are going, I'm as good as dead, too. Stubborn little bugger, isn't he? Always thinks things will go the way he wants them to."
As if on cue, the silver-haired boy began to cough, leaning up shakily as he covered his mouth, barely able to prop himself up on his elbow. "...'Th' fuck hit me...?" He mumbled, noticing with dismay his hand was now stained with blood. That felt rather unpleasant.
Neku leaned his elbow against the available inch of couch and allowed his chin to rest in his palm. He looked to Mr. H, uncertain as to whether or not he should inform Joshua that he knew or not. If Joshua was going to play savior, then perhaps he'd play the dumb damsel in distress until Josh was ready to tell him himself... that seemed logical.
"Dunno. You shoved me in here before I saw anything," he sighed and offered the weakest of smiles. "Blood doesn't suit you, Josh."
"Mm, right. Looks better on you." He replied harshly, giving his partner a weak glare, hoping he got the cruel message underneath his words of the two times he had shot the brunet. "How'd I get here?"
"Drug your sorry ass in, that's how." Sanae said gruffly. "You were shot with an Angel's arrow. Was able to get it out before it killed you completely."
"You screwed yourself over the second you began to help me, you know that, right?" Joshua shot a rather peeved look at his Producer.
"You're welcome, Boss." The older man gave him a mocking salute.
Neku bristled from Joshua's words. That's nice, keep bringing the death subject back up. Real smooth... The brunet sighed and looked back and forth between the pair. He sighed and suddenly felt the urge to talk to Joshua...but of course, with Mr. H in the room, there wouldn't be a dash of seriousness... Then again, Joshua and serious didn't go either.
"...I don't think smoking in here is going to make him any better," Neku pointed out and shoot him a knowing glance. He wouldn't mention to Joshua that he knew why the angels were pissed. Nope.
"That's not exactly the case, Nek-" Joshua began to reply, but was cut off as Sanae stood up from his chair, placing the cigarette in between two fingers.
"Nahh, s'alright. I've got a few things to check out in the River anyway... I think it's still too soon for the Angels to know who rescued you, so I might as well get it out of the way before they find out." He scratched the back of his neck before placing his hand in his pocket. "Think you can take care of our little rebel here while I'm gone?"
"He hardly needs to do that..." Joshua muttered with a grimace. Honestly, he was shot in the chest and nearly killed, but he was still far more powerful than the two men in this room. Sanae knew it irked him when he talked about him like that... like he was still a kid. He was far too old for that now.
"I can take care of him. Just go do your work," Neku suggested and tossed Sanae a thankful smile before directing his gaze to Joshua. He said nothing for a moment and allowed the quietness of the room to engulf him. He'd choose not to speak until Mr. H left the pair alone.
Sanae grinned at the smile Neku gave him, nodding a bit before taking his leave, leaving the two alone. There was plenty to be done in the River in such a short amount of time... and if they needed Neku to fully cooperate, it wouldn't be a bad idea for him and the Composer to come to an understanding. Though with the way Joshua handles himself with these sorts of situations, leaving them alone for any period of time could certainly make things worse, too.
Ahh well, it was as good of a gamble as any.
--oo0oo--
No lemons yet, sadly. But there will be next chapter. 3