Okay, now you guys are just killing me. I even got two reviews on Maybe I should post my other story and hope that it has more success. Please, can't you just tell me what's wrong or why you think my story isn't attention-grabbing? Is the summary too boring? Is it because I'm a new Yu-Gi-Oh! fanfic writer? Does my title absolutely suck? You guys have to tell me!
Chapter Two: Forgotten Laugh Lines
Kali
It's funny how I came to be a mercenary. I never liked bloodshed. It sickens me, in fact. I prefer to use less unoriginal techniques that usually yield more pleasant results. Drowning, neck-breaking, electrocuting, throttling, have all been proven effective.
I've also had a past. One that, if anyone knew the details of, would have me mocked out of the forest. Kieran has often threatened me with this, but it's always proven empty. The truth is, I wasn't always like this. I used to be calm, quiet, collected. I used to quiver with mirth. I used to read books…That one still confuses me. I don't know what I saw in them.
I can't think of many happy memories from my past, but I know they exist. I remember the feelings. The captivation of overwhelming euphoria. The anticipation of something soon to come, fiery yearning for a certain event. All of which I would gladly trade for thrill, power, and the rush of sweet adrenaline flooding into my veins. Ever since I joined the Primavera, I seemed perfectly willing to leave all of those old worn out emotions behind.
I remember what happened. Kieran was growing distant, spending time with the wrong people, always out 'busy' every day of the week. Then my
parents died and he didn't seem to even care. He ranted on and on about how they had it coming for so long that it's nothing to be upset about and that I should stop moping around. It's hard to picture myself moping. Then again, it's hard to picture myself at all. I'm not one for vanity, unlike Valkyrie or Yolanda.
It was then that I started to follow him, find out what exactly he was doing the time he was away. I figured I owed my parents, who had given up on him, that much. It was then that Xanthus found me.Xanthus is around the same age as Kieran. He doesn't know. He was an orphan, taken in by one of the gentler Primavera, and raised to fight. He was the one who brought Kieran to this dangerous group of slayers, and perfectly willing to bring me in as well, much to Kieran's displeasure.
So started a long and tiring journey for me. It was then that Kali, the daughter of the late Andreios and Leta disappeared, and Kali, the ruthless slayer, took her place. Do I regret all that I've done and the lives I ended? Do their spirits haunt me in my troubled sleep? Not particularly. I have never known anything else, and the less Mundanes there are of the world, the better.
Seto
I ran a hand through my hair and heaved an exasperated sigh. "Tell them to reschedule," I ordered. "And that I don't want any complaints. I've made plans at home this evening."
"But he insis-" Evelyn began.
I glanced up at her with stone cold eyes. I don't like impertinence. She'd forgotten you don't argue with Seto Kaiba. "Well I insist they postpone. Otherwise, the deal's off."
"Yes, sir," Evelyn said meekly, beginning to back out of the room. Finally.
I should be leaving. I promised Mokuba I'd be home early. I'm starting to regret that now. I should stop making promises I can't keep. No doubt Gregor Alves (no, you're not supposed to know who this is, I don't either) would be dissatisfied once Evelyn speaks to him, but not so much that he'd try to break the contract. He'd find it's sealed tight at any rate.
I stood up and grabbed my briefcase, scanning the room one more time. My files are still on the top right corner of my desk, my computer is closed and locked, and I can see through the wall of windows behind the desk that it's getting dark.
Mokuba
Loot a burning house. I frowned. This statement in the book I was trying to decipher baffled me. Why would someone want to steal from a house that's burning? I pictured a burglar sneaking into our house and trying to see through the smoke. That's the only reason I'm putting up with this book, really. I've been edgy ever since March, when someone tried to kill Seto. And got away.
That's right. He still has the bandage on his arm where the guy sliced him. I shuddered.
Speaking of Seto, he's late again. Normally, I wouldn't mind. He's always late. He suddenly realizes that he has a deadline or someone requests a conference at the last minute. But today he promised. He said he'd be home.
I bit my lip in worry, temporarily forgetting about the book in my lap. What if that man got to him again? What if Seto doesn't get as lucky as last time? Ghastly images flashed across my mind as my imagination ran wild. Just when I was going to tear my hair out, keys jangled at the front door. I let out a relieved sigh. Really, I'm getting too paranoid.
Usually, I would rush to meet him, but the book is grabbing my interest again so I turn back to it.
Create something out of nothing. I groan inwardly. These are just too confusing for me. I try to continue anyway, one eye on my bedroom door. Sure enough, Seto came right in.
"There you are," he said, relief evident on his face. I'm not the only one who's been edgy lately. But for some reason, Seto is convinced I'm the one in danger, regardless to the fact that the knife had been pointing at his throat. "What are you reading?"
Instinctively, I tried to shove the book under my quilt, not wanting him to know what I was up to. He'll worry and the last thing I want is to add to his list of those. "Nothing!" I said quickly, but I really shouldn't have bothered.
"Hrmph." Seto dove under the sheets without another word and retrieved my book in a matter of seconds, turning it over in his hands.
He raised a questioning eyebrow as I squirmed. "36 Strategies of War?" he read aloud. "Would you mind explaining, Mokuba?"
"It was for you!" I blurted out. He doesn't look mad, thank god. Just a bit bemused. "Incase you get attacked again. My school librarian said it was a very famous collection of ways to trick or sabotage your enemy."
Seto leaned down so as to see me eye to eye. "Mokuba. I'm not going to die. Those feeble so-called hunters will never outsmart me. Really, I thought you knew better."
"But he was from a very powerful organization!" I protested. Why doesn't he understand? He's in terrible danger! Someone could be plotting his demise right now! He needs to be on guard.
I'm beginning to feel quite foolish. Seto smiled, no doubt of my idiocy. "That may be so, but I've got security tighter than ever before. No one is going to harm either of us." How can he still think about me at a time like this? I don't have what it takes to run KaibaCorp. Seto, on the other hand, has been CEO for years. Why would they me after me?
Still, what he said does comfort me ever so slightly. I'm glad he's not turning a blind eye to the risk of his life. He's right, though. I should have known better.
"So you're going to be okay?" I asked tentatively. I need to hear it from him, to be sure.
"Yes, Mokuba," he said gently. "So stop worrying. And besides, this isn't a war."
"It's not just that!" I said defensively, firing up at once. "You can use most of them in your every day life too."
The eyebrow shot back up, accompanied by a look of amusement. "Such as?"
I frowned. "Well, I would be able to give some examples if I had help understanding it."
He laughed. His is a laugh that always surprises me, even though I, of all people, know he really is human. He just doesn't seem like the type to laugh, and many others would agree with me. But I'm glad when he does, because I'm the one who makes it happen.
Blood is the key,
To hidden lies.
Letting the alliance materialize.
Review. Please. I'm begging you.
