eyy b0ss.
Fuck, it's... it's strong! Iori gasped, and gripped the wheel for dear life. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
Fuck, it's... it's l̶o̶n̶g̶! Iori gasped, and gripped the s̶h̶e̶e̶t̶s̶ for dear life. ( ͡o ͜ʖ ͡o)
Why yes, I am a degenerate. Thanks for asking.
lol jk gimme dat ebola. Inject it into m m.
Mark Zuckerburg is NOT HUMAN. STAY WOKE.
Also Kyo's a lil' bitch.
Kind thanks to the anon(s?) that leave reviews. I would've replied, but I can't lol. #FF2018.
I make it a policy to only release a chapter after the next one is already written. The reason for this is because many details may need to be tweaked in order for events to stay consistent. So yeah. Ch5 is done. I'll be posted when I finish 6.
Got some shit coming up. Progress will be slower after 5 goes live.
Kyo was rummaging through the kitchen drawers when he heard a car pull up outside. It was Yagami. Kyo could feel it in his blood. It boiled, it wanted to fight. And he knew Yagami's cursed blood was doing the same. But he was delirious with fatigue, and Iori wasn't. This fight would end badly for him. This was a bad idea.
When Kyo first complained to his girlfriend years ago about his psychotic stalker, he was surprised that she knew him. He keenly remembered thinking she was talking about a different 'Iori Yagami', because she said: "Yagami? That mellow guy is trying to fight you? I guess he could, he looks strong… but I've known him for a few years. He would never hurt a person!"
Apparently Yagami hated violence… except violence toward "Kyo Kusanagi, my eternal rival!" -what a fruitcake. And carried out a generally peaceful, even reasonably friendly, existence while he wasn't on psychotic murder sprees.
There! Three packs of Marlboro. That ought to keep the chain-smoker happy. Kyo hoped giving the addict his fix would prevent the redhead from trying to eat him.
Kyo staggered to his feet. He quickly retrieved his jeans and t-shirt from the kitchen counter and dressed himself. He stuffed his jacket into the duffel. He had lost a lot of his baggage since the outbreak started - all that remained was his wallet, passport and a change of clothes. The rest of the bag was stuffed with as many cans of food he could manage. He discarded the baseball bat.
The door had been creaking less and less as the infected became dormant for the evening. I want to be fucking dormant for the evening. Why do they get to sleep? Ugh.
Kyo slung his duffel bag over his shoulder and went to peek into the street. The glass had fogged up completely, so Kyo threw open the window. Hot, humid air hit him like a brick wall. He peered out.
There it was, a 1968 Ford Mustang. Must have been modded to hell if it was still running. Nice car though. Yagami must have stolen it from some innocent bystander. The figure sitting in the driver's seat was slumped over the wheel. Did he die? Kyo loosed a tired scoff and began climbing out.
Athena had once told him she hated talking to Yagami while he was around. "He's all normal" she complained, "then you show up, and he starts acting all weird and aggressive. Once we were talking about how annoying it was to play in 5/8th's notation and then he suddenly gets really mad about it. Then, when you left, he calmed right down like nothing happened, I don't think he even knew you were there Kyo." She laughed before proposing that in case he were ever kidnapped, they could use Yagami's temper as a locater.
Nah, Athena. He knew I was there.
Kyo snapped his thoughts back to the situation at hand. The figure in the car remained motionless, but Kyo knew better than to relax. Iori was an offensive fighter, but even he took steps to defend himself. Kyo had fought against the man long enough to anticipate his movements. His victories depended on Iori's consistency - and Iori was a reliable guy. He never changed his tactics. The idiot fought by instinct alone.
So the first time Kyo fought with Orochi Iori, it never occurred to him he would need a new strategy.
Kyo distinctly remembered throwing out a flame-laced kick. Iori would have hopped back, he always did.
But the wild fighter didn't retreat, he ran headlong into the attack. Kyo was shocked as the madman took the kick to the gut, then clawed into his leg.
He would have ripped my kneecap right off if Benimaru wasn't there.
Kyo shook away painful thoughts. "C'mon man. Let's go" he muttered to himself. He spared a glance back toward the mustang. His rival hadn't moved.
Alright Yagami. Just stay in the car, I really don't have the energy to deal with your stupid curse right now.
It was twenty feet to the pavement below. Kyo had to jump, if he landed wrong he might break a leg. That would be fun.
Kyo prepared himself for the jump. Luckily he cast a final look at the vehicle before he dropped... because the driver's door had been flung wide open. Iori was nowhere to be seen.
Oh give me a break.
Kyo scrambled back into the apartment. He peered into the darkness, looking for movement… There! Yagami slowly walked through a halo of lamplight as he approached. He was visibly shaking, glassy unfocused eyes reflecting fluorescent lamplight. They also reflected an all-too-familiar murderous rage. Yeah, asshole was out for his blood.
Hot rage flooded his head. This piece of shit! He knew this would happen didn't he? Did he come to kill me after all? Did he lie on the phone just to get my location?
Kyo quieted his anger.
No. Yagami doesn't scheme. He doesn't lie either. He's just absolutely fucking insane. That guy… It's got to be Orochi- fuck him. Fuck them both.
Could he sneak away? He didn't think so. He could feel the other man's presence in his bones. Iori could do the same. They always knew if the other was nearby. There was no getting away. He had to wager.
Wager Iori Yagami's stubborn willpower against Orochi.
"Yagami you sneaky fucker!" Kyo hollered at the top of his voice. He was surprised it didn't just come out as a whisper. Iori snapped his head toward him, fixing him with a baleful gaze. "If you wanted to fight, why didn't you say so!?"
The figure in the lamplight threw his head back and howled in insane laughter.
Ok… that's always a good sign…
Kyo swallowed the lump in his throat. He continued to shout. "Instead you have me tearing up somebody's apartment looking for canned beans? Where's your honor you piece of shit!? You lying, scheming bastard!"
"You wanna fight me like this? I'm dead on my fucking feet."
Maybe I shouldn't have said that.
"The entire world will be disgusted at you! You'll lose everything And it's gonna be Orochi's fault. Are you gonna let that happen? Huh?"
Iori stopped moving. He bent over and clutched his head. Kyo could see a single eye, framed in red bangs and claw-like fingers, roll wildly in it's socket.
Good. Fight that asshole. Beat the shit out of him.
"Are you gonna lose to that Orochi fucker? Huh, Yagami? Fine then, let that shitstain walk all over you." Kyo hung halfway out the window, screaming. He had whipped himself into a frenzy. "Weak ass bitch! Don't you dare call yourself a fighter! If you can't even beat the voices in your own fucking head! You think you can fight me? You'll never beat me! Not in a million years!"
"KYOOOO!" Iori gnashed his teeth. He dug his claws into his scalp. Blood oozed from between his fingers. It mixed with his sweat and ran down his arms, painting red trails against his pale skin.
Oh Shit… That's never happened before. Kyo became nervous.
The man remained hunched for a long while, swaying back and forth. Kyo was reminded of the old infected shopkeeper - who battled the urge to attack people the same way Iori was now battling the urge to murder him.
Kyo dropped the duffel bag on the floor beneath the windowsill and withdrew into the apartment. In the case Iori lost, and came climbing up the wall, he could more easily retreat to defend.
Not that it would help much. I… I don't thi-
Kyo snapped his thoughts away. No. No matter the situation, he would survive. He was Kusanagi Kyo, the scion of flame. He was the King of Fighters. He would not die. Iori had backstabbed him before - and he lived. Kyo would continue to live. Nobody would kill him. He gripped the windowsill and looked out.
Yagami was swaying back and forth under the lamplight. There was blood everywhere. Insects swarmed thick in the air around him - attracted to the light. Their incessant buzzing seemed to make the night even hotter. Long seconds passed.
Finally the figure uttered a low groan and relaxed. Somebody had just won. Kyo prayed it was 'nice' Yagami instead of 'I'll eat your guts' Yagami.
The man shook his head, then raised it to look up at him. There was blood smeared across his face. His eyes burned like live coals. His face was etched with bitter loathing. He strode forward rapidly, snarling.
"Say that shit one more time Kusanagi, I fucking dare you!"
Oh good. It's nice Iori.
"Get down here bitch! I'll eat you alive!"
Kyo exhaled. Then prepared himself for another bout of verbal jousting. Yagami was easier to deal with when he was sane. Sane Iori occasionally listened to reason.
"Oh? So you wanted to fight after all?" Kyo snarled back. "You should have just let Orochi do it!" Kyo was now keenly aware of what Iori meant by his 'other guy'. "Why did you even come here. huh? Don't waste my time like this!"
Iori glared up at him, brimming with anger. Then his scowl had shifted into a frown. He seemed torn for a moment. He was… probably remembering that he wasn't supposed to fight.
The guy really wore his heart on his sleeve.
The trail of blood snaked down into his eye. He grunted and bent to rub it away. When he righted himself the anger in his face had mostly faded.
"You're the one wasting my time, Kusanagi. Are you coming or not?" Iori called from below. "Didn't I say I'd set you on fire if you made me wait?" He looked like a serial killer. His entire face was smeared in blood, even dripping from his chin. But there was no sting in his voice. The threats weren't real. They were speaking civilly again.
"Civilly."
"Okay fine, just stay. I don't give a shit." Iori exclaimed, clearly exasperated. He turned back toward his car.
Asshole.
"Alright. Bitch." Iori turned his head at the sound of Kyo's voice. "Here. Catch!" Kyo heaved forty pounds of bacon-n-beans at the figure who was now standing below him.
Iori made a startled noise before whirling to catch the bag; he staggered as he did. He growled something inaudible, then quickly examined the bag's contents before carrying it to the car. Kyo took the opportunity to drop down from the windowsill, taking care to break his fall with a roll. He stood gingerly and rolled his ankles until he was satisfied he hadn't injured himself. Then he stood, still on guard, Observing.
The other man was still facing away from him. He was bent over the open car door, head shoved into the cabin, one hand gripping the edge of the roof, the other digging through the bag which sat in the back seat.
Wow is he seriously walking around in boxers? I know it's hot but-
Shit.
Oh Shit.
Kyo noticed several bandaged wounds on Iori's legs. He knew his rival was not a careless person. If the redhead was injured, it was because somebody attacked him. Kyo was nearly certain that these somebodies were the infected horde. And if their blood mixed with his...
"Yagami"
"What." Iori had emerged from the car with a protein bar.
"Who injured you?"
Iori gave him a flat look. He finished chewing and replied in an equally flat voice. "I appreciate the concern, but I'll be fine." He climbed into the car, tossed the crinkled wrapper into the street, and motioned at Kyo to go around to the passenger's side. Kyo approached the vehicle warily.
Is he infected? All those wounds... at least one of them has got to be a bite. Just what was he fighting down at the streetlight, was it the Orochi curse or the zombie infection? Both?
Kyo trained his eyes on his rival as he walked around the front of the car. The man had pulled off his shirt and was pressing it against his forehead, red blood soaked through the white fabric.
Whatever it was, he fought it... And won. Those wounds look at least a few hours old, so if he was infected, he should be showing symptoms by now. Resisted pretty well… unlike the guys upstairs.
Kyo stopped outside the passenger's window. A half moon shone weakly through the clouds.
I guess I'll take my chances. Again … at least for now. So be NICE Kyo. Don't fucking trigger the psycho. God I need some damn sleep.
Kyo opened the car door and slumped heavily against the cracked leather. The motion caused the cigarette boxes in his pants pocket to scratch at his leg. He remembered he had them. The door slammed shut. They sat in silence. The digital clock on the dashboard read 10:04.
Kyo glanced at Iori. He had a couple more wounds across his arms and chest. He had tried to wipe the blood off his face but only succeeded in smearing it about. His shirt was tied around his forehead like a bandanna. Red hair, matted in some places with blood, flopped over his face. He looked ridiculous - like a prop from a horror movie. If Kyo hadn't been so tired he would have laughed.
Iori rested both bloodstained hands on the steering wheel. He stared listlessly out the windshield into the darkness. "This was a really fucking bad idea, Kusanagi" he muttered.
No shit. I'm sitting in the car with somebody who just tried to kill me.
"Yeah. You sounded kinda drunk on the phone". Kyo pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and tapped it against the dashboard until one of them dislodged. He proffered it, "cig?"
I just need to keep this asshole happy for a bit longer, get some sleep, then…. Then I'll figure out what to do.
Kyo had always scoffed at the phrase 'the light in your eyes'. His girlfriend always used it - "Kyooo~ are you sad? You look all dead today! Your eyes are like a dead fish's." She would whine "Come on, lighten up. I want to see your eyes shine!"
But when Iori turned his head and saw the cigarettes, Kyo swore the man's deadpan turned into the expression of pure love. A light beamed from behind those cold bloodshot eyes.
"Oh shit, you angel!" In one fluid motion Iori plucked the cigarette out of the carton, produced a lighter, lit the end, and stuck it in his mouth. He took a long drag. He seemed a good deal happier.
You're welcome asshole.
Kyo always wondered where smokers kept their lighters. They always seemed to have one on hand no matter the situation. Iori was wearing boxers… and that's it, and yet he managed to pull a lighter from his non-existent pockets.
Wait, what does he even carry a lighter for?
They sat in silence for another few moments. Kyo stuffed the carton into one of the car's cup holders. He really wanted to be on their way. He was tired. So tired. But he couldn't sleep. Not yet.
Say something Kyo, don't let the bastard forget where we are. If he drifts into LaLa land you're not catching a wink of sleep tonight.
"Nice ride." Iori, enamored with his cigarette, tore away his gaze to look at Kyo," yours?"
"A friend's" the smoker began looking a bit sullen again, he turned to blow smoke out the window. Kyo was glad he did. Unlike him. Kyo had a future to prepare for. He didn't want to deal with the effects of secondhand smoke.
"Oh."
A few long moments crawled by.
Kyo drummed his fingers on his knee. He was a bit miffed that Iori had threatened to kill him for being too slow. But now here they were. Sitting, doing nothing. Fatigue was creeping up on him, blackness fringed the edges of his vision. He was so tired he wanted to fucking die. "He doesn't need it does he?" Kyo asked absentmindedly. He spoke to keep himself conscious.
"He doesn't need it anymore." Iori turned slightly to face the window.
Huh?
It took Kyo a moment to process what was happening.
Shit… is… is he mourning?
"Oh."
The hell? This asshole knows how to mourn? All he does is to tell everyone to die, yet he's mourning? This slimy hypocrite… Kyo opened his mouth. Then shut it again.
Don't rile him up Kyo! Do you wanna die? Don't piss him off.
"Sorry." The word stuck to his throat. Kyo had to force it out. It made him angry all over again. Faggot should be the one apologizing to me. Almost went nuts back there. Could have killed me.
Kyo was not the type to tip-toe around people. When he pissed someone off he usually didn't bother to apologize. He was used to throwing around fighting words. Being meek -passive - just wasn't in his blood. But at the moment, he would have to bear it. For as much as he hated to admit it, he was at Yagami's mercy.
They sat like that for another minute. Kyo fumed for bit, but soon let off. He didn't have energy to sustain long periods of anger anymore. He was running on empty. He just wanted to rest, but he was sitting next to the man who spent the last 5 years trying to murder him. Kyo's guts, his survival instinct, wouldn't let him relax - he wanted to pull his guts out.
I wish I could stick a shock collar on him... It probably wouldn't work - the guy has stupidly high pain tolerance. And I think his nervous system just shuts down when he goes on rampage. A gun maybe? Nah. We all know how to dodge bul-
Kyo was jerked out of his thoughts when Iori started the car. It clanked into gear and steered into a wide arc. Iori stopped before heading down the same street he arrived from. Kyo almost flinched as he felt Iori glance at him.
"Kusanagi you look like shit." Iori motioned to the road. "I'll wake you up when we get there."
Was he trying to be nice?
Kyo wanted nothing more than to sleep, but he simply couldn't trust the redhead. Especially not after earlier's vicious display. His voice was beginning to slur; he steadied it.
"Yagami."
"Mm?"
"Swear on … your Mother's life you won't touch me."
Cheesy.
"What?"
I don't have time for this shit. Swear faggot! Swear so I can sleep!
"You were about to attack me back there you fu-" Kyo bit his tongue before he added an expletive.
"Yeah? Well I didn't." Iori's voice was hard.
What the hell is wrong with this guy. Did I make a mistake? Maybe I should spend the night with the infected guys upstairs.
"You've done it before. Billy… and Shingo too."
…
Moments crawled by.
What kind of leverage is that? I bet the asshole doesn't even feel bad about teamkilling. He never even showed remorse over Vice and Mature - and they were actually his allies. He's always after me anyways. Billy does nothing but annoy him. And he fucking hates Shingo... Damn it! What the hell do I do? I should just give up on this Psycho? How do I get out again? … Left, on this street to 10th right? fifty miles? Or was it seventy? I-
"Fucker." the whispered word caused Kyo to flinch.
The hell he angry about?
Iori hadn't taken kindly to whatever Kyo had said. He whirled toward the other man, his face set like flint, his eyes blazing. Kyo suddenly feared for his life, he gripped a the door handle. The door clicked, opening slightly.
Shit, SHIT. Go! Move! Get outta there Kyo!
But Kyo didn't move. He knew the moment he moved, he died.
The night lay still. Both fighters were tense, frozen in place. Every nerve in Kyo's body screamed danger. The only thing that stirred was the slow rising of smoke from the cigarette which dangled from between bared teeth. The purr of the engine and the whirring of insects meshed with the heartbeat pounding in his ears.
Yagami trembled… ripped his eyes off his passenger, and hunched back over the wheel. Kyo watched as he squeezed his eyes shut and ground his teeth. Alarmed, Kyo slowly pushed the door open to attempt a silent exit.
The hinges squealed.
Fuck.
He froze.
"Fine." a low growl.
Startled, Kyo glanced sideways. Iori sat back against the seat. He swiveled to look his rival dead in the eyes. His voice rasped slightly, he had bitten his tongue and a thin sheen of blood coated his teeth. Somehow the cigarette had survived the ordeal. The tension in the air was almost tangible.
He spoke slowly. Venomously.
"I swear to you, on my mother's grave, that you'll wake up tomorrow, completely unharmed."
Grave?… Ah. Oh shit… I forgot.
"Happy?" The redhead stared at him. Kyo swallowed, and nodded slightly.
"Fucking Good."
No bitch, Fuck you.
Iori turned quickly back toward the road and punched the gas. Kyo yanked the door shut as the car lurched forward. They accelerated violently past the wreckage in the streets, swerving perilously around debris.
They flew past building after ruined building. The streets were silent and empty. The Moon shone through a veil of clouds. A car alarm sounded somewhere in the distance. Kyo watched his rival through the corner of his eye, still tense after the last exchange.
Thankfully, Yagami seemed content to focus on driving - dangerously.
After a few minutes, the driving became less reckless. The redhead had a short fuse, but his anger didn't burn too long. His brow, still dark with blood, unfurrowed. His breathing calmed. He began tapping the steering wheel to some unheard beat.
Kyo observed his companion carefully for a bit longer before letting himself relax. He reclined on the seat and stared lazily out the windshield, he was about to drift off when he caught sight of a staggering figure. A person slowly walked into the street before them.
I thought they were all supposed to be asleep?
"Hey… watch it" Kyo's muttered, eyes half lidded, weighed down with fatigue. "Slow down. Yagami."
They didn't slow down. They made no motion to avoid the figure. The car continued cruising calmly. Kyo stirred, becoming concerned.
"Do you see that? Right there…. Hey Yaga-"
Iori began accelerating. Kyo panicked. The figure became illuminated in the old mustang's headlamps. They were on a collision course. They were travelling well over speed limit.
"Shit! Shit! Yagami! Turn you idiot!"
"Why?"
What?! Kyo spared his driver a glance. Iori seemed normal. His expression was placid. He drove with one hand, the other laid on the open windowsill tapping out his beat.
"There's a fucking person there! Are you blind?"
Iori scoffed and continued driving. Kyo looked about wildly.
The figure continued dragging itself forward. It was a woman, she was infected, her bulging eyes were fixed on Iori, she bared bloody teeth at him. Cold loathing was etched into her features. She clutched a torso in her arms. The torso of a child. It had been rent in two, it's skin was charred and blackened… As if...
Oh God.
Yagami… did you….
How many … How many people did you kill?
Iori swerved so the car would clip her. She flew into a nearby storefront. They braked. Iori stepped out.
Kyo was frozen in place. He knew Iori had killed people before. But it had never really impacted him. Yagami tried to kill him all the time anyways, always threatening this and that, but never managing to carry any of it out. He did kill Vice and Mature, but at the time he was under Orochi's influence. Nobody blamed him for it. Kyo had just assumed the redhead's murderous tendencies were entirely derived from the Orochi.
But calm as could be, Yagami had run someone over with his car, and Kyo was pretty sure he wasn't going out to check if they were alright.
Kyo listened in the dark for footsteps… 10 of them, 10 loud taps of rubber on pavement. Then a gurgling scream and a flash of purple-white light split the night. The smell of burning meat filled the air.
This sick fuck!
10 steps back to the car. They boomed like thunderclaps in Kyo's ears. In the rearview mirror he could see the figure approach, it's silhouette contrasted sharply against the dying purple flames.
Kyo averted his eyes and twisted in his seat to face the passenger's door. He pressed his forehead against it, staring deeply into the polished wood. The car rumbled beneath him. Insects buzzed overhead, zipping in and out of the vehicle through open windows. It was hot, Kyo's clothing was drenched in sweat, it stuck to him like cling film. He reached up to grab the windowsill. His hands were shaking.
This…. All of this- it keeps getting worse ….
He felt his eyes tear up as weariness loomed over him.
Why won't this nightmare end?
NOTES:
* MAKE YALL'S LEARN SOME SCIENCE FAM LOL.
* btw i actually write these, lol i'm insufferable.
*The phenomenon known colloquially as 'glass fogging' actually has nothing to do with the composition of the glass itself. Rather, it is a simple matter of thermal energy transfer between the water phase states. When water is heated sufficiently, molecules absorb enough (thermal) energy to shift into the gas phase. The opposite is also possible, when gaseous water molecules are cooled and lose energy, they revert to the liquid phase. When a cold surface(a windowpane) comes into contact with gaseous water(humidity), it 'steals' heat energy (thermal equilibrium, equilibrates) and reverts gaseous water into liquid water. This liquid water appears as tiny droplets on windowpanes and 'fogs up glass'. Running the A/C inside an apartment on a humid night would cause the window to fog up from the outside.
*Rolling out of a vertical drop will actually dampen the impact. The act translates directional, 'static' impact into 'moving' angular momentum over a larger surface area. Parkour athletes and freerunners commonly use the technique to dampen their falls. Twenty feet is a large, but not an unrealistic, distance to fall without sustaining damage. It is much easier if you are a video game character with plot armour though.
*The nervous system (CNS + PNS) controls all conscious thought, all sensory functions and motor functions. Additionally, parts of the brain regulate essential organs in the body. If Iori Yagami's nervous system shut down whenever he rioted, Kyo would have nothing to worry about. Because CNS shutdown means death. Finish highschool kids.
* If you read carefully, you would have noticed that Iori Yagami lives in the opposite direction of the city limits. In the United States the driver sits on the left side. So in order for Iori to show off his boxers and then sit in the driver's seat means the driver's side, is facing Kyo's apartment building. That means the car, when parked, was facing the City limits (left from the perspective of somebody looking from Kyo's building). Then, they preform a U-turn and drive away from city limits. This information is entirely unimportant.
* If you get this far, comment "meemboi, imma flush ur contacts down the toilet"
*Reference to appearance of Orochi Iori/Wild Iori
*Reference to Yagami clan familial curse.