Hmm. Change of plans here.
So for some inexplicable reason I thought I hadn't posted, oh, THE FIRST HALF of this chapter which I apparently did, because it's right there, and it's currently being called chapter three. Whoops. So, technically, this is part of chapter three (which is why it's so bloody short YES I KNOW IT'S SHORT) but…it's also going to be chapter four.
Ok, sorry if I just confused the heck out of you. I just wanted you to know that this chapter's short because of a stupid error on my part and not because I'm lazy. Seriously. I know you don't believe me, but that's the truth. Really. Er…mostly?
I should have the next chapter up in the coming few weeks. Probably. Although it's going to have to be before December 7 (and if you know why this is, then I have just one thing to say to you – LoZ FOREVER!).
Love for all of you!!! Please review! Oh, and just as a heads up, the next chapter will have a lemon in it. :winks:
-- (OH EM GEE LAME BREAK)
"No!" Goku howled, leaping up from the stool with mock rage and drawing several looks from the other customers. The screen flashed an impatient PLAYER 1 WINS.
Kougaiji smirked, crossing his arms and leaning back in his own stool.
Doku let out a soft whistle. "Fifth consecutive win. He's got you nailed to a wall, Goku."
"Never!" Goku declared, already digging for more coins. "One more round! Winner takes all."
Kougaiji shrugged, rolling his shoulders, the smirk dropping from his face to be replaced with a more intense look. "You're on."
Doku watched quietly as they played, unable to tear his eyes away from the red-haired wonder that was playing so intensely. If he were to use one word to describe him, it would definitely be intense. Doku had caught this side of him a few times during the short period he had known him, and, like every other aspect, he was strangely drawn to it. While normally Kougaiji attempted to maintain a calm, indifferent attitude, beneath it all he seemed to be loyal and caring, most especially of his friends. When he set his mind on something, he never faltered. It didn't matter if it was something small, like beating Goku at an arcade game – Kougaiji seemed to know his skills and limits and if he knew he was able to do something he would stop at nothing until it was done or the result was satisfactory. Certainly an antonym to his casual attitude.
Absentmindedly, Doku wondered if he would ever know all the sides of this man.
Not technically bored but undeniably tired of seeing the same crushing defeat from Kougaiji as the first five times, Doku yawned and glanced lethargically at the clock.
Goku slammed a fist against the machine as the dreaded words appeared again.
Kougaiji grinned. "Hmm. Looks like you still owe me."
Goku pouted. "Noooo…"
"Hey, guys," Doku said abruptly, standing up. "Sorry, but I have to go. This was…fun. I'll see you later."
They both watched as he left, one puzzled and the other contemplative.
"What's up with him? Why do you think he left?" muttered Goku as he turned to Kougaiji.
The lavender eyed man didn't reply, brows furrowed, a strange feeling of frustration burning in his chest.
Who was he? Why did he do what he did? And why was he so damn eager to know those things about him…?
Will I ever know the answers to those questions?
--
Kougaiji entered his penthouse for the second time. He shut the door, dropped his keys, and, noticing the red flashing light, froze. There was only one person who even knew the phone number to this place.
Gyokumen Koushu.
His confusion over Dokugakuji's abrupt departure was pushed aside by the dread filling him. A home call meant two things: one, she wanted him to do something she couldn't discuss at the company building, and two, she wanted it done now. He knew, instantly, he would get no sleep tonight.
Cautiously, he played the message.
"Hello, Kougaiji, darling! How was your day? Sleeping well? Eating well?"
Forming a hand into a fist, Kougaiji felt his nails dig into his palms. Get to the point, woman.
"I heard an interesting piece of news from a little bird. It's that you're hanging out with a young man named Dokugakuji."
What? How did she know?
"Be a dear and kill him, won't you? I've no more need for him. Good-bye, Kougaiji darling. See you at work." Click.
Silence.
No. No. This couldn't be happening. Not now. Not ever. Why? How did she know? Why did she want him dead? Could he do it? Could he really kill him?
Why was he even thinking this?
Kougaiji's legs crumpled as though the mental argument was so heavy it caused him to weaken. His legs folded and, falling to the ground, Kougaiji hung his head, every muscle in his body slack. He looked like a puppet whose strings had been cut.
That's right. It didn't matter. It didn't matter how she knew. It didn't matter why she wanted it done. Nothing mattered but his mother, and to protect her he would do whatever it took.
Even killing someone he knew? Had he really sunk that low? Yes, he thought, answering himself. Killing a friend wasn't that very different from killing a stranger – they both had family, friends, lives that he was ripping away like a careless god of death. The only difference was that, with a friend, he knew more about their family, their other friends, their lives. And then he destroyed it.
Suddenly he halted all trains of thought, although they were crashing anyway. What was going on? He'd never had thoughts like this. And why should he? His mother was the only reason to continue living, and each and everything he did was for her.
So why was he having these doubts? He'd only known this man for a few weeks! When had he wormed his way through his inpenetrable mind, breaking down his indestructible walls and slipping through the cracks, until the blue haired man had settle inside hi mind? Why did he feel so much pain when he imagined himself killing him?
A heavy thud on his door startled him out of his reverie. Rising cautiously from his fallen position, he moved swiftly to the door and threw it open.
Taking a sharp breath, Kougaiji stared.
Doku tiredly raised his head, swaying weakly.
"Hey, Kou."
A drop of blood fell from his face to splatter on the ground.
"Too late for a visit?"
And so saying, he collapsed into a bloody, unconscious heap.