Heh,heh...It makes me wonder, too. Which way DOES Benimaru swing? I think, that in KOF, he's just as straight as a pin! Personally, I think he could be bi...BUT, to his womanizing remarks, he just likes women. Although, he is way too conceited-and is always trying to flirt around with everyone he meets. I imagine what he's gonna do with Elizabeth in KOF XI...heh,heh...I now know, thanks to Lady Kadaj, that Benimaru, Duo Lon, and Elizabeth joined all because they were at a French bank...and they almost got robbed...but, Duo Lon, and Beni are both looking for Ron-that's the thing I'm sure about. Heh, well anyhoo, onto tha chapter, and please review:D

Hey, I knew that it wasn't your name...just tha screen name. Anyhoo, thanks! At least I know one person is reading this darn fic. Keep it with this story! I hope I didn't scare you away with that last chapter! Thanks for reviewing-onto tha chaper! No, really, this time it's onto that chapter:)

Disclaimer: I don't own and of the KOF characters used in this fic…I just torture them…most of the time. XP I also don't own some of the lyrics from Elliott, which I breifly used.

Warnings: None at the moment for this chapter...just some new happenings...

Chapter 4: Recovering, but slowly...

Benimaru's POV

I head off to college, hoping that I won't see him as I walk out. I know he enjoyed what he did to me last night...I know that he'd been wanting to do that for a long time now...that he'd been wanting to rape my ass...instead of the usual I gave him when I had no rent money. The basic blowjob. I know, it's probably what most do...and I hate doing it. BUT, it's either living out on the streets, or having to depend on someone else who hardly has any money as well. Well, at least Kyo has Yuki, but I have no one, including myself to count on. I head out, and downstairs, not fully recovered, and still in pain-But I'll live. Luckily, he's not anywhere in sight, so I rush off to go catch the morning bus. Today is Monday...the only day of the week I dread going to college to...all the homework packed all a once from all your professors. Forunately, I actually make it in time for the bus, and sit in the far back, making sure no one will stare at my pale face...busted lip, looking like shit...my almost expressionless face. Through all the pain and stresses, I've given up on trying to give my face full expressions...I feel dead...

"Hey." I suddenly hear a voice, which, to me, is really rare. I look up to see a slightly freckled face looking at my own pale face...damn...I've gotta eat more.

"Um, hey." I just hope that he hasn't come to schedule an appointment...

"Is it okay if I sit with you?" The accented voice says softly, and I realize that I have the only spot left that's open. I quickly react, and move my backpack aside.

"Go ahead." I study him-or is it her? As he sits down, taking out a book, and some black-rimmed glasses which seem to be the style now-a-days. I realize that it's French.

"Are you French?" I ask, which is a stupid thing to ask, but I obviously want to form a conversation with this person.

"Oui...what are you, American?"

"Um, only half." I smile sheepishly, then hold out my hand.

"I'm Benimaru. What about you?" I ask, while he only looks at my hand for a while, then decides to shake it.

"I'm Ash." He responds with a slight smirk.

"Nice to meet you, Ash. Are you new here?"

"To this part of the country, yes...I'm heading to the college nearby."

"Wow, so am I! What are you studying?" I just have to ask.

"Musique...what about you?"

"So am I. That's pretty cool. What do you do?

"I play the bass guitar...and I sing on some occasions." He responds. I suddenly feel...excited. I almost forgot what it felt like...

"Hey, that's awesome, Ash. I sing, and play guitar."

"Hmm...c'est genial. Maybe we can get together to play sometime." He smirks, standing up. I realize that we're already at the stop, and follow him quickly outside. I realize that he's a bit shorter-but it's not like the people around here are any taller. Well, I suppose I should head onto class-just to get it over with...

LPLPLP

Normal POV

"So, Benimaru, is it?"

"Yea."

"How is it that you got those bruises on your face, and all?" The French man dared to ask, studying Benimaru's expression. Benimaru winced slightly, remembering last nights horrifying event.

"I, um-"

"Oh, desole...I'm sorry, I ask of what I should not know."

"No,no...it's okay..." Benimaru responded, trying to force a smile to his face but failed, only gaining more curiosity from the French man.

"Well, where are you headed? Are you going back to where you live?" Ash asked, changing the subject.

"Yea...want to come?"

"Oh, I would love to. Do you by any chance have any room for me to stay there with you? It would be cheaper if we shared." Ash suggested, which startled Benimaru. He'd barely met this French student, and he was already asking him if he could stay with him. (No, it's not for what I think it is...He's just trying to adapt here in Japan with someone he's already talked to) Benimaru thought, then quickly smiled.

"That's a good idea. Come on." Benimaru took him by the hand, startling the French student. They finally arrived since they had gone on foot, and Ash looked tired.

"Do you want some coffee?" Benimaru asked, looking at Ash's tired figure on one of the couches.

"Oui..." Ash replied, while Benimaru looked at him quizically.(Was that a yes or a no?) Benimaru shrugged, then headed to the kitchen to make it. He suddenly remembered the bed...He quickly took off to the room, and disposed of the covers, putting on newly washed ones, even replacing the pillowsheets. Once finished, he looked toward the now-asleep figure on the couch. He smiled to himself, then checked on the coffee, which he knew for sure it hadn't brewed yet, but he wanted to do something besides study Ash on the couch. He sighed, going over to the couch to place his jacket over Ash's sleeping figure. As he turned to leave, he heard a slight groan, followed by mumbling from his guest.

"Non...qui?...ou?..." Benimaru understood nothing, but smiled, heading over to the kitchen once more. It was barely 5:43PM, and he couldn't believe that Ash had fallen asleep so quickly.(Of course, there's always that nervousness that wears you out...and those professors that keep talking non-stop...) Benimaru thought as he served the coffee, and put just the right amount of sugar in his own. There was a sudden knock at the door, which startled Benimaru. He quickly headed over to open it, wondering who it could be. When he opened it, he was surprised to see Kyo there, a small smile on his face.

"Oh, wow. You're here." Kyo laughed slightly, but Benimaru put his finger to his lips to indicate for him to be quiet.

"What?"

"There." Benimaru signaled to the couch, where Ash, apparently, still lay sound asleep.

"Who's that?" Kyo frowned, probably trying to determine if it was a girl or not.

"That's Ash. He's going to share this shitty apartment room with me." Benimaru seemed to spit out the apartment part sourly.

"Oh...so, who is it?" Kyo asked once more.

"He plays the bass, and sings some. That's how we got talking." Benimaru replied, emphesizing the word, 'he'.

"Okay...I seriously thought he was a chick. Anyhow, dude, so what about that rent. Did you pay it?" Kyo asked.

"Of course I paid it..." Benimaru replied, trailing off slightly. (I paid in so many different ways to that bastard...) Benimaru thought bitterly, remembering his face. Kyo, apperently, hadn't noticed it yet. Almost as if reading his mind, Kyo then looked at his face, noticing the bruises on his face, and the busted lip.

"Where'd you get that from?" Kyo asked.

"I, um, I got into a fight in college class. Let's just say that we got pretty even." Benimaru lied, swallowing the tight knot in his throat. Kyo was about to reply when Ash's voice startled them both.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I fell asleep, didn't I?" Ash sat up slightly, while, Kyo, found it amazing to see that the man had an accent.

"It's okay. Your coffee is on the table...I didn't know how you wanted it, but-"

"A lot of sugar." Ash replied before Benimaru could say more.

"Right. I'll go make it." Benimaru headed over to the kitchen, and prepared it. Kyo looked at him with a puzzled look on his face.

"Coffee? At this hour?"

"Yea. It's good." Benimaru had almost forgotten to introduce them.

"Oh, Ash, this is Kyo. Kyo, this is Ash." Benimaru said before giving Ash his enriched with sugar coffee.

"Nice to meet you." Kyo smiled slightly.

"Bon...nice to meet you too." Ash replied, then took a small drink of his coffee.

"Hey, well I just came by to get my jacket, remember?" Kyo smirked, grabbing his jacket from one of the chairs in the kitchen.

"Oh. Right. I'll see ya later."

"Yeah, later." Kyo headed out the door, and Benimaru shook his head.

"Is Kyo your friend?" Ash asked suddenly.

"Um, yea. He's weird." Benimaru smiled slightly, then took a small drink from his own steaming cup of coffee.

"Well, it seems to me that you like to sing, do you not?" Ash pointed to the microphone Benimaru had in the small living room.

"Yea, I love it." Benimaru smiled, going over to it. "Would you like me to sing something?"

"Oui...as long as it's good." Ash smirked, then Benimaru took it, and plugged it in.

"Saw it all, fall apart in a mass hit." He paused before going on. "Telephoned, right before the heart quit...And we just stare. Control's not enough, your lives aren't enough, cold poison, the forms of your addiction, calms to make us civil." He then began to sing with more passion. "Paralyize this body to strike direction! With chemicals, and contract hits. Feeding on me, paralyzed soul, giving me no way out..." Benimaru trailed off, then set the microphone back into its place, smiling at the mesmorized Ash on the couch.

"That was fantastic! I enjoyed it greatly. Have you ever considered making a band?" Ash questioned, putting down the cup he'd already finished.

"Well, yea, but I want to see what I can do first...or, I don't know...just haven't really thought about it." Benimaru said sheepishly, sitting down on the couch once more.

"You should think about this...it could mean a lifetime career..." Ash replied faintly while Benimaru cluttered his his head with thoughts.

Lifetime career...I only wish I had it made for me that way...but I don't...and there's no turning back for me now...

LPLPLP

Well, I guess this is the end of this chapter! Anyhoo, hopefully, within the next chapters, you'll know exactly what Benimaru is up to...until then, keep guessing, and please review! Thanks:D