Author's Note: Well, it's been a while... :::chokes::: But this is a crappy chapter to write. Really crappy. You guys are reading the fourth rewrite of it. I still don't like it, but can't seem to bring myself to trash it again, so this is what you are getting. Hope it's acceptable.
Thank you for reviews, lovely reviews!
Scorpion29: Rubisco is an enzyme. You are the first one to ask that question, actually. Rubisco is ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase, or RuBP carboxylase. The most abundant enzyme on the planet! Very primitive too, being the entry point in the calvin cycle in photosynthesis, it can't tell the difference between oxygen and carbon dioxide, causing photo respiration to occur whenever the stomates are forced to close. That is why we have C4 plants and CAM plants...
Did I ever mention I have an incredible obsession with Science? Now you all think I'm crazy...
Without any further rambling, I give you...Chapter 9!
Enemy
Chapter 9 - Yamato
So funny. Life. So strange.
It makes you walk through a thousand miles of filth, trips you, holds you down with a million stones, and just when you are about to give up, just when you think you've had enough, it gives you another reason to live.
When Father disappeared I lived for Mother. Homeless out on the streets, searching for jobs, food, anything that would make the thinness of her hands and face disappear.
When Mother died I lived for TK, for the only family I have left. I lived so I could change his world, because he needed me to. The king had to die then, for my brother's future, and my Mother's past.
But now.
Now I live for Taichi.
Because he lives, for me.
OOOOOO
I walk casually through that well hidden street. Hidden, not because it's out of sight, but because it's the poorest, dirtiest street I'd ever seen. Tell any decent, self respecting soldier to search that place for rebels and you'll get spat at. They'll never find us.
Girls, why are there always so many girls?
They gather around me in a flock, talking, crying, trying to touch me.
You'd think I'm a ghost, or I'd just returned from the dead.
I'm alive, I want to say, not dead. At least not yet.
Grabbing and flinging away a hand that has somehow ended up under my shirt, I make my escape into the Phoenix.
The inn is just as I remembered it, as shabby as ever. The few men dining at this time of day stare, shocked, before standing and bowing. I smile, and go up the stairs.
Their eyes follow me.
OOOOOO
The room is messy, dark with the curtains drawn. I can make out his shadow.
"TK," I say.
The shadow turns. I hear a gasp, then silence.
"Onii-chan?"
"No TK, I'm an immortal come to release the fire of hell. Who else can I be?"
My sarcasm goes by unnoticed, as he hurls himself into my arms, sobbing.
"I thought you w...were de...dead..."
"Shh," I kiss his hair. "I'm back now. That's all that matters."
We stand like that for a long time until his tears stop.
"Onii-chan?"
"Yes, TK?"
"You smell like women's perfume. Did those girls catch you again?"
OOOOOO
I stand on the roof, watching the palace. The air is a little fresher up here, the view a little better. Years ago I left behind the body of my mother in that tall, white building. Today, I left behind a love that may never be.
"Whatever you are thinking about, it's not your fault."
I don't have to turn to know who that voice belongs to.
"I want to be alone, TK."
"You never told me how you got out of there."
I follow with my gaze the flight of a pigeon. "Does it matter?"
"I'm worried about you, Onii-chan."
"You shouldn't be."
"You are my brother!"
"And you are mine."
He starts to walk away.
"I'm not a child anymore," he calls back. "Onii-chan, I know you are in love."
I watch the sunset alone.
OOOOOO
"We have enough men that we can attack the palace from two sides."
"Let's do that," I say.
The man hesitates. "Must you lead the army?"
I raise an eyebrow to show him this is a stupid question. "Of course."
"But what if something goes wrong? You are too valuable--"
I toss a cloak over my shoulders and step out into the street. "Get some chains and try to stop me, won't you?"
For you, Mother. Everything. For you.
OOOOOO
We arrive at our destination by nightfall. Under the glow of a thousand torches we fight. The slaves sing as they kill.
I catch the king's eye and smile.
You are mine.
I spin in circles. Always in circles. Like dancing. They rush at me in groups. They die at my feet in groups. The moon shines silvery light on my blood red sword.
An explosion sends one wall of the palace flying.
I raise my sword and feel my army gather behind me. We rush through the wound in the side of the king's house. The men group themselves and separate, going different ways. I walk straight ahead. I know where to go, who I'm looking for...
I destroy all that dare stand in my way. The king's men are no match for me.
I kick open a wooden door.
Fountains. Marble floors. Roses.
"Beautiful," he smiles at me. "Do you know where you are?"
"I am at the place where you will die."
He laughs at that. "I built this place for you, Yamato. Can't you just hear it? The biggest wedding ever!"
I feel sick.
He comes closer. "One kiss Yamato, won't you give me just one kiss?"
I point my sword at his heart and charge. He whips out his own sword to meet mine. I kick, he dodges. The rhythm of our fight echoes.
I slip suddenly from the water on the ground and fall against a wall. That split second is all he needs to put his blade against my throat.
"Mine again, beautiful?" He forces my weapon from my hand and flings it behind him.
I don't answer. A memory has just surfaced in my mind, as clear as if the years had never come in between.
An instructor's smiling face.
"Looks like you lost, Yamato."
Falling backwards, tripping him, hurting him. Winning the match but getting into trouble...
I throw my head back away from the blade and let myself fall sideways, slipping against the wall. My foot kicks out, tripping him. I spin myself back on my feet. My boot connects with his hand, sends the weapon flying. I catch it and point it back, right at him.
"Yamato, please..." the king whispers in sudden panic.
I smile without mercy. The point plunges down. His scream fills the marble hall.
I pull the weapon out, dripping blood, and walk over to one of the fountains.
"Done," I say softly to the water. "It is done."
Footsteps behind me from the door. A shocked gasp.
I turn.
"Hello, Taichi."
OOOOOO
Author's Note: I should be smacked, neh? Waiting this long only to end you on a cliff hanger...
Sorry...
Rubisco. Is. An. Enzyme. (The Evil One)
