Because of You
You
know I can be there, it's time that you call
I swore not to come,
but I'm here after all
I know by the look that I see
In your
eyes, I won't stand around and
I won't watch you die, from what
you do
Because of you, what becomes of...
From what you do!
(The Long Road, Nickelback)
Voices swirled around him, their buzz consuming his soul in an inescapable vortex of nothingness. He was trapped. He was a victim of his own naïveté. He had let his guard down and in the blink of an eye, he become a pawn in a game of cat and mouse between two old age rivals. He didn't know who they were, but he knew, though not because of any spoken information, but because of gut instinct.
'So, I'm of nothing of significance to anyone, except to be a pawn caught between two cruel people, who have no regard for humanity. I am nothing but the person that did nothing and got swept up into a war zone. No one wants me, except if they can use me for their own ends. Why should this be any different?'
Tears fell down his eyes, as he sat in the corner room, cowering. He had his legs pulled up against his chest. His arms were embraced around his body, as he leaned against the wall, his eyes staring off; looking at nothing. He hadn't moved since he had been taken here. He didn't feel any desire to move.
Check that… He felt nothing at all. He was an empty shell; just the exterior covering for what resided deep in the body, in the intangible soul. Any emotion he normally felt was all but eroded from the depths of his soul. He had no desire to even open his eyes, or to even open his mind to the voices that circled around him.
This had to be a cruel joke.
He sighed morosely, his mind subconscious recounting the mere seconds before he vanished into thin air, surrendering himself as an object of the normal realm of living; the status quo reality that flourished and encompassed all those who were born into it.
He had set off after talking to a young man who was seemingly oblivious to the reality around him, and headed into the core of the university grounds in search of his other half; the half that had been torn from him at birth in attempt to bridge their differences and unify the two individual souls as one as they were meant to be…
It wasn't easy. It was easier when he had to deal with half his soul trying to kill itself. He didn't have to speak to the master of the mind, he spoke to the timid spirit that dwelt in the heart of his twin brother, the one person he had once been close to; who had meant and still means the world to him.
He had this burdening his mind as he walked by a dark area, his steps slowing, a familiar chi embracing him before a surge of electricity passed him by, seizing him aggressively and teleporting him to an undisclosed location.
When he returned to reality after the teleportation, he heard two voices.
Both speakers spoke in accented English. The first young man spoke with very proper English, but it was accentuated with the melodic sounds of his Italian accenting lacing it. The second speaker was local to Japan.
The only thing he gathered before he tuned out was that he was taken here because he was meant to serve as bait to lure someone in, so that, the mastermind of this plot, one Marius L. Bartecelli, could execute, what he had dubbed, Operation Revenge – a dish best served cold. Marius was working with someone by the name of Kajiwara Tetsuya, who apparently had a desire to have a girl, who he had lost…
At that point, he had tuned out, not giving a damn.
The two voices continued to speak, regardless of whether or not he was heeding their questions and comments.
"This is not Shannon, Bartecelli! Who the hell did you catch?"
A pair of cat-shaped, sleek golden eyes darted upward purposefully. A sneer twisted the pale lips of the pale Italian young man, as he raised a gently manicured hand to push strands of silk jet black hair from out of his face. He then, replied in a soft voice, a thick Italian accent coating his English, "fool. I was acting on what I knew. Even so, it does serve my purposes…"
"What about mine?" the second young man, growled; notably Kajiwara Tetsuya. He punched the wall and cast a scathing gaze at Marius.
"You knew the consequences when you asked me for my assistance in exacting revenge against Suboshi. You never did say how I had to, now, did you?"
"Bullshit! I told you, kidnap Yui! That would have got the little gaijin's attention!" Tetsuya retorted angrily. He was irritated over the lack thereof reaction on the part of Marius, who would only flick his gaze over when he made any sort of statement.
"If you don't like my methods, potete andare chiavata voi stessi…" Marius replied softly, his eyes turned in Tetsuya direction, as he switched from English into Italian. He offered the subtlest of smirks, as he spoke in his melodic mother tongue.
Tetsuya bristled indignantly. He hated when people switched into foreign languages. This included English, even though he did understand it and speak it passably. Japanese was just naturally easier for him to speak.
"If you had any fucking common sense, you'd have kidnapped her! You'll get more response from him if you took what is the most precious to him!"
"Are you still whining?" Marius coolly remarked. "Siete scassacazzo…"
"Stop insulting me in whatever language you're speaking!"
"It's Italian, Kajiwara." Marius explained, as though he were speaking to a child.
He turned and swung his legs down, as he leapt down from on top of the crates, with the grace of a cat. He landed soundlessly on his feet and darted a gaze over at Jonathan, then over at Tetsuya. "Leave him for now… He's doing more damage to himself that either of us could do. Self-impose psychological damage is better than any physical injuries, which would inflict unto him. Pending, of course, we were feeling unduly malicious."
"You are difficult! Why can't everything just be simple, why does it all have to complicated and stuff? Maybe a simple plan works the best!" Tetsuya retorted, angered by Marius's blundering blatant and stunning indifference.
"If you don't like it, duro merda…" Marius purred softly. He extended his long slender, immaculately manicured fingers to caress Tetsuya's cheek, as he icily added, "You're free to leave. I'm not stopping you from leaving. You're the one who is stopping you."
Growling, Tetsuya pushed away Marius's hand.
Why did he get this loser to help him? He should have known better. This was a Seiryuu Seishi; hence, he would be difficult to work with. Nevertheless, it was a slight improvement over working with a Seishi of Suzaku, who would not cooperate with him for this cause because they were all self-righteous goody-two-shoes.
Fuming still, he stormed out.
He needed a way to get back at Shannon; a way to exact revenge for the damage that was done to him earlier when Yui tried and eventually did so successfully. He never did forgive Shannon for this. To Tetsuya this had been a violation of his pride, dignity rights and his manhood. He had jurisdiction over Yui. But, that was stolen by the annoying little pesky foreigner.
'Marius can go fuck himself. He doesn't know fuck all...'
I cannot hurt her. As much as I don't have feelings for her, I respect her and it is my destiny to protect her, even now that I am reincarnated. Before, when I had worked for Tenkou, I was still protecting her. I can't hurt or kidnap Lady Yui. I share the same destiny as Suboshi. We were reborn here to continue to protect her. You do as you wish, but, it goes against my beliefs.
'Damn him to hell and his bloody beliefs! I'll show him, I'll show all of them how revenge is exacted, and I will be successful!'
"Shannon, Taka…!" Yui called out, her face lighting up with delight as her two friends came over. She was standing on the subway platform at the station at the north end of the Tokyo university campus. She had come today in order to use the research facilities. She knew that Shannon wouldn't be working today, so she had decided not to stop by the café.
"Hey, Yui-chan," Taka replied, walking ahead of Shannon. He gazed at her for a minute. He studied her. She appeared much different than before, but, there were many of the same qualities still there. She was just more mature now and better able at hiding her negative emotions, which had previously been her downfall.
She blinked at Taka, peering at him closely. She then, after a minute, replied with her observatory comment, "There is something different about you… You seem more aware…"
"That is one way of putting it."
"What is the other way?"
He darted a gaze at Shannon, who nodded and looked back to Yui. "That I know the truth; the truth that you, Keisuke, Tetsuya and Miaka had kept from me. The truth that you forced Shannon to keep concealed, even though he wanted to tell me many times."
She paled. The memories… This meant that Taka, who been more curious these past few weeks had his insatiable hunger for the truth satisfied. She didn't have to guess, she knew who told him. She could tell that Shannon had been the one who had told Taka the truth and had revealed everything. This therefore meant that Shannon was willing to accept the consequences of his actions that mired his reputation in this life.
"Then you know…" she stated grimly.
Taka darted his gaze Shannon's way and when Shannon nodded, Taka returned the gesture with a knowing conspirator wink.
"What would I know? I don't know anything… After all, no one ever tells me anything, so why should I know something…" Taka bemoaned dramatically, his tone festering with sarcasm.
Yui's eye twitched. "Ugh…"
"Sorry, was it something I said?" Taka replied sweetly.
Giving him a scathing dirty look, she snorted. "No, you're just spending too much time around Shannon."
"And what's wrong with that?" Shannon purred, wrapping an arm around Yui. "Makes me think that there ought to be more of me to go around…"
"Uh-huh…" Yui replied, unimpressed. Pushing his arm away, she queried, "Did you get a chance to talk to Jonathan? He had been looking for you…"
"Maybe someone should tell her that he really can't look for you now…" Taka meekly suggested.
"You spoke to him last, you tell her! I don't need to look like more of an asshole…" Shannon hissed then sheepishly added, "well, more so…"
"Fine… Wuss…" Taka murmured to himself as he turned to Yui. "You, see, the thing….the thing that with that is…well… He…Jonathan, kinda, well, he was… Ok, so, I had been talking to him, and well, it seems that, well, he was kinda…" he wildly gestured, as he stumbled over what he tried to say.
"GAH… I can't, you tell her, Shannon!"
"But then I'll seem like the bad guy!"
Growling, Yui was trembling slightly, her blue eyes blazing. "Someone will tell me, or heads will roll…"
"Marius Bartecelli kidnapped him!" Taka blurted out.
Yui's eye again twitched. "Who…? That name means nothing to me!"
"Uh, that would be Tomo…" Shannon weakly replied.
She glared at him. "What…? How could you have let that happen! I know you hate him but that is too cruel!"
"See, it did get me into trouble and I did nothing!" Shannon indignantly bewailed.
"Well, maybe you did have a point," Taka replied, suddenly pitying Shannon, after seeing the look on Yui's face. He shuddered. She was scarier than Miaka when she got angry and Miaka was scary as it stood.
"Of course I do…"
"So, how long are you two going to stand there? For all you know, they could be hurting him now! You have a responsibility to help him! As your Miko, I order to help him!" Yui declared, punching Shannon in the shoulder.
"Well, it doesn't apply to me, so, I'll be-- HEY! OW!! That hurts!" Taka cried out, whimpering, as Yui pulled him back by the ear.
"You're going to find him and help him…NOW!" Yui growled scathingly and received a smirk from Shannon.
"Why should we? It's not like Taka is your boyfriend. And, I'm still a doormat for you. You act like you're my girlfriend, dictating all parts of my life, but then when I suggest that you become my girlfriend; you get all weird on me. So, give me one damn good reason why the hell I should listen to you? As it is, I don't stand to lose anything…"
Yui scowled. He had her on that technicality. She then returned the smirk, as an idea came to life in her mind. "Well, I could just stop talking to you!"
"Empty threat, empty threat…" Shannon replied nonchalantly, with the wave of a hand, as he and Taka set off in the other direction.
"Where are you going?"
"To take care of your order, Seiryuu no Miko; after all, aren't we here for your beck and call, Lady Miko?"
Taka snickered. As Suboshi, he had been an immature brash brat, now as Shannon, he was a quick-witted, eloquent individual, though, he still was cocky and overly arrogant, but, a better guy this time. Further, now that he had his memories, he better understood Shannon and actually didn't begrudge him over the past, as the others had feared would happen.
A short but high-pitched shriek reverberated in the area, as Yui cried out for help. She had been grabbed from behind, a hand coming around her neck, pushing up her head, as a sharp blade was pressed to her flawless skin.
"Marius doesn't know what he's doing…
"If you want her…it's your life that will be the price!" he declared, growling, his gazed laced malice. His eyes were wild, his hands shaking slightly. "Of-of course…that's if you think hers is worth it…"
Deciding not to give Shannon enough chance to do something brash and ignorant, Taka stepped between them and stared hard at Tetsuya. There was a familiar glint to his eyes; one that would make Nakago smirk. The glint was feisty and determined.
"Does a real man need this? Do you need to hurt a girl to make yourself feel big?" he questioned, his tone level, as he bend down and swept up a handful of pebbles. He tossed one up and effortlessly caught it. As he brought his hand down, clutching the pebble, a brilliant red light flashed and his previously dormant chi flared. The marking of ogre, the symbol of his past life ignited, glowing dominantly in the centre of his forehead.
Yui's eyes widened. "Tamahome…" she whispered in awe. She felt her heart skip a beat, a rush of feeling much like those which rolled over her senses the first time she saw him defend her and Miaka from their attackers.
"Grab Yui and get out of here! I'll deal with him…" Taka whispered his order as he threw a gaze in Shannon's direction. "I have a sore to settle with him…"
Nodding, the former Seiryuu Seishi smirked at Tetsuya, who held Yui back, pressing a knife against her neck, waiting for the response he sought. A sneer graced his expression, his eyes taunting, challenging the one he felt he felt had done him a great injustice months long past.
Bracing himself, Shannon waited until Taka hurled a pebble at Tetsuya, nailing him square in the kisser. The blow was enough to cause Tetsuya to loosen his grip long enough for Shannon to dart in and sweep Yui up into his arms before Taka barrelled in, raising his fist to punch Tetsuya in the face.
Time seemed to stop for an eternity.
Slowly, Taka brought his gaze up as Tetsuya reeled from the pain and force of the impact and collapsed noisily to the ground. A puddle of blood rushed formed around his head, as it gushed forth in downstream rapids. A bodily fluid of deep crimson red flowed from his broken, fractured nose. His eyes rolled back in his eyes. The lids remained opened, but his eyes glassed over.
She felt nothing for her assailant. She felt nothing…but yet, a scream came from her; a shrieking resonating scream…
"Get her out of here!' Taka barked at Shannon, who nodded wordlessly and ran out of the area, carrying Yui in his arms.
Once he had moved away a great distance, Shannon effortlessly placed Yui on her feet.
Her knees gave out and she fall to the ground on all fours. Her body trembled slightly.
"Yui, its ok…" Shannon assured her. "Taka knows what he's doing…"
"But…even so… He could've killed Tetsuya…"
"And you're worried about that because…"
She glared up at him. "Even if I do hate Tetsuya, I'd never wish death upon him! That is a little extreme."
"So, I should call off my Yakuza buddies in helping me find and eliminate Marius in order to free Jonathan from his clutches…" Shannon challenged, knowing it would put Yui in a position that she'd have to give up her beliefs or contradict herself.
"But…that's…that's different! Tomo is hard to fight!" Yui protested, not wanting Shannon to be right, even though he clearly was.
"Not necessarily. Besides, by your judgement, killing Tetsuya is wrong, whereas killing Marius is perfectly fine. Its hypocrisy is what it is…" Shannon retorted coolly, his tone evidently coated with sarcasm. "Further, if we use your rational, you're saying, you're perfectly capable defending yourself, which we know you can't do, whereas, Jonathan is helpless and can't hurt a fly…"
Scowling, Yui glared at him, raised her hand and slapped him across to the face.
"Ow… HEY! What was that for?"
"Because… Well…because!" She declared, knowing she couldn't justify why. For that reason, she scowled and crossed her arms over her chest.
Shannon smirked. "That is hardly a reason…"
Glaring at him, she looked off, "well, it is! Besides…I'm right! It's wrong to kill someone weaker than yourself."
"So, you'd rather put yourself in danger than risk someone who can fight back being in danger? You're foolish." Shannon replied simply. "If you had any common sense, you'd have realised this! You have had bad luck in fights, Jonathan can fight! I'd be more worried about you than him!"
"Why do you hate him?" She demanded.
"By saying he can fight is not saying I hate him!" Shannon protested, as he moved after Yui, as she stormed off. "Neither is saying that you can't fight back… So, stop being so bloody stubborn and just admit fault!"
She hated having her pride bruised. She didn't want to admit to being wrong. She knew this would be what Shannon wanted to hear.
"Yui, stop… Please, stop! Don't do this! You're going to do something you regret!" he called out after her, as she broke out ran.
He felt a twitch.
'That chi! I know that chi…' his fiery blue eyes narrowed. 'Marius…'
He broke out in a run after Yui.
As she came into sight, he picked up his pace, but, when an azure light burst to life in front of him, he knew his time was limited. The chi was a mask for Marius's attack. It had become his new trademark. He was no longer being subtle.
It was obvious as Shannon went through the light, narrowly missing the chance to grab onto Yui, as he had done when she had wished herself and Miaka back to their world of birth. Having missed grabbing her resulted in him going through the light and rolling across the ground, after he broke his fall.
It however, didn't stop him from rolling and crashing into someone's legs.
"Very graceful…" the person remarked sarcastically with a chuckle.
Shannon groaned.
Bending over, Taka held out his hand. "he got Yui, didn't he?"
"Where is she?" Shannon asked weakly, gazing up at Taka, as he accepted the help getting up.
"Most likely wherever Jonathan is. We should follow the instructions." Taka suggested, as he gazed around, his eyes in thin slits.
"Why didn't she listen to me?" Shannon whispered, tears forming in his eyes. "I just tried to keep her safe and this is how she repays me? I love her, but she keeps hurting me. Even when she hurts herself, she hurts me. Why won't she let me just help her…?"
"You're hurting because of her?" Taka replied grimly.
"Because I love her…" he remarked sadly.
"Because of her you've been hurting all this time." Taka summed up. He gazed over concernedly at his friend. "Shannon, if she's causing you this pain, why do you let this happen? No girl is worth this much anguish! She is going to be the death of you.
"Yui may be Miaka's best friend, but that girl is not right in the head! She'll kill everyone who comes close to her! Miaka is protected by Suzaku, but not everyone else. Yui hasn't been the same since she had been in the other world. Whether she admits it or not, it has corrupted her and she is unable to act in accordance to normal human emotions."
"Tetsuya hurt her too!"
"He only made matters worse. But, Shannon, save yourself and your brother now! Yui will only drag you down. She'll be the death of you.
"Don't jump to conclusions, I care about her too, but, she needs help. She needs to admit to her problems and let go of the past. She thinks she has, but, really, she hasn't. You can see that she still clings to it." Taka explained, his voice soft, as he placed a reassuring hand on Shannon's shoulder.
"Because of her…" He whispered softly. He closed his eyes and moved away, taking a couple of steps.
He turned melancholic eyes to Taka. "If she is my pain, then I can accept it. I love her and nothing will change that. I've always loved her no matter what.
"Sorry my friend…"
Throwing up his hand, Shannon released the latch-catch device he wore on his wrist and watched as the catch flew up, attaching to the edge of the building. Giving it a tug, he flew up and before he left, he said, as he pulled out of ear shot. "Thanks for being my friend!"
Taka watched in horror before he turned and punched the wall.
'Damn you! You're a good man. Why are you killing yourself for Yui? She isn't worth it! She will never been well-enough to be the person you expect her to be. I wish you wouldn't kill yourself…'
Tears fell from his eyes, as he gazed up into the sky, squinting.
The sunset's bright light shone in his face, as he raised a hand, shielding his eyes. 'Please Shannon, don't do anything foolish…'