A/N: Thanks to Zomibe, Kobukat, vnienhuis, and Obsidiantears08 for reviewing, I'll try and make sure I don't let ya all down. Also, I'm not gonna say when I'm gonna work on the anime rave, all you need to know is that I will eventually get to it, I'm going by day, and we're on the third shift of a five shift day, so patience. Saturday is gonna take a long time to, let me just get one thing done then move on to the next, I'd tell ya when I'd work on it, but when ever I do, I end up stop working on the story all together. And I'm pretty sure you don't want that. So patience.
Mako: So when are you going to work on our story?
A/N: Ummm….. good question, also, the song on here is 'Me Against The World' by Simple Plan. Sorry I wasn't able to update so soon as well, I had an English Character Analysis on 'The Crucible' that I had to get done. So it's a long one to make up for it.
Disclaimer: None of the animes mentioned in this I own, and for that matter, I don't own anime, I don't own The Greater Columbus Convention Center, Ohayocon, or any other thing that it is obvious I don't own, including my friends and the clothing on their backs… though I may steal them later.
Chapter 9
Pensive Thinking
Reg POV:
"And who said Chivalry is dead." Kisame's eyes narrowed as he watched a female move out of the hotel room the Pein Cosplayer and the Tobi had walked about 20 minutes before, the two silent as they turned to move down the hall. He paused staring quietly at them, she had changed, his eyes moved down her lightly tanned arms, toned, but not weak sticks, her curves were a little more apparent now she was in a vest and jeans. He tilted his head in thought, not to sore on the eyes either… He shook his head frantically and exhaled. He needed to rid himself of these ridiculous thoughts.
Are there any whores near this area? He questioned lowly, his eyes going half lidded as they moved closer, the Tobi following obediently behind the girl, he blinked as he spotted the frame on her face and the slight reflection of the light in her glasses, So she need glasses huh? Didn't think so when I saw her… He shut his eyes and leaned back, back into the darkness of the corner he was in, the two passed silently, he caught the strands of brown hair that peeked down from underneath the hat and the pony tail that went to in between her shoulder blades. He watched the boy hesitate for a moment in his walking before continuing as his female comrade wasn't slowing down.
"Oi! Fire! Hold up damn you! Seeing through one eye ain't easy ya know!" The Tobi stated, the girl stopped in her steps, pupils moving to the corner of her eyes as she turned, he tensed, watching two blue piercing orbs move to the Tobi with an almost cold gaze, the Tobi stopped, sensing the coolness, his body slowly tensing, Kisame frowned, watching in interest, before she had changed out of the 'cosplay' she had been different.
"….keep up Kelevra." Her voice was cool as well, matching her body posture and eyes, she then grinned, eyes holding a slight dance to them, "Or are ya gettin' to old keep up with a youngin' like me?"
"…I had that coming… I'll admit." The Tobi replied nodding, then his head came up, and he stated cockily, "But are you quick enough to keep up with an 'old man like me' if I get ahead of you Fire?" The girl smirked, turning her back and walking again, the Tobi moved forward, slinging an arm over her shoulders, she responded with one over his with a low chuckle. They continued walking silently before he murmured, "Oi. Fire… I am going…I am going….where ever which way the wind is blowing…."
She blinked and smiled at him for a moment, reciting back the second part of the song, "I am goooing, I am gooooing, Where Streams Of Whiskey Are Floooowing!" He chuckled, Kisame followed silently behind them, a small frown on his lips, she was definitely different, she was acting more like friend than a commander, the feeling of dominance was still intact, but it was not as apparent as when she was in the cosplay, it was smoother now, more subtle. He blinked, it was almost like liquid, he watched as her body posture unlike when she was in cosplay, while it demanded respect then, now it showed that she respected herself as much as others, she knew who was in charge, and where her place in the food chain was.
He watched her hips sway back and forth and her arms move back and forth with her step, smooth like liquid, calmed, relaxed, not when she was in cosplay, where it was fast, and rushed; now it was fast, but it was because it naturally was like that. He felt a smirk come to his lips, her hair as it was, reminded him a bit of Itachi's, but due to the pony tail in the back, also like the sound medic that had betrayed them, he watched her stop in front of the window, staring with her back to the boy.
"Cassi Kun!" The Tobi stated, he flinched, kun? That suffix usually went with a younger male, or an affectionate term towards a male, he blinked as she glanced at him, a slight frown on her face before she murmured, "Yeah?" He frowned before replying, "Are you sure you're gonna be alright?" He felt a slight pulse go through him as the boy glanced down the female's upper body, not in a lusting way, but more of a concerned view. He knows…
"I should be fine…" She replied, "Just…don't hug me half caringly." He blinked before stating, "I always care. Other wise I wouldn't hug you at all." She frowned for a moment and glanced out the window that was viewing the elevators, staring at the sky scrapers outside, she blinked as an elevator opened, a group of people stood inside, he glanced over for a moment before stating, "Room for two more?"
"Nah, only one man." She looked over her shoulder at him before smiling, replying, "Go ahead Brandin."
"No way, what if that guy comes back!" He replied in a snap, she was quiet for a moment before murmuring lowly, "I think I actually lost him on the way to the room, go ahead Brandin… I need a moment to think by myself." He stared for a moment, her eyes boring into his own, then murmured lowly, "I'll come after you if you're not down in 20 minutes." She nodded, he turned and boarded, the doors shut silently, and he watched as the child stared silently out the window.
He moved behind her keeping at a distance, expecting her not to see him till she twisted around quickly on her foot and stared at him, eyes narrowed in caution and breathing surprisingly calm. He remained silent as he stared at her, the vest seemed to make her chest seem smaller than it was, it covered the curves of her sides and partial of her hips, he spotted her eyes narrowing and she slowly crossed her arms, oh yes, she was definitely different. He slowly smirked, the dominance radiating from her piercing blue eyes set an almost anxious tension through him.
He slowly approached, making sure to keep his own pace steady, yet smooth, a predator's gait, he stopped in front of her, his hand slowly coming up and gripping her chin, he tilted her face upward, her eyes narrowing before becoming half lidded as he leaned forward to peer into them. The two stared at each other, he was quiet; there was a self confidence in them now, one that the contacts hid away, or that wasn't there when she was in the cosplay.
"So you've stopped hiding away I see." He murmured lowly, his lips still in a smirk, she was quiet before he felt her hands on his chest, he grunted as she promptly shoved him away, her eyes becoming half lidded, her hands resting by her side before she replied, "And Who the Fuck said I was Hiding to being with?" He stopped for a moment as these words left her mouth; there was no fear before hand this time, the dominance flared and he felt a small stirring from down in his stomach start to reach him.
Shit brat… don't you dare… He watched her arms come up and cross over her chest, her eyes remaining half lidded almost in an 'oh really' fashion. A snappy attitude this one seemed to have, he fought back the grin that was pulling to his lips as he murmured lowly, "After that previous beating, you really think it's wise to treat me in such a way?" She stared at him, her eyes becoming dull for a moment before she moved past him and pressed the elevator 'down' button, her back still to him, she reached up, grabbing the tip of her hat and moved it slightly down.
"Only a pathetic fool." She replied, "Has to beat someone to get what they want. And only an idiot presumes from only actions. Next time, you should listen to the conversation." He watched her hand clench for a moment, "Actions may not be quieter than words, but words can sure as hell tell you WHY those actions are done." She glared over her shoulder at him, her eyes flashing in slight defiance, "Luckily for YOU, I realize something that you don't."
"And what…guppy is that?" He hissed, his eyes were narrowed at her, his body tensed, thinking of another beating to come, only for his mind to hiss, no, this time just kill her. He nodded to this agreeing, he watched her as the door opened and she paused, staring at him, he watched as a smirk of utter satisfaction came onto her lips, saying she had the last word, "You, just like me, are only human." She entered the elevator, the doors shut, leaving him standing there in silence.
He remained that way for another two minutes, staring at the elevator in slight wonder, he was bested by a teenager, in a battle of wits no less, he felt a slight pang of disgust of himself come forth, She got me. The brat got me. I let her get me… why the hell… He let out a growl and his hand came up, slamming into the wall beside him, she had the last word, winning this round out of the three or four that they had so far, he twitched before letting a smirk come to his lips, she's got common sense… a rare quality these days.
He felt a small frown replace the smirk, his eye coming up as the elevator door opened, he moved forward and got in, several people moving as to make room for him, the door shut and he shut his eyes for a moment, those eyes, her eyes had been different when she spoke, not blazing with anger as when she was in the cosplay, but subtle stirring, anger there, yet dampened down, controlled to make it a minor annoyance. But why is it like that when she's out of costume? Is it because she's not playing herself then? He opened his eyes and stared up at the floors as they ticked by on the monitor above beside the elevator door above the button panel, probably…
I had heard Brandin walk behind me as I moved down the hall slowly, there was no need to hurry any more, even if my natural walk was rather fast. I smiled to myself at this thought before my train of thought was stopped before it could even fully begin.
"Oi! Fire! Hold up damn you! Seeing through one eye ain't easy ya know!" I blinked at my comrade's voice and stopped, turning to face him, a slightly annoyed look on my face, now that I was out of cosplay, I was happy to be myself, this included my unusual fast walking habits, I did not like being interrupted either, I stared at him for a moment before I watched him stop, he sensed my annoyance apparently, meaning my eyes probably were down to a cold glare, I opened my mouth, my voice calm and monotone, hiding my annoyance except for in my eyes, "…Keep up Kelevra." I paused for a moment, perhaps I could have a bit of fun with this, I grinned at him, "Or are ya gettin' to old keep up with a youngin' like me?"
I could sense the slight amusement and annoyance that came from him immediately, signaling my inquiry had done it's job, "…I had that coming… I'll admit." I watched him nod in confirmation to his statement, I bit back the urge to cross my arms and smirk at him in victory before he continued to say, "But are you quick enough to keep up with an 'old man like me' if I get ahead of you Fire?" I nearly frowned at this, he had a point, though he was small, I knew Brandin, from experience, was a quick little bastard. I smirked how ever instead, my eyes shutting for a moment before I turned and began walking again, the slight throbbing in the places I had been hit a small nuisance as I kept up the calm vibe from me. I felt an arm sling over my shoulders and my eyes snapped over to Brandin as he kept an arm around my shoulders which I on instinct returned, I was becoming more comfortable now, Brandin was some times able to do that, if I was tensed up, or depressed, he'd make me happy again.
It's a wonder we weren't going out, but Brandin was to close for me to do that, he wasn't an acquaintance, he was a friend, he was one of my few best friends. Though I wondered about him some times, I would give my life to save him; I wasn't ever going to risk that, even if it meant not being any more intimate than just friends. But I suppose, I wouldn't really want it any other way.
I glanced down at our feet as they moved in sync with each other, this was always an odd occurrence I found myself interested with for no reason what so ever.
"Oi, Fire." My eyes snapped up and my head did to, I glanced at Brandin for a moment, his voice sounded amused and happy, what was he up to? I raised an eyebrow in suspicious before he began to sing, "I am going…I am going….where ever which way the wind is blowing…."
I blinked at him catching on immediately, my lips pulling into a smile as I continued the verses of the song's chorus, "I am goooing, I am gooooing, Where Streams Of Whiskey Are Floooowing!" The song's title was "Streams of Whiskey" by Three Pints Shy. I had heard it about two years ago thanks to meeting Brandin. Chat was a wonderful thing in this sense, as it was often months between before we got to see each other.
We turned into the elevator's area and stood for a moment, I noticed Brandin touch the button before separating from him and walking towards the windows again, staring out them with my back to him as my eyes scanned the clouds, it was still gray out, and it being January meant that there was a good chance that snow might fall down. I nearly shuddered at the thought, I hated being cold, which some times confused people, because before I had moved to Ashland, I had lived in New Mexico, and before New Mexico, I had spent seven years, in Alaska. Needless to say, being a military brat most of my life, by the age of 16, I was well traveled.
"Cassi Kun." My mind stopped it's thought process as I glanced over my shoulder at Brandin, his voice was concerned, he was looking at me through his mask, I could see the one gray blue eye from behind the one hole in his mask, "Yeah?" I replied, not realizing my voice was low and uncaring at the moment, he seemed to tense then relax himself before asking, "Are you going to be alright?"
"I should be fine…" Really, I didn't know, but I had to assure Brandin I would be, for I all knew, I could have had internal bleeding, which would be bad, because even if I did think about it at least once or twice every day, I wasn't really wanting to die during an anime convention. ""Just…don't hug me half caringly."
His response had caught me off guard, but I suppose I should've expected it, it was after all, Brandin,"I always care. Other wise I wouldn't hug you at all." I had to stare at him for a moment because of his words, I knew Brandin was telling the truth, he could be a huge jack ass if he wanted to and a jerk, but when he was telling the truth, it was one of those things that seemed almost pure about him. I slowly nodded to him, then looked back ahead at the sky scrapers in front of me, the clouds were slightly lower, so they were skimming the top, it was almost interesting to me, but it was also slightly annoying at the same time, they were with in reach, but so far away at the same time.
I heard the sound of the elevator doors arrival and fought back a small smirk, before looking over my shoulder again, the doors opened, it looked awfully packed in there, I glanced at Brandin as he turned to them and questioned, "Room for two more?" I looked back ahead, there wasn't enough room for two more, and my suspicions were confirmed by a man in the front stating, "Nah. Only one man."
With a thought of uninterrupted thought in mind, and the wish for slight solitary for a few moments, I looked over my shoulder again, replying, "Go ahead Brandin." He looked at me immediately, I sensed the slight frantic refusal in his voice as he replied, "No way, what if that guy comes back?" What if he did? I questioned lowly to myself, the dark person in my mind hissing, not like you could do anything about it. I shoved the thought away for a moment before replying, my voice low again, giving hint to my desires of solitary thought, "I think I actually lost him on the way to the room, go ahead Brandin… I need a moment to think by myself."
Our silence was not reassuring me that I would get the alone time with myself that I wanted, even if I had a good twenty minutes alone before I went to the room, but now I had something else on my mind, I continued to stare at him through to the eye, the people in the elevator I could feel were starting to get impatient.
Please.
My thought seemed to get to him through our link before he slowly replied, "I'll come after you if you're not down in 20 minutes." I nodded, happy I won my time of silent musing as he entered the elevator and it shut, my eyes turned back to the window and out it, the feeling of relief entering me for the moment, then a slight annoyance reached myself, I understood Brandin's concern for my well being, but..
I am not a child, I do not need someone to hold my hand and protect me from all the bad people out there. I shut my eyes for a moment, everyone has that little voice in their head that says those thoughts and comments about things that the person is to polite or modest to say themselves to what ever is bringing about the little voice, mine just so happened to love to talk when my friends did. I let out a small sigh, of course it did, I loved Brandin and Kris to death, but some times… I opened my eyes for a moment, the cosplayer was not a problem I wanted them to get involved in, he was my problem and mine alone.
He's a lousy fucking cunt and he had no right to touch you. I nearly chuckled at the voice's words, it was right, he did have no right to touch me, until I kicked him, I'll admit, I had that one coming, but what I did was minor compared to what he had done to me, I was still in pain, he had been on his feet and chasing after me about three minutes from the kick. I fought back the snarl that wanted to come to my face. Bastard, bitch is gonna get it. Oh yes, one way or another, that cosplayer was gonna get it, I would win this round. I would speak, and play by my strengths, and in an argument, that wasn't talking, because I would stutter, but it was me thinking of crap before I said anything.
I caught movement in my right lens of my glasses and on instinct twisted around, my eyes narrowing as I stared ahead of me, think of the devil and he shall appear no?
Fast. Was all I managed to get out as I stared at the cosplayer, my eyes narrowed as he stared back, slowly moving his eyes up and down before stopping on my face as I crossed my arms, he was pissing me off, and why the hell was he checking me out? I fought back the glare that was slowly coming to my eyes, a want to launch myself at him and just rip his face to pieces floating to the surface of my brain only to be rudely shoved down.
I spotted a smirk on his lips as he slowly moved towards me, could he be any more dramatic? I how ever found myself slightly off guard as he stopped in front of me, hovering above me before I felt fingers grip my chin, my eyes narrowing dangerously again, I hadn't realized before how rough his hands were. My head was tilted back and he leaned down, we stared at each other for a moment before his voice rang through my ears, "So you've stopped hiding away I see."
Hiding? I don't hide, I never hid, you're just stupid enough not to see through the cosplay, moron. My little voice stated, I fought back a growl that was moving to my throat and instead of releasing, put that energy spent into my arms as I moved them up and shoved him away from me, watching his eyes narrow as he had to step back a few paces to keep his balance. This pointed out to me that he wasn't really trying anything to begin with, but it still annoyed me. I let my still partially raised hands rest down at my sides.
I was me again, I wasn't me playing Pein, I was me, Cassi, Fire, the leader as well as bitch that people for some reason respected, the confused teen who worried about everything when really there's nothing to worry about to begin with, and this guy was pissing me off, to hell with being afraid, to hell with respecting him, he had shown me none, and as I was out of cosplay, and just my normal shark man fan girl self, I was not going to show him any either, despite the bad ass routine and in characterness he had shown, "And Who the Fuck said I was Hiding to being with?"
Really, I swore as soon as the words left my mouth, I was insane, this guy had also caused me bodily harm, and that fact before I stated a word had slipped through my mind and into the pit of it only to be brought back as he stared at me in the eye, how ever, I am stubborn, and this feeling of out right dominance towards this man, who I was going to beat in this round, held me in place as I even dared to cross my arms, raising an eyebrow to him and allowing my eyes to become half lidded, giving an almost bored expression to him.
"After that previous beating, you really think it's wise to treat me in such a way?"
No, I should be kissing your fucking feet and bowing down to you, hold on while I strip myself down, get down on all fours, and beg you to fuck me cause you're so fucking great you shark man wanna be, pathetic, Ass Hole! I had to fight back the amusement that was starting to spring forward from the little voice's rant, oh it was right, who really, did this guy think he was? He had hurt me, but I had a gift, I was hardly ever surprised, startled, yes, shaken, definitely, but both would drift away, I had the gift of looking back and laughing hysterically at myself, and kicking him in the balls, his voice, his look of pain that it had caused, was totally worth the beating.
How ever, the pulsing in my back almost made me think differently, to bad I'm really stubborn though when it comes to these type of things. I moved towards him, noticing in delight the slight look that came onto his face as I pressed the 'down' button for the elevators, then looked over my shoulder at him, it was very unwise to turn my back to an enemy, but I thought by now, it was quite obvious, I was taking this round on head first, meaning, stupidly.
But it was time to level the playing field. "Only a pathetic fool." I started, catching his attention immediately, thankfully these words came out alright, when ever I was angry, or amused, I couldn't talk, silence and laughing were my methods of communication during those times, so I had to be careful, I had to choose words I could pronounce clearly with out a problem, "Has to beat someone to get what they want. And only an idiot presumes from only actions. Next time, you should listen to the conversation." Holy crap I said it all right, I continued to stare at him as he glared at me now, I didn't falter how ever, I had to say it, "Actions may not be quieter than words, but words can sure as hell tell you WHY those actions are done." I had to win this round or else I'd be fucked in the semi finals, I almost felt a smirk pull to my lips at the amusing thought, I'd slam him, and I'd slam him good, I'd win for sure if I didn't screw up the next part of my little 'speech.' I glared at him, continuing, "Luckily for YOU, I realize something that you don't."
Oh yes, very lucky for you, if I hadn't taken that shower, and stared at your damn hand print on my side, I would have called the cops down to haul your ass off already buddy boy, I may be stepping on thin ice, but I got chakra in me that let's me walk on water, what do you got? Besides the tampon blade on your back? My little voice stated almost making me laugh, I watched as he glared at me angrily, I was either going to get it after my next statement, or I was going to leave him silent, and silently, I hoped for the silence, I wanted to win this round, I wanted to show him that even if I am weak compared to him, I was still not one to mess with.
"And what…guppy is that?" I could hear the anger in his voice, he was gonna kill me, but not before I got the last word, not before I was able to get him pinned with it, not before I won.
I took a moment to realize just how competitive I was at times like this. Even in soccer, I wasn't as competitive as I was being now, winning didn't really matter to me then as long as I had fun, but getting beaten by this lousy bastard was no fun at all, so he wouldn't have any fun at this time either, I'd win, and he'd know god damn it that I won. The elevator doors opened, and I smirked, peeeeeerfect. I looked at him, noticing the slight look on his face as he saw my look of satisfaction, I have you now.
"You, just like me, are only human."
I stepped in the elevator, the doors shutting just in front me as I watched the slight look on his face, one that held no emotion but a slight off guard look, I looked around, I was alone in this elevator, I felt the roar of victory run through me as I threw my fists into the air, "OOOOOOH YEAAAAAH!" I let out a shrill laughter, the little voice in me silenced by the satisfaction of victory, "HOW DA YA LIKE ME NOW FISH BOY!?" I was happy now, I won, and his look had told me for a fact I had won this round. And as long as I won this round in particular, I was happy, not often did I get to slam someone down like that with out any stuttering in my anger or such finesse and style, it was almost like in the movies.
I quieted my laughter after a bit, my shoulders shaking in utter amusements and happiness. I was a goof ball, a dork, a bitch, a hard ass, at times a coward, but I was not pathetic, and I was not a fool, at times I could be a fool, but I was not pathetic, not unless I wanted to be, and right now, I was not pathetic or feeling pathetic at all, I felt like a winner, which didn't happen often, when we got to the hotel, I felt like a winner, when everyone listened, I felt like a winner again, and now. I felt on top of the fucking world.
And you're probably gonna die for it. My conscious stated, I did falter, my eyes narrowing and my amusement immediately gone, it had a point, would the cosplayer let his loss go quietly, or would he try and one up me? Would he track me down again and this time, instead of beating the shit out of me, just kill me?
Oh shit oh shit oh shit! Cassi You Idiot! You Went And Talked Before You Thought! AHHH! I looked panicked around the elevator, almost to assure myself he didn't follow me in, I shuddered at the thought of another one on one with him in the elevator, like that was going to happen again. My eyes shut as I calmed my racing heart now, inhaling and exhaling before the door of the elevator opened, I stepped out coolly and walked out of the sectioned off area, looking for Brandin only to find him sitting beside another Tobi cosplayer at the bar after I walked in on a bar stool.
Brandin's hands moving fluently telling me he was enthusiastic in what ever it was he was talking about, I had two guesses as to what it was, guns, or his latest book attempt, I was going for guns, since he was at a stand still on his latest book. He like me, was an author. I approached silently and stood behind him, wondering also why he was at the bar to begin with as he was only 19, before he turned to me and stated, "Eh Fire, you made it! I was just tell-" He looked back towards the Tobi and I did as well, he was gone, I chuckled amused before murmuring, "Talking to yourself? They're going to think you're insane." He slid off the bar stool for a moment, muttering, "You're one to talk." Then I blinked and looked at him jokingly stating, "I wasn't talking to you."
I watched the amused glint in his eye as I turned and walked out of the bar, him following behind till I stated, "So, what do we do now?" He was silent as he fiddled with the edges of my cloak's sleeves as he wore them, before replying, "Dunno Fire, whattaya wanna do?"
That was a good question, I didn't know what I wanted to do, I had walked around, none of the activities they were giving in the rooms separated off from the main part of the convention center interested me, I suppose I could go back to the venders and drag him into buying me something, but I wanted to save that for at least Saturday, my eyes shut for a moment before I stated, "Ya know, why don't we just walk around for now." He nodded in agreement to this, walking around was safe, and we could view the other people's cosplay, this would work out nicely.
"This is gonna be a rather calm shift then neh?" He questioned aloud, I stopped for a moment, he had a point, I looked at him before stating, "Unless…" He stared at me for a moment, I slowly smiled, "Ya wanna get the group together and go down to the 'the spot?' Kelevra." His eye lit up, 'the spot' was an area just outside the hotel's parking garage that was connected to the convention center, it was quiet except for the random passerby's and of course… myself and my friends, he stared at me for a moment before he nodded frantically. I waved my hand to him muttering, "You call Kris and tell her, she'll get everyone together." Nodding again, he pulled out his own cell phone and began dialing.
I droned him out in my head as I stared at the carpet on the floor while I stood beside him, my thoughts once again coming forth, Kris… I didn't know why I was thinking about my other best mate at a time like this, but then again, I suppose it had to do with some fact or another, my eyes drifted up and I stared at a Hidan cosplayer walking by me. I stared for a moment before moving forward, he seemed angry about something, I stood in front of him and stared up at him.
"…" We stared for a moment, I tilted my head at him as he glared, then muttered, "What the fuck do you want kid?" Jesus, and I thought Kris was good at playing Hidan, quickly, I moved forward and hugged him around the neck, I felt him stiffen and hiss, "What the hell?" As I rested my head on his chest, before stating, "It ain't all bad." Then let go and turned, walking away. Really, I had no clue as to why I felt the need to hug him, but I did, and then I went on it. I walked over and stood beside Brandin as he shut his phone.
"They'll meet us there and she's calling everyone." I nodded and he stared at me before stating, "You alright?" I shrugged, I didn't know if I was alright, or if I wasn't, right now, I was just sort of docile. I shut my eyes for a moment before letting out a small sigh, grabbing the front of his cloak and pulling as I began to walk away from the area we stood in, down the stairs I had previously fallen down, and across the way to a right entrance. There were stairs here to, but I didn't really care as I walked down them and took a right, arriving at 'the spot.'
I took my place on the cement floor in a corner, shutting my eyes and pulling out my I-pod, I heard Brandin walk over and position himself beside me as I pulled the head phones of my I-pod off my neck, where they had been stationed, and placed them over my ears. I needed a pick me up, something that would make me smile. I got up silently and turned randomly to one of my playlists, I noticed Brandin watching me but ignored him as I pressed the first song that came up.
Reg POV:
After he had exited the elevator, Kisame felt relatively calmed, he wasn't angry, as he had first been, and if anything, he was a tad bit impressed, his little brat instead of submitting to him, if anything, attempted to verbally dominate him. While this did annoy him a bit, it also amused him, she was weak, yet, as her little speech showed him something that was a slight more better than strength. She was smart. And that itself could be a deadly thing for him, he looked around for her only to find her scent heading near the bar, following it, it wasn't long till he found her standing with the Tobi outside it, the Tobi on his strange device while she seemed dazed.
He observed her for a moment, her eyes were glazed over, her head bowed slightly, he noticed her eyes flick up and she started to walk towards something, in slight amusement, he watched her stop in front of Hidan who seemed perplexed at her, he approached silently, staying a slight distance away before watching her wrap her arms around the Jashin worshipper's neck and rest her head against it.
You're dead Hidan. He hissed in his mind, a slight scowl coming to his face before he watched her let go and walk back to the Tobi, the two conversing till she grabbed his wrist and began to lead the Tobi away.
He on the other hand, moved forward and grabbed Hidan by the hair, Hidan glaring as he snarled, "What the hell man!?" He slammed his knee into the man's abdomen, letting go and quickly following after his little brat, a slight anger in him, why the hell did she hug Hidan? HIDAN of all people, he felt his breathing heightened as he followed her scent, walking down a flight of stairs then stopping as he spotted her, she was standing still, her back to him for a moment before the device in her hand she drew a circle around with her thumb.
The music blasted against her ears, making it easy for him to hear the lyrics perfectly as she began moving with them, eyes shut as she turned, pocketing the device as she began to sing with it.
"We're not gonna be just a part of the game
We're not gonna be just the victims
They're taking our dreams and they tear them apart"
He watched as her body moved with the words of the lyric, each action expressing the next, her hand moving onto her chest and one swinging out behind her as she continued to sing with the song.
"To everyone's the same
I've got no place to go
I've got nowhere to run.
They want to watch me fall
They think they know it all…"
Her breathing was picked up with the emotion of the song, she was feeling it as she sang, he fought back the slight chuckle, she got involved with her movements and actions, and she didn't allow the song to be just a song.
"I'm a nightmare, a disaster
That's what they'd always say
I'm a lost cause, not a hero
But I'll make it on my own
I've gotta prove them wrong
Me against the world
Its me against the world"
"We won't let them change how we feel in our hearts
We're not gonna let them control us
We won't let them shove all the thoughts in our heads
And we'll never be like them"
Her movements unlike when rehearsed, were no longer fluid, they were rather choppy and he almost laughed when she moved attempting to catch her balance when she spun to fast or stepped back to lightly, he fought back a smirk as she stepped to the side and had to quickly hold herself. But continued it anyways, the Tobi got up, grabbing her hand and spinning her. Her eyes opened and she smirked as she spun him back.
"I've got no place to go
I've got nowhere to run
They want to watch me fall
They think they know it all"
"I'm a nightmare, a disaster
That's what they'd always say
I'm a lost cause, not a hero
But I'll make it on my own
I've gotta prove them wrong
Me against the world
Its me against the world
World….world…world…
(scream)"
He watched her jump back, a hand on her left breast before she launched her hand out, pointing at him, her look was of utter rage, her eyes shined with a feral grin before she snarled with the song.
"Now I'm sick of this waiting
So come on and take your shot!
You can spit out you insults
But nothings gonna change us
You can sit there and judge me
Say what you want to
We'll never let you win."
The boy lifted up his mask staring perplexed at her, she moved forward, twisting around him, resting her hands on his shoulders and making him move down, he fell to his knees and looked up as she peered down at him glaring. He studied the two, it was almost like two playing pups, one attempting to dominate the other, only she wasn't going as far as she could, she didn't need to. The boy was already calm enough and obeyed silent
"I'm a nightmare, a disaster "I'm a nightmare, a disaster
That's what they'd always say
I'm a lost cause, not a hero
But I'll make it on my own
I've gotta prove them wrong"
That's what they'd always say
I'm a lost cause, not a hero
But I'll make it on my own
I've gotta prove them wrong
Me against the world"
He had to blink as the boy shot to his feet, grabbing the girl, spinning her out, then taking off at a full speed towards the wall besides a stair case leading down to a lower level the last of the song played through the air as he didn't stop in his sprint.
"I'm gonna prove them wrong
They'll never bring us down
We'll never fall in line
I'll make it on my own
Me against the world!"
He watched the Tobi cosplayer jump into the air, using his feet to run up the wall only to make it look like he crashed into it as he fell towards the ground, he hit hard and the girl stared for a moment before he got to his feet. Kisame blinked glancing as the girl fell back onto her behind laughing hysterically. Almost as though this was a usual thing, the boy grinned and she slipped the head phones off, "Jesus Chris Kelevra." She snickered, "You're gonna get yourself hurt like last time."
"Ahhhh, but you're smiling, not that sad depressing bull shit that you pull when something's up." He stated back, "So it's all worth it, I some times get depressed that I'm not at school any more because I can't make you laugh." Kisame didn't let the slight frown on her lips go unnoticed, he heard someone coming, or several some ones, and darted into the shadows of a corner to hide himself. The entirety of their 'mini' wannabes walked into the area, a slight look of confusion going over the Konan's face before she stated, "Why are ya outta cosplay Cassi?"
He watched as the brat tilted her head and scratched the back of her neck smiling, before stating, "I was getting a little tired of being 'in character' being Pein can be a pain in the ass… soooo now…"
"SHE IS THE AKATSUKI WHORE! SINNER!" The Hidan called out pointing immediately, she blinked for a moment, staring before stating, "Yeah, sure Kris, I'm the Akatsuki whore, we'll go with that." He watched the event with amusement, Akatsuki whore? His lips pulled into a slight feral grin, then the Kakuzu continued, "Well duh Kris, she's doing fish boy." He watched a slight glare come to her face, then muttered dully, "Wanting to do a smexy shark man, does not make me a whore."
"No, it makes you insane, but we love you anyways." The Sasori replied moving forward and flinging her arms around her neck, on instinct the taller girl hugged the red head back, before muttering, "I am not insane, I'm out-sane, meaning you guys all are more insane than me."
"But we don't wanna do fish stick Cass." Kisame watched the Zetsu say, he was surprised by the reaction that followed, she glared before hissing, "He is not a fish, he is a shark. Fish don't kill you, Shark's rip you to pieces!" The Zetsu nodded to this, before replying, "So you wanna get killed by a shark." He watched as her eye twitched in utter annoyance, before she pointed at him and hissed lowly, "God Damn It No!"She shook her head before the Tobi slipped his mask back on and placed a hand on her shoulder, stating, "Cassi kun wants to DO Kisame, it's a known fact, for she is a Kisame Fan Girl." His voice was analytical and mock intelligent, "Meaning she wants Kisame's you know inside her uh-huh and make little guppies that eat their lunch ladies."
The Hidan busted into a fit of hysterical laughter, her laughter cut off by squeaks that caused the humiliated girl to shake her head, muttering, "You guys…" Her voice quiet, "Stop." The group still laughed, the brat shut her eyes and sighed, but then opened them with a slight half humored look, she was amused, but the annoyance he could smell coming from her.
"Brandin." She murmured aloud, the Tobi immediately looked at her, "Wall."
"AYE SIR!" The boy took off at full speed, launching at the wall, hitting it, and falling to the ground, a small smirk played on her lips, satisfaction was in the air, he tilted his head though, if she liked him, or rather, his character, why was she so negative towards him? Was it possible that she liked his character, when he was being himself, and not trying to intimidate her…? Or was it because she indeed saw him as one of their own and it annoyed her that he was 'trying' to 'play' himself? He gripped his chin in thought, watching as the group laughed, the tension in the air disappearing as he did so, he jumped as Tobi murmured behind him, "The Tobi of that group is very knowledgeable in weapons Kisame senpai." He flinched and turned around, "Do you think leader sama would be interested in hearing about it?"
Kisame blinked for a moment, his mind processing what was just told to him as he pulled himself back together before numbly nodding to the younger man, immediately, Tobi moved away, disappearing, he sighed and turned back to the group silently, finding Hidan slinking to his side as he muttered lowly, "So what are you going to do about the little sinning bitch that you find so entertaining now?" His voice holding a venom in it from the earlier attack, Kisame glanced at him for a moment before muttering, "What are you gonna do about your little imitator that I know for a fact you hold some odd likeness for?"
"Shut up." Hidan snapped, the group quieted immediately, all looking around, Kisame slammed a hand over his mouth and twisted so the shorter man was in front of him and out of sight, the began talking again, quieter this time.
"You two stop playing grab ass." Their eyes darted to Kakuzu who was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, vaguely, the shark man wondered how he had gotten there so unnoticed and the Jashin worshipper found himself annoyed by his elder partner's order, "Leader sama wants to see us all, now. He has a plan." The two nodded and obediently followed, Kisame sending a glance toward the spit fire that had been entertaining him not minutes ago, and smirked lightly, We'll play again later kiddo… perhaps something more adult though.
He shoved the animalistic after thought down angrily, fuck.
I fell into a bout of hysterical laughter as Brandin crashed into the wall at the end of the song, it wasn't surprising to me, it was as though a signature move he did when he came here, but never the less, it never got old. I pulled my headphones off after stopping my I-pod from playing any more songs, "Jesus Christ Kelevra." I started, "You're gonna get yourself hurt like last time." Last time he had done this, he ended up hitting his knee against the wall, and fell to the floor, it wasn't a happy sight, but I did get to laugh at his rolling on the floor in pain.
"Ahhhh, but you're smiling, not that sad depressing bull shit that you pull when something's up." He replied to me, his voice slightly muffled by the mask, I couldn't fight back the pout that was coming to my face as I watched him, he then continued, "So it's all worth it, I some times get depressed that I'm not at school any more because I can't make you laugh." I couldn't help but frown at this slightly, he was like an older brother to me, but some ways, in how he talked, it felt like he was implying something different, but it wasn't odd for me to end up thinking over critically.
As long as my gut didn't say it was wrong, I was alright with it, as soon as my gut spoke though…. From past experience, I knew better than to ignore it. But I could trust Brandin…. I told myself this all the time, but sometimes, perhaps it was because not matter how I acted, I was indeed female, I was still cautious in doing so. I shook my head for a moment before glancing over to the side, I heard people talking and turned around, staring over at the entrance, it wasn't long till the rest of my group showed up, Kris having a slightly annoyed look on her face, Heather with her usual smile, Gavin, wearing his mask I couldn't tell his expression, Ashlee was glaring angrily at Cheryll, Cheryll back at Ashlee, Will had his blade on his shoulder with an at ease look, Cody looked slightly bored, Danielle was smiling happily, it was rather had for me to be in a depressed feeling when the mood around me seemed to crackle lightly with energy.
It how ever stopped when Heather asked aloud, "Why are ya outta cosplay Cassi?" Thankfully that was an easy question to answer, I didn't have to think hard about it nor did I have to get complicated with it either, I felt an itch on the back of my neck, reaching up to scratch it with a slight grin, I replied, "I was getting a little tired of being 'in character' being Pein can be a pain in the ass… soooo now…" Kris abruptly cut me off, I didn't mind though, it gave me some quiet to myself.
"SHE IS THE AKATSUKI WHORE! SINNER!" I stared at my Hidan fanatic friend and chuckled lightly, hey, when the cosplayers think of a title to you when you plan to be title less, go with it. Then replied, "Yeah, sure Kris, I'm the Akatsuki whore, we'll go with that." Of course I would, there was nothing wrong with it, and I was sure that the Kisame would leave me alone for now, at least in the past 20 minutes I had ditched him in, my thought process was cut off by Gavin stating, "Well duh Kris, she's doing fish boy."
LOW BLOW! LOW BLOW! FOUL! WHERE THE HELL'S THE REF! I shouted in my mind staring at in with a slightly stunned look then glared annoyed, replying, "Wanting to do a smexy shark man, does not make me a whore." It was true, I wanted Kisame, mentally, physically, and emotionally, but that was what any fan girl wanted, even if I was a bit cooler about it instead of shrieking like a moron and hugging the man to death, I at least had the courtesy to ask first. And in real life, IF Kisame was real, I knew for a fact he would more than likely find me a waste of his time, and ignore me, kill me, or of course C: Destroy me mentally, then emotionally, then possibly physically. Kisame, Hoshigaki was no sweet morsel on the face of the earth, he was a bad ass, a criminal, hardened to killing, an animal trapped in human skin, a sadistic shark affinity man that for the life of me, I could never find down to the core what made me so attracted to him.
Maybe it was the danger he brought, maybe it was the fact I knew what he could do to me, and I would more than likely want him to do to some degree, I myself will not deny that I was into bondage, and with him, being tied up by him while probably dangerous, was a very weird, attractive, thought.
I was pulled out of my thoughts while two arms wrapping around my neck and a body pressing to mine making my arms come up and wrap around Danielle's lower back, hearing her murmur happily, "No, it makes you insane, but we love you anyways." Yes, I was insane, I was insane for finding a shark of all people attractive, insane for having so many fantasies about him it wasn't even funny, insane, that's what I would admit to, yes, I was, but I would not admit to it aloud. Why would I? It'd be to fun to banter around with them. "I am not insane, I'm out-sane, meaning you guys all are more insane than me." It was a weak argument, and I knew it, but I also knew that my friends were in to good of a mood not to try and make their point.
"But we don't wanna do fish stick Cass." Daniel's voice made me glare at him immediately, he knew that I got annoyed by him calling Kisame 'fish stick' almost like I did when Gavin or Kris thought that my mind always revolved around Kisame and fucking him like crazy, which wasn't the case at all, yes, I would not deny, doing Kisame would make me not only die happy, but put a grin on my face for a very long time, but there was a lot more to him that I wanted to see, not just him naked on a bed, or couch, or where ever, it was the sadism and danger he brought that made me quiver, and it was how he acted that made me damn near became struck with awe, I had not at first liked him at all, but he gave off a vibe that even in the anime, I found myself wanting to be around.
When I grew older and perhaps gained a love life, I would probably be in a lot of trouble when it came to choosing guys.
"He is not a fish, he is a shark. Fish don't kill you, Shark's rip you to pieces!" I finally replied to Daniel, making him stare for a moment, once again, a weak response to an even weaker argument, not like I really cared though, it was all for good fun, but it stopped becoming fun for me when they started doing this.
"So you wanna get killed by a shark." Daniel concluded making me want to lunge forward and strangle him, no, just meeting the real Kisame, even if it was for my own torture, would be the greatest thing in the world to me, that was the fan girl in me, the logical side of me how ever said that if I met Kisame, I would be to jittery to talk to him, much less smile or hug him. If I was to die by Kisame's hand, I suppose that would be an honor to me in itself, and then being resurrected and killed by my friends for letting such a thing happen would probably be great fun to.
As a girl, I really did hate my brain for pulling out so much bull shit in such a short amount of time. I exhaled lowly, containing my anger best I could pointing at Daniel, really I didn't know what good the pointing did, "God Damn It No!" A hand on my shoulder snapped me out of my rage for a moment as Brandin replied, "Cassi kun wants to DO Kisame, it's a known fact, for she is a Kisame Fan Girl." And so what if I was, that didn't mean I automatically wanted to fuck Kisame.
God I was thinking too much into this, I was even starting to confuse myself. I had to sort this out now, I liked Kisame, a lot, I found him attractive, and yes, on the occasion, fantasized about him doing all sorts of things to me, this was no surprise, I was pervert, its what I did, but to be doing it for about three years straight was something odd, as was the fact that I wanted to feel it when I knew it would never happen. It was a bitter sweet fantasy and I tortured myself with them often. That Kisame cosplayer, though was a complete ass hole, I will not deny I did find him highly attractive, merely because he did indeed look like Kisame. I would not deny, his dominance he kept forcing over me made me shiver as well as keep back the heat that would go to my cheeks each time, I wouldn't deny any of this, Kisame to me was what Hidan was to Kris or Itachi to Gavin, hot, sexy, and made me want to damn near be near him till I died, but that didn't mean I wanted to fuck him.
That would just be a bonus.
"Meaning she wants Kisame's you know inside her uh-huh and make little guppies that eat their lunch ladies."
I zoned back into Brandin's voice as it was right beside my head as he spoke, then looked over at Kris as she struggled for air from laughing so hard, my eyes narrowing before I murmured weakly, "You guys…. Stop…" I didn't like it when they did this, I knew I liked Kisame; there was no reason for them to point this out to me so much, I didn't like it when I was this out of control of a situation either, being poked at because of something I liked or didn't annoyed me. "Brandin." I caught his attention immediately, I was going to divert attention from me, I didn't want my Kisame Otakuness to be prodded at any more, "Wall."
His glance to me told he knew something by my tone was wrong, he how ever replied loudly, "AYE SIR!" And took off towards the wall, hitting it, and falling to the ground again, I watched the laughter go to his antics and let out a slight sigh of relief. I turned silently to Cody who was staring at me for a moment before looking ahead and stepping beside me, muttering, "You really do like him don't you?" I nodded before he stated, "Even though he's a fictional character?"
"Don't gonna add salt to the wound Cody." I muttered bitterly, only for him t grin at me and state, "Awe… but it's fun Cass." I glared at him before shaking my head in slight annoyance again, the mood from me gone.
"Shut up!" A voice seemed to snap some where out in the hall, our voices stopped and I looked around, taking notice of the others doing the same, before I glanced at Kris with a slight raised eyebrow, she shrugged, and then I muttered dully, "Wonder what that was…."
"Maybe it was a Hidan and Kakuzu getting into it." Kris stated glancing at Gavin who was tensed up, I watched him slowly relax before he stated, "Or a Deidara and Tobi."
"Huh, what about me?" Brandin stated after picking himself up from the floor, I shook my head at him murmuring, "Not you dumb ass." He brought a hand up and a finger as well and inhaled for a moment, about to speak, held it, then sighed, muttering, "So!?"
I shook my head, before glancing to Kris, making eye contact before stating, "I got to hug the Hidan that was on our floor earlier." Kris blinked before chuckling, replying, "And how'd that go?"
"Uhh… I walked away before he had a chance to react really…" I stated making her chuckle lowly, last year there was Hidan I hugged that when I asked, he inquired if he could kill me for doing so, I said yes, and hugged him, then he touched my throat. Later that same day, I glomped him, a glomp being a hug only one throws their entire body at them in the process, and he asked if he said I could touch him, when I told him no but I didn't care, he actually pretended to knee my in the stomach the patted my shoulder then walked off, my experiences with Hidan cosplayers were always interesting ones it seemed.
I had a time where I was in a photo shoot with a Zetsu as well, I asked him if he was gonna eat me, he told me maybe, later that day I hugged a Christmas Zetsu cosplayer as well, my experience with Akatsuki member cosplayers were always so interesting. I think half the time I scared them really more than they tried to scare others. But I highly doubted it.
"Hey Cassi, you wanna be in the next shift with me." Kris's voice brought me back down to earth, glancing at her, I nodded slowly, I was due for a shift with Kris, she was always calm, stoic except for when she needed to be, and didn't mind being quiet, plus, she was the only one who didn't really annoy me as many times as some of the others did, then again, I was easily annoyed, so it was probably my fault. The only thing that I ever really got annoyed with her about was when she started talking about her drumming skills.
But that was only because of my own failure as a drummer, I didn't like thinking about it, music wasn't my art, singing wasn't my art, drawing and writing, those were my arts. And I stuck to them like a bible thumper to the church on every Sunday, taking classes out side of school, and working my fanfiction stories till the 'wee hours in the morning' in order to get better. I suppose I had a tiny sliver of skill in drumming, I couldn't' roll, I couldn't' play a whole song, but I could make a beat, I could make a rhythm, and I could try and prefect it, just simple ones though, nothing to complicated, or my mind just blanked out on me.
Some times I wondered why I wouldn't take up on Kris's offer to teach me, perhaps it was because Kris was just a year older than me, but so much better in the skill from years of practice, and even though she had so and so years, and I only had one and a half, it still seemed to hurt, but that was my problem, not Kris's… but I still ended up getting annoyed. Plus, I already had low self esteem to things unless one on one with a person or by myself, by myself, I was the only judge, with a person, they were the only judge, but many… I shudder at the mere thought of people watching my screw ups, many people would be torture.
But everyone needs their bubble popped some time, and mine was popped frequently. I did it half the time to myself though, I didn't like the thought of me getting a swelled head, so I would attempt to let Kris help me, or study other people's methods. It just ripped me to pieces though when no matter how hard I tried, I wouldn't' get it right.
Thankfully, my pride level was at the same level of my self esteem level. I didn't think I was top shit, I didn't think I was the greatest. But I did like feeling good, and being commented on my work, on what they liked or didn't like, always seemed to make me feel good.
I wondered some times if it was all people, or just me that was like that, then again, half the time, I didn't really give a damn what others thought, unless they were my friends, if they were my friends, they had remote controls to my feelings half the time, that was a weakness I tried to fix, but decided it was better left alone, it was a weakness I could take care of, I kept myself slightly distant from my friends, they would be having the worst day of their lives, and all I would do is have them talk to me about it, I would help them best I could, I would give them suggestions, add my opinion, try and help them solve the problem, but half the time, I didn't care, it wasn't my problem, it was theirs.
I think this is another reason why when ever someone was mad or angry with me, I gained a half lidded look, the voice would come, and I'd just stand there, speaking monotone, as if I really didn't give a crap. Because truthfully, if it didn't involve me, I didn't give a shit until I found something worth caring about in it. Perhaps it made me heartless, perhaps it made me normal, and perhaps it added onto my bitchiness, but as long as I was there when my friends really needed me, when they needed a shoulder to cry on, when they needed to vent out some frustration and talk to someone, as long as I was there to offer what they needed at that time, who really cared?
Some times, for not caring as much as the proper level a friend 'should', I wondered if it really mattered, having friends or not, I knew I needed friends, not because it was necessity, but because I hated being alone, being alone was my fear, I would cry when I thought about how growing up with separate my friends and I, being left alone as they all go off to their lives in the world, but that was life, and I had to tell myself over and over, 'tough shit Cass, think of it this way, true friends are forever, but that doesn't necessarily mean you will be 'together forever' now does it?'
Really I was a weakling in this aspect, as I saw it, I had been alone many times before, but friends, they were a luxury, and a thing that I constantly found I needed in my life, if they cared, I found half the time, I was willing to show I cared back, so keeping a mental distance from them, as having been abandoned by so many people before hand that claimed to be my 'friends', whether I understood why the left or not, was really my only choice.
"Hey Cassi." My eyes moved over to Brandin standing in front of me, I had in my thought walked over to the corner and sat down, staring up at him, I found myself slightly glad he yanked me out of my thoughts, "Shifts just about over." My eyes widened in slight shock, it was? That was way to fast… "Time flies when you're thinkin', don't it?" He questioned aloud, I slowly nodded, still holding a slight look on my face before shaking my head, getting rid of it.
It really does fly by fast.