Chapter Nine: A Unique Inception

"What do you do exactly, my lady?" I ask the Duchess. Other than the fact she could order around a group of thugs, I didn't know much about her... Well, I did know the fact she's some kind of a procuretress, but other than that, nothing.

"That is none of your business." she huffed. I bet she's still mad at me about that. God, it's not like I could tell her I was having a rather private conversation with her... girl? That's really the only way I could describe the relationship between Kiara-san and the Duchess.

Speaking of Kiara-san. I turn my attention to her sitting across from me. She looks scared out of her mind. Her entire body is trembling. Poor thing. I touch her knee. She looked up at me. "Don't worry, everything'll be okay." She game me half a smile, trying to calm down.

"Where are you taking us, my lady?"

"To my establishment." she said quickly.

You're not going to make this a comfortable ride are you? Fine, be a self righteous bitch. I'll just go ahead and the stereotypical asshole.

"Can I open the window? I'm dying here."

"I'd rather you not, the wind will whip my hair in disarray."

"Then I guess you had better wrap it up in a bun." I push the window down.

"Put the window up back this instant!" she sputtered. I gave her my shit eating grin.

"Why don't you come and make me?" She lunged at me and wrapped her cold hands around my neck. I didn't move, just looked.

"Do you wish to die?"

"Is that a rhetorical question?" She squeezed and I coughed in reaction.

"I'm not the mood for idle conversation, Sir Galahad. Keep any and all thoughts to yourself." Her lips were almost touching mine as she talked. Her breath was intoxicating. Not to mention that I could feel her body against me.

"Is that an order or a suggestion?" I could barely get the words out. The Duchess shifted her hands down to my waist. I'm in a very precarious position right now. Her thighs pressed on the outside of mine. The deep V of her dress showed me some of the ampleness underneath. She moved forward so her face was inches away from my ear.

"You may take it as you wish. But don't say I didn't warn you. I have had lesser men killed for looking at me inappropriately." she whispered.

"I will take it under advisement." Now please get off of me before I do something really stupid. Thinking with my head is really hard to do at the moment.

"See that you do." The Duchess slinked off of me. But not before I felt her slap. Let me tell you, I kinda prefer getting launched by Naru and Motoko. At least I didn't have to deal with the awkwardness right after. Instead of holding my cheek like a rejected lover, I close my eyes and try to imagine where we're going. But my mind always drifted back to where I came from...

A crack that is never melded will eventually expand. I don't think that my failed love with Naru was all her fault. I'm sure that I did something's that disturbed Naru's fury. But, what didn't? Talking to our friends made her mad to no end. She'll be like, "What did you say to so and so?" or "Why did you go out with so and so?". It may have been my first relationship, but even I know she was being over controlling. That one talk may have been what set her off. A trivial thing that created a crack. That expanded so extensively to the end of the earth...

"We are here, Sir Galahad." I jumped up. Must've fallen asleep. Getting out the car, I look around. From what I could tell, we we're in a parking lot. Either underground or in a building. Kiara-san grasped my hand as she got out too. I squeeze her to reassure that it was okay. Two guys with sunglasses and black suits got out the front of the car. One of them offered the Duchess a hand.

"That won't be necessary, John." she snarled. Shifting my attention to her. "Please do offer me a hand, my knight."

What an odd thing to say when one of her own men did. "If you insist, my lady." I let go of Kiara's hand and take hers. For some reason she grinned. Instead of gently pulling her out of the car, I practically forced her out. Making her collide with my body. "I don't appreciate the jabs, my lady."

"You bastard I'll-" John yells and pulls out a M9 pistol simultaneously.

"Put it away, John." the Duchess said serenely. "If you want to feel my breasts, do so discretely."

"I have no intention of-" my lips were pinched together before I could finish.

"John, what did we do to that impudent thug last week?"

"Exploded his place with C4's, while he was still in it, Duchess. The idiot was shitting his pants when we left him tied to a chair. Probably one of the most pitiful things I've ever seen in my life." I felt Kiara tremble behind me. My own legs were a bit shaky too. Dammit, what kind of a world did I descend into? These people talk about killing so easily. Without any remorse.

"Is that supposed to scare me? If it is, I can honestly say that I am. I am human after all." The Duchess looked at me wide eyed, before laughing. After a few seconds her hysterics trickled down to a mere cackle.

"Yes, I suppose that is true. Being in my world will require a certain amount of immunity to the ugliness of death. Are you scared of me, simpleton? I suppose you are. But are you scared enough to abandon the young woman by your side?"

"No." I didn't have to think about my answer. "I will help Kiara-san repay her debt and free her from this vocation. You can insult my character as you see fit, but I will remember each one as if they were a scar on my body."

"Is that so? I'm happy that you will. Wear them proudly, for I usually don't exhaust effort on vagabonds like you."

I didn't want to say anything this time. Every time I say anything, I dig myself deeper into a hole. And I'm already chin deep...

"Follow me." said the Duchess as she passed me. John followed in succession. Kiara-san grabs my hand and pulls me forward to follow.

"You know that you're an idiot right?" she says. "I mean, you know that the Duchess could kill you anytime right?"

"I'm not an idiot. I'm a man. And yeah, I do know." What's she getting irritated for?

"Apparently! But even a kid knows when to stop being smart, you know."

"You've never been harassed before. If I don't stick up for myself, I might as well be a dog." And believe me, I'm never going to be that again.

"You're just being hard-headed. But thanks for sticking with me."

"It was nothing. I just didn't want to be a liar."

"When the Duchess asked about you leaving, my heart kinda stopped. But you didn't even hesitate at all. So... thanks." She stopped mid stride and looked at the floor. I realize that even though she's here in this place, she's still a little girl at heart. And that's why I wanted to protect her. I pat her head.

"You're welcome, darling."

"I'm not a little kid you know." she lightly swatted my hand away.

"But you're just so cute that I couldn't help it."

"Stop it. Come on let's go." She pulled be along as we caught up with the Duchess, who was waiting at the end of the hallway with double hinged doors.

"I'd like to welcome you to my establishment, Sir Galahad. The Valkyrie Host."

Dear Naru,

Enough. I just had enough of it. To me, someone's word is their bond. A promise. If you can't keep it, then why make it right? I'm not stupid. I know that things come up, you know? I can understand if it's something really important. And I stress the important part to its full extent. But if it's something you forgot then... aren't you supposed to have the courtesy to at least call?

I'm only human. I can't stay near the phone waiting for you to tell me why you're unable to make it. But if you call, you can at least leave a message right? And if it's close to the preordained time, don't you have a sense of urgency? I called your cell at least four times. Were you not there? I can only imagine what you were doing. I'm not psychic. And you wonder why I'm mad at you. Do you want me to spell it out for you? I'm usually the type of person that lets things go, but if it's important to me, I just can't let it go...

I can't stand it when you give me hope. You say things that you'll do for me or things that you'd give me. But it's all a false hope. Why would you do something like that? And you keep doing it so many times... Do you want to hurt me? Do you want me to be nothing more than a friend for your convenience? Well I'm sorry but I just can't do that it. It's a two way street, angel. You couldn't keep it that way and that's why we failed, why you failed... me.

Goodbye forever,

Keitaro Urashima