3/13/01
Disclaimer: the characters such as Kenji, Yugo, etc. all belong to Hudson Soft.
Dedication: my beloved friends, the readers, Hudson for making Bloody Roar I and II, God, Xion, PokeDigi, Flyby, StarryPeach, Alica, LazzyQ, VGuyver, and my parents.
Bloody Roar II: Virtuous Savior
The rays of the descending afternoon sun shone into my eyes, forcing me to squint instinctively. Scowling quietly in irritation, I scoffed as the cold bite of the wind blew harshly at my body, shivering uncontrollably at the feeling. Leaves swirled around my feet, brushing against the denim fabric of my black jeans. A small part of me deep down inside cried out to turn back and walk away from the upcoming predication, but I shook my head and stubbornly moved onward.
No… I'm not running anymore…
Glancing over my shoulder briefly, I caught the forlorn sight of my dark blue bike splayed on the grassy ground. My forest green backpack sat next to it, the zipper loosely sealing the bag, allowing a small stream of air to run in and out of the barrier. Turning ahead quickly, I couldn't help but shudder at the thought of not seeing those two possessions of mine. A few strands of my cyan-colored bangs fell into my face as I ducked my head slightly, and I pushed them aside with nimble ease.
This can't go on…
My fingers tightening, I was unable to detour the images that spilled through my mind. Pictures of a figure with dark brown hair and matching eyes flickered briefly, and subconsciously, my lips began to move, murmuring in an apologetic manner. The concern and care in his face had guilt gnawing at my conscience, but I dogged stood my ground and continued.
Yugo… Brother…
A shot of an older man flashed, his long, spiky blonde hair portraying fierceness, while consideration glimmered in his sky blue eyes. Even with his strong outer exterior of determination, solicitude could still be seen for his friends and fellow allies. A frown formed over my brows and I gritted my teeth, willing myself to evade those thoughts and be unwavering of my goal.
Gado… Sorry…
I spied the edge on the horizon, dust blowing into my path, as if warding me off, telling me to leave the place. Smirking, I shrugged nonchalantly and jerked my head to the side slightly, my hair blowing across my cheek. All of a sudden, another person formed in my mind, this one calling vivid attention. I caught a glimpse of earnest compassion in her chocolate-colored eyes, and a sigh escaped my lips. Her long auburn hair swiveled around her shoulders, reaching down to her waist, and her lips set into a pout, as if beckoning me over to her.
…Sorry. I'm glad that you befriended me, even with my attitude toward you…
I shook my head, a rueful expression forming over my face but a look of relief quickly replacing it when those images slowly dissolved. The thin rod I was holding onto seemed to quiver and left a burning mark in the palm of my skin. Slowing down to a stop at the edge, I sighed shakily as my gaze glimmered on the sight of the sun. The rays fell on my body and warmed my arms, paying no heed to the green cotton shirt barricade.
Everyone…
My hand arose, shuddering a bit as I ascended the object up to face-level, thoroughly studying it.
I apologize… Really, I do…
A silver glint bounced off and reflected when I unsheathed the velvet cloth that was entrapping the materiality, my breath catching in my dry throat as I stared at it blankly. Closing my eyes as a quiet requiem of a good-bye, I brought the object up to my neck and willed myself to calm down at the feeling of the firm steel against my skin.
"Bye…" I whispered, my word darting into the wind, disappearing over the mountains, running away from me.
The second I had begun to drag it across my throat; a loud shout interrupted my task, "No! Stop!!"
Damn it! I growled angrily and spun around to face the intruder. "Who's there?!"
My eyes widened in shock when I saw who had stopped me. Long strands of shiny, silky hair flowed freely in the breeze, encircling the abdomen of the figure. Pink shorts hugged a slender waist, paired with a white shirt and a thin yellow overcoat. Misty brown eyes caught mine, holding my gaze, giving me a paralyzed feeling at the sight. I groaned silently, knowing that only one person could have this unyielding, inexplicable effect on me.
"Don't do it!!" The newcomer yelled, approaching me albeit cautiously.
I snarled in response. "Stay out of this! It's none of your business!"
"Of course it's my business!" Was the fiery comeback. "I don't want you to do that to yourself! It's not worth it, trust me!"
Unknowingly, the hand that was holding onto the deadly object raised in a slightly threatening manner. "Leave me alone! I never asked for your interference!"
A look of determination formed over her facial features. "No way, I am not leaving without you, Kenji Ohgami!"
Immediately, anger flashed in my eyes and my expression hardened. "Go, Uriko! This doesn't concern you, alright?!"
My fourteen-year-old schoolmate threw down her arms in exasperation. "Stop being so stubborn; listen to me, please! I… I don't want you to go away…"
I growled at her. "You don't understand anything, you don't know what I've done, the pain and suffering that others have endured at my hand. I can't live with this guilt, okay? I tried to deal with it, but-"
"No buts," Uriko Nonomura insisted firmly, stepping foreword and grabbing a hold of my arm. "There isn't a chance that I'm gonna let you do… that. I won't allow it!"
"How dare you order me like that!" I hissed. "Are you trying to take control over me also?! You and every other scum around!"
"…Oh, so you think I'm scum?" She looked slightly hurt by the remark. "I'm your friend and am trying to help you, not harm you!"
I yanked myself out of her grasp. "My friend, huh? Oh, really? Why are you being so persistent, anyway? …What did I ever do for you that deserved such kind treatment like that?"
Her expression softened and she lunged foreword, throwing her arms around my arms and embracing me tightly. "Don't do it, please… I value our friendship, Kenji. I don't want to see it end so quickly like this…"
My mouth went dry at her words and I swallowed nervously. "Uriko, I…"
I felt her hand grip a fistful of my shirt. "Turn your back… Come on, walk away with me…"
…S-Should I…? "......"
She backed away from me slightly and met my eyes with hers. "Please…?"
…I bet I am going to regret this later. Not answering her, I sighed in frustration and gently pushed her aside, walking down the path leading to my belongings.
I am such a weak-minded fool… I thought, feeling a bit infuriated as I turned back around with my arm reared and shot it foreword, flinging the knife far away. Another silvery glint flashed from the knife, the sharp blade silently taunting me at my cowardice.
"Damn you and your persistence…" I whispered harshly as I heard the sounds of Uriko's boots coming into contact with the dirt floor, approaching me.
Grumbling under my breath, I reached down a hand and slung the school bag over my shoulder, then propped up my bike. The wind swirled around me as I got onto the vehicle, my bangs falling into my face at the force of the breeze and I growled in agitation. But soft fingers went to gently brush my dark blue hair away from my eyes and I instinctively rebelled at the touch.
"Thanks…" she murmured, appearing right next to me.
"…Hrmp," I replied coolly, looking away from her.
One of her hands tucked under my chin and turned my face toward her; I found myself glancing into her light brown eyes. "I'm serious, Kenji."
"I know you are." I snapped. "I didn't say you weren't, okay?" Stupid interference…
She ducked her head and sighed, loosing her hold on me. "Listen… I didn't follow you to give you a boring, endless lecture about how horrible it is to commit suicide-"
"Hah, I'll bet," I scoffed, narrowing my eyes.
"Hey, I really didn't!" Uriko insisted convincingly as her head perked up, stamping her feet for emphasis.
"Then why?" I questioned. "Do you enjoy going into other people's businesses or something?"
Her expression turned a bit… timid? "N-No…"
"What is it then…?" My voice took on a softer note and I made eye contact with her.
"'Cause I kinda… um…" she trailed off, glancing away bashfully.
"Please tell me, Uriko," I persisted, doggedly standing my ground.
"Because I kind of care about you!" She informed me, then cringed and shrunk back.
Huh…? "…What?" I was shocked; she cared about me? "W-why…?"
"…I know that you're a good person, Kenji, with a caring personality somewhere inside you," she said. "I think that you're scared to show it though, because what happened a couple weeks ago… has made you insecure… But still, I'm sure that you want to start trusting others and open yourself up a little more…"
I opened my mouth to disagree with her, but something inwardly irked at me and my words of protest vanished. She was right. How had she known…? "…How did you come to that conclusion…?" I asked, my tone a little shaky with surprise and I gripped my handlebars more tightly for support.
"I don't know…" Uriko answered, blowing away her long brown bangs, which had fallen into her face. "I just… have a feeling, I guess."
A wry smile formed over my face. "So, you can read me like a book…"
"O-oh, no, it's not like that…" she assured me. "I'm not trying to assume anything about you…"
"…That's alright," I said, grinning slightly at her. "I understand what you're trying to say."
She became visibly relieved with a sigh. "Okay… that's good to know…"
"…Come on, let's get out of here." I jerked my head toward my bike, indicating for her to proceed onto it. "I'll give you a ride. I think you deserve one, after running and chasing me all the way over here…"
Uriko flashed me one of her winning smiles and climbed on behind me, slipping her arms around my waist; I flinched at the action but didn't object, just pedaled down the path in silence. As we rode, the wind tore at us, blowing through our hair and strands of her bangs flew foreword, brushing softly against my cheek. I couldn't fight back the small smile that formed over my face at the gentle contact, feeling a slight twinge of disappointment when the breeze died down and she brushed her hair away from my face.
After a few moments of tranquility, I glimpsed a sight of her house down the street and inwardly felt displeasure, although I wasn't sure why. Applying pressure to the brakes and slowing to a stop, I leaned one of my feet on the ground and tilted the bike to its side, letting my companion get off. Glancing up at her face, I was met with a sweet, angelic smile and I returned the affection.
"Um, I guess I'll see you tomorrow…?" I could tell that her eyes were silently hoping for my answer to be inclined with her intention.
I nodded. "Right, at school." She opened her mouth but I cut her off, knowing what she was going to ask, "Yes, I will show up, Uriko. I'll give you my word on that, alright?"
She grinned. "Okay, I trust you. Bye, then…"
As she was turning away and heading toward her house, I suddenly asked, "…Hey, were you serious about what you said earlier?"
She stopped and whirled around, walking back to me. "About what?"
"…That you cared about me?" I inquired once we were closer.
"Um… yeah…" my friend's gaze fell to the ground. "I meant that, Kenji…"
I smiled and admitted timidly, "…It's returned."
"Huh?"
"It's returned." I repeated quietly.
"O-oh, really?" She looked surprised.
"Yeah…"
Uriko beamed slightly in response and I slunk an arm around her in a somewhat awkward half-hug. Starting to retract from her, my hand went back to the handlebars as we exchanged a look. I found myself leaning toward her and placing a lightning-fast kiss on her cheek before turning away, blushing. Seeing her flush brought a feeling of amusement inside me and I waved another farewell, biking down the street in the direction of my own home.
Who'd have ever thought…? Huh, can't believe she talked me out of it… I ducked my head, hiding the smile of satisfaction that quirked at the corners of my mouth. I'm thankful for what she did though…
The darkening sky caught my attention and my head jerked up, spying the small stars that were beginning to show themselves. Smirking at the bright, glamorous sight that was before me, my eyes narrowed in curiosity, as they seemed to wink at me, appearing to deliver a silent message.
*****
You both will remain in each other's thoughts and dreams… Never give up hope… There will always be someone out there for you…
The End
Author's Note: Hehe, here's yet another Keniko fic completed, and this was also my second attempt at a first-person perspective! I again choose Kenji for my lucky 'victim'. *grins* Just to let you all know, don't worry, I haven't forgotten about Yugo's Story MSTed. The thing is, it's already done; however, I want to upload that last. So the next MSTing up will be Stephen (Stun)'s Story, then followed by Alan and Jenny's stories. I'll get Stephen's uploaded soon, I promise! Well, hope you enjoyed this story and please leave a review/feedback! BTW, I wrote this in celebration of my Bloody Roar III story reaching 100 reviews today! I feel really flattered and happy that you so many readers were patient enough to read through all the chapters and leave reviews. Thank you all! Also, I wrote this fic in like, a couple of hours, so I hope I didn't do too badly… ^_^0
With love for my fans,
Tiger5913
