Email: Foxneko@aol.com
Disclaimers: ::waves banner saying "I dun own WK chars! Dun sue me!" ::
Warnings: Strange...veeery strange...
Notes: italics are thoughts
[ italics ] are dream sequances
::holds up sign like Wile E. Coyote:: << I'm baaack!!! >>
L'il dragon muse: Ahem...
::looks down at large descending shadow, then lookes up:: << Meep. >> ::large Writer's Block boulder squashes her and rolls away, leaving a pancake Silver Fox::
L'il dragon muse: ::blinks and shrugs::
[ Ominous clouds darkened the sky. It rained. It always rained. The droplets soaking into her cloths and dripping down her skin. But nothing could wash away the strange pain she felt deep in her heart. Loneliness? But how could that be? She's always been alone. It's never bothered her before. What was this? Tears? No, it must be the rain... ]
The moon was full and shined down, dimly lighting the streets of the now quiet town. There wasn't a soul in sight, except one figure on the rooftop.
The breeze gently blew his chocolate-colored hair, an air of serenity. But Ken was not at peace. Different emotions raged through him, threatening to overwhelm his common sense. The fear was present, sitting in the back of his mind. It had always been there, ever since that night. The night he had almost lost him...
He blinked rapidly. He shouldn't be thinking about these things. It was over. Nothing happened and nothing will happen. He was their leader, and he was always strong. Only his teammate...
The inner voice laughed at him. It didn't taunt him like it did years ago when the feelings only just started. No, it let him think whatever he wanted, and laughed. Laughed, because it knew no matter what he thought, he was only lying to himself. And Ken hated it. He hated that in the end, the voice got him. It got him down to a state where he was lying to himself. He hated lying. And he hated himself for it.
He shifted his weight slightly, the feel of the gauze against his skin. Damn Farfarello. But it was his fault. He hadn't been paying attention. Wearily, he gazed around. The roof of Koneko gave him a perfect view of most of the town. It was peaceful. Unlike when they had a mission, there were no dark shadows that hid victims, there was no yelling, and there was no blood. Just an ordinary town waiting for the sun to come up for another ordinary day. He froze. What's that?
[ It was cold. So very cold. The rain had become snow. Layer after layer piled on her shivering form. Ice seeped through her veins, chilling her to the very core of her soul. She was going to die. Die from the...
...heat. It was scorching hot. No snow, but sun. The bright rays blinded her. She was parched. She was on fire. The sun was going to burn her alive. It is so...
...cold. Hot. Cold. Hot. Cold. What is happening? Could it be him? No...it can't be...how? ]
Omi rubbed the sleep from his eyes. Someone was pounding at his door. Who would be awake at this time of night?
"I'm coming, I'm coming."
He yawned and opened the door. It had better not be Yohji playing a prank. His mind was still clouded, forgetting that the last person on Earth to wake up this early would be the blonde. Although I wouldn't really mind seeing...
"Ken! What are you -"
"Quick! Get the first aid!"
Omi was about to ask why, when he saw the wet shivering bundle in the brunette's arms. It woke him up immediately. It was a young girl, probably around his age. She was deathly pale and looked feverish. Beads of sweat formed along her brow and a large bruise was on her cheek. Her breaths were more of rugged gasps.
The young boy didn't waste time and dashed towards his bathroom. He rummaged in his drawers and opened cabinet doors. Where is it, damnit?!
Ken shifted the girl in his arms and strained to get his keys. Fumbling, he then inserted it into his door and opened it. The girl was light enough to not be too much of a hassle, and he gently placed her on his couch. Hurriedly, he gathered blankets and piled them at the base of the couch. Then he found a basin and filled it with cool water, placing it on the coffee table with a towel. He wished Omi would hurry up with the kit.
How could this have happened? He frowned. What-
"I got it."
He turned at the voice. Silhouetted by the moonlight at his doorway, Omi was clutching the white box against his chest.
"Do you need help?"
He smiled, walked over, and took the box. "That's alright. I'll take care of her."
"Really, I don't mind," Omi smiled.
Ken looked at the young boy.
"I can handle it," Ken insisted stubbornly, shooing Omi out into the hallway. "You need to sleep. I'm sorry for disturbing you. G'night!"
Omi opened his mouth to protest, but Ken shot him a stern look. Grudgingly, Omi pouted and head back toward his apartment.
Shutting his door, Ken quickly went back to his patient. Dropping the first aid on the floor, he headed for his room. Randomly picking a large shirt, he headed back to the couch. Blushing brighter than a red light, he stripped her of her damp clothes. God, she was thin. While pulling his shirt down over her head, he noticed another dark bruise on her side. Did she have internal damage? Hopefully not. Layers after layer of blankets were laid on her. Pushing aside the stray hair, he placed the cool towel on her forehead.
Ken leaned back, frustrated that there was nothing more he could do. Questions exploded in his head. He sighed, pity washing over him. Nothing left to do, but watch.
Why did she have to pick this one? She was so weak. Already, she was getting sick. Why oh why, did she pick her?
Because she was a forgotten child. Because she could disappear so easily. Because she had been through the same thing. It had been easy to persuade her to take her in. And so, she hid deep in this child's mind, a figment in dreams, sleeping with a sense of safety. Only to be awaken by his presence.
Years had passed. The child had grown older, yet still was the lost and angry urchin from years past. Once again awake, her own memory mixed with those of this child. It seemed neither of their lives had gotten any better. Only worse.
He was after her again. He was the masked hunter. So long, she had run that she almost forgot why. Oh yes, he had betrayed her. Why should she run if he was the one who did wrong? Let him come. She was tired of this cycle. Let it end now.
It was morning, and Ken was late for work. Aya quietly pushed open the door. Ken had left it unlocked. He frowned. Ken could get killed like that, letting his door unlocked. Anyone could just walk in. Baka.
His expression softened slightly when he saw the brunette sleeping with his head on the edge of the sofa. The chocolate locks were falling over his closed eyes. Aya fought down his urge to brush those strands away. It was such an innocent moment.
Tearing his gaze from the sleeping boy, he looked at the girl. Omi had filled Yohji and him in about last night. Predictably, Yohji wanted the girl moved to his room. Aya had noticed Omi frowning slightly at this, so he said he'd check on the girl and Ken. Maybe Omi will tell the blonde. Then again, Yohji seemed too intent on girls, and probably won't even consider homosexuality.
She was the girl from the hospital. He smirked mentally. Looks like Yohji won't want her in his room after all, unless he wants a beating. Who would hurt him first, the girl or Omi, Aya couldn't decide yet.
She had gotten worse since the last time he saw her. She was thinner, paler, and injured. Plus, she was much cleaner since last time. Aya eyed the pile of wet shredded clothes in the corner of the coach. Ken probably changed her. A pang of anger clenched his stomach. He didn't understand it, but he couldn't bear it that Ken had undressed her. It was necessary, he tried to reason. Slowly, the feeling went away, although left a trace of resentment.
[ She was lost, like she always was. This was her, the real her. It was the one time she saw herself as if through someone else's eyes. It was the one time the fox wasn't there. It felt strange. Somehow, she should know what was going on, but she didn't. The knowledge was forgotten. The reason was forgotten. She was forgotten.
There was a pool, clear and blue. The surface was perfectly smooth, almost like a mirror. And she kneeled. Looking over the edge, she expected to see her ragged self. Instead, it was her. The fox. Why was she here? Why did she plague her dreams always? Were they two souls who shared the same dream? Did she see a dirty frightened child as her reflection in the water? But why would she dream about someone like herself? They were so different. Except their eyes. Our eyes. The windows to our souls. We shared the same windows.
An idea sparked in her mind. Was it possible? Could they be the same people in different forms? Could she really be a golden fox spirit? Perhaps a side of herself she never knew? She wants out. She wants control. Why not? If they shared the same windows, why not doors?
She reached out toward the still water, pausing momentarily. The fox waited. After this, there would be no turning back, would there? The smile and sad hint in her reflection's eyes told her everything she needed to know. After this, she would no longer exist. Closing her eyes, she took on last breath. The light breeze blew through her hair. The sun shined down on her, enveloping her warmly. For one moment, she felt happy. Slowly, her eyes opened. And for one last time, she saw herself as she really was. A dark haired girl who had lived despite the turmoil she experienced. Perhaps finally, she could let go of those memories.
The fox was back and still waiting patiently. She felt a solitary tear slide down her cheek and into the water. The image of the fox blurred as the ripples fanned out. She thrust her hand through the water, and felt herself being drawn in. For one second, the two beings crossed, their emotions, their memories, their soul mixing. And then she was gone. Drifting away from the light where she saw the fox smiling at her. And she smiled too. Right before she disappeared, she saw the fox say something. Although she couldn't hear, she knew what was said.
I promise.
~ Silver Fox
Comments please? Is my first posted fic going well? I need to know!
