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By Bottou-chan |
Author's Note: I decided to portray a more serious Neon than I usually do. ;o) For the first time in a while, she's not going berserk from being around a certain rasta-braided freak. (Yeah, it was tough, not mentioning him. ^_^) But, due to the nature of her work, this fic is rated R. If you skip Ch. 4, it's just PG or PG-13. Comments?
The next day, I was in Kurei's study. I handed back the
photos of the former Oonishi
Eisaku. "Mission completed," I said unemotionally.
Kurei
looked at me from behind his mask.. "Hn."
It
was a prod for additional information.
"It
seems that someone had planted a bomb… there was quite a nasty hole blown in
the side of the building. The counting-room was directly beneath the room we
were in, so the members of the Oonishi gang probably think it was an
attempt on the money, rather than on Eisaku's life."
"I shall send a letter to disillusion them, then," said
Kurei, nodding his satisfaction.
I hesitated. "If you do that, you'll probably lose
Kinjo," I said delicately. "It wouldn't be much of a stretch to deduce
that both I and Kinjo were responsible."
"He's served his purpose," shrugged Kurei, slipping
the photographs into a folder.
I opened my mouth as though to speak, and then closed it.
It wouldn't do to argue.
But Kurei knew my feelings, anyways. "You're too emotional, Neon," he said dryly. "It's your shortcoming. You need to distance yourself from what goes on around you, so you are not unduly influenced by others."
I bowed my head. "Yes, sir," I murmured dutifully. I
tried to be good at following his example, but there were times I failed.
Especially times where he was concerned.
I wondered how someone as perceptive as Kurei could not
know.
"Crush the weak," he advised. "Use them. Step on
them. Kill them. But don't let them become your own weakness." He leaned
back in his chair. "That's something my mother told me," he added, almost
reflectively. "It's very true. I've never forgotten it."
I nodded obediently. Was he actually reminiscing in my
presence? Or was he merely passing on information?
Obviously, he wasn't feeling verbose enough to continue
the conversation. He gestured for me to leave. As I reached the door, he seemed
to remember something.
"Oh yes—I need you to get with Raiha tonight. There's
something I need him to show you."
My hand froze on the doorknob. I had little doubt as to
what kind of instruction I was to expect later on. It gave me a sinking feeling,
though… he was so cavalier about it.
Was I just a weak tool to be used until I was to be thrown
away?
Obviously so. But I loved him… why didn't he… why
couldn't I…?
"Yes, sir," I murmured obediently, and left, shutting
the door gently behind me.
I was a fool.
