AN: yay! the last part! @_@ took me long enough to get it done! anyhow, to those of you who have been reading and liking this story, im sorry! i've been getting ideas for so much other stuff, and zilch insperation for this one... until i heard the song again the other day! eh, and about tasuki's swearing... he would be swearing a LOT more if they were allowed to let him. he is a bandit after all, and i can't seem him... not swearing. ::shurg:: i dunno. oh, and if you watch the fan sub, he does swear a LOT o.o;; haha! he calls tamakis a shit head!
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"That's it, no da!" Chichiri cried out suddenly, causing Tasuki to jump and spill his box of gummy bears.
"Christ, Chich! Stop doin' that! Ya almost gave me a heart attack!"
"Come on, Tasuki, no da! We have to get going!"
Tasuki blinked as his friend stood up suddenly and started down the walk way of the park they stopped at, heading towards the car. He quickly picked up all the gummy bears he could save and hurried after him. "Where we goin' now?" he practically whined, trying to slips his precious candy in the box with the rest.
"To the rodeo, no da."
"Eh? What rodeo?"
"The one that I saw before we stopped at that corner store, no da."
Tasuki choked on a gummy bear at that, and Chichiri quickly turned around to pat his back. "Are you all right, no da?"
Tasuki patted his chest with a fist a little, managing a slight nod before finding his voice. "There was no fuckin' rodeo there, Chich! It was yer imagination!"
"Maybe... Maybe not, no da. There's only one way to find out, na no da."
"Nope, there's only one way fer YOU to find out. I ain't going to no make believe rodeo!"
"Come on, Tasuki! I might need your help, no da!"
Tasuki "tsked" and stuck his nose in the air, closing his eye stubbornly as he folded his arms across his chest. He opened his eye when he heard his friend give a heavy sigh. Chichiri looked so disappointed that he... "Aw, fuck! You dirty cheatin' bastard! Ya know I can't stand it when ya look like that!"
Chichiri smiled brightly and looked to the flustered red head hopefully. "You're coming then, no da?"
"Yeah, yeah, now let's get movin', eh? I'm gonna need time t' get a drink that I know I'll need once this is all over!"
****
"I don't fuckin' believe it....!" Tasuki exclaimed as they pulled up into a dusty parking lot that was jammed with cars and rodeo goers that were decked out in western wear. "Where th' hell did all these people come from!? Where th' hell did this fuckin' *rodeo* come from!? This place was completely *gone* when we first got here!"
Chichiri carefully opened his door and got out after parking, and looked about in wonder. He wasn't expecting for the rodeo to actually be there, and he certainly didn't expect for Tasuki to see it either! Though he couldn't help a little smile of satisfaction. He had been hoping that all he had seen wouldn't turn out to be just an illusion.
Tasuki finally shook himself from the initial shock and turned his attention to his companion. "Okay, so there is a fuckin' rodeo. Big whoop! Now, will ya tell me yer great idea, Einstein?"
"Do you remember what that lady said to us while we were in that store, no da?"
"Naw, I didn't hear a word o' it. I was in th' back gettin' some booze, 'member?"
Chichiri laughed a little and put his hand to the back of his head. "Hai, hai, no da! Anyhow, she told me 'if Andy hadn't gotten on that bull to ride, he would still be alive now.'"
Tasuki arched an eyebrow as he folded his arms over his chest. "Yeah, so?"
"So, that mean's that we find this Andy and keep him from getting on the bull, no da."
Tasuki couldn't help but laugh at his friend's simple explanation. This whole thing was crazy, and he was seriously starting to think that maybe Chichiri was more of an odd ball than he originally thought. Chichiri, on the other hand, was a little offended.
"What make ya think that Andy is even here?" Tasuki finally asked, calming himself.
"Well, every one else is, no da... and his girlfriend's ghost was still in Eureka."
"Okay, so *if* we do find this jerk off and keep 'em from gettin' on th' bull... what th' hell is it gonna do?"
Chichiri blinked and dropped his gaze to the ground a moment before looking back up with a light shrug of his shoulder. "I-I have no idea, no da..."
"So all this could turn out t' be just a big, fuckin' waste o' time, eh?"
Chichiri winced. "Perhaps, no da...."
"Bring it on."
The two men pushed their way though the crowed clumsily. The closest to a rodeo that either of them had been to was through the TV. Not to mention, they stuck out like a sore thumb without western garb, and got quite a bit of odd stares. Tasuki glared back at the challengingly, but Chichiri was to wrapped up in the task ahead of them to notice.
They bumped and forced their way up to the gate after slipping in with a rather large group of people without being detected by the security guards. Tasuki let out a yelp as a loud voice boomed over the loud speaker, announcing the name of a rider, followed by a blasting horn and the screaming of hinges as a metal gate was opened. The crowd went wild as the rider was jostled about on the bucking animal all over the arena circle. Of course, once he'd seen how violent the sport actually was, Tasuki started to cheer too.
"Look at th' dumb shit in the clown suit teasin' th' bull! He's gonna get his ass trampled!"
"Tasuki, no da! We have to find Andy, na no da!"
"Yeah, yeah! But let's have a little fun why we do! I saw a beer booth not too far away from here!" After saying that, he turned back to watch the other riders, starting his cheering back up. Chichiri sighed and walked away, leaving him alone. If he was ever going to find Andy, he would have to do it himself.
****
Chichiri continued to make his way through the crowd of people, finding it incredibly difficult, since they were all mostly going the opposite direction of him. Also, he felt incredibly uncomfortable amidst such a large group. He had always been more of the reclusive type, and now suddenly, he was thrown right into one of the biggest he had ever encountered. Though, that was the least of his worries at the moment. He had no idea how he was going to find Andy, and he also noticed that all the rodeo goers wore special tags on their shirt; most likely indication for the security guards that they has previously purchased admission. Well, it was too late now to worry about that too. All he could do was pray that he wouldn't get into any trouble.... And that Tasuki wouldn't either for that matter.
Eventually he came near to the gates where all the riders had to go through to saddle up before their run, and of course, it was surrounded by security guards and official to make sure that the public didn't get too close. Most of it was safety precautions, since the bulls were wild animals, but it didn't make Chichiri's mission any easier. He frowned a little, sizing up the situation while lightly scratching the back of his head. Well, there was only one thing he could do now, and he had to try everything. He had come such a long way and was so close now to hopefully figuring things out.
"Excuse me, no da?"
The tall cowboy clad in faded, denim jeans, and un-tucked flannel shirt, and worn leather chaps and boots turned and looked Chichiri up and down. "Yeah?"
"I don't suppose you could help me find Andy Jackson, could you, no da? You see... it's rather important that I speak to him before he rides, na no da."
"Eh? You family or somethin'? 'Cuz
I ain't supposed t' be lettin' any outsiders bug him, you see. This is a pretty big thing here for him, an' I don't wanna be pesterin' him with stupid stuff."
"Well..." Chichiri paused and looked down to his feet briefly for a moment. "I'm technically not family, no da, but this is a matter of... I mean, it's just really important that I see him before it's too late, no da!"
The rugged cowboy took off his Stetson hat and ran his fingers through his matted hair with a sigh. "You seem harmless enough, an' if it's really that important..."
"Oh, it is, no da!"
"Okay... but I ain't supposed t' be lettin' no one in that ain't family t' see him."
"I understand, no da, and I'm so very grateful!"
"Yeah, well, I won't be if I lose my job for doin' this..."
The cowboy led Chichiri to a trailer that wasn't too far away with a sign on the door that said "Andy Jackson" on it. "Luck for you that he ain't due t' be ridin' for a bit. Try not t' bug him too much though. I don't want him comin' after me for this."
Chichiri only nodded in reply as the cowboy knocked on the door. After a moment, it was pulled open, and in the threshold stood the famous Andy Jackson. His sandy colored hair peeked out from under his black, western hat that was set back on his head. His wrangler jeans looked brand new, as did his chaps and leather vest that he wore over his flashy, western style shirt. A turquoise bolo was about his neck and his silver spurs jangled with ever little movement of his feet.
Andy nodded to the cowboy in acknowledgment, then blinked when he saw Chichiri standing a little behind him. "Who's this?"
"Dunno. Just some guy that said he needed t' talk to you. Figgered you wouldn't mind since you don't have t' ride for a bit," the cowboy replied. "He said that it was pretty 'mportant too."
Andy arched a fine eyebrow at that. "Oh?" He then nodded to the cowboy, dismissing him. "And just what's so important?" he continued when only Chichiri was left facing him.
"I'm really sorry for bothering you, no da, but this is a matter of life and death."
Andy's green eyes widened a little at that and he took a step back, motioning for Chichiri to come inside his trailer. Inside wasn't too impressive. There was a cot with a blanket and a pillow, and then a dressing table with outfits hung on hooks jutting out of the wall. Chichiri noted that this is probably where he stayed when he was on the road, traveling.
"What's all this talk about something being a matter of life and death?" Andy asked, crossing his arms over broad chest.
Chichiri turned his attention fully to Andy, wringing his hands a little nervously in front of him as he gathered what he was going to say. "I know this is going to sound a little ridicules... but, you can't ride tonight."
"A *little* ridicules?? You mean a *lot*!" Andy exclaimed in reply. "Do you have any idea how big this event is for me? It's the Nationals! I can't just not ride!"
"I'm aware of that, no da! But how much do you value your life? How much do you value Kelly's?"
Andy was rendered speechless for a moment before stuttering out, "W-what's Kelly got to do with me riding? What's us dying too have to do with it?? A-are you some kind of psychic??"
Chichiri put a hand to the back of his head again. "I suppose you can say that... Look... I can't make you not ride, no da, but, I can tell you that if you do, you will be making a serious mistake that will affect your family... especially Kelly."
There was a long stretch of silence between them. Andy looked down to his boots as he shuffled his feet uneasily as he absorbed everything that Chichiri had told him. He couldn't quite fathom just how Chichiri had come to know so much about him and his personal life, but all that he had said confirmed a nagging feeling that Andy had been pushing out of his mind for a while.
The silence was then broken as the door of his trailer swung open and the cowboy from before poked his head in. "Hey, Andy! You're up! Let's getcha saddled an' ready!"
Andy looked up to him for a moment, then cast a weary gaze in Chichiri's direction. Chichiri only frowned a little, and looked eager to hear his response. With a heavy sigh and not taking his gaze away from Chichiri's, Andy replied, "Tell them I'm not riding tonight..."
"But-" the cowboy began to protest, but was cut off.
"I said that I'm not riding tonight."
"All right..."
There was a sound of the door shutting and the dull thud of footsteps walking away, and then there was silence. Chichiri smiled to Andy who slowly smiled back. "Thank you, no da. Thank you."
"No... Thank you."
And with those final words, Andy's form began to deteriorate, and then slowly, everything; the trailer, the people, and the arena faded after him, leaving nothing but an empty, dusty lot.
****
Chichiri turned and slowly began to make his way back to his car, finding Tasuki running up towards him, waving his arms frantically. "Holy shit, Chiri!! Did ya see that!? Everythin' just fuckin' *disappeared*!!"
Chichiri smiled lightly in reply and nodded his head.
"Well, this sucks! Now we won't ever find this any guy...."
"Iie, Tasuki, no da. I found him."
"Eh??"
Then, a figure of a woman began to materialize before the two of them. Tasuki's eyes nearly popped out of his head, but Chichiri just smiled, recognizing her as the girl he saw on the beach... Kelly White.
"Thank you ... both of you ... for bringing Andy home to me. I can finally be at peace now," she said in an airy, supernatural voice.
"It was our pleasure, no da. We're glad everything worked out for the two of you," Chichiri replied softly.
Kelly only smiled, then faded away.
Chichiri sighed softly, satisfied with the results. "So ... now that that's over, no da, what would you like to do?" he asked, turning to Tasuki, who was still completely dumb founded. He blinked a moment, then turned to his blue haired friend.
"I could sure use that drink right 'bout now...."
Chichiri laughed a little, shaking his head slightly. "All right, no da. You deserve it."
~~OWARI~~
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Ick.... chalk up another cheesey ending for me... @_@;;
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"That's it, no da!" Chichiri cried out suddenly, causing Tasuki to jump and spill his box of gummy bears.
"Christ, Chich! Stop doin' that! Ya almost gave me a heart attack!"
"Come on, Tasuki, no da! We have to get going!"
Tasuki blinked as his friend stood up suddenly and started down the walk way of the park they stopped at, heading towards the car. He quickly picked up all the gummy bears he could save and hurried after him. "Where we goin' now?" he practically whined, trying to slips his precious candy in the box with the rest.
"To the rodeo, no da."
"Eh? What rodeo?"
"The one that I saw before we stopped at that corner store, no da."
Tasuki choked on a gummy bear at that, and Chichiri quickly turned around to pat his back. "Are you all right, no da?"
Tasuki patted his chest with a fist a little, managing a slight nod before finding his voice. "There was no fuckin' rodeo there, Chich! It was yer imagination!"
"Maybe... Maybe not, no da. There's only one way to find out, na no da."
"Nope, there's only one way fer YOU to find out. I ain't going to no make believe rodeo!"
"Come on, Tasuki! I might need your help, no da!"
Tasuki "tsked" and stuck his nose in the air, closing his eye stubbornly as he folded his arms across his chest. He opened his eye when he heard his friend give a heavy sigh. Chichiri looked so disappointed that he... "Aw, fuck! You dirty cheatin' bastard! Ya know I can't stand it when ya look like that!"
Chichiri smiled brightly and looked to the flustered red head hopefully. "You're coming then, no da?"
"Yeah, yeah, now let's get movin', eh? I'm gonna need time t' get a drink that I know I'll need once this is all over!"
****
"I don't fuckin' believe it....!" Tasuki exclaimed as they pulled up into a dusty parking lot that was jammed with cars and rodeo goers that were decked out in western wear. "Where th' hell did all these people come from!? Where th' hell did this fuckin' *rodeo* come from!? This place was completely *gone* when we first got here!"
Chichiri carefully opened his door and got out after parking, and looked about in wonder. He wasn't expecting for the rodeo to actually be there, and he certainly didn't expect for Tasuki to see it either! Though he couldn't help a little smile of satisfaction. He had been hoping that all he had seen wouldn't turn out to be just an illusion.
Tasuki finally shook himself from the initial shock and turned his attention to his companion. "Okay, so there is a fuckin' rodeo. Big whoop! Now, will ya tell me yer great idea, Einstein?"
"Do you remember what that lady said to us while we were in that store, no da?"
"Naw, I didn't hear a word o' it. I was in th' back gettin' some booze, 'member?"
Chichiri laughed a little and put his hand to the back of his head. "Hai, hai, no da! Anyhow, she told me 'if Andy hadn't gotten on that bull to ride, he would still be alive now.'"
Tasuki arched an eyebrow as he folded his arms over his chest. "Yeah, so?"
"So, that mean's that we find this Andy and keep him from getting on the bull, no da."
Tasuki couldn't help but laugh at his friend's simple explanation. This whole thing was crazy, and he was seriously starting to think that maybe Chichiri was more of an odd ball than he originally thought. Chichiri, on the other hand, was a little offended.
"What make ya think that Andy is even here?" Tasuki finally asked, calming himself.
"Well, every one else is, no da... and his girlfriend's ghost was still in Eureka."
"Okay, so *if* we do find this jerk off and keep 'em from gettin' on th' bull... what th' hell is it gonna do?"
Chichiri blinked and dropped his gaze to the ground a moment before looking back up with a light shrug of his shoulder. "I-I have no idea, no da..."
"So all this could turn out t' be just a big, fuckin' waste o' time, eh?"
Chichiri winced. "Perhaps, no da...."
"Bring it on."
The two men pushed their way though the crowed clumsily. The closest to a rodeo that either of them had been to was through the TV. Not to mention, they stuck out like a sore thumb without western garb, and got quite a bit of odd stares. Tasuki glared back at the challengingly, but Chichiri was to wrapped up in the task ahead of them to notice.
They bumped and forced their way up to the gate after slipping in with a rather large group of people without being detected by the security guards. Tasuki let out a yelp as a loud voice boomed over the loud speaker, announcing the name of a rider, followed by a blasting horn and the screaming of hinges as a metal gate was opened. The crowd went wild as the rider was jostled about on the bucking animal all over the arena circle. Of course, once he'd seen how violent the sport actually was, Tasuki started to cheer too.
"Look at th' dumb shit in the clown suit teasin' th' bull! He's gonna get his ass trampled!"
"Tasuki, no da! We have to find Andy, na no da!"
"Yeah, yeah! But let's have a little fun why we do! I saw a beer booth not too far away from here!" After saying that, he turned back to watch the other riders, starting his cheering back up. Chichiri sighed and walked away, leaving him alone. If he was ever going to find Andy, he would have to do it himself.
****
Chichiri continued to make his way through the crowd of people, finding it incredibly difficult, since they were all mostly going the opposite direction of him. Also, he felt incredibly uncomfortable amidst such a large group. He had always been more of the reclusive type, and now suddenly, he was thrown right into one of the biggest he had ever encountered. Though, that was the least of his worries at the moment. He had no idea how he was going to find Andy, and he also noticed that all the rodeo goers wore special tags on their shirt; most likely indication for the security guards that they has previously purchased admission. Well, it was too late now to worry about that too. All he could do was pray that he wouldn't get into any trouble.... And that Tasuki wouldn't either for that matter.
Eventually he came near to the gates where all the riders had to go through to saddle up before their run, and of course, it was surrounded by security guards and official to make sure that the public didn't get too close. Most of it was safety precautions, since the bulls were wild animals, but it didn't make Chichiri's mission any easier. He frowned a little, sizing up the situation while lightly scratching the back of his head. Well, there was only one thing he could do now, and he had to try everything. He had come such a long way and was so close now to hopefully figuring things out.
"Excuse me, no da?"
The tall cowboy clad in faded, denim jeans, and un-tucked flannel shirt, and worn leather chaps and boots turned and looked Chichiri up and down. "Yeah?"
"I don't suppose you could help me find Andy Jackson, could you, no da? You see... it's rather important that I speak to him before he rides, na no da."
"Eh? You family or somethin'? 'Cuz
I ain't supposed t' be lettin' any outsiders bug him, you see. This is a pretty big thing here for him, an' I don't wanna be pesterin' him with stupid stuff."
"Well..." Chichiri paused and looked down to his feet briefly for a moment. "I'm technically not family, no da, but this is a matter of... I mean, it's just really important that I see him before it's too late, no da!"
The rugged cowboy took off his Stetson hat and ran his fingers through his matted hair with a sigh. "You seem harmless enough, an' if it's really that important..."
"Oh, it is, no da!"
"Okay... but I ain't supposed t' be lettin' no one in that ain't family t' see him."
"I understand, no da, and I'm so very grateful!"
"Yeah, well, I won't be if I lose my job for doin' this..."
The cowboy led Chichiri to a trailer that wasn't too far away with a sign on the door that said "Andy Jackson" on it. "Luck for you that he ain't due t' be ridin' for a bit. Try not t' bug him too much though. I don't want him comin' after me for this."
Chichiri only nodded in reply as the cowboy knocked on the door. After a moment, it was pulled open, and in the threshold stood the famous Andy Jackson. His sandy colored hair peeked out from under his black, western hat that was set back on his head. His wrangler jeans looked brand new, as did his chaps and leather vest that he wore over his flashy, western style shirt. A turquoise bolo was about his neck and his silver spurs jangled with ever little movement of his feet.
Andy nodded to the cowboy in acknowledgment, then blinked when he saw Chichiri standing a little behind him. "Who's this?"
"Dunno. Just some guy that said he needed t' talk to you. Figgered you wouldn't mind since you don't have t' ride for a bit," the cowboy replied. "He said that it was pretty 'mportant too."
Andy arched a fine eyebrow at that. "Oh?" He then nodded to the cowboy, dismissing him. "And just what's so important?" he continued when only Chichiri was left facing him.
"I'm really sorry for bothering you, no da, but this is a matter of life and death."
Andy's green eyes widened a little at that and he took a step back, motioning for Chichiri to come inside his trailer. Inside wasn't too impressive. There was a cot with a blanket and a pillow, and then a dressing table with outfits hung on hooks jutting out of the wall. Chichiri noted that this is probably where he stayed when he was on the road, traveling.
"What's all this talk about something being a matter of life and death?" Andy asked, crossing his arms over broad chest.
Chichiri turned his attention fully to Andy, wringing his hands a little nervously in front of him as he gathered what he was going to say. "I know this is going to sound a little ridicules... but, you can't ride tonight."
"A *little* ridicules?? You mean a *lot*!" Andy exclaimed in reply. "Do you have any idea how big this event is for me? It's the Nationals! I can't just not ride!"
"I'm aware of that, no da! But how much do you value your life? How much do you value Kelly's?"
Andy was rendered speechless for a moment before stuttering out, "W-what's Kelly got to do with me riding? What's us dying too have to do with it?? A-are you some kind of psychic??"
Chichiri put a hand to the back of his head again. "I suppose you can say that... Look... I can't make you not ride, no da, but, I can tell you that if you do, you will be making a serious mistake that will affect your family... especially Kelly."
There was a long stretch of silence between them. Andy looked down to his boots as he shuffled his feet uneasily as he absorbed everything that Chichiri had told him. He couldn't quite fathom just how Chichiri had come to know so much about him and his personal life, but all that he had said confirmed a nagging feeling that Andy had been pushing out of his mind for a while.
The silence was then broken as the door of his trailer swung open and the cowboy from before poked his head in. "Hey, Andy! You're up! Let's getcha saddled an' ready!"
Andy looked up to him for a moment, then cast a weary gaze in Chichiri's direction. Chichiri only frowned a little, and looked eager to hear his response. With a heavy sigh and not taking his gaze away from Chichiri's, Andy replied, "Tell them I'm not riding tonight..."
"But-" the cowboy began to protest, but was cut off.
"I said that I'm not riding tonight."
"All right..."
There was a sound of the door shutting and the dull thud of footsteps walking away, and then there was silence. Chichiri smiled to Andy who slowly smiled back. "Thank you, no da. Thank you."
"No... Thank you."
And with those final words, Andy's form began to deteriorate, and then slowly, everything; the trailer, the people, and the arena faded after him, leaving nothing but an empty, dusty lot.
****
Chichiri turned and slowly began to make his way back to his car, finding Tasuki running up towards him, waving his arms frantically. "Holy shit, Chiri!! Did ya see that!? Everythin' just fuckin' *disappeared*!!"
Chichiri smiled lightly in reply and nodded his head.
"Well, this sucks! Now we won't ever find this any guy...."
"Iie, Tasuki, no da. I found him."
"Eh??"
Then, a figure of a woman began to materialize before the two of them. Tasuki's eyes nearly popped out of his head, but Chichiri just smiled, recognizing her as the girl he saw on the beach... Kelly White.
"Thank you ... both of you ... for bringing Andy home to me. I can finally be at peace now," she said in an airy, supernatural voice.
"It was our pleasure, no da. We're glad everything worked out for the two of you," Chichiri replied softly.
Kelly only smiled, then faded away.
Chichiri sighed softly, satisfied with the results. "So ... now that that's over, no da, what would you like to do?" he asked, turning to Tasuki, who was still completely dumb founded. He blinked a moment, then turned to his blue haired friend.
"I could sure use that drink right 'bout now...."
Chichiri laughed a little, shaking his head slightly. "All right, no da. You deserve it."
~~OWARI~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ick.... chalk up another cheesey ending for me... @_@;;
