Disclaimer: I do not own any of the WK or SM characters, though if I did, Aya-kun would never see the light of day! *minna sweatdrops*
Tenshi's Notes: Minna, well it barely squeaked by my requests demo I decided to put up the next chapter again.
Warning: The section after Ken and Usagi's talk contains spoilers for Omi's past. Read that section at your own risk.
To my reader, Just_Style, I hope this chapter satisfies your umm request for a certain WK bishie! ^-^ To my Hikari-imouto, *ROFL* OMG… Tamahome… *giggles* And Ivory-imouto, big glomps to her for always being so funny and wonderful, and Kawiibaka for her lovely reviews, not to mention P-chan, dina peoples, MK-chan, Au-chan, Himi-musume, Blue Angel, Metal Angel Michelle, kaigan13 and everyone else for all your reviews. Btw, Ivory-imouto, am I ever gonna get my Aya-kun back? (Just so you know, I've resorted to kidnapping Kenshin until my bishie is returned. *giggles* You can thank Angel-chan for encouraging this bit of insanity hehe)
Dedication to Angel-chan for always (and I mean always) supporting my insanity.
This fic will take on so many turns and twists that I'm currently being forced to jot down notes so I can keep track of all the things I've thought up of. Be patient, and if you liked anything I've written, please review or let me know! ^-^ Ja!
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Chapter 4
No mission. Not for tonight at least. Ken inhaled deeply, drawing the cool crisp air into his lungs, as he strolled along the streets with his hands shoved into his pockets. He was walking for a change, instead of being on the motorcycle that he loved so much. Somehow the night air seemed perfect to think.
Swivels of golden hair flashed across his eyes and he saw a familiar figure vanishing around the corner. As if the hounds of hell were pursuing him, he followed suit. As he chased after her, Ken wondered what on earth he was doing. Like the rest of the group, he often remained aloof, unaffected by females, not wanting to get involved. He had committed too many crimes, destroyed too many lives to allow himself that moment of happiness. What right would he have to drag her along with all the shit he went through?
"Matte!" he called out desperately, shocking even himself with the amount of need he conveyed in his voice. Where had that come from?
The figure in front of him halted, and slowly turned around. The sunny blue eyes of the morning were now replaced with the mysterious fogs of the night. Though the day worshipped and enhanced her liveliness, it was the night that truly brought out all aspects of the enigma that stood before him. Her hair cascaded down her shoulders in perfect blonde waves, capturing the moonlight and trapping them in the silken strands. Her skin shone with a pearly quality, as if the essence of the moonbeams were somehow contained within. She radiated a haunting quality, which made him want to know more about her.
"Ken-san?" Her voice, soft and infinitely sad, affected him in a way he hadn't thought possible. He couldn't explain the torrent of emotions that suddenly rushed within, fear mixed in with exhilaration, the erratic beat of his heart that warned him he was in danger of something beyond his control. He wasn't sure he wanted to stop it even if he could.
He had to say something. "Did your friend like the flowers?" Ken no baka! What type of stupid question was that? Perhaps he was better off being mute and the assassin that he was. No talking was required on his part. Just mute acceptance of whatever came his way.
Her eyes glittered and a crooked smile curved her rosy lips.
"I'd like to think so. Arigatoo, Ken-san. You have a real talent for flower arrangement."
And killing, he added silently. Don't forget how merciless I can be when I use my bugnuk on my victims. I can easily close my eyes and shut out their screams as I brutally end their lives. I am the deliverer of death, Shinigami perhaps. But I turn myself to stone, so I won't have to feel, or live with the guilt that beats within me.
"Where are you headed now?"
Her expression was pensive for the moment, looking like a lost kitten. "Home… I think."
"Would you like me to walk you home? It's getting late…" Ne, Ken. Are you hearing yourself say this bullshit? Quit acting so tender… it's not you. Earth to Siberian. Are you in there?
She quirked her head at him, as if debating something before amusement finally appeared on her lovely face.
"I think I'm more than capable of taking care of myself," she replied softly.
"I'm doing it because I want to. It's dangerous for women as beautiful as you to walk alone." Blink. Now, where had that line come from!? He hadn't been conscious for that part. He was sure of it. Some other smooth-talking, Yohji-wanna-be aspect of him had taken over.
This time, she couldn't contain her laughter it burst forth. "I thought that was Yohji-san's area, not yours." Her mysterious eyes were twinkling with mirth, and he found her absolutely irresistible. "Although I suppose you don't hang around someone for that long and not pick up one or two of his lines, ne?"
Their shared laughter rang through, disturbing the quiet of the night. Eventually, it subsided and they both began walking in companionable silence.
"How's school going?" he asked casually.
She tensed up at the question, not really sure how to answer. How could she explain that it had stopped mattering to her? Or that she would drop out soon? The simple fact was that he was a stranger to her, although she sensed that he was trustworthy, like the others, he also had his fair share of secrets.
"It's all right, I suppose. The usual stuff, books, sports… just trying to keep up with everything."
"Sports?"
She blushed sheepishly. "Ano, I'm in the kendo club at the moment. Not very lady-like I know, demo… I was taught a long time ago. I'm also on the track team, and I…"
"You…?" Curiosity burned within him. He wanted to know everything about her. Everything. For the sake of the team, or so he told himself.
"This is going to make me look bad, demo… I also ride bikes."
"Hontoo?" Admiration shone from his eyes, making her take a step back from him. She was getting strange feelings and vibes from him. He was a powerful force to be reckoned with, not like Ran was, but with a strength of his own.
"Hai. There's nothing more I love than to feel the wind whipping through my hair as I take the corners, the roar of the engines."
He made a noise sounding like a hum of pleasure, causing her to look at him curiously. "I take it you ride too?"
"Makes you feel like you're escaping from reality doesn't it?" he said by way of agreement.
She nodded, her eyes taking on a faraway look. Sadness did not suit her. He found himself wanting to do anything to erase the pain there.
"Would you like to go riding with me tonight? My bike's just around the corner…"
Usagi's head turned to look at him, and he could read the startled expression on her face as clear as day.
"Iie…"
His heart plummeted towards the hard ground after having accelerated with anticipation. Reality, he decided, wasn't always a good thing.
"Demo maybe tomorrow?"
The softly worded question, combined with that breathtaking smile of hers, nearly tempted him into doing something insane. Clenching his fists, he took deep breaths, struggling to contain the rising emotions within him.
"Sounds good to me," he replied. Good good, Ken. No crack in your voice to indicate you're just the slightest bit excited about your date tomorrow. He nearly stumbled at that thought. D.A.T.E. He had one tomorrow. With the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He fought the urge to hyperventilate, yearning to squash the feelings that she had wrought in him.
"We're here now," she reminded him, her hand reaching out to stop him from moving forward any further. Amusement sparkled from her as she saw the blush that stained his cheeks when he glanced at her hand laying on his arm.
He swore that he had never been so aware of any other woman in his life. Her touch was literally burning through his jean jacket.
"I'll see you tomorrow?" Usagi called out as she headed towards the front doors of the condominium.
"Matte! How will I find you?" he asked hurriedly.
She only grinned at him. "Ken-kun, you know where I live, and I know where you work. I'll find you. Tomorrow. 6 p.m. Arigatoo for the walk back, soshite oyasumi nasai."
"Sweet dreams," he whispered as the night breeze carried his words away.
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Sometimes, he felt as if he were walking a thin line between the shadows and the light. Over and over, he would play the scenes of each life he took, the damning look that each victim would give him. The darkness plagued him wherever he went, with no hope nor sunshine to be offered. Until now.
He had still managed to hang on to his optimistic nature, hoping that some day there would be a way out, but evil persevered. It raped his innocent mind, and desecrated his hands. For him, there would never be forgiveness, or atonement. There was nothing in the world he could possibly do to earn it.
There had been one lone shining star in his darkened skies, but now, she too was gone. A cruel twist of fate that the Gods saw fit to play upon him, he had been nothing but a puppet to Takatori Reiji, his father. He buried his face into the pillow, longing to suffocate himself, ending the pain that he had lived with for so long. Memories of his kidnappers flooded him and the words that never stopped echoing. His father had refused to pay the ransom. His child's mind had failed to grasp why his parents had forsaken him and left him to die. Until Persia saved him. Physically he may have been alive, but a part of him was forever gone.
Madness. It was his destiny to be tormented this way. Never having a chance at happiness. Like a tantalizing morsel of food to a starving man, it was always dangled in front of him. So within reach, yet never attainable. What was it they said about false hope being worse than no hope? That was his life. A series of false hopes continuing in an endless cycle. Closing his blue eyes, he flipped over and stared at the moon outside.
Was that was she was to be? Just like Ouka? She had somehow wormed past his defenses. Though she wasn't the most outgoing girl in the world, she had managed to capture his attention without ever meaning to. Unlike the many girls who threw themselves at him, she merely went about her own business like he didn't exist. It intrigued him. Greatly.
But he didn't dare hope. The same play that was his life would surely throw a twist so painful, so heart wrenching that he would never recover. So from afar he would worship her, and adore her. And he would never let anyone close again. He had learned his lesson.
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His lips were twisted cruelly in anticipation at the young woman in front of him. She was fearless, or so it appeared. If he glanced closer, would he hear the telltale pitter patter of nervousness pounding in her chest? Would he find the signs of anxiety?
Her eyes were cold, so dead yet her beauty seemed to serve no purpose except to remind those around her that of the decay in her heart. She met his gaze unwaveringly, the naked depths conveying deadly intent. She stepped from the shadows and for the first time, the moonlight caught her profile. Such a strong jaw, combined with those eyes that saw the depths of hell and somehow survived. Perhaps at too high a price. He shook his head, chuckling at himself. He was not prone to such whimsical thoughts.
"You're brave, I give you that."
"It's not bravery that got past your pitiful security." He clenched his jaw in annoyance, the confidence that she displayed was almost unnerving. Kuso, she was cocky.
"Nice place," she said, taking in the room around her. Opulent and decadent, he had paid a high enough price to get to where he was. "Tell me, does the bastard pay you that much money for your soul, Crawford?"
He flinched, and he felt his senses leap to attention suddenly. There was something radiated from this woman that he had yet to encounter. His body readied itself for an attack, and he permitted a smile to cross his lips.
"Tell me why I shouldn't kill you now."
"Because you couldn't hope to even if you wanted to. I'm warning you to back off, and stay away from Reiji. I can't guarantee the consequences if you do."
He couldn't help it. Sardonic laughter escaped him and he glared at the woman who stood in front of him. The moonlight had transformed her angelic looks into something else altogether.
"You're an arrogant little bitch, aren't you?"
Full blood red lips widened to bestow a grim smile upon him. "When you're as good as I am, you can afford to be. I've fulfilled my obligations here. Till we meet next time. Both our souls will be burning in the depths of hell."
She took a step back, seemingly blending into the shadows from whence she came. And then, her presence could no longer be felt. His dark eyes stared at the lone spot in the room where the moonbeams had been untainted.
"It's too late for that. I think you and I both know that our souls are already there."
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Tenshi's blurb: Nothing is as it seems. If you like the insanity brewing in my mind, lemme know! And you guys who write those funny reviews, I love them!!!! ^-^