A/N - Need sleep…
Chapter Twenty-Two: Freak
Well, if you want to I can't stop you
Just cause you're passionate about it
Doesn't make it right
~Walk on the Edge
Takato sat down on a chair, and looked patiently at Janyuu. His eyes, dull and weary, still managed to possess a look of dignity, one which Janyuu admired. "Why is that spirit inside of you? What's the whole story behind all of this--?"
Takato stared solemnly at him. "If I knew, do you really think I would tell you? I've learned my lesson long ago, never to trust anyone. And of course, I don't know a lot of things. Aishuu-sama didn't really tell me." Janyuu frowned. He recalled the cheerful, polite boy who had befriended Jenrya. Was this mistrustful, cautious boy really the same one? "Aishuu-sama only tells you because he was planning to kill you, and that way, you can't speak."
Janyuu noted his wife standing behind of Takato, her hand reaching slowly for the phone. Takato took no notice of that, almost as if he didn't care. Her hand touched the phone. "I wouldn't dial anything, if I were you." She jerked her hand away. Takato's facial expression didn't change a bit.
"So… What can you tell me?" Janyuu worded the question carefully.
"Aishuu-sama is not me. I wouldn't confuse him with me any longer." Takato examined his fingers, as if they were very interesting. Janyuu observed, with growing disapproval of the boy. He again thought of the happy, caring boy of before. He stared at the dark, cold boy of now. "I don't want to hurt anyone who doesn't need to get hurt, but… I can't exactly stop Aishuu-sama from what he must do."
"Freak." Takato looked up slowly, calmly and deliberately. "Is that all you care about, yourself? You've grown so cold and alone, that I don't wonder why you have no friends. It must be pathetic to live the way you do."
"Don't remark on things you don't know about." Takato glared at him, his red eyes flashing with anger, bringing life to the dull orbs. "You do not know me, I wouldn't speak badly about me. You do not know my secrets. You did not live what I've lived." His eyes narrowed. "I was willing to allow to live, but you try my patience."
"You speak like you aren't human." Janyuu practically spat the words at him. His hatred at the boy seated in front of him increased.
"Who ever said I was human?"
"If you aren't human, what are you?" Janyuu sneered at the boy. "A machine?"
"You come close." Takato stood up, and in one fluid movement, grabbed Janyuu, and forced him on his knees. "Try 'cyborg.'" At this close range, Janyuu could see the familiar parts of a machine, inside Takato. "Your Digimon, your precious creations. They saved me from death, but cursed me with this lifeless body."
Janyuu could find no words to express his shock. "So you see, you still know nothing about me. I hope you regret your words, Lee Janyuu!" Takato hissed the words, at the same time letting Aishuu coming back into control. Janyuu gasped. "Are you ready for your execution, Janyuu?"