Thanks to all who reviewed!!!!
Yami Kaosu: Well, I imagine if the church thing HAD worked out, I would've gotten a ton of flames all along the lines of, "FARF IF SO INCREDIBLY OUT OF CHARACTER THAT NOW ALL HIS FAITHFUL FANS SHALL HUNT YOU DOWN AND KILL YOU!" lol And I just had to get the idea of Schuldig in smiley boxers and wearing a tie like a bandana out of my head... Ugh, strange experience at school put it there - don't ask.
Jessica: Hehe, sorry I didn't warn you about how sad it was! But I might as well warn you now the next chapter is going to be extremely sad, and so is the one after that! So, if you need a tissue box, go grab one and be prepared! Thanks for reviewing ^.~
Angry Blood Sister: Well, I'm sure many people would compromise for Farfarello, but alas, Bonnie is not one of them...or is she? lol I'm glad you like the story so much! I'm really sorry I take so long to update! *looks guilty* Keep on reviewing!
Misura: I'd give anything if they'd animate that - or even if someone would draw a picture of it! The Yohji and Schu part, I mean. Isn't it a great mental picture? lol And don't worry about Hiromi - he's not a villain in any way, shape, or form. Haha.
Manx16: I'm really sorry I took so long to update! And I'm excited for the end to come! I got some pretty good stuff planned - I know I'm gonna have a fun time writing it! Hopefully you'll enjoy reading it too.
Willow: Thank you so much! I'm glad it inspires someone! And I'm glad you approve of the accent - I'm not even sure I'm doing it right. I'm trying my best though! lol Review again!
Coppelia: Sorry, but I did keep you waiting. I didn't mean to though! *gets on hands and knees* Forgive me! Anyhow, yeah, I can see what you're saying, but Bonnie's faith is very important to her. Well, just a few more chapters to go! Keep reviewing!
Allegra Monet: Ah! I missed you! And you finally updated Fire and Ice! Amazing! *is stunned* Thanks a bunch for your review and your inspiration!
Heaven Star: I'm sorry you hate Bonnie so much! I'll try and make it better! *looks apologetic* FORGIVE ME!
~~~~~~
"It's been nearly seven months, Omi." Bonnie stared down at the counter, pausing in wiping it off just long enough to glance up at the college student. "He's not going to forgive me, is he?"
It was a busy day in the shop, but luckily, Ken and Aya were the ones getting swarmed by girls while Omi crouched behind the display of floral arrangements, hiding so he could talk to Bonnie for a few minutes. She, of course, was never pestered by the school girls.
Omi looked out the window, gazing into the sunny, spring day with clear, blue skies. He didn't want to tell Bonnie what he knew and what he thought because those things would be painful to hear, but she deserved to know - if she already didn't in her heart. Slowly, he directed his blue eyes towards her, elbows resting on bent knees, and sighed. "I'm sorry, Bonnie - but I think you're right."
She sighed rubbing the rag in small, clean circles across the already sparkling counter. Her bleary reflection stared sorrowfully up at her. "You understand, don't you?" she asked quietly. "I can't throw away everything and who I am just for him. And...I know he thinks I'm a major hypocrite just because of what I believe, but just because my religion is filled with those kinds of people doesn't mean I am one too. You know that, don't you, Omi?"
Omi nodded slowly. "You should stick to your principles, Bonnie."
"Thanks. At least someone believes that." She paused again, seeming to lapse into yet another trance, as she had been doing for the past few days, and then released an anxiety-filled sigh. "He wants me to turn my back on God?" she murmured, eyes suddenly glassy. "How could I do that when I've put faith in Him my whole life, and when I know He'll always take care of me?!" She buried her face in her hands, quickly, sinking down to her knees behind the counter to avoid making a scene. "To choose Farfarello over...God...? I just can't..."
Omi leaned over to place a reassuring hand on her back. "You know...Farfarello is willing to be with you, even if you are a Christian. Does he really have to change...?"
She glared at her hands, only inches away from her face, and slowly flexed her fingers. "How would we raise the kids?" she mumbled. "His way or mine? I couldn't stand not to raise them my way - why would I want them to grow up hateful and full of spite? And I can't bear the thought of loving and living with someone for all my life and then knowing they're just going to hell... Our ideas would clash too much."
Omi sighed sympathetically, but she could tell he was quickly growing uncomfortable. "Well, I don't know what to say," he declared frankly.
"How...how is Farfarello? I tried to call him, and he never answered. I don't think I've seen him once since that night..."
"He doesn't want to talk to you," Omi said softly. "It's too painful. He is around though, when you come to the apartments. He's just very good at hiding from your sight. Remember last week when you came to get your paycheck from Aya? He was right around the corner going to the bedroom, watching you." Omi smiled a little, though it was fickle. "We never thought we'd see the Beserker like this."
She gulped down a lump in her throat, suddenly uncomfortable at the sound of his assassin nickname. "Do you think it would've been better if he'd never known me?"
The young man hesitated. "I...I don't know. At least he's not cutting himself as much anymore, and he doesn't feel like killing anyone or anything. He was never happy, Bonnie...not really."
Bonnie was about to reply when she heard a familiar male voice in the midst of high-pitched squeals. He was asking Ken about her, repeating her name patiently when the brunet seemed to have trouble processing the question, and then, when the soccer player told him she was at the counter, he looked doubtfully to the empty space and ambled over. "Bonnie?" came the question again, and before long she was looking up into a boy's interested face, his slanted eyes narrowed in surprise at seeing her kneeling beside Omi.
"Oh, Hiromi," she said quietly, standing up and leaving Omi on the ground to listen. "Hi. I'm sorry. I didn't know you were coming."
He smiled, shrugging. "I know. I didn't tell you."
"Well, did you come to buy something?"
"Um, maybe." He glanced around a little helplessly, as if the array of flowers left him in a sea of confusion, and then smiled weakly at her again. "I was wondering if you had changed your mind. About the concert, I mean. We could just go as friends if you don't want to be my date."
She returned his tired smile, sighing deeply. "I don't know, Hiromi. Maybe as friends. I just don't think I'd be much fun."
"Mind still on your boyfriend?"
"Yeah..."
"Don't worry - if you miss him this much after so long, and if he's a good guy, he'll come back. He'll be crazy if he doesn't. You still talk to him?"
Bonnie cast her eyes down, not wanting Hiromi to see them fill with tears. "No, we don't talk. And he is crazy..."
~~~~~
"Our little BonBon will be turning eighteen soon, I hear," Yohji commented lazily that night, lounging on the couch in Crawford's apartment, drawing in a long drag from his freshly lit cigarette. "What do you think of that, Farf?"
The albino Irishman, seated cross-legged in Brad's favorite, overstuffed chair, glared evilly at the lanky brunet and then sighed slowly. "Why do ye keep bringing her up?" he demanded gruffly. "It's been nearly seven months. We haven't spoken at all."
"Omi told me she's turning down dates because she's still pining over you." Yohji chuckled, throwing a glance over at Brad and Aya, who were seated at the small kitchen table, having dinner. His hair had grown back out to his shoulders again, wavy and just as lovely as before. "Is it just me or is Farf beyond insane to turn down the only girl who is ever going to have anything to do with him?"
"Stay out of it, Yohji," Aya commanded blandly, slicing off a piece of his chicken and spearing it neatly with a fork.
"He's gonna die a virgin."
"Yes, and while that is a fate unimaginable to you, Farfarello can choose to do as he likes. So stop meddling."
Brad frowned, letting the redhead deal with the other man alone.
Farfarello, bored with the conversation centered around him, slowly unfolded his wiry form and rose to his feet, walking briskly from the room without a word of explanation. Used to this, the others let him go.
Ken was out on a date with Mikazuki, leaving the room quite empty. Farfarello glanced around in a bored fashion and then flopped down on the bed, glaring hatefully at the ceiling. So, he thought, Bonnie was turning down dates for him? Maybe she did care - a little. Well, actually, he'd always known she'd cared. The fact she'd tried to call twenty times and left almost fifty e-mails before giving up showed that. But, he wondered, was she still hung up on his hate of religions?
Maybe he could ask. Maybe she had changed her mind.
He grimaced, tightening a fist angrily. Yeah, he'd just ask. There was no harm in that.
~~~~~~
"So...now you decide to talk to me." Even if she missed her boyfriend like crazy, Bonnie was not a pushover.
Farfarello narrowed his eyes. "It was a question," he growled. "Answer it."
"Do I still care if you're angry at God? The answer is yes." She crossed her arms tightly, smearing the dirt across her apron. There was a sphere of emptiness around them in the shop, all the fan girls having made sure to give Farfarello and Bonnie their space out of fear.
"Then we have nothing to talk about."
"We have tons to talk about!" she exclaimed, throwing her hands up. "I miss you and you miss me! Can't we work SOMETHING out?!"
At this suggestion his expression softened and he looked weary. "Over dinner?" he suggested. "Pizza? Tonight?"
"Yes, yes, yes," she answered each question individually, tiredly. "I get off at eight and you'll have to drive - I know it's breaking the rules, but my dad will have to understand. Is that ok with you?"
He leaned across the counter and pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek, golden eye glazed over when he pulled back again. "Aye," he whispered. "I love ye, Bonbon. And I'll see you tonight."
~~~~~
Nothing was accomplished over dinner. They ate in silence until halfway done and Bonnie burst into tears, put her head down on the table, and sobbed about how much she missed him. He tried to comfort her, reassuringly rubbing her back and ignoring the strange and disgusted stares they were attracting. All his words were false promises of the happy future they could share because he was as desperate as she, and each knew he would never be able to normalize himself enough to be accepted by society, and she would always be the sensitive, Christian girl that she was. They were terribly wrong for one another, so why did they seem to complete each other?
After dinner they stumbled out of the pizza place, both nearly in tears, his arm slung around her shoulders, and walked down the sidewalk and around the block to where he had parked the car. With her head resting on his shoulder, Bonnie wondered if the future was really so important anymore.
"It's almost ten," Farfarello informed the girl worriedly. "We're not going to make your curfew."
Bonnie snapped out of her daze and back to reality, glancing desperately around the darkened streets. "We have to make it!" she cried, grabbing his hand and beginning to pull him across the street. "My dad will KILL me! Come on, if we cut through this alley, I'm sure it'll be a good short cut!"
Farfarello dragged his heels a little, trying to protest, but Bonnie only babbled on about being grounded and lectures and her parents and what had happened to her brother when he'd come home at eleven the year before. By the time they had come to the opening of the alley, he had lost all will to fight and even though his instincts told him it was a bad idea, he followed along behind. After all, it was her curfew - not his.
"Bonnie," he said, halfway down the alley, sloshing through the trash that blocked his way, "maybe we should turn back. It looks like a dead end."
"It can't be," she argued. "I used to cut through here last year after school!"
He sighed, running up ahead and then pulling to an abrupt halt when he hit a wall. It had once been open, but someone had boarded it up. He estimated the strength of the wooden planks and declared, "I could kick through them, I guess."
Bonnie slumped her shoulders. "I'm sorry. I had no idea it wasn't open anymore. I can't believe they -"
"Shh!" He hushed her sharply, whirling on his heel and slinking past her like a breath of air, a mere shadow in the dark.
She stiffened, the hair on the back of her neck rising in panic. When Farfarello slipped into his stealth mode, it meant danger was close at hand - this was something she knew naturally. "What's wrong?" she whispered, trying to trail after him, only to have a harsh hand shove her back.
He didn't answer. He didn't have to. Three figures were closing in on them, shadowy monsters lumbering their way and blocking their escape. Voices filtered into her senses, hateful, laughing tones that froze her in place.
Farfarello had drawn himself into a protective, fighting stance, a wall of protection between her and the men. His sharp, golden eye glared through the dusk, taking in the potential enemies, and he raised his hands to tighten them into fists, growling. "You again," he seethed.
"Must be the luck of the Irish," said one of the shadows. "You're still alive after that beating we gave you. Surprise."
Bonnie crouched down by a trash can, trying to disappear.
"Oh? What's that you got behind you? A little lassie?" It was still too dark to distinguish anything about the speaker, or the men flanking him. None of them seemed too excited, or even as if they were trying to sound threatening. On the contrary, they sounded bored, almost disappointed, as if killing Farfarello, which is what she was sure they intended, was just something they had to do.
"Leave her alone," he growled. "She's American."
"And she's with you - so that's not going to help her." The man drew closer again, his shape becoming more defined. He was huge, almost twice Farfarello's size. "You're a nasty little punk, aren't ya'? It's not easy to forget scum as ugly as you. C'mere, we'll make sure you don't live this time."
And it seemed as if a change swept over Farfarello. His entire body loosened out, as if he was going to let his limbs and muscles flow with the rhythm of the coming fight, and he spread his feet out a little farther, smirking in a feral manner. His bristly white hair stood out starkly against the darkness, and his pale skin glowed. He was in his element, and he was not about to go down without a fight. The sound of his knuckles popping as he cracked them sharply against his right palm echoed in the silence. "Bring it on," he growled, arching an eyebrow in challenge.
The men smiled in return.
~~~~~~
Only two or three more chapters left! I'm thinking of having like a mini- sequel, ya' know - not too many chapters. We'll see. ^.~
Review!
Yami Kaosu: Well, I imagine if the church thing HAD worked out, I would've gotten a ton of flames all along the lines of, "FARF IF SO INCREDIBLY OUT OF CHARACTER THAT NOW ALL HIS FAITHFUL FANS SHALL HUNT YOU DOWN AND KILL YOU!" lol And I just had to get the idea of Schuldig in smiley boxers and wearing a tie like a bandana out of my head... Ugh, strange experience at school put it there - don't ask.
Jessica: Hehe, sorry I didn't warn you about how sad it was! But I might as well warn you now the next chapter is going to be extremely sad, and so is the one after that! So, if you need a tissue box, go grab one and be prepared! Thanks for reviewing ^.~
Angry Blood Sister: Well, I'm sure many people would compromise for Farfarello, but alas, Bonnie is not one of them...or is she? lol I'm glad you like the story so much! I'm really sorry I take so long to update! *looks guilty* Keep on reviewing!
Misura: I'd give anything if they'd animate that - or even if someone would draw a picture of it! The Yohji and Schu part, I mean. Isn't it a great mental picture? lol And don't worry about Hiromi - he's not a villain in any way, shape, or form. Haha.
Manx16: I'm really sorry I took so long to update! And I'm excited for the end to come! I got some pretty good stuff planned - I know I'm gonna have a fun time writing it! Hopefully you'll enjoy reading it too.
Willow: Thank you so much! I'm glad it inspires someone! And I'm glad you approve of the accent - I'm not even sure I'm doing it right. I'm trying my best though! lol Review again!
Coppelia: Sorry, but I did keep you waiting. I didn't mean to though! *gets on hands and knees* Forgive me! Anyhow, yeah, I can see what you're saying, but Bonnie's faith is very important to her. Well, just a few more chapters to go! Keep reviewing!
Allegra Monet: Ah! I missed you! And you finally updated Fire and Ice! Amazing! *is stunned* Thanks a bunch for your review and your inspiration!
Heaven Star: I'm sorry you hate Bonnie so much! I'll try and make it better! *looks apologetic* FORGIVE ME!
~~~~~~
"It's been nearly seven months, Omi." Bonnie stared down at the counter, pausing in wiping it off just long enough to glance up at the college student. "He's not going to forgive me, is he?"
It was a busy day in the shop, but luckily, Ken and Aya were the ones getting swarmed by girls while Omi crouched behind the display of floral arrangements, hiding so he could talk to Bonnie for a few minutes. She, of course, was never pestered by the school girls.
Omi looked out the window, gazing into the sunny, spring day with clear, blue skies. He didn't want to tell Bonnie what he knew and what he thought because those things would be painful to hear, but she deserved to know - if she already didn't in her heart. Slowly, he directed his blue eyes towards her, elbows resting on bent knees, and sighed. "I'm sorry, Bonnie - but I think you're right."
She sighed rubbing the rag in small, clean circles across the already sparkling counter. Her bleary reflection stared sorrowfully up at her. "You understand, don't you?" she asked quietly. "I can't throw away everything and who I am just for him. And...I know he thinks I'm a major hypocrite just because of what I believe, but just because my religion is filled with those kinds of people doesn't mean I am one too. You know that, don't you, Omi?"
Omi nodded slowly. "You should stick to your principles, Bonnie."
"Thanks. At least someone believes that." She paused again, seeming to lapse into yet another trance, as she had been doing for the past few days, and then released an anxiety-filled sigh. "He wants me to turn my back on God?" she murmured, eyes suddenly glassy. "How could I do that when I've put faith in Him my whole life, and when I know He'll always take care of me?!" She buried her face in her hands, quickly, sinking down to her knees behind the counter to avoid making a scene. "To choose Farfarello over...God...? I just can't..."
Omi leaned over to place a reassuring hand on her back. "You know...Farfarello is willing to be with you, even if you are a Christian. Does he really have to change...?"
She glared at her hands, only inches away from her face, and slowly flexed her fingers. "How would we raise the kids?" she mumbled. "His way or mine? I couldn't stand not to raise them my way - why would I want them to grow up hateful and full of spite? And I can't bear the thought of loving and living with someone for all my life and then knowing they're just going to hell... Our ideas would clash too much."
Omi sighed sympathetically, but she could tell he was quickly growing uncomfortable. "Well, I don't know what to say," he declared frankly.
"How...how is Farfarello? I tried to call him, and he never answered. I don't think I've seen him once since that night..."
"He doesn't want to talk to you," Omi said softly. "It's too painful. He is around though, when you come to the apartments. He's just very good at hiding from your sight. Remember last week when you came to get your paycheck from Aya? He was right around the corner going to the bedroom, watching you." Omi smiled a little, though it was fickle. "We never thought we'd see the Beserker like this."
She gulped down a lump in her throat, suddenly uncomfortable at the sound of his assassin nickname. "Do you think it would've been better if he'd never known me?"
The young man hesitated. "I...I don't know. At least he's not cutting himself as much anymore, and he doesn't feel like killing anyone or anything. He was never happy, Bonnie...not really."
Bonnie was about to reply when she heard a familiar male voice in the midst of high-pitched squeals. He was asking Ken about her, repeating her name patiently when the brunet seemed to have trouble processing the question, and then, when the soccer player told him she was at the counter, he looked doubtfully to the empty space and ambled over. "Bonnie?" came the question again, and before long she was looking up into a boy's interested face, his slanted eyes narrowed in surprise at seeing her kneeling beside Omi.
"Oh, Hiromi," she said quietly, standing up and leaving Omi on the ground to listen. "Hi. I'm sorry. I didn't know you were coming."
He smiled, shrugging. "I know. I didn't tell you."
"Well, did you come to buy something?"
"Um, maybe." He glanced around a little helplessly, as if the array of flowers left him in a sea of confusion, and then smiled weakly at her again. "I was wondering if you had changed your mind. About the concert, I mean. We could just go as friends if you don't want to be my date."
She returned his tired smile, sighing deeply. "I don't know, Hiromi. Maybe as friends. I just don't think I'd be much fun."
"Mind still on your boyfriend?"
"Yeah..."
"Don't worry - if you miss him this much after so long, and if he's a good guy, he'll come back. He'll be crazy if he doesn't. You still talk to him?"
Bonnie cast her eyes down, not wanting Hiromi to see them fill with tears. "No, we don't talk. And he is crazy..."
~~~~~
"Our little BonBon will be turning eighteen soon, I hear," Yohji commented lazily that night, lounging on the couch in Crawford's apartment, drawing in a long drag from his freshly lit cigarette. "What do you think of that, Farf?"
The albino Irishman, seated cross-legged in Brad's favorite, overstuffed chair, glared evilly at the lanky brunet and then sighed slowly. "Why do ye keep bringing her up?" he demanded gruffly. "It's been nearly seven months. We haven't spoken at all."
"Omi told me she's turning down dates because she's still pining over you." Yohji chuckled, throwing a glance over at Brad and Aya, who were seated at the small kitchen table, having dinner. His hair had grown back out to his shoulders again, wavy and just as lovely as before. "Is it just me or is Farf beyond insane to turn down the only girl who is ever going to have anything to do with him?"
"Stay out of it, Yohji," Aya commanded blandly, slicing off a piece of his chicken and spearing it neatly with a fork.
"He's gonna die a virgin."
"Yes, and while that is a fate unimaginable to you, Farfarello can choose to do as he likes. So stop meddling."
Brad frowned, letting the redhead deal with the other man alone.
Farfarello, bored with the conversation centered around him, slowly unfolded his wiry form and rose to his feet, walking briskly from the room without a word of explanation. Used to this, the others let him go.
Ken was out on a date with Mikazuki, leaving the room quite empty. Farfarello glanced around in a bored fashion and then flopped down on the bed, glaring hatefully at the ceiling. So, he thought, Bonnie was turning down dates for him? Maybe she did care - a little. Well, actually, he'd always known she'd cared. The fact she'd tried to call twenty times and left almost fifty e-mails before giving up showed that. But, he wondered, was she still hung up on his hate of religions?
Maybe he could ask. Maybe she had changed her mind.
He grimaced, tightening a fist angrily. Yeah, he'd just ask. There was no harm in that.
~~~~~~
"So...now you decide to talk to me." Even if she missed her boyfriend like crazy, Bonnie was not a pushover.
Farfarello narrowed his eyes. "It was a question," he growled. "Answer it."
"Do I still care if you're angry at God? The answer is yes." She crossed her arms tightly, smearing the dirt across her apron. There was a sphere of emptiness around them in the shop, all the fan girls having made sure to give Farfarello and Bonnie their space out of fear.
"Then we have nothing to talk about."
"We have tons to talk about!" she exclaimed, throwing her hands up. "I miss you and you miss me! Can't we work SOMETHING out?!"
At this suggestion his expression softened and he looked weary. "Over dinner?" he suggested. "Pizza? Tonight?"
"Yes, yes, yes," she answered each question individually, tiredly. "I get off at eight and you'll have to drive - I know it's breaking the rules, but my dad will have to understand. Is that ok with you?"
He leaned across the counter and pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek, golden eye glazed over when he pulled back again. "Aye," he whispered. "I love ye, Bonbon. And I'll see you tonight."
~~~~~
Nothing was accomplished over dinner. They ate in silence until halfway done and Bonnie burst into tears, put her head down on the table, and sobbed about how much she missed him. He tried to comfort her, reassuringly rubbing her back and ignoring the strange and disgusted stares they were attracting. All his words were false promises of the happy future they could share because he was as desperate as she, and each knew he would never be able to normalize himself enough to be accepted by society, and she would always be the sensitive, Christian girl that she was. They were terribly wrong for one another, so why did they seem to complete each other?
After dinner they stumbled out of the pizza place, both nearly in tears, his arm slung around her shoulders, and walked down the sidewalk and around the block to where he had parked the car. With her head resting on his shoulder, Bonnie wondered if the future was really so important anymore.
"It's almost ten," Farfarello informed the girl worriedly. "We're not going to make your curfew."
Bonnie snapped out of her daze and back to reality, glancing desperately around the darkened streets. "We have to make it!" she cried, grabbing his hand and beginning to pull him across the street. "My dad will KILL me! Come on, if we cut through this alley, I'm sure it'll be a good short cut!"
Farfarello dragged his heels a little, trying to protest, but Bonnie only babbled on about being grounded and lectures and her parents and what had happened to her brother when he'd come home at eleven the year before. By the time they had come to the opening of the alley, he had lost all will to fight and even though his instincts told him it was a bad idea, he followed along behind. After all, it was her curfew - not his.
"Bonnie," he said, halfway down the alley, sloshing through the trash that blocked his way, "maybe we should turn back. It looks like a dead end."
"It can't be," she argued. "I used to cut through here last year after school!"
He sighed, running up ahead and then pulling to an abrupt halt when he hit a wall. It had once been open, but someone had boarded it up. He estimated the strength of the wooden planks and declared, "I could kick through them, I guess."
Bonnie slumped her shoulders. "I'm sorry. I had no idea it wasn't open anymore. I can't believe they -"
"Shh!" He hushed her sharply, whirling on his heel and slinking past her like a breath of air, a mere shadow in the dark.
She stiffened, the hair on the back of her neck rising in panic. When Farfarello slipped into his stealth mode, it meant danger was close at hand - this was something she knew naturally. "What's wrong?" she whispered, trying to trail after him, only to have a harsh hand shove her back.
He didn't answer. He didn't have to. Three figures were closing in on them, shadowy monsters lumbering their way and blocking their escape. Voices filtered into her senses, hateful, laughing tones that froze her in place.
Farfarello had drawn himself into a protective, fighting stance, a wall of protection between her and the men. His sharp, golden eye glared through the dusk, taking in the potential enemies, and he raised his hands to tighten them into fists, growling. "You again," he seethed.
"Must be the luck of the Irish," said one of the shadows. "You're still alive after that beating we gave you. Surprise."
Bonnie crouched down by a trash can, trying to disappear.
"Oh? What's that you got behind you? A little lassie?" It was still too dark to distinguish anything about the speaker, or the men flanking him. None of them seemed too excited, or even as if they were trying to sound threatening. On the contrary, they sounded bored, almost disappointed, as if killing Farfarello, which is what she was sure they intended, was just something they had to do.
"Leave her alone," he growled. "She's American."
"And she's with you - so that's not going to help her." The man drew closer again, his shape becoming more defined. He was huge, almost twice Farfarello's size. "You're a nasty little punk, aren't ya'? It's not easy to forget scum as ugly as you. C'mere, we'll make sure you don't live this time."
And it seemed as if a change swept over Farfarello. His entire body loosened out, as if he was going to let his limbs and muscles flow with the rhythm of the coming fight, and he spread his feet out a little farther, smirking in a feral manner. His bristly white hair stood out starkly against the darkness, and his pale skin glowed. He was in his element, and he was not about to go down without a fight. The sound of his knuckles popping as he cracked them sharply against his right palm echoed in the silence. "Bring it on," he growled, arching an eyebrow in challenge.
The men smiled in return.
~~~~~~
Only two or three more chapters left! I'm thinking of having like a mini- sequel, ya' know - not too many chapters. We'll see. ^.~
Review!