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The Homicidal Maniac

By: Kiriska

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Chapter Nine: Talk

Taichi

I stared at Yamato, he started back at me. We stood in silence, glaring, for a while. Then Yama spoke; "Well? What are you going to say to me, Taichi?" he repeated. I hesitated, I hate to admit, but I was uncomfortable...and that in itself scared me. I had always been comfortable around Matt. "Why are you doing this?" I asked stupidly.

Yamato frowned; "I told you. It stops the pain." he said quietly. "Isn't there some other way? You don't have...to kill things..." I told him. "How would if someone murderered Hikari?" he questioned. I figeted, I knew he would ask it sooner or later. "I suppose I'd want revenge..." I said, I couldn't lie. Not to Matt. Even now. Damn.

"So what's wrong with my revenge? And they're just rats. It's keeping me from hurting ... real people." he said. "What will you do when you can't find any more rats?" Matt looked away, "I don't know. But don't you understand Tai? I //have// to avenge Takeru...I have to find his killer..." I shook my head; "No, Yamato...you don't have to, you're letting him get to you..you're letting him take control of you...don't let him...don't do this..He probably wants you to go after him.."

His eyes flashed; "So be it. I don't care about what he wants. I care about what I want. And I want to kill TK's murderer." he growled. "Yamato,...I know how you--" I was cut off by his sharp voice. "You know how I feel, Taichi!? How could you possibly know how I feel? You will never know how I feel, not until you lose your sister." he snapped. I felt a sting. 'Not until you lose you sister'....his words immediately began to echo.

I was silent, I didn't know what do say. "Matt...please...would Takeru want this?" Yamato's expression went soft for a spilt second then hardened again. "I don't know what Takeru wants. I'd ask, but he's dead." his harsh tone surprised me. "I'll tell you what he wants, Yama," I felt myself starting to become angry, "He wouldn't want you to hurt people, turn into a killer youself, he'd what you to deal, and get over it!"

"How do you know?" my friend snarled. "You're telling me you don't know your own brother well enough to know what he would want!?" I demanded. Yamato glared, but didn't say anything. We stood there in silence for a few minutes. Then Yama spoke up again; "What do you suggest I do, Tai?" he asked softly, his expression still hard.

I was semi-relieved, maybe this talk would get somewhere. "You can try to accept it. There's nothing you can do to bring TK back, just try to calm yourself...the pain will go away...let it go away..." Yamato didn't blink, "I still want to kill him." he said simply. I knew perfectly well who 'him' was. "Talk to someone...tell people how you feel...it will help." Geez, I sound like a Psychiatrist...speaking of which...maybe Yamato should see one...or a counselor...or something...

Yamato was silent for a few more minutes; then he took out the knife he had had earlier. I flinched, but didn't say anything. Matt looked at the knife for a few seconds, then offered it to me. "Take this Tai. Don't let me have it." he said. "Alright, Yama...thanks for listening to me..." I cautiously took the knife from my friend. He looked at me. "Do you think I'm crazy?" he asked.

I thought, did I think Matt was crazy? Maybe. "No, of course not...it's perfectly normal to feel this way.." I really do sound like a psychiatrist. Yamato stared blankly for a few more seconds. "Are you going to suggest I talk to a psychiatrist?" Whoa...mind-reader...I couldn't tell if he was serious or not. What am I suppose to say? "Er...well...you should talk to someone...you can talk to me if you want..."

"I'm not insane..." I heard Matt mutter under his breath, I didn't know if I was suppose to hear that or not...damn, I was //afraid// of Yamato right now...why? He was my best friend...why am I afraid of him? Yamato looked distracted suddenly. "I'm not insane...I'm not insane..." then he looked up at me again; "Tell me the truth Taichi, do you think I should see a psychiatrist?"

I sighed; "You probably should Yamato. You're scaring us, you know that?" Don't take offense..don't take offense..don't hurt me, man! Damn, I'm a chicken. Crest of Courage my ass. And I'm the one holding the knife. I watched my friend, he didn't say anything for a while. These silence periods were making me fidgety!

"I'll go to the psychiatrist. Thanks Taichi." Yamato turned. I smiled. "No prob, man." I turned to leave. Things were looking up. It was still storming outside. Mr.Ishida saw me heading for the door. "What happened?" he asked. "Yama agreed to go see a psychiatrist." I replied. Matt's dad looked shocked. "How can I ever thank you Taichi!?" he asked gleefully. I grinned; "You could find me an umbrella."

Kiriska: A 'happy' chapter ending. Yes?

Chibi Fique: Aw, man.

Chibi Tiyan: *glare*

Chibi Sikeeh: *laughs*

Mayakashi: It's a disguise....heheheheh

Kiriska: Review? ARTIGATOU!