Disclaimer: I don't want to go through with this today. Come back tomorrow with money.
Bullet in the Dark
Chapter 10: Remembrance in Ice
Author's Note:
Writing… like crazy. I'm crazy. Oh brother. Then again, who am I to say that? I'm an only child! Anyway, thanks for all the wonderful reviews, and here is the weird chapter 10! The plot finally shows! Internal conflict! Anguish! I love it! Hope you do, too!
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'Don't get attached to her.'
He remained silent as his brain lectured him, telling him the practical things.
He was nervous… too nervous.
What was wrong with him?
The feelings he'd been having… Wrong… Too wrong.
Why did he have them?
He shouldn't.
No way.
'She's just a tool.'
His eyes squeezed shut in an attempt to shut out the voice.
He didn't need anyone!
What happened to all that?
He asked himself these questions, so crucial to his life.
Just one last question:
If they wanted, would he kill her?
No.
Yes.
Internal turmoil burned his heart.
His heart?
Did he still have one?
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"Shiva!"
"Yes, Brother?"
"Where is Vishnu?"
"I am here."
"You have heard of Scarl Kugaikotsu's attempts to regain control?"
"Of course…"
"It won't happen, for as long as we have his fiancée, Miss Arnoul, he won't dare to come after her…"
"He loves her?"
"Her money."
"Her power."
"Which is why we want her ourselves."
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Françoise woke up to remember her many questions.
How did Joe get to the point where he killed people for a living?
It almost seemed fanatical in a world so happy, yet so painful and filled with fear.
He had said that his family had been killed in front of his eyes.
Could it be that he was traumatized in the process?
No… He wasn't crazy, no matter what happened.
This she could tell from his eyes, those wondrous gems, that he was not.
Her brother had once told her that she thought for herself too much, then laughed. Days later, she had pondered on why this was.
She made the mistake of asking her mother.
Ah… Her mother. The beautiful wife of a multi-billionaire not smart enough to know that she could have so much power…
Flashback ~
For once, she had found her mother without a drink, sitting in her beautiful bedroom, staring out at the sunny garden.
"Mother, why can't I think for myself?"
Her mother looked up lazily, as a cat would. "Because, m'dear… Men are our masters, our husbands when our fathers decide to marry us off. It's not a pretty life, but with your reputation and looks, yours will be."
"Why does Father chose my husband? Why can't I chose for myself?"
"Daughter, dearest, in this life, you are just a pawn. Your father will chose your husband for you, and I'm sure he will see to it that you live a rich life."
"But Mother-"
"Françoise, leave me. Your mother is tired."
~ End of Flashback
Her life was a never-ending cycle of laughter and money. Who was she to think otherwise?
Everyone had made it clear that she was to be a tool for her father, in attempts to get more money and secure solid connections.
She was to be pure and naïve, willing and obedient.
She was tired of it.
How horrible to know that you're just a pawn, that no one truly loves you, that you are just there until you die.
Did she fear death, after all?
No… She didn't think so. It was more around the fact that she would die knowing that she had some other chose.
Could she have done something to prevent her being kidnapped from home, and stuck in a house with an assassin who she wasn't afraid of, yet didn't want to leave.
Maybe she would have ran away?
Could have someone found her?
She sighed.
Could. Would. If.
Those words, so hopeful, led her so far astray.
Why couldn't she just accept it?
What good were dreams when they were crushed?
She remembered lying in bed, listening, when she suddenly heard two of her maids chattering.
Flashback ~
"Oh, that Miss Françoise! Have you met a more naïve child?"
The other laughed. "She knows little about the ways of life. Have you heard? Her father is about to marry her off to some rich politician!"
"Again?"
"This time it seems serious! Poor kid!"
"Well, you know about this family!"
"Oh yes, money, politics, and parties. I wish my life was life that!"
The voices fade.
~ End of Flashback
How she wanted to cry out, to let them know otherwise, that she knew about it and wanted to do away with it.
But what could change the past?
Never mind it.
She needed to start living.
Living before her past caught up with her.
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A flash of light burned his eyes like firecrackers.
He felt as if he was on a high, or at least in a dream that was too good to be true.
He exhaled, as if his heart had been snatched from his chest and he was breathing his last.
Quite suddenly, his cell phone rang.
"Hello?"
"009, we want you here as soon as possible."
"Yes sir."
His supervisor hung up, leaving him alone.
His eyes squeezed shut.
He gave up his life for this job.
What was the point of trying to get it back?
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I'd better get some appreciation! I'm risking my grade in math so bad… I think I have an A- (and don't say that's not so bad! I need my good GPA!!!!!)… Anyway, I'm writing anyway. Sorry if I sound grouchy. Not sleeping for two days does that to me. Well, ja!
Responses to Reviews:
Black Rose Elise: Don't worry! They will kiss soon… In fact, they will kiss in the next chapter! Just wait one more week and you will have your kiss. It might be disappointing, though, so don't get your hopes up!
GoldAngel2: Flashbacks are great… They let you see what it was like for the characters… back then. I glad you still like this story, and I enjoy writing it. I can't wait to see "You Can't Go Home Again", as I'm positive it will be awesome! Thank you for the great review (as always)!
MagicianCyborg: No, 009 hasn't gone soft, although it seems like it. He will be torn very soon… BWAHAHAHA! *ahem* Anyway, soon all will be reveled, so don't you worry! Thanks for the review!
Serene Faerie: It was the best chapter yet? I'm so happy you think so! Parents… always trying to do what's 'best' for us and making us miserable, it seems… Anyway, good luck!
Sweet Dark Angel 009: 12! Your talent is huge! I wish you the very best of luck, and I KNOW you will be something great! (Shhh… I'm not really 15. I'm younger. But no one needs to know.) Thanks for the support! You're the best!
Goddess-of-da-Cheesburgers: BROWNIES! *attacks* YUMMY!!! Thank you for the fat! I will now go write more!
Wolfgirl333: Glad you liked it! Here's the next chapter and I hope you liked it!
Gohan-Chan: Ahh… The other assassin fic… It is nice, I must admit, although not as dark as my fic. Anyway, thanks for the review!
Queen of Duels: Here's the new chapter! I hope you enjoyed it!
Sesshomaruwuzhere: What e-mail account did you send it to? I can't see your message! Happy birthday, girl! I updated Red Lantern just for you! YOU GO!
TFRiD Queen: Poor, poor Joe! He's so hot… yet so deprived! Don't worry, I weird, too.
CosmosAngel1: Glad you still like this story! Good luck with your own! Thanks for the review!
WaterKairi: New reviewer! Glad you like this story and I hope I don't disappoint you in the future!
Cherry Blossom Princess2: Sorry it was dull. This chapter was too, huh? Well, the next chapter will make up for everything!
Aria Zephyr: OF COURSE YOU'RE AWESOME! You are one of my best readers and reviewers! I hope you had a great B-day, even though there was hurricane! Best of luck of your e-mail dilemma!
xXSoraXx: Glad you liked it!
Inu22: New reviewer! Glad you like my story! Hope you continue doing so!