Disclaimer: We've been through this before, peoples!
Bullet in the Dark
Chapter 16: Floating on the River Death
Author's Note:
We're drawing close people! I think this story just might end in two chapters! I'll do an epilogue, though, or maybe a really long last chapter. We'll see. After this story is completed, I will start writing more of Oyabun so I can update that; it's been a long time since I have. I think I will save Joe Millionaire as a Christmas present for all of you!
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Once a reporter had asked him on his thoughts of violence. He had chuckled and said, 'No, no, violence is not my way.'
What a lie he had told!
Life was but a cycle of violence, money, and most importantly, power. There was never love, or warmth, or happiness.
All were the thoughts of a fool, one who didn't know anything about the ways of life.
So what is the important thing called 'power'?
What was a feeling of great accomplishment? Or maybe the thoughts of knowing that you had so many little lives living under your feet, ready for crushing at any moment? Yes, and so much more.
He was power.
The very world power was himself, wrapped in a universal understanding.
So how come they were defying the very laws?
The very laws…
His laws.
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He was floating… floating in the air…
No, he was in water; he was drifting away from everything.
He wouldn't ever have to see their faces anymore…
He could just go away, he could just fly like…
It was dark… The water was dark, so he couldn't see himself.
He couldn't see anyone, and it didn't matter.
He liked it…
No one could lay guilt on him; no one could snatch him from this wonderful place.
It was so quiet…
He couldn't hear anyone at all, couldn't hear anything but the water…
It was so relaxing…
He would never go from here…
No, not when it was so dreamy…
He could live in the dreams.
Forever.
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Françoise fervently wiped the blood from Joe's shoulder.
She feared… Feared so bad for his life.
He had stopped struggling, as if he had lost his will to live.
No, this couldn't be happening
She had to get help; she had to bring back the man that she… loved.
The wound was still bleeding, just as heavily as it had hours ago.
A bullet had pierced it… That much she knew.
So how come he was still in his dream? How come he couldn't start healing?
He a was hardened assassin…
He knew what pain was.
So why wasn't he stirring? Why was he flinching at the pain?
Even the most hardened of assassins would feel pain.
No one was so lost that they forgot what human pain was, what human feelings were.
He wasn't stone…
If he was, then why had he kissed her?
How did he know how she felt?
Why?
It was her fault.
All her fault, because he was dying in her arms… and… dying…?
No, he wasn't dying, he wasn't…
So how come the blood on her arm…
No, she was just dreaming, she was in a coma.
Nothing was wrong, nothing at all…
As long as she believed that, everything would be fine… Everything would be okay….
As long… as long as she believed…
"Joe!"
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It was so warm…
He needn't ever feel the ice, the cold that was forever enveloping him, dragging him to the nest of pain…
He needn't ever worry about the pain that he had inflicted.
So what was this…?
Why had he been stolen from the Night Wolf himself to be this… pitiful human.
He had been immortal…
He had settled his own death sentence, and there wasn't anything he had left to do.
Why did he change?
Why did he fall in love with the one woman he wasn't supposed to?
Françoise…
Her name was a beautiful dance, so intricate, so delicate, so unmeant for him.
So why did this happen?
If there a such a thing as fate, if there such a thing as destiny, then why had the gods above have chosen him?
No, no, he needn't think these things; he was free at last.
He grew out of his clipped wings, he was ready to soar…
Or die.
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Sweat poured down her forehead as Françoise looked at Joe's pale face.
He was so calm, so relaxed, so how come his wound kept on bleeding so?
How come, even in his fever, he didn't cry out?
Something must have been wrong. Something horrible…
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He heard someone call his name…
His real name…
But the voice, it was familiar as the very oxygen he breathed, as rare as the love he received.
Smothered, he was, smothered under dirt and water, and he was being buried alive, but no one could help him at all.
Except for her.
She called his name again, crying out, trying…
He could hear it, even if it was smashed, even if it was broken.
What was he doing here?
He had to get out, he had to.
He had to help her, not matter what.
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Françoise almost wept with joy as she examined his wound again. The bleeding at slowed, and soon would stop.
Taking out a roll of bandages and carefully wrapping them around his shoulder, she looked at his face.
He was… so handsome, so cold, so unreal, that she could have sworn that she had died and was looking upon the face of a god.
The press had called him the Night Wolf, as she had found out. No wonder…
He could have been a prince of the night…
A sigh was heard coming from her rose lips.
"Joe… What would I be without you? What would I do?"
He stirred slightly, shaking from his deep sleep.
She didn't realize anything, just kept talking.
"You know that I used to be a porcelain doll? They thought I would break sooner or later…"
She stopped to stroke his bangs. "I wanted to break… So I didn't have to stay there anymore. Better death then this. "She paused for a moment. "You know…?"
His eyes stayed closed, but he was back… "Yes…"
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There we go! A chapter or two left! Hope you enjoyed it, as I did. Sorry for the long wait!
Responses to Reviews:
Inu22: Sorry, not a lot of fluffy stuff. Oh well… I'll have some in some other chapter. Sorry for the late chapter and hope you enjoyed it!
GoldAngel2: Again, I must thank you so much for reading my story. I'm glad a writer of your expertise can enjoy a little whim of mine. Unfortunately, the writer's block is still here, barely muffled by the support of all my readers, including you. Thank you, once more. And I'll check out your G-Gundam story as soon as I'm not as busy!
Lil Rose Angel: Yeah, Joe is sweet, although maybe a bit too sweet… Hmm… Anyway, wait until you see the later episodes or Cyborg 009! I haven't seen them either, but according to the people who have, there will be lots of fluff! I hope to see you on YIM soon!
Black Rose Elise: LOL! Your review was so cute! I don't like writing long paragraphs anymore, because as a speed reader, I skip over the last few sentences. In my way, people can read it… well, easier. Anyway, your review did make me feel very special, and I thank you for that!
Sweet Dark Angel 009: Thank you, thank you! I'm glad that you liked it! Yes, my boyfriend issue is gone (WHEW!) and I won't go into details about how my later relationship was (a disaster, he threatened to commit suicide when I broke up with him). Ugh. It's shudder-worthy. I hope you got the chapter I edited!
Dyst: I'm glad you enjoy both of my stories! I haven't updated Oyabun in a long time, though. Don't worry about Joe Millionaire. That hasn't been updated yet. I won't until Christmas, for a gift to you guys!
Wolfgirl333: I know how you feel. Often I don't bother signing in, LOL. Yes, soon this story will end, and I'm glad you hear that you hope the writer's block disappears soon, even if it hasn't. Well, thanks again for your support!
Wolfwood11: WOW! You were like, one of the only people who understood that the reason Joe ran away was because of 003! Very good! Yes, you are completely right, and I'm really glad that you got that! Here's the next chapter!
Goddess-of-da-Cheeseburgers: Yes, Bad Scarl! Sugar! Thank you so much! And yes, cows are very cute! They are awesome! LOL! Loved your review!
Aria Zephyr: LOL! I'm glad you think people liked the kiss so much! And yes, I agree with you… Scarl has been a bad boy, and I really want to kill him off. But not yet. Yet. Well, you'll see soon! Yes, ending this story will be very bittersweet, but then I get to start writing about Joe Millionaire, so it's all good!
Serene Faerie: Me? A writer you look up to? Why, I'm way too flattered. I'm not a very good author at all, I just writer down whatever whim I'm thinking about. I'm glad you enjoyed the last chapter, and sorry for the late chapter!
InSaNe ReAdEr: Oh, YAY! You're back, at least for this little bit! I thought you didn't like my story anymore, until I read your note. I'm so glad that you came back and read at least this bit! It's great to know that a writer of your skills would read something I write. It's am honor!
Sesshomaruwuzhere: Really? You can write my name now? Cool! That dude is no longer my boyfriend (since I have so many flings in the last two weeks!), but yeah, I liked him for a little while. Those shoes are so cool sounding! Well, talk to you later Ringo-chan!
TFRiD Queen: Yes, soon this story will end, and I cry with you! Well, at least you're right. I do have a few fics to come out. Thanks for the support!
Cherry Blossom Princess2: I'm so glad you liked those chapters! I'm glad you liked it, and it doesn't matter that you couldn't get to it sooner. Thanks for all your great support!
Rachridgeback: I'm glad you liked the kiss! A lot of people did, surprisingly enough! I'm glad you like this story so much! It's great to have a new reader! LOL! Here's the newest chapter!
Black-pheonix-wings: Oh hi! No, Joe won't die! I can't do that to you guys! Besides, I like him, too! I'm glad you liked the last chapter, and here's more for you!
Gohan-chan: Yes, I was trying to make it really predictable, making midnight the killing hour. Here's the next part of the story!
CosmosAngel1: It's okay, and I'm glad you liked the chapter! Here's the next one!