Hey everyone! CHAPTER NINE OF LOVE AND HATE! Wow, this is really coming
along, yeah. This is fun! Good news to all you Gold and Silver fans out
there *looks at crowd with thousands of people cheering, a few whistling*
Mister Craeyst C. Raygal has written a part in this chapter! Wowsers, I'm
special! ^^ Well, I'm writing part of this too, so, I'll tell you when I
start writing once again! *crowd cheers again* I KNOW you guys are gonna
make this chapter your favorite :) 'Cuz it's my favorite :). So, before I
began, Tenchi Muyo belongs to Pioneer, most of this chapter belongs to
Craeyst. So, yeah! Isn't this cool? And now, without anymore delays,
it's cool, it's awsome, it was mostly written by Craeyst *crowd cheers and
whistles again* it's
No Need For Confessions
"...And so, using the image of Aslan being slain upon the stone tablet, Lewis actually was attempting to create an allegory to the death of Christ. This is further elaborated upon in the next chapter, in which Lucy and Susan tell the others Aslan is still alive."
To hear him drone on about some old book, Ashley never would've guessed that she taking classes from the man they once called "Lovely Death". Indeed, his gentle demeanor and good humor caused her to believe he'd have a hard time swatting flies, let alone that he'd scored well over three hundred kills in combat.
But there was no denying what she'd learned. This man was the myth. He was Justin Perinthal.
"Zero, could you please explain to the class why Lewis believed that the death and rebirth of Aslan was so critical to the story, especially as an allegory to Christ?" He asked, just like any normal schoolteacher. She stood, somewhat embarrassed since she hadn't been paying much attention, and readied her answer.
"Was it because he was a really devout Christian?" she asked hopefully, but he shook his head.
"Actually, C.S. Lewis was an atheist until he met J.R.R. Tolkien and still harbored much atheistic thought." Justin smiled a strangely sad smile and turned his attention fully to the class. "You see, while there were many religious themes to the Narnia Chronicles, their prime purpose was to tell of new life. You see. The focus of each book is a voyage, a journey to a place where the characters become new people. When people go away from what has forced them to become one thing, they are then allowed to become what their hearts truly tell them to be. I believe that this was the lesson Lewis wanted people to learn."
The bell rang just as he finished speaking. It seemed all his lessons revolved around that concept: starting over. He seemed to know that all of his students came from hardship and strife. For forty minutes a day, though, he was there not just to guide them through classic literature, but also to make life a little easier.
She'd been on one date with him and spoke with him many times and never had really learned anything about him. He avoided speaking about himself at any length, shaking off personal questions with an easy laugh and a vague answer. In fact, she hadn't even learned much beyond his name. There was a lot she wanted to know, though. She'd give anything to find out what happened in his mind.
"Zero, would you mind staying after class?" He said plainly, not even looking in her direction from his desk. "I've something to discuss with you."
"Of course." She replied, pouting slightly. He'd stopped her just before she would've left the room. The tone he'd used, it was definitely one belonging to a teacher. She retreated from the door and returned to her desk, awaiting whichever lecture he had decided on today. He reserved speaking until the other students left the room.
"Ashley, I'm quite sure you'll be displeased with me, but a friend of yours has contacted me."
"Friend? I don't have any friends anymore." She stated. "I ran away from them, remember."
"I do remember, which is why I decided to help this friend of yours." Justin replied shortly. "She has come a long way just to see you. To go from Okayama to Berlin is quite a journey."
"You mean she's here?" Ashley shrieked, jumping out of her chair.
"Yes, and waiting in my office I might add." Justin said coolly. "I have to admit, she's incredibly concerned about you. Poor dear is an absolute bundle of nerves." He paused, calmly rising from his seat and striding over to her. His warm, strong hand covered hers and he gazed into her eyes. "I won't force you to meet with her. If you truly do not want to, then I will tell her as such and that will be the end of it. But, please, do consider it."
"Fine." Ashley agreed reluctantly. "If it'll get you off my case."
He nodded and chuckled lightly, flashing her a tender smile as he exited the room. She sat waiting, wondering why he'd gone through all this trouble for just her. It wasn't as if she needed it. Though, she did appreciate the attention he paid her. And he was always courteous about it. But she didn't need it. She didn't need anyone. She hadn't needed anyone since her training with Haley and Joey. Why was he so insistent on attaching her to those people she'd left? She was Zero, an enigma of the battlefield, and a child of warfare. She had no use for friends, family, or love.
The door opened and Justin ushered in a familiar well-tanned girl. She wore a distraught expression and her blonde curls were in disarray. Her blue eyes were reddened, obviously the result of near constant tears.
"Miss Kuramitsu, would you prefer I left the two of you alone?" He asked Mihoshi gently. She shook her head and he pulled his chair out from behind his desk, motioning for her to take a seat. Then, he perched himself upon the corner of his desk and looked on intently, waiting for either of them to start.
For a time, they simply sat. Mihoshi still sniffled from time to time. She slowly reached out to touch Ashley's cheek, her hand shaking nervously as her fingertips brushed Ashley's skin.
"It's really you, isn't it?" Mihoshi asked, her voice cracking with emotion. Ashley nodded and smiled.
"It's good to see you too, Mihoshi." She stated softly.
"Oh Ashley!" Mihoshi cried out, throwing her arms around Ashley and sobbing uncontrollably, burying her face in Ashley's chest as she clutched at the girl's shirt. "Oh Ashley. God I've missed you. I've really, really missed you."
"It's okay Mihoshi." Ashley spoke softly, patting the blonde's back. "It's okay, I've missed you too."
"You didn't have to leave." Bawled Mihoshi. "Jared and Ayeka were just angry. They got over it, but no one got over not having you around."
Ashley was taken aback. Jared and Ayeka forgave her? Everyone wanted her back? It seemed too good to be true. After what she did, how could they forgive her?
"They really do forgive me?" She asked Mihoshi.
"Mmhmm." Mihoshi nodded affirmatively. "That's one of the reasons I came, to tell you that."
"Only one of the reasons?" Ashley's curiosity had been piqued. "What are the others?"
"I really ought to leave you two alone." Justin interjected. They'd almost forgotten he was still sitting in the room. "There's obviously little cause for me to be here, and if Miss Kuramitsu's 'other reasons' are indeed the ones she told me, then I believe it would be improper for me to become involved in the conversation."
"Do you really have to go?" Ashley pouted.
"Don't worry, I'll just be outside in the hall." He replied. "If you need me, just come outside and ask."
"All right."
With that, the teacher bowed out of the room gracefully but quickly. The blonde had already told him the true reason for this visit. Even considering that Ashley had fled because she'd slept with her teammate's girlfriend and considering that this Mihoshi was incredibly beautiful, there are still some announcements that are hard to take. He reclined against the wall, folding his arms over his chest and shutting his eyes in wait for young Miss Nonaka's response. Internally, he laughed, thinking about how a new staff member would mistake him for being some sort of street punk if they saw him standing like this. There were detriments to dressing casually on the job.
"You WHAT?!?!?!!?"
That was undeniably the shriek of Ashley Nonaka, he mused to himself. As he'd thought before, there is some news that will always come as a bit of a shock. Love always comes as a welcome shock.
"I love you."
"What?"
The young Raven stood silently, the phrase sinking in slowly but surely. He looked back at her, the woman he'd been charged to protect. She had it all, he privately confessed, grace, charm, wit, beauty, and talent. But, did that amount to love?
"Come on, don't you love me too?" She asked playfully.
"But, I don't know." He replied.
"Of course you do." She stated, tossing her fuchsia hair in an incredibly alluring fashion. "You've loved me since you first laid eyes on me and you know it. You're just unsure if you want to show it."
"How is it you know that?" His words were defensive and curt.
"Oh, it's quite easy." She said, edging closer to him. "I've seen you in battle, and you dispatch foes with pure hatred. In order to harbor extreme hatred, you need to counter it with another extreme or else it will tear your soul to pieces."
"And what is the other extreme, Vera?" He asked exasperatedly.
"Simple Justin." She said musically. "Love, and your love is me."
He stood straight for a moment, a smile creeping onto his face. After a silence that seemed like an eternity, he broke into easy laughter and wrapped his arms around her.
"Well, I guess I'm not as professional as I'd hoped." He laughed. "I'm not supposed to get involved emotionally with clients."
"Consider this the termination of our contract, then, and the beginning of our engagement." Vera stated softly, withdrawing an ornate golden ring from her jacket pocket. "I want you to be with me for the rest of my life, Justin."
"Gladly, Vera. Gladly."
"I granted your wish, Vera." Justin whispered, fingering the ring that he'd kept over so many years. It hung from a chain on his neck, usually tucked beneath his shirt. He wore it now as a reminder of his promise to Vera, and of his loss. With losing her, he lost everything. It was so unfair to her. She never even got to wear her wedding gown. But he'd been there with her, right to the bitter end.
"C'est la vie. C'est l'amour. C'est la guerre. C'est la morte." He whispered as he tucked the ring back beneath the collar of his shirt.
(Carol: Couldn't exactly put AN at this point and time, now could I? Anywho, this is where I take over the chapter, so yeah. ACK! *has rotten fruit and veggies thrown at me by angry Gold and Silver fans* Enjoy! *runs off stage dodging the fruit and veggies* YARGH!)
Ashley stared blankly at Mihoshi for the longest time, millions of emotions just running through her head, not sure of what to say, not sure of what to do, or how to react at all. Could this be true? Could Mihoshi love her? Could Ashley love her back? Was this real? Was this all a dream?
"Ashley, are you okay?" Mihoshi asked, she was getting rather worried when Ashley didn't say anything at all.
The green-eyed girl nodded slowly, her mouth moving slightly, she was obviously trying to think of what to say. All of these emotions, all of these feelings for Mihoshi, was it love?
"Are you sure?" Mihoshi seemed to get more worried, she began to think maybe she shouldn't have told her just yet.
"I'm fine." Ashley managed to choke out, she felt tears welling up in her eyes, she blinked a few times, managing to blink them back.
"Do you love me too?"
She gathered herself to finally gather up the guts to say what she had in her mind. "Yes, I love you too Mihoshi." Ashley smiled, then she broke, her normally tough image shattered, now it was Ashley's turn to cry, her tears fell silently from her eyes and down her cheeks.
Mihoshi then wrapped her arms around the shorter girl, pulling her close to her, Ashley then wrapped her around Mihoshi's waist, crying into her. Mihoshi then placed a gentle kiss on Ashley's forhead.
After a good cry, the two girls headed out the door, Ashley's cheeks were slightly pink and puffy from crying, then they noticed Justin leaning up against the wall.
"I hope it went well in there." Justin told them hopefully.
Mihoshi smiled at him, "That it did." Ashley just nodded silently to show she agreed. Mihoshi then added, "Oh thank you Mr. Perinthal for telling me where she was." Mihoshi then hugged him tightly, then Ashley joined in the hug.
'Heaven, I'm in heaven.' Justin mused in his head, hugging the two blondes back.
Four years ago, it was planned, but, the mission wasn't such a success. Was it destiny? Or, was it on purpose? No one knows what went on in the mind of the killer.
"Alright, now, what else needs to discussed?" The man asked the person.
"Nothing." They responded in monotone.
"I know you can handle this, you survived that army training at such a young age. But, Justin Perinthal is the best as well, just be careful." He told her.
"I have no need to be." They said coldly.
The man sighed, "Not this whole throwing your life away bit again."
"Why shouldn't I?"
"Because this is just a stage in your life, your only sixteen, like all teens this assassin stage is just a phase, you'll get over it." The man continued. "Now, what do you want to be paid?"
"Nothing, why should I be paid to be the grim reaper?" They shot at him. "By the way, you'll have to hire some new bringer of death, this is my last job, I'm moving on after this stage."
He smiled at them, "Glad to see you're ready for that change."
They nodded, "Me too, me too."
The person stood up from the bench and continued their run, their memory of that day were rather hazy, probably this person didn't want to remember that day four years ago. The last kill. The last mission. They had failed, but, maybe it was for the better. Just maybe. They had found him once again, he seemed okay, even after what he went through.
CHAPTER NINE COMPLETE
Well, this went well, yeah. Okay! Who was the person that was sent to kill Justin?! You don't know do ya? Huh? Do you feel lucky punk? Well? Do ya? ^^() Oh well, so, only one person has sort of an idea as to what in Shinigami's name is going on. But, nobody else does! So, for the rest of you, you'll have to wait for the next chapter of Love and Hate! Ha ha! The suspense is gonna kill you isn't it? Well, tough, if it does, can I have your dead presidents (money)? Please? I could always use more! ^^ This is your authoress saying: Many people own cats.....and go on to lead normal lives.
~*~Carol "Flea" Maxwell~*~
Yeah, I changed the Minion part to Flea, Flea just sounds cooler. :) LOVE AND PEACE!
No Need For Confessions
"...And so, using the image of Aslan being slain upon the stone tablet, Lewis actually was attempting to create an allegory to the death of Christ. This is further elaborated upon in the next chapter, in which Lucy and Susan tell the others Aslan is still alive."
To hear him drone on about some old book, Ashley never would've guessed that she taking classes from the man they once called "Lovely Death". Indeed, his gentle demeanor and good humor caused her to believe he'd have a hard time swatting flies, let alone that he'd scored well over three hundred kills in combat.
But there was no denying what she'd learned. This man was the myth. He was Justin Perinthal.
"Zero, could you please explain to the class why Lewis believed that the death and rebirth of Aslan was so critical to the story, especially as an allegory to Christ?" He asked, just like any normal schoolteacher. She stood, somewhat embarrassed since she hadn't been paying much attention, and readied her answer.
"Was it because he was a really devout Christian?" she asked hopefully, but he shook his head.
"Actually, C.S. Lewis was an atheist until he met J.R.R. Tolkien and still harbored much atheistic thought." Justin smiled a strangely sad smile and turned his attention fully to the class. "You see, while there were many religious themes to the Narnia Chronicles, their prime purpose was to tell of new life. You see. The focus of each book is a voyage, a journey to a place where the characters become new people. When people go away from what has forced them to become one thing, they are then allowed to become what their hearts truly tell them to be. I believe that this was the lesson Lewis wanted people to learn."
The bell rang just as he finished speaking. It seemed all his lessons revolved around that concept: starting over. He seemed to know that all of his students came from hardship and strife. For forty minutes a day, though, he was there not just to guide them through classic literature, but also to make life a little easier.
She'd been on one date with him and spoke with him many times and never had really learned anything about him. He avoided speaking about himself at any length, shaking off personal questions with an easy laugh and a vague answer. In fact, she hadn't even learned much beyond his name. There was a lot she wanted to know, though. She'd give anything to find out what happened in his mind.
"Zero, would you mind staying after class?" He said plainly, not even looking in her direction from his desk. "I've something to discuss with you."
"Of course." She replied, pouting slightly. He'd stopped her just before she would've left the room. The tone he'd used, it was definitely one belonging to a teacher. She retreated from the door and returned to her desk, awaiting whichever lecture he had decided on today. He reserved speaking until the other students left the room.
"Ashley, I'm quite sure you'll be displeased with me, but a friend of yours has contacted me."
"Friend? I don't have any friends anymore." She stated. "I ran away from them, remember."
"I do remember, which is why I decided to help this friend of yours." Justin replied shortly. "She has come a long way just to see you. To go from Okayama to Berlin is quite a journey."
"You mean she's here?" Ashley shrieked, jumping out of her chair.
"Yes, and waiting in my office I might add." Justin said coolly. "I have to admit, she's incredibly concerned about you. Poor dear is an absolute bundle of nerves." He paused, calmly rising from his seat and striding over to her. His warm, strong hand covered hers and he gazed into her eyes. "I won't force you to meet with her. If you truly do not want to, then I will tell her as such and that will be the end of it. But, please, do consider it."
"Fine." Ashley agreed reluctantly. "If it'll get you off my case."
He nodded and chuckled lightly, flashing her a tender smile as he exited the room. She sat waiting, wondering why he'd gone through all this trouble for just her. It wasn't as if she needed it. Though, she did appreciate the attention he paid her. And he was always courteous about it. But she didn't need it. She didn't need anyone. She hadn't needed anyone since her training with Haley and Joey. Why was he so insistent on attaching her to those people she'd left? She was Zero, an enigma of the battlefield, and a child of warfare. She had no use for friends, family, or love.
The door opened and Justin ushered in a familiar well-tanned girl. She wore a distraught expression and her blonde curls were in disarray. Her blue eyes were reddened, obviously the result of near constant tears.
"Miss Kuramitsu, would you prefer I left the two of you alone?" He asked Mihoshi gently. She shook her head and he pulled his chair out from behind his desk, motioning for her to take a seat. Then, he perched himself upon the corner of his desk and looked on intently, waiting for either of them to start.
For a time, they simply sat. Mihoshi still sniffled from time to time. She slowly reached out to touch Ashley's cheek, her hand shaking nervously as her fingertips brushed Ashley's skin.
"It's really you, isn't it?" Mihoshi asked, her voice cracking with emotion. Ashley nodded and smiled.
"It's good to see you too, Mihoshi." She stated softly.
"Oh Ashley!" Mihoshi cried out, throwing her arms around Ashley and sobbing uncontrollably, burying her face in Ashley's chest as she clutched at the girl's shirt. "Oh Ashley. God I've missed you. I've really, really missed you."
"It's okay Mihoshi." Ashley spoke softly, patting the blonde's back. "It's okay, I've missed you too."
"You didn't have to leave." Bawled Mihoshi. "Jared and Ayeka were just angry. They got over it, but no one got over not having you around."
Ashley was taken aback. Jared and Ayeka forgave her? Everyone wanted her back? It seemed too good to be true. After what she did, how could they forgive her?
"They really do forgive me?" She asked Mihoshi.
"Mmhmm." Mihoshi nodded affirmatively. "That's one of the reasons I came, to tell you that."
"Only one of the reasons?" Ashley's curiosity had been piqued. "What are the others?"
"I really ought to leave you two alone." Justin interjected. They'd almost forgotten he was still sitting in the room. "There's obviously little cause for me to be here, and if Miss Kuramitsu's 'other reasons' are indeed the ones she told me, then I believe it would be improper for me to become involved in the conversation."
"Do you really have to go?" Ashley pouted.
"Don't worry, I'll just be outside in the hall." He replied. "If you need me, just come outside and ask."
"All right."
With that, the teacher bowed out of the room gracefully but quickly. The blonde had already told him the true reason for this visit. Even considering that Ashley had fled because she'd slept with her teammate's girlfriend and considering that this Mihoshi was incredibly beautiful, there are still some announcements that are hard to take. He reclined against the wall, folding his arms over his chest and shutting his eyes in wait for young Miss Nonaka's response. Internally, he laughed, thinking about how a new staff member would mistake him for being some sort of street punk if they saw him standing like this. There were detriments to dressing casually on the job.
"You WHAT?!?!?!!?"
That was undeniably the shriek of Ashley Nonaka, he mused to himself. As he'd thought before, there is some news that will always come as a bit of a shock. Love always comes as a welcome shock.
"I love you."
"What?"
The young Raven stood silently, the phrase sinking in slowly but surely. He looked back at her, the woman he'd been charged to protect. She had it all, he privately confessed, grace, charm, wit, beauty, and talent. But, did that amount to love?
"Come on, don't you love me too?" She asked playfully.
"But, I don't know." He replied.
"Of course you do." She stated, tossing her fuchsia hair in an incredibly alluring fashion. "You've loved me since you first laid eyes on me and you know it. You're just unsure if you want to show it."
"How is it you know that?" His words were defensive and curt.
"Oh, it's quite easy." She said, edging closer to him. "I've seen you in battle, and you dispatch foes with pure hatred. In order to harbor extreme hatred, you need to counter it with another extreme or else it will tear your soul to pieces."
"And what is the other extreme, Vera?" He asked exasperatedly.
"Simple Justin." She said musically. "Love, and your love is me."
He stood straight for a moment, a smile creeping onto his face. After a silence that seemed like an eternity, he broke into easy laughter and wrapped his arms around her.
"Well, I guess I'm not as professional as I'd hoped." He laughed. "I'm not supposed to get involved emotionally with clients."
"Consider this the termination of our contract, then, and the beginning of our engagement." Vera stated softly, withdrawing an ornate golden ring from her jacket pocket. "I want you to be with me for the rest of my life, Justin."
"Gladly, Vera. Gladly."
"I granted your wish, Vera." Justin whispered, fingering the ring that he'd kept over so many years. It hung from a chain on his neck, usually tucked beneath his shirt. He wore it now as a reminder of his promise to Vera, and of his loss. With losing her, he lost everything. It was so unfair to her. She never even got to wear her wedding gown. But he'd been there with her, right to the bitter end.
"C'est la vie. C'est l'amour. C'est la guerre. C'est la morte." He whispered as he tucked the ring back beneath the collar of his shirt.
(Carol: Couldn't exactly put AN at this point and time, now could I? Anywho, this is where I take over the chapter, so yeah. ACK! *has rotten fruit and veggies thrown at me by angry Gold and Silver fans* Enjoy! *runs off stage dodging the fruit and veggies* YARGH!)
Ashley stared blankly at Mihoshi for the longest time, millions of emotions just running through her head, not sure of what to say, not sure of what to do, or how to react at all. Could this be true? Could Mihoshi love her? Could Ashley love her back? Was this real? Was this all a dream?
"Ashley, are you okay?" Mihoshi asked, she was getting rather worried when Ashley didn't say anything at all.
The green-eyed girl nodded slowly, her mouth moving slightly, she was obviously trying to think of what to say. All of these emotions, all of these feelings for Mihoshi, was it love?
"Are you sure?" Mihoshi seemed to get more worried, she began to think maybe she shouldn't have told her just yet.
"I'm fine." Ashley managed to choke out, she felt tears welling up in her eyes, she blinked a few times, managing to blink them back.
"Do you love me too?"
She gathered herself to finally gather up the guts to say what she had in her mind. "Yes, I love you too Mihoshi." Ashley smiled, then she broke, her normally tough image shattered, now it was Ashley's turn to cry, her tears fell silently from her eyes and down her cheeks.
Mihoshi then wrapped her arms around the shorter girl, pulling her close to her, Ashley then wrapped her around Mihoshi's waist, crying into her. Mihoshi then placed a gentle kiss on Ashley's forhead.
After a good cry, the two girls headed out the door, Ashley's cheeks were slightly pink and puffy from crying, then they noticed Justin leaning up against the wall.
"I hope it went well in there." Justin told them hopefully.
Mihoshi smiled at him, "That it did." Ashley just nodded silently to show she agreed. Mihoshi then added, "Oh thank you Mr. Perinthal for telling me where she was." Mihoshi then hugged him tightly, then Ashley joined in the hug.
'Heaven, I'm in heaven.' Justin mused in his head, hugging the two blondes back.
Four years ago, it was planned, but, the mission wasn't such a success. Was it destiny? Or, was it on purpose? No one knows what went on in the mind of the killer.
"Alright, now, what else needs to discussed?" The man asked the person.
"Nothing." They responded in monotone.
"I know you can handle this, you survived that army training at such a young age. But, Justin Perinthal is the best as well, just be careful." He told her.
"I have no need to be." They said coldly.
The man sighed, "Not this whole throwing your life away bit again."
"Why shouldn't I?"
"Because this is just a stage in your life, your only sixteen, like all teens this assassin stage is just a phase, you'll get over it." The man continued. "Now, what do you want to be paid?"
"Nothing, why should I be paid to be the grim reaper?" They shot at him. "By the way, you'll have to hire some new bringer of death, this is my last job, I'm moving on after this stage."
He smiled at them, "Glad to see you're ready for that change."
They nodded, "Me too, me too."
The person stood up from the bench and continued their run, their memory of that day were rather hazy, probably this person didn't want to remember that day four years ago. The last kill. The last mission. They had failed, but, maybe it was for the better. Just maybe. They had found him once again, he seemed okay, even after what he went through.
CHAPTER NINE COMPLETE
Well, this went well, yeah. Okay! Who was the person that was sent to kill Justin?! You don't know do ya? Huh? Do you feel lucky punk? Well? Do ya? ^^() Oh well, so, only one person has sort of an idea as to what in Shinigami's name is going on. But, nobody else does! So, for the rest of you, you'll have to wait for the next chapter of Love and Hate! Ha ha! The suspense is gonna kill you isn't it? Well, tough, if it does, can I have your dead presidents (money)? Please? I could always use more! ^^ This is your authoress saying: Many people own cats.....and go on to lead normal lives.
~*~Carol "Flea" Maxwell~*~
Yeah, I changed the Minion part to Flea, Flea just sounds cooler. :) LOVE AND PEACE!