CHAPTER THREE, Koe O Karashite Hibikasetai Oh, Light My Fire

Again, I am eternally sorry for the shortness of the last chapter, it will not happen again.

God, staring this chapter, we're hopping on the Angst Gravy Train, but it's fluffy, so it's all good. And yes, the beginning is meant to be emotionally sporadic and jump from fear, to sadness, to anger, etc. So don't think I'm going crazy, okay?

Warning: I wrote the majority of this whist listening to Ashita Tenki no Naare. 'Nuff said. Also, I'm changing the way I type poke'speak, because QuickEdit is being an ass and won't let me put any punctuation before a colon. Bastards.

Disclaimer: No, I don't own these charas. Shut up.

Warning number 2: I have written this chapter under the influence of Salsa Bazaar, by T.M. Revolution. Expect random bouts of slight dumbness. I also wrote some of this whist listening to Ashita Tenki no Naare. 'Nuff said. I'm changing the way I type poke'speak, because QuickEdit is being an ass and won't let me put any punctuation before a colon. Bastards.

TITLE TRANSLATION: I Want My Voice to Sound Out, Oh Light My Fire

SONGS:

For Good (Wicked)

Evergreen (HYDE)

Papa lapped a pap lopped (Gackt)

Salsa Bazaar (T.M. Revolution)

REVIEWS:

TheShadowPanther: Hi! I figured that I should warn people, because I wouldn't want to scare people. I would never want you to stop reading! Yes, Norman is cool. Go him. Max is just Max, there's nothing else really to say.

I'm glad that Ruka-chan is growing on you, she started out as kind of a brat, but with hanging around 'Shura-chan and Sasu-chan, there's had to have been some improvement. She really is a good person.

Yup, Glooms can do a shit load of damage.

To answer your question, Sasu-chan can't talk to pokemon, but since he's spent so much time around Gohan and his pokemon, a bit of the ability rubbed off, plus the fact that he could already speak to Hinote. I know that there hasn't been much of Hinote, I'll to fix that.

The pokemon contests are going to be fun.

For your info, my favorite chara in Fruits Basket is Hatori-san, second comes Kisa-chan. So cute! I love 'Tori-san!

I will review VigiAnge, I just haven't has much time on the compie lately. Gomen nasai! -wails and hugs-

I love Aoi. She's always so motherly, even if she's a little overprotective.

Golden Warrior12 : Yes, the lack of slash is depressing, ne? But really, they're only twelve… give 'em a few years… -cackles-

MarshmellowDragon: I REALLY dislike short chapters, but I love song lyrics. I know they piss some people off, but I enjoy writing them and it's my story. I'm going to go and kick some of my nastier friends. -kicks Devin- Aww, D-kun, I love you!

Nytingale: You should be happy, I decided to put your chara in here! -cheers- I had to make some adjustments on how to fit her in, but she's here! Thanks for your review! Max is like your little brother? I pity you. And Damn QuickEdit is being an ass. Ass ass ass ass ass…

NOTES:

Starjacker: I used your character that you made for me, hope you like his name, personality, etc!

MORE NOTES: Both Kiara and Die belong respectively to: Nytingale and Starjacker. If you like the characters, thank them, not me.

So cold, it's so cold. I don't like this. Why is it so cold? I like the cold, why is it making me scared? I don't like being scared, not like this. I want something.. Someone? What do I want?

Who?

Who do want here, why do I feel so lonely right now?

It scares me, why isn't anyone here? I shouldn't be by myself, why is no one here? Why aren't the ones I treasure here? Did they leave me? What did I do?

Why aren't you here?

Did I do something to hurt you? Are you mad? Why did you leave me, what did I do? Why aren't you here? Why weren't you here? Why did you leave? Did you know I needed you so? Did you?

Did you know when I slipped from not needing you to not wanting you? And yet, I do. Do you know that? Do you know why I cry at night?

It certainly isn't for you.

I don't cry for you anymore, do you know that? I don't need you, haven't for a long time. Do you know that?

I don't hate you. I couldn't. Not with what you've done. You've given me many things, and taken just as much.

Equivalent exchange, that's what it is.

In the end, you really can't get anything for yourself. I don't hate you, but I certainly dislike you.

And not just you.

I dislike myself.

I know I lie, and run, and cower from things I know I should face, but at least I do, and acknowlege my faults. Do you think you're invincible? I know everyone else does.

But I see through you, I do.

But I don't hate you.

I can see what sweeps through and infects your mind in your own grief. You look at me, and you snarl while plastering a sticky-sweet plastic smile on. You want to hurt me. You hate me.

I can't hate you for that.

I hate me too.

I know what angry thoughts run through your mind, and I can see the glazed look in your eyes, masked by the already shadowed disgust when you see me. Why did you come here? Why do you want me? Is it because of your disease? The disease that I can actually see ravage you?

Do you know what it does? Are you even aware of what I see? If you did, would you hate yourself?

Or would you accept it?

Accept the parasite as a part of you and live with it, allowing it to consume your heart? Allow it to kill your firstborn child?

Well, then I'm sorry, father.

As much as I would agree with you, I am needed. Many need me, and despite my own feelings on what I deserve I will not cause heartbreak to those close to me again. Not again. I will not submit to you this time.

I will live.

I'm scared to die.

"'Shura! Wake up!"

Ebony eyes flew open with a start and Son Gohan jolted up, before feeling his head begin to spin and laying back down. Blinking, he glanced upward at a rather panicked looking Sasuke.

"Daijoubu desu?" he asked blearily, unconsciously reverting back to his native language, "Itsu tabemasu ka? (When do we eat?)"

"Is that all you can say at a time like this? You're sick and suffering from Nightflower poisoning, and you've looked worse than dead for the last three hours, and that's all you can say to me? Itsu tabemasu ka? Have you no sense of basic self-preservation!" The blonde was about two inches away from yelling, and Gohan nevertheless cringed.

"I'm sorry. Wait, what do you mean, 'worse that dead'?" He inquired, tilting his head to the side and allowing Kira the opportunity to pounce him and nuzzle his cheek. Sasuke sighed, face now beginning to return to its normal color.

"I mean 'worse than dead', as in no movement, pasty complexion, low heartbeat, next to no vital signs, etc. If I didn't know that you were alive, I would have freaked and you would have been buried already." Sasuke retorted. Gohan was tempted to tell him that it seemed as if the older boy had indeed freaked out, but held his tongue. He was sick, and the last thing he needed was an irate shinobi on his hands.

That, and his inner contemplations were beginning to get to him.

He knew it really wasn't healthy to muse about the rules of the universe when one should be resting one's body and mind, but he couldn't see how it could be helped.

I'd rather die than have those nightmares.

I'd rather have the nightmares than engage combat with my father.

I'd rather engage that combat than kill my father.

I'd rather kill my father than die.

I don't want to die.

It was a terrible circle, he knew, but it was one that he couldn't seem to be able to break out of. He knew deep down of what was going to happen that one day when he pushed Goku into the valley of ashes, the hell of insanity that would claim him. He knew what the outcome would be.

I don't want to die.

I'm scared to die.

"Wow."

"Don't even say it, 'Shura."

"What? What was I going to say?"

"You're going to go on one your little, Cities-Need-To-Die-Like-Now tangents, I know you are."

"Huh? What are those? Sasu-san?"

"Don't worry, Ruka-chan, you'll learn soon enough."

Scowling, Gohan pouted and stuck out his tongue.

"I don't go on those tangents all the time." he complained, glaring good-naturedly at his friend.

"Oh, of course not." Sasuke replied jokingly, "Just every time we enter a city."

"Do not."

"Of course you do." The older boy retorted. "You sulk, Kira bitches, Pika-chan whines," he began listing said things off on his fingers. "Not always in that order, but it's always a matter of time." Suddenly Haruka giggled, raising an inquisitive eyebrow.

"What?" Both boys asked as one. She shook her head.

"Nothing." Gohan looked at her skeptically. She grinned at him. "I'm serious, I just think it's cool that you two act like you have this conversation a lot."

"Well, we do." Sasuke commented, then growled at Gohan, "Every time we enter a single damn city…" The younger boy smiled cheekily at his friend and earned himself a concerned look. "What's wrong?" The blonde inquired quietly, striding up to stand beside Gohan, "Something's wrong." Ebony eyes blinked, startled, and Gohan shrugged.

"Nothing." he muttered, but wasn't surprised when Sasuke didn't buy it, reaching out and pressing a hand to his shoulder.

"Your mask is slipping." He hissed, just loud enough for Gohan to hear, "I can see it. Once we give Ruka-chan something to do, we're going to talk." Gohan scowled at him and began walking just a bit faster, Kira and Aoi on his heels, staring up at him in concern. Pikachu, however, stayed behind.

:Watch out for him. : She commented quietly, and Sasuke had a difficult time understanding her, despite the fact that she was there constantly. He was getting better, but it took time, deciphering her language with what she told him.

It seemed so much easier to understand Aoi, most likely because she was always so clear in what she meant, which meant less interpreting half-meanings. If Aoi had something to say to him, she said it straight out, no excuses, something the shinobi appreciated.

"Ruka-chan!" Sasuke called out suddenly, grinning as said girl whirled, sticking her tongue out at the nickname. "What don't you check out that mall over there? 'Shura and I need to go find a hotel, and we'll call you when we do, okay?"

The girl grinned broadly and wasted no time in dashing into the mall, after hurriedly handing Hikaru to her daddy.

Sasuke sighed.

"Now come on." He ordered, aiming the remark at his friend, "There's a park nearby." Silent, Gohan nodded, and said nothing as Sasuke gently took his arm and lead him to a bench before sitting them both down. "Okay, speak to me. What's on your mind?"

There was no reply, but the look on the hybrid's face was enough to clue anyone in. In only a few seconds, his face had gotten a hurt, rather lost expression, as if something had happened that he just didn't know what to do about.

"I just don't know anymore." he muttered. "Everything's just crashing down. Just crashing down on me."

"How so?" Sasuke asked patiently, knowing better than to rush into this. Knowing full well that if he was pushed, Son Gohan pushed back, and hard.

"It's like a disease," Gohan compared, "A disease that's just festering inside me. Like the one in my father." He added quietly.

"Don't say things like that." Sasuke snapped, "You're nothing like him, and you know it." Kira and Aoi bristled in agreement.

How do you know that?

Sasuke's face was angry, but his eyes told a different story. Sparks flared in them, and Gohan found that he couldn't look away as his friend leaned in close and snagged his shoulder with a gloved hand.

"I'm telling you, you're not like that." the shinobi insisted vehemently, holding the hybrid's gaze for about fifteen seconds before letting him go. "You understand?" Slowly, a tiny, almost imperceptible smile curled itself over Gohan's features and the younger boy nodded, several locks of his hair falling into his eyes as he did so.

"Okay."

And then, he should have expected it. He really should have. Come to think of it, both of them should have seen it coming, but didn't. Ha ha for them.

Quick as a flash, both boys were tackled, Kira pouncing flat onto her trainer and Aoi following her lead, missing, and squishing Sasuke.

Blinking a bit, Gohan just sat there, before his face went a light shade of pink and he started laughing, a genuine, innocent sound ringing of spring bells. Then Sasuke joined in with him, his own voice mixing with the other boy's, sounding like a brisk wind.

:Hey, enough with the angsting up in here: Kira shouted, keeping her paws firmly planted on her trainer's shoulders:Let's go do something fun:

"Like what?" Gohan inquired, shoving her off and sitting up, hair once again falling into his face.

Mwahahahahahaha……

"Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
I do believe I have been changed for the better?
And because I knew you:
Because I knew you:
Because I knew you:
I have been changed for good
!"

Gohan sang out, voice mingling lightly with the gentle chimes of the background track of the music. Sasuke sat still, plopped on a squishy couch, flipping through a thick book of track listings, placing check marks beside whichever ones he wanted to sing.

Soon after declaring that they were going to go do some karaoke, Sasuke called up a hotel, booked three rooms, and then called Haruka, telling her that they were going out and giving her directions to the hotel. Haruka hadn't been angry in the slightest that she wasn't going, on the contrary, she disliked karaoke with a passion, apparently, and was more than happy to let them go by themselves.

"Oi, 'Shura?"

"Nani? " the boy replied, in a singsong tone, sitting down and taking hold of the book.

"Let's sing Evergreen next, okayhuh?" Sasuke trailed off as the door slammed open and two people burst in. The four just sat there, staying at each other, before the girl blushed and began cackling.

"Ummm… Nya?" Gohan blinked, strangely reminded of a certain spontaneous goddess.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," the girl began, "We didn't think anyone was in here!"

"It's all right," said Sasuke, grinning, "We've done plenty of dumb stuff ourselves."

"By the way, my name's Kiara. Moon Kiara." the girl said, holding out a hand, her blue eyes laughing.

"And I'm Asakura Die." the other boy stated, swishing his red bangs out of his face, "It's nice to meet you."

"Ditto. I'm Takahara Sasuke, and this is-"

"Kagurazaka Ashura desu." Gohan picked up, bowing slightly before he was promptly glomped.

"The Kagurazaka Ashura-san? Seriously?" Kiara exclaimed, "I can't believe I'm actually meeting you!"

"Your name sounds familiar, Moon-san. You wouldn't happen to specialize in shadow pokemon, would you?" Gohan inquired, tilting his head to the side.

"Oh, you've really heard of me!" Kiara asked looking ecstatic, "I'm so happy!"

"I thought so, and you, Asakura-san, I believe that you work with ghosts, correct?"

"That's right," Die answered, pushing his glasses up his nose and flopping on the couch, "Hey, can we hang with you guys? Those dorks up at the front sent us in here anyway, and we paid money for what? Full rooms?"

"Yeah," Kiara started, "I'd love to get to know you guys better, you know?"

Getting to his feet, Sasuke stood and held his arms out, at the same time watching Kira and Aoi inspect the large Mightyena at Kiara's feet and the Banette circling around Die.

"Oh," Kiara commented, "This is Dark," Dark gave a loud bark, "And that's Puppeteer, also known as Puppet-chan." she gestured at the Banette. Puppet-chan whistled a bit at the inquisitive sniffs. Then, the girl grinned, stepping forward and swiping the thick book away from Sasuke. "I call Papa Lapped A Pap Lopped!" she exclaimed loudly, and was promptly glared at by the temperamental shinobi.

"Hey, no way!" Sasuke protested, "I was just about to call that!"

"Prove it." Kiara challenged him, and followed the thrust finger onto said page, "What are you talking about? Baka, that's a fingerprint."

"But they're my fingerprints!" Sasuke declared, and Gohan and Die sighed as one and moved to stand in front of their friends.

"Could we be mature about this please?" Gohan inquired, "It would be known as a duet, ever heard of one?" Sasuke scowled at him.

"Dude, you want me to sing with her! Besides," he directed this remark to Kiara, "Do you have any idea of what this song would be about?"

"Of course." the girl retorted, "But I'm surprised that an idiot like you would know. After all-"

"Don't even start, Kiara." Die said shortly, "Don't start any more of your little tiffs, alright?"

As if on cue, the girl scowled at him, but silenced herself. For about two seconds.

"Fine then," she huffed, "If you're too prissy to sing with me, sing something with Kagurazaka-san over there. He looks bored." Gohan winced. He hadn't been prepared for that barb, who knew that one girl could be so sarcastic? Sasuke hissed darkly and swiped back the book. The two other boys shot glances at each other, and had it been an anime, sweatdrops would have been pouring down their heads.

"'Shura, you up?"

With a sigh, Gohan nodded and began reading song titles over his friend's shoulder, and grinned when Sasuke moved the book so to accommodate him better.

"Hey, how about Salsa Bazaar? I love that song!" The hybrid beamed, and that sunny, disarming smile hit its mark completely. In a flash, despite the fact that that song rather frightened him with it's strange but catchy rhythms and bouncing, invigorating lyrics, Sasuke had no choice but to agree.

"Okay, why not?"

And thus, the doom of the world as we knew it was imminent.

Koishi ni korori tsumazuki ga chide

Koi no nayami mo tsuki nai mono de

Shiriasu raifu sutetai kimi e

Ima okuru mahou no Kotoba!

Suddenly tripping on a pebble

All my worries with love end

I want to throw away this serious life

Now I send these magic words to you!

Peek-a-Boo jumon tonaete

Peek-a-Boo omoi no mama de!

Peek-a-Boo chant this spell

Peek-a-Boo with all your feelings!

Pinku no zou ga odori hajimeru

Neko wa waratte kiesou ni naru

Nobotte shizumu taiyou ja nakute

Mawaru no wa kochira da sou de!

The pink elephant starts to dance

The cat smiles and vanishes

Even though the sun rises and sets

I heard I'm the one going around!

Shinjirarenai koto bakari

Fueru no sabishii kara

Kazoe kirenai kami-sama o

Ryoute ni daite Peek-a-Boo!

When you just can't believe in this

Because you're so lonely

Embrace the God who never stops counting (The tears)

In your hands Peek-a-Boo!

Me ni mienai koto no hou ga

Taisetsu da to Don't you know?

Egao wa kazoenakute ii

Wasurenaide Peek-a-Boo!

The things that are invisible

Are very important! Don't you know?

It's okay if your smile stops counting (the tears)

Don't forget that! Peek-a-Boo!

"And just where have you two been?" Haruka asked late that night upon seeing both boys collapse into the hotel beds, Gohan giving Hikaru a quick hug and Sasuke patting Hinote on the head. The girl scowled at the blissfully happy expressions on both of their faces and sighed. "Do you two have any idea of just how much this room cost? Looks like that sundress is out of the question." Blue eyes closed and she sighed again.

"I'm sorry," Gohan apologized, noticing just how upset she was, and knew full well that Haruka was prone to grumpiness and emotional outbreaks when she was either a) worried, or b) staying up too late. In this case, it had obviously been both, therefore doom was imminent. "We stayed out really late in karaoke, and then we went out to some party. If it makes you feel any better, I had a terrible time at that last bit."

"Yeah, 'Ruka-chan. We made plans to go out tomorrow for lunch with our new friends, and you can come with, if you want. Besides," Sasuke commented, "Kiara likes shopping too, and will most likely be dragging us guys to some girly stores, you'll have a blast."

Haruka made no response, but made a strange mutter under her breath and pulled her covers up over her head. "Ah, a bed." They heard her coo, "Sure beats the trees.." And then there was nothing but her heavy, even breathing filling the room, proving sleep.

"Hey, Sasu-kun?"

"Un, 'Shura?"

"I had a good time tonight, thanks for cheering me up. I needed it."

There was a huff, most likely signifying an embarrassed blush from the shinobi.

"Don't mention it, punk."

"Oyasumi nasai."

"Oyasumi, bouya. Don't worry." The last bit was said bluntly, "You're not your dad. I promise. I promise."

END CHAPTER

Gomen about the wait, I didn't mean to take so long. I'm not used to angst.

So, anyway, READ AND REVIEW (Hint on the caps), and I hope you enjoy. Don't be afraid to whack me over the head to get me to write, okay?

By the way, if anyone who reads this has a LiveJournal and wants update notices or just to be my friend, go to my homepage and comment! I like new friends!