Chapter Ten
Usui stared blankly out the window. He wasn't lost in his own thoughts precisely. After all, they generally all ran along the same lines anyway. There wasn't much more to go over that he hadn't pounded several thousand times before. If he was in a whimsical mood he might have considered the obvious amnesty between Seta and Shinomori. Then again, there wasn't much to consider. Foolishness, and it was all that over some half-grown girl.
He ranged his Mind's Eye out down the halls idly, for he was not wanting to be snuck up on as had been peoples' nasty habit lately. He was likely to spear the next one, especially if it was another stupid grunt. Surely Shishio wouldn't begrudge him one stupid man? His smile curled upward into a sinister smirk and he toyed with that idea. He could go looking for a victim.
Suddenly the faint sounds of conversation floated down the hall.
"I don't see why I get the shit-barracks and you get such plush settings!" A deep voice protested and Usui visualized with his Mind's Eye a broad young man. It was amazing how sensitive his hearing had been honed with the loss of his sight. He could easily construct age, gender, and several other factors with his hearing. To others it seemed like magic and he played it off as such, but it was as simple as seeing those features were for other people.
"Honey, if you'd like to dress in drag, fight off a jealous witch, and get to feel up an incredibly hot man then be my guest." That was bit harder, but luckily several days in Shishio's company provided an identity with the voice. Houjo Kamatari. An odd man to say the least, and one Usui had never bothered to pay much attention to.
"Eck, hot? That guy's like... I don't know, but hot isn't the word!" The young man stuttered, "He's deep fried and crispy! I've eaten fast food rawer than him."
"Yes, but the sex appeal. Besides, you're straight, remember?" Kamatari teased dispelling Usui's original notion that the young man was a boy-toy. Which begged the question: Why exactly were the two of them speaking?
"Damn straight. I'm glad you understand that now. But could you stop hitting on me in front of people?"
There was a tinkling laugh, "Of course not."
"Fuck man, give me a break why don't you?"
They rounded the corner and there was a silence. The youth whispered to Kamatari, "Who's that?"
"Ah, Usui how are you faring today? Try to kill Lord Shishio recently? You know I'd be most distraught!"
Usui noted that his voice didn't chance from its high octave as people tended to do while they were lying or were caught in the wrong. That didn't put Usui off. This had piqued his interest and he wanted to see if he could figure this out. Kamatari seemed to understand him, but Usui would bet the boy would be off-guard.
"Regrettably I have not done so today, but he will die by my hand." Usui said smoothly, "Yet I find it odd that you converse with another man."
"Hey!"
"Him?" Kamatari scoffed, "You know Lord Shishio is my man. This boy is doing a favor for me."
"Hey you sicko…"
There was a slight impact and a huff of air. Usui was fairly sure that was the result of a well-placed elbow to the gut. He was right then. What a gloriously satisfactory feeling being right was.
"He's a bit dull around the edges." Kamatari interjected smoothly, but his heart rate had risen as well as his body temperature. Sure signs that he was getting nervous. As he rightfully should be. Usui could see all with his Mind's Eye given the time and effort. Lying was useless and in the end pointless. "As you can probably guess he's all muscle. Doesn't leave much upstairs I'm afraid. Not like Lord Shishio."
"Why you little bastard." The young man growled and Usui heard the distinctive crack of knuckles.
"Honestly, I can't do a thing with him. He's harder to train than a dog." Kamatari trilled and Usui heard the rustle of cloth being bunched together.
He gave an inward smirk and decided to let the pair go. Something else had caught his attention. Besides, Kamatari was on-guard now. He would simply have to get the young grunt alone. Then it would be easy.
"Perhaps you just haven't found the right incentive." He sneered mockingly and gave a devilish grin, "Send him my way and he'll be an obediently little puppy."
"I'll keep that in mind, but I get the feeling I'll catch more flies with honey rather than poison." Kamatari remarked sweetly dragging the other man down the hall, "Good luck on your next attempt!"
Insolent annoyance. Usui frowned as soon as they were out of hearing range. That hadn't gone entirely well enough. And the fact that the little cross-dresser had to jibe him every time was just now becoming grating as he replayed the conversation. There would be payback for such an insult.
He strutted by memory down the stairs and out into the cold air. There was another matter to attend. Unlike Shishio he was always on the alert for potential allies… and potential enemies.
There was a comfortable place to sit that wasn't too conspicuous near the nice little house. The rumble of the moving van had died away. More than likely it was being returned since all the items had been moved inside already. Not much by what Usui imagined a happy family would have, only a few pieces more than his personal sparse furnishings.
Cocking an ear he smirked. The rubber hit the pavement again in a rhythm and then it missed. He could sense the ball rolling towards where he leaned against the short, wooden fence. Sure enough foot steps followed. Light footsteps. So it was a young child, so much the better.
"Hello young lady." He said with a slight nod, but not turning his head. He didn't bother to disguise his voice and he was in his street clothing without his weapons.
Children were incredibly naïve anyway.
There was a slight pause before lit, female voice informed, "You shouldn't be here. Daddy wouldn't like it and he said that he'll kill any squatters."
"Is that so? Well, your daddy has no need to fret himself about me. I'm just resting myself, nothing more. So what's your name?"
He wasn't surprised when she backed up. Of course, the child didn't know he could easily leap the fence and break her little neck if he felt like it.
"You should leave because I'm going to tell Mommy." The child warned.
Usui rose to his feet wondering if he could grab the child before she screamed. Unfortunately she had moved just far enough away that it would be incredibly difficult. And if the mother did happen to come out he would be in a tight situation. Shishio ordered not to disturb or kill anyone in the direct vicinity.
"All right, but that's not very polite of you. And you shouldn't talk to strangers. There are all sorts of people out there who would find you a tasty little snack." He ground out. Apparently this wasn't a particularly stupid child. A great pity because he would have liked to know whom exactly had moved into the house that had been vacant for three years solid all of a sudden.
As far as he knew it wasn't even still on the market.
"Don't come back!" The child shouted after him and he fingered the small gun he carried around when it wasn't a time his spear was appropriate.
"Oh but I will. And next time I might just see how your sharp little tongue fares against my spearhead."
A/N: -__- I'm going on spring break people so I don't know if I can update.
Reviewers:
MissBehavin: Mwahaha, how's that for a plot twist? *grins* I think Tokio should shove Hiko's rolling chair out the window and time how long it takes for him to fall. Sano's common sense is severly lacking @__@ Oh I don't know, how long did it take to domesticate wolves? I don't depend on author alerts ^^' No no no. You misunderstood *starts laughing* I was TRYING to warn you. Fyyrrose has seen 22 eppies; I've only seen one. So basically I've "met" Tetsu, Tatsu, Okita, Kondou, and Hijikata (Saizou, Harada, Shinpachi, Susumu). No Saito yet *chokes* but I've seen pictures and bored is to put it *lightly*. I'd say more like stoned ^^ Maybe Soujirou should. I can swing one for $50. That's 5 more mangas :D Yup, I leave this morning (for SC actually; GA is Sunday).
Wistful-Eyes: Don't use more that three ; That's what cuts the reviews -__- I know that first hand. Bickering hehe yeah.
Fyyrrose: Hola WPB! Como esta? LMFAO, I TOLD you it was only 24 eppies! Sucks for you because I have 23 more to watch ^_________^ You need to stay away from Angrybee, she doesn't need your help! -__- It's not just the shoes woman... I'm convinced that he's really a female ^^ Everything except his voice is fem. I've known what Okita looked like for quite awhile; since before Christmas. ^__^ I can get my PSoH #1 back and I think WPB will be very pleased with it. Now if I could just get SDK #4 back -__- Ah but *waves manga* lookie! Entertainment on my bus ride! Oh quit whining! You have read all that I've written in BSR! And that's three more chapters than the rest of them. Now that I'm in the clear I can continue. Imagine if I had before... think Aoshi, except have that happen to your poor baby (and Hiko and Kenshin and Enishi and Yahiko and Saitoh...). Besides, threats don't motivate me. I'll just write it myself...
Usui stared blankly out the window. He wasn't lost in his own thoughts precisely. After all, they generally all ran along the same lines anyway. There wasn't much more to go over that he hadn't pounded several thousand times before. If he was in a whimsical mood he might have considered the obvious amnesty between Seta and Shinomori. Then again, there wasn't much to consider. Foolishness, and it was all that over some half-grown girl.
He ranged his Mind's Eye out down the halls idly, for he was not wanting to be snuck up on as had been peoples' nasty habit lately. He was likely to spear the next one, especially if it was another stupid grunt. Surely Shishio wouldn't begrudge him one stupid man? His smile curled upward into a sinister smirk and he toyed with that idea. He could go looking for a victim.
Suddenly the faint sounds of conversation floated down the hall.
"I don't see why I get the shit-barracks and you get such plush settings!" A deep voice protested and Usui visualized with his Mind's Eye a broad young man. It was amazing how sensitive his hearing had been honed with the loss of his sight. He could easily construct age, gender, and several other factors with his hearing. To others it seemed like magic and he played it off as such, but it was as simple as seeing those features were for other people.
"Honey, if you'd like to dress in drag, fight off a jealous witch, and get to feel up an incredibly hot man then be my guest." That was bit harder, but luckily several days in Shishio's company provided an identity with the voice. Houjo Kamatari. An odd man to say the least, and one Usui had never bothered to pay much attention to.
"Eck, hot? That guy's like... I don't know, but hot isn't the word!" The young man stuttered, "He's deep fried and crispy! I've eaten fast food rawer than him."
"Yes, but the sex appeal. Besides, you're straight, remember?" Kamatari teased dispelling Usui's original notion that the young man was a boy-toy. Which begged the question: Why exactly were the two of them speaking?
"Damn straight. I'm glad you understand that now. But could you stop hitting on me in front of people?"
There was a tinkling laugh, "Of course not."
"Fuck man, give me a break why don't you?"
They rounded the corner and there was a silence. The youth whispered to Kamatari, "Who's that?"
"Ah, Usui how are you faring today? Try to kill Lord Shishio recently? You know I'd be most distraught!"
Usui noted that his voice didn't chance from its high octave as people tended to do while they were lying or were caught in the wrong. That didn't put Usui off. This had piqued his interest and he wanted to see if he could figure this out. Kamatari seemed to understand him, but Usui would bet the boy would be off-guard.
"Regrettably I have not done so today, but he will die by my hand." Usui said smoothly, "Yet I find it odd that you converse with another man."
"Hey!"
"Him?" Kamatari scoffed, "You know Lord Shishio is my man. This boy is doing a favor for me."
"Hey you sicko…"
There was a slight impact and a huff of air. Usui was fairly sure that was the result of a well-placed elbow to the gut. He was right then. What a gloriously satisfactory feeling being right was.
"He's a bit dull around the edges." Kamatari interjected smoothly, but his heart rate had risen as well as his body temperature. Sure signs that he was getting nervous. As he rightfully should be. Usui could see all with his Mind's Eye given the time and effort. Lying was useless and in the end pointless. "As you can probably guess he's all muscle. Doesn't leave much upstairs I'm afraid. Not like Lord Shishio."
"Why you little bastard." The young man growled and Usui heard the distinctive crack of knuckles.
"Honestly, I can't do a thing with him. He's harder to train than a dog." Kamatari trilled and Usui heard the rustle of cloth being bunched together.
He gave an inward smirk and decided to let the pair go. Something else had caught his attention. Besides, Kamatari was on-guard now. He would simply have to get the young grunt alone. Then it would be easy.
"Perhaps you just haven't found the right incentive." He sneered mockingly and gave a devilish grin, "Send him my way and he'll be an obediently little puppy."
"I'll keep that in mind, but I get the feeling I'll catch more flies with honey rather than poison." Kamatari remarked sweetly dragging the other man down the hall, "Good luck on your next attempt!"
Insolent annoyance. Usui frowned as soon as they were out of hearing range. That hadn't gone entirely well enough. And the fact that the little cross-dresser had to jibe him every time was just now becoming grating as he replayed the conversation. There would be payback for such an insult.
He strutted by memory down the stairs and out into the cold air. There was another matter to attend. Unlike Shishio he was always on the alert for potential allies… and potential enemies.
There was a comfortable place to sit that wasn't too conspicuous near the nice little house. The rumble of the moving van had died away. More than likely it was being returned since all the items had been moved inside already. Not much by what Usui imagined a happy family would have, only a few pieces more than his personal sparse furnishings.
Cocking an ear he smirked. The rubber hit the pavement again in a rhythm and then it missed. He could sense the ball rolling towards where he leaned against the short, wooden fence. Sure enough foot steps followed. Light footsteps. So it was a young child, so much the better.
"Hello young lady." He said with a slight nod, but not turning his head. He didn't bother to disguise his voice and he was in his street clothing without his weapons.
Children were incredibly naïve anyway.
There was a slight pause before lit, female voice informed, "You shouldn't be here. Daddy wouldn't like it and he said that he'll kill any squatters."
"Is that so? Well, your daddy has no need to fret himself about me. I'm just resting myself, nothing more. So what's your name?"
He wasn't surprised when she backed up. Of course, the child didn't know he could easily leap the fence and break her little neck if he felt like it.
"You should leave because I'm going to tell Mommy." The child warned.
Usui rose to his feet wondering if he could grab the child before she screamed. Unfortunately she had moved just far enough away that it would be incredibly difficult. And if the mother did happen to come out he would be in a tight situation. Shishio ordered not to disturb or kill anyone in the direct vicinity.
"All right, but that's not very polite of you. And you shouldn't talk to strangers. There are all sorts of people out there who would find you a tasty little snack." He ground out. Apparently this wasn't a particularly stupid child. A great pity because he would have liked to know whom exactly had moved into the house that had been vacant for three years solid all of a sudden.
As far as he knew it wasn't even still on the market.
"Don't come back!" The child shouted after him and he fingered the small gun he carried around when it wasn't a time his spear was appropriate.
"Oh but I will. And next time I might just see how your sharp little tongue fares against my spearhead."
A/N: -__- I'm going on spring break people so I don't know if I can update.
Reviewers:
MissBehavin: Mwahaha, how's that for a plot twist? *grins* I think Tokio should shove Hiko's rolling chair out the window and time how long it takes for him to fall. Sano's common sense is severly lacking @__@ Oh I don't know, how long did it take to domesticate wolves? I don't depend on author alerts ^^' No no no. You misunderstood *starts laughing* I was TRYING to warn you. Fyyrrose has seen 22 eppies; I've only seen one. So basically I've "met" Tetsu, Tatsu, Okita, Kondou, and Hijikata (Saizou, Harada, Shinpachi, Susumu). No Saito yet *chokes* but I've seen pictures and bored is to put it *lightly*. I'd say more like stoned ^^ Maybe Soujirou should. I can swing one for $50. That's 5 more mangas :D Yup, I leave this morning (for SC actually; GA is Sunday).
Wistful-Eyes: Don't use more that three ; That's what cuts the reviews -__- I know that first hand. Bickering hehe yeah.
Fyyrrose: Hola WPB! Como esta? LMFAO, I TOLD you it was only 24 eppies! Sucks for you because I have 23 more to watch ^_________^ You need to stay away from Angrybee, she doesn't need your help! -__- It's not just the shoes woman... I'm convinced that he's really a female ^^ Everything except his voice is fem. I've known what Okita looked like for quite awhile; since before Christmas. ^__^ I can get my PSoH #1 back and I think WPB will be very pleased with it. Now if I could just get SDK #4 back -__- Ah but *waves manga* lookie! Entertainment on my bus ride! Oh quit whining! You have read all that I've written in BSR! And that's three more chapters than the rest of them. Now that I'm in the clear I can continue. Imagine if I had before... think Aoshi, except have that happen to your poor baby (and Hiko and Kenshin and Enishi and Yahiko and Saitoh...). Besides, threats don't motivate me. I'll just write it myself...