Ante-Mortem
By: Wildfire Sky
As promised, I got right on to this next chapter!! So I hope you're happy and will quit BITCHIN' at me!! Just kidding. Nothing makes me happier then writing for faithful fans who REVIEW my stories, just indeed I do. Now then, enough blabbering, let's get started on the next chapter...what was it about...oh yea!! I remember...
Ante-Mortem
Chapter Fifteen
Francoise stood with her back against the doorway, hand clutching her heart as she stared at the man crouching before her. His brown wavy hair was the same, he care in his eyes were the same, the smile on his face exactly as she remembered. It was him...her Joe...back as though he'd never left. Did that mean he still loved her as before? It must!! There's no way their love could perish with only a few weeks apart from one another.
Still ignorant to her presence, Mumei continued to wipe Tai's brow, gently mumbling to the man, his voice rumbling through out the room in his quiet way. Although Tai didn't reply to his rhetorical questions, he continued to talk, making the man promises and declarations towards his health. He paused for a moment, turning to dip his rag once more. It was then that he spotted the young woman standing at the door.
For a brief moment, his eyes seemed to flicker with recognition, but as quickly as it appeared, it was gone, covered by a mask of uncertainty. Standing, Mumei slowly made his way over, an unsure smile on his face.
"Hi there." He said, folding the rag and placing it on the cart, "Are you here to check on Tai's condition? He woke up a few minutes ago, started talking too."
Francoise blinked, "What? Oh yes...the patient..." she quickly walked to the bedside, stroking the sleeping man's bangs from his eyes and feeling his forehead, "He has a bit of a fever, but that will go away eventually."
"And the cut in his head?"
Francoise gently lifted Tai's fragile skull, feeling the back of his head. She could feel the clotting blood and the sluggish flow of more blood. The wound was still not completely healed. "When was the last time these bandages were changed?"
"Right before the other men left here...so maybe fifteen minutes ago."
She nodded reached for fresh strips, "I'll change them anyways. That but isn't closing up as quickly as it should. Hand me the antiseptic, will you please? It's in the medicine cabinet over there."
"Yes ma'am." Mumei mumbled, shifting through the cabinets, his back to Francoise. The French woman paused in her actions, turning to look at Mumei over her shoulder.
Joe...what's wrong with you?
"Um...excuse me?"
Francoise blinked, looking into deep red eyes. Her breath caught in her throat as she seemed to melt into his hard gaze, his stare causing ripples down her arms. His eyes lowered and she followed her gaze, dropping to his outstretched hand.
"Oh...thank you..." she gently took the white bottle from his hands, "So, what's your story, sir?"
He pulled over a chair, helping Francoise into it, "Call me Mumei please."
"Mumei? What's that mean?"
Mumei sat opposite her, using a cloth to dry the sweat from Tai's brow, "It means 'no name'. Taii...Captain Sotomo gave it to me when he found me in the sea. It's been almost two weeks since then and I've grown to like the crew. The captain's almost like a father to me now."
Francoise dampened a cloth with antiseptic, pressing it against Tai's wound. The boy winced, flinching away from the sting of alcohol with a moan. "How in the world did you end up in the sea, Mumei?"
For a moment, the boy was silent, his eyes avoiding her own, "I...I can't remember...that's why the gave me the name 'no name'. I couldn't remember anything about my past...I almost don't want to."
"Why not?"
"Because..." he looked up and smiled warily, "I don't think I want to remember how I ended up in the middle of the sea. What if it was because of me? What if I hurt somebody?" he clutched his head, "Something happened to me...something terrible..."
Francoise blinked, "How...how would you know that? If you can't remember anything, how can you be so positive that you were the victim...or even the cause of the problem?"
"A woman...whenever I dream, I always see this beautiful woman..." he glanced at her sheepishly, "And even though she's so pretty, she seems so sad...like someone had disappointed her..."
"And you think you're that person?" Francoise smiled, "I wouldn't worry about that, Mumei, you aren't the type of person who easily disappoint people."
Mumei's eyebrow quirked up at this, "How would you know? We've never met before this."
Here we go...Francoise sighed, standing up and turning away. She stared out of the porthole, watching schools of fish lazily saunter by the thick glass, ignoring the giant red ship invading their waters. She found herself wanting to be outside with the fish, in a world that seemed so careful and absent of danger.
"Miss?"
Francoise closed her eyes, "Mumei...there's something you ought to know about yourself..." she winced at her words, "You're not who you think you are...you're someone totally different."
Mumei glowered, "Are you going to give me the same story that doctor did? I don't believe that junk about cyborgs and Black Ghost and all that. I'm a normal human being...a normal fisherman who loves the sea. I don't know what the hell you people are trying to pull, but I don't believe a word." He stood up, crossing over to where Francoise stood with her back to him. "I might not have my memory, but I know for a fact I'm flesh and bone...not metal."
003 blinked back her tears, "Oh Joe...if only you'd understand...you have to..."
At the absence of a response, Francoise looked over her shoulder, bracing herself for his disbelieving, even hateful, gaze. What she came face to face with was a surprised, confused face of a young man. Mumei stepped towards her, his eyes wide with confusion.
"What...what did you just call me?"
Francoise blinked. Could he be remembering?
"Joe...I called you Joe..."
Mumei's eyes narrowed, "Why did you call me that? Where did you get that name?"
"It's your name!" Francoise replied, her own face now twisted with surprise, "Your real name is Joe Shinamura...009...the leader of our team..."
Mumei's hand lashed out, gripping her arms in a tight squeeze, "How do you know that? Tell me!" his grip tightened, eyes narrowed to slits, "Tell me where you're getting this information!"
"Joe!" Francoise squeaked, "You're hurting me! Let me go, please!"
The boy shook his head as if trying to clear some vile thought. He violently pushed Francoise away from him, his thin frame shaking from fear and exertion. "G-Gomen nasai...I didn't mean to hurt you..." he walked away, heading towards the infirmary door, "I should be going back to Captain Sotomo."
Francoise jumped forward, reaching out to him, "Joe, please wait!"
Joe froze, looking over his shoulder and freezing the advancing woman with a haunting gaze. The French woman stopped dead in her track, unable to tear her gaze away from Joe's piercing one. He looked away again, lifting a hand to the side switch and stepping through the open door.
"I already told you, ma'am...my name is Mumei..."
Francoise stared on in shock, even after the door hissed closed, cutting her away from Joe's retreating form. Had he really forgotten everything? Her knees were weak from exertion and she allowed her body to slump to the floor, her head bowed in defeat. What in the world made her think she'd have any effect on his memory? Did she really think they were so close?
Remember, honey? He ran out on you...obviously the bond wasn't strong to begin with...
Francoise glowered at her rebellious half. "Shut up. He loved me, and he still does."
Are you still going on about that? I thought we'd had this discussion already...
"Obviously there are some things that still need to be defined between us. Stay out of my life!"
I am your life, Francoise...you can't get rid of me...a conscience is like that, unfortunately. Listen to me, Francoise; if you want to help him, we're going to have to work hard at it, alright?
"I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get Joe back to me..."
....................Good..................
Diablo crouched in the shadows of a pier warehouse, his dark eyes locked on the tiny fishing vessel in front of him. Why he was here, was a mystery unto himself...he couldn't sense his target anywhere near this area, nor could he locate the target's comrades...the only men around were a couple of insignificant fishermen...and yet, the activities in motion were enough to bait his curiosity.
It seemed that fat fool, Tagasuki, was planning on attacking the ship and either capturing or killing all on board. There wasn't much to attack, however, except the crew, which would be easily overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of Tagasuki's force.
With nightfall those men will be attacked with ruthless fury, all to stem a fat man's rage. It disgusted Diablo, but at the same time fascinated him. Humans were so fickle...the need to destroy even the smallest thing held rein over their lives. He shook his head and smiled. Thank God he wasn't human anymore.
"I thought I might find you here..."
Diablo frowned. "What do you want?
Oreru smirked evilly as he stood over Diablo, "I'm only wondering why a great man like yourself, Black, would be hiding in the shadows of a stinking warehouse. I half expected you to be searching for your so called 'target'. Have you finally given up on him?"
Diablo stood, turning and setting Oreru with a heated glare, "Stop your yammering, you've already tainted this location. Go before you cause anymore trouble for me."
Oreru moved in front of Diablo, blocking his exit "I'm no more trouble for you, than you are trouble for everyone else."
"Be silent and get out of my way."
"No." Oreru shook his head, "You don't get this world, do you, Black? The man you work for...the man I work for are exactly the same. And we are exactly the same..." He pulled out a cigarette, clamping it between his lips. "You just don't realize it yet."
Diablo watched as Oreru lit a match. Then, as Oreru touched the flame to his smoke, he wave his hand, the flame leaping from the match and into his hands. There it formed into a tiny ball of flame, flickering and spouting in his palm.
"You see?" Diablo said, smirking at Oreru's shocked expression, "We're not the same in any way for form. You are a weak human, while I am a god amongst your pathetic people. I have strength, speed, and powers beyond your imagination...what do you have? A gun? Don't make me laugh!" Diablo clenched his fist, extinguishing the flame and turning away, "Now don't get in my way ever again, or I'll snuff you out like that flame, I swear it."
Oreru bowed his head mockingly, stepping aside to allow Diablo past, "Forgive my impudence, lord."
Diablo sniffed, brushing past, "Just remember what I said, and there won't be any problems."
"Of course."
Min sat at the tiny table inside the ship's kitchen, drinking his fourth bottle of hard liquor that day. Ever since news of Tai's injury reached him, he'd been drowning his pain in alcohol. He'd managed to convince himself that he was the worst brother on earth. A good brother would go and visit his hurt sibling....but he couldn't bring himself to do it.
He poured another shot glass full of sake, gulping it down. Why should he visit Tai anyways? The boy probably wouldn't want to talk to him! He was out, dead drunk, while his brother was fighting off two twisted agents of that bastard Tagasuki. He should have been there...he should have gotten hurt!! Damn it all!!
Min flung the glass against the wooden wall, listening in satisfaction to the shattering. He wanted to do that to Tagasuki's head...just smash it against the wall and feel his dirty blood flowing over his hands and face...yes...that was true justice...what Tagasuki deserved.
"Tonight..." he mumbled, staggering to his feet, "I'll kill the asshole tonight...Tagasuki and his fucking samurai will all be dead by dawn! I swear it!"
Swaying unstably, Min managed to get to his room, collapsing into his chair as he struggled to focus his eyes enough to keep the room from spinning. Clutching his head in anguish, Min reaching into his desk drawer, pulling out paper and pen. He slowly began to write, his penmanship steady even with the poisonous liquid flowing through his veins.
He finished his note, sealing it in an envelope and addressing it. Slowly he planted a kiss on the white parchment before opening a second drawer and pulling out his Beretta.
"Always kept this thing for times like this." He said with a smile, "This time, I'll put it to good use instead of wasting bullets trying to shoot fish."
He opened up the case of 9mm rounds, loading them into his weapon and standing. "I'll finish everything tonight, Tai, don't you worry. Tagasuki will pay for what he did to you!"
With that, Min staggered from his quarters and up the deck stairs, emerging into the cold night. Without another backwards glance, he walked off the ship and into the black of night, unaware of the hidden figures watching his silent progression into the dark.
The samurai raised his rifle, aiming down the crosshairs to the back of his head. One clean shot and he could pick the man off...no one would hear with the silencer. He fingered the trigger impatiently, knowing at his bottom lip in concentration. Suddenly, a hand descended on his muzzle, lowering the weapon.
"What the hell!" the shooter snarled, glancing up wards. His fury quickly turned into surprise, "Oh! Gomen, Oreru-sama, I didn't recognize you."
Oreru smirked, "It's alright...I just didn't want you to waste your bullets on the likes of him. We have a bigger mission to accomplish, do we not?"
"Aa." The shooter waved a hand in the direction of the ship, "I've been watching the vessel for hours and the only movement was from that man. No one else has come in or out. With your permission, I want to called ahead and alert the others of the escapee."
Oreru shrugged, "I wouldn't bother, but it's fine. The man was stumbling all over the place, no doubt half drunk. The most harm he'll ever do is hurt himself."
The shooter nodded, lowering his rifle to the ground. He chanced another glance at Oreru, smiling slightly, "So, do we have the go ahead to attack?"
"Just calm down. The moment Tagasuki calls, we'll move in and do it. Is everyone in position?"
"You kiddin' me?" the shooter chuckled, "This is Tagasuki's samurai force, my friend. We're never caught off guard."
Oreru snorted lightly, "As I understand it, when this Diablo character killed off two of your men, everyone was in shock...doesn't sound like Tagasuki's hitmen to me."
"We're not hit men! We're..."
Oreru grabbed the man's shirt, throwing them to the ground violently. The shooter snarled into the ground angrily, demanding what the hell Oreru was doing. The master assassin ignored the protesting soldier, chancing a peek over the lines of crates they hid behind. A form was approaching the ship, an unidentifiable figure that trudged across the aging planks of the pier, glancing around before rushing up the ship ramp and disappearing.
Who the hell is that? One of my men...no, they'd never make a move without my orders...
He slowly lifted his body, peering around once more for any other intruders. Then, he turned to the shooter, setting him with a glare, "You stay here and wait for my command."
"Where are you going, sir?"
Oreru leapt over the crates, "I'm going to see who that was. I'll be damned if I let some stranger ruin everything!"
The shooter watched as the quick assassin ran towards the fishing ship and leapt aboard without a sound. He turned, and leaned back against the crates, pulling a bottle of warm alcohol from inside his shirt. Taking a long drink, he smiled and smacked his lips.
"Overdramatic asshole."
The form hurried down the deck stairs and down the hall, turning into a dimly lit room, slamming the door shut behind him. The other men in the room looked up in surprise at the man's quick entry, all reaching for a weapon.
"Whoa! Hold on, it's just me!" the figure said, holding up his hands.
Baretto sighed, lowering his gutting knife, "Good Lord, Bajito, you scared us half to death! So what did you find?"
Bajito lowering the hood of his poncho with a sigh of relief, "Well, we were right about this Tagasuki bastard. As far as I can tell, there's a force of at least forty men on their way here...to make things worse, it's going to rain."
As if on queen, there was a flash of light and a loud clap of thunder, the rain beginning to come down in thick sheets. The men turned towards the porthole, an air of despair falling over the group. Baretto sighed, glancing around.
"So does anyone know where Taii Sotomo or Min is?"
Bajito shook his head with a shrug, "Not a clue. I tried to follow them when they took away Tai to that doctor, but I lost them in the pier traffic."
"Well, that's just great! We have an army coming for us and we're missing our captain...I guess things could be worse."
Bajito chuckled, "You forgot to mention that it's raining. Can you guys imagine a fight on a ship in the middle of a storm?"
The sailors nodded in agreement. Baretto shrugged his shoulders. "It can't be helped alright? If anything, we'll take it to the pier, that way we can run if we have to."
"Run! I'm not running anywhere damn it!" Bajito looked at the others, "Why the hell would we run, huh? This is our ship and she's been with us through it all, so I'll be damned if I abandon her when she needs us! Right?"
There was a round of cheerful agreements. Bajito walked over to the cabinets, removing a bottle and glasses. "Here! Since this may be our last fight, let's drink to us and the captain!"
The men lifted their glasses in salute, before gulping it down. Baretto reached for the bottle, lifting it to his glass. Suddenly it exploded in his hand, showering the group in shards and liquid. They spun towards the door, Bajito barely having time to react before the fist slammed into his face. He flew across the room, landing in a heap in the corner. Baretto faced the intruder, the others fanning out behind him.
"Who the heck are you?" Baretto demanded, clenching his fists angrily.
The man moved forward, his eyes flashing dangerously, "I am known as Oreru, master assassin to Lord Tagasuki, leader of the Black Samurai."
"So you must be in charge of that army sent to attack us!" Baretto lifting his large blade, "You're going to regret injuring my brother!"
Tagasuki smirked, "Do you honestly think that you'll be able to fight me with that tiny butter knife?"
Baretto ground his teeth, "Yangsu! Take care of this bastard!!"
The fisherman leapt forward, jabbing at Tagasuki with his blade. The assassin merely sidestepped, the fisherman sailing past him. Yangsu turned, swiping at the assassin as the man dodged. Oreru pulled out his own short sword, facing the charging Yangsu.
"You shouldn't fight someone better than you, boy!"
His blade flashed, sweeping down in a deadly arc as Yangsu passed, the blade passing through cleanly.
Yangsu stumbled forward a few steps, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, eyes wide with shock. Then his head slowly fell from his shoulders, bouncing across the floor. His body fell to its knees, blood spraying from the severed neck as it spilled over, jerking on the ground. Baretto jerked away, staring at the body in horror. Oreru smirked, wiping his blade on the man's body.
"So who's next?"
Ok, ok, so it took a little longer than a week...so shoot me!! But think of it like this: waiting just makes it better! It's kinda like spaghetti...see, the longer you let it cook, the better it tastes! So, this is my spaghetti!!
Horrible analogy, I know. Just bear with me here. Glad ya'll enjoyed and are still reviewing!! Time for Review Responses!!
GoldAngel2: Hey, I know how it is!! Trust me...it's hard to do things when life has something else in plan. I can't wait for your newest fic!! I used to be in love with Speed Racer when I was younger...BTW, have you heard of that fanfic contest?
silent:tears:fall:: You don't have to tell me...I know I took longer than a week, my bad...THANKS FOR YOUR REVIEW!!
Hi2990: Yea, the SATs are a pain in the ass! OH POLL TIME!! Which do you think is easier? The SATs or the ACTs?? VOTE NOW!!
Copperline Kitty: Lol, looks like you and Katra have some problems to work out. Although, I'm glad that I have the support of both of you!! You should count for TWO reviews!! Thanks for reading!!
Eva-Freak015: You sound like an announcer for a TV show. I like it!! Thanks for your review!!
animefreak5483: Heyhey!! My partner in crime!! What's going on?!? Oh!! I've been reading some Rurouni Kenshin and I saw your fics! I like em!! Hey, I got this killer idea for a fic...maybe we should do a joint thing or somethin'?
THANKS FOR YOUR REVIEWS!!!
Watch out for my next chapter...which I have yet to figure out...
