Ante-Mortem
By: Wildfire Sky
GoldAngel2, I'll take your suggestion into consideration...my God, you almost read my mind there, hon, cuz I was thinking of the exact same thing...both of them...let's see if I can put the right spin on it, eh?
Ante-Mortem
Chapter Seventeen
Sotomo leaned back against the clinic chair in shock, his mind still trying to comprehend what he'd been told. At first, he couldn't believe it...didn't want to believe it....but the old man had looked so serious when he'd spoken, that Sotomo felt a sinking agony in his chest. He turned away from Gilmore, staring out the darken portal, his chin cupped in one hand.
"I can't believe this..."
Gilmore sighed, shaking his head, "I realize this is quite a lot to take at one time, but it was necessary to tell you everything, even my own involvement."
There was a long pause before Sotomo replied, "And Mum...I mean, Joe...er 009..."
"Joe is fine."
Soto nodded, "Aa...I guess it would be best to address him as such now...so, Joe lost all memory on the night he jumped overboard?" he shook his head sadly, "My God, what would drive him to do such a thing?"
The Russian stood up, crossing over to Tai's bed and glancing at the monitors, jotting down the numbers on the unconscious man's chart, "I'll admit, despite the problems 009 was experiencing, attempted suicide was the last thing I expected him to do. I always thought that 009 was stronger than that."
"Joe is strong, Doctor Gilmore, don't ever say he isn't. I don't know what problems he had, but he's remained stronger through the problems he's experiencing now." Sotomo joined Gilmore at the bedside, "What happened to make Joe change, doctor? Tell me about this acid that Black Ghost implanted in his brain."
Gilmore nodded, turning to a cabinet and removing a small jar. Inside the glass container was a blob of black, sticky goo, clinging to the glassware. He stared at it in shock as the slime throbbed, its pulsations causing the container to shake.
"What the hell is that?"
"A piece of the acidic parasite I found latched to 009's brain." Gilmore sighed sadly, staring at the goo, "It's quite unfortunate that 009 has been exposed to this...it would help if I knew a cure for it."
Sotomo held out his hand, "May I see it please?"
The doctor hesitated for a moment, "This is the only sample that I have, captain...if it were to break..."
"Doctor, please," Soto said with a grin, "I've handled slimy fish, in zero degree weather, in the middle of a storm...I think I can handle one glass container." He took the container, holding it up to his eyes. The slime slowly reached out with tiny black tentacles, searching for purchase. "Dare I ask how something like this got inside of Joe?"
"Your guess is as good as mine."
"And you think it might have something to do with Black Ghost?"
"Correct. I also believe it might have something to do with way he's been acting so strange. Black Ghost, you must understand, is a very, very powerful man. His control over cyborgs...over human beings for that matter, is enormous. He could easily force a person with a mind as fragile as 009's to do his every bidding."
Sotomo chuckled, "Sounds like a real asshole if you ask me. Doctor Gilmore, I must ask you something," he lowered the glass, staring deep into the Russian's eyes, "If Black Ghost has operatives, and he's looking for Joe...how is it that Joe never fell under his control while onboard my ship? Why isn't he going insane right now?"
Gilmore scratched the back of his head, "That is a good question...perhaps 001 would know the answer...but, captain, you must be tired of listening to me talk, and I know you're anxious to get back to your ship, so I'll let you go."
Sotomo nodded, "I agree. With Black Ghost agents crawling around Tokyo, God knows what might happen. You say two of your men are on their way to the dock?"
"Yes, sir. In fact, they should be arriving momentarily. Once they look around, they'll call in and report."
"Then I'll go after that."
Gilmore blinked, "Well this is an unexpected change of plans..."
"After hearing all of this, I realize that I must decide on who I should keep a closer eye on." Soto sighed, wiping beads of sweat from Tai's forehead, "Unfortunately, with news of Mumei's condition, I think that watching over him is much more important. Besides, you have two of your best protecting my crew."
"Well yes, of course." Gilmore bowed, "Since you're staying, I'll ask 006 to fix you a meal."
The good doctor stood for a moment, his old eyes staring into Sotomo's dark ones before he turned and left the infirmary. Sotomo sat down next to the unconscious Tai, taking the young boy's hand in his own. Bowing his head, the aging captain let out a ragged sigh.
"Oh man, Tai...what am I going to do?"
Bajito slumped down the far wall, blood oozing from the deepening cut in his head. He clutched a shaking hand to the wound, feeling the blood seeping through his fingers in a sluggish flow. The fisherman's eyes were fading in and out of focus, the room seeming to spin, the sounds of Oreru's foot falls like explosions to his numb eardrums.
He felt the assassin grip beneath his chin, forcing his pain filled body up from the floor. Oreru lifted the weakened man's body from the floor, holding him at eye level. He grinned at the sight of his smashed, blood covered face, his missing teeth and swollen eyes. He'd broken the powerful man's muscles, set him in his place quickly and efficiently.
"Not so confident now are we?" Oreru sneered, his eyes hard, "Maybe next time you'll stay dead and not bother me."
Bajito let out a small groan, cracking open an eye, "I couldn't leave my brother at the mercy of a monster like you..."
"So you'd rather die a martyr then?"
"I'd rather die like the good brother I am." Bajito smirked, "Unlike you, I have someone who actually gives a fuck about what happens to me. Obviously your mother didn't even give a damn about you..."
Bajito's head snapped around from the impact of Oreru's fist connecting to his cheek, a harsh cry escaping from his parched lips.
"You're in no position to insult me, boy," Oreru snarled, his eyes flashing, "I suggest you keep your mouth shut and take your death quietly."
"No wait..."
Oreru turned at the sound of movement, his grey eyes taking in the sight of Baretto's struggling form. The brother gripped the wooden wall, his fingers digging into the panels, knees shaking as his pushed his body to its limits. Already bleeding profusely from his wounds, movement caused white hot flashes of pain searing through his body.
The assassin's eyes narrowed, dropping Bajito to the floor and turning full face, "You've interrupted my fun once again, my friend...obviously you fishermen don't know when to keep your happy asses on the ground."
Baretto leaned against the wall, breathing heavily from over exertion of his muscles. He looked from Oreru's evil face to his brother's pained one. The blood was covering the floor, staining it red and mixing with the fluids of his dead friends. Never before had he so much blood...
Oreru stepped towards him, carelessly allowing his boots to be covered in the thick, red liquid. "I can see in your eyes that you're scared...I know that you're terrified. Most of my victims are. However, you should realize that death in an inevitable thing...an event that all will eventually face." He stopped, waving a hand around the room, "Look! Your friends have already left you for the afterlife, so why wait? They're beckoning you to join them in blissful eternity. I know your wounds are deep and that you are in pain, so just let go and die like you should."
Baretto's eyes never left his brother's face, "I will not let you hurt him anymore...he's my brother and I must protect him."
Oreru spat on Bajito's sprawled form, "Forget about him! He's dead! The wound in his head in deep and the dagger's blade in covered with toxins. Soon he'll lapse into a coma and die. Why don't you just give up and let me kill you?"
"Because I have to get him to a hospital."
Oreru shook his head, "Fine. Go ahead and step outside. My men will gun you down in an instant."
Baretto finally glared at the assassin, "You'd never let them simply gun me down."
"And why the hell not?" Oreru's eyes challenged him, "It would fulfill my mission."
"But you wouldn't have the satisfaction of killing me with your own two hands...didn't you tell me that before? That you enjoy the look on a man's face when he's dying. Besides, if you were to let me, a man who's survived your every attack, die so easily, it would prove to everyone that you can't handle some 'little' fisherman."
Oreru stiffened, a noticeable tick forming in the corner of one eye, "You little bastard...do you really think I'm going easy on you?"
"Well if you're not, then you're a very weak man." Baretto smirked, "My brother is ten times stronger than you..."
"Your brother is lying on the floor bleeding to death!"
"Only because you sneaked up on us." Baretto pushed away from the wall, standing to his full, towering height. Oreru took a cautious half-step back, "Had we known about you, then you'd be the one lying dead right now, not my poor friends."
Oreru stiffened, his eyes narrowing, "It's in an assassin's definition to attack without warning, fisher boy..."
"But sneak up on a man from behind? Even in the lowest circles that it be that you're scared of us?"
Oreru pulled his lips back in a dark snarl, his eyes blazing with hatred. "Times have changed from the days of honorable samurai, fisherman. Today, attacking from behind is the only way to get the job done...any simpleton would know that."
Baretto winced at a slight throb of pain, "It may be customary...but that still doesn't mean you have to do it. Don't you want to make a name for yourself as the best? How are you going to accomplish that if you do what everyone else does?"
Oreru blinked, his fist clenching slightly as he studied Baretto. He took a step forward, leaning in close to the beaten man's face. "I can see why Tagasuki hates you fishermen...you're always hopeful even in the worst of situations."
Baretto smirked, "It comes with the job."
Sighing, Oreru leaned back, drawing a long dagger from a hidden sheath. He gripped Baretto's face in one hand, drawing back the blade with the other. "Don't worry, if I stab just right, you won't feel a thing..." he pressed the tip against Baretto's forehead, "Just don't move..."
Baretto closed his eyes, waiting for the sensation of metal sliding through bone...for the pain...
"Ahhh!"
His eyes snapped opened, wide with surprise. Oreru lurched up, releasing Baretto's face with a sharp cry of pain. Baretto tumbled to the floor, quickly crawling over to his brother, cradling the unconscious man's head in his arms. He watched in amazement as Oreru stumbled to his feet, moans of anguish escaping from his lips as he clutched his arm. Baretto's blinked in amazement as Oreru was suddenly hurled across the room, slamming into the far wall.
There was another man...another killer in the room. He stood over Oreru, fists clenched menacingly. Oreru scrambled to his feet, eyes blazing with hatred at his opponent.
"Have you lost your fucking mind??" he screamed, "You broke my arm!"
Baretto's eyes fell to the pulpy mess that was once the assassin's limb. The arm wasn't just broken...it'd been pulverized. Baretto shook his head in shock. What kind of insane strength could do something like that?
Oreru was yelling obscenities again, jabbing a finger in the man's face and advancing on him. The figure simply stood there, his stance that of boredom and annoyance. As Oreru's finger connected to his chest, the figure lashing out, smashing his fist into the assassin's face.
It was amazing. Blood seemed to explode from every opening on Oreru's face, splashing against the wall in a crimson wave. It was like the back of his head had ruptured, the thicker things mingling with the blood evidence of that. Oreru's jaw dropped in a silent scream, his eyes glazing over as he fell back, sliding down the wall like a limp sack. His head slumped forward, falling against his chest, hands upturned, one still clutching the dagger. A low gurgling sound filled the dead silence, crimson ooze beginning to stream from Oreru's slack jaw.
Baretto choked back the rising bile in his throat. Just like that...in mere seconds this complete stranger had ruthlessly killed...no murdered...the assassin like he was nothing.
"Don't feel sorry for him. He had it coming."
Baretto's eyes jerked up from Oreru's slack body to the killers. The Hispanic looking man stared back at him, dark eyes revealing no sorrow or remorse for his slaughter. The man simply stared, unblinking...unmoving...watching Baretto with the same look of a hungry wolf. He turned fully, walking towards Baretto and knelling down in front of him.
He slowly reached out towards Baretto. "Your injuries are bad. It might be in your best interest to get them cleaned."
Baretto snapped away from the man's touch, "Get away from me..." he glared accusingly, "Are you with him?"
The man turned in the direction of Baretto's jerked chin, glancing at the fresh body with distain, "Please. I can't stand scum like him..."
"So you came to save us? A little late..."
The man stood to his full height, staring down at him with narrowed eyes, "Sparing your lives was just a result of my killing Oreru. Normally, you'd be dead as well, but killing him has served my satisfaction. He and Tagasuki were a threat to me...one I needed to get rid of."
Baretto's glare intensified, "So you are working for Tagasuki? Get the hell away from me! Get off this ship!"
The man whirled around, clutching Baretto at the throat. The fisherman clawed at the hand in panic as his air supply was effectively cut off. "Don't presume to order me about, amigo...you'll find that you're on the receiving end, understand?"
Baretto barely managed to nodded, wanting air more than he wanted to argue. The man dropped him, leaving him to land in an ungraceful pile. He stared at the fisherman a moment longer before snorting and turning away.
"Tagasuki's men are no more, so you can go and fetch your drunken friend before he gets hit by a car."
Baretto blinked, "Drunken...aw shit..."
The man chuckled lightly before stepping from the blood soaked room and off the ship. Baretto remain sitting on the floor, his brother near by. Out of the entire crew, how many were left? He was battered to within an inch of his life, his brother was unconscious...maybe dying, Min was out drunk doing God-knows-what, the captain and Kinto were gone with Mumei, completely oblivious to all that happened...
He forced a half smile. Oh yes, things could be worse...
004 crouched down next to the fallen form sprawled across the pier floor, his fingers lightly feeling for a pulse. Even in the wind and rain, the smell of alcohol was potent. 002 stood next to his partner, eyes warily casting about, ready for anything.
"So who the hell is he?" Jet questioned impatiently.
Albert reached into the man's pocket, removing his wallet and opening it. "His ID card says his name is Min..."
Jet snorted, "A whole lot of help that does us! What else is there?"
"Some money...credit card...bar pass...frequent visitor card to 'Tokyo Whore House'..." Albert's nose scrunched up at the last one, "This guy is one heck of a character..."
Jet laughed, "You're telling me! Hey, didn't 006 and 007 say that 009 was walking around with some guy named Min?"
"Yea...apparently, Min is one of 009's mates on the old fishing boat."
Jet scratched the back of his head, "If that's the case, then what the hell is he doing all the way out here?"
"Isn't it obvious?" 004 motioned at the man, "He's dead drunk, possibly suffering from alcohol poisoning."
"So should we take him back to the doc?"
Albert nodded, "We'd better...but since Dr. Gilmore asked us to go and check on the crew, only one of us should go."
Jet smirked, "I take it you want me to take him to the doc?"
"You're the fastest. His health is more important right now."
Jet nodded, hefting the limp form of Min and throwing it over his shoulder, "I'll return to the fishing boat after I dump this guy off, alright?"
"Good."
Kinto stared at Mumei in surprise. What the hell...he knew some chick from his dreams?? This was getting way to weird for him. Kinto grabbed Mumei's shoulder's giving him a light shaking.
"Mumei...that's impossible. You can't know and love a girl because of some wet dream you had!"
Mumei glared at him, knocking away Kinto's hand, "They weren't wet dreams, Kinto! I know her!"
"How can you be so sure? Maybe your brain conjured up some sort of memory...maybe the woman from your dreams is your mother or something."
"My mother..."
"Yea!"
Mumei sighed, "Uh, Kinto...just to tell you...she has blonde hair and blue eyes..."
"So?"
"I have brown hair and red eyes...on top of that, we look nothing alike..."
Kinto faltered for a moment, his eye twitching slightly, "Oh yea..." he shook his head, backing away, "That's beside the fact. If she's your dream girl, that's great, go marry her or whatever...but right now, we have a ship to get back to, ok?"
Mumei stood firmly, "I'm not leaving! I love here too much just to walk out of her life!"
"Mumei!" Kinto snapped angrily, "Don't you get it? You were never in her life! How can you be in the life of a person you've only met through your mind? Huh? Now forget her and return to the ship like you're supposed to."
Mumei opened his mouth to reply, but thought better of it, slowly shutting it and nodding at his superior. He paused at the raised platform, delicately picking up a square piece of paper from the large chair before turning on his heel and briskly walking to the doorway.
"Mumei..."
The young boy stopped, head bowed.
"Mumei...I'm not kidding when I say forget her." Kinto let out a low sigh, "Women are bad news, trust me, I'd know...you're a fisherman now, Mumei, and the only girl in your life should be the ship, got it?"
"But Kinto-san..."
Kinto held up a hand, "No. Don't argue with me again...I don't think I could take it." He grinned, stuffing his hands in his deep pockets, "Hey, kiddo, believe me, in a few days, she'll be nothing but a memory."
Mumei shrugged one shoulder, "Some how I doubt that, Kinto-san..."
The was a low whoosh as the control room door hissed open. Mumei looked up in time to see the very woman of his worries stroll through the doorway, her attention captured by a clip board in her hands. He wanted to move, but his legs were frozen, refusing to obey his mind's orders.
Before she could crash into him, Mumei managed to reach out, firmly placing a hand on her shoulder. Francoise stopped, surprised by the intruders. Their eyes connected, neither making a move to split apart. It was strange to Mumei, the warm, electric feeling running up his arm and pooling in the base of his body.
He quickly snatched his hand away, head bowed in apology, "Gomen nasai...I just didn't want you to run into me and drop your things."
Francoise smiled softly at his bashfulness, "Oh it's alright...I should have known you were there, but I wasn't concentrating right now." She reached out, brushing a lock of hair from Mumei's eyes, "You know, Joe, I'm surprised you haven't gotten a haircut yet!"
Mumei blinked, "That's the second time you've said that..."
"Getting a haircut?"
"No," Mumei caught her hand in his own, pulling it from his face and looking up at her, "That's the second time you've called me Joe...why?"
Francoise shrank back, her eyes suddenly filled with worry, "I'm sorry Jo—I mean, Mumei...I'd almost forgotten that..."
"That what?"
Kinto quickly interrupted, coming to stand beside Mumei, "Hey there, little missy, I'd like to thank you for taking care of our pal. It really means a lot to us."
Francoise slowly looked up at the older man, "Oh...oh, of course, it's no problem at all." She smiled, "Hopefully we won't have any other visitors."
Kinto chuckled, throwing an arm around Mumei's shoulders, "Heh! Don't worry, missy, we'll be out of your hair soon enough."
"What do you mean?"
Kinto shrugged, "Well, captain Sotomo plans to head back to the ship and remain there, instead of burdening you guys with a load of loud, smelly fishermen."
"But...but what about your friend?"
"Tai?" Kinto smirked, "Well, we leave him in your capable hands...at least until we can move him back to our ship."
Francoise frowned slightly, looking from Kinto to Mumei, the wrinkles on her forehead evidence of her displeasure. She reached out, taking Mumei's hand in her own.
"Joe, can I talk to you for a moment?"
Mumei held back, a blush tingeing his cheeks, "My name's not..."
Francoise pulled, causing him to lose his balance and stumble forward. The young woman quickly lead him from the room, ignoring his protests. Kinto started forward, eyes narrowed in annoyance.
"Hold on a second..."
The door hissed closed, cutting off whatever he might have said. His frown deepened and he crossed his arms, glaring at the metal door. "Damn it all to hell...this is just great..."
Gomen!! I know it took me forever to do this, but some of you might have noticed that I'm working on a new fanfic, so, I suppose that this, on top of applying to college and schooling, it'll take me a while to do anything...hell, reading fanfics has become a pain in the ass...
Anyways, since it's late and I'm tired, I'm gonna keep the Review Responses short and to the point (it's after midnight here, so I'm sleepy).
GoldAngel2: You are my muse, my friend, don't forget that...like I said, you almost read my mind with the whole Joe/Francoise thing. Finally I get to the juicy parts!!
Copperline Kitty: Congrats to you and you roommate...I hope she's not driving you insane...
Eva-Freak015: I know, I know...blood and gore again...I like it and it bothers me whenever people write 'violent' action scenes and have absolutely NO description...to me it's fun to write about it...let's me go wild!!
animefreak5483: hey hey there!! Thanks again for all you're doing and tell ur roomie, duce!!
Light of the Crystal Prism: well I haven't seen you before!! Or maybe I have...christ, it's too late at night for me...I can't remember a damn thing...anyways, welcome welcome to my circle of insanity!! Oh hold on...Moon Shadow!! Oh yea, lol, gomen, I forgot (see how sleepy I am??)
Dead man walking: oooooookkkkk....so are you about to be executed? I guess reading a good ol' fanfic is a great way to end it all, right?
Hi299O: GHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE MUFFIN TOOK A CHUNK CLEAN OUT OF ME!! GET IT OFF ME!! GET IT OFF ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Supersailorcatumm...why is there a gigantic space between each and every line you type?? Lol, no biggie, I could care less honestly...i'm just cranky I guess. I'm glad that you like my story so much, I'm truly honored by it!
Bookwurm290: an award huh? Unfortunately my chance passed me by...oh well, perhaps there'll be another one...maybe then I'll have a shot...hope you remember what you wanted to tell me!!
THANKS FOR ALL YOUR REVIEWS!!
WATCH OUT FOR MY NEXT CHAPTER!!
