A Fools Dream
~Chapter: 2~
He drew in a deep breath, inhaling the cigarette he had lit. He didn't know if this was the fifth or sixth one, nor did he care. It didn't matter anyway; all that he was focused on was getting the necessary dose of nicotine, which only one stick no longer provided. He held the mix of flavours provided by the cigarette, a few moments longer, feeling the various substances flowing through him, taken up by his blood as they visited his lungs. He drew his hand away from his mouth, letting it fall by his side as he parted his lips, pursing them as he exhaled. The smoke coming out in a thick stream, rushing out and diffusing into the air in front him, only to be partly taken up as he breathed through his nose, while he walked along the streets of the town.
The place was busy, especially the market area that was located some way in front of the town's temple, the building erected to provide a place of worship to the Buddha. A curt smile formed on his lips, but was short-lived as he realised that his cigarette had all but turned to ash, leaving only the butt, which was useless in itself. He carelessly flicked it away, after pinching the neck quickly to put out the embers, and reached for his pack. He brought it up to his lips, squeezing it slightly, expecting the butt of another cigarette to pop up and meet his lips. A frown creased his brow as none came up, and he inspected the packet, only to find it empty. Gritting his teeth in a frustrated manner, he squeezed the empty pack and threw it with perfect aim at the nearest bin, not even bothering to watch it disappear. 'Dammit…Hakkai doesn't know I'm gonna need a new pack…guess I'll have to buy it myself,' he thought, as he jammed his hands into the pockets of his earth-brown trousers, and continued to walk towards the market, but this time with a purpose.
As he walked towards the first stall he saw that sold what he needed, he paused realising that he didn't have any money on him. All the while he had been walking, he had been too absorbed on focusing his mind on blocking out the shifty stares, and quick glances thrown his way by the locals. Yes, he had come to terms with what he was, a half-breed, but he didn't need the constant reminders that plagued him from everyone, 'At least the women don't care about my origins…even if they do know, they still think my hair and eyes are too attractive to turn down,' he thought, somewhat miserably. That was all that mattered to them anyway, appearances…and nothing else, it hurt and isolated him…the only time he truly felt like something more than an ornament, or a toy, was when he was with those he travelled with, 'But even then…people still give me those looks…'
"Come on!" a sudden announcement caught his ears, compelling him to turn about and gaze over towards a man, who stood up tall in the middle of a crowd, "Come on! I'll take anyone on, I've been unbeaten so far, and I'm on a roll! Lady Luck's on my side!" he continued to say, as he spread his arms out wide in a welcoming gesture. Gojyo raised an eyebrow, his interest had been sparked, and he began to move towards the crowd and the loud man.
"Yo!" he called, thrusting his head a bit as he approached the man, the crowd parting to grant him passage, "This a gambling game?" he asked, having caught the mans attention. He was a rather plump person, greasy, dark hair cropped short and plastered to his head, with sweat that had accumulated throughout the hot day. As the redhead neared, he caught the strong scent of sake, and various alcoholic drinks wafting from the area, mainly the man, 'Hmm…drinks served with the game as well…not bad,' he thought as a smile formed on his lips. Misinterpreting the smile for something completely different, the man grinned and clapped his hands together.
"You have a good eye, this is a gambling game…and I'm assuming you're here to accept my challenge, eh," he said, seating himself at the table and gesturing to the vacant space opposite him. Gojyo nodded and took the seat, and was about to place an order, when the man did it for him, "two strong gin's please," he said, then cocked an eyebrow as he smiled, and placed a deck of cards in front of the half-breed. "We're playing Blackjack, you cut'em since you're new," The half-youkai nodded, and shuffled the cards, then handed them back, allowing the man to deal them two cards each. Gojyo looked at his hand, and paused a moment, considering what move to make, he looked up and caught the flash of confidence go across his opponents face, then made his decision.
"Hit me," he said, and the cocked his head slightly, and grinned as the drinks came. He took one card off the deck, and placed it down for the half-breed to pick up. Gojyo took a quick drink from his glass, then placed his hand over the card, pausing for dramatic effect, then picked it up and smiled as he set it with the other two he had received previously.
"So…what ya got?" the man asked, his previously smug face coming down in curiosity. Gojyo smiled, and indicated for the man to show his hand first, which he did after a moment's hesitation. A mere nineteen, was what had totalled, and the redhead's smile grew as he placed his cards down, one-by-one.
"Twenty-one…looks like I win this one," he said, resting an elbow on the knee of a folded leg. The man's eyebrows were raised in disbelief, his winning streak had been ruined, but maybe it was just luck.
"You're good…but it must be beginner's luck, I have been playing for a while longer, you know," he said, making his defeat sound less painful. Gojyo shrugged, and indicated for the man to continue on with another round, or a different game altogether.
~*~
"A Full House!" the half-breed announced, leaning back among the women that had gathered about him, obviously attracted by his appearance and the fact that he was winning, and had been since he had sat down. His opponent seemed beyond understanding, how could this have happened, he was winning well and every game, up until the redhead had showed up. It just wasn't possible, either he was very good, or he was cheating somehow – the latter seemed like the more plausible, and so he stuck with it, considering no one was that good. "Well, it's been nice playing you…but I gotta get going, I'm leaving in the morning," the tall man said, stretching as he stood up and pocketed his winnings, "hey, you were a good match…I've never been so worried in a game before," he said, trying to lighten the dark haired mans mood as he caught his disbelieving expression. Gojyo turned to leave, passing a seductive, and irresistible smile to the women about him, watching them swoon and fan themselves in a manner he had predicted, when a heavy hand suddenly placed itself upon his shoulder. He turned about, the pleasant smile he had formed on his face melting away, as he caught a flashing glimpse of a fist flying his way, and caught the blow full on.
"You cheated somehow, you asshole!" the man cried, readying himself as the half-breed stumbled back a bit, a hand raised to his face. He drew his head up, placing a harsh glare on the man, who was trying to look as menacing as possible. He brought his hand away from his face, catching the sight of blood, the same shade as his hair and eyes, coating his fingertips.
"Just what is your problem? Can't you take losing?" he asked, straightening his form and coming to his full height, and he wiped the blood away with the back of his hand. The man snorted and spat at Gojyo's feet, then launched himself upon him. The redhead was prepared, and drew his hands up, catching the man by the collar of his shirt, and threw him aside, his plump body crashing atop the low table. "Listen, I don't want to fight…but I'll defend myself in any way," he said, and threw up his arms to block the mans weight, as he threw himself at the tall half-breed. The weight was too much to support, and so Gojyo collapsed, the weight of the man on top of him taking his breath away. He opened his mouth to take in another breath, when hands grasped about his throat, squeezing and his eyes flew open to see the mans angered face, his teeth set as he strained to cut off the air supply.
"Take that you bastard!" he hissed, saliva being thrown in the air between them as they flew between the gaps of his teeth. He raised Gojyo's head, and then slammed it back down on the ground, the world beginning to swim and tilt before his eyes. The redhead squeezed his eyes shut, then drew back a balled fist, and opened them as he threw it into the mans gut with all his strength. The man gasped, but kept his hold, Gojyo continued to punch him repeatedly, then brought his own hands up and around the others neck, tightening his grip. He brought the head down, the mans eyes widened in fear at the sudden strength the half-breed was displaying.
"I'm not gonna die that easily," Gojyo whispered, then pulled his head back as much as possible, then threw it forwards, smashing it into the others. The mans grip faltered a bit as he tried to sit up, but he only pulled Gojyo with him, and was met by another headbutt, this one harder and more powerful than the first, as he had more room to gain leverage in. The man reeled back, as the redhead released his grip and watched as the man toppled backwards, landing in a heap. Some men that had gathered about to watch the fight knelt beside the man, "he's alright, just out cold…he'll wake up with a splitting headache, by the way," the half-breed said, as he came to his feet and brushed himself off. He checked to see if his nose was still bleeding, and was satisfied that it wasn't.
Casting a dark look over the unconscious body, Gojyo jammed his hands into his trouser pockets, and walked off into the direction of the stall he had stopped at earlier. He asked for a dozen packs of cigarettes of his brand, and a dozen of another that were for a certain corrupted monk he knew, although he had kept that information to himself. The owner handed the packs in two bags, as the redhead fished about for the required amount charged, and walked away with a parting smile. He took out a pack from his bag and opened it up, taking out a much-needed cigarette and lit it, inhaling the comforting vapours that his body craved for.
~*~*~*~*~*~
A/N: Thank for the reviews so far, they have been inspiring…I'm afraid that this may be the only update for now…I'll have to finish this story during Jan…thanks again.