One last repeat of the previous chapter's announcement: I have my first
piece of FANART up! It's on mediaminer.org, and it's a picture of Kurama in
his fox-form. I think it's uber, and I'd really like it if you could go see
it and review! It's at:
http : // www . mediaminer . org / fanart / view . php ? id = 155060 & submit = View
You know the drill: copy, paste, remove the spaces, and hit enter.
Thanks in advance! ^_^
And also, if anyone wants to draw fanart of this, let me know where it's posted. I'll put a special mention in my story, and moreover, I'd love you forever!
- : - : - : - : - : -
BIG TIP: If you know for a fact that I've posted a new chapter but the site continually tells you that it doesn't exist, make certain that you are at the URL of where the chapter SHOULD be and type ONE PERIOD at the end of the address and hit enter. It should take you to the page. This trick also works well on those 'site experiencing overload' pages, but sometimes it won't go through.
- : - : - : - : - : -
Disclaimer: I own neither X-men nor Yu Yu Hakusho. I don't know WHO owns them, but it certainly isn't ME. AND I OWN NONE OF EDGAR ALLEN POE'S WORKS, GOT IT!?
- : - : - : - : - : -
IMPORTANT NOTE:
"blah." means that the words are in English (unless the section is told from a Japanese-speaker's point of view with only Japanese people talking -- I.e. Kurama, Yuusuke, Hiei, Logan, Genkai, etc.)
~"blah."~ means that the words are in Japanese.
="blah."= indicates words spoken in a Makai dialect.
~:blah.:~ telepathic speech.
- : - : - : - : - : -
A/N: This will not be a blatantly yaoi or shounen-ai story. In fact, there will be NO romance WHATSOEVER. There will be brother-brother relationships between Yuusuke, Kurama and Hiei, but I suppose that some of you out there could interpret their actions as 'love' if you wanted. It's your call, however you want to view it.
- : - : - Chapter Fourteen: Of Powers, Poetry, and Portents - : - : -
Yuusuke frowned, irritated.
To his right, Kurama and Hiei stood beside the newly acquired locker, the former with the smallest hint of gold showing around his irises and the latter with a large smirk upon his features.
To his left were three tense mutants, all of whom were glaring suspiciously at Kurama.
Hiei --still smirking-- peered out of the corner of his eye at Kurama. ="WONDERFUL demonstration of control, fox."=
Yuusuke grimaced. ="I have to agree with him there, Kurama. No more moonlit romps for you if it brings out this much of your youko side."=
Kurama shrugged mildly, the smallest smile playing about upon his lips. ="They would have found out about our 'mutant powers' sooner or later. I was . . . bored."=
Hiei chuckled --a sound that Yuusuke found vaguely disturbing, seeing as how Hiei rarely laughed aside from when he was disemboweling some unfortunate demon. ="A bored fox is a dangerous thing, it would seem."=
Yuusuke snorted. ="I'll be certain to remember that."=
- : - : - : - : - : -
Pietro's surprise swiftly wore thin, and he leveled a smirk at the three foreigners. "Mutants," he said. "Well, if the day isn't getting more fan- freaking-tastic by the second."
He HAD been regarding the three strangers as a possible source of entertainment, maybe even as a way of gaining more information of the goings-on around the school, but THIS changed everything.
The redhead said that the entire trio was made up of mutants. If that was true, it meant that all three had unique powers, and Pietro had a hunch that they weren't the kind of kids to let just anyone boss them around.
That meant that there were only two places that the newcomers could occupy: enemies . . . or allies.
Pietro straightened from the slight crouch he had fallen into, grinning at the brown-eyed young man who seemed to be the leader of the odd trio. "You already know my name, but I think that a little reiteration would be in order. I'm Pietro Maximoff, also known as Quicksilver, speed-demon extraordinaire---" The two black-haired boys snorted at this for some reason. "Over there is Lance, also known as Avalanche, the walking natural disaster. The big boy's the Immovable Fred Dukes, known as The Blob. You?"
"Yuusuke Urameshi," replied the other with a small, cocky grin. "Worst guy to face in a fight and the biggest bad ass around. The redhead's Shuichi Minamino, legendary plant-master . . . looks, brains, and master thieving skills all rolled into one. Shorty over there is Hiei Jaganshi, the sociopathic pyro and . . ." The grin widened marginally as the boy glanced over at the spiky-haired kid. ". . . second biggest bad ass."
The red-eyed kid glared up at the taller boy, but remained silent.
Pietro's grin widened. "I hope you aren't prone to exaggeration. I'd have to let Fred give you a demonstration of HIS powers."
"What, by sitting on me?" The brown-eyed boy looked offended. "Please say that you're joking. Even IF he can get that bulk of his up to speed, he'd never lay a finger on ANY of us. We've taken down WAY bigger prey than your little trio."
Pietro's interest was immediately caught. He could see no lie in the other boy's eyes, none of the brash confidence that marked one of the wind-bag thugs around the school . . . just simple confidence.
Fred, however, was insulted. "Is that so?" he asked, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Care to back that up, Loudmouth?"
The raven-haired young man turned his gaze toward the far-larger boy. A mocking smile curved across his lips. "No need to get so worked up," he said coolly. "Just stating facts."
"Then state 'em with your fists," growled Fred.
The brown-eyed boy --Yuusuke-- narrowed his eyes, a small spark of irritation shining in their depths. "Then it would be better if you showed us a way outside. I wouldn't want to building to collapse when I knock you on your ass."
- : - : - : - : - : -
Yuusuke gazed around at the secluded little 'alley' between the gym and auditorium buildings that Pietro had led them to. It was open enough to allow free range of movement for a mild fight, and yet it wasn't so open that everyone walking by would take note of it.
The Big Boy (as Yuusuke had labeled him) stalked to the opposite side of the alley. "Come on, squirt, let's see what you've got."
Yuusuke rolled his eyes. ="I'm getting nostalgic,"= he called to Kurama and Hiei. ="I feel like I'm back home . . . about to pound Kuwabara into dust."=
Kurama's eyes merely narrowed.
="Be wary, Yuusuke,"= he called. ="We don't truly know what his powers are."=
Unconcerned, Yuusuke tilted his head to the left and right, popping his neck loudly. ="Don't worry so much. He's just a human."=
Fred widened his stance slightly, leaning forward, also smirking. "Come on. Quit with the jibber-jabber, and gimme' your best shot."
Hiei sneered, crossing his arms over his chest. ="That fool is begging to have his ribs broken."=
Kurama smiled slightly. ="Indeed."=
Yuusuke laughed softly at the short exchange, but his thoughts turned immediately back to the rather large opponent before him, sizing him up.
What had Pietro called the guy? 'Blob' ? It was apt, he had to admit that much. What sort of power would a 'blob' have . . . ?
Pietro had said something else as well. 'Immovable.' So, apparently, it took quite a lot of effort to get the guy moving.
A lot of effort for a human, at least.
"All I've got to do is move him?" murmured the Toushin softly. "Heh. Done deal."
He lowered himself into the slightest of crouches, gathering both reiki and some slight youki into his fist, carefully keeping the levels below that of human perception. His fist soon grew warm, and he could feel his youki straining, wishing for more freedom.
He beat back the errant energy forcefully.
Hey, he wanted to knock the guy off his feet, not flambé him.
"You ready, Blobbo?" he called.
"Bring it on!"
A slow, cold smile crept across Yuusuke's lips. "You asked for it."
He launched himself forward faster than Fred's eyes could follow, drawing his fist back as he did so. His eyes narrowed in upon his target: the area of flesh just below where the fat boy's ribs should be.
His fist sunk a good two feet into the pliant flesh of the boy's stomach before it stopped, and then Yuusuke released all of the energy pent up within his fist.
To one with senses attuned to youki and reiki, a huge blue-white flash occurred around Yuusuke's arm, but to the observing humans, it was as though Fred had suddenly been plucked up by a huge, invisible hand and flung through the air to land with a bone-jarring *thud* upon the ground . . . about twenty feet down the alley.
Yuusuke grinned over at the dumfounded figures of Lance and Pietro. "Next?"
- : - : - : - : - : -
Jean was walking beside Scott when she felt it.
An enormous jolt of shock . . . surprise, awe, even a little fear . . . all of it in one burst so sharp that she stumbled, raising one hand to her chest as she gasped desperately for breath, her heart thundering within her ribcage.
Scott was there immediately, gripping her upper arms to hold her steady, asking what was wrong, did she need help?
The empathic young woman drew in a steadying breath. " . . . someone . . . someone's fighting the Brotherhood!"
Scott stiffened. "What? Who?"
"I don't KNOW who!" Jean shook her head incredulously. "I don't know WHO they are, but they're WINNING!" Closing her eyes, she stretched out her senses, seeking out the distinctive presences of the Brotherhood members . . . then searching around them for the cause of the sudden flood of emotions . . . and she found . . .
Violet?
Her eyes snapped open. "It's THEM!"
Scott's entire body was tense. "Who!?"
"The boys!" Jean turned to stare up into the young man's face. "Yuusuke and Shuichi and Hiei! THEM!"
Scott's eyes widened behind his glasses. "Can you show me where?"
She nodded, pulling away from his supportive grip. "This way!"
Forgetting about lunch completely, the pair raced away down the hallways, drawing stares and whispered comments as they went.
- : - : - : - : - : -
"Hey! Break it up!"
All six boys turned to face the source of the yell, only to find Scott running towards them, Jean hot on his heels.
Pietro sneered. "And here come the X-geeks . . . to 'save the day,' I assume."
Scott slowed down to an angry stalk as he came nearer, and even despite his perpetually-present glasses, it didn't take a rocket scientist to know that he was furious.
"Summers in the lead," observed Lance coolly. "As always."
"Back off, Alvers," growled Scott. The senior turned his shielded gaze toward the three Japanese students. "You three have A LOT to explain. You're coming with us. Now."
Pietro snickered. "Ah, was the X-geek worried about getting a few, new, wittle recruits?" he sneered. "Don't worry, Summers, we've been taking good care of 'em for you."
"Shut it, Maximoff! . . . Yuusuke, Shuichi, Hiei, we're going NOW."
Yuusuke snorted, muttering low enough that only demon ears could hear. ="If I didn't know better, I'd think that Visor boy is still a little sore at us for 'stealing' Jean."= Yuusuke rolled his eyes with a sigh. ="The bruised male ego at its best. Come on, might as well let him get it out of his system."=
The three demons fell into step behind Scott as the senior strode back in the direction he had come from, a worried Jean walking at his side.
Before they had gone too far, however, Yuusuke turned back and waved jauntily at the three Brotherhood members. "We'll see you three tomorrow. Meet us at The Locker?"
Pietro grinned in response. "We'll be there."
- : - : - : - : - : -
Rogue sighed heavily where she sat perched on the edge of one of the bleachers, watching as the gym students filed onto the field one-by-one. She had a free class this period, and guess were free-period people got to hang out?
The lunchroom or the bleachers.
It just so happened that her free period coincided with one of the student lunch periods (one of the NOISY student lunch periods), and so the only place she could stay with any modicum of comfort was out here.
Prep Central.
Joy.
She sighed, flipping idly through the pages of her literature book, searching for something to read in order to pass the time. She wasn't very impressed with the selection . . . mostly stuffy, ancient stories filled to bursting with metaphors and similes and analogies . . . Not her kind of thing.
She shut the book and braced its spine against her lap, a determined frown upon her face. She released her hold on the front and back covers, allowing the book to flop open to a random page. Her eyes swiftly skimmed the heading at the top of the page.
'Edgar Allen Poe.'
THERE was something she could deal with. Poe's works had always intrigued her, especially those like 'The Raven' or 'Annabelle Lee.'
She flipped through the pages which contained several poems by Poe, searching for one she had never read.
One at last caught her eye, and as she read, all the hairs upon her neck and arms stood on end, a shudder trailing down her spine as though something had pressed icy-cold fingers against the base of her skull . . . though why mere words had such an effect upon her, she didn't know.
Movement caught her eye from near the base of the bleachers, and she picked out the distinctive red hair of Jean and Shuichi amidst a jumble of people whom she soon identified to be Scott, Yuusuke, and Hiei.
Scott was snapping at the three newcomers. From this distance, Rogue couldn't make out words, but the tone carried well enough, and it sounded as though Shades was PISSED. Capital P-I-S-S-E-D.
She set her book down upon the bench after placing a small slip of scratch paper between the pages to mark her spot. That done, she picked her way carefully down the stair-like bleachers, intent on finding out what was going on.
Behind her, sunlight gleamed upon the smooth pages of the book, highlighting the words of the poem.
Alone
by Edgar Allan Poe
From childhood's hour I have not been
As others were; I have not seen
As others saw; I could not bring
My passions from a common spring.
From the same source I have not taken
My sorrow; I could not awaken
My heart to joy at the same tone;
And all I loved, I loved alone.
Then- in my childhood, in the dawn
Of a most stormy life- was drawn
From every depth of good and ill
The mystery which binds me still:
From the torrent, or the fountain,
From the red cliff of the mountain,
From the sun that round me rolled
In its autumn tint of gold,
From the lightning in the sky
As it passed me flying by,
From the thunder and the storm,
And the cloud that took the form
(When the rest of Heaven was blue)
Of a demon in my view.
- : - : - To Be Continued . . . - : - : -
A/N: Well, what do you think? How'd you like the little creepy note on the end? I can't believe I found a poem that fit my expectations so perfectly! I was so happy! . . . and I have many plans for that little poem in upcoming chapters. *evil smirk* Enjoy.
No review responses for this one either . . . It's 12: 35pm and I'm too tired to respond to any right now. Starting next chapter, I'm only answering ten per chapter so that it isn't such a hassle. Later, minna-san!
http : // www . mediaminer . org / fanart / view . php ? id = 155060 & submit = View
You know the drill: copy, paste, remove the spaces, and hit enter.
Thanks in advance! ^_^
And also, if anyone wants to draw fanart of this, let me know where it's posted. I'll put a special mention in my story, and moreover, I'd love you forever!
- : - : - : - : - : -
BIG TIP: If you know for a fact that I've posted a new chapter but the site continually tells you that it doesn't exist, make certain that you are at the URL of where the chapter SHOULD be and type ONE PERIOD at the end of the address and hit enter. It should take you to the page. This trick also works well on those 'site experiencing overload' pages, but sometimes it won't go through.
- : - : - : - : - : -
Disclaimer: I own neither X-men nor Yu Yu Hakusho. I don't know WHO owns them, but it certainly isn't ME. AND I OWN NONE OF EDGAR ALLEN POE'S WORKS, GOT IT!?
- : - : - : - : - : -
IMPORTANT NOTE:
"blah." means that the words are in English (unless the section is told from a Japanese-speaker's point of view with only Japanese people talking -- I.e. Kurama, Yuusuke, Hiei, Logan, Genkai, etc.)
~"blah."~ means that the words are in Japanese.
="blah."= indicates words spoken in a Makai dialect.
~:blah.:~ telepathic speech.
- : - : - : - : - : -
A/N: This will not be a blatantly yaoi or shounen-ai story. In fact, there will be NO romance WHATSOEVER. There will be brother-brother relationships between Yuusuke, Kurama and Hiei, but I suppose that some of you out there could interpret their actions as 'love' if you wanted. It's your call, however you want to view it.
- : - : - Chapter Fourteen: Of Powers, Poetry, and Portents - : - : -
Yuusuke frowned, irritated.
To his right, Kurama and Hiei stood beside the newly acquired locker, the former with the smallest hint of gold showing around his irises and the latter with a large smirk upon his features.
To his left were three tense mutants, all of whom were glaring suspiciously at Kurama.
Hiei --still smirking-- peered out of the corner of his eye at Kurama. ="WONDERFUL demonstration of control, fox."=
Yuusuke grimaced. ="I have to agree with him there, Kurama. No more moonlit romps for you if it brings out this much of your youko side."=
Kurama shrugged mildly, the smallest smile playing about upon his lips. ="They would have found out about our 'mutant powers' sooner or later. I was . . . bored."=
Hiei chuckled --a sound that Yuusuke found vaguely disturbing, seeing as how Hiei rarely laughed aside from when he was disemboweling some unfortunate demon. ="A bored fox is a dangerous thing, it would seem."=
Yuusuke snorted. ="I'll be certain to remember that."=
- : - : - : - : - : -
Pietro's surprise swiftly wore thin, and he leveled a smirk at the three foreigners. "Mutants," he said. "Well, if the day isn't getting more fan- freaking-tastic by the second."
He HAD been regarding the three strangers as a possible source of entertainment, maybe even as a way of gaining more information of the goings-on around the school, but THIS changed everything.
The redhead said that the entire trio was made up of mutants. If that was true, it meant that all three had unique powers, and Pietro had a hunch that they weren't the kind of kids to let just anyone boss them around.
That meant that there were only two places that the newcomers could occupy: enemies . . . or allies.
Pietro straightened from the slight crouch he had fallen into, grinning at the brown-eyed young man who seemed to be the leader of the odd trio. "You already know my name, but I think that a little reiteration would be in order. I'm Pietro Maximoff, also known as Quicksilver, speed-demon extraordinaire---" The two black-haired boys snorted at this for some reason. "Over there is Lance, also known as Avalanche, the walking natural disaster. The big boy's the Immovable Fred Dukes, known as The Blob. You?"
"Yuusuke Urameshi," replied the other with a small, cocky grin. "Worst guy to face in a fight and the biggest bad ass around. The redhead's Shuichi Minamino, legendary plant-master . . . looks, brains, and master thieving skills all rolled into one. Shorty over there is Hiei Jaganshi, the sociopathic pyro and . . ." The grin widened marginally as the boy glanced over at the spiky-haired kid. ". . . second biggest bad ass."
The red-eyed kid glared up at the taller boy, but remained silent.
Pietro's grin widened. "I hope you aren't prone to exaggeration. I'd have to let Fred give you a demonstration of HIS powers."
"What, by sitting on me?" The brown-eyed boy looked offended. "Please say that you're joking. Even IF he can get that bulk of his up to speed, he'd never lay a finger on ANY of us. We've taken down WAY bigger prey than your little trio."
Pietro's interest was immediately caught. He could see no lie in the other boy's eyes, none of the brash confidence that marked one of the wind-bag thugs around the school . . . just simple confidence.
Fred, however, was insulted. "Is that so?" he asked, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Care to back that up, Loudmouth?"
The raven-haired young man turned his gaze toward the far-larger boy. A mocking smile curved across his lips. "No need to get so worked up," he said coolly. "Just stating facts."
"Then state 'em with your fists," growled Fred.
The brown-eyed boy --Yuusuke-- narrowed his eyes, a small spark of irritation shining in their depths. "Then it would be better if you showed us a way outside. I wouldn't want to building to collapse when I knock you on your ass."
- : - : - : - : - : -
Yuusuke gazed around at the secluded little 'alley' between the gym and auditorium buildings that Pietro had led them to. It was open enough to allow free range of movement for a mild fight, and yet it wasn't so open that everyone walking by would take note of it.
The Big Boy (as Yuusuke had labeled him) stalked to the opposite side of the alley. "Come on, squirt, let's see what you've got."
Yuusuke rolled his eyes. ="I'm getting nostalgic,"= he called to Kurama and Hiei. ="I feel like I'm back home . . . about to pound Kuwabara into dust."=
Kurama's eyes merely narrowed.
="Be wary, Yuusuke,"= he called. ="We don't truly know what his powers are."=
Unconcerned, Yuusuke tilted his head to the left and right, popping his neck loudly. ="Don't worry so much. He's just a human."=
Fred widened his stance slightly, leaning forward, also smirking. "Come on. Quit with the jibber-jabber, and gimme' your best shot."
Hiei sneered, crossing his arms over his chest. ="That fool is begging to have his ribs broken."=
Kurama smiled slightly. ="Indeed."=
Yuusuke laughed softly at the short exchange, but his thoughts turned immediately back to the rather large opponent before him, sizing him up.
What had Pietro called the guy? 'Blob' ? It was apt, he had to admit that much. What sort of power would a 'blob' have . . . ?
Pietro had said something else as well. 'Immovable.' So, apparently, it took quite a lot of effort to get the guy moving.
A lot of effort for a human, at least.
"All I've got to do is move him?" murmured the Toushin softly. "Heh. Done deal."
He lowered himself into the slightest of crouches, gathering both reiki and some slight youki into his fist, carefully keeping the levels below that of human perception. His fist soon grew warm, and he could feel his youki straining, wishing for more freedom.
He beat back the errant energy forcefully.
Hey, he wanted to knock the guy off his feet, not flambé him.
"You ready, Blobbo?" he called.
"Bring it on!"
A slow, cold smile crept across Yuusuke's lips. "You asked for it."
He launched himself forward faster than Fred's eyes could follow, drawing his fist back as he did so. His eyes narrowed in upon his target: the area of flesh just below where the fat boy's ribs should be.
His fist sunk a good two feet into the pliant flesh of the boy's stomach before it stopped, and then Yuusuke released all of the energy pent up within his fist.
To one with senses attuned to youki and reiki, a huge blue-white flash occurred around Yuusuke's arm, but to the observing humans, it was as though Fred had suddenly been plucked up by a huge, invisible hand and flung through the air to land with a bone-jarring *thud* upon the ground . . . about twenty feet down the alley.
Yuusuke grinned over at the dumfounded figures of Lance and Pietro. "Next?"
- : - : - : - : - : -
Jean was walking beside Scott when she felt it.
An enormous jolt of shock . . . surprise, awe, even a little fear . . . all of it in one burst so sharp that she stumbled, raising one hand to her chest as she gasped desperately for breath, her heart thundering within her ribcage.
Scott was there immediately, gripping her upper arms to hold her steady, asking what was wrong, did she need help?
The empathic young woman drew in a steadying breath. " . . . someone . . . someone's fighting the Brotherhood!"
Scott stiffened. "What? Who?"
"I don't KNOW who!" Jean shook her head incredulously. "I don't know WHO they are, but they're WINNING!" Closing her eyes, she stretched out her senses, seeking out the distinctive presences of the Brotherhood members . . . then searching around them for the cause of the sudden flood of emotions . . . and she found . . .
Violet?
Her eyes snapped open. "It's THEM!"
Scott's entire body was tense. "Who!?"
"The boys!" Jean turned to stare up into the young man's face. "Yuusuke and Shuichi and Hiei! THEM!"
Scott's eyes widened behind his glasses. "Can you show me where?"
She nodded, pulling away from his supportive grip. "This way!"
Forgetting about lunch completely, the pair raced away down the hallways, drawing stares and whispered comments as they went.
- : - : - : - : - : -
"Hey! Break it up!"
All six boys turned to face the source of the yell, only to find Scott running towards them, Jean hot on his heels.
Pietro sneered. "And here come the X-geeks . . . to 'save the day,' I assume."
Scott slowed down to an angry stalk as he came nearer, and even despite his perpetually-present glasses, it didn't take a rocket scientist to know that he was furious.
"Summers in the lead," observed Lance coolly. "As always."
"Back off, Alvers," growled Scott. The senior turned his shielded gaze toward the three Japanese students. "You three have A LOT to explain. You're coming with us. Now."
Pietro snickered. "Ah, was the X-geek worried about getting a few, new, wittle recruits?" he sneered. "Don't worry, Summers, we've been taking good care of 'em for you."
"Shut it, Maximoff! . . . Yuusuke, Shuichi, Hiei, we're going NOW."
Yuusuke snorted, muttering low enough that only demon ears could hear. ="If I didn't know better, I'd think that Visor boy is still a little sore at us for 'stealing' Jean."= Yuusuke rolled his eyes with a sigh. ="The bruised male ego at its best. Come on, might as well let him get it out of his system."=
The three demons fell into step behind Scott as the senior strode back in the direction he had come from, a worried Jean walking at his side.
Before they had gone too far, however, Yuusuke turned back and waved jauntily at the three Brotherhood members. "We'll see you three tomorrow. Meet us at The Locker?"
Pietro grinned in response. "We'll be there."
- : - : - : - : - : -
Rogue sighed heavily where she sat perched on the edge of one of the bleachers, watching as the gym students filed onto the field one-by-one. She had a free class this period, and guess were free-period people got to hang out?
The lunchroom or the bleachers.
It just so happened that her free period coincided with one of the student lunch periods (one of the NOISY student lunch periods), and so the only place she could stay with any modicum of comfort was out here.
Prep Central.
Joy.
She sighed, flipping idly through the pages of her literature book, searching for something to read in order to pass the time. She wasn't very impressed with the selection . . . mostly stuffy, ancient stories filled to bursting with metaphors and similes and analogies . . . Not her kind of thing.
She shut the book and braced its spine against her lap, a determined frown upon her face. She released her hold on the front and back covers, allowing the book to flop open to a random page. Her eyes swiftly skimmed the heading at the top of the page.
'Edgar Allen Poe.'
THERE was something she could deal with. Poe's works had always intrigued her, especially those like 'The Raven' or 'Annabelle Lee.'
She flipped through the pages which contained several poems by Poe, searching for one she had never read.
One at last caught her eye, and as she read, all the hairs upon her neck and arms stood on end, a shudder trailing down her spine as though something had pressed icy-cold fingers against the base of her skull . . . though why mere words had such an effect upon her, she didn't know.
Movement caught her eye from near the base of the bleachers, and she picked out the distinctive red hair of Jean and Shuichi amidst a jumble of people whom she soon identified to be Scott, Yuusuke, and Hiei.
Scott was snapping at the three newcomers. From this distance, Rogue couldn't make out words, but the tone carried well enough, and it sounded as though Shades was PISSED. Capital P-I-S-S-E-D.
She set her book down upon the bench after placing a small slip of scratch paper between the pages to mark her spot. That done, she picked her way carefully down the stair-like bleachers, intent on finding out what was going on.
Behind her, sunlight gleamed upon the smooth pages of the book, highlighting the words of the poem.
Alone
by Edgar Allan Poe
From childhood's hour I have not been
As others were; I have not seen
As others saw; I could not bring
My passions from a common spring.
From the same source I have not taken
My sorrow; I could not awaken
My heart to joy at the same tone;
And all I loved, I loved alone.
Then- in my childhood, in the dawn
Of a most stormy life- was drawn
From every depth of good and ill
The mystery which binds me still:
From the torrent, or the fountain,
From the red cliff of the mountain,
From the sun that round me rolled
In its autumn tint of gold,
From the lightning in the sky
As it passed me flying by,
From the thunder and the storm,
And the cloud that took the form
(When the rest of Heaven was blue)
Of a demon in my view.
- : - : - To Be Continued . . . - : - : -
A/N: Well, what do you think? How'd you like the little creepy note on the end? I can't believe I found a poem that fit my expectations so perfectly! I was so happy! . . . and I have many plans for that little poem in upcoming chapters. *evil smirk* Enjoy.
No review responses for this one either . . . It's 12: 35pm and I'm too tired to respond to any right now. Starting next chapter, I'm only answering ten per chapter so that it isn't such a hassle. Later, minna-san!