Disclaimer: Nah, I don't own Get Backers:P
Enjoy!
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The trees hovering above their heads swayed with the winds' dance, whistles, and moans, grass flattened by their fake-leather footwear laid restlessly beneath them, and the tips of their strands stung their eyes. Kagami's mocking smirk may have aggravated Akabane, but he knew better than to let this pompous lad crawl under his skin. He wanted to rip Kagami's offensive eyeballs out, but he knew if he did that, Ban would certainly throw a terrifying fit at him. So, as always, Kurodo Akabane had played it cool. Real cool.
"Didn't expect Ban's hound to meet me at this hour." Kagami brushed his stubborn locks aside and humorlessly chuckled at Akabane's lopsided smile.
"Hound sounds kind of discriminating. Try friend. Sounds better, don't you think?"
Kagami amusingly stared at Akabane's stern violet eyes and said, "I see you haven't changed, know-it-all."
"I could say the same thing to you, you arrogant jackass." Akabane tipped his hat lower to hide a smile from shaping his somber façade.
"So, why'd you call me to meet you out here, in the school's backyard, huh?" Kagami's cocky grin nearly propelled Akabane into digging out his Swiss knife and scar that pristine face of his.
Since Junior High, Kagami has been nothing but a relentless virus implanted in Akabane's already goaded head. Same as Ban's subconscious sentiment, he loathed Kagami, to the extent of suppressing the driving force of plunging his handy knife into Kagami's eye socket.
Oh. That would surely offer him a gory satisfaction. For starters, he was never squeamish over perceiving blood leaking out of someone's flesh. In fact, it aroused him, sending him into a sweaty orgasm.
He was fully aware of his morbid and unusual yearn for blood. But he supposed that he couldn't stop it since it could have been part of his DNA construction from the beginning of the fertilization process; he desired the color of blood, the scent of it filling his nose, its fluid feel trailing on his tingling, pale skin.
Shaking his head, Akabane said coolly, "Let's just say that I only wanted to refresh old memories, for old times' sake."
"Refresh old memories, huh?" Kagami rubbed his cheek pensively, looked up at the sky, stared at the oppressive grey clouds. "Do you remember the time when I spread the rumor about you being gay, and everybody falling for it?"
Akabane's hand stiffened for a moment but let it pass. "Yes. As a matter of fact, I haven't forgotten about it, mind you. Girls had ignored me during our younger years, and some of them still do." He glanced at Kagami's slanted profile and added, "You've always enjoyed spreading untrue assertions about people and never even thought of the feelings you've marred. You're such a hypocritical sadist."
"I know. I see there's still a spark of blame that's beginning to engulf your smug face." Out of the corner of his eye, Kagami caught Akabane's uneasy shift of movement, watched him inch closer.
Akabane hollowly giggled. "You haven't changed one bit. But I have a rumor about you as well."
"Oh?" Kagami turned to face Akabane. "What could that be?"
"You had a major crush on the Kudo's ghost, didn't you?" Akabane immediately spotted Kagami's hand jerk. Strike one.
"Kudo ghost, huh? Where'd you get that from?"
"Don't lie to me, jackass. I have connections and you know it. Plus, you were babbling about sneaking into the mansion and seeing the ghost all week. You're such an amateur showoff. If you want more unnecessary proof, I have witnesses if you'd like, in case you're planning to take your word back."
"You preparing to be a lawyer someday?" Kagami glared at Akabane for a short moment, sinuously brushed his locks aside, and smiled. "But you said it yourself, it's just a rumor."
"Oh? Then tell me, why are your legs shaking and you're profusely sweating your head off? Mind explaining that to me?" Strike two. Just a little more.
Damn you. "Don't base your assumptions on what you're observing. It's not solid evidence. Besides, what are you trying to get here, huh?"
"Why are you painstakingly defending yourself?"
"Because you're jumping into hasty suppositions." Kagami's pale face reddened.
"I only want answers from the past that may have something to do with the present. You knew her, including her brother, most probably. What do you have to hide from me?"
"She's dead. I saw her ghost. Why do you need answers from the dead?"
"Apparently true. But don't you ever wonder why her ghost has been roaming about the mansion and haunting people? Perhaps it's because she feels so unjust, so empty?"
Kagami felt chilling sweat trickle down his back, his armpits, his face. What the hell's up with him? What is up with all these bullshit questions? He snorted agitatedly, retorted, "Why? What has Ban ordered you to do?" Anger rose in his voice and his smile had long vanished.
"This has nothing to do with him." Satisfied, Akabane grinned. "This matter is only between you and me. Now, will you tell me about Kudo Himiko's past or not?"
"Why do you want to fuckin' know?"
"I'm nosy, I want to know about these sort of things. Got a problem with that?"
"Yeah. You and your nosy questions." Kagami glared at Akabane and said, "This is stupid. I've got more important things to deal with, rather than talk with you about ridiculous issues." He knelt down, grabbed his backpack, and started off when Akabane seized him by the shoulder.
"You probably loved her, you possibly teased her to earn her frustrated attention, and you blamed yourself for it. Remember, it was the past. There's simply nothing you can do about it."
Kagami dropped his bag and tousled his hair. "What are you now, a mind reader?" Kagami noisily sighed. "Answer me first. What would you do if you've discovered more about her from me? It certainly won't bring her back."
Akabane shrugged, then replied, "True. But releasing yourself of your familiarity with her, don't you think that would alleviate your nerve-racking nostalgia of her?"
"No. You're lying. And why do you care about my psychological mechanism anyway? You hate me."
"Fine. Here's the truth." Akabane took a deep breath and said, "Hearing your story, I've been inspired to check it out personally. Since you know me so well, you should know that before I indulge myself into performing the dirty work, I look at the known or likely facts before initiating anything. And since you knew her, you're the only available answer key here. You satisfied?"
Kagami didn't say anything. With his eyes focused on Akabane's amused face, he knew it was a lie. "Ban sent you," he said curtly.
Akabane knew that he could deceive Kagami no more. "You could say that I volunteered to look into it personally, socially."
"Socially, my ass. You're a scum." Kagami began to walk away with his bag slung over his shoulder, when Akabane said, "You're a wimp."
Kagami abruptly turned to him. He threw his sack aside and stomped toward Akabane, jammed a finger on his chest. "You think you know everything, don't you? You think you can pick me selectively and brand me as a walking Encyclopedia? Well, before you make assumptions, let me make it clear to you first."
Frustration evident in his tone, he sighed. "Weeks after her accident, she stopped talking to anyone, specifically me. But I've been trying all I can to cheer her up, but it just made her more impetuous. One day, she suddenly disappeared. She never again showed up, not in school, malls, not even the grocery store. She just vanished. Same thing with her irritating brother. Hates me, I tell you. Always gives me the stink-eye when I come over to their place. I was only kidding about her accident and she always makes a huge deal out of it. Everybody was only kidding, didn't really mean it." He limply dropped his hand and turned.
"Some say she committed suicide, others say she left the country, never to return again. I actually don't know. But all I know is, she's pissed at me. I saw her ghost, and that's the truth. I must have drove her to profound misery, sent her into a trench of darkness, anger, sadness. She was very sensitive, too sensitive for anyone's good. I blamed myself, blamed her, blamed everyone. Hell, it drove me insane. I had to make an appointment with an impractical, go-by-the-book psychiatrist. Didn't even help me. I was responsible for bringing myself back. Me. No one else but me." Kagami grabbed a fistful of his hair, and then numbly dropped his hand. "I loved her. I did, but she's dead and I hate her for that." He walked to the side, picked up his pack. "I believe that answers it. She's dead, and it's all because of my inconsiderate big mouth and actions, I guess. I should have known, but I must have been too blinded by conceit."
Kagami sauntered off, then stopped. "This better not go anywhere. I don't frickin' care about the past, but I don't want to hear it go round the campus. Got it?"
"Well, you'll just have to forgive and forget 'cuz there's nothing you could do to change it. So, live with it." Akabane followed Kagami's path and halted beside him. He noticed Kagami shaking involuntarily, noticed his clenched fists. "Maybe you were right about the hound part. Catch you later."
When Akabane was halfway to the school's gate, he faintly heard Kagami's furious bellow. Strike three. You're out.
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Ban concluded his conversation with Akabane via phone when a knock hammered on his room's door.
"What?"
"How dare you rudely question your mother? Open this door, young man."
Ban rolled his eyes and strolled to the door to disengage the lock. When his back faced her, she hastily asked, "Where do you think you're heading out again? You just got here."
Scanning his Levis, white sweatshirt, running shoes, and stuffed backpack, she walked toward his bed and settled on its edge. "Hun, what's happening to us? We're drifting apart and lately, I've really missed you. Do you not love us anymore?" Tears brimming, she daintily pulled out her ornate hanky and wiped a single tear away.
Ban sighed, snatched another T-shirt from his closet. "Mom, you're throwing your emotional fit again. It ain't cute. Besides, I'm not staying for dinner, just picking up some extra clothes and a couple of handy stuff." As he heard his mom's intensifying sob, he wearily rubbed his face and turned to her. "Thanks for your concern, mom, but I'm good. No need to worry about my welfare. And in case you've forgotten, I'm ah… compelled to go to dad's party. So I'll be back soon."
She rose, mildly touched his cheek. "Ban… I… uh… understand." She, with difficulty, smiled and said, "But there's one more thing I should protest about your lunatic frolics."
Ban whirled, dumped his flashlight in his sack. Here we go again.
Miaka breathed in deeply and said, "Stop dating sluts. They don't suit your lifestyle, our lifestyle."
Ban tiredly turned to her and retorted, "They're not sluts. They're just spontaneous girls who crazily fall for my impressive looks and charisma. Slut is too degrading, mother dear. And rich types are too garish for my liking."
"Don't lecture me, and I still think they're sluts. Plus, your friends are so… so… lowly. Why do you keep hanging out with them?"
"Because I enjoy their company. Now would you please stop? You're beginning to annoy me, and I gotta go."
Thunderstruck by his dismissive tone, she slapped him. Scolding him, she plopped on his bed and replied angrily, "You're always ignoring me, and your father. Why can't you see that I only want the best for you? I love you so much, but… but you don't seem to return our love." She rubbed her wet cheeks with her hanky.
Ignoring his reddened cheek, he turned to her, said, "I have to go. My friends are waiting for me." He sauntered to the door, but stopped when she called out to him.
"There's something else."
"What now?" He flung his bag and rested his fists on his hips. He despised himself for being unable to express his love for his parents, but they were frequently irritating him. How can he return their gesture if they won't understand his plain desires? He merely wished for independence from his domineering parents.
"You're getting engaged."
She winced at his yell. She shook her head as she watched him throw a frightening spasm in front of her.
"I'm frigging engaged! How can you do this to me! How! Why!" Eyes bulging, he angrily stared at her.
"Not yet. Your dad and I are thinking about it—"
"Well, stop 'cuz my answer's no! No! No! No! Got it?"
"No."
Cursing loudly, he grabbed his bag and was crossing the doorway when his mother called out to him once more. "Would you please listen first?"
He hesitantly stomped to his bed and sat far from her. "What?"
"Your father's supplier has always been observing you since kindergarten. You're a strapping young man, intelligent, a little bit too petulant, stubborn, and loud, but that doesn't matter here. She wants you to be his son-in-law, bearing in mind that we'll have closer business connections and beautiful grandchildren." She giggled at the thought but abruptly stopped when Ban glared at her. "I've met her daughter, and my, my, she's such a fine lady. She may be older than you by three years, but who cares? I know I don't."
When Ban didn't utter a word, she continued cheerily, "They're coming over from New York to meet you, to attend your father's grand festivity. The Kakeis are absolutely eager to meet you, Hun." She leaned closer, patted his knee. "Ban, please don't give us hell."
"I hate this damn family!" Before that remark was able to register in her head, he stormed out of the room and shortly, left the place. How dare they do this to me? Engaged, my butt. Jeez! I'm never going to his party ever again! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!
Miaka sadly watched his retreating form and snatched her cell phone. "We've lost him… again. What are we going to do, Shin? I'm worried that his thick skull would lead him to recklessness."
Approaching the end of their chat, she said, "I agree. He'll definitely listen to either Paul or Teshi. Okay, okay. Dinner's at seven, don't forget. Mmm… love you too, bye."
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"What! I'm engaged? You've got to be kidding!" Sakura ignored the overturned chair relaxing behind her. Her mother's temple was restlessly propped on the back of her hand, while Jubei lethargically chewed his meal.
"Sakura, please sit down so we may discuss this more sensibly. Okay?" Growing impatient by her daughter's hard stare, she sighed, got up, and shuffled to Sakura. "Baby, don't be mad. I—"
"Don't be mad? Don't me mad? What makes you think I won't be mad! I'm fuming!" Sakura didn't understand this. She didn't like it. How can her own mother do this to her? She may have been an obedient daughter, but she wasn't too submissive to allow her own mother to choose her forthcoming choices. She loved her mother, but this was too much to ask. She won't permit it. Never.
"Sakura, please." Kakei Tomoyo held her daughter's trembling shoulders, lovingly looked at Sakura's blazing gaze. "Sit down. Let me explain."
Dazed, Sakura numbly dropped to the floor. Enraged by her mother's implausible offer, she didn't look at her, didn't emit a single word.
"The Midos have been our business partners ever since your father's position as head of the company. Digital Fortress is nothing without us, Technospect, Inc. Before your father's illness had swiped him away, he has always wished for both our business connections to grow stronger for us to be able to reach the ultimate rank. I've finally concluded that if our youngsters have bonded through marriage, it would undoubtedly be the answer to reach our much-loved goal. Plus, it is to fulfill your father's death wish." Tomoyo patted her daughter's cheek. "Sa—"
Sakura interrupted her by slapping her mother's hand away. "You're so selfish! How can you solely think about our link with Digital Fortress, but not your daughter's dreams? Have you ever thought of that? Have you considered my feelings? My wants? My future? It greatly matters to me. I'm living this life, not yours or father's, bless his soul. I love you both, I've always obeyed your domestic commands, simple it may be. But never ever expect me to be your key to your dutiful aspirations." Sakura roughly rubbed her wet cheeks and continued, "I don't care if you ground me for the rest of my life. I'd rather die than marry an anonymous, egotistical brat!" She klutzily stood up, dashed to her room, and slammed the door.
"Sakura! Get back here! I'm not yet finished. Sakura!" Infuriated, she plopped on her chair and rubbed her temples to relieve her escalating headache.
After a long pause, Jubei queried, "So, where do they live?"
Still massaging her head, she replied unenthusiastically, "Japan."
Jubei's mouth fell, dropped his fork. "You're bluffing."
Tomoyo annoyingly looked up. "Does it look like I'm bluffing?" Seeing her ghastly appearance and red eyes, he said, "You're serious."
"Duh." Getting up, she said, "Clean up for me will you, kiddo. I'm too tired to wash the dishes."
"You haven't eaten anything."
"Good night." She stumbled up the stairs, mumbled something inarticulately.
Jubei shook his head, piled up the mottled dishes. Kazuki. Wide-eyed, he grasped his head in annoyance. "Damn! I forgot to ask her where exactly in Japan! Damn! Argh!"
While her brother was sulkily cleaning the table downstairs, Sakura was weeping. "Why can't she understand? Why? I don't want to marry someone I hardly know. Mother… why must you pain me so?" Her gaze gradually shifted to her desk. She stood up, went to it, and opened her drawer.
A smile drew her lips as she viewed his picture. Enclosed in a handmade picture frame was a captivating teen; electric-blue eyes made her shiver with delight, his smile excited her, and his silver hair made her grin like an idiot. Fourteen years of age, five years younger than her, Makubex was an interesting fellow. They've been chatting for three years or so, and the longer they chatter about themselves, the further she grew to love him. Smart, witty, charming, and incredibly cute, God, she was in love with this tot.
Then she remembered. Mido. Japan. Makubex. Hurriedly replacing her treasured item in her drawer, she quietly exited her room. She stealthily passed by her mother's room and into the computer room. Then and there, she signed in her IM. And to her quiet ecstasy, he was in, but only for awhile.
She speedily sent her greetings and inquiries about his well-being. Shortly after that, she told him her possible trip to his homeland.
Joy filling his heart, he gaily typed in his astonishment, his thrill, and nearly gave away his crave to tell her his deepest thoughts. Oh, Sakura. My dream to eventually meet you is coming to an end. Or rather, the beginning to something more splendid, deeper than measly contact through cyberspace.
wizardx: I can hardly wait:D
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"Everybody here?" Ban asked as he glanced at each of his friends' apprehensive yet animated expressions. Only Ginji was absent at the moment.
Cursing under his breath, Ban dialed Ginji's number. When he heard Ginji's ragged answer, he blankly said, "Hurry up." As he ended the call, he assured the rest that Ginji was on his way over.
Waiting for Ginji's arrival, Emishi somberly peeked at the bleak structure that is known as the Kudo Mansion. "Gee. I knew it looked scary, but not like the type that gives you the nerves. I can feel my body hair straightening." Emishi rubbed his moist hands together, seeking for warmth against the whistling wind's frosty bite.
After a few minutes of lingering beneath a bare oak, just outside the spotted gate's entry, Ginji jogged to Ban's side, bent over to gain his normal pace of breathing.
When Ginji straightened, Ban smirked, and patted his friend's shoulder. "Teshimene gave you a hard time?"
"Sorta. I bet he didn't believe me when I told him we're off to watch a flick. Just look at my outfit. Dad's too smart to fall for a word I just said." The gang scrutinized his matching jogging pants and shirt. Ban slapped his forehead, whereas the others fought the impulse to hold back their laugh.
"A monkey won't even fall for a word you just said," Ban smacked Ginji's head, then genially wrapped an arm around his friend's neck when he heard Ginji's exhausted moan. "Brought a flashlight?"
Slowly pulling away from Ban's grasp, Ginji fished out an earthy green flashlight from his bag, and lifted it up for everyone to see.
Ban superiorly nodded his head, said in a quiet tone, "So, what are we all waiting for? Let's go." He started off, daringly leading them as usual; his left hand rammed in his pocket while the other steered his trusty light.
Following from the rear were his friends. Hearing the ominous sounds of the night, Ginji cowered between Ban and Shido, Kazuki warily walked after Shido, Emishi followed her elegant stride, and Akabane, as always, preferred the back.
And so, it begins.
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You like? No? Review please:P
To be continued…