Disclaimer: I do not own the Kamen Rider Kabuto TV show, or franchise, nor am I profiting from these materials in any way. This story was written solely for my own pleasure.
Chapter Notes: 3 years before canon.
The Butler and the Worm
By fieryrondo
5. Memory's Fragrance
Jiiya imagined that the Scorpio Worm would further flaunt its power over him by discarding his lackluster culinary efforts (Jiiya, regardless of the situation, was a butler who took pride in his abilities to prepare meals that would satisfy any palate, especially his bocchama's finicky tastes.)
But such efforts were wasted on a Worm, Jiiya thought when he prepared the meal with trembling hands, ignoring the throbbing pain in his chest.
What did it matter if the miso soup Jiiya ladled out was slightly saltier than it should be? Could Worms even die from hypertension?
What Jiiya did not expect was for the Worm to devour the soup with gusto and demand, with an almost childish pout, for more.
"Do you expect me to starve, Jiiya?" Scorpio Worm tapped the porcelain spoon on the inside of the bowl, an achingly familiar gesture.
"Would you like another bowl?" Jiiya said with gritted teeth.
"Never mind. I'll get it myself." With inhuman speed, the Worm was in the kitchen—Jiiya's beloved domain—ladling himself more soup.
Jiiya took the moment to hide one of the kitchen knives behind his back. He had chosen the blade with great care, though he had little confidence that it would be sharp enough to pierce the Worm's armor.
Oddly enough, the Worm seemed to have no intention of shedding Bocchama's appearance.
"Don't think for a moment you can escape, old man," Scorpio Worm hissed from the kitchen. "As far as the world's concerned, I'm master of this house. If you so much take a step out of this house, you'll regret it dearly."
"Why are you doing this? Take my life-you've already taken everything else, Worm."
Scorpio Worm chuckled.
"You want to die so badly, Jiiya?" The Worm twitched, almost as if it were about to have a fit. "I won't let you—it's much more painful—for you—and more fun—for me—to keep you around. Besides—" Scorpio Worm shoved the bowl to the side for disposal. "—what kind of master I would be without a faithful man attending me?"
To Scorpio Worm's amusement, Jiiya glowered at him, shoulders trembling.
"You dare mock—"
"Kamishiro Tsurugi is dead, Jiiya, and it's about time you accepted it."
Scorpio Worm did not feel the wholehearted satisfaction he expected from seeing the man bow his head in defeat.
Kamishiro Tsurugi is dead. Those words—they troubled him somewhat.
Looking around—anything but the man—Scorpio Worm noticed the garden from the window. He had gotten rid of the bodies earlier but several rose beds had been trampled and would need to be fixed.
"Nee-chan would like them trimmed…" The murmured words fell from his lips like water droplets.
"Go prune the roses in the back after you're done with dinner clean-up." When Jiiya did not move, anger seized the Worm. He stalked toward Jiiya, who stood defiantly before him.
"I don't like repeating myself, so I'm warning you. Test my patience and I'll—"
Scorpio Worm found himself distracted by a sudden, most peculiar sensation in his side. His eyes tracked the source to a knife stuck in his abdomen, the knife gripped tightly in the hands of the elderly butler, who met his gaze with wide eyes.
"That hurt." And it did. It really did. Scorpio Worm wondered when was the last time he had been in this much pain. Vision swimming, he slumped against the wall, trying to control his breathing.
I need to get it out. He pulled desperately at the knife but it was stuck towards the back, the handle slick and hard to pull. He tried to focus on changing back, looking down at his arms to see hands? Claws? The metallic tang blood overwhelmed his senses. A retch only brought forth new ripples of backbreaking agony.
"Jiiya…it hurts."
The creak of the open front door was his only reply.
Next Time: Cook's Poison