Hey everyone!! I am back, did ya miss me!! fine then be that way! *sticks tongue out* Before we get this show on the road, I want to give a special shout out to Silver Kitsune Lunara. Without her, I would never find the intiative to continue this fic ot the desire to make proud. Thank you Kitsu-chan for cheering me on. And now without further ado, I present to you the fourth chapter of 'Name of the Game' please enjoy!!
Disclaimer: Must we see how much more my poor heart can take? I do not own it!! *sob*
The woman, Yoruichi, began the interrogation. I quickly prepared myself for anything that could come up, trying to remain one step ahead of them at all cost.
"Where did you come from?" She asked finally, the heavy tension in the room increasing ten-fold. Looking at her with a passive face, I let the lie flow from my lips without second thought.
"I just recently came back from the states, where I lived with my relatives." I answered coolly, fighting the urge to snap at her. 'If I play it cool, then maybe these people will let me leave. If not, then I will have to find some kind of distraction long enough for me to escape.' My thoughts starting to formulate a plan of action, I tuned back in to the next person.
The busty orange haired girl cleared her throat and all eyes fixed on her. She stuttered for a moment and I slightly softened my gaze on her. The grateful smile that formed on her lips made something jerk in my chest. Lightly passing a hand over the spot, I nodded at her for her to ask her question.
"Demo, Arena-san, why were you near our school?" She quietly inquired. Again all eyes shifted to me.
Licking my lips, I stared at her. Coming to my decision, I answered her as truthfully as I could.
"I can not really say why I was there. I was just walking around; I really did not have any fore-planned place to go. It was merely coincidence that I happened to be at your school." A snort of disbelief came from the red-haired, tattooed man in the corner. I glanced at him and frowned.
"Is there something displeasing about the answers I give unto you?" I asked frigidly, a cold rage burning just underneath the surface. Bodies shifted into defensive stances and the air became even more tensed if possible. I also went into my own defensive pose, my fist clenching the sheets and my hackles rising up. The growl that ripped from my throat resounded in the room, eyes snapping wide at my feral state.
The man I was addressing tensed further, hand going immediately to the sword at his side. A snarl rose in my throat at the hidden threat, my eyes shifting from each person. Everyone was on edge, the young woman who had asked me the second question looked at me with cautious eyes and the man's eyes and my own clashed in silent war. Muscles bunching under taunt skin, I prepared myself to lung at him when the fan baring man snapped his fan closed, causing us all to jump and gaze at him.
The purpled hair woman and he had been silent for most of the questioning and truth be told, I had forgotten of their existence in the room. Momentarily taken aback, I slumped backward against the pillow behind me, my energy suddenly depleted. Everyone also relaxed slightly, not taking their attention from me, but also giving the man their attention as well. The room was filled with intense silence until he deemed talking appropriate.
"Well that certainly was a bit off track, ne?" He grinned to ease the tension, but even I could tell that he was ready for any threat from me. I swallowed thickly, the rush of adrenaline flowing out of me and leaving me exhausted.
"I apologize for my reaction, however I will not be disrespected. The answer I give is the answer I deem appropriate for the question asked." I stated, glancing at the man I had just been ready to maim. Our eyes locked in a small heated battle, promises of settling the score later sealed. The grinning man nodded his head, understanding where I was coming from. He cleared his throat and began to explain some new rules for the interrogation.
"Let's do it like this: when it is your turn to ask a question to Arena-san and you are unsatisfied by her answer, kindly ask her to elaborate, or keep quiet until all questions have been asked and addressed, agreed?" He looked around at every person, meeting their eyes and nodding. Heads showed agreement to the stated proposal and the tension lessened. He flicked the fan back open and looked at me. I reclined my head in silent agreement and awaited the other questions to be asked.
The man who I had deemed the brains of the group pushed up his glasses and spoke softly, but surely.
"I understand that you did not purposefully seek out our school, but I am curious as to why you fainted to begin with after Kurosaki caught you?" He locked eyes with me, patiently awaiting my answer.
I closed my eyes, going over the incident that started this whole mess. That put me in this situation.
Flashback:
Silence met my return. Assuming that they had gone back inside to the building, I turned to face the direction I had been walking when I rammed into something solid and hard. I braced myself for the impact…that never came. It took one second to realize this and another second to also realize that I had my eyes closed. I slowly opened them, only to be dazzled by a shock of burning orange. I lowered my gaze to fall on the face of the owner, only to yet again get awed. Flaming brown eyes caught my gaze and everything….stopped.
Have you ever felt like motion has ceased to exist? Like the very essence of time is gone? Well that's how it felt to me, as corny as that seems.
Then and only then did it occur to me that whoever had me was…talking?.....yes, if the rapid movement of their mouth was any indication. I focused in on what they were trying to say and made out a sentence or two.
"Oi! Did you hear me? Are you okay?...OI!!"
My eyes shifted to the right and saw that there was a small crowd forming. A sharp pain suddenly hit me, and the last thing I remember is those brown, flaming eyes widening and their mouth opening to say something else.
End Flashback
I slowly open my eyes and lips trembling, answer as best I can.
"All that I can tell you is that there was a pain, a throbbing pain. I do not believe that that would cause me to faint as I did, but is the only reason I can think of at this time." I spoke with uncertainty, silently pleading with him to take my answer and be done with his question. He nodded sated with my answer for now, but telling me that I would have to elaborate on my answer at a later time. Relief shot through me and I smiled at him gratefully.
The next person in line to ask a question was the man that had set my blood on fire with rage. He was opening his mouth to ask when an object was thrown at him, causing him to yelp in surprise and flail backwards, and promptly fall on his back, eagle-spread. The room was silent for a moment and laughter roared through the room. Again, taken aback, I watched as the people seemed to let the weight of the situation roll off them at the expense of the fallen man. Smiles brightened the room and affections and teases were thrown about. A pang of something foreign to me hit me in the chest as the burning of tears began to fill my eyes. 'This feeling….is loneliness…and jealousy.' I thought in awe as the feeling spread into my whole being. I clutched the front of my shirt tightly, my body shaking from the effort of not crying out. I blinked rapidly, watching the group of friends bond with one another. I bowed my head, concentrating on breathing slowly, when it happened.
My head felt as if it was being smashed repeatedly into a concrete wall. My temples pulsed with the sensation, the feeling causing more tears to well in my eyes. Pressure built behind my eyes and it took everything in me not to scream. I heard the blood surging in my body, my veins, and my heart. Sounds that were normally not an issue to me and were ignored became weapons of pain and the laughter felt as if it were trying to tear my skull apart. Whimpers made their way up in my throat, furiously being squashed down by my stubbornness. I squinted, the peoples' outlines becoming blurry and going in-and-out of focus. My breathing became labored and I fought the urge to throw myself against the bedding I was sitting on. I clutched the shirt tighter, my nails creating indented crescents in my skin and small beads of blood to form. Pressure built in my chest and increased with every breath I took. I thought I would die from the searing pain in my head when it stopped. Sweat coated my face and dribbled down my chest, soaking my shirt and dampening my hair. Hands shook and my blood pounded in my body. Slowly, my vision began to correct itself and I could see that the whole experience had gone unnoticed by all. Taking a shaky breath to stabilize my self and wiping the sweat from my face, I mentally chastised my self for not handling the situation better.
Massaging my temples to soothe the receding pain and clear my mind, I was startled by a warm hand resting against my shoulder. I looked up slowly, locking eyes with the quiet, tanned man that had caused my second black-out. Brown eyes, shimmering with unbridled concern, silently asked if I was okay. I grimaced at the question. 'Apparently, it did not go unnoticed.' That thought caused my grimace to soften and removing my fingers from my temple, I slowly put one hand atop his, giving him ample time to remove it if he so wished, and nodded at him. Taking those actions as an affirmative that I was indeed okay, he smiled slightly, gently patting my shoulder and sat down on my other side. The room seemed too small then, the air seeming to suppress me and I let out a soft gasp. That caused the playing to stop and I blushed as eyes pierced me again, the weight making me uncomfortable in my own skin.
A surprise yawn escaped my mouth and I reluctantly rubbed at my eyes. The woman with the purple hair cocked her head to the side and grinned, getting up and looking at the others.
"I believe that that is our sign to let her rest. Much has happened and we must let her regain the strength that she used answering our questions. Come one, everyone leave." She commanded. Everyone shifted uncomfortably, not wanting to leave yet until the mystery that was I, was solved.
Sighing with irritation, she glanced at me. The question was unspoken, but I understood it all the same. I smiled tiredly and spoke, using what strength I had left. "I will answer everyone else's questions later. Right now I am tired and would like to rest, if I may." I glanced warily at the others. My request seemed to affirm to the others that I was indeed lacking strength to continue the onslaught of burning questions. They stood up to take their leave, the girl with flowing orange hair smiling softly at me and the man in the glasses nodding to me. They all left and I lowered myself to the bed slowly, making sure not to disturb my wounds. Shock filled me as I acknowledge that and looking down while lifting my shirt slightly, saw that bandages had been rapped around my midsection. An eyebrow rose at this discovery and I tucked my shirt back down.
Resting on my back and throwing my left arm causally across my middle, I contemplated the conversations and events that had taken place during my first stay. Going over every word said and every action done, I decided that I would stay for while, only to get a better understanding of the odd group who had involuntarily entered my life. Closing my eyes and clearing out my thoughts and emotions, I heard the soft song of the rain outside. I chuckled to myself, 'This place is just full of surprises and the people are only worse…' then frowned. I should have been able to handle those questions better and not have been so flustered when that man challenged me. I raised my other arm and splayed my fingers in front of my face. Small beams of moonlight drifted through the window that I had just noticed. Turning my head, I watched as the rain fell to the earth, seeming to cleanse away all of the hurt, pain, confusion, anger, depression….every emotion that had befallen me and this world.
The soft, wet rhythm of the rain calmed my blistering soul and lulled me into a drowsy state. My hand dropped to my side, dead weight, and my breathing evened out. A sigh passed through my lips as I made myself comfortable on the bedding. Pulling the covers to my waist, I sluggishly listened to the humming of night insects and the chirping of the late-night birds. All this finally overcame my futile resistance of sleep and I fully surrendered to the soothing darkness. My mind blanked out and everything vanished.
The wind blew my hair out of my face as I ran down the cobble-stone street. Sunlight streaked through the foliage that covered the sleepy town that I now lived in. Brightly colored birds took flight and their songs swelled in the sky, untouched by any blight of the earth. My feet pounded down a narrow street and a smile widened across my mouth.
Joy encased my being as I approached the little shop just ahead of me. Flying through the doors, I stop, stooping over trying to catch my breath. The sweet smells of the different candies overloaded my senses and a joyful squeal escaped my lips. Giggles came forth as I twirled around, lifting my arms in the air.
A jingle resounded through the store as a back door opened and the figure of an older man walked in. My eyes widened and my smile increased even more. I flung myself at the man when he was within jumping distance and he caught me, spinning me around, laughter from both of us filling the shop. He set me down and looked at me. My shining brown-gray eyes locked with his kind violet ones. He was a strong built man, his figure defying his age. His hair was pulled into a pony-tail, gray starting to battle the deep chocolate color of his youth.
His skin was weathered and browned from hard labor in the sun many years ago and his face told of many adventures to different places. He smiled at me, patting me on the head lightly before moving behind the counter. I trotted after him, my deep red and orange dress ruffling around my knees and skipped to the front of the counter, gripping the edge and pulling myself onto my tip toes, looking over at him. He was bent over, picking up a box no bigger than the length of his forearm and turning around and straightening up, placed it before me.
I grinned at him and stretched one arm out, my fingertips just barely grazing the corner of the box facing me, my 7-year-old body not yet long enough. I slumped, already tired from exerting energy on trying to grasp the box in my face. I fell back on my heels and crossing my arms over my chest, pouted at him. My lips trembled and my eyes widened, pleading with him to be kind and help me get the box. He chuckled, a soft sound that caused me to love him even more, and pushed the box a little closer to my side of the counter. I grinned once more and jumping as high as I could while grasping the edge, I succeeded in obtaining the magical box of wonders.
Lifting the box above my head, I did a little victory dance, waving the box as I lightly twirled while humming a song I had heard just a while ago. His laughter swelled as he watched me, clapping his hands and cheering me on. This went on for a good minute, the simplicity of the moment giving us a joy that was unexplainable.
When I was done celebrating, I skipped over to a little stool, intricately designed with flowers and birds, and sat down; adjusting my dress and putting the box in my lap. I looked up at the man smiling and he did the same back, walking from behind the counter to stand by me. I trembled with increasing joy as my fingers deftly untied the simple deep indigo bow tied around it. Setting the silky bow beside me, I slowly gripped the edges and lifted the cover off. Beautiful, haunting music filled the shop; a hush seemed to bloom. My heart momentarily stopped from it and tears welled in my eyes as memories floated in my mind.
The music continued, telling a story of forlorn souls searching for a glimmer of hope to hold on to their lives. My body swayed to the melody as the man's voice gave the song words, softly intertwining with the notes and becoming one with it. The tears streamed down my face, my chest tightened with the intense feeling of the song, ghostly fingers caressed my skin sending chills through me. A void in my chest stretched and sobs rose, showing in action what I could not say in words.
The tune hit a crescendo, the swelling reaching new heights, and a soft scream coming from my mouth pierced the air and then all was silent. My breathing was slightly off and I rocked myself back and forth, trying to steady my frantic heart. I blinked and looked up at the man by my side. He too had tears coming down his face, moved just as I was by the mood of the song coming from the little box in my lap. He squatted down to my level, reached a hand to my cheek, and wiped the dying tears from my face. A sniffle sounded and finally I smiled as I whispered one thing.
"Beautiful." It truly was and setting the box down, I wrapped my arms around his neck, cuddling into the warm of his skin. He picked me up, cradling me to his chest and rocked me. I sigh as I lay against him, feelings of protection and affection causing me to thrum with overflowing warmth. When we both got our bearings back, he set me down on my feet and patted me again on the crown of my head with deepest affection.
We both looked down at the box and I suddenly felt very sleepy. I leaned against his lean legs and sleepily looked up at him. My heart stopped as I looked into his face. A maniacal grin went across his face and eyes glimmered with malice intent. I tried to get away, to run from him, but I could not. I was stuck there against him, my eyes wide with fear. He bent down and roughly grabbed me. Only then did I do something. I struggled, screaming, pleading with him to let me go, to not hurt me. Fire flamed all around us as I screamed repeatedly for someone to help me. The flame scorched my skin causing me to cry in pain. He dropped me and began to laugh, sending numb chills through me. Whimpers filled me as I looked around. Everywhere I looked Death met my vision. Bodies hanging from windows and ropes, lifeblood spilt wherever my eyes went, faces with pure terror splayed before me. Loved ones torn to bits, not one person still intact. I put my hands up to cover my face when something wet slithered down them. Raising them up, I opened my mouth to scream again, but no sound came out. My hands were dyed crimson, tiny rivers of blood dripping down my skin. My hair was matted with the liquid and my dress was torn and bloodied as well. The wet, sticky substance traveled down my face and off my chin. I was among blood and death and there was no one to help me.
A figure made its way towards me and as I watched it, my mind became blank. I was void and nothing was as it seemed. The figure stood before me and raising my eyes to its face, I merely stared. Dark hair tinted red from blood framed a face of pure horror. Sharp canines flashed from the grim smile given. A bloodied hand reached for me and as it neared, the figure whispered.
"You shall be mine and all will fall to my feet. My Darling, My Love, My Death-Kissed Angel."
The fire engulfed me and I fell into the darkness, tainted, never to be pure again.
I shot up, my breathing ragged and terror flooding through my very soul. Tears came in endless rivers as I sobbed out loud. Detangling my self from the sweat soaked covers, I bolted for the door. Colliding into the wall, I crumpled onto the floor, wails rising in my chest, banging against my ribs, and tearing me from the inside out. I pushed my self off the floor and ran down the hall. Jumping down the platform in front of the shop, I slammed the door open and immediately was assaulted by the howling wind and hailing rain. I was drenched through even before I took another step from the shop. I was blinded by the pounding rain and thunder and lightening played their song for me. Another sob forced itself from my mouth and I ran. I did not know where I was going, but I knew that I had to run, run as far as I could.
My heart tried to beat its way out of my chest and I was losing the fight for air. A shooting pain rushed through my thighs, but I did not stop. Finally coming to a park, I could not go on, my body violently shaking from the cold and wet, the thin nightgown doing nothing to protect me, and I fell onto the grass. Sobs racked my body violently, my cries drowned by the thunder and rushing rain. I laid there; not caring that I could die from a severe cold or that anybody could have their way with me in my current state. All I could think was that I wanted to die, to escape this hell that would never let me go. I stopped crying, just letting my self be hit by the rain, pondering if I could drown via rain and grass suffocation.
My body became numb and sleep called to me, promising sweet release from the raging fire in my soul. I reached out to it, and with my last strength looked into the sky. Dark, murky gray clouds rolled across the sky, letting everyone know that more rain was to come. I smiled softly, wondering how it was that the sky could reflect my inner world with such precision.
Slowly I started to drift, wanting the dark to carry me from this hell-hole, but something kept me back. A small spark of life, unwilling to be extinguished, pleaded with me, fighting me to stay alive. In that moment, the rain stopped. I could still hear the heavy, unrelenting water hit the ground and I furrowed my brows, puzzled by this event. I vaguely felt someone lifting me up and weakly I cracked my eyes open. Golden eyes locked me in a trance. A deep scowl formed on the face of my unwanted savior and deepened even more when I weakly tried to make them let me go. My breathing was uneven, and I broke out into a fever. My vision faded, going in and out, and I tried to reach for the person's face. My clammy hand came in contact with chilled skin that was oddly comforting to me. I smiled softly and let my hand fall.
The person whispered something harshly under their breath and began making their way back to wherever it was I came from. I frowned as I tried to remember, my mind was sluggish and wispy. A rattling cough forced itself out and I shivered violently, my body surging with pain. Tears fell again and I softly sobbed. The person muttered a curse and sped up, the background becoming a blur to my slow vision. A coughing fit overtook me and I tried to curl in on myself, but the figure held me tight to their chest. The material of their clothing was rough to my sensitive skin and caused me to cry out. Gaining even more speed, they rushed on to what ever destination they were taking me.
A flash of lightening streaked through the sky and as I finally gave into the dark that was calling me, the person's face was briefly illuminated and I saw narrowed eyes and a frown set deep into the mouth of the person saving me. I sighed softly and drifted, and as I closed my eyes, I could have sworn I saw a curious color being revealed in their mouth when they opened it to mutter something again.
My body went slack and lulled against them. My last thoughts: 'They smell….like…open air…storms…and power…'
And everything went black.
So, what do you think? You guys should know the drill by now. Suggestions and comments are appreciated and will be taken into thought for future chapters. Please kindly review, it keeps me from shriviling up!! Thank you for reading and see ya next chapter! *bow* see the button...PUSH IT AND MAGICAL BANANAS WILL SING FOR YOU!!! lol