Take the Fight out of the Kid
Chapter Sixteen
'If it will feed nothing else, it will feed my revenge.'- William Shakespeare
I let out a sigh as I follow Yuffie out of the palace and into a horse drawn carriage, she loves old fashioned things and horses are one of them. Personally I can do without the smelly mammals but my opinion doesn't matter when she's around. I'm not a simpleton and I'm not just plane old stupid, the only option for the mafia is for Yuffie to be the master puppeteer. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not about to go yelling that to everyone- simply because that'd make me a walking target for ever gang and mafia in the word( some to get the information from me, others to get me for knowing it- if you get my drift).
"So Axel… how have you liked it here in Russia?" I shrug my shoulders, simply because it's nice, but it's fucking cold and I hate it.
"It's alright, but it's too damn cold and I'd rather be somewhere warmer and less… now covered. But it's been nice."
"Good, because I've got a present for you!" she gives a big smile and grabs my arm. She's wearing a fairly large fur coat over her scandalous outfit of short shorts and a top that shows off her entire midriff and her headband so she looks more like the ninja she loves being.
"I'm scared by that statement Yuffie. Is there something I should start running away from now- or will I be allowed to start running later?" she just giggles and shakes her head a few times.
"Never! I have an offer for you that is much more like a present!"
"And what would have offer be Yuffie?"
"I'm going to offer you a tattoo before you go, something to remember us here in Russia by. You've mentioned little of your travels, but I know how far you've come. And I know where you've been. I think it'd be good to get a tattoo or two so you'll remember where you've been and how far you've come."
"Too bad I don't want to remember. There is nothing interesting that has happened in my life that I want to remember and have tattooed on my body at the same time."
"I don't even know what country you came from. As far as I know you were born in Nova Scotia and moved to Vancouver when your parents died."
"If that's what you've found that must be all there is."
"Did you suffer from amnesia?" I just shrug and stuff my hands into my pockets as we're sitting and let out a bit of a sigh.
"Who knows… all I know is that I don't remember anything that I don't want to remember."
"Alright, well, you can get a tattoo of whatever you want- anything in the world! But… will you Axel? Because I really want you to remember us."
"Why?"
"Because, it's impossible to not remember you. Got it memorized?" I can only scoff as she uses my own line against me, I've said it since I was a kid. But it actually makes people remember, and if people remember I become immortal in their thoughts. Even if I die, they'll remember me and I'll live on.
"Will it be affiliated to the Russian mafia?"
"Of course not! I wouldn't do something like that to you, you can choose what you want Axel!"
"Alright… I haven't really thought of other tattoo's in a while, but I think I've got a line."
"Is it 'Got it Memorized'? or something of the sort?"
"Nah… you can see it when it's done." Yuffie just giggles and I cant help but smile in return as she leans forward and tells the driver to go somewhere in Russian.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-
The tattoo was easy to do in English- thank god for the fact that the artist could speak English. The phrase 'I'm a Lost Cause, Not a Hero' scrawled across the inside of my forearm in Gothic Styled script writing. I cant help but look down at it now, I've been on this god forsaken train for three days already- don't get me wrong, yuffie took care of me and I'm in first class -but 'the clickadee-clack of steel wheels on polished rails' is getting fucking annoying as hell.
"Excuse me… may I please sit here?" I look up and see a girl with a bright smile standing beside the double chair across from me on the other side of the table. Most days when I come out to look out the window people steer clear of me and don't ask to sit beside me, but every other booth is full so I suppose it cant be helped.
"Of course, go right ahead." she had long mahogany hair that goes down passed her waist, large purple eyes that are quite alluring and an hourglass figure that most guys would kill to get a piece of that.
"Thank you so much. I've just been… so tired lately. It's it annoying that these stupid trains haven't gotten quicker or quieter?"
"They have, we're just not on a bullet rain."
"Really… well, that ticket master owes me another fifty bucks then because I paid for a bullet train."
"Are you really thick enough to not know the physical differences between a steam train and a bullet train."
"Well… it's not like it's an easy."
"It's be like getting the two of us mixed up in a lineup. Impossible if you've got two working halves of a brain."
She glares for a moment before waving to the side and leaning forward so her breasts are pushing out against the top of the table between us. "Well, I digress. The names Megera, friends call me Meg- well at least they would if I had any friends."
"Axel, just Axel. Nice to meet you Megera." I hold my hand out but before she can take it another hand grabs mine and I cant help but to look up at the man who's got a huge smile on his face.
"Nice to meet you Axel! My names Ping! And this is my sister Mulan! We're friends of Meg here."
"I don't have friends Ping, how many times do I have to-"
"Anyhow, it's nice to meet you- scoot over Meg -it's totally nice seeing you. So uh… what were you and Meg here talking about?" he pushes Meg over so she's up against the window and sits down before his sister- I'm guessing she's his twin -sits down beside her with a smile and slight nod to me.
"We weren't talking about anything really."
"Yeah, we were just getting to know each other." Meg looks angered as she cuts in and Ping looks scandalized.
"Meg! What would Herc say if he heard you say that?"
"Hey, I've never devoted myself to him. I can do whatever I want whenever I want! Just because your sister is screwing that general guy and only him doesn't mean I have to be stuck to one stupid trick pony!" my eyes go wide and I'm debating on leaving, I could go see Lumier and Cerberus again in their kennels.
"Hey! don't you dare talk about me sister like that! She's way better then you'll ever be. At least she's not a-"
"Be careful with your next work Ping, or else I'll make sure that you never have kids."
I make a move to leave them to their bickering but the sound of barking starts up in the car beside ours and I let out a sigh, I know those barks: Lumier and Cerberus have gotten out of their kennels.
"What's that?" Mulan speaks for the first time as she stand up and before I know it Lumier and Cerberus have burst into the railcar, Mulan has pulled out a gun and it pointing at them.
I slide out of my seat and pull my two guns as Ping stands up and pulls his own gun out. I aim at each of them as everyone else in the railroad car ducks down and Lumier and Cerberus come up behind me, growling as Mulan keeps her gun pointed to Lumier since he looks more demonic then Cerberus- though they can both look fucking freaky when they try.
"Well… this is great Meg… pick the one other guy on the train that's packing heat. Too bad he wont be able to shoot as well as-" I cut Ping off by shooting at the bun of hair on the top of his head. My bullet goes right through his bun and I aim back for between his eyes.
"I hope you weren't about to say 'as us' because I assure you, I've had practice. Now you can either lower your guns, because their just dogs. Or we can have a nice old-fashioned gunfight where I kill you both." I give them a smile and lower my weapons as they do the same.
"And Ping, it's not like I looked for the gun vest. Though I have to admit, I'm more interested in him now… guys with guns are sexy."
"Sorry… I'm batting for your team love. Guys are the sexy ones- though I'll agree that your figure is nice. Just not my cup of tea." Meg looks a little upset but just shrugs and leans back in her seat. "So, Ping, Mulan… is there something we really need to talk about? Or can we just act like the last five minutes didn't happen?" I slide back into my seat and pat the bench beside me, smirking when Lumier and Cerberus hop up.
I don't bother putting the guns away as Ping and Mulan sit back down, their own weapons set down on the table and Megera examining her nails like it's the biggest thing in the world. "So… Who's your friend Meg? Anyone we need to worry about."
"I doubted it, and I still do. Listen Ping, I didn't ask you to look out for me and I don't need it. Get lost and take the silent mime with you." Meg turns to the twins and I cant help but stare as they start up another quarrelling-fest. Lumier and Cerberus turn to me and I let out a bit of a sigh, reaching over and rubbing one behind their right ear before doing the same to the other.
"If the three of you don't mind, I'd like to get back to my really boring train ride again. It was rather pleasant before you showed up." the truth is I'd rather have them around and have them be this lively because it's been so slow and quiet- though I'm sure that the conductor will be by any minute to tell me I cant have my dogs with me and not in their kennels, but the best he's getting is their leashes.
"Well excuse us! We just want to get to the bottom of this. Do you have any idea what Herc will do to me if he finds out she tried to sleep with another guy? He's very territorial you know, loves the hell outta her."
"That's all fine and good but there is no problem with her talking with me. There is no possible way that she would have ended up in a bed with me any time real soon."
"And why's that?" the glare Ping is sending my way is priceless and I cant help but smirk as I put my guns away and leaned forward so they could see me fiddling with the earrings in my right ear.
"Because, as I've told you're friend: I bat for the same team." the look on his face is of pure confusion so I let out a sigh and sit back with a smirk as I cross my arms over my chest "I'm gay? Got it memorized?" his eyes go wide and luckily it seems to have shut him up. "Now that I've got your attention I might as well keep going. I don't mind if you stay here and sit at this booth, but I'd appreciate silence or a quiet conversation that's more pleasant then not. If you cant meet those expectations I'd greatly appreciate it if you'd get lost."
"Well Tweedles, you've heard him, hit the road."
"Why are you still interested? He's gay, he's not going to sleep with you."
"Exactly why I want to be here." I just roll my eyes and turn so I'm looking back out the window of the train again, tuning their now quiet conversation out as much as I can… but I cant help but hear as they mention bringing me back to speak with someone who'd apparently be interested in my tenacity. That isn't something to be scared it, if it?
-.-.-.-.-.-.-
As it were tenacity isn't a bad thing to have in Japan, not bad at all… unless if you don't have an option with fifteen people holds guns pointed to your head as you step off the train and they yell at you in a language that you've only seen on TV and freaks you the fuck out. Oh? That's never happened to you? Well Woop-Dee-Fucking-Doo for you, because it's happened to me! I just wanted to lay low and get lost in the crowds here in Japan, but no, I'm stuck trying to talk my way out of the FUCKING Japanese Yakuza! Not a fun fucking thing to do!
"My uncle wants to know what you're plans were."
"I've told you a million fucking times! I wanted to lay low and get lost in the crowds. There is a guy following me and I want him off my trail. Are we done now?"
"Not just yet sir." the man I'm speaking with looks angered- all the time. I'm guessing he is that general guy that Ping mentioned back on the train that is sleeping with his sister or something- or was it Meg who mentioned that.
"Why the hell not? I've got places to go and people to see you jackass! I cant waist half my life here!"
"You'll waist as much time as the Emperor wants you to waist!" he slams his hands down on the table top and I cant help but groan in agony of this stupidly slow torture.
"He's not the Emperor! There hasn't been a Japanese Emperor in at least a thousand years! I'm not even fucking Japanese so why the hell should I care?" it's been like this for three days now and I'm getting impatient, I've already told them that I'm not a threat and they think just because I had (in the words of Ping himself): enough fucking balls to aim at him and Mulan) that I was a threat. Like I knew they were the fucking royal Yakuza fucking siblings! God I'm swearing a lot now inside my head… do I always swear this fucking much?- dammit! Even when I'm trying not to!
"Yes he is the Emperor how dare a lowly commoner like you say otherwise!" god, this guy is fucking nuts! I don't believe the shit coming out of his mouth. "I will teach you that this man is the Emperor if it means I have to carve it into that picture perfect face of your-" he's cut off by his phone ringing a few times and he calmly reaches into his pocket and pulls his phone out, flipping it open in the process and answering as calmly as any business man would. "Hello? You've reached General Shang."
Oh god… I've been put into the care of a psychopathic space-case! Maybe I shouldn't have left Russia so soon. If I'd gotten on another train a little later I wouldn't have run into this fucking problem. God, fuck, shit, bullshit! Get me outta here!
-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Two weeks later, little to no sleep, a crust of bread that probably wasn't really big enough for a mouse and the cold concrete ground. I was woken one night and hauled into a sitting position. A gun was used to shoot the chains away from my wrists and ankles, and I was slung over the shoulder of a running person. I'm not too sure what really happened or how it was happening. But I'm awake now, on a plane to Australia with Yuffie across from me, Cloud beside me- the one who'd gotten me out of my dungeon -and Leon who's still pacing back and forth.
"I'm really sorry about this again Axel… it's all because I dropped you off at the train station and I'm a known affiliate of the-"
"Don't apologize, you shouldn't have to Yuffie. He should be fucking smart enough! Not to talk to strangers." Leon scuffs the back of my head and I swear if I had enough strength right now I'd kick his ass into next fucking year.
"I'm sorry Leon… do you think I asked for fifteen guns to be pointed at my head as soon as my feet touched the ground? No, I didn't. So fuck off." he really had no right, I'm a grown person, an adult… I can do anything I want and he can go fuck himself for it! I didn't ask for any of this shit, but it appears now that I'm 'part of them' even if I don't want to be.
"Axel, I like you, so here's what's going to happen. You'll be 'a member' to any extent that you want. If you want us to shove off we will, but if you ever need help we'll be there."
"No thanks Yuffie… I don't like the idea of someone owning me again. I'd rather kill people then be another possession." I can see both Cloud and Leon tensing but as Arieth walks up to us and sits down next to Yuffie with that spacey smile on her face I cant help but let out a sigh and look away.
"You have every right to not want that, and I don't want that. Why the hell does the world think I'm such a hard-ass? Anyhow, Axel. I just want what's best for my friends and that's all I've ever wanted, and you're included. It's impossible for me to forget you 'got it memorized?'" it's funny how she's using my line against me, I guess ironic is the only word I can think of for it.
"Yuffie, my life would be a whole lot easier… if you could teach me how to be a ghost." it's been a year already and I'm no where near my goal of locations or getting rid of Saïx. But maybe if I can learn to erase myself properly… well, maybe I'll get something out of life and give Roxas a better chance.
God! I don't even know if he's still fucking alive, or if he's still with Sora, Riku and Luxord! I'm stringing myself along for heartbreak, but becoming a ghost will help with that, wont it? I'll be able to forget my emotions, loose them completely if I choose. That's what I need, I need to forget without forgetting.
"Axel, I wont help you do that. You, you're a special person and I cant let you do that to yourself. I know how it feels, to be ripped away from those who you love and having to fight so hard to get them back… we all know that feeling."
"How? How could you possibly know how I feel? It's impossible for any of you to understand exactly what I've been through."
"Well you haven't exactly opened up Axel, but if you really want, I'll tell you what happened to the six of us."
"Six?"
"Yeah; Cid, Cloud, Leon, Arieth, Auron and myself. We were a lot like you. Auron was my dad, a really good guy, got into a bit of trouble with a few people, mainly a guy named Hades- I'll get back to him in a minute. And even Sephiroth fits into our story in many places. Auron took care of Leon, Cloud and Arieth, so we were all pretty close. Cid was his best friend at the time and I was only around five while everyone else was about ten years old.
"My dad just didn't come home one night and after a week of Cid floundering to keep up with watching kids- something he wasn't used to doing -he had to tell the authorities- well, children's services. They came one day out of nowhere and took Cloud, Leon and Arieth away, leaving me with Cid. Cloud ended up finding a broken home with Sephiroth, Leon was under the care of some guy originally from Africa, a place called Argibba, his name was Jafar. And Arieth- she probably got the worst of us all, having to be taken care of by a guy by the name of Shan-Yu. He was a total jackass and put her into much the same situation as you were in.
"I'll get to my point quickly Axel, we've been reunited very recently. And do you want to know why? You, got rid of our problems. It's why I'm not just throwing you out onto the street corner saying 'good fucking luck, I wish you the best' because if you want to believe it or not, we owe you our lives back. If you hadn't had the fucking balls to kill them we wouldn't be together again."
"What does that have to do with all of this? They deserved to die and I didn't do it. There was no proof on how they died or any indication that it wasn't an accident."
"Axel… we'll do anything to keep you safe and to help you. We know why you're doing this and we support you. I-I guess what I'm trying to say is… we'll help you, in any way that we can. We want you to find him again and I wont help you turn your emotions off so you can forget."
"That's not fair, shouldn't it be my choice?"
"Not when it involves your heart. It's not smart to try and forget people like that."
"So… you're going to do all of this, because I 'killed some people'? that seems like a low blow." I used the air quotations and Yuffie just gives me a smile as she shrugs. I watch as she pulls the remote for the built in stereo and she presses a button so a piano song starts playing.
"Axel, you need rest, when you wake up I'll get Arieth to start getting you onto a regimen to bring your health back up."
"I don't get it. If Cloud and Sephiroth are such good assassins, why did I have to be the one to-"
"No one else is all that great with killing. Sephiroth taught Cloud all he knows, they hate each other but they work as a pretty good team… now go to sleep before I get Arieth to administer a sedative."
"You're the softest mafia boss I've ever met. But I guess I'm glad that we're alright." Yuffie just smiles and taps Arieth on the arm. I don't know how to feel about it as she stands up and pulls a needle out of god knows where. I feel the needle being pushed into my upper arm and before I know it the world's fading black once again and I doubt there's a dream waiting for me.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-
"Axel, if you don't eat something soon, you'll go into a coma." Arieths voice is breaking the silence and I can feel something touching my forehead and running through my hair. I don't want anything touching my hair… it's a disgusting feeling that I haven't felt since my mother last did it, but when she did it, it wasn't disgusting. It's turned into a thing that only she should have ever done to me.
"Axel… please wake up." the hand in my hair is certainly comforting, but I don't want it. And I swat at the hand that's curling around my hair until whoever moves it. "Good your awake, sit up so I can give you some food alright?" I groan, I don't want to be awake, I don't want to see her and I don't think my stomach can hold food right now.
"Axel, get up will you? We're in Australia, we've got to get something done about you not eating." wait, why the hell Australia? Where's Lumier and Cerberus. I was so tired before I fell asleep that I never got around to asking that question- no wait, I asked… I just didn't get an answer.
"Where are my dogs?" god, my throat is so swore, and my voice as scratchy as ever. "Where-where are they?"
"They're fine. They're at the foot of the bed Axel. It's fine, but I need you to sit up and eat this soup." the smell is hitting me and I cant help but nod my head in agreement as larger stronger hands go under my back and help me into a sitting position, when I open my eyes I notice it's Cloud.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Three weeks and I'm on my own again, Arieth has cleared me for being on my own again and Yuffie has given me a cell phone that has unlimited everything, all their numbers are pre-programmed in and it'll call anywhere in the world if I want it to.
Lumier and Cerberus seem to like the weather- though Lumier is pissed because he's covered in dog-sunblock; something he needs or he'll burn, while Cerberus just has a bit on his nose- it's pink by the way. I tried to get another color, but all they had was pink, and he's hated that color ever since I got him.
I'm in Australia now, Melborn actually and I think it'll be swell. I've wanted to come here for a while and see a few kangaroos. Yuffie dropped me off with enough gold to either stay here for half a life time or catch a flight or ride anywhere else in the world ten times over, I didn't particularily want the gold since I want to get my own way to Roxas, but a bit of spare gold could always do me good in times that I need it. If I want to do something that I haven't done in a long time or if I've got something that I need to buy for Lumier or Cerberus. Anything really, the gold is completely versatile in every country.
Lumier and Cerberus are getting tired of this weather though, they like the sun; just not when it burns them. So I'll be leaving soon, I'll probably just catch a plane since I'm approaching the year mark anyhow. I said I'd be there in a year, I don't even know how many days I have left, I don't know what day I left on… but if Roxas is anything like he was before I left then he'll be counting the days until I'm with him again. I was counting, but to be honest when I was knocked out in Brazil I lost count. I've never really taken the time to pick up the date since then. I know it's horrible of me, and my heart should probably know how long we've been apart. But I've grown so used to the ache that it's all just a numbing sensation to me now that I'm trying not to die about.
An empty heart should be a feeling I'm used to I guess, but I'm just not yet. When my parents and Lilly died the hole was formed. When I met Roxas it filled in just a little bit, but when I left him, never expecting to see him again: it was ripped wide open for all the weathering Xemnas could throw at it. But when I saw him again almost a year ago in my room, I thought I had gone fucking bonkers, that I was round the bend with no hope of ever coming back. But the simple fact that he really was there and he was hooked on a drug. That ripped my heart clean out of my chest and squished it into the ground like the vile, soft, disgusting, betraying thing that it is. I have so many more verbs I can use to describe it… but they'd take up too long. Ever since then my heart has betrayed me and I cant be the emotional rock that I used to be.
I let out a sigh as I stuff my hands into my pockets. I don't have a vehicle right now, but I've got an apartment that we all fit into, so I cant really ask for too much more. I'm still thinking on if I should get a job or not, or if I should just hop a plane back to Europe. I kinda want to make sure that Saïx sees me though, he didn't get that chance in Russia, and with Sephiroth and Cloud on the look out for him I should be in the clear. Their going to kill him if they come across him, but they wont seek him out because I really want to be the one to kill him if I can help it.
Lumier and Cerberus have gotten used to the whole leash thing, but I still let them off more then I should, it's just not my fault that I do it, it's how I am. I cant handle being so strict with them.
"Hey boy! don't I know you?" I stop and turn my head over towards the harbor. There are two cruise liners, hundreds of thousands of small fishing and personal boats, and one single old fashioned pirate ship. I raise an eyebrow at the old man who's caught my attention, standing next to a kiosk. My vision flashes for a moment and the old Lepricon from so many years ago is there.
"What do you want London?" that reply just slipped out before I could really stop myself. I see a smirk cross his face and let out a bit of a sigh before I walk over, I have to admit now that I'm at least curious in part as of how he knows me or why I called him that.
The man gives him a smile and I cant help but feel like I know I've seen him before. I stop a few paces away from him and cross my arms in front of my chest with a bit of a scowl. "Alright Mr. Pirate-Man… why'd you call me over here?"
"I had a feelin' I've seen ye before… have ye ever been to Ireland?"
"Yes." I don't want to give more of an answer then that so until he says something else I'm sticking to that.
"Ye were lookin for a gift during the holidays… weren't ye?" I raised an eyebrow as I looked at this guy. I didn't know who the hell would remember that long ago, and if it weren't for that dream I had about a year ago I wouldn't remember him dressed as a dank lepricon from so long ago.
"So, London… what's going on with you? Haven't seen you in forever. Never thought I'd see you again to be frank. What brings you to Australia?"
"Nothing but the tide and the willing folk who like the service." the smile he gives makes me want to shiver a bit, but I hold it back and just roll my eyes as I look over the stuff he's got on his cart. Nothing special but stuff that I've seen men kill for less over for sure.
"Alright then. I guess I'll bee seeing you-" I stop myself abruptly as I get a really good idea. It's probably yet another stupid 'Axel your going to get yourself fucking killed' kind of idea… but it might save me a shit load of money. Correction, this is a stupid idea and I really should just screw it so I don't get myself killed, or strapped to a cannon at the bottom of the ocean or something. But I have a feeling Barbosa here will know where that Captain Jack guy is… and if I can find out where he is… I can bribe him to take me to Ireland.
"Hey Barbosa… I have a bit of a proposition for you."
"I wont be takin no Propositions. Sorry kid… just wanted to make sure the ol brain was still working well enough and that I really did-"
"Cut the crap. You called me over for a reason and whatever it is you want me to do you want it to make me feel like I owe you and have to do it. So how about we just skip the dance and cut a deal?" he gives me a wide smile and we just return it with a smirk as I pull myself up onto the cart and smirk at him as both Lumier and Cerberus sit down and get comfortable.
"Alright Kid… what do you want from me?"
"A ride to wherever I can find a captain named Jack."
"Well I'm sure I wouldn't know. The last time I saw him, I was sailing away in me ship… and he was on an island."
"Then take me to the island."
"I wouldn't do that if you gave me a million gold coins."
I give him a smile and rest my elbows on my knees with the biggest smirk I can manage. "I wouldn't pay that… but I'd be willing to consider paying by whatever you wanted me to do in the first place."
AN:
Me: Alright. I'm extremely fucking pissed with this fic right now. I've been writing it for close to a month and a half… this is the sixteenth fucking chapter and as far as I know, no one has even taken a peek at it to see if it's bloody well worth it.
Axel: Elizabeth, calm down a bit… I'm sure it can be explained-
Me: Shut up Red, I'm ranting. The point is; this fic will be open for completion, but right now I'm posting it as complete. I will bare through my hate for this fic at the moment and complete it if JUST ONE person likes the fucking thing. So if you want to read a little more favorite it and I'll post the rest, but for right now, I'm posting it as complete.
Sorry