Well it has been quite a while since I've typed anything but I've been insanely busy lately. This chapter was quite a hassle. I wrote it close to five times before I finally settled on this one. (All the rough drafts looked exactly alike, I just couldn't think of a way to change it. Oh well here is chapter 8 hope you like now don't forget to review.
Chapter 8
Romance and Unspeakable Torture
Butei High Student Lounge
Sunday, September 20th 09:24
It has been a week since I had decided to team up with Tatsu and our encounter with that Shadow thing.
At first I couldn't believe that Tatsu was the mysterious boy from my childhood. But as we talked, and he showed me those dancing flames, I realized that it couldn't be anyone else. Of course I still had a few questions for him but I felt that I could wait, at least for a little while longer.
Tatsu walked in holding a cup of tea and some American drink he liked. "So have you decided what kind of mission we'll do next?"
"Yeah. Some farmers are having trouble with wild animals." I took a quick sip of the tea that he'd gotten for me. "The job description says we can capture or kill them, but we can get more if we deliver them to some scientists."
Tatsu took a quick swig of his drink and said, "Why would scientists want them?"
I sifted through the folder and pulled out a slightly familiar looking picture. "Because, it's not a normal looking animal."
The picture displayed a strange bear. Its fur was pitch black and its teeth and claws were blood red. Its eyes were also a deep radiant red color.
"It looks like a corrupted form…"
I wish he could just tell me everything at once. That way I wouldn't have to be surprised by everything I see when I'm with him.
Seeing my confused face Tatsu said, "A corrupted form is basically where some kind of Shadow Demon possesses any living being. Depending on how strong the demon is, it can alter how it looks to either instill fear or to blend into society but they usually look like a mixture of the two."
I held up the picture, "So this one is a mixture between a bear and a Shadow Demon?"
"Yep."
"So then… if it isn't that strong… how long do you think it will take to get the mission done?"
"Well… including travel time, rest, finding the target, catching or killing it… I would say maybe two days, so long as nothing unexpected happens."
"Well that's not too bad then."
"I'll go take care of the paperwork so that we can leave the campus and sign on for the mission." Tatsu stood to leave, but I stopped him.
"Another job requirement is that we need a team of five."
He sat down again this time with an annoyed look upon his face. "More requirements? Why can't it ever be 'go in, get the target, get out?' Oh well… any ideas on who to recruit?"
Just then Shirayuki, Kinji, and Aria walked in heading towards the mission board. It was easy to hear Aria complaining about Kinji not having enough credits to pass again. Shirayuki was just staring at Kinji and she seemed to be drooling. And of course Kinji looked embarrassed beyond reason.
"Will they work?"
Tatsu nodded and called them over. It turned out that Kinji only needed one more credit to move to the next semester. Luckily the job that Tatsu and I had picked out was worth two credits, more than enough for him to move onto the next semester.
Kinji walked over to me, "When did you and Tatsu get so close?"
I fought down a deep blush and said, "A week ago…" Tatsu was really the only one I openly spoke too. To everyone other than Tatsu I was still 'Robot Reki.'
Kinji looked at me skeptically and backed off. I then noticed an insanely scary look in Shirayuki's eyes. I quietly decided that I would rather fight Vlad or Vega again than be near Shirayuki when she's in that kinda mood.
"Don't you think it would be a good idea if we brought Haimaki on the mission?" For once Aria had actually said something useful. Usually her idea of helpful advice is to fill the problem with bullet holes.
I nodded my head and I was surprised that Tatsu and I hadn't thought of that yet. Then I saw Tatsu's face . His eyes were round and clueless and he had his mouth in 'o' shape. I realized that in the past week, I had never introduced Haimaki to Tatsu.
"Uhhh… who's Haimaki?" I tried extremely hard not to laugh at Tatsu's face. It reminded me of a fish.
Thankfully Kinji explained for me, saving me the trouble of explaining the insanely embarrassing incident that placed Haimaki in my care.
"You have a pet wolf? That's awesome!" His face was beaming. I couldn't explain it, but I loved seeing him smiling.
Apparently I failed to suppress my blush because a few seconds later, Aria and Shirayuki had grabbed my arms and had begun dragging me towards a closet. As the door closed, I saw Tatsu's confused/clueless face (as cute as ever) and Kinji's usual annoyed yet apologetic face.
Both Aria's and Shirayuki's faces were less than an inch away from my own. I felt extremely vulnerable.
Aria spoke first with a crazy grin on her face, "So is the 'Robot' becoming human?"
I attempted to get up only to have Shirayuki hold me down. "Go on Reki, tell us. What is Tatsu to you?"
I knew I was in trouble. My emotionless visage was extremely important to me. It was my aegis, similar to how Tatsu was now my shield, my protector. But now both my shields were failing me, and I didn't know what to do. I silently steeled myself not to do anything until they released me.
Suddenly an evil smile appeared on Shirayuki's face and I wished that I was surrounded by those Shadow Demons. Aria then turned to face Shirayuki with the same demonic grin and said, "Shall we do 'that' to her until she talks?"
"Why yes, I think that is a wonderful idea."
They both slowly turned to look at me. I realized what they intended to do just as they leaped at me…
Half an hour later…
I was tired, but thankfully Aria and Shirayuki hadn't gotten much from me. But I hoped that I would never endure torture like that ever again.
Thankfully they had agreed to take part in the mission. But I suspect that the real reason they agreed was to watch Tatsu and I.
As I left the closet I saw Kinji and Tatsu talking. It seemed that while I was trapped in the closet Kinji and Tatsu had apparently become good friends.
We had all decided that the very next day we would leave for the mission. For some strange reason I felt nostalgic.
Unknown Area
?:?
"So I assume I get my second chance now, Lord Gainen?"
"Yes but you won't be going alone. Sherlock! Get in here!
"Yes, my Lord?"
"I now have more than enough Irokane. You are to assist Vega in destroying Tatsu and the others. If either of you fail me you'll be sent to the Shadow Realm, to be devoured by the Shadow King's pet. Is that understood?"
"Yes, my Lord." Both Vega and Sherlock said in unison. Both were terrified of the consequence. For it entailed something far worse than death.
Any suggestions for the next chapter? Then please send a PM.
I've been busy lately and will be for about another month so please be patient.
~T.D.H