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Akemi's Bizarre Adventure
Chapter 8: Yellow Temperance
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"Good grief. We're finally here." Polnareff sighed.
"We'll stay at a hotel tonight and figure out our route to Egypt." Said Joseph, a finger raised. No one objected. They all wanted some rest.
"I need to buy some clothes. Do you think we'll be able to find some time to do that later?" Asked Akemi, her eyes bright. As much as she tried not to be 'girly', she was excited to be here. Plus… all of her cargo was gone. She needed several things.
"Sure thing. I'll go with you." Offered Kakyoin. Akemi smiled up at him.
"Thanks!" She said brightly. "Maybe you and Jotaro should get some good traveling clothes, too, while we're here..."
"I'm sure Jojo and I will be fine with our school uniforms." Kakyoin stated calmly, his smile not having left his face. Akemi pouted.
"Are those things even durable enough for something like this..?" Akemi wondered, eyeing Kakyoin's clothes thoughtfully. Not used to being stared at, even though it was just his clothes, Kakyoin was unable to hide a flush.
"Alright, let's stay at that hotel." Joseph suggested, pointing up at an expensive-looking hotel nearby.
Wow... it's gorgeous here. Thought Akemi, looking up at the building. I hope Anne is okay. I know she isn't here for her dad, I just hope she hasn't gotten into any trouble. Akemi squeaked and jumped when she heard a whistle blow behind her.
"Oi, you!" They all turned around. The police officer pointed a finger at Polnareff. "You! I'm talking to you!" Polnareff pointed at himself, confused.
"Eh?" Polnareff hummed, raising an eyebrow.
"You! You threw this trash, didn't you? That's a fine of five hundred Singapore dollars!" The officer accused. Akemi was confused, before she looked down beside him, and saw the bag with his stuff. She covered her mouth, unable to hold back a small laugh.
"Eh? Five hundred?" Questioned Polnareff.
"In Singapore, the law says you will be fined for littering! Got it?" The officer told them.
"Five hundred Singapore dollars..." Muttered Kakyoin.
"That's about 40,000 yen. Three-hundred and sixty U.S. dollars..." Blanched Joseph.
"Trash?" Echoed Mo, looking around before noticing the same thing Akemi had- causing him to hide a chuckle.
"Trash?" Repeated Polnareff. "What are you talking about?" His gaze fell down to where the officer was pointing, and saw his bag of things. Mo and Akemi snorted. Polnareff bent down.
"I don't see anything here besides my own luggage. Would you be so kind as to tell me what trash you're referring to? Where is the trash, sir?" Asked Polnareff almost mockingly, leaning forward.
"That's your luggage?" Asked the police officer in a raised pitch, leaning back. Akemi was covering her mouth with her hand, getting increasingly worse at hiding her own laughter.
"That's right!" Exclaimed Polnareff enthusiastically, putting an arm around him as if he were a best friend. The police officer looked uneasy, his muscles tensed up.
"I- I'm terribly sorry!" Apologized the police officer, cringing.
Akemi burst out with laughter, and it caused a chain reaction in the others. First Mo, then Kakyoin, then Joseph, Polnareff, and she even heard Jotaro chuckling along with them. However, she was surprised when she heard a giggle she recognized, but not as a part of the Crusaders.
Their laughter paused and all eyes stared at the source- Anne. When she saw all gazes on her, her expression fell and she turned away.
"Well, I'll be going then..." Muttered the police officer, sensing the awkwardness.
"What's with the kid? She's still following us." Hissed Polnareff to the side. Joseph stepped forward.
"Hey, weren't you going to go see your father?" He asked the kid, an eyebrow raised.
"Why don't you stop following us and get going?" Added Polnareff dismissively. She huffed.
"I'm meeting up with him in five days. I can go wherever I want!" She lied again. "I'm not taking orders from you guys." She turned away, then back with puppy eyes.
"She'll be in danger if she stays with us." Noted Mo, his brows furrowed and his hands hidden in his sleeves.
"Maybe she doesn't have any money." Guessed Kakyoin.
"I- I don't think leaving a young girl to fend for herself in a big city like this sits right with me. Even if she'll be in a lot of danger with us, I think some average people can be worse than enemy Stands." Akemi added nervously.
"Alright..." Huffed Joseph. "I guess we can pay for her hotel room. Akemi, you wanna share with her?" He asked her, leaning over to hiss in her ear. Akemi nodded.
"Sure." She agreed. She turned to Anne, who was still sitting on the curb. Exchanging a nod with her elder, she walked over to her and kneeled down, getting slightly below her level.
"Hey, Anne. You crashin' anywhere while you wait for your old man?" She asked casually. Anne tried to match her nonchalant attitude, flipping her hair in a clearly fabricated apathetic attitude.
"Eh, I'll probably be around..." She said quietly, her tone rather awkward. It was clear she had no idea where she wanted to go.
"Your pa give you any money to fend for yourself while you wait for him?" Asked Akemi, raising an eyebrow. Anne's eyes opened wide, and her aura pinged with a panicked color, as if she'd been pushing away that thought for a while now.
"A- a few bucks. I'm sure I'll be fine." Anne responded shyly, scratching her neck uneasily. Akemi's expression softened. She knew exactly what it was like to be in that position- many times had she run away when she was a kid. It didn't last long, however, since she quickly found out that people couldn't do jack without money- and she missed her family.
"Hey, a big city like this is dangerous for people your age on their own. I'm not saying you can't fend for yourself, but it'll suck- trust me. You wanna stick with us until you can meet up with your dad?" Akemi suggested with a small smile. Anne brightened.
"S- Sure!" She said enthusiastically. "If you d- don't mind paying for me, that is..." Akemi waved her hand.
"Please. Joseph over here is loaded." She grinned with a hand by her mouth. Anne's eyes widened, and she looked at Joseph with wonder in her eyes. Joseph, unashamed of this fact, grinned widely and put a thumb up. Pleasant emotions rose in the little girl's aura.
"Nice, Kemi!" Hissed Polnareff, giving her a thumbs up. Akemi sent him a smile, appreciating the nickname.
"Well then, let's check in." Said Joseph, retaining his grin.
They entered the hotel- it was clearly pretty packed.
"I'm terribly sorry, but we're rather full at this time of year. The rooms won't be next to each other. Is that alright?" The receptionist asked.
"Well, I guess we don't have a choice. Then for the rooms... Mohammed and I will share a room..." Murmured Joseph.
"Jotaro and I will share a room, since we're both students. And... Well, boys." Added Kakyoin, after he caught sight of Akemi's raised eyebrow. Jotaro nodded.
"You're rooming with me, right, Anne?" Akemi asked the child, looking down at her.
"Between you and Polnareff, I'd choose you a hundred times." Anne proclaimed, sticking her tongue out at Polnareff. He reeled back, slightly offended as Akemi laughed.
"Hey!" He exclaimed.
"That means Polnareff is by himself." Chuckled Joseph, motioning to the grumpy Frenchman.
"Here." Said the receptionist, handing out four room keys. Polnareff took room 912's key.
"Hmph. I can relax more in my own room anyway!" Polnareff said triumphantly. "Nothing would suit me better!" He walked toward the stairway, but stopped and turned. "Let's go." He said tiredly. "We've been through hell since we left Hong Kong. Let's hurry up and take a shower where it's safe."
Akemi sighed a breath of relief. All she needed right now was a safe shower.
"Wanna piggy-back ride?" She asked Anne, ignoring her body's protests to any sort of physical activity. Anne brightened and nodded. Akemi giggled and lowered herself, allowing Anne to climb on.
The boys gave them an odd look, but Joseph had a fond expression. Something about them reminded him of hers and Jotaro's mothers when they were younger.
They climbed the stairs, and said goodbye to Polnareff when he reached his floor.
Akemi stopped on the landing, and frowned after him, concerned. Kakyoin called her, and she shook it off and continued up the stairs.
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The two of them arrived at their room, and Akemi used the key to open the door. With a laugh, she tossed Anne onto the bed. The kid landed with a small giggle.
"Hey!" She exclaimed, sticking her tongue out. Akemi stuck her tongue back out.
She turned and peeked into the bathroom, staring at herself in the mirror. She cringed at her disheveled bangs and messy braid. She looked pale, her freckles popping out against her face.
"Do you wanna take the first shower?" Akemi asked Anne, turning around. Anne got off the bed.
"Nah, you can take the first one. I wanna sit on the porch and probably take a nap." Anne replied with a yawn and a stretch.
"Okay! I'll let you know when I'm out." Akemi smiled. She closed the door behind her and turned the light on and stripped, turning on the water. She fully shampooed and conditioned her hair, washing off all the dirt and sticky salt from her skin.
After thirty minutes, she stepped out, her hair and body wrapped in a towel, a few short, damp white strands of hair sticking out.
"Anne! Your turn!" Akemi called. The girl was sitting on one of the chairs, staring past the rails before her head whipped around to look at Akemi and got up from her seat.
"You took soooo long!" Groaned Anne. Akemi faked offense, placing a hand on her towel-clad chest.
"I did not!" She gasped, her jaw dropped.
"You took, like, three hours!" Anne threw her hands up incredulously. "You're gonna drain all the water in the hotel!" Anne moved to look at Akemi at the frame of the door, holding the knob in preparation to close it.
"Nuh uh!" Akemi shot back.
The two of them stared at each other, deadpan expressions, in silence for a few moments. It was either a glint in someone's eye or a piece of dust, but the two of them burst out laughing, collapsing to the floor.
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"Akemi! Akemi, wake up! It's Joseph-san, he needs you!" Anne's voice woke Akemi from her slumber.
"H- huh?" Akemi stuttered groggily, rubbing her eyes, sitting up from her curled-up sleeping position on the bed that she'd decided to take a nap on after changing into the dirty crop-top and sweatpants, though she kept her towel on her head.
The towel-clad kid was holding a phone, her towel in the other hand, and her face was creased in worry.
"Just take it!" Anne exclaimed, shoving the phone in her hands.
"O- okay." Said Akemi, taking the phone from Anne. She blinked her eyes. "Hello?" She said, her voice hoarse.
"Akemi! There's a Stand user in this hotel!" Exclaimed Joseph's voice.
"A- a Stand?!" Akemi sat up straight on the bed, the shock waking her up quickly.
"Yes, you heard me right. Meet up in room 1212 as soon as you can." Joseph commanded tersely.
"Right." Akemi said determinedly.
"And leave Anne. We shouldn't get her involved in all this." Joseph told her.
"Right. Will do. See you soon." Akemi replied before putting the phone down on the landline with a sigh. "Damn... back at it again, I guess." Akemi muttered, a hand on her face.
"Hold it... I- I heard Joseph-san say something about 'leave Anne'..." Anne confronted, her eyes wide. Akemi tilted her head to the side, placing a hand on her head.
"Anne, we're not going to leave you here. He just meant to leave you in the room while we talk. Joseph said that he spotted one of our enemies here, so we thought you'd be safer if you stayed." Akemi assured her. Anne harrumphed anyways, crossing her arms with a glare.
"No fair!" Anne said, upset. Akemi patted her head as she got up. At least she wasn't scared they'd abandon her.
"We won't be long." Akemi said, taking the towel off of her head, allowing her long, thick, curly white strands to fall down to her waist. Anne stuck out her bottom lip.
"Ugh... fine." Anne groaned, flopping on her bed with a huff. Akemi giggled.
"I'll take you with me shopping later, I promise." she told her as she started to braid her hair. "And... maybe I'll get you a new outfit." Anne looked up with a grin.
"Sweet!" She exclaimed.
"Hey, don't open the door for anyone, alright? Nobody. Not even me. I'll have a room key with me." Akemi told Anne as she walked out, jingling the key in her hand. Anne nodded.
"Okay, bye!"
And Akemi shut the door behind her. She put the room key in her pocket and started toward 1212.
On the staircase, she met up with Jotaro and Kakyoin. She'd just finished the braids on the sides of her head, and grew her usual pink hibiscus to tie it all together.
"Hey, did you get the call, too, Akemi?" Asked Kakyoin.
"Yeah, I did." Akemi replied, tossing her braid behind her, walking along their pace up the stairs. "Do either of you know what happened?" Both Kakyoin and Jotaro shook their heads.
"All he said was that there was a Stand user in the hotel." Jotaro said gruffly, itching the side of his face. Akemi hummed.
"Well, we better hurry up, then. It could be bad enough that he couldn't mention it." Akemi murmured. The three of them jogged up the stairs, and were in Joseph and Mo's room moments later. Mo was sitting on the bed, and Joseph was pacing back and forth. He paused and looked up when he saw the door open and close, the three teens walking further into the room.
"Just you three? Where is Polnareff? Bloody hell, he's late." Complained Joseph, looking up to the ceiling.
"I can go check on him, if you want-" Akemi was interrupted as the door opened once again. She turned and gasped. Polnareff was bleeding and leaning on the closet right next to the door he'd opened.
"Polnareff, you're finally here." Joseph said, annoyed, dismissive of his state. "You're not very punctual."
"P- Polnareff?" Akemi asked, approaching him with concern as he leaned against the wall. "You're covered in blood..."
"Right. Let's get right to it. Let's figure out what we're going to do if Devo the Cursed attacks us." Said Joseph dutifully, ignoring what was going on around him as he explained his plan.
"I- I'm so tired..." Croaked Polnareff, sliding down the wall.
"Joseph, I... think he was already attacked..." Said Akemi, running to him. Crouching by him, she started healing his wounds.
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"Wow... this place is huge!" Exclaimed Anne.
Akemi agreed. The mall they were shopping in was massive, and it was fitting, since Akemi needed to buy different clothes for herself- and for Anne, since she'd waited so patiently. Maybe a bag, too, to carry her things. It was a little crowded for her taste, but that's what came with this busy time of year. It was decked out in Christmas decorations.
The four of them walked into a nice clothing store, and split up and started browsing.
"Akemi! You should try this!" Called Kakyoin from across the store. Akemi looked up from a tank top to see what Kakyoin was holding, and grimaced.
It was a bright pink corset with ruffles on the bra, and much too small for her.
"U- uh, no thanks. Not exactly my style..." Akemi stayed polite, but underneath she was getting an odd vibe from Kakyoin.
Did the Stand user that Polnareff killed affect him in some way? His aura didn't feel like Kakyoin's at all. It was a weird, sickly yellow. She hadn't seen anything like it before- maybe he was going through a weird episode, or he was ill. Either way, she just decided to keep an eye on it.
"Ooh! Akemi, look at this!" Called Anne, successfully distracting Akemi from Kakyoin.
"Huh?" Akemi looked up to see what she was holding. It was a half-purple, half-white corset with black lace and floral designs. "Ooooh." She breathed, stars in her eyes, placing the tan spaghetti-strap back down absentmindedly, reaching for the top Anne presented to her.
"You have good taste, kid. This one's mine." Akemi praised, holding up her hand. Anne slapped it with a grin, feeling proud of herself.
"Akemi." Jotaro said from nearby Akemi hung the crop top on her arm.
He held up a small chain bracelet- it was like the chain that hung off of his school uniform, but the links were much skinnier.
Akemi raised her eyebrows and made her way to him, taking the small chain from his hand.
"Did you buy this?" Akemi asked.
"Yeah, I did. F- for you." Jotaro stated stiffly, awkwardness rolling off of him in waves. "Girls like charm bracelets, right?" He also handed her a charm with the Singaporean flag on it.
"You didn't have to buy me anything, Jojo. Thank you! I love it." She smiled brightly up at Jotaro, and he tugged his hat down, muttering something about 'yareyareda ze'. Akemi giggled. It was so strange, seeing how Jotaro acted sometimes. His first impression was intimidating, to say the least, but it seemed he was just like any other teenage boy when it came to girls.
She clasped it around her wrist, marveling at how well it fit, and attached her first charm onto the bracelet. I should fill this up with mementos of the places we go! Too bad I didn't think of this in Hong Kong…
"Should we get some scrunchies?" Suggested Anne, stealing Akemi's attention.
"Yeah, sure!" Akemi exclaimed excitedly, her attention turned from Jotaro.
She took a few and let Anne pick a few out as well. She also got some smaller hair bands and some hair clips, thinking she would be able to not only use them on herself but potentially on the other boys.
Anne picked out a pink tank top and some light blue cargo pants, and Akemi found a pair of half velvety purple and half white high-waisted jeggings with floral designs along the outside seam that went perfectly with the top she'd decided to get, so she bought everything they'd chosen and left the store. The purple and white halves of the items of clothing were switched, she realized later on, and she was initially disappointed, but kept the clothing regardless.
Anne excitedly put her scrunchies on her wrist, enjoying the flair it gave her. her gaze wandered as Jotaro and Akemi discussed where to head next, and something caught her eye.
"Ooh! There's an ice cream stand there!" Cried Anne, pointing ahead at a stand. "Can we get some?" Akemi smiled.
"Sure!" Akemi chirped. They approached the stand.
"Hey there! What can I get you?" Asked the friendly vendor.
"What do you guys want?" Akemi offered.
"Vanilla." Said Jotaro.
"Cookie dough!" Said Anne.
"...Matcha." Said Kakyoin, tilting his head.
"Okay, and I'll have vanilla as well, please!" Akemi requested.
"Coming right up! That'll be twenty dollars and forty cents." Replied the vendor. Kakyoin took out his wallet and pulled out some Singapore dollars, laying them on the table.
"This should cover it." He said. Akemi raised a hand, unzipping her jacket's interior pocket.
"Oh, Kakyoin, I got it, don't worry." Akemi said, a smile on her face. His head whipped around to look at her, a hard look in his eyes.
"Shut it, and accept my kind gesture. Would you rather I don't pay?" Snapped Kakyoin. Akemi blinked, her jaw slackening slightly.
"Damn, Kakyoin. You get your period today?" Akemi murmured, her lip twitching upward. Kakyoin snapped his withering gaze over to Akemi, and she flinched back.
Wait a second... this... this can't be Kakyoin. Akemi thought. There's no way. Kakyoin only looked at me like that when he was being controlled by the flesh bud. Now that I've been next to him for so long, I can tell his aura doesn't even have a single semblance of Kakyoin. Even his face looks a little off… I'd better keep the aggression down, at least around Anne. I don't wanna start a fight around Anne, and whoever this is, they are extremely volatile.
"Th- thanks..." She relented. Just as he put his hand with his wallet down, a man from behind them swiped it and started running.
"I'll take that!" He quipped, laughing as he ran.
"Merda!" Akemi cursed, staring after the man.
Kakyoin simply turned and shot his Stand after the man, chasing him after him. Akemi widened her eyes as she watched. What!? His Stand? Could that really be Kakyoin!?
Hierophant grabbed his ankle, and the thief tripped and fell, dropping his wallet. By the time he'd turned around, Kakyoin was already standing over him.
"You thought you could get away with stealing my wallet, you little shit?" Snarled Kakyoin. "Cough up your guts!" He shouted. Akemi winced when he rammed the thief's nose into his knee, just as she took her ice cream.
"Kakyoin!" Exclaimed Jotaro, shocked.
"There's something terribly wrong with him..." Akemi hissed, disturbed.
"I've noticed. Let's wait a bit longer." Jotaro hissed back.
"He's gonna hurt someone if we wait too much longer-"
"I'll deal with this. If he becomes any more of a threat, we'll be able to deal with it." Jotaro interrupted her frantic whisper, and Akemi's mouth drifted closed as he spoke. "We can't act too early and risk losing the advantage, because right now, he has it. We're in a very populated, enclosed space, and his Stand could do anything." Akemi blinked as she thought further.
"...Right." She agreed. "Sorry, I wasn't thinking."
"Don't worry about it... that's why I'm here." Jotaro replied lowly, the last part quieter than before, looking away at Kakyoin as he beat the thief.
Akemi let out a quiet scoff, crossing her arms and watching the fight. "What would I do without you and your clear thinking?"
"Something stupid, probably." Jotaro joked, putting his hands in his pocket. Akemi opened her mouth to shoot a retort, but 'Kakyoin' interrupted her when he finally caught up with the thief.
"Why you... you're worth about as much as a sewer cockroach's dick! The idea that..." Kakyoin lifted him up by his hair over his shoulders, an arm over his neck and another on his leg, and started bouncing up and down. The thief choked out in pain. "you thought you could steal my wallet with the same fingers that wipe your filthy ass! I can't let you get away with that, can I? Come on! Come on! Come on!" Akemi reeled back, shocked.
"Oi! What are you doing, Kakyoin? He's going to die." Jotaro shouted.
"He's learned his lesson, chill out! We're in a public area!" Akemi shouted, her tone irritated, holding up a limp hand that leaned against her hip.
"A- amazing. A back-breaker? Such a vicious move! And he's using such filthy language..." Murmured Anne, amazed. Akemi looked down at her, an eyebrow raised.
Jotaro stormed forward, knocking the thief off his shoulders.
"Kakyoin! Didn't you hear me tell you to stop?" Jotaro said roughly. He knelt down by the stunned thief. "Kakyoin, you bastard. Something's wrong with you. Did you get too worked up, or something?" Kakyoin turned, dusting off his chest nonchalantly.
Akemi took Kakyoin's ice cream and apologized to the vendor before she and Anne joined them.
"That hurt." Was all he replied with. "You didn't have to push me like that. That guy tried to steal my wallet, which makes him a bad person. Of course I should punish him. Am I wrong, Akemi-kun?" Kakyoin asked, looking down at her. Akemi sighed angrily, already tired of this.
"Just take your damn ice cream and let's keep going. Don't attack anyone else." She said curtly, handing him his ice cream. Kakyoin took his ice cream, but didn't remove his gaze from her.
"That's an awfully annoyed look on your face, Akemi-kun." Said Kakyoin in a honeyed voice as they proceeded in search of another store.
He leaned forward, a spoon in his mouth, the handle just barely scraping Akemi's cheek.
"You couldn't be planning to part ways with me just because I hurt that thief a little, could you? I'm a bit tired of this trip. I don't feel too well." He rambled right next to her ear.
Don't give a reaction, that's what they want, Akemi told herself, though it was extremely difficult not to do so. It was as if every bit of restraint she'd trained herself to have was being tested at that very moment, and she needed a distraction.
"Nah, I get it." Akemi said in what she hoped was a carefully modulated tone. "You can't be expected to be perfectly okay throughout this whole trip- hey, look! A shop I was totally looking for and want to enter! Let's go!" Akemi lied badly.
With a swift turn from the white-haired girl, the gang entered another store, allowing her an excuse to dart away from the bastard.
She'd picked out a flannel gown and some cute pajama pants. Akemi had allowed Anne to get herself another pair of clothes, and she'd chosen a matching flannel gown and a comfortable pair of slippers.
Plus, there was a buy one get three free thing for t-shirts, so Akemi bought t-shirts for the four of them. Jotaro got a t-shirt with a scene from the movie 'The Gauntlet', Anne got a t-shirt with a blooming rose on it, Akemi got a t-shirt with a Led Zepplin on the front, and Kakyoin, surprisingly, made a normal choice for once and got a Sting t-shirt.
"Okay, I think I'm done. I just need a bag, now." Akemi asked as they exited the store. Jotaro pointed up at a Gucci store.
"What about there?" He asked innocently. Akemi raised an eyebrow. Has he never been to a mall?
"That stuff is, like... really expensive. Plus, I don't think Gucci lasts that long." Akemi said. Jotaro kept on suggesting places, and while they did that, Anne looked around.
"Ooh! Look, an elephant beetle!" She said, pointing to her right.
The gang followed her gaze, and there were two elephant beetles feeding on a fallen granola bar.
"Oh, cool." Said Akemi. She looked back at Jotaro, who had suggested a North Face store. "That's a good idea. We'll go there!" Jotaro tugged his hat down and hummed in agreement.
As they started walking, Anne turned to notice Kakyoin crouched over the beetles, making a weird noise.
"Mr. Kakyoin... Jojo and Akemi are getting further ahead." Anne told him.
"R- right. I'll catch up." He said, his tone... strange.
Anne leaned back slightly, her eyes wide.
"I guess you like matcha ice cream a lot, huh, Mr. Kakyoin?" Said Anne, a little freaked out.
Kakyoin turned his head, revealing a beetle leg hanging off his lips. Anne gasped, disturbed, as she watched him slurp and chew on it. He spat out a leg.
"Yes. I love matcha ice cream." He agreed, a smirk on his lips.
Anne, terrified, ran to Akemi and Jotaro. Breathing hard, she latched onto Akemi's arm between her and Jotaro. They stopped in their tracks, looking down at the preteen.
"Is something wrong?" Asked Jotaro, an eyebrow raised.
"Are you okay?" Asked Akemi, her eyebrows quirked upward.
"I- it's nothing." Anne assured them, looking behind her. Akemi and Jotaro followed her gaze... to Kakyoin.
They gave him intense glares before Kakyoin looked down and started following them.
Akemi and Jotaro exchanged looks and kept going.
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Akemi bought a bag and they exited the mall as quickly as they could. At the entrance, Jotaro, Akemi and Anne sat on a bench as she put her clothes in the bag. Kakyoin leaned against a nearby wall, looking into the distance.
"So what's the verdict?" Jotaro asked lowly, keeping out of earshot, leaning back on his arms and in Akemi's direction.
"That's not Kakyoin." Akemi hissed back, catching Jotaro by surprise by the seriousness in her tone. "I think there's another Stand user." Akemi got the last piece of clothing from the shopping bag.
"Another one?" Jotaro whisper-asked. Akemi nodded in confirmation and zipped her bag up.
"His aura... it's a sickly yellow-green. It hasn't changed from that, not once. Since I've seen Hierophant Green, I've been thinking it's like it's being... concealed." Akemi whispered, her gaze following Kakyoin's movements as he yawned.
It must've been her eyes playing tricks on her, but his jaw opened a little too wide for it to be normal. She shuddered, turning to Jotaro.
"What do we do?"
"I'll corner him. But I don't think he'll reveal anything if it's two on one." Jotaro murmured, looking at her. Akemi nodded, her eyebrows furrowed.
"Do you think you can handle him on your own?" Akemi hissed, slightly concerned. "We don't know his abilities." Jotaro furrowed his brows.
"Of course." He said simply. "I saw him using Kakyoin's Stand. We've beaten Kakyoin already. As for his actual Stand, it could be that disguise or possession is his only ability. It'll be a piece of cake, okay?" Akemi let out a breath, looking down.
"Alright, I'll take Anne back." She stood up and held her bag by her side. Jotaro's gaze followed her.
Her serious expression melted with practiced ease and she let an easygoing smile cross her face as she stood up and looked at Anne and Kakyoin.
"I'm ready to head back to the hotel." Akemi stood up and stretched. Jotaro and Anne stood up beside her. "I think I need a nap."
"Good grief. Kakyoin and I will get train tickets to India, then." Said Jotaro, sounding annoyed, though his aura said different.
Good. Akemi thought.
"Wait, you're going to India? When?" Anne whined. Akemi froze. She hadn't even thought of it.
"We'll discuss it on the way back to the hotel, okay? But it's the next stop on our trip." Akemi told her, a sheepish smile on her face. Anne frowned and crossed her arms. Akemi pushed those thoughts away temporarily and smiled at the two teens.
"Alright! Be safe! I've heard cable cars fall down a hundred times a year!" She teased playfully. Jotaro let out a small, almost indistinct huff of amusement.
"You too." He simply said as Kakyoin joined them. As they parted ways, Anne looked up at Akemi, taking her hand as they made their way back to the hotel.
"What was up with Mr. Kakyoin today? He was being... so weird." Anne said with a shiver. Akemi stayed silent for a moment.
"I'm... not sure, either. But I'm sure he'll be back to normal soon enough. Jotaro will beat some sense into him, probably." Akemi joked with a smirk to lighten the mood. It worked- Anne let out a small laugh.
"Anyways," Akemi began, stealing Anne's attention once more. "About India... we have to move to Egypt as quickly as we can, since Jotaro's mother doesn't have much time." Anne's expression fell into one of sympathy. "We can keep paying for this hotel room for as long as you want, but we can't take you with us to India. It's far too dangerous, and we can't afford another person traveling with us- it's already hard with six."
Anne opened her mouth to protest as they entered the hotel, but fell silent as she had no arguments to offer.
"Plus, you're meeting up with your dad, isn't that right?" Offered Akemi. Anne was silent, and by the look of her aura, she was debating something in her head.
The elevator doors closed the two of them from any other humans and Anne seemed to have made a decision.
"L- listen, Akemi..." Anne let go of her hand, and Akemi looked down at Anne, an eyebrow raised.
"What's up?" Akemi prompted, sitting down against the wall- they had more than a few floors to pass, so the ride would take a bit.
Anne sat down in the elevator across from Akemi.
"I... I didn't come here to meet with my dad." She confessed. Akemi's eyes widened. She knew it wasn't the truth, but she didn't want to upset the girl while she was being vulnerable with her. "I left home to travel the world." A spark lit in Anne's chocolate eyes. A childish but intensely passionate look that reminded Akemi of when she was Anne's age. "This is the best age to do it. I know it's dangerous to travel the world as a girl, and now is the only time I can do it. I... I'm sorry for lying to you. Please forgive me, I just wanted to stay with you guys!" She pleaded, tears crowding her vision. Akemi's eyes were wide, and she held out her hands, an understanding look in her eye.
"Anne..." Akemi huffed, a soft smile crossing her face. Before she could start talking, the elevator dinged, and they were on their floor. Akemi stood as the door opened, and she held out a hand to Anne.
"You're not in trouble. Let's get back to our room, and we'll talk some more, okay?" Akemi offered. Anne hesitated, but nodded and took Akemi's hand.
The two of them sat down on the bed in their room, facing each other, criss-cross applesauce.
"Anne, I know how you feel. When I was your age- twelve, right?" She started. Anne nodded. "...I ran away from home three times."
"Three!?" Ogled Anne. Akemi nodded.
"Three." She confirmed. "It was because I was unsatisfied with my home life, and I wanted to go out and help people wherever I could. I wanted to see everything, travel the world, and be independent. It was like a dream for me. However, I learned that traveling the world is much more complicated and dangerous than it seems. Idealizing this reality, your mind skips over travel expenses, dangerous people, dangerous places, sickness, and a place to sleep. No matter how old you are, or what gender you are, how big or small you are, there is always danger from other people. If you are to travel the world, you need money, a way to protect yourself, and a map of the area you're in." Anne widened her eyes as she kept talking.
"So... you're not going to turn me in to the authorities?" Anne asked hopefully. Akemi blinked.
"Of course not." Akemi said, as if it were obvious. "Your life is yours to experience, and I have no place interfering in that just because I think children shouldn't be out in the world. It's only because the general consensus is that children can't think for themselves, nor can they practice responsibility or defend themselves. Most children are, but you, Anne, are smart. I think you can make it out there. I can't imagine the preparations you made for this, the fear you overcame, leaving everything behind..." Akemi trailed off, but she maintained eye contact with the girl, raising a stern finger. "You just have to be very smart, and you have to be prepared. If you want, we can stop somewhere to get you the necessary survival gear before we leave." She suggested. Anne brightened more, if it was possible.
"You'd do that for me..?" She gasped. Akemi nodded.
"Anne, you can do whatever you want with your life. I'm not going to pose as your obstacle. Not everyone will have this kind of generosity or understanding, so you can't trust people as easily as you trusted us. Listen: you're extremely lucky to have run into us instead of someone else that could have potentially taken advantage of you or hurt you. I want to make sure you're safe. The world isn't a suitable place for innocent children, and it'll swallow you up for dinner. Got it?"
Anne nodded. Akemi smiled, and she opened her arms, offering the small girl a hug. Anne lunger forward, nestling herself in Akemi's embrace.
"Will I see you again, after we part ways?" Anne asked, her voice small. Akemi was silent for a moment.
"Not unless we exchange addresses and phone numbers." Akemi replied softly. "And we don't forget about each other- and I can assure you, there's no way I could forget you, even if I tried." She could feel Anne smiling against her shoulder.
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"Where are..?" Mo trailed off.
"I have an update." Akemi said, her jaw clenched. Mo opened the door to his room further, allowing the girl to march in.
"Akemi? Where are Jotaro, Anne and Kakyoin?" Joseph asked, sitting up from his chair.
"I don't know where the hell Kakyoin is, Anne's in our room, and Jo-"
"Did someone say my name?" Asked Kakyoin.
Akemi whirled around at the sound of Kakyoin- the right one. Kakyoin widened his eyes at the sight of her.
"Akemi, you look like you've seen a ghost... are you okay...? What's going on?" Asked Kakyoin carefully, his eyes narrowing.
Without responding, Akemi took him by the shoulders and glared into his confused lavender eyes, scanning his aura... it had no trace of the sickly yellow it was before. It only had an indigo of confusion, and a little bit of pink because, well, Akemi was about a foot or so from his face. And, of course, that emerald green that reminded her of her grandmother. With a huff of relief, she let go of him.
"Yeah, that's you alright." Akemi said, backing off. Her worried edge didn't soften. Kakyoin stared, confused.
"Akemi-san, what do you mean? What happened?" He repeated his past question.
"Where have you been?" Asked Joseph, equally confused.
"Akemi-san and Jojo left me behind, so I was sunbathing by the pool." Stated Kakyoin. Akemi tilted her head to the side.
"With... with your school uniform on?" Akemi asked, distracted.
"Yes. So?" Kakyoin said, as if it were normal. Akemi shook her head.
"You're about to have some weird tan lines... anyway, we thought you went to the mall with us!" Akemi said, baffled, back on track. "I knew it! You... Well, your clone, I guess, was acting weird the whole time! Do you even like matcha ice cream?" Asked Akemi accusingly, poking his chest with a stiff finger. Kakyoin blinked and straightened.
"No, my favorite is cherry." He said, confused, looking down at her finger. "I don't even like matcha." Akemi clenched a fist, turning away.
"I should've known earlier..." Akemi muttered.
"You can't have known my favorite ice cream flavor, Akemi, don't feel bad." Kakyoin assured her.
"Clone?" Echoed Avdol, his expression intense.
"Jotaro's with an impostor, then! He went on a cable car with him." She cried, spreading her arms to her sides.
"Shit." Cursed Joseph, looking away, his arms crossed.
"Jotaro said he'd be able to handle the Stand by himself, but I should probably head there. Jotaro and I split up in the first place to keep Anne safe, and so that the Stand would have a better chance of revealing itself one on one rather than two on one. It has to have revealed itself by now. And all we know is that it was able to mimic Kakyoin's appearance perfectly and even his Stand- which could be dangerous. This could be our only chance to get the jump on him. And if Jotaro's fine, I'll still be there to heal him if he's hurt." Akemi thought out loud, putting a hand on her chin.
"Right." Agreed Joseph, crossing his arms with a thoughtful, intense look.
"Do you need anyone to come with you?" Mo asked. Akemi shook her head.
"I'm sure I'll be all the help Kujo needs." She concluded, crossing her arms.
"You're right. We'll stay here." Joseph told her. Akemi nodded.
"Good luck." Blessed Kakyoin as she left. She gave him a side smile before she closed the door.
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Down the stairs, out the hotel, and to the cable cars, she ran as fast as she could. She didn't see him anywhere, so she ran under the cables- and sure enough, she caught sight of Jotaro finishing up some poor enemy soul by the water.
She watched the final blow, and his limp body floating away.
Akemi stopped at the edge of the dock, relieved, and Jotaro noticed her, turning around to meet her eyes. He raised his eyebrows, as if slightly surprised.
"Akemi?" Jotaro called. Akemi nodded. She saw how much blood he was covered in.
"Yeah. Uh... you have a little blood on your face." Akemi called back. Jotaro blinked. He took off his hat and dunked his head underwater for a few seconds, flipping his hair as he came back out.
He's handsome. Akemi thought with a slight blush. Realizing her thoughts, she grimaced, shaking her head. Jotaro swam toward her, his hat back on his head.
"Oi." Jotaro said as he reached the edge. He held up a hand. Akemi held her hand out, and he nearly just pulled her into the water, but she managed to help him out, stepping back as she did, his huge figure looming over her, dripping wet. She started to notice his wounds, the blood mixing with the saltwater that no doubt felt like fire on his open wounds.
"Here, let me-"
"No. I'll heal them myself." Stated Jotaro, starting to walk away.
Akemi knew he probably just didn't want to steal her energy for his benefit. It just felt wrong to him.
However, he was gonna have to get used to it.
Lightning fast, a vine shot out from Empress Gaea's ghostly forearm, twining itself around Jotaro's arm and stopping him in his tracks.
"Dammit, Kujo. Sit down." She commanded stubbornly.
Jotaro turned his head, sending her an annoyed glare.
She sent an equally annoyed one back. He wasn't winning this one.
He sighed, glancing around, as if to make sure no one was there. When he was satisfied, he submitted, sitting cross-legged on the ground. He held up his hand, which was gushing blood. Akemi sucked her teeth, sitting down with him.
"Jesus… 'I'll heal them myself', you say. This would've taken weeks. How can you punch someone while healing such a big wound? You'd bring us down like that." Akemi rambled indignantly.
She tied her hair into a big messy bun and put her hand on his, starting the healing process. Empress Gaea's hands were visible, looking as if she had a ghostly shield over her forearms. He flinched as her feathery light fingers dusted his palm. Slowly, her energy began to drain as the missing chunk in his hand started to seal. The jasmine vines weaved in and out of his fingers and coiled around them and his palm.
While she was focused on his hand, she could see his aquamarine eyes on her, watching her intently.
"Right. What else is there?" Akemi asked when his hand was back to normal. Jotaro tugged his hat down.
"Nothing else. Let's go." Jotaro said briskly, sitting back up. The corner of Akemi's mouth quirked upward in anger. She tugged his arm down.
"Do you think I'm stupid, Kujo? You're literally bleeding right there-" Akemi pointed at his neck, which was gushing blood.
"I- I'm fine. My hand was the worst of it." Jotaro lied, trying to get up again.
"Jojo." Akemi said softly. He froze. His gaze went to hers, which had gone soft. "Just let me heal you. Please. It's okay." She half-begged.
Jotaro tugged his hat down again, clenching his jaw. His aura flared pink.
"Good grief. F- fine." He said lowly, settling back down. He turned around and took off his jacket. Akemi was glad he couldn't see her, because her face must've been at least light pink. But it went away when she saw his deep wounds.
"Jotaro... these look pretty big." Akemi murmured worriedly. "You can't lie to me about your wounds again, okay?" Jotaro only grunted in response, seemingly pouting.
He noticed the fact that she didn't call him 'Kujo', however.
Akemi and Empress Gaea's fingers spread across his back, her feathery touch causing Jotaro to flinch again. The vines spread out, and Akemi couldn't help when one coiled around his neck a little. His aura grew into a darker pink at that, even a slight orange. Akemi blushed slightly.
What's happening? Akemi gulped. Why is the atmosphere so thick? And what does that orange mean? He can't be nervous, nor is he excited... yet he seems both?
As his wounds slowly disappeared, he let out a long sigh. He stood up after they were gone, shouldering his jacket back on.
"...Thank you." He said. Akemi nodded as she stood up.
"Of course." She replied with a smile. Her vision went a little fuzzy when she stood at full height, but she ignored it, letting out a sigh. "Okay, let's head back to the hotel. I'm sure Joseph and the others are waiting for us." Akemi said, her voice tired. Jotaro hummed.
"I got some information from that Stand user. I'll wait to tell you when everyone's in the hotel room." Jotaro told her. Akemi nodded as they started walking.
"How did you manage to get the information out of him?" Akemi asked. The tension, while obviously there, was easy to forget as they made their way through the city.
"That Stand user was too proud." Jotaro answered with a 'tch'. "He thought he'd won, so he told me what he did." Akemi let out a small laugh.
"Our enemies should know better than to underestimate you at this point." Akemi said, rolling her eyes. "They have so much pride these days, and such lousy Stands." Jotaro couldn't help but let out a small chuckle as they entered the hotel.
They walked into Joseph and Avdol's room, where they, Kakyoin and Polnareff were waiting.
"My, my. You guys took a while." Teased Polnareff lightly, mocking Akemi. Jotaro gave him a glare that he easily deflected.
"Akemi insisted on healing my wounds." He said.
"You were literally about to bleed out." Akemi said pointedly, giving him a bemused glare.
"Psh, whatever. I would've been fine." Jotaro replied nonchalantly.
"Mhm, okay." Akemi replied sarcastically, narrowing her eyes.
"Anyways, I have some information on some future Stand users. The one I just beat into next year- Yellow Temperance- told me a few things." Jotaro said, the seriousness returning to the room. Akemi left Jotaro's side to sit on a bench nearby so she could look up at him.
"What would that be?" Asked Joseph, a hand on his chin, scratching his beard. Jotaro looked at Polnareff.
"The Stand user of the tarot the Hanged Man: Centerfold. The man with the two right arms- he works for Dio." He stated, looking up at Polnareff.
Polnareff's aura grew intense, and anger filled him. He clenched his fist, shaking at his side.
"Apparently, his Stand uses mirrors in some way. And the other one- his name is Tatsugami. He said that his Stand was a dragon, and that his tarot is Emperor, and he can affect the atmosphere of an area." Akemi froze, her eyes wide.
"D- did you say Tatsugami?" Akemi asked, her voice shaky, Jotaro gave her a confused look.
"Yes, do you know him?" Jotaro asked. The name sounded familiar to him, but he hadn't thought anything of it until now.
"Oh, more than that. This 'Tatsugami' is her father." Joseph answered for her, a nasty glare on his face that Mo shared with an equal frustration. Polnareff and Kakyoin looked confusedly around. Jotaro's eyes widened in recognition. He looked back down at Akemi, his eyes widened.
"I- I need to go." Akemi muttered, standing up and walking past Jotaro.
"A- Akemi! Wait!" Kakyoin shouted after her. As the door shut after her, a silence followed.
"Joseph, you seem to know what happened. If it's alright, would you mind telling us?" Kakyoin asked, a look of concern on his face. Joseph sighed, unsure.
"...When she was a kid, she lived with her parents, like any normal kid- Serena Zeppeli, and her father, Ian Tatsugami. Everything was fine until he was deployed to Egypt for training. When he came back, he was a completely different man. Long story short, he became abusive to both her and Serena. When Serena died, we had to fight against him in court so her grandmother would get custody instead of him. The only reasons we won was because of how bloody scared Akemi seemed around him, and the finesse of the Speedwagon Foundation. Flinched at sudden movements. Never really took her eyes off of him. It makes me wonder what he did behind closed doors." Joseph explained darkly, his expression grim. Everyone stared, surprised.
"Is it possible that Tatsugami met Dio in Egypt?" Jotaro asked, his eyebrows furrowed. Joseph grunted.
"Yes. I thought about it in the past, but this confirms it." Joseph said, his eyebrows furrowed.
"Poor Akemi... I can't imagine losing both my parents in one fell swoop." Kakyoin said, his voice sounding haunted. Jotaro couldn't imagine his mom dying at all. This trip may have made the possibility sickeningly real, but actually losing her…
"Don't mention anything to her. It's not a great subject to bring up, y'know?" Joseph told them.
"Right..." Kakyoin said. "Did she… get her scar from..?"
"No- well, indirectly, yes." Joseph said. "But that's a story for another day, one I'd rather she told you all herself."
"Hey, does anyone know where Kemi went?" Polnareff asked, his tone slightly worried.
"Probably somewhere to cool off. I'd let her be until we have to go. She'll be back." Joseph explained. Jotaro looked away. Why did he care? It wasn't his problem. He turned and opened the door.
"Jotaro, where are you going?" Asked Joseph. Jotaro looked back.
"To get ice cream. I'm hungry." Jotaro answered simply before closing the door behind him.
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Akemi was sitting on the roof of the hotel, looking at the sunset. The wind blew through her snow white hair, causing it to billow past her shoulder. The bright sun lit up her lime eyes and highlighted the tear streaks down her cheeks.
"Ora?" Said a familiar voice behind her. She turned to see the ethereal form of Star Platinum. She raised her eyebrows, surprised he was there.
The Stand was holding a... cup of ice cream?
"Ora." He repeated, handing her the ice cream. Akemi looked down at it with wide eyes.
Touched, she looked up at the hulking purple man that sat next to her.
"Thank you, Star." She said hoarsely, her tone genuine. Star blushed and looked away.
"Ora." He replied, fading away. Akemi smiled in his direction before turning back around, taking small bites of the ice cream.
"Vanilla..." She muttered. He remembered my favorite flavor... "Maybe he isn't so bad." She said to herself, smiling a bit wider.
From behind the roof access, Jotaro stood, his jacket blowing with the wind. He tugged his hat down, a small smile on his lips.
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thats so gay of them
facts
-it's a fact that when two people grow attracted to each other, physical attraction usually comes first- which is why the atmosphere was so thick.
-jotaro's love language (or at least one of them) is acts of service. so he may not outwardly show it, but he was worried for his friend, so he got her something he knew she would like- the ice cream she was seen so clearly enjoying earlier that day.
-while akemi has had her aura-reading ability all her life, there's things she hasn't seen before, so she doesn't quite know what they mean. that's why she was clueless about kakyoin for so long.
lol ok ttyl
-caelesti
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word count: 9,045