Author's note: This chapter is rated R for one swear word and slight violence. I promise, it's nothing worse than a day at high school, I'm sure. (at least, a day at MY high school . . . .)
Hopefully this chapter will shed more light on Iyzeka as a character. Above all else, however, please REVIEW!
IF YOU'VE BEEN READING THIS FOR TWENTY YEARS AND NEVER REVIEWED, DO SO NOW!!
(This fanfic has not existed for twenty years.)
Ja ne!
Ukchana
Chapter 27
Hong Kong, China
June 8th, 2002
"This is where I got the rice candy!" Iyzeka informed him as they approached the concession stand.
Val sighed and rolled his golden eyes. "At least I know what to expect."
It was still raining when they decided to take a break from the search, and for Valgaav the world was becoming just one looming blanket of gray.
Pulling out his wallet from his jeans, he walked up to the long-haired Chinese woman standing before the counter, her auburn eyes resting upon him gently, then slowly widening. Frowning, Valgaav said, "Ma'am?"
The older woman's lips moved, then she tossed her graying periwinkle hair over her shoulders. "I am sorry, you . . . you look like someone I once knew . . ."
Her soft voice ran across his skin, and the young dragon shivered, saffron eyes gazing hard at the aged human. "Really." No . . . no, it's not her . . .
Eyes on the register, the woman's mouth tightened and she quickly said, "How can I help you?"
Memories recently upturned began to churn within the boy. How . . . how is it that this can be?
Iyzeka's viridian gaze flickered between the two, then she stepped forward. "I'd like a Pepsi, please. Or whatever you have like that."
The older woman nodded, eyes closing and opening with disquiet. "Yes, of course." Entering it into her register, she dared to look at Valgaav again. "And . . . and you, sir?"
Instead of answering, he asked quietly, "Who do I remind you of?"
Sighing, the woman dropped her pale indigo head and tried to smile. "I am so sorry, Sir. You look like," her lightly accented voice tripped along the words gently, ". . . like a young man I was once very close to."
He nodded, gaze falling to the Chinese symbols on her name tag. "That's it for us," Val finished hoarsely.
'Rare' . . . 'coral' . . . DAMMIT!
It was Xian.
(-(-(-)-)-)
"But Veria, that's black too. What is it about you and black?"
"Oooooh, a Chinese Kung Fu uniform!" the dragoness ignored her 'pack mule' and piled another ebony outfit onto the cluster of fabric he held.
Xellos rolled his violet eyes and glared at the offending clothing. "Come on, I like black too, but can't we get anything in red? Or maybe something a dark yellow, like a dress shirt or . . . Hell, even blue would be alright." He snorted and turned to look around them, feeling strangely watched by the small group of other customers in the high-brow boutique.
The blonde glanced up at him, mouth pursing. "But you look so GOOD in black!" she whined, turning to brush down another aisle, unhindered by the fact that it was a men's clothing store.
Following her, the Mazoku shook his head, careful to not drop his mountain of items. "You just want me to wear black because it makes me look even more mysterious and creepy than I already do, and you like that, hmmm?" He beamed as she turned to give him an offended azure glare.
"Just because you look good in black," Filia began, tossing her saffron hair as she huffed away, "doesn't mean that I want you to wear it because it does that."
"But it DOES make me look dark and scary," Xellos leaned forward to whisper in her ear as he walked after her. "Come on," he murmured, voice lilting and sultry, "you know you always got excited when I didn't toe the line."
She kept walking until the demon lowered his voice even further, "And you can't lie because Veria and Zander aremarried." His own great amusement at the situation was all that Xellos thought of, totally unaware of where his teasing could go.
Filia halted swiftly at the end of the aisle and turned once more, cheeks aflame. "You know as well as I do how I feel," she answered, narrowed blue eyes met his own. The violet-haired Mazoku blinked as her embarrassment transformed into a wave of self-satisfaction.
With a sultry smile, the dragoness raised a hand to touch his. Mindful of the burdens he held to his chest, Filia stood on her toes to whisper into his ear, "And I know that you teased me and were mean to me because you liked it when I got upset." —Two can play at this game, Xellos,— she teased him in his mind, fingers tracing along his hand.
Xellos closed his eyes, her breath on his neck making him want to shiver. —Okay, okay,—he answered sheepishly,—I guess old habits die hard.—
Giving his a quick kiss on his cheek, she asked, —Do you really expect to tone it down by flirting with me constantly?— The blonde turned away before he could answer and led him towards the changing rooms.
"I would feel very uncomfortable if I couldn't tease you," his almost inaudible answer returned. Ducking his head, he felt his happiness fading, and knew she could sense it through the link when her own emotions transformed into concern.
Filia stopped before the stall doors, facing him and folding her arms over her form-fitting navy pantsuit. A light smile appeared on her face and she winked casually. "Hang the clothes on this rack, will you?" she asked, gesturing to the metal stand reserved for items that did not fit.
Nodding, the priest turned and began to do so. After a few moments, he felt her embrace him from behind, hands clasping at the ebony fabric across his chest.
—I'd feel very lonely if you didn't tease me,— she admitted as she leaned her head against his shoulder blades, releasing him after a quick squeeze.
Pivoting to face her, Xellos smiled down at the blonde and gave her a wink. "So, then, which would you like me to try on first?" he gestured to the rack. "Hmm," his violet eyes studied the apparel, "there's the black one, the black one, the black one," the priest laughed at her amused sigh, "and the black one. I can't decide, they all look the same . . ."
"Cut it out!" Filia chortled, cheeks rosy with embarrassment.
Paying her no heed, the Mazoku grabbed one of the dark suits, pushing open the door to the nearest stall. "Oookay," he tisked, "if you really think I should try on this one first . . ."
The blonde mock-growled as he stood in the doorway chuckling at her. With a humph, she took his shoulders and turned him around, giving him a shove into the cubicle, "Get in there!" and a hard smack on his butt.
Gasping at the sting, Xellos turned to arch an eyebrow at her. "Veria," he exclaimed, slowly leaning on the handle as he began to swing the door shut, "wait until we're back at the hotel . . ."
Pleased giggles erupted from outside as the demon leaned against the closed door, a grin breaking across his face. I think she's enjoying this too much, he told himself, but then, he gave his reflection in the full length mirror a sultry smile, I am, too.
(-(-(-)-)-)
The doors to the museum slammed open, Val storming out into the downpour and ripping his jacket from his shoulders.
"Val!" Iyzeka called after him, holding the parasol above her as she ran after him.
He stopped short and glared back at her, tossing the confining slicker to the concrete, "Stay here."
"But we have to stay together! It's dangerous!"
Scowling, the young man's golden eyes narrowed. "Fine," he spat. "Just be quiet, then."
The tiny demoness nodded, eyes luminous as he began to run down the water-logged streets again.
Water spattered hard against the umbrella as she followed him, moving as quickly as she could to keep up, though the bottoms of her pants began to soak through with water.What's going on? she wondered to herself, too afraid to create a link with him. His aura is flaring wildly . . . I wonder if he's even aware of it . . .
Unable to adapt the body with magic, Iyzeka began to pant and had to stop, leaning over herself and gasping for breath. "VAL!" she yelled, and the enraged boy slowly stopped and turned to stare across the expanse of sidewalk. "I CAN'T RUN ANYMORE!" the redhead cried out.
The aqua-haired dragon's turbulent emotions poured into her as he leisurely began marching back to her, his poisonous glare cutting into her. "You should go back to the hotel," he said coldly as he neared her, features hard and disgusted.
He . . . he hates me. Viridian eyes pricking, the short-haired girl gazed up at Valgaav, struck by the torrent of feelings he projected. "I . . . I just want . . . to help you . . ." Her free hand clutched at her maroon bangs, tears filling her eyes.
"Well, you can't," Val hissed, and with a swift, violent motion that made her jump, thrust his hand up and pointed back to the Hylton. "Go."
Sobbing, she turned and ran, tripping over her feet and dropping the parasol. Above, the rain pounded furiously down upon the city.
Abandoned, the jet umbrella rolled a bit, then sat still in the empty streets, cloudy slate sky reflected within the somber puddles beneath it.
(-(-(-)-)-)
"Okay," Xellos' voice came over the door, "black outfit 'two' . . ."
She stood and chuckled as he came out, his arms wide and flashy. "It looks cute!"
Rolling his eyes, the demon turned slightly and looked down at himself. The ebony Italian suit-coat was expertly tailored, but seemed to blend into the jet tie and dress-shirt beneath it. "Veria," the violet-haired man moaned, "I have tons of suits like this. Why do you want me to buythis one?"
"It's all black," she blushed, clasping a bit of her blonde locks in her hands shyly. "I think it looks very nice on you."
He turned to the nearby wall, where a three-pieced mirror stood. Approaching it, the demon studied himself in the floor-length mirror, his companion standing behind him. "It does look sharp, but I look like a member of the Mafia, dear." Doubtfully, Xellos glanced back at the blonde.
Grabbing his arm, the dragoness giggled and leaned against him, looking at their reflections. She straightened her tight navy suit-coat and rested her head on his shoulder. "There's nothing wrong with dressing high-class."
"But there might be something wrong with dressing like I'm going to pull an Uzi out of my briefcase," he answered dryly, looking her up and down.
Flushing at his intense gaze, Filia frowned and pulled away petulantly. "Well, I like it, sothere. It fits much nicer than the last one. Now go try on another!"
"Fine, fine." The Mazoku headed back to the dressing room, fiddling with his tie as he walked. "You'd think I was your doll or something, and this is dress-up!"
The blonde chuckled as she sat down on a nearby bench. "It is!"
(-(-(-)-)-)
Valgaav trudged through the soaked streets, t-shirt and jeans saturated by the heavy rain pouring down over him. Rage still flitted through the slender teen, in every stomping step, every dip of his drenched head.
Why? WHY? Why me, why NOW, of all times . . . why?
He found himself against a swath of brick, and leaned along the wall wearily. I can't do this . . . I can't keep on like this . . . not . . . not when . . .
Not when Xian was there . . . old, in her fifties at least . . .
Her youthful face swam in his vision, then darkened with graying hair and sad, worn eyes, still beautiful despite all the years upon her shoulders. Xian . . . I'm sorry . . . but I'm not what you needed . . .
Still, a part of him had to wonder . . . was he what she had wanted?
Tears began running down his face, mingling with the rain as he sobbed. His fists beat against the brick weakly, legs suddenly unable to keep him aloft. Weeping wretchedly, the aqua-haired dragon collapsed to the concrete, slumping against the solid building as the droplets beat down upon his head.
A chiming voice seemed to call feebly into his ear. "Val . . . I think I'm in trouble."
Iyzeka . . . dammit. Valgaav weakly stood, wiping his face and tossing back his soaked hair. Reaching under his drenched t-shirt, he pulled out the heart-locket and opened it. Clearing his throat, he began. "Iyzeka, what's wrong?"
"I . . . I can't-"
A thickly-accented voice interrupted her. "Ho-kay, little girl, we already told once. Give us you money."
"Where are you?!" Val shouted into the air, beginning to head back down the drenched roads he had left. "Iyzeka!"
"Shèn Market," came the harried whisper, "Please, I can't use my power or it will give us away!"
I remember that store, he told himself as he rushed around a corner, jumping over puddles and narrowing his eyes to the torrential downpour. "Try to get the manager!" All was silent, and he swore. "Iyzeka! Iyzeka !"
Gritting his teeth, Valgaav ran faster through the empty streets.
(-(-(-)-)-)
"You look just like Jet Li!" Filia gushed, clutching her hands together to her chest.
Sighing, her demon companion stepped out of the dressing room, looking down at the Chinese kung fu outfit he wore, entirely black. "Now, please, Veria, I'm much more attractive than that."
Xellos ran a hand through his violet hair as he once again strolled over to the large mirror on the wall. "Though I feel like a reject from every old kung fu movie ever made."
"No," the blonde said as she mimicked his movements and gazed into the reflection, "you'd have to be semi-bald to be in an old kung fu movie."
Raising a brow to her, Xellos looked down at the giddy woman and swung his head back and forth. "Veria, Veria . . . you aren't going to ask me to shave my head, next, are you?"
The fluorescent lights highlighted the flush across her cheeks as she tossed her flaxen head. "No, of course not! Your hair is very nice."
He peered down at her, bemused. "Okay." Hmm, Filia sure is acting odd, she's really getting into this! I had no idea she was obsessed with kung fu movies . . .
Though, the Mazoku let out a long breath and let his arms hang down, the sleeves covering his hands, it would make a certain amount of sense. Wuxia films usually have a good-sized portion of romance in between all of the fight scenes.
"Is that the last one?" Filia asked him, breaking his train of thought.
"Yes, finally." Rolling his eyes at her glare, Xellos smirked and headed back to the changing room. "So, which ensembles have you decided to make me buy?"
The dragoness wrinkled her nose at him and sat back down on her bench, primly folding her legs. "Well . . . only five or six fit you correctly, but I liked all of those, so . . ."
Before he closed the door, Xellos stared out of the crack. "SIX?" He shook his head, wincing. "Why?"
She gave him an adorable grin and began toying with a lock of her hair. "Why not?"
(-(-(-)-)-)
"Hey," Iyzeka cried, reaching out angrily, "give that back!"
Someone grabbed her from behind and she began to kick and flail around. "No, girl; you won't give money, we take what we get!"
The other Chinese punk grinned at her and held aloft the locket. "Not enough, though. You sure you don't have money?" He laughed and turned to look at his companions.
"Let me go!" The petite girl was surrounded by five young men, all with multi-colored hair and torn clothing. The one holding her arms smelled like old alcohol, an unfamiliar scent to one used to fine wines, his grip rough and painful. "Let go, I don't have any money!"
Her captor chuckled vilely in her ear, saying, "Like Hòujìn say, we take what can get! Without money . . ." He forced the Mazoku's wrists together above her head and began unbuttoning her jacket with his other hand. "You have give other payment!"
They cackled around her uproariously, and the redhead's cheeks burned with rage as she tried to squirm out of his grasp with only the human form. Dammit, if I use my power we'll surely be discovered! But . . . if I don't and no one rescues me . . . I can't abandon my body. She closed her eyes as he reached into the open jacket. It doesn't matter what happens to me . . . Master Xellos would expect me to endure all hardships to get the fragment . . .
THUNK. Iyzeka opened her eyes as their laughter ceased at the slam of the door. The man withdrew his hand and she looked past her attackers, past the cowering store clerk . . .
"Let her go." Val stood in the doorway, soaked, shoving his hair from his eyes. "I'll have no qualms about hurting any of you."
No one spoke for a moment, then the tallest Asian youth chuckled at him in the remaining silence. He slowly walked up to the dragon, hands on his hips. "What, she you girl-friend?" Eyes narrowing, the punk snarled and pulled out a knife. "We kill many tourists. No care one more."
Valgaav glared as the boy thrust the blade at him, then grabbed his wrist and pulled him up, quickly punching him under his arm with his free hand, then in the ribs. Gasping, the human rolled to the floor, shoulder dislocated and ribs cracked. "There," Val gave a cold smile to the shocked others, shoving his hands into his pockets casually. "Now, this is where you all attack me together, right?"
All but the one holding Iyzeka rushed him. Eyeing the three snarling miscreants, Val never moved from the front of the convenience store.
The first to reach him came at him with another knife in his right hand, and he turned with the attack, pushing him into the closed door with a loose elbow. As he spun, the slender dragon raised his hands and lifted his leg in a spin-kick that tossed the next boy onto the floor.
Coming full circle to face the angry punk who'd hit the door, Val grabbed the boy's hand and pressed into his palm. The boy cried out as his wrist bones were shattered, then Valgaav turned from the exit.
Facing the final attacker rushing at him, the dragon raised his left hand, palm forward, and struck the boy in the sternum. With a squeak, the Chinese teen fell to the linoleum, gasping and clutching his chest.
In the quiet, Valgaav began to approach the final boy holding Iyzeka. "This is where," Val's deep voice informed him as he sauntered down the middle aisle, "you make a final charge at me where I take you out with one hit," he smiled grimly, "or you run out the door like a scared little pansy."
Expression collapsing in terror, the thug dropped the girl and fled down a different aisle, staring back at the green-haired teen and screaming. Jumping over his friends, the young Asian man pushed open the front door of the store and disappeared into the rain.
"Are you okay?" Val's stoic demeanor dropped and he knelt beside Iyzeka, taking her shoulders in his hands.
Smiling at him, the petite redhead grasped his forearms and let him help her up. "I'm glad you came," she chuckled, then suddenly began to sob. "V-Val," she wept, clutching at his soaked shirt. "They, they . . . they were going to . . ."
"It's okay," he held her close, eyes narrowing as he absently patted her back.
"Val," the demoness said softly, "they . . . they touched me."
The blood leeched from his face and he held her out, looking her over. "Where? WHO?!" He began to turn back to the door, but she grabbed his arm.
"No! It's alright, you saved me!" Iyzeka cried, and he stopped in place.
Turning haunted golden eyes to her, Valgaav replied gruffly, "Not soon enough. It was my fault," he rasped, gaze empty as he collapsed to the ground. "If I hadn't made you leave . . ."
His guilt tasted ashen on her tongue, and her head fell forward dully. Val . . .
Across the store, one of the downed teens began to groan from where he lay against the door. Pulling himself onto his hands and knees, he still clutched his chest where Val had struck him.
"Bastards," the dragon seethed, once again standing to march across the store and confront the gang members. "You . . . fucking . . . bastards!"
The young Chinese man screamed as Val grabbed his shirt, Iyzeka shouting behind him. "Val, no! Stop it!"
"Why?" he hissed, turning his head to glare down at her. "I should have killed them-"
"NO!" Tugging on his arm, the Mazoku shook her head, tears brewing in her emerald eyes. "You don't mean that, you're just upset. Still upset! Please, let's go home and . . ." the maroon-haired girl began to cry again, "and we can talk to . . . to . . ." —I want to talk to Master Xellos,— she sobbed in her mind, —if Mommy isn't here . . .—
Valgaav stared at her, then pulled back one flap of her jacket to look at her neck. "Your necklace. Which one took it?"
Pointing to another boy on the ground, Iyzeka stood back, tears running down her face. "That one." Please, don't hurt him. No more hurting, please!
He grabbed the one she indicated by the undamaged arm and pulled him to his feet, shaking him awake. "Where's the locket," he demanded, saffron eyes callous.
Wincing, the punk said, "F-front pocket . . . of pants."
"Iyzeka."
Nodding, the girl tiptoed forward and found her necklace within the baggy pants, then ran back to the safety of the wall.
"Good," Val shook him, then dropped the man. "Let's go." Pivoting, Val held out his hand, anguish suffusing his being.
"Oh, Val." Saddened for the both of them, the demoness ran to his side and took his arm.
Sighing, the tall teenager led her outside, and they looked up to see a bit of sunlight beaming through the clouds, the rain a mere pattering drizzle. —I'm so sorry,— he spoke in her mind, and she hugged him tightly.
—Don't blame yourself. I don't blame you . . . so you shouldn't, either.—
With a shake of his green head, the dragon gazed into the distant sky, and didn't answer.
(-(-(-)-)-)
"Um, Veria . . ." Xellos held the back of his head with his free hand, the other loaded with bags. "I'm hungry again."
"AGAIN?" Blinking, mouth wide, the dragoness put her hands on her hips. In her navy-blue pantsuit she was sleek, sophisticated . . . and completely unhindered by shopping bags. "But we still have to buy shoes for you!"
Pursing his lips, the amethyst-haired man glanced over at her worriedly as they walked. "Shoes? But, honey, I'm really hungry."
With a giant sigh, Filia threw back her long blonde tresses and slowed her pace. "Alright . . . where do you want to go?"
Xellos quickly dropped his hand to catch some bags before they fell from his other arm. "Uh . . . oh-" He looked around the mall; it was busier than when they'd arrived, but he could still see past the milling crowds. "There's a ramen shop a few 'blocks' down."
"Okay." They continued down the wide aisle, Filia's eyes narrowing as she looked into the distance. "If you're going to be hungry every two hours, we'll never get anything done . . ."
He pouted, adjusting shopping bags once more between his hands. "But, Veria . . ." Widening his eyes and fluttering his lashes, the demon whined, "I'm a growing boy, I need food!"
Filia didn't speak, staring at him, then began to laugh uproariously. "Okay, okay! You win, I give in. I don't want you complaining all day, anyway, so I guess it's alright."
(-(-(-)-)-)
Finally, he was free. For now, of course.
Kendar sensed his subordinates' signatures fading as they left to perform his command, and shook his head. Alone, now. But he was always truly alone.
He had mated when he was younger . . . not real mating, of course, not the creation of something in the attempt to procreate . . . that he did not have the power to do, or the inclination. But, life-force housed within his physical body, he had done the human act with other Mazoku in their respective forms.
Umber head drooping, the unobtrusive demon phased from the astral-plane, finding a place to sit upon a tall building. He no longer really felt like mating . . . for a long time, it seemed, he had been leading up to this lackluster moroseness.
The city laid out before him seemed entrenched in dimness, the clouds muffling the sun's rays and casting the stores and hovels in a smoky dusk. Cold wind cut into his coat, and he narrowed his granite eyes. "Maybe this fits me."
Angry. That's what he'd become, more angry than before, and yet . . . also . . . weak.
His feelings were twisted up inside of him, and an odd sensation that made his body's heart beat faster and the palms of his hands slick with icy sweat—
Clutching his form with his hands, Kendar glared down at the rain-drenched city streets. What am I feeling?
He could smell her. SMELLher . . .
Flinging himself up, the Mazoku peered over the ledge, legs taut. Where IS she?
As he disappeared, on the hunt, a part of him wondered absently why she didn't smell completely human . . .
(-(-(-)-)-)
Valgaav winced as the demoness began to cry again, her arms tight around his waist. "Look, we're almost back," he stressed, opening the front door to the suite and pulling her in. "Come on, come and sit down on your bed, you'll feel better."
"I want—I . . . I wantMommy!" The girl sobbed into his still-soaked shirt as the teal-haired dragon carried her through the living room and to her bedroom.
Mouth hardening as he walked to her bed, he set her down gently on the coverlet. "I know. But she's not here. It's okay, don't worry, they're gone."
"Vaaaaaal!" wailed the demoness, and the boy covered his eyes with a hand wearily as she grasped as his clothes.
Shaking his turquoise head, Valgaav sat next to her, then blinked as she tugged him to lie down as well. "Hey—"
He quieted as she wept louder, and he closed his eyes when she held him close to her. His hand dropped to hold her, finding wet lycra, and he blushed as he realized he was touching her hip. "Iyzeka, it's okay . . ." As he patted her back, her cries began to soften. "Shh . . . I'm here, it's alright. I'm sorry I left."
Finally, she lifted her flushed face to peer up at him, green eyes overflowing with tears. "I'm sorry I'm crying on you," the Mazoku stuttered. "I . . . I know you don't like me very much." Head falling, she sniffed, "I . . . I'm sorry. You should go, I don't want you to . . . have to be around someone that—"
He stared at her, mouth open, as she began to sob again. "Hey! Hey, I never said that . . . dammit!" Brow furrowing, Val rolled forward to put his arms around her, pulling her close. "Iyzeka . . . I don't dislike you. I . . . I just had to be alone for a while. It's not you."
In his mind, he heard her voice. —But . . . but you left, and you felt . . . I could FEEL it, you hated me!—
—No,— he stressed, —I was angry because I didn't want to tell you about what was upsetting me and you were still asking. Guys don't talk about their feelings.—
—Master Xellos talked to Lady Filia about his emotions,— attempted the demoness.
—"Master" Xellos,— Valgaav rolled his eyes, but still rubbed her shoulders gently, —has known my mother for over seven hundred years, and this is the first time he spoke to her with candor. That's about how stubborn men are.—
