Capitolo 6 :: 6

Pubblicato: 25-06-05 - Ultimo aggiornamento: 05-04-06

Commenti: Sorry it took so long, but here I am again with a new chapter. I know the dialogue (at least toward the end) is a bit cheesy, but hey, what can I do - I'm cheesy. And the scene under water looks like Pearl Harbor (sorry, about that). Anyway, I hope y'all enjoy it and if you don't, don't hesitate to tell me what I can do to improve. Kiss, Mojca

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Washington D.C.  

Cory had a deadline coming. And for the first time in her brief, but fruitful career, she was thankful for it. At least she didn’t have time to think. Think of him. Think of his eyes, his voice, his laughter… Think of how he wasn’t coming back. Ever. Think of how he broke his promise…  

Only at night, when all her barriers collapsed, did she let herself cry into her pillow. For the first time in four years, the eyes plaguing her dreams weren’t black, but blue. She didn’t hear insults and quips, but softly whispered words of love and devotion…  

A warm, solitary tear trickled down her cheek, dropping lightly on her pad, where a blond angel with sky-blue eyes, watched over a crying red-haired girl...  

Shinjuku, Tokyo  

»Get out, « the raven-haired man hissed, a tear trickling down his cheek.  

Reika watched that tear with awe. Ryo…  

Kaibara sighed. »Damn, you really are stubborn, aren’t you? ... All right, I’ll go, but you think about it! My ship is anchored in the gulf of Tokyo. You can find me there. You will come even though your answer might be negative. It’s a white ship. Very beautiful. You won’t have difficulties finding her. « He moved toward the door. »Come anytime you want. I’ll be waiting…« Kaibara stopped before the door, slightly turning. »Almost forgot… Ryo, you really should thank me… I spared the life of your woman…«  

Reika bleached.  

Kaibara laughed. »Don’t flatter yourself, little girl. I wasn’t talking about you. « A wave and he was gone.  

Washington D.C.  

The ticking of the tall grandfather’s clock in the hall echoed around the silent, dark row house. A figure curled up on the sofa stirred, burrowing her tear streaked face in the pillow, a sigh escaping her lips: »Mick…«  

Shinjuku, Tokyo  

»Saeba! «  

The raven-haired man turned from the window. »Hey, Miki! What are you doing here? «  

»Mary went to Kaibara alone! She’s pretty bad. « Miki was panting hard. »Luckily, nothing critical, but she got quite a shock. She’s in a coma.  

Ryo frowned. »Reika, get ready… We have to go. «  

»Right…« Slight pause. »Should we bring some flowers? «  

Tokyo Gulf  

The speedboat flew on the surface of the ocean. A white boat, smoke coming from it, shone in the light of the almost setting sun.  

»Apparently, he’s expecting us, « Ryo smirked, hair billowing around his chiseled face. »Reika, are you ready? « They were already at the starboard side.  

»Lead the way, « his ‘part-time’ assistant smiled, checking her gun was safely strapped to her side…  

…  

Kaibara snapped his fingers.  

A looming figure, ragged bandages hanging of his body, blank eyes staring into nothingness, melted from the shadows. A hoarse, inhuman cry burst from his throat: »Intruder! «  

Ryo, Reika, and Umibozu couldn’t believe their eyes. In front of them, that ghastly creature… it was Mick.  

»Oh, my God, « Reika whispered. »But… he died…«  

Umibozu’s face was impassive, as always. »I guess, he survived. «  

»Yes, « Kaibara smiled evilly. »I saved him. I saved his life. «  

Ryo’s eyes flew wide. He knew that expression on Mick’s face. He himself had worn it all those years ago. He knew what made Mick’s muscles bulge abnormally all across his body…  

»Angel Dust…«  

»Yes, « Kaibara nodded. »He is beautiful, isn’t he. A perfect soldier. MY perfect soldier… Just like you once used to be. «  

Ryo grabbed his Python, but the demon wearing Mick’s body was quicker, letting the gun fly, sending Ryo in the other direction.  

»Mick…« Kaibara looked at the sprawled figure of the man he once called son and betrayed. »Kill him! «  

Reika ran to the sprawled man. »No, Ryooooooo!!! «…  

Washington D.C.  

Cory screamed herself awake, drenched in sweat, breath coming out of her in loud gasps. Clutching at her chest, she stared into the darkness, tears streaming down her cheeks.  

Calm down, girl. It’s just a dream. »It’s just a dream…«  

Tokyo Gulf  

Reika made a choking sound as strong, steel-like fingers squeezed her throat, lifting her off the ground. »M-Mick…« Her gun clattered to the floor.  

»Intruder! «  

»Yes, Mick, « Kaibara smiled. »Kill the intruder! «  

»Fuck! « Ryo snarled, climbing to his feet. He needed to get to his gun. »Shin! Tell him to let her go! «  

Kaibara lifted an eyebrow. »Now why would I do that? «  

Tears streamed down Reika cheeks. She hasn’t known Mick long, but she came to know him well in that brief time. And came to care about him. »Mick, please…«  

»Intruder! « The choke hold increased.  

Ryo inched toward his gun, hoping Reika would keep the madman occupied long enough for him to reach it – and stay alive in the process.  

Reika liked his easy smile, his carefree laugh, his twinkling eyes…, and how he couldn’t stop talking about the girl he loved. She needed to think of something to bring him back from the brink he was on. Cory… »Mick…« she gasped, trying to swallow past the pressure in her throat. »Think about Cory… Do you remember her? The girl you love. Do you remember Cory? «  

Cory… … Cory… … Cory… … Cory… Cory… Cory… Cory, Cory, Cory, CORY...  

»Aaaaaaaaarrrrrggghhhhhhhhhhhh!!! «  

Reika’s body smacked against the iron wall with bone-shattering impact.  

The demon wearing Mick’s body turned clumsily on its heel, slowly walking to where Kaibara watched him with a small smile playing on his lips.  

The smug expression was soon wiped off his face, when ‘Mick’ reached him and flung him against the wall like a rag doll.  

The walking corpse turned again, thrusting his fists into the computerized controls. His bulging arms were enveloped in bluish sparks as the computer short-circuited, knocking him unconscious…  

Washington D.C.  

Cory wandered to her kitchen, absentmindedly rubbing her churning stomach. She didn’t feel very good… Like something deep inside was clawing her in two, trying to get out.  

Things have been all kooky since she’s fallen asleep. Something wasn’t right. She didn’t know what, of course. But something was definitely wrong. And it wasn’t just the nerves speaking… or the weird nightmare, which she had no recollection of anymore.  

Pouring herself a glass of cold water, she drained it in a few gulps, thankful for the few drops, which escaped her parched lips to roll down her chin into the valley between her breasts. She definitely felt hot and feverish, her skin clammy… and her stomach still making with the wonky.  

Flip-flopping to the window, she stared up into the star-dusted sky. What was going on? Why did she feel like this? It wasn’t grief over Mick, although she still went all blubbery at night thinking of him. … No, this was something else. Something stronger. But what?  

Two shots in rapid succession rang out in the dark, silent night. Cory’s entire body shuddered… She went rigid, tears streaming down her cheeks. Her stomach rolled and she barely made it to the sink before throwing up…  

Tokyo Gulf  

»Ryooooooo! « Reika smacked the bullet-proof glass, tears streaming down her cheeks while she watched Ryo’s unmoving body lying on the floor, blood seeping through his shirt.  

»Nice going, Ryo, « Umibozu murmured.  

With a pained groan, Ryo slowly rose, eyeing his torn shirt.  

»What…« Kaibara eyed him with shock. »I…« His chest covered with blood, he collapsed on the floor.  

»How? « Reika’s eyes were like saucers.  

»When they faced-off, I saw Kaibara lose his footing for a sec. «  

Ryo neared the man he once called father. Reika’s handgun lay at his feet. The gun she lost as Mick was choking her. »You saved my life again, bud, « he whispered…  

Washington D.C.  

Cory was curled on the kitchen floor, clutching at her still heaving stomach, spasms shaking her body, tears streaming down her cheeks...  

Tokyo Gulf  

»Ryo! You better come out of this alive! « Reika was almost hysterical. »Do you hear me, Ryo! Don’t you dare give up! Never! «  

Ryo smiled slowly. »Reika, please go already. The whole thing is about to blow. «  

Miki took her arm. »C’mon, Reika. Let’s go. « She dragged the crying woman to safety.  

Umibozu, Mick slanted over one shoulder, looked at his ex-enemy. »Ryo…«  

»Go, Umi-chan. «  

A hand fisted at his side, Umibozu stepped closer to the bulletproof glass. »Listen to me, moron! Reika was right! Don’t you dare…«  

»Go, Umibozu, « Ryo hissed between gritted teeth.  

»No, man, first you have to listen…«  

Something deep underneath them rumbled. The room shook.  

»Go!!! « Ryo bellowed.  

Umibozu’s fist crunched against the glass barrier. »Listen to me, Ryo! I know you and I know you won’t even try to get out… Don’t roll your eyes, man. Just listen. You have to get out of here. And then you have to look for her. Remember the promise to Maki. You have to make sure she’s safe...«  

»Umi…«  

»Shut up! « Red as a tomato, Umibozu lifted Mick higher onto his shoulder. »How do you think Kaori would take your death? You have to find her, Ryo. Find her and tell her everything. Let past be past. You deserve a life, too. «  

The ship shook again. Debris started raining down on the two men.  

»Get out, Umi-chan. « Ryo winked. »I’ll make it, I promise. I can’t leave Miki in your big, clumsy hands now, can I? «  

»Ryo…« Their eyes met… Umibozu nodded. »Good luck, man…«  

Washington D.C.  

Cory felt like her insides were splitting into thousand pieces. Bile rose again in her throat, making her groan. What was wrong with her?  

»What else is there to throw up? « she mumbled, stumbling to the bathroom, falling to her knees in front of the toilet. »I just wanna die…«  

Tokyo Gulf  

»Thank you, Ryo…« Kaibara whispered, his breath hitching. »I knew… you were the only one able to save me… from my insanity…«  

»I understood…« Ryo dropped on one knee. »Behind the hate… deep down in your heart, your conscience cried out…« His eyes turned soft. »I had to respond. «  

Kaibara smiled weakly. »I… during that war… all I could see was malice and evil… in order to survive I had to act like a madman… I had to hate men… that tiny spark that was left wanted to believe in goodness, but…«  

Ryo watched him in silence.  

»… the war erased everything and brought me into madness… I was like possessed… even after the war ended my madness continued… and in the end…«  

»Not even I could have saved you… now, finally… like this, I succeeded…« Ryo watched Kaibara with affection. »… I’m ashamed of doing this… forgive me… father! «  

Kaibara took a whizzing breath, smiling again. »She is beautiful, you know, Ryo… I’m glad I didn’t have the heart to kill her. She will be your salvation. «  

»Kaori…«  

Kaibara nodded slowly. »Kaori… Promise me you will find her…«  

Ryo swallowed. »I promise…«  

»Thank you… my son…«  

…  

The ship rocked, explosions rumbled and that tiny patch of the ocean was engulfed in flames.  

He was being dragged downward, his limbs laden.  

He watched the burning inferno above him, while his heavy body slowly sunk into the inky depths.  

Smiling slowly, he mouthed a ‘Sorry’ to both Umibozu and his father for failing to keep his promise.  

This was the end. He was tired. Tired of blood and death on his hands. Tired of his dark memories assailing him every time he closed his eyes, tired of suffering… Tired of being alone.  

»You are not alone. I’m here. I’ll always be here. I’ll always be with you. «  

That voice. He hasn’t heard that voice in four years. How?  

»Swim, Ryo. I know you are tired, but, please, save yourself. Live. For me. «  

There, in the murky darkness… a shape… a face. Her face. Her beautiful eyes. Her mouth. Her smile… Kaori!  

Washington D.C.  

Cory slowly straightened, splashing her face with icy water.  

Calmly watching herself in the mirror, her eyes still swimming with tears, she mouthed a silent word…  

Tokyo Gulf  

His head broke the surface. Taking in large gulps of air, he looked around.  

A chopper roared above him, flaming debris of Kaibara’s ship floated around him, and his friends waiting anxiously in a dinghy.  

Looking up into the twinkling stars, he slowly smiled.  

I’ll find you, Kaori. I promise, I’ll find you… 

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