http://clampfix.fanworks.net/kenichi/walk.txt </head><body><pre> I'm not sure whether I sent this previously or not... It's supposed to come directly after "Honor Among Thieves", but I'm afraid it lacks "Honor"'s edge... "To bow the body is easy; to bow the will is hard." A Walk in the Park Bright sunny day. The kind that made you envious of all the hopeless romantics strolling arm in arm all over the park. The kind that made you think how ruthless life can be. I should consider myself lucky that I live in Japan; the parks here are immaculate, unlike the ones I'd heard of in the Americas, full of violence and malice. Yet still I found it an uneasy place to relax. I tucked the box of doughnuts snugly in the crook of my arm as I walked, my field of vision rolling across the park's width. There he is. Sitting calmly on the bench. Watching the world go by, as always. That is, when he's not going stir-crazy trying to kill someone I talked to just the other day. Someone I want a piece of myself... I approached the bench upon where he sat, smoking. Philip Morris. One of his preferences. I allowed a smirk to envelop my face as I greeted him. "You know, those things are going to kill you someday..." The green eyes stared straight ahead as he replied. "Theyr'e only one of two things that can." I seated myself to his right, taking the box out. I hadn't had break- fast at all, and my stomach complained readily. My companion's green eyes shifted their focus to the box I carried. "Donuts, Ken?" "I didn't have enough time to buy Caviar. Of course theyr'e donuts." He snorted in humor. "With the amount of sugar in those, I'd say those'll kill YOU someday. That is if HE doesn't first." "Touche." Like it or not, Subaru Sumeragi was one of the few people I could talk to that candidly. A sort of gallows humor, come to think of it. The smile, one of the few that Subaru actually enjoyed nowadays, left his face as he directly got down to business. "What is it you wanted to talk to me about?" "Dragons of Earth." "He told you, didn't he?" "Two nights ago." I paused to swallow the remains of the donut in my mouth. "I'd lead you there, but since he expected me, he'll probably be long gone by now." I licked the sugar frosting off my lips. "Now tell me. What's all this crap Iv'e heard about Dragons of Earth or Heaven or wherever?" The emerald eyes looked into mine with a sharp, icy stare. "Nothing important. Just the end of the world as we know it." I couldn't help but let out a bark of laughter. "HAH! So he's set his sights on world conquest now, has he?" My head lolled back as I gazed into the blue skies. "I thought he was crazy before, but this really takes the cake." "That isn't what he has in mind." The stony look from Subaru's eyes killed my mirth. "I wasn't kidding, Kenichi. And there's more than just Seishirou at work behind it. I personally wouldn't give a damn about everyone else, but.." A reflex caused me to frown openly. "I hear a 'BUT', Subaru." Hands accustomed more to magic than paperwork stubbed out the remains of his cigarette. "Firstly, his cohorts seem to posess quite some skill in different fields, including magic. Again, I don't give a damn. What I DO care about is the fact that one of them has political connections." "And the problem is...?" A smile came to his face, and for a second I was reminded of the Sakurazukamori's own smile. Know thine enemy. Subaru paused to light another cigarette. "She's making it hard to nab him. It was bad enough that Sakurazukamori could flit in and out of any place at will, now, he's got a political edge." "So the politicians are now kissing his ass." My mouth spat a gruff snarl. "Well, if it's any consolation...I don't think it's his idea. I think we know Sakurazukamori well enough that he wouldn't send any others to do his killing for him. No, he enjoys the personal touch." "Men in Black." I blinked as I bit into another donut. "Neh, Subaru-San?" He looked at me once again, the cool emeralds of his vision essaying my own eyes. Damn, he only looks at me like this when he's dead serious. "I'm not sure if theyr'e constructs like my Shikigami, or real people, or some kind of golem. What I do know is that they mean business. Real tough SOBs, they are." "And they would protect Sakurazukamori?" "If told to, I think yes." I let my thoughts dim. "Subaru... If I was the one who would kill Sakurazukamori... what would you do?" The emerald eyes turned to the sky once more. "I... I don't know. I wish I could be sure, but..." His gaze lowered. "...let's not talk about it. We'll cross the bridge when we get there, not before." "Agreed." I picked the last donut from the box, then stood up, looking at him. "You sure you don't want one?" Subaru rose to his full height as he spoke. "Thinking about the Sakurazukamori makes me lose my appetite." "If you keep on like that, Sakurazukamori won't need to kill you." I put the last donut in my mouth with an audible sigh. "Look at yourself. Your'e turning frail." He put his marked hand on my shoulder. The hand which cursed him for life. "Ken... physical combat isn't the only way to fight. There are also less obvious ways to damage, to kill. And they are just effective, if not more so, than any knife or fist." I looked at my own, unmarked hands. Unmarked save for injuries to my own fists in fights. He just can't tag me, can he? "Trust me, Subaru. Whatever Dragons of whatever Seishirou is on, you can be sure I'll be on the other side." His face turned grave with worry. "Even if it means going against destiny once again?" Destiny. My eternal enemy, it seems. "Especially if I go against destiny." Subaru picked up his pace and walked outward. "I hope you know what your'e getting into, Kenichi Kaeda." The soft steps took him away, and I was alone once more. I learned nothing, really; My questions had been avoided. Subaru felt no need to explain. Maybe there never really was. One thing is certain. Whatever it is I'm getting into is big. Bigger even than this vengeance we swear on Sakurazukamori. And like it or not, I'll be right in the middle of it. Because of choice. I allowed my legs to carry me around the false serenity of the park. It might well be my last. </pre><p><a href="./">Back</a></p><p><a href=http://www.dreamhost.com/donate.cgi?id=216><img border=0 alt="Donate towards our web hosting bill!" src=https://secure.newdream.net/donate1.gif></a></p></body></html>