http://clampfix.fanworks.net/x-fix/goblin03.txt </head><body><pre>*death glare* I swear, if I have to change my MLs e-mail one more time, I'm going to go berserk like EVA-01. -_-;;; *coughs* anyway... ^^ Because I've been under death threats to send this chapter immediately, here it goes. ^^ And oh, Garnet, it's a bit different than the version I sent to you a few weeks ago. Disclaimer: X and all related are © CLAMP et.al. The Ring and all related are © Suzuki Koji et.al. This fanfic is written by Silver Wind. Warning: spoilers for vol. 15-16 of X. Spoilers for the whole story of The Ring movie. This is based on The Ring movie, not the novel or the TV series. On this fanfic, The Ring 2 doesn't exist You've been warned. Little bit of informations about The Ring: Asakawa Reiko - the main character of The Ring movie. She's a TV reporter who's investigating the rumor of a cursed video. Her curiosity makes her watch it herself, then putting her life in danger. She goes to her ex-husband for help, and he watches the video also. Takayama Ryuji - Asakawa's ex-husband, a mathematician and a psychic. His determination to calm Asakawa urges him to watch the video, thus putting his life under the curse as well. The Video - the cursed video which the theme of The Ring is based on. It's said that after you watch it, you'd get a phone call, and exactly 7 days later, you would die. No matter where you are, what you're doing, whom you're with. The victims of this video are found dead because of heart failure, and with expressions of complete fright on their faces. an X/The Ring crossover fanfiction: Goblins Will Be Thine by Silver Wind anne@silver-shining.net http://silver-shining.net/ | http://sanzo.pitas.com/ Day 3: The Encounter Subaru blinked and opened his eyes blearily. He glanced and blinked some more when he saw Takayama Ryuji slumped on the dining table. He looked at his watch and groaned inwardly. Another day has passed and they still haven't found anything about Sadako's curse. It'd be really deadly, not to mention embarassing, for a Sumeragi onmyouji to be defeated by a curse. And he's not just any Sumeragi onmyouji. He's the head of Sumeragi clan, dammit! He HAD to destroy this curse! Briefly, Subaru wondered what Seishirou-san would've done if HE'd been under Sadako's curse. Maybe he'd calmly order his damned Tree to find the source and destroy it. Hmm... that sounded like a good idea, actually... Out of nowhere, a sakura petal floated in front of his face and settled almost gracefully on his palm. Following its movement, Subaru glanced at his hands, detachedly noting that the inverted stars had immediately lit up with their usual silver-blue fire. "You're near, aren't you?" he whispered. Silently, he got up and slipped out of the apartment, putting his trenchcoat on. It was time to have some talk with a certain dark onmyouji who seemed to think that he had some claims over Subaru's life. Well, Seishirou-san would just have to defend that claim from Sadako, wouldn't he? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ He sat on the wooden bench, a lit cigarette between his fingers, mismatched eyes looking thoughtfully at the people hurrying outside the park Subaru closed his eyes, feeling the warm light of morning sun on his face. There might be a busy, cruel and modern Tokyo outside, but at least in this park, ancient Japan still lived. Ancient Japan that was still calm and peaceful. Or at least it was, until one got too close to a certain Sakura tree. Suddenly he couldn't feel the sunlight anymore. A shadow fell upon his face, covering the light. The Sumeragi opened his eyes and smiled faintly. "Good morning, Seishirou-san," he said calmly. "Subaru-kun," the Sakurazukamori replied just as politely, "Good morning." The younger man scooted over slightly on the bench. Seishirou inclined his head gracefully in answer of the unspoken invitation. He sat down, reaching inside his coat for his cigarette case. When he put it between his lips, Subaru had had his silver lighter ready in his right hand. "Thank you," he inhaled the menthol cigarette, glancing at his prey briefly. Subaru dropped the butt of his cigarette and crushed it with the sole of one leather boot, "So." "So?" "Why are you inviting me here, Seishirou-san?" he asked patiently. He grinned, "So you consider it an invitation, Subaru-kun?" Subaru shot him a look. "Well, at least today we are not fighting and blasting each other with onmyoujitsu," Seishirou continued cheerfully. "Seishirou-san," Subaru said with a martyred tone, "I can use this time we use for chatting to do my research. Now, please. What business do you have with me?" A silence passed through them. "What have you been cursed with?" Seishirou asked lightly. Subaru turned to look at the assassin, finding the older man's cool stare fixed on him. He shrugged, unsurprised by Seishirou's knowledge about his curse. "A video cassette," he answered with a calmness he didn't feel, "After--" "-- seven days, whoever has watched it would die," his Special Person finished with a sigh, "Yes, I'm aware of the existence of that curse, Subaru-kun." The Sumeragi only raised an eyebrow, waiting for further explanation. Seishirou shook his head, an amused smile tugging his lips, "And you, the head of the Sumeragi clan, has been placed under that curse. Really, Subaru-kun... what were you thinking?" "I'm trying to help my clients, Seishirou-san," Subaru again shot him a dirty look, "So, please, no more comments about my stupidity." "I don't think you were stupid, Subaru-kun," Seishirou's smile widened, his right hand ruffling Subaru's silky hair, "I think you're being careless. That's all." Subaru swatted at the hand in irritation. He had a sudden immature urge to stick his tongue out at the older man, but that would just make the assassin more amused. "Seishirou-san, I'm pleased that I've amused you," Subaru said without even looking at the other man, "Now, if you would excuse me, I only have five more days to live," he bit every word bitterly, "And I want to use the remaining days to try to destroy the curse." He got up swiftly and started to walk away. But a tug on his coat sleeve stopped him. "Please do sit down, Subaru-kun," Seishirou's voice had lost all trace of smile, "I'm sorry if I upset you. Please, sit down." With a sigh, Subaru sat down beside Seishirou again. "Do you need any help?" Subaru looked at him in surprise, "You're offering to help?" "If you need it, yes," he smiled a little, a smile seemingly full of sincerity, "Why do you look so shocked?" "Why do you bother?" Subaru frowned, not answering the question, "Why would you help me?" "Because," Seishirou chuckled, his right hand caressing Subaru's cheek tenderly, "You're too cute to die by a curse, Subaru-kun." He glared at Seishirou. Cute? He'd show the man what 'cute' was-- "So, have you had your breakfast, Subaru-kun?" the question caught him off-guard "No," he answered automatically, immediately regretting his answer. Seishirou tsk-ed and got on to his feet, "Let's have some, then. As much as I don't want you to die by a curse, it'd be stupid to die by lack of nutrition too." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Takayama Ryuji looked up at the sound of knocking on the door. "Please wait," he called out, opening the door. He smiled when he saw the young man in front of him, "Sumeragi-san." Subaru nodded wordlessly and came inside the apartment. Ryuji's eyes narrowed at the sight of a man with black suit behind Subaru. "Takayama-san," Subaru's voice surprised him, "This is Seishirou-san, a colleague of mine. He wants to help us. I hope you don't mind." "Of course I don't," Ryuji answered indifferently, eyes flashing, "A pleasure to meet you, Sakurazukamori." The Sumeragi raised an eyebrow and shot a questioning glance at the mathematician. Ryuji shrugged, "I might not be a part of any clan and I might not be an onmyouji, Sumeragi-san. But I can recognize the Sakurazukamori when I see him. Sakurazuka Seishirou-san, I believe? I am Takayama Ryuji." Seishirou laughed, "Such is what I expected from Takayama Ryuji. Pleased to meet you too, Takayama-san." "Why am I not surprised that Takayama-san recognizes you, Seishirou-san?" Subaru sighed in defeat. "Won't you come in, Sakurazuka-san?" Ryuji finally offered, noticing that Seishirou still had his coat and shoes on, and made no move whatsoever to enter the apartment. Seishirou smiled, "I have to decline. I only want to make sure that Subaru-kun arrives safely here, and meet the infamous Takayama Ryuji in person." "I do hope that I live up to your expectations," Ryuji replied mockingly, "Sakurazukamori." "It is such a shame that you don't have the formal training to be an onmyouji, Takayama-san," Seishirou grinned ferally, "You could be a very worthy opponent." "Seishirou-san--," Subaru said in a tone full of warning. The assassin raised both arms in mock defeat, "I would behave. I promise you, my Subaru-kun." Subaru muttered things better left unsaid under his breath. "Why would you want to help us, Sakurazuka-san?" Ryuji asked, hands busy arranging the papers on the table. "Personal reasons, Takayama-san," Seishirou grinned again, giving his prey a very meaningful glance. The object of the glance rolled his eyes heavenward and refused to comment. "Well," Seishirou said lightly, "I really have to go now. Maybe I would drop by again one of these days." "I would be expecting you, Sakurazuka-san," Ryuji replied calmly. "I certainly hope so, Takayama-san," ignoring Ryuji, he fixed his gaze on to Subaru. Gently, he took Subaru's hand in his and before the Sumeragi could react, he'd brought it to his lips, brushing it with the slightest touch, "You know how to contact me, Subaru-kun. I'll see you again soon." Subaru only nodded. And without another word, Seishirou disappeared in a swirl of his trademark sakura petals. "Show-offs," the younger man muttered. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subaru blushed as he remembered Seishirou's actions earlier and he muttered some not very nice things under his breath. Ryuji shot him a puzzled look when he heard things like 'narcissistic assassin', 'that Armani-wearing onmyouji' and 'holding my hand!'. "Sumeragi-san?" he looked at the head of the Sumeragi clan questioningly. "What? Oh, Takayama-san," Subaru blushed even redder. The mathematician raised an eyebrow, "Nevermind, Sumeragi-san. I don't think I want to know what you're thinking," a wicked grin appeared on his handsome face. The most powerful onmyouji of the esteemed Sumeragi clan could only shoot a dirty look at Ryuji. But a slight smile softened his face. "I thank you, Takayama-san," he said after a few moments of silence. "Why?" Ryuji laughed, "Because I didn't flip out when you brought the Sakurazukamori into my house?" "That too," Subaru replied sheepishly, "But especially for being understanding. You're the first person that didn't even blink when you saw Seishirou-san and me, together, without blasting each other with spells. Thank you for not judging me." Ryuji shrugged, "I know there's a history between you both. And who the hell am I to question you? As long as that assassin doesn't choose me, Asakawa or Yoichi as his next victim, I truly don't care what you two do together." A blush creeped up Subaru's cheeks at the implication of those words. "Takayama-san--," Subaru said with all dignity he could muster. Ryuji took one look at Subaru and laughed, "That's not what I was implying, Sumeragi-san," he said with a wink, "Although I don't care if /that's/ what you do with him too. Please don't be offended. Sometimes I can be too honest for my own good." The phone on the table suddenly rang and Ryuji reached for it. "Moshi moshi?" he said, still flipping through some papers, "Ah, Asakawa? Anything happened?" Subaru looked at the cell phone in his hand, eyebrows knitted together. He decided to give Kamui a call before the boy had a stroke worrying over him. "What?" Ryuji's horrified yell stopped him from dialing Imonoyama Mansion's number. He stared at Ryuji, wondering what could've scared the cool and collected psychic when even the Sakurazukamori didn't shake him one bit. "Oh, dear God. Dear God... How? But HOW, damn it?!" Ryuji was shouting, his fingers gripping the phone tightly and the knuckles were turning white, "Asakawa! Listen to me! Listen! Calm down!" The bright aura around Ryuji rapidly turned black and Subaru stared in amazement at the wild tendrils of power from it. He swiftly raised a barrier around him before the loose energy could attack him. Takayama Ryuji was not someone who could lose control of his power easily. What was happening? The older man was scribbling something on the paper, "Oshima Island? Are you sure, Asakawa? Got it! Come back here soon. No! Leave Yoichi there. He'd be safe. Asakawa! Damn it! Calm down! We WILL destroy it, okay? Come here NOW!" Ryuji slammed the phone down and turned to Subaru, a frightened expression on his face. Subaru didn't say anything, merely raising an eyebrow at him. "Yoichi watched the video just now," his voice was dead. The calmness he showed when he was speaking with Asakawa was nowhere apparent, "Yoichi watched it because he saw the spirit of Tomoko telling him to." Subaru closed his eyes and tried to project a positive aura in the room, "And Tomoko-san was Asakawa-san's niece who passed away a few days ago, I assume?" Only the silence answered him. Subaru spoke a simple calming spell under his breath. "It's no use, Sumeragi-san," Ryuji said flatly, "I'm trying to be calm, I really am. But now, we have to think harder how to destroy this damned curse. Any idea?" "Oshima Island," Subaru replied in a soft voice, "What about it, Takayama-san?" "Yamamura Shizuko was born and raised on Oshima Island," he answered, eyes staring blankly at the wall, "Asakawa got the information from one of his junior colleagues." "And so to there we would go," Subaru looked straight at the man, "We WILL destroy this curse. You said it yourself, Takayama- san. And I would try my best to do so." Ryuji laughed bitterly, "As much as I dislike the Sakurazukamori, I would gladly accept his help now." He chose not to say anything at that, "You'd better prepare spare clothes, Takayama-san," with a sigh, Subaru shot a glance at his own travel bag. "Thank you, Sumeragi-san," he tried to smile, "I would do it now. And oh, you can use the spare bed room over there. Please, have some rest too." Ryuji went to his room and Subaru noted the slight shaking of his legs as he walked. He was grateful that he'd been ready for this. Suddenly, the weight of the cell phone in his hand seemed to get heavier. Time to call Kamui and tell him about this new plan. And damn, he could almost picture Seishirou-san smiling in amusement when he found out that Subaru and Ryuji were going to go to some remote small island. Plus the fact that a nine-year old boy had been placed under the curse too. Well, at least he'd promised to help. The Sumeragi shook his head, silently vowing that as long as he lived, Sadako's curse wouldn't get another victim. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "You're going WHERE?" Subaru raised an eyebrow at the shout and hoped that the speaker of his cell phone would live through this conversation, "Kamui, I'm going to Oshima Island with Asakawa-san and Takayama-san. What's the matter with that?" "Subaru, Oshima Island has something to do with the curse, doesn't it?" "It might," the onmyouji smiled a little, imagining Kamui's annoyance at him, "Really, Kamui, I've told you not to worry, haven't I?" An indignant huff replied him, "Yeah, like that's easy when I know that you're under a curse, and you're going to an island far away from Tokyo just to find something related to it!" "Don't you have faith in me to destroy this curse?" Subaru asked in amusement, "/Calm down/. I don't want Arisugawa-kun or Kishuu- san to be upset with me because I've made you worry." Only a sullen silence came from the other side. "Okay," the onmyouji shook his head, "Let's make a deal. I'd call once we arrive, and I'd tell you all about the developments. How about that?" "... Okay," Kamui agreed reluctantly, "What do I have to do in return?" "Stop worrying about me," Subaru emphasized each word firmly. "I'd try," the boy finally surrendered, "Is there anything else I should know?" "Not really," he smiled again, "Just take care of yourself. And be careful, all right?" "You too." "I would," Subaru promised, "I have to go now, Kamui. I'd call you again tomorrow. And don't tell anything to the others, please? I don't want them to be worried too. Could you do that?" "Okay. Bye, Subaru." "Bye." Subaru closed his cell phone and sighed. It was always and exhausting experience to call Kamui and convince him not to worry. But at least the boy would stop wondering where he was now. Subaru, Asakawa and Takayama had spent the rest of the day planning their journey to Oshima Island. The next day was Asakawa-san's sixth day so they had to be hurry. The reporter had returned to the apartment with a renewed determination in her eyes. A determination to save her own life, and her son's. He started to put his clothes and things into his leather bag. Hmm. He had to re-charge his phone's battery too. Subaru put the clothes that he was going to wear the next day on the bed and started to zip the bag close. "You know, Subaru-kun, it is so cute to see your Kamui being so worried about you." Subaru's eyes widened and he turned around. Seishirou was sitting on the window sill casually, a sly smirk on his face. "Seishirou-san, a gentleman always enters a room through the door, you know," he shot a glare at the assassin. Seishirou just shrugged, the smirk widening, "Oh, it was fun surprising you." "Oh, shut up," he muttered, "What do you want, Seishirou-san?" "Just want to know what your plan is," Seishirou stands up and walked towards the younger man, "Oshima Island, isn't it?" "Yes," Subaru closed his bag and sat on his bed, "We're going there tomorrow morning." "Hmm," Seishirou nodded, "I would probably join you there." Subaru looked at him in surprise, "What, do you think something would happen?" Seishirou narrowed his eyes but didn't say anything. "/Seishirou-san/...," Subaru said again exasperatedly. He smiled, "It's just a feeling, Subaru-kun. Don't worry about it. Just worry about yourself, would you?" Seishirou ran his right hand through Subaru's hair and Subaru closed his eyes briefly. "Go to sleep now, Subaru-kun," he brushed Subaru's right hand with his lips, a reminiscence of what he'd done earlier that day. Subaru nodded silently and watched the assassin disappear. Four days left... To be continued on Day 4: The Child Notes: Oshima Island, some of the mysteries are solved. But everything is getting more dangerous. ~__^ And before you ask, of course Asakawa is going to be there. =P The chronology of the curse is: Asakawa is the first On the next day, Ryuji watched the video. The day after, Subaru watched it. And two days after that, Yoichi watched it because Tomoko's ghost told him to. So, on the next chapter, Asakawa would be on her 6th day. *maniacal laugh* C&Cs, please?</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>