Echoes in My Head and in My Heart

Restless in the Keep - DDD Ficlet Special

2009-07-20T14:13:31Z

Title: Restless in the Keep
Fandom: dramadramaduck
Character(s): Darc, Princess Zelda
Rating/Warnings: Implied adult themes and some fairy tale sweetness - and a bit of cheese
Disclaimer: I do not own Darc or Princess Zelda. They belong to their respective companies and creators, and are only being used here for some non-profit entertainment.

Summary: Even princesses that have been kidnapped by Ganondorf can have dreams. Sometimes they take inspiration from things from the past, or sometimes they're much more mature. This dream is a mix of both.
A quick explanation of DDD canon for those who need it: Darc and Zelda have become close friends over the past while, and in that time Zelda has actually come to have feelings for him. With that in mind, this is just a mild fantasy/dream that I thought seemed neat in my mind.

The Dragon came for the Princess. His scales flashed and his talons grasped, his sharp gaze overwhelmed her. Helpless, the Princess was taken, a fairy tale victim.

Up to the Dragon’s Keep, in the highest room of the tallest tower...

Stairs rushed by beneath her, each step blurring in their ascent. Was the Dragon running, or was the tower spinning until the highest room came to them? Caught in the Dragon’s arms, the Princess could feel the heat of his body against her own. It was the very Dragon fire that would soon devour her, she knew. Relentless flames that would set alight her skin and consume her heart.

...for no shield or armour could defend against the Dragon or his fire. He was unstoppable, and did as he pleased...

A bed in the Dragon’s Keep. Soft, warm and protected. The Princess lay upon it, and the Dragon loomed above her. Red eyes burned, framed by horns and an unruly spiked mane. Fangs were set in the smile above her. As he spoke, he leaned in closer and let his lips trace the words next to her ear.

“Gotcha now.”

The fire took her then.

Dragons search the land for great and wondrous treasures, and bring them back to their keep. And all Dragons know that a beautiful, strong and kind-hearted princess is the greatest and most wondrous treasure of all. Any Dragon lucky enough to have a princess would always keep her warm and pleased and safe. She would be cared for and loved for all the Dragon’s days.

Prompt Charts for 50Alternates/Past Times, Other Worlds

2008-01-03T00:01:38Z

Past Times - Kadaj/Aerith

001 Arabia	002 Greece	003 Japan	004 Rome	005 Russia
006 Alchemist	007 Bodyguard	008 Caveman	009 Concubine	010 Criminal
011 Explorer	012 Hunter	013 Merchant	014 Native	015 Nomad
016 Pirate	017 Priest	018 Royalty	019 Scholar	020 Sheik
021 Sheriff	022 Warrior	023 Castle	024 City	025 Desert
026 Jungle	027 Market Place	028 Museum	029 Palace	030 Sea
031 Slave Auction	032 Snow	033 Colonial	034 Depression	035 Gold Rush
036 Industrial Age	037 Jazz Age	038 Wartime	039 Clan	040 Conquest
041 Gun	042 Hawk	043 Music	044 Oracle	045 Plague
046 Sacrifice	047 Stage	048 Sword	049 Tribe	050 Wealth

Other Worlds - Darc/Lilia

001 Air	002 Earth	003 Fire	004 Water	005 Spirit
006 Darkness	007 Apprentice	008 Brigadoon	009 Castle	010 Cauldron
011 Dreams	012 Hero	013 Immortal	014 In the Clouds	015 Knight
016 Prince/Princess	017 Psychic	018 Steam Powered	019 Treasure	020 Underwater
021 Villain	022 Wicked Stepmother	023 Brownie	024 Centaur	025 Dragon
026 Dryad	027 Dwarf	028 Elf	029 Fairy	030 Faun
031 Genie	032 Ghost	033 Griffin	034 Lycanthrope	035 Naiad
036 Oread	037 Phoenix	038 Shapeshifter	039 Snow Queen	040 Sun God
041 Troll	042 Vampire	043 Witch	044 Wizard	045 Curse
046 Enchantment	047 Hawk	048 Horse	049 Snake	050 Wolf

The Twilight - DDD Drabble Special

2007-12-03T22:04:33Z

Title: The Twilight
Fandom: dramadramaduck
Character(s): Demyx, itty bit of OC
Rating: G
Disclaimer: I do not own Demyx, he belongs to Square-Enix. This is written just for entertainment purposes.

Summary: So alas, Demyx is being dropped from DDD. Last night instead of letting me sleep, my muse came up with a drabble idea and decided to write most of it out in my brain...but it came out well so it's all good I guess. I wasn't as happy with the beginning but ah well. ~~Writers don't need sleep anyway.~~ This is just supposed to be the moment the spell thingy is being cast. I suppose this is like a final tribute and goodbye to Demyx then. <3 He will be missed!
A quick explanation of DDD canon for those who need it: Yuuko of xxxHolic fame made an offer to Demyx that she could restore his heart, but the price would be all of his memories as a Nobody. Last night he decided to take the offer and as such would be leaving the comm. Dyme is the decided name of pre-Nobody Demyx.

When it began – the spell, the ritual, whatever it could be called – Demyx felt only a numbing warmth. His eyes had nothing to focus on as the world seemed to grow dark, save for the light of the magic weaving it’s patterns around him.

The lights began to grow brighter, and he knew it what it meant. A part of him that he had sought for so long was coming back to him; he almost felt like asking, “where have you been?”

Then he felt it finally rejoining him, completing him. As much as he could have loved the time he had spent and the people he had met as Demyx, the feeling of becoming whole again was not something he’d regret – even in the last few seconds he had before becoming Dyme again.

A warm blast suddenly shot through his chest, and for the first time in so long he could feel again. And yet he was still Demyx, now with all the sensations that only a heart could provide. He was caught in the twilight between Nobody and Somebody, in that moment in which he was both, being a Nobody who could feel. Suddenly, everything he had wanted to experience in the years he was without a heart came to him in a tenfold rush.

Demyx looked out in front of him; he knew those who he loved and had come to love him were there, assembled to see him off. Once again they had become visible to him. He smiled, more brightly and more truly than he ever had been able to before. Tears streaked down his cheeks, every happy and sad and infuriating moment that would’ve called for them before pouring from his clear eyes.

He smiled to say he loved them. He smiled to tell them he was not afraid, and they shouldn’t be either. He smiled to tell them that they would never leave him, ever.

Any song he would write or play or even hear would be for them, even if he didn’t know it.

Darkness came again, washing out even the dimming lights of the magic around him. Just as the rejoining of his heart had sent sensation throughout him, the growing darkness consumed him utterly, as if he was shrinking in his own skin. So with his wordless smile, he bid them farewell.

When Dyme awoke, groggy and disoriented, the first thing he wondered was, “where am I?” The second was “how long have I been out?”

The third was “why have I been crying?”

The Hiding Eye

2006-11-24T03:59:35Z

Title: The Hiding Eye
Author: ssjkuja
Fandom: Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children
Characters: Kadaj and Aerith
Pairings: Kerith
Rating: G
Disclaimer: I do not own Kadaj, Aerith or FFVII: AC.

Summary: Just another little Kerith drabble. You'll just have to read it to see. ^_^

For all his power, cunning and instability, Kadaj was in fact more insecure than he let on. He didn’t care what anybody else thought, but that didn’t mean he wanted to be vulnerable to them. People had ways of reading expressions, or even telling how you feel just by glancing at your eyes. This is why he was glad that his hairstyle only allowed one eye to be visible. It allowed him to remain enigmatic, and feel more secure about what people could see about him: very little.

It felt strange, then, when he allowed Aerith to gently place one hand on his forehead. She giggled a bit and smiled. “I can hardly see your face, and you have such lovely eyes. Here,” said Aerith cheerfully as she slowly brushed his hair aside.

Had she been anyone else, he would’ve snapped their wrist.

Instead, Kadaj let her have her way, and smirked a little as his shifting hair tickled along his jawline for a moment. She was looking at him then, with nothing to shield the thoughts that reflected in his eyes from her gaze. Somehow, even though he felt exposed, he did not feel vulnerable. Aerith was seaching his eyes, and for what he did not know, but Kadaj knew that whatever she found there would be safe with her.

He was safe with her.

“You really do have lovely eyes,” she repeated, her tone more awed after studying his bright eyes.

Kadaj leaned forward, resting his forehead against hers and speaking in a hushed tone. “They’re yours alone to see.”

Aerith chuckled and kissed the tip of his nose playfully before letting his hair fall back into place. “I’ll hold you to that.”

What Kadaj Likes

2006-10-14T22:41:45Z

Title: What Kadaj Likes
Author: ssjkuja
Fandom: Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children
Characters: Kadaj and Aerith
Pairings: Kerith
Rating: G
Disclaimer: I do not own Kadaj, Aerith or FFVII: AC.

Summary: Although it was Oki and her Kerith club on the ACF that really got me into Kerith, I had thought from the moment I saw the end of Advent Children that Kadaj and Aerith would be adorable together. One thing that makes the whole Kerith/Keris relationship interesting is that it could swing in a few different directions - mother/son, romantic or friendly. It leaves plenty of fun open doors for them. In fact, I'm glad this turned out in such a way where it doesn't specifically indicate what kind of relationship they have, heh heh. Anyway, this is a little Kerith drabble I did the other day, and there will probably be more later.

Kadaj didn’t like flowers. His brothers didn’t like flowers either, in fact. He wasn’t quite sure what it was about them that truly made him dislike them, though he could list a few contributing factors off the top of his head.

They smell weird. How could so many people enjoy that strange scent they made? It’s not fragrant, it’s pungent. They all smell the same to him, and they all smell weird. And what do flowers actually do besides stick out of the ground and look pretty? Even then, they aren’t all that pretty. Stupid, smelly plants.

However, there were rare occasions where Kadaj did manage to enjoy flowers; namely, whenever Aerith enjoyed them, he did too. She loved flowers; she loved how they looked, how they smelled, she even loved taking care of them. In fact, she seemed to love taking care of them most of all, like a little plot of blooming children. She smiled because of them, and Kadaj liked them because of it. Kadaj would pick flowers and unhappily wonder why she liked them, but when she smiled and thanked him for the little bouquet, her funny tastes in plants became forgotten.

Kadaj liked flowers so long as Aerith was enjoying them.

But she always seemed to be enjoying the flowers…

Kadaj liked flowers after all.

Just a list, not a fic

2006-10-03T16:27:00Z

As mentioned in my main LJ, I'm going to post a list here with all my requests, including the ones I've already done (crossed off). Now, in the past while I've gotten some other requests, though I don't remember the precise order they came in. I'll just be listing them off the top of my head really.

If you made a request and it's not here, just let me know - I probably just need a wee reminder to jog my memory. ^^

If your birthday is coming up and you want a little written piece as (part of) your present, please let me know ahead of time. It will be a short story/drabble, not a full 10+ page fanfic like what I usually write for people. Other requests might be put on hold for a few days while said birthday ficlets are being written.

I will not be posting new LJ entries for this list - just updating this one. Keep checking back here if you have a request on the list.

~~~For Lisa (mrsloz) - Loz/Lisa lemon~~
~~~For Oki - Yazoo/Oki lemon~~
~For Anthea (jaded_skys- Zuko/anything lemon XD
~For Lizzy - yaoi pairing of her choice (yes, I agreed to write yaoi...>_>) - Link/Dark Link
~For Arianna (setseta) - Original character oriented fanfic (not a lemon)
~For Grant (bishi) - Guranto/Catori (original characters from Shourai Chronicles/Neo Shourai) lemon
~For Grant (bishi) - Special request fic

NO MORE REQUESTS - LIST IS CLOSED!!!

3/29/2007 - In between requests, I have also opted to take up the following two challenges from AdultFanfiction.net:
Challenge #1 - KadajxOFCxYazoo - (notes at request of author who issued challenge: men take turns with OFC, OFC must have short black hair and green eyes)
Challenge #2 - KadajxYuffiexYazoo

kujas_echoes @ 2006-09-28T10:47:00

2006-09-28T14:57:57Z

For zutara100

Author: ssjkuja
Prompt: #43 - Dreams
Title: Where The Raindrops Grow
Word Count: 290
Rating: G

There was a place in dreams where they would meet. In this place, there was no war or Avatar. It was a simple place, yet ethereal and untouchable by reality. Neither of them told anybody about this dream place, but Katara called it “the place where raindrops grow”.

The sky held no sun or moon, as it was suspended in perpetual twilight, where it was neither day nor night. A single star sat in the centre of the sky, a small dot of crisp white that flickered brightly. Directly below that star was a great tree that could not have possibly existed anywhere in reality, though it most greatly resembled a weeping willow. At the end of every bough, there sprouted a large, thick tear-shaped drop of water. All of the water was pure and clear, and each drop shimmered slightly as starlight and firelight reflected in them. The firelight came from plants that grew below the tree, with strong, black stems, and fist-sized fireballs instead of flowers.

In this place they met, recognizing each other but not caring at all about reality’s definitions of “enemy”. For some reason, they even found themselves smiling as they came before the raindrop tree and flaming flowers. There, despite the lack of any sort of music, they joined hands and danced. The action lacked rhyme and reason, but dreams so often do that. They danced a dance that resembled a waltz sometimes, but mostly they just spun around together. Spinning, spinning, feet forgotten, hands clutching, lips smiling, and all around them water and fire and twilight blurred together. They continued to dance like this until they fell down and lay together beneath the water drops that were illuminated by flames and a star.

Author: ssjkuja
Prompt: #39 - Conceal
Title: The Masquerade
Word Count: 226
Rating: G

Their Masquerade was in a grand ballroom with a high, columned ceiling. Architecturally, the room was plain; the bizarre atmosphere was entirely due to the décor and those dwelling within. Everything, including all of the people in the ballroom, were dressed or decorated in the four colours of the elements; red, blue, green and yellow. There was nothing in white or black, and there didn’t even seem to be any light or shadows in the room – everything was simply visible and colourful.

Nobody else there wore anything on their face; Zuko and Katara found that they were the only ones there wearing masks. In fact, that was how they would find each other amidst the crowd. While all other faces seemed plain and blurred, much of the two lovers’ faces were concealed by exquisite feathers and jewels and sequins. The clothes they wore were the colour of their native element, but their masks were of the opposite colour, appearing as if they had switched masks at some point. Their features remained blank when amongst the other people, but when they passed each other, their eyes locked and looked into each other, saying what was in their hearts with only a glance.

Thus it would have to be, sharing love with glances and hidden smiles until they could remove their masks and let their true hearts shine.

Author: ssjkuja
Prompt: #74 - Light
Title: Like The Brightest Star
Word Count: 207
Rating: G
Author's Notes: Inspired by the song "Midnight Radio", from/by Hedwig and the Angry Inch. I put a wee clip of the song at the end of the drabble. ^_^

There are many words that Zuko would use to describe Katara. “Bright” is one word that came to mind first. She is bright in the meaning that she is clever. For one so young, Katara’s cleverness and intellect always manages to surprise – and of course impress – the prince. It isn’t just this sort of brightness that always manages to impress him, of course.

He can’t quite describe it – it’s one of those things that makes sense to your mind and not your tongue – but there’s a sort of aura or energy that Katara has. Zuko has seen it many times; when she was feeling great joy or anger, when she came up with a plan, and especially when she fought. She was exquisite when she fought, standing like a single, invincible star that brought ruin to her enemies.

Sometimes, of course, her brightness would dim or flicker; sadness, despair, confusion – they all brought this condition on. When that happened, Zuko would be there, the flames of his own bright passion sparking her aura, rekindling it, and wiping tears away. For he always wanted to see her shine brightly, and to know that she was the brightest star. It was her starlight that he worshipped over all others.

Know in your soul,
Like your blood knows the way
From your heart to your brain,
Knows that you’re whole

And you’re shining like the brightest star…

One for Zutara100

2006-08-24T04:31:11Z

For zutara100

Author: ssjkuja
Prompt: #31 - Jewellery
Title: Sparkling Against Skin
Word Count: 180
Rating: G
Author's Notes: I actually got a little bit picky about this theme, and did a bit of Google research into a few different kinds of gemstones. I hope I ended up with some suitable matches, heh heh.

Katara’s eyes had caused him to develop a certain affection for sapphire and aquamarine. Such gemstones obviously lacked the spirit that reflected in her gaze, and more often than not they weren’t the exact shade of blue that he had come to love. Still, there was just something about seeing the crystallized embodiment of those beautiful eyes that caused him to smile.

Zuko’s eyes had somehow given a certain appeal to amber and golden topaz that she didn’t have before. They seemed dull in comparison to the light that shone through in his stare. Not to mention that few of those jewels matched the gentle hue that she adored. Regardless, she never thought that yellows and even light beiges would make for such a lovely treasure until she looked into his eyes.

In the end, however, no gem could truly compare. So instead of wearing extensive accessories or buying a lot of jewellery, they both decided they would rather watch the eyes of the other sparkle against skin, for they were more dazzling than all the stones of the earth.

Zutara100

2006-08-23T06:12:18Z

For zutara100

Author: ssjkuja
Prompt: #51 - Family
Title: One of Us
Word Count: 538
Rating: G

Although Katara tried to make it sound as if the matter was unimportant to her, he could tell that she wanted him to go through with it. Zuko would have none of such modesty. Despite whatever humiliations they could come up with, he would do it so that his lovely Waterbender would feel more comfortable in their new life. After all, he had taken her from her home, brought her to this new place to be his wife, and taught her in the ways of the Fire Nation. He felt that he owed it to her.

Thus Zuko went to the Southern Water Tribe, Katara at his side smiling brightly at the joy of being home. She welcomed the arctic breeze and the crunch of the snow beneath her feet as he tried to blink away his snow blindness. Immediately, everyone in the tribe seemed to rush to her, especially the other women. They fawned over her, saying how glamorous she looked, even though the only signs of her exquisite new life were a few rings and a nice hairpiece. Still she blushed, and Zuko smiled. Sokka approached and placed a hand on his brother-in-law’s shoulder, snapping Zuko from his reverie.

“Ready?” Sokka asked simply. The other man nodded. “Good. We’ll begin soon then.”

Some time later, as a full moon rose over the horizon, the ceremony began. Here, Zuko would become part of the Water Tribe, as Katara had become part of the Fire Nation. He stood before the tribe, wearing a traditional Water Tribe parka and ceremonial robe, with his hair free from the usual topknot. A man whom he assumed held a position of authority in the village painted on his face, stating aloud the meaning of every twist and symbol that was drawn. Out of the corner of his eye, Zuko could see Katara smiling. It seemed that many in the crowd were smiling, actually. How strange that they would smile at him with acceptance when he had taken one of their most beloved members, and had even fought against their people some time ago. Yet he remembered hearing that the Water Tribe treated all members like beloved family, and here he was, becoming one of them.

The ceremony ended, and Zuko stood in front of the crowd that cheered and clapped for him, feeling both foreign and accepted at the same time. Though the face paint felt sticky and uncomfortable, he suddenly found himself feeling proud of them and what they meant now. As the moon rose further above them, the freezing breeze began to feel more like a kiss than a sting. His golden eyes fell upon Katara once again, who was cheering the loudest and jumping up and down with joy. Walking over to her with pride in every step, Zuko swept her into a deep kiss.

Amidst the applause, he could hear a few old women talking to themselves. “You know, he actually does look like one of us now,” said one of them as they admired his new attire and markings. Zuko couldn’t help but smirk and laugh as he pulled away from the kiss, only to find himself being pulled towards a great feast table that awaited him.

Author: ssjkuja
Prompt: #21 - Dirty
Title: Smudges
Word Count: 146
Rating: Pg-13
Author's Notes: Follow up to #51 - "One of Us"

They had slipped away from the celebration as it began to die down, mainly unnoticed by the other tribe members who were also retiring to their homes. Almost immediately upon entering the ice house they would be staying in, Katara was stripping him of the traditional clothes he had been clad in for the ceremony. She completely ignored how some of the paint on his face rubbed off on the clothes. Zuko quickly learned to do the same as she pulled him into their bed, and he lost track of what parts of her he grinded against.

Later, they lay asleep together in a mess of smudges. The tribal paint was smeared on so much; hands and skin, pillows and blankets, hair, lips, floor. It was everywhere, and yet neither of them spared their dirty bed a second thought, nor would they come the morning light.

Bullet

2006-08-15T18:58:54Z

Title: Bullet
Author: ssjkuja
Fandom: Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children
Characters: Yazoo and Vincent, brief appearances by Kadaj, Loz, Elena and Tseng
Pairings: None
Rating: PG (for mild, Matrix-esque violence)
Disclaimer: I do not own FFVII: AC or any of the characters. I just wish I did. 'Cause then this fight would've actually happened.

Summary: The duel that should have been. Takes place prior to the main events of Advent Children. This is the encounter between Yazoo and Vincent Valentine that determined the fate of the Turks - or at least, this is how I felt it should've been. Where was Yazoo's one-on-one fight scene, and how did Vincent manage to get his hands on the Turks after all?
(I've never written an all-action based fanfic before, so all constructive criticism is very welcome.)
bishi has done some amazing artwork for "Bullet", which can be seen here. It is made of win!

(Because this was already posted on my main journal, all original comments can be found there. If you have already commented on the original entry, there's no need to comment a second time here.)

Yazoo was often chosen for ‘guard duty’ as he was the most patient of the three brothers. He could perfectly well tolerate standing and watching for signs of any unexpected interruptions. Even though Kadaj and Loz were often amusing themselves whenever he was assigned this duty, Yazoo didn’t mind. It was nice to have some quiet time to simply do nothing on his own. Plus he tended to make the least fuss whenever someone or something approached…and had to be disposed of.

In the remnants and debris of the Forgotten City behind him, Yazoo could hear hisses and moans of despair. They weren’t coming from his brothers, but rather the two captives of theirs. He never cared to learn their names, although he knew the little team they came from was called the Turks. Not that it mattered to him, as they were enemies of Mother. So long as they were enemies of Mother, they deserved whatever torment they were experiencing. All the people who dared to get in Mother’s way would be punished.

A particularly loud groan of torment – from the woman it sounded – caused a grin to spread on Yazoo’s face. Thoughts of how much the filthy creatures deserved their pain ran through his head, fuelling his unnerving smile. Despite his strong amusement, the grin was very short-lived as Yazoo heard approaching movement. It was the rustling of clothing, like a sheet…

…Or a long, tattered red cloak. Yet the cloak did not seem to be attached to anybody, instead moving as if pulled or dragged by some invisible force. It seemed that whatever force that drove the disembodied cloak was sending it hurtling in Yazoo’s direction. Immediately, Velvet Nightmare was drawn and fired in counter. However, the bullet hardly deterred the cloak. Twice more he fired, until the cloak swerved to the side. It bounced softly several times before stopping some distance from Yazoo. Slowly, the cloak spun in place, the beaten edges spreading with a haunting fluidity. From the centre of it rose a tall figure, and eventually the cloak spun around to the figure’s back.

Still embraced by the cloak, the figure was male, and had long black hair and eyes that matched his cloak. Like Yazoo and his brothers, he was dressed in black. Vincent Valentine’s red eyes stared in to Yazoo’s own vivid green eyes, and Yazoo returned the gaze.

“I’m here for the Turks,” Vincent stated simply, following a long silence.

“Kadaj and Loz are playing with them. You can’t have them now.”

“I wasn’t asking.”

With that, Vincent drew Cerberus and fired it at Yazoo. With the Velvet Nightmare having already been drawn, it was a simple matter of raising it sideways to use it as a shield. A few sparks flew from where the bullet struck. Once again, Yazoo grinned before turning his gun and firing it in response. Vincent swept into an evasive side step, his cloak billowing as he spun with an ethereal grace. In the same motion, he aimed Cerberus and fired another shot. A bullet flew from Velvet Nightmare at the same time, and the bullets ricocheted off of each other into the glowing forest.

“Hey! Yazoo!” came the curious voice of Kadaj from within the ruins. “What’s going on?”

Yazoo’s eyes never left his opponent, nor did the grin leave his face. “Someone has come for your toys.”

An amused “Heh” was the only response before Kadaj’s footsteps retreated back into the remnants of the Forgotten City. The sound was mirrored by Yazoo as he slowly took one step forward, then another, with Velvet Nightmare still aimed as the dark-haired visitor. Three times he fired, each shot aimed a bit lower than the last, with the first shot aimed at his head. Vincent’s stance widened greatly in his legs and he leaned to the right, his torso swerving in a downward arc beneath Yazoo’s shots. Cerberus was aimed once more, and from his low position, Vincent fired at Yazoo in a sweeping motion, taking aim at his chest. Taking another step forward, Yazoo crossed his arms over his chest and flipped forward. He spun in mid-air, the line of bullets passing far beneath him.

Darting Forward, Vincent jumped up directly beneath Yazoo with Cerberus raised above his head. Just as Cerberus was fired, Yazoo’s spinning came to an end, and he aimed Velvet Nightmare at the opposing firearm. It too was fired, and the bullets bounced off of each other. Both gunmen spun around each other as they fell, though their eyes remained locked throughout their descent. They landed in kneeling positions. Fluidly quick they stood, still with thrashing gazes, and took aim at their opponent’s head. A stalemate was the result, as both Yazoo and Vincent stood at each other’s gunpoint.

No words were spoken, though the malevolent grin on Yazoo’s face clearly portrayed his enjoyment. Toying with lives was fun, though this dark-haired man was the first plaything that had ever fought so hard, and held up so long against him. Just remembering the fight alone would send shivers down his spine at the memorable thrill of the duel. Of course, the duel was far from over, and Yazoo would make sure to make it even more memorable.

The grin on Yazoo’s face disturbed Vincent, though his expression didn’t show it. Those who took joy in tormenting their opponents before finishing them were the worst kinds of people in his mind. In his lifetime, he had seen far too many of them, and rued every encounter. He was distracted from his train of thought when Yazoo broke the stalemate. With a pained grunt, Vincent found himself at the receiving end of Yazoo’s kick as the aqua-eyed being flipped forward. Without using his hands to aid in his landing, he sprinted towards the cloaked trespasser the second his feet hit the ground.

Vincent had used the force of the kick to push himself into a backwards flip. When his clawed hand hit the ground, he used it to propel himself away from his charging nemesis. Yazoo fired Velvet Nightmare zealously, leaving Vincent with no other option but to spin in his flight and attempt to avoid the bullets. Suddenly, Vincent felt his feet touch an unseen tree behind him, and a determined smirk of his own crept onto his face. Without missing a beat, he pushed himself off of the tree and raised Cerberus, firing several rounds in retaliation.

Putting all of his great agility to the test, Yazoo twisted and writhed between and around every bullet that came his way. Now on the defensive, he was unable to fire Velvet Nightmare in return. Vincent flew towards him in the meantime, still pulling the trigger repeatedly. Soon, instead of facing the sparks and shots of Cerberus, Yazoo found himself staring into the eyes of the airborne Vincent Valentine. His clawed gauntlet was raised and ready to swipe bloody ribbons across his enemy’s face. Once more the crimson and aqua of their eyes clashed before Yazoo bent over backwards beneath Vincent and his golden claws. He came to stand on his free hand, and grunted as he kicked both legs upwards into Vincent’s stomach.

Although Vincent took the hit hard, his pained mind still saw Yazoo jumping into the air after him. The grin on Velvet Nightmare’s wielder was frighteningly malicious, reflecting all the joy that he would receive from putting a bullet between Vincent’s eyes. Yazoo intended to do it at point blank range, and drew closer to his target with every second. Seeming to realize this as he watched the barrel of Velvet Nightmare approach, Vincent saw an opportunity arise. As he began to descend, he started to turn around to the right, drawing back his right arm which still clutched Cerberus. Despite the fact that his target was now moving, Yazoo was not worried about losing his chance to end the life of the red-eyed trespasser. Velvet Nightmare would be a point-blank range by the time Vincent would finish his spin, and that would be the end.

At last the moment came when Vincent’s red eyes met with Yazoo’s eyes once more, but before the trigger could be pulled, a sudden darkness came over his vision in a flash of pain. It was Vincent’s turn to grin as he watched the handle of Cerberus connected hard with his enemy’s jaw. Yazoo was sent spiralling downwards towards a thick tree, and Velvet Nightmare flew from his grasp. He managed to stop spinning in time to brace himself against the tree. On his hands and feet his slid down the white bark, with Vincent falling close behind. Not far from the base of the tree, Yazoo pushed off and flipped to land gently on the ground on one knee. His landing reunited him with the Velvet Nightmare, which had clattered to the ground within grasp. And grasp it he did, grinning at feeling the shape and trigger of his beloved gun once more.

Yazoo heard the thump of Vincent landing behind him, and turned around, still on one knee. Suddenly, two more thumps drew their attention as two bodies came to lie on the ground between them. Both of the bodies were dressed in the remains of the same navy blue suit. The wretched state they were in brought a smile to Yazoo’s face, while Vincent did his best to mask his disgust. Their duel forgotten for the moment, Loz’s voice then added to the distraction.

Standing at the entrance of their hide-away in the ruins, Loz wore a grin that was identical to Yazoo’s. Seeing the Turks in their current state of injury and distress was a joy, but it had been even more fun putting them in that state. “We don’t need them anymore,” Loz said simply. “Kadaj and I worked all the fun out of them. You can have them back.”

Yazoo then stood slowly, and with Velvet Nightmare raised towards Vincent, began to step backwards towards Loz. Vincent realized that he would have no chance fighting against two of them, or possibly even all three. Plus the Turks were in desperate need of assistance. Vincent was no medic, but he would have to do. He moved to stand between the bodies of the Turks while keeping his eyes on Yazoo and Loz. Both of the brothers continued to watch with vicious grins, and Vincent was silently thankful that he would soon be away from them.

Vincent flared his cloak and lowered himself to one knee, shielding both the Turks and much of his own body from view. A moment later, he stood in a fluid motion with Cerberus holstered and the Turks held under his arms. In the same motion, Vincent leapt backwards into the trees and was soon gone.

Velvet Nightmare was slowly holstered once the red cloak disappeared from view. As Yazoo turned to enter the hideout, he noticed a surprised expression on Loz. “You’re bleeding,” said Loz without having to be asked. He then turned vanished into the ruins without waiting for his brother.

Yazoo blinked at Loz’s statement, and wondered if he had taken a hit without realizing it. A sudden new sensation hit him then; a coppery taste in his mouth that he hadn’t realized was there before. He recalled the strike he took to his jaw and grinned slightly, feeling some more blood run from the corner of his mouth. It was rare for Yazoo to encounter an opponent who could fight back, let alone cause him to bleed.

Slowly, he raised his hand and touched a few of his fingers to the inside of his mouth. The grin remained as he pulled his fingers back into view, though it faded slowly as observed the stain. Yazoo looked at the blood on his fingers, darker than normal against the black of his glove but still prominent nonetheless. His blood…Mother’s blood…too much of Mother’s blood had been spilled by heathens. The planet belonged to Mother, and she should own everything that dared to draw breath when she could not. In Mother’s name, Yazoo and his brothers would pay their vengeance in the blood of the heathens who took her planet from her.

As Yazoo contemplated this, the blood began to dribble and collect at the edge of his fingers. Now suspended above the ground, the crimson of his blood was now more visible. Crimson was a colour that neither he nor his brothers seemed to care for, but the crimson life-giving fluid that bore Mother’s cells appeared very beautiful to him then. The first drop of blood slowly formed and fell to the ground. He watched this descent, and the next. Although the sound each droplet made was very minute, the light pattering seemed to transform into the sound of a gunshot in Yazoo’s mind.

Bang.

Each lovely drop of blood was no different from a bullet.

Bang.

Yes, his heart, the heart that beat for Mother, it was a trigger.

Bang.

Every heartbeat was Mother pulling a trigger. He was her weapon, hers to use however she willed it.

Bang.

Every drop of crimson blood was a liquid bullet that fired life throughout his system.

Bang.

Yazoo held his hand up higher to watch the pale light of the forest reflect on every crimson bullet that fell from his fingers.

Bang.

He was crafted to kill, destined to restore her glory, whatever Mother required him to be.

Bang.

A phantom of gun smoke. A weapon.

Bang.

A bullet.

The first entry!

2006-08-14T20:51:03Z

Well, this is my (ssjkuja's) fanfiction LiveJournal account. All my fanfiction and any other stuffs I make shall go here from now on. ^_^