Cyborg 009 Fan Fiction ❯ Ante Mortem ❯ Chapter Nine ( Chapter 10 )

Ante-Mortem

By: Wildfire Sky

We are moving along on this fanfic!! I'm going to try and make these chapters a little bit longer, as requested by some. Which is good because then there won't be as many. Apologies for taking so long to update…enjoy this chocolate Easter egg I promised!!

BTW: My UIL play has advanced. We're Area champs and have made it all the way to regionals!! Whoot!! BREAK A LEG O'CONNOR PANTHERS!!!

Ante-Mortem

Chapter Nine

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Joe quietly walked down the halls of the Dolphin, his eyes slowly scanning for any misplaced movement. He'd hoped that the others would continue to leave him alone. Socialization was something he'd rather not deal with at the moment. To him, the cyborgs no longer had anything to do with him, or his future life. The moment he stepped off this ship, he would be dead to them forever. Dead to Francoise forever…

He stumbled slightly as a sharp ache raked through his head. He quickly brought up a hand, struggling to massage out the tenderness that seemed to be forming. He realized now what the headaches meant. The acid was spreading. It worried him more now than it had before, due to the fact that the headaches were becoming more frequent and for longer periods of time. Black Ghost hadn't been bluffing…he really was going to take over his mind.

But Joe wanted to be as far away from the others as possible before such a horrible thing happened. He had to protect them as much as he could and offer up the last of his leadership before he was gone forever. Yet, a tiny voice cruelly mocked him…echoing throughout the cavity of his mind. He was no leader…what kind of leader would have every person in his crew turned against him? But it wasn't him fault…

Stop lying, everything is your fault.

It was true. Everything really was his fault…but how could it have been if he didn't know how the poison got into his system in the first place? Had Black Ghost implanted it during the reconstruction of his body? If so, why haven't the others been affected yet? It made more sense that Black Ghost had some how found a way into his dreams and the acid was simply a side effect of the evil prying. But still the answer came up…why him?? What could Black Ghost possibly want with him? Was it because he was stronger than the others? Did Black Ghost just want him for further research to improve on his sick business of destruction and death?

Cut out the legs of an animal and the body will fall…

Joe's head snapped up in realization. Black Ghost didn't care for his talents…he cared about the influence that Joe had over the others. He'd been trying for years to destroy the cyborg team, and now he's found the easiest way. He'd let them destroy each other in a game of accusations and rumors.

Black Ghost you sick bastard…

009 pushed away from the wall he was leaning against, walking now with a greater purpose than before. If Black Ghost wanted to destroy the cyborg team, he'd have to do it without using Joe as a tool. Even if it meant his destruction, Joe would never let Black Ghost use him as a pawn in this evil chest game.

Joe turned down the residential hall, scanning the doorways for any sign of their occupants. He'd been avoiding the entire group since breakfast earlier that day, and now that he'd missed dinner, he was sure that someone would come looking for him.

His thoughts were confirmed as the sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway from where he'd just turned from.

Shit…

Quickly, to avoid detection and, no doubt, questions, Joe hit the switch to the nearest door and dove inside the dark room, watching it anxiously as it hissed closed. He let out a sigh of relief, but that hopefulness was short lived as the steps paused outside of the door.

"But I'm sure that I saw someone…"

Francoise…

Joe's heart clutched in his chest as her honey sweet voice filtered through the crack at the bottom of the doorway. It was so beautiful…a sound he would truly miss when it came time to go. And that time would be soon…

"I'm sure it was nothing, Francoise. Maybe you should lay down for awhile."

009's features darkened evilly. Jet…the cause of all his woes and pains. That goddamn selfish, bastard, son of a---

"You're right, Jet. I am a little tired come to think of it. A good sleep does sound nice."

Joe glanced around the room absently. There was no way to tell if either of them would enter here to see if someone had actually come in. Besides, this was 005's room and they had no business invading the man's privacy. Although Geronimo seemed like a gentle giant, the man could become a rampaging nightmare if someone were to piss him off enough. Quickly, Joe moved towards the closet, sliding the door open and maneuvering his body inside.

I didn't realize 005 had so many cloths…Joe thought absent mindedly, concentrating more on hiding than Geronimo's fashion sense. The Japanese youth brought his knees up to his chest, waiting patiently for the two outside to leave so he could make his escape. But, Fate, however, seemed to be working against him once again.

His heart skipped a beat when he heard the hydraulic door hiss open and a pair of soft footsteps enter. They were actually going to come into 005's room? Were they insane?? Wait a minute…

Joe reached up and yanked down an article of clothing. His eyes shot wide open, his heart jumping into his throat. Unless Geronimo liked wearing pink skirts…Joe had just made a very, very bad mistake. He could hear their feet shuffling as the walked around the room, talking to each other in lowered tones. He leaned forward, straining to catch just a bit of the whispered conversation.

"…no there's nothing wrong with him, Jet…"

"How can you be so sure? Haven't you seen the way he's been acting lately?"

"Yes…"

"Then why can't you just admit it?"

"Because I have too much respect for him than that."

There was a short pause. Joe took the opportunity to crack open the closet door for a better look. Francoise was sitting on her window sill, staring out over the wide ocean, her chin cupped in one hand, eyes slightly hooded. She was still wearing her short dress and tank top, even though the sun was beginning to set.

But where's Jet?

Joe shifted slightly, carrying his gaze across the room until he spied the frowning American leaning against the wall next to the doorway. From the hard scowl on his face, it seemed to Joe that he and 003 weren't getting along as well as they had been before.

Well good, Joe thought venomously.

Jet's arms were folded across the front of his shirt, his brown eyes drilling holes in the back of Francoise head. He couldn't believe how stubborn the girl had become in the past few days…it was almost like she didn't want to have anything to do with him anymore. Well it did make sense…he'd even admitted it earlier that she was still in love with 009. But that still didn't mean he couldn't try.

"As happy as I am that you still have respect for him…"

"His name is 009, Jet."

Jet paused, his eyes narrowing, "Fine. As happy as I am that you still have respect for 009, I really don't think that it's healthy for you to keep fawning all over him. The boy insulted you in public, now he won't even talk to you! Can't you see that the so called 'love' he had for you is dead?"

Francoise sighed from the sill, "It doesn't matter, Jet…"

"The hell it doesn't."

Francoise stood up and approached Jet, her soft features pulled into a frown, "I'm going to change and go to bed, Jet. I'll see you in the morning."

Jet blinked, "Now hold on…"

Francoise silenced him with a soft kiss, "Good night, Jet."

Jet stood staring at Francoise, the hidden anger beginning to boil up through his chest. He quickly spun on his heel, nearly punching the door switch. "Fine. Just don't let that boy in here. I still don't trust him."

Francoise's eyes fell to the floor. Her voice no higher than a whisper when she spoke, "Did you ever, Jet?"

Jet froze, his body half way out of the door. He whirled around, eyes blazing with fury, "Of course I trusted him!" he snapped angrily, "I trusted him with my life…I loved him like a brother. Nothing could have destroyed my trust in him."
"Then what happened, Jet?" Francoise countered, "What changed in your life to make you hate him so much?"

Jet looked away, "You."

"What?" Francoise blinked in surprise, not at all expecting such a direct answer, "How could I make you change so much?"

"I stopped trusting him when I fell in love with you…and when he tried to take you away from me. When you two went into Rome, even though I didn't like it, I knew he was only fighting for you and I trusted him to take care of you…but then he…" Jet's face contorted with anger, "Look, the point is that I don't trust him, and I may never trust him again for the rest of my life!"

Francoise shook her head in pity, "That's so sad, Jet…for two men to be torn apart because of one person."

Jet snorted in contempt, "Yea well get used to it, Francoise, because nothings going to change. I'm still going to hate Joe and you're still going to screw with men's hearts."

Francoise's head snapped up, her eyes wide with shock, "What…what did you say to me?"

Wavering, Jet took a step back out into the hallway, his eyes avoiding the hurt ones of Francoise, "I'm just telling you the truth, Francoise. You might not mean to…but believe it or not you do it." Before Francoise could respond, Jet closed the door to her room and left.

Standing there, Francoise never noticed her closet door open, nor did she see the shadow that slowly crept from it. It wasn't until the figure was nearly upon her, did warning bells start sounding off in her mind. With lightning fast reflexes, she spun around, her concealed ray gun out and leveled with the intruder's head in a matter of seconds. Her hand stilled as she recognized the sharp crimson eyes and brown mess of hair that fell over them.

"Joe…"

The Japanese leader smiled slightly, nodding his head. "Francoise."

The French cyborg lowered her weapon, glancing about the room, "How did you get in here? I didn't hear you come in."

"That's because I was hiding in your closet," Joe replied, shrugging off the skeptical look 003 shot at him, "Don't worry, I wasn't purposely spying on you. It's just that…well, you and 002 caught be by surprise and I didn't want you to see me."

Crossing over to her bed, Francoise gently placed her gun on the stand, her head bowed. "So you heard what we said?"

"Some of it."

Francoise closed her eyes in shame, "I guess you must be pretty disgusted with me. To hear me talk about you like that…"

Instantly Joe was at her side, his hands poised to grip her shoulders in comfort, yet never really touching her, too fearful of a harsh reprimand. Yes. He'd heard what Jet had said and yes, it had hurt him. But still, it seemed to him that Francoise was trying more to defend him in the most subtle way possible. It was obvious that she didn't want to risk Jet's quick temper erupting, so she tried to sooth out the matter in the easiest way…agree and disagree. Let it be known that although she agreed with some of the things Jet said, she'd still defend her leader.

Apparently, that was all Joe was anymore. A person with a position attached to them. A position that seemed to have no real purpose but simple formality. And Joe couldn't wait to finally shed himself of the annoying title and return to Tokyo to try and start a new life…perhaps maybe this time he could make something of himself.

First things first…

Joe finally risked touching Francoise, pulling her down to sit next to him on the bed, "Francoise…I have something I need to tell you. But I really don't know how…" he closed his eyes, struggling to think of an easy way to tell her. Aw hell, she hates you anyways!! Just get on with it…

He took a deep breath and began again, "Francoise…I'm…I going to be leaving our team soon…tonight in fact…"

The woman's head snapped up, her eyes wide with shock. He's leaving?? Oh no… "What…why Joe?"

"Well, I…" Joe looked down at his lap, unable to meet 003's questioning eyes, "I just don't think I have a place here anymore…it's too risky for me to stay."

"Risky?" Francoise took Joe's hand in her own, "Joe if this is about your actions of late, forget about it, I forgive you! You just can't leave…not now…"

The cold touch of her hand sent shivers up Joe's spine, but he remained undaunted…nothing could turn him from the path he's now chosen for himself. "003, it's more than just headaches and mood swings. It's bigger than that."

"Tell me what it is…"

Joe gently pulled his hand from her own, "You wouldn't understand, koishii…just know that even though I might not return, I'll always love you."

Francoise's heart clutched at the words. He was serious about leaving…very serious. But what would make him do such a thing? And so suddenly! It almost seemed as though someone was forcing him to leave them forever.

Jet…

Her face melted into that of anger. How dare he try and make Joe leave like this! It wasn't right on any moral scale and she'd be sure to tell him so! If Jet would actually stoop so low as to rip apart this team to claim her as his own... The fury that flowed through her was over whelming.

Joe sat, staring at Francoise in worry, misinterpreting the hate filled look as directed towards him. He decided that it would be his better judgment to leave now before her wrath was unleashed upon him. He quickly stood, pulling Francoise up with him and pressing the surprised cyborg against his body.

His voice was soft and sincere as he pressed his forehead against hers, their noses nearly touching. "Please forgive me for this, Francoise," he whispered, his eyes closed tightly in silent anguish, "Please forgive me for everything I've done…I can only hope that you will live a better life now with Jet than you ever could with me."

She blinked in shock at the words. No, Joe you don't understand…

"But Joe…"

He shook his head, cutting off her sentence before it even began, "Shhh…no, Francoise, please don't make this any harder for me." He opened his eyes to stare into her aqua ones, a smile crossing his lips, "You always were so very beautiful…"

Quickly, before Francoise could protest, he crushed his lips against her plump, soft ones, Lavishing in the kiss that he might never share with her again. Finally, he pulled away, eyes brimming with unshed tears.

"Don't…don't forget me Francoise…" he turned and heading towards the doorway, casting a final look over his shoulder as the door slid open, the tears finally beginning to fall, "I'll always be with you, Francoise…always…"

And without another word escaping his lips, Joe Shimamura walked out of Francoise's life forever.

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"I don't give a damn who your master is…it'll cost you ten million American dollars to haul in this guy!"

Diablo frowned at the beefy man sitting across from him. As much as he ached to crush the face in front of him to a pulpy mess, it was his duty to capture 009 and return him to the Tokyo base. However, this lowlife was making things increasingly difficult!

Hiroku Tagasuki was an ugly, overweight man from uptown Japan, the wealthy leader of the deadly gang who called themselves the Red Samurai and a manipulator of some of Japan's most prestigious politicians. He was, what some might call, an untouchable. A man of such great power and influence that to try and put him behind bars would most likely result in your death and the deaths of anyone you've ever come in contact with.

Tagasuki, although now overweight, had been a master in the art of swordsmanship, taught from the moment he could crawl by his father, a renowned master. However, those days had died with the birth of his new powers, and he left it up to his katana bearing minions to handle any dirty work. Tagasuki was not only to be feared…but to be respected.

And right now, Diablo's respect for him was growing thin indeed. Tagasuki brought up a cigar to his beefy lips, pulling back a hard drawl, and releasing the cancerous smoke through his oversized nostrils.

He stared at Diablo with distain, a look that had become more and more natural with the passing of each day. He was a master when it came to hunting down victims…especially since he could claim to be an accomplished loan shark. He knew when a person was in a bind…and this character was a classic example.

"I can tell that you have a rather serious problem, my friend," Tagasuki said, reaching over to pull off a grape from a platter. He waved off the scantly clad bearer of the plate, catching her bottom with a good squeeze. The girl blushed and scampered off towards the back, her aggressor's hungry eyes following her every move before turning back to Diablo, "I think it would benefit us both if you would hear out my proposal."

Tagasuki leaned back on his pillow adorned couch, his cubby fingers holding up his smoke as he wetted his palette with a sip of wine, "My men and I are prepared to round up this fellow for you…hell, we'll even gift wrap him if you'd like. However, I can't deny my men their fare share of fun."

Diablo stared at him, "Fun?"

"Um hum." Tagasuki took another pull at his cigar, "It's tradition really. If we ever bring in a man for something, we usually rough him up a bit…show him we mean business and then brand him for life. Call it a trademark of my gang if you will."

Diablo shook his head, "I must not have him too seriously injured. He must be alive and conscious when delivered." he looked up, casting Tagasuki a small smirk, "Besides, if you're not careful, it'll be your men with a brand for life."

A short laugh filled the brightly lit loft that the two were in. Tagasuki's belly sloshed up and down with each hard laugh, "Just what kind of a man are we dealing with here? A demon?"

Diablo shrugged innocently, "Perhaps. I can almost guarantee that you'll have a big problem of finding him."

"Well that's almost a given in Tokyo. Haven't you seen how big this goddamn place is? Hell, I commend myself for even being able to take charge of my section of the city. But back to your demon…I need a place and a time."

"Both are unknown at the moment."

"Well hell!" Tagasuki exclaimed, throwing up his hands, "How do you expect me to find this guy if you can't even find him? Almost like looking for a needle in a haystack!"

Diablo's patience was wearing thin for the porker of a man, "Listen you," he snarled leaning closer, "I really don't give a rat's ass how hard this might be for you, I am paying your fat ass to find this guy and bring him to me!" His hand lashed out, clutching Tagasuki by the collar of his shirt. He could see the shadows of the fat man's bodyguards shifting, the gleam of their swords glinting in the light. He shoved Tagasuki way, not feeling like killing off the man and his guards just yet. They still had a purpose to serve for him.

Tagasuki adjusted his suit, eyeing Diablo warily, "Double the pay and you've got yourself a deal, my friend."

"Twenty million American dollars?"

"Twenty million."

There was an itch in Diablo's hand that he wanted to scratch off across Tagasuki's fat face…but then he'd be back to square one and the chance of him finding another willing gang was slim.

"Fine then," he spat, "Twenty million it is. I will pay upon the safe delivery of the package. If he is too damaged, you'll get nothing."

"I want five now, my friend. Just as collateral…"

Diablo's face contorted in rising anger, but he bit his tongue, "Very well. I shall have it transferred to your specified accounts immediately."

Tagasuki smirked, and leaned back in his seat, "Excellent." he turned his head slightly, and clapped his hands regally, "Bring us more drink! My good friend, we must discuss this over the best drink Tokyo has to offer. Good hot saki!"

The Cuban eyed the drink warily as it was placed in front of him. The woman slowly poured in the burning liquor into a tiny glass, casting Diablo a small smile as she stood back and waited. Tagasuki's smile grew slowly, his tiny black eyes shimmering mischievously.

"It seems that she likes you, my friend. Perhaps I can arrange for a visit later on tonight?"

Diablo snorted in contempt, waving the girl away, "I have no interest in such young creatures as that. Besides, I came here to make a deal…not rob whores of what little pride they have left."

"Pride?" Tagasuki laughed, "These women have no pride…no respect either. Come here, woman! I require your presence."

The girl quickly scooted over to where Tagasuki sat waiting. He patted his lap and she nearly jumped onto it, instantly grinding her hips against her overweight master's.

"You see?" Tagasuki said with a strained smile, "They're nothing but pride less sluts who will do anything if it means a little money. Just like my men…we will do anything you wish, even slit the throats of our mothers, if we are well paid."

Suddenly his face reddened with fury and he shoved the girl to the floor, reaching out a beefy hand and viciously smacking her across her face. The mere child tumbled to the floor, her hand clasping her face in pain. Tagasuki stood, his eyes narrowed with anger.

"You damn wench! Return to me my wallet at once!"

She looked around fearfully, "M-My lord…I don't have your wallet!"

"Lying bitch!" her master roared, "I felt you reach under my shirt and take it! Guards!"

The whore screamed in fear, scrambling to her feet as Tagasuki's hidden bodyguards rushed forward, their deadly swords gleaming. Pushing the woman to the floor, their blades rose and fell, blood splattering across the carpet, pouring from her body in a thick pool. The screams soon died away, leaving behind a sick gurgling from the woman's throat.

Diablo looked on carelessly as other servants hurried forward, dragging away the dripping body and mopping up the mess. The last bowed and turned to follow the others, his eyes downcast as he passed the samurai bodyguards.

Tagasuki winked at Diablo, "That was just a demonstration of my immense powers, my friend. The girl truly never had my wallet…however; sometimes I must kill off a whore or two to keep my servants faithful. As you can see, my samurai are quick killers…the boy won't know what hit him."

Black Diablo's smile was as vicious as the girl's death, "Yes…I am very impressed by the speed…and you will need that speed tomorrow night. Here," he handed the large man a folder, "That's your target. He has red eyes and brown hair with bangs that cover one eye. Expect him to be alone and tired…I suspect he'll travel quite a distance from his current position."

"Which is where?"

"Some where out in the middle of the Pacific."

Tagasuki lowered the documents, staring at Diablo skeptically, "In the middle of the Pacific? What is he swimming here?"

Diablo nodded casually, "I have no doubt he will. That is why you must take him the moment he lands on our shores. If not, I fear that he might regain his strength and will avoid your pursuits."

"Unlikely!" Tagasuki snapped, "Never has a target slipped away from me…and if he does manage to do so, I'll make sure that every lowlife in Japan is hunting him down. I promise you that!"

Diablo nodded, leaning back in his plush chair, "Very well then, Tagasuki…you've instilled in me the utmost confidence in you and your gang. However, I feel it is my duty to advise you…failure will not be tolerated by me or my master. If he is not delivered by the deadline, you and your rabble group will be sitting at the bottom of the ocean…permanently."

"And if I don't get my money as promised, I'll make sure that you're begging me for death when I'm finished with you!"

Diablo nodded and stood up, "Fine. Be ready tomorrow for his arrival…where ever it may be. I'd suggest the docks of Tokyo...but you don't have to listen to me."

"I was thinking the same thing, my friend."

Diablo cast him a sarcastic smile, "I'm sure you were. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a few phone calls to make…including the transfer of your five million into your accounts."

Tagasuki struggled to his feet, holding out a hand, "My secretary will give you the names and banks of the accounts. Can't be too careful with your money now a days."

Diablo regarded the outstretched hand before turning on his heel and walking away, "No you can't, Mr. Tagasuki…no you can't."

The Japanese gang leader waited until the door was firmly shut behind Diablo before calling over one of his bodyguards.

"I want twenty-four hour surveillance on him. If he doesn't pay up or he tries to break from Japan, I want his head on a platter. Understand?"

The bodyguard bowed, "Of course my lord. He'll not escape us easily."

"Oh no, my faithful servant…he won't escape at all…"

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Joe stood out on the deck of the Dolphin, allowing the cool breeze of the night air to caresses his cheeks. The moon was out and full on this dramatic night…the last night he'd ever see from the deck of the Dolphin.

He'd found himself questioning his decision earlier that night. Just after he'd left Francoise in fact…but he knew it was for the good of everyone else. He'd struggle through with Black Ghost by himself…the others would be safe from danger and would never be hurt by him again.

"Just where do you think you're going, boy?"

I'm leaving them for good Black Ghost. I'd thought you'd be happy that this team has fallen apart. It's your fault after all.

"There you go again, blaming everyone but yourself. You could have solved this whole problem just by allowing your doctor friend to remove the acid while it was still small."

That would have killed me and you know it.

"Well…yes…but then you'd have avoided this whole mess and it wouldn't have affected everyone like it has. Tell me I'm wrong."

No you're right, Black Ghost…but I still want to live.

"So your solution is to just leave without a goodbye to anyone but Francoise? Imagine the pain that will cause! They'll hate you even more…they'll think you a coward…think boy! You haven't told anyone why you're leaving. They'll hate you even more for this!

Fine. Let them hate me. At least I can't hurt Francoise anymore.

"So you're simply going to hand her off to 002? Just like that? How heartless!"
She'll be happier with him…

"The words of a fool…"

I might be a fool, but at least I'm a fool in love.

"……Where are you going, 009? Why Tokyo?"

Because that's my home.

"Yes, but where in Tokyo?"

Why don't you just read my mind and find out?

"I have, boy. You really don't know what you're going to do when you get there, do you? A wise tactic, child…I should have expected something like this from you. No wonder they looked to you…you have the wit of a true leader. Very well, 009. I shall leave you alone for now…go to Tokyo. Ruin this life that you cherished for so long. Make everyone suffer your unexplainable disappearance…let her mourn you forever…"

Joe closed his eyes, trying to fight back against the tears that began to fall. Francoise. His dearest love. The woman he would have to leave, never again able to see her smiling face in the morning…never again able to hear her pure voice comfort him…never again to taste the sweetness of her lips and feel them against his own. That life for him was now over…now and forever. He would be forced to live out his life in ultimate solitude. Away from the people he called family.

"This is for the best," he reminded himself, "Francoise will at least have a chance to a good life if I'm not there to make things difficult." He slowly walked over to the deck railing, throwing his waterproof bag of his shoulder, and gripping the rail. He looked down at the churning water beneath, the black waves crashing against the sides of the Dolphin, challenging him into their cold embrace.

He cast one last look at his home, a single tear sliding down his smooth face. "So long…Francoise…"

Bowing silently to the uncaring ship, he hoisted his body up and over the rail, plummeting into the welcoming waters below.

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Francoise lifted her tear stained face up from her pillow as she heard the tell-tell sign of a body hitting water.

Oh Joe…why did you have to leave me?

Fresh tears began to pour from her eyes and she buried her face into her silken pillow again. Her shoulders heaving with the harsh sobs that threatened to choke her. He was gone now…and there was nothing she could do to stop it…

He's gone forever…

It hit her hard that night. The realization that she might never see Joe again…he was gone and there was nothing she could do about it…gone.

Gone like the hope in her heart.

Gone like the morning mist as the sun comes up…

Gone…

Forever…

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Forgive me. I'm a lover for dramatic, one sentence/ one word endings. I don't know, I just can't abruptly end a chapter…it puts me on edge and make me frustrated with myself. I feel that there really wasn't an ending to the chapter…like I simply got tired of writing and decided that it was a good stopping point.

Argh.

Anyways, if you noticed at the top, my UIL play advanced!! YEHAW!!!! We are Area champs and we're gonna push it all the way to state, right?? HELL YA!!

And that's also why it took so long to update…but fear not!! I shall continue to entertain you, as well as the audience…all in the name of art!!

Now then, I think it's time for the review responses!! (*Fanfare*)

GoldAngel2: I'm so glad that you actually consider me a fine writer…actually it's you who I should be praising. Your fanfics always have me hooked! You are the reason that I keep writing! And I'm glad that my ethnicity doesn't affect your judgment of me…AND PLEASE DON'T LOSE HEART IN US!!! We have to do this together!! Holli and I can't keep up the live by ourselves!! We need others like you to help!! Please, post your fics, I beg of you!!

mika0021: @ _ @ *knocked out from the candy and soda hurled from mika* uuughhh………but mommy I don't wanna get off the pony…I wanna be a cowboy…I wanna thank mike for her review……

Fantasygirl: Yes yes…yummy candy, even though it came a little late!! And no sweat about homework…I got it too!!

Tetsuo Tsubushi: I guess it shouldn't be life like because they really don't have lives anymore do they?? And I shall keep writing!! For the people!!! For you!!!!

Holli: I hope this chapter was longer for you. I saw what you said about the shortness of it and I do agree, I do need to make the length a little longer. Thanks for the advice and the review!!

CC1F:*crying* No!! Please don't leave me!! Don't stop reading!! *sees second review* Eh?? OH!! So you were joking?? Ok!! Thank you thank you for the review my friend!!

Wolfwood11:BWAHAHAHA!!! Slowly the take over has begun…soon everyone will become addicted to fanfics and we writers shall rule the Earth!! MUWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!! And I knew you were female!! I just had to double check…lol. Thanks for the compliments and the break a leg. Because of your fortune, we made it this far!! Keep praying for us!!

animefreak5483: Yes, animefreak, where did you go?? I was worried. Yes, everything is going fine with me…very fine in fact. Hehe, I love GW too. Who's your fav, character? I'm a stickler for Heero and Duo…they're my favs!! I also adore 1xR…even if she can be a little annoying on the anime. And you'll just have to wait and find out if there'll be a show down or not…wait and see…

jenny644443855: Hello fellow African-American!! And I don't see the suffering ending for a while, do you?? Thanks for the review!!

Dark Angel 0013: Now you know my friend…they've turned against each other…comfort is no longer and option...thanks for the review!!

Wicked Enough: Ha! Yes, I am like a drug dealer…try and keep `em coming back for more and I've captured you!! BWAHAHAHA!!! Put that in your pipe and smoke it!! And I thank you for taking the risk of your parent's wrath to start reading. I hope you've enjoyed it so far!! And you're not better than me…actually I should be worshipping the ground that you walk on!! *bows to Wicked* Bless me o' holy one!!

Thanks to everyone who took the time to review!! I love ya!!

LOOK OUT FOR MY NEXT CHAPTER!! ONWARD TO TOKYO!!!!!!