Cyborg 009 Fan Fiction ❯ Ante Mortem ❯ Chapter Eleven ( Chapter 12 )

Ante-Mortem

By: Wildfire Sky

Ah!! I beg of you, forgive me for taking so long!! Forgive me!! If you must know what I've been doing these past few weeks, I've been concentrating on school. Finals are coming up and I have to make sure all of my grades are up to par…in fact, I wouldn't be surprised if I posted this until after schools out (btw, if you're wondering why I have these sudden time lapses between the beginning and the end, well that's because I do. Consider this my on line journal sort to speak!).

Anyways, I feel it's time for the fic!! All aboard the Fanfic Express!! Whooo!! Whooooo!!

AN: We're now following Joe around for a moment, focusing on him and Diablo. Don't worry, Francoise and the others will make occasional appearances, but for right now, the next few chapters are about Joe (Mumei) and his struggles in Tokyo…enjoy!!

Ante-Mortem

Chapter Eleven

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The sun was beginning to kiss the sky when Mumei stepped out from below deck, stretching with the morning. The orange and red skies welcomed him graciously, gently touching his face with their warm colors. The sun beamed across the ocean, silently gliding over the fishing boat's deck.

Mumei scratched the back of his head, wiping the sleep from his tired eyes. He'd had a good rest last night…a wonderful dream about a woman with golden hair and deep, blue eyes. She seemed so real…so familiar…almost like his guardian angel. But if only he could meet her…

"Morning Mumei!" came a cheerful voice from behind as Min stepped out on to the deck. In the week Mumei had been on this ship, he'd learned to distinguish Min from his younger brother, Tai. In his own opinion, he liked Min better…he seemed more open than his brother did. Min approached Mumei, a smile plastered on his face as he flipped the ear ring in his left ear carelessly.

"Nice dawn ain't it?" he asked, standing next to Mumei and leaning on the rail, "Dawns like this always show up after a bad storm, but three days in a row? That's gotta be a record of some sort!"

Mumei grunted in response, his fingers drumming against the hollow railing. Min observed the silent boy next to him, a tiny grin crossing his face. He handed the boy one of the canisters he clutched in his hands, "You want some coffee kiddo?"

Mumei's red eyes glanced over at the bottle, a skeptical look coming over his face. Min's smile grew and he took a long swig from the offered canister, "Don't worry, it's not poisoned, see?"

The boy reached out, taking the drink from Min's offering hand, "Thank you…" he mumbled into the lid, bring it to his lips. The hot liquid slid down his throat, burning his tongue. He jerked the bottle from his mouth, a pained look crossing his face, "It's hot!!"

Min laughed, "Of course it's hot!! Oh yea, I forgot that you're new here. Until you can get used to it, sip slowly. I can gulp the shit down because…well, because I'm just one crazy son of a bitch!"

He laughed, taking another drink. Smacking his lips he winked at the younger boy, "I can tell by the look on your face that you don't trust me very much…"

Mumei's head shot up, his eyes wide with shock, "Wh…no, that's not it…"

"Aw don't sweat it, kid!" Min exclaimed, throwing an arm around the stunned boy, "I understand perfectly! And who can blame you? You came from somewhere out there," he motioned across the sea dramatically, "Found in the midst of a storm brewed by the Devil himself, and you survived it…not knowing who you are or where you came from…no idea who your parents are…" Min lowered his head a fraction, a beaten look taking over his posture. He slumped slightly, a dead sigh escaping from his lips.

"I understand where you're coming from, kiddo…" he said quietly, "Tai and I lost our parents too…murdered by the Nagasuki and his Red Samurai, damn him."

Mumei blinked, "They were murdered?"

"Right before my eyes…" Min's arm slid from around Mumei, falling limp at his side, the black coffee spilling from the open lid and on to the deck. He chuckled slowly, his eyes dazed and clouded, "Heh. Would ya look at that? Aw damn it…now I gotta clean that shit up…"

Mumei began to get nervous, but his curiosity got the better of him, "How…how were they murdered, Min?"

Min ignored him, instead chucking the now empty container into the sea. He turned, glaring at Mumei, "Hey, boy, go get a mop and clean this up for me…I'm gonna go get a drink."

"Huh?" the boy said, confused, "But…but you made the mess!"

Min's face contorted into fierce anger. He lashed out, snatching up the front of Mumei's shirt and jerking the boy close to his face. "Goddamn you boy!! I said go get a fucking mop and clean this shit up! Don't make me tell you twice!"

He flung Mumei across the deck, the boy colliding against a barrel full of rotted bait. The container toppled over, dumping its contents on top of a stunned Mumei. Min's anger face turned to that of worry as he quickly strode over, helping Mumei to his feet, "Hey, hey!! I'm sorry, kiddo; I didn't mean to lose my temper like that…"

Mumei flinched and he was pulled to his feet, Min's eyes scanning his body for injuries. He pulled his arm away from the man's tight grasp, managing a weak smile, "It's…it's ok. Why don't you go below and rest? I'll clean this up."

Min blinked, stepped back from Mumei, "Arigato, Mumei…gomen nasai." Min turned away, quickly striding through the control room and down into the belly of the ship.

Mumei watched him go before letting out a sigh. He gazed around at the mess before reaching for a mop, "I better get started…"

"Don't worry about it, kid," Said a deep, gruff voice, "The sea'll take care of it eventually."

Mumei ignored the man, and began to mop up the spilt coffee, "No, I should clean it up, taii…it was my fault…"

Sotomo snorted, snatching the mop away from Mumei's busy hands, "Hardly. Min and Tai both get that way whenever someone brings up their past. Naturally, Min's a lot worse than Tai, considering the circumstances."
Mumei looked up at the bearded man, "What do you mean, taii?"

"How many times do I have to tell you to call me Soto?" the captain said, ruffling Mumei's hair. His face turned grave, his hand coming to a rest, "It would do you go not to mention Min's parents…ever. That is unless you want another taste of what happened to you today."

The boy quickly shook his head and Soto nodded in approval, "Good. Now, Mumei, what I going to tell you is for your own good…never, I mean never talk to anyone outside of this ship about this."

"What is it, Sotomo?" Mumei asked, curiosity overcoming him.

Soto sat down on a barrel, staring down at Mumei, and began his narrative, "As you're probably well aware of, Min and Tai's parents were viciously murdered by the Red Samurai, when both were very young. Min wasn't a day over ten when they came knocking at their door in the middle of dinner. Min's father had gotten up to answer it, never knowing that his life and the lives of his family were in danger. Their mother heard his screams and immediately hurried Min and Tai into a closet, locking them inside only moments before the Samurai came of her.

"Tai had turned away into a corner of the closet, covering his ears while Min watched, horrified as the men took his mother and raped her again and again before finally silencing her cries with their damn blades!"

Soto shook his head, "Those two were lucky…Nagasuki's men wanted only to kill their father and have their way with their mother…and may the bastards rot in hell for it too!"

Mumei blinked, "So the samurai never found Tai and Min? They just forgot about them?"

Sotomo shook his head, "They were too drunk and spent to kill them, so they simply beat them, tied and gagged them, and left them tied to a pier in the water for the elements to take care of." Soto sighed, bowing his head, "When I found `em, Tai was out cold and Min was half dead. At the time only Kinto was part of my crew and I was a new face on the sea. We took them to the hospital where they were cared for. The police had come, asking questions, but Min was too tired to answer anything and even when fully recovered, he refused to speak to anyone about it. Neither had any family, so the moment they were released I took them on board with me, trying to give them a new start at life…"
Mumei looked at the deck, "Like you did with me…"

Soto nodded, lighting a cigarette and bringing it to his lips, "Umm hum." He cracked open an eye, staring down at Mumei, "You want a smoke?"

"No thank you." Mumei said politely, "I don't smoke."

"Good for you," Sotomo said, "These cancer sticks'll kill ya. Don't believe that bullshit about how they'll make you look cool. My lungs are so fucked from puffing on these things all my life, I surprised I haven't keeled over yet!" he let out a gruff laugh, "Yep. If the sea doesn't take me someday, these will!"

Mumei then realized that Soto was through talking about Min's past life. He stood up, bowed slightly at the old captain, "May I go below deck, sir?"

"Of course!" Soto exclaimed with a grin, "You don't need my permission to do that! Remember, kid, this place is your home now. You can go anywhere you want, so long as it's not my room!" He laughed again; taking another pull at the cigarette, "In fact, while you're down there, get the rest of those lazy sons of bitches up and at 'em! We've got a full day ahead of us!"

Mumei nodded before turning at hurrying down the staircase. Soto watched him out of the corner of his eye. Yep. The kid would do just fine…

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Mumei maneuvered the squirming bundle of fish over the slick deck of the fishing boat, tugging at the rope until it was positioned above the large double doors installed in the deck. Tai and Kinto were positioned next to it, awaiting the sack to push it in to position; the doors wide open like a mouth waiting to be feed. Min watched carefully until the net was situated before pulling on of the long levers on his control panel, halting the nettings journey.

"Alright now, Min," Kinto said waving a hand over his head, "Let it go!"

Min hit a large green button and half of the netting dropped loose, the fish pouring out into the storage room, smacking against the blocks of ice. The other fishermen waiting inside the ice room rushed forward, scooping the fish up in large shovels and shoving them into ice packed shelves to keep them fresh.

"Oi! Mumei!" Kinto shouted over the noise of the thrumming crane, "Get over on the other side and bring up net two!"

Mumei nodded silently, hurrying across the deck, his rubber boots slapping on the wet wood. He waited patiently, his net hook at the ready. Min swung the rope closer and Mumei reached out with the hook, catching it and bringing to his fingertips. The thick cord grasped in his gloved hands, Mumei nodded at Min who flipped a second lever. The fishing boat shuddered slightly as the crane worked to bring up the massive net filled with flopping, gasping fish. To Mumei it was the most fish he'd ever seen, but the other fishermen seemed depressed by the site.

Sotomo came out from the radio house, striding over to Kinto, his eyes instinctively scanning the deck for any hazards. He puffed at a cigarette clasped between his lips, scratching at his short beard.

"Kinto," he said softly, staring at him through one eye pointedly, "You know that you shouldn't be out here messing around with these damn fish. You ought to be resting…"

Kinto ignored the captain, calling over to Min, "Easy there, Min…not to fast now…"

Min rolled his eyes at the comment, moving the levers with practiced expertise. Soto crossed his arms, frowning.

"Kinto…you need to rest. You're wounds still aren't fully healed yet!"

Kinto sighed, finally meeting Soto's eyes, "The crop is low, Soto…fishing grounds are dry as a well. Just look, the nets are half full."

"Naw," Min snickered, "I'd say they're half-empty!!"

"Shut it, Min."

Soto chuckled, placing a warm hand on the first-mate's shoulder, "Alright, Kinto, I can't keep you from your life…I understand." He turned, glancing at Mumei, "How's the kid doing?"

Kinto followed the captain's gaze, watching as the young boy began to pull the dripping sack across the deck. "He's a fast learner and a damn good worker. Better than any of these slobs…"

"And how does the crew feel about him?"

"Love him like a brother," Kinto said with a smirk, "He fits right in."

"Well that's good," Sotomo said with a slight nod, "He needs to feel at home here."

Kinto glanced at the older man, "So you plan on keeping him?"

Smoke rolled around Soto's head, "You sound like he's some sort of lost puppy that followed me home."

"Isn't he?"

"Of course not." Soto flung the butt of his cigarette into the sea, pulling out another from his pack, "To me, I feel like the gods were telling me something when I found him caught in my nets. This boy had a purpose…he was sent to me for a reason. What that reason is…hell if I know."
Kinto sighed, "Well what are we going to do with him once we reach Japan? If things are still sour there, he'll be in danger."

Soto puffed at his cancer stick for a moment. He pulled it from his mouth and flicked the end of it, the warm ashes falling to the deck, "If I know anything, it's that that fat prick of a man never forgets a debt…never. Mumei will have to be put some where safe…perhaps an orphanage.

"An orphanage?" Kinto echoed, "Are you sure about that?"

"Of course I am! It's not like anything bad happens at an orphanage!"

Kinto snorted in disbelief, "What about the murder of that priest awhi---"

Suddenly the entire boat lurched to one side, throwing the men to the deck. Tai and Kinto slammed down onto the hard wood, Sotomo managing to catch himself on the rail before he was thrown down as well.

"Look out!"

Soto looked up in time to see the net fall from the iron grip of the crane, crashing down onto the deck, the fished flopping and spinning across the slick planks. Soto pushed himself away from the railing, stumbling over to where Kinto lay face down.

"Are you two alright?"

Tai groaned in response and Kinto sat up, rubbing his forehead, "Goddamn! What the hell was that??"

Sotomo frowned in reply, "No idea. Min! Did the crane malfunction?"

Before Min could answer, there was a sharp cry of: "Shark!!"

Instantly, Soto eyes were on the deck, sweeping it for any signs of the sea predator. There was a high scream to his left, and Soto's head whipped around. There on the deck was a thirty foot hammerhead shark, its body spasming and jerking on the ground as it struggled to make its way back into the sea.

The screaming Yangsu had been kicking at the shark when he'd shoved his foot right into the creature's mouth where it clamped down on it. The panicked Yangsu was now fiercely kicking at the shark, struggling to free his leg.

"Ah! Taii!! Taii Soto help me!"

Sotomo rushed over, holding down Yangsu and trying to calm him, "Quiet man! Be quiet, you're only making things worse!"

Yangsu looked at him and commenced screaming, "But it has my fucking leg!! Ahhh!!"

"Will you shut the hell up!?" Min yelled, more scared for his friend than the shark.

Kinto rushed over, a spear gun in his hands, "Will you hold him still, Soto? I don't want to accidentally hit him and not the shark!"

Soto promptly cracked his fist across Yangsu's jaw, dropping the man where he sat. Almost instantly the shark released him, no longer interested in the limp prey as much as it was on getting back into the sea. Soto maneuvered behind its head and began to push it towards an opening in the railing.

"Help me, damn it all!" he shouted at his men, "I can't move this thing by myself!"

The fishermen gathered around the shark, pushing with poles and grunting until at last the monstrous beast fell into the dark sea with a splash. It looked at them through its beady black eyes before taking off into the deep with a swish of its tail.

Kinto leaned back against the rail, catching sight of Yangsu's sprawled body. He chuckled lightly, nudging Soto with his elbow, "Hey? You think we should wake him up?"

"Naw," Soto said, with a sigh of content, "Let the poor bastard sleep for a while…I think he nearly pissed his pants with that one!"

The two shared in their silent laughter as the rest of the men set about cleaning up the mess around them and moving Yangsu's unconscious form below deck. Mumei stood off to the side, silently mopping the deck of blood as he listened to his captain talk. The sight of blood sickened him…but it also made him remember…

Long ago…something had happened…but he just couldn't remember who…or what had happened…

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Diablo watched Nagasuki carefully, his eyes narrowed in suspicion. The fat Japanese drug lord leaned back against his sofa, a cigar clasped between his lips once again. The cyborg killer stared at the beefy man, his calm mask hidden the fury behind it. This...buffoon, was about to destroy everything!! How could he...how the hell was it possible!?

"You're telling me that you never found him?" Diablo snarled, his hand itching the draw the gun at his side, "Were your men even at the docks?"

Nagasuki snorted in contempt, "Please, master Diablo, my men are ruthless, efficient killers. If he was there, we would have found him. Perhaps it was you who gave us the wrong information."

"Unlikely." Diablo snapped, stiffening, "It's impossible for me to make a mistake."

Nagasuki blinked before letting out a gruff laugh. He huge body shook like gelatin as his massive stomach rolled up and down his body. The gang leader reached for some sake, pouring himself a glass and chuckling. The man brought the cup to his lips, staring over the rim at the frozen Cuban.

"What, are you some sort of inhuman robot?" he teased, "I would never boast to such a thing, although I have more than enough right to." He quickly downed the wine, turning and bellowing out, "Food! Bring me more food!" before turning back to Diablo. "My friend, if a mistake were made, I assure you, you'd be the first to know about it."

Diablo snorted, "Then why is it that I had to find out about the target's sudden 'disappearances' myself?"

"Complete miscommunication. We obviously need a way to contact you, sir."

Diablo frowned slightly, "I gave you all the information you need."

"No," Nagasuki said, opening his mouth to accept a grape from his servant, "What you specifically told me was that you would come to us when the time came...probably more of your bullshit."

Nagasuki snapped his large fingers and two gang members came up behind him, their hands on the hilts of their swords. The fat gang lord smirked, "I've grown suspicious of you, my friend...all of this nonsense is beginning to rack my nerves and I'll not allow such a thing!! This mystery boy of yours has been causing me more money than problems!" he leaned forward, scrutinizing the Cuban, "Do you realize how much it costs me to send a group of men to those docks around the clock and keep them there? Thousands! Thousands!!"

Diablo shrugged, "Maybe if you did it right the first time..."

Nagasuki crushed his sake bottle beneath his smashing hand, glaring at the cyborg, "Don't you even presume to lecture me, boy! I am master of Tokyo, or have you forgotten that? With a wave of my hand I could have a bastard like you silenced forever...your family wiped out in an instant!"

"Please," Diablo growled, standing to his full height, "Your men would be dead long before they drew their swords."

Suddenly, one of Nagasuki's bodyguards grunted, collapsing to his knees and clutching his throat. The other looked on in horror as a agonizing scream ripped from the man's throat, viciously cut off as his entire body seemed to collapse in on itself, thick rivers of blood sliding across the floor from the mutilated corpse. Diablo slowly moved to the side, avoiding the streams of blood.

Nagasuki looked back and forth between Diablo and the dead man, "Wh...what the hell did you just do?"

Diablo met his stare, his eyes cold, "The same thing that will happen to you, should you fail me." He turned on his heel, "Find the boy and bring him to me! That's final!"

The shadows behind the curtains moved swiftly and Diablo instantly found himself surrounded by the stiff forms of Nagasuki's killers, each sword pointed at his throat. Diablo observed the men carelessly, his eyes glinting dangerously.

"If you value the lives of your men, call them off."

Nagasuki snorted, "Your confidence is pathetic, boy...but I like that in a man. I'll tell you what, join my forces, and I'll continue searching for the target as well as allow you to keep your head. This is the only offer I'm given you, take it or leave it!"

Diablo's eyes shifted slightly, considering what the fat bastard was saying...if he wanted to complete his mission, he needed this man's help...but at the same time, it was important that he remain in charge of this operation and not let things stray further than they already have. He chewed the inside of his lips slowly, a habit that Black Ghost was never able to fully dispel from his system. Perhaps joining the Red Samurai would help him...he could find the boy, maintain some control, and it would be easier to finally slit Nagasuki's flabby throat when the time came.

He smiled grimly, his head slowly turning to stare at the Japanese man. Nagasuki shivered involuntarily at the eerie grin that crossed Diablo's lips. A shadow hung over the mysterious man as he stepped forward, the samurai on either side backing away cautiously. Diablo feel eyelevel with Nagasuki, winking slyly.

"I accept."
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Forgive me!! Forgive me!! Forgive me!! I beg of you, do not hurt me!! And don't blame me either. Come on, folks! I do have a life outside of writing fanfics all the time and that life is centered around school and work. I just finished finals, and my brain was fried!! Now I'm in the humidity of an indoor pool in the middle of the day, so my brain is practically jelly by the time I get home! SO GET OFF MY BACK!!

Sheesh!! Some of the emails I got were a tad rude to say the least. Sure didn't make me want to finish any earlier either!! So I turned away from this fic in protest of the comments, and worked on an Inuyasha fic for a while. If you don't like it, blame the bastard who decided to comment on my ETHNICITY.

WHAT DID I SAY IN THE VERY BEGINNING?!?!?

YOU COMMENT....

YOU DIE!!!

The son of a bitch was lucky I didn't hunt him down and take him out for what he said!! Grr...

Anyways, for those of you who actually show some RESPECT for people who are sometimes too busy to do much else, I will start updating sooner again. I just hope I didn't lose too many in my absence.

Oh yes, if there were a lot of errors through out, don't be surprised. I tried to get this out ASAP, so I didn't have the usual time to check over it. If it's really bad, I'll edit and post again with the next update. Which will be quicker, but I'm trying to make `em longer now. And folks, do me a fav, and check out Arcana Imperii...I'm getting hits, but not reviews, and it's pissing me off extremely!!

Oh yea!! It's everyone's favorite time again!! REVIEW RESPONCES!! YEAAY!!

GoldAngel2: I beg the most forgiveness from YOU. You are the one who's dedicated the most to this fic and...and I failed you!! *SOB* I'm so weak!! Did you really think the amnesia thing was a cliché? Damn it all to hell!! I wanted to try and avoid that...oh well, not much I can do about it now...And about Ishinomori...yea, that was a 'my bad'...I should have know that....

animefreak5483:I'm glad you think I deserve all of these reviews!! *Sigh* more than I'm getting for Arcana Imperii...I'm so ashamed...

TetsuoTsubushi:Personally, I really wouldn't mind being a cyborg...especially a shape shifting one!! I morph into Godzilla and go stomping around downtown Tokyo!! BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

jenny644443855:Yes ma'am!! I shall continue until either I die or this fanfic is OVER!!

Mika:EH?!? Your account was DELETED?!? Well get it back up quickly, quickly!! And no more candy...I was practicing being able to catch it in my mouth...

anna-angel2: Heyhey!! Pretty Mexico!! Of course I kept your message, why wouldn't I?? And I'm glad you're practicing your English, considering we're trying to take over the world it might come in handy...thanks for your international review!!

Holli:Another I beg for extreme forgiveness!! How can you even LOOK at me?!? Yes, that was pathetic; I know...thanks for the review!!

Dregonas:Rest child!! Rest up and then you shall read to your heart's content!!

Tale Weaver Cyborg:That's an interesting name...thanks for your EXCELLENT review!! Sometimes short and sweet is the best.

Wolfwood11:Well, don't gotta worry about school anymore do ya?!? Heck no!! Grrrr...don't remind me about the play...if I see that bitch next year I'm gonna rip out her fat heart and shove it down her flabby throat!! I'm glad the plot's not getting too confusing, although I'm beginning to fear it might...now I'm trying to juggle three different plot lines and try to tie them together in the end...*sigh*, wish me luck!

Fantasygirl:Sorry I took so long to update!! There, now we're both sorry people. Thanks for your review and I'm glad I could make your day better!!

M-X:What the hell is a WIPS?? Hey...a story about Jet and Francoise...GOOD IDEA!! ATTENTION EVERYONE!! YOUNG MASTER M-X HAS INSIPRED ME TO WRITE ANOTHER FANFIC CENTERING AROUND 002/003!! PLEASE LOOK FORWARD TO IT!! There you go, your fifteen minutes of fame.

...:That's the most interesting, original screen name I've ever seen. Congrats. And no, it shall not be discontinued...just like Ad Astra won't be, but I promised to finish this one first. And I shall.

Natalia:HOLY SHIT!! I'm goin' GOBAL here!! All the way from Argentina, damn!! Personally (and this is my little secret) I like getting international reviews because that means I'm actually reaching out to more than big, lazy Americans who have nothing better to do with their time and money!! (JK America). So thank you some much!! Tell others about me!! My goal is to get all the way to Russiaand back again!! Heh...maybe start an international section...

THANKS FOR ALL OF THE REVIEWS!!

WATCH OUT FOR MY NEXT CHAPTER!! It shall be longer...