The Kingdom of Heaven is not for the well-meaning: it is for the desperate. -James Denney
This page is going to be giving you my roleplaying talent on the forums. These are from both of the forums I manage (refer to Profile), and others. I am, at the moment, unable to give you the excerpts of the non-anime RPs for reasons that my hardwork on creating the excerpts on the other succeeding RPs after Get Backers has been lost. I will not be continuing these excerpts, but I will give you the link to the roleplay thread and the people and characters involved.
Tricia (Kyuzo) / Abbie (Katsushiro) Kyuzo stopped and turned back to the boy. He sighed. Why did he have to be so persistent? He walked back to him and stood a few inches away from him. Not that they were seeing each other eye to eye. "I'm not comfortable with conversations. You'll have to excuse me for that." He took a glance back up to the sky. A few more stars shone brightly. He heard footsteps from behind them. He turned his head to see behind him and saw Kanbei and Shichiroji approaching. Kyuzo looked back up. Shichiroji was first to arrive and slapped Kyuzo on the back. "Nice work." He cracked a smile over to the man. Kyuzo didn't return it. Shichiroji turned his attention down to the boy. "You, too. Still needs polishing, but good work." Kanbei was soon within earshot and gazed up at the sky as well. Finally... more people. Katsushiro gave a deep bow when Shichiroji complemented him for his work. It does mean a lot, after all, to have someone such as Shichiroji to even notice the effort that he's putting into their cause.. rusty, though it is. Kanbei-dono, however... "This unworthy one appreciates your kind words, Shichiroji-dono. Next time, this unworthy one shall remember them and use them in battle." Kyuzo couldn't help but avoid this gesture the boy was giving. A sign of gratitude, no doubt. He didn't quite hear what he said. He finally took his eyes off the sky and looked back to the other 3. "I'll visit Gorobei now. Shitsureishimasu." He gave a quick nod to them and turned on his heel and made his way towards the other side of the village. There, he found Heihachi and Kikuchiyo. Heihachi took notice of the man and waved a hand at him as he approached. Kikuchiyo did the same when he turned. "Kyu-kun! Come up here!" Kikuchiyo patted the earth beside him. Kyuzo declined and shook his head. "I'm fine here." There was a few inches between Heihachi and himself. He looked over to Gorobei's grave. A warrior died in battle. How many times has he seen this? "Maa, maa... That's not necessary, Katsushiro-kun." Shichiroji held up his hand, but the young boy ignored him anyway. It was better to be polite than to be branded an ungrateful heathen. He is, after all, samurai--a proud breed that can only be passed down through honor and blood. "We are now one less," Kanbei said, gazing up at the sky. "We cannot afford to slack this time around. We will not let the sun set on us unprepared." "Hai." Katsu obediently responded. If anything, to him, Kanbei-dono's world seemed to be ridden with riddles, metaphors, and allusions. But he is wise, nonetheless. Katsu often wondered if he should also speak in tongues to be considered to be of the same ilk as his sensei. "Indeed. But these people put up a fine fight; these are, however, not the last of the End of Days. For whom, we shall be the ones to decide, ne?" At least Shichiroji could speak in black and white... Glancing at the direction of Gorobei's grave, that empty feeling settled once again at the pit of his stomach, and he didn't like it at all. "His time was up, Katsushiro-kun. As will ours one day... some sooner than later." Yes, at least Shichiroji could speak in black and white... and all the grays in between. "Gorobei. It looks like you died without a purpose after all.." Kikuchiyo said. "I think Gorobei-san should be the one to decide that. After all, he was a samurai." "You're saying it like it was no big deal, Hei-kun." "Maa, maa.." Kyuzo stared at the grave and the sword that was implanted on the mount. One dies, the others live on. Soon enough, they would all be leading to death. The time was unknown, but he could feel it. But that is a Samurai, after all. "We wait until we plunge into battle again, na, Kyu-kun?" Kikuchiyo said, turning to the man in red and grinning. Kyuzo said nothing and to this, Kikuchiyo sighed and scratched the back of his head. "Ano na.." "We wait until we plunge into battle again.. Hmm. That thought would be irrelevant if I said we were being attacked again," Heihachi said thoughtfully. "What do you mean by that, Hei-kun?" "Because we are. Miteruyo." He pointed into the distance. Several new Nobuseri, Tobito, Owls and Kettles were swiftly making their way towards Kanna Village. Kikuchiyo got to his feet and brandished his sword, turning and running over to Kanbei and the others. "Hoy!!! Nobuseri are coming again!!!" "The second battle approaches." Kyuzo said, glancing over to their enemy before walking over to the rest with Heihachi beside him. Hoy!!! Nobuseri are coming again!!! Kikuchiyo's shrill mechanic holler rattled Katsushiro's nerves. Again? Shikatanai, ne? Battle was inevitable in these times, he should not be picky when it was going to happen. Unsheathing his sword, he sided up with Kikuchiyo whose ears were smoking like crazy. "Nothing in life is final, Kikuchiyo-dono. And I'm sure even in death, God still negotiates." He spared the mech a grin before hurrying off to cut down his first prey. Not too far away was Kyuzo, and inwardly, he was thankful that he was there. Kyuzo was busy killing or destroying everything in sight. No time for a second glance. His slashes were clean and precise, that much was obvious. No one can mistake him for his sword skill. After a few minutes, he finished what was in his way. He glanced around. Everybody seemed to be doing their share of the work. He gripped on his dual katana and surveyed the field. None of the Nobuseri were trying to escape, that much was good. Wait.. One of Lightning was retreating. When you go into battle, there is no 'retreat' possible. He dashed over to it. A gun was attached to its arm and turned back, aiming right at Kyuzo. It was a trap. Boom. One shot. Kyuzo jumped and avoided it. Upon reaching the ground, another one fired. No time to evade. He held up his katanas and concentrated. He kept a keen eye and slashed across the bullet. A big explosion. In just one second, he managed to shield his face with his arms before he was thrown into the air. The explosion and the debris of the bullet scattered, cutting deeply through both his arms. He fell flat on the ground, a trickle of blood falling from a cut on his temple. He tried to regain himself. Uneasily but surely, he rolled onto his stomach and got on his knees, using his swords for support. Parrying an attack to the left, Katsushiro focused on an opening and slashed, slicing through and across. As the body count mounted, the more Katsushiro's bloodlust sizzled. He could barely control himself, but had it not been for that deafening explosion somewhere from his right, he would not have noticed Kyuzo flying through the air only to land crash to the ground. "Kyuzo-dono!" But Katsushiro's attention could not be taken away from his own adversaries. Missing a beat now in this lethal dance would mean certain obliteration for him. He wanted to rush to his comrade, but the rain of Nobuseri just kept coming in. He had no other choice. Kyuzo managed to get on his feet and sensed around a dozen or so approaching. No time to lose. He quickly turned and sliced across one of the Kettles. This was definitely no time to relax. As much pain as his new wounds brought him, he set that aside to concentrate on the enemies at hand. He gripped a little harder on his katanas and dashed off to the nearest enemy. He stabbed and sliced everything around him with the speed of light or anything close to it. But something stung on his left hip, urging him to stop. Soon, his eyes were seeing double and everything began to grow blurry. After looking around him for any more signs of enemies - which he found were decreasing quite remarkably -, he took a quick glance down and noticed a stain of blood seeping through his coat. Not a good sign. But before he could think any further, he collapsed to the ground face first, releasing all grip from his dual katanas. The sounds of battle were lessening, which was a good sign all in all. "Kyuzo-dono!" Katsushiro practically flew towards his fallen comrades. 'To each their own my ass!' he reasoned with himself. Being a samurai, after all, did not mean being just one man. He obliterated everything that came his way, but in his haste, he risked his arm getting ripped off its socket by one of the nameless Kettles that glided viciously towards him. He made quick work of them, however, leaving them half-dead--he had more important things to attend to. Crouching down, he lifted Kyuzo's head to his lap. He was horrified and terribly worried that he might be dead. He looked for a pulse and eventually found one, much to his relief. Suddenly, somewhere very near, Shichiroji's kill exploded, and Katsushiro wrapped himself around Kyuzo as much as he can to protect him. On any other normal day, he didn't think the man would appreciate what he had done. Battle died down and what remained were killed off. The farmers were cheering as they left their houses and seeing the end of another blood fest. The others were relieved just as well, when all attention turned to Kikuchiyo. "Kyu-kun! Hoy! Shikaishero!" Kikuchiyo bellowed, kneeling down on Kyuzo's other side. The others approached. "He's not dead, is he?" Heihachi asked, looking down at the man. Kyuzo stirred, his head aching. He opened his eyes slightly to find a blurry vision still present in his state. Wake up, please... Wake up... When Kyuzo's eyes cracked open, Katsushiro could only do so much to keep himself from crying. He didn't, of course, and he knew his tears will be translated into a painful headache later. Like he cared. The important thing is that Kyuzo is alive--worse for wear, but alive. "No, he's not dead." He said to answer Kikuchiyo's insistent questions. He smiled down at Kyuzo, thanking whatever god was still up there that he was going to be okay. "We must hurry. We have to get him treated. NOW!"
Tricia (Sanzo) / Abbie (Hakkai) / Dai (Gojyo) First Hakkai and his unusual interest in smoking. Then Gojyo with an unwelcoming entrance that broke down his door. Pissed off as he was, he did retreat downstairs to the restaurant. He thought he would see Goku pigging out at one of the tables, but as he looked around, there wasn't a trace of the saru. Odd. Sanzo was curious. Whatever was the matter with that baka saru? He'd never give up eating just like that. Something was wrong. He could feel it. He was at the foot of staircase and pondered on this for a while before someone nearly knocked him off his feet from the stairs. He turned to see Gojyo. Kono ero kappa.. A vein was about to pop. "What do you want?" he asked coldly. "Well, excuse me! But the saru's missing! He left a few hours ago saying he wasn't wanted!" Gojyo shouted. He wanted all his anger out on Sanzo, whether he said it privately or in public. In any case, he was pleased with himself. "Your stupid antisocialness made him like this. Again." Gojyo continued, his voice rising slowly. Looking at Sanzo's face made him re-think things. Sanzo didn't show affections for Goku, but he still cared. So why didn't he see a change in him at all? Was Genjo Sanzo this cold? 'But the saru's missing!' Sanzo turned slowly to the door. Where the heck could he have gone? And in this weather, no less? Ano baka saru.. Without turning back to Gojyo, he marched up to the door and left the building. He was insane to be out in the rain looking for the saru. But it was probably just the sense of guilt riding on him. But the saru's missing! He left a few hours ago saying he wasn't wanted! 'Well, I tried, but not like he actually listens to me.' Hakkai huffed, putting out the cigarette with the heel of his shoe. He stood up and took a long drag of fresh air. 'I'm not smoking again for the next thirty years, I think.' he said to himself, then went out the door to face the chaos that is waiting for him. ...or supposed to have been waiting for him. "Gojyo," he said, stopping in his tracks when he wasn't greeted by the usual screamfest between the red head and the priest. "Please tell me Sanzo didn't just go out to look for Goku..." Gojyo turned to Hakkai when he had descended the staircase. "Ah. Ano bimbo bozui. In any case, we might as well be off looking for them, right?" Gojyo had a gleam in his eye that he usually gave whenever he didn't want to do things. But it was Hakkai he was trying to fool. He'd half-hoped he would bite. Sanzo was walking in rain. Typical. That was all he needed. His robes were soaked. He had no idea where to look. It was obvious that Goku found a good hiding spot, or else he would have sensed his presence by now. It was instinct. He sensed the saru, so it wasn't probably going to be hard trying to find him. The rain was definitely ceasing. That much was enough for Sanzo to leave some doubt aside of finding the saru. He could see better. That was all that mattered. "Is that really supposed to convince me that you're actually -willing- to look for them? C'mon, you can do better than that." Little escapes Hakkai's watchful eye, after all. And not like he didn't know Gojyo was one lazy cockroach. Looking out through the open door, Hakkai mournfully sighed. "I tried to tell him, even if I knew he wouldn't care. Maybe it's time he did, ne?" This was insane. Looking for a saru like Goku would ruin his entire day and purpose. But he couldn't turn back now. He was looking for Goku and that was it. No one was allowed to tell him otherwise. Whoever crossed him now would feel the wrath of his gun. Case closed. Sanzo walked across the streets, looking here and there. What a stupid thing he was doing. He promised himself he'd kill the saru if he saw him. Gojyo sighed. Hakkai won. As usual. Like he even bothered to try. He scratched the back of his head in frustration. "Ano bimbo bozui. He never listens. But fine, let's go. I hate to see him soaked in this weather. When we get back, I'll force him to eat no matter what!" Gojyo made his way to the door, his half-finished cigarette still between his lips. Hakkai shook his head and chuckled. Of course. Typical Gojyo. He makes everybody think he's a toughie, untouchable, a lady-killer. But essentially, he's not as severe as he puts on, and definitely not as stone-cold as Sanzo can get sometimes. Well, he doesn't know about the "lady-killer" part, though. He'd known the man long enough to have seen proof. "Gojyo!" he called before the redhead could get too far and threw an umbrella in his direction. "We better split up. You look for Sanzo, I'll look for Goku," If they haven't found each other yet. "And I won't have anybody sick while I'm around." Sanzo was still moving. That was a good sign, at least. Normally he'd stop and give up right there. But something made him keep going. Like an invisible force willing him to find Goku at any costs. He was heading out into the forest. Odd. He never thought he'd go so much out of course. But he pushed on. Ch'. Ano baka saru. Koro suzu. he cursed as he walked along the path amidst the trees. Soon enough, he'd be faced with danger, he had no doubt of that. Gojyo complied. Not like he had any other choice. He took the umbrella and opened it up, holding it above his head. He looked around for any sign of the bozu. The color of the man's robes would've been distinguishable among the crowd, but there was no sign of him. "Sanzo!" he hollered casually. He wasn't really up to looking for him, so he asked around. Some say he passed by earlier. Another said he went into the forest. Now that wasn't good. He picked up the pace and hastened over to the forest path. He wasn't that stupid to go in here, would he? Goku was supposed to be somewhere in town for all he knew, he thought, looking down to the ground. Fresh footprints. No doubt, it was Sanzo's. Only a single pair was there in the mud. He followed in pursuit. Sanzo walked deeper into the forest, not caring at all if his boots were all muddy. He felt this sense of duty that had to be carried out. In any case, he was making good time. Although, he didn't really know where was now. Lack of sleep was finally affecting his progress. Damn it. His eyelids slightly dropped, and eventually, he was starting to feel the rush of wind hit his face. He needed to stay awake. If he fainted now, he would regret having come to the forest looking for Goku. It was the saru's fault, anyway. But soon enough, he fell to the ground - which was grass now - and dozed off, having taken something more than a collapse due to lack of sleep.. He followed the footprints. It was like hunting down a murderer. Half of that was true. He arrived at a grass terrain and saw a figure spread out on it. No way.. He rushed over to see that it was Sanzo. Strange that he was here taking a nap. But judging from his position, he collapsed. Part of him thought the bozu deserved it. He was right thinking Sanzo didn't get one ounce of sleep during his three day isolation. He had no choice. He took the priest by the wrist and pulled him up, adjusting and putting one of Sanzo's arms around his neck as his free arm held Sanzo's waist. He held the umbrella in his free hand as they made their way back out. What the hell was he doing way out here? "Goku!" Hakkai hollered, which he found a bit foolish condering how the din of the pelting rain muffled his cries. He tried it again, hell if he didn't try. He let his feet mandate his wanderings, and when his brain caught up, he realized that he was nearing the forest. No way... Why did they -always- have to end up in a forest, of all places? He'd been through enough to know that forests were never his ideal battle ground, should anything happen. They'd been attacked, marauded, ambushed, lost, chased, and god knows what else inside shadowy patches of the landscape like this. Oh well, not like he had any choice. And his gut was screaming at him to just go in there. He looked down, hoping to find footprints, but there didn't seem to be any; if there were, it would have been eroded by rain already. "Goku, you better be okay. Or else Sanzo will have our heads." Gojyo retraced his steps out of the forest. It proved much more demanding with the priest's weight on his side. He was near the entrance when he saw Hakkai. He walked up to him. "I found him somewhere deep in the forest. He collapsed, by the looks of things. Didn't catch a cold. But a fever, I don't know. Taku! Have you found Goku? Here, I'll look for him." He paused and handed Sanzo over to Hakkai. He didn't know what came over him. But he turned and ran back into the forest with the umbrella over his head. Hakkai wavered for a while before he found his equilibrium again. He arranged themselves in such a way that walking wouldn't be much of a burden with the priest hanging from his shoulders.. all that while holding up an umbrella for both of them. The look on Sanzo's face didn't signal any drastic measures... yet. Hakkai regretted the decision of leaving Hakuryu behind, then again who'd keep an eye out for Goku when he gets home? Of all the luck... Hauling an unconscious Sanzo wasn't all that bad, but it wasn't easy either. Hakkai was sure that if Sanzo had any say in the matter, he'd give the brunette a good beating--if not a few bullet holes to the chest. Regardless, it wasn't like he had any choice, he could -feel- Sanzo's fever right through his wet clothes. "Three days, and the first time you try to get out, you end up back here again." Hakkai murmured, placing a damp cloth to Sanzo's forehead. He heard a small groan but chose to ignore it. Better Sanzo complaining about being fussed over rather than a dead one. Sanzo gets a fever. What a day. First the saru goes missing, and then the bozu gets sick. Gojyo would hope to find Goku before anything else happened. If Goku knew Sanzo was sick, he'd come running back, won't he? He tried it. "Goku! Sanzo's sick, so get your ass back there!" Gojyo screamed. Nothing. For a moment, that is. A rustle in the bushes was heard nearby before the saru come jumping out. "What?! Sanzo's sick!" he screamed, running up to Gojyo and clenching him by the shirt, shaking him frantically. "Yes. He. Is. So. Let's. Get. Back. Already," Gojyo said all the while he was being shook. Goku stopped and ran back towards the village, abandoning Gojyo, who turned around. "Taku. Ano baka saru.." He sighed and followed after him. Bursting in on Sanzo's door only meant a disturbance on Sanzo's part of getting better. The river. I can feel the flow of the water. Sound and silence emanate from it. First there was darkness. Then there was the light. Komyo Sanzo, his master. The dream from which he awoke was all the more painful. His vision was focused on the ceiling and lingered over to Hakkai. What little he saw of Sanzo's purple eyes through the scant crack in his eyelids gave Hakkai hope. Pushing away the tendrils of golden hair that stuck to his face, the brunette forced a smile--it was for the monk's benefit for the most part, anyway. He could be delirious for all Hakkai knew, but aggravating his condition by showing signs of weakness is not what Hakkai was aiming for. "You're so reckless..." He gave him a cold look, but it didn't seem effective in his current state. "Mind your own business.." His voice was weaker, too. Just great. This fever brought him trouble as usual. And that wasn't the worst part. What was worse was that he always took on a fever whenever times like this came popping up during their journey. Hakkai was right there, smiling. Not like it was sincere. He hated it. Sanzo wasn't one to be thought lightly, or to be considered weak in these situations. It was just not him. Showing signs of weakness would not be an option. He opted to sit up, but he knew Hakkai would force him back down. Instead, his eyes, just barely visible through his eyelids, scanned the room. Goku and Gojyo weren't there. That was a relief. But now he had an uneasy feeling, and it was coming closer. The door burst open. He'd've thought it was the ero kappa again, but he was mistaken. It was the baka saru. He didn't scream or say anything. He was soaking wet and muddy as he entered. Goku was surely hiding in the forest. His clothes were torn and he was a complete mess. Gojyo later appeared at the door, out of breath. All he wanted was some peace. And then Goku had to leave and this happened. Pathetic. He closed his eyes and tried to will everything away. He was too tired to move anymore. Strength failed him with his three day hunger strike. Gojyo was panting. He was too late. But what a scene it was. He didn't expect this. Sanzo wasn't sitting up and pointing his gun menacingly. Goku wasn't putting on a face. Hakkai wasn't trying to stop things. Sanzo was sprawled on the bed with a wet cloth on his forehead. Hakkai was forcing a smile. Goku said nothing and kept silent. He walked into the room and put a hand on Goku's head, ruffling his hair. "Now why'd you go and run off like that, kono chibi saru?" He kept his voice normal. Still, there was silence. Strange, indeed. He looked over to Hakkai for some support in the matter. He wasn't really expecting Sanzo to be so passive about the issue, but in his current state, there was to be no contention. He knew that Sanzo saw right through him--putting up a face wasn't exactly one of Hakkai's strong points. If it managed to not slip through the many cracks of his smilng mask, his real emotions would, unfortunately, show in his eyes. And with that alone, he was an open book for anyone to read. So easy, in fact, that a half-delirious, bed-ridden monk--had he been a lot better--could see without even looking... and would take the opportunity to wipe that smile off his face. Shikatanai, ne? When Goku--in all his muddy, rain-soaked glory--came bursting into the room, Hakkai had half the mind to scold him, but instead he figured that Sanzo would give him that soon enough. But that look in Gojyo's face was unmistakeable: what the hell is going on? "Well, then. I think I'm up for some sake downstairs. Care to join me, Gojyo?"
Tricia (Ban) (Dr. Jackal) / Abbie (Kazuki) (Juubei) (Sakura) / Dai (Ginji) Ban stopped short. He knew that Kazuki knew what was going on. Splitting up would mean either more comfort but more chances of an ambush. He didn't want to risk it. But then again, splitting up might be the best way to deal with this for now. He closed his eyes and adjusted his violet shades with his middle finger. "Fine. At the next intersection, we split up. Zoo Boy and Himiko go with Kazuki. Dr. Jackal comes with me and Ginji." He knew he put Ginji into his worst fear with this decision. But the only way to keep Dr. Jackal pleased was to have him go with them. He knew for a fact that they were the reason Dr. Jackal accepted these kinds of jobs. Dr. Jackal smiled to himself when he turned to face Ban. That was a smart move. If Ban said that he would be going with another group without them he would leave them behind and follow Ban and Ginji, anyway. He was intruiged by the Get Backers' powers so much he wanted to see anything else that he could use to his advantage if the situation called for any fighting. In any case, they moved forward. Ginji was sweating profoundly again and reverted to his chibi form. What was Ban thinking? Why did he have Dr. Jackal go with them? Much to his relief that he and Ban weren't going to be separated, Dr. Jackal made the concoction a tad bit explosive. But Ban had his reasons. He crept up back to his post on Ban's shoulders as they continued forward. Ban was his security blanket. His shield. It kept him safe from Dr. Jackal. "Very well." Kazuki steered towards the left, and let Ban's group take the right. According to the map, the intersection wasn't that far ahead. He was rather impressed at Ban's insticts, putting himself with Ginji and Dr. Jackal and all. He knew they would make not only a good defense, but it would also increase their odds in terms of security. Collectively, at least. Besides, Kazuki knew Ban just coudn't leave Ginji with that man. Who knows what psychological torture Dr. Jackal was capable of. He was getting apprehensive with every step they progressed; there was something waiting for them out there, individually or by the pack. But not like it made such a big difference, since everything in the city was pre-fabricated already. All they had to do was follow what this "fate" was leading them to. And he knew they were still watching. For exactly whose amusement were they putting themselves up for, he wondered? When they reached the intersection, he turned to Ban. "We'll have no way of communicating, and from what I understand, we will be meeting up again soon. Don't take too long now, ne?" Ginji nodded and replied for Ban. "Don't worry about us, Kazuki! We'll be fine! Even with him-" he gestured to Dr. Jackal. "-we'll be okay. See you guys later, all right?" And they were off in their own path. Funny that Ban was so relaxed during this type of situation. It was either that or he was endlessly thinking about what was about to happen and didn't want to share any of his thoughts. Ban was smart for opting not to. Who knows who'd be listening. "They've split up, but Dr. Jackal is with Mido Ban and the Thunder Emperor. Not like we calculated. Gomen nasai." "Oh don't fret about it, Sakura. Sooner or later he will be separated from the rest of the pack. Or we will do it for him." Turning back to the monitors - one following Ban and the other, Kazuki - Sakura cranked her head to one side, taking away the tension building in her neck. At one point, she saw her brother peering rather intently at the monitor, and she smiled. "Jubei, he's not going anywhere, you know. Well, not anywhere we can't find him." Ban was uncomfortable. First they split up, then he gets themselves stuck with Dr. Jackal. Great. As much as intellect was in him, he knew for a fact that whoever was watching them sure had their plans set up. He glanced over to Dr. Jackal beside him. Did it involve him? Dr. Jackal was getting excited. Finally, some fun. He could only wait for the right moment to stray off, if they ran into enemy territory, which Ginji was so popular with finding. "Kazuki, are you okay?" Shido. "Un. I'm quite alright. Is there something wrong?" "You tell us, Kazuki. You don't seem like yourself today." "Really, Himiko-san, I apologize. I will try my best to lead us out of here as fast as I can." Shido's eyebrows furrowed with concern. "Kazuki..." But the moonflower only smiled back at him and treaded on. Ginji looked at Ban. He definitely was acting differently from before. Was it because of Dr. Jackal? He took a costly glance at the cloaked man. Definitely scary. Look away from him. He looked down at Ban again. "Uhh, Ban?" He had a blank expression on his face. He was either thinking or trying not to think too hard. Ginji could see that much. "Don't talk." Ban hushed him quite quickly. He sensed something. Finally, a change in the wind. Some enemies to deal with. At least now, this mission wasn't going to be too dull as he thought. "Finally, we get some action in our hands. Ginji, get off me and let's finish this quickly!" The enemies came forward. Some were holding guns, the others were charging up at them. Ban and Ginji took a headstart. Dr. Jackal smiled. Now was his time for fun. He took out his scalpels and rushed forward toward the pack. One by one, he disposed of the enemies and their guns with slashes from his scalpels. Clean cut. How much fun was this? Kazuki held out an arm in front of Himiko and stopped. His eyes turned into feral slits as every moment passed, the uneasy feeling in his gut hitting dead center. That -something not right- was coming for them. And fast. "Gun powder." Shido whispered as he and Kazuki herded around Himiko to protect her. She was a lady, after all, even if she -was- one of the Last Children and just as deadly as them both. "Yes. And those aren't from Infinity City." His hold on his cat bells tightened. If anything, the bullets will come first before the guns--his first concern is how to buffer them. And that was the easy part. Sure enough, they came--six gunmen, three from each side--and Kazuki's strings came flying out of his bells with ease, wrapping one like a insect caught in a spider's web, and another got cut right across his face. He felt no remorse now, he had never felt remorse for those he had brought down. Meanwhile, Shido and Himiko were dealing with their own share of the pack, and brought them down simultaneously. "Everybody all right?" His companions nodded at him. "These definitely won't be the last of them," Shido said, crouching down to glare at one of the fallen gunmen. Himiko did the same to another. "Yeah, so we better hurry. I don't want to get caught up in another run-in like that." Nodding, Kazuki turned and motioned for them to follow. "Let's go, then." Sparks flew. Ginji was letting off electricity. Sounds of sharp slices and aching screams. Dr. Jackal was dealing with things quite easily. Ban did his part and threw everybody off, breaking their necks or any other part of their body if necessary. When they were through, they surveyed the fallen troups. Ban shifted from left to right. His eyes widened in surprise. Dr. Jackal was gone. "Now where the hell did he go off to now?" Ban cursed, looking to every way he could have gone. He was holding his hat low again. One of his gloved hands were in his coat pocket. He strayed away from Ban and Ginji during the ruckus. It was a bold move, but he wanted to find more bodies to slay. Soon, as he walked down the corridor, he ran into Kagami. "Well, well, well. If it isn't Dr. Jackal. We meet again." "Mr. Kagami. What a pleasant surprise." Dr. Jackal lifted his head slightly to meet Kagami's face. Ginji looked around, too. Dr. Jackal was definitely gone. What a big relief! He tugged on Ban's sleeve. "Hey, Ban-chan. Why don't we just go? Dr. Jackal can take care of himself. We need to re-group with Kazuki and the others, shouldn't we?" He was trying to get Ban to put his mind off Dr. Jackal. He was worried about Kazuki, Shido and Himiko. If they were attacked, then he had a feeling they were, too. Let's hope nothing bad happened to them.. Ban looked over at Ginji. He took his cigarette and flicked it aside and brandished another one. After lighting it, he pocketed his hands and took one last glance around. "All right, let's go. I just hope the enemies doesn't use that killing machine against us. I'd sure as hell don't want to go up against Dr. Jackal just yet." He led the way and were nearing their next meeting place. They were sure to bump into Kazuki and the others soon. They just had to keep walking. "Judas Escariot." The smile on Makubex's face hasn't left him since Dr. Jackal's little vanishing act. He was deeply pleased. "Virtual assimilation ready." Sakura, typing furiously on her computer, calmly announced. She could not spare even a wink at this point, but she was used to it. "Very well," came Makubex's assent. "Deploy." Ginji was feeling uneasy. As he and Ban walked down the corridor, he felt as if hundreds of eyes were following them as they passed. Ginji then heard some footsteps in the distance. Ban stopped again. He felt a weird vibe again. Soon, he saw it. Kazuki and the others were coming. Ginji was about to run over to them, but Ban rushed forward and threw them aside. Ginji panicked. "Ban killed Kazuki! And Shido! And Himiko!!!" He reverted to chibi again and ran in circles, clutching his hair. "Don't be an imbecile! They're virtual!" Ban shouted over to Ginji. But he was obviously not listening. More kept coming. In his irritation, he seized the chibi form of Ginji and threw him over to the coming pack. "Ginji, shock them, now!" They shouldn't be wasting any more time as they were. The bomb was either ticking away or waiting for them to be within range for it to start. Ginji complied. He let off a burst of electricity and watched as the virtual figures collapse to the floor as Ginji reverted back to normal. He looked around. "Holy cow! They are virtual!" The figures dissintegrated. He turned to Ban. "What do we do now?" Ban shifted his glasses and took a drag off his cigarette. "We move forward. In any case, we don't have much choice, do we?" He led the way down the corridor again. He was getting sick of all these interruptions. Much to their entertainment, too much of them got on his nerves. "Do you hear that?" Himiko murmured, eyes darting from one side to the other. "Or rather, what I -don't- hear." Walking over to the front, she peered into the darkness that lay ahead of them. "It's too quiet. Like a tomb." "I suppose they meant this to be -our- tomb, ne? Such an admirable sense of humor they have." Kazuki couldn't shake off the ridiculous feeling of it all, that their fate could be calculated to the very last detail. It's cruel, but ridiculous. Suddenly, in the distance, they could hear the distinct crackling of electricity, like a live electrical wire cut loose. It kept getting closer, and when it came to the point wherein they could -feel- the dank air sizzle, prickling the smallest hair on their skin, a loud thunder clap rang, then followed by its proverbial twin of white-hot lightning. "Get down!" Shido barked, falling flat on the floor, the very tips of his hair almost singed. Kazuki jumped to his feet and released a deadly shower of strings on the shadows that swiftly descended upon them. He heard an agonized yelp, but then was taken aback at how familiar it sounded. "Ban! Ginji!" Himiko exclaimed. She, too, recognized the voice in the shadows. Kazuki growled. "That's not Ban nor the Thunder Emperor, they're clones!" Ban heard a distinct swift of strings that, no doubt, belonged to Kazuki. Soonafter, he heard a cry that belonged very well to his partner's and his own. He stopped Ginji from moving forward and shouted, "Hoy! String Boy! Take care of those clones for us, will you? We'll be waiting right here!" "Yeah, Kazuki! Take your time! Just don't kill the real us, okay?" Ginji hollered after Ban. He was 100% positive it was them. Usually, clones couldn't copy their exact moves, nor talk for that matter. All they managed were quick yelps of pain and simple attacks. Flicking his fingers against his strings, Kazuki delivered the fatal blow on his opponent, and watched it sink down to the ground with satisfaction. He was amazed at how... surreal everything turned out to be; like a dream that was bound to go wrong, he had expected this to happen. Or was this another plot generated by this so called "God" of Infinity City? Regardless, he was but one man and powerless to resist this premeditated fate. Somewhere in the distance, he heard voices calling out to him. At first he hesitated, but then realized that they were at the end of their road. That was Ban alright, and Ginji too. Clones could not speak, let alone be comical, and that was just about the only definitive factor that helped Kazuki convince himself to not attack them. After making sure that everybody was all right on his end, he led their threesome on until they reached their other companions at last. "Are we late?" "No. We just arrived, too. Ran into your clones, got rid of them, lost Dr. Jackal," Ban explained, taking a drag off his cigarette. "You lost him?" Himiko asked, shooting a glance at him. "Who even cares? He can manage himself. Let's just hope he doesn't go and fight against us." "You shouldn't be so cavalier about losing someone like Dr. Jackal, Ban." Kazuki warned. He didn't like that at all. But, like everything else, his being MIA had a reason. However, as curious as Kazuki is, he felt like he didn't want to know the reason at all. "Well, should we get going? I don't want to cause another ruckus like we did now." Ban fully understood Kazuki's meaning by that. He turned to Ginji. Out of the corner of his eye, Kazuki followed Ban and Ginji as they conversed with each other. That really awfully reminds him of... No, Kazuki. Enough. This is self-mutilation already and you will have none of that. Sighing, he turned his attention back to their path. Quietly, he hope that it will lead them to Juubei. He turned to Kazuki. He sure was sulking an awful lot today. As much as he didn't care, he wasn't that stupid to not notice such. As they walked down the path, silence completely drowned them in their own thoughts. Ginji fell silent just as well. When Ban did, he was sure not to try to bring the issue back up. If anything was going to be said about their current situation, it was nothing at all. "Status." A few quick commands and a series of stacatto blips, Sakura's report came into view. "Target in sector 314-Alpha. They've re-converged, Dr. Jackal is not with them." Makubex was silent, watching the monitors flicker into life around him. In the shadows, a small frown creased Juubei's lips. He didn't care about any of them. He had other -matters- to attend to. "I'm going." Ban stopped and looked around. He felt a sudden change. Makubex was watching them. That much was certain. But for what reasons, he wouldn't know. All that mattered right now was to get the bomb. End of story. "Ban? You okay?" Ginji turned to his partner and watched his movements. Something about him was different each time they came to Infinity City. He was hoping not to come across that just now. The labyrinthian halls of Infinity City were no longer unfamiliar to Juubei. He could walk them blind and still find his way from point A to point B. Sometimes he'd even amuse himself by doing just that... armed with a stopwatch. And that mere fact is colored with chagrin, considering how close it compares to being a lab rat set loose in an experiment of intelligence and cognitive response those psychotic scientists do. Sometimes he'd even begin to think if that is what all he was living for: this macabe experiment, this lordly chess game in which the pieces were made of flesh, blood, and vengeance. Amusing, isn't it? No wonder Kazuki was so curious, so determined to decipher the everyday riddles that Infinity City had to offer. No, not that train of thought again. Why must it always go back to Kazuki this, Kazuki that? Everytime Juubei's traitorous mind takes him down that dark spiral, his anger seethes like how water finds every crack in the stone: absolute and deep. Must Kazuki always be a constant in his life? He was afraid to ask. It can't be helped. They were destined to be this way. Friends and enemies. Sometimes both, sometimes neither. And he hated it. But what he hated most of all was what lay ahead of him behind these cursed doors. That, or the fact that he was powerless to stop his own fate. Could Kazuki be thinking the same? Yare yare... Something was coming their way, and he wasn't going to let anything stop them from moving forward. They didn't have time to play any games with the gods or with any more virtual dolls. Mido Ban wasn't one to be fooled twice by the same technique. Ginji looked around as well. He knew all too well what Makubex was capable of. But that didn't give him any leverage over the gravity of the situation. They didn't have time to play games anymore. "One more turn guys, and I think you know what awaits." He was more sure about it now. In truth, he was becoming impatient. Kazuki didn't like the idea of these 'beings' toying with them like they were cast-off dolls. Heh. But he didn't want to disappoint them either; he'll put up a good show. If anything, he was determined to get his job done. Even if it means... "Hey, String Boy." Ban wanted more than anything to let this out now. "If you want to settle things with him then we won't interfere." Kazuki snapped out of his thoughts and turned surprised eyes towards Mido Ban. But it didn't last long as he knew that it wasn't the right time to go melodramatic all of a sudden. There will be time for much more of that later... when he looks down at Juubei's dead body. "I can wait," He said, barely able to suppress a growl. How dare this jagan-weilder read this thoughts. "I have no reason to rush." "Don't get me wrong. Do whatever you want. It's not as if we'll be together like this for long. And don't think I'm reading your mind, Kazuki. You're just too obvious to read." Ban took out a cigarette and lit it, taking it into his fingers and blowing out some smoke. He looked around as they proceeded, trying to see where their visitors were coming from. 'How can Ginji suffer this man for so long?' Kazuki thought to himself with much contempt. 'Insufferable!' Despite his mild, congenial nature, Kazuki did have in himself a vicious, murderous streak too, as much as to be expected of those that have sought the secrets of Infinity City. The place ultimately changes people, he realized, and it only takes the right buttons to bring it out of him. Mido Ban was pressing them all with uncanny precision. Of course he could always be doing it without him knowing he's doing it, but it ultimately was stripping Kazuki bare. No matter. If anything, the only other greater virtue Kazuki possesses is patience. He's not about to bare his teeth at Mido Ban. The man's not really such a horrible fellow, he's actually the kind of spitfire that you mustn't miss everyday (and good looking, too), but he -can- be spitefully annoying. With a smile to buffer the barbs, Kazuki looked over his shoulder at the jagan wielder. "I wouldn't want you to read my mind, Ban. You might be surprised at what you'll find in here." Ban raised a curious eyebrow towards the man. Apparenty Kazuki was trying to make a point by saying such, but what could Ban do? Before he managed to counter anything back at him, he heard a distinct noise behind them. Shimata! His body moved in fluid motion as he jumped forward and forced the people within reach to the ground - Ginji and Himiko. Not a moment too soon, there was a gunshot that echoed across the silent corridor. "So, what are you going to do now, Dr. Jackal?" asked Kagami. The two had been at a standstill all the while the events were happening. "Well, that would depend. Seeing as I've strayed away from my two favorite people, I'd might as well find some new entertainment. Why don't you and I dance for a while, Mr. Kagami?" Ginji quickly reacted and turned chibi as soon as Ban forced him and Himiko to the ground. "Ban, what's happening? Ban, we're under attack! Ban, save me!" All he could do was go crazy. "Lighten up, Ginji, it's only a gunshot. Nothing to be scared about," said Himiko reassuringly. Ginji turned to Himiko in tears. "Do you think so?" Ban didn't have time to tell Ginji off. He still wasn't sure if there were more to come. Lowering your guard for a second in Inifinity City could make off with your head. He tried to listen for anymore gunshots being triggered. "Is it safe to get back up?" asked Himiko. Ban slowly got on all fours. "Not yet. I'll go and see our little visitors. You guys stay here and wait for me, all right?" Ban got on his feet and quickly ran back from whence they came, dodging what gunshots were fired as he approached. One bullet grazed past his left shoulder as he finally saw their annoying assaulters. "Snake Bite!" he drew his hand back and surged it towards one of the two gunmen's faces, shoving him to the wall. He turned and punched the other to the opposite wall, straightening up and adjusting his purple glasses afterwards. "Ban!! Are you okay? Are you hurt? Ban!! Answer me!!" hollered Ginji, lying on his belly in chibi form. Himiko was beside him, listening intently for anything. Ginji began to panic and got on his feet. "Oh, no! Something's wrong! They have Ban! They have Ban! What are we going to do?!" "Stay calm, Ginji! Ban won't get captured that easily!" protested Himiko, looking over to where Ban ran off to, hoping that he was okay. Ban made his way back towards his comrades, only to feel sudden pain on his shoulder. He ignored it for the time being, knowing that getting worried now would only slow them down. As soon as he arrived, he saw Ginji panicking and knocked him on the head, watching him revert to normal. Himiko walked up to him. "What took you? You'd usually be finished quicker.." She paused when she noticed blood starting to spread through his shirt. "What happened?" Ban looked at it. "A bullet must've grazed past it. No big deal." "No big deal?!" Himiko made to bandage it but Ban stepped away from her. "You should've seen that easily." "I must've been careless then. Sorry." Ban grinned at her, obviously not feeling much pain from it, despite its bleeding. "Ban!" Ginji cried, jumping onto his head in chibi. "Are you all right? Does it hurt?" Ginji was never so much of a doctor, but he surely felt for his best friend that he was in panic when Ban was in some sort of pain or injury. "Get off me, Ginji! I'm fine!" Ban took Ginji and threw him over to Kazuki, adjusting his glasses. "Honestly, Ginji, you're getting too hyper again. Is it because of this place or what?" he looked over to the guy, who was now in Kazuki's arms. "That was too close," Kazuki remarked, strapping back his bells to his hair after having successfully maimed one gunman with his strings. That bullet didn't give him enough time to be merciful, hence his automatic search-and-destroy reflex. He checked himself for injuries--so far, so good. His companions, on the other hand... A seeping, bright red spot on a shirt after a shoot-out was never a good thing. And Ban stubbornly waved it off like the impetuous brat that he was. Flesh wound or no, the fact still remains that that bullet could have ended his life. "Be more careful next time, Ban." He said, worried. "Your carelessness could mean the end of you." Actually, he was worried more about what Ginji would do if that actually happened. That boy is a Pandora's Box, and Mido Ban is the key to opening it. No matter how sensible Ginji might actually be underneath all that glob of chibiness, a dangerous spark is just waiting to ignite.
*This 'Staffroom' roleplay is in my 12 Grimmauld Place forum under the "Intriguing, isn't it? Would anyone like to venture a guess as to what is inside?" - Remus Lupin, PoA Category in the Modern Era RP board, which I do with Jen.
*This 'Order of the Phoenix' roleplay is in my 12 Grimmauld Place forum under the "Intriguing, isn't it? Would anyone like to venture a guess as to what is inside?" - Remus Lupin, PoA Category in the Modern Era RP board, which I do with Jen and Alyssa.
*This 'Hogsmeade: Modern Era' roleplay is in my 12 Grimmauld Place forum under the "Well, well, Lupin. Out for a little walk... in the moonlight are we?" - Severus Snape, PoA Category in the Hogsmeade board, which I do with Jen and Alyssa.
*This 'The Order of the Murder' roleplay is in Viccy's Roleplaying Addicts forum under the RPG Category in the RPG :: Stories :: Harry Potter board.
*This 'The Order of the War' roleplay is in Viccy's Roleplaying Addicts forum under the RPG Category in the RPG :: Stories :: Harry Potter board.
*This 'A Student's Life' roleplay is in Viccy's Roleplaying Addicts forum under the RPG Category in the RPG :: Stories :: Harry Potter board.
*This 'Staff Room' roleplay is in Viccy's Roleplaying Addicts forum under the RPG Category in the RPG :: Stories :: Harry Potter board.
*This 'Phoenix Rising' roleplay is in The David Thewlis Online Forums under the "Roleplaying" Category in the Phoenix Rising board. (I'll post our usernames)
*This 'Morsmordre: The Game' roleplay is in the Morsmordre forum under the Hogwarts category in The Castle board in the the Morsmordre: The Game thread. (I'll just post the characters, since we all signed up with our character names)
*This 'Of Dragons and Magic' roleplay is in my 12 Grimmauld Place forum under the "Intriguing, isn't it? Would anyone like to venture a guess as to what is inside?" - Remus Lupin, PoA Category in the Marauder's Era RP board, which I do with Alyssa.
*This 'The Abandoned Werewolf' roleplay is in Mandy's Thewlis Rox forum under the RPG: the Abandoned Werewolf Category in the Fan-Fiction and RolePlaying board, which I do with Viccy, Jordan and Megan.
*This 'Secrets of Two' roleplay is in my 12 Grimmauld Place forum under the "Intriguing, isn't it? Would anyone like to venture a guess as to what is inside?" - Remus Lupin, PoA Category in the Marauder's Era RP board, which I do with Alyssa.
*This 'Double, double, toil and trouble..' roleplay is in my 12 Grimmauld Place forum under the "Intriguing, isn't it? Would anyone like to venture a guess as to what is inside?" - Remus Lupin, PoA Category in the Marauder's Era RP board, which I do with Jen.
*This 'Secrets' roleplay is in Mandy's Thewlis Rox forum under the Your Works Category in the Avatars, Fan Fiction and RolePlaying board, which I do with Mandy, Jordan and Megan. (Frodo and Hermy have partaken in the RP during the earlier days of the story, but have now stopped)
*This 'Hogsmeade: Marauder's Era' roleplay is in my 12 Grimmauld Place forum under the "Well, well, Lupin. Out for a little walk... in the moonlight are we?" - Severus Snape, PoA Category in the Hogsmeade board, which I do with Jen and Alyssa.
*This 'School Hazards' roleplay is in my Darkened Days forum under the General Chat Category in the RPG board, which I do with Frodo.
*This 'High School Roleplay' is in The David Thewlis Online Forums under the "Fanart and fanfiction" Category in the High School Roleplay board. (I'll post our usernames)
*This 'Phoenix Rising' roleplay is in the Phoenix Rising forum under the Hogwarts Category in The Castle board in the Middle Earth Rpg thread. (I'll post the characters, since we all signed up with our character names)
All Harry Potter, Samurai 7, Saiyuki and Get Backers characters are owned by their respective creators. All Non-Canon characters are owned by their respective roleplayers. All plots belong to each roleplay's members.
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