| Vision in Black |
| �Hello, Dr. Jackal.�
Akabane turned toward the unexpected voice with only mild interest. Perhaps in other circumstances he would have felt more intrigue and perhaps in his place others would have felt more ire than curiosity. �I hope you�ll forgive the intrusion, but I intend to compensate you for it.� The voice was low and seductive and Akabane could feel aggression emanate from the spot. �Unfortunately, it would be rude for me to leave Ginji-Kun before we are finished.� �But Ginji-Kun has already left,� the voice was almost a purr. With some amusement Akabane realized that he had failed to notice Ginji�s exit. Couple with the fact that he had not noticed the entrance of this newcomer he began to feel very intrigued indeed. �Who are you?� the Jackal smirked through the nick in his hat. �You may call me what you like,� and the voice stepped carefully out of the shadows seeming clothed in night rather than garments. Black hugged hips and clung to fingers. Lean muscle rippled in the darkness, black hair brushed white skin. Akabane realized with surprise that the face as well as the ki was familiar to him. He smiled softly and lifted a hand to his hat in greeting. �Now that you�ve frightened off my playmate, how do you plan to compensate me?� The figure drew a long, thin blade from the darkness. �By killing you, of course.� Without pause the blade flew for Akabane�s heart. He easily side stepped and threw a few knives, testing his opponent. A few minutes were enough to show that though both possessed skill, neither fought with any intensity. �This will be poor compensation if you don�t fight me seriously.� �You don�t appreciate foreplay? Very well.� Again the blade came at Akabane�s heart with speed enough to satisfy even his lust for challenge. But just as it would penetrate, it shifted down and away from him. He adjusted his stance to prepare for whatever was coming and stopped cold as warm lips pressed against his own. The slight opening of his mouth in surprise was enough to admit a fierce tongue that sought a response. Yielding to the strange sensation, Akabane hesitantly gave back with his own mouth, closing his eyes and concentrating on the taste of his opponent. He only just managed to avoid being skewered as the sword sliced his side. �Have I actually been able to upset the poise of the unflappable Dr. Jackal?� The darkness mocked him and he knew he must be gaping at it. Dimly he registered the fact that he had lost his hat�and his lips tingled in the absence of the unaccustomed sensation. What was this game? �Don�t go,� came the whispered taunt. �I�m offering you the greatest test of your strength you will ever find. Stay and die.� �I have no intention of leaving.� Resuming his customary nonchalance, the Jackal smiled and began to plan the variations of his technique to compensate for this new state of affairs. The shadows of his opponent wove toward him as long ribbons of blood circled them both. But Akabane blunted the knives in his blood, using them only to guide and caress. The fight, the dance that fueled his life, evolved to something new as it surged through him and around him. With senses more awake than he could ever bring them in mere battle, he gloried in the heat and smell of his opponent. Each instinctively moving towards that ecstacy which would bring about death. Which kind he sought was uncertain. Only the lure of blood and skin made sense. Every touch became more intimate and every thrust of sword more delicately violent. Finally they stood breathing heavily, inches apart, clothing in shreds. Reality captured in that single moment before they reached the pinnacle and spun back down. The Jackal couldn�t tell if he would win or if he cared. Couldn�t focus enough to verbalize any thought but one� that he just might be in love. * * * Dr. Jackal stood, fully clothed now, back in that same alley, Ginji standing in the same position he had been. Mido next to him, protective. They seemed to be waiting for something. He tried to figure out what had happened. Mido pushed up his sunglasses. Jackal drew in a sharp breath as realization dawned. �Did you have a nice dream?� |
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