(((OOC: Joint work between myself and Kaikoloren.)))
~ ~ ~
Sighing, the fact that the Doctor made that fast of an appointment irritated the megane-clad man. He'd wanted to have the day to just relax, hopefully, and start on the process of healing.
Not exactly go deal with a madman...
What made things worse was that he actually HAD to go to the man... nooooo the Doctor couldn't just have someone drop off a pair at SMASH and Ishihara pick them up later.
By the time 2:00pm rolled around, You was glancing at the text on his phone. Right place. Good. Pocketing the phone he knocked politely on the door. It wouldn't do to simply intrude... especially given the Doctor's more favored past times.
Being in the 7th level of the PIT was disgusting to Ishihara more often than not. Screaming was almost a constant sound on some level of hearing. He'd been here before obviously... but every time he saw it anew it just didn't sit well with the PR man.
He enjoyed a good asphyxiation session but cutting into a man's brain or finding out how long they could live with one organ or another were things that just didn't agree with the beauty of proper torture.
~ ~ ~
Today the halls on 7 were being cleaned. A very strong smell of various disinfectants covered the walls. These hallways were white but that didn't mean anything. Some of the rooms were very dark and a few of the cell here had unsaid nightmares lurking within. The screaming peeked and dropped at various times. And occasionally, You would see various helpers scurrying along the halls down here scrubbing and washing. Most of them were permanent residents having dropped to low to ever be lifted back up. But some of these denizen had survived enough to be useful as cleaners or tools for various....experiments. And usually when they washed this much something messy had occurred.
Suite 7 was a corner suite that was much like a normal doctor's office most days. It had all the facilities for eye exams and laser surgery and other key health issues. It wasn't one of the experimental chambers. And the path way here usually avoided some of the scarier parts of level 7. Needless to say, many who were brought here for normal injuries never knew they were in the depths of hell for a short time. Usually drugged or unconscious before being taking here for repairs. The Guardian Handler of level 4 and up hated bringing anyone here. But sometimes...it was unnecessary.
The door opened at 2pm as if on a timer and revealed the doctor within. "Come on in Ishihara-san. Sit down right here and I'll take a look at those eyes." The way he spoke he could have seemed like any other Doctor in Japan. But...You knew the truth. The doctor a more horrifying monster than Izo could ever be.
He pushed the glasses up on his face and peered at You. His cold eyes wandered down the assassin's figure "You're really a mess, and all you need is contacts?" The doctor's bland smile almost revealed a sense of humor....almost. "But...lucky you, I've been given orders by the Master on High. You to be treated and new orders are to be given...to you. So...lets get started with your eyes first. That's the easy part...I think."
The doctor turned a chair You's direction and turned on the eye equipment. You would know that this was very standard. A normal routine...but the rest of the doctor's comments?
~ ~ ~
Somehow, Ishihara managed to get into the room and seated without showing a single shred of pain or fatigue. The crutch he let rest against the side of the chair, head leaning back as he got as comfortable as he could, bad bandaged arm over his chest and upper stomach.
"I lost my contacts on my last mission." You spoke, using his good hand to remove his glasses.
Almost immediately his eyes glowed red, the room's heat signatures coming into view plainly. "There's nothing you can do about my wounds so I didn't bother you with them. I figured you had more fun things to do than stitch a shot-up assassin. I'm letting the hospital take care of it."
The notion that he had new orders though...
Would he take orders from the Doctor? No. But would he take official orders by Matsumoto passed to the Doctor? Yes.
He had to after all.
There was no room for argument at this point.
Ishihara smirked slightly as his red gaze focused on the Doctor. "You were certainly having some sort of fun before I got here... your body heat is skewed."
Some places on the older man's body were far more red than normal...
"Might I inquire to what your experiment has been as of late? I noticed quite a few cleaners on my way through the halls. It must have been some fun... or perhaps a purging of failures?"
~ ~ ~
"Yes I was told." The doctor replied then frowned when You said he couldn't take care of those wounds. The assassin knew too little of what he could do. Best to keep it that way too. However, the doctor had his orders and he would...make sure that #1 was in....good working order....
He sat down opposite of You and started to use the eye exam machine to view You's eyes, "They still are in good shape....your eyes. Mm...You've been using the eye drops and keeping them clean. I can tell. Good job." The doctor was usually pleased when someone followed his prescriptions no matter how small they were. It meant they had listened and took care of their body. However, beyond the eyes, #1 was...not nearly as healthy.
The Doctor didn't speak of the orders right away. He really was more interested in You's eyes at the moment. So they went through a standard exam and by the time they were done, You had a choice of various new contacts with colors and a new glasses prescription too. "I suggest you take a few colors for your line of work. And this time, I'll give you several extra sets. You're not suppose to be without your...lenses. You should have asked for replacements sooner." he scolded as he got up and opened a case to pull out new eye drops and contact cleaning solutions.
"There....fresh from the suppliers. Eventually I'll have the process down to tattoo new color to your eyes. And then we won't even need to bother with this little plastic things." he muttered as he gave You a brand new contact case.
But as for the question about what had gone on out side this suite, the doctor tilted his head and a dark smile formed upon his lips, "Curious eh? My newest experiment went well, actually. He's showing signs of progress. But...ah...that mess out there....yes, you could say it was a purge...or two." As usual, the doctor didn't give too many answers. It always took the right questions and well, most people didn't know how to ask the right questions.
~ ~ ~
"I do prefer when your experiments go well." Ishihara spoke, taking the case. "Only two purged? I would have thought it easier to do away with a few more of those screaming souls locked away. Then again I haven't had to personally attend to one of your failed victims." in fact, when You had been altered, his experience had been rather pleasant afterwards.
Then again, he hadn't been an experiment.
He had picked out a pair of blue, a lighter brown pair, a grey pair, and green... though he took a clear set for him to wear daily. His eyes were precious, even You knew that. They were a gift, the product of experimentation that had cost lives. The PR man didn't like needless deaths... but the work that the Doctor did was, in itself, not quite needless.
"When it comes down to tattooing, I'd prefer my original eye color to be permanent. If I need them a different color, I'll use contacts. As for why I didn't request the contacts sooner... I've been busy."
Of course the Doctor's frown hadn't gone unnoticed. "If you've the time and I'm not keeping you from more important business, I wouldn't mind a check up on the hospital's handiwork. The sooner I'm back to peak condition the better after all."
Ishihara would tread carefully on this man's turf. He knew what the Doctor was capable of in a sense, and laying in a chair with this man next to him would have made anyone nervous. Thankfully, You had only been under this man's scalpel once before, and while it had caused him to be blind for a good few days, the down time had been worth it. After all, how many assassins could see their prey behind walls without the aid of the proper equipment? It was partially why he was far more successful with urban combat. Easier to hide and get a drop on someone than in the middle of a frozen forest.
~ ~ ~
"Yes...it is better when the experiment is a success. And those two...well they were weak and didn't have the right genes. They didn't take well to the treatments. However it tempered my research and I did come up with one success. So one out of 3 isn't bad wouldn't you say?" he answered as he pointed to the privacy screen. "Undress, and put on that robe. Leave it open in the front of course. Then I'll take a look."
The doctor walked over to his desk close by and started viewing a case on his computer. He seemed rather normal at the moment. "Ishihara-san. From what I know you're a single man....right?"
~ ~ ~
Taking the crutch, Ishihara stood and maneuvered himself up behind the privacy screen. Undressing was a helluva lot harder to do now so it took him a while. "One out of three is certainly better than one out of four so yes." he spoke, carefully taking his pants off one handed and then setting them on a small cabinet top nearby.
He was then asked a rather... odd question.
"As far as you know, yes. I'm single." You answered, somewhat dodging the question.
As far as anyone knew he was single.
Well except Ryuukaze. He knew that the shark was intimate with someone. Though who and of what gender was still shrouded in mists.
Finally in the robe, open just as instructed, Ishihara came out from behind the screen. "Why do you ask?"
~ ~ ~
"Then, that is all I need to know...It makes everything easier that way. Of course Matsumoto assumed you were single. But I find it always a tedious issue because assumptions can make things awkward when certain assignments are put to the task." he replied as he pulled out a cloth to clean the lenses on his glasses. "It seems that you uncovered one of my experiments....the Package. And it's location was confirmed in the hands of the priceless Shou....sama...."
His fingers carefully cleaned each lens with the cloth as he continued, "Matsumoto doesn't wish to drag the Package away from Shou even though I want it back so I can evaluate...it's success. Thus he and I are at an impasse. Unfortunate isn't it that we cannot agree. Although, after some...'conversations' we did agree on a new course of action."
He pushed the glasses back on to his face then stood up and glanced over at You's direction. "You're position lately with Matsumoto has been rather precarious hasn't it?" he asked as he got up and walked over to the cabinets close by for a few... instruments.
~ ~ ~
Red eyes narrowed slightly. "My position with Matsumoto-SAN," he emphasized the suffix. "Is still stable as I see it. I have much to offer in services still, and even more once I've healed. As for the boy..." Ishihara shook his head slightly. "Take the package from Shou-san and you may stress him beyond the point of performing. As you well know the package was stolen while I was overseas with Shou-san so that mess up does not lay on my head." in other words, it was the failure of PIT denizens, not the shark. "Matsumoto-san assumes I am single because I keep my private life and my work life separate. I'm sure you can understand the need for secrecy over Matsumoto-san's affairs so I've gotten very good at not discussing my work with anyone beyond a PR standing."
So in a way his words said he was attached to someone... and yet in a way it still left some ambiguity.
Why was his social standing so important?
Again those eyes narrowed and Ishihara's body went a bit rigid. "Why do I have a feeling I know exactly what you're getting at? But... do continue, sensei."
~ ~ ~
"Hop up on the table and let's take a look you." The doctor said without any change to his cool, perfectionist pace. He didn't even continue the conversation until You complied. His eyes scanned the man as he lay out on the table.
"Of course...always something with Shou...sama." His words had the slightest disdain. The only real sign of something under that frigid exterior. "But needless to say, you're single...you profess to be single...good. Then you should be able to handle your next assignment." he went right to the point, "You're going to gain Shou-sama's attention and attract him to your side. Date him...move in with him. Manage it some how...and stick close to the package. Since Matsumoto won't bring the package to me and he can't afford to lose it, I still need my results. You're going to make sure that the package remains right where it is...safe....and report the results of his talents and changes to me."
The doctor peered down on You's injuries and shook his head. "Inferior work...You really were in the boonies weren't you? I'm going to have to fix this...unfortunately. You'll be healing for too long to be of any use this way."
"Matsumoto feels that you can come back into his good graces much more quickly if you're capable...of doing the job at hand."
~ ~ ~
Once comfortable on the table, Ishihara relaxed.
At least until he heard his new mission.
Inside, the man was screaming a very loud 'no'... but outside there was just a slightly annoyed red gaze. "And if I were seeing someone? Would that change the mission?" he asked, not at ALL liking this idea. "Shou-san is picky. He trusts me and we have a good working relationship when I'm necessary in his life. However... you're asking me to date a man who, for all outward purposes, has no mind to date anyone. Would it not be easier to simply allow me to work closely with him and his team for a time? After all, I'm hardly in any shape to be dating someone who may expect to be bedded by the end of the night."
Valid complaint.
After all, Shou was so finiky... who was to say he wouldn't outright deny any advances?
Besides, in the bed Ishihara wasn't usually the one on top. Sure he had been with Haru before... but it tended to be the other way around. You had no idea if Shou was an uke or a seme or a seke like himself.
There were just so many things that could go wrong with this plan... including the fact that if Shou were dating You... Haru WOULD learn of it.
~ ~ ~
"If you were seeing someone....You wouldn't tell me anyway, would you? No let me answer that....you wouldn't. And if I were you, I'd do the same thing. Let's be reasonable, a lover in this line of business is a liability unless blessed or arranged by the boss..." The doctor's icy eyes gazed down at You, a merciless reality within them.
"Just working with him means you're not in his house...in his bed. And of course, he would be...finicky but you're a smart man. You won't make the same mistakes that you did in the forest...now will you?" he hissed slightly as he carefully turned You's arm to expose the injured arm. "I do have quite a bit of work here...mm... let's see. Tsk Tsk...."
He wandered down to You's leg and check the injury. "Mmm...I don't like this at all but...speaking to your point, you will be in shape by the time I get done with you."
~ ~ ~
"So I take it there is no negotiation on this mission then? I do like Shou-san as a person, sensei... but I feel using him like this will only bring about bad profits for Matsumoto-san." You replied, steering the conversation away from his social status.
Right now it didn't matter if he was single or married.
And of course this was all on the assumption that the PR man even liked other men!
"If this breaks Shou-san, what guarantee do I have that my hide isn't flayed, hmm? After all, I can't presume to love him forever... and a break up could very well upset his delicate balance as much as taking the package away. No matter what miracle you have up your sleeve, sensei... I doubt I would be ready enough for a round in bed with that man." he winced as the Doctor moved his arm, fingers of the injured arm twitching in pain. "Why not simply press Shou-san to put the boy in the limelight? You would easily be able to see how he works... especially if the boy's work was in the studio rather than Shou-san's own home. You would have access to cameras and not simply my word. I'm not a musician after all, sensei."
~ ~ ~
"Negotiations? Oh I didn't say there wasn't room for negotiations. But what do you have to offer Ishihara-san? You've pissed off your boss and he's thought of ways to allow you to redeem yourself. You should be pleased that he's bothered to think of you at all. You must mean a lot to him." His eyes glimmered as he pulled out an IV bag and started setting up the area so he could fix You up...properly.
"Break Shou"...Certainly you're smart enough to avoid that aren't you? A second mistake would be...a serious blemish to your record. If you don't want to bed him or date him as Matsumoto desires....then I suggest you find something...quite similar to A and B. By his side, 24/7 and mothering that child so he becomes comfortable with you. I want my data. And Matsumoto...wants his security. " His words were firm as he pulled out a bottle and filled a needle. "Forever...no you won't have to love him forever. Just a life time. That's really not too long..." The doctor didn't take in some words the same way. Forever meant something well beyond a mortal contract with this earth.
"But, as for a guarantee, I doubt those sorts of things are given for free...Do you really want to deal with the devil? Wait, you've already done that...."
~ ~ ~
Ishihara's gaze remained focused on what the Doctor was doing. An IV bag wasn't such a bad thing... a needle with a bottle however.
"Explain your procedure, sensei." You spoke, obviously not the trusting type.
Who would trust the monster before him?
He lay there, trying to come up with something better than dating Shou. Haru would find out within the day and then how was Ishihara going to explain himself?! He couldn't just say that Matsumoto worried about Shou's safety... and he couldn't say he was really in love with Shou either...
But...
"I've a degree in literature." You spoke, not knowing if the Doctor knew this or not. "I would make a wonderful language and literature tutor, especially since I can speak and read English as well. Besides, I can still do my job for PR as well as tutor the boy. As such perhaps I could become a live in tutor. I have Shou-san's trust and I've given Yamada-san no reason to distrust me... plus the child already knows and likes me. Far easier to pitch my skills to Shou-san than to have some random recruit from the child star department."
Yes, that would easily be passable. He simply couldn't date the star.
Not without exposing his secret... or breaking up with Haru.
If Yamada wasn't in Ishihara's life... the assassin would simply go mad.
~ ~ ~
"Explain my procedure?" The doctor's brow raised with the question and he stared at You for a long moment. "First, I'm going to give you an IV with a little anesthesic in it so you can go to sleep." he said as he put the needle into the special tube of the IV. "After that, I'm removing all those stitches and then layer by layer I will do reconstructive surgery on your muscles, nerves and flesh with the lasers. I doubt very seriously that you want to be awake while I perform these tasks." He said in a matter of fact tone. "Unless you'd like to match the voices that are down the hall, I suggest you allow me to do my job...properly."
"Hmm? It's certainly up to you. I've given you the assignment from Matsumoto's lips. If you choose to bend his rules, then....it's up to you to make it work. If it doesn't work out well...Yes, we don't have to get into that now do we? A tutor's job will get you closer to the child and that suits me fine as long as you are there 24/7. But...having you bed the star well I think that would suit some of Matsumoto's interests...beyond the child's security. But as long as I have my data..." Obviously the Doctor and Izo had very different concepts of what was important. Izo concerns were a mix of security but also something else that the doctor wasn't revealing up front.
He reached out and padded You's arm with iodine in just the right spot then inserted the IV needle. "You're a lucky piece on the chessboard, Ishihara You."
~ ~ ~
Ishihara nodded, "That's fine." he replied, glad to know what was going to be happening to his body while he slept. "And no, I'd rather not ruin my throat by screaming, nor feel the pain either."
You made sure he was comfortable, showing not even a wince as the Doctor inserted the IV needle into his arm.
"I'll bring up my idea to Matsumoto-san in that case and let him know you're happy with it as long as I get your results." the PR man spoke as the anesthetic started to course through his body slowly. "I don't need to be told what will happen if this goes south, sensei. I'm not a lucky man as you claim. I know the game. I know my strengths and weakness. I made a mistake up north. It's not going to happen again."
It wouldn't happen again because it'd be the end of Ishihara and he knew it. He'd have to confess everything to Haru and just disappear. Because no... You wouldn't leave his partner wondering forever.
If Matsumoto's #2 caught up with him and he died... at least Haru would know.
Red eyes began to slip closed, You finding it hard to stay awake. "I'm in your hands, sensei..." he whispered before letting the drug do it's work, his body relaxed as sleep claimed him.
~ ~ ~
"Yes, you do that. He's your boss. If you satisfy his requirements...and get my data the world will be a better place for you." he answered while making sure the IV needled was taped in place.
The doctor said nothing as he watched the assassin go to sleep. Then upped the dosage so there would not be any waking as he performed his operations. The man would remain unconscious until he was done. Perfect....perfect indeed. But first he would perform the tasks he had promised first. Removing the stitches was easy now that he didn't have the distraction of an distrusting assassin to question his every move. He had his servants roll in the laser and he started the very tedious task of muscular reconstructive surgery. He'd make the assassin fully functional with only a hint of soreness in the end. And yes, then Ishihara You would have to be in awe of his skill. b*****d questioning his ability. Oh he'd have to pay for that...in the end.
Several hours later, once the surgery was accomplished, You was rolled out of Suite 7 on the bed and down the hall to a much more interesting room. One were experiments were conducted. There, You was rolled over and examined completely. "So you do have a lover..." Said the doctor as he looked at the data "You must be an Uke...or Seke. But at least we know now that there is at least ...one male in your life. No wonder you don't want to do the plan as Matsumoto intended. Tsk Tsk."
"Now I wonder who that person is...but no matter. You'll still do the job in the end. But see, when Matsumoto told me what he wanted...I needed my own guarantee that you'd follow through with the job. Of course, I didn't bother to tell Matsumoto that. I just told him, that I'd fix you up...send you on your way to do what need to be done. I do want results, Ishihara You. And you came up with a reasonable idea to replace Matsumoto's creative one. But still, I like to experiment. So I'll make sure that it's very hard for you to pass up the opportunity to bed the star, Pillow...san..." he laughed like a mad man as he turned on a bit of equipment.
"You see, I've been testing out some gene therapy....what makes certain things click in the head. I'm tired of Purple Lotus....it's so unpredictable. And BoS, is getting more useful but you see, it doesn't always achieve the results I want. For example, Hiroki Asato, he's high as a kite and sure that is useful to Azriel but just imagine if you could code Hiroki Asato's genes to find attraction for only Azriel. It would make it so much easier to control him, ne? However, I can't use it on Hiroki Asato yet since I've not had enough human trials. I've had some good results, and a few failures. But I think I've got close to the right mix. #2 delivered some of Shou's DNA recently and ever since Matsumoto gave me your new orders I've been creating this delightful little serum just for you...Your DNA was already on file so working up the proper therapy...was interesting. Mm...I can't say it's perfect. No...it is still a work in progress. But I will get to hear about all the results. And there won't be any evidence of drugs. So you can't blame me for a new temptation taking hold." The doctor monologued like a true villain as he turned on a machine that warmed up a deep red mixture. He took a hold of the IV and exchanged the needle on top for a new drip. You wouldn't find any new needle marks or anything out of the ordinary by the time he was done.
However, since I know you don't trust me. I'll tinker around just a bit with you and heighten your senses a bit more than they are. Your nose..will do...won't it? It's so close to your eyes and they are already improved. Give you an extra skill as an assassin. As a treat. Won't that be nice?"
The serum would slowly drip into You's veins and changes would take place on a deeper cellular level.
Later, You would wake in Suite 7, his body feeling actually functional and his nose smelling the essence of coffee on his own teeth.
~ ~ ~
Red eyes slowly opened. A bright room... a room that's lights began to dim very slowly until his gaze adjusted properly and he could make out the details of Suite 7. For a few minutes it felt too awkward to move... but that wasn't what had garnered his attention a few seconds later.
Coffee... disinfectant... sweat... blood?!
When he had come in all he could smell was disinfectant. Now...
"What did you do?" Ishihara whispered, sensing the Doctor in the room.
No... something had been done that wasn't a mere patch up. You understood details... and this was a detail he hadn't processed earlier.
~ ~ ~
The doctor tilted his head as he dropped the dirty gloves into the biological waste can. "I improved your nose. Think of it as a gift. I was doing all the work to fix you up and figured you could use a little boost. Might make your work easier, eh? And hopefully get my data to me sooner?"
He turned and peered over at the assassin while putting on a new clean lab coat, "If you had a keener nose you might have been able to find your targets to the north easier. Although my #2 went out of his way to chase them down. Too bad North Korea is so unfriendly. Mm...speaking of that, how do you feel now?"
The doctor picked a clip board and looked over the details. "One new sniffer and reconstructive surgery to the arm and leg plus an eye exam. I think that covers all the bases for today."
~ ~ ~
Sitting, Ishihara moved his arm slowly, flexing the muscle. It seemed normal... a tiny bit sore... He stood, testing his leg. Also normal.
"Do you have an experiment you need to get rid of in a bloodless manner? I'd like to test out your handiwork to see if I'm fit for the field once more."
You didn't enjoy the smell of blood and sweat. He preferred his victim's demise in a much cleaner method. If he could subdue an experiment then he could easily be cleared for work again.
"I have to say I'm not exactly happy with your 'perk' tweak, sensei. You shouldn't tamper with someone without their consent... especially someone who doesn't reside in this hell hole." Ishihara spoke, his red eyes gleaming as carefully the PR man began to rotate his shoulder.
~ ~ ~
"I have such an experiment you can...clean up for me. Room 106." he answered then walked toward the door opening it and glancing down the hall. Soon a young man came walking up to the door where the doctor stood. Just a little timidly, but the doctor patted his head. Joshi-kun will take you there. Room 106, Joshi-kun."
The doctor rolled his eyes at You's complaint. "Hmmph...You'll get used to it in time. A nose learns to drown out some unpleasant scents. Just think of yourself as a human blood hound and you'll enjoy it soon enough."
Joshi peeked at You and then quickly looked down at the ground waiting for the man.
"Don't forget your crutch...Ishihara-san. You never know when you might need it again." The doctor said before walking down the hall to his next...."appointment."
~ ~ ~
You's fingers twitched in aggitation, the want to just strangle the Doctor nearly overpowering.
He'd done something which Ishihara hadn't approved of.
Would the world be a better place without the Doctor?
Yes.
Would Matsumoto be angry if the man died?
Probably.
Would You pay for it later if he were to be injured?
Most definitely.
Sighing, saying nothing to the madman in a lab coat, he dressed and put on his glasses, took up the crutch and spare contacts, then followed Joshi-kun down the hall to room 106. Ishihara left his crutch outside the door, not wanting the experiment to get his or her hands on it. Once let inside, You carefully withdrew a pair of leather gloves from his coat pocket, pulling them over his hands before his gaze focused on the experiment to be disposed of.
Would the Doctor's laser surgery hold up?
Ishihara was about to find out. Luckily, he was wearing his 'watch'.
~ ~ ~
Joshi pointed to the door and pulled a key from the collar at his neck. It appeared that the young man was a key keeper on Level 7. A job that usually was granted to the doctor's current favorite. He slid the key across the special lock then put his thumb on a spot and the door opened.
Inside, it was dark except for the gleam of eyes in the back. The door slid closed behind You and a dim light started to glow in the room. The...person in the room looked over You... "You're here to....kill me....aren't you...." The words were halting out of the mouth of this one as if it were hard to speak. He was hunched over at the edge of the bed but You could tell there were long claw like nails upon those fingers. "I...won't go down....easy...."
~ ~ ~
Ishihara raised an eyebrow at the hunched man. "What experiment did he put you through?" You asked seriously, staying where he was on the other side of the room.
Moving too quickly was reckless with a desperate failed experiment.
"He's classified you as a failure. I want to know why. Prove to me you are a success... and perhaps I'll spare your life."
Of course he had no intention of doing so... but he didn't recognize this man. This meant that the man wouldn't, hopefully, know who Ishihara was.
~ ~ ~
"Liar...." The man sniffed the air and tilted his head. Long hair splayed down the side. "....I'm...long...term....too....long... Test...case....Katsui Shin..." The man...shuffled on to his feet. "I...see you....see through...You....Ishihara...."
~ ~ ~
You's dark eyes narrowed. "A test case for telepathy I suppose?" he asked, pulling on the edge of one leather glove, making sure it fit tight. "At least you've the decency and manners to introduce yourself. You know who I am so you must know that I've requested from the Doctor himself... to terminate a failed experiment. Part of a testing process of my own if you'd like." stepped forward, every move Ishihara made was careful and calculated... though he didn't strike.
He was like the shark... carefully circling it's prey... looking for that weakness... that one opening....
~ ~ ~
"Aye.....see...yes...I know..." he sniffed and moved...nails scratched along the back wall causing a low screech. "I know...secrets...open secrets...that's why you're here." Shoulders moved from side to side, "Necks.......wrist watch....like open book...."
The man...sniffed again...eyes flicking upward. "You....You......shhh....shh...."
~ ~ ~
Carefully, Ishihara removed his glasses, allowing for the heat reading red eyes to do their job. It worked better than the low lighting for seeing his prey.
"You know... it can be a rather high pleasureable feeling. Your life in this hell hole can't be pleasant, Shin-san. I'm offering you a way out... in a far more pleasurable way than anything the Doctor or his minions would do. Why fight me? If you do manage to kill me, it will only end your life all the quicker. If you let me do my job... then you can die in pleasure instead of pain."
~ ~ ~
"You'd .....do that...for me?" he asked so softly as if he had never had such an offer in his life.
With eyes open it was easy to see the deformities from so many experiments. The eyes that looked over at You were almost human enough. "You...." The man put one of his hands to his head. "Hurts...hearing...you....hearing in you...through you....." His eyes flicked to the corner then back at You... then back to the corner again and back to You. The man's mouth foamed and he gritted his teeth. A twisted unsettled look on his face.
Suddenly, in You's head he could hear a sad voice. "I see through you. And he's listening. He's looking for your secrets."
~ ~ ~
Red eyes narrowed dangerously as he heard that voice.
Shin's voice was in his head...
How?
Why?
"Who's listening, Shin-san?" the shark asked seriously. "What secrets? You say you see through me... but I don't think you mean you see my soul or mind... What do you see when you look through me, Shin-san."
Carefully, Ishihara withdrew the wire from his watch, but he made no move toward the failed experiment.
"I would give you pleasure as you die, yes. Far better than being hacked to bits, don't you think?"
~ ~ ~
The doctor is listening... You're someone he fears. Shh...shh....don't speak. Think." While the inside had a quality of calm. The man's exterior body contorted. His body seemed to take a terrible toll from this communication. The exterior bit at it's own tongue as if trying to avoid speaking out loud. The long nails running over his face.
"Mind and soul? No...I can see paths in life...impressions of you. What was...sometimes what will be. You love a man....that almost died. That impression is true. He...is your soulmate. That impression is true." The exterior body coughed and jerked an angry voice filling the room, "Hafu....Har....Wretch....you've killed men...They've got names...! But...I won't die easily..." It seemed like he was repeating himself, it might have been a defense mechanism or something else entirely.
The inner voice continued, "You'll kill the Doctor one day....Ah...that impression flickers. It is neither the true nor a lie...yet. And yet he fears you. He won't come in here anymore, he fears the impressions inside my head. He listens for my outside voice...thinks my outside voice will tell him your dirty secrets. And he's not wrong, I can't not hold my outside voice for long."
If Ishihara You knew much more about Azriel, he would have been able to see the progression that Azriel might have traveled down had he been in the Pit any longer. This man on the outside barely had any control of his world. On the inside, there was something completely different but it was no life to live. He probably had been used many times by the doctor to gain secrets from...rivals and threats. It was easy enough to see how much the inside struggled to keep the outside from speaking You's secrets. And it would be easy to figure out why the Doctor wanted this one killed off. All those secrets....
~ ~ ~
In a sudden explosion of movement, Ishihara... now close enough to nearly touch the man at arm's length, shot a few feet forward and his hand sprang out, slamming into the man's chest and knocking him backward onto the bed. The assassin was on Shin in the blink of an eye, straddling his body, thin cord wrapped around the man's neck and pulled taunt.
This little b*****d had nearly said Haru's name, damn it!
Luckily, the thing thread was tight enough to keep the man from speaking... without actually killing him.
'Tell me what you know of the Doctor. If you think I may one day kill him than any information would be helpful. I was under his knife just hours ago and he did something I did not request. If you can see through me... is that all he did? I have to kill you, Shin-san. To keep the man in my heart safe... I can not allow you to live knowing what you've told me. I'm sorry. While strangling the life from my victims pleases me... destroying a failed product of that madman doesn't. Too many died for what he can now do. How many died for the eyes I have? If you can help me... if you can tell me anything more... then I promise your death will be as you wish it. Swift or pleasurable. You've my word as an assassin.' frowning, Ishihara kept his legs over Shin's, making sure the man couldn't struggle out of his grasp. But the wire didn't get any tighter.
No...
You wanted answers.
~ ~ ~
The creature fell like a stone, clawed hands flailing then trying to save it's own neck. This close, You could smell the heavy odor of sweat. It choked and finally as You straddled him fully the creature couldn't get away.
Katsui Shin, that inner voice paused as the mouth of the exterior self contorted without the ability to speak. Yes he did more. That impression is true.
The eyes of the exterior squinted and crossed while the inside voice continued, 22 have died to make your eyes you....That impression is true.
The Doctor was an accomplice to a murder of....a woman who birthed an heir. That impression is true. That piece is important, Ishihara You. I see through you.. If you let Haru walk his path that leads to this place, you will lose him. That impression is true. The body struggled under You, trying to kick and jerk out from under the control You had on it. But that obviously wasn't the will of the voice inside. That voice had been trapped for such a long time.
~ ~ ~
For a moment, Ishihara relaxed his grip on the wire, allowing for Shin to breathe, then tightened it once more.
'An heir? To whom? To what? Who is this important heir?' before the mad man's very eyes though, You paled slightly.
'How can I save Haru? What did the Doctor do to me?'So many had died to perfect the surgery that gave him his all important infrared sight... Twenty Two men had been under the Doctor's knife then disposed of...
The smell was nearly overpowering and it took all of Ishihara's composure not to vomit. Between the fear that filled his soul and the stench beneath his nose...
This... this shell of a man... he held answers.
'I promise you a good death, Shin-san. But I can't kill you until you've answered my questions.'~ ~ ~
The creature wretched but didn't have time to speak as it sucked in air before the wire tightened again.
Matsumoto Izo. That impression is true. But that impression is from the Doctor." The inner voice paused and seemed confused for a moment. I think there is more than one heir. He didn't give the reasons for that feeling and it seemed like he was trying very hard to help but something were beyond his ability. There was only so far that Shin could reach. The paths became more tangled the further he walked off of You's path.
You know Haru has secrets. That impression is true. I extend and reach...but it is hard... He...seeks...secrets that...will bring him...here. That impression...flickers...ngh...no...it's true. No...it... Ahhhhhhhhh..... It's too hard to pull that far. The inner voice cried out and became silent. The exterior self struggled again and suddenly the face lulled to the side.
In the moments to follow, You didn't here anything and then finally the inner voice spoke but it was much weaker, "If you keep Haru from finding the truth, he will live but...I fear for you if you follow that path even if that impression is true. If you find the answers he seeks before he does, you will save him. That impression is true.
Your body has been....been given something thing similar to me, not perfect. That impression...flickers. I think it doesn't do the same thing. You won't see through people. I don't know the right question to see through you. You cannot control it. That impression...flickers. I see...a blond that the doctor desires as much as the child he seeks. That impression is true and hides a Pandora's box. You must not turn that key. Something is bad there. If you are not there, you will die...if you are there, you must not turn that key. I can't extend my reach....through you.
Please grant me peace....If you hold me too long, the doctor will get suspicious. And if you try to kill him now, you will die. That impression is true. You must live, Ishihara You.
~ ~ ~
An heir?
Izo had an heir?
You's red gaze narrowed and he put pressure on the wires once Shin had finished speaking within his mind. 'I promised you a pleasant death.' the assassin replied, pulling just hard enough to cut off the experiment's airway. 'I don't intend to die for Matsumoto. There's only one man I'd die for. You have given me more than I could have asked, Shin-san. I will have your ashes given to the wind so your soul may finally know freedom.'
Yes, Ishihara was being kind... because this failure of an experiment had pulled up questions that were buried deep in the shark's heart. The Doctor had done something to him... something no doubt he couldn't prove... but he wouldn't tell that to the spider. He would deal, as always, with it when it came.
But Haru...
Haru couldn't come to the PIT. You feared that his lover would become ensnared... bound to a fate worse than death in his own mind. The wretches that lived in this hell hole could only strive to survive.
Ishihara's muscles flexed and he moved the wire along Shin's neck to cut off even more of the airway. Blood would begin rushing to the brain and he hoped a euphoric feeling would stimulate this poor soul's pleasure center.
He moved off the man, circling around while keeping the wire tight. You no longer kept the failure pinned to the bed.
~ ~ ~
Freedom....yes....Finally....I will know peace The exterior body flailed some as You released his weight. But the primal part of the self that seemed to be on the exterior wanted to live. Just like any animal would. The mixture of emotions with were crossed on the creature's deformed figure until the feeling of pleasure finally latched on and the exterior started to gasp.
You're right...it does feel good. Ngh.....You should give up this work....one day. Life is too short. Haru feels the same way as you..love you...lies to protect you....Ahh....so good....for the first time in so long... But then the voice shuddered, Revenge....that's it! Haru don't open the box. You're mistaken! Wait for..You...no...Hngh....wait...I see something....Mother? The voice calmed almost instantly before the sound of a gleeful happy noise echoed in You's head.
The deformed body arched and jerked then collapsed. For a fleeting second You could see something in his mind's eye. A handsome young man with dark hair curly hair taking hold of a woman's hand. A light so bright behind her. As they turned away Shin waved. Then was gone.
~ ~ ~
For a moment after Shin's body gave out... after the images passed from his mind... You simply stood there, his arms remaining taunt, wire strong.
Then he sighed and let go, the wire snapping back into his watch. He reached out, closing the dead man's eyes before walking back to the door and knocking.
"Joshi-san." Ishihara spoke loud enough that the man on the other side of the door would easily hear him.
The idea of being stuck in this disgusting rank room a moment longer very nearly made You sick. He had done the pitiful man a favor... ending this torturous existence. But he couldn't take Shin's words to heart.
If he gave up his work...
Well... Matsumoto would never let him live with the secrets he knew.
~ ~ ~
On the other side of the door, Joshi waited and with that knock, his nervous fingers opened the door letting out the assassin. "Is it dead?" he asked timidly. His head never looked up directly at You. But his head turned enough to glance down the hall way. "You probably should go now." he whispered then he pull the key at his throat and closed the door to 106.
~ ~ ~
Ishihara replaced his glasses over his eyes, putting the gloves back into his coat pocket. "Yes. Tell your master he's dead. Cremate him and toss his ashes out the backdoor after nightfall. He's a failure... the Doctor was quite right about that."
For a moment, You paused. He reached out, grabbing Joshi by the chin and forcing the man to look at him. "If you see me again, look me in the eye. Subservient pricks just make me want to strangle them." the assassin said, somewhat angrily, before letting Joshi go and heading down the hall.
What could he tell Haru?
What SHOULD he tell Haru?
God what was his lover going to say when he saw the lack of a crutch?!
No... Ishihara needed to speak with Matsumoto first. Face to face. Pulling out his cellphone, You waited until he stood near the elevator and got at least a bit better service. Then he sent a simple text message.
Matsumoto-san,
May I speak with you in regards to me new mission?
-Ishihara~ ~ ~
"I will tell him..." said Joshi and then he about screamed when You grabbed him and forced his face upward. The young man practically fell on his a** as You let him go. He didn't say anything but the words obviously got through to him because he was too afraid not to look away as You walked off.
The reply to the text was slow in coming and by the time You reached upstairs it had been 5 minutes later. Finally it came.
Ah, you were told then, good.
Yes, you may.
But I am preparing for a private engagement tonight.
Is this important? If it is, I'm at my estate in Setagaya.
I wished to request a change to your mission plan, sir.
Sensei fixed my arm and leg so I can get back to working normally again.
If I leave now, would that meeting time be convenient for you?"
Ishihara returned the text, walking out of 'hell' as swiftly as possible. He carried the new contacts in his pocket, and the now unused crutch under one arm.
Explaining this to Haru was going to be nearly impossible... would his partner believe cutting edge plastic surgery?
God he hoped so...
