Empty Eyes - Part 3

Boiling panic-
I'm alone, caught in the middle.
Raving envy:
It is all I have.
Anxious moments-
I'm feeling lost, caught in the middle.
Yearning, longing,
'Cos it is all I want.

Brutal power-
It keeps me locked, caught in the middle.
Raging danger,
And I have lost control.
Dying, I'm craving-
I'm still alone, caught in the middle.
Killing passions-
And I have nothing left.

Caught In The Middle – Nemesea


Shi no Shi. The wonderful prison I own. The prison where I throw everyone I'm sick of. I needed  some help in my revenge lest those Salvatore bastards kill me again. The younger one had cut off my real tail. He'll pay for that. Painfully.

I walked to the cell at the end of the longest corridor. It was dark and damp and dusty; The perfect conditions for my prisoners. They were allowed no comfort, and many were afraid to even talk to one another. Even if they did talk they immediately silenced their conversations at my passing. The humidity was causing my sweater and jeans to stick to my lean frame, but I could tell I was still carrying myself with confidence by the fear that radiated from their minds.

I arrived at the last cell, and I turned to face the pathetic figure that inhabited it. He was a pure white kitsune, far older than I. I could have respected him had he not made the snide comment about my immaturity and naïveté that caused him to wind up here.
           
"Yoshiyuki," I practically spat at him, purposefully leaving off a suffix to further show my contempt. I waited in silence for a moment before growling in irritation when he remained motionless.
          
How dare he ignore me?! I thought. The nerve of him!
          
Careful not to touch any of the spikes on the iron cell, I shook the door angrily. "Yoshiyuki! Get up." At my raised voice other nearby prisoners shifted uncomfortably, but the only sign the old fox heard me was a slight shift in his breathing.
           
"Ugh... You are getting on my bad side, old man," I said spitefully. "And you do not want to see me angry, I can promise you that." Dead silence. "I still have your hoshi no tama. Don't forget."
           
That finally earned a reaction. Yoshiyuki slowly changed into his human form- that of a graying old man whose gold eyes spoke of much wisdom- and sat up, his eyes meeting mine with a steady gaze. A rash move in his part, but brave nonetheless.
           
"What do you want?" he asked. Despite his appearance, he didn't sound weak.
           
"I want revenge," I smirked before continuing, letting the thought sink in, "and you're going to help me."
            
He was silent for a moment as though he was carefully choosing his words. "...If I say no?"
            
"Stay in here forever to rot."
            
"...If I help, promise you will give me my hoshi no tama back."

This was a tough offer. I knew I needed the help of the older kitsune while I was still regaining my power, but was his help worth giving him back his star ball and losing my hold over him? If I promised I had to keep it or else I would lose a lot of power. I didn't have long to decide. Then an idea crossed my mind, and a rather evil one at that: I could give it back to him- thus keeping my promise- then throw him back in Shi no Shi a few days later. My promise would've been kept, and I would have control over him again. It was perfect.

"I accept." He stood up and extended a frail old hand to me through the iron fence of the cell, and I shook it. His golden eyes locked on mine and I knew he knew my plan.
Wise old fox,  I thought with bitter sarcasm as I used the master key to unlock his cell. He slowly walked out, shaky from not walking for years, and I could take him all in. He wasn't as frail as I originally thought and was tall for being Japanese. He had long white hair (and a beard to match), but they contrasted with his fairly muscular build. His real tail was showing out of his robes, matching the white perfectly. He seemed like he would have been attractive back in his day.

"Who is your revenge against?" he asked calmly. The question alone brought back bitter memories of my death along with sad ones of my sister. Misao… I will avenge your death.

Speaking as bitterly as possible, I said scornfully, "The Salvatore brothers. The killed my sister by not taking care of her hoshi no tama, and tortured me into saying I regr-" I cut myself short, not knowing if quoting myself would lead to another death. I did not want to relive that and risk not coming back. Inari had given me another chance at avenging Misao, and I wouldn't screw it up this time for anything.

He seemed to understand, though, since he nodded knowingly. "I see." His eyes flashed with a deeper understanding as he continued, "Are they who you really want revenge against? Have you searched deep within you for your true objective?"

What the hell was he talking about? They killed my sister, so of course I would want revenge against them. No one else led to her death but them. This was Inari's will, so it was mine. I had no other reason to be alive again except by the Goddess' grace. "Yes, this is what I want. Why did you even ask such a stupid question?"

"One is sometimes unsure of his own desires. I was only looki-"

I cut him off. "Look, ojiisan," I added mockingly, "I'm not bringing you with me for proverbs and advice. I'm bringing you with me to help with my revenge, and that's it. You are not to give me any of your ancient advice or challenge my ideas. Understand?" I only realized after I spoke that this miniature rant added to my so-called "immaturity," but I decided it would be best to not bring that up either. He may have forgotten by now.

I was wrong. He accepted my mockery with some of his own. "Baka, Shinichi. I am only trying to make sure you want this particular revenge."

I was sure I was visibly fuming. He's calling me an idiot?! I was sick of him already.

"Insult me once more and you're going right back into your cell. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!" My voice echoed throughout the entire prison, but that worked. I was going for intimidating, so it only added to it. Yet somehow he managed to remain collected and calm.

This was really pissing me off, so I grabbed him by his robes on his chest and rammed him into a wall. "Answer me!" I yelled in his face, snarling.

He only nodded respectfully. "Of course, Shinichi-san." Oh, NOW he treats me with respect. Maybe he only needed to be put in his place.

"Very well, then," I said, gathering myself from my burst of anger. "Let the revenge begin."

Both of us- two strangers who didn't get along- walked out of the prison together with one objective: Find the Salvatore brothers and destroy them.