Destiny's Fool

Um... ... ... Not a lot to say.


Read. *nodnod*

~~

As Branret and Kit arrived back at the hotel, Rose greeted them at their door.

“Jinn’s awake,” she told them, “It’s a bit late to head out now, but we’ll be able to set out early tomorrow without a problem.”

“I think I’ll go see him,” Kit said, turning and heading for Jinn’s room.

Branret nudged him playfully as he passed by and Kit smiled and gave a tiny wave, jogging into Jinn’s room.

“Thanks, Rose,” Branret said. Rose nodded and walked off to her own room.

Branret walked into his bedroom with a happy sigh. Despite his earlier tension and fear, things with Kit seemed to be going rather smoothly.

Branret looked up and around the room, shutting the door. Suddenly, he caught movement out of the corner of his eye, right where his door had been concealing anything behind it. He jumped back and skidded a little, glaring.

He was surprised to see Gate standing before him, sword in hand. He looked prepared to fight, which was only more surprising.

“I thought we had a deal with you,” hissed Branret, readying himself to strike should Gate attack first.

“The deal changed with the circumstances,” Gate said, lifting his blade to strike. He ran at Branret, who did a back flip, landing on the bed and crouching down like the big cat he resembled, slowly circling Gate as though he was prey.

Branret wasn’t sure what to do. He’d seen from Jinn’s fight that he didn’t hold a candle to Gate’s swordsmanship. He might have been able to win, except that his trump was his use of sand, which he no longer had at his disposal.

“Where is the Traveler?” Gate asked.

“I wouldn’t know,” Branret lied.

“Katze, I have no fault with you,” Gate said. Branret frowned at the urgent tone in his voice. The warrior Jinn had described was one who was calm and collected, but he didn’t seem as much so now.

“If you want Kit, you’ll have to go through me,” Branret said and, without warning, lunged at Gate, clawing at him animalistic-ly. Gate was caught slightly off guard, placing his blade between him and Branret, but not before receiving claws across his face.

Branret darted back and continued to circle him.

Gate didn’t wait to be attacked again. This time he ran at the Katze, swinging in a wide arch, forcing Branret to back up, pinning him against the wall.

Branret pressed his back against the wall, growling.

“I apologize,” Gate said, lifting his blade to run him through. Branret faced his death with vibrant, defiant eyes.

Suddenly, Gate was thrown aside and someone was between him and the Commander of Wind. Gate landed on the bed, sitting up and staring, confused as to who could have interfered.

“Get your Traveler,” Dalune hissed, spreading his arms to protect Branret, “This one is mine.”

“Dalune…” Gate said, “Melanie has been looking for you.”

Dalune smirked and relieved himself of his defensive stance. “I decided I didn’t want to take orders from her,” he said.

Branret growled low in his throat, his pupils slitting at the very sight of Dalune. Why was he protecting Branret? So he could use him as a toy later?

“Why are you protecting him?” Gate asked, his blade held in a peaceful position at his side.

“I told you,” Dalune said, “He’s mine. I can’t have you killing him before I’m even able to spend any time with him.”

Gate stared with a small frown. “It’s the Traveler I need anyway,” he said, turning.

Dalune slowly turned as Gate walked towards the door, smirking sickly at Branret. Branret hissed softly and pressed himself closer to the wall. Gate paused and turned slightly as Dalune darted forward, grabbing Branret’s wrists and shoving them against the wall.

“What are you intentions?” Gate asked.

“Don’t worry,” Dalune said, “They have nothing to do with you or your precious Holy. The Traveler is a few doors down.”

Gate paused, but walked out the door, leaving the two of them alone.

“I don’t like the way you’ve been walking around with your little Kit,” Dalune said, looking at Branret carefully.

“I don’t care,” Branret growled.

Dalune cast the spell to pin the Katze to the wall, removing his hands from his waist and staring at him, cupping his face.

“He’s been kissing you,” Dalune said with great displeasure, “If you have sex with him, I’ll simply just have to kill him. I can’t stand it. I burst with jealousy just thinking about it…”

Branret stared at him, disbelieving of what he was saying. “I don’t get you!” Branret snapped, “Why are you so obsessed with me?!”

Dalune was silent a moment, before his expression softened slightly surprising Branret even more.

“Because,” Dalune said, “You were the one I let live.”

Branret didn’t process this at first. His mind coursed back and he remembered that Dalune was the killer of the people in his village. The village that only Branret had escaped from.

“Why?” Branret whispered. “You knew I was getting away, why didn’t you stop me?”

“Because I didn’t really want to kill any of you,” Dalune said, taking Branret’s chin in his hand and looking at the Katze’s handsome tan face. “I was fascinated by Katzes. Such a regal, proud race. You’re all so beautiful, but in a way that’s different from an elf. I longed to see one up close since I was a little boy.”

“Then why… why did you murder my village?!” Branret screamed.

Dalune remained calm. “I’m rather curt with Melanie, so it was a punishment. I’m one of those serving her who didn’t do so willingly,” Dalune said, “She had ways of making us all join her. I was one of the more extreme cases. I have a talent for saying just the right thing to royally piss someone off. That was my first mistake.”

Branret stared up at him, swallowing. Suddenly he struggled. “Kit! Gate is going to…! I have to…!” he cried.

“The Traveler will be fine,” Dalune said, “Gate’s a mess compared to his usual self. It hurts my feelings that you won’t listen to my story.”

Branret started to respond to such a sarcastic comment, but stopped when he saw that Dalune really was hurt.

Despite himself, Branret said, “What did Melanie do?”

“You think I want you for my personal toy…” Dalune said, running his nails down Branret’s neck, “That’s true. But only because I don’t know any other way to make you stay with me and allow me to get what I want from you. I would rather not keep you when you’re unwilling, but I’m so possessive and impatient…”

“What did she do?” Branret asked again.

“I was her personal toy,” Dalune smiled a haunted smile, leaning far over Branret, “She took care of me personally, in that sense. And it was anything but pleasurable.”

“That’s…” Branret just stared.

“I wish I hadn’t talked about this,” Dalune sighed, “It weakens my resolve to capture you and keep you. That’s why I hate empathy.”

“Didn’t you ever consider just asking me?!” Branret snapped, suddenly.

Dalune’s eyes widened a little, surprised. Apparently asking never really occurred to him. “No, I didn’t,” Dalune said, “Why would you ever accept me? Especially when I was under orders by the only person I truly fear to kill the one you’re destined to protect?”

“I might have understood,” Branret hissed, “But now… Now…”

“Come with me…” Dalune whispered, leaning forward and kissed Branret’s neck gently, “Be mine. I’ll give you anything. Everything.”

Branret swallowed and stared up at the ceiling. “I can’t,” Branret said, “I’m with Kit.”

Dalune paused. “I want to hate him, but I can’t blame him for chosing you,” Dalune said, “And I can’t blame you for chosing him over me. After all, I’m the evil one. The rapist. The crazy kid who plays with fire.”

“You were so cruel before,” Branret said softly.

“I sometimes just don’t know how else to act,” Dalune said. Then, without another word, he kissed Branret.

Branret didn’t respond, but he didn’t fight. In fact, he was mainly just confused. Confused as to what Dalune’s intentions for him were, what side he was on, what he was going to do with Branret in such a vulnerable position, and confused as to why Dalune felt so strongly for him.

Dalune broke the kiss and suddenly stood up, off of the katze. His arm rose and covered his eyes.

“Dalune?” Branret asked, confused.

“Till again,” Dalune said, unbinding Branret before disappearing, but not before Branret saw one teardrop fall to the floor.

“I don’t understand,” Branret whispered.

Even as he said it, he was standing and running towards Jinn’s room.

~:~

Kit had entered Jinn’s room cautiously, lest the elf was feeling frisky. He spotted him, his back turned to the door, dozing lightly. He rolled over as soon as Kit shut the door.

“Oh, hey there,” Jinn sat up a little and rubbed an eye.

“You were in pretty bad shape, huh?” Kit asked, walking over.

“I suppose,” Jinn yawned loudly. “What’re you up to?”

“Checking on you,” Kit said, pulling up a chair and sitting a good distance away from Jinn. Jinn glanced at him and suddenly looked away.

“Jinn?” Kit asked, confused.

Jinn sniffled and Kit leaned forward, startled. If he didn’t know any better, he would think that the elf was crying.

“Jinn!” Kit said, panicking, “What’s wrong?”

“Absolutely nothing,” Jinn said, looking at him, looking like an entirely different person with tears rolling down his face. “I’ve been randomly bursting into tears since… since well… this.”

Kit glanced where Jinn’s finger pointed and gasped. In the center of Jinn’s bare chest was a huge scar, right over his heart, shaped like a many pointed star.

“What is that?” Kit said, staring.

Jinn seemed to be recovering from the sudden onslaught of tears. “A goddess tried to rip my heart from my chest,” he said with a small smile, “I’ve been a bit nutty and prone to mood swings ever since.”

“How could you have survived that?” Kit asked softly.

“My best friend saved me,” Jinn replied.

“I’ve heard you mention a best friend more than once,” Kit said, “Who is he? Where is he, even?”

“Idio?” Jinn asked, his tears totally forgotten, replaced by another expression Kit had yet to see. A boyish smile, making him look like a little kid. “We’ve been best friends for a bajillion years. God, I miss him…”

“So, maybe I should try again,” Kit folded his arms, “Why were you on Earth?”

“Did you know that people who aren’t from Earth call your planet Template?” Jinn asked, smiling brightly.

“Nice,” Kit sighed, “Answer the question.”

Jinn was quiet. “But it’s embarrassing…” Jinn muttered.

Kit was dumbfounded. Since he’d met the elf, Jinn had either been unbearably smug, serious and logical, or horribly lecherous. Now he seemed like a little kid.

“I screwed a God’s daughter,” Jinn said, looking at the ceiling.

Kit stared.

“Okay…”

Jinn sighed. “True Gods are like the most powerful beings in the world, but they could care less about anyone who’s not a God. And none of them would harm someone for no reason. Their job is to keep the universe running in proper order,” Jinn shrugged, “Like Melanie? She’s just half a god, but even then, she’s no even half of a True God. She’s just half of a very powerful life form who refers to itself as a god.”

“Okay…” Kit repeated.

“Er, anyway,” Jinn said, “When provoked, a True God will get angry and cause harm to someone who isn’t a God. This guy was just particularly protective of his daughter. But she totally came onto me first!”

Kit had to smile, despite himself.

“Anyway, he found out and turned me into a powerless kitty, then slammed me down on Earth,” Jinn sighed, “I stayed there for like thirty years before all of this.”

“Thirty…?” Kit blinked, surprised, “You look sixteen.”

“Gawd, how old am I these days?” Jinn pondered, “I know I’m over 1,000…”

Kit just gawked.

“I’m immortal,” Jinn said, “I won’t ever die. That is, till I meet some kind of unfortunate accident and the universe says good-riddance to rotten garbage.”

“You’re not garbage,” Kit folded his arms.

“Yeah, yeah,” Jinn said and suddenly reached over, tugging Kit on top of himself and then rolling over onto him. “Mmm. Missed you last night.”

“I’m sure,” Kit said, unamused, “Look, I consider Branret my boyfriend, so you’re not allowed to molest me.”

“Boyfriend…?” Jinn glanced at him.

“I’m going to live with him once this whole mess is over with,” Kit said with a happy smile.

Jinn was quiet a long time. “I could find a place for you when this is all over, too, you know,” he said.

“Huh?” Kit asked, confused as to what he meant.

“Nevermind,” Jinn said and rolled over and off of him, “Just a weird passing thought of weirdness.”

Kit sat up. “You’re not going to forcefully molest me?” Kit asked.

“Nope,” Jinn said, “Mister Bad-Ass Traveler Boy has a boyfriend now. But also because I’m tired. Don’t expect a reprieve.”

“Despite your tendency not to keep your hands to yourself,” Kit remarked, “You’re still my close friend Jinn.”

Jinn smiled at him. “I’ll be that then,” Jinn said.

“Thank you,” Kit replied, smiling back.

“Hey, you know, I’m still kind of tired from before,” Jinn said, sitting up, “But I’ll walk you out, all right?”

“’Kay,” Kit said, crawling off the bed himself and following Jinn as he walked towards the door. The elf opened the door slightly, but paused.

“Hey, Kit…?” he said, hesitating, “I wanted to tell you—“

Before he could finish, the door was shoved open forcefully, making Jinn stumble back. Kit jumped and wheeled back several steps, shocked.

Gate stood there only a moment, assessing what was in the room, before grabbing Jinn by the hair and dragging him over, holding his blade up to his neck.

“Traveler,” he said, calmly, “I need you to come with me.”

Kit stood there dumbly, unsure of what just happened. As the scene slowly settled in, he stared back and forth from Jinn to Gate.

“St-stop…” Kit whispered, “Don’t kill him…”

“Then come with me peacefully,” Gate said.

“Hey asshole,” Jinn hissed, eyeing the blade, “I thought you and I had a bargain? I’ve been in bed for nearly two days cause of you…”

“I do apologize, but there’s something on the line I can’t afford to lose,” Gate said softly, pushing his blade closer to Jinn’s throat.

“Okay!” Kit shouted, “I’ll go, just don’t kill him!”

“Kit,” Jinn growled, “Forget it…”

“I can’t just let him kill you!” Kit cried, “If I really am some destined warrior, meant to destroy Melanie, than I won’t die! But that doesn’t mean you can’t!”

“So what, you think fate is randomly going to supply a way to get out of this?!” Jinn hissed.

“Kit?!” they heard and the door was swung hard outward. Gate gave a small pained cry as it struck his head, the sword falling from his grasp as sunbursts blew up in front of his eyes. Jinn was freed in the moment of weakness, the elf ducking away and turning around.

It took him three seconds to realize what had happened. When he did, however, he burst out laughing.

Branret stood in the doorway, looking confused.

“What just happened?” he asked.

“Fate, I suppose,” Jinn said, placing a foot in the middle of Gate’s back to keep him from standing.

Gate slammed a fist on the ground, closing his eyes, surprising all three of them.

“Whatever,” Jinn said, “Kit, get this fella’s card out so he won’t be a problem anymore.”

“I’m sorry, Holy,” Gate whispered.

Kit had been doing as instructed, when he paused and glanced at Gate. “What about Holy?” Kit asked.

Gate was silent.

“He asked you a question,” Jinn said, stomping on him a little.

Gate gritted his teeth. “Why do you care? Just kill me already,” he growled.

“We can help…” Kit said, kneeling down next to him, “Did Melanie do something to Holy that made you break your bargain?”

“What’re you doing?” Jinn asked.

Kit ignored him, watching Gate expectantly. Gate stared up at him, debating with himself. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath.

“It doesn’t matter…” he said.

“You love him, right?” Kit asked softly, “And he certainly loves you. If Holy’s in trouble, let us help. There’s no reason you two have to live like this.”

Gate sighed. “Scrape took Holy hostage,” Gate said, “He said if I didn’t try to kill you again, he’d kill Holy. But, I suspect even if I were to die now, fighting, Melanie would still have Holy killed. She has no use for him once I’m dead.”

Kit was quiet a moment.

“We’ll help.”

“Ohhh, no we won’t,” Jinn said, glaring at Kit.

“We will! We have to!” Kit said.

“Your reprieve is officially over,” Jinn muttered. Kit blushed, but Branret just looked confused. Jinn simply took his foot off Gate, allowing him to sit up.

“Even if we all attacked Scrape, he could still kill Holy,” Gate said.

“Don’t worry,” Kit smiled brightly, “I think I have a plan.”

“Could you two leave while I speak to Kit privately?” Jinn asked.

Branret glared but turned and walked out. Gate obliged with a nod, turning and stepping out, shutting the door behind him. Jinn followed and locked the door, turning back to Kit.

“What??” Kit asked.

“Nothing,” Jinn said, picking up Kit and throwing him over his shoulder.

“Ack! Jinn! I have to flesh out my plan!” he said.

“Then do it in between bouts of ecstasy,” Jinn said, tossing him on the bed and having the blonde boy’s pants peeled down before Kit could even guess at what Jinn meant.

Needless to say, for the next ten minutes, Kit got absolutely no thinking done.