Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin characters are all owned by someone else. Now that you’ve rubbed it in, I will go off into a corner and cry.

Notes: Now this will be something like I was first attempting to do with My Life. It’s brief, random moments, each intended to get across some sort of feeling. I’ve since discovered it works better for me as an additional thing rather than the core story. Chapters will range from cheerful to heartwarming to downright depressing, depending on what comes to mind.

Warnings: Drug use.

Moments in Time:  Chapter 2 - Life as an Anesthetic

by Fitz

            The air was so thick that it parted in an ethereal swirl of smoke as I passed through it. The smoke shimmered, the entire structure of the house vibrating with the intensity of the bass, pounding from the speakers. The pulsing storm beat through me, squeezing me, holding me, moving me.

            Someone beckoned. I did not know her, but I went to her nonetheless. She smiled, slow and lazy, like a cat. I wasn’t a cat.

            “I like your dancing,” she murmured. “I’ll dance with you.”

            I shook my head and moved away. I didn’t go to these places to dance.

            The music was so loud it hurt at first. After awhile, I was numbed to it, aware only of the throbbing of the bass. I stopped near a speaker and rested my hand against the side, feeling the buzzing quiver of the amp, tingling through my arm and body. It was the feeling of losing all physical sensation.

            A phone rang. The neighbors were complaining. Someone shouted over the music.

            “Turn it up!”

            I could hardly breathe, it was so loud. Someone handed me a joint, and I sat on the floor next to the amp, sighing as everything faded with the numbing quality of the drug. The bass consumed me, deadening in its heavy beat. Closing my eyes, I leaned against the speaker drifting away from the people in the room.

            The silence woke me. Opening my eyes, I tilted my head to see a flash of pale hair and a broad smile.

            “Hey there, kid,” he clapped a hand against my shoulder as we walked down the darkened street toward home. A block away, red and blue lights flashed, hurting my eyes. “You’ll never get up tomorrow if we don’t get you in bed. School’s important, right?”

            The night was hot, summer heavy in the air. I didn’t have school tomorrow. Uncle Hiko was sending me to Driver’s Ed classes, but it was just as easy to sleep through those.

            “We just missed talking with the cops,” Enishi observed. “Maybe next time, kid. I’m sure they’d love to chat.”

            He left, and I let myself into the house. It was stifling, sickening as I fell on the bed. Not bothering with sheets, I closed my eyes and let the night carry me away.

^_^

            He’s yelling again. He’s always yelling. Why aren’t you going to classes? Look at these grades! Are you even listening to me?!

            I’m listening. I just don’t care. I sit through his lecture, stare out the window. This shift from fall to winter is always such a gray time. Everything dies. The trees aren’t that violent red, orange, and yellow. They’ve gone brown. Their branches are bare, but for those stubborn leaves that refuse to fall. The grass is yellowy and brown and brittle. There’s sand on the street from when it snowed last week and the trucks came through to plow and drop chemicals.

            Looking back to him, I find that he’s still talking. He’s mad. Then again, that’s not unusual. I still don’t care. There’s nothing… I don’t feel anything. He’ll keep yelling, threatening, telling me if you don’t get your act straight--

            It fades. He’s done shouting for now. As usual, he ends by telling me to go do my homework. So I get up, pick up my bag, and go to my room. He’s got a meeting tonight. I’ll leave then.

^_^

 

End Notes: Yes, this chapter also had a theme. Two entirely different times, with two very different people. I hope it made some sense.

Thanks to the reviewers. I realize this is not the same type of thing as a normal story, but I appreciate your input.

And Akai Kitsune! I’m afraid to ask what you think of me!

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