{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:monkeybarrel","title":"Notes from the cave","subtitle":"Silly hats only","author":{"name":"monkeybarrel"},"link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/data\/atom"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"service.feed","type":"application\/x.atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/data\/atom","title":"Notes from the cave"}}],"updated":"2007-12-24T12:29:25Z","entry":[{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:monkeybarrel:47007","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/47007.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=47007"}}],"title":"SSBB #13","published":"2007-12-24T12:29:25Z","updated":"2007-12-24T12:29:25Z","content":"The latest issue of Shousetsu Bang Bang is up, and just in time for the holidays. :D This issue's theme was \"No theme\", which was perfect since it gave me a wonderful excuse to finally finish a story I had been working on for awhile. ^^;

The issue can be found here<\/a>. Please go forth and enjoy. ^_^ And very Happy Holidays to everyone!"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:monkeybarrel:46832","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/46832.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=46832"}}],"title":"Holiday Drabbles - EC Version","published":"2007-12-24T04:51:44Z","updated":"2007-12-24T04:51:44Z","content":"A very Happy Holidays to <\/a>yhibiki<\/b><\/a><\/span>! :D

a drop of clarity<\/b>

It was there, in the back of his mind, lingering like the scent of cigarettes on his jacket. No matter what he did to distract himself- video games, comics, even homework- his thoughts still circled back to that moment.

Kubota sat reading the newspaper, completely unfazed. This infuriated Tokitoh.

\"Hey,\" he said.

No response.

\"Hey!\"

Kubota raised an eyebrow, but didn\u2019t look up. \"Yes?\"

Tokitoh turned to face the window. \"You...don\u2019t do that with everyone.\"

No response.

\"...Right?\"

The paper rustled; the chair shifted.

Kubota stood next to him and looked out.

\"No. I don\u2019t.\"

Tokitoh nodded slowly.

\"Just checking.\""},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:monkeybarrel:46562","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/46562.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=46562"}}],"title":"Holiday Drabbles - EC Version","published":"2007-12-23T22:11:56Z","updated":"2007-12-23T22:11:56Z","content":"For <\/a>elvaron<\/b><\/a><\/span>! Have a wonderful holiday!

All's fair in love and sports<\/b>

Three scowling students stood before him, each fighting over using the sports field\u2014soccer vs. rugby vs. American football. Matsumoto grimaced. Why couldn\u2019t people figure out their own problems? Didn\u2019t he have enough to deal with, what with the Executive Committee \"accidentally\" destroying the weight room?

Matsumoto rolled his eyes and started to stand. \u201cThe field will go to-\u201c

\"The lacrosse club.\" Tachibana said, pointing outside.

After the students ran out in a huff, Tachibana closed the door. \"To the victor come the spoils.\"

For in this field, there was only room for two...

He locked it just in case."},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:monkeybarrel:46161","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/46161.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=46161"}}],"title":"Holiday Drabbles - Pervy Gaiden edition","published":"2007-12-23T10:24:25Z","updated":"2007-12-23T10:25:23Z","content":"This one is for <\/a>incandescens<\/b><\/a><\/a>rahzel<\/b><\/a><\/span>! :D

Vigil<\/b>

Kubota sat next to the bed and watched the glowing end of his cigarette slowly move up towards his fingers. In the gloom, he could barely see the thin thread of smoke drift up to the ceiling.

He reached down and felt beneath the blanket until he found a hand, furry, clawed, and balled up in a tight fist. Carefully, he opened it until there was room enough for his fingers to slide through.

He didn't know what he hated more. That it was his last cigarette, or that it would be hours until he felt that hand squeeze back."},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:monkeybarrel:45806","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/45806.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=45806"}}],"title":"Holiday Request Drabbles - Saiyuki Gaiden edition","published":"2007-12-18T04:25:23Z","updated":"2007-12-18T04:25:23Z","content":"For the always wonderful <\/a>flemmings<\/b><\/a><\/a>incandescens<\/b><\/a><\/a>nitro_reload<\/b><\/a><\/span>, Bus Gamer will be a TV anime<\/a> next year.

This is both interesting and weird news. Bus Gamer could be really fun to see animated, at a little over one volume, what will they do though??? Is that enough for even 13 episodes? Or is that a lot of \"new material\"? How will they end it?

It make me wonder even more why a WA hasn't been animated yet since that's near the end of the 6th volume. Money? Waiting for story progression? Enough of a market to watch it? I would never have though Bus Gamer would have gotten an anime before WA, but you never know."},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:monkeybarrel:44836","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/44836.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=44836"}}],"title":"SSBB #12","published":"2007-10-16T14:07:01Z","updated":"2007-10-16T14:07:01Z","content":"Yay, I finally completed a Shousetsu Bang*Bang story before the deadline! Issue 12's theme is \"100 Tales of Horror\", something fun for the holidays. :D

Big HUGE thanks to J for being the wonderful beta that she is. Thank you thank you!

Issue #12 can be found here<\/a>. I'm using a goofy pen name. (No hints about which story is mine for now. Please read and enjoy! ^_^ I do wonder how obvious my writing ticks are...)"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:monkeybarrel:44620","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/44620.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=44620"}}],"title":"Fic - Executive Committee - Breaking Reasons","published":"2007-06-04T06:33:02Z","updated":"2007-06-04T07:14:32Z","content":"It's been a long time!

I'm totally out of practice. Oh well. It's hot outside.

Technically, this was for the March challenge at Temps Mort for \"teasing\", but I went over by a couple hours. ^^ Oh well x 2.



Breaking Reasons


Why was it always his fault?

Tokitoh stormed down the hallway, his sneakers squeaking with each stomp.

It\u2019s not like he pushed the air conditioner out the window! It was an accident! Besides, that jerk Fujiwara started it! \"Kubota-sempai, sit by meeeeee. It\u2019s cooler by the air conditioner. Kubota-sempaiiiiiiii.\"<\/i>

He didn\u2019t know how it fell out the window. He just wanted to crank it up so the air could reach further. And when the knob wouldn\u2019t turn all the way, who wouldn\u2019t shake it and hit it a little? C\u2019mon!

The squeaking and the bright reflective sheen weren\u2019t clues enough about the floor\u2019s just mopped state. Nor did he read the bright orange \"Wet Floors!\" sign before kicking it. He did note the way it smoothly sailed down to the other end of the hall. He smirked.

\"And the crowd goes wild!\" He pumped his fists in the air. That\u2019s right. Who\u2019s got mad skills?

The hallway\u2019s silence answered him first, followed up by a slow clapping sound. Clap clap clap. Tokitoh looked up. He grimaced.

The Vice President of the Student Council stood by the door of one of the classrooms at the end of the hall, right next to where the warning sign now stood.

\"Nicely done.\" Tachibana smiled. \"Although I do recall a rule against destroying school property.\"

\"What\u2019s destroyed?\" Tokitoh scowled and pointed at the sign. \"It\u2019s fine!\"

\"Oh?\" Tachibana tapped his cheek. \"Perhaps I am mistaken, and you\u2019re not on your way to beg for a working air conditioner to replace the one that you just happen to throw out a window?\"

How did he- \"I don\u2019t beg to anyone!\" Followed by, \"And it FELL on its own!\"

\"...Of course.\" Tachibana turned and started down the stairs. He didn\u2019t look back when he called. \"Coming?\"

Tokitoh stood his ground. \"For what?\"

Tachibana\u2019s words echoed around him. \"To replace what you didn\u2019t destroy.\"

Tokitoh waited a second and then followed, stuffing his hands in his pockets. \"Whatever.\" He wished his sneakers wouldn\u2019t squeak so much. It gave off the total opposite impression of anger and righteousness. He sped up to see if he could out-run the sound.

\"Oh, and do be careful.\" Tachibana\u2019s voice rose up from the bottom of the stairs.

Tokitoh\u2019s response was two quick squeaks and a loud thump, followed by a long string of swears.

\"The floors are still wet.\" Tachibana smiled and took a set of keys out of his pocket. As he searched for the one to unlock the supply room, he listened as Tokitoh squeaked and swore down the steps. This time, Tachibana noted with satisfaction, he walked a little slower.

By the time Tokitoh arrived, glowering and red-faced, he had found the right key. \"Let\u2019s see what we have. I think there\u2019s another air con. If not, I\u2019m sure there are a couple fans.\" He opened the door for Tokitoh and arched his eyebrows. \"Care to look?\"

Tokitoh pushed past him with just a huff.

\"Happy to help.\" Tachibana smiled as he shut the door

The supply room glowed in the late afternoon light. The sun beat down on this side of the school for half the day, and the enclosed space trapped in that heat. Tachibana loosened his collar and leaned against the door. He watched as Tokitoh moved from one corner of the room to the other, pulling boxes out and shoving them aside.

\"Paint. More paint. Even more paint. What the hell are they painting? Erasers! Who needs this many erasers! Oh- bingo!\" He grabbed a box on the floor, a picture of an air conditioner drawn on the side. He bent his knees and leaned down to pick it up. A second later he stood up with the box in his hands, but his face looked down at it, confused. \"What the-\" He shook the box.

Tachibana raised his eyebrows. \"Are you planning on destroying this one as well?\"

\"NO!\" Tokitoh glared. \"It\u2019s\u2026too light.\" He put the box on the ground and started to tear at the top.

\"You are always saying how strong you are, Tokitoh-kun.\" Tachibana walked over and stood over him.

\"You better believe it,\" he opened the box and peaked inside. \"You got to be shitting me.\"

Tachibana looked over his shoulder. \"Ahhhh, so that\u2019s where the extra towels were being stored. We\u2019ve been looking for those for months.\"

Tokitoh dropped the box and kicked it. It hit the wall with a small bounce. \"There\u2019s nothing here.\" He turned and stomped back to the door. \"Just paint and erasers and fucking towels. No fans. And no air conditioners.\"

\"A pity.\" Tachibana took a pen out of his pocket, bent down, and wrote Towels in large block letters on the box Tokitoh had just dropped. As he finished, he heard the angry rattle of a door knob being turned and turned to no avail.

\"What the-\" Tokitoh looked back. \"Hey, the door\u2019s locked.\"

\"Hm?\" Tachibana stood up and ambled towards him. \"That can\u2019t be. I unlocked it.\" He reached past Tokitoh and twisted the knob. It indeed did not open. \"Curious.\"

\"What do you mean \u2018Curious\u2019? Open the door. You got the keys.\"

\"Do I?\" Tachibana felt his pockets. \"Why, I do not.\"

\"What?\"

Tachibana felt the knob again, and this time, shook the door a little. He could hear the jangle of the keys on the other side. \"I do believe they are in the door. On the other side.\"

\"If they're in the door, how the hell are we locked in?\"

\"Old school. Old doors. Who knows how they work sometimes. I guess you actually have to have the key turned in the lock to make it open. Otherwise, it will just stay locked.\" Tachibana sighed and reached for his shirt, popping open another button. \"Funny, isn\u2019t it?\"

----

Tokitoh would have broken down the door, but Tachibana reminded him that neither he nor the Executive Committee could afford to buy yet another door after the several they\u2019ve already destroyed. He used this same excuse when Tokitoh threatened to throw one of the many paint cans through a window after they realized all the windows were painted shut.

After twenty minutes, Tokitoh finally stopped pacing and slumped by the door. He pressed his ear to it and listened. The hallway was completely silent. No footsteps. No voices. Nothing. Classes had been out for over two hours. Their window faced none of the playing fields where multiple sports clubs were outside enjoying the late sun. The other clubs that were still going weren\u2019t anyway near this part of the school, not even the Executive Committee...

\"I\u2019m sure someone will come by soon,\" Tachibana looked out the window, his voice soft and calm. \"They did know where you were going.\"

Tokitoh didn\u2019t reply. He didn\u2019t say, \"No, they didn\u2019t know where I was going because I just left. I didn\u2019t say I was going to find another air conditioner. I don\u2019t even know how you knew I was coming.\" None of that. He just stayed on the floor. The linoleum was at least cool to the touch still. He bent his head down, but that just seemed to trap in more heat close to his body. He lifted it up again and rested it against the door. His hand went to his school shirt and started to unbutton it. He threw it off. The t-shirt underneath stuck to his skin, and he picked at it and shook it, trying to bring in air between the gaps at his neck and waist.

He opened his eyes, and looked over to Tachibana. Tachibana was next to the window, his face masked by the glare streaming through.

\"What are you lookin\u2019 at?\"

\"I\u2019m looking outside,\" Tachibana replied smoothly, although his head was no longer turned towards the window.

\"Whatever.\" Tokitoh didn\u2019t care. The air seemed to steam up in front of his eyes so he closed them again. He slid down until his entire body lay across the floor. He lifted his t-shirt up so his back could get the full effect of the linoleum, \"Ahhhhh...\"

The boxes around him offered some shelter from the sun streaming through the windows. He lay in their warm gloom, his eyes closed. As his breathing slowed, he wondered, briefly, what Kubota was doing at that moment.

\"Why did you break the air conditioner?\" Tachibana\u2019s far-away voice filtered through his slowing thoughts.

\"I didn\u2019t,\" he said. \"It was\u2026an accident.\"

\"Then how did it happen?\" Less far-away then before.

\"It just...happened. It was stuck on medium. Wouldn\u2019t go higher.\"

\"And then you pushed it out the window?\" Closer than before.

\"No...just shook it a little. You know, to make it...move.\"

\"And then when that didn\u2019t work?\" It came from right above him. He could feel the heat of someone sitting down next to him. He wanted to turn away, so he flipped over and laid his stomach on the floor instead. Ahhh...this is better. It was warm from his back being on it, but it still felt cooler somehow, like the other side of the pillow that you turn over at night.

\"...I just wanted the air to reach further.\" He felt flushed with the memory filling his mind, like a dream. \"I didn\u2019t know it would fall.\"

\"I see.\" It seemed right next to his ear. He twitched, his hand shooting up for a moment as if to swat it.

He felt something soft brush against his back. Just once. He opened his eyes blearily, and turned his head. Tachibana lay against the floor next to him. His shirt open all the way, his chest resting on the floor, his face turned towards him, his glasses lay next to him.

\"What are you doing?\"

\"Following your example.\" Tachibana smiled, his eyes closed. \"It is cooler down here.\"

\"Hmmph.\" Tokitoh turned away. With his head against the floor, he could peer out the crack beneath the door.

\"Do you break everything when you want it to work?\"

Tokitoh tensed. His sleepiness was suddenly gone. He turned on Tachibana. \"You don\u2019t know anything,\" he growled, \"So don\u2019t act like you do.\"

\"True.\" Tachibana looked back at him, his eyes squinting without his glasses. Like Kubota\u2019s did... \"But let\u2019s say I followed your example again. And when something I wanted didn\u2019t work the way that I thought it should,\" he reached out and held a finger over Tokitoh\u2019s face and then dropped it down and held it over his chest. \"should I then force it? Hit it and shake it and push it until it does what I want it to do?\" He leaned forward as he pressed his finger down onto Tokitoh\u2019s skin. \"Is that the right way? The only way?\" He let his nail dig in.

Tokitoh\u2019s eyes widened a little, but then narrowed. \"What the hell are you talking about?\"

\"What do you think?\" Tachibana pressed his hand onto Tokitoh\u2019s chest and moved forward, their faces just inches apart. \"How to get something to work properly,\" he slid his hand down, \"without violence.\"

Tokitoh grabbed his hand and threw it off. \"Fuck off.\" He sat up and pushed his shirt down, the heat completely forgotten.

Tachibana licked his lips and reached for his glasses. \"Although, I have to say, I wouldn\u2019t mind trying out your way.\" He gave Tokitoh a wink. \"With a little fine-tuning added.\"

\"Go ahead and try.\" Tokitoh glared at him and cracked his knuckles.

They stared at each other, the light painting the room a dark orange. Tokitoh\u2019s eyes didn\u2019t move from Tachibana as his hand reached for the knob. He used it to pull himself up. It still wouldn\u2019t turn. \"I don\u2019t give a shit about this door. Either it\u2019s gettin\u2019 kicked in or it\u2019s you. I\u2019d say it\u2019s your pick, but I don\u2019t give a shit what you want.\" With one last look at Tachibana, he turned and lifted his leg.

Before he could make contact, he felt two arms grab him from behind, and a voice, soft and calm, whisper in his ear. \"But how well do you break from behind, hm?\" Tokitoh froze, but only for a second. In the next, he was reaching up to grab Tachibana by the neck.

\"Well enough,\" a voice, cool and nonchalant, interrupted. Tokitoh stopped, his arms in mid-air. The hands around Tokitoh tensed for one moment, and then retracted. Tokitoh watched as the knob that hadn\u2019t turned a moment before suddenly started to move. With a click, it swung open.

A tall figure leaned against the now open door, an unlit cigarette dangling from his mouth. He squinted at them. \"Boy, it sure is hot in here,\" Kubota smiled. \"You two must have been roasting.\" He leaned down and slowly picked up Tokitoh\u2019s school shirt that he\u2019d tossed away earlier. He held it out. Tokitoh grimaced and made to grab it from him, but Kubota moved and held his arm out into the hallway.

\"C\u2019mon, Kubo-chan.\"

\"Did you get what you needed?\" Kubota looked first at Tokitoh and then at Tachibana.

\"No,\" Tokitoh said. \"Not quite,\" answered Tachibana.

\"Too bad.\" Kubota shrugged and tossed Tokitoh his shirt. \"I sure do miss that air conditioner.\" He stood away from the door, allowing them room to come out. \"Ready to go home? Everyone else already left because of the heat.\"

\"I\u2019m so ready.\" Tokitoh put his shirt back on, but left it hanging open. \"Let\u2019s go.\" He moved past Kubota, but shot one last glare behind him. \"Stay out of my way, or I\u2019m not going to care what I break next.\"

\"And I\u2019ll be there to watch you pay for it, Tokitoh-kun.\" Tachibana smiled in return.

Tokitoh stomped down the hall. \"C\u2019mon, Kubo-chan!\"

\"Coming.\" Kubota raised his eyebrows and turned back to Tachibana who was about to leave the room. \"Oh, looks like you forgot something.\"

\"Hm?\" Tachibana stepped back and looked around. \"What would that be?\"

\"The keys.\" Kubota closed the door on him. They both heard the click of the lock. \"They\u2019re right here if you need them though,\" he called through the door, and jangled the keys for effect.

\"Dirty pool, Kubota-kun.\" There was a rattle at the knob.

\"Just following your example, Vice President.\" Kubota turned and started to walk away. He stopped \"One more thing. Tokitoh breaks things to make them work. But I break things to make them broken. It would be good to remember that.\"

The other side of the door was silent in response. Kubota smiled, lit his cigarette, and walked away. \"The floor sure does look clean.\"

-----

Twenty minutes later, there was a jangle of the keys, and the door to the supply room opened. This time, it was the President of the Student Council leaning against it. They looked at each other for a long moment- Matsumoto with his arms crossed, Tachibana with his shirt open.

Matsumoto finally broke the silence. \"I would recommend that you not tease him. It\u2019s not worth it.\"

\"And who would you be referring to?\"

Matsumoto turned, the keys in his hand. \"And I would recommend not teasing me either.\"

Tachibana bowed. \"Yes, sir.\" He followed after him, only stopping to close the door. He smiled at the all too-familiar click of the lock.

----

\"What took you so long?\"

\"I could ask you the same thing?\"

\"We were locked in. What was I supposed to do?\"

\"What you usually do? Break a window.\"

\"How would we pay for it? We can\u2019t even buy another air conditioner.\"

\"...that\u2019s true.\"

Tokitoh stopped and looked down at his feet. The ground was awash in blue under the early evening sky. \"I\u2019m sorry.\"

Kubota was ahead of him. He turned. \"About what?\" The cigarette moved up and down as he spoke.

Tokitoh just looked at him.

\"It was an accident.\" Kubota said.

\"Yeah, but...I could have not- accidentally...made it fall.\"

\"It was broken anyway.\" Kubota shrugged. \"It only worked if you stood right next to it. That\u2019s not much help. Not in this heat.\u201d

Tokitoh took that in. \"Yeah, and Fujiwara always was the one standing in front of it. That bastard.\" He caught up to Kubota. \"God, what a jerk. I hate that guy.\"

\"Hmmm.\" Kubota walked with him. He reached over and dropped him arm across Tokitoh\u2019s shoulder. \"The next one will work better, I\u2019m sure.\" He squeezed. \"Or you could just break it to make it better.\"

\"Hey!\"

Kubota let go and walked ahead of him, his arms crossed behind his head. He let his cigarette dangle, a thin line of smoke trailing next to him as he walked. He listened to the voice behind him grow louder and more insistent. He smiled, and looked up at the twilight sky, and thought about the not-working air conditioner at home.

But it wasn\u2019t Tokitoh who broke it.



^_^

Note- In Japanese EC fics, Tachibana is one of the few \"canon\" villains, next to Ohtsuka (...and Fujiwara...) That's what you get with a short gag series with few semes. I always find it kind of hilarious when it is used. Tachibana corners Tokitoh in the library! Mwahahaha! I mean, c'mon.

WA is obviously a little different. I mean, everyone has guns.<\/a>"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:monkeybarrel:44336","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/44336.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=44336"}}],"title":"Foiled, pt.2","published":"2006-12-17T18:01:05Z","updated":"2006-12-17T18:01:05Z","content":"This week's theme on <\/a>oc_speedfic<\/b><\/a><\/span> was delirious. It took me awhile to think of something...

Part 1 is here<\/a>.


Bill\u2019s party was hours away. (And that...thing...with Bran-the-neighbor.) As I looked at the clock, and the fading light outside, and my pants that still were marked from that last explosion in my now toasted lair, I couldn\u2019t wait until later to douse my day away. I foraged everywhere in my apartment to find something- anything- that I could toss back and forget. Forget that self-satisfied look that Universe Man had when he \"accidentally\" knocked over my mailbox as he flew away. Forget the bill-pay reminders that are already piling up. Mind-controlling espresso is not cheap. God, why did I buy fair trade? I should have just stolen one of those signs that said it was. That would have been even MORE evil. Damn it all!

Fridge, nothing. Cabinet, nothing. Under couch, nothing. Hall closet, nothing. Bathroom drawers, noth-

...Well, well, well. I haven\u2019t seen you in a while Mr. 30% proof cough syrup. You were so good to me last October. Will you treat me as well tonight?

\"I hope better.\" I twisted the cap off and opened my mouth. As I sucked that grape-flavored goodness, two thoughts danced in my head. \"If this is your best idea, no wonder your lair is now on the real estate listings under \u2018cozy, with lots of natural light since lack of roof.\u2019\" This was followed up by \"Was that last October three years ago?\"

The latter made me pause, but by then I had consumed half the bottle. \"Well...I\u2019m sure that will be enough until tonight.\" My head started to roll back and forth. Already I was having difficulty remembering what happened earlier. All the espresso, explosions, and enemies seemed to just float away. I could almost see them flying out my window. Goodbye, Moon Boy. Remember, don\u2019t quit before he fires you so you can collect unemployment.

\"Moon Boy...unemployed...most likely...bitter...the enemy of my enemy...would be...someone...I would like to...\u201d To...to...

My body wanted to collapse on the couch, but my hands were sweeping across the table, grabbing whatever they could- papers, pens, a blue crayon. The pictures that flashed in my mind seemed to sketch themselves. Yes- old, useless sidekicks. Kicked to the side, of course, when they get too old, too tall, too strong, too good-looking, too overpowering to be comic relief. Yes, and that collective those heroes belong to doesn\u2019t make it any easier to move up in. Few sidekicks have been able to break through that titanium ceiling. If I could tap into all those poor, exploited losers, the things I could learn...the weaknesses, the...true identities!

I was in a dream, setting up the tables at my own Former Sidekick Career Fair. They were so excited to get in, I could hear them knocking on the door. I opened it, and smiled, and held out my hand to Moon Boy, and little Turtle Girl who now stood over six feet, and poor poor Uranus Kid, Moon Boy\u2019s predecessor, who I believe is working as a cashier at Value Village.

\"Welcome. I so look forward to talking to you. Would you like a latte? The coffee is fair trade.\"

They took my hand and shook it. I could already feel their want, their need, and I will all to happily fulfill it.

\"This way, please.\" I showed them to the first table, laid out with brochures about leadership and goal-setting and how taking revenge on your former employer will win you true happiness. They oohed and ahhed, as expected.

\"Wow, Vincent. I had no idea you were an artist.\" Uranus Kid picked up one brochure and turned it around in his hands. \u201cI love the way you used the blue here.\u201d

I felt giddy. It was all working perfectly. Already, they were lining up, reading, drinking my fair trade mind-controlling lattes with extra foam. I took Uranus Kid by the shoulders, looked him in the eyes, and said, \"I\u2019m sure you can see the future potential in all this. In what we can do.\"

\"Oh, yes,\" said Uranus Kid. He was practically glowing. I couldn\u2019t believe how easy this was.

\"Excellent.\" I led him to the next table. \"Then let me show you more.\"

----

I woke up with the sun in my face and paint on my feet. My hands reeked of curry and garlic. I sat up in bed, and smelled them, and tried to remember when I had cooked. I don\u2019t think I did...but why am I wearing this apron then...why am I only wearing an apron...

I lay my head in my garlic-smelling hands. \"What happened?\"

I felt something touch my face, a hand, soft, took mine and held it. I looked up to see Bran-the-Neighbor, sitting there, on my bed, in my shirt. His short hair stood up in all directions. His eyes squinted as he smiled that awful huge smile of his. He took my hand and kissed it. \"Mmmmm...smells good.\"

Three things happened next- but not in this order. I vomited on my floor. Bran-the-neighbor left still wearing my shirt.

And I threw away the cough syrup.<\/a>"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:monkeybarrel:44184","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/44184.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=44184"}}],"title":"Wow, it's been awhile....","published":"2006-12-06T06:20:57Z","updated":"2006-12-06T06:20:57Z","content":"Am not dead. (Yet.) It's partly been awhile since work has been busy, and in those spare moments for writing, I keep trying to plow through an original story that was meant for SSBB a year ago (Oct. 05), but has stalled and started for all this time. I'm still chipping at it, now more for me and my want to finish it than for anything else. By now, I think it will be too long for SSBB. That, and I don't think there will be \"R\" sex in it, and I think that's required. ^^ (Or am I wrong?)

Maybe it was stress from last month's work and this weekend's JLPT (which I don't believe I passed, but that's okay), but two things popped up that I wasn't expecting.

One, a Saiyuki drabble<\/a>.

And two, after the mention by <\/a>marginoferror<\/b><\/a><\/span>, I signed up at <\/a>oc_speedfic<\/b><\/a><\/span>, an original writing community, and one which offers weekly promps. And for this week's, I wrote this. I'd like to take it further. Maybe continue it on its own, but it's kind of fun to structure each section around a different theme, and it forces me to think. So I might try that. We'll see. :)

Anyways, here is the first bit. I hope to continue it.


The Unexpected Explosion Caused By My Neighbor

My opponent\u2019s last adventure ended very well for him. He successfully \"thwarted\" my scheme of trying to conquer the world through mind controlling espresso shots. (He tripped on the plug for my Amazing Mind Controlling Drug-Making Espresso Maker \u2122. I was too bored by his \"I will stop you!\" monologue to notice that his shiny leather boots were about to get tangled up with my (admittedly) tangled wires. Damn it all.

He also got the girl. (Not that I mind about that.) Only the shrimpy side-kick, Moon Boy, or whatever his name is, ended up worse than me. In the middle of the whole fiasco, puberty struck him like a voice-altering asteroid. The second his deep bass boomed out \"Golly gee, Universe Man,\" we all knew- my opponent, his drippy lover, and I- that little Moon Boy would get laid off the minute the world was safe. (Side-kicks can never have a better sounding voice than the Hero.)

So there I was, foiled again. My only option left was to destroy my machines and flee before the authorities arrive. Fortunately, I have designed a handy \"Destroy Everything While Fleeing\" device, and to my great credit, it worked quite nicely. My only comfort is that my opponent\u2019s cape got singed on the way out. Ha ha!

Times like these, when I have been foiled and my lair is now a pile of rubble and burnt espresso beans, is when I do what most foiled villains do. I go get wasted.

----

I had many choices on how to reach my ultimate goal of winding up on the side of a street, collapsed between the trashcans and some vagrant\u2019s Chateau Cardboard. Shall it be multiple martinis at the little jazz club? Various vodka shots at that bar around the corner? Or should I just insert myself beneath the spout of the nearest beer barrel? What to do-what-to-do?

\"Vincent? Hello?\"

A hand waved in front of my face. My eyes followed it, back and forth, before I finally looked to whom the appendage belonged to.

Oh, it\u2019s Bran-the-Neighbor. A short, hyperactive young man. Lives in the apartment next to mine. (You don\u2019t think I lived in my lair, do you? It\u2019s only to keep my captured foes in and also a place to throw holiday parties.)

\"Oh, hello, Neighbor.\" I wasn\u2019t in the mood to chat, so I moved past him, but his waving hand (does he have a twitch?) kept getting in the way.

\"Vincent! I just stopped by your place, but you were out. It\u2019s so great that I bumped into you!\" Bran-the-Neighbor was all smiles. He\u2019s like that. It\u2019s so irritating. Good morning, Vincent! Nice day, isn\u2019t it, Vincent? Look, I just baked homemade cookies, Vincent! Would you like one? They\u2019re vegan!

If I wasn\u2019t so busy fighting even more irritating \"heroes\", I would stuff him and his no-animal-product snacks into my washing machine and spin him on Heavy Load. \"Sorry. Been busy. Taking over the world with mind controlling espresso is quite tasking. I\u2019m-sure-you-understand-goodbye.\"

\"Mmm, I love espresso,\" Bran-the-Neighbor brightened even more. How is THAT possible? What do you eat, boy? If it\u2019s radioactive, then hand it over. I could use some of that in my next scheme. Speaking of which, I wonder how long it would take to get a bulldozer and a set of lawn gnomes...

Bran-the-Neighbor kept nattering. Something about a party. It was only when he said \"lots of booze, I hear\", did I snap out of my reverie. \"What-where-how?\"

\"Oh, at Bill\u2019s party. Like I said. I wanted to see if you would go. He\u2019s having it at his place.\"

Oh, First-floor-Bill. Also lives in my building. Big guy. Would make an excellent henchmen if he wasn\u2019t already whoring himself out for the government. (I can\u2019t compete with that pension plan.) Listening to him drone about why no one understands<\/i> social security did not appeal to me in the least, but still, he does keep his liquor cabinet well-stocked...

Mooching on someone else\u2019s booze? That sounds so good, it could be classified as \"evil\", especially if I don\u2019t bring anything to contribute. Hmmmm... \"I shall consider your invitation since it will allow me to reach my ultimate goal of collapsing into a gutter, surrounded by my own vomit.\" I gave Bran-the-Neighbor a curt nod, and with that, so ends this conversation.

\"Great! It\u2019s a date! See you at 9!\" He did one final, frantic hand-wave and darted away, like some crazed rabbit escaping from a cosmetic company.

His words did not register at first, but like explosives set on a timer, it took a few moments before it finally exploded in my brain. \"A...a...what?\"

Now I know how poor Moon-boy must have felt. His eyes wide, his mouth hanging open, probably more shocked than anyone else at that moment. But it was too late. The words were already out. Too deep for him.

To...date for me.

Damn it all.

<\/a>"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:monkeybarrel:43914","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/43914.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=43914"}}],"title":"Wild Adapter 5","published":"2006-03-07T15:34:16Z","updated":"2006-03-07T15:34:16Z","content":"So, the next issue of Chara (coming out in April, labeled the June issue) will have the \"climax\" chapter for WA book 5. I'm assuming in this case that this will be the last chapter for the volume. If that is true, then *most likely* the volume will come out soon after that. My bet would be in June since that is Chara's anniversary month, and several previous volumes of WA ended their story in the April issue and followed in June with the tankouban. Here's hoping. :D

As you probably have seen<\/a> already, WA drama CD 4 is set for release later this month on the 24th. p(^_^)q"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:monkeybarrel:43670","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/43670.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=43670"}}],"title":"Wild Adapter drama CD 4","published":"2005-12-18T18:39:36Z","updated":"2005-12-18T18:39:36Z","content":"It's finally coming out! Confirmed both on Minekura's page and Chara<\/a>, the 4th WA drama CD will be coming out on March 24 of next year. Gosh, I can't even remember when 3 came out..."},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:monkeybarrel:43271","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/43271.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=43271"}}],"title":"Long day's journey","published":"2005-08-02T03:39:30Z","updated":"2005-08-02T03:39:30Z","content":"I wasn't planning this at all, but strange things happen. Not always good things, but hey, whatever.

Thanks\/blame goes to <\/a>mikeneko<\/b><\/a><\/a>31_days<\/b><\/a><\/span>, their August 1st challenge.

Watership Down - Be indomitable, o my heart<\/a>

It was the only idea that came up. Not my best, but definitely...a little different."},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:monkeybarrel:43256","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/43256.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=43256"}}],"title":"Challenge fic- Saiyuki","published":"2005-06-26T18:29:21Z","updated":"2005-06-26T18:29:21Z","content":"For the Temps_mort challenge this week- the sixth sense. It's been a while, huh? This is from Zenon's POV, a first for me. Short though, but ah well. Been awhile.

Saiyuki - The Middle Sense<\/a>

My theory- if there are beer cans, there must be fridges. ...Right?"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:monkeybarrel:42758","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/42758.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=42758"}}],"title":"m(_ _)m Drabbles - Wild Adapter","published":"2005-05-18T20:03:31Z","updated":"2005-05-19T03:03:56Z","content":"For louiselux's WA request. My apologies again for the wait. m(_ _)m


The office was empty. The only light came from the television. A variety show was playing, but the sound was muted, so everyone on it laughed silently.

Komiya moved to turn it off, but noticed then that the office was, in fact, not empty. Kubota lay across the couch, his legs stretched out. His glasses were next to him, sunk in close to his body.

Komiya picked them up and cradled them in his hand.

It\u2019s funny that Kubota-san needs something so fragile...so easy to break...<\/i>

Under the TV\u2019s flickering light, he held them close until Kubota opened his eyes.
<\/a>"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:monkeybarrel:42678","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/42678.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=42678"}}],"title":"m(_ _)m Drabble - Saiyuki","published":"2005-05-17T21:24:25Z","updated":"2005-05-17T21:24:25Z","content":"For Evil Kat's Saiyuki request. My apologies for the delay. m(_ _)m



The lanterns glowed red in the water. Hakkai dipped his hand in, and they burst into ripples of light. He sank further into the bath until the waves of fire overtook him.

He enjoyed this brief moment- away from the road, the dust, the fighting that never took a breath-

Right...I should breathe...<\/i>

His head broke the surface. He opened his eyes to the red lights above and the red hair hanging over him.

He smiled. \"Did I scare you?\"

Gojou scowled. \"...No.\"

\"Good,\" Hakkai reached his hand up until his fingers touched red. \"Because I scare me.\"

It burned.
<\/a>"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:monkeybarrel:42479","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/42479.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=42479"}}],"title":"m(_ _)m Drabble - Saiyuki","published":"2005-05-03T21:25:03Z","updated":"2005-05-03T21:25:03Z","content":"For Solaas's villain request. ^_^


\"It\u2019s very simple.\" His smile widened, teeth glinting. \"With just a small fee up front, and low monthly payments, you too can have a place in heaven.\" He whipped around, his cape fluttering behind him. \"Who will be there with me...in PARADISE?\"

A hand shot up in the air and waved frantically.

\"Oh, pick-me-pick-me!\" Lirin nearly fell out of her chair. Kou grabbed the back of her shirt before she could run up to the front.

Doku tapped his shoulder. \"Why are we here again?\"

\"He said it would be a free vacation.\" Kou rolled his eyes. \"Live and learn.\"


^^"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:monkeybarrel:41992","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/41992.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=41992"}}],"title":"m(_ _)m Drabbles - Saiyuki Gaiden","published":"2005-05-02T21:12:59Z","updated":"2005-05-03T05:17:08Z","content":"For J's Gaiden request. I'll refraim from saying with what characters though. ^_^


The hour was late, but no later than usual for him. Goujun closed his office door and started the long walk towards his quarters. The only light came from the silver moon outside and the glowing red lamps that lit his way. This moment, when the evening quiet filled the halls of heaven, was one of his favorites.

He stopped by one window to admire the shadows on the grass and noticed something quite unusual<\/i> for this late hour.

Outside, a familiar figure sat on a bench. Next to him, there was one bottle of wine.

And two glasses.

----

He held up his hand to refuse, but Tenpou had already started pouring the wine.

\"The bottle is open, and look-\" he tossed the cork into the bushes, then turned to Goujun, and held out a glass. \"I\u2019ve somehow lost the cork, so we\u2019ll just have<\/i> to finish it all tonight.\"

Against his better judgment, he reached out and took it. But not without reservations. \"You are very strange, Marshal.\"

Tenpou held out his own full glass. \"Cheers to that.\"

The stone bench was cool beneath them, and when he looked down, he saw silver reflected in waves of red.

----

It was not easy to inebriate the Dragon King, certainly not on one bottle of wine, but somehow, he found himself squinting at his glass, watching the light dance against its surface. \"...This is not normal wine.\"

\"You noticed?\" With Tenpou\u2019s back to the moon, Goujun couldn\u2019t see his smile, but he knew it was there.

He felt his mind slowing, but still, something very clear stood out in the growing fog. \"This glass was not meant for me.\"

\"Very perceptive, Sir. As always.\" Tenpou sighed and took Goujun\u2019s glass away.

He awoke with only the cold bench beneath him.


^^<\/a>"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:monkeybarrel:41803","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/41803.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=41803"}}],"title":"m(_ _)m Drabbles - Executive Committee","published":"2005-05-01T23:20:27Z","updated":"2005-05-01T23:20:27Z","content":"For Perseid's request- a scene (albeit \"off camera\") from the next part of Stay Here With...although not so much a clue trout. ^^


With him taking summer courses, and Kubota working all hours making deliveries, they rarely saw each other even though Tokitoh shared the apartment now.

Coming back one late afternoon, he was surprised to find Kubota lying on the couch.

Kubota waved hello. \"Interested in dinner?\"

\"...I thought you had work.\"

\"Nope. Not tonight.\" He sat up. \"Dinner?\"

Tokitoh shook his head. \"Sorry. I grabbed some food after class.\"

\"Ah.\" Kubota\u2019s face held no expression; Tokitoh called it his nothing face. He shrugged and got up. \"See you later.\"

When the door closed, something inside him rumbled.

But it wasn\u2019t hunger.

-----

Outside, a wave of heat washed over him, and with it, his earlier hunger ebbed away. Kubota lit a cigarette as he walked, but this time, it didn\u2019t cool him down.

Instead of food, he settled on enjoying the air conditioned 7-11. He browsed the cooler, looking for any new drinks.

\"Miso...soda...\" Eyebrows raised, he opened the door to look closer.

\"Barf.\"

Kubota turned to find Tokitoh next to him.

\"...I thought you already ate?\"

\"I did.\" He looked away. \"...But I\u2019m thirsty.\"

\"I see.\" Kubota took out one bottle. \"Shall we try it?\"

Tokitoh grimaced.

But he didn\u2019t refuse.

^^<\/a>"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:monkeybarrel:41627","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/41627.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=41627"}}],"title":"m(_ _)m Drabble- Gaiden","published":"2005-04-30T23:54:48Z","updated":"2005-05-01T06:56:23Z","content":"For incandescens, who asked for Saiyuki or Gaiden.

Warning (for J ^_-) - The world might blow up if you read these 100 words.



Sake, too much sake, way too much sake...

Sweet, wonderful, overflowing sake...

I should get off the ground...

So many hallways...too many hallways...with too many doors...

Mine is...not this way...but, fuck it...this way is good...

Why, hello there Mr. Open Door. My name is Kenren, and I will be entering you this evening...

...What the...

Whatever...I\u2019ll just...clear some of this shit off...

Who leaves all their work on the couch...fucking lazy ass slobs...I\u2019ll give\u2019em a right talking to tomorrow...

When I wake up...right talking to...

\"I can hardly wait.\"

Huh...

\"Perhaps you could tell me now?\"

What...

\"General.\"

...Oh...

Fuck...
<\/a>"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:monkeybarrel:41464","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/41464.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=41464"}}],"title":"And many returns....","published":"2005-04-30T18:05:15Z","updated":"2005-04-30T18:05:15Z","content":"Since I have harbored on the kindness of others, I should probably return the favor... ^^

Every person on your flist gets to request a drabble from you. In return, they have to post this in their journal and write a drabble for you. Post all fandoms you're willing to write for. Your friends can pick a relationship, a story arc, a missing scene, or pretty much anything they want, unless the author has previously mentioned that they will not write it. They comment with what they want, and you write drabbles and post it in your LiveJournal.<\/i>

Fandoms (small list, yes...)

Wild Adapter
Executive Committee
Saiyuki\/Gaiden
(*Although I don't feel comfortable enough to write believable Reload, so my apologies to Hazel fans.)

Inside of that small sphere, it's anything you want. (I will try my best.) Who knows...maybe it will help move The Block...

m(_ _)m"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:monkeybarrel:41014","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/41014.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=41014"}}],"title":"Soshite koi ga...","published":"2005-04-08T23:13:09Z","updated":"2005-04-08T23:13:09Z","content":"So, along with their other projects, Mochi*Mochi<\/a> has also started to translate the yaoi novel, \"Soshite koi ga hajimaru\". They've also scanslated the manga<\/a>. but for some reason, Chara only put out four chapters of the manga, which doesn't really cover even half of the novel. It's a neat story, about a high school boy who has learned to put up a front in order to make sure everyone is happy, but then begins to learn from an older friend that he can be himself, and things roll along from there...

Speaking of yaoi novels, it's old news now, but Digital Manga has put up a petition to see if there is any interest in translating the novels that their Only the Ring Finger Knows manga is based on. You can find the petition here<\/a>. I believe the 3rd novel in that series was just released by Chara, so it looks like there is quite a lot story left if you liked the manga.

News from Minekura's site<\/a>, Wild Adapter vol. 4 will be released on June 26th. :)"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:monkeybarrel:40940","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/40940.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/monkeybarrel.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=40940"}}],"title":"The canon has landed","published":"2005-02-22T07:27:02Z","updated":"2005-02-22T15:29:02Z","content":"For those looking for the latest issue of Chara<\/a> which came out today in Japan, look out for the Honami Yukine art on the cover. Minekura-wise, this issue you'll find a color page for WA, and also the first chapter of the newest arc, and this time the story will focus on when Kubota picked Tokitoh up, and whatever happened after that. (Finally, for the 5th book, we go back to the beginning. ^^) I suppose this means no Taki for this one though. :( Still, looking forward to seeing how Kubotoki started. ^_^"}]}