(no subject)
Gonna try rewriting the same fic as yesterday with a few different ideas. Nothing major, but the original version was bugging me. GP marks weren't great, so I need a vent now. Like Masumi needs one in the fic... Spoilers for chap 4
1 editted fic behind this cut.
The table rattled violently as Masumi grasped his much abused right shin in his hands, a string of rather colourful expressions spouting from his mouth that would surely have shocked the socks off the ever decorous Sakura-Neesan. By the time the stupid piece of metal had stopped rattling, Masumi was still letting out every vile curse he could think of, some rather inventive, and all directed at the door, and at Akashi. His mind had been preoccupied, the last conversation he had had with the leader of the Boukengers replaying on loop, when he had stormed into his room and walked right straight into the study table. Damned table! And damn that Akashi! So the GoGo drill had a chance at harming their bodies, but they were professionals, they knew the risks entailed and if they decided that they would go ahead in spite of the risks, Akashi had no business stopping them. He did not appreciate Akashi treating them like children trying to play with grown-up tools and he most certainly did not need Akashi to protect them as Sakura-Neesan had described it. The bottomline was that Akashi did not trust them-- did not trust him, and that was what stung the most.
Trust was a major issue for Masumi. He had not gotten off to the smoothest of starts since beginning his Boukenger career. His failed attempt at leaving had left some of the other members in doubt as to his commitment, and as such he had been working his hardest to prove himself as a valuable and reliable member at every turn. He was glad to see that the other members were slowly but surely warming up to him, but what he secretly craved the most for was recognition from their leader. Akashi had been the only one that had not been against him and Natsuki from the start, From the first mission, Akashi had allowed Natsuki and Masumi to participate more than most recruits who had not finished training. He had sent them to scout the shrine, allowed them to proceed with the mission when Sakura-Neesan felt they should be withdrawn and believed in them enough to let them attempt the GoGo Gattai.
What left the deepest impression from that mission was the way Akashi had come down to him while he was hanging on for dear life. He had been pissed off at what he felt was Akashi's showing off in identifying the true Precious and tried to show him up by making off with the Goadom's Heart and then again, he had never had the best of luck and had found himself clinging on to the edge of the narrow overhang, the precarious grip all that kept him from plunging into the fiery molten depths below. Of course, Masumi's pride was too great to ask for help and he could not resist retorting that the man had probably come to laugh, most certainly not a move calculated to endear him to his would-be rescuer. Akashi had knocked Masumi off but then caught him swiftly by the collar, offering him a choice-- to try his luck at escaping the fiery magma on his own or to rejoin the Boukengers. Subdued by the true terror that had filled him in the few moments he truly thought he was going to die, Masumi, the intelligent young man that he was, decided that affronted pride was secondary to continued existence, though not without his typical display of rebellion and resentment. He was upset to be sure, but in retrospect he could not help but feel gratitude at being offered a second chance and at the trust Akashi continued to extend to him. He genuinely thought that Akashi trusted him and the dispelling of that illusion left an unpleasant taste in his mouth.
In fact, he had joined the Boukengers not just to look for Precious, but also in part drawn by their charismatic leader. Akashi Satoru, the Immortal Fang, known in the treasure hunting circles as the man who never lost anything he set his sights on. Masumi wanted to be recognised by this man and in time to come, surpass him. He viewed Akashi as a rival and thus treated him with antagonism. But in working alongside Akashi, Masumi found him to be a competent leader, a cool thinker under pressure and someone who understood the personalities of his teammates. He had a commanding presence, which made people, including Masumi himself, look up to him instantly, and that admission irked Masumi in more ways that he liked to admit and only served to fuel the rebel in the Black Boukenger.
What compounded the problem for Masumi was his inability to understand the man. Belying Akashi's cool and at times stern exterior was a fiery passion for adventure and for life that Masumi caught glimpses of in the way his eyes lit up upon receiving a new mission and his penchant for cheesy inspirational speeches about being a Boukenger. The two contrary sides of the man's personality made him an enigma to Masumi, unpredictable at best. The fact that the Red Boukenger kept his thoughts to himself and was not given to explaining his orders further frustrated Masumi and riled his already volatile temper. But in spite of his irritation with their leader, Masumi found himself giving Akashi his grudging respect, which was rapidly growing into genuine respect and trust. Just thinking about this however, once again made Masumi mad.
Which brought Masumi back to his current problem that he had not found the solution to Akashi's lack of trust, he still had a truckload of pent-up anger and all he had gained for his efforts so far was a banged-up shin. Masumi then decided that he needed to plan a course of action, a way to get back at Akashi. A prank perhaps, something small that would act as a vent for his frustration but was unlikely to land him in any real trouble. Unfortunately, his resources were limited. Sakura-Neesan and Souta were unlikely to abet him and Natsuki, much as he cared for her, was more likely hindrance than help. After mulling for a moment, it came to him. Yes, Masumi thought as he weighed his options, this would do. Rubbing his hands in anticipation, Masumi nodded to himself and strode off purposefully to collect the equipment he needed for his little payback, and an icepack for the bruse blooming on his right shin.
Done. Not gonna think about this fic idea anymore. Quite like how this one has come out, may come back to tweak it a ltitle here and there and aside from that, am done with this ficlet. :D Will start on the other fics when I get back from Chem S.
My thoughts on the fic:
Wanted to bring out the fact that while Masumi resents Akashi's control at first, is probably a little jealous of him, he's also got a healthy dose of respect fom his leader. In spite of his prickly and sullen exterior, inside I think he is a quite sensitive (like ep 14 when Natsuki thought he killed her parents and he reacted strongly) and his trust once earned is not easily shaken (chap 10 when he defends Akashi's actions). Hopefully I could bring out Masumi's character.