Disclaimer: I do not own Kekkaishi.

A/N: Okay, I know my second fanfiction is not finished. But, hey, I can't help but to publish my third fanfiction. Anyway, read and review it.

Chapter 1: Finding A Partner

Shihio Gen sat in front of his chief nervously. Although he tried as best as he can to remain calm, it was very difficult to do so especially when the issue was very big and his chief looked deadly serious about it. Shishio waited for his chief, Masamori Sumimura, to start their no doubt, serious discussion. God, it felt like hours passed when only a few minutes just passed. Finally, after remaining silence for some time, Masamori decided to speak.

"Do you know how serious what you did, Gen-kun?" Masamori said in grave tone, folding his hand as if in a deep thinking.

Shishio fidgeted at his chief's tone. He knew perfectly well where this conversation will lead to. He stared blankly at the floor trying to figure out how he should respond to his chief's question. He felt very bad. He didn't want his chief to be disappointed with him.

Swallowing his saliva, Shishio answered, "Yes."

Shishio was completely aware that he was in a big trouble. He was half ayakashi. He wasn't supposed to transform into full ayakashi. It was forbidden and was a serious offence because when half ayakashi turned into full ayakashi, they tended to get madden and rampage around. They didn't have the capacity to think properly. They will only follow their ayakashi's animal instinct. They will destroy everything in their path without caring for anything. Just like he did four years ago. Shishio shuddered at this thought.

"The guy you attacked near to death is your partner, right?" Masamori said.

It was more a statement than a question. Shishio just nodded. He was speechless. He didn't know what to do. He had tried as hard as he can to avoid it. But, for some reason, thing just happened. It was not like he wanted to loss control of himself to the ayakashi inside him and went rampaging around like some wild animals. He didn't even want to slash and gravely wound people in his maddened state. It just happened. But, then again, if they didn't try to mess around with him, none of this will happen.

Shishio didn't know what people had against him. Everything he did seemed to be wrong for them in any ways. So, he decided to remain aloof with them. However, his aloofness was mistaken as arrogance, selfishness and ignorance. They thought he didn't have any feelings. But, they were wrong. He did have feelings. He can feel sorrow, sad, anger and many other human emotions. If not, he wouldn't transform into full ayakashi when they pushed him to his limit.

"Did he say something bad to you?" Masamori asked.

Again, there was silence. No word came from Shishio's mouth. Masamori took it as a 'yes' answer. Masamori knew too well what can trigger Shishio's anger so greatly that he transformed into his full ayakashi form which was a serious offence. His partner must have said something and teased him about 'that incident' that happened four years ago. And, it was true. Apparently, as his partner claimed, he had playfully teased Shishio regarding this incident. However, Shishio didn't take this kindly. He lost control of himself when his partner kept teasing him even though Shishio had warned him about it. Then, the rest was a story.

Shishio transformed and nearly attacked his partner to death. Luckily, Makio and Atora were there to stop Shishio. If not, who knew what would happen. Masamori sighed. He knew too well how sensitive Shishio was when this subject was brought up even though the other party didn't mean harm. Even thought the incident had happened a long time ago. As a result, he couldn't entirely blame Shishio on this problem. However, he still needed to address this problem carefully.

"This is the 12th times you change partner," Masamori made a statement.

Shishio flinched at this statement. He knew too well. After what had happened, it was almost impossible for him to be partnered up with his partner again. Shishio resisted the urge to sigh. It was always like this. His partner never last more than one week with him. It either because he 'accidentally' wounded his partner or his partner could not put up with him. Truthfully, Shishio didn't believe he will find a partner suitable and compatible with him.

"I cannot let you go into mission without a partner," Masamori said again.

Shishio knew this too. It was part of Night Troop's rules. Night Troop is an organization that sheltered and trained young ability users like him to control their power. Night Troop's main activity was exterminating ayakashi. Ayakashi is a creature of darkness. Of course, there are bad and good ayakashi. However, most of them are bad, creating chaos and are a danger to human. As a result, they needed to be destroyed. It was extremely dangerous job. Because of this, Night Troop's members are usually partnered up together especially if you are an ability user still in training.

"I want you to find your own partner within three days," Masamori ordered.

Shishio's jaw dropped on the floor. What's this? Is this some sort of joke? It was an impossible task to begin with. No one wanted to be paired up with him. They hated him. They disliked him. How on earth he wanted to find a partner? Not to mention within three days. His chief better not be kidding with him. It was not funny at all.

"But, Chief, no one will want to be my partner willingly," Shishio protested.

"It's okay. I'm sure you will be able to do it." Masamori waved his hand to dismiss Shishio from his further protest. "You'll just need to try and look hard."

Shishio just kept quiet. He had a feeling that his chief was enjoying this. However, he knew better to keep his opinion to himself.

'I guess it's probably because he has had enough with me constantly changing partners. That's why he wants me to find my own partner instead of himself,' Shishio thought.

Masamori seemed to be able to read Shishio's mind. He frowned silently. He didn't mean to make the teen in front of him to feel shame and guilty for something out of his control. It was not entirely the boy's fault anyway.

"Listen, Gen-kun," Masamori explained carefully with serious tone, catching the said boy's attention. "The reasons why I ask you to find your own partner because I believe you are capable of doing it. No, I don't believe, I know you can do it. Because you are a kind boy."

Shishio was speechless. He didn't know what to say. So, he remained silent, waiting for his chief to start their conversation again. Part of him felt honored with his chief's trust and compliment toward him. Part of him felt nervous with high expectation that his chief put on him. He felt better when he heard this from Masamori. However, it didn't stop him from worrying around. Masamori felt that they had dwelt in this subject far long enough. So, he opted to change into new subject.

"We will receive a newcomer tomorrow although there's possibility he will arrive earlier than expected," Masamori paused a moment, analyzing Shihio's reaction. "He's new around here. So, I hope you will get along with him and be nice to him."

That really made Shishio wondered. Why did his chief bring up this subject? Of course, Shishio had heard rumor about this new kid. It spread like fire. Everyone in Night Troop had been talking about him. It's been quite a time for them to receive a new member. Rumor said he was also a kekkaishi like their chief. Plus, he was somehow related to their chief. So, everyone was curious about him and can't wait to meet him. Besides, it had been a tradition for them to celebrate a newcomer. Shishio still remembered how he was celebrated when he joined this organization. To say he was surprised was an understatement. Nobody celebrated him like that except….. that person.

Shishio shook his head to get rid the sad memory. It was all in the past. He should completely forget it. There was no good in dwelling in the past. However, Shishio found it was hard to forget it. The memory was haunting him, reminding him his horrible deeds. He quickly regained his composure, realizing his chief was waiting for his response. He can't let his chief knew what troubled his heart. His chief had done more than enough for him. He gave Shishio a new home. He accepted Shishio as one of Night Troop member even though many people said he shouldn't be here. Shishio can't ask more. That would be ungrateful.

Putting indifferent mask on his face, Shishio said, "I understand."

Well, it was not like the new kid will befriend him. The new kid will probably try to stay away as much as possible from him. Just like many other people especially after hearing his 'famous' reputation. It will be the same. Nothing will change. Shishio's face became dark at this thought.

"Well, that's all I want to say to you. You may go now," Masamori dismissed Shishio.

Shishio just nodded. With that, he leaved the room and closed the sliding door quietly. Shishio's head was overloaded with a lot of information. First, he had gravely hurt his partner. Then, he was summoned to see his chief. Before he knew, he was ordered to find a new partner himself. And, all needed to be done within three days. Not to mention, the new kid. All these things gave him a headache. So, he decided to go to his secret place. As he made his way there, he could hear whispers.

"Hey, look. It's Shishio."

"He comes from Chief's room. I bet Chief must have a word with him."

"Yeah, I hope Hiba-san will be okay. With what he did, it's a miracle that he still stays here."

"Our Chief is too soft. He should be stricter."

"I guess who will be his new partner. This is the 12th times."

"I know. I pity whoever becomes his partner."

Shishio speeded up his steps. It was only a whisper but he could hear it as clear as day thanked to his heightened senses. His superior senses really helped him in his work. However, Shishio found that it could be troublesome too. He didn't like to hear people badmouth about him. Trying to forget unpleasant thing, Shishio decided to grab some foods before he went to his secret place. He didn't feel like to show up at lunch today. He preferred to have lunch alone today. So, he quietly sneaked into kitchen and grabbed some rice balls. Luckily, no one caught him in action. As he exited the kitchen, he heard people gossiping. This time it was not about him. It was about the new kid.

"I heard the new kid's coming tomorrow."

"I wonder how he looks like."

"He's a kekkaishi, right? Do you think he's as good as Chief?"

"Don't know. But, he's supposedly related to Chief. So, I guess he must be good."

"I wonder who will be his partner."

"I don't know. But, I'm sure about one thing."

"What is it?"

"There's no way he'll be Shishio's partner."

At this comment, everyone was laughing. Shishio couldn't bear to stay there any longer. Without wasting time, he quickly went to his secret place. It didn't take a long time for him to get to his little secret place, the roof, thanked to his inhuman speed. It was a secluded place which what Shishio needed, a place to take his mind off from his problem. It had a spectacular view. He could see a far fetch green scenery. It was an amazing sight for him especially when it was sunset. It never bored him to the end and for some unexplained reason, he felt calm whenever he was here.

Shishio began to eat his rice balls. As he was eating, Shishio's mind wondered about the new kid. He was kind of curious with this new kid. There were many rumors about him that Shishio didn't know which one was true. Some said he was a very skilled kekkaishi. Some said he was amazing and smart. Some said he and Chief were related to each other. Shishio shook his head. What's the point of thinking about this kid? It's not like he had anything to do with it. He guessed he wanted to know whether this new kid has any similarity with Chief since they were supposedly related.

Suddenly, Shishio noticed something. From far away, there was a black bird, heading this way. It was weird considering the size of the bird. It seemed to carry someone on its back. Not to mention, the weird square mark on its chest. If that was not enough, the disoriented bird was flying toward him. Shishio was so transfixed and befuddled at this sight that he didn't even bother to escape before the bird crashed on him. The bird then suddenly turned into smoke. Shishio coughed badly because of the smoke. When the smoke cleared away, he saw something unexpected.

Laying on the roof, near to Shishio, there was a boy. He was probably at the same age with Shishio. Shishio was bewildered. The boy let out a groan and picked himself up. He wore a purple robe with square seal on it, holding a weird staff. On his back, there was a yellow backpack. He dusted off his clothes without noticing Shishio's presence. It was then that Shishio realized that there was a dog ayakashi beside that boy. It has a collar around its neck.

Coughing, the dog said in irate voice, "Yoshimori, can't you control your shikigami properly?"

The said boy looked at his dog companion intensely, "Hey, it's not totally my fault, Madarao. It's almost lunch time and I don't eat anything at all. Anyone will make mistake. "

Shishio just stared at the pair as they started the bickering like some little kids. He didn't know what to do. Should he just leave them? Or, should he stop their bickering and ask why they are here? Shishio then decided that he had enough. He coughed to get their attention which was succeeded. Yoshimori who was aware of Shishio's presence by now didn't know what to say. He didn't expect someone will watch this embarrassing bickering. For a moment, there was a silence.

Shishio was uneasy with this silence. It felt hours for him. Could it be that the boy in front of him was afraid of him? It didn't surprise Shishio at all. Everyone was afraid of him after all. The boy will definitely run away from him immediately at any moment. However, Shishio was taken aback when the boy reached out his hand as if to shake his hand.

With an awkward voice, the boy greeted Shishio, "Hello, I'm Yoshimori and this is Madarao." The kid gestured at the dog. "I'm sorry that you have to see this. By the way, what's your name?"

And that's how Shishio Gen met this mysterious kid.