"There's rumor of rebellion among the Reapers."
"Did you think I was unaware of this? I know and it worries me."
"What? You? Worried? That's a first."
The Composer sighed.
"If there IS trouble coming, well to get to me...I'm afraid my pick would be their target..."
The Producer nodded in agreement. "So what do we do?"
Joshua stared out into the clouds, they did not hold the answers.
"All we can do now is just keep watch and find and take out the rogue Reapers."
Though he said this it was already to late, plans were already in progress.
Hachiko, a statue in the shape of a dog that was small and often times hard to see in the crowds of people, this was the meet-up place...Neku took a deep breath and ran strait for the brownish statue, hidden by throngs of people. This was something he could not miss-he had gone through too much the last three weeks to throw it all away. The world ends with me he thought as he flew past the maze of faces, not caring if they were staring at him as ran.
When he saw their silhouette figures standing there he found himself smile and he pushed himself to run faster. This would be the first time seeing his old Partners since waking up in the real Shibuya.
"Yo!"
"Over here!"
The two siblings waved to him.
He yelled back "Beat! Rhyme!"
He was only three yards from them now. Everything was going to be alright... Reaching them he high-fived Beat and bent over to catch his breath.
"Neku, it's been awhile." the young girl called Rhyme smiled. She stood there in front of him fingering her pendent. Her gold hair hanging down as usual-was it slightly longer? Who knew. In fact, who cared. It was just a relief to see her alive.
Neku looked up at her and nodded. " Yeah, I forgot...the fourth day...it's good to see you again. Your brother was worried sick about you."
"Bwaah! Hey man, not cool. It's just I-ah...screw this. Yeah I was worried, she's my lil sis man."
Rhyme laughed, "That makes me happy Beat." She suddenly looked past Neku and gasped.
" ! Someone's coming and they have Mr. Mew!."
Beat rubbed his head and muttered "Wasn't that a one of a kind plushie that Shiki made? Why's that four-eyes got it?"
With out even turning around to see her Neku punched Beat on the cheek. "Thats the real Shiki you idiot!"
"Bwah! What? How was I s'pose to know, yo!" he growled rubbing his cheek.
Neku then turned around to see Shiki, the real Shiki...
She was pretty, not a perfect model-like kind of pretty but a genuine shy kind, standing there with a shy expression as she held her home-made plushie . She had short dark hair and wore glasses. She looked from Neku to Beat and Rhyme then back to Neku again.
"Hi guys, it's me." she smiled blushing a little bit.
"Shiki...I'm here, we're all here now" Neku said gazing at the one he held most dear. She was the first Partner who had opened his eyes, made him care about more then just himself during the Reapers Game.
Shiki nodded and waved to Rhyme and Beat then reached for Neku's hand. "So where to first?"
The gang had been heading up A-East exploring the different shops then decided to take a break and get some lunch. After some debate it was decided that they would go to Ramen Don.
"Lookie there!"
Shiki pointed to a Lolita cosplayer in excitement. "That outfit's the most gorgeous one I've ever seen! I wonder if they made it themselves...I wish I had that talent...wouldn't that be cool Neku?"
"Yeah, yeah. whatever..." was Neku's reply.
She puffed her cheeks. "Nekuuuuu..."
"I'm sorry, you know fashion's not really my thing, Shiki."
Beat then chirped in. "Yeah, I know what you mean man. All them bows and mace, too girly if you ask me."
Neku sighed. "I think you mean lace, Beat. Not mace."
Rhyme laughed.
"Neku if I had got 5 Yen for how every time Beat-"
Rhyme stopped and giggled as her older brother gave her a tap on her head.
"Rhyme! Come on!"
Neku sighed and found himself beginning to zone out in thought. Seeing everyone together...roaming the streets together...Why had he always seen people has nothing but useless burdens before? There was so much he had missed all these years...
Then he frowned when he thought of his father. Neku may have been considered raised in a good home but he hardly ever saw his father who was always out on career trips. His mother too. Mabey they were the reason he kept to himself...
"Neku?"
Neku shook his head of thoughts and found Shiki tugging his shirt. "What do you want to order, Neku?"
Neku looked around confused. Apparently they had already reached Ramen Don...
"I...ah...Miso's fine. Yeah. Miso."
Shiki nodded and relayed back to the cook.
"So if you were a character from any manga, anime, or game-what character do you think you'd be?" Shiki asked Rhyme as the gang sat around eating ramen. Rhyme held the chopsticks between her small fingers and hummed.
"I don't know really..."
"She'd be the Lolita that's for sure." Neku said after swallowing some of his noodles.
Beat slurped and asked "What about YOU, Neku?"
Neku closed his eyes. He had a feeling Shiki would say- "Cloud Strife." Shiki cried interrupting his thoughts.
Lovely, just lovely.
Beat laughed. "Ha ha. Chibi Cloud."
"Please. As for you Beat...you strike me as just an American tourist."
"Hey! Wait is that good or bad?"
Shiki chuckled and then announced that they should go to CAT to see if they could meet up with Mr.H after they were done eating.
"Yeah, that guy sure helped me out 'bunches before. Dude why didn't we think to find him earlier?" Beat said.
It was then decided. To Mr. H's coffee shop it was.
Neku did not see the car coming. He was walking with his friends when all of a sudden everything went black.
"PULL HIM IN BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE JOSHUA!" the Producer yelled.
Joshua pounded his fist in frustration."It doesn't work that way! I'm trying!"
Joshua closed his eyes and pressed his fingers into his temple. "He is not compatible with this Shibuya anymore seeing how he is through with the Reapers Game. I can't pull him into here no matter how hard I try...but he will not survive if his soul stays in the real Shibuya either..."
"He'll die then?!"
"No...I won't allow it, especially since a Rouge Reaper's to blame...dang it. Neku, forgive me."
Shiki screamed as the pool of blood was spreading from a wound on Neku's head. He was laying on the ground unconscious. She fumbled around for a scarf and wrapped it around his head in attempt to suppress the bleeding, then screamed for Beat and Rhyme to go find Mr. H. Surely he and Joshua could help.
Beat and Rhyme ran like crazy towards the direction of CAT and Shiki, while holding the scarf down, managed to dial 119.
Neku needed medical attention fast...
To Be Continued...