DISCLAIMER
It is finished. First off I want to apologize for my lateness (nearly 1 year to complete) mostly because I lost interest and I thought my writing was terrible. I can see now that I over detailed much of the story, suffocating the story flow. So what I have done is edited all chapters and removed as much as I could. (Mostly chapters 3 and 4) I also rewrote many different scenes to better grasp the character's real personalities. (A mistake I really made back then) In conclusion, I'm sorry it took so long.
The brilliance of the sunset swept over the city in eerie fashion, bringing to life the sweltering shadows. Low hanging clouds masked the orange sphere as it surrendered its light to the approaching darkness; providing a beautiful sky for that busy metropolis that never slept. Calm winds blew elegant trees in a swaying side to side motion, resounding the silence of a day's finished work. Gently and slowly the darkness became thicker and thicker until the only light that would suffice would be artificial...
Within the busy city people walked to and fro upon their various concerns. Night was just another part of their day and they went about; ignorantly unaware of those that could take full advantage of them. Car after endless car passed conformably throughout the populated streets, their windows reflecting neon advertising lights. Human's had always been ignorant of their true sinful state and the consequences that in time would result in their own destruction.
However few were not as the sheep…….
Lurking inside a dark corner of a nameless filthy alleyway, footsteps echoed silently becoming one with the obscure night that only eerily amassed in such places. Slowly, the sounds traced back to their owner; a dark figure, clad in full back attire as he walked away and into the busy city nightlife; oblivious to the inexcusable fact of life. He seemed one with what he did, no voice or cautious glances, just a pure straight walk into the lit street ignoring all possibilities of what 'could' or 'should' happen.
With an artful move the cloaked figure hid what had been in his hand just a second earlier.
...a gun.
(-)
Shinma...
are the supernatural beings that devour the hearts of men...and lead them to ruin.
Long ago they were sealed in the dark world.
However there are stray shinma that live secretly in the human world.
They live in the division between night and day.
The Guardian who sends the stray shinma back to the dark world...is the beautiful vampire, Miyu.
No one knows her true face...
Carefully cascading night into day, the beautiful sun entered its domain once again bringing about the familiar fiery orange barrier that pushed all visible darkness away. Like an artist with an endless canvas, the sun painted its age-old talent upon the world bringing about it one of the most necessary vitals.
The vital of life…..
Calmly, but majestically it began its long journey upwards, freed from earth's prison.
Sun touched white and black, rising upon them with equal care and as such slowly exposed their character, rising higher on the vertical nature of them. At some point it became evident that these colors belonged not to objects but rather were just essentials as well as reflections of their true nature.
Closing her eyes as the sight, Miyu's small silhouette basked kindly in the soothing heat of the sunrise, her wondrous, but sad eyes slit shut as the orange sky touched them. Very near to her, her tall servant maintained his silence and attentive stance while her crossed legs played the orange beams that covered her. Taking in the splendor of the moment, Miyu arched her head back breathing in the morning air upon closed, relaxed lids lovingly. Hidden behind a mask of shade, her slender figure shifted in comfortable rocking intervals, kindheartedly accepting the gift of a new day.
Lava watched her diligently carry out her act in utter muteness, his sympathetic, cheerless face masked from behind that white shield. Standing behind her, he watched as she stretched; knowing as well as her that it was only a little happiness.
It pained him deeply to watch this cursed destiny cause her so much pain and even though he would never show his true feelings, he deeply loved her. Letting his own eyes mimic hers, his mind drifted back to that day, that dark brown day where they had first met…...
(-)
On a drab and dreary beach bordering the coastline of Japan, darkness descended upon the rocks, and lifeless sand. Through the dark brown haze and deathly mist the ghostly image of a man took shape sailing through the fog of the sea. With turquoise/blue hair obeying the laws of the wind he gracefully glided forward upon the waters surface, fully intent of reaching his destination. Quietly resting his feet on the sand, his handsome but arrogant face surveyed the brown countryside in disappointing approval. He had heard many great things about this country from Garline but now his witness led him to question what motives he had for this part of the world. Looking upon the barren landscape with inadequate satisfactory he let respectable, but censure words escape his mouth.
"Japan, it's a poor country. It's too poor for me to take over."
However, his voice was answered…..
"Don't be so quick to judge."
Lava turned with searching eyes, traveling only a short distance before he located the source. It was…a girl? She was quite young and dressed in a white kimono that came down to about her low thighs, tied with a large bow from behind. Her bear feet and legs supporting her small frame, the one foot being tied with a red ribbon. And even more than that, her voice was far more developed than what he would expect. It was full of authority and well balanced with determination.
"Welcome western Shinma. But I won't let you go any further."
Lava grimaced faintly, a slight humph accompanying his haughty character. Any phrase or good remark that he might have had dissipated along with the notion that she could be human.
"What a brat you are. A Japanese Shinma?"
Miyu rebuked his arrogant insult with a steady face, her unblinking gold eyes fully realized upon her flowing hair.
"I am the Guardian."
Her figure was straight and vertical although she was miles under the height of her opponent; she did not wavier and did not fear in the slightest.
"In the name of the guardians...I will not let a western Shinma have his way here in Japan.
Lava was slightly surprised by her courage, to stand fearless in such a manner. She was either very confident or very foolish, and he was curiously resolute to find out which.
"A guardian? Then if I defeat you, the Japanese Shinma world will be mine."
Lowering his head and stance a bit, he let his familiar battle figure to take heart and rose his right hand across his chest to conform into that steel wedge that had felled hundreds. Allowing the final words part from his mouth, he prepared to lunge.
"I won't go easy on you!"
Lava took a running start and leapt high into the air, amazed that the girl mimicked his maneuver gaining her own altitude to meet him in the sky. Excellent! Wind rushed passed that arrogant face whipping turquoise blue hair in all directions. Sweeping an under laying right pass, Lava allowed his trusted knife hand the first initiative. This was his battle…..
His steel hand made a cut for her torso whilst his selfish smirk and eyes never left the girl's face. Proximity neared and they passed exchanging blows in a mixture of flame and blade. Landing softly on the dead sand of the beach Lava turned back to his opponent clutching his right. Focused on his pained hand for a moment, he laid eyes on the girl who stood calmly and emotionlessly facing him. His face was slightly weakened with pride, becoming more in favor of commitment and fortitude. She had managed to block his attack with a concentrated blast of fire to his fist, and just now the aftermath of that numbness was finally leaving. Masking his thoughts with a gentle smirk and a low head nod, Lava knew that he had underestimated her. He had been lying when he said "I won't go easy on you!" he had hoped to test her for a little while or rather play with her, but now even after the first attack it seemed that it might become an impossibility. Opening both his hands, Lava allowed his secondary grim-reaper weapon to appear before him, reaching out to take it with both limbs. The girl didn't even flinch but re-lowered her stance and prepared for his assault.
Narrowing his eyes, Lava left the ground again, this time with the massive blade in tow. Still he couldn't help his curiosity of her abilities and swept a relaxed blow toward her head. Obviously it missed as she promptly ducked, countering with a flame blast that Lava in turn deflected with the front of the blade. The girl and him flipped opposite in the air, landing on the beach facing each other staring with the same intent upon the other.
"Why does a little vampire girl want to fight me? If you remain quiet, I won't mind letting you go."
The girl maintained her emotionless face and steadfast gold eyes, responding with a certain sense of dignity and devotion.
"Because it's my destiny."
Up until this time Lava had been lenient with his attacks, even while welding his massive death weapon. He mostly used it against his most formidable opponents but if she insisted on a fight to the death, then that's exactly what he would deliver!
"Then your destiny will be over shortly!"
Instead of making another airborne pass, Lava charged forward blade at the ready. Reaching close immediacy, he shed another angled down swing followed by a lunge toward the girl's chest that she barely avoided. Before she could counter-attack Lava brought the rear side of the blade forward forcing her to rapidly lean back with widened eyes. That smirk was clearly re-growing itself as he rotated the weapon sending the freshly fine bits of hair scattering off the spotless sliver blade. Bringing the rotation into a downward thrust, the girl dodged backward and found an opening, raising her right hand and promptly propelling a concentrated battery of fire with narrowed eyes. This time Lava's eyes widened, as he was just capable to avert the amassing flame into another direction, jumping backward. However it was not without consequences as the blade was scorched black from the heat and part of the energy's trajectory had been defected to slightly burn his right cheek. Lava rethought his stratagem quickly then abruptly let the reaper's weapon fade away, bringing out his old trustworthy hand. This girl was too small and agile to be hit directly with a weapon that size. Thankfully his steel-bladed hand was excellent for melee, and this battle was far from over…
"I stopped by this island, and I'm pleasantly surprised to meet you." Lava spoke, respect clearly notable in his voice now.
The girl only looked upon him with resolute, serious eyes. Apparently she had gained respect for him as well. A second later and she spoke….
"Do I want to make you want to leave quietly?"
Lava thought a second, but it was too late for a truce. Even so her abilities were quite proficient; he hadn't had a battle like this for a long time.
"No, I'm enjoying this."
His respectful face suddenly changed, morphing into angled down eyes.
"I will float your dead body in this ocean."
The small girl replied with equal assurance, a slight surprise visible in her gold eyes.
"That might happen to you."
Anger building in his face, Lava lowered his position facing the girl that likewise did the same. He paused; thinking of his next….no…..…final attack. Who did this girl think she was? He wasn't going to die. 'That might happen to you.' How arrogant of her to say such a thing! Truly until this point he had been fighting in a moderate style, trying…yes, but still never went near his true ability. She had no idea what she was up against. And he had not shown her what his hand could do in melee mode especially in anger.
Narrowing his eyes to a sickening extent, Lava focused for a moment eyeing the small girl that stood before him. He waited, listening to a few waves of the ocean, this was going to be the final move, and both she and him knew that. Dashing forward at full speed, Lava revived his full talent and made several fakes on approach. His hand moved like lighting, fake, fake, strike! Lava's right hand came flying in at the speed of sound. The girl would have surely dodged it but he brought out his left and thrust it as well. Temporary distracted, the girl tried to leap out of the way but Lava changed direction again and double faked with his left. The sudden attention needed on both hands at that surprising moment was realized, but it was too late….
Lava's left held back, transferring all momentum to the right and came forward at full speed penetrating the girl's stomach; as well as piercing straight through her spotless white kimono, saturating the pure clothing a deep red.
Her head recoiled forward from the colossal attack whilst flying blood splattered on the ground. Her facial expression was wordless but the look on her face, with her mouth agape and wide eyes open, said it all. Leaning forward into the stranger from impact…she hung, supported by his torturing wedge through her torso. That haughty, egocentric face had never been so boisterous; she didn't even have to look at it, but rather built up her own strength. She wasn't going to allow a foreign Shinma to take control of this country. Clearly, that minded thought made its way to Lava because at the last possible second he realized what was going to happen. But again…..too late……
The girl's face raced up hard and fast biting painfully on the neck. It was a hard bite, much harder then she would have ever dealt a weak human. Lava was speechless, but rather felt the same thing as she did. Feeling a qualm of bleeding strength he leaned into her, unable to stand on his own. Thinking he was going to die along with his last victim, Lava's mind raced uttering a final apology to the light of the sea.
But something strange was happening….
A new world was opening up…..
He could feel her pain, her life. His face flashed with open eyes; his own torment becoming in a way that had nothing to do with the deep dual punctures in his neck.
He was learning…..
Her name was Miyu, but beyond that, all sorrows. Never had he imagined that anyone could hold this kind of burden. The pain and inward hurting of this girl was too much to bear. It was coming so fast. It had taken so long for him to become what he was, and now it seemed that he had been a simple pawn. A hundred years ago he wandered and killed who he wished, except now it felt like he was being carried…and he knew that it wasn't where he wished.
He wished it would stop. He didn't want to learn all this! But for the first time in his life he was not in control, he had become a slave after enslaving thousands. He had become the owned when he had owned others. His pride and selfishness were swallowed whole, in that moment he forgot who he was, all he could think about was Miyu's grief. Wide eyes remained, while apart from will his right hand removed itself from her body gently. The girl that was still fastened to his neck didn't let go but Lava couldn't feel that anymore.
The bite had become confusingly pleasant.
It was odd to be in a world of mental pain yet in a world of physical ecstasy. He did not know when, but he finally blinked to see Miyu standing a short distance away, fully healed and now accompanied with a loving, compassionate expression. That look…
At that moment everything crystallized, the pain of her life, sorrows, and the cursed destiny was now like his own. Likewise her eyes reflected that she also understood his secret pains of the past as well. Even though they were long forgotten to him…..
They knew each other, felt each other, it was if they had been born from the same womb. Lava's expression changed, he felt and knew that his selfish, uncaring nature had brought about the suffering of many people; all in the name of conquest. Fully aware of all his sins, he, for the first time in his life, accepted them and wished to atone for what he did.
He was sorry, he was sorry…….
Looking up at the girl that had just given him a new life he spoke in a quiet, but calm, obsequious voice.
"You defeated me. What more do you want me to do?"
Kindness radiated from her eyes, her response one of rare forgiveness.
"Nothing. But I want you to hold on to my life."
He had just tired to kill her, not only that but had brought suffering to so many, and yet she was entrusting him to protect what he had just tried to destroy. No one had that kind of mercy….
With surprised eyes that said all of what he thought, Lava responded.
"Your life?"
Miyu read it like a book, she too now cared for him, not because of his great grander of conquests that she had learned from his blood, but rather that he was sorry for all that he had done.
"If or when I want to break away from this circle of destiny...I want you to break it off for me."
Lava understood, this could be the beginning of a new life, and he would start it by protecting her with his own, protecting someone, someone he cared for… His heart had been changed thus.
"I promise. I will follow you as long as you wish."
(-)
That had been the first time he ever wore this mask, and sometimes he was grateful for it. Many times if not most of it, he was sad. Because he could not end her sorrow and keep her alive. It would have to be a choice… He could not, would not, ever tell her. Though he professed boldly to enemies that he would be the only one to kill her, he himself wished that day never would come; he wanted to be at her side forever….
His nostalgic memories were brought back to the present…..
"Hey Lava…"
Lava gazed downward at the beautiful image of Miyu staring at his ceramic face, the back of her head shimmering with gold sunlight whilst her face was covered in shade. The sunrise really brought out her beauty, it was not insomuch as her physical appearance but her compassion and understanding that he was attracted to. He loved her and would forever. Watching her shift leg positions to cross them inadvertently, Lava responded to her half silhouette.
"Yes"
Miyu stared up at him surveying his hidden thoughts for a brief moment, she could always sense, but never tell what he was thinking. Leveling her head back into its original position and facing the direction of her body she finished the shy conversation with saddened, sunrise eyes.
"Nothing…"
(-)
Gently treading upon the soft green grass of that all too familiar school, Miyu approached the main door accompanied only by the cool breeze that held her hair. With unblinking, steady brown eyes her face by-passed the deep public conversations to reflect upon the front door glass. She nodded her head for a brief second closing her eyes, allowing her restless mind to relax. That never weakening consciousness would always interrupt any small momentary happiness. Yes, she knew her destiny was unchangeable. Why did this torturing thought have to show its ugly face once more? So what if there was a Shinma about? There were thousands of them… Why did it have to constantly remind her that she was not human and but a simple slave to her fate?
It was the only thing she hated more than a Shinma….
Lifting her eyelids and head rapidly, Miyu entered the building gracefully and with perfect posture, walked down the long white hallways. The school was full of busy students minding their own business and routinely enjoying the gift of life. Step after step, Miyu took turns waging her head back and forth listening to the bits and pieces of chit-chatter; eventually finding her way to the 2nd floor where she found her classroom. Pausing outside the door for a brief moment she let her lips form into a smile, looking with content upon the open doorway to the sounds of the unseen students inside.
"Oh come on Yukari!" Chisato's over-expressive voice carried out loudly. "I'm not like that!"
Yukari, who had been sitting at her desk calmly, slowly turned her head away from the towering image of Chisato. With closed eyes and a determined cross fold of her arms she spoke the truth.
"Yup, a natural supreme, over-talkative chatterbox!"
Hisae, who had been sitting sideways, cross-legged behind Yukari turned to witness Chisato bring her angry fists down on Yukari's desk with a moderate, meaningless slam. It was clearly evident that she was annoyed.
"Yukari!" Chisato tried to make her voice serious. "Your mean!"
Yukari didn't change her position, rather only remained in that absolute confident pose.
"The truth hurts sometimes."
Squeezing her eyes shut with frustration, Chisato receded her fisted hands to cleave with each other against her chest, letting her teeth show in one big angry wall. Her irritated, shaking figure held that stature for a few seconds.
"And what would that make you!" Chisato's fingers quickly reached down with angled eyes to grab Yukari's left ear; sending her straight composer as well as arms in a flaying frenzy.
"Ah! Chisato, Chisato! Ow! Ow!" Yukari's desperate voice came out, freshly changed from its dramatic fortitude.
Hisae only chuckled; closing her eyes behind those large, thin lenses. Cupping her hand to her mouth she tried not to make the obvious humor of the situation stand out.
"Well? well!" Chisato persisted, yanking Yukari's ear up and down from beyond that controlling face.
Yukari reeled like a fish, her eyes shut and mouth agape with words.
"Ow, Chisato, Chisato! …………………Miyu?"
Yukari stopped squirming; looking forward with surprise, her left ear still captive in Chisato's right hand. A second or two later and Hisae and Chisato were meeting up with Yukari's gaze to reflect upon Miyu's gentle smiling face. They stood confounded for a second with that 'innocent-I-didn't-do-anything-look' before Chisato finally spoke releasing Yukari's ear in the process.
"Hey, Miyu!"
Chisato began to jog toward her friend bringing upon that happy face that had always cheered Miyu up. While it would never seem to anyone that it mattered beyond a small faint smile, watching other people happy made Miyu happy too. It was like a temporary fulfillment that would wash away her permanent sorrow for but a little while. It was that kind of life that she wished for, the one she would never receive…..
Chisato reached Miyu, folding her arms behind her straight back in a courteous position, tilting her head and smiling with those shut, arched eyes.
"Ohayo! Miyu!"
It was so kind……
(-)
It wasn't long before class started, but as always Miyu was off in her own world, these teachings meant nothing. After all she had been alive for a long time, and much of what was taught she had lived. Beyond timidly socializations, school was quite a boring place. Or was it? Since she had become a student at this school, she had succeeded in sealing many Shinma's. Her thoughts had been correct, as she very well knew that one day Shinma would start targeting youth at a young age to manipulate them into their will. At youth, and with less knowledge, the young people would be prime targets of opportunity, as they would be raised and dealt to obey whatever they were given. This building alone had Miyu's Shinma sense triggering almost every week.
And now, it was again….
Easing her head slightly to the left, Miyu let her gaze sweep over the west side of the green school field. From the 2nd level it was easy to get a good view of anything and everything. Quickly her light brown eyes came to rest on a figure striding cautiously alone upon the grey sidewalk. Just outside the steel gate fence he strode along at a confident pace looking neither left nor right. Dressed in a pure dark black hoddie and pants, Miyu could tell from his figure that he was quite a thin person. Not grotesque, but at least underweight. Despite a large broad sweater, it was obvious that he was hiding his true frame. His head and face were nearly completely covered under thick light brown hair. It came down to his neck and parted in upward flips from the back while the front fell down the sides to come up diagonally, exposing little of his face from this angle. Only his sealed, decisive mouth was visible, and from the looks of it he was young, maybe 19 or so. After all most Shinma's preferred a youthful look as it helped them in better luring their victims. What was even more attentive seizing was his height. He was at least 6 feet and stood out from the crowd. Most people in Japan never got beyond that height, much less sometimes….
It was truly odd indeed….
Miyu watched intensely with focused eyes, tracing his every step. There was something about him. The sense of a Shinma it was, but very different this time, it was like nothing she had ever felt before…twisted and mangled….
Watching carefully and correcting her head as necessary, Miyu never took her eyes off him. He continued on the concrete path, nearly parallel to her heightened position. It was hard to see his face behind that curtain of brown but she could feel what he was like and carefully sensed outward…
Suddenly he stopped, bringing about his feet into an L position; shifting his leg movement for balance. Then slowly and deliberately, he raised his head and turned it directly into Miyu's locking eyes.
She didn't even flinch, but rather met them with perfect internal resistance. His face seemed to zoom right up to her and in perfect detail she saw his full sketch. With a cunning portrayal his angled eyes were a sapphire blue. Such depth and radiance came from them, despite the fearsomely determined portrayal they distinguished. Arms at his side and completely fixated on her position, it was clear that he was staring at her, almost as if he knew her. The brown hair that had barred his face was actually arched outwards from the top of his flat head, thus providing a perfect view of his face if you were facing him and a perfect concealment if you were not. His eyebrows were naturally angled down, but if it was from concentration or hate she didn't know. His skin was flawless and had a moderate tint of white, devoid of any major tanning that most youth crazed about. He just stood there penetrating Miyu's emotionless eyes with his own. Side from the fact that he looked deadly, he really was quite beautiful. Holding the stare for a few seconds, Miyu let her eyes do the talking…
He responded…
But again it was odd…
Wordlessly the dark man relaxed his narrowed look upon Miyu's face into one she would never have expected of his composer.
Sadness…..
That seriousness had faded in an instant, replaced with the same sapphire eyes that now resounded depression, or was it deep compassion? She didn't know. But rather relaxed the piercing gaze upon her face and turned, allowing his face to be re-masked behind that wall of hair.
Miyu's unmoving emotionless eyes remained, and she continued to trace his path, but internally she was surprised. Why that look?
"Pssst! Hey Miyu!" Chisato's voice interrupted her delicate thinking and replaced her concentration.
Chisato kept her voice down, leaning over and refusing to take her eyes off the back of the teacher while her flat hand came to her lips.
"Would you like to come to the shopping mall with me later?"
Miyu didn't reply, but to a certain extent nodded in agreement, maintaining her mysterious trance with that man….
"Miyu?" Chisato tried not to raise her voice; causing her friend to break her line of sight. Taking hold of Miyu's eyes with her own she waited anxiously for a reply, not bothering to watch the teacher anymore.
"Yes"
Chisato smiled.
"Hey, what are you girls doing back there?" A rather huffy voice interrupted from the front, his image of folded arms becoming rather un-rhythmic.
"You girls can talk after class, please pay attention!"
"Hai!" Chisato quickly corrected her posture and forced herself back into the lesson. But Miyu didn't bother; there was a more important matter….
Searching out the window once more, Miyu stared at the blank spot where that mystifying person had just stood.
Nothing….
Miyu grimaced, she would find out soon enough…..
(-)
The day passed on, in hot humid weather the lapsing of time was nearly stand still. The classes dragged on continuously without rest for the students. However this time it was Miyu that wished for school to end. It was unfortunate that this 'human act' was again interrupted by her selfish destiny. As such, it demanded swift justice and would withhold all mental rest until it was satisfied. Like a plague in her heart, it was a disease to her existence….
"FINALLY!" Chisato burst out of the hot school breathing heavily with her head down. "I thought it would never end!" Following closely behind, Yukari and Hisae agreed with panting huffs, sharing the same thoughts.
Shaking off the torture of that un-air-conditioned building Chisato piped up feeling reborn at the touch of cool winds. Clasping her left and into a fist she cheerfully raised her head up ceasing her heavy breathing.
"Well let's go shopping!" Her fist rocketed skyward bringing Yukari's gaze to fixate on her.
"Oh come on Chisato!" she exhaled between breaths. "How do you have that much energy left?"
"Yeah" Hisae agreed with the same tone. "It's amazing that were still alive!"
Chisato turned around, face contorted with shock. She put on that face again…..
"Well Miyu will come with me. Wont you?"
From behind Yukari and Hisae Miyu nodded, not bothering to change her emotionless expression. There was work to be done…
(-)
From one extreme to the next, the four high school students explored the cool mall air; nearly fully refreshed from the heat-striking afternoon. Yukari was grateful that she came after all. The adrenaline thrill of the mall was just what she needed anyway. Furthermore the refreshing air-conditioned atmosphere was quite rejuvenating. Passing brilliantly articulated water fountains and expert carved marble, the quartet continued to re-explore the much-visited mall, relighting that girlish sense of pointless purchasing.
Store after store, it was time for a food break….
The girls sat at a quad table all facing each other with meals of there own. The exception was Miyu who insisted that she wasn't hungry. Yukari eyed around the table, her curious eyes resting upon Chisato's plate.
"How can you eat that soba Chisato?" Yukari rested her chopsticks at the side of her face, having just swallowed some fresh ramen.
"It's good for you!" Chisato protested with a sharp defensive jerk of her head. "Much better than that ramen you're eating!"
"What was that?" Yukari pinched Chisato's nose with chopsticks bringing about her full attention.
"Ack! Yukari!" Chisato dwindled with her new voice before making a counter-attacking pinch of her own.
Miyu smiled at the two.
These kind of senseless arguments based on true feelings were what made her happy. To see these foolish, but happy human emotions was heart warming indeed. It was quite supple and innocent and it made Miyu feel content that they would never learn what she knew….
Miyu's eyes flared suddenly, echoing the sound and vision that she had just witnessed.
Just outside the main door an all too familiar white hand trailed by black coverings had come in contact with the handle.
Miyu's eyes darted in the direction to come up upon the sidewall; the entrance was on the far side….
Her sudden reaction was not unnoticed however…
Releasing each other's noses and visually pinioned to Miyu at the unexpected reaction, Chisato ventured out for an explanation.
"What's wrong Miyu?"
Miyu held that posture for a split second longer, the vision changing into blinding white light, masked invisibly by the swinging glass door that was just opened.
"It's nothing." Miyu's predicted expression came from upon her lips. "But we should go."
A few minutes later after the food, the four girls were out and about the crowded mall. Still clad in their brown school uniforms they stood out like a sore thumb. But none of that concerned any of them while they enjoyed themselves. All of course, except Miyu.
Sweeping side to side glances as they walked, Miyu scanned for her target. She could no longer sense anything or anyone. There were so many people around her providing a daunting challenge. Down the long endless halls revealed nothing less than ordinary people; yet a stale fragrance.
A little while later Chisato yawned.
"I think its time to go home." Her voice weakened by fatigue.
The others eyed her.
"How ironic that the one who suggested this whole event would fall first." Hisae chuckled, kindly keeping her speech to a level where she would hear.
"Oh come on, don't start Hisae." Chisato stated, clearly devoid of her energy to argue. Once again, she had hyped herself out.
"Besides, we have homework."
Yukari laughed; apparently Chisato was looking for any excuse to leave. But there was no helping it, as she wanted to go home too.
Walking forward, the group approached the cross sections with exits on either side. Turning left they kept formation.
Miyu….
Deep in Miyu's quiet head, the vision sprung to life with the last piece of the puzzle falling into place….
The door had closed…..
Instinctly and as swiftly as possible she ripped around at the sudden vivid awareness to face a tall man clad in perfect black. Standing quite a distance away he no less exceeded the ability to draw the attention until all four of them had rested their eyes on the faceless character. Eclipsed in massive white light that penetrated the sky from behind the glass his face slowly became visible to Miyu. Lowering his head to level with her short figure brought deadly hair to bar his sapphire eyes with vertical lines. His statue feet took heed and molded into that L position, arms relaxed by his side. Piercing Miyu's eyes with his own, he lowered his eyebrows to magnify that concentrated expression. Then silently and without verbal assistance he moved his lips into a word that only Miyu could have seen.
"Guardian"