S-Cry-Ed's

Warped Reality

Little Japanime Girl

Disclaimer: I do not own Scryed or any of its characters. Just the plot. The end.

Note: I want dedicate this chapter to (my first and only reviewer for the rushed prologue) Tasogare no Hime. Domo for the review! I'm not savvy enough with Scryed to get the characters very grounded much less know their 'alter powers'. Eh I just saw the ep. when Scheris died and wanted to write a story for her and Ryuhou. Anywho, hope you like this.

Oh yeah, I forgot to warn you that there's minor language in this chapter.

It's not the same.

The sun shone so brightly on the small yet busy town when the foreigner slowly walked in as if it were the first time he touched its grounds. Carefully looking around in hopes that none of the farmers or passerby recognized him, he pulled his torn cloak's hood up to cover his face.

"It's been a while..." he muttered to himself.

Sighing, he looked at his dirty and scraped hands noting to get a well deserved bath as soon as the opportunity appeared.

"Oh my God..."

He looked up in time to see that last person he was ready to see drop a basket of cabbage. Her shaking hands reached up to her already tear filled face.

"Is that you...?"

His back stiffened, unprepared to even speak to her. Seeing her cry and still looking the same as the last time he saw her made him feel all the more guilty. A single nod was all she needed to embrace him tightly and soundly sob against his filthy cloak. Or what was left of it.

She managed between sobs, "I'm so... sorry. I didn't mean- didn't plan... to react... like... like this when you... returned..."

Ryuhou closed his eyes and wrapped his arms loosely around her back, silently letting her vent. Her sobs slowly subsided and after a while of silence, she whispered.

"I'm so happy you've returned. I had no news of what you've been up to for over a year..."

His chest tightened at her words.

I don't know what to tell you. I can't make sense of it. I can't understand...any of it.

"Mimori–"

She quickly blushed and parted from his chest to look him into his eyes, past the shadow of his hood. He can't seem to look her in the eyes yet.

"Oh! I haven't even greeted you properly- much less see your face."

"It's okay–"

With a few insecure steps back, Mimori paled and softly said, "Oh... well in that case..."

Great going. Hurt her more than she knows so far.

Ryuhou fought the guilty flinch and bit the inside of his cheek as he slowly pulled his hood down. He shook his sweaty hair from his dirty face and finally stared at her shocked eyes. She tentatively raised her hand to touch him but quickly retracted it back to her chest, unsure of what to do after feeling rejected. His eyes glared at the floor and he could swear he tasted blood as his thoughts made him feel dirtier than his exterior showed.

Oh that's great! She hasn't seen me for over a year, almost two, and I just stand there. Come on, I came here to reassure my word. My promise. Those nights meant nothing. It's just guilt, nothing more. It's natural to feel that way... I think.

With hidden determination, Ryuhou offered her a soft smile, which in turn, fueled Mimori's courage. She gently cupped his dirty cheek.

"My, you sure look different with that long hair. And not to mention how dirty you look!"

Mimori giggled at her own words and Ryuhou's soft smile became genuine at the same time the tone of her giggle transformed into his late friend's bubbly one. Soon, his crimson hues dulled as Mimori's words blurred into nothing and her hair and eyes became a lighter shade until both were blue.

It's happening now?! Dammit no. I'm awake for Christ's sake!

Ryuhou's eyes fluttered in hopes of focusing on the real person before him. Just before she could finish whatever sentence was coming out her mouth, he grabbed her upper arms and kissed her in desperation. Her gasp made his lips tingle and he watched her eyes close as she tried softening the kiss. Ryuhou could not bring himself to close his eyes; he wanted to memorize every single detail on her face and scent for when he closed his eyes at night.

Mimori, it's supposed to be you. No one else... I have to fix this as soon as possible.

Ryuhou broke the kiss and grabbed the basket she dropped earlier, "Lets go."

Feeling awkward, Mimori simply nodded and wordlessly lead to way to her home. He was relieved of the silence because he was sure his constant trail of thoughts would've prevented him from listening to her anyway.

---Later---

A clean and newly dressed Ryuhou placed his now empty tea cup on the coffee table.

"Why don't you cut your hair? I can do it for you."

Ryuhou looked up at Mimori who sat next to him. Deciding that his hair was not important, he changed the subject.

"Where did you get these new clothes for me?"

It was Mimori's turn to look at the table, "I knew you were coming back so... I took the liberty of ordering things for you from the mainland."

With a soft sigh, Ryuhou began, "Mimori, you shouldn't–"

"I know. We agreed that the war had to be over. That after you and Kazuma settle things you would be able to..."

He firmly yet gently replied, "I know what I said to you. Do you think I would turn back on my word? I thought that this was settled–"

She quickly looked at him and raised her voice in defense, "And it has! It's not that.–"

He furrowed his brows and asked, "Then what is it?"

Mimori's eyes lowered to her lap and she softly said, "It's been over a year since I even knew whether you were alive or not. I had to know–I needed to be assured that when I do see you again... you'd–"

With a frown he interrupted, "I deserve you being worried and upset at me because you haven't heard from me in so long. But you also know I'm not out there playing games. You know better than anyone what I'm doing day after day–"

"Are you done?" she demanded.

He knew she meant his journeys.

Ryuhou gritted his teeth and answered, "No."

She squeezed her eyes shut and asked, "Then when will you be?"

Ryuhou truly didn't understand why she kept asking questions she knew the answers to. His frustration leaked through his response.

"When the war is–"

Mimori jerked her head up to glare at him with tear filled eyes; "It is over! It has been for some time! God knows what you're doing out there. You're so busy playing super hero that I wonder if you're just stalling this–"

Outraged, Ryuhou stood up; "Is that why you did this? Why you went and bought things for me and are constructing that house for us? Is this all to reassure your doubts? I thought you would understand what's going on."

Equally outraged, Mimori stood up and replied, "Of course dammit! Of course I feel insecure. You've given me reason to be, Ryuhou. With the way you greeted me today... And not only that... Do you have any idea how many times Kazuma has visited here? Asking us about you? Even he disagreed with your sudden change–"

"Of course he would disagree! He's Kazuma for Christ's sake!"

"Listen to yourself, Ryuhou! You're not being yourself. You wouldn't be angry at me about the construction if you remembered the last we saw each other you agreed to–"

Before he could hold it back he blurted out, "I'm not stupid. I remember that!"

Her shocked eyes mirrored his and tears flowed down her cheeks as she took a step back from him, muttering, "There you go again. You don't even know what you're saying."

Ryuhou bit his lip in frustration as he looked at their cups on the coffee table.

I'm such a damn hypocrite being mad at her. Of course I should expect her to be mad at me. I've been so absent with no real reason. Well, not one that I can give her...

A gasp choked by a sob caught his ears when he looked back at her sobbing form.

Oh please don't cry. I'm sorry. You don't deserve this...

"Ryu...hou... God... I can't believe... Do...-- You regret this... don't you? You're stalling this!"

"What?"

Mimori ripped the necklace off her neck and threw the pendant he gave her on the couch, "No one is forcing you to do this. Just go if that's what you want!"

Mimori finished with dropping to the ground and sobbing into her hands. His throat tightened and he swallowed to lesson the pain to no avail.

I didn't think it would come to this. I came here precisely to prevent this.

Motioning to touch her he hoarsely whispered in sincerity, "I'm sorry..."

"...Just go."

He paused and then muttered, "Mimori..."

She turned her back to him and suppressed another sob with a shaky sigh, speaking more to herself, "I've never been this upset before."

He knelt down behind her and gently placed his hands on her shoulders; "You were right about some things and wrong about others. There are still things I need to take care of out there and that's the truth. I understand your insecurity, it's just that–Look, just know that I don't feel forced and I meant my word to you."

After a stale silence, Mimori whispered, "You should visit Kanami."

With a slow nod in understanding, he quietly got up and headed for the door.

"I have one question."

Her request hardly reached his ears when he gripped the knob; "...Go on."

"What could possibly still be missing after traveling for five years?"

I can't tell you.

"More than you think," was his soft reply.

With that, he exited the small house, closing the door behind him.

I'll make this up to you I swear, Mimori.

End note: Ok there you go! I was planning to write more but with too much drama here I decided to just end it with him leaving to find Kanami. Let me know what you think! Oh and, do remember, this story will be dealing with the slight insanity of Ryuhou's mind cause of his heart.

And the by the next chapter the story's rating will change to M.

LJP