Will probably change rating later. Will show an abusive relationship!!! Possible lemons later, including violence, possible sexual violence. -if any of this happens will change rating. You have been warned, otherwise enjoy -
It's raining when my coach reaches it's stop. Not that bitter cold rain that stings deliciously at whatever skin it comes in contact with; but that soft, warm, refreshing rain that for a split second feels like your sins are being washed away.
It'll take a lot more to cleanse my soul.
Grabbing my lone bag I'm quick to my feet and rush to the door, I've been more patient and in control than I have in a long while on this eleven hour ride, but I'm not willing to push it. I've taken to wearing my thick scarf wrapped around my lower face covering my nose and mouth with a spritz of deodorant in the centre, even after taking these measures I can still smell and taste my fellow passengers with every inhale. If I wasn't also wearing my sunglasses on this dreary evening I would have appeared to be an average traveller, but I'd rather look odd than outright terrifying. My active kakugan would of course be a dead giveaway, I had lost control of my eyes a couple of hours into my commute; a mixture of hunger and anxiety. More than a few times I had to fight my mental images of slaughtering everyone here, bathing in their blood, having my fill and putting an end to this dreaded journey home.
God, what would my parents think?
Yoshimura and Yomo too.
I'm not like him!
Once off the bus I remove my makeshift mask and glasses, I lift my head to the rain letting my jacket's hood fall. Deep down I know I've missed this, this filthy city that I call home. I've missed the people, my friends, my makeshift family, him.
No, not him.
I grab my battered, cheap throwaway phone and wait for it to turn on while I get my bearings. As usual there was a missed call and voicemail from Itori she tried to get in contact at least once a day for the past three years, I'm a shitty friend only occasionally texting her and Renji to let them know I'm surviving. They're the only two that have my number and Renji never texts back, though Itori lets me know he asks about me... So does he.
I need to get out of Shinjuku. l walk briskly to the nearest station, eager to get out of the fourth ward. My half-arsed disguise replaced, not that it would do me a whole lot of good if he catches my scent.
Fortunately the wait for the next express train to the fourteenth ward was a short one filled with stomache turning anxiety. During boarding and the whole way to the fourteenth ward I'm on high alert relying solely on my eyes and ears as my nose is out of commission while my perfumed fabric covers it. There's no incidents as I exit Nakano station, there's no trouble as I walk through the fourteenth ward or once I make it to the bar. I was about to walk in before I was struck with a rare bout of common sense, they were always there after hours and it only being only around ten I'd have a wait on my hands.
Unless...
Unless Itori still had her old apartment. Which wasn't very far to walk and I never gave my key back, deciding that this would be the safest option I hurried to the block of flats only a couple of blocks down.
As I walk through the building I'm reassured by the lingering scent of Itori and the guys as silent confirmation that she still lives here. Three floors up (the elevator's still not fixed!) and my body has started to protest and punish me for going so long without eating, fussing with my duffle-bag and half emptying it's contents all over the floor I fished out the offending key. Kicking my belongings into the open door, I'm amazed at what Itori's managed to do with what used to be a fixer upper apartment. From what I could see the lounge and connected kitchenette had been on the receiving end of a very modern and minimalist makeover, I couldn't help but take a peak of the bedroom or rather boudoir. It was very Itori, full of sensual silks and furs and dim lighting. With my legs still aching from sitting down for so long and so many stairs I went to the bathroom which had not changed much at all and started running a scolding hot bath using a little of her bath lather, I then returned to my bag to get my cleaner of my meagre selection of clothes and towel.
Heaven.
I'm not a religious person and so I believe that a hot bath is the closest one can ever get to a promised land, with good sex coming at a close second. I finally feel human(ish) after I 'borrow' Itori's expensive shampoo and conditioner and I submerge myself a few more times, I can relax now. Everything will be fine, my head's all foggy and when I lean back I can't fight against the seductive pull of sleep.
