Seasonal Shock

Encounter - 1

You were one of Torikabuto's A rank "servants". The best, the most elite at what you do. The difference is you weren't THE best. Though, that never bothered you as much as it did Genkishi, you were starting to wish you could have been the rightful owner of the mist Mare ring. You sometimes pondered that maybe you could kill off Torikabuto, but you would surely face Byakuran's wrath. Byakuran…

Not that you particularly minded your position under Torikabuto, but the long missions and over orderly nights were taking a toll on you. Then one day Torikabuto called you into that place The Real Six Funeral Wreaths call a home. He told you that Byakuran-sama has taken an interest in you, and that he requests that you work along with Leonardo Lippi as an assistant.

You were stunned that your true boss had taken that much of a notice in you, but none the less it was not your place to argue. You were still required to fulfill the assignments Torikabuto assigned you, and you were not allowed go mention the R.F.W. to anyone who isn't a part of it. This included your partner Leo, but those rules aside you were given much more freedom then before. Reason being that Byakuran has far too many tasks for his assistants to do…

So to the present. You now stood outside Byakuran-SAMA's office. –You were told to always refer to him formally now, lest you want to deal with the consequences– You were shaking a little, nervously twisting you tied up auburn hair. You were given a typical white spell Millefiore uniform which only increased your uneasiness, since it clung just about everywhere. It made you feel unprofessional and generally uncomfortable.

You heard a 'come in' from the far end of the room. You then gently pushed the door open and walked in, your heels clicking against the floor loudly. You walk in to the pale white room to find Byakuran staring out his large window while calmly eating a bag of marshmallows. "Nwah, Juai-chwam! I'we bween spect-terin s-su!" Byakuran chewed.

You tried very hard not to laugh, but a slight giggle left your lips. Realizing what you had done you quickly cover your mouth and apologize. Byakuran laughed at you though, which caused you to blush. "I look forward to working with you Byakuran-sama." You announced while bowing a little.

This caused a slight frown to come across his face as he continued to eat his sweets. "Neh, Zai-chan? You don't need to add the "sama" at the end. It sounds too stuffy. Leo-kun did the same thing when he started." You tried to say his name without the "sama", but were too afraid to. So, another frown tugged on his pale face. "Hmm. Well, I don't particularly like being called "chan" myself. Let's see, I suppose you could use "san" at the end like Shou-chan does…"

"Ok, um, Byakuran… -san… Nice to meet you. Zaiga Honalo of Torikabuto's second branch." You recovered. Your new boss waved of your formal introduction as though he got plenty of those a day. You then began to fidget once again at the uncomfortable silence, not knowing if you should show yourself out or wait for more instructions.

Byakuran sighed a little when he turned his head to face you once again, "You know Zai-chan, the way you act makes it seem like I'm going to eat you. Then again, I'm used to it. Sometimes I wish I could have a decent conversation with someone without having them tense up. You know, casual but respectable at the same time. Unfortunately, everyone in this place is too focused on my title rather than my face."

Suddenly, your body started to move on its own. Your legs trotted slowly, almost unsurely, toward your new boss. You then start on the white couch near his desk and gave him a kind smile, "Well if there's anything you want to say, I'm willing to listen. Not for your title, but because I want to hear what you have to say. Byakuran-san."

He looked genuinely surprised, but the expression only lasted for a few minutes. He found you amusing, being able to recover from your nervousness like that. Then again, Torikabuto had said that you were one of his best. Though, the young boss had always doubted the masked man, he was beginning to see why Torikabuto found Zai-chan so fascinating. He decided he would keep you around, for now.

"Byakuran-san?" You gave him a slight look of confusion, which brought him back to reality. In a few seconds his calm cheery disposition returned and Byakuran Gesso's mask was still firm in place.

"Neh, Zai-chan, I think your accommodations are ready, so go get settled and report to me tomorrow!" Byakuran exclaimed with a sugar coated voice. You gracefully stood from your position on the couch and strode toward the large steel doors, and as you were about to leave Byakuran added, "Wait! You should meet Leo-kun, since you two will be working together from now on ! He's probably in the male housings, or he might be in one of the white spell parlors. You should go see him since he will be your only co-worker!" Byakuran waved at you as you left the blindingly white room.

You could still hear your heels click against the marble floors as you walked toward the white spell housing. This was in some ways your true beginning. Not that you didn't enjoy your time as an underling for Torikabuto, but you had always imagined that you would have some other purpose than dying at the hands of a Mafioso. You looked forward to it; a change, a breath of fresh air! You could feel it, you were going to exceed all expectations that you had set on your life, all because of this one small transfer. Oh yes, you could tell.

Byakuran smirked to himself. You seemed pleasant enough, he could play with you for a little while before throwing you back to Torikabuto. There was no denying your strength as an illusionist, but as a piece in this game you were of the lowest rank. A pawn, a level one fighter, a newbie in an online game; you could only hold his amusement for so long because of your rank. Maybe you will surprise him like you did today. Since you had done it once it was possible you could do it again. Hmm. We'll see.