Home; Almost Alone
"Argh!" Dan yells. "Where's Shun? He should've been here by now!"
"Hmm, Dan, maybe you should try again later?" Alice suggests. "He could be busy."
"Augh!" He groans. "Shun!"
"No Alice; I hate to say it but Dan's right," Runo frowns at her friend. "This is our anniversary of defeating Naga; Shun wouldn't miss this. It's too important to miss. Even Claus and Chan are here; Mira and Baron. So he wouldn't miss this either."
"Maybe he sprained his ankle during training and broke his Baku-pod!" Marucho exclaims.
"Yea, maybe…" Julie replies, disbelievingly.
"Augh!" Dan yells. "Pick up; pick up! Why. Can't. I. Get. Through!"
"Calm down Dan," Mira sighs. "He's probably on his way and got delayed by something. As for why he's not answering; he's probably just out of range or low on battery."
"Yea, you're probably right," Dan frowns, staring intently at his Baku-pod.
"Huh? Didn't you just say something like that master Marucho?" Baron frowns.
"Dan!" Runo beams. "Look over there."
"Huh?" he exclaims. "What? Where? What're you talking about?"
A few minutes later Shun reaches them. The others smile and start getting back to their conversations whilst Dan is still staring, just in the wrong directions.
"What are you doing Dan?" Shun asks, confused.
"Shun, you're here!" he smiles; then frowns. "What took you so long?"
"Sorry. Something came up at the last minute that Gramps needed taking care of," Shun replies coolly.
"No!" Julie screeches. "That wouldn't have made you an hour late!"
Shun looks over his friends for a moment before smiling. Immediately Dan's interest is piqued and he leans forward; curiosity shining brightly in his eyes. The others lean in too, suddenly interested in Shun's odd behaviour. He just chuckles quietly before walking off, silently laughing at their expressions and enjoying his day. Shun calls out.
"I met someone on the path of life,"
Dan frowns, almost irritated by his best friend's good mood. "Shun," he begins sweetly. "Why're you so happy?"
"None of your business," Shun replies, turning away.
"Is he like high or something?" Julie frowns.
"No, he wouldn't do that!" Alice gasps.
"Julie, you're head really scares me sometimes," Runo sighs.
Suddenly, a high pitched scream echoes out all around them. They fall silent. Their eyes fixed on the side path of the house. The path that leads to the street. The street which is where the scream came from. Fear is etched on their faces, all but one. Shun isn't looking at the path. His eyes are directed to the forest with an unusual amount of focus and intent. There's a light in his eyes. Knowing. It's the light of knowing something someone doesn't know. Something important. His jaw is set in a firm line and he shows no emotion. His eyes though, his eyes betray him. Such a grim look in his eyes that they pierce the soul. He barely notices the layer of cold settling down on them, or maybe he was expecting it. Yes, he was expecting it. His eyes narrow at the forest despite there being nothing there at all. Then he grudgingly tears his gaze from there and steps back into the huddle the others have started to form. He looks to the side path, and pain and regret flicker in his eyes for a second. Then it's gone. It's all gone. His eyes are dull. Lifeless.
"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!" Julie screams.
"What's wrong Julie?" Gorem asks.
"Mmm, I got a splinter," she replies, poking at it.
"Thanks Julie; like I wasn't scared enough!" Runo yells.
"Marucho!" Ace yells. "Wait Marucho!"
He's too late, and they're all helpless to watch their friend disappear into the ever coalescing mist. The fear is great and presses down hard on them suddenly as the reality of the situation sinks in. The silence now is ominous. A great pressure is on them and it's stopping them from speaking. There's only one person who isn't affected, and it isn't Shun. Alice shrinks back from the swiftly approaching mist. Shun glares at the something unseen in the mist and it starts to retreat immediately. Then an outline appears and Marucho comes running back. He comes to a stop in front of his friends and huffs. Then he raises a shaking hand and points to the side path. He straightens up and huffs.
"They're gone,"
"Who's gone Marucho?" Runo frowns.
"…" Marucho stares at them, wide eyed. "… Everyone."
They fall silent again. It's more pronounced this time though. Dan shakes his head in disbelief. He doesn't want the truth; he can't just believe that everyone could just disappear. It's too unreal for him.
"No, that can't be it," he says, is voice shaking. "There's got to be some people left."
"I looked in the windows Dan," Marucho replies. "There's no one here at all but us."
Immediately Marucho runs into the huddle and out of sight. His reaction frightened Dan and the others who were in desperate need of someone to look up to. Someone who had a clear head, unclouded by fear, someone they could trust. Shun sighs and pushes his way out. He makes his way ever closer to Dan's house. Marucho's eyes widen to giant sauce pans and he reaches the edge of the huddle.
"Shun!" he yells. "I'm not lying; everyone's gone!"
Shun stops. "I know Marucho, I trust you. Though, if people are disappearing I'd rather not be out in the open."
A flicker of life, hope, maybe even recognition flashes in their eyes dulled by fear. Runo is the first to fully snap back into her senses. She's grateful to have a clear headed trustworthy friend to look up to, as are the others.
"Wait Shun!" she yells, running after him.
The scene blurs and turns hazy. A figure cloaked in shadows and darkness leans back. His deep, gravelly voice rumbles as he laughs at them. His eyes stark white against white. He smiles crookedly and fills the look with malice and poisonous hatred.
"Very well done." He laughs. "Very good Shun, very good indeed."
Disclaimer: I own the plot and that's about it. Everything else goes to their rightful, respected owners.
Author's Note: I did this last year, so it's not really as good as my fresher stuff are. Also, this is as far as I got. Don't worry, I'll finish it.