This is "Delusioned" except I revamped the whole plot because I was stuck. Well, I didn't get far with "Delusioned" anyway. This time I wrote a script! Hooray! I won't get lost or confused as easily! I hope! I should be able to continue and hopefully not going back to change things because oh boy "Delusioned" was a whole baloney of me going back and changing things. I kept on changing the beginning because I hit a point later on in the story where the beginning just doesn't work out. I didn't even develop the plot! I was basically stuck in the beginning the entire time! Soo, I changed the whole thing and planned out rather than write as I go. So here it is! Enjoy!

Konoe woke up with a throbbing, murderous headache. His head was a scrambled mess. His eyes cannot focus. There is a hazy ring around the corner of his eyes, rendering his peripheral vision useless. His head pound again, this time a sharp against the dull ebbing pain. Konoe placed a hand on the right side of his head, rubbing, but everyone knows that rubbing your head will do nothing. He sat up, resting his left hand on the soft mattress and tug. ? He looked down and saw wires. Strings? Tubes?

What are these? Konoe frustrated pulled on the strings that latched on to his arm. He winced in pain. He looked closely and saw a glint on the end of the strings, a needle? What is this?

A wave of nausea rolled over his head. His vision blurred away and Konoe gave himself an hard shake in the head. Okay. This is not good. What did he do last night? And where is he right now? He looked around squinting. He can see nothing, blurred edges at best, but nowhere in his life does he remember anything in this room. Everything here is downright unfamiliar, from the positions of the shelves to the desk, to the potted plants on the window sill. Unfamiliar. He needs to go.

He needs to leave this place. He knows this much, he needs to go back. . . go back to. . . to where?

Konoe sat up straight, suddenly feeling extra sober. That's right to where? Where was he going to return to? How come he has no memory of anything? When he tried to focus, he was met with another pang in the head. His head is blank and he could feel panic rising up his chest.

W-wait. How come he can't remember anything?

The harder he tries, the foggier his head becomes and the more it aches. Damn. It hurts. So. bad. It feels like his head is being crushed together from both sides by a giant clamp.

The door swayed opened.

Konoe's head shot up. A white cat. A sudden buzz flashed through his head. He saw white. White coats. White masks. Then, pain. Konoe shook his head again, trying to do the pain away, but the shaking did nothing to relieve his pain. However, he knows the white cat is dangerous. His guts are telling him so.

"How are you feeling?"

Konoe saw the cat say something, narrowing his eyes at his lips. But, he didn't catch it. His senses are clouded. However, he did see a hand coming towards him and he isn't sure why, but he freaked out. Those looming hands were large, dark and they were there to catch him. To tie him up. To lock him up. So he couldn't move. Couldn't see.

No.

Before he understands what he was doing, he pushed pass the white cat, through the door and left the room. He ran searching for the exit and he found it easily. He left the cabin running. Running for his life.

For as long as he could remember, he was running. Suddenly, his legs gave and he came crashing into dirt. He pushed himself up and saw dark spots appearing against the dusty ground. Sweat were dripping down his face. He didn't even realize how tired he was until he could finally hear it in his voice. Ragged. Raspy. He was gasping for air. He swallowed a lump of saliva and then pushed himself up with great difficulty. His hand immediately clasped onto a nearby tree.

Okay. He needs to take a breath and rest. He stood for a bit, then whipped his head back. He saw nothing moving. He focused his ears. Nothing. Okay good. That cat hasn't caught up yet. Okay. Okay. Just a bit.

He allowed himself to slide down the tree and sat on the base.

Now what? What he is going to do? He doesn't know this forest. He doesn't where he is. What county is this? And then his heart sank when he found out that he doesn't even remember the counties. For the Creator's sake, he doesn't even remember the continent's name. He bit his lips. Okay, maybe something else. He tried. Actually tried to remember. And he found out he knew nothing. Blank. Slate.

What the heck?

He winced when another sudden pain attacked him from nowhere. Fine. He'll deal with it later. Right now, he has to make sure that cat won't catch up with him. He needs to go way out, farther. So, he began walking. Walking. Walking. And walking.

He walked in the forest for a long time. Maybe a quarter of the day, the sun traveled across the sky, slanting the shadows of the trees. He walked for so long, yet there are no signs of civilizations. No villages. No rivers. At least if he found a river, he'll be able to walk along it and eventually find a settlement.

He wasn't doing very good. He was growing very thirsty. Tired. He swallowed. Once, he swallowed saliva. But now, nothing. His throat hurts when he swallowed. His mouth was dry. His headache was not doing him very good either. It was no longer jumping at him like a feral cat, instead, a dull pain panging at the back of his head.

Suddenly, he can hear crunching. He froze. His ears all on alert. Is it the white cat? No. There were two distinct crunches. Who? He immediately ran to a nearby tree. The crunching stopped. He waited. His heart was pounding at this chest. Why did it stop? Konoe pressed his back against the tree and slowly exhaled a breath of air that he didn't realize he was holding. Then he leaned over a bit and eyed at the spot he last heard crunching. There was a shadow. Instantly, he pulled back. Blood drained from his face. Okay. Who? What do they want from him? He is certain that the figure over there is looking for him because it stopped moving the moment he stopped moving.

Panic filled his head. He doesn't know what to do. If he run, he isn't sure if he can outrun the other in this sad state of his. If he stays here, they will just eventually find him. The leaves rustled. His eyes darted up.

"Found you," a cheery voice sing-sang. A shadow dropped from the tree and landed expertly on their leg. When the figure stood, they were taller than Konoe and they were looming. It was a black-spotted cat and he seemed very happy. Very happy. A creepy smile spread across his face from ear to ear. A chill shot up Konoe's spine, all the hair on his body stood. The cat in front of him is not the white cat, but he knows a threat when he sees one. He needs to go. Right now.

He felt his back leave the trunk, his foot grit firmly on the ground, his body ready for a sprint. But the moment he turned, he felt the world shift and he face-planted into leaves. Pain traveled up his spine.

"Didn't your father teach you not to turn your back from a battle? HUH?" The cat threatened with a snarl.

Konoe tried to pull free from the death grip on his tail, but the tail just pulled back and he winced in pain.

A low, bubbling laugh reached his ears from behind.

"You have no idea how happy I was to see this," the cat said, mockery in voice. He gave his tail a harsh squeeze as to emphasize a point.

The cat turned his head, eyes away.

"Hey, can you believe it? We did it. Told ya' it's worth to travel here today."

Konoe took this as a chance to get away. He twisted his body, claws drawn and swung a heavy swipe at the guy's hand and earned a pained howl.

"You shitty brat!"

Konoe dashed just in time to avoid the swing of an arm that was headed his direction. Then he just ran. His headache forgotten in that instant, fueled by adrenaline. He was very fast for being in the state he was in, it caught those two creeps off guard, but there is a limit to his abilities and the headache returned. Suddenly, with a loud painful pang, his knees were forced to the ground. He didn't even get the change to retaliate before he saw a glint in the corner of his eyes. It is flying towards him. He clamped his eyes shut.

Clang.

His eyes snapped open saw sword swirling uselessly on ground.

"Are you trying to kill him, Lenn?"

"Of course not! I just didn't expect him to drop suddenly."

"Really? This is why you should be on the watch out while I chase. You are way too clumsy."

"What did you say asshole?"

"I'm saying you are too clumsy. If you took his life, there is nothing you can do to make up for it."

"Are you calling me incompetent?"

Konoe sat there, staring emptily at the scene playing before him. They are arguing. What is going on? He was just sitting there idly, until he realized this is the perfect chance to get away. He sat up slowly and back stepped into the dense foliage behind him. Once he was out of sight, he turned around and ran. A million of thoughts ran through his head at the same time. Why are they arguing? Why are there cats chasing him? And they mentioned not killing him. Why? What did he do to provoke dangerous cats like those? Just in time, a sharp pain stabs him at the side of his head. He was forced to stop, caught on a tree to stop himself from falling.

Then, the headache came back at him at full force. His stomach acid threatens to ride up his throat. A wave of anxiety came crashing at him. This is just great. His vision is blurring out again. His hearing muffled. It feels like the world took a step back from him. It was so bad that he didn't hear crunching behind him.

Konoe hissed out in pain when he felt a harsh tug on his hair. He struggled against it kicked, scratched, squirmed but to no avail. The sky started spinning. The cat jerked his head back and spat words into his face, but it sounded so far away. Konoe didn't catch anything. Instead, he tried pulling forward, but the hand in his head gripped tighter and he snapped back crying. So he stopped. It was like his head was pinned. He couldn't move. He couldn't do anything.

Sounds are traveling past him like the rush of a fast current. He is submerged under water. His whole world is a blur.

Then he opened his eyes to wooden ceiling. He sprung up from the bed, eyes darting everywhere. Shelves, books, chair, table, pots. What? Why is he here?

A book clasped shut.

Konoe's eyes flew to his right. White cat.

The white cat look at him.

"Calm down."

Calm down? He is already calm?

The cat pointed down. And then, did he saw the mess he created. Feather spurted out everywhere. Ripped pillows, ripped sheets. It looked like a crime scene. His claws were out. He didn't even notice.

"I'm not going to hurt you."

His eyes sprung back to the white cat's face. He studied the cat's expression slowly, trying to catch anything that reeked of a lie. But he found nothing.

"What is your name?"

His name? His name is -. What was his name again?

Blank.

His mouth gaped open, h-he doesn't remember. This is getting bad to the point that it is not even funny. Everything feels like a bad joke.

The cat must have caught the message because he just sat up, walked across the room and returned with a cup in his hand.

"Here, drink."

Konoe accepted it. I don't know what to do.

He has been caught up with fight or flight so far. The goal was always clear to him, he knows what he should be doing, which was running for his life. But now that he knows he isn't in immediate danger, the goal suddenly becomes unclear. He has nowhere to go. Heck, he doesn't know where he should go. He doesn't know anything.

Once his lips touched the cold rim, he realized just how thirsty he was. Sweet mother earth, his mouth was like the desert. He couldn't pull back and practically downed the whole cup in seconds. The empty cup left him wanting more, but he was embarrassed to ask for more. So he just placed the cup on the table beside him. The white cat, for some reason, understood him and refilled his cup again.

When he drank to his heart's content, he felt one hundred times better, he started to see his environment clearly for once. And he realized that this room must be a study room, there are tons of books and pages scattered across the table and there is a large bookshelf next to the desk that is packed with books. He hasn't realized before — maybe because his senses were clouded, but this room smells exactly like books. It was very apparent and it is very calm-inducing for Konoe. He also sensed another scent mingled with the books, like herbs. He followed his nose to the small table next to him. There is an incense pot on the table that he didn't notice before.

"It is for calming and headaches."

Konoe nodded, gaze still on the incense pot, watching the smoke ride up the air, then he turned his gaze to the stranger.

"Where are-" He croaked. God, he sounds terrible. He cleared his throat a few times.

"What happened to the two cats in the forest?"

The cat heaved a sigh, "They have been dealt with. But, what did you do to piss off someone that badly?"

Konoe gave him a confused look.

"You have a bounty on your head."

What?

Konoe gave him another clueless look. The cat seemed to have caught on because he continued.

"Someone wants you pretty bad, they offered 300 gold for your head. What did you do?"

Konoe is in a shock trance. He could not answer Rai.

"I-I don't know?"

"What do you mean?"

"I honestly don't know."

The cat stared at him.

"I don't remember anything."

Eyes-wide, knitted brows.

"Nothing?"

"Nothing."

"Even your name?"

"Even my name. I don't remember anything, okay? Except for basic things like speaking, cooking, reading I know the basics things okay? I just...don't remember who I am."

Saying it out loud, makes Konoe realize what grave situation he is in. It stunned him to know that he doesn't remember anything. Isn't this pretty serious? What in the world did he do?

The cat sighed, looking defeated.

Konoe peered at him. He looks disappointed. What did he wish to get from Konoe? Konoe doesn't like how he is answering all the questions so it's time he gets to question too.

"What is your name?"

"Rai."

"Okay Rai, what happened? Why am I here?"

"I found you in a rubble. There was a landslide due to the heavy rain this season. The landslide came down on a small northern village. You happened to be in one of the buildings during this event."

"Oh. . ."

Konoe narrowed his eyes on him.

"What?"

"Do you go around saving random cats?"

Rai rolled his eyes.

"No. You just happened to look half-dead on the ground and I don't want you to die on me when I could have done something."

Okay. What a weird guy. But Konoe knows he isn't a bad guy. He is far from being dangerous. Konoe isn't sure why his head was telling him otherwise earlier in the day.

"I-I am sorry for freaking out earlier. I don't know what got to me."

"It's fine."

Konoe nodded, bit his lips, eyes averted.

"Do you think-" Konoe cut himself off.

"What?"

"Do you think I can go to the northern village and see it for myself?"

"No."

Konoe snapped his eyes back to Rai, shocked.

"Why not?"

Rai rolled his eyes.

"Do you want to get your head hunted?"

Oh yeah, he is being targeted by someone, god-knows-who.

"No..." Konoe looked down.

"Exactly."

Konoe is thinking about the whole situation. Trying to piece together information and figure out what has got him here in the first place. He tried again to remember, but nothing comes back except blank. He is feeling pretty dejected. Why can't he remember? Suddenly, Rai spoke up.

"How about coming to Ransen?"

"Where?"

"A city. It is dense enough to hide outlaws. The rule enforcements are not entirely top notch and there are tons of cat that fit the description they used to describe you."

Konoe felt uncertain.

"But maybe..."

Rai comes closer, closing in on Konoe's personal space and Konoe flinched. Anxiety started kicking in, he felt super uncomfortable, ears pressed flat against his head. He saw a hand reaching towards him and he snapped, hissing. Rai withdrew his hand and stopped moving closer, but he didn't back down either.

"Relax, I was just wondering if we should do something about your hair."

My hair?

"Your description calls for a long haired cat. If your hair is shorter, you wouldn't be recognized that easily."

Oh.

Konoe nodded, agreeing.

The evening sunlight filtered into the window and landed on Rai. Rai's silver hair glowed white against the sun and it was beautiful. For the first time, Konoe came to acknowledge that Rai is indeed good-looking for a cat, and for the first time, he noticed that Rai has striking blue eyes, very pretty blue eyes.

But one of them is gone and an eye patch is in its place.

"...what happened to the other eye."

Rai's eyes snapped to him immediately. The warmth fade away and he could feel his skin pricking. He must have said that aloud. Rai gave him a dark look, his heart started speeding up.

"I-I'm sorry."

He wanted to say more, but he is afraid anymore will just tick Rai even more. So he shut his mouth and stared at the feathery mess on his lap. Why is Rai acting like this? What happened to his eye?

"...forget it."

Konoe didn't catch that.

"What?"

"We should cut your hair."

"Oh..."

"Do you mind me cutting it for you? Or do you want to cut it yourself?"

"I think I'll do it myself."

Konoe still felt uncomfortable with Rai in his personal space.

Rai nodded and handed him scissors.

"Mirror?"

"Sure."

Konoe stared at the familiar reflection. Somehow he is relieved that he at least remembers his own appearance. It is strange that he doesn't remember anything else though. He looks okay. It makes him wonder how he'll look better if he has Rai's eyes. Konoe snips off his hair to a length that he thinks is doable and felt the breeze against his nape.

"Let's go."

"What is Ransen like?"

"City."

Rai didn't say anything else.

Great. He knows Rai is a man of few words, but this is too much. Guess he'll just see for himself.

Neolin here!

Konoe doesn't know his name. But how when all his thoughts contain his name? Well, that is for the sake of convenient reading. Also for writing, because "light brown cat" is too long to type and it is annoying. Plus, we are in third person! I know his name! It's just that he doesn't!

I also don't have a beta so there are bound to be errors. Just tell me I'll fix them.