Chapter 1: Forgotten

Several thoughts ran through the dullahan's mind. She didn't know why he resembled her but she needed to find out. His silent bike was even similar to hers. It was something she had to investigate. He rode the bike with extreme skill that even outmatched hers. It was like he was saying,

'Hey want to play?'

And she did, she really did. He pushed through the traffic looking back with his wolf head helmet. She was getting closer and closer. She knew he was letting her get closer. She needed to end this chase now. Her black scythe formed and she clipped the back tire of the stranger's bike, throwing off his balance. The bike span out of control and the strange man bounced across the pavement. He landed and stayed down. She jumped off her little bike and ran up to him. A blade appeared in his hand and he swung it at where her neck would have been. Her helmet hit the rough road and bounced a couple of times. The man jumped up and pinned Celty down by her arms. She struggled to free herself. With her body twisting and turning a voice crawled into her thoughts,

'Celty I missed you. I never thought I would find you. It's been so long.'

She ceased her movement and fixed her gaze on the stranger. He was in her thoughts and her silent voice went into his,

'How do you know my name? I don't know who you are. Who are you?'

'It's me Aiden. Aiden Hettleson.'

'I don't remember.'

'I'm just like you. We were separated so long ago.'

He removed his helmet to reveal that he too was missing his head. The black haze that bellowed out of it was like looking in a mirror. She reached out and touched him just to make sure he was real. She couldn't believe another dullahan was actually around. He threw his arms around her, making her nervous. He straightened his back and ran back to his bike. He opened the compartment and pulled out a wrapped up object. The bandages that encased it were pulled off and a young man's head was held out to her. He was lucky he still had his memories and his head. He invaded her mind once again,

'Celty where's your head?'

'It was stolen. I don't know where it is. I'm sorry I forgot you.'

'Well I understand why now. Well I think I'll help you. I might need a place to stay though.'

'Maybe Shinra will be able to put you up. Your name is Aiden, right?'

'Yes it is. I hope I'm not being a pest.'

'Not at all. Now follow me.'

Their silent motor bikes sped through the city and weaved between cars and people. It felt so familiar to the female dullahan. It probably was only a random feeling that jumped into her body. The night was cool, but smelled of a city. Filth and danger was the repugnant smell that hung in the air. Aiden's voice was heard clearly in Celty's mind,

'So Shinra. Who is he? He sounds like a very pleasant man.'

'He helped me when I lost my head. I've lived with him for the past twenty years.'

'I sense you have strong feelings for him. I never thought you of all of our kind would fall for a human. You used to tell me that it would be too hard to see them grow old and frail without you. Our kind is ageless after a certain point. I know all too well what it is like to see a loved one wither to death. It is horrible. '

'Yes I know. But if my life goes on, I hope that all the joy I have is passed onto the next person I fall in love with. My life and love are unending.'

'I wish it was.'

'What do you mean by that?'

'Nothing. Just remembering the past.'

'Oh. Well we are almost there.'

Aiden cleared his thoughts so Celty didn't hear them. It would be too much if he told her the truth. He didn't even tell her why he was in Japan or why he had come to this particular part of Tokyo. Celty turned her transformed horse into a garage. She unlocked the door and led Aiden into the living space. A man was sitting at a computer typing some message to someone. He turned to greet Celty,

"Celty you are home. Wait, who is this you've brought with you?"

Aiden thought of the easiest way to explain who and what he is. He stepped by his dullahan friend and pulled off his helmet. A light puff of black haze left the head gear then a steady stream of it was let out of his neck. The man continued as he straightened his glasses,

"Oh I see. I doubt you have a way of communicating like Celty does. So here."

He rifled in a drawer for a second and pulled out a small electronic device. It had letters that were familiar to Aiden. He had only just begun understanding Japanese. He clicked out a message,

'Hello. My name is Aiden Hettleson. I am a dullahan like Celty. She tells me that she lost her head. I actually still have mine, if you want to see it. I was hoping to stay with you and her for a while. You see; I'm searching for something."

"What is it?"

'It is a possession stolen by someone from this city. I was to married once. But fortune did not smile on me as my fiancé disappeared not too long before we were to be married. I was heartbroken and lost. A certain group from this country stole the engagement rings I had from my lost lover.'

"Oh. So you are searching for those rings? Can you tell me who you were going to marry?"

'Yes I am searching for those wayward rings. I was going to marry the most beautiful woman that I had ever laid eyes on. But I shall tell you her name another day, perhaps.'

"How do you know Celty?"

'She was a friend of mine in the country I hail from. I never expected to find her here in Japan. It is good to see her, to say the least.'

"Well if you are a friend of Celty's then you are welcome to stay here as long as you want."

'Thank you Mr. Shinra. Your hospitality is much appreciated.'

He sat down calm and collected. The man he was looking for would have answers. The man responsible.

Izaya Orihara.