ME: HI everyone! MADNESSapples here with another chapter. This is the second chapter in my HikarixGray story. I know it's been a while, but I'm happy to say that a couple of new updates are coming soon…but only if I have the right amount of reviews. So if there is a particular side story you like, be sure to leave a word or two so I know you want to read more

Gray: Yes please. Leave a word or two for the author works exceptionally hard…(mumbles) unlike some people

Nightmare: I-I work hard!

Hikari: It's more like hardly working

ME: Play nice you guys. Anyway I only own the plot and my two OCs. HnKnA belongs to the wonderful QuinRose

And with that said

R&R


I decide, after much debating and about an hour or so of unintentional napping, to go visit my friend Kida at the Clocktower. It really has been a while since I've done that, and someone needs to make sure that the light of day actually comes into her's and Julius home once in a blue moon. It's also important to make sure that Julius is eating healthy. Yes, Kida does an excellent job of taking care of him, but she's used to cooking simple things like fried eggs on toast or pancakes or hamburger. What Julius needs is some meat and vegetables in his gut…and lucky for both of them that's exactly what I have frozen in the freezer. And so, with a yawn, I push myself up off the couch to stand, then reach for the soda I left on the table. Unfortunately, upon taking a drink, I quickly realize that it's lost most of it's fizz…which is weird. I must have been napping longer than I thought for that to happen. But whatever I suppose. I chug the rest of the orange flavored drink and crunch the can into a sort of disk in my fist, and with a flick of my wrist, hoop it into the garbage can. I grab the insulated picnic basket from the counter and set it on the table, opening it so that I don't have to worry about it in a minute

When I walk over to my freezer and open it, an icy wind escapes and flushes against my cheeks and collarbone, and I shiver a little. I quickly reach in and grab what it was I was looking for...two gallon bags filled with my special, grandma approved hambone soup. From the see through plastic bags I can see each filled to the brim with tomato sauces, vegetables, beef and ham giblets, and a butt load of other goodies. I also grab two ice packs so that they stay cold in the bag, and set them in the bottom of the basket before putting the bagged soups on top. Over to the fridge I go, and I open it to grab the container with the coffee cake that I was wanting to give to them. I set it beside the soup bags so that the coolness radiating off of them and the ice packs will keep it fresh. I also grab a hand full of the homemade candy bars and throw them in there, just in case I bump into Ace. One can never be too careful, especially with that guy wondering about. I then grab a small hand towel and set it on top of all of that. I plan to buy some other necessities at the store for the two of them later, like bread and maybe some coffee beans, so even if the soup melts a little (which is ok), it won't get the other things soggy or wet.

"Let's see", I mumble quietly to myself, "What else can I bring?"

I look around my kitchen one last time, double checking to see if there is anything else I can donate to my friend. When I find nothing of importance, I close the top on the basket and head to my bedroom to put on one of my new favorite pieces of clothes; a two-times-too-big navy blue hoodie with a cute kangaroo pocket with two huge buttons to fasten it right in the front of it. On me, it almost looks like a mini skirt, but my obvious khaki pants fixes that image quick. I grab my usual pocket filler gear AKA my wallet and my pocket knife, throw my scarf around my neck, and then go back to the kitchen. It's a simple trip, so I won't bring anything else.

Besides, it's not like it's going anywhere.

I grab the basket off the table and check again to make sure the contents are secure and ready for the trip. When I finish that, I walk toward my front door and slip my tennis on (no socks because I said so), and head out with a little skip in my step. I make sure to lock the door on the way out and, instead of turning to go to the park and take the road to town, I instead turn to the right, into the deep wood that surrounds the side and back of my house. It's a little secret shortcut that I found that leads into town, and I'm hoping that the stores are still open so that I can go for that quick shopping trip before heading to the Tower. Won't Kida be surprised when I bring her food to eat?

And so, with a whistling tune on my lips, I leave my house behind. The forest envelops me in its special kind of green shadowy warmth as the wild life lets out its usual noises. The long grass tickles my ankles, and the branches from the trees hang low and get right in the way, but that doesn't deter me from my direction and I tread forward and push stubborn branches out of the way. I squint into the distance, trying to find some semblance of a way to go and luck has it that I can see the twinkle of sunlight as it comes through the foliage above me. I decide that twinkles are a good sign and head that way.

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I'm not far away from my house, about maybe thirty to forty-five minutes worth of walking, when I think I hear something in the distance behind me. Which is weird because I'm in the middle of the forest and there shouldn't be anything back that way because I just came from that way. I turn around slowly to see if I can see anything. To me, it sounded like a subtle purr, like that of a big satisfied cat, but along with it is some subtle shaking of the ground and creaking from the trees around me. When one of trees falls over not far from me, I twist back and pick up my pace a bit to get away from whatever that is. A bit further on, I can't help but notice a couple of other strange things about my surroundings. Colorful mushrooms blossom here and there on the ground and these weird and colorful signs are nailed on the trees, each pointing in a particular random direction. I do NOT remember these particular things being there before, so I jot them down as weird shit that suddenly exists because this world is weird.

If you haven't noticed, I'm taking everything with a grain of salt these days. You have to. I mean, between the uncertainty and arbitrariness that happens here, what CAN you take seriously?

I don't know how far I walked or how many steps I've taken, but as I keep going forward at a rather fast pace, I hear another sound. It's soft at first, like mumbling, but as I go further and further forward, it gets ever louder. After a while I finally label it as the distinct twitter of people. But what are people doing in the middle of the forest? Curious, my feet pick up their pace, and in a sudden I escape the vastness of the forest, only to find…

…town?

I'm in town already? That can't be right. I should still be a little ways off from hitting town. Also…I don't remember town being so… shroomy?

All around me is the usual array of building and crowds of people that show off that his is a business area where people buy goods of every sorts, but everything looks…different, to say the least. The trees and mushrooms from earlier grow in a greater abundance here than they were in the forest, and its makes the town look more colorful in a way, and a lot more nature-y. The buildings look different, too. Sure, it's the usual brick, wood, and whatever else houses are made of, but everything looks more…rustic? Like it has that 'cabin-in-the-middle-of-the-woods' feel. But other than that, it looks like town…and it almost looks like a festival of some sorts. Above me are those flag-on-string things that you hang up to celebrate something, and on each little triangle of green cloth there was a cute little clover shaped emblem.

Well that's different. I wonder what's up.

I walk over to the nearest stand, which so happens to be selling fruit, and tap the shoulder of brunette boy working over the counter.

He turns to me, "How may I help you today, ma'am?"

"Oh, I'm just wonder what's going on?" I look around again, trying to get used to the sight, "Is there a party going on or something?"

He lets out a chuckle, "Something tells me you're not from around here."

What I wanna say is 'no shit sherlock', because no I'm not actually from this world, but I instead respond in a more appropriate manner and point toward the forest, "I actually live off that way, but I come to town often enough. No one told me about any celebration."

"Oh really?" he says, interested, "Well, I'll be happy to inform you. Everyone is getting ready for the Assembly that's happening soon."

"Assembly?"

"Yes.", he then curls his finger to me for me to get closer and whispers in my ear, "In all honesty, the Assembly itself isn't very special. It's when all the Role Holders have to gather together and just…talk. Usually about everything and nothing at all. Nothing gets done and nothing gets decided. But to us Faceless, it's like a day off from work, and we usually just drink and have fun while we can."

I nod my head in understanding and back away, "So it's basically more of the bullshit that this world has to offer."

"That's a crude way of putting it, but yes. Um…By the way", he says, and looks me over, "Are you a new Role Holder? I haven't seen you around."

I laugh a bit, used to this. Though, I figured by now everyone in town would know who I am. He must be a new guy. Either way, I explain it to him, "No, I'm not a Role Holder. I'm what you apparently call a Foreigner in this world. But for the record, I do know some of the Role Holders. They're my friends!"

"R-Really? F-friends…with the Role Holders?!" he gasps and gaps like a fish out of water, like this is the strangest thing he's heard all day, "W-Which ones?"

"Uh…um…lemme think", I have to pause, and I count them up on my fingers. And yes, I use my fingers thank you, "Well, there's Kida to start off with, cuz she's by best friend. But she's like me, so I guess she doesn't count. Umm…Elliot and Blood and the twins…Gowland and Boris. Ace…counts I guess…maybe Peter. I try to stay away from Vivaldi…let's see…"

Another pause.

I can't help but think I'm forgetting someone…who is it-Oh yeah!

"And Nightmare! I think that's everyone."

He whistles at my list, and I loose count by the sharpness of it, "Wow. E-even Lord Nightmare. You must be really brave then to have all of them as…f-friends."

I tilt my head, confused by his choice in words, but I can't help but notice that the people around me are staring at me like I'm something else as they collect in a sort of crowd. It's a little weird, to say the least, and I'm getting kind of uncomfortable. I think I'll skedaddle before something actually happens.

"Um…I don't think bravery has anything to do with it but…uh…mister. Anyways, thanks for answering my questions. I think I'll head…that way now."

"Oh, it was no trouble at all, Ma'am…I mean Miss Hikari. I was happy to help"

With a nod, I leave the fruit stand guy behind and go on my marry way. I can still sort of feel the stares boring into my spine, but I weave myself into the thick crowd and loose them. Once I'm completely integrated into the sea of people, I let out a sigh of relief.

Well, it's not like my plans have changed at least. They've just got a new flare to them, thanks to the town being decorated and this Assembly thing. It's still town and I'm still going to go to the Clocktower and bring Kida and Julius my soup and stuff. It's just a matter of getting it done now, and asking Julius what this Assembly is all about.

As these thoughts are rolling around in my head, I'm headed in the direction of where I remember my favorite bread store being, my feet carrying my in a sort of auto-pilot as I weave and dodge bodies. My basket swings a bit, but I try not to nail anyone with it.

It's still weird that this is the first time I'm hearing about it though. This is the first I've heard of it. And I'm sure if it was important enough to celebrate, Blood or Gowland would tell me something about it so I could at least prepare…

With a sigh, I approach the building and push the door of the store open, only to have a smell that is NOT bread hit my senses and change my thought process all together.

frying meat?

I take a look around and notice that there are tables scattered around the inside, where people happily ate things like hamburger steak and baked fish, things that I know are NOT sold in a bread store.

Isn't this where the bread shop is supposed to be?

Confused, I walk out the door and look at the sign and where I am. Sure enough, this IS where the store is supposed to be, but…

Well, it says it's a restaurant now. Did they move or change management or something?

I turn toward the closest person to walk past me, a woman in a rather tight business suit who was leaving the restaurant, "Ma'am, what happened to the bread store?"

She turns to me gives me a confused look (or as much of a confused look as she can), "What do you mean? This place has always been a restaurant."

huh?

"But if you're looking for the bread store, its right across the lane, over there", she points in the direction of a particular store where I remember they sold good and crisp vegetables.

Wait what?

"Oh…ok. Thank you." my mouth says absently without my knowing as I let this sink in slowly. She nods with a smile and strides away from me, and with confusion emanating from every fiber of my being, I too start walking, in the direction of the what-is-now the bread store.

When I arrive, I sort of just stand there for a moment, as if to make sure that this is the real deal. The sign says Bread Store on it, and I can defiantly smell the yeast and cooking flour in the air…but this isn't right!

Ok, world. You've fucked with me on enough occasions to make me the paranoid sarcastic butthole that you see before you, but this is becoming ridiculous. This is NOT supposed to be the bread store. This is SUPPOSED to be the veggie store!

I cautiously reach to pull the door open.

But…whatever I guess? I mean…I'm used to weird stuff now…right? Maybe it's because of this Assembly thing that everything is all moved. And maybe this is all that's changed…Yeah, you know what? Fuck it! I'm going to go shopping!

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I was wrong…so incredibly wrong. FUCK

Why is everything in a place where it's not supposed to be?! At first I thought it was just that restaurant being where bread store is supposed to be and the bread store being where the veggie store is supposed to be, but that's not even a teaspoon of the what-the-fuckness that is happening here! When I try to find a convenient store, it's changed into a clothing store, and probably vise-versa. There are roads that weren't there before and the roads that were there are now gone. My favorite and frequently visited stores have up and walked away, and people are looking at me like they were never there to begin with, and here comes these new stores out of fucking nowhere like they grow out of the dirt. And when I go in there I see NO ONE that I recognize and NO ONE has ANY idea who I am! I come to town practically everyday people! What the hell is going on?! Why is the town now upside down? My feet ache from wondering around town in aimless circles, and I am ready to openly weep at my predicament because there's still one more thing I have to do…but…

I can't even find the damned coffee shop that's SUPPOSED to be over there on the corner! But I JUST checked and that's now a tea shop!

WAHH! WHERE AM I?!

Nightmare's POV

I can't help but openly laugh at the predicament of one of our newest (or relatively so) Foreigners as her thoughts almost echo in the air around me, loud with their pure emotion. But I know more than anyone that it is only me that hears these words. It's simply that funny! She can't even think…or even imagine that maybe she is no longer in the town of which she knew. The possibility that she could be in another town…in MY territory's town…doesn't even enter her head. It's so funny!

Hahaha! Where are you indeed, Hikari?

The sound of a cup loudly hitting my desk makes me jump slightly, and I turn my head hesitantly to meet the slightly frustrated golden eyes of my subordinate.

"Sir", he says with a sigh, "I would appreciate it if you would stop slacking and get back to work. The more you don't get done the more I have to do."

"I am working! Can't you see me working?" I exclaim as I start back stamping paper after paper. Curse it all, I hate paperwork. And curse him too! Why me?!

"Are you even reading the things you're stamping?!"

"I'm skimming them! It's the same thing!"

"It is not!"

"It is too!"

We glare at each other, each refusing to back down. After a minute or two another exasperated noise leaves his mouth as he pinches the bridge of his nose, "Arguing will get us nowhere…well, at least you are doing it. I suppose that can be said as much."

I let out my own annoyed humph in his direction. How dare he be frustrated and annoyed when it's me that has to do all this work! And be forced to take icky medicine and eat his nasty food…and do other things too! I'd like to see him do the things I deal with every day!

"And what exactly were you grinning about?" he asks as he walks over to open a window for a smoke. He leans against the side of it and takes a long drag inhale as he lights it, "If you haven't notice, the land has Moved, which means you'll be busier than ever with the upcoming Assembly."

"I know that", I mumble unhappily, but as another of Hikari's loud and flustered thoughts rushes into my head, I can't help but be a little bit happier of the change. At least I know things are about to get a little more interesting now

But I can't leave her like this…at this rate she'll never get anywhere. Guess I have no choice then

I pause in my work, and this immediately catches his attention. But before he has the chance to say or do anything, I quickly get the upper hand.

"Gray, I need you to go into town for me.", I say with a serious tone.

He raises his eyebrow at my sudden change in subject, "This is sudden. What for?"

"There's a person there who needs your help."

There's a pause in our conversation, and without being told I go back to work stamping paper after paper after paper. Even though I can't read his mind thanks to his mind block, it doesn't take much to tell that he's thinking about what I said very thoroughly and carefully, no doubt thinking that this is some sort of trick of mine. I will admit that I have tried this once or twice.

After another moment, he finally speaks, "I'm supposing this is another made-up excuse so that you can neglect your work?"

See what I mean?

"I'm being very serious here, Gray", I say, and as another of Hikari's confused thoughts run into my head, I decide to take another approach, "And you might want to hurry. Seems she's running herself in circles."

"She?"

"The Foreigner."

At the word 'Foreigner', his eyes widen, and he has a bit of a confused look on his face. Ah…that's right. I never told him about those two coming to our world now did I? And so he should be a bit confused, especially since Alice's recent departure. I suppose now is as good as ever to explain.

"This is another Foreigner altogether, one of the two new ones that the White Rabbit asked me to bring not so long ago."

His face changes to deep thought as he takes his last long drag from his cigarette and lets it slowly escape. He crushes out the last of it and, with a sigh, he pushes himself off the wall, "Well…I needed to go buy some more coffee anyway."

"Yes! And do that too!" I say with an over exaggerated clap of my hands, (because the only good thing that Gray can make just happens to be coffee…and hot chocolate.) I can practically hear his eyes rolling as he walks to the door, but before he has the chance to reach for the door, I decide to change back into my more serious tone and give him a parting warning,

"Be cautious and wary, Gray. I've been…hearing things lately. A lot of unwholesome things like to turn up whenever the land Moves, so keep a look out and…take care of any problems you find." I grin, "Of course, this is nothing new…and nothing you can't handle, right?"

He chuckles lightly, as if amused by my choice of wording.

"Of course."

Uh-huh…and while you do that maybe I'll take a break myself-

"But I still expect you to be at least finished with that stack of paperwork by time I return"

Drat

"And I mean it, too. No slacking off. I'll have someone watch you while I'm gone."

"I'm not a child, Gray!"

"Of course, sir…but just in case."

Before I have a chance to retort, he's escaped out the door. Damn that Gray! He's always like that!

I slump in my desk and solemnly go back to work, half listening to the never ending voices around me as they chatter and think about everything and nothing at all.

All that's left for me to do is sit and wait


To Fl0werDoll :Well, I'm happy you are hungry then! Keep Reading!

To Allora22701 :i'm working on both a HikarixAce and a KidaxJulius as we speak, but collage has started so i can't say when they will be uploaded. But you've been an advid reader, and I'm happy for your patience. Hope you enjoy this!