Chap Two

Akane's body shook slightly as she kneeled in her childhood best friend's living room. When she arrived at Kenichi's home his mother welcomed her with a long warm hug, pressing the younger girl tightly to her body. Akane held the older woman for several minutes, feeling her shakes straight through her core. The home had not changed; everything was just as she remembered. But now as Akane knelt down by the side of her Ken-chan, she realized everything had now changed. He lay dead and cold in front of her, a peaceful, restful look on his deathly pale skin. He looked just as he did in her dreams, older and even more beautiful than she remembers. Akane reached out with a trembling hand and touched his cool skin. It was smooth but ice cold. With a soft sniffle she ran her hand across his cheek and up to his forehead. How could this happen? They weren't suppose to die until much older, but here he was…dead. Akane briefly wondered if this is what Ranma felt, starring at her lifeless body. Was he this emotional? Or did he not care as much? Akane shook her head.

'This isn't about Ranma. Stop thinking about him! This is Kenichi! The boy who was there for you when Okaa-san died, who always knew how to make me smile and laugh. Why is this happening to me?' Akane's thoughts seemed to spiral out as she closed her eyes, trying to keep the tears at bay. Stroking his cheek softly, Akane leaned over and pressed her warm lips to his cool ones. To her this was not something erotic or weird, but something out of love. Gods how she wished she could see his bright smile, hear his full warm laughter. As she pulled away she wiped the stray tears leaking from her eyes. The young woman stood on shaky legs and decided to go to his room, maybe something there would lead to why he died. There was no way he would just die in his sleep; no way she would accept that. Walking up the familiar steps she noticed the pictures that lined the wall, all of Kenichi through his school years. A small watery smile appeared on her lips, his smile always warmed her. Stepping into the room Akane could immediately tell it was a teenage boys' room. Books and magazines littered the desk and floor. Popular band posters on his walls. Dirty clothes in a pile in a dark corner. Akane stepped to the middle, closed her eyes, and just took a deep breath, taking him all in. The scent of musk, testosterone, and his own woody, natural smell filled her. Stepping towards the bed Akane didn't even think twice as she lay down. She squeezed the pillow he used every night into her face, breathing in deeply. The movement caused her hand to knock something on the floor. Peeking over the bed Akane found a journal sitting innocently on the floor. Sitting up she snatched it and sat back against the wall.

'It looks like this is his personal journal. Maybe he wrote down something useful, sorry Ken-chan for reading it.' She flipped it open and skimmed a couple pages, they looked like a normal teenage boys journal. Some of the entries mentioned her and her letters. Then she came to an entry from a week ago, the day after she died and came back to life. Akane read to herself silently.

'Something has happened. Something has happened to Akane. I had a dream where she died, but she came back. Since that night I have been able to see them again. See the fae again. I can hear them too. Maybe I need to call Akane and see if she can see them again too? They seem to be around so much more than when we were little. All of them acting like they have been waiting and watching. The woods is calling to me, maybe I should go and see if I can find anyone to talk too. They seem anxious.' Akane couldn't believe it, he dreamt of her death and coming back to life. His sight came back the same time hers did. Did this mean something? She wished he would have called her, so he didn't investigate on his own. She flipped to the next page.

'He came to me in my dreams again. That beautiful fae we saw so many years ago. His voice is so enchanting; he wants me to come see him. I should go see him, he told me he has been waiting for me. I need to go see him.' Akane was a bit worried. She wasn't sure who he meant, they met many beautiful fae when they were younger. This journal entry didn't really sound like him. She turned to the next one and her eyes widened in shock.

'I NEED TO SEE HIM. I NEED TO SEE HIM. I NEED TO SEE HIM. SEE HIM. SEE HIM HIM. HIM. HIM. HIM. HIM. HIM. HIM." This was the last journal entry, dated yesterday. Akane breathed deeply trying to calm her fast beating heart. This had to be the answer, whoever this fae was he had to have done something to Ken-chan. Akane ripped the last couple pages from the journals and put them in her pocket. A familiar feeling filled her, something she was used to feeling; anger. Then a familiar tingle trickled down her back, the feeling of being watched. She turned her attention to the window and found a tiny face watching her. He looked like a dwarf only smaller; a wrinkly old face, sharp teeth and yellow eyes. He bowed to her. Taking a deep breath Akane slid the window open, so she could speak to him.

"Milady Akane. We are so happy you can see us again. I am surprised to find you in Master Kenichi's room though." The little fae said.

"Kenichi is dead. You wouldn't happen to know what happened would you?" she came across in a harsh, cold voice, but she couldn't help it. The fae's eyes widened in horror.

"Master Kenichi is dead? This can't be! He was fine last night, this cannot be happening. My Master wished to protect him, but maybe Master Kenichi did not take his advice." The fae sounded terribly sad.

"What do you mean? What advice? What happened?"

"If Milady wishes it, I can bring you to where my Master is and you may speak with him all you want." Akane thought is over for a moment, this could be her one true lead on what happened to Kenichi. This fae did seem to be telling the truth to her. Akane nodded.

"Please take me to your Master, I need to find out what has happened to Kenichi." The fae grinned as he bowed, his face hidden.

"As you wish, Milday." He said. Akane ran down the steps and grabbed her bag; she bid a quick farewell to Kenichi's parents. Darting out the front door she found the small dwarf waiting for her and he led her towards the familiar route she used to take with Kenichi. To the woods.