Chapter 2 It Begins

4/8/09

Early Morning

Yukari yawned as she descended the dorm stairs to the lobby. She planned on grabbing some breakfast before heading off to school. She frowned as she entered the dining room portion of the lobby. Sleeping on the couch was Shinji. She sighed in irritation. Why couldn't he sleep in his own room?

She opened a cabinet door, pulling out a box of corn flakes, a bowl, and a spoon. She poured herself some cereal, splashing milk on it before she sat down at the dining room table.

A moan coming from the living area drew her attention off her breakfast. Shinji was struggling in his sleep. Yukari's expression softened.

"Nami..." Shinji groaned, the sorrow in his voice filling Yukari with sympathy for the older guy for once. She stood and walked back over to the little kitchen portion of the dining area where she began the process of brewing coffee. Soon the scent of the strong drink started to fill the dining room. She wondered if it would be strong enough to wake him gently.

"No..." another moan came from the living area.

Yukari wondered what the best way to wake him would be. He was violent enough to attack her if she tried to shake him. The coffee was almost done. Shinji's struggling was starting to get more violent. She couldn't take it anymore. She walked into the living area.

"Shinji-senpai," she called out softly as she approached the couch.

He didn't respond. His eyes were squeezed tightly shut, his hands clenched.

Keeping her distance, she called his name again a bit louder.

Still no response.

Gritting her teeth in anticipation of him lashing out at her, she gently touched his shoulder, calling his name again. His eyes snapped open, causing her to jump backwards, squeaking in shock. He didn't lash out, though. He just sat up.

"What is it, Takeba?" He sounded exhausted.

Yukari tried to give him a kind smile. "You were having a nightmare..."

Shinji didn't respond. He just brushed his face with his hand as if to wipe away his exhaustion.

"Hang on!" Yukari said. "I made some coffee."

Shinji looked up at her, studying her. It made her uncomfortable.

Yukari rushed over to the cabinet and pulled out a mug, pouring him a cup of coffee. She grabbed her half-eaten bowl of cereal as she walked back out to the living room. He accepted the mug from her wordlessly. She studied him as she finished her bowl of cereal. His eyes had a deadened look to them. Who was Nami and what had he been dreaming?

Suddenly he flipped the news on. The report was on something stupid like platypuses or something. Yukari tuned it out as she finished her cereal. Shinji was leaning back against the couch sipping his coffee. It was obvious he wasn't watching the news either. His eyes had a distant look.

"Are you going to school today?" Yukari asked, trying to keep things pleasant.

His eyes slowly came back to focus. He looked at her, frowning. "Not today," he replied darkly, giving her a forbidding look that warned her not to lecture him.

She frowned. Even she knew better than to lecture him after what she had just witnessed. He set his coffee cup down and stood, heading towards the door. She fought the urge to ask him where he was going.

He stopped before going through the door. "Thanks, Takeba," he said softly, leaving.

Yukari stared after him for a moment, frowning. For some reason she felt worried about him. She never had before. It wasn't like he couldn't take care of himself. She shook her head, walking back to the kitchen area to deposit her bowl and his mug in the sink. She was getting ready to leave when a voice stopped her.

"Takeba, have you seen Shinji?"

It was Mitsuru. Yukari turned to face her. "He just left." She frowned. "He was having a nightmare when I came in."

Mitsuru glanced at her sharply, but remained silent. She almost looked worried.

"Mitsuru-senpai, who's Nami?" Yukari asked hesitantly.

Mitsuru's eyes narrowed. "Where'd you hear that name?"

Yukari sighed. "Shinji-senpai said it in his sleep." She lowered her head. "Did something happen to her?"

Mitsuru glanced at the door Shinji had just left through. "It's not for me to tell you," she said quietly. "You should ask Shinji."

Yukari's eyes widened. "And get my head bit off? No thanks."

Mitsuru smiled. "He might be willing to tell you today..." she replied cryptically. "Come on, we're going to be late."

Yukari stared at her back for a moment and then followed.

Afternoon

Shin stood alone at Naganaki Shrine. The grounds were peaceful and quiet. It had happened here--the first step down the path he currently walked. The first mistake. His catalyst.

He drew one of his tantos, slicing his left palm with it. He clenched his hand until his blood started to drip to the ground. "Nami," he said softly. "I swear I will end the Dark Hour. There will be no more victims."

Footsteps caused him to quickly sheath his weapon.

"It's been three years, huh?"

Shin turned to see a young man wearing a red pea coat and a black beanie with a metal plate...

Evening

Hideo stepped into the dorm, glancing around. Yukari was sitting on one of the couches talking to an older man dressed in a casual suit. Shinji was sitting on the other couch at the end furthest from the two, reading a book.

"Oh, he's back," Yukari exclaimed when she noticed Hideo.

The older gentleman looked up. "So, this is our new guest..." He had an overly friendly manner about him that bothered Hideo.

Yukari and him stood.

"Good evening," the man greeted. "My name is Shuji Ikutsuki. I'm the chairman of the board." He chuckled. "'Ikutsuki'... Hard to say, isn't it? That's why I don't like introducing myself. Even I get tongue-tied sometimes..." He gestured at the couch. "Please, have a seat."

Hideo walked over to the couch, sitting next to Yukari and wondering what this man wanted with him.

Ikutsuki smiled. "I apologize about the confusion regarding your accommodations. However, it may take a while longer before you receive a proper room assignment. Is there anything you'd like to ask?"

Hideo stared at him for a moment. He had several questions he would like to ask, most of which he planned on keeping to himself. He decided to ask his first question upon seeing the man despite the fact that it could be rude. "Why are you here?" he asked as politely as possible.

Ikutsuki chuckled. "To welcome you, of course." He paused. "Well, to be honest, I do have other business here." He looked at Yukari. "Speaking of which...where's Mitsuru, Yukari?"

"She's upstairs," Yukari replied, glancing at the stairs.

Ikutsuki nodded. "As diligent as always. Although, it doesn't hurt to come down and say hello..."

Hideo thought he heard a sigh of irritation from Shinji's direction. The chairman didn't seem to notice. "Is there anything else?" he asked patiently.

Hideo frowned. He wanted to know what was really going on, but he doubted he was going to get an honest answer. "Who else lives here?" he asked instead.

"There are only five students in this dorm: you, Yukari here," he gestured at her, "Mitsuru," he gestured at Shinji, "Shinji, and a senior named Akihiko Sanada. I hope you all get along. Any other questions?"

Hideo studied the chairman for a moment. "No, I'm good."

Ikutsuki smiled. "Then, I hope you have a successful school year. Now, if you'll excuse me..." The chairman stood. "You must be tired from all the excitement. You should go to bed early. As they say, 'The early bird catches the bookworm!' ...Please forgive the bad pun." He chuckled, walking out of the room.

Hideo frowned. What was with this guy?

Yukari winced. "You'll get used to his lame jokes."

Hideo nodded, heading up to bed. What was going on?

"He suspects something," Shinji said once Hideo had left the room.

Yukari frowned. "No thanks to you!"

Shinji glared at her. "Like hell! I'm not the one who tried to draw a gun on him."

"What did you expect me to do?" Yukari snapped, stomping her foot. "He came walking in during the Dark Hour!"

Shinji studied her, making her feel uncomfortable. "What!" she snapped when she couldn't take it anymore.

"He has the potential." It was a statement not a question. "You can quit now if you want to." He said this softly which took Yukari completely by surprise. She had been preparing to snap back at him, but his tone threw her off.

"I'm not quitting," she replied firmly.

He stood, facing her. He drew a small handgun that resembled a .45 and touched the barrel to his temple. "Then learn to use your evoker," he said, holstering the gun and turning away.

Yukari hesitated for a moment. "Shinji-senpai," she called out.

He stopped, but didn't face her.

"Who's Nami?" she asked almost timidly.

Shinji stiffened. There was a long silence. "My girlfriend," he replied when Yukari had almost given up on getting a response. "She's dead," he added coldly, leaving the dorm.

Yukari stared after him in shock. She lowered her head. "Shinji-senpai..."

Late Night

Shin sat down on the same bench from the other night. He turned his music up so that it blared out of his chrome headphones. Breaking Benjamin was usually a good band to listen to while fighting shadows. He leaned his head back against the bench. Any minute now.

Mitsuru and Yukari sat in the control room studying the sleeping form of Hideo displayed on the monitor. Yukari felt bad about doing it. They were spying on him and deceiving him. He had no idea that at that very moment his dorm mates were trying to see if they could use him.

"Working hard?" Ikutsuki asked as he entered the room. "How's he doing?"

Yukari and Mitsuru stood.

"He went to bed a little while ago," Mitsuru replied, gesturing at the monitor. "He's asleep now." She studied Ikutsuki. "Mr. Chairman, do you think he's...?"

Ikutsuki crossed his arms. "Well, let's wait and see for now...The Dark Hour is approaching."

The lights flickered out around Shin. Everything turned off except his mp3 player. His eyes snapped open. It was time. He stood, drawing his tantos, a dark smile crossing his face.

"Topless" was blaring in his ears as the shadows started to appear. He cut through the piddly ones, searching for anyone who hadn't turned into a coffin. A scream drew his attention to the alleyway where the punks usually hung out.

Mitsuru, Yukari, and Ikutsuki studied the monitor. The Dark Hour had begun and yet...

"Hmm...He's still sleeping," the chairman exclaimed pensively. "The Dark Hour occurs ever day at twelve midnight; you could say it's the 'hidden' hour. During this time, an ordinary person Transmogrifies into a coffin, and is oblivious to all that occurs."

Yukari stared at Hideo. "Then, he must be..."

Ikutsuki nodded. "As you can see, he's retained his human form. He's asleep, but he's definitely experiencing the Dark Hour. The only question that remains is whether or not he has the potential. Although, he must. ...If he didn't, they would've preyed on him by now."

Yukari shuddered. "Scary."

Shin ran for the alleyway, cutting through any shadows that got in his way. Jumping down the stairs that led to the alley, he watched in horror as a male student grabbed his head, screaming. Black fluid oozed from his eyes, ears, and mouth before he collapsed.

Shit! He was too late. A larger shadow than he usually fought seeped out of the ground. Shin slipped into a fighting stance. He didn't need to use his evoker for this.

Ikutsuki stood. "In any case, we should continue to monitor him for a few more days."

Mitsuru nodded. "Yes, sir."

Yukari frowned. "I feel kinda bad, though, spying on him like this..."

Damn it! This thing was tougher than he had thought. He leapt backwards as it clawed out at him. He reached for his evoker. A female scream filled his head. Shit! He put the barrel of the evoker to his temple, but he had hesitated too long. The shadow backhanded him, knocking him back hard against the wall of the alleyway. His head cracked against the brick. Everything went black.

Hideo approached a mysterious, mystical looking door. The portal opened as he approached, revealing a huge blue room. The back wall was made of a brass grate that light passed by, giving the room the appearance of a giant moving elevator. A large clock hung on the back wall, its multiple hands continuously spinning.

Hideo sat down in a chair whose back looked like a harp. Sitting in front of him was a creepy little man with a long nose and a strange-looking woman with yellow eyes.

"Welcome to the Velvet Room, my dear young man," the man with the long nose greeted in a kind, friendly voice. "My name is Igor. ...I am delighted to make your acquaintance." He gestured at the woman next to him. "This is Elizabeth. She's a resident here, like myself."

Elizabeth smiled at him. "Pleased to meet you." She had a creepy voice with an odd accent. He smiled back at her nervously.

"This place exists between dream and reality," Igor explained, "mind and matter... It's been years since we've had a guest." He waved his hand and the red notebook containing the contract Hideo had signed when he entered the dorm appeared on the table between them.

"Only those who have signed the contract can enter this place..." Igor explained, "Henceforth, you shall be welcome here in the Velvet Room. You are destined to hone your unique ability, and you will require my help to do so." He lifted a finger. "I only ask one thing in return... that you abide by the contract, and assume responsibility for the choices that you make."

Hideo studied the old man for a moment. "Is this dream?" he couldn't help but ask. Was this his mind's attempt at explaining the events of that weird night?

Igor smiled. "Precisely... You are fast asleep in the real world as we speak. This visit of yours is merely a dream. However, you will come here of your own accord, sooner or later."

Igor waved his hand again and a key appeared before Hideo's eyes, floating above the table. "Hold on to this..."

Hideo accepted the key, pocketing it.

"'Til we meet again..." Igor nodded.

Everything faded...

Late Night

"You both are fools," a cold female voice was the first thing Shin heard as consciousness began to return. "You could have both been killed, Akihiko!"

Aki sighed. "Would you have us let people die?"

"What good would you have done them if you would've been killed?" Mitsuru demanded, crossing her arms.

Shin opened his eyes. He was lying on the couch in the dorm. The back of his head hurt like hell. Mitsuru and Aki were confronting each other across the coffee table.

"We take that chance every time we fight," Shin responded softly, drawing the two's attention to him. He sat up, wincing as his head protested.

"We need to get you to the hospital," Mitsuru said almost gently.

"No," Shin replied firmly. "I'm fine. I don't have a concussion. I just need a painkiller and a bandage and I'll be fine."

Mitsuru opened her mouth to protest, but closed it again at a look from Shin. "Fine," she snapped. "But you're staying here tomorrow night."

Shin stood. "You can't stop me," he replied calmly, turning to walk away.

"Kuroyosuke!" Mitsuru snapped.

Shin faced her. "Don't take that tone with me. It will get you nowhere, Kirijo!"

Mitsuru's face turned an ugly red. Despite that, she hesitated before saying, "You think Nami wants this?"

Shin's eyes narrowed dangerously. "I wouldn't know as she's dead," he replied in a deadly low voice, storming away.

Mitsuru sighed.