Imi wa Nai

by Rei Haruno -Sakura no Imooto

There is no meaning in living as remnants of the earlier people. However, Roppi decides to locate the mystical Plume of Ancient Memories… for the sake of Tsuki who lost his memories as a remnant. "…If he wouldn't remember anything, he might as well disappear."

3. Scenes

Disclaimer: I do not own Durarara or any of their alter-egos. I do not like creating lead role OCs if there is no necessity. Some references are used.

Warnings: Shounen-ai, Horror, Violence, Suicide, Language, implied sexual themes. Not inclusive in all chapters.

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Imi wa Nai

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Summary: There is no meaning in living as remnants of the earlier people. However, Roppi decides to locate the mystical Plume of Ancient Memories… for the sake of Tsuki who lost his memories as a remnant. "…If he wouldn't remember anything, he might as well disappear."

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Imi wa Nai

…

"…Somebody help me…"

The darkness of the tunnel then sends chills to the prince and he huffs as he tries to gather more courage for himself, "…I have to get out of here." He continues to trudge along the tunnel… occasionally looking around as the small tremors cause small debris and dirt to fall on him. He then looks down at his leg and glares at it, "…Why does a remnant have a frail body of humans? Aren't we supposed to be just spirits? Why the hell do we have to get hurt for? Why the hell do we have to get injured for?"

Loud murmuring from the Blanks is then heard around before Hibiya shushes himself with a hand clutching his mouth. His breathing won't even make a sound as he feels them walking nearer and nearer. He then soundlessly slides down and synthesizes his gun for protection. He won't be able to run in his current state… "… (Why do Blanks in this place have to be so strong?)"

"…Smell… remnant…"

Hibiya's eyes widen and his hands suddenly tremble in fear— cold sweat enveloping him. But he holds the gun firmly as he whispers to himself… "… (We'll still meet. He said he'll come for me…)"

But then a pair of strong red eyes appears at a corner and the Blank yells upon detecting the prince, "REMNANT!" Hibiya then starts firing at them but one bullet cannot kill them. They continue swarming and the brunet cannot do anything much about it. But he keeps on fighting them off, "Get away from me, you filths!"

One then grabs his neck and he drops the gun as he gets raised up by it. He then struggles to get away but hitting the Blank's shelled arm with his bare hands seems futile. The other Blanks ready their mouth for the feed and a tear drips down his face…

"DELIIIIIIIIIIIIIIC!"

Slash! Hibiya then feels himself fall from the height and the big Blank squeals in pain. Someone then catches him and takes him far away from them. The savior runs off and then the Blanks chase him around… only to lose him in the darkness of the tunnel.

Hibiya opens his eyes again to see the remnant carrying him and, subsequently, takes him outside the tunnel… to a shade under a big tree. He gasps and then he speaks, "…You? Wait, where's the brat you're with?"

He talks to a man in a blue-white kimono and sports blonde hair and blue eyes. He also has a tobacco pipe in his mouth. He seems to look like Tsuki and Delic but has an evident calmer composure than the other two.

"…I'm worried that he might go down that sinkhole I fell into. The paths I came from are very well infested by strong Blanks." He puts him down the ground to check on Hibiya's broken leg and worn-out state, "We should find a safer path to get back there. (Delic-sama will be furious.)"

"NOOOOOOOOO! HIBIYA-SAMA! You!" Delic then falls on his knees, "…No, it is all my fault! I'm such a failure!" Childish whining follows.

He then notices Hibiya take off his tattered cape and then the prince blushes, "…What? I'm just leaving a trail for Delic." The other remnant smiles, "…I see. That's why you threw your glove at the fork earlier. But those Blanks might be able to follow us because of those." "…?! N-No! They're all idiots! They wouldn't even notice that!"

"I'm sure Delic-sama can follow you even by the scent of your hair." Hibiya then hits the guy with the cape he removed— blush covering his face, "Just find a way to get out of here!" The other remnant nods with a kind smile as if satisfied with the reaction the prince just gave. He then gets up and looks at a direction…

"…The easiest way is to intercept Psyche along the way. Delic-sama will be able to follow us there as well."

Hibiya then turns on his queenly attitude, "Those disgusting filthy Blanks. They are nothing but headaches." He tries to get up with the help of the tree, "Let's go and meet with them, Tsugaru."

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Imi wa Nai

Rei Haruno —Sakura no Imooto

Part 3: Scenes

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As they venture down the dark tunnels at the bottom of the sinkhole, Psyche seems to turn his bright attitude off. He has this serious face but all those pink makes him still look cute to Tsuki. But since everything is suspiciously silent, the three remnants decide to stay quiet and detect enemies first. But then they see dead Blanks lying around— their bodies cut open by a double-edged sword.

"Tsugaru…" Psyche whispers and the he inspects the body, "…No doubt, Tsugaru came this way." Roppi then looks far away to see some more Blanks lying around, "…Looks like a heavy battle happened here."

"…Tsugaru will probably come around from the—" Psyche twitches in the middle of his speech and then he tries to communicate with Delic again, "…Delic-baka? Can you hear me?" ["…What? You found Tsugaru?"] "…Not yet. But we're seeing unusual-looking Blanks— that Tsugaru must have killed along the way." ["…Tch. Seems like we're trapped in a divergence scene, neh?"] "Seems like it. So the Blanks here are supposed to be stronger?" ["Nothing Tsugaru cannot handle."]

"…Delic, Have you found Hibiya?" Roppi asks and then the blond on the other line hesitates… ["…N… Not yet."] "Delic-sama, where are you? We should regroup if the Blanks are stronger down here." ["…Can't. I'm sorry."]

"…I'll take that as 'I found where Hibiya-sama has gone. I'm following the trail.' Wrong?" Roppi then speaks and then Delic chuckles, ["…That's right. I also found cut parts along the way— It's good news if Tsugaru is with Hibiya-sama. Whoa… there's a lot of them in here. Just keep me posted when you find them."] "I understand. Let's go, Psyche, Tsuki."

Psyche cuts off the connection and then they start walking in the dark cave. Each of them is equipped with weapons: Roppi with the SMGs, Tsuki with the saber, and Psyche with a… "Is that a watergun?" "Never underestimate my weapons, Roppi-kun." "Hachimenroppi." "…Geez, why is everyone so demanding of how they should be called~?" "Please call me Tsukishima!" "You, too? Then please call me Psyche-tan!" "…Because plain Psyche is for Tsugaru only?" "…I guess that works the same way with your 'Roppi-san' and 'Tsuki', neh~?"

Tsuki then grabs Roppi's sleeve as he notices few movements when they are talking. The three then drop their friendly atmosphere and put the guards up. More and more of the movements come near and then the Blanks open their mouths to intimidate them. Psyche aims his gun at the Blanks, "…Be careful… I still need to pay you with your needed information." "…We won't die until we find the Plume."

The Blanks attack and then Roppi declares a silent open fire at them— Tsuki going with slashing the Blanks that the brunet missed. Psyche then fires at the lunging Blanks… only to have a strong surge of water hitting the Blanks to destruction. Tsuki and Roppi then stare at the man in white-pink… Psyche striking a cutie pose, "See? We're just very creative~!" Tsuki whispers with a helpless expression after slashing the nearest Blank, "Futuristic. So cute."

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Imi wa Nai

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The rock he is holding on to breaks— causing Hibiya to fall down to the ground hardly. Tsugaru goes to his side and then he assists the prince, "Are you alright?" The prince speaks in a dark tone and in a low voice, "…I'm fine." Tsugaru twitches and he smiles, "Be careful." But then Blanks jump down and surround them— Tsugaru and Hibiya calling forth their weapons. Tsugaru then speaks, "Stay behind me, Hibiya-sama."

"I don't have a choice, now do I?"

Tsugaru then starts slashing the approaching Blanks while having Hibiya in check. Hibiya fires at the Blanks but it seems that the firepower is not even enough. He disintegrates the gun and tries to use the cannon— only to suffer from great pain in his chest while the tremors occur yet again. He falls down to the ground and squeezes himself, "ARGH!"

"Hibiya!" Tsugaru tries to go to him but then a Blank swipes him away. He gets thrown away and he rolls a bit and ends up in a kneeling position… only to watch the Blanks crowd around Hibiya, "HIBIYA!" The prince then looks up and sees the Blanks open their mouths wide…

"Help…" His eyes dilate in pure terror, "D… De… DELIIIIIIIIC!"

"DON'T DARE, STUPID BLANKS!" A familiar voice yells and a humongous toy hammer hits the Blanks nearby— creating a crater in the Blank population and throws everything away with the impact. Hibiya then gasps as a figure in white jumps down from the top of the hammer's handle. He then kneels to check up on him, "Hibiya-sama, are you alright?" The prince stutters… "…D…" But he just restrains himself from talking.

Tsugaru gets up and runs towards them, "Delic-san! Hibiya-sama!" The blond in white then looks around to see more Blanks pile up— both blonds gearing up for more action. Delic then smirks in utmost anger, "Neh, Tsugaru, can you do me a favor and stay by Hibiya-sama's side? I'm aching to crush every little Blank that did that to him."

Tsugaru smiles kindly and then he nods, "Uhm." Delic disintegrates the gigantic hammer and makes another one for him to carry… "Come at me, motherfuckers!"

But wiping everything has not been that easy. They keep on piling up and even Delic can't even keep up with the number. He then huffs after that one last swing and he pants for breath, "They keep on coming, huh?" And then a number falls from the sky— aiming to dive at Delic. The blond disintegrates his hammer and jumps off from the spot. The smoke clears and the Blanks immediately jumps at the exhausted blond— only to be hit by a speeding toy tractor, "WHEEEEEEEEE!"

"I've seen too many toys today." "Aren't they cute, Roppi-san?" The three are above the toy and then Psyche waves as he sees Tsugaru wave at them, "…! TSUGARU!"

The three remnants jump off from the toy that runs over more Blanks and then Tsuki goes to help Delic, "Are you alright, Delic-sama?" The blond in white smirks, "Who do you think you're talking to?"

But then the remaining Blanks still insist to fight. Psyche then tells the other two, "Hachimenroppi-kun, Tsukishima-kun, please stand back." Delic then stretches and rotates his shoulder, "Oh, you like that?" Psyche then places his hand behind him, "YEP! They should know better than mess with us!" The two then draw out some kind of players which the headphones and the ring are connected. As the players meet, the two illuminates and then disappears yet leaving the cords of the sound devices connected.

Psyche and Delic pose back-to-back and then they raise their right hands to eye-level and their left hands run slightly above it… making a strangely-shaped object out of light. Their right hands then take hold of the objects— the objects revealed to be strange-looking guns. They then swing it around first before aiming at the enemies…

"Super Psychedelic Blasters!"

The 'blasters' shoot out bright light which pulverizes every Blank in its direction. The Blanks cry in pain and some decide to retreat already. The two recall the continuous shot and then the connectors separate— the players coming out from the breaking light. The blasters disintegrate and then the two do a high-five, "O'RIGHT!"

Psyche then runs to Tsugaru for a tight hug and jump, "TSUGARU!" Tsugaru catches him and embrace him back, "Psyche." Roppi tilts his head to the side, "Why are they so childish?" Tsuki claps in awe, "Wow! That's amazing!" Delic is about to go to Hibiya but the prince suddenly gets up darkly. The other five then watch him walk to Delic… only to stop walking when his forehead collides with Delic's chest…

"…Carry me." He whispers in a very soft voice before he completely passes out. "Hibiya(-sama)!"

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Imi wa Nai

…

"What is a divergence scene, you ask? It is a scene where there are a lot of entrances and exits. It is a scene which basically channels the remnants from one scene to another— in streets, it is the intersection. Divergence scenes are also passages from definite scenes to generic scenes… that's why they are always infested by strong Blanks… normally those who could have eaten remnants a many."

"And… about the Plume?" Roppi then asks about the thought-so reward as the party walks around the vast divergence scene. Psyche and Tsugaru are leading them, Roppi and Tsuki are in the middle, and Delic is in bliss behind the red-eyed pair— carrying Hibiya on his back.

"The Plume of Ancient Memories… it is a not-so unique feather scattered around the Old Root." Psyche hums as he starts narrating the pieces of information coherently, "Most remnants thought it is traveling from place to place because rumors spread infinite possible and actual locations of the Plume. But in reality, there is a certain creature that produces the Plume. I heard it is a bird somewhere a definite scene called Ikebukuro. But Ikebukuro is a place that belongs to multiple universes! The only problem you will have is to identify which bird and which definite scene from Ikebukuro."

"…Thank you." Roppi can't help but to mutter… how can a childish remnant know so much? Tsuki then grabs the red-eyed brunet's arm, "Roppi-san! We're steps closer in finding the Plume!" Roppi smiles at Tsuki's enthusiastic response and the blond with a scarf hops along the way in joy— only to trip at a root. Psyche and Roppi then start chuckling and Tsugaru just smiles. Delic snickers as Tsuki begins to chuckle and apologize.

"…" Hibiya simply watches the scene with cold golden eyes… his grip on Delic's shoulders begin to tighten. The blond in white asks, "…Hibiya-sama?"

"…Don't look at me." He simply speaks as he smother himself with Delic's hair… trying to completely hide his face from anyone at the party.

Tsugaru then notices the clouds and the sky grows significantly darker… "Seems like time is faster here in a divergence scene. It's almost night… we should find a place for camp." Psyche then yells in a celebrating tone, "YAY! Night time!"

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Imi wa Nai

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The red-eyed brunet walks around their chosen camp and he finds Tsuki sitting atop a big rock just like they do back in the beach. Roppi climbs up and sits down beside him, "What are you thinking about, Tsuki?"

"Huh? Uhm… I was just wondering…" He fidgets a bit as he blushes at his thoughts, "Are our 'humans'… lovers?" "What made you think so?" Tsuki pulls back a bit as Roppi gets closer— the blond knowing that the brunet will be kissing him again anytime soon. "W-Well… just look at every one of us." Roppi twitches and pulls back as to let Tsuki straighten and look up at the dark sky, "…Psyche-tan and Tsugaru-san like each other. Delic-sama likes Hibiya-sama. And… I…" He blushes more, "I like you."

"… And then?" "…And every time we meet a remnant of— let's say, your 'human'… he is always with my 'human'. And if they are not, sooner, they will find a way towards each other. It is as if something binds them together." "…They may be really close. In most universes, they are always together— always meeting each other. In my memories, I always see your 'human's' face…"

"Then in my memories…" Tsuki whispers yet loud enough for the brunet to hear, "I should be seeing Roppi-san's beautiful face, too…"

"…" "…? …! Did you— did you hear that? Sorry. You must feel embarrassed again." Tsuki panics and then Roppi takes a hold of his cheeks again. The blond blushes again and then the brunet goes in for another kiss. The blond closes his eyes as well and they begin enjoying each other's lips.

Roppi pulls back and gives the blond another strange smile along with a desire-filled lick on his own upper lip. He then grabs Tsuki's shoulders and pushes him to the rock, "Wait! Roppi-san!" Then the brunet makes themselves roll off the rock… to the lush bushes beneath. The blond screams but no one has come to help him— or more like no one cared to. Hibiya is watching them from afar and then he sighs… "…Lascivious beings. Why should I be surrounded by them?"

"Hibiya-sama. You should better rest now. I'll take watch—" "…D… Delic?" "Yes, Hibiya-sama?" "…Nothing, keep watch." "…?" Delic lies down beside the tomato prince and then he strokes at the prince's hair, "…You look like a strawberry just now, Hibiya-sama." Hibiya turns away and murmurs, "…Thank you." "…?" "For saving me…"

Delic smiles and pecks at Hibiya's cheek, "You're welcome." Hibiya then resorts to giving him a strong uppercut, "…Who gave you the permission?"

"I'm s-sorry…"

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Imi wa Nai

…

"OOOOOHAAAAAAAAYOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Tsuki and Psyche yell in unison as they greet the morning from the campsite. It is like situated near a cliff yet still surrounded by the forest. The two lively remnants are watching the sun rise while the other four prepare to leave— Roppi calling out, "Tsuki. Psyche-tan. We'll be leaving."

"That's right." Tsuki then murmurs, "Psyche-tan, where are you going now?" The raven in white hums and then he smiles, "Maybe back to the Citadel. Unlike you, we don't have a real destination. We're just keeping ourselves alive and experiencing the Old Root until the universes successfully separate from one another." "Citadel?"

"Tsuki hasn't gone to the Citadel yet— not that he remembers." Roppi overhears their conversation and so he decides to join, "But I have seen that place once when I was with Delic." "Eh?! Tell me! Tell me! What is inside there?" Tsuki cutely huffs… and then both Roppi and Psyche chuckle at the face he's making. Psyche then pulls on a cheek, "You're so cute, Tsukishima-kun~!"

"Citadel is a place where other remnants inhabit along with one another. Since I do not like a lot of people around me and Delic is… on his stupid quest, we just decided to leave the Citadel and take separate ways. And then I found you lying around." "Tsugaru and I are like explorers but we occasionally go back to restock and rest for a moment."

"…What about Hibiya-sama? Has he gone to the Citadel?"

"Maybe… or maybe not. Hibiya-sama is a very secretive remnant." Psyche grins and then he spins around, "Oh, that's right! Should we go now and find exits? I mean, we might be taking separate ways after getting out of this divergence scene!" "You sound happy." Tsuki then grasps at the bag strap and then he murmurs, "…We'll meet one another again, right? You, Tsugaru-san, Delic-sama and Hibiya-sama?"

"…I'm pretty sure of it." Psyche gives a reassuring smile and then he pats his head, "Don't worry much about it, Tsukishima-kun."

"Are you coming with us? We'll be heading east." Hibiya then calls out while still on Delic's back. Apparently, his leg won't still heal on its own. Psyche and the other two go near and then Psyche bends down to see his leg, "Isn't this supposed to heal overnight?" "Unfortunately, it won't." "It's a bit suspicious but I guess he lost his ability to heal himself." Delic speaks and then he says, "We'll be going back to the Citadel to find answers. Wanna come along, Tsukishima? Hachimenroppi?"

"We have a definite scene to find." "…Maybe some other time, Delic-sama."

"Alright, there are two exits I can detect from here. One is across the stream at the east and one is inside a cave at the end of the stream somewhere north. If we follow the stream, we can get there without getting lost." Delic begins pointing out at directions as Tsugaru walks nearer to them. "…How about we separate ways when we reach the first exit?"

"Who's going to go to the furthest exit then?" Hibiya speaks and then they all look at one another… until—

"TREMORS!" Roppi yells as everyone gets to grab on something or on someone. Tsuki gets off balance and then the land begins to break— each division going up or down by massive meters. Roppi then holds his hands out to Tsuki but the blond fails to grab on it before the land he is on shoots skyward, "ROPPI-SAAAAAAAAN!"

"TSUKIIIIIIIIIIIII!"

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End of Part 3

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