Chapter 3

"Are you frightened? You shouldn't be. I will cleanse you of your fear…"

"Reija! Reija!"

Reija could feel a something soft and fuzzy bouncing urgently against her face. Opening her eyes slowly, she found herself lying in her room with Riin'e peering down at her, a look of concern rising to his cute face.

"Ah!" the creature yelped in relief as he saw Reija open her eyes. "I thought you'd never recover! No one's ever survived a blow from the Blade of Obsidian! Not even former Kages before you."

The Kage groaned and turned over in her bed, throwing the covers over her head. Her wounds were still aching, and she was in no mood for small talk.

It had been the day after her difficult ordeal with her new servant Nataku. Her energy was still drained from the previous battle, and she was still sore from all her injuries. Slowly, Reija opened her dark eyes and closed it quickly as a ray of sunlight seeped through the tattered curtains. She said nothing, but lay face down on her bed.

"…Is that what you're going to do all day?" Riin'e asked, poking the side of Reija's face.

"You go ahead, Riin'e," she answered in a muffled voice. She lifted the covers over her head and sighed tiredly, blocking away the sun's light.

Riin'e hovered off in disappointment, muttering to himself.

"You're rather lazy for a Kage," Nataku said, appearing out of thin air. He crossed his arms over his chest as he watched the Kage curl up into a ball.

"…I don't like the light," she responded in her wispy voice. "It drains so much energy from me," she added.

"You've got to learn to adapt to it. What if a Shadow appears in broad day light?" he asked in his stern voice.

Reija clutched her locket tightly. "I'll manage," she answered, closing her eyes.

The sun shown brightly, as birds chirped happily. Not a cloud in the sky tainted its beautiful azure glow. It was a perfectly beautiful day…And Reija hated it.

Reija shielded her eyes as she slowly walked down the street and towards school. The sunlight hurt her eyes greatly. Much to her relief, her silent footsteps attracted no one, and she was able to go home unnoticed.

"REIJA!"

The forlorn girl turned around to glance at a boy running towards her. She stopped in her tracks and waited for her classmate to catch up with her, although a little aggravated that she had to wait out in the sun instead of heading straight home.

"Hey, you've been awfully silent in awhile," he said, as he caught up with her. "Well…actually, you're always silent…"

The Kage stared at her classmate silently at first, noting every single detail. She noticed the young man's dark hair a little tousled as if he had just woken up. His face was tanned and very attractive to look at. His dark eyes held a cheerful gaze, carefree of stress.

"…I haven't noticed," Reija finally answered, continuing to walk in a slower pace. Her face stayed expressionless, as she glanced at the boy.

The boy's mouth spread into a wide grin. "Heh, what's with the edge in your voice lately?" he teased, walking next to her.

Reija bowed her head down low. "…Oh, I'm sorry," she said, trying not to sound dull.

The boy looked at her for a moment, trying to read her faceless expression. Clearly, he was puzzled. "Oh, well, um…I was kind of worried about you when you showed up late this morning. You didn't strike me as the type of person to do things like that," he said, putting his arms behind his head. "But don't get the wrong idea. I guess it just proves that you're just like any normal person here."

"Thank you…I suppose," she replied, not really understanding if it were a compliment or not. Reija couldn't understand why it would prove her to be human or not. She had lost the trait to be "human" a long time ago.

"Hey, you don't have to thank me. Anyway, how come you never call me by my name? We've been friends for a couple of weeks already," he asked, his eyes filled with curiosity. "At least, I think we've been friends. It's not like you ever pushed me away when I come to you, anyway."

Reija shook her head, losing her train of thought. "…Oh, I'm sorry…Suzuki." His name came out in a hesitant mumble.

Suzuki grinned again. "Heh, you don't have to apologize all the time," he responded casually, stretching his arms over his head.

Reija didn't reply. She looked straight ahead of her and headed for the woods, forgetting the fact that Suzuki was still by her side. Perhaps he won't notice…

Suddenly, Suzuki stopped walking and stood stiffly. "Um, Reija, I think you're going the wrong way." He did notice.

"What?"

"Well you're obviously heading to the Haunted Woods. Nobody ever goes there. Some people have been reported missing in the woods a few weeks ago. Not even the police will go in there. They say it's haunted," Suzuki explained, scowling slightly as he watched the pale girl continue her slow stroll towards the spidery looking trees.

Reija stopped walking and turned her head slightly to face her companion. "Is that what they call it? The Haunted Woods?" she asked curiously, ignoring Suzuki's concern.

Suzuki scratched the back of his head. "Well yeah, I thought I told you that when we met," he answered, looking puzzled.

"Oh, I see," she answered softly, looking away and heading back to the trees.

"Huh? Didn't you hear a word I said? I'm telling you, those woods are haunted. You've got to be crazy to even be this close to it!" he snapped, blocking her path. "They say serial killers and rapists hide in there. What if something were to happen to you? The police would never find your body then."

Reija sighed, a bit frustrated, and brushed past him. "I heard," she answered, entering the woods. Turning back once again, she eyed Suzuki carefully, as if daring him to follow.

Suzuki sighed and shook his head. "Ugh, you're a stubborn one. Well don't expect me to follow you. Listen, why don't you come over to my place tonight? I'm having a little party, so maybe you could loosen up a bit and make some friends. There aren't a lot of people coming tonight, so I'm expecting you to be there at six," he said, walking away before Reija could say anything.

The Kage stood where she was, as she watched the young man walk away. She had no idea what to do. Obviously, she had no intention of going to a party with people she hardly ever knew. And so, making her way back home, she thought long and hard about her decision, wondering what the outcome would be if she attended this "party."

"I'm home," she said, entering her run-down manor. Slowly, she closed the rickety door behind her, causing it to creak loudly.

Riin'e hopped onto her shoulder happily. "Well, I was expecting you to come early this afternoon. You're a bit late than your usual schedule," he said, noting the time.

"I was delayed," was the dry reply. "I'll be away tonight."

"Oh…where to?"

Reija thought for a moment on what to say. Obviously she did not desire it to sound like she was going out to mingle with the normal humans. God forbid she actually made friends with them and became one of them again.

"A young boy from school invited me to a party. He's expecting me to be there," she finally answered, moving towards the creaking stairs.

Riin'e thought for a moment, saying nothing. Finally, it murmured softly, "…I see…But what are you going to wear?"

Reija hesitated before answering. "I don't know," she replied, washing her teacup in the sink. "I've never been to a party before." Which was true since she never had any friends.

"Don't worry, I'm sure you'll fit in," her pet said reassuringly.

"I suppose…"

Reija looked at herself in the mirror. Looking back was a skinny girl with skin as pale as ivory. Her dark eyes looked worn and weary, and there were dark circles under them. Full, pink lips were absent of any trace of a smile, and they remained lifeless and straight. Framing her petite face was long, dark brown hair, cascading down her shoulders and tumbling down to her waist.

Scowling in the mirror, she eyed her dark brown hair and tugged at it, uncurling it, and then releasing it. She had to do something to her hair. But what?

Sighing, Reija gathered her hair together and brought it up into a ponytail she usually wore at school. She then slipped on a black T-shirt several sizes larger than her, and put on a ragged pair of denim jeans.

"Riin'e…?" she murmured softly.

"Yes?"

"What do people do at parties?" she asked, tying a ribbon in her hair.

Riin'e shrugged. "I don't know. I've never been to one before," he answered honestly.

Reija sighed, shrugging. "Well then, I suppose this will do. See you at seven," she said, walking out of the room and down the stairs casually.

"You're coming home that early!"

"I don't plan staying there long. There's nothing for me to do," the Kage responded, opening the door to her house. Quietly she walked out of the woods taking her time towards Suzuki's house.

"Stubborn," Riin'e muttered, watching Reija leave. He glanced at the quiet Nataku and sighed. "Well, it's just you and me tonight, I suppose."

Author's Note: Hmm, just a few name pronunciations I'd like to clarify to everyone, because God only knows how we can butcher all these character pronunciations.Reija's name is pronounced "Ray-yah." The "j" in Reija is pronounced with a "y" sound. Hehe, I just thought the "j" made her name look prettier. I like pretty things, after all. Riin'e is also pronounced as "Ree-neh." Yeah, I'm weird like that. I should've just chosen simple names. :sigh: Also, at the very beginning, Reija's father, "Tsuzuki", has the same pronounciation as Reija's classmate "Suzuki." Hmmm, coincidence? I think not. Heehee. Please RnR.