NINE

A girl in her school uniform was walking along the dock, where crews were loading and unloading the cargo ships. Her hair was flying behind her in waves of black curls as she tilted her head back. She looked up to trace the horizon where the sun was setting with her calm sea green eyes. Walking as the dock melted into the beach. She turned her head when she heard high laughter that was familiar to her because she hated it. She hated the person that it belonged to as well. She wanted to warp it around and drown it in the sea and hope that no one would ever find it again.

Miyu Yamano. Rival. Enemy.

Miyu was in the sand, sitting with her feet in the water. She was laughing with her brother, Tomeo, who was sitting beside her. The girl shivered and paled at the sight of the two siblings immersed in their own world.

Red eyes were watching her from afar. At a distance from the kids, there was a dark stranger cloaked in black. He stood off to the side, where he could keep an eye on the pair and the horizon. Finally, he looked away from her and slid an ivory mask over his face. Distanced.

She plastered on her cheery face, very much the same way the stranger placed his mask on. Then, she called out to them, "Tomeo-kun! Yamano-san!" She waved to the pair as she jogged towards them. Miyu's eyes hardened when she saw the girl, but Tomeo beamed and waved back. Tomeo ran ahead to meet up with the girl.

Almost within a second, Miyu sensed Larva's presence next to her.

"Who is she?"

"A classmate."

"Why do you look at her that way?"

Miyu turned to look at him. Her menace towards the girl switched sides and Larva sensed it directed towards him in a timely manner. "What way?" She asked, her voice low and raspy from the sea salt. She quickened her pace to catch up to Tomeo. Larva followed, his feet floating along the sand. "Hate," he replied.

She paused. "Ranka has tortured me ever since Tomeo joined the family. She has this interest in him that somehow involves troublesome things in it for me."

"Interest in him?"

"She loves him. Even changed her hair, so that he could think of her as more beautiful. I see no reason why Nii-san should ever return her love. She defiles everything lively and beautiful. I can't stand people like her, who are vain."

"And there are many in school like her. I have met a few."

Miyu chuckled. "Yeah, you met a few."

"I don't like her, either."

"I suppose you don't."

"You're utterly fascinating and beautiful."

"Thank you, Larva. In reality, though, I have an ugly heart."

Larva felt a lump form in his throat. She was lying, he knew it. He was lying, and he knew it. No body's heart was actually as ugly as his.

"Yamano-san."

"Hello." Miyu put up her expressionless mask, unwilling to show any fake or real emotions, such as joy or loathing, to the girl. It seemed that everyone likes to put on a mask once in a while. Larva was not the only one hiding truths and lies. There was a world inside each of them.

"Miyu, and I were out here because we needed to bring a lunch to our father. He should be in one of the ships right now, ordering people around while chewing on his sandwiches."

Ranka rolled her eyes and laughed. "You Yamanos are hilarious. Always barking orders. Right Yamano-san?"

"I never bark an order at anybody," Miyu replied politely.

"How hypocritical of you," The girl frowned. "I was pretty sure I saw how you treat your new friend at school."

"I don't bark at Larva."

"Yeah, he's the dog anyway," Tomeo said this along with a nod of consensus.

Miyu turned on her heels, followed by Larva. Anger flared about her.

"Miyu…"

"Yes?"

"You're angry."

"Not at you, Larva."

"I know."

"You know everything. You can read me like an open book."

"You don't mind?"

"Not anymore."

The two of them climbed the rocks of the beach. It was unsafe, but Larva was there to protect her at all costs. Miyu, the estranged girl, stopped at the tip of the tallest boulder and faced the ocean. She was looking at the horizon, her eyes reflecting determination and vigor.

Larva settled behind her, his legs dangling the side of the rock he sat on it. He noticed how she shivered, when the wind brushed past her. Out of care, he reached out and seized her around the waist. His arms pulled her down and she landed softly in his lap. Miyu did not protest. Surprisingly, her back pressed into his chest. He tucked her head under his chin. They were at peace in this situation. Nothing could touch them as long as they were together.

A scream raised the both of them from their comfortable position. Miyu stood quickly. "That was Ranka just now! Let's go!"

The two of them took off and headed towards the dock again. Miyu balked and stood, in a stunned position. Her eyes widened in horror as they reflected raging flames in them.

"Miyu."

"Larva, Papa could be…"

Larva darted past Tomeo and Ranka, who were both screaming as they watched the ship explode into flames. "Watch Miyu for a moment," he said, disappearing into the smoke and wreckage.

"Not Papa, too," Miyu whispered desperately. She fell to her knees.

There was an explosion in the hull of the ship probably where gunpowder was loaded.

What was happening? Why was it happening? Miyu sank into the hot sand. The dizziness overwhelmed her. "Miyu, stay awake!" It was Tomeo.

"Yamano-sama!" Tomeo called. That was the last thing she heard before blacking out.

IlIlIlIlIlIlI

The fuzzy world became clearer when she came to. She was in bed and she could hear a monitor beeping. She was in a hospital.

The image of her father's face appeared before her.

"Miyu, my daughter, you're finally awake."

"Papa." She reached out and took his hand.

"Miyu…" He smiled remorsefully. "It's okay. The doctor said you are stable now. You were just having a panic attack along with the inhalation of too much carbon monoxide."

"You're alive."

"Miyu, I stepped off the boat to eat the lunch you gave me. You saved me and all this time I probably had you worried. I'm terribly sorry."

"No, don't say you're sorry. I'm glad you're alive and that's all." She paused for a minute and thought. "Where's Larva?!" She bolted up right from her sleeping position.

"With Agent X, investigating."

Miyu settled back. This was great news. Larva could bring back clues. Above all, though, he was alive and the more Miyu thought about it, the stronger her feelings grew. Somehow, she was going to make it and it was all because of the fact that he was there.

Ahoyhoy everybody! Everything is going great this summer. It's a good time to enjoy the weather, so I'm not stuck at home writing as often, but I write whenever. I hope I'm not losing any readers for all the delaying. Please review some.

-MW