Chapter 9

Kagura

Remember: things aren't always it seems.

Father's words resounded in her brain, lingering for quite some time. It was days after finding out the owner of the diary and its contents. Rin wasn't the best man she can share it with, and Yukio was not back from his mission, whatever it was. She spent days as the substitute for Yukio, getting along with the class, creating strong bonds and relationships with them. She enjoyed their company, but the diary had not left his mind for one sec.

The diary was locked up in a drawer, just so curiosity won't force her to flip anymore pages. But after what she read, the revelation, the truth was horrifying. Completely terrifying. Even though father didn't specify whether if she was normal, she knew she wasn't. So, what was she? Who was she?

Things aren't always it seems.

Yes, maybe. Just maybe the diary was a hoax, a practical joke to confuse and perplex her. There might be some people out there who hated and loathed her, so they made up this lame joke to scare her. However, there wasn't anyone out there who would do so, she recalled. Her barrier of isolation from the outer world was thick under her father's protection. No one can get to her without getting past her father.

Things aren't always it seems.

So, maybe she wasn't normal. But that doesn't mean she's the bad kind. Like what father said, maybe he exaggerated in his dairy. Yeah. She tried convincing herself of that, but was fruitless. The more she convinced herself she was the good kind of abnormal, the more seeds fear planted in the deep core of her heart. What if she was not the 'good kind of abnormal'? What if… she's the bad kind? So many questions, but no answers.

She clenched her fists. She opened the drawer, took out the diary and put it into a bag pack. Then she put some food and water in it and tied a jacket to her waist. She didn't even bother to take the teleportation keys. Not even trying to leave a note to Happy and Asteri. Didn't thought of telling anyone including Rin and Yukio.

She left the dorm, a place where she would call home, and head out to search for answers. And she was determined to not return until she found some.

Rin

Rin should have known when something was terribly wrong. Idiot, he called himself.

"What about we go for a picnic?" Rin was there when Shiemi suggested that idea. The class became a riot. Shima, Bon and Konekomaru suggested they go to a park nearby or even go to the beach since it was summer. Izumo and Paku also wanted to join in, although Izumo wasn't really interested. And Rin would be held responsible for the food supply, in which he was the cook. When everyone turned to Kagura, pleading and begging and a lot of puppy-eyes caused her hard to reject their offer. They were eager to have Kagura join them, although Yukio was absent.

Kagura let out a faint smile and nodded. There was doubt in her eyes, Rin saw but not the others, tinged with hesitation. At first, it didn't draw much of his attention. But at the picnic, the usual joyful, optimistic Kagura was gone, replaced by one with he never known existed. She was the opposite of all her characteristics. Sad, very down and unable to light up a wide grin.

Then, days after that, she was gone. Literally gone. No note, no message, not even a call. He only realized something was wrong with his best friend when she didn't come down for breakfast and didn't even go to the Exorcism Cram School.

Rin frantically searched for high and low with Happy and Asteri. Even the cats didn't know of her whereabouts. He swore when he get his hands on her, he will strangle her no matter how scary she would be when she was mad.

"Where could she be?" Happy asked as he floated in Kagura's room. "She didn't answer our calls. Could something bad happen to her?"

Rin didn't reply. He just punched numbers on his cell phone and called Yukio to return. But even his little brother didn't pick up the phone. If he was rich, he would throw that phone out of the dorm right now. Too bad he wasn't.

"I WILL KILL HER!" Asteri screeched.

"You think they will find her?" Happy whispered, but Rin heard that.

"Who will find her?" Rin asked. Solemnity etched on his face. "Tell me."

Happy and Asteri glanced at each other. "Idiot, Happy." Asteri glared at the cat, but refused to reply Rin.

"Sorry…"

Rin was getting impatient. "Ooi! I'm talking to you! Who will find her?"

Asteri didn't look at him. "None of your business."

His eyebrows twitched. First Kagura. Now the cat. He wanted to unsheathe his sword and slaughter the cat. After he did so, maybe Kagura wouldn't even notice her absence.

At the moment, the doorknob was turned and the door was opened. Everyone whipped around with joy and anger. "KAGURA!" they yelled in unison.

And the person came in.

Yukio

It took him ages to register what he heard into his mind.

After a visit to the chapel, things were clearing up for him. And there were also some things he wished he'd never know. Kyodo had meticulously explained everything he knew to him. He considered himself satisfied, but he knew it wasn't the entire truth. Father didn't tell Kyodo and the others everything.

A few things he knew about Kagura resounded in Yukio's head. One, Kagura was not adopted from an orphanage. She was left on the gates of the chapel, abandoned. Why father lied to him and Rin this was a mystery. Two, a young lady once came in demand of Kagura. And things nearly gone bad when father refused. But somehow, the lady left and Kagura was left to stay with them. Three, Kagura, before she was trained to become an Exorcist, she single-handedly defeated a demon with powers of an Aria. Kyodo stated that he had never seen an Aria conjure power in the kind Kagura did.

Yukio was also given a chance to search for clues in father's stuff. They were packed in boxes and kept in his room, which was free of dust after his death a few months ago. Apparently Kyodo and the others took some time everyday just to clean it up. Yukio found books, clothes, and a lot of things that were not related to his purpose. But he did found a photo. It had all of them in it, all 8 of them. He remembered vaguely the photo was taken not long ago, just before father's death. It was the last photo his family had taken. He stifled himself from crying.

Yukio took the photo and kept it in his pocket. Not satisfied of his findings, he went to ask Kyodo for more. Kyodo shook his head, saying that was all left of the man. Then he remembered something.

"Fujimoto-san used to have a habit of writing a diary," Kyodo said. "Maybe he had something in his diary."

"But there's none," Yukio explained.

Kyodo cupped his chin. "Hmm… on second thought, I didn't saw it when I put away his stuff. Could it be—"

Stolen? It was the only reasonable reason. Father never told him, Rin or Kagura about having a diary. The others of course wouldn't have the indecency of stealing it.

Yukio thanked them for the trouble he caused these few days and returned to the dorm. For his absence, he could make up a simple lie of attending to a mission. But no. Of all the things happened lately, of all the revelations he known a few moments ago, he must confront Rin and Kagura with the truth. Though, he knew, they wouldn't like it, especially Kagura. As he stood before Kagura's door—since Rin wasn't in his room probably he went to hers—he steeled himself and his hand went to turn the doorknob. It was unlocked and he entered after hearing ruckus from the room.

"KAGURA!" The gang welcomed him with joy, sort of. Their eyes widened in surprise when they saw him instead of the girl. "Yukio?!" the three gasped, although more of surprise than joy. Obviously they were not waiting for him.

"Kagura?" Yukio raised his eyebrow. Thus, Rin and Happy took the liberty of explaining the situation to him. Only then he realized a lot had happened when he was gone.

"Since you're back, let's go and search for her." Rin dragged him but he gently pushed away his hand. "What?"

Yukio adjusted his glasses. "There's something I have to tell you."

Asteri snorted. "What's more important than finding that impudent brat?"

He thoroughly explained everything: about his absence, his findings and the truth. Rin was the shocked one, shaking Yukio to juice out more. However, Asteri's face was grim, as if it was something she didn't want anyone else to know. Happy patted her shoulder, not looking surprised or shocked at all. Yukio knew that the two cats were hiding something.

He didn't want to force any info from them by brute, since one of them had the ability and skills to shred him. Gently, he spoke. "You know something, don't you?"

Asteri turned to look at him in the eyes. "No." She was stern, not stuttering, not wavering. But Yukio knew there was more than that.

It was risky, but he did it anyway. He pulled out his gun and pointed at Asteri. "You know more than that. And you know where Kagura is. Where is she?"

"Ooi! Yukio!" Rin grabbed his gun and forced it to point the ground. "What are you doing?!"

"They know something!"

"But you can't just point a gun at them!"

Happy stared at Asteri who refused any eye contact. She remained silent but finally spoke. "We know something. But we don't know where Kagura is."

"What?!" Now Rin glared at the two cats. "What do you know?"

"Confidential."

"Aye…"

"Why you—" Rin wanted to unsheathe his sword now.

"But I'll tell you when we find Kagura." Asteri continued with a serious tone. "Happy, let's go."

"Aye!"

"What about us?" Rin asked.

Asteri sighed. "Stay. And wait for news. We are her guardians. We are to protect her. But don't tell anyone. Not even Mephisto."

"BUT—" Before Rin could stop them, the cats had spread their wings and flew out of the window. He grumbled and cursed.

Yukio zoned out Rin's voice. The boy believed things were going to get more complicated as the passage of time takes its toll.

Thanks for reading! Pretty please, review? Come on, guys, it only takes a few minutes. PLEASE?

Anyway, starting from Jan 3, 2013, I will be gone for almost 3 freaking months. I am forced to join a training program for that long… Please forgive me for any inconvenience. I will miss you guys… T^T I promise I'll continue this story as soon as I get back.

Sorry… ~whiteraven95