CHAPTER TEN: REFLECTIONS

Hei had been very apprehensive about abandoning Sora in Li's apartment. Yin would keep Sora quiet, but she couldn't defend Sora. If the Contractors arrived, both girls would be in great danger. Besides that, he imagined how upset Sora would be to wake up in an unfamiliar place with a doll.

Hei only wanted to comfort Sora, he didn't want to leave her alone. However, in this situation he was limited. They had to be able to prove rationally that Kanbimura was the one responsible. More importantly, Hei could make no hasty action if he wanted to keep Sora safe. Still, he was aware that he might have to take risks.

Sora felt the aches in her body as she slowly recalled the events that happened. None of it made sense, the supernatural powers she had seen, the "prices" they spoke of...and the water. She had been so happy to know that the puddle had helped, but she couldn't understand how.

Sora was also certain she had been electrocuted, but there wasn't any lightening. There was no electrical instrument in sight at the time of the incident. Only the animate arm wrapped around her ankle and The Black Reaper defending her life. His body had been radiating an ominous, blue light. Had he electrocuted her? Considering all she had seen, it was almost possible. Still, one other thing bothered her.

Assassin.

Shima had called The Black Reaper an assassin. However, the Reaper was there to save her life, wasn't he? Then Sora remembered that she hadn't opened her eyes. Eager to see her avenger, she peeled open her eyes with great difficulty. Leaning over her was a silver-haired girl. Sora yelped, unable to control her initial fright. Sora's eyes searched the room and found that it was completely empty except for herself and the girl. There wasn't a piece of furniture present or even a rug on the floor. The mysterious girl sat beside Sora and watched her, her eyes hollow and lifeless. The Black Reaper had abandoned her somewhere, but why? Did he stash her here until he could fight off her attackers?

"Who are you?" Sora demanded. The silver-haired girl seemed to be staring off into space, and when she responded, her voice was distant and nearly prophetic, as though she were an oracle in some fairytale.

"Yin," the girl replied. "We are partners."

"You and I?" Sora asked, confused.

"No," Yin muttered.

"You and the Reaper?"

"Yes."

"Where is he?"

"Protecting you."

"Where are we?"

"The safe house," Yin explained. Sora's eyes grew wide.

"What?" she begged. Yin at last looked up. Her eyes did not meet Sora's; in fact, they met nothing at all.

"When will he come back?" Yin shook her head silently, indicating she didn't know when, and then stood. She wandered into the kitchenette slowly and retrieved a plate of food. She returned and handed it to Sora. Sora eyed the food nervously; her body craved food but her fear inhibited her. She still wasn't sure that this girl was a friend of the Reaper's. However, at least for now it was enough that she even knew who the Black Reaper was.

Sora's stomach roared with protest, and she at last shoveled the rice into her mouth. Yin sat quietly while Sora ate, never speaking or budging from her place. Sora's mind raced with anticipation. She only yearned to see the Black Reaper again, to feel the security that emitted from him. Regardless of the obsessive love she had for her muse, she believed that the Reaper was the only one who could help her understand the events occurring around her.

Sora then thought of Li, who had disappeared completely. Was he looking for her? Was he even safe? And more importantly, what was his connection to the mystery? He had become a different person since she had first met him. Perhaps that wasn't true though. Li had only arrived just before the strange men. The murdered man in the alley was only the beginning. After him came the cherry blossom menace, and then a series of large, sinister men had arrived, all wielding superhuman powers. What were they? Could they even be classified as human?

"Do you understand any of this, Yin?" Sora asked, breaking free of her reflections.

"Yes," Yin replied. "The reason for these occurrences is still a mystery."

"What do you mean?"

"The events taking place are easily plausible," Yin explained. "However, the Reaper has yet to uncover your significance in the plot." Sora frowned.

"These men with supernatural powers....What are they?" she asked.

"They are not to be spoken of," Yin answered. Sora started.

"Why not?" she demanded.

"It is forbidden."

"According to who?"

"Silence," Yin commanded. "The less you know, the greater your life's worth."

"What?"

"They will kill you otherwise," Yin continued. "Right now, they need you. If you compromise their existence, you will die." Sora gulped heavily and began to cry. This girl spoke without a hint of emotion or connection with the human world. Was she even human? Suddenly, Sora felt a warm hand grasp hers. The grip was slightly less than reassuring, but it was better than nothing. Sora opened her eyes and found Yin looking down the ground, seemingly distant from her.

"He will protect you," Yin affirmed. Sora wiped her tears away, shocked by the black smear on her hand afterward.

"You wouldn't happen to have a comb and mirror, would you?" Sora asked. She could only be ashamed by how she must have appeared to the Black Reaper. Yin shook her head. "Is there a bathroom, then?" Yin pointed to a door; it was open and through the doorway Sora could see a sink. Sora got up to wash her face, the lone thing she do to feel a tad bit more presentable.

Li wondered around town calmly, trying to keep a low profile. The Contractors would recognize him as Sora's boyfriend, but if he didn't appear to be concerned by what had happened, they would have no reason to publicly assault him. It was in a nearby park that he stumbled upon an unlikely character.

"Li?" Li spun around and started at the sight of Misaki.

"Hello," he said bashfully. Misaki approached him with a smile.

"I guess I haven't seen you in a while," she said.

"I guess so," Li agreed. "What are you up to?" Misaki was in her casual attire today, though her hair looked the same way it always did.

"Just walking," Misaki replied. "Haven't figured out what to do next."

"Oh, I suppose we have something in common then," Li said, smiling.

"Are you hungry?" Misaki blurted out, startling herself and Li in the process. Hei thought about Sora. He didn't want to commit to plans. He wanted to be ready to dash back to the apartment the moment Huang gave the word. Still, if he wanted to keep his cool, he couldn't be so elusive.

"I'm always hungry," Li joked. "Did you want to get something to eat?"

"I would love to," Misaki replied with a light laugh. The two walked a short distance to a nearby cafe and ordered lunch.

"Where have you been all this time?" Misaki asked. Li shrugged.

"Around," he muttered. "I imagine you were busy with work."

"As always. But what does 'around' mean?" Misaki pressed. Li raised an eyebrow.

"It means I've been in town," he replied. "And out of town. I was even in the paper."

"The paper? That's fantastic, Li!" Misaki exclaimed. "What was the article about?"

"If I recall correctly: 'Accompanying Kanbimura's daughter was a young man. He was referred to only as 'Li' by Kanbimura's heir, who was less than impressed with the commoner. Others considered him an audacious character for ever having set foot in the Miyabita Suites without a pedigree.'" Li recited. "That about sums it up, I suppose." Misaki's eyes went wide.

"Kanbimura is a major mogul!" she exclaimed. "How do you know his daughter?"

"I thought the public knew she was estranged," Li commented, unaffected by Misaki's shock.

"I suppose so, but that doesn't explain your relationship with her," Misaki pressed. "Or what you were doing at Miyabita."

"I met her in town," Li answered, his mouth full of food. "She's changed her name somewhat, but either way she's still Kanbimura's daughter. That didn't affect me though. We've gotten rather close."

"Is she your girlfriend?" Misaki asked. Li began blushing. He hadn't intended to expose his feelings so quickly, but it appeared he couldn't help himself. He was crazy about Sora.

"I suppose so," Li muttered nervously. Some time ago, Li had realized that Misaki liked him a bit more than she let on, but he was simply embarrassed by the confession itself, not to whom he was confessing. "We don't exactly say so, but the title is close enough." Misaki couldn't hide her disappointment or confusion.

"Oh," she mumbled absently before stuffing her face with food. It was a weak attempt at a diversion.

"Are you alright?" Li asked. "Did I say something wrong?" Misaki shook her head.

"Nope," she insisted. "Just hungry. So tell me about this girlfriend of yours."

"Oh, I wouldn't know what to say," Li said quickly, hoping to digress from the topic. "We don't have to talk-"

"I want to know," Misaki said firmly. Li tensed and drew back upon hearing her respond that way.

"Oh, okay." Li sighed and thought hard about how to say what he wanted to politely. "She's very beautiful and sweet. Her innocence is refreshing and-"

"Innocence?"

"Well, she's a bit young, I guess," Li explained. "But that doesn't necessarily have anything to do with it."

"How old is she?"

"Nineteen," Li replied absently, taking a sip of soda.

"So you're a cradle robber?" Li spat out his soda when Misaki said this, nearly choking. His eyes went wide from shock and embarrassment; his outburst had attracted the attention of others dining at the cafe. Li seized a napkin from the dispenser and began to mop up the mess.

"What's got you so jumpy?" Misaki asked tauntingly.

"I've never been accused of something like that," Li replied honestly. "She isn't that much younger than me."

"It doesn't matter," Misaki protested. "If a nineteen-year-old girl dates anyone older than twenty it sounds terrible!"

"What kind of woman would you prefer me to date then?" Li snapped, growing defensive.

"A mature woman with a career and goals-"

"Like who?" Misaki blushed.

"I don't-"

"Sora has goals. She paints, and she's fantastic." Li interrupted. "She has more than enough potential to be successful, with or without her father's backing."

"Whatever, Li."

"Then what's got you so worked up?" Misaki started at this.

"I'm not worked up," she said quickly, opening her mouth for another bite. Li seized her chopsticks from her, spilling rice onto the table. Misaki frowned at him.

"Answer me," Li insisted.

"I'm not worked up, I just feel like you shouldn't waste your time with a rambunctious, teenage girl who-"

"Stop, Misaki."

"What?"

"I think you're a nice person and all, but I suppose that's why I didn't expect this from you," Li said calmly. He took some money from his wallet. "Lunch is on me. I'll see you when I see you." He stood up, placed the money on the table, and left. Misaki watched him leave, saddened and surprised by the conversation they had had. Is he mad at me? She wondered.

Sora fell asleep on the floor again, holding Yin's hand. There was something about Yin's presence that was comforting; holding her hand, even more so. Yin seemed so secure, so unwavering despite the uncertainties that were looming over them like a threatening cloud. Despite this fact, Sora's adventures had exhausted her to a point where she could hardly keep her eyes open. While she was still theoretically safe, Yin had urged her to sleep.

Yin looked up as Li entered the apartment. He walked lightly on his feet and entered cautiously, not wanting to attract any attention to himself. Hei forced himself to resist rushing to Sora's side. From his position at the door, she seemed unharmed, but his eyes weren't powerful enough to see into her heart and mind. Sora could be suffering greatly, though perhaps not physically. Hei gulped heavily.

"Did she eat?" Hei whispered to Yin. Yin nodded. "And the medicine? Did you give it to her?"

"Yes," Yin replied quietly.

"It worked? How long has she been sleeping?" Hei asked.

"An hour," Yin replied. Hei decided it was safe to approach Sora at last. He knelt beside her unconscious body and gently brushed the hair from her face. The medicine gave him an hour with her, an hour he planned to endure down to the last ten seconds. Even though his inability to speak with Sora hurt him, this time with her was precious.

"Yin," Hei mumbled. Yin nodded and stood, relocating herself across the room. She didn't feel much, and she didn't think often, but as she watched Hei with Sora, Yin recognized that Sora made Hei happy. That lone fact was satisfactory to her.

Hei was drawn by the serene expression on Sora's face. Right now, it was only in sleep that Sora felt peace. The horrors around her were overwhelming. Hei took Sora's hand in his, and his eyes trailed up from her elegant fingers, up her arm, past her neck, and to her closed eyes. Her long lashes were clumped together from the mascara Sora's tears had moistened. Sora had mostly washed her face, Hei noticed, but their were still tear-tracks on her cheeks. Hei still found such beauty in her. Despite his inability to see Sora's eyes, those sparkling, powerful, and dazzling pools were forever in his consciousness and so easy to drown in. He leaned over Sora and planted a soft kiss on her precious lips, relishing in the warmth they spared. His eyes drank in her innocent beauty, and in his mind he thought about the things Misaki had said. Hei could hardly believe how defensive he had become. Did that mean he truly loved Sora?

Hei rested his head on her chest, lulled into a semi-conscious state by the rise and fall of her chest and her relaxed breaths. Misaki had been so...envious, it seemed. Did it mean that she loved him? He hardly cared; Misaki was irrelevant to him. Her outburst had been highly inappropriate besides. It wasn't as if he and Misaki were close. How could she think to voice her opinions so boldly? What had she expected to come of such a conversation? Still, Hei couldn't help but wonder if his reaction had been inappropriate as well. He couldn't help but defend Sora and her dramatic role in his life. Sora had captured his heart, something he had never intended to share with anyone. As Hei thought these things, time passed.

"Not much longer, Hei," Yin whispered from the kitchen. Hei glanced up from Sora and saw Yin standing with her hand in a pitcher of water. She wasn't looking at him, but her warning was serious. "They will be here shortly."

"I don't want to do this to you," Hei whispered to Sora, kissing her lips again. He thought about the risk he was taking. "But I have to. It's the only way."

"Two minutes," Yin intercepted.

"I won't leave you with them long," Hei continued. "Just for a little while, and then I'll rescue you." Hei sat up straight, still gripping Sora's hand tightly, and waited.

"Ten seconds," Yin said. Hei released Sora's hand, ran into the kitchen, grabbed Yin's hand, and together they fled out of the window.

Kaman and Shima burst through the door a second later. They were astonished to find Sora alone and just waking up. They exchanged glances, highly confused. Would the Black Reaper really kidnap Sora to leave her here? It made absolutely no sense.

Sora sat up slowly, her head heavy from sleep, unaware of the predicament she was in. She felt hung over...or at least she felt the way she imagined people felt when hung over. She rubbed her eyes as the intruders watched in awe. Once Sora had rubbed the exhaustion away from her face, she glanced about the room. She then immediately screamed. Sora realized she was defenseless.

"Where's Yin?" she demanded. Kaman and Shima both started. This abrupt change in attitude had been entirely unexpected. Was this a trap? If so, Sora appeared to be in the dark.

"We don't know what you're talking about, love," Shima said, approaching Sora slowly. "Don't put up a fight, okay? You aren't going to like it if you do." Sora stood up abruptly, and her eyes searched the room for a weapon. She spotted a pan on the stove in the kitchen and darted towards it. Sora crashed into an impenetrable space and was stunned. Her body hit the floor, and she saw fairies dancing in all directions. The collision had disoriented her, and though she tried to decipher what was happening, her brain refused to function correctly.

"Where's the Reaper?" she mumbled, straying in and out of consciousness. Shima's force field had felt like a brick wall, and it had been about as effective.

"We don't know," Kaman replied.

"He wouldn't...just..." Sora felt her mind fluttering, dancing with the fairies above her head. Soon, the fairies carried it away, and Sora blacked out completely. Kaman, still highly perplexed, picked her up and threw her over his shoulder.

"I wonder why he dumped her here," Shima said, pitying the fragile girl.

"Perhaps the Black Reaper already got what he wanted from her," Kaman suggested. Shima wrinkled her nose in disgust and rolled her eyes.

"No man would waste time risking his life to rescue a girl just to have his way with her," Shima said firmly. "It's foolish to suggest it."

"Do you have a better thought?"

"I could only imagine it's another one of the Reaper's clever strategies," Shima replied. "He's awfully brilliant for an assassin."

"You seem to be in love," Kaman questioned.

"Absolutely not!" Shima snapped. "Although I wouldn't doubt he's handsome." This time it was Kaman who rolled his eyes.

"Let's get out of here before the Reaper returns," he said. Shima followed him out the door.

Perhaps it was the violent collision with Shima's force field that made Sora crazy, even in unconsciousness. But perhaps she wasn't crazy either. While she slept, Sora dreamed of her father, the one she no longer loved. How was it that she had loved him once? How was it that he had evolved so dramatically? He was no longer a man she recognized. He had been special once....

"Look, Otousan, it's a cherry blossom!" Sora shouted joyously, dashing through the garden. Kanbimura sat watching his daughter on a bench with a proud smile on his face. Sora's raven hair floated on the spring breeze like a kite in the sky, her cheeks red with delight. Kanbimura was certain he could have seen her vivid, blue eyes miles away; when they caught the sunlight they shone like beacons. When Sora reached her father's place on the bench, which rested under an altar-like canopy of Japanese maple leaves, she held up the tiny blossom for her father to see. Her father laid down his book and picked his five-year-old daughter up, placing her in his lap.

"Isn't it pretty, Otousan?" she asked, certain her father would agree with her. She smiled brightly at him, sincerely happy to have her father's attention, while twirling the blossom between her fingers.

"Of course, itoshigo." Kanbimura replied, tousling her hair. Sora giggled bashfully. "But there are many cherry blossoms in the garden. What makes this one so special?"

"They're all special!" Sora said adamantly. "Look at it!" Kanbimura leaned in and kissed his daughter's cheek.

"I see it, Sora," he affirmed.

"No, you don't!" Sora thrust the blossom up to his face. "Look at it more!" Kanbimura frowned at her.

"Is that a tone you should have with your father?" he scolded. Sora's blue pools bubbled over with remorse.

"I'm sorry, Otousan," she mumbled. "But you'll just look at it, won't you?" Sora looked up at him hopefully, biting her lower lip. Kanbimura relented and looked at it again.

"My, my, this one has traces of blue in it," he mused. "There is unique beauty in all things. Is that your lesson, itoshigo?"

"Yes," Sora replied proudly. She looked down at the cherry blossom again, then up towards the clouds. "And look at the sky! It's orange in the afternoon. But now it's blue!"

"It certainly is."

"Why is the sky blue?"

"Because God chose it to be so," Kanbimura replied, selecting the only answer he could think of.

"But why blue? Why isn't the sky always orange? Or red? Or yellow? Oh, or pink? I love pink, Otousan." Here, Sora pouted, demonstrating intense thought.

"Perhaps he thinks blue is a special color."

"Special?"

"He made your eyes blue," Kanbimura continued. "You're a very special girl, aren't you?"

"I thought Okaasan made my eyes blue," Sora protested. Kanbimura laughed.

"I guess she did," he admitted, kissing his daughter's cheek once more.

"What do you think is beautiful, Otousan?" Sora asked innocently.

"Your mother," Kanbimura replied. "And my darling daughter. And the sky." Those last three words were a small joke to him, but Sora was too young to recognize this.

"Is that all?"

"Well, of course."

"Why do you have models, then?"

"Models?"

"For your clothes," Sora explained. "Are they beautiful?" She stared into the blossom again as though she were thinking hard.

"Do you find them beautiful, itoshigo?"

"No," Sora replied truthfully, tossing her nose in the air. But another vibrant grin soon graced her face. "I think cherry blossoms are beautiful. Tokyo, too. I like the flowers and the sun. How does the sun shine so bright?"

"It's a great ball of fire, Sora," Kanbimura replied, astonished by this philosophical perspective. He had never once anticipated his five-year-old daughter having the ability to discern true beauty.

"But you said all fire burns out," Sora protested, gripping her father's tie. Her ability to recall everything her father said was irking at times.

"Well, the sun cannot," Kanbimura said quickly.

"Why not?" Her father tried hard to think of an answer. Fortunately for him, his wife arrived from the main house with a stern look on her face.

"Okaasan?" Sora asked, sitting up in her father's lap. "Do you think people are prettier than the sky?" Mrs. Kanbimura glanced at her husband questioningly.

"What do you mean, dear?" she asked.

"Do you think Otousan's models are prettier than the sky?" Sora pressed.

"The beauty of a woman cannot be compared to indecipherable space," Mrs. Kanbimura replied. Sora frowned and turned to her father.

"What does that mean?" she asked.

"You'll understand when you're older," Mrs. Kanbimura interrupted quickly before her husband could respond. Sora frowned.

"But I want to know now!" she shouted. Her mother flicked her forehead.

"Stop that, or your precious skin will wrinkle," she scolded. Sora drew back from her mother nervously. "How much will you be worth with an ugly face?"

"But Otousan will still love me," Sora said, turning to her father. "Won't you?"

"Always, itoshigo."

"We're going to be late to the Wadas' flower-viewing if you don't hurry," Mrs. Kanbimura said, seizing her small daughter's arm and dragging her out of her father's lap. Sora almost tumbled to the ground, but the promise of more cherry blossoms kept her upright. She waved to her father to follow, her eyes rippling with joy despite her mother's discouraging demeanor. Kanbimura watched his wife practically drag his daughter up the marble pathway to their home. He was always surprised to see little Sora still smiling.

"That face will be the most precious in Japan," he always told his daughter.

Hei slowed his pace on the street, holding on tightly to Yin's hand. It was the only reassuring thing existent in his life just then. He thought about what Sora might be going through. She should have been awake by that point, in time to face whoever the unknown villain had sent this time. He could only hope they would be gentle with her.

"They've taken her," Yin said quietly. Hei drew in a deep breath and held it.

A/N: "Otousan" means father, "Okaasan" means mother, and "itoshigo" means beloved, dear child.

Also, I figured I take the time to point out the title's relation to the story (in case some of you haven't noticed). The "masked" in "Masked Memories" relates to Hei's mask, not just the fact that they are hidden. It's was simply a tiny clue to what Sora's forbidden memory might have entailed. There's also another clue that I have left in the story quite a few times now in relation to the "boss", but I won't explain it until next chapter (for reasons that will become obvious).

DTB updates are posted on my profile!!! It will prepare you for the next two chapters. More updates for stories to come (those of you who are entirely unfamiliar with my work thus far).