Author's Note: One of the last few chapters. Anyone familiar with Japanese mythology will recognize the significance of the chapter's title. There are some heavy themes suggested later on towards the chapter, so be warned.

- Chapter 10: Memories, Day of Four -

"Hey, bitch! Where's my money, huh? I thought we made it clear yesterday that I'd be paid." A twisted smile was plastered on his face.

Landon stood trapped behind his arms, pressed up against a set of cold lockers. A couple of students-

No, these are thugs. Scum. They don't deserve to be here.

-surrounded him. They were the infamous Shinja gang, with members as young as 14, and just as deprived. They had made their presence known in the local community with a wave of crime, and recently took to drawing in younger and more impoverished members that they knew they could sway with money and promises of cheap highs. Sadly, it had worked. The police could barely keep up with the flood of reports and were spread thin tracking numerous leads to capture as many of the criminals as they could.

Here, just about spitting in Landon's face and terrorizing him, was one of them.

"How about it huh?" He shoved a fist into Landon's side, twisting it painfully.

"I said-" Landon gasped for air, "I- I don't have it."

The man pulled back, a look of surprise on his face. "Do you hear this, guys? Little Landy says he doesn't have any money for us."

The group collectively jeered and laughed.

"How are we going to eat today, fellas? Peaceful negotiating doesn't seem to be working. What do you think we should do?" He pulled his face up close to Landon's, the smile on his face again. Landon could feel the rotting smell coming from the man's mouth infiltrate his senses. The glint in his eyes made his pulse fluctuate.

This… is going to hurt.

The group started yelling, goading for Landon to be beat to a pulp.

Landon closed his eyes, inhaling one last shaky breath before he braced for his bones to be broken.

"There he is!" The familiar voice cut the air cleanly.

"Risugami, hands off the student." Behind him, a few school police officers rushed out, intending to apprehend the attackers. They instantly broke off, running down the halls as fast as they could.

"Shit." Risugami was the last, a real look of shock finally dawning on him. As the hallway cleared, the student council president walked up to Landon, who was sweating and gulping in nervous breaths.

"You alright?" Landon looked up to see a compassionate smile from Phillip Tensa as he offered his hand.

"Yes, I'm fine, thanks again to you."

"No physical injury, right?"

"Unfortunately…"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Landon chuckled half-heartedly. "It would've been a great excuse to have them punished more severely. They won't get much just for bullying."

"Oh, I wouldn't worry too much about them. The… situation, regarding them, is being closely inspected."

He gave Landon a reassuring pat on the back. "Just try to stick to high traffic areas, alright? We- I can't help you if I don't know where you are."

Landon flashed him a thumbs up. "You got it."

"Want to get some lunch? You're all shaken up."

"Fine, but only because I sweat my breakfast out just now."

They both laughed, finally relaxing.

Ah… What a boring lesson. Another one on quadratics? Not in the mood today.

Mikaru's eyes drifted aimlessly across the room, searching for something to catch their attention. Nothing appeared, except-

She's so lonely.

They finally settled on a young brunette siting in the corner, diligently scribbling notes in her book. Her eyes were sunken, and while there was no immediate indication that she was troubled in any way, Mikaru could tell by her distant gaze and numerous occasions watching her that she was emotionally starved.

Doesn't she have any friends? Any at all that she can talk to?

Mikaru had never seen any. Whenever the bell rang for the class to dismiss, she was always one of the first to scurry out and disappear. Even when they weren't headed to class- and at lunch, especially- Mikaru never saw anyone around her.

It's weird, really. She's kind of cute.

It struck a sensitive nerve in his heart, and with a subdued yawn, he finally decided to do something about it.

After class, I'm going to follow her. Talk to her a bit. Maybe she'll… open up.

Mikaru's eyelids sunk, his head bobbing down. He fell asleep as the last thought dissipated in his consciousness.

A loud bell shook him from his rest.

Wha- already?

A quick glance at the clock affirmed that he had indeed passed out for over 10 minutes.

It felt like 10 seconds… I'm still groggy.

Sophia entered the corner of his eye, suddenly reminding him of his mission. Mikaru scrambled out of his uncomfortable chair and wiped some drool off his lip, hurriedly pushing through the door to catch up with the girl.

Should I-? No, calling out would be weird.

With some effort, he slipped through a passing crowd and caught up to her.

Way to go- now what, genius?

Sophia did not seem to notice his presence, so Mikaru dwindled precious seconds away trying to formulate a coherent introduction.

All that came from his mouth was a cough.

She finally glanced at him with a regard that she would pay to a fly buzzing by her ear.

Well… that's friendly of her.

"Sophia… Hi." Mikaru scratched the back of his head.

"Hello." Her stride did not slow. A warm acknowledgement was not given.

"I, uh- some class, huh? Quadratics. That stuff puts me to sleep." He laughed nervously.

"Does it? I don't mind it."

Ah, dull as those numbers. I see now why she's a social butterfly.

"So, yeah, you have lunch next right? Want to go eat something together?" Then he hastily added, to avoid coming on too strong, "Just to talk, you know. How about it?"

"Fine." She didn't skip a beat. Her answer was almost immediate.

"What is that?" Mikaru's face contorted.

"Spicy tofu."

"You eat that stuff?"

No, seriously. Who eats that?

"Yes."

Leaving the topic alone, Mikaru silently trudged behind her to a table on the far side of the cafeteria. While he had a nagging urge to plant himself in the familiar surroundings of his friends, he suppressed it for her sake.

"Why don't you sit with anybody?" While innocuous at first, Mikaru instantly regretted asking as a look of hurt ran over her expression for the briefest of moments.

"Nobody sits with me." Only the edge of a quiver gave any indication that she had a heart, too.

"I didn't mean for it to come out like that! I'm – sorry."

"It's okay." She smiled faintly. "At least you're here now." Under her breath, she muttered, "I wonder for how much longer…" but it wasn't caught by any ears besides her own.

"So, Sophia…"

She merely raised a steaming spoon of sauce to her lips and blew gently on it.

"What do you… like to do?"

"What do you mean?" She slowly sipped on it to avoid burning her tongue.

"After school. When you come home. To have fun."

Couldn't I just make that into one sentence without the interruptions..?

Anyone not familiar with her, including Mikaru, would be under the impression they were being ignored with the intentness that Sophia stared into her reflection in the bowl. But after another sip, she spoke quietly.

"I study."

Mikaru caught himself before snorting out his own lunch onto the table from the laughter that threatened to seize him.

"Is that funny to you?"

Mikaru inhaled deeply to calm himself before swallowing.

"No, but your mustache is."

Her eyes widened considerably, and Sophia grabbed a napkin to wipe her lip. Nothing was on it. She shot a glare at Mikaru, who grabbed his sides and started cackling.

"Careful, that glare will warm up my lunch!"

Is he… for real?

A tingling sensation blossomed throughout her body, and suddenly, everything felt a lot… lighter. Sophia could feel a genuine smile tug at her lips, and after some struggling, she finally let it win her over. Sophia began to giggle.

When their eyes finally met, Sophia felt a strange heat rush through her.

Is she blushing?

Mikaru wasn't willing to believe it, but his eyes were not deceiving him. He wanted to say something, but nothing came forth. Silence felt appropriate.

They finished their lunches happily as the bell rang, and parted ways.

"I'll see you tomorrow, I guess?"

Sophia nodded. "Yes." Curt, perhaps, but there was no hiding the sudden attractiveness that was radiating from her.

"Goodbye then!" Mikaru waved as he turned down the hallway.

"Bye…" Sophia's small hand closed into a tight grasp around her heart as she was left lost in her thoughts.

What just happened..?

"Hey there, Yasaka!" Mikaru sighed.

"Heeellooo, Mikaru!" If there was an alternative energy source to power the world, it would be Yasaka. Mikaru could not remember a day when she wasn't smiling. "What a day, huh?"

"Yeah, what a day. You'll never believe it, but I spoke to Sophia."

Yasaka's mouth opened wider than seemed healthy for a girl of her diminutive size. "Reeaally? What did you guys talk about? Tell me all about it!"

"Ah, well, you know. Random stuff. School. Hobbies. Things like that." Mikaru shrugged it off, but inside he felt accomplished.

"You sly charmer you!" Yasaka threw a punch at his arm. "She's a sweet girl, really. You didn't get her number already, did you?" She winked.

"W-what? No!" Mikaru stuttered. "She has a number..?"

"Well duuuh. But don't go asking me for it. You don't… like her, do you?" Yasaka grinned cheekily.

"Like her? Me? I just met her! Don't be ridiculous." It was hard to hide the slight pink tinge of his cheeks.

"You can't lie to Yasaka! I see all. And I see that there's something going on here."

"Ah, well, you see unicorns when you have enough cereal in the morning, too, so…"

She huffed indignantly, pouting. "Better than you can say for yourself, you chronic sleeper! What do you do all night, stay up m-"

Mikaru closed his hand around Yasaka's mouth hurriedly, glancing around to make sure that no one was within earshot.

"Are you trying to make everyone in this school think I'm a pedophile?" He hissed.

"Serves you right." She puffed her chest proudly. "Anyway, what are you doing after school today? Feel like playing some tennis?"

No one would expect it, but Yasaka was an excellent tennis player. She loved the sport, and her small but slim figure provided her with the lightness and speed to dominate the team.

"I'd love to, but I'm still sore from the last session." More than a few tennis balls had been whacked at blinding speed towards his body parts. "Besides, I've got to study for that exam we have tomorrow, remember?"

"Oh yeeeah! Thanks for reminding me. Want me to talk to Landon to help us out?"

"The poor kid already has enough on his plate studying for four tests, I think we should give him a break. I'll manage."

"Alrighty then! See you tomorrow?"

"Sure thing! See ya tomorrow, Yasa." They both knew he was in a good mood whenever he called her by her nickname. Waving, they parted ways.

Risugami took a long drag of the cigarette in his mouth, coughing occasionally from the fumes. The humidity outside was not helping. He glanced around at some of his crew, who were splayed out on the ground and on crates, some holding beers.

A cloud of smoke poured out from his nostrils, the wisps ascending into the air and blowing away. He threw the butt into the ground, bored half out of his mind and feeling exhaustion set in. They needed something to do.

"Alright boys!" He stood, commanding their attention. "We had an eventful day. Maybe not the most successful," he snickered with the rest of them, "but we can still turn that around. How's about tonight we find some beef." The emphasis on the word excited the thugs, who jumped to their feet with shouts of approval.

As fate would have it, a girl passed by. A single feather floated down in front of them from a bird flying overhead.

Here we go.

Risugami whistled after her, calling out. "Hey cutie, where you headed?"

She glanced back nervously, picking up her pace to try and disappear around a corner.

"What's the rush, huh?" He snapped his fingers, and three of the members ran up in front of her, blocking the path. She stopped, fear dripping from her skin like sweat. The knowledge aroused him.

"Me and my boys here," he motioned with his arms, "are looking for some company tonight. We've been a bit lonely lately, you know? We need some female compassion." He drew up to her, grinning manically.

"I- I need to go home now." She stuttered out.

"Ah ah ah." He wagged his finger. "Not so fast. I don't think my buddies are willing to comply."

On cue, they cracked their fingers, one of them sticking out his tongue hungrily.

"Now, I might be able to make them reconsider." He slowly cornered her to a wall. They circled around her. "But first, we need to know your name cutie." He breathed the last words into her ear, sniffing her hair and exhaling lustily.

She bit her lip, unsure of whether or not to tell them. Her choices were nonexistent, however.

"Come on… You can tell me. I won't hurt you- much."

She squeezed her eyes shut, a single tear rolling down her cheek.

"Amanda." The lie came out breathlessly.

"So that's it… Amanda. You hear that, boys? She says her name is Amanda."

They repeated the name with greedy chuckles, stepping closer.

"Well Amanda, what do you say we skip the… introductions, and get straight to the action?" He whispered again.

She whimpered quietly, wishing nothing more than to be at home.

"I like them feisty…" His hand snaked down to her skirt.

Sophia's eyes shot open. "No, don't." She gasped. "Please." She begged. Somehow, she knew none of it would work.

"I make the rules here, little lady."

She began to struggle, kicking out at his leg. Suddenly, a large hand gripped her throat, squeezing the air out of her.

"I don't remember telling you to kick me." He snarled through gritted teeth. With much more force, he shoved his hand up her skirt. She squirmed both from the lack of oxygen and intrusion of her body. She struggled to breathe as his hand writhed around under the fabric.

This… can't be happening.

"Sophia!" The girl turned to the sound of her name. Mikaru was standing not too far away, terror and shock riddled on his features.

"So you lied to us?" Risugami spat, tightening his grip out of frustration. The last thoughts she had were of Mikaru.

Have you come to save me..?

She reached a feeble hand out towards him, mouthing out the words 'help me.' Her vision swam, blackening. A drop of sweat clouded her eyes for good as she lost consciousness.

"We've got some company, boys."

The eager thugs broke off, surrounding Mikaru instead as Risugami continued to hold her against the wall.

Her body- it's gone limp. Is she..?

Mikaru shook his head, refusing to believe the worst. He was losing focus in the heat as adrenaline pumped through his throbbing veins. Inside, he felt his stomach churning. He felt a distant loss of touch with reality. He knew it was the end for someone so outclassed.

"You… Let go of her." He breathed out heavily.

Risugami began to crack up. "And what are you going to do to make me, kiddy?"

Mikaru's fist clenched. It was now or never. His heart stopped in his throat.

"You'll regret it."

"Oh, will I?" He roared.

Mikaru didn't hear the command for them to pounce on him, didn't feel the first few hits to his skull as he moved forward, preparing a punch at the nearest target. He always heard of how it felt to be in that kind of situation, but never quite knew that it was true. Everything moved in slow motion for the few moments that counted.

He could feel his fist connect with the stomach of someone to his right, but it wouldn't be enough. The boy stumbled back, only to be replaced with another wave of arms and legs.

A knee slammed into Mikaru's stomach, and his breath expelled outwards before he knew what was going on. A warm liquid trickled down his head. Mikaru managed to steal one more painful glance up at Risugami's gloating and animalistic face before he blacked out. Forever.

"I need backup, now! We have two students down and a large group of Shinja." The officer barked into the radio as he pounded down the street, flanked by three more, batons out and ready.

Tensa was up ahead at the end of the street, chasing down the ringleader.

Risugami.

In his mind, the name rang out with all the fury of a storm, with all the bitterness of a tempered steel blade swinging to land a mortal hit. Tensa felt nothing of the world around him, just the sight of the coat flapping in the breeze in front of him.

You've gone over the edge.

He hopped over a downed garbage can and continued to sprint after Risugami, roaring his name with a power he had never experienced before. A sharp left into the street, a slide across the hood of a car. He was catching up now. He would never let the man go.

I will chase him to the ends of the planet if I have to. He won't escape my sights.

With a burst of speed, he closed the distance between himself and Risugami.

Just a few… more… feet.

The sight of seeing Mikaru and Sophia there, lifeless on the steaming concrete, had made his blood boil hotter than the sun ever had. The memory of seeing Landon pressed up against the lockers, about to be beaten senseless, had struck hear in him. It all coalesced into one moment.

He had his arm outstretched, ready to grab the tail of the coat.

I will avenge them all.

It never happened. There was only the sharp pain in his side as the world faded to a miserable blur. There was rage, unfathomable rage, and then quiet.

- End Chapter 10: Memories, Day of Four -