Chapter 11: Memories Sure Are Difficult, Aren't They?
"Makie, can you come in here please?"
The young girl blinked as she looked at the upset look on her dad's face. It was all her fault, she knew that. The sad look on her father's face was due to her. Her gift caused her father and mother to lose the love they once shared.
Damn her curse... Damn the thing that made her dad unhappy.
Makie of eight years old walked over to her father, wearing a light blue dress with a yellow thin jacket. The girl's green eyes looked up into similar colored ones. But unlike her's, they were darker. Why was the rim of his eyes red? Did she cause tears to fall?
Big, thick arms surrounded her body. Her beloved Papa was hugging her. Every second his embrace tightened.
"Maki...Mama...Mama has to go away...but Papa...Papa will love you ten times more to make up for her leaving..."
"..Mama...left because of me..."
"No, no she didn't. Don't ever think that." The man said comforting the little girl. "She left because of work and... And we can't go with her."
"Why not..." The small girl asked as tears threatened to fall down her face. She had to be brave and to comfort her papa.
"Because..." The man struggled to find the right words. How do you tell a little girl that her mother left due to something her daughter couldn't control? "Because it's out of the country. I didn't want to make you worry about flying..."
"Papa..."
"Papa will always be there for you, I swear it Makie..." His voice wavered as his body trembled. Makie could feel it, her papa was sad.
Her papa was crying.
And yet, through her eyes, he wasn't crying.
Her power, once again, showed her nothing but a bad possibility that would come to reality, something she could not change.
As her papa held her trembling, the girl let her tears fall unable to hide her sadness. He kept telling her it was alright. But it wasn't alright. Everything was all wrong.
This... This couldn't be the right possibility... Could it?
As the little girl wailed in his arms, Kotaro let a tear go. His little girl was all he had left and he would make sure she was happy for as long as he possibly could. He might have to work a night shift but to see his little girl smile again. It would be worth it.
RETURNOFLOSTSOULS
Blood colored eyes opened slowly, the world forming in her vision. The room was barely lit
Kobayashi Makie awoke in her room, the room in the [No Name] mansion.
It had been less than a day since the attack from the Hatter. Makie looked down at her body, she no longer felt the pain. She must have been fully healed by now.
"...That's the body of an artificial human...heals so much faster than a normal one..." She should be impressed right, then why does she feel so empty?
"...Papa...I...broke our promise..."
That promise was one she had sworn to never break, no matter what.
"Damn this gift..." She swore as a single tear fell down her face. Noticing the wetness fall down her cheek, she wiped it away as quickly as it came. She wouldn't feel that pain again... The pain of breaking a promise as important as that.
*knock* *knock*
"Eh?"
"Makie-san!"
That mature voice behind the door, soft and yet carried authority, was no doubt Asuka.
"Yeah?"
"Community meeting in ten minutes. I apologize if I woke you, but Jin said it was important."
"Uh, thank you."
The sound of footsteps alerted Makie that Asuka had left. Letting out a small sigh, the girl prepared herself for the meeting.
-My first one since joining the group... I guess I'm an official member now...
Makie quickly changed out of the pink nightgown she was given and changed into the clothes that magically repaired themselves yesterday.
-They weren't kidding when they said the clothes were self-repairing. Have to admit, it's pretty cool.
The girl let out a small yawn as she left her room and made her way to the meeting room.
She walked down the hallways, slowly arriving to the library. She only hoped this was the right place.
-Would have been nice if Kudou-san waited for me...
The doors opened, revealing most, if not all the central members of the [No Names] sitting at a table.
Purple eyes were the first to catch sight of her.
"Yo, monkey."
"Don't call me that..." The girl lightly glared.
"Monkey?" Yō asked, her head slightly tilted as she cradled her old friend Calico cat in her arms.
"It's because of how she acts and the fact her name sounds similar to monkey." The blonde was immediately smacked on the back of the head by the blushing silver haired seer.
"Shut up idiot!"
"I see, Monkey does make sense." Makie froze at Asuka's words. She realized that the cursed nickname was going to stick for now on.
-Stupid Izayoi! Damn you!
"Come and sit with us monkey." Izayoi practically taunted the girl.
"Yes, come join us, monkey," Asuka smiled.
"Let me pet you monkey." Yō followed up with a smile as well. Just seeing the smiles of the three problem children was enough to set her anger aflame. Too bad she couldn't unleash it here. Makie channeled her anger, calming it as she walked over to Izayoi, sitting in the chair placed out for her with an expression that showed the channeled anger she held.
"Hate all of you." She growled out as watched the smug smiles the three had.
"Oh everyone is here." Jin said as he walked into the room followed closely by Black Rabbit. "Sorry to call a meeting so early but I thought it would be good to get it out of the way now."
"It's fine O-chibi. So what's this about?" Izayoi asked as he leaned back slightly on his chair.
"It's about the attacks from yesterday," The boy spoke as he sat down, Black Rabbit beside him.
"We're glad you are safe Makie-san, and congratulations on winning your first official Gift Game!" The rabbit clapped her hands, meaning to applause, but all it did was cause an awkward silence.
"Uh...thanks...But I ended up blowing up in the end...I won on luck..."
"You mean skill monkey." Izayoi interjected. "The maid squad was watching you know. The time ran out just as Hatter exploded. Even if he didn't explode the win was still yours."
"I guess... But what of his guards? Anyone know what they are."
"[Gifts] more than likely. What else would they be?
"I know you're trying to make me feel better-"
"You have the skill to take down Hatter. I heard about the Gift Game and how it went. It was stacked against you to begin with, but you came through." Asuka declared.
"Indeed," Yō said agreeing with her friends words. "Don't think victory is easy, especially here. Most, if not all of the odds are usually towards the creator's side. To win, while having a huge disadvantage and on your first game is a great achievement."
-Their right...I did good. Just means I'm getting better. Thanks guys.
"So smile monkey." Izayoi ended before he got smacked again but the seer.
"Shut up about that name... Wait you said attacks. One on your side?"
"Yes. It was meant to be a distraction to hide the fact that our home was being assaulted." Black Rabbit declared.
Makie blinked. Was that really it?
"Also, the one who attacked us, by himself was a man...no a Peryton called Gryphon."
-That name...
Makie shivered.
"You remember something about him?" Yō asked. The seer nodded slowly, still not certain on who he was.
"Sort of... I remember he was horrible to those around him. He commented regularly on how everyone would taste. And..." Another shiver escaped the girl. "His shadows. They were among the worst part of him. Whatever they tasted, he felt as well. I remember him going on about how good snakes tasted once, even though he never left the room."
"Sounds like the one we faced."
-...But...he also said something about me...
"So...did you win the game?" The trembling in her voice caught Izayoi's attention. He knew she was hiding something. As much as he would like t pry, this was more important.
"Yeah, that alchemist came and interrupted it, giving us a chance to get home. Not that it would have been a problem to off Gryphon."
"Well, he was considered the weakest member... At least I think he was." Makie stated as she tried to think back.
"But the alchemist being there... Shiroyasha said that he owed her something." Asuka said. "Is it possible they knew each other or were friends before he swapped sides?"
"Possibly. But then why did she not recognize him earlier instead of now? She saw his face and assumed he was a fake..." Black Rabbit's eyes widened. Going by that logic...
"Meaning he is in disguise...the old man we saw isn't his real form..." Izayoi remarked with crossed arms.
"So he isn't Fulcanelli then." Jin said, "But who is he and how does he know Shiroyasha-sama?"
"That's the question of the day isn't it?" Yō remarked.
"One we cannot answer without something to go on." Shirayuki commented.
"Well, we can say she must have met him during her lifetime...but if I were to guess he is probably not as old as her..." Asuka tilted her head to the right, her eyes closing as she thought of what Fulcanelli could be.
"Wait, Black Rabbit had a thought!" The rabbit exclaimed. "If he could fake his name and identity... Could he be faking his powers as well?"
"Well either then it being a first for Black Rabbit. She has a point." Izayoi leaned forward, his hands clasped together as he looked over his fingers. "That means he could be anyone. Like an improved version of that clown at the circus."
"Clown? Circus?" Makie was drawing a blank.
"The clown was a demon lord named Vanitas and ran a circus." Izayoi spoke in a bored tone.
"Vani-wait what!? CONCEPTS can become REALITY HERE!?"
"I assume you know what Izayoi is referring to?" Asuka asked. Makie nodded to the girl's assumption.
"Well...I've been to an art museum and learned about the style that was inspired from a passage in the Old Testament. Also, my papa was Christian and I would often go to church with him...so..." A memory of her and her papa together praying was enough to move the girl's heart, but not in the best of ways.
Unbeknownst to her a small tear ran down as she once more thought about her father. The members of [No Name] watched quietly, unable to say a word as they watched the tear fall. An idea came to the young leader as he shook away the coming sadness.
"If you guys don't mind, I would like to change subject." He said as he caught everyone's attention. "It's about the letter we received from the [Draco Greif] alliance."
"You mean the letter about the festival?" Izayoi asked, getting in on the runt's subject.
"Exactly the Halloween festival." Makie's ear lifted as she looked directly at the young man.
"Halloween... They are doing Halloween?" Makie whispered as Izayoi let out a small groan.
-Here it comes.
"YES! That is awesome news!" The girl shouted as she stood up from her chair.
"So holidays exist here also!?" Makie's eyes began to sparkle a bit.
"Kinda, they recently began to do Halloween as it's known in our word as trick or treating."
"Not as good as the traditional thing but just as good!" The girl called out.
-There's another kind of Halloween?!
Asuka's eyes glowed in anticipation as she thought of how the holiday would unfold. Her body shivered with excitement causing Calico Cat to blink in amusement.
"How unusual," he purred to his lady as she pat the cat gently. "We haven't seen her react like that before have we ojou-sama?"
"Yes, but I hear this is how Asuka reacts a lot when Halloween is mentioned." Yō spoke.
"Okay! So when are we going?"
"In two days we will head to the [Underwood] to participate in the Gift Games and Festival." Jin spoke. Reaching into a pocket he pulled out an opened envelope. "However..." The words of the young boy lowered in tone. His eyes switched from friendly and excited to serious and demanding. "I will be discussing [Jabberwocky] with the other representatives."
"To keep an eye on them and to find out who else has been targeted by them. Not a bad plan, O-chibi." Izayoi commented. "Also good to see you being determined. So while you're talking to them, we handle the festival and you figure out whom else [Jabberwocky] has been messing with."
"That's what I'm thinking."
"You know...we never did learn why it is they wanted Makie to begin with..." Asuka's words caused all eyes to focus on her. The white haired girl felt the pressure of the stares.
"...W-what?"
"Well...Black Rabbit believes it's because of her Gift correct? [Pathway to the Future] is a rare ability."
"How rare?" Makie tilted her head.
"Extremely. Out of 7 billion humans, only twelve would have it."
"How lucky am I..." Makie groaned.
"Well, the chances increase if a family member has a similar [Gift]." That answer made Makie blink before she shook her head in response.
"Not possible. Dad was as normal as a police officer could get and... Miss Yamada..."
"The likely hood of her having a [Gift] is zero." Izayoi said taking over for the conflicted girl. "If she did, well she would be a massive hypocrite."
"Hypocrite?" This interested Asuka. Izayoi spoke with venom in his voice, and that wasn't normal. Even so, she doubted she would get an answer due to how Izayoi remained silent after that. Blue eyes drifted to Makie, and saw that she was silent as well. Though, her head was lowered for some reason.
"Was...Miss Yamada your mother?"
Makie flinched.
"...Yes." Makie nodded her head.
"Then...you have no connection to the supernatural?" Leticia asked.
"None that I know of..." Makie's answer only caused Leticia to feel more at ease. While it was possible for a gift of heightened perception to be born within a normal human, her rare Gift was one that could not be granted unless she was related to someone with a Gift. Perhaps her parents did that one that neither knew about, or Makie was descendent of those with Gifts. Whatever the answer, Leticia was now determined to find out.
"Then you gaining such a power is an abnormality." Black Rabbit said before she waved her hands about as she realized what she had just said. "Sorry, I didn't mean it like that!"
"No offense taken...though that's another mystery to the 'Kobayashi Makie Wonders'..." It was unbelievable. The more she stayed alive; she realized how less she knew about herself and her powers.
"Alright, so if we assume [Jabberwocky] wanted Makie's power, why go after her?" Yō asked. "Black Rabbit-san said it herself. There are at least eleven other human users."
"Maybe because I passed away or I was untrained but still…why me?"
"...Perhaps one had not been born in the Lower World till now." Pest suggested, sounding rather confident in what she declare.
"You have a point. While there have been many who declared to have the sight, Makie's the one that's most accurate in her predictions." Izayoi gestured to the girl in a lazy motion, his eyes closed.
"It's not like I wanted to be..."
"I just had a thought..." The group turned to Jin as he blushed slightly. "Why did they wait for Makie's death? No offense Makie but if you always had such a [Gift] why wait. I know it's breaking some rules by taking humans without asking them but they've already broken some rules and they didn't seem concerned so, why wait?"
"Maybe for her power to become stronger but that doesn't make sense." Izayoi spoke up, eyes turning towards him. "They already could brainwash her so taking her when she was younger would have been a more reliable method."
"Yeah and having me put up with those people and ending up liking them. Great idea, Izayoi" Makie groaned as she slightly glared at her friend.
"Oi, I am only making a possible conclusion." Izayoi glared back with equal force. Leaning back into his chair the blond haired boy crossed his arms.
"Well it's not a very good one!"
"Makie-san calm down," Black Rabbit appealed to her.
"Fine..." The girl mumbled as she pouted slightly.
"Now before Makie interrupted me." Izayoi spoke making sure his friend saw his grin. "Taking her as a child would have been a better plan but... What if they were unable to affect the living? A sort of spiritual thing perhaps?"
"So they can't communicate with the residents of the lower world unless they are departed?" Leticia asked causing the boy to shrug.
"Maybe, I can't say for certain."
Silence filled the room after that. No one spoke, not even sure what to say. Makie herself was lost. She had no clue why she was revived. No clue as to how she was revived. No clue as to how she got her Gift. This cursed Gift that tore apart her family.
Makie could feel tears at her eyes. Her papa's image overcame the darkness in her mind. She wanted to see him, to see her papa.
"Can... Can we call this meeting to a close?" Makie asked. Jin looked at her confused until he noticed the water building up in her eyes. He nodded to her while she left the room in a hurry. She couldn't let them see her weakness, she refused to let them see her her sorrow.
Very few people would ever be allowed to see that side of her. But not them, she couldn't let them see that.
-I have to be strong. I have to prove my worth to this place...This is...all I got now...
Her boots clashed against the ground as he continued to run. She had to seek shelter. She couldn't remain in her precious library, she couldn't go outside in fear of getting lost, all that left was the guest room she used.
Running towards the door, the girl fumbled to open the door, her hands barely able to now grab around the handle. She was losing strength fast. Opening the door, the girl slammed it shut. Her body leaned against the door, the girl panting.
No, she was close to sobbing.
As Makie fell to the floor, she pressed her knees to her chest while tears began to flow. "Papa..." Makie mumbled as she shivered. A cold breeze seemed to blow across her body as her tears struck the ground. "Papa" she mumbled again as she yawned against her will.
-Papa... I'm sorry. I am so sorry I broke our promise…
RETURNOFLOSTSOULS
"What was that about Izayoi?" Leticia asked as the blonde stood up from the table.
"I can only take a guess and assume it was about her death again.
-No, it was something else this time... What was it?
"Hey Izayoi-kun?" Purple eyes glanced into the rabbit's crimson orbs. "Makie-san has been helping the children a lot. Perhaps a day of will help her."
"I see...show her around the city?"
"Yes! Give her a proper tour of the city. And by proper, do not take her to Shirouyasha-sama to use her like a doll again!"
"Fine, I won't."
"Excellent!" Yet unseen to the rabbit girl was a signal sent to the other trouble makers. The two smiled slightly before nodding to the other.
"Mind if we come along as well?" Yō asked causing Black Rabbit to look directly at her before smiling.
"Of course! You can stop Izayoi from one of his silly plans!"
"Perfect!" Black Rabbit shivered. It was not the fact that they sounded chipper, it was not the fact she believed they wanted to help cheer the white haired girl up.
It was the fact they each had the same smirk on their faces and thumbs up. All the rabbit could do was watch them leave the library. She couldn't go after them; she had to stay behind and help prepare to go to Underwood.
"Black Rabbit...please go with them." The blonde, former [Demon Lord] pleaded. "We will help the children as we always do." Leticia gestured to herself, Pest and Shirayuki.
"But Black Rabbit has to help Jin-kun..."
"Go with them," Jin said with a smile. "I'll be fine besides, all three against Makie..."
"... Black Rabbit has to save Makie-san!" The rabbit yelled as she ran after the trouble makers.
RETURNOFLOSTSOULS
Makie groaned. Her whole body ached. Why was that? Her eyes opened, being met with the carpet.
-Right...I ran back here...
The girl struggled to sit up. The ground, even with the carpet, was not the best places to fall asleep at. When did she fall asleep?
A loud yawn escaped her, red eyes looking around lazily.
"...What...should I do now..." She spoke, as if waiting for someone to tell her what to do. A part of her thought of the biblical god her papa prayed to when she was alive, when she was dying, when she died.
A ting of pain stabbed her heart, her fingers resting above it before clutching the area.
-Papa... Sorry, I am so sorry. Please help me...
A knock on her door caused the girl to jump. Her sorrow disappeared as she let out a swear.
"Oi, monkey. You in there?" Izayoi's voice called out from the other side of the door.
-Izayoi? What does he want?
"Yes I'm here. Do you need something?" She asked, masking the sadness she felt deep down
BAM!
Makie felt her jaw drop and eyes widen. The door came off its hinges, crashing down onto the carpet floor. Makie shivered like a rat that was cornered. Coming through the door was the jerk with the overpowered Gift.
"So, either I drag you out or you come willingly."
"..." Makie lightly glared at him. "Where are we going?"
"Out." Makie blinked. That didn't answer her question at all.
"You can't say out and expect me to know what that means!"
"It means we are going around town. For someone who calls herself a bookworm you can be rather thick at times."
"Just means I'm a good hardcover tome that's first edition. All you are is a flimsy how to guide that refuses to tear no matter what happens."
"Was that an insult or a compliment?"
"Consider it both since neither fact is false." Makie walked past the blonde, only to see Asuka and Yō at the door. "I...guess we are all going out?"
"That's right."
"You must be bored sitting in the library or helping the farm all the time." Asuka commented.
"Not really."
"...What?"
"I find it fun! All the books that this world has, the language you have to learn first to read it, the beautiful calligraphy of the words on goatskin, the smell of the paper as you turn each page with delicacy in fear of a paper cut or tearing it! Oh its all such a joy I could never get enough of it!"
The two girls blinked several times before bowing their heads. "That poor girl... Izayoi-san has infected her." Asuka said as she shook her head.
"Agreed, Izayoi-san why did you do this to her?" Yō asked as the boy sighed, his head bowed as well
"She corrupted herself. I tried to save her but it fell through."
The three looked at each other before shaking their heads again. "Poor monkey."
Makie narrowed her eyes, her mouth in a taut frown.
RETURNOFLOSTSOULS
*poke*
"Stop it..."
*poke*
"Stop it!"
*poke*
"STOP IT MAKIE!"
"Hmm, nope." Makie replied to the rabbit girl, her pokes touching her blue ears. The ears felt like velvet, it was far too addictive to touch. It was far too soft for their own good.
"Please stop it!" The rabbit whined as her ears twitched at every poke. It was annoying the rabbit and messing up her sense of hearing and balance slightly.
"Poke her as long as you like Makie."
"Hear that? I got the ok!"
"I am saying it is not okay!"
"Don't listen to her, she is our pet for a reason." Yō spoke, not even turning around as the three problem children continued to walk forward, Makie poking Black Rabbit's ears the entire time, even grabbing them.
Before they left, Izayoi thought it was best to bring Black Rabbit long, and so dragged her along to keep them from being bored.
-Why did I think it was a good idea to keep an eye on them?
Black Rabbit looked down, why did they have to tease her? It wasn't fair on her. For a second, the poking stopped. "Makie?" The rabbit asked looking over at the seer.
"..."
"Makie?" The rabbit asked again getting worried about the silver haired girl.
*grab*
"AHHH! MAKIE!" Black Rabbit shrieked as the trouble makers burst into laughter. They began to wonder why they never thought about pulling their pet's tail. Then decided it didn't matter as the effect was worth it.
Pink hair glistened as Black Rabbit glared with heat in her eyes at the white haired girl.
"I am so sorry but it was moving and I was curious..." Makie tilted her head, her eyes big and childlike as she could make them. Just seeing how she could make herself look so innocent was enough to make the rabbit growl.
"That's what you said last time! Stop doing it. You are as bad as they are." The rabbit growled as she pointed at the smiling trio who waved mockingly at the duo.
"No I'm not. I'm not as bad as they are." With that Makie leaned towards the rabbit girl, inhaling the small amount of vanilla scent. "I'm much worse." With that Makie grabbed her ears and yanked them upwards.
"Stop it!"
"Hey, Izayoi, does Makie swing that way?"
"Who knew I had a gay best friend?"
"I heard that!" Makie growled, her grip increasing on the rabbit's ears.
"M-M-M-M-MAKIE-SAN MERCY!"
"Alright, enough fun. Let's keep going." Izayoi gestured for the two girls to follow him.
"Okay, okay. So do we have a set destination?"
"Not that I know of." Izayoi said sending a wink to the other problem children who smirked nastily at the plan. A dark shiver flew up Makie's spine causing her to let go of the rabbit to Black Rabbit's pleasure.
-They are up to something... I don't like it!
As they walked a bit further, Makie froze as she realized where they were.
[Thousand Eyes], AKA the shop. AKA where that perverted child lived.
"Nope, nope, nonononononono!" Makie took several steps back not wanting to go anywhere near the building.
"What's wrong monkey? Scared?" Izayoi asked.
"I'm not scared!"
"Frightened then?" Makie turned to Asuka, a slight glare in her eyes.
"I'm not frightened and that's the same thing!"
"Afraid?" Makie's glare turned towards Yō who simply ignored the daggers flying from the seers eyes.
"That's the same bloody thing and I'm not!"
"Then why the sudden desertion?" Izayoi asked.
"That...THING lives there!"
"Thing?" Asuka held her chin as she witness Makie's trembling.
"Izayoi's silver haired doppelganger!"
"Pretty sure Shiroyasha looks nothing like me." Izayoi commented before a fan smacked him on the back of the head.
"I thought you said you weren't going to tease her!" Black Rabbit shouted as she glared at the blonde.
"When exactly did I say that?" Izayoi spoke in a dark, menacing tone. Makie immediately felt like prey under the hunter's ever watching eyes.
"Don't even think about it, Sakamaki Izayoi!" Makie hissed in a low tone.
"Oh I won't..." Izayoi said as he began to rock back and forth on his ankles. As the two watched the blonde carefully, Black Rabbit froze before staring at Asuka, a smile on her face. If they were there...
A knock caused the two to jump as Yō reached the door, smirk in place. "Shiroyasha, you in?"
The silver haired celestial spirit burst through the doors.
"BLACK RABBIIIIIT!~" The small girl threw herself at the blue haired rabbit, he face landing in a specific soft, plushie area.
"Ahh! Shiroyasha-sama get off!" The rabbit screamed as she tried to pull the perverted girl off her.
"But I'm comfortable here! Besides I can always dock your pay." Black Rabbit placed as she realized that the demon would go through with her threat.
But she still would never let anyone do perverted things to her!
"I don't care get off!"
Makie felt her eye twitch without stopping. To her, a demon was in sight ready to take advantage of her.
-And this is where Kobayashi Makie takes her leave...
Before Makie was able to take a step back, the demon noticed the girl paling. Shiroyasha let go of the large breast of the rabbit, to her relief, before walking over to the nervous girl.
"Hello Makie," the spirit said with a smile however she blinked as the girl's eyes turned white. "Uh, Makie?"
With that the seer made a run for it, she wouldn't look back. That horrifying woman was there and she refused to be another toy!
"What just happened?" Shiroyasha asked as she looked at the smirks of the troublesome trio.
"You scared the poor girl a lot..." Black Rabbit bitterly admitted. She was about to go after her, until Izayoi raised his arm. "Izayoi-kun?"
Izayoi shook his head. "She still needs to accept her situation."
"Her...situation?"
"Makie-san has been rather...off since this morning." Asuka remarked.
"Wait... So you invited her out and then scared her off so she could figure things out?" Black Rabbit asked getting a nod from the trio.
"Makie-san isn't in a good place." Yō said, "She needs to be alone but not completely."
"As in getting help from an outsider?" Shiroyasha asked. "I see, it could help her a lot."
"I see...But wait! Does she know her way around town!?"
"Makie will just use foresight to find her way back. Besides her memory is as good as mine when she focuses instead of flailing about." With a wave of his hand the most powerful problem child entered the shop with the other two behind him.
"Muuu...I hope your right..." Rabbit ears flopped as she walked inside.
Shiroyasha remained outside, watching the girl run away.
"..I suppose...I should pity her in this situation..."
The spirit watched for a couple of seconds more before walking inside the shop.
-I wish you luck, Makie... I'm sure you'll find your solution.
RETURNOFLOSTSOULS
"... It's a left here right?" Makie asked herself as she looked around town. It had only been ten minutes and she had already gotten lost.
"Stupid Izayoi and that demon... Ok maybe it's not a left."
Makie sighed heavily. This was not a good day for her. First her dream that represented her home sickness, then the meeting that had her act like a fool, and now she was lost again and unable to decipher where to go without her powers. Makie looked down at the watch that hung around her neck.
-I can't do anything without this...
Yesterday's Gift Game replayed in her mind like a broken film projector. She was basically defenseless against them. Hiding may have been the objective of the game, but she felt like a coward, an animal hiding form prey. And it didn't help that Hatter was A BOMB MANIAC!
-Hatter... Is most of my problems coming from him?
That thought surfaced its way upwards and yet that seemed to be wrong. Even if she don't face that man it was possible she would still feel this way. The thoughts rattled inside her brain causing Makie to lose sight of where she was going.
"Oof." Makie groaned as she struck the ground, a person looking over her carrying a paper bag was what she had hit.
"Please be more careful." A familiar voice said as a hand appeared in Makie's vision. "Are you all right there Miss Kobayashi?" The shopkeeper stood in front of the seer, a small smile on her face. She noticed the girl was in deep thought, she just didn't realize how deep until they ran into each other.
-As long as the shopping is undamaged I don't mind.
"Oh, uh, you're that woman form the shop..." Makie stood up, scratched the back of her head. "Uh...I'm sorry about that..." The girl spoke in a deadpan tone, though her face suggested that she was a bit scared to be in the woman's presence.
-She knocks me on my behind once and I am trembling, oh that's just great...
"It's fine, but are you alright. You seem distracted." The shopkeeper asked looking directly into Makie's crimson eyes.
"I'm fine thank you for asking... Miss..." Makie trailed off, unsure of the name of the shopkeeper.
-Now that I think about it... Did Izayoi ever mention it?
"My name? That's right I never gave you it. It's..."
From behind Makie, a lizard man and a cat girl growled at each other before entering a brawl, dragging in others to their fight.
Makie blinked as she saw the woman move her mouth but she couldn't hear a word at was being said.
-Damn it! Why the hell did that happen?!
"Come this way!" The shopkeeper grabbed Makie's hands and dragged her along. The white haired girl was startled at first but followed at the battle began to become an all-out brawl.
-What kind of idiots starts a fight in the middle...
Her train of thought was derailed by the vision of a certain problem child.
-...Then again...he can be considered an idiot...
RETURNOFLOSTSOULS
"So you didn't catch my name?" The shopkeeper asked. The two were seated at a cafe while a cat girl waitress took their order. Makie fidgeted slightly as she took in the slightly disappointed look of the older girl.
"No, I'm sorry. Do you want to try again?"
"I don't really see the point in trying again." The shopkeeper admitted. "Seems like a small pain to try again."
"Uh...okay?" Makie raised an eyebrow.
"So, shall I ask why you are by yourself out here?"
"Well I was walking around with Izayoi, Asuka-san and Yō-san...but then we happened to drop by the shop."
"Got in for free did you?"
"Huh?"
"Never mind. That doesn't explain why you are by yourself."
"Why you haven't figured it out? I didn't want to stay with the perverted gray haired loli so I ran!"
"Ahh another one who's afraid of Shiroyasha-sama." The shopkeeper said with a smirk.
"I'm not afraid! She's just... You know..."
"Shiroyasha-sama? Don't worry I understand. It takes a while to get used to her ways."
"I'm actually surprised you even stayed with her and not ask for a transfer..." Makie grumbled.
"Shall I assume you are lost then?" The blue haired shopkeeper asked.
"Not lost...just...not wanting to go back for a bit..."
"Having trouble with your group? Or is it something else?"
"It's... Hard to say." Makie admitted to the nameless shopkeeper. "I don't know how to put it and... I almost don't want to talk about."
"But part of you does correct?" Makie gave a small nod at the shopkeeper's words.
-She doesn't seem as bad as the other three so... Perhaps...
"Why don't you tell me what's wrong." Makie's eyes widened as she looked up at the shopkeeper. "I'll listen and I will do my best to help you. I realize we aren't close but sometimes it's good to talk to someone not connected to all this to give you advice."
Red eyes narrowed in skepticism. Should she speak about herself? Technically the woman did know about her involvement with that community. Maybe should help shed light on the situation for the girl.
"...Okay...if you don't mind listening to me whine..."
"It's alright. I have no cold things to take back to the shop so please take your time." As she spoke, two cups of tea arrived at their table. Thanking their waitress, the Shopkeeper took a sip of the tea, savoring the flavor as it went down.
"Ok... I guess to start; I've been remembering things a lot lately. Back when I was on earth and was with papa." Makie slowly explained, slightly unsure on what to say. "It started normally at first but last night... I remembered a promise I broke..."
"A promise?" The blue haired woman was intrigued. What sort of promise would be important to this girl?
"A promise...that he would never leave me..." Snow white fingers slowly curved, forming a fist as she spoke. "My mother left because of me...and Papa said...he would make up for her love by loving me twice as much...But...In the end...I was the one who left him...I left him alone...He's not as strong as people make him out to be. He's really weak. He worries about others so much, and he has gotten into drinking...but he was always nice, always so cool with the way he could solve a case. But...I died. I couldn't do anything to stop it. I left him...when he promised he would never leave me..."
"I see... You blame yourself for breaking the promise that the two of you made. I think he would forgive you however. I know that you don't think so." The shopkeeper could see the frown building on the young seer. "It was outside of your power but you don't believe that do you."
"I just... I want to know if he is alright... Is it wrong for me to want to apologize to him... It's possibly breaking every rule of the living and dead thing right?"
"The fact that you, who were once dead, is given a second chance at life. While you may have been reborn as a Homunculus, do note you had no control over that."
"But why me...what's the point of being alive if Papa isn't here...I lived for Papa..."
"...What about that problem child?"
"Huh?"
"That problem child, Sakamaki Izayoi?"
"...What about him?"
"Are you saying you won't live for your comrades?" Makie's eyes widened at the spoken words from the shopkeeper. "Granted, you have every right to want to see your parental figure. And there are spells that can let you see him."
"Seriously?!" Makie's eyes widen. She could see her papa?! A wide grin broke her face. "Then-"
"However, to see him means to turn your back on the Community that took you in out of kindness. The trip is one way, you can never come back..."
To turn her back on the [No Names], to turn her back on her rival and best friend, that was the requirement for seeing her Papa? She would do so in a heartbeat...if it was the Makie of back then. This Makie liked this world, the new people she met, and the new bonds she made. She got to see her friend, and he fought for her.
To go back home...meant to be taken away from this world.
To Makie everything was null as she sat back down, barely registering the cold chair beneath her or the warp cup around her hands.
"So I would need to choose... Past or the future... How ironic, I who can see the future needs to make the choice for once..." Her voice turned cold and lifeless. She knew what she would choose, but it still wasn't fair. It would never be fair no matter what she chose.
-Sorry... But I know what I have to choose.
"Looks like I'm staying then..." Makie sighed in frustration. "I want to see papa but... These guys need me right now huh... Actually I have a question. Is it possible to create a window so I can see him but he can't see me?"
The shopkeeper of [Thousand Eyes] shook her head, answering the question Makie already knew.
"I see..."
"...Why did you choose to stay?"
"What?"
"Why did you choose to stay? Granted you could have just left. I could have told you the way to leave, and you would be home. But you instead decided to stay for the Community that took you in. You want to go home, and you made the choice to forsake it."
"Well...yeah I could have earned the ire of over 100 people and made a trip home and never see them again. But the thing is...I have things I have to do."
"And those are?"
"One, I need to pay back the Community that decided to nercromance me! Two, I want to repay the kindness the [No Name] has given me, and three!..." The girl stopped and took a deep breath, ready to exclaim her number one priority.
"I HAVE TO BEAT IZAYOOOOIIIII!" Her scream echoed throughout the cafe area and around it, causing stares and quick pacing to follow up the seer's declaration. Many people were baffled even the Shopkeeper, her eyes wide and mouth agape like a fish. Makie stood tall now with pride, determination brimming off of her, as if her spoken phrase as refilled her with life.
"I died with an uneven score against him, 150 wins, 148 loses, 29 draws! Guess which one is me!? Uneven! As such, I won't die, I won't be brainwashed, I won't even sing for the DEVIL until I beat Izayoi at several games and make it so he can NEVER, EVER, defeat ME! This includes physical fights! Now that I am not human and got one heck of a power up in both my [Gift] and body, I can finally match him on even ground! That boy may have won during our physical activities but no more! I'm tearing that smirk off of his face and make him cry uncle, so said the LORD!"
The shopkeeper stared at the excited girl before she burst into laughter. "That's quite a goal." As she slowly calmed herself she coughed slightly. "Sorry, I like your goal. Tell you the truth; I'm not a big fan of the young man. He just seems arrogant to me. I'll have to wish you good luck in beating him, though I recommend you don't become arrogant. Otherwise what was the point in becoming stronger in the first place?"
"I see," Makie said before sitting down once more, happy that she met someone who also whited to see her rival lose in a game. "That reminds me... You use spears right?" At the confused nod, Makie continued. "I don't really know how to fight so... Could you train me?"
Now this intrigued the Shopkeeper. Never once has anyone asked her such a request. It made her laugh once more.
"Oh very well...Haha...You truly are an intriguing young lady." Another laugh left the woman's system. "However, I will have my hands full since Kouryuu-sama doesn't know how to correctly handle paperwork."
"What? You guys do paperwork? Seriously?"
"Even though it doesn't look like the truth, Shiroyasha-sama is quite a diligent worker-"
"Say what!?"
"That's the response we always get when we explain that. I blame her perversion." The Shopkeeper shook her head in exasperation. "I can train you soon, just let me help Kouryuu-sama and we can really begin training."
"So you can train me but not heavily? Is that what I'm hearing?"
"Of course. I'll do my best to help you."
"Thank you Shopkeeper... No, Miss Blue."
"Miss…Blue?"
"Well I doubt I will ever get your real name, so I will call you by a nickname. I mean, you got blue eyes, blue hair, it's probably blue down there too!"
Despite her color being blue, the woman's face tinted red. She knew exactly what the child meant.
"Wha-what!? Oh I can see how that boy declares you to be his rival!"
"Haha! I do not feel sorry for that set up!"
RETURNOFLOSTSOULS
"Ah…that girl is taking quite a while to calm herself…" Shiroyasha spoke as she and the others sat in the usual room. Earlier, Jin had arrived with Leticia, Shiroyuki and Pest staying behind to watch the children.
"Muu…I am starting to worry…" Black Rabbit spoke.
"Monkey can take care of herself." Izayoi answered.
"What makes you say that?"
"Because no one is stupid enough to go against a Time Lord." Yō's sudden remark, and possible shout out, was enough to make Izayoi double take.
"…Oi…Kasukabe….."
"If she could travel through time she could be like him."
"Like who?" Asuka tilted her head, obviously having no clue what they were talking about.
"Actually if she trained more with her [Gift] she possibly could travel through time." Kouryuu replied while taking a sip of his tea.
"Quick question, when she was knocked out before did anyone check to see if she had twin hearts?" Izayoi asked causing Yō to chuckle as the others seemed confused.
"What are you on about!?" Asuka questioned to the others amusement.
"Nothing important." The two chimed together as Asuka sighed in an annoyed manner. Jin and Leticia smiled.
"... Very well, she'll be back soon, I'm sure of it." Kouryuu stated as he frowned at his paper work. "By the way, you didn't happen to see our assistant did you? She's late as well."
"Hmm...she said she was going out shopping, but this is a rather long time." Shiroyasha spoke.
The doors of the shop were opened, causing everyone to turn to see The Shopkeeper, followed by Makie.
"Hoh? You found our missing monkey Miss Shopkeeper-san!" Izayoi declared.
The shopkeeper frowned at the blonde, she was curious on how Makie could put up with him.
"I suggest you don't call her monkey around me again, Izayoi-san. Otherwise, I am obligated to ban you from the shop and meeting Shiroyasha-sama."
Izayoi grinned but took a step back. He wasn't expecting to the two to get along anytime soon. Looking at his rival, he noticed the grin she was trying to hide.
- I'm happy for you monkey, surprised by your new friend but oh well. Seems your problem is solved for the time being.
RETURNOFLOSTSOULS
Gears ground together as pendulums swung from a wooden ceiling. Clocks of different sizes and make hung from the wall as their hands sung at different speeds. This place was known as the clock that time forgot. Sitting on a unmoving gear was a man hidden by the shadows. His eyes were trained on a certain clock, one shaped like a sphere that rotated normally yet every so often it shimmed, twisted and reversed.
"Strange... It seems that [Gift] has reawakened. I thought it vanished once again, yet it returned in a split second. Or perhaps it was longer then what I imagined."
"It has been only two hundred years since we last saw that gift." A voice echoed through the clocks. It was a mature voice, one akin to a woman who had fully experienced life.
The man looked up, only seeing more clocks and not the source of the voice. But he knew that person was there, speaking to him as always. A hearty chuckle escaped the man's mouth.
"Has it now? My, my, the ages have flown by I can barely recall what happened."
"Do not joke like that, we both know your ability allows you access to all the timelines. Even so, for this particular one to make a resurrection so soon...does this mean..."
"Yes..." The man spoke, but his tone was quiet.
"Then... Way shall we do?"
The man sighed as he turned back to the clocks. "Right now... We can't interfere. But even with my knowledge, I need to check something's to make sure everything goes a certain way."
"Not going to make this easy on those affected are you?" A cold sounding chuckle escaped the man as he sighed once more.
"You and I both know how cruel I can be... But you can be the same."
"Guilty." The female voice chuckled. "So an agent then?"
"I think I'll leave this one up to Fate. After all... What better test then one conducted by her?"
CHAPTER 11 END
TEACH ME, IZAYOI-KUN EPISODE 6:
Chibi Izayoi walked into the now fixed library. He looked left, then right, finding no signs of a familiar monkey swinging around her den.
"Where is she? Oi! Makie!" Chibi-Izayoi yelled as she walked down the many aisles of the library. He still couldn't find her. As such he walked back to where the desk was. She was not there either.
"Monkey! hey!" He called out once more in the vast jungle of books. But he heard nothing, not even a shrill.
"...Okay...This...I can't decide of interesting or unnatural..." Either that girl was hiding, trying to get the jump on him, or she, for once wasn't in here.
As the boy walked further into the silent library, the floor underneath him collapsed causing Chibi-Izayoi to fall into the depths of the manor. "Well, this is new." The blonde stated as he looked around the dark depths that rushed all around him.
After what seemed to take minutes, he was still falling. "Don't tell me I'm in one of those endless holes?" As he spoke, light came from underneath him. Chibi-Izayoi smirked as he landed gently on the floor of the basement.
"Huh, that never happened before."
"You mean it's new?" A voice asked underneath him. Looking down, the blond noticed Chibi-Makie sprawled out on the floor.
"Oh hey monkey."
"Don't hey monkey me! I've been down here for a week and no one has gone looking for me! Also, GET OFF OF ME!"
"Someone's moody." Her rival commented as he stepped of the girl's back.
"I go missing for a week and you don't do ANYTHING!?"
"Didn't even know you were gone. I assumed you were holed up in the library as usual."
"You suck as both a rival and friend you dumb blond."
"Ho? I'm far more intelligent than a girl with a head full of white hair."
"I'm more useful than guy who skips and doesn't do crap!"
"Last I checked my track record with Gift Games exceeds your and I come out without a scratch."
"YOU'RE NOT HUMAN THAT'S WHY!" Chibi-Makie vibrated, anger expressed on her entire body.
"Taxonomy says otherwise."
"Just to make sure. When you die we are sending you to a taxidermist."
"Aww, you would miss me!"
"No I wouldn't!"
"Then why send me to a taxidermist?"
"To make sure you're actually human!"
"And because you'll miss me!"
"NO I WON'T! Now how do we get out of here? And while I'm at it, what's the next lesson?"
"Good question." Chibi-Izayoi shrugged.
"...What?"
"Ahh...We don't have anything to discuss right now. Gifts are the lesson you will learn from me, and we can't talk about the [Jabberwocky] members till later."
"...What?"
"So right now all we can do is answer questions."
"...WHAT!?"
"Oi, you have to yell monkey?"
"How the hell are you not prepared for this!?" The girl screamed at her rival who mearly shrugged at the question.
"Dunno, the notes I did have were eaten."
"Who would eat your crappy handwriting?"
"You would be surprised what we can trick Black Rabbit into doing." Chibi-Makie just stared at her friend's large grin.
-That poor rabbit girl.
"I ate what?!" A scream yelled from above. As the two looked above, they noticed Black Rabbit using her ears as a helicopter propeller to get down. In her hands were sheets of paper.
"Izayoi-san you have now crossed the line!"
"You are realizing this now?" Chibi-Izayoi raised an eyebrow.
"Well... No but... You made Black Rabbit eat your notes! That means we are behind schedule again!" The rabbit screamed at the blonde who shrugged.
"So? Not my fault, it's the writers for not being more intelligent and coming up with things."
"You can't blame the writers!" Chibi-Makie called out. "They work hard and... What am I saying? Of course we can blame them!"
"Stop yelling at the writers!" Chibi-Black Rabbit ordered as she landed softly on the ground. "They'll make you pay for yelling at them. Besides we have questions to answer."
"Alright, alright. So, what's the first one?" Chibi-Izayoi asked.
"We'll, I have decided to start off with the ones we have skipped last week, two concerning Makie." Chibi-Black Rabbit declared as she pulled a few flashcards from with her assets.
Chibi-Makie could only perform a low growl.
"What are you growling at Makie?" Chibi-Izayoi asked thou he belived he already knew the answer considering where the seer's are eyes were looking.
"Nothing! Um... Questions please?" She said quickly hoping they wouldn't notice her jealousy towards the rabbit's bust.
"It asks what you like about Izayoi-san." Chibi-Black Rabbit said. "And others if you wish."
"Well since you two are here... I like the reactions Kuro-Usagi makes. It's funny though it does seem kind of mean..."
"Stop being mean to Black Rabbit!"
"I also like her hair, it's really nice." Chibi-Makie said causing the rabbit to blush.
-Hehe, dodged a bullet.
"And as for Izayoi. He's..."
"The greatest person I have ever met and he is far superior to me. I look up to him and think he is the best." Chibi-Izayoi interrupted. "Well next question. Let's keep them going."
"He is an arrogant, perverted, two faced pervert with waaaay too much time on his hands and needs to be properly punished...' Chibi-Makie countered.
"That sounds about right Makie-san." Chibi-Black Rabbit could only nod to the girl's accusations.
"Alright, ladies next question?" He didn't even try to deny the fact stated by Chibi-Makie.
"Right, the next question...Makie-san this is a bit of a spoiler have you read up to volume 10 yet?" Chibi-Black Rabbit asked, to which the girl nodded.
"Ah. I just recently finished it."
"So about the spoiler..."
"I don't want to say much for obvious reasons. But damn it Izayoi, beat the dragon up. Don't care if he is a dragon, he's a jerk so beat him up!"
"You make it sound easy." Chibi-Izayoi spoke in a deadpan tone.
"It should be! You freakin god mode most of the time, why is this so different!?"
"For a lot of reasons, mostly because we haven't got a clue as to what he IS!"
"He's a three headed dragon!"
"I need a name smart a**!"
"Oh dear...I better move on and ask the questions..." The rabbit muttered and she flipped to a new card.
"Ahem! Izayoi-san, do you holding some tragic past that's just begging to get out?"
Chibi-Izayoi, who was holding Makie away by arm, looked over at Chibi-Black Rabbit with a smirk on his face.
"Ara? That curious? Then go read the light novels and then you will know."
"Should have expected that answer," The rabbit sighed as she switched to another card. "Oh? This one is for Pest-san."
"What's it about?"
"If she can change her form like Leticia-sama."
"Impossible. She died a loli, so she will remain a loli. Kinda sad though, she could have had a pretty decent figure."
"Ok next one, Izayoi-san. Favorite kind of woman. Well-endowed breasts or Lollis?" Chibi-Black Rabbit asked.
"Either. Doesn't really matter to me." The blond said shrugging.
"That's not really an answer but I suppose we can't really say anything else about it." Chibi-Black Rabbit just sweat dropped in response. "Ok oh and about breakdancing. Who taught you and why do you think about it."
"Who knows where I learnt. Probably self-taught." The Chibi said with a smirk. "And it's fun to see everyone's reactions when I show them up so yeah I enjoy it."
"You're a jerk..." Chibi-Makie muttered.
"Glad to be." The chibi spoke in a nonchalant tone, seeking to infuriate the white haired girl, which he managed to succeed at. The chibi was vibrating once more, malice drifting off of her body like steam.
"NEXT. QUESTION." Chibi-Makie's blood red eyes glared at the rabbit, who felt as if she was being burned alive in the flames of purgatory.
"Y-Yes!" The rabbit flipped the card once more; however, she paled at the contents.
"Umm... Black Rabbit thinks this is a bad idea..." Chibi-Black Rabbit whispered before tearing up the card. "Well that's it. We can leave!"
From the hole where the trio came from, another card fell into chibi-Izayoi's hands.
"Seems you can't hide this one." The blonde stated before reading the card. "Ok Makie how much do you love cake?"
"I love it! Why is there cake attached to the card?!" The seer asked as she bounced up and down as if hyped on sugar.
"...What?" Chibi-Izayoi looked at the card. He didn't see cake. "Oi...Monkey there-
"THERE IS CAKE THE CAKE IS NOT A LIE!"
"Makie, what are you talking about?" Chibi-Black Rabbit asked. The Chibi seer turned to the rabbit, fire in her eyes.
"IT'S THERE! RIGHT THERE! HOW ARE YOU PEOPLE NOT SEEING IT!?"
"Because there isn't anything there?" The rabbit shrunk at the glare Chibi-Makie sent her.
"Izayoi! Give me the cake!" Chibi-Makie launched herself at the blonde haired chibi.
BAM!
Only for Chibi-Izayoi to step aside, and Chibi-makie to slam into a wall.
"Do you know what she's on about?" Chibi-Black Rabbit asked getting a shrug from the blonde.
"I have no idea. Makie, what cake?"
"The cake! I can see it right there! How are you guys not seeing it?! It's there! Stop taunting me you magnificent creation you!"
"Okay...Makie. Listen to me..." Chibi-Izayoi began. "There is no cake."
"YOU LIE ITS RIGHT THERE! GIVE. ME. THE. CAAAAAAAAAAAAAKE!"
-Due to the violence we are unable to air this bit. Please help yourself to listening to this peaceful music until the aforementioned events are over.-
"CAKE!" Chibi-Makie shouted over the peaceful music as she began to tear the basement to bits. "HAND IT OVER!"
In the sky above, Chibi-Black Rabbit spun her ears as a propeller as she escaped the destruction of the basement. In her hands was Chibi-Izayoi, a frown on his face as he watched the basement fall to pieces.
"Whoever did this is an idiot... And I don't mean Makie." He muttered as he crossed his arms, unamused by friends rage.
"CAKE!"
END OF SEGMENT
ALRIGHT CHAPTER 11 IS OUT AND ABOUT!
So once again we had another question segment. Why…well….my partner and I are running out of ideas to explain or talk about. So along with questions, why not ask stuff you are confused about in Mondaiji, like suggest things we haven't talked about and we might get to them!
Welll once again not much to say except read and review…because without reviews this fic will DIE! And a strong THANK YOU FOR THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY SUBSCRIBED TO THE STORY! TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK IN REVIEWS PLEASE!