Sanctuary
Siblings, huh?
Yes, I've thought about them.
If I had them, maybe it would have been less lonely.
But it's okay...
I have you guys.
I know that now.
Chapter Fourteen - Family
The first day of the school week went by in a flash. After first hearing about Okami, Neku found himself hearing the name in conversations everywhere. It was one of those things that one never noticed until they were aware of it. It reminded him that he should take care to pay attention to his surroundings more.
Okami himself obviously took note of Neku's sudden attention to his name and did not stop going, "Of course they talk about Okami. I am a genius after all."
Beat was slightly grouchy today, although this didn't, for once, have to do with Joshua. He was ticked off that his parents hadn't let Rhyme go to school even though she said she felt fine. "They even wanna make her quit swimmin'. Can you believe that?"
It was true though, that Rhyme should probably stay home, just in case. Joshua told them that although she should be fine, he couldn't guarantee it. He even hinted he wouldn't be surprised if she collapsed again, to which Beat punched him in the arm for. To be fair to Joshua, Neku visited Rhyme yesterday after she was released, while Joshua excused himself, by saying that he needed practice for his recital, so Joshua didn't see for himself that Rhyme was looking cheerful already.
On the way back home, Neku almost didn't realise that Shooter had joined them.
"What's up?" Neku asked.
He presumed Shooter wanted to speak to him but he appeared to be wrong as the younger student turned to Beat instead, "Hey, bro! I heard Rhyme was sick today. Totally not cool!" He took out a bundle of sheets from his bag. "I was just sitting in class and I thought, 'hey, I should give her notes to Beat'. 'Cause she'd be bummed if she got left behind in class. So here you go! Tell her I hope she feels better soon! I gotta run now! Catch ya later, bros!"
He shot off, sprinting past them.
Joshua let out a drawn out 'hmm'. "Do you guys think he ever slows down?"
"Probably not," said Neku, dryly.
At this Joshua giggled, "I surmised as much." Then why ask? "Oh, I've just remembered." He rummaged around his briefcase before pulling out three tickets. He handed one to Neku and two to Beat. "You're invited to the recital I have on Tuesday. You should all come if you can. My driver can pick you up if you need transportation."
"Thanks, Joshua."
"Count yourself lucky, not just anyone can get these tickets,"said Joshua. "Remember to dress up properly. The dress code is formal and I don't want you looking like the slops you usually are."
"Thanks, Joshua."
"Just remember to behave yourselves too. If you're going to embarrass me I'd rather you'd not come."
He said this evenly, in his usual tone, but Neku caught a quick flash of vacancy in Joshua's eyes. He had the feeling that Joshua meant the exact opposite of what he had said, and that he wasn't just talking about his friends.
You actually want your father to go, don't you?
xxxxx
The orange-haired teen studied the recital ticket as he walked alone to 104, intending to visit Hanekoma again.
When he entered the office, he was met by another face he wasn't expecting to see - Joshua's dad.
The man, recognising Neku, smiled widely. "If it isn't Neku! Oh, if you're here to see Sanae, don't mind me, we were just finishing up." He turned back to Hanekoma. "Don't forget, I want the announcement out of the lead singer himself! 'Sponsored by Kiryu!' Loud and clear!"
"Haha, I've got it Mr. Kiryu, don't worry about it," said Hanekoma with a jovial smile. He gestured towards Neku. "And I forgot to mention, didn't I? About me being Neku's new guardian?"
"My, my Sanae, that's not nice! He's the son of my very precious friend, you know." Mr. Kiryu turned to Neku. "I'm really jealous that Sanae somehow managed to get you! When your father first died I wanted to take you in, you know. Relatives take priority to custody, though, and your grandparents wanted to take care of you.
"Such a shame! Joshua could have had a brother."
Neku had several thoughts on what Mr. Kiryu just said. He was somewhat touched that Mr. Kiryu would have adopted him, but he was also relieved that he hadn't. Joshua as a brother? I would've totally been ordered around.
"I've got to run, now. Looking forward to dealing with you again, Sanae!"
Although...having siblings...maybe things would have turned out differently for me. It wasn't as if he never thought of it before. He bet Joshua must have thought about it at least once. He and Joshua were similar in that way.
...
"Uncle H, I'll be right back."
He ran to catch up with Mr. Kiryu. He saw the elevator doors starting to close and made a sprint to make it just in time before the doors closed.
"Neku?" Mr. Kiryu looked at Neku in surprise. "Did I leave something behind? "
"No. I wanted to ask you why you're not going to Joshua's recital." He said, getting straight to the point. "You said to him yesterday that you had a meeting, but like you also said, you are a Kiryu. I don't believe someone like you couldn't rearrange a meeting with a client, so what's the real reason?"
Mr. Kiryu regarded him for a moment, seeming to really take into consideration what he was saying. The silence would have been very awkward for Neku, but it wasn't exactly completely silent. There was always that elevator music playing in the background (as expected from a building that worked with CAT). Neku was also grateful that no other person stepped into the elevator from the other floors they passed; a stranger would have broken the mood as well.
It was only when the reached the ground floor and both stepped out that Mr. Kiryu spoke again. "You're a lot like your Dad. Not just in your looks. He could never ignore it if something was wrong with his friends. He was gutsy, that Kyohei. He wouldn't have hesitated in just confronting an adult either." He sighed and twirled a strand of his hair, looking just like Joshua as he did. "I hate to admit it, but unlike him, I'm a coward. Akane called me after you and Yoshiya visited her. She was worried about him."
Worried? But Joshua acted as if he was the happiest kid in the world in front of her...
"Don't look so surprised. A mother can tell when her child is acting...and to tell the truth, so can a father. He's been a bit lonely for some time, hasn't he? Until he started school, that is. But in an attempt to distract both him and myself from the fact, he took his hobby of playing the piano very seriously.
"It's a bittersweet thing. He and my wife used to perform for me while she was well. He accompanied her while she played the violin." The violin? "After she fell ill, she stopped playing. She was too weak for it. Yoshiya kept performing, yet I didn't want to hear it anymore. Yoshiya's performance is not the same on its own. To me, it always sounds like there's a piece missing..." He sighed once more before turning to Neku. "So there you have it."
"...Joshua was right," said Neku quietly. "You are a fool."
"Excuse me?"
"Look at that long-ass speech you just gave me. Why don't you just tell that to Joshua himself? Is it that hard?" Several people walking past stared at Neku scolding the older man, but he went on. "And you should get your hearing checked. It's clear to anyone who actually understands music that he's playing his own kind of tune. It's not an accompaniment piece anymore. It's his composition. He just wants to show you that. He's doing his best. For you. That's. All. So are you going to go to his concert, or not?"
Mr. Kiryu stared and then shook his head, the smallest of smiles. "Definitely gutsy. Joshua's lucky to have a friend like you." Then he ruffled Neku's hair. "I'm sure you'd try to save him if he was about to be abducted by aliens." That again? "I've really got to go now, goodbye!"
He rushed away, without giving Neku a satisfactory response.
'Joshua's lucky to have a friend like you.' Well. Lucky was one way to call it.
Once upon a time, being 'gutsy' brought nothing but trouble for me.
xxxxx
"You sure you don't need to be fetched?" Joshua inquired in a call three hours before the concert.
"For the last time, I'm sure. I've got something I want to do first, so send the car ahead to Beat's place and I'll see you guys there," replied Neku, feeling exasperated already.
"Suit yourself - and I do also mean 'don't forget to wear your suit'."
"For the hundredth time, I won't forget." Neku hung up on Joshua before he tried to remind him again. Geez, he was starting to have second thoughts about having talked to Mr. Kiryu. They were both pains.
"Run run far away, run run to a better place. Somewhere we can let truth fall away..."
"Hey, Neku. I don't mean to bug you, since Joshua has already asked you, but why are you going to Miyashita Park right now?" she asked, rather timidly. "You didn't answer Joshua but, well, you know..."
"Don't worry, since it's you asking I'll answer."
"Yeah, I understand - wait - you will?"
"It's got to do with you after all." He stopped by the entrance of Miyashita Park. It was that time of day where the sun just met the horizon, and the sky started to change from blue to orange.
"Oh, this is..."
It was the place where Neku had his last pain attack. The place where Shiki regained some memory of her death. "But why are we here?" she asked him.
"Sensing emotions isn't a one way thing anymore, remember? I can feel that you've been bothered lately too. You just got around to talking about my problem earlier than I did."
"Sorry."
He rolled his eyes. "Don't apologize for no reason."
"Sor - okay, okay."
"So, what's been your problem?"
"I was wondering if my parents died in the crash too."
Any response he had prepared died in Neku's throat.
"If I was in a crash, I can't have been the one driving, so besides me, Mum or Dad, or even both of them must have been in the car."
Finding his voice again, Neku said, "The...the day before you first called there was a crash. It was on the news and...well only one person died." Immediately he wanted to take that sentence back. Only one person died. Only? That's the most insensitive...
"That must be the crash I died in! That must be it! And I was the only one who died. Right?"
He looked down the road, shifting on his feet. "The family didn't want their names in the news but it could have been you."
"It is. It must be."
Neku wasn't a hundred percent sure. Crashes happened all the time. This road couldn't be a stranger to it either. They still didn't know how long she'd been dead for. She could have died in a crash that happened here a long time ago.
"It was just me..."
"Yeah, just you." No, Shiki wanted to believe that the crash he was talking about was the one she died in. That way, surely her parents were alive. He didn't know if she was wrong, so...why not just let her believe it...
"I hope I'll remember my parents one day. Their names and faces. Then...then...would you...could we..."
"Of course we could go see them," he said, finishing. He could practically hear her smile over the phone.
"Thanks Neku...thank you."
"'Thank you' she says."
Neku spun around sharply and the sound of the voice coming from behind him.
"You again!" It was those two Spirits that had attacked him.
Tenho and BJ, as he recalled. They were both standing past the entrance, just in the middle of the path, as if inviting him to come. Neku thought about running, but as soon as he did he felt himself get pushed to the ground from behind. Another one?!
He was wearing a black hoodie, the same one that BJ except the hood was down and Neku could actually see his face. He had blond spiky hair that resembled a porcupine and was grinning down at Neku. "Gotcha!"
Neku quickly recovered, getting on his feet and creating some distance between him and the man. He couldn't escape; with two Spirits on one side, this new Spirit on the other and the sides to his right and left full of dense trees that he couldn't possibly get through quickly - he was stuck.
"Nowhere to run now," said the new one.
"Exactly as planned," said Tenho gleefully. "Nice job 777."
"Just doing what I gotta do. We all wanna stay here as Spirits, right?"
"Hey!" Neku shouted. If I can just distract them for long enough..."Why do you want to break my pact with Shiki, anyway?"
"Don't tell me you don't know how this works," said 777.
"Of course we don't. I can't remember anything," she shouted.
"Huh. Well, since I'm a nice guy, I'll fill you in," he said. "Spirits rely on the one they make their Pact with. Their Partner. They draw in energy from them. Your Pact is weird - you need that phone to actually do anything with it. Usually Spirits just attach themselves to a live persons' Soul." He pointed at Neku. "We three have Boss as our Partner. The more Partners the Boss has, the stronger the connection for all of us is. If we sever the Pact with you and Shiki, we can take her Soul and form a new Pact with Boss. A guaranteed longer afterlife for all of us."
"Hey!" BJ yelled her from the other side. "Why'd you tell them all that!"
"Duh, why wouldn't I? That's what you dolts should have done in the first place," he retorted. "Was there anything wrong with what I said? I don't think so. If anything, Shiki must be stoked to have her Pact severed with that kid. Right, Shiki?"
"W-what?"
"You don't get it? Pacts don't last forever. Eventually your Soul tires and the Pact expires. Who knows where your Soul goes after that? You don't know when it'll happen and your Soul could just be instantly lost. But as a Spirit, if you form a Pact with Boss now you're definitely going to be around longer." 777 gestured at himself. "We Spirits have to stick together, you know? I know these two have been going the wrong way about it, but the past is the past."
Wait a minute...then...then...these other Spirits. They were trying to help Shiki? From what 777 had said, it certainly sounded like it.
"How do we know you're not lying?" asked Neku.
"Well, why else would we want to sever a Pact? It's not like doing it benefits us if we don't have her form another one with the Boss."
It made sense. It did. But Neku still felt like something was wrong with it. But, if what they were saying was true then...he didn't want Shiki to completely disappear. If she had to form a Pact with another person to extend her existence, then she should -
"No damn way!" Shiki huffed angrily, startling Neku out of his thoughts. Shiki? "You want me to go along with some random 'Boss' that I know nothing about and just leave Neku? You're crazy. I'm not leaving Neku unless he wants me to. "
"Oh c'mon. Neku, after hearing that, don't you think Shiki would be better off coming with us?"
"I - if you think about prolonging your existence..."
"Neku, do you want me to leave with them?"
Do I want you to leave? The answer to that was easy.
"Hell no. These creeps tried to knock me out. As if I want you to go with them." Neku readied himself into a defensive stance. "Sorry, but Shiki's staying with me."
777 rubbed his temple. "I tried to do this the civil way..." He raised his voice and shouted over to his comrades. "Alright, I get it. Attacking this kid's the only way. Let's do this!"
The three of them simultaneously spread their black wings and rushed towards Neku.
Neku felt his heart rate go up, the blood pounding in his ears. Here goes nothing... He closed his eyes. He pictured the image of Shiki in his mind. Shiki, with her smiling face and her green eyes, holding onto a black stuffed cat. He tried to remember everything, everything that they had shared with each other. He sought out her emotions, the ones she was feeling now - awareness, anxiety, anticipation...Shiki!
"I'm here!"
His eyes flew open and there she was, right next to him, sending Mr. Mew flying towards BJ and Tenho. They were both delighted to see their would-be opponents knocked out in one hit, completely unprepared for this sudden retaliation. There was no time to celebrate; 777 used this distraction to get right up to Neku and lock his head in a vice grip. 777's hand began to glow blue, and in that instant Shiki sent Mr. Mew to scratch at 777's face. 777 staggered backwards, clutching his face in agony.
However, he moved his head sideways from left to right. "Is that all? C'mon brat, show me what you've got!"
"He asked for it," said Neku.
"And he'll get it."
"Go Mr. Mew!" Suddenly, Mr. Mew appeared to grow double in size. It ran over to 777, and despite him trying to fly away, it grabbed him by the wings and proceeded to spin him around and around and then flung him down to the ground, where he dropped with a loud crash.
"How...how was that so powerful?" 777 was panting, his black wings not visible anymore. "You only have...one Pact."
"Our Pact is stronger than anything you have," Shiki declared proudly, adjusting her glasses as Mr. Mew returned to normal size.
She walked Mr. Mew over to him and glared down. "Now, tell me. Who is your 'Boss'?"
"Heh. You really want to know? Even if you knew what are you going to do? The Boss is -"
He froze all of a sudden. His eyes went glassy, as if drained by something. And then there was a flash of light and he was gone.
"W-where'd he go?" Shiki exclaimed. She took a step back away from the place where 777 had just been.
"Not even Spirits know where they go after they have their Pacts severed." This time it was a woman's voice. It seemed to be originating from the trees that stood just behind 777. The trees served as cover for her, and Neku couldn't quite make out any details of her appearance. It seemed like Shiki couldn't either.
"Did you sever them?" Neku demanded.
"Yes, I did! 'If they are defeated, sever their Pacts immediately'. Orders straight from the Boss."
Boss? If she was using that, then didn't that mean they had the same Partner?
"Why would you need to do that? Didn't that Spirit just say that Pacts extend the afterlife of Spirits? Or was that a lie?"
"Nope, that was all true. But it's also true that weak Spirits just drag the rest of us down. Better to break off the weakest links sooner than later."
That was just plain cruel.
Despicable.
If Shiki had gone with them...Neku shuddered to think of what would have happened to her.
"So, are you going to attack us now?"
"Ugh, don't tempt me! I was ordered to return immediately after severing their Pacts. Boss told me not to fight with you guys. Which is stupid, because I could take you on easily." She groaned in frustration. "And I really wanted to see that angel guy those two idiots kept going on about. Bet I could beat him too. Now I'm really annoyed. I'm outta here."
She took off, flying at a speed Neku couldn't keep up with. He couldn't even get a small glimpse of any sort of details except for the distinct black wings the other Spirits had had. He asked Shiki if she had seen anything, but Shiki missed the chance too.
It was really frustrating. Just when he thought he understood one thing, someone else always traipsed along to mess things up.
"...Neku?"
"Yeah?"
"Erm, I didn't want to be the one to remind you, but uh..."
"Oh crap, Joshua's recital!"
xxxxx
He didn't know how he had managed to go home to change into his formal wear, and get onto the train to arrive at the Shibuya Classics Hall in time but Neku did it. Joshua really did give them VIP tickets. He was seated in the front row along with Beat and -
Rhyme!
"Rhyme, you made it," said Neku with a smile.
"Yep. I'm good as new! It took some time to convince Mum and Dad to let me come, since I want to go back to school tomorrow, but when Beat showed them the tickets Dad told us to go."
"It was cool of him, yo."
"Did he lend you the suit? Because that can't be yours."
"It's mine!" Beat said.
"U-huh." He had a hard time believing Beat owned a suit - he looked bizarre in it.
He scanned the music hall. It was packed full of people. True to Shibuya, there was a vast variety of people present; due to Classic Cat, more and more younger people were starting to listen to classical music. But he didn't see Joshua's father anywhere. Neku couldn't say he wasn't disappointed.
The lights went out and the general buzz died down to a hush as the announcer opened the recital. There was a range of different musical talents on display. There were as many instruments here as the three friends had found in Joshua's house. All of them seemed so talented, and the crowds were very enthusiastic.
Finally, Joshua walked onstage...with a violin in his hand and his Okami mask on.
"Wha-? I thought he was gonna play the piano, yo!" Beat said.
Rhyme stared at the stage intensely. "I'm confused too."
The crowd, however, ate it up, applauding wildly when he appeared. "It's Okami! She's appearing! Finally!"
Okami bowed down and the crowd went silent again. Raising the violin gently, he started playing. It was gentle. That was the only way Neku could think of to describe the melody. He was sure that the rest of the audience felt the same thing. It was calm here. Safe. Peaceful.
"I can see it..." Rhyme whispered softly.
"His Soul."
He was sure that everyone could feel his Soul, even while not knowing what it was.
Blinking, Neku wasn't sure if he was seeing what he was seeing. Joshua was still onstage, still playing. But next to him was...him. The Other Joshua. He was pressing keys on the piano which weaved into Joshua's music. Nobody but Neku and Rhyme seemed to notice.
What's going on? Having Other Joshua out was supposed to exert a lot of energy on Joshua's body, but he was fine now. Could it be that...since Joshua's Soul was on display anyway, the Other Joshua was able to appear?
Other Joshua stopped. Then he looked straight at Neku.
Neku wasn't in the music hall anymore. He was in a park. He didn't recognize it. Why did everything look...bigger? Did he shrink? And why was he holding hands with these two people and walking along with them. He couldn't even control what he was doing.
Inspecting their faces closer, he realised with jolt that he was holding hands with Joshua's parents. Except they looked younger.
He was in a memory. In Joshua's memory. If Joshua was at this height and was holding his parents' hands, Neku guessed Joshua to be around seven or eight at the time.
Joshua seemed to be smiling. But as he continued walking he turned to look behind him. There was a girl following them. She had short pink hair. and very pink lipstick.
"Hah, wait 'till Boss hears about this. A little boy can see me. This tiny boy. What a Soul." Neku recognized that voice! It was the same voice as the Spirit who severed the Pacts!
"Wait. How about this for an idea? You, kid, will be our new Boss . Our old one is getting annoying. The stronger the living Partner's Soul, the better."
Joshua simply stared.
"But we need to prep you for this, kid. I'm just going to give your Soul a little push, all right?"
Her hand glowed red and she hit young Joshua in the middle of his back. He lost his footing, and would have tripped if not for his parents. Then he started crying. His parents stopped, stunned at his sudden outburst of tears.
"Huh. Did that not work? Can't be right..."
The woman looked at his mother. "Lemme see." She used both her hands this time, let out a strong yell and hit Mrs. Kiryu on her back.
Mrs. Kiryu staggered forward and collapsed. Mr. Kiryu was in a panic, trying to shake his unconscious wife awake while young Joshua screamed louder.
"What? That didn't work either? I understand why that guy fails every time, but why can't I-? Argh, I need to find a stronger Soul!"
"Bravo! Okami is the best! Encore! Encore!" Neku was abruptly brought back to the present. It was only Okami onstage, bowing to his fans. He exited quickly, most likely to avoid the storm of fans.
"Rhyme, you okay?" Beat asked as she also was brought back.
"Yeah...Beat, it was really strange, we just saw..."
"Yoshiya!"
Neku almost yelled out loud as he realised that Mr. Kiryu was now right next to him. How long had he been there? "Y-you actually came!"
"...Yes, I guess I caught some of your bravery after our talk yesterday."
Neku almost twitched when he saw who was beside Mr. Kiryu, in a wheelchair in the aisle. It was Mrs. Kiryu. He brought Mrs. Kiryu out of the hospital. "Are you allowed to do that?"
"It was her idea," said Mr. Kiryu. "And I'm a Kiryu. Of course I am."
It was a good thing this place was packed. If Neku went by Joshua's logic, since there were loads of people around, Mrs. Kiryu should be pretty stabilised at the moment. He was sure that the hospital staff were not aware of this, and were probably now on a frantic search for a missing patient. It made his heart sink because he now knew exactly why she was there.
She was oblivious to this fact, of course. "Joshua was wonderful up there. Simply wonderful! It's such a shame he had that mask on, though."
"Yes, yes," said Mr. Kiryu. "Why was he hiding his face? He should reveal himself immediately!"
"I think Joshua would appreciate it if you didn't say anything about him being Okami," Neku said in a low voice. It's amazing how they could tell it was him from just that. It must be some family connection...
"You're absolutely correct on that one, Neku." Joshua said, appearing almost out of nowhere. He didn't have his mask and he was wearing completely different clothing to what he had onstage.
Joshua looked between both his parents, staring at them for a moment.
"Did you enjoy that, Mother, Father?"
"Dear, of course we did!"
"It was the best performance out there. No less from a Kiryu," said Mr. Kiryu.
Joshua smiled. "I knew all along that you were going to come, Father." Since when? "While Mother can't play the violin, I'll do her share as well as my own." So that's why he became Okami... "So I won't quit, no matter what you say."
"That's absolutely fine by me," said Mr. Kiryu. "Son, it took a lot of self-reflection, but I arrived at the conclusion that I should support whatever you do. As much as I can."
"I never thought I'd say this, but thank you Father."
Oh. OH. Neku saw what was going on here. Both father and son were giving off the 'perfect relationship' aura, coupled with the 'I am amazing because I resolved my own problems' feeling. It seemed like to Neku that they weren't going to acknowledge his help even in their heads at all. ...well, guess they wouldn't be called 'Kiryu' if they did.
Later, though, as Joshua was about to leave with his parents, he tapped Neku on the shoulder. "Tomorrow, we need to talk about what happened earlier."
The memory...
Neku nodded as he said his goodbyes.
"Oh...and...thanks, Neku."
That's better.
xxxxx
It seemed like Joshua had made peace with his dad. That didn't stop him, though, from looking uneasy during lunch the next day. He hadn't touched his own bento, and seemed to be thinking over things. He only looked up when he saw Rhyme holding out a bento out for him.
Joshua took it into his hands and stared at it. "Hmm, who's it from this time?"
"Me," Rhyme answered.
He raised an eyebrow and Rhyme smiled.
"It's thanks for saving me," she said, sincerely. "I would have probably drowned if it weren't for you. I think...I think I'll reconsider your offer on that training. I should believe in you more, since we're friends now."
"All right, I suppose I will eat this one," said Joshua, again that high tone of his. He did, though, whisper under his breath to Neku. "I also suppose I should be feeling guilty for bad-mouthing her now..." At least he admits it. "But you're going to have to thank the Other Joshua this time too. And...I guess I should thank him too."
It was strange to hear Joshua talk about the Other Joshua without a spiteful tone. Neku thought that showing what looked like a bad memory would make him more bitter, but Joshua seemed to be grateful.
"He...he showed them all to me."
"All of what, yo?" Beat asked.
"His memories. And...what he's been up to all this time." Joshua took a deep breath. "That Spirit in the memory you saw? Yes, she's the one who made my Soul very unstable. And my mother's. She's the one who caused my mother to have to stay in the hospital. He knows that you met her, Neku. He's been going out all the time because...he wants to get justice on her, for our family. But she's not the root of it. From the information he's gathered, she's part of a group of Spirits that cling onto one very strong Soul. The thing is, they change their 'Boss' every so often, and the Boss they had when I was affected is not the same one they have now. To completely sever all of their Pacts, we need to get to their Boss."
"It's impossible for a Pact to be severed by the Other Joshua. He can defend against them, sure, but he can't sever a Pact. Only another Spirit can do that." He shifted his gaze downwards again. "Neku, when Shiki died, the Other Me prevented Shiki's Soul from drifting away and purposefully attached in to your Soul."
Joshua was the reason Shiki was with him? "But...why me?"
"It's more or less a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time," said Joshua. "The Other Me had just enough information to start putting a plan into action. He went to Miyashita Park, knowing a Soul was lingering around there. Your Soul was the first one he saw that was compatible enough for a Pact with Shiki's." This time he met Neku's eyes. "In other words, the Other Joshua - or rather, I - have been using you as a means of getting revenge for my mother's illness."
Neku gave him a hard look. Joshua didn't flinch.
Well.
"Huh. For some reason this doesn't really bug me all that much," said Neku, tugging at is collar.
"Yo. We all know you a prick. Least it's for a good reason."
"Beat's right. It wouldn't be good to let these Spirit guys roam around. We wouldn't want what happened to you and your mother to happen to someone else when they eventually decide to switch Bosses again."
"Are you telling me you're willing to continue helping me?" he asked them all. "What does Shiki think?"
Neku already knew what Shiki would say if she was going to call. It was perhaps why she didn't feel like she needed to right now. "She'd want to help you out too."
"You guys..." said Joshua. "You're all...you're all just idiots. I hope you realise that."
"Your fault for picking idiots to be your friends, yo," said Beat with a grin.
"Or better yet, that makes you just as much as an idiot as the rest of us are."
"Ah, well at least I'm an idiot with good looks."
It was at this point in which Beat and Neku decided to give Joshua a very friendly shove backwards.
xxxxx
"After Okami's big appearance in that recital, she actually started replying to the messages I sent her." Hanekoma smiled widely at Neku, who was sitting across from him.
"Really?" Neku suppressed a smile of his own. "What did he - er, she - say?"
"She said that she'd compose a new piece on her own for the album. She also said that she owed a friend for pushing her to agree." I only mentioned it to Joshua in passing...Neku never thought he'd take it really seriously.
"I wonder what I should write on the album cover. We're putting a bit of info 'bout everyone who contributes the album. Okami won't agree to a picture but I might push my luck and ask her what her music is about, ya know? What inspires her, things like that."
"That...that would be his- her - family, I think."
"Her family? How'd ya figure that one?"
"Er, that's just what I get when I listen Okami's music. I could be wrong."
Hanekoma leaned back in his chair. "No, no, I can see that."
Neku nodded, feeling wistful. "Must be nice."
"What would be nice?"
"Having a family."
"Well, you might not have your folks around anymore, but you have a family too, you know."
The teen blinked. "I do?"
"'Course ya do. If you care about your friends enough and they care about you, then they're your family."
His friends? Maybe he's right...
"And if not, you've always got me. Dontcha think of me as part of your family? I'm your uncle after all. That's cold!"
"No! I mean yes. I mean yeah...if...if you're okay with it then..."
"Then that's that. Now no more brooding anymore. C'mon, let's go grab ourselves a cuppa coffee."
xxxxx
"Mr. H was really sweet today," commented Shiki on the phone, after Neku came back from Hanekoma's office. "You know, I think he really enjoys talking to you just as much as you like talking to him."
"That'd be great if he did," Neku said, while shooing Nimew off the sofa.
He closed his eyes, relaxing into the softness of it.
"Shiki, you're worrying again."
"Huh? I'm not! What do you mean?"
Neku chuckled. Their Pact was strong enough for him to summon her but she still wanted to pretend he didn't know.
"You're worrying about what Joshua said at lunch. You know when I said I didn't want you to leave? You should have been able to figure out that it means I don't regret meeting you, either. Rather than the 'wrong place at the wrong time', let's say I was 'at the right place at the right time'."
"I - I...I don't regret meeting you either!"
"I wouldn't be offended if you did - you only met me because you were dead, after all. Don't you regret dying at your age?"
"...If we're being honest here, I think I would die twice if...if that was what it took to meet you."
Oh, there's that feeling again...from her...or is it me? What is it...?
"W-wait! Neku! Why am I here?"
Hearing that her voice was louder, he almost jumped when he saw that Shiki was now visible and 'sitting' in the spot next to him on the sofa.
"Er - well." He was just thinking that maybe he could figure it out if he could see her expression. From what he could see, she just looked confused. And maybe embarrassed , because of the dark pink staining her cheeks. "I guess I still don't have this whole calling you thing under control. I'm sure I'll get the hang of it."
"O-oh. Okay." Now she looked disappointed. As if she was expecting him to say something.
Oh, wait. "If you want me to be really honest, I'd throw coins into the waterfall until my money ran out if it means I'd have met you."
"Whaat? Okay you're not being honest! You're being cheesy! Geez, Neku, at least sound genuine."
"I am being genuine," said Neku, face flaming because he'd made himself look stupid. "I'm just not good with words, okay? Do I even need to say it? You know what I mean."
"Yes. I know what you mean." She smiled. "Thanks Neku." She reached out her hand.
"H-hey, what are you -?" Neku looked down as Shiki tried to put her hand over his, but it went right through.
"I wonder how the other Spirits do it. 777 could push you down but I can't even touch your hand."
"We'll probably figure it out. Maybe we just need a stronger bond."
She pulled her hand back. "Probably."
"Well, you know what to do. Talk to me."
"'To' you and not 'at' you?"
"Yes, 'to' me."
"Hehe, this is going to be long!"
"Wouldn't have it any other way."
A/N: Tadaa! I think this is the first time I've been late for my self-set deadlines. It's only by one day but still. -sigh- But I think holding out was worth it, because I wanted to get this chapter right and put in everything I wanted to (and that's how you ended with a long-ass chapter). And of course there's the extra content that I wanted to do for you guys~
This was the end of part two - the 'Family' Arc.
Seven chapters for the first part and seven chapters for the second part. I'm sure lots of you can figure out the eventual length of this fic. This fic will be taking a break for a month, while I work on my fic for tumblr's TWEWY Big Bang and get stuff prepared for the last part.
And again, since this is the end of an arc, I'd appreciate if you guys, especially my silent readers, to drop a review telling me what you thought of this arc!
Thanks to those who put this on favourite and/or followed:
EternalAir, ,renvent123, Death-Prince-3,Dracodraco100,Lamiror
Thanks to my dear, dear reviewers:
ElementLegend, CirciFox81314 ,Reilie,Xerzo LotCN,Faliara,B.A.G-GOMEZ,Omega Zekrom, Forever-Rose09,cutekitty5597,EternalAir,Chronic Guardian,Airhead259
I've now reached over 50 faves, 60 follows and 130 reviews. What. You guys. YOU GUYS ARE AMAZING I LOVE YOU GIVE ME HUGS. OR HIGH FIVES. WHICHEVER YOU PREFER. Or like if you don't want to do either it's cool too but you're still awesome.
And I'd like to say that in a few reviews, it turns out some of you re-read this fic and it makes me so damn happy to hear that, you have no idea.
I'll see you guys again at the end of next September!
In the meanwhile, why not check out some other TWEWY fics? 'Times Ten' by Tensei Kano, 'Hybrid::Mixed Feelings' by Chronic Guardian and 'Choose the World You See' by Crow's Gamble are ongoing chaptered fics that I really enjoy. 'Sounds of Shibuya' by MasterPassionCreed is an amazing track collection to read. 'TWEWY fics by Yueli-san, Lies-and-Distractions, Infamouspot and Reilie are always brilliant too.
If you're looking for something more shippy Shinra-ex-SOLDIER has a lot of Neku/Shiki goodness and DenizenofTwilight is the master of Joshua/Rhyme if you're into that :D (I have a Neshiki collection myself but self-plugging is...totally what I'm doing right now. Yep.)
- Dina (26 August 2013)
Bonus Content
(For previous content, refer to the end of Chapter Seven)
Ringtones from Beyond (All TWEWY OST)
8. Transformation
9. Long Dream
10. Hybrid
11. TheOne Star
12. Make or Break
13. Ooparts
14. Runaway
Pseudo Poem Persepective
8. Shiki
9. Joshua
10. Rhyme
11. Beat
12. Nimew
13. Hanekoma
14. Neku
Timeline
(Chapter 8)
15 Apr Mon - Neku comes back to class to find that his classmates now idolize him. Ai Urahara talks to him - she appears to be a friend of Beat.
21 Apr Sun - At Miyashita Park Neku briefly meets Beat. Rhyme is ill. Neku is attacked by BJ. Joshua appears to save Neku form BJ's attack, but quickly goes away again. It appears that Shiki is a 'Spirit'.
(Chapter 8/9)
22 Apr Mon - Joshua joins Neku's class. It is revealed that Joshua has two personalities - a human one, and an 'angel' one. Human Joshua does not know what 'Angel Joshua' is doing. Neku and Joshua go with Beat to visit Rhyme. Rhyme's Soul, due to it's instability, goes out of control. Joshua manages to regain a safe level of stability for her Soul.
(Chapter 10)
23 Apr Tues - Neku tells Rhyme and Beat about Shiki. Shiki introduces herself. Rhyme decides to train herself to stabilize her own Soul. BJ and Tenho both attack Neku. Shiki becomes visible and holds off the Spirits, resulting in their retreat. Neku faints, and wakes in Shibuya General Hospital, with Dr. Bito. He then meets his guardian - Sanae Hanekoma, a famous producer of CAT.
(Chapter 11)
24 Apr Wed - Joshua receives a note from the Other Joshua - Neku needs to learn how to summon Shiki. Neku has dinner with Hanekoma. Okami is a topic of interest.
(Chapter 12)
25 Apr Thurs - Joshua is picked up by Kitaniji - the gang is invited to the Kiryu household. Okami is revealed to be Joshua.
(Chapter 12/13)
27 Apr Sat - Shiki vaguely recalls her death. This is interrupted by a call - Rhyme is in the hospital, after almost drowning. Neku, Beat and Joshua are met with Dr. Bito and Mr. Kiryu in her hospital room. Joshua's mum is revealed to be a permanent resident of the hospital, due to her unstable Soul.
(Chapter 14)
29 Apr Mon - Joshua gives Neku and Beat tickets for the recital. Neku encounters Mr. Kiryu and confronts him about Joshua's recital.
30 Apr Tues - After school, Neku goes to Miyashita Park to talk to Shiki about her death. He is ambushed by BJ, Tenho and 777. He summons Shiki and she defeats them. A female Spirit appears and severs the Pacts of her defeated comrades. Neku hurries to the recital. Joshua's playing triggers the appearance of the Other Joshua, and a memory is shown to both Neku and Rhyme (Beat is unable to sense Souls and so is not able to see the memory, either, though he is informed by Rhyme about it straight after).
1 May Wed - Rhyme considers training under Joshua. Neku is told by Joshua that Shiki was put in a Pact with Neku as a means by 'Other Joshua' to take justice upon the group of Spirits that caused Mrs. Kiryu's illness. Neku, Beat and Rhyme agree to aid Joshua in his cause. Neku visits Hanekoma and is reassured about his thoughts on 'family'. Shiki and Neku have a heart-to-heart. Shiki hopes to strengthen her bond with Neku, in hopes in being able to materialise.
Omake
Ai Urahara:
"Beat!"
"Ai?"
"You're not getting out of it this time."
"Whaddya say?"
"It's all you can eat at Ramen Don today! We're still on for the 'who can eat six bowls the fastest', right?"
"Hehe, you're on!"
The Adventures of Nimew - Part 3:
Nimew stopped in the middle of its morning prowls.
There was another cat roaming around the street, a cute little pink bow on its head.
Its eyes, flashing, Nimew walked up to the female cat. Time to put out some moves.
Finally, the readers had it confirmed that Nimew was a male cat.
Bento:
"Erm, Yoshiya-kun?" The girl blushed red. "Please take my bento!"
"It's not like I want to share this with you. But you better eat it, Kiryu, since I've got extra and all," said the tsundere girl.
Then there was the flirty type. "Hmm~ Forget the bento. How about a kiss instead?"
There were also the guys. But Joshua tended to leave them out while bragging.
Master and Senpai:
Hah! Neku was being called 'master' by Shooter now, but Neku didn't say anything about it.
Beat spotted Neku and was about to call him out on it, "Hey, Mast-"
"Senpai!" Yammer ran up to Beat.
"Yo, Yammer." Senpai?
"Could you teach me how to kick more accurately? Please, senpai?"
"Uh...that's aight. I'll...do that."
Both Neku and Beat would not admit it, but they rather enjoyed their new titles.
In The First Year Classroom:
"Shooter,would you care to translate this sentence?"
"Er - that's...well that's..."
...
"In Japanese it translates to 'The woman waited by the bus stop for three hours.' Or something like that."
"That's...correct."
...
"Psst, thanks Rhyme!"
"No problem!"
Butler:
"Mr. Kitaniji, could you please arrange for transport to school?"
"Immediately?"
"Yes, it is very urgent."
"Urgent?"
"Very."
Kitaniji sometimes felt unsettled on occasion. Sometimes he felt as if he wasn't even talking to the young master.
But he was only a butler.
It was no place of his to question orders.
Drinking Buddies:
"Hahaha, Kenjiiii, your face is all reeeed!"
"Shuddup Yuu."
"Shopping at Kiryu pick and choooose. With prices like these you can't afford to lose. Do you know that song? It's my song! It's the Kiryu song!"
"I don't have song. But I have a Beat and a Rhyme. Haha, get it? Beat and Rhyme? My kids call 'emselves that. But they're not! I'm suuure I named my son Daisukenojo."
"Maybe he's been abduuuucted by an alien. And got replaced!"
"That's it~~! My son's an alieeen."
Dr. Bito never remembers what he says when he's drunk, and Mr. Kiryu values his good looks enough not to remind him.
Love Stories:
"I don't get it. Why didn't he just tell her?"
"Duh Neku, it's because he loves her!"
"Then he should just tell her!"
"She's engaged!"
"Okay, I get that. But how is it that he gets into a crash with the car that just so happens to be the one she was using to get to her wedding."
"It's a TV drama! What do you expect?"
"Something that makes sense! Shiki, I'm never watching another romance drama with you."
"Oh, please. The next one is about two forbidden lovers, the grave-digger's daughter and the son that's the heir to a yakuza group!"
"What the actual- ? No."
"Pleaaase!"
"Don't give me that look just because I can see you now."
"Pleasee?"
"Argh, damn it all - fine. But this is the last one."
"Woohoo! Thanks Neku, you're the best!"
"Yeah..yeah..."
The Adventures of Nimew - Part 4
The lone black cat traversed through an alleyway, trying to stay on track of the pretty cat he spotted earlier.
Suddenly, other cats jumped out from the dustbins.
The alleycats. Filthy and dirty.
Were they picking a fight?
Haha, silly things, he had the sharpest claws around.
They wouldn't see what hit them.
...
"Nimew! The hell you doing, coming back looking like that? You know what that means?"
Oh no. He completely forgot.
"You're getting a bath. I know you love your baths. And I've got your favourite brush ready."
Noooooo!