Chapter Thirty-Six: Cry Through The Darkness

"Hinoto-hime!" Two identical voices cried out simultaneously from opposite sides of the room. Souhi took several steps away from the door, a quick movement of her hand against her waist revealing a hidden dagger. Her sister reached out to touch Yuurei's arm with her hand, but both girls remained unsure of how to protect their beloved princess while Yuurei still gripped her by the throat.

"Yuurei-san!" Hien's other hand flexed at her waist, where a dagger identical to her sister's was hidden. "Stop this, or Hinoto-hime will-" He seemed to be ignoring her. "PLEASE STOP THIS!"

The door slid open, and as Souhi turned, she was blasted by a strong gust of wind. Standing in the now-open doorway, breathing somewhat heavily, one hand on the open doorframe, was Saiki. He needed only a moment to take in the situation before acting.

"Stop it, damn you, you're going to kill her!" Gusts of wind surrounded the young man, circling outwards in a concentrated blast towards Hinoto's assailant. Souhi, unfortunately, was knocked against the wall and slid from consciousness.

"... If you keep saying that, that will become the case." Shouri said, looking at him with a slightly more determined look in his eye. "The way you're talking now.. I wouldn't be surprised if she was ashamed... you helped me a long time ago to find my sister... and I can't thank you enough for that... so I won't let you give up. I owe you and your sister that much." He nodded again, glancing ahead.

Why was he being so bold? He was never this bold... well, he knew it would break in two if he felt weak...

Subaru felt like he was going to die right then and there. Not literally, of course, but Shouri had totally shot him down. His words became kinder, and for a minute, Subaru almost considered leaning on him, as he was having trouble keeping his balance. He nearly fell several times already, and while he thought he could make it home, he was pretty sure he wouldn't be able to make it home alone.

Why was he so dependent on people? He even relied on people he hadn't seen in years.

"Where have you...been...all these years?"

He looked back at him and paused. "... At the small shrine just by the park... Takanuka Shrine..." He said a she thought it over.

If one could have peered into his mind, they would have seen a small smile on the face of the child within.

The pain was becoming unbearable. Subaru was tearing himself apart moving in this condition, and he damn well knew it. It was time to
stop being so damn stubborn and ask for help, even if he hated himself for it. After all, he could always beat himself later over it.

He pulled himself over to Shouri's side and leaned on him, just a bit. Just barely. Just enough to use him for a support, but not leaning on him heavily. In fact, his body barely frisked Shouri's side as Subaru attempted to adjust his pace to Shouri's.

Noticing the change in Subaru's pace, Shouri slowed a little bit to be helpful. He looked ahead. He was right... if Subaru didn't get settled down and at least get those wounds cleaned up, he was going to faint probably. He barely felt that he was being leaned on, but he knew that he was.

'... Shouri, sometimes I wonder what would happen if you didn't have me.' Sasori murmured in his mind.

He ignored the thought as best he could. He knew- he would be absolutely crushed. The world as it was hard enough to handle... but he was also wondering precisely what had happened to put Subaru in such a horrible condition. He wouldn't press it... but perhaps he would find out later, ne?

The two approached Subaru's apartment complex, and Subaru managed to make his way up the stairs by leaning on the railing. As he pulled himself up, he fumbled for his key, and realized that it was gone. Probably inside the house from when Yuurei helped him earlier.

Sighing loudly, Subaru uttered, "Looks like we're locked out."

"Locked out?" Shouri paused as he moved to the side, taking a look at the lock. ".. I might be able to pick it... maybe... but if you have a security system..." He glanced back at him.

He knew he wasn't good with locks... and he knew that he could probably get at the door's hinges if he tried, but he didn't want to break the door or anything of the sort. That was the bad thing about apartments... no windows that weren't several stories up.

"I've got...security system," Subaru's words were disjointed, and it was clearly visible that his breathing was getting heavier by the second. He brought his hand to his chest and clutched Yuurei's trench coat; where was Yuurei now? Had he abandoned him?

The younger boy frowned as he glanced back to the door. "..I'll disable it after we're in."

Shouri knew it might be a little disturbing, but at the moment he didn't want Subaru just flat out fainting right there. He looked at the lock, taking a closer look... and straining to focus. He doubted it was wise to do what he was about to, but it would have to do. Within the door, the sound of the lock fidgeting... and finally opening. The mental force used in it, concentrated, made Shouri shake almost uncontrollably. As soon as it was unlocked, he heaved a sigh as if he had been holding his breath.

Shouri looked to Subaru quickly. "Can you tell me the combination?" He asked, not sure if it would go off due to the fact that the thing had been unlocked manually...

"Two...-huff-...Eight...-huff-...Four...-huff- One..." Subaru clutched the handrail, trying to hold himself up. The blood was falling faster now, dripping downstairs to the pavement below.

As quickly as he received it, Shouri deactivated it. "Done and done."

He turned his attention quickly back to Subaru, darting to him. "Come on... you're getting worse..."

Originally, Shouri had planned to go as soon as he had gotten Subaru there. He couldn't leave him there though.. not in that condition. He looked at him with wide eyes, hoping that he would let him help. He nearly cursed himself for being so careless of the situation...

Subaru shook his head and stumbled into the apartment, somehow making it to his room. The blood he was leaving left a path, the same path he had taken not so long ago with Yuurei. He laid on his bed, which was still covered with the ribbons that was once his trench coat. He laid on his bed for a moment, curled up like a kitten, trying to ignore the pain that had overtaken him.

After what happened with Seishirou...Subaru wasn't sure if he wanted to be here anymore.

If he couldn't even avenge his sister's death...
...if he couldn't even be a good Dragon of the Heaven...
...if he only hindered everyone...
...why was he here?

Shouri stood in the doorway still. Should he stay, or should he leave? He didn't want to be a burden... but he somehow felt that someone was needed. He almost wished that Subaru's sister was there... she would've known what to do, wouldn't she? He looked back out, beyond the railing of the apartment and out at the sky.

"... I'm not sure what to do... I think he'll be okay... but... ..." He glanced back off to the side and frowned. "It's not my place to interfere... is it?"

'... No... it really isn't... Shou-kun, you're a good person... but I fear that your soft and good heart may someday cause you much pain.' Sasori's voice spoke into his mind. '... Even if we did stay, the chances of him surviving are-'

".. He's strong. I have faith in him, Sasori." He murmured, glancing back in the direction that he had gone. "But maybe... I don't know..."

Subaru gazed blankly at the ceiling. There was no reason for him to be here. With him here, all what he'd bring would be suffering. All those around him would be hurt because of his stupid decisions.

Like him deciding to go off on his own with Seishirou.

'Idiot...I'm so stupid...' Subaru thought to himself.

At least if he died now, he wouldn't burden anyone...
...and he'd be re-united with Hokuto.

No more Seishirou. No more Yuurei. No more being left behind. No more hurt, no more pain...

Subaru winced as he stomach burned with pain.

That wasn't the only thing hurting.

The wind shifted again. That sweet scent of the air combined with a stranger scent of blood almost caused him to get a little sick. He shook it off and sighed, turning. He needed to speak with Subaru... perhaps he could help, maybe...

He turned hesitantly and followed the trail of blood that had been left behind by Subaru. He frowned as he came to the door and stopped for a second. Should he? ... Mhm. Yes. He blinked for a second before lifting a hand and knocking lightly.

"... Sumeragi-san?" he asked, hearing an echo in his mind. Had Sasori also said the same? He shook it from his mind.

Subaru heard the voice, but didn't respond. Maybe if he just thought about it really hard, he'd just...die.

But what of his onee-sama's revenge? What of Seishirou? Could he let him live after all that he had done?

No. Death was too lenient of a punishment for one who had done something
so cruel. Subaru felt the tears welling up in his eyes, and tried to push them back, without avail.

"... Sumeragi-san?" He called again, glancing back once the way he had come and whispering to himself, "Perhaps I should go... This matter... isn't mine..."

What could he do? What could he say? He didn't even know what the problem was. He felt himself beginning to spiral and quickly leaned against the wall to keep himself up. What a blast... too much concentrating. He really should have eaten... even if it had been raw rice or something of the sort from the kitchen. He sighed weakly. In his mind he thought he heard a quite familiar laugh that made him jump sky high. He had only imagined it... right?

He shook his head again, focusing fully.

'I don't need this place,' Subaru thought to himself, shutting his eyes tightly. 'I don't need anybody, or anything...except Hokuto...'

A flicker of light seemed to illuminate the room briefly. Hovering over Subaru was a rather innocent looking young woman to say the least, looking a bit between upset and utterly disgusted. Her name was Sumeragi Hokuto.. and her reasons for being there she would reveal within a matter of seconds.

"... Sumeragi Subaru, open your eyes." She said, sounding a little cross.

Subaru opened his eyes immediately. That voice was WAY too familiar for him not to. "Hokuto-chan!" he shouted out, smiling at the vision. He sat upright, ignoring the pain throbbing through the lower half of his body completely. "Hokuto-chan, is that really YOU?"

"Of course it's me!" She replied, crossing her arms.

There was something perpetually dark about Hokuto at the moment. While she seemed happy to see him, she seemed to be masking emotion in her voice. She stared at him for a minute and then glanced away, her voice uncovering a slightly... upset tone. "Though I'm not quite sure if you're you."

"What do you mean, Hokuto-chan? Of course, I'm me! I'm Subaru!" Subaru pointed out the obvious, who was starting to become a bit delusional from the pain.

Hokuto face-faulted. She shook her head, a bit of a cross-tone coming. "Are you really? You surely aren't the little brother that I knew! The little brother I knew would never just give up! He would never let himself fall into such a position... and he would never dare to think of letting anyone...anyone..."

She seemed to be getting even more upset, a look of disappointment appearing. "I'm... I'm ashamed of you, Subaru-kun... I thought you were better than that... you can't be my brother... in fact..."

"No-no-no-no-no! You don't UNDERSTAND Hokuto," Subaru protested, knowing damn well that Hokuto understood. "You don't understand how I feel...you don't understand at ALL!" he yelled out, his voice raspy. Drips of blood flew from his mouth as his words lashed out at Hokuto.

Her eyes narrowed as she pointed one slender finger at him accusingly. "Don't you yell at me, Subaru! You KNOW that I know you better than anyone else, better than Seishirou! How can you let him walk all over you after what he's done to us? What he did to me!? How can you sit there and mope and whine, pitying yourself!? I KNOW you're better than that Subaru! Perhaps you should learn to yell at HIM as you would your sister!"

Her eyes were actually tear-filled, though still filled with anger. She was shaking.

Shouri could hear Subaru outside, but no one else. He frowned, holding himself back from opening the door. '... I wonder what's going on in there?'

Subaru recoiled in shame; he was starting to feel like the little boy he was seven years ago. "No...no, it's not like that! Seishirou- san...Seishirou-san..." Subaru fumbled for an excuse, but found nothing.

"Seishi-SEISHIROU-SAN!?" Hokuto spat almost like she was going to fume over. "How can you call him that!?"

"I-I-I-I-" It was quite evident that Subaru was incredibly intimidated by his onee-sama. "I-I-I-I d-d-d-unno."

The girl suddenly just burst into tears. "I can't believe you!" She wailed, tears just flowing. "Whatever happened to my strong little brother? The one that didn't know any limit? Did Seishirou really take your will, as well as everything else away from you?" She whispered, sounding almost terrified...

Subaru blinked in surprise. "Hokuto-chan!" He pulled his sister into his grasp, hugging her tightly to his chest. "Gomen ne, Hokuto-chan. Gomen ne."

She seemed to shudder slightly, but hugged back. "...Subaru...promise me something?"

Shouri's worry was increasing as he let himself sit in the doorway in front of the closed door. He needed to rest for a minute...

"Anything for you, Hokuto-chan..." Subaru held his sister close. "Anything for you..." he echoed.

"Don't give up... and don't you ever let Seishirou win... promise me that..." Hokuto whispered. It was a sad tone hidden in her voice now...

Subaru suddenly froze in place, unable to convey what he needed to say. Deep inside his heart, he already felt Seishirou had won. And if that were the circumstance, then he had already broken the promise he had just made.

"But...But Seishirou-san...Seishirou-san...has won."

"... Sumeragi Subaru... you are no brother of mine..." Hokuto whispered. "...if you can't make that promise.."

Subaru's eyes widened as he felt his heart crush under the formality of Hokuto's words. "Why...do you want me to make that promise, Hokuto-chan?" Subaru forced a smile. "It's a silly promise, Hokuto-chan."

"... I need for you to remember who you are... and I need for you to know I'm with you. Whatever happens to you... it happens to me..." She said.

If one had looked at her closely, it would have become apparent that she looked probably about as beaten as Subaru, though not quite like a mirror reflection. She looked completely broken, though not quite... it was as though she had something protecting her from it.

"...We're both bleeding.. can't you see that?" she asked, a pain seeping through and projecting itself in her voice.

"H...Hokuto-chan...Hokuto-chan, I don't want you to be hurt," Subaru said, once again taking the girl into his arms and holding her so tightly that he thought he might break her. "I don't want you to be hurt...I wish that instead of you, it could be me...not you..."

"We're brother and sister... and we're twins. You can't hurt one without hurting the other... that's why you have to win... for both of us. Or will he take even that bond away from us?" She asked, somehow managing not to wince from the tight grip.

"How would he take it away?" Subaru cried out. "That's the only thing he CAN'T take away from me...Hokuto-chan," he smiled lightly.

Hokuto smiled a little. "... Maybe I was wrong... I think you will win, Subaru... I know you will... you won't let me down... I know you won't... even if he does try..." She smiled again, a smile that could melt the polar ice caps.

"Aishiteru," Subaru breathed into Hokuto's ear, happy to finally be able to say the words he was never able to convey, "...Hokuto-chan."

A small smile formed, destroying the small frown that had been there. She looked up at her brother. He really had grown so big, taller than her...

"... Aishiteru, Subaru-kun..." she said.

"Now where could have that kid gone off to?" questioned Kusanagi as he gazed off into the distance from the roof of a building.

He had been searching for the young man named Subaru for over an hour now and wasn't getting very far. He wasn't bound to break his promise to Karen and come back empty handed, but it started to seem that way by the minute.

Not to far off a weird group of people had been gathered around a young man. It was only a few people at first, but the crowed began to grow larger, swooping over the young man caught in the middle.

"This could very well turn into a riot," said Kusanagi watching further. "I should do something but, this is really a job for the police here. Besides its my day off and I already have enough to deal with."

He turned his back in the opposite direction was about to begin his search once again when he stopped in mid track. "Why cant I have a normal day off like everyone else?" he sighed heavily before jumping off towards the crowd.

Landing behind an alley, Kusanagi appeared out before the crowd. "Ok people, move along!" he shouted as loud as he could. "Nothing to see here! Please disperse in an orderly..."

Weather or not these people could hear him, Kusanagi was cut short when a young blond man appeared and cut off the mob with a wave of water. His mouth dropped open and his heart skipped a beat as he stumbled back a few steps. The mans Ki was incredible. He never sensed anything like this before. It was just then that he began to sense the Ki of a few others around him. They were powerful, but one seemed to stand out amongst the rest.

A young man dressed in white was emitting a frightful power that sent shivers down his spine. It was different…but also similar to Kamui's. "Are they…the Dragons of Earth?" he questioned.

Leaping from building to building as fast as possible, Kamui continued to follow the weak ki signal that Kotori was emitting.

"Hang on Kotori..." Kamui thought. "I'm almost there!"

Before the two monogamous drones could touch him, a blast like a hurricane hit his back, and he heard the furious voice of Daisuke Saiki behind him. Yuurei smirked. It was just like the kid to get involved in matters that were completely over his head.

Without so much as glancing over his shoulder, he directed his words at the young man as he continued to glare into Hinoto's blind eyes. "Don't do anything stupid, now," he warned bitterly. "This really doesn't concern you."

He shoved Hinoto abruptly to the floor and stood, rolling back his shoulders and rotating his neck in the fashion of loosening his muscles. Then, turning around to face the enraged wind castor, Yuurei clenched his teeth and narrowed his eyes. He had no intention of hurting the young man, and he admitted inwardly that his violent actions toward Hinoto had been more than just a bit headlong.

With dogged agitation in every step, he strode toward Saiki and, with sudden movements that a lesser eye would have missed altogether, he lashed out with one hand, slicing through the wind swirling about the man and clutching his callused fingers around the wind castor's throat. In one swift motion, he shoved Saiki back against the wall, baring his teeth as his single un-bandaged eye flashed a bloodthirsty crimson.

Bitterly he leaned forward until his face was less than a foot from that of the younger man. Now that he had broken his bounds of a neutral Fate, he was not about to tolerate such insolence. "Do you wish to die today?" he seethed in a low, vehement tenor. "Because I am in just the right mood to tear something apart..."

Arashi was heading back for the elevator, still wondering with that damn payphone could have escaped to.

"Hurry up, Sorata." She said easily, hitting the up button for the elevator. She rubbed her arm slightly as she waited.

Even if it was late, and not exactly an appropriate time to be out, Mitsu "Uo" Houou never let that bother her. She was a headstrong girl with silky, dark brown hair that went to her waist. She had sad-blue eyes, and was a fairly light color and very well-built. Not only that, but she was a very active person, being in school and all. She was rather spunky, not afraid to show a little edge, or her genius for that matter.

There were many odd things about Uo. She had a laboratory in her home and worked part time in an auto-shop somewhere as a mechanic or an extra pair of hands. She couldn't help it. She loved machines and anything to do with them. She always had time to do her school work though... and to hang out with her friends. Speaking of friends...

'... Kotori-chan's been out of school for the past few days... a bit too many days, especially for her...' Uo thought as she walked along the sidewalk towards the church. 'I haven't seen her or heard from her at all. I sure do hope she's okay...' she thought as she walked along the sidewalk, hands slipped into the pockets of her very loose, black denim pants.

She was wearing black denim pants, a red midriff, a black leather jacket over it, black tennis shoes, and two spiraled, sterling silver earrings shaped in the symbol of Pisces. She frowned as she stopped a bit away from the church. Something just didn't seem right about any of it; the wind was moving oddly, too. She was standing on the sidewalk, but close enough to the church... ... and then she noticed it. Two figures were there... that, or her eyes were playing tricks on her. One she recognized all too well...

"Kotori-chan!?" Uo gasped, eyes widening slightly as she rushed forward, stopping in front of the mysterious woman who was holding Kotori in her arms. "Wh-what happened here!?"

Had there ever been a time that Uo was overprotective and afraid, it was then. Kotori had been missing from school, hadn't returned calls, hadn't been seen for some time... and now she came to the church to pray and found her in- well, NOT good condition, that was for sure! She tried to keep a straight face, but she couldn't manage to. She stared at the woman still, waiting for an answer.

"... She's okay." Kanoe said, looking at the upset brunette. "She's just in shock... can you take care of her?"

Uo's eyes widened. She was nodding and she didn't even realize it! She was all the more shocked when the woman handed Kotori to her. She didn't object, but rather knelt on the grass and let Kotori lay there, partially holding her up with her left arm so that it was like she was sitting half-way up.

"Kotori-chan! Kotori-chan, can you hear me?" She asked, trying to spit her words out straight without stuttering. "Kotori-chan! Come on! Snap out of it!"

While Uo was occupied, Kanoe seemed to slip into a shadow... And vanish...

Uo glanced up, and now saw no one. The smell of blood was in the air, too. The night wind stung Uo's cheeks, even if it wasn't cold. The stench coming from the blood caused her stomach to churn... and her worry for her friend, for Kotori, only made things worse. Her eyes were brimming with tears. She needed to get her to the hospital or something... but she couldn't leave her to go to the payphone! She had left her cell phone at home and-well, the priest...

"Kotori-chan... Kotori-chan, if you can hear me, say something. I'm here for you. It's me, Uo... say something.. anything..." she said, forcing herself not to sob, though her voice was beginning to crack.

Houou was known well for her strength, emotionally and physically. She often boasted it... as well as did her friends who preferred her to guard them. In a way, she liked to be one of the rough girls at school who wasn't afraid to show a little spunk and attitude... but right then, the tears she was trying to hide wouldn't stop coming...

"Kotori-chan... Kotori-chan..." she kept repeating, trying to think of anything she could do. "It'll be alright..."

Another tear fell. Just what had happened to Kotori anyhow, Uo had to wonder. What had happened? True, she had wanted her prayer, for Kotori to show up, answered... but not that way... not that way...

Subaru smiled at the loving tone of his onee-sama's voice. It was good to know that she returned the same feelings, but at the same time, Subaru wasn't positive she meant it.

It wasn't that he questioned her words, he just...he just felt as though maybe she only returned the words because he said them first.

Hokuto smiled softly and placed a hand on her brother's cheek. "... I meant that."

It was like she knew what was in his mind... everything. After all, since when had Subaru EVER been able to keep anything from her?

Subaru had forgotten over the years how well his sister knew him, even if she never showed it. But even so, his confidence in his sister's feelings wavered. "Hokuto-chan...please stay with me," he pleaded.

She glanced down rather suddenly, eyes flickering a little. "... Subaru-kun... I can't... I wish I could.. but... I.. I don't have a say in this.."

"Yes you can...you can, because you're Hokuto!" Subaru said, half pleading, half disillusioned by his own self-wishes.

"Subaru-kun, I'm surprised I've even had this much time with you... I really can't." She frowned, looking up at him with tear-filled eyes.

How her soul had possibly gotten free... even for a short time, she wasn't sure. It shouldn't have been possible... but this... it was real, wasn't it? She forced herself not to cry... well, tried.

"I can't... because... because I'll be pulled back again." She frowned, looking up at him. She hoped he understood, but doubted that he did...

Subaru shook his head. "Why? Why did you do it, Hokuto-chan? Why did you let Seishirou-san kill you? You didn't have to, Hokuto- chan...Hokuto-chan is strong..."

"I did it for you, because I love you, Subaru-kun... and if I had to do it again, I would... so long as you stayed alive... nothing else mattered..." She trailed off, her voice cracking just a little bit.

"Stay alive? How could getting yourself killed help me stay alive?" Tears well up in Subaru's eyes. "If anything...if anything, it hurt me...so much, Hokuto-chan. It didn't help me."

"Gomen ne, Subaru-kun..." Hokuto was about ready to break down. Her time was running out...

Outside, Shouri listened. All he could really hear was Subaru... But the presence from the room was far different. He slowly stood up...what was he to do now?

"Yoru no nikumu..." he murmured to himself...

"I don't need apologizes," Subaru suddenly grew violent, his eyes growing cold with anger. "I NEED YOU, HOKUTO-CHAN!" he slams his fist into-and through-the wall, and the blood oozing from his chest spurts from the outburst, and blood begins oozing faster. "I NEED YOU!"

Hokuto frowned, standing suddenly. "Subaru-kun! Yamete!" She seemed to grow pale as if something were eating at her. She seemed to take more damage than he could of. "Yamete!"

"Hokuto...I won't let you go! No one will take you away from me again!" Subaru shouts, throwing himself at his sister, clutching at her, refusing to relinquish is grasp on her.

"Subaru-kun...neither of us have a say in this." She frowned slightly, wishing she could make her brother understand. "I wish I could stay... believe, I want to... but..." She glanced down again. "It's not possible... I've tried. Watching you grow up has been the hardest part.. and seeing you now, full grown and all... it's hard to believe you're really my little brother..."

"No! It is, it is! Because you're HOKUTO, it is." Subaru tried to pull himself closer, but found himself falling back on the bed, through Hokuto's now-opaque body. "H...Hokuto-chan?"

"It looks like I'm out of time... I'm so sorry Subaru-kun... ..." She began to sob, but tried to stay strong. "...You've got to stay strong.. remember that. Don't you dare lose...because if you do..." She looked at him with eyes filled with terror still. "... I'll feel it too... I'm always with you.. maybe I'll find a way to see you again..."

"Hokuto-chan, nonono! Don't go, don't go!" Subaru keeps trying to wrap his arms around Hokuto, only to fall once and once again.

"Subaru-kun... yamete!" Hokuto took a commanding tone again. "... You know how you can help me..." She began to flicker and sighed, closing her eyes. "... Aishiteru, Subaru-kun..." She whispered...

And then se was gone in a single flash of light...

Subaru screamed out in anger, and threw his fist through the wall once more; his knuckle started to bleed, trickling blood down the wall. Subaru pulled his hand out, and collapsed in a fit of tears, blood and angst.

Shouri frowned upon feeling the very wall shake. At this, he stood up and frowned, opening the door and taking a few steps forward. "Sumeragi-san..."

His eyes flickered suddenly. The strong presence.. whatever it had been had faded... and it had left Subaru in horrible condition, too. He frowned as he walked forward. He had a feeling that he knew precisely who that presence had been, at least he thought he did. He stood over Subaru frowning, and frowned as he knelt down, placing a hand on Subaru's shoulder in a firm grip instead of weak. He didn't care if Subaru through his hand off... he just didn't think it was right for him to have to suffer in any such alone. Everyone needed a friend, and right then, Shouri was going to be a friend.

Subaru pulled away. "It's isn't fair. It isn't FAIR!" Subaru threw his fist for the third time that night, sending it any direction he could throw it.

"Sumeragi-san! Calm down!" Shouri called, raising his voice a little just so that he felt he could hear himself. "You've got to calm down!"

He was a bit shaken by the sudden outburst. He wouldn't back down though. He knew he wouldn't be able to move too fast, being as dizzy as he was...

"NO! I'm not about to calm down! I'm NEVER going to calm down!" Subaru shouted. "Not until he's dead, not until I KILL HIM, not until his blood is on my hands will I CALM DOWN!" He threw the last few words in Shouri's face, sending spats of blood splattering across his face.

Shouri frowned for a minute and paused, wiping the blood away. "Well then you'd better listen to me! Whoever it is you want dead will pulverize you in your current state so you had BETTER calm down before you give yourself a heart ache! You want vengeance, right? Well at least allow yourself to recuperate before seeking it, or our attempts will be in vain!"

'... If talking doesn't work, you shouldn't try to...' Sasori trailed off, feeling the slight dizziness from Shouri's mind.

Subaru shakes his head. "I can't wait that long. I can't wait that long. He killed Hokuto-chan...he broke me..." Subaru fell into tears once more. "Just look what he's done to me! LOOK AT ME!" Subaru falls back into angst, barely pulling himself off of the bed, as if he was presenting himself to Shouri. "LOOK AT ME! THIS IS WHAT HE'S DONE!"

The man's eyes flashed slightly. Subaru... ..that's...that's..."

Shouri couldn't find words. Whatever had happened WAS bad. Just looking at the damage done caused him to flinch slightly. He frowned and took another step forward/

"Sumeragi-san... I can't help what he's done, but I can help you, if you'll let me. Whatever and whoever... it was who did this to you and why... I don't know... but I'll do what I can to help... And right now, you're making it difficult... ...you can't fight in this condition. You have to get your full strength back or it will just happen again. .. do you want that?"

"It's more than just this. It's more than that..." Subaru slumped, crying again. "More than just that. He took more than just my sister, he took more than just that..."

Shouri frowned, walking over and sitting by him with a frown. "... What else did he take...?"

'... He.. who is this 'he'?' He thought to himself.

Subaru didn't respond. Instead, he looked down, head bowed in shame, his face covered in a deep red blush.

After a minute or two, Shouri nearly fell off of the bed as he realized precisely WHAT it was. "Oh..Oh GOD!"

He was surprised at his own words, but it wasn't entirely inappropriate. For a minute he stared blankly at the floor on which he sat. Wow... well... well.. .

"Sumeragi-san... oh.. I. .and... oh.." He lost his words about on the second or third 'oh'. After a minute, he slowly sat up again. "...W-well then..."

Subaru felt even more shame now that Shouri had figured it out. After all, it was worse knowing someone knew. If no one knew, it didn't happen? Right? RIGHT?

"... I won't say a word." Shouri said after a minute. "If you don't tell I won't tel.. ...Sumeragi-san... I'm willing to help you. I've said it before... and I'm going to... I view you as a very close friend, even if we've only met each other once before... and I value my friends above all else. Whoever did this to you... I'm going to make sure you get them back..."

'... Don't make promises that you can't keep.' Sasori said in his mind.

Subaru looked up at Shouri, eyes gleaming with tears. "Arigato..."

"Daijob... daijobu..." Shouri nodded, smiling weakly.

Finally... hopefully, Subaru had calmed down. Had Subaru been a girl or a younger man, Shouri would have hugged him... but Subaru was older, that, and he wasn't a child. He looked back at him again.

"... If you need to cry, I'm here for you." Shouri said.

"Hai. No problem." Shouri nodded slightly.

It didn't take him a few seconds to get the necessary supplies, with a little help. He began to work on bandaging Subaru up without hesitance. He kept himself focused, not letting Sasori's comments get at him...

Subaru winced every time the bandaged touched his raw skin. He knew within a day or two's time, he'd be fine again, but now, everything seemed to make him ache; even the air his skin breathed burned his flesh.

"I don't think any is infected." He commented out loud, more to himself than to Subaru. "You can't be too active though... And no more pounding your walls, okay? I don't think your neighbors, or your knuckles, appreciate it."

Subaru smiled at Shouri's attempt at a joke. "Hai," he responded.

"Almost done." He said, nodding once with a little smile as he continued. He was a quick worker, but also liked to make sure that the bandages were secure and wouldn't easily come off or undone. After a minute more, he gave a satisfied nod. "That should do it! Good as new..."

"Arigato..." It still hurt, but not nearly as much. Maybe the bandages were cutting off his circulation. "Can you get me some aspirin out of the kitchen cabinet?" Subaru glanced at the sheets. There was no chance he could get those dry-cleaned without someone asking some questions.

Shouri nodded and stood up. He headed for the kitchen, walking idly along without hurrying or rushing too fast, though he moved at a quick pace any how. As he came to the cabinets he paused. In the first one, there was nearly anything inside, and certainly no aspirin. In the second, he found the aspirin.. but it was also very vacant. He checked a few others... VERY vacant. He frowned... perhaps he'd ask later? Shaking his head a second, Shouri glanced back and then proceeded ahead again and back to Subaru's room. How weird...

Subaru swallowed the aspirin whole, without even taking a glass of water. I hope this knocks me out, he thought, before settling down in the bloodied sheets.

Shouri glanced at Subaru and paused. "... I'll buy you some new ones later today... when the stores are open." He said, pausing as he took a few steps towards the door. "...You wouldn't mind if I got a glass of water or anything, would you?"

His dizziness had cleared a little.. but Shouri knew if he didn't drink something that he was going to get a headache soon. "Anything I can get you?"

Subaru shook his head. "No, help yourself. I don't need anything." His eyes followed Shouri as he left the room.

With a nod, Shouri had gone back to the kitchen. He still wondered why the cabinets were so empty. Well, it was probably best not to ask questions. Subaru needed sleep, or at least a little bit of rest, and Shouri wouldn't be a distraction. He could keep himself occupied and would check in on him so every now and then. He had Sasori to keep him company... and that was good enough for him. Sitting down idly in the kitchen, he simply listened to the silence... it was almost eerie. Oh well, it was fine... right? He looked down again as he sipped his glass of water.

'... Matsuko-oba-san will worry... ah well... she'll understand...' he thought with a nod.

Subaru laid down, clinging to the sheets as he closed his eyes. He wished he could fall asleep again, make all the pain go away.

But all he could think about was Seishirou. About how much...how much he wanted to kill him. How much he wanted to crush him with these hands. How much he wanted to destroy him.

Subaru never felt so much contempt for himself in his life. He would have to redeem himself.

By killing Seishirou.

Sitting idly in the kitchen sipping a glass of water, Shouri was unaware of the thoughts Subaru was having. He was trying to think if he knew of anyone in the past that might've wanted to hurt Subaru. Not really. The only people he truly knew were Subaru and Hokuto... and anyone else they had known he was oblivious to.

Taking another sip of water, he felt himself recharge a little bit. He glanced back to the door.

".. I don't understand it quite." he murmured aloud. "Why would anyone... want to hurt Sumeragi-san?"

'... I'm not sure.' Sasori replied in his mind. 'Either way... It isn't our concern.'

".. I'm making it our concern." he murmured aloud again as he sighed. "Sasori-chan... I already made a promise and I won't break it."

'... Shouri-kun...' The small child in his mind frowned and said nothing more...

Subaru felt himself sleepless. If he would, he'd toss and turn like he had been doing a lot. It was always like that, either he'd fall fast asleep and not wake up for another 12 hours, or he'd find himself without sleep for a couple of days.

He hated it.

The young man glanced back as he strummed his fingers idly over the counter, shifting in his seat a little. "...I just can't figure it out..."

'Shou-kun...' Sasori trailed off again.

"Hai?"

'... Could it have been that man...?' she asked in his mind, shifting from her position as she stood.

"... That man?" Shouri repeated out loud.. frowning at the visual image that appeared. "Him... him.. his name... I can't remember it but him..."

An echo of the evil laugh that Shouri had heard upon first entering the apartment came through to his mind. He shuddered for a minute and paused. "Yes... him. I don't KNOW him.. but I've seen him... with the twins before... perhaps... if only that shadow wasn't over his face... is that all you have on him in there?"

The little girl glanced around, prying through Shouri's memories like a worm of some kind. '...No, brother...'

"... Perhaps it was him.. but... if I don't know who he is entirely... and don't even know what his face looks like.. how am I suppose to...?" Shouri sighed as he sat back and rested his left hand upon his forehead.

Subaru sighed loudly and sat up. There was no way he was going to go to sleep now. He stumbled to the wall and he pressed his body against it for support. "Tokuichi-san..."

Shouri looked up as he heard his name called. He stood up, leaving the glass of water there and proceeded to the hallway, and then to where the voice had called him. "Ah! Sumeragi-san, you called?"

Subaru had no idea why he called out Shouri's name; maybe it was because he couldn't stand the unbearable loneliness, but now he just felt plain stupid.

He struggled to his bed, and sat down. "No..."

He blinked for a minute and followed, leaning in the doorway. He watched him, not quite wanting to leave him alone, really. He HAD said he'd check on him... and people didn't call for no reason.

"... Are you sure?"

"H-hai." Subaru laid back down.

He frowned again but nodded, taking a step away and sitting against the hall's wall. He sat in Indian style, not minding or noticing the simple fact that he was still a bit shaky. He controlled his shaking well enough. He hummed lightly to himself, a tune that he usually played on his flute... even if it was odd for a young man to play a flute, he did. He liked his flute... very much. The music he could create from it was what often kept him company, besides Sasori.

Subaru listened quietly to the tune, closing his eyes. Maybe he could fall asleep.

No. No such luck. He rolled over and stared at Shouri, listening to his song. He wanted to say something, but he didn't know what to say.

Shouri continued to hum the tune aloud, not realizing that Subaru was listening. It was light and very airy, sort of slow and yet something that might calm down a frightened child. He continued to hum, keeping himself awake simply because he had to concentrate to get every note right... if only he had remembered to bring his flute...

"Tokuichi-san...that melody sounds familiar. What is it called?" Subaru tried to make conversation; he obviously wasn't going to be able to sleep so easily.

" 'Kodomo no Kibou'... I've played it often since I was a little boy." he said with a light nod and a smile. "It's become quite popular in the city..."

Perhaps Subaru had heard it when passing the park, or perhaps he had played it for Hokuto and him when he had met them as a 'thanks'. He wasn't quite sure.. but he did know that it was well known through out the city...

Kamui's heart pounded faster and faster in chest as he leapt towards the next building. He was already out of breath and his chest burned from exhaustion, but he didn't care. Nothing mattered more to him right now than finding Kotori.

Yuzuriha leapt to the same building, not even realizing that Kamui stood nearby. She looked down as she neared the building floor, and saw Kamui standing there. She managed to miss hitting him-- but just barely. "Gomen'asi!" Yuzuriha apologized profusely.

He didn't quite expect to run into anyone on his way, so Yuzuriha's sudden appearance had caught Kamui off guard. He stumbled back, trying to avoid colliding with the young dragon and lost his balance, falling flat on his back.

He glared up and snarled at her as he rose to his feet. "So your back feet again, eh?" he said ignoring her apologies.

"Do I know you?" Yuzuriha wasn't trying to sound rude, but this guy was talking to her so informally.

"Know me?" Kamui questioned. Her response threw him off guard. Was this some kind of joke? "Look kid, if your not going to be serious, then get 'outta here. I don't have time for any of your games right now. I'm busy."

Yuzuriha glanced at Kamui quizzically; he looked familiar, but... "I'm not kidding."

"I said quite bugging me!," he snapped back at her. A cold wind blew past him, ruffling his hair as he stood silent for a moment gazing down into her eyes. There was something strange within them. Almost a sense of purity and honesty. "You not joking...are you?" he finally spoke.

Yuzuriha shook her head. "No, I'm not."

Turning away from her, Kamui sighed heavily, gazing off into the distance where he should have been. He didn't have time for this. Kotori's life was at stake and that was all that mattered. Slowly, he began to walk away from her, ready bound off once again, but something stopped him. A sense of guilt for leaving the young girl behind began to over come him. "Why out here anyways?" he asked. "Shouldn't you be in the hospital or something?"

Yuzuriha nods. "Probably, but...I got left behind. There's so many things I don't know. Like, this dog..." Yuzuriha motioned to Inuki, who sat beside her. "It seems to be magical, somehow..."

She didn't even recognize her own dog spirit. This was serious... Inuki ears folded back as he began to whimper towards Kamui. It was as if he was pleading toward him to help the young girl. "Damn it..." he whispered.

"Come on..." said Kamui as he turned back towards his destination. "Follow me. And be quick! If you get left behind I'm not coming back for you understand?"

Yuzuriha nodded, and despite her aches and pains, managed to keep up with the fast-paced Kamui.

It seemed like all his energy had been spent fighting off the Yuurei, but somehow Kamui managed to press on. It was then that he could not longer feel Kotori's presence. His heart sank and his stomach began to churn as the worst possible outcome had ran through his mind. "No...Kotori!" he shouted and began to run faster than before. The church beckoned him from the distance and it was then that Kamui realized that is there that he felt her ki. Landing down on the streets below, he caught a glimpse of the young girl.

"Kotori!" he shouted and ran towards her, scooping the tattered girl in his arms upon arrival.

Yuzuriha felt something go off inside of her at the sound of that name.

-flash-

"You're Kamui-kun's friend, aren't you? Want some pocky?"

-flash-

Yuzuriha shook the feeling off and ran after Kamui, holding her aching chest as she did so.

Her torn blood stained clothes, her worn body, the burning scent of her dry blood...it was to much for Kamui to bear. He did all he could to hold back his tears. "Who...who did this to her?" he choked. Holding her body tightly in his arms, he shot up at the young school girl that was there. "Who did this to her! Answer me!"

Satsuki watched incredulously as Okita was swarmed by the huge mob of girls. She knew that he would have to have some fans if he was a J- rock star, but she didn't think that he was that popular. She looked over to the electronics store and noted the TV in the window, still playing Okita's commercial. And in the commercial, his hair was… blue? That was indeed quite a change from his current look, Satsuki mused absently.

The girl noted idly that Okita was now completely occupied with attempting to keep his fan club away – which meant that he was paying no attention to her. Her joy at this realization was cut short, however, when Yuuto leaped off to rescue the J-rock star, not before throwing a mischievous wink in Satsuki's direction. Satsuki stared back at her fellow Dragon of Earth with an irritated expression, silently cursing Yuuto for his interference. It seemed that her freedom from being around Okita was about to be cut short.

Sighing in resignation, Satsuki decided that she might as well browse the electronics store while Yuuto saved Okita from the mob. The girl casually strolled across the street to the store, skillfully navigating her way around the mob surrounding Okita.

But as soon as she reached the other side of the street, a young man in an army uniform appeared, seemingly from out of nowhere, and shouted for the crowd to move along. At almost the same time, Yuuto caused the fire hydrant to explode in a not-so-subtle fashion, which definitely caught the young man's attention. The young man looked across the street to where her fellow Angels were standing. "Are they... the Dragons of Earth?"

Satsuki smiled slightly to herself. BEAST had told her everything she needed to know about her fellow Angels; she knew who this young man was. Kusanagi Shiyuu, one of the missing Dragons of Earth, had finally made his appearance.

The girl walked over to where the young man was standing, stopping a few feet away from him. "Yes, they are," she said coolly, in answer to his question. "And you are one of them, Kusanagi Shiyuu."

She continued to speak, ignoring any reaction that Kusanagi may have made. "I am Satsuki Yatouji. I, too, am a Dragon of Earth. We've been looking for you." The girl nodded towards the other side of the street, where Fuuma was standing. "That is the Twin Star, the Kamui of the Dragons of Earth," she said. She began walking back across the street, without looking a second glance at Kusanagi. "Come with me, if you please. I'm sure he would like to meet you as well."

Kotori was pushed into a female pair of hands, only to be pulled out of it again. She looked around in a dazed state, trying to figure out who held her. "Eeehh...let go!" she screeched noting Kamui's grip on her.

"Kotori!" Kamui shouted trying to keep his grip on her. "Its me, Kamui."

She tried frantically to get out of his hands. Her arms flailed about, pushing her palms against her eyes so she wouldn't have to look at him.

At this, Uo blinked several times, forcing tears away. If Kotori was scared, then it wasn't a good thing... but obviously this man didn't mean harm to her, right? She frowned a second, "Easy! Kotori-chan, calm down... it's okay."

Uo...!" she cried out. She reached out for her school friend's hands. "Yuzuriha-chan!" she called, seeing the girl behind Kamui as she pulled her hands from her face.

Yuzuriha backed away, frightened by Kotori's condition. She nearly burst into tears, bringing her hand to her mouth as she began to remember the events of two days before.

-flash back-
"Want some pocky?"

"Sure."

-flash-

Kotori stared at Yuzuriha with pleading eyes. If her legs worked correctly, she would have pulled herself away from Kamui herself. But all she could was plead to get away... "Uo...Yuzu..."

Why wouldn't Uo help her? She'd always protected her back in school, always stood up for her when Fuuma couldn't...why not now...?

Uo wasn't quite happy with Kotori's condition. She looked at Kamui for a minute and back at Kotori. "... I think she's scared... I don't know why... but... it isn't her fault..." She frowned, and gently swept Kotori from him.

Yuzuriha stared at Kotori, horrified. "A...an..o..."

Kotori sniffed, her eyes filled with tears. "He's evil...just like him...they all are..." she muttered. She grabbed Uo's shirt, and held it tightly, pulling as far away from Kamui as she could.

"Daijobu, Kotori-chan. He isn't.. calm down. It's okay." Uo forced herself to be strong, giving Kamui a helpless look as if she wasn't sure WHAT to do at the moment.

Yuzuriha gulped down her fears, and approached Kotori, forcing a smile. "Daijobu," she said, kneeling down beside her. "Where are you hurt?"

"My..." Kotori couldn't explain it. She stared at Yuzuriha with her glazed eyes for a moment. "It all hurts...It hurts inside..."

Yuzuriha held a hand out to Kotori. "Let's get up, okay? We'll get you somewhere where you can be safe. You're about my size, so you can wear some of my clothes." Yuzuriha tried so hard to smile, despite the fact she was trembling in horror.

"... I... it was..." Uo frowned as she tried to snap out of it. That was crazy! She knew Kotori and... her brother... very well... ... she considered them like family, well, Kotori more than him.. but... still!

Uo frowned. "Who did this to you, Kotori-chan? Tell me." If Uo was good at anything, it was certainly vengeance and defending her friends. She frowned a little, ready to pick up Kotori if needed.

Kotori averted her eyes from the helping hand to Kamui. She didn't want him to touch her, if it could be helped. Inside, her feelings burned, but she was in too much of a shock to think about it. Her soft eyes glared his way, before she took Yuzuriha's hand, and tried to stand. Without much effort, she stumbled. "Who...who...it doesn't matter who.." she said with a wicked smile on her face.

Yuzuriha tried to catch Kotori as she fell, and managed to pull her up. "Kotori-chan, daijobu. Daijobu," Yuzuriha echoed, saying it more for her own well-being than anyone else.

Uo twitched slightly. She'd find out eventually. She frowned as she looked at Yuzuriha. "Are you sure you can keep her up?" She continued to glance at Kamui. She would talk to him when Kotori was taken care of...

Yuzuriha shook her head at Uo. She definitely would need some help.

Kamui's heart sank as he released his grip on Kotori, handing her over to Yuzuriha. Though its seemed like she needed some help supporting the young girl, he was afraid to touch her. What had happened? "Kotori..." he whispered quietly.

Uo frowned again, and nodded a little as she looked at Kamui. "She'll be fine. I'll see to it. If you know anything though..." She trailed off as she walked to Yuzuriha's side.

Kotori kept smirking in Kamui's direction. "You..." She struggled to stand on her own. With him around, she couldn't be weak. If she was...then he...he could do what Fuuma did..

Yuzuriha allowed Kotori to lean on her. "Daijobu, let's go...are you ready?"

"Where are you taking her?" Kamui asked. Kotori nodded to Yuzuriha, her hair matted to her face. "Hai...ready.."

Yuzuriha trudged towards her apartment, which luckily, was only a few blocks away. Hopefully, Kotori would be okay there.

Will he find us where we're going?" asked Kotori.

What do you mean he?" Kamui asked. "Do you know who did this to you?"

Again, the brunette frowned, glaring at Kotori. "Kotori-chan, you stop that..." She said, not too rough in her choice of tone, though. "Come on... let's get you out of here..."

" I know...all too well..."

"Stop that...? Stop what...? Did he listen when I said stop..?" she spoke in complete monotone, her eyes staring at nothing in particular as she moved her legs with much effort to walk.

At this, Uo paused. "... Who is he?" She was beginning to shake. If she didn't find out soon she was going to explode...

"Don't force her," Yuzuriha snapped at Uo.

"But this can be our only lead!" said Kamui. Walking over to her, he placed a hand gently on Kotori's shoulder and gazed at her in the eyes. "Kotori...please...tell me who did this."

Uo looked like she was ready to draw Kotori back should she go into a tantrum of any kind. She gave a clear look that said 'be careful'.

Kotori moved her hands in front of her. She pushed out with the little bit of strength she had left, and pushed Kamui as she much as could to get him away. "You know who did it! I don't want you...to touch me.."

The frustration and anger began to build within him. It became almost impossible to contain. Grabbing her by the arms Kamui shouted. "Kotori! Snap out of it! Tell me! Who did this to you!?"

Kotori glared, grabbing at Kamui's face. "I don't want you touching me! You'll copy him!!" She screamed, trying to pull at his skin with her raw hands. With no one around, she was ready to fight him to the ground. He wasn't going to do what her brother had done. And with no one to stop her...

"Kotori-chan! Yamete!" Uo cried, grabbing her shoulders lightly and giving a little pull to see if she could pull her back. It wasn't her full strength, either... and then she noticed it. "...Th-that...!?"

Yuzuriha helped Uo pull Kotori away. "Calm down!" Yuzuriha shouted.

"Ahhhgggg!!" Kotori hissed. Though, she allowed herself to be pulled away..mostly. She left one hand to continue to scrape at Kamui. She wanted to feel his skin under her nails...

Kamui held her back at bay, keeping her hands away from his face. It was a struggle for him not to use his powers and hurt Kotori by accident. Breaking away finally ,he watched as the Uo and Yuzu managed to get a grip on the frantic young girl. He could suddenly feel a slight warm drip down the die of his cheek. Brushing a hand across it, he smirked at the site of his own blood.

She stayed down this time. Kotori was far too weak to try anything again. "How could you let him do that?!" she asked Kamui, tears running down her face, wetting the dried blood again. "You'd promised to protect me!!"

"... Him." Uo repeated out loud again. Well, that shirt didn't match Kotori at all... and Kotori would've have worn it. The scent on the shirt was strong though. Uo's eyes went very, very wide...

"..."

"What?" Yuzuriha noticed Uo's sudden change in expression, and was curious as to why it had changed so quickly.

"... I... it was..." Uo frowned as she tried to snap out of it. That was crazy!

She knew Kotori and... her brother... very well... ... she considered them like family, well, Kotori more than him.. but... still!

Kotori sniffled and glared at Kamui. "Stop stuttering! Why!? Why Kamui!?"

"I tried!!!!" cried out Kamui. "I looked for you every where! But I couldn't find you...and there was no one to help me." His tears began to burn and swell up in his eyes and it wasn't long before they escaped him...

"Gomen ne sai...gomen nasai..." he whispered.

Kotori couldn't help it. She wasn't being herself, and she felt almost nothing to the way that Kamui was acting. Nothing showed on her face, no expression of caring at all. She just looked at him, the wet blood slipping down.

"It was him." Uo said after staring at Kotori for a minute. She looked between Kamui and Kotori. Even if she had known Kotori since she was small, she wasn't sure she knew this boy at all. That didn't matter..

"Him? Him who?" Yuzuriha looks completely befuddled.

Uo seemed still dazed and slowly looked up at the sky. A light whisper escaped her; a single word: "...Fuuma."

Kotori's reaction more than enough proof than he needed. He clenched his fist in anger, trembling. "F...Fuuma..." he hissed.

Yuzuriha pulled Kotori into her arms. "It's okay, it's okay. He won't find you at my apartment," Yuzuriha re-assured her.

"Can I have some clothes...?" Kotori asked. It had struck her of what she was wearing, thanks to Uo.

"Sure." They reached Yuzuriha's apartment, and she fumbled through her pocket. Nothing. The key was at the hospital. She hit herself in the face.

"What's the matter?" asked Kamui.

Kotori watched Yuzuriha. "What is it? Is something the matter? He isn't here, is he?"

"No, no. I don't have my key!" Yuzuriha cried. Inuki's ears perked, and he took a more opaque form, walked through the door, and a few seconds later, there was the sound of a lock turning, and the door opened. Inuki stood at the other side of the door, wagging his tail.

Yuzuriha blinked in surprise, and ran up to Inuki. "Wow! That's great!" She gives Inuki a big hug.

"Yuzuriha-chan...that dog of yours is pretty smart." Kotori said.

Yuzuriha blinked in surprise. "You can see Inuki?"

"Why? can't anyone see Inuki?"

"Of course I can see Inuki...he's right there...Can't everyone see him?" Kotori asked. She stopped talking, and glanced nervously around her. "Lets just go inside.."

Yuzuriha stepped inside, and ushered Kotori to her room. She pulled a crimson dress, poofy sleeves, lace, the whole bit, and offered it to Kotori. "Is this OK?"

Kotori nodded softly. Anything was fine, so long as she wouldn't have to have her brother's scent around her. She reached out with fragile hands, and graciously accepted it.

Yuzuriha smiles, and digs into her closet and pulls out a t-shirt and jeans for herself. She turned away from Kotori, and began to strip down into bra and panties. It was very evident that Yuzuriha was more injured than she was letting anyone onto. Her entire stomach was wrapped with white bandages. She quickly hopped into her jeans and tossed on her shirt, and waited for Kotori to finish changing before turning back around.

It took a bit longer for her to get undressed. Though her clothes were merely shreds, it hurt for her to move too much. She fought for awhile with her dress, before it merely fell off. She took the crimson dress, and stepped into it slowly, careful not to touch any sore places. She flipped her hair over her shoulder, and looked at Yuzuriha. "What do I do with these?" she asked, motioning to the cloth at her feet.

Yuzuriha took the clothes from her. "I'll bring them to the wash tomorrow, unless you want to throw them away."

"I don't really think there is anything left of my dress..." Kotori said. "You can do whatever you want with them." she told Yuzuriha. "I don't need them."

Even with her clothes on, she still felt naked, and she pulled her arms to her body, as she stepped out of Yuzuriha's room.

Yuzuriha took the clothes and pressed her foot against the step on the trash can and tossed them in. She followed Kotori into the other room.

Kamui said nothing as he leaned against the wall near the doorway. He was to ashamed to even look at Kotori and hung his head low.

Yuzuriha looked at the girl and the young man that had accompanied Kotori and herself. "I don't believe I've caught your names. I'm Nekoi Yuzuriha."

"Kamui..." was all he could say.

Kotori looked down at her hands. She felt really grimy. She looked at her broken nails, and used her right hand to pick out the skin she had torn from Kamui's face. She still didn't show any emotion.

"Kamui...Kamui-kun." That name was so familiar...

Uo seemed not to respond, but merely to be in a daze. Her thoughts were intertwining so much that she hadn't heard the question.

"That's my friend from school. You can call her Uo." Kotori said.

"Hajimemashite!" Yuzuriha exclaimed, bowing politely.

Kamui didn't respond at all. He wasn't much for greets.

Uo snapped out of her daze and nodded, bowing lightly. "Hajimemashite." She nodded again.

"Would you like to make a cake, Kotori-chan? To get your mind off things?" Yuzuriha asked the blonde girl. "I'll help you. I'm pretty hungry anyway!"

Kotori paused for a moment, looking at Yuzuriha. "Okay," she said, standing, and following after Yuzuriha, who was already running into the next room.

"Yuzuriha...hand me that milk, and a bowl, please?"

Yuzuriha handed Kotori the half-gallon of milk, and a bowl as well. "Do you need a measuring cup?" she asked, pulling one out of the cabinet.

"Sure." Kotori said. "If you would, pour a 1/3 of that milk into the bowl." She attempted to pull open the top of the box, and remove the cake mix.

Yuzuriha measured the milk carefully, event taking the time to tilt the measuring cup so she could make sure that she had measured the milk perfectly.

Kotori pulled the mix from the box and dumped into the bowl.

Kotori glanced around the kitchen. She found what she was looking for and walked over to the oven, turning the dial to 350.

Now...we've got the mix, and you've got the milk...what else..?" Kotori mused.

Uo glanced back silently to the ground. Her eyes flickered once more as she glanced up from the ground. She looked back to the way the others. 'This is all a bad dream... or is it? Fuuma, why would you abandon Kotori-chan like that?'

"I promised I'd always protect my friends if I could... I'd do everything in my power to do so, no matter what. My friends are my family... and not one of them have I ever failed to protect," she murmured, looking down.

'... Fuuma had better hope that I never find him...' she thought, twitching slightly. She finally looked up and looked at Kamui. "... Kamui, was it?"

"Hai.." Kamui said softly while eyeing the young girl.

"Eggs?" Yuzuriha said, offering Kotori two.

"... How long have you known Kotori-chan?" she asked with a light hint of curiosity.

"Ah, yes!" Kotori exclaimed, taking the eggs. "Arigato." She took one into her small hand and knocked it slowly over the edge of the bowl until it's shell cracked. Then she dropped the egg into the bowl, without a mistake, and repeated with the other egg. "Would you find me a spoon please? Or a mixer?" Kotori asked Yuzuriha.

"Whisk?" Yuzuriha asked.

Kotori laughed. "That works. We need to beat this stuff down until all the lumps are gone. Would you like to do that, or should I?"

He didn't really like answer anyone's questions, it was such bother. But he wasn't about to upset her or anyone else more than they already were. "Since I was a child..." he told her while pushing off the wall.

"I see..." She seemed to trail off, going into thought again as she allowed the silence to eat at her. "... ... Then you'd know him too."

"You can do it; you're probably much better than I am," she said, handing it to Kotori, sweat dropping.

"Him?" Kamui questioned. "You mean Fuuma...don't you?" There was a tone of annoyance in his voice that he was unable to hold back. The very thought of that man or the sound of his name began to stir up the anger inside him.

Kotori took the whisk, and placed it into the mixture, turning it lightly.

She picked up the bowl, and it against her chest as she churned the mixture. "The way you cook is all in your mind." she told Yuzuriha. "Pan please."

Yuzuriha handed her the pan. "Pan," she echoed.

Kotori smiled. Yuzuriha was such a nice girl, and so friendly. Kotori placed the pan on the table and poured the cake mix into the pan. She held the whisk up to Yuzuriha. "Want to lick it?" she asked.

Yuzuriha grinned. "SURE!" She took the whisk and licked it up, saving a bit for Kotori. "Want some?" she offered, realizing that she was being a bit greedy.

Kotori smiled and shook her head. "That's okay. You can have it." She reassured her. She picked up the pan, and brought it to the open, placing it inside.

Yuzuriha finished licking the batter off of the whisk and peeked into the oven. "Mmm, smells good already!"

"It sure does! We'll have to wait for awhile, why don't we go join the others?" Kotori suggested.

"... Now is not the time to release your anger." Uo said, as if instinctively knowing what he was thinking. "... Save it for him." She murmured.

Yuzuriha nodded, and scampered out of the kitchen, keeping a wary eye on Kotori Yuzuriha really was worried about her.

Kotori followed Yuzuriha. "The cake will be ready in awhile." she said with a soft smile.

Yuzuriha plopped on her couch, and winced silently as she landed. Meep, that hurt! She really needed to be careful, she was still sore.

"Take a seat," Yuzuriha urged Kotori.

Kotori nodded, and walked over, sitting next to Yuzuriha. "Thank you."

"So, what were you guys talking about?" Yuzuriha asked.

Kotori looked at Uo and Kamui. "Was it anything good?" she asked.

Kamui stood silent for a moment, afraid to speak. "We...we were talking about how long I've know you...Kotori," he said.

Yuzuriha glanced at Inuki, and then at Kotori. Childhood friends? They definitely WERE a cute couple. Inuki hopped beside Yuzuriha, and she patted him as she spoke.

Kotori nodded. "I see...that's nice." she said softly.

"Hai.." Kamui spoke softly. "We...we were pretty close back then..."

Kotori looked at Kamui, settling back into the couch. But she watched him carefully, being sure to advert her eyes if he ever looked at her.

She was uncomfortable, and yet she couldn't why. There was something tragic that had just happened, but it was all fuzzy; almost as if Kotori's memory had shut down on her.

Uo finally broke the silence. "... Something odd is going on here. If someone won't tell me then I'll find out eventually." She glanced between the other three silently...

"Something odd?" Kotori asked. "What do you mean?"

"Its better that you stay out of this," he warned. "You don't want to get involved..."

"I already am." She replied, glancing at Kamui and then at Kotori, softening her tone. "I'm not quite sure... that's the thing..."

"You act like your prepared for anything that might arrive," Kamui smirked. He walked over to her and glared down into her eyes coldly. "You have no idea what this is all about. I suggest you leave and forgot you ever met us. Unless…"

"No!" Kotori stood with a start. "I don't want Uo to leave! I want her to stay with me..." She rushed over to Kamui and placed herself in between the two people, inches from Kamui's face.

Yuzuriha blinked in surprise. "Uhm, anooo...what is it that you're talking about?" Yuzuriha asked, sweat dropping.

"Kotori-chan, it's okay. I won't leave. I don't intend to leave. I'll handle whatever comes my way, but I'm not going to leave." Uo looked at Kamui and nodded.

"I'll take beatings when they come. I don't leave family, and all of my friends are family." she remarked...

Kamui didn't know why he was even concerned over this young girls life. Maybe it was because Kotori was so attached to her or rather...he didn't wish to see any more people die over his foolishness and arrogance. He stepped back and away from her, smirking. "Suit yourself..." he said coldly. "Don't say I didn't give you a chance to save yourself..."

Kotori pushed forward, stepping further between the two. "I don't know for sure Yuzuriha..." she said with a hoarse voice.

"I'm going check the food." Kotori said quietly, shooting eye-daggers at Kamui as she sauntered to the kitchen.

Yuzuriha stared at Kamui. "That wasn't very nice, Kamui-kun."

Kamui ignored her remark and turned away, folding his arms.

Uo looked to Yuzuriha and paused. "It's fine. He's right... I will regret it. I feel it, but it doesn't matter... anyhow... I've got a question for you..."

"Hai?"

She suddenly seemed to go into a childish mode, a child filled with glee. "Is your door voice activated? How'd you get that lock to open?" Her mechanic's mind had kicked in.

Kotori shuffled through the kitchen and dug around looking for an oven mitt to remove the cake from the oven.

"Uhm," Yuzuriha scratched the back of her head. "Well, ah...I uhm, I'm not sure. Uh, ah,...I think it was unlocked the whole time."

"Oh? Hmn.. well, if you ever need mechanics help, I'm the person to call." She said with a light nod, smiling. "I could've sworn it was something..."

Kamui slowly followed the young girl into the kitchen. Afraid that he might upset her again, he kept a slight distance from her and leaned up against the counter. "It...it smells good.." he complemented.

"You're Kotori-chan's friend, nee?" Yuzuriha asked Uo. "How long have you two known each other?"

"Well, ever since kindergarten..." She said with a light smile. "I guess 'ya could say I wasn't the friendliest person at first, though.."

Kotori turned around startled. "Ah...Kamui-kun..." She quickly turned back to her searching. "Yes, it does. Hopefully I won't burn it now..."

"Mmm-mmm! There's nothing I like better than some chocolate cake! Well, besides ice cream of course!" Yuzuriha sweat dropped. "I think I'd love some Haagen-Dazs. We should all go there, later!"

"You wont.." Kamui said flatly." I've…known you long enough to know that you never burn anything when you cook..."

"There's a first time for everything." she said, accenting the last word. She opened a drawer and pulled a mitt from it.

"I could run down to the corner store and get some." Uo volunteered. "That is, if Kotori-chan wouldn't object."

"I'll go with you," Yuzuriha offered, before whispering to Uo, "...the two lover birds probably need some time alone."

Kamui stood silent and watched as Kotori began to remove the cake from the oven.

Kotori pulled the chocolate cake out, and softly set it on Yuzuriha's counter. She turned around and closed the oven, before she stood there in front of it, unmoving, unsure of what to do with Kamui there.

"Are you sure you want to risk your house?" she asked in a whisper. "Kotori-chan may appear not able to do much.. but... when she wants to..."

"Are you alright?" Kamui asked. She seemed in easy with him around.

"I'm fine. How could you think anything different?" Kotori asked with the deepest possible sarcasm. She turned around and went back to the cake.

"Yuzuriha, do you have frosting somewhere?" she called into the next room.

"Risk my house?" Yuzuriha looked totally confused.

"Oh yeah! Check the cabinet!" Yuzuriha shouted. "Should be some chocolate in there."

"Ah, nothing." she said with a light nod. "But like I said, one of us should stay unless Kotori gets scared again..."

"Arigato!" Kotori yelled. She looked at Kamui. "Don't just stand there, help me."

"Help you?" Kamui asked. He wasn't sure what to do exactly. Sure he knew how to cook a little, but this was something he had never done before. "What do you want me to do?" he asked slowly approaching her.

"Find the frosting, like Yuzuriha said." Kotori said automatically. When he stepped by her, she stepped back, turning and going to find a knife.

Reaching into the cabinet above him, Kamui pulled out a container of Chocolate frosting. "Been a while since I had anything sweet..." he said looking down at it.

"Is that so...?" Kotori asked in monotone. "Today might as well be the day to start." She said, pulling out a knife, and heading back to the cake.

"Today seems to be the start of a lot of things..." he said.

Kotori paused. "... Bring me that container." she said.

Popping open the container, he passed it along to Kotori and stood next to her watching.

Kotori took the container, her fingers brushing Kamui's. She shivered, and quickly pulled the container from his grasp. She took the knife, and starting scraping the frosting onto the cake.

"Ah, yes, I'm sorry about that." Kotori said, pointing to his cheek.

"Its nothing.." he said brushing a hand across the wound. "It'll heal...they always do..."

"It depends." she said. "I've had many wounds, but I remember most of them. So, they must not have healed right." Kotori muttered, never looking at Kamui.

She handed the knife to Kamui. "Do something with this."

"So... what now?" Uo asked aloud, pausing. "I really don't want to leave Kotori here alone.." She seemed a bit more up-beat finally...

Yuzuriha nods. "We should ask her and Kamui to come with us, then. I still don't know what flavor I want," Yuzuriha mused.

"Alrighty then!" Uo stood up and ran to the kitchen, peeping in. "Hey you two! You almost done yet?"

Kotori jumped at the sudden entrance of Uo. "Ahh! Uh...uh...hai. Are you two hungry or something?" she asked sweetly, moving farther away from Kamui.

"Well, yeah... but we also got an idea. How about we go down to the corner store and get some ice cream to go with it?" She grinned childishly.

"Ice cream..?" Kotori mused. "Are we all going?"

Kamui stood silent, unsure of what to say.

"Of course! That is, if you two want to... I think it'd be fun!" Uo said with a nod, smiling her award winning smile.

Yuzuriha beams.

"But...if I leave, then he'll find me.." Kotori protested.

"It'll be ok..." he assured her.

"He will not. I won't let him hurt you if I can help it anyways, Kotori-chan. Remember that... he has to go through me first." Uo nodded with a smile. "Y'should know that by now."

Kotori looked down. "Hmm..." she whimpered. "I guess..."

"Great! Kamui, you're going to come and help, too, right?" she paused, remember the promise thing Kotori had mentioned. "We'll need some help, y'know... if I can't protect Kotori, someone has to."

"That was my intention all along..." he said quietly. He looked a Kotori for a moment, but then quickly turned away and began to walk towards the door. "Come on. Lets go before it gets crowded."

Kotori swallowed. "Errmm..." She pulled the oven mitt off, and skittered towards the door. "Don't leave me! Please.."

Yuzuriha opened the door, Inuki following close behind. "The ice cream shop isn't too far away!"

Uo nodded and paused, letting Kotori go ahead of her. "We won't. Let's try and lighten the mood a little!" She smiled kawaiily.

Hearing Kotori's plea, Kamui stopped in his tracks and turned to the young girl. He took her hand gently in his and smiled weakly. "Don't worry...I wont leave you...never again.."

Kotori sniffed. When Kamui took her hand, she stiffened, and her hand twitched, almost as if it was about to pull away. "K-kamui-kun.."

"Come on..." he said while puling her closer. "Everything will be fine. I'll protect you. I promise..."

There still felt like there was a gap between him and Kotori somehow. He didn't blame her, not after what she had been though. Maybe things could go back to normal...

Kotori coughed uncomfortably. "H-hai!!" Kotori called. She looked at Kamui.

"We'd better get going. She pulled from his grasp, Thankful and unthankful to Yuzuriha for her calling, and walked out the door. "Let's go."

Yuzuriha skipped to the ice cream shop, despite the nagging pain at her waist. "Here it is, guys!"

Kamui nodded, and followed closely behind Kotori should anything happen.

Uo giggled slightly and paused as she looked around. "Sure are a lot of restaurants…whoa.. do I smell pizza?" She blinked curiously.

"Yuzuriha...Uo…wait..." Kotori said softly, scared. She hurried to catch up to the two girl's, leaving some space between her and Kamui.

The aroma of the food began to make Kamui's stomach rumble. Hiding a slight blush he turned away.

"I'm a pepperoni fan!" Uo interjected, giggling at Yuzuriha. "Can't live without 'em! Double cheese and pepperoni is the best! Absolutely!!"

Kotori stayed close to the group, her eyes adverting cautiously around her into the crowds. "Its him..." No…it was a look-alike. All these people were making her paranoid.

"Why don't we get some pizza first, and then ice cream and cake afterwards?" beamed Yuzuriha. "I haven't eaten since sometime yesterday morning."

"Yeah! Yeah!" Uo nodded, and then paused as she looked at Kotori. "It's okay, Kotori-chan... some pizza'd cheer ya up quick, ne?" She smiled a little.

"Are you alright?" Kamui asked noticing the nervous look on Kotori's face.

Everyone was suddenly giving her a ton of attention. "Ee...I'm...okay..." she said slowly. She flashed them a soft smile.

Shouri paused as he stopped humming. After a second or two, he looked over at Subaru. "... Say, Sumeragi-san... are you able to walk?" He asked curiously.

"Sort of," Subaru admitted. "I'm sure with your help I'd have a better chance of getting around. Why?"

"Well, I was thinking maybe we could go get some ice cream or something, seeing as you can't get any sleep... I think we both deserve a treat. Besides, it's late and not many people would be there." He smiled a little at the thought. How long had it been since he had gone out and gotten ANYTHING that wasn't herbal?

Subaru shrugged. "Sure." He really didn't have any intentions of getting ice cream, but he didn't want to be left alone, either.

Subaru took the help gratefully. "Shall we go, then?"

"Hai." Shouri nodded with a light smile, helping his friend towards the door. Ah well, at least he'd be eating something, ne?

Subaru's arm dangled around Shouri's neck as they took the seemingly short trip in the direction of the ice cream shop.

Walking the sidewalk was har, but he managed. Ice cream was worth it, right? He thought he saw a strange group ahead. A peculiar group, too.

"Is that...Kamui-kun...and Yuzuriha-chan??" Subaru's eyesight was a bit off in the night, so he wasn't sure if he was seeing things.

"I'm not sure I know them, but we can always ask." Shouri said.

Okita was silent when he watched the mob get cut off...It wasn't surprising to see some of them try to cross the barrier...getting hurt in the process. His eyes widened as yelled. "Hey don't do this for me!" The fans didn't stopped to listen to their idol's words, making them all want to try again, Okita just sighed and removed his jacket...he really liked this one but these people were starting to get on his nerves...He tossed the jacket upward toward the fans watching them forget about him for that moment and mob the jacket...

Okita quickly moved away, finally looking to Yuuto...shivering slightly. He was wet and the dye was beginning to run from his hair, beginning to turn platinum "I could've handled it...But thank you." He smiled slightly...before that cough occurred...that horrible cough that sounded like his lung being rejected from his body...That cough that splattered blood against the ground and caused him to fall to his knees. He began to wheeze followed by another such cough.

Fuuma watched the boy...so frail. He turned his attention to the computer girl for a moment...It seemed she had a found another one of his comrades lurking around...Was he a Dragon of Earth though? Fuuma smiled darkly as it was coming together.