Finding Him
Chapter 2 : The Boys
by : Sakeena deathstalkker@yahoo.com
Legal disclaimers apply to all anime.
My eyes opened feebly, then shut once more as the light seemed right too bright for my eyes to handle. I guess I was already getting used to live in darkness that I could no longer muster the light.
I was in a bed. Alive, much to my dismay. It wouldn't be hell; and I didn't think I'd pass to heaven after what I had done. Wherever I was, I had no idea and no memory came to my mind.
A pleasant boy greeted me with a kind smile. It was only then that I realize I was actually with someone in the room. He was arranging the curtains to let the light seep in. "Good morning. You are Kanzaki Kasumi, right?"
"Who are you? Where am I?" was all I could reply to his greeting.
He sat down on a chair by the foot of the bed, never losing his grin. He reminded me of my students at the dojo." Aya brought you home last night. He said he found you unconscious at the streets."
"Is that so?" I asked him. For a long while, nothing came to my mind. At first, I thought all those - my suicidal attempt - was merely a dream and that I was indeed found lying unconscious in the streets. Later, when I saw the guy Aya who was no other than the character in my presupposed dream, I realized he said what he said to save my face. Why, wasn't he a criminal as he claimed? He sure didn't look and act like one.
Just like me.
Looks sure are deceiving.
The pleasant boy introduced himself as Tsukiyono. Tsukiyono Omi. And I introduced myself. Though I intended not to be too close to anybody, I couldn't help being nice to him. He was even nicer to me than
that Aya guy. He told me not to move a finger and he would bring me food to eat. He then
disappeared.
My eyes veered to the window where flowers..beautiful flowers were draped on.
Whenever I was sick , my students usually pay me a visit. And it would feel very very nice.
"So it wasn't a dream.." I began, sensing the Aya guy watching me from the door.
He didn't answer.
"Why did you save me?" I pressed once more, turning my head to look at him.
His apathetic face remained apathetic. "That isn't a very polite way to say thank you."
"I told you, mister --"
"Fujimiya. Fujimiya Aya."
"I told you Mister Fujimiya --"
"And don't call me mister. Aya."
"I told you Aya. I'm a criminal."
"I told you that too, didn't I?"
"You're not taking me seriously again!" I cried angrily at him. Why was he thinking I was joking? I wasn't even smiling.
"You're being judgmental. And let me tell you one thing - your judgements are misleading you. "
He wasn't smiling either.
Omi came back. It was nice he interrupted because Aya's presence comforted me none. The taller guy left quietly. Omi began helping me in every way he could. I wonder if they were related or something. I don't think anybody could stand staying with that pissed off Fujimiya guy.
Later I learned with Omi's help that they were not related. Two other guys were introduced to me - a long haired girl crazy Kudou Yoji and a short haired guy Hidaka Ken. None of them were blood related. Just business associates over a flower shop which was where I was.
The three guy were kind and pleasant to me. Because I was too weak, I was requested by Tsukiyono to stay there for a while. Accidentally, he stumbled over asking my identity. And accidentally
I told him.
"I'm gonna call your family , Ms. Kanzaki and tell you're here with us, recovering. Just tell me their number of where and when I contact them."
My eyes landed on the flowers. "I don't have a family," I answered flatly.
He apologized repeatedly. I assured him there was no need to. "Believe me, boy. We all commit mistakes."
And for my case, it was unknowingly.
During the day, they busied themselves in the flower shop. I remained at one room in the same structure. Not really bed ridden, but I scarcely left the bed. That bed had become a sanctuary to me. For what seemed like the longest yet the shortest time, I was not haunted by my 'disease'.
Then one stormy night, it came. It no longer haunted me while I was awake. Whoever responsible realized I was learning to fight it, and decided to visit me when I was powerless to do anything - during my sleep.
While I succeeded in forgetting most of the visions I saw, this 'dreams' came more of as a reminder. I saw the boys , the flower shop, Mariko, my father and a girl. The boys..they were Omi and his friends. And they were the same witnesses over my crime.
Then total blackness.
I had a dream. Dream of flowers. Flowers everywhere. Very very nice. I wish it never had to end. I had not of any nice dream like that for such a long time, so long I could barely recall.
However, the reality I woke up with was not as bad as my dream was good. It was worse.
A voice kept asking. It wasn't the same voice I was hearing. It was calm and cold, but unlike the other voices I hear, it wasn't a nightmare to hear it. It comforted me. But only for a while before I opened my eyes.
"Where am I?" I asked, blinking my eyes open. Nothing clear registered. All are blurred.
The first thing that I saw clear was a blade. A blade directed to my face. Everything clarified. It was dark. My rabbit mask was torn into halves at the ground. I was wearing the same male black suit, with gloves. All my three weapons were thrown to the ground.
Fujimiya Aya had cornered me. His eyes were furious. I stared back at him blankly. "What the--"
"I didn't expect this," he said without much emotion.
I didn't either.
I looked at him. He wore almost the same clothes I had - dark colors. As though he was involved in some kind of illegal business as I was. My eyes fell on my gloved hands.
Blood.
I screamed, jumping back. "What have I done? What --" I was going to scream some more but the voice in my head began talking distinctly. So distinct, I thought it was Aya. I watched him, horrified. "It's you..you..You're raping my mind..You --" And I tried to get away from him, never been really scared in my whole entire life before in meeting the source of evil.
The voice became louder. It wasn't Aya. So who was it? Why was it that my sight was not blurred? I only hear the voice when I was not seeing anything. I stepped back, further away from him.
The voice began talking. It was telling me to repeat after it.
I
I
will
will
kill
kill
you
you
NO!
kill you
I covered my ears, began screaming. Stay away! Stay away! Leave me alone! Who are you? Why are you doing this to me? LEAVE ME ALONE!
kill you
I retreated at the farthest corner I could until there was nowhere else to go . I was slumping down to the ground.
I will kill you
PLEASE! NO!
I can't kill.
Again.
I began to cry.
Again.
Leave me alone.
Aya began striding closer. Then I could not remember anything else.
Again.
April 2000 © Sakeena