* * *

* * *

Hot chocolate at the coffee shop ended as a long evening of pizza. After eating, they drove to the salon, and as Hitomi expected, Marina and her other friends were working busily. At least, that was what she thought, until she realized that instead of working, they seemed to have been searching for the small address book.

Even as the two walked through the doors, all four ladies were on their knees, climbing shelves, and rummaging through closets. Lian, the tall woman with chestnut hair at her shoulders, noticed Hitomi and Ty first.

"Hitomi, Ty. How's it going?"

Ty let go of his mother's hand and went on his own exploration around the parlour. Hitomi approached the crowded front desk.

"Alright." She glanced at Ty. "He got into a little trouble at school."

"Oh, hey Hitomi," Jesi called out from behind the door of the closet.

"Hi Jesi," she greeted.

Lian continued, still pushing aside piles of papers and receipts. "What did he do?"

"He got rough with some boys."

"What did they say to him?" Marina asked, getting onto her feet.

Hitomi had a blank expression on her face. "…I'm not sure, actually."

"Why don't you ask him," Tia, the lovely blond with bright hazel eyes, whispered, nodding to the little boy twirling on a leather, extendable chair.

Hitomi hesitated. Jesi and Tia waved their hands enthusiastically, and Hitomi started towards Ty.

"Hey, bud."

"Hi."

She frowned. He was obviously angry, and it was his sense of shyness and his tone that gave it away. Ty spun around in the chair, drooping his head and allowing his jet-black hair to cover his eyes. Hitomi grasped the armrests of the chair and brought it to a halt. He didn't look up.

"Baby, why are you getting into these fights, huh? What's the point of all of it?" she asked quietly and gently. He lifted his head, but didn't answer. "Please, Ty, I need to know."

He was silent, then looked into his mother's green eyes.

"I didn't like the mean things they said about you," he answered, an angry, stubborn pout on his face.

Hitomi sighed, and closed her eyes, placing her hand over her mouth, not knowing what to do next.

"I'm sorry, mommy. I was mad."

His rare, gentle tone seemed to make everything all right again. Hitomi could feel herself breaking out of that bind of unhappiness. She wrapped her arms around the child, cradling his head with her hand.

"It's okay, Ty."

"But, mommy-"

She hushed him. "I know, bud. I know."

"When?"

Hitomi lifted her head, and noticed a tear trickle down his face. She wiped it away with the back of her finger. "Be patient." She forced a smile, which he returned. She held him once more, and could feel his pain. Somehow, he was feeling the same as she was. He missed what she wanted so dearly. He knew it all.

* * *

Hitomi flicked on the lights of the dark apartment. She locked the door behind her, and went into the kitchen where she clicked the button on the answering machine. As she waited for the tape to rewind, she watched Ty scurry into his room and shut the door.

"Get your pyjamas on, Ty. I'll tuck you in in a second," she called across the room. She heard him reply, but because it was so muffled, she shrugged and assumed he heard her. The answering machine tape played.

"Miss Kanzaki, this is Mrs. Hentoi calling from the school. Ty has been suspended from classes, and I believe it's necessary that you come to the school as soon as you can."

Hitomi frowned. Why didn't I hear the phone ring? She shrugged. I probably missed it while running.

The next message began.

"Hitomi, it's Yukari. I'm in town for two days, so give me a call and we'll get together. The cell number is 643-1933. And bring that little angel of yours with you! Talk to you soon."

She smiled and turned to the bedroom across the room. "Hey Ty! Yukari's in town!"

Another muffled response from behind the door. Hitomi grinned, and shook her head. She was about to end the calls, when another one came on.

She listened attentively. No one spoke. Traffic sounds rang in the background. Hitomi stared at the machine awkwardly. After more blurred engine noises, she heard a strange voice, in an odd language. It was extremely different. The message ended.

Hitomi sat in front of the counter, stunned. That was definitely the most interesting message she had ever received. She decided to forget about it, and headed to Ty's bedroom.

All the lights, but the small lamp next his bed, were out. He was already tucked under his covers, and his eyes were shut. Hitomi smiled, and leaned over his bed, placing a gentle kiss on his forehead. She closed the Venetian blinds and closed the door behind her. She looked over towards the microwave and glanced at the time.

11:07. No wonder. Hitomi slipped out a yawn and realized she was just as tired. Too exhausted to just walk into her own room, she flopped herself onto the dark blue couch, and shut her eyes.

She could feel herself drifting to sleep. Slowly, everything faded to darkness, but instead of feeling the sensation of comfort and protection, she felt tense.

She was surrounded by blackness. A large, blurred image of a familiar crest on the hilt of a sword was presented before her. The image disappeared as a bright light, engulfed in a red, octagonal chamber, glowed furiously. Then everything remained calm, and two spheres lay in the sky. The Earth and the moon, with stars dangling around them. A pendant swung twice, and the image dissolved.

Hitomi opened her eyes. Slowly blinking, she rose to her feet, and approached the closed doorway she had left moments ago. She entered the room, light from the open doorway shedding across the carpeted floor. Hitomi sat on the edge of the child's bed, and cupped her hand over his head. Slowly, and quietly, she whispered, "Soon, Ty. Soon."