Ephemeral Green
Chapter 9 - Substraction
The rest of the band had of course been overjoyed hearing the news from Nagi's mouth. « We have our violinist » the telekinetic teenager spoke in his strange, too-deep voice. « He'll move in soon, maybe in a day or two » He had no chance to say anything before the overjoyed Schuldich headlocked him and messed up whatever semblance of haircut he had.
« That's great news! » the redhead was truly relieved. Maybe this was what had put up a dark veil over Nagi's thoughts these days.
« Yeah! I can't believe it's really true. Think we can all have a jam when he gets here? » Gush' asked between two bites of candy.
« Oi, oi! Don't rush him » Nagi stumbled out of Schuldich's grip. « He might be a bit cold at first. I don't think he's used to social contacts, so be gentle »
« Oh, like taming some sort of wild animal, hmm? » the german offered in his biting humor.
Nagi only sighed and rolled his eyes. He could only hope all would be okay.
Hisoka looked right, left, then closed his eyes.
He couldn't feel anything, even if he wanted to. His parents weren't home. Good. Finding the door expectedly locked, he took out his key and went inside.
He'd never thought this ugly house could be so beautiful, bathed in generous sunlight. Devoid of his parents' presence, it felt so peaceful, and he found out his heart strangely ached at the thought of leaving. He had to, though. He'd agreed to join the band, and besides, he could barely stand his parents anymore and he knew they couldn't stand him around. This was, as much as he hated to think it, the most joyful happening of his life.
Joyful? When was he ever given something to smile about?
Maybe today. When he played with Nagi, it had been great. He felt nice. No, nicer than nice.. and 'nice' was the best he'd ever felt. Nagi was the kindest person he had ever met, it had even been fun back in the park.
Shaking his head to clear it, he refoccused on his goal. Rummaging through his room, he packed a few change of clothes, his violin and went to the bathroom to get his toothbrush. That was all he would need. He would start over there.
Some small time later, the katana he left behind would be stolen by a man with hair the color of glittering snow.
« Nagi! Can you type this..? » Gush asked, dumping a huge file on the table before slumping down on the chair to gobble up dinner. « I just finished it.. and I can't type it for tomorrow morning's class unless I don't sleep, so »
« Gushoshin, don't speak with your mouth full » Brad patronized. « Chew well or you'll get stomachaches »
« Yeah, and eat your vegetables, or else no dessert » Schuldich threatened mildly.
« Don't worry Gush, I'll save you dessert for when you get back tonight.. I don't have lots to do, so I can type your paper up. It'll be okay, just concentrate on work and sleep for tonight, all right? » he smiled sweetly. He'd have made a great big brother.
« Domo Arigato, Nagi! Leave it on my desk when you're done » Gush thanked him profusedly between generous gulps of food. Finishing before eveyone else, he hurriedly put his plates in the sink, raced for his clothes and saluted « Later! »
Seeing him off to work like that for the third day in a row, the others sighed out.
« I wonder how long he'll be able to keep up with this » Schuldich murmured worriedly.
« As long as he needs to, I suppose » the ever-knowledgable Brad Crawford offered in his deep tone.
That tone was out-deepened by Nagi's. The youth always had a voice that sounded as if it was coming from the bowels of Hell. « Gomen.. I should have thought about all this before moving in. There would have been more suitable times for him , times when he wouldn't have been rushed like that » he knows how hard it is to get used to a new home at a young age.
« He'll be okay… We have to trust him » Was it that weird to hear this from the cynical redhead..?
A few seconds later…
Muraki let out one long insane laugh that was soon joined by his bleach- hair comrade. « Soon! Very soon we will be able to break those dolls. Fragile porcelain dolls. We will hurt God very much together » he added only for his companion's ears. Not that anyone else could hear them, but still, it was a comment for him and only him.
« Hurt.. God » the Irishman repeated in his overly raspy voice. « Hurt… THEM! » he then took out the closest pointy object and stabbed it into a strawberry, watching the red juice slide towards the floor, ending up in an enlarging puddle.
« It will be wonderful to destroy their lives. All of their lives » yes, even those who had no buisness with their old bandmates had become targets as well. « Slowly, very slowly, we will watch them wither and die like forgotten, unwatered flowers! »
Outside, the evening was creeping up slowly upon the city.
Hisoka looked left, right and finally stared back in front of him. He held a small piece of paper in his hand, his delicate face marred with a frown of both eyebrows and lips. Then again, wasn't that his usual expression? Was he thoughtful, dissapointed, angry..?
« That's the place, I guess » he murmured to himself, throwing the paper to let the winds play with it as he made his way up the door.
Seeing no doorbell, slim fingers curled up into a fist and…
The door opened suddenly, admittinga running youth outside. The unavoidable happened.
Hisoka briefly wondered what he was doing on the ground, suitcse lying open with his various clothing items scattered about.
Three others rushed out of the house. « Are you okay? » one voice asked. « Gushushin, you shouldn't get past the door in such hurry » yet another.. and a nasal chuckle.
« Gomen nasai, Hisoka! » Nagi hurried to his side. It occured to him that he was glad to see him. Glad? Strange feeling. « We never thought you'd be coming so soon! Have you eaten yet? Let me get your clothes »
Having refused the helping hand, the Empath felt interest and tension from the other people. He found it a little annoying. « It's okay, I'll get my clothes. » he answered, brushing some sand off. As for being hungry… he didn't realize how much he actually was! He hadn't gotten anything in his stomach since this morning.. and Nagi's offered sweet bread. « H-hai, I'd like some food, if it's not a bother » Even if it had been offered, he felt like a stranger still.
« Aaaahhhh! » Gush's cry of terror rang across the city. « I'm late!!! » he then sped away, faster than whichiever bus he was going to take.
Then, there was silence. Brad had been studying the new youth for some time, and Schuldich had retreated inside shortly after seeing the other gree-eyed person. Hisoka might have slammed him out of his mind.
« You're sure you don't need help with that suitcase? » the ever helpful Nagi shattered the silence. A shake of the head from his near-twin sufficed for him to drop it. « Well then, I'll go see if I can get you some food. Brad, guide him to my room, all right? »
Hisoka frowned lightly. Nagi's room..? what for? Then he remembered.. there were two double ccupancy and one single. He guessed rightfully that the single had already nbeen claimed. He fell uneasy at sharing his personal space and wondered if he could get used to being invaded like that.
« We're here »
« Huh? » the voice had thrown him out of his daydream, suddenly. Nagi's room was a sanctuary of simplistic, artistic peace. The walls were white, but a blue line ran along it, cutting the monotony in two. The beds were simple low futon, which had Hisoka believe firmly that despite his strange blue eyes, the other teenager was Japenese. If not, then he had stuck to the traditional way. On a corner of the room was a small drawer. If one looked fast, it would fail to be noticed. Hisoka only saw it because he had been looking hard at details. A nice picture hung above the futon.
A big sakura tree in bloom on a green hill against a blue sky. Hisoka knew it was done in ink on special, thick paper since his mother painted as her pasttime. It was very tasteful, pink against blue. The picture was framed with small bamboo rods tied together. He found it very calming to look at.
Suddenly, he backed up against the wall, gasping, green eyes widened. Something.. he saw something in his mind. An image, so dim.. of sakura trees and a red moon… and…
« Are you all right? » Brad asked, looking at him
Pushing himself away from the wall, he gave out a light snort. « Yeah.. »
The man with a mind on buisness let it slide. « So this is where you will sleep. Nagi said he wouldn't mind you decorating your half of the room to your tastes » he dutifully handed the message to the new roommate.
« Aa » he nodded, dumping his suitcase and instrument next to the bed . « I'll do this later… I'd like some food right now » he murmured, mind swaying back to the vague image he had, a phantomatic vision, maybe an illusion.
« My pretty little doll » a voice that was longing got carried by the winds towards infinity. The moon outside shone on silvery hair, reflected off and amplified like a miniature glittering star. « Come to me.. my puppet »
Hisoka woke up with a light groan, sleepy green eyes scanning the room and stalling on the window. « …someone? » he murmured, blinking slowly. He couldn't see anyone, but he felt like he was being called. Pushing the blanket away, he put on a robe over his pajamas and walked out of the room, intending to go look outside. Something was tugging at him and he wanted to know what it was.
Unlocking the front door, he didn't bother to lock it again. He was only stepping out for a peek, he thought.
Sighting a shadow against the full moon, the teenager froze, staring with large, shining green eyes.
Silence was hanging thick in the air, light wind blowing featherlight golden-brown hair sideways, brushing the pale forehead. The youth shivered, but it wasn't because of the light wind. He couldn't tell why.. but maybe he was afraid. Just… maybe.
« My pretty doll » the man held out a hand. « Come, I will not break you » he promised.
« W-what? » Hisoka gasped, eyes widening as the moon suddenly became as red as blood. « What's.. happening? » he panted, beath shortening. He rose a hand to clasp his forehead, finding it burning, boiling, wanting to explode.
The man walked towards him, face darkened since the moonlight wouldn't shine on it. « I am surprised that you will not remember. This is of no importance. Soon enough, you will. » he paused, holding out a hand with long fingers. « Now come with me, fragile, precious puppet » he then slid those fingers along the frozen teenager's cheek.
It's then that everything went dark in Hisoka's mind.
Muraki lifted the mindless teenager in his arms, and hoped Farfello was having his share of fun.
Nagi had been woken up when Hisoka left the room. He just thought the other teen was off to the bathroom, or wanted a midnight snack. He rapidly crashed back into sleep. In the morning though, he would be a bit alarmed to see that Hisoka's clothes were still on the chair, the door still open.
Racing around the house, he wondered fearfuly what could have happened for Hisoka to leave. When he found the door unlocked, dread claimed him. Something was definitely not right.
He couldn't understand why he felt like he was drowning. He had to do something.. anything! How namy hours had passed since Hisoka dissapeared? Where could he be? Quickly getting dressed, taking his keys, he stormed out of the house… and stepped on a rock, which happened to be holding down a message.
He kicked the rock away, picked up the paper… and ran off after locking the door.
He never noticed that Gushoshin hadn't come back from work.. and the typed papers were still in his room on the desk.
Later that night, Gush had gotten out of work and taken the way back to what he could now call home.
The breeze felt nice, the moonlight casting a silvery glow around everything it touched. He thought back, about his violent encounter with that Hisoka guy.. He was going to be their fifth and last member after all. He looked forward to when they would all play together. He even started running home, just so he could get there faster, sleep and go throught tomorrow. Maybe they would all play tomorrow night!
As he ran, he crashed into something that suddenly fell.. or someone? Sitting up on the pavement, he shook his head to clear it. The voice he heard next never could have gotten him more awake.
« What's the hurry…? »
Raspy, slightly deep…. It couldn't be another! « F-Farfello..? » he looked up and instantly wished to be having a nightmare! One golen eye was peering down at him, the blade of a knife glistening in the light. « W-what-«
« What am I doing…? » he took a step forward, seeing the boy trying to slide backwards. « I feel like seeing your blood… Muraki said I can » he then gave that evil toothy smile.
« D-don't! I.. i.. » he gulpeda large lump, fear building up in his chest. He had always been afraid of farfeloo, but as the pale, scarred hand grabbed his shoulder, he knew for real what fear was.
A cry ressounded through the still night.
However, only a few dogs howling answered it.
Nagi arrived at the old battlefield, out of breath, having ran all the way. His wide midnight-blue eyes searched for Hisoka, panic starting to posess him.
The sun was slowly rising to the east, the circle as red as blood outlining a frail form that approached from a hill. Nagi felt like crying out Hisoka's name and running to him.. but something stopped him, froze him there. That look he had in his eyes… it wasn't the usual one. He'd never seen it before, but Nagi could tell this was bloodlust.
What was even more unsettling was the katana he held in his hands.
~Chapter 9 end~
The Mayfly
November 18th 2001
Chapter 9 - Substraction
The rest of the band had of course been overjoyed hearing the news from Nagi's mouth. « We have our violinist » the telekinetic teenager spoke in his strange, too-deep voice. « He'll move in soon, maybe in a day or two » He had no chance to say anything before the overjoyed Schuldich headlocked him and messed up whatever semblance of haircut he had.
« That's great news! » the redhead was truly relieved. Maybe this was what had put up a dark veil over Nagi's thoughts these days.
« Yeah! I can't believe it's really true. Think we can all have a jam when he gets here? » Gush' asked between two bites of candy.
« Oi, oi! Don't rush him » Nagi stumbled out of Schuldich's grip. « He might be a bit cold at first. I don't think he's used to social contacts, so be gentle »
« Oh, like taming some sort of wild animal, hmm? » the german offered in his biting humor.
Nagi only sighed and rolled his eyes. He could only hope all would be okay.
Hisoka looked right, left, then closed his eyes.
He couldn't feel anything, even if he wanted to. His parents weren't home. Good. Finding the door expectedly locked, he took out his key and went inside.
He'd never thought this ugly house could be so beautiful, bathed in generous sunlight. Devoid of his parents' presence, it felt so peaceful, and he found out his heart strangely ached at the thought of leaving. He had to, though. He'd agreed to join the band, and besides, he could barely stand his parents anymore and he knew they couldn't stand him around. This was, as much as he hated to think it, the most joyful happening of his life.
Joyful? When was he ever given something to smile about?
Maybe today. When he played with Nagi, it had been great. He felt nice. No, nicer than nice.. and 'nice' was the best he'd ever felt. Nagi was the kindest person he had ever met, it had even been fun back in the park.
Shaking his head to clear it, he refoccused on his goal. Rummaging through his room, he packed a few change of clothes, his violin and went to the bathroom to get his toothbrush. That was all he would need. He would start over there.
Some small time later, the katana he left behind would be stolen by a man with hair the color of glittering snow.
« Nagi! Can you type this..? » Gush asked, dumping a huge file on the table before slumping down on the chair to gobble up dinner. « I just finished it.. and I can't type it for tomorrow morning's class unless I don't sleep, so »
« Gushoshin, don't speak with your mouth full » Brad patronized. « Chew well or you'll get stomachaches »
« Yeah, and eat your vegetables, or else no dessert » Schuldich threatened mildly.
« Don't worry Gush, I'll save you dessert for when you get back tonight.. I don't have lots to do, so I can type your paper up. It'll be okay, just concentrate on work and sleep for tonight, all right? » he smiled sweetly. He'd have made a great big brother.
« Domo Arigato, Nagi! Leave it on my desk when you're done » Gush thanked him profusedly between generous gulps of food. Finishing before eveyone else, he hurriedly put his plates in the sink, raced for his clothes and saluted « Later! »
Seeing him off to work like that for the third day in a row, the others sighed out.
« I wonder how long he'll be able to keep up with this » Schuldich murmured worriedly.
« As long as he needs to, I suppose » the ever-knowledgable Brad Crawford offered in his deep tone.
That tone was out-deepened by Nagi's. The youth always had a voice that sounded as if it was coming from the bowels of Hell. « Gomen.. I should have thought about all this before moving in. There would have been more suitable times for him , times when he wouldn't have been rushed like that » he knows how hard it is to get used to a new home at a young age.
« He'll be okay… We have to trust him » Was it that weird to hear this from the cynical redhead..?
A few seconds later…
Muraki let out one long insane laugh that was soon joined by his bleach- hair comrade. « Soon! Very soon we will be able to break those dolls. Fragile porcelain dolls. We will hurt God very much together » he added only for his companion's ears. Not that anyone else could hear them, but still, it was a comment for him and only him.
« Hurt.. God » the Irishman repeated in his overly raspy voice. « Hurt… THEM! » he then took out the closest pointy object and stabbed it into a strawberry, watching the red juice slide towards the floor, ending up in an enlarging puddle.
« It will be wonderful to destroy their lives. All of their lives » yes, even those who had no buisness with their old bandmates had become targets as well. « Slowly, very slowly, we will watch them wither and die like forgotten, unwatered flowers! »
Outside, the evening was creeping up slowly upon the city.
Hisoka looked left, right and finally stared back in front of him. He held a small piece of paper in his hand, his delicate face marred with a frown of both eyebrows and lips. Then again, wasn't that his usual expression? Was he thoughtful, dissapointed, angry..?
« That's the place, I guess » he murmured to himself, throwing the paper to let the winds play with it as he made his way up the door.
Seeing no doorbell, slim fingers curled up into a fist and…
The door opened suddenly, admittinga running youth outside. The unavoidable happened.
Hisoka briefly wondered what he was doing on the ground, suitcse lying open with his various clothing items scattered about.
Three others rushed out of the house. « Are you okay? » one voice asked. « Gushushin, you shouldn't get past the door in such hurry » yet another.. and a nasal chuckle.
« Gomen nasai, Hisoka! » Nagi hurried to his side. It occured to him that he was glad to see him. Glad? Strange feeling. « We never thought you'd be coming so soon! Have you eaten yet? Let me get your clothes »
Having refused the helping hand, the Empath felt interest and tension from the other people. He found it a little annoying. « It's okay, I'll get my clothes. » he answered, brushing some sand off. As for being hungry… he didn't realize how much he actually was! He hadn't gotten anything in his stomach since this morning.. and Nagi's offered sweet bread. « H-hai, I'd like some food, if it's not a bother » Even if it had been offered, he felt like a stranger still.
« Aaaahhhh! » Gush's cry of terror rang across the city. « I'm late!!! » he then sped away, faster than whichiever bus he was going to take.
Then, there was silence. Brad had been studying the new youth for some time, and Schuldich had retreated inside shortly after seeing the other gree-eyed person. Hisoka might have slammed him out of his mind.
« You're sure you don't need help with that suitcase? » the ever helpful Nagi shattered the silence. A shake of the head from his near-twin sufficed for him to drop it. « Well then, I'll go see if I can get you some food. Brad, guide him to my room, all right? »
Hisoka frowned lightly. Nagi's room..? what for? Then he remembered.. there were two double ccupancy and one single. He guessed rightfully that the single had already nbeen claimed. He fell uneasy at sharing his personal space and wondered if he could get used to being invaded like that.
« We're here »
« Huh? » the voice had thrown him out of his daydream, suddenly. Nagi's room was a sanctuary of simplistic, artistic peace. The walls were white, but a blue line ran along it, cutting the monotony in two. The beds were simple low futon, which had Hisoka believe firmly that despite his strange blue eyes, the other teenager was Japenese. If not, then he had stuck to the traditional way. On a corner of the room was a small drawer. If one looked fast, it would fail to be noticed. Hisoka only saw it because he had been looking hard at details. A nice picture hung above the futon.
A big sakura tree in bloom on a green hill against a blue sky. Hisoka knew it was done in ink on special, thick paper since his mother painted as her pasttime. It was very tasteful, pink against blue. The picture was framed with small bamboo rods tied together. He found it very calming to look at.
Suddenly, he backed up against the wall, gasping, green eyes widened. Something.. he saw something in his mind. An image, so dim.. of sakura trees and a red moon… and…
« Are you all right? » Brad asked, looking at him
Pushing himself away from the wall, he gave out a light snort. « Yeah.. »
The man with a mind on buisness let it slide. « So this is where you will sleep. Nagi said he wouldn't mind you decorating your half of the room to your tastes » he dutifully handed the message to the new roommate.
« Aa » he nodded, dumping his suitcase and instrument next to the bed . « I'll do this later… I'd like some food right now » he murmured, mind swaying back to the vague image he had, a phantomatic vision, maybe an illusion.
« My pretty little doll » a voice that was longing got carried by the winds towards infinity. The moon outside shone on silvery hair, reflected off and amplified like a miniature glittering star. « Come to me.. my puppet »
Hisoka woke up with a light groan, sleepy green eyes scanning the room and stalling on the window. « …someone? » he murmured, blinking slowly. He couldn't see anyone, but he felt like he was being called. Pushing the blanket away, he put on a robe over his pajamas and walked out of the room, intending to go look outside. Something was tugging at him and he wanted to know what it was.
Unlocking the front door, he didn't bother to lock it again. He was only stepping out for a peek, he thought.
Sighting a shadow against the full moon, the teenager froze, staring with large, shining green eyes.
Silence was hanging thick in the air, light wind blowing featherlight golden-brown hair sideways, brushing the pale forehead. The youth shivered, but it wasn't because of the light wind. He couldn't tell why.. but maybe he was afraid. Just… maybe.
« My pretty doll » the man held out a hand. « Come, I will not break you » he promised.
« W-what? » Hisoka gasped, eyes widening as the moon suddenly became as red as blood. « What's.. happening? » he panted, beath shortening. He rose a hand to clasp his forehead, finding it burning, boiling, wanting to explode.
The man walked towards him, face darkened since the moonlight wouldn't shine on it. « I am surprised that you will not remember. This is of no importance. Soon enough, you will. » he paused, holding out a hand with long fingers. « Now come with me, fragile, precious puppet » he then slid those fingers along the frozen teenager's cheek.
It's then that everything went dark in Hisoka's mind.
Muraki lifted the mindless teenager in his arms, and hoped Farfello was having his share of fun.
Nagi had been woken up when Hisoka left the room. He just thought the other teen was off to the bathroom, or wanted a midnight snack. He rapidly crashed back into sleep. In the morning though, he would be a bit alarmed to see that Hisoka's clothes were still on the chair, the door still open.
Racing around the house, he wondered fearfuly what could have happened for Hisoka to leave. When he found the door unlocked, dread claimed him. Something was definitely not right.
He couldn't understand why he felt like he was drowning. He had to do something.. anything! How namy hours had passed since Hisoka dissapeared? Where could he be? Quickly getting dressed, taking his keys, he stormed out of the house… and stepped on a rock, which happened to be holding down a message.
He kicked the rock away, picked up the paper… and ran off after locking the door.
He never noticed that Gushoshin hadn't come back from work.. and the typed papers were still in his room on the desk.
Later that night, Gush had gotten out of work and taken the way back to what he could now call home.
The breeze felt nice, the moonlight casting a silvery glow around everything it touched. He thought back, about his violent encounter with that Hisoka guy.. He was going to be their fifth and last member after all. He looked forward to when they would all play together. He even started running home, just so he could get there faster, sleep and go throught tomorrow. Maybe they would all play tomorrow night!
As he ran, he crashed into something that suddenly fell.. or someone? Sitting up on the pavement, he shook his head to clear it. The voice he heard next never could have gotten him more awake.
« What's the hurry…? »
Raspy, slightly deep…. It couldn't be another! « F-Farfello..? » he looked up and instantly wished to be having a nightmare! One golen eye was peering down at him, the blade of a knife glistening in the light. « W-what-«
« What am I doing…? » he took a step forward, seeing the boy trying to slide backwards. « I feel like seeing your blood… Muraki said I can » he then gave that evil toothy smile.
« D-don't! I.. i.. » he gulpeda large lump, fear building up in his chest. He had always been afraid of farfeloo, but as the pale, scarred hand grabbed his shoulder, he knew for real what fear was.
A cry ressounded through the still night.
However, only a few dogs howling answered it.
Nagi arrived at the old battlefield, out of breath, having ran all the way. His wide midnight-blue eyes searched for Hisoka, panic starting to posess him.
The sun was slowly rising to the east, the circle as red as blood outlining a frail form that approached from a hill. Nagi felt like crying out Hisoka's name and running to him.. but something stopped him, froze him there. That look he had in his eyes… it wasn't the usual one. He'd never seen it before, but Nagi could tell this was bloodlust.
What was even more unsettling was the katana he held in his hands.
~Chapter 9 end~
The Mayfly
November 18th 2001