It was so...bright here.

His violet eyes didn't seem too bothered by the whiteness surrounding him, but that didn't mean it wasn't frightening.

Frightening? He was actually scared?!

He looked down at himself, and became even more surprised. This explained much. He brought his hands in front of his face, and gasped. His gasp sent him into a new startling discovery, and he covered his mouth with his pale, tiny hands. He was small again, roughly ten years old, to be exact. He felt himself all over, just to make sure.

Yep, he was definitely ten again.

This conundrum was interesting enough, but then the empty white void seemed to twist and turn, warping into different shapes until they began making sense. However...he was not happy with where this void had decided to emulate. As walls formed and accessories fit into place, floorboards fixed and doors opened...he knew instantly where this was, and he did not aprove.

"Joshua Kiryu?"

He looked at the source of the voice, and frowned deeply. It was a silhouette. A tall, intimidating male silhouette with a lab coat and the shadow of glasses on its face. He decided he didn't like this person, and shrank back almost on instinct.

"Now now, I'm not going to hurt you. My name is Doctor Baulo, and I'm here to help you."

Help him? Help him what...escape this void-turned-nightmare?

"Why, yes actually. Look, Joshua...you are a very special little boy, and you need help in order to really return to your true self. I bet you're confused right now, but don't worry, I'll clear all that up."

Joshua squinted and wrinkled his nose. The man talked a good game, but so did all the doctors. All of them eventually betrayed him though, and gave him pills that eroded his 'Imagination' as Mister H called it. Regardless, the little boy wasn't about to trust this strange doctor's flowery words.

"I know your experience with the medical field has been sub-par at best, but rest assured, I have no intentions of shoving pills down your throat. So, now Joshua...can you open yourself up for me, just for a minute? I promise, I am here to help you."

The little blonde frowned. Perhaps this doctor really would help him. He cocked his head, wanting out of this white hospital devoid of color and shading, out of this void where he felt so floaty...the chilld finally decided, and reached his hand out to take the doctor's own.

"No! Yoshiya don't!"

A blinding flash yanked him away from the adult, opening white wings and sheilding him as it carried him into a different void...a void of greens, blues...and dots of color. A void of soft grass and pleasant smells...of birds and trees...and the unmistakable odor of nature.

His rescuer set him on the grass, and it was then that he realized that he was a lot older now. 15 to be exact...the same age he died as long ago. He felt himself all over again, and discovered that he had no heart beat...and he didn't need to breathe. A familiar warmth was in his bosom, a warmth he hadn't truly felt since…

"Since you played the Game, huh Yoshi."

That name…

Only one person had ever called him that name without incurring his very potent wrath. He looked at his rescuer in shock and awe, and reached his hand out, trying to make sure the vision in front of him, her hair blowing in the wind, her wings rustling behind her...those silver orbs filled with a playful zest sparkling as they always did with snarky abandon...was indeed real and truly in front of his amethyst eyes.

"Haineko."

His rescuer giggled, flipping her hair "So you do remember me. I'm flattered, Yoshi, especially because you never call, even though you can easily visit the HP whenever you want. But there's really no time for heartfelt reunions. The good doctor knows where we are, and he's quite cross that I whisked you away just when he was about to lead you to oblivion. I'm sorry I couldn't be here right when you arrived, but to be honest, I hadn't been deployed yet." Her face scrunched into a pout, " Which is all kinds of stupid, since I've been watching over you for YEARS!"

Joshua cocked his head "You've been appointed my Guardian Angel then. Won't Sanae be jealous. I bet he was under the impression I didn't have one."

Haineko giggled and then cackled "That old codger knew. He just didn't want to tell you because then his self-proclaimed guardianship would've been in jeopardy. But more on that later. I'm not here to shoot the shit with you, Yoshi. I'm here to give you a choice."

Joshua was all ears "A choice." he stated "Go on."

"Well, I'm sure you've noticed, prissy ass, but your tether to the Music has been severed. You can't reach your district, and she can't reach you. Voices from outside your body might reach, depending on your bonds, but you can't answer. Your grasp on the lower planes of existence have been completely smacked away, and the chances of you regaining your grip are slim to none."

"So there is a chance then"

"Shut up I'm not done! Yes, there is a chance but the road there isn't what you'd call a picnic. In fact...It'll be the most painful experience you can imagine."

"Physically...or emotionally."

"Both, you snarky bastard….both. You might...not even survive. It's a true gamble. Not like the Game gamble...something deeper than that. Something...that could destroy your very soul. Annnd you're smiling. Shit. I know that look..."

The violet eyes sparkled, and the mouth became a hungry sneer.

"A true gamble eh? Bring it on."

"You are going nowhere, child!"

Joshua stood up and grabbed for Haineko, pulling her along as the white void began taking over the peaceful little area.

"I suggest bringing it on...quickly. I have no desire to become monochrome!"

Haineko chuckled and spread her wings, lifting them both off the ground "As much as running hand on wrist with you is nostalgic, I think it's faster if I just fly us to the next part of your psychy."

"Next part, dear?"

"Just shut up and hang on!" the Angel said, tethering him along.

Joshua was wondering what his body looked like as he made this little trip into the deep recesses of his mind. He honestly hoped it wasn't scaring Neku too badly...