A/N: Below, at the very bottom of this chapter, I have written a small Q&A
style of thing because I have received emails asking me these but the
server did not send and I was guilty of being unable to answer them
privately. I think it may be good tidbits though about the
story/characters, though. Also, see the question with "***" because you may
find out about the photos of the characters.
The Jolly season was at hand, but Soujiro had a heart that satisfied only sadness and despair. As he walked by the dark yet joyous halls of the "heavily" ill children, an old companion of his muttered strange words he wished not hear. The words he used to whisper on the wintry, lonely nights before.
"I'll kill you. I'll kill you."
THE WANDERER'S EYES
(Chapter 23:Night of Many Mischief Part 2)
Gyen-san passed him by and did not care to look at his face. It was as if he were mesmerized. Soujiro didn't feel comfortable after seeing him with that face, but he went on minding his own business.
The hall wasn't gloomy, and the air wasn't sad. The hall of the terribly sick children weren't as bad as he thought to be. He felt the freezing passing of souls that celebrate, but he did not see them. He just understood them.
At the room, Soushi was alone. Soujiro assumed Nagi was there with Soujiro and they would be celebrating. This was unusual. Well, maybe for them it wasn't.
"It's nice to see you, Souji-kun!" Soushi shouted with glee. His shout was more of a screech and his voice certainly didn't look to well.
Coming over, Soujiro gave a warm embrace to him and greeted, "It's that night you were waiting for. It's Chri- Kuri- Chr."
"Oh!" He interjected, "You mean Christmas? Yes, I have been waiting for it."
"Where's Nagi?"
"Nagi-chan? She's asleep, isn't she?"
Soujiro scratched his head. This game of innocence was too much to handle. He just continued his remarks, "How do you feel? Do you feel much better?"
Glumly, he spoke, "I oughtn't say anything. I don't feel terrible, but neither am I well."
"You've been waiting for a moment which is now, yet you lost your spirit," a voice suddenly said. To Soujiro's expectancy, it was Nagi.
"I always knew you'd never miss a holiday with your brother," he smiled.
She responded back, "To me, there is never a holiday. It is always time for me to be with my brother."
Soujiro's smile grew even more and the coldness of the room degenerated. The warmth he felt in his heart compensated what was not in his hands. Nagi, with a silly grin, pushed her hand forward and handed him something. Soujiro saw it was another present. This time, it was plainly wrapped in some type of petals and paper.
Nagi cheered the silent mood, "Soushi made it."
His eyes peered closer to the object. It was actually composed of TWO objects. He held both with caution, but he knew that this gift giving meant something dear. He did not give them something in return. He felt sour, like the kind you'd feel if you did not receive an invitation to a party you'd like to go to, and yet everyone was asked to.
"I-I," he choked.
They chorused as twins do, but they were only siblings, "You needn't give us anything at all. It has always been the thought that counts."
He reached into his pocket and discovered he kept the doll he received. A small spec of mistletoe was present too, since it was the one where he had missed that kiss from Kitsune, his newfound love (I hope this explains the comedy of the mistletoe scene last chapter).
Soushi tiptoed over to Soujiro. Soujiro knelt down to see what was wrong. Then, Soushi put his hands over his heart and said, "I would really appreciate it if you opened that. I made it myself!"
The plea made him decide to open it. However, Nagi had disappeared then. She often does, but Soujiro thought she had something important to do.
The two packages each were carried with small note cards. He took the biggest among them and ripped the sides to open it. Out dropped a golden chain with can be interlocked and/or split again. It was neither heavy nor large, but it did make Soujiro believe it was made of real gold. So it was!
The scarlet petals that used to cover it fell on his left foot and it made him uncomfortable. It didn't feel like any normal petals. He bent his neck to make out was making it so heavy. Then, he was surprised. The petals, the soft red petals that lay on his toes, were not petals any longer. Little by little, they turned into glossy pieces of some kind of a puzzle. They shined and did not show any picture. They were silvery and bright. Soujiro picked up one of them to keep, when the piece pricked his finger.
His finger bled helplessly. The tiny cut that was severed by the thing was not what it seems, for it made the cut burn and sting. The excruciating pain lasted long and the blood gushing out of it were of large amounts. He tried moaning, but his moans projected nothing of cries for help, but of laughter. It was the sound of childish laughter.
Soushi gazed at him curiously. There was no reason to laugh, was there? He took a step closer to assist in anything, until he suddenly collapsed on the bitter floor. A stare of deadly flashes spore into the air above them. ======= Q&A about "The Wanderer's Eyes" (This was sent by people that I couldn't reply. You can read it if you like. These are just little tidbits about the story)
Q: Why did you call it "The Wanderer's Eyes"? A: @_@? I hope you read it, since I explained it before. It was of Soujiro's eyes he could see souls of those that beckon help. It was given to him for him to discover what he was looking for. It also signifies truth and mystery. Q: Is Soujiro the only original character here? You have so many made up ones! A: Well, I guess so. Modhra was intentionally not in any way connected to Soujiro, but I decided it was just fun if I did. I originally thought of putting my second favorite character in the story, Okita Soushi, but I was afraid he might get confused with Soushi Tomochi for readers. Q: Why did you use so much paranormal terms? What's the deal? A: -_- Well, I'm very much into paranormal things, I guess. I can't really discuss this matter in a fan fiction. After all, it's about Soujiro, not me. Q: Are you stalling? You're making up new characters and just making more twists! A: Okay, so I am; but don't I have the right to? I'm not stalling. Extra characters like Jodraul Kreuss were not put there just for fun or confusion. I put him there for a reason. If you don't know yet, you'll know more about him soon. Others like Yenbi and Podoka were put there as a sign of someone's kindness towards their acquaintances. Every word in the fan fiction may mean something. Q: You're making me confused here. What's with Taro and his siblings in the dojo? A: They were there to guard or take care of the place while their grandfather had to take care of business. Chiriko has many friends there and would not miss a chance of being with them. Taro may be of the same reason, but if you've noticed, Taro is the responsible type and does seem strict. As for the agitating Boten, she is the person that used to be the nicest around the patients, but changed without them noticing much. Q: Why do you have someone explain things? A: Wow. Isn't it obvious I'd like the reader to find out things clearly without having to follow every non-verbal sentence? This thing also helps me incriminate character's opinion about each other. The way Taro describes Gyen-san may be harsh, but that is just how he thinks. ***Q: You promised us those photos! Where are they? A: I'm having trouble with these. I'm still in the process of scanning some and those less important were also unavailable in my sketch notebook. Once I have ALL OF THEM DONE (I don't want to just update per character, I'll make them feel alone and sad), I'll tell everyone IMEDIATELY. However, you can see if I have updated the yet by going to http://unknownkid.iwarp.com and see the My Stories' Artworks. You can also email me at Unknown_phantom888@yahoo.com or review this fic for questions. Q: I feel sad for Soushi. Why is he dying? Also, if he's blind, how can he see Nagi? A: He has AIDS. I don't want to be a science teacher here, but you can contract many diseases because of this, having no immunity to anything. Sometimes, even a cold can be fatal. However, don't worry. Soushi is fine, for now, and with Nagi and Soujiro taking care of him, hopefully he'll recover. About the blindness, he doesn't really see Nagi. He only senses her presence and thinks she's still alive. He still believes she kept her promise that she'll never leave him no matter what. Not even, as you can see, death could separate them. Q: Where do you get all these ideas? A: I don't really know what to tell you. These things just pop out of my head and sometimes in my dreams. I guess my devotion in writing gives me the edge and also my love for mysterious stuff. Q: I've been to http://unknownkid.iwarp.com and you have no actual pictures in it except for these kid pictures. What's the matter with you? A: -_-' I feel dumb. I haven't started updating much pages yet. I am in Honors classes and I can't do much because of my minimum time, not even this fan fiction! Q: What killed Nagi again? I'm confused here. A: Many of the children in the dojo, including Nagi as the most dreadful case, were mutilated into pieces and their organs were taken out. If you've heard of Jack the Ripper or the movie "From Hell", you may have an idea for my muse, but I'm not using their tracks. No, they weren't raped as the women in that case were. Nagi, the most awful of them all, was also the saddest case. She was near the "wood-like" heathery place by their place and she clutched a cross and a picture of Soushi in her arms. She was the only one killed with her eyes closed and her body not very mutilated. She was in one piece, but her organs were still taken. As a fact, she had the most organs taken among all of them. Even bones were missing in the investigation. Q: Why do you miss out a lot of stuff from the old chapters? A: Well, my server lost my files and I can't even save them back to my hard drive. I'm a little bit lazy if I have to copy it. So, please, just tell me if I placed something before that didn't make sense. Maybe it used to be a hint of somesort that I forgot about! Q: I'm also a fanfic writer. Do you think you could sketch my characters to post in my website? A: Sure, but there is a fee. My website states that you can commission me to do work of any sort, all you have to do is supply me with an idea of what you want to see, payment in cash and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Please email me again so I can discuss this matter privately. Since I've just started, my prices are really low for the norm. So, please help my business grow! Q: Can you tell me what's going to happen next? Who's the murderer? A: T_T' This is making me cry. Is the story too boring, long, complex to read? No, I can't.
The Jolly season was at hand, but Soujiro had a heart that satisfied only sadness and despair. As he walked by the dark yet joyous halls of the "heavily" ill children, an old companion of his muttered strange words he wished not hear. The words he used to whisper on the wintry, lonely nights before.
"I'll kill you. I'll kill you."
THE WANDERER'S EYES
(Chapter 23:Night of Many Mischief Part 2)
Gyen-san passed him by and did not care to look at his face. It was as if he were mesmerized. Soujiro didn't feel comfortable after seeing him with that face, but he went on minding his own business.
The hall wasn't gloomy, and the air wasn't sad. The hall of the terribly sick children weren't as bad as he thought to be. He felt the freezing passing of souls that celebrate, but he did not see them. He just understood them.
At the room, Soushi was alone. Soujiro assumed Nagi was there with Soujiro and they would be celebrating. This was unusual. Well, maybe for them it wasn't.
"It's nice to see you, Souji-kun!" Soushi shouted with glee. His shout was more of a screech and his voice certainly didn't look to well.
Coming over, Soujiro gave a warm embrace to him and greeted, "It's that night you were waiting for. It's Chri- Kuri- Chr."
"Oh!" He interjected, "You mean Christmas? Yes, I have been waiting for it."
"Where's Nagi?"
"Nagi-chan? She's asleep, isn't she?"
Soujiro scratched his head. This game of innocence was too much to handle. He just continued his remarks, "How do you feel? Do you feel much better?"
Glumly, he spoke, "I oughtn't say anything. I don't feel terrible, but neither am I well."
"You've been waiting for a moment which is now, yet you lost your spirit," a voice suddenly said. To Soujiro's expectancy, it was Nagi.
"I always knew you'd never miss a holiday with your brother," he smiled.
She responded back, "To me, there is never a holiday. It is always time for me to be with my brother."
Soujiro's smile grew even more and the coldness of the room degenerated. The warmth he felt in his heart compensated what was not in his hands. Nagi, with a silly grin, pushed her hand forward and handed him something. Soujiro saw it was another present. This time, it was plainly wrapped in some type of petals and paper.
Nagi cheered the silent mood, "Soushi made it."
His eyes peered closer to the object. It was actually composed of TWO objects. He held both with caution, but he knew that this gift giving meant something dear. He did not give them something in return. He felt sour, like the kind you'd feel if you did not receive an invitation to a party you'd like to go to, and yet everyone was asked to.
"I-I," he choked.
They chorused as twins do, but they were only siblings, "You needn't give us anything at all. It has always been the thought that counts."
He reached into his pocket and discovered he kept the doll he received. A small spec of mistletoe was present too, since it was the one where he had missed that kiss from Kitsune, his newfound love (I hope this explains the comedy of the mistletoe scene last chapter).
Soushi tiptoed over to Soujiro. Soujiro knelt down to see what was wrong. Then, Soushi put his hands over his heart and said, "I would really appreciate it if you opened that. I made it myself!"
The plea made him decide to open it. However, Nagi had disappeared then. She often does, but Soujiro thought she had something important to do.
The two packages each were carried with small note cards. He took the biggest among them and ripped the sides to open it. Out dropped a golden chain with can be interlocked and/or split again. It was neither heavy nor large, but it did make Soujiro believe it was made of real gold. So it was!
The scarlet petals that used to cover it fell on his left foot and it made him uncomfortable. It didn't feel like any normal petals. He bent his neck to make out was making it so heavy. Then, he was surprised. The petals, the soft red petals that lay on his toes, were not petals any longer. Little by little, they turned into glossy pieces of some kind of a puzzle. They shined and did not show any picture. They were silvery and bright. Soujiro picked up one of them to keep, when the piece pricked his finger.
His finger bled helplessly. The tiny cut that was severed by the thing was not what it seems, for it made the cut burn and sting. The excruciating pain lasted long and the blood gushing out of it were of large amounts. He tried moaning, but his moans projected nothing of cries for help, but of laughter. It was the sound of childish laughter.
Soushi gazed at him curiously. There was no reason to laugh, was there? He took a step closer to assist in anything, until he suddenly collapsed on the bitter floor. A stare of deadly flashes spore into the air above them. ======= Q&A about "The Wanderer's Eyes" (This was sent by people that I couldn't reply. You can read it if you like. These are just little tidbits about the story)
Q: Why did you call it "The Wanderer's Eyes"? A: @_@? I hope you read it, since I explained it before. It was of Soujiro's eyes he could see souls of those that beckon help. It was given to him for him to discover what he was looking for. It also signifies truth and mystery. Q: Is Soujiro the only original character here? You have so many made up ones! A: Well, I guess so. Modhra was intentionally not in any way connected to Soujiro, but I decided it was just fun if I did. I originally thought of putting my second favorite character in the story, Okita Soushi, but I was afraid he might get confused with Soushi Tomochi for readers. Q: Why did you use so much paranormal terms? What's the deal? A: -_- Well, I'm very much into paranormal things, I guess. I can't really discuss this matter in a fan fiction. After all, it's about Soujiro, not me. Q: Are you stalling? You're making up new characters and just making more twists! A: Okay, so I am; but don't I have the right to? I'm not stalling. Extra characters like Jodraul Kreuss were not put there just for fun or confusion. I put him there for a reason. If you don't know yet, you'll know more about him soon. Others like Yenbi and Podoka were put there as a sign of someone's kindness towards their acquaintances. Every word in the fan fiction may mean something. Q: You're making me confused here. What's with Taro and his siblings in the dojo? A: They were there to guard or take care of the place while their grandfather had to take care of business. Chiriko has many friends there and would not miss a chance of being with them. Taro may be of the same reason, but if you've noticed, Taro is the responsible type and does seem strict. As for the agitating Boten, she is the person that used to be the nicest around the patients, but changed without them noticing much. Q: Why do you have someone explain things? A: Wow. Isn't it obvious I'd like the reader to find out things clearly without having to follow every non-verbal sentence? This thing also helps me incriminate character's opinion about each other. The way Taro describes Gyen-san may be harsh, but that is just how he thinks. ***Q: You promised us those photos! Where are they? A: I'm having trouble with these. I'm still in the process of scanning some and those less important were also unavailable in my sketch notebook. Once I have ALL OF THEM DONE (I don't want to just update per character, I'll make them feel alone and sad), I'll tell everyone IMEDIATELY. However, you can see if I have updated the yet by going to http://unknownkid.iwarp.com and see the My Stories' Artworks. You can also email me at Unknown_phantom888@yahoo.com or review this fic for questions. Q: I feel sad for Soushi. Why is he dying? Also, if he's blind, how can he see Nagi? A: He has AIDS. I don't want to be a science teacher here, but you can contract many diseases because of this, having no immunity to anything. Sometimes, even a cold can be fatal. However, don't worry. Soushi is fine, for now, and with Nagi and Soujiro taking care of him, hopefully he'll recover. About the blindness, he doesn't really see Nagi. He only senses her presence and thinks she's still alive. He still believes she kept her promise that she'll never leave him no matter what. Not even, as you can see, death could separate them. Q: Where do you get all these ideas? A: I don't really know what to tell you. These things just pop out of my head and sometimes in my dreams. I guess my devotion in writing gives me the edge and also my love for mysterious stuff. Q: I've been to http://unknownkid.iwarp.com and you have no actual pictures in it except for these kid pictures. What's the matter with you? A: -_-' I feel dumb. I haven't started updating much pages yet. I am in Honors classes and I can't do much because of my minimum time, not even this fan fiction! Q: What killed Nagi again? I'm confused here. A: Many of the children in the dojo, including Nagi as the most dreadful case, were mutilated into pieces and their organs were taken out. If you've heard of Jack the Ripper or the movie "From Hell", you may have an idea for my muse, but I'm not using their tracks. No, they weren't raped as the women in that case were. Nagi, the most awful of them all, was also the saddest case. She was near the "wood-like" heathery place by their place and she clutched a cross and a picture of Soushi in her arms. She was the only one killed with her eyes closed and her body not very mutilated. She was in one piece, but her organs were still taken. As a fact, she had the most organs taken among all of them. Even bones were missing in the investigation. Q: Why do you miss out a lot of stuff from the old chapters? A: Well, my server lost my files and I can't even save them back to my hard drive. I'm a little bit lazy if I have to copy it. So, please, just tell me if I placed something before that didn't make sense. Maybe it used to be a hint of somesort that I forgot about! Q: I'm also a fanfic writer. Do you think you could sketch my characters to post in my website? A: Sure, but there is a fee. My website states that you can commission me to do work of any sort, all you have to do is supply me with an idea of what you want to see, payment in cash and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Please email me again so I can discuss this matter privately. Since I've just started, my prices are really low for the norm. So, please help my business grow! Q: Can you tell me what's going to happen next? Who's the murderer? A: T_T' This is making me cry. Is the story too boring, long, complex to read? No, I can't.