Silence of a Shadow

Chapter 2

Kindness of a stranger

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The next morning's chatter brought ache to my mind. I could hear voices of unknown people nearby. My eyes slowly opened to examine my whereabouts... a small bedroom?

Unwillingly, my feet slide over the edge of the futon I was resting on, putting me in a sitting position. My dark and damp clothes were flung over a drying vent in the corner of the room, leaving me in a stranger's pajamas.

"Damn it," I growl, putting a hand to my head. "I must have lost control again..."

The voices get louder at the ring of a shop-bell. Where was I? And why in the hell was I left alone in such a well furnished room?! I could easily make a pocket-full off some of this stuff! They must not know I'm a disaster waiting to happen...

My clothes weren't as wet as I had originally thought...this person, whoever they were, had even washed most of the blood out of them. I was ...shocked. Clean clothes and a warm bed. "Well then," I say with a sigh as I proceed to change into my own clothes, "I might as well thank the person."

It turns out that the room was part of a house built above a restaurant. A man and woman worked tirelessly behind the counter, attending to each of their customers. I was careful to stay out sight as I caught a glimpse of a group of younger people in the corner. They looked like they were talking about something important; something my ears weren't meant to hear. I edged closer, trying to listen as one of them as they talked. It wasn't long until I was caught, however.

"Oh my gosh! Your awake!" A girl with brown hair yelped, shooting from her chair. I don't say anything... because what was there to say? The same girl nearly trampled her friends as she raced over to me, placing her hand on my forehead. "Looks like your fever broke." I glare and jerk away from her hand. "Please don't touch me." my weak voice murmurs. She gives me a hesitant look, then introduces herself. "How rude of me! I haven't even introduced myself yet. I'm Keiko Ukimura. This is my parent's restaurant." I sigh and bow a little. "I'm Allie." "Well, Al-li-ee, I'm glad to see your well again." My name...I had forgot it was difficult for the Japanese people to pronounce my name... "Call me Hotaru." She smiles at this. "Alright, Hotaru. Would you like to meet my friends?" She points to the table were she was sitting, the same table where six curious faces stared awkwardly in my direction. Without giving me a second to say 'no thanks', Keiko grabs my hand and hauls me to the table.

"Hey guys, this is the girl I told you about. Hotaru." My stomach turns as she continues, "Hotaru, this is Yusuke, Botan, Yukina, Kuwabara, Kurama, and Hiei." They each give me a friendly smile and say their hello's ...except the last one. "Its nice to meet you all." a shaken voice escaped from my throat.

The door looked so far away, ...an illusion to my eyes. Every second spent here was a second of absolute agony, I never was one to entertain a crowd. "Excuse me." My words were no more than a whisper, but they were heard throughout the room. My escape was unsuccessful, - misery to my mind. "Please, I thank you for you care, but I really must go." Pleading wouldn't work, the indigo eyed girl's hand held tightly as I tried to pull away. She smiles at me, as if I should be happy that I was the center of attention. "C'mon Hotaru, have some tea with us. We're all wondering why you passed out in front of the Ukimura's café." "Sorry, Botan, but I really don't care to explain it."

I can't explain this feeling I'm getting from these people. Its not good nor bad, I guess it was more of a neutral feeling; the kind you get when you know someone is lying to you. The boy Keiko mentioned was Yusuke, gave me a funny look when I wouldn't explain my blackout. "Ok, don't tell us why you've been asleep for more than twenty-seven hours straight." "Yusuke!" Keiko gasped, "Don't be so rude!" My eyes drifted to my shoes. Explanations; something I will never do well with.

"Where are you from?" a soft voice asked me. "Well, I'm from Japan, but I've lived most of my life in the United States with my mother and grandfather." Yukina nodded at my answer. "I've always wanted to visit the United States." "Yes, I've heard many good things about the schools there. Is your mother and grandfather somewhere nearby?" Once again I look down, unsure if I should lie or tell the truth to Kurama's question. "Actually," I say under my breath, "...Actually, I came here alone. - As a foreign exchange student." "Oh, your very lucky." he replies, "Not many students get the grades to travel." I nod. "Where are you staying?" Botan asks me, pulling my onto the chair next to her. "Good question." I say with a sigh. "My landlord kicked me out, so now I have to go find some new place that will allow my existence." "You don't have a place to stay, Hotaru?" Keiko voice asks, softly. I shake my head. "Not at the moment." "That's a problem." she said in a firm voice. I give her a questioning look as she continues. "You can't get to school if you don't have a home. I'm sure my parents wouldn't mind letting you stay here." My violet eyes widen with shock. "But, Keiko," I object, "That wouldn't be good, you don't even know me very well." Keiko, Botan, and Yukina all smiled in unison, sending a chill down my spine. "Lets go shopping!"

* * *

By sunset, my hands were crammed full of bags. Things for school, other things for around town. Normally I would have objected to buying all this, but I didn't have to pay for one penny of it. Keiko paid for and new pair of shoes, Yukina got me an amazing lavender and silver dragonfly necklace, and Botan just kept pulling money out of her pocket to buy me anything she thought I needed. I got to know each of the girls very, very well... and as much as I hate to admit it, they got to know me too.

After a quick trip back to Keiko's house, Botan announced that we should have a welcoming slumber party in addition to our day of shopping. "A slumber party?" I ask, as confused ideas flooded my mind. I think Yukina was just as lost as I was, because she was giving Botan the same unsure look. "Oh, sure!" Botan smiled, "It would be so much fun! We could have Yusuke and the boys stay over until ten or so, then we can have some real fun! How about it, Keiko?" Keiko looked down as she thought, then smiled at the idea. "I'll tell my parents."

"Sounds like Botan has something planned." Yukina whispered to me. "Is she always like this?" I ask, wondering how anyone could be so optimistic. "Yes, most of the time." Yukina smiled.

'Well,' that voice in my head hisses, 'They look like fun. Maybe they won't mind me visiting...'

"No!" I shout, as I clutch my stomach. "Please," I reason with myself, my voice no more than a whisper, "...please not again..."

"Hotaru?" Keiko asked, walking up to me, "Are you alright?"

I clench my eyes shut and try not to double over in pain ... it was happening again ... it was only a matter of time ...

The bells on the door chime as four boys walk in. Instantaneously, I felt better. The double vision I was dealing with soon lifted, leaving my eyes on a black blur. It slowly began to take shape, allowing me to see the person standing a few feet away. His dark crimson eyes glared at me as I look away. "What's with him?" I ask myself, trying to calm my irregularly high heart beat. Slowly my breath tames, and allows me to eavesdrop on the conversation Keiko and Yusuke were having. "We had fun." Keiko said softly. "She didn't do anything odd?" Yusuke said, referring to me. I sigh and continue listening. "No, she was completely normal." Yusuke nodded, then continued. "Koenma said it might take a while for the Shade to surface again. Just make sure to keep an eye on her." Kuwabara joined them as the continued to talk. "She freaks me out. Do you know any humans with purple eyes?!" I frown and kick the floor. People always refer to my eyes as demonic and hypnotizing. This once would have made me cringe, but now I see it as something that makes me truly unique...but its still annoying.

They move in closer so my ears have trouble picking up their voices. "Darn them," I growl, trying to move closer, but ending up breaking their huddle. "Sorry!" I say quickly, "I couldn't help but wonder, were you talking about me?" Kuwabara's eyes practically leaped from their sockets at my question. "N-no! We were talking about someone from school!!" "Give it up, Kuwabara." Yusuke sighed, "She obviously knows." I nod. "Yeah. I know. But I want to know how you found out." "Lets just say I have my ways." Yusuke replied, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Sure you do," I respond with a glare, "I suppose Koenma told you this?" I watch as three jaws drop. "You know about Koenma?!" I look away. "No. I just heard you talking about him... But I heard you talking abut my grandmother, the Shade." "Then I suppose you deserve to know that you take after your grandmother in almost every way." Kurama said, walking up behind me. "What makes you say that?" I ask, turning around. "Well, from what Koenma's records show, you look almost exactly like her, only a bit shorter. You have the same black and purple hair, and the same violet eyes. And those blackouts you've been having... that is the demon inside you trying to surface."

I know this was suppose to surprise me, but for some reason, it didn't. "Okay. So you know I'm one-fourth demon, but what about the rest of you? I KNOW that some of you aren't fully human yourselves. What are you?"

A\N: Well, that's the end of chapter two. I'm dedicating this chapter to those who have taken the time to review, your opinions are always valued. I decided that Hotaru would be a bit older in this, so naturally, (like any teen that has lived on the streets) she will have a bit of an attitude.

Please forgive any of my spelling and typing errors.

(the disclaimer is in chapter one)