QoH: AH!!!!!!!! o_O Work's evil…. *shudders* 3 jobs now…. @_@
Chapter 2: Kiley, Community Service Worker
The delicate ring sparkled in the shaft of light that shone from the small window beside them as Mr. Shiori held it up for closer inspection, "I have never seen it's equal, and coming from someone who has been in this business, that is no small compliment," he glanced up at him shrewdly, "This intertwining design of white gold and silver is quite original, as well as ingeniously made. The thread of silver seems to wind around the main part of the ring, as though protecting the gold. Specially made, I presume?"
Kiley grinned a little, embarrassed, "I wanted to it be personal for her, not just something that could've gone to anybody, you know?" His smile faded, and he shrugged, "I guess I just keep it around as a memory. It's not like she'll ever wear it."
"Hm," he murmured, seemingly to himself as he continued to study it, as though he hadn't heard a thing, "The diamond is small, true, yet flawless. Naturally, any real jeweler knows this is what counts."
Kiley eyed him for a moment, wondering if there was a hidden message in there somewhere. It kind of sounds like it, but what... "Yeah, I guess so. I just didn't want it too flashy, or anything. It didn't feel right."
"No, I do not imagine it would, not with what I have gathered about your love for her, my boy," he smiled slightly when his young companion's eyes sparked a little in surprise, "Yours is the forever love, the eternal flame that is so rare these days. My wife and I shared this same bond, so the signs are easily recognizable."
"What signs?" Kiley wondered, a bit shocked that the man had seen so clearly through him. In the eight years since that day, he'd built a shell around himself, not willing to let anyone in. Not that anyone hadn't tried, of course. He assumed it was the appeal of the uniform, but the other guys in his unit didn't call him "Heartbreaker" for nothing. His friends in the squad had always teased him about how many women (and more often than not, that was two or three a day) asked after him. No, he knew he was no saint, and he couldn't say he hadn't been tempted at times, but he couldn't ever lead anyone on like that. He knew the pain of loving someone who didn't love him back, and he wouldn't take the chance of putting some poor girl through that, merely to soothe his lonely heart.
"For one thing, you still wear 'her' ring next to your heart, though it has been years since you have even seen her, signifying that she will always mean a great deal to you," he smiled as he pulled out a necklace of his own, "As you can see, I kept Kari's (A/N: Yes, I'm usin the 1st names from my 2 fave charries off Digimon lol Hey, gimme a break, I'm an American! I don't know that many Japanese names lol) ring in just the same place."
Kiley merely stared at him, at a complete loss as to how he could reply to that. It was all fine and dandy to daydream about what might have been, but now, confronted as he was by the physical evidence of the kind of relationship he might have had with Momo, it just plain hurt. Unable to bear the sight of those two rings side by side any longer, he stood and turned toward the window that faced the road, crossing his arms pensively.
Mr. Shiori frowned and left the rings on the table to stand beside him, gazing out at the busy street, "I apologize for my carelessness. I did not mean to sadden you."
The young soldier looked down and smiled faintly at him, "It's all right, Shiori-san. A memory of her lies in the very air I breathe, and every step I take I owe to her. Why should this be any different? Besides, you were thinking of your own Kari, as well. Where's the harm in that?"
"How long has it been for you?" he asked in concern for his new friend.
"Eight years, six months and three days, but who's counting?" Kiley grinned a little, a half-hearted attempt at his old attitude.
The elderly man shook his head, chuckling at his response. "You have resilience. That is good."
The tall, dark-haired man heaved a determined sigh and turned to look at him, a new strength in his eyes, "Yes, I do. Now, enough of this depressing subject. Where do you suggest I look for employment?"
Mr. Shiori tilted his head thoughtfully, "Well, I would offer you a position here, but I am afraid that we are not in our most profitable season at this time, and do not have much to spare. However, they are going to renovate the community center a couple blocks away and they badly need the help, so I am told. I have no doubt you will be a blessing to them, as the only people who have applied there so far have notorious reputations. It is not in the best part of the city, but the children there need guidance desperately, and I sense that you are meant to give it."
The first true smile in ages emerged on his face at this idea. He'd always thought kids were the greatest things since the invention of cheese (except Momo, of course, he laughed softly in his head), especially since he still quite often acted like one, himself. "Sounds like the place for me. I wonder if they have rooms for rent."
"Oh, that will not be a problem. If you would like, you can stay with us in our guest room," his new mentor replied calmly, lifting a hand when Kiley opened his mouth to object, "It is no trouble, I assure you. If you feel you must repay us, all we ever ask of you is to help us here when you can. My son has wanted to travel more for some time, giving our shop more exposure. I am not as young as I once was, and up until now I have had to refuse his requests. You demonstrated earlier that you are both competent and careful. I trust you around here and I know my children will, also."
Kiley nodded and bowed gratefully, "Arigato, Shiori-san. I will be honored to stay here."
****
He glanced down at the paper where Mr. Shiori had written the directions, then back up at the neglected structure. It looks more like an abandoned warehouse than anything, he thought uncertainly, eyeing the broken windows and rusted playground equipment. He shrugged and decided to do some exploring. Might as well dive in with both feet, then. I just hope this place doesn't collapse around me while I'm doing it. Ducking under the sagging doorframe, Kiley attempted to peer through the shadows. Cautiously testing the floor beneath him before every step as he made his way across the dreary room, he made mental notes about what should be first on his "re-do" list. First, the frame, itself. No sense in remodeling it, if it's just going to fall on our heads only a month later.
A faint noise made him jerk his head up, bumping it on a low beam. He scowled up at it and rubbed his head furiously, "Not in this place two minutes, and I'm already sporting a bruise. This doesn't bode well, does it?" Kiley's eyes darted back down when heard that sound again, from somewhere ahead of him. It sounds like… giggling?!
Whoever it was realized they had his attention, because he saw a small, dark form streak away from him, further into the decrepit building. Hey, a child that young could get killed in here! I've gotta get 'em out! No longer careful of his footsteps, he plunged into the gloom, shouting a warning, "Be careful, kid! This place isn't safe! Just wait until I can get to you, it'll be all—AHH!!" Kiley yelled as a board cracked beneath his feet and sent him tumbling into nothingness.
QoH: O_O wow… I haven't updated in… months, and just on the second chap, and im ALREADY putting poor Kiley in danger? *hits self* bad me! x_X