Eternal City: Crystal Tokyo

Chapter 4

Contemplation of Past Pt. 2

By: Vampwriter

Thought communication

Recca held the blade to her assailant's neck, "Bad move my friend. Now who the hell are you?"

The person only started laughing. Recca looked at her confused, as did May. It was only when the woman spoke that Recca began to recognize her, "You haven't changed a bit, have you young guardian?" she set aside the dagger and removed the glasses, revealing familiar frosty blue eyes.

Recca released her and backed off, her eyes wide. 'Arctica!' the blade on Recca's arm retracts instantly.

Her icy blue hair shimmered in the light as she stands and a smile crossed Arcita's face when she hears her name ring through Recca's mind. She happened to be a talented psychic. They stand there looking at each other for a few minutes. Recca is unsure how to proceed, as she is still too surprised at her old friend's sudden appearance.

May looked between the two young women curiously. Recca had backed off quick when the stranger pulled off her glasses. The arm blade disappeared in short order and now the two just stared at one another, Recca in slight surprise and confusion, and the stranger with an amused smile. She looked at Recca, "Do you know her?"

Recca snapped out of her trance and a slow smile began crossing her face. She broke out in tears of happiness and threw herself into Arctica's arms. "Carra, you're here! I can't believe it! How long have you been in town?"

"Not long," she said with a small laugh, "I only arrived a couple days ago and was in the process of tracking you down. When I saw you wandering aimlessly through the city I kinda followed you."

Recca was about to ask another question when May broke in, "Um, would you two like some place private to talk for a while and get reacquainted?"

Recca looked at Arctica, who nodded, and likewise nodded at May. Before they started off though Arctica sent a thought to Recca, reminding her of the weapon she still wore. Recca blushed when she remembered, took off her ruined jacket, and promptly removed the blade. She placed it on the bar top and followed May up the stairs.

They stopped in front of the manager's office. May unlocked the door and turned to the other two, "You can use this office as long as you need. I'll have drinks sent up for you in a few minutes."

Recca sketched a bow, "Thank you Miss May."

May smiled, "It's just May."

Recca smiles back, "I'll remember that."

May leaves and the two friends enter the office. Recca moves to lounge sideways in a comfy armchair, while Carra moves to sit on the couch, a smile on her face as she watches Recca get comfortable on the chair. Once they're settled Carra waits for the question she knows of coming. Instead of speaking though, Recca used her thoughts to communicate her questions.

So where were you when you woke?

Carra smiles, In my home nation. I was already awake, but I remembered nothing. She looks at Recca, It was only when I heard the call within my soul that my memories returned and I came here. Carra looks down, a small sad smile graced her lips, I'm not entirely sure that my friends and family understood why I had to leave, but I think it's better they don't.

Recca smiles in sympathy at her longtime friend and adviser. She gets up and sits next to Carra, placing a hand on her shoulder. This time she used her voice. "I'm sorry you had to leave your family behind like that. If you wish it I will not hold you to your obligation. You may leave at any time."

Carra shook her head, "Thank you for the offer but my place is here, by your side. I do have my oath to uphold and I plan to keep it."

Recca smiled in gratitude and nodded her thanks. But then, as she turned away, her face fell. Carra looked inward to see what her leader was thinking and saw a beautiful girl with dark blue-green hair and eyes as dark as the ocean's depths. She knew what Recca was thinking.

Before she could say anything else there came a knock on the door. "May I come in?"

The door opens to reveal a tall young woman with long blond hair and blue eyes. She has a happy smile on her face, but her eyes show wisdom beyond her years. Carra looks at Recca, who is likewise staring at the girl.

You feel that? Carra asks.

Recca meets her eyes briefly, Indeed.

The girl laughs. "You know, you can just ask me if I'm immortal." She sets the drinks in front of the two women.

Recca looks a bit sheepish and blushes slightly. She should really work on that, it was always embarrassing to know that she was so easily read.

"I'm sorry. I just didn't want to seem rude." She said.

The girl mearly waves it off. "It's quite alright. My name is Runa Tokisaka, and, yes, I am immortal. I am the daughter of Kyosuke Tokisaka, also known as the Soul Taker."

Carra's eyes widened slightly to show her surprise. "You're the daughter of the famous Soul Taker?!"

Recca was looking at Carra in confusion.

"Would you mind telling me who Kyosuke Tokisaka is?"

Carra and Runa look at her in surprise.

"You don't know who he is?" asked Carra.

Recca shook her head no. "I haven't been awake long, remember. And I couldn't watch every little thing that happened on the Earth. Didn't have the energy for that."

Carra nodded her head in understanding. "Kyosuke Tokisaka was once known as Kyosuke Date. He was given the name Soul Taker by the Kirihara Group. His purpose was to hunt down lost and wandering souls and give them eternal rest. He was often referred to as both god and devil for both his kindness and cold deliverance of death. Kyosuke was naturally a very caring person, and tried to help everyone he could; especially the beings called Flickers, which were fragments of his sister's soul."

"My soul, actually. But we'll explain that later," Runa said, "Kyosuke had the ability to track the Flickers and me, but the Kirihara Group and Hospital Organization were constantly trying to stop him from finding me. My former brother killed many mutants and machine men to find me. And when he did we ended up getting into this huge fight because of my childish stupidity."

Recca's heart went out to this girl, but she was still confused about the whole situation.

"Anyway, throughout the fight Kyosuke tried to convince me that humanity should be given a chance. He said that they were young and didn't understand much. I, being as stubborn as a jackass, didn't want to listen to him. In the end it was his heart that won the fight. With a single powerful Lightening Breaker attack he caught me as I was trying to escape when I released my Flickers again. My body, stripped of all its energy, was reduced to the form of a child. Kyosuke took me into his own body so that I may learn the things that I had missed since mommy died. When the time was right my new mother, a Flicker named Mia Misaki and Kyosuke's wife, gave birth to me again."

Recca's mouth was hanging open slightly as she absorbing this information. This girl has had one weird life, not to mention a tragic one. However there was something else about this woman called Runa, something extremely familiar. But for the life of her she couldn't remember what it was.

Is something bothering you? came Carra's voice.

Recca didn't show any outward movement when she responded, My memory is trying to tell me something, but what it is I can't see. I won't dwell on it too much though, it'll show itself in due time.

She turned back to Runa, "That was quite an interesting story Runa. I hope things have gone better for you this time around."

Runa nods, "Oh indeed they have. I have many friends now and understand where I went wrong last time. Mia and Kyosuke have been good parents in raising me, and even though I got my memories back eventually I no longer think of Kyosuke as my brother. I hope to eventually find the one right for me, and when I do I'll pass what I've learned to my children."

Carra nods sagely, "That would be the best thing to do in my opinion."

Recca likewise nods in agreement. "It's good to know that your outlook on life has changed for the better." In the back of her mind, however, this sense of familiarity was still nagging at her. 'Figure it out later.' She thought.

Runa had to say her good-by's to her new friends and headed down stairs to continue her work. Bridget came over and spoke to her.

"So how were they?" she asked.

Runa smiled, "They were pretty nice. It surprised me though that one of them knew nothing of my father."

Bridget's eyes widened, "Mister Kyosuke? How is that possible?"

Runa shook her head. "I don't know," she said, "But something tells me that she doesn't know about a lot of things."

Runa's face took on a thoughtful look, like she was trying to figure something out. Bridget took notice of this as the two friends went out to take more orders.

"What's wrong?"

The heir of the Soul Taker power sighed, as she couldn't get these feelings out of head. "I don't know. Something about them bothered me a bit. It's not that I didn't like them, but there was something about them that I knew. I just can't put my finger on it right now."

Bridget put her hand on Runa's shoulder and gave a gentle squeeze. "Don't worry about it. I'm sure you'll figure it out eventually."

"Thanks B, I'm sure you're right." Runa said with a smile. A costumer waved her down and she acknowledged with a responding wave. She looks back at Bridget, "Well, time to get back to work."

She nods, "Yeah. See you later." The two friends go their separate ways to serving the young ladies there tonight.

That's it for this chapter! In the next chapter we're going to focus more on Jun than Recca and Carra. What's going to happen you ask? Well that remains my secret for now.