Thanks to all my reviewers, you guys have no idea how much I appreciate them. Thanks to Kerrianne for the usual review! And thanks to my sister ReiKurosawa and countess kes evenstar for the lovely reviews.
From here on, I will be using rather coarse language when doing conversations between Itsuki and the 'whispers'. Thoughts in italic are Itsuki's, and those in italice but with quotation marks are the whispers.
Four: Whispers
Itsuki was rather nervous. He shifted his weight as he stood at the gates, taking in his strange surroundings. He was not used to studying in a group, but he figured out he would have to get used to it.
"Don't get cold feet, Itsuki-kun".
Mio tried to reassure him as she motioned for him to follow her into the building. She smiled, and he returned it. But his was a wobbly, nervous one.
"It's just school, Itsuki", Mio said. "I know you're not used to it, but most people here are very nice".
The albino still remained uncomfortable as he followed his female companion. He noticed all those strange faces looking at him, thus his thoughts began to wander.
Is it because of my hair? I think so…or probably the fact that I look as if I had just attended my own funeral.
He snapped back to reality once Mio led him gently to a classroom.
"Just say you're my cousin if anyone asks", the girl said softly. "See you later, Itsuki".
Itsuki bowed politely to the person he knew was his sensei. Mio and Shizu had given him an orientation the previous night concerning what was to be expected when he came to school. He took a seat in the very back as so not to be noticed.
That's when the voice first introduced itself.
"What is the world to you now, idiot?"Who are you?
"Guess, Itsuki".
I-I don't know…
"You stupid little thing. You should have just been left to rot in hell like the rest of those morons. You don't deserve to live, you little twit!"
I don't understand. Who are you? Why do you talk to me this way?
"Moron…just like the rest of 'em who died".
…Wh-what!
"You're too fuckin' stupid to understand, Child Of The Taboo".
STOP TALKING IN MY HEAD!
"Why should I? Not when I'm in control".
Yamero…onegai ishimasu…
"Kill…rip…tear…murder…incinerate…maim…strangle…scourge…massacre…"
Stop…
"…decapitate…sin…gouge…torture…shatter…DIE!"
"NO!"
"Tachibana!"
The teacher rushed to Itsuki as the boy fell to the floor.
"…looks like I win this time."
Later…Blurs danced before him. The blurs slowly took the form of the glare of the room's fluorescent lamplight as he sat up.
"Ah, you're awake".
The school nurse leaned over him, smiling sympathetically. Itsuki nodded.
What was that horrible voice?"Do you suffer from nightmares, dear?"
The nurse's question caught Itsuki by surprise. He shook his head slowly.
"No, ma'am. May I ask why you have asked me such a question?"
"Your teacher brought you here saying you fainted in class after some screaming", the nurse explained. "I think you should see a psychologist, Tachibana-kun".
Itsuki nodded numbly, pretending to understand.
Psychologist? What the hell is that? I should ask Mio or Shizu-san later…He stood up and buttoned his polo shirt up. He took his school bag.
"I'll get back to class now, if it's all right".
The nurse nodded understandingly as she held the door open for him. But instead of returning to class, he went outside. He threw down his knapsack and sat at the base of an old tree.
"Tough first day?"
A soccer ball came to rest at his feet. Itsuki saw a pair of hands pick it up. His eyes came to rest on the stranger's face.
It can't be…Mutsuki?The guy spinning the soccer ball looked exactly like Mutsuki, only his eyes were a nice blue green instead of a deep purple like Mutsuki Tachibana's.
"You look like you've seen a ghost, kiddo", the new guy grinned. "I'm Hiroshi Yaminaga, a senior".
"Itsuki Tachibana", Itsuki said numbly.
It can't be Mutsuki. Mutsuki is dead, has different eyes and is the same age as I am…"You seem to be spacing out, kid", the senior observed. "I assume something is bothering you, but I know it isn't a wise decision to ask. I'll just go and – "
"Do you believe in whispers?" Itsuki suddenly asked.
Hiroshi dropped his soccer ball, and slowly turned to face the younger albino. The grin on his face was replaced by a grave expression.
"You mean, the devil is speaking to you?"
Note: Sorry for the rather rushed chapter. I wanted to update for you guys.
CelestialGeisha
