Baka Hanyou Rahvin - I know, but things change when you grow up. And remember, Yusuke does have a child now (mentioned once in like the third or fourth chapter) and things change with kids, too.

Ebbster - He ain't a dog...

Chapt. 14

Life After Lies

Even though it's growing darker with each breath, I continue racing. Racing across the forbidden plane of the unknown. Emptiness dominates this plane. Emptiness cascades through my tattered soul.

Tears slip silently down my cheeks. Caused by a man I thought I could trust. But trust is so fragile. It broke on me. Now I'm alone again. Alone I shall remain.

My bare feet trip on a bit of rubble and I stumble to the dirt. I lay there and let my tears water the ground. I let my shaky breath blow away the unforgiving soil.

"This is my fate then," I whisper, rolling over onto my back. "To die alone and unloved." The sun fades beyond my eyes and I look to the sky for a bit of comfort. Only clouds greet me. "Not even the stars want to lay their eyes upon me."

I roll to my side and stare as a slug slithers slowly by. Even it has a silver trail to boost its confidence. Only dusty footprints and faded tears follow me.

My stomach emits a low growl.

"What right have you to growl at me?" I snap. "How do you think I feel about all this?"

More growling.

"Shut up!"

It doesn't stop growling, but I stop listening to it.

Thunder rumbles off in the distance.

"The sky is sad too?" I ask as a droplet of water hits my palm. "Why should it be sad?" The sky flashes and more thunder sounds.

The rain begins to pour.

I watch as the cracked ground becomes thick mud, swallowing me. I stand and kick the gathering puddles. But they fill back up.

"Why is it that you can come back after being beaten? Why!" I thrash at the puddles with my feet angrily, despising them for being stronger than I. The thunder covers up my angry cries and the lightning lights my way. "Stop mocking me!"

The mud catches my foot and tosses me onto my back. I lay there, wet, muddy, and crying.

"Why…?" I whisper, inaudible amidst the thunder.

I wake to a bright sun. Sitting up, I shiver as dew slithers down my skin. I wipe at the mud on my arms and legs, helping it off before it dries. Then I stand and begin my journey again. Don't know where I'm going, but I don't really care.

A squirrel darts across my path causally. Then it stops and looks at me. It cocks its head and its tail flicks rapidly. I stand still and stare at it, not really caring. Carefully, the squirrel bounces towards me. And, like there was no tomorrow, it climbs to the top of my head.

Without any stealth, I snatch the little bastard in both hands and bring it face to face.

"Where'd you come from? I haven't seen any trees," I say, letting the critter hop the ground.

It races off in the direction it was originally going before stopping and staring back at me. Sighing, I follow it. After a bit, we come upon a little village. No, more like a few huts here and there. There was an old tree amongst them.

The squirrel's ears perk up and it looks around.

"Risu!" someone shouts. I look to my right and a small boy appears atop a hill. The squirrel darts towards the boy. "Where've you been, Risu?" the boy says, catching the critter as it flies into his arms.

And then he notices me.

We stand there stupidly.

Taking the cue, I turn and begin on my way again.

"Oi, wait a sec!" he calls after me.

I stop and turn and stare at him.

"You're that girl, aren't you?"

I cock an eyebrow.

"The one that saved me."

I narrow my eyes.

"I'm Kaoru. Remember?"

"Yea, how'd you get way out here?"

"Soon as I could run, I came home." He shifts the squirrel to his head and grabs my arm. "C'mon, I haven't thanked you yet."

"A simple 'thank you' would work," I say, letting him drag me to one of the huts.

Then my stomach pipes up.

"But you're hungry," he grins, forcing me to sit. He is younger, but he sure is forceful 'bout things.

He comes back with some rice balls.

I scarf down a couple before I take a good look at him. Light brown hair, great big, blue eyes, and a pair of raggedy jean shorts. Wasn't muddy like me, but he looks in just as bad a-shape.

"I never got your name," he says, taking a rice ball.

"Nanashi."

"Heh, that's silly. Your parents didn't name you?"

I glare at the table. "They didn't know me." I can sense the questioning look on his face, but I don't answer. I just glare harder.

"What're you doin' out here? Risu says he found you not far from this place."

"I was running."

"Want some clean clothes? My brother wouldn't mind."

I look at him and nod once, no longer glaring. He gets up and enters another room, coming back shortly with pants and a tank top.

"They might be a bit big, but they shouldn't be too bad. Are you still going to run?"

"Yes."

He hands me the clothes and points to an empty room where I can change. I do so. The clothes are a little baggy, but they work. When I reenter the room, Kaoru holds out a small cloth bag.

"For your journey. It isn't much, but it should last a couple days if you're careful."

I take the bag and bow, thanking him.

"And take this." He holds out a bow and a quiver of arrows. "If you find anything to hunt, they'll be useful.

"You've given me enough."

"These are just things. You gave me my life." He forces the items into my hand and bows. I bow back and take my leave.

A boy I barely know gave me items to help me live a life I no longer care about.

Oi - Hey

Risu - Squirrel