Shadow within the Darkness
(Day 14 – Part 3)
By: Little Ucchan
Where is he?
Sage crossed his arms over his chest, eyes scanning over the crowds of people in hopes of singling out a mop of bright blue hair. But after that had proven to be useless, he sighed to himself, lowering his head.
Don't tell me I beat him to it. It would have been rather impossible, even if Sage, in the end, had used his sub armor to reach his destination. He recalled that Rowen was a good distance off when one of his mother's friends had flagged him down for some small talk. Sage knew that he was too noticeable in the clothes he was in.
Ending the conversation as quickly and politely as he could without alarming the woman, he had dashed into a nearby alley and donned his sub armor, taking the easier route to where Takeru was to appear. It was just a good thing that Sage had told Rowen of the cross streets beforehand.
And yet he wasn't there.
Sage glanced at the street clock. I still have time, he noted to himself. Besides, Rowen can't be that far away. With that in mind, Sage ran down the sidewalk, weaving his way through the crowd in search for Rowen.
He didn't have to travel that far.
Almost at the other end of the block, Sage saw a flash of blue hair just around the corner. He would have noticed the boy's edgy feel or how his movements were sort of rigid. But instead, Sage immediately heard the voice of Rowen's female companion.
Don't tell me… He came to a walk as he approached him, now being able to see Rowen from the side along with a glimpse of a slender wrist adorned with four metal bangles. He's chatting with a girl right now?
And Sage thought he'd be the one out of focus!
Geez Rowen… He brought a hand to his head. Of all the times…
"Sage!"
He snapped out of his thoughts just as Rowen had noticed his friend's presence, coming up to his side with a rather relieved look on his face. "Man, I was looking for you. Good thing you showed up." Now maybe he could get out of this odd predicament that he found himself in.
"Sage?"
Rowen blinked, take aback when that girl he had run into turned the corner and called Sage's name with a tone that one could almost mistake for… recognition. He watched as she stopped for an uncertain moment before slowly approaching the duo, keeping her eyes fixated on Sage. And strangely enough, when Rowen had turned to look at his companion, he too sported the similar expression of shocked recognition.
"Sage…? Is that…"
He couldn't find words to speak, and instead the two of them remained gazing at each other in a moment of confused silence.
Rowen was the only one not surprised. Figures, he snorted, crossing his arms over his chest. The most forward woman that I have ever met happens to know the #1 flirt in my high school.
He should have expected it. But the thing that happened next left Rowen baffled and Sage… Well after going deeper into shock, he was utterly appalled.
"Rika!!" he screamed, face fully flush and body shaking in nervous embarrassment when the girl, having had gained a sudden burst of energy, had leapt forward, wrapping her arms around Sage's neck and kissing him on each cheek in delight.
"Oh my God!!! It is you!!!" she cried, her enthusiasm causing her to giggle as she stared up into his eyes, still not noticing that he was beet red. "It's been so long! Two years, hasn't it? It's so good to see you again!!"
"Rika…"
Not missing the warning tone present in his voice, she wondered why Sage was acting so different around her. He wasn't nearly this uptight before. That's when she remembered where she was.
Slowly pulling herself away, she gave him a sly wink before beginning to speak in English, mixed with a bit of a French accent for good measure. She gave him her best apologetic smile, continuing to converse fluently in the foreign language until she was certain that the disapproving stares and other similar onlookers were no longer looking at them with such distaste.
"Posing as a foreigner who's not aware of the customs here." Sage nodded in approval. "Nice save."
"Why thank you," she beamed.
"Although you wouldn't have had to do that if you had just learned some self control."
"I do have self control, for your information," she huffed, her speech easily switching back into Japanese. "I'll remind you that I've been in France until recently and they normally greet each other that way. I… just wasn't able to drop that habit just yet!"
She easily made the language transition once she got here and yet she can't shake a few French customs. Sage sighed to himself. Why does that not surprise me?
Although both teenagers would have very much enjoyed spending the rest of the day swapping past stories, a soft, if not rather annoyed, 'ahem' had demanded their attention. Mainly Sage's.
Turning to his side, he caught sight of Rowen's slightly peeved expression. Oh shit.
"Sage…" Rowen began, annoyance barely being held back from his voice. "Please tell me that this girl is your really close second cousin who's just recently arrived into the country and not who I think she is because if she is… I'm going to be really upset."
"Wha…?"
"Just humor me and say it."
Watching the exchange with growing interest, Rika giggled to herself at how cute the blue-haired boy was acting. Seems like he's a bit jealous, although he was rather nervous when I showed an interest in him. Deciding that this was someone she wanted to get to know better, she stepped forward, her movement snuffing out the impending argument between Rowen and Sage.
Seeing that the floor was all hers, she put on her best smile. "Sorry, if we were rude," she apologized for both herself and Sage. "You see, I just got back to Japan a few days ago. And then I run into one of my friends like this and I get all excited that sometimes I forget my manners." She made a quick bow and then gave her hand out to Rowen. "I'm Rika Lansdale."
"Um… Rowen Hashiba," he offered, taking her outstretched hand and shaking it uncertainly.
"Rowen…" She repeated his name again, getting a feel of how if felt rolling off her tongue. "You're a friend of Sage?"
"…Yeah," he replied after they had released hands. "We… we go to the same school."
"Really?!" Sage did not miss how her voice raised with utmost delight. Now what is she up to?
He didn't have to wait long, for Rika wasn't one to keep secrets.
"Then you must know a ton of embarrassing stories about---"
"Uh, Rika. I'd hate to interrupt, but Rowen and I were on our way somewhere and we're running late so…"
Rowen rolled his eyes. Oh, now he remembers.
"…you think we can pick this up another time?" he finished.
"Oh, sure," Rika easily agreed, quite content with the reaction she got to let him go without a fight. "Pick the place and time."
"Friday. Shay's Diner at 6:00?"
"Great! I'll be there." That would have ended the conversation and send the two boys on their way if it weren't for Rika, who took that moment to grab Rowen's hand. "Rowen, wait a sec."
"What is it?" he asked a bit hurriedly because of the time and the fact that this girl made him feel self-conscious.
"Do you have a piece of paper on you or a tissue or something?"
Seeing this as an odd question but complying anyway, Rowen searched through his jacket pockets, finding an old receipt from the last time he went to the market. "Will this do?" he asked, handing it over to her.
"Perfect. Now turn around and stand still."
Still confused, he again decided to do what she asked, turning his back to her and waiting as she used his back to write on the receipt. Rowen turned back around when the piece of paper, now with a phone number on it, suddenly appeared in front of his face.
"What's this?" he asked, taking the small paper in his hand.
Rika smiled again, charmed by his naivety. "My cell phone number," she informed him. "You know, you never answered my question about being my boyfriend." She laughed a bit at his deepening flush. "If you're interested… give me a call, alright?" She couldn't help her lips from curling up when Rowen gave her a very meek nod. He's so sweet. She wondered, watching the two boys run down the sidewalk, if Sage's friend really would call her someday. Letting the thought linger in her mind, she looked one last time down the sidewalk before returning home.
***
"3:59?! Oh shit!!!"
"Calm down already! It's not like he'll disappear once the clock strikes four!"
"And how do you know that?!" Rowen demanded in between breaths as they raced towards the meeting place. "He's supposed to be dead, you know! Maybe he really will vanish after four!"
"You're being irrational," Sage told him.
"Yeah well, I'll have you know that nothing about that man is rational." After a second thought he added, "Nothing about today is rational, for that matter. Just what was up with that girl?!"
"Rika?"
"Yes!" Rowen sighed to himself. "I don't know. It's just that when I was with her I forgot everything! All I knew was her, and I've never felt that way before."
"Don't worry about it. She has that effect on people." Sage smiled to himself. "Her presence just demands everyone's full attention, whether she's aware of it or not." An actress whose only place is on center stage… That was Rika alright. He never thought that she'd come back into his life again. But… What is she doing here?
"So answer me this question." Sage was listening. "Just who the hell was she flirting with? I mean, be honest with me now."
"Honestly?" Rowen nodded, which caused Sage to laugh before replying. "Both of us."
"Is that legal?"
"With her, yes. She has no qualms about it. And no shame either."
"You know, I could tell that the two of you were good friends." They were almost at the cross streets. "But she doesn't seem like the type you'd get along with."
"Kento's not my type of friend either but I still hang with him."
"The circumstances were different then, remember?"
"Well, same with her. We met under very specific circumstances." Sage stopped under the streetlight, looking around for any signs of Takeru. "She's… very special to me."
"Special?" Now this was new. Sage having a thing for a girl that he's never even heard him talk about before?
"We're not like that," he easily corrected when he noticed that implying tone in Rowen's question. "I'll explain later. Besides…" Giving him a knowing smile, he continued, "She's not interested in me."
Rowen was getting very good at blushing today. "Sh---she wasn't really serious about that boyfriend thing, was she?"
"I don't know." He shrugged. "Rika does have a tendency to flirt. But this is the first time I've ever seen her ask someone so bluntly." He couldn't help himself from grinning. "I think she really likes you."
Before Rowen could say something as a response, Sage held his hand up for silence, closing his eyes and blocking out his hearing to the world around him. Small talk was always great to relieve the tension, but now was the time that they got serious. It was 4:01, and Takeru wasn't in sight.
Sage slowed down his breath, all of his senses leaving him. His mind only knowing one thing. Takeru's aura.
He could feel a small impression of it in the air. The man had been here only moments ago. He couldn't have gotten very far, only within the next block. But in which direction?
Sage could feel his mind swirl, pulling back slightly. He really wasn't up to using his mental abilities right now. But he had to or they'd lose him for sure. Just stay with me, he pleaded. Just a few more seconds and…
"Left."
Rowen turned to him as Sage opened his eyes. "He's left from here, but I'm not sure which side of the street he's on."
"You go down this way," he ordered. "I'll go to the other side and look there, alright?"
"Got it."
Rowen had barely finished crossing the street when screams rang out further down the block. Panicked shouts of warning that only lasted for a moment before there was the deafening sound of a car screeching followed by a woman's fearful shriek. He turned his head in the direction of the commotion, seeing a small girl with a handball in the middle of the street staring up at the front of a speeding car. His mind only took a moment to register the situation and a fraction of a second later for his body to move, but in that time, it was over.
***
Sage had barely grasped his armor orb in his hand when, out of nowhere, a blur came out onto the street, speeding towards the car and child. In the instant that it took for the driver to stomp on the brakes, the child was safely out of harms way, wrapped up securely in a young man's arms. Only when he stopped to return the girl to her mother did Sage recognized the flowing gray coat and light silver hair of the rescuer.
Takeru.
Immediately he was on the run, trying to beat the growing crowd that was rushing to the scene of the near accident. Sage caught sight of Rowen, who had also seen the stunt and was running as well in hopes of catching him. But the man had already smoothly made his way through the throng of people without a word and was now crossing the street into the residential area.
Shit! Sage thought, dashing across the busy intersection and almost getting run over himself in the process. Why's he running? Is it because he doesn't want publicity? Or does he know who we are? The last thought didn't ease his mind, especially when he remembered that one instant that he caught sight of his face, hard gray irises staring directly at him. Takeru had recognized him. And still he moved away. He knows who I am, and he won't face me? Why? Something didn't add up. And the flight of this mysterious man made it more urgent that he and Rowen catch up with him. Fast!
"Whoa!" Sage cried out, skidding a bit as he almost ran straight into Rowen at the next intersection.
"Sorry," he apologized, picking up his speed again. "Man, how can he move like that! Was he this fast in your dreams?"
"Not nearly." Sage shook his head. "We won't be able to catch up with him like this!"
Rowen knew this as well. Takeru had a big lead to begin with. And taking into consideration that he was alive and had survived that battle with the other demon, he had to have some unexplained abilities at his disposal that could make him this fast. We're gonna lose him. He pushed harder, trying to increase his speed, but the pounding of his soles against concrete was making his legs grow weary. We're gonna lose him!
"Sage! Use your sub armor!"
"What? Now?"
He nodded. "I'll catch up. Just get to him already!"
Sage hesitated for a moment, estimating in his mind how long he could last in sub armor before collapsing. God knows that he could fall right now. What would stop him from passing out with the extra energy being expended? Even if the body armor was to enhance his abilities, if he wasn't up to it, wearing the armor was very taxing.
With a slight nod, he pushed all of his worries aside and donned his sub armor. And the moment that the energy of Halo solidified around his body, he took off like a bullet; gone in mere seconds, leaving Rowen in the dust.
He slowed down a bit once Sage was out of sight, coming to a stop as he huffed out and sucked in needed air. I forgot how fast he is in sub armor. It was amazing to see the sheer speed and power of the armor from a civilian's perspective. Damn. We need to get our armors back as well. Picking up running again before he completely lost Sage, Rowen thought back to the past week. So much to do now. Three of their armors were gone. Their leader was in an emotional state. And the only other Ronin warrior with an armor in his possession was physically, mentally, and spiritually exhausted. How will we fare in the next battle?
After a few more minutes of running, Rowen unexpectedly came across Sage. Breathing hard with one hand pressed firmly against the wall for support, he noticed the other teen approach him from the back.
"You remember, back then, when we kept using our armors… and it seemed as if it had limitless amounts of energy?" he asked, still panting.
"Yeah?" Rowen watched as the color of his sub armor seemed to flicker weakly for a moment. "What about it?"
"I think… I just disproved that theory." With that, Sage leaned his back against the solid wall and slumped down to the floor as his sub armor disappeared to leave him in his kendo gi. He rested his head in his hands, raking his fingers through his hair. "God, I feel like crap."
"You okay?"
Leaning his head back against the wall, he looked up at his companion and shook his head. "I don't really know, Rowen." Sage spoke again after a moment of silence. "I lost him. With the sub armor, I was able to get a lock on his aura, but then he just vanished. I couldn't find him."
"It's alright," he assured him. "At least we know Takeru's in the city. Maybe we'll find him next time."
"I guess."
Rowen looked at his friend worriedly. He seemed so lacking in energy, especially after the duel the other day. What's been happening lately just wasn't what Sage has been used to. It's not anything they've been used to. With the battles against the warlords and the fight against Talpa, that was all the Ronins had to think about. How to beat Talpa. How to protect Mia and Yulie. How to survive the next attack. That was all. Not school or girls or upcoming tests. Not making it home to dinner on time or worrying about keeping the other 'activities' the guys have been involved in out of the public eye. They didn't have to worry about dreams of an unknown past or fighting enemies that weren't evil. They didn't have to deal with all of this on top of the normal 'beating the bad guy' routine.
Only now.
That's why it was getting to everyone. Because it never happened before. So how should they deal with it?
By taking it one step at a time. It was the only way Rowen could tackle this situation without going crazy. And right now, the first thing he needed to deal with was Sage.
"You really need a break."
"I know," he replied. "Let's call it quits for today, alright?"
"…No." He shook his head. "That's not what I meant. You need a break, from all of this."
Sage sighed. "Rowen, you know I can't."
"You have to," he cried. "Do you think you'll be able to survive an encounter with a demon right now? Or maybe another match with Sierra, if it comes to that? You need your rest."
"Rowen, this isn't exactly the ideal time for me to take a vacation. And what'd you expect me to do the next time we need to fight? Just sit it out and let Ryo handle the demon by himself? Are you crazy?! He hasn't even fought against one yet!"
"Perhaps you're right," he said. "But you know as well as I do that if you fight in the condition that you're in, you won't come out of it alive."
"Yeah well," he smiled ruefully for a moment. "I guess we better get those armor orbs back before that happens, ne?"
Rowen nodded once. "Let's head back to the dojo. Maybe we can find out how Cye and Kento are doing."
"Why?" Sage asked as he got up off the floor, with Rowen's help. "What're they up to?"
"Oh, they went to check up on Ryo," he reported. "Kento has a cell phone now, so I was thinking that we could call him."
"Sounds good. Then maybe we can eat something and relax a bit."
"Right. And maybe you can tell me more about this 'special' friend of yours."
Sage wasn't too eager to agree on that last part.
"You promised," Rowen reminded him with a sly grin.
He sighed in defeat. Sage had told him that he'd tell him about Rika.
"Fine. But you have to call her."
"What?!"
***
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Kento folded his arms over his chest. "He'd better answer," he muttered.
"Quiet," Cye hushed just as the door swung open and Ryo's grandfather stood before them.
"Oh, Cye. Kento. What brings you two here?"
"Good afternoon, Sanada-san," Cye bowed along with Kento. "Is Ryo in?"
The old man was hesitant to speak for a moment. "He's here, but he's not feeling well at the moment."
"Oh," Cye muttered quietly. "Is he ill?"
"Not exactly. He's just not in a good mood right now."
"I see." Cye was about to give up when a forceful nudge from Kento rammed into his side. "Um… Do you think we can try talking to him anyway?"
"That's fine with me," Sanada-san nodded. "I'll make some tea while you're here."
Before Cye could give a proper thank you, Kento had beat him to it. "Thanks!!!" With that, he was through the door before anyone could blink. Cye gave the elder man an apologetic smile and shrugged before entering the house himself, watching as White Blaze came to greet the two newcomers.
"Hey there boy!" Kento cheered, ruffling up the tiger's thick mane of fur. "How's Ryo doin' huh?"
With a soft growl, the feline lightly bit down on the boy's sleeve, dragging him to the door that led to Ryo's room.
"Huh, he's been in there all day?" He scratched the back of his head and grabbed the doorknob.
"What is it Kento?" Cye asked when he caught sight of that bemused expression on his face.
"Hm. It's locked." A mischievous grin crossed is face. "No problem."
"Kento, don't do anything stupid."
Unfortunately, the warning was heard on deaf ears, the boy already pulled out a department store gift card from his wallet. "This should do---hey!!"
"I'll take that." Cye said, waving the newly acquired card in front of Kento's face and then snapping his hand back just as the larger boy tried to make a pass for it.
"What's the deal, Cye?" he demanded.
"Forcing your way into his room is not going to help our situation any."
Kento scowled at his friend's reasoning, placing his hands on his hips in an irritated manner. "And how do you suppose we talk some sense into him with a door standing between us?"
"I don't know. But you shouldn't use the card."
"Why not?!"
Instead of answering, Cye motioned to the lamp stand behind Kento and the bundle of broken cards lying in a pile on the wood surface. It seemed like Sanada-san had already tried that trick.
"And it looks like this card hasn't been used yet." He shook his head as he examined it further. "It'd be such a waste."
"Give me that!" he cried out indignantly, snatching the piece of plastic out of the Cye's hand. "Now what do we do?"
"How about knocking?"
"…You know you are very sarcastic today."
"Really?" Cye pretended not to notice.
With an annoyed sigh, Kento brought his hand up and knock on the door. "Yo, Ry. It's me. Open up will ya."
No answer.
He knocked again. "Ryo. C'mon man, open up."
Still nothing.
"Maybe I can ram the door down."
Cye rolled his eyes. "Oh please."
"I'm serious!"
"Now, should I be the one to tell Mama Fuan that you have to pay for breaking Ryo's door or should you do the honors?"
"Geez Cye. You didn't have to put it that way."
A soft chuckle caught both of their attention. "You two are always amusing to watch," Sanada-san commented lightly as he set a tray on the living room table. "Have a seat."
They easily complied, kneeling down on the soft linen cushions on one side of the table across from Ryo's grandfather. Cye watched as the man poured each of them a cup of tea, waiting until he served himself before giving a short bow and picking up his cup.
"Sanada-san?"
The elder man looked up from his seat. "What is it, Cye?"
"Do you have any ideas as to what's bothering Ryo?"
"Well, I was hoping that you could tell me," was his reply. "He was just fine when he left to meet with you yesterday. But when he got home…" He shook his head sadly. "It's as if he carried the burden of the world on his shoulders."
"I'm sorry. But we don't know what happened to him either, Sanada-san."
"That's right," Kento pitched in. "We were split up for a while, and the next time we saw Ryo, he was acting like that."
"Well, then I guess we're all at lost here."
"He hasn't spoken anything at all?" Cye asked.
The old man shook his head. "I'm sorry to say that he hasn't."
Cye rocked back on his knees, taking a sip of his tea. This was more serious than he thought. He knew that Ryo and his grandfather were close. By now, he should have talked to Sanada-san about this. But considering that it was Ronin business… Maybe that's why, but… he didn't even make an attempt to talk. That's not like Ryo at all. What was wrong?
"Sanada-san. Can you make a guess as to what might be wrong?"
The elder sighed in remorse, knowing what he was about would not bode well with his grandson's two friends. "I've cared for Ryo almost his entire life. But… I've never felt such a sense of pain and sorrow than what I am feeling from him right now."
***
What am I doing?
She couldn't believe it herself. Leaping from one tree branch to the next in the woods outside of the city in hopes that she'd run into some guy she met only yesterday… It's absurd!! A demon doesn't act this way! Not all giddy and excited over some human boy. No way!!
But that's how Yume felt. There was something special about Ryo… About that encounter that just drew her towards him. And she couldn't wait to see him again. Even if it did mean spending most of her entire day wandering around in the forest when she had other business to attend to. Not to mention that if anyone she knew saw her right now, they'd think she was a foolish child, especially if that person so happened to be her so-called older 'brother.'
Oh, that idiot better not say anything about this or he's gonna get it! No sympathy for siblings. Even if they weren't really blood related.
Yume stopped for a moment, hiking up a higher, more sturdier, branch to take a break. She wondered if Ryo would recognize her, for she looked very different from the other day. Her hair wasn't pulled into a traditional bun, letting the cherry strands fall free around her face. And she wasn't wearing her lilac colored kimono either. Instead, the demon-girl sported a pale blue strapless dress that curved around her hips and stopped to rest a few inches above her knees. It wasn't too extravagant like her kimono, the only decorative piece being the plush silk cloth that looped once around her waist and almost fell down to her ankles. The same material loosely covered her forearms and shins as well, overlapping the simple shoes that she wore.
Her 'working outfit,' as she would call it, was what she'd wear on any other day, especially when she needed a flowing freedom of movement like right now. True, it was a bit more revealing than she would like, now that she thought about it. But then again, she never had to worry about that issue until now. I hope he doesn't think little of me.
Thinking that she had rested enough, Yume was getting ready to jump down the tree when a pair of approaching voices from below made her stop. She couldn't see who the speakers were just yet, but she was certain that it was a couple of teenagers.
"Dude, man. This is serious," a male voice had said. "I mean, once the old man said that, I kinda felt what he meant. It was freaky."
"I know. I felt it too," another spoke, this voice being more gentle than the first. "I wish we could have done something."
"Well, I could have busted in there but you wouldn't let me."
"Are you still upset over that?"
"Yes! At least we would have been able to talk to him instead of just sitting there in the living room!"
The two boys were now passing right under the shelter of the tree Yume was standing in. She only caught a glimpse of a thin figure with hair the color of autumn leaves and his muscular companion before both fell out of her line of vision, only the sounds of their voices revealing their location to her. She'd have to wait until she was sure they were farther away before she continued looking for…
"Ryo would have kicked your ass for that little stunt."
Ryo…?
"Have you no faith in me?!"
"Setting him off is a surefire way to get a beating and you know that."
"Tch. I hate this."
Her heart skipped a beat. Those boys know Ryo.
Once they were out of sighed, Yume jumped down from the tree branch, taking a moment to judge in which direction they originally came from before setting out on foot. He's nearby. I'm sure of it!!
It only took her a few minutes to reach the front of the cabin Ryo lived in. Her heart was pounding with excitement at the prospect of seeing him again. Taking a few steps forward, she stopped for a moment, realizing how she was acting. I sound like a kid. C'mon, compose yourself, Yume, she told herself after a deep breath. Just be natural. When she felt her nerves calm down, she approached the front door.
That's when she noticed the white tiger.
White Blaze was lying down on the porch when he saw the demon-girl from the other day standing in the small clearing in front of the cabin, looking a bit anxious. He picked himself off the floor and approached her, inclining his head to the side at her unfamiliar look.
She must have realized that the tiger wasn't exactly sure who she was, taking a step back and tilting her head to the side like he had. "Hey there," she greeted softly, giving the animal a small smile. "Do you remember me?"
As a reply, White Blaze sniffed at her, picking up her familiar nectarine scent and bobbing his head once for confirmation.
"I'm glad," she giggled. "Say, is Ryo here?"
At the mentioning of his master's name, the tiger made a bit of a whining sound before nudging Yume forward from behind.
"Hey! Wha…?"
He pushed her forward again, coming up to her side and inclining his head in the direction of the cabin as best as he could. But Yume didn't understand what White Blaze was trying to tell her. Even so, she knew that there was something wrong, the anxiety building up in the pit of her stomach as her testament. Ryo…
White Blaze suddenly bit down on the band around her arm, tugging her forward. She nodded to him and let the feline lead the way.
The duo came up to the side of the cabin to a window towards the back. Yume watched as White Blaze gave her a long indecipherable look before stepping aside, allowing her to look through the window. She was a bit hesitant, not exactly sure what was going on, but in a moment, she gazed though the glass into a bedroom where a young boy with raven black hair lied sprawled on his bed staring up at the ceiling.
Panic started to build up inside her throat, suddenly feeling an aura around him. A dark, gloomy feeling that seemed to emanate from him entered her mind, almost making her burst into tears. But her will prevailed.
She swallowed down the lump in her throat, closing her eyes and taking in a deep breath for a moment. Yume hated it when that happened. Maki always told her to be careful with humans and their emotions. The demon-girl was highly sensitive to their feelings, being able to experience --- to a certain degree --- what they felt in their hearts. But the ability normally just made her uncomfortable, or, at one time, cast her into a gloomy state herself. But with Ryo…
It's so strong. His aura… his pain is so strong. She shivered. Why?
His pain called out to her. She need to know what happened. She needed to know what made him suffer so much. And before she knew it, she was knocking on the glass window, trying to get his attention. But oddly enough, he didn't move to get up or to even look at the window. He only continued to gaze blankly up at the ceiling, completely oblivious to reality.
Yume tapped on the glass again, this time harder and for much longer. But the act yielded the same results. Ryo's body remained motionless on his bed. But she wasn't about to give up. Oh no. She was far from it.
Concentrating her energy into the tips of her fingers, she closed her fist tightly, bringing it up to her chest. Like a cat, she suddenly opened her fist and her fingernails extended to at least three inches long, the deadly tips glistening in the afternoon sun.
White Blaze watched with growing curiosity as Yume approached the left end of the window where the lock was located on the opposite side of the glass. After a moment of deliberation, she began to carve out a hole in the glass big enough to squeeze her hand through. The slight screeching noise of nails against glass was a bit grating to the tiger's nerves, but it was tolerable. At least it was better than Kento's idea to break down the door.
***
"You'll take care of him, won't you?"
The words echoed throughout his mind, teasing him softly with a pleasant smile accompanying that voice.
"Don't worry about it. I saw what happened…and to tell you the truth I think your actions were justified."
He remembered it the be the first time they spoke.
"Just don't tell him that."
"Don't worry, he can't hear us."
A charming smile… "Ja ne!"
That's how it started. By seeing a different side of her.
"My name is Laura Kinoku. I'm sorry but I don't know your name."
She initiated the conversation. She started all of this.
"You think… a few years from now… if we're still friends, you'd tell me about your past…?"
A soft smile… "Yes, I think I would… You don't mind waiting?"
"Just whenever you're ready."
A friendly smile… "Thanks Ryo."
She wanted him to be her friend.
But…
"Lady Sierra!! The battle's not over yet!"
…But…
"The battle is over. I beat your friend."
Fate interfered…
"The challenge was for both of us. All or nothing. And you haven't beaten me. C'mon Sierra! Let's do this!!"
And what once was…
"This will be the final duel. Winner takes all."
…could no longer remain as is…
Laura…
…What can I do? Please…
Tell me…
***
Ryo blinked, slightly puzzled by the shadow that was cast over him when he came to. He remained lying there on his bed staring into White Blaze's dark brown eyes, bewilderment written all over his face before he sat up, forcing the large feline off of his bed. He looked down at his animal companion, wondering just how the hell he had managed to get into his room when he noticed another figure standing by his now open window.
"Yume…?"
She gave him a tentative hello, smiling a bit, although her heart wasn't up to it. She could still feel that pain inside. It wasn't as strong now, Ryo's mind being currently occupied by her sudden appearance. But it was there nonetheless. And she couldn't bring out a cheerful smile, even for his sake.
"Um… I hope you don't mind, that I came here."
Ryo looked down at the floor, folding his hands between his legs. "No. It's alright."
"…Are you okay?"
He didn't answer, but he didn't need to, Yume's unusual ability bringing forth his reply.
Ryo wasn't okay. It seemed as if once she had asked, he had slipped into an even more remorseful state. There was no merriment in his being. No worry. No concern or curiosity… What happened to the human boy she met the other day?
"Yume," he spoke softly after the silence continued. "I'm sorry… Today's not a good time for me. I…"
A quiet sob stopped his attempt at an explanation.
He looked up, surprised as the tears fell down her face. She tried so hard to make them stop, wiping the wetness from her eyes. But stubbornly they continued to fall, like rain. Fall in mourning of the pain and guilt inside his soul.
Yume had felt it. In that short moment, she had felt the heaviness of his heart, agony stricken for hurting someone he cared for. Betraying someone that trusted him. Betraying himself and the promise he made. She felt it all in one single moment. And the overwhelming feeling had broken down her defenses, unable to resist the tears that came flowing down her face.
And so she cried in sorrow for his pain.
Damn it. She brought her hands to her face. Why'd I have to…
She gasped, startled when she found Ryo right in front of her, his arms gently circling her small frame and bringing her body close to his. He was so much bigger than she was, his arms easily wrapping themselves around her, keeping her in the warmth of his embrace. Being so close to him obscured his face from her sight, so she couldn't judge how he was feeling at the moment. But she felt the beating of his heart and the slight tremble of his body. And then she felt the cool drop of a tear fall against her shoulder. He was falling apart, needing something to hold onto.
Shaking off her own grief, Yume brought her arms around his neck, placing her hand as firmly as possibly on his back while the other gently combed through his hair, bringing his head closer to her. She felt another tear fall on her shoulder.
Holding each other this way in silence allowed her to see into Ryo's heart. He was holding onto this pain. But he needed to let go or he'd never be able to continue on with his life. But... he wouldn't let go. She felt the guilt. The desire to remain in sorrow as a way of penance. Ryo had resolved himself to sulk here in his room. Because… Because why?
Then she heard it in her own mind. Heard his voice, tired and quiet.
She won't forgive me… She would never forgive me.
"Would she?"
Ryo blinked in surprise, his mind blanking. The silence remained for an uncertain moment before Yume pulled herself away so she could look at him.
"Is she so cold hearted that, after seeing you in such pain, she wouldn't forgive you?" She softly wiped a stray tear away from his face with her fingertips. "Does she even know that you shed tears for her? Does she know… that you're sorry?"
He didn't answer, but his eyes said it all.
"You have to tell her."