AN: It's ghost month, everyone! In Chinese mythology, this means all the ghosts are allowed to roam the human world freely. Which means there's going to a whole lot of Watanuki flailing and Doumeki latching. :D Not to mention July 30th, (7/7 in the lunar calendar) is Chinese Valentine's Day. This year, the lunar version of July runs from July 25th to September 21st so yeah, considering that I haven't updated in half of forever, I will try to update more during this time. However, since this will be my junior year, my studies are still very important to me, so please understand! And thank you to everyone who has read, reviewed, and pushed me to continue! Thank you!

Perfect Circles Chapter Four

It had floated down from above, past the morning fog, the skyscrapers, to the concrete jungle below. After hovering overheads for a target, it settled for a little girl, her two tight pigtails bouncing along behind her. It speeded along to catch up, finally hooking onto her hair and entangling itself into her stiff braids while sampling the loose ends, which decidedly did not taste very good. It wasn't ideal, but it would do for now.

xxxHOLiC

Watanuki always hated July. Everything spoiled faster, mildew grew like wildlife vegetation, and everything was just so hot, hot, hot.

And of course, the ghosts tagged along like crazy during this time of year. During the weeks of 'staying away from Doumeki', the apparitions came back in droves; clinging onto the boy like desperate lovers, fighting amongst themselves for all the prime spots as they breathed down his neck, gnawed and nibbled on his appendages, and latched onto his limbs. July simply allowed them to get more 'personal'.

But hell would freeze over before Watanuki would admit this was a problem. Dragging himself over to the wish shop very early in the morning and always coming back late at night, the spirits would lessen significantly while he was at work, but the most persistent ones still held on, no matter how many stupid rituals and incantations that Yuuko suggested for him, as always with a price.

"But they didn't even work!"

"So?" And he knew it was impossible.

xxxHOLiC

After an hour of tagging along, it decided to move on, not being able to take the incessant, constant movement of such an animated creature. It did not have to search long though, as a couple strolled past the girl, allowing it to simply transfer onto the spiked, green haired boy. But the gel made it impossible to latch on firmly, and it peeled off, looking for the next target.

xxxHOLiC

It was also much more tiring in July as more and more customers came by, anxious to get rid of their own troubles. Luckily, Watanuki rarely had to step out of the shop during this time, as Yuuko decided to fulfill these wishes herself. Watanuki had almost believed that the woman was exempting him from the errands out of sympathy, but after a derisive snort and a short explanation that the ghosts that were only allowed to roam during July were the most vengeful, the boy's self worth and respect for his employer deflated.

Whatever the reason, Watanuki was glad enough not to meet the spirits in, always making a point to prepare an extravagant meal boasting the best ingredients and the finest recipes for his employer's return, even though the boy would be thoroughly exhausted when he was finished. Even Yuuko almost seemed tired, often poking at the ten course meal laid out for her every night, never being able to finish. But knocking back a few shots of sake along with Mokona and singing drinking songs never failed to keep her flamboyant and energetic as always.

xxxHOLiC

It finally settled on a head of thick, wavy curls, following the owner from shopping mall to shopping mall. It was tempted to stay with the girl; even floating after her as she walked home towards the suburbs. But the girl suddenly stopped, snapping her fingers and speaking out loud to no one in particular, "Oh, that's right! I have to see Watanuki tomorrow…"

Watanuki. Even the name sounded delicious. It didn't know where 'Watanuki' was, or even what it was, but it would wait.

It would wait.