Echoing softly to the embracing surroundings, the familiar, if not redundant bells of Tokiwa School sounded once more.
Listening calmly, Miyu stood comfortably in her usual spot. Leaning on her arms, her eyes swept the open schoolyard.
Apart from the scarce students that walked below, the field was completely deserted. However this mood of calm wind and warm sunlight was more than what she had wished. Although she needed real friends, nature had become like a parent to her and for that she was grateful. Breathing in the fresh air without even so much as a facial flinch; she nonetheless was enjoying the moment to its fullest. Since birth she had always been an outdoor person, raised in the fields, watching the stars, had practiced juggling on the porch, and even played flute music under the cool of the evening. To her it was incomprehensible that any human would relish in the ever-growing concrete jungles that masked such beauty. Shifting her foot lazily to scrape with the spotless concrete Miyu smiled to nature's unending comfort. Feeling little breeze compared to last night, she regarded the hazy clouds that filmed over the blue sky. Having lived 72 years thus far she had seen many things. But nature was not all she was thinking about…
"Eternal happiness. A place without pain or suffering, isn't that what you want?"
The man had stopped to her calling and turned backward. It was hard to determine what he had been thinking at that moment, but she knew that the direction was obvious. If he had understood, then facial features of thought had failed. Intriguingly enough, his response was far from arrogant…although it was also devoid of any provenience.
"Is there even such a thing?"
Miyu thought about that.
It was hard to say. The world choked happiness, as if it hated it. As time went on humans only became more and more callous. But for him, it seemed that they had a lot in common. He avoided human contact even more than her, but that reason was obvious… He wasn't arrogant or haughty either; on the contrary, he was completely heartless and callous as if his life meant nothing. Miyu knew that he was human, but it was difficult to understand why a part of him was not. Every time upon meeting he had set her senses on overdrive, his properties merging and masking themselves. Combined with a deadly aura it was no wonder why one look would cause fear… All this was very perplexing, but nothing compared to the last detail. For he had such powerful sorrow, one that even rivaled hers. She knew that that kind of emotion was not possible in a normal lifespan, so then…
None of it made sense…
At first Miyu had thought it would at least be kind to offer, even though the motives were somewhat selfish. It was sad, but she was a shinma and it was anger, hatred, fear, depression, sorrow, all these that provided the best blood. However she rarely focused on that, rather the lifting and relieving of their heavy burdens. After all there were hopeless people that she did reject…people that were ungrateful; arrogant. (that was the worst)
Still, even at the prick of that notion Miyu couldn't help but think of what his blood tasted like. Every person's blood was different. Some was sweet whilst others were bitter, but rarely would there be unique experiences. All blood carried the life of a human and as such became a special medium for knowledge transfer. When Miyu's power would come into contact with a person's blood it acted like a spiritual splice that would share memories and dreams. Some humans had solid lives of sadness and shame, while others led joyous ones into but a single catastrophe. Inconsequential to the workings of the matter Miyu was happy that her existence could lift such burdens. Refocusing her thoughts, she wondered further.
"Is there even such a thing?"
She couldn't really put her finger on that matter. He had, in a way inadvertently avoided the request altogether. Vying for a conclusion would take some time, and although Miyu was patient she couldn't help this lustful feeling of curiosity that burned inside her. As expected, her selfish destiny or rather inhuman conscious was acting of its own will again…
"There you are Miyu!"
Perking her face largely, Chisato quickly scooted over to her close friend, unaware of interruption. Taking full advantage of the five-minute bell delay she was cheerful to converse.
"He he he!" Chisato grinned deeply upon arching slit eyes, bringing her thin arms to join behind her back. If there was a reason for attention then she was it.
"Guess what Miyu?"
Miyu returned the affection dimly, obviously interested but without mood for such games. Countering the question with a small glooming voice, she shifted her body away from the comforting ledge.
"What?"
Chisato leaned forward, trying to erase the gloom.
"Yukari's friend is doing better!"
"Is that so?"
"Yes!"
Leaving no room for restful words it was evident that Chisato was nearly intoxicated with this event. Or perhaps she was trying to cheer her up again. As Chisato's feelings were quite gullible she was a pure example of careless passiveness. While Miyu didn't have anything against helping others, she was inclined to agree that its victory should be kept toward the internal side.
"We visited her last night and now she is almost all better!"
Coming up from behind, Yukari interrupted; coupled with Hisae.
"Yeah until Chisato tripped over the lamp cord."
"Yukari!"
Inverting her joyful expression into a repulsive retort, Chisato shot back her counterattack before embarrassment took hold.
"Hey, it worked didn't it?"
Laughing of one accord the quartet reeled in the amusement, causing even Chisato to chuckle. Short lived as it was; they all turned their eyes back to Miyu's restful stance, her engagement in the matter being the weakest.
Perking suddenly at a hidden reminder, Yukari guided her hazel eyes to Chisato's reddish hair.
"Chisato didn't you want to ask Miyu something?"
"Oh, Yeah! I wanted to ask you Miyu, what did you think of that guy from the mall?"
Striking a bell of perfect recollection, Miyu's brain started up from the question despite her nominal face.
"Well, I…."
Miyu hesitated. Unnoticed from her friends she didn't know what to say that could make it seem believable without lying. Miyu hated lying and she never wished it upon anyone. Thankfully Chisato's pressing voice had interrupted her difficult position before too long and replaced it with an easier route.
"Did you see him again?"
"Yes."
That did it.
Shattering the calm fragrance that the moment had just endured, the three opposite schoolgirls froze. Eyes rounding wide, Chisato stood still under the spell of her memory, her concern for Miyu visible. In the blink of an eye the forgetful events of two days past had been reincarnated upon her fragile mind.
"You did?"
Miyu nodded again, this time only murmuring a slight sound from her lips. Deciding to steer the conversation before it got out of control, she continued with her words.
"He said he was sorry if he caused you any pain."
Transforming from stun to surprise, the trio of girls regarded each of the other; unable to grasp.
Not wishing to say more, Miyu walked into the classroom, thankful at the sudden bell.
(-)
Soaring majestically though the transparent afternoon, a wistful wind blew though the city center, speeding along in turbulent clumps. Snaking its way though unmovable towers of immense height, it countered the warm sun with its cool nature. Crowded streets resembled a daily festival of diverse faces, each and all going about their errands like ships on the endless sea. Despite the aberrational cold wind that had been building in strength, the streets were full of cheerful faces. From teenagers to adults to exceeded seniors, nearly all accepted the unbiased atmosphere equally. It had been quite hot for the last few days and to see…or rather feel the difference, was likened to rare 'acts of kindness'.
Surging violently across the tops of skyscrapers, the draft of wondrous air felled differently thought the narrow alleyways. At times its invisible hands would gather scarce trash into small whirlwinds only to release its cargo at the command of gentle chaos. As a pathfinder in a brick forest, the invisible entity that had existed the length of time eased freely though the narrow portals. Trading brilliant light for lesser shade, the wind swirled weakly between scarlet walls. Howling its presence as it passed, it continued on its way, unhindered by a sudden black obstacle.
Resting quietly alongside the narrow passageway, a black clad man sat against cold pavement resting his back upon red bricks. Not bothering to regard the soothing wind that brushed his brown hair in gentle lifts, he let the unseen thing act its will upon his daggered strands. Leaning quietly under the fortitude of dim shade and surrounding brick, his menacing sapphire eyes slept under peaceful lids. While the wind continued its motion around his inert position, his hair moved gently around his docile face.
Hidden under the serenity of the moment, his dormant figure was like a statue that only the wind could love.
Coming across him without warning, multiple heaves of air rippled his still character, sweeping the mood of tranquility as it passed. Failing to rouse him from his deep rest, the voice of the heavens settled for the howling sound that impacted his hidden ears…
Breathing shallowly, his eyes nevertheless reacted to the summons, twitching vaguely before opening. It was slow, like the dawning of a new day as his obedient lids slothfully revealed his strongest attribute. Dominating his barely conscious mind, the dreamy feeling of welcoming sleep beckoned him again. It was pleasant, like the medium of where you can still remember dreaming, that otherworldly place devoid of pain. It wasn't real though; there was no such thing as 'painless' on this world, anyone who thought so was a fool.
Rotating his dawning gaze to the right, he regarded the deserted alleyway and the roads beyond. With only the distant sound of busy traffic to occupy his waking mind, he stood slowly to the presence of wintry muscles. Hearing the rush of blood drown his ears into silence, he let the sensations of countless internal rivers to create their feelings of paradox strength. They seemed to resound thought their paths, echoing the cursed touch as life-bringing material sped though its red tunnels.
Staring at nothing, the dark man waited a moment, it being rare as he reflected upon himself. Even after meeting the guardian everything continued; the sun rose and fell, the wind moved, and he…was alive.
"Alive…"
He closed his eyes.
Alive… Was he not dead? Had he not died a long time ago? Save for hatred he was emotionless, callous, indifferent to pain… Things that lived…died. But he couldn't…and slowly his soul had bled to death… Things that were dead were dead…could they die again?
He had tried that once…being tried of the pain, the suffering, the eternal disease, and he had tried…
But density laughed at suicide…
Sorrow multiplied from that point…the knowledge of endless life…and the powerlessness to end it. Physically ageless, he was 19 and any human would have though so. But again, like all his traits, his appearance was deceptive.
"Nineteen…no…Five hundred thirty eight…"
How ironic.
"Ironic…"
That actually might have been funny if time hadn't removed it. All that he had cared about was destroyed by a shinma. His loved ones were destroyed by a shinma…The blood of a shinma flowed though him...
Yet he destroyed them. Destroyed them mercilessly…
It was never about revenge though, as he had forgotten about that. Simply, having suffered so much he hated it; and as such hated those who caused it…
"Shinma…"
No, they didn't just cause it…they lived by it…
Standing upward to full height, the dark figure looked outward to the distant sky ignoring the complaints that filled his muscles. Focusing his vision, crystallized eyes beheld the narrow exit of the alleyway. Beyond the resonance of distant city life and drifting voices could be heard. He listened, knowing that those incoherent noises were still of one thing…living. Living as it should be. Pausing only for a moment his noir runners slowly started off, tapping the sunlit pavement as he crossed from pathway to sidewalk.
(-)
Chisato smiled. It had turned out that Soma's sister had been released from the hospital and her father, hearing of their company, had invited them to dinner. Pleased that the invitation had included Yukari and Hisae the three of them had gone out together, formally dressed as they waited. Eying the water fountain before them, Chisato was once again in a cheerful mode.
"I'm glad that Miki is doing better already. It was really nice of Mr. Toshi to invite us."
Yukari agreed.
"Yeah he said he would pick us up in a grey limousine."
Chisato lit up, her reacting taking her from the bench.
"A limo! No way!"
Yukari looked ahead, the large courtyard full of people and traffic. Of course limos were rare in Japan, but not unheard of. From here it would be easy to spot.
"Yeah, I could hardly believe it myself."
Hisae looked up from her book, if there was reason for excitement she didn't understand. Being the most docile of the three, she mostly kept to herself as her hobby was learning. However she was still grateful, in her own way.
"Here it comes."
As if on queue the luxury car rolled up, a well dressed man exiting and holding the door for them. Entering in order of excitement Chisato took the lead, followed by Yukari. With Hisae entering last, it wasn't long before the vehicle started moving.
(-)
Increasing in size, the setting sun once again began its abysmal, but beautiful journey into the darkening earth. Spliced with an artistic blend of cerulean, crimson, and orange it had been on of Japan's favorite sunsets. Spread in scattered segments, small white clouds drifted about, splashed with red as the sky continued to dim.
From the far-off vista of sun-eclipsed skyscrapers and populated streets, the quiet outskirts and empty roads provided a powerful contrast to that of its bustling core. With no cars to interrupt the restful silence, its peaceful silence was a beauty unto its own. Bordering alongside a derelict sidewalk, twisted, leafless trees erected an eerie watch over the abandoned business district. Populated with old buildings and deserted streets, it only purpose was to await the day of demolition.
Suddenly the silence was broken…
Faint at first, the sweeping grip of soft footsteps carefully eased through the frail boarder of tranquility. Quiet and seeming to come from a threefold direction, the air seamlessly watched as the cause became revealed.
Eclipsed in setting sun, a single arcane character walked alone. Faceless with shade and the cover of his hair, his fearful features slept from sight, though having no one to intimidate. Refusing to look neither left nor right, his entrancing state was one with the atmosphere around him. Impassive to anything he let the cool of the evening sway upon his chaotic memory. Moving his right hand to physically sense the cold metal beneath his dark hoddie, he griped the beckoning of nostalgic reminiscence….
…
Etching itself upon a barren landscape, the hollow, deathly wind echoed upon airborne dust. Making itself known in the realm of unperceived dreams, that mysterious entity was always one with all. Torn from its peaceful state, lethargic sand cried out against the sky's movement whilst it was dragged at but a whisper from the ground. Articulating into chaotic rifts, the grey sand moved about its dunes from the wind's voice. Reinforced by hazy overcast, the mediator between black and white overspread the land; contaminating the barren dessert endlessly. Only worn out twisted trees dared to make a stand against the conform background. With darkly warped shapes, their existence reeked with the eerie aroma of death.
A world of death.
Mutely stepping above the grey dunes, noir runners upheld their color, refusing to be influenced by the monotone environment.
Even in his visions he was the same, the same attire the same face…his memory fragmented to the point where uncertainty filled the gaps. Ravaged with a bitter wind, the dark man fearlessly treaded though lost territory. Stripped of landmarks and vitality, his seemingly aimless direction was not in vain. Locking his sapphire eyes hatefully onto the monument before him, he once more beheld the towering cause of his family's demise. Standing only a little ways away, the hangman's noose was again filled with the same lovingly gold-blond head. Randomly, her beautiful hair bathed in the flowing wind, ruffling about her thin figure and neck. Still as time, her dress rippled; blue and white that warred with grey. Merely a servant to her centerpiece, those endless strands of gold parted way for sad eyes to appear. Rocking her neck under a side slipstream of air, that wall of blond caressed her crying cheek tenderly under the contrast of her roped neck. Wordlessly her lips moved, the sounds intangible upon his ears. More tears brimmed under her crystal blue eyes until the sparking haze traveled in lines to drip from her flawless chin.
Gloating to the full pleasure this moment would bring, unearthly laughter never failed to cease; but rather chose to form from its omni-directional ridicule. Materializing into a faceless dark cloak upon the twisted platform, its thriving amusement poured from it's obscurely hooded features. Releasing the final moments into a mixture of ultimate humility and conniving sorrow, a dark hand appeared from the cover of the executioner's cape, slowly coming to rest upon an equally evil handle. Resounding a low hit of musical malevolence, the contact of rickety wood echoed submissively to all surroundings.
Powerless to break gaze with his beautiful friend, he could only bid her one last look. But for all the moment and emotions he had, they were inferior to hers. Those eyes she had, so radiant of her emotions…ones that would never open to light again. The tears of a crystal river so vibrant… that would now forever dry up. The hair of spun gold whose nature defied even the most skilled artist... Her dress, the seamless attire that she had loved so much and now would never love again… There was something she wanted to say, something that would outweigh the vast lifetime of idle words. What was it? It was if some mystic serenity was calling for the final piece of some unnatural puzzle. Her entire body could only say one message, and in the moment it was as equally murky as the silent words her lips uttered.
Then…the obsequious peace of the moment was shattered as the judgmental lever was pulled….
…
Anger building, the dark man swept the memory away forcefully. Staring into the distance of condemned buildings he angled his lids.
Digging into the rigid grips of his weapon, the nameless man tightly grasped his hidden handgun. Feeling his white skin adhere into the countless criss-cross patterns of the handle he shunned the memory aside.
Then his instinct flared…
Slowly he vision rotated.
To his right was a tree, its presence far from ordinary. Twisted like all the others it wasn't so much the tree itself, but rather the shade that enveloped it…
Strange…
But he didn't care; whatever it was he didn't care.
Walking onward, he continued.
(-)
Recessing into weaker and still weaker footsteps, the mysterious man eventually faded into the distance.
Watching at his back, the same distorted tree reflected upon itself, now alone. Totally contrasting to the warm light, its lying shadow…pitch black in tint…began to move. Slowly at first, it separated itself from the confines of natural shade. Unchanged by sunlight, its conglobating form rippled silently about the dead grass. Gradually and without hurry it began to follow…
(-)
Nearing darkness, the final colors of daylight faded into the earth. With the only light being artificial, night had come once again.
Far from the distant city of electricity, a private restaurant sat in the middle of a garden, its purpose reserved for the exceptionally wealthy. While it did have electric lighting of its own, only the main building had been privileged; the designers deciding on torch light for the surrounding foliage. Out of range of the city's blinding light the stars could clearly be seen, adding to the splendor. Quiet and secluded, nature was at ease to share its company.
Alight with the modern fabrications of extravagant beauty and architecture, its outward design was only inferior to the visual delectations within. Reflecting something like that of the Edo era, its numerous pieces of furniture, ornaments, and paintings were only secondary to the traditional service.
"Will that be all for you today sir?"
Holding a respective stance that mimicked the house's honor and diligence, the waiter folded his hands formally. Without need of any writing utensils one could easily tell that his memory was exemplary.
"No, thanks."
With a respectful nod of his head the waiter left, leaving the six guests to their time. Turning his interests back toward the table, Mr. Toshi continued the conversation.
"Did you girls enjoy it?"
Kneeling along with Yukari and Hisae, Chisato smiled cheerfully. Sounding an affirming rumble from the depths of her throat she glanced over to wonder at her friends thoughts.
From the center of the three, Yukari's taller form didn't bother to smile but rather confirmed the question with moving lips. Slightly dry with concern, her voice maintained a level note.
"It was very good, thank you."
Following her lead, Hisae's conservative voice trailed out last, though it remarked no less of un-appreciation.
"Yes, thank you Mr. Toshi."
Bowing her brunette head, Hisae added an extra element of gratitude that her shy voice sometimes lacked. Seated on the opposite side, Soma and Miki smiled back while their father's center posture commanded over them. Seeming slightly distraught he focused his concern upon Yukari.
"Is something troubling you Yukari?"
Yukari straightened, becoming slightly surprised that her inward thoughts had been noticed. Hoping to have delayed this moment a little longer she sighed deeply, blinking acutely. But there was no helping it now.
"There is something I wanted to ask Miki."
Showing more than a hint of puzzled features, Mr. Toshi shifted a momentary look at his daughter. Unable to decipher what it might inquire he listened carefully as Miki took character.
"What is it Yukari?"
Yukari hesitated. Silently she had dreaded this moment ever since she has witnessed Miki in the hospital bed. Although part of her wanted to forget the whole thing, her inner spirit still pressed to resolute the matter. She was certain that that man from the mall was involved, she couldn't deny it after feeling the same thing twice. The fear that had been in Miki's eyes had been identical to hers. Perhaps, emotionally she was reading too much into it (as she often tended too) but after all one of her best friends had become severely hurt from this ordeal and she wanted to solve, and thereby remove its mystery.
"Miki…do you remember who attacked you?"
Startled with shock Miki body reacted defensively, the simple reminder of Yukari's words calling up strong images that she wished forgetfulness. Seeing the impact, her father began to raise his left hand, intent on halting the discussion. However Miki caught it. Nodding a fearless azure stare into her father's eyes she gradually faced across the table. Luring the eyes of all that knelt around her she began with an anxious mind.
"Well…I"
Interrupting from the side Chisato angled her eyebrows, her face filling with defensive anger.
"Yukari! Do you think you should be asking that? I mean you know how much pain it put her though!"
Tilting her head to level downwards with Chisato's unhappy expression, Yukari quickly reconsidered. Perhaps it wouldn't be such a good idea to pry, after all the persistence of curiosity was not worth the trauma of another being. Sustaining her serious expression she refaced Miki.
"Then could you tell me who saved you?"
Perking up, Miki smirked, thankful for an easier path. Beforehand she couldn't remember too much because she had been in shock; but over time even that had been conquered. Besides, her attacker had been a monster! Anyone and anything she would have told it to would think she was crazy; which wasn't a good thing for a rich family. Thankfully most people respected her silence about the matter and that was relieving.
"Well…" she stuttered slightly. "He was very tall and from what I could tell, quite angered at what happened. He was dressed in full black and had really scary eyes."
With one accord Yukari, Chisato, and Hisae snapped heads, reflecting the same expression. Striking serious bells of embedded memory the trio faced forward, Yukari taking the unanimous speech.
"This guy…did those eyes happen to be…blue?"
"Well…yes…"
Having maintained adequate silence since the conversation began, Chisato lips sprung to life, living with impulsiveness.
"HIM!"
All eyes on Chisato, she suddenly retracted in embarrassment. Features flushing with blush, she cupped her hand to her mouth having noticed her impetuousness. Looking to the side she decided to let Yukari take the rest of the chat.
"I'm sorry."
Yukari grimaced.… She had expected the attacker to be that mysterious malevolent; this was more than a shock. Apart from will, her mind raced with the humbling dawn that she had been placed back to square one. Perhaps what Miyu said was true and their judgment had just been ill tempered and reckless. If that was the case, as it already seemed so…then she had been wrong all along. Having the spiel of her conscious accuse her with shame, Yukari thoughts began to change. Without even so much as looking at Chisato, her sustaining voice continued.
"Do you know his name?"
Knowing that she was almost out of details, Miki shook her head, permitting her blond hair to quiver restfully.
"No, he just took me to a small shop where I phoned my parents and when I turned around he was gone."
Finishing the last sentence Yukari thought about it carefully. Without any words, the time ticked by slothfully, pounding the air with its quiet hand until finally the waiter returned to disturb the silence.
"Here is your bill sir, thank you very much."
Bowing on leave the waiter left Mr. Toshi to count his funds. Gathering a large sum of money into a neat stack on the ancient, yet artful table, he stood silently.
"Come on, I'll take you girls home."
(-)
Completely engulfed under an impenetrable cloak of thick darkness, the deathly aroma of saturating nightfall overshadowed the earth. Long since set into the voided horizon, not even the slightest sliver of light could be seen. The moon was gone, imprisoned by unnatural, formless clouds. While broken streetlights had long since failed their purpose, the unlit streets grew darker and darker with an existence that surpassed natural. A dank wind howled lightly, allowing the eerie environment to fill with a conspiring, yet palpable fear. One would think that such a night couldn't exist. The air wasn't alive…it was dead.
Succumbing to the despot that this unearthly atmosphere created, old brick buildings and desolate roads held their silence, as if afraid to disturb that which was hidden…
Devoid of any and all life, the abandoned business district's destined condemnation could only wait as it had over the decades, hollow and forsaken…
But tonight it wasn't.
Completely camouflaged into the color that his dark clothing radiated, a nameless man continued on his path in the middle of the street. Without the interference of vehicular traffic the ancient asphalt perfectly resounded the impressions of his feet. Each step seemed to carry an evil echo, as if the entire environment had been enraptured through mutilated spirits.
However fear did not affect him and his powerful eyes swept across the black street in slow fashion. Beholding the faded wear of time that was impartial to all things, he brought his unblinking stare forward to face the center of the wide street. It was dark tonight; too dark…like the impaling blackness had dreaded its own countenance. Since sunset it had increasingly became stronger and stronger…as if a Shinma itself had become the entity. Slowly digesting the patterns of chaos that his mind processed, he abruptly stopped in place, his eyes leveling. Positioned in the middle of the road, he hid his right hand under the obscurity of his hoddie, retracting strongly with the grips of his weapon. Speaking callously, and of a tone that uttered baritone force, he drifted his voice to the shadows behind him.
"Stop hiding."
Snickering under the breath of planned discovery, a thin beam of concentrated shade ascended out of the asphalt, its substance widening and solidifying into a voided figure of pure night. Materializing into the silhouette of a human, its hidden lips tasted the air with a taunting attitude.
"You finally figured it out."
Twisting about, the nameless man took aim, his gun finding the target long before his eyes. Bringing his head to level dangerously with the contrasting image of his handgun, he narrowed them… Obediently, his hair strayed from his vision, leaving unforgiving irises to permeate the air between them. Holding his ground without hesitation he listened as the Shinma continued.
"This night is mine."
His words had abruptly gone dark, devoid of any arrogant haughtiness that had just been present. Leaving the sentence on a serious note, his demonic form permitted his final attribute to take shape.
Coming out of the pools of his hidden head, two sources of amethyst terror appeared with one accord, identical as their sapphire rivals.
"And so are you."
Like lightning, a shadowy hand slashed forward, hell-bent on initiating the first strike. Screeching vigorously through the rush of air it narrowly missed, as the dark man was just capable of dodging the fatal blow. Mind set to battle, his skill awoke.
Flipping backward, the dark man quickly retaliated. Detached from mercy, his weapon's deathly judgment exploded from its noir casing, its course being true. Losing the view under a second flip, he swiftly touched down upon black asphalt, standing vertical.
The Shinma was gone…
Staring at the empty spot of where his opponent had just stood, he quickly adjusted his sweep.
Near to the broken buildings on the opposite side, it waited evilly.
Separated by the ocean of a black road, they faced each other, both reflecting the mirror gaze of enraged thought. Contrasting greatly to the monotone heavens, sapphire and amethyst, identical in shape, versed the night. Strange as it was, they held their ground with mutual drama, their thoughts identical. With neither contender prowling the ideas of a playful battle, the stage was set for the final move…
The next moments happened quickly…
The Shinma blazed forward, nearly hidden under the blend of its surroundings. Zigzagging into the dark marine of lightless air, it ruthlessly closed the distance.
At the same time and surprised at its sudden agility, the man in black took hurried aim, firing with excellent response. But however great his marksmanship was, every bullet that hit did little to stop the creature's advance. Shocked, and stunned that his weapon was useless, he was only able to coil defensively as both the Shinma and the dark realization dawned on him…
"This night is mine…"
The Shinma was the night….
Impacting the center of his chest, the Shinma cut deeply into the realm of excruciating pain. Rippling into the very soul that had sustained him thus far, fiery torment lanced through his heart and recoiling body. Lost from grip, a spiraling handgun succumbed to the pavement, resounding the exact melody that plagued his tortured nerves…
Defeat…
Railed with extreme pain whose likeness might have bordered laceration, the man in black staggered frailly. Attempting to hold back the captive screams in his rapid throat, he clawed his chest, bowing downward through sealed eyes. But however harrowing as this was, it couldn't be matched to what was happening… Like darkness greater than darkness, a well of unholy paradox was spreading through his body. Starting in the heart, its presence began to multiply though his inner channels; creating an ambitious numbness as it drown the life inside him. Unable to stop its nefarious will, the man in black intensely griped his head, completely unaware of the visible blackness that began to spread over his figure. Slowly, as if it were a virus, it overtook his shape, growing darker and thicker as the pain increased. Flaring his sapphire rims one last time, the torment became verbal as the viral entity crept his face. Until at last, at the end, it closed upon his eyes.
Then all was silent…
Releasing the tight grip on his thickly covered head, the man in black slowly lowered his arms, holding a motionless stance. Lasting only but a moment, it soon jostled under the sound of soft, but arrogant laughter. Lowering his face to bar under deadly strands of brown hair, his eyes dawned…their amethyst hue terrifying the night…
(-)
Relaxing quietly, Miyu's docile form rested atop a deserted roof. It had been hours and still her target was no where to be found. He was remarkably difficult to detect, since his traits were far from normal. Feeling less than aggressive today, she had settled for a break; a restless Shiina sweeping the task. Waiting had always been a patient trait of Miyu's, for there was little point to be anxious over nothing.
Smiling gently, Miyu dangled her legs as the brush of her white attire played against her skin. Although mostly dominated by an expression of permanent sorrow, tonight seemed different… Looking upward from the eerie view of a lightless park, she watched.
"Did you find anything Shiina?"
Near to the roofing edge of its wooden slant, Shiina's adorable white figure twisted about, dropping the large ear that protected the sensitive yellow eye. Having scanned nearly the whole district, he was having no such luck. Cutely enough, his small voice was far from frustration.
"I'm working on it Miyu."
Widening slightly, Miyu's lips crested deeper, falling into place with the soft graining strokes she lavished upon his head. Shiina had always been a hard worker, even though his battle abilities were slim to limited. However distraught, it never interfered with that will to give every situation all that he had. Physical of that character, Miyu pat him a few more times, finishing off with a rub of his ears.
"Don't strain yourself."
Blankly motioning his eyes in thankfulness, Shiina giggled lightly, hoping about toward a blank horizon. Wandering into the curious realm of careful thought, Miyu's eyes drifted sky bound beholding the limitless stars. Feeling a twinge of optimism she leaned her head softly.
"Lava, do you see anything?"
Lava hesitated. He had felt a slight warp of spiritual energy a minute ago, but from the chaotic patterns of source and the interference of nature, it had been impossible to isolate.
"No, I'm sorry Miyu."
Miyu looked at him. As much as a friend as he was servant, Miyu could still tell when he was hiding something. Through that inseparable blood contract they had become one. His feelings and perceptions had become hers and whenever he was troubled she was troubled.
Silently thinking to the cloak that hid his face, Miyu smiled. She had respected that gentle part of him, as all he wished was to skew worry, but often it was just cumbersome. Deciding on elegance, she parted the quiet air.
"Lava…"
Lava grimaced; he had failed, apparently this was one of those nights she was going to take seriously. In that case it was inevitable.
"Miyu, do you really think this is wise? This concern has nothing to do with us."
Polite as always, Lava's gentle voice maintained his respect, evident of his accepting character. Subconsciously considerate of this Miyu continued.
"This could be important Lava, don't you think it's worth investigating?"
Lava thought a moment, his thick cape creaking to the corresponding neck movement. He had known her a long time and she had known him, perhaps better than he knew himself. Still he could not think of why she insisted on matters that he had thought irrelevant. Over the years Miyu had grown in intuitive thought quite rapidly and had easily succeeded him in astuteness. Perhaps there was some unmistakable allegory that had scathed his view. Whatever the reason, he was willing to accept her instructions. Admitting quietly, he responded.
"Alright Miyu."
Miyu smiled again, grateful that he had been so humble to her will. It was not a question of selfishness or mastery, but rather one of learning. Lava wasn't a fool, as he had many times the wisdom of experienced humans. She had just wanted him to see that although destiny was and is rigid, there was no rule about bending the checkpoints. Even if those 'checkpoints' caused pain…
"Lava, did you feel anything?"
Grimacing again, Lava jerked internally. Obviously she wasn't even going to let him get away with that. Turning to the side his ceramic mask angled down, meeting upon neutral, yet insightful gold eyes.
"Perhaps, I couldn't locate the origin. But I did sense a spiritual shift."
Before either of the two parties could speak, Shiina ripped around, his little body taking the stage. Excitedly, he squeaked his own opinion.
"Where! Shifts like that leave a dissipating ionic residue that implores the traits of the creator. It often takes several minutes to disintegrate into its simpler complexes."
Taking his eyes off the beautiful girl below him, Lava looked emotionlessly at the insanely small image of Shiina, who appeared to be remarkably jittery with anticipation.
"Where? Lava where!"
"To the west."
Immediately Shiina tore himself around, hoping around with both feet to save the time of shuffling about. Flipping his natural shielding from the protection of his large eye, he scanned deeply into the region, twitching impatiently as he surveyed the landscape.
Seeing as he was occupied, Lava turned back toward Miyu, there was still one more thing he had to tell her.
"Miyu, if you insist on going then I must tell you this. That man from last night was completely spliced with Shinma properties that were very powerful. While he is human, he may still pose a valiant threat."
Miyu looked up, her expression unchanging at the comprehension of his warning. She was about to thank him when Shiina suddenly burst around, his lips conveying eager motives.
"Miyu I got something!"
Standing up slowly Miyu faced the direction, allowing her bare legs to flow with the river of air. Sensing the destination already, her face turned serious as she commanded her words.
"Lets go."
(-)
The night seemed to grow thicker as she appeared on the old street; its defiance of natural season shattering her senses.
Such unnatural air…
Attempting to shrug the notion off at the view of broken streetlights, Miyu nonetheless could not deny that something deviant had indeed been here. Blocked by still clouds, the pure moon could only cast its bountiful corona upon the desolate district, bringing out the buildings with minimum detail. As the wind howled through her ears she looked around, refusing to be intimidated by the eerie environment. Settling instep alongside her, Lava emerged, taking no less notice of the area than she did.
Hopping playfully, Shiina contacted the ground lightly, taking careful heed of the churned pavement and scattered fragments. Scanning from side to side quickly he turned around, a note of depression in his voice.
"I'm sorry Miyu, I lost it."
Looking down, Miyu regarded her friend, taking a moment before offering her hand. After all no one was perfect.
"It's alright Shiina."
Bending over to pick up her little pet, Miyu's features depressed a little, her disappointment becoming faintly evident.
Conversely, Lava looked away from the group, his ardent senses drawing his vision.
There was something…
Away from the condemned flat line of base buildings and wrecked cars, Lava's eyes traced upward, coming to rest upon black rooftops. Unreflective of emotion, his hidden face masked his true expressions.
"Miyu…up there."
Responsive to both the verbal and internal influence, Miyu quickly looked up, leaving Shiina to trail last. Stretching outward with her sixth sense she mentally strengthened, comprehending the unseen return.
There was someone up there…
Without a word she cloaked into the air, her towering servant following. In the extreme blackness that the night provided, it almost seemed to make no difference. Materializing slowly, Miyu once again felt cold concrete below her; its texture making the transition seem pointless. Only a millisecond behind, Lava's dark form took heed. Sweeping her gaze forward, Miyu examined the rooftop. Covered with the old concrete plaster of ordinary stones and infused gravel, the old surface protested the sands of time and ancient abandonment. Afar from her position stood an old internal staircase, its sloping interior hidden by a rusty door. And finally, shrouded from detail by overwhelming darkness, Miyu slowly beheld the keystone of her senses. Covered from the back in full corresponding apparel, a single person loomed with innate virtues.
Watching from behind, Miyu eyed carefully, partial to the fact that his traits provided. Recalling the tranquil understanding she wished to implore, she kindly crested her lips.
It was him.
Feeling a slight crossing emotion of relief and transecting sympathy Miyu was nearly ready to reach out when Lava's abrupt knife-hand came flying across his chest. Streaking into defense Miyu was surprised… unintentionally guiding her senses apart from Lava's reaction.
Taking only a split second, Miyu's expression changed drastically, the feed of dark information tightly gripping her mind. Nearly matching her servant's defense, she quickly angled her legs, folding her torso and hands into protective positions.
Registering the supernatural aspects in her mind, Miyu could not believe what her senses had substantiated.
It was him, yet…not him. Before his aura had been completely intangible and unreadable but now it was dripping with the pulsing enthrallments of an elemental Shinma. Not only that, but Miyu could actually see a slight boundary of swirling raven that ranged about him. He was nearly the complete opposite of last night, different and twisted. Letting out a second scan, Miyu was horrified to discover the extent of his power. Up until now his interdicting properties had warped any attempt at revealing them, but even that was now clear. Bewildered at how a human could wield such ability, Miyu was speechless. Although she could not sense what its forte was, void capabilities was just as dangerous as any, and could never be underestimated. Interrupting further inquisition, he quietly spoke.
"Welcome, guardian."
Flinching internally, Miyu was at unrest. There was something about that voice that she didn't like. It was similar to before, but sodden with a sinister accent. Dark baritones lined every note while a reverberating echo of twofold malevolence held the keystone. Poisoned completely with the attributes of evil, it was unmistakably different.
Stumbled and perplexed, Miyu went wide-eyed. Breathing lightly, her voice conveyed the only thought she could muster.
"Impossible!"
Turning slowly, the dark man turned around, displaying his atypical skin from among his dark clothing. To Miyu this also had changed, fermenting his past white skin with a filming layer of dim black. The minuscule details could still be seen, but they had become entrapped with the power of his voided, visible aura. Seeing that his face offered no difference, Miyu beheld his sealed eyes, staring blankly through the veiling dagger-like strands.
"Oh, is it? Guardian…"
Instead of adding more words of deadly quiet tone, the rancorous person silently lifted his head, drawing the strands from his face as they went. Then ever so slowly his lids retracted, as the dawning of evil would. Stone carved into identical shape, they nonetheless rose with a new kind of fear, one whose color did not rely a certain innocence, but that of power and deceptive ambition. Forged as if it were knives, their amethyst compulsory pierced the dark night, glowing unnaturally with fearsome pupils.
Shocked, Miyu grimaced tightly, the thought of her mind repeating itself inescapably. It couldn't be possible, he was…a Shinma? Trying to hold her thoughts, Miyu scrambled through the fragments of her mystified mind. It only lasted a second though, because at that moment his motives awoke, drawing his black handgun from the confines of his sweater. He didn't even need to touch it, because the miraculous weapon had acted upon its own will, spinning about as it tore itself into sight, magnetically driven into his shaded hand. Then, very slowly, it moved aloft, bringing the weapon upwards in a slow discoloring streak. Through slow time it rose through the air, its equally menacing form leveling off and falling into position with a piercing metallic chank.
Shifting his head to angle dangerously with his weapon's image, his powerful eyes lined to the mid-side, sinking downward for the setting shade to seep lightly. Refusing to release aim at the guardian's face, they narrowed hatefully…