By this time, I don't think I need to repeat the disclaimer statement yada yada yada… You already know that I don't own Get Backers whatsoever… So… there ya go.

Enjoy!

He was standing on the lawn of the Kudo mansion. However, his current surroundings were very peculiar now, instigating Ban to start aback. He initially observed the ground. The lawn was—neat. It was strange. In addition, when he toured the manor earlier with Ginji and the others, he seemed taller. Now, the grass looked as if it reached past his knees. Shaking his head and keeping all his escalating fears intact, Ban shifted his gaze from the green lawn to the mansion. It was, oddly, beautiful. It was as if some ethereal being, in the twinkling of an eye, painted the walls of the once bleak house, transforming it into an actual chateau. Its flawless white color, perfectly green lawn, colorful flowerbed sitting by the porch, and birds—yes, chirping above him—it stupefied him. Everything confused him.

What's going on here? What—what happened? Why am I here… alone? I… Then, he touched his face. Shocked, he took off his shades, and beholding it, it looked a lot bigger than before. It was exactly the same size as he wore it during his younger years. Wait. That couldn't be… He noticed his hands. It was smaller, like a toddler's. At that moment, the revelation slapped him on the face. He was shrinking! How could this have happened? Terrified, he nearly called out for his friends. But his shaking lips prevented him from summoning his pals. Just when he was about to make a dash for it, someone tapped his tiny shoulder. He screamed.

The voice was laughing. It was a girl's. "Whoa. You sure sound like a girl, Ban. That is, when you scream." He could still feel those soft, small fingers resting on his shoulder.

He turned around, and found… nothing.

Ban's eyes instantly popped open. Originally, his eyes were unable to adapt with the looming darkness. Dazed, he groggily sat up, closed his eyes, and smelled the room. Ah. Mannish chaos. Sweat mixed with moldy food. Though dilapidated, he absolutely loved it. With his worn, dirty clothes laid everywhere on the floor, with the walls peeling all round him—this was the life.

Satisfied with his messy routine, he swung himself off the bed and strolled to the bathroom. Without switching on the lights, he emptied his bowel, washed his hands, and went back to bed. Before he closed his eyes, he remembered earlier's outing to the mansion. He recalled the events that had transpired just a few hours ago.

After having the bizarre encounter with the ghost, he knew it was a hoax. The flour, the camera lights, and the girl—more or less, she was still alive—it became clear to him that this Kudo was concealing something from the world. Or could it be that she was hiding herself from the busy life of the city and its inhabitants? That could be a possibility. He further contemplated.

His dream. It was nothing but a mystification to him. He fully reminisced the girl's voice. "Whoa. You sure sound like a girl, Ban. That is, when you scream." Her melodic giggle, it involuntary brought a smile to his lips. As he was on the verge of falling into slumber's darkness, he could still hear her calling him, laughing, tapping his shoulder, whispering his name, giggling. Then, he fell into slumber's comforting grip.

00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

"Ah… looks like you had a goodnight's sleep last night. Funny, I didn't expect you to be nightmare-free right after the you-know-what incident." Jackal observed Ginji's calm face and smiled.

"Well, after Ban-chan made it all plain and simple that the ghost was not an actual ghost, I felt ludicrously foolish of almost wetting my pants while we were still inside." Ginji sheepishly scratched his head, blushed.

Makubex frowned. God forgive me for what I'm about to say, but I just have to say it before I explode, He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. "Damn, frickin parents! Why did God have to make their ears as keen as a dog's? Just when I was near the door, they, in God's name I'll never know, heard my shoeless footsteps and caught me creeping to the door!" Makubex nearly wailed in agony but crabbily continued, "Why? Why? And what the hell's up with the curfew blah blah blah? It's utterly, completely, wholly, certainly, absolutely brainless! Why are parents so unreasonable and bigheaded!" Makubex banged his head on the table.

"There, there, Makubex. I'm sure you'll have your moment when you're uh… a bit older." Kazuki reassuringly patted his back.

"Sure, older. As soon as he turns twenty, no doubt about it." Ban dropped his bag on his seat and wrapped an arm around Kazuki's slender neck.

Kazuki practically held back her breakfast from defiling his face, and merely glared at him. "I swear, if you don't recoil your arm, I'll throw up on your face. And oh, I'm not shy to admit that I ate onions for breakfast."

"Onions, ei? Mmm… have you tried making an omelet out of it? It's tasty. Maybe sometime, I could make one for you… you know, as a token of our cherished friendship." Ban leaned closer. Kazuki caught a scent of his minty breath and grimaced.

"Friendship? I didn't know we had that. I always saw you as a bratty, rich dude who has nothing else to do but delights in bullying and annoying people all the time. And, to my dismay, you're my cousin's friend. So, do you still think… there was ever a 'we', Ban? Because I can't say I noticed it."

Ban's brows furrowed. He then said jokingly, "You are one despicable woman. And, FYI, the only brat here is you. Giggling over fan mail, flirting with the jocks, even laughing while we're in the computer room. I could see your ears flapping when you're talking with Toshiki."

Kazuki shot up, slapped his smug face. "Jerk! I don't fawn over my love letters! I don't flirt with guys and I only burst into laughter just once in the classroom when Emishi accidentally slapped the teacher in the face with his flailing arms. I don't, DON'T flirt with guys, especially guys like you!" With that, Kazuki left a vexed Ban glaring at her. All eyes were originally focused on her, and when she disappeared into the hallway, everyone looked at Ban.

Ban grumpily sat down, said under his breath, "I was only joking. Sheesh! Can't she distinguish the difference between the truth and a joke?"

Ginji sat beside him, replied, "She can't. When it comes from you, she doesn't care if it's a joke or not. She simply dislikes you, Ban-chan."

"I see that, but hey, can't blame a guy for trying to make a girl laugh now can you?"

Ginji hesitantly shook his head. "Ban-chan…"

Ban waved his hand to discontinue Ginji's incoming lecture. He closed his eyes and immediately, he heard once again that sweet voice ringing in his ears. "Whoa. You sure sound like a girl, Ban. That is, when you scream." He smiled. It was strange that he felt so ecstatic just by hearing her distant voice. It was downright peculiar. Still, he loved it. Luckily, Ginji was staring at Natsumi and was ignorant of Ban's maniacal grin.

Soon, the bell rang. But her voice still resounded in his ears.

0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

The sky was clear, a variety of birds sang pleasant tunes in the distance, the lawn was still wet from last night's shower, and he was gaily running after her. She screamed with thrill as he nearly tagged her. Suddenly, she tripped over a rock and fell on her arms. She didn't want to cry, but she did.

Panting, Ban ran to her side and knelt beside her. "Himiko? Himiko? You all right?" He looked so worried, scowled at the long gash on her leg and arm. "Come on, I'll bring you to Yamato." As he helped her up, she heard him utter, "That's for being clumsy."

Slightly offended, she stuck her tongue out.

"Don't be such a baby." Ban mischievously grinned at her.

"Am not!"

"Are to…"

"Am not! Stop it, or I'll tell Aniki."

"Blabbermouth," he whispered.

"You be quiet, booger-brains."

"That doesn't make sense." He held her as they awkwardly strolled to the front door.

"That's cuz your brains are made out of boogers. That's why you can't understand what I just said…. Booger-brains."

Ban smiled, shook his head.

As they were inches away from the porch, the door suddenly swung open, causing the hinges to break under the impact, and out came Ban's dad. He angrily detached Ban and Himiko's entwined arms and pulled Ban away.

Himiko fell to the ground, cried for Ban. She afterwards felt her mother's arms hugging her, her brother's voice consoling her, and saw her father shouting at Ban and his dad. She was so confused that she didn't understand a word they said. All she knew was that Ban was leaving the mansion, he was never coming back, and that was the last time she played with Ban.

0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

The warm tea soothed her parched throat. After gulping down half of it, she sighed with relief and delicately set the mug on the table. She was about to rise and get the cereal box from the cupboard when Yamato instantly stood up and strode to the cupboard to get it for his little sister.

She annoyingly sat down. "I can get it for myself, you know. I'm not a complete handicap wherein you'll have to wipe my ass whenever I need to poop. I can still walk, eat, climb the stairs, go to the bathroom, and get food from the fridge." She curtly grabbed the box from him and emptied some of the contents into her bowl.

"Yeah? Well, I'm taking extra measures this time. Why, you almost fell down the stairs last night!"

"That was the stairs. This is smooth, marble floor. It's not like I would trip over something."

"Course not. You'll slide all the way to the living room, that's what. Jeez, Himiko, I'm just so worried about you." His perceptive, emerald eyes made her feel rather guilty about last night's scheme. It was her fault, she knew. She shouldn't have let her emotions impede her. Never again would she commit that mistake. But then…

She sighed. "I dreamt about him again."

"Terrific. Were you finally eloping with him in Las Vegas?" His tone was sarcastic, and this made her even more irritable.

She blushed. "Aniki! No! Shut up, okay? Just hear me out." She finished her tea and asked, "Remember the day when they left and never again did they show up?"

Yamato slowly nodded, afraid of what was coming next.

"Why was Mido-san so mad that time?" Her purple eyes looked questioningly at him. He bit his lower lip, and after a minute's silence, said, "You're too young to know. You won't understand." Avoiding her fumed stare, he sipped his coffee.

Unable to control it, she shot up and slammed her fists on the table. "Aniki! I'm not a little child! Why are you always treating me like I'm five years old? It's not fair! Tell me! I'll understand."

She almost lost her balance, and this made Yamato's brows twitch. Damn it, Himiko. You're just too sensitive to understand it all. Especially when… it was the Midos' fault that Mom and Dad died. And your accident, it's their fault as well. You'll never be able to run or walk properly anymore. And it's their goddamn fault! No… you're not yet ready for this.

"Please sit down."

"No!" Himiko just stood there. Her left leg began to ache, but she wasn't going to back down. Hell, she would stay like this even if it took her the whole night. Aniki was overreacting. She wouldn't scream like a raging psychopath. She wouldn't crumble into pathetic pieces just because of some hidden truth that was seemingly never supposed to pass her ears. She would find out, one way or the other. And now, she would get some answers. Answers that would explain Ban's disappearance.

"Why did Mido-san get angry? Why didn't Ban ever show up? Why? Did they have a huge fight? Why! Aniki!" Her knees almost buckled, but she leaned on the table, hoping that the table was sturdy enough to hold her weight.

"Himiko. Please, sit down. You know that your left leg's too weak to support your weight. Himiko—"

"I'll only sit down if you'll tell me," she said through gritted teeth. "I'm not stupid, Aniki. You're hiding something. Spill or I'll… I'll go to Ban." Saying his name nearly made her cry. She missed him. Her lips quivered as she reminisced their childhood days. But… he forgot about me. I saw it in his eyes; he didn't recognize me. Ban…

Yamato noticed her eyes welling up and quickly got up from his seat to reassure her. But as he was about to hug her, she slapped his arms away and pushed her chair to make way for her to escape the kitchen.

As she gawkily walked to the kitchen's swinging door, she looked behind her, gazed at Yamato's worried eyes. "I may be a cripple, but I'm not retarded to realize that something funny is goin' on here."

When she was gone, Yamato plopped on the seat and covered his face with his huge hands. Feeling miserable, he stared at her empty mug. Mom. Dad. Himiko. I'll make them pay for what they'd done to you. I'll make them pay…

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

"Oh jeez… stupid alarm clock! I could have sworn that I switched it on last night. Oh man, please, please let the teacher ignore me. Oh shit!" He cursed when he accidentally bumped into a girl and her dog.

Ignoring his scattered books lying on the pavement, Shido hurriedly helped the girl and her dog. "You all right? I am so sorry that I hit you or whatever. I was in a hurry and—" He stopped when he noticed her glazed, dark eyes. Slowly, his gaze shifted to the smiling dog, and he almost punched himself for bumping into a blind girl. But he had to be thankful that her dog didn't bite him.

When she heard him stop, she smiled, and blindly dusted off the dirt from her skirt. "It's okay. It was only an accident. Um… what about your books? Someone might step on them if you don't get it soon."

Embarrassed, he knelt down to pick up his books and instantly stiffened when she too knelt down beside him and tried to help him with his things. He stammered, "No… no… please… I can… stop… I mean… don't help me… you… don't have to, I mean… uh…" She didn't pause but focused on the feel of his hardbound volumes and smooth paper.

He lightly touched her arms and blushed when she faced him. She wasn't directly looking at him but her face made his heart palpitate like crazy. Her hair was as black as his, but hers smelled like some fruity concoction that pleasantly tickled his nose, her glassy eyes were mesmerizing, and her pale complexion practically tempted him to touch her. She looked and smelled amazing that he wasn't able to say a word until he finally comprehended that she was asking him something.

"What?"

"I asked, what's wrong. Are you okay?" Her sweet voice caused bumps to form on his skin, and he blushed when she smiled at him.

"Ah… yeah… right… I'm so fine." He immediately grabbed his belongings and stood up. He then extended his arm to help her up.

When she was settled, he was grateful that she was blind; she wouldn't have noticed his severe stare on her. She looked so fragile, so naïve at that moment, he was nearly afraid that one scratch would shatter her into bits.

Shaking his head, he unknowingly said, "Nice dog."

She grinned and motioned the dog to near Shido. It obediently followed her gesticulated order and licked Shido's hand. Amused, Shido patted its soft head and asked, "What's his name?"

"Mozart."

"You like his music?"

"Very much. I even play it on my violin." Her face brightened as he began asking questions about Amadeus Mozart's remarkable pieces, and was even more pleased when she heard his tone of awe as she related to him about her concerts and passion for classical music. Though he wasn't enthralled by classical pieces, she admired his attempt to please her.

But she felt quite annoyed when Mozart nudged her, indicating that she'll be late for her appointment with her instructor if she wouldn't put a hold on their chitchat.

"I… I'm sorry, I have to go. I have an appointment with my violin teacher. Maybe… we can meet some other time?" She knew that it was reckless of her to initiate a friendly relationship with someone she bumped into in the sidewalk, but she knew that as long as Mozart didn't bite or growl at this guy, she was safe.

Slightly surprised and ecstatic, he hastily exclaimed, "Sure!" His surroundings were beginning to blur. She was the only clear vision, most beautiful image that was capable of making him mute.

Restraining a giggle, she asked, "Um… what's your name?"

"Huh? Name? Ah! Yes, Fuyuki Shido. I live at Uzi Street; second apartment to the right, brick red, and my room number's thirty-two on the third floor. You want my number? What's your number?" He reddened when he realized his idiotic discourse. "Uh… sorry… I don't know what's wrong with me today… must be cuz I'm late for school—"

He was interrupted by her surprised yelp and she said, "Oh dear. I'm sorry if I made you late. You go on ahead, I also got to go." She waved him goodbye and when she turned to go, she said, "The name's Madoka. I'll see you soon." She beamed at him and ran off with the guide of her dog.

As he arrived at school, he was so dazed on how he got there safely and was indifferent when the teacher gave him a detention slip for being an hour late. Madoka. Beautiful.

00000000000000000000000000000000000

Yamato was rudely awakened by the alarm. He glanced at his watch and read that it was already past four. What had he been doing the whole morning and afternoon? Sleep and eat as usual? He roughly went to his computer room, and when he saw the image, his blood boiled. Mido Ban.

Since their little charade was over, he wouldn't bother Himiko, but walk straight to Ban—even if it risked his life—and give him a wallop that the brat would never forget. He quickly went to the elevator and punched the "UP" button.

However, blinded by rage, he forgot that Himiko had an alarm as well. When she opened the door to the room and glanced at the huge monitor screens, she was shocked to see Ban in the foyer. This time he was alone. Delighted yet uncertain, she slowly went to the elevator. She was baffled when she observed that Yamato was already on his way up. Why didn't he call me? But seeing Ban again shoved the thought aside and she lightly pushed the button that commanded the elevator to come back down.

0000000000000000000000000000000000000

So…. You like? No? Review please… 