Sorry again for taking so long to update… the computer went crazy on me. Thankfully, it's fixed and I hope you'll enjoy this chapter.

Enjoy!

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With his long, pale fingers tracing teasingly on the dusted wall in the foyer, a flash of his childhood memory momentarily stunned him. Instead of looking beyond the grimy foyer, instead of observing the broken mirror hung above a mahogany table at his right side, instead of a tainted, chipped tiled floor under him, he saw an ornately carpeted floor in front of him, enwrapping the marble floor and stairway; cozy, extravagant furniture littered before the staircase; a tapestry decorated the right side, opposite of it was a lit fireplace; the mirror on his right was clear, detailed carvings of cherubs beautified it; the scent of lilies was prevalent around the room; and a boy's laughter, mingled later with a girl's mischievous giggle, filled the empty area.

Ban cautiously took a step forward. He tracked down the sound of their slowly diminishing voices, jogged when it was a faint whisper, and when he arrived at the side of the staircase, the voices were gone, along with the vision of the beautiful yet eerie picture of the possible appearance of the mansion years ago. Ban's shoulders sagged with disappointment. Why was it when he was near a revelation, it evaded him? Simply annoying.

Shaking his head, he stared at the wooden space of the staircase. Since the wooden stairway was in the center of the room, anyone could clearly see both sides of it. As Ban wondered why the voices came from this particular spot, he touched it, knocked on it. It was hollow.

He stepped backward and scrutinized the wood. Initially it wasn't obvious, but as he concentrated on it, an outline of a secret door appeared before him. Amazed but uncertain, he moved forward, was about to push it open when a ting sounded in front of him.

Puzzled, he inched back and cocked his head to the side. When the door opened, his eyes grew wide. Yamato, with clenched fists, flaming, green eyes, and gritted teeth, dashed toward Ban and punched him right on the nose.

Ban, shocked, wasn't able to dodge any of the huge man's blows. As the raving lunatic punched him repeatedly in the face and torso, as Ban stumbled on the hard floor and flour clouded his vision, Yamato breathed heavily and approached him; rage didn't escape him yet, and Ban was beginning to feel very uneasy.

He was about to speak, but was incapable when excruciating pain shot through his cracked, bleeding lips. Because of shock, while the guy was beating him up like pulp, he didn't feel any pain. But now, it felt like vultures eating up his flesh or fire engulfing his face and body. God, did it hurt. He moaned in pain and he lightly touched his bruised face. He yelped in agony when his left temple's flesh was slit open. Yamato snickered and said, "What's wrong, pretty boy? Worried that girls are gonna run away from you now that your face is a rotting mess? Ha! Egotistical brat!"

Dazed by the inconceivable sting on his visage, he shielded his face with his right arm. He was prepared for the next hit when a female voice sliced the overwhelming air.

Ban slowly opened his eyes, but it hurt immeasurably. Suddenly, numbness enveloped his entire structure; he couldn't feel anything. His head dropped to the floor and everything went dark. He could faintly hear the girl's frantic whispers, "Ban! Ban! Wake up! Ban.."

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He opened his eyes. The bright, overhead lights made him squint. He closed them again. Voices so distant that he couldn't comprehend their meaning. The empowering scent of perfume caused his nose to twitch uncomfortably. He subconsciously reached out for his shades. He felt them tenderly placed over his closed lids.

Satisfied, he opened his eyes. His mother, father, Mrs. Shinoda, the head maid, and Mr. Mamoru, the butler, stood around him. They looked solemn. Weird. I only took a short nap and it's as if I was roused from a coma. Confused, he asked, "What's wrong?"

"Honey," His mom's fingers gently raked through his tangled hair. "There's been an accident. A very dreadful car accident."

Starting to feel anxious, Ban glanced at his father, who was avoiding Ban's inquisitive stare, Ban asked once again, "Who was hurt?"

Hearing this, his mother looked up at his father. Searching for answers on their grave faces, he was scared of hearing that gnawing, cruel reply his subconscious had somehow already informed him deep inside. It couldn't be. No. Haha. What are you thinking of? It's not like she would be in a car accident. No way. Silly you. Stop imagining things, you fool. Sometimes, having a vivid imagination could turn out to be a virus to anyone. Ban shook his head. His parents turned to him.

His mother then rested her hand on his shoulder. "Ban, I'm so sorry. But I'm afraid… Himiko…"

He didn't wait for it. "NO!" He shoved the sheets aside, jumped off the bed, ignored his mom's wails, and ran barefoot out the door. He didn't dare stop even when he could hear his mom screaming for him to return. He couldn't. He wouldn't. No. No. No. They're just joking around with me. Playing with my mind like I'm some kind of doll. This is just a nightmare. He pinched himself. Ouch. Okay… that didn't work. Himiko couldn't be hurt. Couldn't be dead. He shook his head. Maybe they were mistaken. Yep, that's right. Just some huge mistake.

He abruptly stopped when he almost ran into a maid on the top of stairs. She, surprised, stopped right in front of him. He skidded to the right, missed her outstretched arm, reached for the railing near him, but lost his balance. He fell, and everything was a blur since then.

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He tried to open his eyes. Pain prevented it and an inaudible cry escaped his swollen lips. He felt soft hands caress his cheek. Edgy, he slapped her hand away. He tried to sit up, but everything felt like burning hell. Oh God, save me. He lay back down.

"Ban."

He jumped. "Who the hell are you?" He slightly remembered the assault made against him but couldn't remember what happened next. He didn't like it when he was confused, when everything around him was dark, unknown. He didn't like being vulnerable. And this girl… knew his name, knew who he was, whereas he didn't.

She was hesitant at first, but eventually built up the courage to say, "You thought I was dead, you thought I was a ghost. But when, one night, you and your friends came over, what a surprise you've discovered, ei?"

His once troubled face relaxed and his face turned to her. He tried to open his eyes, but it stung. A tear fell. Himiko faintly smiled and touched his lids. "Don't. You don't have to. Just relax, you're in good hands now."

Ban sighed. He touched his bruised face and grimaced when it throbbed. He dropped his hand on his side and turned to where her voice came from. "So… you're Himiko. And the guy who resembled Hyde is your brother?"

"Hey, punk! I'm here so watch your haughty mouth." Yamato stood in the corner, gazed menacingly at Ban.

Himiko narrowed her eyes at Yamato and looked at Ban. "Sorry about my brother. He can be stark mad most of time. I'm just glad that I haven't been admitted to the loony ward yet." Yamato scowled. She soaked a clean towel into a basin filled with warm water and gently wiped the blood away. As she did this, her other hand grabbed the ice bag from a bucket and dumped it on his face.

"Watch it! That hurts." Ban plucked the cold bag out of his face and tried to glare at her with his closed eyes.

Himiko smiled. "Don't be such a baby and let it stay there. You wouldn't want others to ogle at your face tomorrow, would you?"

"Whether my face is inflamed or not, people would revel in ogling at my face all day." Ban snickered.

"Yeah? Well, this time, they'll just run away from you either horrified or laughing their eyes off 'cuz you absolutely look like Frankenstein's monster only that you're blue."

"FYI, this ain't my fault. It was the gorilla's fault."

"Look here, Smart-ass. You forget, who trespassed on my property?" Yamato shook with escalating anger.

"I wouldn't be sleuth-like in the first place if you didn't dress up this place like a haunted mansion. People get the idea that this is a ghost's dwelling and free for any living entity to come in here and explore."

Himiko stopped dabbing Ban's contusions and cleared her throat, afraid that Yamato would attack Ban again. "Aniki, please leave us for a second."

"Ha! Not when the pigheaded playboy is with you. Alone." Yamato looked at her with his usual determined stare.

Himiko stood up, wobbled to the side, making Yamato jump. "He's not the only one who's pigheaded."

Don't I know it. He punched the wall and stormed out. Before closing the door, he yelled, "Ten minutes!"

"Burn your ass off!" She sat on the chair.

Ban whistled. "Touché."

"Don't push it." Quite harshly, she scrubbed his fresh wound. "Ow! Be gentle, will you?"

"I will if you'd shut up."

Ban frowned, and this brought a smile to Himiko's lips. "Mmm… funny. You haven't changed a bit."

The pain in his eyes began to fade and he attempted to open his eyes. The room was rather dark. The only light that radiated the room was from the Tiffany lamp beside her. Its amber glow didn't reveal every feature of her, just her worried violet eyes sparkling in the contrasting darkness.

Himiko sighed. "Keep doing that, I'll have to wrap a cloth around your eyes."

"Why? Aren't you dazzled by my perfect sapphire eyes?"

"Not me." Liar. She shook off the icky feeling of attraction and dumped the wet cloth on his eyes. "Want anything to eat?"

"What's there to eat?"

"Mmm… I can make a chicken sandwich. But we still got a leftover potato salad. I made it by the way. So you don't have to worry about my brother pouring poison-dressing on it."

Ban grinned. "Why not?"

"Be right back."

As soon as she closed the door, she leaned on it and exhaled. She could feel her cheeks flaming up and she fanned it with her hands. Control yourself, girl. When she calmed down, she limped to the kitchen.

Ban scanned the room. It was beautiful. Shelves full of books flanked both sides of the room; an antediluvian desk stood in front of him; a maroon-colored curtain guaranteed privacy; the chair where Himiko sat on was plush leather; the bed sheets were made out of silk and the queen-size bed was carved from some kind of wood, figures of elaborate, painted roses planted along the headboard, the sides, and the foot of the bed. It was like he was situated in the medieval era.

"I wonder if they're up for rent," Ban said to himself.

At the sound of someone's incoming, he relaxed and saw Yamato bring in a tray of food. He stiffened and paled. With his peripheral vision, he noticed that Himiko was hobbling from behind. Ban stared at her. He now saw that she was a cripple. He remembered Makubex's story about the Kudo tragedy. She was in the hospital for months. Accident. Car accident.

"Ban, I'm so sorry. But I'm afraid… Himiko…"

Without knowing, he sat up and touched the back of his head, searching for something. Yamato and Himiko gazed at him with surprise and bewilderment. Wide-eyed, Ban found a huge lump. His lower lip quivered. My dream. Could it be a memory of the past? Had I really fallen? Why haven't they told me anything? Why can't I remember before that? Could it be… amnesia?

He vigorously shook his head. "No, no, no."

"Ban. What's wrong?" Himiko lightly touched his shoulder.

He looked at her, forced his brain to remember her from the past. Nothing. Closed his eyes. Himiko. Himiko. Kudo. Nothing. Yamato placed the tray on the bedside's table and pulled Himiko away. Ban suddenly grabbed her hand. "Why can't I remember you? Why can't I?" He looked up at Yamato. "I only remember them telling me about an accident… but before and after that… I can't. But recently, in my dream, they told me… there was a car accident. I ran… and then I… I" He stopped. He wanted to beat his head. He wanted to know what happened before. He remembered the girl's laugh. Was it hers?

Ban felt arms wrapped around him. He looked down, saw her crying. Her head rested on his chest. His gaze fell on her legs, and she looked uncomfortable. He hoisted her, set her in front of him, and didn't return her perplexed look.

Ban tentatively looked at her sad eyes. "I'm sorry, but I don't know… you."

He noticed her shiver, wanted to touch her, comfort her. But maybe, not now. Not until he discovered his past, his once cherished memories. He could tell that she loved him, but he, maybe he once did when they were kids. He hardly knew her now. He could feel his heart aching, probably his inner child who knew her, loved her. But this wasn't the right time. He was still confused. Besides, he glanced at Yamato's deep, green orbs. He was hiding something.

While he was deep in thought, he hadn't noticed Himiko stand up and approach the door. She then said, "I… I'm sorry… I need to rest."

As she closed the door behind her, Ban and Yamato stared at each other. This time, Yamato didn't look at him menacingly or doubt didn't etch his face. As Yamato's hand raked through his black mane, he sat down, and asked, "Want some salad?"

"This is gonna be a long story, huh?"

"You bet."

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Ban and Yamato were like brothers. They, as kids, usually exchanged baseball cards, talked about the latest fad concerning computer games, and watched horror, morbid flicks that sent shudders down Himiko's spine. They had good times back then. Yamato sighed.

Somehow, that old feeling that made Yamato want to befriend this irritating fart came back. As he swallowed a mouthful of salad, he observed Ban. Same as ever. Trustworthy, caring, witty, and as crazy as he was, Himiko was right about Ban. He hadn't changed one bit. But, of course, there was a tiny glitch here. Mido Ban forgot the Kudos.

Amnesia was the cause, no doubt.

Ban instantly saw Yamato staring at him and raised an eyebrow. "Dude, I don't mind chicks gazing at me until their saliva drops, but guys like you—hmm, let me get back to you on that one."

Yamato smirked. "Idiot."

Ban grinned, but stopped as he lightly touched his blue cheek. "Aw, geez. I think you hit the funny nerve. Now, I think I gotta go to my mom's therapist and have her fix this. Just look at the damage. Ouch. And I've always thought that the funny bone in the butt is responsible for making you laugh until you fart out all the air that was stuck inside."

"Shut up! I just ate you know." Yamato slapped Ban's arm.

"Hey, hey. Still feeling tender here." Ban protectively defended his arm.

"Course you are. Just hammered ya with my iron fists like a butcher tenderizing his flab of beef. Yummy. Want some burger?"

"Uh… euw. If that's how the cows feel, I'm converting into a vegetarian."

Yamato humorously shook his head. "Dead cows. Dead. Meaning, they won't feel anything."

"But think about before they were smashed into meaty strips."

"Since when did you care about anything that has four legs and cries moo?"

"Just awhile ago, when you were trying to tenderize me."

Yamato laughed heartedly. Ban lightly smiled. Although he forgot both Yamato and Himiko, for some reason, he felt at home hanging around with them, even when they appeared like strangers to him now.

When silence dominated between them, Yamato immediately looked serious, very remorseful, and said, "I'm so sorry. I was just so gripped by rage that I didn't know what I was doing. I'm really sorry."

"It's all right, though I'm pretty confused why you were mad at me. Is it 'cuz you're afraid that I might hurt Himiko 'cuz I forgot everything about her? I'm sorry, too. I don't know what goin' on here." Ban rubbed the lump and sighed. When Yamato didn't respond, he asked, "What time is it?"

Yamato glanced at his watch, said, "8: 30. Looks like you gotta stay here for the night. Call your parents." Ban noticed bitterness in Yamato's voice when he uttered, "parents". Ban looked at him quizzically and as Yamato refused to return Ban's gaze, he said, "I don't live with them."

"I know. But they could have called your place. Or your friends. Have you told them where you were going off to?"

Ban shook his head. "I didn't want them to know, I didn't want them to come with me."

"Well, if I were you, I would call up one of them and tell them that I'm fine. They're probably sick of worry for ya." Yamato snatched a cell phone from his pocket. "Here, give Ginji a call." Ban saw Yamato jerk the phone back, as shocked as Yamato was about disclosing Ginji's name.

"You know Ginji?" Ban raised his brow.

Yamato slapped his forehead, replied, "I did the same thing you did before coming here. Research." Oh well. Yamato knew that secrets can never be kept forever.

"Oh. So… how'd you know that we were hacking into your file?"

Yamato met Ban's questioning stare. "I, like my parents before, am a hacker. I sorta followed their footsteps; I'm working for the government. But I'm more of a freelance type than having to live underground for the most part of my life. I have to take care of Himiko, you know? So, I discovered that you punks were checking out my file. Erased most of it, but stupidly, I forgot the hospital record."

"I see."

"I trust this won't go anywhere, unless you want men in black to kill you, dump your body somewhere remote, and leave no clue that would lead to your corpse. We're good at that, make it look like you never existed in the first place." Yamato's faith in Ban didn't falter and he felt at ease when he revealed this to Ban. Not that Ban was scared of being watched every now and then; he knew that Ban was good in keeping secrets, whether it involved a stranger or friend.

"Painting a grisly scenario, are ya? Don't worry, these lips are sealed." Ban made a zipping action and threw an imaginary key aside.

Yamato nodded, tossed the phone at Ban. "Call your friend." As he said this, he picked up the tray and headed out the door.

Ban quickly dialed Ginji's number. As soon as he heard Ginji's nervous greeting, Ban said, "Ginji, speak up, can't hear you."

Ginji's yelp of joy and surprise made Ban's eyes twitch. "Ban-chan! Where have you been?" Ban then heard Teshimene's voice and heard Ginji reassuring his dad that Ban was on the phone and that he sounded like he was still in good shape.

Ginji came back and asked, "What happened to you? It's a quarter to nine. Why didn't you call earlier? Where did you go? Your mom and dad called your apartment but they said you didn't answer their calls and they're worried sick. Where are you?"

Ban rolled his eyes, pinched the bridge of his nose, and said, "I'm fine. I'm in an old friend's house, catching up on some things." Ban felt his stomach quivering when he called Yamato and Himiko his friends. "I'm sorry if I worried you. And I uh…" He gently touched his sewn temple. "Don't think I'll be going to school tomorrow".

"Ban-chan? Why not? Did something happen to you?"

"No. I just… don't feel so good. But don't worry 'cuz I'm in good hands. Tell Mom and Dad I'm well. Gotta go." Yamato let himself in. "Goodnight."

"Ban-chan—" Ban interrupted Ginji with the push of the off button.

Ban laid it beside him. "You got to tell me everything."

Yamato sat on the seat next to Ban and said, "Can't tell you everything. There are some issues where your parents are involved. You ask them."

Ban was starting to feel a tint of guilt when Yamato looked solemn about including his parents into this subject. He avoided that. "Okay… let's start with Himiko. Why'd you conceal her all this time since the accident?"

Yamato rubbed his temples, as if easing a headache. "She was an outcast. Everyone teased her, called her a freak. She always came home crying. Usually gum or slime was stuck to her hair or clothes; she couldn't run or properly defend herself because… she was a cripple. And whenever I was there to protect her, they incessantly teased her, mocked her that she was a baby, always dependent on her big brother. I had enough, so did she. So we agreed on home school. Of course, I taught her everything. She's a smart girl, so I have no worries." Yamato again avoided Ban's inquisitive glare.

"Oh c'mon. What are you afraid of Yamato? You're hiding something, aren't you? There's something more to this." Irritated, he stared at Yamato's profile.

Yamato suddenly turned to Ban. Because of the inadequate, yellow beam from the lamp, shadows danced on his face, his green eyes eerily illuminated, and he looked like he was ready to murder Ban. "Ask your parents."

Yamato was about to leave but Ban said, "She's not happy and you know it. Caging her like this, she's not some kind of wounded bird wherein you can keep it in a cage forever. She needs to be free, to live."

He heard Yamato whisper, "You don't understand."

"I will if you'd tell me."

"Like I said, ask your loving folks. They have all the answers."

"But you have them now."

"It's better if you hear it from them. Goodnight, Ban."

"Before you leave, could you just reconsider about Himiko's medium of education. It's not healthy for the both of you."

"And what are you gonna do if I allow her to go to school?"

"I'll take care of her."

Yamato snickered. "As if. You can't always be there for her."

"Maybe so. But she's a big girl, and I believe that she could take care of herself now. She has to learn one way or the other. Why, you couldn't expect yourself to save her all the time."

Yamato didn't say anything. He left Ban alone.

Tired, Ban dropped his head on the pillow and closed his eyes.

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