Disclaimer : I never own anything. Ne? Everyone knows that……

A/N : I know it has been a long time. Prepare some rope, ready to hang oneself Sob…..nishiwaki arimasen!! I really get author block, and tempted with games, pile of home works, etc. I wonder what to be done first….sob. My computer also doesn't help me! It's crashed! My half plan of this story is deleted as if it is nothing! Sob… And I'm going to have my final exam! T.T I can't bear this…..Now there is the new update. Enjoy! since I might not update for another month . Maybe…..I'll be really exhausted by the final exam. But still, please review. It will be a big help!

Special thanks for:

Akuweaselgirl: Yep. Since I'm a cruel author, I make Shinji suffer a lot. evil grins

NekoticChan: Thanks to place me at your author list! Ureshi desu! Thanks for you to keep still reading. How about Shinji? Just read! evil grins Actually I don't really know what will happen to him. Just flow…..

TiaAgano: Thanks! I'm happy to know that you like this story a lot. Thanks to put the story at your favorite list. No one does it a lot lately. Maybe. Ara…..a new member of fanfiction.net, desuka? I hope you write some story. I'll make sure to read it if you do. Please read my other two stories, ne? And I'll try to update soon after my final test is over.

By Irisgem

" Who are you? "

He didn't step any further. I waited patiently for reply, escaping from his lips. But though five minutes had passed, he just fixed his eyes at my lime eyes without spitting any words. He didn't seem like himself. But if he wasn't Shinji, then who was the one that stood firmly in front of my eyes? Then where was Shinji?

Everything seemed to keep in circle that had no end. His dull amethyst had neither glint inside nor happiness like spring. I stared at him hardly that he suddenly sniggered evilly. I didn't understand the reason.

" What's wrong with you, Shinji?! "

" Who do you think? "

He gave a malice smile that grew wider as he reached for my cheek. I shoved his hand and stepped backward trembling with my hands on my chest protectively. Still my lime eyes locked to the drowning dark amethyst to the unlimited eternal night sea. I felt my hand trembled, but I didn't show it at all on my face.

As always, I fooled everyone with this thin layer of mask. Only Shinji and mother knew inside me. But my mother mostly took it seriously when Shinji was the opposite. He mostly made fun of me, bragging me all over the place. He provoked my anger and every time I spilled blames on him. What I really hated from him was he never got really mad after what I had done to him.

" I couldn't believe it that you will find about it so soon. But of course I couldn't let you. I have to shut your mouth. "

He lifted his hand within the air and a flow of energy went circling around his hand. It shaped into a light ball with lightning around it and it was released toward me. I jumped back with a huff. I dodged his weird attack luckily and fell stumbled on the grass.

My eyes widen with shock to see the ground was soon nowhere but a great hole. It fitted enough for a grave. I looked at him with horror. I was hoping that there was a 'sorry' smile on his face, but it was nothing but hope. He gave a sly smile that made me felt chill through my shaking veins.

" NO!! "

I cried out and fled from that place. I hurriedly went to my class without glancing back. My lime hair slapped my cherry cheek but I didn't give it any attention. I knew that he stood there without chasing me, smiling with pleasure. This Shinji wasn't Shinji that I knew. He could harm someone without regret.

I could feel fear through my vines. Shinji had changed or he was changed? But nothing came across inside my mind besides running from danger, running from my best friend. It was heard ridiculous.

Shinji stared blankly at the girl's direction that had run from him in fear. He gave a soft laugh, the malice one. He glanced up, seeing nothing but the azure cloudy sky. The rustle of bamboo leaves was quite noisy. He curtly turned his back on the green forest. He walked easily as his hands were in his pockets. The sky went darker and spilled its tears down to the Earth.

" Uhh….."

I lifted my lids which felt heavy. Suddenly my head ached painfully as if someone knocked my head. Then a realization struck me after a long silence.

Where am I?

I was no longer at schoolyard. The last thing I saw was bamboo forest that soon faded into blurring mist. I held my back head as it got worsened. I tried to sit up and lift my head. After a long painful passing time, the headache finally eased a little. Cold sweat trickled like a little shining river on my face. I brushed them away with my hand.

When I could see my surroundings evidently, I averted my eyes to see everything around me. All I could see was a complicated maze. All the way was blocked by my reflection. There were thousands of confusing mirrors around creating a new world of maze.

My eyes widen with shock. This wasn't real. This just couldn't be real. I saw myself in the mirror. There were so many 'me'. All of them reflected like twins to me. I watched intently, alarmed. It was a hallucinating world, perhaps. But still I couldn't wake up though I hit myself by pinching my cheek a little.

The pain got me and I stopped doing so. After all this world didn't vanish or fade to the reality I had once known. Little by little, my anger lit up and frustrated me. This silence didn't suit me comfortably. I lifted my head and started to stand on my own feet.

The pain didn't leave my side yet. I leaned to the mirrors and stepped carefully, following the road. I frowned in distress. At first there was only one way. But then, in front of my eyes, there were three paths. I blinked twice before I decided which path I should take. I took the middle path and walked along the way. But there was no lead to the exit.

Actually it ended up with a great wall in front of me. I glared angrily, hoping this would end soon. I didn't know who had created this foolish game, but if I found out who made this, I would not forgive him without leaving a great blow to him.

With that decision, I went back to the previous path. But when I turned my head back, I saw the last path had gone. It averted to the unknown path. There were ten paths reflected in my eyes with disbelieve. I felt my fragile hope started to be forgotten.

But I tried to dismiss this craven fear. I held myself strong and walked again. No matter is it took me forever, I had reason to return. So I couldn't stay here without doing any demeanor. Yes, in order to return to her……I would do anything just to be with her.

Kriiiinggg……kringg……

" Hai. Moshi moshi? Nagoya-desu. "

" Hello, Natsuki? "

" Aaa…..Miyako-baasan. Why do you call? Mother is cooking right now. "

" Don't worry. I have to talk with you. "

" Aaa….sure. Do I have to go to your apartment? "

" Yes……please……Natsuki….."

I placed the phone curiously. A bad feeling crept over me again. I clutched my chest tightly with painful worry. Aunt Miyako's voice seemed as if she was afraid or was ready to cry. I went to the kitchen. The air felt so hot. I hardened my eyes to see a fine lady in front of the stove.

" Mother, can I go to Aunt Miyako's place? "

She turned her head, smiling brightly. Some diamonds of sweat trickled slowly from her forehead. She still looked so young though she was almost forty years old. Her nice red apron swayed gently as I walked toward her. 

" Sure. What's the matter? "

"  I don't know. She just calls me over. "

" I see. Then, give my handmade cake and greeting for her. "

" Sure! No problem. "

I went out the kitchen and hurriedly ran to my slumber room. I opened my wardrobe to pick some suitable cloth. Without pondering too long, I wore a long sleeve white shirt with light green skirt. While I searching for my ribbon, I combed my hair a little. It had been a long time since I visited Aunt's place.

I went out my room and walked to the living room. My mother stood patiently for me and a smile plastered on her rosy lips. She gave me a plate of chocolate cake. It smelled nicely. Probably it was just out from the oven from touching it. My mother was really the best baker in this world.

The door creaked open. I bid the lady before I closed the door and walked to the neighbor apartment. I rang the bell and entered the house without waiting for reply. I got used to do so as Shinji also did the same. My mind wandered back to Shinji.

What has gotten him this afternoon?

It didn't take me long to wear off my sandals and stepped in. Scanning around the room, I was almost surprised to death to see the mess. My brows furrowed with curious. I couldn't find Auntie, so I tried to call her name.

" Aunt Miyako? Auntie?! "

There was no reply. Fear flew into me mercilessly. I kept walking in by shunning the things all over the place. This was no longer a house, but a wrecked ship. Vases pieces scattered everywhere, the curtain was half torn. The glass windows were also broken. The palm tree, which my mother gave to aunt also pulled out from its flowerpot. Some furniture was also broken to pieces.

I gulped and ran inside to the deeper room. Then I jolted a bit as I saw a slumped body on the sofa. I tried to approach carefully to see the purple head lady. I placed my hand on her weak shoulder. She jumped a bit and huffed gently as she saw me. She tried to get her breath to normal.

" You come. I don't hear you. "

" I come and call you. "

" Oh……sorry……"

A long silence seemed eternity. But I still couldn't force her to open her mouth due to the 'incident'. Her stare was distant and empty. I tilted my head in front of her and whispered her name repeatedly.

For the fifth time, finally she snapped out her thought. She gave smiled weakly before she offered me to sit and have some tea. I took a seat while she was preparing some tea. I took a look around.

Who caused this?

I frowned a little. And the most thing of all, where was Shinji when his mother was like this? I felt a slight anger toward him to leave his own mother in solitude distress. I smiled consolingly when she came with a tray of cups of hot green tea. I stood to help her serving the tea. Finally she sat at my side, sipping her tea.

I watched for her worriedly. I finally decided to break this silence already. I spoke softly to her with my cup in my hand.

" Is there something you want to talk about? "

Suddenly her hand trembled hardly. My eyes went softer and worried about her. I placed my tea cup on the saucer with blue flower around the edge. Soon I took her hand in mine and squeezed her hand a little firmly, ensuring her to talk. She placed her eyes on mine with gratitude look.

" I don't know. You must think I am insane. But do you think Shinji have changed? "

" Auntie, it can't be…..All of this mess……"

She looked away, not daring to see my lime eyes. But I had indulged in this. After all, he should at least say sorry for what he had done to me this afternoon. I squatted in front of her, chasing for her gaze. I gazed seriously to her.

" Yes. "

" Does he harm you? "

Suddenly I saw a red mark around her neck. My eyes widen with shock. This wasn't real. Shinji wouldn't do this to his beloved mother. She and Shinji always looked like an ideal mother and son. He once admitted to me that he loved her mother quite a lot since she was always there for him. Without including the smack on the head

" He strangled you?! "

" No! He must not mean it……"

I watched for her mourning delicate face. I felt as if my heart clenched tightly. I hardened my eyes on her and grabbed her hand.

" Please, Aunt Miyako. He is probably not Shinji. "

I couldn't believe it that you will find about it so soon. But of course I couldn't let you. I have to shut your mouth.

" What? "

" He, not Shinji, did the same this afternoon to me. "

" Impossible! He won't do it to you since he cares about you so much! "

" I know. That's why I say to you that he isn't Shinji. "

Suddenly the front door was opened forcefully. Both of us snapped out our head to the entrance. I could feel my hand tremble, but I couldn't let it shown especially to Miyako-baasan. The footstep was heard closer. I even could hear my own heartbeat. My fear deluged through my body. The fake Shinji……please it wasn't him…..

" Miyako! Natsuki!! "

I heard that familiar voice. With that I stood abruptly to face my mother. Her face drenched in sweat. I didn't know whether it was because she stayed at the kitchen for a long time or she was worried about something. I embraced her tightly as she welcomed me. All of my fear was vanished like mist.

" Maron….."

" Miyako! Are you alright? "

" Yes. Perhaps not by shock when you slam my door hardly. "

My mother gave a sheepish smile and rubbed her back head. Then I separated ourselves and noticed a handsome man in black at her side. He wasn't familiar to me, but yet still I felt as if I had met him somewhere. My mother's face went hard. Her eyes were intense. I gulped a bit, realizing that this was probably a serious problem.

" Noin…..err….no. This man, whom is my old friend, told me. "

" Noin? I never see him before, mother. "

" Well, he was gone when I was young. "

" What's wrong, Maron? "

" It's about Shinji. "

I could see Aunt Miyako's face turned slightly into worried. I also felt the same for him. We both remained silent to make my mother explained everything briefly and short. We exchanged curious glance to each other before we followed my mother, coming inside the house. 

Mother looked amazed. The mess was completely caught her attention. That man, that was called Noin, whispered something inaudibly to me on my mother's ears. She nodded a little before she took a seat on the empty space on sofa.

" Listen. Noin could feel evil. Don't ask the reason. "

My mother pinpointed her finger on me when I tried to speak something up. I sat back with grimace on my face. She just knew me too perfectly.

" Shinji isn't him anymore. That's why all of this happened. "

" You also experience it, don't you, young lady? "

My eyes averted to the French man. He looked so antediluvian to me. Old stylish….. I glared at him as I tried to keep it a secret from my mother. He just gave me a smile which I didn't feel like it at all.

" What did he do to you? "

" He assaults me……"

" ……."

" With light ball powers or something. "

My mother exchanged glanced to the man at her side. They showed not a good sign expressions. Aunt Miyako looked confused. Her eyes were filled with query. My mother expelled some air. She closed her eyes before at the end she locked her chestnut eyes in ours.

" Some souls took his vessel. "

It's finished! Yay!!! Please review!!