Chapter 5:

Ritsuka sat at the computer scanning through his pictures. He smiled at the one of him and his brother Seimei taken only weeks before his murder. Seimei's smile was comforting. Ritsuka felt tears well in his eyes, but he quickly wiped them away. To cry would mean that he was ready to leave his memories of his brother and move forward. If he cried, he wouldn't remember him anymore.

Soft knocking began at the window. Ritsuka rolled his eyes. Soubi had probably locked himself out again. He didn't feel like seeing Soubi right then. Yet, he still hurried to the window to let him in. Ritsuka tore back the curtain, expecting to see Soubi waving at him with a big grin on his face. His ears stood on end when he saw his mysterious visitor.

"Um, could you let me in?" she asked. "I need to see someone." Ritsuka scrambled around his desk for the key. He found it beneath a stack of pictures he had printed for Soubi a week ago. He slid the key in the lock and turned it. As it unlocked, Ritsuka's common sense kicked in. She was a stranger. Why was he so eager to let her into his house? He slid open the window only a little ways.

"Who are you?" he asked, his ears flat against his head. The girl grasped a shawl tighter around her neck to shield her head from the rain.

"Is Haru here?" she asked. "I need to see him at once." Ritsuka eyed her carefully. Her voice was so soft and gentle…just like the falling rain.

"You're Immortal aren't you," Ritsuka sighed. "Haru's here, but he's asleep." The girl smiled and wiped rain off her cheeks.

"Yes, I am Immortal," she replied. "My name is Takeshi Saki. Please let me see Haru." Ritsuka slowly slid the window open enough to let her in. He caught sight of her sleeves beneath her worn, yellowed shawl.

Who would wear a yukata at this time of year? he wondered. With the rain and all, wouldn't she rather wear something else?

Saki sat beside Haru and stroked his hair. His peaceful face brought a smile creeping across her lips.

"Haru," she murmured. "Haru, wake up. It's me." She leaned over and kissed him softly on the mouth. Haru's eyes opened slowly, as if he was waking from a pleasant dream. He groaned as he sat up and stretched his arms wide. Saki smiled at him and gently grasped his hand. "Did you sleep well," Haru?" she asked. Haru scratched his head and yawned.

"It was okay," he replied. "It just wasn't the same without you, though." Saki's cheeks began to turn pink, and she giggled to hide her embarrassment.

"Haru," she whispered, "not around innocent ears."

"He won't understand," Haru replied. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. Her head seemed to fit perfectly in the crook of his chin. He kissed her forehead and gently blew on her cheeks. Saki smiled softly as he stroked her ears with his elegant, slender fingers.

"Just don't get too carried away," Ritsuka muttered. "I don't want blood on my bed." Saki's face turned bright red. She hid her face within the folds of the blanket and Haru's shirt.

"Mind your own business, Ritsuka," Haru snapped. "Don't talk like that around Saki. You're embarrassing her."

"Then let her speak for herself," Ritsuka said icily. Saki only shook her head in reply.

"I am her voice to others," Haru said sternly. "She can only speak to me."

"Then explain why she talked to me before I let her in," Ritsuka snapped. "She can talk to other people. She's just too afraid. I hate girls who can't do anything for themselves." Saki didn't turn to look at him; instead, she buried her face deeper into Haru's shirt to hide her tears.

"Look what you've done now, Ritsuka," Haru scolded. "Leave her alone. She has nothing to do with you. She's mine, and mine alone. Stop being so sharp with her." Saki gently pushed Haru away. She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and sighed.

"Saki," Ritsuka murmured. Saki whipped around to face Ritsuka, her eyes boring straight into his heart with anger. Her tears were now only paths that ran down her red cheeks. Her ears were pressed flat against her head as she bared her teeth at him.

"Fool," Haru growled. "You poor, young fool."