3. Void.

T: Firstly I would like to apologise for the rather large update gap, I fear work ate my time this week! That done let us go to the disclaimer and warnings shall we? All warnings remain, for the moment, as they were in chapter one and I fear that I still only own the plot!

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The doctor releases Seishiro a week after first being admitted, a stern set of guidelines rolling off of his tongue and a guilty relief clear in his eyes.

It was time that Kamui had used in order to inform Noruko of his discovery and of the promise he had made to the Sakurazuka.

The Imonoyama had remained his normal lucid self after hearing this truth, something that had been of a great relief and just slightly surprising.

"It is clear that Sakurazuka-san is no longer as he was, Kamui, that free of the memory of his past he is something other than our enemy." The Imonoyama smile peters out then and he says, "Also I have a want to know why Sakurazuka-san was caught in the earthquake."

"You believe the quake was caused in order to hurt him, don't you?"

"It is the only thing that makes sense to me."

"Fuuma…the 'Dark Kamui' can see the wishes that we keep close to our hearts, perhaps it was for the sake of such a wish that he 'allowed' Sakurazuka-san to be injured."

"It is a possibility, yet the only way we can know for certain is if Sakurazuka-san recalls a little more of himself."

"Something that holds the greatest of risks, for if Sakurazuka-san recalls the emotionless nature of the Sakurazukamori…"

"Yet you will aid him none the less, will you not?"

"I am the only hope he has, Imonoyama-san."

"What of Sumeragi-san?"

"I have not yet told Subaru of the situation, for I have no want for him to be hurt should things go wrong and also…"

"You wish to keep him to yourself for a little longer?"

His skin had flushed then and the Imonoyama had laughed a little at his embarrassment before dismissing him with the parting advice of, "use thing time with Sakurazuka-san to gather you thoughts, Kamui-kun and to learn a little more of who you have become."

"Shirou-kun?" The Sakurazuka's voice snaps him back to the present and, feeling a little guilty, he remarks,

"I'm sorry, Sakurazuka-san, my mind ran rather away with me."

"I understand, Shirou-kun." The other responds, then, a curiosity clear in his eyes, he enquires, "Where are we going then?"

"You once happened to mention to me that you worked for a while as a vet. After a little searching I found your old practice and I thought that you would like to see it."

"As you've not called a taxi I suppose that it is safe to assume that it is close by?"

"It's about a three minute walk."

There is a moment of silence as the Sakurazuka takes in the area about them and then he says,

"I've not been back to this area in a long while, have I?"

"Why do you say that?"

"There's a nostalgic feeling in my heart at the moment."

"You had moved elsewhere by the time I met you, though you never told me where."

"Was I private person then?"

"Not in every aspect, no."

"I do not understand."

"You were very open about your want to be always amused and about the slight possessiveness in your nature.

"The other emotions in your heart, as well as personal information, were locked tight against your heart."

"I shall attempt to abstain from such behaviour this time, Shirou-kun."

He wishes to ask the Sakurazuka why he is making such a statement, but as they have all but reached their destination, he decides to leave the question for a later date.

The surgery has clearly not been used for many years, the boards in the windows as well as the general state of disrepair that the building is in, as testament to this fact.

"It is not much to look at, is it?"

"Do you recall anything by looking at it?"

"Is it possible for us to go inside? I think that seeing the layout of the place might help."

"I managed to get a key for the building and so yes, we are free to go in."

The inside of the building is in a slightly better state than the outside, only the thick layer of dust on the floor and the lack of natural light, as a show of the longevity of the spaces 'vacant' state.

"It is so quite."

"What did you expect?"

"I know that it was an odd statement to make, yet that is genuinely how I feel. This building…this place…it should be full of the sound of animals and of laughter."

"Laughter?"

"That is also odd, isn't it? Clients of a veterinary surgery are always worried in some manner or another, after all. Yet I can hear laughter in my head…bawdy, feminine, laughter…" The Sakurazuka falls silent a moment and then he enquires,

"Would you know if I lived here while I used it for my practice?"

"You never mentioned it, but as there is a small apartment upstairs I'm sure that it is safe to assume that was the case. Why do you ask?"

"I have a wistful homely feeling looking at this place, one that makes a little more sense if I had lived, as well as worked, here."

"I see."

There is another long moment of silence and then the Sakurazuka says,

"I have two unrelated things to ask you if you will allow me."

"Of course."

"Is it possible for me to stay here and why did I think the earthquake that stole my memory was 'wrong'?"

"To the first, I assumed that you'd want to stay here and so I've already secured you the lease. As to the second…

"There have been a rather large amount of earthquakes recently, more than can be explained by science and thus that is probably why the Yanamoto quake seemed 'odd' to you."

He knows that the Sakurazuka wishes to press him on this regard, knows that this would be a perfect opportunity to see how much of the quake the other recalls, yet the elder man must have seen some form of hesitance in his face, for he enquires,

"How much of Tokyo has been affected?"

"Many chose to move away form the city after the Sunshine 60 collapsed…" The Sakurazuka has paled just slightly and, curious, he enquires, "What is wrong?"

"I remember seeing the building toppling…there were people on the roof at the time…"

He little likes the idea that the Sakurazukamori had stood idle as the 'other Kamui' had harmed Subaru, little likes the fear clear now in the elder man's eyes and, forcing a smile to his lips, he remarks,

"There was nothing you could have done to help them, Sakurazuka-san, the quake struck so very swiftly…"

"I suppose that is true enough and yet in recalling that image I do not recall feeing guilty…rather I recall feeling so very angry."

"I've got to go." He remarks, desperate to turn the conversation from its current path.

"Will you have a chance to come and see me tomorrow or are you still at school?"

"I'm still at school, but I am sure that I could spare a few moments in the evening to see you."

"No, no, that is all right, you can visit me again next week and that way you can keep your focus on your school work during the week."

"Yet what if you recall something that you have want to talk to me of?"

"Then we may discuss it when you come to visit."

"I shall see you next Sunday then."

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T: No real niggles this time as far as I'm concerned, though if you see something please let me know and I'll alter/explain it! Next chapter up late mon, till then R+R.