And In Another Life

Chapter 1: I Find You

Takemichi can leap through time. I can see the future. He puts himself through hell to save us all. I live through hell to save myself from heartbreak and in the end, I can't even do that. My best chance at life is to live without you, but I don't know how to do that. No matter who I love or how far you push me, I don't want to. In this life and the next, you always pull and I push too deep then I fall right back to you.

"Honey, are you listening?"

Yukari starts, eyes fluttering open as she takes in the parked car, and the light cool air issuing out of the dark vents. She was used to a more overwhelming driving "experience" with heated seats and dark tinted windows that drew every cop's eye in the city. There was something undeniably dangerous about it, something dark and forbidden. Something undeniably intoxicating about it all. The past few years have felt like part dream, part nightmare. A swirling rush of delicacy and knife edged thoughtlessness. It took a while before she could sleep without it. It was like trying to kick a habit in that way, but she did. She made it. Now, even she could sleep in a place so suburban, so normal. Even with the lampposts beaming down directly on her.

Her boyfriend smiled, his eyes a dark grey in this light, his black hair falling delicately in his eyes. "Kari?"

She unbuckled her seatbelt and lifted her head to press a tentative kiss on his cheek. She could feel his automatic response take shape in his mind, the need to both pull her close and pull her away. His shoulders tensed, and then, after a moment, he shifted in his seat.

Click.

His belt disappeared as well, whizzed around his body with a snap as he reached across the middle console and dragged her across to his lap. She sat eagerly, taking his lips into hers, her fingers finding his shirt, a white button-up from his job as an accountant. Boring stuff, but boring was good now. It was appreciated. And he was stunning. When they were kids, she never would have guessed he would be. It was girl code after all: an unspoken rule to never check out your best friend's brother. But, even discounting that, Yukari still wouldn't have noticed. When they were kids, she was blind to all else, all else but him.

She shivered when his lips nipped her collar and sharply inhaled when his fingers dug into her thighs, pressing, grinding her down—

Bzzz. Bzzz.

Grinning, Yukari could feel the vibration beneath her thigh. "That'll be your phone."

His eyes were blown, his lips bitten red, breaths shallow as he stared down her lips. His voice was heavy as it came to her ear. "I have voicemail."

Yukari sighed, wiping the smudge of her lipstain from the corner of his mouth, "It's probably Hina."

That sobered him. the change was almost immediate. Without shifting her off of him, he lifted her leg (while keeping her balanced) and fished his phone from his pocket. She giggled as he pulled her close to his chest, to keep back off the horn, and hit answer. "Hello?" he blinked, staring hard ahead into the dark street. "I thought you said an hour….okay…" he sighed, glancing over to Yukari, "we weren't extremely busy. No, Hina," he blushed, "We weren't about to…hm? Lying? How could I possibly be—my voice? It hasn't changed. Well, anyway, we'll be there in fifteen. And we weren't about to have sex, we're on the street, for goodness sakes. Just who do you take me for? Well, not all 25 year old men are horndogs….Kari? Why would I use Facetime when we're on the phone now? Why do you need to see her? She's fine—"

Yukari took the phone from him, putting it to her ear, "Stop teasing him," she laughs, "You know how he gets."

"Well, he shouldn't try to lie to me. He knows better than that." Hina giggled back, and then paused, something rustled on her end. "Afterall, you guys already kept your relationship secret for months, even from me."

Yukari caught Naoto's gaze. One hand came to her back, the other reached for the phone, trying to save her. as always. She pressed a hand to his chest, keeping him there while she kissed his forehead in thanks, "I know…I am really, really sorry still about that. It was just—"

"Complicated." Hina sighed, "I know. I just wish someone—you, of all people—would just…let me in. I hate feeling like the odd one out all the time."

"You're not out, it's just better this way."

Hina gave a dismissive snort, "And how long will I be waiting for that explanation?"

Yukari felt the fight leave her just then. Fall out of her like gears in a broken clock. Her eyes stung, water crept into the edges of her vision. "I—uh—I just—"

Naoto took the phone from her, and spoke brusquely, "We'll see you in forty-five, Hina."

"Wait!" Hina's voice grew suddenly loud. "I thought you said—"

"Something came up. Wait inside that coffee shop you love so much. We'll be there as soon as we're done."

"Done? Do you mean—"

Naoto clicked end, and tossed his phone over to the passenger seat, rolling his eyes. "She's so nosey sometimes."

When she didn't answer, he gave her a slight shake. His fingers, folding on hers, "You're cold."

Yukari hummed, not sure what else she could say, her stomach shaking.

"Why're you crying?" he pulled her against his chest, one hand swiping at tears, while the other hooked around her thighs.

She moved to speak, but shut her mouth when she knew would sound she would make. A high, ear piercing squeak that would make her want to crawl under a rock and die.

Closing his eyes, he spoke low and slow, "You feel guilty…don't you?"

Against his chest, taking safety in the smell of his skin, his clean simple soap, she nodded.

"About being with me?"

Another nod.

"About before?"

Images flashed like a whirling storm in her mind. Things she said, did. Games she played and time she wasted. A cry attempted to slide from her throat. She bit down on her lip to keep in it. Nod.

He moved to speak, but closed his mouth, eyes lifting open. "Do you regret it? Being with me?"

She swallowed, and spoke quickly. "Never."

"Then, don't worry about Hina. You know she can't hate you. Tonight we'll talk it out…once you hear her say it…you won't feel like this anymore, okay?" He said, his hand stealing over to hers to pull her fingers to his mouth. His soft warm lips pressed against her cool, colorless fingers. "Okay?"

She let the last, burning tears fall, "…Okay." She then asked, slightly curious. "Why did you tell her 15 then changed it 45?"

A smirk curled his lips as he lifted her from his chest, repositioned her previous pose across his lap. "I said 15 for the drive…"

Yukari stretched her hands to rest on either side of his head, her voice shamelessly sweet, and coy to an annoying fault. "And the other 30?"

Naoto's eyes flashed, and she felt that euphoric high descend on her from the heavens. "You get the idea."

Hina stood with her arms crossed as familiar headlights speared across her dress and coat. She'd just walked out of her coffee shop, second cup in hand. If they were even one minute late, she was determined to call until she aggravated them senseless. She couldn't believe them! And she wasn't stupid, she knew exactly what was on his mind. What had been on his mind since they were kids.

Naoto had always had the biggest crush on Yukari. He wasn't distant by any means, but he would always manage to disappear when her other friends would come over, but never seemed to find an excuse when it was Yukari. He lingered by the window or in the kitchen, eyes glued to his books, but never turning a single page. It was sweet now that he'd finally gotten the girl of his dreams. Hina really was happy for him. Really. It just…it just felt like she was being left out…again.

First Takemichi disappeared and then Yukari. Now, years later she's in the city and the first person she confides in is Naoto…Not HIna. Not the best friend who held her hand through her parents' divorce or the betrayal of her brother or the death of Baji. Nor the best friend who supported her strange and oftentimes tense relationship with that—that…what was his name?

A barrage of images floated through her mind then and none of them stuck. She'd never been very close to him. Had barely spoken a word. She just knew of him the way you would know of a prominent figure or athlete. Despite Hina supposedly being her best friend, she almost always kept him away from her. Another secret to keep. Another thing to leave out of the loop.

Hina paused in her ruminations as she watched her brother lean over to give Yukari a final kiss. It wasn't just any kiss either. He held her chin and drew it out, even as Yukari's eyes bulged from locking gazes with Hina. His eyes seemed to finally take notice of her once she gave a wave, but he continued on, until he was satisfied. Urgh. How gross.

She rolled her eyes, but pulled on a smile. She was annoyed, yes, but she loved these two. Secrets or no secrets. They were her whole world.

Reluctantly, they parted ways before Naoto rounded the car and helped Yukari from the passenger side. It was all really graceful. He took her hand and as she closed the door, he offered an elbow and the two danced up the sidewalk, arm and arm.

"I've been waiting forever." Hina said finally after a long stretch of silence.

"Forty-five minutes is not forever," Naoto told her, giving her a hug finally. When he pulled away, a whiff of vanilla followed him and a hint of fruit with a slight undertone of spice. Yukari's signature perfume, of course. I mean really, the least they could do is cover their tracks. She thought, but maybe I'm just irritated because I'm not in a relationship? "And I know I'm not late, because I am never late."

"For anything." Yukari cut in, "seriously. He has everything down to an exact science—"

"Urgh!" Hina through her arms up and pointed down the street, "Can we just walk please? Because every time you guys talk I keep thinking it has something to do with—" she gestured wildly toward them, "Well, you know. Your 'activities'."

Yukari grinned, walking up to her best friend with a light step, "Is that what we're calling them, now? Extracurriculars? If so, I should be hearing from the best universities in the—"

Hina slapped a hand over her mouth with a laugh, taking her other side with a grin. "No more. No talking. Just walking."

Yukari mumbled, allowing Hina to lead her on, Naoto still locked on her otherside. This felt…perfect. She felt safe. It had been a long time since she'd felt this security. It would be a longer time still until she would believe it to be hers for the taking, free to last.

And just like that, Yukari's own phone went off with a buzz and a ringtone blasted into the cool night air.

There's always that one person that will always have your heart

You never see it coming 'cause you're blinded from the start

Yukari's heart stopped as the English lyrics seemed to befuddle both siblings. She apologized as she snatched her hands away, digging into her purse.

Know you that you're that one for me

Receipts. Lipstick. Phone? Where's my phone?

It's clear for everyone to see

Oh baby, ooh, you will always be my b—

Finally, she hit the answer button, her voice rushed over itself, tripping and falling all over her words."Hello? Hello? Why are you calling me? H-How did you get my number?"

A sigh on the other end, "…I'm happy you're okay."

She hated herself for it, but a waterfall of relief hit her shoulders with so much force she almost wobbled. Her eyesight was briefly taken from her as she tried to steady herself against the nearby metal door. She fought with everything she could not to speak, but somehow, it still escaped, "…I hate you."

His voice was the boyish lightness from their past, goofy and sweet. "I missed you too. I haven't slept since you left. I'm pretty sure I'm hallucinating this call right now."

Yukari blinked as she registered the layered sweetness and sadness in his voice. Her first instinct was to guard him against the world, the second, the rational one, was gearing up for a fight. She gestured for both Naoto and Hina to walk ahead. But, Naoto attuned as he was to her distress, folded his arms adamantly.

"Who's on the phone?" He asked, eyes narrowed. He didn't ask for it like he would if it were Hina. Judging by that alone, she knew he took a guess and it cut her to pieces seeing that crushed look in his eyes. Knowing she was causing it, all over again.

"Tch. Who's that?" Mikey's voice flipped so quickly she had whiplash. It went from angry, to mocking in an instance. "He doesn't sound like your type. Pass him the phone. Let me talk to him."

"I can't do this right now." Yukari skirted past that request like a fighter pilot. "If you want to fight—"

"But I don't want to fight. I want to see you."

She ground her heel into the sidewalk, eyes blurring again. "Mikey…I just can't. I can't. Please, just—"

"You are in danger. You and your friend both…now, your boyfriend too." Mikey 's voice was met by silence. She knew that tone. And he was not joking. "Text me your location. I'll come and get you."

A shiver ran up her spine as she swallowed, numb to the hands on her shoulders and the eyes on her face. "What about my friends?"

"I don't give a damn. They can come too. Just let me save you." He urged, "we can figure out the rest….together."

That was just like him. Giving her a quarter of whatever half-baked plan he had concocted and expecting her to take it.

"Mikey…"

"Please. Please, Kari. Trust me." His voice broke on the other end and Yukari…believed him. it was reflex at this point. She couldn't not believe him. it was imbedded into her soul, printed on the underside of her brain.

Baji's words floated back to her then, unbidden, still managing to put her heart in a strangle hold. "If you don't trust anyone else, Kari. You can trust Mikey…I know things are weird between you too, but he's a good guy. If you can trust me, you can trust him."

How many times has that been her excuse? How many times has she given in on that memory alone? How many times has it gotten her heart broken? Snapped in two?

A thousand times. A thousand cuts. Over and over.

"I…" Yukari breathed in on the other line, hands quivering now, shoulders tight with tension. "Mikey…"

"Kari…"

"Okay." She snapped. Giving into him was common practice, all part of the job. For every bag she's ever packed, for every plane she's ever stepped onto, for every door she's ever run to, she's repeated it, just to bring herself back to him. And as always, she always brought herself back to him.

This time she thought it would stick. She wished it would. Half hoped it wouldn't. Hope always won out.

Typing quickly, she sent her location. Hina and Naoto pulled on her but got no response. She was blind to them now. She would be until he set her free. She walked a few steps, searching for a familiar roar of exhaust and a blinding flash of light. Their teenage years like a script from a movie. Come and get me. Where are you? What took so long? She feels those familiar questions rise around her like waves and swallow her whole. Ten years and they're still playing the same game. No substitutions. "What now?"

"I'm near there now," she heard an acceleration in the background. "when a black suv pulls up, just hop in. Your friends too. That'll be me. Stay on the line. Look around. What do you see?"

Yukari spun, "A cross walk. There are a lot of people down town. There's a festival."

"Anyone suspicious?"

"I—" Yukari's eyes bled over faces as hand flew to her hair, "I don't know, maybe? Yes? I can't focus right now."

"Put me on speaker."

One click and it was done.

"You are all in danger. Get in the black vehicle that pulls up. That's me. Yukari will tell you what to do."

"What?" Naoto snapped, "Where is this even coming from? Danger? How? Kari, explain this."

"I know people and some people don't want to know me anymore. They want to have me killed." Yukari sputtered, "You have to come with me now, or you're both in—"

With a screeching halt, a black car almost jumped the side walk as it pulled to a stop. The driver side door banged open and out dropped a blonde haired man with a fierce expression. Before anyone could blink, he'd hauled her up by the waist—surprising the siblings with his strength—and hopped back into the car. He tossed her over to the passenger side and threw the car into drive and gunned it down the street.

Yukari was stunned for a moment. In the next, she was thrashing about, clawing to get to the back seat to beat on the trunk window. A roar of an engine pierced the air. They had made it not twenty feet when a large vehicle zoomed forward, jumped the sidewalk and slammed into the nearest building, cutting through where Yukari had just left Naoto and Hina standing.

A mangled string of screams and curses sprung from her mouth like frogs from a pond. She banged her fists and then hands against the window, before fighting Mikey for the locking mechanism on the back left door. It was tug of war—quick, back and forth, until—there. she rolled out onto the street, scrapping her hands and knees. Her head wacked against the pavement throwing her head forward but the bleary haze was almost a relief. It seemed to mute the smoke and heat as she ran down the street toward the collision. She saw no bodies, no sign that they were there, but her mind was adamant.

I just need to move this truck. I need to move this fucker and it'll be…it'll be okay. We can go back to fighting and kissing and laughing, I just need to—

"Hey! Kari! Kari stop!" a hoarse, strangled voice shouted at her from behind. He'd come back for her? again? Didn't he see that this was all wrong? That they would never be happy? They couldn't. Not together. "Kari don't—"

She heard the drops just then, like water hitting asphalt. She turned back her head, one hand stretched to the truck, her eyes on a pair of dark, lonely irises. His face was hollow and sunken, deep bags weighed down his expression. He was thin. No longer the man she'd let chase her around the world, or the boy she'd fallen in love with at first sight. She barely knew this person. "Mikey?" And yet….she choked and hiccupped, stuttering over a sloppy smile. And yet… "I-I still l-love—"

The explosion enveloped her, throwing the blonde man off his feet and into darkness.

May 14th 2005

"Why're we here again?" Yukari Tamura asked, as she took up one entire side of the booth for herself. Her legs lounged across bench, her black sheer tights taking on a shine from the fluorescent light above. Her black plaid skirt cut across her thighs with its nice, even pleats. Her school uniform was different from the girls opposite her. Her parents insisted that she attend a private school for 'private people' was what her dad jokingly called it. Without mom around he called it a waste of money, but he wasn't about to start that argument. They had so many as it was, and somehow, Yukari was ever at the center of it.

The other side of the booth was occupied by Hinata Tachibana and Kiyomi Mastuda, two classmates with similar interests in books and polar opposite tastes in boys.

Kiki had dark grey eyes that went well with her layered wolfcut hair style. It gave her otherwise sweet gaze, some weight as she stared down the menu, scrolling through the kid's section like it was fine dining. "Because it's cheap and you won't pay."

Yukari smiled, "Here I thought I was here for an intervention."

Kiki's brow furrowed, and she glanced over to Hina, as if recognizing her for the first time. "Right! I forget. I always forget when I'm hungry. We're supposed to talk about the delinquent."

"You shouldn't say 'the delinquent'," Yukari offered, "you make it sound like he's the only one, when I'm positive…he is among friends. Better friends? Of course. But friends, none the less."

Hina sighed, "You can't talk me out of it."

"But he's a delinquent." Kiki said, eyes still glued to that menu. "and not a very good one, I hear."

"What makes you say that?" Hina asked, a curious note to her voice.

Yukari waved the floor over to Kiki who seemed to have found her food items as she tapped the menu with great gusto. "I heard it."

"Yes, but how did you hear it." Hina hedged for an expansion she probably wasn't going to get without a very full Kiki to exploit.

But, surprising the both of them, Kiki looked up just as the waiter made it to their table, "My sister's boyfriend saw him getting harrassed by some guys."

"What guys?" Hina made to stand up, but Kiki pulled her back down again as she startled the waiter.

"Hell if I know. They were big…and ugly. Idiots, all of them—can I get the kids meal? No flag please. I hate that thing."

Yukari shot her a look, not fighting her smile. "Then order a regular plate."

"A regular plate is more expensive." Kiki shook her pale finger in the air, before handing her menu off. "Anyway," she turned back to them as the waiter disappeared, "you either need to teach him about self-preservation or start shopping for a coffin—"

Yukari reached over and popped her forehead.

"Hey!" Kiki shielded her newly bruised forehead with her fingers, "That hurt, you boob."

"You deserved it, and you know it. That's a heartless thing to say."

"It's true! The boy was getting trashed. Him and his friends. Yuta is super into writing so he went way into detail about the whole thing. I went to bed dreaming about it." Kiki slurped down her milkshake, "I'm the real victim here."

Hina meanwhile didn't speak for a while, seemed to ruminate over the information with her brow draw together. "What did the guys look like?"

Kiki and Yukari shared a look. Kiki snorted, "Ugly, like I told you. That should narrow it down—oh, wait."

Yukari and Hina burst out laughing suddenly a sound that seemed to stir someone across from them. A boy with a white, long sleeved t-shirt blinked his eyes awake as his friend groaned from the other side. Yukari's gaze fell to the friend first. his head was mostly shaved and boasted a black dragon tattoo. He wore black and white. The sleepy boy, had the most boyish face she'd ever seen. With his hair pulled back from his face and fanning the sides, he looked sort of cool, especially when he rubbed at his pitch ebony eyes and yawned tears into them.

Yukari's lips curled into a smile as she surprised herself by watching further, ignoring whatever banter Kiki and Hina were throwing at each other. His head lulled to the side, his dark blonde hair moving and shaking as he moved. Then, his eyes paused and shot up, catching her off guard. She returned her gaze back to her own booth in an instant, her face rushing now with blood. Her heart beat scattering the board pieces everywhere, signaling to every part of her body that this was not the plan.

Then, she heard a light, soft sort of laugh. Pressing her lips together, she forced her eyes back over to him and …there he was staring right back at her now. He'd propped his chin up on one knuckle and grinned.

She yanked her head back, giving herself possible brain damage with the quickness of it and tried to stumble back into her booth's conversation. But…they were tuned down and colorless. All she could hear are those laughs of his, all she could see were the brightness of his hair and the intensity of his hallow eyes. And, boy, were they hallow. Normally staring into black eyes was a lot like staring at a wall, unpassable. However, looking into his was a lot like staring over the edge of an abyss, and knowing there was no wall, no end in sight.

Damn. Staring again. He's going to get me for stalking if I'm not careful.

Again, she whipped her head around and tried and failed to listen. Again, she felt something like a hook, snag her belly button, and yank at her attention.

Without meaning to, she glanced back up again, but this time, four eyes were on her. she spun her head back around so fast she almost choked her own saliva. She coughed.

"Hey, hey!" Kiki wacked her back, undoubtedly paying her back for the forehead smack earlier, "Calm down."

"I think she would if she could," Hina suggested dryly, "Are you okay, Yukari?"

"Hmm." Yukari hummed, fumbling with her fork and knives until she heard a shuffling sound and felt a shadow fall over her.

Before she could curse, he spoke, "Hi, there. I saw you staring at me. Do I know you from somewhere?"

Yukari swallowed, glanced to Kiki and Hina for support. Both were as surprised as she as he leaned against the table to face her. "I have no idea what you mean."

The boy blinked, and then pointed, directly over to his friend who was still seated. His friend threw a hand up, "Hey."

"I was over there, you see?" He explained amicably, so amicably, in fact, Yukari felt even more ridiculous. "I was the one sitting in front of him. And you were the one staring at me."

Yukari shook her head, avoiding his eyes at all costs, "You must be mistaken. I don't stare."

Kiki hid a laugh with a rough cough, but this boy didn't turn his attention away. Kiki, behind his back, gave Yukari both the thumbs up and the okay sign. She even went so far as to mouth 'take him home' so vigorously Hina felt the need to hit her arm to keep her contained.

At that, he looked behind him and smiled at her friends, "Hello there."

Kiki waved. "Hi, handsome."

His brow twitched and his smile brightened, "Did you notice your friend staring at me?"

Hina responded with "No," the moment Kiki exclaimed , "yes!"

Yukari sighed, folding her hands neatly together, "Look, I apologize if I have offended you."

"I'm not offended. Ken-chin just said I should talk to you, you know, because you're pretty."

Kiki squealed, and Hina abruptly retreated over to cover her mouth.

Yukari ducked her eyes again, feeling small and unsure but at the same time big and arush with adrenaline. "Ken-chin is your friend's name?" a nod, "tell him thank you, for me. For the compliment. It's very sweet."

His brow wrinkled as he stared at her, seemingly confused and upset about…something.

Yukari nodded. After a moment, she turned her head to him, "Um…can I help you?"

"What's your name?"

Yukari's mouth felt suddenly dry. She wanted to retreat into her drink, but found it entirely empty. Damn. "Um," she held out her hand for him to shake, avoiding his eyes to stare at his lips, "Kiyomi Tachibana."

"Bitch." Kiyomi "Kiki" Matsuda's gasp escaped her lips in a whirl of wind. Her hands clamped over her mouth as Yukari's eyes speared her through. She coughed, rubbing her throat. "Wow, this cough…it's a real bitch, am I right?"

The boy's lip lifted, his dark eyes oddly bright and lively drinking up the light. It was strange, this sudden feeling that came over her, like a blanket dropping down from the sky and wrapping her in its darkness. He smirked, "See you around, Kiki."

Yukari stared after him as he turned. One. Two. Three.

She reached out, her hand catching his wrist—

"I love you." His voice rode through the air on a breeze as his brow drew together, his thumb brushing down her cheek. "I have since the beginning."

Yukari shivered, a tear running down her cheek, cold against their combined warmth. His coat draped over her shoulders, the golden buttons shining like miniature suns. She wanted, and needed him to hold her closer. She hated him for it. "I know."

"Do you still love me?"

She closed her eyes. "I don't know how to stop."

Yukari blinked a moment, the vision at the back of her mind like an old memory unfurling. Is it the future? If so, should be running away? What does this mean? "My name is Yukari. Yukari Tamura."

The boy folded his arms, and launched his face into hers, making her lean back so far her head banged into the bench. "Hey!" she reached forward, placing her hands on his shoulders. "Are you insane?"

"You are scary familiar." He mumbles, eyes boring into hers as his eyes narrowed, lips screwed up into a pout, "But I can't remember."

"We probably met in a past life." She told him dryly, giving his shoulders a slight push. "If we met in this one, I wouldn't forget for your face. I doubt anyone could."

For a moment, all she could see was his smile. The dark fall of his lashes, soft and impossibly drawn with delicate position. His blonde hair fell to the sides of his face like curtains. His eyes, heavy and black. Crumbs, just to side of his lip.

Surprising the both of them, she laughed, "What's your name?"

"Call me Mikey."

"Mikey…" she tested it out, teased it between her teeth and pushed it around her brain. Mikey. Mikey. MIKEY. Saying the name didn't solidify him fast enough. He still felt like a dream, a figment of her made up memory.

This moment wasn't real. His face was fictitious. That dream was a scene from a movie made into memory. None of it made sense. And because none of it made sense, None of it mattered. If none of it mattered…why would she hesitate?

At least, that's the excuse she would use later on when she recalled this meeting and died of embarrassment.

Yukari's beating heart was loud in her ears as she fished around in her purse. When she came back up, she reached for his hand, palm up.

Without question, he dropped his hand into hers, head ticked to the side curiously.

Fingers locked around his sturdy wrist, she stuck her marker between her teeth to snatch off the cap with a resounding, "Pop!" She glanced up to him and he stepped closer, making it easier on her.

She's thankful he doesn't ask what she's doing. She barely knows herself.

With a flourish, and complimented by silence, she proceeds to write.

He gives a giggle as the marker's point circles paints his skin. "Ah! That tickles."

"Be still," she tells him, "I'm almost done."

Mikey shakes, head bobbing left and right as she moves against his pale skin. She sticks the top back on and stows it in her bag to admire her work.

In big bold letters she writes her phone number and beneath that in bold lettering: Yukari Tamura.

"There," she gives his arm a tap, letting him observe the new tat she's just given him, "I hope it helps you remember."

At that, she's run completely out of time and reality is starting to knock on the door of her mind. She reaches into her wallet and throws a few bills down onto the table. Standing up, she waves to him over her shoulder as she quickly exits the restaurant, Hina and Kiki making their exit behind her.

"Sorry, could you just—yeah, sorry."

"Sorry, uh, Mikey. Excuse me—"

Once out of sight, the sound of shoes closing in on her, she took off at a run and whipped around a corner.

Kiyomi grabbed her shoulders and slammed her into the wall with her mouth hanging out. "What the hell was that?"

Hina's eyes were wide as she walked in a circle hands on her hips, "Why did you just do that? You don't even know how old he is! What was that? You just me him!"

"I…I don't know. I just…moved." Yukari folded her arms, letting her dark brown hair fall over her shoulders. "Was it weird?"

"Weird?" Kiki reiterated, "It was badass! Did you see his face? He looked totally into it. Not to mention, so hot." Kiki kissed her fingertips, "So hot. Like damages the nerves in your tongue kinda hot. Like destroy your whole existence with a touch kinda—"

"Kiki!" Hina protested, but she was clearly laughing. "Hot or not, that probably was a little bit weird for him."

"I don't see how! Yukari's hot too. They can be hot together!" Kiki swung her arms through the air like a mad scientist trying to explain gravity, "Their looks would totally complete each other. I mean, his blonde hair, her brown. His black eyes, her hazel. He's just taller than her too. Not too tall, not too short. And did you see the way he was dressed? He has style! I definitely approve. You get Kiki's stamp of approval, do you hear me? Heck, if you don't jump on that train, I will. You can call me Mrs. Mikey from now on I swear."

Yukari covered her face with her hands. When her eyes closed, she saw his boyish little smile. It was like a slap to the face. a stomp to her senses. And, when she lingered on that feeling, she remembered the vision she'd had. It felt familiar and yet, there was no way she could place it.

"Kari?"

"Hm?"

"Are you okay?" Hina's voice felt far away, like it had to travel through time itself to get to her.

"Yeah." Yukari said, "I am."

"Good."

Kiki clipped her heel against concrete, "Speaking of food—"

"No one mentioned food." Hina said, turning to face Kiyomi who wore a very stern look.

"Well, who's going to feed me? Because thanks to your crazy outburst…we didn't get to eat."

Laughing, Yukari stepped out of the alley. "Let's go to that Korean barbeque place."

"The expensive one!" Kiki jumped up to Yukari's side, threading her arm through her elbow.

"Don't be greedy, Kiki." Hina said and then added, "But, if you're paying, Kari, I won't complain."

Yukari just turned her head to look over to Hina. She saw him again. He and that other one had just jumped onto two shiny motorcycles, gleaming in the bright of day. He'd said something to his friend and turned his head. In that moment, their eyes met.

Black and hazel. Yin and Yang.

Yukari blinked, and turned her head away, fighting whatever urge had risen up into her chest. If that really was a vision she'd seen, then it would work itself out. If it was anything else, well, she would just have to wait and see.

Author's Note: Why am I doing this to myself! Why am I starting another story instead of updating? I've just gotten really into Tokyo Revengers and man, I can't kick the habit. Maybe this will help me out.

It begins months before the time that Takemichi returns to the past.

If you like it please leave a review and let me know!