"Okay, I think I'm starting to get this."
Kasumi and Yukine sat on a bench in the park, watching Ren as he played with two other kids. They squealed and giggled as they chased each other, and Kasumi smiled at their happiness. She turned back to Yukine, who was also watching them.
"So, regalias are dead?" Kasumi asked. Yukine turned back to her nodding. "Yeah."
Kasumi frowned. "How exactly does that work? Wouldn't they go looking for old friends and family?" She asked. Yukine shook his head. "No, they can't remember anything from their past life. They don't have a name, so that's why it's such a big deal to be given them one." He explained. "Well that makes sense." Kasumi murmured. She looked back to where one of the kids had tripped, and Ren was trying to comfort them.
"So... that means you're dead. Right?" Yukine paused as he looked at Kasumi. Looking down he answered, "Yeah." They were both quiet for a moment.
"What in the world are we doing just sitting here?" Kasumi suddenly said loudly. "Huh?" Yukine looked back to her. Kasumi had stood up, and was smiling down at him. The sun gleamed on her dark grey eyes, giving them the illusion that they were a blue. "Come on!" She exclaimed, grabbing his arm. Tugging him up, she pointed to a large tree a little ways off, on top of a small hill. "I'll race you to that tree," Yukine blinked at her as she pulled her hair from her face.
"What?" She asked as she caught him looking at her. "Don't worry, I'm sure you've got a chance at winning!" Yukine blushed as she winked at him. "Ready, set, go!" Kasumi shouted quickly before she took off running.
"Hey!" Yukine called before he raced after her. "I wasn't ready!" Kasumi laughed, and Yukine smiled as he caught up to her. "Hey, you're pretty fast." Kasumi remarked. "So I won't go easy on you."
The wind whipped at the two of them as they ran up the small hill to get to the tree. "Bleh! My hair's getting in my mouth-" Kasumi suddenly tripped, sending herself flying. Yukine yelped, but couldn't stop himself before he tripped over her, landing with a loud plop next to her. Having burst out laughing, Kasumi brushed her hair from her face. Yukine blinked at her, blushing, before he felt his own laughter bubble up. "My sides hurt!" Kasumi gasped through her giggles. "Mine too!" Yukine huffed.
"Kasi!" Kasumi looked down the hill to see Ren racing towards them. "Ren! Are you having fun?" She called out, sitting up. "Kasi!" Ren yelled again. Kasumi frowned at the look of terror on his face. "Ren, what's wrong-" Her eyes widened as she finally caught sight of the phantom chasing him. It was huge, and looked like it was a horrible hybrid between a fish and bear, with eight long, bony human arms reaching for Ren.
"Ren!" Kasumi screamed as she jumped up, racing down the hill. "Kasumi!" Yukine called after her, close on her heels. "Run, Ren! Run!" Kasumi screamed. The phantom was closing in on Ren, Its huge, wide mouth opening into a snarling grin. "Kasumi!" Ren screamed, his eyes filled with tears as the phantom wrapped its arms around him.
"No!" Kasumi unsheathed her dagger, eyes filled with horror as the phantom screeched in triumph. Turning, it ran the other way, Ren in its grip. Kasumi pushed herself to go faster, but soon the phantom had run out of the park, and onto the city's streets, disappearing behind the maze of buildings.
Kasumi stumbled, falling to her knees, staring at where Ren had been just a moment ago.
"Ren." She whispered, eyes filling with tears. "No." Gripping the hilt of her dagger, Kasumi hit the ground. "No!" She screamed, gritting her teeth.
"Kasumi."
She turned to see Yukine standing behind her, a sad and horrified look on his face. Kasumi stood, facing Yukine with an expression of fury. "I'll kill them. I'll kill them all." She shouted, the hilt of her dagger clenched in her grip. Yukine stared at her.
Tears spilt from Kasumi's eyes as she choked back a sob, all anger draining from her eyes. "They have him. They have Ren, and it's all my fault." Yukine's eyes widened. "Kasumi-"
"I shouldn't have let my guard down." She suddenly said, wiping her eyes. "I should have been on high alert. Instead I turned my attention away from Ren." She looked at Yukine, gaze hard. "I promised I would protect him. I promised him that, every night, after I sang to him." Kasumi balled her free hand into a fist. "And instead of protecting him, I let myself get distracted. I will not be distracted again!" She yelled, whipping around before she raced away from Yukine, towards the city.
"Kasumi!" Yukine called after her.
That's why she was so secluded, why she had been trying to be rude. She was trying to push everyone away. Maybe that wasn't the only reason.
Why didn't the phantom immediately consume Ren? What did it want with him? Where was it taking him?
"I have to get Yato." Yukine murmured to himself.