Hiya, guys! Now, I know it's been a long time since I've updated, but hello! Uni student! I'm busy! Can you blame me for not finding enough time? But, at least I've found time now, right? Well, whatever. Enjoy!
Chapter 9
Premonition
A man shrouded in shadows jumped from one final tree branch onto the ground, just on the edge of a field. It was the man with horns who had observed Ren and her friends. He had travelled for a long time with this important information. After all, there were now two threats to White Raven. He removed his hood. He was a middle aged man with a bald head that had two small horns on it. His eyes were black and lifeless, but they seemed to have some form of a soul, yet it was inhuman. He looked around at his surroundings. The sun was setting in the sky, casting an eerie, orange light on the ground and colouring the sky an array or orange and pink. To his right, there was a thin row of trees, which hid the houses that lay behind them.
"I have returned!" He called in a loud, clear voice. "It is I, Gotam!" There was a silence as a breeze passed through the fields of wheat, until out of the ground rose eleven more figures, all of which wore the same maroon cloak as Gotam and all of these figures were of varying heights. At the front of the hoods, the ties each had the emblem of White Raven.
"What news have you brought?" One figure said, his voice calm and firm.
"Grave news, Leader. Sentaro was defeated."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, Sentaro?" Another man said, although this time, it sounded younger. Like a teenager. "That's not exactly big news. He was a weakling. We all knew it was coming."
"Shut up!" Another hissed. It was a woman, and her voice was fierce, and seemed to almost growl with anger.
"Alright, alright!" The teenager said.
"But, the thing is…Sentaro was defeated by a human." Gotam continued, unfazed by the little dispute that just took place.
"A human?" The leader repeated, a small hint of surprise in his voice.
"Yes. However, this human was controlled by another being." Gotam narrowed his eyes. "A being named Ryuki." After this, everyone, besides the leader, gasped.
"Ryuki?"
"Him?"
"But he's supposed to be sealed away along with the rest of the home world."
"This is certainly interesting."
"It is enough to instil fear in anybody."
"…" The leader raised a hand up, and the whispers of shock immediately stopped. "Continue."
"I think it is apparent that this human boy who appeared out of nowhere is linked to Ryuki, and yet I don't know why. But, he does bear some resemblance to him. However, their personalities are completely different, and the human does not have the markings Ryuki's people carry. I am certain that this does not count as an awakening, though we cannot rule out the possibility that the human boy will gain Ryuki's powers."
"And the girl?"
"She gets stronger every day. Today, she was able to use the Fire Shackles." There were more hushed whispers among the ten people, and it took another hand raise from the leader to silence them. "I don't know if it is out of luck or not, but the fact still remains that the human girl will soon be able to have access to all of Zena's powers."
"But if that happens, then we're all doomed." A young man said.
"Way to state the obvious, Caleb." The teenager said obnoxiously. Suddenly, there was a cracking sound in front of the teenager's feet. One taller figure held in their hand a whip.
"That's enough out of you." The figure said. This time, it was a woman, who seemed to speak in a sinister hiss.
"Calm yourselves." The leader said firmly.
"Yes, Leader." The teenager, the man now known as Caleb and the woman bowed their heads in a silent apology.
"Right now, she is not as strong as Zena, but with time, she could be a greater threat than she already is. So concludes my report." Gotam bowed his head at the leader, who was silent in contemplation.
"Wh…What do we do, Leader?" A girl, who had a quiet voice, said.
"For now, nothing."
"What? But I wanna see this cutie myself!" Caleb complained.
"He said we don't do anything." Another hooded figure said fiercely. This figure was considerably shorter than the rest of them, and they sounded like a young girl. "You got that?"
"Caleb. Panya. That's enough." The leader said calmly. "I stand by my decision. For now, let's just wait and bide our time."
"Yes, Leader." All eleven hooded figures bowed their heads, taking the order. The leader of the group turned his head to his left. Through the trees, he could make out a house. In one such window, he saw a teenage boy with spiky orange hair, just before the curtains were closed by him.
"That's her house there. It is where the two human boys are currently living. Use that as a start for the observation. And remember; do not attack them unless ordered to do so."
"Understood."
It seems like everything is in motion. The leader thought.
…
"!" Toshiro's eyes snapped wide open with a gasp. He blinked a couple of times to get properly awake. He was staring at the white ceiling of his room, although he was feeling too drowsy to recognise it. He sat up in his bed rubbing his head. He had such a headache, and he didn't understand why. What exactly happened to him? One minute he was passed out at the lido, and the next, he was standing outside the sixth form common room. It didn't add up, and not one possible solution he could think of made sense.
"What the hell's going on?" He muttered. He heard a creaking of floor boards outside his open door, snapping him out of his thoughts. Ren peered around the door frame, wearing blue jeans and a plain white sweatshirt with bare feet. She beamed at the sight of Toshiro awake.
"Ah! You're awake!" Ren practically hopped into Toshiro's bedroom, closing the door a fraction, so that the hallway could still be seen.
"Ren…" Toshiro said in a tired voice.
"Still half asleep, huh?" Ren asked, pulling a chair up to Toshiro's bed and sitting down on it.
"A little." Toshiro confessed. "What happened to me?"
"Well, you passed out at school, so Ichigo and I took you back home in my car."
"Did your mother ask any questions?"
"Yup. I said "Don't worry, mom. Shiro's not dying. He's just a little tired fighting a monster"." Ren looked at Toshiro, and laughed at the look on his face. "Ha-ha-ha! I'm kidding, I'm kidding! I told her you were just taking a nap. And, boy, were you."
"Ren…" Toshiro groaned. "Please don't joke about something like that."
"Alright, I'm sorry." Ren apologised, still smiling.
"Ichigo. How is he?"
"He's fine. And so am I."
"That's good." Toshiro said, relieved. The sight of Ren being beaten to incapacitation by Dixie was rather worrying for him. In fact, he couldn't remember the last time he was that concerned.
"I got you some water." Ren said, handing Toshiro a glass of water from his bedside table.
"Thanks." Toshiro stopped thinking about that incident for one moment and took the glass from Ren. For some reason, he was absolutely parched. "Ren, what exactly happened? How did I get back to the school?"
"Back at the lido, I didn't see it all, but…how should I put this…someone came to help us."
"Really? Who?" Toshiro asked before taking a drink from the glass. He immediately felt better feeling the water go down his throat.
"His name was Ryuki." Ren answered. Hearing that name, Toshiro's eyes widened, and he was so surprised, he spat out what he was drinking in a great spray of water.
"What? Are you serious?" Toshiro asked, unable to hide his shock.
"Yeah. He beat Pixie, and he defeated Sentaro with one blow, and Sentaro disappeared after that. It's crazy, I know, but it's true. Apparently, when people of his level are defeated three times, their crest activates, and they're sent back to their home world without any knowledge of what has happened."
"Crests?"
"That's right. The crests of their organisation. They're called White Raven."
"White Raven?" Toshiro repeated. That was the name that Zena mentioned in their conversation the other day!
"Do you know anything about them, Shiro?"
"No." Toshiro answered, half lying. He couldn't tell Ren about Zena. If he did, then she would no longer be able to help them. "But, what about this Ryuki person?"
"I don't know the details. I was unconscious. But, I do know one thing." Ren looked at Toshiro directly in the face with a seriousness in her eyes that surprised him. "Ryuki can take control of you. That's why you don't remember what happened between the lido and the school; in that time, you were someone else."
"…" Toshiro turned away from Ren, trying to process what she had just said. He was controlled? He was someone else? It was just like Ren when Zena took over her body. But, he knew that Ren looked like Zena. As far as he knew, he didn't know Ryuki. But then again, it would make logical sense. After all, Zena mistook him for Ryuki.
"I think you might be like me." Ren said.
"Huh?" Toshiro gasped, looking back at Ren. "How…do you know that?"
I didn't tell her anything. Toshiro thought. So, how can she say that?
"Because we both look like someone that White Raven recognises. But, for some reason, White Raven is trying everything to kill you, while they're keeping me alive." Ren brought a fist up with a determined smile. "Don't you worry, Shiro! Until your powers return, you can consider me your own bodyguard! Oh, and Ichigo, too." Ren said the last part dismissively. With that said, Toshiro looked away from Ren, and instead stared at his hands. "Is something wrong?"
"Nothing. I'm just…I'm just ashamed of myself."
"Why?" Ren asked.
"Today, you and Ichigo ended up protecting me. You were willing to risk your life in place of my own. I'm grateful to you, but still…I was so much stronger than this. You shouldn't be the one to shoulder this burden of fighting an organisation. I should be fighting alongside you. Instead, what am I doing now? I'm lying in bed with no memory of what happened to me." Toshiro clenched his fist, clenching his bed sheets. "It's so humiliating."
"Shiro…" Ren started.
"But, I've made up my mind."
"Eh?" Ren blinked.
"Starting today, I am going to do everything I can to try and get my powers back. That way, I can join the fight with you. I don't want to sit on the side lines. I want to fight. And, most importantly…" Toshiro closed his eyes for a moment before opening them. This time he looked straight at Ren. "I want to help you, Ren. I may not remember what happened to me today, but what I do know is that you were the one who got Ryuki to show himself. I just know it."
"Hn. Ryuki did say something about determination bringing him out."
"Exactly." Toshiro agreed. "I remember thinking to myself how pathetic I was on the battle field. But, as soon as I thought about you, and how much I wanted to help…well, you know what happened. I may not have much power now, but just you wait. Soon, I will become strong enough to do something." Toshiro placed his fist over his heart just to prove how serious he was about what he was about to say next. "From now on, I will always protect you."
"…" Ren said nothing, a little taken aback. Sure, Toshiro was serious, but she had never seen him so sincere before. Thinking about it, she was just as serious about her commitment to Toshiro as he was to her. This gave her an idea. She reached out to Toshiro's fist and pulled it towards her.
"Ren, what're you…" Toshiro started, but before he could finish, Ren raised her hand up and interlocked her little finger with his.
"There."
"Huh?" Ren broke the link between them, still keeping her little finger up. Ren smiled her happy smiled.
"Now, we've made a promise. If we break it, then we have to swallow a thousand needles. That's how it goes, right?"
"I still don't follow you." Toshiro said slowly, wondering what exactly Ren was thinking.
"We made a pinkie swear!" Ren said happily. "The swear is that you will protect me, and I will protect you." Ren grinned. "This makes it official."
"…" Toshiro could only stare at Ren in speechless amazement. She can be so serious and mature sometimes, but other times, she was as innocent and naïve as a child. Truly, she was a very interesting girl.
"You really are something, Ren." Toshiro thought out loud, smiling. Ren stared blankly at Toshiro, and Toshiro couldn't tell if she was surprised or shocked. "What?"
"Ryuki, have you taken over Shiro again?" Ren suddenly asked.
"Wh-What?" Toshiro stammered. "No, it's me! Why would you think it was Ryuki?"
"You just smiled."
"So? Everyone smiles! It's a normal thing."
"Er…" Ren shifted her eyes away. "To be honest, that was the first time I saw you smile. I kinda thought you weren't the smiling type. What's the word? Tsundere?"
"Wha…Ichigo!" Toshiro called out to Ichigo, who was just passing the room. Surely, he could convince Ren that he was human, too.
"Eh?"
"Help me out here. Ren was convinced I was Ryuki when I smiled."
"You smiled?" Ichigo asked, surprised.
"What? You too?" Toshiro exclaimed.
"Well, you are a little stone faced." Ichigo said sheepishly. After that, Toshiro just gave up and, with a groan, grabbed his covers and collapsed back on his bed, pulling the duvet over his head.
"You are aware that you're about to fall asleep in your uniform, right?" Ren asked.
"Don't care." Toshiro's muffled voice said. What had happened to the serious mood that was here less than a moment ago?
"Toshiro, you're acting like a kid. And you hate acting like a kid."
"I'm not a kid. And it's Captain Hitsugaya."
"Whatever."
"We'll let you get some rest. You need it." Ren stood up and gently moved Ichigo out the room. "Dinner's in about an hour."
"Sure."
"…" Ren smiled a little. It may have been weird to see Toshiro smile, but for some reason, it made her happy to see that smiling face. Moreover, she wanted to see it even more often now that she knew how much softer and kinder Toshiro looked when he smiled. Still thinking about his smile, Ren closed the door behind her. But, she remembered one final thing, and re-entered the door to a Toshiro who was still under his covers.
"By the way, I forgot to mention. The person I look like; her name is Zena."
"…" Toshiro said nothing after hearing that familiar name for fear of giving anything away. But, at least it was one less thing he had to hide from Ren.
"And she's the princess of her home world." Ren finished, re-closing the door and making her way downstairs.
"She's what?" Toshiro gasped, sitting up abruptly, but Ren was gone. "Ren?" No response. "Damn…" Toshiro cursed. Could this have been something that Zena held back from him the day before? In fact, why was she holding it back in the first place? Toshiro threw the covers off and got up out of bed. He was going to get some answers.
"Hey!" He called out. "I know you're there! Show yourself!" Silence. For a moment, Toshiro thought Zena wouldn't come, but after a few seconds, the ghostly form of Zena appeared in his room, wearing the same white top and jeans as Ren.
"I didn't think you would be able to sense me." Zena said simply.
"I can't. I just guessed you would be there. Besides, I have a few things to ask you…" Toshiro folded his arms. "Princess Zena."
"…" Zena looked away, unable to look at Toshiro. After all, he had an expression on his face that seemed to say "I've got you now".
"Why did you hide it?" Toshiro asked.
"Well…" Zena started. She turned back to Toshiro. "I just didn't think it was that important." She suddenly said, an all-too-familiar innocent look on her face. Toshiro sweat dropped.
All this time I thought Zena and Ren were different. He thought.
"Anyway…" Toshiro said, recovering from the revelation of Ren and Zena's similarities. "Ren told me that you are a princess, as you probably already know." Zena nodded. "But, she found this out from someone else. Someone I'm sure you know."
"Who?" Zena asked, stunning Toshiro a little. She didn't know? But, he thought that she was always observing. I guess he was wrong in that area.
"It was Ryuki."
"Ryuki?" Zena gasped, wide eyed. "But…this is impossible. He shouldn't be able to interact with Earth."
"Well, you can, so why not Ryuki?" Toshiro asked. "If you're wondering how Ryuki was able to appear here, it was through me."
"What?"
"I don't remember anything, however. Don't bother asking me what happened."
"Wait…let me get this straight." Zena said, rubbing her forehead. "Ryuki took control of you?" Toshiro nodded in the affirmative. "Makes sense; you two do look similar. But…" Zena looked back at Toshiro. "Can I check something?"
"Yes. What is it?"
"Um…" Zena scratched her face, a little embarrassed. "Could you take off your shirt?"
"…" Toshiro stared at Zena, a blank look on his face. "Um…"
"Ryuki has two markings on his back, just like Ren. I need to check if you have them."
"Less awkward." Toshiro pulled off his tie and was about to unbutton his shirt, but paused. "Could you turn around?"
"Oh! Right!" Zena quickly turned around. Toshiro then unbuttoned his shirt. It was amazing how similar Zena and Ren were. Almost like they were twins. How odd.
"I'm done." Toshiro said, turning around so that his back faced Zena. Zena turned back around and looked at Toshiro's back. There was nothing there. Not even a single scar. It was like looking at a blank canvas. "Well?"
"Nothing. You can put it back on now." Toshiro quickly complied. "Do you know if Ryuki used any of his powers?"
"I already told you I don't remember."
"I see." Zena said thoughtfully. She was silent for several seconds. In those seconds, she mentally searched the house for Ren. She found her. She entered into her mind and found her memories of the day. There, she saw everything to do with Ryuki. His battle with Dixie. The conversation in the common room. His display of power in front of a Feather. Even when he defeated Sentaro. But, what struck Zena the most was the conversation between Ryuki and Ren.
"I'm sorry but…I'm not Zena."
"Oh." That disappointed tone, and the sad face that matched, hurt Zena so much that it broke her heart. She had hardly ever seen Ryuki look so sad. But, she had to tell Toshiro what she now knew. In one instant, she left Ren's head and turned back to Toshiro.
"Ryuki used his powers while controlling you." Zena stated.
"He did?" Toshiro went wide eyed hearing that news. "Hold on, how did you find that out? Did you read someone's mind?"
"Yuh huh."
"Figures." Toshiro muttered. After all, Ren had used the same ability unintentionally a few days before. "So…Ryuki used his powers?" Toshiro said, going over what he had found out.
"Yes."
"And he controlled me."
"Yes."
"And you can control Ren."
"Correct."
"And she is gaining your powers."
"That's right." It didn't take Toshiro long to put the pieces together.
"Does that mean that…Will I gain Ryuki's powers?"
"I'm not sure. And that's the truth." Zena said the last part quickly just so Toshiro knew she wasn't holding anything back. "If you do, then you will be able to fight back. After all, I am fully aware of how you lost your powers."
"That…reminds me. Do you happen to know how I can get my powers back?"
"Not exactly."
"…" Toshiro looked away, frustrated.
"But…I do have an idea." Zena held a hand up. A teardrop shape hovered in her palm, gradually getting bigger, until in a small flash, it turned into a gem with a golden back and an amber stone. Zena held it down to Toshiro's level. "Take it."
"My hand won't go through you, will it?" Toshiro asked. Common sense told him that his hand will probably just pass through the gem.
"Trust me." Zena responded. Toshiro couldn't bring himself to trust the spirit that much. After all, she had hidden from him the fact that she was a princess. But, this was a chance for him to get his powers back. And a chance for him to be able to protect Ren. With this in mind, Toshiro reached out and grabbed the gem. It turned solid on contact, and next thing Toshiro knew, he was staring at a gem no bigger than the palm of his hand.
"That stone is called an Amber. We use it to strengthen a child's powers when they refuse to grow. Keep it on you, and over time, your powers will gradually come back. In about a few days' time, you should be able to cast your spells without needing the contact of Ren, until eventually..."
"I can exit my Gigai." Toshiro finished.
"If you use that stone, then your body will be controlled by a secondary soul that is made to match your personality so that nobody will be suspicious."
"Almost like Ichigo's substitute badge." Toshiro muttered, not taking his eyes away from the Amber. The gem was reflecting his face, and the other end of the Amber was flat and felt cold to the touch. He clenched it in his hand. "Thank you for this, Zena. I really appreciate it."
"It was nothing." Zena smiled. "Your determination to protect Ren reminds me of Ryuki."
"Yeah, about that. Who is Ryuki?" Toshiro pocketed the Amber. "Tell me." Zena's smiled faded. She turned away sadly.
"Ryuki is…was my Heavenly Guardian. My bodyguard. He was a captain of the Royal Guard; one of the strongest, in fact. I knew him since we were children. He…" Zena smiled fondly as she remembered Ryuki. "He was my best friend."
"And I'm similar to him how?" Toshiro pressed Zena to put his doubts at ease.
"Your personalities are completely opposite, so the only obvious resemblance is your appearance. Although, Ryuki's hair is a little longer."
"Huh. No wonder Ren thought I was Ryuki when I smiled."
"But…You two are somewhat similar."
"How so?" Toshiro asked, now genuinely curious.
"Well, you're brave, courageous, determined, not afraid to fight, loyal and…kind."
"Shiro! Can you come down here for a minute?"
"C-Coming!" Toshiro yelled back. "Sorry, I have to go." Toshiro opened his door to leave, but before closing it, poked his head back around. "Once again, thank you for what you've done." With that, Toshiro closed the door behind him. Zena smiled again.
"I suppose Ryuki is closer than I thought."
…
"What is it, Ren?" Toshiro asked, entering Ren's study. She was stood on s small chair, and even though she was standing on her toes, she could not reach the top shelf.
"Yeah, can you help me out here? I can't reach the shelf."
"Hm?" Toshiro looked up at what Ren was trying to reach. It was the box that she had placed out of his reach the day before. "Why do you need that?"
"It's complicated. Now, help me out."
"Wait, how can you not reach it when you could put it up there so easily?" Toshiro questioned, suspicious.
"I don't know! Now, unless the next words to come out of your mouth are ideas, shut up."
She's so demanding. Toshiro thought, glancing up.
"Ah! Got it!" Ren got down from the chair, the box balanced on her head. She dropped it on the ground heavily. "There!" She stared down at it, her hands on her hips. After a few seconds, she took an A4 sized envelope from her desk and dropped it inside. Then, she picked it up again, stood on the chair, and placed it back on the shelf.
"Why did you call me again?" Toshiro asked.
"I thought I might need your help."
"How can I reach that?" Toshiro almost exclaimed. Ren shrugged, making an "I dunno" noise. "Urgh, sometimes I wonder about you, Ren."
"So do I." Ren admitted.
"Ren, what…What exactly is in that box?" Toshiro dared to ask.
"As I said, it's complicated. Anyway, there is a genuine reason I called you down." Ren said, changing the subject
"So you're not wasting my time?"
"No. Here." Ren outstretched her hand to Toshiro. In her hand was her grey phone, which still had the frog bell on it.
"Isn't this you're...?"
"My old phone, yes. My new phone was going through an upgrade, so I was using that one, but you can have it now."
"Where's the key pad?" Toshiro asked, pulling on both ends to see if it slid out.
"It's touch screen. Press that button on the top, and you can do whatever you want on it. It has all the basics you need. My number is on speed dial; just hold down two and it'll ring me. This way, if we end up separated somehow, and one of us runs into trouble, we can call one another."
"You…You've really thought this through, haven't you?"
"I'm not as dumb as I look!" Ren said cheerfully, smiling her usual smile.
"Yeah, sure…" Toshiro said absentmindedly, looking back up at the cardboard box. What was in there? He knew he shouldn't pry, but he had to find out. Ren was hiding something from him, and he wanted to know what. And why. But, she did say "It's complicated", so maybe the box was related to that?
"Hm?" Ren noticed how Toshiro was staring at the box. "You can't look at that. Not yet."
"Huh?"
"The box. I'm not showing you what's in there."
"Why? What's in there that's so secret?"
"The less you know, the better, Shiro."
"But-"
"Ren, I need a hand in here! I can't find the wooden spoon!"
"Oh, look, mum lost something. I'll go help her. We'll continue this conversation never." Ren said quickly, leaving the room before Toshiro had time to say anything in protest. All he could do was stutter incomprehensible words while she left. His arms hung by his side as he sighed.
"This girl…" Toshiro grumbled. There was no talking to her sometimes. Pocketing the phone, Toshiro stared up at the box again. Even though Ren was keeping it secret, it made him even more curious about what was in there. And, it was clear that he was going to have to do some detective work to figure Ren out. After all, she hardly ever gave him a straight answer; she just dodges the question like she did earlier.
"How am I going to get up there?" Toshiro asked nobody. He knew that the white chair Ren used wouldn't do any good. He was smaller than her, and that chair was tiny. No, he'd need something bigger. Perhaps the chair by her desk? But it's a spinning chair, so using that would be dangerous. He glanced left and right, trying to find something that would help and not injure him. Then he saw the piano stool in front of the dark brown piano. Perfect. But, Ren was just next door. She might overhear what is happening. For now, he'll have o wait for the right opportunity to get the box and search through it, like when Ren is out of the house. That way, he can put it back before she comes back home and prevent suspicion.
"Alright. I have a plan. All I have to do is wait."
Later that night, 11PM
Toshiro stared up at the night sky, sitting on the roof of Ren's house. It had taken him a while to find a way up here, but now that he found it, it felt good to look up at the stars. He couldn't explain it; it just made him feel at ease watching them. And after the day he and Ren had, let's face it, he needed this. Even still, he couldn't help but wonder what powers Ryuki used while in his body. Would he gain them too? And the markings on Ren's back. What were they for? And why were they there in the first place? Why did Toshiro loose his powers? Will the Amber help him get them back? What does White Raven want? And are Ren and Toshiro really that much of a threat?
"Damn..." Toshiro sighed, lounging on his back and linking his hands behind his head. To top it off, Ren was hiding something from him. How can he trust someone who was keeping secrets from him? Then again, Toshiro was keeping things from her, so he really couldn't complain.
"Ugh, this is turning into a huge mess." Toshiro groaned, running his fingers through his white hair. "What have I got myself into?" Toshiro heard a door open. He sat up and looked down at the ground. A little light was being shed on the dark ground.
"Hold on, I'm running out of signal. Let me go outside."
"That sounds like Ren." Toshiro scrambled over the roof and hid behind it, peering over the top. "Why am I hiding?" He muttered, sweat dropping.
"Ah, that's better." Toshiro saw Ren come into view on the lawn, talking into her mobile phone. "So, what's the problem, Steph?... Huh?...Are you sure?...THAT Nathan?...Where did you hear this?...Huh. I guess that makes sense. But, why now? It's been too long. I've put it all behind me...I'm not worried about me, I'm worried about the department."
Department? Toshiro thought. Sounds suspicious.
"Why? That bastard has a record of tormenting the disabilities department at school. And now that he's coming back, well, you know...No, I won't let him know. I'll only tell him I'm that department's prefect if it comes to it. I have the gown, so I have the responsibility. Well, some of it."
So that's what that black thing she wears is for. Toshiro thought. She's a prefect.
"No, it's pointless telling the teachers. They never listened to me in the past, so there's no reason why they would now. Nathan's smart, and he's got those lackeys of his; he'll think of something to cover his sorry ass. Besides, Mr Watson already has his tabs on him. He's caused a lot of trouble before, and I'm sure he'll ruffle up some feathers in the common room...Don't worry about me, Steph. I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself. I'm not the cry-baby I was before...No, I won't tell Shiro. He's got enough on his mind, and I have and all. He's not disabled like the department, so Nathan probably won't target him. If he does, I'll sort him out...Yeah, I know he might target me if I get involved, but I can't not get involved. That's not how I roll. My priority is those kids...So, he's coming tomorrow?...The transfer is effective immediately, huh? I'm surprised he even got in."
"..." Toshiro didn't say a word throughout the conversation. Who is this Nathan? He was clearly someone from Ren's past; a past that he was trying to dig up. Could he have been one of the bullies Steph mentioned to him? But, Ren had been speaking in a serious tone throughout. Whatever happened between her and Nathan, it was big, and Toshiro wasn't sure if he should do something or not.
"Alright, thanks for telling me. I appreciate it. Man, if I see him tomorrow it's gonna be hell. Oh, who am I kidding, it's inevitable...No, Steph. I can't run from him forever. I have to face my demons some time. Everyone has to...Okay, I'll see you later. Bye." Ren hung up a phone and, with a sigh, put it back in her jeans pocket and walked back into the house, kicking off her blue Crocs in the process. The door closed, and the light on the lawn was gone. Toshiro was alone again.
"Great. Something else she's going to keep from me." Toshiro stood up and walked down the roof, jumping down on the low ledge just outside the room of her parents. Luckily, her mother was downstairs, so he could walk across it without a problem. He jumped down from the ledge again, landing on the hard ground without any effort. He may have lost his powers as a Soul Reaper, but that didn't mean he'd lose his agility. Standing up, he walked back into the house, trying to look as though he hadn't overheard anything.
"Oh, hi, Shiro." Ren said happily, seeing Toshiro walk through the back door. "Where did you go?"
"Walk." Toshiro said, saying the first thing that popped into his head.
"Yeah, that's a good idea. After passing out twice in one day, I'd say a walk would be good for you."
"..." Toshiro secretly scowled to himself as he pulled off his shoes, throwing each one on the ground by the other pairs of shoes. Ren seemed so troubled before, yet here she was now, smiling her happy smile as if nothing was wrong. Is she always like this? Does she hide everything with a smile? If so, then just what is she holding back that's so bad?
"So, are you feeling any better?"
"I'm fine." Toshiro walked past Ren, his hands in his pockets. He made his way to the stairs, but Ren still followed him.
"Well, if you need anything, just let me know, 'kay?"
"I told you, I'm fine now. Just leave me alone." Toshiro snapped, sounding more impatient than he intended. Seeing the look on Ren's face, he felt guilty right away. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap. I'm just..."
"Tired?" Ren suggested.
"That, yes."
"Okay." Ren smiled happily again.
Once, again, she lets something slide too easily. Toshiro thought to himself. He walked up the stairs, though Ren remained downstairs.
"Oh, and Shiro?"
"Yes?" Toshiro stopped, halfway up the stairs.
"If something does happen, you will let me know right? I mean, about White Raven."
"Of course. And you?"
"Yeah. I think it's important that we are honest with each other in this matter."
"That's a little hypocritical." Toshiro muttered.
"Sorry, I didn't catch that."
"Nothing." Toshiro said quickly, unable to believe he would say something like that out in the open.
"Long time no see, Conner."
"Huh?" Toshiro blinked. What was that voice in his head just now?
"Shiro?" Ren peered up at Toshiro, who looked a little stunned. "Is something wrong?"
"Uh...Um...No." Toshiro eventually answered. "I was-" Toshiro's eyes suddenly widened. He saw something flash through his mind. It was almost an instant. It was a boy Ren's age with spiky blonde hair and a sneer that was close to a smirk.
Who is that? Toshiro thought. Before he could think about that question, he saw another image. The same boy was standing with his hands in his pocket, with a group of teenagers behind him, and Ren was glaring at him in the face, showing no signs of fear, and all of them were wearing the school uniform, so Toshiro knew it was at school. Another image. This time, Ren was collapsed on the ground, surrounded by broken china and food, rubbing her head and left leg. Then there was one final image that seemed to shock Toshiro the most. It was Ren again but this time, she was not smiling, in pain or glaring at someone. She was kneeling on the ground, and rubbing at her face with her fists. Toshiro gasped upon seeing her face. Ren was crying.
"Shiro?" Ren said, snapping Toshiro out of the visions. "Are you alright?"
"I..." Toshiro started, but in his shock, he couldn't finish his sentence. What the hell was that just now? "See you in the morning!" Toshiro said quickly, running up the stairs to his room, and ignoring the concerned protests of Ren, he closed the door behind him, leaning his back against it. After taking a moment to calm down, Toshiro realised that he had acted like someone who had seen a ghost. But, after what he had just seen, who wouldn't? A blonde haired boy, Ren confronting him, Ren injured, and Ren crying. Was she even capable of crying? He'd always seen her with a smile on her face, even if some of them seemed fake to him.
"No." Toshiro shook his head. "I was just imagining it. Yeah, that's it. I imagined it. There's no way Ren would cry. I must be tired." But, no matter how much Toshiro tried to reassure himself, he couldn't shake the nagging feeling that what he saw wasn't his imagination.
Meanwhile, outside of Toshiro's window, there was a shadow. A hooded figure from before was watching Toshiro, and had heard every word of what he was saying to himself. The shadow jumped down and almost seemed to float back onto the ground, allowing them to land on the ground with barely a sound.
"Interesting." The figure said, pulling down their hood. It was Gotam. "It seems that I was right. I must tell the leader."
"You called?" The hooded leader suddenly appeared before Gotam, but he didn't appear surprised at all at his sudden appearance.
"I was correct. He hasn't been through an awakening, but he is already gaining Ryuki's powers. Just now, he experienced a Premonition, but it seems like he has no control over it."
"Does he remember?"
"He does."
"I see. So it really isn't an awakening. And, he looks like Ryuki. The resemblance is uncanny."
"What do we do?" Gotam asked.
"We do nothing about the girl. It's the boy I'm worried about. Get him alone. Then, we'll make our move."
"Understood." Gotam nodded. The two men simultaneously looked up at Toshiro's window. He briefly came into view, rubbing his head. He then closed the curtains, cutting their view of him.
"We face them tomorrow." The leader concluded. Gotam nodded, and the two of them disappeared from that spot noiselessly.
There you have it, guys! Toshiro has a way of getting his powers back. But, Ryuki's powers are showing up, too. And now, there are now even more reasons to make him a target. What will happen? Who is Nathan? Will Toshiro's premonitions come true? Find out in the next chapter! And a happy Easter to you all!