A/N: I don't have much motivation right now, because I'm tired, but I couldn't sleep with the knowledge of updating hanging over my head, so here it is. I'm losing sleep because of this, so you'd better enjoy it.
Polaris18: I think you know as well as I do that I hate putting Hizumi in danger, or anything of the sort. Kirie is, at best, just a means to keep Hizumi in line. Considering her personality, she's prone to go about that the wrong way, and abuse Hizumi, and call it discipline, when it's really not.
KousukeAsazuki: Well, now…I'm flattered. I've heard a lot about you from Rae-chan, but I never expected to actually get a review form you. I'm a bit disappointed that you don't like Kirie, but as I said, she's only a means to keep Hizumi in line and out of trouble…and, of course, to keep an eye on the Blade Children. Thank you for reviewing.
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It was getting late when Hizumi decided to walk off and head to the park, if only just to clear his head. He hated himself for arguing with Kiyotaka, since the man had done so many things for him, without him even asking. Sure, the older Narumi had killed his brother; the very man who created him, but he had good reason to. Yaiba was a threat to humanity, though Hizumi only chose to see the good in him, and came to the conclusion that his brother was simply misunderstood. Kiyotaka Narumi may have been his brother's murderer, but he made up for it by providing housing for him and, since the man was his legal guardian, it seemed foolish; childish even, to get into an argument with him.
Hizumi mentally cussed himself for being so stupid; for running from the problem, instead of dealing with it head on. 'Why? Why am I like this?' Deep down, he felt he knew the reason, but was just afraid to confront it. 'If not now, when?' It would have to be brought up sooner or later.
The boy's thoughts weighed so heavily on his mind, that he failed to notice he had already gotten to the park. It wasn't until the soft splashing of the water in the fountain reached his ears, that the mint-haired boy finally glanced up, slightly curious as to where his feet had taken him. Hizumi took a moment to observe his familiar surroundings and decided it best to follow the path a bit further in, if he wanted the privacy and quiet atmosphere he'd come there for. It was a bit of an inconvenience to get to the spot, since it wasn't along the usual paved path that most people took, but it was worth the hassle.
Hizumi strayed from the path and moved onto the grass, quickly making his way to a small opening in between a group of unkempt bushes that served as a gate to the row of trees further in. There wasn't much of a path between the trees, but Hizumi chose to follow it anyway, knowing that past the dismal atmosphere the dead trees set, would be a much more pleasant one, where he could sit, undisturbed to his heart's content.
Once the worst was over and the trees were cleared, Hizumi stepped into a small, but cozy little clearing where one could sit and overlook a small garden of multi-colored flowers, or rest in the shade of the nearby sakura tree if they wanted. A lone bench accompanied the tree, and Hizumi headed to it, lying on the whitewashed wood and sighing as he looked to the sky as the sun began to set, making the cheery atmosphere of the clearing even more glorious. Despite the uplifting setting, a frown tugged persistently at his lips. 'Am I really just his clone?' The teen had to ask, but was further disappointed when he couldn't come up with an answer. "Yaibadamnit." Hizumi cussed quietly and slipped his harmonica from his pocket, in order to put his mind at ease.
Expertly, he brought it to his mouth and blew a few notes. It took only a moment to warm up, and soon, the boy was tuning out a mournful but soothing song that matched his mood. There was something ethereal in the way his own breath gave it life, and how the smooth metal became warm at his touch. The sound it created was both savage and soothing and it was addicting. Hizumi played expertly, almost passionately, as he put his full concentration on the melody that had developed a mind of its own; threatened to consume him unless he played it out to the end, and even still, he wanted more. Hesitantly, the instrument was removed from his lips and held gently in his palm while he caught his breath. It felt good to play out his feelings, to have something to release all the pent up rage and angst that always took shelter within him. A cool breeze lightly ruffled his mint green hair, drawing out a pleasant sigh from the boy.
The sun set over the horizon, bringing with it, the twilight, and a light applause from somewhere nearby. Those deep, amber orbs snapped open at the sound, and stared up at a young girl, presumably around his age, with waist length raven hair and eerie silver-purplish eyes. "That was a stunning performance. Do you always play like that?" the girl questioned, without so much as a smile.
Hizumi frowned, then jolted upright. "Don't sneak up on people like that!" he glared at the girl, not too pleased with the fact that he was being spied on. "Go find your own place to go. This spot's taken."
"You're mistaken. I've been here the entire time." The stranger countered. "Besides," she paused to flip a few strands of those long, raven tresses over her shoulder. "I've every right to be here, just as you do."
"Whatever." Hizumi stood up from the bench he was lying down on and sighed. "I think I'd like to know the name of girl who thinks this spot is hers to claim." He pocketed his harmonica and stared accusingly at the strangely dressed girl, who was clad in a gothic Lolita style uniform, obviously from some high-prestige academy.
A moment of silence passed between the two, before the girl decided to answer. "It's Raven." She replied, looking the boy up and down. "Raven Tasogare."
Hizumi cocked an eyebrow at the introduction. "Well now, Ms. Tasogare….it was ….interesting, to say the least, to meet you."
"I still haven't gotten your name." Raven spoke up quickly. "Not that I care, it's just rude to not give your name if you ask someone for theirs."
"What do you know about rude?" Hizumi scowled. "You intrude on a person's personal space, then spy on them, and turn around and say you have every right to be here! I really don't see the need to give my name to someone like you, now don't you think?" he countered.
"…..What I think?" Raven tilted her head just slightly. "I think you're a rude, obnoxious little boy with a smart mouth and a personal space issue. It's not like I got in your way or anything, and I even gave you a compliment. Be grateful that I didn't act like a bitch to you like you're doing right now."
Hizumi blinked at the girl's sudden change of attitude. "Wait just a-!"
Those silver-purplish eyes stared straight through the mint-haired boy. "I have nothing more to say to you. Goodbye." Without another word, Raven turned and made her way out of the clearing, leaving the boy to contemplate on her words, and his own attitude.
"Yaibadamnit."
A/N: Hizumi's a bit of a jerk in this chapter, though I'm sure that didn't go unnoticed. Hell, I'd be a jerk too if all I wanted was a bit of privacy. Anyone would. You know the set rules; if you liked it, review.