A stranger appears out of the blue. How will the two take this?
Tears of White Night
Chapter 2: A New Face
Disclaimer: I own nothing related to Neopets save for my four characters (and two petpets) . Anyone else mentioned in the story don't belong to me.
Rei sighed as he finished reading another book of magic in the library and focused his gaze on the decorative ceiling with its many pictures of flowers and birds. It had been five years since he first met Sirius and the two have grown closer to become good friends and almost brothers. The young man of eighteen years quietly returned the book to its original place in the shelf and walked out of the vast room into the hallway.
The human had changed over the course of time from the length of his hair to the patient way he walked. Silken white stands flowed gracefully down his back and was loosely held back by a white satin ribbon. Rei was wearing an azure sweater with butterflies fluttering upon the woven fabric and simple blue denim jeans. His eyes were revealed to be a delicate shade of pale crimson without the orange lens of his sunglasses to hide them. As far as he could remember his eyes were always that color, but his hair had changed a year ago for unknown reasons. The young man knew that he was no normal human, but there was no one who could answer the questions about he had about himself. Shaking those idle thoughts out of his head, Rei glanced at the white marble halls with the plants and stained glass windows he saw everyday in this household. Or rather, a mansion he thought to himself with a smile.
This fortress was located next to the mountains surrounded by thick, walls of stone with many buildings within the perimeter that could hold every living soul in Neopia Central alone and still have room for occupation. It literally screamed of a rich person's dwelling though the place wasn't Rei's first choice to take. He was under the care of a highly intelligent arch-mage that frequently traveled to Brightvale to study and lecture the laws of magic. The human himself received lessons from Byakuya but for some reason couldn't ascend to the level where he was believed to be in. It didn't bother the young man that much but the look of disappointment on the Bori's face hinted that he wanted to cry.
"Hey! Rei!" cried out a familiar voice. The person being addressed instantly braced himself as a willowy blue Lupe leaped out of nowhere to make a perfect landing on the human's back, whom fortunately was used to this daily routine.
"Hello yourself Sei." The young man greeted back, hiding the joy in his no-nonsense expression. Sirius had changed little since the day they first met except for the hair and clothing. The thin but physically fit canine bore a short blue tail on his head with the bangs partly obscuring the eye-patch he wore over his right eye. Despite the protests of the servants, the Lupe was wearing street clothes that lacked the quiet air that Rei was giving. Though he couldn't use magic, Sirius was immensely strong. For some reason, his companion was the only one who could keep up with him, whether it be friendliness or some other reason the two couldn't care less. Even the discovery of the Lupe being older than Rei didn't bother them in the slightest.
"So, what's the plan for today Master Rei?" The Lupe asked gleefully, full knowing that the human greatly disliked being addressed to like that.
"Call me Rei. And to answer your question pal, we're going out of this place since I'm fed up with the constant studying I'm forced to endure." The human replied without bitterness, also aware of how his friend liked to tease him. But there was no ill will between them.
"Neat-o! I'm just itching for some fun!" Sirius cried and jumped off Rei's back, grinning from ear to ear. The young man laughed slightly and lightly tapped the Lupe on the nose before they both went their own ways, each knowing what the plan was—for this wasn't the first time the duo sneaked out of the cathedral-like residence. The only way to get out of that place was to have Miyuko create a diversion, which she was glad to create due to her energetic nature. Though they were trained to handle threats and villains, all the powers of the servants proved useless against one cute little Angelpuss. Touché.
Soon enough, the angelic petpet bounced into every possible item at high velocity with hoards of well-dressed serving pets desperately tried to stop her. From a good distance was Bleu the Faerie Anubis who was there to ensure nothing drastic happened, and so far nothing life-threatening occurred for a long time ever since Sirius first came to this place to live in. Non-surprisingly, it was the Lupe's idea for Mi-Chan to act so erratically so that Rei and himself could leave the mansion since the servants forbade any contact with the outside world without the master's permission.
While nearly all the servants were chasing after the cheerful feline, a certain young man and a blue Lupe had separated with the plan to meet at the 'secret place' where only they knew the location. Both teenaged boys needed to traverse the large garden at the back of the estate and through a mountain path that lead up to a cliff overlooking almost the entire kingdom of Meridell.
On that particular day, Rei had packed some food and medicine in his blue duffel bag that he carried over a shoulder as he held his stout wooden staff in his right hand while walking through the woods towards the arranged meeting site. The human whistled lightly at the thought of getting out of the household and finally getting some fresh air for a change. Having all those dressed-up servants waiting on a person can drive one crazy. At least some people weren't that weird.
The young man pushed those idle thoughts out of his mind as he walked up the mountain path and soon reached the cliff where a lone tree stood like a silent guardian watching over the land. The multiple branches were laden with pale crimson blossoms that have yet to bloom for some time. Rei quickened his pace and nearly bumped into someone who was lying on the ground next to the sakura.
Covered in a ragged black cloak, the stranger appeared to lack stamina as he lay there hardly breathing. Kneeling down next to the comatose individual, Rei could faintly hear a heartbeat but he was certain that the unknown had yet to achieve eternal sleep. Setting aside his travel bag and staff the human gently, but firmly shook the sleeper.
"Hello? Come on, you have to wake up." Rei called insistently. "You can't stay like this forever, you need to get up. Can you hear me?"
The shrouded one whimpered a little bit before slowly opening his eyes, still covered by his dusty hood. Moving aching limbs, the stranger quietly got up and glanced sleepily at Rei, before yawning loudly. From the tone of that voice the human could tell that he was addressing a Kougra.
"So, what are you doing here? There's no other way unless you get through the front, and I would have known if someone like you came by." Rei began with a teacher's tone of voice. "At any rate, what's your name? I'm Rei Sakura."
The Kougra froze upon hearing the name. "S-Sakura?" he whispered hoarsely, the ability to talk unused for a long time.
The human nodded quietly with a small smile. Suddenly he found his vision obscured by black as the stranger leaned over to hug him as if they were long-lost brothers.
"Um, are you alright? Because you're kind of worrying me here." Rei stated nervously, confused over this person's behavior.
"Hey!" The human managed to turn around slightly enough to see Sirius fiercely walking in their direction. "What's going on here? And who the heck are you?" The last question was directed at the Kougra, who backed off when the Lupe appeared.
"I…" The striped cat began slowly before he could gather his bearings. "My name is Jedit. I've been waiting for Sakura to come here."
"For me?" Rei couldn't believe what he was hearing. But then again, who would? "Whatever for?"
It was then that Jedit began to tell his story. One that would change Rei's world and cause the wheels of fate to turn.
Soon, the young man would know of the truth involving him, and this so-called stranger that claimed to know him.
TBC…
A little rushed I know, but it's kind of late now so I need to get some rest. I promise to do better on the next chapter. Well, with that…