Here we go…
Disclaimer: Check the first chapter.
Being Human
Chapter 2
You, Me and the Ghost Over There…
We shall draw from the heart of suffering itself the means of inspiration and survival.
Winston Churchill
"So I was thinking we could go do some shopping and shit before we haul anything in here," Sora looked away from watching some of the neighbours staring at the small van they had hired to move what little stuff they had, and turned to his silver haired friend.
"What kind of shopping?" Riku flicked up an eyebrow.
"Food of course." Now it was Sora's turn to raise his eyebrows.
"You, of all people, are thinking of food. Food that you can buy in packets from shops, rather than from someone's neck?" Riku narrowed his eyes, he knew Sora wasn't being serious but still he hated people repeating what he was. And wasn't this whole 'being human' thing Sora's idea anyways? How can he possibly pretend to be normal if Sora was constantly reminding him otherwise?
"Sorry. That was thoughtless." Riku was brought out from his train of thought by Sora staring at him sympathetically. "Food shopping's good." He smiled, letting Riku know yet again that there was something worth doing this all for. There was Sora.
"Don't worry about it Sora. I know what you meant. Come on wolfy, lets go get your food. Save you chasing after some poor old woman or something next week…" Sora narrowed his own eyes and aimed a kick at Riku's shin.
"Ha Ha. You're hilarious."
BANG!
"What was that?" Sora frowned at his friend, who mirrored his expression.
"I think it came from upstairs…" The brunette looked at the elder expectantly, what was he looking at exactly?
"Go on! Mr. Self healing-immortal. Get your ass up there and check it out!" Riku sighed and shifted on his feet slightly. Why did he have to check it out?
"Whatever." He mumbled finally, making his way out of this kitchen and up the stairs. He was only doing this because Sora had asked him to. Anyone else he would have told them where to go.
Knowing his luck it was probably just some stupid kids who had thought it would have been a good idea to use the empty house as some sort of teenage brothel…not realising that people would be inhabiting it anytime soon.
Poor kids don't know what's about to hit them. Surely won't be able to sit for a week once I kick their ass up and out my house. Riku smirked. It wouldn't do anyone any good to try anything funny in a house occupied by a werewolf and a vampire…
-- --
Kairi didn't know what she had been doing for the past god knows how long. Drifting in and out she had slowly been driven mad by the fact that no one could see sight nor hear her. Screaming at them had no affect whatsoever, only causing objects to fly out of places and things so suddenly explode. And after a while, Kairi had fun, because watching the current residents flee out of the house screaming that they were under attack by flying books and such was just plain hilarious.
And when she wasn't scaring the shit out of some defenceless, living resident, Kairi had slowly began to integrate herself with the house. Which meant she could have absolute control over the building…of course half the time she didn't really know she was integrating. Well not on any conscious level, she just felt like she was sleeping, but on some subconscious supernatural wave length she had begun to realise that this was her house and she wasn't going to give it up for anyone.
She was so tired. So, so tired.
She didn't even realise that she could get tired. She constantly felt that she was going to drop at any moment, which of course would have been a scientific impossibility. Mind you, she was just one walking, talking, bookcase moving scientific impossibility now wasn't she? She didn't even know ghosts existed…let alone…feel what she was feeling.
Most of the time when Kairi was awake, conscious of what she was doing and not throwing plates at people she wandered what she was doing here exactly. Why hadn't she just moved on, gone to the better place as they called it. Why was she stuck here in some twisted limbo not knowing what the hell to do with herself. She had barely any memories so she was unable to figure out any of that…unfinished business…business, and to top it all off she hadn't met any other ghosts in the area so she was living the most lonely non-life ever imagined.
The red-headed girl had once just followed a resident round, talking to them, pretending they were replying to what she was saying giving half cocked reactions in a one sided conversation. It probably would have been funny had she not been so desperate.
It hadn't actually taken long to run the last residents out of the house. She was feeling a particularly bitter because they were young newly weds and had she not have been dead that could have been her…
So with that in mind she took no trouble in throwing every plate they owned against the wall a week after they got settled. It was violent she knew, but loneliness and desperation had led her to do a lot of stupid things in the past three years.
Then they were gone. And Kairi was more alone than ever. But this time, she welcomed the silence instead of shying away from it. This was her life now. This was her home. And yet again, she fell back into her zombie like state, completing her integration and finally becoming one with the house. It felt comforting in some ways. It felt like she was part of something she once held dear and now thinking about it, she was.
Months had passed and Kairi, not awakening from her comatose state failed to realise how bad the condition of the house actually was. She kept seeing herself cleaning and cooking, and playing host in this perfectly little home she made for her and her boyfriend.
It wasn't until there was a click at the door and the peace was disturbed that Kairi awoke, glancing around at the neglected walls and windows that had gathered so much grime it was unbelievable.
The same estate agent who had brought all the others to the house strolled in, cringing when he saw the state it was in.
Kairi peered around a door, not quite sure why she felt so apprehensive when she knew they couldn't see her. Maybe it was because she sensed something strange, something not quite normal. Or maybe it was because she would have to go through all this again. She didn't like scaring people literally out of house and home. Well that was a lie, it was sometimes fun, but she knew it wasn't fair to keep kicking people out, and she really did feel sorry for them. But dammit this was her home and no one was taking it away from her.
"So this is the…house." The agent plastered on a large, obviously fake grin and gestured wildly to the hall, moving out of the way as he did to let another person through.
It was a man, tall, muscular and hair the strangest shade of silver. He stepped in the hallway, eyes flickering on Kairi's position peeked behind the kitchen door for a second before he looked up the stairs, pausing all for a moment before he frowned and his head swung back toward the kitchen. Kairi pushed herself away from the door and squeaked.
Did he just…look at her? No…he couldn't…see her…no one could…
Stomping feet and a hurriedly thrown "the living rooms over here!" was the first and only warning Kairi needed to let her know what the silver haired man was heading her way. As soon as he pushed open the door she disappeared into a puff of thin smoke, deciding to hide upstairs for a while.
She knew it was weird. But she was intrigued. This guy had definitely seen her. She was sure of it. Why else would he march his way towards the kitchen when the clearly baffled and exasperated agent just wanted to show him the living room?
Maybe…this was a sign…maybe this guy was a ghost too…no how the hell could a ghost become visible and why would it…no he, why would he want to buy a house? It was stupid, but Kairi hoped it was someone who could sense ghosts or something, like on those TV programs she used to watch when she had nothing else to do. They used to make her laugh at the idiocy of the people on there and how it was all plainly fake.
Ha…the irony wasn't lost on her.
But this could be her chance, if this man brought the house and judging by the state of it he wouldn't…
Faintly in the background she heard an annoyed, "we'll take it."
Well…maybe this really was her chance to finally…try and move on. She could communicate, ask what they know about ghosts, ask them how she could finally move on. It all sounded so silly in her head but Kairi had never been so sure in her life.
This was her time, even for a short while, to once again try being human.
-- --
Riku really didn't know what to think. He had checked all the rooms. Twice. There had been nothing. Nothing at all. Each room was devoid of any and all furniture and there were no broken or open windows to assume that someone had stupidly jumped out in some crazy haste to escape. Everything was clean, which made Riku even more suspicious.
What he saw when he first came to look at the house wasn't forgotten. He had seen something in that Kitchen and he could have sworn it was more of a someone. He had, at the time, crossed it off as a trick of the light, until he saw a flash of red at the top of the stairs. Nonetheless it hadn't deterred Riku from buying the place. The house was big enough for the two, in a small quiet area like Sora had wanted and it was cheap. Okay, so it wasn't in the best condition, but like he had said to Sora, all it needed was a bit of TLC and it would be good as new.
Though the silverette still had his suspicions that not all was normal in the house.
Riku had had a fair few, dare he call them friends, who claimed to live in haunted houses, and they said that because of the nature of the ghost it never really became a problem. Just something that everyone grew use to. Unless it was a poltergeist that is, then many would run with their head between their legs. But as it were, poltergeists were too far and few too worry, which was lucky Riku supposed.
Ghosts, by reputation, are harmless. They exist only to finish whatever business their unresting soul demands of them before they move on to the next plain. Which is why when Riku suspected there was one residing in the house, he thought nothing of it. If anything, he would kick the damn thing out.
This house does not belong to them anymore.
And from what the estate agent said the only and last person to pass on was a young woman over 3 years ago, something that Riku would clearly point out if he ever came face to face with her.
But now, checking the house, it seemed as though he was wrong. He was sure he would have seen her had she been there; a possibility could have been that she had already moved on…
And as Riku searched the entire upstairs for a third time he was sure that that was it. Heaving a sigh, he dug a hand into a pocket of his jeans and ran the free hand through his hair.
"Nothing." He murmured, before making his way down the stairs, coming face to face with a very agitated looking Sora.
"What was it?!" He said, not taking his eyes off Riku as the other made his was across the kitchen and leant on the work surface.
"Nothing."
Sora frowned.
"Nothing?"
Riku nodded.
"Nothing."
Silence.
"How does it take someone ten minutes to check out nothing?" Riku smirked, folding his arms across his chest and studied Sora slightly.
"Well I had to be sure it was a very nothing…nothing. I am the man of the house after all, it is my job." Sora frowned at Riku's inference that he was in any way womanly and that he was unable to take care of himself had it been more of a…well nothing.
"I'm perfectly able to take care of myself thank you very much. And you are not man of the house. Since this household contains two men I think its safe to say that the 'man of the house' title belongs to neither." Sora continued to stare at Riku and when it appeared he wasn't going to get any sort of reply threw out an "idiot" for good measure. The silver haired man just rolled his eyes pushed off from the counter.
"Come on. Now we've established there's nothing in the house I think its time to go get some grub. I'm starved."
And with that the two left, remembering to grab keys from the counter and directions to the nearest supermarket from an old lady hobbling down the street, leaving nothing but a mass of red hair peering down the stairs after them.
-- --
Kairi was willing to admit that that was too close. At first she was positive that she wanted to be seen by this silver haired intruder but now…she wasn't too sure. The brunette, although he seemed to have a lighter personality than the other, even managed to intimidate her.
Then again maybe they were just on edge. I mean, this was their first day in a new home. And she really hadn't meant to slip down a couple steps when she had been guiltily eavesdropping on their conversation.
But still…what did they mean? Necks? Wolfy? Okay maybe the latter was just a nickname however, what the boy had said…about…food from necks? That was slightly creepy.
Kairi knew there was something off with these people…her senses had set off when the silver haired guy had first seen her…Riku his name was right? But she never thought…no…I mean…that's ridiculous. No. There was probably a logical explanation. There had to be, because there was no way that Kairi was living in a house with some sort of…vampiric freak…
-- --
Sunlight crept through the small opening in the far left wall, drawing shadows across the room that seemed to dwindle when they reached a figure, almost fearful. All was quiet until every so often, the sound of tiny crackling and a sharp intake of breath rippled through the space as a drag was taken from the small, white stick held securely between two fingers, the burning buds tip lighting a little brighter before shrinking in size; and only moments later tufts of smoke escaped the lips of the cigarettes owner.
They were sat stiffly; the rise and fall of their smoking arm their only movement.
He should be here soon.
Unless he wasn't coming, well, that wouldn't be a surprise. No one had seen him in almost seven months, well no one other than Larxene. The two faced bitch. He always did have a soft spot for her. Silence yet again reigned and this time the figure didn't even bother to finish their fag, having enough and dropping it carelessly they stood up, moving their head from left to right and clicking it in all the right places.
"Going somewhere?" The figured turned slowly, only seeing the shape of a man through the darkness, though they didn't need to see to know who it was. The voice, the smell, it was a presence they knew all to well.
"Well, I was waiting for someone but since you so rudely interrupted…" a small gesture was thrown and through the darkness a man smirked.
"I don't think he's coming. He's got…other…priorities now." The man allowed himself a small humourless laugh as the other huffed slightly, clearly not happy with the outcome.
"His priorities should lay with us and us alone. He knows this." The man nodded as the other shifted on the spot, placing hands on hips.
"He does. But then when has Riku ever cared about what he should do and what he wants to do. In his book he comes first. Then everything comes later." The other smirked, taking a step toward the man.
"I think that's the most you've ever said to me. And about someone who you couldn't give a rats ass about. I'd like to know where this is going." The man studied the other, taking in the figure in all its glory.
"I'll tell you when we get there. I really do hate you and your kind. You, of course, know this. So what that boy does is really none of my concern. Nonetheless, he's unknowingly interfering with my plans. I suggest you take care of it." The figure quirked an all-knowing eyebrow, taking yet another step forward.
"I see. And what do you suppose I do? Riku's beyond my control. Last I heard he'd hidden himself on some god forsaken island." The man laughed, gesturing wildly.
"Of all the places for a vampire to go…" The other swung their head to right somewhat, eyes going up in a movement that spoke 'what ya gonna do?'
"Well it was clever on his part. Running off to a place like that. No one would have bothered to go after him. Too much sun, energy, all that jazz." The man nodded as if he understood, flicking a strand of silver hair as if fell in front of his face.
"He's a clever boy." The figure snorted and turned away, muttering something along the lines of 'fortunately for him…'
"You are too kind on him. I'm surprised you haven't called for his head on a platter and a stake through his chest." The figure gave him a sharp look, narrowing their eyes.
"What's that supposed to mean?" The man inclined his head, showing that he meant no offence.
"Your reputation proceeds you Paine." The woman smirked, knowing exactly what he had meant now, her eyes drifted around the room before finally falling onto the man stood blocking the only exit.
"Unlike you, I prefer to keep my others in check. Rather than just kill them when I become bored." The man laughed and if one didn't know him they would have mistaken it for one of joy or good humour, oh how wrong they would be.
"Its apparent that you are not the only one whose reputation proceeds them." Paine lifted her head as the mans orange eyes pierced her dead heart.
"So it seems. And you will find nothing there Xemnas. It's as cold as the night is dark. Xemnas smirked, arching a silver eyebrow.
"It was worth a try. Though I should have known better than to peer into the depths of the head. I shall try to remember that...next time." The woman took a sharp step forward and even in the poor light Xemnas could see her eyes glint with anger.
"There will not be a 'next time' Xemnas." The silver haired man smirked, as if he knew something she didn't and Paine didn't like that look one bit.
"What do you want? Why have you really come here? Were you expecting to see him here or something. Because I wasn't waiting for him. I was waiting on…someone else." Lie. He and Paine both knew that, and they both knew that he would not come, but both still had turned up, and waited. Oh the things this guy had them doing.
From the corners of the room the darkness seemed to have become tangible and moved and swayed as if it were being held back. It stretched and swung almost longingly after the woman stood in the middle of the room. Xemnas only had to swish his head to the left ever so slightly and the darkness fled back into the depths of where it had come from, leaving only remnants left to creep and crawl in its corner.
Paine had smelt the darkness, its stench skulking over her skin and trying to seep its way deep in and she knew that if she had a beating heart, she wouldn't have managed to keep such a straight face and push the dark thoughts from her mind. Slowly but steadily, as to show her daring, she moved toward the man, eyes fixed on his.
"I admire your courage."
"I am not afraid. And you are not welcome here Xemnas. You know that. I will not tolerate your presence in my coven-"
Before Paine could do anything the darkness was back full throttle and this time no one was holding it back. It encased her in a damp, cold mass, gripping tightly on her neck and pushing something sharp dangerously near to where her heart once used to beat.
"You will tolerate what I will tell you to tolerate Paine. You and I are not equals when it comes down to strength. Age, maybe. Numbers, well you and your coven win that one. But I shall tell you now, I know. I know what you did and this isn't the end. When our time comes, if you're not careful, I will have you begging for the ever-lasting death you have seemed to escaped." Xemnas' voice was laced with nothing but hatred and he moved forward till he was able to touch her face.
"Such a pretty face." Paine cringed and tried to wriggle free but the hold on her neck tightened and the object on her chest was forced forward slightly. She froze as Xemnas stroked her face and studied her carefully, before deciding that his fun was over and he waved his arm and the darkness disappeared along with whatever was being pushed into her chest.
"When you see Riku. Tell him to watch his back."
"I will if you watch yours." Was the reply. The man only smirked.
"Indeed." He then turned to walk away, lifting his hands up to pull a hood over his head.
"Oh and Paine, do try and keep those others of yours in 'check' as you so say. I don't want to have to be responsible for the unnecessary death of any Vampires f I can help it."
"Drop dead Xemnas." The man stopped and turned, his eyes glinting evilly from under the cloak he wore.
"Like you my dear? I shan't waste my breath on it." And with that darkness engulfed him, twisting this way and that before he finally disappeared leaving nothing but Paine, who immediately pulled out a cigarette, lit it, an took an extremely long drag.
-- --
It had been hours. Hours since they had left and Kairi was still thinking of what to do. Maybe she could just pop out and say hi? No. That was the most stupidest thing she could ever do. And yet, it was the only thing she could think of.
Kairi sat herself at the top of the stairs, willing herself to stop being so damned nervous. It was completely reckless but when they got home, Kairi was going to say and found out exactly what was going on. She had had enough time by now to think about what she had heard, enough time to really take everything in. Maybe she had jumped straight to the most weird and dim-witted assumptions earlier, but that whole neck thing really caught her off guard. But seriously, there was no such thing as Vampires, or…or…whatever else there was in all those stupid horror films she had watched once upon a time with her boyfriend.
So, when those two guys came home, she would appear to the silver haired one, explain her situation, find out why he can see her and…and…
CLICK!
Oh.
Crap.
"…told you not to have that second helping. But you never listen." Kairi watched as the, older of the two, well he appeared to be anyway, pushed the door open with his backside, carrying about twenty shopping bags in his hands. A voice pitched up behind him.
"You know I can't help myself. This is all your fault." Kairi leaned forward a little more, noticing the brunette from earlier standing in the entrance, arms folded, bottom lip jutting out in a cute pout.
"Yes Sora. You're lack of self-control is my fault. How could I have been so thoughtless as not to realise that annnnnd who the fuck are you?" Kairi blinked wildly when she realised that Riku was finally looking up at her, eyes narrowed suspiciously. Oh, this was not how she planned it.
"Oh…I…I erm…"
Blank.
Great…her mind had gone blank. Fan-frickin'-tastic. Come on Kairi, say something.
"…hi…" She finally squeaked, shrinking under the gaze of Riku. Sora's whole body finally came into view and he looked toward red head, frowning slightly.
"Erm…Riku, is there is girl sitting at the top of our stairs?" Riku frowned, unceremoniously dropping his shopping bags and folding his arms, "Yes. There is."
"Riku, why is there a girl sitting at the top of our stairs?" The silver haired boy spared the other a quick glance before taking a deep breath.
"Oh didn't I tell you? I just knew in advanced that we would spend 3 hours at the supermarket and then 3 more at that pizza place I've never been to before and I thought 'when me and Sora get back at whatever time we get back we'll need some help decorating' so I pulled this random girl off the street and locked her upstairs until we got back…" Sora frowned and looked up at his friend, waving his finger and gesturing to Riku's body.
"This. Sarcasm. Don't need it." Riku rolled his eyes and took to glaring at the girl on his stairs again.
"I'll repeat. Who. Are. You?" Kairi, who had a small smile pulled across her face at their antics, quickly swept it off and gulped nervously, pulling her arms close to her.
"I'm…Kairi." She spluttered out. Wincing as Riku's look hardened. Clearly he was trying not to seem too intimidating and he was doing a really, really bad job of it.
"Well…Kairi…would you like to explain what you're doing in our house?" The girl took a deep breath and attempted a smile. Here goes nothing.
"It's complicated." She said, and in an instant she disappeared and Riku blinked in surprise before muttering something under his breath that sounded like 'I knew it.'
Sora on the other hand unleashed a girly squeal and spun round, looking in every direction possible.
"Did she?"
"Yep."
"But I thought…"
"Nope."
"How…?"
"Ghost."
"Ghost?"
"Yep."
"Jesus…"
"Nope. Kairi she said."
"Is she gone?
"Doubt it."
There was a whoosh and both flung their heads to the left before stumbling into the living room when they heard a small, nervous giggle. There, in the middle of the room stood Kairi, a shy smile gracing her lips.
"I'm kind of attached to it."
Riku took in a deep breath and went to speak when there was a loud thump from behind him. Him and Kairi stared at the floor, where Sora, in all his gracefulness had collapsed in an uncomfortable looking heap.
Chapter two done and dusted… :]
Hope you enjoyed and don't forget, reviews make fanfiction go round, feed the authors… :D
Edit 25/05/09: Corrected the word 'steak' for 'stake' – obviously you don't go round killing Vampires with a good ol' Sirloin…
