Chapter 3: No Turning Back

In the back of the room, a large thud came. The source came from opened doors. It echoed throughout the room as heads turned expect for one. The throne/alter-like room consisted of at least 30 bodies, cloaked in a black velvet hoods. Each person bared a pin belonging to one of the four groups: archers, axe men, sword bearer, and caster.

The one who made such a big hubbub walked down the isle between the groups of people. When the heel of his boots made contact with the ground, it created a single sound that darted through the silence.

Each head allowed its eyes to glare at the man. But because they wanted to show their respect to the leader, none of them dared to say anything.

The one who stood in the center in front of the alter was the leader. He had his back against the man and the group of people. "Master," he began as he allowed himself to kneel on one knee and crossed his right hand over his chest and ball itself over the left side of his chest. He lowered his head to continue, "I have great news to tell you."

Before he could continue, the leader interrupted him, "Is it worth interrupting the inauguration of these gentlemen?"

The man took a sharp intake of air. He stuttered, "I-I'm sure you would be very pleased, Master." He coughed to rid of himself of nervousness. "It's about the girl—the demon child." The man knew he had gotten his master's interested when he heard movement of his master's robe.

"Arise."

The man did so. He dared to face his master. He saw the cloaked leader walk down from the alter. The man noted his master's cloak to be slightly browner than his and the pin crest has symbolized he was not like the others, one with greater authority and power.

The leader stopped in front of the man. The leader took a moment to stare into the man's eyes before he decided to walk around the man. "What have you found out, my son?"

"The-the girl still resides in Odaiba, master." He coughed again to scare his stutters. "It seems like she has regained activity."

"Did you stop her?" The man stiffened. The master noticed a change in tension. He spoke, "You know how much I hate to repeat myself, son. Now, tell me, did you stop her?"

The man dared not to look at the master. He kept his eyes away from his master, gazing at the stairs of the alter. "N-no, master. She has escaped."

The master stopped. After a moment, he stood in front of the man. "Son," he started, "you allowed her to escape?"

"No purposely, master."

"But she escaped, ne?" he asked earning a nod. "You're honest, son, and I like that in my warriors, honesty." The master laughed.

Out of confusion, the man reluctantly laughed along as the others joined in.

"Now, son," the master paused with a smile still on his face. "You are an axe man, correct?" The man nods. The master nods in agreement. "I see, I see. Well, please listen, my students!" He called to gain the attention of the crowd. "There are two things I ask for: one, honesty, which my dear son has just expressed to you all, and two, results." The master extended his hand from his cloak.

A black smoke liquefied around his hand and hardened to take a form of an axe. The master curled his fingers around the newly crafted weapon. As his fingers touched the new weapon, the smoked shell cracked revealing a new silver axe. "Then you must know when you lack one of the two, I must let you go."

Before the man could react, in a blinking instant, he felt the axe pierced his heart. He felt the squishy sensation as his heart kept beating, trying to keep itself from cutting further into two. His breaths became heavier and slowly. He looked up to his mater. His master had a stoic face with a firm grip on the axe. As the man tried to reach for his master, the master pushed the axe further in.

"Now, rot in hell."

The master removed the silver weapon from the man's body. Once the axe left the man's body, blood slid off of it. The body immediately combusted into flames. While the man scream in pain as his skin and flesh began to burn, the master began to wipe the blood off the axe.

It did not take long for the flame to go out. Once it was finished, the master looked up to the frightened faces of his newly inducted students. "Such a waste of an axe," he commented, throwing the newly made weapon to a random person. "This is will be your axe. As for the rest of you," he called gaining the attention he wanted, "if anyone—anyone­­—fails to capture that girl, I'll be sure to punish you as well."

The master took the cloth in which he wiped the man's blood on and touched it on his index and middle finger of his right hand. As if he was drawing a painting, he took the two fingers and smeared them in the air, magically becoming visual symbols.

"Failure is not an option in which we can afford."

The symbols emitted a dark red glow.

"…And I don't believe in ghosts?" Yamato shrugged. He gulped once more hearing the grip on the strings of his of his yumi (1). The yellow aura faded into red, crimson red. With its demonic presence, Yamato moved back slightly.

The archer's eyes illuminated as a bright light shone through his eyes. He dropped his bow and gripped his head, screaming in agonizing pain. A moment passed and the man stared straight at Yamato, "Konbanwa (2)." He spoke with a deeper, monotone, and low pitched voice.

"Konbanwa," Yamato replied out of politeness.

"I believe you have sighted the rather famous ghost of Odaiba." The voice spoke through the archer.

Yamato dared not to answer as of yet. Yet, seeing how it was not too long ago that the man was screaming in pain, he decided to respond. "I honestly don't remember seeing one." He paused to shake his head and think of a reason why he was there. "I just moved to Odaiba and I wanted to see the moon and its reflection."

The voice chuckled. The archer's body approached Yamato with his body over his. "You just wanted to watch the moon?"

Yamato paused. Knowing that the archer seemed to be in terrible pain, Yamato was not going to take the chances. Yamato stood on top of the roof and dusted himself off, "As stupid as it sounds, yes."

The archer smiled. The voice laughed with its low pitched tone. "If you say so, kid. Listen, I have to warn you. If you do…ever…see that young girl, stay away from her."

"Stay… away?" Yamato dared to ask.

He chuckled. "Yes, boy, if you know what's good for you. If you don't…kid," He started to chuckle again, "you have no idea what you have gotten yourself involved in."

Yamato's eyes widened before a sudden darkness hit.

Yamato groaned. He rubbed his head trying to soothe it. He slowly opened one eye. The blurred image of Mimi quickly became clear. His eyes immediately shot open seeing the girl over him. He jumped back and in the process hit the back of his head with the bed rest. He groaned louder feeling the slight pain became more painful.

"Oh, dear!" Mimi exclaimed hovering close to the blonde. She stopped in front of him, cocked her head, and asked, "What happened to you?"

Yamato, still rubbing his head, opened one eye to Mimi then the other and sighed. "Don't worry about it." He groaned. Yamato looked around and recognized where he was: his bedroom. "How did I end up back home?"

Mimi cocked her head and smiled, "Don't worry about it."

She was making fun of him again and he knew it. He moved his body and allowed himself to lie down on his bed. "Was I out long?"

"Mm-mmm…" Mimi shook her head. "Not long." Yamato made a large sigh as a reply, making Mimi slightly worried. Yamato slowly closed his eyes and fluffed his pillow. He moved to his side causing his body to face one side. He closed his eyes in an attempt to fall asleep. She hovered herself next to him and pretended to lie down in bed next to him. She bent her arm as a nest and laid her head down in it, facing the blonde.

"Yamato…?" Mimi started.

Yamato raised his brow with his eyes still closed. "Hmmm?"

Mimi was quiet for a while before she asked, "are you mad at me?"

Yamato opened his eyes to Mimi. Looking at her worried face and honest eyes, he sighed again, "No, I'm not mad at you." He closed his eyes again.

Mimi smiled a bit. She knew he didn't want to get bombarded with information, but she felt he deserved the truth at least. "Yamato, those people…" she paused, giving him a chance to open his eyes, which he did, "they're after me. I don't know why or what I did, but that's all I know."

Yamato did not say a word.

"Yamato, please help me before they get me."

He sighed once more, but with a small smile. "I promised that I'll help you look for that guy. That's what I intend to do." He yawned before closing his eyes and snuggling up. "I don't break promises and I won't let other people break it."

Mimi made a genuine smile seeing Yamato speak so honestly. "Yamato, arigatou." She raised her hand and gently brushed his hair away from his face.

"Yamato," she whispered, "I'll make a promise to you too. No matter where you are, or how bad or hurt I am, I will protect you from the Hunters. That I can promise you."

She brushed his hair once more. She kissed him on the forehead to seal the deal. Yamato flinched a bit. "Hmm-mm…" Mimi frowned slightly at Yamato's sleeping form, knowing that the only reason why he flinched was because of her. There was no way he could ever develop the same feelings she was having for him.

"Oyasumi." She whispered before sleeping by his side.

Yamato's fingers moved rapidly left to right on the keyboard, pressing each character with such care. He frowned every time he has a dead end.

"Damn," he cursed biting his left thumb as his mouse scrolled the browsing window down. "I never thought about finding someone being so hard." He passed for minute. He typed for information regarding information about ghosts.

After browsing over several sources, he came across a reliable looking source. He double clicked and the document opened.

Ghosts are usually spirits or souls of a deceased being while remaining on Earth.

Yamato skimmed thought he article till he saw something he thought he have never thought was associated with the article. "Demons?"

Are you an accomplice of the demon child?

Yamato paused for a minute and thought, 'Did they mean Mimi?'

Yamato, please help me before they get me.

Yamato lowered his gaze from the monitor. He removed his hands from the keyboard and mouse and rested on the arm rests. He took a deep breath and exhaled. If he was going to help Mimi, he would have to be extremely careful.

"What are you looking at?"

Yamato jumped seeing Sora reading over his shoulder. He panicked and minimized the window to prevent her eyes from reading anymore. Sora raised her brows and moved her gaze towards Yamato and smiled.

"What were you reading just now?" Sora asked taking a seat next to his. "I don't usually see you here in the library."

"I'm not much of a reader," Yamato laughed. When he realized his mistake, he straightened his back and looked at Sora who looked back at him with confusion. He laughed in a fake manner, "I-I meant, I don't like letting people know what I'm reading."

Sora laughed a bit, "I know what you mean," she typed on the computer next to his, "sometimes I don't like others reading over my shoulders too. I didn't mean to. I was just curious."

"Ah-aa," Yamato choked, "I didn't mean it that way." He waved his hands again. "I was doing research for a friend." Sora stared back at Yamato. She must be interested. "She heard that this school has a better database than her's, so I'm doing her a favor."

Sora nodded slowly before turning to her monitor. She seemed to be swinging around a subject, "Does…this friend of yours…a girl, ne? Is she—"

"Iie!" Yamato quickly retorted. "She's a friend. Just a friend."

Sora nodded, but with a smile this time. "Oh, what are you looking for anyways?"

"Umm…" Yamato thought for a minute, "I'm looking for a previous owner of the house I live in. My friend lost contact with them…somewhat."

Sora suddenly swiveled towards Yamato. "Yamato-kun," she started. "I think I know someone who can help you."

Yamato looked up to Sora. She had her had extended out towards him. He thought about it. Then he extended his hand to her and firmly grasped it. As she pulled him away from the library, he felt something strange.

He felt nothing at all.

"Master," one walked into the room. The one known as master turned. The apprentice bowed before proceeding. "I did not mean to disturb your time, but you have beckoned me?"

"Yes, Casper," The master turned. He approached the man with his cape over his head. "You were present in the inauguration of our new appetencies, correct?"

"I did, master."

"Then I presume you saw what had happened to the axe man?"

The one called Casper swallowed. He took a deep breath before responding, "Yes, master."

"Do you believe that what I did was right, Casper? Was it right for me to have killed one of my men?"

"Honestly, sir," Casper gulped, "I do not know. I have not known the man too well to rightfully judge him."

The master stopped. Casper felt the man make a cold glare towards him. Suddenly the aura felt soft as he felt a smile under the hood.

"I like that response, son." The master laughed walking past Casper and towards a wine Glasson the table behind Casper. The master picked up the glass and drank part of its remains. He made a refreshing sigh and placed the glass down onto the table once more. "Casper," he started, "do you know why we want the girl gone?"

"Girl, master?"

"The ghost! The goddamn ghost. She is the reason why this world will emit to nothing. She will bring this whole world into destruction and eternal darkness."

"Master, when will this happen? The whole destruction and eternal darkness thing," Casper asked without trying to sound obnoxious.

"Believe it or not, it is when the full moon glows a bloody red. That is the first sign of its cycle."

"That's not too long from now, right, master?"

"Correct, Casper, which means she has to be eliminated now."

Yamato walked down the hall with a raised head. For once, maybe in his life, things were going well.

"Yamato-kun, I'd like you to meet Izumi Koushiro." Sora introduced him to the shorter red head. Though kid appeared lean, he also appeared to have the brains to back him off.

"Gokigen yo.(3)" Koushiro smiled bowing to Yamato while Yamato, out of respect, did the same.

Koushiro allowed them to enter his office. Yamato walked in looking at the room with amazement. Never had he known such a room existed in the school. It was filled with mountains of manuals, hardware, CPUs, disk drives, phillip screwdrivers, screws, the works! He watched the red head sit on his seat and continued to type furiously while keeping on track with multiple monitors. "Please, make yourselves comfortable. I will be done in a minute."

Sora glanced at Yamato who seemed to be eyeing everything in site. "Curious?"

"Who is this kid?"

"This is Izumi Koushiro. He is infamous in this school. He's in charge of the networking, security, basically anything that glows in this school. For his service, the school has given him a free tuition to this school."

"Good to know."

"Alrighty," Koushiro commented, finishing up then followed by an immediate tap of the ENTER button. He swiveled around his seat and faced the duo with a small smile. "What can I help you with?"

"Well," Yamato started, "Can you help me search for the previous owner of the house I live in."

"I guess I can do that," Koushiro thought for a minute, "I have a rate though."

"Aw, come on, Izumi-san." Sora cocked her head and smiled somewhat, "Can this be a favor for me? Ishida-kun needs this information pretty badly."

Koushiro puffed out a breath of laugh to serve as laughter. "I guess I could. I assume you could give me an address and I can compile you a list."

Yamato released his breath and smiled. "Arigatou."

"Let me warn you," Koushiro started, "there will be no guarantees. What you are asking me to do will take several days."

Yamato nodded.

Yamato opened his shoe locker and looked down to his watch. School had really flown by fast. One minute he is barely awake in class. The next he is finished for the day. He looked up and grabbed his sneakers from the cubby and landed them on the floor. Once he finished exchanging shoes, he placed the uniform shoes into the locker and closed it shut. He was about to continue his way out of the building, when something—someone rather—blocked his way.

"Oi, Ishida!" Yamato jumped back slightly seeing the brunette pop out of nowhere. "You're going home?"

"Mata ashita!(4)" Yamato waved not looking at the boy.

"Na na na, Ishida!" Taichi cheered following Yamato, much to his dismay. "We live near each other, ne? We can walk together."

"Yaay, lucky me." Yamato cheered sarcastically. Walking out the door with Taichi right behind him.

"Ishida, I've been wondering," Taichi started trying to stir up a conversation, "are you planning on joining my club?"

"The Ghost Hunt? No, thank you. I wouldn't want something so redundant and stupid."

"Stupid? Redundant?" Taichi repeated, "It's anything but stupid and redundant! There's gonna be action and adventure."

"Listen, I—" Yamato paused mid-sentence. He laughed silently to himself and smirked, "Hell, you know what? I'll join. If it's to learn more about ghosts, I'll join" He sighed looking off to a another direction. 'I can't believe I just said that.'

"That's great! One more person!" Taichi cheered. The two continued to walk side by side in silence till Taichi broke the silence once more. "Ne, Ishida, can I ask you a question?"

"You already asked me one."

"Listen, I've always wanted to ask," Taichi stopped in front of Yamato blocking his way. Yamato stopped immediately looking at Taichi with a raised brow.

"What is it, Yagami?"

For some strange odd reason, Yamato noted the change in Taichi's face. There was a slight smirk on the corner of his lips as his eyes met Yamato's. "Ishida, do you see strange things?" Before Yamato could respond, Taichi continued, "Like…ghosts perhaps?"

Yamato gulped loudly, obviously showing his fear. Yamato shook his head in denial. Before Taichi could question him, Yamato exclaimed, "I-I have work to do at home…alone. Mata ashita."

Taichi turned around as he saw Yamato run home. His smirk was still plastered on his face. He bit the corner of his mouth and nodded in approval. He laughed inwardly.

"Tadaima (5)!" Yamato exclaimed as he kicked his shoes off the front door.

"Okaeri(6)! Dinner is gonna be ready." Hiroaki yelled with a wooden spoon in his mouth.

"I'll just change," Yamato commented running up the stairs.

"Yama—AH!" Hiroaki burned himself. He looked at the place where his son once stood and gave a worried face. "Ah, damn, he might not be too happy about this."

Yamato trotted his feet up the stairs. When he came to the door, he heard ruffling noises inside. He pressed his ear near the door, hoping to amplify the sound. Still the same ruffling sound came through.

He removed his ear from the door and sighed, "Maybe Mimi's rummaging though my stuff again." He smirked at the idea of scaring her. Maybe once he does than she won't go through his things again. Yamato opened the door with a large raaahhh sound only to be surprised and confused himself.

There was Taichi, spinning around Yamato's swivel computer chair. When he took notice of Yamato's presence, Taichi abruptly stopped. He took his hand out and started to wave to the owner of the room. "Okaeri!"

Yamato walked into the room with his mouth slightly hung open and a confused, dazed look on his face. He tried so hard to say something, but nothing came out of his mouth.

"Yamato!" Hiroaki came right after his son. Judging by Yamato's face and Taichi's smile, he already knew what was going through his son's mind. "I'll go back to the kitchen now." With that said, he left.

Once his bedroom door was closed, Yamato turned back to the brunette and shot a glare, "What are you doing in my house, in my room no less?"

"I'm here to help!" Taichi jumped up to his feet with that goofy grin.

"Help?" Yamato raised his brow higher, "My dad is capable of making dinner, I think."

"Not your dad, silly." Taichi laughed.

Yamato was still confused as to what the brunette was trying to mean, but then his mind came to a conclusion. Yamato's eyes widened. "You don't mean—"

"Okaeri!" Mimi cheered as she swung herself into the room. She clapped emphasizing the brunette's presence. Mimi looked at Yamato and noted his confused face. "Ah! What is wrong, Yamato-kun?"

"Who is this?!" Yamato exclaimed making wild hand gestures towards Taichi.

"Eh?" Mimi turned towards Taichi, "Ah! This is Taichi! He is a ghost whisperer."

"A ghost whisperer?!"

"Un," Mimi nodded, "one who speaks or communicates with ghosts."

"I know what and who he is!" Yamato exclaimed. "I wanna know why he is—" Yamato stopped mid sentence. He released puffs of air and sat down on his bed. "You've gotta be kidding me." He looked up towards Mimi with saddened eyes, "You knew who he is?! Why didn't you tell me?"

"Fuunn…(7)" Mimi crossed her legs and hovered to a side, "You never asked."

Yamato looked at his ghostly counterpart with disbelief as his behind landed on his mattress. He crashed his back on the mattress as it bounced his body back. He covered his eyes in disbelief. "I can't believe this is happening."

"I know!" Mimi pounded her fist on the opposite palm, "we should have a welcome party!"

"Let's!" Taichi cheered.

"Let's not!" Yamato opposed not looking at the two.

"Aww, come on, Ishida. After all, I am helping you rest her soul here."

"That doesn't mean we have to party." Yamato reasoned sitting back up as Taichi sat down next to him as Mimi hovered in front of the boys. "Listen, Yagami, I appreciate the help but—"

"Chotto matte, (8)" Taichi smirked, catching Yamato off guard. "I never said my services are for free."

"Come again?" Yamato squinted his eyes.

"The only reason why I'm extending my services to you is because Ms. cutie-pa-tooty begged for my help." Taichi baby talked towards Mimi.

"Arigatou!" Mimi squealed putting her palms up to her cheeks to hide the shade of red quickly filling her cheeks.

"Yamato," Hiroaki opened the door, sticking only his head in, "is your friend staying for dinner?"

"No," Yamato quickly retorted while Taichi said the complete opposite. The two opposing sides looked at each other: one with a glare and the other with a confused look.

"Okay," Hiroaki closed the topic and the door. Things like this should be left alone.

Yamato sighed and stood in front of Taichi while Mimi moved towards the seat Yamato occupied not too long ago. "Get out." Yamato said curtly.

"Excuse me?"

"Leave!"

"We can trust him!" Mim retorted, "He helped me carry you home that one time you collapsed!"

"He what?!" Yamato asked with eyes wide.

"Shouldn't have said that…" Mimi whispered to herself.

"Relax, the girl was just trying to help you." Taichi brought out his palms to make a 'slow down' action.

"Don't tell me to relax!" Yamato yelled back. "For all I know, you might take advantage of the situation!"

"Same like you did about joining the club?" Taichi smirked at Yamato who took it back slightly. "Listen, Yamato, in life everything comes with a price. Nothing is for free."

Yamato looked at Taichi with a glare. Although he didn't want to back down in this argument, there was nothing he could say to make him win.

"Yamato-kun," Mimi whined, standing next to Yamato, "if you don't use his help, something bad will happen. Please, just do this for me."

Yamato eyed Taichi again. Taichi shrugged, "I only ask for one simple thing in return."

Yamato turned back to Mimi who literally gave him puppy dog eyes. He sighed, "What do you need?"

"Well, since you're already met Mimi," Taichi started standing, "you have to help…others."

"Define others." Yamato immediately said looking at Taichi with narrowed eyes.

"That I have to—what's a good word—'set free'." Taichi quoted trying to let Yamato fill in the empty spots.

"In other words, put their souls to rest like Mimi's."

Taichi took a moment to think about it. "Yeah, pretty much. You're so smart."

"Nah-uh." Yamato shook his head in disbelief. "You don't expect me to believe that there are more stupid ass spirits."

"Be careful what you say, Yamato-kun. There are 5 here already not including me." Mimi added causing Yamato to turn to her. "There are!"

Taichi shrugged, "I can't help it if they follow me."

Yamato looked side to side. He lost. There was no way out. He sighed, "Fine."

"Yaay!" Mimi cheered wrapping her arms around Yamato and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Dinner!" Hiroaki yelled.

"Coming!" Taichi yelled back.

"I said you're not joining me in dinner!"

Mimi laughed at the two arguing. She never felt so much warmth and hospitality in a long time. She smiled at the two. Her loving and thankful smile soon turned into a frown. If only good things lasted long.

(1) Japanese Bow (bow and arrow)
(2) Good evening.
(3) Nice to meet you
(4) See you tomorrow
(5) I'm home
(6) Welcome home
(7) Sound effect sort of along the lines of Hmmm and Well.

I do want this story to be good, but I don't plan on making this too long. This is probably going to be finished somewhere between 7 and 12. I tellin' you, I'm not making this long. Shameless plug: POLL (on userpage)!