Eternity's Heir: Gomen for not updating sooner! School has been hectic.
Thanks to Rin for betaing this chapter!
Tsuzuki's flashback later on in the chapter is in normal POV.
I hope you all enjoy this chapter! Please review!
-Chapter Four: Curiosity killed the neko...well inu-
Angely i demony kruzhili nado mnoj
Razbivali ternii i zvyozdnye puti
Ne znaet schast'ya tol'ko tot,
Kto ego zova ponyat' ne smog...
Angels and demons were circling above me
Breaking the hardships and starry ways
The only one who doesn't know the happiness
is the one who couldn't understand his call
-Ghost in the Shell 1st GIG: Inner Univerise-
--Oriya's POV--
I'm sitting at one of the private dinning tables in the back of my restaurant. My eyes are fixated on the wooden table, though I'm not really staring at it.
Muraki's back. It's been almost a year of no word and...now he just shows up.
A sigh escapes my lips as I take a sip of my tea. I think back over the meeting in the garden. There was something there, the way Muraki was talking and acting.
He seemed so calm and actually smiled when he talked. He hugged me back when I hugged him. Almost like before...
The tea cup falls from my hand, breaking on the floor. I jump to my feet, eyes wide. Kura comes in, asking if I'm alright. I ignore her.
That's it! He was acting just like before the incident seven years ago. But...that's impossible right? How could IT be gone!
"Oriya?"
Muraki's voice brings me back to my senses. I blink, focusing on the male standing in the doorway. Kura must have cleaned up the mess I made, there's no sign of the broken cup on the floor. I take a sharp intake of breath, looking Muraki up and down. He's wearing a white yukata, custom made, that hugs him in all the right places might I add; his hair is falling over his face. Muraki's staring at me with a confused expression on his face. He seems so relaxed standing there, so innocent. I shake my head, clearing away my thoughts.
"Muraki."
I say with a nod, sitting back down. Kura has replaced the tea cup I broke with a full one. Muraki sits down across from me, still staring at me. After a few moments my eyes meet his.
"Is something the matter, Muraki?"
"I was just thinking." He begins hesitantly, as if carefully choosing his words; extremely strange for him. "Aren't you a tad curious what I've been doing this past year?"
I take a sip of my tea, turning my gaze to the window. He apparently gets the message that I'm not ready to talk about that. After a few moments of silence Kura comes back into the room with two steaming plates. She places the plates in front of each of us, bows, and then leaves. Muraki mutters a 'thank you' towards me before beginning to eat. Actually I think that it was all in my head. Since when does Muraki thank me for anything?
Seven years ago he would have done so. I think, as I pick up my chop sticks, starting on my meal. After a few bites, my gaze travels over to my eating companion. He's sitting up straight, eating with perfect mannerisms.
There's an almost regal atmosphere about him, isn't there? I blink, shaking my head. Damn it! Now I'm talking to myself. A sigh escapes my lips; Muraki looks up at me, questionably. Well, here goes nothing.
"What the hell have you been doing for the past year! Why are you so calm! It's almost like before you..." I trail off, NO! I told myself I would never bring up that subject in front of him! Whither he's my friend or not!
I look back up at Muraki, he's staring at me as if he wants me to continue.
"Are you done?"
He asks softly. I nod, turning away towards the window, food forgotten.
Muraki takes a sip of his tea, before beginning.
"I guess I should start with what happened to the demon, huh?"
I snap my gaze back to my silver haired companion. Muraki's smiling softly, visible eye gleaming with mirth.
"As you know, Tsuzuki-san causing a ruckus with the shikigami he summoned. It has the ability to kill shinigami, he planed on killing me and himself in on swing. Well, by some miracle of Kami..." Muraki flinches slightly, taking another sip of tea. "The fire from the shikigami purified me...I guess basically it exorcized the demon and..."
"Hold it!" I interrupt, slamming my hand on the table. "Even if the demon that had been possessing you for the last six years was exorcized, how the hell did you survive the fire that has the ability to kill a shinigami!"
At my mention of the demon, Muraki adverts his gaze down to his now cold food. Ah. The demon that possessed him. It was defiantly the most stupidest thing he's ever done.
Around seven or so years ago, just after he had graduated medial school, Muraki began to dabble in the occult. Nothing very dangerous, just simple things; until he found the book on demon summoning. Me and Ukyou tried to talk him out of it, telling him that it was extremely dangerous and such. But, Muraki wouldn't hear of it. He told us that he was just going to summon a imp, a low level demon. In truth that's all he did do. An extremely high level demon followed the path of the imp. In the end it ended up possessing Muraki. He still knew what was happening and as far as I know he remembers all of it. I only talked to actually talked to Muraki Kazutaka once during those seven years, he asked me to kill him. I refused, telling him he was insane. Only to find out a few moments later that he was possessed. There was nothing I could do, I never told Ukyou either. I figured that Muraki wouldn't want her to know what he'd become. So, why did I help the demon who was possessed his body cover up the murders? I figured that maybe if the demon finished whatever he was using Muraki's body for when he was finished he would leave. Yeah right!
He went though seven years of hell just because of my selfishness!
"Oriya?"
I blink, coming out of my thoughts. Muraki's staring at me, curiously. My eyes meet his, there clear of any signs of insanity or shadow. My high school friend is really sitting here in front of me.
"I'm sorry."
"Huh?"
I take a deep breath. "I'm sorry that you went though that hell. I didn't know what to do. I didn't tell Ukyou, I thought that you wouldn't want her to know. I..." My voice trails off, as he chuckles softly.
"You don't have to apologize. I wasn't expecting you to save me."
I blink at him before sighing, "I'm just happy that you're back to yourself."
"Yeah, I am too."
--Normal POV--
Oriya and Muraki are walking along the wooden decks towards the back garden of Kokakuro. They both had left their barely touched dinner on the table and decided to go somewhere else to talk, so the girls didn't hear them. Oriya suddenly stops walking a little ways behind Muraki. The silver haired doctor turns to face him.
"Oriya?"
The dark haired man blinks up at Muraki. "Prior to last year you couldn't die because of the demon that was possessing you, right?"
Muraki nods.
"Then if the fire exorcized the demon...how in the name of seven hells did you survive!"
Oriya yells, closing the distance between him and Muraki, glaring up at the slightly taller man.
Muraki stares down at Oriya, expression unreadable. A few moments pass, the silver haired man smiles softly as he moves to sit down on one of the small steps. He pulls out a pack of cigarettes, getting one out and lighting it. Muraki takes a drag before sighing and glancing over his shoulder at Oriya.
"Kazutaka-sama asked me to handle talking to you about this."
Oriya blinks down at his friend, worry slowly creeping into this expression.
"Don't worry. I'm not a demon or wondering sprit that is possessing your friend."
"T...then, what are you?"
Muraki takes a drag. "An angel."
The dark haired man stares down at Muraki, with a speechless expression on his face.
"Come. Sit. You wish to know how Kazutaka-sama survived the god's fire? I'll be glad to tell you."
Hesitantly Oriya sits down next to the silver haired doctor.
"Who are you?"
"Names are just titles, meaningless human rituals. You may still refer to me as 'Muraki' if you so desire to call me by a name."
Oriya raises an eyebrow, as Muraki puts out the cigarette.
"Well...?"
Muraki glances at the man beside him. Oriya gasps softly at the visible eye staring into his own. It was an icy blue color, arguably more startling then the normal silver.
"Yes, Oriya-san?"
Oriya regains his composure.
"If your not possessing Muraki then what are you doing here, talking to me? Why did you save him from that fire?"
A soft smiles forms on Muraki's lips.
"Hm...basically I'm the darker half of Kazutaka-sama's soul; sort of like and alternate personality."
Oriya blinks, that certainly wasn't what he thought the man was going to say.
"And...whoever said that I was the one who saved him from that god's fire?"
"I...ah..." Oriya stutters, "I just assumed that you were the one." He pauses, "You have my thanks for doing so."
Muraki burst out laughing. "He's my other half. I couldn't just let him die."
"Oh." The dark haired man mutters, turning towards the pond. "But...if he is your other half why didn't you save him from the demon that was possessing him!"
Muraki's eyes close, he turns away from Oriya. "I didn't even become aware of Kazutaka-sama until during that fire when he was on the verge of death. It was as if before that moment I was asleep, in a very long dream. That I had been dreaming for a long time." Muraki chuckles softly, "It's funny. Now I can't even remember what the dream was about."
Oriya stares at the man beside him.
He's definitly not Muraki but at the same time there's a familiar feeling I have about him. If what he says is true, then he shouldn't be leaving again right? But...why's he here in the first place?
"Muraki?"
The silver haired man turns his head.
"Why are you here?"
"Do you mean me or Kazutaka-sama?"
Oriya blinks, "K...Kazutaka."
"Kazutaka-sama thought that it was time he come and tell you that he was alive and to ask you if you were going to Anna-chan's funeral."
"Oh. Well then how thoughtfully of him it's only been a..." Oriya trails off as his eyes grow wide. "Excuse me!"
Muraki stares at his companion, confusion written all over his face.
"A...A...Anna-chan? As in Saki's younger sister, Anna-chan!"
The silver haired doctor nods slowly.
"When did she die!"
"You didn't' know she was dead?"
Oriya jumps to his feet and begins pacing in front of Muraki. "No! I didn't know that she had died! When? How Long?"
"About two days ago. She was murdered."
At the word 'murdered' Oriya stops pacing, and turns towards Muraki. "How do you...?"
"Ukoyu-san left a message on Kazutaka-sama's answering machine at the house in Tokyo. Immediately afterwards he wanted to come see you. I obliged by teleporting us here."
A sigh escapes from the owner of Kokakuro's lips. "Where's the funeral?"
"Nagasaki. We are planning to head there tomorrow. The ceremony is two days from now in the afternoon at a large church; I don't recall the name of it at the moment."
"I can't go."
Muraki blinks, head tilting to the side.
"I have a large number of political people coming early evening on that day. I'm sorry but please tell him I can't come."
"I will." Muraki says, standing up and turning to head back inside. "I think Kazutaka-sama will still want to go. So we will be leaving tomorrow morning." he pauses. "I'm sorry Oriya-san, for having to be the barer of such horrible news."
"It's alright. Well...I mean it's not alright but..."
Muraki glances over his shoulder at Oriya, smiling softly. "Good night Oriya-san." He walks over to the sliding wooden door, opening it.
"Please."
The silver haired man pauses, turning back to his friend.
"Please. Give me a name to call you by. You must have had one at some point in time."
Muraki sighs, "Persistent aren't we?" he asks softly as his icy-blue eyes meet Oriya's dark brown ones. "Fine then. Long ago, when I had a body of my own, in the beginning of all of this, my name was..."
--Tsuzuki's POV, Two day's later--
I'm not sure how long I've been walking; I'm just letting my feet carry me wherever they feel like. I have been thinking about Hisoka and the case, okay mostly Hisoka but still...
Anyway, I've been getting worried about him; ever since that dream a week ago he's been really tired and staring off into space more often...not to mention the fainting. I stop walking at the bottom of a set of stairs; I look up to find that I'm standing outside the church where Muraki and I first met. I can hear faint music coming out of the building. Part of my mind is telling me to head back to the hotel but the other half is telling me to go inside the church. Well my curious side wins and I begin to walk up the steps. As I walk through the foyer of the church, the music get louder, I can tell that it is from an organ. I walk into the sanctuary and start down the isle. I stop as I see a figure kneeling down in front of the large cross. The sun light from the setting sun is coming through the stained glass windows casting a multi color wave on the figure's white coat. The man's silver hair is shinning like a halo around his head.
Muraki!
I quickly turn around, to make my way out of the sanctuary but trip on the rug. I pray that he didn't notice, I slowly move to stand up but pause as I hear a voice from behind me.
"Tsuzuki-san?"
I groan inwardly, Damnit!
"Curiosity killed the inu!" I hear a voice that sounds remarkably like Ayasia retort in my head. As I hear footsteps behind me, I try get to my feet, turning towards Muraki. He stops and we stare at each other for a long moment.
"I've wanted to see you, Tsuzuki-san."
I take a deep breath, "I'm sure you have and that whatever you're planning has something to do with me and my 'perfect body', ne?"
The silver haired man blinks at me with an almost hurt expression on his face.
"Iya, Tsuzuki-san. I'm not planning anything." He says softly, turning around and heading back towards the front of the church.
What the hell was that!
I stare at Muraki's back as he reaches into the front pew and picks up a dozen of white tulips bound by a black ribbon. He turns back to face me, the sunlight reflecting off of his glasses.
"Tsuzuki-san?"
"Nani?"
I ask after a short hesitation.
"Do you mind helping me? I have another set of flowers up here and would be delighted if you would help me with them."
I stare at the man in front of me, he has to be insane. Now I know that he really is insane, after all he drove me to the brink of insanity...Now he's asking me to help him carry flowers...jeez! I turn to leave but stop, before I can even take two steps. I can't deny that I'm a little curious about why he has flowers or what he's doing in a church demo...Damnit! I turn around and slowly walk towards the front of the church; I reach down and pick up the other bundle. More tulips. I notice absently as Muraki motions for me to follow him out a side door of the church. As we walk in silence, a fuda clutched in my right hand, I try and ignore the Ayasia-like voice in my head, "Curiosity killed the inu."
-----------
After walking for what seemed like forever, it was probably like a minute or two but you try walking down a hall with the guy who killed your partner/lover and almost succeeded in getting you to commit suicide (again) just a little under a year ago; then tell me if you think it's a short walk, all right? Anyway, as Muraki walked through the door leading outside he glanced over his shoulder at me.
"I presume your wondering what I'm doing, ne Tsuzuki-san?"
I glare at the silver haired man, "Oh hai! I'm so curious!" I mutter in a sarcastic tone. I turn my head away from him, noticing that we are standing in a graveyard.
Muraki's gaze lingers on me for a moment before he turns around and continues walking down the aisle. I glare again at his back before following him, albeit two or three paces behind. After a few more minutes Muraki stops walking and turns to a gravesite. The smell of freshly burned incense lingers in the air; a few of the sticks are still burning lightly. Again the fading sunlight catches the silver haired man's hair, casting a glow around his head.
Muraki bends down, laying the bundle of flowers on top of the gravesite. From the looks of the condition of the other flowers, it seems that this particular site is fairly recent.
---------
A younger version of Tsuzuki is running through a patch of woods, a smile on his face. He is carrying a handful of colorful wildflowers in his right hand. He runs up to an old wooden door, pushing it open. The house in which this door serves as entrance to is old looking with vines growing over most of the front of the building. The house is made of wood, some of which looks as if its rotting. A small garden lays off to the side of the door. As Tsuzuki walks into the house, he looks around. The interior of the house is very small, and sparse of furniture. A short hallway, leads down to another door. Tsuzuki walks down before mentioned hallway, smile still gracing his features.
"Nee-san?"
He calls out, pushing open the door at the end of the hall. At no answer to his call, his smile fades slightly. Tsuzuki walks into the room, staring at the single bed. There is a figure in it, covered with blankets. Only thing actually visible is the figure long brown hair, which is cascading down off the bed.
"Nee-san?"
He calls out again. Still no answer.
"Nee-san!"
Tsuzuki calls out a little louder, walking towards the bed.
"Nee-san!" he yells out, shaking the figure. Tsuzuki pulls back the covers slightly, only to reveal a naked upper torso of a woman. The female's eyes are closed, her dark down hair falling over her face. Tsuzuki backs away from the bed, the flowers falling from his grasp. He stares at the body, eyes wide.
"R...Ruka?"
Tsuzuki asks softly as a light shaking takes over his body. He stumbles closer, falling onto his knees beside the bed.
"Ruka!"
He stares at the face of the female, slowly his face becomes an emotionless mask, and his eyes grow dull and glazed. After what seems like an eternity of silence, the brunette folds his hands into fists. Anger reveals it self in his eyes, like a burning flame.
"RUKA!"
He yells out as a black glow surrounds his body.
--------
"...please lay those down here."
I blink, my gaze travels over to Muraki who is kneeling in front of the grave. His eyes are closed, head bowed in prayer. The sun has set completely, leaving a dark sky above our heads. I shake my head, trying to get rid of the images of my memory.
"Tsuzuki-san?"
I jump at the sound of my name, staring wide eyed at the silver haired man in front of me.
"Daijoubu desu ka?"
Muraki asks as he stands and takes the flowers out of my hands.
I stare at him, and he stares back. I think were both looking for answers to something though neither knows what we're searching for. I know it sounds insane but...it's just a feeling.
"This girl..."
I tilt my head to the side as he breaks our staring contest.
"Nani?"
Muraki turns towards the gravesite, "This girl was my sister."
I stare at him, "Oh. Gomen nans..." I pause, my eyes grow wide. "NANI! You had a sister!"
"Tsuzuki-san."
He says softly, glancing at me. "Forgive me, she's was my step-sister." he then turns back to the grave, a look of pure hatred crosses his face but vanishes just as quick as it came. "Saki's younger sister."
At the mention of Muraki's step brother, a shudder passes through me.
Even though this guy is a murder and has committed unspeakable crimes, I can't help but feel a tad sorry for him.
After all, he lost a sister...just as I did.
Before I can think, I kneel in front of the grave, bowing my head in silent prayer. I can feel Muraki's confused gaze on me, but try and ignore it. After a long moment of silence I feel his hand, grasp mine. I turn towards him and we stare at each other.
"Anna and I were close, especially after Saki died. Then I went off to Med-school and we grew apart. When I heard of her death, I couldn't not come and pay my respects." he pauses, his hand letting mine go. "But who knew that I would run into you off all people, Tsuzuki-san." Muraki glances at me before standing, taking a cigarette out of his pocket and lighting it.
A small smile graces my lips, "Well, you're just full of secrets aren't you Muraki."
The silver haired man chuckles, glancing at me, "Secrets can come from unexpected places or people, Tsuzuki-san." he pauses, turning his gaze towards the full moon. "They may even be also closer then you think."
As these words reach my ears, a surge of hatred and anger run though me. I close my eyes and bite my lip, trying to suppress it.
This can not happen! Not again!
I yell at myself. After a few minutes the feelings die down, I open my eyes to find myself alone in the graveyard. I shake my head, trying to dislodge any left over feelings and memories. I hear someone calling my name in the distance. I stand, turning towards the sound to find Hisoka, Ayasia, and Yuki running towards me. I smile softly.
"Oi." I say with a wave.
The three stop in front of me.
"Baka!" Hisoka yells as I cringe, I realize that my head hurts a little. The blonde in front of me takes a few deep breaths.
"Daijoubu desu ka?"
I nod, dusting off my coat. "Yeah. Why?"
Ayasia step forward, placing a hand on Hisoka's shoulder. "It was getting late so we decided to come and look for you. As we were walking Hisoka-kun started muttering something about moon and sakuras. After me and Ani-chan got him calmed down enough, the only thing he said was 'Muraki'."
As Ayasia says this, me and Hisoka both shudder.
"Then, he took off running here. Me and Ani-chan followed." the scarlet haired girl says, motioning towards herself and Yuki.
"Oh...well...I just wanted to take a walk." I put on a fake smile, staring at Hisoka and Ayasia, though I'm pretty sure that neither of them believes me. I open my mouth to speak but am interrupted by Yuki.
"Holy Shit!"
The before mentioned blonde yells out in English, though I don't really know the language, I can still tell by the sound of her voice that something is wrong. The three of us turn to her, to find that she is keeling in front of the gravesite that me and Muraki were staring at.
"Nani?"
Ayasia asks, walking up behind the blonde haired girl.
"This is the gravesite for the most recent victim of the Shoushi case."
We are all silent for a few moments before a gasp escape my lips.
The others turn to me, "Nani?" Hisoka asks softly, touching my arm.
A light tremor begins to take over my body as I remember the conversation between myself and Muraki just minutes prior.
"Oh...ah...it's nothing." I mutter, turning away from the group, walking towards the exit of the graveyard. I decided that I needed to get away from that place, too many memories, too many questions. As I reach the arch leading out of the graveyard, I glance over my shoulder and sure enough the others are following me. I sigh, remembering what Muraki had said...
Why does that affect me so?
I shake my head, trying to clear out my thoughts and reinforce my mental shields before Hisoka gets too close to me.
I really need a drink.
-----Three days later-----
--Hisoka's POV--
You know, when I think back to how Tsuzuki ever got me on this Ferris wheel in the first place I almost laugh. Almost. I'm still not really sure what we're doing on a ride in one of Japan's most famous amusement parks, but we're here. All I really remember is that Tsuzuki came in this morning all happy saying something about the case and an amusement park. Ayasia later told me that Tsuzuki somehow found out that the most recent victim, Shindou Anna, was last seen at Tokyo Disney Land and that Tatsumi and Kachou agreed that we should check it out seeing as some of the other victims were last seen here as well. So here we are me and Tsuzuki sitting on the Ferris wheel, watching the sunset together, while he munches on some sweet substance, I believe the sales man called it 'cotton candy'. I haven't seen Ayasia or Yuki since we split up early this morning.
Tsuzuki and I haven't found anything relative to the case yet; except that Shindou-san was last seen on this Ferris wheel. Tsuzuki said that maybe we should ride on it and see if I could pick up anything. I take a deep breath, turning towards the brunette. He's looking out towards the ocean, a distant expression on his face. The mostly eaten cotton candy is hanging limply in his hand. I slowly use my empathy to see if I can figure out what he's thinking about. His mental shields are very low; I begin to push my way into his mind, bracing myself for what I might find.
I hate him with all of my heart but I can't help but feel sad. After all, he lost his sister just as I did...It's my fault...It's my fault...
"Tsuzuki?"
As I call out his name, he stiffens. Tsuzuki slowly turns around facing me, the dimming sunlight making him look a lot older then he really is. He stares at me and I stare at him, our eyes locked.
"Why didn't you tell me that you and Muraki met?"
I ask softly, placing a hand on his shoulder. His emotions slam into mine full force, I still don't let go.
"I didn't want you to worry and Anna...then R..Ruka--"
Tears begin to fall down his face; he buries his face in my chest, his candy falling to the floor. Tsuzuki curls up into a fetal position, his head in my lap. I slowly run my hand through his hair.
"It's not your fault. You don't have to explain."
I mutter, placing a small kiss on his head. I already know why he's crying, it will probably cause him even more pain if he has to say it out loud. We stay in this position for a good five minutes before Tsuzuki's sobs die away. When it comes time for us to get off the ride, I help Tsuzuki stand and we walk down the ramp, ignoring the stares we are getting from people. As we walk towards the designated meeting place Tsuzuki begins to put on his mask, smiling warmly. When we get in range of Ayasia and Yuki they are hugging, before I can comment on this Tsuzuki grabs me and drags me into a nearby tree.
"What are you doing?"
The brunette places a finger of his lips, "Shh. I think we should give them a few moments."
My eyes narrow, "You mean you want to spy on them?"
Tsuzuki is silent for a few moments before puppy ears sprout from his head, a large smile gracing his features. "Whatever gave you that idea?" He says with a chuckle before turning his attention back to the two girls.
I snort, pulling out the park pamphlet. Oi, it's something to read while he spies on our co-workers. I glance at Tsuzuki, partly annoyed by the giddiness radiating off him. "Curiosity killed the inu."
--------------
--Ayasia's POV--
Me and Ani-chan have spent the entire day walking around this accursed park trying to find out anything related to the case. Have we found anything? Hell No! I take a sip of my milkshake; at least I think that's what Ani-chan called it. I don't really understand humans, and judging from what I've seen today I don't think I ever will.
"Do you think we should go look for them?"
I glance at Ani, she's eating an ice cream cone, staring out towards the sea. Her blonde hair is being blown softly by the wind. I can't help but stare at her, even though I will never understand humans who am I to say that they are not beautiful creatures. I chuckle to myself, and they say we are beautiful...?
"Ayasia-san?"
I blink, my eyes focusing on Ani.
"Yeah?" I ask nervously.
She stands back up straight, turning fully towards me. Her blue eyes are filled with confusion.
"You've been staring at me for almost five minutes."
The milkshake falls from my hands, "Oh! I...uh...gomen." I mutter, blushing lightly.
Ani smirks softly, turning back towards the sea. I let out a sigh, silently thanking Ani that she didn't push the issue. I frown at my ruined milkshake lying on the ground. It really was pretty good, now I see why Tsuzuki-sama likes mortal sweets so much. After I'm done scowling down at the ruined sweet I turn my gaze back towards the sunset, well the sun has actually already set but still...
We stand there in silence, I'm beginning to think that Tsuzuki-sama and Hisoka-kun got lost, or that's what they'll say anyway. I shudder at the images that run through my head, and tenshi are supposed to be pure? Yeah right.
"Ayasia-san?"
I blink out of my stupor.
"Hm?"
Ani is quiet for a moment before turning her gaze from the water to the moon.
"Do...do you believe in angels?"
I stand up, blinking at her. I wonder if my face shows as much confusion as I'm feeling right now, probably.
"Yeah." I mutter, moving so I am sitting on top of the railing. "Why do you want to know?"
A light blush passes over her face. "I was just curious." she pauses, turning so that her back is leaning against the railing. "I've met one before."
"Really?"
I ask, my curiosity coming through in my voice.
Ani nods, "Yeah. When I was a little girl I met an angel. He was around my age, maybe a little older. He told me that he had gotten lost while trying to find a really good friend of his. We played together a lot, after a few weeks of this my birthday came around; I wanted to know if he could spend the night at my house. Well doing what all little girls would do, I asked my mom about it." she pauses, taking a deep breath.
"And?"
The blonde runs a hand through her hair, "Well my mom told me that there had never been a boy who I played with in the park, or anywhere for that matter. She told me that he was an imaginary friend. Well obviously being eight at the time I didn't really understand what she told me when she said I should forget about him. For almost a year afterwards I looked for him, I searched but never found him. Eventually I kind of forgot about him, I pushed the memories into the back of my mind. High school came and then I went off to college. During my third year I was up late working on a paper. I must have fallen asleep because someone was calling my name, when I opened my eyes he was standing there. Though he had grown; I freaked out thinking at first that maybe he was a stalker or something." Yuki takes another deep breath.
"After many long minutes of yelling at him, it was a really good thing that most of my dorm building was at the soccer game because I was yelling pretty loud. Anyway he got me settled down enough that I remember who he was, I apologized to him. When I asked him what he had been doing he didn't answer, in fact he wouldn't answer any of my questions. He told me that it was safer that I didn't know and that he was going to have to go away for a little while but he promised me that he would come back; And when he did he would explain everything. After saying this he vanished; when my roommate came back early next morning she found me sitting in the window seal over looking the ocean. I was asleep, after she woke me and I stood up a dark blue feather fell out of my lap. She asked me what it was about, I never answered her. I just told her that I needed sleep, she was tired as well. We both went to bed, neither of us woke up."
Ani pauses again, visibly holding back tears.
I reach over, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"It's alright. That's when you died?"
She nods, "Yes. The building caught on fire, seven people died, including me and my roommate." Tears begin to fall down her face.
After a moment I jump down off the railing, pulling her into a hug. She cries into my shoulder.
"May I ask one thing?"
A nod.
"What was the angel's name?"
Ani's crying ceases for a moment, "His name was Ryou."
I freeze, my body stiffens. Apparently Ani notices this because she backs away from me, calling my name.
"R...Ryou?"
I mutter, shaking. I begin to feel Tsuzuki-sama's and Hisoka-kun's presence, they are coming towards us.
"Aya-chan?"
I hear Tsuzuki-sama ask softly, I blink, turning towards the brunette.
"Yeah?" I mutter shaking my head, before he can even open his mouth I step away. "I'm fine. Me and Ani-chan were just having a little talk." I glance at the before mentioned blonde, to find that Hisoka-kun is standing next to her, both are looking at me worriedly. Well, okay Ani is; Hisoka is just staring blankly at me, trying to see past my shields. I smile softly at the others, before turning and walking towards the exit of the park. "Well, I'm tired. Let's all head back to the hotel then talk about what we found out tomorrow over breakfast, ne?"
I can tell the others are worried, mainly Tsuzuki-sama, since he's always known me to be calm and composed, most of the time. Anyway none of them object to the idea of sleeping so we all head back to the hotel. Even an hour later as I get into the hotel bed, I know that I'm not going to get much sleep tonight. I stare at the ceiling for awhile before glancing at the blonde beside me. Ani-chan's head is just visible above the covers, I stare at her. She said his name...I'm sure of it. But how? Was it really him? My gaze travels up to the glowing moon. "Was it really you? Ryou? Have you finally returned?" I mutter as a tear falls down, landing on the pillow. I silently cry myself into a nightmare filled sleep.
-End Chapter 4-
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Eternity's Heir