Sorry that I've been away for awhile. School and such is my best excuse, but they do need to come first. So for this chapter, I decided to try something alittle bit different.
I wanted for the readers to have more of a certain feel when they read sections of this chapter. So I have a heading for sections of this chapter with a song that you play with the chapter. Optional, but I felt like it might make it interesting.
Now when you see a line breaking off the sentence like the one below this AN, that means to stop the song. I'm not going to do this in every chapter, just ones that I think need them. But let me know what you think:)
The warmth of the sun hitting his face, combine with his body surrounded by more heat than he could take, the little Takashi groggily woke with eyes feeling swollen, body warmer than a oven, minor, but throbbing ache in his hidden eye and drenched in sweat from his forehead, and around his neck; which soaked into his collar. Laying on his side, eye barely open, he pushes himself up from the bed and weakly pulls the covers off of him, welcoming the cool air that hit his exposed skin.
Taking a moment to wake up, he blinks a few to clear his blurred vision before he raises a clenched fist to his eye. He rubs it softly, in return, allowed him to look around the room curiously when his vision came to. Even though the room wasn't any different than it was before, he stared at everything in the room with a curious glint in his eye. It has only been a day since he awoke in this place. His natural thirst for knowledge that he didn't even know he had would take over common sense and fill him with so much nostalgia. It was odd, to be so curious of a hospital. But he knows nothing of a life before, so for him, everything is new; even if he has seen it before.
From the chatter of nurse, patients, and doctors from the hall.
The sound of an heart monitor.
To the strong scent of medicine and the cafeteria food that would fill his room and his senses.
By looking out the window, at the position of the sun and the color of its glow, he saw it must have been late in the afternoon. He sighed at this. As much as he wanted Kaien to come visit him, he knew that the man had to run a academy, which was a very difficult and demanding task. Even knowing this, he couldn't shake off this feeling of dread and disappointment. It was only natural to feel this way, of course.
Being alone and in pain, with no one to turn to. And to be so young at the same time...
Takashi continued to sit in the middle of the bed, staring at the doorway with a longing look on his face, hoping that suddenly he'd be surprised with Nurse-san or Kaien-sama. For what felt like hours, his gaze finally fell to the floor and his one good eye narrows. Despite wanting to get out of the bed and explore some more of the building, his legs nor his body didn't want to respond. His urge to move around was overshadowed by a achy pain that still wouldn't heal or ease up. His brain throbbed, as if a boxer took the organ, abused brutally, and placed it back in. And this confused him.
Just yesterday and this morning, he was able to walk and move around with no struggle. But now, it's like his muscles are tightening up the more he layed in his room, as if his body was punishing him for wanting to rest.
A cool breeze grazed the side of his bruised cheek, promoting him to takes his eyes off the white floor and to gaze at the clear blue sky that seemed to go as far as the eye could see. Feeling another cold, but comforting wind hit him, Takashi summons his courage and tries desperately to make his body move functionally. Takashi first tries to straighten his legs from the Indian-crossed position. A sharp, pained gasp escaped under his breath when he fully extends his legs and leaves them to dangle off the end.
"I-It hurts so much..." he hisses in his thoughts. "B-But I can't... I want to get up."
He kept repeating those words in his mind.
"I want to walk. I want to walk. I want to walk. I want to walk. I want to walk"
But when he plants his feet on the ground and stands, a burning sensation run up his legs, from his heel to his thigh. Takashi bit down his tongue hard, trying hard not to scream in agony. However, he took one tiny step, then another towards the open window. Each step hurt badly, but he found himself holding onto the window sill, using it as support so he can inch his way there. Takashi leaned his body forward into the wall, crossing his arm on top of the window sill and rested his head on them.
He didn't look at anything special. Mostly, what he saw outside was buildings that were sewn together. The building had a taste of Gothic architecture, they were artistically very beautiful. Sadly, he narrows his eye on some of the broken down homes that were covered with cracks and two by fours nailed to the shattered windows. His sights traced every person that he saw walking down the street, and he thought of what kind of person they could be. It was fascinating to imagine the number of things someone could be; they could be the fastest runner, despite being a little on the chunky side; someone could be the best fighter, even if they were small in stature.
Another gentle breeze caressed his face. And suddenly, he had that feel of nostalgia again. It was a feeling he couldn't control and he wanted so much to put it to rest.
Yet, his eyes were growing heavy and a yawn followed. He was beyond exhausted.
Takashi cocks his head on his folded arms and he dug a portion of his face into them. With the wind hitting him with more breeze, he felt his body become limp.
ソング Silent Hill 2 - Promise Reprise ソング
Just as he truly fell asleep, a soft, dismembered laughter of a child rung his ears. He gasps, jolting himself up straight and standing.
Then again, the laugh echoed like a voice in a highway tunnel.
For some reason, Takashi had the strongest feeling that someone's eyes were watching him. His body felt frozen in place. He couldn't even muster the courage for this sudden strike of fear. Takashi broke from it, when he caught out the corner of his left eye, golden brown strands of hair on a tiny head. He jumps a little and gasps, stepping away and backing into the wall as he stared at this intruder.
It was a boy.
The child appeared to be around six; the same age as Takashi. He wore a white sweater with a black vest over top and a charcoal ribbon tied around his neck. Both were worn under this unknown child's black frock coat. He wore black stockings, along with heeled boots with black lacing. Takashi's eyes narrowed as he tried to have a better look at his face. His jagged-layered, golden brown side-swept fringed bangs covered the boy's eyes, but he could see the frown his lips suddenly graced.
Even with his eyesight blocked, the royal attired boy slowly turns his head to him. A cold shiver ran down Takashi's spine as he could feel this boy glare directly at him. The child only stared at him for a few seconds, watching Takashi's trembling form, before he took a couple steps closer.
Finally, Takashi found his voice.
"W-Who... Who are you?"
The boy didn't respond, but he... suddenly smiled sadly. The child raised his left hand, taking his extended index finger and pointing it somewhere out the window.
Takashi's muscles relaxed as he was finding the strength to speak more.
"Do you... want me to see something?"
On those words, Takashi was shocked when the boy responded with a nod of his head. Wary, Takashi, finding feeling in his legs again, gingerly walked towards the window. The boy step back a few to give him room. Before he looks out the window, he stares back at the mysterious figure with a curious gaze. The child payed no heed to his stares, he only did the same thing over again: Pointing a tiny finger outside.
Takashi ignores this and says.
"Can you tell me your name?"
The boy continued his silent treatment, but he suddenly drew his pointing finger back, and he points at himself. Takashi raises an eyebrow in confusion, even more so when the child then points at Takashi. His confusion filling to the brim, he follows the same action; pointing a finger at himself and said.
"Me? What do you mean? I don't understand..."
Takashi tried to wrap his head around at what the boy meant to say. It wasn't easy to learn what he was by simple body motions. But for some reason, there was a familiar aura that came from him, almost like he knew him. Yet when he dug through his locked mind, nothing struck him that screamed he knew him. Maybe he did, maybe not. But there was one thing that was for certain: This boy wasn't just some normal child. His skin was pale, white as pearl, giving him a almost doll like, haunting appearance.
The boy shifted his pointing finger back to the open window.
Takashi glances at the boy first, then at the object of the mysterious child's wanting. Takashi placed his open hands on the window sill, leaning forward to stick his head out into the open air. He looked from downwards left to right, but he saw nothing... until his eyes met with someone who was standing in the streets of the city, alone. It was a tall man with messy, blenched blonde hair that covered a portion of his face.
The man had a amused smirk crossing his lips.
When Takashi turns back to ask the child what he was suppose to be looking at, he was gone? He was alone again in his room, but there was no sign of him ever being there or that he left. No creak of the door opening, nothing. However, the feeling of being watched didn't go away. Takashi turns his gaze to outside, and found the same man was still standing in the middle of the street with his hands in his pants pockets. He studies him from head to toe. He couldn't tell, but it seemed like the man was staring back at him behind his bangs.
Takashi narrows his eye as he studied him some more.
The man tilted his head to the right, allowing his bangs to shift along with him. And in doing so, his eyes became visible. Behind his hair, the man had notably sharp, piercing like gaze. His eyes were of a color he had never seen on someone: Bright, shining red. As the man and Takashi continued their staring contest, Takashi felt a shiver when the man grinned a ear to ear smile, and a pair of sharp fangs were exposed. Takashi gasps. Eyes widened, he quickly steps away from the window and walks back as far as he could.
He did so, till his back collided with what felt like another person. Takashi lets out a loud shriek, twisting around to have a look. Suddenly, comforting hands were placed firmly on his shoulders. Coming to his senses, his one eye met with hazel orbs that radiated kindness and warmth.
"Takashi, sweetheart, what's wrong!?"
Recognizing the voice of the auburn haired woman, Takashi runs himself into her, trembling as he wrapped his arms around her waist. The red-headed nurse could feel his body shaking like a leaf. The nurse tries to kneel to Takashi's height, but the boy had a tight, firm grip around her. Instead, she wraps one hand around his head and the other through his black hair.
"Sweetheart, what's the matter?" she asks warmly.
"T-There's a scary man outside my window...!" Takashi's breaking voice exclaims. "He was looking at me with a scary smile, and his eyes were red...! A-And he had vampire fangs!"
The red-head, heart swelling with worry and pity, walks towards the open window after Takashi released her from his embrace. She glances outside, but raises an eyebrow to see that the streets of the city were empty.
"Takashi, are you sure you saw someone?"
With those words, Takashi cautiously walked to the window. The nurse wraps her hand around his shoulder as he glanced out. Seeing that the streets were vacant, his heart beat slowed as his breathing calmed. He innocently looks up at the nurse and says.
"But I saw someone there, and there was a little boy in my room, too. He was-"
He is interrupted with a "shh", followed by the side of a finger pressed to his lips.
"It's all right, please don't work yourself up. No one's going to hurt you." She reassures. Hesitant, he nods sheepishly. The nurse smiles kindly and stands.
"Now then, I want you to come with me, Takashi. There's someone here to see you."
When those words escaped her, Takashi felt happiness wash over him, causing a giant smile to grace his lips and to forget that the odd incident ever happen. "Do you mean Kaien-sama!? He's here!? Is he!?"
The nurse couldn't help but bite back a laugh and from going into kawaii mode from the boy's enthusiasm. She places her hand behind the back of his head and begins to walk, leading him out the door. "You'll find out, dear." she chuckles. Takashi hides a pout face, turning his head away from her as they walked in the hallway. Leading him into the main lobby, Takashi's eyes met with a familiar headmaster, who was sitting at the end of a row of seats with a bag in one hand. Takashi's eyes and smile brighten, raising his one hand to wave with the other clasped to his chest.
Takashi wanted to shout his name, but he remembered to rules of using indoor voices. Kaien caught the little boy's wave from the corner of his eye, turning a head and returns the same with a kindly smile. Kaien pushes himself from his seat, and approaches the two. He sudden found himself glomped by the black-haired boy when he met with them.
ソング Yuki Kajiura - Scaena Felix ソング
Takashi, still hugging Kaien tightly, beams up at Kaien and exclaims. "I'm so happy you're here, Kaien-sama. I didn't think you would come." Kaien kneels to his height, smiling brightly as he smoothed the boy's head.
"Of course I did. I wouldn't forget to make time for you." Kaien says, causing Takashi's stomach to flutter. "And here, I have something for you."
Kaien hands Takashi a plastic bag with the name of the store written in blue and with big letters. As he was about to ask what it was, he looks inside the bag. Sitting at the bottom was perfectly folded clothes that smelled strongly of the new smell, and a pair of white tennis shoes on top of them. Takashi beams back up to Kaien and wraps his arms around the headmaster's neck.
"Thank you, Kaien-sama! Thank you, I love it." The boy nearly screams, but the nurse decides to make it a exception. Kaien couldn't help but chuckle softly as he patted the boy on the back.
"You're welcome, my boy. I thought you might like. And you know what," Takashi releases his hold around his neck and cocks his head curiously. "I thought you could use some time away from your room. Would you like to spend the day with me?"
Takashi didn't need to think twice from his sudden offer. His grin widened and his eyes brighten as he nodded his head furiously. "Yes! I would like that very much!" Takashi agrees very enthusiastically. The adults couldn't help but mentally coo when they saw the boy practically jump up and down from excitement.
"All right, then. Go get dress and I'll meet you here." Kaien smiled. Without hesitation, Takashi quickly nodded before he sped walk back to his room. As the red head watched his retreating form, she places a hand to her lips and uses it to muffle a laugh.
"I never seen him so happy. You truly are a amazing man, Cross-san."
Kaien stands back up and he shook his head to her with modesty with a gentle smile on his face. "I don't know about that. I'm only doing what any other man or woman would do."
"Nonsense," The nurse disagrees. "Ever since yesterday and this morning, I've been worried about his state of mind. I feared he would fall into depression from the accident, but you seem to be a very positive influence in his life right now. It makes me happy to see him make a hasty recovery."
"Why, thank you." Kaien says eyes closed with a smile. "I'm glad you think so."
"Well, it's the truth." she cheers. "Normally, I wouldn't allow strangers to take patients out, but I think it might be good for him. And also..."
ソング Yuki Kajiura - Conturbatio ソング
The happiness darkens from her face. Kaien notices this, which prompts him to ask. "Hm, also what?"
"Well... You see, I would like to ask you something, Cross-san."
"Of course, what is it? I notice that you seem troubled."
The red-head unglues her eyes from the floor and locks with Kaien's. "I hate to ask you this... but can you try to jog Takashi's memories somehow. Take him around land sites in town or the shops; anything that might help him remember."
Kaien was no doubt taken back by this out of the blue request. And a dangerous one at that. It has been clear that what happen to the poor child was cruel and torturous. For him, it was a advantage of losing his memory since the incident to Takashi never seem to have happen, besides obvious body memories. So why would she want him to remember? And now of all times, when Takashi is trying to heal; mentally and physically. "That's quite the request. Why ask this all of a sudden? Don't you think it's too soon?"
"... Maybe. But this morning, Takashi said somethings to me that got me a little curious. Another nurse and I went looking through past medical records to see if we could find a match."
Kaien's expression curious, yet stern. "And... did you find anything?"
"Well, no, not much. But we did find a file that interested us."
"I see. May I please see it?"
The red-head nods. "I thought you wouldn't ask. Wait here, I'll go get it."
Quietly shutting the door behind him, Takashi happily took off his scrubs before he poured out the contents of the bag. The clothes that Kaien got him, Takashi was thankful that Kaien was looking out for his interest at heart. He didn't like looking at his scars at all. Whenever he did, his insides would painfully twist. But luckily, Kaien got him a long-sleeved white shirt, a pair of dark blue pants, and a six-pair pack of long socks along with the pair of tennis shoes. Takashi quickly pulled off the tags of the shirt and pants before he puts them on.
Ripping open the pack, Takashi takes out a pair and slips them on both of his feet, admiring the warmth they give when he slides his foot the open ends. After which, he grabs the shoes next to him. As he was about to slip on the left shoe, he notice that it was already tied for him. Most likely, Kaien had done it ahead of time, which was lucky... since he shamefully didn't know how to tie his shoes.
After slipping on both shoes, Takashi stands, stepping on the ground a few to adjust his feet to the shoes. They were a one size too big, but it was the thought that counted. He didn't have to buy them for him, yet he did so anyways. The generosity that Kaien showed him was beyond human nature. He has done all this for him, yet they weren't even related by blood. With that thought in mind, Takashi felt his heart ache with guilt.
Each step towards the door, Takashi jumped to sudden realization. His body, it didn't ache anymore. It wasn't significant to him as he felt it ached to begin with because he was lazing around. He was laying around in bed for almost the whole day he's been in this hospital; the only time he ever left his bed, besides going to the roof, was to use the restroom. Nurse-san was like a overprotective mother. She panicked whenever a patient had a slight fever, whenever he wasn't hungry or thirsty, or when he spent too much time in the bathroom.
He didn't mind it, though.
She was a good woman. A stressed one, mind you, but a good one.
His current worries were wiped away from his excitement. He didn't hate being in the hospital, but he kept having that caged feeling settling in the pit of his stomach; it was a really bother. He couldn't wait to go into town. To be in more open spaces.
ソング Yuki Kajiura - Puella in Somnio ソング
"Here."
Kaien looked down curiously at the tan-brown folder that the red-head had extended to him. Carefully, he takes it from her, opening the file over his hand. He didn't see anything in particular within the sheets of paper besides a few interesting... and disturbing things. Strangely, everything was scratched out: The least interesting was a date and time of birth, but his or hers birth name, name of parents, hair and eye color were torn out by what looked like incessant scribbling of a pen. There was also a photo attached to the file by a paper clip. However, the photo was blanked out. The only thing that was remotely visible was the outline of whoever was in the picture.
It was almost as if someone was trying to hide the person that this file belonged to.
"I'm not sure if this file is Takashi's, but..." As the auburn spoke, Kaien could hear how unnerved she was by this in her voice. "But I can't find anything under his name. It's like he never existed. I thought I should show you this, of all people."
After Kaien shuts the folder, he gives a reassuring forced smile as he hands it back to her.
"Now I see," Kaien pushes his glasses back to his face before he continues. "Though I understand you mean well, we must give it time. Takashi has been through a terrible experience, but he was lucky enough to forget it. Until he can learn to handle it, I think it might be wise to wait before trying to make him remember."
Clutching the folder to her chest, the red-head's eyes fell to the floor.
"I know... but this just disturbs me so. How can he not have any records on his birth? He doesn't have any family to speak of... I just feel so sorry for him." she says melancholic.
"You're a very good woman. I don't think you're giving yourself enough credit." Kaien compliments.
"Huh?" Lifting her gaze from the floor and back at Kaien, she sheepishly says. "Oh no, I don't know about that. I'm only doing what I can."
"But still, you're a positive influence on him as well. I commend you for your hard work." With a faint blush on her cheeks, the auburn woman smiles.
"Nurse-san, how do I look?" Greeted by Takashi's unexpected voice, the auburn woman turns and was instantly memorized by the boy's simple, but adorable appearance. Even with his still sightly bruised cheeks, cuts on every random part of his facial features, and the medical eye patch over his black eye, she cooed simply by his small, innocent smile.
"Oh my, those look really good on you, Takashi."
Takashi clasps his hands to the front of his waist as his cheeks heated up. "Um... Thank you." he sheepishly says.
"So does everything fit you fine, Takashi? I didn't know your shoe size, so I went by my gut." said Kaien with a cheery smile. They were one size too big, but it wasn't something to make a big deal out of; he could grow into them as he gets older.
Takashi nods his head. "Oh, yes. It fits me just perfectly." he fibs.
"Ah, that's great. Are you ready?" Kaien asked, but he already knew his answer when Takashi walks to him and grasps his hand, looking up at the adult innocently with big expressive eyes.
"All right. I'll be back before sunset." Kaien informs the auburn woman, to which she replies with a nod.
"Sure, have fun, you two." she waves. Takashi turns to see her with his good visible eye, grinning as he waved a very small one as they headed out the door. Once they were out of sight, the woman's face was painted with a wan expression, letting a soft, exhausted sigh.
"Shit, my higher ups are going to give me hell for this..."
ソング Madoka Magica OST - Postmeridie ソング
Takashi couldn't hold in his nostalgia. Walking while holding onto the headmaster's hand, the young boy gazed upon the shops' windows in the district with amazed eyes as they walked along the street. With each window that they passed, wondrous and amazing things that he has never seen before amazed his sights. He saw home-made wooden chairs and other hand-crafted wooden structures that were done beautifully with distinctive carvings. They passed a bakery, and Takashi was absolutely star struck by how the cakes on display were made so realistically with their designs; one cake was the mad hater from the Alice in Wonderland books, another was a tall grandfather clock that was so well-done, it could have been the real thing.
As they turned the corner of the street, they met with a small group of people, surrounding a young woman playing on the acoustic guitar. She had her case to her guitar left open in front of her. When she started to play, a very beautiful voice soars from her, and those generous enough who enjoyed her song, dropped money into the case. Takashi never heard a song played so beautifully before. A perfect voice for perfect playing. The two stood with the crowd, and watched the guitarist continue to play.
Takashi's watched specifically how she moved her hand along the strings on the long neck of the instrument. She moved along it so gracefully, but it seemed like a hint of carefree into it. After the woman stopped playing, an applause was followed, which the two did as well. With the crow dispersing, a good majority threw in money into the case.
"Kaien-sama, do you think you can play that good?" Takashi asks as he beams up to the headmaster.
Kaien sweatdrops, smiling sheepishly as he and Takashi begin to walk down the street. "Playing a instrument was never my strong suit. I could never play as nice as that woman did."
"Really? You can't?"
Kaien felt a slight sting of embarrassment from admitting the fact. "Well, no. I think I'll stick to cooking."
Takashi tried to suppress a laugh, hovering his hand over his lips as he turned his head away from him.
As the two continue to wander the streets. Kaien suddenly felt Takashi stop abruptly.
"Hmm? Is something wrong, Takashi?"
Kaien looked down at the young lad, who had a sudden look of amazement on face as he looked into one of the shop windows. Kaien looked back at what Takashi gaze upon.
It was a music shop.
Within the window, it displayed a number of instruments. From strings, wind, to membranophones. But there was one instrument that Takashi had his eyes set on. Letting go of Kaien's hand and walking to the window, Takashi presses his face close to glass, eyes gazing upon what looked a lot like the woman's guitar, but it was much smaller. And sitting next to it was a long stick with white hair-like strings attached to it from the top to the end.
"Kaien-sama, what's this? It looks a lot like that girl's instrument."
Kaien chuckles before he says. "That's a violin, Takashi. It's much different than what she was playing."
"A violin?" Takashi ask as he curiously cocks his head.
"Yes. It's from the same family as the guitar, but it is played much differently. The violin produces sound by drawing a bow across one or more strings - which may be stopped by the fingers of the other hand to produce a full range of pitches- by plucking the strings, with either hand, or by a variety of other techniques."
Takashi turns back to the violin, a longing look crosses his face. When he looked at the strings of the violin, images seemed to flash and then disappear. Images of someone's - maybe his - hand, coordinating along the neck and moving the bow along the strings. He felt something unknown suddenly stir in. It was a familiar feel, but he couldn't think of why or how it was.
Suddenly, that feeling of being watched hit him again.
Takashi's eyes caught a figure in the reflection. His stomach twisted, he backs away from the window and grasps Kaien hand. Kaien could feel the boy's hand shaking.
"Takashi, what's wrong?"
But he didn't need for him to answer. Kaien himself could feel a strong presence, a very violent and dark aura, sweep across him. Turning his head towards the source of the presence, his eyes narrow on the blonde-headed man, who walked by nonchalantly. His eyes followed him, and behind the man's hair, his gazes lands hungrily on the two.
Even as the man seems to pay no attention to them, Kaien could see red flags waving crazy.
Kaien forces a smile to reassure the young lad, running a hand through his hair to soothe him. "Why don't we relax at the cafe?" Kaien asks. A smile graces Takashi's face as he nods, Kaien's very presence calming his nerves. However, as they walk away, Takashi could still feel someone's eyes on his back.