Bam.

(that was my 11,000th word in this story. xD)

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Chapter Seven

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Shiki was almost beside herself with worry. She was alternating between standing on her tip toes to stooping and trying to peer through the crowds, all for the sight of Rhyme. If anything happens to her, I'll never forgive myself!

Ai had stumbled across Matoko just outside of the store, and she had gladly left the two to wander about the mall while she tried to find her young, naive friend. Darn it all. Rhyme would probably walk away with just about anyone! That girl needs a keeper, and I've failed her! She slumped against the glass outside of a Towa Records outlet, letting out a little anguished moan as she tried to think where the blonde might have gone.

Oh, if she had just lent the girl her cell phone, or held onto that thin little hand a little bit tighter-

Shiki buried her head in her hands, forcing herself to breathe normally and stop panicking. I know! I'll go up to the front and borrow the intercom-

Just then, it buzzed to life. "Would Yoshiya please come to the-"

There was a clatter over the speaker, than a woman hissed, "Joshua, if you don't get to the information desk in five minutes, I'm having you arrested."

The black-haired girl blinked in surprise. It can't be... Yoshiya from school? No. Never. He's so annoyingly perfect; I bet his parents worship him. She sighed again. I wish it was him. Maybe I could have gotten him to help me find Rhyme-but, then again, they don't seem to really get along.

On a sudden inspiration, Shiki pivoted and, pattering into the music shop, began to peer around the record cases for Rhyme. The other customers gave her mildly curious looks when they actually noticed her, but she was otherwise left alone to scour the store.

She's not here! was her final, worried conclusion. Shiki bit her lip and tried not to tear up as she started for the exit. Oh, Rhyme, please let me find you! In her haste, she almost didn't notice Neku on the other side of the store, flipping through rock CDs with his typical, faint scowl.

For a second, she started towards him, hoping for his help. Just as quickly, though, she gave up. He hates me, and he'd probably just chew me out for losing her. A little frustrated growl squeaked through her tight throat, but she swallowed and hurried out of the store.

The crowds had thickened, and now there were uniformed officers making their way through them, like guppies swimming through a school of goldfish. Shiki paused in the doorway, wondering if she could catch one of them for help.

"Excuse me," she called, reaching for one of the officers, only to be shrugged off. Again and again she tried, but they continued on their way, with her chasing the last halfway to the food court.

A hand suddenly descended on her shoulder. Seized with the thought of it being an officer she relaxed and turned neatly around. Upon seeing that it wasn't, she froze again.

"Something wrong?" Neku's scowl was deeper than before, but one eyebrow was lifted slightly, as though he was curious despite himself. The object of his scrutiny quavered like a jellyfish under his gaze for a moment.

"W-why did you follow me?"

"I noticed you chasing down those guards, and it didn't seem like something you'd do for fun. Was it?" His eyes were darkening again, seeming disgusted with his own actions.

"No!" She gritted her teeth, preparing herself for scorn to be piled on her. "I lost Rhyme."

"Oh, she's with Joshua. Don't worry about them. He'll behave."

With those amazing words, so carelessly spoken, Neku pivoted neatly and started back to the music store. But not before Shiki had carefully, if a little awkwardly, thrown her arms around his chest.

"Neku, thank you so much," she sobbed, tears of relief brimming from her eyes. Her savior froze, then growled, "Let go of me, you stalker."

Even as he was released, Neku was brushing off his clothes, as though she was some kind of mongrel who had jumped him in the street. "Sheesh," he muttered.

"I'm sorry, I'm just so relieved and thankful that she's-"

Snorting, he cut her off and started back to the music store; Shiki followed him out of habit. A few steps away, he glanced behind out of the corner of one narrowed smoky blue eye, which rolled with a kind of resignation when it landed on her. He didn't warn her off again, however, and they spent a few peaceful moments in the music store.

Flipping through the metal CDs with a kind of forced interest, Shiki tried to pay attention to her student, whose fingers buzzed across the cases like he could analyze the contents at the slightest touch. Suddenly, he froze, and flipped back a few CDs, pulling out a CAT album.

"I thought CAT just did graffiti and clothes," she noted, and Neku shook his head. "CAT does a lot of things. He - I mean, they - wrote all the songs in this album and composed the music, too. CAT's really what you might call a Jack of All Trades." A tiny smile of adoration flickered across his face, lighting it up like a candle.

"They must be rich."

The smile died. "You'd think so," he replied cryptically, placing the CD back in the stack. Shiki shifted her weight, then asked softly, "Aren't you going to buy it?"

"Eventually. I know where I can get it for a better price," he confided, almost reluctantly. Quickly he growled, "Just because I'm adopted doesn't mean I'm poor. My foster's a lawyer. So don't bother with your pity."

Shiki crossed her arms suddenly. "Well, excuse me for doing what any normal human being-"

"Hush, darling. You're causing a scene."

Yoshiya draped his arm across her shoulders, as if he had been standing there for a long time. "Neku's just a prick like that," he added, smirking at the orange-haired boy's scowl.

"You're one to talk," Neku snarled, pushing Yoshiya away from Shiki. "And where did you leave Rhyme?"

Far from seeming affronted by Neku's aggression, the rich teen looked pleased. "Really, now, you'd think I'd be so careless? I left her with Ai and... Matoko, is it? The monkey in a suit?"

"You know Matoko?" Shiki adjusted her glasses and blushed slightly as Yoshiya turned on his most charming smirk.

"I know lots of things, Ms. Misaki."

"Name five," Neku demanded, looking decidedly pissed.

"Matoko is 18, studying to be a stockbroker, failing in English, and so deep in the proverbial closet he's finding Christmas presents. Also, my dear little Neku loves your tutoring," he added, ducking out of the store before Neku could react properly.

"That bastard," The spiky-haired teen growled, turning away from Shiki and muttering more curses into the albums of music.

"Why do you stay friends if you hate him?"

"I don't hate him. But he can be a total jerk." Shiki found herself pinned like an insect to a board by his sharp gaze. "I don't see what you see in him."

What? She blinked, and adjusted her glasses. "Where did that come from?"

Neku shrugged, but his eyes sharpened with the casual movement. "I'm warning you; Joshua breaks everything he touches."

With that cryptic utterance, he abandoned her in the store, heading in the same direction as his pale haired friend.

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Safe at home once more, having texted for a ride from her mother at the cost of being grilled about Neku the entirety of the five minutes' drive home, Shiki was curled up in an easy chair in the living room, her legs tucked under her like a cat as she repaired a tear in her father's jeans.

Aoi was sitting across from her on the couch; Ririko nestled against him as they watched TV. Her father ruffled his blonde hair absently-Shiki had gotten her black hair from her grandmother-and sighed before glancing over to his daughter.

"How's it coming, Shiki?"

"Just fine, Dad," she muttered, her hands sewing almost by their own accord as she focused her mind and ears on the musical on TV. Something about an opera ghost. Who cares? The music is pretty.

'Your spirit and my voice, in one combined...'

Moments later, her phone buzzed on the coffee table next to her. She snatched it up quickly, waiting until it was safely in her grasp to look at the screen. The number wasn't one she recognized, so she laid the jeans aside and stole out of the room before flicking the phone open.

"Hello?"

"Ah, Shiki?"

"Yoshiya? How did you get my number?" A little flush of surprise crossed her cheeks.I don't know whether I feel complimented or scared.

"I have a friend who knows all the numbers." There was a faint, static chuckle. "No, Rhyme gave it to me."

"...Oh."

"I decided to call you myself and invite you to the lock-in that Mr. H. is hosting for me, Neku, and the Bitos. Since I knew your dear little student was too shy to call you himself, I took the liberty of it. It's this Friday. I assume you can come?"

Shiki tossed a glance to where her parents were lounging on the sofa. "...I'll have to ask my parents. I don't know what they'll say, though."

There was a scuffling sound on the other end of the line, then a reassuringly sane voice chuckled. "Hey, Shiki. Do you want to come?" It was Hanekoma.

"...I think so."

She could have sworn he smiled. "Good, then. We'd all love it if you came. Maybe... some more than others. Would you put your parents on?"

Wordlessly, she handed the phone over to her father first and retreated a safe distance, watching his reaction from the shadows of the hallway. Aoi's expression changed from mild surprise, to guarded curiosity, then at last he laughed. "I think I can answer for both of us and say that it's fine. Tomorrow evening, then."

Clicking the phone shut rather suddenly, he turned and beckoned Shiki to him. "Your mother and I are having coffee at WildKat's tomorrow."

"What's going on?" Ririko punched her husband lightly on the shoulder.

"Oh, an old collage friend of mine is letting Shiki and Neku and a couple other friends sleep in his store over the weekend."

Her mother beamed. "Well, if Neku's there, I'm sure our Shiki will be totally safe."

'Their Shiki' grimaced as Aoi patted her head condescendingly. "Oh, I'm sure she will be," he noted drily. With that business settled, the family returned to their evening activities.

Shiki's fingers were trembling, though, as she added the last few stitches. Offering to tutor Neku was the best idea I ever had. Not only am I going to get Eri back, it looks like I've made new friends on top of that.

Maybe even... Neku could be my friend.

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Bweeeeeeee