028. Promise
The gray speckled moon illuminated the dark city, casting unnatural shadows off the buildings. For once, the streets encompassed a sense of tranquility - the damp roads were clear and the faint aroma of sweet flowers from various gardens filled the air. A dark figure emerged from the shadows - a lean frame with lanky legs. Kei made his way through the familiar shortcuts, wary of the spotted puddles that lay in the dank alleys. He slowly headed towards Sho's luxurious apartment with his hands in his pockets. He kept trying to think of ways of how to tell the little girl that she would no longer see her father.
Having only seen his apartment once, he somehow remembered exactly how to get there. Hesitantly, Kei placed his fist against the wooden door and knocked gently. He replaced his hand back in his pocket as he patiently waited, slightly hunched as he swayed softly to a random rhythm of his feet. The clicking noise of the knob being turned was heard and Kei stood up a little bit so as to greet the person at the door.
A beautiful young woman with long raven hair and lean frame stood before him. Kei raised his hand to wave at her with a soft smile.
"Kei," she mentioned, looking at him.
"Hi, Mieko," he greeted the babysitter with a grin. She stepped aside to let him in. He brushed past her as she closed the door behind him. He only walked a few feet away from her before sighing softly to himself.
"I need you to keep your promise," Sho reminded, standing off on the other side of the area, his back facing Kei.
"What do you mean?" Kei asked, confused. "You're still alive."
"I can't be like this, the way I am, in front of my own daughter," Sho said, now realizing what Kei meant all of this time. He felt the change in him and it was far more evil than he ever imagined.
"I'm here to take care of Hana," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Sho asked me to come here…"
"Oh, is he running late again?" she asked, grabbing her coat from the rack nearby.
"You could say that," he said, not feeling this was the right time to tell her. He wasn't sure how to break the news that Sho would not be returning to claim his daughter from the babysitter, but was certain that since she was hired help, it wasn't really her concern. He reached deep into the side pocket of his pants and pulled out a wad of folded bills to see before handing it to her.
"Thank you," he mentioned politely. Mieko nodded her head as she placed the money inside her purse. Without a sound, she made her leave out the door. The door closed soundly behind her and that was Kei's cue to find Hana. He figured she must be in her bedroom, playing with toys or something that was keeping her occupied and quiet.
He strolled towards her bedroom, his footsteps leaving slight marks in the plush white carpet as he treaded. Remembering Sho's place rather well, he made his way to the child's room. The door was cracked and he raised his palm against it to open it fully. As he assumed, Hana was playing with her toys. The once ivory walls were plastered with posters of kitties and horses that she loved to make it hers. The perfume in the air was subtle but inviting. To Kei, it felt like home even though it wasn't really his. The smile that formed on Kei's face could not be helped as he entered her room.
"How could you do this to me?" Sho asked, looking at himself as if he didn't recognize himself anymore.
"Sho-"
"No, you should have let me die!" Sho said angrily. Kei looked at him stunned.
Kei approached Hana slowly as he bent down to her level, making sure not to startle her. The little girl, sporting fine raven pigtails, snapped her head quickly at his presence and beamed.
"Uncle Kei!" she exclaimed forcing herself from her kneeling position; her little feet stomped lightly as she threw her arms around his neck. He couldn't help but laugh at her innocence and enthusiasm. He gently placed his hand on her tiny back, accepting the embrace.
"Where's Daddy?" she asked the dreaded question that Kei was still trying to prepare in his mind.
"I'm just a shell now, my soul died when I turned," Sho said. He turned around, blood still stained on the front of his white shirt and arms where he had been wounded but now all had faded.
"I didn't want this," Sho held up his hands halfway. "I can't… I need you to take care of my daughter… please," he pleaded, feeling the sense of sorrow yet, for the first time, no tears formed in his piercing blue eyes. Kei sighed, realizing that his selfishness overcame him more than just letting his friend go. He owed him that much. Kei was better coped with who he was more than Sho could at this moment. Kei nodded, indicating that he would keep his word.
"Ah, Hana," Kei started, picking her up to hold her on his side so she was at his level when he stood up. He used this method as a type of distraction and then set her on her bed that was made with a fluffy white comforter. Hana looked at him intently and he knew he couldn't hold it out much longer. He sighed as he gazed upon her oval face and flawless beauty. His voice was caught in his throat and tried his best to release it as he gently stroked down the flying wisps of her hair.
"Hana, your daddy isn't coming," he managed to say. His eyes gazed down to her shoes and he helped her take them off. She wiggled her feet slightly as he did that, almost making it difficult for him to take them off.
"Is he working?" she asked, watching him slip her shoes off along with her little socks.
"Your daddy had to take care of some things so I'll be taking care of you for a while," he finally fibbed. He couldn't break this precious child's heart… not now.
She seemed to take that for now as she nodded. He helped her slip into some comfortable pajamas; her favorite kitten ones to be exact. Excitingly, she pulled the pajamas on and stared at the cuteness from her favorite animal. Kei chuckled lightly as he guided her back to her bed. She awkwardly pulled the fluffy comforter on her side and set her head on the soft pillow.
Kei couldn't help his newfound paternal instincts as he knelt beside her bed gently and stroked the top of her hair. The stroking helped her eyes to flutter close and breathe a sigh of content. After a moment, he stood up and carefully left the room, leaving the door open a bit.
"Where will you go?" Kei asked Sho curious.
"I don't know, not too far away," Sho answered, starting to distance himself from him. "I won't be seen, but I will check up on my little girl," he told him, assuring that he wasn't going to fully be away.
"You can live in my house, take care of Hana until she's old enough to take care of herself…" he trailed off, sadness washing over him and his heartbeat became faster as he realized how real this was. He balled up his fists as anger came over him. Being a parent was what he had left in his life and even that was taken away from him.
"Will I see you again?" Kei asked, fearful of the answer.
"No," Sho answered. He figured as much. Sho then started on his way towards the opposite end of the dark alleys as Kei let him go. He could keep his promise but he was going to miss his best friend terribly…
Kei sighed deep, the whole day weighing heavily on his mind. He felt guilty for not telling Hana but in his heart it wasn't the right time. Not only that, but he needed to tell her what he was, which he really wasn't looking forward to.
He made a path to the large window on the other side of the living room and could see the sparkling stars against the blanket of twilight. The city lights illuminated the surrounding areas as he gazed upon them, his eyes twinkling from the artificial lights as his hands were deep in his pockets in thought.
Outside, a familiar figure was against the ledge near that same window, his back against the wall as his head was pointed towards the skies. The white coated man with sandy hair that ended in small multiple braids was disheveled looking. His knees were up in front of him as he sat on the ledge, his arms wrapped around his legs to bring them closer to his body. The soft breeze blew on his disheartened face as he stared into the never-ending darkness…
He couldn't leave… not just yet…