Darkness. All I could see was darkness. Was I dead? Did I loose too much blood? Did the hunters decide to do away with me? No… I can't be dead. If I was, wouldn't I be greeted with a bright golden light or something like that? 'Maybe… if I opened my eyes…'

"… where… where am I? Is this…"

I slowly looked around as my vision slowly became less blurry, and as I took in my surroundings... a part of me wished that I hadn't.

"…HELL!?"

I shrieked as I quickly sat upright, realizing that I was surrounded by coffins. Not to mention the fact that I was actually INone. I winced with a sharp cry as I sat up, pain coursing through every inch of my side. It was then that I remembered the day previous… what had happened with hunters… how one of them had shot me with an arrow. 'Did someone think me to be dead? Is that why I am in a coffin?'

"…"

My eyes flickered to a dull grey just at the thought of it. Just because I was different… and there it was again. Yet another 'unique' trait that I carried. My eye color changed with my mood, just like a mood ring. That also made it difficult to pass as a normal girl when out in public. Not only did I have to keep my tail hidden and my ears covered, but I also had to keep my emotions as mellow as possible. I sighed and shook my head, then I hesitantly looked down to see the wound. It had been re-bandaged. My eyes widened as I suddenly realized what I was wearing. A simple black cloth had been wrapped around my chest, along with a small black skirt to match. Someone had tended to me. I wasn't dead after all! But then… why was I in a coffin? Is this a morgue?

"Aheheheheh… so then, you're finally awake I see."

I nearly jumped out of my skin upon hearing such a voice. Raspy and full of what seemed to be amusement, it echoed around the dimly lit room. Panic suddenly rose up within me as I realized my tail as well as my ears were exposed! I would be found out! Or what if he was one of the hunters!? I quickly tried to climb out of the coffin but it was of no use. The pain was too much, and I couldn't even bring myself to roll over. I mewled in utter terror, but soon something stopped my massive panic attack. A hand to be exact. One with long, black fingernails had rested itself calmingly upon my cheek.

"Now now, we'll be having none of that. You don't want to get your self all worked up now, do you? That wound of yours might just open up again and then all of me hard work would have been for nothing! Aehehe…"

Did I dare look? Slowly I turned my head upwards to meet the person behind the voice and I had to say I was… shocked. There, towering above me, was a tall man with long silvery hair, partially in braids while the rest dangled freely. He also wore a black hat with a long black ribbon that dangled just below his hair length, and his bangs were covering his eyes so I couldn't see what color they were. He also had a long black robe with a few 'decorations' such as what appeared to be beads and silver buttons. I was also slightly taken aback to see numerous scars. One was stitched clear across and around his neck, and it seemingly led up his face and above the bridge of his nose. 'Where did he acquire those…?'

"Elloooo~~? Is anybody home in there~~?"

He cackled to himself as he waved a hand in front of my face with his sleeves dangling. They were far too long in my opinion, but who was I to judge? I quickly shook my head and regained my focus.

"O-oh! I-I… um… yes… sorry. You just scared me. I… I thought you were one of the hunters… you're not one of them, are you…?"

I tucked my tail and looked to the side, my ears laying back as I feared the answer that was to come.

"Hunters? Hmmmmm… is that how you came to be in such a state?"

He seemed to ponder this over for a moment, tapping his chin with his finger.

"Well! I am no hunter I can assure you of that, luv. Aheheehheheheh…"

He gave what seemed to be a mock bow as a wide grin spread across his face.

"Allow me to properly introduce myself. My name is Undertaker. I'm simply a humble mortician~. Although I'm sure you've gathered that by now."

He gestured to the coffins and other such items that lay scattered about the room and I was quick to exhale a breath of relief, my eyes flickering from grey to blue.

"Ah… thank goodness."

I then smiled up at him, tilting my head as one ear lay down while the other stayed up.

"Were you the one who saved me…?"

He nodded as his grin widened all the more.

"Guilty as charged. Aheheeheheheh… found you collapsed outside of me shop, I did. A right mess too. I-"

"Ah! Thank you so much, Undertaker! Truly, you have no idea… you really don't."

I was so overcome with emotions that I couldn't hold back the few tears that formed in the corners of my eyes. It had been so long since anyone had shown my any sort of kindness whatsoever, and my eyes began to glow the brightest of any of blue.

~~~~~Undertaker~~~~~

I was rather taken aback at the sudden waterworks. The only time I ever saw tears in this shop were whenever I had living guests, but never did I see someone cry while thanking me. What all has this girl been through? All throughout our conversation, I couldn't help but notice her eyes. They never seemed to stay settled on one color. Now that fascinated me almost as much as her tail and ears. 'This girl is an interesting specimen indeed.'

"Now now, luv. No need for tears. Why don't you tell me your name, hmmm? I already told you mine so I do believe it's your turn~!"

She wiped her eyes and nodded, and I watched as her tail swayed from left to right. 'So interesting…'

"It's Erika. And um… is Undertaker really your name? I thought you were just referring to your job."

She blinked a few times and I couldn't help but giggle at her confusion.

"Aeheheheh… of course it's me real name, luv. I wouldn't lie to you. So, Erika is it? That will do just fine. Now why don't you tell me about what happened yesterday, hmmm? And also if you don't mind me asking…"

I leaned in towards her.

"What are you?"

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