thats cool that some of you guys are getting interested in the elfen lied series. it really is good, and i hope you like my story just as much ^_^

Bloodbath

Chapter 9

Tommy stared at the blond girl. "I can't believe it's you."

Takuya looked at them, confused. "Um, do you guys know each other?"

"Not really. She ran past me two nights ago on the beach. She looked really scared about something. Then again, that was a weird night," Tommy said, remembering the grisly view he had seen.

"Why, what happened?" Takuya asked. "Did you see anything out of the ordinary?"

"Well, after she ran past me, I continued to walk along the beach. And then I saw this soldier lying in the sand, screaming his head off. His hand was gone and he was bleeding all over the place. Plus, there was blood coming out of his eyelids." Tommy shuddered. "I ended up calling an ambulance for him."

"Wonder what the fuck happened to him," Takuya said. "Zoe probably saw him and got scared. Shit, I would've been freaked out, too."

Kouji frowned, trying to think. "What would a soldier be doing around here though?"

"Yeah, and why the hell would he end up on the beach practically bleeding to death?" Takuya wondered. "Zoe did you see anything?"

"See?" She asked, tilting her head.

Tommy looked at her. "Is she okay?"

Takuya sighed. "Yeah, she just doesn't completely understand, that's all."

"Why what's wrong with her? If you don't mind me asking," he quickly added, embarrassed.

"Nah, it's okay. Kouji and I found her the other day at the beach. Her head was bleeding and she couldn't talk. It was weird," Takuya said.

"You think the events are somehow connected?" Kouji asked.

Takuya went to the fridge. "I'm not sure." He decided to change the subject. "So are Kouichi and J.P. stopping by today?"

"Later tonight," Kouji replied.

Takuya brought over some leftover pizza and set it down in front of Tommy.

"Geez, Takuya. Don't you ever eat anything besides pizza?" Kouji asked.

"Wha?" Takuya had stuffed almost an entire slice into his mouth.

Kouji sighed at his friend's idiocy. "Never mind."

Takuya went over to the sink and filled a small plastic bowl with water, then grabbed a few pieces of bread.

"Here, you can give these to your dog. Hell, he can have a slice of pizza, too," he said with a laugh.

Tommy thanked him, walking outside to feed his hungry puppy. Just as he sat back down at the table, the door was slammed open. The four of them exited the room to see Courtney standing in the doorway with a large suitcase.

"Courtney? What are you doing here? And what are you doing with that suitcase?" Takuya asked.

The redhead glared at him. "What's it look like I'm doing? I'm moving in."

"But-"

"But nothing," she cut him off. "My parents were nice enough to let you stay here for free. So you don't have say in the matter."

Takuya sighed. "Fine. Go find an empty room."

Courtney lugged her suitcase and pushed it into Takuya. "You can carry it to an empty room."

Takuya rolled his eyes. "Whatever."

Courtney shot Zoe an evil look, then turned her attention onto Tommy. "Who the hell are you?"

"I'm...um...." Tommy wasn't exactly sure what to say to her.

"He came here to return an umbrella that Takuya lost the other night," Kouji said. "His name is Tommy."

"Is that dog outside yours?" She asked Tommy.

The boy nodded timidly. "Yeah."

"Well make sure he doesn't rip the yard apart," she snapped.

"Oh, no. He's not like that-"

Courtney interrupted him. "I don't care. Just make sure he doesn't. I'm gonna go wash up." She stalked past them towards the bathroom.

Takuya miserably joined them a moment later.

"Welcome to hell," he muttered.

Elsewhere

The helicopter landed near the beach, stopping momentarily. Chief Kurama and Nana stepped out of it.

"Okay, here's where we let you off, Nana," Kurama told her. "Just find her and contact me the minute you do. If you encounter any problems, call and we'll abort for now."

Nana nodded in understanding. "Yes, Papa. I promise you that I'll find her."

"Can you sense her presence right now?"

Nana concentrated as hard as she could. After a good thirty seconds her face saddened. "No, not at the moment. But I know I will soon."

Kurama smiled. "Good. I know that you won't disappoint me." He gave her a pat on the head, then turned to leave.

"Um, Papa?" Nana lightly grabbed his arm.

He turned around, slightly surprised. "Yes?"

She looked down shyly. "Uh, I was wondering if you could do something for me."

"Sure, what is it?"

"Could I have your ribbon? I've always wanted it," she said sheepishly, pointing to his tie.

Kurama was puzzled with her strange request, but didn't argue. He untied it and handed it to her.

"Thank you," she said happily.

Kurama nodded. "Be careful." He boarded the helicopter and it began to take off.

Nana stared after it and watched it until it was completely out of sight. When it was gone, she looked at the tie in her hand. She wrapped it around her head, tying bows over her horns. When she was done, it looked as though she was only wearing a headband with bows. She smiled to herself.

"I promise I won't disappoint you," she said quietly.

Back at Takuya's house

"Zoe, do you want anything to drink?" Takuya asked her.

"Yes!" She replied proudly.

"Does she even know what you're asking her?" Kouji asked.

Takuya shrugged. "I dunno. But at least she's talking a little."

Courtney rolled her eyes. "Weirdo.........."

"Would you lay off?" Takuya said angrily. "Just because your parents own the building, it doesn't give you the right to be a bitch."

"Excuse me?" She asked, offended.

"Takuya's right, Courtney. Knock it off. You're acting like a child," Kouji added.

Zoe looked at them, confused. "Mmmmm?"

Takuya smiled at her and handed her a glass of water. "Don't worry about it. Here you go."

Courtney stared daggers at the blond. "This is pathetic. Why is she here again? Doesn't she have a family or something?"

"We're trying to figure that out right now." Takuya was trying not to lose his patience.

"From what they told me, she's making good progress," Tommy said.

"Whatever. I'm gonna take a shower in a minute," Courtney replied.

Zoe looked at her glass of water. Wasn't that the same stuff coming out of the thing they called a shower? Zoe thought so, and decided to help Courtney out. She splashed her cup of water all over Courtney's face, smiling to herself.

Takuya and Kouji spit out the soda they were drinking and began to burst into laughter. Tommy joined in as well, not being able to contain himself.

"What the hell?!" The redhead angrily stood up. "Did you see what she just did to me?!"

"Relax," Takuya said. "She doesn't know any better."

"I don't really fucking care!" She stood up, drenched, and turned to Zoe. "You're a freak, you know that?!"

Zoe's eyes darkened a shade and they seemed to bore into Courtney's. The soaked girl felt a chill go up her spine, but decided to ignore it.

"Dammit! Stop being a bitch!" Takuya was furious.

Courtney stormed out of the room without another word. Zoe stared down at the table, looking as though she would begin to cry.

Takuya gave her a hug. "Just ignore her. She doesn't know what she's talking about."

Zoe seemed as though she didn't hear him and stood up. She quietly left the room, her head down.

"Poor Zoe," Kouji muttered. "Why does Courtney act like an ass so friggen much?"

"I don't know. I really don't," Takuya replied.

As Zoe walked down the hallway, she didn't notice Courtney hiding behind the turn leading to the living room. As soon as the blond was close enough, Courtney shot her foot out. Zoe cried out in surprise as she tripped, banging her head into the wall. Her skull screamed in pain as she sank to the floor.

Takuya, Kouji, and Tommy heard a thud and ran out to see Zoe on the ground. Takuya rushed to help her and pulled her up.

"Zoe, are you okay?" The brunette asked, checking her for bruises.

"I don't know what happened," Courtney feigned innocence. "She just all of a sudden tripped."

Takuya raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

Zoe's head was cast down, her hair falling into her face. Her blood boiled and she released one of her vectors. Just as it was about to cut off Courtney's head, a memory flashed into her head. It was an image of Takuya, only he was about nine years old. Tears were running down his face and he screamed "Please stop!"

Zoe snapped back into reality, retracting her vector. Luckily, no one had noticed it.

"Takuya," she said softly.

"Hey! You said my name," Takuya replied happily.

The blond quickly left the room, leaving the others behind. They heard the front door open and close with a slam.

"Wonder where she's going," Tommy said.

"Probably for a walk. She'll be back," Kouji told him.

Takuya looked worried but said nothing.

After walking a few minutes, Zoe came up to a cemetary and stopped.

"Why am I having these memories?" She asked herself. "What is going on?"

Just then, a girl with a blue dress stepped out. She had dark purple hair, the bangs falling on her forehead. Although they were covered, Zoe knew the girl had horns just like she did.

"What do you want?" Zoe asked, her voice cold.

Nana stared at her. "I've come to take you home."

dun dun dun! what happens next? stay tuned and find out. in case you couldn't tell (which im sure you could) zoe switches back and forth between personalities when she hits her head. and yeah this chapter was a little longer than usual, but i didn't want to cut if off so soon, especially where she meets nana. ^_^ anyway i hoped you liked it and of course review please. laterz