[Hey guys! My chapters have been pretty short so far, and they're probably going to continue to be, but hopefully I'll get enough of them to make up for it. Comments are welcome and needed! Thanks for reading ^^]

"Li-san!"

Hei didn't look back as he swung away from the familiar tones of Kirihara's voice. He turned his gaze to the stars, and caught a glimpse of one just starting its melancholy descent. Falling stars, that was something all too familiar as well- the nostalgia was overwhelming.

He was troubled, but not only because of his uncharacteristic reminiscence. He pushed himself forward even faster than he'd been going, brows furrowing as he neared the house. He had to leave his old accommodations behind with his former identity, and this apartment was not nearly as welcoming, kept uncannily clean at all times. Intrusions were routine, and for this reason organization was a dire factor in daily life.

"What are you doing?" a gruff voice interrupted his churning thoughts. Hei turned his gaze to the tall but hunched man. "I didn't see you come down."

"Come down…" Hei didn't reply, but only stared at him in honest disbelief for a moment before leaping up the stairwell, skipping two for every one he touched.


"Hei."

Hei felt the naked girl in his arms stir, silver hair loose for perhaps the first time he'd truly seen, been able to touch. He gripped her a bit tighter as he continued walking.

"I'm here, Yin," he murmured with the softest tones he possessed.

"Hei…the moon," she looked up with her big, painted-glass eyes at the empty night sky.

"It's a new moon," he replied blandly.

"It looks like you."

Hei smiled.


"Yin!" Hei yelled as he burst through the door, the embodiment of urgency. He saw nothing- no Yin, no others, no ransom note or otherwise…no blood, which relieved little of his tension. No traces. Nothing was stirred in the setting.

"Bastards," he seethed as he burst through the window.