May 10th, 1:44pm

Emily sighed, stretching her arms above her head and fell back against the plastic chair back feeling absolutely drained. Toshio glanced up at her from behind his book and arched an eyebrow,

"What's this? The illustrious Ishihara Emily is tired of studying?" he teased quietly. Emily glared softly at him earning a smirk,

"You try studying for a Bio test and I'll read," she tilted her head to the side to read the Toshio's book's spine, "Dear Kafka. That's Takatsuki Sen's first book, right?"

Toshio nodded, "Yeah, it's my favourite. You really should read his work some time." Emily leaned forward onto her elbow and gave him a smug look.

"What makes you think I haven't?" she asked mysteriously, "I work in a bookstore, Toshi, of course I've read Takatsuki's work. She's got a book signing coming up at work soon actually."

"She?" Toshio dropped his book, the solid thud making several visitors to the library look up in surprise and annoyance.

"Yes, she. Takatsuki Sen is a woman." Emily grinned knowing she'd just rocked Toshio's entire universe. He stared at the open page of his book, looking through it.

"A woman...I didn't even think...Wait, how do you know?" he asked curiously. For someone who was so brilliantly suited to being an Investigator, Toshio could be totally dense at times. It was really quite adorable.

"Book store, remember? She had a book signing last year when her sixth book was released." Emily replied with a shrug, "She's like a machine, releasing a new book in just one year."

"She's something alright." Toshio said in awe then made a face, "I'm still getting used to calling Takatsuki a woman..."

Emily chuckled quietly then decided to continue with her studying. She had a Biology test coming up soon and needed to do well on it. She was, after all, aspiring to be a doctor just like her mother had been. Her mother had taught her certain things, the basic of the basics, and she had been continuing her studies for the past three years but there was still so much she had to learn. Unfortunately for her, books about Ghoul anatomy weren't on the reading list and she doubted they would be in collage either. She'd managed to find one little gem secreted away at her work - a dated medical book about Ghoul anatomy. It was...helpful but old. What she really needed was a Ghoul who was also a doctor. If she could train under someone like that, she'd be able to run Blue Lotus far more effectively. But first, before she could do any of that, she had to finish high school and somehow get a scholarship into a medical school. Easier said than done.

3:00pm

Emily and Toshio were standing outside the library, Toshio was sliding coins into the vending machine nearby after Emily had expressed a dire need for caffeine. Her head was swimming in information and her notepad was practically full. Still she felt like it wasn't enough and that she was missing something.

Toshio handed her a can of coffee and sat down beside her, cracking open the top of his own and taking a sip. He grimaced and held the can in front of his face,

"I don't know how you can ingest this stuff." he said as Emily open her can and took several mouthfuls. She sighed as the bitter liquid soothed the erratic, frazzled beast inside her.

"Because it is the drink of the Gods." she replied nudging his arm gently, "It's the life blood."

"You're delirious." he retorted slinging his arm carelessly around her shoulders and pulling her against his hard chest.

"You'd better get used to it, you know." she told him before taking another drink, "You'll be drinking coffee all the time as an Investigator."

Toshio rolled his eyes, "Uh-huh. Sure."

"No seriously, it's like part of the job description. Must have great physical prowess, analyzing capabilities and be able to drink three liters of coffee per day." she teased earning a chuckle from him, the sound vibrated his chest in the best possible way.

"Three liters, huh? I don't think anyone's body could sustain that kind of intake." he said.

"You'd be surprised." she said knowingly. Ghouls, for one, could drink that amount easily. She knew some who did. They sat in silence for a while just watching people and traffic go past, drinking their coffees and just enjoying each other's company. It was nice. Peaceful.

"Have you heard from Chloe?" Toshio asked suddenly. Emily sat up properly and shook her head,

"No, why?"

"Just asking. I saw Daichi the other day but I felt weird asking him how things were with her." he replied staring down at his can, "We should go see her soon."

"I went by when it happened but her mother said she'd call when she was feeling ready to talk to us." Emily replied sadly. About two weeks ago, Chloe's father had been killed in the 11th Ward. She didn't know the details but Isao had told her that there had been a large number of police and Investigator deaths in the 11th. Rumours of an organization of Ghouls had been floating around and that that particular organization had been the cause of the deaths. Nothing had been confirmed publicly yet and it was all just hearsay. Still, doubts tugged at the back of Emily's mind, doubts of such a thing not existing.

"Hmm, I just thought that she'd talk to you." Toshio sighed thoughtfully. Emily squeezed his hand tenderly,

"She will when she's ready." Emily said but inside she too was worried about Chloe. Losing a parent was one of the most painful experiences, especially in that particular way. Emily knew it would fuel the CCG's hatred of Ghouls and possibly even Chloe's own desire to get even. So as she was on her way home, Emily decided to drop by her friend's house to check on her.

"I can ask her," Chloe's mother said in English; she was from the South and was often really bright and happy, but she looked tired and drained. Even her voice sounded less colourful, "But, Emily hon, I'm not real sure she's up to visits yet."

"I know." Emily replied, still trying to get used to the way her mouth moved when speaking English - heaven knew she didn't do it often, "We're just worried about her."

"Well, alright then. Come on in." she stood to the side to let Emily pass then disappeared down the hall after closing the door. Emily glanced around the house, it seemed darker than usual. Flowers, gifts and cards were stacked messily on the kitchen bench and small round dining table. From the kitchen wafted a smell that resonated deep within Emily; a mother's home cooking. She didn't know what it was other than it smelled sweet but she didn't care, it made her mouth water. It had been a long time since she'd smelt anything so delicious.

A few more minutes passed before Chloe's mother appeared in the hallway again, "She says she'll see you." Emily thanked her and wandered down to her friend's room. Chloe was sitting on her bed, tucked into the corner in what could only be described as a nest of blankets, pillows and toys. Her blonde hair was knotted and messy, her eyes were puffy and red and she really looked nothing like the pretty, blonde ball of energy Emily knew.

"Hey." Chloe croaked, "Sorry I haven't returned your calls or anything."

"Don't be." Emily said pulling over Chloe's computer chair and sitting beside the bed, "You're going through something horrible. It's okay."

Chloe nodded weakly and hugged the giant monkey pillow toy to her chest. The two girls sat in silence for what seemed like hours. Emily watched her friend from time to time, wondering what she was thinking about. Her father most like, the times they spent together, things he'd said and done, their last moments. Emily had. She'd locked herself away for weeks, sleeping all the time, barely eating and not talking to anyone. She'd just spent her time remembering. It hadn't been until she'd met Toshio that she started to feel even remotely normal again. He had been the light leading her out of the darkness of loneliness and both he and Chloe had helped her to realize she wasn't as alone as she'd thought.

Now, she wanted to return the favour to her best friend. But she wouldn't rush her. She would wait until Chloe was ready to face it, but that didn't mean she still couldn't be there for her friend.

"Emily?" Chloe called from behind her mound of soft coloured things startling the other girl.

"Yeah?" Emily replied trying to keep her voice soft and low.

"Does the emptiness ever go away?" Chloe asked feebly. Emily didn't reply for a while, the question had stunned her completely. She had to think of a way to reply with the right words. Chloe poked her head up through her cave and gazed questioningly at her friend.

Emily sighed, "People will tell you that it gets better and time heals all. They're partly true, I guess. But coping mechnizims; surrounding yourself with people, binge eating or drinking, drugs, whatever, they only work for a certain amount of time."

Chloe's blonde brows furrowed as she tried to understand what Emily was saying.

"My answer is no. The emptiness left inside you after a person you love is gone never goes away, it just gets easier to deal with." she said lowering her gaze to stare at the lines in her hands, "But that doesn't mean you can't be happy anymore. The dead only wish for the living to be happy..."

"I know Daddy wouldn't want me to be sad," Chloe said softly, "But I just miss him so much you know? Every day I wake up thinking he's going to walk through the door...But he doesn't and I just don't know how to deal with that."

"I know. It just doesn't seem real, right? Like it's all just a terrible nightmare."

"I just feel...nothing." Chloe admitted burying her face into the monkey again. Emily closed her eyes, she knew exactly what Chloe was going through, she understood ever emotion surging through her. Especially the numbness. That numbness was her closest companion, a shadow that loomed over her and sank deep into her soul. She hated it, but she'd given into it a long time ago and its roots ran deep.

"Let it pass." she advised her friend, "Indulge it for a little while but let it pass. Clinging to that nothing feeling is the worst thing you could do."

"I know." Chloe replied, "Thank you for being with me through this." Emily smiled sadly at her,

"Where else would I be?" she said, "Toshio and I, we'll always be here for you." Chloe's eyes fluttered closed and in a matter of minutes she was asleep again. Emily pulled the blanket up over her then quietly took her leave. Chloe would be alright in time, she wouldn't be the same but she would be alright.

The night was pleasantly cool, a welcome change from the heat of the day. She wondered whether Anteiku would still be open and thought about dropping in for a quick coffee. As she neared the cafe front, she saw Renji stepping out onto the street.

"Hey." she called to him making him half turn towards her. The gentle breeze tugged softly at his silver hair,

"What are you doing here?" he asked curiously. Emily gestured vaguely in the direction she'd just come,

"Visiting Chloe." she replied. Renji's cool grey eyes flickered in acknowledgement.

"I heard." was all he said. Emily realized then just what kind of an awkward situation Renji was in. One less Investigator in the world was a good thing for Ghouls, but this particular Investigator was the father of one of her friends. So how should he feel?

"You don't have to be sympathetic. It's okay." she told him, "How's everything going?"

Despite keeping his usual stony calm, Renji seemed slightly relieved at the subject change. He looked up to the sky and took in a deep breath, "It smells like trouble is coming. Be careful, Emily."

She watched as he climbed into his car and drove away. Trouble, huh? When wasn't there trouble? Having decided against the coffee, Emily continued on her way back home all the while thinking about Chloe and what Renji had said. She was so absorbed in her own thoughts that she never noticed the lone being standing atop the office building adjacent her apartment complex, messy hair blowing gently in the night air, watching her with hands shoved deep into his pockets, scowling at the darkness.

Trouble was already there.