Hello everyone.

Here is a fanfiction I was commissioned for on DeviantART for my good friend Neo-Byzantium. He wanted to see a fanfic based on the Shiki character, including his semi-canon character Miyako and (technically) Susumu Yasumori, based in a fanfiction I had been telling him about/periodically working on. And now, I want to share it all with you! This also is a slight AU in which Susumu does become a Shiki (the other members of Nao and Susumu's family, however, are still dead) and gained empathic powers.

Hope you enjoy!

Warning: The following contains implications of violence and SA towards children, graphic scenes of violence, and moments of surreal horror. Viewer discretion is advised.

Susumu Yasumori panted, more from habit than necessity, as he rushed across the black sands of this mysterious land. Tears welled in his eyes as the abomination behind him-some humanoid figure of black steel and sickly flesh-continued its chase, surprisingly fast for such a bulky figure.

"Come back, child!" The figure screeched out, its high-pitched, raspy voice scrapping the insides of Susumu's ears. "Chagidiel's Clergy aren't done with you yet!"

As Susumu ran, his mind wandered to what had led up to this moment. He remembered being back in Sotoba, humans ripping him from his mother's arms, screaming and wailing for her to save him. His mother screamed in fear as well, as the hunters gathered around and held him and Shizuka down. Despite his cries for mercy, they plunged the wooden stakes through both of their hearts. The last thing he remembered hearing before everything went dark, was his mommy screaming out in horror at the sight. Not even angry, really. More just... really, really sad. Sadder than he ever heard before.

After his death, though, he wound up in some big black void, before awakening in this ruined wasteland here. Under the shadow of a giant, twisted, obsidian tower. The sounds of children wailing and screaming coming from inside, along with the sounds of impacts and strikes against flesh, and the shouts of adults-some cursing out the children or giving some kinds of orders. Others performed some kind of grunting noise... which Susumu didn't know, but he heard his mother and father sound the same back in their house at night sometimes.

Suffice to say, the presence of the tower made the young Shiki uneasy, and he began to walk away... until it came. Some large, humanoid figure-perhaps standing a little over 2 meters tall-rushed out before him. The being looked like some sickly human, with yellow-green skin covered in bruises and cuts-some fairly deep-and wearing the strangest clothing Susumu had ever seen. A large, black metal helmet adorned his head, forged to shape the upper half of it and held what looked like eight horn-like spires, jutting out from the sides. Each of the horns looked to end in what appeared to be a large plate, all of which were brought together to form the twisting helm. Seeing it, Susumu wondered how the figure could see, considering the helmet covered the creature's eyes-if it even had any.

The figure's mouth was left agape, leaving visible the scars and cuts around the saliva-covered hole. The drool cascading down the figure as if it were a small waterfall, far more than Susumu thought was humanly possible. But that was the least of his problems, for the figure's torso and arms contained more threatening articles of clothing. It wore a breastplate of the same dark metal, carried by four leather straps, which meant its shoulders and arms were exposed. Below the waist was a long, black robe of some sort, covering its the entire lower body, while a great padlock eye and chain hung from an area close to its groin. The end of the chain had a metal collar at the end, only big enough to hold something diminutive-perhaps a dog, or a wolf... or a child.

What was most frightening were its hands, for a pair of elbow-length gauntlets adorned the humanoid figure. While the rubber upper halves of the gloves, reaching from the elbows to the upper arms, looked more like some kind of circular bellows, like they were rubber that had been scrunched up. On each of the strange bellow-gloves was a large metal band that connected to a chain that went to the figure's pack, probably connecting to another eye at the back. However, the lower parts of the gloves were the real horror show, for they instead became metal claws-looking like the figure had taken some thin shivs of scrap metal and used them to create these knife-like nails. Each one dripping with fresh blood.

Having seen this creature, Susumu ran fast in the other direction, tears beginning to well in his eyes. The creature yelled out in a harsh, guttural voice, saying, "Return to Chagidiel's Coven!","The Bloodstained Patriarch calls for you!" and other phrases that spook the young Shiki. All those strange words only served to confuse Susumu, as well as heighten his fear.

And that was what led him to here; running through the endless black sands of this hellscape, trying to find a way to hide from this beast.

So far, the rolling obsidian dunes held very little in the way of coverage, but that could change at a moment's notice. But, for all his fear, Susumu kept onto the hope that something would save him. A hope that would soon go rewarded. In the distance, Susumu finally saw something different; a large forest of dark, leafless trees-looking more like thorny stakes than actual foliage-was coming up. Gaining new strength, Susumu raced towards the lifeless forest, the growling, drooling monster still screeching its threats behind him.

"Where are you, child?" The creature shouted out in its terrible voice as Susumu hid amongst the trees. Poking his head out to see the creature, he took note of how it hadn't noticed him yet, despite their close proximity. Turning back behind the tree, Susumu gazed forward, calculating where to hide next. Suddenly, as a familiar scent filled his nostrils, he noticed something in the distance-or, rather, someone. Squinting his eyes, he could see Miyako, stumbling through the forest confused. Elated, Susumu had to keep from running to her immediately, for fear of the creature.

Taking another look over the tree line, he noticed the creature was further away now-far enough that he could probably move undetected for the time being. There were still the branches around him, but those wouldn't do much good for the creature if the young Shiki got far enough. Taking a deep breath, Susumu lunged forward, rushing towards his friend. As soon as he ran, he heard the snapping of twigs under his feet-and with it, the sound of heavier footfalls.

Getting closer to his peer, Susumu, at the top of his lungs, shouted, "Miyako!"
Miyako was confused-a few hours ago, she had remembered the smell of burning wood and flesh, the shouts of angry humans, and the fear of death looming around her. She remembered the sensation of sharp metal piercing through her ribs, an action that should have been excruciating, but was initially dulled by the sheer shock and horror of her sensation. She barely even remembered if she felt anything before her world went black. After that, all she could remember was simply floating in a large, black void-not really happy or sad, in pain or pleasure. She just... existed, alone in that void, desiring company but not really desperate for it either. It gave her time to think, perhaps, to reflect on what she had liost-but soon, a bright light appeared and she was transported to this dead forest.
For a time, Miyako had been transversing the skeletal grove, trying to see if there were others close by-such as Sunako or Shizuka. However, as she looked, she heard a familiar voice calling out her name. So filled with hope, she gasped out, "Susumu?" and turned to source of the voice. Her eyes widened in joy, a smile growing on her face as she saw the young boy. "Is that really-" Immediately, though, whatever joy that she held was replaced with terror as she saw the being behind him.

"Quick! Run away!" Susumu yelled as he got closer.
"The Choirs of the Empty Word call all the Innocent!" The creature chasing Susumu shrieked out at the same time. Thankfully, as soon as Susumu called out, Miyako turned and ran into a denser section of the forest, getting through a section of trees that were just big enough for herself, before turning back to the running Susumu.
Extending a hand, Miyako called out, "Hurry, Susumu!" With one more sprint, Susumu rushed up and jump to Miyako, his hand outstretched. However, it was at that time that the creature had managed to grasp his pant leg. With a yelp, Susumu was pulled back-though, thankfully, Miyako was able to take his hand just in time and began to pull him back. Strangely, even with her enhanced vampiric strength, she couldn't really get Susumu away from the creature's grip. "Let... him... go!" She shouted as she placed her legs on some of the alabaster trunks, trying to put her full body into her pull. Even with that, it was a challenge to hold onto the Shiki boy.
"Don't let him get me!" Susumu shrieked as tears ran down his eyes. As Miyako tried to reach inside his mind to calm him, she could feel his anguish and terror-both from his final days at Sotoba, and from the few, frightening moments he had upon coming to this place. Such horror and sorrow soon made her heart hurt, only to soon become hardened with rage. Looking to the creature, Miyako had a very good idea as to what the creature intended to do with Susumu. What it had done to others like him. And she was not about to let that go unpunished anymore!
As the creature raised its bloody claw, Miyako turned her attention to the creature and, with a scowl of disgust, she focused her telekinesis on the creature's brain. Immediately, the creature let go of Susumu, screeching as it held its head. At last free, Susumu scrambled to Miyako, hiding behind her as he tried to keep his fear down. As the creature hunting him continued to scream and writhe, falling onto its back, a certain crimson fluid leaked out its nostrils-until, finally, it went silent.
Relieved, Miyako turned to Susumu and wrapped her arms around him, pulling the young Shiki close. Susumu held onto Miyako in return, sniffing as tears ran down his face. All the while, Miyako petted his head, shushing and whispering, "It's okay... don't worry... you're fine... it's okay..."
After a few minutes, Susumu finally calmed down, looking at Miyako with a smile. "Th-Thank you, Miyako... for helping me..."
"Anytime, Susumu," She replied... then realized what this meant. "Wait, Susumu, you're here?! Does... Does that mean..."
Frowning, Susumu looked away and said, "I guess so... I remember getting held down, with all these angry humans... and then one of them got this big, sharp metal stick... and there was some big pain in my chest, but then that was it,"
Looking down, Miyako replied, "I'm sorry you had to go through that."
"Don't... Don't worry... it wasn't... your fault..." Getting up, she began to look around to see where to go-before a certain scent was picked up by her nostrils. Turning to look over to the corpse on the forest, a creeping dread seeped its way into Miyako's soul.
"Miyako? What is it?" Susumu asked.
"Susumu, we should go," Taking Susumu by the hand, she began to lead him away from the creature's corpse.
"Huh? Why? I mean... I don't like it here, but it doesn't seem bad,"
"Just... trust me; you're better off not knowing,"
Despite his newfound confusion, Susumu shrugged and began to walk off with Miyako. Of course, he didn't notice the twisted look she gave-one that blended together surprise, fear, and disgust when she discovered the corpse of the creature was reeking of the scent of pure human blood...
A few minutes later, the two had exited the forest, now on the edge of a hill that led down to a small valley-and from it, the black wastes before them.
"Miyako..." As Miyako turned to face the boy, Susumu continued, "Where are we supposed to go now?"
Sighing, Miyako replied, "I'm not sure, exactly..." Glancing over to the dark tower Susumu had escaped from, she grimaced and replied, "Certainly not there..."
"Good..." Wrapping his arms around himself, he continued, "I don't want to go back there. Ever."
Forcing a small smirk, Miyako patted the boy's head. "Don't worry. I'll keep you safe." Sighing, she looked out into the wasteland again, saying, "I just wish we had some of the others with us."
"I'd be careful about that wish..." A new, unknown-but-familiar feminine voice popped in.
Startled by the surprise, Miyako and Susumu spun to see who the source of the voice. It was... not exactly what they were expecting. The person they saw was a teenage girl, about the same age as Megumi-perhaps slightly older. Her long, slightly wavy blonde hair, topaz blue eyes, pale complexion, and rounder eye shape indicated she wasn't of Japanese origin. She was from Western lineage, that was for certain. Though it was hard to tell exactly where from looks alone. Especially with the Mukokuseki phenomena going on...
Taking a step closer, Miyako asked, "Uhh... who... who are you?"
Without saying a word, the girl marched past the two children, bending down to pick up a rock. Now that she was closer, Miyako could detect a few other key traits-brown leather armor and a dark blue cowl, the hood pulled down. A small, metal square and a quiver of dark-feathered arrows hung from her back. What stood out the most, however, was the marking on her forehead-a blue tattoo of sorts that took the form of a red and blue crescent moon and various other symbols, such as what appeared to be fireworks and other like the symbols from a holiday Miyako had once read up on-Mardi Gras. The symbols danced around the flawless skin of the girl's forehead, looking almost like they were painted on at birth, and Miyako took note that some of the symbols were red, and others blue-such as two complimenting strands that went down from her the edge of her forehead down to the bottom of her eyes, with the one on her left being red and the one on her right blue.
Even the girl's crescent moon marking, the center of the symbols, was a bit of a strange mix-an alternating swirl of red and blue, shifting and changing, something like a different version of the tajitu.
As Miyako starred in surprise and confusion, the girl snorted out, "Aphrodite," before taking out an arrow and beginning to sharpen it.
With her answer, Miyako realized why her voice sounded so familiar... and groaned. Oh great, an American... The Shiki thought to herself, before her eyes widened, "Wait, did you say Aphrodite?"
"Yes, that is my name," Aphrodite replied as she rose, her voice like that of Tomio or Munehide-tired, jaded, and world-weary. "Aphrodite LaFont, to be precise. Changed it after I got into the House of Night,"
"The what?" Miyako asked as she cocked an eyebrow.
"Boarding school for vampyres," Finished with her first arrow, Aphrodite grabbed another and began to sharpen it as well.
"Wait a minute..." Susumu said as he approached the blonde. "Did you just say, 'School for vampires.'"
"Yep. Tulsa House of Night, right in the Sooner State."
"Wait, wait, wait..." Miyako said as she approached Aphrodite, waving her arms in front of her. "You can't be a Shiki. You... You just can't! You're not like one!"
At hearing the word "Shiki", the mysterious blonde stopped her sharpening and turned to look at Miyako, a look of pure confusion on her face. "'Shiki'? What the fuck is a Shiki?"
Despite not being able to sweat anymore, and supposedly not having any body temperature, Miyako couldn't help but feel a tad bit warm after she remembered what she said. "Uhh... i-it's nothing!" Miyako replied as she began to back away, waving her hands out in front of her. "Just a silly little story is all... nothing much..."
Rising up, Aphrodite began to move towards the young girl, bending down when she got close, staring into her eyes. The blonde said nothing, only momentarily-perhaps absently-stroking her chin in an almost, "Hmm, interesting..." way. Miyako tried to hide her discomfort, but it was hard not to grimace at the girl's strange actions. Trying to compose herself, she looked into Aphrodite's mind, hoping it could provide some insight into what the blonde was thinking. After a few, tense moments, she had her answer.
Eyes appear dilated, but they're way too big... Might be a genetic condition. Could she even get any stuff here? I mean, there was that fucking Sangria incident, but that shit was in Metropolis... Besides, I thought in Inferno, getting high was-
"HEY! I do not take drugs!" Miyako shouted, causing both Susumu and Aphrodite to jump back in shock.
"Jesus!" Aphrodite screeched as she attempted to maintain her balance, before glaring at the teen. "Alright, what the hell is happening? How did you know what I was thinking?!"
"Umm, well, uhh..." Miyako hung her head and pushed her fingers together, trying to avoid looking at the fuming blonde. "I... have some... relatives who are into... that stuff..."
Suddenly, she felt a hand clamp down on her shirt and pull her up, forcing her to stare into the icy caverns that were Aphrodite's cyan eyes. "Stop bullshitting me, kid," Aphrodite growled under her breathe. "I swear, if you are in league with the Widow, I'll-"
"Hey, don't talk to my sister that way!" Susumu yelled as he rushed toward the American. Groaning as she rolled her eyes, Aphrodite leapt into the air, floating casually above the twisted branches of the dead trees.
"Wha... how are you..." Miyako tried to ask as her brain tried to register what she was witnessing.
"Now, I'm gonna ask you again..." Aphrodite continue-a low, menacing resonance arising from her mouth. "Are you in league with the Pale Bitch or not?"
"Look, I-I don't know what you're talking about." As Aphrodite cocked an eyebrow in skepticism, Miyako replied, "Honest! We just woke up in this place, and then Susumu was chased by this guy screaming about a "Chagidiel" and then-"
"Wait, Chagidiel was after you?" Suddenly, the scowl on Aphrodite's face softened into concern, and her now-wide eyes became warmer and more compassionate.
"Well... not me, specifically. The person mentioning him went after Susumu. Why... why does it..." Miyako stopped as she noticed that Aphrodite turned her focus away from the Shiki and instead looked to the right, out into the distance of the blasted wasteland. Turning to look in the same direction, Miyako saw what the teenager had been looking at-one of the massive, black citadels Susumu had run away from. As Miyako stated at it, she couldn't help but get a feeling of being... watched, somehow.
For what seemed like an eternity, the two stared at the building... before Aphrodite's face twisted into a heavy frown and she raised her free arm, her middle finger pointed upward while all others were kept down. So full of confusion at the gesture, Miyako barely registered the two floating back down and Aphrodite releasing her, causing her to plop onto the ground with a barely-audible thud.
"Alright, I'll let you guys off the hook," Aphrodite replied with a stoic face, before it shifted into a firm one. "But I'm putting a lot of trust into you-don't abuse it,"
"Y-Yes, ma'am..." Susumu squeaked out.
"Good. Now then, maybe we can start on getting you home. Where were you two from, again?"
"Umm, you see..." Miyako started as she arose. "We're from this small village, Sotoba, in Japan. You probably haven't heard of it-"
"Wait, wait, wait," Aphrodite repeated as she waved her hands. "Did you just say 'Japan'?"
Blinking a few times, Miyako answered back with a hesitant, drawn-out, "Yesss..."
"Hmm..." Bringing her index finger to her mouth, Aphrodite turned from the two. "So, they can't be from the 41st Millennium. Unless Cegorach did something..." was all Miyako could hear before Aphrodite's whispering became incoherent. Before she could get another word in, however, Aphrodite continued with, "Alright, I think I know how we can get you home. We'd have to make a stop for the night, but-"
Just as she was speaking, the shriek of a young girl rang up from the valley below. Looking over the edge, the three could see a small, colorful dot of red, yellow, and blue racing across the sands.
Squinting his eyes, Susumu said, "Wait a minute... is that... Shizuka?!"
"Friend of yours?" Aphrodite asked.
"Family, really. But what is..." Miyako's voice left her as she saw what was chasing Shizuka-a wave of dark, shambling bodies.