Keiko Tsukiru's Story

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"Are you alone? Are you afraid?
Are you searching for me?
Will I see you again?"

~Hymn for the Missing

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▓Every day. Every hour. Every second. It feels much like what they call eternity, deep inside this monochrome void that seems without end much like a repetitive cycle.

To others, this could be as well what they would call heaven. No body changes. There is no death. There are those who call it as hell. It will remind all the deepest attachments and the darkness which festered. A few mystics calling it the purgatory. The place where everyone could deliberate and cleanse themselves of all earthly vindications.

But to a certain individual, this has simply become his world. his home and that should be fine. It should be. But, it should not be odd, isn't it? To feel distant, to feel lonely.

All of these were the feelings of a young boy who was sitting on top of a roof looking below him. His absolute white hair serves as his crown and those purple eyes filled with an emptiness completely reflecting the motion of those beneath him. The sky above him was stark with dark clouds as rain slowly drizzles out to extinction. Soft hues of light peeked through the horizons.

It made the puddles on the ground sparkled like the stars and diamonds. The people did not see this as they bustled away like ants going to places that would mean nothing in the long run. But, no one had ever seemed to look up and see the boy. No one ever sees the boy.

"Why... Why do they not see me?" His voice appeared to be that of a gentle whisper as he closed his eyes momentarily. His tone of genuine melancholy wrapped around him as he pulled his knees closer to him. He embraced them with his arms and buried his face within it. He tried so hard to get anyone's attention. He did not even care who would respond to him, as long as they would admit his existence. In the end, no one ever did. That is why he resumed living like white blank cascading through this world. This was truly depressing in every way. Did he do something wrong? Did he sinned so greatly to be avoided like a plague? No answers came to him only questions that only corroded his sense of self every bit.

Truly hateful.

The very fact that his memories seemed to be on the verge of deletion also hanged on him heavily. Ever since he woke up in that empty room, he could not recall anything before his awakening. No memories of use to identify himself except with one thing, his name, Rie. He asked for anyone's help, but they would not even look at him, they would walk passed him as if he was nothing more but air. People... are painstakingly cold and cruel. They only cared for themselves. All have to make it on their own. No one will be there to lend a hand. He was sure of that.

Somehow, he did not want to believe that.

There is no other way to save him from ruin but to hold on to that idea. He raised his head and propped his chin on his knees. Just like that, he continued to watch the people who moved on without a care to those beside them. They never looked up, below them or even behind them, just forward. It made him wonder if he was like that before his memories failed him to a crippling sense of absence. In a manner of perspective, it was such a sad life. Even if, moving forward will surely yield results. He could not help but desiring for anyone to notice what is around them, because if they do, perhaps, it would provide a way for someone to walk forward to.

Rie took a deep breath and stood from his position, a precarious one at that, if he misjudges his step, then he will plummet to the ground. Yet, he has this feeling that it would result in any kind of impact to those people scurrying below. He should stop caring, isn't it? That would be for the best. He turned his back at them and found a ladder which he had used to climb up here. This was much like his secret base, but it was childish way of thinking. Why would he need one when no one acknowledges him? No one would even call his name. No one knows about him. He was like a secret itself.

Now, he understands why all secrets must be revealed. Because if he was indeed a secret, he wants to be shown as well. Being in the darkness is truly lonesome.

He finally made his way down and was now walking along the narrow hallway of the Rodanthe Apartments in which he found himself in. There were people in front of him. Those eyes looked directly at him, but it did not reflect him. It was eerie and frightening, but he had gotten used to it. So, they walked passed by him once again even if they all lived in this apartment complex together. He never felt so alone. Gritting his teeth, he went to his room and slammed the door in a fit of annoyance. It's not like he couldn't feel anything after all. He could appear fine, but that does not mean, he is emotionless.

"Stupid people... They're all stupid..." He leaned on his closed door and slid to the floor. This was the room he woke up in. It was practically empty without even a photo which could remind him that he actually stayed here. He tried to leave this place to find out more about himself, but no one would see or even hear him. It was so frustrating and he found himself no place to turn to but this one. This was the only place which seemed to accept him. At the very least, he has a roof over his head. As for food, it was odd, but he never felt hungry. So, he continued like this every waking hour.

That was when an ear-piercing scream echoed throughout the complex. He stood from his position and looked at the visage before him. It was a being covered in blood as if wearing a crimson mantle. Why does this happen to him? Why is it seemed that the only ones who could actually acknowledge him or even remotely sense him, are these things? "Just stop it." The screams continued as he covered his ears with his hands and he tightly closed his eyes. Just like that, the apartment was soon flooded with the sounds of sirens.

This was of course, just the beginning.

"Kei..."Leon slid from the desk chair, scooting back from the computer to take a good look at Kei who was sitting in the leather chair with a book over his face, most likely asleep. His purple hair shined from what little light that the blinds let peek through. If Kei was asleep like this during the day, that just meant that they had one long night ahead of them. And from what Leon could see, it was about to rain soon too.

"Did we get a lead yet?" Kei mumbled under the book as he shifted a bit but never removed it.

"well, it seems from what I am being told is that. Not to long ago there was a murder that happened in an apartment building called...Le Bonks." Leon rubbed the back of his white messy hair causing it to bounce a bit. "A lady and a few others keeps making reports to the Manager about noises coming from a that certain apartment. Seems the Manager thinks it's all in everyone's head, but he wants us to check it out to make sure."

"It seems like a foozy. A waste of time. Tell him he better pays well or we won't do it. We are very busy people." Kei said as he bent his knee up and swung his free leg over it, become more relaxed with nothing to do.

"Yes, busy seeing the back of your eyelids. We are going to do it, no matter the pay. Now get up, we should go before it rains." Leon started to gather the things he'll need.

"Well at least it won't is hot out." He said while getting up and headed towards the bathroom. Removing his contacts and slipping on a pair of red fake glasses. It was a quick process one he did well in fact. Anything to not hear or see a spirit along the ride there.

-Later on-

It was nearly night and the rain hadn't let up, the drive was quite a while away. Their shop was a bit out of town while this apartment was right smack dab on the other side of the town. When they had got there, Kei felt spiritual presents right away, in fact, there were more than one. "So maybe it wasn't a foozy. We should make this quick. I have a bad feeling."

"So this must mean that there is a fresh spirit. And now he is being hunted?" Leon shoved his hands in his pockets and held the door open with his back.

"Possibly, it's not too uncommon-."But before he could finish his words his body nearly caved in from the presser within the building. Gripping a hold of Leon, he quickly threw off his glasses, handing it to him. The moment he did that, he could hear an odd sound of laughter, but he could move, the presence of a demon was trying to force him to his knees.

Leon started to mumble words in a different language, a protection spell. He pulled out a piece of paper and shoved it into Kei's pocket, still mumbling away as the pressure slowly decreased from Kei's body. "Go hurry. I before the cops come." Leon shoved Kei away as he sat down in the waiting room, still mumbling, keeping the protection spell up. When he reached the room a man stood away from it on his phone.

"Hey don't go in there! I think a lady is being beaten in there or killed! Be careful! I just called the police when I heard the first scream." The man grabbed a hold of Kei's jacket.

"Even if that is true, I have to stop whatever is going on." Another scream happened, but it was cut short fast. The man let go of Kei scared and started to run off. And the sound of laughter echoed through the door, each time Kei heard it, he felt sick and weak. Trying to ignore it, he went for the door, but it would budge open, it was as if it were jammed shut. "She better not be dead!" He shouted as he pulled out his sword with a few words. Thrusting the blade into the door he twisted it and cut through the wood. There was another scream, but this time it was a sound of a male. And like that the door flung open, jerking the blade out of Kei's hands.

The sound of Sirens started to flood the room, and red and blue lights lit everything. There was blood everywhere and the woman was twisted and turned into a pretzel. Her eyes were open and rolled back into her head. Her tongue hung out as blood dripped from it. It was hard to tell it was a woman with all the blood around. And the smell smelt as if she was dead for months. But she wasn't right? This just happened didn't it?

Kei covered his nose to block the horrible smell, but as he turned his eyes away from her body, his eyes caught sight of a boy. His head was huddled over, with his hands over his ears. "Hey kid, you better get out of here before the cops come!" He didn't take noticed that the boy was a spirit, mainly because he didn't feel like one, in fact, he felt human, but not human. Like he was alive, but not. So Kei didn't pay any mind to it. As he said that, he took his sword back and started to make a leave for it. If he stuck around he'd be in questioning or jail for murder. There was nothing more he could do. Whoever killed that woman was clearly not around either. He knew this was a bad idea.

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"Are you alone? Are you afraid?
Are you searching for me?
Will I see you again?"

~Hymn for the Missing

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▓Was he right about what he had heard? Someone called out to him. Rie raised his head immediately to take a look at the one who seemed to have barged inside his room. Well, it was what he could call this place at the very least. The woman, who appeared inside the room who occasionally pester him, disappeared as if it was just an illusion or a mirage. He looked at the individual with the most horrid sense of fashion, he had ever laid his eyes on. If it was possible for his eyes to be burned, it would be without doubt.

"Hey! Eggplant!" He shouted rather loudly as he was now on his feet. The bloody scenery and the scent vanishing into a haze of imagination. "You could see me? You could hear me right?" He was in the fit of delirious excitement, for the first time someone had acknowledged him and he hoped that it was not just a hallucination of his. He approached the horrendous-looking man who seemed to be blind to what he looks like.

The sirens echoed as it came closer for a murder had taken place within the apartment complex. "You better not ignore me! I won't allow it!" He reached out his hand as he grabbed hold of the unidentified man's sleeve. As if by the stroke of fate, the apartment building was instantly racked by a thundering explosion. It shook the foundations as smoke and fire could be seen coming from the other end of the hallway. "They're reacting..." He muttered as he could see a different scenery than what others could.

"Move away!"

Rie shouted as he pushed the sad excuse of a fashion away from the incoming blast of fire caused by the explosion. He was caught in the pathway, but he was left unscathed as it subsided. It was something he didn't find as anything strange. He accounted it as something making him lucky. He coughed a bit and looked at fashion crisis with discerning eyes. "Why are you in here anyway? Don't you know that sirens and screams meant to make people go away not make them come?" His eyes reflected annoyance as he immediately looked at the direction where the explosion came from and was now replaced by an all-consuming fire. There he saw a visage as he softly mumbled. "We can't be here. Everyone will die..."

His fear seemed to vibrate through his voice. He quickly grabbed the fashion crisis' hand and began to run away. There were near the entrance when fire trucks, police vehicles, and so on parked outside. Rie took noticed of the sword and that won't be an easy thing to explain with everything being in total chaos. They would have to take another route. It is a good thing he has one and being most left to himself made him to wander around the complex to keep himself from getting bored. "This way. We could get out without being seen." He stated as he continued to pull the man to his own phase.

They took a small catwalk which was negligible to others and soon, they found themselves at the public park behind the apartment complex. He released the man's hand and then took a deep breath. His eyes looked at the building getting burned down as the firemen tried to stop the flames from getting out of hand. It's not like the police could enter too with all the smoke. "There goes my house..." Those words were not meant to be heard but, he muttered it under his breath. There was sadness evident, but he quickly changed it into something else.

"Oi! Eggplant who has no fashion sense." He looked at the man with a sideway glance, trying to observe the man as much as possible. Well, he was practically the only one who seemed to notice him for such a long time. He even lost the intention to reach out to people because of it. Their eyes would always look through him. That was enough messages for him that he was nonexistent in their eyes. His arms are crossed over his chest. "What do you think you're planning wielding a sword like that? This is no cosplay convention." That's why if this person was able to acknowledge him. He did not want to see him hurt, that is at the least he could do. "You should not come back there. You will be killed."

There was no amount of lie or humor in his tone. Rie was deadly serious about that. The smell of ashes and fire filled the air as the air brought heat despite the cold weather which should follow after the rain. His silver hair seemed to gleam from the reddish glow of the fire while his purple eyes reflected a degree of strict awareness. His clothes were rather odd in a sense too. It was like he came out of a story book or a fantasy world, but even so, he looked rather fitting for it. From every angle, he looks like someone who was not of this world, a beautiful dream. "That place is not for people like you. Not anymore." He returned his gaze to the burning building.

He could not go back now, is it? There was no place for him to come back to. The images of that bloodied woman and those people will not come and see him again, won't they? It's true that those people needed a make-over. He would give them one if he had the materials and all. Taking a deep breath, he had made a decision. "So, where do you live? You'll take responsibility for this and me, right?" He looked at the fashion crisis and even if his words were ended with a question. He appeared that he was not going to take an answer which is no or was he even asking. It was more like an order, more than anything else.

"Hey! Eggplant!"Kei's eye brow twitched as he kept walking away. Sure he was use to it all, because of his looks, but it never stopped it from being irritating. "You could see me? You could hear me right?"

Dammit, a ghost... If this were true, he was going to ignore it while he could. But the thing was, this thing, this kid, didn't feel like the normal everyday spirits roaming around. In fact, he almost felt...human. Was that even possible? If it was, this was the first time he has ever felt it, but he has learned to never let go of that gut feeling. Shit.

He could feel the boy's eyes boring into him. This was going to be hard ignoring him. He was already found out. So ignoring him won't last too long. "You better not ignore me! I won't allow it!" See he knew it. Kids were so easy to predict, ghost or human, a kid was a kid.

The fact that his sleeve was being pulled made it impossible to ignore. You see Kei was overly sensitive when it came to any sorts of spirit. The more connected they are, the more they can use his energy to become more real. More human like. This included touching, becoming solid(not able to go through walls), and feeling, but the feeling was special, he Kei wanted to, he could let a ghost feel his warmth, heck he could even hug one as if they really were human. So if he was to ever date a ghost, sex would not be impossible for him or the ghost. But again, only if they were really connected, the less connected the less energy is shared. For now, the ghost is able to use his own energy. He must have been easily connected with a human source in order to do that though. Meaning he either wasn't dead, or there was another person out there with the same power as Kei or what Kei hated the most, the ghost was starting to turn demon and is able to murder and steal energy that way. That would explain what was being seen earlier.

Boom!

A bed room exploded in flames and smoke quickly flooded the halls. He could hear what the boy had said, because there was another loud boom noise followed by another room catching on fire, but this time the door flung off and smashed into the wall. That was around the same time Kei was being shoved down onto the ground, instantly he covered his head slouching. The building was covered in to heavy of smoke, it was starting to make him a bit dizzy.

He glanced in the direction of the ghost as he coughing while talking to him. "Why are you in here anyway? Don't you know that sirens and screams meant to make people go away not make them come?" That was most likely true, outside of Kei'd world, the normal world. But if Kei hears a scream that meant, grab his sword and head for it. "We can't be here. Everyone will die..."

That was one thing he hated about ghosts. They were already dead, so why would they care about anyone living? He was about to say something, but he changed his mind and stood up. Tying his sword to his waist, he looked around and before he knew it, that boy grabbed his hand and started to take off running while dragging him along with. They were headed towards the front door by now.

But he had stopped, causing Kei to bump his chest into the boys back, but not hard enough to make them fall. "This way. We could get out without being seen." He looked up and noticed through the front door that Leon made it out safely, but the look on his face was worried and a bit frightened, looking up at the building, probably waiting for Kei to show up. Before he knew it, they were out of the building and in a park just outside of it.

As he looked to the burning building, his hand clutched onto his swords handle and his teeth were clenched together. There were probably people inside there burning to death. Families, helpless children and there was nothing he could do all because this kid dragged him out.

"There goes my house..." The sadness in his voice made Kei to glance slightly down at the small boy before him. And for a moment, his angered feelings turned to regret. So the boy lived here and couldn't let go. He wasn't a demon, he was a lost soul, bounded to the world without a choice, or for a reason.

"Oi! Eggplant who has no fashion sense." He looked at the man with a side way glance, their eyes meeting and locking with each others. This boy's eyes reminded him of a warm place, they were almost comforting and it was something he could stare at all day if he wanted to.

As he stared at the kid as he spoke and the more he looked, the more his blue eyes faded to bright golden color. This would always happen whenever he could see a spirit and the brighter of gold they got, the more settle the ghost was. If his eyes go black, it meant he was about to face a demon.


"What do you think you're planning wielding a sword like that? This is no Cosplay convention. You should not come back there. You will be killed. That place is not for people like you. Not anymore. So, where do you live? You'll take responsibility for this and me, right?"

Not like the place was for anyone now. But it was then he realized that he hadn't said anything yet. Rubbing his eyes, he took in a deep breath. "It's not a sword, it just seems like it. If anyone other than myself tries to wield it, only the handle will come out without a blade." He turned to face the boy and looked down at him. "In shorter terms, it's a sword handle that I can whiled my life force with to put spirits or demons at peace. Rmm, send them to the spirit world where they belong without hurting them." He rubbed the back of his head. He always did hate explaining things that made a scene in his head, but not in his words.

Taking a step closer he bent his upper body over to become face to face with this boy. "If you want to see where I live, tell me your name and what those things were. If not, then you can't come with me." He slid his finger down the boys jaw and slowly to his chin. He could tell that even though he wasn't touching flesh, that this boy had soft skin when he was living. It felt like satin or that soft marble feeling under his fingertips.

"Also." He said as he pulled away and started to walk back to the building to go get Leon. "Who says I could see you anyways, maybe it's just a one time thing. For all you know, the next day I wont be able to." He was lying of course, but he said this line so often that it didn't sound like a lie anymore.

As he looked away his eyes started to fade to his normal dark blue color and he started to light a cig that he had pulled out of his coat shirt.

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"Are you alone? Are you afraid?
Are you searching for me?
Will I see you again?"

~Hymn for the Missing

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▓Rie narrowed his eyes. This person was explaining that the sword is not a sword, but it sounded to him, that it was still a sword. No matter what kind of explanation this eggplant-looking man says, it still appears to him as a sword. So the verdict, it is still a sword that is effective against spirits and demons. Right... If he had not experience some things, he would have looked at this fashion crisis as someone perfect for the loony bin. But, those things are real as anything could get. He knew that for a fact.

"It's still a sword." He said with a rather deadpan voice, unmoved by the explanation but he did conclude something from what he had heard. "So basically you're a NEET who hunts demons and ghosts? Aren't you a way over your head? Those kinds of people have no sense of wrong. They'll kill you." He noted with the strictest sense of concern and facts. He judges that this problem child of fashion was not any older than he is. He highly doubted that this person had enough experience to fight those types of things.

The fashion problem walked towards him and bent his body downwards to look at him face-to-face. This irritated him as his eyebrow quirked a bit. It only reminded him that this guy was way taller than him and that was a sore spot for him. "What do you want?" He stated in an annoyed tone. The fashion problem demanded to know his name and to tell him what those things were. Was he threatening him? The fingers slid down his chin and for the first time, he couldn't help but feel a bit relieved. It was because for so long, he had never been seen or been touched, so this feeling as far as he is concerned is a good thing. Of course, he wouldn't admit that to this guy.

"It's Rie to you." He slapped the fingers on his face as a sign of his discontent. There was also the factor that this guy was saying that he might not be seen again and this was just a fluke or one-time thing. How could this be a one-time thing? He was not invisible nor is he a ghost. (that's what he wants to believe)

Those people were simply idiots or senile ones. They were just bullying him for a reason he does not know. He does not care for it anymore, but if he would lose this person who was able to recognize him even if that person was an eyesore for being fashion deprived, he would be devastated. That is when he noticed that the eyes which earlier looked at him with such golden light now had turned into that of blue. That was odd. Was that something because of some drug or trick? He wasn't sure but, he set that aside for now, since he had other important one to think about. "That's not happening ever!" He said in a loud voice as he grabbed at the back of his shirt as if it was a lifeline of sorts. He was not going to let this person go.

"You better take me with you and always look at me. It’s because of you my home was destroyed in the first place!" There was no doubt in his tone and an obvious declaration that he appears to know more of what happened. Well, it was not hard to conclude that since he had been living in that apartment complex. "Take responsibility you fashion crisis!" He then pulled away and crosses his arms over his chest. He was not happy about being homeless, but somehow, he was also glad that he was finally out of that place. Somehow, he felt that he was always in a limbo, but also the feeling that he doesn't belong there. But then, he felt a strong inclination that perhaps, he does belong there. It was scary, really...

But, he made it so that his true feelings are hidden by his high and mighty attitude. "Are you really insensitive that you're smoking near a burning building?" He walked ahead of him and blocked his path. "Anyway, you're better off leaving this place and changing that horrendous outfit you dared to call clothes." He took a deep breath and looked over his shoulders at the destroyed apartment complex. The flames were still present but, it was starting to burn out from the actions of the firemen. "...This is better... let it just burn..." His voice came out as distant and his eyes of purple had a faraway look. The memories he had of that place sin he woke up from there flooded his head. They were not really pleasant at all, but they were still important to him. After all, they were the memories he still remembers aside from his name.

"But that child..." He bit his lower lip and returned his attention to the fashion problem. "Why were you there anyway? I hardly think anyone called for you." That was a fact because the landlord of that place does not believe in things like ghosts, spirits, and demons. He shared that belief once upon a time. It was just recently he had been proven wrong, but that is probably why he dislikes them. Anyway, no one would call him or even hire him if he looks like that. This guy was more scary than any ghosts that any people could have seen. As for the supernatural themselves, they would not call for someone like him. They were technically enemies in a sense. "I even doubt you can handle ghosts or demons." From that point, it would be clear that Rie was convinced that he is not a ghost. It was probably due to that reason, he is able to remain as he is or even emit a sense of humanity about him.

"So basically you're a NEET who hunts demons and ghosts? Aren't you a way over your head? Those kinds of people have no sense of wrong. They'll kill you." He noted with the strictest sense of concern and facts.

"It's not that I'm in over my head or that I have no sense of wrong. I know whats right and wrong. But it's the fact I rather save someone's life, rather then care of my own. Leon though is a bit like you when it comes down to it. He doesn't get it himself either." He made a bit of a face before he had bent over and touched the boy's face like he had.

"Only Rie, huh?" Kei said as he then started to walk off towards the building, or in the direction to it. He had to get Leon if they were going to go anywhere. And after he had told the boy that this was all pretty much a fluke, he refused to believe it without hesitation along with the grab of the back of his shirt. This caused the buttons to snap off. His shirt flew open, revealing a black tang top and a not so thin body like most would assume. He was actually pretty well-built in body muscle, but nothing over the top. And he wore a necklace with a protection symbol on it. The symbol shined right up the moment it were revealed.

Quickly he took the protection symbol and hid it under his shirt so that it wouldn't make the boy sick. "Sorry, but try to keep away from it. It'll burn you're kind." His now back to golden eyes were serious as they locked with the boys pure lavender eyes. He didn't want him hurt, so he had taken the boy's arm by his wrist softly.


"You better take me with you and always look at me. It’s because of you my home was destroyed in the first place! Take responsibility you fashion crisis!" He then pulled away and crosses his arms over his chest.

"I will once you tell me what was going on. If not, you can stay here." Of course he wasn't truly serious about leaving a kid here, even if it were a ghost. But he had to get information out and this kid was being stubborn. If Leon saw this, he wouldn't take it lightly. While this was being said, as he took a puff of his cig. It was a long drag that seemed to have relaxed him.

"Are you really insensitive that you're smoking near a burning building?" He walked ahead of him and blocked his path, causing Kei to stop and look down at him, taking another drag. This time his eye brow corked up. "Anyway, you're better off leaving this place and changing that horrendous outfit you dared to call clothes." He took a deep breath and looked over his shoulders at the destroyed apartment complex. "...This is better... let it just burn..." His voice came out as distant and his eyes of purple had a faraway look.

"You want me to change? Do it yourself. I have to get Leon, he's my ride, you fool. I'm not walking across town." Kei treated the boy like a kid and ruffled his hair as he was about to pass by, but saw Leon coming.

"But that child..." He bit his lower lip and returned his attention to the fashion problem. "Why were you there anyway? I hardly think anyone called for you. I even doubt you can handle ghosts or demons."

As Kei reached for the boy's biting lip. Leon came up to them. He was a bit furious and he wasn't going to hold anything back. "The protection spell broke. What happened up there! You better not tell me that you save another ghost?" Leon eyed the empty air to where Kei's hand was touching, which was now the boy's chin.

"I did, but this time it's a kid. It was pretty bad. They caused the fires, apparently." Kei shrugged and shoved his hands in his pockets.

"Do we need Monk here?" He turned to look at the building that was now falling down.

"I think it could be fine. If there is anymore trouble around here, then yes."

Kei glanced down at Rie, but Leon reached over, offering Kei back his red glasses. Kei waved his hand that held the Cig.

"Nah, I wont block him out. For now."

Leon sighed and put the glasses away. "Right let's go for the night. I'm beat. I used too much energy."

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"Are you alone? Are you afraid?
Are you searching for me?
Will I see you again?"

~Hymn for the Missing

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▓It is true that Rie was thankful for the contact and the attention of another person. It had been a long time since he had felt it, so he was doing this guy a favor by letting him be touched once in a while. But, it didn't mean he was fine with being touched all that time in a very casual manner. They were not friends or anything else. They were complete strangers from the very beginning. Thinking about that, this guy knows his name but he doesn't know the fashion crisis' name. That was unfair in more ways than one.

"You can call me Rie-sama too." He stated while moving his face away from the fashion problem's touch. This guy was getting a bit too touchy. "You got my name, what's yours eggplant?" He stated with a question but his eyebrow was raised to imply that he was not asking, he was demanding it. But, his attention was taken away by something catching his eye. It was shiny in a way and cause slight discomfort on him. He wasn't sure what it was but the guy managed to take it away from his sight and said something about staying away from it. That doesn't compute for him especially when this guy said that it was bad for his kind. What does that mean?

"My kind? What do you mean by that you eggplant?" That's right, he is not aware that he is currently what people would call as a ghost. He simply believed that he was being bullied and that the reason for him seeing such supernatural things is products of what happened to him before he lost his memory. But there was it again, those golden eyes that were a moment ago blue. That's a great parlor trick in his personal opinion.

Once more, the guy did not answer any of his questions or were even compliant with his demands. That is not going to work with him. He'll show this sad excuse for an eggplant that no one turns him down soon enough. Anyway, he was asked again to say what's going on the apartment. Why was this guy curious about it? That place was better left alone or burnt to the ground.

It might sound that he is cold and insensitive, but that was the truth of the matter and what he believes to be the best for everyone. He was then taken out for the loop when a hand ruffled his hair. That surprised him a bit as he pulled away and looked at the guy as if he had just died. Did he just treat him actually as a kid? He was even called as a fool? The nerve of this guy! Then, the childish gesture was changed again to the point of his face being touched again, his lips actually. What is with this guy and his face? He knows that he is beautiful and probably better looking than anyone else. But, that's not an excuse to keep getting free hits with him.

"Would you stop touching me so casually eggplant?" He slapped the hand again away and had a small pout on his lips. He was about to say more but there was another person approaching them. If he could remember, this must be the Leon the fashion crisis was talking about. This Leon person was talking about a protective something and about saving a ghost. He narrowed his eyes as he met this Leon's gaze. Was this old-guy pertained to him as a ghost? Wait a minute here, he has white hair which is a granted but this Leon guy also has one, but he was certain he wore it better. This guy must be just envious or something. "Hey old guy! I am no ghost!"

He went up to Leon with a huff which was further strengthened as the eggplant confirmed that he is a kid and a ghost. Rie quickly turned to face the fashion crisis. "How many times am I going to say this!? I am not a ghost!" His face was rather puffed with his irritation and the expression of annoyance could be seen. His face also radiated a bit of red across his cheeks. It was rather an adorable expression in every sense. He was even more irritated when these two guys speak as if he was not present.

Rie had enough of that for a long time that he wasn't aware how much time passed for him. It was only now that he felt that his clock started to move again. He did not want to be returned to the monochromatic world where he felt that even dying was perfectly fine. "I am here! Don't talk like I'm not!" His annoyance reacted through the stones scattered about the ground levitating. Of course, he was unaware of this reaction. "It is clearly not nice!" He placed his hands on his hips. "Monk? You would be needing one when I'm done with you guys." His eyes narrowed at both of the guys as his purple eyes darken a bit to show his annoyance.

"You want to know what happened there, correct?" He started but not before taking a deep breath. It was to calm himself a bit as the stones that were floating about crashed to the ground. "I'll tell you but you better take me with you." Rie was dead serious about that matter. He doesn't like the idea of telling what happened at the apartment. It would be better if it was left alone. He was still in doubt in the abilities of the guy who states that he hunts ghosts and demons. The one inside that apartment was not to be trifled. He was certain of that after all, he had been living with those things for some time now.

The only reason he was most left alone was because he didn't bother with them... But... "That's the deal. Do you understand?" He has no place to go any longer.

"I would, but something about you feels different. The touching is mandatory until I figure out why." He muttered as he itched the side of his head while thinking. This kid didn't feel like any old ghost. It was odd and it was bugging the crap out of Kei.

As Kei spoke to Rie before he replied to the ghost comment to Leon. And the whole monk thing on top of that all. But when Rie commented about the Monk, Kei couldn't help but laugh.

"What did it say?" Leon raised his eyebrow.

"Actually, it's a he and a child too, I think. Ah here let me show you." Kei grabbed Rie's hand with an easy gesture. This eyes flashed as if a light shined on them and went away fast. And with seconds past, a tingle sensation went up Kei's body and rolled down his arm to his hand. This caused him to lift his shoulder a bit. And within a minute, the boy felt warm and solid. "Tch, damn. I wasn't expecting that." Too much energy was being pulled from him too fast.

Leon's eyed the boy for the mere second that Rie was shown, but Kei let go and held his arm in pain. "What is it? What happened? Leon rushed to Kei and gripped him to support his weight.

"This kid is bound to someone, I felt it. No, I could almost see it. But it was blurry as if it was blocked memory and I was looking through a thick plastic." Standing up properly he rolled his shoulder and let it pop. "If you want me to help you, then you can't hide things from me. Everything will help. Even if you think it won't, or even if you think you are protecting me, I must know." He looked at Rie with a serious tone and facial expression. "Otherwise, I won't be able to help you. Do you understand?"

"Just bring the kid with you. And don't do that anymore, until you understand his situation. We need to get going before the cops spot us and think we did this." Leon jerked Kei by the arm and let go as he started to walk to the car.

Kei nodded and started to follow. "Fine, for now he can come. But that means you need to release the one barrier."

"I know, it's already in progress." He ruffled his hands through his white hair after popping a now lit cig into his mouth.

Kei and fallen asleep during the car ride and as soon as they got to the office, Kei went straight to the showers, washed off and slicked back his purple hair that now looked black from being wet. He brushed his teeth and stared at himself in the mirror. He had no makeup on right now and his hair looked normal for a while. He almost looked like his old self again. Shaking his head, he wrapped a towel around his waist and stepped out of the bathroom. Making his wait to the kitchen, he grabbed a juice jug and took a drink from it.

"You should really learn to dry yourself and get dressed before coming out here. Don't we have a guest today? It's rude." Leon throw a kitchen towel at Kei's chest. That to anyone surprise was well built and not scrawny like a Goth's chest would most likely be. But there was something off though, his back had what seemed to be claw marks run from his elbow up to his shoulder and down his shoulder blade. It looked as if something was trying to grab him, but couldn't and let go, just before the claws got to the ribcage. It was an old scar, you could tell from how it's been healed. "How's your shoulder today."

Kei shrugged and started to walk to his room. "It only hurt when I was thrown down today, but it's fine. I can still move it. Anyways I'm off to bed. I'm not hungry tonight." He waved his right hand to show he was fine and went straight to his room. Throwing on a black long sleeve and some black p.j pants.

Something was off though, it was quiet. It made him wonder if the boy left or was hiding. [/b]"Oi, Ghost boy?"[/b] Being called ghost seemed to always make the guy freak, so he figured this would make him show himself.

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"Are you alone? Are you afraid?
Are you searching for me?
Will I see you again?"

~Hymn for the Missing

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▓Feels different? About him? This fashion crisis wants to know why? Rie was not sure how to take that, but his expression was quick to show his initial emotion and that was irritation. "I don't care what's mandatory. Just don't touch me without my permission you egg-headed eggplant." His eyes narrowed to emphasize that point. It was not also helping that this guy had the nerve to laugh when he had implied the Monk they seemed keen on calling will be for them. Was this sad excuse for the color purple dare mock him? "What's so funny? You think I can't handle you both? Puh-lease!"

He crossed his arms over his chest to better show his displeasure of being undermined while his eyes were closed. But, he opened one of his eye when he heard what the copycat-kitten seemingly addressed him as an it. There was no way that pertained to him, now? But, it was highly unlikely and he doesn't like being thought of as an object. "Excuse me!?" He was about to say more when the fashion crisis cut him off with an answer he was not very pleased with.

"Who are you calling a child!? I am no child! I---" He was again interrupted when the fashion crisis grabbed hold of his hand while saying about showing him. What does that mean exactly? He is here all along after all. That's when he felt something. There was some kind of energy or whatever flowing inside him. It was completely odd and somehow he felt a bit dizzy from it. He lowered his head briefly as he then raised his head which finally met the eyes of that Leon person. For a short time, he could see the reflection of his image on those eyes. Somehow, that felt a surreal moment.

But then, there was a sudden feeling of backlash. Rie quickly covered his mouth as he felt like vomiting. His head felt being poked with a needle as if it was some kind of gelatin toy. That was the time that the fashion crisis had released his hand. Somehow, he felt everything about him was normal again. Well, that was the definition of what he feels about himself for now.

Anyway, it would appear he wasn't the only who felt discomfort with that weird episode. The fashion crisis also felt some sort of backlash. The copycat of his hair color supported the so-called ghost hunter who seemed to be holding his arm. Then, there was something about him being bounded to someone and memory being blocked off. Was this purple sprout responsible for that pain in his head? And will he... "Stop calling me kid! I am an adult!" Rie pointed out defiantly as the fashion crisis spoke his terms. This guy was definitely full of himself isn't he? "You speak your terms but you never answered mine even once! I don't think that's fair especially when I'm giving you a favor."

Then the copycat spoke about bringing him along already. It seemed that this silver-copier has some brains. "Finally someone is listening!" Soon, they were off. The ride was pretty much quiet as he looked out of the car window and contemplated a lot of things. He heard something about a one barrier and he was not sure what was that about. In truth, he has no ideas about those ghosts or supernatural stuff. It's true that he had seen them and even witnessed what they are capable of doing, but other than that, he has no idea. Why would he? He was no ghost after all. Other than those thoughts, he was also thinking about what was going to happen to him now. The apartment where he used to live was literally on fire and he finally found someone who noticed him, even the appearance was something not to be desired at all.

They soon arrived at a building that he wasn't sure what to think off. Really, what do people do such hideous infrastructures? He will never understand it. But, this will be his new crashing place. So in he went, he followed the two and found himself inside a pig sty. Rie wasn't sure what to think off the two. They were practically pigs if they can live in such a messy place. He does not even know where to sit. "How could you live in a garbage dump?! Don't you people even know the word cleaning?" He exclaimed in clear disappointment and irritation, of all the people who he could be with are the black-sheep of the fashion scene and an outright pig. In any case, his complaints fell on deaf ears the purple sprout went to what he could assume the bathroom and the copycat went to do something he could care less about. "Hey! Silver-Copier!" He called to the guy whose name is Leon. "Clean this dump, already no way I'll stay in this kind of place!"

There it was again, he was ignored and he glared at the silver-copier. "Are you listening to me?! Hey!" No response as he narrowed his eyes and the released a huge sigh. There was no choice; he would have to clean this place up. He looked around for the cleaning tools and frankly speaking, they were stored away in a nook that no one should ever go into. Anyone would have a heart attack or be traumatized. It was a good thing; he was of strong mind and of strong heart. Anyway, he started his cleaning as he began to move the objects and removing everything that he deemed as trash. He was focused on his cleaning that he did not see that the fashion crisis came out with only a towel on his waist.

The only time that Rie was taken out of his cleaning trance was when he heard that he was being called a Ghost Boy again. His purple eyes narrowed in annoyance. The guy asked for his name and he told him that, but that guy never gave his. Well, he had no intention of using it anyway, but still, he had asked for it. "You stupid eggplant!" Without much thought, he went to where he heard the commentary and slammed the door opened. "Stop calling me that! I'm no ghost!" He was rather red in the face with the complete outfit of what a maid. He wore a cloth on his head, an apron, and in his hands were a broom and a washcloth.

It was quite the sight. "It's Rie-sama to you!"