Yousuke Nomura's Story

Yousuke could feel the water that soaked his hand, the way it seemed to linger when he pulled it out of the strange waters and huddle into the center of the broken slate of a wall. Where was he? Why was there black water...? He scanned the area, he was at school... There seemed to be practically no one around as if the school just decided to become a remote area. He wiped off the water with the sleeve of his pants, soon standing and groaning as he stepped foot into the waters. "Where is everyone..." He murmured before fear kicked in. Oh, no. Where's Nanako.

"Nanako?" He called out, awaiting an answer before realizing she wasn't anywhere near him. "Nanako?!" Still no answer. He immediately dashed off, looking from corner to corner for his younger sister.

Nanako's eyes fluttered open, she managed to push herself up, using one of the broken walls as help. "Yousuke...?" The young girl blinked her eyes a bit more, trying to wake up from this god forsaken dream. She wasn't dreaming. She gulped, ready to panic before seeing a fellow student walk through the black water. A wave of relief seemed to go through her as she staggered off towards the female. "U-Uhm, Hi. I believe you're Ine Takane..? Do you know what had happened...?"

Kyo saw that already three of the students had grouped together, "My... that's soon..." He said to himself in a surprised tone, "Honestly, I expected them to wander a few days before meeting a single person like the last class... Well, that only proves this time to be more interesting~ Ah, but..." He then saw another male student who was calling his sister's name yet was unable to find her, "That little sheep seemed to have strayed too far from the herd... Perhaps I should try and put him on track?" He asked himself before leaping a few paces in front of Yousuke, and once he was close enough, Kyo acted like he, too, was a lost student, "Ah! Finally! I've found someone! I don't recall you being in my class either... Are you lost as well?"

Ine heard two voices behind her, and the first she heard was a girl's she hardly recognized, "Y-yeah... I'm Ine.... I don't remember seeing you in class though..." She said slowly, "B-but it's nice to see another face around here! But unfortunately, no, I don't know what happened here at all-" All of a sudden, she felt someone behind her as a small shadow passed over her face when she turned around. She didn't see much of a face and she didn't even know it was another student in her class from the darkness covering him which is why she yelped and scrambled backwards, "M-Monster!" She yelled quietly before trying to run away, but it didn't work so well since she wasn't used to running or yelling. In fact, she didn't even get very many feet away before having to couch and only looked back at the two students with fear.

Yousuke took some time to get his breath hitched. That sprint may have not been his longest, but he was devastatingly worried about his sister. His voice was slightly dry from the constant shouts. The school wasn't in that bad of conditions, however, still worried him why the water was black as well. His gaze was at the floor until he realized that another student had been standing there. He stared at him for a moment, almost amazed there was another person. As much of a relief it was, it wasn't enough to relieve his worry. "Y-Yes, I am the same as you, lost in this... strange place." He replied, attempting to calm himself. He couldn't show his feelings, it would scare the younger teen. "If I may, H-Have you seen a short girl, black hair, with purple eyes..?" He asked, gesturing his sister's short height.

Nanako smiled, this girl didn't seem to be hostile in anyway. She opened her mouth to speak until she had suddenly jumped away. She raised a hand and frowned, a bit disappointed that she didn't feel too welcome. That is until she realized there was a boy. She looked to him, blinking a few times before waving a small hello to clarify her existence. "Ine? Are you alright..?" She asked, cautiously stepping forward and studying the girl's features and body language.

A wide grin spread across Kyo's face after hearing Yousuke ask for his sister, 'I suppose I'm going to be the Shepard this time, to lead the poor sheep back to its herd again. I feel too nice.' He thought to himself before nodding and pointing a certain way, "A short girl with black hair and purple eyes? Definitely couldn't miss someone like that. I recall seeing her over here." He said and already started to skip off. It was hard for himself to contain his excitement so he couldn't help but to smile and whistle a cheerful tune along the way.

Ine's eyes shifted between her two classmates, 'I don't recognize either of them...' She thought, 'Since when were were they in my class...' After focusing her vision on the two and coming to an understanding that both of them were human and not hostile, she cleared her throat and said, "I'm fine... Kind of.... This place looks nothing like our school... Or at least, not from what I remember. Hopefully this really is just dream, but it doesn't look that way anymore." Ine silently sighed, "If that's the case, maybe we should try and look for an exit? ... If there is any..." She seemed to have murmured to herself while looking around at her surroundings and studying it carefully.

Seeing the grin, Yousuke mistakenly took it as a good thing, not realizing the teen's intentions and thoughts. "Y-Yes, I believe she is quite the eye-catcher.." He chuckled, his sister always did attract some sort of attention. Whether it was her eyes, her personality or just her. He smiled faintly, glad to know someone had seen his sister. Yet, he couldn't help, but feel a sort of pain in his chest. His sister was stuck in a place like this, she doesn't deserve to be alone in this gloomy area. She doesn't deserve to be here at all. None of them did.. Or so he believed.

At the sound of Ine's voice, Nanako nodded, her smile not faltering at the slightest. "I don't think we're home either... yet, I believe we should try to find some sort of exit." She replied, soon looking from Ine to the male. "Before we carry on, I'm Nanako Nomura.. If I recall, I'm the class next to yours. Which may be why we haven't necessarily met.." She introduced, bowing lightly out of respect. She turned back to the male, her face twisting at the sight of the cigarette. "Dear, how can you smoke that...?" She asked quietly. She knew the dangers of smoking, she often strayed from those who smoked...

"Indeed!" Kyo said, glancing back at the boy behind him. His eyes showed interest in the students who had fallen into the Abyss this year. It was strange because the last few years, he watched from afar, not bothering to jump in because all the students did was fall onto their backs after suffering from what madness his home caused. This time, he thought, it may be different. Kyo stopped in his footsteps and raised a hand, pointing into the distance, "Look who we found~!" Kyo looked back at Yousuke, then scanned the two girls ahead of them, before moving his finger to Nanako and asking, "That's the girl, right?"

Ine looked at Carth with a bit of confusion, 'Outside....? I don't... well... there doesn't seem like an end to the black sky above us....' She began to wonder a while where they were, how did they get there, and other questions she couldn't possibly answer. Ine then, after hearing Nanako, smiled slightly and answered, "Nice to meet you, Nanako. My name is Ine Takane, just as you guessed. We may actually be in the same class though, just that I've been... eh... absent for a very long time so I doubt anyone would remember me, or if I would remember anyone honestly." She said, returning the polite bow.

Behind her, Ine heard a loud voice call from the background as she turned around and this time saw two males, "M-more people...?" She asked herself as she wondered, a bit terrified now to see more than just three students dragged into an unknown area, 'How many people got stuck in here with us...'

Yousuke raised an eyebrow, somehow he wondered if he should be describing his sister like this. He just needed to focus on finding her, maybe finding a way out as well. He heard Kyo's footsteps stop and the voices in the distance. He paused, squinting lightly in attempts to see clearer. He muttered curses at his horrid sight, soon realizing it was them indeed.

Nanako frowned as Carth drag, simply fanning away the smell of smoke. She always hated the smell, the consequences of even inhaling such air. She turned back to Ine, listening as she spoke. She tapped her chin, looking above them as if she was imagining a small thought bubble. She gasped, "Oh! You mean that desk! I always wondered why it was empty. I'm sorry, I believe I never really got to introduce myself back when you were around.." She cupped her cheeks with both hands, her small frown taking up her expression until she heard the noise behind them.

"Nanako?"

The sound of her name made her tense, immediately turning around to witness her brother. Her violet eyes widened, her mouth sightly gaped as she could not find the words to say. Her worries on her brother were relieved, he was here! She dashed towards her brother, almost tackling him down in an embrace. "Yousuke! I was hoping you were alright!" She cried out, not realizing how she tipped her brother off a bit.

After regaining his posture, Yousuke anxiously smiled, hugging her back and patting her head as soon as they pulled away. "I'm glad to see you're okay.." He partly lied, to be honest, he didn't want to see her here. This place didn't seem fit for her to be in, he didn't necessarily trust this place. He looked to the other two, blinking a few times before recognizing Carth and wondering about Ine.

"I believe you kept my sister safe?" He asked, a small tip of his head to show his gratitude. Nanako glanced at Kyo, seeming to feel a strange vibe from him, yet dismissing it as a stranger thing. She smiled lightly, waving a small hello to the teen.

Ine smiled a bit and said normally, "It's fine. I don't really want to draw attention to myself, so honestly I'm a bit grateful. Though... you are a nice person and would have made a great friend back then. That's alright." She laughed silently.It hurt her throat a bit. For the last few years of being hospitalized, she didn't show much emotion, so even just a little movement somewhere strange would hurt more than ever.

She then heard that the two people in the distance had already come very close to their own little group, 'Well... it's only two people at least....' She let out a small sighed of relief that they hadn't found any more trapped in the unknown world. After hearing words spoken, she turned to Yousuke after looking up at Carth and said, "We just arrived here a moment ago... Luckily, nothing's come out of the blue yet. So this is your brother...?" Ine glanced at Nanako and tilted her head a bit. For a split second, her eyes faced Kyo, suspecting him of something. She also knew that the other's probably felt the same way as well, but ignored the feeling since it had been a while since she had met someone.

Kyo put his hands into his pocket while watching the re-unitation, 'Siblings hmm... Even better...' But then he noticed he was being watched by one of them who waved. Naturally, like he did in the past times, he waved with an easily faked smile, "I just met your brother a while ago while searching for a few of the other students. I don't think I'm in any of your classes actually... But I have been here a while and I finally found people! It's a relief!" He said with a shrug, half of it being true and half of it being false.

"Ine Takane, this is my brother, Yousuke Nomura." Nanako introduced, lightly pushing her brother to interact as she spoke to the other male. Yousuke smirked lightly at his little sister's introduction. It was difficult not protest when his sister introduced him herself. He didn't mind too much, yet he could handle his own share of introductions. "Well, Ine, I'm glad nothing has turned for the worse." He replied, a subtle smile on his face as he observed her.

"Is that so? Hmm, well I'm glad you two found us three!" Nanako chuckled. She loved groups, namely because this lead to more cooperation, despite some struggles. She only hoped that the others would be able to get along as well. "Oh, yes. I'm Nanako Nomura, what's your name..?" She asked, wondering of thr boy's identity.She already knew the other two's, she just needed to learn his and her list was complete.

"As am I!" Kyo said cheerfully. In a way, he really was glad, but most likely not in the same way she was, "My name is Kyo Shizutani! Nice to meet you, Nanako Nomura~" He bowed his head a little to show more respect as he did to the past students. But Kyo also had a side to him that was quite flirtatious, which lead to him raising Nanako's hand and giving it a small kiss. He then glanced up at her and gave her a sly wink as he let go of her hand with a normal laugh. It was always fun to play around with the girls.

Ine also bowed to the older teenager in front of her and said, "Sorry I didn't introduce myself first. But... I guess it'd be pointless to say my name when your sister already said so." She put on a false smile. Honestly, she didn't like seeing more people where she was. Even after being made fun of and isolated from school, she still valued others' lives above her own, knowing that anything could happen in the unknown world they were stuck in, "Ah... I actually have a question if you wouldn't mind me asking, have either of you two found any way out yet?"

Kyo heard the question and looked at Ine before raising his hand and saying loudly, "Oh, I do actually! I haven't gone there yet because I've been looking for more people who also may be stuck down here, but now that I have, might as well head there, right?" He asked, kicking the black water a bit.

About a whole mile above them, a new character came into play. She was sitting down on one of the floating black platforms, holding a ripped up teddy bear in her hands and stroking the fur gently as if it were an actual animal, "Another class? Doesn't that idiot flirt ever get bored... What would you say, Kitty?" Her eyes looked at the black cat resting next to her swinging legs while the two continued to look down at the group.

Carth had backed away from the main group while they talked to one another not really paying much attention really he was more interested in his surroundings really, the place gave him the creeps and because of it he felt ready for a fight and the new arrivals didn't help much Yousuke was your average student a little bossy at times and not one for fighting but he wasn't the bad sort but the other well... He just didn't seem right in a sense, like he was one of those two face people but the smoker merely waved this by as the place getting to him. He walked back to the group lighting another cigarette as he got closer.

"Hey my names Carth, never seen you before mate." He started he held out his packet of beloved cancer sticks to the new comer. "Smoke?" He queried looking around, so now they came to a jolly number of five and it seemed like he was the fifth wheel of the bunch as they all were pretty chummy with one another again Carth didn't really care much about this he just had to put up with them. He turned his head towards Yousuke and grinned at him. "What about you goody two shoes wanna be a little wild for a change?" He joked letting out a little chuckle at the end, waiting for the new comer to either accept or decline his gift.

Nanako mentally wrote down the name in her mind, along with the others as well. When her hand was lifted, she looked up at him, the obvious confusion on her face. She didn't seem to understand his gesture, actually wondering what was this boy's plan. She gave a smile, chuckling lightly as he laughed and looking down to the land that kissed.

Lucikly for Kyo, Yousuke had not seen the flirtatious gesture if his, busy speaking to the rest of the group. His eyes lowered to the ground at the question, rubbing the back of his neck as he sighed. "Forgive me, I have not. I had awoken... probably not even thirty minutes ago. I had been busy looking for Nanako.." He answered, the possibilty of no actual exit frightened him. He didn't want to remain here forever, he still had to make sure Nanako was safe as well. "However, we can look for one together.."

Realizing he was being asked, he shook his head, a subtle grin on his face as well. "Please, I don't believe I wanna die just yet." He replied, the little hiss of rejection in his voice. He was truthful though, he had to stay alive for her. He couldn't imagine leaving her alone in this... world. Who knows what would happen.

"It's not very good to smoke in a place like this." Ine said, her eyes glancing at the pack of smokes from time to time, "It's not the best thing to do in this sort of situation, and on top of that, we don't even know where we are..." She sighed quietly, and then answered to Youske, "It's fine, I was just trying to see if we would get lucky. And I suppose that's the only logical choice when we're stuck in here..."

Kyo grumbled a bit and said in a loud and clear voice, coughing to get everyone's attention, "I. Know. The. Way. Out! Come come! Although there isn't much to base from, I do believe I saw something this way." He pointed his hand in a specific direction while beginning to walk through the murky water that reached his ankles. Kyo knew they were being watched by her so he figured it was time to let her meet the new comers, "Come on! Follow me now!" He turned around, waiting for the others while Ine, first and hesitantly, went directly behind his trail.

Ace saw the group moving now, and in her direction, "He knows he's held those children long enough. It's my turn now." A wide grin slipped onto her face as she dropped the teddy bear onto the ground, and walked down to the mainland below, where everyone else was walking on, and awaited the group's arrival, "I hope he found a more interesting class than last time..." She chuckled as she gently stoked the cat's fur gently.

Yosuke nodded in agreement with Ine's answer to Carth. The male wondered how the trickster even managed to get a working lighter and cigarette pack. In a place like this, it probably would've been lost! He glanced down at Nanako, who actually still had her petite messenger bag. He tilted his head in defeat of his thoughts. Maybe it was possible.

"I. Know. The. Way. Out! Come come! Although there isn't much to base from, I do believe I saw something this way."

He turned to look at Kyo, now wondering if this path would really be worth going down. He felt Nanako tug on his sleeve, managing to pull her brother into a walking. He looked back at the others before continuing on, with his sister. He wonderd why they were even in such a place. Was it something they did? Something they said or done? Where was the rest of his class and why weren't they anywhere near here?

"You okay, Yono?" Nanako asked, seeing the hints of Yousuke's grimacing. He lowered his gaze to her, plastering a smile on his face. He couldn't worry his sister right now, he had to stay strong for her. "Of course, Nanako."

After some time of walking, Kyo had stopped in his tracks. Yousuke looked up from the ground when Nanako had stopped, sensing the suspicion from his sister. He looked to Kyo, raising an eyebrow when he spoke. "What are you talking about...? A chase? We don't have time for that!" He retorted, voice raising as he urged on. There had to be an exit somewhere. There had to be.

The sounds of blades ripping through the air was only slightly audible to the young man, instincts going off and his body acting on its own "thoughts." He shielded his sister, feeling the small slashes of blades running down his body. He could hear the gasps from his little sister, the screaming of her insults for shielding her. He ignored it, simply taking her by the wrist and running once the Kyo began to count. He could see Ine ahead, attempting to catch up to her but only to fall behind. The wounds may have been thin, but they did sting.

"Yousuke! Where are we going?!" He could hear her trying to hitch her breath. She never was too good with running long distances. "Somewhere safer!" He replied, pulling her down the hall. They came to three paths, stopping to make a decision before finally taking the both of them down the left path.

Eventually, Yousuke came to a walk, breathing heavily as his grip on Nanako's wrist tightened and the beating of his heart rang through his ears. They couldn't stop right now, that boy he trusted, he was trying to kill them. He looked around, soon turning to look back at Nanako. He frowned as she began to cough, hunched over as she regained her breath. When she straightened her posture, the pale color of her face was now obvious, making him sigh and look at his body. There were countless rips in his clothes, accompanying it were some wounds varying in size.

"Are you alright...?"

"Better than dead..."

They'd noticed her. Hn. Hikari was losing her touch, that was apparent. Or maybe she wasn't as great as she'd thought she was. That demon Kyo certainly lived up to his reputation, and the girl wasn't to be messed with either. Downing her coffee and throwing the paper cup to the ground, she dashed back the way she'd come, watching the two who'd run together out of the corner of her eye. They were her best bet.

"Are you alright...?" it was a quiet voice.
And it was met with an equally hushed tone, "Better than dead."

"Dead is the safest way to be here," Hikari spoke from behind the wall near them, "You are unfortunate to come to this world. Even more unfortunate is that the demon Kyo found you before I."

They were surprised to see her, to say the least. She had expected a reaction like this, and Hikari stepped into the open. She drew her gun and took out the cartridge. "You should understand what this action means. For now, I consider you my pets. And that," she stepped closer to the two and smirked, "is fortunate. You two are lost, and there's no point in denying it. You are smart to not immediately trust me, what with having been betrayed by Kyo only moments ago. But really you don't have a choice or the time to debate trusting me. I've unarmed myself, and you'd better take this chance."

It would be a shame if they refused. She doubted that they'd be able to dress his wounds unless they had proper bandages. Her eyes turned to the girl, 'And it seems that she is only alive thanks to her companion.'

"Dead is the safest way to be here."

Within an instant, Yousuke pushed Nanako behind him, turning to look at the noirette that spoke to them. They couldn't stay in this place, this girl wasn't normal either, wasn't she? He stepped back as she spoke, still keeping his younger sister behind him. He kept quiet, knowing if he said anything, it surely would not end as well for him, and maybe Nanako. He kept his ground when seeing the gun, astonished when she discarded the cartridge. "Your pets..?"

Nanako kept an eye on the two of them, looking behind them in case of anything. She could sense the suspicions her brother kept, the rage he built up in the short minutes of behind betrayed once. She stepped out from behind Yousuke, surprising and angering him. "Yousuke. Come on.." She said, above a whisper. This may have been a risk, yet it was a risk she was willing to take if it meant they could be safe."

Yousuke stared in disbelief as Nanako walked closer to Hikari. "Nana.." He paused, sighing and following after her, "What do we do as your...'pets'?" His sister glanced at him, smiling faintly at him and somewhat sorry for her decision.

Hikari's smirk grew into a wide grin. She closed her eyes as she smiled and tilted her head to one side. "A proper introduction is in order. Call me Norimoto, ne?" she held out her hand to the girl, who happened to be noticeably shorter than her. Her smile didn't have any smugness this time, as the girl seemed to be the most trusting human she'd met so far. "And what is your name? Are you two siblings? You look an awful lot alike! Oh, what am I saying," she addressed the boy, "we'd better get you out of here."

Hikari forgot all about the hand she'd extended, not having even given the girl long enough to shake it and she put the cartridge back into her beloved gun, checking to make sure it was ready for action. "As my little pets all I ask for is your cooperation. First, let's get to somewhere safe." She put her gun away and held an arm out to the guy for support, though he didn't look as though he needed it. He seemed strong enough, that, or he was skilled at hiding the pain.

Yousuke raised an eyebrow at the girl, still uneasy about trusting her, yet what could he do. "Norimoto? I'm Yousuke Nomura..." He murmured, obviously not as not as happy with introductions. "I'm Nanako Nomura, his younger sister." Nanako said, pointing to her older brother. She was about to shake Hikari's hand, yet she had already pulled away. She fidgeted with her hands, awaiting for them to take their leave.

"Cooperation, huh?" He mumbled soon looking to the arm that was held out. He bickered with his inner self before taking her arm. He couldn't have Nanako hold him up, she was strong, yet not enough. He looked over to Nanako, gesturing her to come by her side. The girl simply smiled lightly, walking over to the two, worried about what may come.

Kyo chuckled, seeing how they all scrambled like they were ants running away from a flood of water. He then turned around, looking up into the black sky and asking, "You really certain about this? This chase may be harder than you would think." It was true, the Abyss didn't have an ending, and unlike the world, it didn't circle around. It simply continuously went on and on.

"Oh don't worry about that." Vadeline said, falling down to her partner's level. She held the black cat in her arms she so much adored and giggled, "Kitty says is a good idea, so I'll trust him. Do you want to join me? I'll be chasing down the siblings, you can chase down the rest, good deal? Half and half?"

Kyo seemed to be thinking about it for a while, but then nodded, "Sure, half and half it is. I'll be off then~ Oh, yes, and before I forget, I do recall your rival being around here looking for my class, isn't that right? Try and find her for me, I don't think I enjoy my prey being stolen." He gave a dark smile before walking off, not bothering to get straight to running since he knew he'd find someone eventually.

Vadeline cringed at the thought and muttered, "She's hunting them also... Then I guess it's going to be two three instead." She said before skipping away, the little cat at her feet walking beside her although he knew he'd be shot at by the woman if Vadeline were to run into her.

Ine stopped running after dashing for about a whole mile. She hid behind a wall that seemed to have been growing out of the black water covering the dark ground and covered her mouth, trying to conceal her harsh breathing. All she could hear was stop breathing, so she did what she was told, hoping no one followed her. She could hear voices, not knowing who's they were, but didn't want to know so she crawled further from them.