Hey! We have a new fic here, it was entitled "Normal" written by The Jackal. You can visit The Jackal's site here! Thanks very very much, The Jackal for sending your fic! I'm pretty sure the Weiss guys will be happy to read this! ^_^

Normal by The Jackal
A young fan actually gets to meet the Weiss boys!  It's a dream come true!  Isn't it...?  

CHAPTER I

I'm a normal person.  I have a normal life and normal things to do.  I go to school.  I do homework.  I go out with my friends who are weird but that's another story.  Something extraordinary happened to me.  I've never talked about it before and to tell you the truth I'm trying to forget it.  In any case, it changed my life and how I view my world, especially my world regarding a specific anime.
That anime is Weiss Kreuz.  I saw it and said, "What the crack is Wise Cruise?"  Curiosity led me to the anime where I learned of a secret organization, called Kritiker, and a particular team of assassins, named Weiss.  By now I realized that the proper pronunciation was Vais Kroitz and had completely fallen in love with the bishounen therein, particularly Hidaka Ken and Fujimiya Ran "Aya".  Since I had no access to the actual anime I satisfied my otaku needs on web sites manga and fanfiction.  But that wasn't enough -- not for me.

Writing and drawing my own stories, I learned how the characters thought, how they worked.  I only touched briefly on Schwarz and didn't look twice at Schrient, Weiss was my "target", of sorts, and I studied them tirelessly.  My mother would often stare blankly as I worked and blabbered off my findings to her unresponsive face.  She would usually nod or stare at me strangely, but she would never downplay my obsession as craziness.  She would even help me by buying art supplies for my doujinshi!  I really miss her.

Even with all the things I was doing, I still felt that something was missing.  My little sister, ranting about how stupid Weiss Kreuz was and how stupid I was for liking it, hit the jackpot.

"If I ever met that Fuji-whatsisname I'd tell him to cut the rest of his ugly red hair!"

That was it.  If I ever met them, what would I say?  I laughed it off at first.  They're cartoon characters!  They're not real.  Even if something like Kritiker did exist, I wouldn't want to meet people who were probably not half as pretty as the boys of Weiss.  However, the thought stuck with me, and I begin to catch myself fantasizing about meeting the boys.  As I stared up at the poster that hung above my bed I would talk to them and almost hear them answer (except for Aya who usually never said anything).  I was convinced I was going crazy but I couldn't seem to stop my spiral into insanity.  I guess I didn't realize the seriousness of my problem until that day -- a Wednesday.

I started hearing voices.

Soft at first, I could only hear them in my room.  Then when I was in class and daydreaming about their latest adventure, they came as well.  I didn't say anything, because I was afraid of being locked away.  They spoke strongest when I was writing and drawing, concentrating on my fave anime.  The words were incoherent and not in reference to me.  They seemed pretty harmless and I was convinced that after awhile they would go away.

Then the doorbell rang.

I had been drawing Aya sitting at a desk reading, his ear-tails laying indolently on his shoulders.  I was upset at the interruption but calmed and walked to the door.  I opened it and no one was there.  Confused, I shouted, "Hello?"  When no one but birds answered, I sighed and walked back to my room and sat down at my drawing easel.  I positioned my pencil to draw and froze with shock.

The Aya on my paper had changed.  He was staring at me.

"What?"

Then suddenly I was grabbed from behind and yanked from my chair, knocking it over.  I tried to scream but a grubby hand clamped over my mouth. I kicked and struggled hearing my dog raging in another room.  There was nothing the poor animal could do.  I had locked him in the kennel so he couldn't bother me as I drew.  I saw someone, a tall, man with thin glasses and small dark eyes.  He looked familiar but something was wrong with his...

"Get her out of here!  Time is running out!"  he yelled.

What were they talking about?  I was crying tears of terror when the room when black.  Everything disappeared in a gloomy dark: the bed, the desk, the chair.  My dog's barks went silent.  The ceiling and floor were black expanses.  I felt my hands being tied behind me, I was gagged and blind folded.  My mind was a blank.  Fear had completely overridden my senses so that even fight-or-flight responses had been canceled.  I only trembled and cried and hoped the darkness would just go away.

It did go away.  Forcefully, I was slammed into a hard floor and a white-hot pain tore up my leg.  I screamed and someone behind me curse.

"Minami!"

"It couldn't be helped," came a soft woman's voice.

Minami? South in Japanese.  My brain was fogged.  Between terror, confusion, and pain, my mind just shut off and I fainted.

When I awoke the darkness had returned.  But this time there was no one to harrass me.  My hands were still tied and my ankle throbbed.  I was hungry and terribly thirsty.  I was lying on my back. The ground below me was hard and cold.  Everything was silent except for a dull pulse in my ears.  I tested my voice.

"Hey..."

The sound was a hiss with a touch of "scratchy whistle".  I cleared my throat.

"Hey!"  The voice was broken but functioning.  There was no reply.  "Hello?  Is there anybody here?"  I tried to push myself upright and felt the fiery pain shoot up my leg again.  I groaned.

Someone touched me and I stiffened.  "What are you..?

Something metal touched my lips and I nearly choked on the water that followed.  I drank gratefully but cautiously not wanting to spill a drop.  Whoever, it was patted my cheek patronizingly and I glared behind the blindfold.  My captors.

"Where am I?  What do you want?"

Silence was the only thing that greeted me, but I finally recognized something about that silence.  It was absolute.  I didn't hear footsteps that usually accompanied another person, no sound of breathing besides my own nor the rustle of clothing.  I couldn't hear.  The realization was a blow to my confidence.  Fear welled up and stifled my breathing.  I fought hysteria.  Helplessness was not something I had felt often.  Even my parents had been lenient.

I lay there wondering if anybody was there, if they cared.  I didn't know if they were waiting to kill me or to take me somewhere.  As far as my brain knew I was completely alone and wanting company.

I started to sing to myself, softly at first then louder as I realized that no one was going to hurt me for it.  I started with "Closer to You" by the Dixie Chicks but that just made me depressed.  So I tried another, "Rainy Dayz" came to mind.

"It's just those rainy days
Spenda long time tryna washem way,
till the sun comes through the clouds again,
Smile at me, smile at me..."

I stopped singing abruptly because I had an overwhelming sense that someone was coming.  But I was unsure since I wasn't certain that I had been alone in the first place.

Strong arms lifted me off the ground with no regard for my broken ankle.  I fought the urge to cry and spat questions instead.

"Who are you?  What do you want, you bastards?  Answer me!"

An explosion of stars behind my eyes and a sharp pain in my head sent my spiralling back into unconciousness.  I guess that was my answer.

My eyes opened to darkness, silence, hurt, hunger, thirst, and pain.  I knew better than to say anything or make any sort of noise.  My mind sent up visions of my mother and sibings, searching for me frantically.  In fact, I thought I could hear them calling.

"Momma?"

Mother stopped and looked up.  "Where are you?"

"I'm here, Momma!  Come get me!"  My voice was barely a whisper.  I needed water to speak, to go home.

My older brother came, giving her a pat on her shoulder.  My momma picked up the picture of Aya that I had drawn and sighed deeply.  She turned to my brother and began to cry, letting the drawing fall to the floor.

I felt something important within me dissolve.

"No!  No!"  I cried reaching out to her.  She turned away walking from my sight and the vision of my room began to fade.  They had to come back!  They had to believe that I was real!  If they believed, I would return!  "Momma!  Momma, no!  I'm not dead!  I'm here!  I'm here!"

I was shaking badly with sobs that threatened to tear me apart.  "Believe in me.  Believe in me..."  I said those words over and over.  Eventually, I slept and awoke.  I did that twice.  Thirst and hunger were overwhelming me.  I couldn't think of anything else but those words.

Believe in me.

It was too late.  Once someone died they were no longer real; they didn't exist anymore in the mind of their loved ones.  I could only lie there, spasmodically trying to reach a world where I used to belong, not because I hoped to reach them (I was beyond hope by now) but because my mind, intent on driving me insane, found nothing else to do in the dark and the silence.

I slept again and awoke to the feeling of a presence, something I now trusted in wholeheartedly.  Someone was here.  I lay still waiting for the touch.  I winced when it came, turning my face toward a light.  Light?  Yes!  It was coming throught the blindfold!  My heart expanded with happiness at the luminary and I sighed.  The hand turned my head again and I felt something pull at my ear.  I heard!

"Are you alright?"

What a thing to hear!  The voice was soft and beautiful.  It quenched my mind's thirst for sound with its smooth lilt and gentle, sweet concern.  I wanted more!  God, I wanted more!

I nodded, though it wasn't true.  Anything to satisfy that voice.

"Can you walk?"

My ankle.  It wasn't hurting now but I knew it couldn't have healed.  I shook my head, "It's broken," I whispered, tasting blood as my dry lips cracked.

"You're going to have to cover me."

What?  I blinked behind my blindfold, feeling my lashes stroke the ratty material.  I was carefully lifted and felt cool soft leather on my cheek.  He was carrying me, like a child.  My mind pricked me with memories of my mother and I jerked my focus back to the here and now.

"Sorry if I hurt you," came the voice.

I shook my head, voice failing.  Why didn't he take my blindfold off?

He ran with me and it jarred me some.  I turned my face to the leather and whimpered.  I had forgotten how much my ankle hurt.  The bouncing and pain was also making me nauseated.

"Careful!  You'll hurt her!"  Another voice this one.  A bit higher pitched but nice to hear.

"It can't be helped."

I gasped and stiffened.  Minami.  The last name I heard before my ordeal.  But wasn't Minami a woman?  I doubted for a moment that these men had come to my rescue.  Only a moment though.  I couldn't deny my minds insistence that these men were good and if I stayed with them I was safe.

Leather-dude put me down lightly, leaning me against a wall.  "Stay still."  He said.

I complied and felt a gentle breeze about my arms.  Suddenly, the ropes that had bound me fell away.  Returning circulation to my hands sent biting prickles up my wrist but one thing was on my mind.  The blindfold had to come off.  As I reached to tear it away, though, the hand caught mine.

"Not yet."

Disappointment with a touch of rebellion stirred within me.  "Why not?  I want to see!"

"Wait."  There was no option in the voice, but it held promise.

I relaxed and felt my hand drop.  The leather was close by, I could smell it, but I no longer felt the body within it.  The voice and it's companion were conversing softly and no matter how hard I tried to listen I couldn't make it out.  Besides that nothing remarkable was happening.

Thirst reasserted itself as my most urgent need.  Tentatively, I reached out, but a bit too quickly, and my hand smacked against something that felt like a boot.  I cradled my hand to myself wincing away, terrified at touching the angel that had come to rescue me.

"What?"

Suddenly, the words, "I'm thirsty," sounded so stupid.  How dare I ask a deity about mortal needs?  My throat closed off the way to my voice.  Fear pierced my heart and stung my eyes.  I couldn't stop trembling.

"She's terrified.  We've got to get her out of here before she dies of fright," muttered the leather's companion.

"We're not going to hurt you."  Of course, they weren't I wanted to reply.  I just didn't want them to leave.  I was afraid they would leave me alone in the dark and the silence.  I didn't care if it was childish, but I needed to be held. I was desperate for the touch, the sound, the sight of others.  I would die if I were alone, not if I were scared or hurt.

"Come back," was the only sentence I could put together.  A hand brushed my face.

"We won't leave you either."  The reaction was instant.  I stopped trembling and my heartrate stopped racing.  I relaxed and cried softly with relief.

I never recalled sleeping but I do recall opening my eyes to a different scene.  I couldn't see yet, but I heard a  motor and felt that I was sitting between two people, leaning a bit on leather to my left.  My thirst had not been sated, but I was too exhausted to do anything about it.  Besides, I heard music.

I vaguely remembered singing, back when I still had hope of returning.  Maybe I would sing again sometime.  The person on my right side shifted and I winced away instinctively.  I felt Leather turn and a pang at having disturbed him.  I stared into the darkness waiting for some voice to return but I heard nothing.  Was I disappointed?  A bit.  But at least I still had the feel of leather and another and the knowlege that someone had to be driving this vehicle.  At least, three.

Four, my inner self corrected.  There are four here.

I closed my eyes and slept again.


When I opened them there was dark, but a different dark.  The blindfold was gone.  The last vestige of my kidnapping had disappeared.  Scratch that.  Thirst was still with me and it clawed at my mouth and throat.  Hunger whined subtly but persistantly but pain had left for now.  I turned my head.

I was lying on a bed and though I was covered in blankets, I was cold.  Someone is there, came the inner voice.

"You're awake." It was Leather.

I heard footsteps recede and return.  A straw was held to my lips and I eagerly drank the water.  The straw left and a soft protest escaped the deadlock my throat had on my voice.

"Breathe or you'll pass out."  Once again no option.  I drank slower this time.  Letting my eyes wander, I could see that daylight was trying to penetrate heavy curtains on the windows.  The room was being kept dark.  I imagined that if there was too much light in the room then it would hurt me.  I saw the hands that held the straw.  They were delicately boned and soft-looking.  His fingernails were clean, I noted.  The straw ran noisily out of water, breaking my concentration.

Leather stood and walked into my sight.  When he did so, my mind took a slight shock.  That shape, the contours of his body and face, were so familiar.  He was an old friend I felt.  Still, my mind denied he was who I thought he was.  He couldn't be! No way!

He was, stated the impeccable inner voice.  His violet eyes looked into mine and I was glad for the dark.  He couldn't see the flush that was creeping up my cheeks.  "My name is Aya.  Just call if you need anything."

CHAPTER II

Fujimiya Ran.  It was him.  I lay on the bed completely stunned.  He was real.  This was no dream.  It completely blew my mind and yet...it was nothing new.  Fujimiya had always been real to me.

Ran returned carrying a tray of food that smelled even more heavenly since I was starving.  I dove in without a word of thanks, too hungry to be polite.  Ran watched me as I ate and I knew he was thinking about me.  I swallowed a piece of orange and looked back at him.  He was so much more beautiful than I had imagined him to be.  The way his bangs fell across his forehead and led to those gorgeous eartails.  And his eyes!  I have never seen violet eyes before and I must say that they are far more attractive than anything else about him.  Unfortunately for me, they were narrowing.

"What is it?"

"You were staring at me."  I replied, still zonked by the fact that Ran had spoken to me and I had answered. I returned to my food.  "It's good," I said.  Suddenly, something struck again.  Ran had rescued me.  The leather!  He always wore leather on missions!

"Thank you.  For...for helping me."

"I did what I had to..."  His voice trailed off abruptly.  "How did you know it was me?"

My heart clenched.  Uh oh.  I didn't like that tone of voice...

"Your...voice! I...I recognized it."  I dared not look up.  Did he buy it?  For now, I guessed, he took up the tray and left.

"Get some rest.  Someone else will visit you tonight."  He hadn't looked back and I wondered if I had repelled him some way.  No, said the inner-me, he just needs some time to think about me.  I tummy full of delicious food willed my eyes to close and I slept dreamlessly.

I awoke and the apartment was empty.  Ran must be working, I thought.  I checked my ankle under the sheets.  It had been expertly bandaged, but I was afraid to move it.  I looked up and a note caught my eye.

"Uriko:
        I've left some clothes for you to wear.  You may bathe and not worry about the bandages.  They're waterproof.  Everything you need should be in the bathroom.  You may eat if you're hungry but stay out of my room."

Ran had signed his name at the bottom.  I gasped like he had just autographed a prized possession; then again, I guess he did.  But there was one problem.

My name was not Uriko.

I puzzled at this for a moment.  Who told him that my name was Uriko?  Oh well...

I sighed and slowly pushed my way out of bed.  The bathroom was across the hall.  It was small with cream walls and light blue tile.  A shower stall was to the left and a sink and toilet were directly in front of me as I walked in.  I bottle of aftershave was beside the faucet and I smiled, imagining Ran shaving.

Then I looked up.  I almost screamed.

The person looking back at me, wide-eyed and frightened was _not_ me.  Her skin was light.  Mine was dark.  Her long dark hair fell to her waist and her black eyes blinked with amazement.  My hair was short and brown and my eyes were light and wider than this reflection that wasn't.  I reached out, hesitated and touched the mirror.  The woman behind the glass did the same.  It was how I looked now in this knew world.  I didn't look half bad were it not for the grime and the dirt.  I must stink.  My clothes were ragged as well.  I sighed sadly.  These tatters were all I had left of the old world there was nothing on me that...

My bracelet.  I could keep that as a reminder that I was a stranger in a strange land and that some day I would have to make it back.  I kept the bracelet and toss aside the rest of my clothes.

I scrubbed myself until my skin was red and stinging.  I washed my hair vigorously and dried it quickly.  The clothes were soft and sent shivers up my spine.  Loose-fitting blouse and sweatpants that complemented my slender figure.  I went to the kitchen but my physical hunger wasn't half as demanding as my curiosty.  Exactly how was the world that Weiss lived in?

I snatched some chips off the kitchen counter and plopped myself down in front of the TV.  I turned some of th channels.  Nature, Cartoons, fashion show!  I watched that for a minute or two and lost interest.  Talk shows were on every other channel.  What was this?  Nothing on TV?  Wasn't Anime life supposed to be interesting?  I turned it off.

A stereo caught my attention.  Music was something I definately liked.  Ran's CD collection was in a convenient merry-go-round and it was easy to flip through.  It, unfortunately, contained no one I recognized but just to experiment I put in a disk.  The music wasn't loud but I turned it down anyway.  It was nice, I thought to myself, a soft alternative.  I smiled to myself deciding that I liked it.  While I listened, I brushed my hair seeing how thick and heavy it was.  I would have to do something with it.  Duo Maxwell came to mind and I split the hair into three parts and began to braid it.

My ankle was starting to ache from all my hobbling around so I decided to cool it for a while, besides I was getting tired.  I didn't have much energy yet.  I opened a lampstand draw that was by the sofa and found a magazine about electonics.  I found a broken pencil, a kung-fu movie, a yen piece...

A yen piece!

Something hit me.  I stared at the electronics magazine.  It was about the new processor that would revolutionize the industry....I could read it.  I could read everything.  I listened to the music.

I love you til the day I die
I love you, your love makes me fly...

I could understand the lyrics.  They were in Japanese but I had no problem.  But could I still speak English?

"Yes..."  I ventured, trying not to make it come out as "Aa" or "Hai".  It sounded funny.  I have an accent!  The thought touched my sense of humor and I started to laugh.  It felt good to laugh.  I felt that I had been uptight and overly cautious.  I sighed, toying with my braid.  Now what?

I yawned answering my own question.  I went back to the room I was in.  I sat on the bed.  Now what?  I had exhausted all my fun time and Aya's house was disappointingly uninteresting.  A full body mirror was hung on one side of a closet door.  I could just see myself.  I was very slight, almost non-existant compared to my clunky old self.  I examined my nails, they were broken but clean.  I looked at my hands, small as before.  My arms were long and slender. My shoulders were a bit bony but I could see the muscles strung along them like steel cables. Did I work out?  I didn't think so. One leg stretched and I bent along it easily.  I was very flexible.  Splits were no problem.  Maybe I was a gymnast?  But what would Weiss want with a gymnast?

For what had to be the fortieth time that day, an electric shock pulse through my body.  My breath caught.

What did Weiss want with anyone, mocked the inner-me, what else but to join them?  Panic surged through me.  I can't be an assassin!  I don't kill! Killing was wrong! Even if I had to, I couldn't fight to save my life! The room spun as my eyes danced around frantically for some sort of escape.  I couldn't run with my ankle.  I knew no one in this place besides Weiss.  No one knew me!  No one even knew I existed!

"Oh God, no..."  I covered my face with my hands.  I was just like them.  Exactly like them.

The door clicked and opened.  Unintelligible voices spoke and one laughed softly.  Footsteps approached my room and the music was silenced.  They were coming for me thought, drawing my knees to my chest.

Sure enough, Birman walked through the door alone.  She had a friendly smile and was dressed a bit casually.  Probably trying to relax me.  It didn't work. I knew what this was about.

"Hello, Minami Uriko."  I looked up at the name Minami.

"My name is not Minami Uriko," I growled, not at all fooled.  I unconsciously moved away from her, looking away.  Fear was making me aggressive.  I didn't know why.  I was never aggressive before.

Birman's manner changed instantly, "Well whatever you wish to call yourself," she raised a small silver hand gun to my temple.  "I have a proposition for you."

"Join Kritiker or die?" I spat, aggression growing.  Yet, I couldn't look her eye.

She forced me to, yanking my chin until my eyes met hers.  They sparkled with fury.  "How do you know of Kritiker?"

I buried my fear.  She wouldn't hurt me for now, my inner voice said.  Still, how could I explain that this woman's life was enertainment for young adults?  I shuddered slightly.

"Even if I told you, you wouldn't believe me."  I said.

Birman held my gaze for a few moments longer, then she backed off.  "Now I see why Aya was so puzzled about you.  You are certainly an enigma." The gun returned, "You were right about the choices you have."

I looked away.  "What difference does it make?"  Indeed, what difference?  I was dead to my old world, I had never existed in this one.  The only way I would exist would be to kill.  I couldn't do that.

"Do you want to go home, Uriko?"

I shook my head, "There's no way I can go home..."

"Kritiker can make it happen."

I laughed bitterly.  She didn't know what she was talking about.  I turned back, facing the gun that was pointed at me so accusingly.  It almost broke my heart.  "I didn't want it to be this way..." I whimpered softly.

Birman changed again, compassionate this time.  "No one is blaming you.  I'm just giving you a chance to make things right."

Even though there was plenty of light in the room but I felt surrounded by darkness and silence again.  All that held me as a normal person was gone.  My family, my values, even my own body had been changed.  I had to completely redo who I was.  I sighed and nodded.

I stopped believing in me, and felt the last hope of ever returning, the last hope that had quietly fought to survive, die.  I gave in and became Uriko Minami, the anime character.

Birman left me.  I didn't lift my head for a long time.  I felt dead.  Movement was impossible and even breathing was difficult.  I felt like I had just sold my soul to the Devil, completely given up any hope of redemption from now until the day I died.  I should have let her shoot me, I thought miserably.

I didn't sleep that entire night.  Sleep would have only brought painful illusions of what I could never have.  A family, love, children.  My life was over.


The next morning held nothing better.  Aya kicked me out of his apartment and shoved me into another one, empty and unfurnished.  I frowned.  Kritiker could at least be polite and give me something to sit on. A purse lay in a corner and when I opened it it was full of money. I sat on the floor.  If they expected me to come down to the Kitten, they had something else coming.  I looked at the whitewashed walls.  They didn't suit me.  This was my life now.  No this was my death.  I was living with death as a goal.  Maybe if I died, I could go back to my old self.

I stood and walked out, skirting the flower shop window and walking across the street.  I had all my money in the purse.  I walked into a home furnishing place and began buying furniture.  Nothing cheap everything was top mark though I didn't buy much.  Also paint, and stencils, I would be painting my home on my own.  I went to a clothing store and bought up the place as well.  Grocery was at my mercy.  I went back home laden with bags though it didn't seem too heavy to me.

Despite my shopping spree, my mood did not improve.  I didn't even see Youji when I passed him like a storm cloud.

"Need some help?"

I turned slowly to him, black lightning in my eyes, "No."  I reached my apartment and slammed the door in his face.  I lay down the sheets and put on the overalls.  I turned on the music and began to paint the apartment deep blue with star stencils  With nothing to distract from my work I was finished by the time the furniture men came.  The put the furniture in the place I dictated.  One table, one sofa, one futon, one trunk.  That was it.  I placed my clothes in the trunk.  I looked over my work but felt no pleasure at it, I did begin to feel hungry after all the work though, and decided to go to the kitchen to fix myself a sandwich to tide myself over to dinner.  As I did so, my cast caught on the table leg.  With a startled cry I fell forward, reaching out for something to catch myself on. 

Someone else caught me.  "Careful!  What do you think you're doing?  That ankle will never heal with you walking around on it like that!"

Leather's companion.  Ken Hidaka.  I looked up at him.  "How'd you get in here?"

"You left the door unlocked," He set me down on the sofa, "My name's Ken.  We missed you at the Kitten."  He looked up at me then around the house, "You did a good job on this place."

"Are you for real?"  I asked.   He didn't even know me.

Ken ignored the question.  "Doesn't that hurt?"  He referred to my ankle.

I looked down, noticing a throbbing for the first time.  I turned away from him.

"Uriko?"

I turned back to him.  He seemed genuinely concerned for me, and I found that odd.  "Who _are_ you?"

Ken shrugged, "You're teammate."

Oh yeah, that's right.  "And Omi?  Where is he?"

Ken jumped.  "You know Omi already?"

I made an urgent reminder to myself not to give away too much.  Though I was part of the anime, I still knew things that I shouldn't..  "Yes.  And Youji too.  In fact, I saw him this morning."

Ken chuckled, "He told us you didn't give him the time of day."

"I've no interest in Youji," I replied, "And my name is not Uriko."

"What do you want to be called then?"  asked Ken, very reasonably.

"Yorleni."

Ken was growing uneasy with my silence though he didn't show it.  I was becoming aware of a sixth sense that was expanding beyond simply being alert to another's presence.  I could pick up on feelings now.  Ken was anxious.

"Yorleni," Ken began, "Is kind of hard to say...It's not Japanese is it?"

"No," I replied softly, "It's something my mother made up."

"Oh," Ken sighed, "Is she..."

I didn't know what to say.  My real mother was very much alive.  My mother here?  "I don't know."

The ice wasn't breaking between us.  Ken stood looking around.  "If you need anything just ask.  I need to get back to the Kitten."

"OK."  I showed Ken the door, sighing softly after he was gone.

The Kitten.  I had forgotten about the flower shop.  I looked around the house, wondering if I should go.  I shook my head.  Something was more important at the moment.  I went to my room, bare except for the futon and trunk.  I sat on the floor, eyes partially closed.  I was remembering but the memories were from a different person, from Uriko.  I remembered a woman from childhood and men who hurt after the woman died.  I remembered doing horrible things to those same men but then being taken away.  I remembered darkness and pain.  I then, remembered a secret deep inside me.  I was different and greatly so, from Ken and Ran and Youji.  I was very different.

I took a deep breath, feeling for a movement within me.  I felt an odd feeling at my shoulder blades, the wonderful feeling of stretching a limb.  Two limbs, were stretched and folded, wrapping about my body in a soft blanket.

Wings.  Two light blue wings stroked my small body.  I felt warm inside and I shivered with pleasure.  I had to stop rejecting this new life.  To do so would be to live a death.  I would simply live as Yorleni the assassin for now.

I flapped them testing them out and succeeded in knocking over a lamp.  They were huge, reaching across the room before folding down the walls.  I moved them up and down but I could not stretch them fully.  I moved to the living room, carefully placing breakable items on the floor.  The room was big enough for the pinions to miss the wall though they barely fit.  I stretched them and snapped them to my back.  The wind from the movement lifted my braid from my shoulders and knocked it into my face.  I wanted to fly but there was still daylight outside and I could not risk being seen.

I was not surprised that I knew how to fly.  Uriko's memories were melding with my own, forming a dual psyche.  Uriko knew things that Yorleni did not but as I concentrated and thought throughout that night, Uriko's knowlege became Yorleni's and Yorleni's knowlege became Uriko's.  The thoughts felt like oil mixed with water, the personalities could not mix but they couldn't be manually seperated.  They were merely attached.

It was midnight before I felt tired and slept.  A loud knocking woke me as I lay on the futon, wrapped in my azure plumes.  My feathers were softer than anything I had ever touched, so soft that they were almost intangible.  However they were also my weapons.  I stood folding my wings back into my body and wrapping myself in a robe.  (Not even the Uriko in me knew how I hid such huge wings inside my tiny self)

Youji stood at the door with a bouquet of roses.  He handed them to me and spouted something romantic. I wasn't listening but I was very flattered anyway. "Thank you."  I said, "They're beautiful."

"They're no match for you, my dear," Youji crooned.

I blushed involuntarily.  I was never a Youji fan.  I didn't like him because he smoked.  But God, he was handsome!  His bright green eyes sparkled mischeviously behind his dark glasses that slipped low down his nose.  He towered over me in height (They all did.  I was practically a midget at four-foot-nine.), and I had to crane my neck to look at him.

"I'm not _that_ pretty."

Youji laughed.  "Don't be so modest!  You're coming down to the Kitten today?"

I shrugged, "Sure."  I turned away.  It was too hard to look up all the time besides, I think I was making googly eyes at him.

"Great!  I'll tell everyone you're coming."

I turned away from the door, and fought the urge to squeal.  My otaku self was returning.  I giggled girlishly.  I had just spoke to Youji and he was about ten times cuter in person if the reader can imagine that.  Manga and anime can't capture that kind of finesse.  It radiated from him like heat!

I turned the shower on and wet my long hair.  It would take a while to dry so I would have to be fashionably late.  I thought over all my encounters with the boys.  Aya: so quiet, yet stern.  Still, when I was kidnapped he'd been very compassionate.  After, he did take care of me.  I sighed.  It didn't mean a thing though.  I had always had fantasies of Ran saying romantic things to me but now that whole bit was ridiculous.  Ken: He seemed very nice, but he had run into me at a bad time.  I would have to make amends.  Youji: Well, he was himself, though I wondered if my cold reaction to him at first had repelled him.  It didn't seem so, considering the fact that he had just gave me some gorgeous flowers.  Maybe being rejected turns him on?  I laughed.

The ankle cast was feeling clunky on my foot which did not hurt in the least.  Maybe it hadn't been broken after all.  I stepped awkwardly out of the shower and dried off.  I slowly unfurled one wing and thought of something frightening.  Darkness.

A rush of adrenaline struck my system and the feathers wound themselves into hard, brittle needles with a soft rushing sound. At the edge of my wings, the feathers became long barbed, quills.  They could easily kill and were extremely painful if the victim was still alive.  Along the wing fingers and wrist they were sharp blades and it was this that I used on the plaster binding my foot. With two deft strokes, the cast fell away revealing a small, pale foot.  I put weight on it.  It was a bit stiff but I felt that it would go away as the morning wore on.

I dried my hair frowning as it determined to tangle itself into a mess.  Wielding a long-toothed comb in one hand and a blow dryer in the other, I attacked the mass of dark waves until it submitted itself into something manageable.  I looked it over in the mirror.  I liked it loose but that would not be appropriate in a work setting.

I tied my hair into a raised ponytail and topped that with a flowery head scarf.  I smiled at myself in the mirror.  I _was_ pretty!

I wasn't hungry for breakfast, too excited at meeting my favorite heroes.  I slipped on comfortable tan slipper-shoes and ran down the stairs.

The store was opened as I anticipated, and I walked in shining a bright smile at everyone.  "Hi!  Sorry I'm late."

Ken blinked in surprise no doubt wondering if this was the same person he had met the other day.  That had to be the darkest night in my life, but the sun had risen, spreading it's warm light on the world like butter on toast, and I was transformed at it's touch.  He also was probably wondering how I could be walking without my cast.

Youji smiled right back, "Yo!  I'm glad you're in better spirits."

I saw Ran, trying to hide behind one of the shelves it seemed.  I grinned.  "Morning, Aya."

"Morning."  He was so grouchy, but a teddy-bear grouchy.  When he was grouchy, he was cute.

"I'm Omi!"

I turned and took a shock.  Omi was tall!  I had to look up at him as well.  He was much shorter than his companions so I guess I imagined that he was shorter in general. However, he was a teenage boy, and therefore way taller than me.

"Uh...Hi!"  I recovered, "I'm Yorleni!"

Omi looked confused, "I thought your name was Uri...OOF!  Ken!"

Ken had run into Omi and quickly muttered something into his ear.  "Whoops!  Sorry, man!" he said afterwards.

I looked back and forth, "....?"

Omi glared at Ken briefly before returning his attention to me.  "Please to meet you, Yor....Yor.."

I shrugged, "Just call me Reni."

Omi looked relieved, "Ok, Reni.  Why don't we take a tour of the shop?"

Wow, a tour of "The Kitten in the House"!  Outloud I said, "Ok."

I followed Omi into the back of the store where he showed me the recent shipment of flowers they had.  "We'll be setting up most of these displays today.  Do you know anything about flower arranging?"  When I shook my head, he nodded, "You'll learn quick.  It's very simple."

Omi was also very cute.  The manga made him look boyish at times with his overly large eyes and rather child-like expressions.  But the real Omi was more mature than some 40-year olds I had encountered.  His mannerisms were very adult, from the authoritative way he pointed to certain flowers to the masterful way he looked at me when he asked if I had any questions.  I shook my head in response.

He looked me over.  "How old are you?"

I started at the question, "I'm, well, seventeen...I think." I finished lamely.  Why didn't I know how old this body, Uriko, was?

Omi cocked his head to one side charmingly, "You think?  You mean, you don't know?"

I looked away and shook my head.  "I'm not sure."

I felt his hand on my shoulder and I looked up at him.  His face was very close to mine.  "I don't know my age either.  Were you kidnapped like me?"

I thought, "I don't think so.  I've always been with different people.  But those people never..well..I never cared where they took me.  They took care of me."  I already knew what happened to Omi and this made me feel uncomfortable.  I felt guilty about not telling him.  Didn't he deserve to know?

No doubt thinking that the subject upset me, Omi changed it.  "You've already met Ken, Youji, and Aya, so all there is left to do is find out what you're good at here.  Got any talents?"

I knew of one thing my eye was constantly catching.  Dust was piling up in one corner, dirt had spilled in one place, catalogues were untidily stacked on a table where they were sure to be soiled and ruined.  "I think I'll clean up."

Omi looked shocked.  "What?  Clean?  You sure?"

"Yes,"  I figured that these boys were very clean considering that an eye to detail would make them aware of any sort of neglect.  But unfortunately noticing the mess was not enough.  "Where're the supplies?"

Omi showed me the closet where all the supplies were kept.  "Thank you.  I'll start back here."  Things would have to be straightened, dusted and put away.  I started with the most obscured spots, scouring away tirelessly.  Aya walked in and out carry away boxes.  He would glance at me occassionally, but I would say nothing to him, too focused on the task at hand.  As I cleaned, I would find the most disgusting things behind shelves and under boxes that looked like they hadn't been shifted in millenia.  Rat's nests, dust an inch thick, grime and gunk from where some nasty stuff had spilled and bacteria had set up a resort town.  I pulled out anything salvageable and threw away the useless, wiping away what I could along the way.

On hands and knees, I was reaching under a table when my mind alerted me to an annoying presence behind me.  I wondered why the presence was annoying when I turned and saw Youji appreciating my rear end.  I glared,  "You've a problem?"

"Nope!"  He smiled that million-dollar smile and was promptly sprayed in the face by my squirt-bottle.  "Hey!"  He wiped his face off with his sleeve and I turned back to table.  "What're you trying to do?  Blind me?"

I snorted, "It's water.  Quit whining."  I pulled out a large book and dusted it off, sneezing.  Youji wiped off his shades and glowered at me.  I must have been a sight, hands and knees scuffed up, face smeared with dirt, slacks dark with grime.  I turned up to him and smiled.  "Look what I found!"

He took the book from me and grimaced, "I remember this book.  We lost it a while ago.  Had to pay a lot to replace it too.  How'd it get under there?"

"It was probably shoved under there by mistake."  I sighed, continuing my excavation under the table.  As time wore on and the boys drifted back to the front I caught myself singing again.

"Osanai te ni tsutsunda
Furueteru sono hikari o
Koko made tadotte kita
Jikan no fuchi o samayoi..."

I couldn't believe I remembered that song.  Now that I actually spoke Japanese the words took on new, deeper meaning.  I was cleaning the cobwebs from a corner in the ceiling as I sang.  My legs braced against a shelf and my back was against the concrete wall.  The cobwebs were diligently removed and I climbed down nimbly.  The place was looking much better.  Three out of four sections were thoroughly cleaned.  Now the last one.

I started to organize the boxes away from the wall and attacked the gathered dust with broom, feather dusters, and my trusty water bottle.  I went through a whole playlist of songs as I cleaned.  Nelly Furtado, Celine Dion, Mary J. Blige, Ja Rule, Brandy, Sade.  Even some of my fave Disney songs found a place.  I spared no spot or untidiness. In my mind the floor was divided into a grid and I was not satisfied until every square in the grid was immaculate.  In no time the last part of the back room looked decent.  I wiped sweat from my brow and leaned on my broom.  I so liked cleaning.

I went to the now spotless bathroom and washed myself off as well as I could.  Someone came in the back.  I peeked out and saw Ken who was looking about the refurbished back room.

"Amazing..." he said as he looked around, "I can actually walk through this place without tripping over something."  He turned his attention back to me.  "I'm getting ready to go to lunch.  Do you want something?"

I suddenly realized that I was starving.  I hadn't eaten breakfast and after all this work my stomach was reporting a healthy defecit.  "Thanks.  Could you get me a really big salad?  With no dressing please."

"Really big salad, no dressing.  Gotcha.  Anything else?"

"No, that's all!"  I smiled, thankfully up at him.  He was cute, even if he did wear that ugly white head scarf.

He glanced at my ankle, "That doesn't hurt?"

I shook my head.  "Nope!  It's fine now,"  I hopped to demonstrate.

Ken shook his head in wonderment.  "How can a broken ankle heal so quickly?"  He shrugged, filing the mystery away, "Be back in a few."

After Ken left, I went back to the front.  There were no customers and the front looked wonderfully decorated.  The boys were all chatting amiably when I entered and paused when they saw me.

"Hey, Reni!" said Omi, "How's the back looking?"

I let out a puff of air, "Much better!  Though I'm far from finished."  I waved a hand, "Nice set up!"  I joined them, feeling Lilliputian among their toward heights.  I listened to the talk, about something about a sitcom I hadn't watched.  I wondered where Ken planned to get my big salad.  I laughed to myself remembering an episode of Seinfeld that had to do with a big salad.

"What?"

I looked up to three pairs of eyes.  I blushed, "No--nothing.  Private joke."

"Do you mind sharing?"  asked Aya, and I wondered if he thought that I was laughing at him.

I shook my head, "You probably wouldn't get it..." My mind suddenly sent a nerve-jangling alert!  I whirled to face the danger and Youji backed away.

"Take it easy!  You've got cobwebs in your hair."  I picked at it self-conciously, blushing even more.  Youji shook his head, "No, right here."

He picked out the cobwebs, while my mind screamed of terrible danger.  Youji was simply too close for any sort of comfort.  He wiped off his hands.  "There all done.  Now that didn't hurt now, did it?"

I shook my head, watching him warily, hand still clutching a dark lock.  "Sorry, I guess I'm still a bit high strung."

Youji nodded, "I'll be mindful of that."

Cute and considerate!  I was saved from more embarrassment when a group of five girls walked in.  Wasn't it only lunch time?

Youji kicked into gear.  "Girls!  Here so early?"

One of the girls, dark haired with bright red polish stain her claw-like nails, smiled seductively.  "Hi Youji, we skipped school just to see you."  She sidled up closer to him, "And for you to see me."  She was about to say more when she caught sight of me.  She looked me up and down and sneered.  "Something smells.  Is that you?"

I didn't react, just watched her.  She felt threatened by me.

Youji was quick to intervene, "Now that's not very nice.  This is Reni, our knew recruit."

"Reni?  What kind of name is that?" muttered one of the girls.  The leader with the red claws extended her hand toward me.  "Doozo yoroshiku, Reni."

I looked at her hand and then at her face, feeling danger from her.  "The pleasure's all mine."

The girls exploded into laughter and I was completely confused.  I had no clue what they were laughing at and I didn't want to stick around to find out and be insulted.  I went back to the back.  Clearing a space for myself on the table, I pulled myself up facing the door, my face expressionless.  Eventually, Youji came in looking guilty and upset.  "Are you alright?" he asked.

I nodded and smiled, "I didn't understand."

"Oh," Youji pushed his shades to the top of his head revealing his emerald eyes.  "Then why'd you leave?"

I shrugged, "Body language is universal.  I don't want to know when I'm being insulted.  I don't like the feeling."  Youji sighed and nodded, and I continued, "Why do you hang around them if you don't like them?"

Youji blinked, surprise, "They come to me.  What am I going to do?  Act like Aya?  'Leave here if you don't have any business.'" he imitated.

I laughed, "I can't imagine you being anything more than a ladies man, Youji!"  I leaned forward on my knees. "Tell me.  How do you read women so well?"

Youji's smile slid up his face suggestively.  "Practice."

The front door jingled, "Reni!  Got your salad!"

Youji forgotten, I ran to the food.

CHAPTER III

I dove into the salad hungrily.  It was huge, about the size of a KFC bucket of chicken and so good!  The tomatoes were a bit mushy but the lettuce tasted fresh picked.  Omi looked over at me.

"Do you always eat salad without dressing?" he asked.

I nodded, "Oh yeah!  Dressing ruins the flavor of the veggies.  Want some?"

Omi shook his head, "No thanks."

I ate quietly observing him as he looked over a book.  He must be studying, I thought.  I wondered how far along he was.  Back in my old life, I studied computers but I wasn't half as expert as Omi was.  I chewed thoughtfully on a lettuuce leaf.  Here I was in a completely fictional world.  What's going to happen?  Of course, I'm a new member and a new member doesn't wait a week after her arrival to get some immediate action.  It was a law that all new characters get a flashy entrance.

Youji and Aya and Ken weren't within earshot for the moment which was perfect.  "Omi?"

He looked at me, "What is it?"

"Is Birman coming today?"

Omi looked around, "Not now, Reni."

I sighed and fell silent.  "Sorry.  I'm just a little worried that's all."

Omi shook his head, "Don't be.  It's rare that two missions come on the heels of each other."

I stirred my salad around dejectedly.  My apetite had fled.  A sickening dread had filled my stomach and left no room for any more food.  I felt Omi's eyes on me but I didn't meet them.

"You haven't killed before, have you, Reni?"

I didn't answer.  He already knew it.  I heard the book close and looked over in surprise.  Omi came toward me and I shrank away slightly.  "What?"

Omi looked at me squarely.  "You mustn't run from your mission."  He said the words solidly, biting them off at the ends in a way that completely unbalanced me.

"I...I don't understand," I stammered.

He grabbed me tightly by my arms, shaking me.  "Don't run!  That's going to be your first instinct!  If you run from your mission then Kritiker will have us kill you!  Do you understand now?"

I nodded and he let go of me.  "It's probably not going to make a difference, what I just said.  But at least you've been warned."

His words did bring something to my attention.  If I died here, what would happen to me?  Would I disappear all together?  Would I become a "ghost character"?  I looked out the window.  Were people watching me now?  I waved at an imaginary camera.

"What are you doing?"  asked Youji who walked in with a large fern.

I giggled, making the V sign with my fingers.  "Greeting my adoring public!"

Then the most incredible thing happened.  Omi and Youji sweatdropped!  It looked so funny that I started laughing and couldn't stop.  More sweatdrops appeared and I laughed harder falling on the floor.  Omi swallowed.  "She's crazy!" he whispered.

It took awhile for me to get a hold of myself, and all day I would look at Omi or Youji and snicker.

"Will you stop that?"  Omi was getting irritated.

"I'm sorry!  I can't help it!"  I sighed, "Ok.  I'll try," I stifled another laugh.

Youji turned to Omi.  "Can't you lighten up?  You're too uptight.  Why not loosen up a little?"  Omi shifted away from Youji as the tall man approached him, a nasty look on his face.  He wrapped the poor kid around the neck and whispered something in his ear.  Omi turned beet-red and began to struggle, but Youji held him tight still whispering and chuckling evilly.

"Youji!  Shut up!  That's disgusting!"

Youji let him go and laughed while Omi fumed.  "It's the facts of life, my boy!"  He winked, "One day you'll learn."

Omi snarled, "I don't want to learn any of that...Only low-lifes know that stuff!"

Youji glared, "Are you callin' me a low-life?"

The following argument made no sense.  I stared back and forth for awhile and quickly got bored,and sat on the item counter.  Aya and Ken paid no attention to them as they were finishing closing up the flower shop.  I watched as Aya started counting the money the store had earned.  I decided to help, keeping count in my head.  I was up to 43,250 yen when someone knocked over a can which clattered noisily on the floor.  The noise startled Aya who lost count.  He was about to yell at the two when I interrupted.

"250, Aya."  Aya turned surprised.

"Oh...Thanks."  He turned back to counting.  When he finished he put all the money in a safe.  Something suddenly struck me as an idea.

"Aya? What are you doing tonight?"

Aya looked up.  "What?"

The argument stopped abruptly.  Omi and Youji stared at me but oddly I didn't feel embarassed.  It was only Ran I was talking to after all.

"I'm new here.  I don't know my way around really.  Could you show me?"

Aya was silent for a few moments and I wondered if I had unintentionally put him on the spot.  Yet, my mind only told me he was thinking about it calmly.

"There is something I have to do but maybe later.  Is eight o'clock alright with you?"

I nodded and jumped off the counter.  "See you at eight then!"  I waved and left the shop.  The wind caught my hair, telling me of the coming rain as it passed by.  A car passed, its lights beaming along the road.  As I climbed the stairs to my apartment, the wind picked up and I heard wind chimes from somewhere above me.  I reached my door and opened it, sighing as I shut it behind me.  My house was so quiet.  Even noise from the street didn't penetrate it.  I turned on some music and unfurled my wings, raising them so that they didn't drag on the floor.

I pulled out some ground beef and put it on the stove.  While it browned I chopped up some tomatoes, onions, and chiles with a bit of cilantro.  Even though I had been taken from my home, I could almost completely relax in the kitchen surrounded by the smell of toasting tortillas.  I filled the tortillas with the beef and vegetables and sat down, folded my hands and prayed.

"Blessed Lord, please grant thy favor upon this meal, though I be a stranger in a strange land.  Amen."

As I ate I listened to my music.  Selena, a CD I had to fight over to attain, sang about a boy who lived in an apartment 512.  I loved that song, the embodiment of young giddy love.

"Y camino a mi cuarto muy lentamente,
Con la esperanza de verle."

I laughed gently.  I was that way about the Weiss boys.  Drooling over manga was an olympic event that I medalled in.  Now though it was different.  I had the real eye-candy to feast on. Manga was nothing.

"El chico del apartamento 512.
Ese que me hace-el corazon palpar
Ese al que hago cartas noche-y dia
que no puedo entregar."

As the time drifted closer to eight, I freshened up, putting on lip gloss and a dab of perfume, the farthest I would go with make up.  I changes from my grubby clothes, and put on some of my better jeans and a breezy blue blouse that was sheer to the point of nonexistence.  Under it I wore an embroidered white cotton sleeveless.

I grabbed my purse and glanced at the clock.  It was almost eight on the dot.

It had drizzled while I was inside and the invisible steam hung in the air.  My light clothes kept me cool and comfortable.  Aya was waiting for me as I stepped down from the stairway.  His watch beeped the hour and he pressed the side button before looking at me.

"Are you always this punctual?" he asked his eyes gleaming at me in the night.
I felt my heart skip a beat.  "I try to be."  The wind blew a strand of hair in my face as Aya walked around the red sportscar.  I knew nothing of cars, but I knew that this one was especially pretty.  "Nice car!"

"Thank you," Aya opened the passenger-side door and I just stared at him.  He raised one eyebrow,  "I haven't forgotten my manners."

I smiled, "Ok..."  I stepped into the car and Aya shut the door gently.  He moved around the front in the car and got in beside me.  I was grinning like a fool and didn't care, couldn't care.  I rubbed my thighs in excitement.

Aya gave me a bemused glance.  "Where do you want to go first?"

I was a kid in a candy store!  Anywhere with Aya!  "Umm...Where do you like to go?"

Aya pulled out on to the street.  "The mall.  I can get there anytime I want but you probably won't have any trouble taking the bus.  It comes by every ten minutes."

I looked out the window as he drove admiring the bright lights of the city.  The colors were dazzling here.  I heard Aya chuckle and I turned.  "What?"

"You really are from the country, aren't you?  I thought you were putting on that accent for Youji."

"Accent?  I have an accent?"  I was dismayed.  I had a country bumpkin accent?

Aya nodded, "Yes.  It's so strong that I'm surprised you didn't notice."  He pointed one finger out the window.  "That over there is Youji's favorite hang out."

A garish pink neon sign hung over what looked like a strip joint.  I frowned.  "Youji goes there?"

"He goes there for the drinks not for the girls."


"Oh."  Of course.  Youji wouldn't do that.  He respects women.

Aya went on.  "The park goes down that street.  It's big so we'll have to go another time together or you'll get lost.  There is a zoo and an outdoor art gallery."

"Are there pony rides?"

Aya nodded and we drove on.  Soon a large parking lot and what looked like an airport terminal came into view.  It was the mall though and as we descended into the lot I got to see the scale of the place.

"This has got to be the size of an amusement park!" I breathed.  Spotlights on the ceiling swept back and forth announcing a department store sale.  Aya parked a bit far from the entrance but I didn't mind.  I walked with him, having to take double the strides that he did.  The entrance was marked by a spectacular water fountain.  Two marble horses reared up on either side of it, water spewing from their mouths.  I didn't know where to go first so I ran over to the map.

"You are...here."  My finger landed on the red spot.  Close by there were all sorts of stores but I wasn't interested in shopping.  The Mall was devided into districts.  The East district was full of toy stores from the look of it.  The West was full of clothes stores and teen shops.  The North was full of books, music, and novelty items.  We were in the south.  Entertainment.

"Let's try some new games, Aya!"

I ran ahead, not waiting for him.  The mall split into a V and I looked first left then right, not sure where to go first.  The mall was a bit crowded and being as short as I was I couldn't see over the people's heads.  Aya found me.

"Don't run off.  I'll lose you in this crowd.  There's a place where I can show you some awesome games."

Aya took me by the hand and we weaved through the people.  I remembered that Aya liked electronics from his magazine collection.  I wondered what kind of games he liked.

We entered a relatively small shop.  A man came out.  He wore stylish gold colored glasses and had his long blond hair tied back in a ponytail.  Headphones wrapped about his neck blasting rock as he came to us.  "Aya!  What's up, my man?  Come here to try your hand at the new VR shooter?"

Aya shook his head.  "No.  I've brought someone who would like to try it."

The man looked down at me.  "Who is this, your little sister?"

I felt a distinct flash of pain that was not my own.  Ran.  "I'm his friend, thank you very much!"  I answered quickly, glancing up at him.  He released my hand.

"Is the VR shooter available now?"  asked Aya.  I was worried.  That man's comment had caught him off guard, and I could feel his pain throbbing at the back of my skull.

The guy nodded.  "Just come to the back!" he chimed, jabbing his thumb in that general direction, "You're in luck!  We haven't put away the set-up yet."

As we walked to the back I sent calming thoughts toward Aya.  His pain started to ease but I backed off.  I still wasn't sure if I could be identified as a sender of thoughts.  Aya simply couldn't know that I knew his past.

The man showed us to a TV screen hooked up to a headset.  The man put the headset on my head and showed me the basic fuctions of the equipment.

"The is your basic "kill the bad guy" game.  Anything on the screen that moves is a deadly enemy.  Got it?"

He put the play gun in my hand.  "Gotcha!"

The darkness beneath the helmet gave way to a bright light and I smiled at the intro.  "I think she likes it!" came through but then music and sound effects were blasting in my ears.  Aliens were soon jumping out to get me and I shot them into explosions of green goo.  Aya and the man were watching me play and I was happy to show off for them even though I wasn't that good.  Around the third or fourth level I was ambushed from behind by two flying creatures and promptly killed.  I whined with disappointment.

"There was no way I could have seen those guys!"  The man took the headset off my head and I gave him my best puppy eyes.  "One more game?"

The man looked back at Aya, "Aw man, she's breakin' my heart."

Aya shook his head.  "It's late."

I felt that pain from him again.  It wasn't late at all.  He wanted to go home.  I nodded, giving the man a grateful look.  "Thanks."

"It was my pleasure, miss..." he cocked his head listening for a name.

I smiled at him, "Reni!"

"Ah!"  The man bowed, "Reni!  Come back anytime.  Ask for Frenchie!"

I giggled, "Sure, Frenchie!"

The ride home was quiet.  Perhaps I was feeling a bit tired after all, but mostly I was worried about Aya.  I turned to him.  He kept his eyes straight but they weren't on the road.  We stopped at a traffic light and he folded his arms around the wheel and lay his head on them, sighing.

"Aya?  Are you okay?"

Aya sent me a tired smile that touched me so much, for I knew how he truly felt.  "I've had a long day.  I didn't have the luxury of coming in late."

"Hm.  Well, I appreciate you doing this for me.  I had a really good time.  Maybe we'll go out again sometime?"

Aya was silent but I heard his heart's answer loud and clear.  "You should ask, Omi.  He knows how to get to some neat places at the park.  By the way, you're his age.  Why not enroll in school?"

I said nothing at first because disappointed had choked my voice.  Aya wanted me to stay away from him.  Why did Frenchie have to be so ignorant and say such hurtful things?  "I've never thought about it.  Maybe I should.  At least it'll give me something to do."

Aya turned to me abruptly but the light changed and he had to drive again.  I didn't look at him and when we parted for the night my goodnight was quiet.  The house was dark and silent, which bothered me further and when I flopped down to bed, I buried my face in my pillow and cried.

CHAPTER IV

Omi fixed it so that I would be able to come to school even though I hadn't officially enrolled yet. I was attending while awaiting certain documents, he'd said.

I would be going to school with him today, the first Monday since Ran's tour and the beginning of the second week away from home. Birds sang in my house now. I had no more tolerance for silence since my kidnapping and the birds were never quiet. They were five finches, and unless they were sleeping they were making a constant din.

I dressed in my uniform and tied my long hair into its braid. I brought along my bag, and my purse. I checked myself in the mirror, and sighed. Here goes nothing.

I went outside where Omi was waiting. He was cute in his button down shirt and khakis. He was donning a cap turned stylishly backwards. I pointed to it.

"I didn't see that in the dress code." He smiled at me and shrugged.

As we walked to his school, we were gradually joined by other students heading in the same direction. The traffic was increasing but we were ushered across the street by police officers.

Omi turned to me, "I told the officials that you were a distant cousin of mine so they stuck us in the same classes."

I gasped, "Won't that be hard? I'm not as smart as you are."

Omi smiled reassuringly, "They aren't that hard. After all, the only thing I really excel in his computers, math, and sciences. Literature...?" he winced, "That's just a nightmare!"

My confidence returned and I gave him a smirk, "It's seems we were made for each other then."

"Omi!"

A group of guys in the same uniforms ran toward us. Omi waved, "Hey guys! Let me introduce you to Reni! She'll be coming here from now on."

One of the boys bowed, "Pleased to meet you Reni! I'm Somoru!"

I bowed back, "It's a pleasure, Somoru!" Somoru was tall and blond like Omi but built a bit thicker. His long bangs shielded his brown eyes that sparkled with constant mischief. He jerked his head in a habitual motion to clear his vision of hair. "Where are you from?"

I shrugged, "It's pretty far. Out in the country."

The bell rang and Omi took my hand and we both ran into class. I sat by Omi, of course, and Somoru sat behind me, he waved and I waved back. Omi tapped my shoulder.

"The teacher's going to want you to introduce yourself. Say your first and last name and "Pleasure to be here"
and sit down. He hates long speeches."

The teacher came in. He cast his eagle eyes around the room and immediately noted who was present and who was absent. His eyes fell on me and I resisted the urge to cringe. His back was held ramrod straight and glared the way a crane glares at a guppy, hungry or no.

"We have a new student," was all he said and already I hated being the new kid. He made the new student sound like fresh meat and ignorant prey.

I was frozen in my seat and Omi elbowed me. "Go on!" he mouthed silently.

I stood. "My...my name is Reni..." A last name! I didn't have one! My mind panicked and froze up. The teacher raised an eyebrow at my delay. For a moment, my mouth worked wordlessly. The name of an old friend popped mercifully on my tongue. "Reni Akitaya. Pleasure to be here." I plopped down in my seat and covered my face with one hand. I was so stupid! I was never going to live that one down! I felt a hand rub my shoulder and turned, expecting Omi but instead seeing Somoru.

"Don't worry. He scares all of us the first time!" he whispered with a wink.

"Oh..." He went back to his seat and I looked at Omi, who gave me a thumbs up sign. I was stunned for some reason. My shoulder hummed where Somoru had touched it. I could feel my ears warming a bit with gratification. Maybe school would be so bad after all!

The teacher started the class with math. I was a bit surprised because I would usually start school in a homeroom of some sort before actually having a class.

They were learning exponential functions, something I was very familiar with. It was fortunate that I had this class because the teacher decided to pick on me a bit.

"Can, Reni, tell us what x squared looks like on the graph?" He said my name a bit differently, and my breath caught. He said it like me! Was he making fun of me? Probably. Someone in the back snickered.

"x squared is a parabola with its axis at the origin," I responded, deliberately giving more information than necessary, challenge in my eyes. The teacher nodded and drew the parabola. He seemed quite willing to play my game.

"Tell me, Reni, where is the axis of (x + 3) squared?"

My answer was immediate, "(-3,0)" was my immediate response. My sixth sense was telling me that the class was amazed that I knew the answer. Omi was proud.

The teacher turned to me, "I see you went to school where you used to live. That's not common."

"The world is what you make of it, sir," I responded, "Where I'm from, we are all educated."

The classroom suddenly filled with dread at my bold answer, but the teacher was happy, I sensed. There was not a ripple in his facial composure. He turned and began to assign today's lesson.

After class, Somoru was all over me. "Wow! Did you see that? And I thought you were intimidated!" He jumped in front of me. "Usually, when he asks me a question, my mind goes blank and I stutter like a zombie!"

I laughed at his mental images, which I also recieved when they were clear enough. He came closer to me, "But you? You were fabulous!"

"I had a teacher like him once. All tough teachers try to do is make you think outside the box." I followed Omi to his locker, since I didn't have one yet.

Somoru tagged along, "Can you help me with my math? I mean, I'm great at it and all, but any help is good! I need to learn this thinking outside the box thing."

Omi closed his locker and glared, "Don't you have a class to get to?"

Somoru shrugged and turned back to me, "So what do you say?"

I thought a moment. I knew a pick up line when I heard one but Somoru had really made a good first impression. I liked him. "I'll think about it."

Somoru grinned, "You do that! See you at lunch!" He turned and ran down the hall.

As we walked Omi sighed, "I can't believe you said you'd think about it!"

"What's wrong with that?" I innocently complained.

Omi looked down on me with that fatherly glare he was starting to adopt, "The only thing Somoru likes to study is anatomy. Particularly, female anatomy."

I shook my head, "Pish-tosh!" I had gotten no such feelings from Somoru. I knew that he liked me but it was not the lustful feelings that I heard from Youji when he stared at my butt back at the Kitten.

"Suit yourself," was Omi's only reply.

Sciences turned out to be chemistry and I was completely at a loss. Fortunately, Omi helped and some pretty girls were willing to be nice to me, though I got the impression that they wanted to use me to get to my "cousin".

After Chemistry, I felt my hair undoing itself. I told Omi to wait for me while I redid it in the bathroom.

I walked in to an unpleasant sight. The red-clawed girl and her posse who had stalked Youji and insulted me were sitting in the bathroom smoking. They saw me and immediately gave me their full attention.

"Well, well, if it isn't cherry-blossom girl! What's the matter? Need to readjust the bamboo in your hair?"

I ignored her uneasily and began to rebraid my hair. They watched me do it with haughty and derisive smiles plastered on their faces. My mind shouted a "proximity alert" as the red-clawed girl came toward me. I backed away.

"Awww...Don't be scared! I just wanted to say sorry about insulting you the other day. I mean what other girl knows what it's like to be under the sheets with Youji?"

I backed off. "Not me! I've never...!"

The girls laughed, and Red Claw gave them a silencing glare, "Of course you haven't," she crooned in a way that was more insulting then what she had said to me in the first place.

Hair rebraided, I ran out of there and almost plowed into Omi. "Oops! Sorry!"

Omi grabbed my arm. "Let's go! We'll be late!"


The next class was literature, taught by a kinder old lady. I liked her wonderful mellow voice as she went over some poetry. I turned wondering if Omi was enjoying the class to find him blissfully asleep behind his book. I felt sorry for him. I know that Omi sometimes stayed up late but if he wanted help in literature...

I tried a trick I was trying to learn. I concentrated hard on Omi's mind, so wonderfully resting, so terribly tired. And I thought as loud as I could. AWAKE!

Omi's head shot up, wide-eyed knocking over his book. The class tittered and the teacher looked up. Omi blushed beet-red and since I was still somewhat connected to his mind I felt his embarrassment. Still, I hid a smile under my hand.

The teacher was not amused, "Tsukiyono, I will see you after class."

Omi sighed, and I felt his shame. I caught his eye and mouthed an apology. Omi just shook his head and went back to his book. After class, Omi approached the teacher's desk and took a breath, "Miss Ishi..."

The teacher took off her glasses, "I know you have it hard, Omi. I have come from a similar place. I understand. But one thing I will not tolerate is _sleeping_ in my class."

Omi bowed so low he almost hit the floor. "I'm sorry. It won't happen again! I give my word on that!"

The teacher smiled, gently. "I know but you know what happens with disruptive behavior in my class!"

Omi grimaced. "Please...Their going to pick out the members of the Academic Team. You...you know how hard I've worked on this..."

The teacher sighed and I felt genuine regret, "Which makes this so unfortunate. Omi, I'm dropping your last test
grade one letter. You may go now."

"Yes, ma'am." Omi walked dejectedly from the room. I felt horrible. This was all my fault. I felt his self-hatred mounting on his way to his locker. He threw his books in hard, the loud bangs punctuating his enfuriated mutterings. He had completely forgotten about me, and his unhappiness was getting under my skin and chafing me horribly.

"Omi, it's all my fault. I woke you up."

Omi stared at me noticing me for the first time. He shook his head, and gave a bitter chuckle. "No, I deserved it. Academic Team Captains don't sleep in literature class." He pulled out his lunch box and a paper sack for me. I followed him into the lunch room. When we got there and sat down, I whispered to him.

"No matter what you think, you deserve to be AT Captain."

Omi sighed and looked away.

Somoru appeared, wrapping one arm about his friends shoulders in greeting, "What's the matter, Omi? You look
down!"

At the same time Omi said, "I don't want to talk about it," I said, "He just blew his chances at being AT Captain."

Omi gave me a withering glare and I winced. Somoru smiled, "Ah, don't worry man! I'm sure you'll have a great
chance next year!"

Omi ducked under Somoru's arm. "Whatever..."

Somoru plopped into the empty seat beside me. "So...have you thought about me as your student?"

I nodded, "I think it will be a good idea."

Omi nearly dropped his sandwich. He stared at me with such disbelief that I felt odd, "What?" I asked him.

Somoru didn't let him answer, "What's wrong with me being tutored, Omi? Afraid that I'll catch up with you?"

Omi snarled standing, "I know what you're up to, Somoru, and I'm not going to let that happen!"

Somoru stood as well, fist raised, "Exactly what am I up to? For your information, I already have a girlfriend!"

"One was never enough for the likes of you!"

"You wanna take it outside, pretty boy? I hear that computer nerds have a hard time in a fight!"

It was my turn to stand, "Stop it both of you!" I whirled on Omi. "Thank you for your concern, Omi!" I gritted, my voice dripping with sarcasm, "But I don't need your protection. If Somoru wants to try something, I'll make sure he sings soprano," I shot a menacing look at Somoru, "Permanently. I have no reason to believe that he is thinking about such a thing!"

Omi shook his head, "You don't know him, Reni."

"I don't have to." I picked up my lunch. "I'm eating outside." I strolled away from the scene, sensing confusion from both boys.

CHAPTER V

I stared at the clock as it ticked it's way toward a fateful time in the dead of night. I shuddered feeling cold and unhappy about the time that was approaching. I tried to look around for an escape from the inevitable but all around there were reminders. Ken slid his hands into his bugnuks, flexing his fingers. Youji smoked a cigarette staring out from the window. Omi typed busily on his laptop while Aya watched him, fingers resting on the hilt of his blade.

I wanted to scream.

The laptop beeped, catching everyone's attention, and Omi slid a PDA from a port it its side. "This is all we'll need."

I walked behind them, on the blackened streets, staring at their four backs. Aya led, of course, followed closely by Ken. Youji was slightly behind him and walked beside Omi. I felt alone and lagged behind. I didn't want to go but Birman said that everything I had bought the day I found the money in the apartment had to be repaid by completing a mission. I had been cheated and forced into this. I had no idea what I would do when the time came.

The mission was against a fanatic religious group who thought that the sacrifice of innocent, holy children was the only way to truly please their god. Children were disappearing by the dozens and it was Weiss's job to stop them. It was my job to stop them.

We paused in front of a Jewish tabernacle. My gaze climbed the magnificent white towers but I had no real interest in them. Omi paused and inserted his PDA in small hole in the shadowy side of one of the towers. A door, invisible at first slid silently open and led to a descending staircase.

I felt a gaze on my back and looked to see Youji staring at me curiously. No doubt he was wondering about how I expected to kill anything without any visible weapons. I didn't bother telling him. I just turned away, following Aya down the staircase.

Our descent ended in a dark hall. The thoughts and emotions felt in this space floated through my mind like lingering smells or echoes.

The ecstacy of the priests and the misery of the children pricked and rubbed against my awareness. My nervousness influenced my empathetic abilities until I could pick up emotions and images much easier than before. Aya gave the signal to stop.

I could see him clearly before he rounded the corner. A young man, thinking about yesterday's game and how he was disappointed with the outcome, rounded the corner. I felt his shock and surprise at seeing us before feeling the intensity of his fear and pain when Aya's sword nearly cut him in two from top to bottom. I'll never forget that sound of steel tearing through flesh and clothing and it wasn't the first time I would hear it. Aya took off at a run and the others followed behind.

The sight and smell of fresh blood, awakened conflicting feelings. I was horrified and disgusted that I actually regarded this carnage as entertainment and at the same time I loved it. I wanted more. I wanted to participate. I was hungry for the feel of the terror of my opponents and the gruesome pleasure of tearing them to pieces. I was growing irritated of these human creatures who were ponderously slow and empathetically blind. They were running ahead of me when I should be the one running in front! I was stronger and faster and more worthy of leadership then Aya Fujimiya could ever be!

I also knew that in a moment two armed guards would come to meet us.

I was determined to make the kill myself and show these weaklings how things were supposed to be done. I increased my speed suddenly and took a mighty leap above the surprised members of my team. I landed directly in front of the enemy, crouched and ready. I let my wings explode from my back and they immediately converted into blades that severed the heads of the unfortunate guards before they could even raise their weapons. The feel of hot blood rushing over my wings let the animalistic thoughts take
over and I went dashing down the hall toward the main targets. I heard a faint shout behind me but I took no note of it. I felt the rage and worry of my infintismal teammates and ignored that too. Why let them daudle their way to the targets when I could reach them in minutes?

Running on two legs slowed me down, so I leaped onto all fours, sprinting like a winged dog down the dark corridors. My claws that I had suddenly discovered, clicked on the tile and a low chuckle grated from my throat.

Skidding to a halt, my observations directed me to a large bear statue that was to one side of the hall. I pressed myself against it, pushing with all my strength. The bear creaked and groaned as it was pushed aside and a rush of cool air carried the sound and smell of running water. Sure enough, an opening behind the bear statue revealed a channel filled halfway with water. I splashed in and began running in the direction that my empathy pointed. The targets were down this hall.

The sound of gushing water became louder in my ears. The tunnel ended and the water poured between the jaws of another bear that loomed in the center of a huge room. All around were the mutilated bodies of countless young people ranging from babies to what looked like teens.

Several men, I counted thirteen, danced about with swords and daggers, acting out the killing of children. In the center before the bear, lay a baby of a few months. It lay motionless, staring up at me. It was dead.Rage suddenly sent a horrendous scream ripping from the core of my being.

No doubt the priests below thought that some enraged demon had emerged from the mouth of their bear god as they scattered frantically shouting that their god save them from the winged creature that dove down with such a horrible noise..I don't recall killing the men. I only remember the sound of my own breath in my ears and the rushing of the air in my face. I remember my anger and my sorrow and the baby's face printed like a watermark on every passing thought. By the time the rage ended, I was covered in blood and body parts belonging to the priests and the sacrifices were scattered everywhere.

I staggered toward the bear altar and knelt where the baby lay.

The cold water hit my shoulders washing away the scarlet blood and uncovering a skin pale with shock and grief. I cradled the baby, who was much colder than myself, whose eyes held a sightless, accusing gaze. I wept uncontrollably as the incredible feelings that had brought me here to do everything I hated drained away.

Someone touched me and I winced away. Ken. I looked up and saw understanding in his eyes and felt understanding in his mind.

The others were there too but I couldn't see them. I shivered and stood, using Ken as a support. Aya was unhappy with me but he kept silent. Ken held me there. "Reni...Come on. We have to leave."

"Huh?" I didn't understand. What did he want me to do? I realized it as soon as I asked. I sighed and let the baby go.

I couldn't get up the next day, so I couldn't go to school. No one came up to my apartment or called. I guessed they thought that I needed some time alone. However, that was not what I wanted. I wanted to be with someone, to talk, and to associate with him. I couldn't find the strength to get up and the phone was out of reach. I just lay there studying the ceiling, my wings spread-eagled acrossed the room like a fallen angel.

They were still slightly damp from the night before. I was still cold. Dazedly, I saw sunlight streaming into my window. It struck the feathers and they sparkled. I hated the feathers but they were a part of me and to lose them would be to hurt myself severely. I crawled toward the light and let it warm my body. My arms still felt frozen from when I held the dead child. I should have let Birman shoot me.

I woke up when the knock on the door came. The sun was no longer in the window so I must have slept for quite some time. I found the energy to stand and walk to the door. I stood on my toes to peep through the hole. It was Youji who waved at me. I opened the door.

"Are you going to be better?" he asked.I just stared at him. I had no idea what to tell him. I had been seriously contemplating suicide but the sight of him drew me to yet another conclusion. If all the Weiss members died the show would be over and I could go back home.

I invited him in but he declined. I looked up surprised. "Why not?"

He said nothing for a moment. "It's not right for a single man like me to enter a lady's home unaccompanied."

I stared with incredulity. "Oh..."

He shrugged, "But if you don't mind I could take you out for a while. What do you say?"

I was baffled and at a loss. I turned away. "Sure...let me get ready..."

I closed the door and walked to the showers and as the cleansing rain flowed down my face, I knew that Youji's chivalrous ways had saved his life. If he had come in my house, I would have killed him.

Youji waited at the door, until I came out, looking cleaner but not exactly better. He took my arm as we walked down the busy streets. I looked down, watching the blur of many shoes surround my own as they walked, step by step. I imagined that it must have been hard for Youji to keep pace with me considering that he was more than a foot taller and all legs as far as I was concerned, but I didn't feel hurried an anyway. Someone blew their horn and I looked up briefly as a man waved his fist at an older lady who hesitated at a red light. We had stopped at a crosswalk. Looking around, I didn't know where I was. I wondered where we were going but I couldn't make the effort to look up at Youji and say something. And to be truthful I didn't really care about the answer.

The light turned green and we crossed. Youji put one arm around me to protect me from the bumps of the bustling crowd. He seemed to care a lot but I realized that his motions were automatic, after years of constant practice.

"Practice..."

"Hm?" Youji looked down at me, I felt, not looking up to see, in fear that Youji might meet my gaze and understand everything I was feeling in a simple look. I didn't want that. I just shook my head and Youji looked away. I gradually felt our surroundings change. Traffic faded away, the sound of the breeze became louder. I looked up and was bombarded with the sight of beautiful flowers all around. We were deep into some sort of garden. I saw an old lady with her husband chatting softly. In fact, everyone tended to whisper around her, as if not wanting to disturb the growth of the blooms and the large, majestic trees.

Eventually, I paused to stare at the gorgeous snapdragons and play with their springy blooms. I grew snapdragons back home. They were my favorite flower by far! I kept many, savoring all different varieties colors and patterns. Their subte scent and wonderful colors remind me sorely of home and I turned away from them. It was too late, the reminder was there and now I realized that I couldn't go home, not after the way I was. I leaned against Youji and he held me to him.

"Are you alright?"

I shook my head, tears splashing down my cheeks. Now that I could never return I wanted to go home more than ever. Youji stroked my hair saying nothing, only being there for me. I couldn't let go, I couldn't turn and see what I could never have. So I walked ahead, nearly leaving Youji behind in his surprise. "Do you want to go home?"

I stared up at Youji for the first time, hurt and anger in my eyes. "How can you ask me that?"

Youji was upset, not understanding what he had done. "I--I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..."

"Forget it," I interrupted, "Nothing I say will ever make sense to you.

We're too different."

We came to a lake, straddled by bridges and navigated by ducks, swans, and rowboats. Youji now kept his distance from me. "How are we different?" he asked, quietly, "Besides the obvious."

"To be frank, you and I are from different worlds," I began, "I know you're probably asking how do I know where you came from?" I shook my head, "But trust me on this one."

Youji said nothing for a moment. He always seemed to briefly pause before he spoke. "But we are here together now."

It was my turn to pause, "But..."

"Reni," Youji took a step closer, "Regardless of where we came from or where we're going, we are in this together. I understand that you're suffering now. You feel bad for what you did last night..."

"No...no..." I shook my head, tear running in rivulets, "I don't remember that."

"What?"

"I don't remember killing. All I remember is..."

"The baby," Youji concluded after I couldn't go on. I nodded wordlessly. Youji remained silent, waiting. I supposed I was out of his depth. I was not like any other girl.

"Where I lived, that happened on TV. It wasn't...it wasn't real." That was the best I could describe it. Everything here was supposed to be imaginary. Youji nodded, thinking he understood.

"People aren't supposed to be that terrible. Granted, things aren't perfect but...," I turned to him, passion lighting my eyes, "Children are sacred! Nothing should ever happen to them! Is nothing sacred? Can't babies at least live to understand the wonderful world around them? I shouldn't be here..." I turned away. "I should be at home with my friends and my artwork. I should be normal."

"But you're not." Youji was close. He was trying to see my face. "You have the chance to save a lot of people. In that building, the police found a room full of children." I looked back at him, "Really?"

"Yes," Youji smiled, "Not only did you save those children from death, but you brought attention to the orphanages where they came from. People are taking steps to solve the problem from the bottom. All those children are adopted and with all the media attention, more are being accepted."

"Oh? All by myself?" I was being sarcastic but Youji had gotten to me. He knew it.

"Oh, yeah! A fabulous young lady like yourself has no problem changing the lives of those around her." He put one arm around my waist. "So no more tears alright? How about we get lunch?"

I sighed, "Alright. I am kind of hungry."

Joyce: Waiii!! Such an entertaining fic! I like the way the author writes the fic, I like the point of view... It's kinda unique! ^_^ It's really entertaining! You won't get bored reading it!
Aoigentian: Yea, you're right! I've read it also, I liked it... Youji is in there! I'm happy I've known Youji more!
Evil twin: Hmn... Why is Farfello not part of the story?
Joyce: Huh? Oh, anyway...(ignores her evil twin) Thanks, The Jackal for submitting your wonderful fic! I really like it! Hope to read your remaining chapters! Ja!!