Beautiful Shinigami
Chapter Four 
by Ina-chan
First Posted Online: June 24, 2004
History: Inspired by Bryan Fuller's "DEAD LIKE ME" series

        The sun was shining cheerfully and the gentle breeze played with the strands of her hair as if there wasn't a care in the world. In simple words, it was a beautiful Sunday. From the corner of her eye, on the other side of the street, a group of teen-agers... probably her age... was idly walking toward the crosswalk. Her mind automatically switched into the game she and her friends used to play to pass time as she watched them... Making up the life stories of the people walking by. 

They were obviously a group of friends. Two boys, two girls... they were probably on a double date. After all, it was the perfect day to go out on a date or go out with friends. She already caught a glimpse of several students from her school enjoying their day off. In fact, she was looking forward to going out with her friends today. She turned her eyes away from the group and looked down at her shoes.

        It wasn't fair. 

        She should be going out with her friends today. But, instead, that horrible accident had to happen the day before. So now she's stuck standing here, on a perfect Sunday, watching other people have fun... completely insensitive to what she was feeling. 

        The sun shouldn't be shining. In fact, it shouldn't shine ever again. It should be dark and gloomy for eternity. The people around her shouldn't be happy. They should be miserable and pain stricken. They should all feel this unbearable loss she's feeling. She just lost something very important to her. Why is the world continuing to move as if nothing mattered? No one cared. 

        It wasn't fair. 

        "Sorry for making you wait," a familiar voice broke into her consciousness, pulling her away from her thoughts. She looked up and saw her friend looking at her apologetically, "I know that I could have just called. But I wanted to tell him face to face."

        No... that wasn't true. If there was one person in the world who would understand what she was feeling, it would be her best friend... and now, her only friend.

        She nodded sympathetically as they started to walk, "It's only fair. After all, you don't know when you'll be able to come back to work."

        "He gave me a week, then I have to let him know if I'm coming back or I'm leaving for good," Her friend replied with a sour face

        Her eyes narrowed in annoyance. Why can't people understand their pain? Can't they see how much they were suffering?

        "It's actually very generous of him to give me that much time," Her friend commented, "Considering, I'm not really one of his favorite people. I thought he would be happy to get rid of me."

        She nodded again. Perhaps, people showed their sympathy in different ways. It was only fair to show them equal compassion, "So would three days worth be enough?"

        "Sure, go crazy," Her friend shrugged, "Doesn't change the fact that he's a jackass." 

        As the two of them waited for the lights to change at the crosswalk, she closed her eyes. She had done this many times before to people she found unpleasant. She let out a quick burst of energy with her thoughts. Almost instantaneously, a loud girlish shriek rang for as far as ten city blocks, joined by the howling of both resident and stray dogs within hearing distance. As if on cue, the crosswalk light changed to green. Only then did she let a satisfied smirk touch her lips.

        "Feel better, Hanajima?" Her friend asked as they started to walk across.

        "Yes, Arisa," Saki Hanajima replied. In a strange way, zapping Arisa Uotani's boss with three days worth of pain with her denpa did make her feel better. Her eyes wandered and noticed that group of teenagers from before was crossing opposite to them. They were all looking ahead, save for one of the girls who met her eye. They locked gazes until they came close enough to touch each other. The other girl made a motion as if to do just that. All of a sudden, a chill ran through Saki's entire being... followed by an overwhelming urge to run away as far and as fast as she can. Her hasty steps quickly turned into a quick sprint, ignoring her Arisa's alarmed calls. She didn't stop and dare turn around until she rounded a corner and was well out of sight.

        "HANAJIMA! OI! WHAT THE HELL'S THE MATTER WITH YOU?" Arisa called out angrily, grabbing her friend's elbow, when she finally managed to catch up. She stopped as she saw the expression on the other girl's face, "Oi...what's wrong? Are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost?"

        "Those people..." Saki whispered shakily

        Arisa peered looked over her shoulder and frowned, "Yeah? So? It's just those weird bunch of people who always go to the cafe at low peak hours. You've seen them before. Why are you suddenly acting jumpy with them now?"

        The other girl frowned. What her best friend said was true. Why was she suddenly acting like this? She tried to read their denpa before and only got strange readings. Strange, but harmless. She never felt that strange chill before. It almost felt like that proverbial saying... about feeling that someone was stepping over one's grave or something like that. Then again, with what happened just the day before... with her other best friend, Tooru, dying suddenly... and even suddenly hearing her voice out of nowhere... It was enough to rattle anyone's nerves. She closed her eyes and wrapped her hands around herself, trying to ward away that eerie chill that refused to leave her.

        Arisa chewed on her lip before wrapping a reassuring arm around her distraught friend, "Forget about it. Let's go or we'll be late."

        Saki's quickly opened her eyes in surprise. Yes. This was not the time to act like a frightened child. They had to hurry or they'll be late.

        Rejection was a constant companion of Loneliness. In my very brief lifetime, I've met those two time and again and again. After my mother died and before I met Uo-chan and Hana-chan... you could say that those two were my constant companions. At those times, it was actually you who helped me the most. Well... the memory of you, that is. I figured that bearing Rejection and Loneliness for a short while would be nothing, compared to the hope of seeing you again.

        Though, you'd think that it would get easier with time. You'd think that you would eventually get used to meeting them over and over again. Rejection and Loneliness, that is. Maybe it's true. Maybe if I didn't meet Uo-chan and Hana-chan, maybe that would have been the case. But... that's not how it happened. Uo-chan and Hana-chan probably felt the same way about it. When we found each other, I realized that I didn't have to hang around Rejection and Loneliness anymore. Affection, Love, and Friendship were much better companions.

        That's why it hurt. 

        I would have run toward them when I first saw them by the cafe. But Kagura-san clung to my arm tightly as if anticipating my actions before I even thought of it. She shook her head with that sad and sympathetic expression her her face. I couldn't do anything else but comply. I watched them helplessly as we walked toward them. I even tried to call out their names. Then Hana-chan looked at me. But before I their names left my lips, I could only watch as that same expression of horror I saw on Hana-chan's face reappeared as she saw me. And just like the other day, she walked away and fled. Uo-chan was too concerned about Hana-chan to even notice me.

        It hurt to meet Rejection and Loneliness again. Specially after tasting Affection, Love, and Friendship from those same people... Rejection's claws buried deep into you like piercing knives while Loneliness' icy hands were cold and numbing pain.

        "Don't hold it against them, Tooru-kun," Kagura-san's hands loosened and hugged my arm comfortingly, "You're no longer the same person they know. In their eyes, you're nothing but another stranger in the street."

        "Eh? How can that be? We've known in each other since junior high school."

        "They only see what they want to see, and they see us with differently," Kyou-kun replied a-matter-of-factly

        I could only frown, not quite understanding his words. Aside from being suddenly thrust into this world, that was probably the next confusing thing that I've heard in my entire life.

        Kyou-kun let out an exasperated sigh as he suddenly grabbed me by the shoulder and forced me to look at our reflection at the cafe's window, "Look. That's how the living see us."

        I couldn't help but let out a sharp gasp at what I saw. I leaned closer and tentatively touched my face. Instead of the reflection that I was used to seeing in front of the mirror, there stood the face of a stranger. Some other strange girl with a pale with an almost sickly looking complexion, as if she never saw the light of day, with thin with almost sunken cheeks and dull dark hair. The others didn't fare any better. Their reflections barely looked like them at all. If it weren't for Kagura-san's cheerful disposition, you would think that she was a very ill patient who escaped from a hospital ward. Kyou-kun's bright orange hair only emphasized his sallow skin. Yuki-san looked even paler and more fragile than he already is. 

        "Only another Shinigami can see your true form," Kyou-kun added, "You can usually tell if someone's one of us right away, anyway."

        "If you think about it, it's really very practical for it to be this way," Kagura-san commented as rubbed lip balm on her bottom lip and neatly tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, "I mean, you can't run around the city doing your rounds and running into people who know you and recognize you as already being dead right?"

        She was right, it was rather practical. On top of that, we looked rather plain and pathetic enough to blend in a crowd without people casting us a second glance, "Who decides on what we look like?" 

        Kagura-san shrugged, "Who knows? Maybe it's a reflection of our inner selves."

        "Inner selves my ass," Kyou-san snorted, "It's more likely the result of Akito's twisted sense of humour."

        "It is just like Akito to make your 'inner self' look like a plague survivor who lives on crack cocaine and giving 10,000 yen blow jobs, isn't it?" Yuki-san's bland voice spoke for the first time 

        I could only choke on a shocked gasp as I gaped at Yuki-san in disbelief. I was sure that it was a joke. That has got to be a joke. Yuki-san couldn't possibly be serious... can he? Though looking at Yuki-san this time took me aback at an instant. It was almost seeing a completely different person from early this morning. Gone was that frail-looking sickly person who stumbled out of the bathroom. He had an aura of over-self confidence and arrogance that made the air around him make it seem like he was really much older than he looked. It was almost the same scary feeling I felt when I first met Hatori-san, but not quite. And his eyes... I didn't know if I should be scared or intrigued by them. Just a few hours ago, they seemed... well... unfocused and harmless. Now, they were clear gray hues... steely and cold. There was a quality to it that it almost felt if he was to glance at you in anger, he would probably cut you in half.

        I quickly averted my eyes and turned to Kagura-san only to see her bury her face in one of her hands with a long sigh, "You guys. Its too early for this." 

        Though at this point, it would seem that anything you say would fall into deaf ears. Kyou-kun seemed like a another person as well. His eyes flashed crimson like burning flames. His face looked almost as brightly red as his hair, that uncontrollable tick on his eyebrow greatly contrasting against his clenched jaw. A strained smirk forced its way to his lips as he turned to Yuki-san with measured tone, "Of course YOU would know about that, wouldn't you?"

        "I don't about you," Yuki-san raised an eyebrow at Kyou-kun before walking passed him dismissively, " But I'm definitely worth more than 10,000 yen." 

        "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN BY THAT!?!?" Kyou-kun literally bristled angrily as he pointed an accusing finger at the other boy

        Yuki-san turned to the orange-haired boy with an amused sardonic smirk, "Are you so stupid that you can't identify an insult right at your face?" 

        "THAT'S IT!! YOU'RE GOING DOWN TODAY, YOU DAMNED RAT!!!" Kyou-kun exploded. 

        Yuki let out a small laugh, "If you're going to challenge me again, make sure you don't disappoint me this time."

        "Stop Yuki-san!" I cried out automatically in alarm. He looked at me in surprise, as if noticing me for the first time. And my hands went up to cover my mouth upon realizing what I did. I instantly stared at my feet, and wrung my hands nervously, feeling absolutely mortified with my impoliteness. I barely knew any of them, so I was probably embarrassing myself by doing something so preposterous, "S-sorry. I sh-shouldn't have yelled... but... Y-y-yuki-san just recovered and... and..."

        "Who are you?"

        Heh? It was my turn to look up and stare at him in surprise, "I'm Tooru...?"

        "Yun-chan, she's the rookie that you're mentoring, remember?" Kagura-san stated slowly, as if explaining to a five-year-old child

        "ENOUGH!!! STOP STALLING AND FIGHT ME!!!" In a blink of an eye, the orange-haired boy launched a fist at the other boy. With equal speed, Yuki-san moved aside effortlessly and launched his own attacks. At the same time, Kagura-san pulled me out of harm's way. I was never a big fan of violence, I didn't know what to do. I wanted to stop them but at the same time, I felt frozen with fear. 

        "AAAAH! I give up! Just make sure to finish it quickly," Kagura-san shook her head in disgust as she walked past them and through the doors of the cafe, "Come along Tooru-kun and leave these two idiots behind."

        "Eh... b-but..." I called out after her helplessly, feeling torn between following her and trying to do something before Kyou-kun and Yuki-san hurt each other seriously

        "Ara, are they at it again? It's pretty early in the morning, isn't it?" A new but familiar voice chirped cheerfully from over my head. 

        "Sh-shigure-san?" I looked up in surprise

        "Kyou-kuuun take it easy on Yuki-kun this morning. He was just half-dead only a few hours ago," Shigure yelled through cupped hands

        "Anou... Shi-shigure-san... shouldn't we stop them?" 

        "Don't worry, it'll be over soon. It always ends the same anyway," Shigure-san simply grinned and patted my shoulder, before turning his gaze back at the fight and gently pulling me closer to his side, "Yuki wins."

        As if on cue, and before I could protest, Kyou-kun landed on the spot where I was standing courtesy of one of Yuki-san's elegant round-house kicks. I could only watch in morbid fascination as Yuki-san stood there and brushed invisible dirt from the sleeves of his dark clothing.

        "That was even more disappointing that usual," He stated flatly before following Kagura-san in the cafe

        Kyou-kun let out a string of curses under his breath as he pounded the sidewalk angrily. I couldn't help but feel sorry for him. I sat down on his heels to meet his eyes, "Are you okay?"

        Kyou-kun looked suddenly and simply stared at me in surprise. I didn't realize how close I was to him until that point. I could see my reflection in his eyes. And his eyes were really strange now that I have a closer look. They were orange or red... they reminded me of these white rabbits that Hana-chan and I saw in a pet shop. They would probably look very freaky on a person, but on Kyou-kun... it seemed like it was just right.

        "Kyou-kun's fine. He's used to getting his butt kicked around," The older man said with a nonchalant shrug.

        Kyou-kun literally bristled from head to toe, like a cat, upon hearing those words. But he said nothing.

        "Sa... we better go in as well, Ha-san hates it tardiness," Shigure-san patted my shoulder and nudged me to get up

        "But what about Kyou-k...?" 

        "I'm fine," Kyou-kun interrupted huffily, brushing me aside, as he got on his feet and brushed the seat of his pants, "Damned stupid arrogant rat..."

        "Maybe next time, Kyou-kun," Shigure-san stated with genuine sympathy as he turned his attention back to me, "Are you coming Tooru-kun?"

        "ah... yes," I replied uncertainly. 

        And I felt just as uncertain. I mean, I know that there's still a lot of things for me to learn... But I honestly don't know exactly how to feel. While Kagura-san and Shigure-san and everyone was kind and polite, there was still that invisible wall between myself and them. Maybe it was because I was the, as Kagura-san called me, "rookie". I'm sure that Yuki-san and Kyou-san were acting as they normally do. It does seem like that way based on how everyone is acting. But somehow, I can't help but feel a little bit hurt when everyone casually brushed aside my concerns. 

        And this cafe... for many after school afternoons and evenings, I came here to see Uo-chan during her part-time. I've become familiar with her boss and most of the servers. While Uo-chan might disagree, I have to say that it was one of my comfort places. I didn't realize it yesterday since I was preoccupied with other things. But now, as I followed Shigure-san inside, I felt the change. The patrons seemed to be a uncharacteristically sparse for a Sunday mid-morning. Though, I was secretly relieved that I didn't have to see the regulars that I've become accustomed to. The servers who once greeted me with a familiar looks and cheerful smiles simply gave me practiced and polite nods of acknowledgement.  

        All at once, I felt the full weight of my current situation. New companions. A new face. A new life. I didn't like feeling like this. Without Uo-chan or Hana-chan behind me, I feel so... helpless... and alone. I wanted to cry.

        "Honda-kun, take your seat," Hatori-san's tone interrupted my thoughts. 

        "Yes!" I called out a little over enthusiastically, feeling like a student caught sleeping in class. I instinctively took the empty seat by Yuki-san, who happened to be sitting alone on a two-seater table just across the booth where everyone else was sitting. I quickly glanced at Yuki-san only to find him stoically staring at a random point across the room, not even acknowledging my presence. I started to move to another seat but changed my mind upon realizing that the only other empty seat was the one right next to Hatori-san. Somehow, tolerating Yuki-san's indifference compared to Hatori-san's... well... sitting next to Hatori-san. It seemed a lesser... um... discomfort. 

        "Everyone has finally met Tooru Honda-kun," Hatori-san began as soon as everyone was settled, "And as everyone knows, Honda-kun is the newest member of our unit. While Yuki will be in charge of teaching her what she needs to know, I still expect everyone to help her," The group's leader gave the young woman sitting beside him a meaningful look before continuing, "I don't want a repetition of that incident ten months ago. Akito has made it clear that there will no longer be any replacements if that happens again."

        "It's not my fault that he has a bad sense of direction," Rin-san grumbled under her breath

        "And here are your assignments for the day," Hatori-san continued, ignoring Rin-san's comment, as he distributed pieces of note paper from a small memo pad in his organizer to the group

        "How come I'm not getting one?" Kyou-kun frowned when Hatori-san passed him

        "Because you're riding shotgun," Hatori-san replied blandly, "Since you showed yesterday how much you enjoy sharing your assignments with other people, you and Kagura will be working together today."

        "THE HELL!!! THAT WASN'T MY FAULT!!!" Kyou-kun growled angrily over Kagura-san's ecstatic yell as she clung tightly to his arm

        "M. Nagisawa?" Shigure-san stared at his paper with a puzzled expression, "Didn't I take this one just last week?"

        "That was the wife, this one's the husband," Hatori-san answered as he reached over to hand Yuki-san his paper

        "Aw, that's so sad," Kagura-san peered at the piece of paper over Kyou-kun's shoulder

        "They should have just died together and save you the trip," Rin-san commented

        "Hatori, this only has a name and an address," Yuki-san announced from his seat

        "Well, that's really all you need when the person's already dead, right?" Hatori-san replied 

        A heavy silence descended on the room and the air thickened with tension as Yuki-san and Hatori-san silently glared at each other with identical stoic expressions for what seemed like an eternity. I can't help but look at Yuki-san with a twinge of awe. Somehow, it didn't seem possible that someone would actually have the guts to face Hatori-san like that. I have to admit, it did look pretty cool and exciting. It reminded me of one of those showdowns from those old American movies. I had no idea what was going on, but everyone seemed to be watching the scene with great interest as well. Then Yuki-san stood up and stepped closer to Hatori-san's table. We all watched with baited breath when he slowly leaned forward and slid the memo paper on the table towards Hatori-san without breaking eye contact. 

        "I'm not going to do this. This was supposed to have been done beforehand," Yuki-san stated in a firm and intimidating manner, despite the soft-spoken tone of his voice

        "Well, it didn't work out that way. It's your responsibility now, so you're in charge of cleaning up this mess," Hatori-san replied in his usual and equally intimidating bland monotone, "Think of it as pay back for the number of times we had to clean up after you."

        Yuki-san's eyes narrowed as he let out a sardonic laugh, "Don't you dare slap that on my face. This is against the rules."

        "You have no right to preach about not breaking the rules."

        From the corner of my eye, I noticed a faint hint of a triumphant smile creeping its way to Rin-san's mouth as she continued to watch Yuki-san. It was then that I saw it. I don't think anyone else noticed.... that faint quiver on Yuki-san's lips. I don't know why or how, but all at once I knew to whose lap will land the victory of this battle of the wills. Despite my nervousness about the whole ordeal, I can't help but feel sorry for him. 

        Yuki-san took the memo paper, "Might as well get a head start if I want to finish before my evening shift."

        "You don't have to go to work today," Hatori-san stated, as if dropping another bomb, "One of your beloved cousins died yesterday so you're on three day's bereavement."

        "What?" Yuki-san's tone dropped back to that low dangerous monotone

        "And after your assignment, and finish all of Honda-kun's legal paperwork," Hatori-san continued, "Clear your things from your apartment because you will be moving to Shigure's house. From now on, Shigure is going to be your 'legal guardian'."

        "WHAT!!?!?!" I jumped in surprise. Though this time, it was Kyou-kun who expressed his fury, "WHY THE HELL IS HE MOVING IN WITH US?" 

        "I'm not going to live in Shigure's house," Yuki-san added, regaining a bit of his composure, "And I will not comply to this legal guardian nonsense."

        "Until Honda-kun becomes a full fledged shinigami and is able to act on her own, she is your responsibility. She also happens to be a minor. And as far as the State is concerned, so are you. A lone minor-aged teen male may have gotten away with living alone, but a minor-aged teen male and teen female, even if they claim to be siblings, living alone together will raise suspicions with social services. Even with our connections, we can only go so far," Hatori-san explained without pausing for breath

        Kyou-kun could only blink blankly and Kagura-san let out a low whistle, "You really put a lot of thought into this, didn't you?"

        "This is bull shit," Yuki-san shook his head, unable to hide his own anger, "I'm not going to go along with this... game... that you're playing with Akito."

        "Now Yuki-kun, we only have your best interest in mind," Shigure-san stated in an uncharacteristic serious tone, "It's not nice to talk like that to your elders."

        "Don't you dare take that tone with me, bouya," Yuki-san glowered at Shigure, unfazed, "I've already been doing this a long time before your father was even just a stain on your grandmother's tatami mat."

        "Nice," Rin commented before taking a sip of her water

        "Yuki," Hatori's monotone boomed with authority, "When you agreed to join this unit, you agreed to work under my conditions. As far as I know, Akito's offer still stands... or The Council will cancel it's self-imposed disbandment if their leader chooses to retake the reins. No one is forcing you to stay with us. So... what will it be, Yuki?"

        Yuki-san silently reached out one arm across the table. Everyone, except for Hatori-san who held his ground, reacted instantaneously and almost explosively at Yuki-san's action. It even caught the attention of the few other curious patrons of the cafe. Everyone, but Hatori, literally cleared at least five meters away from their seats. Even Rin-san, who seemed like the type who always kept her calm and collected poise, literally climbed off her seat to take refuge at the booth behind her. 

        Yuki-san, however, simply touched the rim of Hatori-san's coffee mug and traced it's lip with his finger before speaking, "I'm not going to loose." With those words, he quickly touched the liquid inside the mug with the tip of his finger, then straightened up as he took the memo paper from the table and made his way out of the door, "Better ask for a new one. This coffee's gone cold."

        "You really pissed off the hornet's nest this time, Ha-san," Shigure-san commented, his eyes seemed to be drawn into the contents of his own cup

        "It's very cool... in a freaky sort of way," Kagura-san whispered as she peered down at Shigure-san's coffee cup as well. Kyou-kun made a disgusted face before turning away.

        "Honda-kun." 

        "Yes!" I answered automatically, mentally pushing away the urge to walk over and look at Shigure-san's cup 

        "You'll be left behind," Hatori-san simply stated as he put his paper napkin to cover his own coffee mug

        "AH! YES!" Yuki-san was already out of the door. I hurried across the room and out the door, just in time to hear the random yells of disgust and screams of horror ringing throughout the shops on our street. Yuki-san was already one block and a half away from the cafe when I got out, and by the time I finally caught up with his pace, people were pouring out into the streets in panic, and there was the faint sound of emergency vehicle sirens in the near distance. I wouldn't find out exactly what happened until later that day. 

        At that time, I was more preoccupied with how to approach Yuki-san without making him even more angry. Whether I wanted it or not, he's the main person that I will have to depend on. So I had no choice but to at least try to gain his... tolerance. So I ended up following him in silence for a good twenty minutes before my curiosity got the better of me, "Anou... etou... Yuki-san... where are we going?"

        "Our first assignment," Yuki-san explained, "We have to attend a funeral."

        I blanched upon hearing that. If there's one thing I can't stand going to, it's attending someone's funeral, "Do Shinigami normally attend funerals?"

        "Normally? No," He answered, "But we need to attend this one or we won't be able to move on."

        I suppose if it was needed, there really isn't anything I do, is there? Well, at least he wasn't talking to me the way he was talking earlier. I'd have to be thankful for that. Come to think of it, the air around him has completely changed. His mood seemed to have done a quick turn around within a span of a few minutes. "Anou... Yuki-san? Whose funeral are we---AH!"

        He suddenly stopped his stride and I ended up crashing into him. He took his eyes off from the piece of paper in his hand before looking back at me. He stared at me intently for several moments. Another thing I hate. People looking at me critically, trying to figure out if I cut the grade. Normally, I don't meet people's expectations. So I immediately felt that self-conscious flush flooding my cheeks. His eyebrows furrowed, in deep thought, "Rookie... I'm sorry but..."

        "Yes?" I was half-expecting that he was going to send me away or something. I hope my nervousness didn't show too much in my voice.

        "What's your name again?" 

        I almost stumbled flat on my face upon hearing that. Kagura-san mentioned that he had some problems with memory, but Yuki-san was acting almost as if he was having it worse than my grandfather's memory lapses. In a way... I was actually starting to get annoyed, "I'm Tooru. Tooru Honda."

        "Well then, Tooru Honda-san. We're at the funeral," Yuki-san stated as he neatly folded the memo paper in half and put it in his pocket and looked toward the busy looking home where we were about to enter. People in dressed either in black or in school uniforms milled around the area. 

        "Eh?" I blinked blankly and looked around me only to gasp in complete bewilderment upon realizing that the school uniforms looked utterly familiar. The people milling around looked utterly familiar. The home that had the unfortunate death of a loved one looked completely and utterly familiar. I unconsciously wrung my hands together and closed my eyes as I felt the start of an anxiety attack. To my surprise, I suddenly felt a warm comforting arm around my shoulders and Yuki-san's gentle voice whispering clearly to my ear, "You'll be alright. I'll be right here beside you all the way, so you'll be okay."

        Somehow, I felt like I could believe him. That I could trust him to be by my side when I needed him. His words and his voice were a complete comfort. In fact, it even slightly reminded me of you. It's amazing, isn't it? How just a few kind words of acceptance from someone else can transform your faltering feelings into the strength to drive away the disabling feelings brought about by Rejection and Loneliness. 

        I opened my eyes and found Yuki-san, looking at me with traces of a small gentle smile touching the corners of his lips. He pulled away to hold my hand and gave it a squeeze of encouragement, "Welcome home, Honda-san."

        "Yes," With a deep breath, I took what was supposed to be the first steps of my journey in moving on to my new life. "Yes..."

        From the rooftop of a building across the cafe, a small lone figure perched at the edge of the roof, watching the growing commotion below. The figure's feet dangled playfully, the wheels of the inline skates attached to it clicked against the concrete rhythmically. A small translucent plastic pastel pink and blue back pack with silver plastic wings, strapped on the figure's back, reflected in the sunlight. It was rather interesting that not even one of the people milling below him like tiny little ants even noticed his presence. After all, at first glance, one would be very alarmed if they noticed a child sitting dangerously at the edge of a rooftop building. Then again, at closer glance, one could tell this was no ordinary child. After all, how many children with ears connected to a cell phone headset and hands expertly manipulating a PDA would sit precariously at the edge of a rooftop building?

        "Yuki is very brave, though a little overdramatic, don't you think?" The figure commented to the other person in the line, "Yes, I just finished..... It's only within one city block.... and it looks like everything's back to normal now....... No, we don't need to send anyone for damage control. It's just enough to be classified as a 'tabloid newspaper miracle' by the mortals....... I took care of the evidence they collected...... I suppose it's more than enough to catch Akito's attention...... <giggle> Well, it's not everyday that water turns into blood....... I can see why Akito wants to keep him on a leash.... Ha? Tooru Honda? Yes! She and Yuki just left a few minutes ago.... Ja! Tooru Honda ist sehr hübsch! Mich bedarf sie zu sehen!...... EHHHHH!?!?! Right now!?!?!............ <sigh> Fine, fine. I'm on my way!"

        With that, the childlike figure pocketed the PDA in his backpack and without any hesitation, leaned forward from its perch and jumped. As mysterious as how it got there in the first place, was how it left... for the only thing that fell from the height was a single delicate pure white feather... that dissolved into nothingness before it even hit the ground. 

End of Part 4
Return to Chapter Three  
Continued on Chapter Four 

AUTHOR’S SQUAWK:   

        Huaaa, it's been a while since the last update of this fic, ne? Anywayz... I picked up my DVD copy of "Dead Like Me" season 1 last week, so I was inspired to continue this. It's really a very awesome series, and I highly recommend that you pick it up. Though the extras part was kind of disappointing. I was hoping for sneak previews of season 2. Ah well, I guess I'll just have to wait for it show up in TMN (here in Canada) next month.

    Okay, re: the Shinigami's ages and ranks in the unit. Basically, the Shinigami "physically" stay the same age they died. So obviously, their true ages don't show at first glance. I'm not going to give away a lot, but to give you an idea to why Hatori's unit acts the way they do, here is a breakdown of their "ages" according to the chronological order of their deaths. (Which would actually be chronological order of their true ages if they lived anyway). 

    Hatori is the oldest. No one really knows when or how he died. We only know that he's been around for a long time, and nothing really fazes him anymore. Hatori also has a legendary history, but he prefers to keep a low profile. It's probably only the older Shinigami and those working with him who still remembers his notoriety. 

        Yuki is the second oldest. He doesn't have as much experience in the soul-taking business as Hatori, but he's also been around for a while. He's one of the best. "The Rat" and "The Council" is actually very well known in the Shinigami world, not just in Japan... but throughout the world. Mind you, not every Shinigami in the world knows Yuki, but every Shinigami knows the legend. But, Yuki is still relatively new in Hatori's unit. He actually joined them just shortly after Kagura became a full fledged member.

    After Yuki is Rin and after Rin is Shigure. Hatori, Rin, and Shigure have actually been working together for in the unit for the longest. That's the reason why the three of them act like equals. After Shigure, of course is Kagura, then Tooru. 

        As for Kyou... well... Kyou is a mystery. Like Hatori, no one knows when or how he died either. But unlike Hatori and everyone else, he acts like he's a rookie as well. The only thing we do know for sure is that Kyou joined Hatori's unit the same time as Yuki. And the two of them never really got along since day one. 

 
       And that's Hatori's unit's dynamics in a nutshell.

   
Ja!
Ina-chan