School. Tenkou Stone looked around at the bustling
campus filled with other students rushing to their classes. She'd
been at it for almost two semesters but it all still felt unreal.
The crowds, the classes-- all of it. She sighed. Three months
and she couldn't remember which classroom her philosophy seminar
is in. She smiled a little, somehow doubting she was the only
one. At least she attended her seminars.
The mid-March air was still chilly; the recent warm
spell had been broken by a snowfall during the night. The
remnants of unexpected return of winter clung to the benches and
flowerbeds along the pathway, and some boys were having an
impromptu snowball fight over by the Campus Activity Centre.
"Ten!" a voice called from the bench in front of the
first floor entrance to the Arts and Education building. "Hurry
up, we're going to be late!"
Tenkou pushed her black hair behind her ears so it was out
of her violet eyes. She readjusted the strap of her bag over her
shoulder and increased her pace. The girl waiting for her tapped
her watch as Tenkou got to the doors.
"Late," she said, a disapproving look on her face.
"I know, Rekki, I'm sorry," Tenkou sighed. "I missed the
bus."
"You need to learn to drive, my dear," Rekki En replied.
"I think I need to get a watch that keeps time first."
Rekki smiled, her golden-brown eyes lighting up. She
pushed back her glossy strawberry blond hair and went about
smoothing and straightening her outfit. Today it was a pair of
red leather pants and a white shirt that reminded Tenkou of the
stuff she'd seen in pictures from the sixties. It was too pillow-
case-y flower child for her personal tastes, but it was hip and
trendy, so of course Rekki was wearing it. She also looked
fabulous in it, as usual. Tenkou didn't doubt that Rekki was one
of those people who could wear a sack to school and still look
good. She probably would if it was reported to be the latest
thing to do.
Rekki snapped her fingers by Tenkou's ear. "To class," she
intoned, stepping up to the automatic door. "We can safely
daydream in there, Ten."
Tenkou nodded, stepping in after her friend.
~*~
Darkness: Songs
One: Haunted
by: Chandra Rooney
darkness@cloak-and-dagger.co.uk
~*~
Revised: May 2001
August 2001
~*~
Tenkou had run into Rekki on the first day of the winter
semester. She'd been staring at her course verification slip,
trying to find the room number for English class and walked right
into the other girl, who had been doing the same. After colliding
and spilling books and bags all over the hallway, the two had
dropped down to collect their things and exchange several
apologies. Once the embarrassment wore off, they both realized
they were in the same class and simply continued the resulting
conversation there. Rekki learned that they shared the same
philosophy class and seminar and declared that she was going to
sit by Tenkou there, too-- if it was all right, of course.
Tenkou still wasn't sure what held their friendship together.
Rekki was supermodel beautiful and seemed to know the name of
every single person in their class. Tenkou was usually
intimidated by people like that, but since Rekki was so easy to
get along with it hadn't been a problem.
"Tenkou," Professor Robins repeated, and Tenkou snapped out
of her revere. "Tenkou Stone."
"Here," she raised her hand and the teacher nodded then
proceeded onto the next name on the roster.
A snicker came from the other side of the room and Tenkou
forced herself not to even look up. She was not going to let
Kirya get to her before the class even started.
"I'd like to see her die painfully," Rekki remarked
pleasantly as she flipped open a scribbler and capped her pen.
"Maybe we can cut her brakes after the seminar."
Tenkou gave her friend a sideways glance. Rekki was neatly
writing down the date in her immaculate script, the same script
that filled the pages of the notebook. Aside from having the
obsessive habit of copying down everything said in a class, Rekki
also tended to invite Tenkou to partake in plots against people
she didn't like. After three months Tenkou still wasn't sure if
the other girl was just joking around, or was honestly
disappointed when Tenkou politely refused.
"Maybe another day," Tenkou replied.
"Today we are going to discuss the reading on Kierkegaard's
position on faith," Professor Robins announced. "Would anyone
like to summarize what the reading told us?"
Rekki's hand shot up. The professor smiled weakly. "Anyone
at all?" Rekki waved her hand a little. The teacher's smiled
became more strained. "Tenkou," she said finally, "how about
you?"
Rekki sighed and lowered her arm. She pushed the corner of
her own notebook towards Tenkou and leaned back in her chair,
dejected.
"Um..." Tenkou tapped her pen against her notebook.
"Kierkegaard saw that there were two kinds of relationships:
objective and subjective. Objective is something that you can,"
she paused, searching for the right word. Rekki tapped her notes,
but Tenkou ignored her. "Objective is something that you can
rationalize with facts. Subjective is something emotional or
personal that can't be rationalized."
"That's true," Professor Robins nodded. "How does this
apply to faith?"
"Kierkegaard saw faith as being a subjective relationship,"
Tenkou explained. "It wasn't something that you could rationalize
or explain-- he said that if someone tried to rationalize faith
then they were objectifying it."
"Yes, and this is very important for what reason, Miss
Willows?" Professor Robins asked, turning on the blond girl.
Kirya froze. "What?" she asked.
"Well, you seem to be intently whispering to Jane," the
professor smiled, "so I assumed that you must have been forming
your own summary for the reading selection."
"I-- uh--" Kirya stammered.
Professor Robins frowned. "This is really disappointing,
Kirya. Can't you tell me why it's so important to refrain from
rationalizing faith?" The class was silent. She looked around
the seminar room at them, a sort of pleading expression in her
eyes.
"Because it's a belief, you idiots," Rekki exclaimed after
another two minutes of silence. "Don't any of you know that a
belief can't co-exist when you have knowledge? You don't
_believe_ it anymore, you _know_ it." She flopped back in her
chair, a hand over her face. Tenkou could hear Rekki muttering to
herself, "I can't take much more of this. They're just so damned
stupid."
Professor Robins coughed. "Uh, y-yes, Rekki, that's
absolutely correct. Belief and knowledge are at opposite ends of
the spectrum. Kierkergaard felt that objective relationship
should be reserved for factual, scientific data, whereas
subjective relationships should be for beliefs." She paused.
"Which you would have concluded from the reading selection."
Rekki waved a hand dismissively in the air at this. Tenkou
gave her friend a quick side glance, and as she returned her gaze
back to the teacher, she saw Kirya shooting them both hostile
glares.
*
"That seminar was a joke," Rekki huffed as they walked out
into the afternoon sunshine. "No one reads the selections, they
just expect the professor to hand them the answers." She sighed.
"I wish life were that easy."
"How is your job going?" Tenkou asked, changing the subject.
"It goes." Rekki waved her hand again. "So what naughty
things are you up to tonight?"
Tenkou bit her lip. "I'm not sure. Did you want to do
something?"
Rekki faltered. "I would love too, Ten, really. However,
the boss has me assigned to this huge project. I'm going to have
to work all weekend again."
"That's too bad," Tenkou said, sympathetically. "I don't
know how you do it, Rekki, hold down this job and do so well in
class."
"I can multitask," Rekki replied.
She started to say something else, but Tenkou didn't hear
it. Across the quad, by the stairs with the waterfall-fountains
along the sides-- Was that him? The boy looked back over his
shoulder and seemed to smile at her, but then someone walked
across the path between them blocking her view. When the view
cleared again, the boy was gone.
"Hello?" Rekki repeated, stepping in front of Tenkou.
"You're not listening to me, Ten."
"I'm sorry, Rekki," Tenkou said. "It's just-- I saw-- I
thought I saw--"
"Someone you knew?" Rekki asked, looking back over at the
steps.
"He's not there anymore," Tenkou replied, softly.
Rekki looked back. "Are you all right? You're really quiet
all of a sudden."
"I'm-- just tired. I haven't been sleeping well." Tenkou
looked at her watch. "I have to go, Rekki, I'm going to miss my
bus."
"Okay," Rekki nodded. "Hey," she brightened, "if I get some
time off, I'll call. Maybe we can do something during the day."
"That'd be great," Tenkou nodded. "Bye!"
*
Tenkou hurried through the crowd and up the stairs. The
boy wasn't at the top of stairs, nor was he standing around the
uptown or downtown bus stops. She sighed. It wasn't him. She
had to stop thinking that it was. Tenkou shook her head,
absently fingering the chain around her neck. It had been six
months-- she'd said she could wait, but for how much longer?
She hadn't got a very good look at the boy, but she could
have sworn he had the same almost sad, yet somehow yearning look;
the look of someone who was constantly being reminded of things
he couldn't have.
Tenkou pulled out a bus ticket. The bus that would go
up the hill to her house pulled to a stop, and she followed the
other riders onto it. She dropped the ticket in the fare slot,
and then she went and sat down by herself near the back.
Maybe she wasn't looking for the right boy. Maybe she
ought to expect eyes that were the deep violet-blue found in a
glacier. Maybe his hair should be longer, and his expression
should be wilder, and he would smile more often even laugh openly
when something amused him. Tenkou stopped and shook her head. Or
maybe she should stop looking for him. She bit her lip. No.
He'd promised to come. He would come.
The bus stopped and opened its doors. People got on, and
people got off. Someone walked o, and then sat down next to her.
"Hey, Tenkou," he said.
She turned, with his name on her lips. "Hi, Zell--" she
stopped, frowning at the guy with the unruly blond hair and brown
eyes. "I mean 'hello'."
He smiled. "You don't remember me, huh? That's cool.
I'm Matt-- Matthew Tyler. We were in Japanese class in the fall
semester together."
Tenkou blinked, and then smiled back. "I-- no, I
remember, I was just thinking about some-- thing." She turned so
she could face him. "Matthew Tyler. You were the guitarist,
right?"
He grinned. "Yeah. Still am. How're you?"
"I'm good," she replied.
"Yeah? You looked a little sad when I got on the bus."
"Oh, I'm fine," she repeated. "How are you?"
"I'm great. The band's actually got a gig tonight.
Well, a paying one," he added. He brightened. "Hey, do you want
to come and watch?"
"I...."
"It's gonna be good, we're playing all kinds of wild-n-
crazy stuff," he told her. He dug around in his backpack, and
pulled out a folded piece of paper. "Here. This way you can get
in free."
Tenkou took the ticket from him. "Thanks, but I really
don't have a ride there."
"Not a problem," he assured her. "I can give you one."
The bell dinged, and Tenkou noticed that her stop was
next. "I-- have to get off," she said, dumbly. She stood and
started for the door.
Matthew nodded. "So you want me to come by around
eight?"
Tenkou paused, bit her lip and then turned around.
"Okay," she replied. "Oh, you don't know where I live."
"Why don't I call you and get directions? You're going
to miss your stop." He stood and pulled out a pen.
"Okay." Tenkou told him her phone number.
*
"I'm home," Tenkou called, as she stepped into the house and
closed the door behind her. No one answered her call. She sighed
and leaned against the door.
She had a date, shouldn't she be happy? Walking past the
stairs that led to the main level, she went back into the basement
suite that her room was located in. Dropping her school bag on
the floor, Tenkou tossed her coat over it, kicked off her shoes
and flopped on her bed. If it was with Zellar-- Argh! She had to
stop thinking about him. It was making her crazy.
Maybe some music would help. She fumbled for the remote.
The tape that she had in started playing.
o/` I'm not bored tonight
I disconnected the phone
I lie awake with all my dreams
I don't notice that I'm all alone o/`
Oh, great. Tenkou made a face and clicked the stop button.
The stereo switched over the radio. The announcer was talking
about the latest single from some band, arguing with a caller
about whether or not it would go number one. Tenkou sighed and
got up off the bed and walked over to the window. Sliding it
open, she leaned outside and allowed the slight breeze to sweep
across her face.
"You're ruining my life," she said quietly, lifting the
slender chain out from under her shirt. The black star pendant
glitter as it caught the sunlight. "So, I'll make you a deal,"
Tenkou continued, looking down at it. "I'm giving him one more
night. If I don't see him by sunrise-- you're getting thrown out
into that empty lot."
A caw interrupted her, as a raven landed on the open
windowsill. Tenkou stared at the large, black bird. She'd heard
that the ravens around town were dangerous, they'd attacked cats
and small dogs. This one watched her with its head cocked
slightly, and the sun glinted off its glossy black-green feathers.
She held her breath unsure what to do. The raven continued to
perch there, watching her.
Tenkou clutched at the small star pendant. Oh, of course!
Ravens and crows were attracted to shiny objects. She put the
pendant back inside her shirt and waved at the raven. "Shoo!"
The bird squawked and flapped its wings. It flew off and
perched atop the lamppost in the empty lot next to her house.
Tenkou leaned back inside and shut the window. Sighing, she went
back to flop on the bed.
*
She woke up alone. It wasn't the first time, but it was
unusual, for she shouldn't have been alone. He should have been
by her side, sleeping peacefully, his face a mask of tranquillity.
He would not have gone far-- just out into the garden to look at
the stars. He did that when he couldn't sleep or was troubled by
a dream. She knew that lately his rests had been fretful and
short-- when he rested at all.
It signaled something, the transition for him into the next
stage of his life. He was ill-prepared for it, uneducated or
trained in the manners of his own people. Having grown up
separated from anyone even remotely like him had done as much to
him. She knew little of what it had been like, as he didn't
speak of his life very often without turning sorrowful and
melancholy. Nozomi knew he wasn't happy, and she knew that he
felt powerless to do anything to change that.
It was raining softly tonight. The sound of it falling
against the roof and the wall screens played a muted symphony. He
would be outside. Nozomi gathered her robes and stepped down the
hall past her sleeping attendant towards the garden. The rain was
falling in a soft squall; its temper flaring but so gently that it
would not escalate beyond a simple night shower. Someone was in
the garden, standing out in the rain with his face tipped to the
sky. The water was running down his cheeks, dropping off his
outspread arms.
"Yamato," she called softly. "You will catch a chill out in
this."
He started at the sound of her voice. "Nozomi, don't come
any closer," he commanded.
"Yamato?" she asked, halting her steps. "What is it, my
love?"
"Don't look at me," he commanded, holding his hand before
his face and looking away. "Go back inside."
Nozomi shook her head and came closer to him. "We've
discussed this, my love," she told him, gently pulling his hand
down. "There is nothing about you that you need hide from me."
Slowly, he shifted his eyes to look down upon her. The
moonlight caught their deep twilight blue color. His pale skin
was warm to her touch. Her hand ran along his cheek, and her eyes
strayed to the black spiral on his forehead. His hair, a dark
stormy blue color, fell down into his eyes. She reached up and
pushed it away.
"What is it that you fear me seeing?" she asked.
His hand closed over hers. "You're not afraid of someone
seeing us?"
"Should I be?" she asked. There was a pause, and then she
asked, "I wonder, Yamato, are you afraid?"
"Yes," he nodded. "But not of being seen."
"Then what are you afraid of, my love?"
His eyes turned a sorrowful, half-obscured by his long soot-
colored lashes. "Myself."
*
Tenkou jerked awake, the phone on the desk across the room
was ringing loudly. She pulled herself off of the bed and
answered the call. "Hello?" she asked, rubbing her eyes.
"Hey, you still coming tonight?" the voice on the phone
asked.
"Matthew?" she asked, moving the phone to the other ear.
"Yeah," he replied. "You're still coming to the gig
tonight, right?"
"What time is it?"
"I was about to come and get you...." Matthew trailed off.
"But then I realized I didn't have your address."
"What time is it?" she repeated, trying to find a clock.
"Oh, it's about eight or so. We have to play our first set
at ten." He paused. "You okay to be at an all-nighter?"
"I can find my way back home if I get tired," she told him.
"When did you need to be at this place?"
"By nine-thirty for sure. I figured I'd come get you around
nine," he told her. "I know I said eight, but I sort of lost
track of time. Is nine better for you?"
Tenkou nodded. "Yeah, let me give you my address."
*
"She's going out tonight, Boss," the figure reported into
his cell phone. The wind tousled his purple hair, the lighter
colored bangs and longer side-pieces fluttering in the wind. He
reached up and secured them behind his ear. The figure turned and
looked back at Tenkou's house. The windows were all darkened save
one.
As the man on the other end of the phone conversation
replied, the figure stopped, noting the car drive up and park in
the driveway. "Hold on a minute, Boss, someone just pulled up."
He inspected the driver as he got of the car. "No, it's not him.
It's some kid."
The boy walked up to the door and it opened, Tenkou stepped
outside and followed him to the car. They got in and drove away.
"No, Boss, I'm still here," the purple-haired watcher
replied. "But she's not anymore. She went with the kid." He
paused, listening to his instructions. A frown spread across his
features, but no trace of it was evident in his reply. "You're
the boss, Boss." He clicked off the cell phone and stuck it in
his jacket pocket.
"I don't believe this," the boy sighed, narrowing his golden
eyes. "I'm on foot, they're in a car-- how the hell am I supposed
to 'follow them'?"
*
The woman was beautiful, her features delicate and
classical. Her long, dark hair tumbled around her face in curls,
falling down her back to the floor. Her skin was a milky white,
gleaming and shimmering with a soft light. Her large, dark blue
eyes were framed with long, heavy lashes. She was clothed in soft
robes, silky and flattering to her beautiful, slender figure. The
silver star upon her forehead matched the thin silver markings
along her cheek bones.
"She calls for you," the woman said, her voice soft, gentle
and musical. "She remembers you from before she was human."
The boy said nothing. The beautiful woman-- who appeared to
be spun of glass, so delicate and radiant-- sighed gently. "You
shouldn't keep her waiting, Yamato."
He nodded. "I know, Mother. Perhaps, if you were a little
more forthcoming with the information I want."
"My son," the woman's eyes turned sorrowful. "Why don't you
leave the past in the past?"
"Because there are so many things I still don't
understand," he whispered, his voice even more musical then hers.
"How can I be with her before I can answer the questions she's
going to ask?"
"She is miserable without you," his mother told him.
"Seeing you will only bring her joy. Go to her."
He hung his head, his heavy lashes falling over his eyes.
"You will not help me find him."
The woman reached forward, touching the spiral on his
forehead. "You don't know what you're asking of me," she said,
sadly. "It would be the end of it all."
*
The club was big. Matthew had explained that it used to be
a warehouse that had been converted into the lights and glitter
that it was now.
"This place is called 'Siren's'," Matthew told her, as he
opened the stage entrance. "The guy who owns it is a little
shallow. They say he watches the line-up from upstairs and tells
his bouncers which people are 'beautiful' enough to come inside."
"Why would you want to play here?" Tenkou asked.
"Because he can afford to pay better than any other club,"
Matthew shrugged. "Mostly it's because of the whole reputation
that comes with getting to play at the most exclusive club."
"You're not really playing all night long," she asked. "Are
you?"
He shook his head. "No, we have about three sets that are
spread out all through the night." He led her into the back area
where the rest of the band was.
A small blond girl waved to Matthew. "Hey, about time you
showed up." She paused. "Are you going to introduce your
friend?"
"Jenn," Matthew gestured to the blond girl, "This is Tenkou
Stone. We were in Japanese class together during the fall.
Tenkou, Jenn Simmons. She plays the bass." The girl with the
curly auburn hair looked up from frowning over a keyboard.
"That's Sarah Aylward, on keyboards. The tall guy with the blond
highlights is Chris Philips. When he's not working at 7-11, he
bangs out a good rhythm on the drums." The drummer waved and
then proceed to go back to practicing on the tabletop. "And you
already know me," Matthew grinned, "Matthew Tyler, reluctant
vocals and lead guitarist."
"What's the name of your band?" Tenkou asked, curious.
"This week it's 'Angry Shadow Kitty'," Chris replied.
"...What?"
Chris gestured to the drumset. A cat-girl playing with a
knife had been painted on the front.
"Oh, that's... nice," Tenkou said after a moment.
"Chris drew the picture himself," Sarah remarked.
"It's very good," Tenkou replied.
"Last week we were 'Spiderman's Ninja Rabbit'," Chris
explained. "For some reason it didn't go over really well with
the crowd."
Matthew put his hands on her shoulders and started leading
her towards the club floor. "Hate to seem rude, but we have to
chase you out so we can set up on the stage." She let him lead
her out from behind the curtain.
The club was dark beyond the bright lights of the stage, but
it looked glittery and elegant. The mirrorball spun high above
her head, reflecting rainbows of light through the darkness. The
women and men she could see looked far too well dressed to be at a
bar, all the clothing trendy and stylish. It made her feel very
out of place; the thought of being left alone amongst was a little
overwhelming.
A shadow fell across her path, and Tenkou looked up to see
one of the most handsome men she'd laid eyes on. He was...
beautiful, with long, blond hair and large, wide green eyes. A
splash of the same color of green ran down through his hair. He
was dressed in a rich suit of some pale color. A peach rose was
sticking out of his lapel. He looked rich, he looked impossibly--
_pretty_. He didn't look real.
"Matthew," the man said in a deep, cultured voice.
"Shouldn't you be backstage with your band? I'm looking forward
to seeing you perform."
"Mr. Beau," Matthew stopped, his hand falling off Tenkou's
shoulder. "I was just bringing my friend out to the front so she
could watch."
Mr. Beau looked at Tenkou and smiled. "Such a lovely girl,"
he breathed, "please come and sit with me at my table, Miss.
We'll watch your friend from there."
"Mr. Beau owns this club," Matthew whispered to her. "Oh,
sir, I couldn't just forc--"
"Nonsense," Mr. Beau waved Matthew away. "Go and prepare,
please. It is a pleasure for me to watch over your friend for
you."
"If you're sure, sir," Matthew smiled at Tenkou and then
stepped back. "I'll find you after the first set, Tenkou."
Tenkou shot him an indignant look. What was this? Matthew
invited out her out on a date and then dropped her off with some
complete stranger the first chance he had? Zellar wouldn't have
just left her there. _He_ was a gentleman-- she stopped, taking a
deep breath. She had to stop romanticizing; she'd only been with
him for two days. He had said it himself, they barely knew each
other.
"Tenkou," Mr. Beau repeated. "What a beautiful name.
Perfect for such a lovely girl." He smiled at her, showing off
perfect white teeth. He offered her his arm. "Shall we? My
table is just over here."
Tenkou didn't take his arm, instead gesturing for him to
lead the way. Mr. Beau pulled out her chair and pushed it in for
her as well before taking the seat across from her. "Mr. Tyler is
a very fortunate man to be in the company of such a lovely young
woman."
"We're just friends," Tenkou found herself saying, quickly
and nervously. "We were in a Japanese class together in the fall
semester at college. We actually just ran into each other again
earlier on the bus today. He was nice enough to invite me to come
and see his band." She sucked in a breath. What was she doing?
She didn't owe this guy any explanation. Besides, she was talking
way too fast and saying too much-- he was going to think she was
just some bubble-headed groupie. She needed to calm down; there
was no reason to be nervous.
"How kind of him," Mr. Beau remarked. "But I wonder why
I've never seen you at my club before, Tenkou. Surely, I'd have
escorted you in myself."
She blushed. "I don't usually go to clubs, Mr. Beau," she
admitted. This was true, she hadn't done much of anything this
school term. Silently, she chided herself, promising to try and
get together with some high school friends the next chance she
got.
"A pity, you do the world a great crime to hide yourself
away from it," he smiled. "My name is Tiferet, Tenkou. It would
please me greatly if you called me that instead of 'Mr. Beau'."
"Tiferet?" she asked, hesitating.
"Tiferet."
"That's... I've never heard that name before," she told him.
"It sounds like it's--" she paused, frowning a little as she
thought. "Hebrew, maybe?" she guessed.
"Judiac of some order," he nodded, "so, yes, most likely
Hebrew. You're schooled in languages?"
"My father is an archaeologist," she told him. "So I picked
up an odd bit of this and that."
"How exciting," he breathed. "Do you ever accompany him on
his-- what are they called-- 'digs'?"
"I went with him to Japan last summer."
"Wonderful. You must meet so many people." He paused.
"Admirers all over the world, yes?" She blushed, but felt a pang
of sorrow. "Miss Tenkou? Did I say something to upset you?" he
asked. "You're suddenly so quiet."
"I-- no," she assured him, lying politely. "I'm just a
little nervous. I've never been in such a... beautiful club
before."
Tiferet smiled. "Why, thank you."
Tenkou looked around. The club was getting noisy as people
chatted loudly. Through the smoke, she thought she saw a boy
across at the bar looking at her. For an instant, eyes that might
have been a pale silvery blue met hers. At once she felt the
intense desire to leave-- to get as far from this place as she
could. The boy gave her a dashing smile, and then he was gone.
Tenkou stood up, looking around. Where had he gone? Sure it was
busy in the club, but he couldn't have just disappeared.
"Tenkou?" Tiferet asked, standing behind her. "Is something
the matter?"
Aha! Tenkou spotted the boy walking towards the exit. A
wave of doubt washed over her. Tiferet surely thought she was a
strange, rude girl with the way she was behaving. "I thought I
saw my friend. Do you see that guy by the door?" she asked,
pointing through the crowd. "That boy with the fair hair?
He's wearing black--"
"I see him, yes," Tiferet replied, something odd in his
voice. "Is he Mr. Tyler's rival for your affections?"
"I--" Tenkou shook her head. What a strange thing to ask!
What did it matter to Tiferet who Zellar was? She paused. Well,
he must be very confused with her pointing this stranger out in
the crowd to him. "I'm very sorry, Tiferet, but I have to go and
say 'hi' to him before he goes." She paused, then added.
"We haven't seen each other since summer."
"He seems in quite a rush to leave," Tiferet remarked,
watching as the boy moved through the crowds. "I can have
security bring him here if you like," he suggested, with a
secretive smile.
"No, no," she told him. Imagine, security dragging him back
to the table only for her to discover that it _wasn't_ the right
person. Embarrassing herself in front of the entire club over
some stupid crush was the last thing she needed. "I'll be right
back." She hurried through the crowd after the vanishing figure.
What if it wasn't Zellar? she wondered, again. This was becoming
an obsession, and she needed to get over it. And she would-- as
soon as she made sure it wasn't him.
Tiferet watched Tenkou go, then he reached into his suit-
jacket pocket and pulled out a cell phone. He flipped it open and
pressed the speed dial. "Yes, it's me. We have a little problem
I need you to take care of."
*
Requiem grumbled and tapped his foot impatiently. A pretty
girl in a pink wig turned around. "Have you ever got in before?"
she asked, gushing a little. "I've been trying ever since it
opened."
Requiem smiled at her. As annoyed as he was, he always had
time for pretty girls. "No, it's my first time tonight."
"I love your contacts," she giggled. "They're so pretty! I
wanted to get the ones that make your eyes that aqua color."
"Your eyes look good without them," he told her. She
giggled again. "Where did you get the wig?"
"Suki's downtown. Is that a wig, or did you actually dye
your hair that color?" she asked.
"I was born with my hair like this," he replied, honestly.
She giggled.
"I'm sorry," she told him, "I get like this when I'm
nervous. I just can't seem to keep a straight face. Hey, let's
make a deal," she began, brightening. "If we both get in, we'll
have to help each other find people to dance with."
"I'll dance with you," Requiem assured her. "I'd keep you
all to myself."
She got a funny look on her face. "I... I don't dance with
other girls. Sorry."
Requiem frowned. "I'm not a girl."
She gasped, her eyes widening. "I--I didn't... I--"
Requiem saw the girl with the light violet eyes brush past
him, chasing after something. "Save it, kid, I get it all the
time," he told the girl, brushing off her stammering apologies and
hopping over the rope, which had been set up to keep the line
orderly.
"No jumping spots!" the bouncer at the head of the line
yelled.
"Do I look like I'm trying to get in, asshole?" Requiem
snarled back to the bouncer, fingering the guy and taking off
after the girl with the glossy black hair.
"Hey, that girl just--" the bouncer was cut off, as a guy in
a professional looking peach suit shoved him aside and hurried off
in the direction the girl had taken.
*
Tenkou felt like she was chasing a ghost or a reflection.
She'd followed the mysterious boy outside through the parking lot
and out into the moonlit field. Then he'd just vanished, like he
hadn't been there in the first place. Was she losing her mind?
Tenkou panted, tired from running to catch him. Hot tears of
frustration began to well up in her eyes. She couldn't keep doing
this.
Footsteps fell in the grass behind her, and she turned. A
man in an expensive peach silk suit was holding a gun on her. She
stared at him, dumbly, certain that she wasn't seeing things
correctly again.
"Hands up," he said, in a voice like stones grating
together. "Who are you working for?" he demanded.
Tenkou gave him a baffled look. "Working for?" she
repeated. "What do you mean?"
"Don't play dumb with me," the man snapped, waving the gun.
"Who is it? The Revolutionists?"
"What?" Tenkou blinked. The who? She looked around. Had
she been caught up in some strange gang war or something?
"The Eastern Vaults maybe?" the man continued. He stopped,
an ugly glint appearing in his eyes. "No, a pretty thing like you
would be from a more exotic source." He leered. "Where are you
from? North or South?" he asked.
"I--" Tenkou looked behind her, and then she looked back at
the man. North or South? Obviously this had to be a gang thing.
Maybe a drug ring was running through the club! She frowned. Of
course, that was it. Tiferet did have a sort of oily feel to him.
"Who is your leader?" he snapped, losing his patience and
jabbing the gun against her chest. "Morpheus or Dace?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," Tenkou replied.
"Honest." She looked down at the gun. Then she looked behind her
and in both directions off to her sides. There was no sign of
anyone. If she screamed would anyone hear?
"It's Dace, isn't it? Yeah, you've got the Southern look to
you." The well-dressed thug poked her with the gun. "Master
Tiferet is not nearly as incompetent as you believe. Do you
honestly think he doesn't know that you've been snooping around
his territory and asking the sort of questions that get people
killed?" He shook his head. "The final straw was coming into his
club tonight. You damn Pentagrams might think you're special
because you're Southerners, but you forget that here on Earth
we'll kill you dead just like any other Revolutionist."
"I don't know what you're talking about," Tenkou repeated.
"Why did Tiferet send you after me?"
"You want me to believe that you're human?" the thug spat.
"You're not that good, pretty Pentagram." He cocked the gun. "I
think sending your heart back to Dace in pieces should get the
message clear to him that Master Tiferet is not someone you toy
with."
Tenkou screamed good and loud. The thug cried out,
throwing his hands over his ears. It wasn't much, but it was
enough to spur Tenkou into action. She turned and ran for the
trees at the end of the field. The thug cried out and started to
run after her. She looked over her shoulder to see how quickly he
was gaining on her.
Someone tackled the thug from behind. The thug hit the
ground, then a purple-haired figure got up off of him and brushed
at the sleeves of its short, black jacket. The thug pulled
himself to his feet, glaring at the newcomer. "I'll have you know
this is imported silk," he gestured to his dirty suit. "It's
expensive."
"Well, maybe if Tiferet spent less on his wardrobe he could
afford to hire some brighter help," the figure replied. Its voice
was harmonious, musical and low like a singer's. The creature was
almost feminine in its appearance. Long lashes framed wide
golden eyes, and regal cheekbones offset its petit nose and small
mouth, while wispy pale purple fringe fell around its face. The
rest of its hair was a darker purple color, short but two long
pieces hung down on each side of its face. Along its cheek was
some sort of grey triangular design. It was wearing red pants, a
white high-necked sweater that didn't appear to have sleeves, and
short black jacket and black boots.
"This is of no concern to you, Song," the thug warned.
"Just keep walking. We're well within our territory and we'll do
what we like to spies."
"Politics bore me," the other replied, stifling a yawn with
one hand. He flicked open his other hand. "Hell Fire."
Flames dances from his fingers, lashing out and catching the
unprepared thug within their net.
"Dawn's Throne!" the thug exclaimed. "What's a FlameSong
doing here?"
"I might be killing you awfully soon." The FlameSong
smiled, golden eyes gleaming mischievously. "Those flames don't
burn-- yet. If you play nice, they won't. But if you make me
angry--" He held his palm upright in the air and slowly brought
his fingers in towards it. The flames tightened around the thug;
the smell of searing silks wafted up from where the flames licked
at their hostage.
"You can't do this," the thug protested. "You don't have
the authority to kill me."
"Funny, I don't see anyone stopping me."
A shot rang through the clearing, and Tenkou screamed as it
clipped the tip of one of the creature's longer strands of hair.
The FlameSong reacted by jumping back and landing protectively in
front of her. Three more of the silk-suited thugs emerged from
the shadows.
"You have got to be kidding me. How stupid are you
guys?" the FlameSong groaned. He stepped back again, and Tenkou
heard him hiss, "Can't do Hell Fire-- leaves you wide open during
the casting. Can't risk you getting caught inside Inferno--
doubt the Thread's blessed you to that extent yet."
He-- the 'FlameSong'-- was there to protect her? Tenkou
blinked. Could it be that these things were somehow like
Darkness? Was there the same sort of thing she'd faced in Japan
going on right here in her home town?
The creature tensed, and he glanced at the shadows that fell
before the trees behind them. "Anytime you're ready," he
grumbled. "It's her funeral, not mine."
A sharp caw came from the trees. A crow or raven perched up
in the higher branches took to the air, swooping off towards the
city. The thug jerked his head towards the sound. "Son of a--"
he began, watching the bird vanish into the night sky.
The bird cry seemed to be the signal the FlameSong had been
waiting for. He straightened and turned to face the four thugs.
Two had helped their fallen comrade stand. The charred marks of
his suit matched the pattern of the firevines that he'd been
encased in.
"Well," the FlameSong smiled, putting his hands on his hips.
"Aren't you embarrassed, boys? Imagine, you came to the party all
wearing the same thing."
"Shut up," one of the newcomers snapped. "You talk big, but
you're nothing but mouth, little girl."
The FlameSong's eye twitched. " 'Little... _girl_'?" he
repeated. A very nasty grin spread across his face. "Don't let
my pretty face fool you, _boys_," he warned them, as he pulled his
hands together, charging a massive fireball. "I'll have you know-
- despite this rather feminine exterior-- II'm more man than you
losers will ever be!" The fireball leapt from his hand, swallowing
the group of four in one shot. It exploded outward, surging and
pulsing in all directions-- one of which unfortunately happened to
be the one that Tenkou was standing it.
The heat intensified, and she felt it lick and brush against
her face. The FlameSong grabbed her by the waist, pulling her
back faster than the fire was advancing. The night air cooled her
cheeks, and she realized that they'd stopped moving. The
FlameSong had stopped her back down far enough from the blaze to
be safe. She turned to thank him, but the purple-haired figure
had already hurried back to the blaze.
*
The woman's dark blue eyes pleaded with him. "Forget this
fruitless quest," she implored. "Abandon your search and go to
the girl, Yamato. Can't you see she needs you?"
"Mother," Yamato looked at her, his dark blue eyes annoyed.
"Don't you see that this quest is important to me?" He brushed at
his lighter blue fringe, pushing it back with the rest of his dark
blue hair. "Why can't-- or won't -- you answer the questions I
have?"
His mother sighed, reaching for his hand. Against her white
skin, his hand looked even darker and more tanned that he knew it
was. "You aren't ready to know, Yamato," she told him. "You're
still a child, so very young." She reached for his face, brushing
his hair. "Your father was a child when you were born," she
admitted. "The Old Ones would count the two of you within the
same generation."
A looked of understanding passed over Yamato's face. "He
doesn't know," he realized. "My father doesn't know I exist."
"He knows you exist," she said, softly. "But you mustn't go
to him, Yamato.
"I don't understand. Why not?" he demanded.
"No," she stood, gathering her many robes. "My silence is
the only thing keeping you alive, Yamato." She reached forward,
touching the spiral on his forehead. "Hide that mark," she told
him, sternly. "Wear a Star and cease asking questions that could
get you killed." He stared at her, hurt openly showing in his
eyes. "Yamato," she began, softer. "You've lived your life on
the Earth sphere. There are things you have no concept of brewing
around you."
"No one has stepped forward to enlighten me," he replied,
darkly.
"Go to the girl," his mother replied. "Perhaps she can
convince you there are more important matters than who sired you."
Then she was gone, and he was out of options. Standing and
brushing himself off, Yamato looked out the window. Smoke rose
from a field across the city. The raven perched in the windowsill
looked at him and caw once. Cursing, he reached for his blue
cloak.
*
Requiem stood before the bonfire he'd created waiting
patiently for something to come out of it. The heat would have
made a human pass out, but it didn't bother him at all. A soft
footfall came from behind him, and the blue cloaked figure
approached the fire.
"A little overdone," it remarked, softly.
"They called me 'little girl'," Requiem replied. He didn't
look at the boy standing beside him. "I didn't think you were
going to come, Darkness."
"Amaterasu was less than co-operative," Darkness replied.
"You're too stubborn," Requiem paused. "But I see you
finally saw the light. Can't stay away from me, can you? I'm
just too cute. Must just drive you crazy."
"It kills me." Requiem grinned. Darkness shook his head.
"You can't think something's still alive in that," he remarked,
gesturing to the bonfire.
"No," Requiem replied. "You feeling up to a getting a drink
or something?" Darkness shrugged. "Yeah, I know how you feel."
Requiem shook his head. "You killed anything lately?"
"No. Daylight's watching much too closely." Darkness
sighed and turned away from the blaze. Requiem followed him.
"I'm sorry-- about the way I've been acting."
"Don't apologize," Requiem told him. "We all get a little
cranky sometimes. You more often than the rest of us, but hey."
Requiem shrugged.
Darkness smiled weakly. "Thanks for looking after Tenkou.
I owe you."
"May I ask for payment in sexual favors?"
"...No." The change in his voice was subtle, but Requiem
had learned long ago to wait for it.
The FlameSong laughed. He clasped the other around the
shoulders and began leading him away. "Well, come on. Assuming
she stays in one place for more than two minutes, I think I know
someone who'd really like to see you."
*
Tenkou panted, hands on her knees as she struggled to catch
her breath. "No, wait!" she cried, stumbling and falling. The
cloaked figure stopped, slipping out from the hold of the
FlameSong. Tenkou clutched at her ankle, as he dropped to the
ground beside her. Hands white as snow slipped beneath her own
and clasped her ankle. The touch was cool and soothing, and a
tingle flooded up her leg as he moved his hands over her ankle.
The FlameSong walked over, shaking his head. "Can't resist
the chance to feel a pretty young girl up in the dark, can you?"
he asked, grinning.
"Who are you?" Tenkou asked, her voice coming out in a small
gasp.
"Dammit, Darkness," the creature laughed, "be careful or
you'll break her."
"Quiet," Darkness's voice hissed, warning. "There might be
more of them around." The cowl turned back to Tenkou. She
realized he only had the black star, and his skin was white as it
had been the first night they'd met. "Can you walk?" he asked,
softly.
Tenkou nodded and felt hands move to her arms to help her
up. "I wanted to thank him," she began, "for saving me." She
hesitantly placed weight on her ankle, it didn't protest. "It's
you, isn't it?" she asked, scarcely able to believe her eyes.
She started to step back, but he pulled her closer. "Shhh."
Darkness looked back at the FlameSong. "Requiem, did you hear
that?"
Requiem paused, tilting his head a little. "Yeah, sounds
like the reinforcements."
Tenkou let out a small sound of surprise, as Darkness picked
her up and then looked back at Requiem. "Go," he nodded towards
the club. "And be careful. Don't get in more trouble on our
behalf."
"Ah, but I like trouble," Requiem replied, with a grin.
"Just be careful," Darkness remarked.
Tenkou gasped again as he left, and they began moving
quickly through the night. The scenery blurred on either side of
her and she felt dizzy. She clutched at the soft cloth of the
cloak, but it was no use. Darkness embraced her as she passed
out.
**
10.29 7.19.00
10.15 7.20.00
9.48 7.21.00
1.01 4.16.01
9.01 pm 5.25.01
10.53 am 8.17.01
:)
The song is the first stanza of "Sweet Delusions" by KT Coope.
^_^
Text was changed to reflect changes in the previous saga. Yamato
now discusses the matter of who his father is with Amaterasu. The
thug was given different dialogue to flush out the other races of
the Vaults, and the 'boy'-- Obviously he isn't Yamato, as Yamato
was speaking with Amaterasu at the time. Yamato bears the tazo
during the Nozomi dream scene and the discussion with his mother,
but reverts to Darkness form when he goes to aid Requiem.