❀✿

Hɪʙɪᴋɪ

You may have heard it already, but I'll restate it for the poor idiots who didn't say it correctly. If Anzen Rozu was a pie, I owned an entire slice. The city wasn't separated that way, likely because of me. As Emperor, I practically had a V.I.P pass to the city, so you'd assume things would be fine and dandy for me. Well, that wasn't and isn't the case.

No one has ever seen the Emperor of the Shadou's face, my face. I'm only recognizable by voice, and the silhouette of my horns. My alias is Akki Shadou, but that isn't my real name either.

Now, you might argue that this could be enough for me to get some sort of special privileges in such an advanced city. I did not, and haven't ever taken advantage of my position in that city, in fear of being whisked away 'for my protection' like Tomoe.

So, like my many other irregularities that make me stand out from humans, I cast a facade over my horns. Eyes and teeth were too personal to touch, and I could easily refrain from speaking. Yeah, I definitely could definitely stay quiet, I told myself. I didn't feel like myself anyway. No horns, no... abnormalities, and no cloak. Damn, I missed that thing.

Getting back to my narrative, as soon as I had seen Sora bolt away, I told Haruka and Daichi to find Kotone. Those useless twins had been in contact with Kaosu for much longer then us, so I was positive that keeping them around would either kill them both or act as bait for Kaosu. It'd been interesting to find the result.

Then, I started my stroll through the city. Sora would be fine as long as she stayed in the center, and I had her in the palm of my hand. I'm sure I don't need to explain her position as a Walking Corpse.

If I had payed enough attention to Kaosu during the brief instance where we had first met, I could infer that she'd be gathering information before heading to the top, the leaders of the city who might be susceptible to her influence. Not to mention the preexisting flamboyance. Considering the amount of time to have passed, she might have been at an daytime pub.

"It would be fun to see her face off with Tomoe," I mumbled to myself.

Hands in my pockets, I started down a dim backstreet. The glamour of the city failed to catch my attention, and I was better at fading into the shadows anyway. It was my specialty, after all. I saw the spotlight of sun an the end, and the passing of a carriage, pulled by a bear. Small world.

I passed by dumpsters and littered trash, with even a prosthetic hand among the rubbish. I would have kept walking, and I should have kept walking, if it weren't for a quiet passerby.

It wasn't long before smoldering, chatoyant eyes were gazing up at me. Black satin-soft fur, and bristle whiskers.
A cat mewed at me, and I stopped in my tracks, and stood on one knee.

"Hello," I mumbled to it. It sulked against my thigh.

I had a soft spot for such beasts, they were much better then tamed wolves or shrunken bears. I scratched under it's chin, and fought the urge to grin.

I spent a whole five minutes coddling the feline, before rising and wiping my hands on my pants.

One second passed, and I heard the sound of heels parading behind me too late. If the following events seem rushed, trust me, they were.

I felt a piercing pain under my arm. I turned in time to see Kaosu's dastardly grin, and hear her clicking heels echo in the street.

She was wearing a short blue dress that barely went past her thighs, with an apron and neatly folded sleeves... one of the waitresses' uniforms at the pub I mentioned; one step ahead. I would have frowned at this if I hadn't been already.

"You should have aimed... higher," I said, "Missed my hearts."

"I wasn't aiming for any of your hearts, dear. You haven't stolen mine yet," she replied, with a glisten in her cerulean eyes. "I aim to incapacitate." Her glasgow smile widened rather horrifically.

"Kaosu, you're disgusting,"

When I touched my fingers to the wound at my side, they came away wet. Too much blood.

"I'm just having a good time. Good vibes. Don't you understand?" she giggled, throwing a reddened dagger in the air, and catching it, like a ball.

The veins below my elbow faded to a black, and my hands shifted into talons, as dark as midnight, like the claws of a beast. I leapt forward and slashed at her, but I wasn't fast enough. She skipped past me, slicing at my cheek. It wasn't deep enough to scar, but I wasn't as fortunate by my ribs.

"We both know very well that you can't do a thing to me."

"I can still defend myself," I spat back at her, and I could practically feel the amusement emanate off of her.

"Everyone knows a quickest way to a man's heart is through the fourth and fifth rib. I just lended you a distraction, so I could cheat my way there."

I inhaled sharply, clutching my side. I had no more then twelve minutes before I collapsed. The wound would have killed me if I was human. I had to keep her talking.

"Can't you find pleasure torturing something else?"

"Shut it, Little Red. You're the predator here. You're pursing me. Besides," Kaosu batted her glossy lashes at me. "you wouldn't know a good time if it sidled up to you and stuck a lolipop in your mouth."

My side started to flare, but I bit my tongue. "That's a prickly amount of accusations. Who's Little Red?"

She neared, tracing her dagger beneath my other eye. "Ruby red orbs, which tell many lies. Oh, what wondrous eyes you have, little cousin."

"Why are you doing this? Don't you have something better to do with your life?" I had to buy my time, another attack so soon could be lethal. Even seconds to regenerate some tissue could help. The pain wouldn't go away.

"Don't you have something better to do with your life?" she mocked.

A thousand thoughts coursed through my head, but I couldn't stop imagining how differently this would have turned out if I had my cloak.

She stepped back with a jig in her steps. It was always a game with this one. "Because, it's obvious that you have to stall potential threats before you shred the vulnerable apart."

I let out a weak laugh, and straightened my back. "That was the worst attempt at a clever metaphor I've ever heard."

Kaosu placed the blade on her lips now, as if gesturing for silence with a knife. "At least I don't have to try to be clever."

"Well, you must be speaking for the both of us."

"Be weary of your flock, red-eyed raven." She crooned, and took a running start before she sprinted towards me.

Cats distract me, I will admit.

❀✿

Sᴏʀᴀ

"What are all these books for anyway?"

Jun lifted his shoulder in a half shrug, and spoke through his thick scarf. "Stuff and things. Learning. What else would you use textbooks for?"

It was the first thing I said to him since we started walking. I was sort of befuddled, honestly. So much city to admire, but I had to think carefully about what we would do to combat Kaosu's growing strength, and how I could help. Not to mention my growing worries for everyone's safety. I seriously wished I could have been more apathetic.

"They aren't just textbooks," I peered to the side of the stack, eyeing Jun from behind. Same build as Haruka too. The only indication of being a guy was the clothes and slightest tint in the voice.

"No, I'm a fan of novels too. Ever pick up a book?"

"Of course I have," I rolled my eyes, and quickly slid to the side, missing a pothole as we crossed the street. "I just didn't think an android would use physical books."

"Where do you think all of the information online comes from?"

I exhaled a sharp breath, with widened eyes. "I-I... hadn't thought of it that ways before."

"That's okay."

The further west I walked, the less crowded the city became. Less glamorous too. It faded into an average city, with brick-colored apartments lining every street, and the occasional business, with much cheaper prices, if I might add. Carrying books kept me from seeing some things, so I hoped my small knowledge of the town wouldn't betray me. Like I've said, I've only been around once before, but I don't remember the slightest bit of what I saw then.

Coming across our third dull brick neighborhood, Jun's pace slowed, and I nearly bumped into him.

"Why are we sto--"

"Please don't speak," He said, muffled by his scarf again. "Wait until we're inside."

I was about to interject, but we kept walking, and a pretty circular-looking senior stood on the threshold of a homy shop, holding the door open. Circular shaped head, gut, and all, and I reaaaaally stress on circular.

"Jun! 'Ave you finally got a friend? Or are ye just blackmailing another one?" He let out a hearty laugh, that sounded like an incredibly distinct hohoho.

Jun clicked his tongue in annoyance and murmured something at the man, and we only took a few steps, before I heard the jingle of keys. I tilted my head to the side to watch. Apartments, and his building was no different from the others.

"Why aren't there any magical shops this way? Or cottages?" I asked, a bit too loudly.

"This part of the city's owned by Evarthil. It's... stricter."

The pause unsettled me. I knew little to nothing about Evarthil, but it would be important in the near future.

I stumbled through his door, the very first door in the building, and heaved all the books onto the nearest table, stretched my strained arms, and took a look around.

Potted plants on most bare corners, everything was as sprawled as the city outside. The kitchen blended into the living room, separated by a few feet and a counter with some stools. There was a short hallway, with two wooden doors facing each other. Beige walls, and an aged mahogany floor.

I finally noticed a coat rack, and I didn't hesitate to hang Hibiki's cloak. My hair brushed against my shoulders, almost feeling alien.

"Sorry, but I think you should leave," Jun blurted, hanging his scarf.

"You promised to help me with my scrape!"

"I don't want to house someone who's suspected to be a cadaver," he took off his glasses, strutting past and placing them on the kitchen counter. "I'm not getting myself involved in whatever drama you've dipped your toes into. Besides, it's not like it'll kill you. They sell med-kits downstairs, help yourself. I'm sure you've got money."

I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, and began ravaging through my satchel. My stomach sank when I felt no more money then a single gold coin. I turned to Jun, feigning smugness.

"Miss, I've already seen your expression plummet. Don't try me. I'm not lending you a dime."

I grumbled, "My name's Sora, not Miss."

He clapped his hands, rubbing them together. "Yes, I know, and that's why you need to leave--" Jun then trailed off, eyes widening as he stuttered.

".. are you--is that--"

I returned the same confused expression.

He gazed at me, a dark brow arched in contemplation. I swallowed hard, but held his stare. A minute later he nodded as if coming to some sort of conclusion about me. "You're a cadaver yourself, aren't you, Miss Sora?"

"Huh?"

By now, I had already taken a seat on one of the kitchen stools. Jun was the splitting image of Haruka, but she hadn't had the capacity for too many statements like he did. What kind of android was he?

He looked to the side, at a clock I hadn't noticed before, and clasped his hands. "Okay, Iet's make a dea--"

I felt myself physically cringe. "No, no more deals."

"That's understandable," Jun mumbled from the side of his mouth, looking through a book now. His searching grew more rapid, flipping through pages until he slammed it shut in a quick instance. "though, I thought these books would be more useful."

"You've read it already?"

"Surely you're not completely oblivious."

I shared a guilty smile. "No, I am. Go on."

He started with another book, eyes entranced on the page.  "I'm an android, yes, a Haruka model." His steel eyes glistened, and he slammed the book again. "I'm an analyst.
Gatherer of data for Evarthil."

"You're a spy?"

I saw his mouth twist and wondered if he was nauseous or if maybe, possibly, he was trying not to laugh. "Uh, sorta, I guess?"

"And?" I rested my elbow on the counter, chin in my palm.

"Midnight's when the data's transferred. I don't want you around then. It'll be tedious and too much effort to get involved in whatever drama you're in, so I rather not stick my nose in things, I repeat. Who kidnapped you anyway?"

"What were you going to tell me about contracts?"

"Right. Nothing comes without a mutual price. Did you pay with your life?" Jun tugged at cords to his hoodie.

I felt my stomach skip. "Are you used to speaking about these things so casually?"

"I hear too many things every day for something like this to phase me," Jun said, blinking twice before making his way towards the window, almost stumbling over a plant.

"Why do you need to gather information if everything's online already?" I queried aloud.

"Who do you think puts it there? It only helps that I've got a job at the museum."

"Oh."

"I've answered three of your questions now. It's your turn."

"No, I didn't pay a thing. I think I was brought back..."

"From the dead?"

"It felt pretty dead."

"Fascinating," he marveled, taking a peer out the window, through cluttered blinds and a curtain.

"You think so?"

Jun faced me, and I felt myself missing Haruka's stoic glares. "Sora, I'm sure that whatever reason you were brought back for must be important, since every moment you spend alive leeches a minute off of his own life."

It took a moment to process what he was saying. Hibiki wouldn't... he's too concerned with himself, and his own affairs. No. It wasn't true.

"Says who?" I seethed.

Jun then snapped his fingers, delirious with knowledge. "Necromancy At It's Finest, by some Crowley. I've seen things on it, but I didn't believe it was still practiced. Demons aren't ideal to study, after all. I've studied many things, yes, but this is the first time I've actually come to meet someone who's been successfully resurrected. And judging by that mark..."

My face twisted.

"...you should get out of my house right now. Now. Immediately."

"What? Why?"

"I will not have some high lord on my doorstep! I don't house convicts, I report them. Shoo." He waved a dismissive hand, pacing towards my cloak.

"One last question, please?"

"Only if you promise to get out and never bother me again." He babbled, hesitating to throw that mantel at me. Jun instead placed it on my shoulder, and patted it once before returning to franticness.

"I think there's something I need to claim at the museum you spoke of. My mother left me a--"

There was only one lock on the door, because of course, he had probably believed that there wouldn't be anyone coming to burden him. He was wrong. The switch on the door slowly unlatched itself.

We both froze. Needles pricked between my shoulder blades, and gooseflesh ran down my arms. So much for the phrase scaredy-cat.

The door creaked open.

Hibiki stood at the doorstep. The color red glared at us from his eyes, from a thin slice on his cheek. His black dress shirt was darkened it three areas, and crimson stained his waistcoat. He kept a hand on the threshold gripping it with coal colored claws, causing streaks of wood to bleed out of the door. He was slouching. Hibiki's horns shifted into view as well, and his eyes widened with an unfamiliar thing. Fear?

"I need... I need, er..." he sputtered, taking a step in. "What do you call it in your language? You know, when you sleep, but you don't sleep. You're just there. Hinlegen. Ich muss mich hinlegen. I-I really don't remember how to say it in your language."

Jun's jaw practically hit the floor.

We had some talking to do. I would not be a mindless pawn in this war.