“Wait, so where is the real Matsu?” Emiko’s voice asked, and Nino’s eye moved to the elft a fraction. "If you have hurt him, you will pay dearly!"
He’ll pay more than that. Nino glared, and suddenly his arm was once again raised with gun clasped between fingers. If you’ve hurt him, I’m going to take pleasure in removing your spleen and making you eat it.
The demon only turned his head and seemed to grin lightly at Emiko. Emiko’s eyes narrowed as she spoke again. “Answer my question!”
“I don’t know,” Loki answered back shrugging his shoulders and keeping his light visage. Nino felt his eyes enlarge and then narrow once more.
Where is he then?? Nino’s thoughts were sharp in his own mind. “You better not be lying,” Nino threatened caustically. The dark haired man was now addressing the demon as he saw him through the eye point of the gun. However, the demon appeared unfazed by this show and continued to keep a light visage.
Suddenly the sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway causing Nino’s right eye to shift to the right and address those that were coming forwards. Ryuu was running sharply down the hallway followed by the white haired man that Nino recognized as Matsu. Nino felt his stomach twitch and then relax to see his friend appearing to be unharmed. A half breath escaped the dark haired man before his eyes shifted solely back to the demon. However, Nino found that he was only seeing the side of Loki’s face for the demon had turned his head as well. A gleeful look sharpened across the demon’s face, and in one sharp motion, Loki had jumped forwards.
Nino felt his pupils turn to slits, yet his hand twitched on the gun as he moved it to try and shoot directly at the demon. Matsu was in the way. The white haired man was beginning to form his own spirit weapon, and yet he lacked the full amount of time to make it completely. Instead, he could only process a light gun that Loki smacked away from him in one sharp movement. Keeping with the force of the swing, the demon smashed the white haired man straight into a wall. Nino felt his entire muscles shift as the sudden burst of pain that reflected across his friend’s face reverberated.
“Matsu!” Ryuu shouted sharply causing Nino’s eyes to move. Loki, taking this sudden show of shifted notion, to take hold of Ryuu’s throat. Idiot! Nino’s thoughts roared in his own mind.
“Any of you even attempt to come near me and I’ll snap this kid’s neck.” Loki grinned as his eyes moved across the visages of those that were now frozen in the hallway. Nino’s eye focused straight forwards as though he were about to shoot, but there was a part of him unable to make the full motion. If he shot Loki, there was still a fraction of a second in which the demon could kill Ryuu.
“What is that obnoxious noise?” Loki snapped causing Nino to blink for a second. It took him a second to process the sound that was ringing within his own ears.
“My… cell phone,” Ryuu breathed.
“Then shut it up.” Loki barked back. The vibrations within the air were light, and yet it was enough to cause the demon agitation.
“Then…let go,” Ryuu breathed once more. Narrowing his eyes, the demon dropped Ryuu to the floor. Ryuu, in a half effort, opened his phone. However, it was snatched instantly by Loki who tossed it at Matsu and then proceeded to slam Ryuu into a wall. Matsu’s eyes grew, and Nino knew what was boarding within.
“So you’re Ryuu that M’lord has told me so much about. I thought he was joking when he said his son was human.” Loki grinned and then laughed as he continued to close his fingers around Ryuu’s throat.
“Nino…shot,” Ryuu breathed but suddenly went limp.
“THANATOS!!” Nino felt his breath break, and his fingers pulled back on the trigger shooting Loki straight in the heck. The demon jumped back as if in response to both events, but suddenly an explosion of light had reflected in the room. A Grim Reaper was standing before Loki with scythe in hand.
Matsu felt his stomach twitch. His legs that had once held him upright had already buckled at the knee and were slowly lowering him to the floor despite the fact that he was seizing the wall and trying desperately to keep from falling completely. No…. not now…… “Nin….” Matsu tried as he looked at his dark haired partner, and yet it was not even loud enough to be heard.
Nino’s dark eyes were on the Grim Reaper that was now standing before the demon. Loki’s eyes were growing, and yet his face seemed to be reflecting something else as well. “Impossible…” Loki mouthed to himself as he continued to stare at the Grim Reaper before him.
“Nin……o….” Matsu breathed out again this time just loud enough for Nino’s attention to be caught. The dark haired man allowed his eyes to move towards the light haired man, and yet when he saw the reflection of sheer sickness upon his partner’s visage, Nino understood the extent of it.
“Hello Loki,” The Grim Reaper spoke as he brought forwards his scythe directly at the demon before him. Moving in a fluid motion to block the attack, Loki made a hand in order to try and shield himself in some manner. However, this instead backfired as an arm was cut and suddenly flew through the air dissolving into ash before it hit the floor.
“Nino….. I can’t…. take it….” Matsu breathed as he continued to lower himself farther and farther down the wall. “I… I’m going to be sick…..”
Nino’s eyes moved sharply over to Emiko who had already moved over towards Ryuu, and for a solid second there was a blank stare before Nino moved his arm and took a step towards Matsu. The pale white haired man had one arm around his stomach and another on his mouth as he continued to slide farther and farther down towards the floor.
“Forgot didn’t you Loki?” the Grim Reaper spoke behind Nino now, and yet the dark haired man made no motion to address the matter. His eyes were now on Matsu who had successfully made it to the floor and was now leaning over his stomach with his eyes shielded by his hair. “So what brings you here?”
“You’ll all find out soon enough.” Loki’s voice laughed, and suddenly the sound of transformation hit Nino’s ears. The dark haired man turned sharply from his view of the light haired man and fired several sharp bullets at a raven as it appeared to fly down the hallway. Nino breathed sharply outwards, and yet suddenly, the collar of his shirt was seized in the fist of Matsu.
“Death….” Matsu breathed as yellow eyes met blue ones. “So much… death….”
“Aw hell…” Ryuu groaned as it appeared that he was getting back to his feet. Nino allowed his eyes to move over towards Emiko who appeared to be addressing the matter of Ryuu as well as Aisling who was now lying on the floor out cold. The two girls, Raine and Valeraine appeared to be letting out breaths, and Valeraine swore sharply as she continued to try and brush off the attack that she had sustained to her side.
“This just keeps….. urg,” the voice of Hazel which had apparently been silenced from the events previous had come back now. Nino made no motion to address those that were behind him, and yet Matsu managed to look over the shoulder of his dark haired companion and stare at people in a passive manner. The light haired man’s eyes were glazing over, and yet a smile was complacent upon his visage.
“I’m alright,” Ryuu’s voice said, and Nino realized that he was trying to convince Emiko of this said manner. “Let’s worry about Aisling.”
“Will you be alright?” Nino said as he looked down at the white haired man who stared back up at him.
“Sorry… I guess I’m just too weak for my own damn good….” Matsu laughed lightly shaking his head. Nino’s hand met the side of Matsu’s face so quickly that it caused the white haired man to suddenly reflect a look of confusion as he turned his head back. “….Sorry…” Matsu said again reflecting a darker look back at his companion. A smile was forced onto the white haired man’s face. Nino shook his head and turned to step away. The white haired man forced himself upright and moved over to Ryuu and Emiko.
“Here you go.” Walking over to Ryuu, Matsu sighed handing him the phone.
“Thanks… some way to spend a birthday.” Ryuu sighed as he placed his phone back in his pocket. Keeping his hand extended, Matsu made a move to try and help Ryuu up, and yet it didn’t seem to do any good. He seemed to flinch and let go of Matsu’s hand. Falling back down, Ryuu swore and muttered to himself. “What’s…going…on?” Ryuu breathed.
“You ok?” Emiko asked Ryuu. Matsu took a few steps back. Suddenly a tension appeared to go through Emiko. Matsu felt the emotion suddenly stirred from Emiko so quickly that his hand involuntarily went to his mouth. I refuse to get sick….. again…..Matsu breathed to himself.
“Tell me it isn’t true. That you’re not the devils son.” Emiko breathed shaking her head.
“It’s the truth, I’m sorry Emiko.” Ryuu breathed.
The look on Emiko’s face seemed to twitch, and suddenly she stepped back a fraction. Matsu’s eyes moved with the motion, and yet already he had mastered himself and become numb to the swell of emotion that was now ringing inside his sanity.
“Em…” Ryuu tried as he stepped forwards making a motion, and yet Emiko’s eyes seemd to reflect a sharp look of fear before she turned and ran straight down the hallway.
Ryuu appeared to take a few steps forwards, and yet Matsu found that Nino had stepped backwards and seized Ryuu by the shoulder. “This is for her to figure out.” Nino said sharply, and just like that, Ryuu remained motionless.
Nino looked darkly up at Matsu. Taking a step sideways, Nino moved farther away from Ryuu. Suddenly, the sound of someone trying to force themselves up hit Matsu’s ears. The light haired man turned his head carefully to view Valeraine trying to get up from the floor. Raine appeared to be surveying this and exchanging worried glances with Hazel.
“Damn my ribs,” Valeraine swore as she began to force herself up. “I told you that thing wasn’t human….”
“Are… are you alright?” the voice of Mari asked carefully, and as Nino turned his head a fraction, he found she was addressing Valeraine.
Nino said nothing more but turned back to the scene before him. Confused girls seemed to be looking around while still others were congregating amongst themselves. Nino’s head fell forwards, and his dark hair seemed to make a perpetual shield against his facial features. Ryuu seized the side of Nino’s shift, and yet the dark man moved away.
“Matsu, heal people. Ryuu if you have any pride in yourself at all, take care of Aisling,” Nino ordered as he began to start walking away. “And then come find me.”
Matsu sighed and looked down at the floor. “Alright…. Will you be ok?”
“I’m fine,” Nino answered. “Just hurry up.” With that, the dark haired man stepped forwards and started walking down the hallway. The girl Hazel, appeared to be standing in the way accompanied by her ghost partner. The relation was now apparent to Nino, and the dark haired man made no motion to register that the ghost was even there. There was no reason to send him on his way to the afterlife just yet. “Move,” Nino said sharply. Hazel’s eyes grew for a moment, and she stepped out of the way. Continuing down the hallway, Nino became more a shadow of the school than anything else.
~*~
Matsu let out somewhat of a pained sigh as he shook his head. Bringing his hand up to the side of his face, the light haired man rubbed the point where Nino had struck him. The light haired man closed his eyes for a moment and forced a smile upon his visage. Taking a few uneasy steps forwards, Matsu patted Ryuu’s shoulder and then walked towards the others. Turning his head, the white haired man viewed Valeraine who was still holding her side and half leering at anyone who made a motion to try and help. Hazel was now addressing her ghost partner in a light manner about the subject, and as the white haired man stepped forwards, she turned her head and viewed him. However, the light haired man’s attention was directed on the patient in front of him.
“I’m a doctor,” Matsu said lightly. “Let me at least take a look at the damage here.”
“Doctor my ass, how do I know you’re not a demon?” Valeraine said sharply as she continued to glare warily at Matsu. Matsu’s smile cracked for a solid second leaving somewhat of a sharp grimace upon his visage. However, after a split second, the smile was back across the white haired man’s face. Raine, who was looking back and forth between Matsu and Valeraine, seemed to notice this sudden action for a split second before it disappeared from her view.
“Hahahah,” Matsu laughed lightly causing Valeraine’s visage take on a state of confusion along with Hazel and Raine. “Now now,” Matsu sighed to himself looking at the women looking back at him. “How can I be a demon?”
This light remark appeared to cause Valeraine to deflate a bit and relax as she shook her head still in protest. Raine let out a sigh as well.
“Just let him take a look….” Mari’s voice said quietly, and the light haired man’s head moved to view her standing with what appeared to be a sixteen year old boy with her.
“Well hello Miss Mari,” Matsu began lightly as his eyes moved over her visage and then moved towards the boy. “And who is this?”
The boy’s emotion of fear seemed to rush over Matsu so quickly that the light haired man turned his head instantly back to Valeraine. Yet one careful eye was placed on the boy, and a light smile worked its way across Matsu’s face.
“So you are Kaki,” Matsu smiled more to himself than to the boy. “Nice to see you again dear child. I’m surprised you don’t recognize my spiritual energy… you took it into your system as food once more. Do you remember? Oh well…. Now then, Miss Valeraine. If you will, please allow me to at least look at your wound.”
“Fine,” Valeraine sighed after a moment appearing to be defeated. Moving her had away from her side, Valeraine allowed Matsu to look at what appeared to be a large laceration across her side. Matsu’s smile nearly cracked again as he viewed it. A wave of Valeraine’s feeling seemed to generate though the air, and the pain from it was evident. Sighing for a moment, Matsu moved his hand forwards. Valeraine seemed to tense, and Matsu froze for a split second until she relaxed again. Carefully using spiritual energy, the light haired man healed Valeraine’s wound. Stepping back and away again, Matsu placed a smile on his face as Valeraine appeared to be getting back to her feet.
“… Thank you,” Valeraine said after a moment crossing her arms as she rose back up. Raine nodded at this as well, and the white haired man just continued to smile.
“Glad I can help,” Matsu smiled lightly. “Oh and how are you Miss Hazel? I wasn’t ignoring you I hope.”
~*~
Nino walked down the hall darkly. The sound of his footsteps echoed in the hallway, and yet that was now the only sound that could be heard. Taking a cigarette out of his pocket, the dark haired man lit the smoke and breathed it in sharply before taking it out of his mouth once more and exhaling. Waving the smoke away with his left hand, Nino continued walking down the hall. This problem….. Nino thought to himself.
The sound of heavy breathing hit Nino’s ears causing the man to turn his head sharply. He turned a corner and found Emiko sitting down with her knees up against her and her back on the lockers. It didn’t appear as though she were crying but more just breathing sharply.
“Go away,” Emiko said caustically. Nino said nothing but stood there silently. “I said go away. I don’t want to deal with anyone right now.”
With a sudden sharp hand, Nino slapped Emiko across the face. There was a sudden frozen moment when all the red haired girl did was stare in disbelief. Nino’s sharp dark eyes were focused so intently on Emiko’s and narrowed so sharply that he doubted she’d be able to look im directly in the eye. However, for a brief moment, Emiko did keep this look held.
“What the hell was that for?” Emiko growled sharply as she forced herself to stand and stare at Nino.
“Ryuu needs you, and you just run away?” Nino caustically reflected back.
“I….. This doesn’t even concern you!” Emiko said back, and with a solid motion, the red head swung her hand and landed a blow on the dark haired man’s face. Yet the dark haired man made no motion to retaliate. “What do you know?! Nothing about it! That’s what! Ryuu……”
“Is your friend and needs your help,” Nino finished darkly.
“But…” Emiko said suddenly averting Nino’s eyes completely.
Nino side stepped and started down the hallway once more. “Do what you want,” Nino answered back. “I don’t care.”
_____________________________________________
Writer's Notes:
=X Win-chan I hope that is ok that Nino's a b@$t@rD and slapped Emiko. He's just one of those easily angered people. If no one has noticed already muahahahah. Anyways, I had to go back and edit some stuff, so if you find anything somewhat contradictory or goofy within the text please let me know so I can fix it.
