Hiya, Demon Oki here! Along with Tears of Blood installment numero trois ((I love mixing my foreign languages)) In this installment you will finally get to meet that mysterious entity who appeared at the end of part one ((I'm so excited!!!))

Tears of Blood

Beware of Strangers

The gloomy sky above New Tokyo matched Nos's mood. He had come to terms with the difficulty of his new classes by spending all of his study time at the arcade. It had gotten awfully late and Nos decided to head back to his barren apartment (he had yet to unpack most all of his stuff). The air outside was moist and cold. With a slight shiver Nos wrapped his black leather coat tighter around his body as his mind looked back on his first and worst day of his senior year. First there was this horrible self-image trashing school uniform he had to wear, The damned thing even itches, he thought his eyebrow twitching with annoyance. Then there was the whole map thing; Nos felt his entire face sour with annoyance. And that girl, if you can call her that, Nos amusedly thought to himself, a smirk spreading across his face as he thought of Kyoko. He continued thinking along these lines. That reaction Kyoko had when she saw Kazuo, what was it . . . hn? Nos began laughing hysterically. Oh man! Wait 'til I see Kazuo again! Nos's eyes suddenly shot open as he contemplated the new thought that had crossed his mind. Hmm, I doubt Kazuo would talk to me again, it was so obvious, Nos thought softly shaking his head as he lowered it. Dammit why'd I have to be such an idiot!! Scaring off my first chance at friendship? DAMMIT!! Suddenly a familiar sound brought Nos back to reality. Nos was still dazed until he heard it again.

"NOS!!!!" a familiar voice yelled. Nos whirled around to the source. There sitting on the steps of the closing library was of all people Kazuo.

"Kakumei-kun!!!" Nos exclaimed a look of total shock written all over his face.

"You were totally lost Nos, I've been calling your name over and over again!" Kazuo said amusingly. His cheeks slightly pink, he had just been thinking how badly he wanted to see Nos again.

"You don't mind if I call you that? . . .Nos I mean? Do you?" Kazuo asked slightly concerned it revealed too much of his hidden feelings.

"Eh, I don't care," Nos answered with a shrug. Kazuo let out a sigh of relief, stood, and walked cautiously towards Nos making sure not to slip and fall flat on his face. He did anyways. Nos just blinked standing there stupefied. Then without warning he was completely unable to contain his laughter. Kazuo picked himself up off the sidewalk holding his nose; there were tears in the corners of his eyes. He was slightly hurt that Nos was laughing at him.

That was undeniably embarrassing, Kazuo thought as his cheeks turned slightly pink. A beautiful smile curled his lips as he reveled in Nos's infectious laughter. It was a nice lyrical sound and he couldn't help but join in.

Across the street in an alleyway, a black German Shepard with deep red eyes that burned with the fires of hell watched the boys intently.

Nos suddenly felt a shiver go up and down his spine. His blood red eyes suddenly turned catty and seemed to glow as his face became very serious. Quickly he shot a glance in the direction of the alleyway across the street.

The black dog sunk its head down so as not to be seen. With its ears pinned back its eyes narrowed and a deep growl curled its lip into a menacing snarl.

"Hey Nos what's wrong?" Kazuo asked still holding his nose. Nos whirled around to face Kazuo with a slightly fake looking smile on his face his eyebrow still twitching.

"Ooh nothing," he said, trying to wave it off. Fear constricted Kazuo's throat.

Oh NO! He knows! That must be why he's acting so weird! SHIT! Kazuo thought, all of the blood having drained from his face. Out of sheer panic Kazuo quickly grasped onto Nos's waving hand, holding it between his own.

"Nos? You and I are friends right? You can tell me anything and I won't hold it against you, never, I would…no I could never hold it against you," Kazuo said almost in hysterics. Nos regarded him with wide eyes. He then turned away and looked to the ground, his cheeks became slightly pink (barely noticeable). Kazuo relaxed somewhat, staring in awe.

Is he blushing? Kazuo thought, tiny traces of a smile pulling at the corners of his mouth.

"Kakumei-kun?" Nos began.

"Please, call me Kazuo!" Kazuo interrupted.

"Err… Kazuo…I guess you could say I just got this ominous feeling, like something evil was watching us," Nos said looking up to see a dumbfounded expression on Kazuo's face. Nos looked back down at the ground sheepishly, "Do you believe in the occult?" Nos asked lifting his head slightly and looking at Kazuo out of the corner of his eyes.

"…Not really," Kazuo stated in a way that made it clear he thought it was downright stupid. Then his eyes widened.

Dammit! Nos is probably a believer and I just shot him down, Kazuo suddenly realized.

"Look I know in this day and age science has pretty much proven beyond a reasonable doubt that magic and monsters and all that doesn't exist. But something inside me insists the contrary; that not only do the things of the occult exist, they are involved in the everyday activities that we mere humans part-take in. I'm well aware that practically nobody shares my views except maybe my … mother," Nos shivered having mentioned her, "guess I was predetermined to be a believer, just look at my name for crying out loud!" Nos exclaimed in fake frustration his usual smile returning to his face. Kazuo let out a huge sigh of relief.

Thank goodness he's not offended, Kazuo thought releasing his grip on Nos's hand.

"That reminds me… Is that really your name?" Kazuo asked in awe. Nos just nodded.

"I mean really really? Like it's on your birth certificate?!" Kazuo continued probing. Nos scratched the back of his head smiling with a tinge of embarrassment.

"Uh … hai," Nos answered sheepishly.

"I can see why you shortened it to 'Nos'! Otherwise it would just sound silly," Kazuo said with a giggle.

"Oi, that reminds me Kazuo! When you got into Engrisherr.English today! You looked terrible! Are you sure you're not coming down with something?" Nos asked slightly embarrassed by his little slip up.

That was the cutest thing I have ever heard! Kazuo thought to himself, smiling widely. He quickly snapped out of his daydream and offered Nos a shrug as an answer looking away sheepishly.

"I'm fine. I just played to hard in Gym," Kazuo offered almost convincingly.

"But your Gym class isn't until fourth block?" Nos more stated than asked. Kazuo's eyebrow twitched.

He is waaay too perceptive! Kazuo thought slightly frustrated.

"Well, um … what I meant to say was in the gym, during the … ah … break," Kazuo said with nervous laughter. Nos narrowed his eyes a Kazuo opening his mouth to say something. Kazuo knew full well the real reason he looked a mess was because he was in the bathroom pining over Nos, something he couldn't exactly tell him. So he opted for what was behind door number two … change the subject.

"I nominated you for senior class vice president at our meeting today!" Kazuo said, slightly worried of Nos's reaction. Nos's expression turned from suspicion to dumbfounded in less than a second.

"N-Nani?! … Err What!" Nos corrected shaking his head at his second … no third slip up in Kazuo's presence.

"That's right, I've already swayed everyone in your direction you are a shoe in, Kyoko is your opponent, she's been on the student council every year since the 7th grade! Now she thinks she's 'earned' a place at the officer's table. But I'd much rather have you sitting next to me!" Kazuo said reveling some of his true feelings.

"Can you blame me?! That girl is like a crazed dog sometimes, she's too aggressive!" Kazuo quickly finished to mask the meaning of what he had said before.

"But I'm a slacker! Not exactly the kind of element you want in your student council, I'll probably fail miserably and drag you down with me! I know nothing about your school, I've only been there a day, no one else knows me besides you, Kyoko-Chan and Toshi-Chan," Nos said taking a moment to take a breath.

"Why do you bother using their suffixes when we aren't in school?" Kazuo asked honestly curious. Nos bowed his head blushing terribly.

"I think you're perfect …" Kazuo stated in awe of his own words he also began blushing. Nos looked up in surprise trying to read Kazuo's meaning in his eyes. But Kazuo was looking down nervously.

"Well … I mean for the council. We need something different to give us a different perspective. And for all the same reasons you think make you a poor candidate I think make you the 'perfect' candidate!" Kazuo said only half telling the truth. Nos just stood there for what felt like an eternity his mouth agape. Kazuo began starring at that mouth. His head tilted sideways as he unknowingly began inching closer. Nos has beautifully sensual lips. Kazuo let a breathy sigh pass his own as he continued investigating Nos's mouth with his eyes. Nos had straight, white teeth, perfect. Kazuo felt himself tremble slightly. He looked at Nos's pink tongue peeking out a little bit, oh how Kazuo wanted to caress that tongue with his own. He bit into his lip as he began to notice how close he was getting to Nos.

If I keep moving in at this rate, pretty soon our lips will lock …hn, Kazuo thought tilting his head back slightly, letting a barely audible moan escape his lips. His lustful mind took over taking him beyond the kiss onto the sidewalk or maybe they would move it inside and then unwrap each other like Christmas gifts and then.

Oh no all my books are in my backpack … Kazuo panicked realizing his lustful mind was having a physical reaction on the rest of his body. His face turned bright red. He shifted slightly trying to calm himself down, but the vivid images in his head were too strong. Before Nos ever had the chance to say anything Kazuo had started running off in the other direction.

"Would-you-look-at-the-time-I-have-to-get-home-to-study-let's-finish-ou r-convo-tomorrow-am," Kazuo called over his shoulder in one breath. He kept on running until he was out of sight. Nos just stood there bewildered.

What in the hell was that all about!! Nos thought scratching the back of his head. Across the street in the alley the dark dog also watched Kazuo as he ran away. A seemingly knowing smile curled its inhuman lips and it chuckled softly to its self. Then it turned its attention back to Nos. He stood there for a few moments then with a stretch and a yawn, Nos turned and began heading for his new home. The dog's muscles tensed as it prepared to move.

Nos walked calmly down the dark, deserted streets the only light sources were several meters apart. He came upon a construction site, a makeshift wall was put up along the out side littered with posters and flyers. Nos felt that same shiver going up and down his spine. He froze instantly, slowly turning his head. He was standing in the light of a lamppost. Two glowing red eyes stared at him from the darkness just outside the lights reach. Nos felt his heart stop, as the glare of sharp teeth was revealed to him. His adrenaline was racing through his body; his muscles tensed as he turned back and ran like hell. Nos had never felt fear like this before. He could sense this wasn't an average dog; the sensation he felt gave him more he impression of hell spawn. He could hear the hell spawn was right behind him. He quickly jutted around the corner throwing himself against the wall. He was panting heavily, his eyes clenched shut waiting for the beast to turn the corner and rip out his throat. A shadow flitted across his body then was gone, Nos didn't even notice his eyes still closed tightly. His eyes shot open at the sound of a yelp then two thuds. Nos swallowed hard as he inched his was toward the corner of the wall. He gripped it with his hand so tight his blood drained from his knuckles. He slowly peers around the corner with one eye. The shock of what he sees jolts him clumsily out into the pale yellow light of the streetlamp. His pursuer lay on the sidewalk in two distinct pieces. Nos slowly moved closer to investigate. The scent of blood envelops his body. Nos is disgusted to find himself salivating. He puts a hand up to his mouth stifling a gag. Extremely nauseated, perhaps from the adrenalin, perhaps. Luckily the Black Swan wasn't far.

Nos had trouble sleeping that night. He lay on top of his covers in his black tank top and black boxers (what other color would they be) one arm draped over his forehead the other across his stomach. His bed had no headboard instead he had pushed it up to he high arching window the heavy curtains pulled tightly together blocking out the stream of moonlight from the strangely clear sky. He drifted off to sleep only to wake every couple of hours in a cold sweat haunted by strange dreams. Finally his alarm began buzzing marking it six in the morning. Without opening his eyes he reached over to his milk crate nightstand smacking down the snooze button. He felt something rustling around in his bed. He squinted open his eyes to find a beautiful person on top of him one of their hands pressed firmly into his chest the other somewhere behind. Nos purred slightly closing his eyes happily, the hand he had over his head accidentally rustling the curtains letting ribbons of sunlight, from the still clear sky, wash into his room. Poof the beauty was gone, Nos smiled pulling his covers over himself rolling over and falling back to sleep.

An hour later (fifteen minutes before school starts) Nos has slipped out of his deep sleep into a shallower one. His thoughts returning to the beauty he found in his bed earlier. He smiled widely at the image in his mind.

Hmm, normally you dream about people you know, but this person was a complete stran …ger, Nos's eyes sprang open at this thought. He sat up with his head in his hand.

"Whoa," he sighed, talk about deja vu. Then he heard a tiny sigh. His eyes widened, he wasn't alone. Apprehensively he pulled back his covers to reveal a tiny person like a baby. His first reaction sent him to the floor his feet still resting on the bed. Freeing his feet from he tangle of sheet he rolled away, then quickly crawled back. Slowly he peeked over the top of the bed. The little person was wearing a Chinese styled poncho like garment with little black pants; it had long white hair with two dark streaks on either side.

It looks so peaceful there sleeping, Nos thought standing up. He looked closer and found a pair of little demon wings and a tail! Nos was ecstatic.

"OI, CHIBI!" Nos exclaimed. Chibi's mouth twitched slightly a small glint of drool gleaming from the corner. Then Chibi's eyes shot open. They were huge gold cat eyes! It looked right at Nos, glaring something fierce. Nos took a step back with his hands in the air.

To Be Continued …

Notes: >>Fifty years ago English became the official language of the earth. All other languages and monetary values became obsolete in favor of a more global republic society. Thus even though they live in Japan no one really speaks Japanese. The only way a person could tell they were in Japan would be by the uses of the suffixes, such as -Kun or

-San. They don't mean anything to most of the people who use them they are just signs of respect or a way to make a school more formal feeling. The only one who uses the terms seriously is Nos. When he was young, Nos's mother remained fluent in the dead language. Slipping in and out of it as she spoke, this trait rubbed off on Nos. When he doesn't think carefully about what he is saying he tends to throw in Japanese words and phrases, or rolls his 'L's like 'R's. Personally, he really hates it when he lets it slip. Normally it happens when he is seriously pissed off! Or at least a little nervous! ^__~

This chapter was fun. And Chibi is my favorite character to draw from this story! He's sooo Kaawwaaiiii! See ya next time. And please review; tell me if it is going well or if I'm getting off track. Thank you so much for reading this.