Gatekeepers Fan Fiction ❯ A Rising Power: Your Heart ❯ Repercussions... Invitation to Dinner ( Chapter 2 )

A Rising Power: Your Heart

Chapter 2 - Repercussions… Invitation to Dinner

Legend:

Word - denotes a character's thoughts

[Word] - denotes setting, time

<Word> - denotes a sound effect

================================================================= =========================================

[Danilo's apartment in Pasay City, Philippines]

"Oh my god…"

Tito Benny quickly rushed over the crumpled form of his nephew. Carefully, he turned Danilo's body, back facing on the floor. He opened his eyelids to check his eyes.

Anong nangyari sa kanya? He's never the type to collapse easily. Is he sick?

Tito Benny then checked his temperature by feeling his forehead by the back of his hand. He felt a lukewarm temperature.

Ano ba ito? It sure doesn't feel like a fever that's for sure.

He checked his nephew's pulse by pressing his fingers on his neck's side and wrist. It was beating at a faster rate.

Electric shock maybe?

He looked around the room for any signs of accident. There were no signs of a misuse in the electric appliances they owned.

"Danilo! Gumasing ka na, please!" Tito Benny pleaded, shaking his nephew slightly by the shoulders. He started to fear the worst as he observed Danilo's face, which showed a peaceful look.

==========

[Inside Danilo's consciousness]

Legend:

"Word" - denotes Danilo's dialogue

"Word" - denotes Yukino's dialogue

"Word" - denotes Megumi's dialogue

"Word" - denotes Tito Benny's dialogue

==========

Danilo felt his body being light.

"What's this? I… I feel like I'm floating."

He slowly opened his eyes to find himself floating endlessly in a dimension. He looked around his surroundings and saw space as a background setting.

"What is the place?"

A cold chill of air ran all over him.

"Brr… since when did I feel cold? This place looks… familiar."

He started to move himself as if swimming in water. Images of his childhood appeared in screens all around him as he swam on.

"That's my childhood! Why am I seeing this? Wait… unless… I'm exploring my own mind! But… how did I get here?"

He studied one showing a picture of his family.

"There I was with my parents in Kyoto, Japan. Those were the happiest times I had… before that accident."

He felt a tear running across his cheek.

A picture of a wrecked car in flames was shown next. He felt a weight in his heart as he struggled to ignore the image.

"Kusou… I… can't forget it… no matter how hard I try to ignore it."

A voice suddenly popped in.

"Where there is happiness, there will be sorrow. Such is the many facts of life."

"Hmm? Who's there!" Danilo exclaimed, looking around.

"Don't ignore your pain. It will only make yourself regret more."

"What do you mean? Show yourself!"

A small girl appeared wearing a white kimono tied with a red ribbon. She had an animal with the look and size of a ferret perched on her shoulder. Her black hair was blown thoroughly by an unknown wind. A silvery white color shimmered brightly in her eyes. What was weird about her was that she was enveloped in a white aura, like snow.

Danilo felt himself getting cold.

"Brr… so that's where the cold was coming from," he muttered.

He never saw any girl appearing like that in his life… until now.

He then asked her, "Who are you? Why are you in my mind?"

"I sense a power… lying within you. That's why I'm here."

"A power in me? W-What do you mean?"

"I'm afraid I can't tell you. It is difficult for me to describe it to you."

"Humph. Oh I get it, you don't like giving secrets away, huh?"

Her face showed no emotion; it was almost as if she was dead. Danilo felt a chill running through him.

"What's with you? I feel like I'm talking to an empty person."

Her lips curved slightly upwards at his remark.

"Finally, about time you showed some emotion. Care to explain to me what and how I'm doing here in my mind?"

"You are an interesting person, Danilo. I'm unable to answer all of your questions because we have little time before you return to reality."

"Little time? Time feels like forever here! Please answer my questions! I don't like watching those… memories over and over again."

Danilo's hands balled up into a fist. His eyes pleaded with curiosity and desperation. The girl felt remorse as she noticed his eyes.

"… I'm a soul who still lives on, wandering forth around the emptiness of this world. I've seen the many events that time have brought up until the present. I am… Yukino Houjou."

"Yukino Houjou? I've never heard of you. You're… a spirit? That's… new to me. How are you involved with me?"

"You'll find out soon enough, Danilo. For now, I wish for you to be concerned with the power that has started to awaken within you."

"Power awakened in me? That reminds me… do you know what that was all about back there? And that strange circle with many inner rings appearing in a gray color?"

"It appears that you have this power what few possess as 'Gate'. These people possessing 'Gate' are called Gatekeepers. They have the ability to draw unknown power from another dimension. Few are somewhat 'chosen' to be born with this gift."

"'Gate'? What kind of power can they draw from another dimension?"

Danilo rubbed his chin with his hand as his face turned into a serious look.

"The possibilities are endless."

Suddenly, a light slowly enveloped around the space. A different voice spoke through.

"I… I can't go back now. I have lost to her… no matter how I try."

An image of a girl appeared.

She was sitting alone, looking towards the sunset. Her black hair was braided into two ponytails as it was blown by a gentle breeze of the wind. She adjusted her spectacles and wiped off her tears coming from her brown eyes with her hands.

Danilo looked at her --- never did he see a beautiful girl in a state of regret. Well, he was no ladies' man, but the girls in his college considered him a hunk. He found them not his type and simply dismissed their advances on him. Nevertheless, they continued being 'giddy' whenever he was around them, much to the annoyance of the guys or their boyfriends.

Danilo observed the area inside the image. The sun was setting down on the mountains perched afar. Trees and greenery surrounded the girl. He could see a city far beyond.

"Hmm… isn't that Japan? I'd never thought it look great."

He tried calling out to the girl.

"Hey! Why are you like that?"

The girl continued on, "It is no matter now. I am defeated. I don't know what to do now with my life."

Danilo was about to reach out to her for the second time, but Yukino interrupted, "It's no use. Don't let your efforts go in vain… she cannot hear you."

"But look at her! She's contemplating suicide!"

He pointed out to the girl's action and words.

"Don't worry. It will be meaningless for her to consider that. She harbors regret and pain in her heart. Fate has smiled kindly upon her --- I have intervened with her several times and asked her to consider turning in a new leaf."

Yukino looked at her with pity and compassion. She patted her life-long companion, her pet ermine, on the head as she looked on.

"Looks like you've got it figured out. Then why come to me?"

"I had come here for two importance. One, concerning your Gate power, and two, a request involving her."

"What kind of request? You haven't told me much about my Gate power!"

"All in due time, Danilo. For now, please listen to my request."

"Tch… fine."

"Please fill in the void in her heart and bring a smile in her face. I ask this not to force you, but to ask of you to bring in the joy in living to her life. I've looked in her heart and found her to dwell in the depths of darkness. She is saddened by the regrets her choices made in that tragic battle."

"Tragic battle? What happened back then?"

"A whirlpool of emotions traveling back and forth. Choices affecting the actions, while the actions bringing out the consequences in extinguishing the darkest reaches of the human heart."

Danilo declined to react on that answer. He found it too deep to understand. He thought it over as he looked on the girl staring at the sunset.

"I've… decided. I'll help her. But I'm not sure how much help I can do to comfort her."

Yukino smiled at his answer. She petted her pet ermine once more.

"Thank you."

The light that enveloped the space around them started to brighten.

"Danilo! Gumising ka na! Please!" Tito Benny's voice rang through. The girl's image and the others started to fade.

"Tito Benny? Damn… not now! I've only got started knowing more of her."

Danilo turned facing Yukino and found her fading as well.

"Wait! Who is this girl? What about my Gate power?" he desperately asked.

"Her name is Megumi Kurogane. As to your Gate power, your answer lies in Japan. Your Gate power has started to awaken… be careful."

With that said, she vanished.

"No! Wait!"

The light flashed brightly.

He felt himself in control of his body. He slowly opened his eyes and saw his uncle's worried face.

"Megumi Kurogane…" he quietly said to himself.

Tito Benny hugged his nephew with relief.

=============================================================== ===========================================

[Ikusawa residence, Akihara district, Japan]

Shun Ukiya adjusted himself as he stepped in front of the door leading to Ruriko's place. He ran his hand through his spiky hair and pressed the doorbell.

<DING-DONG>

"Coming!"

The door opened, revealing a stunning Ruriko Ikusawa dressed in her casual wear --- white blouse, blue skirt, brown sandals. She had a yellow ribbon tied in her dark-brown hair. The ribbon was given to her by Shun in their childhood. Her eyes lighted up with happiness upon seeing her boyfriend. He wore a red shirt, blue-denim jeans, and white sneakers.

"Shun-kun. I'm glad that you came. Please come in!"

With a goofy smile, he walked inside. Ruriko slightly blushed. She then embraced him and settled her face against his shirt. Shun was taken slightly by the reaction, and instinctively wrapped his arms around her.

"I've missed you so much… Shun-kun. You don't know how lonely it was for me not seeing you these past few years," she said.

"...I'm sorry for not keeping in touch with you. It's been a casual routine in college for me."

He lifted her chin so that their eyes locked together.

"You'll always be my Rurippe in my heart, no matter what."

Ruriko felt her eyes watered.

"Shun…"

Their faces went closer until they could feel each other's breaths touch one another. They sealed their lips together and had their tongues flickering against another. The two teens moaned as they immersed themselves in the kiss.

"Ahem… I see how much my daughter missed you, Shun," an elderly voice spoke.

The two teens immediately broke up the kiss and looked up to find Daimaru Ikusawa smiling at them. Ruriko looked down on the floor blushing while Shun held the back of his head with his hand, grinning uneasily at being caught kissing her passionately by her father.

"I see you've changed much, Shun. We could use some company in this house once in a while. I take it that my daughter invited you to join us for dinner?" he asked.

=============================================================== ===========================================

Author: Is this her father's real name? I need your help here reviewers.

=============================================================== ===========================================

"A-Ah… yeah, Ruri-chan, er, Ruriko invited me to join you two for dinner after I paid a surprise visit to my family in my place next door," Shun replied.

He stuttered upon mentioning the pet name he saved for his girlfriend. Ruriko was quite surprised but at the same time happy at having been called by that name. She held his hand tightly to convey her affection to him. Shun looked at her with anticipation and smiled. He returned the favor by tightening his hand over hers gently.

"Hmm… I see. Well, let's get right to dinner shall we?" Daimaru said. The three seated themselves in the dining room. Their plates and silverware were set up. A small vase holding a rose stood in the center of the table. Shun looked around and wondered where the food was.

"Um, Ruri-chan? Where is all the food? I thought that dinner was ready," he said.

A small anime-style cross appeared on Ruriko's forehead; her eyes twitched with annoyance. She whacked him on his arm.

<WHA-PAK>

"I-Itai! What was that for? I was just wondering!" Shun exclaimed, rubbing the sore spot on his arm.

"Baka! Tonight's dinner is going to be a surprise --- I'm cooking my specialty!" Ruriko said.

"W-What? You… are going to cook? Kami-sama must have made this a miracle!" he exclaimed. He ducked another punch from her.

He didn't meant to insult his girlfriend's cooking, but he remembered some unpleasant times when he tasted her cooking in their high school years.

One time she made onigiri and tempura as a small obento for him and he tried them out, but not without scraping a few bits of his teeth due to the onigiri becoming hard as a rock.

And also dousing his tongue with a flaming sensation due to too much spicy sauce added in the tempura. Luckily he brought a small milk drink to ease the off spiciness from his tongue later on.

Those times brought a mischievous smile in his face, but worried him nevertheless.

"What are you smiling at? Oh I get it; you're surprised that I'm finally able to cook right, huh? Well then, you shall see how much of a good cook I am, Shun Ukiya!" she defiantly spoke to him. She strode off into the kitchen, leaving anime style teardrops behind the two males.

"Now my stomach's grumbling with dread," Shun said worriedly.

Daimaru chuckled with delight.

"Come Shun. I feel at ease that I've got someone to talk to while waiting for my daughter to cook. I'm sure it's not bad as you think, now that you mention it." Two men exchanged smiles and seated themselves in the dining room.

Well… I guess Rurippe's cooking wouldn't be THAT bad, Shun thought.

The two men waited patiently for the enthusiastic girl to finish her cooking in the kitchen.

=============================================================== ===========================================

[Danilo's apartment, in Pasay City, Philippines]

"Danilo, you've had me worried!" Tito Benny exclaimed to his nephew after setting him to sit down on the small sofa in the living room.

"Yeah, I'm ok, Tito. Gomen nasai for making you worried. I guess I wasn't feeling well with myself," Danilo said. He recollected his thoughts on his meeting with Yukino in his mind.

That felt real… or was it?

Suddenly, he felt a burst of power flowing through him for a moment.

"Ugh… maybe not."

He then heard a sharp sound, reminding that of a sonic pitch, in his head.

What's happening to me?

He clutched his head with his hands and closed his eyes while gritting his teeth. An image of a gray circle, with inner rings hovered brightly as it projected the sound, etched in his mind.

Tito Benny went to him in an instant.

"Danilo! Are you really ok? You sure look like you're in need of rest," he said, placing his hand on Danilo's shoulder.

But I can't let Tito Benny know of this. He won't believe me and might think I've gone nuts, Danilo thought.

The image then suddenly disappeared, and the burst of power flowing through him stopped. He opened his eyes and blinked them a few times. He then stood up and did some light stretches.

"Yeah, I'm okay, Tito Benny. I guess it was just fatigue kicking in that's all."

Tito Benny looked at him with suspicious eyes. But then he reverted back to his normal state.

"Hmm… alright. Next time, don't scare me like that, ok? If you're really tired, take a rest."

"Hai."

Danilo went to his room and changed into his sleeping attire consisting of a white tanktop with his high school PE shorts. He went to the bathroom and cleaned himself up. After, he gave a thumb up and a smile to his uncle, who nodded back, and went, inside his room, closing the door. He turned on the mini air-conditioner attached inside and plopped on his bed.

Weird. But why me of all people? What did I do to deserve this? This doesn't make sense at all. First I get some kind of electronic shock and collapse. Next thing I know, I find myself floating inside my mind, looking at my childhood. I'm reminded of my parents who died in a car accident in Japan.

Then this girl called Yukino comes in and asks a request from me. I've never seen a girl as her with such a sullen, empty look in her face. Whatever questions I try to ask of her, she won't answer them completely. She's like… an enigma. Plus with that pet of hers that reminds me of a small weasel.

Then she shows me this image of a girl that's depressed and lonely. From the looks of her face, she's been through a lot. I wonder what made her that way?

Grr… ever since I first started seeing that man in black back there in Edsa LRT station, I've been feeling a dark cloud filling in mystery wherever I go. Oh man then the next thing I know I've got some power awakened in me. Kusou… I don't want to go berserk or wind up crazy, but I can't help feeling it flowing through me slowly!

"Ouch… all this thinking is giving me a headache. Kami-sama, I need this sleep badly."

With that said, he forced his eyes to shut tight, and enter into a peaceful slumber.

Meanwhile, in the living room, Tito Benny felt a bad promotion setting inside him.

"This is the first time that I've seen him like this," he said to himself. A dull, throb came from his forehead.

"Ouch… ano ba ito? This headache never seems to go away."

He rubbed his forehead in temporarily relieving himself of the headache. He felt an urge to stare objectively at the black shades he recently brought a month ago, held in display on his small shelf. He looked at them with a transfixed face.

A few words suddenly escaped from his lips.

"Invader… priority."