Pretear Fan Fiction ❯ Field Full of Daisies ❯ The Story Of The Knoctern Rose And The Lonely Tulip ( Chapter 4 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

“I know a rose. So beautiful, she- She was different from the rest, and me. She was most unique and fun. She grew by the moon and slept by the sun. I was afraid of this gift ,she- She separated herself from the rest…and me. I was selfish- I asked her, you see- To give up her gift and grow by the sun with me. And so she did, she stayed with me. And grew by this horrid sun…in this field full of daisies.”

Himeno

Field Full of Daisies-The Story Of The Knoctern Rose And The Lonely Tulip

Kagura and Sasame had sat themselves down while they ate. Kagura had made it obvious in going out of her way to sit about two feet away from him. “So…heh…how do you like the decorations?” Sasame asked in an attempt to make conversation.

“It depends. Did you think it up?” Kagura asked with a hint of annoyance. It was also obvious that she was going out of her way to crush every bit of hope for a conversation he held. Though, Sasame is a persistent one.

“No Mawata did.” He saw her freeze for a moment. I guess she didn't expect me to respond. She glanced over at him, keeping her head faced forward.

“No matter. It still isn't anything special.” She looked away from him again. It was quiet for a while until Kagura finished eating. “But to someone like you…maybe it is,” shrugged. That's a compliment…right…eh, I've never been good with people so why start now?

(Himeno and Hayate)

“Hayate…slow down, you're walking too fast.” He wouldn't listen, ignoring her and her attempts to catch up. “Haya---UMPH!” Hayate looked back when he heard a loud thump. “The dress…” Himeno's eyes lowered to look at the dirt that stained her skirt. “This isn't even mine and I ruined it. You mom's going to be angry with me,” Himeno spoke, in almost a whisper. Hayate looked down at her.

O God. She isn't going to cry is she? He sighed and extended a hand to help her up. Himeno looked up at him, and for a moment she'd sworn she had that de ja vous feeling you get when something's happened before. A strong breeze blew through and lifted his pulled back hair. Also making ripples in that knight costume of his. Himeno blushed a little and Hayate just stared at her funny. “Do you need help up or are you just going to sit there like an empty-headed valley girl?”

Himeno's blush quickly faded and she got up on her own. “I'm fine.” He's such a…baka. “It's obvious you don't want to be here so just leave. I'll clean it my self.” She stormed off to the nearest water fountain.

Eh? What did I say? Hayate followed from a good three feet away, staring at the back of her head and watching her while she nervously washed the dirt off. Why is he still here? Himeno glanced over her shoulder and…he wasn't there anymore. She shrugged and turned back around only to be startled by Hayate standing in front of the fountain. So startled, she fell backward. She was at least happy it wasn't in mud this time.

“You're clumsy. You okay?”

An insult on top of concern. What's his problem? Himeno got back up and squeezed the water from the spot on her dress.

“Sorry…”

Himeno looked up at him, expecting him to have just stood there and not say anything. “Sorry? I can't possibly think of anything you should be sorry for,” Himeno smiled with sarcasm.

“To be honest I don't think I did anything wrong. I just thought you were angry so I said sorry. But now that I know you're not I take it back. Hurry up and keep up,” Hayate motioned as he walked away. Himeno then became aggravated. She ran up behind him and kicked the knight in the back of his leg. “OW! What the hell was that for!”

“BAKA!”

(Yayoi and Goh)

Goh balanced three jumbo sized stuffed bears in his arms. Smiling at the blonde as he did. “You having fun?”

“Yes, very! And thank you for winning me all that stuff. Though I do feel bad for not carrying any of it.”

“Don't. You shouldn't have to,” he assured.

“Well thank you anyway. You are very kind.”

“Heh, don't be so polite. Loosen up! Hey you want that bear over there? I could win it for ya.”

“You're already carrying so much. I don't need it really. It's no problem! I'll even show you how to do it this time!”

“I'd like that.”

Yayoi and Goh walked past to another stand, not noticing the menacing looks they received from other girls there who had all, surprisingly, come up with the same idea as dressing up as the pretear princesses from the story. (Lidia-The Ayanamis show up as characters from the book every Halloween festival. And…well…fan girls…what can I say?) “I…can't…believe their cousin's here with her! She's a fricken dork!” Kyoko exclaimed as they watched the two happily try at a festival goldfish catching game.

“It was my idea first! They look like they're having so much fun,” the girl whined.

Yayoi became rather nervous. She glanced over her shoulder momentarily to see the many eyes fixed on her. “Don't worry about it. This crowd comes every time we show up. It's nothing, really. Huryy before the fish gets away!”

“Ah, noooo…Haya-chan showed up with that new girl! My life is over,” Kyoko's friend mumbled.

“Hm? Ah well. I don't have to worry about that evil freakishly red witch showing up with my Same-kun. She wouldn't come to something like this anyway. Especially not wearing a…dress…o god.”

“What kind of man are you! Throw harder! O great, you're missing it! O wow, you actually won something with that pathetic toss? That thing's the size of my foot! Out of the way. I'll do it. Now this is how you throw you sad excuse for a male!”

“Yes, yes, I apologize,” Sasame excused. Someone sure had a mood change. Though I don't know if it was for the better…

The woman handed Kagura a large stuffed bear. The woman actually manning that stand was her homeroom teacher. “I trust you two finished your survey homework before you came?”

“Yes,” Sasame smiled.

“Look lady. We're not in class. The work will get done when it get's done. I got all week-end. Geez.”

“Is that any way to speak to an adult!”

“An adult is one thing. A crabby old wench is another!”

“Just wait until I call your parents!”

“Heh, good luck tryin',” Kagura laughed before walking away.

“I apologize on her behalf. She's…not feeling well.”

“No need Sasame. Such a good student shouldn't associate themselves with the wrong crowd.”

Sasame began following after Kagura when the two were interrupted by an ear pounding shriek. “SAME-KUN!” Kyoko waved. When she saw he made no attempt to approach her, she approached.

Great…”Oh. Kyoko. I didn't see you over there,” Sasame lied.

“If you weren't so short and squatty maybe he would have seen ya. Then again, maybe it's because you blend with all the other freaks who dressed the same as you.”

“You're one to talk. How old is that thing?” Kyoko frowned.

“I was forced to where it! By Same-kun's dear mother. It belongs to her.”

“Oh…So how is your mother, Sasame.”

“She fine,” Kagura answered before Sasame could open his mouth. “Now if you don't mind, we're busy.” Kagura grabbed Sasame and began pushing him in another direction. “C'mon Sasame. You said you'd show me the back seat of your car before we left tonight.”

Sasame's face went red. “I-I what?”

“Don't be shy. Walk faster, baby!” Once they were out of earshot, Kagura stopped moving and began laughing.

“That wasn't very nice.”

“Neither is she. Heartless wench.”

“You're both kind of the same if you think about it,” Sasame smiled.

“No we're not. She insults me out of reasonless hate. I insult her for fun. Her face…priceless.” Kagura looked up and saw Himeno speaking with…Tetsu…and laughing. What the hell? She grabbed Sasame by the arm and dragged him in their direction, trying to make it seem as if they happened to pass by. “Hey Hime. Who's your friend?”

“Hi Kagura, Sasame. This is Tetsu. He's on the kendo team with me and Hayate.”

“I believe we've already met,” Tetsu grinned. Kagura smiled at him but the look in her eyes proved an entirely different emotion.

“Right. The guy who donated so much to the festival. I remember. By the way. Where is Hayate?”

Himeno thought for a bit. “He said something about going to go drain a snake `er something like that. Then he left.”

Kagura stared at Himeno for a while. Maybe I shouldn't hev guarded her from…everything. She's a little ignorant to some things. “Hey, there's Yayoi and Goh. How about you and Sasame go say hi to the two.”

Himeno turned around and ran toward them while Sasame glanced at Kagura for a while before leaving. As soon as they left, Kagura kicked Tetsu in the stomach. “Stay away from my sister pervert or I won't just kick you next time. Understand?”

Tetsu stood from his crouched position. “You really do hate men.”

“What? Is that what people at school say about me,” Kagura smirked.

“No. My brother. You knew him right. Kunimitsu.”

“…No. never heard of him. But if you take after him I don't think I want to-“

“Berserk. You remember him now?”

Kagura looked momentarily surprised but now smirked at him. “You…know already? Who'd you tell?”

“No one…yet. But you're really not making keeping a secret easy. I could just…blurt it out at any moment. The pain's going to my head.”

“Yeah about that. I guess I'm going to have to apologize now right?”

“Only if you feel like you have to,” Tetsu smiled back. “But what I hear is, you're supposed to be dead Knoctern.”

“It's Kagura and don't tell your brother.”

“Don't tell me what to do. Besides, he's my brother. And you're…well I'd prefer not to use that language in public. As long as you keep up with the nice act my mouth stays shut---“

Kagura grabbed him by the hair and pulled him closer. “You should have left when I apologized. You don't get it.” She lowered her tone in that of a whisper because she felt she was becoming angry and didn't want others to hear. “I tell you what the fuck to do. If I tell you to keep your mouth shut, than you keep your fucking mouth shut. Or you can tell everyone. I'll find out where you live. Climb in through your bedroom window one night, and slit your fucking throat.” She loosened her grip so Tetsu could yank himself away. “You don't like me, and I don't like you. Leave it at that,” she smiled. “Now if you will excuse me, I'm picking up my jumbo prize bear and going.” She began walking away when she remembered something. “O yeah. Stay away from my sister.”

Himeno saw Tetsu walk away and Kagura approach the group. “Aw Kagura. Your date's getting lonely without you. What were you two talking about? I hope not flirting while you're out with another man,” Himeno scowled. Kagura just laughed.

“With that loser. Nah.” She shoved her bear into Sasame's arms. “I'm going to go check on your brother. Knowing that baka he probably got lost on the way to the bathroom.”

“You're…worried about Hayate?” Sasame and Himeno both asked confused.

“Hardly. But no one stands up my little sister,” Kagura smiled. She walked away to the bathroom in the gym. The gym was decorated much like the outside. Soon a crowd of people outside would be let in for the dance and…more food.

O god, I've been needing to piss since we got here. Hayate sighed and leaned his hand against the wall. (Note: he's peeing right now. I didn't really know how to word it in the story without sounding stupid. Lol) he was almost finished when someone surprised him.

“Draining the snake are we?” Kagura smiled.

Hayate's eyes widened before hastily before he rushed to cover himself up. “WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING IN THE BOY'S BATHROOM!” Hayate shouted. She smoothed out her dress and walked the rest of the way in. “GET OUT!”

“Relax. I didn't see nothin'…much.” He frowned at her and proceeded to the sink to wash his hands. Kagura sat on the sink counter beside him. “So, while you're in here, having a nice pee I assume. You looked relaxed-“

“You were saying?”

“Right. While you were in here taking a piss, my sister was outside by herself. All alone. Any pervert could just come and snatch her.”

“What are you talking about? She was with Tetsu you crazy woman.”

“That's exactly the pervert I'm talking about. If my sister's on a date with you than you're supposed to take care of her. What kind of man are you?”

“Your sister is a big girl. She can take care of herself.”

“Sad to say. When I'm not around I'd rather you do it.”

Hayate was a little surprised. “Why?”

“You're not nice. You repel people on contact. If you're with her, no one will come near her. And if they do you'll just drive them away. That's why.”

“Are you making fun of me you freak witch!”

“No. I'm stating the facts. You should be thanking me for being so kind. I could've just come in and dragged out when you weren't…decent.”

“Shut up!” Hayate stormed out of the bathroom while another guy walked in.

“What are you doing in here?”

“I was just leaving.”

llllllllllllllllllll

Kagura got home, showered, and placed the dress in a safe place `til tomorrow when she was to return it to Miss Ayanami. Her pajama pants felt good against her skin after a long night. She remembered when they tried forcing her to dance and when Tetsu would glance over at her sister every once in a while. But more than she thought about how screwed she was, she thought about how his brother used to be. I kinda miss him. He was…different. But thinking about that only made her think about someone else. He's in jail now. Even if he were to find out, he's in jail now. I'd be long gone by the time he gets out…

llllllllllllllllll

234…235…236…237…

“Look at all those high school girls,” one man smirked. They were watching the local news. Apparently, the festival was on film. They played the news on the television in prison all the time.

238…239…240 They man caught his ball before it bounced again and lazily glanced over at the television. I'll see it next year…and the next…and the next if I don't make this early parole. He did hate to admit it but watching this did make him miss the outside world a lot more. Not just the outside world…her. I going crazy here. The sooner I die, the sooner I can see that rose again. And when he saw the image on the television screen, he could have sworn he was seeing things. Many won prizes at stands and have tons of fun at the annual school festival. From Kogo High, join us next year and get in on the fun. Momentarily, it had froze on an image of Kagura smirking at some boy standing beside her. He in turn smiled back at her, with his hand on her shoulder. K-Kagura! And who the hell is that!

“Hey, pretty boy. You Maki Iko?”

“Yeah? What?”

“You made early parole. You're out in two weeks.”

“I can hardly wait,” he smirked.

lllllllllllllllllll

Kagura stared at the two bears across her room for a while. The one she one and the smaller one Sasame gave her, thrown carelessly on her dresser. Himeno slept soundly beside before she sighed and sunk deeper into her pillow. Her hand subconsciously stroked her hot pink hair as she slept beside her. “You're growing up too fast. Soon you're going to go off and marry some baka. And I'll be by myself.” Kagura looked at her sleeping sister again before closing her eyes. “Good night…Hime.”

Sasame slumped below the window. You wouldn't have to be by yourself if you didn't treat others so badly. I never knew Kagura was so…depressed.

“Peeping again my good cousin?” Goh smiled. “What'd I miss?”

“Nothing. Go to sleep.”

lllllllllllllllllll

Kagura was up pretty early that next morning. It was rather surprising since she stayed up so late last night and she usually sleeps straight through the morning. She yawned on the porch and scratched her stomach lazily before collapsing into a swing chair that stood beside the window, unused for quite some time. She sighed as swung back and forth, rocking her back to sleep since she didn't get much the night before. “You're up early.” Her eyes half opened to see Sasame hovering over her with a Good Morning Smile. She closed her eyes again and set her foot down to give the swing another push. Her only greeting to the guest was a grunt most likely meaning Yeah yeah, what do ya want? “O, still cranky? I guess I can't expect any less running into you in the morning.”

“What do you want. You're annoying me,” Kagura frowned. She rolled over and turned her back to him.

“My mother sent me over with food from the festival since Sanma had to work late Friday night.” Sasame tapped on the door before entering. There was the sound of Sasame's delightful greeting inside, Sanma's stuttering, and Himeno's loud happy voice. All combined kept her awake and annoyed out on that swing chair.

It was quiet two seconds before he showed up! What the hell!

“Well I'll be going now, see you guys later. Bye Kagura.” She lifted a feeble hand to wave at him, thinking he'd leave. “O, we're going into Tokyo this afternoon. You and Himeno can tag along if you like.” By the time Sasame had spoke, he realized what he had said was stupid.

There was a long pause before Kagura rolled back over. “I thought you'd take my silence as a no. We're not going. Don't want to intrude on your family bonding.”

It probably has something to do with her being a Saint. “Well I'll see you later.”

“Whatever.”

Sasame walked back over to his own home. That was when Kagura heard Himeno shout out her name. “What is it?”

“Come quick!”

Kagura got up thinking it was something serious and ran in. Only to see Sanma and Himeno seated in front of the television watching a re-cap of the news. “You called me for this?”

“They're doing a story on the festival last night! And look, there's you and Sasame! You two look like you're having fun.” Then Himeno whimpered. “But no me.” She turned around to smile at Kagura but…she wasn't there. This…isn't a good thing?

llllll(Kagura's Story)lllllllllllll

Kagura lay awake with her eyes closed waiting. Every night around this time, Hanai would sneak out of the ADOC center and take off somewhere. And Kagura, being 13 and bored out of her mind, decided to tag along. She watched Hanai and one of her friends climb out the window and she too got up. Glancing over at Himeno, lying soundly in the bed next to her own. I'll be back. She jumped out the window herself and followed the two girls from a distance. This is the ultimate blackmail! I'll find out what she's up to and well…I guess I'll think about what I'll do with it later. At least I'll have something to hang over that wench's head so she doesn't bother me or my sister anymore. It was as busy a night as ever in Tokyo. Kagura had dressed in clothes before going to bed so she wouldn't walk around outside in pajamas. She wore a sweater with a hood to hide her distinctive hair. It would stand out even in this night. She followed them well into the red light district, rather cautiously now. If this walking keeps up I'm turning around and going home. It's not worth that much. Once she saw them turn down an alley way, she followed now more quietly. The hooded child hid behind a couple of trash cans and peeked over into the large area at the end of the alleyway. Hanai and her friend who accompanied her took off their coats and Kagura's eyes widened. They were dressed like…O this was so worth the walk.

“And who might you be kid? Spying eh?” Kagura jumped.

“Heh, it's not what it looks like,” Kagura waved at the tall man standing before her. He had slick blonde hair that hung over his soft brown eyes. It was a bit like a crazed mess. Dressed in close to all black with a jacket and no shirt that displayed the dragon with the name Berserk over it, on his chest.

“Then how about you explain it to everyone else?” He picked her up by the hood of her sweater.

“Put me down!” Kagura shouted. Though she regretted it soon after when the others took notice of the scene in the alley. “…Uh oh.”

“Hey. That's some mop you got on your head kid. You dye it or what?” The blonde laughed. Then he took notice of other staring. “Oh you've done it now. And to think I was gonna let ya go. Too late for that. So how do you wanna die?”

“D-D-Die! Put me down!” She began wiggling around until finally…she kicked…in a place that he really didn't want to be kicked.

“Kagura! What the hell--- Why'd you follow me brat!” Hanai boomed.

“I guess I'll see you when you get home then,” she teased. Then she stuck her tongue out at Hanai and ran for it. “Move!” she shouted, pushing one after another out of her way.

“Great. She's my problem, I'll deal with her.” Hanai made an attempt to chase after her but a man stopped her for a moment.

“Don't kill her while you're out…bring her here. That woman is…interesting.”

Hanai growled on the inside for a moment. “What for! She's just---“

“Do as I say…Crow,” he smiled. Though clearly on her chest above the butterfly it said Dove. She'd gotten the nickname from him because her hair was so light blonde it almost looked white. Though at times when he'd loose his patience with her, he'd call her a crow.

“Fine.”

Kagura looked around the crowd of people and swirling bright lights and it only added to her aggravation and panic. “O great, how do I get back again? I'm so screwed.”

“Yeah, you are,” Hanai frowned.

O great, where the hell did she come from? “Listen, Hanai. This is all just a big misunderstanding. When we get back to the center we'll just have a big laugh. Haha hehe hoho you know.”

Hanai stared at her a while, waiting for her to finish speaking. “You finished talking yet?” Then someone, most likely Hanai's friend, approached from behind and knocked Kagura unconscious. She stayed that way for about 5 minutes before Berserk dumped a bucket of water on her head. She sprung up from the dirty floor and coughed madly.

“What the hell! That was cold!” Then she looked up at the blonde smiling down at her. But the corners of his mouth were twitching. He's pissed. “You're not still agry about the whole kicking thing. That was so…5 minutes ago.”

“15. And it still hurts.”

“You're a big guy. Get over it,” she muttered. Then, practically out of no where, there was a girl running her hand through Kagura's wet brightly colored but at the same time blood colored hair. It was short and stopped half way down her neck. Her eyes glanced over at the girl. Her hair was dyed purple and she had many rings in one ear. She wasn't bald on either side but had a mow hawk. Kagura stared at her for a while then slapped her hand away. “Don't touch me.” She flicked out a pocket knife in front of Kagura's face and the red head froze.

“Leave her alone Psy,” the man laughed. He had dark blue hair and hazel eyes. He kneeled down to Kagura's level, who was now shivering from the cold water that had been dumped on her earlier. “Know what are we going to do with you?” He ran his hand down the side of her face. I remember the time I first met him. He was five years older than me. First thing I did wasn't say, `hello. How are you? Will you be gang raping me today' I bit his hand he was using to touch the side of my face. And he laughed. First thing I thought was does this guy get any crazier or what? That's the same day they gave me a choice. Either join the Tokian Saints or die for peeping. I think the choice was obvious don't you? Just to let you know, I got jumped in. Besides, I was 13, no one was in for…well…I'm pretty sure most of you out there know your alternative choice. A few days later, Hanai and her friend Koko were forced to take Kagura along each night. And each night she'd leave Himeno asleep alone. Not like she had a choice. Though the people were starting to grow on her. The Tokian Saints weren't that big of a gang back then. A lot of people she didn't know and never got to but she was mostly surrounded by people she had come to know as leaders of the Saints. Ones with tattoos on their chest were how you could tell who was in control there. Normals would get tattoos of a black butterfly or a dragon on their lower backs or over the shoulder blades depending on gender. Maki, I guess being founder or something, didn't need a nickname. He had the Saint name on his chest, the dragon, and nothing more. “OW! THIS FRICKEN HURTS YOU PSYCHO!” Kagura complained.

“Stay still before I make it hurt worse,” Psy frowned. Kagura bit down on Berserk's jacket while Psy took an electric needle to Kagura's back.

“Don't chew holes into it. I'm going to need that back,” the blonde teased.

“SHUT UP!”

“I'm done,” Psy cheered, slapping Kagura on the back. Kagura doubled over in pain. “Oh. Sorry `bout that.” Psy extended a hand to help her up but Kagura waved for her to stop.

“Just stay away from me you crazy woman,” she said in a raspy growl.

“Don't insult me yet. I still have to bandage that up,” she grinned.

“What's the matter? Can't handle a little pain?” Hanai grinned. Kagura looked up at her and rolled her eyes.

“Don't you have something you should be doing?” Kagura asked in a rather irritated tone.

“What do you think I'm doing here talking to you losers? Maki wants to…see you.”

“Hm? What'd I do now?”

“I'm coming!”

“Alone,” Hanai blurted out before stomping off.

“What's her problem?” Kagura scowled.

“O nothing much,” Berserk grinned.

“Just don't do anything stupid.”

“Like the stupid thing I did to get here in the first place? Whatever did I do to the gods to end up with you two?” Kagura got up and walked to the backroom in the run down building. She slowly opened the door and saw Maki standing in front of the window. He turned and smiled at her.

“Kagi? Come in. Sit down,” he smiled.

“HI!” she smiled. In the one and a half year period she's been here, Maki hasn't been such a bad guy. She walked in and sat down in front of his desk. Despite the building, his office looked rather nice.

“Hm? You're growing your hair out?”

“Yeah. Thought it'd be different.”

“So you're done hogging that beautiful head of hair all to yourself huh?” Maki teased, shaking the girl's hair in a bigger mess than before. Kagura laughed.

“Stop! What did you want anyway?”

“What I can't just call you to see you?”

So he had to send Hanai to get me?

“Besides, you never told me when your birthday was now did you?”

“My what?”

“Yeah. You never told me when you turned fourteen. Just acted like it was any other day…well…night. No one ever sees you during the day. But that's not the point. You turned 15 last week didn't you?”

Kagura froze. “Who told you?”

“I found out how I found out…and Hanai blurt it out by accident when we were speaking with each other. July 9th. So why didn't you say anything.”

“I didn't think it was a big deal to begin with. Even if it is, I don't like celebrations or gifts or stuff like that. So I was born 15 years ago. Big deal. If life is what they want to celebrate than give me stuff every day-“

“Calm down. If you don't want one, I won't. But I want you to have this alright?” Maki slid a box wrapped in paper with a large bow on it across the desk. Kagura looked down at it a while. “Kagi,” he raised an eyebrow at her.

“Fine.” She grabbed it off the desk and tore the paper off of it, opened the box and…wha-… “I can't keep this. Really.”

“What's wrong? Don't you want it?”

“It's not that I don't, it's just…I mean what would I do with it? I'll probably loose it or something or someone at ADOC might say something-“

“Or Psy's gonna tease you and your sister's going to ask where you got it?”

“Something like that.”

Maki walked from around the desk and sat in the chair beside her. “Psy doesn't have to know you got it from me and as for your sister, just tell her you found it or something. Hide it. I don't know.”

“Fine,” she sighed. She looked down at the ruby beaded bracelet.

“It reminded me of you. That's why I got it. Even if you kept your birthday all to yourself.”

“O really? All that for me? How sweet,” she replied rather blandly.

“Don't take that sarcasm with me,” he laughed. “Besides. It was no problem.” He ran his hand over the top of her hair and kissed her forehead. Kagura slipped the bracelet on and laid her head in the man's lap. “I love you too, Kagi,” Maki whispered, as if he knew something already. Kagura just smiled and squeezed his shirt closer to her, burying her face into his stomach.

“Maki…” When she spoke her voice was muffled.

“Yes?” he responded, still stroking her hair and looking down at her.

“This tattoo really hurts…”

“You'll get over it. I'm just surprised you've been ducking it for so long. Psy's been itching for a while-“

“Maki………I………”

“It's alright. I already know. I'll take you home so you can get some sleep before your sister wakes up alright?”

“What about Hanai…and…Koriko………they-“

“I doubt they'll want to go home so early in the night,” Maki whispered to her to maintain the quiet coming with her falling asleep. “Come on. You have to get up.”

“Five more minutes………I'm…sleepy……”

“Alright, but it'll be morning in two hours.”

“…………………̶ 1;

Hanai stood outside the door, her breathing coming more difficult due to her silent whimpering. Tears streaming down her face. She's taking him away from me. That bitch…I'll kill her.

(next night)

“I don't want your spot. I'm fine being better than you without a rank. Besides, I don't think I want another tattoo. I'm still getting over the first one---“

“This isn't a joke! Get up!” Hanai sneered.

Kagura glanced from Hanai to Psy and back. “What's wrong with you? That time of the month or something?” Psy teased.

“If you're looking for a fight I'd be happy to give it to you but I'm not going to kill you. Not for something so stupid. I know you don't like me but geez. Just act like I'm not here.”

“But I can't. I see you here, I see you when I get back to the ADOC. I get sick just looking at you-“

“Hanai,” Maki scowled. He had been listening from the building doorway that let out into the alley opening area.

“What?” Her voice was harsh and scratchy. Luckily Kagura didn't need her and Koriko to walk out here anymore because she now memorized her way. After a while the two girls started leaving her behind.

“I need to talk to you…now.” He walked back inside. Hanai didn't move for a while, still looking at Kagura who seemed confused and amused at the same time. But when Maki's voice boomed another NOW, she walked inside.

“oOOo, I think she was serious,” Berserk smiled. Those brown eyes fixed on Kagura's. “What'd you do to piss her off?”

“I was born. And now I exist.”

“Yeah well if you do fight her, and kill her, it'd save me the trouble. The rest of the night after you left that girl drove me crazy. Fucking wacko. I can't do it because we're supposed to get along. But you can. And I got the perfect name for ya if you do. Nocturnal cuz you only come out to see us at night. But Nocturn for short. Then I want to spell it like Knoctern with a K and a E. It'll look better to me.”

“What about me? Your bad grammar's going to be tatted on me for life---What am I saying? I'm not getting it.”

“Damn right you're not,” Koriko interrupted. “You're not just waltzing yourself right into what we've worked hard to get. You'd loose anyway. Besides, everyone knows you're only still here because you're Maki's new favorite.”

“Think whatever the hell you want-“

“You're just a softy. Couldn't kill anyone if you wanted to. Not with that sister of yours. You'd probably be afraid of what she'd think about you, huh?”

“Don't get jealous of me because your slut of a mother gave you up and you've got no one left,” Kagura muttered. Koriko overheard and Berserk had to hold her back.

“You two calm down!”

“I'm fucking calm!” they both shouted at the same time. Koriko walked off somewhere a little before Maki and Hanai had come back out.

“Do what you want,” he whispered angrily. She drew her sword and Kagura immediately stood.

Hanai swung it at her. “What the hell!” Kagura dodged it barely. “Fine. If you want to die that badly.”

That next night I came home with a few cuts and bruises, nothing serious, just said I ran into some people and got jumped but it was nothing. Hanai never came home. Kagura left the window open so Hanai was reported as a run away. Her body lye at the bottom of the river. Drifting slowly by boulder into the Pacific. And Kagura awoke that morning feeling empty…emotionless…that itself made her mentally sick. Not surprised to say that Koriko hasn't spoken to Kagura any more then she's had to. Not that the red head cared…………

(one year later)

“She didn't check in. Where is she?” Maki asked, a hint of worry in his voice.

Psy sighed and smirked at the same time. “I think I know. C'mon, it's not to far from here.”…………

When they pulled up, they saw Berserk standing outside a very large building. When he saw them pull up, he smiled. “Hey guys-“

“Where is she,” Maki cut off.

Berserk sighed and pointed up. “There again. I told her to check in first but she would have gone up with or without me so…eh…here I am. Now she won't come down.”

Maki backed away from the building and saw a small figure at the top of the dome, sitting there. Here red hair reflected with the moonlight and long strands blew with the wind. She looked like she was sleeping up there, leaning back on the pole that extended from the top of the building. Every night she'd climb up there, sit under the moon and look down on the town as if she were some superior being. At least that's what many thought of her. Knoctern rose being their favorite of the higher ranks to many but not to all. Some despised her because she was so young. Others because Maki paid her so much attention. But a favorite in general. In fact, she's what made them so big. Kagura just saw it as her being her and nothing more. She'd tell them that sitting up on the highest building in Tokyo, looking down on the city full of light made her feel, relaxed. The blue haired man sighed, almost laughed a little inside. “Go get her Psy.”

“Whyyyy meee,” Psy whined.

“Because you're the only one crazy enough to go up. And besides, she wouldn't even know how to get up there if you would stop taking her building hopping with you.”

“She's the only one who'll go with me,” Psy smiled before getting onto a parked car and climbing up the edge. Psy didn't feel like going all the way up since she'd only have to climb back down anyway. “KNOCTERN! BABY C'MON! WE HAVE TO GO!” Kagura looked down at Psy and smiled at her.

“I'm coming…” She dove off and landed on the edge beside the woman.

“No showing off! We all know I'm better. Besides, you could hurt yourself jumping halfway down this thing like that,” Psy scowled. Well…it was more like teasing. They climbed the rest of the way down. Once down, Kagura smiled at Maki, but he didn't look happy. Probably from watching her carelessly jump down half the building.

“I'm not angry, just get in the car.” Psy was about to get in too, but Maki told her to ride with Berserk.

“But he can't drive,” Psy complained.

“Well excuse me for obeying the speed limit.”

“You're a Saint. Not an old man!”

“I'll see you two later,” Maki waved before driving off. Kagura sat in the passenger seat, staring out the window. “You hungry?”

“Yeah!” she smiled. “You have pizza at home right!”

“Calm down,” he laughed. “Yeah, I do.” Maki lived by himself in a condo complex. He, Psy, and Berserk lived pretty good, and now, so did Koriko once she turned 18 and left the ADOC. Being a Saint comes with privileges. Stealing, taking assassination jobs from rich people who don't want to get their hands dirty. Kagura had her own account she used under a false name to stash money. Not for her own greed really. For her and her sister when they got old enough to get out like Koriko. I mean face it, they were getting older and the chance that they'd get adopted slipped farther and farther away. They weren't even sent to many foster homes so that only made their chances worse. Kagura remembered being with her mother while Himeno had been in a hospital for a sprained ankle. Even though she had only been three minutes older then her twin sister, but her mother had told her that she'd have to take care of Himeno. Kagura didn't see the sense in it. She knew good and well that her mother had a weak heart and wouldn't last very long. Even if she had only been five years old, she wasn't as naïve as her sister. But they'd still always have their father. Or at least that's what she thought. When they were eight years old they were waiting outside school for their father to pick them up. Ever since their mother had died, he became a drunk washed up novelist. In fact, driving to pick the two up drunk is what got him into the accident to begin with. Now he's in a comma in a hospital she forgot. She could care less anyway. While she and Himeno were waiting outside school for their father to pick them up, he was driving late and drunk from the local bar and got himself into an accident. Kagura walked into Maki's home and plopped down on his sofa. “Feed me,” she demanded.

“You can feed yourself,” Maki laughed but he brought the box to her anyway. Set it on the coffee table in front of the sofa. Kagura immediately started eating. “…Try chewing. I'm sure it'll go down easier that way.”

“Shut up,” she frowned with a full mouth. The two watched tv, laughing and joking around until the movie was over and the pizza was gone. She kicked off her shoes and stretched them over Maki's lap while she lied down on the other half of the sofa. “Wake me up in half an hour. I'm sleepy.”

“Get your feet off me.” Maki pushed her feet away and pulled her over into his lap. “That better?”

“The same as the empty side of the sofa. Why?”

Maki rested his chin on her shoulder began kissing her neck. “No reason,” he smirked.

“Stop it,” she whined.

“Stop what?” By the time she had tried speaking again, Maki was already enclosing his mouth over hers. Biting on her lower lip and consuming his attention to her mouth, it got to the point where he had to slide from under her and set himself above her so he wouldn't hurt his neck. Maki moved from her mouth to her neck, feverishly, as if she'd vanish beneath him if he didn't keep his hands off of her.

“Maki…” she muttered. The man took that sigh as a go ahead to slide his hand up her shirt. Kagura's eyes sprang open and she wiggled half way from underneath him. “You're…um…friendly,” she spoke while patting him on the head.

“Yeah,” he smirked. He lifted himself back up to her neck again, whispering to her occasionally. “Why, there something wrong?”

“Not with that,” she sighed. But she could feel his hand creeping up her stomach again. She flinched. “I think- I'm going to go see Psy. I mean you did say we'd see her later.”

“And we will. Later. But right now…” Maki closed her mouth again with his. Kagura, despite the fact that she didn't want to, backed away and slid from under him.

“I-I'm just going to go. I'm tired, and I don't want to fall asleep here…not that you want to let me sleep,” she joked but he didn't laugh. She walked over to the door, unlocked it and pulled it open…tried to pull it open. What the hell… “What's wrong with your…door…” Kagura turned around and saw Maki approaching. “Maki………don't.”

……………………̷ 0;………(4:48a.m)

Kagura feebly climbed in through the ADOC window where the older children slept. Once in, she practically collapsed to the floor, shaking and bleeding a little. She knew someone would ask where she got that bruise on her face from but she could care less. She was just about to fall asleep where she lied on the floor, if it weren't for the cold voice that surprised her. “You get up to use the bathroom every night huh? Is there another bathroom outside that works better?” Kagura looked up to see Himeno staring down at her with daggers in her eyes. “Where were you-“

“Not now alright.”

“What!” Himeno spoke in a harsh whisper so she wouldn't wake anyone. “I think now is the perfect time. You lied and you're sneaking outside. You could get in trouble you idiot! And what are you wearing-…” Himeno could see the tattoo clear as day on her chest due to what she was wearing. Usually she changed in the back of Maki or Berserk's car before coming in. “You're a Saint! Are you crazy---“

While Himeno scolded Kagura, the battered red head slowly undressed and changed into a spare pair of clothes under her cot. Then she cut Himeno's rant off. “Excuse me for being so blunt…but mind your fucking business.”

Himeno was surprised at Kagura's choice of words toward her but didn't stop arguing with her. In her own rage, she didn't even notice Kagura's constant shivering or bruised face. “Fine, then I want to come too.”

“Don't be stupid,” Kagura growled, not moving from her lazy sleeping position.

“If you can go and be stupid then why can't I-----“

“I haven't had the best night as you haven't noticed. So I suggest for tonight…you shut…the fuck…UP!” Kagura's burst almost woke someone but everyone remained asleep. Himeno jumped a little but removed her surprised look with that of anger. She didn't say anything at first, just lied in her cot. But before she went to sleep she spoke again.

“Go ahead and do whatever you want. Choose a bunch of people you just met over your own family.”

lllllllllllllllllllllll

“Hey B, you seen Knoctern the Great anywhere?”

“She didn't meet me where I usually pick her up,” he sighed. “Maybe she's caught up in somethin' and can't come out tonight,” he reasoned.

“Eh, I doubt it. Hey Maki, you seen her?” Maki just sat there, staring at the floor. Psy looked at him funny. “I guess that's a no.” Psy plopped down onto the floor. “Then where is she? I already checked her usual spot and she's not there.”

“She's not coming,” Maki muttered and the two looked at him. Koriko just laughed.

“That's fine with me. That brat's been wearing on my-“

“Shut up,” Maki cut off. His glare was more deadly than demanding.

“Am I missing something?” The four turned to see Kagura standing there in her normal clothing.

“There you are! Why are ya dressed like that? You loose your clothes?” Psy asked. She gave the girl a hug anyway but Kagura just stood there. “What's…wrong,” Psy asked, backing away from her.

“I can't stay here anymore.”

“…”

“Is that a promise?” Koriko smirked.

“Yes. I'm leaving. I want out.”

“…Your sister found out didn't she---“

“Leave her out of it! It's my decision. Not hers-“

“You're not leaving. Sister or no, you know what happens when you leave. How are you going to take care of Himeno then?” Maki threatened. “Then again, I know where she lives. She can always join you-“

Koriko knocked Kagura over before Maki could finish. The red head just lied there on the floor. “This'll be fun.”

“…Don't Kagura,” Psy pleaded.

“…Sorry.” Berserk held her up while Psy and Koriko beat her up. After about a thirty minute beating, they left her on the floor. Maki stared down at her for a while, then pulled out his knife.

“Stupid woman.” Berserk held her up again while Maki held out his knife. But before he could do anything, Kagura grabbed hold of his arm and pulled it forward into her stomach herself. He was so close to her at that moment, that she whispered to him.

“I don't want to end up having your bastard children now do I?”

(Later that night)

A car pulled up to a nearby alley and dumped the body off. “Set it on fire,” Maki ordered. Psy dumped a bunch of lighter fluid on a few nearby trash bags and tossed a match in. The alley immediately went up in flames and the car sped off. Though, down in the alley, were Kagura's body lye, her hand twitched.

llllllll(Himeno's story)lllllllllllThis one's going to be REALLY short I'm running a little too long here and I want it already up.

Himeno lied awake in her cot, Kagura sleeping soundly beside her. Thinking about just that person. Lately she's been acting weird. She argues with Hanai a lot more and now Koriko who she had previously paid no notice. Now, when she smiled, it seemed happier but she did it less often. There were a lot of times when Kagura seemed to be just ignoring her and couldn't wait to get to bed. She'd always go to sleep sometimes early and would wake up tired. It wasn't like her at all. The only thing that kept Himeno from having nightmares about her parents at night was knowing that Kagura was there. Seeing Kagura sleep before her let her know she was there, but she felt so alone in her sleep. There was even a time when Himeno awoke in the middle of the night and Kagura wasn't there. That morning Kagura said she had gotten up to use the bathroom. But one night, Himeno had woken up and Kagura wasn't there. So Himeno sat awake, waiting for Kagura to come back from the bathroom. Instead all she got was an open window, and Kagura stumbling inside. Kagura!

lllllllllll(present time)lllllllllllll

Maybe he didn't see it. I mean he's in jail. What are the chances of that. He could have missed it…right. I mean, it was a quick flash anyway. Kagura sat on her bed, her hands pressing the side of her face in stress. That's when Himeno walked upstairs and opened Kagura's door.

“What's wrong?” she asked, concerned. Kagura didn't answer, just signaled for Himeno to come closer. Himeno approached and kneeled in front of her. The worried looking red head wrapped her arms around her sister and hugged her.

“Everything's fine alright? Don't worry. Onee-chan will take care of everything.” Kagura hugged her tighter.

“Kagura…” I just wish you'd let me take care of things sometimes instead of hiding everything…Or should I be grateful that you're willing to be so selfless so I'm sheltered from the bad things in this world. If you keep trying to baby me, what'll happen when I have to take care of myself.