The Shadow and The Angel -REWRITE-

Sinister Stirrings

 

Yurika shared adjoining bedrooms with her other two friends, Akira and Zaki. She approached the door of her dorm and paused. It sounded as if the two were in the middle of a serious conversation.

“...I dunno,” Akira sounded unsure. “We'd make things worse if we just outright said it.”

“What about that time on the fucking bridge?” Zaki was nearly shouting. “What the hell do you think she was doing, sightseeing?”

“She has been a little distant but I figured it's because her brother was in the hospital. If it were me, I'd probably be pretty withdrawn too.”

“I know the signs.” Zaki said darkly. “She's pretty textbook.”

Yurika couldn't stand lingering any longer and twisted the knob. She pushed the door open and walked in. Both girls exchanged uncomfortable glances before greeting Yurika.

“How's ol' claw-boy doin'?” Zaki asked.

“He seems fine.” Yurika placed her violin case on the empty desk in front of her. “That's good because this will be the last time I visit him.”

“Is he getting out?” Akira sounded hopeful.

“No.” The girl flipped the locks up. “He is sick of me.”

“Forget that dick-weed.” Zaki waved a dismissive hand. “When we graduate, this will all be behind us.”

“Have you applied to any colleges?” Akira seemed thankful that the subject was changing.

“I don't have any plans.” She forced the clasps down to secure the instrument. “I never really considered the future.”

She had wanted to tune her violin but she didn't really feel like being around her friends. It bothered her that they considered her suicidal but bothered her even more that their concerns might be right…

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“Kagami Kyosuke.” The older woman rustled papers. “I remember that you applied earlier this year. You were doing so well...” Her eyes moved over the young man's file. Kyosuke shifted in his seat. He’d returned to Taiyo to visit the counselor and see about his fate regarding college.

“I understand that you experienced a loss in the family. Your time off was legitimate. I can't make it so that you are immediately accepted but you can take correspondence courses.” The school counselor folded her fingers together and flexed them. “If you score well enough, then you will be accepted in as a full student.”

“I understand.” Kyosuke nodded. “Thank you.”

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Kurow fell into a restless sleep. He had never been nice to Yurika but as of late he found himself being a little more than cruel to his big sister. At first, it was merely to vent his frustrations over all of his recent failures but soon he only mistreated her because she was there.

She was the only one who was there. At first, Momo visited with her regularly but soon she lost interest. Yurika would come to his side religiously. As much as he didn't want to admit it, he was already missing her.

The click of his door caused his eyes to fling open.

“Yurika?” He sat up and looked around in the dark. All he could see were indistinct shadows.

“Wrong!” An unfamiliar voice chirped. “You've been a bad boy, Kurow-kun. You need to be punished.”

From the shuffling, he could tell there were at least four opponents in the room. A challenge if he were healthy. Injured, it was impossible. His attackers surrounded him. Kurow desperately tried to peer into the darkness and make out something more than a blob.

A metallic gleam caught his attention. He rolled out of bed. Though he averted most of the blade, he had gotten a nasty cut in his side. He grabbed the I.V. Tower and swung it around. He was sure he wouldn't hit anyone but he would get some space.

He staggered back. He knew he was bleeding. The draining sensation was all to familiar. He didn't even have the energy to gloat. His vision faded in and out of focus. He tried to regain his posture and fall into a stance but that only served to make him lose his footing. Kurow slipped and fell back into the window. His back hit the glass and the surface cracked underneath his weight. The man toppled out.

He was sure that he could see his attackers watching him fall. Much to his surprise, he hit water. Pain shot through his body. He floated for a moment and then slipped under the surface. Everything was immediately swallowed up in darkness...

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The next morning, Hinata came over with Natsu and Batsu in tow and a groggy Kyosuke let them in. She had also brought along sugary breakfast snacks to tide Batsu over while they talked about nothing in particular in the kitchn.

“...the Amusement Park sounds nice today.” Natsu offered. “We haven't been there in a while and the season's almost over. I heard that the final week offers discounted admission for students.”

“I hope the water park is still open!” Hinata squealed. “It's warm enough today.”

“The amusement park’s nice…” Kyosuke followed his words with a yawn.

Hinata’s face lit up at the prospect. “That’s a wonderful idea!”

“I guess.” The redhead walked over and pulled a tumbler from the cabinet. “So who is gonna be there?”

“We’ve all wanted to do something together.” Natsu added. “The Amusement Park is a good place.”

“Maybe the Seijyuun girls want to go!” Hinata bubbled with excitement.

“Those girls never wanna go anywhere,” muttered Bastu. “Especially that Kirishima girl who runs around in wedding dresses.”

“If she's anything like Sizune, she'd be perfectly content just practicing her music all day.” Hinata giggled.

“Yurika might go.” The room fell quiet. Kyosuke proceeded to pull out a pitcher and fill his glass with juice. “If you ask her, I'm sure she will go.”

“...Okay, then!” Hinata clapped her hands together. “I’ll call Ran and she’ll call everyone else!”

Kyosuke smiled. It seemed like things would get rather interesting today.