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Mitsu didn't pause until she was back at school, her chest heaving from the long run with no break. Instantly her frantic eyes fell to the snow by the bench she had been sitting at trying to locate any sign of the ring she had lost. The snow had already covered up the foot prints and even most of the blood by this point, voiding the scene as if it never happened. Pacing back and forth Mitsu wasn't sure what to do, where to look. Finally she fell to her knees next to the bench her bare hands searching through the cold snow hoping to find something.

"My brother's ring....I lost it....I must have dropped it," She muttered in a panic not really paying attention to know if Desmond was close. "I have to find it, I can't have lost it." Her wide panicked eyes started to gather moisture again but not enough to cry just yet.

"You went to the hospital?" Neko questioned with wide eyes, closing the door behind the girl once she was inside. And she had still come here? Neko had to wonder why here of all places. "Like hell you're cleaning. I'm not going to be responsible if you collapse while you're scrubbing something." Such concern was touching, but it was the best Neko could muster sometimes. Though he had on occasion shown his softer side, it was a rare instance.

"Take a seat by the fireplace," Neko pointed to a recliner in the living room. "I'll bring you something to drink."

"I don't know where to look. I don't know." Instead of listening Mitsu continued to search, her cold fingers growing numb the longer she clawed at the snow. Like she hadn't cried enough today the tears started to gather and fall again her face looking all but exhausted as her pace started to slow. "I lost it...just like I lost him, I lost it." Pulling one of her hands from the snow she covered her eyes trying her best not to start sobbing all over again. Today was just exhausting and she wished at this point she would have just slept through it.

With a sigh she finally sat back in the snow, doing her best to dry her eyes. Crying wasn't going to help her find the ring if she even lost it here. There was every chance she had dropped it when she had bolted into town.

Watching Riyo take a seat, Neko moved into the kitchen and rummaged through his cupboards looking for something warm to make. "Do you want coffee or hot chocolate?" It was really all he had as far as hot drinks were concerned but it was something. "So are you going to tell me what happened?" He asked looking over at the recliner Riyo was sitting in. "You hide the pain well enough but from the smell of blood you've been hurt pretty bad."

Nodding to Desmond's suggestion, Mitsu brought her knees up to her chest, her tail wrapping around her feet. She was silent for the longest time while she waited for her watery eyes to dry, her first words rather raspy sounding. "He's been gone since Halloween. The day he was supposed to show up at school they had found the house had been broken into....and he was no where to be found." She paused for a bit longer wondering if she should try to continue her previous conversation. It might help her take her mind off the ring though she felt a little awkward telling him about everything.

With a great deal of hesitation she continued, "I missed you...a lot after that. It hurt...having no one there." She paused a bit longer before she continued again. "I've been with someone else," Though she wasn't going to name names, "...and I think all I managed to do was make the pain worse and bring more confusion. I don't know how I feel anymore." Glancing toward Desmond she couldn't quite bring herself to look him in the eyes. "It's only fair that you know. If it bothers you I'll understand." She was long passed the point of worrying about rejection, over all her attitude was rather defeated.

Neko mulled over Riyo's request for a moment, figuring what the hell and grabbed a small glass. Pulling open his cabinet he withdrew a bottle of rum and poured a decent amount into it before heading in her direction, grabbing his own drink off the table. Knowing how high school kids were this probably wasn't her first drink. "You really shouldn't drink," He said while handing her the glass. "Don't expect free liquor. I'm only giving you this because it looks like you've had the end all be all of shitty days."

Once she had her glass Neko moved over to have a seat on the couch not far away. He didn't have much as far as furniture but he at least had the bare essentials. Taking a sip of his own drink he looked expectantly at Riyo, waiting for her to start her story.

Tired eyes watched Desmond stand looking awkwardly at the hand he offered her. The numbing effect of the cold was starting to effect her over all so her movements were rather sluggish as she reached up to take his hand. It didn't seem like the cold was bothering her but her hands were about the same temperature as Desmond's, the feeling all but lost in them. Standing to her feet she continued to hold his hand, her cold fingers gripping his. There were still far too many other things to think about but her mind was starting to wear down and it was apparent she would be asleep soon whether she was inside in a bed or outside in the snow.

"Thank you for listening, Desmond. You helped me a lot tonight. Probably more than you know..." What would have happened if she hadn't stumbled on him by chance in that alley? Where would she have gone? What would she have done? Mitsu really didn't have the answers to her own questions only knowing she had been in full self destruct mode. She wasn't sure she could put her trust in him just yet but it was a step. "I still have a lot to think about," Though as far as relationships she was still fairly certain Shun didn't want one, despite the confusing silent messages she was getting from him.

"Be patient?" She asked softly looking up into those cobalt blue eyes she missed so much.

Sipping his drink, Neko listened quietly to her story trying to take it all in. He assumed the event she was referring to had to do with Halloween though he only knew parts of the story. He knew the parts about her mother, he knew there was a fight, and he knew she had snapped. As far as a lot of the other details she really hadn't shared them though he had a few good guesses, most of them involved boy problems. If only he knew the half of it.

When she explained what had happened today Neko's eyebrows raised. "The little girl with the white hair?" He didn't see that one coming. Honestly he would have put his money on one of the vampires attacking her or some of those snotty kids from the swarm or whatever it was they liked to call themselves.

Listening to her finish up it sounded like the girl was really down. Neko wasn't one to comfort, or at least he wasn't good at it. Instead he stood from his seat and grabbed the bottle of rum. Walking back over to Riyo he poured a little more into her empty glass before setting the bottle aside. "Sounds like a heck of a day." He paused for a moment trying to think of something to tell her. Motivational speeches weren't his thing either. "I don't really have much advice to offer you other than you lived through it, its over, so move on. It sucks but there's not a damn thing you can do about what's happened other than to work at not letting it bother you." Possibly speaking from experience, it sounded a little more personal.

"Listen, about your training. I dunno if you should be doing anything while hurt. Maybe you should take a couple of weeks to recoup?"

Mitsu smiled softly when Desmond kissed her hand, but it didn't last long. As soon as it appeared it faded away making it hard to believe it was ever there at all. "Okay," She gave a short nod as she turned to follow Desmond back to the dorms, her hand lingering in his for the time being. The war within her mind raged on silently but hopefully sleep would calm it and she would be able to think more clearly tomorrow. Somehow she needed to make it up to Riyo for what she had done. The girl had accepted her apology but it didn't seem like enough. Mitsu still felt there was a debt to be paid and she wasn't sure how to pay it.

Flopping back on the couch, Neko threw back his own drink and set the empty glass on the end table. "Right....fought bears. I forgot about that." Though it was hard to. "It looks like a certain ******** needs some rest. You can stay here the night if you need to." It would probably be best if she wasn't up moving around, but Neko was certainly going to have to go and investigate this problem. He hadn't deemed the little white haired girl, Mitsu, as a threat, but perhaps looks were only surface deep. She looked like a strong wind would blow her away but apparently she had done a number on the feline sitting in his recliner

Eyes blinking a little longer than they should have Mitsu came to a stop when Desmond did, vision settling on the little package in his hand. Her face showed a hint of sadness through her tired state remembering the day before. Slowly and unsure her hand come up to touch the package, her fingers gently gripping it and bringing it back to her. It was a first step at least. "I feel a little bad....taking this from you..."

Pulling her hand free of his she started to work at the messy wrapping paper, trying to be careful with it despite how badly crumpled it was. Once the paper was gone Mitsu held in her hand a little box, her fingers running over the lid before she finally opened it. Once her eyes settled on what was inside they softened considerably, the stress of the day suddenly a little lighter. A slight smile tugged at her lips though it didn't go far as she continued to look at the little panda necklace. He really had been thinking of her to pick this out. "It's very cute.." Her voice at least held a little enthusiasm. More than she thought possible to muster given her current state. "Thank you..."

Without really thinking about it she stepped forward, her arms wrapping around his middle. Once she was there the realization of what she had done hit her but she couldn't bring herself to just pull away. Instead she held on a little tighter, her free hand gripping at his jacket as she buried her face in his shirt. She didn't say a word as she closed her eyes trying and failing to open them again.

Neko quirked a brow as Riyo stood. "Woah, you're not going anywhere." Standing from the couch he found his own movements were slow. He had basically been drinking from the point he thought Riyo wasn't going to show up. No need to stay sober.

Moving over toward her he placed a hand on her shoulder, regretting having brought this on himself. At least now he knew never to give her alcohol again. "I've been in my fair share of bar fights and they usually end with being stabbed or shot. Considering you've already had a visit to the hospital I doubt you would like to go again." Pointing to the bathroom he tried to sound stern. "Shower and then go to bed. I'll give you some clothes to change into."

Mitsu lingered in the hug longer than necessary. It was so nice to be close again she didn't want it to end. Her grip on his jacket finally started to loosen but her legs were too unsteady to take her back. Instead they began to shake like they might give out as sleep loomed over her head. "Do you think.....Riyo really forgives me?" She asked sleepily.

Neko sighed as the crisis was averted, at least for now. When the door slammed shut he looked less than pleased but at least she was doing what he had asked. Staggering to his room Neko rummaged through his drawers until he pulled out a t-shirt and a pair of black sweat pants. Not the most attractive wear but they were easy to adjust and comfortable to sleep in.

Making his way back to the bathroom he gave a knock on the door. "I have the clothes you can wear." He called.