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Chapter Two--- Ketsu

Orie’s plan to keep Mr. Mazumi tied to that post was a very good one. Except for one small problem--- Orie couldn't tie knots. So, due to this tragic shortcoming, after approximately half an hour Robert Mazumi escaped his bonds and was, once again, free.

"Thank you for trying," he whispered softly, "but now it truly is over." Then, without even stopping for another deep breath, he hurled himself off the bridge and towards the waiting waters below.

The air slammed into his body and he felt his eyes begin to water. He saw her face.... the face of the one person he had loved more than anything in the world. The person that he hadn't been able to save. Falling... leaving it behind... forgetting the pain... Seeing only the bright light.... Bright light?

He wasn't falling anymore. Someone had grabbed him and was now lifting him upwards. He forced his eyes open only to find himself staring into a set of eyes the color of the golden sun. A soft smile flashed beneath those eyes and he felt safe for the first time in a long while.

His last vision before he faded into unconsciousness was of feathers. Bright, glowing white feathers that danced before his eyes. No--- not just feathers--- wings. Wings that lifted him up as the world slowly went black.



* * *



He could hear somebody calling to him but he couldn't make out who it was. The voice was slightly familiar but not so much that he could recognize it instantly. It was a very high voice and he assumed his hearing was fuzzy because it sounded like they were calling for sushi...

"Mr. Sushi, you're alive! I thought I told you to wait for me to come back?"

"My... name... is ... Mazumi! Not SUSHI!" He forced his eyes open and glared angrily at the boy sitting beside him. What was his name again... Owen... no Orie that was it. This kid had caused him more distress than anyone else he had ever met in his life and that included those useless police officers. Wait a second... where was he anyway? "D-didn't I fall...?"

"Oh yeah!" Orie snapped his fingers as the memory came back to him. "I told you to stay put and what did you do? You tried to jump while I went for help. I'm very hurt!" Mazumi only stared at him as his own memories came shooting back to him. He had jumped off the bridge but then what had happened? He had a vague memory of wings and a bright light. He shook his head to rid himself of such foolish thoughts. He must have been dreaming, but then why hadn't he fallen?

He directed this question at Orie who smiled once again "Well, luckily for you," Mazumi groaned at the use of the term ‘lucky' but Orie ignored him and kept going, "We showed up just in time and Ketsu was able to haul you back up by the scruff of your neck. And... Um… then you fainted... yeah that's it! You fainted." Mazumi raised his eyebrows at the way the boy fumbled for a story. It seemed as though he were making it up as he went along. Then something else the boy had said registered in Mazumi's still numb brain.

"Ketsu? Who's he?"

"Oh! Oops... sorry." He pointed his finger to the side of Mazumi that was opposite to where he was sitting, "This is Ketsu, my older brother." Mazumi abruptly became aware of someone kneeling next to him and quickly turned his head to look at Orie's brother. What he saw made him gasp out loud.

Kneeling next to him was possibly the most beautiful young man Mazumi had ever seen. Not that he was usually interested in how men looked of course, but there was no other way to describe him. The young man had a long, slim body clothed in a sleeveless black shirt and black jeans. His skin was a soft cream color without so much as a bit of dirt on it. His hair, though a bit damp from the mist, was a dark blue color, but he didn't think it was dyed, odd as it was; the man's hair color simply seemed natural. That was strange; perhaps it was actually just a different shade of black? No, blue was the only way he could describe it. The man's bangs hung down slightly into his face while his hair went slightly down his neck in length. The darker hair color only made his yellow eyes seem even more intense.

Even as Mazumi watched the younger man, he couldn't be anymore than very early twenties if that, a smile lit up his beautiful face as he laughed softly at his younger brother. How they could be brothers Mazumi didn't know. There certainly wasn't much family resemblance. Orie certainly wasn't ugly, quite the contrary, but he certainly wasn't now or ever would be anywhere near his brother's looks.

"I'm sorry my brother has troubled you." The man's voice was softer but had a slight musical sound to it. "But..." he continued when Orie opened his mouth to protest "It seems he has very good reasons for doing so, Mr. ..." the young man raised an eyebrow politely, "is it Sushi?"

"No! It's Mazumi your brother just can't seem to remember that!" At this statement the young man laughed and Orie began to pout and mutter on about how unfair his life was. Meanwhile his brother got himself under control and held out a hand to Mazumi.

"My name is Ketsu and, as he probably told you, I'm Orie's older brother." Ketsu's face suddenly became a bit more serious "Mr. Mazumi, Orie told me that you were intending to kill yourself, is that true?" The way Mazumi quickly looked away was all the answer Ketsu needed. Leaning back on his heels he studied the older man intently.

Mazumi turned his head towards Ketsu with the intent of staring him down. It soon proved futile, as it was impossible to look into those yellow eyes for too long without feeling as though they saw right through you. Curiously, the other man didn't seem to be looking at him with pity but more so with the look of someone who was trying his best to understand.

Something about the man's looks triggered a memory. Bright yellow eyes and wings... What did that mean? He supposed he could have seen the man's face when he had tugged him back from the wall but where had the wings come from? As he glanced again into the yellow eyes he suddenly felt as though it didn't matter. He also knew that if he didn't get away from this man quickly he would never be able to do what he had come here for. Orie's voice seemed to echo inside his head.



---"I'll get Ketsu to talk to you! Ketsu can fix anything."---



Looking at the man next to him he believed it. Feeling, for the first time, afraid of this strange person, Mazumi attempted to stand up and walk away. "Th-thank you for all your help" he stuttered nervously. "But I should really be going now...."

"Oh no, you can't leave!" Orie cried in horror instantly leaping to his feet and clinging to Mazumi's arm. "Ketsu if you let him leave he'll just jump the second he's out of sight! We can't let that happen!" Mazumi struggled valiantly, and without success, to get the boy to stop clinging to his arm. He jumped when another, gentler, hand came down on his other arm. Turning his head, he found himself looking Ketsu in the face.

"Once again," Ketsu said, "I apologize that my brother is bothering you. However, I think you should at least explain to him why someone he has obviously become attached to is doing something like this, don't you agree?"

"I'm sorry, but my business is none of your concern." Mazumi took a deep breath and looked the man directly in the face "I never asked for your brother to interfere so I don't believe I owe him anything." He heard Orie whimper from his other side but he ignored it and continued staring at the older brother.

"True," Ketsu nodded "However, if Orie hadn't of interfered you would be dead by now. While I understand that it is your choice to make, Orie has gone to a lot of trouble to keep you safe." Mazumi stared, as the man was silent for a moment before looking up at him with a smile.

"What if I made a deal with you?" Mazumi stared in confusion and Ketsu took that as a sign to continue. "You have to tell us why you're so desperate to take your life. We'll listen to you and not interrupt once." At this statement he paused for a moment to glance at his younger brother, who nodded eagerly, before continuing. "After you finish you must listen to what I have to say without interrupting. Then, after we've both had our chance to speak, you're more than welcome to do whatever you think is best--- and we will not interfere with your decision. Is it a deal?"

Mazumi stared for a moment longer before taking a shuddering breath and turning his head to look at the early morning sky. "I'm a reporter," he began, "and about six years ago I went to interview a very promising young model. Her name was Alicia and she was the most beautiful thing you could ever see." Fumbling inside his pocket he pulled out a picture of a young woman. She had long flowing black hair down to her waist and creamy skin that made her brown eyes shine--- She was very pretty.

"It wasn't just her looks though... she was a wonderful person as well. Very kind with a sense of humor and she pretty much always had something nice to say about everyone." With a soft smile Mazumi touched the picture fondly. "I guess it's pretty obvious that I married her." He whispered. "We had a happy life together for five years. Until four months ago when she suddenly disappeared." His voice caught and he had to take a moment before he could continue.

"The police told me they'd open up an investigation but most of them all believed that she had left willingly. After all, a beautiful model living with a man who is less than attractive and several years older than herself couldn't possibly be content!" He turned and gazed directly into Ketsu's face "But I know that she wouldn't just leave me. She wasn't like that in the least! Somebody took her and now... just because she was beautiful and I'm.... well, look at me!" He gestured towards himself and had to choke back a sob. " Because of that they won't believe that she was happy with me and that she was taken against her will! I know that's the reason they aren't taking this search too seriously!" Mazumi then broke down and began to sob openly.

"But..." Orie hesitated glancing at his brother to make sure it was all right to talk now. "Didn’t the police investigate into it or anything?"

"They did at first, but all her clothing was also taken so it truly looks as if she just left." He sped up at Orie's skeptical look. "But it was only her clothes that were gone! She left this!" He fumbled into his jacket once more and held up a necklace with a small red stone dangling on the end. "Her grandmother gave her this. It's not valuable, but she loves it! She would never have left without it!"

"For months I've been waiting for any news but I recently realized that the police have pretty much stopped looking for her. My Alicia's probably dead somewhere and it's all because I don't seem like the type of person someone as famous and beautiful as her could be happy with!" Suddenly he leaped to his feet and, before Orie could move, began racing once more towards the edge of the bridge. "I can't forgive myself for being the cause of her death!"

The bridge's wall was so close that he could almost touch it. Until he suddenly felt a sharp tug on the collar of his shirt and he was instantly dragged back to the ground. Looking up he saw Ketsu's smiling face looking rather apologetic.

"Mr. Mazumi, I realize this is difficult for you. But the deal was that you would listen to me before doing anything. I've listened to you and now it's my turn." He kneeled down next to Mazumi and gave him another gentle smile.

"I understand that you've been horribly hurt, Mr. Mazumi. But I just have one question to ask you." The soft smile faded away and those yellow eyes made it seem as though Ketsu were looking right through his own eyes and into his heart. "If the police don't believe that your wife is alive, and you go through with killing yourself, who will be there to save your wife?" Mazumi stared at him and Ketsu continued, still staring the older man straight in the eye.

"As long as you are alive and continue to ask about your wife's whereabouts she will never be forgotten. Does she have any other family that would continue to wonder where she is?" Mazumi could only shake his head. "Then who will continue to wait for her once you're gone? If she was taken and is alive then she is probably desperately trying to escape. How will she feel if she comes home to realize her husband has committed suicide? Do you think she would then kill herself out of grief?"

"N-no! I- I..."

"You wouldn't want her to die because of you?" Ketsu continued mercilessly. Mazumi could only shake his head in horror at the thought. "Then isn't it quite likely that she wouldn't want you to die for her?" Ketsu then stood up his smile once again in place. Mazumi simply gazed up at him with a shocked expression on his face.

"Thank you for listening to me, Mr. Mazumi. As promised, we'll be leaving now." Turning he looked down once again at the older man "If you remain alive then there will always be someone out there for Alicia to come home to. As long as you're still here she'll have a reason to keep on fighting."

With a gesture to Orie, Ketsu began to walk away. Orie remained seated by Mazumi who continued to stare at the ground in grief. Suddenly, Orie reached out and grabbed the red necklace Mazumi had left on the ground.

"Hold on at least a week! Okay, Mr. Mazumi!?" Ketsu froze and Mazumi looked up more shocked at the fact that the kid had actually gotten his name right than from what he had been told. "Wait a week and I'll try to get your wife back, okay?"

Mazumi gazed at the kid in shock unable to comprehend what he was saying, "Can I borrow this necklace, Mr. Mazumi?" Orie asked, "I'll give it to your wife so she knows you sent me."

Orie leaned down and looked into Mazumi's face and gave him a big grin "I'll meet you here at the same time next week if I don't find her to return the necklace. But that probably won't happen because when I do find her she'll just tell me where you live so we can bring her straight to you. So wait at least a week, please?"

It was ridiculous of course. The whole idea was preposterous. But... did it really matter if he waited another week or not? He wasn't nearly as certain he should kill himself now. Silently, he nodded.

"Great!" Orie stood up and gave him a salute. "Don't worry about a thing! I'll get Alicia back for you and that's a promise!" The air seemed to echo with Orie's words for a few moments until the silence was broken.

"I guess we'll be seeing you soon then, Mr. Mazumi." Ketsu spoke for the first time throughout Orie's whole speech. Mazumi looked back at him. The man's blue hair was blowing slightly in the warm breeze and his yellow eyes seemed to glow brighter than the rising sun.

"My brother made you a promise, Mr. Mazumi. We always keep our promises." With that he smiled once more and turned away. Orie gave him a friendly wave and a cry of ‘See you next week, Mr. Sushi!' Then they were gone into the fading mist.

Robert Mazumi, still not quite with it, stared after them. An odd thought passed through his mind. The older boy-- Ketsu-- it looked as if there were two spots of blood on his back that had leaked through his shirt. Each one was on a separate shoulder blade.... odd. As if in a trance, Mazumi tucked his wife's picture back into his shirt pocket and headed home. I guess, he thought, it won't hurt to wait one more week...

"Well what did you think, Ketsu?" Orie asked a bit nervously, "are you mad?"

"Why would I be mad, Orie?" the two brothers walked through the streets of the city towards the hotel they were staying at. The sun was completely up now and the city was just waking up.

"Because I made that promise. Even though it's not what we're here for." Ketsu smiled in response and turned to Orie with a small laugh.

"Our job is to help people. I just want to make certain that you realize what you've gotten yourself into. This could be dangerous but you have to see it through. That's the pact you made as soon as you pledged yourself to his service."

"I know... but it should be fun!" The two laughed and continued on their way. They were passing a pharmacy when Ketsu suddenly stopped. "What's wrong?" Orie asked curiously.

"Oh..." Ketsu replied, "I was just wondering if I should maybe pick up some aspirin."

"Eh? Aspirin? Why would you need aspirin?"

"For the headache I'm sure to get once we get home."

"Headache?"

Ketsu smiled somewhat deviously at his confused younger brother. "Well, you see..." he began moving his hand in order to pat the boy on the head. Meanwhile Orie felt his stomach lurch slightly "I'm not upset at all about what you did. But..."

"But what?" Orie asked, even though he suddenly knew what Ketsu was getting at.

"Arya might be a bit, shall we say, irritated?"

"You're going to make me tell her, aren't you?" Orie whined.

"You made the promise." came the cheerful reply.

Orie sighed and began heading for the drug store. Ketsu was right on both points. Firstly, that they had better stock up on aspirin. Secondly, Orie certainly agreed that this was not going to be a fun morning.

If you have anymore, you WILL put it up, won't you? *please?*

Same thing as before. I really like this!

I'll edit now. 3nodding

/merciless editing.

Semicolons are magical. ^^

I love the name Ketsu, watch out or I'll steal it. I hope he's not hurt. Why would the wing-spots be bleeding, I wonder?

More please. whee biggrin

No DIP Tak.

You probably've already read the whole thing.

Stop rubbing it in. ):

I want to know what happens. I command you to put more up. NOW.

Rawrz. cool