Chapter Two~!! >:D

Volume 1, Chapter 2

"Let's see. . ." Miharu murmured, looking around. They were on the beach, the waves softly kissing the shore. "Miharu-san, let's go back. It's going to get cold soon." Kairi whined. "We have to find an escape," she disagreed. Kairi came up from behind her and hugged her. Shocked, she glanced up at him. "Haven't you noticed them yet?" he asked darkly. Miharu's eyes narrowed. Without moving her head, her eyes scanned the area. In the darkness of the forest, she saw a blur shift and hide. "I'm assuming they're regular villagers." Kairi said into her hair. Miharu said, "Let's go back then." Kairi grinned. "Good choice!" he said. He let her go and started walking away. Miharu took a final glance around, clicking her tongue. She ran after Kairi, falling into step beside him.
The next morning, Yuuna woke everyone up early. "Come, come, we're going to find out your Types." she said cheerfully. White was waiting for them in a large room that must have been the auditorium. "Ohayo gozaimasu." he greeted, smiling brightly. He received sullen stares from Kairi, Suzu, Hina, and Miharu. Miu blushed and returned the greeting. Kizaku waved, the same expression on his face. Yuuna looked eager to begin. Murmurs were passing between Kizaku and Miu. "Okay, so you've all seen Yuuna-san's wings, right?" White asked. Several nods. Yuuna's wings spread from her back, fluttering and white. "Yuuna-san is, obviously, an Air Type. You basically have wings if you're an Air Type. Next, we have Earth Type. This can be anything that walks on Earth, such as Cat, Dog, Monkey, et cetera. The most common is Dog. The last type is the Water Type. You basically sprout invisible gills and get some sort of mermaid-ey tail, I guess. I wouldn't really know." he said. "He doesn't even know. . ." everyone thought, excluding Yuuna and White himself, staring at White. Suddenly, White's hand shot out, and cards were in his hand. There were seven. "Pick a card. Any card." White said, his smile somewhat beguiled. Everyone shifted uncomfortably, then Kizaku stepped forward and took a card, his goofy smile never leaving his face. He turned the card over, and he stopped smiling for a split second, an eyebrow raising. White looked over, seeing the wings printed on it. "You're an Air Type!" White chirped. Even Kizaku was skeptical. "You choose at RANDOM?!" Kairi demanded. "No, your soul will guide you~," White said. Miharu rolled her eyes. "Just choose the card that feels right." he said, smiling. "Now, Kizaku-san," he mumbled, stepping up to Kizaku. White placed his hand on Kizaku's forehead. Kizaku blinked, smiling again, though it was a confused smile. "Spread your wings." White said, tilting his head and smiling. Kizaku's back arched suddenly, and it appeared his skin was. . .growing. Like something was trying to burst from that one spot. Miharu gagged, grossed out. Suddenly, the skin ripped and a single wing tore out. There were no feathers, it was all bone. Strange symbols were printed on the wing. There was a small part that wasn't attached to the rest of the wing, but both segments were drawn, like a magnet, to a circle floating between the snapped pieces. Kizaku still hadn't opened his eyes, but he somehow knew what was going on. "One wing?!" Yuuna whispered, her eyes wide. "Only one wing?" White muttered, narrowing his eyes. "Ah, ah, that hurts." Kizaku said, smiling sheepishly. White glanced at him, then looked back to the wing. "There's not even any feathers. . ." Yuuna whispered. ". . .Arigato gozaimasu, Kizaku-san. Hina-san, step forward." White said.

Hina stepped forward, her glare icy. She chose a card, then looked at it. "Bubbles." she said. "So you're a Water Type!" White said, grinning. Hina dropped the card, her mouth open in an O. "I'm going to sprout GILLS?! FINS?!" she cried. "Don't worry, it won't be that bad." White said, unconvincingly. He ushered Hina back in line, saying, "You have to be in water to get your fins, probably." He turned to Kairi, smiling lightly. Kairi stepped forward, sighing. He chose a card and flipped it over. "A cat." Kairi said, frowning. "You're an Earth Type, and apparently 'Neko'. That's one of the rarest ones." White said. He tapped Kairi's head, and two cat ears popped up from beneath his blue hair. A tail was flickering. ". . .$#!^%$@&!?!?" Kairi barked, clamping his hands down onto the cat ears. Miharu gaped at Kairi, as everyone else did. "They're cute." Yuuna cooed. Kairi stood by Miharu, trembling, holding his new tail up and staring at it. "Okay, Suzu-san, c'mere." White said, beckoning Suzu over. Suzu walked over silently, staring at White. She lightly pulled a card from his hand, and looked at it. ". . .Monkey." she said. There was a snort from behind her, and a few chuckles. Suzu went a little red and stared at her feet. "The monkey is more powerful than the other Types." White said cheerfully, though his eyes glinted maliciously. The chuckles stopped. Suzu looked up, a slight smile on her face. White stared into space, smiling goofily, then took something out of his pocket and threw it on the ground. Smoke erupted from it, enveloping Suzu. When the smoke cleared, everyone gaped. Suzu blinked, stunned. A tail, her tail, was swaying side-to-side. She wore a mini leather jacket, the collar furry. She had furry leg warmers, and on her head were round, furry ears. White ushered her gently back into line. Lighting, a cigarette, he called, "Miu-san." Miu stepped forward, curious to see what she would be. She chose one and flipped it over. "Bubbles. . ." she said. "Yup, you're a Water Type!" White said. Miu glanced at Hina and trotted back in line. "So, we have Kizaku-san, Miu-san, Hina-san, Kairi-san, and Suzu-san. All that's left is. . ." White said, turning to Miharu. She felt everyone's eyes on her. She strode forward, frowning. Reaching towards the last two cards, Miharu hesitated. "Just choose the one that feels right." White assured her. Miharu chose one and turned it over. Her eyes widened. "What is it?" White asked, frowning. ". . .It's blank." she said. White dropped his cigarette. Yuuna stepped forward. "Blank?" White asked. "Yea." Miharu said, showing him. The surface was pure white. White chuckled uneasily and pulled another cigarette out, lighting it and putting it into his mouth. He sucked in a big breath, then blew smoke out. "Okay! Go back now! Bye bye!" he said, waving them off. Yuuna hurried them away, her face pale. "H-Hey, what's wrong? Is that bad?" Miharu asked, looking pale as well. "Ahahahahaha. No, there's nothing wrong with that." Yuuna said, her laugh artificial. Miharu fell backwards, fainting. Kairi caught her and looked at Yuuna, sheepishly shrugging. Yuuna smiled, walking away. "Hup," Kairi uttered, throwing Miharu over his shoulder, "you're already a handful."

Rain poured down, washing every drop of red from his shoulder. "Hungry. . .I'm so hungry. . ." he murmured, licking the blood. His white hair was stained with the crimson blood, though his hat covered most of it. "To think that I, Aster, would be reduced to your filth." he said softly to the Black in his hand. "Aster-sama, p-please let me l-live. . ." it begged. "But I'm. . .so hungry. . ." Aster said, gripping the Black. "C-can't b-b-breat—breath. . ." it hissed, struggling against him. He lifted it and opened his mouth. "Eating your own kind?! You are a part of Black!! YOU ARE DEMENTIA!!!" it screamed, but his teeth came against its fragile body. There was a cracking noise, then the sound of blood gushing. Like a wolf, he devoured the Black with hardly any chewing. "I'm. . .so hungry," Aster whispered. "I'm filthy. . ." he said, holding his hands up and examining the blood on them. "Eating my own kind. . .huh? I don't want to eat humans. . ." he said, tightening his jacket around himself. "Hungry. . .So. . .hungry. . .Only the flesh of mortals can ease my hunger pangs. . .Those desolate faces. . ." Aster said, hushed. He collapsed against a wall, holding his injured shoulder. He looked up weakly. A building. There was noise from inside. Human voices. He inhaled sharply, raggedly. His pupils were dilated, and his face split into a smile. "One or two humans wouldn't be so bad." he cackled, laughing. Without a running start, he jumped at least twenty feet into the air, breaking a window and rolling onto the ground. Four girls and two boys peered down at him with concerned expressions. "Hey, what happened?!" a girl asked. She had peach eyes. Aster's heart thudded painfully inside his chest. Those eyes looked delectable. ". . .First." he muttered. "First? What?" a male asked. He had different coloured eyes. "I'll eat you first~!!!" Aster snapped, tackling the peach-eyed girl. She struggled, startled, but he outweighed her. "What beautiful negligence you wear!" Aster cooed, licking her neck. "GET OFF OF ME!!!" she screamed, kicking him away. Aster caught himself on his hand and flipped over. "I'm so hungry." he said, his face split with an awful smile. He smelled of blood. "Hey, you!" the red and yellow eyed male called. Aster turned, his face dead serious. "Your intelligence is equal to the smoothness of a walnut shell." he said, before a piece of bread hit him in the face. It fell, and Aster blinked. The heterochromatic kid was in the air, and his fist was coming down at Aster. "What—" Aster tried, but then his mouth filled with blood from the force of the blow. Aster spit the blood out as he flew back. The kid skidded, then hit his forearm with his other fist, grinning. "I didn't learn martial arts for nothing!" he said. Aster stared at the ceiling, too weak to stand up. "Is he a cannibal?" the red-haired one asked. "No one could jump in from that high and survive." the pink-haired male said. The one with the lifeless green eyes had a rifle aimed at him. "Let's shoot him." she said. "Idiot! Don't just shoot him! On TV, they always question the intruder first!" the pink-eyed one said. "How old are you?!" the red-haired one snapped. Aster felt the Dementia in him rising.

Suddenly, an arm was held over Aster's head. Aster's vision was blurred, but he looked at the person. White smiled down at him. "Drink. Blood won't be enough, but it'll calm your Dementia." he said. Aster stared at him. "You are most merciful." he said at last. He grasped White's arm and opened his mouth. Someone gasped. He wasn't surprised. Most of his teeth were sharp, his tongue black as if he had decayed, and his mouth could open wider than most humans, like an animal. "Don't let that disgusting thing touch you!" the pink-eyed one shrieked. White looked at her, looking sorrowful. Aster stopped. His eyes were wide. He remembered that word. He could never forget it. 'Disgusting creature!! Demon of Dementia!' He closed his eyes and lowered himself on the ground. "Better yet, save that mercy for someone who deserves it. . ." he said. White looked down to him, sad. White cut himself a bit, and the blood dripped onto Aster's face. Aster's eyes widened, and he shot forward. He bit down roughly into White's arm, drawing blood. He looked almost innocent, gulping the blood down as if his life depended on it. White winced. "Not too hard now. If you take too much, I'll die." he advised Aster, smiling. Aster broke from his arm, looking at White adoringly, blood dripping from his mouth. White rubbed Aster's mouth, smiling gently. "You poor creature, deprived of food. Or could it be that you don't want to consume mortal flesh?" he asked. "It's disgusting, to eat humans. . .It's something only a monster would do." Aster said. "Tell me your name." White said. "Aster." he muttered. "Aster, huh?" Aster nodded. "I am in your debt." he said. He stood up, smirking. He bowed to White, colour in his face again. "I was about to starve to death. Or worse, eat these young children. You, my Lord, have saved me. Allow me to assist you in your fight against Black." he said. White gaped. "How did you. . .?" he asked. "I have been around for centuries. I can recognize descendants when they are around me." Aster said, adjusting his hat. "He was crazed with hunger?" the peach-eyed girl asked. "Yes, Miharu-san. Dementia such as himself strive off of human bodies. It appears Aster is going against the grain." White said. Aster glanced at Miharu, then strode up to her. "Miharu-san? Is that your name?" he asked. "Y-Yea, it is." she said, blinking. He bowed to her, holding his hat to the side. "My beautiful victim, I beg your forgiveness. I portrayed such a beastly side of myself. I could hardly feel anything. But in your presence even my shadow acquires the sensation of touch." he said. Miharu flushed red. He clasped her hands, looking longingly into her eyes. "I did not harm you, did I, Mistress?" he said tenderly. Miharu fainted again, blood flying from her nose. "Ah, Mistress! I knew it! I have harmed your delicate body!" Aster cried, biting his lip. Miu fell over with a nosebleed. "M-Miu-chan!" Kizaku said, catching her. Kairi twitched, seeing Aster fawn over Miharu. Hina was bright red, and Suzu was, well, Suzu. Aster was hugging Miharu, making a gentlemanly speech dramatically. Kairi glared at him, reaching for Miharu. Kizaku tried shaking Miu awake. In anger, both Kizaku and Kairi gritted their teeth, thinking, "This guy. . .!!"

"I'm sorry for any trouble I have caused you." Aster said, bowing. Miharu, with tissue stuffed in her nose, replied, "It wasn't your fault. You starved yourself." Kairi tapped his foot, looking in the opposite direction. Kizaku wore the same smile, but his aura read 'irritation'. Aster stood up. "Thank you all. Especially the young 'martial artist' boy over there. If you had not intervened, the beautiful Lady Miharu would. . ." he trailed off, looking down. Kairi only seemed to get angrier as Aster thanked him. "Ah, that's right. That's Kairi-san." Miharu said. "M-Miharu-san!!" he hissed, glaring at her. "What? Anyway, that's Miu, that's Hina, that's Kizaku, and this is Yuuna." Miharu said, pointing to each person. Yuuna and Miu doted on Aster, Hina nodded casually, and Suzu just stared. Kizaku had a smile pasted on his face, but his foot was tapping briskly. Kairi glanced at Kizaku, then both of them nodded their approval at the other, sniffling. "Hmm. Boys are weird." Hina said, taking notes on their behaviour. White leaned against Kizaku, grinning. "Boys will be boys." he said. "Aster-san, tell me, how old are you?" he asked. Aster looked over. "I am twenty, Lord. However, to humans, I am two-hundred and twenty. I age every eleven years." Aster answered. "So young," White marveled. "ELEVEN years? That's so long!" Miu said, awed. "Mistress, you may find it strange, but I feel the same way about YOUR aging pattern. Aging YEARLY? That's far too quick." he said. Miu squealed and hugged his arm. Yuuna took her turn talking to Aster. "Aster-sama, are you the youngest of your kind?" she asked. He laughed. "I'm afraid not, Mistress. Not nearly as much as you, my Lady, as to look not a day over nineteen yourself." he answered. Yuuna hugged his other arm. "He's so cool~!!" Yuuna and Miu squealed, hugging Aster's arms. Aster was blushing, being tugged back and forth. "Smooth-talking lady-killer. . ." Kizaku muttered. Kairi nodded his agreement, angrily.
"It's raining. . ." the girl whispered, clutching the straps of her pack tighter. The huge sniper rifle she carried was dragging in the mud. "So, Pi-Chi Ki Island at last, huh?" she murmured, drenched. She was shivering, muddy, soaked, and exhausted, but to be invited by White himself to fight against Dementia was an honour— a privilege. Even she knew this, when she was only ten years old. Despite her young age, she was the most skilled of her kind. She was human, yes, but advanced. Gifted. Nothing in her was mutant, nothing tampered with, she was just abnormal. Like a genius with an amazing I.Q. Her medical skills made her valuable in battle, and her long-ranged weapon and superior aiming and pacing techniques made her an ideal sniper. She had learned to aim and fire at three, and how to treat basic cuts at four. The abilities piled up, one after another. No matter how you saw it, gifted or freaky, she was incredible. "White-san. . .I'm here. My name. . .is Alice."