Chapter Four
This chapter didn't make it to the point I wanted it to... So that'll have to go next chapter. The new character kinda just stole the scene from me and made me write something I did not have planned... But it'll work out. ^^
Title: Bad Poetry/ Vile Poetry (possible title)
Summary: Supernatural forces interrupt B-T's tour when Atsushi gets a very strange admirer.
Year: ~1993
Notes: A bit of a tie-in with the manga/anime Yami no Matsuei. I'm using the concept from that story, if not the characters… Look it up on wikipedia if you want the full facts. ^^
Chapter Four
It was a surreal moment. The brief second when Atsushi stared directly at what had been tormenting him for hours…met the cold blue eyes… and then he panicked. He backed up quickly, trying to get as much space between them as possible.
Unfortunately, the street lamp from before was right behind him. His head just happened to reach it first, connecting with a thud that reverberated throughout his entire body. Atsushi's vision swam, the world tilting alarmingly to the left. He grasped for something to keep from falling.
Warm hands grabbed his arm, then his shoulders. Despite the grip on him, Atsushi still felt behind him, his fingers coming in contact with the cool metal of the light post. It felt hard and smooth under his fingers. He focused on that sensation, trying to steady his spinning head through pure persistence.
Somebody said something that he didn't understand. Atsushi looked up--not having been staring at anything in particular-- and there was a concerned face hovering right in front of him, surrounded by a halo of golden hair.
Atsushi wanted to swear…but all he did was stare blankly.
The man spoke again and Atsushi might have understood something. It certainly wasn't Japanese, but something about it seemed familiar. Was it English?
Another voice spoke up and suddenly U-ta was there. He was pulling the other man's hands off of Atsushi even as he spoke to the stranger in quiet, stilted words.
The man finally let go. Now without solid support, Atsushi swayed on his feet. U-ta wedged himself under Atsushi's arm, using himself for a crutch. This made Atsushi uneasy and it took a moment to get through his fuzzy brain why. U-ta couldn't protect himself from this man if he was holding Atsushi up.
Atsushi was just gathering up the strength to push U-ta away when he realized that the blond man was…leaving? He shot out around them at a jog, heading for the same bakery the boys had disappeared into not seconds earlier.
That didn't make sense. Why would Baum go after red-headed children…?
U-ta was talking again, this time in Japanese. He pulled on Atsushi's waist, trying to get him to follow. Atsushi did so mechanically, allowing himself to be pushed down on a nearby bench.
Now that Atsushi was sitting, his world had stopped spinning and he was able to peer up at U-ta and actually see him. U-ta's face was lined with worry. Atsushi's first thought was to allay that worry--but something else more pressing had to be answered first.
"What just happened?"
"We should ask you that!" U-ta exclaimed. He didn't have to bend far to be able to stare directly into Atsushi's face. "Are you okay Acchan?"
"What happened with that man?" Atsushi persisted, urgently.
"That man?" U-ta sounded as if he'd already forgotten. "Oh, him. He was just the caretaker for those boys who almost ran us over. Apparently they got away from him and he was chasing after them. Did he scare you or something? That was a really strange reaction…"
Atsushi ran his hand over his face, sighing with relief. The bliss of relief was short lived however, as he finally realized something now that the shock was gone. It couldn't have been Baum. First of all, he'd been out in the day. Atsushi wasn't a vampire expert, but he was certain that didn't happen. Second, now that he could think somewhat clearly, Atsushi remembered that the man had been taller than him and rather thin… That wasn't the way Baum had been described.
He had just overreacted to nothing. He felt like such an ass.
Atsushi kept his eyes shadowed by his hand. He didn't want to see U-ta's worried face anymore.
Perhaps his incoming headache could be reparation enough…
"Atsushi?"
"Hmm?" Atsushi finally faced U-ta again, who was frowning; that expression made Atsushi feel even worse, if that was possible.
"Are you okay? You hit your head pretty hard…"
"I'm fine. Just…a bit woozy, that's all." Atsushi used that as an excuse to rest his head in his hands, fingers threaded through his hair. Maybe they would just leave him there…
Someone started playing with his hair. Atsushi looked up slowly and saw that Imai was there, calmly parting the hair on the back of Atsushi's head.
"What are you doing?" Atsushi asked, irritated.
"Checking," Imai answered, plainly.
"I'm not bleeding, Imai."
"I'm checking to see if your brain is leaking out, you ass." Imai's voice abruptly turned angry and he shoved Atsushi's shoulder, hard. Atsushi nearly toppled forward but he caught himself on the bench seat. He heard U-ta start scolding Imai about not pushing people with head injuries.
Instead of being angry himself…Atsushi just smiled faintly. Imai would never tell him he was worried or scared. That wasn't the Imai-way.
Atsushi turned to look back up at Imai. "I'm sorry," he said, sincerely.
That appeased Imai. He stepped back and folded his arms, still looking grumpy, but his eyes had softened. "Well, what now?"
That wasn't the best question to ask. U-ta began to insist on going back to the hotel, but Imai complained that he didn't want to walk that far. The two began to argue until Atsushi, although he wasn't the least bit hungry, suggested they go somewhere for lunch--or whatever meal it would be that time of day. That placated both U-ta and Imai.
Lunch was in some small sit-down restaurant where Atsushi spent the time picking at the food on his plate --although there was some very good wine that took the edge off his headache-- and avoiding all questions about the Incident. He tried to lead the conversation on to something else instead and after it was clear that he wasn't going to discuss it, U-ta left the Incident alone and was happy to talk about any topic. Even Imai gave up after a time and the whole issue was dropped.
Atsushi felt terrible brushing off their concern like that, but how was he supposed to explain something like his…situation? It was obvious that Imai didn't remember--not that Atsushi had expected him to. It was still very disheartening to have to sit there and…not say anything to the one person who should have known…
Not that he could blame Imai. No one had known that they would go back to the rooms that night for a life changing event. Things like that just weren't planned--Atsushi knew that very well by now.
It was getting to be early evening by the time they left, U-ta with list in hand. Looking over the shorter man's shoulder as they strolled along the street, Atsushi saw that they'd only seen about half of what he'd written down. He was about to say something about it when U-ta held up the paper a little higher and indicated one of the so-far uncrossed items. Without turning around, he said, "This is the only one we need to do. The owner's a friend of a friend, you know. I promised to stop by."
Atsushi took a discrete step back. U-ta wouldn't come out and say it, but from his actions Atsushi got the hint that his hovering wasn't appreciated.
"Friend of a friend," Imai repeated, blandly.
"Yeah. You know," and here he listed some name Atsushi had never heard before, "from Harajuku? Friend of hers."
"Oh." Imai didn't look too pleased. Atsushi, really having no opinion either way, said nothing.
"Don't worry about it! It's supposed to be a cool little shop full of bunch of weird stuff--I'm sure you two'll have fun!"
Atsushi and Imai shared a look. Atsushi wasn't sure if he should be offended by that comment. Part of his thoughts must have shown on his face because Imai rolled his eyes. Atsushi narrowed his eyes back at him and Imai smirked.
"Stop talking behind my back," U-ta grumbled, craning his neck to see the two of them behind him.
"We didn't say anything," Imai insisted, but only after snapping to attention like a guilty schoolboy. Not very suave.
"You don’t really need to."
"Actually, I'm somewhat rusty at telepathy…"Atsushi commented. It was struggle to keep a straight face as U-ta turned around fully.
"…I'm sure we can find something to help you out at this wonderful little shop we're going to," Imai continued the joke, not even trying to hide his smirk.
U-ta tried to glower, but it morphed into a smile instead. He did, somehow, manage to say in a very thoughtful, serious manner, "Hmm…I dunno. He might have books about telekinesis, but I don't know about telepathy… All the people who want to speak with their pets might have scooped those up…"
It was so very hard not to laugh now. Imai looked as if he was about to have a fit of apoplexy, he was trying so hard not to giggle. Somehow it had become a contest to see who wouldn't laugh out loud first… Atsushi wasn't sure why. There was no shame in laughing…
"But…but…" Imai was trying to speak, but he had to stop and bite his lip to keep from laughing. "But, won't they need telekinesis too? I mean, what about the dead pets? Anyone crazy enough to talk to animals wants to keep the dead one around, right? And how else are they supposed to move?"
It was U-ta and Atsushi's turn to share a look.
It must have been the glass or two of wine from earlier, but Atsushi suddenly got a wicked idea. Stretching out a hand and gesturing grandly, he intoned as majestically as he could while trying to fight down laughter, "Come to me, my pretty."
That did it. U-ta nearly collapsed in a fit of giggles on the sidewalk, while Imai burst out laughing with so much force he ended up spitting. Seeing their reaction made Atsushi finally give in to laughter himself. He brought up his hand instinctively to cover his face, but it only made it as far as hanging slightly bent in front of his nose. He was sure he looked ridiculous…but they all did, really.
They could have kept laughing forever, it seemed. At least Atsushi wanted to believe that…until his headache came back full force--not that it had really left--and the razor-sharp pain behind his eyes made him stop abruptly and wince. As if they could sense the sudden damper on their companion's mood, the other two slowly calmed down until there was just the occasional breathless chuckle.
"Okay, okay, I really need to show up there today," U-ta insisted, when all giggles had turned to silence and they were left looking at one another somewhat sheepishly.
Atsushi nodded even as he rubbed at his temple. U-ta's expression turned worried again but, before he could even open his mouth, Atsushi answered his question. "I'm fine, U-ta."
His brusque tone made U-ta's mouth close with a snap and, after giving Atsushi a long look, he turned around and started on his way again. Imai gave Atsushi a wary look of his own before following.
Atsushi rubbed his forehead. Why was today such an emotional rollercoaster? He sincerely thought about going back to the hotel room…but then he looked up and the other two were waiting.
He followed.
*
The store was located in a decrepit building next to a narrow alleyway. There was a sign over the door that read "The World from the Moon" on it in both Japanese and English. The windows were full of old antique furniture, mannequins in full costume from various places and time periods, and, oddly enough, blown-glass fairies hanging from strings.
The inside of the store just as tiny and crowed as the music shop…but it had enough clutter to seem as if it was ten times smaller. There were piles and piles of books on top of what had to be more antique furniture, multiple charms and medallions in a myriad of shapes and sizes hanging from the ceiling, and, in every nook and cranny available, were candles. Thankfully, the majority of the candles were unlit. It wasn't that Atsushi didn't like candles…it was just that with the amount of old cloth laying around and the haphazard placement of said candles…he didn't think this shop would be standing much longer if there had been open flames. Even the burning incense near the counter was a tad worrying.
However, compared to the music store, the staff was much friendlier. The moment they walked in and the little gong over the door sounded (and nearly scared Atsushi to death) a short, thin Asian man came scurrying around the counter. He was wearing some sort of robe that wasn't a kimono, but he had it wrapped as such with an extremely gaudy strip of cloth that wasn't quite an obi keeping it tied shut.
"Welcome, welcome!" He bowed, letting them see the top of his balding head. He was speaking in fanciful, elaborately polite language. "Please come in and let your eyes feast upon the wonders of other worlds!"
Atsushi glanced around the shop as U-ta talked to the man, telling them the whole story of why there were there. It was an abnormal place and normally he wouldn't mind exploring…but something about all the supernatural made him extremely nervous. A sense of cold dread started in his chest and he wrapped his arms around himself as if the physical motion would actually stop the chill. It didn't.
He didn't have the time to dwell. The moment the proprietor realized who they were, he made them go and stand in front of a huge display of fantastical weaponry as he dug in a drawer behind the counter for a camera, the whole time rambling about how famous people seldom patronized his shop. Grabbing one of his employees from where the young man had been fruitlessly dusting a bookshelf, he squeezed himself in between Atsushi and U-ta, his diminutive frame nearly shorter than U-ta's, and raised his fingers in a peace sign.
Atsushi sincerely hoped he didn't look as uneasy in the picture as he felt. He'd tried to smile, but he knew from experience that those smiles never turned out well. There wasn't much he could do about it, because as soon as the flash went off, the man was moving. Oddly enough, he grabbed Atsushi's hand instead of U-ta's as the tour of the shop began.
They were shown magical crystal balls from the Gypsies, ancient carpets from the Middle East, "dragon" scales from...somewhere. Atsushi lost count as the eccentric little man led them around, his grip still tight and warm on Atsushi's hand. The proprietor--who Atsushi finally learned was called Tsukino when U-ta asked him a question--kept up a lively monologue about the wonders in his shop.
Atsushi started to get dizzy from the constant motion and the stuffy, incense-scented air. His head was throbbing and he really wished the little man would let him go, but he didn't pull away. That would be far too rude.
At long last Tsukino seemed to grow physically tired from showing off his own store and he led them back to the counter. Atsushi firmly believe the man had the enthusiasm to show them every single item in the place. He had good timing to stop when he did though--Imai was starting to look very pissed off. The little man finally let go of Atsushi's hand as he went around behind the counter again. He leaned over the display case between them, his face earnest.
"That was just a taste of what lies within this humble establishment, gentlemen. Please browse to your hearts' content!"
Now that they were free, U-ta and Imai bolted--as politely as possible-- to different corners of the shop. Atsushi was about to follow whichever one he caught up with first, when Tsukino spoke up. He had learned even further over the countertop, one hand up as if he wanted to grab on to Atsushi's arm. Atsushi took a minute step backwards.
"Sakurai-san, I think I have a book or two you might be interested in."
"I don't really think--" Atsushi began to say, but stopped at the strange man disappeared from behind the counter and was soon at Atsushi's side, a stack of books in his arms. He spread them out on top of another collection of books on a nearby table.
"You have such an aura about you, Sakurai-san. I noticed it immediately."
"Aura…" Atsushi repeated, doubtfully.
"Oh yes," Tsukino breathed. He looked at Atsushi…but his brown eyes didn't focus. It was as if he was looking at the space around him…
Atsushi immediately began trying to locate either U-ta or Imai in his peripheral vision. He didn't want to take his eyes off this man…but he really wanted to get the other two and go. Every muscle in his body seemed to be tense and waiting…to either run or collapse all together, Atsushi wasn't sure. His heart was beating fast enough in his chest to hurt, the sensation making him feel lightheaded. He drew in a quiet breath, tried to make himself relax. It didn't work.
"Perhaps a chair for Sakurai-san?" Tsukino remarked suddenly, his eerie gaze moving away. That didn't make Atsushi feel any better.
"No…I'm fine." He didn't want to sit near this man.
Tsukino shrugged, before opening the nearest book. It was a regular paperback, strangely enough. Actually, none of the books were old leather bound sacred texts like Atsushi half-way expected. "This is a book about shinigami."
Atsushi's insides turned to ice then as cold panic washed over him. He couldn't think...hell, he could barely breathe as he stared at this strange little man, who was regarding him with such an open expression… "Shi…shini…" Atsushi stuttered.
Tsukino nodded. Then he did an even more unexpected thing. He smiled. "You've had an encounter with one, eh? I can see it on you."
"I don't know what you're talking about," Atsushi tried to protest, but Tsukino just shook his head.
He wagged a finger in Atsushi's direction. "None of that. I know what I see. " He closed the book gently and slid it towards Atsushi. "You might find that interesting," he said calmly, as if this was a simple library and he was the helpful librarian. "So, since you've apparently seen the shinigami around you…and are still here alive…I'm assuming there was something else than your death involved?"
Atsushi swallowed hard. This was insane. He folded his arms over his chest, half in a hope to get warm, the other half in an attempt to hide from this man. "I don't know why you'd care…It's not important at all…"
Tsukino frowned, his heavy brows drawing low over his eyes. He was completely serious now. "It is important, Sakurai-san. I'm sure something very serious is happening if shinigami come to talk to you. Especially when it's someone like you."
"Someone like me?" Atsushi questioned warily. He was caught in an abrupt, dizzying desire to know what the hell this man was talking about… How he knew so much…
He never got an answer. Another voice broke into the tense silence. "There you are."
Atsushi startled like a skittish cat, whipping around at the sound of Imai's voice. He moved fast enough to make Imai stumble backwards into the European armor he must have just come around.
"Whoa!" Imai cried, hands coming up in front of him. "I didn't know I was interrupting an intimate moment."
Atsushi was trembling. He could feel it all the way down to his bones. He glanced back at Tsukino, who was watching them, before addressing Imai. "Can we leave now?" he asked, ignoring Imai's terrible attempt at humor. He didn't care if the request was childish--he wanted to go.
Imai gave Atsushi a searching look, as if he was trying to figure out what was wrong. "Sure… I was gonna show you these rather cool stones, but if you wanna go, I'll get U-ta…"
"No!" Atsushi made a grab for Imai's arm in panic, but stopped himself just before actually latched on to him. Imai frowned, looking confused. "I'll…I'll get him. You wait here."
Imai nodded slowly, even as he stared at Atsushi like he was some deranged lunatic. "Sure, whatever."
Atsushi edged around him in the narrow isle, and then all but flew towards the back of the store. He even passed right by U-ta at first--he had to backtrack when he heard U-ta call out his name. U-ta's head peaked around a tall cabinet covered in peeling black paint. "What's going on?"
"We're ready to go," Atsushi said as he came to stand beside his fellow band mate.
U-ta nodded, putting down the silver quarter moon shaped pendent he was holding. "Okay, just let me say goodbye to Tsukino-san."
Atsushi was about to protest, but he knew he couldn't possibly do that. U-ta had no reason to be rude to the eccentric little man. So he reluctantly followed U-ta back to where Imai and Tsukino stood in silence, neither one taking much interest in the other.
As U-ta said his goodbye and promised to come again soon, Atsushi refused to look in the proprietor's direction, staring at the nearby counter instead. There was a lovely display of silver jewelry inside, he realized, most of it looking like spun spider webs in their finery. They glittered even in the dim overhead lighting.
"Acchan?"
Atsushi snapped to attention at his name, looking up out of habit. U-ta was holding a small business card out to him.
"Tsukino-san was trying to give this to you."
"Ah…thank you…" He had to accept the damn thing now. Offering the other man a tight smile, he glanced down at the card in his hand. All it had was the shop name and address, Tsukino's name, and a phone number. It was just a standard business card.
"If you decide you're interested in the books, please feel free to call me Sakurai-san. I can get them to you no matter where you are, don't worry." Atsushi looked up at that and saw that Tsukino was smiling at him again. He has to look away, feeling the same discomfort from before…it had never really left…
"Thank you…" he repeated, perfunctorily.
Atsushi could get out of the store fast enough after that. Even after the door had closed behind them and they were out in the dusky evening light, he could still swear that man was watching him. As the other two started chatting about what they thought of the place, Atsushi looked down at the card in his hand…and then shoved it in his pants pocket. He wasn't sure why he didn't just throw it away…
He'd deal with that later. Right now…he needed a drink.
Title: Bad Poetry/ Vile Poetry (possible title)
Summary: Supernatural forces interrupt B-T's tour when Atsushi gets a very strange admirer.
Year: ~1993
Notes: A bit of a tie-in with the manga/anime Yami no Matsuei. I'm using the concept from that story, if not the characters… Look it up on wikipedia if you want the full facts. ^^
Chapter Four
It was a surreal moment. The brief second when Atsushi stared directly at what had been tormenting him for hours…met the cold blue eyes… and then he panicked. He backed up quickly, trying to get as much space between them as possible.
Unfortunately, the street lamp from before was right behind him. His head just happened to reach it first, connecting with a thud that reverberated throughout his entire body. Atsushi's vision swam, the world tilting alarmingly to the left. He grasped for something to keep from falling.
Warm hands grabbed his arm, then his shoulders. Despite the grip on him, Atsushi still felt behind him, his fingers coming in contact with the cool metal of the light post. It felt hard and smooth under his fingers. He focused on that sensation, trying to steady his spinning head through pure persistence.
Somebody said something that he didn't understand. Atsushi looked up--not having been staring at anything in particular-- and there was a concerned face hovering right in front of him, surrounded by a halo of golden hair.
Atsushi wanted to swear…but all he did was stare blankly.
The man spoke again and Atsushi might have understood something. It certainly wasn't Japanese, but something about it seemed familiar. Was it English?
Another voice spoke up and suddenly U-ta was there. He was pulling the other man's hands off of Atsushi even as he spoke to the stranger in quiet, stilted words.
The man finally let go. Now without solid support, Atsushi swayed on his feet. U-ta wedged himself under Atsushi's arm, using himself for a crutch. This made Atsushi uneasy and it took a moment to get through his fuzzy brain why. U-ta couldn't protect himself from this man if he was holding Atsushi up.
Atsushi was just gathering up the strength to push U-ta away when he realized that the blond man was…leaving? He shot out around them at a jog, heading for the same bakery the boys had disappeared into not seconds earlier.
That didn't make sense. Why would Baum go after red-headed children…?
U-ta was talking again, this time in Japanese. He pulled on Atsushi's waist, trying to get him to follow. Atsushi did so mechanically, allowing himself to be pushed down on a nearby bench.
Now that Atsushi was sitting, his world had stopped spinning and he was able to peer up at U-ta and actually see him. U-ta's face was lined with worry. Atsushi's first thought was to allay that worry--but something else more pressing had to be answered first.
"What just happened?"
"We should ask you that!" U-ta exclaimed. He didn't have to bend far to be able to stare directly into Atsushi's face. "Are you okay Acchan?"
"What happened with that man?" Atsushi persisted, urgently.
"That man?" U-ta sounded as if he'd already forgotten. "Oh, him. He was just the caretaker for those boys who almost ran us over. Apparently they got away from him and he was chasing after them. Did he scare you or something? That was a really strange reaction…"
Atsushi ran his hand over his face, sighing with relief. The bliss of relief was short lived however, as he finally realized something now that the shock was gone. It couldn't have been Baum. First of all, he'd been out in the day. Atsushi wasn't a vampire expert, but he was certain that didn't happen. Second, now that he could think somewhat clearly, Atsushi remembered that the man had been taller than him and rather thin… That wasn't the way Baum had been described.
He had just overreacted to nothing. He felt like such an ass.
Atsushi kept his eyes shadowed by his hand. He didn't want to see U-ta's worried face anymore.
Perhaps his incoming headache could be reparation enough…
"Atsushi?"
"Hmm?" Atsushi finally faced U-ta again, who was frowning; that expression made Atsushi feel even worse, if that was possible.
"Are you okay? You hit your head pretty hard…"
"I'm fine. Just…a bit woozy, that's all." Atsushi used that as an excuse to rest his head in his hands, fingers threaded through his hair. Maybe they would just leave him there…
Someone started playing with his hair. Atsushi looked up slowly and saw that Imai was there, calmly parting the hair on the back of Atsushi's head.
"What are you doing?" Atsushi asked, irritated.
"Checking," Imai answered, plainly.
"I'm not bleeding, Imai."
"I'm checking to see if your brain is leaking out, you ass." Imai's voice abruptly turned angry and he shoved Atsushi's shoulder, hard. Atsushi nearly toppled forward but he caught himself on the bench seat. He heard U-ta start scolding Imai about not pushing people with head injuries.
Instead of being angry himself…Atsushi just smiled faintly. Imai would never tell him he was worried or scared. That wasn't the Imai-way.
Atsushi turned to look back up at Imai. "I'm sorry," he said, sincerely.
That appeased Imai. He stepped back and folded his arms, still looking grumpy, but his eyes had softened. "Well, what now?"
That wasn't the best question to ask. U-ta began to insist on going back to the hotel, but Imai complained that he didn't want to walk that far. The two began to argue until Atsushi, although he wasn't the least bit hungry, suggested they go somewhere for lunch--or whatever meal it would be that time of day. That placated both U-ta and Imai.
Lunch was in some small sit-down restaurant where Atsushi spent the time picking at the food on his plate --although there was some very good wine that took the edge off his headache-- and avoiding all questions about the Incident. He tried to lead the conversation on to something else instead and after it was clear that he wasn't going to discuss it, U-ta left the Incident alone and was happy to talk about any topic. Even Imai gave up after a time and the whole issue was dropped.
Atsushi felt terrible brushing off their concern like that, but how was he supposed to explain something like his…situation? It was obvious that Imai didn't remember--not that Atsushi had expected him to. It was still very disheartening to have to sit there and…not say anything to the one person who should have known…
Not that he could blame Imai. No one had known that they would go back to the rooms that night for a life changing event. Things like that just weren't planned--Atsushi knew that very well by now.
It was getting to be early evening by the time they left, U-ta with list in hand. Looking over the shorter man's shoulder as they strolled along the street, Atsushi saw that they'd only seen about half of what he'd written down. He was about to say something about it when U-ta held up the paper a little higher and indicated one of the so-far uncrossed items. Without turning around, he said, "This is the only one we need to do. The owner's a friend of a friend, you know. I promised to stop by."
Atsushi took a discrete step back. U-ta wouldn't come out and say it, but from his actions Atsushi got the hint that his hovering wasn't appreciated.
"Friend of a friend," Imai repeated, blandly.
"Yeah. You know," and here he listed some name Atsushi had never heard before, "from Harajuku? Friend of hers."
"Oh." Imai didn't look too pleased. Atsushi, really having no opinion either way, said nothing.
"Don't worry about it! It's supposed to be a cool little shop full of bunch of weird stuff--I'm sure you two'll have fun!"
Atsushi and Imai shared a look. Atsushi wasn't sure if he should be offended by that comment. Part of his thoughts must have shown on his face because Imai rolled his eyes. Atsushi narrowed his eyes back at him and Imai smirked.
"Stop talking behind my back," U-ta grumbled, craning his neck to see the two of them behind him.
"We didn't say anything," Imai insisted, but only after snapping to attention like a guilty schoolboy. Not very suave.
"You don’t really need to."
"Actually, I'm somewhat rusty at telepathy…"Atsushi commented. It was struggle to keep a straight face as U-ta turned around fully.
"…I'm sure we can find something to help you out at this wonderful little shop we're going to," Imai continued the joke, not even trying to hide his smirk.
U-ta tried to glower, but it morphed into a smile instead. He did, somehow, manage to say in a very thoughtful, serious manner, "Hmm…I dunno. He might have books about telekinesis, but I don't know about telepathy… All the people who want to speak with their pets might have scooped those up…"
It was so very hard not to laugh now. Imai looked as if he was about to have a fit of apoplexy, he was trying so hard not to giggle. Somehow it had become a contest to see who wouldn't laugh out loud first… Atsushi wasn't sure why. There was no shame in laughing…
"But…but…" Imai was trying to speak, but he had to stop and bite his lip to keep from laughing. "But, won't they need telekinesis too? I mean, what about the dead pets? Anyone crazy enough to talk to animals wants to keep the dead one around, right? And how else are they supposed to move?"
It was U-ta and Atsushi's turn to share a look.
It must have been the glass or two of wine from earlier, but Atsushi suddenly got a wicked idea. Stretching out a hand and gesturing grandly, he intoned as majestically as he could while trying to fight down laughter, "Come to me, my pretty."
That did it. U-ta nearly collapsed in a fit of giggles on the sidewalk, while Imai burst out laughing with so much force he ended up spitting. Seeing their reaction made Atsushi finally give in to laughter himself. He brought up his hand instinctively to cover his face, but it only made it as far as hanging slightly bent in front of his nose. He was sure he looked ridiculous…but they all did, really.
They could have kept laughing forever, it seemed. At least Atsushi wanted to believe that…until his headache came back full force--not that it had really left--and the razor-sharp pain behind his eyes made him stop abruptly and wince. As if they could sense the sudden damper on their companion's mood, the other two slowly calmed down until there was just the occasional breathless chuckle.
"Okay, okay, I really need to show up there today," U-ta insisted, when all giggles had turned to silence and they were left looking at one another somewhat sheepishly.
Atsushi nodded even as he rubbed at his temple. U-ta's expression turned worried again but, before he could even open his mouth, Atsushi answered his question. "I'm fine, U-ta."
His brusque tone made U-ta's mouth close with a snap and, after giving Atsushi a long look, he turned around and started on his way again. Imai gave Atsushi a wary look of his own before following.
Atsushi rubbed his forehead. Why was today such an emotional rollercoaster? He sincerely thought about going back to the hotel room…but then he looked up and the other two were waiting.
He followed.
*
The store was located in a decrepit building next to a narrow alleyway. There was a sign over the door that read "The World from the Moon" on it in both Japanese and English. The windows were full of old antique furniture, mannequins in full costume from various places and time periods, and, oddly enough, blown-glass fairies hanging from strings.
The inside of the store just as tiny and crowed as the music shop…but it had enough clutter to seem as if it was ten times smaller. There were piles and piles of books on top of what had to be more antique furniture, multiple charms and medallions in a myriad of shapes and sizes hanging from the ceiling, and, in every nook and cranny available, were candles. Thankfully, the majority of the candles were unlit. It wasn't that Atsushi didn't like candles…it was just that with the amount of old cloth laying around and the haphazard placement of said candles…he didn't think this shop would be standing much longer if there had been open flames. Even the burning incense near the counter was a tad worrying.
However, compared to the music store, the staff was much friendlier. The moment they walked in and the little gong over the door sounded (and nearly scared Atsushi to death) a short, thin Asian man came scurrying around the counter. He was wearing some sort of robe that wasn't a kimono, but he had it wrapped as such with an extremely gaudy strip of cloth that wasn't quite an obi keeping it tied shut.
"Welcome, welcome!" He bowed, letting them see the top of his balding head. He was speaking in fanciful, elaborately polite language. "Please come in and let your eyes feast upon the wonders of other worlds!"
Atsushi glanced around the shop as U-ta talked to the man, telling them the whole story of why there were there. It was an abnormal place and normally he wouldn't mind exploring…but something about all the supernatural made him extremely nervous. A sense of cold dread started in his chest and he wrapped his arms around himself as if the physical motion would actually stop the chill. It didn't.
He didn't have the time to dwell. The moment the proprietor realized who they were, he made them go and stand in front of a huge display of fantastical weaponry as he dug in a drawer behind the counter for a camera, the whole time rambling about how famous people seldom patronized his shop. Grabbing one of his employees from where the young man had been fruitlessly dusting a bookshelf, he squeezed himself in between Atsushi and U-ta, his diminutive frame nearly shorter than U-ta's, and raised his fingers in a peace sign.
Atsushi sincerely hoped he didn't look as uneasy in the picture as he felt. He'd tried to smile, but he knew from experience that those smiles never turned out well. There wasn't much he could do about it, because as soon as the flash went off, the man was moving. Oddly enough, he grabbed Atsushi's hand instead of U-ta's as the tour of the shop began.
They were shown magical crystal balls from the Gypsies, ancient carpets from the Middle East, "dragon" scales from...somewhere. Atsushi lost count as the eccentric little man led them around, his grip still tight and warm on Atsushi's hand. The proprietor--who Atsushi finally learned was called Tsukino when U-ta asked him a question--kept up a lively monologue about the wonders in his shop.
Atsushi started to get dizzy from the constant motion and the stuffy, incense-scented air. His head was throbbing and he really wished the little man would let him go, but he didn't pull away. That would be far too rude.
At long last Tsukino seemed to grow physically tired from showing off his own store and he led them back to the counter. Atsushi firmly believe the man had the enthusiasm to show them every single item in the place. He had good timing to stop when he did though--Imai was starting to look very pissed off. The little man finally let go of Atsushi's hand as he went around behind the counter again. He leaned over the display case between them, his face earnest.
"That was just a taste of what lies within this humble establishment, gentlemen. Please browse to your hearts' content!"
Now that they were free, U-ta and Imai bolted--as politely as possible-- to different corners of the shop. Atsushi was about to follow whichever one he caught up with first, when Tsukino spoke up. He had learned even further over the countertop, one hand up as if he wanted to grab on to Atsushi's arm. Atsushi took a minute step backwards.
"Sakurai-san, I think I have a book or two you might be interested in."
"I don't really think--" Atsushi began to say, but stopped at the strange man disappeared from behind the counter and was soon at Atsushi's side, a stack of books in his arms. He spread them out on top of another collection of books on a nearby table.
"You have such an aura about you, Sakurai-san. I noticed it immediately."
"Aura…" Atsushi repeated, doubtfully.
"Oh yes," Tsukino breathed. He looked at Atsushi…but his brown eyes didn't focus. It was as if he was looking at the space around him…
Atsushi immediately began trying to locate either U-ta or Imai in his peripheral vision. He didn't want to take his eyes off this man…but he really wanted to get the other two and go. Every muscle in his body seemed to be tense and waiting…to either run or collapse all together, Atsushi wasn't sure. His heart was beating fast enough in his chest to hurt, the sensation making him feel lightheaded. He drew in a quiet breath, tried to make himself relax. It didn't work.
"Perhaps a chair for Sakurai-san?" Tsukino remarked suddenly, his eerie gaze moving away. That didn't make Atsushi feel any better.
"No…I'm fine." He didn't want to sit near this man.
Tsukino shrugged, before opening the nearest book. It was a regular paperback, strangely enough. Actually, none of the books were old leather bound sacred texts like Atsushi half-way expected. "This is a book about shinigami."
Atsushi's insides turned to ice then as cold panic washed over him. He couldn't think...hell, he could barely breathe as he stared at this strange little man, who was regarding him with such an open expression… "Shi…shini…" Atsushi stuttered.
Tsukino nodded. Then he did an even more unexpected thing. He smiled. "You've had an encounter with one, eh? I can see it on you."
"I don't know what you're talking about," Atsushi tried to protest, but Tsukino just shook his head.
He wagged a finger in Atsushi's direction. "None of that. I know what I see. " He closed the book gently and slid it towards Atsushi. "You might find that interesting," he said calmly, as if this was a simple library and he was the helpful librarian. "So, since you've apparently seen the shinigami around you…and are still here alive…I'm assuming there was something else than your death involved?"
Atsushi swallowed hard. This was insane. He folded his arms over his chest, half in a hope to get warm, the other half in an attempt to hide from this man. "I don't know why you'd care…It's not important at all…"
Tsukino frowned, his heavy brows drawing low over his eyes. He was completely serious now. "It is important, Sakurai-san. I'm sure something very serious is happening if shinigami come to talk to you. Especially when it's someone like you."
"Someone like me?" Atsushi questioned warily. He was caught in an abrupt, dizzying desire to know what the hell this man was talking about… How he knew so much…
He never got an answer. Another voice broke into the tense silence. "There you are."
Atsushi startled like a skittish cat, whipping around at the sound of Imai's voice. He moved fast enough to make Imai stumble backwards into the European armor he must have just come around.
"Whoa!" Imai cried, hands coming up in front of him. "I didn't know I was interrupting an intimate moment."
Atsushi was trembling. He could feel it all the way down to his bones. He glanced back at Tsukino, who was watching them, before addressing Imai. "Can we leave now?" he asked, ignoring Imai's terrible attempt at humor. He didn't care if the request was childish--he wanted to go.
Imai gave Atsushi a searching look, as if he was trying to figure out what was wrong. "Sure… I was gonna show you these rather cool stones, but if you wanna go, I'll get U-ta…"
"No!" Atsushi made a grab for Imai's arm in panic, but stopped himself just before actually latched on to him. Imai frowned, looking confused. "I'll…I'll get him. You wait here."
Imai nodded slowly, even as he stared at Atsushi like he was some deranged lunatic. "Sure, whatever."
Atsushi edged around him in the narrow isle, and then all but flew towards the back of the store. He even passed right by U-ta at first--he had to backtrack when he heard U-ta call out his name. U-ta's head peaked around a tall cabinet covered in peeling black paint. "What's going on?"
"We're ready to go," Atsushi said as he came to stand beside his fellow band mate.
U-ta nodded, putting down the silver quarter moon shaped pendent he was holding. "Okay, just let me say goodbye to Tsukino-san."
Atsushi was about to protest, but he knew he couldn't possibly do that. U-ta had no reason to be rude to the eccentric little man. So he reluctantly followed U-ta back to where Imai and Tsukino stood in silence, neither one taking much interest in the other.
As U-ta said his goodbye and promised to come again soon, Atsushi refused to look in the proprietor's direction, staring at the nearby counter instead. There was a lovely display of silver jewelry inside, he realized, most of it looking like spun spider webs in their finery. They glittered even in the dim overhead lighting.
"Acchan?"
Atsushi snapped to attention at his name, looking up out of habit. U-ta was holding a small business card out to him.
"Tsukino-san was trying to give this to you."
"Ah…thank you…" He had to accept the damn thing now. Offering the other man a tight smile, he glanced down at the card in his hand. All it had was the shop name and address, Tsukino's name, and a phone number. It was just a standard business card.
"If you decide you're interested in the books, please feel free to call me Sakurai-san. I can get them to you no matter where you are, don't worry." Atsushi looked up at that and saw that Tsukino was smiling at him again. He has to look away, feeling the same discomfort from before…it had never really left…
"Thank you…" he repeated, perfunctorily.
Atsushi could get out of the store fast enough after that. Even after the door had closed behind them and they were out in the dusky evening light, he could still swear that man was watching him. As the other two started chatting about what they thought of the place, Atsushi looked down at the card in his hand…and then shoved it in his pants pocket. He wasn't sure why he didn't just throw it away…
He'd deal with that later. Right now…he needed a drink.