SANJI

It was a beautiful sunset when they attacked.

He was standing under the tree cover on the hill as He saw them approaching. Two of them...three of them... but she'd be here soon to rescue Him. She'd promised. He sprang His knife wildly at the first Geltun Migurigum as it jumped afront Him. The untouched man made no sound as he phased out into the air but the rest commenced their attack on Him. Migurigum... they're Migurigum...

He dodged the first few hands due to sheer dumb luck as they teleported around him but they were all over, one successfully grabbing Him by the shoulder. "Ahh!" He was terrified at the easy contact as He tried to defend himself. The one who'd grabbed Him shouted something into His ear but He didn't understand. He was wondering where His sister could be and if she would come to save him.

He ran without direction whilst swiping as they phased in and out, flying alongside Him. It was clumsy and hopeless and He fell to His knees when He could barely catch His breath. They backed off for that second and he hoped that meant they would leave Him alone.

A tingle ran through His spine as He sensed they were coming again and jolted up in a flash, running away again. A strong translucent cord curled around His legs suddenly and They had Him.

Where was she? Was she okay? As if reading His mind, a Migurigum answered Him in a cold, alien voice. But He couldn't take His mind off His sister's sweet voice and face.

"Aleg doekinen kisson lo lan" the man was talking to Him but He couldn't, wouldn't listen. "Ajin hee saunmil." He didn't want to believe. He was still thinking about her and her promise though. But He was finally beginning to understand what the man was repeating to him in that strange language -

"Mr. Sabuto? Mr. Sabuto..? Can someone please wake Mr. Sabuto up this instant."

"Sanji!"

Sanji groaned only slightly as the girl behind him nudged at his back, other than that, he showed no signs of acknowledgement. He was a deep sleeper.

The girl, aka class rep, kept prodding at him insistently until an eye finally popped open. He looked from under the crock of his folded arms at her from his sleeping position at his desk. His lazy glance hidden from view.

Who is she...oh yeah, Yoshi Amadera. Why is she touching me? She's never spoken to me the entire term I've been here, why bother me now? He was about to turn back to sleep when he realized that, right, it was class time.

"It's only Sanji again" a random student groaned. Sanji pushed up, mopping aside his dark bangs from his forehead and sitting up straight. Oh yeah; class, Migurigum Basics class. The whole class sat around him behind their gleaming white desks, beaming at him. He'd done it again.

"Were you sleeping in my class Mr. Sabuto?" the teacher asked the apparent question.

But really, what did it look like? He thought though said nothing, looking down instead at some interesting spot he found on the floor.

"Well, were you?"

He dragged his hazy grey eyes up finally to answer. "Yeah."

Mrs. Taka looked angry. But he'd answered, hadn't he? Was he supposed to lie? He returned his eyes slowly to his space on the floor and noticed how really white the tiles were.

"Right." Mrs. Taka was abrupt, too tired to get pissed off at the ever relentless 12 year old Sabuto. "Now back to Migurigum Basics principals. As I was saying, the third principal disarms the ability to..."

Class returned to normal and Sanji trained his attention on the lessons. He was sure Mrs. Taka didn't like him but anyway, most (or maybe all) of them didn't. It wasn't that he was a slacker though was almost always in trivial trouble, he got some of the highest test scores. Sanji just had some really, really off days, especially recently.

At the moment, he couldn't help that he didn't understand Mrs. Taka's sharp words. There was an undertone of ringing in his ears... he tended to have some disorientation after dreams like that. And the class was just too white and organized. Most of the students were paying attention since Mrs. Taka was a very strict teacher but a few were busy chatting behind their hands. It was by most means, an ordinary classroom.

Sanji kept attention for about five more minutes but just couldn't keep up. He turned his head around halfly to look at the class rep, her short silver hair about a focused heart shaped face as she stared straight ahead at the classboard.

"..........."

"Mr. Sabuto, please pay attention." Mrs. Taka had caught him.

Sanji turned back ahead, almost... almost ashamed.

Yes miss.

BRRRRRIINNNNGG! Migurigum Basics class was over. "Alright class, remember your essays are due tomorrow. Dismissed."

All the students started gathering up to leave and stuffed out the narrow doors like uncivilized beings. Sanji was the last to get up, he slid his books into his bag neatly, pulled it onto a shoulder and headed toward the exit. He was just behind the noisy hubbub, everyone was blissfully ignoring him like normal and everything was fine when- "Mr. Sabuto," Mrs. Taka called to him. He paused, thinking whether to ignore the voice. "I'd like to see you a second please." Sanji Sabuto stopped walking. He stood silently by the class door as the rest of the students filed out. He didn't move his head in the direction of the teacher, his head slightly bowed as he was left alone in the big, quiet room. Mrs. Taka finished organizing her books and papers and then looked up acutely at him.

"Can you come over here please."

Sanji walked over.

"Why were you sleeping in my class Sabuto?" she said, neither with aggression or open concern.

"I guess... I was tired."

"You 'guess'?"

"Well... I figure?"

Mrs. Taka pursed her lips and instinctively glared but Sanji didn't say anything else. What was he supposed to say? Guess he just had bad luck, bad bad the baddest luck.

"Sanji." Her tone changed. "You're a Geltun Migurigum Sanji, remember that..." Oh, so he was 'Sanji' now. Wait a minute, why'd she always call him by his last name and everyone else normal. He hadn't noticed that until now. And what about...

"Are you listening to me?"

Sanji snapped back to attention.

"What were you thinking of just now Mr. Sabuto?" back to 'Sabuto'. Oh yes, what was he thinking just now. Names... he couldn't say that, now could he? He found his eyes back o his former ground spot and shook his head.

"Nothing."

"Nothing... and I was speaking."

"..."

"Right Sabuto. I'm giving you detention today with Mr. Hehow after class." Her eyebrows rose. "He's holding detention in the music room 3 to 4pm. Understood?"

"Yeah."

"'Yeah'?"

"Yes miss."

"Good." She readjusted her books. "I'll talk to you then." Click click click... she walked off. Sanji stared off into space. How severe... at least it was over...

"Mr. Sabuto!"

"Huh!?" Sanji turned to Mrs. Taka, looking in at the doorway. She clicked her tongue, "are you gonna stay there all day?"

"No miss." He walked out the classroom.

SICO

"Where is Konohimae?"

"What, what was that boy?"

"Konohimae," Sico repeated gruffly. "I wanna see him now."

Six months ago

"Sire Konohimae," Sico kicked his feet up and down against the stone banister. "Why are people so afraid of you Migurigum? They say that the Migurigum are trying to pull something, but if that had been so, it would have happened long ago. Isn't that right Sire?"

Sico; the bright eyed boy, was talking to his teacher on the top floor of the impressive Renji mansion. Sico sat on the railing, his feet hanging on the outside of the white stone, dangling from the marble floor overlooking the prosperous village. It was morning and clear and bright and the dark haired teacher said nothing.

"I guess you're right Sico," he then said, "if it was all for your family's fortune, we would have taken it already, it's been centuries now."

"Yes sire," Sico nodded frantically, "but you haven't answered my full question." He turned his head to lock into his teacher's dark eyes, "why does everyone fear and despise Migurigum?"

Sire Konohimae was a tall man with pitch black eyes and long black hair held back in a white ribbon. And like all the other rare Migurigum, his face lacked the practiced lines of expression and his voice too, was low. "You're a smart boy," he said, "you've learnt the ethics of the Migurigum, haven't you."

"Yeah," Sico chuckled, his eyes twinkling even though his comrade showed no signs of amusement. He sat up straight reciting- "Migurigum are beings who have no sense of emotion and whose origin of existence is unknown. They're said to have been born just like that at an unchanging age and don't age. They have no purpose so soullessly kill for others and it's said that they're not from this world." He paused but Konohimae nodded for him to continue.

"Migurigum are called demons by anyone who don't own them. In truth and in fact, Migurigum are not supposed to be in one place for long since they don't attach... and that's why everyone loathes them." Sico looked at Konohimae. "They think you're after our heirloom sire."

"So they believe."

Thud thud, thud thud. Sico kicked his feet up and down against the banister. The sun was so bright orange now.

"Remember how we met sire?"

A slight twitch of recognition on the pallid one's face, (or so Sico thought) so he continued, "father and mother had told me I was getting a governor and to choose of the five they'd picked. I'd run straight to you, totally interested and I was just about three feet tall." He smiled at the memory, "and you'd asked me if I was scared of you, and I went, 'no I thought you'd be scarier, but I just think you're cool.' That was the only time I think you showed any expression sensei."

Thud thud, thud thud, thud thud.

"Aren't you at all Sico?" Konohimae asked weirdly, robe fluttering in the wind.

"No way sire," Sico continued dropping his feet against the banister, "you're so interesting. I thought you'd be all evil and stuff."

Thud thud, thud thud.

"And what about Migurigum in general."

Thud... his foot paused and he shivered involuntarily. He hoped his sensei hadn't noticed... "Not too much sire, maybe a little bit."

Thud... thud, thud thud, thud thud. He picked back up his pace. "I like you sire."

"Remember Sico, we are incapable of feelings so don't expect any compassion from me."

"I know, I know."

Silence. Then-

"Hey sire," Sico chuckled, "bet you I can jump from here."

"..." No response.

"Alright," Sico braced his arms on the wall and leant over. Konohimae looked at him not very interestedly as Sico's face tightened. Then he swung his legs back over from the three story drop and smiled broadly, "oh crap, I guess you're right sire."

Invisible smile. "Thought so."

"Oh, alright. It's time for the day anyway. See you later sire!" and he flung his feet onto the smooth marble floor, saluted Konohimae goodbye and sprinted through the door archway down the corridor, his eyes smiling brightly as he passed the 'No Running' sign.

Sire Axishi had always advised against riding pass the mansion borders since he was the head guard and Sico usually complied. Axishi was a Migurigum as well and Sico feared his words... But still, Sico'd ride out far for the adventure of it and even invite Konohimae to see him. Sico was an only child; bright and loving to everyone, fairly frightened of his father, admirer of Konohimae and best friends with his mare Snort.

Sico had many acquaintances from the village but he knew they were none close enough to let know he secretly admired his hired Migurigum. Perhaps they were told to keep their distance from anyone associated with the beings for sometimes none of the children were around to play with him. It all depended on whether the parents were allowed them.

He'd promised some of the towns children a horseback ride on his birthday that day however so he was expectant and to see them. Snort's hooves thundered on the stone streets as they walked into the town, Sico looked around quizzedly at the odd silence.

Where was everyone today? No one selling fruit, none hustling wares, shops were strangely closed. He frowned. No, today wasn't the Sabbath, people should be outdoors today. Why were they hiding?

Time passed as Sico walked around the streets in silence. He sighed slightly in puzzlement. No ghastly or not so ghastly evidence for the emptiness was revealed to him. Whatever it was had already passed through, and ruined his adventure for the day. Something he was not privy to as he was living afar in his massive mansion.

Snort snorted and tossed her head toward the sky. Sico looked up too and noticed that a deliberate trail of grey clouds had started to darken. "You're right girl, seems like it's going to rain. But," he pulled on the left reign to turn the horse around, "but that's really weird. Oh well, hiyah!"

It was noon by the time they headed back across the green plains, across the concrete bridge over clear waters that separated the mansion lands from the outside village, and on toward the house. Sico slowed his horse to a steady saunter as he made his way to the stables.

He had barely made it across the foyer when he heard crashes coming from inside the mansion. He tensed instinctively, hands tightening in his mare's mane. What the... what was that noise about? Elaborate birthday preparations plans being made for him, right? No chaos ever issued within the walls of the Renji household.

He let go of Snort's reigns and unmounted, making his way to the mansions front porch. The noise stopped but it was still really strange. It was afternoon but there was a literal darkness pervading the walls of the house. The same darkness that indicated the presence of Migurgum beings. Then it must be....

Sire Konohimae??... Sire Axishi???

No. This was heavier. How many Migurigum had ever gathered in one location before? There had never been reason for it, that would certainly scare people away... even permanently from their homes. Though not plentiful, the stories told that whenever Migurigum abided in a location for ample time, they left a heavy pungent aura that no one could rest soundly near its vicinity thereafter. These recollections surfaced in Sico's mind for the first time as he slowly opened the patio foyer and let himself in.

Nothing was amiss in the living room. The sectional couch sat alongside the right hand wall, the cold fireplace slept to his left and the black piano ahead was untouched next to the ballroom door. The ballroom door... it was slightly ajar. It leant view to at least four long shadows in the light of a darkening day. Sico walked slowly forward and his hand touched the ballroom doorknob.

There was silence. And Sico's breath sounded out like thunder.

"Who's there?" It was the deep voice of Axishi and it was not a friendly tone. "Mind getting it Konohimae?"

Sico gasped and stepped back. He heard Konohimae walking to the door. He froze. Why... Why am I scared??? One step backward. I'm not afraid of Sire Konohimae..?

"!!!" Sico jumped as the front door barged open, Snort came rushing in.

"It's only a horse," Konohimae said unnecessarily, his shadow stopped by the ballroom door as the horse barged pass him, making furied whinnies. The attention was drawn back away from Sico

"May I kill it?" someone unfamiliar said in a drawling monotonous note. What!? Sico covered his mouth revolted. Who the hell was that?? What, why?? What was going on in there?? Where was mom and dad and everyone else?

Please don't kill Snort.

"That's not necessary," Konohimae. "Let's just finish what we're doing here."

"Oh, alright," the monotonous one responded disappointedly, "but I'm in such a bloodthirsty mood."

As Konohimae's figure moved away from the door, Sico dared to peer inside the room after a moment. From this angle, he could see some of them but their backs were to him. Snort was now standing calmly beside Konohimae and there were two other people Sico didn't know standing affront him. The bloodthirsty one addressed the other as 'Fugo'.

"Guess I'm done now Fugo. Let the kid get a chance."

"I know Kira," the androgynous voice sounded. Sico sensed hatred between these two. Their figures were slighter than the expected Migurigum build, maybe even human, garbed in black attire and blades in hand. "But I shall wait on Axishi's command."

"The plan has failed almost thoroughly," Axishi responded unfaltering and calm as ever. "I'm giving you a last chance Mr. Renji, summon the heirloom, and you shall be laid to rest."

Sico took a sharp intake as he recognized his father bloodied and lying before the Migurigum. He wasn't dead, but had a gigantic seeping wound across his chest that gushed forth every time he laboured a breath. "Father," Sico's hands clenched in a flash of anger that disappeared almost immediately. Sorrow, fear flooded in. Father...

His father said nothing but glared up at Konohimae and Axishi. "You traitors will not get what you want," he said.

Konohimae looked down without expression, his stoic face devoid as always. Sico's heart palpitated in expectation. "I understand, " Konohimae said plainly, "Kazuri. Kill him."

Sico watched a silent boy, dazed and unable to move. The boy was kneeling on the floor by his father. The entire front of his robe was soaked in blood. He had untrim hair covering his face and did not look past Sico's own age: a very slim, fragile looking boy. A human undoubtedly, but looking so dazed and dead on the inside. Sico watched mesmerised.

The boy lifted his both hands over above his head, a lengthy blade gleamed off the sunlight and brought it down speedily. Blood spurted up into his face which didn't seem to affect him. He brought it down and down and down again upon a body that gave no resistance.

No one tried to stop him. The four other backs were still, Migurigum eyes were non judging but the bloodthirsty Kira seemed gleeful.

Sico hadn't been able to move still when the Migurigum were ready to leave. They seemed to hum for a second and then completely vanished into thin air. Sico was left petrified for the best of five minutes. Then Sico found his feet working; tumbling through the doorway and collapsing at the scene before him.

Dead. Father and... Was it mother? There was an impaled figure hanging from an animal hunting trophy by the family portraits. It looked little more than a blood stained sack blackening the wall. But it was mother, the dress than hanged off it was definitely hers, some hair above the blackish tar stain was long and true.

All about the ballroom, Sico could see severely butchered corpses of cousins, cooks and maids come for his party, and a few more black humanoid stains that had to be the handiwork of Migurigum power. Dead. Sico had never been given cause to feel such anguish before now, feelings tore up inside him and he let out an animalic howl. He didn't even try to understand what had happened, but that everything was all wrong and he just wanted to keep screaming.

No, no way. His face was wet and his hair was stringy, struck to his face, but he couldn't stop crying. Damnit. Why? "Son," Sico looked up startled to see his dying father's bloody face inclined toward him. Sico scrambled to touch him, as if to rejuvenate life.

"DAD!" Sico tried to touch his father's face, unable to avoid touching the blood. "Dad what should I do???"

His father seemed to be saving his last energy, and when Sico had him in his arms, he lifted a feeble arm, traced a track of his blood then smeared some symbol onto Sico's forehead. Then light.

Sico closed his eyes, and when he reopened them, his father said, "Perhaps we had been too arrogant thinking we could control the Migurigum..." Sico was left staring at the five feet long summoned sword with a symbol on it.

But Sico, he didn't study it all. The present feeling he had was pain, so for now, he cried and cried and cried.