SANJI

Chirp chirp chirp.

"Kazuri, Kazuri. Look at me," she said to the boy whose name was Kazuri. "Don't space out again, I'm talking to you."

The girl knelt affront her little brother in the cool shade of sunrise. She had her hands on his shoulders but his dilated eyes were elsewhere. Then he zoned back in. "Kazuri, I'm sorry about everything but you must go on now. But I promise; I'll come for you."

"Please don't be late sister," he said softly.

"Of course," her voice faltered, "you trust me right brother?"

"Yes," he nodded, "that I do."

"Good." She stood, her hands slipped off his shoulders and away, "I promise you, it'll all be alright." But what kind of smile was she making?

"Sanji? Sanji Sabuto? Um, hello?"

Sanji turned to the voice calling his name. He was walking down the hallway, a million miles away when he saw a girl with silver hair waving at him prettily.

"Sanji Sabuto, you were daydreaming again," she smiled. He stared blankly whilst she smiled. Who was she again? And why is she talking to me? Her smile cracked. "I just wanted to say hi... and you really should pay more attention in class..." smile, "in everything actually. You aren't making a very good impression." Why is she talking to me? Why the sudden interest after this entire term? Shes never spoken to me before why now? Who is she... YoshidaAmadera? I... don't want to talk to you. "...So what do you say?"

What? He hadn't been listening. He looked up at her and the girl and boy behind her. One was a wide eyed blue eyed, very pretty girl who seemed highly aware of this, staring at him openly. She had a strange big still smile. The other was boy with a red ponytail who seemed pointedly annoyed to be there. He glanced at Sanji then looked away frowning. Yoshi knocked her head to the side as Sanji looked past her shoulders, his expression vague, hers; quizzical. "You weren't listening, were you?"

Sanji looked back at her face. "...no."

She smiled weirdly again. "I was just asking if you wanted to have lunch with us... with Sedata and Nabiko too."

Blink blink.

"Uh, I know I keep asking you but...." she trailed off hopelessly and glanced at her two friends. The boy was just folding his arms looking away and the girl was smiling wide like a doll, dress, bangs, awaiting.

Why is she lying, he thought, we've never spoken before. Its lunchtime but I'm really tired, really just want to head back to my dorm and sleep. Yeah, really sleep. Yoshi talked on and Sanji looked away blankly. He turned and walked down the hall calmly. Yoshi stopped talking in mild embarrassment.

"I told you it was a waste of time... Again," the red haired boy muttered.

"FrrrrreakkkkOo," the pretty Sedata called out sing song like, and started giggling.

Sanji ignored them. He walked down the corridor destination clear in mind, he had no thoughts on anything else. Class, sleep... That was how he was living now. He was obligated to nothing else.

He'd arrived at the boarding school/ orphanage several months ago in between the school terms. He couldn't remember much before going there, he couldn't even remember the day he arrived only waking up in bed every day, every day feeling a crushing numbness. Since arriving, he'd never stepped foot outside the school nor had he ever seen anyone leaving.

He decided to forgo lunch and walked all the way to the shared dorms. No one was at this side of the school at this hour. He went up to his dorm door and pushed it open. The room had two beds at separate ends of the room, Sanji's side had plain white sheets and a chest of drawers with his clothes. His books were in a suitcase neatly but unpacked beneath his bed. The other side of the room sprawled his roommates unmade bed, wardrobe, dresser and chest of drawers, actually taking up most of the room. It was supposed to be shared equally but even after months, Sanji did not feel at home but more like he was invading.

He had neither decorations on his walls nor pictures. His side was plain as a soldier's because he felt he needed nothing. He stepped forward toward his bed mesmerised-

Something struck him just then at the middle of his shoulders and he fell forward. He stumbled onto the edge of his bed and caught onto his sheets. It was his dorm mate. An ordinary welcome. He slouched there and looked around slowly. Yeah, it was Titan; leering, bullying Titan, tall, atleast 15years old with a tan, scratched built arms and messy hair.

"So," Titan leered, "I saw you with Yoshi in the hall," he sneered broad, "why are you talking with her? Didn't I tell you you're not allowed to talk to anyone?"

Sanji straightened his clothes; pants, shirt, forever crumpled collar, and decided to sit on the floor instead of getting up. Titan would likely shove him down again. The senior boy had had the room to himself before Sanji arrived, and he was only in this year group because he had to repeat the year. Sanji noted the scratches on the bigger boy and rumpled civilian clothes that indicated he had not just come from class. Typical that a troublemaker like him had to repeat...

And then he looked up at Titan. Yes, now... what was he saying? Yes, he told me I was an evil freak and to stay away from the girls. I actually don't want to talk to the girls or... with anyone... "Yes," Sanji submitted.

"Sure right," Titan folded his arms and closed the door behind him. "I'm onto you you evil loser."

Sanji stared blankly. Maybe Titan was right, maybe all this strife was his karma for being a bad person. "..." So... He didn't care whether Titan hit him or not. He wouldn't die from being struck so it wasn't a big deal. He closed his eyes and laid his head against his mattress.

"Hey!' Titan didn't adore being ignored, "I'm talking to you."

So? Sanji thought. "What..." he whispered quietly not wanting to disturb the world with his voice.

"Do you have a ruler?"

Sanji turned his head slightly. His closed eyelids fluttering as he nodded at Titan weakly.

"Good," Titan grabbed Sanji's bag off his back with a scratched muscled arm unceremoniously. He proceeded to rummage for the item as Sanji sat by quietly. Finally, he found what he was looking for and flung the bag back at Sanji roughly.

Sanji winced soundlessly as something sharp in his bag struck him near his eyebrow and drew a drop of blood. The other half of its contents dropped to the ground. The blood crept slowly down his face and Titan paused with an intake of breath for a second. Sanji touched his brow lightly without opening his eyes then dropped his hand away.

Titan found his voice and smirked. "That's what you deserve." He left. Sanji was pacified, it was a warm nice midday sun that touched his forehead through the window. He breathed in deeply...

"Help me." Everywhere was black, but it was not a substanceless black. It was somewhere dark and away from the light, somewhere moist and cold and lifeless.

"Help me." A little squeaky child's voice. The darkness gave little visualisation of the figure sitting still on the floor by himself.

Sanji breathed slowly as he let his eyes adjust to the darkness. Then he blinked his eyes and Kazuri was seated there still, staring straight dead ahead.

The little boy with overlong bangs was covered in blood, his own or someone else's was unknown.

"Help me," his lips didn't move but the voice was all around. Sanji said nothing. He didn't want to be there. A pitter patter of dropping water. Where... Where were they?

Help you... how?

The boy didn't move. "... coming for me."

Who?

Sanji heard footsteps behind him echoing behind him. He spun around. White.

The room around him was white, his head on the bare ground at the front of his bed. It was afternoon time. Sanji opened his eyes and pushed up on his arms. He was alone in his room and the sun was still bright. It was back to the real world.

"..." the time...? He rubbed his eye with a slender hand and looked up at the sole desktop clock on his side table. It was minutes past four. He had detention. His lip was a straight pink line and his flat grey eyes dispirited. He had to go. He looked to his side and saw his bag still scattered on the floor, Titan hadn't returned yet.

He stood and slung his bag onto his shoulder, catching a glimpse of himself in the mirror. His plain white flannel shirt and black trousers were very ruffled, his body slim and lacking colour. His hair was messy, bangs and in a high very short ponytail. He paused for a minute, not feeling like the person he saw was actually him. But it was fine, it didn't matter.

He turned and headed out the dorm, closing his door quietly behind him. The corridors were noisier and he could hear muffled voices from other dorms where the students had already left classes for the school day. Classes ended 2:30pm Monday to Friday daily and started at 8am. He could hear all his fellow classmates all inside their rooms but he was still apart from them. He walked past all the doors to head to the music room that was at one of the furthest areas of the school.

The school seemed mostly ordinary, not glamorous, no more than two stories high with two towers but it was sprawling across the land since the Geltun Migurigum teachers mostly lived there as well. No one knew where the resident Migurigum stayed as they rarely revealed themselves even here in secluded safety. No one really tried to leave the compound. The humans were not able to detect the school due to perimetric wards.

Many of the humans protested the existence of such a place, but they couldn't find its location. This was the only safe place the Geltun could stay without persecution. And the Migurigum... Seen once a blue moon and nevertheless, immortal in face of any slaughter.

Sanji arrived at the music room at 4:44pm. It was the last class directly at the end of the hallway beside the tennis court. He approached the windowed doors and looked inside. Mr Hehow's desk was at the opposite end facing the door and the delinquents backs at the right, faced the opposite way.

Mr. Hehow looked up when Sanji pushed the door open and sighed when he saw Sanji start to step in. Late for detention, what could they do with him. Mr Hehow put up his hand and quietly shooed Sanji out. Sanji paused uncertainly. Mr Hehow shook his head and waved his hand again. A small smile formed on his lips and kind eyes showed pity behind narrow glasses.

Sanji nodded mutely and closed the door before anyone could notice him. Mr Hehow was one of the few who were unnecessarily nice to him. Sanji sat to the left of the door and waited for detention to end.

In five minutes, students were streaming out, and walked past Sanji, chattering. Sanji kept his head down as he waited for the teacher to come out. The last student to exit was raking his hand through luxurious red hair and yawning when he saw Sanji. He stopped mid stride and frowned. It was the new boy: Sanji. Nabiko stood still wondering if to greet him. Finally, he opened his mouth, "hey."

The boy on the floor barely glanced up at him. There was not a hint of recognition on his face. Nabiko looked at him. He looked at Nabiko. And then he turned away, staring down the hallway again. Nabiko tssked and shook his head. What the hell was that? Did he hear him?.. Should he say something else..? He opened his mouth to speak again, "hey are you al-"

"Sanji Sabuto," it was then that Mr. Hehow decided to come up behind him, shuffling the redhead out from the doorway. "whatever are we going to do with you?" Nabiko hopped and moved out the way.

Sanji looked up at the sound of his name to see the teacher with neatly combed hair and smiling with calm eyes down at him. The uninvited boy next to them glanced between the two and at a look from the teacher, hurried away. Sanji got to his feet instantly and dusted his pants off. "Sorry... Sir."

Mr Hehow smiled and folded his arms as he leant in the doorway. The student had his head bowed before him, "I was only joking Sanji. You don't have to worry with me."

"..." Sanji kept his eyes averted. Everyone liked Mr Hehow. Mr Hehow taught regular classes for the younger students such as Maths and English. He was about

40 years old, good-looking and silver haired, with a consistently sympathetic voice. It was rumoured that Mr. Hehow was raised by humans which was a strange feat. However, it helped him develop humane instincts that were lost on the other Geltun Migurigum teachers who had been abandoned in childhood and then raised by Migurigum themselves. It was hard for teachers like Ms. Taka to show as much warmth and empathy as Mr. Hehow did.

At the lack of response from his teasing, Mr Hehow raised a finger and brushed Sanji lightly on his cheek . "Its alright Sanji, we'll just have to find different tasks for you since you missed detention."

Pink swelled on Sanji's offended left cheek. The touch was human and warm, and non abrasive but... it brought Sanji back to the real world, and he didn't like it. "OK sir."

Mr Hehow noted his approval, straightened up and turned around to lock the music room door. The locks clanged loudly and echoed throughout the vacant building, indicating their isolation. Mr Hehow turned back and smiled at Sanji. "Right. Follow me to my office."

Sanji nodded. Mr Hehow walked ahead ensuring Sanji kept pace with him as he turned occasionally to smile and ask the boy casual questions. Sanji was walking on the outside so he could look out the window as they walked and not at Mr Hehow.

"So are you liking it here? Is anyone giving you trouble?"

Funny that he asked. Sanji mmhmed and mumbled his replies but he was caught off guard with this one. He glanced at Mr Hehow surreptitiously.

Had anyone noticed? But it wasn't a big deal yet... Only if anything happened... Should he tell Mr Hehow about Titan? Sanji didn't want to cause trouble for anyone and be a burden. He had no right to even be there, freely, he should just be grateful.

Mr Hehow watched Sanji deliberate with himself. He didn't seem to be adjusting well, he'd had his eyes on the child for a while. "Sanji," Mr Hehow stopped walking and turned to face the other. "If you need someone to talk to, I'm always here. If you need my number or a way to contact me..." the expression that came to his face was private and soft, "you know where to find me."

Sanji stared into Mr Hehow's eyes trying to understand him. Did he miss something? Mr. Hehow's eyes were round and dark. He touched Sanji on the shoulder and beckoned forward. "We're here."

Suddenly, Sanji felt darkness swirling in front of his eyes as Mr Hehow held the brown oak door open for him. Was he going to faint... Am i... Sanji's vision blacked in and out. He felt himself pulling away from himself, floating away... Am I falling asleep???

The brown door faded out, then in. The sunlight blinding him. He blinked.

The door was white. Sanji looked around. He was in front his dorm door. Mr. Hehow wasn't there, no one was there. Cold dead silence. And it was pitch black night.

What just happened? He looked down at his clothes. They were neat. Straight and neat. His hair was combed down. His skin felt clean and he smelled of light lavender. He couldn't remember anything. He had lost time. Sanji started alarmed and worried. This had never happened before.

Where was I? What just happened!??...

SICO

The man behind the desk looked at Sico confused with his mouth hanging open. He shook his head swiftly and pointed at Sico shouting, "Who do you think you are, demanding to see our guests.!" a vein bulged in his neck, "and who is Konohimae anyway???"

"If you do not wish to tell me where he is," Sico remained unjaded, "then I have no choice but to search the entire building myself. Tear it apart if I have to."

"What the hell little boy!? Are you looking for trouble?? And what the hell are you doing carrying a giant sword!"

Sico tssked and glanced to the side sullenly. Saviours carry swords you know.

"I'm calling the police!"

At that moment, Sico brought a pair of heated eyes upon the innkeeper and he brought his hand up to the sword hilt on his back. "By the time you touch that telephone," Sico snarled lowly, "I would have cut you in half."

"Wha," the man drew back quickly from reaching the telephone but then he shook his head in annoyance. "That sword is almost as tall as you are, do you think you can raise something that big!?" His fingers twitched, "and this Konohimae fellah, what do you want with him. To fight??? Who raised you, didn't your worthless parents teach you anything-"

SLLLLLLPOWW! The beams above their heads slowed Sico's advance as he swiftly undid his sword and raised it above his head to strike the man in half. The man startled as the sword crashed down onto his desk, missing him only because Sico miscalculated how low the ceiling beams were.

"Tsk!" Sico snarled angrily, sword stuck from moving.

"!!" The innkeeper wasted no time in scampering away from Sico and running out of the building. Sico managed to dislodge the sword and then he snorted indignantly.

"My, that sword is truly impressive, Master Sico."

"Huh?" Sico spun on his heels, eyes widening. His eyes stuck onto the intruder. "Konohimae!"

"But you wield it so clumsy," Konohimae's dark eyes plunged into Sico's soul. "I can't say I'm surprised."

"Sire Konohimae..." Sico trailed off. Konohimae looked the same as before, except the cool expression seemed more cold, slanting down slightly in Sico's perception, and the long dark hair enframing the Migurigum's pale face made him to appear demented with ghastly intent. But that was all in Sico's view, as he unconsciously searched for a semblance of recognition or... Anything to dissuade him from believing the past few months of his life.

"Konohimae," Sico repeated again unnecessarily and stopped. Konohimae didn't remark on his shocked stuttering however but Sico chastised himself inwardly. He couldn't show weakness now.

Slowly slowly, without words Sico was preparing himself. Slowly secretly, inching his feet apart and drawing his sword to his hip...

"Never careful are you," Konohimae said. "I can see you're going for a side attack. You are too open for your own good."

"You're wrong sir.. Konohimae." But actually he had been correct. Sico decided to straighten up for a moment. "I want to know why. Why did you do it."

"You need not ask Sico. I told you before," he flung his long hair over his shoulder as breeze tickled, "we are demons. Your family could not be fully trusted to be our allies with such a powerful artifact."

Silence. Wind and tainted air blew from the outside world, long forgotten. Sico looked down. His favourite person.

"You know, I've been searching long for you. For you, Axishi and the other three killers so... Its really hard to just hear that... That piece of garbage coming from you."

"Is that all Sico. Have you not come to kill me."

Wsshhh.

This time it was different. Since that time Sico had wandered aimlessly for a few days, using his sword on anyone he thought had to do with the death of his family. He'd found intuitive evidence despite their protests and their lack of admission made them deserving of his wrath.

It was a powerful sword, appeared as if by magic and passed down through his bloodline for centuries. Sico guessed the reason his father did not share the knowledge with him was because he himself knew little, it had not awakened in their lifetime as it was waiting for some unknown catalyst to awaken it.

Perhaps only the Migurigum knew when it would, only they had been waiting since the beginning of time to steer their destiny as they held esoteric knowledge of its meaning and purpose. That long time in patience indeed they did not want to lose it or be betrayed themselves. They did not trust the humans as close as they kept all the lifetimes.

"No," Sico said to Konohimae. "I've come for you to apologise."

"..." Apologize. Konohimae remained stoic. "What?" Was it a human joke.

"Its no joke you know," Sico's hands clenched. "You have to be sorry or else... I'm going to kill you and you will go to the hell."

"Sico Renji you know that I do not fathom this sorrow or comprehend apologetic feelings. The only reason you were overlooked is because Axishi believes you are important to the prophecy."

"Hmph," Sico didn't understand, "well either way you'll be begging: for forgiveness now or for your life."

"Life is not meant to be clung to."

"Well let's do this sire..." Dash. At massive speed, Sico manipulated his indestructible sword over his head and ran toward Konohimae, the sword was lifted airborne due to the speed, picking up strength. Konohimae did not move, looking directly at how Sico approached instead.

The top of the gold blade shone, the symbolic insignia glowed. Sico was using all of his strength. "Ahhhhhh!!!!" he brought the sword down, a 200° arc of five footed power. Down and down and still, Konohimae did not budge.

At the very second the blade was to connect, Konohimae then stepped one inch down o the side but it was just enough for the sword to miss and strike into the ground. Destructive winds blessed and Sico bore against it, teeth set, hair wild. Konohimae had a shadowy protective field around him. Then it all died down. Sico started, sword planted firm.

Konohimae completely unharmed.

The Migurigum's narrow eyes with its pointed corners looked up from the ground up to Sico. "I think," he said, "that you missed.

Seems as though I have one more lesson to teach you."