Crossing the border

[tsukiyomaru0]

Since he was young, he believed that the border between the spiritual world and the mortal world is located beyond a Torii (which he have only last seen in his home country) or within a cemetery. Keeping this belief in mind, he ventured into it in the middle of the night, only with a flashlight in hands.

His ears twitched at every cracking leaf, his nose twitched at the putrid smells that made his stomach twirl a nauseous feeling, his eyes narrowed as he tried to see in the faint light.

Is he a mortal? Is he not? He is not even sure. Is safe for him? Is it not? Safe or dangerous, he didn't care... This connection between mortal and spiritual world would be the key to what he seeks... But... What he seeks?

[Oren]

Kendryek leaned against a tree and stared at the moon. It didn't matter that he was a dragon, he still loved the night time, the bright stars, and the gorgeous moon. He could understand why wolves and others of the same species, including those species of the mythical world, were so enthralled with it. It had a very enchanting property. Smiling to himself, he looked around the gravestones. There were a few names that were vaguely familiar to him, but not too familiar. There weren't any extremely important people here, no matter how exquisite the stones. A small sound caught his attention. There was someone here? How... strange. It wasn't usual for people to come here. It was interesting how someone just so happened to come here the same night, same time, that he had. Then again, he had been sitting here for hours. This 'person' was an animal. It was a fox... of sorts. The gait at which it walked revealed it's owner even though its skin was active. It was slightly cautious, but not jumpy. This creature was sure of itself.

Kendryek resisted the urge to sigh. Until he could see this visitor, he would be silent. And that's when he saw him, for the person was indeed a boy. He had gray/white hair and looked to be the same age that Kendryek showed himself to be. Something about this fox was unusual, but he couldn't place what. He seemed... strange, different. He was definitely a student. The vampires would have eaten him by now if he wasn't. In fact, the vampires knew that Kendryek was here, and they knew that this newcomer was here. For some reason they didn't do anything although it was getting dark. That, too, was a cause for alarm.

Although he wasn't much of a talker, he listened more than he let on. Little remnants of whispered words, of seemingly meaningless gossip, trickled through his brain. The vampires usually didn't allow intruders. This was indeed a cause for alarm, because if they weren't here, where were they? Or maybe, perhaps his own whispered words of requested protection before he entered the yard had helped? Kendryek wasn't one to listen to mindless talking, or at least he never paid any mind to it, but he was well aware of the fact that this was indeed not on school campus and well in the property of the vampires. A quick askance of the usage of their assets was in no way out of suitable conduct.

Well, that was enough thinking for now. Maybe he should show his presence? No. This person was smart enough to find him. But... maybe just a little help was in order. Plucking his cell phone from his pocket, Kendryek gently tapped it continuously on his seat: a small tombstone situated near the back of the yard. It barely made a sound, but he was sure this person would hear it.

[tsukiyomaru0]

His eyes shifted to the side, as he felt this presence. It is a presence he had only felt once in his life, and he knew what it was. But it didn't bother him. He had to meet someone that very night, someone from beyond the veil between life and death. As a kitsune-bi flared in his hand, he slowly held it up in the air, as someone who raises a trophy.

He waited, and waited... Until, suddenly a chilling breeze blew by. He made it seem that it was capable to put out his fire, as he knew who was to come. A will 'o wisp came floating his way and stopped before him. He lowered his hands and said "Long time no see, my first love..."

"It's always the same story!" a female voice, from the will 'o wisp, complained "Ten years and then you come to talk to me! Don't you know I have an afterlife?!". He seemed unmoved by their words, as the will 'o wisp slowly floated down and grew, until it was the ghost of a red fox with golden-brown eyes, standing before him. "You know, it is not easy to find the gate nor you in the western..." he said, his eyes fixed on her as his words flow "Plus, you're the one I loved the most, and the one I lost sooner...".

She made out a sound that was similar to an annoyed chirp and said "Blame yourself for being a kitsune. And you refused to believe me so, HA! You deserved it!". There was a somewhat awkward silence, until she whimpered softly and said "I know how your life is harsh... You still fear it, don't you? Living longer than anything or anyone but Phoenixes, Dragons and others of your kind...". "Indeed... You know me well, so you must have been watching me all this time." he said in a somewhat saddened tone.

A brief silence followed, broken by her sighing. "Listen, you got to keep living on." she said, looking up to him. "I know I do... And, one day, maybe I'll bring you to this world..." he said and held his hand out for her. She reached to his hand, resting her left forepaw on his right hand. "I know you will, for your love to me reaches even afterlife..." she said and began to fade "But, for now, I must go, my dear.". His fingers surrounded her paw as he said "Go, rest in peace for more ten years...". Her mouth, twisted in a faint smile as she faded into nothingness.

The silence that followed her leaving was saddening, but he didn't even cry. All he did, was announce the dragon's presence, saying "You know, scales smell quite strong sometimes..."

[Oren]

Kendryek stopped the tapping and watched with narrow eyes as the boy summoned some creature. He had seen many things in his life, and this wasn't the first time he'd seen something like this, but it was the first time in a long time. Listening closely to what was being said, he was amazed at the words. Never before had he seen or heard of someone being so obsessed with their lover that they wouldn't allow the person rest once they were gone. This man was almost so devoted it was sickening. He was caught up in his past and refused to let go. It wasn't good for one's mental health. He almost felt as sorry for this person as he was disgusted. Yes, he had loved and lost just the same as this person. Yes, he would never forget her. No, he didn't dwell on her. This could get interesting if they had a conversation on this subject.

They spirit didn't stay for long. Only a few seconds of a seemingly touching words and she was gone. That was when his presence was acknowledged.

"You know, scales smell quite strong sometimes..."

Kendryek allowed himself a smile as he chuckled. "Yes..." Standing from his tombstone, he walked up to the young man and knelt apologetically in the style of his people: on his knees, bowed, with both hands on the ground. "I deeply apologize if me being here in any way hindered your meeting. I was not expecting an event so... private... when I came out here."

[tsukiyomaru0]

"Don't apologize, for I must be the one to. It must have felt horrible for an ethereal being such as you to possibly relive pains of the past..." he said, turning to him. Hossuru seemed empty in terms of emotions, as the only emotion shown before was sadness, that was gone by the moment his loved one left.

This time, he didn't give much time for silence, as he leans on thin air and stares at the sky, calmly saying his next words: "I don't know if being a creature with such long lifespan, maybe endless, is good... I've lost countless girlfriends and mates to death. But Only hope pushes me forth... To believe I'll someday live happily with someone who can live as much as me.".

"Well, introductions, I believe... For we have not meet before. From Japan, my name of birth is Whisper. However, my name of bapthism is Hossuru Hikaze." he introduced himself and held out his hand to this dragon fellow.

[Oren]

Kendryek stood. This young man was definitely older than he looked. He had suspected that when he had been talking to the spirit, but this confirmed it. Nodding slowly as the man talked about lost loves and such, he could understand what he had been through. Maybe he wasn't as obsessed as he first seamed. That was a good sign. Maybe they could get along after all, or at least he could tolerate him. The student introduced himself as Hossuru Hikaze. Letting this sink in, he paused before taking Hossuru's hand.

"Rarely is it that you will find two creatures of the same ethnicity but different bread finding common ground in a graveyard that is typically infested by vampires." Kendryek allowed himself a small smile at his own words. It was truly a once in a lifetime occurrence. "I rarely give my name so soon in a meeting, but since you have revealed yours, I am willing to trust you with my own. I am called Kendryek by those who don't know me and by those who don't know me well. For example, my wife, as well as my family, knew me as Jiyuuishi, Jiyuu for short. I no longer go by that name, so if you would, please, call me Kendryek. I trust that you can understand my protectiveness of names as we are both from Nihon." He smiled to himself. "Then again, I assume that we were raised in much different times, so maybe not." After a few seconds of silence, he returned to what Hossuru had said before. "So, which is better? To have a girl die loving you or realize that you aren't the right one?"

[tsukiyomaru0]

"Can I call you Ken? You can call me Whisper, for I adopted this as my nickname.", he said in a firm handshake, before letting go of his hand. He then, continued to speak "I understand the importance of keeping an alias, for I too use one or two. I make humans see and hear what I want, so I can be myself without being caught. So, yes, I understand part of your concern."

"I don't know... Lemme see... I lost sixteen mates, counting humans too... They all wanted to live forever with me, but they died so young...", he said, thoughtfull "If I'm to find myself a mate for all eternity, I want one who like me the way I am.". He then glanced at the sky and finished "But, still... I desire my first mate, more than anyone... She's so beautifull..."

[Oren]

"No," he replied to the first question. "English nicknames annoy me, although I do appreciate being able to call you Whisper." After listening to Whisper's reply, he sat on one of the stones once more. "Yes, I do very much agree. Except, it is not my up-most wish to find someone to spend my eternity with. My first mate was a dragon, much like myself. After four hundred years I have found none like her and am convinced that I never will. Such a sad day, no? Yes, your mate was very beautiful. She had a gorgeous coat." Kendryek felt the urge to cough. He couldn't remember when he had talked so much. Alas, in order to create bonds in this generation, he would do what he must, and sadly, that meant talking... and sharing some secrets that not even Chasity knew. Speaking of Chasity...

"Out of curiosity, and if it doesn't pain you very much, what was your mate like?" Kendryek looked at Whisper with no deceit in his eyes; no emotion was fake. He wanted truth out of him, and he had found that the only way to get it was with telling the truth himself.

[tsukiyomaru0]

He waited for him to finish speaking, and he easily noticed he wasn't the kind of dragon that speaks too much. Too, he felt the need to point that.

"You don't speak much, do you? You may be the first dragon I meet that doesn't tell a tale of an answer... Again, before you, I have meet only one dragon." he said "But, well, as did you ask about my first mate, I feel I should tell you... Since I was a little fox, I had my eyes on this vixen, since she was one year older than me. We always played together and such, and we really enjoyed each other. Her happyness was unmatched, her kind heart made every winter seem less cold than usual and too her courage was charming. She had enough courage to fight a dog, twice her size, alone. And our love is as just as you witnessed: it extends beyond this border between the mortal and spiritual worlds."

[Oren]

Kendryek nodded, fast at the first question, but slowly as Whisper continued. That sounded like him and his love. They had been friends from a young age and had fallen in love. He looked up towards the sky. Was he really going to do this? Was this going to happen again? Looking back at Whisper, he made the final decision.

"Three questions. How long has it been since your last girlfriend? Do you have anyone you are considering? Would you take suggestions?"

There. He had said what needed to be said. Although he loved Chasity, he truly wanted to find someone that she could be completely happy with. That was what he always did. It was a way of protecting himself and the person he loved. It might hurt to see them with the other person, but pain in or one oneself was easily ignored when you have survived in this world for six hundred years. It was natural. It was apart of who Kendryek was. If Whisper didn't like Chasity, he would simply find someone else that did. If he couldn't within this next year, he'd break it off anyway. He rarely was with someone for twenty years, and it would probably take him another forty, at least, to find another girl he liked. That was the cycle. That was how it would stay.

[tsukiyomaru0]

"I think it was ten or so years. I'm the kind of guy that makes love serious business, if you know what I mean. So, when they die, they can rest in peace, knowing I gave them all my love.", he asnwered and continued: "Sadly, no, I have no one in consideration, since I'm still looking for one. And, as for suggestions, I'm always open to them, no matter what."

He truly meant it, and one could see it deep into his eyes. Wheter he would accept his suggestion or not, it was unknown.

[Oren]

"How about Chasity? She sounds a lot like your first love, or at least what you mentioned about her. She has long life, so she'll live for several hundred years more, that is a definite. I apologize if I sound like I'm trying to sell her, but I think that you would like her, and after a little bit, she would like you, too. I'm a lost old man, she needs not waste her time one me." This time, Kendryek did cough. All this talking was really hurting his throat! Holding up one finger, he swallowed so that he could speak. Looking at Whisper, he asked, “Do you have any water? I wasn’t expecting this conversation or I would have brought some myself.”

Kendryek hoped it wasn't too soon for Whisper to have another girlfriend. He seemed to be the perfect match, and he would love and protect her if he ended up liking her. It was more than Kendryek could do. Nay, it was more than he wanted to. There was no desire in him to love once more. He liked girls, true enough, but no matter how hard he tried to love a girl, he couldn't. It was a mental disorder of some kind. In all truth, every time he found a girl he liked, he tried with all his might to love her. It never worked. He would forever try to break that trend, but he was sure that it would be another dragon if he ever did. Chasity was not, and that was one thing that pained him the most. He wouldn’t find happiness with her. It was time for him to stop hoping for something that wasn’t to be found. At least, something that was still hidden and waiting to be found in someone else.

[tsukiyomaru0]

He snaps his fingers and sits on a chair that appeared out of nowhere. He rested his hand on his chin as he listened, with some interest in his eyes. "Question is: How long will she live?" he asked "I have to plan my life, if I'm to get a new girlfirend.".

He suddenly began talking/whispering to himself: "Though I have considered waiting for my fourth tail before looking for a new GF or looking for a boyfriend, but I don't think I would get along with boys since there's no fun at moments. Besides, what would my first mate say? Would she laugh? Would she yell? Would she pass out? I guess I'll stick with GFs then, but let's see his offer."

[Oren]

Kendryek shrugged. "To actually put a gauge on one's life is a foolhardy thing, but I will give you one of my best estimates. I can almost guarantee that she will not die in a fight. I taught her martial arts myself, and that is no foolish teaching." Suppressing another cough, he tried to ignore the fact that Whisper had ignored his request for water. If he could make a chair pop out of nowhere, couldn't he do that with water? One would think so.

Making himself think, he reached into one of his technically invisible pockets and presented a notebook and a pencil. This might take some quick math. Going through quite a few formulas at once and taking into account the many different variables that could affect a life, he roughly came up with 1000 different ages at which Chasity could live to in about thirty seconds. Really, he'd only done this one other time, and he had never found out if he was right. The creature was still alive, he knew that much, but he didn't keep good enough contact to really know anything more.

Looking up at the sky for a few seconds, trying to take out all of the unlikely ages, he now had about 300 floating in his head. Then something that Whisper was whispering caught his attention. It took a few seconds for his logical mind to take over his math mind and he realized that he must be a gender changer. He was tempted to say something, but he didn't. That was the only problem about Whisper. He gave him the urge to say things. Most of the time it was really easy to stay quite. Then again, most of the time Chasity would say things for him. He was going to miss her hanging around with him, but that was okay. There was always the sting of loneliness when he sent one of his girlfriends away. He'd be in a depressed state for a few months and then he'd get over it.

Going back to thinking, he narrowed it down to fifty ages, and then to ten, and then to two. Looking at Whisper, he said, "I don't do things like this often, calculating ages and all, but I really want what is best for Chasity. If you don't think this will work, tell me. If you aren't comfortable yet, tell me. If there is anything that you think will go wrong, tell me." He hesitated before saying the two ages. "She's forty eight now. She will either live to be five hundred and sixty seven or nine hundred and twenty eight. Those are exacts so don't expect them to be one hundred percent correct."[/color]

[tsukiyomaru0]

"Martial arts, eh? I don't really resort to them on my own, but it is quite the self defense." he said and continued to analyze all he had to say. Whisper then remembered Kendryek asked for water, and made a bottle of water spawn out of nowhere, floating before Kendryek. "May not be real, but will help you to feel better." he said.

Then, afterwards, he whistles and says "That's rather a big lifespan... I'm not even sure if I'll live a thousand years, so that is very, VERY long...". After some thinking, he concludes "Perhaps, you could introduce us."