[Brown and Blue]

Gasping, the Hare stumbled and fell, barely catching himself before he hit the ground face-first. His heart felt like it was trying to claw its way out of his chest through his throat, lungs burning as if full of napalm. It wouldn't surprise him if his throat was bleeding.

Coughing, he rested his cheek against the cool grass, allowing the fresh scents of nature calm him. The looming darkness of that city was far behind him, gone like a nightmare confronted with the light of day. It took a long time for him to calm down enough to notice his surroundings.

Lifting himself up on shaky arms, the Hare peered around at his surroundings, surprised at how shockingly different the place he found himself in was compared to what in his mind he was starting to think of as That Place. He slowly sat up with wide eyes.

The town before his eyes was clean and welcoming under the early morning sun, a few people moving about in the street. After a few long moments of staring, the Hare stumbled to his feet and swayed down the low hill he had awoken on.

The possibility of him looking like a bum never crossed his mind.

[Ayaka]

A loud scream was heard through the wooden small house. Her hair covered her eyes lips parted to allow shallow breaths in. Not again not that town again she though her hands slowly moving up to hold her head the softness of her hair, damp by the sweat that ran down her forehead. It had been a while a very long while since Jian left for that treasure hunting job, and living alone was frightening; at least after she had visit that town the dark memories began to crawl into the depths of her mind before they were washed away with the alarm clock's sweet beeping noise.

I hear ya, already!

her voice was so soft and quivery. The cold sweat making her skin shine just slightly at the sunshine from her window she yawned,  moving the covers away from her she sat at the end of the bed her hand reached out slowly to turn off the alarm. Rubbing her eye with her free hand she allowed another yawn to escape her.

My first day at work alone...I hope I can do well obasan...

She whispered finally standing up and stretching her body enough to hear some of her bones pop. Rubbing her hands together she blew hot air upon them. Winter was nearing, at least it was fairly close since fall was ending its cycle. It was sad spending her birthday by herself but she knew that Jian was rather busy, Phobos her best friend had vanished somewhere, and Kokoro hadn't spoke to her in a while -she really wondered what had come of him, perhaps that Yugure guy had gotten a hold of him again. She really hoped that wasn't the case. Slapping her face lightly with both hands she nodded.

Today is going to be a good day

she assured herself before running towards the bottom part of the house, she picked up a few things before running outside and over to the lake. Letting out a soft sigh she jumped into the cold water letting out a small whimper. Finally clean she walked out of the water and put on her new clothing she smiled holding her hand up to her face to remove a peace of hair that was bluring her sight.

taking two steps forward and she had vanished from the woods and stepped into the very lively town - Hopeless. Some of the people waved at her since they had become quite found of her personality she just waved back and ran into her shop switching her sign from closed to open.

[Brown and Blue]

Slowly walking through the busy streets, the Hare stared at everything. It was so different from Neo-Tokyo that it made him want to cry in relief. How wonderful! He noticed none of the looks he garnered, clothes wrinkled and hair mussed. There were a few spots of dirt on him, but he noticed nothing about himself.

His undivided attention was focused on the colorful buildings and cheerful people.

After a while, his stomach grumbled, sending pangs of hunger to his brain to demand sustenance. The Hare would have gladly put food in his tummy, but he didn't have any. However, he was lucky enough to enter a new part of the town and was bombarded with the delicious sent of sweets as the wind changed direction.

Pausing, the Hare looked at the closest buisiness and the worker standing at the door with a tray of what looked like decent-sized samples. Padding closer, he eyed the delicious-smelling pie.


"Wh-what is that?"

[Blood Brothers]

Sashi stared at the busy town, shocked that he was there. This was - what - the third place Shimi had dropped him off at since his trip had started, reluctantly handed over from Nanashi's arms. The first place had made him feel like actual sugar, cubed or something. His skin had itched horribly and there were a lot of beings that had sort of just popped out of nowhere, going on about things he had no interest in. Shimi had saved him from there, only to drop him in a strange, heart-themed castle. He had been forced to flee from an insane woman who wanted to remove his head from his shoulders.

Creepy as hell and it was only because he had fallen through some sort of hole in the ground that he had escaped.

His oldest brother had been waiting at the bottom, not to catch him but to just stare. There was a strange town that looked abandoned and the red-eyed vampire had barely taken his eyes off the place as he led Sashi away. He swore that there had been something watching him from there, but Shimi was pretty quick about dropping him off at this place.


Looking around, Sashi noticed that most of the shops seemed to be food-themed and plenty had sweets. He felt a little ill at the moment, though, and chose one that didn't have nauseatingly tasty smells drifting from them. The little bell above the door rang as he entered, glancing around cautiously. There were a few shelves of nicknacks that he could see and quite a few tables as if for a restaraunt or perhaps a library that was expecting a lot of patrons but didn't have a lot of books.

Odd.

[Ayaka]

The Fig man smiled, his father had been backing for a while and it seemed like this small strange looking kid had been traveling for a while moving his hand forward the man smiled even more.

"This of course is a pie, a fig made pie. Our shop is the fig shop. Would you like to try it? I assure you, you will like it"

the gentle man spoke softly.

~~~~~~~

Tending to the kitchen she had hardly realised that the entrance bell had rang. Looking about she filled up her lungs with air which was in turn let out slowly. Her hand ran down one from one side of the sink to the other a wet rag then fallowed. Letting out another soft yawn she began to walk out of the kitchen. How strange it felt without Obasan there, she really missed her.

Her eyes looked up and she nearly jumped to the sealing, instead though she swallowed hard and gave a half smile to the red headed person at her shop. Her heart was beating so fast she was starting to feel a bit light headed -for a brief second she believed that the memory of Necron had fallowed her out of there. After adjusting to the child's face she finally spoke while clearing her throat.

Thank you for entering the random shop

She bowed her head slowly letting some of her now messy hair fall to her face. She looked up the most sincere look in her eyes, Ayaka had never had to deal with that many people and living at the woods had made her learn quite quickly pure survival. Now she had to used etiquette and speak to random customers alone, the old lady took care of that part and she worked in the back but now she truly was alone.

There a few things left in the shop, we have some drinks at the back.

she continued rather nerves, of course the nightmare earlier didn't help and his red hair had nearly sent her on edge but everything inside of her head was being sorted out and she could finally breath regularly.

[Brown and Blue]

"O-oh. Okay," the Hare murmured, reaching forward slowly to pluck one of the pies from the tray. Sniffing it carefully, he nibbled on a bit of the crust. It was delicious and he was hungry, so he dug in happily, devouring the pie in no time at all. "Wow! That was yummy! May I have another one?"

Those tiny sandwiches at Kamikuro's tea party seemed like ages ago, so one little pie wasn't going to help him replinish the energy he expended to get from the Dark Horse Hotel to this place in one trip. He didn't know how far he had traveled, but, boy was he hungry!

[Blood Brothers]

"Drinks? Uwe~eh? I was really just wondering about what kind of place this was, not looking for anything in particular," Sashi explained, looking around curiously. "I'm new in town, never been here before now."

Looking at the girl who had come out from the back of the shop, Sashi frowned thoughtfully. She seemed the sort to be dying on the inside while protesting that she was perfectly fine. There was no doubt that she wasn't human, either, so the redhead was further encouraged.

Besides, the two-colored hair was awesome.

[Ayaka]

The man kept a smile upon his lips shaking his head slowly he pointed at all the other shops.

"I'm glad you liked my stuff, but I can only give one per person. Other shops are giving things too. Why don't you try the other shops young one?"

~~~

Ayaka blinked she smiled soon after holding her hand up to her chest bowing her head slowly she sighed. The shop didn't get that many costumers it was mainly people being lost and wanting to directions to a different part of the town. She pushed away her thoughts and looked at the boy yet again.

I see, just moved here?

she wondered, looking about the shop she closed her eyes then opened them again almost as if savoring the memory.

An old woman used to own this shop, she passed it down to me...not much happens here though. Unlike all the shops in this city...mine has products not from trees.

[Brown and Blue]

"A-alright. Thank you, sir!" Bowing shallowly, the Hare hurried onto the next shop, following his nose. The next one was the apricot shop. His ears were perked up, alert and happy.

"May I have one, ma'am? They smell so delicious!"

[Blood Brothers]

"I didn't move here; I don't have a home," Sashi said matter-of-factly, still looking around the shop. There were a lot of little things here and there that you would miss if you weren't paying attention. What an interesting, little shop.

"And what do you mean by trees? Are they all into wood?"

[Ayaka]

The laddy nodded her eyes looking at him. Her arm moved forward allowing the sweet bread near him.

"Please dear have a few..."

She spoke giggly. He looked so cute, all dirty and stuff.

"You are new around here aren't you Deary"

~~~~~

Ayaka shook her head slowly and looked up as if in deep thought. Slowly she faced him yet again smiling brightly. She slowly moved towards the counter and set her hand on it leaning over slowly, she spoke

Why don't you move in the home atop this shop?

Her green and red eyes staring into what seemed purple pools a sudden memorie crossed her mind and she quickly shook her head slightly.

You could work with me for your stay, and I'll pay you with food...is there anything you are good at?

If she could help some at the shop she would be set and having compay would keep her from being jumpy all the time as well.

So what do you say?

[Brown and Blue]

"Oh, thank you!" The Hare cheered, taking one and devouring it lovingly. Never before had he tasted such things. Normally, they had very sugary cakes and such, but these pies were full of freshly baked fruit with very little added sugar.

He could tell just by the taste and it was heavenly.

"Yes, I just arrived this morning," Marchy responded happily, licking his fingers, completely oblivious to the little bit of juice on his cheek.

[Blood Brothers]

"Uh..." Sashi responded intelligently, a tad bit freaked out at the girl's offer. They didn't even know each other's name! "I... make candy, but why would you ever think that offering a complete stranger a place in your... shop for no reason!"

That made him really nervous. How many had she offered that before now? Was she some sort of murderer or rapist?

Scary.

[Ayaka]

The lady couldn't help but to giggle. She pointed him to a rather ran down shop but still bright in a few ways.

"You should go check that out for a place to live.."

~~~~

Her eyes looked at him for a bit longer before she blinked fallowed by a chuckle. Well it wasn't like her to be such an air head and today was just going so wrong anyway it didn't seemed like it would get any better either. A tint of red had covered her cheeks by then embarazed at the way she had presented herself.

My name is Ayaka Takahiro....

She finally spoke in a soft tone her hand rubbing the back of her head slowly.

Why not? I mean isn't that how you make friends?

She closed her eyes a sweatdrop was forming maybe just maybe the ways of the woods really didn't aply to many people. She was just being like everyone else in the town offering oportunities of housing and work - unlike the rest who just gave the house but not the dough.

[Brown and Blue]

Looking at where the lady pointed, the Hare tilted his head, one sticky finger still halfway in his mouth. That shop was less bright, not as well taken care of. He wondered why that was so and why that would be the place to look for an empty room to inhabit.

"What is that shop?" The Hare had been polite enough to remove the partially cleaned digit before talking, but he went right back to clearing his fingers of the goo right afterwards.

[Blood Brothers]

"I'm Sa-" he started to say before thinking better of it. Somehow, his very name reminded him of the cruel boy from before and he wanted to give himself a little space from that. "Sato Bloom and I think that might be just the stupidest way of making friends. I understand being friendly, but that seems more like you're setting up the situation for my rape and/or murder."

Looking around and eying the girl closely, Sashi had to admit that the girl didn't look the type to rape or murder anyone, but that didn't mean much. Nanashi didn't seem the type to do anything illegal when people first meet him, but that (often) quickly changes when the long-haired vampire drains them dry of valuables and blood.

With a sigh, he admitted to himself that he was probably going to be stuck in this place for a while and needed a place to stay.

"Do you have any character references, then?"

[Ayaka]

The lady laughed wholeheartedly. "That is the random shop, an old lady use to own it but now it belongs to a young girl who looks like a goddess. The looks of the owner aren't enough to bring costumers though. I hear she was looking for someone to live at the shop you might have a shot." ~~~~~

Ayaka winced at the way the boy had spoken her eyes looked down at the counter the marble was so pretty when clean she thought before allowing the other words sink in. Rape? Murder? could that really be the reason why sometimes she found herself in situations like that? she couldn't possibly close herself to others. She finally looked up.

 But, even so...because I am open I was able to get my Onii-San Kokoro to trust me...because I...

She let out a soft sigh then, the thought of her brother nearly broke her heart, she was worried about him VERY worried and not hearing from him in a while was making her sick. Perhaps writing a letter would help, she had heard of a new bell installed for speedy delivery and at that moment her fingers itched to write the letter.

Sato was it? I'm sorry if I sound to forward...

Her head titled slightly to the side

Character references?

[Brown and Blue]

"Oh," the Hare murmured, finishing the cleaning of his fingers. "Thank you, miss!"

Waving at the nice woman, he headed over to the shop, wondering about how nice everyone seemed to be. The food was scrumptious and if he was allowed to stay at this 'random shop' place, then he could eat the heavenly food every day.

He didn't want to get fat, but the lure of the tasty stuff was too great, especially since the bunny boy was still hungry.

[Blood Brothers]

"Wait, did you just say Kokoro is your brother?" Sashi asked disbelievingly, mouth slightly agape. That was impossible, wasn't it? Who names their little boys 'heart', right? So, it had to be the same big brother Kokoro he had. Did that mean they were related?

"Is he a tall guy, really pale, long black hair, and really dark-dark eyes?" His heart fluttered in his chest, quite taken aback at how many family members Kokoro seemed to be dragging in. It was so strange to have so many family members.

Truly, to him it was going from vaguely knowing that he had a really awesome older brother out there somewhere to suddenly having seven brothers, two nieces, and now a sister. It was mind-boggling to the redhead.

[Ayaka]

The lady nodded waving at the Hare. She giggled yet again. What strange people came to this town, it was even more of a reason to stay even if not far from where they were the woods made their stay, not to mention that other fretful place.

"Take care now!"

The lady waved at him again.

~~~~~~

Ayaka blinked a few times her head tilted to the side she was processing what the young man was saying her lips formed a smile which brighten as eh young male describe Kokoro.

Y-You know him?!

She asked her eyes hopeful, maybe he had seen him. Maybe he was fine and living somewhere dark and nice for him away from that awful man.

Is he doing well?! Is Sei-kun still bothering him?? How about the dark element?

She asked worry upon her voice. To long had she waited to ask all this question to him or even see him but this was good enough if the young man had dealt with him then perhaps she could get some sort of reassurance from him.

[Brown and Blue]

Turning partially, the Hare waved cheerfully at the lady. It was just so much better here, wasn't it? There were a lot of people around and they were all happy, greeting their neighbors. If he never had to leave this town ever again, he would probably be happy.

Except for the fact that Hatty was still in Wonderland.

"You too," he called back before righting himself, nearing the 'random shop'. If only Hatty were with him, everything would be wonderful.

[Blood Brothers]

"U~uh, yeah, he's my big brother along with a bunch of other guys like Triton and Nanashi," Sashi responded, staring with some sort of awkward fascination at the girl's facial expression. Who could be that happy to hear about Kokoro, seriously? And what's that about the white side?

"Seishin and Kokoro are in Neo-Tokyo with most of the rest of our siblings, I think. Shimi didn't explain a lot when he was dropping me off in dangerous situations and skipping off to eat tomatoes somewhere else," he grumbled, crossing his arms in front of himself and scowling.

It probably still looked like a pout, but he didn't care.

"Yugure is, apparently, in big trouble with everyone else but Kokoro, who insists that it was everybody's fault and that Yugure doesn't need to be strung up by his innards and screwed in the eye with a mace." Tilting his head slightly with a wicked smirk, Sashi sighed. "Seishin disagrees."

[Ayaka]

Ayaka blinked her eyes looked at the young man as he spoke all that he was telling her was rather interesting. Well her brother was well but the fact that he still lived in Neo-Tokyo bothered her. She shook her head if she knew anything about Kokoro was that once he got attached it would be even harder to make him unattached even if it meant him hurting quite a bit.

S-So wait...

She finally realised what the young man had said, he was a brother of Kokoro's it was odd that Koko had Sei but now another one? well that was quite strange.

Yugure was about to become my partner ya know, he was well for a while...but once him and Kokoro got together...and things began to play out...well nothing but disaster began to plague him...more then me...and that is saying something

She finally stated letting out a long sigh.

[Blood Brothers]

"O~oka~ay?" Sashi murmured, shrugging his shoulders. This Ayaka person was strange, but if she really was what Kokoro had called 'sister' then she shouldn't be too bad, right? Just because everyone said Kokoro made a crappy choice in boyfriends didn't mean that the same would apply to siblings outside of the ones he was actually related to. Besides, Sashi very much liked the idea of staying here now and just making candy.

It sounded better than running around like a ninny while his scary brother switched one dire situation for another.

"So, how does the upstairs living area look?"

[Ayaka]

Ayaka blinked then looked up her eyes slowly moved to look into his

Let me show you...

she answered plainly, how could she say tell someone how a room was? To her it looked well cared for but this of course meant that everyone had their own opinion.

I believe it is well taking care of. Once you go up the stairs you'll find a king size bed, if you walk a little bit farther you'll find the shower and going through a small hallway you'll find a small living-room.

She blinked slowly, before pointing to the other stairs opposite of the once she had been pointing at

the bathroom however is on the other side.