Can't Find My Hearts {Nuyuki}

[[ D E J A • vu ]]

Alabaster

Alabaster stood quietly with the other Reachers. They were all three-year-olds as well. Reacher children grew abnormally fast, in mind and in body. Alabaster, of course, was at least a foot shorter than everyone else. He was skimpier, stupider, weaker, shorter, everything less then the rest of them were. He might have been the son of Rynu Kimata, one of the greatest Leaders ever known to the Order, but he didn't know what he was doing. He felt like a 2nd grader that had been shoved in with the 5th graders. Everyone was stronger, taller, smarter, faster, and more powerful then him.

He stood there quietly as the teacher droned on and on about balance and focus and everything else he had already learned from Kyth. His Aunt spent almost every moment of her free time teaching him, simply because he had such a hard time doing everything. He felt like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reigndeer. Just because he had a red nose, he couldn't play in any of the reigndeer games. And just because Alabaster had human blood in him, he couldn't play certain games the Reachers could.

Alabaster sometimes wondered why his mother had let him stay in the human world. He would have been more handsome, smarter, stronger, faster, then any of the humans. But no, he was stuck here, where the only reason he wasn't bullied was because of the fact that he had the Ever Power. He was miserable; a perfect mix of human and Reacher blood, he was in between both species, neither one nor the other. In one he was too strong and smart and the other he was too weak and stupid.

He glared down at his feet quietly. He had to follow in his father's footsteps, he knew. Once he turned 16 Kyth would step down from Leadership and let him take over the role of Leader. He trembled at the thought. He could never be Leader.

[「Silver 希望]

Nuyumi stood, stiff, in this line of Three-Year-Olds. She was around the same height as them, shorter by a couple of inches, maybe, staring at her instructor. He was speaking at a slow pace, so slowly even, that she could feel herself about to nod off into sleep. Shaking her head to waken her droopy eyes, she looked to her right. And then, to her left. So many kids... she didn't even want to count how many there were. But, for sanity's sake, she did anyways.

"One, Two, Three... Four, Five, Six...", she continued in her mind, pointing her finger at each child a bit, tapping it down at each number. Sheesh, there were so many... "Twenty-Two, Twenty-Three, Twenty-Fo... Huh?" she stopped her finger at a short boy with white hair. He was so short that she nearly missed him! And then, she began to wonder why. But only one thing popped into her head. This was that guy who was gonna become Leader one day, the one who was part human... Then she wondered even more. What were the Humans really like? Were they really as weak as they described? Well, they couldn't be, since this boy had been raised by one. By the looks of it, he was really smart. Mature, at the least. Maybe a bit weak, but he'll grow out of it...

Suddenly, her head shot back to the teacher as he snapped at her for doing exactly what he had said not to do. Getting distracted. "Y-yes sir!" She exclaimed, swiftly bringing her hand up in a salute. She didn't know why she had done such an action, but then again, she didn't really care. It seemed to annoy the teacher, which made a small, tiny smirk appear on her mouth. Least he was easily Aggravated. He'd be fun to annoy...

[[ D E J A • vu ]]

Alabaster

He started from his dull state when the teacher snapped at someone. In a daze, Al glanced down the line to see a red-headed girl that stood there, saluting. Saluting..." What a weird thing to do... The teacher got irritated and directed them all to get into their fighting partners. Alabaster was paired with one of the taller kids, and he gave a nervous gulp; he was about a foot taller than him, and his muscles were already growing in. Al, on the other hand, was flimsy as a rag doll.

"No powers," The teacher instructed, glancing towards Alabaster. What was he, nervous? Al didn't know how to use his powers yet; he had been told that he had used them once when he wasn't even a year old yet, but he didn't remember it. Kyth told him that he had brought her partner, Syn, back to life. Now that he thought about it, everyone seemed to avoid him, as though they were afraid he would get them fired or killed. He wasn't Leader yet, it wasn't like he could give orders out just because he was going to become Leader.

"Go!" The teacher called out, and in two seconds flat Alabaster was on the ground, pressed against the practice mat, squirming under the crushing force of the Reacher. He let out a desperate cry that made the other student jump off of him, looking alarmed. "Alabaster," The teacher said. "Shake it off. Get up."

Giving a moan of protest, he sat up slowly, and was aware of everyone watching him. His face turned deep, deep red.

"Continue on, everyone," The teacher told them all, and the boy faced Alabaster again. He looked nervous; he was scared of hurting Al.

Taking in a deep breath and still feeling like his chest had been sat on by an elephant, Alabaster faced his opponent with fire in his eyes. He could knock this guy over, he could do it!

The teacher yelled out to start once more, and Alabaster let out a yell as the boy's foot swept under his feet. He managed to jump in time but was so distracted by it that he didn't noticed the boy's arm come around. His opponent's arm slammed against Al's side and Al fell to the ground about ten feet away, groaning.

"Alabaster," The teacher sighed. "Maybe you should go sit on the sidelines for today."

Groaning as he sat up, Alabaster looked around with anxious eyes as everyone stared at him. The human weakling. Al quietly nodded and sat over in the corner of the room against the wall, waiting until everyone started practicing again before pushing his face into his knees and crying quietly.

[「Silver 希望]

Fighting Partners. So they were going to spar. How joyous... Nuyuki sighed as she was paired wiht another girl, this one blonde, with a perfect face and body. She was so pretty, especially compared to her... Nuyuki had so many freckles over her body, it seemed as if she was just a big, fat mound of the dots. She hated it. She wad so ugly, compared to all the other girls in the Order... Especially Miss Kyth. She had to be the most beautiful of them all... Suddenly, she shook her head, furrowing her red eyebrows as she slightly glared at the girl in front of her. Most would think it would be cruel, putting Three-Year-Olds against the other like this, but it surely wasn't. They were much smarter than Human Toddlers. Much stronger, too.

"No powers," The teacher announced. Nuyuki glanced over at him with her red-accented white eyes, watching as he peered at that short boy from before. Alabaster was his name, she thought, watching the boy closely. His face contorted with a mix of emotions she could understand, given her already natural ability at estimating a person's feelings. Confusion, Sadness, maybe slight Aggravation. She didn't understand why, really... But how could she? She hasn't even met him yet. But that doesn't mean she doesn't want to know...

"Go!" The teacher yelled out loudly, the word echoing in the room like a bell in a clock tower. Nuyuki herself hadn't been able to move too much though, as there was a loud "Thump" and the sound of a hurtful cry. Immediately, her head swung towards that little boy, who seemed to have just been crushed by the Reacher he was going against. The Teacher spoke to him softly, yet sternly, telling him to shake it all off and go on. At this point in time, Nuyuki noticed everyone else was watching this boy in alarm. The girl she was sparring against whispered something about wondering what he was going to do, but again, Nuyuki didn't care. She just hoped the poor thing was okay... Though, she cracked a small little smile as the boy's face became red as a beet. It was a little... cute.

The male teacher then told them all to continue, to ignore this little act. And so they all did. Except her. She still stared at the little Alabaster boy, watching as determination lit his eyes like a wildfire. With a smirk, she nodded as he stood. Another "Go!" was shouted from their instructor, and they all moved now, in "complete" focus o what they were doing. But her eyes couldn't help but just peek that way, just for a second. But that was one second too long. She swiftly felt her neck crack as her Fighting Partner uppercut into her chin, making Nuyuki's view now be the pale ceiling above. Though she just grunted and looked at the girl, who seemed ready to throw another punch any minute now, with a shrug.

And then another "Thump". Swiftly, she looked to the side, only to see Alabaster thrown off at least ten feet away from his Practice Mat, groaning. The teacher hurried over to his side, muttering something about the sidelines. The boy groaned even more, sitting up, then looking around, anxious. She didn't know what he was thinking, but whatever it was, she knew it must have hurt him, and that made her eyes cease in slight sympathy for him. As he nodded, he went over to the corner of the room, against the wall. He seemed to wait until the teacher ordered yet another session to start. But Nuyuki didn't move. she just stared at the boy, who bean to cry into her knees. She had never really felt sorry for someone, but this boy had somehow made this... this emotion click inside her. And she wasn't just going to let it go away.

With the ruckus of the other kids fighting and sparring, Nuyuki looked to her Partner and placed her index finger in front of her lips, indicating for the girl not to speak a word. She seemed confused, but nodded, anyways. Then, Nuyuki swiftly yet slyly tip-toed her way over to the boy, the taps of her shoes not even sounding as she landing each step as light as a feather. She kneeled down in front of him, his gasping breaths and small sobs suddenly actually getting to her, yet she still didn't know why. "Hey..." she whispered, placing a hand on his shoulder, "You okay?"

[[ D E J A • vu ]]

Alabaster

He couldn't do anything right! He would never be as strong as everyone wanted him to be, and he would never, ever become Leader. Kyth should stay Leader, the strong person that she was. So what if he had the Ever Power? He had to be protected anyway, so why couldn't he just be locked away in some vault and never come out ever again? He'd be just as useful as he was now.

He clutched the sweat pants he wore at the knees and tried to keep his sobbing quieter. Over the fights and yells of the other students, he doubted anyone could hear him, or even if they would care. He shook with each sob, his chest stinging in pain as well as his ribs. He couldn't even keep himself together.

Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder, and a soft, lyrical voice entered his ears. "Hey... You okay?" Slowly, he lifted his head, light, light blue eyes red with tears, his cheeks puffy from crying. "U-um..." He sniffled, wiping his nose. "I'm fine..." His voice was a quiet whisper. His chest and side still stung; he wondered if he had broken something. Of course, being half human, he wouldn't heal as fast as full Reachers. If he broke a bone it would take a couple days instead of a couple hours. He had heard Syn, his Aunt's partner, had grown back an entire leg in three days. Now that was impressive.

Quietly, he lay his head back down, his nose scrunching as it was squished against his arm. His pale blue eyes stared to the side, at the wall, in silence. He watched everyone else fight. They were so fast that he couldn't even follow their movements. He would never become a Mission Reacher, let alone Leader. It was hopeless.

"You can go train with them..." He said quietly. "No reason to stay here with me..."

[「Silver 希望]

Nuyuki smiled softly s the boy raised his red face, eyes puffy from his crying and cheeks stained with tears. As he wiped his nose, he muttered and said that he was fine. But, by the looks of it, he certainly was not. "Mhm. Yeah, sure. You're "Fine" alright. Because "Fine" is crying in a corner, thinking that you should just go rot and die in Hell." She found her words sarcastic, yet stern. Something odd for her. It was as if she actually cared for this by, the one she didn't even know...! How weird...

"Are you sure you're okay?" She asked, voice lowering to a more concerned tone, "No broken bones or anything? D'ya hurt anywhere?" She said as she took his arm boldly and moved it upwards, slightly, peering under it to look at his heaving chest like a Chipmunk would to, sneaking into a Squirrel's Nut Stash. Doing so removed his head from his arms, making it move down to his knees, blocking her view, "Oi, move, would'ya? I'm trying to hep you here!"

Then he said she could go train with the others. That shocked her. She was offering help, and he didn't want her to? "With them?" She snorted, "As if! I'd rather be helping you out then those retards..." She grinned up at him, eyes closed, "You're interesting, y'know?"

[[ D E J A • vu ]]

Alabaster

He watched as she spoke. There was something different about this girl. She was awfully... What's the word? Bold. "Are you sure you're okay? No broken bones or anything? D'ya hurt anywhere?" And at that she pulled his arms away. His small chest quickened as she touched him, and it stung and he let out a whimper. "My chest and side," He said quietly. "They hurt..."

She spoke again, and he watched her. Retards...? She called the full Reachers retards when he was just a human halfie? And interesting? Him? "It's just cause I have the Ever Power..." He said quietly. "If I didn't everyone would be hurting me like this every day..." He coughed then, his chest aching. It hurt so much. "I th-think I need to go to the Infirmary," He whispered, clutching his chest. Shyly but worried, he pulled his shirt up and saw a huge purple bruise across his chest and ribs. "Oh... That's not good..." He mumbled.

[「Silver 希望]

"Your chest and side, eh?" She asked, lightly pressing his arm, trying her best to be as comforting as she could. This experience was quite new for her. "Hm..." She put her hand to her chin, tongue sticking out from her rosey lips just a bit.

"It's just because I have the Ever Power..." He had said in such a quiet tone, she could barely hear him. She peered into his Light Blue eyes, that were turned away from her, "If I didn't everyone would be hurting me like this every day..." She watched as he coughed, his hand immediately gripping his chest.

"Don't talk nonsense." Nuyuki spoke in a serious manner, "I would think the idiots here would at least have the decency not to bully you. I hope..." She sighed a little, looking behind her at the sparring children, then back at Alabaster.

"I th0think I need to go to the Infirmary..." He whispered. With a nod, Nuyuki stood up as he shyly pulled up his shirt, revealing a father large bruise across his chest and ribs. The red-head offered her open hand to him, left arm placed at her hips.

"I'll take you. I don't want you getting hurt on the way." She smiled just a little, "I'm Nuyuki, by the way. And you're Alabaster, right? You can just call me Koi. Or, even if you want, Yuki."

[[ D E J A • vu ]]

Alabaster

He nodded when she asked him. Her hand on his arm made him shiver. He wasn't really used to people touching him other than the occasional hug from his Aunt. Maybe Syn rubbing his head up against him, but Syn was more Alabaster's puppy dog.

When she spoke again, he whispered quietly, "I'm half human," He whispered quietly. "All those full Reachers over there...? I'm weak and stupid compared to them. I mean... I'm three and I can't even jump 10 feet yet..." He lowered his head quietly.

When she held out her hand, he slowly took it, letting his shirt drop back over his bruised body. He took her hand and used it to stand slowly. His side and chest stung painfully as he stood, and he took in a shaky breath. "Nice to meet you, Koi..." He looked up at her and smiled just a bit. "The fish, right...? We have a koi pond in the courtyard..."

He moved towards the door in silence, and the teacher glanced towards them. "Where are you two going?" He asked.

"I need to go to the Infirmary," Alabaster said quietly. Everyone was staring at him again. He shrunk under their gaze and the teacher merely nodded.

As they stepped out, Alabaster heard the murmured kick up, and his hearing picked up one sentence: "He's so fragile."

Alabaster closed his eyes and kept walking.

[「Silver 希望]

Nuyuki cocked her head to the side when he mentioned he was part human. It wasn't in that "Ew" way, but more in that interested kind of thing. "Oh... that's actually pretty cool, I think," She smirked slightly, "And what if I told you I can only jump Nine Feet, Eight Inches?"

She helped him up easily, smiling down at him, "Yeah, like the fish. And cool! I've never seen a real Koi before, ironically." She laughed a little, rubbing the back of her head. She then followed as he began to head for the door, the teacher finally noticing them. He asked where they were going, and Alabaster simply replied that he had to go to the Infirmary. Nuyuki just nodded, following close behind him as they left. She didn't keep her ears open enough to hear the gossip in the room, but she noticed the change in his attitude. She walked up beside him, looking at him from the corner of her eye, lightly grasping his hand in hers. She tried her best to be comforting, but once again, she still didn't know why...

[[ D E J A • vu ]]

Alabaster

He gave a laugh as her comment about being half human being cool. "It's not as cool when you're in the Order," He let out a groan; his laugh had made his torso sting. Then he said, "Well... I can only jump 4 feet... How lame is that....?"

He smiled slightly as she spoke to him. "You should go see it soon," He said quietly.

They continued walking, and he kept hearing the voice over and over in his head; he's so frail. He clenched his teeth as his ribs stung, and he took another step and felt a jolting pain go through his entire body. He let out a cry and fell to the ground, laying on his back, thin chest heaving, stinging with every breath. He felt awful. His ribs must be broken or something. Nothing should be this painful.

[「Silver 希望]

Nuyuki had laughed a little at both of Alabaster's previous comments, nut now she was almost horrified as he fell to the ground. gasping, she knelt down beside hi, putting her hand on his shoulder once more. "Al? Al you alright? C'mon, bud, you can make it to the Infirmary, can't you!?"

She stayed there with him, for a while, sitting down in the middle of the hallway. After a few minutes, she, as carefully as she could, moved him over against the wall, so maybe he wouldn't be in too much pain. "That better? Would it be better if I just went ahead and go the Doc for ya?"

[[ D E J A • vu ]]

Alabaster

Alabaster felt pain throughout his entire torso. His legs, which had been curled against him, suddenly straightened, trying to ease the pain on his abdomen. His breathing was hard and every breath hurt worse than the last. Whatever that other Reacher had done was not normal practice fighting. Whoever that kid was, he had been trying to hurt Alabaster, and good.

"I can't," He whispered when she asked the question. "But don't g-go..." He was truthfully terrified to be alone, laying in the hallway. Emotionless.

Suddenly, his arms began to glow, his markings appearing on his thin, pale arms. He let out a cry of alarm as they continued up under his shirt, spreading over his chest, down over his stomach and followed suit down his legs. He lay there in silence as the pain began to ease itself; his powers had activated on their own, healing him with the constant use of construction, deconstruction, and control over blood.

Slowly, Al sat up. The markings faded away, and he pulled his legs under him Indian-style. He watched his hands quietly, embarassed now that someone would have to take care of him. His cheeks were red and his fluffy white hair hung in his face. Ice blue eyes were halfway closed from embarrassment and a hatred towards his powers. Even though they had healed him, he was still angry. They never listened to him. He guessed that was the downside to them; they worked on their own.

[「Silver 希望]

Nuyuki had the strangest feeling that this wasn't just some normal sparring... but she shoved the thought off as Alabaster spoke, saying he couldn't go, but that he didn't want her to leave. She gave a slight nod at this, removing her hand from his shoulder and sitting criss-cross-applesauce beside him. Then, something weird happened.

His arm began to glow, a bright color that "Koi", as a few called herself, wouldn't be able to describe. Alabaster yelped a little as these markings on his arms spread under his shirt, setting it ablaze in light. And then, they just faded, as if they weren't there at all in the first place.

Then the boy sat like her, in the same position. His cheeks were a bright pink as he looked away from her, white hair covering his eyes completely. Nuyuki frowned.

"You're mad, aren't you?" She asked, peering at him intensly, "Mad at them..." She sighed, looking down into her lap, shaking her head, "I really don't understand you, or your feelings... But that's what makes me feel so interested in you."

((Bleh she sounds like that Cullen dude... Kill me now.))

[[ D E J A • vu ]]

Alabaster

He lifted his head as she spoke. Slowly, he responded, "I hate my powers... They don't listen to me and they get me hurt and taken advantage of all the time... They really don't do much good for me... I brought someone back to life with them, but... They did that themselves...." He gave a shaky breath.

Interested? In him? Ha! Like someone could do such a thing. He was stupider, weaker, uglier, and definately not as talented as the other Reachers. Why wasn't she hanging out with them? Why would this girl ever want to stay by his side and listen to his weak stories. Weak. Fragile. Ugly.

He would never be good enough.