Bad news in small packages (Kira,invited)

[leaf]

((OOC: The beginning is a bit from 'A guest in the night' as Leaf was woken up for a short moment. Sorry if it seems like filler, it's more for me than anyone else))

*The room was quiet as usual. Kokaku never returned since I handed him his cell phone with the voice mail message. I was exhausted that night but even I noticed him stumbling about, scrambling to get dressed. An annoyed 'tch' escapes me as he runs out the room, slamming the door behind him. Trouble, that was a word that could be attached to Kokaku in every situation. But, whatever he has gotten himself involved in, again, he always comes back with that almost annoying positive attitude of his.

Kokaku had not returned when I woke up the next day and headed off to class. But, it was not uncommon for Kokaku to go out for long periods of time. Most seniors do it all the time. But, what was found when I returned from class was something I did not expect. I find it odd and mostly useless to send a package to your own roommate when he could have brought it himself. And out of all the things he sent, it was a video tape? I sigh, shaking my head as I put my trenchcoat back on and head back to the school. One thing I could always rely on from a school was having old out of date technology. Though it was about closing time, I convinced the librarian to let me use one of their televisions and VCR. I pop the tape in and watched the message that was meant for me.

I did not even hear the librarian as I walk quickly out of the room and made my way back to the dorms. Despite the burning hot day, I felt cold as I pull my cell phone from my pocket. When I received the call from Kokaku about the arson at the Edge, I felt so many different things. The feelings tearing at me, knowing he could have been killed. But, now I do not know what I feel. My face was expressionless as I listened to Kira's phone ringing. Did I really not feel anything? Have I gotten used to getting news like this? Or perhaps it was simply the shock of it all that left me numb.

Kira was the only person I know that could know anything about Kokaku and the trouble he gets into. That and I did not have any phone numbers to call. When the phone finally picked up, I immediately began talking. I did not care if it was her or just her voice mail.*

"I need to contact those that Kokaku gets himself involved with," I said evenly.

[Kira Karyuudo, Hikari]

[( If I have to apologize again and again for completely neglecting you, just say the word. ^^; I'm really sorry. Feel free to advance it, as Leon and Kaz should be arriving in-thread within a post or two to carry on from Izou. )]

It hadn't been long since Leon had left that afternoon, perhaps five minutes at most. It hadn't been long since she'd told him to come back safe. Hopefully Kazuki would be with him. Though she could no longer concentrate on the movie, she kept her eyes on it, practically nestled up against Hikari on the leather couch. The two friends had their arms wrapped comfortably around each other. Eyes half closed and set upon the screen, it took a moment to register when her cell phone rang from her purse in the kitchen. By the time it did, Hikari had already managed to wriggle out from beneath her. She could only nod as her friend told her to stay put.

~Change in Perspective~

Kira hadn't moved a muscle as her phone chimed its tune, and by the second ring, she slithered out from beneath her friend. As she glanced up, the shorter girl smiled.

"I'll get it, Kira. You stay here."

Promptly jogging off around the furniture, Hikari quickly found her friend's purse and rummaged through it, dragging out the vibrating phone before flipping it open and pressing the 'send' button.

"I need to contact those that Kokaku gets himself involved with."

Momentarily puzzled, Hikari tilted her head before the voice finally clicked. 'Leaf!'

"Why--?" She questioned a moment, before things started falling into place. Kokaku had left after they'd gotten to the penthouse earlier. She'd been uneasy about it before, but now there was a hard lump in the back of her throat. "One moment."

After rummaging in her purse to look for an address book as she couldn't access the cell's, Hikari rattled off Leon's and Maverik's number. Another number found and relayed, her voice not yet cracking though she could feel cold shivers racking her body. Nerves and adrenaline.

"Leaf. Where are you? Can you get to Kazuki's penthouse--rather, do you know where it is, first?" After which she gave him the address, her tone stressed and clipped. 'God, nothing better have happened to him or I'll come and beat him into next week and back.' "Leon and Kazuki shouldn't be too long. Far as I know that's who Leon was meeting; he wasn't too willing to divulge anything."

'Jesus, tell me something useful! What the fuck is happening?!'

While she didn't voice her thoughts, as it would completely alarm Rocco, Reiko, and Kira, but would have loved to. No, she showed her natural composure. Leaf didn't reveal too much. That alone was enough cause for worry. Flipping the phone closed, she hoped that Leaf would come, and would come fast. She wanted details, and she wanted them now. Sure her face was ashen; she reached up and roughly pinched her cheeks, adding a dash of colour to them. Worrying her bottom lip soon ceased as well as she turned to wander back to the comfortable couch, settling herself down.

"Leaf might be coming over, that was just him. He caught wind of what happened last night and wants to make sure you're okay." It was a blatant lie, but a good one. The only one she couldn't fool was Rocco, who seemed to stare her down as she swallowed weakly, slowly shaking her head. Like Kira, she ended up staring at the screen, seeing but not really watching it. Something was terribly wrong, and she knew it.

[leaf]

~Leaf. Where are you? Can you get to Kazuki's penthouse--rather, do you know where it is, first? Leon and Kazuki shouldn't be too long. Far as I know that's who Leon was meetings; he wasn't too willing to divulge anything.~

*Apparently Hikari did not know or was just playing it safe. Did Kira know? There was no way to know without going through Hikari first. Those two were more involved with matters of Kvist than I was so they should know about the tape right? But, she did mention Kazuki and Leon meeting. Perhaps they know about the tape. In either case, I at least know where the penthouse is.

"Fine," I replied evenly, "I will be there soon."

*I ended the cellphone conversation then without another word. I was already adding the two numbers Hikari rattled off as I began walking in the direction of the penthouse. It would be a bit before I arrive. Maverik or Leon, well she mentioned Leon meeting with Kazuki, perhaps I can still catch them both while I make this walk. Just hearing from me was enough to have Hikari wondering no doubt, it's not like I have called any of them before without a good reason. But, I did not care at this point. I needed to know what has happened and how in the world Kokaku got himself into this much trouble.

I brushed long strands of hair away from my ear as I dialed Leon's number. Kokaku's troubles tend to involve these people often. If I was going to learn anything, it would be from them. When I finally heard someone answer, I began talking.*

"I'm heading for Kazuki's place," I began coldly, "Apparently Hikari does not know about a...home video I just received in the mail. What happened to Kokaku last night?"