The Edge Case

It is the year 20XX, The world had advanced exponentially. Countries had begun to use the Moniker 'Neo' to denote the great discoveries made in which every country enjoyed. Cities were no longer the sight of a collection of man made stars dotted on the drape of night but were now the picture of the midnight sun radiating neon light, drowning out the sight of natural stars. Commercialism and Corporations held an iron fist strangling the throat of civilization.

Neo Tokyo was a city no different, but despite such progress one disease had plagued the city. Dubbed the 'Deathless Syndrome', the afflicted people had their conditions oddly not worsen but instead prevented them from dying by any measure, boasting instead extremely high regenerative qualities. With no cure in sight, these modern day immortals would put immense pressure on the dwindling natural resources of the 20XX century.

The City segregated into half, the 'lower half' comprised of the afflicted among others deemed 'undesirable' by high society. The other half colloquially referred to as the 'upper half' enjoyed all the luxurious and amenities as well as the lion share of resources they deprived their lower counterpart of.  In addition to this to prevent overpopulation of the 'Deathless' (those who were afflicted with the syndrome) a call to action was deemed necessary and the R34P3R initiative was born. 

The R34P3R initiate is why currently at this moment under the downpour of rain a car was parked just on the side of the road of a dimly lit slum. Just overhead train tracks emanated the sounds of a moving train nearby, just to the side of the road was the great dividing ocean. It's waves crashing against concrete nearby whilst the pitter patter created ripples on all over it's surface. The plinking of the rain beat the roof of the car almost ceaselessly and in the distance the neon city of Neo Tokyo illuminated the distant dark.

A young man and a older heavy set man could be seen discussing something inside, only illuminated by the faint illumination of what looked to be a arm mounted PDA producing holographic images of documents.

"I'm just saying! this is it pup! Your last job and you're living it up real good! We should celebrate after this!" the heavier set man said.

"Not interested, after this I'm out. You won't see me again." the younger man replied.

"Don't be such a sourpuss Grave! What's so interesting about those case files anyway!? It's real simple, find one of those freaks then pump lead into em! Do it enough times like you have and you have it made!" 

The young man had simply ignored him as he read the documents intently.

"Cmon Grave! out with it! what's the oh so clever member of the month so fascinated with! Cmon!"

It was probably at this point the young man named Grave understood that the heavier set mans prodding would distract his focus on his reading.

"Fine Whiro, I'll bite. 

The first recorded case of the 'Deathless' was an ordinary salary man who decided to take his own life after losing his job, only to find out his final solution wasn't so final, That was in Oct 31st 20XX. A year later, the man now under name 'Zombie man' had gained immense popularity and on his famous 'What can kill a Zombie!?' show, he had unknowingly filmed his last episode." Grave explained though the heavy set man named Whiro was less than enthused but feigned interest in the topic to humor him.

"An elderly retired police officer using his ancient revolver shot a bullet into 'Zombie man' but the wound didn't heal as expected and proved exceptionally fatal. When the elderly man was questioned after the show and the gun inspected, it was found that the bullet was nothing out of the ordinary much like the weapon itself. This was the first recorded case of a 'Death Tender', This happened on Oct 31st 20XX.

The very same date. Don't you find that weird!?" Grave finished with a quizzical look at Whiro.

"Who cares lil pup? We ain't meant to question. We're just war dogs, our war is on those freaks. We bark, the higher ups point and we kill. That's all there is to it." Whiro responded nonchalantly.

"It can't be that simple!"

"I don't know what to tell you lil pup, That's just the way it is." 

"What about the edge cases then! What if a genius scientist like Albert Einstein caught the syndrome? How about if a great inventor like Nikola Tesla were to be taken before his time because of us! It can't be so black and white!"

"A bullet for each of them, that's all the answers we need. There are just no edge cases lil' pup." Whiro said in an unusually matter of fact tone.

"That can't be-" 

"Come in Graves, Whiro do you read me?" a female voice had interrupted their conversation, this voice seemed to emanate from Graves arm device.

"Oh~? It's your girl Grave, what should we do? should we respond?" Whiro asked mischievously.

"She's not my anything, we're not like that" Grave stated unconvincingly.

"You do realize I can hear the both of you correct? Cut out the chatter! Report in! What's your status!" The woman on the other end demanded, it posed no difficulty to understand the state of her mood after their previous exchange.

"Oof, Looks like you struck a nerve Grave" Whiro joked, knowing full well what trouble he caused.

"We're parked just outside the targets last recorded sighting. According to the case files this should be business as usual which begs the question, Nami, why do I need Whiro to baby sit me?"

"I'll let the tone of your voice go for now, as for why Whiro needs to be there it can't be helped, it's your last case after all. The failure rates of tenders last cases are unusually high, So much so it started to form it's own superstition around it. 

The "Portent of Passage" as they call it.

You've been an exemplary death tender otherwise but with the demise of your last partner and your adamant refusal to take another, well... needless to say the higher ups are concerned. At any rate, I've gone ahead and reviewed the case as your handler and it doesn't really strike me as something outside your capabilities.

I'm standing by on lookout incase you run into trouble.

Good Hunting, Grave. 

Drinks are on me when you're done.

Don't keep me waiting long.

Over and out."

"Nami said a whole bunch and didn't leave you room for an answer huh lil pup?"

"She's been like this ever since he died. She worries too much."

"I've heard the story. Your old partner, he got sweet on a Deathless. Started spouting some nonsense and we get the call. A sudden black out, comms were down. Complete radio silence. Nami pulling her hair out from stress or maybe worry. A team was sent out to investigate and guess what they find?

A green but not green anymore Grave, covered in his partners blood next to his dead freak girl. 

You are as cold as ice Grave"

Grave didn't reply and had only showed the hint of a pained expression on his face instead.

"You know lil pup, That's why I took this babysitting mission. When I heard that the star tender was on his last case. I knew I had to be there to see you work. I'm a REAL big fan of your work. All those freaks hanging off of you, pleading,

pLeAsE dOnT KiLl mE! They would always say. Only to find their death at the end of your barrel. I have Goosebumps just thinking about it man. You're my hero for real."

Grave no longer liked the new direction the conversation had been taking nor how the exchange had started to bring up feelings he didn't want to experience. He swiftly opened the passenger side door into the pouring rain and finalized the end of the discussion with the words;

"Whatever, Let's just get this over with"

Before exiting the vehicle, promptly checking the ammunition in his weapon of choice only to holster it and move towards the building that housed his next target. It wasn't long before the roar of the cars engine halted with Whiro following close behind right after.

The building had seen better days with the blackened etchings of damage visibly ingrained into it. The door to the building had been jet black and hanging on its hinges off to the side offering no resistance to entry. Poorly done patch up jobs had been done to the property while also doubling as also being one of the few indications of anyone calling such a sorry state a home.

Grave was the first to enter with Whiro cautiously followed suit as he drew his weapon from his holster. After pressing something on his arm mounted PDA a light shot out that was not too unlike a flashlight in a forward direction to which he paired with the aiming of his revolver like weapon. In his mind he had anticipated the would be target waiting to strike from the shadows that were so prominent at a cursory glance into home.

The interior had the bones of what would have been a home of someone affluent for it's time.  It's prime days however were far far into the past as the story it's insides now told was one of a dilapidated house in the slums of the lower city.

Grave moved with nonchalant purpose, scanning each scorched room for signs of life. He spied the flashlight of what sounded to be Whiro if one were to judge the heavy stomps that followed him wherever he went. 

He could only let out a large sigh in response.

"Whiro, if you have to take this whole 'babysitting' job of yours so seriously, could you at least make yourself useful and make sure the room upstairs are clear?"

"Lil pup is that you? how can you see in here!?"

"Cybernetic augments, they allow me to see in the dark or even hear a pin drop if I want. Consider it the perks of the job"

*whistle* "That's high spec stuff, looks like they've started playing favorites."

"Something like that, The cybernetic contacts also stream a video feed directly to HQ. The higher ups jealously guard their 'assets'."

"The higher ups really don't like others playing with their gizmos that much huh?"

"I wasn't talking about the augments"

"so they actually ARE playing favorites now huh? Back when I was doing my civvie draft, I remember it being more spartan. Survival of the fittest and boy was I fit!"

"You could have left this life behind Whiro, why did you choose to stay?"

Whiro took but a moment to think of the answer and a wide smile stretched across his face as he said his next words with glee.

"Perks of the job."

The way Whiro had smiled as he said that made Grave's skin crawl. It was no surprise Grave didn't particularly enjoy his babysitter hanging around him. If possible he wanted to investigate the building without Whiro looking over his shoulder the entire time. 

"Focus up Whiro, I need you to make sure the upstairs is clear. It seems quiet enough but it's too quiet for my liking"

"Whatever you say, 'Your Majesty' " having said that, Whiro clomped his way up the nearby stairs to the immediate relief of Grave.

Grave had resumed his search for the target, with an occasional stomp to indicate Whiro's presence above. Each room had been as quiet as a graveyard and looked about as populated as one with charred remains strewn about everywhere.

It didn't take a genius to gather the reason for the damage and the charred bodies. Some great fire must have raged fiercely consuming all that inhabited this place Grave thought. With the sheer number of bodies one could also reasonably surmise this had been meant a family or maybe two of squatters. 

Sadly for these poor fallen, it was only a matter of time. With the schism the upper city had the lion's share of resources and often homes in the lower city would suffer structural problems and shoddy fire insulation with maintenance and repairs being few and far between. Their fates were invariably set for tragedy, Though there was something to be said about the ramshackle state of the house, Grave could only wonder how far back this great fire must have first sparked.

Still though, among the dead, Grave had not spotted a young girl amidst them. According to the case file the report of a Deathless was called in via an anonymous tip. Not much was known about the tipper except the one who took the tip had mentioned that the tipper sounded incredibly young. 

That thought had left Grave with a sense of unease hanging over him. Could this be a hostage situation? Either way, if his instinct was right she would be here. He would have to get to her first before encountering the Deathless hiding away somewhere in this house.

Whiro's footsteps had come to a halt and the house was dead silent. Grave could only assume that with the lack of usage Whiro's itchy trigger fingers saw, Whiro was instead definitely loafing off. If it meant Grave had some piece and quiet then he wouldn't report it to HQ.

There! in the midst of the silence, scratching of sound could be heard. It had been almost inaudible because of the sounds both he and Whiro had been making but now that he could focus he could hear it. The consistent scratching's of sound a few rooms back, near the entrance.

The sensation of the sounds felt like an itch in his ear, Grave carefully traced the sound back through one room and then another until he reached the source of the itch. A closet just opposite the entrance door. Grave held a hand over his weapon in its holster prepared for the worst as he opened the door of the closet.

The door opened with a creak, revealing scorch touched hung clothes above and a collection of burned shoes below. The dark behind the clothes were deep. Grave rummaged through the clothes to find the source of the sound only to find nothing of note. He turned to inspect the shoes next all neatly lined up next to each other except for the last pair. 

The last pair looked to be shoes fit for a young girl but with lessened damage compared to the rest. More alarmingly small pale feet were nestled inside them to Grave's surprise, naturally the next thing he checked was the legs connected to the feet which indicated the owner were in a fetal position. The legs went up to small knees and escaped into the dark behind.

Grave's anxiety grew at the sight of it, he hurriedly searched the back of the closet to find the owner. The pale complexion made him fear the worst, was he too late? did some wretched Deathless have fun at their expense then steal away into the night? What should have been only a moment felt like an eternity before the discovery of the owner.

Or the discovery of her to be exact. 

The very sight Grave saw of her at this point was the sight of a young girl with unkept disheveled overgrown black hair that Grave could only guess would have almost reached her feet at her small size.

Her finger nails had been unkept with some visible damage as if she had been scratching something until they bled and subsequently healed a large number of times. 

She was in a fetal position as her legs had suggested except in one of her arms was a charred bunny rabbit plushie which she gripped with extreme tightness. Her clothing adorned on her  looked like the neo gothic lolita styles except without the more flashy elements. Instead her dress was extravagant in the ancient sense, with what looked to have been an excess of both frills and dark colors. Though with the damage to the clothes it had been hard to distinguish what black and gray was natural and what was colored by the fire.

Her head was planted firmly between her knees and the scratching sound clearly escaped from just underneath of where she hanged her head. With this context, Grave had put together that the scratching sound was not actual scratching but the meek, hoarse voice of this poor girl. So meek was her voice even Grave, with all his augments, struggled to decipher the meaning to them.

Grave had never really comforted anyone in all his years, yet immediate circumstances required he at least make an effort. He thought back to himself, when he was a green novice and back to what his partner did for him.

Grave kneeled down to her level with both hands outstretched to clasp her shoulders in what he thought was reassurance. She started at his touch, then relaxed. He could only wonder what horrid thing must have happened to have her to leave her in such a sorry state. She felt thin, too thin as if she hadn't eaten in a long while as there was less of her than the clothes she wore.

"It's okay now, you're going to be alright, don't worry. My name is Grave, I'm going to take you someplace safe."

Her meek voice intensified but Graves understanding of her couldn't match her pace at all, her head remained planted in her knees and she didn't lift it to meet his gaze.

"I know it's difficult right now but can you try and tell me your name?"

Grave needed to know she could communicate, he felt it might have been too much to ask of a evidently distraught young girl but in the case she could he could pursue vital information. The location of the Deathless as well as how she came to be in this situation for starters.

She had paused for a bit and put visibly greater effort into her words.

"M...Mi...Mister Gr..grave?"

That was not the answer he had expected but was slightly pleased that she had become more animated as her head had begun to lift as she finally became audible to him. He would hear what she had to say nevertheless. 

Her head had almost reached it's peak now, their heads were at the same level.

"W...w..will you kill me? I w...want to be with M...m..mommy and D...Daddy." having said that she opened her eyes to reveal how unusual they were, except to someone like Grave.

Black sclera, A glowing iris, glowing the vibrant colors of their original color or in extreme rarities, white like hers and darkened pupils.

All the telltale signs of the Deathless.

It was a lie, It had to be! Does that mean she called the tip on herself? It didn't make any sense! How was it that her parents died but she is still here? what does it all mean!? Just how long has she suffered like this exactly!? years? decades!?

These thoughts among others that were too many count all raced across Graves mind, each toppling over each other to have their spotlight as he tried to make sense of what he was witnessing but more importantly, what he had to do.

Then it came to him, everything he witnessed, everything he saw. It all made sense to him, her sorry state, the fire damage to the house, her malnourishment. There was no need of another answer other than the one before him. She was a Deathless, and it was time to hunt.

Having said that his breathing quickened in response as he removed his hands from her only to rise to his knees as he reached for his weapon.

"WHIRO! I found the target! Commencing the hunt!" Grave had shouted as protocol demanded on a supervised mission.

The resumption of the stomping across the upstairs floor had indicated his babysitters approval and impending backup shortly.

His hand had missed his holster which had noticed was very unusual for him, though he didn't feel it in his soul, his body instead had started to betray his anxiety and unease. He felt he was that green rookie on his first job back then, not the experienced death tender he was today.

"Grave, someday...."

"Could you do it?"

his voice always crossed Graves mind at the most inopportune times.  

In Graves mind he was back in that room just after he had dispatched the Deathless woman his partner had protected. His partner almost intuitively sensing the insubordination from Grave. Grave had expected to see the look of hatred or disdain on his partners face as Grave raised his weapon to dispatch the traitor.

Instead his partner parted with his final words to Grave with a sad smile on his face. That face, those words, they still haunt him to this day.

"Grave, I know it doesn't seem like it but someday you're going to realize something. Right now, it's survival, to just get by and I get it. I was the same way too once. There comes a point though Grave where using that same old excuse isn't enough. After all is said and done and you've finally got your life back, you have to live with the decisions you've made.

I've watched you grow from that timid shy boy into a fine young man. I had always thought you could have been different than the rest of us. 

In the end the strength we strived for in ourselves was strength only to do what he had to do. At some point we stopped searching for the right kind of strength, the right kind of courage.

Could you live with the decisions you've made after this Grave? Could you do it?"

"Shut up...I don't need to hear this right now. I have a job to do." Grave muttered quietly to himself in an attempt to dispel the thought of his voice.

Grave finally focused himself enough to draw his weapon and plant it directly at the young girls forehead as she simply watched for a few moments before slowly closing her eyes in what she would expect would come next.

His hand trembled something fierce, his mind and body were at an odds that they were struggling to reconcile. The stomps grew louder as Whiro drew closer to the stairs overhead.

Just pull the trigger! I'm so close now! Just one more pull of the trigger then It's done! and I don't have to do this anymore! I can just forget about it and live my life! It'll be a mercy to her anyway! They aren't human anyway!

Or so the voice of Graves mind had vocalized to himself as he wrestled with himself on what he would need to enact. Slowly but surely the well crafted wall he had so carefully built to keep out everything uncomfortable or that he didn't want to see or hear, to do what he had to do, began to crumble.

"Could you do it?" the way he looked as he said those words flashed into Graves mind once again.

The overhead stomps had begun to descend down the staircase and shortly after Whiro had come into view of a trembling Grave and the young girl he had his weapon on.

"Having trouble lil pup?" Whiro said noticing how the target wasn't already eliminated by Grave.

Though Whiro had not always been called the sharpest tool in the toolbox he managed to put the situation together at just a glance.

"Ooooh I get it! it's because she's young and all beaten up! It'll be a mercy kill Grave, think of it like that! She's going to meet mom and pops on the other side!"

Grave had made no motion of hearing what Whiro said, looking as if he was still lost in his own world.

Whiro had simply let out a long sigh in response and offered an alternative solution. Though he couldn't help but feel disappointed not seeing Grave in his element.

"Fine Grave, I'll take care of this. It'll be our little secret, move aside and I'll handle it. What is with these last cases man?" saying this Whiro had moved closer towards the little girl with weapon in hand to finish what Grave started.

Grave whirled around and pointed his weapon at Whiro, no longer trembling. His unfocused eyes prior now displaying the calm and cool demeanor that his reputation often preceded him by.

"There he is! That's the grave I know! but I think you're a lil confused lil pup! you're pointing the weapon the wrong way!"

"Don't come any closer Whiro. I won't let you touch a hair on her head."

"That's not funny man, you know what we do to traitors right? I mean you especially!"

"She's under my protection now, I'm taking her away from here. Don't try and stop me."

"Cmon Grave! You wouldn't shoot me! Think things through! You've got a good thing right now! You wanna throw it all away!? for what!? her!? There's a million of people that look like her in the upper city! Young or old, skinny or fat, Big bust or big arses! there's all the supply for any demand!" Whiro had stated first calmly but started to get heated up as he went.

"You wouldn't understand Whiro even if I explained it to you. For the first time in a very long time, I'm staring to think clearly, Just don't get in my way." Grave stated in a matter of fact way. He had his weapon focused on Whiro as he slowly kneeled down and to feel around for her hand.

Having witnessed everything the young girl gripped Grave's had tightly and hid behind him. A scratching sound could be heard but Whiro didn't notice it but could guess the meaning in her actions.

"You're going to make me cry Grave, this is sad. Real sad. You're the best of the best. Now that I think about it, if I kill you.... then I'll be the guy whos better than the best of the best." Whiro didn't skip a beat after saying this and lined up a shot on Grave.

Only Grave anticipated this with the way the conversation was going and took the initiative to shoot first, the bullet found it's mark on Whiro's arm mounted PDA causing it to malfunction and shut off Whiro's source of light.

"Drok! I can't see! you Drokker! I SWEAR I'm going to kill her real slow like just before I put a bullet through your skull TRAITOR!" Whiro said as he fired aimlessly into the direction of where grave was and at the sound of his footsteps as well as the smaller footsteps of Graves ward, each shot momentarily illuminating their ever moving whereabouts.

Amidst the dark a small flash appeared nearby from his flank that caught Whiro by surprise. An extreme burning sensation could be felt erupting from his abdomen. It had been all he could do to stand upright by leaning on a wall behind him though not for long as his legs shortly gave way due to the shock of being shot.

In Whiro's perspective, the dark talked to him with Grave's voice and it said;

"I should have avoided any major organs, you'll live and If you know what's good for you, don't get up." as it drew closer to him with the sound of metal skipping across the ground followed as he assumed what was his weapon being kicked away from him. 

Graves voice then receded, instead the dual sound of his and her footsteps returned. The light brought in by the doorway was intercepted as the silhouettes of a young man and his ward exited into the light.

The outside had been a sight for sore eyes for Grave. The waves had still lapped at the concrete and everything had been mostly the same as when he had first arrived. Except something was different. he was different, at least he didn't feel like the same Grave that entered that building looking for an end, now he was at the cusp of a new beginning.

He could feel the tug of the girls hand on his as they made their way to the car. Grave briefly left go of the girls hand as he attempted to open to door only to find it locked.

"Damnit! That's right! Whiro has the keys!" Grave stated frustratingly as it had carelessly slipped his mind.

In response he began to bang at the window in attempt to break in though he felt he had noticeably weakened physically since his fight with Whiro.

"M...M..mister! Y...you're h..hurt!?!?" 

It was the young girl who had the answer that he sought as her eyes began to well up with tears.

"Don't worry, it's nothing." Grave said still making his attempts at being reassuring towards her as he gently patted her head to calm her down.

 Looking down he noticed one of Whiro's bullets found purchase on him in his lower right abdomen as red had began to seep into his uniform where the bullet had eaten away a hole sized part of him. He suspected the adrenaline still pumping through him was the reason he couldn't feel it just yet.

It didn't matter, He had made his decision. All that was left to do was to see it through to the end and make sure the young girl could see better, happier days. 

Grave hadn't realized it but he was using both hands to keep himself standing upright. He knew he had to get the keys so they could make their escape. Despite the onset of pain that came with the bullet he felt surprisingly free, like he was finally on the path he was meant to be on. Using both hands to push off the vehicle he made towards the building once again with the girl following sheepishly behind.

That is before a new voice stopped them both in their tracks and all too familiar one.

"STOP RIGHT THERE! DON'T MOVE A MUSCLE!"

"Nami? is that you?"

"DAMNIT GRAVE! What did you do!?!?"

Nami stood there in person with her weapon in hand pointed at Grave as she approached.

"You idiot! The contacts Grave! I've seen the whole thing! They've seen it! Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you right now!"

"Because that's not who you are Nami, that's not who we have to be"

"Oh yeah!? do you think I can't do it!?  you think I can't shoot down an innocent man like you can? Traitor!"

"Nami, this whole time we've been killing innocent men and woman. It's wrong. It's all wrong. They're people just like us, they feel hunger, they cry when they're sad and they love just like us. There is no us and them, there's just us." 

"M...mister! L..Look out!" the young girl shouted as best she could to alert Grave as the sound of a gunshot could be heard.

Graves instincts took over immediately after hearing that and pulled the young girl in close into him and turning away from Nami. After the sound abated he could feel a burning sensation not in his back but instead in his armpit. Confused he turned to Nami with an icy glare with the assumption she tried to flank him in order to kill his charge.

Only to find her, equally confused and with a terrified look on her face as she saw Graves eyes fixated on her.

"Oh god Grave! I...didn't shoot!"

On the examination of the gun, Grave knew she was telling the truth, there was no smoke from the barrel of her weapon. Which could only mean one thing, he turned back towards the buildings entrance.

There he was, gun in hand, on his belly just on the entrance floor. He must had found his gun scrambling in the dark. That old war dog wouldn't give up his bone in the end Grave thought.

"You were my HERO Grave! My drokking idol on the alter I worship! I WANTED to be you! I can't watch you do this to yourself! If you want to die for those freaks then have it your way!"

Grave prepared for the worst only to hear the empty clink of Whiro's weapon. Grave understood what it had meant instinctively and deftly lined up the shot and planted a bullet right between Whiro's eyes ending him for good.

His body suddenly felt heavier as what felt like the weight of the world fall on him, he moved a few steps towards Whiro before almost toppling over if not for Nami who grabbed him and slowed his fall. Nami held Grave in her arms as she checked on his wounds.

"Grave! This is bad! I think he hit an artery. I have to call someone! You've already lost too much blood!"

"Nami...I don't have much time left, I need a favor"

"No! don't talk like that! You can ask me anything after I get help!"

"Nami, please take care of her."

"I...It's m..my fault h..hes hurt!" the young girl hearing this began to sob as she kneeled down beside him hugging his both his arm and her plushie.

"What are you saying Grave!? do you know what you're asking?"

"Please Nami, take Whiro's keys and go. I can't see where but you have to take her and go somewhere far away from here. You're the only one I can ask."

"Damnit! Fine! After that I'm coming back for you! We've been through hell together, don't think I'll let you off the hook just like that!"

With that Nami gently rested Grave on the ground and tried offer the girl her hand but the girl couldn't be torn away from the death grip she had to a weakened Grave.

Grave turned to the young girl and patted her on her head and spoke gently to her.

"It'll be okay little one but you need go now okay? go with Nami she'll take good care of you. You can trust her, she's one of the good ones."

The girl sobbing, silently nodded then slowly released Grave as she took Nami's hand out of Graves view. High heeled footsteps could be heard walking in the direction of Whiro's body then the sound of opening and closing of car doors.

"Don't die on me Grave! I'll be back! I swear it!" Nami could be heard saying from Whiro's car as she revved the engine of the car before heading out.

"Yeah, I'll be waiting." Grave said in response. 

"Y...yukina! Y...you asked b..before! my name is Y...yukina!" the young girl had stumbled to say just after protruding from the car window as her voice diminished into the distance.

Yukina, what a nice name he thought. It had suited her well.

Grave had looked up at the starry sky and knew it wouldn't be long now. He could feel himself teeter on the brink and his eyes grew heavy.

It was funny, all this time and he never really did get to appreciate the stars as much as he did in that moment. With the neon lights of the cyber city, one could scarcely catch a glimpse of the stars like one could out here.

If there was a lesson in there about how this world was, he was sure someone wiser than him could glean it.

His eyelids drew to a close and he had wondered, no in fact he was certain, that he would no longer be haunted by those memories anymore.

"Isn't that right, partner?" Grave said to a new presence he somehow felt.

Beneath his closed eyes, he could finally picture his partner happy. 

END