VI

No. This can't be.

I saw him. Plunging into a hole of despair. Right before my very eyes.

Nothing came out of his mouth, but the look on his face was more than enough to know that help is all he needs.

I stretched my hand for him to grab.

But my hands reach nothing.

Hunters' Side

JACK

If only I had saved him.

If only my useless self had not made its appearance amidst that situation.

I stared blankly at the wide window pointing out the full moon and the tiny raindrops racing down the glass, with each drop representing the number of tears I had shed.

It was my fault Naib had to go through all that.

I closed my eyes, holding back the huge sob that had made all the way to the back of my throat. All the achievements and struggles I had underwent to go this far mean nothing, for he does not have any recollections of me whatsoever.

I then bit my lip as another strand of tear rolled down my cheeks, right on top of where the scar is.

Yes. I am beyond aware that I had finished that match with a four-man kill and the fact that I am taking part in the game I myself had planned and made, but my heart just feels like sinking whenever I have to go and pick him as the opposing team.

The scars on his head.

I remember it clearly how the anonymous man had shot him fair and square.

The amount of blood. His near-death experience.

It was when questions started filling my head the way water fills up a tank.

Out of all places, how did he end up here?

And...

Why is he in the faction I am opposing?

A slight knock on the door snapped me out of my thoughts, Hastur's cloaked head poking through it as he made it slightly open.

"Ripper- Bro? You there?"

I deliberately put on my usual white mask with my back the one facing him.

No one should ever see my tears and the reason behind it.

"You better explain why you're asking that. If only I wasn't here right now and you're still talking to me, you better run for your life, man." I joked, trying my best to cover the state of chaos I am in at the moment.

"Haha. Acting all sassy again. I'm just here to let you know that the new guy Michiko happened to take in here is now awake. You better... um.. note all his perks so that we'll be able to put him in matches. Okay?"

My head tilted to one side as he let out his usual smile.

New guy....?

What?

How could I not know about that?

Letting out a sigh, I tightened the straps to my mask as I walked out the room. On moments like this, my role as a match official is totally needed, for in order for all the factions to be able to participate, I'm going to have to note all their skills down.

My gaze landed on the picture Naib had asked me to be a part of just a few years ago as I made my way to the now slightly ajar door where Hastur is waiting on the other side.

Naib.....

Someday you will remember me..... right?

                               ***

"Ah, Jack! Sorry for troubling you with all this, especially this late in the night!" Michiko said, approaching me as I stood next to her, my match diary sitting still on the palm of my normal hand.

I said nothing as I plopped myself down on one of the chairs. I was still feeling like crying, and if only it was not for the mask I would have felt a thousand times more insecure.

But I had to give her answers.

"So, Michiko, where's this man you found unconscious?" I asked.

"How did he even get here though?"

"That's why I had asked Hastur's help to get you. I found him unconscious by the garden when I was about to lock all doors and stuff. I can't just leave him in that state, Jack. Besides, I really think that this is a good chance for our side to have more people." She replied, adjusting her grip on her fan.

"He is awake now, in case you ask."

I gave the Geisha nothing but a silent nod as she pointed towards the living room.

Exactly like what she had said, a man was there, lying on one of the king sized couches with a blanket covering his whole body. His white hair was sprawled all over the pillow, his pair of blue eyes staring at the Geisha timidly.

Oh no. Not again.

This reminds me with that of Naib years back. The moment those eyes changed from what had once been the look of happiness and warmth to the look of  insecurity, for he had failed to acknowledge me.

I bit my inner lip and gave myself a hard pinch.

Jack. No. Control yourself.

"You go ahead, Michiko. I'll be there in a minute." I said, swallowing the lump forming in my throat.

As she nodded her okay and left, I let out a sob. A choked sob. Tears were now forming in my eyes that they are making my vision within the mask blurry.

There is no way I would let Michiko or anyone else know about this.

I then took a few deep breaths, letting all the tensions straining me go all the way out.

Okay, I'm ready now.

"Hey, Michiko! How's the outsider doing?" I said. For the moment I am actually relieved. I no longer sound like I have been crying.

"Hey, Jack. The man is doing fine. In fact, he is all up for a conversation now. Anyway, where's Leo? I haven't seen him the whole day today."

"Um..." I said, scratching the back of my head as I opened my records, searching for Leo's name which the Geisha had mentioned.

"He's up for a match along with the Wu Changs today..... It's a 2 versus 8, so it's gonna be a long match. Anyway, let me see him now."

Michiko then led me towards the man, who is now in a sitting position. His messy hair from earlier had been fixed, this time being tied by a yellow ribbon.

By now he was looking at me, and I don't need anyone telling me that I had to get into action.

I can't help but notice the change of expression on his face as I told him that there is no need of concern and that he should take it easy here. He was shivering, as the night happens to be cold.

I lent mine to him, Naib's face being clearly imprinted in my mind as I did so.

"Hey, one more thing. I've never caught your name. What's yours?"

I had my whole attention on him, hands holding on the pen I had used to note all his details.

"My name is Joseph."

"Okay... this might be awkward for you since it is coming from me, but you better get some rest, Joseph. You can take it easy here, man. This claws won't do any damage to you. Stop giving us that look, okay. Michiko, kindly show him his room." I said, my claw hand forming a fist.

If only it was Naib I'm standing before.

I must have driven myself into a trance again, because the moment I came back to all my senses Michiko was standing next to me, placing one hand on my shoulder.

"Jack." She said, the feeling of concern being palpable in her voice.

"You've been acting really off lately. Are you alright?"

I tightened the grip on the mask covering my face.

There is no way she had found out, right?

The Geisha sighed as I gave her no response.

She then turned her head to look at me, saying outwords that made me really lose it.

"It was that Mercenary, right?"