Barrier

April and Nicco exit the office and Sakura returns to her paperwork which is due soon. Unfortunately for her, a pair of eyes is watching her, wondering about what she just did.

"What is it Hirato? Do you need to go to the bathroom? You know where the bathroom is."

Said man just stares at her in disbelief, wondering if she said it out of spite or to just make fun of him.

"Sakura."

"Hmm?"

"That kid, April, what is he to you?"

Sakura looks at her long-time friend in a confused manner. "What are you on about?"

"I mean, the kid asked you money and you gave it to him, plus benifits!"

"So?"

Hirato wants to scream in frustration. "You're the stingiest person I know! You'd ask for the entire liquidation of a budget before giving said budget! But you gave the kid what he asked and even threw in a lot for free!"

"I'm just performing my duties as his guardian."

"Ha! I bet it's something more. I mean, why would you even do something unconditional? It's like you're related or something. You're not even that nice to your relatives in the first place. The only person you're nice to, is your only brother, Ryuuji."

Sakura just stares at the man with a knowing look. She sighs, like giving up for being figured out. Realizing this, Hirato looks at her with eyes as big as saucers.

"He's- You're- No way!" Hirato exclaims but Sakura remains impassive and gives him a pointed look. "Seriously? Oh wow. I should probably get to that kid's good side and start spoiling him if he's that important to you."

"If you want to deal with a hyper brat who's too smart and too rude for his own good, you're welcome to try."

Hirato sighs and plops down on his seat. "Still though. He has the Heart of the Primordial and he has this uncanny relationship with you. Once the elders find out about this, there'll be blood."

"If they try anything it'll be their blood that's going to be spilled. Now shut up you fox man! Finish your tea and get the hell out of here!"

Hirato only smiles in amusement and drinks his tea.

***

I feel weird. Like really weird.

The moment we landed in the airport in Negros I suddenly felt tired and sluggish. I feel like my eyelids are weighted and I'm having a hard time keeping my eyes open.

And that was half an hour ago. We're currently on a car, on our way to our accommodations in Canlaon City. I still feel tired and I have a feeling I will be passing out in a few minutes.

"April, are you okay?" asks Himeko-nee with a worried tone.

"I'm… I just feel… tired. I might... I'll just go to… sleep."

I can't fight it any longer. My mind is getting foggy and I can feel my body shutting down, demanding I sleep and I conk out.

I'm not sure what happened next but I find myself at the edge of consciousness. I'm still a bit out of it but I can feel myself being shaken awake but I only let out a groan and curl to my sides, already wanting to get back to sleep. I feel being lifted up and voices of concern followed soon but they're inaudible.

I give up. I'll just return to sleep then.

I am met with darkness. I'm probably dreaming again. Or worse, I'm about to venture in a nightmare.

"Come." says a voice.

Okay? This is getting creepy.

A sudden flash of light interrupts me and I'm suddenly standing at the bottom of a set of marble stairs.

Now it's just getting creepier.

"Come." says the voice again which I'm pretty sure is coming from the top of the stairs.

I'm pretty sure it's not a good idea to follow an unknown voice in the middle of nowhere but I suddenly feel the urge to climb the damn stairs, find answers to my questions and get this over with!

Just as I'm about to place my foot on the first step, I feel a hand clasp my wrist and I'm being dragged away.

I can see that guy, the me who doesn't look like me, holding my wrist in an iron grip.

"You!"

"I don't recommend going up those stairs. You're already in so much trouble."

"But-"

"No buts. Get out of here."

He suddenly pushes me and I lose my balance.

This bastard! Why did he do that?! If he wanted me out I could've gone out myself! But then again, how do I even exit my own subconscious.

Now when somebody shoves you down and you lose your balance, you can only prepare for impact, but no impact happened on my part. Instead I find myself waking up.

The hell? Where am I?

I have a pounding headache and I still feel a little groggy and sluggish.

I still have no idea what's going on with me and I really hate feeling so weak. Are thirteen year olds even supposed to feel this sickly?

"You're awake." says a familiar voice.

Nicco? Why is he- right. He's my observer.

"Where are we?"

"We're in a guest house that belongs to the Canillo Family."

"The Canillo Family?"

"They're the family that's in-charge of Negros Oriental or so I heard."

"The Guardian of Negros then?"

"More like the Keeper of Kanlaon."

Ugh. More confusing terms. And my head is already swimming.

"Do you still feel like-"

"Shit? Yeah. And I don't know why. I just-"

"A member of the Canillo Family explained about your… predicament."

My predicament? Does that mean they have something to do with my damn condition?

"Well they're family is in-charge of the province you know and there's this barrier around the entire island that's supposed to protect the island and everyone in it from anything evil."

HA?!

"I beg your pardon?"

"Erm… Unregistered and uninvited demons are supposedly weakened once they cross the barrier. Since you're contracted to a demon, we figured that's what probably happened to you."

*SIGH*

Makes sense then. But why do I feel like there's something more?

"Damn it. Will I feel like I got run over by big dogs the entire trip?" I groan. "How can I go around doing my investigations then?"

"Oh they also said not to worry. It should pass tomorrow. Though you'll feel a little sluggish but it should be fine."

Seriously?

"And how is that fine?"

"Well, Mr. Hiiro already explained to them about your presence here so they will be registering you so you can go around the area with no problem. At least that what they said."

Damn it! I'm not even a demon! Is the blasted barrier seriously treating me as one?

"Where are they?" I ask, getting out of bed and stretching my limbs, basically waking myself up.

"Mr. Hiiro and Ms. Himeko already headed to Department Thirteen to help with the investigation. Sylvia and Klint probably headed to the scene we're planning to visit. Don't worry, Noir is with them. He seems to like Klint."

"Of course he does. Klint is like half-dalaketnon. Crows and ravens have always liked him."

"Dalaketnon?"

"It's a race of supernatural exclusive in the Philippines – the engkantos. They're basically dark and stuff. It's the reason Klint has pale skin even though he's not a vampire and spending the day away out in the sun."

"I see…"

"But dalaketnons are considered an evil race of engkantos. Klint is nothing like them though. You know it yourself he's one ball of sunshine."

Klint had no desire to reveal his ancestry, I found out about it accidentally when I met dalaketnons myself a few years back. I suppose the reason why the dalaketnons in Mt. Ilihan doesn't bother us is because of Klint. Of course, Klint knows I already know since I told him. Plus the fact that his hair and eyes turn completely white whenever he tries to use his powers is proof of it.

"His not a bad kid."

"I know. Besides that kid loves you, for reasons I have no idea about or care really, so I suppose I'll trust your words on it."

Why do I feel like I just got insulted?

"Well what do you want to do now?"

"Can we head to where-"

Crap, the door suddenly opening surprised me!

"Hiiro-san?"

"April, I need your help. Can you come with me?"

Ohkay? I should probably see what he wants my help with.