Fate
 

Chapter 1 - The Mirror
 

Chapter 1 - The Mirror

Fakir’s sandy blond hair flowed like wheat in the warm summer breeze. His cobalt eyes full of sorrow and dried tears. He sat at the river band in dress slacks and a white button up shit. His jacket lay beside him in the grass as he watched the sun set on his hellish day. It was a week before the wedding and his fiancée left him for another guy. She didn’t tell him why or even that she was sorry. She just left as if it was nothing.

“Come now there’s no reason to be sad.” An old man told him as he came and sat beside him. He set a large travel bag beside him and started to rummage through it.

“What would you old man.” Fakir replied as he tried to ignore the strange man who sat beside him. He ran his hand through his hair as his eyes started to mist again.

“She was not for you. The one you seek has yet to be found.” The old man chuckled as he put a small round mirror in Fakir’s face. It was slighting larger than his hand, but something about it seemed abnormal.

Fakir took the mirror and looked the whole thing. The back was polished silver, engraved with a small ribbon and the Japanese character for fate. To fakir it was just some trinket; that is until he looked into the mirror. At first all he saw was his reflection, but it quickly melted away to reveal a women. Her lifeless body lie on the ground as people walked by as if she wasn’t there. Her green eyes dull from death, but somehow she looked as if she was about to cry. Her soft flaxen hair was stained with blood, and draped over her lower face. Fakir’s heart started breaking the longer he watched the mirror. Finally ripping his eyes away from the sight as he tried to hold back the tears; he’d done enough crying for rest of his life at this point.

“You need her as much as she’ll need you. I just hope you find her before this happens.” The old man grunted as he stood to leave. He took the mirror and placed it back in the bag before walking off.

“Wait! What is all this?” Fakir asked as he stood to run after the old man, but something about him seemed unreachable now.

“It is fate my boy.” The old man answered back before he seemed to vanish in the distance. Fakir stood there; alone once more to contemplate what he’d just seen. The longer he thought about it the crazier it seemed. After some time he ran down the street heading for the local bar. His head was pounding from the stress and his eyes were blurred from weeping, but he could find the bar in his sleep. On his way he accidentally bumped into someone. He grabbed her just before she fell, but his contacts had started move from all the water. He blinked a few times, but all he could make out was her silhouette, and what looked to be gold hair.

“I’m sorry.” She said helplessly before she broke free from his grasp and ran off. Fakir didn’t even have time to apologize on his part. He rubbed his eyes to correct his vision as he looked back in the direction she headed. Her long blond hair danced in the wind as she ran off. He thought of going after her to apologize, but something to take care of.

Once he was at the bar Fakir relaxed and took a seat. It was an old fashion kind of place. With original wood floors and bar, the stage was new as were the tables and booths that occupied most of the space. Fakir took is usual booth in the back as he waited for Ryu to finish with the band.

Ryu was on stage trying to fix one of their amps that was damaged on the way over. It wasn’t hard really just some loose wiring that came undone. His hair was buzzed short, while his brown eyes were protected from his glasses. He only wore them when he was reading or fixing something so they normally stayed in his pocket. Ryu looked over to see Fakir and finished quickly. Once that was out of the way he jumped off stage and sat across from his friend.

“You look like hell.” Ryu told him as he kicked back and lit a cigarette. The smoke wafting in the air as he puffed away.

“I’ve been better I’ll tell you that.” Fakir replied as he tried to explain what had just happened to him. Only problem was no matter how he approached the story it sounded crazy every time.

“Man she’s a cheating harlot anyway. You’ll find another girl soon. I mean come on if Vincent can get a girl I know you can.” Ryu told him trying to make him feel better about the situation, but it didn’t look like it helped much.
“You haven’t spoken to Vincent in a while have you? He and that girl split up a while ago, it’s been about 3 month now I believe.”
“No way really?! Man good for her; he told me he hit her once. He never could control his temper.” Ryu informed him; glad to hear she got out of it. Looking over at Fakir he couldn’t feel he was holding something back through all the small talk.
“Spill it. What aren’t you telling me?” Ryu interrogated him as he took the last drag of his cigarette. It wasn’t hard to read Fakir when he was like this. Ryu had known him for years and never once saw him so broken up over someone, but now he seemed shaken up like something happened.

Fakir sighed as he tried to explain it, but he still found no logical way to put it. So he just told him what happened with the old man. He spoke quickly trying to get it done and over with. Once he finished he looked up at his friend hoping he didn’t think he had gone crazy.

Ryu didn’t say anything at first; he just looked around at the other people in the bar. No one seemed to be paying them any mind and he was thankful for that. He leaned in close to fakir keeping there conversation private.
“I know you’ve been stressed, but drugs aren’t the answer” Ryu told him quietly.

Fakir sighed as he sat back in his seat. He figured a reaction like that to his story.
“Man I’m not doing anything like that. I’m telling you the truth.” Fakir told him as he tried to stay calm through all this. Ryu was right about one thing; he was stressed real bad the last few days. Fakir had even taken a few days off work to get himself back together. It was getting late, and Fakir hadn’t gotten any useful advice. He just sat there for a short time when the girl he ran into popped his mind. He didn’t know why, but it made him wonder about Vincent’s girl.
“You know in all the time Vincent and her were together I never met her.” Fakir realized as he sat there. It seemed so strange to never met a friends girlfriend.

“I saw her once. She’s a cute little blond, kind of quiet. I didn’t think someone like her would go for him.” Ryu replied as he got up. He had to get back to work making sure the band would be ready for tonight. Being the owner of the place his work never seemed to be done.
“Just take it easy. Or try working to take your mind off of it.” Ryu suggested as he patted his friend on the shoulder before walking off to the back. Fakir just sat there a while longer before going home. He didn’t know why he brought up Vincent’s ex or why he thought of the stranger he bumped into. He just tried his best to sleep in hopes that work really would take his mind off of everything.

Chapter 2 – Meeting



Shiori was running around the kitchen at work trying to get lunch ready for the kids. Her hair was clipped back out of her hair as she did her best to keep an eye on the kids while she finished sandwiches. Shiori took over the small day care from a friend once she decided to move. There were normally between four to six kids
depending on the day. It wasn’t hard to handle as long as they started on schedule.

Once she had their trays set out she called the kids for lunch. Everyone came running except for Mai. Now that Shiori thought about it Mai wasn’t attacked to her hip for some time now.
“Mai?” Shiori called as she looked around the play area before running through the house looking for her. Shiori nearly had a heart attack when she thought she’d lost Mai, but she was over by the front door looking out the window.
“Honey come on, lunch.”
“No puppy!” Mai cried as she pointed out into the yard. A small gray dog was lying helpless by the door. Shiori picked up the girl reassuring her everything would be okay as she sat her down for lunch. Once her hands were free Shiori called the local vets office in hopes that someone could come out. After all she couldn’t cart around other people’s children just to drop a dog off at the vets. They informed her that an intern would be on his way shortly, and with that she hung up. Shiori put out some water and lunch meat out for the dog, but she seemed shy and shaken up.

The kids were finished with lunch and running around by the time the intern showed up. Mai was once again glued to Shiori’s side as she answered the door. Shiori explained how she found her, and tried her best to stay incase he needed help. Only thing was she had her hands full with Mai. Finally she put her down and asked that she be a big girl and watch the others for a moment. Mai smiled proud of her new responsibly as she ran off to the other children.

“Just a hungry and tired stray. She’ll be fine, but I’ll come back in a few days to check on her.” Fakir told her as he stood up and dropped his pen when he got a good look at her. Shiori bent down quickly to retrieve it, but Fakir did the same and they knock heads. They both hissed in pain before Shiori said she was sorry.

Fakir’s eyes widened when he heard her, her words ringing through his mind and he recalled the girl from yesterday.
“So it was you I bumped into.” He smiled as he rubbed his cheek. He couldn’t forget that small helplessly clumsy voice from the other day.
“O my god! I’m sorry I didn’t see you. I have a bad habit of looking down when I walk.” Shiori felt so bad about running into him, and now she hit him again. She cured herself for being such a klutz, but there was nothing she could really do about that.

Fakir thought it odd how she was acting. She seemed so upset about what had happened when it wasn’t a big deal at all.
“No its fine, I just wanted to apologize. My contacts were hazy and I couldn’t really see.” Fakir explained as he grabbed his pen from her and stuck it in his pocket.
“Anyway I’ll see you in a few days. About the dog I mean.” Fair started to stumble over himself as he tried to get out of there. His face was starting to flush as he went back to his car and back to work.

The whole way there he couldn’t help but think of how familiar she looked. Her jade eyes and sunny blond hair almost matched the girl in the mirror. Only thing was this girl didn’t seem to need him like the old man said. Still she just looked familiar to him.

Shiori didn’t want the dog around the kids so she waited till their mother’s came to pick them up. Mai was always the last to leave since her mom didn’t get off work till five, but Shiori didn’t mind. She normally stayed late to clean up.
It was dark by the time she started to head home. She kept her eyes fixed on the ground as she walked home, but as she walked something didn’t sit right with her. She started walking faster, closing her jacket from the chill. But it wasn’t much help since the cold wasn’t from the wind, but from within her. She looked back, but nothing was there. She stopped and looked off at the darkness behind her. Nothing but leaves blowing in the wind. Sighing Shiori made her way home; quickly locking her door. After since Vincent left she made sure to have as many locks as she could fit on the door.

Taking off her jacket she walked to her room where she found him. His long dark hair and eyes, a cigarette burning between his lips, and the same cold face of anger he always wore.
“I see a lot of guys in this; you don’t waist any time do you Shiori.” Vincent began coldly as he flipped though an address book. He became enraged and started to knock her belongings over. The lamp fell to the floor casting shadows in the room. Shiori stepped back from him as he went crazy over nothing.
“Their parents from work, and friends what does it matter?” She asked him as she continued to back away, but she wasn’t fast enough. Vincent grabbed her by the arm and dropped the book. Shiori tried to get away, but the more she fought the more his grasp tightened and only hurt her.

“Why fight Shiori?” Vincent asked with a smirk as she continued to struggle. He thought he had her till she did something out of character. Shiori punched him square in the face causing him to let her go. Quickly she stumbled to the door and tried to unlock it; now she was cursing each and every one she’d put on. Shiori looked back to see him closing in on her quickly; he’d recovered faster than she thought. He grabbed her around her neck and torso pulling her away from the door and into her bedroom. From then on every touch, every sound, and every word spoken made her want to die.

When Shiori woke the next morning he was gone. She checked every inch of the house then locked her door, and pushed the couch in front of it. There she sat for hours crying her heart out wishing she could just vanish. The night played over and over in her mind while her tears tried to drown it out till she couldn’t take it anymore. Shiori got in the shower making sure the water was as hot as it would go. Her skin stung, but it helped to burn the feeling of him. Shiori tried to stay calm as she finished in the shower and looked at her reflection in the fogged mirror. Knowing just behind it were plenty of over the counter drugs that could end her life. All she had to do was take them. No matter how many times she thought of it she just couldn’t go through with it. Trying to take her mind off of things she decided to head down to work and look after the dog.

Chapter 3 – A little help


Shiori was hard as work making sure the dog was clean. Only problem was that once the dog was clean the bathroom was a wreck. She just decided to deal with it once she was finished with the dog. Shiori took out the hair dryer, brushing and drying the dogs’ fur. She was calm which made her believe she belonged to someone. Shiori would just have to put up some flyers in hopes that her owners find her. As she sat on the floor with the dog the phone rang; the sound made her bark as Shiori reached for the phone.

“Hello?” Shiori answered as she tried to keep the dog quiet. It was the intern calling to say he was in the area and stopping by. Shiori had no problem with the plan since it was for the dogs’ sake. When he rang the bell she once again went crazy barking and running all over the place. Only good thing was that she was clean now.

“I see you waste no time when it comes to children or animals.” Fakir smiled as he stood beside the door waiting for the dog to calm down. Watching the dog he could tell she was going to be just fine, but he just wanted to see how things were going. An maybe see Shiori again.

“Well I’m afraid I’m going to look for her owners, I have a crazy life, and some of the kids are allergic to dogs.” Shiori replied as she thought of the poor thing having to live with her. What Vincent might do if she barked; it was just too sad to think about. The longer she stood there the more she realized just how calm she felt around Fakir. It was as if nothing ever happened when she showed up, but the time was short lived.

Vincent came strolling in as if he owned the place and everything in it. He didn’t try and hide his detest of Fakir being there.
“What’s going on?” He asked as he closed the door behind him. No matter what the answer to his question was Shiori was sure he’d still be angry.
“He’s here for the dog, but he’s done now.” Shiori said timidly as she tried to hide what was going on.
“Vincent? I never thought I’d see you in a place like this.” Fakir said as he tried to ignore her comment of him leaving. He wanted to know what was going on with his old friend and this girl.
“Well its not like I work here, I’m just here for Shiori.” Vincent threw his arm around Shiori as if claming her as his own. Shiori tried her best not to shake or flinch as he touched her, but she broke away to show Fakir the door.
“Yes well thank you for coming I’ll let you know how the dog is doing later.” Shiori knew her last comment was going to put her in already boiling water. She just opened the door and smiled apologetically.

Fakir looked down at her wondering what was going on. According to Ryu Vincent didn’t have a girlfriend, but Shiori could have been a new girl. Still something told him that wasn’t the case. As he walked off to his car he couldn’t help but think about how tense she’d gotten when he came, and how sad she looked at the door. Before he could even get down the path he heard crashing and yelling from inside the building. Looking back into a window he could see Vincent yelling as the girl while she stood there crying. Fakir couldn’t just sit back and let it happen, but it wasn’t his place to interfere. Before Fakir could even decide what to do he saw Shiori pull a kitchen knife on him. Vincent backed away slowly before heading for the front door. Out of reflex Fakir moved out of site till Vincent drove off. His tires screeched and smoked as he sped off.

Quickly Fakir ran back inside and took the knife from Shiori’s hands. She was in hysterics as she dropped to her knees. Her body was trembling as if exposed to extreme cold, and she was cry so hard she was sure to pass out. Fakir didn’t know what to do; he was a dog person not a people person.
“I’m sorry.” Shiori said through her heart aching sobs. Even though this entire ordeal she still felt bad for others involved. Fakir became slightly a annoyed that she would say that, but being mad wouldn’t do her any good.

“It’s okay, you didn’t do anything.” He told her softly as he tried to rest his hand on her shoulder, but she flinched and moved away. Fakir knew what that meant, and it made his blood burn. He never thought a friend of his could ever do such a thing. Fakir knew he couldn’t just leave her like this, but he couldn’t get near her either.

“It’s okay.” He reassured her a few times more as he tried to reach out to her. Shiori had kept her eyes on the floor as she tried to stop crying. She hated being seen this way. She just felt that her problem wasn’t as important as other people, so being this way was just a burden. Fair finally managed to rest a hand on her head. Slowing smoothing her hair trying to calm her Fakir inched his way to her. Shiori finally stopped crying, but she was tired now. Her head was pounding, and her body was weak. Looking up at Fakir was like looking for someone under water.
“I want to go home” Shiori said helplessly as she tried not to cry again.