&& yes [[this]] IS [[working]] (OPEN)

[Ushio__xx]

If there was one thing you could say about Kaijuu Ushio, it was that she liked to party. The other was that she wasn’t the sort of person to do things by halves. She was born for the party lifestyle, and maybe she wasn’t doing it in the way her parents had intended, but she was living it up. She had been partying pretty much since her curfew had changed from 10 pm to midnight when she was fifteen, and she could distinctly remember lining up outside various Tokyo clubs with her friends, armed with fake IDs and bottles of booze stashed in their bags just in case. Even when they didn’t get into clubs they would find somewhere, a playground, a park, or somebody’s house, and carry on going until their parents called and threatened to ground them and freeze their accounts if they didn’t get back home that instant.

Now it was different obviously. Now Ushio didn’t have to ask anybody if she could go out, she just did it whenever she felt like it.

Ushio had called a couple of friends that evening and asked them to meet her somewhere. They weren’t really friends of hers, just people she had met a couple of nights ago, but of course they obliged - who wouldn’t want to go out with the girl who lit up the room when she entered it, with her infectious laugh and catching enthusiasm. Plus they could get into all the hottest clubs because they were on the arm of ‘that rich girl’ and she didn’t care if they were using her. She was using them too, and probably wouldn’t speak to them again.

So once she had styled her mass of silver hair, done her makeup and put together an outfit she had set off, gulping a shot of vodka as just she left her tour bus, and got in a taxi straight to the nearest bar. Ushio liked to start her night in a bar, the drinks were cheaper and she could have a chat before the real fun started. When she left the bar she also left behind her two ‘friends’ and quickly found more in the club. Every night of hers followed a basic pattern: bar, club, meet new people, club, meet new people. It repeated itself with every club she went to unless she was with one of her proper friends, then they would stay together and Ushio would ignore her status as the queen bee, the charismatic one, and just party. And it would usually involve alcohol. Large quantities of it.

... sadly, then morning came.

It was easy enough to make her slow, lethargic way through morning classes at college - it was “work” that was the real problem. If you could call it working. At that present moment in time, the eighteen year old was propped up against a mop in one of the many hallways of the family’s impressive estate, fast asleep. Most of the maids had tutted, shook their heads and moved on, leaving the younger to either wake up on her own or be discovered and given a severe tongue-lashing.

Preferably the latter.

[Seijun]

All cold and alone, forever trapped and looking up at the free sky.

"Kyuubi, go and clean the floors." stated a maid that seems to be in her twenties. If Seijun remembered correctly, she was married into the family and forced to be a maid against her own will. A week later, her husband died and she tried to escape only to fail because Hachimata had caught her. At least that was what he had heard from the maids that just love to spread rumors of every kind. He doesn't usually try to listen in but sometimes they just talk far too loud that it was hard to block them out. Maybe if he had an mp3 player or ipod like Noko, he would be able to block them out, but he didn't really have those pleasures. He doesn't even have a cellphone or a computer, the only thing he has that he can enjoy was pencils, notebooks and novels. Many teenagers wouldn't be able to live like this but for him, well, he was used to it.

"Yes mam." he replied before taking a short bow. Many of the members were above those kinds of thing, but the boy always did that to anyone who was older than him no matter what their position was. It was how he was raised so he was used to it. He was one of the rare people that actually bow their heads to the maids of this house. Too bad that doesn't make them like him more at all. Instead, it made them use him as if he was some kind of pet to do their chores. He didn't mind that though, since he liked doing what people tell him to do. Besides, he also likes to help people out, it was simply in his nature.

So, the kyuubi was cleaning the floors with a mop when he noticed a girl who didn't seem to be much older than him sleeping. Some of the maids walked pass and started to whisper about her. He couldn't really make out their words and simply decided to clean the spot around her. This was the last spot for him anyway, so it won't matter much. Although, he was a little curious on why she was asleep on the job. If the head was here, the girl would be begging for death as he knew that she would be punished. Of course, she won't die though, she'll just have to endure torture worse than death to remind her to never do that again. It was amazing that Hachimata never went to jail but it might be because people fear her enough to keep their mouth shut.

"Ano. Can you move please?" he asked her as he gently shook her shoulders with his gloved hands.

[Ushio__xx]

Hm... that was odd... something was moving her shoulders. Something that wasn’t her. Ushio wrinkled her nose, her sleep-befuddled mind telling her to move away from the offending object, which she did. At this movement, however, the mop that had been supporting her lean frame slipped free and clattered to the ground, resulting in...

SLAM!

Ushio’s eyes shot open, now all to aware of her surroundings - lying face-down on the rather damp wooden floor, mind slowly sharpening to every sensation... “OH MY GOD - OWWWW!! HOLY MOTHER OF--!!” The young woman exploded, bolting to her knees and cradling her head, which now really only felt like one giant throbbing mass of pain sitting atop her shoulders. Her hangover from last night wasn’t helping matters much either. Sitting there, holding her poor abused head, eyes pricking slightly with tears and letting out a few pained whimpers, Ushio finally began to take note of other people in the vicinity. Other maids, walking by, whispering and giggling amongst themselves. Probably talking about her. Callous witches. She then became aware of the presence behind her... probably the one who had been shaking her shoulders. Fully prepared to snap at one of the old-crones she called her co-workers, the young woman spun on her knees... to be greeted with the sight of a young boy.

Well, when she said young... probably only a couple of years younger than herself, but cute as a button as far as she was concerned and looking down at her with a slightly bewildered face. Well - that was to be expected really... all anger deflating as quickly as it came, a sheepish look stole over her lively features, grinning up at him. “Sorry, there...” Ushio chuckled, lightly as far as she was concerned. If her fuzzy mind recalled correctly, something had been said before the took her far from graceful tumble to the soggy floor, which was now wetting her pants slightly...

“Well... wh-what was it you said, sorry?”

... why did she apply for this job again? Oh yeah, freedom, independence and all that jazz... eck.

(Fail post is fail sorry. D8)

[Seijun]

All cold and alone, forever trapped and looking up at the free sky.

“OH MY GOD - OWWWW!! HOLY MOTHER OF--!!”

By instinct, Seijun jumped back and started bowing.I'm sorry!" he cried out. It as second nature to how adults would always yell at him with every little mistakes he makes. There were time he was their scapegoat too and they would hit him to make it look like it was his fault. He would never say anything back though and simply stay quiet, almost like a lifeless doll of some kind. Perhaps it's because he feels numb from the pain or maybe it was from all the times that he had try to stand up for himself when he was young only to get hit by them again. It was as if he was some kind of animal that they have trained. Was it inhuman? Yes, but did he care about that? Somewhat, he doesn't like it, that was for sure, but he was an animal, in a way that is. After all he was Kyuubi, against his will though. Yet his body would move that way, and his arms would be raised in front of him as he braced himself for the hit that would usually come.

“Sorry, there...”

The girl stated after taking a look around. Hearing this, he slowly, lowered his arms and stared at her. His eyes, widen in shock that she had not hit him. He rubbed the back of his head and shook his head."Don't worry." he replied, glad that she did not hit him. Although, he was wondering why. Was she waiting for him to drop his guard? This thought made him scared, but he tried to compress it. The other curse members can usually do it pretty well, but he can't. Fear has a great toll on him after all. He looked down onto the ground, not daring to make any eye contact right now as he tries to calm himself down.

“Well... wh-what was it you said, sorry?”

"Huh? Oh, I was wondering if you could move, you're standing ont he last spot I need to clean." he answered, obviously nervous.

[Ushio__xx]

“I’m sorry!” Ushio could only blink at this reaction and the boy’s frantic bows, taking on an incredibly defensive posture and seemingly curling into himself. The woman was more than slightly confused, staring up at him from the floor, she could only assume that he expected her to attack him or something... when she did no such thing, however, he seemed to relax slightly. “Don’t worry.” Grinning slightly, the maid reached around, hand closing over the handle of her own mop as her former question was answered, “Huh? Oh, I was wondering if you could move, you’re standing on the last spot I need to clean.” He still sounded skittish... using the mop as a support, she hefted herself to her feet, letting out a low moan as she did so. d**n, that hurt... no partying for a little while... well... at least not tonight. “Sorry, sorry! Ah... always in other people’s way...” She smiled jokingly, stepping black from the aforementioned spot. Placing both palms atop the wooden handle, Ushio rested her chin upon them, observing the boy. Hmm...

“Hey... uhm... sorry, again... if I looked like I was gonna snap at you or something.” She offered, looking sheepish again. “Hungover people tend to be a little cranky, y’know?” Another grin, attempting to be funny. She didn’t want him scared of her... loud and over the top as she may be, she didn’t want him getting the wrong idea. Stifling a yawn, Ushio continued, “Besides, I thought you might’ve been one of those nagging old crones I have to call co-workers...” This sentence trailed off, as the young woman paused to observe him, head tilting slightly to one side in thought. “Speaking of old...” She continued, “... aren’t you a little young to be working here? ‘Specially doing my job.” There was no malice there, her tones thoughtful as she continued to mull.... then her eyes narrowed.

“Oh no! No no no no... no. Those two-bit, hypocritical d**n, little--!!” Ushio fumed, directing her anger onto the poor unsuspecting mop. “How dare they! They yell at me for slacking, when they unload all their jobs onto some poor kid?! Unacceptable!!” Her temper was at boiling point - she’d been as nice and accommodating to these women who showed her little of the same courtesy... and now they were picking on this poor, skittish kid?! Ire well and truly snapped, the mop clattered to the floor once again as the woman placed her hands on her hips. “Don’t you worry! Big sister Ushio will go give those old bags a big piece of her mind! How dare they!!” Her tirade continued even as she began stomping down the hallway in the direction she had last seen her fellow ‘co-workers’ heading down, muttering a few more choice words to herself.

Ignoring her throbbing nose, which was probably quite red at this point, the young Kaijuu continued to glower at her chosen path, noticeably seething. No. Way. Were. They. Getting. Away. With. This. NO.

[Seijun]

All cold and alone, forever trapped and looking up at the free sky.

“Hey... uhm... sorry, again... if I looked like I was gonna snap at you or something.”

"Don't worry about it." Seijun replied back, although he didn't really look into her eyes. Direct eye contact was never good as it shows that he is on equal level to her, which he really wasn't. For one she was older than him and more knowledgeable, two she was a girl and his teacher taught him to treat them with lots of respect, finally and definitely not the smallest of the reasons, he was a monster. He was a being that was far lower than her on a food chain that was set by the head, which is why he will always bow his head towards the maid. It was in a way, the only method for his survival. Just like an animal, he will pretty much do anything just to live for another day, just to be able to see his sister for another minute. It was cruel, but it was his life style, no warm words can ever erase that fact.

“Don’t you worry! Big sister Ushio will go give those old bags a big piece of her mind! How dare they!!”

Eh?"No, it's okay. It's not that bad, I'm okay with helping them." he quickly stated in order to protect the other maids, or how the woman in front of him preferred to cal them, 'crones'. It really wasn't that bad, after someone gets used to it and he wasn't like a kid or anything like that. Besides, he didn't really say anything back anyway so she shouldn't get in trouble for that. It was just some work, it wasn't like he had to move a mountain for them. It was reasonable, he does their work and he won't get hurt. In a way it was like a job, except he doesn't get paid with money but rather just pleases them so that he won't get hurt in the end. In a way, it was somewhat of a payment, and besides, he doesn't really need money if he doesn't go out much anyway.

"And I'm sure they can use some help. I mean, this estate is big and all." he stated, although it was obvious that he was making it up as he wasn't looking into her eyes and that his voice started to grow softer with each passing word.

[Ushio__xx]

“No, it’s okay. It’s not that bad, I’m okay with helping them.”

Ushio did an almost comical about face, blinking at him with the utmost confusion. She... really didn’t get it. How someone could be so sweet and altruistic, letting people take advantage of them. As reasonable as he was trying to make it sound, she couldn’t think of it as anything but taking advantage of him. “And I’m sure they can use some help. I mean, this estate is big and all.” His already fragile voice was getting softer and softer, and he refused to look her in the eye... the young woman bit her lip, not entirely comfortable with a guilty feeling arising in her. What did she have to feel guilty for..? Maybe her loud, boisterous personality had been terribly overbearing, possibly even scared him... so used to being around those who were either equally as loud or simply used to it. She forgot it could intimidate people. Still chewing on the inside of her lip, worrying the skin between her teeth, Ushio stooped ever so slightly to meet his gaze - he was only an inch or so shorter than her, but he was looking down.

“But there are lots of us, heck we’re a mini-army... all I’m trying to say is... you shouldn’t let them take advantage of you, y’know?” Her voice was noticeably softer, almost soothing and a tone she seldom ever used unless she was very, very tired. “I mean, we get paid to clean this place, and I somehow doubt very much they pay you for your efforts, right?” Ushio allowed a brief, humorous grin to steal over her features, “Hell, I know they wouldn’t pay me unless very much obliged too - believe it or not, I don’t normally sleep on the job.” The silver-haired woman stood again, pulling up her sleeve and peering at the underside - checking her watch. Her face alighted with a sincere, happy smile, letting it drop again. She looked back at the black haired boy, crossing her hands demurely ion front of herself, a small, soft smile playing at the corners of her lips.

“Since you were so very, very nice enough to take over my job today - I really can’t thank you enough - I feel it is only fair to repay you, right?” Ushio proposed this happily, sincerity written in her voice and gestures. Fair was fair... and for some odd reason, she’d taken an immediate shine to him (his being as cute as a button perhaps helped some, but there was a little more to it than that)... maternal instinct maybe? Ushio had never thought actively about being a mother or anything like that, though she did love kids and... hell, she was going off on a tangent now. “I’m off shift within the next three minutes... how ‘bout I treat you to a nice lunch or something? Your pick, my treat.” The young woman beamed, before a rather glaring thing popped to mind.

“Ah! I suppose now would be a good time for a real introduction, wouldn’t it? Well...” She bowed now, hands braced on her knees, hair falling lightly over her shoulder. “I’m Ushio and it’s a pleasure to meet you~”

[Seijun]

All cold and alone, forever trapped and looking up at the free sky.

“But there are lots of us, heck we’re a mini-army... all I’m trying to say is... you shouldn’t let them take advantage of you, y’know?”

Seijun weakly nodded at her now all of a sudden soft voice. It was strange for her to suddenly have it now but yet it reminded him of Kyuuka. She would always be so loud and hyper that he would always try to quiet her down or get embarrassed by it. Yet, when something important comes up or if something happens to him, she would always have that soft caring tone that could only belong to an older sister. It was one of the things that made him so close to her, the fact that she would always come back with that caring voice no matter what happens. That way, it made him feel better being stuck in this house because she would always come back to it, which in turns always make him happy. Although he doesn't exactly jump up and down like a little kid for. Rather, he just smiles softly and say 'welcome back'.

“Since you were so very, very nice enough to take over my job today - I really can’t thank you enough - I feel it is only fair to repay you, right?”

The boy shook his head softly."It's okay. he replied. He doubt that the head would let him go out today anyway. She always wanted him to be in her line of sight, almost like a pet fox. Hmm, a snake having a pet fox, that was quite a strange thought. He wasn't so sure what would normally win but in this household, it was the snake that would win. The snake wins all pretty much, just like a wild card. Also, he wasn't exactly used to eating outside of the house or even going outside without Kyuuka. He would always somewhat clung onto her like a scared child. Well, he usually is scared, but he was no longer a child. Yet, she treated him like one sometimes even though they were twins. Perhaps it was because she was the older one even if it was only by a couple minutes.

Even though her voice was soft, she was still hyper. She really was like his sister. It felt strange though as she looked nothing like his twin at all. Starting with her hair, and then everything else really. Hopefully she doesn't like dressing him up in outfits that she makes, he could barely handle his sister doing that, he doesn't think that he could handle one more person. Then there would be the matter of the two might arguing over it. His life would be one big mess. He really, rather not think about that right now though. Instead he was trying to such for a happy place. His was quite strange though as it always change but in the end it would always be ruined.

“I’m Ushio and it’s a pleasure to meet you~”

"Seijun." he replied back having more confidence in himself. Although it was still soft, he raised his head to look at her in the eyes. Even though he could hear the whispers of how stupid Ushio was, he tried his best to ignore them. He wanted to make new friend, and wanted to go outside as much as possible. So, if she invited him and was nice enough to introduce herself first, he should be able to trust her."Can we go cafe?" he asked. He wasn't never really that into sweets but he figured her could get some for Kyuuka.

[Ushio__xx]

“Seijun.” Her smile widened by a few notches - that was better! There seemed to be a little more... well... oomph! behind his voice, and his very green eyes met her own blue. Still smiling happily to both him and herself, Ushio set about fiddling with her apron strings, finally succeeding in pulling the garment over her head, shaking it slightly to dislodge her hair. “Can we go cafe?” The woman tossed the apron over her shoulder, smiling at him. “Sure can~ Just give me a couple of seconds, okay? Gotta go put this thing away, grab my bag and stuff... wait ri~ight here, please?” She was grinning, apologetic as she rushed off down the hallway, nearly flattening a pair of disgruntled maids in her haste, tuts and glares, mumbles of ”Honestly!” and ”Going to get into trouble one day soon, that one!” falling onto deaf ears.

Flinging open the cupboard normally used for cleaning supplies, the silver-haired woman tugged her jacket from a small hook affixed to the inside of the door, also picking up her bag and all but throwing her apron over the hook and slamming the door again. Quick bag check... purse... yep, with plenty for lots of sweets... and possibly some taiyaki from a street vendor. If there was one thing Ushio loved about living in Japan, it was the fast food vendors that all but lined the streets - it was their fault she all but lived off snacks rather than real meals! Mobile phone was there, not that she really needed it at that moment in time, make-up, again not needed, Art portfolio, camera... yes, all present and accounted for. Nodding to herself, the young woman tossed the jacket over her shoulders and hastily stuffed her arms through the sleeves - pausing only to smooth down her hair and any bumps or creases before resuming her flat-out run back too Seijun.

Finally rounding the corner, Ushio skidded to a halt before him, face faintly flushed from the exertion and her breath coming out in slight, giggling gasps. “R-ready to go, Seijun-kun?”She grinned, bag on her shoulder and quickly rightening herself. She’d been unfavourably compared to a child more than once, behind her back of course, though Ushio preferred to think of it as enthusiasm. Smiling again, she waited patiently for an answer, rocking on the balls of her heels in a mixture of excitement and glee.

Maybe childish wasn’t too far off the mark.

[Seijun]

All cold and alone, forever trapped and looking up at the free sky.

“Sure can~ Just give me a couple of seconds, okay? Gotta go put this thing away, grab my bag and stuff... wait ri~ight here, please?”

Without waiting for him to say anything, Ushio had left. Seijun stood there for a moment and stared at the vacated spot that she had once occupied. He looked at the maids that simply walked by gossiping and joking around. Not all of them were adults though, some of them seemed to be sixteen or so. He stared off though and kept on staring at that spot, not moving his eyes at all. He wondered if going out was a good idea still. He was scared of what Hachimata might do to him but at the same time for some reason, he felt like he should take the chance. He only has one life to live after all and she probably cant' do anything worse than usual. At least, hopefully the woman couldn't do anything that was worse than usual anyway. The thought scared him though as he wondered what was worse than slowly cutting his skin and taunting him with her dagger like words.

He shook his head as he tried to get rid of that thought.He can't be thinking those kind of things right now. He should be worrying over on what to get Kyuuka. She liked sweets, but she was also picky as it depends on the day. One day she could like chocolate the next she hates it and goes to lollipops only to go back to chocolate once again the day after that. It was as if she had a split personality or something, but he knew that she didn't. She was simply being Kyuuka. At least that is what she would always say whenever she is acting strange, or at leas what people would consider strange. To him it wasn't really strange as he was used to it. Her childish nature and he forcefulness. She could easily tell him what to do and he would do, and that's without using any form of fear over him, unlike the head and the maids.

“R-ready to go, Seijun-kun?”

Seijun-kun? He wasn't so sure on how to react to this but simply nodded. He waited for her to lead though seeing that he wasn't sure which way was to the cafe.