The streets below were packed and the air was bitter. A dark cold had fallen once just sun went down, but I may have been the only soul to notice. With the shining neon of the city it was almost easy to convince myself that all was just right with the world. But that's just too naïve of a thought.

"The cold must be getting to me again." I muttered to the sky. "December is such a cruel month."

Shizume city was just as busy as always. I sighed to myself as I took in the sights from my rooftop perch. Another day had come and gone as if nothing had changed. Everyone was consumed by their own selfish needs, never slowing down to appreciate the beauty around them. The night was dragging on slowly and that's when I heard it. A single gunshot echoed across the rooftops. I stood and closed my eyes for just a moment, locating the source of the sound. There, a few building to the east. I took off at a sprint, jumping from building to building, keeping my eyes open for the person who fired the shot. Finally two men caught my eye. I stopped one building away, observing the scene. One man was on the ground, blood quickly pooling around his body. The other man was standing over him laughing, the gun pointed down. His hair was white as snow and he was wearing a school uniform.

"That's from Ashinake High School." I thought. "How does he even have a gun?"

He was saying something I couldn't quite make out from where I was hidden, but I could tell from the way he moved his arm he was about to take a second shot. I made a snap decision and leapt onto the roof of the two young men. The one with the gun turned to me, faltering for just a moment, but that was all that I needed. I grabbed him by his wrist, pulling his body towards mine. I brought my knee up quickly, striking him in the stomach. He dropped the gun and fell to the ground at my feet, coughing. I kicked the gun away and turned my attention to the bleeding young man. I kneeled by his side and ripped his shirt open, trying to get a look at the damage. He was bleeding profusely and I knew that time was not on my side. I lifted him upright, tearing his shirt completely off, and feeling along his back for an exit wound. That's when I saw the fiery emblem on his shoulder.

"W-who are you?" he choked out.

I knew that voice. For the first time since my arrival on the rooftop, I looked at the boy's face. Ashy blonde hair hung down in his eyes and a silver hoop glinted in his left ear.

"Shit…" I muttered. "Totsuka Tatara."

"Y-you kn-know m-"

"Shut up." I cut him off. "I'm going to help you. You've lost a lot of blood so it would be best for you to just lie as still as you can and don't say anything."

He nodded and I set to work. It was then that I realized I was wearing my favorite outfit today. A short dark green skirt with black, thigh high tights and ankle boots adorned my legs and my top was covered by an oversized light gray sweater with a black tank top underneath. My waist length black hair fell in waves from underneath my black beanie and my ears looked as if they were shining from all the piercings in them. I looked down at my sweater before cursing up at the sky.

"Dammit all." I grumbled while removing my sweater. "I'm about to get really fucking cold."

I ripped the shirt down the middle on front and back. After folding the two pieces, I placed one behind the wound in Tatara's back and one on the opening in his chest. I leaned on his body with all my weight but the rapid flow of blood wasn't slowing down. I could feel his pulse getting weaker beneath my hands and the color was draining from his skin.

"Shit! I wasn't quick enough!"

"H-hey, it'll all – work out – in the end…" Tatara breathed.

"The hell it will!" I screamed. "Nothing will be alright if you die! Think about your clan! Listen, I can still save you, but you have to make a decision right now. Do you want to die?"

He looked at me, clearly confused.

"W-wha-"

"Just answer the fucking question! Do you want to die tonight?"

"N-no, of course not!"

"Then you've chosen a second chance."

I closed my eyes and felt a pain tugging at my soul as I released a power that had been lying dormant deep inside of me for several years. A long black tail and wings as black as a raven's erupted from my back. My already sharp canines elongated further and my eyes turned as blue as sapphires. A bright light enveloped us, rivaling the shine of a thousand diamonds. I put my hands centimeters above Tatara's chest, covering him with a power that was mine alone to control. I felt the energy travel from my body to his as the diamond like glow intensified. Then just as quickly as it had come, it was gone, leaving no trace other than my bright eyes and sharp teeth, as well as Tatara's now perfectly healed body.

"W-what did you do?!" he asked.

He looked at me but his attention was captured by something over my shoulder. Afraid that the other man from earlier had come back, I got to my feet and stood protectively in front of the boy I had just saved. However, instead of the white haired young man, I was now facing a boy who looked the same age as Tatara. He was clad in a white, V-neck sweater, dark green shorts, calf socks, and skating shoes. A red sweater was tied around his waist and a black beanie was shoved over his chestnut hair. Just behind him stood an older, taller man with hair almost identical to Tatara's. He was wearing dark sunglasses despite the fact it was night time and he was dressed in a white dress shirt, red tie, and black dress pants. An unlit cigarette hung from his lips and a lighter was pinched between the index finger and thumb of his left hand.

"Well, bloody hell." I sighed.

"It's been quite a long time since I've seen you." The taller man said. "Akakiyo Raven, the demon strain."

I smirked and placed on hand on my hip, raising my chin slightly.

"Kusanagi Izumo. I see you still haven't quit that disgusting habit of yours."

It was his turn to smile then. He pocketed the lighter and grabbed the end of the cigarette before putting it with the lighter. He approached me slowly and I stepped out of his way, clearing a path to Tatara, who was still laying on the ground. I squatted next to him, propping my forearms on my thighs. He looked up at me and grinned.

"So, I guess I'm supposed to say thank you, huh? I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't shown up."

"Tch. You would be dead." I stated bluntly. "Come on, get up."

He stood and looked down at his blood free body.

"While I'm grateful for the help, what did you do to me?"

I opened my mouth to respond, but I was cut off by Kusanagi.

"She gave you immortality. By doing so, she healed your wounds and gave you a second chance at life."

"Wha-?! You can do that? How? Are you in a clan?"

"Shh!" I hissed. "You'll wake the entire city if you keep yelling like that. But yes, I really just did that."

Tatara began a long rant that started with him saying thank you, but it quickly turned into a forty questions game about what I had just done. I spaced out a little while half listening to the kid. He had grown up a lot since I had last seen him. Aside from his hair being longer and his height, he had a mature air about him. It was almost as if he carried an invisible weight behind that vibrant smile of his. I knew that was ridiculous though. Tatara was always a lively kid and he got picked on for it, but he chose the best people to be around to help him out. I caught myself smiling and glanced at Kusanagi. He nodded his thanks to me as well but never interrupted Tatara's never ending train of thought.

"What the hell?!"

I snapped my head in the direction of the younger guy. I had forgotten he was still there, in the same spot as earlier. He stomped over to Tatara and hit him in the back of the head.

"What the fuck did you think you were doing?! You never go out by yourself, and definitely not at night! You can't fight! You almost got yourself killed you dumbass!" He turned his glare to Kusanagi, blushing slightly. "A-and about the girl. How do you know her Mr. Kusanagi?"

It was clear he was upset, and with good reason, so Kusanagi placed his hand on the boy's head.

"Easy Yatagarasu. How about we go back to the bar and talk everything over there? We need to tell him what happened anyway. Oh," he glanced at me, "I'm sure he'll want to see you too, Raven. It's been too long."

The chestnut haired boy nodded and I felt my stomach drop to my toes.

"Him. Mikoto Suoh."