Chapter 5: Some Things Are Done Better In The Dark

As soon as they had got inside Togui, they fled out. At that time of the day, the street had somehow become busier though the Spiders were safe, still wearing their disguise. As they exited, they took a right turn to a more obscure and less crowded street.

"Well, that went better than I expected," stated Nobunaga, as a matter of fact.

Pakunoda nodded. "It could've gone much worse. We were too lucky."

"Let's never go back there. I swear there was this blond guy watching Kamui with such a creepy smile…"

"The one with the white suit. Indeed, I felt a very malicious aura emitting of him." Pakunoda was equally disturbed by the memory. She hoped they'd never be in the same room as that weirdo ever again.

Meanwhile, Kamui wasn't paying attention to their conversation. Instead, his attention was put upon a man with slightly pointed ears. His white hair was mid length and his clothes, Kamui briefly noticed, were disguisedly made for combat. He was an alien, no doubt. And he looked strong to Kamui, so that was enough.

The man was sitting outside on a table belonging to a small café, drinking tea and reading a book with no cover.

Kamui stopped walking in his scrutiny and, by the time he looked up, Pakunoda and Nobunaga were several steps away from him.

"Oi!" he exclaimed, catching their attention as they both turned around in bewilderment.

"Huh?" was Nobunaga's intelligent reply.

At that second, he approached them with a puppy face, hoping for it to work in this case.

"I have to do something. Can you tell where you guys are staying so that I go later?" asked Kamui, maximizing the puppy face.

"Do you really view us as such irresponsible adults?" countered Nobunaga, placing both hands on his hips and looking like an angry dad.

"Kid– I mean, Kamui," Pakunoda swiftly corrected herself, knowing very well how a kid's mind work. They absolutely abhorred being called what they actually were. "I'm afraid to tell you York New's not a safe city. Therefore, we have to stick together."

Kamui looked angrier than what Pakunoda would've expected. There was certain coldness to his eyes that made Pakunoda think for a second that she wasn't talking to a kid.

"You guys aren't my parents or my babysitters. What I said before wasn't a question but a fact. I want to do something that implies your absence. I'm not going to escape either, so you better let me do what I want in this moment."

"Brat…" Nobunaga's dark tone made Kamui tensed, unconsciously shifting his weight for a surprise attack which never came.

Pakunoda loudly exhaled and extended a long arm, blocking Nobunaga's view of Kamui.

"No time for stupid quarrels. Leave the kid to do whatever he needs, be it going to a public bathroom or pickpocketing someone," she said, visibly tired from the long day. She wasn't worried and knew Nobunaga shouldn't be either. Kamui was a smart kid. He could manage to survive for an hour or so without them. Right?

"Pakunoda!" Nobunaga's angry exclamation ringed in her ears. She really was exhausted. And irritated.

"Shut up! Here, Kamui, take my cellphone. If anything happens call Nobunaga's number and don't answer any unknown number, understand?" Kamui took it with a smug face, which somehow only served to irritate Pakunoda further.

"Let's go," she said, anxious for the comfort of a bed. She ignored Nobunaga's indignant cry ("Oi!") as she turned and walked without watching her back.

Nobunaga turned to Kamui with a serious face. "I'll call you in half an hour. Don't. Hang. On me. Got it?"

Kamui nodded, not wanting to irritate the samurai further, even though he was tempted to it. "Yes."

Nobunaga, satisfied with his answer, nodded solemnly and turned to Pakunoda. "Oi, wait up!"

Kamui waited for both of them to disappear from sight, before he slowly turned to stare at the still seated and innocent looking man.

I need some information, decided Kamui, as he casually walked towards him. Only when he stopped by his table did the man looked up at him, head still hidden behind the book.

"You're blocking me the sunlight. What do you want?" The man, Kamui noticed timely, had quickly set his eyes on his umbrella with a knowing glint.

Kamui smiled. "I was hoping we could have a little chit-chat, sir. There's a lot I don't know about this planet I got myself into, I'm afraid. I'm Kamui, by the way."

The serious looking man seemed to falter for a moment, but quickly retained his composure. "It's rare to see a Yato in this planet… and a kid, at that. My name's Shijaku. You look a little a little lost, is everything alright?"

Kamui's stoic expression softened a little, realizing the man had no ill intentions. "Actually, I am a little lost, yes. I can only guess –thanks to my father's stories– that this is planet Earth, right? But I heard there was now a war erupting between the so called samurai and the aliens, so I'm confused about the calmness there is amidst the conflict."

Shijaku huffed in what seemed amusement. "That's the other Earth you're talking about."

Kamui blinked once. Then twice. "…Eh?"

Shijaku could only sigh at the kid's expense. "I think this is going to sound confusing to you. Basically, there are two Earths. Both are planets that by constitution are shockingly similar, and they are both inhabited by humans. This planet in particular was discovered recently and was logically confused with the other Earth, and –for some reason– the name's still stuck up."

Kamui felt like fuming at the revelation. Who the hell names two mistakenly similar planets the same?!

"-After the war that was initiated in the other Earth, the Tendoushuu and other forces interested in this planet came to believe there'd be an easier way of invading it."

Kamui widened his eyes. "And that would be…"

"Infiltration," asserted Shijaku, sombrely. "By slowly infiltrating among them, we're making the humans believe that we've always lived here, that people different from them in terms of appearance –or even biology– is normal."

"I see!" said Kamui, getting the pieces of the puzzle together. "But I still don't understand how that could be possible in such little time. Humans can't surely be that stupid, can they?" Kamui was still a little skeptical at the whole affair.

"Actually," continued Shijaku," we've discovered humans in this planet had always lived with extraterrestrial beings. Most of them live in what they so call the Dark Continent, a place where no human lives or has the right for living."

"Interesting. Continue," demanded Kamui.

Shijaku glared at him, annoyed at being bossed around by a kid, be it a Yato or whatever. "Kid, I'm only saying all this so you don't screw up. Humans must not know the truth. Anyways, apparently the Tendoushuu got in contact with the species in the Dark Continent and they had somehow come to an agreement. An economical agreement, I suppose, because I don't see how they'd let their planet be invaded so easily. They must held very ill intent towards the humans for all this to happen behind their backs."

"So the human race in this planet is the only species oblivious to what's happening," concluded Kamui with a pensive look.

"Yes. But know that this does not concern you nor me. Aliens can come and go as much as they want, as long as they don't reveal anything to the humans. If you break this only rule, kid, they'll execute you without prior judgement," finished the alien warrior with a seriousness that made Kamui nod tensely.

Shijaku looked away, satisfied. "Well, then. Now that you know, be careful and take care of yourself. Others might not be so indulgent with a Yato."

With that, he returned to his book, ignoring Kamui once again. Kamui, contented for now with the new information, dialled Nobunaga's number.

"Oi, I'm finished. Where were you again…?"

"Well, that was quick," sounded from the other side.