Ryotaro Dojima, Birth May 16th, 1969 (Uncle)

Last time I saw him was at his wife's funeral. Currently he is single, his wife Chisato died in a hit and run. According to mom he is a workaholic, and can be rather serious. Be certain to tread lightly when dealing with him. Test boundaries of conversation and acceptable behaviors.

The rest of the page was blank, save for a little ink blot that formed at the side where Yu Narukami was tapping his pen. Tongue in cheek he read over the short little bit of trivia, pen seeming impatient to act on the page. Shaking his head he turned to the next page.

Nanako Dojima, Birth October 4th 2004 (Cousin)

Don't really remember much about her. Last saw her at her mother's funereal. Can't say I have much information to go on for her. When mom spoke about her she always would say things like "Poor child," or "I wish Ryo would act more supportive of her." Implications suggest that she will be a shy girl, perhaps a bit depressed? Can't be certain since I only have hearsay to go on.

Sighing Yu turned his head towards the train window and watched as the grassy scenery flew on by him. Raising up his pen free hand Yu grabbed at something under his shirt. Spilling out from his shirt was a silver chain with a brass key dangling at the end of it. Rolling his eyes Yu jotted something else down on Nanako's page.

Like with Dojima, should tread carefully around her.

Shutting the burgundy journal revealed a metal latch which he clicked into place. Taking off the key he swiftly stuck it in the lock and sealed his book from prying eyes. He shoved the journal into a hand bag he had at his side, than gently placed the key back under his shirt. Leaning back into his chair Yu looked at all the people that surrounded him. Their face seeming to mix into an unintelligible blur. 'When am I going to get there again?' Leaning towards the window he shut his eyes as the hypnotic sound of the trains locomotion aided Yu in his attempt at sleep.

As sleep began to take him there was a sudden flash of images that blurred before his eyes. In that instant Yu saw the color blue all over the place. Jumbled voices ran through his mind becoming nothing but an annoying buzz. The only thing that he was able to grasp was the word wild card. Not much for him to go on. Holding his head Yu looked around the train and saw no one was paying attention. Looking down to his lap he began to massage his temples. "What was that?" Looking back at the people that surrounded him they seemed to have become even more distant from him. Frowning he looked into his bag and took out another journal, this one being navy blue. Taking off his key he unlocked it to reveal jotted down on the first page a date from the year before with some personal meanderings. Flipping to a blank page he wrote the current date down than some thoughts.

Had a weird dizzy spell at about noon today. Not sure what the deal is, but I saw blue all over the place. Hoping its a one time thing and nothing serious. Don't want to worry Dojima-San on the first day here.

Thinking for a few more seconds he scoffed and shook his head. "Why not..."

Wild Card, remember that I guess... it may be important.

Locking the book Yu went back to resting by the window, but kept his eyes open the rest of the way to his destination. Once the announcer called for all to get off at Inaba station Yu took a breath and calmly took his bags off from the overhanging compartment. Once he got off he looked back at all the people inside as they sped away, physically blurring before his eyes. Once the train was gone he looked over at the exit to the station and made off for it at a leisurely clip. Passing the exit at the same time as him was a girl that looked his age. Yu kept looking ahead, avoiding making a connection with her. As he sped up his walking he felt someone tap his shoulder.

Checking over his shoulder he saw the dark haired girl heaving a piece of paper into his face. "You dropped this." she averted her gaze and was looking back at the station. Yu was silent for a moment as the paper lingered in the air. They both remained still for a few seconds, but the girl glared over at him and started shaking the paper.

"Oh, I'm sorry." Yu took it and saw it was his notes on his mother's number, as well as his father's, Dojima's, and anyone else he may need to contact. "This is pretty important, I am very grateful that you stopped me." Yu bowed respectfully as he put the paper back into his hand bag.

"Yeah, well... its just paper." She looked past Yu as if she was trying to see something off in the distance. "Um... bye..." she than quickly walked past two figures that were quickly approaching.

" Flirting?" smirked a tall gruff looking man. Behind him stood a six year old girl who was eyeballing Yu carefully.

"No, she was just returning something I dropped."

"Yu I am guessing?" the man began to scratch his stubble. "Let's see... I'm your sisters younger brother, that is about all you need to know."

'What I want to say. Most people would just say uncle. What I have rehearsed.' With no sign of embarrassment Yu quickly responded with a bow. "Good afternoon Dojima-San."

"No need to be so formal, I've changed your diapers you know." Looking up Yu saw Dojima was smiling naturally at him.

'Did... did he just say that? Mom put him up to this didn't she. I am going to be asking her about that...'

Dojima looked at Yu who was staring off absentmindedly, his smile shrinking a bit "Well, Yui wasn't lying about you."

"Wait, what?" Yu snapped back to reality. "What did she say?"

""That's between me and her." Dojima gave Yu a wink and nudged the little girl from his side. "Come on Nanako, say hi to your cousin."

She awkwardly stood between Dojima and Yu, her feet pointed together and her eyes cast down. "... 'llo..." She quickly ran behind her dad and grabbed his pant legs.

"Aw, come on Nanako." Dojima laughed as he looked down at her. "Sorry about that, she's pretty shy around strangers." Right as he said that Nanako gave an indignant grunt and smacked his leg. "Ow, ha ha..."

Yu sighed and held tightly to his bag. "It is nice to meet you Nanako-chan, I am Yu Narukami. I hope I will not get in your way once I move in with you and your father. I will do my best to be a proper guest." Yu than gave Nanako a bow.

Nanako watched curiously, but remained behind her father.

Dojima clapped his hands and got both Yu's and Nanako's attention."Well, enough introductions. Let's get going." As the three headed off to a car that was parked nearby Dojima snapped his fingers. "Oh yeah, hope you don't mind but I'm going to make a quick stop by the gas station."

"No trouble at all." Yu neatly packed his bags and and sat in the back letting Nanako sit up front with her father. On the drive to the gas station Nanako kept looking back at Yu, but whenever she saw he had noticed her she would look back. 'She's awfully sweet, but I wonder if she's always so quiet. Maybe its just cause I'm a stranger like Dojima-San said...'

"What's that?" came a soft voice.

"Huh?" Yu shook his head as he returned to the outside world. "What's what?"

With a small hand Nanako pointed at the key that had fallen out from Yu's shirt after all his bowing. "Oh, this is a special key to my thoughts."

"Thoughts?" Nanako gave a puzzled look. "How does that work?"

"Well... I keep a few journals and I use this to both lock them and open them. So, no one but me can look at them. They contain all me deep personal thoughts." Yu smiled as Nanako began to nod in understanding. "Do you have anything like that?"

"No, I never thought about doing that before." Nanako looked at her father. "Did you ever have a journal dad?"

"Well, no. But I remember my sister kept one, your mom Yu. I got into some trouble when I broke into it." Dojima laughed at this, and didn't notice Yu's hand cover his key.

"Oh..."Nanako uncertainly looked down at Yu's feet. "Would you read my journal if I got one dad?"

"Of course not, I've matured enough to know that kind of thing should normally stay private."

"Normally?" the word slipped out of Yu's mouth unconsciously.

"Well, yeah. If its important I shouldn't have to leave something incriminating like that alone just to be polite." Dojima looked back at Yu who flushed. "Don't worry, I'm not gonna sneak a peak in your journal."

Yu nodded and looked down to his feet. "Okay..."

As the car pulled over everyone got out. "Okay any of you need to use the bathroom?" Dojima asked as he opened up his wallet.

"I do." Nanako quickly raised her and ran off.

Yu leaned up against the car and looked off at the other side of the road. 'I know he said he wouldn't look into it, but I should probably keep the key with me at all times. The journals can go under my futon... wait... its that girl from the train station.' right across the street Yu could see her looking down the road as if she was trying to find something. 'Wonder what she's up to...'

"Hey." said a cheery voice that startled Yu.

"Oh! Uh, hey."next to him was an androgynous gas station attendant smiling at him. "You... need something?"

"Just wanted to greet the city boy." the attendant grabbed Yu's hand and gave it a hearty shake. "Not much to do out here, you'll either be hanging out with your friends or finding part-time work. Hey! We're offering some work up here if your interested. We don't care if you're a student."

"I'll think about it." Yu took his hand back and shoved it under his arm.

"Sure, sure... well see ya." the attendant gave him a wave and was off to fill the car's tank.

'Whack-job...' Yu rolled his eyes, than went back to looking at the girl from across the street. Her gaze struck and froze Yu where he stood. A strange tingling began to run through his brain. Grabbing his head Yu began to teeter about. "What... is this?" Opening his eyes Yu saw the girl was back to looking down the street, and the tingling began to subside.

"You okay?" Nanako had come up and was rubbing her damp hands on the sides of her dress.

"I... just got a dizzy spell. Nothing to worry about..." Yu held his head and shivered. "Sheesh..."

"What's the matter?" Dojima came up next, a lit cigarette in his mouth.

"He said he got dizzy." Nanako quickly stated.

"It's nothing. I'm already feeling better." Yu smiled and dismissively waved off any worries that were lobbied at him.

"Hm... maybe its just all this sitting around... why don't you walk around for a bit."

'That sounded more like an order than a suggestion...' Yu nodded "Okay, that sounds good." Yu looked across the street and saw the girl was walking away. "I'll be back in a few minutes..."

"Don't take too long now Yu." Dojima took a puff from his cigarette and began to pace about the car. Nanako just leaned on the car like Yu had and watched as Yu crossed the street.

While on the other side of the street Yu casually walked in the same direction as the girl from the train station. She suddenly stopped right across from some metal working shop and stared at it with a strangely focused glare. Yu stopped for a moment and looked off at whatever it was she was looking at. He didn't see anything. There wasn't any person there, not even a sign saying "Limited time only, buy now!" Walking up closer to her Yu looked again and still saw nothing.

"What are you looking at?" Yu looked over at her to see she was giving him a death glare. "I'm sorry?"

"What do you want?"

"I... wanted to ask you something."

"I can save you the trouble. I don't have an answer for you." She than went on to ignoring him.

Yu grimaced and began to inch away. "I... sorry for wasting your time." no response. Yu sighed and headed back to Dojima and Nanako. "Ready to get going." Yu said sullenly as he opened the car door.

"Rejected?" Dojima looked knowingly at Yu who gave him a shrug. "Been there. Don't worry about it." Dojima patted Yu's shoulder and went into the car.

"What were you and that girl talking about?" Nanako asked after everyone was seated.

"Nanako, don't." Dojima looked over at Nanako with a serious look.

"It's all right Dojima-San... it wasn't anything like you might think. I was just curious about her."

"That all?" Dojima sounded surprised.

"Yeah, that's all."

The car than drove off, leaving the gas station behind as just a memory for the time being. While rolling down the road Yu watched as they passed the strange girl from the train station. She had begun to cross the street over to the metal shop, or at least that was what it looked like. She walked over to the ally near it and after Yu blinked she disappeared. 'What are you up to?' Yu looked away and looked straight ahead. Taking out his navy journal he took his key off and unlatched the lock. 'Gotta write this down.'