Disclaimer: I do not own Ao no Exorcist or any of its characters.

~^~* Realizations of a Pierrot *~^~

Chapter 4:D-01 Reunion

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Smudges of thick red blood can be discerned on her weakening knees. Trickling twinkle of sweatdrops were cascading in her face and aviates with the greasy summer-air. Shiemi Moriyama felt like she had run off at a marathon- she can barely breathe, her vision is becoming blurry, and most of all; she feels like she was slowly experiencing an exhausting and frazzling death. She couldn't logically fathom how a simple happy day turn out to be a big horrible mess.

Flashback

Shiemi was slowly walking in the road; an old-looking paper in her right hand where her father's location is neatly scribbled; and on the other hand was a oleaginous and appetizing sandwich. Her eyes were scanning the paper when suddenly she have notice a group of men scampering and looking for something; or someone.

She quickly dismissed the fuss and slowly skipped off… It was when a man dressed in black that belongs to the group was staring directly at her that she felt a hair-raising fear. Her conclusion that something horrible is going to happen heightened when the said guy whispered something on one of his companion that she knew she had to flee and scramble off away from that place.

What had I gotten myself into?

She clutched the paper she was holding tightly and continues to run off. The people coming after her were beginning to catch up. In the horror of the event and unconsciousness beginning to lure her, she calmly took a deep breath and slowly started to count.

Five…

"Hey, stop!"

Four…

"Grab him already, man!"

Three…

Two…

"Gotcha! Hey, I caught him! I caught the…" the voice trailed off.

One…

"Hey, asses! Come down here, my special curry is ready!"

Rin shouted from the first floor of the dormitory which was located inside the True Cross Academy; an exclusive school for boys.

"Who you calling ass, huh? Want me to beat you up?" A tall, tanned-man grunted; descending from the upper floor bawling his fist in the air, ready to jab Rin straight in the face.

"Calm down, tough guy. He was just kidding… and besides, dinner's ready! I'm starving." Another guy said, following suit. Pale, brown-eyed and a wide smirk spread across his face. He grabbed the nearest utensil and spooned a large quantity of the curry, ready to be delivered straight to his waiting mouth.

Slap.

"Whoa. Hold it. Yukio and the others are not here yet." Rin scolded, an annoyed look on his face.

"What a bitch." The pale man grimaced, retreating his swatted right hand.

"Shut up," He glared. Then began sitting on the dining chair and crossed his arms. "Oh, by the way. I met a weird guy just this morning." He declared, a throaty laugh emitting from him just be remembering the incident.

"How weird, Rin? Like a psycho?" Another lad said, descending from the stairs, followed by Yukio and some other men. The guy was short, timid, and carrying a handful of DVD's.

"Wait… what? No… let me just tell you what happened." Rin huffed. "I was walking in town this morning, when suddenly I heard a loud grumble. And I look from where it came from and then I saw this boy; blonde, and he was about our age. Being the good guy that I-"

"Ha, good guy?," Yukio interjected, sitting in the dining chair beside Rin. "It would be the last thing you would be in your next life, Nii-san."

Then a loud laughter echoed in the whole dormitory.

"Nobody asked your opinion, Yukio!" Rin exclaimed, glaring at his twin-brother.

"Just go on with your damn story so we can start to eat!" another voice interposed.

"Okay, okay… sheesh," Rin exasperated, rubbing his forehead for a few seconds. "So, I gave him this sandwich that I have then he said thanks and started saluting! Isn't that crazy?" He chuckled.

Another loud laughter resounded in the whole dormitory.

"Wow. That was crazy, dude!" The pale man cackled, clutching his stomach. "Boy, it would have been better if he was a girl, you know? Then maybe, we can see how grateful she really is… I f you know what I mean, huh?" He grinned, his eyebrows jumping up and down like an excited 5-year old boy being taken to a toy store.

"Ew, are you even listening to yourself? You're disgusting." Rin hissed.

"Guys," a black-haired fella sitting on the edge of the chair disrupted their conversation. He clicked his tongue then started licking his green, moist lollipop. All heads turned to the latter. "You're all assholes." He grinned.

Hirako…

Single blink. Twice.

"Hirako…"

Who?

Shiemi let her eyes adjust to the effulgent light illuminating the room. Before long, she had noticed a lone shadow watching her in her repose state.

"Hirako, are you awake?"

She heard the voice state once again.

She felt like she had been hit on the head- she recognize that voice anywhere.

The king…

"Dad?" She softly muttered.

"HIRAKO!"

She felt strong big arms enveloped her enervated body. Tears started to flow on her green eyes. In truth, she had always hated crying. She always believed that crying is for weak peoples that can't stand on their own feet. But her mom once said that it was okay to cry. She quoted that 'people cry not because their weak and powerless; it was because they had been strong for so long that they need something to alleviate their pent up frustrations and sorrow, so they cry…'

And Shiemi was no exception; she too had constrained a lot of problems, difficulty, and predicaments. But in this one, it was a fat mixture of joy and sorrow. This night, having been reunited with this father was a life-changing event in her life.

And…

"Are you hungry, son?"

she doesn't care…

Shiemi cleared her throat and switched it to a voice similar to that of her older-twin brother.

"Yes, father. But can I rest for a while? I'm so tired…" she trailed off; a genuine smile adorning her face.

"O-Of course, Hirako." Mr. Moriyama nods, smiling at her. He then… frowned; which had made Shiemi wonder. He patted her shoulders, took a deep breath, and sighed. "Sorry about the people catching you earlier. I'm really sorry… I'll fire them! Please forgive me… J-Just please, never leave me again." Mr. Moriyama bawled, hugging her once again.

if she has to pretend to be somebody else…

"It's okay, Dad. Don't fire them, it's fine." She beamed. "And, don't worry. I wouldn't leave you ever again, Father."

just to be loved like this…

"Thank you, Hirako." His father whimpered, burying his head beside her.

She patted her father's head and whispered soothing words to relieve the guilt that he was experiencing- and she was at ease and happy.

was enough.

*~-^* End of Chapter 4 *^-~*

A/N: Hi, guys! It's been a while. I missed writing. ;) And I also missed my lovely readers! \:D/ So, I've finally graduated in highschool! Yay! So now, I can continually update this story and maybe finish it. Hihi. :")

I'll always and will always appreciate and treasure the Alerts/Reviews/Feedback that I get on this story. Sorry if I haven't updated for so looooong and haven't replied on your messages. :'( It's because I had been busy a couple of months ago… so I'll make it up to you guys. I'll reply to single one of your reviews, just do it. Review! Do it and you'll make me feel like a bouncing kid on a Trampoline. ;)

P.S: I'll introduce the characters described in this episode in the next chapter. I'm guessing you already know some of them, huh? =D