Chapter Text
NOTE : I will be updating this fic as I watch the anime. There will be spelling mistakes and grammar errors. I will do my best to fix them but, I am ass at spelling and shit so, sort in advance. I hope you enjoy this fic despite everything. Comment if you want! I love reading them ( Even if I may not replay. ) The fic will NOT have a schedule because I have commitment issues and sometimes get hyperfused on other things and may forget. Everything said, Enjoy!
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It's calm. Most people are doing their own thing. Chatting, cleaning their Jinki, maybe getting some much needed rest before another mission. It's a quiet day, not much of note happening. I am hidden from the naked eye, thanks to my own Jinki. I walk through walls to sit on the floor, next to Semiu as she reads a magazine filled of women in little clothing. She glances over to where I generally am, my heart freezes for a moment before I remember I have my Jinki active. She cannot see me unless her own Jinki is activated. I know it isn't thanks to the lack of her glowing eyes and well as no Anima radiating off of her.
I relax into my spot. Even if she is the only one here who can see me whenever my Jinki is active; which is all the time, I still freeze at the thought of anyone's eyes on me. It makes my skin crawl, no matter the intent in their gaze. I am comfortable with Semiu despite my fear. She is one of the few I consider a family. I close my own eyes and curl into Amon, listening to the pages softly turn. It smells clean here. Well, as clean as you can get. It's a powdery smell, with slight nodes of citrus. Probably from the cleaning supplies.
My ears perk up as the main door opens. I get up and stand next to Semiu silently. Enjin, Zanka, Riyo, and a teen walk into the building. Riyo tells the boy to keep taking care of his hair before leaving with Zanka to do her own thing. I tilt my head, observing the boy as Enjin walks up to us to talk, though he doesn't know I am here. The boy has a thin a scrawny figure, with spiked white hair with black tips, and big red eyes. He is wearing a beige tank top with baggy pants. My eyes widen slightly.
' Is that..? '
" Rudo! Come here and say hi to Semiu! Receptionist extraordinaire. "
My breath hitches slightly at the name. A very infamous and familiar name to me.
" She always give the new guys a once over. You see, she's got this ability- "
He is cut off by Semiu stabbing two flies with her fork, obliterating them in one swipe. I sigh quietly out of my nose. Slight annoyance at Semiu using an eating utensil to kill something.
' At least she already finished eating… '
She pulls the fork back as Enjin and Rudo are stunned for a moment. She smiles.
" Mr. Natural, It's nice to meet you in the flesh. "
Rudo is still stunned silent by her action, unable to speak.
" Enjin got me up to speed on everything. So, I know all about you. where you are from, your potential, all that. But, I still need to see it for myself. "
Semiu adjusted her glasses, as Enjin clarifies.
" Those glasses are her Jinki. They amp up her kinetic vision, Even lets her see what people are made up once she locks in on them! "
Rudo stares in awe as Semiu releases her bright yellow Anima into her glasses, activating her Jinki to see into him. Her eyes open, cat like slits and glowing as she locks into him. It is quiet a second before she gasps and flinches, her Anima sputtering out and Jinki shutting off as her eyes snap open. I frown, standing closer to her in worry.
" What's up? You freaked or something? "
Semiu collects herself after a moment.
" Oh. Uh, sorry bout that. "
I stare at her, trying to read her as she continues.
" Physically speaking, he is in excellent shape. So we wont need to build him from the ground up. And, he has a good relationship with his Jinki. That said, seems his use of it is shoty at best… He's gonna need some work before he can draw out his power at will. "
Enjin raises his head.
" That everything then? "
Semiu looks away before back a Rudo.
" Not quite. "
Everyone is quiet before she continues.
" How'd you get doo doo on the back of your neck? "
Enjin bursts out laughing instantly. Holding his stomach as he wheezes. Rudo goes to wipe the poop from his neck, visibly embarrassed. Enjin makes a joke about why the flies really liked him as Rudo bristles. Enjin thanks her for the info and goes to look for the Boss. Semiu mutters about having fun as they both leave. Enjin looking back at her for a moment before continuing with Rudo trailing him. After they are gone and out of earshot I speak.
" What did you really see, Semiu? "
She sighs, turning towards my soft voice, rubbing the bridge of her nose.
" Static and black. Nothing else. "
I hum in thought.
" Like you were blocked out, or? "
She shakes her head sighing and leaning back.
" No. It was just… anger. So much of it. "
My eyes soften as mumble an okay, not wanting to push more for the little details. It is silent a moment before she stand up suddenly. Most likely remembering the Boss isn't here. I follow her silently, like an invisible shadow. We both eventually find the two of them at the Boss' door. I move closer to the two of them as Semiu talks.
" Oh, did I not tell you? The Boss is away on business right now. He won't be back for a while. "
Rudo's eyes widen.
" Say what..? Gone? Really? "
He turns an accusing look to Enjin as he curses.
" Well, that's that. Can't be helped! Got some bad news for ya bud! The Boss isn't here - "
Rudo fumes.
" I heard! So, what do I do now? "
Enjin looks at Semiu as he asks for an estimated time of arrival for his return. She just shrugs, not knowing. I sigh mentally. Enjin mutters about his sepal of trust turning to Rudo and saying that they are forced to wait for a while. I hear footsteps approaching as Riyo pops her head from behind the corner, chiming in.
" You could do that… or you could tag along and watch me work? "
Everyone turns to her at her sudden appearance. She continues.
" You can't officially join until the Boss gets back and gives the OK but, I thought you could come be my trainee for the day? Get an up close an personal look at the job. "
She walks towards Rudo.
" It'll be fun! And, it's a chance for us to get to know each other. Right? "
I stifle a snicker as Riyo gets close to his face. He flounders for a moment before agreeing. We all walk back to Semiu's desk as she pulls out a map of the safe zones and the polluted ones. Unfurling it flat across her desk as we all gather around. Riyo sits on the desk as Rudo and Enjin stand in front. I am back next to Semiu, behind her desk. She goes over the mission.
" This will be more or less basic maintenance. A town near the polluted zone reported that small trash beasts have been approaching thier barricade lately. They don't want to take any so, they are asking us for a cleaning. "
I stare at the map as Rudo speaks up, curious.
" What's a polluted zone? "
Semiu slowly looks up to Enjin, suspicion on her face.
" Enjin. What all have you told him? "
Enjin just grins.
" Told him plenty! I've just been using words he can wrap his head around! "
Semiu looks unimpressed letting out an short groan of annoyance before turning to Rudo.
" Okay, I'm going to need you to forget everything this imbecile said. "
Enjin mumbles a "Rude," under his breath as Semiu ignores him, beginning to explain to Rudo about safe zones and polluted zones. Elaborating that the trash beasts originate from the polluted zones. She notes that some are especially dangerous, calling them No Man's Land. She goes into tell Rudo that there is only six no man's lands recorded that we know of. The reason being that if there is more, the ones who stumbled upon it died before they could record it. Not to mention the trash beasts that even Givers struggle with. It was a miracle that Enjin found Rudo when he did. Or he would've been one of the many souls lost to the trash beasts.
She then looks up and asks Enjin why he was there in the first place. He avoids and answer, opting to ask a rhetorical question instead. She rolls her eyes and rummages around for a gas mask to give to Rudo. Saying it is important to wear one to avoid getting sick or worse. I look down at my hands, eyes crinkling at the fuzzy memory of the cold, snow, and grief.
***
Next thing I knew I was following Rudo out of the cities paramilitary, looking down at their barricade from atop their steps. Riyo begins to explain to Rudo that this is just basic maintenance but urging him to still pay attention. Everything is important. I silently move to where Follo was standing and become physically tangible enough to bump into him to catch his attention. He flinches a little before realizing it is me and he smiles at me.
" You here with us too, Ghost? "
I hum in agreement, quietly as we descend from the steps. Semiu wanted me to join with them just in case something were to happen. I accepted the job because I was admittedly curious about how much Rudo has changed. We make it to the bottom of the stares in no time. In the corner of my eye I see Gris extend a hand to Rudo. I grimace a little as Rudo takes it. His hand is instantly locked in Gris' strong vice grip. He cried out in pain, falling on his ass as Gris takes his hand back. Riyo laughs a little at his reaction to Gris' strength before Tomme calls out.
" Riyo, trash beasts incoming. "
I Look forwards to the brush and brambles ahead of me. A shine of mechanical eyes appear from in between the trees. A trash beast, Antelope looking begins to come out in swarms to bash its heads against the barricade. Begins to freak out about the amount showing up before Riyo waves him off, saying it is no big deal and that that are weak, even in numbers. My eyes narrow as more arrive, this time bigger; more Ram like in appearance.
Rudo looks from them to Riyo as she brushes it off again, Saying he needs to chill out and watch the professionals at work. He looks back at the herd as the barricade begins to buckle from it's attacks. Riyo mentions if we finish this up quickly that we can throw a welcome to the ground party. He asks how she is so calm in a situation like this. She just holds up a thumbs up and says something around the lines of keeping it cool if you want to survive life on the Ground.
Rudo begins to try and take her advice. However, the barricade explodes- opening the gates for all the trash beats to attack. I look over to see a massive trash beast towering over everyone, human and beast alike. I watch as Everyone but Rudo prepares for battle. Riyo brandishes her scissors, " The Ripper, " as the giant trash beast lets out a deafening screech, sending the smaller beats towards us.
Riyo launches into the air as The Ripper grows in size, her lime green colored Anima feeds into it, giving it a makeover. She jumps onto the handles of them, swinging them around her legs as she cuts the heads off of the first horde of beasts. Follow beings knocking the smaller ones down with his Hammer, " Alan." Gris punches a few of them, ripping their heads apart with his bear hands. He looks over his shoulder, yelling for Rudo to keep vigilant.
A Ram trash beast appears behind Rudo gearing up to charge at him. Rudo flinches, moving his arms up in a futile attempt to block the incoming hit. I move silently but swiftly; wrapping Rudo in my Jinki, " Amon. " He vanishes from view just as the Ram phases through us both. Rudo looks up after not feeling the attack and sees Gris grab the thing by it's head.
" Look's like the Ghost is here! Nice to have you here, bud! "
He locks his fingers in its skull and launches it a Riyo, allowing her to cut it up with The Ripper.
" Please send a few more my way, please and thank you! "
Gris and Follo nod in unison going to fetch her more beasts to destroy. I become physically tangible again while still being invisible to the eye. Bumping into Rudo slightly. He flinches, hard. Mostly because he didn't know what touched him.
" Hello. I'm the Ghost they spoke of. "
His head snaps to where my voice is coming from and feels around touching my arm.
" Yes, I am real, not a spirit. It's my Jinki that keeps me invisible… I don't like to be seen. It's nice to meet you, Rudo. "
The teen stares at the air for a moment before nodding. mouth slightly agape. I close it and then become intangible again. I look around to see most of the smaller trash beasts either down or unconscious. Riyo goes to engage with the big one as Gris and Follo move out to take the other ones apart. Rudo walks forward, watching as they leave with a thoughtful gaze.
Follo goes to walk past an assumedly downed trash ram when it wakes up and trips him with its horn. I move quickly, Rudo a step behind me. I fling myself in front of Follo, surrounding him in Amon to make him intangible just as Rudo stops the thing with a broken metal beam of sorts holding it off. Follo opens his eyes after not feeling the pain of the attack.
" Vei? Rudo? "
I nod from behind him as Rudo grits his teeth in the struggle.
" If.. I'm gonna get what I want… I have to become a Cleaner! That means I have to pull my own weight! "
He starts to lose the match of power between him and the trash ram.
" I am not going to be a burden! "
I look from behind Follo to look at him with slightly wide eyes.
' But… You were never a burden..?
" So… I've gotta have your guys' backs, too! "
Rudo begins emitting his Anima, gloves glowing from being fed. It is black with a red glow. My eyes widen further as the metal beam he was using to hold the trash ram back changes color, matching his Anima.
" And… I'm going to prove to you I can! "
In an instant, the beam turns into a spiky cage, preventing the trash ram from pushing for a bit.
' Is that his..? '
" What the-? The hell just happened? "
" Your Power..? "
He gasps as the trash ram pushes further into the cage of spikes, making it begin to buckle under its weight. Rudo tries to hold on for a little longer as the beast roars. It is cut off, literately, by Riyo stabbing it in the side with The Ripper. Both the cage and the beast fall from the attack, breaking.
" Rushing in to help someone? I'm liking what I'm seeing, Rudo! I didn't know Ghost tagged along, too! "
Everything begins to crumble from there. The beast turning to dust just as the cage did.
" Riyo! Rudo! "
Gris runs up to all of us from the dust and pats down a now standing Follo.
" Let me see. Are any of you hurt? "
After checking Follo and not seeing anything he sighs, putting a hand on his head.
" Thanks for the save… All three of you. "
" No problem. "
I hum out as he turns to Riyo.
" Riyo, how's the bid one? Did you clean it up? "
Riyo shrugs.
" I did cut it in half… Couldn't get it to stick though. "
Gris makes a sound of question as we all look from behind her. The big beast's face is sliced in half, slowly putting itself back together using the fallen bodies of the other beasts.
" Impervious to Jinki? "
I muse aloud just as Gris does. Riyo nods, stating it is weird. She quickly shrugs, deciding to just dice it up until it is unable to move. Gris nod, noting we will need to write down this discovery for future reference. Soon going to begin warning the town about this. Gris and Follo begin to walk back to the downs dome as Rudo calls out weakly for Riyo. I stand by him as we watch her walk away.
I look over to see Rudo looking at his gloves. He has a frown on his face as he gazes at them with a troubled look. I hum, getting is attention through sound instead of touch this time.
" What's on your mind..? "
He still startles bit looks in the direction of my voice.
" Ghost..? Why are you still here? Shouldn't you be with the others? "
I hum in thought.
" I'm sticking by you to make sure nothing else gets you. Just in case. Wouldn't want you to get hurt, right? "
He frowns. I speak before he can say something self deprecating.
" I'm not doing this just because its my job. It's because I care. I genuinely don't want to see you hurt; or anyone, really. "
He stares at the floor hard for a moment until a loud banging sounds through out the area. The ground shakes violently, dusk is kicked up from the beast hitting its face on the ground, making craters in it.
" It's gonna hit us! "
I hear Gris' voice shout from behind his mask. I watch as the beasts wears dig into the ground, making a crack form in the ground and spread towards us. I move before I can think, pulling Rudo by his navy blue hood and beginning to run just as the ground splits open. I'm not quick enough though, I fall with him into the hole. I grip my bandana between my teeth and lock my fingers around his wrist, my own holding the out to grab the edge of the ledge. I hear Rudo gasp as my hand misses the edge. My eyes narrow. Before I can move to put Amon around him to phase through the ground to negate the fall damage, my visible hand is grabbed in a strong grip.
I feel my heart freeze at the sight of my visible hand but, don't dare let go. The person attached to that hand, Gris, Pulls us both out and tosses Rudo over his holder as I hold on to his sleeve to let him know I am following. His boots hit the floor fast and hard, kicking up some dust.
" Get it together. Whatever made you freeze up must've been big. But, you've got something you've want! So, run after it while you can! If you learn anything, let that be it! "
I hear from behind me Riyo laugh before an explosion goes off as she pierces through the massive trash beast. I Turn along with Gris to see it fall.
" Well, look at that. She beat it! "
The dust clears to reveal Riyo holding something. All three of us run to meet her where she is. Gris calling her name.
" What did you do to put it down? "
It is silent a moment before Riyo speaks up.
" Found this ting, stabbed it, then it died. "
I move to get a closer look at it and I frown.
' A… Box Cutter? A Jinki..? '
Gris gasps.
" What's a Jinki doing inside of a trash beast? How is that even possible..? "
I stare at it a long moment before turning away. I pull out a notebook and make a note.
-
Jinki's appearing in a trash beast. Makes the beast using it as a vessel immune to other Jinki attacks. Tell Semiu and the Boss.