"Hey, it's Yoshiki!"

The pale Kobitian looked up through long, midnight blue bangs. He stopped as Ijimekko-gumi walked up.

"I thought I told you not to come around here anymore, Yoshiki," Ijimekko said.

"And I believe I told you that this was the easiest way for me to get to town," Yoshiki returned coolly. Ijimekko frowned and shoved Yoshiki roughly into a building's wall. He leaned forward, bringing his face inches away from Yoshiki's.

"As long as you acknowledge that thing," Ijimekko began, referring to Kori, "you are not to come around here."

"Kori is not a thing, he is a person - the same as you and I..." Yoshiki argued softly. Ijimekko stepped back.

"That thing is the bastard son of a killer! And you dare to compare him to us? To us Kobitians?"

"He is more of a Kobitian at heart than you've ever been to me," Yoshiki glared back. Yoshiki's head then was snapped back as Ijimekko's fist contacted the side of his face. Yoshiki brought one hand to the wall to keep his balance as the other hand found its way to his mouth. He looked at his hand to see bluish blood.

"C'mon, little goth boy, defend that freak. You're his friend, aren't you?" taunted Ijimekko.

"Kami, be a little bit more open minded, Ijimekko! Kori has never done anything wrong. Don't prejudge him!" Yoshiki pleaded, wiping the blood from his mouth. Ijimekko grabbed the collar of Yoshiki's black shirt with one fist and punched him in the stomach with the other. Yoshiki doubled over and fell to his knees, groaning.

"Kuzu," Ijimekko spat at Yoshiki as he began to walk away. Ijimekko nodded at Kobun, Joshu, and Ibaru. They grinned as they closed in on Yoshiki. Ijimekko stood back and smiled. His job was done.

"I should have helped..." Kori apologized. Yoshiki sat up and leaned against the building. Kori took a cloth and began to wipe away some of the blood that stained Yoshiki's pallid face.

"No, you shouldn't have. You would have been hurt as well, and that wouldn't help any of us."

"Osore'irimasu. You stood up for me - I wish I could have helped." Kori helped Yoshiki to stand. "Come. You can clean up at the palace. You can probably eat dinner with us, too, if you like."

"Arigato, Kori," Yoshiki said as they started toward the palace. "I would like that."

-gumi - and friends
kami - god
kuzu - scum
osore'irimasu - I appreciate it, I am sorry
arigato - thank you
Yoshiki - Japanese - from goshikku-yoshiki - gothic [architecture]