Gaea's Locket Ch. 6

“So what now?” Daiki wondered a few days later. Keito was in thought as Daiki continued, “We found Yuto. Great. One of the powers. What's the next step? We didn't find out anything interesting for Yuto, or usefully as to knowing why he was chosen to hold Zeus' power-”

“Hang on... I'm trying to think...” Keito said as he stared at the locket. He said, “Come on... you were working earlier this week... why aren't you locating anymore powers?” The locket didn't respond. Of course it couldn't. He sighed as he asked, “I dunno... more questions are just coming to my head. Why did it locate Yuto? Maybe his powers were in use, but come on. There has to be others using their powers out there right now. But why isn't it locating them?”

“Why don't we walk around town with the locket? Maybe it will react?” Daiki suggested. Keito sighed, “Well alright then... We don't have anything to lose.” As they got ready to leave, Daiki asked, “Hey, where's Yuki? Is she coming today?”

“No, she's not working today.” he answered. “I don't know how else to reach her besides her office at work.” Daiki shrugged, “Well, I'm sure we could figure things out on our own. We'll give her the day off.”

“Yea. Come on.” Keito said as they headed out.

~The college~
“...ugh... how much longer...” Ryutaro groaned quietly zoning out the teacher. Rini whacked his head, “Come on. It's just another 10 minutes. Stop being a baby.” He gave her a look, “I am not being a baby... I just hate the fact that we need to do general education... I just want to learn management and that it. Nothing else.”

“I get that, but come on. You can't graduate without the general education.” she sighed listening when finally class ended.

“Thank god!” Ryuu said as he ran out of the class.

“A little overdramatic don't you think?” Rini gave him a look. He smiled, “I hate history... its too boring.” Rini smiled, “Good point. Anyways, when's Kota getting here?”

“Right now.” he smiled as he saw his brother pull up in his car.

“Hey, Ryuu. Rini.” Kota smiled to the two. “Hope you weren't waiting too long.” They shook their head and got in the car as he then asked, “How about we get some lunch first? I'm starving. What about you guys?”

“Yea~!” Ryutaro smiled as Rini nodded, “Thanks.”

~At the animal shelter~
“There you go cutie. All fresh and clean.” Kaori smiled as she finished giving a puppy a bathe. She placed him back in the dogs playpen as she said, “The dogs are all clean. You done with the cats, Kei?”

“Almost...” he said. “You know how these cats are.... hate bathes...” She smiled as she saw him struggling to hold the cat in the bathe. She then took hold of the cat and said, “Why don't you go feed the birds. I'll finish up here.” He sighed in relief, “Alright...I can't believe the boss decide to take today off.. leaving us with all this work.”

“Come on. It's not so bad... its a slow day today so all we gotta do is take care of the animals.” Kaori smiled as he to see the birds. As she began drying up the cat she heard someone ring the bell at the front desk.

“Hang on.” she called. She then yelled, “Kei! Can you help them out?!”

“Yea. I got.” he said as he approached the front desk. A familiar women stood there as he smiled, “Hello, what can I help you with?”

“My little Melody hasn't been feeling well lately.” she said worried as she placed a little half chow, half shitzu pup on the front desk. Kei nodded, “No problem. Kaori, Hakufu's in today right?”

“Yea. She's giving check ups to the other animals.” they heard her call. He opened the door to the back, “Follow me.” She did as Kaori came out of the cat's area. She smiled, “Oh~ Hey there crazy~! Long time no see!”

“Don't call me crazy!” the women shouted at her.

“Haha, I call them as I see them.” she teased as Kei then lit up, “Oh! Yuki! Haha, been a while. I didn't recognize you.”

“I figured.” she giggled. “You guys are still inseparable huh? Joined at the hip as usual.”

“Yea.” Kei said. “How've you been?”

“Great actually.” she smiled. “Enjoying my day off being a history professor.” Kaori laughed, “A crazy girl like you as a history professor?! Haha, you're kidding me right?!”

“I. AM. NOT. CRAZY!” she shouted annoyed. The dogs began barking as Kei said, “Don't scream... you're scaring the animals...”

“Apparently you don't remember all the crazy stuff you did in high school huh?” Kaori beamed.

“You were apart of it too.” she pouted at her. “So if I'm crazy, you are too.”
“Haha, you were always a bad influence on me. It's your fault I'm crazy.” she teased Yuki. “You're spreading the crazy to everyone. Watch out Kei. You might be next.”

“Oh, shut up already!” Yuki laughed. “As if you didn't tease me enough about it in the past.”

“Haha, good point.” she said.

“Well, how about back to this?” Kei said interrupting the girls. They reached the vet's area,“Hakufu, you busy right now?”

“Nah, what's up?” she said as she came out of her office.

“My puppy isn't as energetic as usual. She just lays on her bed doing nothing.” Yuki said worried. Hakufu took Melody from her, “How long has she been like this?” She answered, “Since yesterday. I was hoping she would feel better this morning, but nope. Still like this...”

“Hmm, well I'll look her over. Give me a couple minutes.” she said as she went back into her office with the little pup. Yuki nodded and turned to Kaori who smiled, “I guess this means we got some time to catch up.”

“Yup~” Yuki beamed as Kei said, “Well I'll let you girls catch up, I'm gonna finish up feeding the birds.” He left as Yuki asked as they took a seat nearby, “So, do you work full time here? It doesn't seem like this pays much...” She shook her head, “Nah. You know I majored in animation. I'm an artist as the animation studio a couple blocks down.”

“No way~! Really?!” she said surprised. She nodded, “Yup. We're in the middle of one now so things are getting pretty busy. I just work part-time here.” Yuki smiled, “Still an animal lover like usual. Rini too huh?”
“Yea. So what else do you do besides being a boring history teacher?” Kaori joked.

“Hey~ I'm not boring! All the students say I'm fun.” Yuki laughed. “Nothing else... but I've been helping out some archeologist on greek relics.”

“Oh fun. Mythology is always a fun topic.” she smiled. Yuki stated, “It sure is. Not to mention the fun we're having with this relic.”

“Haha, you're sure enjoying yourself.” Kaori said.

“Ah, Yuki, right?” Hakufu called as she came over to them. She said, “Melody just has a little fever, she should be fine with someone rest.” She smiled, “Really?! That's great to hear!” Hakufu nodded as she handed her a tube of pills, “If by any chance it gets worse, just make her take some of these.” Yuki nodded, “Thanks~!”

“Anytime.” Hakufu answered returning to her work.

“So cutie~ Looks like you're gonna be just fine.” Kaori smiled at the pup. Yuki nodded, “Yes she will.” Kaori wrote down her number on a piece of paper. “We've got to hang out again. It's been so long since I've seen you. We really need a high school reunion party.”

“Definitely.” Yuki smiled, writing hers down and giving it to her.

“Hey, I'm free tomorrow for lunch. Wanna grab some together? Just a heads up, Kei will definitely be joining us.” she questioned.

“Haha I figured as much.” Yuki smiled. “That's fine. My class ends at 11. Where are we meeting?”

“World Cuisines. Where else? That's the best restaurant around.” she replied.
“Alright then. I'll see you guys tomorrow.” Yuki waved as she left. Kaori waved back and went back to work.

~Around town~
“Still nothing?” Keito sighed. Daiki shook his head, staring bored at the locket. It's been about two hours since they left and there was still no reaction. Keito thought, “There has to be a way it get it to--”

“Oh, Daiki. Keito.” they heard as they turned. “What are you guys up to?”

“What does it look like?” Daiki said showing her the locket. Yuki, holding little Melody in her arms, asked, “So no luck I'm guessing?” They both nodded as she asked, “Maybe you two should just take a break?”

“Well I guess--” Keito was cut off when a light emerged from the locket. Just like the last time an image appeared, but this time, it was of a crescent moon. Then it changed to show a small building in Tokyo.

“That's the animal shelter...” Yuki stated. “I was just there a while ago, but there's only three employees working today.”

“Then one of them must have the power of the gods.” Daiki stated. “Lead the way, Yuki!”

~Back at the shelter~
“Thanks again Kota!” Rini smiled as they arrived at the animal shelter. “Lunch was delicious~!” He nodded, “Any time. It's the least I can do. You're always keeping Ryuu out of trouble.” He pouted, “Come on, I'm not that troublesome...” She giggled as they entered the shelter, “Kaori~!”

“Ah, Rini?! You're here!” Kei said a bit surprised as he tried to stop a bird from attacking him. She nodded, “Yea... Like I am everyday after my classes... Duh.” He sighed, finally getting the bird to calm down as she continued, “Where's my sister? She's been disappearing a lot lately...”

“Uh, she's at the studio, working overtime...” he told her as Hakufu, bringing out the cat she was checking up said, “No she wasn't... she was here a few minutes ago. She's probably in the restroom or something.”

“Ow!” he said as the bird pecked his hand. He glared at it as he said, “I-I mean she had to work overtime and she headed back to the studio. They really needed her help.” Rini sighed, “Well I guess you're gonna have to say hi some other time Kota. I wish she would let me know when something like this comes up...”

“It's okay. She's busy. I understand that.” he smiled.

“Ow! Would you stop?!” Kei yelled at the bird as it flew onto a high shelf. “Geez...”

“Another stray animal you picked up?” Rini wondered.

“Yea. Found it outside... now I'm kinda regretting picking it up.” he gave it a look as it squawked back at him. Hakufu sighed, “I guess dogs are the only animals that like you huh?” Rini giggled, “Speaking of which, whatever happened to that dog you had before?”

“It ran from me when I was bringing Kari and Yoru in. So I dunno where it went.” he stated. He turned to Kota, “Hey, thanks for picking her up. Saved me a trip.”

“Haha, no problem. You're always driving them to school so I should help out every now and then.” he responded. Soon the bird landed on Kei's shoulder as he sighed, “Finally... and don't you even think about—Ow!” The bird had pecked him again. As he shouted, “Seriously, Ka--” He stopped himself but then said, “Kanny! Knock it off!”

“Wow... she' really doesn't like you...” Rini said offering a hand out to the bird. “What did you do?” She went of Rini's shoulder as Kei pouted, “Oh, all I did was give her a little scolding and she starts freaking out on me--”

“This is the place...” they heard as the door opened. Then the bird panicked and began tugging on Kei's shirt with its talons. “Ouch! Oh, come on! Just stop already--” The voice called, “Kaori, I'm back---” She was surprised to see all the people inside now. Two people followed her in as Keito asked, “I thought you said there was only three people...”

“Well not anymore... but someone here has that power...” she thought as she looked at each one of them. Hakufu was sitting quietly overlooking the animals, Kei was handling his bird issue, Ryutaro and Kota were talking to each other as Rini stopped and turned to them, “Hey~! Yuki! Nice to see you.”
“Same to you Rini. All grown up now huh?” she smiled. Rini nodded, “Heck yea~ So was there something you need?” She shook her head, “No I was here earlier... but my friends were looking for something.”

“Really? Anything in mind?”

“Ah, no, do you mind if we just look around?” Daiki asked. She answered, “Go ahead~” She let them go to the back to see all the animals as she said, “Let me know if you find any you like.” They nodded as she left.

“So how do we figure out who has the power?” Yuki wondered as Keito lit up, “The same way we found Yuto. We need to get near them.”

“Easy. We were close to Rini but it didn't react so it has to be someone else here.” Daiki stated as they nodded. Yuki said, “Give me the locket. I'll look around. You two, watch Melody for me.” She handed her little pup to Keito as she headed off.

“Ah, Hakufu. Where's Kaori?” Yuki lit up as she saw her. She stood a few feet from her, taking a glance at the locket in her hand but their was no reaction. She answered, “She went to the studio, I guess she was needed to get some sketches done.” She headed back to her office as Yuki continued her search.
“We gotta get going Rini.” Ryutaro then said. “See ya.”

“Bye~!” she waved them off.

“Damn.... hopefully they don't have the power... otherwise I gotta find them...” Yuki sighed. “Then that leaves...”

“Look, I don't know what to do so stop pecking me! Your beak hurts...” she heard as she peeked into the back room to see Kei talking to a bird. “What else do you expect me to do? Just sit here and do nothing about it? It's not normal!!” That's when the locket activated, showing the crescent moon once again. Yuki stared at the symbol and then Kei, “The symbol of Aretmis....”