The Demons of Shadow Moon

Part 39 - Need To Find Answers

"Oh, by the way, I'm Echo. And that's Luna," Echo told him as she walked ahead through the lively forest.

"Do you have a name?" Luna asked, walking beside the boy, her curiosity piqued.

".... no," he replied without eye contact, seeming distant and guarded.

"Eh!" Luna froze in confusion, taken aback by his response. She looked up at him, trying to read his expression. He glanced down at her.

"Yukine Zero," he replied finally, looking away once again.

"You... keh... neh?" Luna sounded out way too cutely for her own good.

Yukine took one look at her expression and turned away with a slight blush, feeling a little embarrassed.

"Ye-... yeah..." he grumbled, a little phased.

"That's a great name! I like it!" Luna smiled brightly, trying to break the awkward silence.

Yukine didn't match her smile, still feeling rather distant.

"You-keh-neh! You-keh-neh! You-keh-neh Zer-ro!" Luna cheered excitedly.

"Please stop cheering my name..." Yukine muttered awkwardly, feeling uncomfortable with the attention.

"I'm Luna, as Echo said. It's nice to meet you, Yukine!" Luna said as she held her hand out, trying to be friendly.

He ignored the hand in a somewhat disappointing way, causing Luna to slowly lower her advance, feeling rejected.

"Erm... I like your mask," Luna mentioned, trying to cut the awkward tension.

Yukine fell more awkward, looking away with discomfort, demeanour becoming timider.

"Err... is there a particular reason you wear it, if you mind me asking?" Luna asked nervously, unsure what questions would cross a line.

"... it's... not really that important. But I'd rather not talk about it," he hesitantly answered.

"Ah, edgy, huh? That's ok; Echo's edgy too!" Luna happily announced.

Echo turned and gave them a menacing glare in response. Yukine seemed unphased, gaze soon trailing back to the path before them.

"Your hair's really cool, too! I like the streaks of grey! Looks like you're in a band, haha!" Luna giggled, observing the streaks of grey in his black hair.

"Were you born with them?" she wondered.

Yukine slowly raised his hand to his fringe, twirling his hair to see the bits of grey.

"I... didn't notice them," he revealed nonchalantly.

"Ah-...??????" Luna froze in confusion.

An awkward silence fell by.

"Erm! S-so, what are you doing here out of the underworld?" Luna asked, trying to make a lasting conversation.

"I could ask you the same thing. I sense magic in your aura... and the way you were talking a moment ago... are you a half-blood by chance...?" Yukine asked her.

"A... half-blood? No, I don't think so. I'm a demon! I'm not sure if I was born in the underworld, though... I mean, it's hard to explain, really... all I can remember is from five years ago, waking up without any memories. Akira and Echo took care of me for a few years, but... turns out, Akira was the one who took my memories away, ah hah......... so now we're on a mission to get them back!" Luna explained with a nervous smile, her emotions all over the place.