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Chapter Four
      Change of heart

Weeks have passed and Joey is finally released from the hospital.
Unable to leave him alone, Faya followed by Kina escort Joey out the
hospital and helps him into his car.

Faya: J-Joey?

Joey: Hmm?

Faya: Did they ever find the reason for why you were bleeding?

Joey: No they didn't. I still don't understand it myself. I feel no
pain before or after the bleeding starts. But it only happens when I'm
either very tired or stressed out. Which is why the nurses scrambled
to see if I had been injured.

Faya: So it's happened more than once these past three weeks?

Joey: About twice every week. After the first two times I told her
I'll take care if it so I can figure out what's going on.

Faya: Why would you do something like that? She's a registered nurse.

Joey: She looked tired. No need stressing herself over something I can
do on my own. Like taking a bath.

Kina: Today's schedule. Escort Joey to class underway.

Kina begins to program the schools address into the car the places it
on autopilot.

Joey: ...

Kina: Is there something the matter master?

Joey: Please don't call me master. It doesn't fit me.

Kina: But-

Joey: Just use the name Joey.

Kina: O-okay. Personal information edited.

Joey then places his attention to a nearby lake.

Faya: I-I'm sorry for your loss of Tsubaki but Kina is doing her best
to be of service.

Joey: I'm well aware of that. I...I didn't mean to snap on you Kina.

Kina: It's all right.

Joey: Tsubaki had a mind of her own. I guess I kind of miss her shy
and caring voice. Always light hearted and yet knows how I tick.

Faya: There will be more chances to rebuild that bond. You just need
time to adjust.

Joey: ...I guess so. It wouldn't hurt to hear her voice once more.

Voice: Joey...

Joey: Yeah. It sounded just like that.

Faya: Hmm? Like what?

Joey: You didn't hear her voice?

Faya: No? You're probably still feeling the medication.

Joey: No. I'm alright. But I know I heard her.

Voice: Joey.

Joey: (Am I really still feeling the meds?)

Voice: ...P...romise...m..me...

Joey: ...You have to be hearing this. It's like she's talking to us.

Faya: It might be best for you to get some rest for today. We can go
to class tomorrow.

Joey: Yeah. Let's go with that plan.

Voice: ...Ta..ke...ca..re..of....me..

Joey then places his hand on his head.

Joey: (I...I promise you. Tsubaki.)

Voice: (Thank-you.)

Joey: (She answered me?) I feel...winded.

Joey then falls limp on Faya's shoulder. Faya begins blushing.

Faya: J-Joey...?

Kina: It would appear he had fainted.

Faya: How far are we from his house?

Kina: Estimated time is five minutes depending on traffic.

Faya: O-ok. Just hold on Joey. We're almost there.

Faya notices the car starting to slow down and sounds of raging
drivers blowing their horns.

Kina: It appears to be a three or four car accident. Traffic is held
up here for at least an hour or so.

Faya: I-is there any detours?

Kina: Negative. Not unless Joey bought the car upgrade.

Faya: Upgrade?

Kina: Correct. For instance the car next to us on the right.

Faya: Hmm? But it looks like a normal car?

Kina: You should know by now that looks can be deceiving.

Faya continues looking at the car. Suddenly it's wheels pop and begins
hovering. Slowly the car gains altitude and glides away.

Faya: The car's flying?

Kina: That is a car upgrade.

Faya: Hmm...so we need to find a way to enable it's flight.

Voice: Command excepted.

Faya: I've got a bad feeling about Joey's upgrade.

Suddenly the cars tired pop and the car begins floating. The vehicle
begins floating in the air and then quickly jets off. The force of the
vehicle pins the passengers to their seats and then lands at Joey's
house leaving Faya and Kina in shock.

Faya: F-fast...

Kina: Not bad for Zerco technology.

Faya: Agreed. Now to get Joey...

Kina: Hmm?

Kina looks at Joey and Faya to see blood on the seat.

Faya: Something is straining his body to make him bleed.

Kina: Lets worry about that later. He needs to be cleaned up and so
does his car. Do you think you can wash him or should I?

Faya begins blushing and turns away.

Faya: Uh, you handle it for now. I'll clean the car.

Kina: Alright.

Kina picks up Joey and pauses slightly. She then moves on and into his
apartment.

Kina: (His weight is shifting.)

Kina enters Joey's room and places him on his bed. She then leaves the
room and walks towards Faya.

Kina: He's resting again now. If you're tired, I can setup the guest
room for you.

Faya: N-no that isn't required. I'll just go back home and return to
see him in the morning.

Kina quietly looks at Faya and sighs.

Kina: Stop worrying and relax. I'll only be a minute.

Kina walks away leaving Faya alone in the dining room.

Faya: I wonder why she wants me to stay?

Kina: For company. And I don't think Joey will die if you stayed over
a night.

Kina hands Faya a change of clothing and wash towels.

Faya: Eh? What is this for?

Kina: Go freshen up. I need to set the room for you to rest.

Faya: B-but-

Kina: First door on the left.

Kina slowly pushes Faya out and closes the door.

Faya: I've got a bad feeling about this.

She then starts walking to the washroom.

Faya: I wonder how Joey will do with her. She is rather pushy. And if
I recall correctly...Joey hates pushy girls.

Faya enters the washroom and lays her towel and clothes down. She then
starts the shower water and starts undressing.

Faya: Oh my? This seems rather different from my shower.

She enters the shower with her wash cloth in hand.

Faya: I guess this is why he always smells nicely in the mornings. His
shower water is scented. But why with such a fragrance?

Faya unravels her hair and allows the water to moisten her hair.

Faya: This is soothing. I guess this wasn't a bad idea after all.

She washes off and turns off the water. She then reaches out and grabs
her towel and dries herself off. Finally she wraps the towel around
herself and walks over to the borrowed pair of clothing.

Faya: I wonder who's clothing this is.

Faya unfolds the pajama and places the  gown on the towel rack. She
slowly moves away from it covering her mouth.

Faya: This...this is Tsubaki's gown. She's trying to rid Joey of
Tsubaki. That's so wrong!

Kina enters the washroom with a smile on her face.

Kina: It's rude to assume. Are you implying that because of the
disappearance of Tsubaki that I can't take her place without
destroying her valued items?

Faya: W-wait a second. I thought all P.A.s were kind and caring
androids?

Kina: Its rude to assume. Now put on the gown and...

Kina looks towards the gown in which seems to be floating. She then
looks for Faya who is no where to be seen in the washroom.

Kina: T-Tsubaki?

The gown slowly hovers off with the manipulated figure of a woman. Kina
follows the gown as it disappears into Joey's room.

Kina: Master Joey!

Kina rushes into his room and sees the gown which appears to be
kneeling near his bed. Faya enters the room wearing Joey's shirt with
a surprised look on her face.

Faya: I thought I sensed something different. Tsubaki is in our
presents so why don't you confront her Kina.

The floating gown turns towards Kina. She backs away slightly.

Kina: It can't be. You were missing for weeks after Joey was
hospitalized. Why are you here now?

A slight voice is heard but not clearly.

Faya: Can you repeat that?

Voice: ...mise

Kina: Mise?

Voice: ...Pro...mise...

Faya: Joey made a promise with you?

Voice: ...pro...mise...he...p...ro...mi...sed

Kina: I'm here to help him now so he's fine. You're free to rest in
peace.

Tsubaki's figure begins to fade in.

Tsubaki: I haven't the slightest interest in leaving. You'll see me
more often than you think.

Tsubaki turns towards Kina and points at her.

Tsubaki: I'll be watching you. But as for Faya.

Tsubaki turns towards Faya. She then tilts her head and smiles.

Tsubaki: It's ok if you borrow my clothing.

Faya: O-ok. Thank-you.

Tsubaki looks towards Joey and touches his hand. Tsubaki completely
fades away and the gown falls to the floor.

Kina: That woman!

Faya: Why is Joey's hair changing color?

Kina: What?!

Kina quickly turns towards Joey and sees that his hair is now silver.

Faya: Hmm? It doesn't look bad on him at all.

Kina: Did that woman possess Joey?

Faya: I don't think so. He looks normal.

Kina: Human hair doesn't grow at that pace his is. It's usually only
half an inch a month.

Faya: Hmm?

Faya looks at Joey who's hair now begins to spread out on his pillow.

Kina: He's been cursed! We must release the curse by summoning that
witch Tsubaki out of him!

Joey begins moving and slowly sits up. He opens his eyes and yawns
while stretching.

Joey: Eh? What's up ladies?

Faya: A-are you feeling ok?

Joey: Never better. Why?

Faya pulls out a comb and combs Joey's hair over his eyes. He sits
quietly for a moment and then his mouth drops.

Joey: What the-

Faya: Try to take it slowly. You're not harmed and Tsubaki's spirit
was seen entering your body. So we think.

Joey: ...say what now Faya?

Faya: Tsubaki is among us.

Joey: Really...you watch too many-

Joey then feels a slightly warm sensation around his chest.

Joey: Hmm? It feels like someone hugging me.

Joey then focuses on the warm spot. He then touches his chest. Before
his hand could touch his chest a patch of silver appears.

Joey: This is...just like in my dream.

Joey follows the silver patch to see Tsubaki looking at him smiling.

Joey: Tsubaki?!

A loud thud is heard. Kina walks into Joey's dining room. Delta is
spotted passed out on the floor with Sabrina laughing at him.

Faya, Joey and the faintly seen Tsubaki walk into the dining room.

Joey: Hmm? Sabrina and Delta are here. And he's passed out. That means
he needs to be awaken.

Joey takes a leap into the air and notices he hasn't fallen on Delta.

Joey looks at Tsubaki who appears to be saying something but no words
come out of her mouth.

Joey: Have I gone death?

Sabrina: No, no one can hear her. Try to figure out what she's saying.

Joey points down and Tsubaki sets him on the floor.

Joey: Lets try this again. Repeat what you last said.

Tsubaki nods and repeats, this time using sign language.

Tsubaki: ...nect...ith...ine...

Joey: Connect with mine...

Tsubaki puts her hand one her chest.

Joey: Connect our hearts?

Tsubaki nods in approval.

Joey: How do I do that?

Tsubaki: Th...nk...of...ou...mo..t...ch...ris...times...

Joey: Our most cherished times.

Joey looks blankly at Tsubaki and smiles. She then completely appears
in front of him in a blue gown.

Sabrina: I sense something perverted. What did you think about?

Tsubaki/Joey: The day we first met each other.

Faya: I can hear her.

Tsubaki: Looks like we're synced now. Just don't do anything careless
again.

Joey: Oh come now, would I really do something careless after fixing
something?

Sabrina: It's why we love you Joey.

Joey: I'm not sure that's an insult or compliment. And besides, what's
the worst that I can do.

Voice: Jo-ey...

Joey: Hmm? Who's calling me?

Tsubaki: No one...anything...

Tsubaki quickly looks at Joey.

Tsubaki: Ignore...voice! ...with...!

Voice: Listen...my voice.

Joey: What's with the voices in my head?!

Joey begins holding his head and walks into his room.

Sabrina: Joey? What are you planning now?

Joey: Stay back!

Joey slams the door shut.

Faya: Tsubaki!

Everyone quickly looks towards Tsubaki who has collapsed and has begun
to fade.

Tsubaki: Jo...ey...

Tsubaki disappears and Joey is heard yelling in his room. Delta sits
up and enters Joey's room.

Delta: Hey! Shut up! I'm trying to...where is he anyway?

Kina: Master Joey?!

Kina enters the room and begins searching the room. She then walks to
the washroom and grabs the handle. The door locks.

Kina: Master Joey! What's the matter?

Sabrina: Joey open the door! You're amongst friends!

Delta: Yeah, no matter how ugly a monster you've become. I'll only
attack you twice a day.

The door quickly opens as a mysterious figure tackles Delta and
strikes him. Delta grabs hold of the figure as they remove a hood off
the guest's head.

Faya: It's only a lady Delta, let her go.

Delta let's the female go and stands up.

Kina: How'd you get in here?

Sabrina: Wait...

Sabrina snatches a seemingly noticeable wig off the female's head. The
female quickly turns around and Tsubaki appears.

Tsubaki: I told you to...um...

Delta: So if your here in your spirit form. Who's hot figure is that?

The female slightly blushes.

Female: Pervert...

Tsubaki giggles at Delta and spins the female around.

Tsubaki: Come on. Say hi...Joey...