*Atsuko is resonating red (for some reason that escapes me) and the entire Concept Space is actually shaking, if one could establish a fixed origin point to shake from*

Adam: Stop that!

*After a few moments, Atsuko does, shoulders drooping*

Adam: Now you've gone and tired yourself out, stupid. What did you go and do that for anyway? This ain't an illusion, y'know!

Urusai

Adam: *ignoring her* She's not in here.

Where is she then?

Adam: Damned if I knew. Damned if I was going to tell you anyway.

Hmmph.

*Instead of getting upset, Atsuko vanishes from Dot's Concept Space. After she is gone, Adam looks around. The Concept Space is still clean but yet...*

Adam: *english accent* 'ello, wot do we 'ave 'ere?

*Adam picks up a pokeball that has slipped through the cracks. He stares at it ponderously.*

Adam: Hmm...

[Scene: EGC, atop the Shinra Building]

*Atsuko appears and notices that half the building top is missing. She growls, floats over to the intact portion and lands on the roof.*

*Snow is falling all around EGC. In some areas, the snow has covered newspaper stands and trashbins.*

This isn't my city, why should I care? Hmmph.

*Atsuko pulls out the Sacred Tear and examines it.*

You're not much use, are you?

*Miraculously, it begins to whisper softly..*

Sacred Tear: Hatred...

What! Did you say that?

Sacred Tear: ... fear...

*Atsuko holds the blade up to her face*

What are you yammering about?

Sacred Tear: ... loathing...

*Atsuko suddenly sees her reflection in the blade change to a young boy.. the face of Kuu*

Kuu: Revenge!

Cursed sword, so that was you inside there all along, huh?

Kuu: Free me! Use me! Release me!

*eyes narrow* Get real. I'll do no such thing until I figure out what you are. It's not safe tampering with things you no nothing about.

*Atsuko draws a line in mid air and sheathes the sword into it, disappearing*

I'll just keep you safe until I need you. Hmmph.

*Atsuko stares up at the snow falling. She pulls her arms back and whirls around playfully. Then, she stops and sticks out her tongue. Cross-eyed, she watches as a snowflake lands on her tongue and melts.*

Yum.

*She sighs and sits on the ledge of the building, legs dangling hundreds of feet in the air. She checks her watch and sighs again.*

I hate waiting.