Passing Destinies Chapter One
The screams filled the once peaceful town as the people were slaughtered. The bloody corpses littered the once clean grass, staining it deep red. The demons cared nothing about their prey, killing women and children with no mercy. Bodies were ripped to shreds as sharp claws dug through tender flesh, lapping hungrily at the pulsing blood that gushed forth.
The creatures stilled suddenly when a bolt of lightening slashed down, frying one of them instantly. Red eyes rose up, growls sounding at the tall human who had dared to challenge them.
The older man stood proud, garbed in an all black cloak that covered the rest of his outfit. Brown eyes glared at the evil beings, white hair cascading down his back. The demons quickly lunged for the human, fangs dripping with blood. The male's eyes slid shut as he chanted in a strange tongue. When he was finished the orbs opened, flashing blinding white. A wave of blazing light enveloped his body before growing in size. By the time it faded the demons were gone, the only trace of them being the destruction of the people and the town.
The light haired figure moaned loudly as he dropped to his knees. 'Damn! I knew I didn't have enough power for that. I just couldn't let more people die.'
He blinked in surprise when he heard faint sniffling. He turned, brown eyes landing on a small child. He looked to be about six, wearing a faded pair of blue shorts and a torn white shirt. Dark red hair curled up slightly around his round face, large dark blue eyes gazing at him.
"Are you going to be alright?" the child asked softly.
"I'm not sure," the man answered slowly, "Are you by yourself?"
The small child whimpered slightly as he nodded. Small fingers wiped at the softly watering orbs. "Mommy and Daddy were killed by the demons. They told me to hide in the cellar in the backyard. I heard you though and came out to see. I know you stopped the demons and Mommy would have wanted me to make sure you were not hurt."
The older individual took a deep breath, fighting the urge to give in to his body's desire to rest. 'There is no one else around. I don't want to burden a child but I have no other choice.' The man indicated for the small boy to come beside him. He then placed his hands against the soft cheeks.
"I'm sorry," he murmured before digging one fingernail into the tender flesh of the boy's right cheek. The child cried out in pain as the man chanted something quickly. Another blinding light filled the town before fading into nothing as the town's savior took one last breath before dying.
Ten years later
"What are you doing? Can I see it? Can I, Can I? Please! Oh come on... I want to know!" the red head bounced, eyes full of uncontrolled energy. The slender figure's body was in full motion as he hopped from one foot to the next, attempting to see what was cupped in the other individual's hand.
The male sighed as he opened his fingers, allowing the once bright spark in his hand to die out. He brushed the brown hair from his face, fixing his glasses. He glared up, about to chastise the hyper male when a hand settled on his shoulder. Brown orbs softened as his anger faded away. 'Fuji always seems to do that to me. I can't stay mad when he's around.'
"NowEiji you know that in order for Tezuka to do a spell he needs silence. I know you're excited but wait until he finishes before asking," the blue eyes teen chided, a smile gracing his lips.
The overactive teen pouted slightly, eyes so wide it was next to impossible for anyone to stay mad at him. The younger male just had this affect on everyone. He was only a year younger then Tezuka and Fuji, but both considered him a little brother of sorts. The smiling male had been only a child when his mother had returned from a trip; a small red head glanced at him shyly between her legs. She had then told him that the boy was going to stay with them. Kikumaru had apparently lost his parents to a demon attack but remembered nothing of the horrible occurrence. Fuji's mother had found him unconscious in the town and had quickly taken him to a healer. Since the boy couldn't seem to remember anything she had willingly took him in. Fuji had been with Kikumaru ever since, being the calm sounding board to keep the hyper boy out of trouble.
"I'll behave. Sorry Tezuka," the red head murmured, head lowered.
The brunette sighed, patting the younger male on the head. "Don't worry about it. How about you gather firewood? We're not going to make the next town until tomorrow so we'll need it."
"I can do that!" Kikumaru exclaimed as he scrambled out of the clearing. Fuji chucked as he left, slipping his hand down to rest on the taller individual's waist. Brilliant blue eyes finally opened, gazing warmly at the other male. Tezuka leaned down, brushing lips against the other's mouth. When they broke away Fuji smiled as he set his head on the male's shoulder.
"It seems like we've been running for years instead of just a month," the smaller male murmured.
Tezuka sighed as he ran fingers through the soft brown hair. He had been but a simple traveling merchant when he came to the quiet town where Fuji and Kikumaru had lived. His father did metal work, creating items of beauty and strength. Tezuka had helped with the work and both moved from town to town selling their fares. All that had stopped when they reached the one town. His father had become ill and was ordered to stay in the town until he recovered. While waiting for the man to recover Tezuka became acquainted with Syusuke. This feeling deepened as the time went on. Sadly his father was not able to overcome the illness and passed away several months later. Fuji refused to let him leave, demanding that he stay in the town with him. The brunette smirked at the thought, 'Syusuke can be very convincing when he wants to be.' Tezuka had lived with his family for two years before that terrible day a month ago transpired.
He shook his head, trying to rid his mind of the awful images. The town had been attacked by demons, just like Eiji's had been so very long ago. They destroyed everything, killing everyone except for the few that managed to escape. The three teens had managed to get out, however Fuji's mother was not so lucky. Both males were still getting over her death, struggling to forget the violence. The incident had also triggered Kikumaru to begin having dreams again. Fuji had told him that when they were younger and the hyperactive red head had first joined the family he had nightmares about the destruction of his town and death of his parents. Apparently the recent yet similar violent acts had reawakened those past memories.
Tezuka was snapped from his thoughts when he heard a scream not to far off. Brown eyes widened as Fuji jerked from his hold.
"That was Eiji!" he exclaimed as he bolted off towards where his brother had left. Tezuka quickly followed in his wake, ignoring the branches that scratched as his face and arms. Both froze when the broke into a clearing. Kikumaru was on the ground, eyes wide as he stared frozen at the large cobra glaring at him.
"Help," the redhead whimpered.
"I swear Killias. You have the manners of your owner. Sometimes I wish you would shed your skin and get stuck in it. That way I don't have to deal with you," a voice commented from above them. All three glanced up, searching for the speaker. All three blinked when a cat dropped to the ground between Kikumaru and the snake.
The cobra hissed, showing his fangs at the other animal before slithering off into a bush. The cat growled before settling down to clean his paws.
"Did... did you just speak?" Fuji asked.
"Of course. I swear you humans. Look like you've never seen a familiar before. Or is it just that I'm a cat. Heaven forbid a sorcerer ends up with a common housecat instead of like a tiger or lion," the feline spoke.
"That's so neat! I mean I've heard of familiars and sorcerers but I've never met one before," Kikumaru said excitedly, "Can you do anything with magic?"
"Well I am talking aren't I? I figure that's pretty good for an animal," the cat retorted.
"You'll have to excuse both of them. They haven't traveled much. I've been around although I must admit I've never seen a familiar talk to anyone. Usually they just communicate telepathically with their masters," Tezuka commented.
"That's just because most familiars are stuck up as anything. Like Killias there. He's a familiar but he doesn't talk to anyone but his master. Just hisses at everyone else. Although that's how his master acts to so maybe they're not to far off. I, on the other hand, enjoy talking. Humans can be interesting if you're willing to actually talk to them. If you don't they're usually so boring," the familiar remarked. The cat then began to clean his tail, purring when the redhead leaned forward, rubbing his head with his right hand. "Well aren't you lovely? Can you scratch me an inch behind my left shoulder? It's been driving me crazy."
Kikumaru did as he was instructed, causing the cat to arch his back. "See if I didn't talk how would you know what to do? You humans can never do anything right unless you're told how to."
Fuji watched the actions of the two, smiling at his brother. "So what are you doing out here by yourself?"
The cat glanced up at the two standing teens. "Well I wasn't by myself. I was with the snake that tried to attack my back scratcher here. I'm traveling with my master, the snake's master, and this really creepy guy with glasses. If he offers you anything to drink for the love of God don't take it."
Tezuka blinked at the comment, deciding not to ask. He wasn't sure what to think about this sudden intrusion. 'I wonder if they're fleeing from the demons like we are. They more then likely are. It seems that nowhere is safe from those monsters.'
"So where are your traveling companions?" Kikumaru inquired, never once letting up on his affection towards the familiar. 'This is so great. We've been traveling for so long and have never once run into anything like a familiar or a sorcerer. Maybe they'll travel with us. It would be fun to have more company. We've been at this for a month and only hit one small town. That place was so boring. I hope the next town is more exciting.'
"They're around here somewhere. I'm sure Killias will lead them right to us. They're probably mad at me for sneaking off but like I care. We're hitting the next town tomorrow anyways."
"Oh so you're going to Mildian as well? That's were we're heading. Have you ever been there before? Is it any fun?" Kikumaru inquired.
The familiar snorted at the redhead, shaking his head at the boundless energy. He then frowned as his nose picked up an unusual scent. "Something doesn't smell right." He muttered.
The bushes rustled as a deep snarl emanated from it. The demon sprang from the leaves, growling as he lunged at the humans.
TBC...
(Nagi storms off to tie Cloudy to her computer)