My first fanfic. Forgive me for any errors.
I grabbed an apple from the bag of fruits that I bought from the grocery store. I started cutting the skin and then cutting it into pieces.
"How was your Vanquisher duties Takara?" My mother asks while trying to force a smile. I can tell this illness of hers is hurting her from the inside out.
"The Division is still just letting me out on Category D's and C's. This job is just too easy." I say, putting the pieces of apples on a small plate and hand it to my bedridden mother.
She takes it gently and lets out a small laugh. "It's still a dangerous job honey."
I chuckle and sit down next to her. "I know. I keep my body in shape during training, so you don't have to worry about "that" time to repeat again."
She gives me a small nod, and then her face goes gloomy. Oh no, I shouldn't have talked about it.
Years ago, my father was killed on duty. The division told us that it was by a phantom. My mother and I were devastated even when we knew full well that being a Vanquisher means that there was always the risk of death.
I still remember that day. The last time I would hear my father's voice. He was training with me, teaching me how to throw thunderbolt knives for when I would become a Vanquisher myself.
[Flashback]
I finally hit the training log! "Look! Father! First try!" I said excitedly.
"Don't try and trick me young lady. I see the ones you missed right beside the log." He said while staring straight at me.
"Crud and here I thought you were distracted by the text message" I whispered to myself.
"That text message was a job notification, I must go now."
Ah! He heard me! "Wait, your job? The one where you exorcise those ghost-monster things? Can I come see?" I exclaimed once again excited.
"No you will not. Your mother needs someone to be able to make her dinner."
I pout. "Don't play the mom card with me. You do that every time I ask. You know I've been wanting to see your work for a long time."
My father walks up to me, then pats my head. "But your foods are spectacular. It's actually better than when your mother would cook for me when we were in our prime." He says laughing. "Don't tell her I said that."
Then he stops and speaks in a serious tone. "But your mother does need someone to care for her. Everyday she struggles to get in and out of bed, so when I'm not here, I need you to be. Understand?"
I look down to the ground, still pouting.
"I said do you understand?"
Still pouting, I said, "Yes, I understand…"
There was a small silence. Then I felt his hand ruffle my short brown hair.
"I'm sorry Takara. Next time, I promise I'll bring you with me, okay?" He said with an apologetic voice.
"You better not use mom as an excuse when the time comes." I sternly said.
His phone vibrated, it was another text message. "Ah, they're saying I'm late."
He walks away and I go to the training log to clean up the knives.
"Oh, Takara." I hear him say.
I turn around. "Yes Father?"
"Make sure to make two servings for me when you make dinner. This job makes me two times hungrier." He said patting his stomach.
I laughed at that. "Sure thing, I'll leave it on the counter for you."
He smiles warmly at me then starts walking away again.
I turn back towards the log and see the prettiest blue butterfly land on it. Realizing I should hurry and make dinner for mother, I quickly ignore the butterfly and pick up the scattered knives.
[End of Flashback]
I hear my mother cough, I rush to her side. She was doing so well with her sickness, but now it's taken toll on her once again.
"I'm fine." She says to reassure me with another forced smile.
I take a relaxed sigh and sit back down.
"I got a call from your Uncle Naraku, it seems that Master Tsuchimiya's wife has passed away." She sadly said.
"Uncle Naraku called me too a few hours ago, he said that it was during when they were exorcising phantoms." I also sadly say. It's a big deal when someone from the main family dies.
The atmosphere sure got depressing with the reminder of death.
"Naraku also told me that he asked you something when he talked to you. What would that be?" My mother asked to change the mood of the air.
Crud, he contacted my mom about it? Geez, if Plan A doesn't work, he goes to Plan B.
"Oh? Umm, it was just about me visiting." I hesitantly say.
"To help prepare the next heir of Byakuei for awhile…"
My mother looks at me with surprise. "Byakuei? The spirit eater that is passed down in the Tsuchimiya family?"
I nod. "But I told Uncle to give my condolences and that I wasn't able to go."
And then after I told him that, I bet he called my mom.
"You should go sweetheart. It's a great honor to help the heir of Byakuei." She says, still forcing herself to speak through her exhaustion.
I take note of that and chuckle at her. "Yeah right, not when I know you're like this. From here to there is hours away too."
"I have friends sweetheart. They can help me." She says. "Don't you want to see Yomi again? I remember you wouldn't stop following her when you first met."
"Don't convince me. Dad told me to take care of you and that's what I'll do." I said strongly.
"And I'm telling you that you don't have to do that." She immediately replied.
Not knowing what to say next, I simply said nothing.
"Takara, I know you deeply care for me and your word to your father, but I don't want you to hold yourself back."
I can't tell if she's scolding me or if she's still trying to convince me on going, or both.
"Geez, I know from experience that there's no chance of changing your mind…" I scratch my head. "Fine, I'll visit them for a few days."
My mother smiles brightly.
I get up and take the empty plate that lay on her lap. "But remember to take your medicine, I'll call you when I'm over there to make sure you have. Got it?"
"Yes, I did." She said still smiling as I got out to put away the plate. I'll have to call Uncle Naraku later. He's going to be paying for my travel expenses after all this.
I hope you enjoyed. Please review. Keep in mind that I'm still going to school, so the range of me updating is between 1 week to a full month or more.
