CHAPTER THREE: ZESS
For a long time, I've been waiting. Waiting for 'Yuki' to be reborn again. Being able to wait alone this long, has been…difficult. And all this time, wandering around the world was all I could do, hoping to find traces of the reborn souls, as a mission given to me by the Giou clan. Because if I was able to find the Zweilt, that would mean that the war begins again. And we'd have to make preparations to gather the 'family' together. If it were possible, I'd like to keep 'Yuki' out of this whole war business. But that is just wishful thinking, a thought that can never be fulfilled. So, when I finally found a few newborns, who carried the Aura of Guardian, it was with mixed feelings. For as much as that I wanted to meet 'Yuki' again, I also hoped to never find the one most important to the Zweilt. But soon I found that fate was something not to be trifled with, for the one who has the brightest Aura of the 'family' was found…
15 years later
"Yuki-chaaaan!"
"Ah, Rina-chan, Mayu-chan, what's the matter?"
"Yuki-chan, you promised us to make us bracelets when you get back from school, remember?" Two little girls stared at the young youth with anticipation.
"Eh, what are you two talking about? Did I ever made such a promise?" He made a little chuckle because of the expression on the girls faces, heh.
"You did! You did made the promise!" The girls each grabbed an arm fiercely and continued their tantrum.
"Yah, mine would have a flower on it!"
" And mine a little…!"
"Alright, alright, I will make you the bracelets." His laugh pierced through the clear autumn sky. For the past 15 years I have heard that laugh often…and there's no way I will ever get enough of it.
"But after I get back from school, ok? You'll see, I'll make you the cutest ones you've ever seen." When Yuki led the overjoyed children inside the Morning Sun House, a gust of wind blew through the cherry blossom tree, from where moments ago someone was watching the scene.
Damn that cunning fox, letting the Murusama siblings meet up with Yuki first. And in such a dangerous situation. Well, I actually should be glad those two were there, but…'That' excuse of a man annoys me till no end. If he wasn't the clan's leader, there's no way I would have taken another person's order. The next time I see him again…! What's Yuki doing now? Suddenly crossing the street like that. Now he keeps standing on the middle of the road. That IDIOT!
Screeeeecchhhh! Just in the nick of time.
"Oh my, that was close!"
"Are you both alright!"
"Is anyone hurt!"
"I don't believe it, that driver didn't even stop!"
"Someone should call the cops!"
"Did anyone saw the license plate!" People are beginning to gather around, looking concerned, trying to sound to offer the best of help. If you really wanted to help, why didn't you do anything, besides staring when he stood on the road! I looked up to see if yuki was ok, only to see him staring at my face. Does he remember?
"Ah, you're hand! Are you hurt! You're bleeding!" His concern is, compared to these…sensation-seekers, genuine.
"We'd better go."
"Eh! Wha...?"
"Come on, before things get complicated. Quickly." I grabbed his hand, to find that they're rather warm. Just as I remembered.
"Are you really ok? Maybe you really should go to have it checked at a hospital…"
"No, it's ok. It will heal fast enough. But thank you for bandaging it up."
"Oh n-no problem…! Actually, I should be thanking you. You saved me from a very dangerous situation…and even got hurt while doing that…" I just can't help staring at his expressions which change by the second. Human emotions are still very strange to me…Ah, now he looks…troubled?…uncomfortable?
"…Um…?" My thoughts were interrupted and I'm reminded again that people like to keep the conversation going.
"Ah…Sorry, but can I ask you a question. What made you stop on the middle of the road? Did you feel like you were paralysed?"
"Wha…eh!" Looks like he didn't expect that kind of question. Am I making him more uncomfortable again?
"Well, it's not like you intentionally wanted to stop there, did you? Do strange things happen to you often?"
"…Yes." He whispered yes with hesitation, as if afraid that other people might hear.
"Hmm, must have been a frightening experience than." Yuki looks at me, wondering if I am serious. If he needs a little time…
"…When I realized I couldn't move, a classmate of mine who was across the street, suddenly just vanished into thin air. Or, at least, I thought he was there…But I saw him as clearly as I see you now. He was waving me over, so I…"
"This classmate…do you know him well? He might have a connection as to what just happened. Did something happened between you? Anything in particular that comes to mind?" Because if he does anything, anything that might be dangerous to you, I…
"…Well…actually…I…have this strange habit. Ah, you might not believe me, but..."
"You can tell me." I WANT him to tell me, I WANT him to feel he can trust me.
"Sometimes…when I touch someone, these emotions flood in my conscious. Like there's a connection between me and that other person. It's not every time, but…it does happen out of nowhere and sometimes I can see visions or the other person's past. This often let to me upsetting people." I nodded in understanding and to encourage him to tell more. I've seen people doing it all the time. So it should work, right? Ah, it does.
"It happened with my classmate too, when we were in middle-school. When I accidentally saw his past, I said something I shouldn't have and he got really upset, saying that I don't know him and I shouldn't take pity on him. I really hurt him that day, just because I went and said to much." He looks so down right now. That is the result of your kindness to others, you hurt yourself in the progress too. And no matter how harsh, I can just tell the truth.
"No. You can not blame yourself alone. He himself is also at fault. Because he can't face reality, he tries to lay the blame on others and runs away. That way people can create a darkness within their selves. If you fail to fight your own fate…means life is no different than a living death…It's because of this classmate's weakness, that you worry yourself sick." I think I can see some relieve from his eyes. I hope it is. There's not a moment that he needs to ponder over the troubles of another. I don't want Yuki to be hurt in anyway! Not like before!
"Anyway, I will try to seek into the matter, so don't fret."
"Wh-why are you helpful to me. We're complete strangers…I-I mean…"
"…That's true, we are strangers." I smiled vagualy. A very small one. I never liked to smile before anyone, except 'Yuki'. "But don't you think that, sometimes, it's better to rely on a stranger then to be alone? It's not like you have to bear the burden all by yourself all the time. I WILL help you." That look on Yuki's face startled me for a moment. Such a helpless look that, at this moment, wanted nothing more than to rely on someone. Damn, did I remind him about some unpleasant memories? I want to wrap my arms around him for comfort, but…
"…I should get going. Please be careful and watch out for the people close to you…Yuki." And before he looks up again, so that I wouldn't be tempted by the look in his eyes, I shifted away.
"…What should I be careful of…Eh! he's gone…And how did he know my name?"
