Chapter 4
TRAINING IN A DIFFERENT SPACE
It's been two days since Leister attacked. Shusei already asked permission to their training and Takashiro agrees to it. Tsukumo and Hotsuma's wounds are already healed by Yuki, but Yuki healed it when it is not fresh anymore so pain was bearable.
So now, everyone's standing outside of the mansion. It's Thursday morning and everyone are absent in their classes.
"Well then, Cut Space" Shusei said as he crossed his hands with his ring glowing, he raised his arm with the ring "Lock Set!" Then a beam of purple light came out from the ring and when it reached the sky, the whole place is covered in a purple barrier
"There we go" Shusei said
"Good work, Shusei!" Hotsuma said as he thumbs up towards Shusei who just nodded
"Now, how should we train?" Toko asked
"Fighting of course" Kuroto crossed his arms
"What?! Already?! Can't we just warm up?" Toko whined like a child
Kuroto sighed "But how can we train if there's no Duras?" Kuroto asked himself
"Damn, arranging a this but with no idea?...Great Job! Kuroto!" Hotsuma said sarcastically, patting Kuroto's back while grinning.
"Shut up! Then how about you? What's your idea?" Kuroto mocked at Hotsuma
"Oh! Good question…Nothing!" Everyone face-palmed except Yuki and Tsukumo
Kuroto headbutted Hotsuma "Are you itching for a fight?!" Kuroto yelled as Hotsuma pushed back
"Yeah! And this is training!" Hotsuma yelled as their weapons appeared
"U-Um…..Hotsuma-kun….Kuroto-kun please calm down" Yuki tried to calm them down by stopping between them
"Huh? But it's his fault!"" Hotsuma quickly pointed towards Kuroto making Yuki jump back
"The hell?! It's yours!" Kuroto yelled back
"WHAT?! YOU—"
"Hotsuma~…..Kuroto~….." Shusei's voice turned scary
"S-Shusei-kun?" Yuki looked towards Shusei
"How can we train if you two will always fight?" Shusei simply glared at Hotsuma and Kuroto who flinched as they look at Shusei who is walking towards them while stomping
"A-Ah….S-S-Shusei?!" Hotsuma trembled seeing Shusei looking towards him clearly…..pissed
"O-Oi! I'm not afraid!" Kuroto yelled at Shusei trying to act brave even though he too is trembling
"Really? Just to let you know, I'm not scaring you….." Shusei said
"But how can y-you explain what you're doing?" Hotsuma asked
"Maa, Shusei just let them" Tsukumo smiled while watching Hotsuma and kuroto tremble in front of Shusei
"H-He's right! Shusei! We will not repeat it again! Right Kuroto?" Hotsuma tried to find an excuse by wrapping his arm around Kuroto's shoulder
"Say's who?!" Kuroto break free from Hotsuma
"You idiot! Just play with it for a while!" Hotsuma whispered at Kuroto
"Why?!"
"S-Shut up!"
An angry vein appeared on Shusei's forehead as he snarled angrily
"Shusei~" Toko chuckled catching Shusei's attention even though he is still facing the other two
"How about you punish them a little?" Toko smiled evilly
"T-Toko-chan?!" Yuki gasped Luka just face-palmed while Senshiro just smiled. Tsukumo just patted Yuki
"Let them be Yuki, you can't stop Shusei when he gets angry" Tsukumo said as he looked at Hotsuma and Kuroto with pity "Poor things"
"Tsukumo-kun?!" Yuki shrieked while shifting his gaze back to Shusei and the others
"Kurai Kurodiomedesu!" Shusei yelled as his orbs appeared and trapped Hotsuma and Kuroto in a cage
"W-Whaa?!" Hotsuma screamed in surprise
"H-Hey! Let me out!"
And so, they started yapping and blabbing pleads which made Shusei even annoyed. He turned his back on them as he started walking back "Stay there for a while, so that we can practice…..peacefully" He glared at the two
"Well, I guess we should start now huh?" Toko asked
"Yes, but we should just practice not fight" Yuki said
Luka nodded "Then we should start by practicing your skills" Luka said
"We should pair up" Tsukumo suggested as everyone nodded
"Then I will pair with Yuki" Tsukumo smiled at Yuki
"E-Eh?" Luka quickly glared at Tsukumo who pulled Yuki away. Toko just sweat dropped and smiled wryly
"Ahe…he..he….What just happened?" Toko asked
"Thief!" Luka hissed because Tsukumo was completely obvious that he wants to spend his time with Yuki, HIS Yuki
While Shusei just sighed "I will pair with Senshiro then since we're both defense" Shusei said
"Good idea, well then we're off" Senshiro nodded and started walking away with Shusei
"I guess you're my partner here" Toko looked at Luka
"Yeah, and I have a good idea on how to train you" Luka said as his sword materialized
"Hmmm? Oh, so you're going to improve my swordsmanship! Thanks, that'll be a big help!" Toko jumped in glee as her ring glowed and Eon appeared
"Luka! Ready when you are!" Toko said as she readied her stance
Luka nodded as he got into his fighting stance "Come" Toko lunged towards Luka
~With Yuki and Tsukumo~
"Umm….Tsukumo-kun what should we train?" Yuki asked as they stopped walking
"Well, I was thinking of training your Halo Wall but-" Tsukumo paused
"What is it?" Yuki asked
"I don't want to attack you" Tsukumo looked away in embarrassment
Yuki's eyes widen but it was quickly replaced by his smile "Don't worry you won't, because I know you don't have such intent" Yuki said
"Yuki…" Tsukumo mumbled as Yuki took a few steps back away from him
"Well then—" Yuki extended both his arms forward "Halo Wall!" Yuki yelled as he was surrounded by a tornado and when it died down his barrier appeared covering him.
"Knell!" Tsukumo's ring glowed and Knell materialized on his hand. When it was fully materialized he pointed it at Yuki
"Okay, I'll start with weak attacks then I will slowly increase my attacks, is that okay?" Yuki nodded
"Then here I come" Tsukkumo warned as his gun glowed a released a very weak blast of blue energy
Tsukumo's blast hit Yuki's barrier "Phew! Nothing happened" Yuki smiled
Tsukumo nodded "Well then here comes another" He readied his gun for another shot
~With Shusei and Senshiro~
"Not bad for a beginner" Shusei smiled as he adjusted his stance while holding his weapons
"Thank you" Senshiro relaxed his arms and lowers them with his scythe
"Are you sure that you're just defense? You don't look like it" Shusei said as he switched his weapon and it turned into his orbs
"Yes I'm defense but I do more offenses than defenses since me and Kuroto are a good pair, we just watch each others back" Senshiro said as he also switched his scythe to his thick paintbrush
"Hmph, come" Shusei said
"Got it" Senshiro drew some Kanji's in the air using his brush, it glowed and it turned to many ink-colored birds heading towards Shusei with an amazing speed
Shusei quickly used his orb to make a shield, when the birds collided into his shield it created a mild explosion.
Shusei jumped back "*cough*….I see, those are explosive birds" Shusei mumbled
He looked around but since there's smoke he can't properly see anything "Damn, this smoke's too thick!" Shusei said as he covers his nose to avoid inhaling much smoke
He slowly walked forwards looking at his left and to his right everytime he took one-step forward
"Why is there still smoke? It could've died down for a while?—" Shusei mumbled as he lowered his arm that is covering his nose "—Wait...It's dark!...Then?!" Shusei became alerted
"Where will he come from?" Shusei focused and closed his eyes, he opened them immediately when he sensed something
"Kurai Kurodiomedesu!" Shusei said as his orbs multiplied and they created a cage protecting him when Senshiro breakthrough the smoke trying to hit him with his scythe
"H-How?!" Senshiro gasped when he saw Shusei's cage that is always use to release Duras protecting himself from his attack
"Simple, I used it for my defense" Shusei explained
"I see" Senshiro retracted his Scythe as the smoke died down
"You're really strong Shusei" Senshiro smiled
"Not really, I gotta admit you're good at making strategies using the smoke to lure me" Shusei said praising and looking at him with amazed eyes
"Well, It just came to my mind the moment my birds hit you" Senshiro said rubbing his cheek in embarrassment
"I see….but it's impressive whatever you say" Shusei said as Senshiro nodded
"Well, then how about we go for another round?" Senshiro asked
"If you say so" Shusei readied his stance again
~With Yuki and Tsukumo~
"Good job Yuki, you manage to endure even my most powerful attack" Tsukumo said as he extended his arm to Yuki who is kneeling on the floor panting. Yuki gladly accepted his offer and used Tsukumo's support to stand up
"Thank you" Yuki smiled
"But I guess we should rest for now. You seemed tired let's sit there for a while" Tsukumo said as he put Yuki's arm around his shoulder and they started walking
They walked towards Kuroto and Hotsuma who are still inside Shusei's cage completely silent and bored
Tsukumo placed Yuki on the ground for him to sit, then he sat next to Yuki and lied down with his arms on his head
"Hey, how was training?" Hotsuma asked Yuki and Tsukumo
"Well, it's okay; Yuki's endurance is slowly increasing" Tsukumo said as Yuki nodded
"Really? Then good job! Yuki!" Hotsuma said as he thumbs-up at Yuki while grinning
"Thank you" Yuki smiled
"That's a good improvement, even now, I'm still amazed in your performance during the last fight" Kuroto said
"Really? It's not because of me, its Luka's" Yuki said
"Well yes, but if you were not there, I'm very sure we would have a very hard time killing that Duras, since he can multiply" Kuroto said
"Yeah, it will be a pain in the ass!" Hotsuma said as he brush his messy-hair
Yuki smiled "Then I'm glad, because I'm not useless as before"
Tsukumo frowned "Yuki, don't say that it's not true, you've done a lot of great things…like saving me" Yuki froze as his bangs covered his eyes
"Oh right…..back then you were nearly killed by….Kanata-san" Yuki said
Tsukumo's eyes widen, he made a big mistake reminding Yuki of Reiga, he looked away and gritted his teeth "Damn" He mumbled silently
Hotsuma and Kuroto just stayed silent while wearing sad expressions on their faces
"But—" Everyone looked at Yuki as he looked up while smiling gracefully "—I guess, I have to start forgetting about him because the more I try to bring him back….the more he will go away…." Yuki said
"Yuki…." Tsukumo looked at Yuki
"Don't worry, I'm alright now…..I got to admit, I'm still sad but" He looked at Luka who is training with Toko while smiling
"I have everyone here who will still care for me and love me…." He said
Tsukumo, Hotsuma and Kuroto smiled
"My, My….such beautiful smiles" Tachibana's voice said as he walk closer to Yuki and the others
"Tachibana-san?/Tachibana?" all of them said in unison
"So, how's training?" Tachibana asked as Hotsuma and Kuroto just pouted
"It's okay Tachibana-san" Yuki smiled at Tachibana
"I see, then why are those two in a cage?" Tachibana asked as he pointed at the cage
Yuki and Tsukumo began to laugh "H-Hey! Don't laugh!" Hotsuma said as he blushed in embarrassment
Kuroto just looked away "Well, it's this idiots fault" Kuroto said
"WHAT?!"
Tsukumo and Yuki wiped their tears because of laughing "Hotsuma-kun, Kuroto-kun if you begin now then you might not have the chance to be freed there" Yuki said
Hotsuma and Kuroto just looked away from each other "Hmmm? I see, this two got into their arguments?" Tsukumo nodded
"And Shusei got pissed so here they are, jailed like prisoners" Tsukumo said
"Haha! Sucks to be you two!" Tachibana laughed
"N-Never mind that! What are you doing here?" Kuroto asked
"Well, Takashiro said to call Yuki, since he wants to give something to Yuki" Tachibana looked at Yuki
"Me?"
"Yeah, so you better hurry up!" Tachibana said as Yuki nodded as he stood up
"Well then, I'm off" Yuki said as he went inside the mansion
"What is he gonna give to Yuki?" Hotsuma asked
Tachibana became silent "….."
"Tachibana?"
"His weapon"
"REALLY?!"
~Twilight Mansion, Takashiro's Office~
Takashiro is sitting in his office signing some papers while Fuyotoki is standing silently a few meters away from him,
KNOCK! KNOCK!
"Come in" Takashiro said as he stopped working and looked at the door, the door opened revealing Yuki
"Umm….Tachibana-san said that you called me" Yuki said
Takashiro nodded "Yes, have a sit" He said as Yuki nodded and took a seat in front of him
"Remember the other day? When the Zweilts said that you defeated a Duras on your own?"
"Ah, Yes…why?"
Takashiro pulled one of the compartments on his table and picked up a small golden box, he closed the compartment and placed it in front of him
"Well, I decided that since there are times that the Zweilts can't protect you fully and sometimes your on your own…..I decided to give you your weapon" Takashiro said
Yuki became shocked "Eh? A weapon?" Yuki asked
"Yes, according to Tsukumo's report, it's their fault why you were held captive by the Duras, although I know they were only trying to protect you. That's why you should have your own weapon for defense…and even offense" Takashiro said as Yuki picked up the golden box
Yuki opened the box, there it revealed a ring its design is like the Zweilt's ring but his is gold "W-Wow….."
"You're weapon is called Lux"
"Lux?"
"It means light, a truly suitable name for you" Takashiro said
Yuki picked out the ring from the box and wear it on his right hand, the index one "How can I summon it?" Yuki asked
"You just focus and call its name, it's simple and quick like in emergency situations when you need to guard from an attack" Takashiro said
"I see….." Yuki said then he closed his eyes, the ring glowed
"Lux!" He said as his weapon materialized gracefully with the lights dancing in front of him
"…!...This is!" His weapon is a golden khakkhara with six rings
"A Khakkhara?" Yuki asked as he holds it in awe
"Yes, normally a Khakkhara is not used for battle but that one can be used for battle"
"I see…."
"Those six rings will be used for releasing a Duras if you ever need it" Takashiro said
"It's beautiful…..thank you very much! I'll cherish this and I will surely use this all the time" Yuki smiled as his weapon disappeared
"You're welcome, just always be on your guard"
Yuki stood up and went to the door "Well then, I'll be going now Takashiro-sama" Yuki said as he closed the door
"….I didn't really expect this" Takashiro said
"What is?"
"Yuki finally able to fight back, since he is always guilty about the others getting hurt because of protecting him….I guess because of that guilt he developed a resolve to protect them this time" Takashiro said
"You're right Takashiro-sama" Fuyutoki said
Then Takashiro chuckled "But I guess Luka will still not let him fight alone"
Fuyutoki also smiled "Knowing him, he's very protective of him"
~Back To The Others~
Yuki came out of door where he saw everyone else resting near the waterfalls "I'm back everyone" he said as Luka walked towards him as he nodded at Yuki
"Welcome back Yuki, so how did it go?" Tachibana asked as everyone also looked at him in curiosity
"I also want to know Yuki" Tsukumo added
"Me too, Tachibana said that Takashiro-sama will give you something" Kuroto said
"Ah yes….here it is" Yuki said as he showed his hand to everybody else, his golden ring glinted catching their attention
"Huwaah….You were given a weapon!" Toko squealed as she held Yuki's hand and looked at the ring
"Un, he said that with it I can protect myself" Yuki said
"Will you show us your weapon Yuki?" Shusei kindly asked Yuki
"He's right! Show us" Hotsuma grinned
"I want to see it too" Senshiro smiled
Everyone looked at his ring as if it was something sacred and exciting "N-No need to be excited, i-it's nothing special!" Yuki said embarrassed as everybody chuckled as he took a step back
"Okay…..Come forth! Lux!" Yuki said as his ring glowed brightly as his weapon slowly retracted itself from void and appeared above Yuki, Yuki caught it with his right hand
"Whoa….Awesome!" Hotsuma grinned as he looked at Yuki
"I see….A Khakkhara that weapon fits you Yuki" Shusei said
Yuki nodded "At first I was shocked that I will be given a weapon, because I thought that I will start hurting someone bloodily" Yuki said
"Yeah, but I guess Takashiro-sama has a reason on why he chose that" Toko said
"Indeed" Yuki said as he looked at his weapon "But I will hurt but without bloods coming out, I can fight Duras but without giving them a severe wound….since I am a healer I heal wounds not cause them but this weapon…It will be an insult to me if I will let blood to flow" Yuki said
Luka smiled at him, acknowledging his interpretation "That's right"
"Wow! That was wonderful Yuki-chan!" Toko said as he jumped at Yuki and hugged him like a teddy bear
"Uwah!" Yuki screamed in surprise
"Yosh! Master Stroke!" Hotsuma yelled as flames formed on thin air and his weapon came out of it
"Yuki! Fight me!" He said to Yuki
"Eh?!"
BAM!
"Ow!" Hotsuma yelled in pain as Shusei smacked him very hard on his head
"Idiot, you're going to hurt Yuki?"
"No! I was only offering to train h—"
"Silence, I don't want to hear it" Shusei said as he crossed his arms and looked away
"H-Hey! S-Shusei! Are you angry again?" Hotsuma asked getting worried because he noticed that his partner was always getting angry at him "AM I really that bad?" He mumbled
Shusei looked at him and chuckled "Geez….you're such an idiot, you look like you could cry any minute. Of course you're not bad you're just….." Shusei paused
"What?" Hotsuma asked Shusei
"Childish"
"WHAT?!" Hotsuma exclaimed in surprise as he began rambling on Shusei again
Everyone looked at them and sighed "Sometimes, I really pity Shusei" Toko sighed as she looked at Shusei and Hotsuma "Then again; I guess they really care for each other"
Yuki nodded "Yes, they really have a solid bond, even though Shusei-kun always got angry to Hotsuma-kun" he giggled
Then Toko started laughing for a bit "Hahaha! I just thought of a something funny!"
Everyone looked at her in curiosity since she is laughing like an idiot. Tsukumo come and patted her back "What is it Toko-chan?"
Toko stopped laughing and wiped her tears because of laughing "W-Well, I just thought that if Shusei was a girl and Hotsuma's her boyfriend, I imagine Hotsuma being overprotective of her like she was her father or something Haha!" Toko said
Everyone sweatdropped, her idea is funny but there is nothing to laugh like there's no tomorrow about. Yuki just smiled a fake one
"He..hehe…..That was funny Toko-chan, but if you ever let those two know—"
"They will surely start yapping" Kuroto said as Yuki nodded at him
Then after that they just stayed like that for a while looking at Shusei and Hotsuma. They decided to cut training for now and started heading back towards the mansion.
~Timeskip: Night, Yuki's Room~
Yuki is already on his sleeping clothes, standing in front of his glass window while Luka is on the bed lying with his arms on his head
"Nee, Luka?" Yuki called
Luka sat up and looked at Yuki "What is it, Yuki?"
Yuki faced him "Sometimes I envy the others" Yuki said his face getting sad
"….Why?"
"Because they all have someone they care deeply…I know they all care for me but…..I want to experience having someone to only care for me" Yuki said
Luka didn't reply, instead he stood up and walked closer to Yuki as he caressed his cheek. Yuki just looked at him
"You have me"
"Eh?"
"I care for you deeply and I always think of you before myself"
"But why? Why will you do that? We only just met a few months ago" Yuki asked completely confuse
"Because…." Luka paused "You are my light…."
Yuki skipped a beat as his cheek was tinted a bit with pink and his mouth gapping
"W-What?"
"I told you about my story remember?...you changed my life and also my world….that's why I swear that I will lo—" Luka stopped and bit his lip but continued "—protect you with my life"
Yuki was touched, he didn't know that someone cared for him, he don't know how to react
"Thank you Luka…." Yuki looked down and blushed, Luka noticed this and decided to ask the reason
"What's wrong?"
Yuki looked up at him while blushing "Please always stay by my side!"
Luka was taken aback because his eyes were widen
"Even though I get used to fighting Duras, i'm still scared knowinng you and the Zweilt's lives are in the line! a-and I'm a mess if left alone, so please…." Yuki said almost crying
Luka looked at him wide-eyed, he didn't expect Yuki to say those words out of nowhere. He understand that this battle it scares him a little since it all suddenly happened and he was forced to accept. Luka's feelings was overflowing with joy because Yuki wants him to stay by his side, that means he will be with him even more.
Luka hugged him "I will, I will choose you again and again, no matter how many lifetimes it is" Luka said
Yuki eyes widen "E-Eh?"
"Like I said, I will protect you with my life….If only…I can free you from this curse" Luka gritted his teeth "This is bad, I can't control myself" he thought as he hugged Yuki even tighter because the urge to reveal his romantic feelings to him is also overflowing that he wants to kiss him.
"R-Really?"
Luka snapped out from his thoughts and he looked at Yuki and nodded "Yeah"
Luka pulled from the embrace as he looked at Yuki who is almost crying "Yuki…" Luka caressed Yuki's cheek as he wiped some tears
"Thank you Luka…." Yuki smiled very brightly at Luka who smiled back
That night Yuki slept with Luka but their sleeping position is different, this time Yuki is cuddles to Luka's chest with Luka holding him like he was his possession