Chapter 7: Promises to keep

Kotori thought this particular dream was even stranger than usual. She was walking in a grey city, among people with no faces. The colour of the world was entirely wrong, it smelled different as well.

In the greyness she suddenly noticed one person with colour. A man with long blonde hair. He was wearing a night-groom and hid his face behind the long hair. When she passed by he looked up with a startled expression.

"You are real, aren't you?" he called out. As he turned to her she imminently recognized him.

"Kakyou?"

"Kotori?"
Kakyou laughed nervously. "I dreamed of you several times.. And here you are, in person.."

"I must be crazy.. But I don't think this is an ordinary dream," Kotori said.

"It's not," Kakyou agreed. "And while I'm happy to see you I wish you couldn't do this.. Have you ever had a dream come true Kotori? Something that couldn't be a coincidence."
Kotori thought of the test. "Yes.."

"Did you tell someone about it?"

"No.. It seemed so crazy.. I don't think anyone would believe me anyway."
"Good.. If you can be here, inside my dream, then you are just like me. A dream seer, someone who can walk into other's dreams and thoughts. Even see the future."

"I didn't use to believe in things like this," Kotori said. "I do now though.. But I don't understand.. Why me, why now?"

"I guess meeting me woke up your latent talent.. Such things happen, but seeing is a very, very unusual gift. That's why you can't tell anyone."

"What do you mean?"

"When you met me, I was running from the people that kept me prisoner. They are usually referred to as 'the government', but I wouldn't agree on that. They are the people behind the curtains, who run things from the shadows."

"Why did they keep you prisoner?"

"Because I see the future.. Wars have been fought over people like us Kotori. That's why you can't tell anyone. You will be taken as well. By them or by someone else."
Kotori felt very cold. "Do you need help? Are you imprisoned now as well?"
"Officially I guess I am.. But don't worry. I joined up with Seishirou and the Sakurazuka family and I like it most of the time."

"Oh.. Okay. That's good. I guess.."
Kotori smiled "I know it's selfish of me, but I'm glad you are a dream walker as well. It's nice to have company, someone that understands to talk to. Just make sure to keep it a secret."

"I promise," Kotori said.

They spent the rest of the night talking. Kakyou showed her how to control her dreams, turning the landscape into whatever she wanted. When she woke up she felt exhausted but happy. She didn't doubt that her dream wasn't real for a second.


After school Kamui took a firm grip on Sorata and didn't let go.

"You was there as well!" Kamui said. "And you promised."
"I promised to come to dinner! Not to talk about kidnappings and stuff with the mob!"

"It won't be that bad. And you always wanted to know how the Sakurazukas live anyway."

"Fine, fine.." Sorata said. "The things I do for you.."


Seishirou's house was huge with a well-kept garden. Kamui was duly impressed.

"Nice," Sorata said. "And people say crime doesn't pay.."

"I never believed in that," Kamui replied.

"No security here," Sorata said. "But I guess no one fucks with a Sakurazuka magician, right?"
"I wouldn't," Kamui said. He took a deep breath and pushed the doorbell. He heard someone moving behind the door and a woman in her early twenties opened. She had short dark hair and was wearing a suit that looked very expensive. She looked very androgynous and it was the breasts that made Kamui decide it actually was a 'she'.

"Uhm, hi?" Kamui said. "I'm Kamui and this is my friend Sorata. We're here to see Seishirou?"

"Ah, I heard so much about you Kamui," the woman said. "I'm Satsuki Yatouji. I guess I'm your stepmother."

"Oh," Kamui said.


Satsuki showed them into the house, placing them in a comfortable couch. Kamui looked around trying to see as much as possible. His father seemed to have an eye for style..

"Sei!" she called out. "Come here, now!"

"I'm here honey," Seishirou said with a smile.

Both Kamui and Sorata jumped, they had not heard him come.

"Good, I'm busy at the moment," Satsuki said. Kamui decided his stepmother was creepy, she hadn't changed expression since she opened the door. Satsuki disappeared without another word and Seishirou sat down in the chair next to them.

"I'm glad you finally decided to show up," Seishirou said. "And I still do not know your friends name Kamui."

"Sorata Arisugawa," Kamui said. "The one person I trust in the hell-hole some people call school."

"How nice," Seishirou said. "I hope you did not get hurt either Sorata."

"I'm fine," Sorata mumbled and looked nervous.

"So.. What the hell was yesterday about?" Kamui asked.

"Business competition," Seishirou said. "They should have realized that you are not an easy target though."

"How the hell did they know? Mom wrote father unknown on all papers."

"The enemies who dare to challenge me have excellent sources."

"And.. the danger is over now?"

"Maybe."
"Maybe!"

"I am certain you can handle the situation if they ever try again."

"You what?" Kamui couldn't believe his ears.

"You are my son. I have great faith in your abilities. What would you prefer? Armed guards that followed you everywhere? If that is truly what you want I guess I could arrange it."

"Mom would to crazy… But you could have some sympathy anyway."

"If it feels any better the retribution was brutal."

"No, it doesn't feel any better. I don't even want to know. Don't tell me anymore."

Seishirou looked amused. "You know very well what I do. But it doesn't matter, it was nothing. Thugs from the Russian mob."

"You're wife is really, really young," Kamui said, voicing the first thought that crossed his mind.

"Twenty-one to be exact.. But we are a good match. Hardly true love, but who even believes in that these days?"

Kamui shrugged. He had to admit that Satsuki was hot, even if she looked psycho and creepy.

"We have to take that family dinner some other day. I am sure you and Satsuki will get along."
"Yeah, we're almost in the same age anyway."

Seishirou just smiled.