Hello Everyone. Good Morning...I know, it was the late update.
So tired. But I really thank to all the people who followed, liked, and reviewed my story. You all have been part of my energy to wake up and write this fanfic. I wish some have cried T^T/ But for somw have been laughing at Kobungo...Lol
Okay, I would just start it already- I wish you like this chapter and thank you for waiting patiently readers!

Chapter 7: Hope

Everyone was hopeless from what they've seen and what they've heard. Who would have thought even slightly, that this boy who was younger than any of them have such a tragic past that can even break anyone's hearts. From what they saw, it was just hard for them to even watch, and the truth is that this boy who they knew, experienced such thing.
All of the boys clutched their chest, feeling the pain inside them. Few tears fell from some people and some can't even express themselves.

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"Go." The short gestured was ready to move the small boy.
With the sign he slowly walked toward his mother. His eyes were void and transparent as a pure water.

"What did you do to my boy?" Kokuwa glared at Shiranue who was smirking back at her.
"You can see it for yourself can't you darling? After all you have the power to do so." Slowly but steadily, shiranue changed his form in to a human form, shocking Kokuwa in to a frozen state.

"Y-you...Shi-shirogane...why? So..you are the one who planned everything. You...are the mastermind of all these?" Kokuwa's body shivered, stepping back slowly one by one.
"You were stupid enough to believe my love and you successfully carried out what I planned. Everything is finally in my hands! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH-"
While staring at her enemy in front of her, laughing hysterically, Kokuwa felt something tingle in her chest. Something dark and pain.
"Shino..." The name snapped the manipulated boy back to the reality.

"Mo-mother...I-I..." Shino looked at his own hand, realizing what he had done. The boy quiveringly traced his own hand toward the end of the blade. He slowly let go off its bloody blade as he looked at his mother in fear.
"W-Wh-what have I...Ah..ah...Mother!" When Shino was moving towards his mother, Shiranue went past Shino and pulled the blade out. Shino frantically, run towards her and held her collapsing body. As he tried to hold her, she slapped him away, coughing out blood. "Shino, it was all your fault. Only if you weren't here..." She begin to raise her voice.

"Shino, I wish you weren't born. You betrayed me...YOU BETRAYED MEEEEE!"

That was the last thing that made him close off his heart. Those words completely erased his will. "I-I...because I was...born,...Mother..." Shino fainted do to the

"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAA-" Shiranue's laugh was shut down by a blade penetrating his abdomen. His visions bloomed in red as he fell on the ground smiling. "That's right, hate every single one in this world. And kill them until you destroy everything. Finally I can obtain you."

The man disappeared into a dust. The dust was absorbed into the sword she was holding. The sword that Shino penetrated her with.

Tamazusa can hear the yelling of her sister. However her eyes were filled up with blackness. She glanced at the boy beside her and mumbled.

"Shino. Why is it always me?"

Her conscious was devoured by the darkness.

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"SHINO!" Genpachi was stopped by Keno.
"But he-" Genpachi stopped struggling while feeling the wrist grip in pain.

"This is just the vision we are seeing by the power of Kouha. It happened in the past. We cannot do anything anymore. Lets...watch it even if it pains us. Because this is what he...experienced..." Keno traced off. His mind was numb, he never had thought that the small boy he used to know had a deep secret, no, a deep scar in the depth of his memory. No, probably everyone never have imagined. And now he is experiencing the pain again.

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This is what I know about. By using my last resort, I was able to squeeze some memories from this little boy. I couldn't show you the whole thing since my power is to see the future and not the past.

Also there is another reason why I want you to erase memory of Shino's childhood... It's all because Rio might be there to trigger his memory.
When he turns at the age of 13, Kokuwa who is possessed by the darkness will be coming to the village, to burn his precious people down. By bringing misery, Shino will regain the scar of his past memory and release an tremendous power. Enough to destroy the logic of this world.

Kokuwa...Tamazusa is wanting to destroy the world where human live because she was betrayed by them.

So please...please save my sister. She is my only sister. Please.

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"..." Everyone didn't even know what to ask and how to ask. No one expected anything, probably everyone knew things will be not happy. Just from the story from Satomi, but this...this...everyone thought.
The miserable silence ended by Fenegan who understood that this whole story and information was a bit too much for them. Mentally and physically.

"Everyone. Why don't we calm down and sit first. I have warm cup of tea for all of you." He smiled at everyone who can't just comprehend what he was saying.

"But-"
"No buts. You are all going to sit down and drink a cup of tea. A CUP OF TEA. Understand?" The evil smile made everyone obey.
"Yes sir..."

The time passed by in silence as all of them quietly sipped a cup of tea. Even Kanade, never spoke up.
Suddenly one person who couldn't contain the curiosity, blurted out an question. Question that everyone wanted to ask for quite awhile.

"Will...Will Shino be the Shino we all know?" Sousuke worriedly but politely asked Fenegan. Waiting for response.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Last time when Shino was kidnapped and we all went for a search, we saw Tamazusa hime. We couldn't move because of the bind she chanted on us, but she said that Shino fainted because he was in a deep sleep where he is getting his past back. I logically thought thats because she has the power to see the ones past. So I thought that she will be able to transfer the past to him."

"Ho...You are quite a smart one. That's right. She can also show past like her sister do."
"...If that's true then, Shino might lose himself right? Because the trigger to his power is his past..." Sousuke's voice trembled as everyone begin to notice something from him. "Will Shino be the Shino we all know?" Sousuke clenched his fist. Trying to contain his mixed feelings.
"...To that...I...myself don't know what outcome it would be. That is all depended on his will. He might break and lose it's control or he might be strong enough to control the power. And...move on."

"That's..." All people there knew that thing might be difficult since they knew the past and it was hard for them to even see the truth.

"Ummm...I have another confused part. May I?" Nachi stood up.
"About?"
"It's regarding to the deleting the memory of the boy. From Kouha, no Fuse hime's letter, it said that she asked you to erase them. But from what I heard, Satomi did the whole process of deleting his memories. What does this mean?"

"Seriously, you youngsters are sharp. That's right. I was the one who was suppose to do that. However I gave the mission to Rio boy. I wanted to know the outcome of the two."

"WHA-...DOESN'T THAT MEAN YOU PURPOSELY MADE SATOMI TO DELETE SHINO'S MEMORIES?! ISN'T THAT TERRIBLE!?" Kobungo yelled with rage. Rage that everyone felt at the same time.
"I didn't mean to hurt him. I wanted to test him. There is a risk together with it but, it doesn't mean he would die. Am I wrong?"

"Thats..." Shinobu clenched his fist, as Daikaku noticed there was tinge of tears at the edge of his eyes.

The time slowly past by, as everyone kept glaring in rage towards Fenegan who was just sipping his tea in a stoic face. The silence between them went too awkward and heavy. But it ended quickly with just a word.

"Why."

The voice came from Satomi who finally opened his mouth.

Everyone darted at the question. 'Why?...' No one understood the meaning behind that question.

"What do you mean why?" Fenegan looked at Satomi. His face was covered with his bangs which hid his expressions.
"...Why did you asked me to do it? I have been wondering from the time you asked me. Why was it me?"
"...I just answered your question. I was just curious what outcome will it be if you, who was closer to that boy more than anyone else, deleted his memory. You are someone who is bounded by that feeling of yours. Your feeling might change the fate. Is there anything wrong with my curiosity?" Fenegan snickered, continuing to sip his tea, whilst of everyone glaring at the horrible response he gave.

"I know...I know everything." Glumly, Satomi looked at the floor as he murmured. Enough for everyone to hear.
"Huh?...Wha-"
"You accepted his request. Knowing that you might get in trouble for it."
"Satomi?...What do you mean?"
"He (points Fenegan) accepted Shino's request. Am I wrong?" From the shocking statement, everyone blankly stared at the person who is pointed by Satomi.

"Rio boy...What are you talking about? I have not done anything like that."
"Stop lying. You promised Shino right?"
"No."
"Pope Fenegan...please don't lie. I know. You merely wanted to grant Shino's wish wasn't it?"

"You may have that curiosity. But there is the truth. And I want to hear it from your mouth."

With the intense air around Fenegan and Satomi. Especially, Dousetsu, Kobungo and Shinobu gulped at the scene, scared that something is going to happen. Midst of the silence, Sousuke butted in the two.

"What are you talking about?"

"..."
"Pope Fenegan..." Satomi then begin to explain them about all the commotion they are talking about. Fenegan just silently sat there looking into the space.

"From what I know. Shino asked something about me, and he purposely asked me to go to the village on that day."
"Purposely?"
"Yes...Am I wrong?"

"..." Silence was the only thing he got in response.

"That day..." Fenegan begin.

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Fenegan Pov

Finally my job is over. I sighed deeply, heading towards the waiting carriage. Suddenly, a husky yet a silky voice echoed into my ear.

"Mister! Mister!" I heard a young voice. A fleeting soft voice that made me stop. I looked back and saw a beautiful girl.
"What is it?" I asked the lady. Somehow I felt something...A rare presence from the girl.
"Mister, you dropped something. Here." A young girl smiled, handing a white envelope.
"Oh! Thank you." I put my mask of smile over my tiredness and took my first step. I stopped when I felt the hem of my sleeve is being pulled by. Looking back, I saw that beautiful girl pulling my sleeve.
"What is it?" I gently asked her. The girl however frowned at me, looking really depressed. I was about to ask her when she opened her lips; "Would you like to rest at my place? I will serve you some tea." I really didn't expected that. Really, the time was pushing me to the limit. 'I'm Sorry' I would like to say. I mean I would've say that unless I have free time. That is the nice way to say it. Until...

"Mister. You can't continue a smile like that for a whole day can you?"

I was generally...surprised. How would she know that I was smiling unwillingly...And why would she know? I have no idea. Even me who is the church's top elite, I don't know what this girl is thinking. I am a pretty good mind reader when it comes to things like this but this time, she was the one.
So then, as the time past by, I felt the sleeve the girl was holding get tighter. My curiosity toward this lady overpowered the piled work waiting when I get home. Honestly, I also feel that my mask can last longer.
"Then, I will. Thank you." I took her hand and begin to walk towards where ever her house is.

Happily, she held my hand and spoke. "Mister! We are almost there." I saw the beautiful garden filled with yellow and blue flowers. Animals scattered around looking for their treat. I felt like I was in a fairyland. Never once in my life, I have seen such a beautiful place. "...This place is..." Losing in my own words, I saw a spirit fox flying towards me, delivering an a message.

'Pope Fenegan, we have an emergency here! Please come back immediately!' Then it disappeared.

I gently place my hand on top of her holding hand, and quickly squat down at her eye level.
"Sweetheart, I have a urgent work to do... When I come next time, will you invite me again?"
"...Yes, of course..." She smiled at me, but she continued. "But will you do me a favor?"
"Of course! What is that you need me to do?" 'Favor?' I wondered.
"When the time comes, will you bring the person who walked the same destiny with my previous life to me?"

Her eyes were determined, but filled with sorrow. The darkness I wonder, where it came from.

"Who..."
"Please?"
"...Okay."

I really did not understand her at the moment. Until the emergency I was notified.

When I got back, everything was hectic. I asked the nearby priest about the situation.
"Hey, what is wrong here?"
"...Pope Fenegan (sama)! There was an emergency that the one of the barrier has been broken. The high priests are having a meeting at the top conference room. They have asked you to go as well!" He bowed and left towards upstairs.
Following, I also quickly went upstairs. I knew that something is wrong. However, my usual calmness is on my face, not showing any hesitation. When I finally arrive to the room, I gently placed my hand on the handle opening the noisy door. There was many who looked relieved of my arrival.
"What is going on, everyone?"
"Fenegan! There was intruder!"
"No! Someone broke the barrier!"
"But you're the one who said-"

'Oh my, oh my...This will never end.' Speaking to myself.
"Everyone, please. One by one okay?" I smiled gently, holding my irritation of the muttering. Everyone flinched as they sat back to their seating.

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"Wait wait wait wait, you were able to intimidate them with just a smile at this age?...Wait how old are you?...Are you amazing person or somethin?" Kobungo questioned as he realized that he had placed himself in an awkward position.
"Ummm...?"
Satomi just hand palmed himself.

"Do you know who I am?" Fenegan asked while smiling. Smiling.

After that, Kobungo...I mean everyone didn't dare to question him nor interfere again.

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The high priests explained it's situation to me as I quietly listened to their extra \ complaints.
"So I have confirmed that Tamazusa have been revived."
"What! Do you even have that proof?"
"No, but thats all we can think of...There is something weird..."
"Weird?" I interfered.
"Yes, Pope Fenegan. A strong presence that is confusing our search. It is coming from..." One of the priest pointed the location. I was merely surprised. There place where he pointed was Ootsuka village. The place I went to. Just...now?

The priest continued, "This place...It is radiating an enormous energy."
"And? What is the connection between the broken barrier and the Tamazusa's rebirth and this energy?...Care to explain?"
There again begin a commotion between the table. Throwing their complaints and arguments.

"SO!...Care to explain?..." I simply smiled. Using my deep undertone to turn their attention towards me. My patients are over the mountain...And almost down the hill.
"Ah!...Ar...umm..." All of them begin to hesitate. Seriously what's wrong with them?

"Since there is an enormous power, the world begin to turn differently. They think the enormous power is coming from the reviving Tamazusa." A certain voice perked my interest. I smiled, "Ah, my boy. As expected. You know everything don't you?"

A beautiful blond boy there he stood. With a usual stoic face.

"Rio boy, come here."

Sudden entry gave a shock to all the elders. The silence spread before, until they again begin to argue. I gave a sigh and left the room. Leaving a word. I'm not sure they heard it...but whatever...

"I'm going back to Ootsuka village. Take me to the place where the energy is radiation from."

Soon, I walked out of the conference room. "So did you find anything interesting these days? You seem to be cheerful these days."
"No..."
"Let me guess, you found someone you like...?"
"No..."

'Seriously...' I thought.

"Are you really going to the village?" Rio who never question such thing asked me, with his face slightly pale and sullen.
"Well, yes. Why?"
"No, it's nothing of a matter. Sorry to ask you such a question."

We begin to walk towards the waiting carriage. However there was one thing that did not go as I predicted.

"Rio?"

Rio just stood there, bowing at me. He held his head up and he spoke. "Pope Fenegan, I would like to stay here. If you don't mind, I have things to finish first." He bowed again and left as he gave the map to the driver.

When I arrive, there sure was a strong presence. I wondered to myself, 'Why did I not feel this strong when I came here few hours ago?'

"Sir, That is the place." One of my subordinate pointed to the house that is over the beautiful flower fields.
"This..."
"Is there something wrong sir?"
"Oh, no...I will head there, stay until I order to."
"Yes sir!"

This place was the place where the beautiful lady had invited me to. The lady I was captured by. All my thoughts muddled into one answer.

When I arrived, there stood that previous girl, holding a flower."You came back?"
For a moment, I felt like she knew everything.

"Yes, I want to confirm...that you are possibly."
"I have seem to lost some memories. This not the real me but my past self.. I just put my other self to sleep."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Do you need to question me that?"
"I have received a letter from certain someone. But..."

Few weeks ago, I have received a letter from person named Kouha. Inside the letter, everything was unbelievable even to me. The truth, past and present is merging as the disaster is coming towards us. Apparently, there was a prediction, that Satomi Rio who is the son of this Kouha, changes the fate of one certain boy. However even if I look at the person in front of me, I only see a beautiful girl. Holding onto a flower seeing through me.

"But you are a girl, from what I see..." Suddenly, the girl pulled me inside of the house. To a door, framed beautifully, she stopped. She turned around looking at the maids, and spoke. "Don't come in until I say okay." Shutting the door behind us and she...begin to strip herself...

I stopped her right away."Wait, what are you doing? Ladies like you cannot dress so easily in front of men." I laughed like joke and what I got for reply was,

"That's what I thought."

"What do you mean?" With no reply she begin to take her Kimono layers one by one.

Flat chest.

No comment...

Please, this should be wrong.

She is not she but he...

"My name is Shino. Always and forever. So you can make that kind of face too." Sh..I mean he chuckled. Holding out his hand he introduced.
"Again my name is Shino and my gender is a boy. My other self is going to wake up soon so I will make this quick okay?"

I simply nodded. 'Other self?' I wondered in my mind.

"When all the memory of my other self recovers, it can destroy the world. Before that I want delete his memory once again. And separate me from other self."
"How can you even do that? Theologically, that cannot be done."
"I know how. Just once. There is just one chance. You know Satomi Rio? I want him to erase his memory. While he does that, I want you to open this box." He handed me a small box. I took the box out of his hand.
"Why Satomi Rio?" It was my question that I wondered all along. Why does Shino know?

"Because he is the most important person in Shino, and my life. And he is the person who walked the same destiny with my previous life. I know it would hurt him but I want him to erase other self's memories. And this box will trap my soul inside. So it won't interfere with the process of deleting his memories. Please I don't want to hurt anyone who is important to me anymore." Shino desperately held my hand and cried. I simply nodded again and replied back. "I understand. When the day comes, I will use this box."

"Also, near the future, I pray that this box will help my other self..."Suddenly he fainted in my arms.

Few seconds later, he opened his eyes. Eyes acted more like a normal child. But this naive though of mine completely went away as soon as II saw blood from this young boy's mouth. His face looked pale for a boy and his breathing was shallow. I went to find a blanket quickly and stood to call for someone. Before I went to the doorway, he grabbed me and with a soft rough voice, he spoke the name. Unaware of his own situation.

"Nii."

Slump

He then collapse on the floor. As quickly as possible I went out to call a doctor.

"He will wake up soon. He needs to rest more."Said the old doctor. I bowed together with a certain lady beside me who looked like his mother. She turn to me and bowed again. "Thank you."

"No need to thank me. I was just merely surprised though. Good thing he is okay. May I ask what is wrong with him?" I politely asked.
"I found this boy when he was still a baby. He have a weak body from then and he dress like a girl to pray his healthy body as he grow up. The doctor said his...his life is not long enough to pass his thirteenth birthday." She begin to cry. Her eyes red from all those tears. I comforted her while I glanced at the sleeping boy.

I understood, what he meant. And this mission was secretly given me. However the only thing I didn't know was that, on That Day the seal of the curse was broken and everything was covered in red flames. There stood a blond women, striking her sword through Shino. It burned into my memory.

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Normal Pov

"This is the reason I asked Rio to do it." Fenegan finished it.
"That...is...I'm sorry for yelling at you not knowing anything!" Kobungo bowed, regretting his misunderstanding action.
"Hahaha, it's okay. I know that what I have done is also due to my mere curiosity.

"So the Shino we saw at that place is the other Shino? From the past..."
"Thats right. And still there is a hope." Everyone's ears perked up.

"..Ho..pe?" Genpachi stuttered. No one believed hope until now from a guy who everyone never though it would come out from.
"There is another information I have obtained through with the Shino I talked to before...Boys, please sit down." Half of them were ready to rescue...seriously not going to unless Fenegan remove that evil smile from his face once more.

"He said, 'When he learn how to love once again, he may be saved from his crisis. However he need to overcome his past and his one fear.' is what he said. I won't say I understand that, but I know that what you guys need to do now is to protect yet believe in him. Also, he said that by using his past self, you can enter his memories and bring him conscious. But to do that, you need to gather eight beads and the right person to enter."
"A right person?" Keno questioned.
"Yes, of course if you all enter his mind, it would cause a lot of damage to Shino boy's body. Unless you ask the right person, his body is going to reject you all." The dog warriors and the guardians begin to murmur. While Sousuke approached Fenegan for a question.

"Do you have any specific meaning for the 'right person'?"
"His important person I think. Why?"
"No...Thank you for telling us these things. I really appreciate."
"Oh! There is no need to thank me."

Fenegan then turned towards everyone and ordered them. "There isn't a time limit but you need to save him quickly. He is still fighting with himself. Find the eight beads and go to him. I will wait for you all at the storage room." He left closing the door.

"The eight beads, we are missing Sousuke's and Shino's." Dousetsu proudly stated.
"We all know that!"
"Okay, calm down...Even if we don't have mine, I know that he has it."

"Yea, what's up with me?"

A certain voice gave a shiver to some dogs and two people glared at his face.

"AO!" Keno shouted as he drew his sword out.

Oh god, this is the longest I have done and I have been retyping few things here and there.
I was like; "OMG! It doesn't make sense...T^T"
So, I hope you like and understood the story...I pray .
Here we come Ao lovers! He has come to the rescue. I do ship SatomixShino but AoxShino is cute too '/'
Thank you for reading and wait for the next chapter. I am sorry for the stupid typo, and grammar mistakes. Next one might also take long but not as long as this one...probably.
Review, Like, READ!