All characters are property of CLAMP. Standard disclaimers apply.
Tsuriai
(Part 8)
An "X" Fanfic
Presented by Harem of Doomed Bishies
The computer continued to churn out calculations on probable targets while Arashi pored over the information. It was tiring work, but one that had to be done. There was no guarantee that the Dragons of Earth would work according to the computer's predictions, but without the aid of Hinoto's visions, it was the next best thing that the Seals had. Moreover, Hinoto's dreams had proven to be wildly inaccurate recently, perhaps due to the influence of the dreamgazer from the Dragons of Earth.
The door to the control room opened.
"Ne-chan, how is it?" Sorata enquired.
Arashi frowned. She said, "Not much help, I'm afraid. The remaining Kekkais are still too sparsely located for us to monitor effectively. I feel as if the other side is laughing at our helplessness."
Sorata sighed, "I know what you mean. And now with Subaru-san gone... But thank Buddha for small mercies. At least Kamui seems to have recovered some of his spirits. But if something were to happen to Subaru-san, I don't know whether he could still take it so well."
"But at least Aoki-san is staying with us," Arashi said.
"True. I'm glad that he managed to send his family safely away from Tokyo. It would have been difficult for him to concentrate on the battles ahead when he had to worry constantly if his family might be hit by the next earthquake."
Arashi nodded. Then she noticed a strange look in Sorata's eyes and she asked, "Is there something on your mind?"
Sorata told her, "Yes, something has been bothering me. I can't help but wonder what led Yuzuriha-chan to be at Tokyo Dome? She was certainly not there for that pop concert or she would have informed us way ahead. And she didn't call to tell us that she would be home late. Which meant that she must have been sent there rather urgently."
"Perhaps she had followed her friend, the Dragon of Earth named Shiyu Kusanagi?"
"No, it can't be. I've read her diary and there's nothing to suggest that she had even suspected him of being one of the Seven Angels."
"What do you think then?" Arashi asked.
"You want to know what I think? This whole business with Yuzuriha-chan smells suspiciously like what had happened to Subaru-san at Rainbow Bridge. I don't think Subaru-san was there by accident either. Something or someone had led him there and my instincts tell me it's neither the Sakurazukamori nor any of the Seven Angels."
The shrine maiden was shocked. If what Sorata said was true, then they were all under threat from a mysterious enemy, a third party whom they had no idea of.
She asked again, "What's their motive?"
"I don't know, but they're certainly trying to take us out one by one."
Sorata's expression was serious and it frightened Arashi. His face broke into a silly grin as he asked, "Is Ne-chan worried? Don't be afraid because I, Arisugawa Sorata of Mount Kouya, have vowed to protect thee."
For a moment, Arashi did not know how to reply. Her panic grew as she felt her cheeks growing warm, a sign that she was probably blushing, and the mischievous twinkle she thought she spotted in Sorata's eyes did not help matters. She forced herself to put up a show of anger to match her reddening face, and was about to stomp out of the room when Sorata suddenly caught hold of her hand.
"Do you still find me so unlovable? Or are you simply unwilling to listen to your heart...Ne-chan?" he asked. There was an unmistakable pleading note in his voice.
"I..." she paused, unable to find the right words to say.
Just as quickly he released her hand and said, "I'm sorry to have come on so strongly. It's just that, the Promised Day will be here soon and in all likelihood, I might even die before then. I don't want to end up regretting my chances like Subaru-san and Yuzuriha-chan did."
The shrine maiden gazed seriously at him with a storm of emotions swirling in her dark eyes. Her lips quivered as if there were words she wanted to say but could not.
All of a sudden, Sorata slapped the flat of his palm against his forehead and exclaimed, "Baka! I'm so sorry, Ne-chan."
"There's nothing to be sorry about." She forced herself to be as calm as possible.
"No, I am too selfish. If I'm going to die for you, perhaps it is better that you should never have liked me.
"Oh dear, I almost forgot that it's my turn to make dinner tonight. See you later and please forget that I said anything." With that, Sorata quickly rushed out of the room.
Arashi did not move until his back had disappeared from view.
...are you simply unwilling to listen to your heart...
"But what good will it bring?" she whispered and then returned to her work.
*
Kamui stood by the window and listened to the birds chirping merrily as they flitted around the nearest tree. He wished that he could be as free as they were, unburdened by an unwanted destiny.
Sometimes, he wondered if his late mother could have better prepared him for what lay ahead. He realised that his childhood had been spent shuttling from one place to another, as if his mother was running away from something or somebody. There was never any sense of constancy. He barely had a chance to stay long enough at any school to make new friends before he was transferred out again. The only place he could remotely call a home was the time he spent in Tokyo six years ago, as neighbour to Fuuma and Kotori. And the only reason he ever befriended the Monou siblings was because their mother, Saya, was his mother's best friend from high school. Now that he had time to think about it, he wondered if all of this would have happened if his mother and Aunt Saya had not known each other. Would the Dark Kamui still have possessed Fuuma? Would Kotori have died? There were no easy answers.
His mind was just as uneasy. He had been having strange dreams recently. Nightmares about Fuuma killing Subaru, or Subaru killing himself, and it disturbed him deeply. Keiichi was right. He liked Subaru a lot. No, he loved Subaru. No matter how sad and hopeless Kamui's destiny might be, he felt peaceful in the Sumeragi's presence. He longed to hear Subaru's soothingly gentle voice, to feel the reassuring touch of Subaru's hand on his cheeks. He wished he could leave the mansion at that very moment to look for Subaru.
But he knew he was being closely watched. He had to bide his time. Subaru was still alive; that was the least he could feel. He had forced himself to break out of his depression such that Karen and the other Seals had gradually worried less about him. Tomorrow, he would start attending classes. Then he would have his chance.
*
Sorata and Arashi looked at each other awkwardly. During such times, Arashi was thankful that she had kept her tresses long enough to hide the emotions on her face. Sorata, on the other hand, had a stupid grin that Arashi was sorely tempted to slap off his face.
The monk fidgeted uneasily and remarked, "What is taking Kamui so long?"
It was at this moment that he caught sight of Kamui's classmate, Keiichi, walking down the corridor.
"Segawa-kun!" he called out, "Have you seen Kamui?"
Keiichi looked surprised. "Shirou-kun said that he was not feeling too well during the third period and left classes early."
"What?" Sorata was about to exclaim but he quickly controlled his outburst when he noticed that Keiichi was looking very worried.
"Is something wrong?" Keiichi asked.
"Oh, no, not really," the monk replied, "Kamui is probably sleeping at home and forgot to contact us. It's all right. We're going back now."
"May I come along?" Keiichi requested, "I'd like to see how Shirou-kun is doing."
Arashi interjected, "I don't think that's wise. Kamui needs a lot of rest. Best not to disturb him unnecessarily."
"You're right," Keiichi was disappointed. But he added, "Please let him know that I send my regards."
"We shall. Thanks," Sorata said and quickly left with Arashi.
Once they were out of Keiichi's earshot, Sorata said, "Kamui must have gone to look for Subaru-san. We should have seen this coming."
"He's alone," Arashi pointed out.
"That is why I'm worried, and that is also why we must find him quickly."
*
From the rooftop of one of Tokyo's few remaining skyscrapers, Kamui spread out his senses and tried to locate Subaru's signature, no matter how faint it might be. The exertion was taking a mental toll on him but he refused to give up. After a period of fruitless searching, he took a quick rest, and then continued his way to another part of Tokyo to renew his attempt.
Finally, near the towering offices of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, he found him. Kamui leapt to the ground and landed a few feet away from Subaru. In his excitement, he forgot that his body had not yet fully recovered and almost lost his balance while landing. Fortunately, Subaru caught hold of him in time.
"What are you doing here?" Subaru asked. His expression was of one who was unpleasantly surprised.
Kamui blushed and quickly regained his footing. "I...I had to find you," he stammered.
Subaru frowned, "This is a dangerous place. You should not be here. Please go."
"No! I refuse to leave without you."
The Sumeragi sighed, "Kamui, please try to understand. I am no longer a Seal. I can't protect you anymore. I can't even protect myself..."
"You're wrong. You're important to us. We can help you."
Someone was laughing. "No you can't, Kamui, because this is his wish."
Kamui knitted his brows at the sight of the unwelcomed newcomer walking towards him. The leader of the Dragons of Earth, however, smiled warmly at his twin-star.
"Not in a friendly mood today, are we?" Fuuma chuckled. "You did recover fast since our last meeting."
Kamui scowled but did not reply. However, he quickly shifted his position to stand protectively in front of Subaru and against his nemesis. He was not about to allow Fuuma to hurt Subaru once again.
"Do you think you can stop me?" Fuuma threatened lightly.
"I'm sick of your games, Fuuma."
Fuuma shook his head in mock anger, "How many times must I remind you that I am Kamui, just like you?"
"I don't care if you're Fuuma or Kamui. I won't let you hurt my friends any more," Kamui vowed. At that very instant, he felt a pulsating warmth growing steadily in his heart. Instinctively, he held out his palms and sensed a new power gathering about him. At first, it was only a small spark concentrated between his palms. Then it grew in size, and very soon it enveloped the entire area in a soft glow. Kamui looked up in wonder as the streets turned deathly silent. He had finally created a kekkai, and it was in the shape of Subaru's five-pointed star.
For a brief moment, Kamui felt absolutely elated, but turned anxious when he saw the sadness reflected in Subaru's face as the latter observed the power that Kamui had created.
Thoroughly amused, Fuuma said, "I see you have finally found your kekkai. I, too, have a new power."
"What do you mean?" Kamui asked.
"I have a new Dragon of Earth," Fuuma grinned sinisterly.
"I'm not playing your games," Kamui said. However, there was a light tap on his shoulder and he turned around. Subaru gently caressed Kamui on the cheek, a feathery touch that sent Kamui's senses tingling in confused emotions. But Subaru seemed unaware of his effect on the boy as he removed his hand and walked past Kamui to stand beside Fuuma.
Kamui could not understand what was going on. "Subaru..." he whimpered.
"I'm sorry, Kamui, but he is right," Subaru said, referring to Fuuma. "I've decided to join the Dragons of Earth in order to fulfil my wish. I hope you will understand."
"No..." Kamui muttered weakly as tears began to trickle down his cheeks. He could almost feel his heart breaking inside.
*
"A kekkai?" Sorata was surprised. He scanned his senses and then pointed, "From that direction!"
"It feels like Subaru-san's but it's not," Arashi noted.
"Let's go! There's no time to waste!"
*
He could feel his kekkai quivering slightly but he forced himself to concentrate hard. He remembered Saiki's words.
...you create a kekkai to protect the ones you love...
He loved Subaru and he wanted to protect him, even if the Sumeragi had betrayed him by joining the Dragons of Earth. But words failed him and all he could do was to gaze tearfully at Subaru while his weak body knelt helplessly on the ground.
Fuuma began to approach the boy when Subaru held him back.
"No," the Sumeragi said, "You asked me to wait here, and now I know why, because you expected him to turn up. You have already hurt him enough. Please, no more, at least for today."
Fuuma raised a hand and was about to lovingly stroke Subaru's face when the latter flinched at the touch and stepped back immediately. However, Fuuma merely shrugged and replied, "As you wish. But tell him to remove his kekkai. The silence gets on my nerves at times." His smile was whimsical, almost unconcerned.
Subaru nodded and knelt down beside Kamui. He held the boy's slim shoulders lightly and said, "I'm sorry to have caused you so much pain. But each of us have to find our own way to fulfil our wish, and with that, our happiness. Unfortunately, not everyone can share the same path towards that happiness. I need to find out the truth about Seishirou-san's words. Please understand."
Kamui clenched tightly at Subaru's sleeves and then he nodded wordlessly. His tears were almost choking him but he knew he could not hold back the Sumeragi once the latter's mind was set. With much effort, he managed to stand up with Subaru's help. Then raising his palm again, he allowed his kekkai to shrink and disappear. The streets roared back to life.
By the time Sorata and Arashi found Kamui standing alone in stoned silence, Fuuma and Subaru had already left.
*
"The emotional wounding of his heart hurts him more than any of the physical injuries inflicted by you," Kakyou told his Kamui.
Fuuma replied, "As I've already told you before, the 'Kamui' was always meant to be alone. For whoever possesses the heart of 'Kamui' also possesses the power of 'Kamui'."
"And now Kamui can never fight you because you have control over the one who owns his heart."
"His heart makes him weak," Fuuma commented.
"But without his heart, he would not be the Kamui of the Dragons of Heaven," Kakyou replied.
