I don't own Uraboku.
11
Needless to say, the course of Hotsuma's day changed drastically. Instead of going home, Hotsuma is sitting on a bench in the city alongside Tsukumo and Toko, staring blankly at his feet.
"So, Duras…" Hotsuma says again, "They're demons…and you fight them." He says in disbelief.
"We fight them." Toko corrects him, "You are one of us. A Zweilt."
"There's no way that's possible." He responds flatly.
"She's right, Hotsuma." Tsukumo interjects, "We are lucky you've made it this far without having been hurt. Duras are attracted to us. We are natural enemies."
"Natural enemies? Don't tell me this is some sort of feud that's been going on for centuries between two clans or something so cliché." He scoffs at the idea.
"Well…" Tsukumo and Toko laugh at the truth of it.
"So, what exactly are we called again? Zweilt? What does that even mean?"
"We are soldiers who fight for the sake of the Gioh clan. We fight… in pairs…" Toko informs him.
"In pairs? So you and your brother."
"Yes."
"What about me? Do I have a partner too?"
"Well…" Toko wonders how to tell him.
"Hotsuma," Tsukumo cuts her off, not wanting to trigger too much, "I know this is a lot to take in. Don't push yourself just yet. Take it easy."
"Don't tell me to take it easy Tsukumo, "Hotsuma growls, "You've known all this time and didn't think this may have been something you should have told me earlier? Instead you wait until I was almost eaten by that monster?!"
"It's not so simple Hotsuma." Tsukumo frowns. He always wanted to tell Hotsuma but Takashiro forbade it.
"No shit!" He gets up to walk away but Tsukumo grabs his sleeve, "What?" He barks at him.
"Our ride is here." He motions to the black car pulling up to the trio.
"Our ride? To where?"
Toko smiles, "Home! To the Twilight Mansion."
A well-dressed woman steps out of the driver seat of the car to greet the three, "Hello Tsukumo-kun. Toko-san." She bows, "Hotsuma-kun. It's good to see you are well. I am Ibuki, Takashiro-sama's assistant."
Hotsuma mumbles a hello.
"Please take a seat. I'll take you all home." She gestures to the back seat of the car.
Toko sits in front, next to Ibuki, leaving the two boys in the back.
"This can't be happening…" Hotsuma says to himself.
"You'll understand everything in time. Don't worry so much." Tsukumo says.
"Wait, " Hotsuma says skeptically, "You had a gun and a sword earlier. Where are they now? They disappeared before…"
Simultaneously, Toko and Tsukumo hold up their hands, showing him their silver rings. Tsukumo slipped his off his finger and allowed Hotsuma to get a closer look.
"These rings contain our weapons. Takashiro-sama has cast a spell on them. They allow us to carry them at all times so we are always prepared for a duras attack." They explain as Hotsuma turns the ring in his fingers. He notes the weight of it, obviously a sturdy ring. He sees the engraving 'AGLA TSUKUMO.'
"You have one as well, Hotsuma-kun. Takashiro-sama has it." Ibuki says from the driver's seat.
"How's that possible? How could he have one for me?"
Toko sadly glances at her brother, not ready to explain that yet. Fortunately, Ibuki handled this question, "This isn't your first time in this situation. You and the other Zweilt are all reincarnated. The ring he has for you has been your ring for many, many years now."
Hotsuma's eyes widened, "Reincarnated?"
"It's true. I know it's hard to believe." Tsukumo says.
"Just so we can get all this out of the way… Is there anything else I should know about? Anything big, I mean. First it was monsters and now reincarnation? Don't tell me I can breathe fire or something…" He jokes.
Toko holds back a fit of laughter, "Actually…"
"Some Zweilt are gifted with special powers or attributes, I myself am known as 'God's Ears' as I can communicate telepathically with others and hear their thoughts." Tsukumo says.
"And…" Hotsuma urges him to continue.
"Well you are known as 'God's Voice.' You can summon fire."
"I'm done for today. You can stop talking now." Hotsuma's rests his head on the car window with a loud thud.
"You haven't changed much over the years Hotsuma. Still the same old hot headed thug!" Toko laughs.
"Who are you calling a thug?" Hotsuma barks, "Haven't changed much… what do you know!"
"A lot actually. I remember my past lives." She says full of pride. Somehow Toko has always been able to remember her past lives very clearly.
He drops the subject rather than throwing insults at the girl. Hotsuma rests his head back on the window absentmindedly watching the city go by. The number of buildings dwindle and more trees appear.
"We will be at the mansion in about 15 minutes." Ibuki says.
He ignores the remark, still trying to take in the events of the day. While the thoughts of monsters, strange powers and a war that's been going on for centuries should be enough to fill his mind for days, Hotsuma focuses on the fighters themselves. The Zweilts.
Whenever he pushed the subject too far, Toko and Tsukumo would grow quiet, cautiously so.
What could it be that they won't tell me?
Tsukumo glances at him, Hotsuma shoots a glare in his direction remember what the boy said about his telepathy, "What, I can't even have privacy in my own mind?"
"Sorry Hotsuma, " Tsukumo sadly smiles, "You're quiet and I was concerned."
"Whatever.."
Feeling his mind was his own again, his thoughts resume.
It must be about my "Partner." They won't say anything about that. What could the problem be? Maybe he's at the mansion? Maybe they can't say anything until I meet him?
The remainder of the car ride was spent in silence, with the Murasame siblings occasionally passing concerned looks towards Hotsuma. The soft orange glow of sunset and the gentle roar of the engine put Hotsuma at ease helping even allowing him to close his eyes as if he were asleep.
This can't be real…
"We're here." Ibuki said as she turned off the car.
Hotsuma opened his eyes and saw the same mansion he passed by many nights ago.
"This…This is the Twilight Mansion?"
"Yes, Welcome home." Tsukumo smiled, "It's very peaceful here. And it's protected by a barrier. Normal people can not enter here."
"Let's go inside!" Toko smiled as she ran through the front doors.
Hotsuma, following Tsukumo, stepped inside the mansion to a large foyer. The large chandelier illuminated the finely furnished room. A woman was standing beside the banister of the stairs wearing a kimono.
She introduced herself and bowed, "I am Aya, I tend to the resident of the mansion here. If there's anything you need, please don't hesitate to ask."
Hotsuma nodded thanks and slowly walked up a few steps, "I do know this place…" He muttered.
"Of course you would."
He walked up the steps and looked over the railing taking in all the details of the mansion.
"Hotsuma, do you need anything?" The Murasame siblings asked.
"No, I know where I am going." He said barely believing himself, "Can I?"
"Of course, this is your home. Don't forget that." Tsukumo smiled.
He made it to the top of the stair case and Tsukumo called to him one more time, "I'll come get you later. Takashiro will want to meet you personally."
Hotsuma nodded, more focused on one of the rooms at the end of the hall.
He never stepped foot in the mansion in this life, yet his body instinctively moved towards a certain door. He slowly grabbed the door knob and turned it revealing a large parlor. Sofas and chairs were centered in the middle of the room with a large bay window in the back. The curtains were open revealing a colorful sky lit with reds, purple and dark blues. He stepped in and sat in one of the plush sofas and took a deep breath.
Feels like home…
He looked ahead and saw a door. Curiosity over riding him, he opened it and it was a bedroom.
This is mine, isn't it?
It was clean, obviously, the room was currently unoccupied. A bed, a dresser, a small entertainment space at the farther end. It was a more contemporary design compared to the rest of the mansion, preferable to Hotsuma's taste.
Since it was otherwise empty, lacking all of his personal belongings of this life, he left his bedroom and turned to the door opposite his bedroom door. He hesitated in front of it, like opening the door would be intruding on the owner's privacy.
His partner's?
Could he be inside?
Hotsuma's hand shaked a bit. Could he finally solve the mystery of his partner? Could he be sitting in his room now?
He knocked but there was no response. He slowly turned the door knob and peered inside.
It was empty. Somehow, Hotsuma knew that would be the case.
Regardless of whether it was right or wrong, he entered the room. Unlike his, this room was more classic in design. It had all the essential furnishings. There was a large desk in place of the entertainment space Hotsuma had in his room.
And just like his room, it was otherwise empty.
All of a sudden a powerful feeling of sadness fell upon the blonde. More accurately, it was loneliness. The nostalgic thought that this room should be occupied yet wasn't was depressing. Rather than further snoop around and risk a more negative emotions coming on, he left, closing the door behind him.
He went back and sat in the sofa he originally sat in. He leaned his head far back and took in a few deep breaths trying to figure out the emotions dwelling within him. Before he could completely collect his thoughts there was a knock on the parlor door.
Tsukumo popped his head in without waiting for the blonde to respond, "Hotsuma, Takashiro is downstairs. He'd like to see you."
So sorry for the delay... Real life has kept me busy. And to add to that, my health hasn't been the greatest. I hope to update soon though! And as for my other story I said I'd publish, after rereading it, I want to work on it some more and get the story line solid. Not sure when it will be up so until then I'll be working on this story.
Thanks to all my loyal readers and reviewers! Reading your reviews make me so happy!