Well here we are once again for another exciting chapter of- stop that. You sound ridiculous. Sorry.

Eeeeey guys! Hows it going? Hope you've all been good. Had nice holidays, school isn't too hard for ya, snapped a few necks? Good good. Let's see, its 0147 on November 8th that I started writing this. Let's see how long it takes for it to get out.

For anyone that cares or has read the first story, I'm going to be doing revisions on that so it doesn't sound like complete shit.

So yeah. Here's chapter twelve.

Enjoy!

Ryoga's eyes went wide. "What are you talking about Chibisuke? There's no way he could-" He stopped when Echizen looked at him, eyes glassed over with tears but reflecting the truth. "How do you know this?"

He was silent for a second. "He told me."

"What do you mean he told you? Chibisuke, he's dead. He was killed in the fire." Ryoga went towards him. "Maybe you're hallucinating from the last of the poison in your system."

Echizen took Ryoga's hand and placed it on his head. "Look." Ryoga was soon in the recesses of his brother's mind going through the events that had happened that day; getting attacked in the morning, going out to watch everyone train but it seemed to go slower after that. There was a blank in his memory which was most likely when he was being controlled. He watched the events play out like it was a TV show. Echizen met with their uncle and fought with him after being told he killed his brother and wife. Another blank as he was put back to their side of the river then everything leading up to this moment. He took his hand from his brother's head and stared at him.

"Aniki…" Echizen stood in front of the window with the sun's rays shining in, warming his back and bringing out his wings. "The next time I see him, I'm going to kill him."

Ryoga's eyes mirrored confusion. He didn't want to believe it but he saw it; how everything started, the death of the king and queen. What shocked him more was Echizen outright saying he was going to kill him. Never has Ryoga ever heard him say it with such malice in his voice. Sure, he said it to his friends all the time but it was always with a happy smile or something close to that on his face and in the past, it's no question that they killed people but to come right out and say it.

"Chibisuke…" Ryoga stared at him. The sun coming in at such an angel to make him look like a saint with his wings glimmering along with the tear stained face. "I know you're upset but-"

"Leave." Echizen turned from his brother and looked outside dropping his head. "Please."

He was going to object but he figured he could let his brother have some alone time even though every time that happened he was attacked. He let loose a defeated sigh. "Call if you need anything…" He left the room and let the door shut with a click.

As soon as Echizen heard that click, he immediately dropped to the floor. His wings furled back into nothing and he sat there. The corners of his eyes stung from for the crying he had done and his body ached all over. His side especially hurt. There was a bruised or cracked rib at most. He felt heavy, extremely heavy. Knowing that it was his own family member that caused so many deaths though out the years and he just let it happen. He felt horrible, like he let all the people of the land down.

He more or less crawled into the middle of the room and performed a sound concealment spell much like the one that had been used that morning and cast it around the entire room making it sound proof. As soon as he was sure it was intact, he took a deep and screamed, letting out all the emotions he had kept in. He used his powers to fling things across the room making an even bigger mess than it already was; smashing the vases, mirrors and pictures, shattering the bed and doorframes, making the rafters in the ceiling creak and the carpet tear and rip.

He stopped screaming and took a look at his surroundings, ashamed that he was the one that caused it. He gathered his remaining strength and cast a spell that made everything in his room go back to normal so no one would have to come and clean up after another one of his messes seeing as this was all anyone was doing anymore. He fell onto his back in the middle of the room and just listened to the quiet. It was peaceful and calming. He hoped it would stay like that for a while if not forever. He listened to nothingness and let it sooth him and his thoughts and he passed out.

"What do you mean the late king's brother?" Oishi asked. "Like as in Echizen's uncle?"

"Yes. Tenma-dono was the prince's uncle and adviser." Kaze answered. "He was one of the most trusted people in the kingdom."

"Why did Bocchan destroy the picture then?" Leon asked as he Yukio and Josiah joined them. "Bocchan was basically inseparable when he had a chance to be with him and wouldn't let anyone take him away."

He probably just needs to blow off some steam." Momo said absentmindedly. "After all he's been through, I would want to destroy a few things too."

"Maybe it had something to do with when he came back from the forest." Kaidou said.

"You're right Kaidou-kun." Ryoga came from Echizen's room and joined everyone with an empty sigh.

"What do you mean Ryoga-dono?" Josiah asked. "What about the prince?"

"We should- go downstairs and talk…" He hung his head. He was upset. "Chibisuke… he needs some time to cool off and think about things. It's best if we leave him alone for a bit."

Everyone looked at each other, all mirroring confusion and concern. They made their way through the halls, down the stairs and into the atrium. Everyone sat in various places and was met with silence. No one wanted to break it. It was so serine. They haven't had downtime like this since they arrived. They also didn't think it was their place to break it. Ryoga was the one who told them to go down there so they felt it should be him who should start talking. Ryoga was sitting in a chair with the light of the setting sun gleaming on his hidden face.

After a few minutes of silence he finally spoke. "We… should probably take down all the pictures of Tenma-sama… Chibisuke said- after we had left to practice our sword play, he heard a voice calling his name. He stood up to see if he could spot anyone and the next thing he knew he was on the opposite side of the river. He said he-" He didn't want to talk about it seeing as he couldn't believe it himself. "- he found himself face to face with Tenma-sama."

The four knights and doctor tensed. "Ryoga-dono, that's not possible. Lord Tenma was-"

"Killed during that day?" Ryoga raised an eyebrow clearly annoyed and getting angry. "It would've been better if he did."

"Ryoga-dono!"

"It's true. Everything is his fault." Everyone was taken aback, not understanding what he meant. "I'll show you." Ryoga plucked a feather out of nowhere, whispered a spell and sent it to the ceiling. The room morphed around them and soon they found themselves in Echizen's memory from when he was a child or at least what Ryoga saw when he looked into his brother's mind; playing with Ryoga, get put down for a nap, seeing his parents get murdered before his eyes by a man that was supposed to be there and support him.

The room went back to how it originally was. Everyone was wide-eyed.

"That- that can't be true…" Kaze stuttered. Being there the longest, he knew Tenma the best. If he didn't see it with his own eyes, he probably would've struck down anyone that said that.

Those were the only words said for a while. All the regulars didn't quite know what to think; how could you betray your own flesh and blood? It was despicable. They couldn't imagine what they would do if they were betrayed by someone in their family or themselves for that matter. If one of them ditched Seigaku and went to play for another school, they would most likely lose it. They could only imagine what was going through Echizen's mind.

Ryoga got up from where he was and started to go outside. "There's nothing we can do about it. We can however get stronger and show this bastard what happens when you mess with us. Chibisuke is alright for the most part. He needs to blow off some steam. I'll check on him later." He rounded a corner and went outside.

The room was met with silence yet again. Momo went running outside yelling about something or other and sent a taunt towards Kaidou making him run out after him and Kikumaru running after him and then Oishi and so on until all the regulars were outside doing some sort of training. Kaze sent a word or two to the others and made his way back to his room in the lower levels. Takeo went to tend to his troops and left Yukio, Leon and Josiah in the room.

"Bocchan… do you really think he's alright?" Leon really didn't want to leave him alone.

"Leon, follow orders for once in your life." Josiah said. "Ryoga-dono said he needs to blow off steam so let him blow off steam."

"Taichou, do you think we should do what Ryoga-dono suggested and take down the pictures of him?" Yukio asked.

"I think that would be best. Get some servants to do it." Josiah started to head outside. "Come on. Ryoga-dono will check on him later." Reluctantly the two of them followed him outside and hoped everything would be alright in the meantime.

It was two days before Echizen made any progress. When Ryoga had gone into check on him with Jak and Karupin, he found him sleeping in a ball on the floor. He moved his brother to the bed then looked at the state the room was in; it was perfect. He sighed and thought of all the damage that had been done to make Echizen put it back like that. He felt useless not knowing what to do in this situation but decided just to let it take its course. He visited his brother several times in those days, making sure he was alright. He didn't wake him up in those times he was there and figured it was best to let him rest and regain his strength. Kaze and Oishi came by to check his injuries which were healing nicely and it still didn't wake him.

On the third day when Ryoga went to check on him, he found Karupin scratching on the door desperately trying to get in. "More eager than usual?" Ryoga raised an eyebrow at the cat. It was the first time he had done this in the days Echizen had been asleep. He barely got the door open and Karupin bolted inside. When he got inside, the bed sheets were down, the curtains drawn and the window open with his brother nowhere in sight. Karupin was running around the room frantically meowing. Ryoga's eyes widened as he scanned the room then ran off in search for his brother.

Two things went through his head; he got kidnapped and was too weak to fight back kidnapped or going off to find their uncle. Either way he wanted to find him quickly and think of a plan before blindly rushing into battle with a foe that was greater than it had been.

Everyone else was in one of the many entertainment rooms in the castle. Not entertainment like they were used to but entertainment nonetheless. They were all doing something that interested them; Inui had found an old cook book and was scribbling things down in his notebook, Kikumaru was playing with Jak, Oishi was- to his displeasure- talking to Kaze, Momo and Kaidou were arguing about something, Tezuka and Fuji were discussing things somewhat related to tennis and what they were doing now and Josiah and Yukio were polishing armor.

"Mou, I hope Ochibi is alright." Kikumaru said as he stroked Jak's fur. "He's been asleep for two whole days."

"And without eating. I could never go that long." Momo added.

"Most people aren't a fat-ass like you." Kaidou said.

Momo glared at him about to say something but stopped when Ryoga ran in the room. "Minna!"

"Ryoga-san, how is-

"Chibisuke's gone." He caught his breath. "His bed was disheveled and the window was opened. I don't know if he did it himself but he certainly isn't there anymore. We need to find him. He could be planning on doing something rash."

Everyone got up from where they were, aside from Kaze who said he would search around the castle, and started to head out the door in search for Echizen when Kikumaru stopped them. "Jotto minna! I have an idea!" He knelt down to Jak. "Jaky, can you pick up Ochibi's scent for us?" Jak did just that. He started smelling the air and the ground then bolted off into the courtyard. Everyone ran after him hoping to find Echizen alive and well.

They ran through the courtyard and into the training area, looking everywhere for some sort of sign that he was there. Jak stopped at the archery field and started to sniff around again.

"Maybe he lost the trail seeing as there are a lot of people around here." Fuji said taking a look around.

"Minna." They were greeted by Jaeger. "What brings you to my part of the training grounds? Don't suppose you're here to practice your aim just yet."

"Jaeger-san have you seen Echizen?" Tezuka asked. "Has he been near here?"

Jaeger raised an eyebrow and gestured to the targets behind him which all had an arrow in the middle and another one splitting that one. "Do you know anyone else that perfectly hit the target in the middle? Not to mention can split my arrows?"

"Well where is he?"

"The young master said something about clearing his head and went over to the tree line." He pointed in the direction Echizen went and the group went running.

The group went running into the trees with Jak leading the way. They ran for a minute or two then stopped just before the tree line on the other side. The stream was right there and Ryoga thought of what would happen if he went to the other side in search for their uncle. They started looking for any sign of him but couldn't find any. Jak was still sniffing around and he went to a tree and started barking at it. Everyone looked up and almost could see him but Echizen was sitting on one of the up most branches. Ryoga was going to fly up to him but before he could even take his wings out, Kikumaru was half way up the tree.

Echizen woke up that day and needed to get away from things. With everything that had happened, he needed to forget. He got out of bed, changed from his tattered clothes, drew the blinds, made sure no one saw him and flew out the window to the grounds. It wasn't too early but he was surprised to see that not that many people were out. He carefully made his way through the training grounds making sure not to be seen by anyone in Takeo's or Leon's units. Lost in his thoughts, he hadn't realized he had walked right to Jaeger's archery sets.

"Heika?" Jaeger confronted him. "You're better I see. Are you well enough to get out of bed?"

Echizen scoffed. "By my standards or Oishi-sempai's? I feel fine. I've been doing nothing except sleep for two days and I feel that if I see them they'll make me go back to bed."

"So in other words you're restless?" Echizen nodded. Jaeger smirked and set up several targets. He fired arrows into all of them hitting them directly in the middle. "This should help a bit. Try to best me."

Echizen grinned. He appreciated Jaeger's attempt to get his mind off of things. He materialized his own bow and one by one fired at all the targets and hit every single one of them right in the middle splitting the arrows that were there.

Jaeger was happy he was able to take his mind off of things even if for a little bit. When Echizen finished with the targets, he sighed and his bow disappeared and he headed for the trees. "Heika?"

"I'm just- going to clear my head." He headed off to the trees.

The situation that happened that morning continued to play through his head. He was finally able to get time alone but he kept thinking about things. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to go to the river. The river- where he dragged under by that thing the first time they were there and the sight of where he saw him; he refused to call him his uncle anymore. He sat in the tree and sighed. This was what he needed and more. He needed a day to just relax and not think about anything and have fun.

He was broke from his thoughts when he heard one of his many nicknames. 'So much for relaxing.' He stood up and looked beneath himself to see Kikumaru bolting up to him. "Kikumaru- sem-"

"OCHIBI!" Kikumaru tackled Echizen off the branch and they both went flying towards the river.

"Sempai we're going to-!" He tried to free himself from himself from his sempai's grasp but failed. He brought out his own wings in hoping to stop from falling into the water but that too failed. The two of them crashed into the deepest part of the river. The water was cold and Echizen tensed for a second. He opened his eyes and tried to start going back towards the surface but noticed Kikumaru's eyes were wide open staring at him like a lifeless puppet.

He released one of his arms from around Echizen and a knife materialized. Kikumaru held him by a shoulder and tried to stab him in the stomach. Echizen grabbed the wrist with the knife, stopping it. 'This has got to end.' He was pissed. This was the third time one of his friends had tried to kill him and he had had enough. He grabbed both of Kikumaru's wrists and maneuvered them to his back making the knife drop in the process. He held both wrists in one hand and took a feather from his wings and pressed it into his back.

Well, there it is. I was starting to write more but figured this could hold you guys down for now.

Man, I dropped one of my classes and it made my life so much easier so no more Wednesday classes. Yay for me.

So yeah I'm revising the first one if anyone wants to go take a look at it. Not much has changed so far and by rereading it I realized it helps the story line out and I was happy.

I know this is a weird place to end but I'm tired.

Sorry for lateness and laziness and grammar and spelling and stupidness and corniness and other stupid things that have happened. Review for me!

Hope you enjoyed!

See ya next time!