Chapter 21: As Time Passes

The months flew by.

Shusei had entered into his third year and wore a green tie instead of a red tie now. He hasn't heard a word from Hotsuma but he could sense that his partner was doing fine, so it was ok for him. He did his studies diligently but didn't know what the future holds for him. From time to time, he would be involved in finding missing people along with Toko and Tsukumo. This year, Toko was in the same class as him and Tsukumo and Yuki had entered into second year and was in the same class as well so all was fine.

Christmas drew nearer. It was getting colder as the days passed by and Christmas decorations could be seen everywhere in town. It was a merry sight. Shusei, being the class representive made an announcement.

"Since many had requested this, lets all hold a Christmas party somewhere. Everyone who wants to be a part of it please make sure you are available on Christmas eve and put your name down on this paper that I'm passing around. Fee is 500 yen. Thank you."

Shusei passed the paper to the first person sitting in front and went back to his seat.

"Shusei, I'll help you in planning this event." Toko said as he passed by her seat.

"Me too." Sakura Kyo, the former Pres said.

"Thank you, Toko, Sakura. That would be great." Shusei said.

The days passed. They were busy in getting a venue, a caterer and an entertainer. They decided to hold the event at the school hall by getting permission from the School Directors. Anybody who wanted to join the party was welcomed as long as they paid the fee. Shusei also extended the invite list to the teachers that taught his class and the school directors. He was in the study room that night, with Toko opposite him, both going through the plans for the party. Tachibana came in.

"Shu-kun. Hotsu is on the phone. He wants to talk with you."

"Wha? Hotsuma?" Shusei blinked and got up. He walked briskly to the where the nearest phone was and picked up the call.

"Hotsuma?"

"Yo.. how are you doing, Shusei? Sorry I couldn't call earlier but that Takashiro has been keeping tabs on the phone so everytime I wanted to make a call, I hear the phone line getting cut. I managed to call today only because that damn necromancer finally gave me permission."

Shusei smiled. It was great to hear his partner's voice again after so many months.

"I'm doing fine. How about you? How is training?" Shusei asked.

"It's alright I suppose. I'm nearly done with it so hopefully I can get it done by year end and immediately leave after that."

"Really? That's good to hear. It will be great to have you back here."

"Shusei…. Yea… I'm looking forward to finishing this training. Hopefully I can be back before New Year's. Anyway, enough about me. How about you? Anything going on now?"

"Well, nothing much. I'm just involved in planning a Christmas party since I'm the class rep."

"Class rep this time? Geez, Shusei. You are going to kill yourself one of these days." Shusei heard his friend complaining and snickled.

"It's not funny! I'm being serious here!" Hotsuma said when he heard his best friend snickled.

"Hai hai. Sorry for worrying you but a class rep does nothing much. There are hardly any duties."

"I see… then that's good news. I don't want to come back and see my partner looking as thin as a zombie due to overloading work."

"Haha, there goes your pholisophy thinking."

"Thank you."

Both of them laughed, relieved to hear each other's voices again after so many months.

"How are your studies going over there?" Shusei asked.

"Its fine I suppose. 3 hours of pure lecture daily. Nothing too unbearable."

"I see. Then, that's good."

"GRAHHHHH I GET IT ALREADY! ALRIGHT ALRIGHT!" Hotsuma suddenly yelled at the other line. Shusei blinked.

"Sorry, Shusei. I need to go now. That damn necromancer is going to cut the line. I'll talk to you later alright? Love ya. Byes." Hotsuma said very quickly and the line was suddenly cut off.

Shusei didn't even have time to react. He just smiled sadly, and then gently put down the phone. Yuki and Tsukumo were next to him.

"Was that Hotsuma?" the God's Ears asked.

"Yeah."

"How is Hotsuma-kun doing?" Yuki asked.

"He is fine. With luck, he could be coming back before New Years."

"Really? That's awesome. We haven't seen him for so long already." Yuki said.

Shusei just smiled and walked back to the study room.

Christmas Eve came. Shusei, Toko and the former student council President, Sakura met up in school in the early afternoon to get all the preparations for the Christmas party done. They had outsourced a lot of services like getting the decorations done, bringing in a Christmas tree, catering food, and the entertainer was there doing rehearsals. Tsukumo and Yuki was also there helping out.

"I can't wait till all the decorations is done! It's going to look fantastic!" The God's Light said.

"Yeah, good work Toko-chan," the silver haired teen said to his sister who was next to him.

"Nah, I didn't really do much. Shusei practically planned out the whole thing. I only helped him a little." Toko said.

"Mmm… I hope Hotsuma comes back soon. Christmas is going to be pretty lonely without him here. Especially for Shusei," Tsukumo said and opened a packet of cheese sticks to snack on.

"Yeah…" Yuki said.

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Hotsuma ran to Ryuusuke and striked with his 'Master Stroke'. Ryuusuke blocked his attack with his blade and also striked back, his strokes agile and accurate despite his old age. Hotsuma saw through this and quickly got out of the way from his blade. Without further ado, he summoned his Suzaku flames and it surrounded Ryuusuke but Ryuusuke dodged it easily and continue striking his blade at Hotsuma. Both were an equal match. However, due to his old age, Ryuusuke's stamina was not a match to Hotsuma's current stamina and soon, his attacks became less forceful. Hotsuma took this opportunity and increased his running and attacking speed, and finally forcing Ryuusuke's blade to go flying to the other side of the training room. Hotsuma pointed his weapon at him.

"My win, sensei." Hotsuma said and heavily breathed.

Ryuusuke just smiled.

"Congrats Hotsuma-kun. You finally managed to beat me in swordsmanship skills. I have nothing more to teach you. Your training is done."

Hotsuma smiled back and lowered down his weapon.

"Thank you, sensei. You have been a wonderful teacher these past few months. I owe it all to you. I swear by the Wielder's Of God's Voice that I shall always keep my head up, and to protect everyone in this war."

Ryuusuke went to Hotsuma and put a hand on his shoulder.

"It was my pleasure teaching you as well, especially someone who is also the Wielder's Of God's Voice. You have really grown and matured since when I first met you. Remember to always listen to what your heart says, Hotsuma-kun. We shall see each other again soon but it will be in the battlefield with the Duras. Take care." Ryuusuke said and then walked out from the training room.

"You take care too, sensei."

Hotsuma lied down on the training room, thinking about all the training he went through here as he looked at the ceiling. He smiled and closed his eyes and let out all of his emotions.

"YESS! YES!" he shouted out loud. He was finally done with his training. Finally, he can get out from the primary residence. Finally, he can return to the Twilight Mansion for good. Finally, he can go back to Shusei's side. Feeling homesick, he got up and ran to his room, preparing to return back home.

(6.53 pm)

After showering, packing up and meeting up with Takashiro once more, he leapt onto the limo that is giving him a ride back. He had called the Twilight Mansion earlier but didn't get a chance to talk to Shusei or anyone else since they were busy with the preparations of the Christmas party. Tachibana answered and had told Hotsuma to go to school to find them when he arrives. Hotsuma just said thanks and hung up. He thought about giving Shusei a call to tell him that he is coming back but decided not to. He wanted to surprise him again (^^). He just sat back and enjoyed the view from the car window. In a few hours time, he can finally meet up with everyone again, and this time he need not leave anymore.

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(8.29 pm)

The party guests start arriving. Yuki and Tsukumo were collecting the tickets at the entrance, Toko and Sakura was in charge of the hosting and stood on the stage, dressed up in red and a santa clause hat on top of their head, each with a mike on their hands. Shusei was in charge overall and made sure that everything was going well. Waiters that were employed started to bring out refreshments for everyone and everyone was happy. It was indeed, Christmas.

Shusei looked around the happy faces and smiled sadly to himself, wishing that his partner was here too.

Comments: I didn't intend to write a lot about Hotsuma's training. I made his training end pretty quick! But they have been separated for a few months now (half a year I think). I just didn't go into details about how they spend their lives away from each other in those 6 months. Hope you guys don't mind! I can't seem to think of new ideas about it and it's hard to write when they are separated. I prefer to write when they are together! *fangirl mode* please review! =3