Here is chapter two of this far too fluffy Tokyo Babylon "What If...". Meia gets big hugs for providing half of the dialogue used in the Technomancy-inspired glove scene.
Two: Of Gloves and Dates.
The day he was due to go home, Subaru met him at the hospital and accompanied him in the taxi. Although he would never have admitted it, he was glad for the company.
"Sei-chan! You're out of the hospital! Congratulations!" exclaimed Hokuto as soon as Subaru opened the door to Seishioru's apartment. She gave him a hug and then stepped back to regard him speculatively. "You're getting thin. You should eat more."
"Hokuto-chan... What are you doing here?" he asked, puzzled.
"I'm the welcoming party. Why, don't you want to see me?" She affected a hurt look.
"I didn't realise you had keys."
Beside him, Subaru blushed. "You gave me yours, remember?" he said, when Seishirou turned to look at him quizzically. "To get clothing."
Oh. "Well, I'm very happy to be out of the hospital as well," he said, not knowing exactly what to say. Together, the three of them made their way to the living room. Hokuto claimed the armchair, leaving Subaru and Seishirou to share the sofa. Seishirou couldn't resist the urge to take Subaru's hand in his own and caress it gently. Subaru turned faintly pink.
"Oh, so that's why you didn't want me here," said Hokuto, in a knowing tone.
"What?" said Seishirou, innocently.
"You wanted to spend some time with Subaru, didn't you?"
Subaru's blush darkened quite considerably. "H-Ho-Hokuto-chan!"
Seishirou just smirked, and put an arm around Subaru's waist.
"Great! Well, I have the perfect gift for the happy couple!"
Seishirou regarded Hokuto, trying not to let his suspicion show. "What's that, Hokuto-chan?"
In answer, Hokuto addressed her brother. "Subaru, can you go and get the envelope off the bench, please?"
Subaru nodded, obediently disentangled himself from Seishirou and fetched the envelope.
"Now, open it."
Subaru did so. "It's... tickets?" he said, squinting at the writing.
"They're tickets to Romeo and Juliet!" shrieked Hokuto, excitedly.
"But... There's only two."
"They're for you and Sei-chan. I'll go later in the week, with one of my friends."
"Oh," said Subaru, faintly. "What is it?"
"What is it? It's the greatest love story of all time! And it's just perfect for the two of you!"
"It is?" asked Subaru, looking bewildered.
"Yes! 'Two clans, both alike in dignity...'"
"I think that's 'houses', Hokuto-chan," said Seishirou, amused.
Hokuto pouted. "You know the play, Seishirou-san?"
He nodded. Actually, he'd first read it to reinforce his identity as harmless, somewhat knowledgeable vet. "And I assure you, Hokuto-chan, I don't intend on our relationship to end the way theirs did."
"Well, of course not! You two are going to go, right?"
Seishirou glanced at Subaru, who nodded. "Thank you, Hokuto-chan."
"Excellent! Now, what about dinner tonight? You are planning on letting us stay, right?"
Seishirou blinked. "I just got out of the hospital, Hokuto-chan, my plans for this evening were to sleep."
"Nonsense! You deserve a home cooked meal for your first night! I'll do it, especially for you." She dashed off to the kitchen. Seishirou and Subaru listened to her rummaging around for a good five minutes or so before she spoke again. "SEI-CHAN! You don't have any ingredients!" came her indignant shout.
Seishirou looked slightly embarrassed.
"Well, that's it. I'm going grocery-shopping." She grabbed her bag and stalked off to the door. "You two have fun, okay?"
Subaru blushed. Seishirou just laughed.
After several minutes silence, Subaru looked up, shyly. "I... Do you need anything? I can make tea if you like."
Seishirou smiled at him. "Tea would be very nice, thank you, Subaru-kun."
When the boy returned with twin cups of tea and saucers, it occurred to him that Subaru was still wearing his gloves. "Subaru-kun..." he said, taking the teacup and setting it down on the table. "Do you really still need to wear those?" He indicated the gloves with his free hand.
Subaru plucked at the back of one gloved hand with the other, looking up at Seishirou. "I don't know... It would feel sort of strange without them on," he continued, looking uncomfortable.
"You don't like to touch things, Subaru-kun?" He reached over to take Subaru's gloved hand in his own. Seishirou bent over to kiss the back of the glove gently. "Can you feel that?"
"It's not that, it's just that I..." He let out a little gasp as Seishirou licked the fabric, wetting it slightly.
Seishirou tugged at the glove with his teeth. It didn't move. "Subaru-kun..."
"Yes?" asked Subaru, a little breathily.
"Just take your gloves off, please?"
"But... my grandmother..." whimpered the boy, taking refuge in old excuses.
"The spells are gone, Subaru-kun," he said patiently. "You don't need the gloves anymore."
"But..."
"And they didn't work in the first place. I still knew who you were the moment we met."
"But--"
Seishirou interrupted smoothly. "And don't you miss touching things?" he asked, kissing the back of Subaru's hand again, idly teasing at the fabric with his teeth.
"I was very young." He gasped once more as Seishirou licked at his wrist. "I barely remember..."
"You must take them off sometimes, surely?"
"Only to shower," said Subaru, quietly.
Seishirou took a moment to ponder Subaru in the shower, and then returned his assault on the silky cloth. It felt rather nice, the glove, soft and warm against his skin. He looked up at Subaru with a smile. "Have I convinced you yet?"
"I... You... My grandmother..." Subaru pulled his hand away, attempting to calm himself. "You really think there isn't any need?" he asked, shyly.
"It's really alright, Subaru-kun," he assured the teenager. "I'm not going to hurt you, even if you take your gloves off."
Subaru sat for a moment, staring at his hands, which were currently in his lap. He pulled at the fingers of one of the gloves nervously, and then closed his eyes, muttering a few words under his breath. He slipped the left glove off first, pulling the fabric off with his teeth.
Seishirou smiled at him encouragingly.
Blushing, the Sumeragi boy offered him his right hand. "You... You can take the other off. If you like."
Seishirou ignored the gloved hand for a moment, taking the bare one and kissing a light trail from wrist to palm. "Can you feel this better, now?"
Subaru gasped, sharply, and whipped the hand away. "Seishirou-san! I..."
"Did it hurt?" he asked, concerned. "I'm sorry if it did."
"N-No..." said Subaru, slowly. "It just..." He blushed again, much redder.
Seishirou fought back amusement at the boy's predicament. "I would never hurt you, Subaru-kun," he said, and whispered the few simple syllables required to break the spell on the other glove, tugging the thin fabric off easily.
"I--but--what if... Hokuto-chan should be back soon!" The teenager blurted out, panic written across his face.
"I'm sure your sister wouldn't mind seeing you without your gloves, Subaru-kun."
"It's not the gloves I was worrying about," said Subaru, in a very small voice.
"Oh?" said Seishirou, leaning over so that his face was barely inches from Subaru's. He reached for the boy's hand and let his fingers twine with Subaru's.
The young onmyouji squeaked, pulling back as far as he could without falling off the sofa or releasing their clasped fingers. Subaru's hands were terribly smooth, and Seishirou resisted the urge to kiss along them again.
There was a knock on the door. Seishirou mentally cursed Subaru for being right.
"Subaru? Subaru, my hands are full. Can you open the door for me?"
Subaru got up to open the door, leaving Seishirou to once again mutter at the gods who had given Hokuto-chan her sense of timing.
"Mou, Subaru," said Hokuto, sounding annoyed, "you didn't have to take so long, my arms are achi--" She paused. "Subaru, where are your gloves?"
Seishirou smirked slightly as Subaru undertook the task of explaining what had transpired to his twin.
"So, you got him over one of his hangups, huh?" She said, dumping the bags on the coffee table. "More power to you."
"Hokuto-chan!" cried Subaru, indignantly.
"However! You know what this means?"
Subaru looked slightly worried. "Um..."
"Shopping! We have to go shopping to celebrate!"
Subaru looked horrified. Seishirou couldn't help himself any more - he burst out laughing.
Life without the Sakura, he thought, was starting to look interesting.
~ * ~
"So this play is set in Italy, but was written in English and translated to Japanese?" Subaru blinked at him over the top of the programme.
Seishirou nodded.
"That's sort of strange, Seishirou-san."
"It doesn't matter," said Seishirou. "Just enjoy it."
Subaru settled back in his seat. "Okay, Seishirou-san."
The lights dimmed, and the play began. Under the pretence of stretching, Seishirou slipped his arm behind Subaru and around his shoulders. The Sumeragi stiffened. "Relax," murmured Seishirou into his ear. "It's okay." He felt Subaru shiver at the contact of breath against ear.
He couldn't do anything else for a while, though, because Subaru was completely absorbed in the play.
He quite liked Shakespeare, actually. It was suitably tragic and violent for an ex-assassin to appreciate. Unfortunately, on this particular occasion, the boy beside him was far too distracting for him to concentrate on the actors. He spent most of the first half staring absently at Subaru's face, noting the play of emotions across his face as the story of love, murder and rivalry unfolded before him.
Before he knew it, it was the interval. He bought Subaru some chocolates, and enjoyed the blush that ensued as he insisted on feeding the Sumeragi the first few from the box.
"Seishirou-san! People are staring!" whispered Subaru desperately.
"Let them. I love you, and I'm not afraid to show it," said Seishirou, leaning over to kiss him on the cheek.
Subaru blushed even harder.
Unfortunately, his 'playing' was interrupted by the end of the interval, and the start of the second half. He decided the 'yawn and stretch' approach probably wouldn't work a second time, so Seishirou resigned himself to simply gazing at Subaru. The Sumeragi leaned his arm on the chair, and Seishirou took the opportunity to place his own hand on top of Subaru's.
He was somewhat surprised when Subaru absently entwined his fingers with Seishirou's and held his hand tightly.
Next thing he knew, the play was over and the lights were coming back up. Subaru gazed at him, teary-eyed. "It's so sad..."
Seishirou kissed him on the forehead. "Come on. Let's go for a walk before going home, okay?"
They got a few blocks along before he gave in and drew the Sumeragi into a tight hug. "It's only a story, Subaru."
"But... It's not fair."
"Hush," said Seishirou, stroking his hair comfortingly.
Subaru opened his mouth to say something else, and Seishirou took the opportunity to kiss him passionately. He had the boy pressed up against the wall and his hands up the back of his shirt before Subaru pushed him away.
"Suba--" began Seishirou, somewhat surprised but ready to apologise.
Subaru wasn't looking at him. "Seishirou-san... isn't that the onmyouji you were fighting?" he said, gazing over Seishirou's shoulder.
"Oh, please," said an unfamiliar voice. "Don't let me interrupt your playing with your little boy toy..."
Seishirou turned. "Oh. It's you."
"I suppose you know why I'm here," said the assassin, smiling evilly.
"The Sakura wants me back, I assume. Dead or alive," said Seishirou, casually. He sensed Subaru stiffen beside him.
"Wrong! I'm here to kill you."
Seishirou stared at him in disbelief
"Seishirou-san? You don't mean..."said Subaru, sounding worried.
"This isn't any of your concern, Subaru-k--"
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN, IT'S NOT MY CONCERN?!" the Thirteenth Head of the Sumeragi clan protested, loudly.
Seishirou put a hand over his boyfriend's mouth. "So, if you want to kill me, can I have your name first?" He would never have given his name to a victim. Well, except for one victim.
"My real name would mean nothing to you, and anyway, you are about to die. So you can call me... Yami."
'Darkness'? Seishirou stared at him again. He had to be joking. Didn't he? "All right, 'Yami', may I ask if you really understand what you're doing here?"
"I'm here to finish the job I didn't earlier, of course. Yami never leaves a job half-done."
Seishirou took a breath to calm himself. "Right. And how do you expect to do that?"
"I have power. You don't," he said simply, buffing his nails on the lapel of his coat.
"I think you may be underestimating me," said Seishirou, mildly.
The assassin reached into his pocket, bringing out some ofuda and casting something that Seishirou would have been able to handle easily - had he not been so used to leaning on the tree for support and reinforcement for his shielding. As it was, he only had enough to time to push Subaru behind him before it hit him and he staggered backwards.
"What are you doing?" exclaimed Subaru, struggling to support him. The Sumeragi knelt down and propped Seishirou up against the wall, all the while keeping a watchful eye on the assassin. Seishirou glowered at his successor.
Subaru produced some ofuda from somewhere within his coat and started to cast a few spells of his own.
The new Sakurazukamori obviously hadn't counted on the Sumeragi being there, because whatever it was that Subaru had cast hurt him enough that he did a bit of staggering of his own before launching a counterattack.
Subaru fended it off easily. Seishirou had to admit he was somewhat impressed. He hadn't seen Subaru in a battle situation before.
"Well," the Sakurazukamori said, with another evil smile. "It seems tonight I must call it a draw. I'll be back." He disappeared in a cloud of swirling sakura petals.
Seishirou groaned.
Subaru cast a few grounding spells, and put a hand to his head. Seishirou knew from experience that the magical backlash would probably begin to hurt badly in about an hour. "Come on, Seishirou-san," said Subaru, helping him to stand. "I think we'd better go home."
Seishirou could only agree.
~ To Be Continued ~
Notes
I'm really, really unhappy with that last scene. Action really isn't my thing. Suggestions for improvement appreciated.
And, meet Seishirou's successor. We call him Yami the Pretentious Assassin, for obvious reasons.
Two: Of Gloves and Dates.
The day he was due to go home, Subaru met him at the hospital and accompanied him in the taxi. Although he would never have admitted it, he was glad for the company.
"Sei-chan! You're out of the hospital! Congratulations!" exclaimed Hokuto as soon as Subaru opened the door to Seishioru's apartment. She gave him a hug and then stepped back to regard him speculatively. "You're getting thin. You should eat more."
"Hokuto-chan... What are you doing here?" he asked, puzzled.
"I'm the welcoming party. Why, don't you want to see me?" She affected a hurt look.
"I didn't realise you had keys."
Beside him, Subaru blushed. "You gave me yours, remember?" he said, when Seishirou turned to look at him quizzically. "To get clothing."
Oh. "Well, I'm very happy to be out of the hospital as well," he said, not knowing exactly what to say. Together, the three of them made their way to the living room. Hokuto claimed the armchair, leaving Subaru and Seishirou to share the sofa. Seishirou couldn't resist the urge to take Subaru's hand in his own and caress it gently. Subaru turned faintly pink.
"Oh, so that's why you didn't want me here," said Hokuto, in a knowing tone.
"What?" said Seishirou, innocently.
"You wanted to spend some time with Subaru, didn't you?"
Subaru's blush darkened quite considerably. "H-Ho-Hokuto-chan!"
Seishirou just smirked, and put an arm around Subaru's waist.
"Great! Well, I have the perfect gift for the happy couple!"
Seishirou regarded Hokuto, trying not to let his suspicion show. "What's that, Hokuto-chan?"
In answer, Hokuto addressed her brother. "Subaru, can you go and get the envelope off the bench, please?"
Subaru nodded, obediently disentangled himself from Seishirou and fetched the envelope.
"Now, open it."
Subaru did so. "It's... tickets?" he said, squinting at the writing.
"They're tickets to Romeo and Juliet!" shrieked Hokuto, excitedly.
"But... There's only two."
"They're for you and Sei-chan. I'll go later in the week, with one of my friends."
"Oh," said Subaru, faintly. "What is it?"
"What is it? It's the greatest love story of all time! And it's just perfect for the two of you!"
"It is?" asked Subaru, looking bewildered.
"Yes! 'Two clans, both alike in dignity...'"
"I think that's 'houses', Hokuto-chan," said Seishirou, amused.
Hokuto pouted. "You know the play, Seishirou-san?"
He nodded. Actually, he'd first read it to reinforce his identity as harmless, somewhat knowledgeable vet. "And I assure you, Hokuto-chan, I don't intend on our relationship to end the way theirs did."
"Well, of course not! You two are going to go, right?"
Seishirou glanced at Subaru, who nodded. "Thank you, Hokuto-chan."
"Excellent! Now, what about dinner tonight? You are planning on letting us stay, right?"
Seishirou blinked. "I just got out of the hospital, Hokuto-chan, my plans for this evening were to sleep."
"Nonsense! You deserve a home cooked meal for your first night! I'll do it, especially for you." She dashed off to the kitchen. Seishirou and Subaru listened to her rummaging around for a good five minutes or so before she spoke again. "SEI-CHAN! You don't have any ingredients!" came her indignant shout.
Seishirou looked slightly embarrassed.
"Well, that's it. I'm going grocery-shopping." She grabbed her bag and stalked off to the door. "You two have fun, okay?"
Subaru blushed. Seishirou just laughed.
After several minutes silence, Subaru looked up, shyly. "I... Do you need anything? I can make tea if you like."
Seishirou smiled at him. "Tea would be very nice, thank you, Subaru-kun."
When the boy returned with twin cups of tea and saucers, it occurred to him that Subaru was still wearing his gloves. "Subaru-kun..." he said, taking the teacup and setting it down on the table. "Do you really still need to wear those?" He indicated the gloves with his free hand.
Subaru plucked at the back of one gloved hand with the other, looking up at Seishirou. "I don't know... It would feel sort of strange without them on," he continued, looking uncomfortable.
"You don't like to touch things, Subaru-kun?" He reached over to take Subaru's gloved hand in his own. Seishirou bent over to kiss the back of the glove gently. "Can you feel that?"
"It's not that, it's just that I..." He let out a little gasp as Seishirou licked the fabric, wetting it slightly.
Seishirou tugged at the glove with his teeth. It didn't move. "Subaru-kun..."
"Yes?" asked Subaru, a little breathily.
"Just take your gloves off, please?"
"But... my grandmother..." whimpered the boy, taking refuge in old excuses.
"The spells are gone, Subaru-kun," he said patiently. "You don't need the gloves anymore."
"But..."
"And they didn't work in the first place. I still knew who you were the moment we met."
"But--"
Seishirou interrupted smoothly. "And don't you miss touching things?" he asked, kissing the back of Subaru's hand again, idly teasing at the fabric with his teeth.
"I was very young." He gasped once more as Seishirou licked at his wrist. "I barely remember..."
"You must take them off sometimes, surely?"
"Only to shower," said Subaru, quietly.
Seishirou took a moment to ponder Subaru in the shower, and then returned his assault on the silky cloth. It felt rather nice, the glove, soft and warm against his skin. He looked up at Subaru with a smile. "Have I convinced you yet?"
"I... You... My grandmother..." Subaru pulled his hand away, attempting to calm himself. "You really think there isn't any need?" he asked, shyly.
"It's really alright, Subaru-kun," he assured the teenager. "I'm not going to hurt you, even if you take your gloves off."
Subaru sat for a moment, staring at his hands, which were currently in his lap. He pulled at the fingers of one of the gloves nervously, and then closed his eyes, muttering a few words under his breath. He slipped the left glove off first, pulling the fabric off with his teeth.
Seishirou smiled at him encouragingly.
Blushing, the Sumeragi boy offered him his right hand. "You... You can take the other off. If you like."
Seishirou ignored the gloved hand for a moment, taking the bare one and kissing a light trail from wrist to palm. "Can you feel this better, now?"
Subaru gasped, sharply, and whipped the hand away. "Seishirou-san! I..."
"Did it hurt?" he asked, concerned. "I'm sorry if it did."
"N-No..." said Subaru, slowly. "It just..." He blushed again, much redder.
Seishirou fought back amusement at the boy's predicament. "I would never hurt you, Subaru-kun," he said, and whispered the few simple syllables required to break the spell on the other glove, tugging the thin fabric off easily.
"I--but--what if... Hokuto-chan should be back soon!" The teenager blurted out, panic written across his face.
"I'm sure your sister wouldn't mind seeing you without your gloves, Subaru-kun."
"It's not the gloves I was worrying about," said Subaru, in a very small voice.
"Oh?" said Seishirou, leaning over so that his face was barely inches from Subaru's. He reached for the boy's hand and let his fingers twine with Subaru's.
The young onmyouji squeaked, pulling back as far as he could without falling off the sofa or releasing their clasped fingers. Subaru's hands were terribly smooth, and Seishirou resisted the urge to kiss along them again.
There was a knock on the door. Seishirou mentally cursed Subaru for being right.
"Subaru? Subaru, my hands are full. Can you open the door for me?"
Subaru got up to open the door, leaving Seishirou to once again mutter at the gods who had given Hokuto-chan her sense of timing.
"Mou, Subaru," said Hokuto, sounding annoyed, "you didn't have to take so long, my arms are achi--" She paused. "Subaru, where are your gloves?"
Seishirou smirked slightly as Subaru undertook the task of explaining what had transpired to his twin.
"So, you got him over one of his hangups, huh?" She said, dumping the bags on the coffee table. "More power to you."
"Hokuto-chan!" cried Subaru, indignantly.
"However! You know what this means?"
Subaru looked slightly worried. "Um..."
"Shopping! We have to go shopping to celebrate!"
Subaru looked horrified. Seishirou couldn't help himself any more - he burst out laughing.
Life without the Sakura, he thought, was starting to look interesting.
"So this play is set in Italy, but was written in English and translated to Japanese?" Subaru blinked at him over the top of the programme.
Seishirou nodded.
"That's sort of strange, Seishirou-san."
"It doesn't matter," said Seishirou. "Just enjoy it."
Subaru settled back in his seat. "Okay, Seishirou-san."
The lights dimmed, and the play began. Under the pretence of stretching, Seishirou slipped his arm behind Subaru and around his shoulders. The Sumeragi stiffened. "Relax," murmured Seishirou into his ear. "It's okay." He felt Subaru shiver at the contact of breath against ear.
He couldn't do anything else for a while, though, because Subaru was completely absorbed in the play.
He quite liked Shakespeare, actually. It was suitably tragic and violent for an ex-assassin to appreciate. Unfortunately, on this particular occasion, the boy beside him was far too distracting for him to concentrate on the actors. He spent most of the first half staring absently at Subaru's face, noting the play of emotions across his face as the story of love, murder and rivalry unfolded before him.
Before he knew it, it was the interval. He bought Subaru some chocolates, and enjoyed the blush that ensued as he insisted on feeding the Sumeragi the first few from the box.
"Seishirou-san! People are staring!" whispered Subaru desperately.
"Let them. I love you, and I'm not afraid to show it," said Seishirou, leaning over to kiss him on the cheek.
Subaru blushed even harder.
Unfortunately, his 'playing' was interrupted by the end of the interval, and the start of the second half. He decided the 'yawn and stretch' approach probably wouldn't work a second time, so Seishirou resigned himself to simply gazing at Subaru. The Sumeragi leaned his arm on the chair, and Seishirou took the opportunity to place his own hand on top of Subaru's.
He was somewhat surprised when Subaru absently entwined his fingers with Seishirou's and held his hand tightly.
Next thing he knew, the play was over and the lights were coming back up. Subaru gazed at him, teary-eyed. "It's so sad..."
Seishirou kissed him on the forehead. "Come on. Let's go for a walk before going home, okay?"
They got a few blocks along before he gave in and drew the Sumeragi into a tight hug. "It's only a story, Subaru."
"But... It's not fair."
"Hush," said Seishirou, stroking his hair comfortingly.
Subaru opened his mouth to say something else, and Seishirou took the opportunity to kiss him passionately. He had the boy pressed up against the wall and his hands up the back of his shirt before Subaru pushed him away.
"Suba--" began Seishirou, somewhat surprised but ready to apologise.
Subaru wasn't looking at him. "Seishirou-san... isn't that the onmyouji you were fighting?" he said, gazing over Seishirou's shoulder.
"Oh, please," said an unfamiliar voice. "Don't let me interrupt your playing with your little boy toy..."
Seishirou turned. "Oh. It's you."
"I suppose you know why I'm here," said the assassin, smiling evilly.
"The Sakura wants me back, I assume. Dead or alive," said Seishirou, casually. He sensed Subaru stiffen beside him.
"Wrong! I'm here to kill you."
Seishirou stared at him in disbelief
"Seishirou-san? You don't mean..."said Subaru, sounding worried.
"This isn't any of your concern, Subaru-k--"
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN, IT'S NOT MY CONCERN?!" the Thirteenth Head of the Sumeragi clan protested, loudly.
Seishirou put a hand over his boyfriend's mouth. "So, if you want to kill me, can I have your name first?" He would never have given his name to a victim. Well, except for one victim.
"My real name would mean nothing to you, and anyway, you are about to die. So you can call me... Yami."
'Darkness'? Seishirou stared at him again. He had to be joking. Didn't he? "All right, 'Yami', may I ask if you really understand what you're doing here?"
"I'm here to finish the job I didn't earlier, of course. Yami never leaves a job half-done."
Seishirou took a breath to calm himself. "Right. And how do you expect to do that?"
"I have power. You don't," he said simply, buffing his nails on the lapel of his coat.
"I think you may be underestimating me," said Seishirou, mildly.
The assassin reached into his pocket, bringing out some ofuda and casting something that Seishirou would have been able to handle easily - had he not been so used to leaning on the tree for support and reinforcement for his shielding. As it was, he only had enough to time to push Subaru behind him before it hit him and he staggered backwards.
"What are you doing?" exclaimed Subaru, struggling to support him. The Sumeragi knelt down and propped Seishirou up against the wall, all the while keeping a watchful eye on the assassin. Seishirou glowered at his successor.
Subaru produced some ofuda from somewhere within his coat and started to cast a few spells of his own.
The new Sakurazukamori obviously hadn't counted on the Sumeragi being there, because whatever it was that Subaru had cast hurt him enough that he did a bit of staggering of his own before launching a counterattack.
Subaru fended it off easily. Seishirou had to admit he was somewhat impressed. He hadn't seen Subaru in a battle situation before.
"Well," the Sakurazukamori said, with another evil smile. "It seems tonight I must call it a draw. I'll be back." He disappeared in a cloud of swirling sakura petals.
Seishirou groaned.
Subaru cast a few grounding spells, and put a hand to his head. Seishirou knew from experience that the magical backlash would probably begin to hurt badly in about an hour. "Come on, Seishirou-san," said Subaru, helping him to stand. "I think we'd better go home."
Seishirou could only agree.
Notes
I'm really, really unhappy with that last scene. Action really isn't my thing. Suggestions for improvement appreciated.
And, meet Seishirou's successor. We call him Yami the Pretentious Assassin, for obvious reasons.
