The Secrets that Last
Chapter 5
"Alright Pal, what the fuck is goin' on?!" Tamahome shouted.
Tasuki growled angrily. "Shut up Tamahome! It's not Ren's fault!"
"Well then what the hell was that?!" Tamahome shouted again.
Tasuki gave him a fierce glare.
Touji sighed, turning to Ren. Nuriko had replaced Tasuki at the blonde's side.
"Maybe you should have just let the thing eat 'em. They're sure ungrateful for having just been saved ya know." He grunted.
Ren shook his head, smiling slightly. "Now Touji, you don't really mean that. And anyway, you know my life's work is to preserve life in any way I can. Even if the recipients of my protection are less that grateful, I'm happy to help out."
Touji crossed his arms over his chest grouchily.
"Whatever Ren. I'll never understand you."
Nuriko looked at Ren in awe. "Even when everyone he risked his life for is against him he still doesn't show anything but kindness to them." His eyes got all puppy-like again. "What a dream!" He grinned.
Miaka poked at Nuriko's arm. "Hey Nuriko-chan? Why are you all starry-eyed and drooling? Did I miss something?"
Nuriko blinked. He narrowed his eyes slightly. "I wasn't drooling!" He shouted indignantly.
"Yeah you were."
"Iie!"
"Yeah huh!"
"Nuh uh!"
"Yeah huh!"
**
Hotohori tapped Ren on the shoulder. He turned around.
"Hai?"
"Why don't we begin?"
"As you wish. Any questions first?"
Chichiri stood beside Hotohori. "Why don't you start by telling us about that thing back there, no da! What was it, no da?"
Ren sighed. "I suppose I should explain about Chaos first."
"Chaos?" Hotohori frowned. "You wrote to me about that in your message, ne? I remember legends about it. A god banished from our world centuries ago because of his misuse of his powers."
"Hai, that's correct. Chaos is the embodiment of utter and complete evil. Darkness in a bottle if you will. He feeds off of the darkness in everyone's hearts. Pain, fear, jealousy, hate, anger, you name it. If it's negative, he exploits it as a weakness. He shows no mercy and takes no hostages. In his eyes, humans are nothing more than temporary batteries. He thrives off the pain of mortals."
"So what is it that he wants? And what was that thing before?" Chiriko asked, ignoring the in-the-middle-of-a-glaring-war Tasuki and Tamahome and the bickering Miaka and Nuriko.
Ren gave them a dead serious look. "His goal is to completely wipe out and annihilate mankind and create a new world of demons and darkness in which evil reigns supreme. That 'thing' you saw a moment ago was a youma. A being born of Chaos with the soul purpose of serving its creator. You see, Chaos sends his minions to collect energy and capture pure hearts."
"So he sends his minions to do his dirty work, ne? Coward." Hotohori frowned.
Ren sighed. "Hai. I suppose he does. That one before was a minority class. A youma easily taken care of."
"That reminds me, no da. What did you mean before when you said it was third class, no da?" Chichiri looked curious.
Ren shrugged. "Easy enough. There are three basic classes of youma. Class three is the fighting class. Mostly composed of mindless beasts that focus completely on physical combat. They are sent on missions to destroy or fight for the most part."
"That makes sense." Chiriko observed.
Ren nodded. "Hai. Next are second-class youma. A more sophisticated bunch with extensive knowledge of spells and curses. Second-class are sent on most missions. They are strong both physically and mentally. Capable of doing a lot of damage. They are often the ones that gather energy for Chaos." Ren glanced toward Touji, who was laughing hysterically at Tamahome and Tasuki wrestling around for something.
He smirked. "Lastly are first-class youma. Creatures bread and trained by Chaos himself. They stand far superior to the other minorities. First-class are capable of thought; they can plan and strategize. They fight with a purpose and that makes them the most lethal of all. They are capable of many things including manipulation of the elements and Chaos has improved on them greatly over these past few years. He's made them more humanoid which ultimately makes them even more dangerous."
"That's all well and good, but how do we kill them?" Tamahome asked. He and Tasuki approached them, Touji still grinning after them.
Ren shrugged. "Several ways. For each of you the technique will be different. That's why I've come. I must take you all to Mount Reikaku where I can train you. In a month we must all be ready to fight Chaos. Tasuki and Touji will be easiest since they are both familiar with youma extermination already. Chaos will be mine to destroy, but there are still many youma to consider. Onegai, come with me to Mount Reikaku and allow me to train you. If you refuse than I fear Chaos will send his minions to dispose of you before he considers you a threat."
Chichiri glanced at the emperor.
"I'll need some time to consult with the others. Why don't you and Tasuki go catch up on old times? This may take a while."
Nuriko popped up behind Ren, bawling his eyes out.
"Ren-chaaaan!! Tell Miaka no Baka that I wasn't drooling!!!"
Everyone sweat-dropped.
"...Rrr...I must speak with Genro. Gomen nasai Nuriko-san."
Nuriko wailed loudly. "Demo!"
Tasuki quickly grabbed Ren by his collar and ran out the doors, Touji hot on their heels.
Everyone stared
"Hurry! Before he gets really upset!" Tasuki's fading voice was heard.
The trio disappeared.
Hotohori shook his head slightly, turning to his fellow seishi with a seriousness about him.
"Minna," He began, "What do you want to do?"
Silence.
Finally... "I say go for it, no da!" Chichiri grinned. "It can only make us stronger, no da!"
Chiriko blushed slightly. "Ne, I must admit that I am inclined to agree. I think we should trust Ren-san. And let him train us."
Nuriko nodded exuberantly. "Hai! Let's do it!"
Miaka grinned as well. "Hai! Hai! Hai! Let's go to Mount Reikaku!"
Tamahome sighed. "Even though I hate to admit it, Chichiri is right. It can only make us stronger. And Ren seems to know what he's talking about."
"Not to mention that he's friends with Tasuki, no da!" Chichiri added.
Hotohori looked at Mitsukake who had remained silent throughout the entire ordeal.
"How about you? What do you think?" Hotohori asked.
Mitsukake shrugged. "I think Ren is trustworthy. He defeated that youma creature before without even breaking a sweat. I'd like to be as well prepared as possible if this Chaos guy is seriously going to attack."
Hotohori nodded curtly. "Very well. It is decided then, when Ren returns with Tasuki, we shall give him our acceptance. Until then though, I suggest we focus on other matters, such as Kutou..."
**********
Ren smiled as Tasuki stroked Starlight's mane.
"He always did like you best." He chuckled, patting the horse's nose.
Tasuki laughed.
"Whatever! So...What's been happenin'?" he grinned easily. There had always been something about Ren that made him feel at ease with himself.
Ren smiled leisurely. "Nothing good I'm afraid. With the rise of Chaos, the high ones are constantly on edge. I fear that the growing tension between Konan and Kutou is the main focus for Chaos."
Tasuki glanced at his old friend, cocking his head to the side.
"Ren?"
"Hai?'
"What happened that night?'
"Nani?"
"The night you left. Where'd you go? And how did you defeat that youma so easily? I only remember you being able to kill in two minutes tops and that was pretty damn good. What sorta training did you go through?"
Ren blinked as fire crackled in his dazzling ocean blues.
*Flashback*
A young blonde stood before the four gods. Suzako stepped forward.
"Crystal Bearer, from this day forth your blood shall run immortal silver. You shall live in our realm in your true form for all eternity. Demo, if ever you return to the mortal plain, you will be subject to the darkness. It is best for you to remain with us where it is safe and Chaos can not reach you."
Seiryuu smiled slightly. "It is an honor to have you as our companion for all eternity and beyond."
*End flashback*
Tasuki flinched as Ren cast him a deadly gaze.
"I went to the high ones and they purged my body of any flaw. They helped me perfect my training and I was granted immense powers and knowledge."
Tasuki looked shocked. "And what are you planning to do now?"
Ren gave him a serious look. "I intend to use my training to its fullest and vanquish Chaos once and for all." He said coldly. "If it comes down to it, I will give my life to ensure that Chaos never reawakens again."
Tasuki couldn't help but shudder at the absolute cold that his friend radiated at that moment. For the first time in his entire life, Tasuki was worried about his friend. Truly and frighteningly worried.
Chapter 5
"Alright Pal, what the fuck is goin' on?!" Tamahome shouted.
Tasuki growled angrily. "Shut up Tamahome! It's not Ren's fault!"
"Well then what the hell was that?!" Tamahome shouted again.
Tasuki gave him a fierce glare.
Touji sighed, turning to Ren. Nuriko had replaced Tasuki at the blonde's side.
"Maybe you should have just let the thing eat 'em. They're sure ungrateful for having just been saved ya know." He grunted.
Ren shook his head, smiling slightly. "Now Touji, you don't really mean that. And anyway, you know my life's work is to preserve life in any way I can. Even if the recipients of my protection are less that grateful, I'm happy to help out."
Touji crossed his arms over his chest grouchily.
"Whatever Ren. I'll never understand you."
Nuriko looked at Ren in awe. "Even when everyone he risked his life for is against him he still doesn't show anything but kindness to them." His eyes got all puppy-like again. "What a dream!" He grinned.
Miaka poked at Nuriko's arm. "Hey Nuriko-chan? Why are you all starry-eyed and drooling? Did I miss something?"
Nuriko blinked. He narrowed his eyes slightly. "I wasn't drooling!" He shouted indignantly.
"Yeah you were."
"Iie!"
"Yeah huh!"
"Nuh uh!"
"Yeah huh!"
**
Hotohori tapped Ren on the shoulder. He turned around.
"Hai?"
"Why don't we begin?"
"As you wish. Any questions first?"
Chichiri stood beside Hotohori. "Why don't you start by telling us about that thing back there, no da! What was it, no da?"
Ren sighed. "I suppose I should explain about Chaos first."
"Chaos?" Hotohori frowned. "You wrote to me about that in your message, ne? I remember legends about it. A god banished from our world centuries ago because of his misuse of his powers."
"Hai, that's correct. Chaos is the embodiment of utter and complete evil. Darkness in a bottle if you will. He feeds off of the darkness in everyone's hearts. Pain, fear, jealousy, hate, anger, you name it. If it's negative, he exploits it as a weakness. He shows no mercy and takes no hostages. In his eyes, humans are nothing more than temporary batteries. He thrives off the pain of mortals."
"So what is it that he wants? And what was that thing before?" Chiriko asked, ignoring the in-the-middle-of-a-glaring-war Tasuki and Tamahome and the bickering Miaka and Nuriko.
Ren gave them a dead serious look. "His goal is to completely wipe out and annihilate mankind and create a new world of demons and darkness in which evil reigns supreme. That 'thing' you saw a moment ago was a youma. A being born of Chaos with the soul purpose of serving its creator. You see, Chaos sends his minions to collect energy and capture pure hearts."
"So he sends his minions to do his dirty work, ne? Coward." Hotohori frowned.
Ren sighed. "Hai. I suppose he does. That one before was a minority class. A youma easily taken care of."
"That reminds me, no da. What did you mean before when you said it was third class, no da?" Chichiri looked curious.
Ren shrugged. "Easy enough. There are three basic classes of youma. Class three is the fighting class. Mostly composed of mindless beasts that focus completely on physical combat. They are sent on missions to destroy or fight for the most part."
"That makes sense." Chiriko observed.
Ren nodded. "Hai. Next are second-class youma. A more sophisticated bunch with extensive knowledge of spells and curses. Second-class are sent on most missions. They are strong both physically and mentally. Capable of doing a lot of damage. They are often the ones that gather energy for Chaos." Ren glanced toward Touji, who was laughing hysterically at Tamahome and Tasuki wrestling around for something.
He smirked. "Lastly are first-class youma. Creatures bread and trained by Chaos himself. They stand far superior to the other minorities. First-class are capable of thought; they can plan and strategize. They fight with a purpose and that makes them the most lethal of all. They are capable of many things including manipulation of the elements and Chaos has improved on them greatly over these past few years. He's made them more humanoid which ultimately makes them even more dangerous."
"That's all well and good, but how do we kill them?" Tamahome asked. He and Tasuki approached them, Touji still grinning after them.
Ren shrugged. "Several ways. For each of you the technique will be different. That's why I've come. I must take you all to Mount Reikaku where I can train you. In a month we must all be ready to fight Chaos. Tasuki and Touji will be easiest since they are both familiar with youma extermination already. Chaos will be mine to destroy, but there are still many youma to consider. Onegai, come with me to Mount Reikaku and allow me to train you. If you refuse than I fear Chaos will send his minions to dispose of you before he considers you a threat."
Chichiri glanced at the emperor.
"I'll need some time to consult with the others. Why don't you and Tasuki go catch up on old times? This may take a while."
Nuriko popped up behind Ren, bawling his eyes out.
"Ren-chaaaan!! Tell Miaka no Baka that I wasn't drooling!!!"
Everyone sweat-dropped.
"...Rrr...I must speak with Genro. Gomen nasai Nuriko-san."
Nuriko wailed loudly. "Demo!"
Tasuki quickly grabbed Ren by his collar and ran out the doors, Touji hot on their heels.
Everyone stared
"Hurry! Before he gets really upset!" Tasuki's fading voice was heard.
The trio disappeared.
Hotohori shook his head slightly, turning to his fellow seishi with a seriousness about him.
"Minna," He began, "What do you want to do?"
Silence.
Finally... "I say go for it, no da!" Chichiri grinned. "It can only make us stronger, no da!"
Chiriko blushed slightly. "Ne, I must admit that I am inclined to agree. I think we should trust Ren-san. And let him train us."
Nuriko nodded exuberantly. "Hai! Let's do it!"
Miaka grinned as well. "Hai! Hai! Hai! Let's go to Mount Reikaku!"
Tamahome sighed. "Even though I hate to admit it, Chichiri is right. It can only make us stronger. And Ren seems to know what he's talking about."
"Not to mention that he's friends with Tasuki, no da!" Chichiri added.
Hotohori looked at Mitsukake who had remained silent throughout the entire ordeal.
"How about you? What do you think?" Hotohori asked.
Mitsukake shrugged. "I think Ren is trustworthy. He defeated that youma creature before without even breaking a sweat. I'd like to be as well prepared as possible if this Chaos guy is seriously going to attack."
Hotohori nodded curtly. "Very well. It is decided then, when Ren returns with Tasuki, we shall give him our acceptance. Until then though, I suggest we focus on other matters, such as Kutou..."
**********
Ren smiled as Tasuki stroked Starlight's mane.
"He always did like you best." He chuckled, patting the horse's nose.
Tasuki laughed.
"Whatever! So...What's been happenin'?" he grinned easily. There had always been something about Ren that made him feel at ease with himself.
Ren smiled leisurely. "Nothing good I'm afraid. With the rise of Chaos, the high ones are constantly on edge. I fear that the growing tension between Konan and Kutou is the main focus for Chaos."
Tasuki glanced at his old friend, cocking his head to the side.
"Ren?"
"Hai?'
"What happened that night?'
"Nani?"
"The night you left. Where'd you go? And how did you defeat that youma so easily? I only remember you being able to kill in two minutes tops and that was pretty damn good. What sorta training did you go through?"
Ren blinked as fire crackled in his dazzling ocean blues.
*Flashback*
A young blonde stood before the four gods. Suzako stepped forward.
"Crystal Bearer, from this day forth your blood shall run immortal silver. You shall live in our realm in your true form for all eternity. Demo, if ever you return to the mortal plain, you will be subject to the darkness. It is best for you to remain with us where it is safe and Chaos can not reach you."
Seiryuu smiled slightly. "It is an honor to have you as our companion for all eternity and beyond."
*End flashback*
Tasuki flinched as Ren cast him a deadly gaze.
"I went to the high ones and they purged my body of any flaw. They helped me perfect my training and I was granted immense powers and knowledge."
Tasuki looked shocked. "And what are you planning to do now?"
Ren gave him a serious look. "I intend to use my training to its fullest and vanquish Chaos once and for all." He said coldly. "If it comes down to it, I will give my life to ensure that Chaos never reawakens again."
Tasuki couldn't help but shudder at the absolute cold that his friend radiated at that moment. For the first time in his entire life, Tasuki was worried about his friend. Truly and frighteningly worried.