Deai 2

Part iv

Was it a good idea to come here after all? Ryuukitsu looked pensively at the chair that Fugen sat in a few hours ago. I may not find what I seek, but there's a definite chance that I may lose what I have.

Past

Sometimes we must be cruel to ourselves and not indulge our self-pity.

The snow had finally stopped. Hiko searched furiously for Nataku, leaving deep, complaining footprints in the new snow.

"Yo." If Hiko had not expected his son to pop up behind him out of nowhere as Nataku usually did, he would be two feet in the air. Presently, he only jumped one foot.

Turning around with a prepared lecture, Hiko's voice was instantly sealed by the sight of a child lying in Nataku's extended arms.

"Found him in the snow."

Without another word, Hiko quickly placed the wool jacket he had originally intended for Nataku on the shaking body of the child and proceeded to take him home along with his son.

"Don't do that again!"

"Don't do what?" Nataku shrugged.

Don't make me worry like that again…. Hiko thought to himself, but kept silent.

***

Fugen announced himself cheerfully by poking his head into the house. The four others stood behind him.

Ryuukitsu ran over and took him tightly into her arms, ignoring Kihatsu and Bukichi's gaping mouths. Since they were about the same height, her cheeks pressed against his gently. Youzen's eyes brightened momentarily with a fierce light. Taikoubou looked around and yawned. He spent the entirety of last night staring at a face dimly lit by an inborn light. Right now he would love to find a bed and collapse into it.

Finally pulling Fugen out of her embrace, Ryuukitsu examined him for damage. "Do you feel all right?" She said worriedly.

Fugen nodded with a huge grin and motioned toward the four boys standing in the back.

Understanding, Ryuukitsu called for the others to enter the house.

"Thank you for taking care of Fugen." Ryuukitsu said gently as she placed a cup of tea in front of the boys. "I would had worried myself to death had I not known you boys would take care of him." She sat down on a chair next to the dining table. Fugen sat next to her.

"It was nothing." Well, nothing I did anyway, Kihatsu thought. "But Ryuukitsu-sensei…." Kihatsu found it a bit hard to speak to his "goddess." He just wanted to run over and drool at her feet for eternity.

"What Kihatsu meant to say was," Bukichi was the one with the straightforward mouth and brain. "We are really curious as to your relationship with Fugen-senpai." Bukichi's smile widened with interest and pride that he finally spoke what was on everyone's mind.

"Ho ho ho… perhaps I should be the one to explain it." A chain of laughter brought out the face behind them as Dakki walked down from the second floor.

A wave of panic washed over Taikoubou's lazy expression as his face paled. But before he could "excuse himself," Dakki floated gracefully over to where he sat and placed an insistent hand on his shoulder, forcing him into his chair. Dakki proceed to sit down on the armrest and place her arm around Taikoubou's stiffened body.

"It's certainly a long story isn't it, Ryu-chan?"

Ryuukitsu covered her brighter than normal smile as she witnessed Taikoubou's uneasiness.

"Well, it started more than three years ago when I was searching for a good pet for Ryu-chan's graduation present. Since Ryu-chan was going to move to Konron province to teach at KU, I thought a pet could keep her company."

"But… who are you…." Kihatsu's expression was that of a hungry little puppy, waiting for his master to pet on his head. In fact, he almost stuck his head under Dakki's arms.

"Ho ho ho, no interruptions, little puppy." Dakki winked at Kihatsu, who instantly dropped of into delirium. Everyone else except Fugen and Bukichi hugged their forehead with a silent sigh.

"Well now, let's continue." Dakki proclaimed cheerfully. Ryuukitsu smiled. It was probably time for them to hear this. She took Fugen's hand into hers, rubbing it gently. Fugen smiled back at her.

"So, as I was saying. I was searching for a pet for Ryu-chan, but none of the little animals at the pet shop were a match for my elegant roommate.

"In deep disappointment, I started back home. But all of a sudden, as if destined by fate, I heard a low whimpering coming from the side of my apartment building. When I went to investigate, look what treasure I came up with!" She gestured in the direction of Fugen, who tiled his head and gave her a smile of peaceful sweetness.

"What a darling!" The ever present sharp light in Dakki's eyes softened for a moment, just as when she first found him shivering in that dark corner.

"He had apparently lost his memory. No matter what I asked him, he just gave me that blank look and sweet smile." Her eyes darkened again. "I knew that if I had left him like that, he would be swallowed up by the neighborhood goons in no time. Then! I realized I had found the perfect solution to my problem! I will present this adorable pet to Ryu-chan, giving her a companion and him a home at the same time!" Dakki concluded proudly.

The four boys stared a her with their mouths hanging open. This woman gave her roommate and best friend a boy she found on the streets as a gift!?

"Oh no!" Bukichi's voice yanked everyone back into reality. "I forgot to tell my mother that I'm safe. She must be worried to death. Kihatsu-senpai, you have to come with me to help me explain what happened!" Without waiting for an answer, he dragged a struggling Kihatsu out the door.

Perhaps this means those two are not meant to be part of this matter, Dakki thought, looking at the phone that felt probably indignant that its purpose to humanity was ignored. Well, it's for the best. There's no reason to drag more people into this business.

Ryuukitsu giggled and continued after the smoke left by Bukichi and Kihatsu's sudden departure subsided. "I loved my present." She looked at Fugen. "Though he couldn't remember anything, I could feel that he has a peerless spirit and heart. I was very happy to take him in and raise him as a brother. He was only fifteen at the time we found him."

"So he has lived with you for three years?" A strange light sparkled in Taikoubou's eyes. "Has he said anything that would lead to finding his family?" He looked at Ryuukitsu expectantly.

Ryuukitsu's lips stiffened. "He cannot speak." Her voice was almost consumed by bitter pain. "I only found the name 'Fugen' sewn on his shirt. He had blood on the side of his head when Dakki brought him to me, but the doctor said that the loss of his speech skills was not due to his injuries. His high intelligence did not seem to be affected, so I took him with me to KU. To my surprise, they accepted him, someone with a blank background, into the school. I've tried many ways, but there had been no improvements in his memory or speech." Ryuukitsu sighed deeply.

Fugen patted her hand and smiled, telling her that he was very happy where he was. His eyes twinkled. Ryuukitsu smiled back. In these past years, they had become dependent on each other, though she knew deep inside her that Fugen would probably leave her one day. She enjoyed every moment they spent together, just because Fugen was such a pleasure to be with. But her regret that that she had never been able to see through to his heart, though it seemed that he always knew what she was thinking. Outwardly she was the older and mature one, but he was actually the spiritual pillar of their little "family." If not for him, she would not have had the guts to bear with her secret all these years.

Feeling a strangely sour feeling rising from within him as he watched Ryuukitsu and Fugen and oblivious of the fact that two of his group had disappeared, Taikoubou started to stand up from where he was, only to be pressed down again by Dakki. Lifting his head, a feeling of dread rose from his heart.

"My dearest nephew! Stop looking at me like that!"

Taikoubou darted a few daggers toward Dakki with his glance, all of which Dakki ducked graciously.

"Now now dearie, you don't want me to tell your father where you are do you?" Dakki smiled a little bit too cheerfully.

A moment of stupor crossed Fugen's face, but his smile was brighter than ever. Youzen sat dumbfounded for the first time at the unexpected turn of events.



***

Discover life in an empty box,

Discover self in an abandoned temple.

Preview: Poor Bou-chan, wait, that's not right! Why's he enjoying himself so much!? Identity of the boy Nataku saved and FINALLY what Nataku and Hiko have to do with the main story line. Bunchuu? Haha.. wait another chapter!

A's Babblin:

Why Hiko and Nataku? Hehe… just an experimentation. Poor Ka Shi… ::hides from angry crowd::

By the way, since this is a long series and I'm posting it as I write, there will very likely be mistakes or inconsistencies or things that I forget to explain. Keep in mind (if there's anyone reading this ficcie) that if you ever spot something to PLEASE email me. Thankies!

Anyway, we're finally getting into some plot here. ::crowd rolls eyes:: But I still didn't get around to explaining Youzen and Ryuukitsu's "secrets." But c'mon, at this point, you should KNOW, as the Houshin experts that you all are, what their goal/secret is. =P Ok ok ok, I know I've been dragging it on for a while, but this story asked for time to develop itself. ::story kicks Aka:: Uhh… but how do you feel… now that you know I've made Fugen unable to speak? WAHHH…. ::Aka drops to ground with various sharp objects in her limp body::

I…can… explain… this… ::Aka faints::