Well, here we go again.
Just to let you know, this chapter will be from Merrakai's perspective. Not that you couldn't find that out for yourself.
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~Soldiers of Spirit-The Tensaari Saga~
Chapter 2-Merrakai
"Lemme in, dammit! I need to see my brother!"
I raised my fist to pound on the door again, but it opened before I could. An old doctor in a white coat stared down at me, looking irritated.
"Visiting hours are over, boy. Come back tomorrow," he snapped, and started to close the door.
I shoved past him and into the hall, ignoring his angry yells my way. The old prick thought he could stop me from seeing my brother? Like hell, he could! Other whitecoats shot me curious glances as I walked down the hall, but a few fist clenches their way, and they backed off. Most of 'em had learned by now not to mess with me when I needed to see Hodame. Those that hadn't would learn the hard way.
Pushing open Hodame's door, I walked in quietly and saw my brother lying on his hospital bed, tubes sticking out of his arms and nose. Just looking at him made me want to cry. It was so damn unfair, that a great guy like my brother had to be like this every frickin day, just because some bastard was too drunk to control his car. I stepped up beside the bed, wiping my nose. It wasn't time to be all sissy now.
"Hodame? You ok, bro?"
He turned on his bed to look at me. "Hey, Izuka. Visiting hours are over. Didn't old man Perkins try and stop you?"
I grinned. "So what if he did? I ain't gonna let old pisshead Perkins stop me from checkin up on my big brother. Need anything, man?"
"Nah," he replied. "I'd say I'm pretty well set. Thanks for askin', though." He shrugged, but then I saw him wince with pain. No matter how much he tried to hide it, Hodame was in a damn bad condition. There had to be something I could do to help him. Shit, if Hodame died...I wouldn't have anybody. Our parents were long dead, killed in some stupid skiing mess-up. It seemed the whole frickin' world had it out for my family. They had already taken my parents, but damn it, they were not gonna take Hodame. I'd go to hell before I saw him die.
"All right, then," I said, turning to go. "You need your rest, Hodame. Get some sleep, got it?" He smiled wearily and gave me the thumbs up, but as I left the room, I heard him wince in pain again. It made me wince too.
Trudging down the hall, I thought I might go find someplace to sleep, when I glanced into a room and suddenly stopped, staring at the guy in the bed. Yeah, there was no mistakin' that silver hair. What the hell was Tomo doing here?
I shoved open the door and walked in. "Tomo? Shit, man, how'd you get in here? You ok?"
He looked up, and even though he smiled at me, I could tell that he was hidin' something behind that smile. Just like Hodame. "I'm fine, Merrakai," he said. "I don't really need to be in here at all. The medics just found me passed out in the street."
"What the hell were you doing in the street?" I leaned in, remembering Tomo's question after school. "Not that bastard Seriasko again?"
Tomo's eyes glinted, and he looked over at the next bed real quick, then back at me. "Yeah, Merrakai...it was Seriasko, but I...he..."
I turned to look at the next bed, too. Suddenly I jumped to my feet. "Holy shit! Seriasko! What the hell happened to him? The bastard looks like raw hamburger!" Wheeling around, I looked at Tomo, who gazed at his bed guiltily. "Wait...holy frickin'...you, Tomo?"
He nodded, then glanced up at me. "I...don't really know what happened. He was insulting my family, and it was really pissing me off...and I just started pounding on him. It was like all my anger was giving me a whole lot of strength...and I was glowing with it. Marrakai...I don't know what the hell I did!" He looked angry, and scared as well.
Glowing? What the hell was he talking about? Before I could do anything, the door was pushed open, and a nurse walked in. "Tomogata Ryu?" she asked.
"Yeah," Tomo said quietly. "I'm here."
"This just came for you," she said, laying a weird blue envelope on his nightstand. "I have no idea who sent it." She walked out, closing the door.
Tomo opened the letter slowly, and glanced at it. Something in it must have really creeped him out, because his face went pale and he started to sweat.
"What's up, Tomo? You look like somebody just died." He silently handed the card to me to read. I glanced at the letter, which had some sort of weird symbol at the top above some curvy handwriting that I was sure belonged to none of our teachers.
To Mr. Tomogata Ryu,
We have recently become aware that you are able to channel Spirit energy. You may have already experienced this happening to you in a time of emotional turmoil. There is nothing to be afraid of. You are simply one of the many gifted people around the globe who can learn to use fantastic powers. I must respectfully request that you be present at the bus stop on the corner of Gaski Street on May the 25th at 9:00 A.M. You see, learning to use your body's Spirit energy can be a dangerous and potentially deadly process, requiring the best instructors possibly. Therefore, you have been subsequently admitted to the Tensaari Academy, a training facility for all potential Spirit adepts. This is NOT an optional attendance. I am afraid that your attendance is required. An untaught Spirit adept can have serious damaging repercussions, and we cannot allow you to endanger yourself and others. Arrangements will be made with your family, and you will be allowed visitations once you can control your energy output. More information will be made available to you in due time. We eagerly await your joining us at the Academy.
Respectfully yours, Jirai Urameshi; Overseer of the Tensaari Academy
"What the hell is this?" I yelled, throwing the envelope down on Tomo's bed. "Is this some kinda joke? So these people found out you can use...Spirit whatever, and now they're draggin' you off to some secret school without even askin' you? What's up with that?"
"I think it isn't a joke, Merrakai," Tomo said thoughtfully. "And I also think it's a good idea. Look what happened to Seriasko. If I don't learn to control this, more people could be hurt."
I was about to answer when the door was opened, and the same nurse walked in again. "Izuka Merrakai, come with me, please. It's about your brother."
Cold suddenly gripped me, and I tore out of Tomo's room, past the nurse, and down the hall. "Hodame!" I screamed, barreling into his room.
The scene in there was like one from my nightmares. At least seven doctors were gathered around my brother's bed, shouting stuff at each other and leaning over my brother. Hodame's breathing was ragged, and he was twitching and jerking while the monitor connected to his bed beeped wildly. One of the doctors turned and walked to me, his face grim. "Izuka, your brother is having a seizure. We're doing everything we can, but it doesn't look very good. I'm sorry."
"No!" I screamed, trying to force my way past him. "He can't die! Shit, Hodame, you can't die! No!" This couldn't happen! I couldn't lose Hodame now too! He was the only family I had. Tears running down my face, I collapsed to the floor. Something inside of me was cracking. The wall of toughness, the barrier of strength I kept around me, cracked and shattered, replaced by a crackling, pulsing power I could not name. My sobs vanished. Hodame would not die! I would not let him die!
Standing again, I forced my way to Hodame's bedside, my last tears staining his sheets. Maybe I was crazy, but I felt as though I could help him. The burning power inside me told me I could save him. Placing a hand on his forehead, I screamed silently at the power now coursing through my blood. Do something! Make him live, damn it! Make him live!
In answer, my hand on Hodame's forehead began to glow, brighter and brighter, as waves of my...whatever...flowed into Hodame. His erratic breathing slowed, his twitching, jerking body stopped. Still I fed the pulsing energy into him, on and on until, without realizing, I collapsed onto my knees next to his bed.
The doctors all moved past me, checking Hodame's pulse and his vitals. "I don't believe it!" one of them exclaimed. "Not only is his seizure stopped, but he's...he's completely healed! All the damage he sustained in the accident is...just gone!"
Only paying half-attention to the doctors' surprised shouts, I stared at y body, which was surrounded by some weird, glowy-blue light. "Shit..." I said quietly, then grinned. It looked like Tomogata was going to have some company at that academy.
* * * * * *
Again, please read and review. I always like to hear what you people think about my writing. I'd also like to know what you thought of the different- perspective storyline. Should I do more like it, or is it to confusing? Waiting eagerly for your feedback.
Just to let you know, this chapter will be from Merrakai's perspective. Not that you couldn't find that out for yourself.
* * * * *
~Soldiers of Spirit-The Tensaari Saga~
Chapter 2-Merrakai
"Lemme in, dammit! I need to see my brother!"
I raised my fist to pound on the door again, but it opened before I could. An old doctor in a white coat stared down at me, looking irritated.
"Visiting hours are over, boy. Come back tomorrow," he snapped, and started to close the door.
I shoved past him and into the hall, ignoring his angry yells my way. The old prick thought he could stop me from seeing my brother? Like hell, he could! Other whitecoats shot me curious glances as I walked down the hall, but a few fist clenches their way, and they backed off. Most of 'em had learned by now not to mess with me when I needed to see Hodame. Those that hadn't would learn the hard way.
Pushing open Hodame's door, I walked in quietly and saw my brother lying on his hospital bed, tubes sticking out of his arms and nose. Just looking at him made me want to cry. It was so damn unfair, that a great guy like my brother had to be like this every frickin day, just because some bastard was too drunk to control his car. I stepped up beside the bed, wiping my nose. It wasn't time to be all sissy now.
"Hodame? You ok, bro?"
He turned on his bed to look at me. "Hey, Izuka. Visiting hours are over. Didn't old man Perkins try and stop you?"
I grinned. "So what if he did? I ain't gonna let old pisshead Perkins stop me from checkin up on my big brother. Need anything, man?"
"Nah," he replied. "I'd say I'm pretty well set. Thanks for askin', though." He shrugged, but then I saw him wince with pain. No matter how much he tried to hide it, Hodame was in a damn bad condition. There had to be something I could do to help him. Shit, if Hodame died...I wouldn't have anybody. Our parents were long dead, killed in some stupid skiing mess-up. It seemed the whole frickin' world had it out for my family. They had already taken my parents, but damn it, they were not gonna take Hodame. I'd go to hell before I saw him die.
"All right, then," I said, turning to go. "You need your rest, Hodame. Get some sleep, got it?" He smiled wearily and gave me the thumbs up, but as I left the room, I heard him wince in pain again. It made me wince too.
Trudging down the hall, I thought I might go find someplace to sleep, when I glanced into a room and suddenly stopped, staring at the guy in the bed. Yeah, there was no mistakin' that silver hair. What the hell was Tomo doing here?
I shoved open the door and walked in. "Tomo? Shit, man, how'd you get in here? You ok?"
He looked up, and even though he smiled at me, I could tell that he was hidin' something behind that smile. Just like Hodame. "I'm fine, Merrakai," he said. "I don't really need to be in here at all. The medics just found me passed out in the street."
"What the hell were you doing in the street?" I leaned in, remembering Tomo's question after school. "Not that bastard Seriasko again?"
Tomo's eyes glinted, and he looked over at the next bed real quick, then back at me. "Yeah, Merrakai...it was Seriasko, but I...he..."
I turned to look at the next bed, too. Suddenly I jumped to my feet. "Holy shit! Seriasko! What the hell happened to him? The bastard looks like raw hamburger!" Wheeling around, I looked at Tomo, who gazed at his bed guiltily. "Wait...holy frickin'...you, Tomo?"
He nodded, then glanced up at me. "I...don't really know what happened. He was insulting my family, and it was really pissing me off...and I just started pounding on him. It was like all my anger was giving me a whole lot of strength...and I was glowing with it. Marrakai...I don't know what the hell I did!" He looked angry, and scared as well.
Glowing? What the hell was he talking about? Before I could do anything, the door was pushed open, and a nurse walked in. "Tomogata Ryu?" she asked.
"Yeah," Tomo said quietly. "I'm here."
"This just came for you," she said, laying a weird blue envelope on his nightstand. "I have no idea who sent it." She walked out, closing the door.
Tomo opened the letter slowly, and glanced at it. Something in it must have really creeped him out, because his face went pale and he started to sweat.
"What's up, Tomo? You look like somebody just died." He silently handed the card to me to read. I glanced at the letter, which had some sort of weird symbol at the top above some curvy handwriting that I was sure belonged to none of our teachers.
To Mr. Tomogata Ryu,
We have recently become aware that you are able to channel Spirit energy. You may have already experienced this happening to you in a time of emotional turmoil. There is nothing to be afraid of. You are simply one of the many gifted people around the globe who can learn to use fantastic powers. I must respectfully request that you be present at the bus stop on the corner of Gaski Street on May the 25th at 9:00 A.M. You see, learning to use your body's Spirit energy can be a dangerous and potentially deadly process, requiring the best instructors possibly. Therefore, you have been subsequently admitted to the Tensaari Academy, a training facility for all potential Spirit adepts. This is NOT an optional attendance. I am afraid that your attendance is required. An untaught Spirit adept can have serious damaging repercussions, and we cannot allow you to endanger yourself and others. Arrangements will be made with your family, and you will be allowed visitations once you can control your energy output. More information will be made available to you in due time. We eagerly await your joining us at the Academy.
Respectfully yours, Jirai Urameshi; Overseer of the Tensaari Academy
"What the hell is this?" I yelled, throwing the envelope down on Tomo's bed. "Is this some kinda joke? So these people found out you can use...Spirit whatever, and now they're draggin' you off to some secret school without even askin' you? What's up with that?"
"I think it isn't a joke, Merrakai," Tomo said thoughtfully. "And I also think it's a good idea. Look what happened to Seriasko. If I don't learn to control this, more people could be hurt."
I was about to answer when the door was opened, and the same nurse walked in again. "Izuka Merrakai, come with me, please. It's about your brother."
Cold suddenly gripped me, and I tore out of Tomo's room, past the nurse, and down the hall. "Hodame!" I screamed, barreling into his room.
The scene in there was like one from my nightmares. At least seven doctors were gathered around my brother's bed, shouting stuff at each other and leaning over my brother. Hodame's breathing was ragged, and he was twitching and jerking while the monitor connected to his bed beeped wildly. One of the doctors turned and walked to me, his face grim. "Izuka, your brother is having a seizure. We're doing everything we can, but it doesn't look very good. I'm sorry."
"No!" I screamed, trying to force my way past him. "He can't die! Shit, Hodame, you can't die! No!" This couldn't happen! I couldn't lose Hodame now too! He was the only family I had. Tears running down my face, I collapsed to the floor. Something inside of me was cracking. The wall of toughness, the barrier of strength I kept around me, cracked and shattered, replaced by a crackling, pulsing power I could not name. My sobs vanished. Hodame would not die! I would not let him die!
Standing again, I forced my way to Hodame's bedside, my last tears staining his sheets. Maybe I was crazy, but I felt as though I could help him. The burning power inside me told me I could save him. Placing a hand on his forehead, I screamed silently at the power now coursing through my blood. Do something! Make him live, damn it! Make him live!
In answer, my hand on Hodame's forehead began to glow, brighter and brighter, as waves of my...whatever...flowed into Hodame. His erratic breathing slowed, his twitching, jerking body stopped. Still I fed the pulsing energy into him, on and on until, without realizing, I collapsed onto my knees next to his bed.
The doctors all moved past me, checking Hodame's pulse and his vitals. "I don't believe it!" one of them exclaimed. "Not only is his seizure stopped, but he's...he's completely healed! All the damage he sustained in the accident is...just gone!"
Only paying half-attention to the doctors' surprised shouts, I stared at y body, which was surrounded by some weird, glowy-blue light. "Shit..." I said quietly, then grinned. It looked like Tomogata was going to have some company at that academy.
* * * * * *
Again, please read and review. I always like to hear what you people think about my writing. I'd also like to know what you thought of the different- perspective storyline. Should I do more like it, or is it to confusing? Waiting eagerly for your feedback.