Hi there! Sorry it took so long, but I'm back now with a whole new chapter!
Thank you for your patience and reviews! Please keep the inspiration level
up, up, up! The last chappie was sad, but this one will be...Well, that's
your opinion! I hope everyone likes it and reviews for it because it'll be
a while till the next one! Till then, later! READ ON!
Ice Meets Wind 8: Sorrowful Reunion
There was a rustle in the bushes. It startled the small creature in the clearing, causing it to stop moving. It smelled like something that was out of place; the scent gave off a warning. That was all it took. A spray of bullets flew out of the bushes and tore through the little creature. It was dead before it realized it.
The bushes rustled once more before a relatively short, human-looking demon emerged. He walked calmly over to the creature and examined it closely.
"A baby yafonda, not bad shape," he muttered, turning it over to examine its back. "Clean slices. Very good, I can use this." The demon picked up the deer-like creature and walked calmly out of the clearing.
Behind him, the bullets that missed the target melted into the ground. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Sensei, I brought dinner." The short demon walked into a cave and dropped the yafonda on the ground. "You asleep, Sensei?" He wandered farther back into the cave and turned into a nook in the wall.
"Touya?" a form struggled to sit up on the floor of the cave nook. "Good, you're back."
"Sensei! Don't move!" Touya ran over to Shirikubo's side. "I'll bring you some food! Just, don't move, OK?"
"Ah, yes. Now that you are full grown, you are going to take care of me." Shirikubo coughed. It was a retching cough that shook his whole body. The cough scared Touya.
"Don't move, dinner will be ready shortly." Touya laid Shirikubo back down and re-covered him with the blanket. He then exited the nook to make dinner.
Firewood was thrown in a haphazard pile on he floor. As much as Touya detested fire, he had to cook the food. Well, actually, yafonda is better when eaten raw. But Touya had to keep is mind off his master. And yet, as the food sizzled in the fire and he chopped up some medicinal plants, the thought kept entering his mind. No matter how much he denied it, it was the truth. Shirikubo was dying.
Touya absently ran his hands over his face to prevent any moisture from forming. No more gems shall be shed. More than enough had fallen ever since witnessing his family's slaughter. He couldn't stand to lose the only other person that had ever cared about him..
He shook his head quickly. 'Enough of that!' he thought. 'The food's ready. All he needs to do is eat. Yes, that is all...' Touya poked the fully cooked yafonda with a stick and placed it on a bowl hewn out of rock. Sprinkling the medicinal plants on top of it, Touya decided that it would have to do. Standing up slowly as not to spill, he started back to the nook where his master was withering away.
"Sensei, here's your food. Best if you eat up." Touya carefully set down the bowl and then backed off respectfully.
"Now, now, Touya." Shirikubo said wearily, beckoning Touya over. "Come here. It's time for another talk." Touya cautiously moved forward; slowly at first, but with his master's constant gesturing sat beside him. Shirikubo smiled slightly. "Always the respectful and quiet one," he muttered, then began to eat slowly. After about five minutes of uncomfortable silence, Touya spoke.
"Uh...What did you want to speak to me about?" Touya asked curiously, remembering the last time the two of them had a talk. They walked into the woods and spoke of a bright future. When he, Touya, became a full-fledged Ice Master, he would join the Shinobi. However, in order for this to occur, he had to leave his best friend behind without so much as a good-bye. Just thinking about that day was more than enough to make a lump rise in his throat.
"Ah, yes. Forgive an old man's memory." Then Shirikubo chuckled, "Or rather, an old demon's memory. I wanted to tell you something like a final request."
Touya remained motionless yet felt the beginnings of tears sting his eyes. "And what is that , Sensei? You still have plenty of time left..." He allowed his voice to trail off.
Shirikubo chuckled again slightly. "I know my time is short. Don't deny it. Touya, I wish to see Kyoko one last time. Shirikubo looked past Touya and into the depths of the cave, or as much as he could see, very deep in thought. "I sense his time grows short as well."
That information surprised Touya. He always remembered Kyoko as a hyper active,, always cheery Wind Master. Imagining him in the same state as Shirikubo...Touya just didn't want to. He didn't want to admit that the few people he knew and grew close to were dying. Recovering as quickly as possible, Touya replied, "As you wish. When do you want to go?"
"In the morning. I need my rest."
Then Touya bowed respectfully, gathered the bowl and utensils and left the nook. Once out of the aged hearing of the master, he collapsed against the wall.
"I have to face him again..." He muttered. Touya closed his eyes and leaned his head against the wall. He did not want morning to come. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The following morning and several mornings after that the former pupil and master made their way to the cabin in the middle of the forest. Progress was slow, mainly because Shirikubo had to stop frequently to rest. They journeyed on a path long forgotten by other demons, yet remembered vividly by the two of them.
"Sensei, we're almost there," Touya said, guiding Shirikubo around several broken branches and fallen trees. He was so intent with his work that he failed to hear the soft whooshing noise from above him. Touya also did not notice the large, bright blue eyes starring at him from a tree branch high above. Touya continued to guide his master along the forgotten path, focusing only on getting Shirikubo to the cabin to lay down.
After several moments of guiding, Touya and Shirikubo finally reached the cabin grounds. It was just as Touya remembered it; sitting on top of a small hill. However, when Touya had last been at the cabin it had been winter and the hill was covered in snow. It was spring now, and the hill was covered in grass and small flowers. Touya would have stopped and admired the beauty if he had time for it. He continued to lead Shirikubo up the hill and into the house.
When Touya opened the front door it squeaked slightly from lack of use. He looked around the entryway, yet saw no other signs of life. "Sensei, are you sure he's here?" Touya asked, confused about the lack of life in the house.
"Yes, but he is sleeping. Take me to the nearest bedroom. I need to sleep for a while."
Touya did as he was commanded and took Shirikubo to the first bedroom on the right. Once he opened the door to the room, a wave of memories swept over Touya. This was the room he had stayed in centuries before; the time he had left his best friend, only friend, behind. Yet Touya remembered it all vividly, almost too much so. Shirikubo had came to him before the sun had even risen to wake him up. Shirikubo made Touya throw all of his belongings into a bag and then sneak out the front door onto the snowy slope. The door had never squeaked that early morning. That had been the last time he, Touya, had ever seen this cabin. Or near his best friend, the apprentice to Kyoko.
Touya shook his head. 'No time for this!' he mentally slapped himself. Carefully, he helped Shirikubo into the bed and pulled the covers up over him. After checking to make sure he was all right, Touya walked out of the room and shut the door a quietly as he could. Turning, he headed out he door again; almost running as to not be overwhelmed by the memories of a time long past. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Touya walked around the outside of the building, surveying the area. Nothing seemed to have changes. Almost everything was exactly as it had been before he left. Almost, minus a certain half-demon. Sighing Touya flopped back onto the grass and looked up at the sky. He almost drifted into a doze when a solid punch sent him rolling down the hill.
Before Touya came to a stop he rolled into an upright position and sculpted a sword out of the ice on his arm. Looking around angrily, Touya tried to spot his attacker. After several tense seconds, he brought himself to call out, "Who's there?!" When no one responded, Touya tried it again. "Who's there? Show yourself!"
"I'll sure as hell tell you who's there!" came a voice thick with and Irish accent. It seemed to be coming from above, so Touya looked up.
Hovering in the air a good twenty feet or more above Touya's head was young demon sitting in the air, not hair moving on his head. The demon looked almost human, a young human at that, if he hadn't had extremely large and pointed ears poking out from under his shaggy, brilliant red hair. His eyes were bright blue, and exceptionally bright blue, and he wore just a pair of baggy pants; no shoes and no shirt. "What the hell are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in the world of the frozen hearted?" the red head shouted, folding his arms cross his chest.
"That voice," Touya whispered, backing up slightly to get a better look at the demon. "Jin, that you?" The ice sword that had been on Touya's arm melted right off.
"Bloody hell!" Jin said, slapping a hand to his heart as he swooned over-dramatically. "He remembered my name! And now what brings the deserter back to the deserted?" Jin floated slowly down to just inches above the ground. His large blue eyes stared back into Touya's pupil-less, icy blue ones. Jin tapped his foot impatiently into thin air. "Well? Do I have to punch you again to make you speak?"
"Uh..." Touya was at a loss for words. It was true, he had abandoned Jin; he should've expected this kind of reaction. After all the hell he had probably put Jin through, the red head deserved the truth of at least the situation at hand. Swallowing, Touya prepared to tell the truth about Shirikubo's problem; at the same time, he was going to admit it to himself. "Shirikubo had a last request and I honored it," Touya said, trying to keep his face emotionless. Only his eyes betrayed his true feelings. Jin noticed immediately.
"So, he's dying then," Jin whispered, landing with a soft hump on the rolling green lawn with both feet. All the anger seemed to disappear from his eyes in that moment. "Kyoko too. Only reason I left him was because the wind spoke of intruders. I had to investigate."
"Oh, so you're a full-fledged wind master now." Touya forced a small smile onto his face. "After all that time, of course you would be."
"Kyoko insisted I stay for the full power transfer and everything, no matter what," Jin said evenly. "Even though I tried to run away and find you on several occasions." The bite returned to Jin's voice at the phrase.
Touya sighed, trying to ignore the angry stare once again directed at him. "I had no choice. You were just starting your training, and both Shirikubo and I thought it best if we left the two of you alone. WE were going to come back...just never got around to it." As he looked up at Jin, an exhaustion began to sweep over Touya. "So much to do, and with no time to waste. It took me fifty years just to master how to make my own ice. I've only been an official ice master for less than five years." Touya's voice was quiet. As he spoke he sank to the ground, eventually laying down and closing his eyes.
"I take it you're tired," Jin said slowly, poking Touya with a long grass blade.
"Yeah," Touya still had is eyes closed, but he knew what Jin must be doing. Poking him with a long blade of grass while munching on another blade at the same time. "Been taking care of Shirikubo constantly."
"Ditto." Jin muttered. Touya could feel Jin flop onto the ground next to himself on the sloping lawn. "Kyoko sleeps constantly and when he does wake up he's too weak to do anything."
"First thing Shirikubo asked for was a place to sleep. I put him in my old room. Hope you don't mind."
"You put him there because it was closest to the door," Jin said into the grass. Touya guessed Jin was lying face down. "Kyoko's across the hall for the same reasons." Touya heard a slight shuffling noise and opened his eyes. Jin was sitting up among the grass, eyes closed in concentration.
"What's wrong?" Touya asked, struggling to sit up. Exhaustion was almost fully taken over his body now, he could barely move.
"Kyoko's awake. I better get him some food." Jin stood up and walked a few steps to the house, then turned. "You look like you haven't eaten in days. Come on, I'll get you something too." Jin offered a hand to Touya, who gladly accepted it. Bracing himself as to not fall, Touya let Jin lead him into the house. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Jin opened the kitchen door quietly and led Touya to a chair at the table. He let Touya collapse gratefully onto the chair before going to the cupboards to get the food.
Ever since Kyoko's strength had begun to fade, Jin was the one who flew to town for the groceries. As a result, the cupboards were stocked more than ever before. Reaching up into one of the several cabinets, Jin pulled down all the necessary ingredients to a make the demon version of a very human dish. Long ago, shortly after he had began to train under Kyoko, Jin had thrown together some leftover meat with vegetables and baked it. A, different, version of a meat pie from Ireland. Kyoko loved it, and had asked for it ever since. Jin had developed many variations over he years, and the one he gave to Kyoko now had some pain-relieving plants in it; certainly not meant to be eaten by a healthy person.
"Touya, what're your favorite foods?" Jin asked the ice master nonchalantly.
"Huh?" Touya looked up at Jin with a slightly dazed look. "Oh...Bikan berries, Topufoo and yafonda meat," he replied wearily. Jin looked sorrowfully at Touya as the shorter demon fell back into his slight doze.
"I'll make you that food after I feed Kyoko. You just sleep now, OK?" Jin got to work preparing Kyoko's medicinal pie along with Touya's After so much practice over the years, it took him only a few minutes to prepare all that was needed.
Jin first made the crusts and baked them for a few moments. As they were baking, he put two pots on the stove and boiled water in them with which the filling would be made. It didn't' take very long to get the stews ready; same with the crusts. No a very hard meal, but most, if not all, demons had never heard of it.
"Here," Jin said, putting Touya's food in front of him. Touya looked up with the dazed look on his face again and slowly poked the pie with a spoon Jin had handed to him. "You eat it. All your favorite foods are in it. That's why I asked you what your favorite foods were."
"But what about Kyoko's food?" Touya asked, still no touching the pie. "I thought you had to feed him."
"Yeah, but hey! He can't eat anything hot anymore. Got to wait for it to cool down." The Jin grinned, "But hopefully since you're an ice master eating hot food won't melt you!" Jin was still grinning even after Touya rolled his eyes.
"Bad joke," Touya muttered. Finally, after staring at his pie for several moments under Jin's stare, Touya decided to try the strange concoction. He took his spoon and slowly lifted some crust and filling into his mouth. Touya chewed for a bit before swallowing. "That's surprisingly good, considering you made it."
Jin hovered over to Touya and slapped him across the back of the head. "Thank you so much for the compliment," Jin said airily and sarcastically. He folded his legs up close to his body and flipped over in front of Touya. "Hi-yo!" He twiddled his fingers right in front of Touya's nose.
"Is this a hobby of yours?" Touya somehow managed to ask while chewing and swallowing. He hadn't stopped eating since the first bite, and not even Jin hovering in front of his nose could stop him now.
"Yep!" Jin flipped right-side up and glided back to his seat. "Don't like to walk if I can help it! I should take you for a fly sometime..." His voice trailed off as Touya became incredibly pale. "Huh? What's up?"
"I just don't..." Touya looked away and then quickly changed the subject. "The other pie should be cool by now. Best take I to Kyoko. I'll check in on Shirikubo." And then Touya pushed his chair away from the table and hurried o Shirikubo's room leaving a very confused Jin behind.
"O-OK..." Jin said cautiously before picking u the other meat pie and hovering over to Kyoko's room.
Jin quietly opened the door to the room with a small burst of wind; it had never been fully shut. Looking around, he saw that Kyoko was already awake and sitting up in the bed watching him. Kyoko's liquid eyes still held the same light as before, but the light was slowly getting duller. Even his hair had lost its shine. NO longer young, Kyoko was in every aspect and old demon near his death bed. Living for over one thousand years is old to any demon, most don't make it past two hundred.
"Hi, I brought food." Jin hovered over to the side table by the bed and set the food down. Once he was certain it wouldn't fall, he plopped onto the bed next to his old master. "So, how do you feel today?"
"Better, better. I know Shiri and Touya arrived. How are they?" Kyoko's voice was like gravel, but still retained the British accent Jin had come to know so well.
"I haven't seen Shiri yet, but I have seen Touya."
"How is he? I recall him being such a small demon last time I saw him, not that powerful as well."
"His height hasn't changed much. But I can sense that he is stronger than before," Jin muttered, putting his elbows on his knees. "His attitude changed to. Can't describe it now."
"It's because he is now an ice master." Kyoko said wisely. "Pass me the pie, I'm hungry."
Jin did as he was told and waited several minuets in silence as Kyoko ate his food. When the quiet became too much, Jin spoke up, "What do you mean? About his attitude, that is."
Kyoko stopped in mid-chew and then thoughtfully swallowed. "Well, he's like the ice now. Can be sparkly and upbeat but at the same time cold and unmoving. The same happened to you. "Kyoko laughed at Jin's indignant look. "Yes, it has happened to you. Jin, you are now as carefree as the wind, but when pushed too far you become just as dangerous. A breeze in the summer is refreshing, but an all-out tornado can kill. It's very simple." Kyoko finished his explanation and went back to eating.
Jin pondered over those words and finally decided that he was confused and to make his head stop hurting no more thought would be put into those words. HE shook his head slightly, sighed and flopped back onto the pillows by Kyoko. "Before you say anything," Jin cut Kyoko off as soon as Kyoko had opened his mouth. "Let me guess: I'll get it someday, right?"
"Very good." Kyoko placed the now-empty pie plate and utensils in front of him on the bed. "Mow, how about listening to an old man banter about last requests?"
Jin's ears perked up slightly at those words, but other than that he stayed the same as before, lying on the bed next to Kyoko. "Come on; I'm listening."
"I can tell." Kyoko flicked Jin on the ear before continuing. "You said Shiri is here, correct? My request is that you put me and him in the same room. I believe we'd both like to see each other in our final moments."
"A-all right. I'll talk to Shiri and Touya. You stay here and rest." Jin walked out of the room and out the door as if nothing was wrong. But there was one thing that gave him away. He walked out of the room. He never walked if he could help it; unless he was very down, of course. Shutting the door behind him with a click, Jin sunk to the floor of the hall and stayed there, not moving a muscle.
"Jin, you OK?" Jin lifted his head off his knees and looked up at Touya. Touya had a look of extreme concern on his face which Jin simply couldn't ignore.
"Yeah...yeah. I'm all right." Jin tried to give one of his customary grins but failed. "How's Shiri doing?
"I believe he's fine, but he wants to talk to Kyoko. I told his he could after some more rest." Touya crossed his arms and leaned against the wall, closing his eyes.
"What a coincidence," Jin said in dry sarcasm. Touya opened his eyes and looked down at his friend. "Kyoko asked for the same thing."
"Shirikubo can barely walk now, Jin! How can they see each other if they can't even move?" All this was starting to become too much for Touya. He threw his arms up in the air in an exasperated way. Slowly, Touya sunk down to the floor, eventually coming to a sitting position by Jin. "I don't like the fact they're dying," he muttered, leaning his head against the wall once more.
"I can move Shiri with my wind. Kyoko's bones have become fragile, you can break them just by poking them. I say I can move Shiri across the hall as long as he's up for it." Jin said it all with confidence to make sure Touya would trust him. It worked...sort of.
'If you drop him, I'll kill you. And you will not complain," Touya said, getting up and walking back into Shirikubo's room. "I'll tell him now. Best we get them together soon."
Jin nodded and went back into Kyoko's room. In the corner was the extra bed frame for the house, just in case anything broke or there were too many guests over. Summoning up a bit of wind, Jin constructed the frame, with Kyoko's instructions, of course. It took only a few minutes for it to be completely set up, and then it was ready to be used.
Nodding in approval, and receiving a thankful smile form Kyoko, Jin went back into the hallway to wait for Touya's affirmative. He tapped his foot impatiently while he waited. Jin was not patient by nature and after only a grand total of five seconds went into Shirikubo's room to get him. In his impatience, Jin failed to knock. The sight shocked him beyond words.
Shirikubo was lying on the bed while Touya was picking up some things that seemed to have fallen out of a bag. The Shirikubo Jin had always remembered had long, very shiny and vibrant hair and a wonderfully pale skin tone that matched his personality perfectly. The Shirikubo lying on the bed in front of him had n almost green complexion and hair had lost all shine; it even seemed to be falling out a little. Jin just stood there in the doorway with his mouth open slightly. Touya either didn't notice him or ignored him, but Shirikubo was the firs to see Jin. He struggled up in bed and gave the red head a small smile.
"Why, hello Jin! It's been a while, hasn't it?" Shirikubo's voice was tired but still had an almost icy quality to it. "You seem to have grown up well."
"Y-yes sir." Jin stuttered then bowed his head respectively. Touya took that opportunity to explain what was going on to Shirikubo. The old ninja listened carefully to the plan and then nodded.
"Sounds good. Oh, and Jin?" Jin looked up and met Shirikubo' dull gaze. "If you do drop me you will have two very pissed demons, not just one."
Jin gulped at the prospect of having two ice masters after his hide. It wasn't very encouraging. Slowly, he nodded his head and spoke. "I won't drop anyone. What makes you think that?"
Touya gave a short laugh and then walked past Jin into the hallway. "I'm dropping some things off in Kyoko's room. You don't move."
Jin made a face at Touya's retreating back, but a wise voice stopped him from going all out. "Glad to see you haven't changed greatly over the years, Jin."
"Well, I try," Jin said coyly as he turned to face Shirikubo. He let his face break into a grin. "Good to have you two back. Been to quiet lately. By lately I mean two centuries."
"I see that the demon in you has let you stop aging," Shirikubo stated, looking Jin over from the bed. "I was curious o see a to how that was going to work out. Whether you'd age and die at the time a human would or live as long as Kyoko and me."
"But nothing lasts forever, huh?"
Shirikubo shook his head. "No. Nothing ever does."
Touya re-entered the room at that every moment. "OK, everything's set up. Jin, get ready to move him."
"You got it and I won't drop him," Jin said, summoning up a small portion of wind. He carefully commanded the wind to lift up Shirikubo, float him across the hallway, and set him down in the new bed next to Kyoko. Touya had followed Jin the entire time, keeping a close eye on Shirikubo's level off the ground. When Touya was satisfied with the move, he pulled some blankets up over his master and left Kyoko and Shirikubo alone for a long talk.
"There, see?" Jin said cheerfully, hovering slightly above the ground in the hallway. Touya rolled his eyes at Jin and sat down on the floor. "I told you I wouldn't drop him and I didn't!"
"Yeah," Touya's voice was low and quiet. "You came through.
"Yep! And now it's just the two of us."
"Yeah," Touya turned his head and looked out the window. "Soon it'll just be the two of us."
Review so you find out what happens.
Ice Meets Wind 8: Sorrowful Reunion
There was a rustle in the bushes. It startled the small creature in the clearing, causing it to stop moving. It smelled like something that was out of place; the scent gave off a warning. That was all it took. A spray of bullets flew out of the bushes and tore through the little creature. It was dead before it realized it.
The bushes rustled once more before a relatively short, human-looking demon emerged. He walked calmly over to the creature and examined it closely.
"A baby yafonda, not bad shape," he muttered, turning it over to examine its back. "Clean slices. Very good, I can use this." The demon picked up the deer-like creature and walked calmly out of the clearing.
Behind him, the bullets that missed the target melted into the ground. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Sensei, I brought dinner." The short demon walked into a cave and dropped the yafonda on the ground. "You asleep, Sensei?" He wandered farther back into the cave and turned into a nook in the wall.
"Touya?" a form struggled to sit up on the floor of the cave nook. "Good, you're back."
"Sensei! Don't move!" Touya ran over to Shirikubo's side. "I'll bring you some food! Just, don't move, OK?"
"Ah, yes. Now that you are full grown, you are going to take care of me." Shirikubo coughed. It was a retching cough that shook his whole body. The cough scared Touya.
"Don't move, dinner will be ready shortly." Touya laid Shirikubo back down and re-covered him with the blanket. He then exited the nook to make dinner.
Firewood was thrown in a haphazard pile on he floor. As much as Touya detested fire, he had to cook the food. Well, actually, yafonda is better when eaten raw. But Touya had to keep is mind off his master. And yet, as the food sizzled in the fire and he chopped up some medicinal plants, the thought kept entering his mind. No matter how much he denied it, it was the truth. Shirikubo was dying.
Touya absently ran his hands over his face to prevent any moisture from forming. No more gems shall be shed. More than enough had fallen ever since witnessing his family's slaughter. He couldn't stand to lose the only other person that had ever cared about him..
He shook his head quickly. 'Enough of that!' he thought. 'The food's ready. All he needs to do is eat. Yes, that is all...' Touya poked the fully cooked yafonda with a stick and placed it on a bowl hewn out of rock. Sprinkling the medicinal plants on top of it, Touya decided that it would have to do. Standing up slowly as not to spill, he started back to the nook where his master was withering away.
"Sensei, here's your food. Best if you eat up." Touya carefully set down the bowl and then backed off respectfully.
"Now, now, Touya." Shirikubo said wearily, beckoning Touya over. "Come here. It's time for another talk." Touya cautiously moved forward; slowly at first, but with his master's constant gesturing sat beside him. Shirikubo smiled slightly. "Always the respectful and quiet one," he muttered, then began to eat slowly. After about five minutes of uncomfortable silence, Touya spoke.
"Uh...What did you want to speak to me about?" Touya asked curiously, remembering the last time the two of them had a talk. They walked into the woods and spoke of a bright future. When he, Touya, became a full-fledged Ice Master, he would join the Shinobi. However, in order for this to occur, he had to leave his best friend behind without so much as a good-bye. Just thinking about that day was more than enough to make a lump rise in his throat.
"Ah, yes. Forgive an old man's memory." Then Shirikubo chuckled, "Or rather, an old demon's memory. I wanted to tell you something like a final request."
Touya remained motionless yet felt the beginnings of tears sting his eyes. "And what is that , Sensei? You still have plenty of time left..." He allowed his voice to trail off.
Shirikubo chuckled again slightly. "I know my time is short. Don't deny it. Touya, I wish to see Kyoko one last time. Shirikubo looked past Touya and into the depths of the cave, or as much as he could see, very deep in thought. "I sense his time grows short as well."
That information surprised Touya. He always remembered Kyoko as a hyper active,, always cheery Wind Master. Imagining him in the same state as Shirikubo...Touya just didn't want to. He didn't want to admit that the few people he knew and grew close to were dying. Recovering as quickly as possible, Touya replied, "As you wish. When do you want to go?"
"In the morning. I need my rest."
Then Touya bowed respectfully, gathered the bowl and utensils and left the nook. Once out of the aged hearing of the master, he collapsed against the wall.
"I have to face him again..." He muttered. Touya closed his eyes and leaned his head against the wall. He did not want morning to come. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The following morning and several mornings after that the former pupil and master made their way to the cabin in the middle of the forest. Progress was slow, mainly because Shirikubo had to stop frequently to rest. They journeyed on a path long forgotten by other demons, yet remembered vividly by the two of them.
"Sensei, we're almost there," Touya said, guiding Shirikubo around several broken branches and fallen trees. He was so intent with his work that he failed to hear the soft whooshing noise from above him. Touya also did not notice the large, bright blue eyes starring at him from a tree branch high above. Touya continued to guide his master along the forgotten path, focusing only on getting Shirikubo to the cabin to lay down.
After several moments of guiding, Touya and Shirikubo finally reached the cabin grounds. It was just as Touya remembered it; sitting on top of a small hill. However, when Touya had last been at the cabin it had been winter and the hill was covered in snow. It was spring now, and the hill was covered in grass and small flowers. Touya would have stopped and admired the beauty if he had time for it. He continued to lead Shirikubo up the hill and into the house.
When Touya opened the front door it squeaked slightly from lack of use. He looked around the entryway, yet saw no other signs of life. "Sensei, are you sure he's here?" Touya asked, confused about the lack of life in the house.
"Yes, but he is sleeping. Take me to the nearest bedroom. I need to sleep for a while."
Touya did as he was commanded and took Shirikubo to the first bedroom on the right. Once he opened the door to the room, a wave of memories swept over Touya. This was the room he had stayed in centuries before; the time he had left his best friend, only friend, behind. Yet Touya remembered it all vividly, almost too much so. Shirikubo had came to him before the sun had even risen to wake him up. Shirikubo made Touya throw all of his belongings into a bag and then sneak out the front door onto the snowy slope. The door had never squeaked that early morning. That had been the last time he, Touya, had ever seen this cabin. Or near his best friend, the apprentice to Kyoko.
Touya shook his head. 'No time for this!' he mentally slapped himself. Carefully, he helped Shirikubo into the bed and pulled the covers up over him. After checking to make sure he was all right, Touya walked out of the room and shut the door a quietly as he could. Turning, he headed out he door again; almost running as to not be overwhelmed by the memories of a time long past. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Touya walked around the outside of the building, surveying the area. Nothing seemed to have changes. Almost everything was exactly as it had been before he left. Almost, minus a certain half-demon. Sighing Touya flopped back onto the grass and looked up at the sky. He almost drifted into a doze when a solid punch sent him rolling down the hill.
Before Touya came to a stop he rolled into an upright position and sculpted a sword out of the ice on his arm. Looking around angrily, Touya tried to spot his attacker. After several tense seconds, he brought himself to call out, "Who's there?!" When no one responded, Touya tried it again. "Who's there? Show yourself!"
"I'll sure as hell tell you who's there!" came a voice thick with and Irish accent. It seemed to be coming from above, so Touya looked up.
Hovering in the air a good twenty feet or more above Touya's head was young demon sitting in the air, not hair moving on his head. The demon looked almost human, a young human at that, if he hadn't had extremely large and pointed ears poking out from under his shaggy, brilliant red hair. His eyes were bright blue, and exceptionally bright blue, and he wore just a pair of baggy pants; no shoes and no shirt. "What the hell are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in the world of the frozen hearted?" the red head shouted, folding his arms cross his chest.
"That voice," Touya whispered, backing up slightly to get a better look at the demon. "Jin, that you?" The ice sword that had been on Touya's arm melted right off.
"Bloody hell!" Jin said, slapping a hand to his heart as he swooned over-dramatically. "He remembered my name! And now what brings the deserter back to the deserted?" Jin floated slowly down to just inches above the ground. His large blue eyes stared back into Touya's pupil-less, icy blue ones. Jin tapped his foot impatiently into thin air. "Well? Do I have to punch you again to make you speak?"
"Uh..." Touya was at a loss for words. It was true, he had abandoned Jin; he should've expected this kind of reaction. After all the hell he had probably put Jin through, the red head deserved the truth of at least the situation at hand. Swallowing, Touya prepared to tell the truth about Shirikubo's problem; at the same time, he was going to admit it to himself. "Shirikubo had a last request and I honored it," Touya said, trying to keep his face emotionless. Only his eyes betrayed his true feelings. Jin noticed immediately.
"So, he's dying then," Jin whispered, landing with a soft hump on the rolling green lawn with both feet. All the anger seemed to disappear from his eyes in that moment. "Kyoko too. Only reason I left him was because the wind spoke of intruders. I had to investigate."
"Oh, so you're a full-fledged wind master now." Touya forced a small smile onto his face. "After all that time, of course you would be."
"Kyoko insisted I stay for the full power transfer and everything, no matter what," Jin said evenly. "Even though I tried to run away and find you on several occasions." The bite returned to Jin's voice at the phrase.
Touya sighed, trying to ignore the angry stare once again directed at him. "I had no choice. You were just starting your training, and both Shirikubo and I thought it best if we left the two of you alone. WE were going to come back...just never got around to it." As he looked up at Jin, an exhaustion began to sweep over Touya. "So much to do, and with no time to waste. It took me fifty years just to master how to make my own ice. I've only been an official ice master for less than five years." Touya's voice was quiet. As he spoke he sank to the ground, eventually laying down and closing his eyes.
"I take it you're tired," Jin said slowly, poking Touya with a long grass blade.
"Yeah," Touya still had is eyes closed, but he knew what Jin must be doing. Poking him with a long blade of grass while munching on another blade at the same time. "Been taking care of Shirikubo constantly."
"Ditto." Jin muttered. Touya could feel Jin flop onto the ground next to himself on the sloping lawn. "Kyoko sleeps constantly and when he does wake up he's too weak to do anything."
"First thing Shirikubo asked for was a place to sleep. I put him in my old room. Hope you don't mind."
"You put him there because it was closest to the door," Jin said into the grass. Touya guessed Jin was lying face down. "Kyoko's across the hall for the same reasons." Touya heard a slight shuffling noise and opened his eyes. Jin was sitting up among the grass, eyes closed in concentration.
"What's wrong?" Touya asked, struggling to sit up. Exhaustion was almost fully taken over his body now, he could barely move.
"Kyoko's awake. I better get him some food." Jin stood up and walked a few steps to the house, then turned. "You look like you haven't eaten in days. Come on, I'll get you something too." Jin offered a hand to Touya, who gladly accepted it. Bracing himself as to not fall, Touya let Jin lead him into the house. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Jin opened the kitchen door quietly and led Touya to a chair at the table. He let Touya collapse gratefully onto the chair before going to the cupboards to get the food.
Ever since Kyoko's strength had begun to fade, Jin was the one who flew to town for the groceries. As a result, the cupboards were stocked more than ever before. Reaching up into one of the several cabinets, Jin pulled down all the necessary ingredients to a make the demon version of a very human dish. Long ago, shortly after he had began to train under Kyoko, Jin had thrown together some leftover meat with vegetables and baked it. A, different, version of a meat pie from Ireland. Kyoko loved it, and had asked for it ever since. Jin had developed many variations over he years, and the one he gave to Kyoko now had some pain-relieving plants in it; certainly not meant to be eaten by a healthy person.
"Touya, what're your favorite foods?" Jin asked the ice master nonchalantly.
"Huh?" Touya looked up at Jin with a slightly dazed look. "Oh...Bikan berries, Topufoo and yafonda meat," he replied wearily. Jin looked sorrowfully at Touya as the shorter demon fell back into his slight doze.
"I'll make you that food after I feed Kyoko. You just sleep now, OK?" Jin got to work preparing Kyoko's medicinal pie along with Touya's After so much practice over the years, it took him only a few minutes to prepare all that was needed.
Jin first made the crusts and baked them for a few moments. As they were baking, he put two pots on the stove and boiled water in them with which the filling would be made. It didn't' take very long to get the stews ready; same with the crusts. No a very hard meal, but most, if not all, demons had never heard of it.
"Here," Jin said, putting Touya's food in front of him. Touya looked up with the dazed look on his face again and slowly poked the pie with a spoon Jin had handed to him. "You eat it. All your favorite foods are in it. That's why I asked you what your favorite foods were."
"But what about Kyoko's food?" Touya asked, still no touching the pie. "I thought you had to feed him."
"Yeah, but hey! He can't eat anything hot anymore. Got to wait for it to cool down." The Jin grinned, "But hopefully since you're an ice master eating hot food won't melt you!" Jin was still grinning even after Touya rolled his eyes.
"Bad joke," Touya muttered. Finally, after staring at his pie for several moments under Jin's stare, Touya decided to try the strange concoction. He took his spoon and slowly lifted some crust and filling into his mouth. Touya chewed for a bit before swallowing. "That's surprisingly good, considering you made it."
Jin hovered over to Touya and slapped him across the back of the head. "Thank you so much for the compliment," Jin said airily and sarcastically. He folded his legs up close to his body and flipped over in front of Touya. "Hi-yo!" He twiddled his fingers right in front of Touya's nose.
"Is this a hobby of yours?" Touya somehow managed to ask while chewing and swallowing. He hadn't stopped eating since the first bite, and not even Jin hovering in front of his nose could stop him now.
"Yep!" Jin flipped right-side up and glided back to his seat. "Don't like to walk if I can help it! I should take you for a fly sometime..." His voice trailed off as Touya became incredibly pale. "Huh? What's up?"
"I just don't..." Touya looked away and then quickly changed the subject. "The other pie should be cool by now. Best take I to Kyoko. I'll check in on Shirikubo." And then Touya pushed his chair away from the table and hurried o Shirikubo's room leaving a very confused Jin behind.
"O-OK..." Jin said cautiously before picking u the other meat pie and hovering over to Kyoko's room.
Jin quietly opened the door to the room with a small burst of wind; it had never been fully shut. Looking around, he saw that Kyoko was already awake and sitting up in the bed watching him. Kyoko's liquid eyes still held the same light as before, but the light was slowly getting duller. Even his hair had lost its shine. NO longer young, Kyoko was in every aspect and old demon near his death bed. Living for over one thousand years is old to any demon, most don't make it past two hundred.
"Hi, I brought food." Jin hovered over to the side table by the bed and set the food down. Once he was certain it wouldn't fall, he plopped onto the bed next to his old master. "So, how do you feel today?"
"Better, better. I know Shiri and Touya arrived. How are they?" Kyoko's voice was like gravel, but still retained the British accent Jin had come to know so well.
"I haven't seen Shiri yet, but I have seen Touya."
"How is he? I recall him being such a small demon last time I saw him, not that powerful as well."
"His height hasn't changed much. But I can sense that he is stronger than before," Jin muttered, putting his elbows on his knees. "His attitude changed to. Can't describe it now."
"It's because he is now an ice master." Kyoko said wisely. "Pass me the pie, I'm hungry."
Jin did as he was told and waited several minuets in silence as Kyoko ate his food. When the quiet became too much, Jin spoke up, "What do you mean? About his attitude, that is."
Kyoko stopped in mid-chew and then thoughtfully swallowed. "Well, he's like the ice now. Can be sparkly and upbeat but at the same time cold and unmoving. The same happened to you. "Kyoko laughed at Jin's indignant look. "Yes, it has happened to you. Jin, you are now as carefree as the wind, but when pushed too far you become just as dangerous. A breeze in the summer is refreshing, but an all-out tornado can kill. It's very simple." Kyoko finished his explanation and went back to eating.
Jin pondered over those words and finally decided that he was confused and to make his head stop hurting no more thought would be put into those words. HE shook his head slightly, sighed and flopped back onto the pillows by Kyoko. "Before you say anything," Jin cut Kyoko off as soon as Kyoko had opened his mouth. "Let me guess: I'll get it someday, right?"
"Very good." Kyoko placed the now-empty pie plate and utensils in front of him on the bed. "Mow, how about listening to an old man banter about last requests?"
Jin's ears perked up slightly at those words, but other than that he stayed the same as before, lying on the bed next to Kyoko. "Come on; I'm listening."
"I can tell." Kyoko flicked Jin on the ear before continuing. "You said Shiri is here, correct? My request is that you put me and him in the same room. I believe we'd both like to see each other in our final moments."
"A-all right. I'll talk to Shiri and Touya. You stay here and rest." Jin walked out of the room and out the door as if nothing was wrong. But there was one thing that gave him away. He walked out of the room. He never walked if he could help it; unless he was very down, of course. Shutting the door behind him with a click, Jin sunk to the floor of the hall and stayed there, not moving a muscle.
"Jin, you OK?" Jin lifted his head off his knees and looked up at Touya. Touya had a look of extreme concern on his face which Jin simply couldn't ignore.
"Yeah...yeah. I'm all right." Jin tried to give one of his customary grins but failed. "How's Shiri doing?
"I believe he's fine, but he wants to talk to Kyoko. I told his he could after some more rest." Touya crossed his arms and leaned against the wall, closing his eyes.
"What a coincidence," Jin said in dry sarcasm. Touya opened his eyes and looked down at his friend. "Kyoko asked for the same thing."
"Shirikubo can barely walk now, Jin! How can they see each other if they can't even move?" All this was starting to become too much for Touya. He threw his arms up in the air in an exasperated way. Slowly, Touya sunk down to the floor, eventually coming to a sitting position by Jin. "I don't like the fact they're dying," he muttered, leaning his head against the wall once more.
"I can move Shiri with my wind. Kyoko's bones have become fragile, you can break them just by poking them. I say I can move Shiri across the hall as long as he's up for it." Jin said it all with confidence to make sure Touya would trust him. It worked...sort of.
'If you drop him, I'll kill you. And you will not complain," Touya said, getting up and walking back into Shirikubo's room. "I'll tell him now. Best we get them together soon."
Jin nodded and went back into Kyoko's room. In the corner was the extra bed frame for the house, just in case anything broke or there were too many guests over. Summoning up a bit of wind, Jin constructed the frame, with Kyoko's instructions, of course. It took only a few minutes for it to be completely set up, and then it was ready to be used.
Nodding in approval, and receiving a thankful smile form Kyoko, Jin went back into the hallway to wait for Touya's affirmative. He tapped his foot impatiently while he waited. Jin was not patient by nature and after only a grand total of five seconds went into Shirikubo's room to get him. In his impatience, Jin failed to knock. The sight shocked him beyond words.
Shirikubo was lying on the bed while Touya was picking up some things that seemed to have fallen out of a bag. The Shirikubo Jin had always remembered had long, very shiny and vibrant hair and a wonderfully pale skin tone that matched his personality perfectly. The Shirikubo lying on the bed in front of him had n almost green complexion and hair had lost all shine; it even seemed to be falling out a little. Jin just stood there in the doorway with his mouth open slightly. Touya either didn't notice him or ignored him, but Shirikubo was the firs to see Jin. He struggled up in bed and gave the red head a small smile.
"Why, hello Jin! It's been a while, hasn't it?" Shirikubo's voice was tired but still had an almost icy quality to it. "You seem to have grown up well."
"Y-yes sir." Jin stuttered then bowed his head respectively. Touya took that opportunity to explain what was going on to Shirikubo. The old ninja listened carefully to the plan and then nodded.
"Sounds good. Oh, and Jin?" Jin looked up and met Shirikubo' dull gaze. "If you do drop me you will have two very pissed demons, not just one."
Jin gulped at the prospect of having two ice masters after his hide. It wasn't very encouraging. Slowly, he nodded his head and spoke. "I won't drop anyone. What makes you think that?"
Touya gave a short laugh and then walked past Jin into the hallway. "I'm dropping some things off in Kyoko's room. You don't move."
Jin made a face at Touya's retreating back, but a wise voice stopped him from going all out. "Glad to see you haven't changed greatly over the years, Jin."
"Well, I try," Jin said coyly as he turned to face Shirikubo. He let his face break into a grin. "Good to have you two back. Been to quiet lately. By lately I mean two centuries."
"I see that the demon in you has let you stop aging," Shirikubo stated, looking Jin over from the bed. "I was curious o see a to how that was going to work out. Whether you'd age and die at the time a human would or live as long as Kyoko and me."
"But nothing lasts forever, huh?"
Shirikubo shook his head. "No. Nothing ever does."
Touya re-entered the room at that every moment. "OK, everything's set up. Jin, get ready to move him."
"You got it and I won't drop him," Jin said, summoning up a small portion of wind. He carefully commanded the wind to lift up Shirikubo, float him across the hallway, and set him down in the new bed next to Kyoko. Touya had followed Jin the entire time, keeping a close eye on Shirikubo's level off the ground. When Touya was satisfied with the move, he pulled some blankets up over his master and left Kyoko and Shirikubo alone for a long talk.
"There, see?" Jin said cheerfully, hovering slightly above the ground in the hallway. Touya rolled his eyes at Jin and sat down on the floor. "I told you I wouldn't drop him and I didn't!"
"Yeah," Touya's voice was low and quiet. "You came through.
"Yep! And now it's just the two of us."
"Yeah," Touya turned his head and looked out the window. "Soon it'll just be the two of us."
Review so you find out what happens.