Raiha Fanfic Without a Name
By shukuchi
Chapter 3
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I am creeping after Fuuko-san and her friends once again but it is not for her. Somehow, I must draw Koganei-chan away from the others, but it is a difficult task and my heart is heavy with the reason for it. He does not know of Kurei-sama's death, and I consider it my duty to tell him.
It is time. In an instant, I calculate and flick a handful of acorns, one by one with varying force, at another tree. They plink off and land in a fairly straight line from Koganei along the sidewalk. Before they acorns have landed, both him and the water swordsman have jumped back, ready to parry. Tokiya announces cautiously, "They were leading from you Koganei. Someone must want to fight."
Both are staring at the tree the acorns bounced off of as Koganei exclaims, "Well they'll get a fight! Beating up whatever wimp is challenging me will be easy. See ya bro!"
To the Recca-gumi's cheers and Tokiya's "you're stupid" expression, Koganei bounds away from the group. I lead him along a deserted street, and eventually hop down from my current tree. He looks surprised, and a bit hurt, that Kurei-sama would send his best assassin after his "little brother, "but soon the ex-Uruha realizes I have no intention of attacking.
I take a deep breath, and memories flood in. A dark-haired child gently assuring me that I'm not a traitor despite my ancestors. Him taking in girls off the street with nowhere to go and giving them a home. And finally, a memory of the boy who confusedly stands before me. Watching as, many years ago, my master compliments on his skills with puzzles and gives him the Kougan Anki, by doing so telling the child, "You will always be needed by my side, and to help me." And even beyond that, the innermost whisper of "thank you." But now my kind master is gone.
I lower my head and make eye-contact. He will listen to me now. There is no reason to delay further and I softly, with as little feeling as I can manage, state, "I came to tell you that Kurei (and for once I do not add the "-sama" for I now speak of him only as a friend) is dead."
There is a flash of horror across his young face before it is suppressed. "C'mon bro....that's not really something to kid about."
I say nothing and slightly lift and turn my head. That expression of suppressed fear and grief, hidden behind a wavering smile...I just want to forget it ever existed.
"But Kurei-nei-chan...He's not the sort to just die...so he can't be gone...right?" I can hear the tears in his voice, the hopeless pleading despite all the evidence.Then there is a jolting, forced anger.
"Well...he lied and hurt Yanagi-chan! So...so he deserves it."
Now I glance back at him and calmly, despite the panicked despair within, correct his words. "No, Koganei. He did not deserve to die, because there are very few that do."
His eyes fill with tears and my young companion chokes out, "Does anyone?" He's clearly very distressed, with the question meant hypothetically, or as a call for comfort.
But with the question, answers fall into my mind and I coldly announce without any indecision, "Yes." It is now that I am reminded of Mori, and how he destroyed Kurei-sama's life. My ancestors, who betrayed their clan and fled when they were most needed, did they deserve death? I don't even need to answer that repulsive question.
But Kurei-sama was different. I understand that Kaoru-chan left because he thought that was the right think to do, though he really didn't understand. My master would never want to hurt an innocent girl, but that child never understood it wasn't his fault.
Koganei softly whimpers, "But how could he die?" and breaks me from my thoughts. I glance at him and realize how hard it must be for someone his age to go through this loss. After stepping forward, I hug the boy. It's better for him to let everything out now. This will allow him to keep fond memories of Kurei-sama.
And one day, he will forgive him.
For everything.
I am creeping after Fuuko-san and her friends once again but it is not for her. Somehow, I must draw Koganei-chan away from the others, but it is a difficult task and my heart is heavy with the reason for it. He does not know of Kurei-sama's death, and I consider it my duty to tell him.
It is time. In an instant, I calculate and flick a handful of acorns, one by one with varying force, at another tree. They plink off and land in a fairly straight line from Koganei along the sidewalk. Before they acorns have landed, both him and the water swordsman have jumped back, ready to parry. Tokiya announces cautiously, "They were leading from you Koganei. Someone must want to fight."
Both are staring at the tree the acorns bounced off of as Koganei exclaims, "Well they'll get a fight! Beating up whatever wimp is challenging me will be easy. See ya bro!"
To the Recca-gumi's cheers and Tokiya's "you're stupid" expression, Koganei bounds away from the group. I lead him along a deserted street, and eventually hop down from my current tree. He looks surprised, and a bit hurt, that Kurei-sama would send his best assassin after his "little brother, "but soon the ex-Uruha realizes I have no intention of attacking.
I take a deep breath, and memories flood in. A dark-haired child gently assuring me that I'm not a traitor despite my ancestors. Him taking in girls off the street with nowhere to go and giving them a home. And finally, a memory of the boy who confusedly stands before me. Watching as, many years ago, my master compliments on his skills with puzzles and gives him the Kougan Anki, by doing so telling the child, "You will always be needed by my side, and to help me." And even beyond that, the innermost whisper of "thank you." But now my kind master is gone.
I lower my head and make eye-contact. He will listen to me now. There is no reason to delay further and I softly, with as little feeling as I can manage, state, "I came to tell you that Kurei (and for once I do not add the "-sama" for I now speak of him only as a friend) is dead."
There is a flash of horror across his young face before it is suppressed. "C'mon bro....that's not really something to kid about."
I say nothing and slightly lift and turn my head. That expression of suppressed fear and grief, hidden behind a wavering smile...I just want to forget it ever existed.
"But Kurei-nei-chan...He's not the sort to just die...so he can't be gone...right?" I can hear the tears in his voice, the hopeless pleading despite all the evidence.Then there is a jolting, forced anger.
"Well...he lied and hurt Yanagi-chan! So...so he deserves it."
Now I glance back at him and calmly, despite the panicked despair within, correct his words. "No, Koganei. He did not deserve to die, because there are very few that do."
His eyes fill with tears and my young companion chokes out, "Does anyone?" He's clearly very distressed, with the question meant hypothetically, or as a call for comfort.
But with the question, answers fall into my mind and I coldly announce without any indecision, "Yes." It is now that I am reminded of Mori, and how he destroyed Kurei-sama's life. My ancestors, who betrayed their clan and fled when they were most needed, did they deserve death? I don't even need to answer that repulsive question.
But Kurei-sama was different. I understand that Kaoru-chan left because he thought that was the right think to do, though he really didn't understand. My master would never want to hurt an innocent girl, but that child never understood it wasn't his fault.
Koganei softly whimpers, "But how could he die?" and breaks me from my thoughts. I glance at him and realize how hard it must be for someone his age to go through this loss. After stepping forward, I hug the boy. It's better for him to let everything out now. This will allow him to keep fond memories of Kurei-sama.
And one day, he will forgive him.
For everything.