A/N: Wow, this is my longest chapter...ever. Well, it's also full of a lot of action, so I hope you enjoy it. Thanks reviewers!
Chapter Five: Saving Kazahaya
Rikuo jumped out of bed. What the hell was Kazahaya thinking? Even if Kazahaya seemed to posses a lot of confidence on this matter, his talent at getting into trouble was definitely going to overpower that. Rikuo ignored the pain in his head, which had gone down from when he awoke, and quickly pulled some clothes on. He slammed the door of his bedroom open and was greeted by two stunned looks from Kakei and Saiga. They looked as if they were talking about something before Rikuo had interrupted. This was of no importance to Rikuo, seeing that his mind was cursing the very life of Kazahaya.
"Rikuo, you really shouldn't be up," Kakei said. "You're still..."
"When did he leave?" Rikuo cut in.
"I don't think that's such a good..." Kakei began.
"I don't have time for this," Rikuo snarled, "please, when did he leave?"
This time it was Saiga's turn to chime in. "He left about fifteen minutes before you woke up, so, including the time you took reading his letter, I'd say about thirty minutes ago."
"Thanks," Rikuo said.
Kakei sighed. He could see that he wasn't going to be able to stop resolute boy from going to find Kaza-kun. "Well, if you're going to leave, you may as well take my car. It only takes thirty-five minutes to get there by car, which should only put a five minute Gap between when you arrive and when Kaza-kun arrived." Kakei smiled as Rikuo took the keys, not even bothering to say 'thank you'.
The two adults watched as Rikuo sprinted down the stairs and out of the shop.
"At least he cares what happens to Kazahaya, even if he doesn't consider himself," Kakei said quietly.
"Yep, those two are going to be inseparable after this," Saiga agreed.
Rikuo couldn't get the car started fast enough. It seemed as if everything in his world was collapsing, the uncertainty of what would happen to Kazahaya if he didn't arrive soon enough was killing him. How could Kazahaya be so foolish?
When the car finally started, Rikuo floored the gas pedal. In no time at all, he was zooming down the freeway looking carefully for his exit. The first time they went to that house they took the bus, therefor he wasn't paying attention to what exit they took. He vaguely remembered looking at an uncontrollable little boy who was awing at everything that passed. Why the country amazed Kazahaya so much was beyond Rikuo's little comprehension of the smaller boys behavior.
The gravel crackled as he drove the car over it. He skidded to a halt just in front of the porch, almost crashing into it, and jumped out of the car. Rikuo could feel Kazahaya's presence, so he must've just entered. Rikuo looked the old house over, shuddering slightly when he looked up at a window to the attic.
The inside of the house was as dingy and dank as ever, though he didn't really remember it. In places here and there, the spider webs were displaced, or the dust was not so thick. His feet took him to the place where the attic stairs had been, and much to his displeasure, he found it open. He was just about to yell out Kazahaya's name when he heard a scream.
Rikuo's heart pounded faster, and he could feel the adrenaline rushing through his veins. He jumped the stairs two at a time, hoping against all hope that Kazahaya wasn't dead. When he reached the top and looked around the sunlit attic, he saw nothing except dusty boxes and the old armoire.
"Kazahaya?" Rikuo asked tentatively.
"Rikuo...?" he heard a small voice come out from behind a stack of boxes toward his right. Rikuo dashed over to see what had happened, and when he reached the spot, he was shocked at what he saw.
Kazahaya sat cross-legged, leaning against the attic wall. He wasn't badly hurt, though his shirt would be one that he would never wear again. It had a rip in it almost as long as the length of the shirt itself. He had a little bit of blood coming from just above his left eyebrow, and a little scratch on his chin. He had a constant stream of tears dripping out of his eyes and spilling down his chest. But that's not what shocked Rikuo. For sitting on Kazahaya's lap was a mini version of the monster they had lost against yesterday. It was bleeding profusely from an opening in its back, and following the blood stains in the wood, Rikuo saw a silver candlestick with a bloodied tip. He looked back at Kazahaya, who was now cradling the monster in his arms.
"Kazahaya?" Rikuo asked again, but this time with a quizzical tone.
"He just wanted to protect it," Kazahaya said through his sobs. "His master was a scientist, of sorts, and created him so he could protect the house. But since his master's demise, his power has been growing weaker, until all he could do was sulk about in the attic. His form changes when the sun is up, because he hates the sun, it's too bright." Kazahaya started to cry harder, his breath becoming ragged. "And I killed him. All he wanted to do was protect what he cared about."
Rikuo squatted down to be on an equal level with Kazahaya. He looked into the watery eyes before him and knew that Kazahaya was crying because he'd seen the monster's memories. And Kazahaya always gets the emotions along with the memories. The creature must have been in deep grief over his masters death, and now Kazahaya was feeling that grief.
Rikuo closed his eyes briefly, and then helped Kazahaya stand up, which was more difficult than Rikuo predicted, as Kazahaya's ankle was twisted. Rikuo cringed at the fact that when Kazahaya stood up, he held fast onto the dead beast.
"Wouldn't you like to let go of that thing?" Rikuo asked with a disgusted look on his face.
"No, we gotta bury it. It's the least I can do since I killed it." Kazahaya looked at the floor. The crying had ceased, but there was still an aura of dysphoria encircling him.
"How did you know it would be in a weakened state during the day time?" Rikuo asked, wondering when this new, smart, Kazahaya had started.
Kazahaya looked up at the taller boy and smiled. "I didn't," Kazahaya said, "I just thought that if I had the ring, it wouldn't hurt me, because it seemed to be protecting it."
Rikuo sighed inwardly and shifted Kazahaya's weight so he rested more comfortably on his shoulder. He remembered the pact he made with himself to not be such an ass toward Kazahaya. "Where is the ring now?"
"It's in my back pocket," Kazahaya said looking over his left shoulder at his pocket. "I'm sure it'll be safe in there, but if you want it..." Kazahaya blushed, he didn't mean to say that out loud.
Rikuo smiled and used all his will power not to take Kazahaya up on the offer.
The seconds of silence between them made Kazahaya a little anxious, he was sure Rikuo would tease him, say that he had impure thoughts about Rikuo sticking his hand in Kazahaya's back pocket. But Rikuo was silent. Kazahaya turned his head to look suspiciously at his roommate, wondering if the bump on his head was more damaging than first imagined.
"You really did hit your head." Kazahaya said.
"Well, yes. That's why I was out cold for half a day." Rikuo answered. Kazahaya was starting to get a little worried, he wasn't used to being treated so...nicely by Rikuo. Kazahaya wasn't complaining by any means, it was just different.
They had trouble going down the stairs, on account of Kazahaya's ankle. They got halfway down the stairs when Rikuo decided it would just be easier if he carried Kazahaya down. Kazahaya protested immensely, not liking the idea of being swung over Rikuo's shoulder. He finally conceded and, to his surprise, Rikuo bent down and picked up Kazahaya's legs, carrying him against his chest instead of over a shoulder.
"Rikuo?" Kazahaya asked. He waited for a nod and a look from the other before continuing, "Do you hate me?"
"What kind of question is that?" Rikuo asked, sounding a little offended. He gave Kazahaya a serious look
"I dunno, it's just, you always seem to make fun of me, for little things, too. It's like everything I do annoys you." Kazahaya looked down at his own chest, trying to keep his breathing regular. On top of being upset from the giant spiders memory, he was unbelievably close to the tall, dark, and handsome figure of his thoughts.
"No, Kazahaya, I don't hate you. In some ways, I like you," Rikuo said, feeling this was as good a time as any to come clean.
"You like me?" Kazahaya asked again, with a confused look directed upward.
They stopped at the bottom of the stairs, and Rikuo let go of Kazahaya's legs. The stare Kazahaya had on him never faltered, even as he was being let go and readjusted his grip on the taller boy's shoulder. Rikou could not ignore this stare forever, so he returned the look.
"Yes, you have...grown...on me," Rikuo said and looked away. Kazahaya's brain seemed to be processing too much, and it shown through his eyes. Rikuo couldn't stand it. It felt like he was being scrutinized at every move he made, every word he said.
"I like you too," Kazahaya said after a long and awkward silence. "I mean, you can be a bit of a jackass sometimes, but you can be very nice."
Rikuo smiled at that. Now that they got that settled, could they be...friends? Why did that word sound insufficient? Rikuo contemplated this, while Kazahaya, on the other hand, was singing in his head a catchy little tune he had heard on the tv a couple of days before. His mood had changed drastically, now he had his roommate exactly where he wanted him to start the second phase of his plan.
They buried the spider in the overgrown garden and took a moments peace. Kazahaya reflected on all the good memories the creature had with its master, while Rikuo thanked the gods that it didn't kill either one of them. Neither felt the spiteful aura coming from the house anymore.
When they arrived at the car, Kazahaya leaned up against it while Rikuo opened the door. Kazahaya reached into his back pocket and felt the ring, this item was different than all the others, well, Kakei said this mission was going to be different. When he touched the ring, he got no memories from it, for which he was glad, he had gotten enough from the spider-monster. But this still concerned Kazahaya, because the ring looked like it had been used, there were dents and scratches, so if it was used, it must have memories.
Kazahaya was pulled back to reality when he realized Rikuo was looking at him questioningly. Then he noticed that Rikuo's right hand was motioning toward the car. Kazahaya let out a little laugh, and hopped into the passengers seat.
Rikuo walked over to the driver's seat and opened the door. He paused, and turned around to the house, bidding it a silent good-bye. Then he got in, closed the door, and started the engine.
"I never knew you knew how to drive," Kazahaya said.
"Yeah, I don't drive often, only if someone's in trouble," He glanced over at Kazahaya with a smirk on his features. This whole be-nice-to-Kazahaya thing was going to be more difficult than he thought. Luckily Kazahaya only glared at him, a little less intense than was usual, Rikuo noticed.
They drove down the driveway in silence. It wasn't an uncomfortable silence, by all means it was relaxing. By this time, the regular Kazahaya would be screaming at the top of his lungs, and the regular Rikuo would be calling him an idiot and incessantly teasing him. But those were the old Kazahaya and Rikuo, the new ones were more willing to talk, in a normal manner.
When they got on the freeway, Kazahaya struck up a conversation about nothing in particular. This inane conversation lasted the entire way home, and yet, under amazing control, Rikuo didn't tease, instead he had a pleasant conversation. Kazahaya enjoyed this small talk, he was starting to relax with the new personality that had sprung out of Rikuo.
The store was a welcome sight for Kazahaya. Kakei and Saiga were standing outside, smiling at the arriving pair. Kazahaya felt his whole body get light and he felt like he was going to float away. Rikuo parked the car and went around to the side that Kazahaya was getting out of. He held the open door and gave a hand for Kazahaya to hold on to. Kakei and Saiga walked over to the boys, and offered help.
"That's okay, Kakei-san, I think Rikuo can hold me," Kazahaya answered.
"Alright," Kakei said, looking over at Saiga like they had a bet, and Saiga just lost. "Then if you'll just follow me into my office." And with that, he turned around and started walking off.
It felt like they had been out of the comfort of their home for a long time. Kazahaya had a stupid grin on his face that didn't look like it would likely go away all day, and Rikuo felt the same, just on the inside. Kazahaya let go of Rikuo's shoulder and slid down onto the couch, followed by Rikuo. Kakei sat on the other couch, facing them.
"Well, did you get the ring?" Kakei asked.
"Oh, right," Kazahaya said, lifting slightly off the couch to get the ring. He pulled it out, and offered it to Kakei with an open palm.
"Very good," Kakei said while taking the ring from Kazahaya.
"Um, Kakei-san?" Kazahaya asked cautiously, "I have a question about the ring."
"Of course, what is it?"
"Well," Kazahaya began, "I didn't get any memories from that ring, and it looks like it has been used."
"Right, this ring is not ordinary, as you've found out, Kaza-kun," Kakei smiled. "The person who owned this ring was a powerful psychic, he had studied his abilities and the abilities of others and, for some reason unknown to us, wiped the memories of this ring, or so to speak."
"Oh...that's amazing!" Kazahaya blurted out. "But why would he want to erase the rings memory?"
"I don't know," Kakei said, matter-of-factly. "And now is not the time to mull over such things. You two must be exhausted." He smiled his evilly angelic smile once more and sat up. Rikuo and Kazahaya followed suit and left the office. Kazahaya stopped suddenly, dragging Rikuo back with him.
"Kakei-san, don't you need us to work today?" Kazahaya asked.
Kakei continued his smile. "No, Kazahaya, that's alright, you and Rikuo can take the day off."
"Ah, thanks." And with that, Kazahaya turned and walked away. They had just started to mount the steps when an annoyingly familiar voice called after them.
"Hey, kids," Saiga called after them a sly smile gracing his face, "Have fun, you don't get a lot of days off."
The pair sighed simultaneously, both were too tired to fight back. But both were thinking the same thing.
A/N: Only one more chapter to go! And trust me, the next is my favorite. Review please!