Waiting for you

Disclaimer: I would be happy to own this anime/manga, but I only own the evil story-line for this fanfiction.

Rating: PG-13 or T (for violence and for safety)

Genre: Action/adventure, tragedy, suspense, slightly AU

Pairing: Mild Sugino x Moo (if you think them as a couple :P )

Warnings or notes: Meanie Haruka, possible mild confusions, self-conflicts within the characters, grammar or other errors (English is not my mother tongue…), OOC-ness, around 1300 words.

First of all, I would like to say thanks for those who added this story to their list of favorite stories as well as story alerts! Not to mention thanks a million for those who added me into their list of author alert and favorite authors. :bows deeply: I am honored. Also, thanks to who support me and continue reading as well as reviewing my story even though it gets boring at time. :sweats:

Without your supports, I might have given up already. Thus, this chapter is dedicated to all the kind readers and friends!

Japanese terms:

Kindly refer to the previous chapters. Thanks.

: ooo :

Chapter 11-The power of guilt

Time went slowly as the merciless tengu raised his weapon towards the youth with silver hair. His aura was so suffocating. It was full of the urge to kill the human in front of him that he could not resist any longer. Finally…after for how long…he managed to have his revenge. His weapon was in the mid-air now and ready to strike its prey anytime.

Amazingly enough to the tengu, the human did not even shut his eyes in neither fear nor showing any signs of such. Instead, his crimson orbs were looking straight at him, as if daring him to deliver the attack, despite the fact he was in a half-conscious state.. Ichinomiya Kantaro was really something, Haruka mussed. He was so unlike the others that would probably be wailing for rescue and such by now. It was a respectable act indeed.

'Nevertheless, it won't stop me from killing you,' Haruka thought as he flung his weapon as hard as he could.

It was then something distracted him. Before he could finish his fatal attack, something went flying towards him. With his fast reflex, his free left hand quickly snatched the 'weapon' in a second. It appeared to be a very old book with a few torn pages, which it brought surprise to the berserk tengu.

"Kan-chan!" Yoko's hysterical scream echoed through the entire forest. Followed by something else sounded suspiciously like a 'moo'… Both Yoko and Moo were running towards Haruka and Kantaro with alarmed looks on their faces.

Behind the female demon and his beloved 'wife', Sugino made his appearance visible slowly by walking in a steady pace towards his long-known friend. Apparently, the 'attack' was sent by the white-winged tengu to halt his friend's attack, perhaps to stop him from making a mistake that he might regret later.

"Onikui, you should know what it is…," the long-haired demon stated simply, his eyes looking at the direction of the old book in Haruka's hand.

'That…That…,' in his half-conscious mind, Kantaro still managed to recognize the book. Despite the pain and Yoko's fuss around him, his mind was totally aware of its surrounding.

Two pairs of watchful eyes eyed carefully at Haruka's attempt to open the book and read the lines written in it. Luckily to Sugino, Haruka seemed to have more control on his actions than the long haired tengu thought he would. At least, Haruka would stop and look at the book instead of attacking all of them for meddling into his business. 'It seems like Onikui really did change a lot…,' Sugino thought. In the past, the Soul Eater tengu would clear off everyone that was bold enough trying to block his way.

"It is the forbidden spells, Onikui," Sugino said after a few moments, as though the tengu did not understand them. Haruka growled slightly in annoyance. He was disturbed at the thought of forbidden spells, although he had no idea why. "In order to return you to your original state, that guy went all the way to search this book and at last performed the forbidden ritual. Frankly, I am happy for you, Onikui. But I can't help feeling guilty for being unable to stop Kantaro," the once human admitted shamelessly.

For the first time, Sugino acknowledged Kantaro's brave deeds his kindness towards his slaves, even though he did cast a spell on Moo. Sugino had always hated humans, and he hated himself for being one in the past. Humans were selfish, insignificant, greedy, and full of jealousy and all things of humans could make him feel disgusted. But, only him…only Kantaro was beyond those, beyond everyone. He was very different from the others. Even the so-called God had to admit that he strongly respected the youth's will. Perhaps, that was why Moo was gravitated to the youth.

"He sacrificed himself to help you. He did not break your bowl. He is dying now, Onikui!" unable to control his feelings any longer, Sugino outburst. Within, he was feeling very guilty and angry towards himself. He had blamed everything on Kantaro in the first place without knowing the truth, thinking the human mistreated his friend. Thus, now he was taking out the anger towards Haruka instead. Speaking of which, it made Sugino realized, he was more human than he thought, which he hated being reminded of.

Snapped out of his thoughts, Haruka looked up and into Sugino's angry eyes. His friend's words began to absorb into his mind one by one. And his mind refused to take them at first. It was too much of shock, too much of details. The book, which it laid on his hands, was indeed one of the forbidden spells. Every single spells written required something in exchange, if anyone wanted to learn them or use them. The price Kantaro has paid was great, far too 'expensive'.

Upon hearing no response, Sugino walked towards where Kantaro was. Yoko was crying again, while trying to stop the bleeding but all her attempts failed miserably. Moo, on the other hand, was trying to help as much as she could handle. By the time he saw Kantaro's state, Sugino ceased his eyebrows. The human was still fighting against his condition, it seemed.

Chokingly, Kantaro managed to mutter something. "Haruka…," he found himself swaying forth and back. "I…do…not…re…gret…," was his last words as he finally gave in and stumbled forward. Surprisingly, Sugino was the one who merely fast enough to catch a hold of him before his body met with the ground. The sudden impact sent Sugino lost his balance and fell onto the ground with Kantaro's body on top of him.

"Oii!" there was nothing more the tengu could say at the moment. Apparently the human did not lose his conscious yet. His eyelids were heavy and half-closed. His red eyes were hazy and unfocused. The blood even stained Sugino's white clothes, making them bright red. Yoko's frightened tears dripped on Kantaro's stained clothes while her hands rested on her master's shoulders.

Shaking with anger, Sugino sneaked his left arm under the injured youth's neck, while the other went under his legs and stood up without much difficulty. He decided to save the half-conscious human, despite how he hated humans in the first place. If Haruka was not going to, then he would. Moo jumped onto her 'husband's' head and decided to stay there until they reach the destination. Yoko took a glance at Haruka, and found out that the tengu was speechless and stunned.

To Haruka, everything seemed to be in slow motion. He just watched the whole event like watching a film, a very cruel and merciless film. Deep within himself, he felt very guilty. But why? Why should he feel so when he did the right thing to get his revenge? Then why…why was he feeling hesitant now? It seemed like the guiltiness was what stopping him now, and it also pushed Sugino to take actions. Oh, how could they defy the power of guilt?

"Haruka-chan…," she called softly and undeterminably. Would the vicious tengu turn back into the protective and calm tengu she once knew and fond of?

"Yoko, cling on my back," ordered Sugino in a brotherly way. Normally, he would be complaining how hard it was for him to carry two at once, but now he did not mind it. Now, if Haruka decided to go wild and stop him by getting into his way, he would have to raise his own weapon against his friend, if he must. He always wanted to return the black-winged tengu's memories to him, but not like this. Unmistakably, he was the Onikui Tengu he knew long ago, but the white-winged demon admitted, he had grown to like the more gentle 'Haruka'.

The female demon fox obliged without much words as she warped her arms around Sugino's neck. The God was going to set off, if not a hand was rested on his shoulder. Needless to say, it was Haruka's. But what was his intention at that time? Was it to prevent them for leaving or to apologize for his mistakes?

: To becontinued :

Replies (oh my God, this is the first time I received so much reviews! I am so happy... :bows: Thanks!)

White Sherry: I won't kill him ne, don't worry! I promised that I won't, so I keep my words. XD But I kinda enjoy tormenting him. :lol: Thanks for the review:hugs: I am glad you like my first Tactics fic! XD

Black Angel Of Destruction: Hehe, sorry ne, I seem to like stopping at cliffhangers. XD Hope you are satisfied with this chapter:lol: Thanks for the review!

Miyu: I will try to update soon ne? X3 Thanks for the review! It has been a while since I saw your last review. But I am happy that you reviewed this time:hugs:

Kiokie-princess-of-pain: Aww, you are so kind. Thanks for the compliment, support and nice review! Oh, I don't mind your spelling, because my English is not that good anyway. XP Hope you enjoy this chapter!

Yummy Yaoi: Hahaha, last time I was so depressed because I could not write chapter 9 due to my laptop's broken status! Now that it comes back, I hope it won't die on me again too. I hope you find this chapter worth your time ne! Thanks for the review also:hugs:

NaStUkO-ChAn: Yes, yes, it won't be suspense if I make it that way. XD I love suspense. Ah, thanks a million for the review ne! The Gods are thrown in to make it more dramatic I guess… XP Well, about Haruka, I will reveal it in the next chapter:3 Hai, I hope to hear from you soon too:grins:

Rubydream: (Haruka: I am so gonna kill you, you little devil!) Yikes….:hides under than table: Ruby-chan becomes Reiko-chan:lol: Okay, thanks for the understanding! Haha, you don't have to apologize for being yourself. XD I know people will chase me for making Haruka this bad. :lol: Thanks for the kind review, dear:glomps:

Lost Flame: I am honored by your comment. :bows: Thanks a lot for such review! Hope you enjoy reading this chapter as well!

Goku-chan: Hehe, I think maybe you won't find it that interesting if you finish the anime/manga…:sweats: But I try to make it as interesting as I could…Thanks for the time, dear! Hope you like Tactics more than you are now. XD

Khealchan: My, thank you for the review! I will try my best to write faster ne? XD

Silverkaze013: Haha…:lol: I guess I am. :chuckles: Once again thanks for your review! I am glad that you find it interesting!

Infinity Ryen: Aww...Sometimes I feel like that when reading a fanfiction. Too observed... XD And nope, you are not crazy at all:smiles: Thanks for the review!

Kaede Yuki: First of all, thanks for spending your precious time to read and review my little story! X3 I am honored. I like to keep readers in suspense, since this is one of the ways that make them want to read more ne? XD Aww...thanks again for the compliment. :bows: I do hope my story attracts people to continue reading. And I will try my best to update as soon as I can ne:grins: