Waiting for you

by Emerald-rei

Kantaro will go as far as to sacrifice his life for both of his slaves, especially Haruka. For the black tengu's sake, he sacrifices his own spiritual power in a sacred ritual. His life is on the edge now. Will he escape death?

15. The curse of the family

Waiting for you

Disclaimer: I wish I own them. :grins: But unfortunately, I only own the storyline and two original characters (Sakuya and Takizawa).

Rating: PG or K+

Genres: Slightly AU, action/adventure, angst

Pairing: None in this chapter

Warnings or notes: AU for Kantaro's and Haruka's past, grammar and other errors, OOC-ness, around 1600+ words.

First of all, thank you for the 100+ reviews! It is such a honor to receive the kind and encouraging reviews from the readers. I hope you will find it worth spending your time on and have a nice day!

This chapter is another mystery-reveal chapter. If you remember the details in past chapters, I did write about Kantaro's parents being cruel to him. So, this chapter will explain why. And a reader asked me about turning Kantaro into a goblin like Sugino did as a way to save him. It is explained here. So enjoy reading!

: ooo :

Chapter 15-The curse of the family

A week passed by swiftly. During the time, Kantaro and the others were staying at Takizawa's clinic, where it was also the doctor's home. Haruka, who had broken the door days earlier, volunteered to fix it up. After all, it was his fault and he hated to owe others. Yoko stayed to take care of her master. Although occasionally she would go back to Kantaro's house for cleaning and such. On the other hand, Sugino and Moo did not stay. Nevertheless, they would pay a visit every day.

"It has been a week…But Kan-chan has not really woken up. He slips in and out from consciousness…," Yoko had voiced out her concern to Takizawa. "I wonder when he would wake up…" Her hope a few days was a little crushed when she saw her master like that.

The other offered a gentle pat on her shoulder. "Don't worry. It's because his body needs more rest." Actually, Takizawa was worried of Kantaro as well. The mortal's condition was a lot worse than his demon companions would imagine even though his physical wounds had almost healed fully. Being a doctor, it was his priority to tell the truth, yet he found it hard to do so.

After a few minutes of silence, Yoko rose from her seat. "I think I should go to clean up our house now…I will be back soon. Please take care of Kan-chan ne?" Then she left the clinic.

When her figure was out of sight, another figure appeared. "He won't live long, would he?"

Even without turning back, Takizawa knew who it was. "His spiritual power is lost…that indicates a part of his life is missing. There is nothing to replace it, or shall I say nothing is equivalent to his life power," the doctor finally answered. Haruka was not someone he could hide the truth from.

The black tengu said nothing. Mysteriously, he had known the fact without knowing when and how.There was only one way to save Kantaro, if only he could turninto a goblin like Sugino did. Yet, having lost of his spiritual power, the option was unavailable. Life was really ironic at times.

They fell into remain silent for almost half an hour before they heard some noises. Takizawa said he would check on Kantaro and went into the patient room the mortal occupied. It was only second he entered the room, Haruka heard a gasp. "Ichinomiya-san, you shouldn't get out from the bed!"

That was enough to make him walk in haste towards the room. Kantaro was awake finally, after a long week of rest…

"I feel well enough, Takizawa-san. Thanks for the concern," replied Kantaro with a smile he usually wore. Apparently, Kantaro was not as blur as they thought he was in his half-conscious state during that week. He still managed to catch glimpses of their conversations in his room. At least, he could know the doctor's name from their conversations.

For the first time, Haruka did not what to say when he was facing the mortal. He knew Kantaro was pretending to be okay. He was obviously not well enough. He was acting tough. Carrying the dying Kantaro in Haruka's arms became almost like a dream. Kantaro pretended like nothing happened. Why could he not stop such reckless act?

"Reckless," so, instead of asking questions that went on in his mind, he simply said something sounded like his own self; stoic and nonchalant. They were too occupied with their own minds that Takizawa was almost invisible in the room.

"I always am," as much as he wanted to call the tengu by the name of 'Haruka', he refrained himself before his habit slipped. Haruka was not his slave anymore. He was not 'Haruka' anymore. 'He is not my slave now…,' Kantaro thought bitterly. Yet, his crimson eyes showed no regrets.

"Please, Ichinomiya-san, you should rest more," it was then Takizawa decided to snap in and advised like a normal doctor should. Kantaro gave another smile, this time a thin smile.

"I know how well my body could cope with. Thanks for the hospitality and concern, Takizawa-san. I need to take fresh airs…," suddenly, the young human went out from the room, passing by Haruka and the stunned doctor. Takizawa gave a worried look at Haruka, while the other just gave him another knowing look.

"He never fails to amuse me…," the older demon said in amazement. 'He lived through the fall from the cliff, survived over the deadly ritual and still capable to defend himself over Onikui tengu's attack…he is a miraculous mortal,' he thought.

"Just another thick-headed human," replied the black tengu. Those were his last words before he picked up his coat and went after Kantaro.

Meanwhile, Kantaro went out of the clinic despite his body still needed time to heal. Half-limping, he went towards a place he had known so well. Yes, he had been in this small town before, when he was young. His parents were kinder by that time and they brought him here. It was nostalgic to be reminded of such bittersweet memories.

: Flashback :

"Kantaro, want to play the lantern?" his father asked, looking up at the 3 years old Kantaro, who was sitting on his shoulders. Little Kantaro giggled childishly and nodded happily. His mother smiled and bought the colorful lantern for him. He accepted the little gift with a wide grin on his face. His smiles were much more innocent back then.

He lit the candle in the lantern and hold at the end of a stick connected to it. It was then something caught his eyes. The pair of crimson eyes glowed with curiosity. "Mama, what is that?" short finger pointed at somewhere in the dark.

His parents looked at where he was pointing and in a moment their faces showed confusion. "What are you talking about, Kantaro? There is no one…"

"There! There is something with a horn on its head and it smiles at me!" Instead of frightened, Kantaro showed interest. The moment he said those words, both of his parents showed fear in their faces. Their son was cursed. Kantaro was cursed with ability of an exorcist in his early age.

Kantaro later realized…He had something others did not have. And his parents grew to hate him for it. The curse of the Ichinomiya family…was passed down to their little son. "It can't be…We left that disgraceful house! I refused to be the head of Ichinomiya clan…I did not take on the job as an exorcist…," his father voiced out his thought miserably.

"Kantaro must not know about the curse…," Kantaro's mother stated in the equal tone.

"He is the curse now! Don't you see how his eyes glowed with happiness when he saw a youkai days ago? He is going to bear the burden of Ichinomiya…," his father snapped in a mixture of hurt and anger.

His parents tried everything to stop him and his interest in becoming an exorcist as fate destined him to be. Their attempts were in vain and the truth spread to the rest of the village that Kantaro was cursed. Immediately, it stirred up frights among the villagers and they had taken actions against Kantaro's family. Then one day, his parents left him alone. They could not tolerate with his passion to be friends with demons or spirits. They did not want to see their only son to be destroyed by the curse. So they left without notice.

Kantaro's father used to be an exorcist before he was married to his mother. But the moment he had learned of the family curse, he backed out immediately and left the household with his beloved. He did not want to be burdened by it. The curse was cast by the strongest tengu of all-Orge Eater Tengu..

It all started when Kantaro's ancestor tried to fight the famous Orge Eater tengu. His ancestor succeeded in winning, and even managed to seal the vicious demon. However, before the demon was completely sealed, he cast a curse, which it was to haunt the Ichinomiya family until their deaths. They would never be able to live in peace, nor die in peace for they would feel his presence until he was unsealed. Somehow, the burden of it was heavier on those became exorcists in Ichinomiya's lineage.

And Kantaro, having the talent in his blood, began a journey to search for the fallen Orge Eater tengu. It was as if the tengu was calling out to him. When he finally found the tengu, he was relieved. 'I have the chance to atone the sins I bear…I am happy that I found you…,' Kantaro thought as a few drops of salty tears rolled down from his crimson eyes.

"After years of searching…I finally found you…Haruka…," Kantaro had voiced out his mixed feelings at the moment he saw the demon. 'My ancestor did a mistake in sealing you, locking you in the ultimate darkness. And I would be the one that release you from the shadows. I shall be the one to bear the burdens and seek for your forgiveness…,' Kantaro thought as his tears continued to fall.

: End of flashback :

Unknowingly to the young man, the soft tears returned as the pieces of memories recalled in his mind. "I finally atoned the sins…paid for the punishments…released him from the darkness…Yet…did I succeed in seeking forgiveness?" Kantaro's voice was audible.

Haruka overheard his last words and decided to reveal himself. He had been watching the human for a few minutes now and began to feel restless for some reasons. "Kantaro…What is it that you need to seek for forgiveness?"

His sudden unexpected appearance nearly made Kantaro jump out of his skin. Nevertheless, he did not show much of the shock and did not wipe away his tears either. Instead, he lowered his head. 'So…there is nothing for him to be forgiving…Maybe it is because I am such an eyesore…I deserve no forgiveness…?'

: To be continued :

I am evil…:laughs: I stopped at a cliff-hanger again. XD The story is near to the ending now…Aww…finally. :)

Replies (thanks for the wonderful reviews!):

Yummy Yaoi: Hahaha, yeah. He is always typical no? XP Thanks for the review and comment. That fic entitled 'Haruka and his name'? You read it? XD Hehehe, that was plain plot-less lol! But thanks anyway! Hope you like the other 'Kantaro and his age'. :laughs:

Goku-chan: Sorry sorry. :( I am really a slowpoke…always update late. Hahaha, thanks though for the review! Oh, I agree with you that Tactics should have a movie or sequel! If only that is true…I would be real happy. XD

Kero: Kero-chan, your long review is definitely not a crappy review! That was so nice of you to drop me a review and telling me my mistakes at the same time:glomps: And I do admit my writing is poor. :P Anyway, I will edit the other chapters following your advices. And don't ever apologize for the review:) I do appreciate your help. Hehehe. Thanks again!

NaTsUkO-ChAn: Uwaa! Sorry:hides: It's that…no shonen-ai in this story…but…I promise you I make other Tactics stories as fluffy as you want? XD (One thing, I do love them. X3 ) Lol, thanks for the review by the way! Hehehe, I am honored to read your review every time. And hope you like this chapter!

Kazuha: Thanks! By the way, you might call me 'Rei' because that is my name. XD Anyway, hope you enjoy this chapter!

Ruby-dream: Lol…yeah, I guess I am such an evil author after all! Can't manage to bring joy in reading because in the end something must have spoiled your mood ne:sweats: Sorry! But I will try my best to make it good ending ne:) Hehehe, hope you like this chapter!

Mysterious: Wow, such a nick. XD Lol, thanks for the review. I am honored to hear those words from you. The ending is near so I guess I might be able to finish it this month (if I work fast enough…). Oh, good luck in your exam then! My exam is coming too. :)

Jez-Arinn: Lol…nope, but it would be one or two more chapters to go. :) Nyu, I am not sure myself how my ending would be…:sweats: Hehehehe. Yeah, it doesn't do Tactics any justice that the anime ends it that way! It is just too bad…Aii…Anyway, hope you enjoy this chapter and thanks a lot for the reviews! X3 By the way, I am still a novice to start a manga of my own lol.

Dadaiiro: Aww...thanks for spending your time on reviewing. It's my honor. Haha, that question is a good one. About turning Kantaro into a goblin/tengu like Sugino. It is answered in this chapter. So, hope you like it:)

Additional replies (late reviews):

Chapter 13

Ruby-dream: Lol, thanks a lot for the comment. Hehehe, I like Sugino too, he is too cute. X3 Yeah, this fic contains some messages about us, humans. I think I just love to add that kind of reflective stuffs into my stories. XP It is an important message for us not to be cruel to another being. Well, just some lame advices? XD

Chapter 1

Craig: Urm…Thanks for the review and visit to my blog. Yeah…I don't think I would forget that. :sweats:

Chapter 9

Jez-Arinn: Hahaha, you seemed excited lol. Why did I choose to write this? Hmm…Lol. Nyu, okay, I don't really mind that. XD Just hope you enjoy the story! And nope, as I said before, my skills are not good enough to turn this into a manga, even though I would love to. X3

Chapter 10

Jez-Arinn: Hehehe, I set myself a limit (not more than 1600 words per chapter actually). That is why everything is so short. X3 Maybe because I don't like to read long chapters, so I set a limit. Hehehe, thanks for the compliment. :) Yet again, I wish I could draw this, but I am sure I would be dying (by seeing how many chapters there are)! XD!