Chapter 2
Takeya
Kazuma had been walking for two days, only stopping to rest and sleep. None he passed questioned him. And none opposed him. He stopped to rest by a river, for the night. As he began to set up a fire, he watched the large pasture beside him. When the fire was made, he sat against a tree and began to think. He thought about how kind the Fire nation had been to him. He thought about the strange feeling it had given him. He felt his chest where he had felt it. It had been a warm feeling. He then smiled, and decided he liked that feeling. Suddenly, he jumped up and drew his sword. "Who and what are you?" Kazuma commanded, pointing the sword at a man standing on the road.
"Whoa. Hey man, I'm not gonna hurt you. Just was going to ask if I could join you," the man replied in surprise. The man was tall with a built body and bright red hair. Kazuma sheathed his sword and said, "You still haven't answered my question. From your hair I can tell you are from the Fire faction."
"Heh, you got me. My name's Takeya. I'm the King of the nation's son. And you, I've never seen that color of hair before. Where are you from? Oh yeah, mind if I sit down," he replied.
"Do what you want. You don't recognize me because my kind is usually in demon form. I am Kazuma of the dark faction and heir to the throne," he stated in one breath, causing Takeya to jolt in surprise.
"Heir to throne! Demon kind! My god… what are you doing out here then?" Takeya replied, as he sat down, abruptly calm.
"I was banished by my father because of my brothers' plot against me," Kazuma answered, in a dull voice, as if he'd said it a thousand times before.
"Well then, we're not much different. You ever been to the Fire nation?"
"Yes, I have. I visited the Katashe Metropolis. Your father let me rest there. Where are you going, anyways?" Kazuma asked.
"You met my father, eh? Nice guy. I really don't know. Just following the path. You?" Takeya replied.
"As am I. If you need a place to rest, you may join me. Though I am surprised by your lack of fear of my kind," he admitted in wonder.
"You don't seem so bad, by the looks. I guess I'll rest here. Mind if I walk with you tomorrow. Got nothing better to do."
"Again, do what you want. Be aware that I only stop when I need to," he stated.
"Fine with me."
Kazumi and Takeya spent the night talking about their pasts. As they talked, Kazuma decided it was safe to trust Takeya. Soon after, Takeya lay, widespread on the ground, asleep. Kazuma, still awake, sat against the tree thinking. He gazed at the full moon, wondering about his future. He wondered why he'd been given the power of a demon, but detested the fact. He wondered if maybe, just maybe, he could one day find someplace he could be happy. He knew that, that was close to impossible, unless the factions forgot their differences and allied themselves with
one another. He wondered why, when he was training, he was considered to become an all-powerful demon. He thought late into the night, and finally fell asleep where he sat.
Kazuma awoke the next day refreshed. As he set about cleaning up the camp, he saw that Takeya had gone, but had left a letter behind. Kazuma picked up the letter and opened it. Inside there was a letter and a necklace. He pulled out the necklace, seeing that it had a dark red ruby fixed into it. He opened the note and read:
Kazuma,
Hey! I'm sorry to leave you so soon, but I received news of a problem. I shall await the time we meet again, my friend. I'll be back for my necklace. May you find what you are looking for.
Goodbye
Takeya Atashi
Kazuma placed the note in his pack, and put the necklace around his neck. The necklace hung next to his own. It was the necklace all inhabitants of each faction received at birth. Each faction's necklace was different in its shape, color, and type of stone placed in it. Kazuma's was black with an onyx stone set in it. Kazuma smiled at the fact that you only gave your necklace away to a great friend. It had been a tradition known by all citizens of Kyron. He began to walk down the path, heading for anywhere.
