Chapter 6

It was approaching one month since Tasuki surrendered to inquisition pursuing the stranger that grabbed his admiration that night. With barely any leads, he refused to submit, promising himself that the next day he would find him. His ambition was unrelenting, granting him more focus than he had ever had in his life. With every clue he was granted he patted himself on the back, gaining confidence that he was just one step closer.

Today he was camped out at the Mt. Leikaku Valley. It was 7 AM in the morning and the sun was already scorching hot outside. Thanks to the pity of a young man who had passed by earlier, he was spared some grub and clothes to cover his parched naked back.

He had been traveling half-naked lately, his tattered clothing barely enough to cover his frame. His attire had gradually withered away and so had his spirit until being blessed with that unforgettable encounter.

He brought the remaining drops of water in his possession to his lips, easing the uncomfortable itch in his throat that was so terribly dry. The heat was becoming too unbearable for him. He groaned revealing his discomfort and sought out the sparse shade from a few of the trees.

For the first time he questioned if his mission was worth it. His latest clue to the stranger's whereabouts brought him the closest that he has ever came. If it was not for that conversation he overheard from two market vendors about the bandits of Mt. Leikaku, he would have never known to camp out there. 'Be a good sport Tasuki'. He tried to be his own cheerleader, hoping to distract him from the sun that seemed to want to pierce through his mind. He decided to nap a little bit and curled himself into a fetal position huddling his hand over to shade his face.

"Young man, are you okay?"

"Yeah yeah yeah, I'm fine," Tasuki replied flicking the fingers of his right hand as a means of dismissal. He couldn't care less who the man was. He kept his eyes shut trying to drown out his words of intrusion. It was an action that always worked with nosey pedestrians. Like the rest, he eventually gave up and went his merry way.

Tasuki sighed and yawned ever so loudly stretching his hands straight ahead of him as if grasping for the sky. He curled out of his fetal position and rolled unto his other side adjusting his right arm as a cushion for his head to rest. He patted at his mouth gently in an attempt to cease his yawning. He knew it was a sign of hunger and restlessness but he paid it no mind. Instead, he whisked himself into a deep slumber, conjuring sweet dreams contrasting to the life he possessed.

Later on that day he awoke to the touch of cold dripping water. A feeling of exhilaration overcame him as it bathed his lips and his face. Finally aware that it had to be from the actions of another, he flew up from his position nervously knocking his head into the chest of a boy positioned over him. He rubbed his eyes fiercely aiming for a clear view of his surroundings. His lids stretched wide beyond its limit as he tried to make sense of where he was. He tried to stand up completely ignoring the figure that stood next to him. And he fell to his knees surprised by the fatigue that he felt. He looked up, and his blurred vision focused on the face of an older woman. Standing next to her was the young man that looked about his age, old enough to only be her grandson. The young man came to his aid quickly by the request of his guardian, placing Tasuki's frame back firmly on the futon.

Tasuki looked around his surroundings intently. Now in full state of mind he realized that he was no longer outside. Built around him were the walls of a small wooden house. He looked around the room puzzled as to how he could have gotten there.

"Young man," the old woman croaked. "I can tell that you are puzzled by your surroundings. You need not fear. It was my grandson that dragged you inside. He had found you lying under a tree and could not revive you so he sought out my help. It was only from then that you have finally awakened--"

"What time is it?" Tasuki asked frantically. The broken pieces of his memory now came to recollection. He began to panic knowing that he had messed up on his moment. Forgetting that he was still weak from fatigue he hurriedly tried to make a run for the door only to fall flat on his face.

"What's the rush child? It's now five o'clock in the afternoon." The old woman's grandson looked on in puzzlement as she tried to bring calm to Tasuki's disposition.

"There was someone--" Tasuki lamented in a panic. "There was someone I was supposed to meet."

"Rest child," The old woman suggested in a means of comforting him. "You'll only exhaust yourself more and I'm sure that's the last thing you desire."

"But you don't understand," He tried to plead with her to no avail as the little strength he had left began to poor right out of him. He surrendered himself to her will and decided to lay back down on the futon. He was panting heavily and he began to find it difficult to breathe.

"Kouji, fetch a cup of water for this young man, would you please?"

"Yes ma-am."

"Don't fret young man. My grandson will be back with some water soon. Please excuse me." She bowed in dismissal. "I'll be in the kitchen preparing something for you to eat."

Tasuki lay there feeling hopeless. He needed to escape from this place but he had not the strength to do so. He would be lying if he said he did not appreciate the kindness from the old woman. It had been years since he had experienced such devotion like that. He raised himself up into a sitting position as soon as he saw the boy returning with the cup of water.

"Thank you," he mumbled as the cup reached his hand. It felt awkward getting help from the strangers. He looked at the boy intently as he took three sips before placing the cup at his side.

"So, your name is Kouji huh?" Tasuki asked trying to strike up a conversation.

"Yeah, so what is it to ya," the young man replied coldly.

Avoiding the gaze of Tasuki's eyes he tried to silence his attempt of casual conversation. But he realized his persistence will get the better of him.

"So what's your problem anyway? You drag me all the way here and yet you show me nothing but indifference." Tasuki let himself fall back unto the futon then turned to his side to hide his distaste. The room stood still in silence as they remained in the company of each other. That was until the guy made a statement that riddled Tasuki's thoughts with confusion.

"Your mom will be here to retrieve you soon. You should get some rest until she gets here within twenty minutes."

"What are you talking about?" Tasuki demanded almost shouting. "She --- I don't – I don't want to see her so why did you have to bring her here?" He became suspicious and he began to act senseless trying to hold his weight as he struggled to lift himself off the floor.

"What are you doing?" Kouji asked. He reluctantly reached out a hand to help him only to be retaliated against with a whack to his palm.

"Who are you?" Tasuki questioned. "What do you know about me? Your worrisome meddling is really beginning to annoy me."

"You display such insolence," Kouji responded. "What an ungrateful attitude you have. Instead of you thanking me, you're seeking to run away."

"Don't you dare lecture me!" Tasuki exclaimed. "You have no knowledge of my upbringing! You should have minded your own business and leave me for death's door underneath that tree. Now here you are inviting me back to this one way ticket to hell. I can't go back there. If only you had a clue."

He sighed in exasperation before continuing. "I'm leaving." And with that said he hobbled his way through the bedroom door. He looked around the living room trying to spot the exit and once in his vision he made haste without looking back.

"Young man, where are you going?" Tasuki turned around to see the old lady looking at him with an expression of such concern. His eyes widened in fear as he saw the woman that approached from behind her. He stood paralyzed in his position, the intimidation crippling his senses. His freedom was now over. He dropped to his knees in front the door.

"I guess he's happy to see you," the old lady commented naively. She walked the red head's mother over to the frame of her son for so long she had been searching. "This is him right?" she asked and the woman shook her head gratefully. She grabbed Tasuki by his shoulder beckoning him to stand up.

"My my," the old woman lamented. "Please be gentle with him. The boy has been through a lot. He was at death's door today."

"No need for concern," she replied. Tasuki listened as his mother gripped him roughly. "My child is strong and healthy so we can be on our way."

Hiding behind his grandmother's shadow, Kouji stared as the red head was dragged away. He cursed at the guilt that overcame him trying to convince himself that he did the right thing. But the knot in his stomach would not release him. He had a heart felt worry for the boy. The words he had said to him began to ring ever so clearly.

"That woman is abusive," the old woman realized. "The poor young man, I hope he will be okay." And more than anything Kouji wished the same for him as well ashamed that he assisted in continuing the boy's wretched fate.

B r e a k

A/N: Seems like Tasuki is back at square one. Review please. Also, look forward to a new character entry in the next chapter