(12/5/04) Okay, I seriously need to work on these x.o;
Django and Arison enjoyed the slight breeze Kourihi created as she stomped down the mountain rather quickly. She jumped into a nearby river, making sure her passengers weren't submerged as she did. The tortoise's speed began to increase in the water and soon stopped a point in a clearing. The two children riding her shell unloaded as she swam to shallow waters. Kourihi transformed back into her human form and placed a pearl bracelet with a single black bead in Django's hand.

"Take care of the Bracelet of Genbu." She said as the boy slipped it over his hand. "Summon me whenever you need me. As Kidenkou's sapphire, return it to me when you purify the Necromancer." The woman summoned a large tortoise in the water and climbed aboard and set off back to the peak of the Forgotten Mountains.

"Now what?" Django asked, covering the bracelet under his sleeve. Arison looked up and became utterly speechless. A light "…Woah…" was all that was let out of her mouth. Vexed, Django looked up and he too became speechless. "What's that in the sky, Ally?"

"I don't know, but it seems to be really big if it's up at that altitude at that visible size."

Otenko emerged from deep within Django's subconscious and noticed the girl with the boy.

"Are you Arison, third child of Orion and Malik?" He inquired, capturing Arison's attention. Her expression read "Whoa, that sunflower's talking to me!" before she realized the flower had mentioned two particular names of interest.

"Yes, but… I have siblings? Well… Had?"

Otenko said no more.

"How do we get up there?" Django questioned, quickly changing the subject.

"I would suspect a warp somewhere like at Sol City." Otenko replied. The flower scanned the area around then and noticed a sign. Floating over to it, he read it aloud for the two adolescents. "'All that enter Cloud City beware. Harpies from the Phobia Forest have been sighted. Enter at your own risk.'" Solar Boy let out an audible gulp.

"Ally…"

"Yes… Squirt…?"

"What's a harpiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!"

"Squirt?"

Arison noticed what appeared to be a cross between a woman and a bird lift Django up into the sky; however, she was too tired to really care. Instead of fighting with her life, she stared at him as he squirmed, giggling slightly as his feet kicked around.

"What are you doing, GO SAVE HIM!" Otenko cried out, hitting Arison with his leaves. Murmuring things about wanting some sunflower seeds after this, she threw a tornado up into the air, catching the boy she tormented as a child. The harpy was thrown off, shrieking angrily as Django began his slow descent. Feeling too tired to care any longer, she let the winds fall, letting Django plummet down the rest of the few feet.

"Thanks for looking after me…" He muttered sarcastically, rubbing his poor backside.

"I stayed up all night for this, I have my excuse!" Arison yawned, sitting down to rest a bit. Django sighed. He was feeling quite tired for the relentless events he faced, especially the part when he lost his memory temporarily, got hit on by a mermaid, and clinging onto both a dragon and giant tortoise for his dear life. He joined Arison on the floor, his eyes drooping as Otenko screamed for them to get up and fight again. Soon, sleep had taken over him as a pair of harpy carried him and Arison away.


Django awoke to find himself chained to a rock above a ceremonial area. Panic took him partly because Arison was still sleeping and because dead men were chained around them as well.

"Wake up Ally!" he hissed, careful not to gain the harpies' attention. Arison murmured some incoherent profanities under her breath as she slowly opened her eyes to see the gruesome sight in front of her. Instinct told her not to scream and she was having a hard time to obey. A small boy laughed at this and wiggled about in his shackles.

"Having trouble to keep quiet, aye?" He grunted, blowing his white bangs away from his eyes. Arrows on his cheeks pointed inward and were the same gray as his eyes. He wore a simple black tunic and what appeared to be a shredded habit.

"Don't mind him Kazemusu, he's just angry that the harpies took his transformation gem away from him." A man snickered. The boy growled at him, hoping to jump out of his chains and attack the man.

"The harpies really aren't as bad as legends puts them." Kazemusu muttered.

"You're just angry that something not very intelligent took away your jewel."

"Shut up!"

While the argument over whether the harpies were just hungry or bored raged on, Django remembered the sapphire in his pocket and the pearl around his wrist. Quietly and cautiously, he moved his wrist around ever so slightly for the bracelet to slide for his fingers to reach. He murmured for Kourihi and to his surprise, she actually appeared in front of Django.

"Getting into trouble already?" She sighed, ignoring Kazemusu's existence. With a wave of her hand, ice seeped into the cracks of the shackles and shattered the metal as if it were glass. "When you need me again, call for me and don't forget about Kidenkou." With that, the tortoise guardian disappeared. Django rubbed his sore wrists and looked at Kazemusu.

"Need any help?" The inquired, stiffling his laughter. The boy answered with another attempt at a lunge before growling a forced "yes". Arison giggled and smashed the chains with her blade and fire magic.

"Tell us, why did the harpies do this?" she questioned. The boy she had freed gave a light sigh.

"Long story." He replied. "But I'll tell you when we get the hell out of here." He summoned a pack of white tigers and helped the man who teased him earlier on one. "If you're wondering, yes, I'm Byakko-sama's chosen, Kazemusu." Arison pushed Django onto a rather large tiger and easily kicked up onto the one next to it. With everyone settled and ready, the tigers flashed out of the temple and zipped onto a platform. A thunderous roar forced the platform to shoot up into the sky.

"Ready to tell?" Arison asked again.

"Yeah… The Harpies were generally nice before all of this. In fact, we even did some trading with them. Harpy feathers clean things up easily while we had extra teeth for their decoration. Anyway, the entire fiasco started a few days ago when that Necromancer gained power in the Human world. The Harpies' old leader was overpowered by something; I have no idea what it is. I do know that it took over and forced the Harpies to take sacrifices, if you noted all the dead bodies around you in the temple. They took me by the new leader's orders and stole the Earring of Byakko…"

Otenko appeared after giving this much thought.

"Perhaps we can help you." He stated. "Where are we headed now?"

"We're going to go to Cloud City for food and rest." Kazemusu replied once the platform began slowing down. His tigers disappeared once the platform ceased its flight.

"That is most appreciated!" Django and Arison exclaimed as one. Byakko's chosen laughed at their eagerness for sleep.

"Of course, eat, rest, we'll plan tomorrow!"

Django happily chewed on a plump apple. The sweetness nearly burned his eyes out, but he didn't care. Arison stuffed a bit of meat into his mouth, causing him to choke on bits of apple and meat. Throughout the entire meal, Django noticed that Kazemusu had been ignored and shoved aside for someone chosen by a deity. Of course, he had only seen two whom were chosen and thought they were respected, maybe even worshiped. However, the tiger only was abused. When the festivities were over, the Solar Boy made sure his best friend was resting before sneaking outside of the inn. He quickly, and stealthily, made his way to the main square and lay on a bench. The stars twinkled brightly, allowing the boy to relax. He was safe, for now. His eyes began to droop until a certain white haired boy appeared.

"You should be resting in the inn, Django-kun." Kazemusu breathed. Django only shook his head.

"Can't sleep easily." He replied. He sat back up and invited the boy to join him on the bench. Blinking curiously, the tiger chosen sat next to Django, twiddling his thumbs. "So… You know, I noticed that everyone took advantage of you…"

A sigh escaped from Kazemusu.

"It's because I'm not from here. I might have been born in this city, but my blood doesn't run as thick as the others from here. It seems to be considered dishonorable for someone not from the Noble Plains to be Byakko's chosen."

"Doesn't seem fair to me. Just because your blood is different from theirs doesn't make you any different inside, does it?"

"No… But…"

"But?"

"My mother abandoned me. They consider me a lowly orphan because of that."

"Who was your mother?"

"Kourihi…"

Django winced. The woman seemed to be very nice, why would she leave her own child? Of course, that didn't excuse his own mother, but she had to do what she did to save Sabata.

"Genbu and Byakko were natural rivals, much like Seiryuu and Suzaku… I guess that's why my mother doesn't want to consider me as her child… That she, the chosen of the Black Tortoise, gave birth to me, the chosen of the White Tiger… I am rejected from the Forgotten Mountains… I do not belong in the Noble Plains… I just want to fit in… I even trained with a naginata so I could forget my past, to forget who I am, but it does not help. It does not change who I am. I am me. Despite how much I don't want to be… I can't help being myself. And sometimes… Sometimes I feel worthless."

"Just because everything bad happened because of your history doesn't mean it'll be bad in the future…"

Kazemusu looked up at Django whose eyes were in silent tears.

"The pain you feel… Does it matter? It shapes who you are and who you can be. So what if they don't want you? You can still change. Don't listen to them. You're worth more than what anyone says. Even if you weren't chosen by Byakko… Well, things might have been different if you weren't, but chosen or not, wouldn't you still be Kazemusu?"

The boy stared at his companion, finding his words very true and wise.

"That's right…"

"Don't let anything anyone does to you make you a different person. Only you can change yourself!"

"Maa… How much you've grown, Django!"

The Solar Boy quickly spun around in surprise to see Arison leaning on a lantern pole.

"A… Ally!" He gasped. "How did you…?"

"Don't you think sneaking around under a box would attract SOME attention?"

Django blushed in embarrassment, glancing at the cardboard box he was using.

"Well… There are some things time doesn't change… Come on Squirt, give me a hug!"

He eyed Arison suspiciously and stood up to wrap his arms around his friend. However, she did trick him and zoomed a few feet away, causing Django to fall flat on his face.

"Some things that time doesn't change, EH!" He whined. The Saigon-Lunar breed laughed lightly and helped the boy back onto his feet before pulling him into a warm embrace.

"Yeah… But you have changed… More than just looks but mentally. You may have gotten just a bit more intelligent but you're wise beyond your years. I'm so proud of you…"

Django remained silent but smiled as he rested his head on Arison's shoulder.

"Thank… you…"

When they broke apart, Arison immediately pulled Django into a headlock.

"Come on, Kazemusu! You certainly look bitter being left out! Join us, join us!"

The boy laughed before realizing she was serious. Slowly getting up, he awkwardly wrapped his arms around the two. To his surprise, they held him tightly. He smiled, letting a few tears of pure joy run from his eyes. He finally knew he was not alone.


In the morning, Django and Arison met Kazemusu in the same square where their cornucopia of love took place.

"I hope you don't mind me tagging along in ceremonial clothing." The boy blushed. Instead of his tunic and habit, he had chosen a white oriental styled shirt accompanied by baggy black pants. He held a long staff with a sheathed blade at the top.

"We don't mind at all." Arison smiled. "Shall we go now?"

"Let's."

"So, what's wrong with this forest?" Django inquired once the platform reached the earth.

"Not much, really." Kazemusu replied. "Just things you're afraid of. Little things though."

"How do the Harpies manage to live in such a place?"

"They have no fears, I guess. They barely have emotions. Fear is pointless to them."

"Fear is pointless period."

"Ally…"

Arison seemed fearless, though that was far from the truth. Django of course, had many little fears. He was scared of tall heights, especially after the Sol City incident, getting lost, and sometimes Lita. The more serious phobias would have people stare at him. The reputation of a vampire hunter who is afraid of darkness would surely drop so the boy kept all his fears to himself. The forest held many creepy noises and mossy trees that would make many turn around and leave. The Solar Boy wanted to go back to a more light area, but it was already too late. He was in and he wouldn't be getting out until the immortal in this area was defeated.

"What are we going to face?" He pondered aloud.

"I don't know." Kazemusu subconsciously answered. This was less comforting than the idea of a forest full of one's fears. Arison, knowing Django's smaller phobias after years of putting spiders in his bed, offered for him to clutch onto her poncho. The younger boy accepted immediately, clinging to his childhood friend. Soon enough, the three reached a large clearing in the trees. Harpies flew around them, driving them into the center of the clearing.

"So you've fallen into my trap!" A voice echoed. There was no one in sight and not a single direction where the voice came from. Django felt something dark sneaking behind him, but it was too late to turn around.

"Django!"

He only heard Arison's voice before he was plunged into darkness.


After an eternity, Django's eyes opened, or at least he felt them opening. There was nothing in front of him. Pure darkness surrounded the boy. Though he could feel his limbs move, he could not see them. He tried crying out but his voice did not come. Suddenly, he heard screams around him, some of pure terror, some of extreme pain. He tried his best to cover his ears, but the shrieking only became louder. A sharp pain shot him in the back; he would have screamed if he could. Django could feel tears coming from his eyes, almost feeling blood trickling out of his mouth. The torment only increased. His entire body felt as if it were being stabbed by a thousand hot daggers, the daggers soon replaced by sharp flogging. With each hit, he wanted to scream; with each sharp feeling of being stabbed, he wanted it to end. But it only worsened. All the pain vanished, but Django's warmth drained away. Ice cold hands ran across his body, tearing at his clothing. He felt them grope him, lusting for more of his soft skin. Finally, he was able to let out a shriek. He was allowed to scream and he abused that right.

And that was his fear of the dark.

Django crumpled to his knees, letting the tears flow out like never before. So much pain, suffering, torment… The dark held many surprises and horrors not seen by the normal eye. If anyone else felt this trauma, they would be afraid of the dark as well.

"Django!"

He stood up (or at least felt himself stand up) and looked around.

"Django!"

There was something in the darkness, but it was not to be feared. Django felt his entire body warm up again.

"Niichan!" He managed to whisper. A figure stepped forward with arms stretched out for a warm embrace. Django immediately ran over to it, hugging the image of his brother tightly. "Sabata" smiled and lightly stroked the younger boy's hair lovingly.

"Django… Have you forgotten about the sun?"

The Solar Boy looked at "Sabata's" crimson eyes, blinking in confusion.

"No, but…"

"Django… In times of darkness, you must always remember that the sun is always with you. Especially you, Solar Boy…"

"Sabata" faded away, leaving Django alone in the darkness. Isolation. That was Django's other great fear. However, the words of Sabata echoed in his head, allowing him to overcome the fear.

'Those who fear the dark don't know what the light can do… But what if they don't have the light to repel the darkness?'

He shook that thought away.

'No, Niichan is right. I have the light; I have the sun. The sun is always in my heart because it is our…'

"SUUUUUUN!"

The darkness was shredded by Django's newfound courage and newfound faith in himself. The sun would always be with him to repel his fears, his darkness.


Outside, a dark figure menacingly hovered over three figures. These three, Saigon Knight Arison, the White Tiger Kazemusu, and Solar Boy Django were prisoners in its dark trap. They were being pitted against their worst fears, lost in their own nightmares. However, Django's dark cage was shining from within and soon burst into pieces, freeing the boy. He had his hand up in the air, absorbing as much sunlight as he could. His glare melted away all childish features, leaving behind all grave emotions.

"I have the sun." He whispered. In a sudden movement, he used his Gun Del Sol and Dragoon frame to pierce the surface of Arison and Kazemusu's prisons. In one swipe, he released his friends from their phobias and brought them back into reality. Arison gasped, collapsing to the floor but immediately stood back up. Her eyes were tear stained yet still contained the same "You're going to die" look.

"Oh crap…" That voice uttered. The tone of its voice changed into malice once the harpies gathered around the three. "Haha! Harpies, go destroy those three!" But the harpies only screeched at the darkness. Kazemusu smirked, looking at the creatures around him.

"First rule about controlling Harpies… Never show weakness." He said.

"Now, let's see what you really are!" Django shouted. With a swift flick, he threw a Rising Sun grenade up into the air, allowing it to burst into sunlight. The area around them brightened up, driving the shadows back, enabling all to see the enigma in the darkness. Everything all stared at the fear amplifier in both shock and surprise.

"All this time, we were being shown our greatest fears by a BUNNY!" Arison gasped, disgusted by the rabbit and at herself. The small woodland creature only growled at her.

"You'll never catch me and Taiyou will never be at three-quarter's power! Hahahahaha!" The bunny made an attempt to leap away, only to get caught in the talons of a harpy.

"That's the old leader…" Kazemusu gasped. "But I thought she…"

"I'm well alive, dear Byakko." The Harpy replied, annoyed. "This annoying little bugger thought I would die from my wounds and starvation. He underestimated how much I knew about this forest to survive."

"True, but I'm still at full power!"

"Give it up, Grun!"

The rabbit immortal did not give up though. Instead, he wiggled out of the strong grip the harpy leader had on him and darted away.

"He's heading for the platform to Cloud City!" A harpy cried out. Kazemusu summoned three tigers and hopped onto one.

"We have no time to waste! Let's go!"

Arison and Django quickly mounted the other two tigers and held on. Though these large cats were fast, Grun proved faster. He darted in awkward patterns, managing to dodge harpy claws and tiger paws. The rabbit sped ahead and onto the platform in victory. Unfortunately, it began its ascend before neither harpy or tiger could get close to it.

"Damn that bunny!" Arison hissed.

"Don't look down!" the Harpy leader instructed. Django questioned her statement but soon realized what she meant. The fierce creatures took hold of the three warriors and began and quick flight up. Once at the city, the harpies released their passengers and darted around the city. The deep voice that came from a surprisingly cute laughed evilly.

"So, you've caught me…" Grun said. "But you'll never win! Especially when I hold this!" He listened to the collective gasps and few growls from the humans, harpies, and residents of Cloud City. In his furry little paw was the Earring of Byakko.

"Immortals can't use the power of the gods…" Kazemusu glowered. "So hand it over and we'll make your death short and painless…" The rabbit only smirked (as much as it could) and held the jewel over the edge of the city.

"Go ahead and kill me." He replied, completely calm. "You'll only kill yourself."

"What's he mean?" Django asked the harpy leader.

"If a jewel of the gods is destroyed, the current chosen of that god will be sacrificed to repair it." She answered; her voice was very low and serious. The tiger's chosen remained silent and turned to face the Solar Boy.

"Solar Boy Django-kun… No, my friend Django-kun…" He softly said. "I had a great time with you and Arison… But please… If you really care about me, you'll kill Grun and let me handle the Earring of Byakko."

"Kazemusu…."

"Please…"

Django looked at Arison, who was unusually quiet. If he shot Grun right now, the Earring of Byakko would be destroyed and Kazemusu would have to pay the price. However, would the boy be willing to sacrifice his live to keep this immortal from terrorizing anymore? Another sickening thought crossed through Django's head. Did Kazemusu just get tired of living? He doubted it, but it was a very high possibility. He didn't want to do this for it could harm his friend, though Kazemusu asked him to. It was very confusing for him to decide with the consideration of what was on the line. He slowly reached for the Gun Del Sol's frame and switched it to Phalanx and aimed it at Grun.

"I trust your judgement, Kazemusu…" He whispered and fired. The rabbit immortal was knocked off the ledge and uttered "Fool…" before he was hit by sunlight and disintegrated into dust. With amazing speed, Kazemusu dove for his earring and managed to grab it. Sadly, he was unable to reach for the ledge in time and began falling. Django let out a shrill scream and tried to run to catch the boy but was stopped by the harpy leader.

"This is his choice." She said. "Let him do it."

Django only watched as the White Tiger's chosen figure became smaller and smaller…


Kazemusu closed his eyes, holding onto the Earring of Byakko. His life would pay for it, if he weren't already paying for it right now.

'Django-kun has been a really good friend… So has Arison-san… I'll miss them and they're probably going to miss me… But it's all for the best…'

He closed his eyes and let his fears fly away from him. There was nothing more to fear for it was what he thought was his final hour. However…

"Hurry up!"

"I'm trying!"

His eyes shot open at two familiar voices. He knew the second one right off the bat; that was definitely Kidenkou's voice. The first took a bit of remembering, but it soon came to him.

"Okaasan!" He cried out shrilly.

A great blue dragon headed for him with a special surprise aboard. Kidenkou did her best to catch up to Kazemusu and allowed Kourihi to catch her son. She hugged the boy tightly, pressing loving kisses around his forehead. Kidenkou only rolled her eyes in a humored way and steered her dragon vertical to the city above. Django was shocked at the sight he saw. It soon melted away into a sort of joy for another; his friend had been accepted he supposed. The love Kourihi had finally shown her child was evident as she whispered soft apologies.

"It is truly a remarkable sight, isn't it?" Arison said, slinging an arm around Django's shoulders. "We may not have our parents, but we have our own little family to love and cherish."

"Yeah…"

That night, celebration was thrown throughout all of Cloud City. With the Spirit World's sun a quarter away from being completely free, everyone in those regions freed rejoiced. Though there was much fun outside in the city, Django and company were inside a comfortable inn. Harpies were perched on various types of furniture and objects while Kourihi and Kazemusu were hugging on a sofa. Kidenkou was sprawled on the floor with Django and Arison on different chairs.

"We might as well be off." The harpy leader announced. "I wish the two—"

"Three." Kazemusu cut off. "I'm going with them in the morning as well."

"Why is that?" Kidenkou asked.

"I feel that I need to do this… Besides, I haven't met Enbara yet. Maybe it'll be an experience that I'll enjoy."

"Maybe. Then I wish the three of you good luck!"

And with that, the harpy flock exited.

"Hmm… Have you guys heard of… 'Carmilla'?" Django suddenly questioned. Kourihi looked at him with interest.

"Why do you ask?" She inquired.

"I recently fought her… But she seemed so sad."

"Of course. She was the crying witch." Kidenkou stated. "She was extremely talented in supernatural powers, but she didn't want them. The villagers here ended up killing her because of it. And then… She was reborn into the human world as an immortal banshee. Such a pity. She was a kind girl too…"

"Let's not dwell in the past." Kourihi interrupted. "You three need to sleep for tomorrow's events."

The tortoise shooed her son to his room, followed by Django and Arison. They were sure they would need the rest for the next day to come.


Ick. Finally! ;o; I originally had something else, but that royally sucked. Honestly. It did. I like this version much better, though it's ten pages. Don't mind the bunny thing, we were discussing zombie bunnies on Gaia's 2nd Anniversary. Grunnies, they're so cute :P I promised some and myself that I'd only use Japanese for names and titles, right? When Django calls Sabata "Niichan" and Kazemusu said "Kaachan", those were names for specific people. Django would say "my big brother" if he were addressing it like that. But he's using it as a name, so doesn't that count? Example sentences, "He is my big brother" versus "Niichan is sick." I wouldn't make him say "He is my niichan" because that would be breaking my promise. Onto Vampire Hunters/o/ (2/27/05)