Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Tactics. They are the property of Kinoshita Sakura and Higashiyama Kazuko.
REVISED: December 31, 2012
I was rewriting some parts over and over in this chapter till I was satisfied. So embarrassing! Sometimes I wonder how I could put out stuff like this for people to read (even with revisions and all!) *ahem* Well, the die has been cast, so yeah. XD
Have a Happy New Year! (2013~)
Breathe
Chapter 17: Fever?
By: LadyYuina
"I don't think I have," was the response. "It isn't an urgent cause for alarm, Kantarou. I advise you rest for the time being."
"I'm fine. Stop babying me all of a sudden."
"I'm not. I'm going to care for a precarious little man who doesn't know his own limits."
"No." Kantarou's lower lip jutted out, eyes narrowing, much like a child's way of defiance. "You're wrong. You and Reiko are one in the same. I can see your ploy."
"Excuse me?" Reiko retorted. She may have been left a smarting reminder by Kantarou, but that wasn't going to stop her from doing her job. "Have you become so delusional as to think we're plotting something against you? I think something has possessed him, Haruka."
"You know what, Reiko, how about you go make yourself scarce; I thought you were going to leave."
"Firstly, Mr. Demented, I apologize for my behavior earlier, but I only acted that way out of concern. However, I am not angry for what you did and what's happened has happened. And for your own good, please let Haruka help you."
"I want her choker." Tears were beginning to well up and he was trying his hardest to hide his face. "It's not the same anymore. Nothing is . . ."
Haruka saw and went in front, shielding Reiko's view of the man. Turning his head, he nodded to her and she immediately understood. Standing, she promptly left without saying another word.
"Kantarou, I promise you, you'll get her choker."
Could grief and pity be blended together? Kantarou had to wonder. He closed his eyes and gritted his teeth.
What a terrifying roller coaster ride he was on.
"Um, where exactly are we, Suzu?" Youko peered around her surroundings, brown hair swishing this way and that. "I understand the dead part, but I don't get what this seemingly endless bridge is for."
"It's not endless; it's just really, really long." Suzu replied. "I've gone through this bridge once, and I ought to thank Kantarou for that."
"Kan-chan?"
"Yup. He helped me through a while back. He's now given me a companion, too. She isn't here with us though; she's waiting at the other end." Turning to Rosalie, Suzu added, "and I'm sorry you got dragged into this. Now you're dead like us . . ."
"My daddy is crying a lot. I can hear him inside his room . . ." Rosalie automatically said. She clutched at her plushy tightly. "I'm sad too. I want to go back to my daddy so he can be happy again."
Youko frowned as guilt plagued her. She got this poor child into this mess. It wasn't only Suzu's burden alone: the price Rosalie paid for it with was her life.
Kan-chan, I wonder how you and Haruka are doing?
The last time I saw you, you looked so unhappy and drunk. Why was it that I could make contact with the living world on that night? I wish I could have told you what I wanted to say.
Maybe that chance may come again . . .
Kantarou sighed in relief when Youko's choker fell into his trembling hands. He wanted to keep it so badly . . . It was the only thing that he could remember her physically by.
"Thank you, Haruka. Where did you find it?"
"I had it all along." Kantarou's mouth went agape. "I don't know if you remember or not, but Hasumi had brought it here and you nonchalantly tossed it aside. I had the mind to clean it up and put it in a safe place."
Surprise changing into embarrassment, Kantarou exclaimed, "then why didn't you tell me! You let me make a huge scene in Reiko's presence!"
"And since when have you not?" Haruka asked.
Deflecting the question, he rebutted with, "but I asked if you saw it and you said you didn't!"
"I was put off by your behavior, so I was prompted to lie."
"I'm fine now, as you can see. No more crying. No more thinking the world has ended for me. I will make sure of it this time."
"You're still coming down with a fever though, there's no denying that."
"Yeah, I feel like I'm burning all over –– so hot."
Haruka stood and went towards the end of the room. "Go ahead and take it off then; I need to change your bandages anyway."
"Okay."
Haruka's features softened. Kantarou was back to his normal self, for his heated rage from earlier seemed to have disappeared.
Kantarou sat there quietly as Haruka busied his hands with patching him up. Looking at the wound for a moment, the Tengu couldn't help but wonder if he really did receive the injury from falling down. The very next morning he didn't see any signs of anything that tripped Kantarou.
Then, if he hadn't fallen, who could have hurt him? Was it really not me?
"Kantarou, about that particular night when you said you tripped . . ."
"Hm?"
"I find what you said hard to believe. I didn't see signs of anything that could have tripped you. Besides, what could make a cut—"
"Haruka, don't worry about it. I don't openly admit it, but I've had my own clumsy moments; that night was just one of them."
"I still find it strange . . ."
"Stop it, will you? I'm still alive and breathing, so calm your wits."
"No."
"Huh?"
"Let me tell you again because if I was the one who hurt you, I need to know."
Kantarou let out an exasperated sigh. "It wasn't you. I tripped. I fell, got hurt. End of story."
"You're lying . . ."
"No, I'm not! Haruka, just drop it!"
Not wanting to turn it into a sudden yelling match, the Tengu stilled his tongue. No matter how much he wanted to suppress the idea, he couldn't help but think he was the one who hurt his own master.
Staring down at his own hands pressed against the small man's body, Haruka could easily see the devastation.
"By the way . . . Once you're done, get out. I want to sleep a bit. My body's kind of achy," Kantarou explained.
Haruka nodded. "I'll finish up now then."
"Monk Nanao, my bracelet just shook. Why did it do that?" Kantarou asked, overly frightened.
The monk smiled and said, "there are spirits present."
"Spirits! Where! Shouldn't we hide? Aren't they going to attack us?"
"No, no, Kantarou. Your bracelet is shaking gently, yes?" The child nodded, looking at the object of conversation thoughtfully. "When it shakes gently like that it means the spirits will not attack us. You're a very special boy after all, so they don't want to hurt you. If I don't say so myself, I think they're curious to get to know about you."
"I don't want to get to know them! What if . . . they're scary?"
"Hahaha, Kantarou, my child, there's no need to be scared. You should be happy that the spirits want to know more about you; they might help you out in life."
"Really?" Kantarou's eyes grew wide. "How?"
"Can you hear them?"
"No."
"Listen carefully."
"I can't hear anything. But now my bracelet won't stop shaking either . . ."
"They're very intrigued, they won't leave so easily." Monk Nanao sat down on the grass and prepared to unwrap his bagged lunch.
"Is it okay to eat here?"
"Yes."
Somewhat warily, the child sat down and began unpacking his own food, but midway through he explained, "Monk Nanao, I'm going to take it off – it's shaking too much."
"It seems she made the right choice in giving it to you. Promise me you'll take good care of it."
The persistent jingling of his bracelet awoke Kantarou. He absentmindedly brushed a hand across his forehead and was met with dampness – a thin film of sweat glistened on his hot, alabaster-colored skin. Pushing his blanket away all he could think to do was to catch the night breeze, and just as he turned to one side he was met with the solemn stare of a woman.
He stilled and watched her just as intently. Her brown eyes looked at him critically, scrutinizing him. However, only mere moments had passed before she eyed the tatami mat beside him. Hidden underneath was his writing. With a flick of her finger the papers slid from underneath the mat into her waiting hand.
Alarmed, Kantarou sat bolt upright, eyes narrowing.
"You still haven't completed it," she said.
Feeling a sudden pressure Kantarou found himself planting face-first onto the floor. By the loud thump he was sure that Haruka would have woken up, though he didn't.
"Don't worry about him. Rekkugen can't hear us."
"Rekkugen?" Kantarou lifted his head, as it was the only part he was able to move. "Tell me, are you really Dirina?" The woman made no reply. "Answer me! I saw her grave on the day I met you! You can't be her!"
"I am her." Kantarou grunted in pain as the pressure increased, bearing down on him quite painfully. "You didn't do as I asked; that section of your story is still blank. You must complete it."
"Must? You are kidding yourself; I am not obligated to finish that piece of crap. I'd rather die than complete it," Kantarou spat.
For the first time he saw Dirina smirk and with paper in hand she caused the words on it to glow an eerie red.
The spiritualist shuddered out in agony. Pain like the prickling of a thousand needles assaulted his body.
"What . . . What are you doing to me? Aaaauuuggghhhhh!"
"Rather I use your blood or Rekkugen's?"
Kantarou tried to speak, but found he couldn't utter a single word.
"Rekkugen would be sad if you were to die, stupid man. Now, about that bracelet of yours . . . You need to rid yourself of it."
Kantarou shook his head forcefully. The words on the paper flared a brighter red, and he cringed in silent anguish. At this point the pain was near almost unbearable.
"Your life force is draining, yet you said you weren't afraid of death. However, I know you are lying. In fact, that is the one thing you fear most. You buried that lone fear deep inside your heart, refusing to ever let it surface. That is unfortunate . . ."
Tears began to form at the corner of his eyes, and angels be damned if he were to cry in front of her but the flashing streaks of hurt wrung strong. He couldn't, no, it was impossible to withstand.
"This is your final warning; complete this story or it'll continue to drain your life force until you die. Remember. Rekkugen will be devastated if you perish. I know him best."
Dirina disappeared into nothingness and the undulating pain upon Kantarou lifted. The papers were on the floor, bright red letters aglow. Unable to move due to exhaustion, Kantarou laid there for the rest of the night feeling sick to his stomach.
"Are you sure this bridge isn't endless? It feels like we've been walking on and on forever. However . . . I can't say that my feet hurt, I can't even feel them . . ."
Suzu giggled at Youko's comment.
"You know what, this is all Dirina's fault! She's the reason Rosalie and I are dead!"
The brown haired youth abruptly stopped and looked downward in slight remorse. "Youko . . ."
"I never got to tell Kan-chan what Haruka told me to say. I think he's in danger . . . At this very moment . . ."
"I want to go home," Rosalie suddenly said. "I hate this place, I hate this bridge."
Suzu sighed. Youko was fired up about Dirina while Rosalie was homesick. Could it get any worse than this? Looking up ahead, Suzu wondered if the bridge really was endless; after all, she was stuck here until she heard Kantarou's voice leading her to the other side.
Would we need his guidance again? Where was he now?
Saddened, all Suzu could do was silently pray they would make it to the other side.
Sugino sat beside Haruka as he watched the Tengu tend to his weakened Master. Muu-chan sat encased in his arms as she, too, watched what Haruka was doing. Haruka frowned, for he couldn't believe Kantarou had gotten much worse within a day: he partially blamed the man's lack of self-concern that he got this sick.
Even though he was hot yesterday due to a fever, he shouldn't have taken his gi off entirely. The Tengu looked at the wound on his chest, taking note it was still going to take more time to heal.
Kantarou, you idiot. How did you really receive that wound? Why must you always lie to me?
"Say, Haruka, do you need me or Muu-chan for anything?" Sugino asked.
He didn't particularly like the silver haired man, but he didn't want to see his fellow youkai suffer; and ironically enough it was over a human being. Haruka shook his head. The only request he had was for them to leave if they didn't mind.
"Are you sure we can't be of any help?"
"It's all right, I got everything covered. I know how much you dislike Kantarou."
Sugino sweat dropped as he laughed nervously. "Well then, I suppose I'll see you later."
"Sure."
It wasn't till Sugino and Muu-chan were nearly invisible to the nake eye, did Kantarou finally wake from his slumber. He faintly smiled upon seeing Haruka's tired expression; it wasn't hard to see relief danced inside his eyes.
The papers. He did a quick glance to the side and noticed they weren't there.
Did Haruka read them? Or take them?
"Haruka, where did the papers over there go?" He lifted an arm to point at the indicated spot. In response, Haruka said he stacked them with the rest of the blank ones. "They were blank?"
"Of course."
They were . . . blank? Haruka couldn't see the words?
Smile becoming bittersweet Kantarou held onto Haruka's hand. He wanted to hold onto him forever and never let go.
Chapter 17: END
