Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Tactics. They are the property of Kinoshita Sakura and Higashiyama Kazuko.
REVISED: March 29, 2013
Breathe
Chapter 18: Blood-Stained Eyes
By: LadyYuina
Several days have gone by, and instead of Kantarou's fever getting better, it is getting much worse.
Kantarou is being given medicine everyday and gets plenty of rest. But, why isn't he recovering?
Is this really a fever?
Haruka was lying on top of the roof and listlessly staring off into the clouds, wishing his thoughts would drift along with them. If only the wind could blow them away . . . Very far away.
Tension grew within the Tengu, for Kantarou was so weak that he didn't know what to do anymore.
If he dies . . .
If he dies, what would I do then? What will I do on my own? I don't want to lose him . . .
Down below, inside his own room, Kantarou was also dealing with the same feelings. It wasn't hard to figure out that he'd die soon if he didn't act quickly. Fear crept up ever so slowly, and just like the witch had mentioned, he was more afraid than anything.
Is it selfish of me to not want to die? What meaningless kind of life am I leading now? Youko's no longer here. Suzu's gone, Ichi . . .
However . . .
Haruka, what should I do?
"The spirits are really attached to you. When did you become so friendly towards one another?"
"It was easy! I can hear them now!"
"Oh? Can you hear all of them?" The monk's face lighted up with a happy grin. "That's absolutely splendid!"
Kantarou blushed, as he was not used to being praised. Even his own parents never congratulated him on anything. It was an odd coexistence, but despite that the silver-haired boy knew they loved him. If they didn't, they would've either mistreated him or kicked him out of their home long ago.
"So, Kantarou, what are they telling you?"
Now somewhat discouraged, he said, "actually, I can't make out what they are saying. Does this have something to do with the bracelet?"
"How many bells are tied on there? Can you count them for me?"
Kantarou did so. He counted a total of thirteen. Not understanding the monk's question, he asked what the significance of the number of bells was.
"Nothing really, however, in the western culture people there believes the number thirteen is bad luck."
"Then should I take it off?"
"No need. It's not bad luck here."
"But . . ."Kantarou reached for his wrist and clamped down on the bracelet.
"Thirteen bells . . . That's quite a bit, eh?"
"Huh?"
"Have the spirits left you?"
"Ah, yes . . ."
"All right then, let's get going."
Amid the sea of noise Kantarou woke up to one sound; he awoke to the sound of voices, to the exact same ones he heard when he was with Ichi. They swarmed around him inside his head, whispering things he couldn't make out.
He reached for the bracelet and felt the usual subtle vibration. Eyes still closed, he tried his hardest to envision the beings. Very slowly, very carefully, white wisps of tall figures formed themselves behind his closed eyelids. One was that of a child and though he could not see her clearly, something akin to warmth washed over him.
Why can't I make out her face?
They started to close in and the voices grew more intense, but before their words could become coherent enough, something tugged him back to the real world.
"Kantarou!" Strong fingers dug into his arms. He opened his eyes in surprise and red color filled his vision. He could feel himself being abruptly pushed upward into a sitting position, just as a cloth came to rest against his face.
Alarmed, Kantarou tried to push the hands away.
"Stop moving so much, Kantarou! What happened to you!"
"What are you talking about?" Haruka pulled the cloth away, showing him a crimson-stained cloth. "Blood? Is that my blood?"
"I think you should go see a doctor. You've been sick for far too long. How about I take you to a clinic right now?"
Kantarou shook his head. Not only did he not feel like going anywhere, he knew his lack of strength was because of the loss of blood. The fever only played a small part compared to what was happening to him now.
Haruka's shoulder sagged ever so slightly. "Kantarou, I know we've gone through this before, but you don't need to lie to me about your problems. All I want to do is help you."
"You aren't in a position to be saying these kinds of things to me."
"I don't care."
"What are you, some nagging housewife?"
"Say whatever you want, if my concern for you appears that way in your eyes, then I'll gladly let you call me as such," Haruka replied.
Kantarou gasped. This was a side of Haruka he never knew existed. When had he become so soft?
"For you, I'd do anything. Sometimes, I wonder how I could come to love someone so strongly, but you've taught me the meaning and value of friendship and life. It's something I cherish now and I never want to lose it."
In spite of the grave situation, Kantarou couldn't help but show a gentle smile. He wanted to sound just as sappy, though when he tried, no words formed other than, "I see. Thank you, Haruka."
Upon seeing the small glow that came from Kantarou's face, it nearly melted Haruka's heart. Human life was quite short, and it was made all the more precious because it was so short. But alas, there was no time to dwell . . .
"But, more importantly, your eyes were bleeding. What did you do?" Haruka asked. "Please . . . Tell me."
"It's not that I don't want to tell you, it's more like I can't tell you."
Ironically, this little statement of Kantarou's made Haruka remember something. Dirina threatened him if he were to interfere . . .
Did she threaten Kantarou too?
Haruka clenched his fists together, angry that he couldn't do anything. Dirina, or perhaps an imposter, apparently had then tied up in a loop, playing with them as if they were her dolls.
"There's no helping it. I know how you are, and as it stands you really won't tell me."
Hand trembling feebly, the spiritualist picked up his blue pen; due to the lack of energy he felt quite weak and light-headed.
It had been two days since his eyes bled.
He placed the tip of his pen on the paper, waiting for his hand to start moving . . .
"Okay, here I go . . ."
It was dark outside, and the wind howled its eerie sound all around the house, through the floorboards, windows and doors. Lightning flashed across the darkened sky, illuminating everything for a mere second with bright light. Kantarou anxiously looked out of their small window in the kitchen, hoping to catch a glimpse of his father. His mother stood beside him, hands clutching at his small shoulders tightly. The child could sense his mother was afraid.
Upon seeing a figure approaching their home, Kantarou cried out in surprise. "Mommy, look! That must be daddy!"
His mother frowned as her nails gently dug into his shoulders. "You can't be sure."
"But . . ."
"Come." She then proceeded to usher him into a closet. "You wait here. I'll go check."
"Why do I have to hide?" Kantarou asked.
"Just stay in there. I'll call for you in a bit, all right?"
Though he was still confused, Kantarou decided to abide by his mother and waited in the closet.
The silence that filled the house now resounded itself more forcefully when paired with complete darkness. The only thing the child could hear was the rapid beating of his own heart. He placed an ear to the door, hoping to hear the sound of his father's voice.
Minutes went by and it all was still quiet. Kantarou had the mind to open the door, but was taken aback when something roughly slammed against it. He backed away in surprise, eyes wide. Then came the sounds of scuffling followed with muffled grunts and groans.
'Mommy', he had wanted to call out . . . However, was it wise to do so? He was uncertain.
"Aaauuuhhhhhhh!"
It was the sound of his mother's voice and without meaning to, he yelled, "mommy!"
In that one moment everything happened in a flash. The door was pulled from its hinges and towering before the child was a winged being, fangs bared and snarling.
Terrified, Kantarou screamed.
The child ducked underneath the figure only to trip over something soft and warm. He gasped as a pair of bloodied eyes stared back at him – those of which were his mother's. He hadn't the time to digest everything he was seeing, and now with him noticing the creature coming for him he frantically rose to his feet. Right outside the front door was his father, bloodied and lifeless. Long claw marks marred his face, throat, and chest.
Then there was a sudden onrush of voices, but the child didn't care. All he wanted to do was get away.
"Run."
"Run faster."
"Run away."
"Run, run, run, run, run, run . . ."
"I'm running! Dammit, I'm running!" Kantarou cried out. His tears intermingled with the rain. Within moments his clothing and hair were soaked through, and he shivered against the wind's mighty puffs of unwanted air. The silver-haired boy kept on running until his ribcage ached.
He turned to look behind him - no one was in sight. Wearily, he sat down hard on the muddy pathway as he tried to catch his breath.
"He's coming, you know?" a woman's voice suddenly said. "Can't you feel his presence? It's such a resilient feeling!"
"Who-who are you? Show yourself!" Kantarou remained where he was, too tired to even move.
"My, my, you're stuttering! Are you that afraid? Pitiful little boy!"
A woman draped in black appeared before him, laughing. A roar of thunder resounded overhead and it lighted up the woman's face. Her piercing brown eyes caught his gaze.
"He's coming closer, you know?" Angered, Kantarou tried to grab at the woman, and grunted in dismay when his hands met nothing but thin air and the cold rain. He stilled upon hearing her whisper into his left ear. "I'll tell him not to slaughter you like he did your parents, okay? You're awfully cute; I wouldn't want you to die just yet."
"No!" he cried. "No! I . . . I don't want to die! Someone please help me!"
"It's useless," the woman answered. She grabbed at his wrist only to let go when his bracelet magically burned her. "You wretched child! How dare you hurt me!" She spun him around, plunging clawed talons into his chest. Kantarou cried out in pain.
He began to fall forward . . .
Kantarou dropped his pen as he trembled in pain. A slow burning sensation coursed through his scar. He still had a page to go before his story was complete.
"It's all becoming clear now. I . . . can't stop yet."
"Rekkugen, don't kill him yet! He's mine!"
"Fine then, he's all yours."
"That brat's bracelet - the thirteen souls. How did he get a hold of such a thing?"
The creature known as Rekkugen shrugged. He flew to the boy's body and picked him up in his arms.
"Put him somewhere dry, Rekkugen. I don't want the little bastard to die just yet."
"Taking pity on him?"
"Of course not. It wouldn't be any fun if he's not alive for some entertaining torture."
However, something happened later that day that changed the witch's life forever.
"Rekkugen! Your-"
"It's okay . . . It's better off if it's me. Go now before he seals you too."
"Rekku-"
"Goooo!"
Kantarou lay cradled in the monk's arms as he chanted something onto a sutra. The child laid so still, his skin so pale; one would think he was dead if they didn't see his raspy breathing.
"Hang on, Kantarou. I won't let you die."
Small red eyes opened a fraction too late.
The story was now complete, and the blazing red letters faded to that of their original black color. Kantarou nervously stared at the paper, expecting for the worst. And yet, when nothing happened, he inwardly sighed with relief.
"Well done, Kantarou," Dirina said from behind him. He turned around slowly, red-colored orbs carefully watching her. "Do you know the truth now?" Kantarou remained silent. "Well, all right, you don't know the whole truth. However, I don't feel like telling you."
"Then don't."
Dirina snapped her fingers and the papers magically flew into her waiting hand. She smiled coyly at Kantarou before disappearing with the story. The spiritualist growled, throwing his blue pen in the general direction that Dirina had been.
"Where is the thirteenth one?"
"She is coming as we speak."
"We can't be united without her." Long slender hands stretched out in a graceful manner. Jet-back hair trailed along the floor, looking like dark vines. Ivory-colored eyes roamed around the room, looking at each figure in turn. "Our mission is absolute; it will determine the fate of Japan. At all costs that wretched creature must be destroyed or sealed away."
"We understand," the others chorused.
Kantarou stayed where he was for a very long time staring at his hands. Something he had long forgotten all came rushing back - things which he tried so hard to forget. It was eerily dark that night, and due to the thunder storm he couldn't make out the woman's face or see who Rekkugen was.
But monk Nanao told me Haruka was sealed away by my ancestor in the past. Did he lie to me?
Kantarou placed a hand to the scarred to his chest.
Was it Dirina that gave me this scar? That night, I saw her brown eyes so clearly, I can't be mistaken.
"What a pain! Why is there more questions coming than there are answers!"
"Something the matter, Kantarou?" Haruka peeked his head in, eyes scanning around the room.
Startled, the spiritualist yelped, "don't suddenly show up like that! You surprised me!"
"I apologize. Also, you're looking a lot healthier than you did this morning. Were you faking it?"
"Why would I?"
"Oh you know, to get away with meeting your deadline. Reiko's not easily tricked."
Kantarou managed a laugh and this caused Haruka to smile. Their current conversation might have come about to show some sense of normalcy, but whatever the two were feeling, who would spout it first? Haruka couldn't help but wonder.
"Um . . . Haruka, I've been meaning to say this so here it goes." Haruka held his breath, somewhat afraid of what he might hear. Anxiety consumed him for the seconds Kantarou remained silent. "I've been meaning to visit Youko's grave . . . Now that I've had time to think things over, I've decided I want to chant for her the same thing I did for Suzu. Maybe she needs guidance across the bridge."
Haruka was relieved. He was expecting to hear something akin to their relationship ending, or about the fact that he was indeed being lied to, but it was none of that.
"All right; if that's what you want to do."
"Where's she buried? Oh!"
Kantarou stepped forward seven spaces because he realized that he was standing on top of Youko's grave.
Just like Ichi's grave, she was buried beside Suzu as well. Rosalie's didn't appear to be nearby so he believed Hasumi buried her somewhere else. But putting those thoughts aside, Kantarou fanned out his gi, and aired himself for a moment as Haruka watched. A small orange butterfly fluttered into Kantarou's line of vision and his eyes followed the bug's movements until it lightly perched itself on his nose. Without warning Haruka clamped a hand gently over his face. Kantarou could feel the butterfly flutter frantically across his face.
"Don't move or you might harm it," Haruka said. The spiritualist's eyes widened upon feeling the butterfly collide with his lips. He jerked slightly. "I said don't move."
Angry, Kantarou pushed Haruka's hand away, letting the butterfly go free. It flapped its orange wings going higher and higher into the air.
Chapter 18: END
