Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Tactics. They are the property of Kinoshita Sakura, got it?

A/N: After this chapter there are roughly five more left to go until this all ends. T.T And, yay, I just got the first dvd of "Tactics"! ;-D

Breathe
Chapter 20: Memories Awaken, Restless Dreams Slumber
By: LadyYuina

A soft humming sound sprung forth a whole new light from a little black cauldron. A high peaked witches' hat stuck out on one side. Bright brown eyes watched the cauldron, the orbs never left their item of desire. From its line of vision the eyes could see its target lying peacefully on the other end of the room. His spiky black hair covered his eyes, making his eyelids almost impossible to see. The woman standing beside the cauldron actually squealed in delight just at the sight of him, she was finally getting Rekkugen back. This time she was going to make sure that she'd never lose him.

She made her way towards him, holding a cup full of her concoction. "Wake up, my dear Rekkugen. I have something for you to drink."

Haruka opened his eyes slowly, alarm overtaking him completely when saw the woman before him.

"My, my, what a horrible look you're giving me! You look as if you've seen a ghost! Don't worry, my sweet Rekkugen, I'm not a ghost." She reached out a hand to touch Haruka's own. "See? You can feel me, can't you?" Haruka recoiled, disgusted by her. The first thing that came to his mind was Kantarou.

"Where's Kantarou?" was his automatic question.

"Forget about that useless spiritualist! He has nothing to do with us!" Haruka snarled angrily when the raven haired woman approached him.

"Stay away from me, Dirina." Her face contorted into a wicked smile, one that Haruka wished he never witnessed. He roughly pushed the woman back when she got a little too close. "I said where's Kantarou."

"You're quite stubborn." Dirina looked to her spilled concoction. "Like I said, you should forget about that stupid man, he's not going to get in the way anymore. I've made sure of that."

"Where is he?" Haruka asked in a low voice.

"Will you stop it! It's always about him! What about me? Did you forget me, Rekkugen?" Dirina loomed over the Tengu, brown eyes flaring violently. "Did you forget what we shared? Our love? Our life together?"

"Enough! I do not recall such things! Now show me where Kantarou is!"

"Not so fast! Didn't I tell you if you interfered that you would die? Did you forget my warning or did you choose to ignore it? I know you don't want to die." She instructed for Haruka to sit and he obediently did so; it was as if she had chained a leash to him by the neck. "Now, drink this." She handed the cup to the dark haired Tengu. "If you drink that I will tell you where Kantarou is."

Should I trust her?

Without second thoughts he gulped down the disgusting tasting fluid. A warm sensation traveled down through his throat to spread throughout his body. Within moments a searing headache thwarted his head, pulsating painful vibrations. Memories floated around inside his head - most of them he never recalled performing or witnessing. He fell to the floor clutching at his head. Dirina patiently waited until his squirming subsided.

"Rekkugen . . .?"

From his crouched position the Tengu replied gruffly, "what?"

"Rekkugen, is that you?"

"Of course it's me, who else would I be?" The Tengu sat up, rubbing at his head irritably. "Goddamit, Dirina, what happened to me? My head is pounding with pain." He looked down at his clothing, suddenly feeling unaccustomed to such material clinging onto his body. "What is this? This isn't my robes . . ."

"Ehehehe, I'll go fetch you some new clothing. I'll be right back."

Rekkugen stripped himself and looked at the clothing he was holding in a puzzled manner.

What kind of clothes are these? Who would dare dress me up in such a hideous outfit?

"Bah, this isn't even made of silk!"

He threw them to the floor, unwilling to look at them any longer.

----------

"Say, where is that stupid monk? I'd like to repay him for what he did to me," Rekkugen hinted. Dirina shrugged, claiming that she didn't know the monk's whereabouts, she wasn't even sure if he was still alive. "Is that so? What about that stupid child that was with him? Where is he now?"

"I took care of him so you needn't worry," Dirina explained. "Besides, he's of no concern to us. You even went so far as to try and kill the boy. Now that you're back, mind telling me why?"

"What is there to tell? At the time I felt like killing, it just happened that I landed upon his family. It was all thanks to that despicable monk that I got sealed into that stupid rock . . . Now that I think about it how I did get released?"

"That stupid little boy you were talking about let you out."

"The monk's disciple!" Rekkugen growled in annoyance, hating the thought of being released by such a boy as that wimpy child he'd seen so many years ago. "That means . . ."

"Yes, you did become his servant for quite a while under the name of Haruka." Rekkugen snorted disdainfully, complaining that he would never in a million years be known by that name ever again. "Bold words you are speaking of, eh?" Dirina came up to the Tengu so she could clasp her hand in his. "You should be glad that I brought you back, my love."

"I am."

He kissed her passionately.

----------

It was a breezy evening as Kantarou lied on the tiled roof beside Haruka. The sun had sunk down behind the horizon only minutes ago. The sky was now showered with stars that lighted up the dark regions above. Kantarou closed his eyes for a moment and took in a deep breath. His hunched shoulders relaxed and his hands loosened their grip from behind his head; at this moment he felt at peace. A delicate sign escaped his lips only to be captured by the lapping wind.

A large hand thumped him on the chest causing the silver haired man to automatically open his eyes. A grinning Haruka rolled his upper torso over the smaller man; he was draped over him like a huge blanket.

A smile caressed Kantarou's lips. "Hey, Haruka."

"Hey."

"When did you get up here, I didn't even hear you approaching." Kantarou tried to sit up, but Haruka wouldn't let him. "Mind letting me sit up?" Haruka shook his head. Laughing, Kantarou asked, "why not?"

"Let's stay like this, your body feels really warm--"

"Hmmm, where have I heard a line similar to this one, eh?" Haruka blushed though he made no motion to move from his position. "Back then that was one lame excuse! You should have seen that look on your face! I almost laughed at your expression, however I managed to keep a straight face the entire time. At that time . . . you were being really sweet to me."

"Heh." Haruka brushed a hand across Kantarou's forehead, pushing silver bangs out of his eyes. "Your eyes are so beautiful. Have I ever told you that?" Kantarou turned his head away and shook his head. Out of the blue he couldn't bear the intense stare Haruka was giving him. A gasp escaped his lips when the Tengu had his hands slipped out from underneath him to having them pinned above his head.

"H-Haruka . . .?" Uncertainty filled the spiritualist's voice. "If you want to have . . ." Kantarou paused, unsure if he should say the word ". . . if you want to have sex, I'm not ready . . . not yet . . . okay?"

"I never said anything about sex, Kantarou, but if that's what you want secretly I can definitely give it to you."

"No . . . no-no! I don't want it!" Kantarou squirmed underneath the Tengu. At this point he didn't know whether he should fear Haruka or be angry with him. "Haruka . . . please release me." The intense gaze from the other's chocolate brown eyes didn't disappear - Kantarou gulped as he wondered what was going to happen.

"Release you, you say?" Kantarou nodded quickly. "Fine by me." He let go. In that instant the silver haired man pulled down his arms to tuck in front of himself protectively. He gently pushed at Haruka's chest, wanting him to back up a little. "I won't lie to you, Kantarou." He leaned down closer to his ear. "Sex was on my mind, I was hoping you were already ready after all this time."

Kantarou shuddered at the thought, he remembered all too clearly what happened on his first attempt. The pain afterwards was almost unbearable . . . He in no way wanted to go through a repeat of that horrid aching sensation again.

Surely Haruka and I can have a mutual relationship without sex? Should I be scared of it for the rest of my life? No, that's ridiculous! How can I be! I shouldn't be, right?

"You're such a wimp," Kantarou heard Haruka say.

Kantarou took in a deep breath. He hated it when someone called him a wimp. "Haruka, I am not a wimp. Just because I didn't comply to your wishes does that make me a wimp."

"Fear can be such a big issue, hm? Is that it?" The black haired Tengu sat back, his buttocks met the cool tiled rooftop. He shivered for a moment, one that was too brief for Kantarou to catch sight of.

As a matter of fact it was getting rather chilly outside.

"Ha--"

"Never mind that. It's getting really cold, let's go inside."

Kantarou opened his mouth momentarily, but then closed it when he realized he had nothing to say.

A shoji screened door slid open and close.

----------

"Where are we?" Rekkugen asked. In his hands he held a round object that was unfamiliar to him. "And what kind of an object is this?"

"Don't worry, we're still in Japan and that thing you're holding is a wooden marble."

"Wooden marble?"

"It's used to ward off evil spirits. Monks tend to scatter these stupid balls everywhere when they try to rid a place of something sinister."

"Interesting. Japan has changed greatly since the time that I've been sealed away."

"It hasn't really changed at all. It's due to the fact that I've studied the humans and learned their many mundane customs. This makes it easier for me to blend in with them," Dirina explained.

"Is that so?" Rekkugen snapped his head to the right when he heard soft rattling coming in that direction. Dirina sweat dropped, Kantarou was hidden behind some barrels to the right. She didn't want to show Rekkugen that he was over there. "What's that noise? It sounded like bells."

"I've tied some bells in that corner. The strong gusts of wind must be blowing them. I'm not called a wind witch for nothing, you know."

"Heh, of course not."

Dirina sighed in relief. She surprised herself, she never thought that she could feel so much compassion towards the silver haired man.

Why is it that I suddenly want to save him? I should let Rekkugen tear him to shreds! Yeah, that sounds like a good idea!

----------

"Dirina, my child, come here!" a woman called.

"Coming, mother!" Small shoed feet padded across the dirt road to meet face to face with feet larger than its own. Dirina smiled up at her mother while she held out a flower to her. The thirteen belled bracelet she wore on her left wrist shined brightly in the sun. It caught her mother's eye.

"Dirina, where did you get that thing?"

"A monk by the name of Sanji Ryo gave it to me. Is there something wrong with it?" Her mother shook her head. "Oh, okay, he did tell me that it's a good luck charm. He even told me a tale about the bells. Would you like to hear about it, mother?"

"Why certainty! Please do tell!" Her mother smiled sweetly.

"All right!"

In the province of Wann there lived three beautiful girls by the names of Ina, Rouna, and Zaitsu. To the farthest land of the east of Wann province, Ina resided in a small hut with her family. She had only a mother and two older siblings; two older brothers. Rouna lived to the land farthest from Kasumi ocean, here she stayed with her mother and father. A little ways off from the Kasumi ocean lived Zaitsu and her mother, father, brother, and two sisters.

Ina and Rouna were very good friends even though they lived very far apart. It was only a year ago that they had met one another. Ina was playing by the Kasumi ocean by herself until another girl came to join her.

"Hi, my name is Rouna. What's yours?"

"My name is Ina."

"Ina. That's a very pretty name! I like it!"

"T-thank you."

"I just came over from the west in a town called Shibuku. Have you ever heard of that place?" Ina shook her head. In all her life she hasn't known any other place other than her own cozy little village. "Well anyways, I came to visit my grandfather. He's famous for his medicinal powders."

"Oh, Mr. Natsuki! Wow, you're related to him?" Ina's eyes sparkled with delight. "I will never forget him for what he did for my mother! She would have died from sickness if we hadn't stumbled upon him!"

Rouna grinned, pleased to hear that her grandfather was tirelessly doing good deeds for everyone in the village. Remembering that she had some candy she produced them from her pocket. Ina stared at them in wonder - she knew what candy was but she'd never seen any like Rouna's.

"Want some?" Before Ina could even answer Rouna thrust some into her hand. "Try them, they're really food."

"What are they called?" Ina looked down at them stupidly.

"Star candy!"

"Star candy?"

"Yup. My mommy made these for me, she says the ingredients she used came from the heavens. Though I don't believe her. In fact, I know what she really uses but I'm not going to tell her."

"I see."

After that day, Rouna and Ina became good friends. What had been two weeks at the small village by Kasumi ocean felt like days to Rouna and Ina. Their friendship was strong and they didn't want to break the chain. The day prior to Rouna's departure she made sure to give Ina more star candies - she fastened them to string to create a necklace. Ina kept it ever since, not wanting to forget her friend.

"That was a very nice story, Dirina, however you didn't say anything about Zaitsu other than her family members."

"Monk Sanji wouldn't tell me . . . He said her story was dark and scary. He was completely convinced that I wouldn't want to hear it." Dirina thumbed through each of the bells slowly as she tried to remember the other stories. "There were a lot more, although I can't remember them all. The one about Ina and Rouna was my favorite so that one came to mind easily."

The child growled in frustration when she couldn't recall the other stories. "Don't fret over it, Dirina, it's not a problem that I don't hear the other stories. They must be wonderful and beautiful tales and besides I'm afraid that we're a little short on time."

"Huh? Why?"

"The Bishop is coming over to have dinner with us. Go wash up and dress properly for once!"

"Hahaha, okay!"

Chapter 20: END