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

A/N: Warning ahead of time, there will be unanswered questions mainly because I wanted it that way. I leave them up to your imagination. Think. XD

English class essay paper delayed me from updating sooner. Sorry everyone. And guess what . . . I'm gonna get another one as soon as this one is turned in. Blame my teacher. XD

Breathe
Chapter 24: All The Way To That Limit
By: LadyYuina

Rekkugen sat down in an agitated manner as he thought back to earlier events. He saw the immense power the spirits had - more so they frightened him when he saw how easily his lover was sealed away. She wasn't weak, she was far from it, but now he understood why she loathed such an item such as the bracelet. It had that much power stored inside the little bells. They even attempted to lock him away, however that child intervened. For an instant at the time she defended Kantarou he saw a clear image of her happy smiling face when she was alive. It was an odd sensation when the little ordeal occurred. It was all too odd.

Still, his thirst and desire to rid the world of humans was still very strong in his mind and heart. He wanted to use the thirteen spirits after having witnessed their awesome powers. He knew with them on his side there would be nothing that would be able to stop him. But damn it all . . . Rekkugen wasn't ignorant to the way they appeared in the world of the living. In order to do that they had to drain the pathetic silver haired man's strength; he knew he couldn't risk letting him perish if he wanted to use them.

"Why are humans so weak?" he asked himself rather dejectedly.

"Haha, the same may for you," he heard someone say.

"You . . ." It was not hard for Rekkugen to recognize the voice of the monk that sealed him away so many years ago. "Its you . . ."

"Yes, its me, monk Nanao. I see you still remember me." A tint of wicked sparkle shone in the monk's eyes. "How was your nap inside that rock I put you in?"

"That is none of your business," Rekkugen snapped. Trying to be slick he ducked and lunged as fast as he could at the monk. To his utter amazement the monk nimbly dodged his clawed attack. What made it worse was that the monk was smiling at him. "You . . . You are unnatural, monk."

"Indeed I am, if I wasn't how would I have sealed you away? You should have known that after several hundreds of monks trying to deal you and none succeeded, it should have brought to mind that a normal monk would never be able to pull it off."

"Heh, you were just lucky back then."

"Well then, I bid thee have a good time. I have no time to waste," monk Nanao said, turning around and walking away.

Rekkugen tried to go after the monk, but after the very first step he realized that his legs were no longer mobile. Try as he might he couldn't find any feeling within them.

"Stay there a while, Rekkugen. There's no need to rush."

Monk Nanao soon disappeared yonder a hill, it wasn't until then that Rekkugen was allowed movement again.

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Kantarou stirred for a moment before fully awaking, sitting up stiffly he stretched his right arm which sent a jolt of pain at his attempted stretching to un-cramp it. It took him a few seconds before he realized that his bracelet was not something he wanted to be near him. Yanking it off his wrist he threw it across the room to let it collide none too gently against the cement wall opposite him.

"About time you got rid of that thing . . . or at least tried to," he heard Dirina say.

"You - didn't they seal you?" Kantarou asked, eyes widening in surprise.

"They did but if you don't recall the rest of it then that's too bad."

"Why am I still here? I was sure that I was going to die . . ."

"Enough of that crap, you're alive because Rekkugen wants you alive, got it?" Kantarou stared at her in disbelief, she had changed so much. She wasn't like the Dirina that he was used to seeing. She seemed more open abut her emotions, and her lack of manners was surprising. "Dammit, they're affecting me!"

"Huh?"

"Kantarou!"

"Shut the fuck up! Get away!"

"Don't listen to her!"

"Kantarou, I know you're there . . . Can you see me?"

"Shut up!"

Kantarou didn't know why her tone of voice kept changing - each voice seemed to have a mind of its own. He couldn't distinguish them from the main counterpart, or rather the body at all.

"There's something strange about you . . ." he took tentative steps away from her ". . . it's as if you're Dirina and not Dirina at the same time."

That's correct!

"Oho, don't you even think about it, bitch! He can't hear you this time! I'm in complete control!"

"You're not Dirina," Kantarou stated. "You can't be her because she's already dead!"

"I am her!" Now it was Dirina's turn to take several steps forward to get closer to Kantarou. Her green shawl became long forgotten when she let it slide down her shoulders onto the ground, and her long black hair flowed behind her for the briefest of time. Sharp golden brown eyes narrowed angrily down at the red-eyed man. "I am Dirina. How many times must I tell you that?"

"No matter how many times you say it I'll never believe you; she's already dead. I've seen her grave with my own eyes."

"Kan--"

"Silence! Don't speak!"

"She's within you, isn't she?" Kantarou finally realized why he heard so many different voices before. It was all clear to him now - Dirina had split personalities, but that didn't explain how she was still alive and moving. Regretting that he'd tossed his bracelet away - if he'd had it with him he could've deflected this foul woman. "Dirina . . . If you can hear me I want you to say something." Nothing happened. "Dirina . . ."

"Shut up, you fool!" Dirina snapped.

"Dirina," Kantarou said in a more commanding tone, "if you can hear me, say something that will make me believe its you." The only thing he received as a response was Dirina lifting him up by the gi and slamming him hard onto the ground. He cried out in pain as blood sputtered from his mouth.

Let me speak to him!

"You will do no such thing . . . you'll never come out again."

"Dirina, enough, didn't I tell you not to kill the boy?" Rekkugen barked by the doorway. He then came to Kantarou's side. As best as he could he tried to imitate Haruka. "A-are you all right?"

"Haruka?" Kantarou whispered hopefully, his glassy red eyes wavered with apprehension.

"Yes, its me, Kantarou." He held one of the spiritualist's hands in his own and gave it a gentle squeeze of assurance. Looking up he saw Dirina giving him a look of utter disbelief. Slightly snarling, he warned her with his eyes not to blow his cover, for it was rather in his idea that he wanted her to play along. She jumped on the opportunity immediately.

"Darn it. I thought I fully had Rekkugen back too!" she faked, and tried to look angry.

Kantarou was rather bemused, although he didn't believe for a second that Haruka was truly back. Despite how well Rekkugen was acting at the moment he was sure it was not him. Gently pushing what he supposed was Rekkugen away he gazed into his eyes intently - what he saw there was not something he expected to see. Indeed, they were the eyes of Haruka's soft and gentle brown-hued eyes filled with worry. Nevertheless, his eyes strayed to his bracelet not too far away from him. Rekkugen seemed to have caught onto his gaze and knew what he was exactly staring at.

"It's too dangerous to try and think about that now; we must find a way to get rid of that evil witch first." Kantarou looked on with uncertainty. It didn't sound like Rekkugen was lying, yet based upon his actions he couldn't determine what was going to happen.

"You? Get rid of me? Don't make me laugh!" Dirina mocked.

She was enjoying this stupid little charade too much to notice Kantarou inching towards his bracelet. With great speed he threw it at her, and upon contact all thirteen spirits came tumbling out. Confused, they looked around for a moment.

"We're in the world of the living once more," Zaitsu announced.

"Quick! The orb!" Ina reminded Dasarani.

This time Dirina wasn't going to fall for the same trick again. Even as the orb was hoisted into the air the wind witch used her powers to blow the orb in her general direction. Smirking, Dirina held the orb within her grasp as the spirits watched her angrily.

I . . . I can't let this continue any longer.

From within Dirina felt unbearable pain, it was ripping at her mind trying to devour her. Despite this she still had a firm hold over the orb that had the power to seal away her forever. The spirits, Kantarou, and Rekkugen watched as Dirina howled and screamed - it was as if she was fighting herself from within. Struggling to keep a hold on the orb she fiercely punched herself. It didn't take long for her to drop it though, and the lucky spirit that saved it was Suzu.

"Kantarou!" they all heard Dirina cry out. "Please kill me! I'm so sorry! I . . . I didn't mean to cause you any trouble!"

"Shut the hell up! How many times must I tell you!"

"You shut the hell up! I'm talking to Kantarou now and you shall no longer interfere!" Her voice echoed all around the room. With tears now streaming down her face, she continued. "After all this time, Kantarou, I was powerless to stop her from hurting you. I was so powerless to do anything . . . Please, the thirteen spirits, seal me away. I no longer belong in this world. It's all my fault that everyone had to suffer."

"I remember you now!" Kantarou finally shouted. "I saw you when I was only a child. You were the one to give me the thirteen belled bracelet. I remember that day clearly. How could I have forgotten?"

"Yes, that was me. I'm glad that you remembered the true me. Thank you."

The thirteen spirits didn't hesitate to lock the demonic woman. It wasn't long until she was safely inside the orb once more. In this instance the spirits were drawn to the bells again since they didn't have the energy to contain themselves in the world of the living.

Kantarou watched Suzu sadly as she inched closer and closer towards a certain bell. A shroud of smoke encircled all of the spirits before they disappeared completely within the twinkling yellow wonders.

----------

"What . . . Where am I?"

Haruka was distinctly aware that he was immobile until now, it even occurred to him that he met a monk as well. The name was a passing memory but he remembered his face and clothes clearly. And the last thing he remembered doing was drinking Dirina's disgusting concoction.

"Dirina . . ."

----------

"Dasarani?" Suzu asked.

"What is it?" She looked down at the child in an irritated manner.

"About my . . ."

"It's all right, Suzu," the girl turned to face Zaitsu, "she's had your punishment revoked. You'll remain with us."

"But why?"

"Back there in the realm of the living you showed great courage. You dived for the orb while the rest of us stood there and watched, and I'm ashamed that I didn't try to do something myself."

"Thank you, everyone!"

Zaitsu smiled while Dasarani shrugged, though she slightly blushed under Suzu's watchful eyes.

"At least everything's back to normal. That's all that matters, and as for Rekkugen - he is no more."

"Huh?"

"If you don't know already then that's too bad, Suzu," Dasarani teased, and shoved the center Suzu's nostrils gently upward to make a pig's nose.

"Tell me."

"No."

"Come on."

"I said no."

"Hmph."

----------

Monk Sanji traveled along the worn dirt road that he was trekking on. During his midday walk towards the local village he ran into a child that reminded him very much of Dirina, in fact the resemblance to her was uncanny. If monk Sanji didn't know any better he would have thought that Dirina was reborn within this child.

"Hi, Mister, wanna play?" the child had asked. Her sparkly brown eyes danced with merriment as she waited for his response.

"I'm simply passing through, but thank you for the invitation . . ."

"It's Mizu, my name is Fukaami Mizu!"

"Yes, Mizu, thank you for the offer. Now please excuse me, I must be on my way now. I have very important business to attend to in the village. You don't want to delay this old man much longer now, do you?"

"What's your name, Mister?" Mizu simply asked.

"You can call me monk Sanji."

"You're a monk?" He nodded. "Ooohhhh! I love monk sutras. I collect them as a hobby but the other village children thinks it's stupid."

"It's not stupid at all, Mizu." He patted her tenderly on the head, and she glowed with happiness. "I'm glad that you haven't let them bother you with their jealous lies."

"Don't you have sutras on you?" she asked. "If you do can I have one?"

"Certainly. I have them in red and white, which color would you prefer?"

"Red. It's the color of blood, you know," the child informed the monk, acting as if he already didn't know that. "I always collect red sutras whenever I can."

"My, my, you're quite the morbid type, aren't you?"

Mizu shrugged. "It's a fact though, and the color red does resemble blood and blood associates with death. No matter how one dies they usually bleed unless they were poisoned or something like that. But yeah, I'm pretty knowledgeable about death when it comes down to it."

"Well now, I must be off to the village. It was nice meeting you, Mizu."

Before the monk could take more than three steps Mizu stopped him in his tracks with what she said.

"I wouldn't go there if I were you. The whole place is covered in the color red. That's why I'm not over there; sometimes the color red disturbs me."

"What do you mean?" Monk Sanji asked, bewildered by the child's statement.

Smiling cheekily, she said, "can I have a red sutra now? You said you were going to give me one."

"Oh, yes, yes." He stuck a hand into his knack sack that he kept with him. He handed her a white sutra instead of red. "Here you are, Mizu."

"Hey, you said you'd give me a red one!" she whined.

"I'm sorry, I ran out of the red ones," the monk lied. "Looks like you'll have to take the white one instead."

"About the village . . . I wasn't lying, its really covered in the color of red. If you do go there you'll see what I mean."

Indeed monk Sanki found out what she meant. What he perceived as a death warrant was actually a town festival that celebrated the bloom of the red carnation flower. He chuckled lightly to himself.

"You fooled me there, Mizu. You really fooled me."

Chapter 24: END