What Friends Are For

Author's note: I recommend listening to the song Crazy Robo from Sonic Adventure when Hisame says, "Get up."

Ryoma shuddered as he walked around the dimly-lit interior of the armory. It was incredibly early in the morning, and today was his shift for checking the armory. Piles of weapons sat upon crates, and various items lined the walls.

"C-C-Can we p-please go b-b-bac-ck to bed soon?" Camilla stood behind him with a blanket wrapped around her body; her teeth were chattering at an astounding speed.

"No, Camilla. We need to make sure nothing is displaced." Ryoma gave her a sympathetic look, then gazed to the paper in his hands. Either Caeldori or Subaki had detailed every piece of armor, weapon, and item that was supposed to be in here, and almost everything was accounted for. All that was left was four arms scrolls, a silver naginata, and a battering club.

Ryoma searched around for the four books and the weapons until Camilla grabbed the paper out of his hand.

"What are you looking for?" She asked as she studied the manuscript. Frigid air wafted out of her mouth while she exhaled.

"There should be four arms scrolls, a battering club, and a silver naginata right there." Ryoma pointed to the wall opposite the entrance to the armory where various weapons were strewn around. He began to dig through the piles until he was certain they weren't there.

"Uh, Ryoma…" Camilla dropped the paper to the ground and looked outside the door. "You might want to see this." Ryoma walked to her side and looked out the door.

In the center of the sunlit training yard stood a man with light-brown hair, who leaned over a certain boy that Ryoma identified immediately.

"Kamui!" Ryoma's 'brother wolf' instincts were immediately set-off as he sprinted to the outside. Rain soaked his head while his feet splashed through puddles, and fog rolled through the air. He could see Kamui sleeping while this man loomed over him, and he simply needed to protect his brother.

The man with brown hair noticed Ryoma and raised his hands toward the heavens, then threw a violet sphere directly into the ground. Purple light began to pour out of the ground around Kamui and the man until it made a bubble-like shape that encased them.

Ryoma arrived at the barrier and pounded his fist against it. Ripples coursed through the obstacle, but it did not budge. Ryoma couldn't see inside the barrier, but his gut told him that something horrible was about to happen.

Kamui awoke to the sound of footsteps stomping into a puddle.

"Get up." The familiar voice of Hisame spoke; Kamui detected the lack of warmth in said voice.

"Hisame? Is that you?" Kamui groggily opened his eyes and stared up at the sky. He could see nothing except for the color purple. The entire sky had been replaced with a solid wall of purple that enclosed Hisame and himself in a small, circular area.

Kamui's feet felt rather damp, and he looked down to see the grass inside the dome was all wet, with some puddles interspaced. The air inside the enclosed barrier had a tense feel to it, and it seemed the source of that vibe was Hisame himself; he looked as if he had gone through hell and back, what with his eyes drooping and his hands noticeably tense.

"I said get up!" Hisame screamed. Kamui scrambled to his feet and noticed that Hisame's attire had also changed to reflect a new menacing demeanor. He was wearing a cowl and had adorned many plates of metal onto his chest and arms. Kamui thought this must be some elaborate joke set up by Caeldori.

"What's with this purple barrier?" Kamui raised his eyebrow at the menacing glare on Hisame's face.

"Oh," Hisame raised his eyebrows as he stopped his movements. "I forgot to explain where we are. This lovely barrier is something I liberated from Nyx's room. We are completely shut out from the rest of the castle until I snap my fingers."

"Did you promote yourself?" Kamui felt a twinge of nervousness in his body as he stared at the silver naginata Hisame brandished.

"Yes, but given Caeldori used the last of the master seals, I had to improvise." Hisame's glare could very well kill someone with its intensity.

"Hisame, you didn't…" Kamui felt his gut sink when he noticed that Hisame's locket was gone.

It was at this moment that Kamui realized this was no joke. Hisame was dead serious about this. "So where did you get the spear?"

"From your armory, which you had the lovely courtesy to leave unlocked. But that's not important. What is important is the future that you stole from me." Hisame continued to glare at Kamui.

"What future? I didn't steal anything from you." Kamui smiled in a hesitant manner. Surely he could attempt to calm Hisame down with logic and due process.

"That trial I had yesterday. After I killed Subaki, I lived a long, happy twenty years with Caeldori. We had a child, Kamui. A child." Hisame paced back and forth. "For the first time in my life, I felt happiness…" He paused his walking, stared at the dirt, then shifted his gaze to Kamui, who he could barely stand to look at. "And then you stole her from me."

"W-What?!" Kamui was taken aback. "Stole her from you? Hisame, she's been chasing me ever since she got here!"

"But you just had to accept her, didn't you? You knew that I loved her, and yet you still crushed my dreams by accepting her love." Hisame gripped the handle of his naginata tightly with both hands. Inside his thoughts were screams that surrounded him; his own screams mixed in with the sound of Kamui's laughter.

"Hisame, who turned you down?" Kamui raised an eyebrow and gave him a serious look.

"Caeldori did." His voice was dry and monotone.

"Exactly. I didn't interfere at all, she's just not interested in you." Kamui's tone had an air of wit in it. The screams inside Hisame's thoughts became a roar.

He clutched his head and shook violently as his thoughts were barraged with wails of torment. "You're a failure." Kamui's voice spoke.

"Nobody loves you." The now cold voice of Caeldori rang in his ear.

"Get out of my head!" Hisame let out a scream as he released his forehead from his grip.

"Hisame... Are you alright?" Kamui asked with genuine concern in his voice; not only for Hisame but for himself as well.

"Shut up! She turned me down because you were already with her!" Hisame gritted his teeth and gave Kamui a frustrated look. Kamui realized that his previous statement was moot, and he had just poked an incredibly angry bear with a flaming sword. "You stole my happiness! You stole my wife from me! You stole my daughter from me!" Hisame brought the point of his spear upward.

He shifted his gaze towards Kamui's sword, the Yato. "Grab your sword and duel me." His tone had an air of calm in it, which stood in contrast to his yelling from before. It was as if he had learned to control his anger and use it as a weapon.

"Hisame, I refuse to fight yo-" Kamui spoke, and in a single moment Hisame had brought his spear up to Kamui's neck like a serpent lunging out of foliage at a rabbit.

"Did I make myself clear?" Hisame's voice became shaky as he held his pointed weapon against the supple flesh of Kamui's neck. Kamui's heart thumped in his ears as Hisame pulled the tip of his spear away from his jugular; he bent down and picked up his sword. His thoughts consisted of a single message that repeated over and over again.

"I can't fight you," Kamui stated his mind; his voice was rather caring given the current predicament.

"Then it'll be easier for me to strike you down." Hisame stepped backward and looked to the purple barrier. "Enough stalling."

Kamui blinked, and when he opened his eyes, he felt a sharp pain in his chest. Hisame had slashed his chest with his naginata within a single second. Kamui grunted in pain as Hisame stepped back, then wiped the blood off the silver tip of his weapon. He struck again, but this time Kamui blocked with his sword. Hisame slinked backward and waited for Kamui to strike.

Kamui raised his sword, but his hands refused to budge. No matter how bloodthirsty Hisame was, he still was Kamui's friend, and Kamui refused to harm a friend.

Hisame watched with bated breath while Kamui reached into his pocket. He did not pull out a sword, but rather a staff. He raised it skyward, chanted, and watched as a bright light enveloped him.

After the flash dissipated, Kamui's wounds had disappeared and he felt rejuvenated.

Hisame stared in disbelief; Kamui expected him to say something. He remained silent as he jabbed his spear towards Kamui.

The prince rolled out of the way and began to sprint along the edge of the barrier. "Get back here!" Hisame let out a yell as he chased after Kamui. Kamui took a sharp left turn and cut through the middle of the duel grounds. Hisame continued after him.

Hisame stopped in the center of the area and glared at Kamui. "Why won't that coward fight me?" His thoughts were practically boiling with rage as he reached into the pockets of his cloak.

Kamui continued to sprint around the edge of the barrier, and only now realized how vast the dueling ground was. Hisame a good distance away, and Kamui slowed his running as he stared at the man.

A battering club sailed through the air and directly in front of Kamui. This prompted him to continue sprinting as Hisame tossed more clubs at him. "Stay still, idiot!" Hisame spoke with anger while all his weapons missed.

Kamui continued to run along the edge of the perimeter; his blue cape fluttered behind him and his feet sloshed through the puddles. Hisame was down to his last club now, and he needed to make it count. He pulled his arm back and aimed not at where Kamui was, but where he was going to be. Hisame heaved his club through the air.

Kamui felt a spiked club smash into the side of his face and yelped in pain as he was thrown to the soggy ground.

He clutched his head as blood soaked his fingers, and he gazed on in terror as Hisame leaned over him. "You've lived a good life, Kamui." Hisame was now brandishing his silver naginata while Kamui laid on the ground. "I'll be sure to tell Caeldori of how valiantly you fought." He raised the bottom of his spear up and angled the pointed tip towards Kamui.

"Hisame, stop this!" Kamui yelled as he rolled away from the spear. He glanced in terror as the tip burrowed itself into the wet soil, and picked himself up. He ran away while Hisame was preoccupied with pulling his weapon out of the ground.

Hisame watched as his opponent ran away, again. Kamui had a noticeable limp as he sprinted, though, so Hisame took comfort that at least he was whittling the prince down.

Alas, he had spoken too soon, as Kamui raised his staff skyward and let out a chant. A heavenly light enveloped him, and after it dissipated, his limp was gone.

Hisame let out a groan as he pulled his spear out, then ran after Kamui. "I refuse to fight you!" Kamui's tone was an incomprehensible mix of sternness and tenderness.

The pause between Hisame's footsteps grew shorter and shorter as he continued his advance. Kamui needed something to calm Hisame down.

Kamui's gaze turned to his neck. "Hisame... Please, stop fighting..." His voice had shifted completely into worried now. Hisame had caught up to him and dove for his leg.

"Never," Hisame spoke. "I can't stop doing the only thing I have left…" Hisame wrapped his fingers around Kamui's leg and felt the metallic polish of his armor.

"Then you give me no choice," Kamui spoke as Hisame brought him to the floor. He clutched his amulet and tossed it skyward. It erupted into a bright flash of light.

"What do you desire?" The Temple God's voice rang through the silence.

"Please… Make Hisame stop fighting…" Kamui pleaded.

"As you wish." The voice spoke as the necklace exploded into a bright flash of light.

Nothing fell out of it, much to Hisame's surprise. Regardless, now was a prime opportunity to strike Kamui. After standing up, Hisame stomped his foot on Kamui's hand and held his spear above him.

A chill ran through his spine, and he jumped back in shock. Kamui rolled away and stood up, panting for breath.

A ghostly voice began to whisper; Kamui heard it as well. It sounded like someone they knew very well, but much older. It was a voice Hisame had known for twenty years.

"Hisame…" Caeldori spoke. Her loving voice sounded faint.

"Who's there! Show yourself!" Hisame jerked his head upward and frantically looked around.

"Hisame… End this…" The voice spoke again.

Kamui's ears perked up as he heard the voice. "You're not like this… You promised you two would be there for each other!"

Kamui watched as Hisame's breathing became sporadic and 'funny'. He stomped towards Kamui and swung his fist directly into his cheeks.

A mild twinge of pain coursed through Kamui's body as he reeled back. He clutched his head and gave a worried look to Hisame.

"Please… You and Kamui are friends…" Caeldori whispered in their ears.

Hisame stepped back. Again, he looked around the enclosed barrier, as if he was searching for someone.

"You're my caring husband! You're Shigeki's father!" The voice was as loud as a roar now.

Hisame trudged his feet towards Kamui. He slowly threw his fist toward his jaw, and his cold fingers dragged off his skin. Kamui felt no physical pain, but he couldn't say the same for his emotions.

"Please… Remember…" After the voice echoed, a blinding flash of white enveloped Hisame and Kamui. The two felt as though they were enveloped in a warm, pleasing aura that numbed their skin.

A cradle sat in a room and was surrounded by toys and pictures. Hisame leaned over the cradle as he held his wife's hand. A gentle breeze drifted by in the nearby window.

"To be blessed with a child…" Caeldori's voice became shaky as her grip tightened. "I'm so happy…"

Hisame's eyes began to water as he stared at his little bundle of joy. Shigeki's miniature frame rested in the small bed, and her tiny fists were waving in the air while she frowned. Hisame dragged his finger over her smooth forehead, then smiled as he felt the warmth of her body.

"We did it." He stated before wrapping his arms around Caeldori. "We made our own little family!" He began to sob as he lifted her off her feet.

A knock resounded through their house, and the front door opened.

"I heard the wonderful news and came as soon as possible." Kamui stepped in, the sunlight shining behind hi, and gave them both a tender smile.

"Thank you for coming." Hisame beamed as he placed Caeldori back on her feet and shook Kamui's hand. He excitedly led the prince over to the cradle where his daughter rested and pointed to it.

"Isn't she beautiful?" Caeldori asked as she walked over.

"She looks wonderful. She has her mother's hair, you know." He pulled his head back from over the cradle and smiled at Caeldori. "I'm confident that she'll grow up to be kind and caring like her father."

"Funny you should mention that," Hisame smiled as he placed a hand on his best friend's shoulder. "Because I'm confident that she'll grow up to be kind like you, Kamui."

Kamui sat on a fallen log next to Hisame. They both watched as the river coursed by.

"Thank you for everything," Hisame stated while smiling. "You've always been there for me, you know."

"That's what friends are for," Kamui spoke with a loving smile on his face. The sun shone in the distance, and Kamui placed a hand on Hisame's shoulder.

The bright flash of light disappeared, and in its wake stood Kamui and Hisame, who had dazed looks on their eyes. Kamui had just seen those twenty years that Hisame treasured, and he had to force himself to not burst into tears when he realized he had just stolen Hisame's future from him.

The sound of metal clinking broke the silence; Kamui noticed the discarded spear next to Hisame. Hisame pulled back his hood and revealed his beautiful light-brown hair. Hisame snapped his finger, and the purple barrier disappeared. Cold rain pounded the top of their heads, but Kamui couldn't care less.

A warm, calming breeze wafted by, almost symbolically pushing away the tense feeling from before. The screaming inside Hisame's thoughts was replaced with a single, delightful message.

"I love you…" The voice of Caeldori echoed in his mind. Hisame's eyes began to water.

"Hisame… I'm so sorry..." Kamui paused as Hisame slowly dragged himself toward him.

Hisame wrapped his arms tightly around him. Kamui responded by holding him in an embrace.

"I just wanted… To see my family again…" Hisame's voice was muffled through Kamui's shoulder. Kamui patted him gently on the back while Hisame wailed. Hisame had broken his promise, and only know did he realize he just tried to kill his best friend.

"It's okay, Hisame… Everything's going to be fine…" Kamui's voice sounded as if he was on the verge of tears.

He had already crossed that point.

"You were always there for me… And I attacked you..." Hisame's voice had turned into a whimper. "You were the one who taught Shigeki how to read… You checked in on Caeldori when I was gone…" Hisame pressed Kamui even closer to his chest.

"Even though I wasn't there to see those years..." Kamui's tone became shaky. "I'll always help you out… I'll always be there for to cheer you up… I'll always be a part of your family."

"T-Thank you…" Hisame's sobbing became more frequent; Kamui's did as well. "I've always wondered what it's like to have a family… Thank you for being mine…"

"You should've won that fight…" Kamui spoke into Hisame's shoulder. "Caeldori should've chosen you over me." He couldn't help but believe that what he was saying was true.

"That's not true," Hisame mumbled back. "You make her happy, and as long as she's happy, then I am content." Kamui tightened his grip on Hisame's back. Hisame realized that he wasn't going to end up with Caeldori.

And he was completely fine with that.

The two held each other tightly for what felt like an age until Kamui spoke up.

"I promise you that after this… We'll get you someone who loves you, and cares for you, and makes you feel special inside…" Kamui attempted to cheer Hisame up.

The sound of footsteps approaching became louder and louder until it matched Kamui's heartbeat.

A crimson blur collided with Hisame and tackled him to the floor.

"Stay down, criminal!" Ryoma yelled as he pinned Hisame to the floor.

"Ryoma!" Kamui stared at his brother with a panicked look. "What are you doing?!" He hadn't even begun to wipe his eyes.

"This man tried to kill you, Kamui! He has committed an offense punishable only by death!" Ryoma's voice was strained as he grabbed Hisame by his hair and placed him on his knees. Hisame had lost the will to struggle as he watched Ryoma unsheathe his sword.

"Stop!" Kamui cried out. He couldn't bear to see this happen. Hisame didn't deserve this.

Time seemed to slow to a crawl as Ryoma's blade sparkled with lightning. He pulled his sword toward the sky and began to bring it down towards Hisame's neck.

"No!" Kamui gritted his teeth. He needed to do something to make Ryoma stop. Something that would save Hisame's life.

Kamui jumped off the ground and dove in front of Hisame. Ryoma watched in terror as his brother leaped in front of Hisame, and attempted to stop his blade before it could do any harm.

Alas, it was too late to stop damage from being done.

Kamui let out an ear-piercing scream as the divine power of the sword coursed through his body like fire. He crumpled to the ground in a motionless heap. His eyes were shut and his fingers cold.

"No!" Ryoma cried out as he dove next to his brother. He hurriedly placed a hand on his chest in a desperate search to find something, anything, that confirms whether Kamui was alive or dea-.

Thump.

Thump.

Ryoma shifted his gaze to Hisame, who was now standing with a look of terror on his face. "Run! Run far away from here before I kill you!" Tears were lining the King's face.

Hisame stumbled backward in disbelief before turning around and sprinting for the exit of the castle. Tears streaked his face as he ran through the gate and into the world outside.

He found himself in a forest surrounded by massive trees. He stopped running and leaned next to one of the massive oaks, then bent over before vomiting onto the ground. He continued to cry as the sour taste in his mouth built.

For all Hisame knew, he had just caused the death of his best friend.

Garon sat inside his quiet little cell with a displeased look on his face. Directly in front of him stood two massive, golden doors that led to the center of Kamui's subconscious. If he could just get in there, he would be able to forcefully take control of Kamui's body and rain havoc across the land. Unfortunately for him, Kamui had taken the necessary steps of locking his deepest fear in a cell, so that wasn't happening anytime soo-.

A bolt of lightning that struck the door to Garon's cell said otherwise. The door was blown off its hinge while sparks flew through the air.

Something must've happened in the waking world. Something that shook Kamui to the point where his grip over his deepest fear was weakened.

Garon cackled with glee as he stomped out of his cage, cracked his massive knuckles as he strode up the torchlit stairs, then stood before the double doors. He punched the doors open and entered the main room where Kamui sat on a throne. His eyes were shut, and his body was slumped over like a sleeping infant.

"Perfect," Garon mumbled to himself as he walked to the throne. He lifted Kamui's limp body out of the chair and tossed him to the side like a sack of discarded vegetables.

Garon let out a deep laugh as he rested his back into the throne and began his plan to rule the waking world. His plan would start with destroying Kamui's army from the inside, then go on until he ruled all three kingdoms.

Ryoma breathed a sigh of relief as Kamui opened his eyes, then immediately retracted his happiness when Kamui lifted the King into the air. "Kamui! What are you-" He felt nothing but panic as Kamui effortlessly lifted him high above the ground.

"It's good to be back!" A growling voice echoed out of Kamui, and the whites of his eyes were now purple. Kamui threw Ryoma across the field and watched as he tumbled along the grass. Garon was absolutely delighted by how quick and nimble this new body was, and he deemed he needed to give it a test run.

Xander stomped onto the field and looked down at Kamui. He knew that voice; it was a voice he had learned to respect and fear at the same time.

"Garon?!" Xander came to two possible conclusions. Either Kamui was a master of imitating other voices, or Garon had just possessed Kamui.

"Who else would it be, idiot?" Garon laughed as he started to sprint toward Xander. "Looks like Kamui here couldn't keep his nightmares locked up, so now I get to take his body!" A crazed look flashed in Kamui's eyes as he swung his fist into Xander's stomach.

Xander doubled over in pain while Garon kicked his bare foot into Xander's gut. "You think you can succeed me with this flabby body of yours?" Garon felt like a child in a candy store; he could eliminate not one, but both of the royal families right here and right now.

Garon was interrupted by a gloved hand wrapping around the back of his neck. He grunted in pain and turned around to see Camilla lifting him into the air by Kamui's neck. Her purple locks of hair were almost covering her face due to the rain. "Camilla?! Unhand me this instan-" He was interrupted by Camilla tightening her grip and blocking his air flow as a result. His neck didn't feel as though it were being crushed, but that Camilla was restraining herself.

"Get." Camilla swung her other fist into his face. Pure anger was seething out of her every word. "The hell." She punched him in the jaw again. She desperately didn't want to punch Kamui, but she knew it had to be done now that he was apparently possessed. "Out of." She threw Garon to the ground and sat atop him. She drew her fist back. "My brother!" Camilla landed her fist directly into Garon's head and knocked him out cold. Ryoma ran to her side and bent down to Kamui, who unconsciously laid on the ground.

"What just happened?" He asked as he panted for breath. Camilla felt exhausted as well.

"I don't know. But what I do know," Camilla got off of Kamui's unmoving body and lifted him over her shoulder. "Is that Kamui needs a doctor."

Only one thing was in Camilla and Ryoma's thoughts: a concern for their brother.

Looks like Garon's back in business, because I needed a crummy way to shoehorn him back into the story.