Chapter Fifteen: Resolve
The repaired violin sat in my lap looking as worn as I felt. While the splintered wood had been glued back together and then re-stained, a trained eye could still see the damage. The jagged lines ran down the whole neck and into the beginnings of the face, tapering off like smoke from a candle. It seemed to reflect myself really, the broken pieces of my past life pieced back together and hidden well enough to fool most people.
I had been broken, and repaired, and now it was the people and the ties in this life that kept me glued together. Taking a deep breath I listened quietly to the sound of a piano playing a few yards away on a stage. The very stage I would be stepping onto in only a few more minutes.
It had been a long time since I had been on a stage. A metaphorical one? No problem, I did that almost every day, but a real one? I remember in my life as April I'd spent most of my life on stage; the very violin in my lap was the masterful tool that won me contests, got me into bands, and had given me the power for a scholarship to college. That had been a long time ago though, and now I wasn't sure how I would do. In the back of my mind Kuronue tried to calm my nerves with his own mellow attitude. It wasn't working.
The people near the front of the stage – other performers waiting for their turn – kept looking at me, whispering when they thought I wasn't looking. It had been a long time since I'd been in this predicament. We were in a different section of Tokyo than I live in. It had been a 30-minute bullet train ride to get there; a long enough distance so that the people who lived around here weren't used to seeing me.
It was the first day of school here in this country all over again. It could have been worse, I reasoned out. I was half Japanese and as such I did have some Asian qualities to me – the shape of my eyes, my relatively small chest size – but my height and blond hair normally flagged me as a foreigner. What was the word they had for it? Gaijin. Outsider. I rolled my eyes, dismissing the thought before Kuronue could even say anything to try to make me feel better. Let them think what they will. I knew where I belonged, and no uptight racial standard would change that.
…Didn't I?
"You alright?" Hiroki asked and I glanced up to him. He was leaning on the wall next to the bench I sat on, a leather coat over his tattooed shoulders. We had become friends simply out of necessity, as Miyumi had almost demanded it. He was a good guy, something I hadn't really expected from a guy who spent his days inking people. He followed my gaze as I glanced to a group of whispering young adults, and scowled. "To think people can get so bent out of shape over color. Don't let it bother you; they won't do anything with me here."
I was reminded at that moment that I wouldn't be going up completely alone. While I was auditioning, Hiroki had agreed to do background guitar for the piece I was doing. He was talented, not only with the guitar but also with the piano. I had been stunned silent the one time I'd heard him play.
Too bad he had turned down being a professional.
"I'm okay," I replied, running a hand over the strings of my violin. I had other things to worry about besides petty gossip. "Miyumi did a great job, I don't think they'll have much of a choice to not pick her." Changing the subject was the easiest way to keep us both off of unwanted topics. Topics like how my worry wasn't really about the performance or the whispers, but about my brother. My little brother who was at this very moment caged by a demon who had a grudge against me for something I had done years ago.
"Can't argue with you there, but you're really good too, so relax. You've got this." Hikori have me thumbs up and I nodded my head again, eyes wandering to the seating in the auditorium where people sat and watched. Most were other performers hoping for a new job like myself, but some were there to support their friends and family. I spotted Miyumi - she'd taken a seat after performing – sitting next to Kuwabara who had come to support me. Kurama was still dealing with family issues concerning his stepfather. The poor man was really sick and Shiori spent all her time worrying, which of course made my favorite redhead worry too.
It had been a very long last few days. While Kurama and I took turns escorting Kokoda from school, I had done as Kuronue had said, keeping my searching to a minimum, only calling Koenma once a day. There were still no leads, no clues to where they were or even who the demon was. I'd spent hours rethinking over every event that had happened during the 'Chapter Black Case' – as they were calling it – that could have spurred this kind of reaction.
I'd come up with two options. I'd dealt blows to two different demons during the fight to save my world. The first of which being the poisonous succubus demon I'd fought the night my seal broke, Umeko. That fight had almost cost not only my life, but had nearly torn my chance with Kurama to pieces. She was dead; I knew that much, as Koenma had confirmed her soul passing on. It was possible her reasons for crossing over had been more than they had appeared. She may have had ties from demon world, someone who had seen her death as worth avenging.
My second option was the demon known as Itsuki. I'd never met him personally but I remember his reaction to me trapping Sensui's female personality in my Under Hell power. He hadn't been happy and I'd later learned the demon had been Shinobu's love of sorts. Last record of him had been him leaving with his leader's body to a different dimension. Had he finally come back for revenge then?
"Next up, Izumi Takara. Will Izumi Takara come to the stage please?" A female voice sounded over the intercom and I sighed, standing up, violin in hand. I took a moment to smooth my black pants out and straighten my green dress shirt. Kuronue's pendant thrummed at my collarbone as I looked to my assistant. Hikori smirked and shoulder his guitar, waiting for me to lead the way. I did, turning and walking the small distant to the stage, stepping up onto it, my dress shoes making more noise than I was used to. Hikori moved father back and sat down on a stool, readying his instrument.
I took a deep breath and looked forward, the three directors for the show mere feet from that stage in the first row. One, a women with a mic near her – probably the one that had called my name – gave me a signal to start when ready.
"Good Luck," Kuronue muttered in my head, his calming presence cooling my nerves. Even after everything, even after figuring out what had accrued between Kurama and I less than a week ago, I could still count on him to be there for me. He was the best friend in the world, and I would always have his support, no matter my choice. I took in another deep breath and moved my violin to my shoulder, raising the bow. "You can do this."
The first note rang out, long and high, soon followed by many more in the same fashion. The song I had picked – The Butterfly – had a soft, slow beginning, that eased the listener in before jumping up its pace. Hikori began his part in the background and my fingers danced on the neck of my violin. Just like that the world faded away, my troubles vanished, and all that was left was the music, the cheerful story it told, and my dancing hands.
I had missed that feeling…the gentle vibration on my fingers, the euphoric trance the notes brought me…. It was a short piece, and far too soon, my bow strung the last note and my arms relaxed, my eyes seeing the world once more. Gentle clapping came after and I heard Kuwabara whistle farther back, making a smile spread against my lips. I had been surprised when the teen had asked to come, but now I was glad he was here. I'd forgotten how much joy performing for others brought me, even more so when friends were there.
The directors all nodded and clapped, jotting down notes on their clip boarded papers. I left the stage with Hikori quickly, grabbing my case and packing my violin away. With my audition over we could leave, and Kuwabara had said he wanted to hang out afterwards. It wasn't something I use to doing, but I had no reason to stay; we wouldn't know until after Christmas who got in or not.
"Told you." Was all Hikori said and I snorted slightly and followed him up to where the other two of our group waiting near the exit. Once there I was given praise and Miyumi hugged me.
"We are both going to get in, I can feel it." Her confidence was something deserved and I couldn't help but agree with her. We went our separate ways after that, and I waved to the couple as they parted from Kuwabara and myself. Once they were gone, we turned back to head towards his place. The snow was still thick on the ground, and I wished I had my boots then, as my feet were already getting soaked again.
"Looks like it will be a white Christmas," I commented off hand, reminded that the day was coming up. I'd barely finished shopping and now it was only two days away. The streets were covered in lights and large ornaments that reflected the setting sun.
"Yeah, hope Kurama's family can still have their party. Sucks that his step-father got sick during the holidays." Kuwabara kicked at the snow, spraying it forward as he shoved his hands into his coat pockets.
"Kurama said he was being discharged tonight if things go alright. I saw them yesterday, the old man has some color back in his skin." It was one of the reasons Kurama wasn't presently around. He'd promised his mother he'd look after her husband while she was at work. I would see him tonight after everything was settled, we'd had little time to spend together alone and I missed him.
"You're getting clingy," Kuronue teased, a smirk in his voice. I rolled my eyes.
"I am not. I'm just worried." Kurama did have a tendency to over whelm himself with responsibility.
"That's good to hear," Kuwabara replied and I easily turned myself back to that conversation. "You having any luck?" his voice was quiet, not wanting other to hear it as we passed a group of girls. Kuwabara knew what was going on, I'd asked him to keep an eye out seeing as his senses were so sharply tuned. He didn't know everything, but he knew my brother was missing, and it was because of a demon. That was all he really needed to know.
"Not yet." I sighed, eyes down cast as we turned a corner and I spotted his home in the distance. "Thanks for keep an eye out though."
"Hey, no problem. I've got your back Izumi."
I smiled, once again reminded that the boy next to me was never truly given the respect and praise he deserved. He was no demon, maybe not even really a warrior, but he was a guy with the biggest heart I have ever known. Life would certainly be less colorful without him in it.
We traveled up the stairs in silence for a while, reaching his floor easily. I was in a hurry to get there; his apartment would be warm and I had a change of clothes waiting for me. My anticipation was probably why I didn't sense something was off until Kuwabara suddenly grabbed my shoulder, stopping me from reaching the door. I looked to him confused, and saw his suddenly serious expression moments before the shock of demonic energy registered to me. Kuronue growled in the depts of my mind and I stiffened.
Just like that my somewhat normal life bled back into the world I knew.
There was a demon in Kuwabara's apartment, and as far as I knew, his sister was supposed to be home. His hand dropped quickly and I nodded my head as his bright orange sword flickered to life in it. I flicked my own hand, a warm pulse of energy coming from Kuronue's pendant and a moment later the weight of one of his scythes appeared. I clenched the metal, chain shuddering slightly as I moved it to my other hand, creating a defensive line in front of myself.
Kuwabara opened the door quickly and we both slipped in side, shutting it silently behind us. The lights were on in the apartment, and if not for the demonic energy soaking the air, it would have felt as comforting as it always had to me. Forgoing taking off our shoes, we made our way towards the source in the living room, weapons ready.
We found it perched on the couch; it was human in form with dark green hair pulled back in a low braid. It was a he, his bare chest completely uncovered while his arms were wrapped in cloth and his face was cover in a ninja like mask over his mouth and nose. Almost comically he raised a finger to where his lips would be in a sign to being quiet. My eyes quickly flicked down to where his other hand held a long knife, the tip of it resting on Shizuru's neck. The young women appeared to be knocked out, her eyes shut and relaxed.
Kuwabara stiffened beside me, and he scowled. "Get away from my sister," he growled, but didn't move forward from where we had both stopped, only feet away. Slowly, I raised the hand holding the chain to rest on the side of his arm, just in case. The demon let out a small, low chuckle.
"Glad to know you're not too stupid," he mused, whiteless black eyes staring at us. "I would hate to scar this pretty little thing's skin up." It was a lie; he seemed almost itching to do it, from what I could see.
"What do you want?" It was a simple question, but the venom in my voice was more than a warning. Kuronue hissed and I was reminded of the sound bats make when angry. A jarring, high pitched sound. The demon's eyes slid to me and I could almost see him smirk under his mask, see his thin lips nearly disappearing as they stretched.
"I want nothing…I am simply here to deliver a message for you, Soul Detective," he snarled my title, clearly disgusted, and my gut curled in to a ball at his words. There had been a part of me that had thought it might be my fault, but I hadn't really had the time to ponder it. Kazuma shifted next to me, his eyes flickered from the demon to his sister, and then to me. He seemed to understand what was going on in moments as well.
It would seem my endless, agonizing wait was over.
"Deliver it then, and I might let you live."
The demon scoffed at my threat, knowing it was a bluff as well as I did. I couldn't do anything, not with such a good friend under his thumb. None of my abilities worked in the moment of need. They all took time, planning, and with the way the demon was watching me there was little I could do. I just hoped he let her go once he was done.
"Very well. Come to Central Park after sunset. You'll find your brother there, all you have to do to save him is hand yourself over to my leader." The demon looked down at Shizuru for a moment. "He's being too generous really, I would have killed the boy… but it's not my call."
My mind spun. Anger and worry and fear twisted around me like a snake. I had to stay calm, I told myself. He was alive; let that keep my resolve in place. "Fine." The words were a snap of my jaw before it clenched tightly shut again. The demon nodded, and slowly, he raised his blade from the neck of the older women.
"Simple enough. Now, I will take my leave-"
Orange light flashed, blinding the room for a moment as I winced away from it, closing my eyes for only a moment. The sound that followed was a low yelp accompanied by a thud, and then the bright light faded, and I blinked, shocked. There, pinned to the other side of the room was the demon, blade scattered on the floor, with Kazuma's energy blade ripping a hole through his chest. Kuwabara hadn't moved from where he stood at my side, but his sword had grown and lengthened at a speed I had not known he had.
Then again, it had been a long time since I had seen the boy fight.
The demon twitched, dark blood pooling on the floor around him, but his black eyes were already lightless. He was dead in moments, a look of pure shock on his face; it was quite possible he had no idea that the human standing next to me had powers. A mistake on his part. The teen made a foul sound in his throat and the sword faded from existence, the demon falling limp to the ground.
"No one tries to hurt my sister," he grumbled, and then left me where I stood to check on his sibling. I sighed, hands relaxing and the scythe disappearing, and I walked over, scanning her for any signs of injury. She seemed to be just asleep; it was possible the demon had even found her that way. At least she would be okay.
My eyes flickered up to a window, catching the sun as it dipped half way below of the land. Sunset. I had about a half hour before the time in which the demon spoke up. A short amount of time to plan and prepare to get my brother back. I bit my lip, mind melding with Kuronue's as we tried to come up with something. This wouldn't be like what had just happened. I had time now. I could formulate something. It was clear the demon wanted me, not just my brother. A trade. My brother's freedom for mine. Minutes ticked by as Kuwabara moved his sister to her room, and I put the final pieces into place, my mind set.
"Izumi?" his voice is concerned as it reaches me from behind where I stood. "Maybe we should call Kurama." A thought I had already thought of and dismissed. I sighed and shook my head.
"No. His family needs him, much like mine needs me now." I knew Kurama had said he would help me get Damian back, but I couldn't do that to him now. I could handle this. Turning I looked at the teen and gave a small smile. "I could use your assistance though. I have a plan." I almost rolled my eyes at my own words; I sounded like some cheesy drama on TV.
Kuwabara snorted crossing his arms. "Like I would let you leave without me. A man doesn't leave his friends in their time of need!" Yep, cheesy drama for sure. Though he smiled, I saw the serious focus in his eyes, and quickly brushed my thoughts away, getting back on track.
"Right. Here's what I think we should do."
My explanation took a good fifteen minutes, but by the time we left his apartment my blood was simmering with anticipation that wouldn't fade - even as we reached the entrance to the park, and Kuronue's power swirled around me, fueled by deadly anger as I took in all of his power - even as my hair turned black, my sight sharpened, and wings grew upon my back. Kuwabara looked impressed but I took little note of it, the bat demon's hat shading my face as I looked up upon the sky where the moon slowly replaced the sun.
I had one goal, and only one: get back Damian at any cost. There was little doubt of the outcome - not with two good friends backing me up and a plan set in motion.
This demon would pay, and before the night was over, my life would return to normal. I would make sure of that.
