Tryst
Part Two: Raidou
Raidou walked through the streets one step at a time, remembering that there was a time these streets were filled with people and the man he had wanted to see for so long waiting.
"Oh, so you're the Devil Summoner… Quite young, aren't you?" The detective remarked. "What's your name?"
"I am Raidou 14th." He replied.
The detective laughed. "No, no. I meant your birth name. What's your birth name?"
"Toudou Kaguya of the Kuzunoha Family." He replied.
The detective stopped. "Kuzu no Ha?" He asked. "What an odd name." The detective held out a hand to him. "I am Narumi Shouhei. Pleased to meet you, Raidou."
He reached out and shook the detective's hand. It was rough and calloused but warm and strangely comforting….
As Raidou walked, he saw the soldiers standing about, looking at him suspiciously. He merely gave them a glance. He knew who they were. He'd seen soldiers like them before. He'd seen them during the start of this case. And for a moment, he stopped walking.
"Kaguya? What's wrong?" Gotou asked.
It was not uncommon for him to stop but there was something in that look, that made the cat turn to him with concern.
Raidou put a hand on his forehead. He was seeing something in his mind, he could not place.
"Kaguya?"
Raidou closed his eyes shut to concentrate but found he could not. The vision was swimming in his head that he was not sure if he—
—Could remember it well. There had been lots of holes in his memory since he was young. The family had been concerned about it but the holes stopped appearing a few years back.
But why does this feel familiar?
"Excuse me," The stranger in the brown suit began. "But have you seen a fox waiting here? I promised to meet him even if he doesn't remember me anymore here in Shinoda…"
He gave the man a small frown, feeling that he had met this one before though he could not remember from where. What's—
"—Wrong?! Kaguya!"
Gotou's voice woke Raidou from his daze, eye wide and unfocused.
"Kaguya!"
"I'm alright, Gotou." He replied, straightening up.
Gotou looked up at him with a small frown.
"I'm just a little tired." He replied.
It was true. He hadn't slept well for the past few days. The case they handled gave him nightmares of fire and blood with a tinge of agony and a little pain. He dreamt of arrowroot leaves in the shrine of Shinoda and of the roadside where a sad man waited for his fox.
But it was the scene of the death of a soldier that made him want to scream. Though he didn't know why…
The Narumi of the other world, where he had been staying would wake him from this restless slumber. And he would stare up at that man wanting to reach out and clutch that man's shirt but stop himself because—
"—You are not my Narumi."
The Narumi and the Raido of the other world looked at him in surprise. How odd he must've looked to them. How strange the words must've sounded. But it tumbled out of his lips and cannot be returned. And he didn't want it to return.
Because it was the sad truth.
"I was just waking you up. You look like you were having a nightmare…" That Narumi said. "Gave me the heebie-jeebies."
"Forgive me…" He apologized. "I hadn't meant—"
—To find it empty.
The office was empty. Gotou softly padded into the room, looking about him. The scent of cigarette smoke in the air gave Raidou the idea that Narumi hadn't left that long ago. He was probably somewhere near.
"Narumi-san?" He called out as he walked through the hallways to the rooms, to see whether the man was in.
But he was not.
"Oi, Kaguya!"
Raidou turned around to see Gotou on top of Narumi's desk. He walked toward it and found a letter written in the detective's hand. It was in a clear precise script one wouldn't have expected from the man but still, he it was.
"Raidou," It said. "If you're reading this then that means you're still alive. I'm taking you off the case. This is too big a caper for a detective trainee. I want you to wait at the office for my return. I'll take care of things."
It was signed: Narumi Shouhei.
To wait? Narumi was asking him to wait for him? Why—
"---Would you promise a fox that?" He asked. "You shouldn't promise such things to being you cannot hope to understand." He mildly, chided. For it was true. Such promises were very dangerous to people.
The stranger in the brown suit smiled, maybe a little too sadly. "True. But that's the only thing I could do. I loved that little fox. He called me his 'Darling' as he is mine."
He closed his eyes. The man was like something out of a legend. To love a fox only to be separated. And he felt a little sad for this knowledge. Yet he had to shrug it off. This was something this man had decided on, on his own. It was none of his business, right?
"There is no fox here, sir." He replied after a moment's pause. "Except for the fox of Shinoda, who is said to live in these woods, where I also live."
"Ah." The man said and when the man turned to fully look at him, he turned away.
The man had good eyes. Maybe he could see that he was not quite an ordinary boy.
"Then maybe I shall go and come back some other day. But tell me, what is your name?"
"Toudou Kaguya." He replied. Then after a moment's pause. "Toudou Kaguya of the Kuzunoha Family." He said. He didn't know why he said it.
"Ah… Kuzu no Ha… What a nostalgic name…."
The man wanted to say something else but stopped himself. And whatever the man wanted to say died. Instead the man tipped his hat forward, a little sadly and turned away.
"Goodbye, little fox…"
Raidou grit his teeth not quite hearing what Gotou had said, crushing the note in his palm. Is he planning to die? The man should've known better than to do something as foolish as that. It was him that warned him not to take any wooden nickels.
Narumi wasn't taking his own advice.
Raidou leaned against the desk, putting a palm on his forehead. Gotou hissed.
"Is that man going to undo everything you've sacrificed?" The cat muttered.
Raidou turned to his companion.
"What do you mean?"
Gotou shook his head and jumped off the desk in annoyance. He wasn't going to get any straight answers from the cat. There are just too many mysteries in the Kuzunoha Bloodline. And too many holes in his memory to decipher them all.
He checked his gun. It was fully loaded. It was not quite clean though. There was still the lingering scent of—
—Mist around him. On his white skin and on his clothes as he walked toward the murky family shrine. His steps were quiet and his back straight as he walked, barefooted, upon its cold stone steps. It was probably unhealthy for his young body. He was only a boy, though a special one.
He didn't need to ring the bell. The herald appeared before him with that knowing smile on—
—His face.
Sadakichi looked relieved at the sight of Raidou standing before him.
"Kuzunoha-kun! It's good to see you're alive!" He greeted. "When we didn't receive a word from you, we feared the worst…."
Raidou just gave him a nod. "Officer Sadakichi, is there another way into the underground facilities? I'm afraid, Narumi-san has gone in on his own."
Sadakichi looked startled. "Narumi? Wasn't he in the office?"
Raidou shook his head. The naval officer thought for a moment then looked up at him grimly.
"Unfortunately, I don't know. They've closed off the entrance through Cannon Battery 4. It's even more heavily guarded…"
"I see…"
"But I'm sure, there's another way in. It couldn't be very far from Kasumidai…" He gritted his teeth. "If only I've gotten hold of all its secrets then maybe I…"
Raidou shook his head. "Thank you, officer."
"I know, it's strange coming from me. But I hope Narumi's alright." Sadakichi admitted.
Raidou smiled. It was just a small quirk in the lips. Nothing more. He was about to turn away but Sadakichi stopped him.
"Raidou, I wondered about him. Is Narumi Shouhei his real name?"
Raidou frowned. He'd never known Narumi other than 'Narumi'. Sadakichi shook his head with a regretful smile.
"It's nothing. It's just that, I once knew a man who looked exactly like him. But that can't be him… Can it? Because if it was how did he survive…?"
Raidou frowned. "What do you mean?"
Sadakichi shook his head. "It couldn't be Narumi. Because that man… That man is most certainly dead."
Raidou staggered back. "Dead?" he asked in disbelief.
Sadakichi nodded. "Yes. In an attack back in Kasumidai, several years back. I'm sure I've seen Narumi before. But how can he still be alive? He was amongst the—"
—Doomed.
He closed his eyes. The soldier will die just has he had dreamt. Killed by the very man the soldier had admired. Or rather, what once was the Major General.
There was pain in his chest. Why must he wish for the impossible? Mortals live and age and die. Why must he wish for someone whose life is so evanescent? It would only cause him pain. He cannot cry even if he wanted to because he was not allowed tears. It hurt, even though he had long expected it.
Why must it be so soon?
"It cannot be helped, Kuzu no Ha. He is only human…" The Herald said, comfortingly.
He slowly looked up. "Is-is there a way…?" He asked.
The Herald knew what he was asking. He knew the Herald knew. The Yatagarasu would know of a way. The Yatagarasu is a god after all and a messenger of the Goddess Amaterasu. Surely they knew of a way to prevent it.
"There is." She replied. "But there is a price for nothing in this world comes free…"
"I will pay anything!" he cried. "My limbs, my heart, my very soul if need be!"
"Why must you worry about a mortal man, little fox?" She asked. "It will only give you more pain…"
He closed his eyes. "Why indeed…" He murmured. "I—"
"—Don't need a reason?"
Rasputin smiled in a mocking way. "You don't need a reason to save these humans?" He repeated slowly. "How can you risk so much? Are you sure you are even one?" He asked.
Raidou frowned. It was a question asked before. Would he consider himself human with his devil summoning skills and his other abilities that not even the family elders know of? He knew he wasn't entirely human even though he was born to a human family.
He maybe a fox…
Rasputin smiled at him. "Humans had such fleeting lives. They—"
"—Live and die as mortals would…"
"And you are not?" The soldier asked.
He laughed. Amused, allowing a warm feeling to reach his eyes for a moment. It was elation, he felt at the sight of the man that stood before him in that dusky path near Shinoda's great wood... It was not an unexpected meeting. It was a strangely unspoken agreement but things like these meetings were usually short and fleeting.
Ephemeral.
Like a tryst. Short, fleeting and bitter-sweet.
"What do you think?" He asked, coyly at the soldier as if to challenge him.
The man didn't miss a beat.
"You are a fox… A god messenger, aren't you?
He shrugged, teasing. It was only partially correct. "Maybe."
"What's your name?"
"Kuzu no Ha." He replied, allowing that old beloved name to roll out of his lips. It was his name after all.
"Arrowroot leaf? Such an odd name…"
And he was delighted that he gave the soldier a smile the promised much to those it would allow. A fox smile that—
—Sent chills running up Rasputin's spine.
Rasputin looked confused as if seeing something he shouldn't. Raidou stood before him with an aura even deadlier than his own. It was an aura one wouldn't see on a human being.
"Do not anger me, Summoner…" Raidou hissed.
"At ease, boy." Rasputin sighed. "You will not get anywhere with threats. And besides, I have something that you will need…"
"Hurry and give it. I haven't time to toy with you."
"Impatient, aren't we?" Rasputin remarked and handed—
—A ball of white light to her.
The Herald took it. And turned to him. He was shaking and he felt the cold wind against his small frame.
"Are you sure about this?" The Herald asked. "Once I take your Hoshi no Tama with me, it'll only be a few days before you finally lose all memory of that man."
"But it will save his life?" He asked.
The Herald nodded. "Of course. This is payment…" She replied.
"Then I will gladly give it." He replied, straightening up.
"Do not worry, Kuzu no Ha… You will regain your memories of him one day… When both you and him are strong enough…"
He bowed, gratefully. "Then, I shall take my leave for I have someplace I need to be…"
"Of course…"
He turned and started his long trek down the—
—Metalic staircases of the underground facility. The soles of his shoes made loud clunking noises as he descended this place that smelled of oil and grime and blood (or was it rust? He didn't quite know.) The air had a tinge of agony in it.
Gotou hadn't spoken since they left the agency but the cat gave him glances and worried looks. The battle rush made his insides numb and his blood hum. His opponents fell by his sword. He was cruel and ruthless in battle.
Unforgiving.
He had not even called a demon out yet.
"Kaguya." Gotou finally spoke after they stopped for a moment to catch their breath.
"Yes?" Raidou asked.
Gotou closed his eyes for a moment then jumped up a box to sit in front of Raidou.
"Are you awake, Kuzu no Ha?" Gotou whispered.
Raidou—
—Smiled that sad smile when the soldier approached him. After this, he would not remember anymore. He wondered for a moment if all will be well with him.
He was different from everyone in the family for he was a human child with a fox spirit for a soul.
"Good evening, little fox." The soldier greeted cheerfully.
He was going to miss this a great deal.
"Good evening." He greeted back. It was dusk in this pathway, near the forest of Shinoda and they were quite alone. "You seem to be in a good mood."
The Soldier stopped by his side and smiled. "It's nothing…" The soldier replied. "I was just thinking that I wanted to see you…"
He would miss those words. This would be the last time he would remember this man. He was slowly beginning to feel the effects of the loss of his Hoshi no Tama where a bit of his soul and power and memory were stored. He was cold and vulnerable and felt empty as if he could cry.
But if it would save this man's life then I could endure much worse. He thought to himself.
"I'm glad…But… This will be the last time we will meet…" He said.
They had so little time.
"Why is that? Have the Gods called for you, little fox?" the soldier asked, worriedly.
He turned away. They had so little time. If only he had known sooner maybe…
"The next time, we meet. I would not remember you." He said. For this was the truth.
"Why?"
He gave another one of those quaint little fox smiles. "If only to save your life."
Are the woods mourning as well? He was sure he could hear them whisper sadness.
"You should be careful." He warned. "It's too—"
"—dangerous!" Gotou muttered. "That idiot Narumi!"
Raidou ignored the words. His body is tired but his soul kept egging him on.
Hurry! Hurry! His mind screamed. He nearly tripped over a demon carcass lying before him. It took only a glance to see it was killed by gunshot wounds. It was new.
They were near. He stopped for a moment to catch his breath. His bleeding hand dripped blood on the metal floor. It will not stain and it will not remain that beautiful red colour forever.
Something small and white rolled down from the staircase.
A single white cigarette with a familiar brand.
It was Narumi's.
He slowly walked up the steps. The soles of his shoes made loud clanking noises as he made his way up to the next floor.
"Who's there?!"
Relief.
"Narumi-san!"
He almost didn't catch what was said next for it was only a murmur. But he heard it, no matter how faintly it sounded.
"Hello, little fox." Narumi murmured more to himself than to Kuzunoha Raidou standing at the last step of the staircase. "I was just thinking that I wanted to see you…"
Tryst
Part Two End
Notes:
Hoshi no Tama - Literally translated as "starball". It's something that a fox carries with them. It's very important for some say that it houses their spirit or powers. Some say it's a white pearl. Others say it's made of fox fire.
Thanks for reading.