Chapter 5: An Archer's Vow
"…meki-kun…Doumeki-kun. Please wake up Doumeki-kun!" a voice pleaded that slowly brought him back to his senses. His eyes creaked open as he waited for his vision to adjust until he found himself staring into the face of Himawari.
"…Kunogi?" Doumeki said confused.
"Thank goodness you're alright. I was so worried," Himawari said with a gasp of relief and a smile. "I was on my way to the convenience store to pick up a few things for my mother when I found you lying unconscious on the side of the road," she explained as Doumeki sat up and rubbed his aching head. "What on earth happened?" Himawari asked. Doumeki's eyes widened as he suddenly remembered the events that took place before being knocked out. He glanced around in alarm until his eyes fell on Watanuki's briefcase that lay abandoned on the ground. Quickly rising to his feet he jogged over to the briefcase and knelt down on one knee picking up the bag.
"Doumeki-kun?" Himawari asked approaching him, as he remained silent and still, clutching the bag.
"…They took him," Doumeki said in a low voice.
"Eh?" Himawari uttered confused.
"Those two spirits that attacked us, they took Watanuki!" Doumeki explained in a calm voice as he looked up at Himawari. His face and tone of voice were straight and calm but Himawari could see the many emotions that were clashing within him.
"What?" said Himawari in disbelief as she stared at Doumeki in some hope that he was joking. Unfortunately, the look on Doumeki's face told her that he was dead serious. "Oh no!" Himawari only whimpered as she raised her hands to her mouth. Doumeki clenched his fists as he glowered at the fact that he couldn't protect Watanuki. His emotions were conflicting indeed but his reason took control and told him that right now he needed to take action instead of sulk. Getting to his feet, he turned and picked up his bow (that had taken some pretty bad damage but remained usable and still in one piece) before turning to Himawari still clutching Watanuki's bag.
"We need to go to that woman's place," Doumeki stated referring to Yuuko. Himawari perked up catching on to Doumeki's drift.
"Good idea, Yuuko-san will help if we pay the right price."
"What about your errands?" Doumeki inquired feeling a little hesitant about having Himawari with him due to her bad luck mojo.
"I'm sure my mother won't mind too much if I explain that I was helping a friend in trouble. Not to mention it's the weekend so it shouldn't matter if I'm out late. And besides," she began putting her hand to her heart. "Watanuki-kun has always done so much for me and I wish to return the favor somehow," Himawari finished. Doumeki was silent for a moment before nodding showing he understood.
"Then let's go," Doumeki indicated as he began jogging down the street with Himawari following behind.
As he ran down the road, Doumeki's thoughts wandered. The reality of it had hit him hard. Failure was not something Doumeki was particularly used to, not to say he never experienced his share of failures but he never blew it as big as he did. Especially when it came to something as important to him as Watanuki. He was a friend, a loud, thick headed, and often obnoxious friend, but a good friend nonetheless who would willingly sacrifice anything for the sake of another (as Doumeki had come to learn, especially after the whole spider/eye incident) and he failed to protect him. He couldn't help but feel so…useless. And he felt anger (among other emotions that he always hid) in knowing that. He felt anger and dismay at himself for not being stronger, guilty for letting it happen, and rage for the spirits that dared to lay a finger on Watanuki. He would make them pay. He swore on his life, he would fix his mistake!
The two entered the gate leading to Yuuko's shop and burst through the door. Quickly taking off their shoes (as per the Japanese custom) they bounded down the hall searching for the dimension witch.
"Yuuko-san, are you here?" Himawari called out. "I'm sorry that we came unannounced but we need to speak with you." Doumeki opened the sliding door to Yuuko's study and found her sitting there with Mokona playing mahjong.
"Oi," Doumeki called out both to let Himawari know he found her and for Yuuko to see that they were there. Yuuko looked up at him as if she were expecting them.
"Oh, Doumeki-kun and Himawari-chan. What on earth brings you two here at such a late hour? And where is Watanuki?" Yuuko asked although a part of Doumeki knew that she already knew the answer.
"Yuuko-san, we have a big problem! Watanuki, he's been-" Himawari started.
"Taken," Yuuko stating finishing her sentence. "Am I right?" Doumeki glared at her. How he hated this woman sometimes.
"If you knew, why didn't you say anything?" Doumeki asked rather coldly.
"To be honest I figured that was what happened when the Kudakitsune began acting rather agitated and feisty." No sooner had she said that did the pipe fox shoot out from wherever it was hiding, darting around like an out of control rocket squeaking and growling frantically all the while before darting off again somewhere, which in turn caused Himawari and Doumeki to sweat drop at the sudden appearance and spazz attack (similar to that of a certain spirit magnet Doumeki couldn't help but think). However, Doumeki shrugged it off and narrowed his eyes at the witch not believing she didn't know beforehand. Yuuko apparently noticed this.
"Now, now Doumeki-kun, I understand your feelings right now but there was nothing I could have done. Even if I had told you what was going to happen, it was inevitable that those spirits would have done so anyway. That was what they were sent to do after all." Doumeki felt all the more compelled to argue with her and ask what she meant but he knew it was useless and time was of the essence.
"Please, we need your help to save him," Himawari pleaded. Yuuko and Mokona exchanged looks as Doumeki could tell they were smirking.
"Is that a wish?" She asked. Doumeki was beginning to understand why Watanuki complained the way he did about working at Yuuko's. Himawari and Doumeki nodded affirmatively (although the latter just grunted). "And of course I'll need compensation," she reminded giving a sickeningly sweet smile similar to that of a fox. Oh yeah, how Doumeki really hated this woman sometimes.