Tantalizing the Senses
Chapter 2 – Sound

AN: I hope people enjoy this next piece.

As always, I follow the manga as it is being released in Japan, so there will be mild spoilers – nothing overt – for up to around chapter 120. Also gracious use of artistic license with certain things shown in this one-shot.

xxxHoLiC belongs to the brilliance that is CLAMP.

..sound..

Doumeki took fierce pride in the old shrine he inhabited, not just out of respect for his grandfather, but because the area had such a resounding aura of tranquility. Stepping past the ornate gates into the shrine grounds was like sliding between warm comforters on a cold winter's night; it was incredibly comfortable, and like magic, the chatter-bustle-clanking of city life simply disappeared.

Here, nature sang in quiet harmony, the soft trickle of flowing water humming quietly in his ears, while the soft tinkle of wind chimes added a high counterpart to the melody. The rustle of leaf and grass, the quiet chitter of birds and squirrels and the whisper of wind in his ears was undertone accompaniments. His steps rang like silver bells, wooden shoes hitting polished stone rhythmically.

He took a deep breath, closing his eyes, and allowing the minute sounds ground him to earth as he sent his thoughts inwards to that swirling pool of energy innate within him.

Doumeki couldn't see spirits, couldn't feel them beyond a chilling cold, but sometimes, if he listened long enough, there were enough clues that gave away their presence. The soft gnawing or grinding of bone against bone, or the too shrill anguished cry of an malignant soul; they were there, like little dots he connected to form a picture in his mind.

There was nothing of the sort in his shrine. Nothing unnatural, nothing –

"DOUMEKI!"

– nothing out of the ordinary.

He winced internally as that loud voice shattered his concentration, heavy, hurried footsteps slamming discordantly against the ground. The soft serenity that surrounded him disappeared as his eyes focused on Watanuki's approaching form.

"Here's the verse you wanted; Yuuko-san also tossed in this jar, although why she would ever do anything for free, I'd never know," Watanuki quickly shoved a carefully tied scroll and an ornate jar stoppered tightly with carved crystal into Doumeki's arms, as if afraid one of Yuuko's pranks and retributions might spring out at him at any moment.

Curiously, Doumeki sent the scroll aside and opened the jar, which was filled with a clear, cool liquid almost the color of pale blue quartz.

Pure water – the aura surrounding the jar matched that of the shrine – perfect for purification of shrine grounds.

"Pass on my regards to Yuuko-san, and my thanks as well," Doumeki said calmly, still staring appreciatively at the small jar. He heard the muffled half-shuffle as Watanuki shifted position and half-muttered, "you should thank me, you prick; this comes at my expense only because I needed your help with my last errand for Yuuko-san. I won't be indebted to you!" Watanuki retorted that last sentence in a loud roar.

Doumeki raised his eyes slowly and smirked with that serene and enigmatic half-smile he knew drove Watanuki absolutely crazy. "Are you going to stick around? Make yourself useful, then."

He could almost hear Watanuki grinding his teeth together. "I already brought you what you wanted, I-"

"Or if you can't be useful, at least be quiet."

"ARE YOU SAYING-"

"Hush." Doumeki could hear Watanuki's mouth shut with an audible click of teeth, and the indrawn breath the other took before he would screech out in fury. Quickly, Doumeki threw his hand out, liquid spilling from the jar in a wide arc.

"What are you doing?" Watanuki asked in unwilling curiosity.

Doumeki sprinkled the last few drops of water and capped the jar with a smooth hiss and tinkle of crystal against glass. "Purification ceremony," he said over his shoulder, carefully unrolling the scroll Yuuko sent, scanning the words over and nodding briefly. "Water is a natural facet of nature; it gives health and strength to the ground it touches, and takes away evil and bad luck. It's an act most shrines perform on their altars or grounds."

Watanuki scoffed at him. "And you're doing it now?"

"The time feels right," Doumeki replied, watching the liquid seep away between the stones and into the ground. "And it's time I did more than just sweep the floor each day."

And because it was in his nature to be honest, he continued softly, "I think my grandfather will appreciate it as well."

There was a long, quiet moment. "Your grandfather–" Watanuki began.

Doumeki launched immediately into the invocation, not wanting to discuss the issue, carefully reading off the unfamiliar words from Yuuko's scroll. It was suppose to be a minor spell of protection and purification, and sure enough, Doumeki could feel the power of the spell take hold, spreading to all corners of the shrine and making him hypersensitive to the very air around him. The words rolled off his tongue almost faster than he could read them, but at the same time Doumeki could feel and especially hear everything, especially the constant buzz that surrounded Watanuki and marked him as one associated with the occult.

He was surprised when Watanuki stepped forward to his side and snagged a corner of the scroll and quickly took up the chant, somehow managing to keep up. Watanuki spoke his words clearly and it was nothing like the half-garbled-screech Doumeki was used to hearing from his classmate. Watanuki had his share of spiritual power, different as it was from Doumeki's exorcist skills, and the spell virtually thrummed with the added life-force as it reached a crescendo.

They ended with soft whispers, tumbling back down to earth with their voices, their words gentling automatically as the spell took hold and faded away, sinking into the very foundations of the shrine. Doumeki turned immediately to Watanuki, pinning him with a hawk's stare.

"I hate being indebted to anyone," Watanuki answered the silent question defensively, "A favor for a favor; I don't owe you anything."

A long moment passed, the silence falling heavily between them.

"What?" Watanuki asked, not quite able to lapse back into irritation and snippiness in the aftermath purification spell.

Doumeki shook his head.

Although Watanuki's voice usually grated on his nerves, alternating from loud screams to irritatingly long rants, both sharply at odds with Doumeki's calm tone, this time Watanuki's voice had slipped faultlessly into the shrine ground's quiet song, bolstering the spell in complete harmony with Doumeki.

Whereas Watanuki usually shattered the peace, this time there was only calm trailing in the wake of his words.

"Nothing," Doumeki replied. "You have a nice speaking voice."

..end..

More AN: As always, reviews and con/crit are much beloved, and see you in five days.