Wind

Rikuo let himself into the apartment. He stood in the dark for a moment before moving to turn on a lamp. He couldn't deal with the bright overhead lights which would emphasize just how vacant this place now was. Rikuo blinked when the small light came on. He was alone but he'd already known that. The apartment had spoken to him as soon as he'd opened the door. It said – empty.

He didn't allow himself to look around but went into the kitchen for something to drink. The water felt so good as it eased the dryness of his throat. It was then that he realized that he hadn't eaten or drank anything since lunch. Checking the fridge, Rikuo couldn't find anything that didn't have to be cooked and he just didn't have the energy for that when he noticed the jug of milk. Kazahaya had gotten that to use with some cereal he'd bought.

Looking around, Rikuo spotted the brightly decorated box and decided on that to eat. He'd been excited when he'd bought that cereal, Rikuo remembered. It came with a prize. Rikuo wanted to smile but felt he'd crumble to the floor if he did, so instead he poured a large bowl of the kid's stuff, poured milk over it and ate. He wasn't really hungry but knew he should eat something therefore he did with mechanical precision. Scoop, chew and swallow.

Other than the sounds of chewing and the spoon hitting the bowl, the place was silent. It was so silent that it was deafening. Rikuo finished as quickly as possible, put his dishes in the sink and went to the bathroom. He didn't look for the things he knew would be missing and with his eyes down, got ready for bed.

Lights out he moved to get in his own bed but couldn't do it. He turned and went to Kazahaya's bed. The stuffed animals stared at him with accusing eyes. Quickly he piled the animals in a chair and turned back the covers but before getting in, he retrieved a large panda bear. Rikuo climbed in and settled down on Kazahaya's pillow.

This was all he had now, all that was left of Kazahaya – his scent on the sheets and these stupid stuffed animals. The panda was squeezed tight and as Rikuo finally drifted off to sleep. Glass eyes seemed to twinkle in sympathy as the panda performed its duty and offered comfort. It lay still and let its fur soak up tears as the boy cried in his sleep.

"Think we should have let him go up alone?" Saiga asked Kakei in the darkness of their bedroom.

"It's what he wanted and what could we do for him really? Rikuo's at a crossroads right now. If he doesn't figure out his feelings before we find Kazahaya then he never will. At least we know he still cares deeply for Kazahaya. Rikuo didn't hesitate to help us tonight. Hopefully he'll sleep after all the walking we did."

Earlier…

They had sat in a stunned fog for nearly half an hour without moving and it was only because the phone rang that they moved at all. Each jumped and hoped that it was Kazahaya on the other end. Kakei had bumped hard against the desk in his hurry to pick it up.

"Kazahaya?!" It was obvious in the way his shoulders fell that it was not him. "Sorry. Oh yes, Hikari-san! No, no we won't be coming by tonight. I'm afraid we won't be coming by at all." Hikari-san was the owner of the new age store they were going to visit to pick up the supplies needed to get rid of Black Shadow.

Kakei gave a brief explanation as to why they wouldn't be visiting. As he talked to her, his eyes went to the small wooden box. Kazahaya didn't know where to buy crystals and if he ever wanted to use his own powers again, he'd need a similar box! "Hikari-san? Did a teenager come in to your store this afternoon and buy a box or something similar that could block the power charms and – and a crystal?!" The words rushed out of Kakei.

On the couch, Saiga sat up. He'd figured it out too as soon as he realized who was calling. The kid had to have gone there to buy the crystal! He looked over at Rikuo who still looked out of it. Saiga squeezed his hand. "Hold on Rikuo, I think we just got our first clue."

"He looks sort of like me. He would have had bags with him like he was traveling and oh, on his hand and forearm, an Ace Bandage! His fingers would have been discolored, almost black in color." Kakei listened in silence then turned with a smile to Saiga. "Yes, yes, that was Kazahaya! He was the reason we were coming tonight!"

Hikari-san was a friend who like the rest of them, had a special gift. Kakei had previously told her of the shadowy-entity that had killed a person and now wanted a friend of his. She'd been only a little worried about the entity since it was confined to one place. Hikari felt it was no great threat since the warehouse could be labeled condemned and in that way keep people out. Plus the fact that Kakei and his friends were soon to cast a spell and send it away but now after learning about Kazahaya, she was really worried. Kakei hadn't mentioned that this person had been partially inside it and now carried its mark. This was a problem.

Kakei lost his smile and sank into his chair. He listened in growing horror to what Hikari had to say. Occasionally she would ask a question and when she heard the answer; her next words would send him even lower.

Saiga knew something was wrong but he could only tell so much from Kakei's side of the conversation. In a way he didn't want to know the things that had Kakei looking so sickly. Again he glanced at Rikuo, glad now that the boy wasn't listening.

"Yes, we'll begin looking now. Thank you. Yes, we'll be in touch. You won't go alone? Good, then let me know. Yes, goodbye." The receiver missed the base and the dial tone filled in the silence.

Saiga made Rikuo comfortable by laying him down on the couch then went to hang up the phone. "More bad news I take it? I don't know how much more I can take right now." Saiga perched on the desk next to Kakei. He sighed, "Okay, tell me." Saiga listened grim-faced to the new information.

Hikari had noticed the young man with the bags and bandaged hand. He'd know exactly what he'd needed and she'd provided him with one. Just as he had been about to pay, they boy had seen a crystal that gave him a moment of pleasure for he'd smiled softly. The smile didn't last and faded quickly but he added the crystal to the box. While she'd rung up his purchases and taken his money she'd been able to see his depression and had gotten a bad vibe from him. His aura had seemed like it was being suppressed by a dark shadow. It had made her shiver. The teen left soon after and she'd been relieved to see him go.

Now knowing that the shadow had taken part of Kazahaya inside of it, the two were now connected. The pain he felt was the shadow reaching out to Kazahaya. Neither the pain nor the marks would ever fade unless the monster was destroyed. But that's not all, now that a person had been swallowed; the shadow now would crave more human agony and flesh to feed on. It would grow. It was searching especially for the one that got away but would swallow any that got too close. Kazahaya's pain would get worse as it called out to him and he would gradually loose all use of his hand, possibly his whole arm.

Because of the danger the shadow now represented, Hikari wanted to do a spell that would keep the shadow confined. She belonged to a coven and they would do what they could to hold it there inside the warehouse but there was no guarantee how long their magic would hold out against such a supernatural creature. In the end, only Kazahaya would be able to either send it away or destroy it. He would need to once again face the thing that threatened him and perform a banishing spell.

Rikuo had actually been listening and now a low moan escaped him. Curling into a fetal position, he covered his face with his hands. Even if he had been able to truly let Kazahaya go, he would definitely have to find him now. Rikuo couldn't let Kazahaya live a life of constant pain and danger. He wanted him alive and happy but first they had to find him and save not only him but everyone as well.

"You said it." Saiga commented on Rikuo's moan. "Are you sure we aren't all dreaming? Maybe this is some Godforsaken nightmare we're all trapped in! If we could just go back to few months ago…"

Kakei took off his glasses and laid his head on Saiga's thigh. "I wish, I really wish it was just something we could wake up from but if we don't find Kazahaya and bring him home, he'll be crippled and people could die." He stayed there for a few more minutes drawing strength from Saiga and getting his thoughts in order.

"Okay. Saiga, I need you to call Seki. See if he can put out an APB or something on Kazahaya. I'll go find some pictures of him and make some copies. The three of us are going to hit all the train and bus stations in this damned city and find out where he's gone. Hopefully I'll get a vision soon. Yes, it will be off but maybe I can see a sign or something to tell me where's he's been or where he's going." Kakei stood and headed out. Saiga picked up the phone and started dialing while Rikuo held himself tight and prayed Kazahaya would be okay until they found him.

The Present…

"You know I never realized how many damned buses and trains this city had before today. Yeah, I used them but I never really thought about them before. The kid could have gone to any station and gone almost anywhere in the country! He really has left hasn't he? He wouldn't try to hide here in the city where we might just come upon him would he?" Saiga asked as he stared up at the ceiling.

"No. Kazahaya left this city. He doesn't believe we care so he left." Kakei sighed. "He planned everything so well. Of course he's had weeks to do so. I think – I think it was the visit to Osaka that pushed him over the edge. He must have connected in some way Tsukiko, learned her feelings for Rikuo and then there was Rikuo telling Kazahaya all about himself and Tsukiko together – it was just too much for him to bear." Kakei looked over at the bedside table where he'd laid the crystal. Even in the darkness of the room, it seemed to shine.

"We didn't help much either, pushing him to use his power and talking only about her. Twenty/twenty hindsight is a bitch! Well at least we were able to post his picture in all the stations. Tomorrow we go back and talk to the staff and maybe someone will remember him that is if he didn't change his appearance." Saiga grimaced. He had taught both boys how to hide in case they were ever in trouble on a job but now that lesson was coming back to bite them.

"But Seki wasn't able to put out a nationwide search for him. He's old enough to be on his own and we did all we could to keep him out of the charges brought against Osawa's people. We won't be able to count on the police for any help." Kakei picked up the crystal, it pulled at his soul.

"Not official help but Seki put his picture out there anyway and his friends said they would keep an eye out. It's better than nothing. I suppose our greatest hope is you. All we need is for Kazahaya to put that damned charm away and then you can find him." Silence. "Kakei?" He felt the body next to him go stiff. Saiga sat up and turned on the light. Kakei was having a vision.

At first all he could see were two hands but then recognized that it was Kazahaya! He could tell because how the hands looked. One hand was marred by Black Shadow's touch. Kakei tried looking around but quickly realized that he was seeing through Kazahaya's eyes! The boy was staring down at his hands which held his CD player. It must be on but Kakei couldn't hear any music. He tried to gather clues from what he could see. Kazahaya was traveling, obviously. He got the impression of scenery passing quickly – that meant a train! Kakei waited but Kazahaya never looked up that so Kakei could see any people or the train's destination. The only things to see were two trembling hands, then one of them moved and Kakei blinked furiously because it approached his/Kazahaya's eye. For a moment he couldn't see but then the hand was removed and he looked down at tears covering the fingers. And then Kakei was back with Saiga.

Saiga watched as Kakei's eyes changed to match the crystal on his palm and if he wasn't mistaken – the damned thing was glowing! At one point, Kakei blinked several times and a tear escaped his eye. That didn't usually happen. Impatiently, Saiga waited for Kakei to come back to him.

"Kazahaya." His eyes changed back to normal as Kakei spoke the name. When Saiga's worried face filled his vision, Kakei reached for and held on to the man. "I saw him. No…I was him. I was Kazahaya." Kakei shivered.

"Say what? Uh, what did you just say?" Saiga pulled back and watched as Kakei flopped back onto the pillow.

Kakei looked down at the crystal still in hand then sat excitedly. Maybe, just maybe… "Saiga! This connects me to Kazahaya! The vision – I saw through Kazahaya's eyes!"

Saiga backed up as Kakei crawled forward. "Wait, wait. Calm down and tell me what you saw." Saiga grabbed Kakei's shoulders before they both kept going and fell off the bed.

Again Kakei looked at the crystal then closed his fingers over it and brought the hand to his heart. "The vision was so clear, I could see his hands. I saw him holding his CD player and I know it was his hands because of his bandaged hand. But now, yes I recognized the clothes he was wearing because I'd just bought them for him!" Kakei sat back on his heels and brought a hand up to his cheek. "He cried a bit, I guess I did too. But Saiga isn't wonderful? If I'm connected to him then we should find him that much faster!" Kakei's face was full of hope as he smiled at Saiga.

Saiga stared at the bright look on Kakei's face. It hurt to see so much hope and know that he was the one who was going to take it away. His eyes had seen the problem even before Kakei had finished speaking. "What time of day was it?"

"Huh? What does that…?" Kakei's heart faltered. He frowned as he tried to remember what he'd…seen. But he hadn't seen much at all really. Kakei closed his eyes and thought on how Kazahaya had never once raised his eyes. Had he done that on purpose? Kakei shook his head in denial and tried again to see the train. No lights! "It must have been daytime. Late afternoon maybe. It had to be because there were no overhead lights on and- and I could see the blur of buildings and trees through the windows!"

Saiga took the hand holding the crystal, "And what time is it now Kakei?" He watched as Kakei frowned and turned to look at the bedside clock. "It's 4am. It's…4 in the morning." He looked to the window and saw it was still dark outside.

"Your vision was probably of when he left yesterday afternoon. It's an old vision. The charm is in effect. It's not going to show you exactly where or when the kid is." Saiga saw the doubt in Kakei's beloved eyes.

"But the crystal, I can see what he sees. That should help!" Kakei wanted to find Kazahaya badly. It was true, in some indefinable way; the crystal connected him to Kazahaya. Never had he seen through a person's eyes before. This small piece of rock connected him to a boy who was like his son.

"Maybe it will but not enough. If you can see what he sees, then Kazahaya will have to be looking at something to give us a clue. You said he was staring down, what if – he was looking down on purpose." Saiga sighed but smiled too. "He's been very smart in the way he left. He knows how your visions work, granted he couldn't know that this crystal would let you see what he sees, but he may be going out of his way to not look at signs or be near them. He could choose to sit where he wouldn't see landmarks that you would recognize. There are endless possibilities in the way he could mess with your visions without his even trying and the biggest problem is that damned charm. I think that until he locks that thing away, we'll have nothing definite to go on." Saiga watched as tears slipped out of unshielded eyes. Unable to stand Kakei's tears, Saiga pulled him close.

"I know you're right but…I was just…so sure. I thought we could…find him now." Kakei's logical brain had heard all of Saiga's words and accepted the truth of them. If they didn't find him just by old-fashioned searching then they would have to wait until the charm was put away then for he, Kakei to have a more accurate vision.

"Hey, Kakei? We'll still know how he's doing. You'll be able to keep track of his well being and if the mark gets worse. That's important too; we won't worry so much if we know he's well. Right?"

Kakei rested his head on Saiga's shoulder and nodded. He wanted more but he'd take this. Kazahaya was fine, if sad and lonely. Kakei would have to be vigilant during the visions to be sure he saw all that he could. He wouldn't let go of the hope that they would find their child soon.

"Come on, let's get some rest. We still have a lot of ground to cover tomorrow, umm today. Man, it's getting so the days are running together." Saiga settled down, turned off the light and wrapped an arm around Kakei. "It's going to be okay, we'll get him back and save the city too. Ha, guess we'll be real live heroes. Without the tights, thank God!" As Saiga planned, he got a small laugh out of Kakei. They relaxed and let their worries and weariness fade for just a little while.

Rikuo left yet another train station. Kakei had told him of his vision so they decided to concentrate on only the train stations. He was talking to all the tellers, showing them Kazahaya's picture and requesting to see their security videos. Most were cooperative, some needed bribes and one man he'd hit – jerk. Rikuo had let loose some tension by popping that asshole who thought he was too good to help someone. Unfortunately, he didn't learn anything and would either have to go back and break in or Saiga would take care of it because there was no way Rikuo was going to apologize to him.

Rikuo got back in the car. He was so tired, worried and lost. He was lost just as Kazahaya was. The three of them had split up a list of the train stations and took turns going to each one. Kakei had gone out this morning and Saiga would go out tonight. Right now it was his turn.

It was hard not to stare at Kazahaya's picture. Even though it was a black and white copy, it was still able to show the teen's absolute joy. Rikuo couldn't remember when the picture was taken but he wished they were back there again. Turning the picture over Rikuo put the key in the ignition. He needed to concentrate on the search and not the longing in heart. Kazahaya needed saving and Rikuo wanted to at least be there to save him if not love him the way he should be loved.

Getting back to business, Rikuo marked this station off his map. Laying down the map the looked at he throngs of people and wondered how anyone other than Saiga could pick one teenager out of the mix on a busy Saturday afternoon. This searching of every train station seemed hopeless but it was all they had to go on. They couldn't even rely on Kakei's visions.

Kakei had seen through Kazahaya's eyes. Rikuo was still in shock over that. When Kakei had told him, it had shaken him to his core mostly because he was jealous. Kakei and Kazahaya had a bond in that crystal. He and Saiga had both held the thing but for them it was just another stone. To Kakei it was warm and alive. It wasn't fair. He wanted to be the one that shared something with Kazahaya, to share something that made his not being here bearable.

They'd call Hikari-san first thing and asked about the crystal. Was it special? Why did it affect Kakei and no one else?

Hikari-san had a really simple answer. Kazahaya and Kakei both had visions – different kinds of visions but it was a connection between them. Also Kazahaya had held the crystal tenderly and thought of Kakei and Kakei had done the same. Crystals by their very nature were mystical. In this case it provided visions through Kazahaya. It was unknown to her whether or not Kazahaya knew Kakei was with him, only Kakei would be able to tell once he'd had more visions.

She also imparted that she and her coven had visited the warehouse. Black Shadow had come to life the minute they'd stepped inside. Using lights, as they'd learned from Kakei and protection spells, the coven had approached the entity. It had again called for Kazahaya. Calling upon their Goddess, they had cast a spell and as they suspected, the banishment did not work. They were unable to cast it from this world but the next spell did manage to somewhat restrict its movement. It could no longer affect any other rooms within that warehouse, only the room where it dwelled. But, Hikari-san did not think the spell would hold for very long – a week or two at most before the entity would regain its lost territory and start moving out and seeking the one that got away. Kazahaya was needed. He was the answer to the end of Black Shadow.

There was a boom from the sky above snapping his attention back to the present and Rikuo looked up to see threatening clouds. A storm was coming, possibly a bad one. Rikuo thought of Kazahaya out in that snow storm that first time. He had been close to dying from cold and exposure. "Where are you Kazahaya? Are you somewhere out in this? Please get inside, stay warm and take care of yourself until we find you." He sent the words out and hoped they reached his friend's ears.

Rikuo finally started the car. He still wasn't sure what he would do once he'd found Kazahaya. He'd hurt him so much but he couldn't deny that he loved him either. Love could destroy, he knew that. Loving Tsukiko had almost destroyed him and he had no wish to destroy Kazahaya any more than he already had.

The wind blew so hard that Rikuo had to tighten his hands around the steering wheel to steady the car. It howled around the car and surrounding buildings. Wind. Kazahaya. His name meant wind. You couldn't capture the wind. It came without warning; it got in your face. Sometimes it was light, at other times it could knock you down. And then it was gone like it had never been there at all. Kazahaya – the wind.

"I'll chase you Wind no matter where you may blow. I'll chase you to the ends of the earth." Rikuo promised.

Kazahaya stepped off the bus as the first drops of rain hit the ground. Briefly he looked around the empty lot and spotted a diner across the street. He fast walked to towards it. He could get out of the rain and see if there was somewhere he could sleep in this little town. Before he could reach the door, a fierce wind stopped him in his tracks. All Kazahaya could do was stay still and let it blow. He covered his face with one hand, trying to breathe as air was forced down his throat.

Stay warm. Take care. I'll chase you. Kazahaya tried to raise his head to look for the source of the words but the wind wouldn't let him. Those words seemed to flow along with the wind. They went into his ear and pounded against his eardrum until his head throbbed from the force and then suddenly the wind was gone. He blinked rapidly for now he was crying. It had been Rikuo voice! Rikuo had said to stay warm and that he'll chase me!

Rain was falling steadily now but Kazahaya didn't move. After a moment, he let out a harsh laugh. "I've always had a damned good imagination. Well, I guess it will take me time to get over him." He spoke aloud to himself, needing to hear the hard, cold truth. "You may look for me for a short time but not chase. I don't…mean enough to you for you to chase after me." Rain soaked his hair and slid down the back of his neck. People inside the diner stared at the young man talking to himself out in the rain. "I didn't say the words before but I guess now's the time. Goodbye…Rikuo." Kazahaya let the rain wash away his tears then continued on to the diner.

He had planned to stay here for a while but after that little episode, Kazahaya decided to get back on the road again. He needed to put more distance between himself and what his soul wanted…