-9- Daichi's Promise

Daichi closed his eyes, took in a deep breath and began to tell Ikuto his story. As the words spilled out his mouth, the memories seem to plummet in his mind letting him relive the past.

5Years Ago…

It was a picture of pure red and black. A crimson fire blazed throughout the entire town, black smoke rising into the air, turning day into night and the cackling noises of the devouring flames went unheard as the screams echoed for miles. The blasting sounds of more cannons being shot continued, then the sight of shattering bricks and wood would follow. No matter where one looked, it was the same. Their beloved town crumbling from the heat, the few surviving people running wildly in attempts to escape and then there were the devils who kept destroying the little that was left of the place. Pirates; the most heartless and vicious kind of humans to exist in the world, those Pirates cared for nothing but to loot the fallen town of all its riches.

"Don't stop Daichi, keep running."

A young Daichi clutched tighter onto his brother's hand as they ran towards the port. He held in his tears not wanting to add to his big brother's worries. How could this have happened? What did they do wrong? What did this town do to deserve something like this? Daichi questioned as he ran past the endless scattered corpse of those he once knew. Why did those Pirates have to pick our town?

"Listen Daichi," Daichi's brother said as they approached the port. He let go of Daichi's hand and hurriedly pulled a small boat into the water, "hurry and get on."

Daichi did as his brother said and got onto the boat. "Brother," Daichi sobbed, still trying to hold back his tears, "what's going to happen to us?"

Daichi's brother patted Daichi's head gently. "Be brave. We will both survive this. Once we escape, we'll start our life anew. Daichi, you know how I've never really had a dream," Daichi's brother said as he began to push the boat further out the water, "I've decided after this incident…I'll join the Naval Army and I'll put an end to all Pirates. I couldn't save our town but I'll save others."

"Brother," Daichi uttered, not knowing what to say but he believed in his brother. He can do it; he will save future victims of pirates. His brother was very capable.

The boat started to sway on its own, steadily moving out towards the big sea.

Daichi's brother was about to jump on the boat but stopped as he heard shouts behind him.

"Those kids are escaping," a hoarse voice shouted.

Daichi looked in fear, seeing it was one of the pirates who attacked their town.

"Don't let them get away," another pirate shouted, "hurry and shoot them."

"I won't let you," Daichi's brother said pushing the boat away from him with all his strength so it now drifted far out into the vast sea. "DAICHI," he shouted before turning to face the pirates, "YOU HAVE TO SURVIVE…I PROMISE WE WILL MEET AGAIN."

"BROTHER," Daichi screamed, trying desperately to move the boat back towards the port where he saw his brother was already fighting the pirates. "Brother, wait up I'll…"

A loud blast drowned out Daichi's desperate shouts; a canon landing right in between the two brothers, causing the waves to carry the small boat even further out into the sea and the sudden concussion to the head left Daichi to see no more than the faint outline of his brothers back. Then it was all black.

A strong sweet smell drifted around the air and as Daichi took a whiff of the scent of food, he slowly opened his eyes. His body ached with pain and it took everything he had to sit up in bed. He looked around him; he was in a room unfamiliar to him. That's right, brother, Daichi remembered in horror, cannon…the boat…our town…pirates… Daichi threw the duvet off his body and stood up but almost immediately dropped to the floor from pain.

"Hey kid, don't move so much," a man in his late 50's said rushing over to help Daichi up, "you're hurt quite badly. Rest up."

"Old man, where am I?" Daichi asked, "my brother…have you seen him…our town was attacked by pirates and…we were separated…my brother where is he?"

"Calm down," the old man said, passing a glass of water to Daichi. "I'm really sorry but you were the only one I saw. I picked you up near the coast of our town. You were on broken wooden planks and you were heavily injured."

"Then tell me how far it is to get back to my town," Daichi coughed, choking on the water.

The old man patted Daichi's back, "listen…please rest and get better first before thinking about other things."

"How could I," Daichi began to cry, "brother…he risked his life to save me…and I couldn't do a thing. I tried to go back to him I couldn't…I abandoned my brother…I…"

"Kid," the old man said pulling Daichi into a close hug, "I know. I know the feeling of losing someone you love. I understand your pain but for now, you need to take care of yourself and get better." He gently patted Daichi's head which reminded him of his brother, "I'm sure if your brother was here, he would want you to take good care of yourself. Don't worry him. We'll figure things out later. I promise I'll help you the best I could."

Daichi clutched onto the old man, although not knowing who he was, right this moment he felt so broken he just needed somebody there for him. He cried and cried until no more tears would fall out, until his voice disappeared.

For the next few days, with the old man's care, Daichi had fully recovered and had calmed down, no longer as emotional as he first was. He had learnt that this was Barren Town, which was a considerable distance away from his home town. How he managed to drift so far out was something Daichi didn't understand, but he was thankful he was alive. From newspapers he read, Daichi knew that nothing was left in his town, no one was there. The naval army had stopped by yesterday and cleared away the dead bodies so even if he went back, it was pointless. Brother, Daichi wondered all the time, are you alive? You have to be, you must be…you're the strongest person I've known…

"Kid," the old man said holding out some bread, "I got this from an old friend. Take it."

"Thank you," Daichi said taking the bread. The old man he was staying with lived a little distance out of the main town area. His house was weirdly big, more like a barn-house, however they only lived in the small front of it, the rest or back which could fit maybe a herd of elephants in was empty. The old man seemed to live alone before Daichi came and he was one of the kindest people he has met.

"I'm Toto," the old man introduced, "I forgot to introduce myself. What's your name?"

"Daichi," Daichi answered.

"Daichi," Toto repeated, "What do you plan to do now? I know about your brother and home town…I…what I want to say is you are welcome to stay with me if…" Toto paused, "I'm sorry. I was…I was just very happy to have someone with me in such a long time. I didn't consider what you wanted so…"

"I'm not sure," Daichi cut in, "but maybe I can stay a little longer here." It should be fine, Daichi thought seeing Toto's big smile now, I don't know where brother is and I can't just leave without repaying Toto for saving my life. If I stayed for a bit, I may be able to figure a good way to search for brother. We promised each other we will meet again, I believe in that, so no matter where I am, we will eventually find one another. "Then Toto, I'll impose on you a little longer."

An overjoyed Toto hugged Daichi, unable to stop his tears. "Welcome home Daichi…"

Daichi sighed, realising that this old man was extremely nice but slightly strange. Surely he was over-reacting. However as Daichi spent more of his time with Toto, he soon found out how much emotional pain this old man had experienced. Barren Town wasn't exactly a normal town either. At first Daichi was quite welcomed to the town but as the villagers learned that Daichi was to stay for a long time, they soon gave him unsettling looks and remarks. Despite Toto's efforts to get the town to accept Daichi, the majority of the villagers still saw him as an outsider. There was a reason for the town's hatred towards Daichi; the reason being none other than the Barren Curse that haunted this town. When and how this Barren Curse had started was unknown but about a decade ago, children of the town began to disappear. New-borns and kids under the age of 10 kept disappearing non-stop. The villagers panicked and became very protective of their children but even so, each year, at least 10 children managed to disappear. Everyone would search endlessly to try and find these children but there were simply no signs of their existence. No bodies were ever found either. Slowly, people began to believe a curse was placed upon them, a curse that would make all the children of the town vanish. The few children who survived to adulthood without disappearing were considered lucky to have escaped the curse. It was no wonder that the villagers resented Daichi's presence, as a child coming into the town from outside, they believed he won't be affected by the curse. Many villagers began to grow jealous of this fact and of Toto for in their eyes, the old man had gained himself a son he need not worry would ever disappear. Daichi soon became the symbol of unfairness, a person viewed strongly as not a part of the town.

There was this once when Daichi wished to leave Barren town, believing he was causing trouble for Toto, but then the old man broke down into tears at the mere suggestion of it. Toto then told Daichi about himself, how his wife had died giving birth to their only son and Toto did everything he could to protect the one last thing he treasured. However, like many of the other children in this town, the curse had claimed his son. Toto was alone until the day he met and saved Daichi. He was honest to Daichi, telling him how he felt like he had his son back again and didn't wish for Daichi to leave, despite knowing how selfish his request was. Not knowing how to repay Toto's kindness and for everything the old man has done for him, Daichi made the final decision to stay with Toto. He started to call him father Toto as well. There were times when Daichi still secretly want to leave, never once did he forget about his brother. Always though, there was this unspoken duty he had towards Toto and he would end up staying. Just like that, they spent their time together for a few years but then just 1 year ago, everything began to change.

It was still unclear to Daichi but one day, Toto came running home injured, a trail of blood left behind from his tracks. A worried Daichi wanted to get the doctor but Toto stopped him. With his last strength, he clutched onto Daichi and with his final breath Toto said, "thank you Daichi, for staying with me for so long. I knew…for a long time you wanted to go and search for your brother but I was in your way…"

"Don't say that," Daichi whispered, holding onto Toto's hands, "you'll be alright. I'm the one who should be thanking you, for taking me in…for saving me, for giving me a home."

"Daichi," Toto said heavily, "I was happy I met you. I… I don't want to die but I…I know I won't survive this."

"We'll go to the doctors," Daichi said attempting to lift Toto onto his back but Toto struggled.

"My only regret in dying now is because I know the Barren Curse is not real," Toto said clearly, "I…Daichi; I want to save this town and the children. The curse is not real, children…they're taken by…"

"Toto…Toto…." Daichi shouted, "Hang in there please." Tears formed in his eyes. Was he going to lose Toto like he did his town, his brother? "Don't leave me again…"

"I couldn't save my own son…but me…I still want to avenge him…" Toto struggled, "I want to save…."

"TOTO," Daichi shouted grasping tighter onto Toto's hands as he watched Toto close his eyes, no longer breathing.

Daichi didn't get to say a proper good-bye to Toto before villagers rushed over and started to take away Toto's body.

"What are you doing?" Daichi questioned, trying to stop the men from taking Toto away.

"He accused the mayor's assistant of a crime he didn't do and the mayor is furious. We're furious with him. How dare he claim the Barren curse not real and that all along the children in this town were kidnapped."

"We won't forgive Toto, just because he has a son like you that isn't affected by the curse…"

"We're taking his body to the mayor…"

"NO STOP," Daichi shouted, trying to fight for Toto's body but in the end the villagers still took him away.

Daichi had asked around after for Toto's body but the villagers continued to ignore him and now Toto was gone, Daichi was even more left out. I won't cry, Daichi told himself, I need to be strong. He made a grave for Toto and before it, Daichi made his second promise. "Toto, I'll help you save this town," Daichi promised, "I promise, to repay you for everything. I Promise I'll save everything you hold dear."

In the Present….

"Then the reason you're staying in Barren Town is to try and find the culprit behind the disappearing children," Ikuto said. He had listened to Daichi's story patiently and whilst he did take a liking to this kid, somewhat sympathised with his past, he realised that they were too different to walk the same path. It's a shame, Ikuto thought; this Daichi could've been a useful crewmate.

"I have to keep my promise to Toto and I believe him," Daichi continued, "that's why I've never given up on finding out the truth. Now I know the children are kidnapped and are taken away somewhere. The one behind this is Gofer." Daichi paused, "when I saw you entering the town I wanted to stop you. I was certain that Gofer would target your little brother and sister if he had the chance to. I wanted to prevent more kidnappings from happening."

"What do you suppose the children are kidnapped for?" Ikuto began to probe, "Are you certain Gofer is the one behind everything?"

"I don't know," Daichi admitted, "but do I need to know more than I already do? I have a clear goal, I need to stop these kidnappings and break this so called Barren curse, save this town and everyone. What I know is enough to make me move. I just need help." Daichi stared at Ikuto now, "Will you help me? Although I know nothing about you… when I look at you I feel as though I definitely need your help. I don't understand either but, you give of this feeling that makes me want to believe I have to depend on you."

He's got some sharp senses, Ikuto analysed eyeing Daichi carefully. Does it matter? This 14 year old kid had already captured my attention.

"Will you help me?" Daichi asked again.

"To be honest at first I was more interested in you than what was going on in this town," Ikuto slowly said, "however, now that this idiot has laid a hand on my little brother, I need to pay him a personal visit."

Daichi breathed, relieved that Ikuto agreed to help. He clenched his fists, now preparing himself to ask Ikuto to do something even he couldn't believe he was asking. I'm not insane, Daichi convinced himself, I'm not betraying brother or my past by asking this… I need to be fair…

"Well, I've already decided my course of action, you only need to listen to me," Ikuto said, staring at the big manor house in a distance to their left. That was the mayor's mansion. "We're going…"

"Wait," Daichi breathed heavily, "there is one more thing I need to ask of you."

Ikuto stared at Daichi and waited.

Daichi gulped, "If possible, please save the two pirates that are to be executed tomorrow."

"Did I hear you wrong?" Ikuto asked, "You want me to help you save pirates? Don't you hate pirates? Your town was attacked by pirates and you got separated with your brother."

"Those two pirates," Daichi said, "when they first came, I tried fighting them to get them to leave but… they did nothing to this town. Instead, they ended up helping me find out the truth to the kidnappings. Because they covered up for me, they were exposed by Gofer as the culprits behind the recent child kidnappings. He made up that the pirates took advantage of the curse to do kidnap children when in reality it was him."

"You're saying you owe those two pirates…" Ikuto finished for Daichi, "is it really alright though, to hurt your own pride to save them?"

"I admit," Daichi breathed, clenching his fists harder, "I hate pirates but… I cannot allow myself to be so unjust. Those two pirates haven't done anything wrong that I know of and, they don't deserve to die. So please, help me save them along with the children."

Ikuto let out a small laugh, "Daichi… perhaps we can both walk the same path after all."

"What?"

"Don't worry; I was planning to save those two idiots from the start," Ikuto whispered, "since you seem so close to those pirates then… you must know where they hid their ship."

Daichi nodded, confused but anticipating for Ikuto's move. He knew Ikuto wasn't just a normal traveller; he didn't seem that simple. Perhaps this Ikuto was more than what Daichi had bargained for but at last, he could finally fulfil his promise to Toto. After this, he can finally leave Barren Town and search for his brother.

In the basement, Yoru picked up the umbrella and quickly pulled Amu out the room, shutting the door. He was too shocked to say anything. Those children, all of them were kidnapped like them, but those injuries, what happened to them? This is bad, Yoru thought, we need to get out of here.

"What are you doing?" Amu questioned as Yoru began to pull her towards the other door.

"It's obvious, we're leaving."

"Alone?"

"Obviously," Yoru panicked trying to open the locked door, "hey you know magic that can…"

Amu stepped away from Yoru and looked at him seriously, "I'm not leaving."

"What, are you crazy?"

"I'm not," Amu said, "I'm leaving, but with all those other children as well."

"You must be kidding me," Yoru almost shouted, "there's no way we can escape with a bunch of kids. Besides we don't know the situation at all. You're older than me but at the minute you're stuck in a child's body and I'm a kid as well and… there's no way we can fight the kidnappers and save those children at the same time. Impossible."

"Then you go on ahead," Amu said without hesitating, "no matter what I will save those children."

"Don't be an idiot…"

"Don't you feel anything just seeing them," Amu shouted over Yoru, "they're kidnapped and tortured for possibly trying to escape. They're kids, some of them much younger than you. Don't you sympathise with them."

Yoru stayed quiet. He was a kid himself, what could he possibly do? It sounded cruel but he had no obligations to help the others.

"Yoru," Amu continued, "I can't pretend I didn't see them. I can't ignore them. I want to help them no matter what so, if you're not with me then please escape yourself."

Amu turned back to the other door and opened it, stepping into the room with the kidnapped children again.

Damn it, Yoru thought. He wanted to leave but he couldn't. Amu had been there for him all the time. She never once abandoned him in the tower so he won't abandon her here either. Yoru went to Amu, "I'm in. Let's save ourselves and these kids."

Amu smiled, "you're a kid yourself."

"Shut up," Yoru frowned; still questioning himself what the hell he had gotten himself into. He can only hope Ikuto was already on his way to rescue him.