YAY! I'm finally back, and still within the time I promised, see? I don't have a lot to say right now.
Thank Okami for being the beta, as usually
First Departures
The light trilling of the birds was refreshing; the warm shine of the sun illuminated the small park as the green leaves of the trees danced with the touch of the gentle breeze. The sound of splashing water filled the environment inviting everyone around the small fountain to take a sit and forget all of their problems just a moment.
However Yuji couldn't let go the sorrow in his heart, sitting there in a simple bench at that small park. Probably his mother was worried about him, probably he shouldn't have left like that, and probably he should have stayed with Shana…Shana. She couldn't take her out of his head. She had asked him not to go looking for her, but how could he do that? She was being targeted by the enemy, probably even captured now. No. She was fast. She was strong. She was more that capable, so she was alright…right?
"Here" the touch of a cold can on his forehead forced him out of his thoughts. He looked up to see an older black haired boy with glasses who was smiling at him, offering him a can of juice.
"Thanks" said Yuji accepting the drink
"Your welcome" said Tezuka taking a sit beside the gray eyed. He opened a can he had in his hands and drank a good swallow. They stayed in silence for several seconds, listening to the birds around them "What's the matter Yuji? You are terribly silent"
"You…you are powerful, aren't you?" asked him Yuji
"Well I have some experience, but there are a lot of people who are stronger than I am" answered the boy still smiling
"You…know what has happened lately, right? All this 'explosions'?" continued asking Yuji without looking at Tezuka
"Yes I know a little bit about some of them" accepted the older boy
"An…acquaintance of mine, wa-IS a Flame Haze, she was involved in the incidents and in the end she…she…"
"Left the city" completed for him Tezuka "I felt a strong presence leaving the city yesterday, and another one leaving today a few minutes ago"
"Uh, yeah…I was looking for the Flame Haze that left this morning when I came across with you" explained the boy
"You had a pretty desperate expression on your face; shouldn't you still be looking for her right now?" asked Tezuka turning to see Yuji, but he negated with his head
"No, its ok, I know I can't give chase to a Flame Haze" said the boy with a resigned tone "I'm too weak"
"Don't put yourself down, you are far stronger than you think" Tezuka's confident smile surprised Yuji "You are very strong, it's just that a lot of people around are too powerful, so if you put yourself against them yes, you are weak; however, you are stronger than several crimson citizens, and could hold your ground against most rinnes"
"You are overestimating me, I'm truly weak, especially because of the amazingly strong opponents we must face" said Yuji sad "it's just that…we can't win against them…there's no one as strong as them. I mean, even Shana lost her confidence and fled, and now everyone is talking craziness about pursuing the enemy! We just can't win! AND NO ONE UNDERSTANDS THAT! WHAT'S THE MATTER ABOUT BEING AFRAID IN FRONT OF SUCH ENEM-" Yuji was forced to silence by a punch. A punch launched by Tezuka. Not able to believe it, Yuji just held the place Tezuka had punched with his hand, looking surprised at him
"Look at you Yuji, what would she think if she saw you like this?" asked Tezuka "Do you crumble down like this at the sight of adversities?" pressed Tezuka
"Are your feelings for her that weak?"
"What are yo-"
"Answer me! Don't you love her?"
"Yes, bu-"
"Then put yourself together because crying won't bring her back to your side. Stop being a child, gather your pieces and regain your ground as a real man!" said Tezuka standing up
"But I can't do anything! You are overestimating me!" replied Yuji
"No, you are the one that's underestimating your own capacity"
"No, I'm not; if I were as strong as you say I wouldn't be afraid! And I'm terrified!"
"Afraid? What of?"
"Yeah" said Yuji sad "You wouldn't understand, you are strong, I'm sure you are never afraid, but I'm always afraid. Afraid of dying, afraid of failing her…afraid of loosing her…"
"You would be surprised my friend. Let me tell you something, I'm always afraid" said Tezuka smiling at Yuji and putting a hand on his shoulder
"That's not true, I have seen you fighting"
"I could tell you the same. I've seen you and you were really brave"
"Hm, I only acted so big because I was petrified out of fear, I thought that maybe, if I could be…a little more like her, if I could have a little of her bravery. If I could be like that I could stay with her forever." A resigned smile formed on Yuji's face "but I was wrong, and now I'll never see her again, because I'm a scared weakling"
"No my friend, I think you are misunderstanding, only a fool feels no fear" Yuji turned to see Tezuka surprised "yes" insisted the older boy "Only a fool feels no fear, but only a hero shows no fear. Feeling fear isn't bad, it's absolutely normal; however, if you are able to control that fear and face it, only then will you understand your true power; and I don't mean the power of your muscles but the one in your heart, your strength as a man" said Tezuka giving a few steps away from Yuji "I have to go now, sorry for leaving you here"
"Wait, Tezuka, you…you could…can you train me? You are strong and our enemy is outside my league no-" said Yuji
"I thought you said that going against them was foolish" said Tezuka turning his head a little to see Yuji by the edge of his eye "I'm sorry but I can't train you, I'm not the right person to do so. However, if you ever travel into the west, beyond the sea, outside Japan, use this" he said tossing him a small mirror "And, if you are ready, you will find someone who will make you a fearsome fighter"
Yuji paid a good looking at the mirror, it was circular, and the glass was dark, but reflected perfectly the image. I had an exquisite adornment in gold around it and two black ropes on the edge in opposed positions
"I have to go now" said Tezuka again "we'll see each other again"
"Yes, and thank you very much… for everything you have done" said Yuji standing too
"Take care Yuji, I look forward to our next meeting" said Tezuka offering his hand in front of Yuji
"You too, Tezuka" said Yuji shaking the hand
oooOOOooo
Margery returned to the luxurious apartment carrying a large bag full of different alcoholic drinks, and a little drunk herself
"Meh, I can't believe this is all that they had at that stupid store!" complained Margery
"It's just that you already drank half of what you bought!" laughed Marcosius
"You two are really noisy, you know?" said Keisaku entering the living room
"What are you doing here? Didn't I give you some hours to attend any unfinished business you could have?" asked him the Flame Haze
"Yeah, but I don't have anything I need to do, I don't have any acquaintances nor parents to report with, or to tell them that I'm leaving" he said seriously, Margery felt a little bad for him
"I…see" said the blond "Eita?" questioned asking for his whereabouts
"I don't know" replied the boy taking a sit on the couch "he left few minutes after you; he said he had something to do"
"So we are alone?" asked Margery, Keisaku nodded
"Then what about doing something fun?" said Margery with a mischievous grin
"Like what?" Keisaku dared to ask a little afraid. Margery grabbed him by the shirt and dragged him outside the apartment
"What about going outside and do something? You could even buy me some more alcohol!"
OOOoooOOO
The bell indicated that class had ended, starting the recess. The students stood up from their places, put down their books and pens and chatted with their neighbors.
A tall student was waiting outside one of the classrooms. He had, tanned skin and jet black hair. His expression denoted calmness and serenity, but inside he was a boiling cauldron of nervousness. Eita wasn't sure why he felt like this
The classroom door opened. A green eyed brunette was walking outside the classroom, tall, sure, proud, tomboyish even, yet gracious.
"Uh…Ogata-san" called Eita, attracting the attention of the girl.
"Tanaka-kun!" said the now surprised the girl when she turned to meet the boy with a pinkish tone in her cheeks "Why didn't you assisted to the morning lessons? Sakai and Sato are neither here, were you boys outside partying or something?"
"No...no, really we are not skipping classes, not right now" he answered very plainly
"What's…the matter? Are you alright?" asked the green eyed blushing a little more
"Ogata…I'm leaving Misaki city for some time; we leave today, in a few hours" he explained
"I…see" sadness flashed in the girl's eyes as her head dropped a little, hiding her face with her short hair
"Ogata" said Eita putting his hand oh her shoulders "last time…I couldn't give you a proper answer. And I know this isn't the way you would have liked it to happen, but please, can you wait until I return?" Ogata shot her head up, small tears flying from the edge of her eyes due to the rushed movement, her cheeks red
"Eita I…"
"Please, I promise I'll come back" Ogata looked like she would start crying right there
"You are stupid,stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid!" she said at the verge of tears "of course I'll wait! I'll wait for you an eternity if that's what it takes!" she said unable to hold her tears any longer. However they weren't tears of sorrow, but of happiness.
Using his hand Eita gently pushed up Ogata's chin and lent over her giving him a sweet kiss in the lips, tears pouring out of the girl eyes. He embraced her lightly
"Eita stupid, stupid, stupid" Ogata kept crying as she was enveloped by his strong arms.
oooOOOooo
"Did you call me?" asked the girl reaching the roof of the building. The man was already waiting for her as the wind made his black hair dance.
"Yes I did" he said, removing his cloak, revealing a face marked by the scars he had accumulated over the years
"What was so urgent that you even had to come to the school, Khamsin-san?" asked the light brown haired girl
"I've almost finished my investigation in this area; we will leave in two days. I assume it's not necessary to remind you that there's no way to tell how long we will be away from this city. And I wouldn't like you to leave things undone, that's why I'm giving you plenty of time to attend any unfinished business you may have" said the ancient yet young looking Flame Haze
"I understand, thank you" said Kazumi "I'll be ready to leave in two days, don't worry"
The Flame Haze nodded and turned his gaze away from the girl, looking into the horizon before he continued talking "And there is another issue which calls my attention. The mistes who carries the Reiji Maigo, the boy you know as Sakai Yuji"
"Yuji?" asked Kazumi a little pissed
"Yes, if we plan to stop the plans of this organization we need his presence there; he is the only one that the Hunter of the Red Hot Eyes and Flaming Hair listens too" or will be the only one once they put their hands on Alastor
"I wouldn't bet to Yuji right now" said Kazumi with a sad tone and looking to the side "the absence of Yukari-chan has affected him deeply"
"Without him, the weights will be against us even further, and even if we manage to come out victorious the outcome will not be complete" explained the boy's bracelet and companion, Behemoth.
"What do you mean?" asked Kazumi, something was going terribly wrong, she could feel it. The bell marked the end of the recess period, forcing the conversation to stop
"You have to return, they are calling you" stated Khamsin "I'll come looking for you when the time to depart reaches us" his tone marked the end of the conversation and Kazumi knew he wouldn't answer any other question this time. She was forced to return to her classroom; however, her thoughts raced around her unanswered question
Something really bad is happening here. I wonder…
OOOoooOOO
Eita returned to the large apartment, and found it in a terrible state. Clothes and papers where all over the floor, and even some furniture was in the floor, or upside down.
"Ane-san? Keisaku?" he questioned taking a few steps into the mess "Are you here? Is everything alright?"
"EITA!" Margery's voice called from behind a turned over couch "Comer here! We were having a little far away party, but poor Keisaku couldn't take the alcohol" she said laughing at a poor Keisaku who was lending on his back on the floor, with a terrible headache
"Ane-san! How are we going to leave with him in this state?" questioned the taller boy, worried about his partner
"Heh, don't worry!" said the blond trying disperse Eita's worries by waving her hand "I have a remedy for this cases" she said showing a small vial with red boiling liquid
"Wh-what is that?" asked Eita with a clear expression terror, he didn't like how that liquid looked
"You surely don't want to know!" warned Marcosius shaking a pile of clothes under which he had been
"With this he will be ok very soon" said Margery pouring down the liquid down Keisaku's throat. Once he had drank all the liquid Margery moved two steps back
In a rush movement Keisaku stood up, ran to the kitchen and drank as much water as he could, and then dropped unconscious. Eita ran to his side and raised him up from the floor, still unconscious
"Ane-san what did you gave him?! Now he is worst, at least he was conscious when I arrived!"
"Chill out, in 10 minutes he will be as sober as a priest on a Sunday morning. And then we can depart. And get some more alcohol for the road!" cheered Margery
"Your breath will stink tonight!" laughed Marcosius, earning a hard punch from the blond
OOOoooOOO
As the sun sank into the horizon the afternoon colored in an orange tone with pink splashes. A certain gray eyed was looking at the sinking sun from a small park, absorbed in his thoughts. He felt how Margery and his companions were leaving the city, although he wasn't sure how he could know that. He just did. He had stayed all that day in the same bench, thinking about a lot of things, but mainly, he had been thinking about Shana. He knew he had to take a decision soon, one that would change his life forever. However, he couldn't take it alone, he needed council and he new exactly who could give it to him.
His father.
OOOOOOooooooOOOOOOooooooOOOOOOO
That's it, for those of you who care about why I stopped writing for this while, you can check my profile. I'll try to put there the news of the updates so you guys can check it
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