Disclaimer: I don't own the rights to any of the CLAMP works.
A/N: This chapter discusses 'sadame' (loosely translated as determinism) that is prevalent in X/1999 and 'hitsuzen' (loosely translated as causality) that is prevalent in Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle.
Hand in hand, Kamui and Fuuma were running, dodging collapsing walls and splintering glass left and right, fleeing the disaster scene together with everyone else in the area. Some people disappeared in between the cracks that tore through the streets. Others were buried underneath the falling debris. A stray dog got pierced through by a wayward steel pipe.
Kamui averted his eyes from the deaths occurring around him. He did not have the power to stop this from happening. "Do you even know where to go?" he asked his companion. "How we can find the Kamui of this world?"
Fuuma gritted his teeth. "Not really," he admitted, "but if I am to believe the Dimensional Witch's philosophy, then the Kamui of this world will surely be there, wherever we're headed."
"Because it's inevitable," Kamui noted wryly.
"Yes. It's a case of causality. I'm guessing the Kamui of this world made a wish. The effect of that wish is that we're sent here to retrieve the payment for that wish. The Dimensional Witch's powers are guiding us to be where we should be."
Kamui grunted. He turned to look behind him where the Tokyo Tower was still proudly erected above the crumbling city. He gave it a thoughtful glance, then directed his gaze back to Fuuma. "Do you believe in destiny?" he asked.
"Destiny?" Fuuma echoed. "Why do you ask?
"We've been speaking of inevitability for a while now without distinguishing the two forms that exist within the philosophical context. One of the forms is sadame: fate and destiny belong to determinism; an outer force, namely fate, predetermines all actions leading man to his inevitable destiny. This form of inevitability excludes man's free will. Contrast with hitsuzen: causality is all about cause and effect; it implies man's free will to choose, but those choices bear inevitable consequences."
"So, you're asking me if free will exists?"
Kamui inclined his head. "Are we here by our own choice or were we guided by the invisible hand of fate?"
"If there is no choice, then what is the purpose of the Dimensional Witch? The Witch grants wishes and wishes exist only by man's free will." Fuuma frowned. "I cannot believe there's no free will. I chose to be hunter. I chose to travel across dimensions."
"Did you really?" Kamui asked. "Or were your choices already laid down to you by an outside force?"
"You mean, am I a puppet; are my choices and actions controlled without my even knowing."
Fuuma scoffed as if the very notion was ridiculous, but Kamui could tell by his rigid shoulders that doubt was building in him.
"You said you don't know which way is to this world's Kamui, but have you noticed where we're headed?" Kamui said.
Fuuma frowned. He looked around, then turned back to face Kamui with a raised eyebrow. "I've no idea what you're talking about, dear."
For some reason Fuuma's casual use of the endearment sent a strange tingling down Kamui's spine, and Kamui became quite angry with himself for this odd reaction, but he forced himself not to let it show. Instead he shot the hunter an annoyed look, and said, "You'd know if these buildings were no longer standing because of the acid rain's erosion." Then, unwilling to wait for Fuuma to figure it out himself, revealed, "This is the way to the Government Building."
Fuuma's reaction upon hearing the revelation was one of shock. He stopped in his tracks, pulling Kamui to a standstill with him. "How is that...?" he breathed in disbelief.
Kamui shrugged. "Fate, I suppose. Someone who shares my soul is at the same place where I was, or rather, where I will be; it sounds like one of those ironic twists that only happen in stories."
"If this were a story, then the author is cruel," said Fuuma, "for putting us through these trials."
"It isn't cruel, if at the end of the story, good prevails and is rewarded. Crueler would be to let evil win."
"Hmm..." Fuuma said in agreement, "that's true. Though I find a story without ending to be even more cruel. All those unanswered questions... and that's why I can't accept destiny. I decide my own course; my own ending. With my own free will." He narrowed his eyes to give Kamui a sharp look.
Kamui lifted his chin up, meeting the unspoken challenge. "Then show me. Let's play a game, you and I. Prove to me that you can choose your own path; that destiny is in your own hands. If you can do that, I'll surrender to you."
Fuuma smirked. "Surrender? You? Count me in."
"Good." Kamui lowered his gaze to the ground. "Because I want you to win."
Fuuma eyed Kamui for a silent moment. Then he pulled the vampire into the direction from which they came. "If I represent free will, then we're going to the Tower. That's my choice."
TBC...