Hello again all :D , Hope you had fine day...or night
withdranwnmadness000: I used to write from middle like this but if many wanted me to write from left I can change it.
Chapter 3: Night before Departure
BANG!
A loud gunshot sound can be heard thorough the forest, followed by another gunshots.
BANG! BANG!
Two figure shooting each other inside dense forest, both using a tree as their own shield. For a moment the silence penetrated the whole area. Nobody moving, only leaves dancing wildly.
A pregnant silence broken by sound of running footsteps, One of figure hastily ran toward another figure while gripping his pistol tightly.
Hearing the footsteps, the figure who hiding behind a tree come out from his hiding and swiftly pointed his own gun toward his pursuer.
BANG!
It avoided by the pursuer with him leap forward and spinning his body a little, he can see the bullet passed in front of his face almost touching his nose in slow motion.
After successfully avoided the bullet, he aiming his gun toward his opponent and shot without hesitation.
But it's not over yet, despite almost point blank distance and in middle of recoil his last shot the previously hiding man able to use his recoil to his advantage.
Just before the shot happen, he deliberately loosened his grip on his right hand that holding the pistol and make it freely on the air.
Then as fast as lightning he used his left hand that free from recoil paralyze to grab the gun and effectively block the bullet by using the gun's triangular attachment.
Rather than thrown back by the force of bullet, he jumped back in purpose to cut down recovery time slightly.
The attacker rolling on the ground with same intention. Both recover at same time.
Seeing they're on just about two meters distance, both swinging their gun at same time.
BANG!
A loud sound that different from gunshot but by two metals collided creating small shockwave.
Both stared at each other eyes, They had same gun, same faces, same clothes, both are Yarais.
I stared at my Kage Bunshin with both our gun collided, searching for opening which I'm sure that's what he trying to do too.
After three years practice Chakra I finally can use Kage Bunshin from anime 'Naruto', at this moment I can only create two clones at once.
Not much if compared to the real Naruto but this do the trick. What better practice than real combat?
The first time I able to create clone when I was Eight, one year ago as I turned Nine this month In this body.
Its been a year since Tou-san leave to England, taking Irina with him.
Because Kaa-san's condition, its not possible for her to go to England so I decided to stay with her. Irina doesn't take it well.
One night, Tou-san called me and Irina for a talk. His expression serious and sad at same time. Kaa-san sit beside him, comforting him by rubbing his shoulder gently.
"What's wrong, Otou-san?" Sensing the atmosphere, Irina asked with unusual tense voice. She gripped my sleeve while trying to stay strong.
I give her reassuring smile 'Everything will be alright' that was the message I try sent to her. She slightly calmed down by that and forced a nod.
"Yarai, Irina" Tou-san's voice make us look at his direction, his face told me he won't told us a good news.
"Just this afternoon, I received order to return to England..." Before he can finish, someone Interrupt him with cherry voice.
"REALLY? So does that mean I finally can go to England and became Exorcist just like Otou-san and Okaa-chan?" Irina said not bothering concealed her excitement.
I chuckled slightly as I ruffle her head which made her pout a little, Tou-san and Kaa-san also smiling seeing our antics.
Its no wonder she is this excited, become an Exorcist are her dream ever since Kaa-san told us story about her and dad while they still active exorcists.
He himself at first interested to be an exorcist because it sound interesting, hunting bad fallen angel or devils but something lingering in my mind...
Is every fallen angels and devils are evil as what people thought they was?
This doubt arise within my mind when accidently read a letter for my dad from the church, the contents made me questioning their 'Justice'.
It was about a pure sister around my age who get exiled after she healed a devil and the said devil then slaughter the whole church resident except her.
Does the sister healed the devil knowing he would massacre the whole church? He didn't know that far but...If she healed the devil purely because of her kindness then get exiled for something she didn't know...
Suddeny the idea became exorcist doesn't interest me anymore.
Mom suddenly grip both Irina's shoulder gently while she crouched at Irina's eye level, Irina startled a bit especially when he matched eyes with mom who unusually serious.
"Irina" Mom said gently but still with serious face.
"Y, Yes?" Irina stuttered, not used by mom' seriousness.
"Do you really want to become exorcist?" She asked
Irina taken aback for a moment, maybe wondering why mom ask her that but she nodded with determination. "Yes".
"Do you promise not to give up no matter what?"
"Yes"
Mom stared at Irina for a while before smiled and look at dad. Dad sighed then he stand up from the couch.
"Irina" He said "Your Kaa-san won't go with us to the England"
"Eh?" "Huh?"
Both I and Irina stared dumbfounded by dad's words. Why mom won't go with us?
"Why?" I asked
"You should be noticed that Kaa-san isn't that healthy anymore, right?" Dad said sadly.
Indeed, mom recently often coughed. At first it was just a light cough but it started to get worse and it happen on daily basis. But...
"But isn't doctor said it's only a simple allergy" I said worriedly and Irina nodded furiously while gripping at me and mom which in turn rub her head gently.
"Yeah, its only a simple allergy" Dad said " But it can be fatal if I bring her to England".
I and Irina shocked hearing that. I silently look at dad, waiting him to continou.
"The reason I called to England in the first place is to help investigate foul miasma which happen in England for this past month". Dad stated.
"Ever since miasma appears lots of people fall in disease, even death" I flinched slightly, Irina hug mom even tighter.
"The higher up declared it might be fallen angel or devil's doing". The room atmosphere turned grim. If the miasma really happen because of either fallen angel or devil it would break the temporary truce which is very thin even now.
"So did you understand why your Kaa-san can't go with us?" Dad asked Irina who trying her best not to cry.
Even she should be undertand by now that England are dangerous for our sickly mom.
"But then Kaa-chan would be alone here" Irina sobbed, holding mom strongly.
Dad looked at her with guilt, mom stroke Irina's head comfortingly.
"Don't worry, Kaa-chan strong you know" Mom said as he wipe Irina's tear, she smiled warmly to show her she's alright.
"But..." Irina stopped by mom who placed her finger on her mouth.
"Did you forget what you just promised to me?" Mom's words makes Irina wide-eyed, even I also surprise. To think mom will go this far.
"Kaa-chan" Irina buried her face on mom's chest, her small shoulder trembled "You're unfair".
Mom knew Irina would never break promise so she made her promise not to give up.
'Unfortunately for you Mom, I never promised'
I braced myself for Irina's reaction for what I about to say 'Sorry, Irina'
"I stay"
With that single word, all three pairs of eyes staring at me.
"Yarai" Dad said with confusion "What did you...?"
"I said I stay with Kaa-san in Japan"
I cross my arms as I standing watching their gazes on me, when my gaze fall on Irina I mentally flinched.
So many feeling mixed in her expression, confusion, hesitation, anger, and the sharpest dagger stabbed my heart when I say her betrayed expression.
"O, Onii-chan, what are you talking about?" Her voice trembled, her face showing a denial. "Didn't we promised...?"
"I have no intention breaking our promise" She gain hopeful look but it immediately crashed down by my next words "But I won't go to England with you". I said solemnly.
"W, What does that mean?" She teared up "I don't understand what you talking about" She extract herself from mom and looked down as tears fall from her eyes.
"I..." She glared at me with teary eyes "I HATE YOU! ONII-CHAN!" She ran past me and goes to second floor.
SLAM!
Sound of door closed harshly can be heard from second floor.
I faced ceiling while closed my eyes, I hear my parent call out to me but my mind only drifted at single thought.
I made my sister who I swore to protect cry.
...
...
...
I told Mom and Dad not to worry because I will make Irina understand, though I doubt they listen by their worried expression. At least they trust me to settle thing.
I waited until midnight to enter my and Irina shared room throught window which fortunately doesn't get locked like the door.
The room is dark, only illuminated by moonlight. I saw my sister sleeping with trace of tears on her eyes. It hurt, so hurt that I just want to cry myself.
I sit next to her while my back facing her, I look at the moon that shine brightly.
"We promised to become stronger to protect our family that day" I reminiscing that day when we still small.
"I intend to fulfill that promise no matter what" I turned my head as I feel someone gripped my hand, Irina innocently grip my hand while still asleep.
I smiled a little before I look out toward window again. "You might not believe me but I already begun my training ever since I was four years old...".
Then I talk about what I have been doing for the last five years, including how I gambling, invest money, and black market.
Once I told everything to sleeping Irina I stand up and walked toward the door, I stopped before I touch the handle. "Even though you hate me, know that I always love you".
'This is it' I thought while I unlock the door. But before I able to open it, there's sound of running from behind me.
I turn my body only to catch Irina who launched herself toward me.
"I'm Sorry, I'm Sorry, I'm Sorry..." She said continously with choked voice between tears as she buried her face on my chest.
I stunned for a while, since when did she wake up? But even with those thought within me I instinctly stroke the back of head.
"I'm sorry to angry at you" She continue to cry "I'm sorry to said I hate you" She looked up at me with red-eyed because of tears.
"Please don't hate me".
When I saw her terrified face, unconsciously a small tear fall down from my left eye.
"Didn't I told you, that I will always love you?" I rub her head until she calm down.
...
...
Once she stopped crying I sit leaning against wall while Irina leaning her back against my chest.
"I...Definitely become stronger" She said breaking the silence.
"I go with Otou-san to England and then I will come back here after I become strong Exorcist". She said without turning back.
"I believe you can do it" I said as I put my chin on her head.
"Promise you will be waiting for me" She asked.
"No" I instantly answered, she abruptly turned her head toward me with shocked face.
"I won't just waiting" I said before she can ask "I also become stronger to protect Tou-kan, Kaa-san, and you"
She immediately turned away from me and looked down, I can see her face pretty red even from back.
...
...
As the night goes on, I feel sleep started to came upon me. Irina should be sleepy to because she yawned alot.
"Onii-chan..." I hear she called out to me with low voice.
"Hm?" I answered with equal low voice thank to my sleepiness.
"I love you" She said as she leaned her back more toward me, sleeping.
"Me too" With that last words, I drifted into sleep.
Actually I had to intention to tell her about what I do for the past five years because even I knew what I have been doing isn't very nice, like gambling or hide something from them.
I especially didn't want Irina found out as she is a devout believer, her disappointment are the last thing I want to see.
But thankfully it turned out well, I actually pretty surprised she didn't reprimand for gambling.
I glad we able to make up before she goes to England. Caught in my reminiscence I forgot I in middle of combat, talk about careless mistake.
We break the lock but none of us take a step back, at this point taking a step back can be very dangerous.
It was one thing if our gun are a normal gun made from ordinary metal which even get hit still endurable.
This gun are specially made as my request by underworld (not hell) blacksmith used the strongest metal in the world, Orichalcum.
This gun are the perfect replica of 'Hades' from Anime 'Black Cat'
It was very expensive but worth it, the blacksmith himself said it was the first time he heard about this kind of gun.
It finished around six month after my request and delivered on the night of my seventh birthdays.
"!" I barely able to block his sudden kick, slightly grazed my thigh.
We involve in close combat gunfight where one mistake can make a bullet nested within me which is even more fatal as our distance can be considered point blank range.
I swing Hades toward my clone vertically, intending to hit his left shoulder which he dodged by taking half step backward.
Using momentum where my gun conveniently pointed at his right feet, I pull the trigger.
BANG!
I missed because he slide his right feet to left, throwing his body to air like someone who lost balance.
He grab my wrist by using her right hand and spin his body to the left, effectively throwing me toward a tree.
I use backflip to prevent my back crashed to the tree and point my gun toward my clone which my move mirrored by him.
We pull trigger at same time and same line direction, make both bullets crashed against each other.
By that shot, we should be down to the last of our bullet.
I used slide-dash to gain distance to my clone faster and use my body to ram at him who just about to stand.
Now a shadow clone should be dispelled by that but for reason which still unknown to me, my clone can take a few hits without dispelled as long as it isn't fatal hit.
Maybe I can only created a few clones but their durability better than shadow clone in Anime. I still researching for this matter even now. For now I got Quality over quantity.
I and my clone rolling on the ground, both of us tried to take advantage over others. Once we stopped rolling, I found myself mount over my clone.
'I win' I thought as I point 'Hades' to my clone's forehead, I thought I win until I realize there's something cold below my chin. It was my clone's 'Hades' kissing my chin while his finger already on trigger just like me.
"Once again, its draw" I sighed, I never lose against my clone but I never win either.
I walked out from train with big guitar case on my back, usually people would wondered why a nine years old kid carrying a guitar case which almost as big as his body but none paying attention to me.
I simply used technique which make me looks normal in people's eyes, of course this technique only works for normal human.
Once per week, I do mock combat against my clone in mountain. I need train to reach it since the mountain where no one live are pretty far from my town.
The theme for combat decided by random, by throwing a dice. The choices are, Magic, Chakra, KI, Weaponry, Pistol, and Sniper. Today are Pistol Combat.
The picked choice will be grayed until all six type combat finish, when it goes down into two I use a simple coin toss.
I buy another ticket because to reach my home I need to change train, I glanced at the clock and see that there still time before my next train arrive.
I walked to vending machine, after inserting my money I crouched to take the can.
But When I about to open it I saw it, from the reflection of vending machine there's three people...no, not people because their menacing jet-black wings say otherwise.
A three figures walked silently through city, nobody pay them any attention despite their strange clothes. They wore a jet-black robes, with a color stripes on their hood.
"Are you sure he doesn't know about this?" The one with green stripes asked hesitantly.
"I'm sure, even if he know it would be too late" The figure with yellow stripe said with dark smile.
"In any case, It was our 'Sacred' duty to punish our kin's sin for breaking taboo by copulating with human" The red one said as he looked up toward trees that hiding a certain shrine.
"Leader or not" He finished as he signaled his companion to follow him.
UH-OH, A crisis happened suddenly, How Yarai handle it? Can Yarai even handle three fallen angels?
Ability-wise, I modeled Yarai after Train Heartnet but instead just a pistol I made Yarai expert with projectile weapon. Of course he will get another ability with Magic, Chakra, KI but that for later.
As for Yarai Sacred Gear I already thinking one, it was my OC Sacred Gear, L'arc-en-Ciel (Seven Condemnation) where he able to create special bullets by using seven deadly sins traits. What do you think.
Isn't it interesting that a family member of exorcist have the kind of Sacred gear that cursed by Heaven?
R&R