ColinatorGX: Thanks for the praise; You're being too kind. XD That's definitely a long review. Hmm... Where to start... Yes, next chapter is when Chigusa shows up, although I think the action in this small "prequel" arc won't really heat up until Chapter 15. The story's probably going to diverge from the original plot a lot from here on in. And yes, I think we can all safely conclude that it was Shana who was holding the Writer of Questionable Stories and his associate at swordpoint. As for Yuji's potential harem- I mean, "love interests", I think we could safely say that their personalities would definitely be unsafe for Yuji should they ever chance across enough alcohol to become seriously drunk.
JohnPeacekeeper: Thank you. As for Tenmoku Ikko, there most likely will be no need for a replacement, as Yuji will likely be fighting without a weapon in the beginning. And as for Yuri... yes, that's a LONG ways away. Kazumi's signature move will probably have a different name. Koe? The Japanese word for "Star"? And even though both Hecate and Shana have now stolen Yuji's lips, I doubt much will change at the moment, other than a distinct increase in discomfort and unease for our hapless male Flame Haze.
The Light Hidden in the Shadow: Thanks again. :3 Yes, the Doubting Couple (Tanaka and Ogata) will make future appearances. I personally decided not to get rid of them primarily because it would leave a huge hole to have them gone. And yes, the oncoming storyline from here on will start to be quite different from the original.
CapoExecutor: Thanks. It didn't feel right to kill off Tanaka and Ogata. Kazumi probably wouldn't really bat an eyelash. I think Fujita might take Khamsin's place as Flame Haze, but I'm not sure how to fit in Nakamura.
ryoukei-aya16: Many thanks.
Gazing on the Arabesque: Thanks for reading and reviewing. :3
"So what's the problem now?"
The Writer of Questionable Stories grumbled as he stared at the pile of tattered and guava juice-stained documents that graced the top of his desk.
"Incredibly large displacement error. Instead of HER, we've got HIM. Not to mention a massive character device shift. The damage may be irreversible."
"...Sometimes, I wonder what made your brain manifest that stupid idea to start writing stories in the first place."
The Writer of Questionable Stories grumbled some more as he looked away and pouted.
"Shut up."
SHAKUGAN NO YUJI?
Chapter 104: A Strange Mother
A smirking grin of carefully concealed glee and excitement slowly crept over the features of "Thousand Strategies" Ike as he sat within the shadowy depths of the Palace of Stars, the headquarters of the Denizen organization Bal Masque.
"Amazing... after all this time... it's... it's finally here. There's no doubt that it's indeed what we've been searching for these countless cycles. My lovely Kazumi, can you imagine what this means!?"
Sitting across from Ike was a young girl with short brown hair, dressed in ornately decorated white robes and matching decorative cap. Despite Ike's words, however, she said nothing.
"...And that's that. The Torches are finished."
The red hues of the Seal faded back into normalcy as time resumed its inexorable march. Another marauding Denizen had been dealt with, and the damage had been contained. Yuji exhaled heavily as he slumped onto a nearby bench. Shana shook her head in slight annoyance.
"Honestly, why are you so insistent that you use your own when you've got a sufficient amount right here?"
Shana briefly tapped herself to indicate the focus of her words. Yuji smiled up at Shana weakly.
"I just... don't like doing it. That's all."
Shana blushed, pouted, and looked away as she took a seat on the bench next to him.
"Hmph. Idiot..."
I've been hanging about that pervert stalker Yuji for quite a while now. Things are still the same in many ways, even after that day when I grabbed him by the ears and... well, let's just say he's still clueless as always. He never mentions the kiss. Hmph! Perverted idiot. Doesn't he realize just why I... well, I don't dare voice these thoughts of mine out loud. And yet, even with all the time I've spent alongside him, fighting off Denizens and training, there's still very little I really know about this clueless pervert stalker of a Flame Haze.
In fact, the only two things I really know for sure are that he's a clueless Flame Haze (Which is painfully obvious no matter how you slice it), and that he absolutely refuses to use anyone else's Power of Existence except his own (Or if I press the issue enough, mine) to repair any damage to this world whenever there's a battle within the confines of the Seal.
The first one I can understand... The second one... I can't. Even though I don't say it out loud, to see him constantly attempting to sacrifice himself for the sake of everyone else... It tears me up inside. It makes me want to grab him by the shoulders and shake some sense into that tiny little perverted brain of his.
I just want him to stop and be selfish on occasion. He's got a duty as a Flame Haze, yeah, but... Does he always have to be so damn selfless whenever he does it!? How did he get like this anyway!? It's like there's something that's holding him back, that terrifies him from using anyone else's Power of Existence...
...What could it be? Or is it... who could it be?
Another time, another place...
The skies were a calm blue. Clouds rolled lazily on the endless canvas of azure, framing the massive, cathedral-like structure that floated amongst them on a huge mass of floating earth.
It was another typical day in the Palace of Heaven's Road. The quiet that wrapped the massive edifice like a curtain was occasionally split by a few enthusiastic yells, followed up by a few surprised yelps of pain.
Yuji sheepishly rubbed at the back of his neck as he stared up at the figure standing in front of him. The masked visage, obscured by shadow and strategically-placed strips of cloth, simply gave a gesture with a jerk of the head.
Again.
Yuji jumped to his feet and lunged.
"Ah, Chigusa. Well, how is he?"
The petite, brown-haired woman smiled happily as she spoke to the fiery manifestation of Alastor that sat within the bowl-shaped hearth that graced the center of the huge chamber.
"Yuji's doing well, Flame of Heaven. Happy, carefree, and cheerful as always. The spitting image of a well-raised son. He's definitely Kantaro's boy."
There was a brief grunt of satisfied approval. Alastor's voice then changed slightly in tone, almost as if it were becoming slightly interrogative.
"...What about his training and his studies?"
Chigusa's face took on a slightly comical expression of exaggerated worry.
"Well, now that you mention it..."
"Owch!"
Groaning, Yuji rubbed at his bruised backside as he slowly got regained his footing. The imposing figure standing in front of him shook his head in disappointed disgust, his arms crossed in casual contempt.
"Tch. You've been slacking off on your training, kid! If your father were alive, he'd weep with shame at how low you're dragging his family name through the dirt! Shape up!"
Yuji groaned again as he forced himself back into a guarded fighting stance.
"Give me a break, Sabrac... You're always going all-out on me every waking moment I've got. Can't you go a little bit easier on me?"
Sabrac shoved his face into Yuji's. The young boy couldn't help but flinch.
"NO!"
"...He does show less enthusiasm for his martial training than one might expect for a potential candidate. He IS doing well on his studies, however. Yuji shows an excellent affinity for strategic and tactical planning."
"I can only expect that Sabrac is attending to what Yuji's training leaves to be desired. He's quite fond of him."
Alastor chuckled.
"Perhaps a little too fond. I think I can hear him handing your son a few new lumps right now."
"Oh my... Well, it seems I should step out and make sure that his godfather doesn't go too hard on him."
Yuji's mother turned to leave. As she did so, however, a questioning note entered Alastor's voice.
"Shouldn't you leave the two of them alone, Specialist of Everything? A few lickings at Sabrac's hands should be good for the boy's character."
Chigusa smiled apologetically at Alastor as she reached the door.
"...I'm his mother. It's only natural for me to always be worried about his safety."
"Ooof!"
Yuji tumbled backwards onto the grass, his face bruised and scratched at the beating he'd received from Sabrac's training session. Yuji's godfather-designate crossed his arms as he looked over his young charge.
"Get up, kid. I'm not through with you yet."
"My... you're being awfully rough on my son today, Sabrac."
Sabrac quickly spun around, his suddenly awkward poise clearly showing his abrupt embarrassment as he stared over at Yuji's mother, standing a short distance away.
"Ah... erm... Chigusa. Do you... need something?"
Chigusa gave Sabrac a sweet smile that was a strange mixture of affection and warning.
"Oh, not much... just seeing how my son is doing. Is he doing well?"
"Ah, well... quite well..."
Yuji rubbed at his sore backside as he got to his feet.
"Mom... Couldn't you tell Sabrac to go a little bit easier on me? He's taking things a little too seriously..."
"Ah, but we can't afford to do that. You're going to be the next Crimson-Haired Blazing-Eyed Hunter, after all. Everyone needs you to be in top form."
Yuji rolled his eyes as he mumbled.
"...So I can be a 'hero', right?"
Chigusa smiled and nodded.
"Of course. Back to work with you."
Sabrac looked over to Yuji.
"You heard the lady, kid. Put your back into it!"
Chigusa turned to Sabrac.
"Ah, one more thing, Sabrac..."
"Y-yes?"
Chigusa gave Sabrac a huge, happy smile as she spoke.
"If you happen to permanently damage my son... I'll kill you."
Both Sabrac and Yuji loudly gulped.
"...So where does it hurt?"
"Ah, erm... the lower-left side of the ribcage. I think Sabrac got a little over-enthusiastic about the training today."
Yuji's mother gently tapped the section of the torso Yuji was indicating with a slim finger. Her son couldn't help but flinch.
"Oh my... that's quite a beating you took. Hand me the bandages and medicine, would you?"
Yuji wordlessly handed them over. As Chigusa went to work, the young boy rubbed at the back of his head and spoke.
"Hey, mom... what's the outside world like?"
Chigusa didn't reply for a long, long moment. When she finally did speak, Yuji couldn't help but notice that the tone in her voice was intermingled with both joy and sorrow.
"...It's a huge place. So many things to do, to see... to learn."
"So... is it anything at all like what's in my textbooks?"
"Mmm... in a way. But there's going to be a lot of things in the world that you'll just have to learn on your own once you're out there. Things that no textbook can ever teach you."
"...Such as?"
Chigusa smiled.
"How to deal with people. How to make friends. And how to get yourself a pretty girl."
Yuji turned crimson and spluttered with embarrassment.
"M-mom!"
"Don't squirm so much, Yuji. Raise your arms. That's it. And... done."
Pinning up the bandages, Chigusa stepped away and handed Yuji his shirt.
"There we go. You'll be just fine tomorrow morning. Get some sleep now. You've got more training and studies ahead of you tomorrow."
As Yuji climbed into bed, nestling his head between his arms as he looked up at the ceiling, he suddenly turned to his mother as she was about to leave.
"Hey, mom."
"Hmm?"
"...Can you tell me that old story again... The one about the Crimson-Haired, Blazing-Eyed Hunter?"
Chigusa turned quiet for a long moment before she finally spoke.
"Couldn't Alastor tell you?"
"...I just like it better when you talk about Dad."
A few hours later, after Yuji was fast asleep and the Palace of Heaven's Road had settled for the night, Chigusa quietly walked back to her room and opened the door. On top of her dresser was an old, battered photograph, set into an oaken picture frame.
Two figures graced the image which Chigusa picked up and looked over fondly. After another moment however, the affectionate smile on her face slowly changed into a worried expression of anxious concern.
"Dear... how much time do we have left? I'm not sure I can keep Yuji confined to the Palace of Heaven's Road much longer, or whether it's even wise to try."
Overlooking the city where the Palace of Heaven's Road held its temporary residence, a strange, spectral figure stood, gazing down at the cityscape below. Clothes floated where a body should have framed them, but the body of the figure was incorporeal. The clothes had an antique cut; almost gaudy in its European design.
"I'm almost there... Almost there! Just a little longer... and I'll finally find the Palace of Heaven's Road!"
A moment later, a motorcyclist with a peculiar-looking helmet appeared. The spectral figure bit back a curse as he recognized his visitor.
"Damn... 'Drifting Eye'!"
The motorcyclist stopped his vehicle and dismounted. He giggled as he approached the spectre.
"Greetings, 'Thousand Ordinances'... Or should I just be casual and call you Orgon?"
"Goddammit, Vine! Why are you here!?"
"Orders from on high... Straight from Master 'Thousand Strategies' Ike himself. He's getting impatient, Thousand Ordinances. You've been taking too long in finding your target. We ARE here to find and hunt down Flame Haze, you know. Even your subordinates have managed to find and fulfill their own quotas. Why haven't you?"
Orgon made a violent motion with his hands.
"I've already found one! I'm tracking the Flame Haze as we speak... It is within the city... Now leave me be! If you interrupt me now, I'll lose my quarry!"
Vine cackled and rubbed his hands.
"Ohhh? Maybe I should help you out then... Wait right here. Heeheeheehee..."
Vine quickly turned and resumed his seat on the motorbike. A second later found him speeding on down the road towards the city. Orgon clenched his hands as he watched Vine leave.
"Fool... And while you're busy chasing shadows, I'll collect the real prize right here! I'm so close to finding the Palace of Heaven's Road! The Crimson-Haired Blazing-Eyed Hunter... I'll prevent you from ever walking the world once more! I'll find that destined seedling... and crush it with my two hands! Mistress Kazumi... watch over your humble servant!"
"Well then, I'll be heading out then, Alastor."
"Mmm. Hurry back and be careful, Specialist of Everything. Denizens have recently been stepping up their attacks on Flame Haze. We don't want to attract undue attention... Especially when the contract is very close to being created."
Chigusa noddded and gave a cheerful smile.
"I understand, Alastor. Don't worry, I'll be fine."
She then turned to her son.
"Yuji..."
"Yes, mom?"
"Be a good boy and don't give Alastor or Sabrac any trouble. Your lunch is on the table. Be sure to heat it up in the microwave before you eat it."
"Yes, mom."
The day in the city market was once again idyllic and peaceful. Chigusa was busily engaged in hunting down several good bargains on meat, vegetables, and housewares.
"Hmmm... those should be good. Yuji always likes curry... That growing boy has quite the appetite."
A deadpan voice suddenly chimed in from the ribbon tied around Chigusa's hair.
"Be frugal."
"My, Tiamat, don't be so taciturn. Besides, this food is very necessary for Yuji's nutrition. It won't do to raise him on nothing but instant noodles and junk food."
"Lack of caution."
Chigusa smiled.
"There is no need to worry so much, Tiamat. It would do you some good to relax on occasion."
Suddenly, the voice from Chigusa's Crimson Lord heightened slightly in intensity as Tiamat spoke again.
"...Warning."
Chigusa looked up from her perusal of the vegetable bin in front of her and frowned slightly.
"Oh my... It finally seems that we have some trouble in front of us. But first..."
Without any urgency, Chigusa calmly picked out several vegetables from the bin and walked over to the checkout stand. A brief moment later, the groceries were paid for and Chigusa unhurriedly walked out of the market.
Yuji patiently sat in front of the microwave oven as he waited for his lunch to finish re-heating.
Hmm... How am I going to brush up on my training? Sabrac's always kicking my butt. Well... should I...?
Suddenly, a popping, splattering noise came from the microwave. Yuji blinked in horror as his eyes looked up at the timer on the said appliance and registered his mistake.
"Oh no! The timer! I pushed the "0" one time too many!"
Chigusa stopped in mid-walk as the figure appeared before her. Even with the figure of "Drifting Eye" Vine menacingly perched on the seat of his thrumming roadhog, however, Chigusa's cheerful smile never faltered.
"My... it seems that we have a guest today."
Vine giggled through the visor of his motorcycle helmet.
"Indeed! And it seems that I've found an exceptional hostess as well! It's been a long time... Chigusa Sakai, 'Specialist of Everything'!"
Chigusa's smile only grew wider.
"Quite. I'd love to stay and chat, Vine, but I have household duties to attend to. Can we continue this at another time?"
Vine revved the engine of his motorbike, causing it to jet in front of Chigusa and block her escape. The Denizen wagged a finger.
"I'm afraid I can't let you go, my dear Flame Haze. Especially since I've now found you."
Chigusa chuckled slightly as she set down the groceries and suddenly took a very different stance in her footing.
"How unfortunate."
Yuji groaned as he looked at the remains of the formerly-delicious lunch that his mother had left for him.
"Oh great... there goes my food. Well, guess I should just go outside and train then. Hmm... How am I going to beat Sabrac?"
Suddenly, an idea came to Yuji as he stared down at the plate of ruined food that lay before him.
Sabrac walked into the kitchen, rubbing his stomach in avid hunger as he looked around. It was then that his eye caught the figure of Yuji, sitting in a chair with his back turned. The microwave was running. By all appearances, the young boy was fast asleep. Sabrac disgustedly shook his head and walked over as he raised an arm in preparation for giving Yuji a good thumping.
"Well... you snooze, you lose-"
"Ha!"
Yuji suddenly sprang out of his chair as the timer on the microwave suddenly hit zero, In an instant, the door of the microwave suddenly exploded outwards. Sabrac, taken unawares by the unexpected ploy, coughed and scrabbled wildly at the billowing plume of smoke that poured out from the ruined frame of the fried microwave.
Sabrac coughed as he fought his way clear of the fumes.
"Damn it, kid! Your mother's going to be pissed when she sees what you did to the microwave!"
Yuji laughed.
"True, but I think giving up today's lunch is a small price to pay for beating you today!"
Even as Yuji spoke, the young boy leaped out of the thick haze of smoke and lunged forwards with an outstretched fist. The blow made contact with Sabrac's face, sending him flying and crashing through a nearby glass window. Yuji's godfather landed with a heavy thud on the grass outside.
"Ooof!"
Yuji jumped through the casement of the ruined window after Sabrac, who was now regaining his footing.
"I finally got you today, Sabrac!"
At that moment, an old, hibernating memory suddenly flashed up in Sabrac's aged mind.
"Hahahahaha...! I finally got you today, Sabrac!"
"Over my disintegrating dead body, Kantaro! You'll never have Chigusa! Never...!!"
Sabrac snapped. With a roar of long-buried fury, Yuji's godfather reached out with both hands as a huge ball of multicolored fire suddenly formed within the nestling of his fingers.
Yuji's eyes widened in shock. The next moment brought forth a huge, earth-shattering explosion of fire and energy as Sabrac unleashed the energy accumulated in his hands in the form of a devastating beam.
The entire Palace of Heaven's Road trembled and shook from the terrible attack.
Orgon looked up at the sky in alarm as thunderings and explosions shook the heavens above. In another moment, the protective illusory concealment that had hidden the Palace of Heaven's Road dissipated under Sabrac's violent, berserker fury.
The Denizen of a Thousand Ordinances would have smiled in terrible joy and delight, had his mouth been visible. He simply settled for an ominous chuckle.
"What luck... the Palace of Heaven's Road is right before me...!"
Down in the streets of the city below, a young girl with long black hair stared up at the floating island above in speechless wonder, her parents staring up in similar shock and bewilderment.
In her hands was an untouched bun of melon bread.
"Well... this is definitely an interesting twist. The story's undergoing a major displacement shift."
The Writer of Questionable Stories shook his head in disgust.
"There's nothing much that can be done now. Correction of positional displacement's all gone to hell."
"...And yet you still like guava juice?"
"Shut up."
To Be Continued...?