Chapter 9

"Ne, Susumu, what did grandma want you to get?" Tetsu asked as they walk down the busy market place. Even though the people who live in the old Meiji Era building could built new stores, they somehow prefer the old ones.

Susumu pull out the list and look through it, "She want me to get… white papers, thirteen brushes, a new blue towels, a new manga book, and some other stuff."

"A manga book?" Tetsu raise an eyebrow.

"Yeah. She somewhat took a liking to today's manga. In my defense, she probably already finished every old book she could get a hold of." Susumu answered, still looking at the list. Tetsu turn his attention to the stores around them. It's surprising how everyone still wear kimono here like back in the old days… he grinned.

"What are you grinning about," Susumu asked.

Tetsu look up at him and gave another grin, "Nothing."

He rush on ahead leaving Susumu behind. Susumu smile and walk a bit faster so he could catch up with Tetsu.

"C'mon Susumu!" he called back as he ran, not paying attention to where he's going. "Oof!" he blurred out as he hit something.

He touch his forehead where he bump onto someone, "Hey! Pay attention ne-," he stopped as he see who it was, "S-Saya?"

Saya gave a little smile, "Hi, Tetsu-kun."

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"Hmm, something's not right." his grandma murmured to herself as she turn to the sky. She clench the written papers in her hands.

"Ryuunosuke!" she called.

"Yes mom!" Ryuunosuke rushes to the room as fast as he could.

She turn to him with a serious expression. This made him tense.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"Something big is going to happen soon. Find Tetsu and Suzu- Susumu right away and take them as far away from here as possible!" her voice was in a panic. Ryuunosuke nodded with out asking a question. He knew that when something bad is going to happen, his mother is always right. He dash out the room and grab his keys on the way. His mother sat where she is and turn to the slide door revealing the next room, "Come out, Suzu of Choushuu."

The figure in the next room grinned.

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"Explain to me, who this girl is?" Susumu asked as he was force to sit between Saya and Tetsu in the limo.

"She's my… dad's boss fiance," Tetsu explain.

Saya smile toward Susumu, "Nice to meet you, I;m Saya. And may I ask for your name?"

"Susumu," he gave a bow. She return the gesture.

"I'm sorry for disturbing the both of you when you're on an errand, but I wanted to had dinner with the both you, so hope you don't mind," she smile.

Tetsu shrug quietly. He doesn't want to see Saya right now because he still have feeling for her even in this life time. Susumu watch them from the corner of his eyes. He knew Tetsu felt awkward.

"Miss Saya, I think we best postpone this dinner date for another time. Ichimura and I had to finish our errands and return home right away," Susumu said calmly. Tetsu burst out a smile. Thank you Susumu…

Saya gave a little sigh, "Next time then."

The car stop and they got out. "Uh, Saya." Tetsu stopped her before she close the door. "Yes?" she asked.

"A-Are you the only one here?" Tetsu asked. As soon as he got out of the limo, an evil feeling crept up his spine.

"Yes, why?" she raise an eyebrow.

"It's nothing," he gave a reassured smile.

She smile back and close the door. As the limo drove away, her tears began to fall. She clench her chest… Tetsu-kun…

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"Dammit! Where are they?" Ryuunosuke shouted to himself as he search the street for them in his car.

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Tetsu and Suzu enter the paper shop, passing his father's car with out noticing. As his father drove pass, Tetsu turn around just after Susumu paid the cashier the money. Hmm… weird… I thought I felt dad just now…

"What are you day dreaming about," Susumu asked as they exist the shop.

"It's nothing. I just thought I felt dad just now." he explained.

"You're probably just being anxious about everything that been happening to you lately right?" Susumu said.

"How did you-?" Tetsu asked, surprised.

"From the way you're acting, I can already guess."

"Oh," he look away, "So I'm easy to read."

"Well, let's go home. It seem we're done." Susumu gave a little smile.

The cheerfulness return to Tetsu's face and he nodded, "Let's go home!"

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Crash! Tetsu's grandma was threw to the near by table. His mother ran up to her, "Mother!" she turn to the silver-headed boy with a large man standing behind him.

"Why are you doing this?" she asked angrily and frighten.

The silver-headed boy grin evilly, "Because I want Tetsu to grow and become stronger with the sake of revenge. As long as he stay with you, he'll never be the Tetsu that I've been waiting for."

Tears fill her eyes, "You're a monster. You won't get away with this. You will suffer for your sins."

The silver-headed boy frown, "Oh, that I know. But you and I both know that he won't be able to accomplish that as log as he had someone to depend on. That is why, you all must died," he turn to the other person beside him, "Hikagami, go ahead and finish her. There is no more need for her," he turn back to her, "Oh, and don't worry, you will see your husband very soon."

Stab!

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Tetsu look up at the sky just as a gush of wind rush pass him.

"Susumu? Do you smell that?" he asked.

Susumu look at him, "Smell what?"

Tetsu took another sniff, "I know that smell. It smell like…" he pause and his face turn terrified, "blood." He started running toward the smell.

"I-Ichimura!" Susumu shouted his name while running after him.

Tetsu stop dead in his spot when he arrive at the scene. The place was on fire and everyone was blocking the way, trying to put out the fire. Tears slide down his face. Susumu stood frozen just like Tetsu when he arrive at the scene.

"K-Kaa-chan? Tou-san? Grandma?" he whisper, then he rush toward the house, "Kaa-chan, Tou-san, Grandma!"

Susumu drop the bag of stuff they bought and held Tetsu back with both arms. "Let me go! Let me go!" Tetsu scream in tears, "Susumu! Let me go!"

"Ichimura stop! It's already too late!" Susumu shouted into his ears.

Tetsu stop struggling and fell to his knees, "N-No… No…NO!"

Susumu kneel down and held Tetsu tightly. What really happen? This flame isn't by accident, there's no way the flame would burn this big. Someone plan this!