You might get hurt so I'll protect you
Holding up strongly with one swing
Kizutsuke tabun mamotte yaru ze
Tsuyoku kazasu hitofuri ni
I swiftly found myself at the beach once more, gazing out over the blue waves as they lapped the beach. The breeze was stronger today, and my skirt whipped up dangerously high when I hopped the guard rail. I took my shoes and stockings off as usual and made my way down to the surf, letting the cool waters soothe my aching, both bodily and in heart.
Eyeing the sun in the sky, I knew it would be awhile before it would start to really show the colors I wanted to see, so I turned and started to head deeper down the beach, eyeing the rocks on the sand as normal. I don't know why I watched them, I knew the way already, even for just my third time heading this way.
Maybe something will lunge out to get me, I teased myself, giggling slightly at the absurd thought. I splashed my way through the surf slowly, wanting to just take my time now that I was here. My hair flew back from my face as I lifted it up to catch the sun's warmth, silently thanking the sun gods for their blessing. Not too hot, not too cool. Just perfect.
The sand squished between my toes, and I wrinkled my nose a bit at the sensation. It was nice, but it still felt weird the first few times it happened. Another of the little details I loved about the beach.
Little details, little things that make me happy.
My heart twinged again at the thought, and I muttered a curse under my breath. Was what happened earlier going to haunt me for the rest of the week? I hoped not; it would distract me from my studies far too much.
As I reached the cave and peered inside, I was surprised to see how much...wider it seemed on the inside. Curious I slid inside and set my school things down before walking back. I only had to turn to the side down the narrow passages now, not squeeze through like the previous times.
Is it some sort of magic that let's me through the more I come here? I wondered to myself, slipping into the pool cavern and taking a moment to enjoy the lights dancing. I would never get over that first look in that beautiful cave, it was too breathtaking.
"Oi, you're late."
I let out a startled scream and whipped around quickly, jumping about a mile back from the source of the voice. "T-takeru-san!"
The Sea God was casually leaning against the rock wall beside the entrance, raising an eyebrow at my reaction. "You're awfully jumpy today. Something got you on edge, jellyfish?"
I put a hand over my heart, trying to calm myself down. "K-kind of...wait. Did you just call me jellyfish?"
"Yeah, so what?" The eyebrow raised a little farther, as if daring me to say something.
I scowled at him and crossed my arms, looking directly into his eye. "Why in the world are you calling me that?"
A casual shrug of the shoulders was the only response given before he pushed himself off the wall, striding over to me and flicking me in the forehead. "Because you seem squishy like one."
"You know that I can still sting you though," I pointed out, rubbing my forehead.
"That's only if I get too close," was the retort, to which I rolled my eyes. Takeru was definatly not what one would call the poster boy of godly conduct.
"Whatever you say, sea monkey."
I did a mental victory dance at the sight of his jaw clenching. "What did you call me?!"
"Hey, you're the one who called me a jellyfish. It's only right I get to give you a nickname, sea monkey." I couldn't stop my grin this time as he fumed for a few seconds, those golden eyes glaring down at me. Then I remembered something.
"What are you doing here anyway? I thought I would have to call you here this time."
A heavy sigh passed the bluentte's lips and he stepped back with a shake of his head. "I thought I'd beat you to the punch is all. I had a feeling you'd show up anyway."
I felt myself being pleasantly surprised by the answer he gave. "So you were bored over in your world and came over to wait for me?"
"It saves time not having to travel through the portal at a whim," he said as he shrugged again. I smirked slightly at his rather off-beat way of saying that he was hoping to see me again.
"Well, since you're here, what do you want to do till the sun sets? Talk some more?" I asked as I walked over to the edge of the cavern, away from the happily rippling pool in the center of the space.
"Yeah, why not." Takeru followed me over and we both flopped down rather ungracefully against the wall, watching the light dance for a few seconds. "You went to school today, right? How old are you?"
"I'm seventeen, actually. First year in high school." I looked over at him. "Should I ask how old you are?"
He snorted at the question. "No you shouldn't."
I gave him a cheeky grin. "I got out of school not too long ago, that's why I'm still in my uniform. I'd have been here a bit earlier, but..." My smile faded as I thought of what had transpired earlier on the way here.
Takeru glanced over at my face, eyeing me carefully. "Something happened I take it."
"Yeah...I told you of the girl who used to be my friend, Nayomi? The one who took the guy I'd been interested in?"
I saw him nod, and took a deep breath before I started telling him of my day, of how Nayomi had been pestering me, of how Kouta had bought my lunch and then walked me to the library while asking for my advice. Takeru's expression flicked to different emotions ever so slightly as I talked, and I saw a hint of anger when I mentioned that I'd given my classmate the advice he'd been seeking.
"He knows you like him, yet he comes to you for advice on a relationship that just hurts you on the inside?" A disgusted snort came from him.
"I couldn't help it," I sighed, pulling my legs up to hug them while I stared at the pool. "Kouta-san's a nice guy, he really is. I couldn't stand to see him sad."
"Tch. You really are soft like a jellyfish."
"And how is that?!" I demanded, jerking my head around to glare at him, only to blink at how mad he looked right then.
"You'll sting anyone that comes from the wrong angle, but when they come from just the right spot, all the have to do is hit you where you're soft and you're a goner," the blunette said forcefully, rubbing the meaning of his words in deep. I blinked at him, too shocked to respond as he continued. "You need to stop letting him get close to you, even if he still likes you. All you're going to end up doing is make one big loophole for that other girl to strike in."
"I...I..." Words failed me, and I lowered my eyes from him in shame. "I know this, but how do I keep him away? I've tried t-to do it before, but he always finds a way around..."
I heard a frustrated sigh before his armor clinked as he leaned against the cavern wall behind us. "Some things you have to overcome yourself, jellyfish. Just keep being strong, and you'll find your way."
"But I'm not strong! I'm not a god like you that can just easily take care of their problems! I keep people away to keep myself from being hurt, that's not being strong. I'm a coward for not taking chances, but as much as I hate being alone, I hate being hurt by trusting others more!"
A sob left my lips, and I covered my mouth in embarrassment as I held the stinging tears back as hard as I could. I wouldn't cry in front of a god, I just couldn't.
"Oi, we can't always fix our problems all willy nilly like you think we can!" Takeru's voice was loud in his anger, those deep golden eyes icy as they were when I first met him. I found myself flinching back from him, biting my lower lip nerveously. He was seriously scary when he was mad.
Thankfully, he registered my reaction and lowered his tone, though I could tell it was barely controlled. "I have my own past and problems as well, some I still don't know how to handle that well. You humans are selfish to think that the gods can brush aside our own troubles so easily. You weren't forced to go to a school with other gods to learn about humans, have your powers sealed away and punished when you tried to save a friend, thereby breaking the seal on your powers."
I blinked back my tears, looking at him in a slightly new light. Even though he was a god, he'd been forced to do something against his will? To endure punishment for using his powers to save a friend? It sounded like that would be impossible, he
seemed too strong to bend to another's will.
"Y-you went to school...to learn about humans?" That part alone threw me for a loop. Gods go to school?
Huffing, he sat back against the wall. "Yeah, and I had to go with this annoying weed as well. Human girl, Kusanagi Yui."
He may have been trying to hide it, but I heard the thread of affection in his voice. Whoever this Kusanagi Yui was, she was close to him.
"She your girlfriend?" I asked, hoping to get a few details of this god's life.
To my disappointment, he shook his head. "Nah, she fell in love with another god. Lives with him now in his world." A casual shrug was given, but I could sense the lingering disappointment.
Unsure of how to deal with this situation, I hesitantly reached over and put a hand on his shoulder. Takeru's head jerked over to look at me, but I didn't move my hand. I offered a small smile.
"Seems we've both loved and lost to another, eh?" I tried to make my tone joking, but it fell flat. Thankfully, I got a smirk out of him.
"Yeah..."
We both sat there in silence for a while, watching the ripples in the pool dance as the light made pretty patterns on the walls. It was comfortable like this, being next to him. I didn't know why, but it was, so I didn't want to question it. But I did, however, have one more question for him.
"You want to go and see the sunset with me?"
Takeru turned his head to me, a slight smile on his lips. My heart tightened for the umpteenth time that day, but this one was different. It wasn't painful, something I wasn't used to. Instead I had to resist the urge to blush as I looked at him and smiled back.
We both rose to our feet and I showed him out through the cave, slipping through the spaces with ease now. I poked my head out and looked around to make sure that no one was around to see a god appear out of no where. I motioned for him to follow me and climbed up onto the rocks that made the roof of the game, sitting down in a relatively comfortable spot. Takeru clambered up beside me and settled in as the orange in the sky started to really show.
"I love watching the sunsets out here," I said with a happy sigh, leaning back on my arms.
"It is rather clear out here," Takeru remarked, looking down at me with a smirk.
I nodded and looked back up at him. "We're lucky in that aspect, it makes it so much nicer."
Out here in the open air with the fading sunlight I could see the Sea God's features much more clearly than while in the blue lighting of the cave. I averted my eyes towards the sea to hide the slight blush that dusted my features. Why are gods so handsome? Or is it just him?
We chatted casually while the sun sank before us, the breeze kicking up every so often to keep us cool as we perched on the rock formation. It was so natural that it didn't even register till much later on, how normal it was to just talk with Takeru. Granted, we kept teasing each other, as we insisted on the nicknames we'd given each other, but it was all in fun. I was disappointed when the sun finally vanished below the horizon and we both got to our feet.
"I guess I better head on home, I have to go to school in the morning," I said, sighing. Takeru smirked and, to my utter surprised, reached over and patted my shoulder.
"You'll make it through. I had to with a class full of idiots and a weed. I'm sure you'll be fine, jellyfish."
"Aye, because I have a sea monkey to look forward to meeting when school is over and done with," I laughed, seeing his eye twitch slightly.
"Sure, sure." The blue-haired god turned and slid into the cave entrance with ease, then tossed up my school pack. "I think you need this."
"Oh, thanks! I almost forgot it." I knelt down to grab it from him, sticking my head in the cave. Only he dangled it just out of my reach. I pouted. "Hey now, let me have it."
"Now why would I do that, jellyfish?"
"Because you don't want to be stung." I stuck my tongue out at him, earning a chuckle as he handed my bag over. "I'll be back tomorrow or the day afterwards, okay?"
"Alright. You better be there if you call me as well, I don't take to kindly to being ditched." With a smirk he turned and walked back to the pool cavern, hand waving casually in the air.
I smiled to myself as I pulled out of there and started walking home, a bounce in my step that I hadn't had before.
As Takeru stepped back into his own house through the portal, he noticed that he wasn't alone. Turning, he saw a purple haired man standing in the corner silently, waiting on him.
"Hey, bro." He grinned at his brother, the God of the Moon.
"...Where were you at." Golden eyes met gold, and the blunette looked away and shrugged.
"Just felt like going out and seeing places. It gets boring here at times. I'm tired, so I'll see you in the morning." Without looking back, Takeru quickly jogged out of there.
The Moon god watched as he went, a slightly thoughtful look on his face. His robes barely made a sound as he moved over to the pool that was edged by intricate rocks, lit by the small orbs of magic that hovered nearby. As Tsukiyomi looked in, all he saw was a bottomless pit of water, with no trace of what was on the other side.
"..." Shaking his head, he turned and followed his younger brother out, mentally noting to watch over him better. It wouldn't do for Takeru to get hurt, not at all. As he walked out of the Sea God's house he looked up at the now rising moon, feeling slightly curious as to where Takeru had been for the past few hours.
"It must be important for him, to be skipping his duties as a god."
Chapter 5 special, a shout out to my first reviewer LilweenGalatrass for her support, and the others who are following my story so far. Honestly I'm surprised at myself for actually being able to stick with the story thus far, as normally I fall off after a few chapters. But as my determination is still going strong, I'm going to give it my all on this one. I'm still new to the KamiAso fandom, but now that I'm playing the game, perhaps I can dive into it more.
I came here and noticed that there's a sad lack of Takeru stories, and this one had been swimming in my mind for a while now, so here it is, and going strong. Constructive criticism is encouraged, and if anyone can point out things I may have missed, like weak points in the story line, or any ooc happenings, do let me know so I may correct it.
Other than that, I hope you all enjoy my story! Oh, and a cookie to who can guess the song that I'm doing at the start of each chapter. It's just one song, not multiple, but that's the only hint you'll get from me. Ja ne!