A New Sword?
"Wait, WHAT? How is Totosai going to do that?"
"Well, that's the downer part." Kazuki pondered. "He said that to forge a sword like the Tetsusaiga I would have to get one of the great dog demons teeth..."
"Wait, you mean dads, dad? But how are you going to get there?"
"I haven't figured that part out yet." Kazuki replied, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.
Amaya glared at him for a few moments and thought that he shouldn't get so excited about something unless he was certain that it was going to happen.
Sesshomaru was standing at the door and was listening to the conversation.
"You want to go to my father's grave?" He said eyeing his Niece and Nephew.
They both looked at him nervously and weren't sure if he hated the idea or not.
"Y-yeah." They replied in unison.
Sesshomaru looked over to his daughter and back to them. "I could take you there... but only once Nira is better."
He then walked past the two of them casually and sat beside the bed watching his daughter with a loving gaze.
Kazuki and Amaya stared at Sesshomaru for a moment before walking out of the door in silence.
"I wasn't expecting that." Kazuki said. "I thought for a moment there that Sesshomaru was going to be mad or something."
"Me too!" Amaya replied. "I didn't think he would like the idea of you going to his father's grave just to take one of his teeth..."
"Yeah, but he seems cool with it... Sorta."
Kazuki's goofy grin returned to his face. "I bet my sword will be even stronger than the Tetsusaiga! Serves you right for getting it instead of me!"
"HEY!" Amaya exclaimed. "It will so not! The Tetsusaiga has many powers and experience in the battle field! As if a new sword could compete with that!"
"We'll just see baby sister!"
"STOP CALLING ME THAT!" Amaya snapped at him before punching him in the shoulder. They both got into a big dog fight before noticing that they had an audience.
"You guys really haven't changed at all since back then." Hotaka chuckled.
"How long have you been sitting there?" Kazuki asked.
"Only a few minutes. Just enough time to see that your tempers haven't changed." He smiled mockingly. "I really miss those days you know." He added, particularly looking towards Amaya.
"Yeah well we haven't had that battle you promised that we'd have! So let's start there." Kazuki grinned.
"Oh yeah... I completely forgot about that after what happened with Nira." Hotaka looked at the sky, it was dark and the moon was bright and illuminating the trees and houses around them.
"What about we have it right now? It's not too dark."
"Oh yeah!" Kazuki replied victoriously.
"I know the perfect spot." Hotaka said walking away with Kazuki. "Aren't you coming?" He added noticing that Amaya wasn't following them.
"Huh, me?"
"Yeah, I want you to see me kick Kazuki's butt."
"HEY HOTAKA DON'T GET COCKY!"
Amaya laughed and proceeded to follow them.
The three of them went to a small open valley where the moons silver light stretched across the dry grass. Amaya sat down on a log at the edge, away from the battle that was about to take place.
Kazuki and Hotaka stared at each other tensely for a while before lashing out and beginning the battle. Amaya watched enthusiastically, but as she sat there on the log she realised that she felt more than just enthusiasm.
"Amaya!" A voice whispered from behind her.
"Oh Tanaka!" She said surprised.
"Can I sit next to you?" He grinned. "How long have they been at it?"
"They just started actually. I hope Kazuki loses."
"Oh, I thought you would be rooting for your brother?" He said sitting down beside her.
"Nah, I want him to get beaten. It would serve him right for always being so cocky!"
"Yeah." Tanaka grinned. "So, is this the Hotaka you told me about before?"
"Hmm?" Amaya looked back at him. Her attention was torn between watching the battle and listening to Tanaka. "Oh, yeah that's him." She replied.
"I see." Tanaka said.
"Is something wrong?" Amaya asked feeling concerned.
"Of course not." Tanaka shook his head and looked at her tenderly before wrapping his arm around her. Amaya blushed slightly. She and Tanaka hadn't been out for very long and with everything that had been happening they hadn't had much time for each other.
The battle was almost over and with the last strike Hotaka flew above Kazuki and struck him down.
"OH DAMMIT!" Kazuki cursed.
Hotaka laughed. "You shouldn't be so cocky as always Kazuki! I told you that I was stronger than you."
Just as they turned to look at Amaya, Tanaka leaned in and kissed her lovingly on the cheek.
"Oh that's gross!" Kazuki exclaimed. "And when in the hell did you get here Tanaka?"
Amaya looked up to her brother and was about to yell at him when she noticed something odd about Hotaka.
He was looking at her strangely, like he had been slightly wounded, but before Amaya had the chance to say anything Hotaka smiled and said.
"Didn't I tell you that I'd beat him, Amaya?"
"Y-yeah you did." She replied.
Kazuki looked at Hotaka grumpily. "I was just tired you know Hotaka! My eye lids were drooping, so I say we should have a re-match!"
Hotaka laughed and shook his head. "Still the same old Kazuki. You haven't changed a bit!"
On the way back Kazuki was telling Hotaka how he would defiantly beat him next time. Amaya went to turn in for the night when Tanaka gave her a hug and kissed her on the lips.
"Good night." He whispered before walking away.
And yet again Amaya noticed a strange look in Hotaka's eyes.