Chapter Ten

Kazahaya didn't think he was capable of destroying so many people's lives, but he had. By making the decision to run away to save Kei, Ship of the Moon approached Tsukiko to look for him. And when Tsukiko told them that he was dead to protect him, Kei got involved. Then Tsukiko was taken away from Rikuou and tortured for over a year. Rikuou dropped out of high school and became homeless looking for her. Kei hurt Rikuou, and nearly killed him. And Hisui was badly injured by Ship of the Moon.

So many people were hurt…and Kazahaya knew that it was all because of him.

Kazahaya couldn't think. He couldn't move from the spot where he was kneeling in a partial kowtow position on the floor. The only sounds that came out of his throat were loud sobs and an almost endless stream of, "I'm sorry!" over and over again. The pain inside of him was so intense; like a powerful weight was crushing his chest. He was ready to be sick.

"Rikuou."

Hisui's voice pierced through his sobs, but Kazahaya barely noticed. An arm wrapped around his middle and hoisted him up, and he was suddenly held against another body. "Kazahaya."

The sobs choke and broke off abruptly when Rikuou said his name. He gasped for air, his vision swimming from the tears that were still spilling. He hiccuped, and felt another sob building in his throat when Rikuou pressed his mouth to his ear. "Kazahaya."

Kazahaya blinked, and suddenly the room came back into focus. He was partially sitting on Rikuou's lap, but Tsukiko was sitting directly in front of him on the floor. Hisui was still propped against the wall, staring at them with an expression of sadness. Kokuyo was kneeling beside him wearing a stoic expression.

"Kazahaya," Rikuou said a third time, and Kazahaya was stunned to find his heartbeat starting to calm. "You're not listening. Tsukiko has been talking to you, and you haven't been listening to her. Please…calm down and listen to her."

Kazahaya glanced towards him. There was no hatred or contempt in the other young man's face. Kazahaya knew that he was responsible for his entire life being turned upside down, but the expression Rikuou wore when he looked at him was calm and…worried. A low moan of anguish rumbled in his throat, but Rikuou cupped his cheek. "Listen to my sister," he said, and then he turned Kazhaya's head to look at Tsukiko.

Tsukiko was staring at him, eyes filled with tears. But her expression also did not hold condemnation towards Kazahaya. All Kazahaya saw was understanding and compassion in her face. "Kazahaya-kun," she said quietly. "Please believe me; I don't blame you for what happened to us."

Kazahaya gaped at her in shock. "I told you that I only blame the people who hurt me," Tsukiko said. "You did not act with malice. You acted with self-preservation and love. You wanted to protect your sister because you love her. And you didn't want to die. You did exactly what you needed to do to ensure your survival, and I will never blame you for that. You needed to leave this place. It was imperative that you leave this place."

Kazahaya tried to duck his head, but Rikuou held him steady. Instead he closed his eyes as he felt the tears come once more. "Everything…Everything that happened since I left is my fault. I—all of you have suffer because of my actions. If I hadn't left I…" he shook his head. "I shouldn't have—"

"OI."

Kazahaya's eyes snapped open at Rikuou's sharp tone, and Rikuou turned his face so that they were facing each other again. Now Rikuou was glaring and looked angry. "If you didn't leave this damn place, then your sister would have died," he snapped. "Ship of the Moon would have carried out their plan to overthrow the Japanese government, and then they would have used you to take over the world. Then they would have shot you into space and you would have died alone on that barren rock we call a moon! Are you saying you wished that this had happened?!"

"No, b-but—" Kazahaya tried to protest.

Rikuou leaned in closer, their noses pressing together. "If you hadn't left this place, WE would not have met," he nearly snapped. "Are you saying that you would have preferred that? That you never wanted to meet me, Kazahaya? That you regret meeting me? Because that's what it sounds like!"

"No!" Kazahaya cried out. He grabbed his shoulders. "I-I didn't mean it like that, Rikuou! I'm GLAD I met you! I-I…"

"Then you better stop blaming yourself," Rikuou said. "Nobody here is blaming you for anything! Onee-san is right, you needed to leave this place! You're only responsible for YOUR actions, not the actions of other people! I will repeat this until it sticks in that thick head of yours! None of this is your fault!"

"Don't talk to me like that!" Kazahaya snapped, gritting his teeth and glaring back at him. "I don't have a thick head!"

"Then stop acting like you have one!"

"You—!"

"Oh just shut up and KISS already you two!" Kokuyo shouted with a loud laugh.

Both boys paused, and they realized that their faces were pressed together as they yelled at each other. Tsukiko giggled softly and Kazahaya slid off of Rikuou's lap and glared at Kokuyo. "Don't say such things in front of Tsukiko-san! She'll get the wrong idea about us!"

Tsukiko responded by laughing even harder. Kazahaya flushed, but Rikuou moved closer to his sister and hugged her again. "Tsukiko…I haven't heard you laugh or seen your smile in so long!"

"I'm glad to do it now," she said, hugging him back. Kazahaya flushed darker red though when she beckoned him to join their hug and he shook his head furiously. He realized that his heart was still pounding in his chest and he pressed a hand over his heart. He realized that Rikuou was able to calm him just by saying his name, and when Rikuou held him in his arms he felt safe. He liked being pressed against Rikuou's solid chest, and being surrounded by his sturdy arms. And even when they were yelling at each other so close that their faces were touching, it hadn't been an unpleasant sensation. He had…enjoyed Rikuou's close proximity, and feeling Rikuou's breath brush his face. He had even enjoyed the smell of Rikuou's breath.

He's been mean to me and teased me…and everyone has always made assumptions about our relationship. But I…even the most minor detail about Rikuou and I feel…

He ducked his head and his hand clenched into a fist against his chest. There…There have been changes. No…Not changes. Nothing has changed. I'm just more…acutely aware of things. But why do I have to think about this NOW of all times?

A hand covered his and he looked up to see Rikuou in front of him again. "Hey," Rikuou said. His tone was calm again. "Are you okay?"

Kazahaya almost nodded, but he couldn't lie to Rikuou. He knew in that moment that he never could. He shook his head. "I don't know," he mumbled.

"I'm sorry I yelled at you," Rikuou said. "But I meant everything I said, Kazahaya."

Kazahaya swallowed thickly. He realized in the moment when he looked at Rikuou's eyes that he forgot about everything else. He shook his head with embarrassment and gently pulled away from him. "You have nothing to apologize for," Kazahaya said. He looked around Rikuou to see Tsukiko watching them with a soft smile. "We're going to get you out of here, Tsukiko-san," he told her. "A-And…" he looked between Rikuou and Tsukiko. "And…even if you don't blame me, I-I want to help you both get your lives back."

"You're very kind, Kazahaya-kun," Tsukiko said. "Truly a sweet boy. I know that I can count on you."

Eh? The comment confused Kazahaya but he shook it off and stood up. "Thank you, Tsukiko-san."

"We have to figure out a way out of here," Rikuou said, helping Tsukiko stand. Kazahaya quickly moved to help her up as well, but the moment he touched her arms his vision filled with crimson. Dripping, wet against his face. The smell of copper in his nostrils. Blood. Blood, blood, blood, blood, blood, blood, blood. And—

SCREAMING.

Kazahaya suddenly saw Rikuou's face, red, red, red, as well. Rikuou drenched in blood. His mouth was wide. He was the one screaming, screaming, everyone was red, covered in blood—

Just like the othervision.

"KAZAHAYA!"

He snapped back into himself and he realized that he was lying on the floor. Rikuou and Tsukiko were kneeling over him, and Kokuyo was standing over him holding Hisui. His breathing was ragged as he reached for both Rikuou and Tsukiko simultaneously. Tsukiko however reached across him and tugged on Rikuou, and moved them both away from Kazahaya. "I wouldn't recommend it, Kazahaya-kun," she said quietly, her tone sad but compassionate. "Your premonition abilities are still new to you, aren't they?"

"Premonition abilities?!" Rikuou exclaimed. He pulled away from Tsukiko and grabbed Kazahaya's shoulders. "You can see the future now?! Since when?! Why didn't you tell me?!"

"Please be gentle with Kazahaya-kun, Rikuou," Hisui said. "These new abilities…they only manifested this morning, so yes they are very new to him."

"You saw a vision of the future then?" Rikuou asked, softening his tone. "What did you see?"

Kazahaya didn't want to tell him. Two visions filled with blood and screaming…and they were future visions, and not visions of the past. Knowing this was even more terrifying to him. "…I—" Before he could finish, the whole house violently trembled. Earthquake!

"RUN!"

Kokuyo's shout snapped Rikuou into action. He scooped Kazahaya into his arms and carefully thew him over his shoulder. Then he grabbed Tsukiko. "Let's go!"

He ran out the front door holding Kazahaya and Tsukiko, and Kokuyo quickly followed with Hisui. No sooner did they leave the that the house collapsed behind them. The world itself seemed to be shaking, and Rikuou quickly realized that it wasn't an earthquake that was occurring. Bedrock pierced the houses around them and shot skyward. He could hear screams echoing around him but he stood frozen in shock and horror.

What…What the hell is going on?!

A hand grabbed the back his collar and tugged hard. "The mountain range is expanding! MOVE!"

They were suddenly flying, and Rikuou cried out and clung to Kazahaya and Tsukiko. Kokuyo were muttering curses words in rapid fire as he strained to fly higher, but right before their eyes a solid rock wall rose higher than them. "SHIT!" Kokuyo snapped. "I knew it! I can't fly while carrying four people! It's too much weight!"

"It was…worth a shot," Hisui said quietly.

"Oh, my God," Kazahaya whispered. Rikuou looked down and he saw the expanding mountains tearing apart the small village, mowing through houses and leaving nothing but splinters. He lurched when he saw people getting crushed and impaled by the rising rocks. Even though they were a cult who had destroyed his life, it was incredibly unpleasant witnessing so many people die.

"I have to go south!" Kokuyo shouted, beating his wings furiously to outrun the expanding rocks.

"Don't!" Kazahaya exclaimed. "The mansion—The mansion is that way!"

"I'm sorry kid, but I have no choice! I can't stay airborne!"

Tsukiko clung to Rikuou's shoulders and suddenly whispered into his ear. "Stay strong, Little Brother." the statement made him feel nauseas, and he hung onto Kazahaya and her tighter.

They reached the outskirts of the mansion, which even in the darkness looked like a sukiya-zukuri to Rikuou. Two meters above the ground Kokuyo let Rikuou's collar go, and he landed on his feet hard. Kokuyo collapsed to the ground, but he turned his body so that he didn't land on Hisui and his own body absorbed the impact.

"Kokuyo-san!" Kazahaya cried out. He slid off Rikuou's back and hurried over to him. Rikuou and Tsukiko followed. "A-Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Kokuyo said, sitting up. Rikuou saw that his wings were uninjured and he sighed heavily in relief. He looked over his shoulder and the relief quickly died. The village was gone; wiped away completely. The wall of mountain had expanded and formed a barricade around the mansion. It was like they were trapped in their own world now. If there had been any surviving members of Ship of the Moon in the village, Rikuou didn't know how they could possibly still be alive.

Wha…What the HELL is going on?! Why did MOUNTAINS form around us and close us in?! What kind of magic did this?!

"Y-You guys need to go," Kazahaya said shakily, looking around at the group as Kokuyo carefully stood up. He slouched slightly and Hisui carefully slid out of his arms. Kokuyo let him go visibly reluctantly. "I-I…I'm going to enter the mansion alone. I'll confront Kei. Kokuyo-san, would you be able to clear the mountains while carrying three people?"

"I'm not entertaining that option kid," Kokuyo said.

"What exactly do you plan to do?!" Rikuou snapped at Kazahaya.

Kazahaya looked at him then. The sorrow in his big, beautiful eyes caused Rikuou to exhale sharply. "Kei…must be involved in this magic," Kazahaya said. "She's doing this because I'm with you guys. S-So I'm going to stay, and—"

"And what?!"

Kazahaya gulped and turned away from him. "…I'm going to stay," he said. "Kei will have me back, and all of you can escape."

The anger surged inside of Rikuou quickly. He stormed over to Kazahaya and spun him around. "We are NOT leaving you here!"

"You have no choice!" Kazahaya shouted back. "The helicopter only seats four people! Hisui-san is injured and Kokuyo-san is the only one here who knows how to fly it! There is not enough room for—"

"We will make room but we are not leaving here without you!" Rikuou grabbed his shoulders and shook him slightly. "I'm not going to let you sacrifice yourself, Kazahaya! We'll figure a way out of this!"

"I'M NOT GOING TO LET ANYONE ELSE BE HURT BECAUSE OF ME!" Kazahaya hollered. The tears came again but his expression was angry. "Think of your sister, Rikuou! You finally have her back! Go home with her like you want to! I'll be all right, I'm ho—"

"Don't you DARE say that you're home! Your home is the Green Drugstore, Kazahaya!"

"Ah," Tsukiko said softly as she approached Kokuyo and Hisui. "Hisui-san, Kokuyo-san, aren't you going to intervene as well?"

Hisui shook his head. "If Kazahaya-kun won't listen to Rikuou, then nothing we say will make a difference. You understand, don't you Tsukiko-san?"

Tsukiko nodded without hesitation. "I do."

"You don't have time!" Kazahaya snapped. "I—"

Rikuou threw his arms around Kazahaya and squeezed him tight. He clenched his jaw. "So…you are content with never seeing us again. Is that it, Kazahaya?"

Kazahaya's breathing was unsteady against his shoulder. Slowly, his arms slid up Rikuou's back to cling to him. "…No," he whispered. "If I couldn't see you again…I…"

Rikuou pulled back to look at him. "What? Say it, Kazahaya."

"Take your hands off him."

The familiar voice made Rikuou's stomach involuntarily clench with alarm, but when he lifted his head he saw a black blur and he was suddenly flying backwards away from Kazahaya. Both Kazahaya and Tsukiko screamed, but before Rikuou could slam into a nearby tree he felt something grab his wrist and he fell to the ground. When he opened his eyes he saw Kokuyo standing over him, glaring towards the house. "Kudo Kei!" Kokuyo shouted. "We are not here to fight you!"

The trees around them rustled violently, and dozens of shadows shot from the trees. Rikuou realized that they were crows, lots of them. "Tsukiko!" he shouted.

"I have her," Hisui said, taking Tsukiko by the arm. He saw that a makeshift sling had been made for Hisui's injured arm. "Kazahaya-kun, come!" he called out.

But Kazahaya was standing frozen where he stood, his back to them. Towards the houses, the dozens of crows settled upon the roof, the ground, or hovering around the figure of a young women dressed in a blindingly white kimono. Her blonde hair was loose and blowing in the wind. She looked like a yūrei, but Rikuou knew that she wasn't a yūrei. She was far more dangerous than a yūrei.

"I told you!" Kudo Kei called out in a frighteningly cheerful singsong voice. "Anyone who keeps Kazahaya from me must die! Especially treacherous thieves!"

"Kei," Kazahaya breathed. His tone was sad, and from the tremors it was clear that he was crying.

"Damn," Kokuyo muttered, shaking her head. "I didn't want to think it, but the truth is clear."

"What do you mean?" Rikuou said.

"Remember how we confirmed that Tengu are not wholly evil because they are Buddhists, and thus can reincarnate when they die? Well, their Buddhist practices was a learned trait. Tengu originally stood against Buddhism and committed blasphemy against the Buddha. These Tengu caused disorder in the world, and wantonly hurt children. They were filled with hate and vanity, but when they embraced Buddhism it purified some of the evil inside of them. But if a Tengu were to fall back into their old ways, they will lose the salvation they once had. They would have the power to hurt once again…and they would be damned to Tengudō when they die."

"…And what does that have to do with what's going on right now?!"

"Those of the Kudo bloodline are human, but they still possess the blood of a Karasu-Tengu. Thus they are bound to the laws of Buddhism…but also susceptible to the pure evil that all Tengu once possessed. If they were to fall into darkness, then they would face the same damnation that all Tengu do."

Kokuyo gestured towards Kei. "Her power now…she has it because she has fallen into the primordial darkness that all Tengu once came from. What we see before us—is a damned child."