I needed to take a few breaks while writing this chapter. It proved to be very difficult for me to write.

Chapter Thirteen

Kazahaya screamed. He knew he did because his mouth was open wide and he felt the vibrations in his throat. But he couldn't hear himself. The world itself seemed to fade away into darkness. All he could see was Rikuou flying backwards. Head thrown back, arms spread, and blood so dark that it was almost black spurting from his body.

NO NO NO NO NO NO—

He raced forward with arms outstretched. His eardrums were starting to rattle; he must have been screaming loudly. He caught Rikuou in his arms, and the dark blood splashed onto him. The sight of RED, and the smell of cooper…he realized that he experiencing that horrible vision that he had seen earlier that night.

The vision of Rikuou's death.

NO NO NO PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ME NO NO NO—

Sound suddenly return to Kazahaya, and he could hear his shrieks. Rikuou was unmoving and unresponsive. Kazahaya's throat burned as he hugged Rikuou to him, but before he could squeeze his arms he was shoved backwards. "Let me look!"

Kokuyo. The demon was drenched in dirt, but he grabbed Rikuou's collar and ripped the fabric of the jacket and his shirt with one tug. Hisui was stumbling over to them, but Kazahaya saw the cut on Rikuou's body from Kei's attack. It stretched down the length of his abdomen, opening it like a chasm, and the blood was still gushing from his body. He screamed again—

A bright light suddenly erupted from Rikuou's right shoulder, and Kazahaya's scream broke off. He heard Kei cry out behind him, and Hisui fell to his side, but the light grew brighter. Kazahaya raised a hand to shield his eyes when black jagged lines suddenly rose from Rikuou's body and lifted into the air into the light. The lines danced in the light in a familiar shape, and Kazahaya quickly recognized the form in front of him. Rikuou's tattoo!

The tattoo seemed to have come to life, and it swiftly descended upon Rikuou's body. Right before their eyes the lines of the tattoo crisscrossed over Rikuou's fatal injury, stitching the flesh back together. Within moments the large wound was gone, leaving no trace behind. Even the blood that gushed from Rikuou's body seemed to evaporate into the air. His entire body glowed with a white aura, and Kazahaya grabbed for his hand. He didn't see a vision, but loud whispers filled his ears of overlapping voices. A man's voice chanting in a language that he didn't understand. And a woman's voice…speaking serenely but softly through the chants.

"—must be done—"

"—would do anything—"

"Nothing else matters—"

"Please grant my wish."

Kazahaya snapped back into himself just in time to see Rikuou's eyes snap open wide. He let out a huge gasp and sprang up into a sitting position. He grasped at his chest with his free hand. "W-What happened?!" he wheezed.

"You were attacked," Hisui said softly. "But…that magic—"

"It doesn't matter," Kei said. "I'll just kill you again." she raised her hand.

But before she could do anything, light erupted around Rikuou once more like an aura. Then suddenly it shot upwards like a beacon. Kazahaya quickly looked up and saw the beam of light aimed for Tsukiko! "TSUKIKO-SAN!" he screamed.

Kokuyo launched up, but the light was faster. Tsukiko's legs still looked to be submerged in the hill, but she didn't even try to duck. She spread out her arms, as though accepting a hug, as the light hit her. She was surrounded by the same white aura, and the image of Rikuou's tattoo rose into the air once more. One by one the lines shot down and entered her body, and Kazahaya realized that they were moving in reverse fashion as they had earlier, when the tattoo healed Rikuou's wounds.

What—Why is it—

The realization hit both Kazahaya and Rikuou in the same moment. Rikuou stood up and screamed, "TSUKIKO!"

The tattoo dissipated, as did the light around Tsukiko. Just a second later, blood geysered from her body in the same way it had from Rikuou's body.

Both Kazahaya and Rikuou screamed at the same time as Tsukiko's blood splashed onto the both of them like a wave. Hitting their faces, hair, and clothes. Her body recoiled backwards as Rikuou's body had, and then suddenly she pitched forward. The blow had somehow freed her legs from the hill and she was suddenly falling. Kokuyo caught her and swiftly brought her to the ground. "HISUI!" he shouted.

The fallen angel hurried over but Rikuou was faster. He was frantic and screaming, saying his sister's name over and over again along with "WHY?!". Kazahaya had stopped screaming. His throat felt paralyzed as he watched Rikuou pull Tsukiko out of Kokuyo's arms and Hisui tried to assess her wound. Rikuou stripped off his coat and shirt and tried to press his shirt to her bleeding torso. That was when Kazahaya saw that his back was bare. The tattoo was gone.

Rikuou said—the bearer—a wish was granted! But! He looked down at Tsukiko and covered his mouth his hand.

"Do something, PLEASE DO SOMETHING!" Rikuou shrieked at Hisui.

"A-Ah, yes," Hisui said. He reached for Tsukiko and pressed a hand over her heart. His hand began to glow yellow, but Kazahaya's heart dropped into his stomach and fresh tears stung his eyes. He could see that the power that Hisui had wasn't powerful enough to heal her wound. It looked dim, like a waning candlelight. With Hisui's already injured body, and also the healing he had already given to Rikuou earlier that day and evening, the former Archangel was at his limit.

There wasn't anything they could do to help Tsukiko.

"…I see," Kei said, lowering her hand. "It looks like she wanted to take your wounds onto your body. That was sweet."

Kazahaya shrugged off his coat and took off his own shirt, pressing to to Tsukiko's stomach. He watched his shirt become rapidly soaked with her blood. What do I do? What do I do?! WHAT DO I DO?!

"Onee-san, why did you do this?!" Rikuou shouted.

Tsukiko groaned, blood slipping from her lips, and she turned to look at her brother. Her complexion was becoming translucent, but her expression was calm and…serene. "Ri…kuou," she whispered. Her tone was weak and it terrified Kazahaya. "You…Are you…okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine!" Rikuou exclaimed. He was shaking violently and cradling her in his lap. "Was that—Was THAT your wish?! Why?!"

Hisui's eyes rolled back into his head and he fell backwards. Kokuyo swiftly caught him in his arms and he looked down at Tsukiko. He frowned deeply. "Tsukiko-san…"

Kazahaya didn't need to ask if Hisui's power had made any difference. He could see that her wounds had not closed. He looked at Rikuou, and…the face he made. The realization. The expression he made when he realized that Tsukiko was going to die burned into Kazahaya's mind. He closed his eyes briefly, but he saw the expression behind his closed eyelids.

He didn't know what to say or do. His mind was blank with horror. Kazahaya opened his eyes and he saw that Tsukiko's smile was trembling. Tears slipped down her cheeks as she reached for Rikuou. "I…love you, Ri…"

Rikuou crushed her against him, ducking his head close to hers. "I love you, too." The pain in his voice made Kazahaya choke on a sob.

He nearly jumped out his skin when a hand touched his. He reached that Tsukiko had reached for him, and he looked towards her face. She was still crying but she looked…happy. "Kazahaya…you two, please be ha—"

Tsukiko had started to look towards Rikuou, but then her body suddenly jerked and she vomited blood all over herself and her brother. Then she sagged in Rikuou's arms and went still.

Kazahaya couldn't register what just happened. He lunged forward and grabbed Tsukiko's shoulders. He shook her, not hard but not gentle. "Tsukiko-san? Tsukiko-san?"

Tsukiko didn't respond to him. She only moved when Kazahaya moved her. Despite being covered in blood and looking so pale, she…she looked to be at peace. She was still warm.

She…She…no, no, NO—

"Tsukiko-san…" Hisui looked as bad as Tsukiko did, and tears filled his eyes as he pressed a hand over his mouth. "Oh, Rikuou…Rikuou, I…" he let his voice trail off. Kokuyo was silent but his face was grim as he held onto the fallen angel.

Rikuou also didn't say anything. He buried his face into Tsukiko's neck and his body trembled violently as he began to sob. The sounds were soft, softer than his tone had been. But the fact that he was crying quietly made it even worse. The sounds were still gut-wrenching, and so—so lost.

Kazahaya covered his mouth with both hands to suppress the scream that wanted to come out. He couldn't stop looking at Rikuou. The pain inside of him was so intense that he thought was about to die. He couldn't even imagine what Rikuou was feeling. Rikuou…Rikuou…

Kazahaya reached for Rikuou, still holding a hand over a mouth. Guilt tore at him, and he thought he would vomit. His hand stopped centimeters from Rikuou's arm, and he pulled away. Rikuou didn't look up, but he snatched for his hand and squeezed it tight. Kazahaya swallowed hard, the noise strangled and full of pain as he squeezed Rikuou's hand back.

Everything the Himura siblings had suffered…Everything that Rikuou and Tsukiko had gone through for last year…it had been pointless and cruel. Rikuou had spent the past year trying to get his sister back, and their reunion had barely lasted an hour before she was taken away from him…forever.

This is awful, so cruel! Why?! WHY did this have to happen?!

Kazahaya looked at his twin. He didn't know the monster who stood before them that wore Kei's face. His heart was cold, but vibrating with pain that he thought he would faint. He scrambled to his feet, still holding his hand. "W…Why?!" he rasped. "Kei…WHY?!"

Kei hugged her injured hand to her chest, her gaze narrowed. Her expression was dangerous. "It's not my fault," she said unashamedly. "I wanted to kill Himura Rikuou. I can't be blamed…because his sister decided to die in his place."

Indescribable emotions filled Kazahaya's body. His breathing was hard and loud in his own ears. "WHYYYYYYYYY?!" he shrieked. "WHY ARE YOU SO EVIL?!"

The air crackled with electricity. The crows suddenly took flight and flew in every direction away from them. Kei glanced upwards watching them go, and then looked back at Kazahaya. "'Evil'?" she echoed. "All I asked for was to have you back. They wouldn't give you back. How am I evil when they KEPT YOU FROM ME?!" she shrieked.

Rikuou suddenly surged to his feet beside Kazahaya. Kazahaya glanced down and he saw that Tsukiko was laying on the ground, her arms folded over her chest and a white handkerchief covering her face. Rikuou didn't let go of Kazahaya's hand as he carefully stepped around his older sister's body and started advancing upon Kei.

"Kid!" Kokuyo shouted, rising to his feet with Hisui. "Wait—SHIT!" he shouted when the ground began shaking once more.

"Rikuou—Rikuou!" Kazahaya stammered as he pulled along with the other young man. The ground didn't tremble underneath their feet. "Rikuou, please—!" Kazahaya didn't know what he was saying. Words were just spilling out of his mouth.

"Oh, are you returning him to me?" Kei asked. She smiled sinisterly as Rikuou stopped a meter in front of her. "That won't save you, but I appreciate it—"

Rikuou lifted his head and screamed. Kazahaya cried out when he felt power burst from his body. The stones in front of them cracked and shattered, disintegrating into dust. A look of alarm crossed Kei's face and she jumped to the side with a scream. Rikuou continued screaming, and right before Kazahaya's eyes the mansion—his home for seventeen years of his life— trembled from the roof to the fountain. He saw cracks from in the walls, and shingles frantically sliding off the roof. Rikuou then stopped screaming, and the power dissipated.

W-What—What was THAT?! Kazahaya wondered.

"R-Rikuou!" Hisui shouted behind them. "Your power…!"

"It evolved!" Kokuyo shouted

"Yeah," Rikuou rasped. The cold rage in his low voice scared Kazahaya, but Rikuou's eyes were on Kei. "Tsukiko's parting gift. And now you get to experience it firsthand."

"Rikuou!" Kazahaya blurted out, grabbing his arm with his free hand. Rikuou glared at him, and their gazes held. A horrible sickness overtook Kazahaya's body. He had instinctively acted to protect his twin…but his twin had just killed Rikuou's sister. After she had tried to kill Rikuou!

But Kei…she's my sister…the things she's done…but!

Rikuou's face softened after a moment, as did his eyes. He reached up and cupped Kazahaya's cheek with his free hand. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I…she's your sister."

Kazahaya choked on a sob. "Rikuou—"

"Enough!" Kei shrieked, scrambling to her feet. "Stop being intimate with MY KAZAHAYA! DO SOMETHING DAIDARABOTCHI!"

Both Kazahaya and Rikuou quickly looked at her. "W-What?!"

"Oh," Kokuyo said. "Suddenly it makes sense."

The ground suddenly exploded behind the demon and angel, and a large black appendage shout of the ground towards the sky. Kazahaya craned his head to look up, and when he saw that the appendage branched into five stubs. The appendage waved back and forth, and then four of the five stubs folded downwards, leaving one pointing towards the sky. Kazhaya's eyes widened. That…That's a HAND!

The giant hand—and arm—swung down towards Kokuyo and Hisui. Kokuyo grabbed Hisui and Tsukiko and flew out of the way as the extended finger slammed into the ground with a loud 'BOOM'. The blow shook the world around them, knocking over trees, small hills forming from the flat ground, and everyone but Kei fell over.

"W-What is that?!" Kazahaya screamed.

"A Daidarabotchi," Kokuyo said grimly, settling down beside them. "A demon of earth…who can change the environment around itself. According to legend, its feet are so big that they can form lakes. It can move mountains to different positions."

"This is why we could never find you," Hisui whispered, his eyes wide. "The Karasu-Tengu are powerful, sure. But a Daidarabotchi…this is the most powerful earth demon."

"But they are supposed to be benevolent," Kokuyo pointed out. "They help humans! They're not supposed to do the bidding of murderous cults!"

Kazahaya exhaled sharply and looked at Kei. "This—This is why we're so isolated, isn't it?" he asked her. "Why I had such a difficult time leaving the mountain. Ship of the Moon…they recruited a Daidarabotchi?!"

"Oh, they didn't recruit him," Kei said cheerfully. "They enslaved him! They were going to use him to reshape Earth into the image they wanted! But when I found him, he started listening to me and me only! Now he'll do what I want him to do!"

The hand retreated underground, but the world began shaking once more. The wall of rock that enclosed them where they were trembled and Kazahaya looked up. He screamed when he saw a giant face peering out from behind the mountain, wide glassy eyes staring down at them. Giant hands pressed over the top of the rock. Its mouth opened, and a large red tongue darted out and waggled at them.

"That's him," Kei said, pointing with her uninjured hand. "The Daidarabotchi. And if I command it, he'll kill everyone and leave only Kazahaya and I left."