Chapter 18

BASH!

Mochi cringed, she braced for the worst but then… she opened her eyes.

Trigun's head… was smashed into the wall, he flailed for a moment, until he went still… the blood that poured from his head only indicated he was dead to her… but… she froze.

Tears of joy came out of her face, she finally dropped the chain she held as she rushed to him. "Uncle Tanso…"

He turned to her and braced Mochi with his free arm. Turning back to Trigun, he pointed to him and then to her.

"He tried to, but he didn't do anything to me. You came just in time… Uncle Tanso… what is going on?" she asked of him.

He released her from his embrace. Tanso looked to her with a solemn look, and shook his head. He didn't know what was happening either. "The school! We were attacked at school!"

He nodded to her on that, but made a motion of around with his finger.

"Are you saying… there are attacks all over?" she asked.

He tapped the side of his nose.

"The attacks originally started at the school, but they were a distractions. The dragon slayers are working together with the council under a man with blond hair named Baldr."

Mochi froze as she hid behind Tanso, Tanso himself took a defensive position.

Trigun… was on his knee respectfully.

"Master, my apology, I did not mean to startle the Tooru child…"

Mochi… froze. "Master?" she asked in confusion.

"If I may?" Trigun spoke in a far more gentle voice. Even his face appeared different to Mochi. She nodded to him as Tanso did as well. "Master… Tanso, as you say, is a necromancer dragon. He is able to bring back to life those who have died. At the same time, I have taken over this body. His consciousness is no more, and thanks to the master, this form will remain alive. I have been given a body thanks to his power, as such, I can tell you everything."

Trigun explained that original sorcerer who possessed this body had come here to make a name for himself and targeted the curse wombs. He thought Tanso would be the easiest to get rid of out of the brothers, but was proven other wise. Arrogantly, he pursuit him despite the fact that Tanso could have killed the sorcerer many times before this moment…

"Uh… uncle Tanso… why does he speak so politely to me now?" she whispered.

"Oh, I wouldn't dare go against the master! You are kin to him, yes? He came here to protect you, which means, I must also protect you now!"

"Uh…" she said nervously.

"However, the master says now is not the time to talk, he and his brothers were out to stop these attacks in the cities… but…" he trailed off. "They were originally going to save their brother Toshi…"

She froze. "Uncle Toshi is hurt?!"

Trigun was silent. "His heart stopped beating half an hour ago according to the master and from Choso had said in their pursuit. This resulted in the splitting of the brothers. Tanso had a familiar inform him of my presence at the school. As well…" his hand suddenly extended as a rat came right up to Trigun. "He has familiars all over Japan. There is another sorcerer… Mechamaru as well. He has been quelling the smaller threats like the sudden unleashing of curses in one area… however…" his voice trailed off.

Mochi was froze in fear. Uncle Toshi is dead to her knowledge, not to mention what happened at school, are the students safe? Did everyone make it out okay? What about Shin? She was going out there to help him…

Click.

She jumped as Tanso took the curse tool off her wrist. She could have her technique back again.

"Master is insisting on taking your home now, I am going to continue on as if nothing has happened and I merely failed my task." Trigun explained to Tanso.

He nodded, but then snapped his fingers.

The rat that Trigun was holding earlier perked up and suddenly ran off. It came back a short time later with a little glob in its mouth.

"Oh? Thank you master!"

"What is…"

"Miss, it is best that you leave and not see this, it's rather disturbing." Trigun said gently.

She merely nodded. Tanso escorted her out of the warehouse and back home to the domain.

When she arrived, she found the place rather empty.

No one was home, not even the students…

"Where… where is everyone…" she asked.

"MOCHI!"

She turned but was caught up in Rook's arms. Then, Shin's… then everyone else! She wept as they did. "Are you okay sister? I was so worried!" Rook wept.

She could only nod as everyone suddenly pulled back. They looked about but found it oddly creepy. "Everyone… went out, didn't they?" she asked.

Nanami sensei nodded. "Indeed, it appears that way. We are not going back out either. Everyone is staying here!" he ordered.

No one went against him, not even Tanso who nodded to his decree.

They waited for hours, as slowly, in groups, they began to return.

The first to arrive were the students with Todo, Panda, Maki and Toge sensei. They were battered and bloodied, but everyone came back alive.

Shortly after, Toji and Megumi Fushiguro returned.

"Father! Elder brother!" the five rushed to them and explained what had happened. They nodded to the fact, but Toji turned to Nanami. "The school was a set up wasn't it? Six Eyes was halfway there when…"

"Dad… is dad okay?" asked Shin.

"It's not your father, you need to worry about." Megumi said offhandedly. "We went after the dragon slayers that came out of nowhere. Sensei texted us what was happening. Your mother should be here, right? She was taking the daemon gate back home."

Mochi felt her stomach drop. "Mom… should be here?" she asked.

Nanami even looked concerned. "We're the only ones here for the past few hours… I haven't seen Yua, she would be standing with us waiting for everyone to return…" he paused. "I'm going,"

"But you said…"

"Yes, but you are children. I'm the adult here!" he snapped back.

"Suit… I'm going with."

Nanami nodded as they turned to leave, but that was when Mochi saw her father return, and he was running desperately to the hospital… with her mother in his arms…