《Kazuri》 CHAPTER 1: Sanji and Sico
SANJI It was a beautiful sunset when they attacked. He was standing under the tree cover on the hill as He saw them approaching. Two of them...three of them... but she''d be here soon to rescue Him. She''d promised. He sprang His knife wildly at the first Geltun Migurigum as it jumped afront Him. The untouched man made no sound as he phased out into the air but the rest commenced their attack on Him. Migurigum... they''re Migurigum... He dodged the first few hands due to sheer dumb luck as they teleported around him but they were all over, one successfully grabbing Him by the shoulder. "Ahh!" He was terrified at the easy contact as He tried to defend himself. The one who''d grabbed Him shouted something into His ear but He didn''t understand. He was wondering where His sister could be and if she would come to save him. He ran without direction whilst swiping as they phased in and out, flying alongside Him. It was clumsy and hopeless and He fell to His knees when He could barely catch His breath. They backed off for that second and he hoped that meant they would leave Him alone. A tingle ran through His spine as He sensed they were coming again and jolted up in a flash, running away again. A strong translucent cord curled around His legs suddenly and They had Him. Where was she? Was she okay? As if reading His mind, a Migurigum answered Him in a cold, alien voice. But He couldn''t take His mind off His sister''s sweet voice and face. "Aleg doekinen kisson lo lan" the man was talking to Him but He couldn''t, wouldn''t listen. "Ajin hee saunmil." He didn''t want to believe. He was still thinking about her and her promise though. But He was finally beginning to understand what the man was repeating to him in that strange language - "Mr. Sabuto? Mr. Sabuto..? Can someone please wake Mr. Sabuto up this instant." "Sanji!" Sanji groaned only slightly as the girl behind him nudged at his back, other than that, he showed no signs of acknowledgement. He was a deep sleeper. The girl, aka class rep, kept prodding at him insistently until an eye finally popped open. He looked from under the crock of his folded arms at her from his sleeping position at his desk. His lazy glance hidden from view. Who is she...oh yeah, Yoshi Amadera. Why is she touching me? She''s never spoken to me the entire term I''ve been here, why bother me now? He was about to turn back to sleep when he realized that, right, it was class time. "It''s only Sanji again" a random student groaned. Sanji pushed up, mopping aside his dark bangs from his forehead and sitting up straight. Oh yeah; class, Migurigum Basics class. The whole class sat around him behind their gleaming white desks, beaming at him. He''d done it again. "Were you sleeping in my class Mr. Sabuto?" the teacher asked the apparent question. But really, what did it look like? He thought though said nothing, looking down instead at some interesting spot he found on the floor. "Well, were you?" He dragged his hazy grey eyes up finally to answer. "Yeah." Mrs. Taka looked angry. But he''d answered, hadn''t he? Was he supposed to lie? He returned his eyes slowly to his space on the floor and noticed how really white the tiles were. "Right." Mrs. Taka was abrupt, too tired to get pissed off at the ever relentless 12 year old Sabuto. "Now back to Migurigum Basics principals. As I was saying, the third principal disarms the ability to..." Class returned to normal and Sanji trained his attention on the lessons. He was sure Mrs. Taka didn''t like him but anyway, most (or maybe all) of them didn''t. It wasn''t that he was a slacker though was almost always in trivial trouble, he got some of the highest test scores. Sanji just had some really, really off days, especially recently. At the moment, he couldn''t help that he didn''t understand Mrs. Taka''s sharp words. There was an undertone of ringing in his ears... he tended to have some disorientation after dreams like that. And the class was just too white and organized. Most of the students were paying attention since Mrs. Taka was a very strict teacher but a few were busy chatting behind their hands. It was by most means, an ordinary classroom. Sanji kept attention for about five more minutes but just couldn''t keep up. He turned his head around halfly to look at the class rep, her short silver hair about a focused heart shaped face as she stared straight ahead at the classboard. "..........." "Mr. Sabuto, please pay attention." Mrs. Taka had caught him. Sanji turned back ahead, almost... almost ashamed. Yes miss. BRRRRRIINNNNGG! Migurigum Basics class was over. "Alright class, remember your essays are due tomorrow. Dismissed." All the students started gathering up to leave and stuffed out the narrow doors like uncivilized beings. Sanji was the last to get up, he slid his books into his bag neatly, pulled it onto a shoulder and headed toward the exit. He was just behind the noisy hubbub, everyone was blissfully ignoring him like normal and everything was fine when- "Mr. Sabuto," Mrs. Taka called to him. He paused, thinking whether to ignore the voice. "I''d like to see you a second please." Sanji Sabuto stopped walking. He stood silently by the class door as the rest of the students filed out. He didn''t move his head in the direction of the teacher, his head slightly bowed as he was left alone in the big, quiet room. Mrs. Taka finished organizing her books and papers and then looked up acutely at him. "Can you come over here please." Sanji walked over. "Why were you sleeping in my class Sabuto?" she said, neither with aggression or open concern. "I guess... I was tired." "You ''guess''?" "Well... I figure?" Mrs. Taka pursed her lips and instinctively glared but Sanji didn''t say anything else. What was he supposed to say? Guess he just had bad luck, bad bad the baddest luck. "Sanji." Her tone changed. "You''re a Geltun Migurigum Sanji, remember that..." Oh, so he was ''Sanji'' now. Wait a minute, why''d she always call him by his last name and everyone else normal. He hadn''t noticed that until now. And what about... "Are you listening to me?" Sanji snapped back to attention. "What were you thinking of just now Mr. Sabuto?" back to ''Sabuto''. Oh yes, what was he thinking just now. Names... he couldn''t say that, now could he? He found his eyes back o his former ground spot and shook his head. "Nothing." "Nothing... and I was speaking." "..." "Right Sabuto. I''m giving you detention today with Mr. Hehow after class." Her eyebrows rose. "He''s holding detention in the music room 3 to 4pm. Understood?" "Yeah." "''Yeah''?" "Yes miss." "Good." She readjusted her books. "I''ll talk to you then." Click click click... she walked off. Sanji stared off into space. How severe... at least it was over... "Mr. Sabuto!" "Huh!?" Sanji turned to Mrs. Taka, looking in at the doorway. She clicked her tongue, "are you gonna stay there all day?" "No miss." He walked out the classroom.
SICO "Where is Konohimae?" "What, what was that boy?" "Konohimae," Sico repeated gruffly. "I wanna see him now." Six months ago "Sire Konohimae," Sico kicked his feet up and down against the stone banister. "Why are people so afraid of you Migurigum? They say that the Migurigum are trying to pull something, but if that had been so, it would have happened long ago. Isn''t that right Sire?" The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. Sico; the bright eyed boy, was talking to his teacher on the top floor of the impressive Renji mansion. Sico sat on the railing, his feet hanging on the outside of the white stone, dangling from the marble floor overlooking the prosperous village. It was morning and clear and bright and the dark haired teacher said nothing. "I guess you''re right Sico," he then said, "if it was all for your family''s fortune, we would have taken it already, it''s been centuries now." "Yes sire," Sico nodded frantically, "but you haven''t answered my full question." He turned his head to lock into his teacher''s dark eyes, "why does everyone fear and despise Migurigum?" Sire Konohimae was a tall man with pitch black eyes and long black hair held back in a white ribbon. And like all the other rare Migurigum, his face lacked the practiced lines of expression and his voice too, was low. "You''re a smart boy," he said, "you''ve learnt the ethics of the Migurigum, haven''t you." "Yeah," Sico chuckled, his eyes twinkling even though his comrade showed no signs of amusement. He sat up straight reciting- "Migurigum are beings who have no sense of emotion and whose origin of existence is unknown. They''re said to have been born just like that at an unchanging age and don''t age. They have no purpose so soullessly kill for others and it''s said that they''re not from this world." He paused but Konohimae nodded for him to continue. "Migurigum are called demons by anyone who don''t own them. In truth and in fact, Migurigum are not supposed to be in one place for long since they don''t attach... and that''s why everyone loathes them." Sico looked at Konohimae. "They think you''re after our heirloom sire." "So they believe." Thud thud, thud thud. Sico kicked his feet up and down against the banister. The sun was so bright orange now. "Remember how we met sire?" A slight twitch of recognition on the pallid one''s face, (or so Sico thought) so he continued, "father and mother had told me I was getting a governor and to choose of the five they''d picked. I''d run straight to you, totally interested and I was just about three feet tall." He smiled at the memory, "and you''d asked me if I was scared of you, and I went, ''no I thought you''d be scarier, but I just think you''re cool.'' That was the only time I think you showed any expression sensei." Thud thud, thud thud, thud thud. "Aren''t you at all Sico?" Konohimae asked weirdly, robe fluttering in the wind. "No way sire," Sico continued dropping his feet against the banister, "you''re so interesting. I thought you''d be all evil and stuff." Thud thud, thud thud. "And what about Migurigum in general." Thud... his foot paused and he shivered involuntarily. He hoped his sensei hadn''t noticed... "Not too much sire, maybe a little bit." Thud... thud, thud thud, thud thud. He picked back up his pace. "I like you sire." "Remember Sico, we are incapable of feelings so don''t expect any compassion from me." "I know, I know." Silence. Then- "Hey sire," Sico chuckled, "bet you I can jump from here." "..." No response. "Alright," Sico braced his arms on the wall and leant over. Konohimae looked at him not very interestedly as Sico''s face tightened. Then he swung his legs back over from the three story drop and smiled broadly, "oh crap, I guess you''re right sire." Invisible smile. "Thought so." "Oh, alright. It''s time for the day anyway. See you later sire!" and he flung his feet onto the smooth marble floor, saluted Konohimae goodbye and sprinted through the door archway down the corridor, his eyes smiling brightly as he passed the ''No Running'' sign. Sire Axishi had always advised against riding pass the mansion borders since he was the head guard and Sico usually complied. Axishi was a Migurigum as well and Sico feared his words... But still, Sico''d ride out far for the adventure of it and even invite Konohimae to see him. Sico was an only child; bright and loving to everyone, fairly frightened of his father, admirer of Konohimae and best friends with his mare Snort. Sico had many acquaintances from the village but he knew they were none close enough to let know he secretly admired his hired Migurigum. Perhaps they were told to keep their distance from anyone associated with the beings for sometimes none of the children were around to play with him. It all depended on whether the parents were allowed them. He''d promised some of the towns children a horseback ride on his birthday that day however so he was expectant and to see them. Snort''s hooves thundered on the stone streets as they walked into the town, Sico looked around quizzedly at the odd silence. Where was everyone today? No one selling fruit, none hustling wares, shops were strangely closed. He frowned. No, today wasn''t the Sabbath, people should be outdoors today. Why were they hiding? Time passed as Sico walked around the streets in silence. He sighed slightly in puzzlement. No ghastly or not so ghastly evidence for the emptiness was revealed to him. Whatever it was had already passed through, and ruined his adventure for the day. Something he was not privy to as he was living afar in his massive mansion. Snort snorted and tossed her head toward the sky. Sico looked up too and noticed that a deliberate trail of grey clouds had started to darken. "You''re right girl, seems like it''s going to rain. But," he pulled on the left reign to turn the horse around, "but that''s really weird. Oh well, hiyah!" It was noon by the time they headed back across the green plains, across the concrete bridge over clear waters that separated the mansion lands from the outside village, and on toward the house. Sico slowed his horse to a steady saunter as he made his way to the stables. He had barely made it across the foyer when he heard crashes coming from inside the mansion. He tensed instinctively, hands tightening in his mare''s mane. What the... what was that noise about? Elaborate birthday preparations plans being made for him, right? No chaos ever issued within the walls of the Renji household. He let go of Snort''s reigns and unmounted, making his way to the mansions front porch. The noise stopped but it was still really strange. It was afternoon but there was a literal darkness pervading the walls of the house. The same darkness that indicated the presence of Migurgum beings. Then it must be.... Sire Konohimae??... Sire Axishi??? No. This was heavier. How many Migurigum had ever gathered in one location before? There had never been reason for it, that would certainly scare people away... even permanently from their homes. Though not plentiful, the stories told that whenever Migurigum abided in a location for ample time, they left a heavy pungent aura that no one could rest soundly near its vicinity thereafter. These recollections surfaced in Sico''s mind for the first time as he slowly opened the patio foyer and let himself in. Nothing was amiss in the living room. The sectional couch sat alongside the right hand wall, the cold fireplace slept to his left and the black piano ahead was untouched next to the ballroom door. The ballroom door... it was slightly ajar. It leant view to at least four long shadows in the light of a darkening day. Sico walked slowly forward and his hand touched the ballroom doorknob. There was silence. And Sico''s breath sounded out like thunder. "Who''s there?" It was the deep voice of Axishi and it was not a friendly tone. "Mind getting it Konohimae?" Sico gasped and stepped back. He heard Konohimae walking to the door. He froze. Why... Why am I scared??? One step backward. I''m not afraid of Sire Konohimae..? "!!!" Sico jumped as the front door barged open, Snort came rushing in. "It''s only a horse," Konohimae said unnecessarily, his shadow stopped by the ballroom door as the horse barged pass him, making furied whinnies. The attention was drawn back away from Sico "May I kill it?" someone unfamiliar said in a drawling monotonous note. What!? Sico covered his mouth revolted. Who the hell was that?? What, why?? What was going on in there?? Where was mom and dad and everyone else? Please don''t kill Snort. "That''s not necessary," Konohimae. "Let''s just finish what we''re doing here." "Oh, alright," the monotonous one responded disappointedly, "but I''m in such a bloodthirsty mood." As Konohimae''s figure moved away from the door, Sico dared to peer inside the room after a moment. From this angle, he could see some of them but their backs were to him. Snort was now standing calmly beside Konohimae and there were two other people Sico didn''t know standing affront him. The bloodthirsty one addressed the other as ''Fugo''. "Guess I''m done now Fugo. Let the kid get a chance." "I know Kira," the androgynous voice sounded. Sico sensed hatred between these two. Their figures were slighter than the expected Migurigum build, maybe even human, garbed in black attire and blades in hand. "But I shall wait on Axishi''s command." "The plan has failed almost thoroughly," Axishi responded unfaltering and calm as ever. "I''m giving you a last chance Mr. Renji, summon the heirloom, and you shall be laid to rest." Sico took a sharp intake as he recognized his father bloodied and lying before the Migurigum. He wasn''t dead, but had a gigantic seeping wound across his chest that gushed forth every time he laboured a breath. "Father," Sico''s hands clenched in a flash of anger that disappeared almost immediately. Sorrow, fear flooded in. Father... His father said nothing but glared up at Konohimae and Axishi. "You traitors will not get what you want," he said. Konohimae looked down without expression, his stoic face devoid as always. Sico''s heart palpitated in expectation. "I understand, " Konohimae said plainly, "Kazuri. Kill him." Sico watched a silent boy, dazed and unable to move. The boy was kneeling on the floor by his father. The entire front of his robe was soaked in blood. He had untrim hair covering his face and did not look past Sico''s own age: a very slim, fragile looking boy. A human undoubtedly, but looking so dazed and dead on the inside. Sico watched mesmerised. The boy lifted his both hands over above his head, a lengthy blade gleamed off the sunlight and brought it down speedily. Blood spurted up into his face which didn''t seem to affect him. He brought it down and down and down again upon a body that gave no resistance. No one tried to stop him. The four other backs were still, Migurigum eyes were non judging but the bloodthirsty Kira seemed gleeful. Sico hadn''t been able to move still when the Migurigum were ready to leave. They seemed to hum for a second and then completely vanished into thin air. Sico was left petrified for the best of five minutes. Then Sico found his feet working; tumbling through the doorway and collapsing at the scene before him. Dead. Father and... Was it mother? There was an impaled figure hanging from an animal hunting trophy by the family portraits. It looked little more than a blood stained sack blackening the wall. But it was mother, the dress than hanged off it was definitely hers, some hair above the blackish tar stain was long and true. All about the ballroom, Sico could see severely butchered corpses of cousins, cooks and maids come for his party, and a few more black humanoid stains that had to be the handiwork of Migurigum power. Dead. Sico had never been given cause to feel such anguish before now, feelings tore up inside him and he let out an animalic howl. He didn''t even try to understand what had happened, but that everything was all wrong and he just wanted to keep screaming. No, no way. His face was wet and his hair was stringy, struck to his face, but he couldn''t stop crying. Damnit. Why? "Son," Sico looked up startled to see his dying father''s bloody face inclined toward him. Sico scrambled to touch him, as if to rejuvenate life. "DAD!" Sico tried to touch his father''s face, unable to avoid touching the blood. "Dad what should I do???" His father seemed to be saving his last energy, and when Sico had him in his arms, he lifted a feeble arm, traced a track of his blood then smeared some symbol onto Sico''s forehead. Then light. Sico closed his eyes, and when he reopened them, his father said, "Perhaps we had been too arrogant thinking we could control the Migurigum..." Sico was left staring at the five feet long summoned sword with a symbol on it. But Sico, he didn''t study it all. The present feeling he had was pain, so for now, he cried and cried and cried. CHAPTER 2: Human Vs. Demon
SANJI Chirp chirp chirp. "Kazuri, Kazuri. Look at me," she said to the boy whose name was Kazuri. "Don''t space out again, I''m talking to you." The girl knelt affront her little brother in the cool shade of sunrise. She had her hands on his shoulders but his dilated eyes were elsewhere. Then he zoned back in. "Kazuri, I''m sorry about everything but you must go on now. But I promise; I''ll come for you." "Please don''t be late sister," he said softly. "Of course," her voice faltered, "you trust me right brother?" "Yes," he nodded, "that I do." "Good." She stood, her hands slipped off his shoulders and away, "I promise you, it''ll all be alright." But what kind of smile was she making? "Sanji? Sanji Sabuto? Um, hello?" Sanji turned to the voice calling his name. He was walking down the hallway, a million miles away when he saw a girl with silver hair waving at him prettily. "Sanji Sabuto, you were daydreaming again," she smiled. He stared blankly whilst she smiled. Who was she again? And why is she talking to me? Her smile cracked. "I just wanted to say hi... and you really should pay more attention in class..." smile, "in everything actually. You aren''t making a very good impression." Why is she talking to me? Why the sudden interest after this entire term? Shes never spoken to me before why now? Who is she... YoshidaAmadera? I... don''t want to talk to you. "...So what do you say?" What? He hadn''t been listening. He looked up at her and the girl and boy behind her. One was a wide eyed blue eyed, very pretty girl who seemed highly aware of this, staring at him openly. She had a strange big still smile. The other was boy with a red ponytail who seemed pointedly annoyed to be there. He glanced at Sanji then looked away frowning. Yoshi knocked her head to the side as Sanji looked past her shoulders, his expression vague, hers; quizzical. "You weren''t listening, were you?" Sanji looked back at her face. "...no." She smiled weirdly again. "I was just asking if you wanted to have lunch with us... with Sedata and Nabiko too." Blink blink. "Uh, I know I keep asking you but...." she trailed off hopelessly and glanced at her two friends. The boy was just folding his arms looking away and the girl was smiling wide like a doll, dress, bangs, awaiting. Why is she lying, he thought, we''ve never spoken before. Its lunchtime but I''m really tired, really just want to head back to my dorm and sleep. Yeah, really sleep. Yoshi talked on and Sanji looked away blankly. He turned and walked down the hall calmly. Yoshi stopped talking in mild embarrassment. "I told you it was a waste of time... Again," the red haired boy muttered. "FrrrrreakkkkOo," the pretty Sedata called out sing song like, and started giggling. Sanji ignored them. He walked down the corridor destination clear in mind, he had no thoughts on anything else. Class, sleep... That was how he was living now. He was obligated to nothing else. He''d arrived at the boarding school/ orphanage several months ago in between the school terms. He couldn''t remember much before going there, he couldn''t even remember the day he arrived only waking up in bed every day, every day feeling a crushing numbness. Since arriving, he''d never stepped foot outside the school nor had he ever seen anyone leaving. He decided to forgo lunch and walked all the way to the shared dorms. No one was at this side of the school at this hour. He went up to his dorm door and pushed it open. The room had two beds at separate ends of the room, Sanji''s side had plain white sheets and a chest of drawers with his clothes. His books were in a suitcase neatly but unpacked beneath his bed. The other side of the room sprawled his roommates unmade bed, wardrobe, dresser and chest of drawers, actually taking up most of the room. It was supposed to be shared equally but even after months, Sanji did not feel at home but more like he was invading. He had neither decorations on his walls nor pictures. His side was plain as a soldier''s because he felt he needed nothing. He stepped forward toward his bed mesmerised- Something struck him just then at the middle of his shoulders and he fell forward. He stumbled onto the edge of his bed and caught onto his sheets. It was his dorm mate. An ordinary welcome. He slouched there and looked around slowly. Yeah, it was Titan; leering, bullying Titan, tall, atleast 15years old with a tan, scratched built arms and messy hair. "So," Titan leered, "I saw you with Yoshi in the hall," he sneered broad, "why are you talking with her? Didn''t I tell you you''re not allowed to talk to anyone?" Sanji straightened his clothes; pants, shirt, forever crumpled collar, and decided to sit on the floor instead of getting up. Titan would likely shove him down again. The senior boy had had the room to himself before Sanji arrived, and he was only in this year group because he had to repeat the year. Sanji noted the scratches on the bigger boy and rumpled civilian clothes that indicated he had not just come from class. Typical that a troublemaker like him had to repeat... And then he looked up at Titan. Yes, now... what was he saying? Yes, he told me I was an evil freak and to stay away from the girls. I actually don''t want to talk to the girls or... with anyone... "Yes," Sanji submitted. "Sure right," Titan folded his arms and closed the door behind him. "I''m onto you you evil loser." Sanji stared blankly. Maybe Titan was right, maybe all this strife was his karma for being a bad person. "..." So... He didn''t care whether Titan hit him or not. He wouldn''t die from being struck so it wasn''t a big deal. He closed his eyes and laid his head against his mattress. "Hey!'' Titan didn''t adore being ignored, "I''m talking to you." So? Sanji thought. "What..." he whispered quietly not wanting to disturb the world with his voice. "Do you have a ruler?" Sanji turned his head slightly. His closed eyelids fluttering as he nodded at Titan weakly. "Good," Titan grabbed Sanji''s bag off his back with a scratched muscled arm unceremoniously. He proceeded to rummage for the item as Sanji sat by quietly. Finally, he found what he was looking for and flung the bag back at Sanji roughly. Sanji winced soundlessly as something sharp in his bag struck him near his eyebrow and drew a drop of blood. The other half of its contents dropped to the ground. The blood crept slowly down his face and Titan paused with an intake of breath for a second. Sanji touched his brow lightly without opening his eyes then dropped his hand away. Titan found his voice and smirked. "That''s what you deserve." He left. Sanji was pacified, it was a warm nice midday sun that touched his forehead through the window. He breathed in deeply... "Help me." Everywhere was black, but it was not a substanceless black. It was somewhere dark and away from the light, somewhere moist and cold and lifeless. "Help me." A little squeaky child''s voice. The darkness gave little visualisation of the figure sitting still on the floor by himself. Sanji breathed slowly as he let his eyes adjust to the darkness. Then he blinked his eyes and Kazuri was seated there still, staring straight dead ahead. The little boy with overlong bangs was covered in blood, his own or someone else''s was unknown. "Help me," his lips didn''t move but the voice was all around. Sanji said nothing. He didn''t want to be there. A pitter patter of dropping water. Where... Where were they? Help you... how? The boy didn''t move. "... coming for me." Who? Sanji heard footsteps behind him echoing behind him. He spun around. White. The room around him was white, his head on the bare ground at the front of his bed. It was afternoon time. Sanji opened his eyes and pushed up on his arms. He was alone in his room and the sun was still bright. It was back to the real world. You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. "..." the time...? He rubbed his eye with a slender hand and looked up at the sole desktop clock on his side table. It was minutes past four. He had detention. His lip was a straight pink line and his flat grey eyes dispirited. He had to go. He looked to his side and saw his bag still scattered on the floor, Titan hadn''t returned yet. He stood and slung his bag onto his shoulder, catching a glimpse of himself in the mirror. His plain white flannel shirt and black trousers were very ruffled, his body slim and lacking colour. His hair was messy, bangs and in a high very short ponytail. He paused for a minute, not feeling like the person he saw was actually him. But it was fine, it didn''t matter. He turned and headed out the dorm, closing his door quietly behind him. The corridors were noisier and he could hear muffled voices from other dorms where the students had already left classes for the school day. Classes ended 2:30pm Monday to Friday daily and started at 8am. He could hear all his fellow classmates all inside their rooms but he was still apart from them. He walked past all the doors to head to the music room that was at one of the furthest areas of the school. The school seemed mostly ordinary, not glamorous, no more than two stories high with two towers but it was sprawling across the land since the Geltun Migurigum teachers mostly lived there as well. No one knew where the resident Migurigum stayed as they rarely revealed themselves even here in secluded safety. No one really tried to leave the compound. The humans were not able to detect the school due to perimetric wards. Many of the humans protested the existence of such a place, but they couldn''t find its location. This was the only safe place the Geltun could stay without persecution. And the Migurigum... Seen once a blue moon and nevertheless, immortal in face of any slaughter. Sanji arrived at the music room at 4:44pm. It was the last class directly at the end of the hallway beside the tennis court. He approached the windowed doors and looked inside. Mr Hehow''s desk was at the opposite end facing the door and the delinquents backs at the right, faced the opposite way. Mr. Hehow looked up when Sanji pushed the door open and sighed when he saw Sanji start to step in. Late for detention, what could they do with him. Mr Hehow put up his hand and quietly shooed Sanji out. Sanji paused uncertainly. Mr Hehow shook his head and waved his hand again. A small smile formed on his lips and kind eyes showed pity behind narrow glasses. Sanji nodded mutely and closed the door before anyone could notice him. Mr Hehow was one of the few who were unnecessarily nice to him. Sanji sat to the left of the door and waited for detention to end. In five minutes, students were streaming out, and walked past Sanji, chattering. Sanji kept his head down as he waited for the teacher to come out. The last student to exit was raking his hand through luxurious red hair and yawning when he saw Sanji. He stopped mid stride and frowned. It was the new boy: Sanji. Nabiko stood still wondering if to greet him. Finally, he opened his mouth, "hey." The boy on the floor barely glanced up at him. There was not a hint of recognition on his face. Nabiko looked at him. He looked at Nabiko. And then he turned away, staring down the hallway again. Nabiko tssked and shook his head. What the hell was that? Did he hear him?.. Should he say something else..? He opened his mouth to speak again, "hey are you al-" "Sanji Sabuto," it was then that Mr. Hehow decided to come up behind him, shuffling the redhead out from the doorway. "whatever are we going to do with you?" Nabiko hopped and moved out the way. Sanji looked up at the sound of his name to see the teacher with neatly combed hair and smiling with calm eyes down at him. The uninvited boy next to them glanced between the two and at a look from the teacher, hurried away. Sanji got to his feet instantly and dusted his pants off. "Sorry... Sir." Mr Hehow smiled and folded his arms as he leant in the doorway. The student had his head bowed before him, "I was only joking Sanji. You don''t have to worry with me." "..." Sanji kept his eyes averted. Everyone liked Mr Hehow. Mr Hehow taught regular classes for the younger students such as Maths and English. He was about 40 years old, good-looking and silver haired, with a consistently sympathetic voice. It was rumoured that Mr. Hehow was raised by humans which was a strange feat. However, it helped him develop humane instincts that were lost on the other Geltun Migurigum teachers who had been abandoned in childhood and then raised by Migurigum themselves. It was hard for teachers like Ms. Taka to show as much warmth and empathy as Mr. Hehow did. At the lack of response from his teasing, Mr Hehow raised a finger and brushed Sanji lightly on his cheek . "Its alright Sanji, we''ll just have to find different tasks for you since you missed detention." Pink swelled on Sanji''s offended left cheek. The touch was human and warm, and non abrasive but... it brought Sanji back to the real world, and he didn''t like it. "OK sir." Mr Hehow noted his approval, straightened up and turned around to lock the music room door. The locks clanged loudly and echoed throughout the vacant building, indicating their isolation. Mr Hehow turned back and smiled at Sanji. "Right. Follow me to my office." Sanji nodded. Mr Hehow walked ahead ensuring Sanji kept pace with him as he turned occasionally to smile and ask the boy casual questions. Sanji was walking on the outside so he could look out the window as they walked and not at Mr Hehow. "So are you liking it here? Is anyone giving you trouble?" Funny that he asked. Sanji mmhmed and mumbled his replies but he was caught off guard with this one. He glanced at Mr Hehow surreptitiously. Had anyone noticed? But it wasn''t a big deal yet... Only if anything happened... Should he tell Mr Hehow about Titan? Sanji didn''t want to cause trouble for anyone and be a burden. He had no right to even be there, freely, he should just be grateful. Mr Hehow watched Sanji deliberate with himself. He didn''t seem to be adjusting well, he''d had his eyes on the child for a while. "Sanji," Mr Hehow stopped walking and turned to face the other. "If you need someone to talk to, I''m always here. If you need my number or a way to contact me..." the expression that came to his face was private and soft, "you know where to find me." Sanji stared into Mr Hehow''s eyes trying to understand him. Did he miss something? Mr. Hehow''s eyes were round and dark. He touched Sanji on the shoulder and beckoned forward. "We''re here." Suddenly, Sanji felt darkness swirling in front of his eyes as Mr Hehow held the brown oak door open for him. Was he going to faint... Am i... Sanji''s vision blacked in and out. He felt himself pulling away from himself, floating away... Am I falling asleep??? The brown door faded out, then in. The sunlight blinding him. He blinked. The door was white. Sanji looked around. He was in front his dorm door. Mr. Hehow wasn''t there, no one was there. Cold dead silence. And it was pitch black night. What just happened? He looked down at his clothes. They were neat. Straight and neat. His hair was combed down. His skin felt clean and he smelled of light lavender. He couldn''t remember anything. He had lost time. Sanji started alarmed and worried. This had never happened before. Where was I? What just happened!??...
SICO The man behind the desk looked at Sico confused with his mouth hanging open. He shook his head swiftly and pointed at Sico shouting, "Who do you think you are, demanding to see our guests.!" a vein bulged in his neck, "and who is Konohimae anyway???" "If you do not wish to tell me where he is," Sico remained unjaded, "then I have no choice but to search the entire building myself. Tear it apart if I have to." "What the hell little boy!? Are you looking for trouble?? And what the hell are you doing carrying a giant sword!" Sico tssked and glanced to the side sullenly. Saviours carry swords you know. "I''m calling the police!" At that moment, Sico brought a pair of heated eyes upon the innkeeper and he brought his hand up to the sword hilt on his back. "By the time you touch that telephone," Sico snarled lowly, "I would have cut you in half." "Wha," the man drew back quickly from reaching the telephone but then he shook his head in annoyance. "That sword is almost as tall as you are, do you think you can raise something that big!?" His fingers twitched, "and this Konohimae fellah, what do you want with him. To fight??? Who raised you, didn''t your worthless parents teach you anything-" SLLLLLLPOWW! The beams above their heads slowed Sico''s advance as he swiftly undid his sword and raised it above his head to strike the man in half. The man startled as the sword crashed down onto his desk, missing him only because Sico miscalculated how low the ceiling beams were. "Tsk!" Sico snarled angrily, sword stuck from moving. "!!" The innkeeper wasted no time in scampering away from Sico and running out of the building. Sico managed to dislodge the sword and then he snorted indignantly. "My, that sword is truly impressive, Master Sico." "Huh?" Sico spun on his heels, eyes widening. His eyes stuck onto the intruder. "Konohimae!" "But you wield it so clumsy," Konohimae''s dark eyes plunged into Sico''s soul. "I can''t say I''m surprised." "Sire Konohimae..." Sico trailed off. Konohimae looked the same as before, except the cool expression seemed more cold, slanting down slightly in Sico''s perception, and the long dark hair enframing the Migurigum''s pale face made him to appear demented with ghastly intent. But that was all in Sico''s view, as he unconsciously searched for a semblance of recognition or... Anything to dissuade him from believing the past few months of his life. "Konohimae," Sico repeated again unnecessarily and stopped. Konohimae didn''t remark on his shocked stuttering however but Sico chastised himself inwardly. He couldn''t show weakness now. Slowly slowly, without words Sico was preparing himself. Slowly secretly, inching his feet apart and drawing his sword to his hip... "Never careful are you," Konohimae said. "I can see you''re going for a side attack. You are too open for your own good." "You''re wrong sir.. Konohimae." But actually he had been correct. Sico decided to straighten up for a moment. "I want to know why. Why did you do it." "You need not ask Sico. I told you before," he flung his long hair over his shoulder as breeze tickled, "we are demons. Your family could not be fully trusted to be our allies with such a powerful artifact." Silence. Wind and tainted air blew from the outside world, long forgotten. Sico looked down. His favourite person. "You know, I''ve been searching long for you. For you, Axishi and the other three killers so... Its really hard to just hear that... That piece of garbage coming from you." "Is that all Sico. Have you not come to kill me." Wsshhh. This time it was different. Since that time Sico had wandered aimlessly for a few days, using his sword on anyone he thought had to do with the death of his family. He''d found intuitive evidence despite their protests and their lack of admission made them deserving of his wrath. It was a powerful sword, appeared as if by magic and passed down through his bloodline for centuries. Sico guessed the reason his father did not share the knowledge with him was because he himself knew little, it had not awakened in their lifetime as it was waiting for some unknown catalyst to awaken it. Perhaps only the Migurigum knew when it would, only they had been waiting since the beginning of time to steer their destiny as they held esoteric knowledge of its meaning and purpose. That long time in patience indeed they did not want to lose it or be betrayed themselves. They did not trust the humans as close as they kept all the lifetimes. "No," Sico said to Konohimae. "I''ve come for you to apologise." "..." Apologize. Konohimae remained stoic. "What?" Was it a human joke. "Its no joke you know," Sico''s hands clenched. "You have to be sorry or else... I''m going to kill you and you will go to the hell." "Sico Renji you know that I do not fathom this sorrow or comprehend apologetic feelings. The only reason you were overlooked is because Axishi believes you are important to the prophecy." "Hmph," Sico didn''t understand, "well either way you''ll be begging: for forgiveness now or for your life." "Life is not meant to be clung to." "Well let''s do this sire..." Dash. At massive speed, Sico manipulated his indestructible sword over his head and ran toward Konohimae, the sword was lifted airborne due to the speed, picking up strength. Konohimae did not move, looking directly at how Sico approached instead. The top of the gold blade shone, the symbolic insignia glowed. Sico was using all of his strength. "Ahhhhhh!!!!" he brought the sword down, a 200¡ã arc of five footed power. Down and down and still, Konohimae did not budge. At the very second the blade was to connect, Konohimae then stepped one inch down o the side but it was just enough for the sword to miss and strike into the ground. Destructive winds blessed and Sico bore against it, teeth set, hair wild. Konohimae had a shadowy protective field around him. Then it all died down. Sico started, sword planted firm. Konohimae completely unharmed. The Migurigum''s narrow eyes with its pointed corners looked up from the ground up to Sico. "I think," he said, "that you missed. Seems as though I have one more lesson to teach you." CHAPTER 3: Geltun Migurigum
SANJI Unsurprisingly, it was 10:35 when Sanji woke up the following morning. Morning class was already over, and so was the 10am break time. By the time Sanji would finish dressing for class, and they indeed had a casual school uniform to instill discipline, it would be well into the second class. Sanji looked across the room to the other bed. Titan was already gone, the bed unmade. He looked back at the ceiling, white fan blades whirring. Maybe he should sleep in for the day. Unfortunately, anyone would know where to find him if one of the teachers decided to ask. So... He got off the bed and washed up, putting on his shirt and black trousers. He would skip class and go sit at the back courtyard below the trees. And that''s just what Sanji did, he managed to avoid meeting anyone about as he passed on the outskirts of the building to sit at the courtyard with the giant poui trees. The entire savannah was simply trees spread fairly out going back for hundreds of yards. There were benches at the frontal peripheral and four encircling the central tree but none elsewhere. Sanji decided to sit near one of the larger trees without a bench, his back on the opposite end so that no one could see him. Not a few minutes went by when there was the unusual chattering of voices coming from the outskirts of the back field, rounding the building to head into the trees. Sanji turned his head slightly to see the unwelcome guests. It was a red head boy and girl with another student trailing shortly behind them. Sanji stared glassily. The class rep and... A boy from his class. Sanji remembered him slightly. They didn''t see him yet and were chatting animatedly. The glossed up girl behind was careful to pick her footing as she followed them up the slight incline. The girl and boy started slightly when they were a few feet away from Sanji and almost jumped. "Sanji," the girl startled, clearly surprised. Sanji made no acknowledgement but he did maintain eye contact. Was the class rep really skipping classes? As they stared at each other, it was the girl behind who broke the silence. She finally decreased the gap from where she was trailing the others and made it up to their sides. "Sanji!" her voice was oddly excited like a little puppy. "We didn''t know you were here!" "Hi," Sanji replied. Sedata seemed more happy than the other two. She picked her seating carefully and plopped down next to Sanji still smiling, "oh my gosh... were you hanging out by yourself? You know you''re weird right??" It seemed she was willing her eyes to sparkle as she sat shoulder to shoulder next to him, waiting for a response. Sanji was speechless. "Sedata, you know you can''t say things like that." The class rep scolded and offered Sanji an apologetic smile. She seemed to have recovered from the awkward shock and was looking for a spot on the grass next to Sanji. The red head sat as well. "Sanji knows I''m only teasing him," the dainty girl deflected. The red head rolled his eyes and leant back on his arms behind him. He was seated opposite the three. "Riggght." Nabiko wasn''t really interested, he was rolling his shoulders and looking up at the sky frowning at whatever had displeased him up there. Sanji looked around at the random circle perplexed. It had happened so randomly and quickly. Sedata was still smiling and shrugging innocently as she neatened herself and Yoshi giggled briefly as she looked at Sanji. When he finally caught her eye, she glanced at her bag. "Hello Sanji-friend," she chirped and started to pull the threads on her bag. She looked back at him, "we have a free period now in case you were wondering." "Seems he''s psychic since he already knows." Yoshi giggled at Nabiko''s joke and glanced at Sanji. He wondered why she kept doing that. One giggling his way and the other staring fixedly when she smiled. "So what class do you have after lunch Sanji?" "... Healing," the word rolled out Sanji''s mouth carefully, he was surprised that he actually remembered. Yoshis eyes widened at the mere fact that he answered her directly. She smiled at him heartened. The year one students had normal classes such as English, Maths, Geography, History, Science for the first years of school with Science being divided per term between Physics Chemistry and Biology. They also had Migurigum Basics and two other electives among Telepathy, Cognition, Healing, Empathy, Demonology and so forth to choose per year. At year three, they chose their specific subjects then wrote a final exam at year five. The final years: upper and lower six were to specialize. "Ooh healing... I''m not doing that this term. I have Math with Mr. Hehow next." "Yup," Sedata piped up, "I hate maths but I love Mr. Hehow. He''s the best." "Yeah Mr. Hehow''s the best teacher in the school," Yoshi agreed. Three pairs of expectant eyes turned to Sanji. "..." Mr. Hehow was... Nice to him. But thinking of the teacher somehow made Sanji feel uneasy. Now that he was completely roped into the conversation, he felt a compulsion to reply. Looking at Nabiko, "Is... he?" Eyes changed focus, "huh? What I dunno," Nabiko frowned at suddenly being the centre of attention. "I''ve only been here a year, and he''s given me detention about ten times." "That''s because you''re a rebel." Yoshi jibed him. "Yeah well you like this rebel." Yoshi scowled and pouted, "baka." Nabiko smirked at her triumphantly. But then he shook his head growing solemn. He ran his hand through his hair which was already loose and catching the sunlight that streamed through a few parted overhead branches. "Nah, I''m just not used to this boarding school living." He looked at the others seriously, "you guys came here very young, but my parents hid that I was a Geltun for a very long time. Back in the human world, we have school in the morning then go home everyday," he shrugged his shoulders at their inquisitive scrunched up faces, "Its a lot of traveling and wasted time but its nice to see different places. I don''t like feeling locked up, I gotta rebel once in a while." "Where would you even want to go, there are humans everywhere." Yoshi still appeared disgruntled. "Humans aren''t all bad Yoshida," he put a hand up to stop the influx of protests as the girl opened her mouth reactively, "they may have done you wrong but I still would like to go see my parents in the holidays." Sedata and Yoshi glanced at each other wordlessly. They already knew this was probably a desire that wouldn''t come to fruition. The exchange was not lost on Sanji, but he, like Nabiko, did not understand the particulars of their new homing existence. Yoshi tugged at the grass by her feet, brooding in the solemn atmosphere. "One day I''ll get my revenge on all of them." Nabiko nudged Yoshi''s hand with the tip of his shoe and she looked up at him. He had an uncharacteristically concerned look on his face. Yoshi reacted like she''d been caught stealing, "oh no no I was just joking," she forced a quick giggle, "im just surprised your parents would want you back." "My parents want me back too." Sedata interrupted them with an over confidence that indicated untruth. But at the very least it broke the stifled atmosphere and forced them out of their slightly darker exchange. The two friends looked at her and offered fake small smiles. "Yes of course..." "What about you Sanji?" She did not give them a chance to object to her claims, spinning her head toward her seated partner. "Why did you come to our school so late, its another unusual case." "..." Silence. There was really nothing for Sanji to say. He couldn''t remember anything from his past. His first memories were waking up in a shared dorm, white ceiling fan spinning above him. And even on his very first morning there, Titan had entered the room and already wanted to fight him. It had been a huge scuffle, teachers had to become involved. Titan was restrained and didn''t return to the dorm for a few nights. And that was it, Sanji went to class every day (almost) and accepted his life. Seconds rolled by and he shook his head drowsily at his chatting acquaintances. No one had anything else to say on that matter. "Well you''re weird anyway." Except Sedata. She turned from Sanji brightly, smiling at Yoshi and Nabiko. "Well im going to see Ichiga in the infirmary. I''ll see you guys in class." "Byee," Yoshi and Nabiko nodded and waved her off. Standing, she brushed off her skirt and looked down at Sanji by her side. "Bye friend." "Uh...bye" Sanji was caught off guard. It pleased the girl enough. She nodded and picked her way from between the overgrown tree roots and headed off. Nabiko yawned. Sanji wished he was alone again. Yoshi checked her watch. "We still have free time before lunch." "Let''s just ditch the rest of classes," Nabiko folded his arms and closed his eyes lying back. Yoshi gasped at him. "Nooooo," she wailed quietly, "I''m the class rep Nabiko, I''ll get into trouble." "Na you won''t, I promise." Yoshi covered her face with both hands and shook her head "pleeeaasee..." Nabiko opened his eyes with a raised brow. "Alright, I''ll grant your request on one condition. Show me somewhere interesting around here. Like, where do the Migurigum live." A look of puzzlement crossed Yoshi''s face deeply and stayed in place. Even Sanji became mildly, mildly interested to hear the reply. "Nobody knows where they live. They must be somewhere around but," she paused, "maybe they''re invisible or something." "Do they atleast sleep?" They both were expecting answers from Yoshi as though she was an expert. It was very odd that even here where the Migurigum abided, little still was known about them. They had lived since the beginning of time in the perpetual state of youth and did not share their history, language or goals with anyone. Did they even know their purpose themselves? "That''s actually an interesting question Nabiko," the tiredness in her voice indicated she didn''t know this answer either, "I''ve been here since I was eight and I still haven''t met one." The lack of answers didn''t faze the inquisitor in the least. He was getting to his feet and dusting his pants already, "well let''s go explore a little bit. There might be a dungeon or something right below us." The look on Yoshi''s face didn''t seem convinced or rather pleased but she nodded anyway and turned to smile at Sanji. "Let''s all go then... if you want to," she added in a quieter voice, but had already extended a hand whilst glancing away deviously. Sanji allowed the touch on his sleeve to illicit his automatic compliant response, getting to his feet and awaiting a lead to follow. Yoshi made eye contact, smiled and turned to follow Nabiko. The three picked their way out of the tranquil scenery and onto paved land once more. Here Yoshi took the lead and Sanji fell into line of a third wheel. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. Yoshi took the two boys around winding corridors around the school. It was clear that it hadn''t always been a school or orphanage of any kind. But it had been adapted well, the home used paths were well worn in and personalised as all the students had grown up there and imprinted memories upon its walls. The other corridors has been left scarily blank and unadorned: unpainted grey walls, bleak stone ground and creaking massive doorways the only indication that cold beings inhabited here before the Geltun. The children were beginning to believe they may actually be dungeons and prisons. When they found themselves on the far end of the compound, Nabiko realized where Yoshi was leading them. The tower was unnecessarily higher than the rest of the school and they couldn''t completely fathom the reason. To spot humans on the horizon? But there were wards for that. Or probably the wards were positioned on high there for most effect. It was an unofficial rule that the towers were off limits. Nabiko, Yoshi and Sanji stopped just a front the wooden doors leading to the first floor of the tower. "Its unlocked," a mild tone of surprise in her voice, Yoshi pointed out the ancient padlock on its outdated beam. "Then that''s a sign," Nabiko was already shoving the door open with an ounce of strength to allow the three entry. They entered the interior, fanning their hands a front their noses. It smelt a bit, filthy in there. "I expected dust but not this," Yoshi said perplexed. Nabiko too wafted his hands a front his face, affronted but was walking forward non the less. It was bright enough through concrete windows to see the layout of the tower and the stairs. The steps spiralled around the inside walls of the spacious tower, wide enough to walk upon safely as it went upward. Surprisingly, they seemed well cleared and the draconian railings were clean as well. "Maybe we''ve found the lair of the Migurigum after all." "We''ve found the lair of something. Look-" Nabiko indicated fur on the floor of the top layer landing. Sanji, a few feet behind, stopped as he thought he heard scuttling noises coming from above. Nabiko and Yoshi were huddled close together looking at the fur on the ground. "But there aren''t any animals here, we aren''t allowed any." Sanji closed his eyes and tried to listen for the sounds again. Nabiko and Yoshi were busy debating the fur on the ground. Sanji turned and walked toward the opposing landing wall and pressed an ear to it. There was definitely scuttling sounds coming from above. Truly and naturally, there were probably birds. More importantly, Sanji realized he had found a great new hiding spot so no one could disturb him from his sleeping again. He walked to the roof''s door and touched the wooden beam. Was it open? "..." Yoshi and Nabiko continued to debate. "Maybe it''s a troll," his voice serious, Yoshi''s face worried, "a winged troll on the rooftops." Yoshi scowled at him as he smirked. "You''re so mean." "There''s only one way to find out for sure. Come on, let''s head to the roof." Nabiko turned around to look for Sanji, "you comin.." The sentence remained incomplete. Nabiko and Yoshi both turned around to find the other boy was no longer with them. Yoshi scrunched up her face immaculately. "Wait. Where did he go? " "I have no bloody clue," deadpan but not so surprised. Nabiko and Yoshi looked at each other stumped. Finally, Nabiko gave in and shrugged, "there''s only two ways he could have gone. Let''s try the roof." Nabiko straightened up and moved away from the fur lined floor. He and Yoshi walked toward the large rooftop door, a similar horizontal lumber and padlock guarding the apex exit. Nabiko, opened the lock. No, Nabiko tried to open the lock. "It''s locked shut. New key too." The silver padlock was large and secured on the wooden beam, the door heavy and immovable. "So I guess he left downstairs," Yoshi whispered. "And, our adventure is over." "Mm." They had nowhere to go but down, back to lunch time and the school below. Sanji, nowhere to be found.
SICO "Huh?" Konohimae remained coolly to the right of Sico who was rooted through his stuck sword. "I was a teacher of course. But i remain to be," he lifted his other arm at the elbow, "a Migurigum." A ball of wind formed quickly at Konohimae''s fingertips and he swung it toward Sico, blasting him across the room. Sico''s arm flung back but he managed to keep the other on the sword hilt, dragging it with him. It helped him skid to a stop, the inertia made him stumble slightly. He knelt against the sword and exhaled slowly. This was... going to be harder than he thought. He clenched his jaw. Damn. Konohimae casually swung his strewn hair back over his shoulder and turned to face Sico head on. "That sword is truly magnificent, but due to its size and weight, you''re going to find it difficult to catch me. That and you don''t know how to use the true power of the Renji sword." "Oh yeah?" Sico didn''t have anything else to say. He braced behind the sword in an offensive/ defensive position, his most hopeful stance against the enemy he could not read. His heart palpitated strongly but out of vengeance- he hoped- and not of slowly creeping fear. "How about we have a fencing match, i would really like to test the sword''s ability." Konohimae leveled out his hand and it blurred into an shadowy form of ebony, "too bad your slow brash moves will hamper it." And to think Sico had thought them friends. "You know," he said, "you really are a demon." "Old history." "..." Sico crouched lower, ready to defend against anything Konohimae would deliver. But swiftly, as soon his arm could even fully transform into a shadowy claw, it was a mere blur as Konohimae himself blurred; a mirage of himself, disappearing the nano second and reappearing directly in front of Sico. So swift the movement. Sico gasped and looked up. Slllll... a deadly downward slice layered with demonic Migurigum strength that drove Sico flying into the wall. CRASH!!! He fell onto his hands and knees. Konohimae was so strong. "Urgh," he felt a trickle of fresh blood down a narrow, stinging slash on his shoulder. Already bleeding, beaten and starting to doubt. He didn''t have his sword anymore. His hands trembled. Was he going to lose after all? "Get up Sico," said Konohimae. "This isn''t going to much of a fencing match if you lie down there." His flickering shadow claw of an arm at one side, he glided the other still slender and human fingers up and down against Sico''s sword hilt, admiring it, "and not at all if you won''t hold onto your own weapon from a single strike." Sico stepped up. No, he could do this. Just get one blow in and he was certain he could defeat Konohimae. Through narrowed eyes, he looked up. Konohimae stood up coolly, his eyes emotionless on Sico. "Come for your sword, Sico." Sico walked forward slowly and Konohimae stepped back once. "I''m going easy on you." "I don''t need you to go easy on me." Konohimae''s brow twitched. "Really. You don''t even know how to release Renji''s true power." "And what would you know of it???" Sico put his hand safely back onto the hilt. "I may just show you in a little bit. Maybe after two more of your swings. Using that clumsy strength of yours." "My clumsy strength," Sico angered, wrapping his hands tighter, "is all i need to kill you!" He dove off again, sword sidewards and then closed around; a clean sweep. Konohimae easily dodged again but Sico followed through with a roundhouse kick. Spa, fence, whatever it took to win. The move proved futile however. Konohimae caught him by the very same leg and then lifted him up, one, two three; swinging him in circles and finally pitching him through the air. Bracing, Sico cried out as his body collided with the roof structure. He winced yet more when he failed to cling onto the beams and landed in a crash. His body, his body was hurting badly now. Maybe he had broken some ribs, it certainly felt so. He was facedown in a crumpled heap and as much as it hurt to get up, he had to. Had to move, had to win... to kill Konohimae. He wasn''t the bad guy, why couldn''t he win? "Try again Sico." "Ughh....." he pushed up bearing the pain... and by the jagged swollen look of his knuckles, it was obvious that they were broken. He got to his feet and his former teacher stepped back again. Sico walked to his sword and grasped its hilt all the more sturdy once again. He had to do it, he was becoming weary and bruises racked his body. Father would want him to kill the traitors... his dying desires. He could do it, he could be a hero. This lying being and too fond relic of his faded past, had to pay. But... One more move. Konohimae had told him two attacks before he would fight back and slay Sico with his very sword. It had to work. Sico hitched his sword on his waist side, backwards. He, he was going to exert himself thoroughly. Hitch- "Hyahhhhhh!!!!" Forward, blazing he swung the sword and then moved with it in circles, streaking toward Konohimae. Konohimae teleported upwards and it was Sico''s move. He followed suit, jumping up and it was a relished whirring blade attack, just one hit and the Unbreakable Sword could do its damage. So fast, the sword was invisible. But, Konohimae... Damn the Migurigum... He''d phased translucently down through the blades and landed on lithe toetips. No! One more!!! Sico brought the blade down in a finishing swipe, down from the air and onto Konohimae. Konohimae''s figure thinned right out again and completely vanished. CRASH! Turbulence as the sword sliced through the floor. Sico gasped and glanced to the side as Konohimae reformed and lifted a knee into his stomach. No! Sico''s bright eyes dulled and blood sparkled from his mouth. He''d lost... He could never save anyone. Konohimae didn''t allow him to crumple at once, grabbing his falling head by the hair and then pounding him with the back of his other claw. Sico coughed and sputtered. Konohimae flipped his claws around and sliced down through Sico''s shoulder. "Ahhhh!!!" Konohimae lifted his claws again in a flash and slashed across. Zip! "AhHh!" a wide wound across his chest and then zip zip zip zip zip! Multiple flashes that Sico''s frightened eyes couldn''t follow. There was no mercy being shown between the former teacher and his juvenile young acquaintance. It stopped, and the stinging sensations were all over his body and he cried out longer and louder as short cuts of blood burst open all over. Thud. A front kick. Sico rolled across the ground, huffing and wincing, eyes squeezed tightly. The bright burning pain! He closed his eyes tighter and held his body, arms wrapped around but the pain wouldn''t go away. His pain that was rivaling the emotional devastation at the image of him joining his family''s grave site. Father... "I do not hate you Sico. I have no feelings toward you." His voice was soft but held no compassion as Sico coughed blood on the floor. "But," Konohimae ignored him and flicked his clawed arm, sending off excessive blood away from himself. "It has presently crossed my mind that I as a non Renji cannot wield your blade." Sico couldn''t tell if he saw Konohimae lips tip down or not but his eyes were still and calculating. Sico blinked looking through the blood and wondering what would happen next. He breathed in sharply and grimaced. His head nudged up to look at Konohimae approach him whilst the blood blurred his vision further. "I only wish to witness it once. To see what is this object that we had been waiting for centuries to fear. No doubt you will not be able to do damage in your current state." He was right. Sico allowed his chin to drop and tears began to brim in his eyes. He had no one left in the world, and his teacher: though only one left, was the one that was going to kill him. Sico could sense Konohimae felt nothing toward him as they fought. Nothing for all the years they''d shared. He wanted someone, he wanted his father back. Why did he leave him with a strange heirloom and nothing to guide him with? Had his father entrusted Konohimae to do so when they time was right and been betrayed? "Father..." the tears flowed freely now. Vengeance? Hate? He was just a jolly boy. "Someone help me..." !!!! The golden Renji blade suddenly exploded into light and Konohimae stepped back. Sico opened his eyes amidst sobs and started to get to his feet. Weak but... But he made it. Faintly. He swayed to the sword and held onto it. One more time. Konohimae backed up defensively, calmly. Sico lifted the sword and in a climax of anger or sorrow, he thrust it down with all the power he had. The sword wasn''t to touch his enemy at all, instead, the lines of light that it sent off was a furious attack of power. Konohimae put up a hand stoically and a black shadowy force field appeared before him to shield the front of his body as the lobby blasted all around. The entire house slowly filled up with the light, bathed in it and then smashed. Konohimae couldn''t escape the winds and blasts of the power. It washed over and around his force field, painting him beautifully. "So..." his hair buffered in the twinkling golden light, face placid, "this is the true power of the Renji heirloom. Meant to destroy us." Light exploded and Sico himself fell back. Sizzling mist, smoke, then everything quietened. Konohimae was nowhere to be seen. The splintered walls held already reminiscent markings of the fight and the sounds of nature outside poured in, natural lighting coming through the giant holes in the roof. Sico sat there in the middle of the eery desolate room. He swayed for a while and then collapsed onto his face, lying and breathing haggardly. Konohimae. Gone. He closed his eyes and exhaled. CHAPTER 4: Secrets Part 1
SANJI Almost an hour after Yoshi and Nabiko had given up calling for Sanji and left the tower, Sanji also headed down and went to his final class. He wanted to skip but, he''d not attended any classes for the day at all. Even I''m not that bad. Healing class was in their usual homeroom class. The teachers were the ones who moved around to classrooms unless the subject was a lab class or similar. The door was still open. Sanji was not late but it was already filled with students from class 1B and 1A who had chosen the elective. The students chattered amongst themselves, not paying attention to Sanji as he entered. His eyes scanned the class, looking to the back of the class where he preferred to sit. He viewed his seating prospects casually. Just one student had his head bent on the desk, possibly sleeping. "..." Good. Sanji had found his partner in crime. He walked down the aisles leisuredly and sat in the empty desk next to the boy. He was wrong though, the boy wasn''t sleeping. He raised his thick head of large raven curls to look at Sanji in surprise. There was a snack in the boys hands below the desk where he was sneak eating. He smiled sheepishly at Sanji as the shock wore off, big deep brown eyes innocent and abashed. "H, hi," his thick eyelashes fluttered. Sanji stared at the boy. He looked familiar... Sanji turned away and slipped off his bag, pulling out his books for class. The smaller boy to his side blinked for a second, then turned his head back down on his desk, his long thick curls tumbling like a waterfall onto the desk. Healing class was taught by a traveling Geltun Migurigum, that is, a Geltun who didn''t live on the compounds. He was a forgettable aged man, white beard all over his wrinkled face. He wore plain white dress robes with little adornment and had a boring unaffected teaching style. "Goood afternoon studentss." The children heard the teacher before they saw him. Everyone quietened down as his droning but booming words sounded from just outside the class doorway. The old man sauntered into the class with a box in his arms without addressing them directly or waiting for the children to settle down. They instantly silenced however. Although they considered the teacher of the mundane variety, they all were anticipating the lessons of one of two elective Migurigum class they had that term. They wanted to learn something exciting and for the first time, the old Geltun had something different to show. The children stood as he entered but he didn''t greet them further. "I know you students have all been awaiting... the practical part... of your healing courseee." His voice dragged. He put the box on the desk without looking up and uncovered a water bottle before he continued. The students one by one started to sit as the teacher took his time to drink the water. "and soo, we are at that time when we begin," covering the bottle, "the practical aspects of Geltun healing abilities." The students glanced at each other and smiled. Sanji knew this was a class he could easily sleep through but he was sitting upright for once. The boy next to him had stopped snacking, still clutching his it under the desk and beaming toward the front of the class. The healing teacher took a bag of leaves, beans and some small knives from the box. Several noses scrunched in level disappointment. "...we''ll begin with some small levels of healing on plants and legumes... by perforating them... cutting and damaging them. Each of you is to come forward to get a bean. And a plant leaf. Each row will take a knife and we will pass it along... as we take turns." Sanji was at the beginning of the back row so he took a knife and returned to his seat. His neighbor glanced at him excitedly and smiled. "I''m Makenshi," he said. A glance from the corner of Sanji''s eye. "..." Smile. Ignore. The other one fixed his eyes back ahead. Makenshi shrank inwardly, "oh..." "Healing starts with visualising... the light, emanating from yourself. I shall demonstrate how to healllll... a cut on a leaf." Over the course of the term, they had already gone through different healing light colours and their uses. They were told that they would primarily be dealing with the green healing light for growth and repair. Old man teacher cut a long line down the midrib of the leaf he held in his hand. The students hushed and looked on. He placed the leaf on the centre of the desk and put his right hand over it. A few seconds passed and a warm green light appeared around the teachers wrinkly hand, pushing out toward the leaf and eventually overlapping it. The light grew brighter and washed over the leaf in steady slow pulses. Right before their very eyes, they saw the line recede up the leaf''s centre as though in rewind motion and mended itself completely. As the light dimmed, the whole leaf appeared more youthful and rejuvenated and completely unmarred. A few awes escaped the students lips with half the class at the back standing to look. Sanji was not standing as he heard the teachers instructions. It was simple. He picked the knife up, unseen behind the backs of standing student bodies. He held down the leaf on the desk with his left hand and brought the knife to its apex. He slid the knife down swiftly. Slllll!!!! Someone stepped back and bounced into his desk. The blade ran right down through the back of Sanji''s left hand, from the middle of his index and mid finger to his wrist. Blood sprouted brightly. Sanji winced and pulled his hand onto his lap as the students began taking their seats again. Makenshi, still smiling sat and glanced at Sanji at his side to make idle chat. His already circular eyes boggled when he saw the blood dripping onto the floor. It was forming a small puddle on the ground beneath the desk. "Furthermore... Any of you who are disappointed that we will not practising on anyyyy animals and the like. It is not easily possible." Sanji didn''t catch Makenshi''s eyes on him. He clutched his throbbing left hand to staunch the blood as he became used to the sharp pain. He relaxed himself. He pictured a green light and soon a soft light was projecting from his right hand. "Think of Geltun as evolved humansss. We do notttt have magical fairytale powers but... enhanced abilities." Sanji''s emerald light flashed brightly under the desk and pulsed quick, more swift than the teacher had demonstrated. Two, three, four times. Then he let it disappear. The bleeding... stopped. "Only Migurigum can heal wounds on large creatures, humans and other such intricate feats. Migurigum and those with an supplemented ability in one area. Older students can specialise in their enhanced ability only upon reaching the final two years of school. Otherwise, such young Geltun as yourself would find it impossible." Makenshi watched Sanji remove his right hand. His left was pale but completely, abnormally untouched. There was not the faintest line to be seen or scab formation. Makenshi gasped shortly. Sanji caught his eye. "Hi." Sanji held onto his hand quietly. "I think i know you." The rest of the day passed incident free. Titan didn''t return to the dorm to bother Sanji and Sanji slept without dreams. During the week, he passed Yoshi and Nabiko a few times and was starting to remember their faces. "Hi Sanji-friend," it was the voice of the silver haired girl. Her name was.... Yoshida. Sanji stopped in the hallway to allow himself to be greeted. The red haired boy Nabiko was not far behind. Sanji nodded. "How are classes going so far? You have science next, right?" They all had science next since they were in that same class. Sanji''s lack of denial showed that it was true. Yoshi hitched her backpack higher onto her shoulder. "Yeah us too. Im just going back to get my coat for the lab, are you coming?" "No." Sanji nodded at both of them. He turned and headed to the chemistry lab by himself. It was the first time the students had chemistry in the lab. They had donned their lab coats and left their bags at the doorway. Sanji walked into the lab, book in hand. He looked for a seat and spotted a familiar face. Makenshi wasn''t busy eating when Sanji stopped next to him but he jumped anyway. "H..hello." "Hi...Makenshi." Makenshi smiled shyly and looked around for a rescuer. Unfortunately, Mr. Hehow walked in just then and ordered everyone to sit. They took seat upon the lab stools, looking at the various equipment laid out before them. "Today in class, we will be identifying and drawing the most commonly used lab apparatus." Mr. Hehow addressed the class, "and then we will be learning how to turn on and adjust a bunsen burner." Sanji looked to the meek boy beside him opening his book. "May I borrow a pencil?" Sanji asked. He realized that half his stationary had been lost when Titan threw his bag at the window several days ago. "Sure," Makenshi went into his brim filled pencil kit and procured a mechanical pencil to lend. He was pleased at the easy topic of assistance with the strange boy. Sanji took the pencil into his hand with a silent thank you. He''d never owned a mechanical pencil before, he played with the knob and examined the lead. Was it as sharp as a regular one? Sanji turned his hand over, and pulled up his lab sleeve. Silently, he grasped the mechanical thing and stabbed it into his wrist. Makenshi startled and choked on his saliva. Sanji concentrated on the pain of his little experiment. The stab shocked him, but now he wanted to try to heal again. Makenshi stared at him in a mixture of horror and fright as Sanji pulled the borrowed pencil out of his skin, leaving a scary red hole. He rested the pencil down calmly, the sound of class going on around them. He held his right hand quietly over his left wrist. One, two three pulses of green light and then he lifted his hand. The hole was gone and Sanji felt contentment. He put down his hand and paid attention to the instructions Mr Hehow was delivering. Makenshi was still horrified, he turned away suddenly aware that he was staring but he felt his heart hammering in his chest. What was that, what was that all about??? Should he tell someone.? But Sanji was now sitting calmly and Mr. Hehow was showing them the instruments in front of them. "Which one is the conical flask?" The class identified the flasks on their lab counters and were then told the specific purpose of the flask. They drew and scribbled the notes in their books, including Sanji. Makenshi gulped and took a trembling hand to his notebook. The class went on calmly for the following hour. Mr. Hehow walked between the rows of students, checking their illustrations. "No sketchy lines students. Straight neat lines for the diagrams. Good." Mr. Hehow returned to the head of the class. "We will now be turning on the bunsen burner carefully." Makenshi glanced to his right to Sanji. The boy was paying rapt attention staring ahead. There was one bunsen burner and one box of matches between the two. The practical classes, were much more appealing for Sanji. The boy next to Sanji seemed a little fidgety, but Sanji felt positive about school for the first time. Maybe things were turning around. "As you can see, there is a bunsen burner and matches for each pair of you," Mr. Hehow continued, "you will take turns and supervise your partner to minimise mistakes. Going forth we will be having group projects and exams with your lab partner." Mr. Hehow cleared his throat, "whomever you are sitting next to today will be your partner for the rest of the term." Sanji looked toward his partner on his left who looked pale for some reason and nodded in agreement. "You will be graded as one and they will be your complete responsibility. Please keep them in check." On another side of the class, Yoshi and Nabiko had been paired up. She glared at him and he shrugged nonchalantly. Makenshi whimpered quietly where he sat, watching aghast at Sanji reaching toward the bunsen burner as Mr. Hehow spoke on. "Please ensure the air holes on the bunsen burner are closed before you turn the gas switch on." Sanji closed the air hole and turned on the gas. "Now light the bunsen burner with the match stick carefully," Sanji pulled out a match stick. Makenshi held his breath. Sanji lit the burner. A yellow flame appeared. Makenshi exhaled. Mr. Hehow started walking in between the students again, "to turn the flame blue, turn the air collar so that it is open." Makenshi''s eyes widened. Gently, Sanji opened the air hole and the flame changed blue. Makenshi exhaled again. Why am I panicking so much? I''ll give myself a heart attack. "Does anyone know what is the hottest part of the flame?" "..." "It is a few millimetres above the inner blue flame. This is the most dangerous part..." A light flicked on in Sanji''s mind. Oh was it? Makenshi cold sweated as the words left the teachers mouth. No no no no no. Why would you teach us that? Sanji stared at the dark blue flame. I''ve never... Tried healing a burn before. I suppose I should... The seconds stretched as Sanji lifted a finger toward the fire. It flickered and flickered and finally the appendage reached through the tip of the fire, moving forward. The fire was hot, the first few seconds were usually bareable to most people. Sanji however wanted to burn enough to leave a wound to heal. His eyes widened as the heat started to penetrate and the fine hair started to sizzle. His entire palm was almost inside the blue flame- "Sanji, Makenshi. Are you two getting through?" Mr. Hehow stopped at the boys counter just before Sanji could burn his hand into oblivion. He rested his hands on the counter and slumped slightly. "... yeah..." Makenshi looked at Mr. Hehow with such worry planted on his young expressive face. He wanted to say something but he could only plead silently with his eyes. Mr. Hehow glanced at him then looked back at Sanji frowning slightly. "Are you sure?" Mr. Hehow''s hand flew up out of nowhere to rest on Sanji''s on the counter. "..." Sanji stared at the connection with an abated breath. "Hm, your hand feels a bit hot Sanji. Are you sure you''re feeling alright?." It''s so freaking obvious! Makenshi yelled in his mind. He shook his head swiftly and looked down, praying for class to end. "..." Sanji felt the touch on his hand and had to control himself from pulling away. Why did he feel that way? Suddenly everything turned upside down, he didn''t want to be in class anymore. He wanted to sleep and fade away. He wanted to get away from all these people. He wanted to scrub his hand and never be touched again. Instead, he only sat there mutely as Mr. Hehow examined his blank face with growing concern. Time passed. Mr. Hehow proceeded back to the front of the class and finished up the rest of the lesson. "And next class, we would be doing titrations in pairs." BRRRRINNGGG. 11:45. It was lunch time. The students gathered up their books and stationary to rush to the cafeteria for lunch break. Makenshi hurried out first before anyone else could pass. "Sanji, I would like to see you for a minute please." The students filed out the two doors amid growing chatter. Mr. Hehow neatly tucked his books together at the front desk, face pallid and as smooth as his carefully groomed silver luscious crown. Sanji waited at the lab counter. This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
SICO "When is the boat to Onawa town arriving?" The light of day still burned but a light drizzle had been falling all day. There was talk of a Migurigum being hired by the town''s mayor in order to take care of a gang syndicate in the town of Onawa. Slim, androgynous, silent, with overextended long black hair; it was portrait of the netherworldly beings. It must be Sire Axishi. "The boat left about fifteen minutes ago," the inquired street merchant told Sico, "I think the next one will be a few hours." "Damn you!" Sico scowled and pivoted away from the man. He marched toward the sea port in a matter of minutes and huffed at the waters edge. He would wait. He would wait all day if he had to. Migurigum tended to live throughout the night and be stationary during the day. Sico intended to catch Axishi before he left the town. He plopped down onto the wooden planks. There werent many people at the docks due to the drizzle. Many were off from Sico''s side under their tented stalls with one old fisherman sitting close by. "You know," the feeble fisherman addressed Sico politely, "the next boat wont be here anytime soon..." Sico made eye contact with him, "don''t you want to get out of the rain lad?" "..." Sico stared at the old man who was trying to be neighbourly. "SHUT UP YOU VAGRANT!" The old fisher jumped back, "I... I only just-" "Shut up before I slice you in half!" The old fisher caught a look at the giant sword on the boy''s back and decided that he''d caught enough fish for the day. He got up quickly and went away. Sico brought his hand away from the hilt of his sword and looked back over the ocean, brows burrowed deep. Peace finally. Hours passed by. The pitter patter of the rain started to pick up, raining down on Sico. No one was around now, he saw them all pack up and go. He heard the ocean change its tune and felt the cold grow on his arms. He huddled into a tight embrace. A sneeze tickled at Sico''s nose and he fought against it but it won eventually. He sneezed out loud. Sico rubbed at his eye. "Hm?" The pitter patter above his head halted suddenly, a shadow formed behind him. He spun around swiftly when he realized the person had snuck upon him without a sound. His hand reached for his sword but the person didn''t flinch. Sico could only see shadows, looking up at the person above, shielding him. The person was slight, as slight as could be, a traditionally garbed refined looking young lady holding an umbrella in her hand and Sico''s inquisitive gaze in her still deep eyes. She was still and simple, but beautiful in a plain way. Sico paused, uncertain of his course of action as the girl did not respond or acknowledge his awkward surprise. "It is raining young sir." "I... I know," he halted. A cold wind blew his already damp clothing and he shuddered involuntarily. The girl with placid eyes looked at him calmly. She slowly bent to kneel before Sico, unworried about dampening her formal kimono on the pier. She reached a hand inside her kimono. Sico''s lips parted as he waited. The girl took a handkerchief out of her dress and held it toward Sico''s face. "You''ll be sick, young Sico." "I never get sick." Sico frowned as the girl patted his cheek dry, her hair blowing across him. She stopped with the kerchief in hand. He took it from her silently and relaxed himself from springing up. He could smell her perfume... it reminded him of his mother. "Wait... how do you know my name?" The girl stood up, sheltering them both. "The boat is here." They looked across the water to see a medium sized vessel speeding toward them. Sico got to his feet and stood next to the girl, pretending not to notice the proximity of their shoulders. When the boat reached the dock, the captain immediately approached the two travelers for the traveling fare. "Four gold for you if you want to bring that big sword with you," he said to Sico. Sico began to fork out the fare but his companion stopped him. "Will you charge me as well, for bringing my umbrella on?" "N, no," he scowled deeply, "but." "Then you will not charge young master." With a gentle downward glance, the girl took a few gold pieces from her pouch and handed it toward the man. The man glanced at the shoreline where rain pattered travelers were rushing out of their hiding places to get to the boat. He looked to the inclement sky and scowled. He snatched the fare from the girl and stepped aside. "Just get on the boat quickly." "Wait," Sico stepped forward forcefully, "I have lots of money, I can pay." The girl proceeded onto the boat, seemingly ignoring Sico. Sico started to get heated. He stomped after the girls departing back as she made it onto the interior of the boat and grabbed her forearm forcefully, stopping her with a strong tug. "I said," his teeth grinding in hate, "how, do you know, my name." If she was a liar and betrayer, he had to know now, and finish her off, he thought. The girl didn''t even pull away. She was allowing the abuse for some reason. "Master Sico," she whispered gently, "you should not speak of your riches so openly. As for your name," was there any hint of nostalgia in her eyes? Sico did not loosen the grip on the girls arm as yet. "The unfortunate news of your family''s tragedy is not unknown. The Renji family was well known for siding with the Migurigum, and the ending tales followed." Sico held onto her arm tightly, looking her square in the eye. It made sense, he did believe her. Maybe he should... Apologize..? The toughened 12 year old released the girls arm. "Hmph," he grunted and looked away. "Fine then." If she had been bruised at all, the girl did not show it. She quietly turned back around and made her way to the right side of the boat, Sico following silently behind her. The traveling villagers all managed to get onto the boat and under the tent as the rain picked up. Sico was sitting next to the girl, already forgetting their disagreement and snuggling close. He was glad she didn''t push him away, he didn''t want her to move. "What''s your name?" He asked her, once he reasoned that she wasn''t giving him the cold shoulder. "My name is Ayaka." "Ayaka..." he tested it on his tongue. Soon they were sailing across the canal to the town on the other side. The tent kept most of the rain at bay but the weather also poured in horizontally. Ayaka had her umbrella opened on her right side blocking the water whilst Sico shivered and snuggled close to her on the left. Not long after, he fell asleep on her shoulder and didn''t stir until they arrived at town Onawa, nestled at the foot of the mountains. He opened his eyes and found himself lying on the bench of the boat by himself. People were standing and getting off around him. He had to get up to avoid being trampled as everyone pressed close. He looked around for Ayaka as the crowd moved him along. She had already gone. She''d left him, but she was only a stranger after all. He was slightly disappointed, although he never expected to wait around for anyone or vice versa. He didnt expect he''d see her again. Nevertheless, he had a goal to accomplish and the sun was already sinking beneath the sea. Onawa was a middle class town but due to the weather, water was high on the paved concrete streets that flowed down from the mountain, and mud gathered to the north of the town. Sico walked, looking around for open businesses but most places had closed up early. He found himself wading through ankle deep puddles. Should he turn in for the day? He was not used to being ill or this sort of weather as his journey took him north. He was a rich boy who bought his ways and comforts. Thunder grumbled silently, lightning yet to join. It was the quiet before the storm; the weather and possible presence of a Migurigum adding to the tense. Grey buildings down stoney cobbled streets with hastily added crosses on the doors, tall bendy and eery street lamps, but the only welcoming light came from quiet bars which forbade youth entry. Sico went in anyway. Not as rowdy as other towns he''d been to, as expected the bar was near vacant. Everyone was wary of the upcoming storm. Everyone except Sico. The barman was watching the television and the bouncer was sitting to the bar stool furthest away, drinking a large beer quietly. Only two other patrons wearing hoods and silver headbands were present when Sico marched in, oblivious to the puddles he made. His shoes made squelching sounds and his jaw chattered as he passed the tables heading straight for the counter. The two huddled customers eyed him fixedly. Both were similarly dressed: gloves with metal backs, black garb and trousers tucked into fitted leather hide boots. Their heads were turned away but their ears were tuned into whatever was said. "I want information on the Migurigum." Sico opened the conversation with his regular blunt air. "I want to know if it''s still here and where it''s residing. How much do you want." The man turned to face Sico with a slow thoughtful stare. He was not mid age yet, with a rope-like scar on his neck and his arms tiredly folding before the boy. "What makes you think we have a Migurigum here?" "Ha," something like a scoff came out of Sico''s mouth. He started counting down on his fingers, "the eerie aura everywhere, all the stores are closed up, and those random crucifixes on the doors." He slammed down his hand on the counter, "I''ve been down this road before and I know a Migurigum town when I see it." The barman was silent but did not seem perturbed. He shrugged an unbothered shrug but beneath it all, he was observing the newcomer very keenly to gauge him. "A means to an end, one evil scourge to rid the other." "You don''t trust creatures like that," Sico hissed dangerously. "Is that so..." another overtly disinterested but restrained response. "Either way, we don''t want talks of those things here. Why don''t you sit down and we''ll call your parents to come get you when the rain settles down-" "Those Migurigum killed my parents and I''m going to kill them one by one," Sico said. "I''ve already gotten rid of one." There was a new ripple of tension in the air. It remained for a few moments more whilst the grey skies darkened outside. "I see." The two dark customers drank and finished their ale drinks and seated the glasses. They stilled again. "Is that the sword you used to kill the Migurigum with?" the barman inquired with a new attitude about him. "It is." The man''s eyed flickered quickly toward the two patrons almost undetected by Sico. "And have you gone to see the mayor yet?" "It''s too late," Sico replied. "And I don''t know where he''s located." "The mayor''s office is at the very bottom of the mountains." Picking up a random bottle behind him, the barman turned his back on Sico and started wiping it off. "It''s best you leave now." He nodded toward the bouncer that was all but forgotten in his corner. Sico glanced at the man and then back at his informant. "Hey I''m not done yet! I can pay- I have alot of gold." "Not everyone is interested in money," the words were dark and low and three pairs of eyes were focused on Sico. Forcefully, Sico felt himself being grabbed from behind by the silent bouncer in a kind of chicken-wing hold. Sico growled aloud but he knew he was too weak to resist right then. "I will come back and destroy your entire building," he snarled as the man dragged him backward, arms locked by the elbows. The bar man did not flinch or turn at the words and Sico glowered. Straight back across the floor and pass the tables to the exit they reversed... Sico lashed out and managed to kick a bar stool over. It banged to the ground loudly and Sico smirked right before being thrown out into a puddle outside. "Urgh," the hard stone actually hurt him as he landed with a splash onto his back. The bouncer looked down on him before turning and shutting the bar doors closed behind him. The bright light from indoors instantly disappeared and the night was wholesomely dark. Sico sat up as his stomach grumbled. He was hungry and weak. There was nothing more uncomfortable than having your undergarments soaked through and through in the rain with nothing to do about it. He put an arm above his head as the rain fell and clutched his stomach with the other. At the very least, he had to get out of the rain. Sico already knew no one would offer abodes to a ruffian looking boy with a weapon on his back, especially with rumors of a Migurigum in town. He got to his feet and bowed his head against the downpour. Silently, he trudged under the awning of the concrete building that offered very little shelter and started away from the bar. He slipped into a nearby alley where stairways above hid his head from the heavens. His body was rattling by now and he wished he was home. All the grounds were wet but he slid down anyway and huddled beneath his arms. He was sleepy and wet, and his meagre fat did nothing to ward off the coldness. He cradled his head beneath his arms as the world slept around him. As uncomfortable as he was, he thought he might fall asleep right there. His eyes started to close on their own in the alleyway where he sat. But even under the beating of the rain, approaching footfalls increased in volume eventually breaking him from his napping spell and Sico looked up. Rain poured off the form of two stealthy looking men, standing at the entrance of the alley. "You have something that we want." Their headbands shone, showing that they were with some kind of criminal syndicate. The men from the bar. Sico got to his feet, peering at the men and judged his situation. He didn''t respond. He couldn''t fight them. Not both, not in a narrow alley where they had carefully rounded on him. Not when he felt hungry and tired. Sico didn''t have the strength to battle. He tssked and his toes traced a direction, pivoting behind him silently. The men started stepping toward Sico and he spun around, his feet taking him down the backstreet. He ran taking random corners to lose his pursuers, unable to find a way out of the twists himself after a while. He felt the water slosh around his legs as he ran, he bounced into several trash cans in the darkness. He could hear that he was losing them though, gaining some distance. Soon, he couldn''t even hear their pursuit. Then he stopped running. Moonlight suddenly peered over the high walls of the alley to show a solid brick wall ahead of him. He''d trapped himself. Maybe he should turn back and head another route in case they actually caught up... But it was too late. He spun around to see the men reappear before him. They knew their home town better than he did. They grinned when they saw him trapped and stopped where they were. "Now what was the point of that, boy?" "..." Sico grimaced and instantly pulled his sword over his head, holding it in front of him. There was no way out of it. "So you want my gold???" He growled, gritting his teeth. It wasn''t that he couldn''t fight two men with his impressive sword; but they were prepared for a watery duel and they didn''t seem to be amateurish rogues who would underestimate an opponent. They had cornered him into a field where he couldn''t swing his weapon around, and their readied apparel was prepared for the water and for fighting. They were used to this; assailing and thieving... weren''t they... However, Sico put one foot forward instead of stepping back. He wasn''t one to back down, he was one to fake it till he made it. Since he had no other choice, and no one else would ever be there to defend him ever again. He would keep pressing forward. His feet was waterlogged in his shoes and he hid the fact that he could barely hold his sword affront him as his shoulders dropped low. The moonlight divided the alley between the foes, shadows to Sico''s back. He tried not to ham himself too much into the corner. He inched forward but didn''t want to cross the periphery of light between them. The men also held their ground firmly assessing him. Both remained completely in the dark daring the other to make a first move and cross the visible line. Sidling, side by side their toes inched back and forth behind the silver moon''s line, only shiny headbands glowing in the shadows. Sico firmly held his ground. And then- a foot crossed the light and Sico raised his sword- Just then, a figure flipped across the moonlight and across the wide light berth upon the encroaching bandit. "!! UGH!" A gurgle of blood as one bandit was struck down. All Sico saw was a long braided ponytail swing down the figures back as they flipped over the scene and descended into the opposite side of darkness. Who was that!? Sico straightened his stance. The person flipped about the second bandit and all Sico could make out were the sounds of clothing rippling in the dark. Then the bandit fell backward into the light before Sico. He rolled away to the side instantly as Sico took the opportunity to slam his sword onto the ground. Sico looked up. The new imposter had skipped backward into the light as well as bandit one had recovered and swiped at them. Their back was still to him but Sico recognized the dark cloaks and unnaturally long hair immediately... "Migurigum..." Sico glowered at the same time the bandit to the side wall got to his feet and crouched with his knives in a fighting stance. He was glancing left and right between the imposter and Sico, keeping his eyes on his opponents now that they were evenly matched. But he didn''t have to worry. "Axishi!!!" Sico ignored the bandit and raced off toward the turned Migurigum back. He swiped down at the intruder. His sword struck solid ground as the person flipped into the air without even turning around and did a triple flip forward over the first bandit''s head- back into the opposite side of the alley shadows. Bandit one turned around and clashed with the Migurigum''s rapier sword and they pared off into the shadows again. The bandit behind Sico launched at him and he was lucky enough to step out of the shorter reach of the knife and pick up his sword in one pull. He swung sideways and the man jumped away. The sword stuck into the wall, rooting Sico. He came at Sico again. The Migurigum flipped out of the darkness and landed on Sico''s sword and engaged Sico''s attacker from that height. The first bandit emerged alongside Sico next, throwing senbon forward their way. The Migurigum used his rapier in their opposite hand to deflect the projectiles, fighting with a knife on the other side. They flipped again off Sico''s sword but the bandit caught him by his long braid and dragged him towards them. Before Sico could get a proper look he found himself fighting the man beside him next. It was difficult with a large sword. Sico breathed hard. The bandit was overwhelming him. "AHH!" The strangled yell drew Sico''s attention back to the other fight. From the shadows, a body fell forward into the light. It was the bandit. Dead. Sico watched for the victor step forward, over his prey. The boots emerged first. But- "Argh!" His own foe planted a senbon into his shoulder. Sico swung around wildly with a fist. No use. "Pay attention." A hand plummeted into his face and he fell down, blinded for a while. Blood sprout from his nose and he clutched his face, dragging back as far as he could on his butt until he hit the alley wall. He glanced to the ground at his side, searching for a weapon to defend himself. He was losing blood from his shoulder. He grabbed one of the fallen senbon and held it before him, breathing hard. The bandit blurred in and out of his vision. Closer the bandit walked, and closer. And the blood from Sico''s shoulder continued to bleed... he unwillingly gave into the impending darkness. His eyes slipped close and he collapsed onto his side. CHAPTER 5: Secrets Part 2 SANJI One foot... In front of the foot. Then the next foot...in front of the other foot... Walking in the nothingness. White everywhere. Why was there no sound..? Ah yes, there was sound. Loud sounds. Children??? Yes children. Children talking abundantly and the sounds of metal on wood. Scraping sounds, banging sounds, lots and lot of walking sounds. And smell. Smell returned. Lots of smells, lots of sounds. Food and freshness. Warmth. Perspiration. Crowdedness. The feel of solid smooth floor beneath sneakers. And the vision too, was returning. He was not in a phantom zone. There was a high ceiling with gigantic fans oscillating around, counters with servers behind. Rows and rows of benches and the swinging cafeteria doors swinging shut behind him. Sanji stopped where he was. The world returned before his very eyes. He was awake, his senses rushing back and flooding him as he stumbled into the cafeteria hallway. The clock high above on the wall read 12:22. He couldn''t remember the last several minutes or when he''d entered the cafeteria. He looked down and saw that his classmates Yoshida and Nabiko were on the lunch bench ahead of him. Yoshi was on his side and Nabiko on the other. He might have instinctively walked toward them without realizing it when they spotted him. Yoshi turned her face toward him and smiled. "Hi Sanji-friend... What took you so long?" She asked inquisitively. "did you eat yet?? Come sit with us," she patted the lunch seat beside her. Sanji obeyed mutely. He walked over and put both hands on the picnic-like bench, crossing his legs over to sit next to the girl. Nabiko looked at him with his constant wash of scrutiny as he toyed with the leftovers on his plate. Then he drew his attention away out of boredom. "Sanji what did you eat? We didn''t see you at all." Sanji didn''t answer. He stared at his hands on the table. It was a simple question, they were all simple questions. But he was feeling sick. Not physically- he was feeling overwhelmed and out of sorts. The white tablecloth filled his vision. The voice talking beside him; nonsense words, directed at him. Making him feel even more overwhelmed. Rising his anxiety. "Mm, what''s that smell though. You smell nice," Yoshi sniffed the air next to Sanji pondering to herself. "I know," she ducked her head in front of his face, "you smell like lavender. Did you just bathe or something?" Sanji''s eyes widened. Her face invaded his view and he was forced to focus on her. She was smiling gently, his lips parted. He could smell it too, he could smell himself smelling foreign. His heartbeat started pumping in his chest and up into his eardrums. He felt the oxygen in the room depleting rapidly and tried to take in more as he stared at the face, becoming pallid and out of breath. No no what was she talking about?? What was she saying to him? Why??? Why was he panicking? Why can''t I breathe??? Sanji dropped his head onto his hands on the table suddenly, even the students on the other side of him looked across. Nabiko looked up, Yoshi jumped back in alarm. He breathed in raggedly and squeezed his eyes shut and clutched his chest. Before anyone could react, he bolted upright and fumbled back over the bench, away from Yoshi who cowered instinctively and Nabiko... and all the neighboring students who were starting to stare in confusion. He almost fell over the bench in his rush but he didn''t care. He had to move, he had to go someplace for air. He bumped into incoming students who yelled at him as he ran on his way through the cafeteria doors. Not even thinking where to go, Sanji was an uncoordinated lookingly drunk mess as he staggered down the halls. The few students backed off as he passed them. He had one hand on his heart, his head bowed, and his other hand held out in front to guide him. His hand landed on a solid surface and he found himself crashing into the boys bathroom. No one was in and he was grateful for the privacy. He didn''t know what he would do. He stumbled to the mirror and looked at the person reflected there, breathing haggardly. There were tears streaming down his reflection''s face. The area around his eyes were gray and sunken, his cheeks were puffy and red and his hair was disheveled, falling into his face. He did not realize he had started to cry. His breathing started to slow down but his emotions were not letting up at all. Why why what''s wrong with me? Why do I feel like this? Why am I such a mess??? Sanji cried and lowered his head onto the sink''s sill. I can''t take it anymore. I can''t do it, I''m so tired of being me. How do I get away from me? I can''t stand it! I hate living! I hate me! A strong new rupture of tears surged from within Sanji''s chest and he cried out, forcing his face into his palms. He staggered back into the stall behind him blindly. The door swung open and welcomed him in. He sat back onto the covered seat and brought his legs up to cry. The hem of his black pants caught beneath his heels in minor comfort and he cried into his lap. Make it stop, make it stop...To feel this, and have no idea why. To have no idea of his past, to be missing chunks from his present. What was the point? What was the point of enduring it only to be bullied, to be viewed with disdain. For people to call you freak everyday, to feel like fainting for no reason. Not having energy to wake up everyday although he slept all the time. Unable to focus on anything. Those weird dreams, his missing past... "......" Sanji hugged his elbows tight. "Maybe I am a bad person after all." Maybe I deserve this. His fingers dug into the tender flesh of his forearms. They''re right, I''m a filthy demon and I should be punished. I can''t just run from it. I deserve this. I can''t simply die... He dug into his yielding skin harder... I have to suffer, I have to pay. I deserve to be hurt. I''m disgusting. Measuredly, Sanji raked his fingernails slowly but forcefully down his arms as the epidermis gave way beneath his pain. The white lines tore open and followed his nail''s steady descent along his arms and down to his wrists. He brought his hands up to his elbows again, this time with more decision and deliberation and impaled his fingers into his flesh. He brought it down his arms, working into a steady clawing motion. The long streaks of exposed white flesh began to colour over with red blood and trickled down his limbs to drip onto the floor below. He scratched himself over and over, exalting at the temporary pain before it became numb to him. He was doing something atleast, doing something to distract himself from his thoughts and his emotions, doing something to make him forget. Hurting himself like he deserved. He wanted to show what he felt like on the inside, it was easier to see and manage when it was outside of him. His pale arms were now tattered shreds and lines of red and pink; where the cuts were not too deep, and white where he''d gone through to the flesh below. The blood was burning, his whole arm felt like a furnace of fire but it was not too bad. His tears and blood mixed together. He finally could breathe again. He couldn''t count the number of lines of damage he''d done to his arms. "..." With silent tears, Sanji looked at his arms. It seemed a minor victory in some way... and a part of him now. But he had to get rid of it. He couldn''t allow anyone to see what madness he had done- they wouldn''t understand. He''d be labeled more a weirdo than he already was. Still, with blood stains on the helm of his shirt and pouring over the base of the toilet, Sanji hovered his palms over the opposing wrist and closed his eyes. Green lights of healing... He tried to picture it in his mind. He felt a slight trickle of electricity from his fingertips and relaxed. It''d be over soon, he could return to his normal day. It was all good now. He was healing. After a wholesome minute, he opened his eyes. He felt tense still but slightly relaxed. He looked down at his arms. "What?" They were still torn into grizzly shreds. They hadn''t healed even a little. Sanji stared in confusion and then down at his spread open palms. Why isn''t it working?? He called upon the ethereal light again and it flowed over his hands completely. Quietly, he brought his right hand to hover over his left forearm and his brows knotted together. The ethereal light grew and grew and touched his arm, but... nothing else happened. There was no substance in the glow, no warmth pulsating through it. Sanji kept his hand over his arm for a long time not wanting to deal with what this meant. He did not panic. Fate seemed to always be out of his favour somehow. Now his arms were marred and he didn''t have anyway to explain it. Without a sound, he put down his hands and stared down vacantly. Ok... well... He was going to have to wear a jacket from now on. If he could find one... Or maybe some arm warmers. And then... He would be able to heal himself eventually... Wouldn''t he? This was temporary, probably due to stress. He couldn''t imagine what the other students would think, what the teachers would say. It was, of all things, embarrassing and shameful. He hadn''t thought it through. But he also didn''t regret it. It had quelled his pain. Something no one else could do for him. And he didn''t have many options short of knocking himself out completely. This was ok. The bell ending lunch break sounded and Sanji waited in the bathroom cubicle in quiet. Ten minutes later, he decided that everyone would probably in class by then and stepped out of the stall, holding his arms awkwardly. Calmly, he walked up to the sink with quiet steps. Should he wash his arms off? Well yes, but he had no disinfectant. He could only manage to rinse off the blood and he winced at the stinging pain of the water, recognising shower times were now going to be a painful ordeal. He wiped himself off with the napkins provided and hugged his arms to himself; all the better to hide them as best as he could. The claw like trenches wound all the way around his elbows however, so it would be impossible not to notice. Carefully, he walked up to the bathroom door and pushed it open a few inches. He stepped out slowly. No one was around. He closed the bathroom door shut behind him and walked the echoing halls carefully, as though in a post apocalyptic movie, hugging his arms to his body. Upon reaching his dorm, it was obvious that Sanji''s dormmate had decided to drop in at the ending of the school day. There were clean clothes laid out on the other''s bed and a pile of clothes crumpled in front the doorway, wet and stained with something smelling like urine. Sanji couldn''t begin to imagine why that was. He stepped over the pile of clothes without scrutiny and walked over to his side of the room. His closet; there were several racks lying on his closet floor. He swiped through the clothes hanging up rapidly with one hand. He couldn''t find his single jacket though. Recognition dawned on Sanji. He stopped swiping. He bowed his head and lowered his arm. The clothes at the door. Titan had used Sanji''s clothes to mop up whatever mess he had made and left it there. "..." Sanji glanced at the pile and debated. No. He wasn''t going to wear a smelly damp jacket- unless he was forced to. Which is something his dorm mate might do to him depending on his mood. Sanji turned back around and picked up a random jersey to hold over his hands whilst he waited to try healing again. He wasn''t going to stay in the dorm to see what his dorm mate had in store for him today. In defeat, Sanji headed out the room, stepping over the pile of his clothes on the floor and gently closed the door shut behind him. There was only one place he could think of to go where no one would find him. Back in front the medieval style wooden door. The door to the tower loomed above Sanji as he stared levelly back, one hand crocked in an imaginary sling, the right at his side. The new sliver padlock was still locked. Sanji raised his hand toward the door... As light as a feather, his fingertips touched the wooden surface, and, slid through the great oak. His fingers, his hand, he stepped forward and closed his eyes for a second as he passed through the solid barrier. Sanji stepped through on the other side and opened his eyes. He walked up the few blackened steps of the doorway, onto the landing above. It was peaceful and quiet on the roof. The area was round and spacious; white unpainted stone dotted with black moss, green tufts, and flowering vines curling along the corners of the shoulder high railings. And... Some of the animals in the cages looked up as Sanji walked pass them. There were about twelve cages of random sizes scattered along the back side of the tower. Most of them were eagles, hawks, and owls, but there was also a weasel, two foxes, and a baby ocelot there. Sanji could tell that they were all injured in some way as they were bandaged up, but he paid no heed as he walked past them to the opposite end. They, in turn, ignored him and continued sleeping. They actually seemed quite comfortable where they were. The wind tugged at the shrouding shirt on Sanji''s arms as he sat down against the baluster. He hugged it close to him and closed his eyes. No one could disturb him here. The day was starting to get better. Clatter, clatter, clatter clatter! The sound of metallic locks jangling descended upon the airlight breeze. Is, someone trying to come onto the tower roof? Sanji didnt open his eyes however. But they can''t, he felt at ease. It''s locked and no one else can pass through walls. The sounds continued for a few seconds then stopped, lulling Sanji more deeply into his falsified sense of security, breathing in nomadic flowing air. Then, the door opened. Sanji''s eyes sprang wide and he stared. Titan didn''t notice him as he entered, shielding his eyes from the light of the sun and glancing down at his side where something small was darting in and out between his feet. The bigger boy walked up the three steps onto the landing casually without noticing Sanji there. Sanji was safe until Titan looked up and starting looking around at his surroundings. Sanji didnt move. Titan''s eyes swept across the cages, seeming pleased with himself. Then his eyes swung onto Sanji and he almost jumped. "What the-" his face crumpled into confusion before changing into hostility when he recognised who it was. "You freak; what the hell are you doing here???" The little fox darting in between Titan''s legs stopped as it heard the anger in the elder''s voice. Its large ears puckered back and forth as it looked between the swearing boy and the stranger sitting almost thirty feet away. Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. Sanji''s blood froze in his veins. He was so alarmed that he couldn''t even move. What was his dorm mate doing there? Why did he have the keys to the tower?? Sanji gulped and opened his mouth wordlessly. Titan! Of all people Titan was the one who had found him! "I.." Sanji opened his mouth stupefied, "I..."
SICO Mmmm... what was this? So soft...mmm comfortable. Was this the ample buttocks of a fat little sheepy? Was this clouds? Hm. Wait, was this heaven??? No!!! Sico tossed his head back and forth on the feather stuffed pillow where he laid, causing the damp cloth on his forehead to slip down. NO! I. CAN. NOT. DIE! "Mmrgh... no..." Sico tossed his head to the side again and the cloth slid down onto his face. Something is... attacking me. "I''ll... kill you." A shadow passed in front of his face. Sico sprang up and grasped the arm, the person and they tumbled off the bed. He rolled over and asserted dominance over the intruder; their hand was captured in his in the air, his hand was at their neck and he straddled their supine form. "..." Sico stared down at the passive face rigidly. Ayaka made no motion to move. Sico''s stern expression allayed to surprise. "Wait, you???" he stuttered, "what are you doing here???" The oriental girl stared up into Sico''s eyes. She looked as peaceful and beautiful as he remembered her. "I have been living in this inn for a while... Master Sico. I am the only one here." "Huh," Sico made a small sound in his throat and surveyed the situation. Ayaka was wearing a floral patterned kimono parting slightly at her chest. Her long black hair was spread upon the wooden floor and in her hand was the damp cloth that had fallen from his forehead. He looked down at her chest once more and quickly blushed, stepping up off her body. He stumbled back till he was far enough that she could get up on her own. "What are you, following me or something?" he accused her as mildly as he could to avoid addressing the awkward situation. She didn''t appear bothered. She slowly got to her feet and folded the cloth in her palms. "No Master Sico. I am here on business," she said. "You are ill, please sit." "..." Sico eyed the bed and then looked back at his caretaker. She seemed so submissive and was very pliant toward him, and yet, he found himself willing to obey her. Why did he trust her so readily? When he was seated, she turned and made her way to the stove in the opposite corner that was bubbling over with a pleasant aroma. Sico''s stomach started to cheer and he suddenly remembered he hadn''t eaten for a long time. Sico looked around the square of a room. It was an open design; the bed was in one corner and his sword was leaning against a tall closed closet on the right. The stove was opposite them with a counter and there was a round table in the last corner. Everything was bare but for the docile sunflower curtains shut over two rectangular windows, framing the door. It was small, humble and private. He looked back at the familiar stranger again. She was so modest and kind. She reminded him of his mother. The room was cozily silent. The aroma of the soup was filling the tiny space and Sico cleared his throat. This was not his type of life anymore. "This is a perfect day for Migurigum hunting," he said casually. Ayaka didnt react to his words. She scooped out a single bowl of soup for her guest, resting it on a bed tray and made her way over to him. She rested the tray next to him and stood still till he reached for the soup. He took a scoop and gratefully downed the contents. "You shouldn''t go out young master," Ayaka finally interjected when he was comfortably feasting. "It''s going to storm soon." Sico tssked. "It''s very sunny." Ayaka drew the sunflower curtain back. Black clouds donned the sky. "I consider that very sunny," Sico huffed. "Atleast compared to my anger. Now..." he drew eyes with the lady and began speaking in an even earnest tone. The last thing he remembered was fighting against Axishi or maybe a different Migurigum in the alley that night. Both the bandit and the Migurigum were still fighting when he went down so one of them should have finished him off. "Why am I not dead? Where did you find me- or did you save me? Did the police arrive and where''s the Migurigum from that alley- don''t try to pretend there wasn''t one." "I found you in the alley young Sico," Ayaka replied. "I saw none else." "That''s it??? So why would the Migurigum leave me alive?" "Why do you expect to be killed?" "Because they''re demons!" Sico breathed hard. Did he really have to explain this? "They''re evil and they want to get rid of all humanity. They don''t belong on this earth anymore, this earth is for God''s creations." "So... who is their creator?" "I do not know. But I will happily send them to meet him." Ayaka looked at him sincerely as he spoke. "Are you going to kill all of them?" She asked quietly. "If one crosses my path I will kill it," he said. "But first I will start off with those five who betrayed my family. Konohimae and Axishi... Then I will find Fugo and Kira. And I will find the Boy." The one who mercilessly slaughtered and carved up my father. "Young master do you plan to forgive any?" "How is that possible?" Sico became irritated. "Do you think I''m wrong to want to kill these things?" Sico stomped up off the bed. He snatched up his soup bowl with angry gratitude and carried it to the opposite side of the room. The passive girl kept her eyes on him the entire time. "I think you should get away while you can." she said softly, "They might be waiting for you young Sico. You don''t know what they may have in store for you. You would only feel worse. I know how...." she looked down and closed her eyes. "I feel how you feel." "You can''t possibly feel how I feel. I don''t even feel I feel." He was so angry she''d suggest that. He snarled and turned around to face her determinedly. "I just have to keep going. I think I need to start up the mountain now." Ayaka''s body grew taut for a second. "The mountain?" "My teacher told me long ago that Migurigum prefer to stay in high places. They need to get away from the energies of the earth when they use power." A very fleeting look of sadness it seemed to Sico, passed over Ayaka''s face. Sico crossed her and went to his sword. He hoisted it onto his back and turned to face her at the door. She kept her eyes lowered so he took this upon himself as an invitation for departure. He put his hand on the doorknob next to Ayaka. "Don''t go. If you stop now I will protect you," she trailed off when she realized what she was saying. Sico shook his head and a peculiar bitter, vengeful smile came onto his. "Do you want me to go home??? I don''t have a home anymore." He opened the door slightly. "And how do you plan on doing that? How do you plan to win against those demons." "I grew up in a dojo. I''ve lived in the shadows for years." Sico frowned. That was a strange answer and he could not believe it. He looked at the girl''s soft eyes which was level with his. It was nice to have human company again. But it wouldn''t help him on the journey he was taking. He had to harden his heart, but he felt forever indebted to her. His heart beat hard as he looked at her and her eyes. He put a frown on his face to secure his emotions and headed out. He walked off the dock that was belonging to the inn. "Would you kill me too, if I was a Migurigum." Ayaka came out behind him and he turned around one more time. She stood there with an unreadable face and still beautiful eyes. "You could never be a Migurigum miss Ayaka." He wondered what her story was and when he''d see her again. "Those monsters have no kindness, no compassion and you are the exact opposite of this. Besides, I will never hurt you." And then he headed toward the north of the town, leaving his thoughts behind. Sico''s chivalrous bravado died down when he started the long journey up the mountains. Stupid philosophical Migurigum garbage. It was one hour later and he was concentrating on his task when Ayaka''s words eventually made it to his mind in a new irritating manner. She affected my mood quite a lot. Still, he''d eaten and managed to rest and he was feeling fairly better. The sky was still dark but it was sunnier up on the mountainside, making for precarious ground. He took a deep breath as be made it to the top of the pinnacle and felt oddly calm. He came to a stop. There was no abodes or hut on the mountain top, he wondered how long it would take to actually find Axishi. It was seeming like such a simple day. He felt something curl around his foot and kicked it off absentmindedly. Then he tripped. Slightly annoyed, Sico turned over onto his back to see the obtrusion. "What the-" a shadowy clawed hand was jutting out of the ground and pulling him down. What kind of madness is this??? "Raaawr!!!" The earlier tranquility was lost. He pulled out his sword and quickly brought it down on the irregular limb, snapping it in two. "!!!" He jumped up as another large arm burst through the earth and snatched at air. As he landed, another arm caught his foot successfully and it shot upward, pulling him with it. "AHH!" Sico held onto his sword as the endless arm shook him about, tightening his grip. He slashed out- the arm bent away like elastic. It started a wild shaking with Sico hanging upside down with it. The sword jerked out of his hand and spun toward the ground. It stuck upright as it fell, planted into the earth, metres away from Sico. Damn. Almost as if pleased, the shadowy claws suddenly stopped shaking. Sico dangled, feeling like a helpless cat wriggling to be put down. He gave up trying after a while and sighed just a shadow fell across the blade. "Hm?" Upside down, Sico''s eyes followed the boot up, up the long black cloak, up to a face he squinted to see against the blazing sun behind them. It was futile however, whoever the person was was blocking out the sunlight and they weren''t trying to help Sico''s vision. "Put me down this instant, whoever the hell you are." Sico growled out. "Hmm.... Master Sico. You are not the master of anyone anymore." That cold voice. That emotionless voice that somehow still seemed chilling could only belong to one person. It was the family Renji''s former house guard; Axishi. There was enough seeping light for Sico to see half of the Migurigum''s non existent smile on his face even though the words themself sounded sneakily snide. Sico twisted around angrily in the air, his heart leapt into an uproar. "Axishi!!!" "You''re evidently useless without your sword, aren''t you. but I admire your over confidence nonetheless." "Put me down on the ground and we''ll see about that, Axishi." Axishi. Axishi really was different from Konohimae. Unlike the calm indifference regarding murder, Axishi seemed pleased for it. So dark, his black long hair was thicker than Konohimae''s, hanging down affront his shoulders and although it was in its custom neutral state, Axishi''s lips were curled slightly at the ends into a smirk. Sico tried to still his heart so that he could think clearly. He closed his eyes as began to speak as clear and calmly as he could. "You Axishi," he said, "you organised the annihilation of my family. Apologize and redeem yourself now. I just might forgive you." Axishi''s lips parted slightly after hearing the words "...You are quite interesting Master Sico. You may prove useful to me after all." The demonic arm holding Sico let go suddenly and Sico dropped, managing to land on his feet. Axishi had already faded away and Sico swirled as he got up to face him in the opposite direction. He laid his hand faithfully on his sword beside him. "I''ve decided Sico-" Sico brought the sword in front of him. "-if you manage to get even an inch close to me..." Sico set his feet in. "You will join me on my journey." A shadowy demon arm struck up at the same time in the distance between them. Sico dived to the side. Another arm struck up from the netherworld- Sico dodged again and started running toward Axishi. A volley of hands shot up in a wall way ahead of Sico and shot out across the mountain. Sico kept up his batting and slicing at the nearest hands, slash after slash. Nearing on Axishi, Sico jumped up to avoid them all but they snapped sharply to follow him up. A few caught his legs and he sliced them off. One held onto his arm and he twisted awkwardly to cut it off. But still, many many more kept appearing and reaching for him. Whether they were actual demons being summoned or an odd power, Sico did not care. "Stupid stupid hands!" His forehead throbbed once and his sword blasted into gold light. It swung down with the sword''s true power and shattered the remaining arms before they could even begin moving. Then Sico''s feet landed back to the earth, running toward Axishi. "Hm, such nice power." "Shut up!!!" Sico cinched down with a downward blow that was deflected by a new rounds of callused hands encircling the Migurigum like a protective cage. "Urgh!" The boy slashed sideways and the hands all circled Axishi, splattering, regenerating. "Stupid..." The hands stopped swirling and immediately spun the opposite direction, striking out at Sico repeatedly. Sico flew back and stabbed his sword down into the ground to stop flying. He rolled neatly onto his feet. Then he was off again- and repelled again. So he ran off again.. and was slapped back so hard that he let go of his weapon. He regripped his sword. Axishi was unmoving inside the cage of hands. "Stupid hands!! ARGH!!!" Thud thud thud. Sico flew upward this time, and the sword went down. The hands would normally come in the way for him to break through and he''d be too slow to attack before Axishi brought up another wave of hands. This time, as the arms stretched outwards, Sico flew on and met the limbs headfirst, mouth open- and he bit into it like a savage animal. Bone crunched and Sico held on. He pulled his head upward, ripping the thing apart, blood flying everywhere about and onto his face. Lifting this sword, he spun and broke through the defense, nearing shield-less Axishi. The sharp edge of the blade was such a shiny gold, and the tip such a pointy end... Axishi''s fingers slender and beautiful like all Migurigum but his nails were pointed. Axishi''s eyes went to where Sico was and he raised his hand confidently. The soft underside of his fingers was reflected on the surface of the sword connecting with them. It was as if in slow motion... The gold blade kissed the fingers and commenced a millimetre, maybe one more and then... SLLLLLL!!!! Sliced clean down the arm. Red spewed. Sico''s eyes widened. Axishi looked at his ruined arm. He snapped his head forward to Sico''s grinning face and his other arm shut out like a snake. "Uh!" His hand was curled around Sico''s neck in a flash. Sico was still in the air before he realized what was happening. He choked. "You are," Axishi enunciated, "a pain." Splash. The blood fell to the ground, the extended second of change gone. Now, Axishi had Sico by the neck in the air, holding his other destroyed arm out as though it did not hurt at all. The two of them faced off finally, all of the demonic arms, gone. Rain pattered. Axishi looked into Sico''s wide surprised eyes and squeezed his neck tighter. The sword fell out of Sico''s hand as blood rushed up to his face. He grabbed at his neck. He couldn''t breathe. His hands clawed, pulling at the Migurigum''s restraining arm but it was as if made of feelingless lead. Still he had to continue prying at the fingers on his neck. It was.. of course, no use. Am I going to die here..? "You''re not quite so confident or useful without the sword, aren''t you Master Sico." No. I can''t die, Sico thought. I have to avenge my family. I cant leave these Migurigum on the earth! But his face was already blanching and his eyes drifting close. He scraped Axishi''s hands one more time but the Migurigum definitely was desensitized in this aspect as well. Sico held onto Axishi''s hand for a minute again, even though he barely had any strength to keep his eyes open. His oxygen was running out. Then... slowly... one by one, his hands slipped down and laid placidly at his sides. CHAPTER 6: Power
SANJI Sanji closed his mouth and stopped stuttering. There was no purpose in explaining himself to Titan. So Titan was the one who had put the lock on the roof top door. Sanji had thought it might have been a teacher. He stared at Titan from where he sat in his vulnerable position. Titan was glaring at him but made no further move, he was also in violation of the school rules. What was he doing keeping animals on the tower? At least the little fox seemed happy. The wind blew coldly against Sanji''s cheeks through the ballista. He shuddered and pulled his arms closer beneath his chest and huddled over it. This was a mistake. Titans eyes went wide and he grounded his teeth. "What do you have in your hands???" Titans bared teeth grew wider and wider as he glared at Sanji. Sanji grimaced and pulled his body into a tighter ball. "N, nothing." Titan almost snarled like an animal as he started marching over. "Nothing my ass you evil little shit." He stomped closer and closer to Sanji and then angrily grabbed at his shoulder. "Show me what you have in your hands!!!" "..." Sanji turned away from the bigger boy and tucked his head into his shoulders. Infuriated at being disobeyed, Titan drew a fist back and then let it slam down hard onto the back of Sanji''s head. Sanji felt the impact smash into his skull. He felt as though that portion of his brain was permanently shattered. He winced aloud but did not unwind from his defensive position. Titan grew angrier. Sanji felt fist after fist blow upon his head, as Titan let out his rage. "Let, it, go!!" He yelled with each punch. Sanji squeezed his eyes shut and tried to endure. Titan would have to stop eventually. He grit his teeth wincing, a tear pealing at the side of each eye. Titan breathed hard. He stood up and grabbed a handful of Sanji''s hair, pulling him up against the railing with him. The little red fox ran around in circles behind them. It was squeaking and whinnying sensing the hostile atmosphere, stopping in between to give surprisingly low growls. Titan was pulling Sanji to turn his way and Sanji was resisting against the hand yanking out his hair, keeping his body turned toward the outside. "Give it back you evil freak!" Suddenly, the hand on Sanji''s head loosened, only to find he''d released to slam Sanji''s head forward onto the concrete balcony. Lights flashed before Sanji''s eyes and he reeled. His senses were knocked out of him and pain bloomed across his forehead. His resistance instantly let up as he struggled to remain conscious. He collapsed against the banister and his hands went loose to catch himself. Titan did instead, he caught Sanji falling and spun him around. The little fox started forward with the spirit of a feisty kitten and nibbed at Sanji''s pant hem, taking cue that this was the prey. "No-" Sanji pushed forward. "Yip!" The fox squeaked and darted back panting heavy for its small frame. Sanji wobbled where he was, he didnt think he could stay conscious if Titan knocked his head on the concrete again . He didn''t think Titan realized how hard he was hitting him, that he could probably kill him. Sanji felt concussed and off balance. He couldn''t stay on his feet. Titan''s hands curled into fists. He grabbed Sanji''s head with two hands again, preparing to slam him down- "Yip yip yip yip!" "NOOOoo!!!" Sanji yelled frightfully. Suddenly the sky brightened and everything turned white all around. A massive flash of lightning tore down from the sky out of nowhere and streaked toward the tower. It raged, fire streaking off of it, burning down through the sky and painting everything in the entire school grounds white and bright. The classrooms lit up, the walls surrounding the school lit up, the trees beyond lit up. It was an eccentric gigantic freak of nature. The lightning bolt connected down onto the tower, down onto a small figure below it. Boom!! The tower rocked as the lightning struck the fox directly in its path. The bolt was so powerful that it lifted the baby cub several inches off the ground whilst electrocuting it. A long and loud high pitched squeak tore from the cub as it twitched in the air, caught inside the fresh lightning bolt. Sanji and Titan were illuminated in the light and watched the baby fox''s body flicker transparent back and forth, the capillaries lighting up and bursting as the lightning fried it. It seemed to last for quite an extraordinary length of time, with the cub yelping it''s daylights out. The squeaks died out, it''s little heart burst and small wisps of smoke drifted out of it''s mouth. The burnt fur singed in the air with a deathly smell. The lightning disappeared, taking with it the brilliant flash of whiteness and the puppy fox fell onto the roof; bulbous and stiff and fried black. Visible smoke was singing off of it with scatters of flames eating at its body. The centre of the tower was blackened and even more fire danced on the tower vines nearby. The fox''s eyes were burst open, it''s mouth was open in shock and every inside of it''s mouth was blackened. It was a picture of horror and revulsion. Something snapped inside of Titan at that moment. He let out an animalic howl and tore into Sanji. He didn''t care whether Sanji was hiding anything in his arms any longer. He drew his arms back and slashed at Sanji. Sanji cowered behind his arms crossed in front of his face. It was only arms and hands and blood flying at that point. Titan slashed and slashed at Sanji, screaming and not allowing the off balance boy to fall to the ground. All the screaming and clawing filled Sanji''s world, he couldn''t see or hear anything else. It was just noise and hatred aimed towards him. "Stop stop stop stop!" Sanji cried back. Every time he called out, a small explosion sounded behind them and the animals were squealing loudly. They banged about in their cages desperate to get out. "Stoppp!" A white owl exploded into a black mess. The ferret exploded where it was, untouched, a black smear on the ground. The ocelot was on its feet agitated and snarling. The foxes next to it exploded one by one. The ocelot jumped onto it''s back legs onto the gate of the cage and hissed. Then, it''s body bulged disproportionately, only for a millisecond, before it too exploded into black sludge. Each animal was splattering into blackness though nothing had touched them. The fire danced upward to the sky merrily, creeping along the tower and growing in size. Everything was an uproar. Sanji didn''t understand how Titan''s strength had strangely doubled. He didn''t know why the blows were opening his skin and cutting him up further. It was as though he was being attacked by a rabid wolf. He couldn''t defend any longer, he was going to pass out... Suddenly, the air behind the two boys rippled. There was a small trembling in the atmosphere and sharp exchange of temperature before it regularized. Someone appeared in the space behind them that wasn''t there before. It was Miss Taka; the strict Migurigum Basics teacher with her intense no-nonsense face. She looked surprised for a second before quickly pulling Titan away from Sanji. Sanji instantly fell to the floor, depleted. Titan snarled and struggled against Ms. Taka, he barely noticed whom he was fighting. Miss Taka winced. She struggled to control him. She dug her heels onto the concrete but Titan managed to push her off with more strength than she could have anticipated. Sanji trembled and watched from the ground as Titan approached again. Oh no oh no, he couldn''t do anything. He squeezed his eyes shut. Miss Taka recuperated quickly and launched toward the raging boy as he descended upon Sanji. Just as she touched the tip of his collar, the air rippled again and the two vanished. Sanji breathed hard and opened his eyes. They were gone, he felt the air move. He breathed in and out shallow and haggardly, his breath trembling. Everything had happened so quickly. "Ha hu , ha..." his breathing shook. The dead fox stared back at him with a permanently open gasp. They were eye level with each other across the tower floor. Sanji looked at the fox; its liquidized organs were seeping out of its eardrums and mouth and stiffening onto the ground to cement it into place. He couldn''t look away. He breathed and breathed and breathed as blood lightly trickled down the wound on his forehead. Small drops of blood was also dribbling down his face and arms. Time passed slowly. He could only hear the sounds of his breathing and the fire slowly crackling. There was not a peel of animal sound atop the tower anymore. The air had gone empty. "..." Time passed slowly. Finally, there was a sound of heat rippling and the shoes of the Migurigum teacher appeared out of thin air before Sanji. At last, he thought, breathing shallow gasps. Finally I could... he let out a shuddering breath and closed his eyes. The shoes walked toward him.
White curtains to the front of him and all around. Sanji opened his eyes to find himself lying on the infirmary bed of the school by himself. His body felt okay, his head felt stiff but no where hurt in particular. Still, he couldn''t move his head too much cause of a slight headache. Either way, he wasn''t planning on going anywhere soon. The cubicle had just enough space for the bed and chair, it was one of the many cubicles partitioned off by curtains. It was very quiet as there was probably no one else in the ward. No one else but the shadows of Miss Taka and by the grizzly stump outline of his shadow, Old Man Healings teacher. Sanji could hear them talking quietly outside his section, mumbling about him supposedly. He pulled the white covers higher up to his nose and continued to stare at the shadows. "... ... students Nabiko and Yoshida ... ... earlier this week.... door." "... ... animals belonged to... ... long time.. ... not permitted to keep... ... rescued." " ... ... how did they... ... completely burnt... ... couldn''t have done..." "... scratched up.. ... enhanced bestial... ... " "Student Makenshi... ... ... question him..." "...damage... ... MRI?..." "We can''t take him to the vill... has to stay... ... safe... instructions... Migurigum." Sanji stared at the curtain shadows. What were they talking about? He made out the names of Yoshi and Nabiko. They probably told the teachers that they had been to the tower before but it had been locked. But Makenshi? Why would they be talking about his lab partner? He couldn''t quite make out the words but he didn''t care to hear more either. Let the adults take care of it. He already wanted to forget about it all. The shadows talked for a few seconds more before the shorter lumpier one turned around and left. Miss Taka stood there for a moment and then turned around in the direction of Sanji''s bed. Abruptly, she pulled the partition aside and Sanji tried to squeeze his eyes shut in time. "Mr. Sabuto." It was foolish to think that the strict teacher had fallen for it. "Yeah?" Sanji opened his eyes slowly and looked at his teacher''s deadpan face. "''Yeah''?" Miss Taka questioned. "Yes miss." Sanji said. "Sanji Sabuto, your room mate said that you were the one who killed all of the animals on the roof. Is this correct?" Sanji shook his head slightly and then realized that she wanted him to answer aloud. He mumbled from behind the sheet covering his mouth. "No...miss." "He said you killed his pets in the past, and that you were hurting one of his animals in your hands." Sanji looked around the curtains and felt the evening breeze nip at him in accusation. Where was the question in the statement? "I wasn''t." Miss Taka said nothing. It was hard to read her unchanging expression. Her pristine winged eyeliner gave a sharp look on the attractive young teacher. She seemed to be calculating something in her mind. "Your condition is alright now. It''s Friday so you may rest up for the rest of the day but then return to your dorm tomorrow." She walked into the room and lightly touched the bandages wrapped around Sanji''s head with the back of her hand. "You''ll be fine." She turned back around and started out the the cubicle, pausing at the dividing curtains to close it. She looked at him squarely. "Get well," and closed the curtain shut. Sanji huddled under the bed covers further. The evening was very cozy and it drizzling outside. He closed his eyes to sleep.
Sanji could tell someone else was in the room even before he opened his eyes the following. It wasn''t hard to tell actually, Sedata had managed to wedge herself into the right upper corner of Sanji''s single sized bed, making herself comfortable. She was sitting on her large skirts and reading from a story book. She didn''t mind that she was taking up half the bed as the side railing didn''t even allow the boy to get breathing space on the other side. Sanji shifted around slightly and Sedata looked toward his face. "Oh! You''re awake!" Sanji squeezed his eyes shut but she had already put down her book and crawled over the mattress to get to the other side. She kneed him in several unmentionable places before hopping off the bed on the other side. "ICHIGA!!!'''' she called out shrilly. Apparently, Sanji had been wrong. There was another patient in the infirmary. Sedata''s best friend Ichiga who had been missing from school for the past two weeks due to breaking her leg in a tree climbing incident. The curtains on Sanji''s left drew back sharply. A girl wearing white animal print pajamas appeared in the dividing pathway, black thick wild hair in two loose ponytails at her shoulders, and a vexed look on her youthful face. She was leaning on a side of crutches, her right leg in a knee high cast. Sedata hopped about the room, drawing back the infirmary windows to let the morning light in, arranging the flowers on his bedside table and pulling aside all of Sanji''s dividing curtains all the way back. Sanji stared at the new imposing girl. She glared back, frowning at him. "You''re Sanji?" "Yes," he answered automatically. She frowned at him more, her face scrunching up cutely as she sized him up. Sanji had never seen her before although they were clearly in the same year group and apparently, she too had never taken notice of him. "You got Prince into trouble you know," she said. Sedata sat down at the foot of Sanji''s head and looked at him, unmoving from his protective covers and huddled up to his nose. "Prince?" "That''s Makenshi," Sedata informed him. She smiled her creepy doll smile at him, "you scared Makenshi good for some reason. He said something about your arms always being like that and then wouldn''t say anything else." Her bright aqua eyes widened slightly, "I tried bullying him a little so he could tell me more but he just wouldn''t talk." "And now Miss Taka has been talking to them all day. You scared Prince." Ichiga sounded it as a direct accusation to Sanji. She obviously blamed him for everything that had happened despite being away from it all. Sanji didn''t deny any accusation, there was nothing to say and this was the least of his problems. "Are you hiding something?" "..." Silence. Ichiga thought she was convincing enough and had every right to an answer but Sanji didn''t reply to her. Sedata smiled wider, looking between the two. "Show us your hands Sanji." "..." Sanji didn''t move. Sedata looked back at Ichiga, her perfected mask cracking slightly. "Ichiga," she whined, "he''s not listening to me." "Relax princess," the new girl cut her off. She hobbled closer to Sanji and glared down on him. She put on a commanding voice. "Show me your hands." "..." Sanji looked away. To the back of the room. To the other beds. Anywhere else. Wishing himself away. Suddenly, Ichiga reached forward, ripping Sanji''s arm from under the covers as she balanced precariously on one crutch. She didn''t mean him any spite she simply seemed a more naturally rough child. Sanji allowed his arm to be twisted all over so that the inner side faced the girl. She turned it back and forth, frowning. Sedata leant forward to see as well. "What did Prince see?" The tomboy asked with mild impatience. Sanji''s arms were as clear as the skin of a newborn. They were unblemished even void of healing scars. More easily, Ichiga picked up Sanji''s other arm and inspected it. There were no marks on this one either. She frowned and let him take his arms away. He retreated himself back under the covers and gazed toward the windows. Ichiga looked toward her friend at the other end of the bed. "Well I don''t know what Makenshi meant," Sedata defended instantly, "I just heard people saying his room mate scratched him up like a tiger." "Hmmm," Ichiga frowned and folded her arm seriously. Sanji glanced at her expression and then down on the floor. Old Man White... probably healed me up already. He realized. Probably healed everything without recognizing that... even my head''s stopped bleeding. "Classes will be exciting though. You''re famous now," Sedata crawled up the bed to sit closer to Sanji again, ignoring personal space. Ichiga was still standing on her crutch before the bed, listening to the news. "You should hear what the other guy said about you, the guy who beat you up??? Why didn''t you fight back though, you''re like a wimp- you like to get beat up don''t you?" she played with the hair falling in the front of Sanji''s forehead bandages, "right Sanji???" "...ye..." Sedata made it so compelling to answer, saying everything she thought in question format, "yeah." Sedata''s eyes brightened and she smoothed the rest of Sanji''s hair back. "See I knew that." Ichiga shifted on her crutch and turned sideways, "I''m going to the dorms now." Mid-stroke, Sedata let go of Sanji''s hair and smiled at the other girl without cause. She nodded deftly and crawled up all over and off the bed with her big wide skirts and stepped in place alongside her friend. The newly met Ichiga started off first, with practised resolute steps, Sedata on her heels. The two girls paused at the periphery of Sanji''s cubicle with opposing demeanors to mirror their personalities. "Well bye," Ichiga spoke first, "if you ever mess what prince again, you will have to deal with me. Also... I hope you get better soon." Her expression was still vexed when she said that but she was also nodding earnestly. "Goodbye Sanji," Sedata smiled warmly. "See you later, okay?" "Okay." Sedata wiggled her fingers in a wave and then the two girls departed through the door. The padding doorstops faded away from Sanji''s earshot and the infirmary was left in vacant calming silence. Nine empty cubicles surrounded Sanji with drawn curtains. There were potted bright flowers at the nurses station and sunlight pouring through every window that there was. It was an ironic sunny silence. Students elsewhere in the school were enjoying the welcome Saturday weather whilst Sanji sat in his sick bed, alone. He stared across the room some more. Lethargically, he pulled himself up and sat straight, the sheets falling down the bed. He was wearing a set of white hospital robes that he didnt presume he had changed himself. One of the teachers or the nurse might have non-intrusively done it for him. Sanji touched his forehead to check for any damage and then dropped his hand. Had Yoshi or Nabiko visited, or were they angry at him for getting them into trouble? Were they even.. friends? Sanji didn''t know. Should he even burden someone with his friendship. "..." He dropped his feet onto the ground and scurraged around for his footwear. He found them and glided off the bed. Not wanting to be too impolite, he tucked in the patient sheets carefully before looking around for his belongings. He found them laying on the bedtable shelf below; his former wear, his shoes. That''s it. He picked them up and folded them over his arms and looked around. One more thing. Tap tap tap, the patient slippers made soft slapping sounds as Sanji walked over to the nurses station cupboard. It was a tall locked vertical cabinet with a glass front, much like a wares cupboard. No one''s around. With his clothes in one hand, Sanji slid his hand through the glass, a phantom gesture. He collected a roll, and another item. He slid his hand easily back out and looked down at the waist high drawers. These were unlocked, with fancy elaborate black handles. He slid them open and checked through the drawers one by one. He found what he was looking for without much delays and closed the drawers back in. Click. He closed the door quietly behind him as he left the infirmary wing. The hall was empty as well. No one was on this side of the school; the library and the sick bay on a bright Saturday. Clack clack clack, Sanji made his way down the wide corridor in his pale patient clothing and slippers. A few sounds of laughter escaped from afar as he walked. He wouldn''t be joining the merriment. He hoped to avoid all his fellow orphans as long as possible. The stares and the questions could wait for one day- He was going to his bedroom. The door opened and shut. It was empty. Of course, Titan wasn''t returning soon. His clothes on the bed beside him, Sanji sat on the white sheets and stared out the window calmly. A beautiful day. The roll of bandages, alcohol wipes and box of razor blades rested quietly in his palms.
SICO Axishi continued to look into Sico''s shutting eyes as his arms stopped scraping and fell to his sides limply. Such a silly boy, he thought, from innocent and daring to an ignorant impulsive fool. He cocked his head studying Sico''s features as a wind tossed the boy''s hair about. He released his hold and went toward the sword as Sico fell, limp, onto the ground. Then, the boy started coughing. Sico pushed onto his elbow, wheezes racked his body but no blood this time, whilst Axishi gripped the sword hilt and pulled it out of the ground where it had stuck. The sword started burning his hand as soon as he touched it. Sico looked at Axishi, his other hand had regenerated already. The Migurigum let go of the blade and looked toward the unknown sky in contemplation. "It seems that this sword might indeed be the only weapon that can kill a Migurigum," Axishi said. He turned to face Sico. "I cannot sense Konohimae in this realm at all. How pitiful of him to have died so easily." Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. "He was," Sico snarled, getting to his feet, "much more noble than you could ever be." Axishi raised his brows for show. "He was what? Did you know that Konohimae was the one who wanted you dead." "All of you," Sico looked at Axishi measuredly. Under all that neutral emotionlessness, Sico knew Axishi to be plain evil. "Each and every one of you wanted me dead." "Incorrect young Sico," Axishi replied "Konohimae believes your part of the prophecy is to kill us. However, I believe it to be more complicated than that, at least- I think you can be useful to us." "I will never join you." "You will," Axishi cut him off discrepantly, "unwittingly." The Migurigum raised his arm from his side to examine its healing and Sico flinched unwillingly. Axishi noted the reaction and his head tilted to the side. He was different from Konohimae. He was... more callous. His eyes flickered deviously. "Do you actually miss your guardian- Konohimae? Is that it?" "He was never a guardian to me." But it wasn''t true, Sico knew it. Konohimae had been with him every day of his life since he was hired. Every day that his parents were away on business, there to teach him and protect him. Even though the Migurigum involvement being too close for comfort caused his family scorn, caused him additional isolation. He was still there. Sico didn''t make a move as he looked at the Migurigum wearing an imitation of a smile. An unfeeling long one that cut his face in half and only served to make him appear more devious. It was too wide... it was abnormal. Konohimae never pretended like that. Konohimae was always cold yet serene. What exactly had it been that made Sico so attached to the being in the first place...
Six years ago "Why do we need to hire another Migurigum? Isn''t sire Axishi enough?" A 6-year-old Sico perched carefully at the Renji household''s ballroom door, his wide eyes bright and toes curling as he peeped through the small view of the keyhole opening, giving him perfect sight of his mother and father debating in the billiard room. "Axishi has been in my family for generations, I''ve grown up with him unaging and so has my father. They are guarding us from the Migurigum who wish us harm," Sico''s father paused in the midst of arguing with his wife. "Axishi said he wont be here all day anymore, and if he suggests that Sico may need another watcher from now on, I would consider it." A sigh; the quiet lady let out a tired breath. "Are you sure we aren''t being forced. We can call for the town priests if need-" "I''m not being forced dear," Mr. Renji seemed slightly offended at the idea, "don''t underestimate humanity. We have been observing the Migurigum our entire lives. I think I know how to manage them." Sico''s quaint mother was not the type to argue. She let her silence speak for her as she shut down, punishing him passively for disregarding her opinion. Mr. Renji softened but did not budge. "Besides, we already have two other caretakers chosen, we will leave it up to Sico to decide. And you know how that boy is a crybaby." Sico''s mother looked at her husband with a plain unwavering expression. She got up from her chair and nodded at him quietly. The scorned man frowned but stepped aside as his wife sauntered past him. Sico scrambled to back up as his mother opened the door. He fell to his butt and his eyes widened. His mother looked down at him in surprise. "Mommy!" Mrs. Renji smiled gently and stooped, putting a hand on Sico''s head. Sico smiled wider. He caught the long wisps of his mother''s hair as she bowed over him and smoothed it out. Mrs. Renji stayed with her son for a moment more before she slid her hand off his head and started away down the hall. Sico watched his mother from the floor as she departed. His mother seemed a little upset. He peered back into the room to look at his stone faced father. It must be daddy''s up to no good. "Bad daddy!" Sico called out, his index lashed out upon his arm and pointed at Mr. Renji. Mr. Renji stared blankly at the child. He was not amused.
Days later, three guests had entered through the foyer door and were standing in a line in the large brown and gold ballroom. The ceiling itself was a sparkling light gold, high and arched with a single chandler in the middle. Four pairs of ceiling high windows with drawn gold drapes lined the mostly vacant room. To the left of the centred stairway was a single round table and on the right was Mrs. Renji, perched on the single armchair. She stared with a conspicuously veiled expression at the dead potted flowers lining the right half of the room. The men in the room were obviously uncomfortable. They had not known that a Migurigum was going to be summoned. The man on the far left looked to be a middle aged merchant wearing rich textiles and a wispy mustache. He was an old acquaintance who enjoyed rubbing shoulders with wealth. The young man in the middle was tall and had a friendly natural aura to him, even with the agitated faces the two wore. He had brown hair and a fit yet lean build, young enough to keep up with toddlers and an all round the ideal choice. And the last being on the right was the Migurigum. Tallest yet amongst all three men and skinniest as well in the room. His expression indicated he neither read the atmosphere well nor showed that he was aware of being a source of malaise. The men peered to their right in a jitter of nerves leaning slightly away... yet almost ogling the Migurigum who did not turn to face them. Konohimae, wearing a bluish black cloak was making no extravagant appearances to appeal to his role, he simply stood gargoyle-like to be examined. His first intimate mission with humans. Ten years they had guessed the initial duties to last, ten years was the blink of an eye to a Migurigum. "Good day gentlemen," Mr. Renji stood at the foot of the stairway with his arms flourished open in invitation. "We shall be choosing a new caregiver for my son today." Grave looks pinched the men''s faces. "Sico!" "Coming daddddddyyy." the giggling yell of the young boy came echoing from down the empty hallway. The men looked over their shoulders at the young boy running from the opposite side, approaching like a tornado. He blew past the men''s tail coats without even a single greeting and almost collided with his father in an attempt to hug him. Instantly, the displeased man caught his son tightly by the shoulders and kept him at an arms length away. Sico wiggled about to escape. The father''s stony expression fell upon him however and he finally paid heed and stilled in the grasp. Mr. Renji looked up from the toddler and smiled tight lipped. "This is Sico Renji; this is the boy you would have to teach, to accompany and to safeguard on a daily basis." Mr. Renji spun Sico around and drew him back to his waist, hands firm on his son''s shoulders. Sico looked at the guests for the first time since he entered; there was a fatty, a nice man suddenly smiling at him and... Someone who looked like they had come from a storybook. Their eyes were not focused on anyone or anything and specific. Sico''s own widened and his father''s dialogue faded from his ears. "We''ll be doing things a little differently right now. Sico, you may choose your teacher from amongst these gentlemen." Sico''s ears pricked up at the sound of his name, he leant his head back and looked up at his father, "I can choose?" Mr. Renji nodded slightly and Sico smiled. Sico lowered his head and looked across the room once more but he only had eyes for one. He''d seen Axishi the security being around the property on occasions, and he''d seen his father talking to him. Most of the close encounters were scary as Axishi would stare at Sico like an insect and try to practise human emotions which horrified his facial features. But this Migurigum did not attempt any of that. He stood in his deep black cloak that all the Migurigum wore, so black it shone velvet. Maybe it was because there were so many people in the room but Sico did not feel scared at all. Without any hesitation whatsoever, Sico shrugged off his father''s hands and sprang off toward the guests. The boy in the middle smiled and amiably knelt to the floor with open arms. Sico ran into the Migurigum''s solid cloak which stopped him like he''d hit a brick wall. Konohimae did not move. The men on the right gaped at the union in twin horror and surprise. Sico beamed and hugged the plush satin cloak. Slowly, Konohimae looked down upon the small human hugging him. How... Odd. What a strange little human. At the stairway, a frown of irritation over Sico''s unruliness was graciously replaced with a nod of approval. "Great," Mr. Renji said, folding his arms. "You have met Sire Konohimae." A grinning Sico looked back over at the stairway and spotted his mother sitting there. He hadn''t noticed her before. "Mommy!" His arms dropped from the Migurigum''s legs and her started toward her. "Mommy, did you see the-" his words cut off instantly. An icy glare froze the toddler in place and he stopped dead in his tracks. Mrs. Renji took to her feet, eyes fixated coldly on her son before she looked away. She headed up the staircase without a glance back. Sico was frozen in shock. "Mommy..?"
"Mommy! Mom mom mommy!'' Pound pound pound! It was late afternoon. The bedroom door remained locked despite the numerous times the little boy beat onto its face. Sico removed his hands, his knuckles trembling from pounding so hard. His mother would not come to door. His lips quivered. Why, why was she mad at him? Sico sniffled and stepped away from the door. Daddy... what about daddy? The glassiness in his eyes managed not to spill over as he sniffled and turned around. Maybe daddy could fix this. "Daddy daddy daddy!" Mr. Renji was standing in his study talking to Konohimae when his son crashed into the doorway. Sico huffed and huffed, "daddy I-" "Sico not now!" The frustration snapped at the child like daggers. Sico drew back as if stung in the doorway. He reached up both hands to touch the nape of his jersey, confused and hurt but his father did not apologize. Glaring, the man turned back to his conversee to continue the discussion. The Migurigum in turn, stared impassively. They did not wait for him to exit before they continued talking of their business. Sico felt ignored once more. The glaciers in his eyes liquidated and he stormed away with an elbow covering his face. No one, no one in the mansion ever paid attention to him. His stride quickened and then he was running. Running down the stairway and to the mansion front doors. He had to remove his arms from his face for a second to push open the giant doors with both arms, no one around to notice him. He belted out down the pathway, the fountain and all the way to the tall iron gates. There was a drawbridge that he passed over that lead to the villages beyond but it wasn''t appealing to him at the moment. The forest was on either side, tall and colourful and massive enough to drown him of his feelings. He hiccupped and walked under the foliage and it slowly thickened around him. Sico had gone into the forest beyond the mansions walls before, with his father of course, but it wasn''t late yet. It was a typical forest with roots growing above the ground, and large boulders lining the streams. Sico took unplanned routes, walking aimlessly in his petulant bereavement. His head down, he kicked pebbles and twigs as he walked and whimpered. His tears were gradually drying but he still felt heartbroken and increasingly bitter. Nobody cares about me. He sniffled and kicked an extra large stone. They come and go all the time. I''m always alone... Kick! "Aww!" the six year old fell to his knees and clutched his ankle. He''d felled across a particularly large tree root and twisted his ankle. Young Sico whimper cried angrily and rubbed his foot thinking he was in the deepest tragedy one could imagine. "Somebody..." he hugged his knees and bowed his head into his lap. No one cares about me. Suddenly, there was a flutter of breeze fanning the fringes of Sico''s legs and a cape like fabric almost touched him. "Huh?" The puzzling wind broke Sico out of his misery and he looked up and up. Standing mere inches before him, the Migurigum looked almost down his nose at the boy with an extravagantly plain and inspecting scrutiny. The boy gaped finding nothing else to do- he had already forgotten about the being. "..." the Migurigum did not advance. Sico''s mouth gaped a little more before he could get over his shock. Tentatively, carefully, he made his mind up and threaded to his feet, swaying and trying to get a small amount of balance. He managed to stand up, one foot embracing the ground and the other with tiptoes, only a light kiss upon the earth. He was now standing before the Migurigum. He strutted forward, one foot hopped forward. He put it down to bridge the gap and leant heavily onto the sturdy cloak before him, letting his weight fall onto his new acquaintance. "Did daddy send you?" the little boy''s girlish voice inquired. The Migurigum hadn''t pushed him away so he felt a little confidant. "..." a minute pause of deliberation then- "no." The voice calm and unquestioning. Sadness panged the toddler''s heart. He hid his face in the cloak. "Daddy doesn''t love me." Coldness grew gradually, pulling in the night with it. Wind was sneaking slender languid drafts through the forest trees and earthbound leaves. It passed by all living things to soothe and tickle them to their homes or to hunt. It licked at the exposed skin on the human boys'' arms and legs and drafted up through his clothing. He shuddered. The sun was dropping below eye level, peering at them one last time through knee length greenery. The two figures were still there. The Migurigum looked at the human still clutching his length. The body was shaking against him in small quick twitches. "Why.. are you moving like that." Calmed and drowsy nestling at his companion''s waist, toddler Sico''s head unpressed from the cloak and he looked up into the Migurigum''s dark eyes. "I''m... cold..." he whispered. His feet threaded closer. "..." Konohimae heard the response. He lifted his head away from the human and looked into the distance. "You are standing on my cloak." "Huh?" Little Sico gave a small puzzled look. Fwsshh! A swift movement and ripple and the Migurigum vanished into thin air. The sudden departure caused Sico to fall forward as his support disappeared and he fell onto the ground, elbows hands and knees. Konohimae alighted on a tall boulder a short distance away that sat on the streams'' edge. "Owww," the little boy mewled and pushed up off the carpets of leaves and dirt that now coated the front of his shirt. The front of his palms were lightly bruised and he whimpered, sitting onto his haunches. Konohimae turned and stared in the opposite direction across the river, his back to the small boy. "..." Young Sico stared sullenly, Atleast... atleast someone is with me. And he''ll have to like me one day, mommy and daddy pay him for it. Sico brushed his chubby hands off bit by bit. He bent back over onto his knees and crawled to the roots that had tripped him. It belonged to a giant tree, the angled crevice of the trunk gave a small sink for a semi luxurious backrest and bed. Sico nestled against the not so uncomfortable incline and lied down, his head on the tree''s overgrown root. His stomach grumbled and he stared at the back of his immobile companion. "I''m hungry." The wind blew its response, more audible than anything the Migurigum had to say. Sico hugged his shoulders, eyes never leaving the tall silent one''s back. Even hungry and cold, he was becoming more relaxed in the deep big woods since he had someone to direct his attention toward. "Sire Migorigore, do you eat???" "..." It seemed the Migurigum would not answer, however- "no," he said quietly. "Don''t you eat fruits and vegetables to get so tall and strong???" "No." "One mango??? Or half an apple???" "... rarely." "Oooooohhhh," Sico smiled even though his stomach was growling, "so you''re half human then? You eat food once a month? Half human half werewolf???" "..." The Migurigum would not answer unnecessary questions. As another growl erupted from Sico''s stomach, his elation began to abate. "Mr. Migorigore, I''m hungry," his voice came out more high pitched and pleading but he realized he wasn''t going to get any help from the Migurigum. His eyes became tired and he curled tighter on the solid dirt. He could just sleep it off, he blinked slowly. Migurigum would stay... he''d just, sleep a little bit. His eyes drifted shut and he let sleep appease his worries. Night fell heavy in the forest.
With the sun taking dramatic departure with all colour, the nocturnal creatures came from their hiding places to taste the black night and whatever the forest held for them. Sico was still curled up at the giant trees trunk and the Migurigum, with no reason to move, was still standing with the replicative immobility of a statue. A large furry creature came from behind the northern bushes, very slowly, very stealthily. It''s paws took it slowly along the stream from where it had come. It could smell the two beings in the vicinity, one a very odd smell. Breeze blew the large gray wolf''s ears and fur forward as it peered at the tall still Migurigum standing on the boulder. It''s shoulders hunched, golden eyes slits, the animal took its time to evaluate the tall prey at a closer range as it crept up. It was mostly curiosity; the wolf did not like to engage upright prey; it was smart enough to know this would be dangerous. Sensing no movement, the wolf completed it''s trek to the boulder and raised itself upon its hind legs to lean forward onto the rock. It snuffed at the foot of Konohimae. The scent was indistinguishable. Was it alive or was it inanimate? There was no fear, no feeling at all from the erect creature. The wolf''s nose snuffed and touched and smelled and sniffed the hem of the cloak. The Migurigum did not look down. Not knowing what to think about the gargoyle, the canine dropped its front paws off the rock and turned its focus onto the sleeping animal lying by the tree. It decided that the Migurigum was probably not a living being, the smell must have simply been an odd wolf that had marked its territory. The wolf would not usually attack a human being but this one was a small human and easy to pick up and carry away to eat later. There were only scatters of moonlight about toddler Sico''s napping place. Even had he been awake, he would not have seen the animal approach as stealthily and silently as one of its kind does. He was not aware of the danger, he seemed to be sleeping very peacefully despite the cold- seemed to have found a perfect spot on the dark earth. Soft almost silent thuds of paws approached the boy before the wolf emerged at the boy''s head. The wolf lowered its nose an inch before Sico''s face; the boys deep breath blowing at the fur on the wolf''s nozzle. The Migurigum''s back was turned on the scene as the short introduction inspired. Scrupulously, the wolf traced its nose down over the child''s chin, down to the neck looking for an easy mark. Its hot breath poured out on the child''s throat as the wolf opened its jaw slowly. The lips on the sharp canine mouth curled back and without further indecision, the jaw moved to snap the neck swiftly and make off... It wasn''t teleportation that brought the Migurigum across the distance to snatch the wolf into the air. In one extremely fast gesture, the Migurigum had streaked across the leaves and grabbed the grey wolf up by its throat. Konohimae spared no thought or second to decide upon its course of action. The massive wolf swung by the neck in Konohimae''s grasp and didn''t have time to retaliate. Konohimae held the wolfs throat in one hand and grabbed its head with the other and he pulled it apart. Tendons stretched an bone cracked apart, and the wolf was decapitated with one strong jerk. The fur then the inner grey skin ripped in half easily, the neck burst and the two pieces were completely separated with blood and its interior appendages hanging between the two pieces. Konohimae dropped the head, and flung the body absentmindedly across from him, back toward the bushes. There was a ripple of movement in the bushes as the body thumped down. The Migurigum turned around calmly, Sico still asleep behind him. His eyes tracked the movements in the bushes, side to side. Yes, the surrounding wolves had seen the father of the pack killed. They did not have time to comprehend what had happened; the body bleeding at the front of their hiding places- they simply knew this was a dangerous being. The sound of scrambling claws and a pack of twelve smaller wolves scattered from the bushes, but Konohimae was faster. He took on a black featureless form, with claws the only distinguishable shapes and flew like a stretched shadow out toward the wilderness in a blur. Nothing could be seen as the silhouette zoomed through the bushes in a row. Shrieking and yelping tore up into the sky. Rustling, strangled wolf yelps cut short and ripping sounds, and then the night was silent. The black shape flew back from whence it had disappeared and resumed a physical shape, standing guard in front of the toddler. Steadily, blood seeped below the foliage as though it had been just been watered in red. Sico stirred, the wolves dying howls having been heard far and wide. Konohimae looked down at the infant''s fluttering eyelids. There was a spot of blood on his face. He bent, his arm extended from within the cloaks. He touched a slender finger lightly on the face where blood was rolling down the boy''s cheek. He carefully drew his finger against the stain. The blood only smeared. "..." Konohimae pulled back and stared at the blemish. Sico''s eyes blinked open. He sat up. "!!!" The gigantic wolf''s head gaped at Sico as soon as he opened his eyes. He jumped and covered his mouth in surprise, remembering where he was. He looked around him, the Migurigum was in front studying him, closer than he had been before. "What..." Sico looked back and forth between the head and the unaffected bodyguard. This was not fun anymore. He had never seen a brutally severed head before. He was finished with this adventure of his. He placed his palms on his knees and looked the Migurigum straight in the eye, "I wanna go home," he pleaded quietly. It was too dark and scary by now. He wanted to be in his bed. Konohimae stared back at the boy. Home... He turned around and started walking away, expecting the boy to follow. Sico''s heartbeats quickened and fear jumped in his chest. He was walking away, the blackness already enveloping all trace of the figure ahead. He was going to be left alone in the dark cause his foot had been twisted. His shoulders started shuddering and he began to weep audibly, rubbing his eyes There was no way the Migurigum would wait for him, he wouldn''t be able to keep up and he''d be left alone again. Maybe a wolf would really eat him up. Why had he run away? Konohimae stopped in his tracks at the soft sound behind him. He turned around. What was that sound, it wasn''t a language and it wasn''t communicating anything helpful. He saw the boy through the darkness with hands covering his face, still seated on the ground. "What are you doing." Sico startled and looked up at the surrounding blackness. He looked side to side but couldn''t see anyone around. "I, " he whispered, not wanting to disturb the night despite the fact that the Migurigum might not be able to hear him, "I can''t walk." Silence. Sico tried to look in the direction the Migurigum had gone. There was no answer or rustling of fauna, only crickets all around. Konohimae emerged a short distance ahead of the boy looking down on him. Sico swallowed and looked up. The dark figures face was the only thing visible in the dark. "My foot breaked." "..." The dark eyes scanned the boy but he could see no injury. He looked back up at the tear streaked face looking at him and shivering in the cold. Konohimae took a step closer to Sico. Sico stared wide eyed as the Migurigum came closer and closer to him. And then he gasped as the Migurigum reached down and took him around the back and below the legs, scooping him up smoothly. Sico''s small arms went instinctively around his neck to hold on but there was no need. He was safely cradled in Konohimae''s arms, his body snug against the soft velvety cloak and face the closest he''d ever been to a supernatural being. He stared wide eyed at the Migurigum''s pale face, almost glowing in the dark for its lack of colour, and they started walking out of the forest again guided by unknown instincts. They were walking, not gliding, not flying, very naturally and human like. The Migurigum carried him. Without anyone to tell him off for staring rudely, Sico gazed transfixed, almost as if in love. Dark eyes and docile features; they were not so indistinct from a normal persons... right? Why were they hated? Even though it was apparent that the boys had eyes on him only inches away, Konohimae did not try to intimidate him by making eye contact or by telling him to look away. He allowed the boy to stare as the two journeyed through the cool night. Sico liked the Migurigum''s calm smooth face, no yelling or menacing glances. He felt safe and not alone- no creature of the night would dare approach them. Gingerly he touched the pale skin to see if any of it was real and Konohimae glanced briefly at young Sico. Sico breathed in deeply, feeling the skin. He rested his head against the gentle shoulder and closed his eyes to sleep. The Migurigum carried him all the way through the night.
Axishi''s false smile was still in place. Satisfied that his arm had properly healed, he dropped it to his side. "Konohimae had a mission, he was, not, supposed to return to your town..." as though called upon by the Migurigum''s emphasized words, the winds and atmosphere about them began to darken. The storm clouds traveled across the sun and the sky was beginning to blot over. Darkness was coming. Was it purely the storm? Indeed. As strong as Migurigum were, and without many humans to attest to this fact, not even they or any being had control over the environment or other living things. But it was a fit timing, and Axishi was taking advantage of the accumulating tension. "Did you think we came into your life by mere accident Master Sico???" his voice penetrated the increasing shrieking winds and Sico had to kneel on a knee to avoid being buffeted by the gales, clutching to his namesake weapon once more. Shadows extended from Axishi''s cloak, his arms, hair and shoulders and the hem of his cloak began growing long and growing upward. He was becoming a massive black penumbra whilst also retaining a central humanoid shape. The living shadows blackened half the mountainside and Sico could only gnash his teeth and look on. "I thought you weren''t going to kill me!" he yelled. "I''m not going to kill you Master Sico... I am going to overwhelm you. I am going to break you!" "!!" Some loose earth around started to shake and slide. More rocks from all about started sliding down toward his feet. He had underestimated the Migurigum again. Why hadn''t Konohimae exhibited this immense power? The earth before Sico''s feet continued to slide in torrents, he didn''t have time to think, his feet no longer found solid ground and it crumpled apart as well and swept him backwards. It was an avalanche.... Explosions of debris suddenly flew up and obscured the shrouded sky. He could no longer see Axishi before him. The mountain quaked and shook, earth split and spit stone in all diagonals. There was no longer a level horizon and nothing below his feet. Axishi had awoken the avalanche. Directionless, Sico fell free.
The braided Migurigum was standing next to a tree when he saw the mountain side collapse. He had been standing there for a short while, after following the young boy, unnoticed. The braided Migurigum shielded his eyes from the sun, the other hand resting on the tree trunk. They had to keep they distance so the two fighting were but diminutive specks on the horizon. The braided Migurigum watched the taller figure draw back and then stretch into a huge black form, spreading across the green with its lengthening shadow. The piercing growl reached across the land to the small unseen Migurigum and pierced his ears. He winced and had to look down, covering the Sides of his cowled head. When he glanced back at the scene, the mountain was nothing but tumbling rubble, he couldn''t see anyone there. "!!!" He stood erect in a panic and scanned the collapsing rocks. Where where where? Everything was falling apart. There! The figure of the boy was falling with the avalanche, tossing like a doll. The Migurigum grimaced looking around. I... might fall myself. He jumped toward a falling ledge and landed on it. It skid down the slope with Migurigum on top. The Migurigum jumped to another rock just before it smashed into pieces, eyes focused on the target. The wind was wild and whipped his hair about rom under the hood, tumbles of earth obscured his view as he balanced on his piece of falling rock to quickly calculate his next step. Everything was happening quickly, no time to lose. The boys body was falling down in the middle of the barrage and he could be smothered any minute. One two three seconds, the braided Migurigum made six successive leaps across the face of the mountain and made his way over to Sico just in time. He grabbed him around the waist with one hand and then his head swung around to look up at the falling sky to any fixture above. His hand swung out with a grapple and twined around a tree root growing horizontal on the land. It held. The Migurigum faced away and shut his eyes as the remaining earth rained down against his back. Some boulders pounded him but he kept his hand tightly on the cord as they hanged, unconscious Sico tucked closer to his body for protection. Minutes passed before the braided Migurigum was able to slowly pull them up. Sico was a strain to carry, they were not bigger themselves. He let loose his knapsack to let off weight and hoisted them up. With great effort, he managed to reach the top of sturdy land as rain pelted down, the storm picking up earnestly. The rain was sheets in the lithe Migurigum''s eyes. Sico''s body was thrown over first, then the Migurigum managed to crawl over and stop at the ledge to pause for breath. Rain gathered on the rocky surface. The Migurigum pulled Sico by the shoulders with both hands, backing across the mountain to make way to a sheltering cave. one foot each, a slow steady drag. Finally in the cave, Sico was dropped furthest inside the safety of the cavern. The Migurigum fell to his knees at the entrance of the cave, breathing hard in exhaustion. Outside was a vision of rain. There was no where to go for now. The skies were dim. The braided one panted and pulled off his hood. Sico stirred in the background. CHAPTER 7: Their True Form ???????
SANJI Knock knock knock- knock knock knock! Sanji''s eyes opened. Another day had arrived. On the dot. Again. It would never end. Sanji sat up and stared at the door as though staring intensely enough would erase the person on the other side from existence. 7:47am... Who could it be? Knock knock knock knock! Sanji sighed and sat up slowly, very slowly. He swung his feet off the side of the bed and felt for the solid ground, one toe at a time. He didn''t want to trip and have an accident now... The ground felt solid enough. He pulled his legs over and let his feet rest, sitting at the edge of the bed and stilled. Maybe they had gone away now..? The knocking persisted once more. The nuisance wouldn''t even call out their name so he realized he really had to answer it. Gingerly, he padded across the room to the door and stopped before it. Who was knocking for him this hour of a school day? Why would anyone even bother with him? There was no eyehole so Sanji leant against the corner of the doorframe lethargically and placed his hand on the doorknob, being as silent as possible. The knob turned slowly in his hand and he opened the door, one millimetre at a time till he had partial view of the person outside. It was Nabiko, arms folded casually and looking at opening crack in expectation. His eyes lowered and met Sanji''s at the corner of the doorframe. The shorter boy''s eyes instantly averted to the floor. Ah no, why him??? Sanji thought, Is he mad at me or something? I don''t want this. He turned his head away and started to close the door. Atleast, he tried to. Sanji looked down. Nabiko had wedged his foot in between the doorway. His eyes met the incredulous stare. "Were you seriously going to close the door on me?" Sanji''s reddened slightly and he retreated his face behind the door a little bit further, "no I just, I..." "Rhetorical question," Nabiko placed his hand on the door and easily pushed his way inside striding in beside Sanji who did not move. He stopped and turned to Sanji, his eyes roamed up and down the boy''s body. "You''re not even dressed for school yet." Nabiko paused, he scanned the room like a concerned parent. Not only Sanji''s attire, but his entire room looked dead and forgotten. He had assumed Sanji might be a neat freak, but there were two cafeteria trays on the bedside, dirty clothes piled in the corner of the room, and bloody bandages lying at the foot of the bed. "..." he thought it over in silence.. they''d have to deal with it later. "Come on, we have assembly now. Yoshi''s already there." He looked at Sanji, still unmoving from the doorway, "or do you plan on sleeping in all day?" Sanji quietly bowed his head and looked across at the view of his bed and room. He knew what it looked like. Sleep in all day..? Yeah... he didn''t mind that if he could... "Really man? You know I''m joking right?" Nabiko folded his arms and leant against the door. "Change your clothes now, I''m waiting. You can bathe during lunch time." With great deliberation, Sanji walked toward the center of the room and stopped short. Nabiko reached up and began pulling his hair out of his ponytail, raking it back and forth probably for the hundredth time of the morning. His stomach peeked from beneath his untucked shirt as he waited for Sanji to make move. Sanji in response turned around slightly but without facing his classmate directly. "You shouldn''t... you shouldn''t bother with me. I''m not worth it." "Yeah, okay, sure???" The elastic hairband hanged from Nabiko''s mouth as he spoke muffling, "that''s very nice to know but can you hurry up? I''m not so patient." Nabiko finished neatening up his hair and made his way over to Sanji''s wardrobe. He reached through the hanging clothing in search of the school shirts. The jackets soiled in animal urine was sitting at the bottom of the cupboard. Nabiko looked at it but did say nothing. Sanji hugged his arms to himself and watched Nabiko going through his clothes. He wasn''t listening to him. "Urghh!!" Nabiko grumbled in exasperation as he flipped through the clothes for the third time. "How do you not have any clean school jerseys when you barely come to class??? Fine then." Nabiko turned around and glanced at Sanji as he marched toward the bedroom door. "I''ll be right back," he said, exiting the room. Quietly, Sanji turned around and took a meek seat upon his bed. He looked down at his hands as he waited. Why is he being so kind to me...? His eyes fell upon his pillow and he remembered what he had hiding there. Quickly, he reached into his pillowcase and grabbed the box of razorblades he had hidden there for secrecy. He was sure he was going to need it later. He tucked it into his pocket just as Nabiko returned with one of his own school shirts in hand. "There, now come on, you gotta atleast brush your teeth," he was grabbing and kicking the random clothing articles on the floor into a heap as he hurried about the room and finally picked the entire bundle up into his arms. "Let''s go," he budged the door open with his foot and eyed Sanji, allowing him to pass through first. "I''ll drop this off for you since the laundry is close to the washroom." Nabiko let the door close behind him and the two started down the empty corridor, walking one arm''s length away from each other as though complete strangers. Nabiko was trying to hurry, bundle of clothing in his arms, but Sanji at his side was staring out the pathway daydreamingly. Nabiko shook his head in exasperation, though not quite contempt. Not even a bit of gratitude but I guess... that''s the personality of this guy. He shrugged his shoulders. As they neared the dorm''s bathroom, Nabiko sped up and zoomed around the corner to head to the laundry leaving Sanji to wash up on his own. Sanji finished washing up by the time Nabiko returned and then they were off to the hall at the frontside of the school. Form 1 to form 6 gathered there every morning, whilst the younger ones had a different hall and briefer morning assembly. It was a nice walk, albeit a fast one. The hallways had the school classrooms on one side, and the other side waist high concrete railings, sectional columns and the inner courtyard. It wasn''t anything unusually fancy, but it was home- not stony interiors but a step into fresh air upon exiting every classroom, a beautiful morning sun that Sanji would miss every overslept day. This time, the procession was blighted by the impending daunt of the assembly. Being late was a small fortune in hindsight; he didn''t have to hear the principal redress what had occurred with Sanji the passed week and he didn''t have to see students turn around to pinpoint the accused in their midst. The two scarcely made it in time for the principal to reiterate that the four towers were still off limits to students (because each one was said to hold the four elements for the school border), that no one was permitted animals outside of the class pet, teleporting was dangerous and not allowed and that classes were going to resume as usual of course. They said a morning pledge and then were dismissed row by row which quickly disintegrated into a moving pandemonium.. Even though he had come in late, within one minute everyone knew who Sanji was and it was like moving in the wash of a spotlight. Deliberately, Sanji slowed his pace, shuffling amidst the crowds to lose Nabiko from his side. He didn''t want to have the boy feeling compelled to defend him or be added to an embarrassing hazing. It was shameful enough not to drag someone else into his mess. And so he lingered back, feet dragging to a crawl and eventually he became swept into the waves of the crushing crowd. Nabiko, he noticed, also became swept away far ahead of him, looking around with futile effort. He was finally ''alone''. "That''s him isn''t it?" "That''s the new boy who was fighting on the tower." Slow gossip pressed around him until the momentum became more bold. A few students were trickling by but more of the older students remained walking in time with him, none were prefects of the sixth form body who had exited off their appointed mezzanine seating already. A hand landing on his shoulder was the first move and Sanji was almost pulled back. "Are you Sanji? What happened on the tower?" "Why would you fight on the tower, that''s where the border protection lies." Whispers quelled and absorbed into each other to form one uniform voice. Sanji kept his eyes averted but he''d already been cornered and had to stop walking. The circle was made up of maybe 20 students, more older ones, the tall inquisitor in front seemed to be a form 5 student. "Some of the sixth form students teleported there afterward and they said there were black stains on the ground," the student had brown neat hair and was not unfriendly but beneath Sanji''s vacant gaze, his heart was beating rapidly. "Lightning can''t burn an animal so bad to fry it like that, can it?" "Maybe one of them did it." "No way," someone else interjected, "only Migurigum can do that, the other guy clearly is an enhanced Bestial but this guy..." ''this guy'' was referring to Sanji. "This guy is no Migurigum," the form 5er finished, eyeing Sanji squarely, "if he did that then he would be have to be like a god or something." "Yeah right," another one scoffed. A few more students trickled by but the ringleader continued to look down on Sanji with folded arms as Sanji stared at the floor... it wasn''t anything he hadn''t expected... "Do you have an enhanced ability yet?" "...no," Sanji muttered in a soft voice. "Why''s he talking down in his toes like that?" A few chuckles came from the crowd and Sanji reddened. Ah, he wasn''t used to the attention, but.. it was okay. It was to be expected, he shouldn''t have been on the tower. He should stop being bad. He shouldn''t have been here at all. "Guys quiet," the others strangely obeyed the lead boy. He had his hands raised and a strange small smile on his face as he looked about him at them. Then he refocused his energies on Sanji standing just below his vision and caught like helpless cattle. "Don''t mind them, I''m the form 5 rep and I''m a... clairvoyant psychometric or something like that," he stuck out his hand at Sanji, "it''s nice to meet you." Clairvoyant... Sanji thought he knew what the first word meant but a psychometry enhanced? What was it? Was this a trick- was the boy planning to hurt him in front of all the other students? Sanji stared at the hand and his body tensed. He had mentally accepted everything and was okay with being hurt but... but his body was still reacting and he couldn''t control it... "What''s the matter???" the voice provoked him, "I don''t bite..." Bite... Sanji swallowed a lump in his throat and had to close his eyes. What would happen if he broke? The students didn''t notice his dismay. What would happen if he bit back... "Miroku what are you doing?" All the children startled and half the rabble scattered off instantly. Heads turned toward the skunk haired principal glaring at the bunch, his hands on his waistcoat, black and white tailored suit looking new. "Sirrr," the fifth former placated, "I''m just trying to keep order here-" "I thought you wanted to be a prefect next year," the aging but stylish principal cut him off and was already walking away,. "All of you head to class or you get detention." They dispersed, Miroku disappeared with a bow and Sanji was left with a perplex of emotions. It hadn''t tipped over the edge. HIs heart quietened and he relaxed his hands. So it was over. He looked up. The principal was staring at him. Then the man turned and walked away. Why???
Sanji opened the homeroom door. The small classroom was filled with chatter, all eyes on one person. It ebbed and then snickering. Why snickering? Sanji walked over to the left of the room, the back by the window. His desk, behind Yoshida''s empty one. Had they been called by Miss Taka again? He didn''t look around for Nabiko either. It was more of a relief. There were instructions written on the board but no one was doing the schoolwork. On one side, Sedata, Makenshi and the cast legged Ichiga sat chatting idly. Around Sanji and making a pathway for him to his seat, the students lounged on their desks staring and waited for him. He didn''t give them a chance however, as he finished his procession down the plank, he slung off his bag and dropped it to the ground and immediately sat and put his head on the desk. The din lessoned immensely- the circus monster was not performing as scheduled. You would think the bullying would end since Titan was gone from the picture now but no... now more people were noticing the strange sullen boy. "Hey!" Someone strummed rapidly on his desk, "we know you''re not asleep." "Why does he always act like that?" A chair scraped nearby as though being pulled up to sit in front of Sanji''s desk. Sanji could hear them taking a seat, he saw their legs straddling the chair from beneath the desk. They were simply going to ignore the fact that he wanted to pretend to be sleeping and talk at his head anyway. Someone strummed again, this time on the back of his head. "What happened to your roommate?" they asked, "Miss Taka teleported in the middle of class and then didn''t return." "Someone said he ran into the forest on the compounds." "So is he expelled, is he coming back???" "You can''t get expelled from your home," someone else retorted with a huff, "and why wasn''t Sanji punished too?? They both were fighting." "It''s because he lost," someone laughed, "the losers never get into trouble. It''s not fair. Miss Taka is always defending him." "Yeah we noticed." Sanji kept his face down. He couldn''t tell if the entire class was standing round him or not but he could see many feet just standing around in his vicinity. His new acquaintances, were they joining in too? Guess it didn''t matter, he didn''t want to be noticed. This would be over in a few days and things could go back to normal. "So did he kill the animals or not?" "I doubt it, but he seems like the type who would." "Yeah, the silent evil type who would just go off one day." "Maybe we should be careful before he kills everyone-" "Pshh, if he even thinks about doing that we''ll deal with him. We''re a family here- someone can''t just come and mess everything up." "I hate people like that." They continued making assumptions around his head as though he wasn''t there. "He probably tortures animals in his spare time... that''s why he''s never in class." "Oh my gosh! That makes total sense-" "This class is too noisy!" Just as he began to think about them, he heard the familiar slightly grating voice of the infirmary girl; Sedata''''s best friend jumped up slamming her hands on the desk and glared around the students. Sedata and Makenshi at her side didn''t try to restrain her, used to her personality and following her as the surprising ringleader of the three. "Eek, Ichiga''s back," a student within Sanji''s circle mumbled, hoping not to be heard. "I heard that!" Ichiga pointed her crutch at their corner and glared at the spoken boy, "and I climbed the river tree the highest so you all owe me a dollar! Come on," she indicated to her friends, "noisy idiots." Hobbling professionally on her crutches, Sanji heard the girl''s chair scrape back and then two pairs of feet follow her out of the classroom. It seemed the teacher probably wasn''t coming back for the morning, maybe he could leave as well? Silently, Sanji patted the lump in his pant pocket and collected his breath. He just needed courage to get up and leave, it was harder than it sounded and everyone was standing so close around him. It wasn''t their fault for cornering him, he had entered their world and disrupted the unity. His fingers curled lightly on the desk, they weren''t even bullying him per say, he was the bad one after all. He''d done something weird and disgusting and now everyone wanted to find out about it. Wait... it hadn''t been him, had it? And another important question arose; did he even care or did he just want to forget it? The animals that had died very suddenly, it wasn''t torture so.. he didn''t see the problem. Had he done it..? Had he done it deliberately? Something like that... he didn''t want to get to the bottom of it. He just didn''t want to know about it- it was over. Something about dead animals really triggered him. Did that make him evil? He took a deep breath and stood up whilst the students around were distracted. They startled and looked back at him- "hey he''s up!" Sanji quickly shoved through as easily as he could, keeping his eyes downcast. He bumped a few angered shoulders on the way out of the throng. He walked fast toward the front of the class before he could turn to the exit, a few students overcame their alarm and decided to dart after him. "You''re not supposed to leave the class!" they snapped behind his back but he hurried on just barely managing not to run. He burst out the doorway, free, just as a hand caught his shoulder. He shrank back- "Why are you running- ow!!!" the voice broke off with a whump. The boy started hopping, holding his shin and they both looked down. Ichiga closed her eyes and brought her weaponised cast back onto her lap, feigning piety. "No shouting by my ears." "Ichiga that hurt!" the boy squeaked. "Why are you blaming me!" Sanji glanced at the girls and Makenshi sitting cross legged on the floor just outside the classroom door. Sedata and Makenshi were sharing a sugar coated gummy like bean snack and not looking his way. Makenshi it seemed, did catch his eyes once but then looked away very bashfully. He definitely did not want to see Sanji at all out of some weird emotion; fear or shame perhaps? Ichiga made a thump on the ground with her cast leg impetuously and caught Sanji''s attention. "Go you idiot," she frowned. Sanji looked back up. The boy and another exited the classroom like an old cowboy showdown. Sanji spun around and blundered down the corridors, automatically heading to his hiding spot. "Where are you going to in the middle of class?" Great. They had decided to follow him. How corny and undisputedly micro-aggressive. Sanji didn''t look back. "Come back to class or we''ll report you." A girl''s voice rang out with such conviction that Sanji faltered in his walking and considered stopping. No, he could not get into more trouble. He slowed, and the two back caught up to him, flagging him on both sides as he walked. "Where are you going anyway? You don''t like anyone in class?" "They''re only trying to talk to you but you act like you hate everyone," the boy on the right continued, close to Sanji''s ear. "That''s why no one likes you." "Yeah everyone''s nice except you. You don''t even answer simple questions." The children came upon the bathroom door and two paused inquisitively, Sanji commenced and ducked in to find a stall as quickly as possible. "You don''t actually want to use the bathroom-" they slipped in quickly after him and Sanji rushed to the furthest stall, a shower. "Hey!" Sanji got in and slammed the door shut. He backed up against the wall and watched the feet of the predators beneath the stall door. They tried the doorknob and it resisted them. Sanji held his breath as he heard the two bickering. "We''re going to report you," the girl called out afterward. A shiny oxford beneath the shower door pivoted and four feet departed from view. Sanji exhaled a kept breath slowly and slid down against the wall. It was over... He touched his pant pocket. Now, he could cut- The sound of the bathroom door banging open shortly after brought him back, three new voices added to the criticising choir. "So someone''s ditching class?" "Yes!" Sanji''s classmate piped out to the escalating rhythm of Sanji''s heart, "He''s in the stall." "Okay, well you two head back to class," the new voices seemed to belong to older classes, perhaps form 4 or 5. The girl from Sanji''s class grumbled but the two knew they had to listen to their seniors. The elders kept the bathroom door open for the two children to depart and then turned tentatively around. Sanji brought a hand to his mouth and kept quiet, listening closely. A pair of the trio were orange haired twins. One twin had a fat weasel kit lying dormant in his hands as he stroked it with heavy performative melancholy, his eyes on it in a melodramatic pout. His sister at his side as she strode in beside him, looked at him with mild vexation and disgust. "You need to find a spot to bury that rodent and stop lulling it around with you." "Why are you being so mean to Hamtaro, he was our class representative!" the orange haired twin wailed and started stroking the dead pet''s fur defensively. "You fire haired meanie." His twin rolled her eyes and walked past him up to the third boy who was opening each bathroom stall once by one. "So the weird boy''s here? It seems empty." "Don''t do that, maybe someone''s using the bathroom." The boy ignored his friend and continued banging the doors open, getting closer and closer to the end. Sanji gulped and looked up at the shower handle. He should turn it on so they would leave him alone. In a second of deliberation, Sanji reached up from his seat at the corner and pulled the lever upward so water gushed out, more forcefully than anticipated. Of course, the three outside heard the sound and their attention was pried onto the bathroom''s last cubicle. "..." but they might leave as well... they wouldn''t be so rude as to invade someone else''s privacy, would they? There was no sound throughout the lavatory. Sanji kept his breathing muted and eyes on the door. The water was spraying up from the floor, pooling slightly against the incline of the shower floor to where he sat. It sopped around his sneakers as the seconds ticked by. Sanji wasn''t sure what was going on. Something thumped in the stall beside Sanji''s but then it disappeared. Sanji kept holding his breath. It was silent for a long time. "Haha ha, are you really bathing with clothes on?" Sanji jumped and looked up at the talker who was leaning on the upper right corner of the shower cubicle wall. By his leisurely gestures, head propped on arms, he seemed to have been standing there for a while, observing Sanji. The boy with his neat black fringes, grinned widely and hopped over the wall from the other side of the adjoined cubicle. Sanji pulled his feet in as he landed almost gracefully just out of reach of the water''s spray. The boy leant over and pulled the faucet off and then walked over to the bathroom door. He opened it, the two twins emerged from the side where they had been lying in wait. The orange haired boy leant against the sink directly opposite the shower with the weasel in hand whilst his sister stepped into the stall carefully, and leant at the corner looking down on Sanji. Unpleasant questions surfacing in her mind muddled her expression as she took in the suspicious scene. "Interesting fellow isn''t he?" The former asked his female friend rhetorically as she rolled her eyes and waved a hand dismissively at him. "Sanji Sabuto... Titan told us about you," the boy was looming where he stood. "He used to be in our class year before he had to repeat." "He always skipped class to go walk his animals in the woods," the girl continued the story for Sanji''s information. "Yah," boy one looked back from his friend, "every time he went into the woods he came back with a new animal. Everybody knew what his enhanced ability was." "He brought back this kit for our class," orange haired at the sink raised the weasel a little for Sanji to see. "And since that incident last Friday with you, a lot of the class pets have dropped dead." "Stand up when we''re talking to you." Sanji''s eyes widened. All the time, Sanji had been sitting in the corner whilst the three introduced themselves and their scant connection to him. The atmosphere had a thinly veiled friendliness on the surface, but the commanding voice told Sanji he was in deep trouble and no one was around to help. Automatically, he braced his back against the wall and supported himself up as he got to his feet. His hand was still on the box of razor blades so as quickly as possible, he snuck it into his pant pocket behind his back hoping no one would care to look. But he wasn''t so lucky. "Aha," The fringe haired boy darted forward and seized Sanji''s hand from inside his pocket and raised it up into the air, way above Sanji''s height. Sanji strained and tip-toed and tried to pull his arm down. Instead the stretching caused his hand to open wide and the small box of razorblades dropped onto the bathroom floor. The orange haired girl darted forward and scooped it up quickly from the floor and then skipped back to examine it. "It''s a box of razors," she said disapprovingly. Finally letting go of Sanji''s hand, the first boy turned to his friend and confirmed the small weapon with his eyes. "Well isn''t this suspicious..." a slow cold smile edged on his face as the two stared at each other with raised brows. No, what did they mean... Sanji stepped forward, it wasn''t bad. He reached for his comfort razors but the first boy stepped in front of him immediately. "Hold up," a solid grab on Sanji''s shoulder to keep him from resisting, then shoved him against the shower wall tiles with its momentum. Sanji winced. He instantly recognized his inferior strength and decided not to fight. The boy did not apologize, his words cold and face darkening slightly, he stepped closer to Sanji facing him full view and forcing him harder against the wall. His fingers gripped down on the quiet boy''s shoulder. Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. "Titan was right, you go around cutting up animals, don''t you?" The boy came closer to Sanji''s face. Sanji couldn''t tell whether the other boy was smiling or teasing him or was serious or what. His shoulder hurt. He came to the conclusion that things were not going to go nearly as peaceably as earlier morning encounters had. He stopped himself from wanting to tug the grip off his shoulder knowing he''d only make his situation worse. The fingers of his other hand trembled and he held it against his chest, not looking directly at his superior''s intimately close eyes. Orange hair at the door stopped stroking the weasel kit in his hands to join in. "We should have believed him, he said you''re evil" "Now everyone knows," the girl finished. Orange boy took a step into the small shower stall. "Can you prove you never hurt an animal before?" Two framing pairs of eyes turned from their friend at the doorway back to Sanji held painfully against the wall. Could he prove... that in all those blackouts he had... he wasn''t doing something evil? Something that made him want to throw up whenever his consciousness returned? No, Sanji grimaced and his lips drew to a line. He really could not. What Titan his former dormmate had suggested was probably true. He could see flashes of blood in his mind but he would never allow himself to concentrate on it. The blood. The red. And bloody hands.... "Kiss it." Sanji''s breath caught in his throat. The girl and boy also seemed alarmed at the orange haired boy''s random proposal but then they both started smiling evidently amused. "Ah what the hell kind of suggestion is that?" Fringe boy rubbed his free hand on his forehead and shook his head. "You really think he''s that sick?" "He should kiss it in the form of an apology," orange haired boy defended. "It''s not really a big deal, I''m touching it." "Maybe you''re right," Fringe nodded his head in contemplation. "It''s not like it has maggots or anything. Yeah yeah," Sanji glanced between the both boys back and forth wondering what was really going to happen. "Bring it here," Fringe let go of Sanji''s arm and stepped aside for the third form 4 student to enter. It was becoming crowded in the cubicle, and the voices echoed around the empty room emphasizing its isolation from the rest of the student body. The three of the seniors circled affront Sanji with their taller frames, there was nothing he could do. Orange boy smiled and then brought the weasel up face level to Sanji. "Isn''t he cute???" he cooed. His twin made a face, "do you really think he''s that freaky?" "We do," Fringe smiled down on Sanji. "Now kiss it good." Were they... joking? Sanji wasn''t good at reading people at all. He always did what they wanted but at the same time, dead animals really triggered him. Some thing vague in his memory that he had to press down because it bothered him too much. Way too much. One of the few things that could break him from this numb peace he had managed to create for himself. It was best to keep the past in the past, not to relive it. It would unravel everything if he couldn''t separate the two. He might turn into someone else. "Are you waiting for the wedding bells?" Fringe grabbed Sanji''s hands and spread them open. Orange hair dropped the partially stiffened and heavy animal into Sanji''s hands and smiled wide. "Do it for a good five seconds." "Ugh just do it," the girl said too, "stop making a big deal out of things." "You''re becoming annoying." Sanji looked at the fringe boy becoming testy. "Why do you have to cause so much trouble?" "Just do it oh my geez," the girl whined. "What is your problem??? Do it!" "Stop making everything so difficult!" Sanji closed his eyes tightly and brought the cold nose furry nose up to his face. He kissed it. His lips touched upon the cold stiff face and he kept it pressed for the seconds rolling by. It was a small creature but with a long body in his hands that he had to support it well whilst keeping its head straight toward him. It was dead yes but not yet completely stiff, so his lips forced on it almost engulfed the mouth to keep the head straight and not twist around. He might have kept his lips on it for a far longer than five seconds but he only stopped when he heard a satisfied chuckling about him. "Goodness, he''s just too weird." Sanji opened his eyes and lowered the weasel to his chest. The fringed haired boy seemed delighted and surprised and his other male friend slightly so. "You''re gross." Sanji bowed his head a little. Yes he knew that. "How about you..." Orange hair stroked his chin callously and then shrugged his shoulders, "eat it." !!! Sanji''s body stiffened. Fringe started laughing. "That''s crazy," but he didn''t seem appalled. He looked at Sanji in the eyes as though they were having a casual conversation. "He can''t eat bones too, or can you? I won''t be surprised." Sanji looked down at the dead eyes staring at him. The body was malleable but- "yes yes please." Fringe clasped his hands together as though in prayer, "please let us watch," he pleaded. They were acting as though it was his idea. So much bright red blood he saw in his mind. When an animal died within your hands, the blood was so comedically bright with the overflowing oxygen. It was so scary. He shook his head to dispel the image from wherever it had come from. Sanji wanted to plead. It was the only thing he didn''t want to do. It flashed, blood exploding from a dying dog''s neck. He shook his head again more vigorously this time. Should he try to make them feel sorry for him? Should he act obediently and beg, should he cry or should he remain still till they got bored? The smell of burning fat coming from pigs in a deep dug trough. The pigs in the ditch were covered in oil and with a single flick of a wrist, they were all burnt alive, squealing about and unable to run in the crammed quarters. Loud squeals and heavy fatty burning skin. Panic rose up in Sanji. All he could see was blood. It was rising fast. The three faces with a range of sardonic to sadistic expressions were planted on him expectantly. Sanji could feel himself tripping off. Something was about to happen. He gripped the body tighter, something was going to happen if he couldn''t control himself. He felt the little bones in the weasels chest... The stomach was softer, squishier...easier. Blood. The familiar crust caking the bottom of fingernails. Whose hands??? A dead cat floating in the bathtub. He felt the rush. Drawing up like an ocean wave ready to engulf him and everything around. He had to stop it. He squeezed his eyes shut and he bit down hard. The weasels stomach that was tough in the outside broke down into a soft acidic collection of browned intestines becoming mush between Sanji''s teeth. The stomach was much easier to bite into. The three gasped. Unbelonging liquid pooled out of the weasel as Sanji bit down. It was tinged brown and viscous, the acid sting was strong; collected and builded upon death. Tears stung Sanji''s eyes from the effort. But he''d done it and he could feel his insides were calm again. The girl was the first to step back as the interiors of the carcass rushed to pour out the opening and dropped, with a plop into the already puddled shower floor. The intertwined organs floated on the floor and drips sprayed at their ankles. "How could you do that, what kind of monster are you???" Sanji swallowed the lump of flesh in his mouth. The girl stepped backward and then turned, storming away from the view of the stall and exiting the lavatory in disgust. Sanji lowered the carcass all the way down. Orange hair didn''t say a word but his expression was thin and vague and he nodded slightly with only the hint of a smile. He looked at his friend and then walked out of the bathroom as well. Fringe''s smile was more controlled now and he looked at Sanji with a satisfied look in his eyes. "You have a bit of entrails on your lip," he pointed. Sanji blinked, and wiped his lip quietly. The older boy stretched. "Oh well, guess I''ll see you around sometime." One arm over the other, Fringe folded his hands behind his head and sauntered away from the mess as well. The bathroom had gone silent. Sanji looked down at the death at his feet and what he had done. Those images... How long, would he able, to deal with this. How long before something happened?
SICO Mmmrph. Sico groaned where he laid. A rock had struck him in the forehead and then he had wiped out. Again. Maybe he needed to slow down and find ways to battle the Migurigum properly. He was lying on hard ground and he could hear rain pelting very loudly around him. Had he been saved again? Sico groaned again slightly and touched his forehead to feel the size of the bump. Surprisingly, there was none. He opened his eyes. A rocky ceiling... must be a cave. He pushed up unto his right arm and leant over onto his side, looking across. Who had saved him this time then..? He froze. The figure had their back before him, seeming unaware because of the thunderous rains. Their cloak was slipping around their slender shoulders casually with a limber neck bent forward to breathe in meditation. But that long whiplashing braid, Sico knew it well. The braided Migurigum; the ghostlike ninja in the flesh before him. But why? "..." Slowly, Sico drew his legs up toward his body so he could get into a crouch. He was pounced like a feline staring straight toward his prey. His sword, where was it? Without turning his neck, he quickly scanned his scant surroundings. His sword was lying against the right wall nearer to the Migurigum than him. He didn''t want to take the chance and go for it however, his opponent was a ninja after all. So he took a steadying breath and shifted his weight onto his heels some more and then, he dove forward full tilt. The fabric of the cloak flew up as they spun around but Sico got there in time. Oof! Success- the Migurigum didn''t do anything to defend himself as Sico straddled him. Sico took advantage and planted his knee to hold the braided Migurigum down, he clasped his hands around their neck. He tightened his hold, not wanting to allow such a devious enemy to slip away and he choked down hard... "-WhAAT!??" It was deja vu. Her reddening face looked slightly different, disheveled and exhausted but no doubt it was her again. The mysterious girl. Sico yelped and fell back and gaped some more. "Why are you always here- no, are you really the braided Migurigum???" The words hurt to say but it was apparent. Ayaka drew up slowly, recovering and touching her neck with some small coughs. "Yes young Sico I am," . her head still bowed, she looked up from beneath her lashes at him and grimaced lightly. "I have been following you since we met on the boat," her words were soft but Sico could hear each and every carefully enunciated syllable that sounded like a magical haunting song. "I had to find you." "Ayaka are you a Migurigum!?" His shouted words cut her off. He was horrified. The prints of his hand were red on her neck, her braid coiled around her knees where she sat docile, cloak looking larger now on her body. "I am a Geltun Migurigum young Sico. It is not surprising most people don''t know the difference as they have never seen an actual Migurigum," she said, "so by that extent yes, I am a Migurigum. "No you''re not," Sico decided, shaking his head firmly, "You can''t be." "Yes I am young Sico." "No Ayaka, you''re not!" "But I am," Ayaka replied softly. "You''re not," Sico shouted, "you can''t be!" Silence. "Say something!" "I am a Geltun young Sico-" "No you''re not!" Sico protested again. "..." "But Ayaka, you have emotions," Sico fought to think through the questions that had multiplied in his head. "How could you even touch my sword?" "Geltun Migurigum... we are just like you," Ayaka breathed out. Finally, the girl was able to sit up straight and she faced Sico head on from across the flashingly illuminated cave. "Migurigum have no reproductive organs. We the Geltun, are born into the world to human parents. We grow, we age, and at a young age oftentimes our unique abilities manifest in small but significant ways. At this point our parents notice and try to rid of us, by death or abandonment. They called us witches, then they called us demons. That is the story of most Geltun, though not mine." Sico curled up in his corner of the cave. He was sitting with his back against the wall for support and drew his knees up as his attention became enraptured. He felt strangely safe enough now knowing that the Migurigum was Ayaka. Ayaka was still drawn and tired from carrying Sico all the way up the mountainside but she didn''t let it show. She hadn''t expected him to wake up so fast but it was as it was and she knew that this moment would come eventually although she had not time to prepare for it since that rushed morning. "There is..." Ayaka could see that Sico''s attention was fully on her now and he was waiting to hear her words, "a lot of misinformation regarding Migurigum. No one, humans or Geltun alike, knows much about Migurigum, they don''t even correspond exceedingly amongst themselves." "I grew up in a dojo." Lightning crackled outside illuminating the Geltun Migurigum at the entranceway as she commenced her story. "My parents were quiet and stern but kind masters. When I was about 10 years old, my abilities manifested. My parents knew of ways to contact the Migurigum and they sent me off to live and learn with the Migurigum in non antagonistic terms. So I lived in a special boarding school where they taught us the basics of our existence and our shared latent power. My enhanced potential manifested early and I isolated myself from the others, focusing on honing and controlling my ability as I was conditioned to all my childhood. Before I entered form 6, a founding Migurigum requested the assistance of one of the more talented form sixes to join them on their missions. My teachers recommended me even though I was not yet at form 6 level because of my training as a ninja. I was delighted to be of use. The Migurigum, I learnt, always travel in pairs with a Geltun. We are always the ones in contact with the humans whenever they send a special request for us. Geltun are more capable of knowing how to understand and communicate with humans and we are also there for their... safety," Ayaka paused and lowered her voice, "The Migurigum''s safety that is." Sico did not catch what Ayaka said until she had stopped talking and then he crinkled his nose. She must have made a mistake because as far as he knew, Migurigum had no weakness except for his heirloom sword which already gave enough trouble to get close enough to be of use. "What do you mean for the Migurigum''s safety?" he asked shortly, realizing she was not correcting her words at all. "Protect their what, cause I know they''re immortal." And if there was a way to kill them I would have known by now. "Correct young Sico, they are immortal beings but they can be... bound and trapped." Sico silently contemplated the words. Bound or trapped.... "You mean like with prayers?'' "Prayers or spells, I do not believe in labels," Ayaka replied. "There are some Migurigum hunters who have studied this for a long time and developed different methods to trap and immobilize Migurigum. Though it would not work on Geltun, these spells if performed swiftly enough, can stop Migurigum from doing any harm and even send them to the Astral realm temporarily." There''s a way to defeat them after all! "I should learn this," Sico couldn''t help the excitement seeping into his voice. "Where do I learn this!??" "Migurigum barely communicate amongst themselves about the prophecy, their goals or anything whatsoever." Ayaka did not seem excited, "I was taught this at the end of my form 5 year because it was necessary. So far, my Migurigum have never been trapped on my watch. They do not sleep, they become statue like unblinking until it was time for us to travel. We didn''t teleport because it is dangerous- it involves passing through the Astral realm where all manner of spirits reside. So we travelled underground and we travelled by night." "So where is your Migurigum anyway?" Sico asked the obvious question though he didn''t expect anything substantial to come of it. "I don''t know any other ones, but..." It was at that point that Ayaka suddenly got to her feet and walked over to the entrance of the cave with her back to her companion. The storm was raging outside and it was dark enough that nature could not indicate to them the time of day. She had already decided but she still seemed to contemplating, contemplating something private and unknown, wanting to walk out into the pouring sky and be washed away. Sico had no implication what was going on. Ayake turned then, and dropped her sodden cloak off of her shoulders as though wanting to completely reveal herself. Making herself open and vulnerable to the court before her. She could barely look Sico straight in the eyes. "For the past four years, I have journeyed as the Geltun of Migurigum Konohimae when he was not playing the daytime protector of you Sico Renji. A group of us travelled on various expeditions, liberating young Geltun from their persecutory villages and training the youngest of our group. But we did not only do these virtuous deeds." "No..." Sico did not expect the words that were coming out of Ayaka''s mouth and he hadn''t prepared himself. It was like someone had winded the breath out of his stomach, followed by a stinging pit of fear coiling inside his centre and making his stomach fall and his body dizzyingly weak. "No no don''t say anymore-" I''d rather not know. "Furthermore, my name is not just Ayaka," the Geltun said without pause in delivery, "I am Ayaka Fugo. I was one of the Migurigum present who annihilated your family." Fugo... "Oh, alright," the monotonous one responded disappointedly, "but I''m in such a bloodthirsty mood." As Konohimae''s figure moved away from the door, Sico dared to peer inside the room after a moment. From this angle, he could see some of them but their backs were to him. Snort was now standing calmly beside Konohimae and there were two other people Sico didn''t know standing affront him. The bloodthirsty one addressed the other as ''Fugo''. "Guess I''m done now Fugo. Let the kid get a chance." "I know Kira," the androgynous voice sounded. Sico sensed hatred between these two. Their figures were slighter than the expected Migurigum build, maybe even human, garbed in black attire and blades in hand. "But I shall wait on Axishi''s command." A revelation of such significance in any circumstance would take a time to process and also instigate the fight flight or freeze instinct. A mixture of panic, hurt and anger brought battles inside of Sico emotionally but it was yet to be understood proper. Why, why did he have to know this? He''d already decided on his path and granted forgiveness for a single enemy he had met. Why did his world have to be shaken up again? Ayaka was Fugo of the five Migurigum who had birthday massacred his family? "No!!" Sico leapt up and ran into Ayaka, shoving her to the ground outside. They fell and slid against the wet earth, high up on the mountainside they were, blanketed inside the engulfing grey sky. "I don''t want to know! Don''t say such things!" Rain poured upon Sico''s back and down through his fallen hair as he crouched hands and knees above Ayaka. She lied with the remnant rain dripping onto her face off Sico''s cover, unblinking and unfazed and speaking evenly as before. "I have an enhanced ability Sico, and it is empathy-" "No, shutup," Sico cried out sharply. His teeth gnashed and he tried to beg the girl even stronger in his mind to stop annihilating him further with her confession to no avail. "We carried out a lot of destructive missions. We killed.... many times. It was to help the boy manifest his abilities. Learning is one thing, but you have to be pushed to manifest your own abilities. It all made me feel so strongly and so badly... all the things that we had done. I had to shut myself down- I turned off all my emotions because it was easier that way. And then we came to your mansion..." Ayaka''s voice broke off and a wet look gleamed from the corner of her eyes. Seeing her, Sico was reminded of his emotion he felt deep down beneath the anger and the hate and he did not want her to force it out of him with her words, tears or feelings. Sico clasped both hands around the Geltun''s throat. "Stop lying AYAKA!" He yelled shrill above the rain, "you''re going to make me kill you!" "I couldn''t continue after that day," her words still managed to seep through crystal clear above the thunder and Sico''s yelling and the rain, "we all separated; Konohimae lead the boy away- Kira was angry about this and disappeared, and I was left with Axishi for a time. He told me to guide you to him but I couldn''t anymore. Not after meeting you and feeling how you feel, how much it affected you. I won''t work with him anymore. I can''t..." "You tricked me!" Sico pushed back against his rising primary emotion, anger was easier to feel. "You used your power on me and made me like you!" "Feeling others emotions happens automatically but manipulating them is a conscious thing young Sico... I have never done that." "Lies..." Sico''s hands quivered. "It is okay," Ayaka said quietly, "you are free to kill me." The quivering stopped. "I deserve it." Her face was calm again but those were surely tears pattering upon her face. But whose tears were they? Sico shut his eyes and squeezed the willowy neck within his hands. His head bowed. Tighter... tighter! Kill her! Get your revenge! His hands started tightening and shaking again. What was this emotion underneath it all? What did he want to do? He collapsed on top of her and broke down. He couldn''t do it. "Why did you have to come into my life?" he started weeping openly. "It hurts so, what should I do? How do I get rid of these emotions... how do I get rid of my anger? I don''t know what to do. Please... help me." Ayaka stared up into the uniform grey sky around them. It did not even appear as though they were on the earth anymore but a limbic, in between clouded realm. "..." Silently, Ayaka raised a hand and put it on the back of Sico''s head as he laid weeping upon her chest. "I can show you how to control your emotions young Sico. I can help you appease it." "Please, take it away from me. I don''t want to feel this anymore." "I will teach you," Ayaka cooed gently. Sico did not know what to say or if to be grateful at all but he finally exhaled. The two fatefully entwined enemies continued to lie on the wet earth in new born silence.
"I''ve done this once before, with the boy we journeyed with." Ayaka Fugo the Geltun Migurigum and Sico Renji both were sat inside of the cave a few minutes later. The storm was still howling outside and they had to accept their dwellings where they were for a bit longer. "Are you sure it would work?" "It would," Ayaka responded with her signature quiet confidence. "Manipulating emotions is my gift and with my help, the boy successfully tamed his mind. More than he should have to be honest." Sico bit his tongue. Even though Ayaka was an exception and he had forgiven her, he was solely sure about how he felt about all of the others. Newly, he was not certain about what he was supposed to do about people who had killed his family, especially since no officers of the law would go near any of the beings for justice to be done. They were untouchable.... and here, he had been given a weapon born specifically to kill the things. But he was becoming tired, he wanted to reach a conclusion with the guidance of the only one who knew what he was going through. He had been alone for some time and now ironically, a new Migurigum was his beacon once more. Whatever he was to feel after the Geltun''s hopeful experiment with him, he wanted to accept it. "Can''t you just take it away from me?" he said, "if it''s your power?" "Yes I can instantly do that," Ayaka responded deftly, "but that''s temporary. If you want to permanently alter your emotional landscape, or anything you choose, you yourself have to search for it and feel it before I can take it. Emotion is a form of energy that transfers from one person to the next, but sometimes, it can get blocked." she then launched into her lesson and Sico hurriedly sat opposite the girl. copying her cross legged pose and looking back intently at her. "When you have an unresolved unexpressed emotion inside of you, you will forever be drawn to people and situations that cause this emotional energy until you release it. If you are an angry unstable person, you may be drawn to someone who is the opposite of you so that you can draw it out of each other. The angry person transfers their energy to the one who suppresses their emotions. They stir up the other till they express it and vice versa. I can control emotions outside of this and take it from someone else into the universe or capsulized into myself." "You think I need to work on my anger?" Sico interrupted, wondering if that was what she meant but Ayaka immediately shook her head. "Your anger is just an outlet, you have a deeper emotion on the inside that you refuse to feel anymore. Maybe it is too painful. Do you think I draw anger out of you... or is it something else?" Sico couldn''t say anything. Her example made him realize there was not only contentment he felt with the girl, but knowing who she truly was made him remember, and it caused him, what could be the word. Distress. As if sensing his inner dialogue and blooming awareness, Ayaka''s eyes started to drift close . "I can actually see your energy around you, clouded in certain areas. Your first four centres are blocked. Your base, sacral, solar plexus and heart centres are blocked." Sico looked down and physically felt that his heart chest and his lower half were indeed generally tense and hurt. He never suffered from headaches as much as his stomach and heart had hurt him these months. These parts of the body manifesting his pain was a strange concept to him. But it also was as though Ayaka was enhancing these feelings themselves. "I do not want to force them out of you. In order to give these emotions to me, you have to step back and observe them. In order to step back you have to accept and feel it first.. Once you do, it simply becomes an observation, you can hold an open flame once you overcome the initial pain. Then it is simply a separate outside sensation. Close your eyes young Sico, and I will pull it out." Sico did as Ayaka instructed him do. He didn''t want to feel it, but as soon as the emotions emerged, he realized Ayaka was pardoning him as he felt it quickly draw away. He felt a somatic feeling in his stomach. He wanted to open his eyes to see whether he was being touched but did not want to disrupt the process. It was more physical than anything, somehow in his blind eyes he felt s bright sphere pulled out from him, like a vortex one by one up and up then out of his body through the crown. Each time it left his body felt less tense and he was forgetting his anger, not forgetting per say, but it was as though he could not remember why he had ever felt that way. And he did remember per say, but it was as though the story had happened a million life times ago, like it was a different person it had occurred to and it felt good. The blackhole vortexes were leaving his body. Sico did not know how long they sat facing each other sightless but the passage of time did not occur to him. He was no longer tempted to open his eyes to be shown what was happening anymore. He was pleased. Breezes around his abodes and whistling storm screams on the outside. It was right. And when he was instructed to open his eyes several metres later, Sico finally felt as though he was wiped to a clean slate.
They hadn''t eaten for the day and hell only knew what time it was but Sico was feeling satisfyingly content. It was preferable really. To have nothing more to lose but be somewhere desolate and be happy about it. All that you needed to care about was there with you. Nobody in the rest of the world even knew they existed, but likewise, the rest of the world failed to exist in the dank place that was there. Lying on the thick cloak in the back of the cave, Sico hugged an invisible affection to his chest as he looked at Ayaka sitting cross legged at the front of the cave. "Why are you sitting over there?" Ayaka glanced at him over her shoulder before turning her gaze at the sheets of grey before her. "I''m keeping guard young Sico." "Guard against what in this storm..?" he responded. He hugged himself tighter as the winds blew into their abodes. "Can you come sleep with me?" "..." Ayaka paused for a moment and contemplated. Then, she got to her feet and walked over to where Sico was, lying comfortably on her thick cloak. She got to her knees and turned her back to him, then lowered herself delicately to rest upon her side on the floor. Sico watched the rise and fall of the small back before him. He trusted this person so much. The new person he had met, but the only one he still knew in the entire world. He crawled closer to her and reached his arms about her body, snuggling close to her back. "This is so cozy," Sico mumbled quietly so close behind her. Ayaka kept her eyes on the outside without saying a word. Sico himself, closed his eyes and let his heartbeat slow. "You could never be evil, even if you killed anyone." "No one is evil young master," surprisingly Ayaka whispered back to him. "Migurigum are not evil either. Evil is just a concept." "Please don''t say that," slightly disturbed, Sico tucked his head into the girl''s long dark hair flowing down between them. "Migurigum kill people..." "Killing itself is not evil and Migurigum don''t view it that way," she spoke with calming indifference. "It''s the intent behind the act. Things are either destructive or constructive, not good or evil. Migurigum don''t kill for pleasure, and death is not the end." Sico shook his head slightly without responding. How Ayaka could keep on and on surprising him was really astounding. He wanted someone to look up to and be an adult for him. He did not want to disagree with her, simply to see through her eyes and be beside her, but he did not want to lose himself either and what he believed to be right either. "I have a hypothesis. Migurigum they, simply reflect whatever people project onto them. They are like mirrors," she said. "I have seen the grass curl to death beneath Konohimae''s feet when confronted by a hostile mob, I have also tasted the freshest blossomed nectar from a herbal concoction he made for me when I ailed. When I was near Konohimae I felt.. nothing at all from him. Neither wicked nor grace." "But why does Axishi act like that." Sico shivered at his youthful memories. "He tries to be intimidating, he really does." "I don''t feel anything sinister off of Axishi either," Ayaka was quick to counter even though she''d spent little time with the latter Migurigum. "Rather, another person may have been the negative influence on him. Demons or angels," Ayaka concluded with a deep breath, "these descriptions do not exist. Spirits are spirits, our concept of right and wrong is specific only to our small humane existence. Spirits may do mischievous things but our perception of them as evil is only of fear. One person may write the tale of a spirit as a saviour in his life and for another, they have seen this same spirit as an imp. Our own spirits, cannot be categorized as inherently virtuous entrusted to fight for the right hand path. Our spirits have no alignment, no gender, no roles. These things are not real." Sico shook his head mentally and hugged his arms around her body tighter. His 12 years of knowledge just could not compete with hers. "I don''t care anymore, I just want to stay here with you forever. You can catch the insects and I''ll make us a feast every day" "..." Ayaka paused and thought about it. "I don''t that would be enough young Sico," she reasoned. "Yes it will, I promise you," Sico mumbled, starting to drift away, "gluten free or vegan. However you want it." "... I will try my best young Sico," Ayaka whispered back but Sico was already almost asleep. "I trust you." The day faded away.
Small clouds of the heavy weather drifted around the two sleepers huddled in the cave. Whilst Sico still kept his body insistently close to his saviour, nemesis and protector''s in slumber, she had managed to remove his arms from gripping her body and also managed to fall asleep peacefully on the cold stony floor. It was certainly late night at this juncture. "Ayaka Fugo..." It was just like a whisper but the voice was not in the wind. It was drifting and quiet but resounded all around in the confidant''s mind. "Ayaka Fugo, come to me." Ayaka''s eyelids fluttered. She had decided it was safe to do so and had fallen fast asleep with Sico Renji. Her eyes snapped open abruptly. The telepathic voice had awoken her. "Come to me Ayaka Fugo." Ayaka sat up on the floor and looked over at her sleeping companion dead asleep from his wear. She got to her feet and looked out into the rain. No one was there of course, only the voice in her head. She knew who it was. The air tickled for a second like a vibration and then there was a ripple. And then Ayaka Fugo, teleported out into the night. CHAPTER 8: Kindness
SANJI "Hey, are you listening? Sanji, which idea do you like better?" The daydream faded instantly and Sanji zoned back in to see Yoshida and Nabiko staring at him from across the rounded library table. Nabiko kept his brows high and plodded for a response whilst Yoshi settled for giving him pardon, repeating her question for perhaps an innumerable numbered time. "Nabiko wants to do enhanced abilities and I think we should do the witch trials for the group project," she looked at Sanji patiently, a felt tip pen poised in her hand above the essay paper each Migurigum Basics groups of 3 had been given earlier that period. At the moment, the class had resorted to the library to brainstorm their ideas and then choose a topic to hand up at the end of the day. No one had found out about Sanji''s previous day, he hadn''t told anybody and so far, with the concealing protection of his two classmates, no one else had approached him to bombard him again. "I told you the trials isn''t a good idea," Nabiko responded to Yoshida, involuntarily re-enacting their conversation. "And I know it by the term demon trials." "They probably change the name by whatever they think is most evil at the time," a small amount of bitterness was in Yoshida''s pragmatic response, "I was almost part of the trials, I really wanna do research on it." "And Makenshi," Nabiko did his best not to sound too defensive in order not to belittle his friend''s feelings, "was actually part of the trials and he''s my roommate. He doesn''t even like sleeping with the lights off," his voice dropped to a whisper, "I think he probably wet the bed already- I''m not sure though." "Oh... well," Yoshi resigned out of compassion and the decision was made without Sanji''s input whatsoever. "There are a lot of abilities we don''t know about and not a lot has been written down." "Let''s just do six of them. Maybe the bestial, rapid regeneration/ healing, the empath, telekinethic... do you know any others-" "Mind scrounging," the sugary voice came from their right, and the three partners turned to see Sedata emerging from between the bookshelves, her lips in a tight small smile. "That''s what you''re doing right..? Making up names for abilities???" "Well there aren''t definitive names for any of the abilities," Yoshi responded. She had a tiny embarrassed look on her face. Leave it to Sedata to find whatever it was made someone uncomfortable in the most friendly of ways. "Our Migurigum schooling is new so there aren''t really books on any of the stuff. We''ll be the ones writing the books in the future when we outnumber the humans... and take over," Yoshi added quickly. "What is mind scrounging anyway?" Sedata had made it to the side of their table, pitting her in the middle of the group. She stood and appraised the three, turning her eyes upon Sanji. She put a hand up and waved her fingers at him despite them being all in proximity, taking a lengthy pause before answering the question. "Mind scrounging is..." she said emphasizing carefully, "when you read someone''s mind when you touch them. Sometimes you hear their thoughts aloud. You can put thoughts into their head too." Yoshida and Nabiko both seemed disbelieving at the information. Yoshi''s face scrunched up as they listened whilst Nabiko managed to hide his bias better. Yoshida glanced at her friend before looking to the other girl warily. "It sounds as though you just made that up," she said. Sedata''s still smile remained plastered on her prepossessing face as she continued to look among the three classmates observantly. "Okay," she replied easily, smiling. Yoshi was taken aback by the flat response. "Well I mean, " she stammered, "You kinda just like, said that and..." "Where are Makenshi and Ichiga anyway?" Nabiko disrupted the tense conversation and saved Yoshi from her stuttering response. It managed to draw Sedata''s ghostly gaze off the reddened girl as she turned to look at Nabiko instead. "They''re both looking through some comic books together," she said, "we''ve already chosen our topic and wrote down the sub points." Yoshi sighed tiredly. "We only just agreed on a subject just now. Nabiko keeps insisting we do it at lunch time since Miss Taka isn''t here today. Such a delinquent." "How am I a delinquent?" Nabiko stretched back on his chair and let his arm lay along the been of Yoshi''s beside him, "it was my idea. And what about Sanji?" The red head indicated Sanji with a bored flourish of his dormant arm and the two turned their attention to the silent one. Sanji, for his part, only stared back as though they were talking about somebody outside of himself. Without saying a word, the attention was on him again. It was funny, but he felt no need to say anything. The silence was awkward for a moment till Yoshida snapped out of her transitory gaping. "Well..." she commenced, "Sanji''s just a slacker... but you''re a delinquent." "What is the difference???" Nabiko chuckled and looped a finger around his ponytail for the infinite time. "A slacker is just somebody who sleeps in class, or doesn''t do their school work. But a delinquent... smokes in school, curses, beats up people, does drugs, those kinds of things," she said nodding. "But I don''t do any of that!" Yoshi giggled amused. Sanji looked at the two as Nabiko pretended to be annoyed and nonplussed. They bickered a lot but they seemed to be quite close to each other. And him, what was he to them still. Even after the weird events, they made no mention of it to him and still talked to him. But what did he want to be to them... Sanji''s thoughts were cut off when a figure emerged at the side of his view. Sedata had walked over to his side of the table. Sanji looked at her and then, before anyone could say anything, she sat down upon Sanji''s lap casually. Immediately, the giggling on the other side of the table stopped. Nabiko and Yoshida stared at Sedata flabbergasted. Sedata stared back at them without responding. She wiggled slightly to the side to get more comfortable. "Ow Sanji, you''re hugging the chair too much." She put her weight more to his right leg hanging to the open side of the table, shifting more and more till she was seated like a child or romantic companion. Her dress put enough fluff between their bodies, but still... There was an empty seat directly beside them. Yoshi''s brows and lips puckered. Nabiko''s ponytail got several more swirls amidst the growing tension. "You can''t just sit on someone like that Sedata!" "Why not, he doesn''t mind," Sedata''s voice was melody sweet, it was hard to tell whether she was feigning ignorance or not. In all their knowledge, she probably was not. "You still can''t just sit on someone Sedata," Yoshida put more sternness in her voice the second time, the pink in her eyes obvious now. She was awarded with a wider smile from the doll like girl who turned away from Sanji''s face to look at Yoshida. "Ooooh Yoshi you wanna be Sanji''s mommy?" she smiled openly teasing, "or are you jealous?" "Sedata!" A squeak, "why do you say these things?" "We''re all thinking it," Sedata responded. "Besides, Sanji''s too freaky for me. No offense." None was taken. She patted Sanji on his chest and he looked up at her docile smile. This was her personality he''d come to see, and he did not mind her bluntness- there was no deceit for him to wonder and worry about. He smiled lightly back at her and she smiled too. She looked back to the others; a relaxed Nabiko and taut looking Yoshida. "There''s no one to like here anyway, they''re all like my brothers, except Nabiko. He''s more like a distant cousin that nobody invited." Giggles. "Actually," Nabiko smiled back, "I''m your uncle." It was better not to be bothered but Yoshida still had to restrain herself. She looked odd amongst the four slightly darker skinned friends with her skin and silver hair colour- the redness of her indignance contrasting with her pale skin and hair. She slowly tensed and untensed the fancy pen in her hand''s grip and looked down to what they had not written so far. Sedata remained chatty on Sanji''s lap. He was gazing away just barely there, hand to hold her slightly on the waist so she would not slip or fall off. "I think Sanji''s gay too," Sedata was speaking, "I heard one of every ten people is gay so that makes hmmm... one of us 60% gay?" "You''re..." the unexpected sound of Sanji''s feathery and lightly raspy sounding voice caused everyone to pause what they were doing and look to him, "very light,'' he said to Sedata. His voice, it sounded strange to him as well. Though he hadn''t been trying to whisper, his voice sounded as though it could be easily shattered, so unused to exercise and just being on the brink of puberty. They were surprised to hear him speak up on his own. It was in part thanks to Sedata''s risque. Each had invited him into their circles in different ways, but the indirect method was best. To include without expectation. He was grateful for their acceptance, for their cover... kindness. "Thank you very much Sanji," Sedata patted the front of Sanji''s shirt again, "but I still think you''re gay." "60% means bisexual," Yoshi pointed out, growing more relaxed. "Which peasant dares to call us bisexual?" Ichiga and Makenshi emerged from between the antique school bookshelves, walking forward with startling blue lips from some unknown sweet. Shoulder to shoulder, they looked a duo of troublemakers with faces innocent enough. "Dumb cliches, I''ll have someone''s head." "If anything my guess is on Makenshi," said Yoshi. The new comer boy gasped and Yoshi smiled. "Lookit his cute cheeks, it fits." "Nooo," Makenshi held up a graphic novel in front the lower half of his face, "not fair." "It''s always the one you least suspect." "You know that''s not even allowed with humans," Nabiko stated measuredly. "They''ll hate you just for that." "Another great reason to stay away from nasty humans," Yoshida replied. Now everyone that Sanji knew in his small post amnesiac life was gathered around him in riff raff squabbly friendly pairings. Nabiko shook his head at everyone. "Let''s just get back to the project please," he said. Finally, Sedata skipped off Sanji''s legs hopped over to the other side of the table. "Where are you at then?" She leant over Yoshida''s shoulder to look at their scantily started project sheet. "It says; Group 2: Yoshida Nabiko Sanji." ... Silence. Yoshi scratched her cheek guiltily. "We''ll get there, someday." "Ewwww, what''s with this dumb baby handwriting?" Sedata covered her hand over her mouth in time to not alert the library ministers. "Yoshida, where are your glasses?" "But I''ll look ugly," whining quietly, Yoshida bowed her head. "Move aside." She didn''t wait a second, Sedata bumped into Yoshida, squeezing into the chair beside her. Yoshi retaliated for a while and the two started fighting over the solitary pen. Beside them, Nabiko shook his head again and decided to stand up. They really seemed like siblings. He pushed his chair tightly up against the other. Yoshida and Sedata finally had enough space to share the seat and they settled down. Sanji observed in silence. "Princess has really nice handwriting," Ichiga folded her arms like a bodyboard and Makenshi nodded beside her. The stalemate died, Yoshida gave up the pen. "You''re too kind," Sedata quipped the pen. "It''s true," Yoshida''s lips twisted to the side, "I''m a weakling." Makenshi and Ichiga went to stand at Sedata''s back to look at her deftly cursive penmanship. Group 3 had effectively taken over the project and Yoshida slumped with her head on the desk in defeat. "I''m so bad leader." Nabiko patted the back of her silver crown with a half smile. "We can," Sanji began. Yoshida lifted her eyes up- all eyes looked his way. But he was only staring at Yoshi. "We can go to the grounds town to get stationary this afternoon." "..." her mouth stuttered opened as she stared at him. "All three of us," he finished, moving his eyes onto Nabiko as well. Yoshi''s eyelashes, almost translucent, blinked repeatedly. "I, yeah... that''s a great idea, that''s the kind of thinking we need." Sanji nodded quietly at her and she finally placated, smiled back. Looking closely, her irises truly looked pink. Sanji wanted to tell her this, to tell her that her eyes were very weird but he was already tired of speaking for the day. Being present in the real world was draining and made it much harder to daydream. If Yoshi hadn''t been the class rap, she might have surely seemed a weird person with a silver hair and complexion. She was an easy target too: pushover and kind and slightly awkward. But Nabiko wouldn''t have allowed it. Even though he was generally aloof, he was the oldest of the group and being the one who had been in the outside world the longest made him the least traumatized. When things became too heated, Nabiko was like the father of the group. Sanji knew they each had their stories. Sedata, she was usually quiet nonetheless when she became comfortable around the new people, her personality became hyper and blunt. Ichiga, whom he''d only recently met, was also extremely direct but with a melodramatic forcefulness... staying in the sidelines being an average child; playing sports, fighting, and supporting Sedata in doing whatever she pleased apparently. And then the baby of the group... Sanji passed eyes onto his lab partner. Makenshi missed his human home the most, curly lashes, he always had a snack in hand, and was a bit cowardly. Sanji vaguely recognized him from the past he had forgotten. Sanji''s fixated stare upon the unawares boy intensified. At first, Makenshi didn''t feel the gaze upon him, looking around and smiling with his friends. But anyone with a gut instinct would eventually feel such a strong stare upon them when the other person would not even attempt to hide it. The smaller boy looked up and locked eyes momentarily with the strange one. Why... why was he looking at him? His smile froze and the dead stare would not budge. Red muddied Makenshi''s face steadily, and with nothing else to be done, he looked down and away with a palpitating embarrassed heart. Sanji watched his lab partner look away from him and wondered about it. Why... Why wouldn''t he look at me..? Sanji thought to himself. Something is wrong with him... BRRRINNG. "Mm," before Sanji could continue the thought, the bell rang and all 6 of the friends along with their classmates packed up their belongings and bundled their way out of the library door one by one.
Sanji was to have his answer to one of the mysteries that same morning. The students milled out of the library into the carpeted lobby beyond, where two small rows of lockers and more numerous piles of bookbags were strewn about in its tiny perimetres. He was one of the last out, not wanting to be touched and pressed up against in the throngs of departees. Yoshi and Nabiko were waiting on the other side of the lobby''s transparent glass doors on the outside corridor. Sanji stooped, his back exposed as he faced the corner packing his books into his bag quietly. That was when he felt the shadow drop upon his back and remain there, unfleeing. Steadily, Sanji placed the last book in and go to his feet. Then, he turned around to face his imposter. It was Makenshi standing before him. The boy was looking as uncomfortable as ever. Sanji looked to his left to the lobby doors; Sedata and Ichiga stood holding the door open for their friend and were waiting in its path. With a short head shake from Makenshi however, they both shrugged casually and departed letting the doors swing close. Sanji caught a glimpse of the other two friends staring at him quizzedly as he waited inside the lobby area too. His lips parted slightly as he looked back at Makenshi standing a few feet in front of him, cozily sheepish as usual. "???" Sanji waited, looking down. Red rubies nestled comfortably on the cushions of Makenshi''s cheeks. "I uh," Makenshi started, looking down at his feet, "I wanted to say sorry for ratting you out." Makenshi glanced up at Sanji, thought better of it, and looked back down at the floor. "I didn''t mean to, it just kind of slipped out and I''m really really sorry. But I didn''t tell them anything else about your hands! I promise..." the dramatic movement of his eyes made his curly lashes bounce. Sanji wanted to tell him about that, but he was listening to the boy''s words. Sanji didn''t have anything against his lab partner so one thing was confusing. He opened his mouth to speak. "Tell them," Sanji started, "what?" "..." Makenshi stopped. Sanji stared. "About... what happened to your hands. And how you..." he trailed off, hoping that Sanji would finish the thought or acknowledge his awkward attempt in some way. Instead, Sanji just stared at Makenshi as though he was weird. No words came to speak to elaborate between them and they started to forget what they were doing there in the first place. Before he could back out, Makenshi remembered the second part of his plan. "This is for you," he brought up the sealed container he had in his hands between them hurriedly and almost shoved it into Sanji''s face. Sanji followed the gesture to the clear plastic bowl with something brown nesting in the inside as Makenshi brought it up to his attention. "It''s brownies... We made it in Home Economics class yesterday so I just wanted to..." Makenshi trailed off again but atleast this time Sanji brought his hand up and received the bowl. "Give you it to apologize, so I''m sorry again for everything. I will, I will see in class." Makenshi nodded quickly and dashed off through the doors. Sanju watched him go then looked down at the container he had been gifted, looking through its lids. That was a weird conversation.... The bowl was filled only halfway. "..." Sanji smiled a little. "Brownies."
The rest of the school day passed fairly simply and well. It was littered with random hopes that made Sanji look up. It felt like everyone was beginning to accept him, accept him as a reserved person. Sometimes it felt like... does one really want to get better? Or is it easier to feel the gloom because you know it''s always going to come back? He decided he wanted to try. He wanted to keep trying until he broke. It broke. But until then, he would do his best to hide, to control it, to fit in, and to accept help. This was his life now. Something as minor as avoiding bullies, was small in comparison. At the tip of the thought, Sanji rounded the hall corner and stopped. In his direct line of sight, two orange heads chatted to each other upon a pillar wall, taller than him, senior to him, and known to him. The halls were mostly empty, his steps were not... Not quite loudly, but they had sounded. A few metres stretch in the way, the heads turned on him and they both paused and knew him. A smile began to form on their gossip pieces. Sanji thought for a second to turn, to turn back towards the classrooms and away from the dorms he sought. They were directly in the path, the only path to the dorms, and he had actual plans for the afternoon that he didn''t want to disappoint. Only a second passed when a hand barely brushed upon Sanji''s covered shoulder. Instantly, he jumped in alarm and the person stepped back as he spun voraciously unto them. "Wow, I actually surprised you," Nabiko said, giving Sanji a smirk of oblivion, "I mean, you actually showed surprise." "Nabiko..." Sanji breathed out, surprised as well at his own reaction. He stopped as Nabiko slowly lowered his hand and said no more. Nabiko gradually shrugged his shoulders and glanced at the other two who had stopped their plans of motion ahead of Sanji. They settled back onto the heels of their feet and Nabiko looked between Sanji and the two twins once over. Leisurely, Nabiko raised a vertical hand greeting, "yo," he said. The twins smiled openly at him and returned his greeting without force. Their eyes passed onto Sanji for a moment before they turned back to each other and continued their conversation. Sanji fixed his eyes away from the twins, into the inner courtyard. So... his luck was finally turning up. Nabiko beside him, went to pat his shoulder again, but decided at the last moment to stick his hand in his pocket and let his voice rouse the now daydreaming boy. "Let''s hurry and change so we can head out," he said, and Sanji looked up at him and nodded. They took up their feet and one step behind the delinquent boy, Sanji and Nabiko headed down the hallway and past their seniors idling by the pillars. Shoulder to shoulder they passed, the chatter continued, their backs passed and then they were halfway down to their dorms. The only excess look exchanged came from Sanji. "Do you know them?" Nabiko asked when they came out of air shot, peering out the side of his view at his friend''s ambling form. Sanji didn''t glance back, he felt relief like a breeze within his chest. He shook his head silently, his lips pressed to an almost smile. Nabiko had no cause to ask further about their acquaintanceship so he casually shrugged and they went on. When they had changed twenty minutes later, the boys met Yoshi at her unshared dorm she was privileged with for good conduct. She wore a white Sunday dress and sprang open an umbrella as soon as the three touched the ground outside the school entrance. The bright afternoon sun encircled her and Sanji looked at her clear exposed shoulders. She was pale all around, something she seemed to be embracing. She looked back at Sanji''s enquiring stare and smiled a little bit, "my skin is sensitive to the sun." Sanji stepped in place beside her. "Ghost," he said. Nabiko took the girl''s other side, frowning over her head at Sanji. "You look like a ghost," was what Sanji said. Yoshida paused uncertainly. Nabiko shook his head at his friend, "you could have just said she looks like an angel." Yoshi blushed a little bit but it did alot to her face and body. "Hush baka," she didn''t mean it though. "I''m albino you know... So I''m... I''m working on my self esteem." She was smiling still, at Sanji''s face then her shoes then Nabiko. Sanji observed everything about his new friends properly. "Now you look like an octopus." "..." One member of the trio finally just rolled his eyes, and lead the three away down the slight inclining slope. The school was situated in the middle of the hidden Geltun Migurigum grounds. It was at the peak of the hill surrounded on the four side by miles of green grass. To the north of the enclosed school castle like compound, about 2 miles back was the residential housing area. Teachers and other members of the small society lived there. To the east was some farmland and crop area giving away to the forest. Sloping down from the school straight south was a very long white path that led to the world beyond but they were heading to the west, the bungalow village was almost a mile away. Yoshi, Nabiko and Sanji walked until they came upon the very first signs of people. Streets emerged, gates and narrow unwell planned alleys forced them closer together. There were some taller concrete structures but heading toward the centre were more wooden bungalows arranged centrally like an outdoor shopping centre. Yoshi darted behind Nabiko''s frame when the people started looking their way. They were Geltun as well; but Yoshi still stood out to them. "I thought you were going to work on your self confidence," Nabiko glanced behind to Yoshida who was also lowering the umbrella before her face. "Yes yes but not here," she said. "So where?" "When we''re inside a store." Nabiko scowled like an old man, yet playfully to which Yoshi responded with the short quick giggle of hers. She ducked closer to Nabiko to poke his cheek. He rolled his eyes and hooked his right arm on top of her head. Yoshi ducked under his shoulder and let his arm fall about her neck. "Careful you don''t poke my eye out with your umbrella." "I think you want me to poke your eyes out with my umbrella." A scowl, a quick giggle and glances between the two boys and floor. "This is why people do drugs." Sanji was unaware of the conversation. He was not the third wheel on the ride, the casual tricycle passage simply allowed him view of new environments he hadn''t perused before. It was a peaceful day, and before long, more passing Geltun increased the dinnuendo as they passed through the village. It was a beautiful day where for the first time, Sanji was feeling a new emotion. What was it..? Could it be? Was this what it actually felt like... The three ventured into a bookstore where Sanji watched Nabiko and Yoshi argue over choice of presentation board, Nabiko siding that yellow was too pale and winning that battle. He watched her repeat that yes, she would stop hiding when there were less people whilst walking behind Nabiko toward the cashier. Sanji felt as though he was in a separate world whilst looking in. It felt like a different day, or perhaps, that time was continuous block upon block of waking events that one will recall. In a way that you would be the person responsible for marking and recording time instead of it being simply time in control, with you passing through it. We could make time last as long as we wanted it to... so many moments, lessons, growth, bonds and histories could be fit into a singular day. We wouldn''t be endlessly praying for more life to accomplish things. In one day, we could make an ultimate catalyst or change and decide if something is permanent in our lives. If this was the path we chose to take, and change our destiny even though it was written before time itself. That though, without illusion that time happens like dominoes, we could actively change our path and destiny at any moment and it would have been as though it had always been to go this way. Every moment that we live is the free will to change that future event, our present self knowing only the destiny we envision. Past present and future once- occurring, We are all, presently, setting destiny in stone. And it is pre ordained. He would be free to choose happiness. And that would accomplish.. When Sanji faded back to the world shared with his new friends, there were many more people walking throughout the stores and that he and Yoshi were heading to the exit, Nabiko finishing up inside. And he would grow- So many people have never realized they are not living in the present at all but constantly thinking atleast 10 seconds ahead. "There''s not enough shade," Yoshi was saying. This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. Was that the right way to live? Was everyone''s world different? A tugging at his arm. It didn''t even feel like an arm, or a body. Just flesh. "Hey let''s find a tree." They were standing on opposite sides of the bookstore entrance, Sanji with his back flat on the wall and Yoshi on the opposite side, facing him with her arm halfway extended. She saw his distant expression and decided to stop. She leant back and imitated his stance against the wall, with her head tilted back. She closed her eyes and breathed in deeply. It was so hot, she could feel cold sweat beading on her face and body. She breathed harder. It really had gotten so much better; the sky was beautiful and bright, no longer one endless night. He never thought things could ever change. That it was possible to leave it behind, that life still existed. It was so close behind him, it felt... Did he really have reason to remain in the past as he had? Was the boy in his mind even real? He could see Yoshi at the corner of his eye breathing hard into the atmosphere. She dropped the bristol board and it began bouncing away. "......" He looked at the boards. Why would she do that? He decided to be responsible and bounded as they rolled further away due to the breezy airs. They lead him like a donkey, hunched over with sun joyfully blasting his back, far away from Yoshi. They carried on quite a distance before he managed to snatch each one up. There, everything all better. Life was fixed, he thought with an inner smile. He turned around, hand up to show his friend he had succeeded in the mission. ...Nabiko was there. Sanji''s hand remained up. He looked closer, Nabiko was at the door with a faint Yoshi in his arms, breathing a bit more calm and eyelids fluttering. The sun flashed before the scene, Sanji held up his elbow to shield his eyes. What was that odd expression Nabiko was looking at him with ? "..." Sanji dropped his arm down, Nabiko''s face had changed and he was headed Sanji''s way. There was no remnants of any distinct expression on his face any longer. Yoshi was also making an attempt to remain awake in Nabiko''s arms. "Come on, I saw a water fountain by some trees we passed," Nabiko said to the other boy. "We can also get some snow cones too." "I''m sorry guys, I should go home," she tried to apologize. "You need to stop worrying," Nabiko cut her off, and smiled down. There was earnesty there, Sanji could sense between the looks exchanged. He didn''t think he was invading any sort of privacy but Nabiko looked up quickly anyway. Sanji was managing to fall behind even with the other boy carrying Yoshida. "So Sanji, did you come from a busy village?" Sanji stared at his friend blankly and unfazed. He wanted to answer, but all he remembered was literal darkness. Nothing else. He shook his head. It was Yoshi who suddenly spoke up. "I remember hating those people." She said clearly and no longer faint. They had arrived at the aforementioned water fountain, slightly murky water sprouting from its stony aquaman, but one sure spot of shade under its overarching shadow. Nabiko let Yoshi down to seat upon the stone circling and the three huddled close together in the shade. Yoshi bit her lip wondering whether to continue. Sanji thought about what she said for a second realizing she too, was the main character in her life. She''d gone through things. He could have easily been her. "And I still do." She made the point, perhaps with embarrassment in a restrained quiet sound, and an equally unambiguously concealed crinkle of her brows. Her face was changing rapidly, questioning expressions; flickering from meek to anger then finally surrendering to accept a quiet anger. They, three friends, could be open with each other. A bit more calmly, but anger within, she continued to tell them about her home church that kept all the strange people in cages in the church back yard compound, that it looked like a cage village. That her parents offered her up because of her silver hair and eyes, and that they were considered the good guys compared to her. Yoshida trailed off, the hostility gone from her voice. "I weas just a witch to them. I even had a slow friend, a girl who just couldn''t speak in the cage next to me before the fire happened. I don''t know what happened to her." She quickly spun her head to her friends direction. "It was weird, i saw the principal in my dream and then the fire happened that night. I don''t know if she remained in the village when I escaped..." Nabiko tugged at her hair with his arms slung over their shoulders and the mood had lifted again as her eyes begged him for an answer. "She''s probably still there," he replied. "And we''ll find her one day when we go on the field trip. And we will never leave you alone." At this, his eyes swept across to Sanji as well. "We''re the same kind, we''re here for you." A sigh. Yoshi finally tired herself out but was obviously relieved of at least part of her burden. She had received a chance to open up, and maybe Sanji could too. "I think the sun''s a bit too hot for me today. I''m gonna head back now whilst there''s clouds." "Are you sure," Nabiko asked, "we still haven''t found the snow cones yet?" "I''m sure," she smiled and beamed up as though the past 10 minutes hadn''t just occurred. "I''ll go get some research done. See you guys later," she smiled at Nabiko, and properly at Sanji and then pivoted to head off down the slopes. "That leaves two of us for the snow cones." Nabiko said as they watched her disappear out of view. Sanji, agreed, without reply.
And then there were the two boys, somehow having to squeeze through side streets and alleys as the city swelled up. Nabiko''s hand brushed up against Sanji''s as they squeezed together to avoid the bigger adults. Glancing away, Nabiko alone pretended he didn''t notice but Sanji was, for the moment, lost in thought at the wonders of how many people inhabited the world. He was so used to that place. But Nabiko, he was already up close body to body with the other and Sanji was almost a head shorter than he could look down at the boy. his neck was skinny and he was pale. Even though Makenshi was the smallest and youngest of the three boys, sometimes the newcomer looked so frail. Nabiko looked at Sanji inconspicuously as he had his gaze elsewhere, never paying heed to his surroundings. He cleared his throat, " You want to try the snowcone, do you know how to??" Sanji glanced across at Nabiko with an unchanging melancholic or perhaps bored expression and uttered, "uh. Okay." Nabiko smiled sympathetically even though Sanji didn''t look his way much. People could stare at him without him ever knowing. Nabiko touched Sanji''s fingers briefly, "come on, let''s try this way." They retreated from the top of the slope where Yoshi had formerly retreated and rose to the very top for a view, with milky desserts in hand. They were still pressed up together although they didn''t need to be. Arms rubbing together through fabric alone, Nabiko smushed the ice in his cup with the straw to milk the slush together, then he reached over Sanji''s shoulder and put a hand on his cup to smush Sanji''s. Sanji''s snow cone was still mostly intact, the three ears losing colour however as he now began to softly slurp at it. Nabiko glanced at Sanji some more. "To be honest, Miss Taka asked me to keep an eye on you..." this one was definitely comfortable with vast lengths of silence. "All bad things are over Sanji. We all have a past, but we can overcome it together. If you need help with anything..?" The Weasel. Sanji remembered this as the snow cone slid into his mouth. "He''s coming..." and then he remembered the dream boy, Kazuri, that voice speaking to him randomly. Compared to that darkness that everyone wanted him to forget, bullies were nothing. He could manage just fine and ignore those images. It was this world with his friends, or the other. KIndness. So undeserving but great, this feeling... Nabiko thought Sanji wasn''t listening to him and decided not to bother. He couldn''t tell if Sanji was enjoying himself or atleast not feeling dragged out of his dorm against his will. The breezes passed through his body and tickled him with a fresh new emotion, he felt it all through his being and turned to Sanji to realize it fully when Sanji suddenly plopped down on the floor. "Huh?" Nabiko opened his mouth. I think the word is happiness. Sanji watched over his world view, the school and grounds where he lived now. Nabiko closed his mouth where he stood beside him. "You want to stay longer? I really want to go back and check to see if Yoshi''s doing ok." "Mrmph." Sanji nodded and that was the most affirming reply he usually gave anyone. "Are you sure, I don''t want to leave you alone out here." Sanji turned his head slightly, in what was hopefully the other boy''s direction. It was good enough. Nabiko nodded back in agreement and sighed aloud, the moment of whatever it was, lost. "Oh well, if you''re sure," he said. "I''ll head back but look out for yourself, okay?" "Mm." Nabiko smiled small, wondering what was going to happen to all of them here in this isolated profound school with all these characters. He turned and he too left the weird one on the slope where he could be peaceful in his thoughts. Sanji was finally alone out of the castle''s shadows and confinements. He was alive and at home. He was gazing and appreciating the whole of his world, leaving everything behind. It was beautiful. It was daylight. He must have sat there for hours as the sun rolled off his back and forehead and then start to lower into the other side of the universe, still bathing his lashes and face with soft warm love. Everything was bright and right. "......." And then a big black cloak came down over him and enveloped his world once more.
SICO A few days had passed since the incident on the mountaintop. Sico was still staying with Ayaka at her abodes but they frequently went down into town to have lunch and walk among regular humans, in Ayaka''s humble disguise. Whilst Sico left his giant sword behind for the first time, Ayaka became the bodyguard, carrying her pointy sword in her parasol umbrella whenever they went down. There seemed no reason however, no one paid them heed here and there was no Migurigum tension in the air. Ayala appeared to be, likewise Sico, relaxing and soaking up the peace as they finally could. It was over for Sico, he just wanted to enjoy his time with her. And he was smiling, they had gone a buffet the day before and now they were visiting a botanical garden abound with nature''s eco life. He was always smiling, smiling at her feminine clothes though he knew they hid fiery talent beneath, smiling at her peaceful face that didn''t change whatever the situation was, smiling at how ironic the situation was that he had found himself another Migurigum to be taught and breathe with. A new chapter of his life again, a good one after the weathering storm. He had truly been lost for a little while. Sico lied with his head in Ayaka''s lap by one of the gigantic trees of the garden. Their feet were not distant from the ponds end and the insects orchestra could be heard as they both remained still enough. "It''s really relaxing and quiet here," he said softly to his companion, "in the entire town actually." Ayaka blinked slow, not in a rush to reply and stir the air with unnecessary chatter. But it was true and impossible to deny. "These villages are very peaceful," she said. "There are no Migurigum here. Neither Migurigum nor Geltun pass through these villages at all." Sico looked at the sun for a moment away from Ayaka''s face. His life before was good too before it started going downhill. Even after the slaughter. The police though, they didn''t do anything. His relatives... They. They had been kind. Kind when his family died.
He was sitting in one of the ornate living couches by the left stairwell when the police arrived. His uncle with a full bouncy buildi stood at the side, arm slung on Sicos shoulder as he spoke to the officers ahead of them, offering his nephew comfort. There were even more police and hoardes of people just outside the house as well, albeit it being private proper ty. It was such a rare fascinating story. Some of the people were afraid to come near the manor, but some had been emboldened by the absence of the Migurigum that the curiosity pulled them close and no one stopped them. Sico could see the spot his father lied dead against the wall. He could almost see an imaginary dark spot there. The couch was facing that wall directly and a mute Sico could only stare numb, mouth lightly open. He hadn''t been able to do anything or protest or walk away wherever he wanted. His uncle had been the one to guide him, to seat him and he was so dissociated that he had followed along obediently. They were talking and talking above his head. About his parents taking on too much to handle, believing they could outsmart the Migurigum. The last time Sico had a family meeting in this room, was about 5 years ago, when Konohimae his Migurigum teacher had arrived. And years later, he was now realizing it was all for the heirloom. It was all an act, all fake. His whole family dead for it. The immortal Migurigum had time to plan and strategize whilst the ignorant humans thought they could stay one step ahead. His uncle stroked his shoulder some more. "Nothing we can do when it comes to these crimes. Those creatures probably disappeared to whatever hell they came from." That was all the officers said. Simply there to gossip and hmph and look at the place the beings had lived and slaughtered the wealthy family. This was the closest they would ever be to a Migurigum. "Well thank you for your service," his uncle praised them for their lack of work. "I guess this case is closed, we have the funeral and these things to take care of." "Of course of course," the police he-hawed. "Well you take care of yourself." "Will do, thank you," his uncle lead the officers to the door as they continued to glance back all over the house as though they could envision the horrors that had followed the night before. Sico barely got to tell them about all five members who were involved. It was all a daze to him. The case was really closed. In one day. That had to be a record. No one was going to do anything. The afternoon came. The wake came. Much family passing through to pat and give Sico condolences. Sico was quiet throughout it all. The days passed with the self-same relatives gaining confidence in staying over and then leaving. The furniture upgraded and switched out. Sico spent the time in the barn, grooming a silent and disturbed Snort. She would not eat. She wold not move.. She did not know peace anymore. Something was off about her and his last friend was growing weak. "Sico," his uncle called him in on a day. He was in the barn stroking Sico for a few hours but still there was no recognition. The handmade ribbon that Sico had made himself, with silver cord and a tiny whispy bell hung loose in her thin, frail feeling viking braid. The shaven tattoo on her rump was in need of a fresh shaving and it was a surprise how long a creature could go without new food. Her hair. His hand dangled away from her mane taking the ribbon with it distractedly. He turned away reluctantly and closed up the barn door for the day. Even if he let her out, she would not walk or graze or move from the spot. He was still sullen too. He went back to the mansion and found his uncle waiting in the meeting room his parents forbade him from in the past. "Yes uncle," Sico stood at the doorway habitually. "Come over here," his uncle''s slightly larger frame had pushed the heavy wooden chair from the table to fit. Sico walked over to the multi drawer wide desk. It stood on four curves claws legs beneath and claws for knockers on every drawer of the multi faceted body. This was where they kept so many documents and important papers, Sico knew. "Since I''m arranging the burial expenses and adoption papers, I need you to get some of your father''s, files for me. Let''s get this started even if we don''t want to deal with them." Sico nodded. He did not know exactly where his parents kept the house deed and identity cards but he was sure he could find them. His uncle directed him and indicated what papers he had to look for. Sico was glad he didn''t have to handle any of these adult affairs on his own. Soon after his uncle thanked and congratulated him sufficiently and efficiaously. A smile of satisfaction all around, Uncle Poul perused the thin shaft of papers one more time with Sico standing long forgotten by the desk. Poul was usually a jolly man, but at present it sharply contrasted the vacant invitee who was staring absent-mindedly out the window and robotically striking the silvery ribbon in his hand. Poul looked up as if now remembering his nephew there and beamed up at him. "What''s wrong Sic, something wrong with that horse right?" Sico startled out of his reverie and blinked rapidly across at his uncle, "Snort?" "Yes your horse," Poul replied, "I noticed you''ve been down there a while, I know something''s up." Sico felt a small trembling of appreciation, even if Uncle could not help him; it was some measure of gratitude for someone to at least know what you''re going through. He opened his mouth and stared at his uncle... waited to see what would happen next, for he surely did not know what to do. "I''ve already called the vet to look at him," Uncle Paul said, "in fact, they must be here already." Sico''s eyes not bright, but wide. "Let''s go see," Uncle smiled again. They made it down yet another time to the barn far beyond the entire mansion that was brighter than before with its new modern look. Sico only had eyes for his passage rite back to his companion, his uncle supportingly at his side. They went out into the courtyard blossoming trees all around, fountain sprouting water freshly, springs dewing their paths and rosey arches dotting the ferns as though it had never been dampened- wide clean pavements... a beautiful life. Sico passed all this without a thought. His uncle did not seem want to pass so fast but finally they were at the destination and indeed Sico could see that the veterinary van had been allowed into the courtyard. Poul parted towards the men leaning against the van, and SIco started inside with hope afresh to see Snort again. He didn''t exactly smile, but inside his chest was not so heavy and he stroked and stroked her emphasizingly at her stall. "It''s going to be all right Snort," he hardy brushed and brushed her mane with one hand and fumbled opened the stall gate with the other. How did animals feel when it came to loneliness and trauma? They were like innocent babies, and not with the intelligence of humans to understand what was going on. What was the feeling, to not understand what murder was, and how bad did it feel to not know if it was going to end or what it was or what caused it? An animal that doesn''t understand that things would change or... even if someone wasn''t coming back... then that pain would surely go on forever. An animal not being able to understand why they feel that way, or why their body feels heavier, or why they feel sick, not knowing why they don''t want to eat or move. Just a collection of emotions and ignorance, the feeling could definitely just kill anyone when they don''t know how to process it. He had to remain by Snort''s side and communicate, though not by words, that things were okay now and it was possible to move forward. Even if the doctor could not heal her, or make any better her ailment, any diagnosis would be welcome. And he would move on from there with his time with her. Even a dead alive existence, he could feed her in different ways and keep her, likewise him, company. And to him that would be only be worst case scenario. But he still had his optimistic personality, and knew somehow things could not become any worsened than that. The man lead an unresistant Snort into the back of the van, his uncle signed her off and Sico, with faint impressions inside, watched her go.
Nervousness was not something Sico usually experienced since he was always provided whatever he wanted and did not have an active social life outside of his family mansion. But now he did feel a nervousness that he did not believe he needed to feel, knowing he had a request bubbling in his stomach. Besides, it was already understood between they two what he expected to happen... but to voice it made him apprehensive. A one percent negative chance... but to say it aloud frightened him. It was illogical to be so afraid, he trusted her, but he never had to ask for something like this before. His eyes found Ayaka''s face so she could feel the question coming upon him. And she tuned her ears to listen, but her eyes still elsewhere with her own thoughts. "Ayaka," the young boy said, "do you think we could stay in this town? You said it was safe from Migurigum, the whole vicinity of these cities?" They were already doing this, he just wanted to confirm. The silvery ribbon on her arm was lifting slightly as breezes passed, and even light bugs touching down occasionally did not feel a nuisance. It was as though, even though he hadn''t fully realized it, he was properly happy again. These moments looking back he would label as some of the happiest moments of his life. But hindsight alone was knowledge, being unaware of unhappiness was true bliss. "They truly are safe from Migurigum," Ayaka repeated her previous elaboration without in depth explanation. "Onawa where I found you, this town and a certain central city are dangerous to us. I did not recognize this when I arrived." She was talking a lot again, and this was a sign in Sico''s observation that he had to pay attention to upcoming messages of importance. She would never say this much otherwise, and she might not even repeat herself. His brain became alert though he did not stir up yet. "They do not hire Geltun here but yet they''re hired me to take care of the bandits..." her voice a whisper to herself now. "I did not know before, but I realize now why." Why? Would be the next obvious question but Ayaka did not elaborate further. And she continued to stare at the sky as though her next words would not have any effect on Sico. "I have to go see Axishi again," gently and wispily said, "I have one more mission to do with him."
Snort was still away for two days so Sico was remaining in his room, not the halls, for his cousins were merrily about. They left belongings, random food trays, news papers and other evidence of life about the mansion since the count of occupants was growing. Sico found one of these papers in the bathroom that day and went to taking up an old man''s task of reading quietly his room. He skipped all the pages about the killing of his family which seemed to go on and on in every news outlet. But it seemed the massacre had prompted a newfound interest in the beings and similar articles were popping up alongside it. Some people said they spotted tall lanky beings in their neighborhood, glowing red eyes and snarly evil grins. Sico knew these were not true. Articles about disappearing pets supposedly snagged by Migurigum and villages where entire neighborhoods were shut down like ghost towns. One particular town, far north from Sico''s own, claimed that the Migurigum that passed through was a slender ambiguous one with daggers on the body and exuded an unsettling neutrality where they passed. At least it wasn''t as far fetched as the others, but Migurigum had no use for daggers, not to mention this village said that there was in fact not one, but a second swifter Migurigum appearance. Just as Sico was growing weary of the ceaseless newsprints about the alleged Migurigum sightings, his gaze lifted to the huge overlooking windows. He saw a familiar van retreating over the mansion bridge and what appeared to be an able-bodied horse making dances before his uncle''s prominent figure in the yard. That was all he needed to see. He ran swift, like his young once scolded self, down the stairs, over the railing and across the expanse to the barnyard. Not only was this news, but it was great news. His breathing was fast but he didn''t stop running till he got there and his eyes widened and he slid to a stop and his big wide smile was stuck looking at the spectacle before him. His uncle spun facing him, flourishing his arms, "what a beauty he is..." contentment... Something was off. Sico''s steps slowly started forward again and his mouth remained agape and untrusting. No. He could tell from this distance even as the horse stopped prancing and turned toward him with glorious bright ebony eyes. But no. Braids and all. This was not Snort. Sico skipped surprise. One strong pang of his heart stabbed his chest, the beginnings of a permanent impendiment to his young body. "Where''s Snort?" Grizzly new anger was tingling in his voice, a new voice he had never heard before. His uncle must have detected it too, stilled mid speech. Sico did not care whether he was wrong; he preferred to be scolded and told the truth; that this was an extra horse and Snort was inside, and he should be ashamed for getting so angry before asking questions. He didn''t mind that at all. But he wanted to skip quickly to the part where he could see his Snort again. "Where''s My HORSE!??" His uncle''s face froze momentarily. Clench unclench, Sico''s hands moved on their own. His uncle, who probably had thought he could fool Sico, changed tactic immediately and recomposed himself almost without detection. "What do you mean, of course we couldn''t bring the same horse back. I decided to splurge and get you a brand new champion stallion," uncle Poul said, "he''s a beaut. That next horse had some kind of Migurigum disease, we couldn''t let it stay." Anger, pain, anger, anger, disbelief, loss... they flashed through Sico''s being and he wanted to fly at and throttle his uncle, who was five to ten times his size. But that was it!?? The end of everything!!? He couldn''t do anything but howl deep on the inside. His breathing was so hard and raggard holding it back that even his uncle was surprised and was thinking to remedy the situation through more heroic deceit and speeches. "You know Sic," he started with plump, "you care more about this horse of yours than your entire family. You might just be coming down with some mental illness... it runs in the family and I could get you a doctor too..." One would think that this was the worst thing that happened in Sico''s life so far. He could howl and scream and cry but he had already done so for his father and it had helped nothing at all. He could lunge and attack his uncle who was now berating him about anger problems and the way he should conduct himself, but that would be foolish and naive. The truth and horror was; his Snort too was truly gone, and by way of his uncle Poul''s words- he could tell that the clinic she''d went probably decided to put her down. She was gone. Everyone was gone. He couldn''t pretend anymore. He couldn''t live a good normal life! No no no no! He wanted to scream still. This could not be happening again. He wanted to scream at his uncle. But he wouldn''t let his uncle, anyone see his pain again. What would they do with it? Trick him. They didn''t deserve it. He wouldn''t show himself vulnerable cause they didn''t truly want to take care of him. Please help. Please fix things for me. He felt his inner child was crying. But no. He was at no one''s mercy. He wouldn''t break down again. He would need no one...
"No no no no," Sico''s voice was going up and down and squeeking and he paused, wondering to hide his rising panic. But even if he didn''t say it, it would still exist on the inside, so where was the sense in that? There was no point in hiding his emotions from Ayaka, the master of emotions. And he really didn''t want to, want to waste time with something impending on the line. Even if he was angry, he needed to push past it swiftly, because Ayaka wasn''t going to wait around for nonsense. She wasn''t going to be convinced or change her mind because he was mad at her. Maybe begging was the same way, but that''s how he truly felt. He had to get through with his purest emotion, he didn''t care how it made him look. She was worth it, he couldn''t hold back. "Ayaka, how could you? You said you''d never work for him again... You said it was over! You said you regret... why are you going back to him?? Are you going to leave me?" "It''s different this time master Sico." That title, was it meant to placate him? He was perceiving her differently this time. Had she always been playing him and dragging him along for the ride? He didn''t think he believed that yet and he didn''t care. He just didn''t want her to leave. And if she offered for him to join her... Well.. actually he knew he wouldn''t. But still, why didn''t she offer... She couldn''t just leave him? All this time she''d been biding time and investigating. She had not been spending merry times with him. Just as Konohimae... Yet, he didn''t have time to be angry. Cause it really wouldn''t matter. He just didn''t want her to go. "I have important information I need to deliver to him." Ayaka said passively. "This is bigger than you or I. I have to do this." "Please don''t Ayaka, just please don''t leave me. You don''t understand, I don''t think I can make it without you," to go back to not having anyone aware that you existed. Being alone, no one to ask if you''re safe, or when you''d be back, to notice if you didn''t eat or notice changes. To alert you to upcoming news or rumors, to know if you''re feeling unwell and be easy on you. No one you could ask for advice or opinion or to mark the passage of time. It was so painful. It was really painful to be honest. He could disappear and no one would notice or care. It was painful to know you were born and this was what it came to. What was the point of living if you made no mark or was in the memory of anyone. Sico didn''t want to push Ayaka away with his intensity but what choice did he have? She must know that he was telling the truth. He had to get through to her. "I''d have to go back and take the ferry cause I can''t go straight through." It seemed that the conversation was already over and the way she spoke seemed as if making plans to herself aloud. Sico gawked and tried not to let his heartbreak overwhelm him. Sitting up staring at her, not looking back. She would appear unkind to anyone else, but this was her personality. Letting him know was the gentlest thing she could offer. She too had learnt to close herself up ages ago.. And she had done it to perfection. "Ayaka, just... please. Please don''t betray me..." but there was no reponse. He got to his feet, as if making a declaration. "Don''t betray me." An accusation this time. But... nothing again. She wasn''t looking at him as he stood above, the insects now becoming a nuisance like a brown dirty morning in the bog. Small streaks of tears started down his face. He knew he was reverting to infantile behaviour and couldn''t stop it. The silence started to grow longer and longer till it was so heavy and absolute that he knew it was over. "What will i do now...." he whispered. And he knew she would be leaving that day, within an hour. Cause that''s how it worked, didn''t it? No warning, just gone. He looked at the ribbon on her left arm. He wouldn''t take Snort''s ribbon from her. But... he lifted his feet and stepped on the slope beside her. He walked. She did not say goodbye. Walking everywhere and nowhere, that was his life now. He did not say goodbye. He didn''t want to look back as he rose over the incline and out of the garden. He didn''t want to see her or not see her. See her get up to leave too. She if she had ever turned to look at him that last morning together. But he wasn''t trying to be brave. The weather was getting progressively cooler the further north he traveled but the water on his cheeks felt hot. By the time he reached the incline and was starting across, he knew he wouldn''t be able to see her anymore. Who knew if he would again. Perhaps 5 years would pass and they would be completely different people. It was a wide world and she, or he, might even die without the other knowing. When would he see her again? Would she leave again? It was too painful to be with someone who always abandoned you. Maybe she would be like every other cold hearted Migurigum when they re engaged. No. Not her. Please..
Sico turned and ran from his uncle. All he was doing now was running and crying and getting angry for the rest of his life. Trying to live and be logical didn''t work, he would let his emotions consume and guide him. He couldn''t hold back everything any longer. He wanted revenge. He wanted to do something. He burst into his room and grabbed up a random notebook and pen. They weren''t trying to find the killers, that''s what they were. And he hasn''t tried to piece it together either to do anything . But now he would wrangle his memory and jot together the best of what he recalled and keep it for future reference. He scourged his mind to pinpoint how many people were actually there that night. Filter out the fear and try to clearly remember how many voices or backs he has seen. He wrote it down, the crazy killer that sounded like a young guy. His sleezy voice would be impossible to forget. Konohimae and Axishi he knew. A smaller boy with overhanging bangs in his eyes, that kid kill d his father in cold blood. And yes, another skinny androgynous one with long hair and skin build. Yes... That was familiar wasn''t it. He pulled out the newspaper again. Whatever lead he could get- he would take. The towns of the Migurigum sighting, he would follow. His eyes scanned the article quickly and he found the name of the town: Onawa. It was very far north from Sico but could get a ride. He stepped out of his bedroom for a last time and closed it, looking over the staircase at his home below. He was seeing it now. And it was not home anymore. It looked completely different. His uncle has hung his own family portraits around, the regal old fashioned gold black and brown wallpaper had been switched out for a shining modern white. Electronic television and tall entertainment center centred the living quarters and the victorian couches had changed to a sectional. He has not recognized this at all. His kindly jolly uncle was an ambitious opportunist man. And Sico had no idea what power he had given him, reading over his family papers. But no matter. None of this was important in the grand scheme of things. In the real world where humans and demon coexisted. The most important heirloom he had already received. It was what just family had protected and the Migurigum could not seize from him. The sword. This was his destiny. In the end, he would have to know it''s purpose and that he''d never been gifted for a normal life. he did not know how he did it, but he stuck out his arm again and the air around him was raising golden particles. Particles swirling and joining and becoming into the shape of a giant blade. The Renji blade. It was there always, but in another dimension, another realm and it would answer him and come to him only. And it would only leave it''s hiding in the house with him. And now, it was time to go.
Dangerous. She said the town was dangerous to Migurigum and Geltun alike. How could anything be dangerous to the immortal Migurigum and Geltun as well? His eyes scoured the town that looked as prosperous as the towns he and Ayaka had just visited. The infrastructure was epitome, unmarred and well crafted. The stone sign that read Winwood City seemed recently repainted and welcoming and with dotted trees spread out before him, murals and various stores and decoration, there was one thing that stood out to Sico. If this was not a frightened Migurigum town... then where was everybody? Why was it so dead quiet? It was actually just like every other MIgurigum town but wait- there was an undertone of defiance beneath it. He could sense it now. It was... deliberately still. Whatever the secret was, Sico was going to find out. What else he could wield against Migurigum before he set out again to kill them again. He placed one foot forward.
On the other side of the stony bridge that lead to a massive mansion, a young boy was having a heated conversation with a cab driver. The man was indicating the giant sword with distaste, shaking his head, and the boy had stumped his feet to defend his position. Alas, the cab driver shook his head and headed back into his driver seat but not before pulling out a small piece of parchment from his jacket pocket and handed it to the boy. He drove off and the boy flipped open the small square sheet curiously. The thick black ink was cursive and so extremely neat. It looked printed although it was handwritten and there were only some co ordinates at the top and a single line in the centre. ''Bring The Sword'' it stated, eloquent even on paper. And below, with one single stroke, the letter -K. CHAPTER 9: Bully Story
SANJI ???????And now, there was darkness. It was a bag, it was definitely a bag; large and burlesque and itchy and rough on the inside. And it was fast moving; the edge was fitted right over his body as much as possible up to his ankles as he fell back, and dragged before he even had time to completely hit the ground. In the blackness of the bag with all the daylight suddenly and so purely blocked out, Sanji was in another world and reality and again- things had changed and a new path that could likely continue to change this singular life. His elbow hit the rough jagged earth as he twisted in the fall and drag. The person was strong that could pull him so easily and with such speed. He was tumbling across and back down the hilly slope, sound and nature brushing past though he couldn''t see it. One arm scratched from elbow to palm and then the other leg, bumped, trying to keep up and position itself with his roaming body. All he did was utter a very simple wimp at the first tug and then he went silently along for the ride. Tumbling and falling for minutes as the environment felt changing rapidly. They were making distance without pause and soon, passed into trees to hide from awry eyes. There was no talking and Sanji understood he was meant to be kidnapped so of course he didn''t resist. Could he have used power? Who knows if he really had any.... The underground evolved from rocky hill of the past, to brambly forested earth with many branches whipping his face and tearing at the thick scratchy bag. The speed never ceased however, and this allowed Sanji to remain inbound in his capture until 10 more minutes had passed. It felt like they were finally in a manner of earthly clearing. Sanji fell across mostly solid mud that seemed soft and freshly turned. But he still could not see where he had come to a rest. He turned over from off his stomach, and laid on his side. He presumably knew he was facing the direction of his captor. He felt, he knew his captor was some feet away finally still standing and looking at him. Deciding what to do..? No. SImply absorbing the moment. And just as suddenly as his capture had occurred, the brown rice bag was roughly ripped off his head and body. Sanji''s head jerked forward with the movement, his bangs brushing the browned sturdy arms of his captor and laying across into his eyes. He didn''t look at his captor, more so he looked slightly off the boys'' broad shoulders into the sky and world beyond. It was still the same world, the same world where beauty and peace existed but the path was temporarily meandered around away from his own. Could he go back onto that path...? Titan knew and expected that unacknowledging gaze so he didn''t bristle as he stood before his roommate. His hard breaths were steady and unprovoked at present. "You don''t want to look at me, that''s fine." Titan''s voice unrecognizably calm but the strength of the hatred was still there. Sanji was also steady in his reaction, gazing just over Titan''s shoulder as he lied await. "Don''t look at me, but you will listen." Titan reached over and tugged Sanji off his lazy poise to a semi pivot so that he could bond him again, this time with cord. Purposefully, the broader fingers of the older boy tied up the young ones arms behind his back. He pushed Sanji forward back onto his stomach and began working on his legs. "..." it didn''t feel intentionally rough. It felt like a final recourse. The surroundings Sanji''s mild grey eyes swept as he was being spun around provided that he was somewhere to the east of the school grounds, between the forest and the farm lands. Not many people frequented here except for daily tasks. He could see he was near a 5 feet long mound of turned earth and could not see beyond it. It was brown earth as far as sight''s eyes, with a peak of green hill on the horizon and the castle centred on the apex far away. Finally, Titan stepped back and took a loong breath. Sanji of course, was not giving acknowledgement but this was something he had to do. He looked around at the skies and land of his home and knew he too was taking a path. It was probably the path most likely to happen though not predestined. Everything predestined yet chosen in live living moments. And this is what he wanted. His hatred. His life. Sanji laid quite peaceful to be unaware if he''d live or die. And then, Titan began to talk. "This, is my story."
Titan was a boy. He was a young boy but he had parents who he sometimes wished would kill each other. They were dysfunctional people, fighting and negligent and they spun his head with their reoccurring world wars. They waged wars with each other, wars with him who was not allowed to defend himself, and wars upon his pets. They would fight and threaten and neither back down and Titan would be scared that one might actually kill the other or would project it onto his pets. In the heat of the moment, he was also afraid of himself for he felt something wild rising and it scared him to know what he might do. He wished it sometimes. And sometimes he feared it. Maybe it was a pretense. But in that kind of every day world, you had to do something to cope. He had to and did grow up strong. He never claimed his victimhood and could forgive all of his past as long as they didn''t touch his own children. Everything was done to him made him strong. Yes he could forgive. But he couldn''t forgive if it wasn''t done to him, it wasn''t in his capacity. The vengeance was bequeath to him by innocents so it wasnt his doing. It was his vulnerability. "Yip yip ruff ruff ruff!" "Ruff ruff ruff ruff!" "Ruff ruff ruff rufff ruff ruff!!!" "Shut those bloody dogs up!!!" His father''s voice roared from deep within the abodes. It was the middle of the night and he knew it would happen. He was restless that night knowing his 2 freshly plucked street pups would wake his father up. He was always picking up stray animals that he saw along his journey of life but if his father stirred again, he was scared of him. Scared of being helpless to defend, not himself, but the pups. His father was probably missing his smokes, his eyes would usually become red and shifty. Paranoid, his hands would be excited to trigger. His mother had left about a month now since last time (not that she was any better) and he was alone with this man in the house again. A man who sometimes became a stranger. Titan sprang to his feet and skipped to the outside to quieten the canines as best he could. There were so many; four were such small pups they could fit into the palm of your hands, more were restless pups about 8 months and two adults. There was 1 rabbit his classmate had given up when it was sick and most dramatically, one sole cat, a pregnant Black footed wild cat that he was taking care of for a short time. His father had probably not noticed this was not a regular housecat because it was such a small species. Even though he preferred canines, somehow, this was Titan''s favorite of all for her quiet and obedience and they all got along with each other because of Titan''s influence. It wasn''t that the noisy younger puppies didn''t understand him, they were simply young and excitable sometimes. "Please shhh," Titan begged quietly in the middle of the black night when everyone else was dead asleep in bed. But the puppies only became more excited at his presence. It was quiet and their barks were distinct in the blackness that the sound alone scared Titan. He had to do something but he didn''t like running around in the night world to be honest. He knew already the world was dangerous. He felt things others didn''t. Whether it be humans... or before anyone believed in Migurigum. And he had alot of little ones to protect. He knew the sound of a hard heel hitting ground when his father would get up heatedly. He would finally stop grumbling and get up to deal with the matter. So when there was no more sound from inside the house despite the barking, Titan thought fast to get away from his home. There were 11 animals so he had to run inside to get a bag and with no other choice, stuffed the small ones into his bag, carry three bigger pups in his arms and ordered the rest to follow him out into the dark road. He kept off the centre of the road though there was no side path because bad drivers never switched on their headlights and humans here didn''t have respect for animal life. There were no streetlights, a few houses had a dim one in the porch, there were pot holes and loud crickets and looking shadows. And there he was, a lone boy out of bed hurrying about with a bunch of animals around him. Hopefully it was alarming enough to keep predators at bay, but the night felt more malevolent to Titan with pent up agitation in his body. The puppies yipped harder when they passed barking guard dogs and slipped in his arms. He looked to his heels as he tried to hold them back, the larger ones at his heel pouncing at the neighbors gate. "Stop it, shh, down!" He had one leash he used on Bashful; the most skittish and cowardly dog and she twisted in between his legs then, as the guard dog jumped onto the fence. She sprinted off and he loosed the leash as it yanked him. He had to keep his smaller ones from falling. Bashful disappeared as if into the ink of the night at the end of sights line. The night gobbled up the dog as Titan watched and his heart pounded hard in panic. He started to, then paused and looked back. Blackfoot was not there either. The noise was making a rauceous in the night. Oh no, where should he head. He stepped off the curb and a small yelp alerted him to a car that swooshed past inches near. He couldn''t think of Bashful, he had to get somewhere relatively safe. He had to rest down his backpack to readjust then he hobbled to his neighborhood park. The night felt like a globe surrounding him and no other place existed. As if the sun would not come up again. One tall headlight indicating the basketball court of the park lead him straight. The dogs he had left, lead him. Some random birds called out to him but he chose not to listen that night. He couldn''t deal with it. He got to the park with its monkey bars and broken swings and sat on a concrete block that children tended to skip across. He rested the pups down, except for the new born that he cradled. The dogs ran around unawares of danger. He huddled the smallest, he didn''t know the time but he would remain for an hour before going home. Hed forgotten his feelings of anxiety about his father. This was his life. Hed lost a dog. Blackfoot was somewhere. His head tucked into the small nestled pups. and he hugged tighter in the night. He didn''t want to worry right then. He was tired. The night was scary and he did... feel eyes on him. not animal eyes. Like a child, he wanted to squeeze his eyes shut till the sun came up. Till it went away. He imagined impossible things because he was alone. What was lurking inhumane in the dark? he''d heard too many stories. Migurigum demons. Devil worshippers. Things that could take you and you never return to day again. Creatures with backward feet that lead children into corn fields, wide brim straw hat hiding everything but a wide grin, goat horns, dancing around a fire this time of night in the park. "..." he squeezed his eyes and tried to concentrate on the fur on his face. Please just let it pass. When am I going to grow up and be strong..? And he saw it. A man like a penguin on the horizon even though it was pitch black. The man was looking at him. He startled and jumped up glancing about, the puppies yawned and woke up. His eyes perused left to right unable to penetrate more than a few yards around him. The other dogs had returned resting at his feet, lapping tongues for needed hydration. But there was no one, he''d fallen asleep hadn''t he? That was it though. It was time to head back so he got up and ran. They all ran back to his house without stop feeling as though the night itself was chasing him and closing in. He stopped only when he was in his house, and he saw Blackfoot outside. Shed come back. But Bashful hadn''t. His sadness and heart hurt. But this was his life. His father was back asleep so he returned the rest of his animals to his backyard and went to sleep.
The leather strap instantly stripped a slither of skin and Titan woke up with a yelp. He tried to roll away from the pain but his mother caught him by the foot and dragged him off the bed, licking another lash across him. He cried out in pain as it cut a corner of his eye. His mother was back. "And don''t ever-" she pelt the belt down hard and as Titan recognized it was his authority figure, he curled over so that the strikes would only hit his back. "-bring those animals inside again." She accentuated a few more lashes with her words and stormed out the room. Titan trembled slightly from the beating but it was not as severe as he was used to and it was not the first time he would wake up to a beating. He breathed out tension, shocked awake from his sleep. The dim sunlight coming through the window indicated that it was too early to be up for school, but he realized he had to pick up poop somewhere inside the house. One of his dogs must have snuck in and defecated. He preferred her hitting him than both of them fighting with each other. Cause then there''d be tension. And big brave Titan would want to howl as he left the door but be prohibited to. He''d swallow it for fear of his children left behind to be hurt. And after cleaning up and putting the puppydog back outside, he went to school like this and seethed through first class where the students cringed away from him. He felt he hated his mother more but you weren''t allowed to say that. You were allowed to hate your father sometimes, but never your mother. It made him more snappy and confused. He had a short temper in mornings, but his reputation wasn''t all bad. After it died down, he was reasonably liked. He wasn''t unpopular in school, in fact, a lot of students knew him; the bigger size junior who helped his team win in the various sports and games. Or the fact that he would sneak a random animal into school on occasion and all the children will gather at break time in the back, to secretly have fun with it. But it didn''t get to his head. He didn''t care about people so much. Sometimes he''d snap at them just as though it was morning time. He also didn''t have specific friends that walked with him to and from school. It was always the company of a lizard crawling on the wall beside him, or a squirrel following him playing an invisible game of tag, as well as other children (who were not aware that this game was going on.) On the good days, one of his bigger dogs (Bashful or Lucky or the others) who would be tied to logs or tree branches at his home, would drag it all the way to his school to meet him much to the delight of everyone who knew exactly whose pet it was. On bad days, he would walk home to find his dogs splayed in the middle of the road due to a hit and run of a careless driver or uncaring neighbor. His yard was not enclosed completely and it was his responsibility when he came home, to scrape the animal off the middle of the road and dispose of it. Titan had several acquaintances in school, but when the home bell rang, he would rush outside to talk to his more important furry, winged or scaly friends. This was why he was never that close to any one, or why he had not much animosity towards his abusive parents. They were not in his mind. Of course, talk was an exaggeration. Talk was the affirming words of humans made up of syllables to convey a message. Words were not needed to communicate. It should be used for clarity and specification. One did not need language to communicate with another. Even humans were more socially cued before they lost the ability with the rise of modernity. Titan understood the animals when he saw them and ''felt'' the body signals and knew their emotions. Sometimes on a walk home from school with all the kids running down the street alongside him, a desperate critter would discreetly approach or get his attention out of the blue and then leave him running away. Away from the other school children, into a random side street. They didn''t understand him. At a young age that was okay, but in the future he would probably become an outcast. They weren''t able to understand his random behavior but they knew something was off. He was a child and he too didn''t know that his parles-vouz with animals was out of the ordinary. But he knew he wasn''t crazy, he knew exactly what the animals wanted. The kids didn''t see him when he would run out from that side street and creep under the chicken wire fence to rescue a small frog, caught in the vines. Or the Great Moth, with a ripped wing fluttering helplessly, stuck to a cobweb under a pinning boulder. And carefully, because he could feel the pain coming through his bare hands, he lifted the top of the wings out of the spiderweb and set it on the bark of a nearby tree. It turned out it was not so badly off and flew away in glee. And how happy they will come up all the small mismatched creatures change for Titan of the box flew into the air; he had saved the day yet again. Maybe this was what additionally his father started to sense as Titan''s Geltun power grew more and more by the day. The terror of the previous night passed. The morning passed. School was out. Titan would rescue a fallen bird one day and ran all the way home, ready to set up his new pet into the fold with the others when he rounded the corner and felt the darkness over his home. And again. Even before he set foot on the compound he could tell firstly that; his father was home, and secondly, that he was in a bad mood. But why this time... Even with his body trembling, he tried not to disturb the docile injured bird in his cupped hand. He entered the house as the side gate was locked from the inside and he had to pass through the kitchen to enter the side yard. None of the animals were there. He rested down the bird slowly as if disrupting the stillness would bring about tragedy and sin. And then gingerly, he walked round the back of the house, alongside the drainage. That''s where he saw them and knew. The still plastic bags lain across the floor by the drain. Four small garbage bags and a bigger tough torn one, the only one that wasn''t lumpy. He already knew and anguish tore into him. The puppies were stuffed in there. Stiff bodies. Suffocated. Like rubbish. Already gone. He stood still. Only Blackfoot wasn''t accounted for. But Lucky, she was the only one escaped. He didn''t even want to touch the bags and feel them but they were semi translucent and he could see unmoving fur. Three puppies stuffed into one bag and the bigger puppy dogs In their own. All dead. He started to cry silently but didn''t notice, too horrified. He walked slowly between the bags when he saw Lucky huddled by the second gate. She was uninjured, apparently having had escaped from the bag being a bigger dog. He approached and stretched out his hand toward her. "Lucky ...." And she started screaming in a throaty frightened way he''d never heard before. He jumped instantly. She cried as though he was torturing her though he was no where close. "Lucky..?" he didn''t understand yet. That she was scared .. of Him. He''d failed to protect her. He backed away slowly as she howled and scraped against the gate to escape and then saw him and started shrieking again. He looked at her howling and lowered his hands feeling deep shame and regret. They''d come into his life for help and he''d failed to protect them all. All of his pets were in garbage bags dead, all of them he''d met and experienced their personalities and had a routine with were dead. In one day. Why... His father stepped out the kitchen to throw a mug of old tea into the bushes then and glanced at Titan. No words passed between them. He didn''t even appear to be angry at Titan. It was another normal day for him. He turned back around and went to the tap to fill more liquid into it. "Get inside or go if you want to go," his father said casually. "That''s all you''re good for. You and your mother." "..." that was the reason. His mother had come and gone again in the space of one day. That was a record. But was that his fault that they hated each other? If it was, then they should beat Him, not the pets. That wild thought that he had was growing again. Kill each other don''t touch Them! Don''t look at them! His view became tunnel vision and there was nothing to restrain him anymore. That primal feeling that grew inside him also seemed to be affecting his physicality this time and he let his arms rise from his sides and felt the muscles thicken and pump with hot blood and take over. This was Titan''s first experience of letting himself go wild. His body launched forward across the rest of the yard length and into the kitchen where he grabbed his father wherever he could get hold. The force knocked his father mug and all to the floor, narrowly missing the edge of the counter. Titan pinned him with his boyish arms before he realized what had happened, before he could twist and thrust his head back savagely and then forward, he bit into his father''s shoulder hard. What possessed him to bite into flesh didn''t seem logical at that time but it had a definite response. His father gasped short then yelled though not nearly as dramatically as poor Lucky had and Titan didn''t let go. He twisted his neck side to side and pulled and his father screamed a little more halfly out of surprise for the boys teeth were still humans though had an unknown strength suddenly. But the triumph was short lived as Titan was unable to lash on thoroughly. it seemed an odd strategy and fight style and his father managed to twist around with a shock momentum and kick his son off. Titans smaller body received it and winded out his strength momentarily. it was enough for his senses to return. What... had he just done.? His father was up on his feet and though alarmed, his eyes were shifty and angry at the audacity and something else. His son, couldn''t be normal. His regular amber was the automatic response. He lashed a kick out at Titans body, to ensure he stayed down and his rib felt it fully. He wheezed and didn''t move. He didn''t want to... What did I just do???? Paranoia. Reality settled back in like a cold wave engulfing his body from head to toe. This was real life again and he''d broken the rules. He was scared. A scared boy. What would his father do to him?? "I''m sorry I''m -" His father grabbed him by the neck and pulled him. They rounded the corner out of the kitchen and into the living room. They took another left into the bathroom, the only room that had a proper lockable door both inside and out. Here, Titans father threw him hard inside the cramped space and he flew back against the toilet and stayed there, afraid. there was minor leakage around the tank on the floor but he dared not move. His father glared down at him, he too taken over by a psychotic rage he must have inherited. He spin and slammed the door shut on Titan which made him obviously jump and scare. And then he returned, slammed the door open again which had the same level of fright effect on Titan. And Titan could see rope in his father''s hand where he stood. Titan''s heart thudded as he laid back trying not to move a muscle. His father marched into the bathroom and bent over him. He didn''t stir, he allowed it, he didn''t want to make it worse. Maybe his father would feel sorry for him, maybe if he cried his father would think it was enough. Maybe if he agreed and went along with it he''d be forgiven. But he knew it was too late. For the first time he''d fought back and with an inhuman ability. it was the end of life as he knew it. He was so, terrified. His legs and arms were grabbed and twisted and tied; he ended up as a hog tied in the shower stall. His father finished hand stepped back. Titan was in an uncomfortable position but didn''t protest, his neck leaning against the wall looking back to the door, and his body on its side twisted toward the wall, arms legs bond behind. He parted his lips to beg, the word please almost escaping his lips but it probably wasn''t a good idea. no reason could reach the man. not like this. he''d make it worse. he whimpered so quietly not knowing what would happen next. His father turned and left. He didn''t have to wait long to find out what would happen. The screams were just as loud and high as before but they went on for much longer. Lucky''s yells permeated the houses walls an responded around the bathroom on such a begging, horrifying tone that Titan lost his willpower and cried aloud too. His father was killing Lucky. The screams followed a small race around the yard but he heard pounding and this that he knew were collected each time the very broke and returned, almost a gurgle. It was blood In Lucky''s throat. The yelling wasn''t as loud, just gurgling screaming. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. And he was doing nothing but lying in the bathroom crying. he was letting it happen. He was a coward. He was too scared to try to escape and help. Lunch was dying right then she was going to be no more. He cried and didn''t hear when the sound was gone forever more. He cried in his world, hot body temperature aching neck and huddled there in the stall awaiting his fate. He hated his life. He wanted things to go back to normal. His father came back and there was blood on his hands. Titan saw it and cried again, unable to control himself even if it disgusted his father. His father hailed him by the rope and his body stumbled after him. They passed through the living room again and Titan could glance out the kitchen doorway to see just the end of a brown black tail lying still in shallow water mingled with blood. Blood droplets were like scattered around the kitchen where she had apparently dashed in and out in her attempts to escape. But he''d caught her. His view passed the kitchen as his father hauled him into the backseat of their truck. They didn''t say anything to each other this whole time. Titan whimpering and his father focused dead ahead. They drove off. Titan didn''t know if he wanted the car to keep driving or to reach their destination as soon as possible. He was overwhelmed with nerve wracking fear of the unknown and thought of everything that had passed so swiftly. However, the ride did not take more than 15 minutes before they hit the forest and drove in a fair distance before stopping. It was as though his father was dropping off luggage. Extra things he didn''t need in his life. No longer a father. The man opened his car door and hauled Titan out. Titan was still tied up. "My legs are still," he started to protest thinking not even his father would leave him tied up in the middle of the forest. His father slammed his car door hard and loud. He didn''t look back even once since driving off and Titan remembered what had just happened. And things had changed forever. The car started up close to him feeling the muffler heat blowing past his cheeks as he laid close. His heart was falling low in his chest, more sadness. It was really, over? His whole life? He lowered his head and decided not to look at the car drive off, closing his eyes with hope fleeting away... "!!!" A soft bristle landed by his nose as the car drove off and he opened his eyes. Blackfoot had jumped out of the van where she''s been hiding. Titan''s eyes widened brightly. "Blackfoot!" he cried over excitedly. The small cat looked back at him as though he was weird. She was bleeding around her rump but her small round face and eyes calm, cute and almost confused. Her expression was constantly puzzled and her body was small like she''d never grown up. She was standing inches away but still out of reach, a typical cat. It was such a small fortune but Titan felt happy tears blur his view as he cry-laughed. It didn''t even change things much but he felt so immediately happy. "Blackfoot... good girl," he laugh-cried. Blackfoot''s ear twitched, stared wide eyed. Titan smiled a while more at his curious cat. Then he slowly returned to reality. He tried his arms and legs. It was way tighter than he imagined. He couldn''t get out at all. He looked back at Blackfoot, wondering if to ask but she didn''t look capable of helping him. Her rump, she''d probably been hurt by his father, ex father. And she was so heavily pregnant. In fact, she probably was in more danger than him. His eyes fell to the floor. And she was sick. It was still afternoon. He realized .. she was better if she left him. He laid his head down to stop from straining. He looked at her, and caught her big eyes. "Blackfoot, you have to go. Leave me," he said. She stared back at him as if dumb. He knew she understood. "Blackfoot goo," he stressed. She stared innocently. Titan grew stern. He glared at the furry ball and tried again. And she spun around and laid down. She indeed understood him. Her bleeding back in his face. And her heaving body. It was still afternoon but it would be dark soon. He could understand wild animals and they understood him but that didn''t stop them from being animals that needed to eat and survive. Blackfoot shouldn''t be looking after him right now. He wiggled forward and bit her lightly. She jumped up and settled further away. "Please Blackfoot, please please go. Find safety. " "..." not even a mewl. The sun was even lower for the trees. Now there was only shadows of light breaking through. Blackfoot was stubborn and quiet. Titan was tired and hungry. It was getting darker and colder in the trees. He couldn''t return to the village but even so he knew he would eventually be safe. Safe from wilderness but his life... "Don''t fall asleep," he told himself looking at his foster cats side rise and fall and bleed. It looked liked internal bleeding but he couldn''t tell. It was matted but still somewhat runny. He did not want to see it but how could he not. "Blackfoot go," he alternated. It was the same. Time was passing. Of course, Titan tried his bonds again and again and failed. Blackfoot did not leave but would occasionally glance to see whether her caretaker was alright. But more and more time and he grew much wearied too. It was night. He was aware to danger again. Migurigum creatures, animals, hunters. Anything. He wanted to be in bed. Blackfoot was asleep. It seemed sleep was the only escape but a certain doom. He didn''t know how to escape either. He would stay awake. But he awoke. Burning darkness and a long scream. "Blackfoot!?" he cried out instantly. It was close to him but it was pitch black and he could not see much. He''d only just opened his eyes when he realized he must have succumbed to dreams after all. It didn''t last long. He caught small movements of the bundle by his head twitching, a big heave and then a slow exhale. He thought he could make out her side. It was flat. He trashed about with new vigor and yelling. He knew what was happening and again he was to fail... He went bestial again and blacked out this time. He came to with a body in his freed hands sitting crouched. "Black.?.." the small body was still and literally drained. He could see more clearly. Her birth had drained out of her and was still semi attached. An icky mess with two forms inside, stillborn kittens. He put her down as he quietened. Her body rested lightly for its size and her eyes were no longer an open and curious stare. He could make out more lifeless forms. Three dead cats. And him alone in the woods. "..." It was quiet and he sat still letting everything come to rest in his mind. He was sad but calm. He let himself feel the wind and waited until it was time to move. And then something happened. He saw a white spot in that dark and it was moving. "???" he stretched his hand forward and touched- it was a paw. It was so small, a white paw. There was a third kitten and it was alive. It mewled when it realized touch and moved blindly toward him. Even though the species were known for black feet, only one paw had a crazy white pattern that had kind of saved its life. He picked up the newborn gently and cradled. The last one. He stared at her. "Whitepaw," he whispered to her. She was his now. He looked up. There was a black and white silhouette on the horizon again. Just like the other night. But not threatening. He got to his feet with Whitepaw in two palms even though he only needed one, and he followed the path of the silhouette. A new home. Two of them from then on.
By the time Titan had finished the story, he was crying. Sanji looked away quietly. It wasn''t embarrassment, he hadn''t realized he was listening so intently. Titan was silent crying but the pain was gone. He wiped his face with dignity. "Then everything changed when you came." His voice was still firm and Sanji had returned to gazing elsewhere as though he was disinterested. "This place can no longer be my home as long as you''re here. It''s not my home anymore..." "..." No response. Of course, he knows nothing could happen to him. He''s not talking to anyone cause he doesn''t care. He knows he''s special and that the Migurigum teachers would defend him. Titan bristled and his calmness broke. He spun and back kicked Sanji. Sanji didn''t expect it. Before he could turn back, the kick landed and he rolled back and fell into the gaping hole Titan had dug. He fell on his back and winced, then stilled and breathed. He looked up out the grave and saw Titan walk over. The hole was at least 7 feet deep. No one else could manage this but Titan. Did he really intend to bury him so deep no one would find him? I''m sparing his life but he doesn''t even care. Titan gnashed his teeth. "Shit," he forgot to blindfold him. He acted out of haste again. But this... ''boy''. His anger filled him again. He could fool everyone else but not Titan. That boy was evil. And now Titan had no home again. He stared at Sanji looking at the sky almost tranquil. "..." maybe, maybe he knew he could escape. Titan dug his feet into the mound of earth at the top of the hole and kicked it down onto Sanji''s eyes. The dirt pelt and stung Sanji in the eyes that his head automatically turned to the side and he began blinking out the earth rapidly. He moved his hand up to scratch at his eyes and then remembered he was bond. "..." he stopped. He blinked slowly and let the dirt sting since he couldn''t get it out. He closed his eyes. Titan stared at Sanji as he closed his eyes. Of course he''d get no response. His hands clenched and unclenched and he looked to his side. He was going to bury him. The figure bonded on the ground though. Just like... Time passed. Lots of time passed and Sanji realized that Titan was gone. But he didn''t open his eyes again. What was the point. He didn''t want to escape. Bullies, depression, loneliness... This reality was shielding him from a bigger reality. "He''s coming he''s coming," And the voices were speaking to him again although he''d blocked the boy inside his head out. They were coming from the dirt now. And with the same lines over and over again. Either ''help'' or ''he''s coming/ they''re coming''. Sanji blocked them out. That was not his reality. He''d stay here till the end of time. He just wished the world would collapse.
SICO Sico entered the city and instantly felt liked he''d been transported to another world, although it hadn''t seem different from the outside the perimeter. In fact, he still couldn''t put his hand as to why it felt this way. As soon as he entered, passing the street lamps on the outskirts, there were overhanging trees and only stone paved roads and sidewalks with patterns on them. In that aspect, it was similar to Onawa, but the roads here were narrow and one and two story buildings closed in on the them like a canopy. He already knew one would have to take the main road on the edges, all around the city borders if they were transposing from one location to another and not stopping by. That was why he had to take the boat. The city felt as though you couldn''t leave once you entered, as everything encircled you. Even the tree shadows, albeit thin shadows which allowed most all the sunshine through, were making patterns on the ground. How did the trees and branches know to grow in that way, so deliberate that the hexagons of cattails were almost symmetrical all the way through; furry hexagonal snowflakes. Like they chose to grow that way. The sun was still able to permeate and view sky since all the leaves seems transparent and thin, but when the sun would undoubtedly shift in the sky, further and further west, these shadows would multiply excitedly. He could only imagine. It was to be beautiful, beautiful enough but for now, why was it so quiet? After some time, Sico recognized he''d been walking so long and nothing was going on. Everything finally clicked; there was nobody around. He''d just been walking and observing the scenery for well over an hour. And now he was finally tired and thirsty and, those places were closed, weren''t they? But it just looked so natural; to not have signs shouting in your face or enticing you out of your journey for the day. But also, it seemed fitting to be still. Away from everything hectic for no reason. To just exist... But where was everyone? He didn''t even realize the unnaturalness that he had to make sure. He walked hurriedly to the corner of the street to look left and right. No, he had passed no one at all heading in one direction. And he felt as though if he passed anyone, because of the single collective of the place, he was bond to see them. He looked closer as he passed, trying to pay attention to the lesser details. Without sign, he could tell they were ''normal'' stores: clothes in the display, cashier units lining the front of a supermarket, different cafes and restaurants. As another hour started, he started seeing people randomly spaced out, doing their own thing, and before he could run up to ask them what was going on, he realized how normal they were being and how out of place he would be behaving like that, and he began to wonder if he was the weird one. He just stopped himself and observed more, walking slower and ventured into any of the open buildings one by one. They seemed safe. He stopped in one department store. There was a young lady tending to the clothing articles. Sico set his teeth and stared from across the room. This had gone on long enough. He was on a mission, no. More like a quest. He didn''t have to waste time on humans. He walked up to the girl hardily once he made up his mind. She looked up with the expectant raised brows and an almost-greeting smile coming to her lips. "Hi, do you need any help?" She asked Sico fixed his brows down low and steeled his jaw. "So what''s going on here?" The girl twisted her head to the side, at first repelled by Sico''s direct and brash introduction. He knew it was rude how he greeted her, and he should have been more enticing if he was to get anyone''s help, but after only a momentary pause, the girl decided to carry on with the conversation. "What do you mean specifically?" Didn''t mean it was going to be a helpful exchange. "I mean what''s going on, where''s everyone, what are they doing?" He snarled having not learnt any lesson. But he was getting comfortable again, among people and not battling. They were nothing but in the way of him helping the world be rid of evil beings. They needed to be more helpful. He''d gone through so much pain on their behalf. "They''re doing whatever they''re doing," the girl replied again, possibly merrily. "Are you not from here or something?" "No I''m not." "That''s why you don''t know." "Don''t know what?" So there was something to know. "If you lived here you would know." "So tell me then." "But then you would know." "I Want to know," "But how could you know if you''re not from here." Sico finally bristled. He,''d misjudged them. Hed misjudged the people here thinking they were trivial and two dimensional. Why did a random conversation have to become so convulated? At last, he felt himself like a puzzle piece, falling into place in larger scale of things. He had started to feel so out of place in the outside world, like a character amongst ignorant people leading completely different lives. But now, he''d found a place that was larger than life, just as large as him and maybe, where he was supposed to be. Real life was finally happening to everyone else too and he wasn''t crazy or alone. But he brushed it off again realizing that despite this, he was still being held back and who knew what the Migurigum were up to and destroying in their path. Hed wanted enough time being misguided and ... Forget it. Just think about the anger, forget her. Remember your purpose. The anger had helped him this whole time. Protected him, his heart and gave him energy and will. It was safer. Bring back his energy to himself and not be mingled with others- only for guidance. Not het close. Use them. The Migurigum had to die. "I can''t tell you if you don''t know. If you were supposed to know, you would." Just as Sico was about to lose patience at the girl, he saw a movement at the corner of the stores window. It was somebody else, a boy and he seemed to be sneaking about and out of place in this type of scene, genuinely not wanting to be found. Quickly, the young Renji darted to the door wondering if this was what was meant that he would be able to to find out if it was meant to be. The door was not an automatic one so Sico burst through with his hand on the handle and looked around to see if he could catch sight of the sneak with quick turns of his head. He barely had time to realize the shadows were growing deeper and taller into the evening when he saw the only hurried movement dart around an opposite corner store. There were so many pockets and fences of trees lining the sidewalk and alleys that it felt almost like tree walls creating a maze. And with it''s tall natural canopy: a lovely maze at that. Sico ran around three consecutive corners barely catching glimpses of the passing pant legs, and then finally came to a stop at almost cul de sac dead end. A few houses circled the grassy walking patch, these living quarters smaller to the front like cottages. The trees were closer and taller here, almost hiding in the area although there was ample and growing space to the back yards. With a thick tall tree in the very centre, and outlining shoulder length yellow standing lamps, a large resting caravan was the only other disturbance in the clearing. Sico went to the single vehicle even though it didn''t feel too highly suspicious, he just really wanted to see what else there was in the city. There was some random paraphernalia, shells and chimes hanging around the roof. Chalky words or rather a symbol language was scribbled large around the window and roof. On the one facing side, the barred window leaned upward so much that it was too high to look into. So Sico went around the other side and found the only door with more markings. With a little precaution, he twisted the handle and the door opened easily. It was unexpectedly somewhat dark inside with too many shadows and objects casting shadows to not be careful to tiptoe in. Sico stepped in looking at his step, the wood creaked and he could distinguish that many of the shapes on the ground, were toys. He got to a clearing and looked around better since there was no light on. It was cluttered, wasn''t too big and there was a rocking swing before him by the corner bay window, with a big sheet covering it completely. Sico walked up and snatched the cloth off in one go. Of course the boy was sleep/hiding there but he jumped surprised anyway as Sico ripped the sheet off. "Who are you?" The boy squeaked. Sico wrinkled his nose seeing his escapee was possibly just a 6 year old boy. "Who are You?" Sico countered defensively, "why you hiding in this weird place. What''s your name?" "Vessel," the boy was slightly emboldened seeing as he hadn''t been attacked and that Sico was only a bigger boy like him. He looked Sico up and down for a second and then climbed out of the bed. "Vossel?" Sico said, "that''s a weird name." "Well, I''m adopted," he smiled thinking he had just solved everything. He thought for a second whether to be trusting or not, then walked in a circle around Sico with an excited skip. "That''s a big sword, you have, how come I''ve never seen you before?" "I''m not from here," Sico grumbled again. "Oh right that makes sense!" He stopped skipping but was still merry. Sico frowned down tiredly and made a face at the child. What was his purpose again? "So is everyone indoors? Why are you the only one outside?" "Well everyone''s asleep still!" Obviously.. "I''m not supposed to be up so late but I just wanted to see what it was like." "Everyone''s asleep..." Sico trailed off quietly. In the daytime. He entertained the idea briefly yes, that they were a town of vampires. That would be so obvious. But at this point of his life, he was open to believe many different things. He wouldn''t be so surprised. "So that means you''re only awake in the night." Why. "When do they wake up?" He asked the boy. "I need to find out some info, I need to talk to someone." Inquisitiveness wrinkled the little boys face. "Do you want to go to the library then?" Sico''s expression dropped to a dumb leer. "Well everyone will be awake soon," the boy pitched in quickly, "there''s going to be a show at Winwood river. It goes on for three days!" Soco frowned even more wondering if this was a good idea. Was this another distraction, but alas, a place that was larger than life. He fit in, it wasn''t all happening to him alone. It was part of the real world and he was part of it and had a mission. So it was ok if he had to slow down a bit more if it was helping not. He wouldn''t waste time on deceitful allies, he just knew he had to listen and keep them at arms bay. To go blindly was senseless, to trust again was wreckless. Either path was the same defenselessness so he had to be careful. "Come show me where." Sico said solidly. He stepped back, the sword big on his back and indicated the open door. For once, the boy stepped back in small fright. "Oh no I can''t come with you, it''s too late. I would get into trouble. The day is scary, no one is around." "So what''s the show about?" "It''s just like a holiday event. I can''t really describe it." "You can try." Firm. His tone scared the boy a little who backstepped behind the swing bed again. "No really, you should just see it for yourself," his voice shook a little. "Don''t you believe me?" "Believing and trusting are two different things." "I don''t understand." Sico stopped. The little boy was pissing him off. How dumb was he. Dumb and naive much like he was, he''d better grow up fast. He didn''t want to stay around the brat anymore. He reminded him how easily innocence could be taken. "Just point me in the direction and I''ll find it myself," Sico huffed, not caring whether the boy was offended. But instead the boy, tiptoed to the door and pointed out to the right of the cul de sac deadend. Sico walked up behind him. "Just go back out and keep on the right road straight." The little boy said, "if you keep going up I uh, think you''ll get there." He paused, "follow the tree walls, they''ll go the river." "Thanks," Sico muttered gruffly and stepped down the stair. "Hey hey hey hey hey hey!" Sico paused as the boy whisper shouted in his ear and turned around. He was climbing to the doorframe excitedly. "If you''re staying for a few days, I''m sure I''ll see you again. If you need any more help, I''ll be right here." Sico scuffed quietly to himself. Help. There would be no reason to meet someone so useless again. Sico thought, he seemed like a boy who would die young. "Sure," Sico muttered unde this breath and stepped down. The scene outside was so different in the nightfall. Like a fairytale village it seemed dark but magical. The abundant streetlights were yellow in the night and about level with the eye or lower. The shadows they cast went up and to the sides and downward and the thick patterns on the ground were more vivid but everything was still absolutely washed in yellow light and brightness below a deep purple sky. The hedges living the road, so thick of trees yards deep lead him on and on without means of detour. But he did soon find himself among the growing streams of people who all minded their business in pleasure. They were certainly speaking about the festival or whatever it was. Sico ignored them, knowing it was useless to try to talk to anyone else wrapped up in their own ceremonies and belonging. He walked behind those walking in the same direction when he spotted someone taller than the rest and among all the people he''d encountered, he easily recognized this one from the time before. The time before the gardens with the backstabbing Ayaka, before the cave and the fall off the cliff fighting Axishi. Before finding out the backstabber was a woman, before the fight with the thieves. It was the barman of Onawa who had warned him clear of the city, though he didn''t listen. The rope mark was there around his neck. How... dare he be here. Sico started marching through the emerging peoples swifter as they rounded onto he apparent event gates. The roof here too lead all the way to the building covering the entire lanterned yard. It was already dark but bright. The barman''s head and shoulders disappeared into the building and Sico shoved in with the others. A plain empty lobby circling around in a square. Three pathways but where''d he go. Sico looked about. The head and shoulders had disappeared straight ahead through another door. Sico pushed on through and attempted to enter. Two doormen stopped him however with badges on their panels. Sico had to stop remembering his size. "Are you with the event committee?" One asked. "Wh.. no." "Everyone else has to pass through the sides." "I''m here for!" His voice raised... here for what exactly? "Don''t have to be so obvious you''re following me," the barman reappeared in the doorway and Sico stepped back at his size, looking down upon him. He was lost for words momentarily. "That''s right," Sico found his voice again. "You''ll take me to the mayor." The barman didn''t flinch. His expression didn''t change either. He only took a moment to breathe and then turned to the side, stance still open to Sico. "Well then, follow me." "..." mute. Sico looked at the doormen at the side who had lost interest and had eyes ahead. He looked back at the large man framing his forward path unsure what to say. "That sounds like," the words stammered before finding footing, "you were expecting me or something." "Maybe." The barman spoke also losing interest and already walking inward. Sico followed quickly and decided to stop arguing. He steeled himself for what was to come.