Legend of the Gods - Part 2
Author: emmachase
Requested by: Everyone who took part in my poll
Title: Legend of the Gods - Part 2
Rating: PG
Genre: Romance, some fluff, some myth-y type aspects
Pairing: HSB X HS7
Summary: Remember that little poll I had a while ago? Well, I finally got around to making a quick story about it! I hope you like it
Notes: Stay tuned for the next chapter folks!
Part 1
Chapter 2: The light of the world, and the darkness to come…
-----Daiki-----
It had been so many years since Daiki had given attention to the humans that lived on earth. For however long he had been caring for the earth, all he heard were the sounds of the plants around him, singing in a wonderful harmony. Years passed as he turned the seasons of the earth and gave his plants time to rest in the winter, and bring forth life again in the spring. He nurtured every plant that would reach out to him, and cried when what the humans called “industrialization” took them away. All this however, was beginning to satisfy him less and less. He wanted something more. Too long he had allowed himself to be caught up in his responsibilities as the God of the earth. The nurturing of the humans, the caretaking of the plants… everything that had fallen onto his shoulders began to bore him. Now on earth, Daiki watched in wonder as Ryutaro helped his hobbling brother back to the small campsite and followed after.
“Thanks…. Nii-Chan.” Shintaro winced as he sat down on a small stool beside the flames.
“Here…. Eat these, they’ll make you feel better…” Daiki offered one of the peaches he had summoned and the two brothers gratefully accepted.
“These are delicious! Wow! Where did you buy them from?” Shintaro asked as he took his third bite in as many seconds.
“I…. grew them myself…” Daiki replied calmly
“Wow, you must be a incredible gardener…” Ryutaro added as he happily nibbled away at the fruit.
“It’s not much… but I hope you’ll be okay..” The subject changed as Daiki nodded to Shintaro’s leg. The younger boy grinned happily as he nodded and took yet another bite.
Why was he smiling? Daiki didn't understand. What did that mean?
“Nii-Chan, don't you think we should go ahead and just go home?” the younger boy asked, as he set the seed of the peach on the ground near the stones around the fire.
“I… guess… it probably wont be so fun anymore, since you hurt your ankle.” Ryutaro nodded with a frown.
“Ah, sorry, Dai-Chan, its rude of us to just leave you here… would you like to… come back to the city with us? Or…. Do you live here? Or.. “ Ryutaro shrugged.
For a moment, Daiki paused to think, the many trees that had died for the sake of making a “city” as they called it. It seemed fascinating, and he wanted to see it, experience it, rather than view it from the heavens above.
“Sure…. If you wouldn’t mind.” He replied after a bit and Ryutaro nodded.
“How about having dinner with us? My treat, as a way of thanks for taking care of Shintaro.”
“Sure…” Daiki nodded again as he watched the brothers pack their things.
“Didn't you bring anything Dai-Chan?” Shintaro asked as he stuffed a blanket into his duffel.
“No.. I didn't plan on staying too long anyway.” Daiki said quickly. He sighed as the two boys seemed to buy the story and finished packing what little they had brought.
As they left, Daiki wanted to remember this spot, the place where he had met and he smiled as he lingered behind at the campsite. He drew from a small piece of string around his neck a single seed, and tossed it to the ground just before the outer edge of the clearing. With a flick of his finger, the seed cracked and a vine grew out, crawling along the ground to enclose into a perfect circle.
“Dai-Chaaaan!? Where are you?” He heard the boys calling and quickly turned to walk after them, using the trees as guides.
Daiki gazed in awe as they sped down the small mountain hill in the car that had come to pick them up. It seemed that in mere moments they were now standing on the corner of the city Ryutaro called “Tokyo.” Their bags had stayed in the car, as Shintaro excused himself, wanting to rest at home instead.
“Ne? Dai-Chan, what…. do you like to eat?”
“Anything…. “
“Well… I mean…. Are you… vegetarian? Can you ea…” Ryutaro stopped as Daiki turned to look at him
“I…am just gonna say vegetarian….” He said as he clapped his hands together and smiled, grabbing Daiki’s hand he tugged the other boy along until they reached a small shop in the corner of one of the districts. Together they entered and were seated at one of the tables alongside the largest window that gazed out at the sunny world outside. He stared in confusion as the waitress brought out a giant bowl of greens and set it before him.
“What’s wrong? Don't you like salads?” Ryutaro asked and Daiki recalled that humans often ate bowls of plants like this.
“I’ve… never really had salads a lot..” He said as he picked up the tool that he saw in Ryutaro’s hand, and gently he poked at the vegetables and with took his first mouthful. It was a strange experience, eating… he had the vague memory of eating from long ago, but now, it seemed as if he had never quite experienced it. It seemed almost odd to him now, that every season he would ensure the humans a bountiful harvest of plants, but at the same time, ever try the food himself.
“How is it? This is one of the more famous restaurants in Tokyo, they just opened and supposedly things are really fresh here.” Ryutaro asked eagerly, setting his fork down beside him.
“It…. Is good….” Daiki replied, not entirely sure what to make of the subject yet.
It almost astounded Daiki, how much of a background he had come up with on the spot. He had lied and said that he was born here in Tokyo, that he had a brother, a loving mother, and an overworked father. He had even told a tale about his friends from school.
“Wow… it sounds like you had a lot of fun!” Ryutaro laughed as he paid the bill and sat down beside Daiki again.
“What about you?”
“Me… well… it’s always been me and Shintaro…. Our little sister will probably join in when she’s a bit older…. But growing up… its just been the two of us boys… We’ve been trying to you know…. Be a bit more independent… but so far… well…. You see how that camping trip ended…”
“I bet…. You’ll be able to do wonderful things….” Daiki said reassuringly, his nurturing nature showing through.
“Maybe ne….”
For the next two hours, Daiki listened to Ryutaro talk about the wonderful things he had seen on his many excursions into the wild, and he felt almost at peace, sitting with his elbow resting on the table. His head had come to rest on his open palm and he didn't notice it yet, but on his face was the smallest of grins.
“Hai.. I think…. They’re about to close… maybe…. We should go….” Ryutaro said as he noticed the shop’s owner begin to put things away and turn out the light in front.
“I. see…” Daiki nodded, he had wanted to stay longer, and listen to more about the boy’s life. There was something about Ryutaro….
“Ja…. Dai-Chan… would you….. like to come to the amusement park with me some times?”
“A-Amusement…. Park?”
“Yeah you know, with the rides, the ferris wheel…. All of that?”
“Sure…”
“Great! I’ll…. Meet you outside this shop?”
“Sure…”
Daiki waved as Ryutaro disappeared into the night and he wondered just what this bubbly feeling in his stomach was. A part of him wanted to go after Ryutaro, but another held him back. When he turned around and saw his reflection against the tinted store windows, he was taken by surprise when he saw himself…. Smiling.
Still pondering, Daiki walked towards the forest just beyond the city, his mind was a mess of emotions, some he knew… others he knew not. It seemed no matter what he wanted to focus on though, Ryutaro’s voice, his smile, his entire being shone through.
Just as he walked a few steps out of the city, Daiki suddenly sensed a presence.
“Who is there?” He called out, but received no answer.
He turned around just in time to see a single red bolt of fire shoot past him and dissipate as it hit the hardened mud.
“Well well…. The gods have descended huh?”
Daiki turned back around to see a single figure outlined against the darkened forest. It glowed with a fiery red aura and his smile gleamed.
“Demon….” Daiki hissed
“Haha..” The figure cackled as he extended a single finger and from its clawed tip another bolt of fire erupted.
With a single wave of his hand, Daiki deflected the bolt back into the ground. He grimaced as he saw the demon before him raise his hands and from the bursting hellfire around him, more and more shadow cloaked figures appeared.
“Whats the matter? Are you scared?” The demon taunted.
“Enough..” Daiki hissed again as he drew from his necklace two more seeds and held them in each hand. He called to them and from their sleeping shells grew two long willowy vines, each with razor sharp thorns. He braced himself as he coursed his power threw the plants, making them glow green with fury. In a deft spin, he sent his whips forward and sliced through the first four figures that dared to approach him.
“Get him!” Someone growled as another four pounced forward and Daiki let his body melt into the earth below. From here he sent his being outward and opened a crater where the dried mud used to be. Before the four who had pounced on him could react, the earth sealed itself again, trapping them within its crust.
“Still care to try?” Daiki asked as he reformed his body from the mud.
“Tch… rest assured…. We’re coming for you…” The head demon laughed as he walked into the shadow and vanished just as Daiki’s whips missed him and shattered the tree behind him.
“We…..?” Daiki questioned
-----Hikaru-----
Hikaru had spent the first quiet night of his eternal life under the tree with Keito. He had often wondered what it would be like to be able to sit still for a change. Nothing in heaven or on earth had ever captivated him long enough to do so…. until now.
“So…. let’s try playing the whole song… okay?” Keito asked as he finished his intruction and Hikaru nodded.
The first few notes played faltered a little, but soon Hikaru played in tandem with the English boy. The winds gusted around them, dancing with the melodies and Hikaru smiled as he heard the sheer bliss coming from the instrument. His hands began to move faster, astounding even Keito who paused for a moment to listen to the new line of song that came from Hikaru’s strumming.
“Su-sugoii…” Keito sat in awe as Hikaru’s eyes closed and his aptitude for the guitar grew by instinct, a power befitting the Patron god of the arts. He smiled as he felt the joy in his heart bursting through his hands and he felt as it he could play forever. Hikaru opened his eyes to see Keito staring at him and he snapped out of his nirvana and ended his song with a small flourish.
“That was…… amazing…..” Keito smiled as Hikaru blushed.
“I-It was nothing much…..” Hikaru replied quickly, setting the guitar down. Keito’s eyes were still staring intently at him and he jumped up to avoid them.
“W-Well! Ah! I feel like we’ve been sitting for so long! C’mon!” He grinned as he turned and offered his hand to the boy on the ground.
Together they ran through the small open field and embraced the rushing winds the coursed against their bodies.
“It’s never been so windy before ne? Wow…. It feels so good!” Keito exclaimed as he closed his eyes and felt the air rushing past him. Hikaru only smiled as he reached into the winds with his power and ever so gently brushed the surface of Keito’s cheek.
“Un?” Keito touched his cheek dissipating the wind-formed hand and Hikaru quickly stared ahead again.
“Is something wrong?” Hikaru asked innocently, and Keito just shrugged.
“I thought… I felt something..”
Somewhere along the way, Hikaru managed to get Keito to a small clustered garden belonging to the small nursery school in the distance. He had hidden in the brush when they were playing hide-and-go-seek, and as soon as Keito tapped Hikaru, he collapsed on the ground.
“Ahhh tired…” Keito whined, as he watched incredulously at the Hikaru who was still jumping up and down in excitement.
“Ne….Hikaru… why don't… we just relax here for a little hm?” He offered, hoping the boy would accept.
“But…” The other boy pouted but seeing Keito worn out, he acquiesced. Sitting down beside him on the small bench against the building’s wall, Hikaru laughed as Keito pretty much let his body go limp.
Naturally, the god’s restless side returned as soon as he sat down, and he couldn't help but play with the gusting winds. Dragging his finger through the air, he made small symbols and smiled as the winds followed his patterns exactly, running through the garden, rustling the leaves of the plants, the petals of the flowers, and sending the wind chimes that hung throughout the garden into a twitter.
“Hikaru… the chimes are singing their own songs… do you hear it?” Keito asked, his eyes still closed and his breathing a bit ragged.
“Un…”
Hikaru grinned as he drew the winds together in a burst and sent it out into the garden, he bounded them to the small chimes and played them into a small melody. With a little bit of effort he finished the stream of wind, leading it to rush over Keito in a small whirlwind of sorts.
“It’s so cool….” Keito smiled as he felt so refreshed listening to the sounds and feeling the winds dry his sweat. After a moment, he opened his eyes to find Hikaru staring at him again.
“You just don't get tired do you?” He chuckled as Hikaru shook his head eagerly as if he were a little child.
“Ne ne! I want to go there!” Hikaru pointed to the distance, and Keito squinted to see a small ferris wheel.
“But that's for the little kids to go to, tell you what, if you still want to go tomorrow… I’ll take you to the one near where I live, that park has a lot more rides anyway.” Keito nodded thoughtfully to himself, and Hikaru sighed before agreeing. He still wanted to run and to fly and stream through the air that was his home.
But maybe it would be worth waiting for…
“So… if it’s okay…. Can I… meet you here again tomorrow?” Keito asked as the two boys walked out of the garden and Hikaru grinned.
“Sure! I’ll be waiting right here!” He nearly jumped as he saw the relief and joy in Keito’s eyes.
He waved goodbye to his companion and turned around to face the wide open area again, the sky had grown dark and the field was now empty.
Smiling, Hikaru let his body dissolve into the winds that had formed it and giggled happily as he skipped along the grasses making them rustle as he ran through them. He felt so free as opposing winds rushed past his silken body and he took them into himself, pushing himself forward around a small tree that seemed worried it would topple if hit too hard.
For a few minutes, Hikaru played with the plants in the area, he swarmed around the birds that came to peck at the bits of food left behind and he jumped through small bushes before landing himself back on the high branch of a tree that was too tired to protest. Focusing himself again he compressed the winds back into a solid form and his body came to view again.
Hikaru sighed as he sat dangling his legs off the edge of the branch and the last ray of light vanished into the horizon. The day had ended…
Jumping off the tree limb Hikaru landed on the ground before a sudden prick of uneasiness hit him and he jumped up again, dodging a green dart that stuck into the very spot he had been standing.
“Who’s there?” He demanded as he sent his breezes forward to scan the area. He found instead a hail of darts coming at him and he quickly raised a small tornado to suck them up.
“Show yourself!” He shouted again, sending the twister back towards the darkness from which the darts emerged.
“Not bad… Wind God…” A sinister voice came as a masked figure came out of the shadows.
“What do you want?” Hikaru asked, a little unnerved.
“What I want… is your power!” The figured shouted, as his voice grew garbled and another green dart shot forward only to hit the barrier of air Hikaru weaved into solidarity.
“Kill him….” The figure whispered and as if pulled from the shadows themselves, monsters emerged from the darkened ground and threw themselves at him.
“Whoa!” Hikaru jumped up, staying afloat in the wind currents. In that split second, he felt something land on his back and in an instant he tore himself apart into the streaming winds. The god coursed through the air and as he did sent out bolts of himself and rammed the bubbles of air into the nearest target he could find.
Within moments the decimated shadows retreated, leaving only the figure, poised with more glowing green darts.
Hikaru could feel those malevolent eyes staring at him as his body dissolved back into existence. He braced himself for anything and slowly began encircling the cocooning breeze into his hand. Pressing them tightly, he formed a pure white fan and gently spread it open.
Seeing this, the figure shot forth, throwing dart after dart, all the while charging forward. And Hikaru gave a sweep of his fan, sending a small hurricane forward. It ate the darts and Hikaru watched as it enveloped the charging figure and the razor winds sliced through his armor left his body in shambles. The winds relented and the hurricane disappeared, and once the dust and grass settled, Hikaru stared at a man who’s armor had been shred to bits, leaving him only in plain black clothes.
“We’ll be back for you… Wind God…” The man whispered, his voice echoed as his eyes glowed red with fury. But before Hikaru could reach out to him, he faded away into nothingness.
-----Inoo-----
Kei had spent the last few hours of the day wandering up and down the shore, he felt at home here, feeling the waters wash up against his legs and he felt his body almost sway with the tugging and pushing of the waves. On the boardwalk, Yuto was still playing his drums, Yuto had told him over a drink of some interesting arrangement of Shaved Ice, that he was a “Street Musician”, at least, during this summer. From what he gathered, Yuto played music to support himself, as a music artist, though, in his head, Kei failed to see the point. Logic would have dictated that Yuto find a job with which he could build himself a successful foundation.
“I don’t understand…” Inoo whispered to the waters who paused for a moment, shocked at hearing the words Kei himself had never uttered. Eons of study and self -meditation had granted him vast insight into everything, except matters of the heart. And the god had a sneaking suspicion, that this was what he would be tested on. Still, he couldn't explain why every time he heard the drums, he felt so entranced by them. He knew how they worked scientifically, but he didn't… comprehend their value to the bystanders that crowded around.
“Kei?”
“Yes?” Inoo turned around to see Yuto standing beside him.
“Would… you like to have dinner with me? My treat”
“Are you done playing for the day? Did you earn enough money?” Kei asked
“Yes, you don't have to worry…I can handle a dinner” The taller boy giggled sarcastically.
“I’m sorry, I must have asked too much.” Kei said as he turned his head back to face the vast ocean.
“No! I mean.. uh.. no, it’s nice that you thought about that much, I didn't mean it that way!” Yuto grabbed Kei’s wrist.
“Whoa! You’re like freezing cold! H-Here! Take my jacket!” Yuto jumped as he felt the coolness of Kei’s water-formed skin. The jacket fit over him and Kei sighed as a strange feeling of warmth came to him, not from the covering around him, but from within. His mind conversed with the waters, asking what that feeling was, but they had no answer.
“You… really like the water huh?” Kei turned to see Yuto sitting beside him.
“What… do you mean?”
“Well… I was watching you while I was playing… you’ve been standing here with the water for the entire three hours! And… you keep looking out there. I would have thought you would come listen to me play…” Yuto pouted and Kei sat down on the sand now and hesitantly placed his hand on the boy’s back.
“I’m sorry… I will go listen to you next time.” Kei said, rather stiffly as was his nature.
Yuto giggled again as he lift his head from his knees and looked at his companion again.
“You don’t HAVE to…” Yuto said smiling, and Kei felt that feeling again as their eyes met. Without thinking, his mouth replied
“I want to.”
Dinner turned out to be at a small restaurant run by a pair of brothers who claimed to have the best Okonomiyaki on the entire boardwalk.
“You should try it! It’s really good!” Yuto chimed in as Kei stared at the menu.
“Then I’ll have… one.” Kei said to one of the brothers, and watched as he turned to look at Yuto.
“Your usual?” Yuto nodded.
“Do you come here often?” Kei asked
“Well… sometimes, I work around here you know, so… I’ve been eating around here for a while..”
“Do you like what you do?”
“Of course! I love my job! Haha well others probably wont call it a job… but I think it is… music… it’s what I want to do. I love it.” Yuto said happily, but was a bit taken aback by the flatness in Kei’s face.
“Love it…” Kei repeated, smiling politely at Yuto who seemed to accept this olive branch. He still didn't understand..
The two boys spent the next hour and a half talking over okonomiyaki that came and went. Kei had asked so many questions, trying to get to know Yuto, while the younger boy laughed and giggled at some of his own answers. Somewhere half way through, the roles changed and Yuto began asking questions to which Kei could only make up answers.
“But more importantly, do you have… a certain someone?” Yuto said abruptly, raising an eyebrow.
“Someone? What does that mean?” Kei asked
“Someone… to keep you company… someone to hold you when you’re cold, to kiss you when you need to know you’re not alone….” Yuto stopped, realizing that Kei still had that puzzled look on his face.
“A-Ah.. never mind…it’s just… a quote… that.. well actually I don't know who said it.” Yuto laughed, slightly embarrassed.
“Someone… to keep you from sane when all the world is moving faster than you can handle.” Kei finished.
“Yeah!”
“I remember…”
“Remember?”
“I don’t know… it’s been so long.”
“What has been so long?” Now it was Yuto’s turn to be puzzled.
“Nothing…” Kei shook his head out of his fog.
The night ended with a small walk along the beach, half way through their walk, Yuto’s hand crept to Kei’s side and clasped tightly around his.
“It get’s really dark when we’re this far from the buildings” Yuto explained and Kei accepted, letting his hand close around the boy’s.
Gently they strolled along the beach, talking about random things that came to mind and the small things that Kei kept probing at. When they began to reach the end of the shoreline, Kei reached out to the waters, and sent some of his power into them, making them glow and light the last few feet.
“Wow! The water is so pretty here!” Yuto jumped happily and Kei chuckled as he watched him splash about.
“Kei! Come on!” Yuto reached out to him and in that moment Kei felt a flash in his mind as for a moment the figure of someone reaching out to him burned so brightly in his memory.
“Kei?” Yuto asked, approaching the god who seemed to have become a statue.
“W-What?”
“Come into the water with me…” Yuto pouted and naturally, Kei relented. Something about Yuto made him forget his logic, made him forget his knowledge, and just… live.
Kei felt the waters pulling toward him as he walked into the deep ocean.
“Kei!” Yuto called and as soon as he turned Inoo felt a wave of cool water splash over him and heard the giggling accompanying the attack.
“I got you!” Yuto cheered and Kei smiled rushing forward towards him, he splashed another wave of water at Yuto who laughed as he felt the wave rain over him.
“Ne…. Kei… what do you think about… us… being here… I mean…” Yuto asked, as he floated on his back, resting.
“I think…it’s nice.” That was all he could say.
“I think… it’s so beautiful, it’s peaceful… it’s so… nice..” Yuto yawned and gave himself completely to the waves that slowly ebbed him back towards the shore.
“It’s… nice…” Kei repeated, laying as Yuto was on the surface of the water. The two boys floated around, while Kei tried his best to recall the vision that had come to him on the beach. It was foggy, blurry, and he couldn't make sense of it.
“Yuto… have I met you before?” He asked, but received no answer. Looking around, he saw the floating boy dozing away beside him, his body being drifted towards the shore.
“You’re a little too carefree don't you think….?” Kei sighed as he swam towards the shore as well. He reached through the water and pulled Yuto towards the shore.
“Yuto…Yuto wake up.”
“Mmnh… “
“Yuto.. there’s a storm coming… you need to get home…” Kei said,
“Mnhm… Tired…” Yuto mumbled.
“Hey you two!” There’s a storm coming! You guys need to get inside!” Kei turned to see one of the brothers from the restaurant shouting at him.
Sighing, Kei propped up Yuto and threw the younger boy onto his back and began walking. He reached out with his powers again and found the moving clouds that were pouring rain out into his ocean and held it at bay for the moment.
“You’re tall but light ne?” Kei smiled, as a sleep-mumbling Yuto said something along the lines of “drums… banana… monkey.”
“Ah, Thank you for brining Yuto-kun here…” One of the shop owners said.
“Do you know where he lives? I could take him home…”
“He lives deep in the city, but he can stay the night here, like he usually does…” The other brother added.
Kei nodded and carried Yuto up to the small loft above the restaurant. There was a small room that they had set aside for him, and the moment he walked in, Kei felt his knees weaken. He quickly set Yuto upon the small bed in the corner before sitting down on the mattress himself. Kei stared in awe at the room around him. Pictures upon pictures of famous drum artists, splattered along a wall, and paintings hung on the other.
“He painted these himself you know…” one of the owners added as Kei’s gaze began to wander. The canvas that held two small paintings sat unused, for quite some time it looked.
“What is this one?” He asked as the two men looked at the one sitting on the left of the easel.
“That’s Yuto-kun’s family ne. His mother and father don't really see eye to eye with Yuto-kun’s ambitions, so they don't really get along…” The man folded his arms and nodded sadly.
“That’s a shame too ne… his little brother adores him… he comes here looking for him often too…” The other chimed in.
“Then… what’s this one?” Inoo pointed to another one, this one unfinished.
“We… don’t know… and when we ask, all he says is that he himself doesn't understand it.”
With that, the two men left Kei and Yuto alone, the sounds of the chairs in the shop being put up followed, and Kei sat for a moment, wondering about the painting that resembled his “memory”.
“Who are you…?” Kei asked as Yuto mumbled in his sleep still.
The storm burst through Kei’s hold in that moment and drenched the entire boardwalk with rain. He opened the windows and willed the rain not to enter the room, and he walked onto the roof of the first floor patio. Shutting the door behind him, he felt the ice-cold water pound against his now solid body and he sighed, taking a few steps towards the street below. As soon as his feet touched the ground, Kei felt uneasy. The water in the mud around him, warned him to the footsteps of something unnatural approaching. In an instant a flare of red appeared in the distance and grew larger as it approached.
Kei gasped as he gathered together the water from the rain into a barrier to protect himself, and the store behind him. He felt the fire turn to steam as it hit the water and Kei squinted through the evaporating mist. Pawed creatures ran towards him, their paws pitter-patter rang loudly in his head. With a sweep of his hands, he gathered a stream of water from the nearby ocean and sent it forward, coursing through the street, and with another twist, turned it all to ice, freezing everything in its path.
“Not bad.. Water god… but you’ll need more than that to catch me…” Kei heard as he felt something in his icy prison shatter. He could barely make the gleam of a blade running towards him before he ducked and heard the sounds of the air cutting above him. He froze the ground the figure stood upon and ducked back, looking at man whose feet were stuck to the ground.
Using the rain water, Kei gathered the droplets to his hand and twisted them into three small ornate darts, and with a flick of his hand threw them at the figure. He could see the man block two of them, but the third just barely grazed his cheek.
“Tch… I wont forget this… Water god… we have a score to settle…” The man shouted as he stamped his foot into the earth, shattering his icy shackles and ran back into the dark night.
“What… was that?” Kei wondered
-----Takaki-----
Yuya walked through the night a bit more confidently than a boy of his supposed age should, earning him the looks of many passer-bys. He flinched at the news displays broadcasting the attack of a defenseless woman by three teenagers, and he despised the reports of corrupt police officers, the very men set to enforce justice.
“T-Takaki-kun!” Yuya turned to see Chinen running towards him eagerly.
“Shall we get going then?” The god asked a bit sternly.
“Hai, this way” The younger boy jumped in the opposite direction.
The walk was a quiet one, filled only with questions Chinen asked to break the silence, which would almost always be followed by a short one sentence answer.
“Takaki-Kun, why don't you want to talk?” The younger boy suddenly stopped and turned around, placing his hands on his hips.
“Talking can be for when you know you can defend yourself, then you may speak whatever you will. Then you will be able to handle the consequences.” Yuya replied.
“B-But its not as if I’m going to go around insulting everyone…”
“It doesn’t matter! You should be strong enough to prevent scum like those boys from picking on you.”
“T-Takaki-kun…” Chinen frowned, his eyes on the verge of tears from being yelled at over such a trivial question. He looked to the older boy who only stared back coldly, and he swallowed his tears.
“W-we’re here.” He added, opening the door to the gym.
“Oi! Yuri-kun! you’re here late ne? planning on doing some late-night training?” A man wearing a janitor’s uniform asked.
“Masa-kun! I haven’t seen you in ages! Yeah! I’m just… doing some practicing with my friend… y-Yuya.”
Takaki’s eyes widened incredulously at being referred to by his first name.
“He looks like a fine young man… well you two have fun… I must clean the dojo room…”
“Masa-Kun, just… leave that room to us, we need to use it anyway.” Chinen insisted and the man smiled and nodded.
“Yu-“ Chinen turned as they entered the Dojo to see a stern finger pointing at him.
“Only when you can beat me, may you call me Yuya.” The god said, again his voice stern and emotionless.
“S-Sorry…” Chinen frowned again, wondering why his new-found companion was so… cold-hearted. It wasn't as if they were absolute strangers…
After all, he had saved him from what would certainly been another “most embarrassing moment” of his life.
Yuri watched as the other boy strode confidently into the dojo and nodded at the surroundings.
“It’s a fine room for training. Now… come at me, and show me what you can do to protect yourself.”
Chinen’s eyes widened, how was he supposed to take on someone like him?!
A small punch to the shoulder hurt him more than it did Takaki. He winced as he pulled his fist back, loose now from the pain in the knuckles.
“That's all?” The older boy demanded impatiently.
“S-Sorry..”
“Something like this!” Yuya slammed his fist into the younger boy’s gut and for a moment, Yuri winced, but at the same time, he felt the pain evaporate and he felt as if he weren’t even hit.
“W-What…h-happened…”
“Come!” Yuya shouted unmercifully and Chinen cowered.
“C-Cant we start with… something… e-easier?” He asked quietly, he looked up at the taller boy who despite his calm face, exerted such pressure with his eyes. As soon as their eyes met, Yuri’s back straightened instantly and he couldn't explain why.
Hours passed, and he felt as if he were going no where, something inside him wouldn’t permit him to hit someone else, and he couldn’t help but shirk away when Yuya demanded that he do so.
Finally, the small clock in the room signified it was well into the early morning, and seeing that the younger boy was tired, the god of war sighed and dismissed him for the night.
“We will have to return here to train you, there is no place for someone who cannot defend themselves.” He insisted, rather harshly as Chinen meekly nodded and wrapped a towel around his shoulders to pick up all the sweat he had gained from dodging punch after punch. It felt as if the dojo had become a sauna, hot and fiery.
“Y-Yu… I mean…. Takaki-kun, could we… just go out sometime, and do somethin- Outside if training I mean.”
“Why, this should be your priority, you do want to be strong don't you?” The god asked semi-annoyed at the failed attempt at training today.
“I just… I want to… t-thank you.. I mean for saving me… and maybe… get to know you? So we don't have to be strangers to each other.” Yuri added the last sentence, hoping that if they talked a bit and got to know each other, the next session would be a bit easier than this one.
“If you have the time to go out and fraternize, then you have the time to train.”
“I-I wont train unless you come out with me!” Chinen said suddenly, squinting shut his eyes.
With that Yuya’s eyes turned with a glare, but he knew in the boy’s heart the offer to be true, and he sighed. There was no way to bargain around this request… and he only nodded.
In an instant, the younger boy’s face lit up and he smiled, saying that he would come here tomorrow and they could walk to the nearby restaurant and have dinner.
Yuya sighed again as he watched the boy walk off in the distance and disappear behind a corner. He shook his head as some part of him reviewed the day, and asked himself why he hadn’t given up already. If it had been any other person in his army, he would have dismissed them, and left them to their own devices, but this boy… it was different. While others found his bluntness to be an off-putting flaw, this boy still wanted to know him…why?
Turning around Yuya sent flames through his body to warm him against the cold night and he sighed as he walked towards the volcano that would welcome him home.
As he walked, he felt a presence following him, something definitely not earthbound. He pretended not to notice as he walked out of the city and into the forest at the base of the firey mountain. Quietly he strolled up the path until he could sense the molten lava within warning him of intruders on its home. When he neared a small shrine at the middle, he turned around and stopped to stare at what seemed to be an empty bunch of trees. Gathering some fire from the candles at the shrine’s altar, he shot them forth in a wave against the trees which jumped back into the rest of the forest.
“Come out now!” He shouted, his voice echoed with command.
He watched as the trees that had evaded his attack twisted themselves into humanlike figures and a single man walked forward.
“As expected from the great god of war…. You did notice us quite some time ago didn't you…” He smiled devilishly
As he was talking, Yuya sent his arm back and caught two of the spears that were about to pierce him and he grinned as he snapped them in half and in a flash caught the two demons holding them. The very touch of his hands sent scorching flames through the two bodies and they vanished into ash as Yuya smiled, he loved this feeling. With no compassion, he was free to enjoy the absolute wonders of war, and the pure adrenaline of combat. Crushing your enemy… that was just a bonus.
The god of war ran his hands over each other, a small silver-white bolt of fire ignited from within and ran from his hands to his feet. They burst with the intensity of the sun and when the bright white flame was gone, a pair of sterling gauntlets and war boots took their place. In a blink, the gauntlets punched through the first shadowy figure to his right, incinerating him to ashes and with another, his boots slammed into another. As he stood in the center of a circle of ashes, he smiled peacefully at the figure who stood in the background. The moon gleamed off a pair of swords that he was holding, an all that was outlined was that malicious smile.
“Here I come….” The man grinned, pulsing forward.
A loud clang rang out as the blades slammed against the blazing gauntlets and for a brief moment, their two eyes met. With a push the figure bounced back onto the ground only to push off and launch himself forward again.
“Stupid.” Yuya sneered as he raised a wall of flames in front of him and he could feel the man stop dead in his tracks. Another sweep of his hands sent bits of the wall flying towards the shadowed man and another… and another.
Bolt after bolt slammed into the trees and the ground below.
“Tch… I will be back.. and your powers will be mine…” The figure hissed as he batted down the flames on the edge of his armor and melded into the shadow again.
“Come back and fight!” Yuya shouted, sending another bolt of flame forward with his fist. But he received no response.
“Coward..”
-----Yabu-----
“Hai! Cut! Great job! That’s it for today!” Yabu heard the staff cheering from outside the thin trailer walls. He sighed as he amused himself making two little balls of light twirl around and dance.
“Yabu-kun…?” A boy’s head popped into the trailer a bit apprehensively and the god turned to look at him with a vacant look.
“S-Sorry about earlier I mean.” Yamada bowed again and Yabu smiled
“Don’t worry.. it was.. an accident.” He said calmly
“Um..”
“What is it that you do exactly?” Yabu asked, cutting the other boy off.
“I’m… an actor…”
“Ah… I see… are you any good?” He asked, again rather bluntly.
“U-Uh I h-hope so..” The younger boy stuttered.
“You should be more confident in your answer. If you think you are good, you should know you are good.”
“Hai.” Yamada felt as if he were a child being scolded.
“Then.. shall we go out then? I’ve been sitting in here for the last two hours.” Yabu stretched as he twirled his fingers and the two balls of light dissipated back into the streaming sunshine.
Despite their plans for dinner, the pair settled for a stroll through the small shops scattered throughout the city block. They stopped at many of the record stores to browse the collections, they stopped at the small takoyaki shops that were handing out samples, and even the small corner jeweler.
“One day, I want to buy something like that.” Ryosuke pointed to the small pendant in the window. It was a simple jade green leave with silver vines growing around it.
“I hope anyway… I don't know… I don't think I’d ever save up that much money… maybe it’s not meant to be..I wish there was some sign..” The boy sighed and for that moment Yabu felt… pity.
With a small snap of his fingers, Yabu pushed light into the pendant, making it glow slightly and he grinned as he noticed the instant smile that appeared on Ryosuke’s face.
“What?” He asked, pretending not to know.
“I just….”
“Hm? What did you see?”
“…. A sign…” Ryosuke jumped a little, and Yabu chuckled as he nodded and the two boys walked on.
“Are you hungry? I mean… I did promise you dinner…” Ryosuke asked as they walked.
“I’m….. a little…” Yabu replied, truth be told, he didn't NEED to eat, but accepting a dinner invitation seemed to be a good way to sit down and talk without the distractions of the shops around them.
They chose to sit at a small restaurant they found in the crook between a vastly overpriced bakery and a small convenience store. The waitress smiled and seated them at a small table and left them with two glasses of water.
“So… Yabu-kun.. where… do you come from?” Ryosuke asked, as his eyes walked up and down the menu.
“A town a bit off from here… It’s really unheard of.. so theres not much to do except come to the city.” Yabu made up a story about his life, he insisted that he had been a college student who decided that the academic life was not for him. He wanted to work for his own merits, not have someone teach them to him.
“Wow… “ Ryosuke sighed, perhaps a bit too dreamily as he stared at Yabu.
“Maybe I overdid the story…” Yabu muttered to himself.
“What?”
“-Huh Nothing.” Yabu shook his head, and reminded himself not to think aloud anymore.
Dinner came and went, with relatively little problems. Yabu had sighed when his steak came a little bit underdone, a problem easily solved with a quick distraction, and some light from his finger tips. He grinned as he had to turn the steak on its back to hide the burned grill marks in the shape of his hand.
“I’m soooo fullll….” Ryosuke whined, and Yabu chuckled as the desert menu came and the other boy perked right up again.
“I’ll take the order of six chocolate covered strawberries..”
“soo full huh…” Yabu teased as Ryosuke blushed.
“You know… Yabu-kun… you’re so lucky…….”
“Huh?”
“You made a decision like that… on your own, to be your own person… not someone in a suit you had… the confidence to do something like that… I wish I could be like that.”
“Why?”
“I just.. ever since I was little… this life was made for me… I had the auditions lined up, I had the acting coach… everything. I didn't have a choice…. I mean….I cant leave now… I cant give it all up, I wouldn't know what to do…” Yamada sighed as he placed his head in his hands and stared out the window with a forlorn look.
“Why don't you just do it… and deal with whatever happens then…?”
“But… weren’t you scared? You were…. On your own…”
“No… I don't even remember…. What its like to be scared…” Yabu replied a bit softly.
Before Ryosuke could ask what he meant, the waitress interjected by bringing the strawberries, and he thought the best of it. Letting the subject drop, Yabu smiled as he watched how his companion reacted to eating what he called “The best strawberries I have ever had in my life.”
“Yabu-kun… I…. um… erm… I really enjoyed talking to you… tonight.”
“So did I…” Yabu said.
“W-Would it be okay… if we did something like this again tomorrow? I have shooting in the morning… but after that w-we cou-“
“I’ll come find you at the set then…” Yabu interrupted, sensing the apprehension in the boy’s voice.
“Hai! I’ll be waiting!” Ryosuke nodded eagerly as he quickly ran off, afraid to stay too long and make a fool of himself.
“He is… rather interesting….” Yabu said to himself as he closed his eyes and breathed in the night air. It had been quite some time since he had come to earth, and even longer since he had met someone with so many doubts. Something he had long forgotten about. In some ways, Yabu thought his sacrifice was unbearable. His overwhelming confidence in everything would one day be his downfall. He didn't know his own boundaries, he didn't remember what it was like to be afraid of something, he didn't even remember what it was like to be on the other side of death.
Yabu let his thoughts wander as he bent the light around his body, making him invisible, he began to walk aimlessly. Then his skin tingled as he felt the other gods on earth calling to him. They were in alarm….
“I’m coming..” He whispered to them as he walked into a secluded alley. He shed the light that held his body together and in an instant what seemed to be a mass of little balls of light flew through the air. To anyone else, Yabu would have looked like a collection of fireflies flying through the air, he traced the stars, basking in their light before curling around the moon and dropping into a small forest. He landed and reformed his body before the other four gods who stood watch. With a nod of his head, he acknowledged each of them, Hikaru twirled within a hurricane, Inoo sat within the waves, Takaki in a small campfire that lit the area, and Daiki within a hollowed tree that had bent to give him a seat.
“Someone… something.. knows we’re here.” Inoo said bluntly as Yabu made to sit down. A blinding light shimmered as with a flash a throne appeared beneath him and he sat with radiance all around his body.
“Each of us… has been attacked. They know who we are, they know our powers… and they have each said that they’ll be back to get us… “ Daiki reported, as the other gods nodded.
“They were strong too… this one could withstand a full battle with me….” Takaki added, drawing more surprise.
“We’ve got to be careful then ne?” Hikaru added as he let his twister drift into the ground beneath him.
“Do we know…. Who they are?” Yabu asked as each of his friends shook their heads.
“Then that will be our first priority….” He concluded as the other gods nodded.
“Hahah you think finding us would be that easy?” A loud voice sounded as the five gods stood at attention.
In an instant the blurry darkness beyond the forest grounds twisted as bodies emerged.
“These are the people who attacked us..” Yabu heard the other gods whisper in his head.
“We’ll take care of them…” Takaki added, pulling on his gauntlets again in a blazing white flame. The other gods had already formed their weapons, and Yabu held a hand up to stop them.
“Let me…” He said quietly, walking forward.
“Whats this? The almighty king of the gods comes….” The larger figure in the center mocked as he walked a bit forward to meet Yabu.
“Show yourself to me… “ Yabu commanded.
“Save your breath… Long passed is the time for commands. We are the generals of Akito, and we have come…. For you and your powers….”
“Akito… the former head of the pantheon….”
“Yes… the only god who you imprisoned beneath this realm for all eternity…”
“Then you… like your master will fall and we will make sure of that…” Yabu said, his confidence boundless.
“Haha do not take us lightly light god… in these hundreds of years, our master has not been sitting idle. He knew you would grow bored of your duties, and he knew you would come…we will bring him to power again…. And humanity will pay the price for its insolence.
“Your master would have long since destroyed humanity…” Yabu challenged as he stepped forward.
“Then they would have deserved it!” The man hissed as his eyes glowed red.
“Then you’ll have to go through us….”
“ENOUGH SAID!” Said the shadowy figure holding the twin swords.
“No…” hissed the larger figure, who turned to face Yabu again.
“No… Let us.. see who has the most power here…” He grinned at Yabu who readily accepted his challenge.
Stamping his foot against the ground, Yabu summoned a staff that stood as tall as he was, and made of a pure ornate gold. As he struck the ground with the staff, lightning bolted from the sky and into the earth around him.
“Impressive…” The demon-like man mocked again as he pulled from the shadows a single axe, the blade was tinged red and shimmered as he brandished it against the light.
“Strike!” Yabu shouted. As he struck his staff into the ground again and thunder roared as lightning bridged the sky and struck the ground the figure was standing on.
“Dangerous…” The figure hissed as he appeared in the blink of an eye just a few feet from where he was, his hand had been lightly singed by the lightning.
Yabu watched carefully as the man swung his axe forward and a shadowed red axe flew from the weapon, flying towards him. He dodged the axe, leaving Inoo to deflect it with a swipe from his sword.
Now, dashing forward, Yabu held his staff at the ready, its tip coursed with electricity and he grinned as he dodged axes thrown at him. He landed a strike into the figure’s stomach, making him collapse onto the ground.
“Maybe… you should train a bit more… before you come back….” Yabu sneered as he struck his staff onto the ground again, causing more lightning to strike the figure, who just barely dodged.
In that second, one of the lesser minions in the shadows leaped forward with the rest of the swarm weaving its way around the four other demon generals. And Yabu grinned as he called lightning from the sky down into his staff. He flung a stream of the blue-white light into the nearest monster and watched as it bounced from minion to minion, electrocuting them all and turning them to ash.
It was then that he turned to face his opponent again. Calling light from within himself this time, Yabu created a small ball of pure light and flung it.
“Tch! WE WILL BE BACK!” Yabu heard as he figure disappeared, utterly defeated.
Looking at the leaves covering the ground, Yabu noticed some blood from where his light bolt had grazed the man on the ground.
Raising his hand a burst of light appeared as a boy appeared before him, clad in the imperial white armor the gods wore. He bowed deeply on one knee before the five gods of the pantheon.
“Kouichi…. I want you to find out all you can about the old gods… bring me all that you find, also…. Look into those… generals….” Yabu sneered again at the last part.
“Yes sir.” The boy said, never moving from his place. In another flash of light, the boy was gone again.
“Are you sure just sending one tracker soldier will be enough… for something like this…?” Inoo asked, as Yabu turned to face him.
“If there is anything else that I have missed…” Yabu nodded calmly as he sat on his throne again, letting his staff disintegrate into little balls of light that faded into nothingness.
Now, from the waters a spring appeared as Inoo ran his finger through the wave, he threw a stream of it onto the stand and watched as the water grew in size until another boy appeared, this one also clad in the white armor, but where Kouichi had bore the seal of light, this boy’s armor bore the symbol of the waters.
“Shuichi… “ Inoo began
“Yes.. sir. I know.” The boy whispered.
“Then go… and make sure you find…. Everything.” Inoo commanded as the boy melted into water again and seemingly evaporated into air.
“Then that’s all we can do.. until we know what it is we’re up against…” Yabu said as the other gods nodded.
“It looks like this time we might have to take up our roles in the great war once again…” Yabu added, bringing memories of the final clash many millennia ago. Though the gods were concerned, they thought of the boys they had each met that day, and their conviction to fight grew stronger still.
“We can’t lose…”
__________________________________________
Uwa! Sorry it’s been so long since I’ve posted minna! and sorry its so long!
I guess losing my computer for a bit kinda stifled my creative juices…. Haha but I’m working on it!
Again, comments are <3, if I hear back from more of you I’ll be more encouraged and inspired to write more! (and faster!)
~Emmie
Requested by: Everyone who took part in my poll
Title: Legend of the Gods - Part 2
Rating: PG
Genre: Romance, some fluff, some myth-y type aspects
Pairing: HSB X HS7
Summary: Remember that little poll I had a while ago? Well, I finally got around to making a quick story about it! I hope you like it
Notes: Stay tuned for the next chapter folks!
Part 1
Chapter 2: The light of the world, and the darkness to come…
-----Daiki-----
It had been so many years since Daiki had given attention to the humans that lived on earth. For however long he had been caring for the earth, all he heard were the sounds of the plants around him, singing in a wonderful harmony. Years passed as he turned the seasons of the earth and gave his plants time to rest in the winter, and bring forth life again in the spring. He nurtured every plant that would reach out to him, and cried when what the humans called “industrialization” took them away. All this however, was beginning to satisfy him less and less. He wanted something more. Too long he had allowed himself to be caught up in his responsibilities as the God of the earth. The nurturing of the humans, the caretaking of the plants… everything that had fallen onto his shoulders began to bore him. Now on earth, Daiki watched in wonder as Ryutaro helped his hobbling brother back to the small campsite and followed after.
“Thanks…. Nii-Chan.” Shintaro winced as he sat down on a small stool beside the flames.
“Here…. Eat these, they’ll make you feel better…” Daiki offered one of the peaches he had summoned and the two brothers gratefully accepted.
“These are delicious! Wow! Where did you buy them from?” Shintaro asked as he took his third bite in as many seconds.
“I…. grew them myself…” Daiki replied calmly
“Wow, you must be a incredible gardener…” Ryutaro added as he happily nibbled away at the fruit.
“It’s not much… but I hope you’ll be okay..” The subject changed as Daiki nodded to Shintaro’s leg. The younger boy grinned happily as he nodded and took yet another bite.
Why was he smiling? Daiki didn't understand. What did that mean?
“Nii-Chan, don't you think we should go ahead and just go home?” the younger boy asked, as he set the seed of the peach on the ground near the stones around the fire.
“I… guess… it probably wont be so fun anymore, since you hurt your ankle.” Ryutaro nodded with a frown.
“Ah, sorry, Dai-Chan, its rude of us to just leave you here… would you like to… come back to the city with us? Or…. Do you live here? Or.. “ Ryutaro shrugged.
For a moment, Daiki paused to think, the many trees that had died for the sake of making a “city” as they called it. It seemed fascinating, and he wanted to see it, experience it, rather than view it from the heavens above.
“Sure…. If you wouldn’t mind.” He replied after a bit and Ryutaro nodded.
“How about having dinner with us? My treat, as a way of thanks for taking care of Shintaro.”
“Sure…” Daiki nodded again as he watched the brothers pack their things.
“Didn't you bring anything Dai-Chan?” Shintaro asked as he stuffed a blanket into his duffel.
“No.. I didn't plan on staying too long anyway.” Daiki said quickly. He sighed as the two boys seemed to buy the story and finished packing what little they had brought.
As they left, Daiki wanted to remember this spot, the place where he had met and he smiled as he lingered behind at the campsite. He drew from a small piece of string around his neck a single seed, and tossed it to the ground just before the outer edge of the clearing. With a flick of his finger, the seed cracked and a vine grew out, crawling along the ground to enclose into a perfect circle.
“Dai-Chaaaan!? Where are you?” He heard the boys calling and quickly turned to walk after them, using the trees as guides.
Daiki gazed in awe as they sped down the small mountain hill in the car that had come to pick them up. It seemed that in mere moments they were now standing on the corner of the city Ryutaro called “Tokyo.” Their bags had stayed in the car, as Shintaro excused himself, wanting to rest at home instead.
“Ne? Dai-Chan, what…. do you like to eat?”
“Anything…. “
“Well… I mean…. Are you… vegetarian? Can you ea…” Ryutaro stopped as Daiki turned to look at him
“I…am just gonna say vegetarian….” He said as he clapped his hands together and smiled, grabbing Daiki’s hand he tugged the other boy along until they reached a small shop in the corner of one of the districts. Together they entered and were seated at one of the tables alongside the largest window that gazed out at the sunny world outside. He stared in confusion as the waitress brought out a giant bowl of greens and set it before him.
“What’s wrong? Don't you like salads?” Ryutaro asked and Daiki recalled that humans often ate bowls of plants like this.
“I’ve… never really had salads a lot..” He said as he picked up the tool that he saw in Ryutaro’s hand, and gently he poked at the vegetables and with took his first mouthful. It was a strange experience, eating… he had the vague memory of eating from long ago, but now, it seemed as if he had never quite experienced it. It seemed almost odd to him now, that every season he would ensure the humans a bountiful harvest of plants, but at the same time, ever try the food himself.
“How is it? This is one of the more famous restaurants in Tokyo, they just opened and supposedly things are really fresh here.” Ryutaro asked eagerly, setting his fork down beside him.
“It…. Is good….” Daiki replied, not entirely sure what to make of the subject yet.
It almost astounded Daiki, how much of a background he had come up with on the spot. He had lied and said that he was born here in Tokyo, that he had a brother, a loving mother, and an overworked father. He had even told a tale about his friends from school.
“Wow… it sounds like you had a lot of fun!” Ryutaro laughed as he paid the bill and sat down beside Daiki again.
“What about you?”
“Me… well… it’s always been me and Shintaro…. Our little sister will probably join in when she’s a bit older…. But growing up… its just been the two of us boys… We’ve been trying to you know…. Be a bit more independent… but so far… well…. You see how that camping trip ended…”
“I bet…. You’ll be able to do wonderful things….” Daiki said reassuringly, his nurturing nature showing through.
“Maybe ne….”
For the next two hours, Daiki listened to Ryutaro talk about the wonderful things he had seen on his many excursions into the wild, and he felt almost at peace, sitting with his elbow resting on the table. His head had come to rest on his open palm and he didn't notice it yet, but on his face was the smallest of grins.
“Hai.. I think…. They’re about to close… maybe…. We should go….” Ryutaro said as he noticed the shop’s owner begin to put things away and turn out the light in front.
“I. see…” Daiki nodded, he had wanted to stay longer, and listen to more about the boy’s life. There was something about Ryutaro….
“Ja…. Dai-Chan… would you….. like to come to the amusement park with me some times?”
“A-Amusement…. Park?”
“Yeah you know, with the rides, the ferris wheel…. All of that?”
“Sure…”
“Great! I’ll…. Meet you outside this shop?”
“Sure…”
Daiki waved as Ryutaro disappeared into the night and he wondered just what this bubbly feeling in his stomach was. A part of him wanted to go after Ryutaro, but another held him back. When he turned around and saw his reflection against the tinted store windows, he was taken by surprise when he saw himself…. Smiling.
Still pondering, Daiki walked towards the forest just beyond the city, his mind was a mess of emotions, some he knew… others he knew not. It seemed no matter what he wanted to focus on though, Ryutaro’s voice, his smile, his entire being shone through.
Just as he walked a few steps out of the city, Daiki suddenly sensed a presence.
“Who is there?” He called out, but received no answer.
He turned around just in time to see a single red bolt of fire shoot past him and dissipate as it hit the hardened mud.
“Well well…. The gods have descended huh?”
Daiki turned back around to see a single figure outlined against the darkened forest. It glowed with a fiery red aura and his smile gleamed.
“Demon….” Daiki hissed
“Haha..” The figure cackled as he extended a single finger and from its clawed tip another bolt of fire erupted.
With a single wave of his hand, Daiki deflected the bolt back into the ground. He grimaced as he saw the demon before him raise his hands and from the bursting hellfire around him, more and more shadow cloaked figures appeared.
“Whats the matter? Are you scared?” The demon taunted.
“Enough..” Daiki hissed again as he drew from his necklace two more seeds and held them in each hand. He called to them and from their sleeping shells grew two long willowy vines, each with razor sharp thorns. He braced himself as he coursed his power threw the plants, making them glow green with fury. In a deft spin, he sent his whips forward and sliced through the first four figures that dared to approach him.
“Get him!” Someone growled as another four pounced forward and Daiki let his body melt into the earth below. From here he sent his being outward and opened a crater where the dried mud used to be. Before the four who had pounced on him could react, the earth sealed itself again, trapping them within its crust.
“Still care to try?” Daiki asked as he reformed his body from the mud.
“Tch… rest assured…. We’re coming for you…” The head demon laughed as he walked into the shadow and vanished just as Daiki’s whips missed him and shattered the tree behind him.
“We…..?” Daiki questioned
-----Hikaru-----
Hikaru had spent the first quiet night of his eternal life under the tree with Keito. He had often wondered what it would be like to be able to sit still for a change. Nothing in heaven or on earth had ever captivated him long enough to do so…. until now.
“So…. let’s try playing the whole song… okay?” Keito asked as he finished his intruction and Hikaru nodded.
The first few notes played faltered a little, but soon Hikaru played in tandem with the English boy. The winds gusted around them, dancing with the melodies and Hikaru smiled as he heard the sheer bliss coming from the instrument. His hands began to move faster, astounding even Keito who paused for a moment to listen to the new line of song that came from Hikaru’s strumming.
“Su-sugoii…” Keito sat in awe as Hikaru’s eyes closed and his aptitude for the guitar grew by instinct, a power befitting the Patron god of the arts. He smiled as he felt the joy in his heart bursting through his hands and he felt as it he could play forever. Hikaru opened his eyes to see Keito staring at him and he snapped out of his nirvana and ended his song with a small flourish.
“That was…… amazing…..” Keito smiled as Hikaru blushed.
“I-It was nothing much…..” Hikaru replied quickly, setting the guitar down. Keito’s eyes were still staring intently at him and he jumped up to avoid them.
“W-Well! Ah! I feel like we’ve been sitting for so long! C’mon!” He grinned as he turned and offered his hand to the boy on the ground.
Together they ran through the small open field and embraced the rushing winds the coursed against their bodies.
“It’s never been so windy before ne? Wow…. It feels so good!” Keito exclaimed as he closed his eyes and felt the air rushing past him. Hikaru only smiled as he reached into the winds with his power and ever so gently brushed the surface of Keito’s cheek.
“Un?” Keito touched his cheek dissipating the wind-formed hand and Hikaru quickly stared ahead again.
“Is something wrong?” Hikaru asked innocently, and Keito just shrugged.
“I thought… I felt something..”
Somewhere along the way, Hikaru managed to get Keito to a small clustered garden belonging to the small nursery school in the distance. He had hidden in the brush when they were playing hide-and-go-seek, and as soon as Keito tapped Hikaru, he collapsed on the ground.
“Ahhh tired…” Keito whined, as he watched incredulously at the Hikaru who was still jumping up and down in excitement.
“Ne….Hikaru… why don't… we just relax here for a little hm?” He offered, hoping the boy would accept.
“But…” The other boy pouted but seeing Keito worn out, he acquiesced. Sitting down beside him on the small bench against the building’s wall, Hikaru laughed as Keito pretty much let his body go limp.
Naturally, the god’s restless side returned as soon as he sat down, and he couldn't help but play with the gusting winds. Dragging his finger through the air, he made small symbols and smiled as the winds followed his patterns exactly, running through the garden, rustling the leaves of the plants, the petals of the flowers, and sending the wind chimes that hung throughout the garden into a twitter.
“Hikaru… the chimes are singing their own songs… do you hear it?” Keito asked, his eyes still closed and his breathing a bit ragged.
“Un…”
Hikaru grinned as he drew the winds together in a burst and sent it out into the garden, he bounded them to the small chimes and played them into a small melody. With a little bit of effort he finished the stream of wind, leading it to rush over Keito in a small whirlwind of sorts.
“It’s so cool….” Keito smiled as he felt so refreshed listening to the sounds and feeling the winds dry his sweat. After a moment, he opened his eyes to find Hikaru staring at him again.
“You just don't get tired do you?” He chuckled as Hikaru shook his head eagerly as if he were a little child.
“Ne ne! I want to go there!” Hikaru pointed to the distance, and Keito squinted to see a small ferris wheel.
“But that's for the little kids to go to, tell you what, if you still want to go tomorrow… I’ll take you to the one near where I live, that park has a lot more rides anyway.” Keito nodded thoughtfully to himself, and Hikaru sighed before agreeing. He still wanted to run and to fly and stream through the air that was his home.
But maybe it would be worth waiting for…
“So… if it’s okay…. Can I… meet you here again tomorrow?” Keito asked as the two boys walked out of the garden and Hikaru grinned.
“Sure! I’ll be waiting right here!” He nearly jumped as he saw the relief and joy in Keito’s eyes.
He waved goodbye to his companion and turned around to face the wide open area again, the sky had grown dark and the field was now empty.
Smiling, Hikaru let his body dissolve into the winds that had formed it and giggled happily as he skipped along the grasses making them rustle as he ran through them. He felt so free as opposing winds rushed past his silken body and he took them into himself, pushing himself forward around a small tree that seemed worried it would topple if hit too hard.
For a few minutes, Hikaru played with the plants in the area, he swarmed around the birds that came to peck at the bits of food left behind and he jumped through small bushes before landing himself back on the high branch of a tree that was too tired to protest. Focusing himself again he compressed the winds back into a solid form and his body came to view again.
Hikaru sighed as he sat dangling his legs off the edge of the branch and the last ray of light vanished into the horizon. The day had ended…
Jumping off the tree limb Hikaru landed on the ground before a sudden prick of uneasiness hit him and he jumped up again, dodging a green dart that stuck into the very spot he had been standing.
“Who’s there?” He demanded as he sent his breezes forward to scan the area. He found instead a hail of darts coming at him and he quickly raised a small tornado to suck them up.
“Show yourself!” He shouted again, sending the twister back towards the darkness from which the darts emerged.
“Not bad… Wind God…” A sinister voice came as a masked figure came out of the shadows.
“What do you want?” Hikaru asked, a little unnerved.
“What I want… is your power!” The figured shouted, as his voice grew garbled and another green dart shot forward only to hit the barrier of air Hikaru weaved into solidarity.
“Kill him….” The figure whispered and as if pulled from the shadows themselves, monsters emerged from the darkened ground and threw themselves at him.
“Whoa!” Hikaru jumped up, staying afloat in the wind currents. In that split second, he felt something land on his back and in an instant he tore himself apart into the streaming winds. The god coursed through the air and as he did sent out bolts of himself and rammed the bubbles of air into the nearest target he could find.
Within moments the decimated shadows retreated, leaving only the figure, poised with more glowing green darts.
Hikaru could feel those malevolent eyes staring at him as his body dissolved back into existence. He braced himself for anything and slowly began encircling the cocooning breeze into his hand. Pressing them tightly, he formed a pure white fan and gently spread it open.
Seeing this, the figure shot forth, throwing dart after dart, all the while charging forward. And Hikaru gave a sweep of his fan, sending a small hurricane forward. It ate the darts and Hikaru watched as it enveloped the charging figure and the razor winds sliced through his armor left his body in shambles. The winds relented and the hurricane disappeared, and once the dust and grass settled, Hikaru stared at a man who’s armor had been shred to bits, leaving him only in plain black clothes.
“We’ll be back for you… Wind God…” The man whispered, his voice echoed as his eyes glowed red with fury. But before Hikaru could reach out to him, he faded away into nothingness.
-----Inoo-----
Kei had spent the last few hours of the day wandering up and down the shore, he felt at home here, feeling the waters wash up against his legs and he felt his body almost sway with the tugging and pushing of the waves. On the boardwalk, Yuto was still playing his drums, Yuto had told him over a drink of some interesting arrangement of Shaved Ice, that he was a “Street Musician”, at least, during this summer. From what he gathered, Yuto played music to support himself, as a music artist, though, in his head, Kei failed to see the point. Logic would have dictated that Yuto find a job with which he could build himself a successful foundation.
“I don’t understand…” Inoo whispered to the waters who paused for a moment, shocked at hearing the words Kei himself had never uttered. Eons of study and self -meditation had granted him vast insight into everything, except matters of the heart. And the god had a sneaking suspicion, that this was what he would be tested on. Still, he couldn't explain why every time he heard the drums, he felt so entranced by them. He knew how they worked scientifically, but he didn't… comprehend their value to the bystanders that crowded around.
“Kei?”
“Yes?” Inoo turned around to see Yuto standing beside him.
“Would… you like to have dinner with me? My treat”
“Are you done playing for the day? Did you earn enough money?” Kei asked
“Yes, you don't have to worry…I can handle a dinner” The taller boy giggled sarcastically.
“I’m sorry, I must have asked too much.” Kei said as he turned his head back to face the vast ocean.
“No! I mean.. uh.. no, it’s nice that you thought about that much, I didn't mean it that way!” Yuto grabbed Kei’s wrist.
“Whoa! You’re like freezing cold! H-Here! Take my jacket!” Yuto jumped as he felt the coolness of Kei’s water-formed skin. The jacket fit over him and Kei sighed as a strange feeling of warmth came to him, not from the covering around him, but from within. His mind conversed with the waters, asking what that feeling was, but they had no answer.
“You… really like the water huh?” Kei turned to see Yuto sitting beside him.
“What… do you mean?”
“Well… I was watching you while I was playing… you’ve been standing here with the water for the entire three hours! And… you keep looking out there. I would have thought you would come listen to me play…” Yuto pouted and Kei sat down on the sand now and hesitantly placed his hand on the boy’s back.
“I’m sorry… I will go listen to you next time.” Kei said, rather stiffly as was his nature.
Yuto giggled again as he lift his head from his knees and looked at his companion again.
“You don’t HAVE to…” Yuto said smiling, and Kei felt that feeling again as their eyes met. Without thinking, his mouth replied
“I want to.”
Dinner turned out to be at a small restaurant run by a pair of brothers who claimed to have the best Okonomiyaki on the entire boardwalk.
“You should try it! It’s really good!” Yuto chimed in as Kei stared at the menu.
“Then I’ll have… one.” Kei said to one of the brothers, and watched as he turned to look at Yuto.
“Your usual?” Yuto nodded.
“Do you come here often?” Kei asked
“Well… sometimes, I work around here you know, so… I’ve been eating around here for a while..”
“Do you like what you do?”
“Of course! I love my job! Haha well others probably wont call it a job… but I think it is… music… it’s what I want to do. I love it.” Yuto said happily, but was a bit taken aback by the flatness in Kei’s face.
“Love it…” Kei repeated, smiling politely at Yuto who seemed to accept this olive branch. He still didn't understand..
The two boys spent the next hour and a half talking over okonomiyaki that came and went. Kei had asked so many questions, trying to get to know Yuto, while the younger boy laughed and giggled at some of his own answers. Somewhere half way through, the roles changed and Yuto began asking questions to which Kei could only make up answers.
“But more importantly, do you have… a certain someone?” Yuto said abruptly, raising an eyebrow.
“Someone? What does that mean?” Kei asked
“Someone… to keep you company… someone to hold you when you’re cold, to kiss you when you need to know you’re not alone….” Yuto stopped, realizing that Kei still had that puzzled look on his face.
“A-Ah.. never mind…it’s just… a quote… that.. well actually I don't know who said it.” Yuto laughed, slightly embarrassed.
“Someone… to keep you from sane when all the world is moving faster than you can handle.” Kei finished.
“Yeah!”
“I remember…”
“Remember?”
“I don’t know… it’s been so long.”
“What has been so long?” Now it was Yuto’s turn to be puzzled.
“Nothing…” Kei shook his head out of his fog.
The night ended with a small walk along the beach, half way through their walk, Yuto’s hand crept to Kei’s side and clasped tightly around his.
“It get’s really dark when we’re this far from the buildings” Yuto explained and Kei accepted, letting his hand close around the boy’s.
Gently they strolled along the beach, talking about random things that came to mind and the small things that Kei kept probing at. When they began to reach the end of the shoreline, Kei reached out to the waters, and sent some of his power into them, making them glow and light the last few feet.
“Wow! The water is so pretty here!” Yuto jumped happily and Kei chuckled as he watched him splash about.
“Kei! Come on!” Yuto reached out to him and in that moment Kei felt a flash in his mind as for a moment the figure of someone reaching out to him burned so brightly in his memory.
“Kei?” Yuto asked, approaching the god who seemed to have become a statue.
“W-What?”
“Come into the water with me…” Yuto pouted and naturally, Kei relented. Something about Yuto made him forget his logic, made him forget his knowledge, and just… live.
Kei felt the waters pulling toward him as he walked into the deep ocean.
“Kei!” Yuto called and as soon as he turned Inoo felt a wave of cool water splash over him and heard the giggling accompanying the attack.
“I got you!” Yuto cheered and Kei smiled rushing forward towards him, he splashed another wave of water at Yuto who laughed as he felt the wave rain over him.
“Ne…. Kei… what do you think about… us… being here… I mean…” Yuto asked, as he floated on his back, resting.
“I think…it’s nice.” That was all he could say.
“I think… it’s so beautiful, it’s peaceful… it’s so… nice..” Yuto yawned and gave himself completely to the waves that slowly ebbed him back towards the shore.
“It’s… nice…” Kei repeated, laying as Yuto was on the surface of the water. The two boys floated around, while Kei tried his best to recall the vision that had come to him on the beach. It was foggy, blurry, and he couldn't make sense of it.
“Yuto… have I met you before?” He asked, but received no answer. Looking around, he saw the floating boy dozing away beside him, his body being drifted towards the shore.
“You’re a little too carefree don't you think….?” Kei sighed as he swam towards the shore as well. He reached through the water and pulled Yuto towards the shore.
“Yuto…Yuto wake up.”
“Mmnh… “
“Yuto.. there’s a storm coming… you need to get home…” Kei said,
“Mnhm… Tired…” Yuto mumbled.
“Hey you two!” There’s a storm coming! You guys need to get inside!” Kei turned to see one of the brothers from the restaurant shouting at him.
Sighing, Kei propped up Yuto and threw the younger boy onto his back and began walking. He reached out with his powers again and found the moving clouds that were pouring rain out into his ocean and held it at bay for the moment.
“You’re tall but light ne?” Kei smiled, as a sleep-mumbling Yuto said something along the lines of “drums… banana… monkey.”
“Ah, Thank you for brining Yuto-kun here…” One of the shop owners said.
“Do you know where he lives? I could take him home…”
“He lives deep in the city, but he can stay the night here, like he usually does…” The other brother added.
Kei nodded and carried Yuto up to the small loft above the restaurant. There was a small room that they had set aside for him, and the moment he walked in, Kei felt his knees weaken. He quickly set Yuto upon the small bed in the corner before sitting down on the mattress himself. Kei stared in awe at the room around him. Pictures upon pictures of famous drum artists, splattered along a wall, and paintings hung on the other.
“He painted these himself you know…” one of the owners added as Kei’s gaze began to wander. The canvas that held two small paintings sat unused, for quite some time it looked.
“What is this one?” He asked as the two men looked at the one sitting on the left of the easel.
“That’s Yuto-kun’s family ne. His mother and father don't really see eye to eye with Yuto-kun’s ambitions, so they don't really get along…” The man folded his arms and nodded sadly.
“That’s a shame too ne… his little brother adores him… he comes here looking for him often too…” The other chimed in.
“Then… what’s this one?” Inoo pointed to another one, this one unfinished.
“We… don’t know… and when we ask, all he says is that he himself doesn't understand it.”
With that, the two men left Kei and Yuto alone, the sounds of the chairs in the shop being put up followed, and Kei sat for a moment, wondering about the painting that resembled his “memory”.
“Who are you…?” Kei asked as Yuto mumbled in his sleep still.
The storm burst through Kei’s hold in that moment and drenched the entire boardwalk with rain. He opened the windows and willed the rain not to enter the room, and he walked onto the roof of the first floor patio. Shutting the door behind him, he felt the ice-cold water pound against his now solid body and he sighed, taking a few steps towards the street below. As soon as his feet touched the ground, Kei felt uneasy. The water in the mud around him, warned him to the footsteps of something unnatural approaching. In an instant a flare of red appeared in the distance and grew larger as it approached.
Kei gasped as he gathered together the water from the rain into a barrier to protect himself, and the store behind him. He felt the fire turn to steam as it hit the water and Kei squinted through the evaporating mist. Pawed creatures ran towards him, their paws pitter-patter rang loudly in his head. With a sweep of his hands, he gathered a stream of water from the nearby ocean and sent it forward, coursing through the street, and with another twist, turned it all to ice, freezing everything in its path.
“Not bad.. Water god… but you’ll need more than that to catch me…” Kei heard as he felt something in his icy prison shatter. He could barely make the gleam of a blade running towards him before he ducked and heard the sounds of the air cutting above him. He froze the ground the figure stood upon and ducked back, looking at man whose feet were stuck to the ground.
Using the rain water, Kei gathered the droplets to his hand and twisted them into three small ornate darts, and with a flick of his hand threw them at the figure. He could see the man block two of them, but the third just barely grazed his cheek.
“Tch… I wont forget this… Water god… we have a score to settle…” The man shouted as he stamped his foot into the earth, shattering his icy shackles and ran back into the dark night.
“What… was that?” Kei wondered
-----Takaki-----
Yuya walked through the night a bit more confidently than a boy of his supposed age should, earning him the looks of many passer-bys. He flinched at the news displays broadcasting the attack of a defenseless woman by three teenagers, and he despised the reports of corrupt police officers, the very men set to enforce justice.
“T-Takaki-kun!” Yuya turned to see Chinen running towards him eagerly.
“Shall we get going then?” The god asked a bit sternly.
“Hai, this way” The younger boy jumped in the opposite direction.
The walk was a quiet one, filled only with questions Chinen asked to break the silence, which would almost always be followed by a short one sentence answer.
“Takaki-Kun, why don't you want to talk?” The younger boy suddenly stopped and turned around, placing his hands on his hips.
“Talking can be for when you know you can defend yourself, then you may speak whatever you will. Then you will be able to handle the consequences.” Yuya replied.
“B-But its not as if I’m going to go around insulting everyone…”
“It doesn’t matter! You should be strong enough to prevent scum like those boys from picking on you.”
“T-Takaki-kun…” Chinen frowned, his eyes on the verge of tears from being yelled at over such a trivial question. He looked to the older boy who only stared back coldly, and he swallowed his tears.
“W-we’re here.” He added, opening the door to the gym.
“Oi! Yuri-kun! you’re here late ne? planning on doing some late-night training?” A man wearing a janitor’s uniform asked.
“Masa-kun! I haven’t seen you in ages! Yeah! I’m just… doing some practicing with my friend… y-Yuya.”
Takaki’s eyes widened incredulously at being referred to by his first name.
“He looks like a fine young man… well you two have fun… I must clean the dojo room…”
“Masa-Kun, just… leave that room to us, we need to use it anyway.” Chinen insisted and the man smiled and nodded.
“Yu-“ Chinen turned as they entered the Dojo to see a stern finger pointing at him.
“Only when you can beat me, may you call me Yuya.” The god said, again his voice stern and emotionless.
“S-Sorry…” Chinen frowned again, wondering why his new-found companion was so… cold-hearted. It wasn't as if they were absolute strangers…
After all, he had saved him from what would certainly been another “most embarrassing moment” of his life.
Yuri watched as the other boy strode confidently into the dojo and nodded at the surroundings.
“It’s a fine room for training. Now… come at me, and show me what you can do to protect yourself.”
Chinen’s eyes widened, how was he supposed to take on someone like him?!
A small punch to the shoulder hurt him more than it did Takaki. He winced as he pulled his fist back, loose now from the pain in the knuckles.
“That's all?” The older boy demanded impatiently.
“S-Sorry..”
“Something like this!” Yuya slammed his fist into the younger boy’s gut and for a moment, Yuri winced, but at the same time, he felt the pain evaporate and he felt as if he weren’t even hit.
“W-What…h-happened…”
“Come!” Yuya shouted unmercifully and Chinen cowered.
“C-Cant we start with… something… e-easier?” He asked quietly, he looked up at the taller boy who despite his calm face, exerted such pressure with his eyes. As soon as their eyes met, Yuri’s back straightened instantly and he couldn't explain why.
Hours passed, and he felt as if he were going no where, something inside him wouldn’t permit him to hit someone else, and he couldn’t help but shirk away when Yuya demanded that he do so.
Finally, the small clock in the room signified it was well into the early morning, and seeing that the younger boy was tired, the god of war sighed and dismissed him for the night.
“We will have to return here to train you, there is no place for someone who cannot defend themselves.” He insisted, rather harshly as Chinen meekly nodded and wrapped a towel around his shoulders to pick up all the sweat he had gained from dodging punch after punch. It felt as if the dojo had become a sauna, hot and fiery.
“Y-Yu… I mean…. Takaki-kun, could we… just go out sometime, and do somethin- Outside if training I mean.”
“Why, this should be your priority, you do want to be strong don't you?” The god asked semi-annoyed at the failed attempt at training today.
“I just… I want to… t-thank you.. I mean for saving me… and maybe… get to know you? So we don't have to be strangers to each other.” Yuri added the last sentence, hoping that if they talked a bit and got to know each other, the next session would be a bit easier than this one.
“If you have the time to go out and fraternize, then you have the time to train.”
“I-I wont train unless you come out with me!” Chinen said suddenly, squinting shut his eyes.
With that Yuya’s eyes turned with a glare, but he knew in the boy’s heart the offer to be true, and he sighed. There was no way to bargain around this request… and he only nodded.
In an instant, the younger boy’s face lit up and he smiled, saying that he would come here tomorrow and they could walk to the nearby restaurant and have dinner.
Yuya sighed again as he watched the boy walk off in the distance and disappear behind a corner. He shook his head as some part of him reviewed the day, and asked himself why he hadn’t given up already. If it had been any other person in his army, he would have dismissed them, and left them to their own devices, but this boy… it was different. While others found his bluntness to be an off-putting flaw, this boy still wanted to know him…why?
Turning around Yuya sent flames through his body to warm him against the cold night and he sighed as he walked towards the volcano that would welcome him home.
As he walked, he felt a presence following him, something definitely not earthbound. He pretended not to notice as he walked out of the city and into the forest at the base of the firey mountain. Quietly he strolled up the path until he could sense the molten lava within warning him of intruders on its home. When he neared a small shrine at the middle, he turned around and stopped to stare at what seemed to be an empty bunch of trees. Gathering some fire from the candles at the shrine’s altar, he shot them forth in a wave against the trees which jumped back into the rest of the forest.
“Come out now!” He shouted, his voice echoed with command.
He watched as the trees that had evaded his attack twisted themselves into humanlike figures and a single man walked forward.
“As expected from the great god of war…. You did notice us quite some time ago didn't you…” He smiled devilishly
As he was talking, Yuya sent his arm back and caught two of the spears that were about to pierce him and he grinned as he snapped them in half and in a flash caught the two demons holding them. The very touch of his hands sent scorching flames through the two bodies and they vanished into ash as Yuya smiled, he loved this feeling. With no compassion, he was free to enjoy the absolute wonders of war, and the pure adrenaline of combat. Crushing your enemy… that was just a bonus.
The god of war ran his hands over each other, a small silver-white bolt of fire ignited from within and ran from his hands to his feet. They burst with the intensity of the sun and when the bright white flame was gone, a pair of sterling gauntlets and war boots took their place. In a blink, the gauntlets punched through the first shadowy figure to his right, incinerating him to ashes and with another, his boots slammed into another. As he stood in the center of a circle of ashes, he smiled peacefully at the figure who stood in the background. The moon gleamed off a pair of swords that he was holding, an all that was outlined was that malicious smile.
“Here I come….” The man grinned, pulsing forward.
A loud clang rang out as the blades slammed against the blazing gauntlets and for a brief moment, their two eyes met. With a push the figure bounced back onto the ground only to push off and launch himself forward again.
“Stupid.” Yuya sneered as he raised a wall of flames in front of him and he could feel the man stop dead in his tracks. Another sweep of his hands sent bits of the wall flying towards the shadowed man and another… and another.
Bolt after bolt slammed into the trees and the ground below.
“Tch… I will be back.. and your powers will be mine…” The figure hissed as he batted down the flames on the edge of his armor and melded into the shadow again.
“Come back and fight!” Yuya shouted, sending another bolt of flame forward with his fist. But he received no response.
“Coward..”
-----Yabu-----
“Hai! Cut! Great job! That’s it for today!” Yabu heard the staff cheering from outside the thin trailer walls. He sighed as he amused himself making two little balls of light twirl around and dance.
“Yabu-kun…?” A boy’s head popped into the trailer a bit apprehensively and the god turned to look at him with a vacant look.
“S-Sorry about earlier I mean.” Yamada bowed again and Yabu smiled
“Don’t worry.. it was.. an accident.” He said calmly
“Um..”
“What is it that you do exactly?” Yabu asked, cutting the other boy off.
“I’m… an actor…”
“Ah… I see… are you any good?” He asked, again rather bluntly.
“U-Uh I h-hope so..” The younger boy stuttered.
“You should be more confident in your answer. If you think you are good, you should know you are good.”
“Hai.” Yamada felt as if he were a child being scolded.
“Then.. shall we go out then? I’ve been sitting in here for the last two hours.” Yabu stretched as he twirled his fingers and the two balls of light dissipated back into the streaming sunshine.
Despite their plans for dinner, the pair settled for a stroll through the small shops scattered throughout the city block. They stopped at many of the record stores to browse the collections, they stopped at the small takoyaki shops that were handing out samples, and even the small corner jeweler.
“One day, I want to buy something like that.” Ryosuke pointed to the small pendant in the window. It was a simple jade green leave with silver vines growing around it.
“I hope anyway… I don't know… I don't think I’d ever save up that much money… maybe it’s not meant to be..I wish there was some sign..” The boy sighed and for that moment Yabu felt… pity.
With a small snap of his fingers, Yabu pushed light into the pendant, making it glow slightly and he grinned as he noticed the instant smile that appeared on Ryosuke’s face.
“What?” He asked, pretending not to know.
“I just….”
“Hm? What did you see?”
“…. A sign…” Ryosuke jumped a little, and Yabu chuckled as he nodded and the two boys walked on.
“Are you hungry? I mean… I did promise you dinner…” Ryosuke asked as they walked.
“I’m….. a little…” Yabu replied, truth be told, he didn't NEED to eat, but accepting a dinner invitation seemed to be a good way to sit down and talk without the distractions of the shops around them.
They chose to sit at a small restaurant they found in the crook between a vastly overpriced bakery and a small convenience store. The waitress smiled and seated them at a small table and left them with two glasses of water.
“So… Yabu-kun.. where… do you come from?” Ryosuke asked, as his eyes walked up and down the menu.
“A town a bit off from here… It’s really unheard of.. so theres not much to do except come to the city.” Yabu made up a story about his life, he insisted that he had been a college student who decided that the academic life was not for him. He wanted to work for his own merits, not have someone teach them to him.
“Wow… “ Ryosuke sighed, perhaps a bit too dreamily as he stared at Yabu.
“Maybe I overdid the story…” Yabu muttered to himself.
“What?”
“-Huh Nothing.” Yabu shook his head, and reminded himself not to think aloud anymore.
Dinner came and went, with relatively little problems. Yabu had sighed when his steak came a little bit underdone, a problem easily solved with a quick distraction, and some light from his finger tips. He grinned as he had to turn the steak on its back to hide the burned grill marks in the shape of his hand.
“I’m soooo fullll….” Ryosuke whined, and Yabu chuckled as the desert menu came and the other boy perked right up again.
“I’ll take the order of six chocolate covered strawberries..”
“soo full huh…” Yabu teased as Ryosuke blushed.
“You know… Yabu-kun… you’re so lucky…….”
“Huh?”
“You made a decision like that… on your own, to be your own person… not someone in a suit you had… the confidence to do something like that… I wish I could be like that.”
“Why?”
“I just.. ever since I was little… this life was made for me… I had the auditions lined up, I had the acting coach… everything. I didn't have a choice…. I mean….I cant leave now… I cant give it all up, I wouldn't know what to do…” Yamada sighed as he placed his head in his hands and stared out the window with a forlorn look.
“Why don't you just do it… and deal with whatever happens then…?”
“But… weren’t you scared? You were…. On your own…”
“No… I don't even remember…. What its like to be scared…” Yabu replied a bit softly.
Before Ryosuke could ask what he meant, the waitress interjected by bringing the strawberries, and he thought the best of it. Letting the subject drop, Yabu smiled as he watched how his companion reacted to eating what he called “The best strawberries I have ever had in my life.”
“Yabu-kun… I…. um… erm… I really enjoyed talking to you… tonight.”
“So did I…” Yabu said.
“W-Would it be okay… if we did something like this again tomorrow? I have shooting in the morning… but after that w-we cou-“
“I’ll come find you at the set then…” Yabu interrupted, sensing the apprehension in the boy’s voice.
“Hai! I’ll be waiting!” Ryosuke nodded eagerly as he quickly ran off, afraid to stay too long and make a fool of himself.
“He is… rather interesting….” Yabu said to himself as he closed his eyes and breathed in the night air. It had been quite some time since he had come to earth, and even longer since he had met someone with so many doubts. Something he had long forgotten about. In some ways, Yabu thought his sacrifice was unbearable. His overwhelming confidence in everything would one day be his downfall. He didn't know his own boundaries, he didn't remember what it was like to be afraid of something, he didn't even remember what it was like to be on the other side of death.
Yabu let his thoughts wander as he bent the light around his body, making him invisible, he began to walk aimlessly. Then his skin tingled as he felt the other gods on earth calling to him. They were in alarm….
“I’m coming..” He whispered to them as he walked into a secluded alley. He shed the light that held his body together and in an instant what seemed to be a mass of little balls of light flew through the air. To anyone else, Yabu would have looked like a collection of fireflies flying through the air, he traced the stars, basking in their light before curling around the moon and dropping into a small forest. He landed and reformed his body before the other four gods who stood watch. With a nod of his head, he acknowledged each of them, Hikaru twirled within a hurricane, Inoo sat within the waves, Takaki in a small campfire that lit the area, and Daiki within a hollowed tree that had bent to give him a seat.
“Someone… something.. knows we’re here.” Inoo said bluntly as Yabu made to sit down. A blinding light shimmered as with a flash a throne appeared beneath him and he sat with radiance all around his body.
“Each of us… has been attacked. They know who we are, they know our powers… and they have each said that they’ll be back to get us… “ Daiki reported, as the other gods nodded.
“They were strong too… this one could withstand a full battle with me….” Takaki added, drawing more surprise.
“We’ve got to be careful then ne?” Hikaru added as he let his twister drift into the ground beneath him.
“Do we know…. Who they are?” Yabu asked as each of his friends shook their heads.
“Then that will be our first priority….” He concluded as the other gods nodded.
“Hahah you think finding us would be that easy?” A loud voice sounded as the five gods stood at attention.
In an instant the blurry darkness beyond the forest grounds twisted as bodies emerged.
“These are the people who attacked us..” Yabu heard the other gods whisper in his head.
“We’ll take care of them…” Takaki added, pulling on his gauntlets again in a blazing white flame. The other gods had already formed their weapons, and Yabu held a hand up to stop them.
“Let me…” He said quietly, walking forward.
“Whats this? The almighty king of the gods comes….” The larger figure in the center mocked as he walked a bit forward to meet Yabu.
“Show yourself to me… “ Yabu commanded.
“Save your breath… Long passed is the time for commands. We are the generals of Akito, and we have come…. For you and your powers….”
“Akito… the former head of the pantheon….”
“Yes… the only god who you imprisoned beneath this realm for all eternity…”
“Then you… like your master will fall and we will make sure of that…” Yabu said, his confidence boundless.
“Haha do not take us lightly light god… in these hundreds of years, our master has not been sitting idle. He knew you would grow bored of your duties, and he knew you would come…we will bring him to power again…. And humanity will pay the price for its insolence.
“Your master would have long since destroyed humanity…” Yabu challenged as he stepped forward.
“Then they would have deserved it!” The man hissed as his eyes glowed red.
“Then you’ll have to go through us….”
“ENOUGH SAID!” Said the shadowy figure holding the twin swords.
“No…” hissed the larger figure, who turned to face Yabu again.
“No… Let us.. see who has the most power here…” He grinned at Yabu who readily accepted his challenge.
Stamping his foot against the ground, Yabu summoned a staff that stood as tall as he was, and made of a pure ornate gold. As he struck the ground with the staff, lightning bolted from the sky and into the earth around him.
“Impressive…” The demon-like man mocked again as he pulled from the shadows a single axe, the blade was tinged red and shimmered as he brandished it against the light.
“Strike!” Yabu shouted. As he struck his staff into the ground again and thunder roared as lightning bridged the sky and struck the ground the figure was standing on.
“Dangerous…” The figure hissed as he appeared in the blink of an eye just a few feet from where he was, his hand had been lightly singed by the lightning.
Yabu watched carefully as the man swung his axe forward and a shadowed red axe flew from the weapon, flying towards him. He dodged the axe, leaving Inoo to deflect it with a swipe from his sword.
Now, dashing forward, Yabu held his staff at the ready, its tip coursed with electricity and he grinned as he dodged axes thrown at him. He landed a strike into the figure’s stomach, making him collapse onto the ground.
“Maybe… you should train a bit more… before you come back….” Yabu sneered as he struck his staff onto the ground again, causing more lightning to strike the figure, who just barely dodged.
In that second, one of the lesser minions in the shadows leaped forward with the rest of the swarm weaving its way around the four other demon generals. And Yabu grinned as he called lightning from the sky down into his staff. He flung a stream of the blue-white light into the nearest monster and watched as it bounced from minion to minion, electrocuting them all and turning them to ash.
It was then that he turned to face his opponent again. Calling light from within himself this time, Yabu created a small ball of pure light and flung it.
“Tch! WE WILL BE BACK!” Yabu heard as he figure disappeared, utterly defeated.
Looking at the leaves covering the ground, Yabu noticed some blood from where his light bolt had grazed the man on the ground.
Raising his hand a burst of light appeared as a boy appeared before him, clad in the imperial white armor the gods wore. He bowed deeply on one knee before the five gods of the pantheon.
“Kouichi…. I want you to find out all you can about the old gods… bring me all that you find, also…. Look into those… generals….” Yabu sneered again at the last part.
“Yes sir.” The boy said, never moving from his place. In another flash of light, the boy was gone again.
“Are you sure just sending one tracker soldier will be enough… for something like this…?” Inoo asked, as Yabu turned to face him.
“If there is anything else that I have missed…” Yabu nodded calmly as he sat on his throne again, letting his staff disintegrate into little balls of light that faded into nothingness.
Now, from the waters a spring appeared as Inoo ran his finger through the wave, he threw a stream of it onto the stand and watched as the water grew in size until another boy appeared, this one also clad in the white armor, but where Kouichi had bore the seal of light, this boy’s armor bore the symbol of the waters.
“Shuichi… “ Inoo began
“Yes.. sir. I know.” The boy whispered.
“Then go… and make sure you find…. Everything.” Inoo commanded as the boy melted into water again and seemingly evaporated into air.
“Then that’s all we can do.. until we know what it is we’re up against…” Yabu said as the other gods nodded.
“It looks like this time we might have to take up our roles in the great war once again…” Yabu added, bringing memories of the final clash many millennia ago. Though the gods were concerned, they thought of the boys they had each met that day, and their conviction to fight grew stronger still.
“We can’t lose…”
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Uwa! Sorry it’s been so long since I’ve posted minna! and sorry its so long!
I guess losing my computer for a bit kinda stifled my creative juices…. Haha but I’m working on it!
Again, comments are <3, if I hear back from more of you I’ll be more encouraged and inspired to write more! (and faster!)
~Emmie