![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
For Your Sake - English version.
Kirou nodded, sighing to himself as Tatsu chatted.
"So, I said to the jinn, 'Now, if I was human, you might have a chance but--'"
"Hey, Tatsu," Kirou interrupted.
"Eh? What is it?" the older boy blinked.
"Why me?"
"What do you mean?"
Kirou looked over at the blond haired boy. "You've been with me almost as long as I can remember,"
'Tatsu! Why? Why do mom and dad.. Why does everyone hate me?!' Young Kirou's voice echoed in his mind. Mentally he saw himself, curled into a ball at his parents doorstep, clutching his teddy bear as he cried.
'I don't hate you, Kirou.' Tatsu smiled, kneeling down beside the small boy
'Eh?' Young Kirou looked up.
'I like you a lot.'
Young Kirou's eyes went wide. "Tatsu!!" he cried happily,
Kirou smiled at the memory.
"Over 11 years," Tatsu smiled.
"Hmm?" Kirou blinked.
"Ever since you were four, I've been with you," the blond haired boy smiled fondly. "So it's been over 11 years,"
"I was just wondering why,"
Tatsu smiled again. "Silly, it's because you--" he cut off, his eyes widening. "What--?!"
Suddenly, he was gone.
Kirou stopped walking, a strange feeling gnawing at him. "Tatsu?" He called, worried. "Tatsu... where are you?" He looked around the street. "This isn't funny, Tatsu," his voice shook slightly.
The other boy was gone.
"Tatsu?"
There was nothing.
'This can't be happening--' Kirou though, panicking. 'Tatsu never leaves me alone longer then it takes to use the bathroom-- he wouldn't just-- he wouldn't-- he--' the boys eyes grew large. "Tatsu... Tatsu, come back!" he exclaimed. "Tatsu! TATSUU!!!!!"
"You doing okay, Shin?" Kokusei asked, slowing down so her brother could catch up.
The silver-white haired boy nodded. "Just not so fast, 'k Kosei?" he smiled tiredly.
She nodded, adjusting her pace. "Here, let me carry that," she reached for the small bag of groceries in his arms.
"I've got it," he frowned slightly, holding the bag protectively. His sister looked at him concerned, and he gave an exasperated sigh. "Look, I said I was fine,"
"Sorry," she cringed slightly. "It's just-- I don't want you overworking yourself. The doctor said--"
Shinkou gave a snort. "They've been saying that since I was diagnosed. It doesn't mean I can't carry a simple bag of groceries," he said crossly.
"Yeah, yeah, but the medication should have--"
"The medications don't work, Ko-chan, they never have and they never will," the long haired boy sighed, looking down at his feet as he walked.
"Shin?" Kokusei blinked.
The boy looked up. "Nothing," he smiled.
His twin frowned. 'Liar,' she sighed mentally. Suddenly she paused, hearing something. It sounded like-- crying?
"Kou?" the long haired boy behind her asked, slowing to a halt next to his twin. "What is it?"
A young teenage boy was curled up in a ball on the sidewalk.
Kokusei frowned, walking over to him. "Hey, are you okay?" She asked softly, crouching down beside him.
The boy looked up. He looked utterly miserable, tears streaming down his face. His reddened eyes widened as he saw the girl before him. "Please-- you have to help!" he cried.
"What is it?" the girl asked, more concerned.
"What happened?" Shinkou carefully crouched down beside his sister.
"Tatsu-- Tatsu is--" the boys face scrunched up with emotion. "Tatsu's GONE!" he cried, fresh tears pouring loose. "Please, ma'am! You have to help! Your power--"
The twins blinked in unison as the boy hiccuped.
"Please-- please-- you have to help Tatsu!" he exclaimed.
---
So the twins take the sobbing mess of a boy to their apartment to figure this thing out,
Kirou slowly lightly explains Tatsu (not mentioning he's a sprit yet. :-) And then Shinkou asks him what he meant about their power. Kirou explains bout how he can see auras and such, and
comments how Kosei's is bright white, but Shin's is pale ice blue, not very bright at all.. like it's a half power (*innocent whistle*)
So, being it's about something and Shin has chronic fatigue, he goes to bed, and Kirou and Kosei starting talking about power, ect. Kirou mentions that fact that Kosei's amulet (looks like my sword pendant, only a bit bigger with a red stone in the shape of a 4 point star in it)
That her amulet holds a spirt sword. Kosei only knows that the pendent was from her mother (again, problem with dead parents) Kirou is pretty much giving her a crash course on the sprit world,
----
Shinkou opened his eyes slowly. The air around him was strange and disjointed. He sat up, taking in his surroundings. It looked like his room, only darker and softer. He rose to his feet, his robes spilling out onto the floor as the bed vanished behind him. "Again," he said softly, as he walked over to the window. Pulling open the shade, he blinked. The sky was empty expect for a large four pointed star, hanging in the sky were the moon should have been.
The room around him faded, leaving only himself and the strange star, which was glowing very softly with a strange yellow light. Trendles of yellowish smoke snaked out of the shape, reaching out for the long haired boy. Instinctively, he took a step back. A panic began growing inside him as the smoke continued. Quickly, he turned and began to run. His brow furrowed as his forehead began throbbing with pain. His breathing became heavy and he felt himself slowing down. "No!" He gasped as spots began to flicker across his vision. His body felt heavy, as if it was turning to stone. He cried out as he collapsed onto the ground.
Too exhausted to move, Shinkou shuddered as the smoke began to wrap around him like a icy cocoon. "No--" he whispered hoarsely as the four pointed star began to glided towards him. It stopped a few inches away from him, towering over the incapacitated boy. "Please--" he whispered fearfully, "please, no--"
Suddenly the star arched down over him, completely incasing him in itself. Shinkou cried out as the yellow began draining him of everything. It felt as if he was being hollowed out.
Just before he was completely dead, it stopped. He crumpled onto the ground, feeling like a dried husk.
"SHIN! " Kokusei's voice echoed as the boy's eyes closed. Her scream was the last thing he heard before he passed out.
Kokusei and Kirou both snapped up as a pained scream rang out.
"SHIN!" Kokusei exclaimed, quickly rising to her feet and running towards her brother's bedroom.
The boy was tensed, his back arched and face pale and twisted with pain.
"My god, what's happening!" she exclaimed, panicked. Quickly she grabbed the phone and dialed quickly as Shinkou gave another tortured cry. "Tensou residence, number 27 east Konoe street, apartment 12, I need an ambulance quickly!"
Kirou stood wide eyed in the doorway. "Tatsu-- what--" he broke off. He collapsed on the floor, hugging himself. "Tatsu-- Tatsu, I'm scared.." he whispered as he rocked back and forth.
Suddenly, Shinkou went limp and fell quiet.
"Shin?" Kokusei knelt by the boys side.
His eyes opened slowly. "Ko--" he whispered, voice haggard. "I'm---sorry," he breathed, eyes closing again.
"Shin? SHIN!"
"Night terrors," the EMT stated, closing her medical kit.
"Night terrors?" Kokusei repeated, confused.
"Very realistic and disturbing nightmares that the body has a physical response to," the EMT explained, looking at the girl. "Normally it occurs in younger children, but anyone can get them. Is this the first time, or has it happened before?"
"He has nightmares a lot, but this is the first time this has happened," Kokusei bit her lip, looking at her brother, who was still asleep.
"It might just be an isolated incident then," the EMT suggested. "If it happens again with in a few days, you might want to consult a doctor. Have a good night,"
Kokusei sighed heavily, slumping into the chair by her brothers bed. The boy was sleeping peacefully now. 'Well, as peacefully as he ever sleeps,' she sighed as the boy's face tensed a moment, then relaxed again. He muttered something softly as he winced again. He was having another nightmare.
She moved to his side and took his hand. "Shin," she said softly, her voice sad. Ever since they were little, it had been like this. The doctors said it was because of the car crash that had killed their parents, but Kokusei didn't believe them. The crash happened when they were still infants, neither of them could remember anything about it. She had vague memories of Shin when they were two, and he was heathy and as energetic as she was, if not more so.
"Koseeii! Hurry up!" His young voice giggled in her memory, accompanied by the picture of Shin running ahead of her, their adopted parents smiling from the sidelines.
Kokusei frowned as Shin moaned softly in his sleep.
"Shin! C'mon, sleepy head, wake up! We're gonna be late! Shin? SHIN!?" her voice echoed in her mind.
The image of Shin as he opened his eyes had haunted her ever since. The pain and exhaustion in his face, and the sadness and loss in his eyes burned into her memory.
That's when they found out he had chronic fatigue syndrome. The nightmares started soon after. Kokusei had watched as her twin faded to a ghost of his former self, his hair even started to lose it's colour, going from a brown that matched hers to a silvery white. Nothing they did helped. None of the medications worked, and none of the specialists could do anything.
"Miss Kokusei?" Kirou asked timidly from the doorway.
The girl looked up, her mental musings interrupted. "Just call me Kosei," she smiled. "What is it?"
"Is--is--" he stammered slightly. "Is it all right if I stay here for the night?"
Kokusei stood up, walking over to the boy. "Won't your parents be worried?"
"They haven't worried about me in a long time," he said softly.
The girl looked at him, but the boy said nothing more. She sighed, nodding. "Okay, if you want, you can sleep on the couch. I've got some extra sheets in the closet."
The boy bowed slightly. "Thank-you very much, Mi-- Kosei," he corrected himself.
Kirou smiled to himself, thinking of the very well worn bear that was in the bookbag he was carrying.
'Aren't you a bit old for stuffed toys?'
A slightly younger Kirou shook his head. 'This is Tatsu,' he picked up the worn bear
'Eh? Tatsu?'
Kirou nodded, 'Tatsu 's my best friend,' he smiled.
"Ki--rou," a pained voice echoed.
Kirou's eyes widened. "Tatsu?"
The blond boy was laying on the ground, bound by large chains that almost covered him. His face was pale and lined with pain and exhaustion.
"Tatsu!" Kirou exclaimed, running towards the boy. He quickly smashed into an invisible barrier and fell back. "W--what--?"
"Ki--rou--" Tatsu struggled to sit up. "Hu--rry--That--pendant--" his face was tensed with effort. "The--star is--" He gave a cry of pain, falling back down.
"TATSU!" Kirou exclaimed as the boy began to grow transparent.
"The --girl -- is--" Tatsu's voice grew faint as he looked up, catching Kirou's gaze with his own, and the younger boy was overwhelmed by the emotion in Tatsu's eyes.
"Kirou--- " the sprit whispered, "I -- love--- you,"
Kirou's eyes went wide as the boy vanished. "Tatsu!! TATSUUU!!" The emptiness around him felt crushing as the boy began to cry. "Tatsu---"
"Kirou--" a female voice called, "Kirou, wake up---"
The boy's eyes opened, vision blurred with tears. "Kosei--" he sat up. "I'm so sorry!" he tried to wipe the tears away but they kept coming.
"It's okay," the girl smiled, handing the boy a box of tissues. "You dreamed of Tatsu, didn't you?"
The boy nodded, blowing his nose. "He--"
'I-- love-- you.' Tatsu's voice echoed.
Kirou's eyes filled with tears again. "Tatsu--" he whispered, hugging himself..
Kokusei placed a comforting hand on Kirou's shoulder. "Don't worry," she smiled as the boy looked up. "We'll find him."
"Honest?" Kirou whispered.
"Yes," the short haired girl smiled.
"Koseeeiii!" Kirou cried, hugging the girl. "Thank you---"
"Hello? Ah Gensei! 'morning!" she smiled. "Umhum. That's fine. Yes. Umn. Umn. Yes. Same one, right?" she smiled. "Hey, Gen-chan, Shin and Kirou-chan are-- Kirou-chan? He's a new friend. Yes. Thanks! Later!" she hung up the phone and turned back to the boys who had finished eating. "That was Gensei, she invited me to hang out at coffee shop, you two as well,"
"Koseeeiii!" a tall, brown haired pony tailed girl called from the back of the shop.
Kokusei waved back. "'Morning, Gen!" she smiled as they arrived at the table and sat down. "This is Kirou. Kirou, this is Gensei," she introduced.
"Please to make your aquantance," Kirou bowed slightly.
"Nice ta meet ya," Gensei smiled.
"So how is everything, Gen?" Kokusei asked.
"Shitty," the other girl sighed. "Blacked out again yesterday."
"Again?" Kokusei's face grew worried. "What happened this time?"
"I was walkin' home after our class and I blinked and suddenly, it was ten minutes later and I was a few blocks from your apartment, not far from the supermarket."
"Weird.."
"Yeah, I know. I'm startin' ta get worried 'bout this, Kosei-- I mean, it only happens when I'm alone so I can't even ask anyone what happened, and mom doesn't believe me, and this is the seventh time this has fuckin; happened!" the girl scowled. "And to top if off, I had the freakiest dream last night,"
Shinkou looked interested. "What of?"
"Well," Gensei started playing with her fork. "It stared out all normally, ya know, the usual rehash of the days evens, only the teacher was wearing a pink tutu and class was being held on the roof, ya know, normal dream shit." She said, looking over to Kokusei. "So anyway, I'm sittin' doodling in class and all when suddenly my pendant starts glowing," she placed her hand over her chest where a round shaped bulge was. "and this guy starts commin' out of it. He gets out to about his upper chest when suddenly he stops and starts being pulled back in. He kept trying to tell me somethin' but I couldn't hear him, and he got sucked back into my pendant. Then it started glowing warmly. You know the feeling when yer around a warm fire on a cold day? It felt kinda like that, cozy in a reassuring sort a way. It was just really strange," she sighed, picking up her soda and taking a swallow.
Kirou bit his lip. Something was nagging at his mind.
"That --pendant--" Tatsu's voice echoed.
"Gense--" Kirou said slowly.
"What is it?"
"That man-- what did he look like?"
"Hmm.. Well, he had long straight blond hair, went down to his shoulders, looked real good on him," she smiled.
Kirou's eyes widened.
"Looked about 17 or so, nice face, VERY nice looking, though a bit pale for my taste. Maybe if he got a tan,"
"Oye, Gen," Kokusei interrupted. "You are REALLY hopeless--" she sighed.
"Kirou-- are you okay?" Shinkou asked, voice concerned.
Kirou's face was pale and he looked very shaken. "Wh---wh---" he sputtered. "Why--"
"Kirou-chan?" Kokusei asked, worried.
"Why," repeated again, pointing at Gensei, his hand shaking. "In your dream, why is Tatsu there?!"
"What?!" Kokusei and Shinkou exclaimed in unison.
"Huh? Kosei, what's he talking about?" Gensei blinked.
"GIVE ME BACK TATSU!" Kirou yelled, rising to his feet.
"Kirou!" Kokusei exclaimed, placing a restraining hand on the boys shoulder.
Half the restaurant was starting at them now.
"I think we should take this outside," Shinkou said softly, pulling out his wallet.
"Agreed--" his twin nodded. "Let's go, okay Kirou?"
The boy was glaring at Gensei, eyes hard, but allowed Shinkou to lead him out of the cafe.
"Gen, you should come too--" Kokusei looked at her friend, sighing.
The other girl looked at her a moment, then nodded. "Fine."
The shorter haired girl sighed as they all left the cafe. "Let's try to work this out with out yelling, okay, Kirou?" she smiled as they walked.
The boy nodded, face troubled.
"So who the hell is this Tatsu guy and why do you think I have him?" Gensei demanded as they reached a uninhabited ally way.
Kirou's eyes grew damp with tears. "Tatsu... Tatsu was in your dream,"
"Eh?" Gensei blinked.
"The person in your dream," the tears were now streaming down the boys face. "Why... Why in your--" he broke off, looking up, eyes clear. "Your pendant!"
"Huh?" The ponytailed girl blinked, placing a hand on her chest were the pendant was covered.
"Your pendents energy!" Kirou's voice grew louder. "Can't you see it!"
"What are you talking about?" Gensei scowled.
"Tatsu's in there!" Kirou's voice was boredering hysterical. "The energy's holding him! That's why he was in chains! That's why he was trying to come out of it!"
"What the hell is are you talking about!" Gensei exclaimed.
"Kirou, calm down," Kokusei placed a hand on the shaking boy.
"Hey, Gensei-- can I see your pendant?" Shinkou requested, expression unreadable.
"Eh?" the ponytailed girl blinked. "Ah--sure, I guess--" she reached up and pulled up the necklace chain.
Shinkou's heart nearly stopped as she showed him the pendent.
It was like a lense of frosted white stone, rimmed with copper. Almost completely covering the front was a large yellow four pointed star, outlined in gold.
"Th--th--" he whispered, eyes wide and face pale. "That star is-----"
In his mind, he saw the yellow trendles of smoke form his dream snaking out towards him. "No--" he whispered as the image on the pendant began to grow. "NNOOOOO!!!"
"SHINKOU!" Kokusei exclaimed as her brother screamed.
His eyes closed and he began to fall backwards.
Quickly, his sister caught him before he hit the ground. "SHIN!"
"Shinkou as well!" Kirou's voice was shaking. "That pendent is EVIL! Give it to me! Tatsu's in there! If I destory it, he'll be free!" He took a step closer, a near crazed look on his face. "Give it to me-- Give Tatsu BACK!!" he yelled, lunging at the girl.
"KIROU! STOP IT!" Kokusei screamed.
Gensei ducked to the side and repelled Kirou's attack, throwing him back.
He hit the ground with a thud, skittering across the pavement.
"Sorry, Kosei," Gensei stated, voice almost cold as she replaced the pendent under her shirt. "I don't know what the hell's going on, but I'm outta here." she turned around and began to walk away.
"Gen-chan, wait!" Kokusei called.
"I'll call ya," the other girl replied, turning the corner.
Kokusei looked down, emotions churning in her mind. What was going on anyway?
"Ko--" Shinkou whispered, eyes opening. "I'm sorry, sis,"
"Shin, what happened to you--"
"I-- I just felt weak, that's all," he replied, looking away.
Kokusei's eyes narrowed. "Shiin..." she frowned.
"Tatsu--" came a sob.
The twins turned. Kirou was curled up into a call, crying. His elbow was scrapped and bleeding, dirt streaked across his shirt and face.
"Kirou--" Kokusei said softly.
"I'm so sorry, Tatsu--" the boy cried. "I tried my best! But-- but-- couldn't do it-- I couldn't do it! I'm so sorry, Tatsu!"
Gensei flopped onto her bed, frowning.
'Why can't you see it! That pendant's energy!" the boy's voice echoed in her mind. "Give Tatsu BACK!"
"What's that?" She muttered. "So weird. My pendant--"
"Gensei! That you?"
The girl sighed. "Yes," She rolled off the bed and opened the door.
"Where the hell have you been anyway?" her mother exclaimed, entering the room.
Gensei sighed again, sitting down on the bed.
"You're worse then your good for nothing father, do you know that?!"
The girl closed her eyes, blocking out her mothers ranting. She pulled out her pendent and held it in her hand. It was warm and comforting. She was so glad she had found it. It just seamed to help her with day to day life.
"Are you even paying attention to me!!"
Gensei's eyes snapped open as the chain of her necklace was snapped as her mother grabbed hold of the pendant and ripped it away.
Instantly, she grabbed hold of her mother's wrist. "Let go." she said, her voice dark and cold, her eyes blank.
The woman's eyes widened as Gensei's grip grew tighter.
"Let go of Us, little girl."
Gensei's mother gave a cry as the bones in her wrist snapped. Her grip relaxed and the pendent bounced softly on the carpet.
"Leave us." Gensei's blank eyes sparked dangerously.
The other woman hurried out of the room, clutching her wrist.
Gensei bend down slowly, retrieving the pendant from the floor. She blinked and her eyes returned to normal.
"Huh?" She blinked. "Damn, I must have really tuned her out-- I didn't even notice she left." She paused, noticing the dangling necklace chain. "When did that break? Ah well," she rose to her feet and rummaged in her drawer for a new chain.
--
"My power---," Kirou whispered. "For Tatsu's sake--"
"Kirou?" Shinkou asked.
"Shin, may I use your room?" Kirou asked.
"Sure, but what for?"
Kirou grabbed his backpack and ran into Shin's room, closing the door behind him.
Kicking off his slippers he dumped his bag on the floor, and unzipped it. Gently, he pulled out a very worn teddy bear and placed it on the bed and sat down before it, legs crossed.
"Please, Tatsu--" he said soft voice, closing his eyes and concentrating.
'Just close your eyes and try to block everything out,' Tatsu's voice echoed in Kirou's memory. 'It's okay, I'm with you.'
'I can't, Tatsu! It's scary!' Young Kirou's voice cried.
'It's okay, Kirou, we can try again later, okay?'
Young Kirou nodded, sniffling.
Kirou pushed the memory away, trying to concentrate harder.
'Mommy, look!'
'What? Nothings there,'
'No,Tatsu is-'
'You're too old to still be having imaginary friends,'
'But, Tatsu's not imaganary!'
'Go to your room, Kirou, and stay there until you learn that it's wrong to lie to your mother! Wicked child!'
Kirou felt as if he were falling into a spiral. Memory and voices surrounded him, almost attacking.
'NOOO!!' he yelled, clutching at his head. 'TATSU!'
'You can do it, I believe in you, Kirou. Just do your best!' Tatsu's voice swelled over the din of voices, washing away the attacking memories.
'Do your best!'
'I will!'
Kokusei sighed, closing her text book and rubbing her forehead. "Damned math class," she stood up, stretching. Damn the teacher for giving them homework over break anyway.
She paused mid stretch as there was a knock on the door. Perfect timing, she smiled. 'Who is it?' she called, stacking her textbooks onto the counter.
There was a pause. "Kosei? It--It's me-- Gensei."
"Gen?" Kokusei opened the door.
The pony-tailed girl stood in the doorway, looking confused and worried.
"What is it? Are you okay? Daijoubu?" Kokusei asked, worried.
"I--I--" Gensei looked at her friend, eyes wide. "Why am I here?!" She grabbed hold of the short haired girls shoulders. "Kosei, please! What's happening to me!"
Kirou was floating in emptiness. "Doko--" he whispered, searching.
'Inside you, there's a center. Your energy is there, Tatsu's voice echoed.
Finally, Kirou spotted a glimmer of light. "That's--"
'That light is your power,'
"It's small," Kirou whispered, heart sinking. He blinked, and smiled. "It's a star!" he exclaimed. "It's not small, just far away!" Determined, he began moving towards the light.
"Here," Kokusei handed her friend a cup of coffee, sitting down at the table.
"Thanks," Gensei took a large sip of the hot liquid. "Sorry to be doing this to you--"
"No, it's okay," Kokusei shook her head.
"I just don't know what's happening anymore--" Gensei sighed miserably. "Mom's afraid of me for some reason. She won't say anything to me, I tried asking how she broke her wrist and she just looked at me like I was possessed or something. So I left the house, figuring I'd wander around a bit, maybe see the guys down at the club, when I got the weirdest urge to come here. I decided not to, I mean, after all that mess yesterday with that Kirou kid," she shook her head. "Then next thing I know I'm knocking on your door. It's just so--" the girl suddenly cut off, her eyes dulling. A strange smirk crept across her face as she looked beyond Kokusei to a point behind her.
The short haired girl turned and saw Shinkou standing in the doorway, his eyes wide.
Gensei rose to her feet, her pendent seaming to glow.
"Kosei-- run-- quickly--" Shinkou said softly.
"Shin, what--" Kokusei trailed off.
"Itadaikimaaaasu--" Gensei sang darkly, her voice twisted and eyes blank.
'Almost-- almost! Just a bit more!' Kirou gritted his teeth as he fought his way to the source of the light. It was like he was moving though jelly, every step taking all of his strength. 'I can do it--' he thought forcefully, pushing himself onward. 'For Tatsu's sake!'
'Do your best, Kirou'
"Tatsu!" Kirou exclaimed as the boy's image appeared in front of the shining light.
'Kirou-- I-- love-- you-' Tatsu's image began to recede as Kirou was pushed farther back.
"Tatsu! NOOO!!" It felt like a spark had ignited within the boy's chest as he screamed. A bright flash erupted from within him, blasting away the jellylike air around him. Kirou began to run towards where Tatsu was swiftly vanishing. "TATSUUU!!!" he yelled, reaching out to grasp hold of the sprit boy. He barreled head first into the light.
"So, I said to the jinn, 'Now, if I was human, you might have a chance but--'"
"Hey, Tatsu," Kirou interrupted.
"Eh? What is it?" the older boy blinked.
"Why me?"
"What do you mean?"
Kirou looked over at the blond haired boy. "You've been with me almost as long as I can remember,"
'Tatsu! Why? Why do mom and dad.. Why does everyone hate me?!' Young Kirou's voice echoed in his mind. Mentally he saw himself, curled into a ball at his parents doorstep, clutching his teddy bear as he cried.
'I don't hate you, Kirou.' Tatsu smiled, kneeling down beside the small boy
'Eh?' Young Kirou looked up.
'I like you a lot.'
Young Kirou's eyes went wide. "Tatsu!!" he cried happily,
Kirou smiled at the memory.
"Over 11 years," Tatsu smiled.
"Hmm?" Kirou blinked.
"Ever since you were four, I've been with you," the blond haired boy smiled fondly. "So it's been over 11 years,"
"I was just wondering why,"
Tatsu smiled again. "Silly, it's because you--" he cut off, his eyes widening. "What--?!"
Suddenly, he was gone.
Kirou stopped walking, a strange feeling gnawing at him. "Tatsu?" He called, worried. "Tatsu... where are you?" He looked around the street. "This isn't funny, Tatsu," his voice shook slightly.
The other boy was gone.
"Tatsu?"
There was nothing.
'This can't be happening--' Kirou though, panicking. 'Tatsu never leaves me alone longer then it takes to use the bathroom-- he wouldn't just-- he wouldn't-- he--' the boys eyes grew large. "Tatsu... Tatsu, come back!" he exclaimed. "Tatsu! TATSUU!!!!!"
"You doing okay, Shin?" Kokusei asked, slowing down so her brother could catch up.
The silver-white haired boy nodded. "Just not so fast, 'k Kosei?" he smiled tiredly.
She nodded, adjusting her pace. "Here, let me carry that," she reached for the small bag of groceries in his arms.
"I've got it," he frowned slightly, holding the bag protectively. His sister looked at him concerned, and he gave an exasperated sigh. "Look, I said I was fine,"
"Sorry," she cringed slightly. "It's just-- I don't want you overworking yourself. The doctor said--"
Shinkou gave a snort. "They've been saying that since I was diagnosed. It doesn't mean I can't carry a simple bag of groceries," he said crossly.
"Yeah, yeah, but the medication should have--"
"The medications don't work, Ko-chan, they never have and they never will," the long haired boy sighed, looking down at his feet as he walked.
"Shin?" Kokusei blinked.
The boy looked up. "Nothing," he smiled.
His twin frowned. 'Liar,' she sighed mentally. Suddenly she paused, hearing something. It sounded like-- crying?
"Kou?" the long haired boy behind her asked, slowing to a halt next to his twin. "What is it?"
A young teenage boy was curled up in a ball on the sidewalk.
Kokusei frowned, walking over to him. "Hey, are you okay?" She asked softly, crouching down beside him.
The boy looked up. He looked utterly miserable, tears streaming down his face. His reddened eyes widened as he saw the girl before him. "Please-- you have to help!" he cried.
"What is it?" the girl asked, more concerned.
"What happened?" Shinkou carefully crouched down beside his sister.
"Tatsu-- Tatsu is--" the boys face scrunched up with emotion. "Tatsu's GONE!" he cried, fresh tears pouring loose. "Please, ma'am! You have to help! Your power--"
The twins blinked in unison as the boy hiccuped.
"Please-- please-- you have to help Tatsu!" he exclaimed.
---
So the twins take the sobbing mess of a boy to their apartment to figure this thing out,
Kirou slowly lightly explains Tatsu (not mentioning he's a sprit yet. :-) And then Shinkou asks him what he meant about their power. Kirou explains bout how he can see auras and such, and
comments how Kosei's is bright white, but Shin's is pale ice blue, not very bright at all.. like it's a half power (*innocent whistle*)
So, being it's about something and Shin has chronic fatigue, he goes to bed, and Kirou and Kosei starting talking about power, ect. Kirou mentions that fact that Kosei's amulet (looks like my sword pendant, only a bit bigger with a red stone in the shape of a 4 point star in it)
That her amulet holds a spirt sword. Kosei only knows that the pendent was from her mother (again, problem with dead parents) Kirou is pretty much giving her a crash course on the sprit world,
----
Shinkou opened his eyes slowly. The air around him was strange and disjointed. He sat up, taking in his surroundings. It looked like his room, only darker and softer. He rose to his feet, his robes spilling out onto the floor as the bed vanished behind him. "Again," he said softly, as he walked over to the window. Pulling open the shade, he blinked. The sky was empty expect for a large four pointed star, hanging in the sky were the moon should have been.
The room around him faded, leaving only himself and the strange star, which was glowing very softly with a strange yellow light. Trendles of yellowish smoke snaked out of the shape, reaching out for the long haired boy. Instinctively, he took a step back. A panic began growing inside him as the smoke continued. Quickly, he turned and began to run. His brow furrowed as his forehead began throbbing with pain. His breathing became heavy and he felt himself slowing down. "No!" He gasped as spots began to flicker across his vision. His body felt heavy, as if it was turning to stone. He cried out as he collapsed onto the ground.
Too exhausted to move, Shinkou shuddered as the smoke began to wrap around him like a icy cocoon. "No--" he whispered hoarsely as the four pointed star began to glided towards him. It stopped a few inches away from him, towering over the incapacitated boy. "Please--" he whispered fearfully, "please, no--"
Suddenly the star arched down over him, completely incasing him in itself. Shinkou cried out as the yellow began draining him of everything. It felt as if he was being hollowed out.
Just before he was completely dead, it stopped. He crumpled onto the ground, feeling like a dried husk.
"SHIN! " Kokusei's voice echoed as the boy's eyes closed. Her scream was the last thing he heard before he passed out.
Kokusei and Kirou both snapped up as a pained scream rang out.
"SHIN!" Kokusei exclaimed, quickly rising to her feet and running towards her brother's bedroom.
The boy was tensed, his back arched and face pale and twisted with pain.
"My god, what's happening!" she exclaimed, panicked. Quickly she grabbed the phone and dialed quickly as Shinkou gave another tortured cry. "Tensou residence, number 27 east Konoe street, apartment 12, I need an ambulance quickly!"
Kirou stood wide eyed in the doorway. "Tatsu-- what--" he broke off. He collapsed on the floor, hugging himself. "Tatsu-- Tatsu, I'm scared.." he whispered as he rocked back and forth.
Suddenly, Shinkou went limp and fell quiet.
"Shin?" Kokusei knelt by the boys side.
His eyes opened slowly. "Ko--" he whispered, voice haggard. "I'm---sorry," he breathed, eyes closing again.
"Shin? SHIN!"
"Night terrors," the EMT stated, closing her medical kit.
"Night terrors?" Kokusei repeated, confused.
"Very realistic and disturbing nightmares that the body has a physical response to," the EMT explained, looking at the girl. "Normally it occurs in younger children, but anyone can get them. Is this the first time, or has it happened before?"
"He has nightmares a lot, but this is the first time this has happened," Kokusei bit her lip, looking at her brother, who was still asleep.
"It might just be an isolated incident then," the EMT suggested. "If it happens again with in a few days, you might want to consult a doctor. Have a good night,"
Kokusei sighed heavily, slumping into the chair by her brothers bed. The boy was sleeping peacefully now. 'Well, as peacefully as he ever sleeps,' she sighed as the boy's face tensed a moment, then relaxed again. He muttered something softly as he winced again. He was having another nightmare.
She moved to his side and took his hand. "Shin," she said softly, her voice sad. Ever since they were little, it had been like this. The doctors said it was because of the car crash that had killed their parents, but Kokusei didn't believe them. The crash happened when they were still infants, neither of them could remember anything about it. She had vague memories of Shin when they were two, and he was heathy and as energetic as she was, if not more so.
"Koseeii! Hurry up!" His young voice giggled in her memory, accompanied by the picture of Shin running ahead of her, their adopted parents smiling from the sidelines.
Kokusei frowned as Shin moaned softly in his sleep.
"Shin! C'mon, sleepy head, wake up! We're gonna be late! Shin? SHIN!?" her voice echoed in her mind.
The image of Shin as he opened his eyes had haunted her ever since. The pain and exhaustion in his face, and the sadness and loss in his eyes burned into her memory.
That's when they found out he had chronic fatigue syndrome. The nightmares started soon after. Kokusei had watched as her twin faded to a ghost of his former self, his hair even started to lose it's colour, going from a brown that matched hers to a silvery white. Nothing they did helped. None of the medications worked, and none of the specialists could do anything.
"Miss Kokusei?" Kirou asked timidly from the doorway.
The girl looked up, her mental musings interrupted. "Just call me Kosei," she smiled. "What is it?"
"Is--is--" he stammered slightly. "Is it all right if I stay here for the night?"
Kokusei stood up, walking over to the boy. "Won't your parents be worried?"
"They haven't worried about me in a long time," he said softly.
The girl looked at him, but the boy said nothing more. She sighed, nodding. "Okay, if you want, you can sleep on the couch. I've got some extra sheets in the closet."
The boy bowed slightly. "Thank-you very much, Mi-- Kosei," he corrected himself.
Kirou smiled to himself, thinking of the very well worn bear that was in the bookbag he was carrying.
'Aren't you a bit old for stuffed toys?'
A slightly younger Kirou shook his head. 'This is Tatsu,' he picked up the worn bear
'Eh? Tatsu?'
Kirou nodded, 'Tatsu 's my best friend,' he smiled.
"Ki--rou," a pained voice echoed.
Kirou's eyes widened. "Tatsu?"
The blond boy was laying on the ground, bound by large chains that almost covered him. His face was pale and lined with pain and exhaustion.
"Tatsu!" Kirou exclaimed, running towards the boy. He quickly smashed into an invisible barrier and fell back. "W--what--?"
"Ki--rou--" Tatsu struggled to sit up. "Hu--rry--That--pendant--" his face was tensed with effort. "The--star is--" He gave a cry of pain, falling back down.
"TATSU!" Kirou exclaimed as the boy began to grow transparent.
"The --girl -- is--" Tatsu's voice grew faint as he looked up, catching Kirou's gaze with his own, and the younger boy was overwhelmed by the emotion in Tatsu's eyes.
"Kirou--- " the sprit whispered, "I -- love--- you,"
Kirou's eyes went wide as the boy vanished. "Tatsu!! TATSUUU!!" The emptiness around him felt crushing as the boy began to cry. "Tatsu---"
"Kirou--" a female voice called, "Kirou, wake up---"
The boy's eyes opened, vision blurred with tears. "Kosei--" he sat up. "I'm so sorry!" he tried to wipe the tears away but they kept coming.
"It's okay," the girl smiled, handing the boy a box of tissues. "You dreamed of Tatsu, didn't you?"
The boy nodded, blowing his nose. "He--"
'I-- love-- you.' Tatsu's voice echoed.
Kirou's eyes filled with tears again. "Tatsu--" he whispered, hugging himself..
Kokusei placed a comforting hand on Kirou's shoulder. "Don't worry," she smiled as the boy looked up. "We'll find him."
"Honest?" Kirou whispered.
"Yes," the short haired girl smiled.
"Koseeeiii!" Kirou cried, hugging the girl. "Thank you---"
"Hello? Ah Gensei! 'morning!" she smiled. "Umhum. That's fine. Yes. Umn. Umn. Yes. Same one, right?" she smiled. "Hey, Gen-chan, Shin and Kirou-chan are-- Kirou-chan? He's a new friend. Yes. Thanks! Later!" she hung up the phone and turned back to the boys who had finished eating. "That was Gensei, she invited me to hang out at coffee shop, you two as well,"
"Koseeeiii!" a tall, brown haired pony tailed girl called from the back of the shop.
Kokusei waved back. "'Morning, Gen!" she smiled as they arrived at the table and sat down. "This is Kirou. Kirou, this is Gensei," she introduced.
"Please to make your aquantance," Kirou bowed slightly.
"Nice ta meet ya," Gensei smiled.
"So how is everything, Gen?" Kokusei asked.
"Shitty," the other girl sighed. "Blacked out again yesterday."
"Again?" Kokusei's face grew worried. "What happened this time?"
"I was walkin' home after our class and I blinked and suddenly, it was ten minutes later and I was a few blocks from your apartment, not far from the supermarket."
"Weird.."
"Yeah, I know. I'm startin' ta get worried 'bout this, Kosei-- I mean, it only happens when I'm alone so I can't even ask anyone what happened, and mom doesn't believe me, and this is the seventh time this has fuckin; happened!" the girl scowled. "And to top if off, I had the freakiest dream last night,"
Shinkou looked interested. "What of?"
"Well," Gensei started playing with her fork. "It stared out all normally, ya know, the usual rehash of the days evens, only the teacher was wearing a pink tutu and class was being held on the roof, ya know, normal dream shit." She said, looking over to Kokusei. "So anyway, I'm sittin' doodling in class and all when suddenly my pendant starts glowing," she placed her hand over her chest where a round shaped bulge was. "and this guy starts commin' out of it. He gets out to about his upper chest when suddenly he stops and starts being pulled back in. He kept trying to tell me somethin' but I couldn't hear him, and he got sucked back into my pendant. Then it started glowing warmly. You know the feeling when yer around a warm fire on a cold day? It felt kinda like that, cozy in a reassuring sort a way. It was just really strange," she sighed, picking up her soda and taking a swallow.
Kirou bit his lip. Something was nagging at his mind.
"That --pendant--" Tatsu's voice echoed.
"Gense--" Kirou said slowly.
"What is it?"
"That man-- what did he look like?"
"Hmm.. Well, he had long straight blond hair, went down to his shoulders, looked real good on him," she smiled.
Kirou's eyes widened.
"Looked about 17 or so, nice face, VERY nice looking, though a bit pale for my taste. Maybe if he got a tan,"
"Oye, Gen," Kokusei interrupted. "You are REALLY hopeless--" she sighed.
"Kirou-- are you okay?" Shinkou asked, voice concerned.
Kirou's face was pale and he looked very shaken. "Wh---wh---" he sputtered. "Why--"
"Kirou-chan?" Kokusei asked, worried.
"Why," repeated again, pointing at Gensei, his hand shaking. "In your dream, why is Tatsu there?!"
"What?!" Kokusei and Shinkou exclaimed in unison.
"Huh? Kosei, what's he talking about?" Gensei blinked.
"GIVE ME BACK TATSU!" Kirou yelled, rising to his feet.
"Kirou!" Kokusei exclaimed, placing a restraining hand on the boys shoulder.
Half the restaurant was starting at them now.
"I think we should take this outside," Shinkou said softly, pulling out his wallet.
"Agreed--" his twin nodded. "Let's go, okay Kirou?"
The boy was glaring at Gensei, eyes hard, but allowed Shinkou to lead him out of the cafe.
"Gen, you should come too--" Kokusei looked at her friend, sighing.
The other girl looked at her a moment, then nodded. "Fine."
The shorter haired girl sighed as they all left the cafe. "Let's try to work this out with out yelling, okay, Kirou?" she smiled as they walked.
The boy nodded, face troubled.
"So who the hell is this Tatsu guy and why do you think I have him?" Gensei demanded as they reached a uninhabited ally way.
Kirou's eyes grew damp with tears. "Tatsu... Tatsu was in your dream,"
"Eh?" Gensei blinked.
"The person in your dream," the tears were now streaming down the boys face. "Why... Why in your--" he broke off, looking up, eyes clear. "Your pendant!"
"Huh?" The ponytailed girl blinked, placing a hand on her chest were the pendant was covered.
"Your pendents energy!" Kirou's voice grew louder. "Can't you see it!"
"What are you talking about?" Gensei scowled.
"Tatsu's in there!" Kirou's voice was boredering hysterical. "The energy's holding him! That's why he was in chains! That's why he was trying to come out of it!"
"What the hell is are you talking about!" Gensei exclaimed.
"Kirou, calm down," Kokusei placed a hand on the shaking boy.
"Hey, Gensei-- can I see your pendant?" Shinkou requested, expression unreadable.
"Eh?" the ponytailed girl blinked. "Ah--sure, I guess--" she reached up and pulled up the necklace chain.
Shinkou's heart nearly stopped as she showed him the pendent.
It was like a lense of frosted white stone, rimmed with copper. Almost completely covering the front was a large yellow four pointed star, outlined in gold.
"Th--th--" he whispered, eyes wide and face pale. "That star is-----"
In his mind, he saw the yellow trendles of smoke form his dream snaking out towards him. "No--" he whispered as the image on the pendant began to grow. "NNOOOOO!!!"
"SHINKOU!" Kokusei exclaimed as her brother screamed.
His eyes closed and he began to fall backwards.
Quickly, his sister caught him before he hit the ground. "SHIN!"
"Shinkou as well!" Kirou's voice was shaking. "That pendent is EVIL! Give it to me! Tatsu's in there! If I destory it, he'll be free!" He took a step closer, a near crazed look on his face. "Give it to me-- Give Tatsu BACK!!" he yelled, lunging at the girl.
"KIROU! STOP IT!" Kokusei screamed.
Gensei ducked to the side and repelled Kirou's attack, throwing him back.
He hit the ground with a thud, skittering across the pavement.
"Sorry, Kosei," Gensei stated, voice almost cold as she replaced the pendent under her shirt. "I don't know what the hell's going on, but I'm outta here." she turned around and began to walk away.
"Gen-chan, wait!" Kokusei called.
"I'll call ya," the other girl replied, turning the corner.
Kokusei looked down, emotions churning in her mind. What was going on anyway?
"Ko--" Shinkou whispered, eyes opening. "I'm sorry, sis,"
"Shin, what happened to you--"
"I-- I just felt weak, that's all," he replied, looking away.
Kokusei's eyes narrowed. "Shiin..." she frowned.
"Tatsu--" came a sob.
The twins turned. Kirou was curled up into a call, crying. His elbow was scrapped and bleeding, dirt streaked across his shirt and face.
"Kirou--" Kokusei said softly.
"I'm so sorry, Tatsu--" the boy cried. "I tried my best! But-- but-- couldn't do it-- I couldn't do it! I'm so sorry, Tatsu!"
Gensei flopped onto her bed, frowning.
'Why can't you see it! That pendant's energy!" the boy's voice echoed in her mind. "Give Tatsu BACK!"
"What's that?" She muttered. "So weird. My pendant--"
"Gensei! That you?"
The girl sighed. "Yes," She rolled off the bed and opened the door.
"Where the hell have you been anyway?" her mother exclaimed, entering the room.
Gensei sighed again, sitting down on the bed.
"You're worse then your good for nothing father, do you know that?!"
The girl closed her eyes, blocking out her mothers ranting. She pulled out her pendent and held it in her hand. It was warm and comforting. She was so glad she had found it. It just seamed to help her with day to day life.
"Are you even paying attention to me!!"
Gensei's eyes snapped open as the chain of her necklace was snapped as her mother grabbed hold of the pendant and ripped it away.
Instantly, she grabbed hold of her mother's wrist. "Let go." she said, her voice dark and cold, her eyes blank.
The woman's eyes widened as Gensei's grip grew tighter.
"Let go of Us, little girl."
Gensei's mother gave a cry as the bones in her wrist snapped. Her grip relaxed and the pendent bounced softly on the carpet.
"Leave us." Gensei's blank eyes sparked dangerously.
The other woman hurried out of the room, clutching her wrist.
Gensei bend down slowly, retrieving the pendant from the floor. She blinked and her eyes returned to normal.
"Huh?" She blinked. "Damn, I must have really tuned her out-- I didn't even notice she left." She paused, noticing the dangling necklace chain. "When did that break? Ah well," she rose to her feet and rummaged in her drawer for a new chain.
--
"My power---," Kirou whispered. "For Tatsu's sake--"
"Kirou?" Shinkou asked.
"Shin, may I use your room?" Kirou asked.
"Sure, but what for?"
Kirou grabbed his backpack and ran into Shin's room, closing the door behind him.
Kicking off his slippers he dumped his bag on the floor, and unzipped it. Gently, he pulled out a very worn teddy bear and placed it on the bed and sat down before it, legs crossed.
"Please, Tatsu--" he said soft voice, closing his eyes and concentrating.
'Just close your eyes and try to block everything out,' Tatsu's voice echoed in Kirou's memory. 'It's okay, I'm with you.'
'I can't, Tatsu! It's scary!' Young Kirou's voice cried.
'It's okay, Kirou, we can try again later, okay?'
Young Kirou nodded, sniffling.
Kirou pushed the memory away, trying to concentrate harder.
'Mommy, look!'
'What? Nothings there,'
'No,Tatsu is-'
'You're too old to still be having imaginary friends,'
'But, Tatsu's not imaganary!'
'Go to your room, Kirou, and stay there until you learn that it's wrong to lie to your mother! Wicked child!'
Kirou felt as if he were falling into a spiral. Memory and voices surrounded him, almost attacking.
'NOOO!!' he yelled, clutching at his head. 'TATSU!'
'You can do it, I believe in you, Kirou. Just do your best!' Tatsu's voice swelled over the din of voices, washing away the attacking memories.
'Do your best!'
'I will!'
Kokusei sighed, closing her text book and rubbing her forehead. "Damned math class," she stood up, stretching. Damn the teacher for giving them homework over break anyway.
She paused mid stretch as there was a knock on the door. Perfect timing, she smiled. 'Who is it?' she called, stacking her textbooks onto the counter.
There was a pause. "Kosei? It--It's me-- Gensei."
"Gen?" Kokusei opened the door.
The pony-tailed girl stood in the doorway, looking confused and worried.
"What is it? Are you okay? Daijoubu?" Kokusei asked, worried.
"I--I--" Gensei looked at her friend, eyes wide. "Why am I here?!" She grabbed hold of the short haired girls shoulders. "Kosei, please! What's happening to me!"
Kirou was floating in emptiness. "Doko--" he whispered, searching.
'Inside you, there's a center. Your energy is there, Tatsu's voice echoed.
Finally, Kirou spotted a glimmer of light. "That's--"
'That light is your power,'
"It's small," Kirou whispered, heart sinking. He blinked, and smiled. "It's a star!" he exclaimed. "It's not small, just far away!" Determined, he began moving towards the light.
"Here," Kokusei handed her friend a cup of coffee, sitting down at the table.
"Thanks," Gensei took a large sip of the hot liquid. "Sorry to be doing this to you--"
"No, it's okay," Kokusei shook her head.
"I just don't know what's happening anymore--" Gensei sighed miserably. "Mom's afraid of me for some reason. She won't say anything to me, I tried asking how she broke her wrist and she just looked at me like I was possessed or something. So I left the house, figuring I'd wander around a bit, maybe see the guys down at the club, when I got the weirdest urge to come here. I decided not to, I mean, after all that mess yesterday with that Kirou kid," she shook her head. "Then next thing I know I'm knocking on your door. It's just so--" the girl suddenly cut off, her eyes dulling. A strange smirk crept across her face as she looked beyond Kokusei to a point behind her.
The short haired girl turned and saw Shinkou standing in the doorway, his eyes wide.
Gensei rose to her feet, her pendent seaming to glow.
"Kosei-- run-- quickly--" Shinkou said softly.
"Shin, what--" Kokusei trailed off.
"Itadaikimaaaasu--" Gensei sang darkly, her voice twisted and eyes blank.
'Almost-- almost! Just a bit more!' Kirou gritted his teeth as he fought his way to the source of the light. It was like he was moving though jelly, every step taking all of his strength. 'I can do it--' he thought forcefully, pushing himself onward. 'For Tatsu's sake!'
'Do your best, Kirou'
"Tatsu!" Kirou exclaimed as the boy's image appeared in front of the shining light.
'Kirou-- I-- love-- you-' Tatsu's image began to recede as Kirou was pushed farther back.
"Tatsu! NOOO!!" It felt like a spark had ignited within the boy's chest as he screamed. A bright flash erupted from within him, blasting away the jellylike air around him. Kirou began to run towards where Tatsu was swiftly vanishing. "TATSUUU!!!" he yelled, reaching out to grasp hold of the sprit boy. He barreled head first into the light.