Gaia guardians chapter 5

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Gaia guardians

Rating: T (mild violence, mild language and mild nudity in later chapters)

Genre: Action/adventure, drama, romance (later chapters)


Prologue Epsilon- Post super-shock aftermath
(Whatever had happened, something must’ve been...?)

One week and four days after the “invasion” attempt, in Hanamomi hospital

Eyes suddenly awoke in a sudden start as the young bedridden girl jerked her body upwards, blinking herself back to life. Glancing from side to side, Yuzumi Mimiya narrowed her eyes and looked around her new surroundings. Yes, the awfully stale smell, the many occupied beddings and the people in white frantically running around were all signs leading that she was in a hospital. And her own form of clothing had been the aqua-like colored shirt that all medical patients were required to wear...a small blush came over her cheeks as thoughts of her having been undressed while having been unconscious came to mind and the girl quickly huddled up and propped her hands over her chest defiantly as she again took curious glances around. The dark-skinned girl then prodded her covered forehead as she finally took notice of the large weight of bandages wrapped on her forehead. Rubbing her fingers back and forth, the still-distraught and nearsighted Yuzumi was still in her own thoughts until she was met with a prodding of a foreign finger and with another start, the vice-captain jumped and slightly drew herself back. Tsutsumi Hsieh snickered at her friend’s slow reflexes and then gave Yuzumi a full hand wave of a hello.

“Onna,” she said still with mischievous air, “feeling better now that you’ve had your long nap?” The kendo assistant-captain was replied with a brief nod from her startled friend before she had sighed and taking a nearby chair to turn it around to its back and sit upon it. Tsutsumi was a little covered in band-aids herself, though they had seemed of minor injuries compared to Yuzumi’s; after all, the latter was in the bed while the former was still alive with little scrapes.

Having regained composure (and dignity somewhat), Yuzumi sighed and rose her knees to her chest. “...Yes, I had a very nice nap, thanks for the warm and meaningful notice. How long was I out for anyway?” Tsutsumi then looked away from her to the ceiling, pretending to think, but Yuzumi didn’t buy the act. “Tsutsu-chan...I was only out for, what...a few hours, right?” The shorter girl again pretended ignorance as deadly silence resumed.

“How long was I out for already, dammit?” Came the frustrated yet worried reply as Yazumi suddenly clutched both hands at her friend’s collar and forcibly jerked her friend closer, shocked face inching upon angry yet anxious grimace. With a gulp, the bespectacled girl drew her friend’s fists away from her neck collar to hold them in her own hands. Brown black eyes widened as Yuzumi mentally prepared herself for the surprising news that she would hear. With a nervous gulp, Tsutsumi swallowed and finally managed to utter,

“...Well, you’ve been ‘out of commission’ for the since last week, at best.”

“...W-What?” came the naturally shocked reply. “I’ve been out for...A week and a half?” It was Tsutsumi’s turn to nod gravely and slowly, that nod however being far from reassuring to the now distressed Yuzumi. As the hands drew back into the bed, the confused female released a shaken breath and held her head in her hands. Tsutsumi sighed and frowned. “Yeah, you were out for a little while. This was of course after that incident at the Tajiri Shinkansen station...Can you at least remember that?”

Yuzumi blinked as she looked back to her friend with wide-eyes. Wait...was it the same incident that had involved the Priest and that monster thing and all that...? Again did the short-haired girl across from her nod. “If you’re thinking about that moment we’d experienced, you’re completely right. After the priest guy had appeared and made his entrance, telling us then to ‘run off to a safe place’ or something like that...” Then came a roll of eyes from the kendo captain, nodding again as she had remembered that moment; because their “safe place” so to say was actually far from the safe place that they should’ve gone to. Tsutsumi, eager and hardy to watch “that priest kicks some super kung-fu ass”, had suggested that they were to stay behind...or at least watch from a nearby shield of a broken wall that had somehow remained within the red field of space that had been surrounding them since the youma first appeared.

Yuzumi sighed and clasped her fingers together as Tsutsumi then took to explaining the rest of the story. “...Yeah, so after that happened, the fight ensued and the priest was totally kicking the monster’s ass but then again the youma was giving the guy hell too, so then...fight after fight, punch after punch, kick after kick and power blast after power blast...”

“...A flash of bright light suddenly appeared from above, piercing through the red barrier field, right?”Yuzumi then interrupted, watching at her friend’s surprised reaction again. “Pretty much...But then...to be honest, I don’t quite remember what went on while the light show happened. I do remember that I then suddenly woke up...and that you had been on top of me, again.” A light blush came on both girls’ cheeks as Tsutsumi rolled her eyes and coughed to dispel the awkward tension that had arisen. Yuzumi then blinked as she drew a hand behind her back and hissed as she felt a sharp pain even through the bandages that covered her back wounds. “...Looks like I covered your ass again, huh? At the cost of my own no less, so it’s ass for an ass.” Yuzumi then stuck her tongue out and snickered as she watched Tsutsumi as she tried to decipher the meaning of her odd and somewhat vulgar-toned joke.

“...So your memory isn’t failing you at all, but yeah. Again you had gone and done something stupid like that. Just because you’re my friend and all that...” Yuzumi then shrugged and smiled slightly before crossing her arms and returning back to topic. “Sooo...with that said, technically you’re as amnesiac and clueless about the whole incident as I am, eh?” Again did Tsutsumi nod as she reluctantly agreed. Leaning back in her bed and closed her eyes in thought, Yuzumi then looked to the ceiling and narrowed here eyes as if searching for answers.

Callisto...did the haunting voice suddenly come from one ear and out the other as a breeze flew in from the nearby window. Blinking, Yuzumi raised brows and looked around for signs of anything suspicious or out of the ordinary. T-there it was again! She thought glancing from one side to the other back and forth, T-that weird, freakin’ voice that had creeped me out for the last little while..!!! As she watched her confused friend peering around the room for something that she didn’t see, Tsutsumi decided to stay put in her seat instead of taking another opportunity to freak her older friend out of her wits. After all, now wasn’t a good time; the doctors had somewhat signalled that due to her concussion, the dark-skinned girl might experience a few strange likely after effects; this must’ve been one of them. Growling as she failed to find the owner of the strange voice, Yuzumi reluctantly gave up the visual search around the hospital room and resumed her conversation with the slightly-distracted Tsutsumi, who couldn’t hide her lack of understanding her friend’s current behaviour.

“Gomen ne, Tsutsu-chan,” the older girl said, scratching her head sheepishly,”I really don’t know what came over me back there. I thought I had heard something, that’s all.” The other girl shrugged and nodded, not wanting to drag on this conversation any longer but wanting to return to lighter-toned talking. This time it was Yuzumi’s turn to be the icebreaker. “Sooo,” she started, opening up the conversation, “...How was school without me there? Did anyone actually notice my leave of absence yet?” Tsutsumi blinked and then looked above as she once again tried to dig up memories of the past school week that had flown by in her head; tapping her chin, the kendo assistant-captain frowned then looked back at her friend with a satisfied face as she finally managed to remember something.
“Ah! We have a new student...though I really did get to catch his name; though I think it’s Higato Genzosuke...I think I saw him before though, can’t pinpoint where...”

“So sempai has a new victim, eh? Too bad for him. Moving onnn...and?”

“Well...here’s a real scoop that might get ya; neither Maori nor our brave captain leader have been seen since we had last seen them; approximately about two weeks back.”

“Ara? Neither of them? And the incident just happens to occur at the same time that we had..?” Yuzumi repeated, dumbfounded by the fact. Tsutsumi again nodded strongly as she tried to make herself look serious. The older girl next to her smirked at her sudden spring effort and shrugged, dismissing the playful urges that swarmed over her. It wasn’t really time to be doing things like trying and tease her kohai senseless right now; they had more important things to figure out, or rather Yuzumi herself had a few things that she had to unlock about her own self. Once more her thoughts revolved around the eerie yet familiar voice that had whispered some name in her ear. Who was she kidding, though? It wasn’t just some name and that hadn’t been the first time that that had happened either...

I’ve been having these weird things happen to me since I first came here to Japan 9 years ago...Or then again, I remember...something about when I was just a little baby...it’s vague, but I still remember it quite clearly, it’s strange...That field trip in Greece once, near some islands or something...

But then all thoughts and dilemmas were immediately thrown aside by the large rumbling of two rather disturbed stomachs, making the owner of those stomachs blush and jump at the sudden sound of their empty bellies. Nervous and embarrassed chuckles then exchanged between the two young women, Yuzumi again decided to take the lead as she tried to step off the bed and maybe lead them towards the kitchen, but then she suddenly stopped and hissed as the pain in her spine returned. Just as the dark-skinned girl was on the verge of collapsing on her back however, the quickfast Tsutsumi quickly caught onto her friend from behind; but due to sempai’s slightly larger weight and slightly taller height, both girls were sent plummeting towards the tiled floor with large “WHOOMPH!” sounds as they crashed downward and lost lots of breath in that single bound; it was also then known then that in future moments, it would officially established who would be one be on top and the other on be bottom.

“Onna...?” The assistant-captain asked the muffled question coming from below as the dizzy Yuzumi glanced down at her trampled friend as she sat on her stomach. “Hmm?” Yuzumi replied back, unable to help herself to a playful smirk as she looked down the aggravated Tsutsumi. The shorter girl, noticing the wide grin on her sempai, decided to turn the teasing around back to her favour. Raising a forefinger to poke and prod at a nearing concealed butt cheek, Tsutsumi raised brows in a sly, mischievous air. Meanwhile, Yuzumi now having looked away from her scheming friend, felt herself giggle as she felt her ass being poked and groped endlessly.

“Onna...” Tsutsumi then started again, looking back at the target, “When did you gain weight? You certainly couldn’t have eaten while you were comatose, were you?” Then a pretended gasp escaped the emotionally-stricken woman as Yuzumi abruptly rose back up and ignoring the popping sounds from her aching back, marched away from her now guilty friend, who had now reconsidered having said that and jumped back onto her feet as well, yelling for her sempai to wait and catch up with her. Luckily the situation had arisen when Yuzumi, now hissing and grimacing in the hallways of the crowded hospital, was again about to collapse; but again did Tsutsumi came to the rescue but this time aiding her from the side as Yuzumi used the wall to stabilize herself.

“...Okay, Okay!!” came the panted and tired reply,” Are we even now? An eye for an eye? An ass for an ass? Whatever?”

“Yeah, yeah,” came the equally groggy and faint reply as Yuzumi gripped her friend’s shoulder closer for a half-sided hug and grinned,” Whatever. You’ve got my ass and I’ve got yours. Now let’s go eat; I think they’re serving waffles anyway.” And with that, she then took advantage of her Tsutsu-chan’s proximity and attempted to get a kiss on the girl’s ear; I said attempted because the said girl had ducked away from the incoming lips, making Yuzumi kiss the surface of the air instead of warm flesh and skin.

“Aw, ikezu Tsutsu-chan!! Refusing my thank you kiss?” Yazumi said in a playful whine as the girls laughed and continued onward towards the kitchen.

Chapter 5- Flashbax, spinbacks, twirly-wirly and a bruisin’ beatin’
(a.k.a. Rise, Reflections and Revelations of the Key’s Catalyst premiero nivel: The reluctant protector to be)

Meanwhile, in Hanamomi, one week before the prologue

Fangs crunched into shadowed flesh and minutes later, the figure was suddenly blasted out of the hallway and was crushed into the debris nearby, painfully screeching as the following Inugami fired another blast from its mouth and rendered the yoma to cinders and pieces. Now panting slightly from many of his comeback battles, Tsume took a deep breath and returned into position as he raised his head to search again for any more potential enemies. From the way he looked now, one who lived around here and by chance (or not), had known or seen Tsume at least once certainly couldn’t have ever known that this was the exact same mutt that slumbered on the doorstep for half the day before moving on back inside. Sure it blatantly looked like Tsume didn’t resemble anything like he had before; no, rather, you certainly couldn’t have ever known that the lazy, greedy and gluttonous German shepherd known as Tsume of the Sakibara family could’ve ever turned out like this. One could’ve never guessed that this same dog, who stood proudly on all his strong, muscular legs with head held high and face on alert, was also known as the same Tsume that just happened to be the messenger to send your neighbour’s house pet into oblivion. No one could’ve ever guessed that this same canine, with height doubled in size, (making it almost reach the skies like a giant) had also stood on all fours...when nature or meat called him. No one could’ve guessed that with those proud, green observant eyes, which scanned all sides for incoming danger, could’ve also belonged to the same useless dog that seemed to have great lack of sight due to the mess of hair covering his face. And no one, no one, no one could’ve EVER figured that the dark, small, perfect and able snout could’ve ever belonged to the carnivorous mass of fur and fat that was Tsume.

But believe it or not, the truth was the truth, and despite appearances, the dog (more like wolf though) that was standing guard in what was the destroyed hallway of the Sakibara household, had also once been the poor, selfish yet clueless and semi-productive animal known as Tsume. But why use such a short of cover, you wonder? That is something that cannot be said yet. Looking more like a giant wolf than the much smaller German shepherd it once was, this new Tsume now wore a perfectly-fitting red collar that was strapped around his neck, the highlight of this accessory being the large, shiny bell that hung down from the red color; inked with the kanji characters for “inu” (dog) and “iru” (fire), they truly represented the facets that gave this Inugami its proper purpose. Growling as he sensed more intruders coming his way, the four-legged guardian glared upwards and breathing in a strong intake of air, released the puff of breath in a flare of fire, spreading the blazes in the air as he incinerated any incoming enemies that would’ve been coming their way.

Talk about a real burning sky.

“Whoo! Nice one Tsume!” the giant wolf had then heard as he turned his head to the side to see the waving figure of his master Shouta as the dog then returned upstairs to meet with the smaller boy. Still unused to their larger height difference (Tsume was reaching the sky while Shouta was barely up to his leg.), Shouta was still proud of the fact that this was once the same dog than he had trained with once. Though he was being stubborn about the whole thing, he didn’t seem to care that Tsume was actually doing all this to protect Kikyo, and not him. Of course, Shouta had been long aware of the dog’s genuine form; in fact, everyone was in the know about this but Kikyo. Why was this, he hadn’t a clue, but he was proud to have at least one thing that the blue-haired girl hadn’t for once. She held everything, including his sister, so for once, Shouta was glad of the tables turning for this one, small thing. But even then, as he was often reminded against his will, Kikyo was the biggest subject of Midori’s talks when the two siblings were often alone together. Since having taken care of the girl since a young age, Midori had been charged with watching over her in all aspects and for reasons unknown, her spiritual training and with time, Midori became the famed “esteemed assistant” that she had been known for along with “High Priestess” Kikyo Sakibara. Shouta, on the other hand, had gotten his sister’s attention whenever he could. It wasn’t that she wasn’t paying attention to him, no; it wasn’t anything of the sort.

After all, Midori was only doing what had been ordered of her by the elders, and Shouta had to respect their decision. Ever since that day, he had to watch as his sister’s priorities gradually altered, and with time, his own had shifted as well. Even though he was inwardly reluctant about protecting Kikyo, he had figured that having taken on this job of protecting her while nee-chan was away was something that would make her happy.

However, if he had the choice, he would’ve never taken on this job in the first place...

With a startle, Shouta looked behind him as he looked at the closed doors where his cousin was lying. There was that strange flicker of energy, rising and descending like a wave. Was something so strong really emanating from the blue-haired baka? As much as he was witnessing this before his own eyes, there was still some sceptic part of him that just couldn’t believe that this raw, powerful, unmanaged energy was all belonging to his own “cousin”...? Despite all of what he was sensing, Shouta was still refusing to believe that Kikyo could wield this kind of power. He wasn’t even sure if the power was rightfully hers...she may have been “The Honorary Priestess” maybe, but that was just a title, right? Even though, 10 years back, Midori had once held the same title...until they had been conferred to care for the said girl Shouta was now assigned to protect.

At least Tsume had been there through it all with him, somewhat. While the dog was attacking the incoming swarm of yoma and defending the boy’s own hide, Shouta was finally putting all his earlier practices into work as he had placed on a barrier, or kekkai, to surround the perimeters where Kikyo was; basically the large square that was her room and the adjoining bathroom. While she was blocked from the outside world, at the same time however, she was shielded from attempts at enemy attacks. Yet all the while her unmistakable aura was flickering constantly and was even threatening to break and colliding with Shouta’s own aura.

I mean, it’s crazy, he thought, swallowing as he then closed his eyes, at the rate this is going, whatever’s happening, the baka’s aura seems to be cracking through the first layers...!! Growling at his distractions, Shouta closed his eyes and attempted to win and focus back into concentration. Try to clear your mind of all inhibitions, all obstacles and all earthly obstructions...

His outline now brimming with chi around his hunched body, Shouta was gradually opening all the doors to his inner energy systems through deep breaths and mute chants. The boy then finally opened his eyes, and they held a light blue tint to them. While this may have made Shouta blind to the unused human eye, one who would’ve been a practioner of the Shinto arts wouldn’t be fooled and instead would’ve praised him for the prodigious feat. While there wasn’t an audience to give Shouta congratulations at what he had just did, Tsume would’ve done so if not for the incoming swarm of yoma that were suddenly drawing in for an attack again. And there the mutt went again, leaping towards the sky to wretch, tear and burn away at his enemies, leaving the young master behind to literally keep up the fort once more.

Even though he looked concentrated, Shouta was actually still slightly nervous on the inside. After all, as much as the astral sight was awesome to use, it was still very disorienting on his person. Mostly because Shouta had been lucky enough to have caught a glimpse of the attack having been done before and he had caught up on it on that one time Midori had used it; but since his training had revolved around the creation, maintenance and strengthening of the kekkai and none of it had taught anything on the usage of the astral sight, it had just been his very good case of beginner’s luck that the brown-haired boy had managed to keep up his guard like this, especially when the keeping of the barrier and the usage of the astral sight to foresee all incoming auras was putting on a large strain of his energy already, with the addition of Kikyo’s aura waves bouncing up and down and putting more stress on him.

But...this is the mission that Midori-nee-chan had assigned me; she entrusted me to protect the baka spazzing out her astral aura behind me. It’s a mission that I’m not very fond of maybe, but I have to remember that I’m not doing it for her sake, but for nee-chan’s...not the baka’s, but Midori-nee-chan’s sake, Shouta. I mean, since 10 years ago, she’s been so focused on her, and more than the elders could ever think now...If Tsume’s up there though, fighting limb by limb for her sake, I suppose there’s gotta be a reason...If the elders had assigned nee-chan when no one else suited their tastes...I know there’s a reason...

But I know that the real question that’s taunted me in the back of my head so much; why, why, why she had given her so much attention over me... why had they all given her such attentions and such praise over nee-chan...

Just how special is that blue-haired baka is to you, nee-chan, so much that you might’ve even ...love her?

***

(Flashback)

Tsusushi temple, 10 years ago

“Midori-nee-chaaan!!!” the big-toothed toddler boy called while trying to walk in his new zori sandal shoes. Today was the day that his Midori-nee-chan was supposed to meet him to go to the prayer altar with him today...it was the day when his wish was supposed to come true.”Midori-nee-chan’s gonna play with me today, I just know it!” he thought, smiling as he resumed his yelling. Looking at his wooden shoes once more before taking one step at a time, a 4-year old Shouta Sakibara again yelled “Miiiidoriii-neee-chaaannn!!” with widened mouth, almost yelling it at the top of his lungs, but then suddenly gasping as he then found himself coughing once, then again. Suddenly a young woman draped in a white kimono came running from behind the kneeling boy and quickly kneeled down also and patted the little boy’s back softly. Rising him to his feet as he intended to crawl, the young woman then turned the hiccupping Shouta to face her.

“Shouta-dono! You mustn’t yell so loud; people are studying nearby!” she addressed, the fluster and worry displayed strongly on her features. The clueless boy titled his head to the side as the maid looked at him seriously. “H-huh? “came the reply of confusion,”Gomen ne, Ayaka-chan, but do you know where nee-chan is? I think today might be the day I finally get to play with her!” He replied before coughing again. His caretaker sighed and shook her head. Wherever did he get these ideas of his? “Shouta-dono!” she returned, pressing the current matter at hand,” You shouldn’t have escaped from my sight! You almost would’ve made us late for the daily prayer recital this morning...again!” The braided woman sighed and shook her head as she took out a sheet of Kleenex and wiped off the drool seeping out of the boy’s mouth. After hearing him cough a little more, Ayaka sighed and ruffling his hair methodically, she had managed to clean up and place the boy’s hair into proper place. Still confused about his lack of seeing Midori there, the boy still hadn’t grasped the fact that his sister wouldn’t be coming.

“I-Isn’t nee-chan coming?” He asked tentatively as he was dragged by the flustering Ayaka. Sighing again as she listened to his question, the young woman rolled her eyes and glanced at him.

“No,” then came the sharp and quick answer, “She said she couldn’t be available today. The elders are piling Honda-dono with new scrolls and new practices for the coming of Hikari no Hime sama...So I am with you once again, Shouta-dono, for your day. Shall we enjoy ourselves today?”

As Shouta was slightly shaken by the answer, his face had by then soured into a grimace. Ayaka, noticing his slight change in behaviour, decided to ignore the little boy’s mood swing and keep her “happy” face; though, as she knew what was coming and this time, she had come prepared with the necessary ammunition in case the boy would then choose to “explode” on her. Sniffing, the young boy then followed his maid as they quickened their pace towards a closed temple, their wooden and straw steps clacking loudly, Ayaka’s more than Shouta’s.

Now barefoot in socks, the duo tip-toed inside the crowded temple grounds, thus joining the many other future holy figures in-training who were also praying for their various Oriental deities in the room. As they took their turns, Ayaka and Shouta then kneeled and bowed down towards the large statue of their choice that stood before them. While Ayaka had recited aloud the daily prayers for world peace, love and serenity in their own lives, Shouta was once again, making his prayers for his Midori-nee-chan. Of course, he didn’t want to upset anybody about his “selfish”, earthly prayers, so he mostly kept to himself and simply mouthed his request to the golden Buddha above him. He may have been 4 years old in human years, but unfortunately Shouta had already learned to look at others and know when to open your mouth and when to close it. As for why he was centering his prayers on his beloved older sister, you ask? Well, having been the original daughter of the main family in power, the Sakibara family, the girl had to quickly hone up to her responsibilities; and as such, Shouta had often found himself alone when wanting to play, or even converse with someone. After all, there wasn’t anyone the boy could really connect with; nor were there any sort of boys who were even close or a bit far away from his age range. And to make things worse, she was always working or shutting herself up in her room, swarming herself with piles of books and scrolls, seeming to be endlessly studying and training away; when Shouta came here to the altar temple, he always prayed that one day Midori would just bide all of her time and use at least 5 or 10 minutes of that crowded, busy time she held in her hands to at least take a glance and smile at him. And maybe...try to play with him? Whether it was a quick game of Ro-Sham-Bo or the ABC game, whichever would be able to bring them together for at least a good amount of time, Shouta was always constantly hoping for the day when that wish would finally be granted. He didn’t want to repeat the small tragedy of today. “All I wanted to do was to play with her...” he thought, clutching his hands tighter together, “...Just like we used to when we were kids back in R-Rukongai...” But now that she had been lowered from her position as the heiress to the main family robes to having been chosen to serve as the “Catalyst to Hikari no Hime”, Shouta knew that Midori would have even more work to do, more spells to practice and much, much and much less time for him. Even though Ayaka-chan was their assigned caretaker, Shouta knew that sometimes she just could be so fed up with the boy’s antics...

Pouting at his train of thought, the young 4-year old Shouta frowned and was unconsciously slumping downwards. He was however, unaware that his body was slowly lulling into a sleeping fetal position. And while he didn’t exactly know what exactly the elders were telling his Midori-nee-chan what to do, he knew that they were trying to separate his favourite older sister for the sake of her giving her attention to protecting someone else. They were trying to get Midori to protect someone else other than Shouta. And in the end, that wasn’t a very good thing. Not a very good thing at all.

“...dono!” The voice then called, making the sleeping Shouta open his eyes, “Shouta-dono!” at the second sound of his name with honorific attached ringing in his ears, Shouta’s eyes opened and he titled his head to look up towards the worried face of his caretaker once again. Sighing, the drooling little boy yawned and then rubbed his half-lidded eyes of sleep. Groaning slightly as he was still half-awake, Shouta sat up and looked around with slight confusion, but decided to leave the topic of questions for later. Hearing the distant, irritant sigh of his grumbling caretaker as she took his hand and lead him forward towards the gates of the prayer temple, Shouta yawned again and scratched his waist.

Of course when the boy had scratched his waist like that, it only meant one thing; that they both knew that the young boy was to do his little “potty-totty time” very soon, and poor Ayaka-chan would be stuck witnessing his every move to see if he would get his potty training right, like she was forced to do every time while Midori was in training.

Ayaka shivered at the thought and glanced at the boy. Their story was rather tragic from the way she had heard it, even if they were various rumours and gossip just collected into one big phony story. It was even sadder on her part that she might’ve believed the said rumours about them. Noticing eyes on him, the awakened Shouta looked up to meet his caretaker’s eyes, which then quickly wondered away from his big wide eyes towards the blue sky. Outwardly shrugging the thought off, inwardly Shouta was irked at the woman’s sudden attempt at averting his gaze. He knew the story; after all, he and his sister were at the core of it, were they not? So what if they had once been orphans in Rukongai, the spirit district that constituted of the spirit realm of the human Shinigami in the Tenkai region? It wasn’t of their business that they were actually spirits wanting to get second shots at life! It wasn’t any of their business at all!

The more the boy thought about those facts, the more he started to get the feeling that he just wanted to cry. His eyes shut closed as Shouta tried to fight the tears that threatened to spill out from his inner thoughts, each of them piling up in his small conscience. The more he thought upon them, the more they weighed on him, tipping back and forth in order to drive him over the edge. Within minutes of trying to fight these attacking thoughts however, Shouta then felt powerless as in a tidal wave of emotion, drops of water swirled down the boy’s face, more of the salty tears falling down and trickling from his closed eyelids by the second. “Mi...”He started, now going to crying completely, “MIDORI-NEE-CHAAN...!” he yelled and sniffed as he then started to cry, giving out to his willpower.

As she was suddenly thrown aback by her master’s sudden weeping attack, Ayaka quickly pulled out her noted arsenal of candy, all prepared and wrapped in one big bag. Just in case he would be ready to pull out another grand showstopper like this one to get her fired, this time she was up and ready.

“Shouta-dono, please don’t cry,” she said soothingly, her voice hiding every hint of resentment she currently felt for the boy right now. This was after, a public display; and the last thing that the woman wanted to get stapled on her back was the reputation of a bad caretaker.... “Stupid little...crybaby...” she muttered under her breath. As she watched the sullen boy continue to cry though, Ayaka soon got to realize that she hadn’t exactly been the source of the boy’s crying; or at least, if she had been, it wasn’t for the reasons initially suspected of her. But nonetheless that shouldn’t stop her from trying and getting the boy to shut his big pie hole was it? Because whether he had managed to plan out this latest scheme of his or not, Ayaka was certainly not planning to get herself thrown into another “Assessment review plan” seating with the dreaded Lady Kimiko Sakibara...because the last time she had been in the senior woman’s room, she could’ve just felt the ominous, powerful aura that had been radiating menacingly around her person the entire time while she was there. However, she had been spared a dreaded lecture and been given another chance at babysitting her young grandson. As lucky as she may have been though, the cautious Ayaka had a feeling that the next time she would’ve been sent in there for whatever misdemeanour Shouta might’ve reported on her behalf, she most likely wasn’t going to return. Or rather, if she was, that she wasn’t going to return without at least having been scared for her life.

And she wasn’t going to let some little snot-nosed reincarnated brat get in her way of keeping this job.

As she watched Shouta wailing his feelings out of his inflicted system, the braided brunette smirked and then produced a small lollipop wrapper from the plastic bag she had opened, showing the concealed candy to his bawling face. This always grabbed the little ones’ attentions, and if she remembered right, most likely Shouta shouldn’t been of the rare exception.

“...Onegai, Shouta-dono,” she cleared her throat and tried out, her voice feigning the expression of warmth and sincerity, “would you please give me the honour of unwrapping and eating this delicious lollipop piece? I had brought some leftovers in case Shouta-dono was hungry...or perhaps this was wanted he had wanted all day?”
Or perhaps, on days when boys and girls would suddenly just “explode” at you without giving any hinting of why, today might’ve not been a good day to lure out their silence with candy.

As Shouta shook his head and refused to take the bait offered to him, Ayaka growled and swayed the candy in front of him again but felt herself lose a nerve when she saw that he still wasn’t responding to her as he was now so in tuned with his sorrow. “Why in tarnation are you crying so much, Sakibara-dono? Does your lack of seeing Honda-sempai hurt you so much that you would suddenly cry about it?” She yelled, losing her patience with him. She had every reason to, though. To that question, the broken Shouta couldn’t help himself but nod weakly as he hiccupped. Yes, even the mere thought of it was able to bring him to even more tears. But it wasn’t his fault that he was crying. And it wasn’t Ayaka’s fault either, for once. Even though it seemed like he was weak now, in truth inside, Shouta was hurt, and was angry. He was angry at Sakibara Obaa-chan and the elders for having taken his Midori-nee-chan away from him and placing all her attention on another little one...

“W-w-why..??” then came the question, making the already confused Ayaka blink as she again tried her best to understand why exactly Shouta had broken down on her without warning her. By the looks of it, it didn’t seem like he was faking it this time either.

In curious response, Ayaka answered back to the rhetorical question, thinking that she wouldn’t get an answer. “W-why what, Shouta-dono?”

“...Was this “Hikari no Hime sama” so worthy of their time that she had to get the desired attention of nee-chan? Why were they to choose MY own beloved older Sister? I mean, t-they probably could’ve chosen someone else but instead they had chosen her to take responsibility; and then she just...left...and I was forced to tread alone...all alone...!!!” was all the boy muttered selfishly while raising his hands to wipe off his tears. Sniffing the trail of mucus and tears that dribbled down his runny rose and face, Shouta, in his saddened stupor, was then surprised as he witnessed in what would’ve probably been her one and only public display of true altruism; Ayaka wrapping her arms around the smaller boy, letting his water fall on her white robes and seemingly not caring for the dampening sensation that would come over them soon. Sighing rather deeply, the hugging female pressed herself tighter against the quivering Shouta, whom by feeling of another giving him such strong actions, was again moved to weeping and clutching on her shoulders.

“W-why are you hugging me like that, Ayaka-chan?” he asked, quivering and trying to calm himself down. “Why?” she asked back, even managing an encouraging pat on the back. “...Because you’re crying. When kids cry, hugs are usually the only way to calm them down, Shouta-dono. That and candy. Or so I thought.” Listening to her words, Shouta was again brought to her rare attempts at mutual affection. Ayaka-chan, despite her outward exterior, had probably always held some sort of antagonistic jealousy over the siblings’ situation. Unbeknownst to Shouta, he was somewhat acting in the same manner when it involved the placing of his sister’s priorities over him and the famed “Hikari no Hime sama”.

Sighing again, Ayaka-chan drew herself away from her master and then smiled at him. This time, the small gesture again might’ve been the real thing. “Shouta-dono,” she then started as she then gave him a kiss on the forehead,”...you must support Honda-dono in all of her work, despite if it requires your lack of seeing one another. I’m guessing that she misses you too, but her priorities hold an ulterior motive that, sooner or later, will benefit both you and me, and the entire world; so I’m afraid your envious jealousy must be acknowledged and stopped at once.”
Letting out a sniff again, Shouta blinked at the new choice of words he heard. When did Ayaka-chan actually act nice of her own accord? He was really too confused and still too worn out by the crying to try and figure out the woman’s sudden genuine and niceness act. He was just going to be an avid listener.

“...What is Ayaka-chan talking about? How will Hikari no Hime sama give us...be-be..” the boy tried to spell out the word ‘benefit’ but for the moment couldn’t find the right tone to properly spell it out. Again did Ayaka-chan shake her head and decided to test out her patience. After all, he was experiencing his first pangs of jealousy and he hadn’t any idea of his doing so. Taking a deep breath, Ayaka then lead the small boy to nearby steps when she motioned him to sit down. I suppose it’s time to give him a break. He’s just a kid in the end, right? She thought reluctantly.

“...Well Shouta-dono, what Honda-dono will do to help our chosen ‘Hikari no Hime Sama’ will bring much more benefits to this world than you and I could ever pray for. Do you know why that is?” Again did the boy shake his head at the question.
“Because Hikari no Hime sama will one day save this world from utmost danger. And Midori, as her assigned “Catalyst” will be the one charged to trigger Hikari-sama’s hidden power when the time comes. For that, the elders are preparing her for it. When the world is in great danger, Hikari no Hime and her six stars will appear...”

“And then what will happen?” he asked next, making Ayaka giggle slightly. Now he was being quiet but like everyone else, she was sworn to secrecy. She couldn’t tell him anything else right now, but she figured that Shouta would figure things out for himself...

“Well, for that, I’m afraid I can’t tell you; but one day you will find out; Honda-sempai will see you and tell you eventually..” came the mysterious reply as Ayaka-chan then noticed that Shouta had finally stopped crying over his Midori-nee-chan. “Well,” she finally said, taking out the earlier piece of candy she had wanted to shut the boy with,” How about that candy now, Shouta-dono.”

(End flashback)

***

As he opened his eyes, Shouta felt like grinning. He hadn’t a clue why but after having just experienced that moment of projection streaming through his mind. Ayaka-chan had certainly helped him that day. Whether she had wanted it or not, she had aggravated the situation. But nonetheless despite the envy that festered in his loins, the boy still felt a twinge of pride. After all, it wasn’t everyday that your own sister had told you to protect Hikari no hime sama with your life like this. And if he was to protect her until Midori came back, then protect Kikyo he would then. He really didn’t why he was feeling this feeling that he would have to place all his hopes, all his dreams, on this last shot. He wanted to place his trust in Kikyo; because his nee-chan was placing her trust in her.

And as Midori’s younger brother, he hadn’t a choice but to respect his sister’s decision as well.

A concentration of light then surged on Shouta’s hands as he watched the next onslaught of yoma swarm through the sky and all heading towards his vicinity; we,, this time he was dead-on ready. With his thumbs and forefingers pressed together, Shouta then chanted mute words and minutes later, the swarm of monsters were all suddenly obliterated within contact of the growing shield of light. Smiling to himself as he watched the enemy struggle to get through his effective “reject and release” defence attack, Shouta smirked and panted. As he was still using the astral sight, this was still very much straining his system. But he was determined to keep this barrier up for as long as it would take and he couldn’t be in position to care about his health right now because he knew that that wasn’t priority. His sister had drilled him to take Kikyo’s life over his own any day. Because she would’ve given her own for her, then Shouta had no choice but to follow suit. Grunting under his breath as he felt the clashing powers of Kikyo’s aura clawing through his fields, Shouta winced and tightened his forefingers and thumbs, trying to stabilizing the growing opposing energy that was inside his field.

If nee-chan loves you so much that she’s willing to stake her life for you then, Kikyo...

I’m in no choice but to stake my own life for you too...!!!