Disclaimer: YnM belongs to Youko Matsushita-sensei.

1-23-2001
No one has claimed to be the 100th Counter Hitter,
so the theme of this Gift Story is based on a request for the sequel to Balance.

Author's note:
This fanfic is sub-sequel to Balance.

"Mirror"
By anonym

A drop of sweat slowly trickled down. Rikugou carefully placed the compress on the man's forehead. He wished not to disturb him.

... So this is Tsuzuki...

Tsuzuki suddenly jerked and thrashed about momentarily before settling back into uneasy sleep.

Rikugou frowned; concerned that Tsuzuki's fever was so high. Shinigami healing wasn't functioning.

... His temperature must be lowered.

Rikugou took the now warm compress and stood up to search for a cold pack. He was certain he had one. A soft cry made him turn back.

Tsuzuki had curled over, his arms covering his stomach protectively. Tears gleamed.

Rikugou took a deep breath and released it slowly. He had little idea on what to do next.

"Rikugou." He froze and whirled to see Genbu.

"Sensei!"

***

Tsuzuki's eyes opened to see Rikugou dragging a small elderly man out the door.

"Rikugou, is this anyway to treat your master?" The old man was saying morosely.

The door closed before Tsuzuki could hear Rikugou's answer. He blinked. He was puzzled, uncertain. Slowly, he uncurled from his fetal position and sat up, looking around.

... Where am I?

***

"So that's Tsuzuki..." Genbu positioned his staff, placed his hands over its top, then his chin on them. He was watching his student who was puttering around the kitchen, preparing their supper.

Rikugou paused, then sighed. "You know very well that's Tsuzuki, Sensei." Then he added, "Why do you always repeat the obvious."

Genbu straightened, raising his hands upward in a shrug. "Because you do not inform your teacher as a good pupil should." His staff was balancing neatly on its point without his support.

Rikugou turned. "... There you go, showing off again," he said wryly.

Genbu raised an eyebrow at the younger man. "Still upset?"

Rikugou slammed Genbu's bowl on the table, staring at his master. "You are infuriating," he told Genbu.

Genbu beamed at him. "Be patient. You will figure it out." He then placed aside his cane and took the bowl, peering at its contents. "... This again?"

With a disappointed look at Rikugou, he reached for his chopsticks, saying, "You'll never learn it if you starve me to death, my dear pupil."

Rikugou almost poured the sake on Genbu's head.

***

... Where am I...? Tsuzuki rubbed his face wearily.

... Whatever this place is, I shouldn't be here... He lowered his hands, his face determined.

This must be Rikugou's home. Again, Tsuzuki looked around. The room he was in was richly furnished in traditional Chinese decor. Intricately carved moldings lined the ceiling. The floor was polished smooth. The furniture was of heavy wood.

... I must go. Tsuzuki pulled off the sheets off him, then froze as the door opened.

***

"Don't come in here!" Rikugou was smacked in the face by a pillow.

Genbu stared up at his student then broke out in laughter. "Good hit! Good hit!"

***

Tsuzuki was stumped when Rikugou grabbed the pillow off his face and batted the small old man into the room. The latter went skittering and stumbling into Tsuzuki's lap.

"... Pervert!" Tsuzuki threw the old man back at Rikugou who instinctively blocked with the pillow. Both went down.

***

A while later, on the floor, both Rikugou and Genbu were nursing similar lumps on their foreheads. The pillow had been little protection when their skulls cracked against each other.

"What did you do that for?!" Rikugou yelled at Tsuzuki, who was holding the sheets tightly around him.

Tsuzuki yelled back, "Where are my clothes?!"

Genbu snorted, amused; then gave Rikugou a sympathetic smile when the student glared at the teacher.

Genbu gave his bump one more reassuring rub, reached for his staff then clambered to his feet. "Why, Rikugou... This about you I didn't know."

He skipped away before Rikugou could swat at him. "His clothes were soaking wet," said Rikugou stiffly as he too stood up, looking warningly at Genbu.

"Ah..." Genbu's expression turned understanding. "So you left our guest as is, for fear something may arise should you attempt to clothe him-" Genbu jumped on the bed and hid behind a very puzzled Tsuzuki before Rikugou could grab him.

"Temper. Temper..." Genbu waggled a finger at an increasingly irritated Rikugou. "He's always did have such a short temper," he whispered covertly into Tsuzuki's ear. Tsuzuki smiled, still looking uncertain.

"So..." Genbu leaned comfortably against Tsuzuki's back and asked, "Was my student gentle with you?"

"SENSEI!!!" An angry-looking aura surrounded Rikugou whose six eyes were all open and glaring menacingly. Tsuzuki paled.

"Rikugou, shame on you! You're scaring poor Tsuzuki-san." Genbu then reassured Tsuzuki, "Honestly, he's not always like this, I swear."

"THAT'S IT!!!" Rikugou reached over Tsuzuki's head, grabbed Genbu and tried to haul him away. Genbu was holding on to Tsuzuki.

"Let go!" Rikugou yelled. Genbu shook his head and held on tighter to Tsuzuki's neck. It was such a ridiculous situation that Tsuzuki finally laughed. He surprised Rikugou who let go of his teacher. Genbu in turn let go of Tsuzuki and sat on the pillow beside Tsuzuki.

Both Shikigami silently watched Tsuzuki until he stopped laughing and wiped away the tears from his eyes.

Genbu smiled. "Such warm unfettered laughter I haven't heard for a long time. Such a pleasure. Don't you agree, Rikugou?"

Rikugou smiled in agreement after looking at Genbu with slanted eyes. Tsuzuki looked embarrassed.

Genbu chuckled, letting himself down from the bed. He picked up his staff from the floor and stood in front of Tsuzuki, who looked at him curiously. His next statement stumped Rikugou silly.

"So, what be thy bidding, Master?"

"... Eh?" Tsuzuki stared at Genbu, who explained, "You saved me from him." He pointed at Rikugou with his cane. "I am in your debt, and we, Shikigami, always pay our debts."

Tsuzuki blinked and stared at Genbu. His expression saying he didn't expect much from such an old Shikigami. "... That's all right, grandfather."

Rikugou grinned and chuckled, then winced when Genbu slapped his stick against his shin.

Tsuzuki smiled and said warmly, "Besides, I already have Rikugou-sama to help me."

Genbu looked dubious and pointed at his student again. "You think he's fair replacement for Byakko-san?"

"..." Tsuzuki looked at him with a confused expression.

Genbu's staff sounded sharply against the floor. "Only a god can replace a god."

Fin.

Author's note:

Mirror is short just like First not too long like Balance.
I hope this one turned out okay. I hope it wasn't too silly at some parts.

Sequel Available