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Disclaimer: YnM belongs to Youko Matsushita-sensei. |
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| 1001 Hit Gift Story "Myriad" |
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Direct sequel to Mirror; sub-sequel to Balance "Myriad" "... A god...?" Tsuzuki's lips barely moved, yet Genbu heard him clearly. The old Shikigami gave him a benign smile. Tsuzuki's eyes widened, and he looked from Genbu to Rikugou, who was looking at his master's back darkly. "Show off," Rikugou muttered and jumped back before Genbu's cane could stab his foot. "Respect thy elders," Genbu reminded his student, who was making faces at him for missing. Rikugou bowed low and said, "I shall go prepare your coffin, Sensei." *BONK* Genbu again quickly took shelter behind Tsuzuki before Rikugou recovered from the blow to his dignity and to his head. "SENSEI!!!" Tsuzuki suddenly stood up, surprising Rikugou who backed away as the Shinigami walked to the door, opened it and left. "... Tsuzuki, wait." Rikugou went after him. Left behind, Genbu stroke his beard thoughtfully. *** "Tsuzuki!" He turned just as Rikugou caught up to him. The Shikigami looked worried. "I'm sorry." Both apologized at the same time; both falling silent after. Rikugou recovered first and gave him an embarrassed smile. "Gomen, Tsuzuki. Please forgive us for involving you in our differences. You must know it's not serious. I have the greatest respect for sensei even though I don't show it clearly." "No," Tsuzuki said immediately, looking flustered. "I mean that it's not your fault. I- I don't know how to say it to him." "... Say what?" "... I can't accept him." Suddenly looking very tired, Tsuzuki leaned back against the wall. He pressed the heel of his palm against his forehead, looking down to the floor. "Can you please tell him that, Rikugou-sama?" When Rikugou remained silent, Tsuzuki looked up to him. His expression was pained. "You know how I feel about this. You know what happened between Byakko and me." He suddenly looked very embarrassed. "I'm sorry, Rikugou-sama. Maybe I'm taking this the wrong way. Maybe he was just joking." Rikugou shook his head. "Sensei is not joking about this," he said softly, watching Tsuzuki intently. "I know him enough to know when he is serious." "... Then, please tell him I cannot accept him." Rikugou sighed. "It's not that simple, Tsuzuki. I wish Byakko had foreseen the problems to come when he accepted you as master. He should have taken Souryuu more seriously." "It's not his fault," Tsuzuki said defensively, "It's-" "-your fault?" Rikugou looked curious. "Are you always so self-sacrificing? This matter isn't that big a problem. The gods can take care of themselves." "Souryuu-sama threatened to recall all Shikigami!" "Heh. Only the Golden Emperor can do that." "... You mean it was a lie?" An uncertain Tsuzuki stared at Rikugou who shrugged. "This problem went the wrong way. Souryuu simply dislikes the idea of a god being mastered. There is no law in Gensoukai which actually prohibits it, so he has no say if Byakko becomes legally yours to command." "... Then why?" "As I said. This problem went the wrong way. What Souryuu is angry about is not because Byakko went against his wishes. What he is angry about is because it was kept a secret from him." At this point, Rikugou looked very tired and very frustrated. "Souryuu is very proud. He cannot turn his anger against Byakko so he is attacking your claim on the White Tiger instead." "... I have released Byakko-sama." Sadness flickered in Tsuzuki's eyes. "Souryuu-sama has no reason to be angry now." "... I'm very sorry, Tsuzuki. This is not the end of it." "Huh?" "It's more complicated than you think. Gensoukai may not have a law about gods being mastered, but there is the law of balance." "Law of balance...?" Rikugou nodded, "Yes, it's a very old law. It dates back to the times when an eye taken must be replaced; a tooth removed, be restored. Simply put, you earned the White Tiger fairly. Now, since he has been taken from you, you must be justly compensated." "... Is that why he sent you?" Rikugou suddenly looked uncomfortable. "I don't think Byakko remembers that law. He sent me, because you commanded him to stay away from you. ... He was very hurt, Tsuzuki." Tsuzuki looked away. "... I didn't want to hurt him." "I know you didn't," said Rikugou gently then reassured him, "Don't worry. He's not one to stay hurt or sad for long." Tsuzuki did not look reassured. Inwardly, Rikugou smiled, deciding that he liked this man. It was rare to find an individual who thought more of others than of his own self. "... I'm glad," said Tsuzuki hesitantly. Then he said in a small voice, "Are you my Shikigami?" He looked so unsure and so endearing that Rikugou fought hard not to give him a pat on the head. He almost gagged then, realizing that was exactly how Genbu showed praise to him when he was small. No! I'm not becoming like Sensei! Rikugou didn't realize that Tsuzuki's face fell at Rikugou's disgusted expression. Rikugou however did fall, face down first, when Genbu's staff hit the back of his head solidly. *** "SENSEI!!!" Tsuzuki could only stare at Rikugou, who was on the floor, facing Genbu. Both Shikigami were eye level to each other. Genbu brandished his cane. "You were making angry faces at my Tsuzuki!" ???My Tsuzuki!!! Tsuzuki almost fell down as well. Rikugou blanched. "Your Tsuzuki?!" Genbu nodded once. Rikugou stared at him in disbelief. "What do you mean your Tsuzuki?!" Rikugou stood up slowly, murder in all of his eyes. "Mere student..." Somehow, Tsuzuki managed to slip away without either Shikigami noticing his escape. *** This cannot be happening... Tsuzuki thought as he walked through the courtyard fronting Rikugou's residence. He wanted to run, but the pavement was slick from the recent rain. He could still hear Rikugou and Genbu. "Sensei! Stay out of this! This is none of your affair!" Reaching the field, Tsuzuki ran. *** "I am one who reveals truth. I am pleased to meet you, my brother." Kijin's hand stole up to his throat, suddenly finding it dry. He swallowed hard; his eyes unable to tear away from her. Tenkou smiled, tilting her head slightly. Eyes like his met his own eyes unblinking. He stepped back. Her eyes then flickered and looked hurt. "Frightened?" She asked in a whisper. "You were looking for me." He shook his head and said in a strangled voice, "H-how do you know I was looking for you?" She suddenly looked away and said shyly, "Because I was looking for you." *** ... Where am I? Tired, Tsuzuki leaned against a tree and looked up, trying to see the night sky through the thick canopy overhead. There was no moon. ... I'm lost. At that, Tsuzuki slid down to squat at the base of the tree. ... and I'm hungry. He was utterly miserable. A small sound surprised him, and he scrambled halfway up the tree. A few moments later, he fell back down on his backside. "Ow!" Tsuzuki was in a tangled mess. "Are you all right?" Tsuzuki looked up to see a pretty girl looking down at him. He blushed red. "H-hai!" Tsuzuki attempted to straighten himself and screamed when he realized and remembered he only had a blanket on. "Ahhhh!!! Don't look! Don't look!" *** "Can I look now?" His face still burning, Tsuzuki nodded hastily and called out, "Yes." The girl peered from the other side of the tree trunk. "Are you sure?" Her blue eyes were teasing. Tsuzuki looked down and tugged at the blanket hastily arranged and folded over his body. It seemed stable. He yelped when it fell apart, leaving him to hold it tightly around his lower torso. The girl snickered. "Need help...?" "NO!!!" *** Sometime later, Tsuzuki was walking behind her. He had insisted she walked ahead and was clutching worriedly at his blanket, which was draped around his body in a fashion he was unfamiliar with. "It's all right," said the girl, "It won't fall off." Tsuzuki was puzzled. "Eh?" He waited for her to explain how she knew, but she remained quiet. "... Tenkou-chan?" He asked after a while. "Huh?" She looked back again and stopped. Tsuzuki stopped as well and said, "Why are you out in the forest so late at night?" He then added gently, "Little girls should be at home and sleeping at this time." She blinked at him and answered, "I am." Her face was enigmatic. Tsuzuki frowned, unsure. Tenkou suddenly looked away and continued walking. *** "... You seem troubled, Tenkou-san." Tsuzuki chuckled and glanced aside to her. They were now walking side by side. After a half-hour walking in the dense wood, Tsuzuki was convinced his blanket will not fall off. "I'll tell you my troubles if you tell me yours first," Tsuzuki offered. Tenkou seemed pensive despite the cheerful face she put on. That mask now disappeared at his words, and Tsuzuki could see clearly that she was sad. "Tenkou-san, what's wrong?" He asked gently. He waited patiently as Tenkou refused to look back at him and kept her eyes forward. Tsuzuki looked away as well, not wishing to trip on a root or a rock. That would be embarrassing at this moment. "... Kijin hates me." *** Kijin was staring out of the window, when someone knocked softly on his bedroom door. "... Come in." He stood up when he saw that it was his mother who entered. "Kijin-chan, I saw that your light was still on. Why are you not sleeping?" "I will go to sleep now, Mother." Kijin waited for her to go out. She didn't. "What's wrong, Kijin-chan?" "... Nothing. Everything is all right, Mother." His mother tilted her head slightly and smiled. Kijin tensed upon seeing that familiar habit. She noticed his discomfort and said softly, "Kijin-chan, it's no use to lie to me. What is wrong?" His hands clenched. What can I tell her?! Kijin looked away and stared at the wall instead. Their eyes are the same. He started when his mother moved nearer and sat on his bed. "Kijin-chan, what happened?" She again inquired gently. "... Tenk-" He found that he was unable to say his sister's name. His mother nodded. "What about Tenkou-chan?" His jaw tightened. "... I saw her tonight," he managed to say. He felt idiotic. Of course, she knew he saw her tonight. He always visited her in her crib before retiring for the day. "... What did she say to you?" Kijin stared at his mother. "... You know...?" She smiled. "Of course I know. She is my daughter." There was fondness in her eyes, but also sadness. "She is like me. Like mother, Like daughter." Kijin was flabbergasted. "... Does father know?" His mother immediately shook her head. "No, he doesn't know, and it's best he doesn't know until Tenkou-chan is grown-up." Kijin was not going to disagree with that. His mother then said, "Please don't worry about her. I'll explain everything tomorrow, but right now, please go to sleep, Kijin-chan." "..." Kijin shook his head. "Mother," he struggled to say, "Tenk- she kissed me-" His face flushed hot, and he whirled away from his mother, wishing to the heavens he had not said it. "... Tenkou-chan kissed you...?" He heard his mother even though it was a whisper. "... Kissed you? How?" Kijin squeezed his eyes shut, struggling to control his emotions. "O-once, when I was very small, I couldn't sleep, so I went to your room." He raised his hands and pressed trembling fingers to his temples. "I wanted to sleep with you, but father was there." "... Kijin-" "I saw him kissing you." Slowly, he turned back to her, his eyes, panicked. "That's how Tenkou kissed me!" *** "Eh?! How could any guy hate you?! Kijin is an idiot!" Tsuzuki was ranting. "I know he's Souryuu-sama's son, but he's a jerk for treating you badly, Tenkou-san!" "Tsuzuki-" "Where is he?! I'll show him! He should never hurt a girl's feelings!" *** Shikaze held Kijin tenderly, trying to soothe him. He was shaking badly. "Kijin-chan, it's all right. Tenkou-chan is still very young." Kijin stared at her with disbelief. "She isn't young!" Quickly, her hands framed her son's face. "She is still very young, Kijin-chan." She pressed her forehead against his, her eyes closing. "It's hard to explain, but I will try." *** Tsuzuki's eyes were wide. His arms flailed wildly before settling hesitantly around Tenkou. Before he could return the kiss, she moved away, smiling so warmly at him. "Arigatou, Tsuzuki-san." Tsuzuki collapsed against the tree behind him. "... What was that for, Tenkou-san?" "Hmm...?" Her eyes looked at him questioningly, then she innocently replied, "When my mother feels very happy, she does that to father." Her head tilted slightly. "What you just said made me feel very happy, Tsuzuki-san." "..." Though confused and wondering about how she was raised, Tsuzuki smiled back at her. *** She is one who reveals truth, Kijin-chan. In that, she is incapable of lying and doesn't yet know how to hide or to control her desires. If she likes you, she will not hide it. For now, she has no reason to hide or to control how she feels. But she will, in time, learn to do both. *** "What did Kijin do anyway, Tenkou-san?" *** Kijin pressed his fingers against his mouth, remembering the kiss. His room was dark. He had turn off the light, not wishing to worry his mother further. He still couldn't sleep. ... Forgive me, Tenkou-chan. You kissed me out of innocence, and I thought wrongly of you. ... I am and was ashamed of myself. Fin. |
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