ヒカリ の シイド
Hikari no Shiido
T H E S E E D O F L I G H T
Kanji and the others appeared in a dimly lit tunnel.
“Which way do we go?” asked Kogasu.
Aisu turned Kogasu to face the opposite direction, where a rockslide had blocked off the tunnel. “I don’t think we can go that way,” Aisu said sarcastically, “But it’s only a guess.”
“You don’t need to treat me like I’m an idiot, you ugly old hag!” exclaimed Kogasu.
“Stupid boy!”
“Ugly old hag!”
“Girl- I mean, Kakera-san, do they always argue like this?” demanded Kanji.
“Yup, it seems that way.”
“Is there any way to shut them up?” asked Kanji, almost whining.
Mizu smirked. “Well, well, the almighty Lightmage can’t handle a little bit of arguing. Guys, a little louder, please!”
Kanji winced. “Okay, okay, okay, I’m sorry about that!! Please shut them up!”
Mizu’s grinned. “Okay. Guys, quit arguing, unless you want the kidnappers to know we’re here.”
Aisu and Kogasu stopped arguing, seeing the logic in Mizu’s statement. “You’re right. Let’s go,” said Aisu.
“I agree with the hag,” agreed Kogasu.
Aisu rolled her eyes and decided not to lose her temper.
“Do you still know where he is?” Mizu asked Kanji.
“I remember where he was earlier… but I can’t sense him at all now, no pain or anything. It’s as if the bracelet isn’t on his wrist anymore. We definitely need to get going.”
They continued down the tunnel. Soon, they came to an opening in the tunnel wall, leading to a large cave. Kanji peered inside the opening, and a look of rage came over his face. He held his arm out, and, instead of his sword, a bow with an arrow appeared in his hand. He shot the arrow into the cave, where it hit Yami between the shoulder blades. Yami roared in pain.
“Let him go!” shouted Kanji.
*
*
*
Fujin looked up, rubbing his throat. Upon seeing Kanji, a look of pure confusion crossed his face. Looking from Kanji to Yami and back again, he asked, “Wh-what’s going on? There’s two of oniisama?”
“Fujin, get away from him,” commanded Kanji, “I don’t know who he is, but he’s not me.”
“No, boy, stay right there!” snarled Yami, “He’s lying!”
“No, Fujin, he’s the one who’s lying! I’d never hurt you!” protested Kanji.
“Kanji!” exclaimed Aisu.
Sheepishly, Kanji, said, “Okay, I’d never hurt you on purpose!”
“Kanji!” repeated Aisu.
Even more sheepishly, Kanji said, “Okay, I wouldn’t ever really try to kill you!”
This confused Fujin even more. Never before had Fujin seen Kanji humbled, and here were Aisu and Mizu, embarrassing him easily. But, if he’s with Mizu and the others, then he must be the real one! Fujin thought. But, he’d never work with them… they’re humans! What if he isn’t my real oniisama?
Fujin stood up, looking uncertain. He took a hesitant step toward Kanji.
Yami pushed him to the ground. “Stay there, boy,” he spat. “I’m the only one who’s going to hurt you.”
Oniisama never let anyone but himself bully me…, thought Fujin. Then, an idea came to him. The bracelet! If I get it on, it’ll still have a little of the blood bond effect on me, and I’ll be able to tell which one is my real oniisama! Fujin reached for the bracelet, glancing at Yami, who wasn’t paying any attention to him, instead glaring at Kanji. Fujin slid the bracelet onto his wrist and got up. He hesitated, took a deep breath, and kicked Yami.
Yami pushed Fujin to the ground again and snarled, “Don’t you touch me!”
“Leave him alone!” exclaimed Kanji.
Fujin got up again, and, with all the strength he could muster, hit Yami a second time. I hit him again! He must be the fake!
Kanji must’ve realized what Fujin was doing, for he commanded, “Fujin, get over here. I forbid you from getting near that imposter.”
Fujin started toward Kanji, but Yami grabbed the collar of his shirt. “I told you to stay away from him!” Yami yelled. “I command it!”
Fujin struggled against Yami’s grip, frightened. Yami struggled to keep his grip on Fujin’s collar. “Oniisama, help!”
With a sudden burst of strength, Yami pulled Fujin back to him, and placed his hand on Fujin’s head, holding him in place.
“Don’t lay a finger on him!” roared Kanji. The bow in his hand turned into his sword.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” cautioned Yami, passing his free hand over Fujin’s face. Fujin relaxed, his eyes unfocused, and his face went blank.
“What did you do to him?!” shouted Kanji.
“Nothing. I merely released his feelings.”
Aisu put a hand on Kanji’s shoulder. “We’ll take care of this. We’re the Elementals, and it’s our job to protect him.”
Kanji shook his head, relaxing slightly. “No. I respect your offer, but I’m an Elemental too, and he’s my little brother. It’s doubly my job.”
Aisu heard the concern in Kanji’s voice and nodded. “Okay. We’re here if you need us.”
“Kotoba-sensei, why are you backing down?” demanded Mizu.
“Yeah, hag, don’t back down from that abusive-“
“He doesn’t mean to be abusive. It just… happens. He really just wants the best for Fujin. He’s so selfless…,” answered Aisu, almost dreamily.
Kogasu sighed, frustrated. “We came all this way, and we aren’t even going to fight?!”
“We’ll fight,” assured Aisu. “Just not right now. Kanji will need us soon, though.”
“How do you know?” asked Mizu.
“Because Fujin is scared,” answered Aisu.
Kogasu shook his head. “I don’t get you.”
“I don’t expect you to,” replied Aisu.
“Give him back!” barked Kanji.
Yami smiled chillingly and pushed Fujin to Kanji. “There he is. He’s perfectly fine.”
Kanji looked down at Fujin, into his unfocused eyes. He shook him slightly. “Fujin. Fujin. Wake up!” Kanji glared at Yami. “What’s wrong with him? What did you do?!”
Yami sighed. “I told you, I released his feelings.”
“What do you mean by that?! Give us a straight answer!” yelled Kogasu, stepping forward.
Kanji pushed him back. “I said I’ll take care of this.” He then said to Yami, “Tell me what’s wrong with him!”
Yami snapped his fingers. “Boy,” he commanded, “show your brother how you feel about him!”
The bracelet on Fujin’s wrist disappeared, and Fujin pushed away from Kanji.
“Fujin, are you okay?” asked Kanji..
Fujin pulled off his necklace, turning it into his flute. He played several notes on the flute, and it turned into his sword.
Kanji took a small step back. “Fujin, what are you doing?”
Fujin thrust the sword forward at Kanji. Kanji moved sideways, and the sword barely grazed his leg. Suddenly, the sword clanged to the ground. “Stay out of my head!!” screamed Fujin. Kanji took a step toward him. “No!!” Fujin screamed, “Stay away!”
Kanji looked at Yami, who stood there with an annoying smirk on his face. “What are you doing to him?!” demanded Kanji.
“I’m not doing anything,” replied Yami, “He’s showing you how he feels about you. He hates you.”
“No!” screamed Fujin, “Stop it, stop it, it’s not true, it’s not true it’s not true, it’s not true, IT’S NOT-”
Fujin stopped screaming. His eyes went unfocused and his face went blank again. He picked the sword up from the ground.
“We have to stop Fujin and Yami!” exclaimed Mizu.
“No. Wait a while, we don’t want to interrupt until it’s absolutely necessary,” answered Aisu.
“I say let them kill Kanji,” remarked Kogasu, “Good riddance!”
“Kogasu!” Aisu admonished, “He’s a good person! He’s just… a little rough around the edges!”
Mizu smiled mischievously. “Kotoba-sensei has the hots for Kanji!” she singsonged.
Aisu went red.
“Fujin, stop!” commanded Kanji.
Fujin swung the sword at Kanji. Kanji didn’t move, instead taking the blow full-force. Fujin jumped onto a nearby rock and swung the sword over and over at Kanji, Kanji not moving.
“Now!” yelled Aisu.
Aisu, Kogasu, and Mizu moved to stop Fujin, but Yami blocked their way. “You won’t interfere.”
“Move,” commanded Aisu.
“Who are you, to stop Fujin from showing his brother how he truly feels?” responded Yami.
“You’re controlling him,” snapped Kogasu. “I may not like Kanji, but I can’t let him die, for Fujin’s sake!” He held his hand in the air. “Honoo no Kyousha!”
The flame hit Yami squarely in the chest, but he didn’t do so much as to flinch. “Was that supposed to hurt?” Yami jeered.
“Fujin…,” pleaded Kanji, “Stop…”
Fujin continued swinging the sword. He then pulled it back and plunged it straight through Kanji’s heart.