Nino’s black eyes reflected sharply at the ghost but showed no form of their true reflection. A growl was let loose from his throat, and in a half second, the saber that conformed to his hand had taken the form of a gun once again. With sharp eyes that only continued to narrow, Nino brought up the gun and shot the spirit that Ryuu called ‘Father’. Yet the spirit seemed unfazed by the actions that would have banished any other ghost, and in that moment, Nino’s thoughts were confirmed. So you are one of the Seven….Nino’s thoughts vibrated in his very being. Then you must carry one of the pieces…
Suddenly a snap hit Nino’s ear drums sharply, and the demon creatures around both the man and the spirit vanished into the crevices and the shadows around them both. However, they seemed to reform themselves and turned into black hands that reached out and seized Nino from every angle. The dark haired man recoiled sharply, and yet the hands had already formed a tight grip upon his shoulders. The sudden images of emotion rang through Nino trying to make him reflect back his own emotions, and yet the dark haired man refused to allow such a measure. If the demons were allowed to hear a scream escape him and feel emotion radiate from him, they could drain his soul from his body instantly. Nino’s eyes stared blankly back at the spirit that was now stepping forwards to meet him.
“Now what should I do with you?” the dark spirit smirked and then seized Nino’s jaw forcing both sets of eyes to meet. “I could have them kill you or I can take your black heart and manipulate it to my will.” The sprit smirked down at him.
What is your true name….Nino’s thoughts were sharp, and he knew that the spirit was able to hear it from the look that he suddenly reflected back with. I know you are one of the Shichi Oni Shokou… one of the Seven Demon Lords……What is your true name?
Hah you are a very adept shaman to know what I am…. And yet I have never heard of the name you reflect… are you an eastern shaman? The spirit smirked back at Nino complacently. I am one of the Seven Spirit Lords.
“Father! Stop this just let Nino go he has nothing to do with this!” Ryuu shouted trying to push the spirit away from Nino. Now standing between the dark haired man and the smirking spirit, Ryuu’s eyes were sharp and demanding.
“Why do you protect this worthless human?” the spirit asked keeping his voice level now that he was speaking aloud once more.
“Because whether you like it or not I’m a human as well and I’ll protect a human or ghost.” Ryuu answered back sternly, and it was in that moments that Nino resisted the urge to force himself forwards and smack Ryuu. Idiot…..Nino thought to himself. Your own damn pride will get you killed….. “All my life I’ve been the quiet one. Now I’m making up for that.” Ryuu continued, and once again Nino found a sarcastic thought running through his mind.
“Son you were never like your sisters and never will be. You’re different from any other human around even him.” The spirit said, and Nino felt his head drop sharply. Did he just truly say that this boy was his son….. Nino’s eyes were now focused on the floor.
He is my child you see…..the spirit’s voice echoed in Nino’s head, and the dark haired man’s eyes narrowed even more as he stared down at the floor. And by the looks of things… even with your black heart you would never have the heart to kill him….I will this chess game, Shaman.
“I’ll catch you around.” The spirit’s voice said suddenly, and in that half second, Nino felt his body being released as he coupled to the floor. The darkness in the area suddenly seemed to become light, and the lights once again turned on. Forcing himself up sharply and stepping away, Nino moved down the hall a few sharp steps away from Ryuu. I have to kill him now……Nino’s thoughts ran through his own mind, and yet there was a complete lack of conviction within his body. He had never killed a human, and he could not stir his body to do anything now. Feeling a sudden sense of agitation run through him, Nino backed up more. I have to kill him… he’s one of the Seven’s children…. I have to kill him…..I……Nino’s thoughts were instantly forced into silence as he heard Ryuu’s sharp voice.
“This can’t be happening. It just can’t.” Ryuu muttered to himself as he gripped his knees continuing to hunch over. Nino said nothing but continued to back away and feeling his convictions dying. There was something in him that refused to kill Ryuu, and it was irritating Nino now more than ever.
Suddenly the sound of footsteps caused Nino to back into a shadow of the lockers that had remained present even as the lights had come on. A girl followed by a very young looking ghost had suddenly walked straight up to Ryuu who still half cowered on the floor.
"Are you alright?" the girl asked kneeling down to Ryuu.
Even as the ghost boy stood a few feet away, Nino’s eyes took no notice of him and yet were focused solely on Ryuu and this girl bending down to him. Yet even then, Nino knew he lacked the conviction to move forwards. He wondered for a split second why it mattered to him if Ryuu were dead. Once Ryuu died, Nino could simply banish his soul to the afterlife, and everything would move on, and yet. “Ryuu!” That’s right…. Ryuu had friends that he cared for.. including that one loud girl as well as the quiet girl……Shaking his head, Nino found his thoughts confused once more on the matter before him. However, this motion seemed to catch the attention of the ghost boy that followed the girl who had just asked Ryuu if he was alright.
“Hazel…. There’s someone there….” The boy said sounding fearful at best. The girl looked up sharply towards where the ghost was looking, but Nino had already moved from his standing position and was already walking down the hall. The girl, now registered as Hazel, seemed to watch for a half second before she called out.
“Hey! You there! Do you know something about what has…. Happened?” she asked for a moment as she looked at Ryuu who stills aid nothing on the matter and rather seemed to be more focusing on his knees and maybe the floor than anything else.
Nino said nothing but continued to walk away until he turned a sharp corner and disappeared into the rest of the school.
~*~
“Don’t you worry,” Matsu kept his face light as possible. “We’re going to see to it that this school goes back to normal Miss Mari.”
“Ok, first,” Mari said as she turned straight to Matsu. “No miss. It makes me feel like I’m old.” Matsu repressed a laugh that had suddenly wanted to work its way out of him, and he just smiled and nodded. “And second, who’s Nino? And who are you?” Mari continued as she seemed to change the direction of her speech to address Emiko.
Emiko turned her head from Aisling and addressed Mari. “I’m Emiko.”
“Emiko,” Mari glanced at Aisling who gave a somewhat stronger look back. “You’re friends?” Aisling nodded after another moment. Matsu let out a half pleasant sigh.
“Alright then, and Nino?” Mari continued as she tried to get her thoughts on the entire situation back together again.
“Nino’s the man from earlier,” Emiko said aloud with a causticity in her voice that made Matsu resist the urge to laugh. He certainly can get friends easily enough now can’t he? Matsu smiled to himself. However, this smile was short lived as his thoughts moved off to the still growing dark spiritual energy.
“Alright then, I think we should go and help your friend Ryuu,” Matsu turned towards Emiko and Aisling with a calm visage, who both nodded. “And you?” Matsu asked turning his head back to Mari who at first reflected a look of uneasiness that suddenly seemed to birth a war of convictions.
“I’m coming,” Mari answered in a strong voice “Let’s go!”
With that, Emiko seemed to form herself into the leader and started running down the hallway. Matsu smiled at Aisling who seemed to already be looking back half worried at the spiritual links that she had established so fluidly.
“I see you have some new friends, Miss Aisling,” Matsu smiled at her. “They will be great partners to you. Trust me.”
Aisling seemed to nod at this, and then both of them started running as well. Mari was in the last but kept her stride considerably well as they all bolted down the hallway. However, as they continued on their way, Matsu heard Mari speak up.
“Hey guys, did any of you hear that?” Mari’s voice said from behind him. However, at that point, Matsu’s attention was on trying to locate Nino’s spiritual pressure that had suddenly seemed to take recourse. There’s no way that he would let himself get captured…..Matu’s thoughts followed, and yet he couldn’t understand why Nino’s spiritual energy continued to diminish in such large quantities.
“Hey!” Mari’s voice had become louder now, and yet Matsu was still wrapped in his own thoughts on the motion.
Suddenly, the spiritual energy behind Matsu vanished causing such a shock to him that he stopped running completely. Aisling seemed to be more focused on keeping up with Emiko who continued running down the hallway that she didn’t even notice as Matsu stopped.
Retracing his steps, Matsu walked back and found where Mari had stopped and was clinging to a baby. Matsu kept his face in a confused fashion as he stepped up to Mari who reflected a look of surprise at him being there.
“I see you picked up someone, Miss Mari,” Matsu started lightly.
“I… told you not to call me Miss Mari,” Mari answered back after a moment as she continued looking at the baby that she now clasped in her arms. “And….. ya….”
“He’s cute,” Matsu smiled to himself lightly as he stepped forwards, despite the wary eye of Mari, and put his hand up to the baby’s head. Suddenly, a feeling shot through Matsu, and it caused him to flinch internally. What a strange sense of spiritual pressure…… Matsu thought to himself as he once again forced a smile on his face. “What a fun friend it seems you have,” he laughed aloud.
Mari seemed to look down for a moment unsure of what to say on the matter, but after another moment, she looked up again with a determined look upon her face.
“His name is Kaki,” Mari said giving Matsu a strangely determined look.
“I see,” Matsu answered back lightly. “Well then…. We really do need to catch back up with the others. I’m sure Miss Emiko has already found Ryuu and Nino by now.”
Mari gave Matsu a blank expression as one gives another who has suddenly changed topic. After another moment, however, she just nodded to herself. “Right,” she said aloud. “Let’s go.”
“Be careful as you run, dear,” Matsu smiled to himself more than to Mari. “You don’t want him to suffer.”
Suddenly, the lights flickered on causing Matsu to blink several times. “Well that certainly helps things,” Matsu half smiled lightly. With that, both of them started after Emiko and Aisling once more.
~*~
Nino moved through the school that was now bathed in its own light and could not help but grimace at the pain that was now surging through his neck. One hand had already made it up to the right side of his throat, and yet his prideful ways refused to allow him to use the other hand as well. Just by putting his hand on my chin…..Ninto thought to himself as the image of that spirit’s face flashed through his mind. He nearly sliced through my neck with his spiritual energy…damn that man……damn that demon.
He continued walking as the sound of footsteps became louder and clearer. Forcing himself to the side, Nino watched as Emiko and the young girl Aisling ran past. Nino stood out of the way, and his eyes shifted a moment waiting to see if they made any motion, and yet the two girls appeared to be too much in a hurry to notice. However, just as Nino believed this was the true outcome, Emiko seemed to catch sight of him sharply. Stopping, Emiko dug her feet into the ground and stared at him sharply. Aisling, who could not stop running so quickly, nearly slipped and came crashing straight into Emiko who managed to stop the young girl without falling herself. There was a complete moment of silence as the three seemed to survey each other darkly.
“Where is Ryuu,” Emiko finally spoke in a caustic notion that resembled more of an order to tell than a question. Nino just stared back at Emiko darkly. His fingers slipped from the side of his neck, and the dark haired man stood straight as he surveyed down at the girls now in front of him. Red life was starting to stream down Nino’s neck, but he made no notion to return his hand to stop it from leaving him. The silence that flowed seemed to spook the young girl Aisling as she looked from Nino to Emiko and then back to Nino. However, Nino made no motion of speech causing Emiko to speak again. “Well?” she demanded.
“Down the hall,” Nino answered darkly keeping his eyes on the girl’s faces and yet at nothing at the same time. There was no pain in his neck, and yet he could feel the sticky red blood streaming down the side of his neck. Emiko appeared to see the large cut on the side of Nino’s, and yet she appeared to be trying to ignore it and make it seem as though she didn’t notice it as she interrogated him.
However, Aisling, in her innocent ways, looked directly at Nino’s neck, and a sharp sound came from her that Nino could not begin to describe. The dark haired man’s eyes moved down to the short red haired girl, and he reflected a calm but gloomy look back at her.
“Wh-what happened….” Aisling managed to force herself to speak and keep eye contact with the man before her.
“Nothing,” Nino answered back.
“Explain,” Emiko ordered caustically.
“Go look for yourself,” Nino answered back as he turned and started down the hallway once more.
“Get back here!” Emiko said feeling anger flare inside her.
However, Nino ignored her and was already making his way down the hall. Just as he walked, Nino caught sight of yet another set of feet running towards him. His eyes stared forwards and he found that the girl he had griped before and Matsu were running up. There was something in the girl’s arms, and yet as Nino saw what it was, he found his eyes moved away sharply and found Matsu’s face instead.
“Nino,” Matsu said quietly as his eyes instantly moved to the red stains that were now forming on his partner’s neck. However, the concerned look on his face seemed to melt into a calm smile after a moment. “Did you get bit by a vampire?” he joked lightly at his friend who just stared back at him. However, a light laugh escaped the light haired man anyways.
“Matsujun,” Nino said darkly addressing his partner. “Fix this.” With that, Nino pointed to the slash on his neck. Matsu’s face fell into a complacent look, and he nodded after a moment. Stepping forwards, the white haired man took a hold of the dark haired man’s throat, and a sudden sharp pain ran through the later of the two and reverberated into the first.
“Ouch….” Matsu sighed to himself as he surveyed his friend and slowly removed his hand from Nino’s neck. “That actually made me hurt.”
“Sorry,” Nino said darkly looking at the almost pained visage of his light haired partner. However, the latter of the two seemed to perk up at this one sentimental notion of his friend and put a smile on his visage.
“Oh don’t worry about it,” Matsu smiled back happily. “It’s what I’m here for….. and I also noticed your manna* was too low, so I gave you some of mine….”
Nino let out a half sigh at this notion, and after a moment, his eyes slid over to those that were still looking at this strange sight before them. Nino could feel the eyes of both Emiko and Aisling still staring at them from behind, and as his eyes moved to the side, Nino found that Mari was staring from Matsu to Nino and then back to Matsu. The baby in her arms seemed to twitch and laugh at something which seemed to bring a light hearted laugh from Matsu.
Stepping forwards, Nino moved to try and leave as he was before. Matsu, seeing this motion, turned his head lightly and gave Emiko a complacent smile.
“I think we need to find Ryuu, yes?” Matsu smiled and let out a light laugh as Emiko’s face suddenly changed from the blank look that she had on previously to a sharper one.
“Right,” Emiko said after a moment and looked down at Aisling. “Let’s find Ryuu.”
“Right,” Aisling said back at her red haired companion as both girls turned again. Mari seemd to watch this notion and then stepped towards the other girls.
“Don’t forget about me,” Mari said quickly causing both girls to reflect back at her and then look down at the baby that she was still clutching in her arms. The baby stared for a full moment at those that were looking back at him before letting out a strange giggle. After a moment, Emiko’s eyes seemed to narrow as she came back to herself in the current situation.
“No time for questions right now,” she said more to herself than to her companions. Matsu, hearing this notion nodded to himself.
“I think you should hurry,” he gave a light smile at Emiko but broke off after looking at the visage of his dark companion.
“Hurry,” Nino said after a moment, and before there was any other sudden relations, Emiko had turned with Aisling and started running once more with Mari in tow.
After that moment, Matsu turned to Nino and stared at him with pained yellow eyes. Nino, just reflected the same visage back at his partner, and yet it was far worse due to his dark hair and format.
“You’re tired,” Matsu commented.
“Yes,” Nino answered keeping his voice reserved.
“Was the dark aura……?” Matsu started.
“Yes,” Nino answered back.
“Ah,” Matsu said aloud.
“And it has a child a living child,” Nino said darkly as his eyes narrowed and moved down to the floor.
“I’m guessing this ‘Ryuu’ character?” Matsu asked after a moment causing Nino’s eyes to move back to his white haired friend once more. Seeing this, Matsu nodded to himself. “I guessed correctly then.”
“Yes,” Nino answered back as his eyes seemed to stare blankly back at Matsu.
“What do you plan to do about it?” Matsu asked as a light smile curled on his lips. However, his yellow eyes caused such a strange contrast on his face to the rest of his features that it made quite an opposite impression than intended on the dark haired man before him.
“Nothing, Yin,” Nino answered back.
“Hah… I see then, Yang,” Matsu laughed to himself. “Shall we go then? Or would you like to see more of these children that are running around the area?”
Nino said nothing which caused a light breath to escape Matsu. “There is still work to be done removing all of these souls from the school,” Nino said after another moment.
“Then let us get to work,” Matsu smiled back.
________________________________________________
Writer's Notes:
*Manna- also known as spiritual pressure or spiritual force. Shamans often use this term to describe their energy. It can be transferred into a multitude of things including spiritual weapons such as Nino's gun or Ryuu's whip. It can also be transferred from person to person among people whose manna is similar such as Nino and Matsu. Manna can also be depleted by overusing it. If manna is completely depleted from the body, one will die. Everyone has a certain level of manna that sustains their soul to their body, but shamans as well as other people who see ghosts have a higher level of this spiritual energy.
This is approximately eight pages by word document and approximately 3,375 words according to the same word document approximations. I hope that you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Also, as for the Yin Yang thing towards the end, you'll just have to wait and see what that actually means =P.
-KC
