by Empath no Tenshi
Chapter 11
Watari had been tending to Hisoka for days, and he silently prayed for any signs of improvement to appear from the unconscious boy, but there was nothing. The beautiful boy’s fair complexion seemed to grow paler each day and his soft, glowing hair had become dull and fell flaccidly over his closed eyes. When they found him, his breathing was very shallow and pulse beats weak, and even until now it hasn’t changed. His wounds were healing all right, but in an abnormally slow rate. It was as if he didn’t want to heal anymore.�
“Don’t give up� bon…”� Watari held the sleeping Hisoka’s hand and brushed his thumb over the back of his pale palm ever so gently.
~)-0-(~
Meanwhile, Tatsumi was on his way to the Kurosaki household in order to report to Hisoka’s father what happened. He also took it as an opportunity to confront the man once and for all. From the very day they accepted this deal, this had been bothering him- why someone wanted his own son to be assassinated. And now, he was about to find out the answer.
He patiently stood outside the Kurosaki estate’s gate as he watched the vast land in awe. He had never seen something so big and yet was still as traditional as can be. In a matter of minutes one of the maids came to the gate and bade him enter. Tatsumi, being the gentleman that he was, bowed gratefully before he went inside.
Once he stepped foot on the Kurosaki residence, the current head of the house politely greeted him. Tatsumi didn’t admire him any less than he did Hisoka upon first meeting the boy. No wonder really, Nagare was just like an older version of Hisoka, but had a strong aura about him that stimulated respect, even to any stranger that didn’t know of his honorable reputation as a Kurosaki.
They went to the living room where Nagare requested for tea to be served. Only after the maid had poured tea to each of them and left did Tatsumi open the conversation.
“Nagare-san, I presume that you are not yet aware of what had happened. So, you being our client, I feel it my responsibility to inform you of the course of this deal. Your son was taken captive on the night of his disappearance.� He said bluntly, with the slightest hint of concern and sadness that he had known how to hide out of habit.
Try as hard as he can, Nagare wasn’t able to suppress the glint of sadness that appeared in his beautiful eyes, but was soon followed with relief upon hearing Tatsumi’s next words.
“Fortunately, however, we were able to rescue him.�
He stayed silent for a while, carefully sorting out what to say, before he spoke again.
“Nagare-san, if it wouldn’t be too much to ask, could you tell me the reason why you hired us to kill Kurosaki-kun, I mean, Hisoka-kun.� He hesitantly asked.
� I believe that is none of your business.� He said in a matter-of-factly tone, much like Hisoka’s when he is beginning to get really annoyed with Tsuzuki. Maybe Hisoka inherited that from his father.
� But Tatsumi was fast in coming up with an answer to that.
“Oh no, on the contrary, Nagare-san, I think I have all the right to know. After all, it was us you hired to do this dirty work. The least you can do is give us this little piece of information.� Tatsumi answered wittingly.
Nagare glared at him for that. Right, like father like son. However, he also mused over what Tatsumi said. He took a sip of tea then finally decided to speak.
Mustering all his determination, Nagare revealed everything to Tatsumi.
~)-0-(~
***
Three years ago, Nagare had gone out on a martial arts competition to defend his family’s title that had been theirs for generations.
The morning prior to that, he waited for his son at the dojo for their daily practice. After thirty minutes that Hisoka didn’t show up, he decided to go to his room to scold the young boy for being late. But he also wondered why he didn’t arrive in time, considering Hisoka had always been punctual.
When he went inside the boy’s room, he found out at once why. Hisoka was still in bed, desperately trying to sit up. His pale face was flushed with fever, and beads of sweat were visible on his forehead. He suddenly gasped upon seeing his father, but bowed his head at once and apologized.
�Gomen nasai, Tou-sama. I really tried to, but…” He spoke in ragged breaths.
Hisoka forced himself to stand up, but almost at once lost balance. Luckily, Nagare was able to catch him. He gently laid him back down on the bed while the poor boy muttered apologies all the time. He touched his son’s forehead to check his temperature.
“Hisoka, you have a fever. How do you expect to train with me today? Just stay in bed and rest for now. If you’re well enough tomorrow, then that’s when we’ll resume our practice sessions.� Nagare said with surprisingly gentle tone.
“Hai.� Hisoka responded timidly.
Hisoka relaxed and laid back on the bed. Nagare summoned one of the maids to bring a bowl of water with alcohol and a piece of cloth, which he immersed on the liquid and placed on Hisoka’s hot forehead. Hisoka smiled and thanked his father, then promptly fell asleep.
Before Nagare left the room, he silently vowed that he would dedicate tonight’s victory to his son.
~)-0-(~
In old times, it had been said by the elders that when a child is ill, especially the first born, the parent should not leave his child because it was a bad sign. But Nagare could not afford to do that, because the family expected that he would take home the title and continue their legacy.
And he always did what was expected of him.
It had been like that for as far as he can remember. He married Kasane even at the young age of eighteen, he started to train Hisoka in martial arts as early as the child began to walk despite his frail health and lithe body.
And he locked the poor child in the cellar as soon as his strange power was discovered- even if it was against his will.
� All because it was what was expected of him.
Without much effort, he came home with the title of defending champion in the annual tournament. The thought of his wife and child waiting for him was more than enough to drive his determination to win. But instead of joy, what met his arrival from a glorious event was terror. He dropped his sword the moment he saw Hisoka cradling Kasane near the Sakura grove... both bathed in blood.
� He ran towards them at once, but when he came to their side Hisoka had already lost consciousness. He frantically commanded his servants to call for any available doctor, since it would be too risky to rush them to the hospital at their condition. He himself assisted the maids to wipe their bloods and tried to temporarily bandage the wounds.
After what seemed like eternity, one of the servants came back with a silver-haired man. He happened to be the only available doctor in the nearest hospital. He tended to the bleeding patients at once. After running a few tests on them, he proclaimed Kasane dead.
“But this boy could still be saved if given treatment at once.� The doctor declared after checking Hisoka’s condition.
A few hours had passed, and when Hisoka was at least stable enough, the doctor suggested that he be moved to the hospital. He was confined there for several days while the others prepared for Kasane’s burial. Nagare specifically ordered that they wait until Hisoka was released from the hospital before they lay to rest Kasane’s body, so that at least, the boy would see his mother one last time.
The burial came the very day after Hisoka was taken back home. During the entire time that the funeral rites were held, Nagare’s relatives were busily murmuring with each other, saying things that even went as far-fetched as something like it was Hisoka who actually killed Kasane, and that thinking he had no chance to escape, attempted to kill himself. This angered Nagare so much that the night right after the burial, he banished all of them and warned them to never again set foot on the Kurosaki estate for as long as he lived and remained as head of the family.
Nagare can’t help but worry over his son as Hisoka looked dazed and not himself ever since that horrible incident. But he mused that it might have been because he was still traumatized. When they went home and Hisoka had gone to bed, Nagare went to the porch for some fresh air and to relieve himself of all the tension recent events had caused. It was then that Muraki appeared to him.
“Konbanwa, Nagare-san.�
“Sensei? Did you want something?� Nagare politely inquired.
Muraki smiled at him with an evil glint shining in his silver depths.
“I just came here to tell you something. Your son... is cursed.� Muraki put bluntly.
Nagare’s eyes widened in terror, but retained his calm.
“What nonsense are you talking about sensei? I don’t understand.� He asked with restrained perplexity in his voice.
Muraki just smiled more pleasantly.
“I cursed him myself. But of course, he does not remember that. I stole his memory of that momentous night when I was tending to him in the hospital. I did that so he can live a normal life... for now.�
Nagare couldn’t speak. His fists were tightly clenched and there was something beyond anger flashing in his captivating emerald eyes.
� “It was you then...� He whispered with a deadly calm voice.
� Unable to contain himself any longer, Nagare grabbed Muraki’s immaculate white coat and spoke to him with gritted teeth.
“You... killed my wife� and nearly murdered my child!!!� He hissed wrathfully.
But Muraki just elegantly detached himself from Nagare’s grasp.
“Indeed. And I just came to give a friendly advice. I will claim him back after three years because by then, the curse would be completed. It will kill him with unbearable pain if I am not there by his side to lessen his agony. So if I were you, Nagare-san, make the best out of the time you have left to spend with your beautiful son.�
And after that he just vanished� as if he was never there.
***
~)-0-(~
Tatsumi’s face remained calm the entire time Nagare told him of Hisoka’s past, but his fists were tightly clenched and visibly trembling.
Nagare took another sip of tea before he continued.
“If you’re still wondering what this has to do with the deal that I made with you, well, it’s quite simple. Instead of letting Hisoka fall into the hands of that bastard... I’d rather end his pain before it even begins.� Nagare said these words with deep sadness, but with firmness in his mind, for he decided that this would be for the best for his son.
� ‘But now� I can’t help but think that I failed in even doing that� Am I too late�? Hisoka…’
“Forgive me, Nagare-san, but I think you have made the wrong decision.� Tatsumi stated calmly.
Nagare met Tatsumi’s gaze upon hearing that. He had an expression of mild surprise, which Tatsumi noticed. Nonetheless Tatsumi still proceeded to say what he wanted to.
“Nagare-san, why give up? The battle hasn’t even begun.�
Nagare paused to consider this for a moment.
“Because it is a losing battle to begin with.� He answered with resignation.
Tatsumi simply shook his head.
“No, Nagare-san. Never give up a fight that hasn’t even started yet, because only then you’d be sure to lose. Besides, as a skilled martial artist, I thought that you would be well aware of that.�
Tatsumi fixed his glasses as he heaved a deep sigh, then continued to speak.
“Your son is still fighting, Nagare-san. He is quite a strong child to have survived through all the things that has happened to him. So why give up, when instead you could just help him in his struggle to live through all of this?” �
�
Nagare’s eyes were downcast, but conspicuously unmasked and looked so vulnerable, filled with confusion. It stayed like that for a very long while before he looked up to Tatsumi and spoke again. He had clearly reached a resolution.
“Tatsumi-san... I ask of you. Please, take me to my son.� Nagare declared.
For the first time, his green orbs that seemed to have been so cold for ages finally shone with warmth. Real warmth.
~)-0-(~
It was dark. Hisoka found himself in a place where he couldn’t even see his hands when he waved them in front of his eyes. He felt so tired, so if this were death, he would want nothing more. Here he’s alone. And here... no one can harm him.
Suddenly he noticed light from afar. It was very bright and revealed to him that he was inside what seemed like a very long tunnel.
The light felt so warm, as if beckoning him to come closer. Hisoka then walked towards it. Walking the lengthy distance sapped him of what little energy he had. But as he drew nearer, the light felt so relaxing.
‘Just a little more...�� Hisoka thought to himself. ‘Maybe... this time... I’ll finally be able to rest.�
That was when a familiar voice spoke to him.
“Not yet, my child.�
That sweet and gentle tone could only be his mother’s, and Hisoka’s eyes widened in recognition.
�Kaa-sama...?�
“Turn back. It’s not yet time for you to be here.� She told him firmly, but held gentleness in her voice as well.
Hisoka answered very feebly.
“But... I’m so tired. I want to be with you now, Kaa-sama.�
The outline of a figure then appeared from within the light. The pink-and-violet floral patterns on the kimono� the gentle smile� and those open and welcoming arms... undeniably it was his mother.
Hisoka walked the small distance between them and gladly fell into his mother’s warm embrace. She gently stroked his hair in a calming gesture then bent down to plant a soft kiss on his forehead.
“I know you’re tired. You’ve been through so much. But, Hisoka, give yourself a chance. Live� even just for a little bit longer, and experience what life should really be. I know none other that deserves to be happy more than you.� She said while stroking his back in soothing movements.
Hisoka, eyes vulnerable yet wide with innocent trust, looked up to meet his mother’s gaze. A warm smile then graced his mother’s radiant features.
“Go now. Go back to where you should be. There’s someone waiting for you.� She smiled reassuringly upon saying that.
“Waiting�? For me�?� Hisoka asked faintly.
� “Yes... and he’s calling out to you. Go back to him.�
Then Hisoka’s lithe form was engulfed with blinding violet radiance.
“I’ll still continue watching over you.� were the last words he heard from his mother before darkness once again took over his senses.
~)-0-(~