Kouchin's eyes snapped wide as the searing blades of flame around Touda's form stilled, dying to a whisper around him. Water rushed into the space as they retreated, no longer seared into steam by the flames that burned brightly even under water. Freezing sea water poured forth, to clash and mingle against the boiling water. Kouchin found herself carried away on the turblant water that rushed through the place they had stood merely seconds ago. She looked around the wildly churning water. Touda was nowhere to be seen, but she could feel his aura, as it seemed to drift further and further away, carried by the waves.
Kouchin took a moment to focus before gathering her strength and pressing her forth, spreading her aura outward so that momentarily the water calmed.
She couldn't hold it for long, but it was enough, as she reached forth and caught his hand in her own.
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He loved the colors of the twilight. It always had the power to draw and hold tight to his gaze, and he couldn't help but stare at the sky in wonder and awe.
"Grampa, why does the sky turn red at twilight? "
During the day, the sky seem a boundless cerulean, but as night approached, the hues of blue retreated, to be overtaken by splashes of crimson, orange and magenta.
Grampa looked amused for a moment before he solemnly nodded.
"Ah..... I see.... "
He looked up from his place on Grampa's knee before the old man continued.
"The sun....my boy,... is the most compassionate of deities. It lingers, keeping watch over humanity for as long as it can. "
_________________________________________________________
The sky was a sea of crimson when he lifted his eyes to the sky. He felt as if he were floating, adrift in this endless sea of red. The red sky...... It reminded him of eyes.....
His eyes where just as red, the color of the twilight sky. He remembered that he too was like the sun,warm..... compassionate.
A flicker of white appeared at the edge of his vision. Eyes the color of twilight stared at him, filled with an uncharacteristic worry.
"......Are you alright?"
"eh? "
Masahiro squinted into the light. He had not expected the vision of the white mononoke, much less for it to be speaking to him.
"eh?... Mokkun... are you speaking to me? "
"Of course, who else would I be talking to ?! "
Despite the annoyance in his voice, the crimson eyes belied relief, as though a heavy burden was suddenly lifted from his shoulders.
Masahiro couldn't help but smile, "you haven't changed at all," he said fondly. "If only this vision could last forever."
________________________________________________
Masahiro lay on the shore. His lips and face were a pallid blue, and his soaked muddy clothing clung to his unmoving, seemingly lifeless form.
"WHAT DO WE DO?!?" "Is there a doctor in the village?! " Taiin's voice had become broken and panicked as she screamed, but no one offered an answer to her questions.
"Masahiro? Masahiro? You shouldn't worry us like this......" Narachika repeated patiently as he gently shook his brother's shoulder.
Yet, despite his apparent calm, his livid face belied his worst fears.
At a loss of action, Rikugou and Genbu stood nearby, unable to do anything to help.
..........................
Genbu was the first to feel it, and Rikugou quickly followed, tearing his eyes away from the scene before them to stare out into the sea.
".....Fire?.... "
Abruptly the wind direction had changed, and the pillar of fire that had stained the sky red seconds ago suddenly became a choked whisper and they watched as water crashed into the space. Genbu's barrier, having accomplished it's purpose dissipated in a wall of steam. The water churned wildly for a moment before slowing to regain its calm.
Soon the surface of the sea was glass again, as though the struggle had never taken place.
"What happened to Touda and Kouchin? ..."
Touda would be fine, but the intensity of the flames worried Genbu. Though Kouchin was a shinshou, there were no guarantees that she would remain unharmed. What if she.....what if..... ? Genbu stopped himself from continuing the thought and turned his attention to scanning the water's surface. Taiin joined him, her face pale with fear, as she too carefully scanned the surface.
So absorbed were they in looking for slight ripples that they were caught unawares when the water suddenly welled up from the surface, cutting a wide swath in the golden sheen of light on the water. Kouchin's form rose through the water's surface. Her face and arms were covered in scrapes and cuts, but if she felt them, she gave no sign, for her eyes were as warm and compassionate as ever. Touda stood at her side, his unsteady form supported by Kouchin.
________________________________________
"I almost gave up hope this time." Kouchin sighed. Rikugou helped pull Touda from the water before extending a hand to Kouchin. Touda looked unfocused and shell shocked, he immediately fell to his knees, barely supporting himself with his hands as breath came in ragged gasps. The seal on his forehead was nowhere to be found, and his eyes roved continuously, gaze darting around the scene as though searching. His gaze passed over the silent Genbu, Taiin cowering in fear and Narachika to settle on the motionless form of the child between them.
Touda's eyes grew wide as his gaze stilled on the child. The tenseness in his form seemed to race through him until he knelt rooted to the spot, eyes wide in horror. Silence reigned for what seemed like minutes as all eyes were on him. Gathering his strength, he pushed past his fear, and with effort, forced the sound from his lips..... "Ma..sa......hi.. ro."
Touda struggled to his feet, and staggered to the still form of the child, falling to his knees beside him. His golden eyes seemed to blur for a moment as his voice caught in his throat.
"MASAHIRO!!!"
_________________________________________
The small white creature beside him pricked up his ears.
"eh? Hey, there's someone calling for you."
"What?"
Masahiro tilted his head quizzically, but heard nothing.
"Calling for me? Who is it? "
The white mononoke looked amused, as he gave a wink.
"No, seriously, who is it? " Masahiro pressed.
"You know, they sound pretty desperate.... you should probably go..."
"But if I leave, I wont get to see Mokkun any more. "
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