collecting his affects , hiraikotsu hoist over his back. turning away from the old monk and demon.
❛ w-wait! Master Hisui- ❜
mouth flattens into a firm thin line , feet quickening as would be demon were to call out && trail him , stumbling every so oft whether due to bout of nerves or innate clumsiness. ❛ will you stop following me! ❜ answers indicate rising annoyance , as he stomps off pace quickening for exit. before he rounds , ❛ who are you! ❜
wheezing demon slows , catching his breath as he reached out for the young man’s arm . racoon gasps , out of shape.
within temple’s innermost sanctum , elderly man’s chuckle resounds, revealing himself. ❛ I think the question my boy is who ... are you? ❜ elderly monk walks towards him , hands clasped behind back. though in years despite drunken tone , he seems quite kind. the boy looks down , knowing he should not lie to the man.
❛ I thought I knew....now I’m not so sure.... ❜
❛ well I know who you are! come here- it’s a secret... ❜ man hiccups , he makes face. exasperated , hand lingers on sliding door and hisui mutters. ❛ I think you’re a little confused. ❜
❛ WRONG! ❜ the tipsy man sloshes , moving forward to rest arm around his cringing ??? shoulders , adding ❛ I am not the one who is confused! You don’t even know who you are! ❜
❛ Oh and I suppose you know. ❜ having enough he slides door , in time for monk to mutter.
❛ Sure do. You’re Miroku’s boy..... bye! ❜
shock and awe renders boy speechless , realization coming into eyes as his head whips around , mouth open to see the monk run off. down stairs and into basement. racing after him , he weaves him around on a merry chase through the grounds. Hisui calling out to him every so oft.
❛ Hey! Hey wait! ❜ finally catching up to him outside on front porch , boy slows panting. ❛ You.... you knew my father? ❜
❛ Correction. I know your father. ❜ he says , taking a swig of his sake jug. his stomach drops , face turning away as fists clench at his sides. staving off wave of emotions.
❛ I hate to tell you this .... but .... he died. A long time ago. ❜ throat burns , with regret.
❛ NOPE! WRONG AGAIN! ❜ mushin laughs outright , wiping his mouth on the back of his sleeve. ❛ He’s alive. And I’ll show him to you. You follow this ol’ monk , he knows the way... ❜
flabbergasted , he follows. trailing behind him a few steps unsure and uncertain. Down the path and out into a field where a great scar in the earth has been rendered in an almost perfect circle , looking around. silence. save for evening’s breeze.
❛ I don’t see anything. ❜ spirits drop , Hisui’s shoulders falling . knew it , too good to be true.
❛ Noooo .... ❜ monk’s arm comes around him in a much needed side hug , comfort. lifting the boy’s arm where hung the prayer beads , glistening against moon’s shimmering crescent. ❛ .... look ... harder.... ❜
eyes open from dismay , to observe hint of a glow that only seems to brighten with lurch and twist of his heart within chest , it’s light .... so warm .... as it’s blue shine’s midst fireflies dance.
❛ you see.... he lives in you.... ❜ mushin’s voice retreats to leave him lone as winds pick up around him blowing through fields. clouds formation above which moonlight streams through beginning to clear for just a ways away from him spirit’s lights begin to take form and shape of lost father , bringing stark emotion to cast on boy’s otherwise calm reserve.
Hisui .....
❛ Father...? ❜ voice catches , faint and heartfelt.
Hisui .... you have forgotten me...
❛ No I - ❜ My son you have forgotten who you are and so forgotten me. Look inside yourself Hisui. You are more than what you have become. You must return to the village and help your Uncle Kohaku and the girls overcome this great evil. You must return to take your place as a slayer, at this time.
❛ How can I go back?! ❜ tears spring to his eyes. ❛ After you and mom- I’m not who I used to be- ❜
Miroku smiled and walked forward. Placing a hand on his shoulder.
Remember who you are. You are our son. And the only one who can help your friends through this challenging time. Remember who you are....
❛ No ! Please - don’t leave me!!!! FATHER!!!! ❜ he tries desperately to hold on to him , as spirit fades away , dropping to his knees to shake , doubling over as tears fall. - ❛ .... don’t leave me.... ❜ he trails off through the hands that cover his face to softly sob.
some time later a hand rubs his back. ❛ what was that eh? heh , the weather this evening. very peculiar ... don’t you think young Master Hisui? ❜ the boy accepts his hand up , far away look in his eyes as he hums agreement and looks up at the stars.
❛ yeah... looks like ... the winds are changing. ❜ glossy gaze , he’s thoughtful. ❛ Ah yes. Change is good. ❜ the old drunkard looked up with him.
❛ yeah , but it’s not easy. Master Mushin? ❜ he asks , ❛ I ... I know what I have to do but ... going back means I’ll have to face my past. I’ve been running from it for so long... ❜
WHACK! He was smacked upside the head and almost let out a curse , rubbing the back of his crown furiously. ❛ OW! What’d you that for old man! ❜
Mushin giggled , slurring his words. ❛ Izzz... it doezzzn’ matter. Izz in the past. ❜
❛ yeah but it still hurts. ❜ he checked for bumps , glaring.
❛ oh yes, the past can hurt. But the way I see it m’boy! You can either run from it - or - learn from it! ❜ boy saw the secondary sluggish shot elderly monk took at him again and ducked , shielding his head.
❛ Hah! You see! It’s in the past! So what are you going to do???? ❜
Hisui grinned, laughing. ❛ Well first, I’m gonna take your jug. ❜ plucking it from grubby hands, he tosses it a few feet away for the elder to chase after and cry after , diving for it. ❛ No! Not my booze! ❜
Then got up to see the boy running off towards the forest , shouting after him with brimming smile. ❛ Hey! Where are you going! There’s chores to be done! ❜
Hisui waves, ❛ I’m goin’ to find Kirara then I’m goin’ back! ❜
The monk shout after him halfheartedly but couldn’t help but sigh as he watched the boy run off into the night , so much like Miroku was at that age it was almost kind of nostalgic.
He chuckled. Shaking his head and looked up at the sky.
❛ Safe travels son. ❜ and adds , wistful note. ❛ Good luck. ❜