Yoru blanched, "He's still going to invade?!"

"Ah, wait!" Inari's cheeks were turning pink, "I didn't want to start a war! People are going to die because of me!"

Saoto frowned and crossed his arms, "I hope you've learned a lesson in this, Inari! Imagine how dad will react when he finds out you've become best friends with Yoru Kage! He's been after this guy for close to a decade!"

"He won't have time to act," The Wizard mumbled, the others looked up at him as he turned to Nia, "Nia-chan, got get Ringo-kun. We're heading out and I'm going to need that potion he lent me..."

*~*~*~*~*~*

The sky was darkening and turning an ugly grey. Inari could smell rain on the air as the breezes became increasingly harsh and chilly. It had been less than 24 hours since they'd left Yoru's teacher's cottage. Both Nia and Saoto had chosen to join him, Yoru, and Ringo. Travelling in numbers made it safer, but slower. And, Time was of the essence as King KuroYama was going to invade and attack Yoru's home village.

Inari felt at fault- no, he WAS at fault. If he'd never forged the ransom note or run away from home, none of this would be taking place. If he'd just stayed at the castle and suffered through his demeaning life, no one would be dying. He couldn't help but feel completely useless and he was hoping to beg for their forgiveness. He knew he could never make it up to them, but he'd at least make an effort.

They entered a small village just as it started to sprinkle. The village itself was incredibly tiny- only perhaps half the size as Ringo's had been. There was no way on God's green Earth that they'd ever hold their own against King KuroYama's forces. They were sitting ducks in a pond full of crocodiles.

Inari suddenly felt even more miniscule. He'd condemned this poor village to death!

Yoru's old house was located on the outskirts of town. It was a tiny little house, probably only two rooms with a fireplace, marked by a small chimney. Nothing about it stood out from the houses around it. It wasn't unique in any way, other than the fact that it was Yoru's. It was his home.

They walked down a short path, the dirt now forming into mud, and he knocked on the door, his fist shaking. The door opened slowly. Inari had expected it to creak loudly, but it was eerily silent. He also expected a tall, slender woman to open the door, but... it was answered by a small, frail old woman with greying hair and beady eyes. As she opened the door, she looked up and stared at Yoru, her brown face split into a warm smile, crinkling the edges of her eyes.

"Is that you, Yoru... my son?" she had a sweet, tender voice. Yoru returned it with a grin, his red eyes growing soft, "Hello, mom."

Fiction: 04/07/09 | Posted By: TheDarkAngel | 0 comments | Original Anime and Manga