AT LEAST WE HAVE FOREVER
Chapter 22
Leaving
The night wind blew softly as Riya continued to look at Kurama's room outside the Minamino residence that same night. After Haruna's call, she firmly stood to her decision.
The very same decision she said to Genkai as soon as she woke up after being healed by the old lady. Upon remembering that, she could not help but to allow her tears to freely streak down her cheeks as he mind pictured what happened to their conversation a few hours back…
-Flashback-
Riya opened her eyes a few minutes after Genkai healed all of her injuries she acquired during the battle earlier. She winced for a few times before looking around to know where she was, only to be surprised to see and old woman with washed out pink hair she already recognized as the master of Spirit Wave Technique and Yusuke's teacher, Master Genkai.
"Good thing you're already awake. How are you feeling?" the old lady asked with a small but sincere smile.
She thought for a while and analyzed herself to check her condition and so far, nothing was wrong. That was when she sighed before getting up and sat on the bed then faced the old lady. "I'm alright." And then she looked down. "I guess I went overboard using my powers."
"And to think you would use the Spirit Summoning Arts in that weak level of spirit energy," Genkai said. "I'm surprised to know that you could do such complicated technique."
"That's because it has a connection to the powers during my past life, Master Genkai," she uttered without realizing what had just come out of her mouth.
No one spoke a word after that for a few moments. And after a minute or so…
"It seems to me you already know who I really am…" Riya said that made Genkai looked at her seriously. "…besides the fact that I have the ability to generate lightning and electricity-based energy to be used as my attacks."
Genkai nodded and then spoke. "I'm surprised that you managed not to let Yusuke—and more importantly Kurama—sense your spirit energy. But even if you have the Arrow of Wind, how come your powers had decreased to such an unusual level?"
Riya closed her eyes before opening them again and sighed. "I don't have much time left, Master Genkai. The weapons' powers are not enough to sustain my life for long. My own life force was being devoured slowly by my powers that are too strong for my body to control since it far surpasses my physical limits. Sooner or later, I will leave Kurama without even fulfilling my promise to him." Her eyes turned sad and teary after she said the last sentence.
The old woman could only look at the teenager with worries even though she just met her.
"So what are you planning to do now?" Genkai asked, breaking the silence between them.
"Honestly… I don't know," Riya answered. "I wasn't sure about that as of now. But one of the options I have in mind is to leave without them knowing."
"Even though it would be painful for you to do that…" It was more of a statement and Riya knew that.
The girl clenched her fist placed on her lap. "The pain I'm going to feel afterwards is nothing compared to what's about to happen if no one was able to prevent the darkness from taking over the three realms. I know I could bear that."
"It seems to me you've made up your mind," Genkai said matter-of-factly.
Riya shook her head slightly before facing the old lady. "Not yet. I still need to decide thoroughly about it."
Genkai stood up from the bed and walked towards the door as she left the girl thinking. But before she completely left the room, she turned around and faced Riya.
"If you have made your decision and really stick to it, you know where to go."
Riya gave a small smile before bowing slightly as her thanks. And with that, Genkai left.
"That depends on what's about to happen after all of this becomes clear," she mumbled as she looked outside the window.
-End of Flashback-
Riya heaved a heavy sigh after wiping the tears that streaked down her cheeks and then faced the house once again.
Since she made a decision and decided to stick with it, she might as well say her goodbyes to them as discreet as she could. She couldn't help but to smile bitterly at the thought of forever saying goodbye to the man she loved. But she was left with no choice other than to finish her mission before it was too late.
Her decision has the highest possibility of making the Spirit Detectives her enemies once they found out the truth. Though she didn't want that to happen, it would be like hoping for the impossible. And since she couldn't prevent that from happening, she has to prepare herself for that day to come. There was no other way for her to do that.
After musing for a minute or two, she turned around as she gave one last look at the house, particularly the window where Kurama's room was located.
"I guess this is where it ends, huh? I'm sorry… Kurama…" she said, saying the last words almost in a whisper but definitely enough for her to feel an unbearable pain sliced through her heart.
But no matter how painful it would be for her, it wasn't going to stop her from sticking to what she had decided. She has to do it not just for her sake but for the sake of the one she loved more than life itself…
…she needed to do it the most for Kurama's sake…
But unknown to Riya, he decision had caused commotion to many people concerned. The most evident ones were those among the team and the Legendary Weapon Wielders who were definitely confused, worried and eager to know where Riya could have possibly gone all of a sudden.
Full two weeks had passed since she mysteriously disappeared. And that was really bothered Yusuke the whole time, making him unable to concentrate in his studies (even though it wasn't really in his vocabulary to fully concentrate to anything with relation to studies) since he was worried for his cousin. Kuwabara and Keiko could feel that, as well. But there was nothing they could do about that. Even if they did plan to look for Riya, they had no idea where to start looking since she didn't leave any letter or phone call saying where she was or where could she possibly be going. Not only it worried Yusuke but it also frustrated him big time at the same time.
During break time and free time, Yusuke usually headed out to his usual spot on the roof to think of a way to locate Riya as soon as he could. For some reason, Kuwabara went along with him and talked about it. He probably knew what Yusuke was feeling before Riya's disappreance.
With nothing more left to do, Keiko and eventually Botan decided to head to the rooftop as well as soon as they crossed paths. But then an orange-haired girl with blue eyes around their age—also a student of Hanasakura Academy—stopped them. They didn't sense any danger when they saw the girl but what she said after that had definitely caught their attention and made them suspicious for the said girl.
"You're looking for Riya-ojousama, aren't you? You and the Spirit Detectives…" the girl said in a serious tone, implying that what she said wasn't a lie.
"How did you know that, Akane-chan?" Keiko immediately asked since she was close to the girl she called Akane.
Botan nudged Keiko that made the latter glanced at the blue-haired girl.
"Do you know her, Keiko-chan?"
Keiko nodded as an answer and faced the girl named Akane.
"Her name is Yanagi Akane-chan. We're not classmates but I could say we're close since she's my study partner when we met each other at the library the day I transferred. But I never thought she knew Riya-chan." Keiko then faced Akane who was still looking seriously at them but she could see hints of… sadness in the orange-haired girl's eyes. "Do you know where she is, Akane-chan? Please, tell us…"
But for some moments or so, Akane didn't say anything. Keiko could see that Akane was hesitating about something before the girl faced Keiko
"Tell Yusuke-kun and the others to meet us at Master Genkai's place. There, we'll tell you the answer," Akane said before passing by the puzzled Keiko and Botan.
"Could it be that Riya-chan is at Master Genkai's house?" Botan asked.
"If that's the case, what could she be doing there? And why didn't she tell us? What's more important is that how Akane-chan knew Riya-chan."
Botan slightly nodded. "You're right. She even called her Riya-ojousama which is too formal and respectful, I must say."
"We better tell Yusuke about this," Keiko said. They rushed to the rooftop to find Yusuke and told the boys about the information that Akane said.
Upon hearing that, Yusuke only became even more frustrated than he was earlier and they understood that.
Unbeknownst to them, Yanagi Akane was the teenage girl that Ayako called when the Light Wielder predicted the events between Kurama and Riya the night before the Rose Ball. And right now, after teleporting from the stairway to the hidden part of the park, she contacted her older brother Noboru Yanagi using a virtual computer in front of her.
"Onii-chan, I already told them where to go. But are you sure about this?" Akane asked, concern evident in her voice.
Noboru sighed before facing her. "It's Captain Yumi who ordered us to do this. Besides, I guess it's about time to finish Kurama's trial and the Spirit Detectives to know the truth. We can't do anything more with regards to that other than this. And maybe this way, Riya-sama's pain would ease a bit."
"If you say so, then. I'll just head to Master Genkai's place as soon as I'm done here." With that, the virtual screen vanished before she headed towards the center of the park.
Meanwhile, Kurama was just sitting on his seat reading a book. But for one person, it was quite obvious to know that his concentration wasn't on the book he was reading. Ayako could tell that and she knew the reason why.
It has been two weeks since Riya decided to leave without the Spirit Detectives' knowledge. Obviously, it made the wielders quite surprised when they learned that Riya was staying at Master Genkai's house for some reason. But they didn't oppose to that. For the past days, it made the Spirit Detectives a little bit frantic as to where to find her. And the wielders—after finding that out along with their mistress' reasons for leaving—just let it be that way for a while.
Kurama was somehow devastated and frustrated since Riya disappeared without words. Surprisingly, he still managed to do his job during thir movie's filming without trouble. But after all that, his mind began to be filled with so many thoughts. He wanted to find Riya but he didn't know where to start looking. It was frustrating him and he couldn't help it.
What was even more frustrating was that his fan girls didn't want to stop bugging him whenever he was on break or it was his free period. Luckily, some of his classmates would cut them off and prevent those girls from coming near him. Not just his classmates but Yusuke and the others, as well. It has been like that ever since the filming began for some reasons he wanted to find out. But he never dared asking anything about it so he just let them be.
Unknown to him, the reason he wanted to know would shed its mystery enough to lead him to a secret.
It was after that day's class when he started finding out clues to lead him to that reason. He was fixing his things to his bag and was about to head out to the Biology room when he saw his fan girls casually waiting for him outside the room. He couldn't help but to exasperatingly sigh before moving on.
What caught him surprised, though, was when one of the girls whom he knew by the name of Reina began taking him by the arm and flirted with him.
"Hey, Minamino-kun. You're going to the Biology room again, I see. I wonder if you could do some tutoring for me," Reina said seductively which made him free his arm as fast but as careful as he could in order not to appear as someone without manners. But it seemed that she wouldn't really let him go and she even hugged him. Of course, it startled him and also started to infuriate him little by little.
He was about to push Reina aside when the other door of the room slid open and from it came out Ayako and her friends Kirika and Miwako. He saw Ayako glowered at Reina as soon as the brunette saw the flirting girl clinging to his arm.
"You know, I would be very happy if you did push that insolent slut away from you, Minamino-kun," Ayako said with a smile although Kurama clearly knew it was an insult for Reina.
He thanked Ayako through his eyes but then he frowned a bit when he noticed a fleeting emotion passed through the girl's eyes. It was just a fleeting second but long enough for him to realize that there was something wrong.
What Ayako said had infuriated Reina but it didn't surprise the brown-haired girl. Because of that, Reina let Kurama's arm go (much to the fox demon's relief) before approaching Ayako, stopping in front of her.
"And what's that supposed to mean, you bitch?" Reina yelled but Ayako stayed expressionless, her eyes devoid of any emotion. "To think it would come from the former fan club president… You're such a shame. It's a good thing you quit the club."
After a few moments of straining silence, Ayako smirked before facing Reina.
"You're right. It's better that me and my friends left that club for good. I wouldn't have to deal with your straining words against the girls that Minamino-kun was hanging out with. Although that part rarely happens," Ayako said and then glanced at Kurama. "I could say I 'm glad Riya-chan came here and made me realize my mistake of going after someone who wouldn't want to look at me the way he did to her."
"That slut again? Well, she's better be dead by now after she hadn't shown herself here at the school for two weeks straight. That way, it would be easier for us."
Kurama didn't like every word Reina said and so did Kirika and Miwako.
"How cruel can you get? If there's someone who should be called a slut, it's you, Reina!" Kirika said in a slightly loud but firm tone. "You don't even know Riya-chan for you to speak like that."
"She's right," Miwako added. "Looking at you right now, I could say I'm glad I got out of that club. Then I wouldn't have to deal with you anymore."
Reina was becoming even more infuriated upon hearing the two girls defended Riya.
"Why are you like this? Ever since that slut appeared to this school, you've changed," Reina said before facing Ayako, now glaring at her. "And you who first treated her as an outcast, how come you can't do that to her now? You're not even the Kirisawa Ayako I know."
"That wasn't even the real Kirisawa Ayako, you dumbass," Ayako immediately stated, her eyes softene for a short while before becoming devoid of any emotions once again. Kurama noticed that.
Now he was really getting curious and eager to know what was going on.
"Well, that's what you projected to us for a long time and you can't make me believe you've really changed that easily. By the way, why are you doing this for that slutty bitch, anyway? Did she offer you something so you would befriend her? Yeah, that's probably be it. Knowing your family's financial situation, I wouldn't be surprised if that's the reason why—" But Reina never managed to finish her words since she was knocked over by Ayako as the brunette slapped her face hard. Reina faced her sharply and shooting death glares at Ayako. "Why did you do that for?"
"Well, you should be glad I didn't send a flying kick straight to your skull, you slutty bitch!" Ayako said fiercely and she glared at Reina. She was breathing heavily.
That was the first time Kurama, even Kirika and Miwako, had seen Ayako lost her self-control like this. Even that death glare she was now sending to Reina was completely new to them. Did Reina's words provoked Ayako to do such things? There was still something that's definitely making it all too confusing for Kurama right now.
Reina tried to stand up and she managed to do so. And even though Ayako's glare scared her, she didn't show it.
"Now you've just become barbaric like Miyuzaki," Reina said that completely made Ayako's patience reach its limits. That's why Reina was caught off guard when she received another hard slap from Ayako, knocking her down once again.
"I don't care what kind of names you call to me but I would never tolerate anything bad you said about Riya-chan. You talked as if you knew what's really going on. That only proves how brainless you are, calling yourself a chief engineer's daughter," Ayako said, each word were said firm and with ice cold anger enough to scare anybody.
"And what that makes you, her protector? Well, that makes you a slut like her, as well! What a perfect combination. Barbaric and slut. You really make such good friends."
Kurama's patience also reached its limits upon hearing those words from Reina and he was about to say something. But he didn't proceed when Ayako spoke once more.
"Say something like that about Riya-chan again and you're not getting out of this place in one piece!" she said threateningly that scared the hell out of Reina and surprised Kurama. "So better not talk about anything against her since you really don't know what's going on. You don't have any idea at all."
Miwako then approached the strained-looking Ayako.
"Ayako-chan, why are you acting like this? And your words… You talked as if you have an idea where Riya-chan is right now and what's happening to her. Tell us. Did something bad happen to her?"
But Ayako only sighed as an answer before throwing one last death glare to Reina and then left without a word.
Kirisawa-san is not just saying that for any reason. There's something deep within those words she had just spoken earlier. Did something really happen during the previous attack here at school for her to change her ways? And why is she being protective to Riya like this? Kurama thought as he continued watching Ayako walk away and disappear from his sight. Because of that, instead of going to the Biology room, he decided to head out to the soccer field where Soujiro and Yukari could possibly be at the moment. He knew that the siblings might have an idea where Riya was.
After a few minutes or so, he arrived on the soccer field. But to his surprise, no soccer club members were practicing there, though he saw them going out from the locker room. Among the members who went out, he didn't see Soujiro which led Kurama to speculate that the soccer team captain might still be inside. That's when he saw Yukari entered the locker room holding a flute.
Wait a minute! Yukari-san is holding a flute? But Kurama immediately shrugged away the thoughts suddenly running in his mind when he remembered that Yukari was known for being the academy's music prodigy. Of course, she would be holding a flute since it was one of her expertise besides violin and piano. But still, he couldn't help suspecting the girl about her relation to the Spirit Detective's mission. With that, he decided to listen to the siblings' conversation.
"Onii-sama, are you sure about cancelling today's practice? Wouldn't that draw suspicions among the team members?" Yukari asked in a concerned tone.
"I know you're worried, Yukari. But I don't have much of a choice. Besides, Captain said that our mistress' condition is getting worse. I can't just stand being here practicing when the person we're supposed to protect is out there bearing the pain on her own. We went through all the trouble to protect her to many extent and I can't afford to fail now. Being the secondary leader of our group, it's my job to do what it takes to protect her if it means we have to risk our lives for it," Soujiro said with determination. Yukari only looked at her brother concerningly.
"What about Kurama-sempai and the others?" she later asked that caught Kurama's attention.
"I'm not sure. But what I'm sure of right now is that Sei-chan already told Yusuke-kun or at least someone who knew him what they need to do. We could just hope that Kurama survive the trial." And then they left the locker room. Kurama managed to get away from that spot as soon as possible.
Survive what trial? Kurama asked to himself as he pondered onto the words that Soujiro said. What in the world is going on around here? First was Kirisawa-san and now Soujiro-san and Yukari-san. And who is their 'mistress' that Soujiro was talking about? How does it concern me?
But after minutes of pondering and trying to figure out what was going on, Kurama sensed Hiei that made him look up the tree a few feet away from him.
"Koenma wants the whole team to gather at the rooftop. I think it's about our mission," Hiei said placidly. "You can deal with the siblings later."
Kurama only sighed, giving up since Hiei already figured out what was in his mind at the moment. He began walking away from that place as soon as he gave one last glance to the siblings walking away opposite to his direction.
Hiei was right. He would have time to deal with them right after the mission was over.
Unknown to the team, this would only be the start of another event enough to unfold the veil and reveal one of the shocking secrets in the entire mission.
Like what Hiei said, Koenma gathered the team on the rooftop of the school. Keiko and Botan were there, too since the two girls mentioned to the team about the words Akane had spoken a while back.
"Good thing you're all here!" Koenma said as he popped up behind Yusuke making the detective jump out of his skin.
"Will you stop doing that, Koenma? You nearly gave me a heart attack here!" Yusuke yelled as he took several deep breaths to calm himself. "Anyway, if it's about the mission, I'll pass for now. I need to go to Genkai's for me to find Riya."
"The truth is," Koenma started with a sober expression . "You are heading to Master Genkai's for the mission. Someone tipped us off that Riya and the mistress of the Legendary Weapon Wielders are currently residing somewhere in that vast land. No one knows the reason for the wielders' mistress to hide there but I'm sure you don't want Riya to get caught up with the dangers of this mission. Even though she has powers to deal with it, I don't think she could use it much longer. Some of you already knew what exactly is going on with her powers right now."
Yusuke and Kuwabara frowned at the last sentence Koenma had spoken. Hiei and Kurama remained expressionless. Botan's hands were quivering and Keiko—despite the worries she felt for Riya—managed to remain firm and it made her ask Koenma a question.
"Koenma-sama, do you have any idea about the identity of the mistres you were talking about?"
"Unfortunately, I don't. That's why I'm asking Yusuke to check it out. Keeping their mistress' identity hidden is one of the Legendary Weapon Wielders' highest priority aside from dealing with the demon shinobi. So I have the greatest feeling that you might deal with the wielders first before facing their mistress. This might not be the final battle but still, you have to be careful not to get killed. I'm entrusting you this mission, everyone." With that, Koenma opened a portal behind him. "This portal will lead you straight to Master Genkai's temple. And remember, whatever you will discover upon your arrival, be sure to prevent yourselves from killing anyone not unless it's absolutely necessary. That goes especially to you, Kurama, since I'm sure you'll be facing certain hardships later on."
All were puzzled upon hearing that. It made them look at Kurama who was somehow pondering onto it.
"It seems to me you have an idea of what will happen there, Koenma," Kurama said, more of a statement. "But don't worry. I'll remember that."
Koenma slightly smiled at that despite the presence of the pacifier on his mouth. He then faced Botan and Keiko. "You can go with them. I'm sure you want to confirm that Riya is safe."
The two girls smiled and followed Yusuke as they entered the portal. Koenma disappeared at the instant the portal closed behind him.
Master Genkai's house…
"They'll be arriving here soon enough, Riya," Genkai said as soon as she opened the door to the temple. She saw Riya facing the statue while sitting on a futon. The girl heaved a sigh before speaking.
"I'm sorry for making you deal with this, Master Genkai," Riya said sincerely. "I don't know what will happen from here on. But I'll try to make them understand the real situation. If worse comes to worst, I might use force against them just to do that."
Genkai sighed at Riya's pained determination. "So you're saying that you're willing to become their enemy if nothing is done to make them understand what's really going on?"
"If that's the only way…" the girl said determined but sad.
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