Genbu spun in the water, looking around frantically for Masahiro. Being a water shinshou, he had no trouble maneuvering in the water. The current around him moved to his will, becoming his shield and spear.
Where was Masahiro?
He didn't need to worry about Kouchin and Rikugou, they were shinshou after all and a strike like this should leave them none the worse for wear. He focused for a moment before extending his awareness beyond himself, letting it travel with the current. With the water itself as his hands, he reached forth, feeling around the muddy bottom and its many nooks and crannies, looking for the small form of the boy. He thought he had chanced upon something when abruptly, the water under his control swirled unnaturally. Baffled for a moment at the sudden disturbance, he realized with a start that the water had become warm, the strange currents intermingled with the aura of rage. He winced as in seconds, the warmth of the water crescendoed into boiling hot, bubbling with furiously with the scent of youkai.
"Touda !"
He knew that the monster fed on humans, Masahiro couldn't be far away then.
Genbu twisted in the water, darting forth with an agility that only he possessed. It wasnt long before he broke through the impenetrable darkness of the muddy water, tumbling to a sudden stop before the limp from of Masahiro, as Touda faced off with the monster off to the side.
Momentarily stunned by the scene before him, he found his voice and shouted Masahiro's name, his voice distorted by the churning current.
This was bad, Masahiro was unresponsive, his limp body rolled loosely with the water, anchored to the muddy bottom by seaweed and debris. He clearly wasn't breathing and in the darkness of the water, his face was a pallid blue. This was terrible. A chill passed through him as Genbu realized that Masahiro might die........ no.... he would probably die.
Genbu looked around in panic. The monster was wholly focused on Touda, who crouched before him, covered in flames that made the water sizzle and bubble on contact.
Now was his chance. He took hold of Masahiro's limp form, pulling him free of the debris and seaweed entangled in his clothes. His frantic hands were just pulling off the last strands of seaweed when he realized that something was wrong. His awareness through the water prickled and stung as he looked up frantically in time to see Touda seemingly double over in pain, as he became enveloped in a pillar of flames that lashed outward with alarming speed.
Genbu's gasp of horror was cut short as the explosion met him full force.
For a horrible moment, he had felt as though he would be torn apart, the current sharpened by the explosion would tear him limb to limb until there was nothing left.
But Kouchin lacked Suzaku's ability to kill other shinshou, but there was something else she could try.
The flames had sliced into her body as she first dove fearlessly into their path, the lashing flames opening long bloody cuts across her face, on her forehead, her arms, hands and shoulders. She smiled sadly, "So this is your power Touda? To ruin the looks of beautiful women? You know that comes at a terrible price right?"
She placed her hands against her barrier as Touda's plea once again rang in her ears. Kouchin squeezed her eyes shut, hesitating, denying with her life, the feelings she had for him. Touda had once said to her, that if he could not be stopped, then he should be killed.
"But even then...."
Seimei had said that under no circumstances, should Touda be killed. Masahiro too, would wish that he not be harmed. He had once said that it was useless to recall and dwell on painful memories.
"But there are somethings that should be remembered no matter how painful they are, that should not be forgotten even if it tears your heart to pieces. The last thirteen years changed you, but your heart remains cold becasue you do not remember this. That child too, lives with the wounds in his heart that he hides from the world. Seimei would be so disappointed in you, if he saw you now. If possible, I still wish to avoid taking up arms against you............"
Within the cacophony, the child's voice called to him, a shrill desperate cry.
Where?............ Where are you?.......... I had promised to stay by your side.......... I had promised....... I had promised that........ that I would stay by your side no matter what, even if it tore me apart.......... Where was the child now?........The child....... No...... I knew his name........ I could never forget his eyes..........filled with strength and determination...... his smile.... the one that had the power to put anyone at ease..........His life, his energy, and the eagerness with which he undertook any task.
He had a name for me....... one that only he used..........
........Mokkun..........
.....that's right.......
.......................
Touda slowly opened his eyes...... the golden light returning in his gaze, growing stronger with every beat of his heart......
.....The child's name........
.... Masahiro.......