Forever yours

Chapter 20

I stood in front of the small café with the small wooden sign that said 'Rebirth' trying to find the courage to enter. It had been three days since the village and this was the first time I had been allowed out of the cathedral. They had worried since Haizaki had been spotted and didn't want me to fall into his hands but after three days of meetings and insisting that I would not be gone long and that he was too injured to attack they had finally caved and allowed it only if my guards came with me. I looked over at them now, the three exorcists that had become like my brothers and sister sat down at a larger café beside the one I stood in front. My eyes rested on Kagami who had placed a pair of sunglasses over his eyes and I felt a twinge of guilt. He wasn't used to seeing all the things I did and it was putting a strain on his eyes. The cathedral especially was filled with flickers of light from all the blessed items and barriers around that his eyes always watered and stung. I had suggested the sunglasses as they took away the intensity and nobody would be able to see his eyes flickering to things that others couldn't see. The truth about my father hadn't been exposed yet and I was grateful. I was sure if they knew I wouldn't be allowed out of the sight of the higher ups and they would demand access to him.

I took a deep breath and walked into the small shop. As soon as the door closed all the noise of the outside world had faded away and I could smell vanilla and spices. I saw Kagutsuchi sitting at the bench, two vanilla shakes and a plate of cakes in front of him. He smiled and beckoned me over.

"I was waiting for you Tetsuya. Come have something to eat and we can talk."

I nodded, my mouth suddenly dry as I sat next to him and took a big sip of the shake.

"I am sure you have many questions and I can answer some but many you will have to find the answers to yourself."

"But why? Surely you can tell me? Or at least take the seal off Akashi and anyone else so they can tell me as well!"

"Ah so the crow couldn't overcome event that much."

"What are you talking about Kagutsuchi?"

Instead of answering he held out his arm and on his wrist I could see a brand that looked like fire flickering along his skin. It was just like Akashi's but not as bright. I gaped at it, my brain trying to figure out way he would brand himself.

"It isn't my mark that is stopping us from telling you about your past. You cast this before you died in your first life."

I moved my lips but no sounds came out. Why would I do that? Why would I hinder my efforts to remember my past?

"I am still stopped from mentioning a lot of things but I have more leeway than the others. As you are my son and the same power runs through me I was able to lessen he intensity of the mark. I can tell you this, you didn't want your future lives to be in danger. A part of you knew that when you would be reborn you wouldn't remember your lives so you wanted to be able to live somewhat of a peaceful life until you were called upon."

"Wait, so I knew I would be reborn? And have no memories?"

"We are phoenixes son, it's what we do. To answer, yes, because you are only half demon you knew it would take time to remember your past so you wanted your future self to remain unbiased so you could make calm judgements."

"Judgements?"

"You were born to rule, you are my son after all. That is all I can say about that."

I looked down at the mark and saw that it had flared up to an angry red and Kagutsuchi shifted in his chair, obviously uncomfortable. I took a small cake and bit into it as I thought over what I would ask next.