Forgiving Light

Chapter 12

Saturday. Probably my new favorite day. One of the two days where I don't have to pretend to be a stupid ningen.

Snuggling into the blanket, I feel too lazy to even open my eyes. The sun is to my back, so it doesn't bother me. I feel Kuro's feathers against my face, and his steady breathing tells me that he's asleep as well.

The trance starts to leave me when the door cracks open. I groan as I crack my black eye open.

"Who's there?" I call out groggily.

"Sorry to wake you," Mizuki whispers. "I thought you'd be awake by now."

I sit up. "You know what happens when you wake me from the trance prematurely." I sigh and stretch. "Well, I won't be able to go back now."

Mizuki walks in silently and sits on the edge of the bed. "Mom and Dad are out. If you want, we can begin the training now."

"Yeah, sure." I throw off the blanket and clip on the pouch. I prod Kuro awake. "Kuro, wake the fuck up. I need you fully awake and alive (:D) before I can train you."

Kuro wakes up grumpily.

"Go hunting or something," I suggest. "The wind'll wake you up. Plus, you need some protein."

"Whatever you ssssay, Masssster." Kuro spreads his wings and flies off out through the window.

I turn to Mizuki. "Now, where's the calmest place in the house? A place where people hardly go to."

"Well, there's the basement. Hardly anybody goes there."

"Perfect." I get out of the bed and let her lead to the basement.

Mizuki stops at a metal door and hauls it open. We go down, and the musty scent fills my nose. Mizuki cracks a small window, the only window, open to let some fresh air in.

"Sit down," I instruct. "That way, your brain doesn't have to focus on balancing on two feet and calming the entire body."

Kotori reluctantly takes a seat, as do I. Well, more like I sit in midair. I place my hand on her shoulder and my hand on her chest.

"Breathe like yesterday," I tell her. "A steady beat means better concentration. Close your eyes. Listen. Don't think. Remain motionless. Follow my breathing."

We remain still for three hours at the most. Then, I sneak inside her mind like a shadow. She doesn't suspect a thing just yet. I find that small spark, and I attack like a viper. Her breathing immediately becomes rapid as she tries to defend. I withdraw and force her to open her eyes.

"Breathe in rhythm the entire time," I practically growl. "I know, sudden attacks are surprising. I've been there. However, you need to concentrate harder than you ever have before. Let's try this again."

Again, the rhythm is set. I move around her mind discreetly and attack again when the time is right. I feel Mizuki tense, but her rhythm stays.

A wall of energy erects from the ground.

"A very nice defense," I compliment. "Now, let's see a counter attack."

"Are you sure?" Mizuki asks from behind the wall. "I didn't do so well last time."

"I'm perfectly sure," I snarl. "Everyone has hidden powers. Humans are just stupid enough to forget how to use it. Something about the powers being too dangerous or some shit like that. Now, attack me!"

I feel her hesitating. Naturally, humans have a way of being pussies and not using those powers. That can include muscle strength and mental abilities.

Maybe if I send a wave of energy of my own, she'll be forced to strike back. Worth a shot.

Concentrating, I build up a wave of energy. When it's good and ready, I launch it at the wall, shattering it completely.

A sudden explosion from behind the wall knocks me out of her mind and out of commission. That usual wave of fear follows right before everything goes black.

I feel something cool on my head. I open my eyes to see Kuro's yellow eyes peering down at me. I hear Mizuki shouting something about something, and my head is pounding.

What the fuck happened?

Footsteps. "Kotori, what on Earth happened?" Kusa.

"I have no idea, Dad." Mizuki sounds panicked. "He just collapsed." A lie.

Groaning, I reach my hand up to where the headache is worst. I find the region, which is around my frontal lobe, and I rub the center gem. The pain ebbs away. I then rub the left temple gem, where the pain is lighter.

Before the footsteps reach the room, I put my hands down. The last thing I want to do is explain what the fuck was going on.

"Black Mist, what happened?" Kusa asks the moment he comes in.

I just pretend to be asleep.

"I'll come back when he's awake," he grumbles. He leaves the room, and that's when I open my eyes.

"You're okay?" Mizuki asks tentatively.

"Yeah." I struggle to sit up. "I just didn't want to explain what happened. It would be extremely hard to explain what happened."

She sits on the bed, making Kuro jump. She picks up the wet rag that was apparently on my head. "Why did you collapse, anyways?"

"An explosion of mental energy," I explain, rubbing the center and left gems. "The awakening of your mental capabilities. I just got caught in the explosion. No permanent damage."

"Are you ssssure, Masssster?" Kuro hisses.

"Yes, Kuro, I'm sure." I get up. "Now, let's continue."

"What!?" Mizuki shrieks. "Now?"

"Yes, now. Come on." Without waiting for a reply, I make my way to the basement. "That explosion won't happen again, I can guarantee that. Now, stop being a pussy and follow me."

Reluctant footsteps follow me down to the musty old basement. When we get there, we take a seat. Kuro perches on my shoulder as usual, pecking my earring every now and again, and we continue the rigorous training until nightfall. When night is at its deepest (at least, for a human. Nine o'clock), Mizuki goes to her room and sleeps.