Sunset Ghost

Find Me

サンセットゴースト

Sunset Ghost

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第21章

私を見つける

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"Hey! Hey, kid!" A gruff voice crawled out of the darkness to brush against Kageyama's ears. "Kid, wake up!"

As consciousness returned to him, Kageyama slowly opened his eyes, greeted by a sharp stab of pain through his skull. He winced, throwing a hand over his eyes and blinking up at the man-shaped shadow hovering over him: undoubtedly an IBPA agent. He almost passed out again from sheer relief as his body was healed by the cool blue light flowing from the stranger's hand and into his aching chest. Blue eyes slipped closed in relief as the tension was sucked away. "Thank you so much for coming..."

"Yeah, well, anything to get away from that mess back at the station," the man muttered lowly in response. "Don't even think about falling asleep again. Don't you have something you need to do, anyway?"

His brain struggled to think of what that something was. The light was just so relaxing, it made worrying impossible. Until a frightened pale face flashed behind Kageyama's eyelids in a ghostly reminder. His body jerked as the panic slammed back into him like a gunshot to the chest, arms frantically pushing the healer away as he bolted into an upright position, ignoring the burning pain in his abdomen. "Hinata! I— I have to go!"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," the agent pushed him back down with a stern click of the tongue. "Don't reverse all my work, kid."

"S-sorry." Kageyama forced himself to be still, though his legs itched to get up and sprint out into the rain after Hinata. He had no clue how much time had passed since the Ikiryō left with him and he'd passed out. For all Kageyama knew, they could be miles away by then. And how was he supposed to track Hinata through the pouring rain? It was hard to sense spiritual residue in a downpour of this magnitude.

He cursed under his breath and frantically searched the depths of his brain for some semblance of a plan. First priority was tracking down Hinata and Hyde, then dealing with the Shiki. Now that he knew Hyde had Onmyōji powers, he'd have to change his approach. One blast had severely injured him: direct contact could cause anything from paralysis to death. Kageyama would have to keep a safe distance away while taking him down, which only made things even more difficult.

"Almost done," the IBPA healer told him, jerking his attention back to the present. His ribs were feeling much better, and the majority of the pre-treated black curse marks were beginning to fade into a dull gray. His head was also significantly improved, allowing Kageyama to sit up and look around without wanting to vomit or pass out, which was obviously a good sign.

Yachi looked a little better as well, her wounds cleaned and bandaged and her breathing steadier, though she didn't look like she'd be waking up any time soon. That meant the coming fight was entirely up to Kageyama. This realization, of course, made him want to roll up in the fetal position and panic, but he calmed himself with the rationality that he'd be able to prepare this time around. He could make all the talismans and bring all the equipment he needed.

"Alright, I'm finished." The healer pulled his hands away and the light faded as Kageyama stretched his torso experimentally. It felt as good as new.

"Thanks." He pulled himself up slowly and gave the man a grateful nod. "We appreciate all your help."

"Sure, whatever." He waved his hand dismissively, bending down to pack away piles of medical equipment. As he rolled up some bandages, he shot Kageyama what might've been a sympathetic glance. "Just get going. We'll watch over your friend."