Charming Tails

Chapter 21 - A Light of Hope

*Tiing tiing tiing*

Ringing wind chimes were hung at the door of Rouji's room in the dojo. There, he slept like a baby in a cradle. The first week of April has passed and the weather slowly changes. It got hotter than before, but only to be realized it was a normal weather there since the cold times give people a chilly experience after all.

Taking the blanket off his torso, he got up slowly and yawned. A big one.

It's morning. It's already time.

After a quick reminisce of the day, he stood up and walked outside his room. Tatsuko waited outside for him.

"Got enough sleep?" he asks.

"Yeah. I'm good."

"Go take a bath and get ready. I want a quick spar with you." he walks outside.

Rouji put a peculiar look on Tatsuko, thinking he was a bit edgy.

Is he okay? he thought.

*   *   *

Coming out of the dojo in his casual clothes as he held his sword, he walks toward Tatsuko.

"Why aren't you in your Kendo uniform?"

"I washed it. It was getting smelly."

"Hmm. Okay let's go now." Tatsuko began to walk.

Rouji followed him as they both walked in a slow pace.

"I can sense there's something you're not telling me."

Tatsuko kept walking and went down the huge steps of the hill. Rouji still made a peculiar look at Tatsuko until they reached the foot of the hill.

"Hey. Why aren't you answering?"

"There's nothing to worry about." he replies.

Giving Tatsuko a more doubtful look, he bumps his fist on his arm. Screaming like a kid, Tatsuko reacted.

"Ahh." he lets out a faint scream as he held his arm.

"Haha I knew you'd just play it out."

Tatsuko looked straight forward, his eyebrows arched downward at the center resulting to a face showing a bit of pain. Realizing something was actually wrong, Rouji raised an eyebrow. He touched Tatsuko's arm again and he reacted with pain consequently.

"Tatsuko-san. What's wrong? Are you wounded?" he asks.

"Stop it kid. I will punch you in the face if you don't." he gives an irritated look.

"You went back to Masehouka didn't you? How did you get the wound? I'm demanding to know the answer as the prince of Jidoku." he commands.

"Sigh.. you really know your place now don't you?"

He lets go of his arm and looked at Rouji.

"Katsune did this."

He rolls up his sleeve and his arm was banded with a white cloth. Visible blood stains scattered all over.

"W-What? What did you do?!" he shouts.

"Apparently, my dad got a bit strained out and called me back. He needed assistance for the barrier that sealed Katsune temporarily.. I got there and she already broke free, with all the leaders struggling to battle her. Luckily, we were able to reseal her back in the box but I got wounded in the process. Not only me, but also a few mages who helped."

"Did anyone get killed?"

"Fortunately no."

Rouji felt a great disturbance inside him. Tightly gripping his hand on the sword, he walked ahead of Tatsuko.