神々から、死すべきへ: Kamigami kara, Shisubeki e (1x1 Me and Azuneko, R, Mature, Private)

[azuneko]

Ryo silently ate the food as he sat in the room. Once he was finished he slowly sipped the tea. He wonders if Byakko was still inside or had left to go to the shrine. He felt so odd sitting in a room that wasn't his own. As he finished the tea, he stood with the tray in hand. He opened the door carefully and made his way down the stairs. Slowly entering the kitchen he noticed the other sitting there. "Good morning Byakko. Thank you for breakfast." he said as he walked to the sink to clean the dishes.

 

For some reason things felt very odd now. He was sure it was because the other made him breakfast out of the blue. He began washing the dish as he looked down. "Uh, I think I'll go home today. I honestly don't want to return there. Its too painful being in a place where no one really wants you around. I wish I could just stay here forever but that wouldn't be right." he said as he finished washing the dishes.

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

Byakko looks up when Ryo comes into the room, setting down the paper and listening to what the other was saying to him. He smiles a bit, and nods. "Good morning to you as well Ryo. And you're very welcome." He folds the paper in half, and watches as the other walked over to the sink and began washing the dishes, his own and the ones that Byakko had left in their from when he had finished his own breakfast.

 

"Oh, okay. Well, I hope you don't get into trouble or anything..." He pauses, and takes another drink of his tea that he had left. "Oh, and uh..." He takes a deep breath, and looks away, staring at the wall of the kitchen, at the calender that was hanging from a nail. "If you want, you can always come over here to ya know, get away. You're always welcome here." He clears his throat and looks at Ryo again. "I'd let you stay here and all, but I doubt that is what you actually want anyways."

 

Standing up, he stretches, finishes his tea, and places his empty cup into the sink. He glances at the clock, and saw it was almost about time to head over to the shrine. Sighing softly, he runs his fingers through his hair, letting out a low whistle. "By the way, no school today. What are you planning on doing, besides going back home and all?"

[azuneko]

Ryo looked over at him and shakes his head. "No way can I do that. This time was enough. I don't want to get in the way of your life or anything. Besides, if your too kind to me I'll misread the situation." he mutters softly. His mind was currently elsewhere. Byakko's kindness was causing him to feel oddly. It's been forever since someone was kind like this to him. So he took it to heart more than he normally would.

 

After walking away from the sink, Ryo thinks a moment. "I'm actually planning to visit my old man today. Would have done so yesterday but I forgot after my runaway plan were put into action. Your welcome to join me if you like. I'm sure he'll be surprised to see a holy man like yourself is my friend." he said with a light chuckle.

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

"Oh...okay." Was all Byakko says, confused by what Ry had said, but not pushing his luck by asking what the other meant exactly. He continued to stand here, watching as the other's mind apparently was elsewhere, a soft smile upon his lips. The other finally speaks up, saying that he was going to go visit his 'old man', Byakko guessing that what Ryo meant was his father. He was surprised when Ryo offered Byakko to join him, and smiles more.

 

"I'd love to. But first I need to check a few things up at the shrine, if that's alright?" Without really waiting for an answer, he turns and leaves the kitchen, and goes to the front door, slipping on his sandals and placing the house keys into a fold of his kimono. Today he was wearing a black kimono with white edges, and the tie around the middle was white too. He steps outside, waiting for Ryo, before closing the door and locking it.

 

With that taken care of, he walks across the street, and begins to ascend the long path of stairs that led up to the shrine. He wonders if Ryo would join him, but doesn't ask, but instead focuses on the stone steps, stopping every now and then, and at one point, he spots a tiger striped iris that was black, white, and blue. Kneeling down he smells it, the scent of the flower soft and nice. After that, he goes up the rest of the way, and once he passed under the Torii, he stops, and looks around.

 

Without further ado, he begins his rounds, checking every single place in the shrine and the grounds. The offertory box, the prayer boxes, and even goes into the main hall, checking things in there, like the many different artifacts inside, along with charms and sutras. Taking a deep breath, he kneels down in front if the statue of the deity of the shrine, which was shaped like a tiger. Byakko looks up at it, and smiles. 'Maybe one day he'll come to understand. I hope I can help him get there...'

[azuneko]

Ryo was glad and surprised the other would be joining him. He walked out the house behind Byakko as he watched the male going across the street. He began to follow but stopped half way. He didn't want to go up those stairs. Not because of the walking but something told him not to. He stayed waiting at the bottom for Byakko to finish what he had to do. As he sat there he felt the warm breeze blow by him. He felt so relaxed.

 

As he sat there he suddenly noticed someone familiar approaching. It was his aunt and her husband. He averted his gaze as he didn't think anyone really knew about this shrine. However it was hard not to know when people always created rumors about it. It was how he met Byakko after all. The woman noticed him and frowns. "Did you come here to repent for your sins?" she asked him. Rolling his eyes he looked at her. "Did you?"

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

Finishing what he was doing, Byakko stands up from where he was kneeling, and turns around, exiting the shrine and begins to descend the path, all the prayer slips tucked into a small bag which was next to the keys in his kimono. As he neared the bottom, he noticed that Ryo wasn't alone. There were two others there, a man and a woman. He recognized them from when he'd watched Ryo the other night, so he guessed they were family of some sort or another.

 

Stepping down the last step, he faces them, a smile on his lips. "Greetings." He presses his hands together and bows at the waist, showing the two respect like any monk or holy man might do when addressing a patron to their shrine or temple. They turn to him, and greet him too, and for a moment they talk, before Byakko bows again. "May the gods smile upon you, may good luck lean your way, and may the sun always shine down to light your path." The two smile, but then glower at Ryo, before heading up the stairs.

 

Byakko looks to Ryo, and smiles. "Shall we?" He asks, tucking his hands into the sleeves of his kimono, a light breeze making the bottom of his clothing ripple and move, and tugs at the ends of his hair. He acts as if he didn't know who the two were, just two patrons to the shrine, visiting to repent their sins or anything else they might do at the shrine. His smile remains as he waits for Ryo to answer, enjoying the nice weather as he stood there.

[azuneko]

Ryo glanced to the side as he had noticed Byakko standing there. He watched as the two talked to him all kind and gentle like. It made him sick to his stomach to watch. As they seemed to be going up the stairs he averted his gaze from the male. "You seriously are far too kind to people who might not deserve it." he mutters as he started to walk along side him. He wonders if it was really alright to introduce Byakko to his father. He was sure this would be a very interesting turn of events.

 

As he walked, Ryo turned into a pathway marked by a set of white gates. He walked for a while and at first one would take this area for a park. Upon going further it was apparent this wasn't a park. At least not one anyone would be playing in. Ryo had turned towards the cemetery. "Don't make a face Byakko. This is just s short cut." he claims. Though it wasn't long before he stopped in front of a particular headstone. There were fresh flowers and incense there. "Hey old man. It's been awhile hasn't it. I wanted you to meet a very interesting friend of mine. Byakko, come say hello." he said glancing over at the other

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

Byakko just smiled, and shakes his head, but says nothing in response to Ryo's statement. Instead he lets the other lead the way, and after a while he notices they weren't headed towards housing, but away from it. Saying nothing of it, he gazes at his surroundings, taking in the view of the white picket fence, the lack of people, the silence around them. Taking a turn, they arrive in front of a cemetery. "I'm not saying anything, don't worry." Byakko replies, following after the other male as he led the way.

 

They arrive at a headstone, where flowers and incense was burning, and at first Byakko was confused, but when Ryo spoke up, it all made sense to him. Ryo's father was dead. Stepping forward, he bows his head in respect, saying a few lines of prayer under his breath, his eyes closed, before opening them and kneeling down. "Hello Kamikaze-san. It's certainly a pleasure to meet you. Like your son said, my name is Byakko." He says this as if talking to someone standing right in front of him, a pleasant smile on his face.

 

Normally thus kind of thing would make any other person depressed, or want to console Ryo, but Byakko wasn't, like other people. He knew that for the most part, humans actually got annoyed if constantly comforted over something, especially a loss of a parent or loved one.

 

[azuneko]

(Your picture or image didn't show up)

 

Ryo was silent as he watched Byakko for a while. When the other spoke he smiled. "I bet this was a bit of a shock but after all I did kind of tell you about this." he said tilting his head at the gravestone. He got silent for a moment. He just wanted to take in the moment without saying anything. "Truth is if he was still around I'd probably still have some faith in me. Something to believe in like you do. Though I lost all hope that winter's day. Oh well maybe one day I'll find something to make me a believer again. Who knows, maybe you'll be around to see it happen." he said with a light chuckle.

 

Ryo stood up as he turned to face Byakko. "Well this was fun. I should probably head home now. I've taken up so much of your time as it is. Thank you Byakko. Your like a lifesaver or something. We still have plans for Wednesday right? I'll be sure to show up if you do." he said with a grin

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

"No, it didn't come as a shock really. More of a surprise is all." He smiles as the other stands up, and nods when the other says he should be getting home now. Byakko smiles more, and bids again. "You're very welcome. I'm glad I could help you. And yes, of course, our plans for Wednesday still stand. Who knows, maybe you'll gain your faith back then?" He glances at the grave, then back at Ryo. "Well, I'm going to stay here for a little bit longer. And just know, if you ever want to talk, or just have a place to escape to, you know where to find me."

 

He then reaches out, and places a slip of paper in Ryo's hand, before smiling one last time and turning to walk away, disappearing from view behind a row of bushes. Byakko pauses, takes a deep breath, and then walks again, his pace slow as he looked at all the grave stones, praying one large prayer for all the souls who had moved on from this world of the mundane, going to another world, similar to this one, but at the same time, far different.

 

The piece of paper that was in Ryo's hand that Byakko placed there, had a simple poem of words, but a mysterious ring to them. The note read: 'From the gods above, to mortal man below; Belief is the key, faith will set you free. Summer, winter, spring and fall, life and death come to all. North and south, east and west, taking chances is your test. Breaking forth from your chains, setting apart the world mundane. Black and white, savage beauty: take what's yours and come to me.' With the note was a small ornate gold key, tied to a red ribbon.

[azuneko]

Ryo held onto the piece of paper until he had gotten out of the graveyard. He glanced down at it and felt his cheeks heat up. "What he hell is this suppose to mean!?" he said feeling completely confused. He stuffs the paper and key into his pocket and hurries home. Once there he went straight to his room, avoiding anyone that might want to talk to him. Once in his room he pulled out the paper and key. He placed them on his desk and begins to think. He was sure there was some meaning behind why Byakko gave him this.

 

As he thinks more deeply he breaks it down to himself. "Alright if I focus on the last line of this it'll be like a confession. The key would then tie into that confession and.. wait since when do I play for the other team!!" he said to himself getting worked up. "Oh this could just be a holy man trying to get me to believe again. I mean he did give it to me after I made that comment. Ugh, I should just wait and ask him." he mutters tossing himself on the bed

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

After remaining a bit longer at the cemetery, Byakko makes his way back to the shrine, stopping every now and then to look at flowers, or kneel down and pet a stray kitten. Going up the shrine pathway, he pauses, feeling a shift in the wind, and he smiles softly. So, Seiryuu had been found. He goes into the honden, and sits down, using his ice mirror technique to check up on Ryo. When his image appearead into the mirror, Byakko smiles. Ryo apparently was teying to figure out what the little note meant.

 

He sighs, and lifts his finger, the mirror disappearing, and he leans against the wooden wall. Staring up at the ceiling, he wonders just what all would end up happening that coming Wednesday. Would Ryo come to see the light, or will he forever remain in the dark, blind to the world around him. Only time would tell. Never before had Byakko been so bent on getting someone to return to faith than with Ryo. It was beginning to confuse him deeply. Closing his eyes and leaning his head back, he dozes off, rays of light shining in him from the window.

 

(Do you just want to time skip or no?)

[azuneko]

(yeah we can time skip)

 

It wasn't long before the day finally arrived. It was Wednesday and Ryo was up early. He had classes and after school activities to attend to. Despite all of this he was more focused on meeting with Byakko that night. He was curious about what the other had to show him. He also wanted to ask about the note and key. So many unanswered questions and yet he was alright with that. He only wanted to see Byakko.

 

While in school he wasn't focused at all. His mind was so preoccupied with thoughts of tonight that he didn't even take any notes. When the bell rang, Ryo walked into the hall and noticed his friends. "Hey you seem so absent minded. Are you alright? Don't tell us you got yourself a girlfriend." one of his friends asked. Ryo chuckled lightly. "You could say something like that." he said with a smile

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

The days flew by and before Byakko knew it, Wednesday had arrived. During the afternoon he spent the whole time up at the shrine, but at about five in the evening he goes back to his house, to get a few things ready for when his meeting with Ryo took place at midnight. He was anxious, and wondered how the other male would react to the things that he was about to tell and show. Staring at his reflection, he takes a deep, calming breath, telling himself things would be fine.

 

>\>\>\>\>\>\>\

 

It was eleven fifty, and Byakko was to be found sitting perched upon the torii at the top of the stairs that led to the shrine. He was wearing the kimono that Ryo had first seen him in, the plain black one without shoes of any kind, nit even his sandals. Everything was ready and in place, all that was needed now was for Ryo to arrive and for it to turn midnight. The stone statues at the side of the path that led to the worship hall were lit with burning candles that flickered inside the mouths, which was needed as right at that moment, clouds blocked the moon, making it quite dark

 

There were also lanterns lit, hanging from the corners of the roofs of each of the buildings or structures, the light reflecting off the wells water, and on the purification trough in which people often got drinks from. It was quite a sight to behold, the shrine grounds at night, it was much more mystifying and ethereal in appearance. Byakko was proud if the shrine's appearance, why wouldn't he be though. It was his shrine after all.

[azuneko]

Ryo had to deal with his friends pestering him about his so-called girlfriend. He wasn't really sure how to get them to stop. "So how long have you two been going out?" one asked. "Listen its nothing too serious so stop asking. This person is really kind and even met my old man. They are just a very sweet person." he said softly. His friends were a bit surprised. They knew Ryo wasn't the kind of person who spoke of his father so easily. The figured this mysterious person must be very important to Ryo.

 

The other eventually went home after a long day of school. Once there he laid in bed as he watched the clock. He waited until about eleven twenty to leave and head to the shrine. On his way there he glanced at the key and piece of paper in his pocket. He really hopes Byakko would be there and it wouldn't be just a false hope. As he arrived at the bottom of the stairs, he took a deep breath. His mind a little nervous as he started to walk up them

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

Five more minutes pass, and Byakko was getting anxious. He was beginning to worry that Ryo wouldn't show, but right as that thought passed through his head, he sees a figure coming up the stairs, and none other than Ryo himself appears in his view. Standing up on top of the Torii, easily balancing himself, he crosses his arms over his chest, slipping his hands into the sleeves of his kimono, smiling down at Ryo, relieved that the other had finally arrived. "Hello Ryo Kamikaze-kun." He calls, before flipping backward, doing several turns midair before landing, nimbly as a cat, on the middle of the path that led to the shrine.

 

"I was beginning to worry you wouldn't come." He bows low, a serene look upon his face, the flickering light from the stone statues along the edges of the path dancing upon his skin, making him seem, somehow, feral in a way, the way the light made shadows upon him as well. Standing up straight, he looks straight at Ryo, his eyes shimmering, and looked like they were glowing, which indeed they were. "So, before I show you anything further, I must ask you this. If you answer yes we can continue, if you answer no, I'm afraid we cannot." He pauses, his eyes serious.

 

"Now then, answer me this. Even in the tiniest amount, do you think the four celestial spirits could be real? If so, would you believe that I am, was, and always will be, the harbinger of fall, the White Tiger of the West, Byakko?" He stares at the other male, it was two minutes to midnight. Byakko could sense that Ryo had brought the key with, which was a good sign in his opinion.

[azuneko]

Ryo walked up the stairs and soon noticed the shrine area all lite up. This was very lovely as he soon heard Byakko's voice. He stares at the other with a light chuckle. "Oh my, I would believe you once took up circus training with moves like that." he said softly as he stares around the place. It sure had a different feel at night than during the day. He was feeling a little nervous as to what the other would show him. "What..? I suppose I could answer a question or two." he said not sure what Byakko would ask him.

 

Upon hearing the questions, Ryo felt confused. The first one easier to answer than the second one. He looked down. "I suppose you could say I would believe such beings could exist. I mean there was this one time when I was younger.... never mind. It was a long time ago and I could have been dreaming due to the cold weather." he mumbled as he glanced at the male. "As to believe you are Byakko the actual white tiger, well I mean I haven't had reason to think you are a tiger. So I am not sure if this is a trick question or not." he said

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

A satisfied smile forms on Byakko's lips at hearing Ryo's response to the questions he'd asked. Taking a step back, he shakes his head a little. "It's no trick question." He looks up, and right as midnight hits, the clouds in the sky part, revealing the full moon, it's white glow shining down on the two of them. And as it did, a change took place in Byakko as he stood there, bathed in the light of the moon. "I AM Byakko, White Tiger of the West, and one of the four Celestial Spirits."

 

Byakko's eyes began to glow, and the stripes on his skin begin to darken and lengthen, appearing all over his body. His teeth also sharpen more, as claws grew from his fingers and toes. A white tiger tail grows from the base of his spine, swishing and flicking back and forth. Even as his body changed, the surroundings did too. Despite the fact that it was still summer, the trees around them began to change color, their leaves taking on the clothing of fall, reds, oranges, yellows and browns. Flowers that only bloomed in autumn began to spring forth, and the grass begins to get brittle and starts to die.

 

A warm, but at the same time, cool wind rushes past, from the direction of the west. Byakko kneels down, and in a flurry of wind, his body obscured by dead leaves and grass. After a moment, the wind dies down, to reveal to Ryo his true form, the form of a huge white tiger, with icy blue eyes, staring straight at Ryo. His body was much larger than the average white tiger, and he looked slightly different too. Sitting down, Byakko allows the other to take this all in, hoping it wouldn't freak the guy out. "This is what I really am."

 

[azuneko]

Ryo was still confused by the questions. He wasn't sure what Byakko was trying to say or convince him of. It all didn't make a bit of sense to him. Though something suddenl began to happen right before his very eyes. As the moonlight shines upon them, his gaze fixated on the male before him. He hears Byakko call himself the White tiger of the west. He was going to say something but freezes in the moment. His eyes widen as what he was currently witnessing was far too crazy to explain.

 

Ryo stood there unable to say anything. His eyes widen with not fear but disbelief. He didn't understand anything at th point. So had he become friends with a male or a tiger. He was going to say something but fainted. The shock alone was too much for him to handle. He still had questions for Byakko and now new ones to top it off.

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

"Oh that definitely isn't what you expected now is it Byakko?" A voice calls out, when Byakko stared at the unconscious body of Ryo, who was passed out on the ground. Byakko looks up, recognizing the voice, and sure enough, stepping from the shadows, was someone he knew all too well. Without replying, Byakko returns to his human form, and walks over to kneel down next to Ryo. The other person walks closer, so after a moment they were standing over Byakko and Ryo. "Perfect timing as always...Seiryuu..."

 

The man smirks, and kneels down as well. "You know how it goes. You can't rush spring. It will come when it comes." Byakko simply rolls his eyes at this statement. He nudges Ryo, trying to wake him up. The man named Seiryuu watches, amused by what had happened. Seiryuu was the same as Byakko, his appearance resembling the Celestial Spirit he was, in this case, The Azure Dragon of the East. He had dark midnight blue hair, deep blue eyes, soft ivory skin, and was wearing a blue kimono which hung loosely open over his chest, with an overcoat that had a flowery design on it, the cloth tied around his waist having the same design. In his hand he held a sort of smoking pipe, which obviously was very old by appearance, and a swirl of smoke rose up and around him.

 

[azuneko]

Ryo was trying to make sense of everything that just happened. Though nothing but a magic effect could explain what he just saw. Slowly feeling someone touching him he opened his eyes. He noticed Byakko there along with another male. Ryo slowly sat up and looked at the other. "Byakko, um... Did I fall asleep upon arrival or is what I just witnessed actually real?" he asked not wanting to seem crazy in any way. He really wasn't one to instantly plead insanity but maybe this was a good time

 

As he stayed sitting upon the ground his gaze drifted to the other male. Surprisingly he wasn't all to curious about him. Though somehow he felt he had seen him somewhere before. "Excuse me sir. Have I met you before?" he asked sure it was probably just his head still in a confused daze

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

Byakko sighs in relief when Ryo finally woke again, and Seiryuu puts down the bucket of water he'd been planning to dump on the human if he hadn't women up. Shaking his head, Byakko smile a faint smile. "It wasn't a dream Ryo. It was very much real." Seiryuu nods in agreement, and looks right back at Ryo when the other gazed at him, a smirk on his lips. Byakko looks to Ryo, then to Seiryuu, then back to Ryo again.

 

Then Ryo speaks up, asking if he'd seen Seiryuu before. The man was silent for a moment, knowing exactly who this was, and then shrugs, feigning ignorance. "Depends on where you think you've seen me." Actually, after the accident that had happened, Seiryuu made this human's mother a promise that he'd always look out for her family, and ever since then, he'd stayed in the shadows, keeping an eye out like he said he would, always nearby. Not creeper wise, since he had things he needed to do as well, and a shrine of his own to take care of, which was on the opposite side of town that this one was, set in the east, and he had other places to take care of as well.

 

There were five shrines in total where they lived, which was Tokyo. One to the north, south, east, west, and one right in the very center of Tokyo, the center one being very special indeed. Byakko's shrine, of course, was the one set in the west.

[azuneko]

Ryo frowns a little as he looked at him. "No it's not all that important. I mean it was a long time ago. I doubt you'd remeber some kid trapped in a car with his father. Forget it." he said as he slowly stood up. He didn't really want to bring that up anyway. He knew he had told Byakko the story with a few major changes to it. As in it wasn't a young girl with her father. However it was actually himself and his old man. He was sure not he revealed that truth to anyone who didn't notice on their own.

 

Slowly standing he looked over at Byakko. "So you are a tiger. I mean a real live tiger. Well that's one for the history books. I wouldn't have guessed such an outcome. Then my theory on this note and key were far off." he said chuckling softly. He felt a little disappointed as the theory he had wasn't true. Ryo's gaze lowers as he looked down. He felt odd now but wasn't sure why. "So does this mean I can't come hang out with you anymore? I kind of enjoyed getting to know you." he said softly

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

"I remember." Was all Seiryuu said, before standing up and walking away to pour the water back where he'd gotten it from, which was the well. He remembered so clearly, the dead father, the boy barely hanging on to life. He'd used what little life force that was left in the father to keep the kid from dying too, as he moved the clothing from the father to the boy. Later on he'd been found by the mother, who had made him promise to watch over him. Byakko watches all this with confusion in his eyes, but says nothing, only looking to Ryo who had spoken to him.

 

"Well, yes and no. I'm no ordinary tiger." He smiles, and then reaches out to gently clasp Ryo's shoulder for a moment, before letting his hand fall to his side. "But don't worry, you still have time to figure the full meaning behind the message." Byakko glances over at Seiryuu, who was standing a bit away, smoking, puffs of white smoke around him, and flowing from his nose, making him indeed look like a dragon. At Ryo's question, he blinks, looking to him. "Of course you're still welcome to hang out with me. And you can still get to know me too. Just because you found out what I really am, doesn't change the fact that we're friends." He smiles reassuringly at Ryo.

[azuneko]

Ryo looked at Seiryuu silently. So it seemed he was correct in thinking he had seen the male before. It was a bit of a relief but at the same time weird. He wonders what he was doing here. His gaze lowers as it seemed Byakko wasn't going to explain the note to him. "Well I mean I have many different ideas about the note but now I have to rethink. Also whose key is this? What does it unlock?" he asked softly.

 

His expression turned to a cheerful one. He would still be able to hang out with the other. He was glad to hear this. He had worried for a moment that Byakko wouldn't allow it. He tilts his head before glancing up at the moon. "Well it's late and I've had one hell of an interesting night. I wouldn't wish to bother you more than this. I do thank you Byakko for showing me this side of yourself. To be honest it made me think of something I hadn't in a long time." he was with a smile