Author: Suilan

1. The Past – The Sukiyama Barrier

I – His Brother’s Shock

Rain fell in sheets.  The night darker than black.  Alarms blared through the five-acre Sukiyama Estate.  Constant, deafening, enough to make his brain hurt.  None of it stopped Tama Sukiyama.

At fifteen years old, Tama’s determination was stronger than most.  He could move a mountain if he wished it.  On this night, he cut across the Northwestern lawn, running to the unsettling bamboo forest on the outskirts of the property.  On a normal night, Tama preferred the neat laid out paths  on the edge of the forest to get to the dirt road.  On this terrible night though, Tama decided to cut through the bamboo forest.  Night was thicker in the forest and Tama hated the darkness.  He pushed aside his fear, running into the trees without hesitation. His breath came in gulps, his chest heaving with exertion.  His muscles burned, and his heartbeat filled his ears.  Sweat poured down his forehead, down his neck to his back, making his shirt cling to his slender body.  His black pants were muddy at the bottom, his shoes sloshed with water from the grass, and now from the muddy forest floor.

Tama swiped his left wrist over his forehead, pushed strands of hair out of his eyes.  Branches swatted at him, stinging nettle swept across his ankle, the painful sting not enough to break his focus.  Gritting his teeth, Tama ignored all discomfort, determined to get to the dirt road.

His mind filled with one thought, saving his little brother.  Koji was eight.  Earlier in the afternoon, Koji had gone to visit their neighbors, close family friends who loved having Koji over.  The Takadas were like family to the Sukiyama Clan.  Koji loved visiting the Takadas because the family had children his age.  Nana and Rei.  No one at the Sukiyama Estate had worried about Koji staying at the Takada home too long.  When it got late, Shizuka Takada would usually call the estate either to say she’d drop off Koji, or to let them know he was sleeping over.

But tonight…tonight was different.

Tonight, the Sukiyama Estate was under attack.

The thought renewed waning adrenaline through Tama’s body.  He pushed through thick bamboo trees hoping to see the dirt road soon.  His brain filled with his mother’s panicked order.

Misato Sukiyama never panicked.  When she did, Tama imagined the world was ending.  She had screamed for him to get Koji home as fast as he could.

“He must be safe, Tama-kun!”

Tama tasted the bitterness of panic just as he came out of the forest on to the wide dirt road.  Crossing the road, he climbed up a gentle slope of green to find a smaller compound fenced with trellis panels.  Tama hurried along the cobbled path that led to a side gate on the property.

The alarm from the estate was distant.  Tama imagined Shizuka Takada would meet him to ask what the problem was.

The wooden gate into the compound was partially open.

Tama didn’t give it a thought.  He walked up the path, around a beautiful garden, and came up to the back of the house.  Climbing up the short steps to the deck, he didn’t bother removing his muddy shoes.  Shizuka would have his head but it didn’t compare to delaying his mother’s orders.  Aware of the mud tracks he left in his wake, Tama promised to make it up to Shizuka later and entered the warm kitchen.

“Shizuka-san, Koji-kun,” Tama called, looking around the clean room.

The silence was unnerving.

It was never this quiet in the Takada household. 

Shizuka’s two children, Rei and Nana, teamed with Koji, usually filled the house with activity and noise.  Shizuka would have appeared by now to yell at him for messing up her clean floor.

Frowning, Tama hurried into the short hallway that would take him into the living room.

“Where are you guys?  Okaasan is calling,” Tama said, the last comment added to impress urgency.

Shizuka would understand his urgency.  Whenever Misato Sukiyama called, everyone obeyed.

Touching a fern growing in a pot on top of a high stool by the living room entrance Tama wondered why Shizuka wasn’t on him yet.  The sound from the television was welcome.  The kids were watching their favorite anime.  It was only eight o’clock.  Koji was going to be very upset with Tama for dragging him back home.

Entering the living room, Tama pasted on a smile to soften the coming argument and froze.

His heartbeat, which had calmed from the run, revved up and flung itself into a volatile beat that threatened to deafen him.  A hoarse scream escaped and his vision narrowed down to colors.

Red, on every corner of the living room. 

The walls, on broken furniture, the television screen, the carpet, the flowers Shizuka liked to place on stools.

Tama gasped, his lungs failing him.  His chest felt too tight.  He couldn’t breath.  His stomach lurched; his dinner felt alive and wanted out.  His brain finally managing to process that the red color was blood.

Blood painted on the walls.  Nausea rose up with vengeance and he bent over, letting out the contents of his dinner.

Where was Koji?

Panic sucked away vital energy, his hands braced on his thighs, Tama looked around the room.  He had to find his little brother.  There was so much blood.  Was he too late?

No.

Koji was safe, he shook his head and straightened up, fingers clenched into tight fists.  He just needed to find Koji first.

The room was a mess: couches overturned, the coffee table broken, shelves emptied.

Tama saw a woman lying in a mess of broken glass by the windows.  Her hair was all he could see of her face.  A large map of red on her pink dress.  The fabric ripped in the middle of the blood spot, it looked like a stab wound.

“Shizuka-san,” Tama hurried to her side, knowing even as he shook her that she wouldn’t be lying so still if she were breathing.  Sorrow filled him.  He loved her like a mother.

Tears filled his eyes and he looked around the room.

Please let Koji be alive, the chant started in his head.  His little brother couldn’t be dead.  He was alive.  Looking around the room, Koji frantically searched through debris.  Koji had left the house in a blue t-shirt.  He’d caused such a fuss over it too.  Misato had laid out a green t-shirt this morning for him, but Koji wanted the blue one, something about the color being Rei’s favorite.  Koji had wanted to match Rei today.  Their mother had given in after a short fuss.  It was always like that with Koji.  No one wanted to disappoint his sweet face.

“Please let him be alive,” Tama murmured.

He pulled at broken wood panels, and tagged torn fabric.  His heart hammering so loud he wished it would stop.  The harder he wished the louder it got, sending him into panic.  His hands were shaking.  Tama took in a deep breath and forced his brain to focus.

Shizuka had gone down with a fight.  She’d left nothing standing in the living room.

Tama felt despair fill him when he spotted little Nana.  She was on her stomach too, in the corner of the room, behind the television stand.  She was in a green dress, her hair in a ponytail.  Tama jumped over broken chairs to her.  Grabbing her small shoulder, he turned her over, and a cry escaped when he found two wounds in her stomach.  Her eyes were still open, the fear in them frozen forever.

Screaming, tears tracking down his face, he closed Nana’s eyes gently, and reached for a throw blanket tucked behind a bookcase to cover her.  His heart clenched painfully when he revealed a boy in a blue shirt lying under the blanket.  The back of his shirt was red; the stab wound in the middle sickening.

Tama’s hand froze, a second ticked and then insanity filled his brain.

“No.” He abandoned Nana and reached for the boy.  Lifting him up, Tama turned him to see his face.  It was traitorous, the wave of relief that filled him when he recognized Rei.  Rei’s eyes were closed, his body too still.

Tama bit his lip, carefully laying Rei beside his sister.  Taking the blanket, he covered them both, and turned to the bookcase.  Pushing it further away from the wall, a gasp of relief escaped when he saw Koji tucked into the corner.

He gave the bookcase a hard shove and hurried into the space.  Koji sat with his head buried into his lap, his arms wrapped around his knees.  Tama gripped skinny upper arms tightly and with barely controlled strength, he shook his little brother.

“Koji,” Tama said, his voice heavy with tears, kneeling in front of his little brother.  There were no wounds on Koji.  He looked whole.  Still, when Tama shook him, his head fell back, to reveal open unfocused eyes.

Sitting back on his haunches, Tama pulled Koji onto his lap, holding him like a baby.  Touching his forehead, Tama hissed.  Koji was cool to the touch.  He didn’t seem like he was breathing, so Tama pressed his fingers to Koji’s neck, seeking a pulse.  He took in a deep breath when he felt a slow pump against his fingers.

Tama stared at his brother puzzled.  Koji was too still.  His eyes open but no reaction to light or him.  His black pupils were dilated; the peculiar blue of Koji’s irises was such a contrast.  Tama felt relief flood him when he caught the small flair of Koji’s nostrils proving that he was breathing.  Shaking, Tama decided the best option right now was to carry Koji to safety.

Whoever had done this would pay, their parents would see to it, but first, he needed to take Koji home.  Misato would know what to do to help Koji.

***

II –The Woman with a Fierce Heart

Tama carried Koji on his back, hurrying along the dirt road.  Thankfully, the rain had stopped, but the night was cold.  He had found a blanket in one of the bedrooms at Shizuka’s house and carefully wrapped Koji with it.  He hoped his little brother was warm.

Before leaving home, Tama had heard his mother say she was heading to the shrine attached to their home to meet their father.  The dirt road would lead him to the shrine.  Tama held Koji tighter just glad his brother was alive.

A line of bamboo trees ran along the spring that flowed through the Sukiyama property to his right.  Those bamboo trees thickened into the forest he’d ran through earlier.  On his left, a field of grass morphed into the entrance to the shrine marked by Torii.  There was no one around the entrance, and for a moment, Tama wondered if the adults had returned back to the estate.  A grief-stricken cry filled the night, and Tama stopped at the Shrine gates, staring at the stairs.

The panic he’d felt at the Takada house returned.  Tama started up the stairs into the shrine, needing to know who had made that terrible cry.  He climbed up the stairs barely feeling the weight of his brother on his back.  Clearing the stairs, he walked up the lighted walkway to the sanctuary ahead.

When he reached the entrance, he paused before entering the partially opened double doors.

In the middle of the large prayer hall, his mother, Misato Sukiyama, knelt on the floor.  Her long hair falling down her back in an untidy wave.  His aunt, Saya Matsumoto, knelt on the other side of the prone figure between them.  Saya’s face was the only one he could see.  It shook him to see Saya’s face wet with tears.

The air was filled with the despair he’d heard in the scream.

“Where is Yuki?” Misato demanded, her voice rough.

It suddenly occurred to Tama that the scream might have come from her.  Walking closer, Tama recognized the man lying between the two women.  It was his father.  His mother’s hand was pressed against a wad of cloths on his father’s stomach.  The white fabric turning a deep red.  Misato’s other hand, stroked strands of hair away from Syaon Sukiyama’s face.  He seemed in peaceful sleep.

“The perimeter guards report that Yuki is trying to find the main entrance into the estate,” Saya answered.  “Thank goodness the shrine obscures our boundaries.  Our men are doing the best they can at the front gates, but Yuki came heavily armed.  There is a lot of gunfire.”

“Has anyone seen my children?  Did they return to the house?” Misato asked.

“No.” Saya’s answer was quiet.  “Please don’t face Yuki.  Think of the children.  Koji is only eight.  Tama just turned fifteen.  He needs guidance to run this place now.”

“They have you,” Misato said, her tone firm.  “These attacks won’t stop.  We’ve lost too much, so many people that we love, our friends and now my husband is gone.  I refuse to give Yuki my children too.”

Lost?  Tama frowned.

His father wasn’t lost.  He was right there.  What did she mean?

“Misato,” Saya started, but stopped when she glanced up and noticed him.

“Tama,” Saya gasped.

His mother turned to look at him.  The shock on her face reflected his.  He had never seen his mother cry.  Tears tracked down her soft golden skin.  Her eyes were red.  Her shoulders slumped in defeat.   It was impossible.  Misato Sukiyama was the rock of the family.  She always remained unmoved in the worst situation.

“Oh no,” Misato sobbed, scrambling to her feet, she rushed to him.  Her hands moved over Koji’s back, shaking her head, when Koji remained unresponsive.  She looked at Tama for answers.

“He’s alive,” Tama said, his voice trembling.  His gaze trailed back to his father.  His father hadn’t moved.  Syaon would have moved when he saw them.  “What’s wrong with Dad?”

“Let’s put your brother down first,” Misato said.  “Saya, come and help.  They’re both freezing.  We need to get them warm.”

Misato took Koji from him.  She had to remove Tama’s fingers one by one, as his grip on his brother was tight.  Once he let go, Saya and Misato laid Koji on the floor.

“What happened?  Where is Shizuka?” Misato asked.

“Someone attacked their house,” Tama said, his gaze on his father as he knelt beside his mother next to Koji.  “Shizuka, Nana and Rei are dead.”

Saya rubbed a hand over his back to comfort him.  For a moment, the familiar gesture felt out of place.  So much had happened in the space of thirty minutes.  Comfort seemed a strange emotion.

Saya turned her attention to Koji.  She looked into Koji’s eyes and touched his little brother’s left wrist.  Meeting Misato’s gaze, Saya said, “He’s in shock.”

“My poor baby,” Misato said, rubbing Koji’s arm.  She leaned down and pressed a kiss on Koji’s forehead.  Sitting back on her haunches, she closed her eyes and let out a soft breath.

Tama worried, seeing his mother this way, he couldn’t take it.  Then she pulled off the ring she wore on her right index finger.  Tama’s eyes widened.  In all his years, he couldn’t remember a day his mother had removed that ring.

“Okaasan, what are you doing?” Tama asked.

The gold ring had blue stones intricately embedded on the surface, with a large blue/green stone as the centerpiece.  His father once jokingly referred to it as Misato’s light.

“I’m saving you and your brother,” Misato said.  She took Koji’s right hand and paced the ring on Koji’s right index finger.

Tama watched in awe as the ring fitted itself to the size of Koji’s index finger.

“Tama, stay here and look after your brother.  Saya will stay with you.”

“Where are you going?”

Tama couldn’t stop the hysteria in his voice.  His father was gone…dead…it hurt to think that word in relation to his father.

“You can’t go.  Who’ll help Koji if you go?”

“You, Tama,” Misato said, looking at him.  “Okaasan needs you to stay strong.  Take care of your little brother.  You are his guardian now.  Teach him the things your father and I have taught you.  Be there for each other.  You must always do this, promise me.”

“Okaasan,” Tama shook his head.

She was everything now.  Without their father, she was their world.  How could they be without her?

Misato cut into his fear when she moved closer and placed her hands on his shoulders.  The warmth that seeped into his skin through his damp shirt made him want to make the promise.  Even though it felt like their world was ending.  Wherever she was going, seemed like she wouldn’t be returning.  He met her light blue eyes and found strength to answer her.

“I promise,” Tama said in a whisper.

Misato gave him a swift nod and pulled him into tight hug.  She enveloped him in warmth that rejuvenated him.  Then as quickly as that warmth wrapped around him, it was gone.  Misato pulled back and leaned down to Koji.  Her fingers trailed over Koji’s cheek.

“The ring will protect him until he’s old enough to remember,” Misato said to Saya.  “Like me, and every second child born into previous generations in my family, he’s the keeper of the Seiryu Spirit.  Guide him well, and Koji will do much good for others, Saya-chan.  It was easy for previous generations in the family because we only had this power to protect and wield.  It will be harder for Koji because he has also inherited his father’s gift of sight.”

“The stone contained and hid your power; will it not do the same for Koji?” Saya asked.

“Until he’s twenty, then it gets harder to contain without help.  I planned on assisting him through his coming off age year,” Misato said, her voice trembling.  “You will have to do it for me, Saya-chan.”

“Misato—,”

“Listen,” Misato cut her off.  “Syaon was more than my husband, Saya.  He was my mate, part-holder of my power.  The Seiryu Spirit keepers love young.  When we turn twenty-one, the power multiplies and is shared with the right person.  The right mate.  Fate is useful in finding such a partner, but I botched the process during my time.”

Misato shook her head, her gaze on Koji.

“I led Takino Yuki into believing he would be my mate.  By the time, I realized it was Syaon, Yuki was obsessed with possessing what isn’t his to have.  I caused this massacre upon us.  Koji’s life will be in danger if Yuki finds him.  Yuki will try to force him to share this power, if not try to take it away all together.  Saya, you must not let this happen.”

“Which is why Koji needs you to stay,” Saya begged.  “Stay, Misato.  We’ll go into hiding.”

“Yuki has breached our home and murdered my husband.  I have no choice but to stop him.  I need to protect my family, and you,” Misato said.  “Tama is Koji’s guardian.  Teach my children everything you know until they’re old enough.  Their lives depend on it.”

Misato hugged Saya then.

“My dear Saya, please guard my treasures fiercely.”

“I will,” Saya promised.

Tama hated the finality of the moment.  He squeezed Koji’s shoulder, hoping his brother would wake up and then their mother wouldn’t have to go.  Koji stayed still, unseeing.  Tama watched helplessly as Misato stood, and went to their father.  She stood over Syaon for a moment, her head bowed.

When she turned away from Syaon, her eyes were filled with resolve.  She didn’t pause when she reached them.  Instead, she walked by without a single glance and headed for the exit doors.

Tama jumped to his feet ready to run after her.

“Okaasan!”

Strong arms wrapped around him and he struggled.

“Let me go,” he demanded of Saya.

“Okaasan,” he called, watching his mother reach the double doors.

Misato gave him a slight smile and closed the doors with a slam.

“Your little brother needs us here,” Saya said, when he started to struggle in earnest determined to go after her.

Saya refused to let go, no matter how much he fought against her.  She held firm.  So tight was her hold, he started to cry.  The tears fell fast.  His sobs hard and wrenched from a part of him that felt damaged.

His mother was going to her death.

Why would she do it so calmly?  Why was all this happening?  What were they to do without the woman with a fierce heart?

***

III – Head of the Sukiyama Clan

“Sign here” Saya said, the next morning.

They were in Koji’s bedroom on the second floor of the main house.  Koji was asleep.  His eyes finally closed.  Tama wasn’t sure what his brother dreamed about, but Koji sleeping was better than looking at unmoving Koji with open eyes.

Tama looked at the papers Saya held out to him and frowned.

“Why don’t you sign them?” he asked.

“I can’t.  You are the head of the Sukiyama Clan now.  It is your birthright, Tama.  You need to sign this so that we can start the funeral arrangements.”

“Funeral,” Tama said his voice a whisper.

His gaze returned to his brother.  Koji would wake up to a different world.  At some point in the night, their mother’s death was confirmed.  The man Saya called Yuki had stabbed her at the main gates.  She had lost a lot of blood, and no matter how many times Tama begged, Saya refused to let him see her body.  Tama wiped a palm down his face.

“There are more formalities to get through, but we’ll wait for your brother to wake up,” Saya said.  “I know you are worried about him.  For now, sign these paperwork so that we can arrange to put your parents to rest.”

Tama shivered.

There were no tears left.  He had changed into comfortable clothes: a black t-shirt, sweater and black slacks.  His feet were in warm thick socks.  His hair dry.  The room heated.  Yet, he felt so cold; he could hardly move his fingers to take the pen Saya offered.

Tama had so many questions to ask Koji.  His brother must have seen the people who attacked the Takada house.  Investigators assumed the same intruders attacked the estate, but they needed proof to start a case against Takino Yuki.  If Koji could remember—

Koji moaned slightly and Tama forgot the documents.  He moved to Koji’s side, as his brother turned his head from side to side then opened his eyes.

 “Koji-kun,” Tama said, leaning over him.  He took his brother’s hand and gave it a slight squeeze.  “How do you feel?  Does anything hurt?”

“Nii-san,” Koji said, his voice filled with pleasure, the single word like manna to Tama.  Big brother, Koji said.  Koji’s trust in him so clear.  Tama closed his eyes, feeling like he didn’t deserve it.  Koji’s best friends were dead and he hadn’t been there to protect Koji.

“Are you okay?” Tama asked, in a strained voice.

“I’m fine,” Koji said, his voice heavy with sleep.  “Why are you so sad?  Did something happen?”

Koji’s gaze found Saya and he smiled.

“Saya-san, you’re here too.”

Tama stared at his brother in shock.  Did Koji not remember?  How?  Tama turned to Saya in panic.  How was he supposed to tell Koji?”

“Why are you frowning, Nii-san?” Koji asked, taking Tama’s hand, and giving it a squeeze.  “Did I fall and hurt myself again?”

Koji sat up on the large bed, rubbing his eyes with a small yawn.

“Koji, do you remember what happened at Rei and Nana’s house last night?” Tama asked gently.

Koji stared at him.

“Did Rei hurt himself?”

“He can’t remember,” Saya said.  “Tama, don’t force it.”

“But why?” Tama shook his head.

He looked away from his brother, conflicted.  How was he supposed to explain that their parents were dead?  What explanation could he give?  He was trying to formulate a story, when Koji gripped his right hand tight.  Turning to look at his brother, Tama stared at the tears running down Koji’s cheeks.

“Koji, what’s wrong?  Does anything hurt?”

“They are dead,” Koji said, sobbing hysterically.  “Mom and Dad, they are dead.  You were thinking it right now.  They are dead!”

It took hours to calm Koji down after that.

He cried so hard, Tama worried it would make Koji sick.  Tama climbed into the bed and held his brother while he cried.  Saya had to go find a mild tranquilizer to help calm him.  Tama rocked his brother until he slept.

Leaving the room, Tama followed Saya downstairs to the dining room.  She laid out the documents she wanted him to sign on the table, and he started pacing.

“Why can’t Koji remember?”

“I don’t know,” Saya said. “We should take it as a blessing in disguise.”

She pulled out a chair and sat her gaze on him.

“You need a strong shield for your thoughts.  I’m not without power of my own.  I will work on protecting your thoughts.  If Koji can’t remember, we won’t have him reading the truth off you so easily.”

“These abilities mother spoke of have started too early,” Tama said, his knees suddenly feeling weak.  He pulled out the chair at the head of the table and sat.  “What will happen if someone tells Yuki about Koji?”

“You let me worry about that,” Saya said.  “Tama, your parents left you their holdings.  As the head of the clan, the responsibilities on your shoulders triple.  I promise to guide you the best I can.”

Saya’s words were important.  He knew that, but for some reason, the meaning refused to sink in.  His brain was stuck on the fact that the Sukiyama Family was down to him and Koji now.  There was no one else.  Saya wasn’t a Sukiyama.  They called her aunt because she had been a part of their lives all his life.

“Your father’s position has both enemies and friends.  There are those who will kidnap you or your brother for money, or leverage, the world is quite unreasonable.  Now that your parents are dead, these attempts might increase.  Tama, you must grow your strength, show no cracks even when it seems impossible.”

“Enemies,” Tama murmured, his dark gaze moving to study Saya.  “Do you mean like Takino Yuki?  The man who killed our parents last night?  What exactly did he want?”

“Takino Yuki is dangerous.  He wanted what was inside your mother, what is inside your brother.  He will do anything to get into this estate to accomplish his goals,” Saya said bluntly.  “Your mother, Misato, died casting a protection spell over this estate.  I don’t know how long it will last, but for now, you are both safe.  No one can enter the estate without invitation.”

“Spell,” Tama said, rolling the words on his tongue, trying to digest them.  “Does that mean that anyone who enters the estate uninvited will die?”

“Yes,” Saya said, with a sigh.  “She created a sanctuary.  No one can find the estate at random.  A good thing for now, not so much when you are grown up and want to have friends over.  We’ll need to find a solution to that barrier in time.  Right now, we need to move forward.  First, Tama, please sign these papers so I get started on the funeral arrangements.”

“Saya-san,” Tama said, terrified.

When she looked at him, he sighed. 

“You won’t leave us, right?  Please stay with us.  I can’t do this without you.”

Saya smiled then, and got up, moving to where he sat.  She placed a hand on his left shoulder and squeezed.

“This is my home too, Tama.  I will not leave you.”

Tama nodded.  It was enough.  If Saya was here too, he could be strong.  He would fight through the fear and face what was coming.  He would protect Koji for a lifetime.  Reaching for the papers, he took the pen Saya offered.  Giving them a short perusal, Tama signed his name on the designated lines.

****

IV – The Hidden Card

A week after the Sukiyama funeral, Tama and Koji went to visit their parent’s grave, leaving Saya in the estate.  Once she saw the car leave the main compound, Saya left the main house using a side door, and hurried to the Sukiyama store house used for food storage decades before.  In recent years, Misato had renovated the building wanting to use it as a warehouse for a gallery she wanted to open.  One of her many projects left incomplete.

Keying the code into the doors, Saya walked into the large open room and sighed when the doors locked behind her.  She turned left and went down steep stairs leading to a hidden basement.

She once again keyed in a code into the lock and the door hissed open into a well-lit room.  The man sleeping on a stiff metal chair jerked awake, and stood when he saw her.  She closed the door and her gaze moved to the large bed in the middle of the room.  The machines around the bed hummed steady rhythms.

Saya was unsure whether she should feel relief or despair.  This scenario was far from ideal.

“Well?” she prompted the sleepy man in a white lab coat.

“Touch and go,” the man said.  “Only time will tell now.”

Saya took in a deep breath and let it out slowly with a small nod, her gaze on the figure on the bed.

Yes, time is all they had now.

***