Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Tactics. They are the property of Kinoshita Sakura, got it?

A/N: This is my first time writing a Tactics story . . . I hope you all like it . . . OOCness is present, I guess . . . I think. I know Kan-chan’s bracelet is supposed to detect youkai and whatnot but I also used it as a sign as to whether a creature/thing would attack him or not. Something to that degree . . . I’d also like to mention that the name, Dirina, was also used in another fanfic of mine. Please review, I’d appreciate it!

Breathe
Chapter 1: Suzu’s Grave
By: LadyYuina

A lonely boy walked down a dusty road, wondering where all the creatures had gone to. He frowned, asking himself if his presence had scared them off. His mind didn’t dwell on that for too long. Imagination was everything to this child . . . according to the villagers. The boy’s belief in creatures of the unknown was simply gibberish amongst the adults. Even to the other children he looked like an enigma.

“That boy would speak of things that we’ve never seen or heard of! Has he gone mad?”

Red eyes would narrow angrily, but the eyes were never willing to see.

“How does his mother and father deal with a child like him?”

Mouth drawn out in a thin line, yet a word was never spoken.

“My son is too scared to play with him . . .”

Fists ball up, though a punch was never thrown.

This was the life of Ichi . . .

Kan-chan!” Youko called. “Kan-chan!”

“In here, Youko! I was in the middle of writing when you interrupted me!” Kantarou peevishly exalted. He used his pen to scratch at an itchy spot on his scalp. Staring back down at the page, Kantarou wondered why he decided to write about himself . . . In a story format no less. Would he use his own name? Or make one up?

“You were actually writing?” Youko asked, voice dripping with disbelief. She poked her head around the corner of the shoji screened door - her fox ears popped up.

“Of course.” Kantarou presented her with a pen in hand, indicating that he had indeed been writing.

“Well, don’t stop. Keep going.”

“I would’ve if you didn’t interrupt me. I’m not in the mood to anymore.”

“Kan-chan, you lazy mongrel! You can’t expect food to appear on the table without money! Seriously . . . write some more!” Kantarou sniggered, he wasn’t going to tell Youko that his writing wasn’t even work related. If he told her that she’d surely punch his head off.

“Where’s Haruka?” Kantarou asked. Youko squeaked in annoyance and glared at her Master. Her fox ears were no stiff and straight on the top of her head. “Is he out in the garden on the rooftop again?”

“Don’t ignore me, Kantarou!” Youko yelled, pointing a finger at him as he stood up. He merely looked at her and shrugged. Youko was now fuming but she made no attempt to stop the silver haired man as he walked away from her.

As Kantarou suspected, Haruka was lying on the rooftop basking in the sun like a cat would. When he got up there he found Haruka blankly staring up at the blue sky. His eyes moved to settle on his Master but his head made no such jerking motion. Kantarou waved and smiled - Haruka liked the way his Master smiled. It made him feel all warm inside. The feeling was . . . nice.

“I knew you’d be up here, Haruka,” Kantarou happily said. He sat down next to the black haired Tengu, who now reverted his attention back to the sky. “It makes me wonder why you always come up here to stare at mass space above this planet. Even when the sky is darkened, being threatened with rain you still come gaze at it. It really makes me wonder.”

“You think too much. Stop analyzing things so carefully,” Haruka told him. Kantarou laughed. Haruka inwardly smiled, he liked Kantarou’s laugh too. It had a nice pitch to it, not too squeaky or deep. It was just the right tone for the Tengu’s ears. Haruka was happy that Kantarou his Master, but he wasn’t going to openly admit it. He shuddered at the though of Youko making fun of him, perhaps even Kantarou.

“That’s part of my job. Besides, being perceptive really comes in handy on some of the cases I take on.” Haruka stared at his Master again but he didn’t notice because he was still busy looking at the sky. A light breeze gently lifted his silver hair, making it sparkle in the sunlight. Far up in the clouds Kantarou could see a small butterfly fluttering its wings. “Say, how long has it been since Suzu’s death . . .?”

Haruka frowned, seeing his Master unhappy made him unhappy. He wanted to reach out and touch the man but refrained from doing so. Instead, he said, “about four months.”

“Wow . . . I didn’t know it had been that long already. I think I’ll go visit her grave one of these days.” Kantarou looked down now, though his gaze was averted from Haruka’s. The frown on his face deepened.

“You miss her?” Kantarou nodded, not bothering to hide what he was feeling this time. “I see.”

“She was annoying at times, but she was a very bright girl. I’m glad that she had lived as long as she did. It goes to show that she had the will to live. Remember that day? Even after death she tried to act like nothing was wrong . . . That day, I pitied her . . . was that wrong?”

Haruka made no notion to answer. He let the question settle, which in turn would eventually fade away. A flock of birds flew by them overhead. A thought came to Haruka.

“Kantarou.”

“Yes, Haruka?” Kantarou answered, not bothering to place his eyes upon the Tengu. Haruka sat up and looked at him, wondering if he should say what he wanted to say . . .

Still not looking at Haruka, Kantarou asked, “something the matter?”

“I was thinking about flying. Going to hang out somewhere for a while.”

“Go ahead, you have my permission. Just be back before dinnertime, okay?” When Haruka did not leave did the silver haired man finally look at him. His deep set red orbs held great pain in its murky depths but they were soon swept away with a blink of the eye. It was for the briefest of moments - Haruka did not let it go unchecked. “Haruka, I said you have my permission - go on.”

“I will.” Haruka stood up while Kantarou remained seated. Not bothering to care what his Master’s reaction would be, Haruka swept Kantarou up in his arms and took off into the air.

“H-hey! Haruka! What are you doing!” Kantarou squirmed around. Haruka sweat dropped, warning him that if he kept thrashing around like this he was going to fall. Kantarou stopped immediately as he wrapped his arms around Haruka’s neck. Haruka closed his eyes, relishing the feel of Kantarou’s arms around his neck. He held onto him tightly as he flew, promising himself that he’d never let his Master fall to his demise no matter what.

“Are you angry with me?” Haruka asked, curious to know.

Kantarou shook his head. “I’m not mad, just . . . a little surprised, that’s all. Did you have somewhere in mind you wanted to go to or are you simply going to keep flying around?”

“Where would you like to go, Kantarou?”

This question caught him by complete surprise - his eyes dilated to proportions bigger than normal. Haruka couldn’t help but smile at his Master’s cute expression. Surprise - that was one of his favorite expressions that Kantarou displayed.

“Uh . . . well, I . . . I don’t really know,” Kantarou replied. “Let’s just go back, Youko is expecting me to continue to write, even though I doubt I can.”

“Since when have you started to yield to Youko’s wishes?” Haruka asked, slightly amused. “You’re always so against it.”

“Meh, maybe I feel like listening to Youko for once. I am tired of eating the same old rice and miso soup everyday with the occasional fried sardine.” A few moments went by before Kantarou realized that Haruka wasn’t heading home. “Where are we going?”

“Suzu’s grave. Now is a good time as any to go visit,” Haruka reasoned. Kantarou smirked and remained silent for the rest of the trip. Haruka hoped that this was the only reason that his Master was feeling down.

“Before we actually go there I’d like to buy her some flowers.” Haruka shook his head and Kantarou frowned disapprovingly. “Why not? I feel that its rude not to--”

“It’s okay, Kantarou. I’m sure that Suzu wouldn’t want any flowers. We Tengus’ believe that things like that will go on into the afterlife. It’s best if she doesn’t remember us.”

“That’s some bogus story, Haruka. Shouldn’t things be sent off to the other realm at the time of the person’s death?” Kantarou quizzed.

“I don’t believe in human customs - I’ll believe what all Tengu believe in.” Haruka started to slow as they neared the grave site that Suzu was buried at. Kantarou started walking as soon as he was put down.

“Believe what you want, Haruka. I’m going to go gather some flowers in the nearby area. I’ll be back.”

“I should go with you--”

“Don’t worry. I’m not a kid, I’m a grown man. I can take care of myself.”

“According to a Tengu’s aging system, in retrospect I am much older than you. To us you’d still be considered a baby.”

Kantarou laughed as he continued to walk. He faded out of view when he entered through the bushes. Haruka had a motive to follow his Master but decided not to. After all that’s happened to Kantarou, he was sure that he could handle himself. Haruka sat down where he was and waited.

----------

Kantarou hummed a tune that he learned from Suzu as he looked around for flowers. When Suzu was sent away, Kantarou didn’t cry - he didn’t even look as sad as he wanted to be. After a while of her absence he broke down completely, but Haruka and Youko never knew about it. Thinking back to it now, Kantarou thought it was best that they never found out.

Did my longing for Suzu’s childish presence force me to write about myself? It sounds rather silly but I can’t think of any other explanation for it. Am I trying to leave a legacy of myself behind? Would anyone want to read it?

Once Kantarou had gathered all the flowers that he wanted he started to head back. Reaching the bushes that he had gone through Kantarou decided to peek in on Haruka to see what he was doing before making himself known. Kantarou pushed apart some bushes to see.

----------

Haruka was sitting down on the spot that he was last standing upon. He nonchalantly stretched his wings and yawned - Kantarou stifled a giggle. Seeing Haruka act like a bored old man was too good of a sight to give up. He muffled giggles stopped when he heard someone behind him.

“Ichinomiya Kantarou . . .”

The silver haired man turned around to see a woman of immeasurable beauty standing before him. The woman had long, flowing hair and eyes as golden brown as a fiery copper coin. She was clothed in a long green shawl that covered her shoulders to her waist. Beneath this was a black, loose fitting dress that had intricate designs on the hem. What appeared to be on her head was a witches’ hat though Kantarou doubted that she was a witch.

“That’s me . . .” Kantarou answered. His bracelet jingled gently, telling him that this mysterious woman was not going to attack him anytime soon - if she had any intent to . . . “Can I help you with something?”

“Write - that is all that I ask of you. Write.”

Kantarou’s brows furrowed, confused by this woman’s demand. It now dawned on him that she might be a fan of his written works. He smiled, saying, “if you’re a fan of mine you’ll have to wait for my next article. I’ll admit this only to you - I hate working!” The woman did not laugh as she continued to stare at him.

“Such a trivial matter does not concern me,” she replied. Kantarou sweat dropped, placing a hand behind his head as he laughed nervously. The woman eyed the bracelet on his wrist. “That bracelet . . .”

“This?” Kantarou pushed his wrist down and extended it outward, showing her. The bells started to jingle harder when the woman’s expression changed. Her face, once clam indifference was now accurately concealed anger. Kantarou sense something was wrong. “Who are you?”

“My name you need not know. Until next time.” A black ball of energy emerged from the ground, engulfing her. Kantarou watched as the ball dispersed - leaving a small trail of smoke to rise up towards the sky.

“Who was that woman? Her aura was expertly concealed . . . she can’t be a common demon . . .”

----------

When Kantarou made it back to the gravesite, Haruka acted as if he didn’t notice him. One of the other things he liked about his Master was when he threw his arms around him to try and surprise him as he shouted, ‘gotcha!’ Haruka waited - nothing happened. He waited some more, still nothing happened.

“Where’s Kantarou?”

----------

Turning around he saw Kantarou standing by a tombstone. He was looking at it while scratching at his head. Haruka wondered what was the matter. He made his way towards the silver haired male.

“What are you doing, Kantarou?” Haruka asked, peering at the tombstone his Master seemed to be so engrossed upon. The name read, ‘Kimishiro Dirina’. “Do you know this person?”

“No, but I feel as if I’ve met her before. Her name sounds so familiar, yet I can’t recall where I’ve heard it.” Kantarou now placed a hand beneath his chin as he engaged himself in deep thought.

Haruka’s gaze fell onto the flowers in Kantarou’s left hand. He wanted to remind him to go visit Suzu’s grave but he didn’t say anything. Kantarou groaned in frustration when he couldn’t come up with a valid answer to appease himself. The black-haired Tengu was intrigued to see the silver haired man struggling to remember someone that he simply could not remember.

“Kantarou, we should head to Suzu’s grave now.” Kantarou stopped fuming and looked at Haruka. He looked as if he completely forgot the whole reason he was here. “You mean you’ve forgotten?”

“Hahahaha, I guess you could say that . . .” Kantarou sweat dropped. “Let’s go there now then! I’ll chant her a spirits’ prayer!”

“What kind?” Haruka easily kept walking pace with his Master because he was a lot taller.

“The one for when one’s spirit passes over the bridge onto Heaven’s doors. This is one of my favorites,” Kantarou told him. Haruka blinked a couple of times - he had just learned something new about his Master. The flower was placed down upon Suzu’s tombstone despite Haruka’s protests. Kantarou stuck his tongue out at his playfully.

“Just because you’re my Master don’t always expect to get your way,” Haruka coolly warned.

Kantarou who was now grinning, grinned even wider. “Try me.” He planted both hands on either side if his hips - his eyes blazed for the passion of competing.

Haruka merely shrugged, while saying, “I’ll pass.”

“Scared to go against me?” Kantarou taunted.

“No.”

“Then come on!”

“Suzu’s grave - show some respect.” Kantarou looked at the tombstone and slapped a hand to his forehead. Now it was Haruka’s turn to smirk. “I win.”

“Eehhhhhh? What do you mean you win?” Kantarou thrust his face towards the Tengu’s.

“Just chant.”

“Oh! Right, right . . .” Kantarou muttered.

Chapter 1: END