Chapter Four: Unhinging Echo of the Past

Take a deep breath. Breathe out. Inhale. Another exhale.

I was sitting in a park practicing breathing exercises after cram school to decompress, the stress of today weighing down on me.

As predicted, erroneous rumors of my potential 'involvement' with Umemiya spread like wildfire. And, as I feared might happen, the word continued to be passed around at my cram school to others not privy to the ever-worsening situation. Given the nature of the news, I wouldn't find it surprising if it snowballed to other schools tonight. By tomorrow morning, everyone would falsely believe I was in a gang.

That knowledge would have its own set of consequences. Either people would stay away, fearing me because I was a delinquent of a notorious group of thugs, or they'd search for me to pick a fight. Umemiya also might not appreciate the notion going around that he was taking orders from someone else. Likewise, my mother and her husband would be furious if they caught wind of it.

The world must love conspiring against me...

I sighed, laying down on the cool grass and staring up at the sky. Tonight, white, fluffy clouds covered the moon and stars.

"It's just as well," I muttered, rolling onto my side.

I didn't want to look at them, anyway.

After some time, the tension pervading my body dissipated, replaced by exhaustion. My eyelids grew heavy, but I persuaded myself to sit up with the knowledge sleeping out in public was too high a risk. Someone would do something to me. I had countless enemies and had become the chief topic of too many conversations; there were also multiple weirdoes prowling around.

I stood, about to head home, when a pulling feeling flooded my senses that was much stronger than I'd experienced before. Overwhelmed by it, my instincts took over and led me toward some unknown destination. Surroundings, vanishing while I walked forward in a trance-like state.

The tugging sensation came to an abrupt stop. I blinked, disoriented, but soon recognized my location.

"Is this some kind of joke?" I groaned.

Some sick twist of fate had led me right where I didn't want to be—the Funbari Hill Cemetery.

Choosing to ignore whatever drew me here, I went to walk away but halted as voices reached my ears. I knew by their boisterous conversation that it was a sizable group of people; one distinctive baritone voice stood out more than the others. I'd heard its unmistakable gruff overtones many times over the years. Ryunosuke Umemiya, known less formally as Ryu of the Wooden Sword, was heading in my direction. His gang with him.

My heartbeat sped up, and I felt panic set in.

I can't let anyone see me with or near them. It will only give everyone a reason to think their suspicions about me are true!

With nothing else on my mind but trying to make a quick escape, I threw open the small gate of the cemetery and rushed inside. Realization of what I'd done hit the moment my feet touched the hallowed grounds. I wanted to berate myself for the stupidity of my actions but stayed quiet and searched for a place to hide. There was nothing I could do now.

If I tried retracing my steps, the streetlight in front of the gate would only cause them to find me. They'd give chase and beat me to a pulp when they captured me; of that, I'm sure.

Umemiya and I weren't on the best of terms, despite what others may think. Our last parting wasn't under the most favorable of circumstances. And if he's heard the rumors, seeing me would only add fuel to the fire. I bet he and his friends were eager to do something to me. My appearance in their territory would grant them the ammunition they needed to do it.

Frantic and finding no place to take cover, I dashed up the stone stairs leading to the Shinto shrine. Sneaking behind the memorial was my only chance of getting out of this unscathed.

"Himiko?!" Manta shouted in surprise when I made it to the top of the hill.

Heart leaping inside my chest from his sudden outburst, I stopped and looked in his direction.

Manta was being held hostage, strapped tight to the base of the tree by a thick rope and feet dangling in the air because of his short stature. The shaman boy was standing next to him near the now broken headstone lying in pieces on the ground. It took a few moments to process the situation as I stared at them in bewilderment.

"Yo!" the shaman youth said with a carefree smile.

"What the—?" I shook my head to gather my thoughts. "What are you—"

"Don't worry, I'll untie Manta soon. I just want him to watch me."

"Watch you?"

"But it was nothing!" Umemiya exclaimed with pride.

My concentration shifted to the steps as I turned pale and cursed under my breath.

Damn it! I forgot why I was here!

"That voice..." Manta said, shaking with terror.

"When they saw Ryu swinging the wooden sword around, everyone scattered away."

"They were all bullshitting with us."

"It might be best if you go hide," the shaman boy suggested.

The absurdity of the idea made me look at him with an incredulous expression, anger rearing its ugly head.

"Hide?!" I roared. "How can you expect me to hide when Manta's tied to a tree?! He can't defend himself, let alone run! He'll just get beaten to a pulp again along with you! Idiot!"

My haughty reply took the two younger boys off guard, along with myself. I'd reacted to his advice without thinking, something that was becoming all too common whenever they were around. Everything I blurted out, though, had been my true feelings about the subject. The circumstances had thrown me into a position that made it impossible to follow through with his suggestion. I could never abandon someone to save myself, no matter who they were or what may happen.

"Why are you two knuckleheads even here?!" I continued in frustration.

"Who's there?" Ryu asked from behind me, a hint of irritation in his voice, reminding me of his presence a second time.

Stolen novel; please report.

I peered up at the now cloudless, starry sky with silent dread, then turned around and faced him.

Ryunosuke Umemiya was a tall, muscular man with the appearance of a person trapped in the sixties and whose tough exterior caused fear in the hearts of anybody nearby. His outfit wasn't something I expected someone in a gang to wear. It was a purple long-sleeve top with enormous lapels and cuffs underneath a crisp, white three-piece suit. He still had his signature foot-long black pompadour atop his head that had always been his crowning glory and a pointy goatee on his chin. In his right hand, he held the wooden sword he used whenever anyone stood in his way.

His dark blue eyes widened in surprise and recognition as he took in my form.

"Chibana?"

"Hello, Umemiya," I replied with a tense nod.

A frown appeared on his lips. "What are you doing here?"

I felt some comfort in the fact that he seemed willing to talk, despite his unmistakable displeasure. Perhaps I could get us out of this without anything happening.

"I have a favor to ask," I replied with confidence, burying my nervousness deep inside me.

Seven of the eight men standing behind him looked back and forth between us in confusion.

The eighth man only stared at me with astonishment, his obsidian eyes wide. He was Haru Sakata, also known as Blue Chateau, the other person everyone assumed I was associated with. An attractive blue-haired individual, his future prospects would have been better if he hadn't befriended Umemiya. I had no doubt about that. He wouldn't have ended up in a notorious gang. Unlike his leader and friend, he wore a simple navy long-sleeve top with charcoal cargo pants.

"Favor?" Sakata inquired, stepping forward to stand next to Umemiya.

"Hold it!" Manta yelled. "You know them?!"

The group looked over my shoulders at Manta and the other boy.

"Ryu, that's the kid from yesterday," a heavyset guy with a red knit hat said.

"I know what I'm looking at," Umemiya responded, his frown worsening before turning his focus back to me. "What favor?"

"Could you let us go just this once?" I proposed, bowing to him in respect. "I don't think Manta can handle another beating from you guys."

"What?" he asked. "Why should we?"

"If you agree, we will leave and never enter this cemetery again."

"Sorry, I can't do that," the shaman pipped up.

His words didn't register at first. When they did, I stood straight and turned around to face him with a smile, trying to keep my cool as annoyance and worry surged through me.

What does this idiot think he's doing?! Does he want us to get thrashed by them?!

"What?" I questioned, a dangerous tone to my voice that told him not to repeat what he said. "I don't think I heard you right."

"I can't do that."

My right eyebrow twitched. "What do you mean, you can't do that?"

"Our friend seemed to owe them some debt, so I came by to return the favor."

"What?!" I snapped in disbelief and frustration.

His entire purpose for coming here was to start a fight with these guys? And what does he mean by friend? What friend? I don't have any friends!

"Favor? Are you saying you're going to avenge him?" Umemiya asked with a smirk, then chuckled. "You sure got some guts. You must really want to see the otherworld soon."

"Even those of the otherworld are saying that you people are annoying."

I froze, uncomfortable with the mention of the spirits still wandering the cemetery and horrified that he would refer to them now.

What the hell is this brat planning?! Is he trying to goad them into attacking us?!

"This kid... There is a limit even when joking around," Umemiya snarled.

"Apologize!" Manta screamed with fright. "Kneel down and apologize!"

When he didn't take my cousin's recommendation, an annoyed scoff came from Umemiya's lips.

"Ryu! We'll take care of them!"

"There's no need for Ryu to waste any effort on this," another gang member agreed.

I could feel their bloodthirst as the hairs on my neck stood on end. This wouldn't turn out well if things continued to escalate.

"Wait!" I pleaded, spinning around to face Umemiya and his gang. "Let's talk about this!"

"There's nothing you can say now, Chibana," Umemiya stated, an icy glare on his face. "Your friends have made their beds, and now they have to lie in them."

"Apologize already!" Manta begged.

"I told you, it's all right," the shaman boy said.

"It's impossible to do anything by yourself!"

"I'm not alone!"

The air shifted, and I whirled around to face him once again, heart pounding loud enough that I could almost hear it.

A tall, muscular samurai wearing a black Hitatare underneath a white robe materialized behind him from the headstone lying on the ground. He had his thick locks of white hair tied back in a high ponytail except for two strands of long hair framing the sides of his face.

"I shall grant thee an opportunity to redeem your mistakes, so you should be thankful!" the ghost said, fury in his blue eyes.

Mistakes? Did Umemiya and his gang anger him? Were they the ones who desecrated his headstone?

"Trash him!" Umemiya commanded.

Two members of his gang charged forward, rushing past me on both sides.

"Manta. Watch me closely," the shaman boy told my cousin. His gaze fell on the two men headed for him as he gave an easy smile. "All right! Amidamaru! Spirit Ball Mode!"

I took a step back with a sharp gasp as Amidamaru lost his shape and developed into a blue sphere in the boy's right hand.

"I'm a shaman, one who links this world and the otherworld!"

His voice combined with another as an older teenager with short black hair took his place. Their actions and words, becoming one as excruciating anguish shot through my heart.

No.

"Let's go! Over Soul Merge!"

His body bent forward as he pushed the sphere into his chest, assimilating with the spirit.

"The spirit went into his body?!" Manta said in shock.

Determination was flowing through his purple eyes as he lifted his head once Umemiya's gang members were in reach. He picked up his metal sword and attacked them with unrivaled skill. The almost unseeable assault threw the two men into the air. They landed on the ground behind him, unconscious, defeated with ease.

"W-what the hell just happened?"

"It was too fast to see anything."

"You're next," the spirit within his body declared, taking complete control and causing a smirk to form on his lips. "Are you prepared for it?"

Stop!

I crumpled to the ground, clutching my head.

"Why?" I whispered, tightly closing my eyes to rid myself of the terrible image that had entered my mind.

Why did I have to come here? Why did that shaman boy keep leading me to him? Why must I see all this?! Why can't everyone leave me alone?! I didn't want to remember! I've been able to suppress any thought of him for five years now! I can't look back! It wouldn't do me any good!

Distressed and angry, I repeatedly slammed the sides of my fists down onto the ground to cope.

"What's wrong? Are you scared of my blade, amateur?"

"This bastard! Don't estimate me!" Umemiya shouted with rage, charging past me to reach him.

I couldn't bring myself to watch the fight, fearing what else my mind might conjure up in my unstable condition.

"He disappeared?!"

"Ryu, watch out!"

A poignant silence filled the air until the spirit spoke. "I won't kill you since I don't want garbage like you to be one of us."

All of Umemiya's gang members screamed out in horror.

"Ryu has been defeated! Run!"

They ran forward to retrieve their fallen comrades, then escaped as fast as they could.

The area fell silent as the sound of their footsteps faded. I stopped hitting the ground and clutched the dirt in an attempt to stabilize myself. Unable to look at the shaman boy who had brought forth unbidden memories within my mind, I kept my teary gaze focused on the earth beneath me. I didn't want another memory to appear.

"Hey, are you all right?" the shaman boy asked with concern, placing his warm hand on my shoulder.

Panic surged through me as I knocked his hand away and shot to my feet. I took several strides back to put space between us, my tear-filled eyes connecting with his.

"Don't touch me!"

His eyes widened with surprise and a vague sense of recognition. I spun on my heels and ran away before he could say anything.

"W-wait!" he called after me.

I hurried down the steps, almost tripping as I took two or three at a time in my haste to get away from him. The entrance gate was still open when I reached it and ran out onto the sidewalk. My side slammed into the streetlight a few feet beyond its threshold as I tried changing directions. Ignoring the pain caused by the impact, I pushed myself away from it and continued running, desperate to escape.

I tore through the city with no particular destination in mind, refusing to rest until there was a suitable distance between the cemetery and me. A few groups of people were still wandering the sidewalks, getting in my way as I almost collided with them. I only paid attention to them long enough to dodge, receiving a few choice words for the close encounters.

When I reached the outskirts of town, I was finally able to stop. I leaned against a nearby brick wall and slid down it to sit on the ground, panting in exhaustion. My gaze landed on the thousands of stars in the sky as I tilted my head back. A heavy feeling threatened to enter my heart.

"The view's even better here," I whispered.

Looking away, I brought my knees to my chest. Thoughts of what happened tonight, rearing their ugly head now that my focus wasn't on running away.

"Don't think of it anymore," I muttered. "You're fine. Everything is fine. Just repress it."

Repress. Lock it away. Forget. Remember, you're over it.

"You're over it."