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Phantom Samsara: Path of Yaksha
Chapter XXI: Guilty Destiny

Chapter XXI: Guilty Destiny

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Damien’s hypnosis on Kohaku slowly ceased when he was brought back to the warehouse with the other four assassins of Secret Garden, usually it will last forever but it depends on the assassin’s mental, emotional and psychological state. Kohaku didn’t resist when he was sat down on the floor with his back against the wall, with the cuffs linked to the chains. "Do you understand what just happened?” Damien asked, Kohaku nodded--he was exhausted and his mind was too tired to process what just happened, and he’s afraid of what’s going to happen next. “So... what happened next?”

Kohaku asked him, Damien let out a sigh as he walked away for a moment to think what he should say--he’s not sure if he should tell him about Byakuya’s condition or not, and he’s not sure if he should tell Kyouka about this either--but Damien had an idea; he must awaken Kohaku’s willpower through strengthen his hypnosis to Kohaku—not only strengthen him mentally but awakening his true potentials. “Your willpower is not enough to handle the enemy, but you can be stronger than ever. Keep in mind that this is not a punishment, but rather a training to become stronger than anyone.”

Damien said, as he approach him and knelt in front of him with a smile. “But first, before we continue... what is your name?” he questioned, making Kohaku replied to him. “Kayana Sahanaya Tirta, sir...” he answered, making him sighed with relief. “That’s good, because I can’t call you by that name without remembering who you really are,” he said, as Kohaku remained silent for a moment. “Don’t resist, because this might hurt,” he added, making Kohaku look up at him--at first he was confused and when he recalled it--he simply nodded with consent.

Kohaku felt the atmosphere went darker than before, he remembered this—when he swore allegiance to Damien and this is the painful but least forceful part to make him even more loyal. He froze when Damien tilted his head to the side and bit his neck, his fangs sunk deep to his neck and drank some of his blood that made his eye color becoming scarlet. “Ah...!” Kohaku gasped as he was panting, he tried to ignore the pain in his neck. ‘This is it... he’s going to do this again,’ he thought, trying to endure the pain and he didn’t want to resist it anymore-it’s the worst part when he was bitten by him. But, he was feeling a strange sensation after Damien drink his blood, he didn’t know why but he’s starting to feel light and weak--but it was less painful than before.

Kohaku felt his body going limp, he was leaning on Damien’s shoulder while his hands were on his back. He closed his eyes for a moment, until he was able to regain his consciousness and his eye color returned back to its original state--but the atmosphere around them didn’t change. When he felt his fangs released his neck, he ended up panting while looking up at Damien—who was licking his blood off his lips. “How do you feel now?”

“I’m fine... what did you do to me?” Kohaku asked, Damien didn’t answer and stood up--before he held out his hand in front of him. Kohaku was relaxed at the moment the state of hypnosis that Damien made to him went straight to his head, it wasn’t forced but naturally made him had his focus and thoughts on him. “Accept your weakness, for that is the key to unlocking your true potential,” Damien said, as he looked at him with a smile. “Your weaknesses can be used against you, but that’s where you learn how to use them to your advantage,” he added, as he watched Kohaku grabbed his hand. “Now, get up,” he instructed, as Kohaku did what he told him to do--as he got up and look at him.

“You’re not weak, but you just need a little motivation.”

Damien explained, before he turned his back to him. “That’s all I’ll say for now,” he added, as Kohaku look down at his cuffed wrists. He snapped his fingers, causing the cuff to break from his wrists. Kohaku was surprised, he didn’t expect him to break his cuffs because it was impossible for him to escape, even if he had to run away from this warehouse--he’ll just be tracked down and killed by Damien.

***

Kyouka has been living alone in the mansion at night--it feels strange to not have Byakuya around, now that he has lost his memories. At school, she still manages to keep on smiling despite all that--but on the way, she felt like nobody accompanying her even when she hold a black umbrella by herself. 'This is odd...' she thought, entering the mansion as she unlocked the door and close the door behind her. 'It feels weird when he's not around, usually he would be in the kitchen counter reading his daily newspapers before dinner...' she frowned, before she shrugged it off. 'But... I'll find a way to get him back.'

After she washed her face at night, she heard some footsteps that terrified her and she quickly hid behind the wall. 'Shoot, I forgot to lock the door! There's an intruder!' Kyouka thought, making her way around quietly. ‘Wait, what if this is a trap?’ she added, before she take out her flip cellphone and about to summon her phantom familiar--Demon Snow but she saw the intruder already inside. ‘It’s a man, and I don’t see his face... it’s creepy,’ she thought, looking at him carefully and analyzing him. Her eyes widened, it was Byakuya! Kohaku was right from his revelation, it’s the man himself. But, what is he doing here? Kyouka was confused and stunned, before she remind herself to be cautious of him--he’s dangerous and not the Byakuya she once knew.

Kyouka watched him entering her bedroom which made her scared, she remembered that her older brother Byakuya would never enter her room; so this is very strange for him. Kyouka stood there in silence while peeking at him inside her bedroom, she was absolutely terrified that he might messing up her room; instead he didn’t. He took a notice of a white rabbit doll with black dress that Kyouka had when she was twelve years old, he carefully grabbed the doll for a moment until he suddenly had a flashback in his head.

The twelve-years old Kyouka studying on her homework in the ryokan room, that was evening when she was waiting for her older brother. Her purplish-black hair was braided on the back with her bangs remained in similar style, alongside a white headband and wearing a pink kimono. As she heard a door bell ringing from outside the house, she knew it was him that excites her so she stand up and ran into the door. “Nii-sama!” she shouted happily at him, opening the door for him.

“Welcome back, nii-sama--wait why are you covered in blood?!”

The eighteen-years old Byakuya showed up from the door with his clothes stained with blood that was not his, laughing nervously since he’s careless. His purplish-black short hair with long bangs almost drenched with the blood even his face and shirt, after coming back from his work for their needs since they are orphans from young age. Everyday he would come home while he was drenched in blood, including when he got beaten up with bruises. “Sorry… I had to hide whenever I finished my school work and ended up like this at night when I’m doing my part-time job, this is not my blood so don’t worry about that, but they gave me extra paycheck so I bought you something,” Byakuya said, before taking out a small box of white rabbit with black dress from inside his black leather bag and handing it to her.

Kyouka was wide-eyed, she she smiled cheerfully at him. “Oh, it’s a stuffed rabbit! Thank you, nii-sama!” she said happily to her older brother, while grabbing it from his hands. “I know you always wanted one, and I don’t have anything to give it to you so I decided to buy this one for you. If you want me to remember this, then here’s the best gift for you,” Byakuya told her, making her look up at him while her eyes widened.

“I’ll make sure to treasure this forever, nii-sama.”

Kyouka said, as she hug him tight which he hugged back. Byakuya patted her head with a smile after smelling the scent from here; which is the food that she made for him, before he noticed the blood stains on his sleeves and himself as he spoke to her once he let go. “I’ll take a bath first before we can have dinner together, is that okay? I wouldn’t eat with these on me,” she nodded, he had to grab the towel when he had to gathered his clothes too.

He was speechless by the memories he just had, before he look down at the doll--remembering the gift he gave her when she was young. He simply don’t know what to do with himself, and why did he remember something that he didn’t know? He was confused, and he still can’t find the reason why he was wearing this outfit--or maybe the outfit is a disguise? He turned around to see Kyouka standing there, it made him flinched and escaped through the window and run away from her sight.

“Wait!” she shouted, running after him but Byakuya already gone--she was frozen in place and was stunned for a moment. “Urgh… how dare he entered my room?! At least he didn't read my diary or messing around…” she grumbled quietly, grabbing a rabbit doll from the ground. It made her smile when she remembered this, but she didn’t expect her older brother’s flip cellphone with cherry blossom keychain on it was laying on the floor—she pick up the flip cellphone; noticing that his familiar Demon Cloud was still here. "The fuck--did he left this behind?" she scowled, grabbing the flip cellphone and holding it.

She flip open the cover, revealing her brother's special edition of a wallpaper she knew--hiding her tears and sobs. "Kohaku... save him..."

Meanwhile, Byakuya was hiding behind the corner of the building--he still wondering why did he had a flashback from his memory. He didn’t know why but he felt so uncomfortable and weird, like his mind was telling him something and it’s not a good feeling. It’s like something is stuck inside his brain, he didn’t know why’d that happened--but he was confused and didn’t know what to do.

It made him having an identity crisis, he was asking himself about who is he; and why did he remember those memories.

***

The moonlight is shining brightly in the night sky, it was like an artistic masterpiece that was perfectly displayed above the building’s roof. Kohaku paused when he saw the figure of someone who was leaning against the building, and it’s Byakuya--standing there alone while looking up to the sky. “Byakuya,” he called him, making Byakuya didn’t look at him; not because he was ignoring him--he was contemplating with himself due to both amnesia and identity crisis. “I thought I’ll never see you again, I was so worried about you. But, I’m glad I found you here,” Kohaku said, he still can’t be sure if he is really his best friend

He has been amnesiac for three months, still he hasn’t remembered anything about his past life Byakuya didn’t remember his own full name; Shinobu Byakuya, her didn’t even remember his own younger sister Kyouka and the rest of his friends. All Kohaku know that Byakuya got a severe head injury which lead to his amnesia, he looks like he didn't remember that he was an assassin in Secret Garden--it seems as though his amnesia is very severe. "I know you don't remember anything, but I can assure you that I'm your best friend."

But, it made him realize that Byakuya was already lost his memories, he had no choice but to bit his lower lips--he know that there's still hope but he didn't want to lose his beloved friends again. He was desperate, but he can't do anything for him except wait for him to recover his memories--even if it's too late. "So, what are you going to do? You want me to escort you to your house?" Kohaku asked him, making him sighed and remained silent most of the time.

"Byakuya, please... tell me what happened to you. I'm your best friend, and I can help you!"

Kohaku snapped, before he confessed. "Do you remember our first meeting when we were in master's degree at Warmadewata University in Bali where we are now? You were cold and stoic to me at first, but soon you trusted me and we became best friends... you comfort me when I was assaulted back then... you never judged me…" he spoke in shaky voice, remembering the incident from his past and he remembered how Byakuya always stayed by his side.

Byakuya was silent, he didn't remember his past life and it made Kohaku angry with himself-but he didn't give up there.

"You are not yourself, and it's not like you-it's like you're a totally different person! You didn't remember us, my dad, nor even Hisato, your own superior Damien, and even your one and only younger sister, Kyouka! Nor even me, your best friend and everyone in our team! This isn't you, Byakuya! Like who the hell are you?" he shouted, making Byakuya looked at him with his usual blank expression and no emotion on his face.

Kohaku was panting lightly, he didn't know why--but he can't do anything to help him. "Who... am I?" Byakuya questioning himself, while he was uncovering the hood of his black cape with gold accents that covered his body. That made Kohaku look up, he noticed the symbol that was sewed on his black cape and hood. It was a symbol of a cat, it was black and had a blue eyes with an image of a human figure that was standing on top of a cat and there were words that is written at the back of the hood.

"Your name is Byakuya, Byakuya Shinobu... you're a Japanese citizen and assassin of Secret Garden," Kohaku implied, it's not that Byakuya can't remember his name, but it's like the name doesn't even exists anymore. For some reason, he found it familiar when Kohaku said that to him. "Who are you?" Byakuya asked, it's like he's asking himself. Kohaku was patient, Damien's teachings made him even more mature that he always carefully rational and calculating in this situatgion. "Kayana Sahanaya Tirta, but some of my friends given me the nickname Kohaku, you also called me that," Kohaku replied calmly, it's not like Byakuya can't remember his own name-or he's only trying to remind himself.

Kohaku let out a deep sigh, then he continued to him. "I know you're not the Byakuya I once knew, but you can't forget yourself. You can't erase your past, and you can't do anything except for that. You can't deny that, you were amnesiac because of that terrorist attack and bombing in Bali. You got your head hit to the ground, and you were lost your memories."

"What happened to me? What's the last thing I remember?" Byakuya asked, still trying to recall the moment of the bomb exploding in his memory. Kohaku rolled his eyes, looking back at him. "Sheesh, you and I were tasked by Damien to investigate the bloody massacre in the city hall. We were met with our supposed target; 'Black Cat' and shit, but we had to stay put because he suspected something. Then when we got out, we found a bomb inside the city hall and I was the one who defuse it."

"Well, all of a sudden... there was an explosion in the hotel not far from the city hall so we checked out what happened. And we got ourself inflicted by other hidden bomb by those terrorist group known as 'The Black Spiders' that led by 'The Black Cat'… that was none other... than William Pranaja himself."

Kohaku explained the brief details of his last moments as Byakuya was listening, until the young man who's supposed to be Byakuya's best friend began to talk about the incident and the terrorist organization.

"But, all of a sudden... you're not in the Trilaksana Organization's health and medical center. Because according to the Executive Officers of Trilaksana Organization, you got kidnapped and brought somewhere in abandoned place. We're looking for you the whole time, and we find out you were amnesiac. So, we had no choice but to bring you back to us--Secret Garden. Even though, Takashi Shimaou and Kizuna Kekkain are our enemy, those yakuza leaders did helped us to find you..."

"If you're wondering if you're a different person now... then I will tell you something. You're the same person, you're not a different person-and you're not part of the plan 'The Black Cat' plotted to overthrow the government of Indonesia. You're a tool to him, nothing more than a tool for his plan. You're just a person who's being used as a weapon, a tool. Nothing more and nothing less."

There was a silence between them, the wind passed between them which he hoped that Byakuya will remember-until Kohaku paused when he broke the silence in response to his statement.

"Tool, huh?"

Byakuya murmured, looking down at his right hand--which had a mark of a cat. Before he brushed the mark that was a paint with the blood from his right hand. "I see... I'm just a tool, I'm just a tool for 'The Black Cat'," he said, making Kohaku's eyes widened. "What?"

Kohaku was confused, what is he talking about this time? He clenched both of his fists, he need to be patient. "Now that I realized that, I need to do something with myself... I have to help him," Byakuya said, still trying to remember what's his purpose of existing. He need to fulfill his mission, he need to do it--but he didn't know what's his true identity.

"You..."

Kohaku cursed in a whisper, this is his last straw; if Byakuya can't remember nor able to put any end to this; then the only resolve is fight. Not that he had no choice, this is his resolve that he must do. This is where he finally snapped, because this is what he is waiting for--he is aware that Byakuya was amnesiac. What made Kohaku furious is that, Byakuya thinks that he's the best partner of 'The Black Cat' William Pranaja. And, he's fucking losing it.

He look down from Byakuya for a moment, letting out a deep sigh and then look up at him with cold expression--his dark magenta eyes blazed into scarlet color that most assassins of Secret Garden has. He took out his black bullwhip with a black chain along the small blade on the tip from his belt under his coat, before he slammed the chain part of the whip to the ground. "I see now... you don't remember, huh?" Kohaku said with a deep sinister laugh, making him confused for a moment.

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Byakuya noticed the change of his expression, he was more dark, sinister and cold--not even hesitating to torture him until he no longer breathes. "It's true, you are his right-hand man and most dangerous weapon... you're his lieutenant, second in command in Black Spiders. So, you want to prove me wrong? Huh? You don't know me, huh?"

Kohaku asked, he chuckled and answered his own question. "How stupid can you get, Byakuya?" he asked with a maniacal grin, as he finally snapped from his senses. It was twisted and more than just disappointment, he was definitely pissed that he lost his cool the moment he heard his response. "You already gone too far, and you leave me no choice but to make you remember... by force!"

He threw the chains of the whip, hitting Byakuya's stomach which making the man glared at him angrily. "Byakuya, if you're really my friend--if you're really my best friend. Then I suggest you to remember your objective and your true self... instead of becoming a madman's puppet!" he growled, glaring back at him. "W-What are you doing?" Byakuya asked, standing back up when he watched Kohaku walking closer to him menacingly.

'Kyouka's waiting in the tower crane, I need to lure Byakuya as the rain comes...'

Kohaku thought, he keep slamming his chains into the ground and making Byakuya lost his balance. He tripped and fall on the ground again, as Kohaku began to walk closer to him and his weapon. "It's not like you'll remember me, no matter what... but when you said that you only remember as a tool to that criminal, this is where the best you'll go," Kohaku said with a smirk, before he raised his hand and pointed his index finger at him. "So, I might 'play' around with you just for a little, then I will put up some torture for you. You'll never forget anything about your past life, and you will remember who you are--no matter what!" he yelled, he keep walking forward and he slam the weapon to the ground.

Byakuya shuddered when Kohaku finally snapped, he's too late. He stood up and ran away from him, but Kohaku was too fast and he already got close to him and he can't escape. He was surprised that Kohaku was faster than him, since he's supposed to be weaker than him--he's already advancing his speed to catch up with him. "Let's play cat and mouse, shall we?" Kohaku asked, giving him a sadistic grin with the glimmer of madness reflected in his eyes.

"Come out, snake... prepare the 'Cat Catch'."

Meanwhile, Kyouka was on top of the tower crane as she stood there--waiting for the right timing to approach him after she made up a plan with Kohaku. She was holding Byakuya's black flip cellphone with pink cherry blossom keychain that hanging on it, waiting for him to come. 'Where the hell are they?' she thought, this time when Kohaku lured her amnesiac older brother Byakuya here-she will be having one-on-one match with Byakuya. Kohaku knows what's his next plan as he grinned, before he let out a deep laughter--before Byakuya got hit by the whip again and again while he was running, making him fell down the ground in a building before he got back up. There was a pool of blood that came from his mouth, and he began coughing up of his blood and gunk as well.

The only resolve is fight because the only way to get Byakuya back to his senses is to defeat him and make him remember-he's the only person who can bring him back to his senses; but Kyouka too because she was Byakuya's younger sister after all.

Kyouka was thinking about Byakuya, wondering what happened to him. Until she saw the light rain comes, she grumbled as she decided to remain under the small roof of the tower crane until they can arrive here. "I need to prepare myself, I'm sure my plan will succeed if we can defeat him together. We can do this..." she growled, looking up at the sky that was covered in the thick dark gray clouds--soon she turned on the spotlight of the tower crane and the headlights of the truck, making a signal to Byakuya and Kohaku that she's here.

"Kyouka!"

Kyouka turn around to see Kohaku calling out for her before she nodded at him, then she saw Byakuya who was panting after being chased by him and it's like he's a little kid who was being chased by his own father. "So, still amnesiac?" she ranted, tossing his black flip handphone with cherry blossom keychain. Byakuya immediately catch the phone from her, before he look back at Kyouka who spoke. "I can't believe that you're still amnesiac after all this time, you're just like an idiot. This isn't Byakuya nii-sama I used to know."

This made Byakuya for some reason, offended by her statement. She just described him, as if he actually like that but he's so unamused by her response. "Shut up, I'm not an idiot," he snapped, before Kyouka gazing back at him with her usual stoic expression. Kohaku rolled his eyes, before he nodded at Kyouka since he will be backing her up. "Now this is where things are heated," Kyouka said at her older brother, making him gulped and took a step back.

"I'm so done with this nonsense," she said, then she opened the flap of her flip cellphone with her finger as she snapped.

"Demon Snow!"

Demon Snow has materializes behind her which the female sword-wielding phantom was holding her white katana, the familiar unsheathed her katana while Kyouka unleashed her tantou from her sash of her kimono. "Summon yours!" she demanded. Byakuya was starting to became alerted of her familiar, he opened the flip of his black cellphone with his thumb and he muttered calmly.

"Demon Cloud."

Demon Cloud materialized as well while holding her katana on her hand, the same time when Byakuya draw his katana from his sheath under his cape. That made both female phantoms are clashing their blades together, so does Kyouka and her older brother Byakuya fought against each other.

Kohaku watched both of them intently while he make sure no one is watching or spying--more worse interrupting the battle. Especially in this construction site at raining night with the lightened crane tower, he need to be careful for any possible danger that will happen. He immediately went up to the top of the tower crane where Kyouka and Byakuya were fighting, as he can see their silhouettes clearly from where he was standing. It was hard to see due to the rain, but he can hear their voices and movements well. Even their phantom familiars were clashing their katanas to each other.

His face went pale when their fight became.. too much, as he can see their blood splatter and they were covered in blood. He can't watch this anymore, and he need to stop it... but how?

"Kyouka!"

Kyouka was injured from the slash attack from her older brother Byakuya, but she's still able to stand up and not giving up yet. She was bleeding from her chest and it was not serious wound, but she was about to collapse and her knees were shaking. 'How is he... this strong?' she thought, before she got an idea when she look back at the tower crane. That means she had to take the risk; fighting Byakuya there. "Demon Snow, get me up there!" she commanded, Demon Snow nodded silently before she wrap her arms around her waist and dematerializes before them. Both of them materializes at the top of the tower crane, making Kohaku surprised that Kyouka and her familiar can do that.

"You can do that?" he asked, Kyouka turned around and saw him. "Yes, but I need to replenish my strength so I won't be able to use it again, don't interrupt unless if I say so..." she grumbled, before she saw her older brother materializes with his familiar Demon Cloud before them. He was also injured from the previous battle, but he's not giving up and he's still standing on his feet.

"Open your eyes, Byakuya!"

Kohaku yelled, facing him when he stood at the edge of the bridge in attempt to get him back to his senses. "Is this who you are now? A hollow shadow? Someone who's playing around? You betrayed us, and became our enemy... don't tell me you don't remember, Byakuya. Can you really remember yourself? Your own core? Please, stop this!" he shouted, holding on the railing while keeping himself steady in the tower crane in the rain. "Kyouka is in danger, she's your younger sister! Remember that you're the only family left for her!" he shouted at him, before he look back at Kyouka and then back at him. "Remember! We were best friends, you never fated to believe that we were your enemies!"

Byakuya was holding his temple, wincing in pain due to the headache that he tried to ignore the memories that past through his head. He was groaning painfully when he clenched on his katana, he couldn't control his swings which made Kohaku evade his attacks and holding his wrist--throwing him on the railing floor. "Stop…!" Byakuya let out a growl, Demon Cloud swung her katana against Kohaku as he blocked her attack instantly. "What do you think you're doing, Byakuya? You don't know how to win against your opponent by giving up," Kyouka ranted, before she spat the blood that was dripping down her chin. "Come at me with all your might and we can do this together, just like old times!"

"But, you're going to be in pain if you keep fighting me," Byakuya replied, making her scoffed and shook her head. "Says the one who's amnesiac and doesn't remember everything," she snarled, making him grunted and walked closer to her. "I'm telling you, you can fight me and beat me to death--I can still stand against you like this. I won't back down unless I won," she argued, making Kohaku exasperated and desperate to persuade him to give up. "Do you even know what's your purpose of existing, Byakuya?" she asked her older brother, making him was silent and ponder--he didn't know what's his purpose of existing. "You don't even know, do you?"

Byakuya was getting insane, he tried to get rid of these feelings that was haunting him-but he can't. He can't just deny his own feeling and forget about it, he can't erase his past--it's all because of 'The Black Cat' who made him an amnesiac. It's because of him and his plans, he didn't know what's his purpose of existing, and he can't escape from the truth.

"I'm a tool, and I'm a weapon. I have no reason to exist, and I'm supposed to die as a tool or a weapon. I should just die and forget everything, and just be a dead person for the rest of my life... just leave this world behind," Byakuya murmured, Kyouka stared at him in shock and horror--even Kohaku found that chilling. "Kyouka, that's what he implied to me earlier," Kohaku whispered to her, so Kyouka nodded in response.

"I see... that's what William Pranaja did to him. That's his plan to all of us."

Kyouka replied, before she looked back at the amnesiac man. She didn't know why but she felt tears in her eyes, making him staring at her in confusion due to her distress and desperation. "What's wrong?" he asked, and she ignored his question. "I know what's your purpose of existing, Nii-sama," she said, before she take out her white rabbit doll with black dress that she has when she was young. "Do you remember this, Nii-sama?" she asked him, making him became alerted and confused. "No, I don't... why do you have that?" he asked, as Kyouka smile at him. "I saw you broke into my bedroom that night, you were holding this before I found you and you fled. This is a gift that you gave me," she explained, making him surprised and confused.

"But… that's impossible. I don't know about you, Kyouka," Byakuya said, shaking his head and trying to deny the truth. Kyouka handed Kohaku the doll so he can hold it without getting stained with blood, she let out a deep sigh. "Then, our last option is this..." she whispered, before she ran towards Byakuya and pushed her off the edge--which she joined him through the long fall. "W-What are you doing?!" Byakuya snapped, he didn't expect her to push him while she joins the fall too.

"Open your eyes, Nii-sama!"

Kyouka cried, as they were falling down to the ground from the tower crane--but they were not in the ground as the fall was long enough to give them some time. "Remember those memories! I don't care if you will die and I don't care if you will forget everything... but I won't let you die, not like this!" she snapped, making her older brother Byakuya paused when she continued. "You're not a tool, you're a human being! You're not a dead person, and you're not a weapon! You're the person who was born and live on this world, you have a purpose of living! Do you want to die because of him? You're Byakuya Shinobu, you're my older brother! Kohaku is your best friend! Everyone that you know also want you to remember them!"

Byakuya's light violet eyes under the bangs of his purplish black short hair widened, his past memories flashing right before his eyes. "Nii-sama, please... don't leave me all alone..." Kyouka cried, Byakuya became quiet before recalling everything about himself. His light violet eyes filled with tears, before both of them fell to the mud that was the result of the rain--hitting his head as well but not as severe like how he got himself hit by the explosion.

The two female phantoms protected them from the huge impact, so they fell without getting killed.

***

It has been few minutes after the battle was over, Byakuya slowly opened his eyes when he watched the downpour of the rain from the dark gray sky in the dawn still pouring. He regained his usual self and all of the memories went back to him, his back was laying against the mud beneath him. He could hear Kyouka is sniffling and crying on top of him, hugging him with her face buried to his chest. "Kyouka…" he whispered, looking at her with a frown in his eyes.

Byakuya watched her didn't let go of him and was still crying against his chest, he was touched and hugged her back--consoling her to stop crying. "Crybaby," he said, as Kyouka was unable to hear him said that. "I-I thought I lost you, nii-sama... I'm so glad that you're back," Kyouka murmured, she's still holding on him and didn't want to let him go--he didn't mind it, and he embraced her back. "Kyouka... I'm sorry... I--" he said, but Kyouka sobbed and trembled against his chest. "Shh, don't talk too much... it's okay, it's not your fault."

Byakuya only did nothing but hugging her back and patting her head, which means he wants her to calm down first and let her cry until she can't feel anything. "My memories... are back," he whispered, Kohaku was watching the brother-sister moment between them with a smile. The latter look down at his younger sister who still didn't let go of him, her long purplish black hair went loose because of the impact to the mud. Their clothes were drenched in both mud and dust, but they didn't care about it because they're happy to be together.

Kohaku approached them as he helped Kyouka to stand up from the mud first, then he look back at Byakuya--his best friend; before he lend him a hand. Byakuya look back at Kohaku, he finally remembered him after he looked at the state of him and Kyouka. The man gently touched his left hand as he shook his best friend's hand. "Kohaku," Byakuya called him, as his response Kohaku immediately hug him and Kyouka, too, joined him in a hug. "I'm sorry, Kohaku. I did forgot about you, too," Byakuya apologized, making him chuckled.

"It's fine, I understand. You were amnesiac few months ago, William Pranaja is responsible for this. And, I'm not mad, I'm just glad that you're back to your senses after a long time," Kohaku said, before he smiled and wrapped his arms around him until he whispered. "Welcome back, Byakuya."

Byakuya was wide-eyed, before he returned the hug.

"Thank you, Kohaku."

Few hours later, Damien came with the rest which made them had to bring the spare clothes for them. Radjasa sighed with a relieved smile as he brought some warm drinks for them, while Sherry carried the spare clothes for them. Rayna hugged Kohaku as the fourteen-years old was happy to see him okay, Kiryu also happy to see Byakuya has returned so does Nadya and Kyoran--along their pet dragon Murasame who was taken care by Kyoran.

Byakuya already bathed and cleaned himself from the mud as he was sitting on the seat of the limousine, wearing his signature assassin attributes which is his black formal shirt, dark gray pants, dark gray blazer and a pair of black shoes, with black belt on his waist and now he wear his frameless glasses back. With the white blanket over his shoulders, he was drinking his warm cup of tea that one of the underlings in Secret Garden just gave to him. "Fuck, it's so cold..." he grumbled, shivering a little before he sipped a cup of tea that he hold.

"So, are you okay or not, Byakuya?"

Hisato asked, he watched him sipping his cup of warm tea while Kohaku was taking a bath and Kyouka putting on her new spare of her main kimono-after taking a bath that made by their subordinates. "Both," Byakuya replied, sniffling a little when he regained some of his senses back. "At least I find out about 'The Black Cat' and some of his blueprints of his plan…" he grumbled, handing the empty cup to one of the men with black suits who are their subordinates.

Byakuya keep the blanket wrapped around him, before he look back at Hisato who stood beside him outside the car. "Damien is taking care of the construction site since it belongs to one of the shadow government ministers, consider yourself lucky that we interfere the rain before you were surrounded with a mafia," he remarked, making him rolled his eyes and glared back at him. "Whatever, just let rest," he snapped, before he take out his inhaler and started to inhale the substance in his inhaler.

Kyouka was sleeping on his lap while hugging the doll as she wore her red kimono, Byakuya was caressing Kyouka's long purplish-black hair. She's cute even in her sleep, along her smooth porcelain complexion and soft looking light violet eyes. Her face reminds him of their late-mother, it's been a long time since she died during their early years. Kyouka flinched a little as she got her asthma relapsed, he gave her the inhaler after she woke up for a bit. "Here, take a rest," he whispered, Kyouka got what he said before she grabbed the inhaler and gave herself a mouthful dose--while he was holding her small frame so she can take a rest.

Byakuya felt his airways got blocked again, so he used his inhaler to relieve the asthma attack. It was mild asthma attack because of the cold weather due to the rain, even Kohaku heard some of their complaints about asthma patients like them. He coughed a little after he took a deep breath, for those who haven't seen him before but he has weak lungs and sometimes--it causes problems but most of the time, it's a minor problem. He does medication during emergencies like this, but most of the time he only has low breathing and chest tightening so that's the reason why he is taking the risk. "Fuck, I hate my lungs," Byakuya grumbled, he rolled his eyes and put his inhaler away to take another deep breath.

"Fuck, I hate my lungs," Byakuya grumbled, he rolled his eyes and put his inhaler away to take another deep breath.

Kyouka also coughed from inhaling her own inhaler, making him comforted her by stroking her hair gently. "There there..." he whispered, gently patting her back as she let out a snarl in a deep irritated voice. "Goddamnit, I'm not a child anymore," she grumbled, making him smiled a little. "No matter how much you grow, you'll always be that crybaby and spoiled little kid," he teased, she growled even more. "Can you like shut the fuck up, I know you're like that too!" she shouted angrily, making him smirking sarcastically. "Love you too, dear sister."

He kept making her frustrated, she pouted and turn around. "By the way... did you forget that part?" she asked, not facing him. Byakuya tilted his head, but when he glanced at her doll and the memories--he facepalmed. "Please don't remind me about that, Kyouka... I'm trying to forget," he ranted, a bit too tired from remembering the past and now having to deal with Kyouka. "If you tell anyone that I dress myself and pose as a girl, I will fucking cut your throat without hesitation," he hissed, before Kyouka laughed. "Aww, nii-sama is kinda cute to be a girl, no?"

She teased, making him facepalm even harder.

***

“Now, Takashi and Kizuna are off the list... Marduk Kamal and I decided to deal with them after this 'Black Cat' case is over."

Damien announced, crossing out the name from the blacklist. He’s holding a thick folder with the paper inside it, and there are still many more that they still need to eliminate—lastly William Pranaja who was known as ‘The Black Cat’. He looked back at Kohaku who was standing nearby his superior’s desk. “Well, it’s good that we finally managed to find him. We’ll need your help, Byakuya, since you’ve been working with him for the past three months,” Damien spoke, making him nodded. “Okay... here’s what I got, all of his contacts and blueprints,” he said, giving the data that he got from the information that Hisato and the Secret Garden provided him. “Trust me, everything is a mess if you ask me about his subordinates. They were indoctrinated by him to work for him, there’s no use to bring them back to normal because of his manipulative behavior,” Byakuya added, before he looked back at the other men in the room.

“All of his subordinates are now eliminated, but there are some of his minions that’s left. Some of them are part. of the Nine Dragons Alliance, they’re trying to get rid of us. It’s not that easy since they’re powerful, and they’re hard to track. We’ll be needing your help, especially you—Kayana,” Damien spoke to Kohaku, making him nod. “We’ll be needing your help, Kayana. I’ll have to leave this up to you, since you're the best,” he said, that made Kohaku let out a deep grumble. “I swear, this is going to be a pain in the ass...” he murmured, before he took a deep breath and cleared his mind.

“So, what are we going to do?”

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