Legend of Glory

Legend of Glory

--

Nineteen: The Beast’s Cowardice

--

Steady as a soft breeze, Shizuka paced the inside of her home. Though she seemed nervous on the outside, her heart was filled with immense bliss. The shining glow in her face, brighter than the moon, showed the very proof to her joyous stature. A hint of a smile showed the strong happiness she was holding in. But what witchcraft is this? Why is she cheerful as a lamb? Why jittery as a bug?

She had happy news.

Shizuka turned, her smile brightened as Hiroto entered the room. Her lover seemed just as happy as she. “Hiroto!” She ran over to him, embracing him in a large hug.

“I know, I know…” chuckled Hiroto, snuggling Shizuka tight.

“A -- are they all out there?” Shizuka asked, suddenly seeming more nervous than before. “Your parents? My parents? Katsuya?”

“Yes,” Hiroto said, gently squeezing his wife’s hand. “They are all waiting. Ready?”

Excitedly, Shizuka nodded her head. Together, she and Hiroto moved outside where both families awaited them. It was just turning nighttime, and the sky was filled to the brim with sparkling stars. Everyone was wide awake. All, but the exception of one. Katsuya, him having been working his body to the bone.

“Shizuka, Hiroto, this better be important,” said Katsuya. “I have been very busy lately, and I am tired.”

“Believe us,” Hiroto smirked. “It’s important.” He turned his head on his wife, smiling brightly at her. “You tell them.”

Nana, having an idea of what the news may be, stepped forward with a wide smile. “What’s going on?”

All four parents were longing for the news, without a doubt understanding Shizuka’s and Hiroto’s glimmering smiles. On the other hand, Katsuya was not understanding. He waited patiently, not even noting his sister’s extravagant expression.

“Well,” Shizuka began, smiling over at Hiroto before turning her attention back on the families. “Hiroto and I were unsure at first, but now we are truly positive. Mom, dad… Katsuya…” Shizuka smiled only at Katsuya when she spoke his name. “Everyone…” Pausing, Shizuka let the news burst. “I’m with child!”

As Shizuka and Hiroto were immediately overcrowded by their parents delighted faces, Katsuya stood back in utter shock. His mouth fell open, without his knowledge. He did not move from his spot as his mind took in the remarkable news.

His sister. His little sister.

Pregnant?

“Katsuya? Katsuya?”

Shaking his head, Katsuya looked up, seeing Shizuka staring straight at him. She still smiled, not prepared to let any take away her happiness. “Katsuya? Are you all right?”

“I…” Katsuya paused. He took a deep breath before smiling. “Yes, of course.” And moving like a puppet, Katsuya wrapped his arms around Shizuka. “I’m so happy for you.”

He truly was, even though his actions seemed grim. While Katsuya showed his happiness for his sister, he had not noticed the blazing glare Hiroto was giving him from behind. The friend had known Katsuya since they could both crawl, and Hiroto knew when his friend was lying. Lately, he has not seen Katsuya. Not since he discovered his friend’s disappearances into the Forests of Kimo to hang out with the brunette-haired Doragon named Seto. And now, Katsuya played distant, avoiding any one or more people as much as possible.

Ever since Chief Mandook’s death.

Hiroto was the first to take notice. He noticed his friend’s fear. His bitterness. His childish behavior. Everything.

Even his cowardice.

Where was it coming from? That is what Hiroto wanted to know. Yet, he was sure he already knew. Katsuya missed the Doragon. He missed Seto. Hiroto did not need words from his friend to see those hidden feelings. That day ago visit from the Doragon named Gozaburo had increased Katsuya’s heartsick mind. Hiroto was tragic by the thought of war. He did not wish for such things, and he understood the stress that Katsuya was going through.

But according to Hiroto, Katsuya had no right of treating his village with disrespect. He had no reason to act selfishly upon losing something he adored. He had a duty. He had people to care for. People to run. A life to lead.

That was all.

While the families went to celebrate with Shizuka, Hiroto forced Katsuya aside. He pushed him against the wall, gentle enough to not harm Katsuya.

“Hey,” Katsuya had shrieked. “What’s the big idea, Hiroto?”

“We need to talk,” Hiroto answered, sternly. He showed Katsuya that he was serious.

“W -- what about?” asked Katsuya.

Releasing his grip on Katsuya, Hiroto straightened up. “About your change of attitude. I’ve been noticing, and I’m worried about you.” As he saw Katsuya’s head slightly turn in shame, Hiroto sighed, fully agitated. “Listen, Katsuya. We’ve been together since we were born. I’m your best friend. If you need someone to talk to, ya know you have me, right?”

“Of course,” Katsuya grumbled. “I know. I’m just very stressed, Hiroto.”

“Being the leader is rough, I’m sure,” Hiroto said. “But you needn’t shun away your friends and family. Shizuka is really happy, right now. This’ll be our first child, and we really want you to be a warm, welcomed part of its life.”

“I know, I know,” said Katsuya. “I want to, Hiroto. I am really trying my hardest.”

Hiroto knew Katsuya was working hard. Poor Katsuya having been cooped up inside, working and reading up on spells and teachings Chief Mandook had passed onto him. It was not a skill Katsuya possessed. Katsuya was an adventurer. A runner. A wild young man. Hiroto knew. Katsuya had taught him much. Katsuya had taught Hiroto the best way to catch a fish. Katsuya had taught Hiroto the best way to play jokes on their parents. Katsuya even brought Hiroto, when they were children, to a hidden cave they had transformed into a private hiding place. A cave that, unbeknownst to Hiroto, became a hideout for Katsuya and Seto when escaping Bata on that single day.

His friend was not meant to be indoors all day. That was not the Katsuya Hiroto knew and loved. The Katsuya Hiroto once knew had disappeared.

And Hiroto blamed the Doragon.

“Katsuya,” Hiroto began, firmly grabbing his friend by each shoulder. “Listen to me. I want you to promise me one thing…”

“What is that?” Katsuya asked, curious.

“Trust in Chief Mandook’s words,” Hiroto deeply toned. “I think it best to stay clear from that man you have been -- hanging with. Chief Mandook did not trust him. Neither do I.”

The blonde was bedazzled by this hearing. He shook his head. How could he forget Seto? He had enough knowing that Chief Mandook had not wanted him to see Seto, but he didn’t consider Hiroto would want the same. “Hiroto…”

“Please promise me this,” Hiroto went on. “And, as I shall do without needing to ask for your permission, if they try hurting our village, I will fight along your side. I swear it!”

Getting a single nod from Katsuya, Hiroto removed his hands from the blonde‘s shoulders, and took a step back. “Thank you, Katsuya. Now, shall we go to the party?”

“You go on ahead,” Katsuya whispered. “I -- I need to get something right quick.”

Hiroto understood. Without saying a word, he nodded reassuringly before turning to meet up with Shizuka and the parents. As soon as he was far from Katsuya’s sight, the saddened blonde turned, and took off running.

Katsuya ran and ran. He fled the village from behind, taking some steps into the forest. A sudden branch caused him to trip, and he flew to the ground, roughly landing on his knees. He shook wildly, ignoring the cries of bustling animals trying to nest for the night. Shortly, the only sound came from Katsuya’s short breath, and soon, tears.

He began to cry. Tears dripped down his cheeks, landing on the ground below him. He wiped at his eyes, trying to fight back the tears. As he sat there, whimpering in the forest, he really resembled a pathetic coward. Shivering. Alone. Confused. He let his eyes drift open, taking in the silence of the forest.

In seconds, he took a deep breath. He needed only to release steam he had held in his heart. His trembling and shivering was all due to his missing Seto. He hid his feelings as he worked. He showed no remorse as a sign for people to let him be, even if it showed his cowardly, selfish side. But he had a second duty following that of being leader.

His duty as a brother to Shizuka.

Sighing, Katsuya wiped some final tears. As he was about to stand to his feet, a sudden laugh echoed off the rattling leaves of the forest trees. The laugh was wicked, almost ghostly. It made Katsuya gasp, and he began to look around as the laugh died down. He was sure he had imagined it, but a sudden snap made him turn his head to the left.

What he saw astonished, yet frightened him.

“Poor, poor, pathetic man. Look how sad that you’ve become… Such a fool you are, to have shunned Seto out of your life…” sang Mina, the witch, as she crawled out from behind a large rock. She crept low as a snake, yet gentle as a sheep. It freaked Katsuya major, and he scooted away from her.

“You…” he hiccupped. He remembered her quite clearly. “You’re…”

“What are you to -- to do?” Mina gleamed, moving to sit cross-legged. “You -- are a sad, sad soul.”

“I don’t need you and your weirdness,” Katsuya said, though his voice was full of fear. He never liked the witch. Her presence was dark as black. “What are you doing here, anyway? Why aren’t you back inside of your made-up cave?”

This made Mina cackle. She showed off her yellowy teeth, making Katsuya look away. “I -- I come baring -- news…” Her head twitched, showing off her excited stature. “Yes -- yes! News -- news from…” She paused with her head tilted to the left. It rest there, limp as death. “Seto.”

She grinned, watching Katsuya lift his head in curiosity. “Seto?”

Mina nodded her head fast, it positioned straight again. “Seto -- Seto is sad. Sad as -- as you…” Mina made a devastating noise, as if she were ready to weep for the two with the markings. “Sad as you -- sad as you.”

“Seto is sad?” Katsuya asked, suddenly full of concern. “Why?” He received no answer, and he grew angry. “Answer me, ya old hag!”

She jumped, rattled as a cat. “Cannot say. No -- not me! Ask Seto -- must -- must -- at the waterfall.”

“The waterfall,” Katsuya sighed. It had been a while since he’s seen the waterfall.

“Tonight, you must be him at midnight,” explained Mina, turning serious. “ He -- will be waiting for you at the top of the waterfall, where the water gushes out…”

“What?” gasped Katsuya. He leaned forward, pressing his hands into the dirt before him. “Tonight? Seto is going there tonight? To wait for me?” Katsuya got no answer. All he got was Mina’s hacking laugh. “Please, I -- I can’t see Seto.”

“Tonight. Midnight. Top of the waterfall…” Mina drifted as she began to shadow away.

“Wait!” Katsuya cried. “I can’t see Seto! I made a promise, and…”

“Promise?” Mina chuckled. “Beast -- follow -- follow your heart. Seto -- Seto is not the one you should fear. Go to him. Go -- to Seto…”

Katsuya watched, shocked to the brim as Mina vanished. With her gone, Katsuya managed to stand to his feet. Shaking, he rubbed his hands as he figured what he should do. He turned his head towards the direction of home. The other direction was the waterfall.

Biting his lower lip, Katsuya slowly let his arms fall to his side. With a single motion, he turned his head the other way…

And he walked towards the waterfall.

-End Chapter Nineteen-

Here we are. Another chapter! Oh, and yes I know it’s short. It is purposefully! I have the rest of this story in my head, and all I have to do now is type it when I feel like typing it!

Seto: Which takes forever…

Yeah? Well, Seto, perhaps you’d like to take my place?

Seto: Maybe I should. Firstly, I’d remove any romance between me and that dumb mutt. Second, I’d kill the dumb mutt. Third…

Katsuya: Hey! *glares*

Now, now, let us not argue. We really should be celebrating! You know why?

Seto & Katsuya: Why?

Because -- there are only -- *takes a deep breath* -- FIVE MORE CHAPTERS TO GO!

Seto & Katsuya: *cover their ears*

Seto: God damn it, Sasa!

I thought you’d be satisfied. The story is nearing its end. Of course, I am pleased that so many out there are saying how sad they are it is ending.

Seto: ------ People are actually sad that this story is ending?

Yep. Look above. See how many reviews I have?

Seto: Katsuya! What does the fan fiction website say about the reviews for this shitty story?

Katsuya: It’s -- uh -- over 100...

Seto: OVER 100!? *faints*

Um… Okay! Anyways, this story has five more chapters to go. I look forward to more reviews, and stay tuned for Chapter 20! Bye!