"He went back into the village. He's..." he trailed off. "We will live in hiding, so that they won't find us.. But we will make it a good home and we will have a good life. So don't worry about them finding us. I promise that I will protect you for as long as I can." He quickened his pace away from the village, trying to make it more difficult for anyone to catch up with them. He did know of some good spots, after many journeys out of the village, and the one he was thinking about was a cave near a waterfall, and there was plenty of foliage around the area to cover the entrance up. There was also a human village very close to it, where they can go if they wanted to get things that they would want to bring back, or just go there for some leisurely time.

"You dismissed him?" she sounded suprised that he actually let up after staying for so long, though seeing him trail off he could only imagine something bad was going to happen "We have to go back and help, she struggled agains her embrace but stopped as she coughed a little

"Why are we going to be hidding? Why would being found so bad?" she had so many question but none of them where being answered, she was confused but trusted Nobuo to do what was best for them "I can help doing that can't I" her words seemed hopeful she didn't want to be classed as useless by him too

"I..I thought that your punishment might have been small..but.. You absolutely cannot return to the village..if you did, even I wouldn't be able to help you," he was sure that he would be stopped and locked up until Fumiko was executed. There was a slight chance that it could go the other way, but he didn't want to risk it, "Fumiko, I love you too much to let you go back..please just..forget about the village." He landed on a boulder, right next to the waterfall. He could feel the mist lightly touching his skin and the sounds seemed to wash out the world outside. He tried hard to make Fumiko forget about the village and about Ken'ichi..but even he was distressed with the decision since he did care about Ken'ichi, but it would be Ken'ichi who would refuse the help. He pointed at the cave, "See, it won't be so bad. It's large enough to live comfortably. We can make the inside look like the inside of a normal house."

Fumiko listened to what was said about her not going back to the village "I'm banished?" her voice was small as she spoke those words, she now though that is what he had told ken'ichi and ken'ichi was going to report back, after all he was so a strict type, hearing Nobuo say those words for the first time her cheeks pinkened, she knew by laws this was forbidden but since she couldn't go back she was happy to accept his love "I love you too Nobuo" she leaned up to kiss him lightly on the lips

placed on the rock she moved off it and entered the cave, and looked around giggling slightly "Our secret love nest... Like you promised" she was almost glowing, thinking about it as their sanctury where the rules and such didn't matter "It's perfect" she smiled hugging onto Nobuo once more

He put down his stuff and returned the hug, gently embracing her. He was glad that she was accepting the change and not turning back to her home. Even if there wasn't a death sentence, she would still end up miserable there. So in fact, the events had been a small blessing in disguise, giving at least this much happiness for the two.

>ish fast fowaring a month<

Fumiko was outside of their cave home a smile on her face as she stood in the water, she was trying to catch fish like how she had been shown when she was smaller but all she kept doing was spashing around, but the water was cool and refreshing so she was happy enough to continue

It had only been a month and though the alteration on her clothing was slow a diffrence could be seen, she was now wearing non-ragged deep forest green cotton dress, her hair was nicely tied back with a matching ribbon she susspected that Nobuo would be home soon from his job and so wanted to have something prepared from him.

Hearing a snap behind her she turned and looked a happy smile on her face believing it was indeed Nobuo who was trying to sneek up on her but wanted to give himself away so she could go and hug him like he often did, she moved out of the water and went towards the noise, though on seeing a tengu come out with black and deep purple flecks within both clothing and wings she backed away her eyes showing fear

Stumbling over her own feet she moved into bowed positon infront of the man, tears begining to roll down her cheek as she thought he was going to drag her back home where she was told not to go by Nobuo, her hear raised a little as she seen the mans feet by her head

"You filthy tainted" (Tainted isn this tribes version of marked) his voice growled, his almost pure black eyes glaring down at her "How many laws have you broken" his foot came hard down on her right hand a dull sickening snap heard as she cried out in pain "Answer!" he ground his foot into her now broken hand

crying out in pain she found it hard to speak but some how managed it "Law 23. Tainted should not leave the villiage without permission..." she winced and cried ou again "Law 76. tainted should never socialize with humans unless told.. Law 65. Tainted should scavenge what they require to survive..." feeling him grind into her hand again she screamed in pain "Law 42. Tainted are not permitted to wear garb of normal tengu.. Law 43. All garb worn by tainted must be dull in color to distinguish them for what they are... Law 5. A tainted must always address superiors as master" she whimpered as the pressure was taken from her hand

Grabbing her hair the Male Tengu raised her to her feet using his free hand to grab a dagger from his belt, bringing it to her shoulders he cut the straps of the dress allowing it to fall to the ground "You don't have to worry about laws 42 and 43 anymore now will you" his voice showing some twisted enjoyment in tormenting the girl, moving his arm and releasing he threw her into the cold water which she came out of shaking and moved back into a bowed positon in front of the man.

"Am I to be taken home" her voice showed pain, humiliation and torment as she now spoke tears rolling down her eyes as she did so, the man standing above her shook his head "No Tainted, you are not to return... You broke one law that prevented such a thing..." his voice was filled with sadistic glee "Law 98." he began to unsheath his sword

Fumiko tried to think back on the law as it wasn't one she had known anyone to break, her eyes went wide "Law 98. Tainted must stick to finding a mate within their own class..." she closed her eyes she forgot her pairing with Nobuo while magical was also forbidden "Now tainted time for your punishment" his voice growing darker as he stabbed his sword right into fumiko's head and twisted before taking the sword out "Punishment recieved" with that the Tengu brought his sword out of the girls head and flicked off the blood from the blade before sheathing it. When this was done he jamp and flew off happy he had done the will of those who sent him

Nobuo had a normal job in the village, one that didn't make Fumiko worry so much, but today he stayed late to help move the shop items around and help clean up. He enjoyed his work, the people he worked with were always happy and pleasant to be around. However, he knew he'd just make Fumiko worry if he stayed too much longer, and so after he had helped a little, he grabbed his things and left quickly, moving with ease through the nearly empty streets, being more skilled about moving through crowds and large groups.

He looked down at the small wrapped item in his hand after he had walked out of the village boundaries. Inside was a hairpin he had bought earlier, intricately decorated with handcrafted patterns and adorned with a pink jade. Nobuo smiled, just thinking about how happy Fumiko would be to see the gift and wear it.

"Fumiko! I'm back!" Nobuo hopped down a few boulders and then upon the bank, breathing in the fresh air made from the waterfall. The first thing he did was visit the cave to see if she was there, after he had gotten no response. Then he popped outside, thinking that she was hiding to play some sort of game, and then he spotted her on the opposite side of the water, lying on the ground. He thought that she was only taking a rest and then went to go join her, walking on top of the water to prevent himself from getting too wet, but the closer he got to Fumiko the more he realized something was wrong. Fumiko was twisted into an uncomfortable position, and when he finally got up to her he saw the pool of blood around her head, and he fell to his knees, turning her head so to see her face. Seeing the horrible wound in her forehead, his world came crumbling around him, his heart strained and his breathing slowed as he looked at the surreal scene, not fully accepting what he was seeing. Then tears poured down his cheeks and he made a pain-filled screamed, "FUMIKO!" His words traveled far and echoed through the forest. He caressed her, holding her head gently up to his, not caring about the blood that ran down his chest and ruined his clothes, "I..I was unable to protect you...Fumiko."


Nobuo had spent several hours crying over the loss of the one he loved. When the tears had stopped, he gave her a proper burial and stayed by it for a few minutes longer, speaking to the grave as though she could hear his voice from beyond, "Fumiko, you had a good life with me, right? We were happy...so...happy..." He closed his eyes and clenched the fabric over his chest. "I promise..I won't let them get away with this. I'll make sure that every single guilty person that has made those like us miserable will pay dearly, with their lives," it wasn't like him to say that, as he had preferred negotiations and such to come to peace with people when problems arose, "I..I'll pursue them, and kill every last one, no matter how long it takes!"

He chanted, speaking forbidden words, some from his tribe and the rest he learned from the humans. A light glow surrounded him, but it burned throughout his body and he felt as if he were being stabbed a thousand times and then those areas twisting around, feeling like one living rope. He screamed out in agony as it continued for the next few minutes and finally collapsed as it finished. He breathed heavily and turned his head to look at Fumiko's grave and smiled, "I'll..I'll be able to continue for eternity. I won't rest until they all die." The curse he had placed on himself would allow him to pursue what the darkness in his heart wanted, and possibly allow him to retain his memories after death. He knew there were other consequences to using the magic, but he didn't care. He just wanted the source of their suffering, the source of other's suffering, to come to a close.

He stood up, flying faster than he had ever flown in his life. Rage, hatred, and sorrow filled his heart and all he could think about was how he would go about utterly eliminating all of the guilty tengu. It took him a while to reach his home-village, his tengu form casting a shadow like an ominous sign. Then, he dove down, slashing through tengu mercilessly, taking out only the ones who oppressed the lower classes.

Finally, a sharp pain went through his chest, and he was able to stay conscious long enough to see what it was and who had shot it: a single arrow that could only be used by the nobles, released by another from one of the other head families. But, his heart fell when he saw his own father was standing right next to the man, his hand clenched the assailants arm and clothes appearing as though he had tried to stop the other, but what pained him from looking at his father was how his father had looked at him with sorrow and anger. He wasn't sure if the look was something like worry for him, or if it was to say that he was disappointed in having Nobuo as a son. Nobuo fell to the ground, darkness swamping over all of his senses, dying in a pool of blood, "Fumiko...I'll return."

----------------

Yuu breathed heavily, waking up in a cold sweat. He felt a dampness on his chest, and raised his hand to touch it, fearful that his dream had become reality. There was no hole, but when he pulled his hand away to look at it, it was covered in blood. At first, he was in shock, but then it hit him hard and he screamed, falling back and scrambling to his feet. Nobuo was a vengeful ghost from the past, though in disbelief how someone like Nobuo had turned into such a monster..and he wasn't going to stop until every hated tengu was dead. Yuu couldn't possibly agree to such a thing though, and so having such a balance with Nobuo would have been difficult thing.

He walked outside the room, trying to find the elders...trying to find his father..or at least the one he had in his past life. Just what was he thinking at the time of his death? Was his father aware that he was Nobuo? How did his father view about his relationship with Fumiko? So many questions that he needed answers to.

Toshi remained still and unmoving through the whole ordeal she was trying to regain her lost energy "Yuu..." she whispered silently, though a second voice was heard under it 'Nobuo' it called in the same silent whisper

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After wandering around for a while he would find the male elder in a small shrine outside the temple knelt in front of a small kind of alter tears rolling down his cheek "No... buo" he whispered lighting some incense "If you had told me..." he gripped his hands, his voice showed nothing but sorrow, he blamed himself for not noticing sooner "I should have protected you..." his hand went over the small alter "I'm sorry I failed"

Yuu stood not too far from the elder, listening to the words he was speaking. He had wanted to ask his father just what he had felt at that time, but he could see that his father was in regret over what happened, even after so many centuries of time had passed. Yuu didn't know what to do, whether to say that he was there and very much alive, or if he should just leave his father peace to pay respects to his old self.

The elder felt Yuu's presence and stood wiping his his tears on his robes sleeve and smiled weakly "Have you come to ask another question?" he walked out of the shrine taking Yuu's shoulder lightly taking him back into the temple "You can go anywhere in the temple... just not there" his eyes closed and he looked down "It is a very sacrid place to me" with that he moved to the table and took a seat

Yuu sat down as well, his eyes lowered to the surface of the table, now knowing that his father never realized that his own son was there by his side once again. At that time, he just wanted to get his answers on the life with Nobuo while the memory was still fresh in his mind. He looked up, now questioning eyes locked onto his father's eyes, "Did you think it was a one-sided relationship and agreed with the other elders to have Fumiko executed?" Tears rolled down his cheeks, remembering the moment he had stayed by Fumiko's lifeless body, "Did you..?"

Looked suprised at the boy when he asked the questions, how could he have know about this, the event happened over eight hundred years before hand and wasn't documented "How do you know of this?" he would ask his hand moving to his sword ready to attack, he knew much on the boy's life but this was just plainly suspicious

"No, I do not believe it was one sided, my dear son would only fall in love with someone if they loved him also" he smiled faintly at the thought of his son's happiness "Wither I agreed with them or not I would have protected him and the mate he so loved, even if it ment making her a high born so they could be together" he closed his eyes his hand leaving his sword seeing it now as the boy cried

"Nobuo was my only child and the only one I could ever have... I would have given him the world if he asked for it" his voice showed nothing but truth on the matter, he stood and walked towards the temple door "You remind me a great deal of him" he stopped and sighed "Toshi is a unique girl, she has two spirits, but they have melded into one... if you can do the same... your bond will be stronger than any we have seen" he say with a smile "her second is the sickly Fumiko" with that he moved out of the temple to sit on the top step

He remained at the table, but as soon as his father had left, his hand went up to his his eyes, covering them and hiding just how upset he was at how his father would have handled it. Fumiko could have lived. If only he had gone back to the village and talked to his father like he originally would have, and instead ran because he had no faith in the elders changing their opinions on such a matter. "It was my fault.." he blamed himself for his choice and he stood up, his form shifted into his tengu form. His multiple arms, eyes, and wings merged, making him look more like a normal tengu and his wings became glossed with the same purple sheen he had when he was Nobuo.

He started walking back to Toshi's room instead of going to see his father to have more questions answered. He was still in a little disbelief that Toshi was Fumiko, knowing that something like that happening was just extremely unlikely. But somehow, fate had brought them together once again. The way he was so drawn to the house when he had ran from the slaughter of his village was because of Fumiko being there. They were brought together again by invisible forces. Though he wondered, was Toshi even aware of the past where they were together?

Quickly, he came into the room where Toshi was, sitting by her side and holding her hand again. He felt horrid for wanting to keep Toshi in this state, just to fulfill a goal he was unsure of. In his state of rage, he had forgotten and left behind the person whom he loved, and had forgotten the feeling he once held, but now he understood clearly even when he still didn't have all of his memories. He got the memory that was the most important, "Fumiko...It was my fault you had to die...I'm so sorry..."

Toshi opened her eyes slightly feeling in the change in energys "Yuu.." she said weakly a smile came across her face "Forget the past... look only to the future" she sat up slowly "I feel dizzy..." her voice was slightly wobbly

Though she blinked and looked at the person holding her hand "Nobuo?" she seemed suprised as she felt love from him "Are you okay?" she was concerned, she looked at her hand and watched as the seal faded "How?" she was confused

He could have laughed at it, now that he was in the opposite position. Back then he tried to make Fumiko forget about the village and about turning back, and now Toshi was doing the same to him, telling him to forget the past. Just when he was about to answer her question about whether or not he was ok, his eyes widened at the sight before him: the seal was fading. He didn't know whether or not this was a good thing, since she had kept it on herself for a good reason. Then he suspected that it was because it had something to do with both of his sides now being in agreement with each other, achieving the balance that had been talked about, "That's... Is it ok for that seal to come off like that?" He was concerned, because Toshi was already weakened enough as is and using her power could have been extremely harmful to her while she was in that state.

Toshi looked at the fading seal and shook her head "no... no... no" she seemed to be in quite a panic "I am not tengu... I'm human" her arms covered her body, she didn't want to be part of anything that hurt it's own race or would experiment on them, the seal once again regained strength and appeared but a second seal appeared on the other hand

Toshi's eyes went to the second seal she knew she had caused the first one but she had no idea about the new one "No.. nobuo!" she seemed distressed as she felt a third appear but this one was on her sholder, she begane to feels so cold her skin became pale almost instantly

"Toshi!" he had no idea what was going on, but it seemed like Toshi didn't have an idea either. The moment she rejected her heritage seemed to be what was starting it, from what he was seeing, although he was uncertain. Her hand became cold to touch, and he became even more concerned about it. "Toshi! Please calm down! You...you don't have to be tengu!" it hurt him to say that, knowing well that she was rejecting her past, and also for the fact that he was a tengu. Maybe if he just got rid of the other tengu, then Toshi wouldn't have to deal with the seals anymore. He just didn't know, "Toshi, I'll wipe the other tengu out for you, and then you won't be like this, right?" It was a selfish move, but his concern and love was stronger for Toshi than anyone else.

The male elder would be leaning at the door watching the whole ordeal "The first seal she has done on her own..." he said with a sigh "It will not leave until she comes to terms with who she is" his eyes closed "The second one is the seal the dear child Fumiko had placed on her..." he sounded sad as he spoke those words "That can be removed... I think" he bit his bottom lip as he was unsure if it could on a spirit

"Don't try it!" his words where stern as he heard Yuu speaking about wiping out the race, his hand instantly going to his sword "That isn't the correct path to take" his voice like a scorning father "it won't change the fact she is in fact tengu!"

"And what about you?!" his eyes glowed brightly as he raised his voice, turning his attention to his father, "You're the one who started the experiments and made us suffer! Was that the right path?!" He walked up to him, making sure that he would clearly understand just how angry he was, and grabbed the collar on his robe, "These oppressive traditions and actions made by tengu who want to walk over others..it will never stop unless I kill all of them! Every single last one! Then..then maybe she wouldn't mind accepting her blood..because all the bad will be erased." He could feel it, the same rage and hatred he felt when he went to slaughter the people of his village after Fumiko's death, then he knew he wasn't entirely free from the curse he had placed on himself.

He let go of his father, and stepped back. He shook his head, "I can't stop..even if I wanted to. This was the fate that the past me had written, and I must complete it." He brought his sword out. Even if his father did continue loving him as Nobuo, the fact that he allowed the experiments was a completely different matter and Yuu ended up clumping him with the rest of the tengu that needed to be eliminated. He raised his sword, tears welling up and his arm shaking, holding back his sword as long as he could. After all, even if he did hate his father for the experiments, there was still a part of him that cared for his father very much.

looked to the boy with dull amethyst eyes “What about me?” his voice was gentle as he spoke “I did not start those damned thing, I followed orders...” he pointed to a bookshelf filled with books on different herbs and reports on the experiments done “I never done experiments on another Tengu low born or otherwise” his voice though calm where slightly heated “And those experiments I did do was to better my sons health” As his collar was grabbed he put up no fight against it

“That might be but these are our traditions...” he sighed for a moment “This is the tribe of the moon and though we still follow some of the race's laws many of ours are different” his voice was quiet as he spoke “Even if you were to kill the whole race, it would not remove what she was... and if anything she would fear you for comiting mass genocide” his eyes went to toshi who had her arms holding onto her top as if she was afraid, he felt pity for the girl being drawn into a world she didn't understand

He looked to the boy as he was released “That isn't true, together you can break the taboo” his voice cooed “How did you learn forbidden magics?” his voice showing confusing as the only tribe who practices it openly was the tribe of shadow and the two tribes never seen eye to eye, he walked over to his Book shelf and brought out one of the folders “Fumiko was the first attempt at life... She was classed as a failed experiment” he say opening the folder and read “She was classed as too sickly and a waste” he say flinging the report at his son's feet

“I helped her out of that lab... it was better to be classed as tainted than being strapped to a table, pumped full of who knows what and in agony until she slowly died” he say moving back to his beginning position “I would have arranged for a noble family to take her in, even my branch family's...” he lowered his head “I only ever wished to see my son smile and laugh” he smiled a tear falling from his eye as he thought on a fonder time “I was always proud of him and nothing in the world can change that” his words where sincere as he spoke

Removing his sword from his side he dropped it, his hands remained at his side his hands facing towards nobuo his eyes closing almost as if he was willing to accept this fate, if it made him happy “The two children in the other room...” his voice was warm “they are experiments as you likely can tell, but...” he took a deep breath “I care for them like my flesh and blood... Take care of them for me” his voice was warm and caring, he new to the other elders the two where more a failure than a success and it was only because he said he would care for them that the still existed

He shook more, learning that his father had done his best for him and merely was following orders from someone else. How could his father ever be proud of him for having raised a sword against his own father, or even wanting to destroy an entire race? The sword fell from his hands, and clattered on the floor, and his arms went to his sides as he took a few steps away from his father, "You are innocent.."

He was horrified, the curse compelled him to kill his own father despite him being innocent. Then whether or not a person was killed due to his curse depended solely on how he viewed people, but not based on whether or not they had actually been guilty. He didn't intend for it to run that way, and if he knew back then that the curse would do that to him, he wouldn't have placed it on himself. He didn't know just how many innocent people he had killed. He always thought that every person he took down had committed horrible crimes against innocents, "That..the forbidden arts..I developed from my knowledge of tengu and human magic..in my past life. I thought I might have needed it if the others came to kill Fumiko."

"I need to have it removed. I don't know when I'll go around killing people again," he remembered how he had destroyed the village, and he felt that his father would have most likely disowned him if he ever spoke of it. The rage came out very randomly and uncontrollably, and caught everyone by surprise, even him. He wished that he had all of his memories, but he knew he didn't have enough knowledge to strip the curse off of himself without any consequences. But he also had Toshi to worry about as well, and he walked over to her. Why had Fumiko placed the seal on herself? Was living as a tengu that horrible? He sat down next to her, cradling her within his arms and humming the same lullaby he did hundreds of years ago to comfort her, "I'm here for you, Toshi..Fumiko.." At least the lullaby was the one good thing that he could do for Fumiko or Toshi.

The man watched as the boy shook and dropped his sword, it was then realized “Nobuo” his eyes went wide as he dashed towards the boy to hug him close his chest tears falling from his eyes “My eye's might be dull purple, but they don't show malice in them...” he whispered “If I was as evil as you thought I wouldn't be as accommodating as I have been, other elders wouldn't have been so forth coming and would have forced you into their temple” he said not wanting to loosen his hug “Yes I still follow the rules... tainted are still tainted but they are treated well within this tribe” he released the hug and looked down to him with a smile

He looked to him his eyes showing a little sorrow as he talked about how he learned it “You knew that magic was taboo and still learned it...” he sighed moving to a chair within the room “Your intentions might have been pure but that magic is taboo for a reason, it twists people” he was now worried for his son's safety as he knew the punishment for using such arts “Two ways this can go... One, you can hide the fact you know such arts and have used them or... Two I seal your magic until we can find a way to break it” his words showed fear for his son's life he had failed him once and wasn't intending for it to happen again

“I know it must be removed, but only a powerful priestess can remove a taboo such as this...” he looked down and shook his head “We have a problem with that...” his hand clenched “All priestess's that would have been powerful enough to try and remove that taboo, where used in experiments...” he looked up grief seen in his eyes “Your form's mother and young toshi's mother where two of the six” he truly had no idea why these experiments where taking place and why the priestess's where targeted, he only knew his role in the whole scheme and it sickened him to his very core, he started his trials to help his son's illness and potentially eradicate the illness but the other elders took it as a sign and twisted it

“I will give you information on the seals that I can see the young girl has and perhaps, we can find a way to get her to accept this race isn't all bad” moving his hand he used the moonlight outside to recreate the seal Toshi had placed on herself “This seal is very rare, and very powerful... we have only ever seen it once before and that is when her mother used it to banish someone..” he paused for a second “But for Toshi to place it on herself without the knowledge of our race's magic is an extraodinary feat” he shook his head and sighed “Sorry back to what I was saying... this seal is used was used as a capital punishment for this tribe...” he looked to the symbol for a long second “It stripped everything away that you where making you human, once on it was never meant to be removed” his words where calm “In the young girls case, hers will leave when she comes to terms with what she is, it's a defence mechanism” he felt pity for the girl for being able to fully balance herself but she would eventually she had to

Altering the seal he would make the seal on the other hand “That is a seal only elders can do...” he took a deep breath “It's called a slow death seal” his hands clutched to the point there was a small trickle of blood “The seal makes a person weak and gives them great amounts of pain, slowly killing them over a time of sixteen years... “ he looked up to Nobuo “That seal is used on traitors and those who can not be controlled” his voice was filled with several emotions such as anger and sorrow “The others must have feared her to have placed that seal on her... It's a very difficult one to remove” he looked out the window

He listened to the lullaby Nobuo was humming and smiled gently, it was the same lullaby he sang to him as a child. Fond memories came rushing through his mind as he began to whisper the words to the lullaby, it spoke of the true nature of the tribe around them. Moving his eyes over he seen Toshi move into Yuu's lap crying slightly she had heard everything that was said and didn't know how exactly to take it. She was still young and to have all this thrust upon her caused her a great deal of distress

His own eyes widened in shock and fear when he realized he said too much and was found out. A parent showing love to a child who had performed an outrageous crime was almost too much for him to bare. Though, the fact that he was raised up the way he was during his lifetime might have reflected some sort of punishment for even trying to use the forbidden arts, "Father..I...how can you care about someone like me..a person who used taboo magic, slaughtered so many people, and even raised a sword against you? I am not even fit to be in this village, and yet you're still so caring." He wondered how Toshi would feel about that if she learned about it too. Would she mark him as one of the tengu she despised as well?

Still, at this time, every bit of help was needed. He never knew that the seal was the reason she would have died, but he would have preferred that than the death that was brought to her. At least she could have tried to live to the fullest before having to go. Yuu ran his hand over her head, "Then we do this in slow steps.." The seal must have slowed in the timing of its effects after Toshi had died, but it was still a great concern.

Stopped singing as he heard his son's words “Nobuo, the answer to such questions are all the same and all have the same answer” he looked away from the moon outside to his beloved son “You are my son, my one and only child... no matter what you do I will love you and protect you from the harm of others” he smiled gently his words showing only truth, his eyes regaining more colour as he spoke “Don't talk so foolishly Nobuo... of course you are fit to be in this village it is your home” he sounded hurt that he heard his son speaking as if he would truly abandon him

He watched his son, and seen a love that he once held for his mother 'they are the perfect pairing' he smiled within himself he was proud to have such a child that even through all the trials he had been through could still love, with a flame that would be an eternal “Slow steps?” he seemed puzzled, standing he walked over to the two picking up his sword along the way and placing it back on his side before kneeling inspecting the seal that Fumiko had “We don't have time to do this slow... “ he closed his eyes “The time limit on it is what the dear Fumiko had left...” his voice showed a little pain “Two months and I have no idea which elder done this... or if the elder is still alive” sighing he stood up

“If I go around asking such questions openly about an experiment that happened over eight hundred years ago it could cause complications” his words where soft as he spoke, he had no idea how to do it without bringing up to much suspicion “But then again...” he bit his bottom lip, soon it would be the anniversary of his son's death and how the others loved keep reminding him of his possessed son “I can ask next month without any suspicion” his voice was slightly shaky and showed a lot of pain “For tonight stay in my chamber... I will get a proper room prepared for you both tomorrow” with that he began to walk towards the door

Yuu would have preferred to stay with Toshi to at least give her comfort, and he was hesitant to leave. But then again, there was still a matter of his own curse and Toshi would have been unable to stop him when she was in her condition. His father, however, might be well prepared for such circumstances. Yuu stood up, rubbing Toshi's back, "Please get some rest." Then he turned around and followed his father.

Toshi curled into a ball and closed her eyes she felt ehausted and weak and had no idea why, as she was going in and out of sleep she heared very little of the conversation and what she did hear made very little sence to her, but for the moment she would try and rest like she had been asked

Nobuo's father went to the training hall, where ken'ichi could be seen, though clearly exhaused and hurt he continued to train 'you fool' he thought to himself watching as ken'ichi's former tutors helped him learn his place once more within the race's comminuty

As Yuu walked closely behind him, he saw who it was his father was looking at, and then it dawned on him: he knew Ken'ichi when he was Nobuo. The same person who had served under his family was the same person who became the father of Toshi and was there to help and guide him. He wasn't sure if Ken'ichi was even aware that he was the same Nobuo from the past, the same one who had told him his views on tengu society. His throat tightened, hurt from seeing Ken'ichi, a spirit, pushed into servitude again. He was sure that Toshi wouldn't be able to bare seeing her father like this, and he rushed over to Ken'ichi's side trying to stop his training. He turned to face the trainers, "Do you have no shame? How can you do this?!"

Then he froze, realizing that these people would be unaware of him, and if they did he would be considered a marked unless they knew about him being an experiment. Why would they listen to someone who was a nobody in that village? No longer bearing the same status he did from his past life, no longer having the same respect and loyalty from those who were under him on the social ladder. He turned to face his father, "You can do something about this, can't you?"

Turned feeling his son's presence around, he thought he would have remained with Toshi, seeing him look into the training hall he sighed “You remember him don't you Nobuo” his words where quiet but quicker than he could blink he seen his son move into the training hall, he tried to grab his son's arm but he was to late and shook his head knowing the likely chance would be him stepping in

The teacher's seeing the boy stepping in narrowed their eyes, they had no idea who this boy was, but this hall was only used to teach the branch family. One of them moved forward quickly, drawing his sword and cut downwards with every intention of killing the boy. Ken'ichi seeing this dashed forward behind Nobuo and at the very last second turned taking the slash right across his back clenching his eyes a small whimper of pain heard.

His now jade eyes narrowed turning to the teacher that attempted to strike the boy down, stood up “You should be ashamed, drawing your sword at the young lord!” his voice though tired, was cold and showed authority, the teacher looked to ken'ichi and smirked “There is but one lord in this temple since the possession” his own words cold.

Ken'ichi moved to his knees in front of Nobuo like he had done so many times in the past and lowered his head “I am sorry my young lord...” he began his voice calm as it was the last time they met “Pay no mind to my training, it is an honour to be able to protect the main family” he knew he likely wouldn't feel comfortable with the treatment, but if it meant his safety he had to

The elder moved into the training hall his dull purple orbs glowing “This is Yuu... my reincarnated son, you will show him the same respect as you would show any of my family...” his words where cold as he moved towards him and from his neck brought out the pendent he had given Nobuo as a child and placed it around his neck with a smile “Do you understand?!” his voice boomed, the teachers nodding showing they understood clearly “As you didn't know, this time is forgiven since Ken'ichi stepped in... next time someone will be paying the price” his voice was bitter, he had lost his son once and wasn't going to let it happen to him again

“Nobuo... This is his training... nothing can be done about it” his voice was once more gentle, his eyes turning back to ken'ichi who was now continuing his training, he could tell just how tired his cousin was but this is the way it had always been, the branch family was raised to be protector’s of his and though harsh was necessary. This was the only thing that was done harder than any other tribe the training of the branch family

Yuu clenched his fists, looking to his father in sorrow and anger over what was going on. He didn't want Ken'ichi to be treated like he was some servant again, and the fact they were training him while he had an injury dealt by a sword just made it that much more painful for him to think about. His mind became fogged with the thought of turning the trainers into mere stains on the ground, and he walked right up to the one who had attacked Ken'ichi earlier, his hand snapped forward and grabbed the man by the neck.

Then, he let go when he realized what he was doing, and then promptly walked out of the training hall. Of course, even without the curse he would have still wanted to punish the man for what he did to Ken'ichi, but death to him and all the other trainers was just pushing it. He took a deep breath, walking directly to his father's chambers without waiting for his father since he wanted to isolate himself away from other people he may have thought deserved a little punishment.

The elder watched the goings on and smiled seeing that he had self control 'perhaps he can break his own taboo' he thought to himself, sighing he looked into the training hall "Training is at an end for the moment" his tone showing why he was in the position he was in

Watching the Tengu sheath there swords and walk out he was about to walk to ken'ichi to check him over, but seen narrowed jade eyes looking at him "You changed me back and now have your guardian once more... go check on your son and my daughter" he slowly stood, from his back trickled blood as he too each step, each step feeling like an excerise in itself

The man noded to Ken'ichi "You know, you and her mother done this to her..." he say watching ken'ichi stop for a moment to hear the rest of the sentance "if you hadn't hid her heritage from her she wouldn't be denying it now, in denying it she has caused a seal that can not be removed except through her exceptance" ken'icho started walking again "I hid it from her because I never intended for her to meet any of this damned race" with that he entered his room

The elder sighed and shook his head "You've changed so much cousin" he whispered, he understood why Ken'ichi held so much hate for the race, it was the same reason his own son did. He tried to make his tribe at least a little more bareable that others, but not even that seemed to make them content.

Slowly he moved back to his chamber to see his son, he knew that his son would have plenty to say on the matter that he just seen, but would likely want more questions answered and at this point in time he didn't want to sleep

Yuu was sitting on the bed, seemingly almost distant. It wasn't his first time seeing someone treated so poorly due to the traditions, but the reactions were every bit as despicable as the actions from back in his old life. Then, he noticed his father was present, but he made no motion to stand up or see him, "All of this has gone on for far too long.."

The man stood looking to him a sigh coming from his lips as he heard his son's words “And nothing would come but chaos...” his words a mear whisper not wanting to disturb the sleeping girl that lay behind Nobuo. If it wasn't better anyone would believe that he was in fact trying to keep things the way they where for his own selfish reasons

In all truth unlike the other elders who would want it for those selfish reason's he was looking at things in a more practical way, their race's traditions and laws where several millennia years old, silently he moved to stand at the window “I know our laws and traditions aren't perfect... but without rules and boundaries, there would only be chaos” his words where truthful on the matter

“After you d...” he stopped not wanting to to say the last word he closed his eyes and looked down and took a deep breath “after you died...” his voice showed true pain in saying the last word, he shook and took another silent deep breath “if it wasn't for those laws, this tribe wouldn't be here, it would be in ruin” his words once again showing this simple truth, although he wouldn't get into such matters unless asked

“You see Nobuo... though at times brutals and backwards, they are needed” opening his eyes and looked to the moon “Unlike any other tribe, the tainted here have more freedoms and privileges,” his words seemed distant as he spoke, he didn't want anyone to suffer like Fumiko had and so altered the tribes laws in a way that kept the higher s of the tribe happy but gave those who needed the help a way to get it without fear of punishment

"The humans have a better way of living.." Yuu rubbed his arm, "They aren't as harsh as we are. They have more freedom to do what they want.." He looked down, imagining just how life would have been if he were born as a human rather than a tengu. It would have made things so much easier, and he wouldn't have fallen into the fate he had now, "If I had only been born human, I wouldn't have suffered so much..I wouldn't have seen so much suffering.."

His father turned and looked to his son as he spoke “I wouldn't know... I've never met a Human.” his words were truthful as he leaned against the window “At your age such things where taboo... my father would have easily had me beaten for thinking such a thought” his smile was gentle as he thought on his own parents and how they where, he now found himself wondering if his father would have approved of him and what he had done, or class him as a failure

On hearing his son's next set of words he snapped back into reality from his own thoughts “We can't help what we are born Nobuo” he say with a sorrow filled voice, to hear such words from his only child cut deeper into him than any blade could, turning from him several tears fell silently from the man's cheeks, he didn't want his son to see the tears or how much that one sentence truly hurt him

“If that is what you wish I can grant it, it would also break your taboo...” his voice hid the fear he was hiding well, all he wanted was to make his son happy, to make him smile and laugh like he once had when he was a child, before the time turmoil where the humans founded a city within their territory, it was then he started to see changes in his son's attitude and though he knew they would likely never change back but he could hope

“I've only ever wanted to see your happiness and laughter Noubuo...” he began to walk towards the door silently, though stopped before he exited “And if that means I must lose you for a second time for it to happen, I would happily sacrifice it” he lowered his head, tears now moved down his cheeks as if they where waterfalls, his voice shook as his heart twisted saying that one sentence, but how could he deny him anything? it was a father's love that compelled him to offer him what he wanted

He looked up and at his father, and in hearing the fluctuations in the words that his father spoke, he understood that this was something that would hurt him to do. Though he shook his head and stood up, walking a few steps forward and out to the window where he looked out at the village beyond. It hadn't changed much from the last time he remembered it, and then he turned to his father, "Even making me human wouldn't change the fact that I experienced all of those painful things. My heart would still ache no matter what form I'm in." He clenched his fist, hesitant to speak out his next thoughts, "The..the only way is to just erase my memories..or put me to rest. Maybe..I can just meet my death with Toshi..and then we won't have to bother her to accept her heritage."

Turned and looked to his son for a moment “Every life comes with trials, both good and bad” his words showed this to be true as he regained his composure, hearing his next words he sighed “I could erase both your memories and hope that you bond once more as you have now” he moved back towards his son, looking down and him for a moment before placing a hand on his shoulder “If you died your spirit would remain...” he paused for a second and looked to the sleeping girl “She on the other hand would be removed from existence completely” his voice showing sorrow, but she was a spirit and though her father could take on physical form being born in the temple the same couldn't be said for her

Yuu's eyes widened with horror. He thought it could have been so much easier just to go ahead and do one of the things he said, but the thought of losing Toshi forever just hit him hard. And he didn't know just how accepting Toshi would be of her tengu blood after having her memories erased. Just how far back would it have gone, "How-how far can you take that spell..the one that erases memories?"

Looked at him and sighed seeing his son's eyes widening, he knew there bond was deep and that the news that if she died, that would be it, there would be no coming back in anyway would hit him hard. On hearing his question he looked out the window at the moon “At this point in the cycle to the point of five years old, if the moon was full I could erase everything from her birth till now” his words where seemingly distant as he studied the moon “If I was to do that, I could change memories, to give her history...” he say gently knowing that she wouldn't know yuu for who he was at the moment, but as a tengu prince

Yuu took a deep breath and thought about it for a while, trying to figure out what sort of consequences or backlash the magic would cause them. He became tense, thinking just about all the memories they had together, everything they worked hard for to obtain, all erased or replaced with new memories. Then there was also the risk that his father could tweak a little more than what Yuu wanted, making him what he'd consider a more 'suitable' son. However, despite all the negatives, he thought it would be better for Toshi to live without all the sorrows and pain of her past, and she wouldn't be alone in that, "Do it. Please use the magic to erase our memories."

His father looked down from the moon surprised hearing what was said, especially so quickly “don't you think you should think it over?” he asked then there was the matter of how ken'ichi would take it, though at the end of the day he ken'ichi's mind would alter to what it once was through his harsh training. His eyes slowly moved to Toshi “perhaps you best talk it over with her... as if she doesn't wish it then it will not work as well as it should do” he was happy that he could have his dear son back the way he once was, but at the same time he didn't want to do it unless it was what the boy truly wanted