Fan Fiction ❯ The End ❯ Chapter Two ( Chapter 2 )

Chapter Two

"That is not my son!"

Five year old Shouji hid outside on the porch. He'd heard his parents shouting when he came home from school. His father's angry yell had horrified the small boy.

"Of course he's your son!" Shouji head his mother shout back. "You were there when he was born."

"So? That....child.....may have come from you but he is NOT mine!"

A deathly silence. Then a resounding slap could be heard.

"Take that back, Thomas." His mother growled.

"No. I don't know who that boy is, but he's not mine."

"Are you accusing me of cheating?" Shouji cringed at the venom in her voice.

There was a small pause, then, "There is no-one in my family with red hair or rust eyes, Akumi. There is no way that.....child.....has my genes."

"How dare you?" Akumi hissed.

"I'm leaving," Thomas continued coldly, "I'm returning to England. Do what you want with Shouji. I will take no more responsibility towards him."

Shouji ran.

~*~*~

"Shouji?" His mother called softly.

The small seven year old boy curled himself up even tighter up into a ball.

"Sho-chan? Please, come out." She pleaded.

Shouji covered his mouth with both his small hands, trying to muffle the sobs.

The door opened. His mother came in, sitting down on the bed beside the distraught boy. She pulled him into her arms, crooning softly to him.

Shouji buried his face in her soft jumper, letting her rock him gently.

"I'm sorry mama. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do it!"

Akumi bit her lip at the soft cries coming from her son. She loved him dearly, but she no longer had a choice.

"I know Sho-chan, I know."

"Please don't send me away again. I'll be good this time! Please mama!" Shouji turned huge pleading eyes to his mother.

Akumi's heart broke.

"I....I'm sorry Sho-chan," she whispered into his hair, her tears sliding down her face, "I'm so, so sorry..."

Shouji pulled himself out of her arms, his eyes wide and horrified. "No..." He gasped brokenly, "you're going to send me away again? Aren't you?"

Akumi looked away, unable to meet her son's accusing gaze.

"But I didn't mean to do it!"

Akumi's doe brown eyes were sad. "I know, but you know what we agreed, what your grandparents agreed..."

"No..." Shouji shook his head. "No!" He backed away from his mother, his body shaking in disbelief and anger.

"Sho-"

"NO!"

The lamp by the bed was suddenly engulfed in flames. Two pairs of shocked eyes met, before Shouji ran.

Akumi grabbed a rug from the floor, throwing it over the lamp and dropping it to the floor, she swiftly put it out, having had numerous brief encounters with Shouji's temper. She threw away the charred rug, with the now useless lamp, into the outside bin. There was no use in making things worse. Akumi stared out to the forest surrounding the Hoshigawa estate. There would be no point trying to find her son, he would come back in the morning.

She bit her lip sadly. Shouji had lasted almost a year since his last 'accident'. But this time he had managed to set the small family shrine alight. Unfortunately he parents would not make an exception for her son this time. Akumi sighed, leaning on the wooden railing around the traditional-style house. Ever since Shouji's father had left, Shouji's accidents had become rarer, almost as if he were consciously trying to control himself.

Akumi knew though, that they had no choice but to leave.

~*~*~

Shouji stopped running when he reached his favourite tree. It was deep enough into the forest grounds to prevent anyone finding him. Shouji climbed up into the large leafy limbs, feeling safer as the huge tree seemed to cradle him in it's immense branchs. Even now, after dark, he felt safe.

Propping himself up against the rough bark behind him, Shouji held out one tiny palm. He knew he was smaller than his classmates, being only the size of a five year old, and as a result he'd become known as a bit of a trouble-maker, his penchant for shutting up the bullies with his fists had become well known.

Raising his palm upward, Shouji concentrated for a few moments, reaching down inside himself to that glowing light he knew he had inside. Tugging part of it out, Shouji grinned through his tears when a small flame suddenly burst into life over his palm. It flicked gently before settling down into a warm golden light.

Smiling, Shouji played with it, forgetting his problems with the ease only young children could. The small boy grinned as he changed the flames colours, blue and cool, red and hot, violet and soothing. He went though many more colours before his eyes started drooping, and he couldn't keep the yawns at bay.

Concentrating fiercely, Shouji tried to make the flame return back to where he believed it belonged, back inside him. He could feel the strain on his lungs as his breathing became harder, and the sweat beaded across his face. Finally, Shouji managed to pull the flame back inside, returning it to the glow inside him.

Wrapping his arms around himself, Shouji fell asleep in the tree, not once afraid of falling, a secret smile playing across his lips.

~*~*~

A gasp filled the night air. Shouji shot upright in his bed, his breathing hoarse. The small teen wrapped his arms tightly around his slim frame, muscles shivering and tense.

He glanced at the bedside clock. The red numbers glared darkly at him. 5:47 am.

"Damn." Shouji ran a hand through his unbound hair. The blood-red strands pooling in his lap.

Pushing aside his duvet, Shouji stood, hastily grabbing his robe and heading for the bathroom. He pulled off his pyjamas, turned the water on full with a warm heat and gratefully stood under the soothing spray. Shouji rolled his shoulders, feeling the heat begin to relax the tense muscles in his arms and back.

Padding silently back to his room, Shouji wrapped a towel around his hair, sitting down at his desk and booting his computer up. He accessed his diary, typing in his password with the ease of long familiarity.

Hey again, I guess it's been a while. But things have been hectic. I'm no longer in Japan. My mother's family decided that I was too big a burden on them, so they've sent me to my uncle's house. It's not too bad, he tends to simply ignore me. On the plus side, I've made a few friends. Unbelievable isn't it? Maybe one day I'll be able to talk to more than you, no offence, but talking to a computer really isn't the same.

I dreamt again last night. I saw the night my mother and father split up. It's strange.....I thought I'd repressed that memory. I guess some things just won't go away, no matter how much you want it. I think I'm remembering more, and I even thought about the 'accidents' I used to have. Mama said I haven't had one for almost two years now.

I miss her.

Somehow, I know she kept sending me away for my own good, but it still hurts.

I don't know what happened to my father though, mama still won't talk about him.

The school I'm going to seems nice enough, and the teachers are friendly. I haven't done anything weird, so far, and most people here don't really give me a second glance. I suppose a red-haired person in England isn't really odd, unlike in Japan. I really did stick out like a sore thumb there, didn't I?

It's half past six now, so I'm going to get ready for school.

Shouji logged out of the computer, automatically re-encrypting his recent files. He may be young, but he didn't trust his uncle yet, and he was far from stupid.

Toweling his hair dry, Shouji pulled it back up into it's usual ponytail, his shorter bangs falling down to frame his pale face. Looking critically at himself in the mirror, Shouji groaned when the skin under his eyes seemed darker.

Kuso! I hope no-one notices. The last thing I need is to make a bad impression on Damian, or for him to get over-protective, which he seems the type to do, especially if he thinks I haven't slept.

Dressing in his uniform, Shouji checked his bag and went downstairs. He stuck the coffee-maker on and got some cereal and toast for breakfast. Shouji had just finished eating when he heard the heavy footsteps of his uncle.

Robert Auberon blinked when he saw his nephew sitting quietly at the kitchen table. He held a half-full coffee mug in his hands. "Morning Shouji." He called cheerfully, if a bit awkwardly.

He coughed slightly when the teen turned too-old cinnamon eyes up at him.

"Good morning, Uncle Auberon." The boy said politely. "I made some coffee. It should still be hot."

"Uh...thanks." Robert chose his usual mug from the cupboard and poured himself a drink. He cleared his throat. "I'm probably going to be working late again. Do you need any money for dinner?"

Shouji looked up owlishly at the older man. "No Uncle Auberon. I'm fine. Thank you."

"Uh, good. Glad you're okay then."

Shouji nodded. "Good Day, Uncle Auberon." He gave the man a small polite bow, picking up his school bag by his feet, before leaving.

Robert breathed out a small breath of relief. It wasn't that he didn't like the boy, but he just felt odd, inadequate somehow in his presence. His brother, Shouji's father, had disappeared soon after leaving his wife and son, and Shouji's upbringing had been chaotic to say the least. The child had been handed back and forth between Japan and England, living with whichever relative had room for him at the time.

Under such circumstances, it was amazing that the boy had turned out so well.

Robert sighed. He'd been away, working from a suitcase due to constant inter-continental meeting and conferences, so no-one had ever ever considered asking him to care for the boy before. In fact, Robert hadn't even known about the problems between his brother's family until he'd decided to settle down in England. He'd been given the condensed version of events from his sister, but it was more than enough.

He took a sip of coffee. Shouji had lived with him for three months prior to attending school. Most of that time was spent with Robert working. He had become fond of the boy, but he had never had any reason to learn how to care for a dependent.

The air in the household was quiet, and oddly strained as a result.

You're a damn fool Thomas. Your son needs you. I never thought any brother of mine would be such a coward. Robert drank down the rest of the coffee, frowning at the turn his thoughts had taken.

He went to work.

~*~*~

"Hey! Sho!!"

Shouji stopped and turned at the energetic greeting.

Damian ran up to him. A wide smile across his face. "Morning Sho."

Shouji gave him a small nod of acknowlegement. "Good morning Damian."

"So....did you enjoy yourself last night?" The blonde asked with a warm grin.

"Yes."

"Quiet, aren't you?"

Shouji shrugged.

"Ah well, no problem. You know, you made a great impression on the others." Damian nudged Shouji's arm.

The red-head blinked, eyes focused intently on Damien's face. "Even Nathaniel?" He asked dryly.

"Uh...heh." Damian flushed with embarrassment. "Well, maybe not Nath, but he's just like that with people he doesn't know. It's nothing personal, y'know?"

"Hmn." Shouji stopped walking, he pushed the door open to the classroom, Damian right behind him. He sat in the chair he'd used the previous day.

"Damn!"

Shouji looked at Damian. The other teen was wiping something off his top.

Damian stood. "I'm just going to the bathroom. Damn pen leaked."

"Okay." Shouji watched Damian leave. He took the opportunity to look around the classroom. It was only about half full, most of the pupils wouldn't arrive for the next ten minutes. With a small shrug at himself, Shouji reached into his bag and took out a manga comic, reading it quietly.

"Hey! New boy! What'cha doing?" A loud, obnoxious voice called out.

Shouji ignored it, continuing to read.

"Oi! Don't ignore me!" The manga comic was suddenly yanked out of his hands.

Shouji glanced up at the person standing in front of him, a large brown-haired youth who happened to be frowning in confusement at the Japanese manga. His green eyes peering at the odd writing.

"What the hell is this?" He turned the comic a full 180 degrees. "It looks like a bunch of weird pictures an' writing."

Shouji glared at him. "Give that back."

The other teen shut the manga. "No."

Fists clenched at his sides, Shouji stood. He barely came to the other teen's shoulders. He raised his head defiantly. "Give. Me. Back. My. Book." Shouji growled out.

"Why? It's just a load of garbage. I don't know how you can even read this. It isn't even in English." The brunette looked Shouji up and down. "Are ya some sort of weirdo?"

Shouji forced himself to take a calming breath. He pushed down the fire he could feel beginning to burn in his veins, he refused to make a scene. This was his chance for a new start. No-one knew about his......'accidents'.......here.

Instead, Shouji settled for baring his teeth warningly at the taller youth. "I'm not weird."

"Oooh. Touched a sensitive spot have I?" The brunette grinned.

"What's going on here?" Came a sharp voice.

The other teen suddenly paled. Shouji took the opportunity to snatch his manga comic back.

"Um...nothing Mr Temerson, sir."

Matthew nodded. "I see. Then you'll have no problem returning to your seat then, will you, Mr Denson?"

The brunette shook his head rapidly, returning to his seat at the other side of the room.

Matthew smiled kindly at Shouji. Cobalt blue eyes were soft with understanding. He pushed his delicate gold-framed glasses back up, sighing slightly. "They'll get over it." Matthew informed the boy. "Most of this class are good kids, but there's always the odd one or two. Most of them can be a bit rambunctious, but on the whole, they should leave you alone, if that's what you want."

"Thank you." Shouji gave Matthew a small smile of understanding, feeling the knot in his belly loosen, the heat dying down to a much more manageable level.

"Yes....well." Matthew ran a hand through his thick brown hair. The strands falling back down haphazardly.

Shouji hid a sudden grin. He smirked when he realised that Mr Temerson barely looked old enough to teach.

"Right." Matthew returned to the front of his room. Clapping his hands together to get the classes attention.

The door slammed open.

"Ah. Mr Ward."

Damian gave Matthew a cheeky smile. "Oops?"

Matthew shook his head. "Go sit down, Mr Ward."

Damian sat.

~*~*~

Damian threw his bag over his shoulder. With his other hand he tugged Shouji behind him. "So, what'cha doing tonight?"

Shouji just shrugged his shoulders.

"We're going down-town after school. Wanna come with?"

"Uh."

Damian nudged Shouji's arm. "C'mon, you'll enjoy it."

Looking down at his feet, Shouji made a noncommittal reply. Damian took it as a yes.

"Tell ya what. We'll come pick you up. We have to go past your house to get Jamie, so it's not going to be a problem."

"Okay." Shouji said softly, giving in.

"Cool. We'll be round to pick you up at 'bout fourish, 'kay?"

"Mn."

~*~*~

Shouji pushed the front door open tiredly. He felt exhausted. Having to consciously control himself had been harder than before, almost as if his glow had become, well, brighter, stronger. It had seemed to pulse in his veins, trying to explode out of him.

Shaking his head to clear the exhaustion from clouding him mind, Shouji stumbled up the stairs to his bedroom, collapsing on his bed.

He started to glow a dull red. Unfortunately, he didn't notice, since he was unconscious.

~*~*~

Tbc...

~*~*~