#6: Erased

Knowing someone precious or close to you is hard, but accepting and letting go of their death is much harder.

In front of Satoshi grave, Yukari was praying while Ren holding the umbrella to prevent her from getting soaked by the rain.

"Rest in peace, Onii-chan..."

Few days ago Ren and The Otomis received a grim news, that Satoshi Otomi is pass away in the line of duty.

This news shakes them, but not much. When Yukari and Ren heard the news they felt something was wrong.

Alas, wrong or not they must prepare for Satoshi funeral.

When his funeral's held, many peoples come, exorcist or not, from youngsters to old peoples, they came to pay respect.

After the funeral, The Otomi residence is blanket in a mournful atmosphere.

After the funeral, Zenkichi was out with his friends drinkings, Yukari coped up in her room, Ren's watching a comedy film to get rid of his loss, but the jokes or the comedy didn't make him laughs.

Ren stomach growls, he turns off the TV and go to the kitchen for a quick meal.

Unexpectedly, he met with Yukari who were pouring hot water to make cup ramen.

"I thought you were on a diet"

"W- well... one cup ramen isn't a problem"

"Heee... then can you made one for me?"

"Sure"

Ren and Yukari then having dinner together, then in the middle of eating Yukari ask Ren a question.

"Hey Ren-chan"

"Yhh? (Yeah?)"

"What do you think of Onii- Satoshi death?"

"Hyyunkmmm" Ren then swallow the noddle and begin correcting his words "I don't know, but... something kinda bugging me about Satoshi-nii san"

"You too?!!" Shout Yukari, making Ren startled.

"Ren-chan... do you believe me if I say an exorcist kill Onii-chan?"

Ren stop his movement, his attention now focus on Yukari's word. "What... do you mean?"

Yukari then taking a deep breath, she tells Ren of her dream.

In that dream, she saw Satoshi visiting her, then later killed by a stranger in black getup wearing a tiger mask.

She also tells Ren the dream was so vivid, but when she tries to remember the person it was blurry.

"What do you think Ren?" Ask Yukari.

Ren's body twitching hearing Yukari's word.

"Ren-chan?"

Ren grab his head, his head feels so heavy and painful, his body twitching more and begin to spasm, he then falls to the floor while still grabbing his head with his two hands.

"Ren-chan!!" Yukari quickly walk toward Ren, when she touches him, she retracts her hand.

"Hot! Ren-chan answer me! What's wrong with you?! Nee... Ren-chan!"

Ren's body temperatures rise up, Yukari who is worried to death quickly contact Zenkichi.

Meanwhile, many images Ren didn't know begin to entering his mind.

Oldman was crying, Satoshi-nii san, Tsuchimikado Island, Man in black kariginu, Tiger mask...

[You are not an exorcist!!]

Albeit blurry, Ren noticed the characteristic of the person he fought previously.

Damn you...

Ren's vision gradually became darkened, before he was unconscious he's cursing out in his thought.

Dark Circles Bastard!!!

.....

The night, when Ren fought Seigen.

"Stop!!"

Zenkichi shout to stop Seigen who about to kill Ren.

Hearing Zenkichi shout, Seigen stop in his action. Just a centimeter away and his talons gonna slash and rip Ren's neck.

"You are? Ah, the oldman from before"

Zenkichi nod.

Ren who watches him try to stand up, but Seigen stop him by touching his neck with his talon.

"Shut up for a while" threat Seigen, intimidating Ren by pushing the talons lightly on his neck.

Blood drew from the contact, but at least it was just a drop.

Zenkichi who sees the blood on Ren's neck clench his fists, he grits his teeth worried.

Ren who already know he's going to die screams at Zenkichi.

"Oldman! Run!! These guy would kill you!!" Shout Ren worriedly.

Zenkichi takes a deep breath then walks approaching Seigen.

Suddenly, Yuzuru and the other 3 surrounded Zenkichi. He was startled by their action, and sweats begin to form on his forehead, these peoples, he can not defeat it.

Seigen who still threatened Ren, gesturing Yuzuru and the others to back off, and allowing Zenkichi to face him.

Yuzuru and the others back away but not too far, it is because Ren who's alive is still a threat to them.

"Thank you..." Zenkichi walk to Seigen.

Now, both men are facing each other. Zenkichi looks at Seigen, then toward his hand which talon pressed against Ren's neck.

"What do you want?!" Seigen ask with flat tone.

Zenkichi didn't answer, he just slowly drops his knee, and then prostrate in front of Seigen.

This image of an Oldman make Seigen and his group a bit of touch, Ren who also touched know what is Zenkichi going to do shed a tear.

Please no! Oldman, just run! Do not prostrate yourself to this animal!!

"Ah! So you want to beg for letting this child live I see..." say Seigen nonchalantly.

"Yes! Please have mercy to this child!! He doesn't know anything!!"

"I'm sorry b-" Seigen word cut off by Zenkichi

"It was my fault!!" Shout Zenkichi

"I'm the one who told him about the place!! If you want to execute someone, just execute me!!!"

Seigen close his eyes, he then speaks "If that's the case, I can't let you both scoff free"

Seigen's word make Zenkichi startled.

"If you told him about this place, then you want him to stop us from executing your son. Isn't th-"

"Wrong!!" Seigen's eyes now looking at Ren who just shouting.

"The Oldman only tell Yukari-nee san's name, the place or whatever to stopping you from executing Satoshi-nii san it was all my guess and wants!!! Not the oldman!!"

"So please! Kill me and let Zenkichi oldman go!! Please..." say Ren apologetically with teary eyes.

Zenkichi look at Ren, his heart was touched by his words.

But, Zenkichi can't accept Ren request!

Because he...

"I can not accept that Ren"

"What?!" Ren shocked by Zenkichi words.

"Mister exorcist, I'm an oldman who just lost a son today, I cannot bear to lose another son. Even... if he was not from mine's blood, but I raise and think of him as my own"

Zenkichi push his head deeper to the ground, prostrating in front of Seigen.

"Please... if you still had mercy, please... let him go, I apologize if he had hurt you and your teammates, and if you still want blood to flow... just take mine instead"

Seigen looking at Zenkichi was lost for words.

He then begins comparing Zenkichi to his own father.

Unlike his father who despise him, and always reprimand him to subject to The "LAW" that Ritsu hold.

Even if his and Ren's position were switched, he knew that his father won't beg and try to save him, rather he would curse him and speak about what a disappointment he was.

That make Zenkichi in comparison is much kinder.

Why?! He wasn't your son, but why? Why are you protecting him?

Seigen already know the answer, but he still questioning it.

He looks at Ren who's also looking at Seigen but with a pleading look.

"Oldman! I'm gonna ask a few questions, you better answer honestly!!"

"Yes!"

"Did you send him to stop us?!"

"Yes"

"Explain!" Shout Seigen irritatedly.

"Yes I send him here, but it wasn't to stop you from doing your duty, it was more because I let it slip because I was drowned in my sadness about Satoshi fate"

"Just say No then!"

"Next! Did you tell him about that thing?!"

"No! I did not tell him"

Ren who heard the conversation then asking "Wait! What thing?! What is he talking about oldman?!"

Seigen and Zenkichi look at Ren, his word just gave Seigen the answer.

He clicks his tongue, he's now going to decide Ren and Zenkichi's fate.

"Yuzuru!"

"Yes, Seigen-sama!"

"Help me erase these two memories about today's incident"

Seigen's word shock Ren and Zenkichi.

Zenkichi tears fall down, he was glad that Ren and his life are spared.

Unlike him, Ren had very complicated feelings. Yes, he is glad that Zenkichi and his life are spared, but at the same time Ren also feel disgust and humiliation.

If he can win and kill those guys, he would not to see Zenkichi prostrating to beg for mercy.

"Hey, you dark circles bastard! I don't care if you kill me, but... you kill Satoshi-nii san and importantly made the Oldman prostrate!!"

"The one who made him prostrate is you, not me" say Seigen solemnly.

Damn it! If i just stronger!!!

Ren grits his teeth, he blame himself for letting this happens.

"What?! But Sei-" Seigen intercept Yuzuru question.

"Just do it! Make sure the oldman's memories about his son's death are also erased!

Yuzuru bow at Seigen's order "As you command"

"For this guy..." Seigen look into Ren who had a complicated expression.

"I will personally erase him"