“It wasn’t me. It was Nobuo.” Honoka replies as she yawns. She picks the sheathe off the floor and once more slides her blade into it before placing the weapon at her hip. She looks at Yashiro, and then glances outside. It was late. And she was tired from what had just occurred. Whatever it was exactly.
Not even Honoka really understood how it had all happened. But she was thankful all the same.
Masanori and Yasu had been placed in separate rooms. Yasu is in the same room as Ringo, the mother, while Masanori is in the same room as the two children. It was incredibly comfortable in this home. From the aroma of their previous dinner to the warmth of the building. It was all incredible. And almost too much for Yasu and Masanori. They weren’t used to it. At all.
There was a sense of security that they received that was. . . great.
And a part of Yasu wished she could just stay.
Masanori was aware of how Yasu felt. He knew how much she missed feeling like a part of a family. He missed it, too. . . but he was far too used to solitude. Especially with who. . . what he is.
How could he ever even bring himself to tell Yasu?
Yashiro had his things packed up and was ready to hit the road.
"Are you ready Honoka?" he asked waiting for a reply as he said his goodbyes to everyone
His mind was still racing with everything that has happened and couldn't wait to see Masanori and Yasu he had really missed them, another thing was that he felt out of his element because he was use to fighting and traveling and yes that's not whats expected of a doctor to love to fight but still with his past he felt like he needed a more active role in life rather then just staying in some office.
He grabbed his bo staff and made sure that Honoka took her blade with her.
Honoka was surrounded by numerous children, and she laughs as she gives each one a hug. She whispers something to them, and they all groan in objection. It was clear that they didn’t want her to leave. She then says something else that makes each one grin. Nearly tackling her to the ground, they all give one last farewell before scurrying away to their homes.
“Yeah. Ready~” Honoka nods as she rises, and fixes her blade at her side. She smiles at Yashiro before giving the city one last glance, and then leads the way to the exit gateway.
It has been a week since they were taken in by Ringo.
Masanori sits outside, on the staircase just outside of Ringo’s home. He glimpses over to watch Yasu sit at his side. By the look on her face and the reflection in her eyes, she’s thinking. Masanori lets silence hang for a second, not wanting to break Yasu of her thoughts. And after a second, she blinks and takes in a subtle breath. A sign that she has made up her mind.
“Masanori. . . It’s great here. With Ringo and Matsu and Kitai. I mean. . . from the day we were taken in by them. . . they’ve been so kind. And Ringo is wonderful! She’s exactly the way my own mother was.” Yasu’s smile begins to fade as Masanori continues to stare at her.
“I’m going to miss it. A lot. I guess that’s what I’m trying to say.” Yasu quietly laughs. “I know that sounds lame. . .”
Masanori chuckles and gives a short shake of his head. “It doesn’t. Not one bit. I understand.” He smiles at Yasu. “And that’s why you should stay.”
Yasu’s eyes widen as she looks at Masanori. “But Masanori. I-I can’t! I have to go on this whole journey with you!”
Masanori rests a hand atop Yasu’s head and laughs. “Hey, I’ll be fine. I’ll have Honoka and Yashiro at my side ya know. So I won’t be alone~ Sure, it wouldn’t be the same without you. . . but you need to do what makes you happiest. You’re still young Yasu. I don’t want your life to already be consumed by feelings such as anger and bloodlust and. . . you’ve seen enough death already. A person can only take so much of all this. And with Ringo you can try to get back to the way life was before Parasyte. If not for yourself, then please try to do so for me.”
Instantly, Yasu grasps Masanori in a tight hug. Tears spring into her eyes as her throat constricts. “I love you. Please always remember that. A-and we’ll meet up again! I know we will!”
“I’ll make sure we do.” Masanori tightens the embrace.
Seems like I'll be meeting up with Honoka and Yashiro tomorrow alone. . . Masanori thinks to himself as he closes his eyes.
-漫~*’¨¯¨’*舞*’¨¯¨’*~漫-
Eikō Village of Eikō Mountain
-漫~*’¨¯¨’*舞*’¨¯¨’*~漫-
Honoka and Yashiro had found an abandoned village beside Eikō Mountain – where they would meet Masanori tomorrow. Honoka could only take a guess as to why there were no inhabitants. Just like every other home that they’ve found abandoned. . . it was due to Parasyte. She couldn’t blame people for evacuating. For running away. Even her father had thought of it years ago, when Parasyte first came around. But, instead, he chose to fight.
And now it’s up to Honoka to take his place.
Honoka makes her way into one of the homes, which she found suitable for she and Yashiro to stay in. A part of her didn’t like staying in a village alone. It almost gave her a sorrowful feeling. The place was very beautiful, from the buildings to the view. A shame that there was no one else here now besides her and Yashiro.
She makes her way into one of the bedrooms, and is startled as a bird flies out of the room.
Masanori is starting to gather food that had been given to him by Ringo, placing each item into a bag. He planned on getting a head start and leaving tonight. Mostly due to the fact that if he left in the morning, she might have had a change of heart during the night.
He hears the door slide open, and glances over his shoulder to see Yasu walk in. She clears her throat before saying, “I talked to Ringo. . . she was very happy to hear that I wanted to stay.” A faint smile forms on Yasu’s face.
“That’s good.” Masanori beams, placing the last apple into the bag.
“Yeah.” Yasu’s eyes dart to the floor. She then looks up at Masanori. “Could you please tell Honoka and Yashiro that I’m going to miss them. Yeah. . . I’m even going to miss the idiot. Or. . . idiot number two.” She laughs, slugging Masanori on the shoulder.
“Not nice.” Masanori chuckles. He stares at Yasu for a moment, and his smile widens.
“What?” Yasu arches a brow.
“You are very beautiful.” Masanori tells her. He moves a loose strand of hair away from her face and leans down to kiss her forehead. Yasu lightly smiles, closing her eyes as she leans up to move her lips to his.
But, she doesn’t make it in time as a little boy’s head peers into the room, and he makes a gagging noise. “Ew. Masanori and Yasu are gonna kiss!”
Yasu takes a startled step back, her face bright red. “Oh hush! We were not!” She yells.
“Yasu! Let’s go!” A little girl dashes in, shoving her brother aside. “We want another story before bed!”
Yasu looks from the two kids to Masanori, who gives a subtle chuckle and nods at her to go.
She gives Masanori one last hug before whispering, “Good night. . . We’ll see you off in the morning, I guess?”
“Sounds good.” Masanori replies, returning the hug. He then lets her go, and gives her a light shove towards the door. With one last exchange of smiles, Yasu makes her way out of the room, with the kids holding onto her hands.
And when Masanori hears another door close, he silently leaps out the window, with the bag of food slung over his shoulders.
“Good bye. . .” Masanori whispers as he makes his way in the direction of the mountains.
Honoka was in the house that she had claimed for her and Yashiro. She was setting up a room with candles, as it was quite late. Her hair was still damp from her previous shower in a waterfall. She had fallen down a part of the mountain during her training, and ended up with several scrapes and bruises. It was a good thing that there was another portion of mountain that had jut out only seven feet below that she had landed on. Otherwise she would have been dead.
It was clear by just looking at Honoka that she was getting physically stronger. Her muscle tone was visible, and strength even radiated off her, and her increased mental strength is reflected by her eyes.
“Yashiro! Could you come here for a moment and help me with this please?” Honoka calls out. She had sat down on the bed, and is trying to wrap her arm in bandages. When she had fallen, she had landed on her right arm. With her luck, there had been sharp rocks right there.
Yashiro comes to her aid as he looked at her and was surprised to see her in pain.
"What happened honoka, how did this happen" he says running back inside to get his tools so he can bandage and close up her wound.
he came back, "Honoka you have to be more careful then that, i know your getting stronger ever since Nobuo's death you have been training but when your hurt you have to let your body heal angel. We are not many days off from meeting up with Yasu and Masanori and i'd like you to be in one piece when we get there" he says examining her.
Yashiro had been training himself away from Honoka, she was becoming very strong but for his type of martial arts it wasn't the best to train with someone not adept to his martial arts. He still had nightmare's of being trained by master Genryu
Yashiro still wasn't as powerful as his master still hasn't learned everything there was to learn about his martial arts
Honoka looks up at Yashiro and quietly laughs, “I was clumsy. . . that’s all. But I’ll take it easy, okay?” She lightly smiles at him. Her attention drifts over to one of the candles in the room, watching as the flame flickers. She once more looks at Yashiro, and then pats the spot on the bed beside her for him to sit.
“How has your training been going?” She wonders aloud, tilting her head somewhat. "And. . . do you think you'll ever see that old master of yours again?" She had heard numerous stories of him from Yashiro. In a way, Honoka was actually interested in seeing this master. Maybe when they continue their journey with Yasu and Masanori they will be able to stop by and see him. . . With that, Honoka adds, "Would you want to see him again?"
Yashiro smirks..."HELL NO...that fool brought me nothing but pain and agony...I suffered so much under his teachings. ...but (Yashiro's expression changes) he still was my only father figure. .." he says to her
"My training is not yielding the results it should. ..physically yes I'm on point but the purpose of this style is to damage and incapacitate....my master was able to reach levels of heat that could suffocate an ordinary man....even was able to burn through the hard skin of an infected. . Then one day he disappeared and idk why...I'm not as strong it takes everything to kill one infected. ..without Masonori's blade I might have been dead right now speed and agility can only do so much...so I train hoping the secrets will reveal themselves to me" he says
Honoka looks at Yashiro and nods, smiling somewhat. It seemed like they had all had their fair share of having no family. This world was a tough one. But, Honoka believed that they were all a whole lot stronger. She then replies, "I know that, one day, you're going to surpass your master." Her words are firm. Because she meant what she had said. She really saw a whole lot still hidden within Yashiro.
She steps off the bed, looking at her wrapped arm and then at Yashiro. Honoka's eyes lower to the floor for a second before she takes another step forward and towards him, her arms snaking round his neck as she stands on her toes so she could whisper in his ear. "I believe, one day, you will burn all Infected down. And ignite the world in a light that frightens away the darkness." And with that, she plants her lips on his.
Yashiro grabbed honoka and pulled her into a tight loving embrace
"You know I don't deserve you and I cannot begin to thank you for having so much faith in me and maybe someday I'll be able to give you a better world. ..not like this but one where we would be able to have children great land...and that idiot Masanori camping outside" he says smiling and not just his face it is as if all these thoughts of a future with the woman he loved made him extremely happy he was smiling with all his heart.
He stood up
"But first we have to cleanse this world...." he says looking outside
The moonlight shined in his eyes and for the first-time in a long time Yashiro came to a heartbreaking possibility
"Honoka...I want to cleanse this world but I hope that it will never come to a situation where we can destroy the Parasyte but what would that mean for Masanori...." he says turning back to where she is and he isn't crying but tears are streaming down his face.
"I'm sorry you must think I'm mad to go from smiling to letting teats stream down" he says
This is why Yashiro doubted himself so much his whole life he has not had the strength of character to make a difference in this world.
The one man who can may become a victim to his own good deeds someday....
If Yashiro can he'd give up his life to protect his friend.