Vessel of the Dead

" Azuma, what are you doing up there?" Cara asked the blue haired boy on the school roof who seemed to be taking a nap.

" Class rep, shouldn't you be in class like a good little honor student?" Azuma said with a hint of sarcasm.

" I'm here to ensure you don't skip class again you truant," said Cara walking to his feet.

" Come on class rep. We've been childhood friends since elementary, can't you just let me ditch today," said Azuma slightly opening his eyes to see her about to stomp on his family jewels.

Azuma moved up a bit just to avoid the stomp by an inch." Cara, you gotta...," Azuma began when he looked up to see the expression she was making and a chill ran down his spine." What was that Azuma?" Cara asked with a smile that could scare the dead." Nothing, nothing. Why don't we head back to class miss class rep," said Azuma doing some acrobatics to stand up and beckon her to lead the way.

" Good, that's what I like to hear," she said walking in front of him and pulling him by the ear," And what did I say about calling me class rep. Didn't I say call me Sylvie?"

" Ouch. Come on Sylvie but you have to understand that not..ouch.. even you friends call you that...ouch... It's too special," said Azuma being dragged down the stairs.

When they reached the hall, an announcement hit the speakers calling Azuma to the student council office. Azuma celebrated as Cara let him go and watched him bolt away. She could only watch as he disappeared around the bend before reality hit her. She had a vague feeling of what was to happen and ran after him. Azuma was smiling as he entered into the student council room only to find the council members and his friends In there ready to surprise him for his birthday. Azuma froze at the door. After a few moments of the room feeling awkward, Cara arrived at the door and gave a groan." I told you specifically about his birth date just so you don't surprise him," said Cara in exhaustion.

" What's wrong? We only surprised him," said his presumable best friend.

" Exactly, you are his best friend, don't you know that he has trauma from surprises in general," said Cara with a sigh," I'll take him to the nurse's office. Clean this up."

" Yes madam president," they said as the watched the pair walk away.

Cara was so annoyed but had to maintain her prim facade in public. Azuma on the other hand was in a daze like trance. His eyes were like balls of voids. She was feeling sorry for him the whole way to the nurse.

At the nurse, she dropped him on one of the beds and kissed his forehead before leaving.

( That afternoon )

The final school bell rang and Azuma was woken up. He got up with a grim look and started looking around. As soon as he found out where he was, he understood the situation almost immediately. He got off the bed and thanked the nurse. She asked him whether he was ok but he told her that it was one of those times. She understood and let him leave. The thing is that he was about to leave through the door when he heard Cara at the door. He changed the go to plan and ran to the window. This was on the first floor so it was not a problem for him. Just at the frame, the door flung open and there stood Cara with her friends and she screamed his name." Argg Cara, you are so loud," said Azuma.

" What do you think you are doing?" Cara asked.

" Avoiding this situation," answered Azuma as he jumped out the window and landed with a roll.

He then proceeded to take off with a smile. Cara was screaming his name behind him. He chuckled as he jumped over the school gate. The gatekeeper was seriously annoyed. Azuma then used multiple different routes that he knew to get home faster and avoid Cara catching up to him.

Azuma arrived at his house within five minutes compared to the official twenty minute run and stood at the gate gasping for air. He wiped his sweat off his head and was about to open the gate when he heard Cara call out to him from behind." How did you get here so fast?" Azuma asked as he turned around.

" I have a chauffeur," answered Cara as her car horn was heard.

" What the... Argg. How did I forget Johanne. What's up dude?" Azuma said restraining his anger.

" Doing good. Happy birthday," said Johanne

" Thanks. Argg, let's go in," said Azuma as he opened the gate.

On the other side stood his father who was waiting for him in earnest. He gave him the look and walked towards the Back of the house. Azuma followed him without saying a word. Cara was put off by the atmosphere but before she could follow, Azuma's mother came and welcomed her into the house. She tried to deny but she was just too persuasive. She was taken to the living room where she was met by the entire family. All of Azuma's relatives were there seated and waiting, or rather all the women and boys. Any of the men were not there. She was about to question it but Azuma's elder sister came to meet her." Hi Cara, I'm Sachi and I know it seems weird but it's that time," she said.

Cara took this info with a mixture of joy and horror.

( The shed in the back of the house )

There stood his uncles and grandfather. His father stood next to the old man and they all gave him way into the shed. Azuma walked between them and opened the door. There was a film of spectral energy at the entrance and he walked through it. Azuma was now in a realm of corpses from Edo period. Oddly enough, he was calm in the situation. Then multiple orbs of spiritual energy rose from those same corpses. They all aligned to lead him to one which glew a menacing green.  He walked through this and stood before the orb and announced," Show yourself. I am your new master."

The orb cackled maniacally leaving Azuma puzzled." What's so funny spirit?" Azuma asked.

" It seems you don't know who I am," said the orb as Azuma heard the voice and thought to himself how it sounded familiar.

The orb slowly changed to a Chinese spearman with red armor, red spiky chains attached to his arms and a cocky look. He said," Long time no see young master Azuma."