Hear the Truth

    Hikou took a deep breath and folded his hands on the table before him. The others insisted on knowing what was going on, determined to help in some way. They waited for the mage to gather his thoughts before speaking to them.
    “I suppose I should start at the beginning,” he sighed after a few moments. He brought his hands up and formed a bubble just above the center of the table. “I know it might be hard to believe, but it all started when you were 12, Houjun…”
 

    Hikou and Houjun watched as Kouran was carried into the village after having disappeared two days earlier. She was alive, but drained. The two boys followed as she was carried back to bed and waited intently to see if she would wake up. Surprisingly, her eyes fluttered open within hours and she smiled up at her two friends. What both boys failed to notice was the clouded look her eyes had taken on: a look that faded after a moment as she sat up and began talking to them.

    As you’ll recall, she acted as though nothing had happened. We were young, though, and didn’t find this add at all. It wasn’t too long afterward that you began to fall in love with her. At first, she wanted to ensnare your heart, but there was someone else in the village that held feelings for you. One who began to see what was happening and, in her view, was an obstacle that needed to be dealt with…

    Hikou confronted Kouran in a small clearing where she stood patiently waiting for someone. It was six years after the last scene shown to them. Hikou approached her, undaunted by the questioning look in her eyes.
    “I know you’re not her,” he stated flatly.
    “Oh do you, Hikou?” she asked gently. “I think you’re just jealous I chose Houjun instead of you.” She smiled a bit coldly and hugged herself. “But really, I only have eyes for you.”
    “Drop the act, demon,” Hikou snapped as he drew a long knife. “I want the truth: who are you?”
    “Well,” she cooed seductively, “I’m not Kouran, of that much only you have suspected.” Her eyes took on a look of innocence and seemed to draw the unprepared teen into them and drown him. “Now you don’t really want to kill me, do you, Hikou-chan?” She walked gracefully towards him and he stumbled back a step, the knife falling from his grasp. “I know how you feel about the one you call Houjun, but do you really think he’d return your love? He is destined to travel with the priestess of Suzaku, you know. He name is also Chichiri.” She stopped a few inches before him and looked into his eyes. He could almost feel her taking a careful hold of his mind and drawing him further towards him, but he couldn’t look away.
    “What’s wrong? Are you mad? Angry perhaps, because you know he’ll never love you? Angry because you’re powerless?” She tilted her head slightly, her violet (I guess since you never see them-_-;;) eyes narrowed gently. “I could give you everything you wanted and more, Hikou. I can help you attain you revenge on those who would hurt you and we can be together forever. Hikou…”
    Hikou’s eyes began to cloud over slightly and he drew the girl closer to him. It wasn’t until he had kissed her and held her there for a moment that his eyes refocused and he pulled away from her.
    “Witch,” he spat, backing away.
    “What’s wrong, Hikou?” she purred and then laughed. Don’t worry about a thing, Hikou, it’s too late for you.” She started to walk away and the teen scowled, reaching for his fallen weapon. Suddenly, a wave of pain raced through him and he fell to his knees clutching his sides. Something seemed to be pushing his mind down and suppressing his thoughts. He tried to cry out, but his voice was lost. He doubled over in pain until his forehead was pressed to the ground; tears falling from his eyes. Slowly his body relaxed as his mind seemed to drift in a sea of dark thought and emotions.
    “Will that suffice, Kanki?” Kouran asked, glancing back at Hikou as he carefully rose to his feet. After a moment, the teen nodded and opened his now red eyes.
    “Yes, Arcadia,” Hikou heard himself saying. “He is perfect. And the boy…?”
    “Chichiri won’t know what hit him,” she smirked. “The stage is set. Let us bring Darkness to them all.”

    When I kissed her, she cast a spell on me that enabled Kanki to take control of my body, but I still had enough power to minutely foil their plans…

    Kanki waited where Arcadia had told him to, shadowy, bat-like wings extending from his back. All around him, a storm, his storm, descended and caused the river before him to swell.
    “Soon, Hikou, we will have our revenge,” he smiled to himself. “He’ll drown along with the rest of those who stand in my way!” He stopped, sensing Houjun’s approach and drew in his wings. He turned to face him, his eyes fading to a clouded gold.
    “Give her back!” Houjun demanded, his mahogany eyes seeming red with his rage.
    “Houjun, what are you talking about?” he asked innocently.
    “Don’t deny it!” he shouted back, drawing a dagger as tears spilled from his eyes. Hikou could see Kouran had toyed with him as well, but hadn’t captured his soul completely. She wanted him to come at Kanki in a blind rage so that he wouldn’t be able to come to terms with his seishi powers. “You stole her from me! Give her back!” he cried, lunging at Kanki, who easily caught his wrist. “Give her back to me!”
    “Houjun,”
    ‘NO!’ Hikou cried mentally. Using ever ounce of strength his had, he forced the demon to take a step back to where the bank was weakened by the water. Kanki lost his balance and fell into the waters.
    ‘What are you doing!?’ Kanki’s voice rang through his soul and he trembled involuntarily. ‘Trying to kill us?’
    “Hikou!” Houjun cried, dropping his knife. He grabbed Hikou’s/Kanki’s hand tightly and tried to pull him back.
    “Houjun! Please! Save me!” Kanki pleaded. ‘Then I’ll kill him,’ he thought.
    ‘Suzaku…please…do something…save him…’ Hikou pleaded.

    I don’t know if it was an act of Suzaku that you were hit when you were, but I was glad you let go when you did. I knew that the experience would leave you scarred both mentally and physically, but I was glad to know they hadn’t killed you. I was hoping to die, but I should have known better. Instead, I could only wish I was dead until they needed me. I wasn’t even sure how much time had passed, but every hour with their dark realm was an eternity of suffering for all souls pulled there. I learned from someone, though I’m not sure who, that Kouran had been destroyed because she had such a pure heart. I learned to focus my own innate water magic and was able, after a time, to watch you for short periods during your struggles. I watched as they made your life hell and how you overcame every trap they had set to dishearten you and pull you down. They didn’t expect you to make it this far and I never thought Arcadia herself would came after you…

    The bubble suddenly evaporated and Hikou looked down sadly, not wanting to face Chichiri after telling him so much.
    “Hikou…” the older man barely raised his eyes to meet Chichiri’s warm gaze. “I…I’m sorry…I never noticed so much…”
    “You weren’t supposed to,” Hikou replied quietly, though as to whether he meant Arcadia’s trap or his feelings for his friend was unclear.
    “So that’s what happened to ya,” Tasuki said. All eyes turned to Kouji as the bandit pounded the table and rose to his feet.
    “Bastards,” he growled softly. “Where do dey get off doin’ dat sorta shit at people?”
    “Well, I’m ready at go,” the fanged seishi said, standing up as well. “I told ya, didn’t I?” he stated, looking at each in turn. “Women: they ain’t nutin’ but trouble!”

********************************<see this? CLIFF HANGER!!!!! (Merry Christmas Lady G^_^

Yeah yeah, it’s another cliffhanger, no da. I hope you like it so far. Things should be a little easier from here on, no da.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A FLOCK OF DANCING CHIBIS IN VARIOUS STATES OF DRESS (and otherwise^_~*)