Summary 25?

Tomei looked at Tenrai with a curious eye. ~A kind but strange man.~ Tomei thought. But sincerity was something Tenrai seemed to radiate. But now was time to eat breakfast. He hadn't eaten anything for a while. He had money, but chose not to spend it. Tomei listened to the adventures that Tenrai had during travelling. But what was he going to do? It would be nice to be away, having a new life. He didn't have to let his relatives know. Tenrai wasn't a relative and he could trust him. "My name is Junketsu." Tomei said. "Call me Jun. I'd like to travel around with you.. until I want to get settled." Tenrai was surprised. It was a good kind of surprise. "You want to travel with me?" He asked Tomei. He didn't want to sound like he didn't want him, but he really just wanted to know. "I don't mind, I like people travelling with me, even if it's for a short while! Anyway, get what you want to eat, cause *I*..." He bowed and gave a dazzling, teasing smile. "...am treating." Wind elementals are very loyal things. "You, go do as he says." Kara commanded it. @_@ And it went. "What an interesting power you have..." Yoru commented. "What happened to her, Yoru?" Kara asked. "Well, someone sent a 'mental' attack. I got one before Taki, but I can temporarily cease the pain.." Yoru rubbed his forehead, as he looked down at Taki... who was trying to take the pain... "Mental attack? So that's what it was... it looks like all of us got it." Kara commented. "I felt like part of me was being shunned to the side...maybe.." Kara paused to think. "I think... what's keeping me functioning is my other side. If this... attack... was meant for humans, my human side was shoved away for my own protection... by my other side. Maybe that's why I feel so strange.... a mental attack like this could never hurt my other side... as if it's stronger... maybe... maybe part of me is an immortal... where tons of ki is being locked up inside of me..." Thoughts just seemed to pour out of Kara's mouth and he didn't seem to be talked to Yoruken anymore... "Sou desu ka?" Yoru asked. He sighed, sitting down besides Taki, and felt pathetically helpless. The wind elemental returned and put a wet cloth on Taki's head. Yoru thanked it. ~Taki...~ He tried to talk to her. ~Taki... can you hear me?~ But nothing would wake Taki... she would just lay there... Oh god she made him so nervous.... "I think I can help her." Kara said. "I can help her by trying to absorb her pain. Will you let me try?" Yoru looked at Kara with concern. "To absorb her pain? But..." He looked at the prone form of Taki... then at Kara. What should he say? "Kara-san..." He couldn't stand seeing Taki this way... Kara nodded and inspected Taki. "I wonder..." he trailed off, losing himself in his thoughts again as he laid his hand on Taki's forehead. Away from his own presence, Kara saw the mental blast... consisted of fire. It wouldn't help to cool it down... it could hurt Taki. Maybe if he took part of the blazing inferno, she could take over. He slowly leeched some of the fire, taking it for himself, until he couldn't even stay. He was fading... he needed to get out! Kara opened his eyes and his pupils dilated dramatically. ~Such pain...!~ Biting his lip, he restrained himself, bringing his wild eyes to control, and beating the pain down with his will. It took a good ten minutes when Kara could safely say his veins were not on fire. Sweaty and tired, he put his hands on his knees and panted heavily, gasping for breath at times. He looked at Yoruken slowly and wiped his forehead. "That's... *pant* all I can do... *pant* for her now..." "Daijobu desu." Yoruken said, putting a hand on Kara's shoulder. "You tried your best.... arigatou..." A soft moan was heard. Yoruken whirled around to see Taki sitting up, holding her head. "Mou, how long was I out?" Yoru smiled. ~Taki's ok! She's ok...~ "Oi Taki-san. Daijobu?" The girl nodded then sighed. "Hai... the pain... just seemed to.. go away.." "You have Kara-kun to thank for that." Yoru replied. "Kara-san?" "Hai. He's the reason why you're sitting up and we're talking right now..." Taki put a finger to her chin and thought. "Huh... I thought I kinda felt Kara-san was helping me..." Taki smiled at Kara with gratitude. "With powers like that, I bet you can help a lot of people... sugoi!!" With that she gave Kara a hug. "Honto ni arigatou gozaimasu!!" "You're welcome Taki." Kara answered, trying to regain his strength. "I've never done that before, didn't know I could, until *she* told me. The lady in green I mentioned before. She told me a great mainly things..." "The lady in green?" Taki asked. "Sounds mysterious." "Obviously," Yoru joined in. "demo, Kara-kun! You have such kakkoi powers.." The fire was lessening within Kara's body. His body was his again. "...I guess you could say I'm two people. A Kaze seishi, and also Kaze-megami's child, the guardian of the wind. She told me that he had fallen to earth, and the body he was born into just happened to also be the body of a seishi." "Will we be able to see the other side of you?" Taki asked. Kara didn't answer. But he answered to the 'green' lady. "Well, I call her that cause I don't remember her name. I'm sure she'll tell me though. Or I'll remember it. Supposedly, I'm partly her child, which is why I was 'zoning' when Taki was down. I'm her 'reborn' child, child of the wind, and I'm this seishi." o.O Mou. This was confusing. He was also confusing himself. "Anyway. Yoru saw what happened. Again, my human side was shoved aside until the danger passed." ~What an interesting story.~ Taki thought. "I'm surprised I could do that. You have no idea how much that hurt. But I feel alot better now that I'm back." He rubbed his head, as the character that he bore, this time outlined in white faded from his forehead. "Any idea where that came from?" Yoru thought for a bit. "I don't know. Whoever it is, they have very strong mental abilities." "Well no matter what, we can't leave the house unattended." said Taki. "So what now?" "Well, I say we stay here. This seems to be the safest place." Kara replied. Taki sat back and looked at Kara. "Waaah, everyone seems to have these interesting powers and histories. But what about me? I can't explain it..." She dejectedly looked at her hands, which immediately produced a ball of flame. "What good is it when I can't even control my powers?" "Don't worry about it, Taki-san!" Yoruken cheerfully answered, trying to comfort her. "At least you have someone who has related powers in your family, ne? Anyway, it's not time to think about that. What are we going to do now since we're gonna be here a while..?" "Mou!" Taki whined. "I *want* to do something!" It wasn't fair! She was the youngest of 5 sisters and she STILL couldn't do anything now that she was free of them. "I hate the fact that I'm not helping anyone!" "Maa maa Taki. I'm sure the others are fine." Yoruken answered. "Relax. You're going to kill grass if you don't." Taki wasn't listening. "I know! I'll go look for minna! Whatcha' think?" "Can't let you." Yoruken said, not blinking. "Aww... why?" Taki asked. "Ryuu-san was right about you being related to Genrou. Getting into trouble that is. It's also dangerous." Yoruken smiled. "Well, I was kidding about the first comment..." "You're sounding a lot like someone I used to know." Taki grinned. "If and when they find out who you really are, you're going to end up with a lot of bruises." ^^ Yoruken mutely nodded. "Yeah I have that effect on people..." "I'm going!" Taki nodded to herself. "Taki, don't." Yoruken pleaded, holding her hand as a last resort. "I'm not just gonna sit here. I'm going." Taki answered, tearing her hand from his, and ran off. @_@ Well, if anyone could see her run off... o.o;; Yoruken blinked. "Hayai... kuso..." I have to find her before someone else does... he rubbed his temples. -.- Mou. "Want to come with me, Kara? We have something to do now..." Kara sighed softly. "No kidding. Demo... there's a disturbance... you'll see... I can just feel it... I don't want Taki getting mixed up in it..." *Blood... fire... everywhere...* Ugh... Kara shook those words out of his head. The impeding danger was creeping up on him, encouraging his other 'side'. "C'mon Yoru." Kara said. He ran off after Taki. When Ryuu's right... she's right. Taki would only get in trouble... Kirin felt weak.... deattached.... and empty. As if she were missing something very important within her... the shadows tore at her... clawed at her... even when they had no form.. reality was a mere illusion compared to these shadows... Kirin was fighting for her existence... she wouldn't let these shadows take her... not without a fight... she had to get revenge... the desire so strong it burned a hole through her chest... she wouldn't die... never... again... Tate smirked with satisfaction as he draped an arm around Chichiri's shoulder. "Well?" Chichiri was in a state of shock. Just staring at Kirin's prone body... her pale hair pooling around her... ~What do I do...?~ His words formed a choke every time he opened his mouth... Kirin's hand tightened on the dirt below her. Chichiri's eye widened. Tate turned back, feeling something he shouldn't. Kirin was staring at him... with those deadly, hateful eyes... "Tate..." "Welcome back Kirin. I won't let you hurt him as you did before." Although it wasn't obvious, Tate yanked down on his fear... while Chichiri was in shock to see her alive again. Aori missed her brother and sister. ... And felt bad about leaving Xerin. But she needed to find her sister. The one she didn't have a trace of knowledge about, the one she would blindly look for. "Aneki!!! Aneki!" She called out. Azure flames flickered around the small girl. Shying away from them, Aori followed her instincts to an innate path that led her to find her sister... What she found was more fire... red fire... "I'm *quite* well aware of the facts MOTHER." Xerin Torriku confirmed, talking to the empty air of Sachi's house. No one seemed to notice the mentally-ill Xerin. "Just as I know there 'tis naught I can do either. So stop fucking with me L-sama and blast it all be quiet!" ~"...your language is most unsettling Torriku - do not forget who you speak to." ~ The dry rebuke came, with a purpose to yank its 'knight' into line. To Xerin, it had the opposite effect. ~" You seek your blood copy do you not? That lifeline you *can* prevent from flickering out." ~ Xerin growled. He was annoyed as he gripped his claymore. No more playing. L-sama scolded him like a child. Che. There was no end to her arrogance... and his own. Smirking at that, he went to find his sibling... his power was greater than hers after all. "Yeah yeah ... any *block* no matter how strong, 'twill always have a crack innit. All y'gotta do is be patient-and skilled-enough t'find it. Happy now?" Xerin snarled quietly until his eyes popped up open again in surprise. ~What was that....~ ~ "Don't play the fool Knight - you know exactly what that was."~ Even he had to laugh, after the 'mind surge'. He wasn't seeking her out, but he could tell with the words, "Kill.... Kill.... Kill..." and who those thoughts originated from. His golden blade hummed to the tune of thoughts as if in hunger. He would be happy to oblige as he took off his shirt, found his travelling kit, and dumped an arsenal of weapons on the floor. Strapping daggers on his thigh, knives in his boot, and several carrying cases on his waist, he smiled as his golden sword, the "Aura Gladii". It gave a mysterious shine of golden before resin took over. "Sorry ... can't take y' wit me t'day." He paused as he took a sword with a dragon etched onto its hilt, then took a second look at his golden sword. "One day y'will taste the blood of Aureas the Golden ... but now isn't th' time." Came the devoid answer, the skin on his back remembering the pain inflicted upon itself. He would make that bastard pay. Damned sure he would make him pay. ... So he took the Aura Gladii with him. Xerin put on the war paint. No more was the little, playful boy he once was. He set out into the night that embraced him, onto the path that would lead him to his destination. The purr of his blade was proof of what punishment would befall those who dared touch his twin. Bushes and trees, animals and plants all alike seemed to shy away from him, away from his dangerous aura. Already he had his throwing knives imbetween his fingers ready to be-- An unheard hiss. A warning. An enemy! Suddenly, he rolled to the side, diving to see his new opponent impaled with the knives he had thrown with unforgiving accuracy. ~ "Lower Akureizoku Torriku ... it seems you have a different foe to face entirely"~ "That's obvious." Muttered Xerin, cleaning his blades of his knives. Calmly, he took out Glimmering Golden, and slashed at 'empty' air. Screams permeated the air like a fine mist as Xerin made his enemies fall. They didn't seem to remember that his weapon could cut through sub-dimensions enemies could hide in. With each swing, *her* energy was dispatched. Pathetic. "Cut the shit ... an' face me. I can kill any of y'ina second." At that, the waves of demons and monsters appeared into plain sight. Just the mere number of them surround Xerin at all sides. "Is...that ... all?! Tha's all th'guys you have?!" Xerin replied. But one presence changed Xerin's demeanor. To make the young Torriku snarl and curse. "You." Xerin stared. The boy Xerin stared at his flaxen tresses gleaming silver under the moonlight. When their eyes met, one could actually feel the flooding of hatred and malice between the two. "A-h-h Torriku, I imagine you thought I was dead did you not? Unfortunately for you, I am quite hard to kill you see ... so it appears you have another chance to try your luck." He drew his curled Scimitar, thin tiers forced into a tight smile. "But it's more likely I will claim *your* life in this skirmish, for I will not allow myself to be beaten like that ever again." Xeran bit her lip, as her anger began to rise. She kicked the ninja in front of her. @_@ Waaaaah! She shouldn't have done that! She beat on his body to no avail. "Sir ... if you would please ... get off?" "Hm, and to think I nearly sliced such a beauty in half ... " Wicked intentions laced the tone. @_@ Something Xeran wouldn't understand. "I don't think the Boss would mind if I engaged in a little sport now would he?" "What in the Devil are you talking about sir?! Sir?! Ugh if you would kindly ... mrphmmmphh!!" Waaaaaah!! His hand was covering her mouth! She reacted by kicking his groin area. Her brother always said that would always hurt males. Desperately, she tried finding the bond she had shared with Meiufied-- it wasn't there! There was something with this place that wouldn't let her God protect her! She fell as her ankle was yanked from under her. Flailing her arms still when she was captured... "Un-hand me this instant! Suiangeruuuuu ~ !" In her hidden haven of trees, Honoo watched Xeran and her prey from above. "I suppose I should help her." She decided, swinging her legs as she sat on the branches. After all, the man below was her prey. How dare he cross her path. How dare he? Giggling, she leaned back and fell off the branch. Instead of falling to her death, she was snatched up by the embrace of the wind, making her fall much too slow. Winds held her as if she were their child, her hair peacefully flowing in its path, her menacing vermillion eyes full of chaos and pandemonium. Her two orbs gleamed viciously into the night. The time of contemplation was over. Her eyes were not human. The man realized, jumping as she touched his his shoulder. Her eyes glowed red... then to a dull, normal-- Honoo smiled as his screaming music began. The man 'floated' into the air as she touched the ground, his body now making jerkily movements of a puppet. Her puppet. She smiled at her clown, her amusement. His limbs twisting, his bones breaking, the blood literally being squeezed out. She smiled as she saw through him, his organs punctured by his own bones... It was nice to see a human body being held by a tiny thread, with all its limbs threatening to break. Fingers twisted off, blood trailing... all of this... Honoo smiled as she turned to Xeran with a fierce, gentle and stragely familiar look in her eyes. "Daijobu desu ka, Xeran-san?" Mou, lucky Honoo... His sister always got to have fun. Blowing up cities, setting things on fire, ending lives, making carnage... Kyoui tossed another body part over his shoulder. It rolled off the roof, and landed on the pile of random organs and human anatomy network of dead or alive victims. It was a beautiful network. Bodies tied together with their own parts, some alive, most dead. All piled up, buried, and showered with blood.. Ryouken seems to be having fun. He'd wait for his. Mother wouldn't want him to do rash things. And he smiled as a scream (that his sister caused) graced his ears... Taki stopped after a while, looking up to the sky. "Fire?" She remarked softly. It was so quiet here... so quiet she could hear people fighting in the distance... her sense of smell picked up blood... Taki walked on... "S-shimatta..." "Ohime-chan..." Yamiko's head snapped to attention, her pain and numbness were nothing to be compared to her hatred. "She's here." A root of undying, passionate amniosity flared within her as she clenched her fists. Blood from her hands dropped generously to the grass below. Houou took Hikaru's arm gently. "Ne, I suggest we leave Hikaru-chan." The miko needed to be taken somewhere safe. A hiss from Yamiko made a black abyss pour from the sky, swirling around the blue fire and suffocated it until the sounds of the fire dying was heard. Arashi listened to the death of his little sister's flames. Strange. She wouldn't let them die. Demo... ima she let them die. Willingly. She doesn't yield to anyone...These flames weren't even supposed to be here... such a mystery... Then again. This was Honoo he was talking about. No one knew about her, no one cared. She killed and then went back to sleep. So mysterious. He wondered if anyone could figure out the popular, most-common- but least known labyrinth that was Honoo. Arashi shook his head. Too much thinking. He thought about the other seishi. Koto's gone off... minna's all ready to throw their lives away. Feh. Not a good thing, but at least it's 'honorable'. He walked on into the forest. It'll be interesting if someone finds me. He made a few motions with his hands as he walked. "I wonder..." Arashi thought aloud. "...what Gods really do... do the stars ever look down upon us?" With all these kid seishi running about... Lisping black flames suddenly surrounded him, and was extinguished when he whipped his hand in a circle, the flames dying as they touched him. "Does anyone care how hard we're fighting?" A brilliance of white light errupted from within him, he opened his palms to release more light... all of it spreading out throughout the forest, and ended the reign of darkness. The darkness gathered still, to try and deal a last blow. "Okaasan." Arashi asked, his barrier of light being swallowed by the black. "Aren't we seishi so pathetic?" Thicker clouds consumed his barrier, and the darkness embraced him completely. And all was quiet. "S-shimatta." Honoo recognized the voice and swirled to its origin. Honoo moved like a puppet, a mere rag doll. Her eyes glowed eerily in the darkness, even more so with her smile. "Anata wa Okami desu ne? Or Taki." "..h..hai..." Taki answered. o.o Wowwww~ how did this person know her? "Ne ne, doko ni Ryouken-niisama?" Honoo asked. Well, Honoo knew where her brother was. Demo, why wasn't oneesama with him? Taki sighed and placed a hand on her head. "I don't where he is... and actually I was trying to look for the others..." Mou, she keeps looking at me. Just looking. And those eyes... Ok then... Honoo thought. "Ne, why aren't you with Ryouken-niisama? Ne? Aren't you a Hi seishi?" Her ponytail spilled over her shoulder as she walked towards Taki. "Ne? Haven't you seen this before?" Honoo waved towards the corpse. Perhaps that's what's bothering her. "I don't care who he is. I will serve Hi-sama and protect her seishi." She bowed to Xeran and Taki. "Hai..." Taki said. Blinking, Taki took a few minutes to know that the girl was asking about the body. "Uh... well... I've seen something like that... but not that mutilated" ~Mau... back with Hikaru... with those guys coming after us... I burned them... I think...~ "Watashi wa Honoo desu..." She motioned towards the corpse again. Taki smiled as her usual self and bowed to her and as well to Xeran. "Sore ga doshita?" Her voice seemed to redefine expressionless. But also... innocence... "Sore ga doshita?" She asked again, taking a step towards Taki.. Taki took a step back. "...n-nandemonai. I was just surprised... is all!" Taki moved back some more and looked to Honoo. "Well I guess I should be going now..." "Matte kudasai." Honoo looked at the retreating Taki. Taki looked back at her, even as a chill went down her spine. "Anata wa doko ni ikimasu ka?" A flash of a cold blue light was in Honoo's eyes despite the fiery vermillion. Taki thought about this. She's right you know... where am I going? In a second, Honoo's arm snaked out and caught Taki's. "I..." Taki flinched. "Xeran-neesama to Taki-neesama wa Hi seishi da yo. You should be getting prepared. Xerin-niisama is fighting his battles as is Ido-niisama... I want... I want to see Ido-niisama..." Honoo quietly remarked. "How do I get prepared?" Taki asked. "I want to help minna but..." Honoo smiled gently. "Minna is running all over the place, not caring about being a seishi. Maa." She cast her eyes over to the pillars of fire. Taki followed her gaze. "Wow... who could do that?" Taki asked. Honoo continued. "Mother won't be happy about that. Heh. I can't let any of you..." indicating Xeran and Taki... "get hurt. It's not wise to be running around. Unless you can take care of yourself... which, excuse my rudeness, I have not seen yet... I can't let you endanger your lives. If you wish to go somewhere, I won't stop you. But let me come with you." Taki smiled back. "Hai... it's written all over my face, ne? I'm known for getting into trouble." She was highly relieved when Honoo let go of her arm. "Saa! Ok! You seem to know where minna is, so I'll follow you if that's ok. ... Ano... those pillars.. something seems to be happening over there. Maybe we could go there?" Good one Taki... Taki scolded herself... you're in big trouble now. Honoo's smile kept on. "I've missed the scythe of Hi-sama. Can you two tell me about him? And about the missing twin of the Bow and arrow? Can you tell me if you've seen... this fire... before?" A conflagration of blue fire arose and surrounded the three girls. Its movement was like water, sparkling and snapping. It danced, to the same rhythm that had scorched the lands of Konan. It gathered in Honoo's small hands when she reached for them, forming itself into an orb that radiated ill-will. It swirled dangerously, the orb glowing and letting out beams of light, shades of blue mixing together in a deadly concoction. Smaller and smaller it condensed, the threat of it exploding because of its small space and huge energy growing bigger. Any sign of weakness followed destruction. The 'bubble' was thrown into the air, and popped with Honoo's small finger. A waterfall of fire spilled over the girl, sliding off of her like water, not harming her, roasting her or even burning her in the slightest bit. Honoo spun around, dispersing the remains of the fire into the night air, and they became sparkles of the stars. She blew them off her hands and into the faces of Xeran and Taki, where they disappered. Taki just stared in awe of this younger girl. She dared not to touch the fire... "Kirei..." Taki commented... "I wish I could do that with my powers." Honoo's smile was more sincere than ever. She had heard the comment about Okami's powers. "I could teach you... with your powers." "Ah... arigatou... that'd be a relief..." Taki replied. At this play, she giggled passively. Her eyes reflected the emptiness and innocence of her entire being. Which was, of course, highly debateable. "You will get prepared in time. Demo, can't summon with dead seishi, na?" Honoo brushed off her blue kung fu outfit. "Many people, many happenings." She took her ponytail string off, and let her hair swish against her outfit. Her serene smile graced them again when she looked down at the corpse. "Ne, you think I killed that man? I didn't." She gave a small, silent prayer to him as she closed her eyes and elegantly bowed. No mockery. No foolishness. And how true that was. "It was an automatic reponse. The will of Hi-sama runs strong. Those who dare to trifle with this, like this foolish man, will not have such a kind fate. So has Hi-sama instructed me to do." @_@ Waaaaah. Taki's head was in a blur with all that Honoo had said. Bow and arrow? Scythe? @_@ But the fire... that was so cool. Taki shook her head to get back to reality. The last of Honoo's words sunk in... ~The will of Hi-sama runs strong...~ ~So has Hi-sama instructed me to do...~ Taki felt her throat go numb. She turned around. "M-maa... shouldn't we go looking for the others?" Honoo blinked at Taki's perplexity. "Sou yo. You're not familiar with nicknames? Ryouken, Hi no shichi seishi. Iteboshi to Yaboshi. The bow and arrow. Minna's not really safe right now, ne? Umm... what others do you talk of, Okami-sama?" Taki nodded at the short explanation. "Ah... I get it now..." She placed a hand on her forehead, smiling. "I just got confused... thanks... iie, you answered all my questions." @_@ Mou, it was hard to digest all this information at one time... and then... "Kuro-san!" Taki piped up. Kyoui yawned, squeezing out blood off his tunic. It flowed off him rather... artistically. He sighed as he looked at his finger nails. Mou. Blood always got under his nails. How annoying. You always had to clean them, wash them, get the soap, dry them... such a dutiful life. "Nani su~ no yo, Kyoui-chan?" A feminine voice with sweet syrup asked him. "Nandemonai~ Houou-san. Demo mite. Isn't the scythe very heroic?" Kyoui answered, wiping his hands on his semi-bloody tunic. "Saving the miko." Heh. "Hn. Daijobu desu." Houou answered, carrying Hikaru. "We have Honoo." Yoru nodded at Kara. "Hai. Let's go." Changing into his wolf form, he chased after Kara. Mou... Taki... why do you always make me worry? He was always so *nervous* when Taki did things like this. She could get into that.. thing's... hands and get killed... x.x well no need to think that far ahead but... Yoru picked up his pace. We'd better hurry... Yoru said to Kara. You always always always make me worry Taki! Kuro stopped and sniffed for Taki's footprints. No sign. "Kuso..." But he heard voices. Voices which sounded like... *Kara...* Kuro said. *We found Taki.* Taki turned to see Kuro. She laughed and patted his head. "Kuro-san!" *I don't appreciate you running off like that.* Taki replied by rubbing the wolf's face. *Taki-san. Don't mess up my face.* Taki smiled and greeted Kara. "Oi Kara! I hope I didn't trouble you two too much. Gomen na... these are my friends..." Taki said to Honoo. "Kuro is the okami and this is Kara." "Kuro-san?" Honoo looked at the wolf with curious eyes. "Haven't I seen you before, kawaii-chan? Why do you call him that, Taki-neesama?" She wouldn't get close. She just didn't have time to pet wolves and conversate. The night was going to turn into dawn soon. Kuro looked over to Honoo. Why did she say she had seen him before? He hadn't seen her. And kawaii? -.- Mou. "Kuro-san..." Taki blinked and giggled. "Sou ya. He's really old and that's why I call him Kuro-san..." Honoo looked at Kara. "I suppose he can come..." Whatever his name is. "We'd best find Yaboshi-niisama, ne Iteboshi-neesama? Then we can find my other niisama-tachi ne?" Honoo smiled and hopped from foot to foot, as if impatient. "If he gets hurt, you get hurt too ne? I hope you'll be alright." Honoo smiled to Xeran. Her eyes flashed dully, seemingly attracting people and retracting people at the same time. Honoo thought for a bit. "Iie. I take that back. You won't get hurt. I won't let it happen." Her tranquil-filled eyes were too intense with such chaos and serenity juxtaposed within them. Only her smile remained. Honoo snapped, a whirlwind of magics and clashed to form a spell around them all. She smiled as invisible waves of various winds, energy and magic exploded, the waves passing through the group's bodies, as if the world itself were trembling beneath her will and power. There was no destruction, just a heightened sense of... tension. "I will take care of your brother, Iteboshi-neesama." Honoo's presence was making itself be known. The air suddenly began to become hard to breathe, the dark skies seemed to fall beneath her. Indeed, the will and power of Hi-sama... in this girl... Honoo wasn't straining herself at all, outstretching her fingers to wave through the abundance of power that had poured out from her expression, as if there were nothing different with this place. This place that swirled with a mixture of raw energy. "Yakusoku. I won't let anything happen to him." She looked to the others, her eyes faintly different. Eyes which had no life in it. Taki felt woozy at such thin air... With all these happenings, Iteboshi was quiet. And terribly confused. Perhaps with fear. Such emotions attacked her heart, almost making her faint. Her bond had just... disappered! She was still recovering from the attack before, and only four people could actually even touch her normally.... and they weren't here. "He..." Xeran quivered before the corpse. "He's quite dead... c... can we.. go now?" Ugh... she was desperate to get out of this scene of chaos, blood, carnage... before she threw up. Maybe I'll get lucky and pass out first. "Xeran-san?" Taki looked at the wobbly Xeran... and ran to her.... Xeran felt her ability to see lower rapidly. She fell over... into arms that seemed to know not to make contact with her skin. "T...theo?...What... a-are you doing here...?" And unconciousness claimed her as she looked into his eyes of sanguine. Taki stopped when a man picked her up. "Anata wa dare da?" A look that was almost... like fawning respect came from the stranger's eyes. A gallant bow of the head at the unconcious Xera, his tresses were strange shades of cerulean and violent. He idly flicked the thin braids, which held an odd variety of wire, thread and other materials. Peering at Taki with almost a predatory look, he seemed almost translucent as the moon shone on his skin. This 'dragon' tilted his head to the side, with uniquely crafted earrings and necklace chains clinked together. The shadows even seemed to hug him tight, his visage shrouded within them. Gems of crimson, his eyes were the only bright things about his black attire. His lips quirked into a smile and murmured apologetically. "I do wonder if I cause such reactions among girls. Forgive my behavior, I'm Theo Aurum and you are... miss? Taki looked at Theo, her expression turning back to normal. She raised an eyebrow and placed her hands on her hips. "...Mou... you didn't have to say 'maiden' in that tone... mattaku..." She checked to see if Xeran was ok. "I hope she's ok..." Then she looked up to Theo... he was quite suspicious after all... "Maa... watashi wa Kou Taki... you can call me Okami.." Taki walked to Kuro and sighed. "Mou... so many things happening..." Kuro pawed at Taki's feet. Taki turned to Honoo. "Ah... I don't mean to ask again, but we should get moving.." It was cold, damp and everything was new. Taki just wasn't as genki as she used to be... Honoo looked coolly at Theo, the environment returning to its normal state, her eyes glimmering dully again. "Anata wa dare desu ka? Ne, don't take this as an insult demo..." Honoo snatched away at empty air, Xeran appearing out of thin air into her arms even as Theo was quite a ways away, at least by a few meters. "I must protect Iteboshi-neesama and Yaboshi niisama. You're welcome to follow, mochiron, if you can." With that, Honoo floated into the air, and twirled, the wind following her. "Yaboshi will be happy to see her. Ikimashou, Okami-sama! Jaa Kara-san! Yoru-san! Theo-san!" In less than a second, the color faded from Honoo and Xeran's figures, their bodies fading into the bacground. For Okami, small blazes of flames appeared from under her feet, twirling like ribbons. The ribbons whirled and frolicked in the air, enveloping the girl with its brightness, brighter than the sun. Unfortunate leaves and wisps of hair were instantly turned into fire if they dared touch any of the three. Taki didn't even get to say anything! She found herself floating in the air and into a different area! "Eh...? Where are we?" She asked softly. Kuro paced back and forth. ~Kuso! Where did she take her?!~ Cursing wasn't goingto bring Taki back. He needed to get Genrou's help... unfortunately... ~Ne, Kara-san... you remember where we left Genrou? Cause... we need to ask for his help... Xerin dodged an agile thurst time and again from the blades that could have made his insides into ribbons. Even then, his mind was working in sync to the time of these skilled slashes and thrusts. Timing.... a rhythm.... 1... 2... thrust... dodge... 1... dodge... parry... 2... thurst... dive... roll... He was blessed with this gift. This gift that could warn him of enemy attacks. Though his sword was not satisfied with such antics. Joy and rage tickled in the back of Xerin's mind, fueling his sword. He threw away the idea of gallantry and slammed his knee into Ramose's groin, his elbow jamming at Ramose's nose. Xerin gave up trying to resist the dark will of the Aureas Gladii and let it flow freely. Golden infernos wrapped itself around the sword, like living lava... so hot it gleamed azure... Xerin's wrists snapped as he threw his whole body into the heave of his swing... Ramose tried to move out of the way, but was consumed and enveloped... as the claymore hissed triumphantly. The Aureas Gladii was satisfied. Xerin huffed, his mind still reeling after the fight. He almost lost to the sword again... still he fought to relax himself as he put the sword back into the sheath. His eyes of resin began to change to steel gray again.. "C'mon out now...I know you just enjoyed seein' me flex m'muscles. Didn't ya Sefriz?" Hopping away once he felt the fingers on his side and arms, he bowed mockingly. "Yer dolls aren't worth the effort y'know that right?" Xerin asked the Messenger of Death. "Aa? Pobrecito. Of course I enjoyed the show, Goldie Locks! Miss me?" The demon winked, his dark complexion always the same, his eyes... a deep and flaring orange... with his locks and figure. A spiked collar decorated his throat and he smirked. "You're probably thinkin' I came to see you.." "No, I was wondering how you squeezed inta that damned vinyl!" Xerin shook his head, looking at the outfit. "Where's the other half?" "Theo?" Sefriz asked. "Around. Somewhere." 'Rin rolled his eyes at the shady response, but what else could he expect from the "Santa de los Muertos"? You always had to be on your guard, not to be put off with the cold with Sefriz's stare. He flicked at his war paint and looked calmly at Sefriz. "Well, are you going t' help me get cleaned?" The demon chuckled with no color of expression. It was empty, devoid of anything at all. He was dead. Tossing a wet rag at Xerin, he leered. Yaboshi rolled his eyes, and refused. Sefriz pouted and threw a coat at Xerin. "Thanks. 'Prolly should find sis 'n Theo now - he's trailin' since you've been closer t'me than second skill alla sudden, ne?" "Mm." Xerin shurgged. It was a 'yes'. After checking his gear, he set off at an easy job, not needing to know that the demon was following him. He could sense him. A telepath his his finesse had advantages, even if he couldn't delve into the thoughts of Sefriz. You knew he was nearby because you could feel like you walked over the grave of a ghost. Theo bowed to the empty space that once contained Honoo and co. with grace. He was a bit foolish, or perhaps arrogance was his downfall? Oh well. Only the Gods knew. His eyes glittered flatly, which added to his unnerving appearance. Even this disappearance did nothing to fluster him. He merely clicked his tongue and smiled. ~Sefriz?~ He concentrated, gathering his thoughts to make that special link with his lover. ~~...Theo? What is it?~~ ~Nothing to worry about. Yu-sama's grandchild took the Priestess... You'll be seeing them soon.~ ~~Aa. Is she really of the chaotic bloodline? What was she like?~~ Theo paused, gathering the first impressions together, and reviewed them with clinical percision. He could feel Sefriz's excitement and he wouldn't disappoint him with a boring description. It wasn't easy. ~Definitely the power signature is nearly the same... but more... she radiates... something that I don't know how to describe... you'll see once you meet her. I can't believe we finally got to see her... oh, how's "Goldie Locks"?~ ~~*chuckle* Cute as always. I think we're unwinding him. Poor uptight baby. Ah... they've arrived. Why don't you drop in?~~ Heh. Things were dropping into place at last. Yamiko wrapped her arms around herself, her thoughts running through hurt, fear, blood, trust, friendship, death, murder, control, betayal, worry, love, and other similar strong emotions flashing through her mind. Houou-sama had walked away with Hikaru, and she didn't care. Houou could have her own plans at the moment. Hime, I'll kill you. Warm arms wrapped around Yaboshi's neck, and cherry colored eyes bore into his. Xeran and Taki followed after her, their figures floating peacefully nearby. ~Take care of Xeran-sama, onegai shimasu.~ Honoo smiled as she sent the mind message to Taki, who nodded in response. "Did you miss me Yaboshi-sama?" Obviously, Honoo and Xerin were WELL acquainted. Her forehead touched his, and she looked at Sefriz. "Ara..." A giggle. No one could tell what was in that expression. In her voice, her eyes. "I'm sure you prefer my company to his. Ne, shall we be going?" Xerin leaned back into the familiar hug and indulge in laughter He was aware of her always. His gaze flickered with resin before settling back to the intense sea of blue. He glanced at his unconcious sister to assure her good health, and nodded in satisfaction. Such a casual intro. A flirty smile too. A caress on the cheek. "I've missed you." "Miss you? 'Course. Who wouldn't?" He teased, nuzzling their cheeks together. "Stuck with the dead head's co.'s too much to ask of me." He grinned, spun her in a tight circle and set Honoo down. He tweaked her chin and waggled his brows. "Ready? Always am." A leer. Yep, Xerin was back to normal. @_@ Meanwhile, Taki wondered about the fire. She placed her finger near a flame and concentrated on it... it followed her movements... with her other hand, she produced more small balls of fire. Those also followed her without having to move her hands! She could move them with her mind... and even swirl about her, to dance in the air. The flames shimmered and glowed... The blue fire caught the Hi seishi and its caster (Honoo) once again. Kouji didn't even get ta finish his stuttering and confession! x.x He even felt the weight of Gen-chan's tessen and fire... "OI OI YAROU! NAAA!! I AIN'T DONE NOTHIN! NOTHIN!" x.x Kouji suddenly sat up. Calm. With grace. He noticed it was smoky... hot too. He coughed a bit and rubbeed his nose. Then he noticed he was on fire, from a branch above. On his chest. SD Kouji jumped to his feet, danced, and sang a slew of wonderful and skilled lyrical, color metaphors. @_@ This only made the flames bigger. (Amy-chan no comment: Stop drop and rollll~!) He was nervous now. x.x; He let out shriek full of girly-ness. Meanwhile, Genrou was busy stomping through the halls of Reirei to Rouji's hideaway. @_@ "'MOUTO~~!! C'mon!! It's time ta goOooOoo~!" x_X While leaving mud all over the place, he stomped onto the main entrance. Where he left Kouji. x.x The previously unconcious one. Genrou noticed Kouji wasn't there and dragged his sorry ass back into the forest. "Che! Now where da hell his ass swagger off ta?" He asked aloud, the faint smell of smoke and burning wood making its way to his nose. "Hoi..." Genrou looked over his shoulder, over where Reirei had disappered off to. "Ya really oughta learn how ta cook betta 'mouto. If I didn' know betta, I'd think ya were burnin' da whole fuckin' forest down right now." He finished, gesturing towards the forest. x.x Then he looked at the forest. The burning forest. @_@ A beat of sweat ran down his cheek. "HOI~~!! SH'T'S ON FIIIREEEE~!!" He wailed, his arms flailing about. @_@ Then he spotted the human-sized fireball dancing around. o.O He watched it. How interesting it was. "Ya know...That man-sized, flamin' deer right there kinda looks lik' Kouji." And listened to the high-pitched scream an instant later. "Kinda screams lik' 'im to--HAH!! KOUJI!!!" @_@ Also meanwhile, Reirei was busy checking her bags. Genrou was yelling. And stomping. ~Ne what does he want? He's gonna make the place cave in...~ x.x And chunks of the ceiling fell onto her nose, confirming it. She sneezed. ~Ne, why is he complaining about my cooking? Rouji was cooking!~ Back to Genrou. Taking a scoop of mud, he hurled it at the back of Kouji's head. The flames there were out. Even though Kouji's movement spread the fire even faster.... "AHOU!! QUIT RUNNIN' 'ROUND AN' SHIT!!" Genrou barked. "YAMERO!!" @_@ Genrou literally beat the fire off Kouji's upper body with his fists. "KEEP STILL!!" x.x Then he proceeded to violently stamp the flames off Kouji's lower half with his boots. x.x Thus begins the pummeling of Kouji into a bloody pulp. And a small beginning of a big dust cloud. Reirei stood behind Genrou and looked at the forest which was her home. It was burning beautifully... she giggled. "Kirei..." She always did have an odd fetish with fire. Kouji on fire, was a different thing. ^^; She tried her best not to giggle at Kouji's burning and shrieking body. Just like before, when she was kidnapped to Leikaku. She missed it... x.x; demo... Kouji..."Ne niichan. Let me heal Kouji when you're done." "Oh Gen-chan!! YA SAVED MEEEE!!" x.x; The SD bloody Kouji with clothes that were half burnt off exclaimed, admiration and love were sparkling in his eyes. @_@ He gave Genrou a warm and crispy hug. Kuro blinked. x.x This wasn't right. o.O Just like the fire in the forest wasn't right. x.x Why was Genrou throwing mud at the other person? Why did the person say, "Oh gen-chan!! Ya saved me!" x.x; Kuro reverted to Yoru. "...can't believe I'm going to have to ask them for help..." Yoru made a message in the mud. "Taki - Taken Away" x.x He decided Genrou was intelligent enough to understand. How would Genrou react? x.x; Yoru ran over to Genrou... "I'm hungry 'nee-chan! Make me somethin'!" Whined Ts'an, kicking at the recently beat up Shigeru. Kasumi huffed. Then kicked Ts'an in the back of the head. "Baka! There's nothing TO make! YOU were supposed to bring something home! Market's CLOSED now!!" Oh yeah. Ts'an just forgot. x.x; That's ok. Time was nothing to him. So he stumbled out the door, and in less than a minute, was back with vegetables, a very live chicken, and sweet buns for Iruka and his siblings. He would have been back sooner, but he had to hide his seishi symbol... The baffled Kasumi sweatdropped. "O-oh... guess you didn't forget..." x.x He got back soooo fast. "Arigatou T-chan! We wouldn't survive without you!" She hugged him. He chuckled. @_@ He didn't like using his power of time manipulation for such a cause... but he was hungry!! XD Step into the portal, then out with food! He was so smart. Shigeru crawled out from the table and to Iruka. "Your legs may be scrawny but ya smell nice! Don't worry, I'll make sure Ts'an isn' a fuckin' pig and save ya some of the buns!" Iruka blushed. "Anou... Ts'an wouldn't do that, would he?" Then she thought back to her mother. Iruka knew she shouldn't have left. Iruka slumped and waited for Ts'an and co. to return. She wondered was Koto was up to... What was this place with no light? No direction? No sight? Just cold darkness. Arashi cast a small wind spell. It blew him in random directions. It was the same everywhere. Darkness everywhere, and it consumed him. Why couldn't he get free? It pushed him down, onto some 'ground', pushed him harder and harder, as if it were trying to crush him. He couldn't even breathe... "H...Hi.... akari! A...ku...kan!" The light spell shone through the darkness, before it too was consumed. Arashi saw a picture of a young bishounen. Silver hair. With a boy. And a girl who yelled at him for dinner. Then the boy had chicken. He wouldn't have the energy to remember. He reached out for the bishounen... hopefully before conciousness slipped away... before darkness had him. "Tah-dah! Now cook it up, baby!" Ts'an threw the live chicken into Kasumi's face. Kasumi huffed, what appreciation she had of her little brother finding dinner faded. She beat away the white blur and the feathers. "...it's not my job to kill it. You do that! And pluck its feathers!" "O..oro, I can't kill it! It loves me! Honto!" The two argued, with the chicken running around the room, and found a resting spot a top Shigeru's head. His matted hair served perfectly as a nesting ground. The chicken was happy, unaware of its future to be the dinner. Ts'an whined again. "Naaa~ I'm hungry! We have a guest and she's hungry! Fish would be better! Ne, Shigeru! Go kill it!" "Oi! I ain't killin' it! It's mah buddy! Heh!" Shigeru replied, his bond secure with the chicken. After all, the bird and boy had the same mental capacity. Ts'an folded his arms. "Na Kasumi! See you haf-- ITAI YoooooOOOooorRrooO!" Kasumi smirked, twirling her broom. See how dominance works through corporal punishment? x.x Tis probably why her mastery of the arts would not get her married soon. @_@ Meanwhile, Ts'an stumbled to the doorway, holding his head, still whining out his "itai!". x.x o.O Demo, what was a man doing on the doorstep? It was too early for drunks to be out. "Ne sir... daijobu?" x.x Ts'an examined him. He didn't look like a drunk. He sighed, removing his bangs that blocked his eyes. Ts'an scooped up the extra guest and carried him inside. x.x Maybe this guy could kill the chicken... Kaoru walked the halls, never needing to carry her books or bag. She had other groupies to do that for her. They always wished they could be like her. Or perhaps, rich like her. "You're so pretty Umino-sempai!" "The highest score again, Umino-sempai?" "Umino-sempai! Umino-sempai! Umino-sempai!" "You're great. You're pretty. We love you. We couldn't live without you." The praise could have gone on forever. But she didn't need it. Didn't need them. She only had one real friend. The one she needed. Hikaru. She asked Hikaru if this bothered her, that all the girls shoved her to the back. "Iie. I have you always. They don't have you at all." Only Hikaru had her. The devoted mob turned against her, different. "Umino-sempai, you smell bad. When was the last time you bathed?" "Umino-sempai, you're so awful. How can there be a person like you?" "Umino-sempai, get out of our way." "Umino-sempai, Umino-sempai, Umino-sempai." This monotone filled the halls, her ears, her mind as she pushed back and forth between the mob of girls. She stumbled and fell to the ground. "Youre so ugly. You'll never get a boyfriend. You'll be alone." "I don't need boyfriends... I don't need you, right Hikaru-chan?" Kaoru said, defiantly and brushed herself off, looking for her friend. Where was Hikaru? "You have no friends." The girls circled her and shoved her around again. "Ugly. Filthy. Selfish. Stupid. Friendless. Why are you alive?" She fell, and kept falling. No end. Farther she fell, into the cold depthness... freezing as she got farther... alone... Even then she called out to Hikaru... would she ever land? All was black. Did she land? Was it over? She opened her eyes. "Ho..nou?" she quietly mumbled, shivering at the cloak that was put around her, and stared at the mysterious flames before her. Outside the pillar, Honoo checked her surroundings. Hai! This was the place with the corpses! "Iyaaaaa..." Her voice of sweetness graced the bloody battlefield, the feelings of fear, paranoia, chaos, bloodlust... the charming, charred background...They were here. "Yaboshi-sama, doesn't this remind you of the past?" Honoo then looked to Okami and Iteboshi. "Kawaii da. Demo, anshin shiro. I would willingly give my life for her. My pledge says I must. Watashi wa anata-tachi o mamoritai." Her smile stayed as she closed her eyes and settled into Yaboshi's embrace. "Beautiful, ne?" The blue blazes of fire. The glows. The effects. More than magic. The sparkles of and shimmerings... "You'll forgive me if I don't go any farther. My boyfriend can get extremely jealous." Giggling, her fires did more of their beautiful artwork. Especially around Okami. The fires laughed, flowed into different shapes, random forms. It danced, flashed, hummed and vibrated. The fire was communicating. "I told you I'd help you, Okami-neesama. Dou? Ii desu ka?" The glows, or rather, Honoo asked. The flames set Okami and Iteboshi to the ground, but stayed around to protect them. "Ne, so how much longer do you think Sefriz and Theo will take to kill me?" Honoo smiled and held his hand as she walked towards the chaos that was Ryouken. "You can stay with him, right Xerin-niisama? I think you'll be safe here. Oh, and don't worry about those two. I'll protect them. And Okami will protect her too. Na... I don't want you overworking yourself, Yaboshi-niisama. You've already have a... headache from before. Soshite..." She smiled cutely. "Soshite, 'Jama o suru na' darou?" Kyoui finished, appearing behind Honoo, putting his hands over her eyes. He hugged her. "Missed you." Kyoui winked at Xerin, then turned Honoo around. "Who says anything about dying and giving your life away?" He smirked and pushed her forehead back. "Yarou. Oh. Yo." Kyoui then gave a grin and wave to Ryouken. "Saa. *You're* the one who she came to see and dragged this caravan for! Damn glad to meetcha!" Since Ryouken wasn't known for being sociable, Kyoui didn't really expect a greeting and turned to Honoo, rapping his knuckles on her head. "You're late." She giggled to Yaboshi, a secret code only he could decipher. "Gomen ne. Sou desu." Honoo said, tapping Kyoui's nose. "Na na, you know I don't mind giving my life away for them. I just might." She laughed. "Demo, you're right." "Mochiron." Kyoui answered. "I waited a long time." "Wakarimashita~" She smiled, then smiled to the random attackers who hand't moved since their arrival. A secret smile. "Ne ne, Ryouken-niisama!" She tugged on Ryouken's sleeve. "Watashi wa Honoo desu~! Hajimemashite, Ryouken-niisama." Kyoui put his hands behind his head, knowing this would be a while. @_@ Then several bodies and random parts of the human anatomy (organs and all) came rolling down from the rooftop he had just jumped from. They landed on some of the unmoving Ryuu Namida. Most of the dead ones had the same uniform. "Eetou..." Honoo blinked at this disruption. Baka niisama. Making stupid mistakes. "I do not." SD Kyoui glowered. Honoo smiled again. "Cheater." She went back to tugging Ryouken's sleeve. "And I admire you greatly." She gave him a warm smile only he would recognize. Kyoui was busy laughing at the covered Ryuu Namida. How fun to tease them. Oh well. Those attackers would be attack if it wasn't for... "Race ya Honoo." Hono nodded and the two blurs went off into the night, the laws of physics not able to contain them, leaving the wind in their wake. A pair of eyes watched them. Why were they going so slow? The two stopped their race suddenly, and started falling from the skies... into the inferno. Honoo smiled, grabbing Kyoui. "Save me?" Kyoui smirked. "You think?" The speed of the two falling into the pillar of Hi-sama's red fire increased, and the two laughed.