Chapter 1
Kokoro to Kangae Hitotsu Ni Suru
(Uniting of Hearts and Minds)
Dark.
So dark.
Lonely.
Nobody is here.
*Iam.*
Will you stay here?
*I will always be here.*
****
Touma scrubbed his forehead with the back of
his hand, glancing up at the sun. They were supposed to be here by
3:00, it was now 3:30, where were they? The girl at his side plopped
down onto the nearest bench.
"When are they going to be here? I'm
hot," she whined. He turned to her, a smile on his face. She
continued ranting. "Who are we meeting anyways? This is hours away
from home. Why do we have to meet them?" Touma's smile broadened
and he seated himself beside the ten-year-old as he handled her questions
one by one.
"They'll come and when they do, we'll go somewhere
it's cool. We're meeting some of my friends. It's only an hour
from the house, they have to go farther. Two of them are even coming
by plane." The girl interrupted him.
"You mean they're flying?" She grinned.
Tears stung Touma's eyes in sudden remembrance.
His voice cracked as he spoke. "Yes, they're flying." He took a deep breath,
composing himself before he finished. "They are old friends, from a long
time ago." The little girl stared up at him, as he became lost in his thoughts.
She settled back as Touma stood and went back to
stand where he had before. He looked around, remembering. The
building, the street, the store. All of it. He closed his eys.
So long ago, but it felt like it was only yesterday.
He pulled out the sphere, peering at himself
from its reflective surface. He saw an old face. There were
wrinkles beginning to form on a once smooth face. Gray hair had begun
to appear in his once pure blue hair. He had styled his hair to look
exactly as he had when they last saw each other, down to the long lock
of hair that fell between his eyes. He happily hadn't put on any
weight, he had kept exercising on a regular basis, and was physically fit.
How different did they look?
The girl suddenly screamed bloody murder.
Touma whipped around, tensing. She stood on the bench, tears running
down her face as she looked down at what stared back at her. Touma's
jaw dropped.
"Byakuen?" The white tiger looked over at
him. The two regarded one another for a long time, seemingly forgetting
the girl. In a fluid motion, the tiger padded over to Touma, rubbing
his head against the man's legs. Touma dropped to his knees, still
staring at the big cat. He recognized him? After all these
years. He hesitantly reached out a hand and touched the tiger.
He looked up and saw the girl still on the
bench. He held out a hand gesturing her to come, smiling. She
slowly climbed down, eyes wide. She stood to one side, watching the
man stroke the tiger.
"Byakuen, what are you doing here? I
thought you were dead." The tiger could only rumble.
"Touma!" someone called. Touma looked
over his shoulder, seeing several figures carrying casesrunning toward
him. When he turned back, Byakuen, was gone. He was saddened
by that and searched for the tiger. After a few moments of unsuccessful
looking he turned back to the people. The little girl ducked
behind him as he stood, warily watching the strangers.
The first one to reach them was a couple of
years younger than the others. "Toumaniichan!" Tossing his suitcase to
the ground with no regards to the contents, he threw his arms around Touma,
catching the man off guard and knocking the wind out of him. Touma
laughed and returned the embrace. The other backed away, a huge grin
on his face.
"Aren't you a bit old for that Jun?" Seiji
chided, coming up to shake his friend's hand. The younger one only
grinned.
"Boys never grow up, you ought to know that,"
Ryo said, coming up to smack Touma's shoulder.
"Sorry we're late, we ran into one another
and just started talking," Shin said a grin splitting his eternally young
face, despite the shadow in his eyes. Shuu interrupted.
"Seiji here finally remembered that we were
supposed to meet you."
"Sometimes men, who claim that women are chatterboxes,
can't stop talking," a woman said, stepping up to Seiji, and putting her
arms through one of his and smiled up at him. Her luxuriant brown
hair, as well-groomed as Seiji's fell below her waist and her blue eyes
sparkled in merriment. She was just beginningto show the signs of
pregnancy. The other men smiled knowingly, leaving Touma in the dark.
Seiji glared down at her good-naturedly for
a moment, before turning to Touma and placing a proprietary hand on one
of hers.
"Touma, this is my wife, Samantha." He pulled
the woman closer, so he could wrap his free arm around her, but she broke
away, smiling. He looked at her in surprise as she went over to Touma
and lay a hand on his shoulder, a sad smile on her face.
"You're Touma?" she asked. He nodded,
puzzled. He looked past her to Seiji, who had a lost look on his
face. He shook his head at Touma. "I knew Nariko," she continued,
not noticing the exchange. Touma's eyes snapped to her, his eyes
wide. "She and I were pen pals. She was so happy when she married
'To-chan.'" His eyes widened upon hearing his beloved wife's pet name for
him. Samantha looked him over, her eyes returning to his. "I'm glad
she . . . died . . . happy."
Samantha dropped her hand, and went back over
to Seiji. Seiji was staring at her. Touma sat down, hard, on
the bench. Of all things, he had not expected that. Everyone
else was too stunned to say anything. Even Shuu didn't have anything
to say about that.
Touma didn't realize he was crying until tears
dropped onto his hand. He was embarassed to be crying in front of
his friends when they should be having a good time. He took a calming
breath and wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. The girl was
looking at him and he smiled at her, a watery smile, but it satisfied her.
Shin was the first to speak. "So who is this
lovely little thing?" he said, kneeling to look at the girl, who had seated
herself beside Touma. She shrank against Touma. Shin gave her
a smile, trying to reassure her.
Touma pulled the girl into his lap, holding
her against his chest and angling her to face them. She wrapped her
arms around his neck, still watching them warily.
"This is my daughter, Kayura." She continued
to watch them as a rabbit would a hawk. "Say something, sweetie,"
he murmured.
"hi," she whispered. Shu grinned, walking
over. The little girl cowered against her father, and he murmured
reassuringly.
"Hey ya, Kayura." Shuu extended his hand.
"Has your father taught you how to shake? He tends to be ill-mannered."
"Watch it Shuu," Touma growled, but he nodded
for Kayura to go ahead. Shuu waited for the girl to consider his
hand and slowly extend her own. When she placed her little hand in
his big palm he carefully closed his fingers and gently shook her hand.
"My name's Shuu, Kayura. Touma's told
us a lot about you. I'm very glad to finally meet you."
"Hi Shuusan," she said a little more confidantly.
Shuu's nose wrinkled.
"Just Shuu."
"But Toosan said . . ."
"It's okay, you may call him Shuu. And
that's Shin, and Seiji and Ryo and that's Jun. These are otoosan's
friends, okay?" Touma pointed to each of them, now he looked at her.
She was regarding his friends, less timidly, but still wary.
"Hi Shuu." Shuu smiled. Ryo was looking
at something in the distant past, a sad memory. Touma sighed inwardly.
Ryo still hadn't gotten over Nasuti's death, none of them really had.
She had been a very good friend to them all.
Touma set Kayura on the bench and stood to
go to Ryo, leaving her with Seji, Shuu, Shin, Jun, and Samantha.
He put his hand on his friend's shoulder.
"You okay,Ryo?"
Ryo looked over at Touma, he could see Shin waching.
"I'm fine," Ryo said after a moment.
He smiled at Touma and joined the others, introducing himself to Kayura.
Touma went over to Shin.
"Are you sure it's a good idea for him to
stay at my place?" he muttered. Shin nodded.
"It'll be okay. Ryo can handle it."
Touma nodded, trusting Shin's opinion. After all Ryo had moved in
with him after she had died, and Shin had helped him as much as he could.
He ought to know.
Seiji had left the group and came over.
There was a strange expression on his face.
"Touma," Seiji said in a low, ominous voice.
Touma cocked his head, not liking this one bit.
"What?" he asked when Seiji hesitated.
"Have you noticed anything about Kayura?"
the blond man finally said. Touma looked at his friend and then looked
over at his daughter, worriedly. She was talking to everyone, still
sitting on the bench.
"What?" Touma turned back to Seiji. "What's
wrong?"
"She's different."
Touma frowned in confusion. What was
Seiji babbling about? "No she's not."
Seiji shook his head. "I don't mean like that.
She's as smart as you are. But she's different, like Lady Kayura
was, like the Masho were, like," he took a deep breath, refusing to look
at Touma, "we were."
Touma's and Shin's eyes widened as what Seiji
said sank in.
"That's impossible!" Touma hissed, incredulous.
"They were destroyed! No!"
Seiji put his hand on Touma's shoulder. "Calm
down." Touma glared at Seiji.
"Calm down?" Shin interrupted Touma, stopping
the start of a potentially messy argument.
"We can talk about this tonight, with the
others." Shin didn't release Touma's eyes until he nodded.
They joined the conversation and were soon
in a restarurant, Shuu declaring that he was starving.
****
Everyone climbed out of the van, laughing as
Shuu tripped over his own big feet and fell face first out of the van.
Shuu hopped back up and strode over to the door, waiting impatiently for
Touma to unlock it.
"Come on Tou, I'm starving here," he moaned.
Shin shook his head of brown hair.
"How does your wife live with that?
How did we ever live with you?" Shuu ignored Shin's jibe, and began rocking
back and forth on his heels, moaning.
Touma took his time getting to the door, to
the amusement of the others and the annoyance of Shuu. He took the
house key out. He glanced over at Shuu.
"Speaking of her, where is she? And
Yumeko?" He added, turning to Shin.
"Nai Shu is at home, she said she really didn't
want to come." Touma raised an eyebrow and Shuu grinned. "This is her last
trimester.
Seji shook his head. "She's pregnant again?
Isn't the Shu Clan large enough as it is? Shuu scowled over at Seiji.
Shin spoke up before a fight could break out
between the two. "Yumeko had to make a last minute trip to her mother's."
"Again? This happened for . . ." Touma
shot a glance at Ryo, and leaned closer, lowering his voice, "Nasuti's
funeral. Think she doesn't want to meet us?"
Shin shrugged, watching Ryo listen to Kayura.
She seemed to be telling a very interesting story, for both Jun and Ryo
listened intently.
"Seems that way. But I think she just
wants to keep Akira at home. She doesn't like it when I take him
out on the boat. Imagine how she would feel about a plane."
Touma nodded understanding.
"Come on Touma! Before I break down
the door!" Shuu pounded the door with his fists threateningly.
Touma smirked. Mission accomplished.
He unlocked the door and stepped back. As expected, Shuu burst
in. "Food. Food. Where's the . . . COOKIES! Oh goodies!"
The sounds of snarfing and gobbling came from inside.
Touma stopped Shin from going to save the
snack. Shin looked back, shocked.
"You think I've forgotten Shuu's appetite?" he said
with a smile. Then he put a finger to his lips and leaned over to
whisper conspiratorily into Shin's ear. Seiji stepped
up, not wanting to be left out.
"There are cookies for you guys in the one
place he wouldn't look." Touma paused, letting the suspense build.
His dark eyes sparkled mischeviously. "The bookshelf." Seiji and Shin stared
at their friend, then began chuckling. Samantha had a confused look
on her face, but no one noticed.
Touma let them go in then, just as Kayura finished
her story. She ran over to her father, and hugged him then she ran
inside. Jun followed after he realized that Shuu was already in.
"He'll eat everything up!"
Ryo came over to Touma. He looked the
house over and lowered his gaze to Touma. "Kayura said you two saw
a tiger?" Touma nodded and Ryo paled. "Was it .
. . Byakuen?" Touma nodded again.
Ryo paled even more. "Where did he go?"
"I don't know. He just disappeared when
you guys came up."
Ryo stared at Touma.
"I thought I saw Byakuen," he said in a soft
voice. "Nasuti saw him, too. Nobody else did. He was
in the middle of a crowded street and no one else saw him." Touma stared
at him wide-eyed. "That was the day before Nasuti died."
"What was Byakuen doing?" Touma asked in a
whisper.
"He just stared at Nasuti. He didn't
come over or nothing. People walked around him, but they didn't 'see'
him. Then someone walked in front of him and Byakuen was gone."
"We have to talk about this. Tonight.
Now," and Touma brightened, taking hold of his comrade's arm, "we get in
there before Shuu finishes off the rest of the food. You can set you suitcases
by the couches, we'll settle you in later."
"Did you cook them?" Ryo asked in a slightly
amused voice. Touma glanced at him, not answering as he dragged Ryo
inside and closed the door.
****
Angry blue eyes blazed in the woods around
the house. A shadow crouched there. Great horns rose up from
the head and its shoulder had a spine coming from them. It opened
its mouth, exposing sharp fangs bared in a grin. It took a step forward,
crouching low. It stared at the border between light and darkness.
Suddenly it backed away, whimpering in fright.
The creature cowered behind a tree, seeking solace. Then it stopped
whimpering and sank down to the ground. The thing covered its eyes
and remained still.
****
"I insist, Hashibasan. You boys need
to renew your friendships. You have been too long apart." Samantha
pushed Touma back. "Besides, even though he never told you about me, I
kept hearing about you all. I know you are a jinx in the kitchen,"
Seiji received a very nasty glare from Touma and he cowered back.
Samantha continued having ignored them and strode into the kitchen.
"Come on Kayura, you can help me." During the evening they had spoken
about their life, but she had felt their desire to speak of other things.
Seiji watched his young wife. He had
already apologized for not telling them about her, and, since he hadn't
written anyways, they forgave him.
Ryo looked around the room. "It still looks
the same." He murmured. No one disagreed with that, except Touma.
"We added on a room. Nariko wanted a
big family and insisted that we needed more room. Which is the reason
we bought this place from you. For her at least. By the way
Seiji, I have greatly improved my cooking skills since you last saw me.
I baked those cookies."
"How did this miracle happen. After
all you did terrible when I tried to help you," Shin asked. Shuu
spoke up for him.
"Nariko probably taught him. Maybe she
threatened that if he didn't learn it, then she would divorce him." Touma
looked at Shuu, eyes wide, but Shuu continued. "Or maybe she's just a better
teacher than you are, Shin." Shin glared at him.
Jun suddenly spoke up in a serious tone.
"Kayura said that you saw a white tiger and
that you pet it." Everyone except Ryo turned to Touma.
"We did. Right before you guys came.
It looked exactly like Byakuen."
"I saw Byakuen once, too." Everyone turned
to Ryo. "Right before Nasuti died. He was watching Nasuti.
Then he just vanished." They murmured their condolences. Shu was
silent for a moment.
"Nai Shu said she saw a white tiger yesterday.
She said it was watching Ching Che. Then it looked at her and vanished
into thin air." Nobody said anything for a long moment.
"You know I sensed something from Kayura."
Now they looked at Seiji, who was looking apologetically at Touma. "It
was the same sense I got from all of you when we first met." Touma shook
his head, but Shin was nodding his, silently agreeing.
"The old yoroi were destroyed and we still
have the new ones."
"Has anyone tried out the new yoroi, except
that first time?" Shin asked. Everyone shook their heads.
The phone rang making them jump. Touma
walked over and picked it up.
"Moshi moshi. Hashiba residence.
Hai, he's here. Hai." Touma looked up from the phone, focusing his
eyes on Shuu. "Nai Shu."
Shuu quickly stood up and strode to the phone,
taking it from Touma.
"Nai Shu?" Touma went back to his seat. "Yes."
Shuu's face drained of color. "What?" As he listened, Touma snatched up
an extra chair and rushed over to his friend. Shuu plopped into the
chair, staring at nothing.
Everyone else gathered around him, concern
written on their faces.
"Yeah. Uh-huh. I'll be back as soon
as I can. I promise." He absently hung up the phone, still staring
at nothing. He slowly blinked and looked up at the worried faces of his
friends.
"What's wrong Shuu?" Shin asked when he wasn't
forthcoming with the information. Shuu looked down again.
"Ching Che disappeared," he whispered.
"He vanished right after I left and Nai Shu hasn't been able to find him."
Everyone was shocked.
Suddenly a scream rang through the house.
Everyone jumpd. Seiji was the first to react. He dashed into
the kitchen, screaming.
"Samantha!" The others were right on his heels.
They burst into the kitchen and screeched
to a stop.
A creature glared at them. Humanoid
in appearance it had some sort of armor on. Armor that seemed to
meld with the wearer. Red armor, more bone-like than metal.
It looked strangely . . . familiar. The creature had steel blue eyes
and a scaled face. It opened its mouth exposing razor teeth.
It growled low in its throat, watching them with suspicious eyes.
On its helmet was the kanji, JIN.
Its clawed hands were wrapped around Kayura's
arm. The thing's tongue snaked out, touching Kayura's cheek.
The little girl whimpered as she struggled, trying to get away. The
creature didn't even pay her vain attempts any mind.
"Otoosan . . ." she whimpered. Touma,
his jaw clenched tightly, took an angery step forward. The creature
took a step back.
Seiji hadn't been able to revive his swooned
wife, so he vanished with her. He came back and stared at the creature
he hadn't noticed before. There was something familiar about it.
Suddenly it let out a screech and smashed through
one of the windows. Kayura screamed as glass cut her delicate skin.
"Kayura!" Touma wailed as he made for the
back door, shoving his friends out of the way. Without a second thought
he called forth Tenku. He didn't lose a stride as it enveloped him.
As he ran a part of him realized that he had
missed his second skin. He could feel Tenku's satisfaction, it's
willingness more to protect him than to attack, which was the problem with
the old yoroi. That nearly stopped him. Tenku's satisfaction?
He was not given time to ponder this as he
burst into a clearing. The creature was only a few steps ahead of
him, hunched over, carrying Kayura in its arms. Apparently she was
slowing it down. He raised his bow, summoning a silver arrow.
He drew the bow and fired. The creature squealed as the arrow penetrated
its armor. It dropped Kayura and stumbled forward.
Touma stopped in front of Kayura, another
arrow nocked and ready to fly. The creature reached back and tore
the arrow from its shoulder, turning around as it did. Touma blinked,
blood coated his arrow. It's not a demon then?
"Why did you try to take Kayura?"
The creature blinked slowly. Then it
spoke, hissing the words and stumbling over them.
"Sshe iss onne of uss. Sshe musst comme."
It took a step forward. With a shock Touma realized that it was not
that much shorter than him, when not hunched over. Kayura clung to
his leg, seeking support.
"What are you talking about?" Touma demanded.
He heard his friends running up behind him.
"Sshe is one of us." It was losing the hissing
and becoming more confident of the words. Touma shook his head in
denial. He drew the string taut ready to release it.
No.>
The armor refused to obey him.
The creature screamed and charged him.
"Rekka!" Shuu exclaimed suddenly. The
creature set it's feet to the ground, stopping a few feet in front of Touma
and looked inquiringly at Shuu.
Everyone looked at Shuu.
"What?" Ryo asked.
"The armor it's wearing, looks like the old
Rekka yoroi," Shuu said, surprised himself. The creature stared at
Shuu.
"I wear Rekka," it hissed.
No one moved for what seemed a long time.
"Would you say that again?" Seiji whispered.
It looked at him.
"I wear the Rekka yoroi."
Touma's silver bow dropped to the ground.
"That's impossible!" Shin said softly.
"It doesn't look 'right.' What did it
do to you?" Ryo asked, stunned.
"We are bonded," it hissed, cocking its head.
"But how can it even exist? We destroyed
it," Shuu said in a horrified voice. None of them wanted to experience
_that_ again.
The creature thought, then shrugged. "I don't
know. Only that it does."
"What do you look like underneath the yoroi?"
Shin asked.
The wearer of Rekka slowly blinked. "I don't
remember," it admitted.
Help him.>
Touma found himself going toward it.
The creature watched him. He could see it was ready to flee.
Tenku began to glow and the creature relaxed. Touma reached out a
hand. He had no control, he fought the armor. In vain it seemed
until the hand stopped.
Show him.>
*But . . .*
Help Rekka.>
The hand continued and rested on Rekka's helmet.
The blue glow enveloped the creature. Its face softened into
flesh. The armor slowly faded, leaving a naked teenage boy with long
black hair.
Touma lowered his hand. His armor felt
tired, but pleased. It dissipated without him thinking about it.
Touma and the boy sank to the ground.
****
They lay Touma on a couch. The boy, whom
they had covered in a blanket, also lay on a couch. Samantha, who
was awake when they returned, was gazing down at the boy. She narrowed
her eyes and ran her fingers through the boy's long dark hair. She
looked back at Ryo and shook her head. Seiji watched her. He
had been worried since he hadn't been able bring her around earlier, and
she was in such a delicate condition . . .
"Is something wrong?" She looked up at him.
"No. Just thinking that he's gonna need
a haircut, and I like Ryo's, it would look good on him." He knew she was
leaving something out. He decided not to press her . . . until later.
She looked over at Kayura, who was watching her father.
Samantha stood and gave Seiji a quick kiss. "I'll go help Jun
in the kitchen." He nodded as she left. He was surprised she wasn't
asking him any questions, but maybe she was going to wait until later,
too.
Touma moaned and opened his midnight eyes.
He looked panicked for a moment until his eyes found his friends.
"Otoosan?" He looked down and smiled at Kayura.
He slowly sat up and picked the girl up, setting her on his lap.
She leaned against him, clutching his shirt.
"What happened?"
All of their eyes widened.
"You mean you don't remember?"
"I remember touching the thing that claimed
to be Rekka and then nothing."
Ryo gestured toward the boy, his face pale.
"He really was wearing Rekka."
"Otoosan?" Touma looked down in alarm at the
tone in his daughter's voice. Kayura was clutching his shirt hard, her
face pale. Her entire body shook, he now noticed. He put his
arms around her shoulders, holding her to him.
Shuu came over and knelt down, looking at
Kayura. He put the back of his hand against her cheek. "She's
burning up, Tou," he murmured. "Does she go through spells like this
often?"
"Yeah, the doctor say it's a chemical imbalance.
It started last year." Touma picked her up and rushed her into the bathroom,
knowing what to expect from these episodes.
"Does she need anything?" Shin asked, always
willing to help.
"There's a container of kool-aid in the fridge.
Would you fix a glass?" Touma replied. Shin okayed that and went
to the kitchen.
Touma came out with Kayura just as Shin came
with the glass of cherry Kool-aid. Shin froze and the glass slipped
out of his fingers. Everyone turned to see what he was staring at.
The glass shattered on the floor.
Touma leapt away as the youja behind him slashed
at him. Another soldier appeared in front of him, just as he landed,
spear swinging toward his daughter. There was no time for him to
jump away. He did the only thing he could think of. The spear
embedded itself into his shoulder. He screamed and fell to the ground.
The youja pulled the spear out, making him scream again.
I'm coming.>
From the back of his mind an awesome power
rushed forth. It wrapped itself around his mind.
Rest now.>
The others had only stared in bewilderment
as the youja had thrust its spear into Touma. Now they were fighting
those youja, armorless, they hadn't had time to call their armors.
To their complete and utter surprise Touma
joined in, wearing the new Tenku. In two blows of the bow's bladed
ends, Touma destroyed the youja. The other's so-called life ended with
a well-placed arow.
"Touma?" Tenku no Touma looked over at them
then turned on his heels and raced for the kitchen. As he disappeared
a scream resounded through the house.
"Samantha!" Seiji screeched, calling forth
his Kourin yoroi. Seiji dashed into the kitchen, as the others followed,
hesitant to call their new yoroi, seeing how it controlled Touma.
A youja soldier had stabbed its spear into
Samantha's stomach. It pulled the spear and turned to Jun, not noticing
the two raging Troopers.
With a scream, Seiji launched himself at the
youja. His sword arced toward the youja. The demon turned to
him. The sword exploded through its armor, cleaving it in half.
Kourinken glowed, sucking up the spirit vapors.
Seiji dropped to his knees by Samantha.
He lifted her into his arms, tears flowing down his cheek as he gazed down
at his still wife. He buried his face into her shoulder, wailing
her name over and over. He was barely aware of Touma as he kneeled
on the other side.
Let us help her.>
He was aware of a warm glow coming from Kourin.
Touma lay his glowing armored hand on her wound and her body gave a jerk.
Seiji raised his head as she moved.
"Seiji?" she moaned.
"I'm here, Samantha," he replied, kissing
her cheek. He pulled her against his chest and looked up at Touma.
His heart stopped at what he saw. Touma's eyes were blank.
"She still needs help. The child is
fine," Tenku no Touma said flatly. As Seiji watched Touma blinked.
His eyes returned to normal. With a groan of pain, he collapsed,
the yoroi vanishing.
"Touma!" the others cried.
"We'd better get them to the hospital," Seiji
said, not relinquishing his hold on Samantha.
"Where's Kayura?" Shin asked suddenly looking
around.
"She's okay," a new voice said.
Everyone turned. The teenage boy who
wore the Rekka yoroi held Kayura's hand. She was looking at Touma.
"Otoosan?" she whispered. Shu went over
to her and lay his hand on her forehead.
"How ya feelin? Do you feel better?"
he asked her, a puzzled look on his face.
"Her balance has been restored. She
won't be suffering from that anymore."
Shuu stared at the boy. "How'd you . . ."
the boy interrupted, pointing to Touma.
"Shinsei Tenku's wearer needs help.
He needs to go to a hospital. So does she," he added looking at Samantha.
Shuu gave the boy a hard look, but helped
them tend Touma and Samantha before taking them to the hospital.
Seiji had removed his armor.
While they were working, Ryo would watch the
boy. He was talking to Kayura, wearing clothes that he hadn't been
earlier.
****
A figure in monk's clothing watched them drive off. Dark hair hung below her knees. Her face was hidden in the shadow of a hat. They were not ready yet. Three of them still didn't trust their new yoroi. Tenku no Touma fought it. Kourin no Seiji was uncertain. The woman sighed. What was she going to do about them? The youja were already ahead of her, this proved that, but they were not ready.
****
From another area, another creature was watching them. No. It was watching the boy and the girl. Its white fur hid its form in the clouds, so the monk did not see it. It growled low in its throat and vanished.
(to be continued . . .)
Author's note: This takes place after the events
in Message. I haven't seen many fanfiction dealing with their new
yoroi, so I decided to dab my hand into it. It didn't exactly turn
out the way I was expecting it, but that's okay. : )