- Chapter 3: Fighter and Sacrifice

"five o'clock… don't let the spirit of fire inside Hao, the cottages are eighty percent wood Hao, if you set everything of fire I'll never speak to you again Hao…bla bla bla, bla bla" it was a nuisance to walk, but it was the only way to get to Anna's room, since the only window faced funbari's entrance and not the forest. …."Fighter…. Fighter…. Fighter… I know something… in one of my past lives…

YES!"

-flashback-

-They're powerful beings – said one of the monks that Hao was listening – they don't have a link to the other world like we do, they have other kind of power, power over words –

-like controlling someone's speech and mind? - asked Hao, curious about this beings and if they would fit in HIS world

-no – answered the monk – more like wishes

-how?-

- no one knows, how it works exactly – he said finally looking at a very interested Hao – they fight in couples, one is the sacrifice, which in battle receives all the damage and its generally the master in the group; and a fighter which, is the part of the team that controls words, and can make everything happen WITH words, but they're usually slaves, and some are treated pretty badly- they could fit in his world but…

-are they human? – he finally asked

-that's the only thing they have in common with shamans – he said worried for his student – they're not exactly like most humans because they have much more power, but they're born … like we are… well so then when Buda said tha….

-end of flashback-

"Waiting for the agony to stop and let the happiness in.

The fire didn't feel bad against her skin, it didn't hurt, it didn't burn, it felt warm and nice, it embraced her, a loving fire, a fire that yearned for her, for her skin, not to burn and harm, but to protect. Let the happiness in. –I've been waiting for you – she said in a tender voice….

-I never left- he…"

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

"-the fire would have left with me- he said putting away his arms – which made her turn to see him -like this –he said, and the fire…"

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

"was going away with him – NO! –she screamed, grabbing Hao by the arm

-hahaha I'm…."

KNOCK KNOCK – Can anybody answer the freaking door! – she screamed being finally awakened by the knocking door – Yoh! Open the door I'm busy!...-

…. KNOCK KNOCK…. – Oh, alright, alright! – she finally opened her eyes and realized, everybody had gone out; pissed off that someone had interrupted her dream, stood up and reached for the door, KNOCK KNOCK, -I'm coming for god's sakes – KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK …

She opened disposed to hit whoever was behind, but the happiness was grater than the anger… only for a split second.

-Oh, it was just you, I though it was the horseman of the apocalypse! – she said leaving the door open for him to close it behind him.

-I wouldn't need to knock so hard, -he said with that ironic smile that made women cry - if you didn't spend the day dreaming about me – She blushed for just a second, but turned and sent a hand to slap him in the spot, hand that he caught at flight by the wrist (burning her with that fire that didn't hurt) and with three times Anna's strength sent her back against the wall beside them

-am I wrong? –he said, pushing himself closer - Weren't you just dreaming about me? – "fuck!"

-I said, I was busy, as in taking care of this place… where you live, without anyone knowing - she said making her voice grow furious – for free…. You snivelling ingrate, I could get my ass busted by Yoh or his friends, so why don….. – he silenced her with a kiss, making her tremble under his arms.

-don't you dare yell at me – he said, stepping back; his voice denoted danger, but his eyes were just playful, she was about to answer with another thread, but he shut her mouth with the free hand – I'm not the only one advantaged by this freeloading – then he regained the space lost putting one of his legs in between hers – now, am I wrong? Weren't you just dreaming about me?- he moved closer, making her feel him, without kissing her, just close enough for her to feel his breath –

- what if I was? – she answered with a playful smile, putting a hand in his neck, and moving him close to kiss the base of his throat.

-I'd make you pay…- "how can you inject the words into me like this? The heat… makes me scratch the walls and carve into my skin… beautiful poems you'll never know; you'll have to discover them: journey through my veins, search across my skin…" …

-…Much more powerful? – She said after he told her about the fighters and sacrifices - you mean they could be the ones after those Shaman's deaths?

-I don't know… but that would explain the Great Spirits' decision-

-what decision? – she turned to look at him "sometimes I forget that damned connection"

-you don't know? – he seemed surprised for a second – Yohmei was ranting about the final round, he mustn't know either!

-come on Hao, back here! – she was getting angry again – know what? What decision? – he didn't want to fight, he just laughed, and walked towards the window, (it was eight already no one would see him disappear now)

-you'll figure it out – he said, stepping on one of the spirit's of fire hands -… the priests will have to communicate it sooner or later…

-what? – she screamed – HAO! – a subtle laugh (that scream sounded incredibly known, just generally the situation was… different) by all answer. "how is it that a man can be so despairingly mean and sarcastic… but at the same time so violently sexy?"

"6:30 am…Another pill?... fuck why didn't I ask how many I could take!" (take max: 1 pill every 8 hours contains aspirin 15 gram and…) she had already taken the strongest dose but the pain insisted on growing, as did the uneasiness, "they said the cafeteria would be open all day long"

…..

-why exactly aren't you in bed? – "is it possible…." She turned and saw him

-Ren!... I … ahmm… -she seemed dubious - needed to eat my stress – "and hoped you would be here…" – My leg's gotten worse, and the pills are not working – she completed – why are YOU here?

-I…. – "hoped to find you" - was in my way to my room… - "why…." – don't you need to see Faust? –

-No, it'll get better – "please say you'd take me!"

-yeah! – "please…" – I mean, is just pain, you can take it.

-right – she seemed disappointed for a second, but then went back to the plain face – I….-

-OSAMU-CHAN! –Ritsuka's voice broke the bubble in which Ren and her where trapped – Osamu-chan are you ok? - she was talking with the blue-haired man from yesterday, the man that went to receive them in the forest.

-Yes I… - she looked at her broken ankle – had a little accident – "a little accident? Is she not blaming me?" – I fell, and stood up in the wrong way, it looks like a little bone was broken, the doctor says it'll take a month or so to heal….- "she didn't mention me?"- he found me and took me to the infirmary – "he found me? As in… help?".

-Actually it was my….-began Ren as he never expected to do for someone.

-…friend who healed me – completed Osamu

-that's not what….- but then it was Ritsuka who interrupted

-I saw you yesterday at the forest, you were with a Blondie and another guy- said Ritsuka, Osamu felt a little twist in her heart, but gave it no importance "what would I care?"

-yes, Anna… and Yoh – answered an angry Ren- she's the owner of the place, - he said, suddenly wanting to explain her presence to Osamu "only the Great Spirits know why"- and my boss, so to speak.

-does it hurt?- he was less worried about the blonde's identity, than he was about his friend's ankle.

-a lot!, but I can't take anymore pills, I already exceeded the stronger dose -

There Ren got mad, he didn't know why exactly, he was just mad he couldn't just talk with her .

-I leave you in good hands I see, - "did he get angry at me? But I didn't blame him! Ah! Please don't go" –bye Kimizuka-

-Goodbye Ren– she said with that plain face he didn't like.

-no, wait- said Ritsuka – I'm just waiting for Soubi to grab a coffee, we have a meeting with that person, Anna? In about ten minutes.

-I'm going too, but Anna said only Soubi would come- he said forgetting about Osamu for a minute

-well, I'm not letting him go alone, I'll explain – Ren didn't know how private the reunion would be, or if he could be there, but Ritsuka finished – at the meeting-

-I'll go first and tell her you coming – then turned to Osamu again but said nothing, he waited, but she had already said goodbye, so he started back to Anna's office, without a word.

-I get that, and I'm not asking YOU to go – said Anna once Ritsuka had half explained why he was in the meeting, and that he wouldn't go – but she…-

- Opacho – she intervened really angry they were talking like she wasn't there –the name is Opacho, I know it worries you that I was with Hao-sama – the name alone made Anna jump, that she would bring up the matter herself….- but I…. well, I think… is just that he…

- Abandoned you – completed Anna, without even thinking about it. At that point Opacho started crying, Ritsuka put a hand on her shoulder and Soubi was about to intervene but Anna spoke up first – We cannot be sure that's the truth, and that, while you distract us, Hao attacks the kids – Ritsuka looked at her like she was out of her mind, "thinking ill, of such a little girl" but the others just looked like they thought that was a pressing possibility, Soubi stayed quiet, 'till Ritsuka looked at him like wanting him to talk…. however Anna was faster again – or how are we not sure you'll run off to Hao to tell him what we talk about? – "even though I know Hao really left her….. if I don't push…."

-please, - said Soubi finally shutting Anna – Even though I have no idea who it could be, I know that you probably have way uncountable reasons to distrust this Hao person, - began Soubi, Anna was about to interrupt (which was a thing that everybody else was used to and accepted) this time Soubi just went on – But we found her alone in the woods, crying, what was she doing there alone? if she really was putting up an act Who was the public there? – Anna was ready for that argument but Soubi didn't let her time to argue – and if she really is distracting you, why didn't they attacked yesterday night with everyone sleeping and vulnerable? Or right now? – although he didn't let Anna answer this question either – or why didn't she run off to Hao last night to talk to him instead of just falling asleep and crying about him, when she thought nobody was watching… or..- but this time Ritsuka interrupted he was making Opacho nervous and crying again

-Soubi! Watch it! – he smiled and stopped asking questions

-the point is – he said before Anna started ranting again – if she's planning something she's lost too much time… - he looked at Ritsuka and read it in his eyes "should I…. if I put my hands in the fire for this girl because he wants and then it harms him…"

-do you answer for the girl's behaviour? – she asked. He looked at Ritsuka whose eyes were more than decided, but he didn't have the chance to answer, Ritsuka turned his eyes to Anna's and decidedly answered – YES!

…. It was uncomfortable for everyone, except for Soubi who understood the order, but when he looked at Ritsuka his look was back on the floor, his eyes were incredibly sad, but Anna was still looking decidedly at Soubi

-as my master says….- she didn't react – yes

-well then… sit – she said showing the living room beside them

while everyone accommodated the door opened again and the headphones guy entered the room

-sorry for being late Ann… - he stood there looking at Opacho with that same look, that indicated that she was threat – what is she doing here?

-you don't get to know for being late – answered Anna before anyone explained. Different from her, the Funbari group was constituted on three more people, which were introduced (formally) beforehand: Ren, Yoh and Horo-Horo, as security directors for different areas, and Oyamada Manta, as the financial director.

-not to be nosy – started Ritsuka – but isn't there way too much security for a school ca…

-there's never enough security with Hao around – answered Ren Yoh and Horo in chorus.

-a little hectic that attitude of yours – "the same as with Seimei and the Nanatsu no Tsuki, this girl… she… no one understands her feelings like I do, no one would try, just like with my brother" Soubi looked at Ritsuka who seemed bothered and sadder than before "was it a mistake for me to bring him? Forgive me Ritsuka is my fault you're feeling bad"

….. a girl brought them tea, and after leaving it on the table sat down beside Ren- Wow! is it just me or you could cut the air with a knife here?- she said breaking the uncomfortable silence, made by everyone's thoughts of Hao.

…-so – began Anna, ignoring Jun – since you're here… why don't you answer some of Soubi's questions? What WERE you doing in the forest alone? –

-Isn't it… - began Ritsuka, but was stopped by Anna

-I don't quite understand why you're protecting her, but that's the main reason we're here so shut it- Soubi looked at her but she continued looking at Opacho– if you're not going to answer, why are you here?- Opacho dropped her eyes, but answered her earlier question

-I don't know how I got to the woods - she finally said,- the last thing I can remember is being in the dessert with Hao-sama, he was angry at me for not believing in him, I tried to explain that… that wasn't the…- Anna interrupted with a cough – well… I… he started to walk away without me, I called for him but…- "why does she ask, if she doesn't want complete answers?" - I remember a lot of light, and then… I… woke up in the forest…-

-was it long 'till we got there?- asked Soubi

-no, not more than half an hour – "half an hour?"

-why didn't you look for someone or something? a way to get out of the forest?-

-I was scared and I didn't know were I was! How would I know where to go… where to move and not get deepest in the forest?-

-you're a shaman; you should be able to find a source of water at least! You spirit could have guided you- said Horo, but then she looked ashamed again, and there everyone noticed they haven't felt a spirit

-I'm sorry - intervened Ritsuka – a shaman?

- the link that unites this world with the other one – answered Yoh, Ren, Horo, Soubi and Anna

-Oh! Sure- "fighters, sacrifices, people that have no senses, battle with spells… and shamans! Why should I be surprised?" – why not?-

- so how do we believe…- began Manta, but Anna stopped him

-we take her word – she explained – and Soubi's… that if anything happens he'll take responsibility – she added wanting him to feel the pressure, but he just looked as calmed ass ever and nodded in response, but didn't say a word… watching his silence she proceeded – about you two… - "has something to say to us" - would you care to elaborate about that relationship?-

-wow! Anna a little respect here – said a very confused and embarrassed Yoh, and he wasn't the only one, Ritsuka still couldn't explain the matter to himself, let alone put it in words for someone else, and thinking about it, how did this unknown girl know about them? About anything?

-that's not what I mean you crazies – she answered a little angry – I meant tell us about the sacrifice/fighter relationship…. How you work and else…. What are you doing here?... why did you went into the forest in the first place?-

now it was the funbari's group turn to be lost, was Anna the only one with complete information here? She usually was.

-I'm the fighter – began Soubi knowing that Ritsuka always felt uncomfortable with that theme… "I don't have to go through the specifics of our relationship, I can just stick to the normal things between sacrifice and fighter, just like Soubi does"

-and I'm the sacrifice – "is he accepting it?" – sacrifices are usually…. The leader of the couple, we… command the fighter, on the fights with other couples, a sacrifice generally only has one fighter, but on really special occasion when the first fighter is a blank (which means that he has no name) a second one comes, and that sacrifice will be more able to win at a fight… Couples are –Soubi was impressed it was Ritsuka explaining al this, but the words just now gave him some side information, if Loveless' fighter appeared, Ritsuka wouldn't just throw him away… "like… like…" - bonded by their real names, our real name is Loveless, which means... one without love…. No one knows what the significance of the name's meaning really is, some say its your strength and defines your way of fighting, and some say that it's your future; I think is the first because….- "everyone seems to hate Seimei, and everyone says they love me" – well, because experience tells me so…. – Ren interrupted there

-experience?… care to elaborate? –

-no – choired Ritsuka and Soubi

-…so – continued Ritsuka, trying to ignore the uncomfortable pause- the bond has many characteristics it allows the sacrifice to call the fighter wherever they may be and…. –he continued explaining everything he knew about sacrifices and fighters, Soubi was surprised Ritsuka was talking so much, but he was most surprised of all the information he had gathered, between the visit to Nanatsu no Tsuki, wisdom resurrection, and what the pairs they've fought had told him, he knew just about everything there was to know, he was acting strange, like he was not just telling information but reliving a burden, in addition he answered all the questions and Soubi barely spoke, "could it be that this is what you needed? To talk about everything? Have I shut your mouth?".

when he finished explaining everything and solving questions it was about one o'clock and Jun brought lunch for everyone, no one said a word while they were eating, everyone processing what they just heard.

-do you know about the shaman fight? – asked Anna once everyone had finished

-no – answered Soubi.

-well, there's a believe between shamans, every five hundred years a star… - Anna explained the basics and what is done in the fight, and then began to explain, what had been happening - no one knows what is killing so many shamans or how they're doing it, but by what you're telling me the "thing" could be a couple of sacrifice and fighter, because is beating the strongest shamans without a fight.- there wasn't anything in that, that could affect them – for now, we don't know, but if the "thing" gets here there's not gonna be a way to protect the kids.

-yes, - said Yoh –now there is, weren't you saying that you're one of those couples?

-yes-

-well – complemented Horo – are you strong? – Soubi simply laughed, "I guess the reputation stays within a special community"

-yes –answered Ritsuka – Soubi is famous in between fighters, no one's ever being able to beat him. – he was so shocked Ritsuka had spoken up for him that, he could do nothing but smile, but he didn't even seem happy about it, he said it with such a plain unhappy face, everyone believed him. sometimes we humans distrust happiness, is not that Ritsuka knew it, he simply was haunted by the thought of his brother, it was him that made Soubi unbeatable, but now…"is he just as powerful with me?"

-so, as long as you're here – started horo – we can do something to protect the kids –

-But – argued Jun – what if is more than just one couple? Will you be enough? – it was a fair question, everyone wanted to say they'd fight but if they've beaten up so many shamans….

- then… -began Ritsuka again, this time looking at Soubi's eyes – we'll call reinforcements – at the beginning Soubi didn't understand

-Zero? – he finally said – sure, why not! They're staying at MY place anyway

-yeah zero… - he answered, but then his look darkened – and… lets pull some strings, shall we? – ….

…"WHAT?

-please – said Youji, after falling for the third time in the mud around the cottage -remind me, why are we doing this?-

- curiosity- answered Natsuo, looking him fight against the mud, he didn't seem as convinced as when he talked with Soubi on the phone

-flashback-

-…is being sadistically killing these powerful…. – Soubi silenced for a minute he had explained the fights but if he mentioned shamans he would have a lot to explain – beings, and they think it could be a couple of fighter and sacrifice

- hold it – answered Youji, Soubi waited several minutes hearing nothing…

-what if is Seimei?- he said with a smile to Natsuo after telling him what Soubi had been talking about -we could…. –he continued –

-bring his head to Nagisa-sensei – finished Natsuo "that not what I was about to say" -but, - he said ignoring Youji's face – what if its not him…

-we can still have some fun – answered Youji, that was answered only by a smile

-ok – he began again talking back to Soubi – we're going, how do we….

-end of flashback-

a hand dragged him out of the mud saying – your turn is about to end - Ren was angry such characters were supposed to "look after the kids", but they needed all the help they could get, and they were "powerful" according to the Ritsuka kid, the names were still too odd for him, and it was hard remembering the different lot of them – why don't you go take a last look at the cottages to make sure everything is ok? – he said again wanting to get rid of them, they were mad, but if they played with Ren they would have no opportunity to stay and payback Seimei. So they just started walking without a word.

-It just pisses me off- said Youji once they were out of Ren's sight – he thinks he has the right to give us orders…

-Youji- started Natsuo with a strange voice

-I mean who in hell does he think he is…-

-Youji –

- Nagisa-sensei is the only one who can order us, and she..-

-Youji –

-and what is with that attitude -

-YOUJI LOOK – screamed Natsuo taking Youji's head and pointing it to a big post-it note in the cottage's door… written … in blood … again

-that's….-

- go call Soubi and the others-

"you should have told me you had arrived Ritsuka, I would have welcomed you, right now I'm busy, I wasn't specially happy about the treatment towards my fighter, and then I met an incredibly disgusting person, who called himself Hao, so I haven't had the time to visit you yet.

See you soon

Seimei

Ps: Soubi you would be surprised how much blood, eyes contain, and how easy it is to preserve them."

-Did no one saw him getting in? – said an specially angry Anna –

-no, - answered Ren who had been around and felt guilty he hadn't even felt him, but wasn't even close to consider admitting it – Zero weren't the only ones close, Horo was here too, but no one even felt him, getting in or out. – he wasn't the only one feeling guilty or worried, Anna's headache was getting worse, not only this guy had passed all her security but he also knew Hao, that could bring HER trouble… "Fuck… if this guy got past Hao… we're screwed" she thought biting her lip.

-what's gotten YOU so worried – asked Yoh surprised of Anna's reaction

-Its none of your busyness - she answered going back to a blank expression

-actually if it concerns security –he answered, with a big smile – it concerns me…- she didn't answer, looking at the note, so he spoke again – everything will turn out ok –she looked at him again angry

-I said it is none of your busyness –

-we can't reinforce security in two cottages, with this number of people – said Ren, oddly thinking about Osamu's security "no, its everyone's security, not just her…. Why in freaking hell am I thinking of her in such moment?" – We would need at least one more couple of you!

-so… -began Ritsuka, everyone looked at him, tears in his eyes, and gritting teeth – it's and order – he said after a short pause in which the tears finally fell – communicate me with Ritsu – Soubi couldn't believe what he had heard, but it was an order and his hand was dialing before he could open his mouth to argue – he could send us another two couples, at least –

-waaaa! wwwwaaaaa! – Yuiko just couldn't stop crying this trip was just getting worse by the day, Osamu was hurt and had to stay behind by half of the activities because they implied physical working, Ritsuka a Soubi were never there because they had some strange busyness with the owner of the cottages even though the teacher had officially taken control and Soubi didn't have to take care of them anymore – wwwwaaaaaaaaaaaaa! – and now she had stayed behind the group which was going on an "exploration adventure", and she didn't know where they were going – WWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAA!-

-don't worry – said a calmed voice behind her - everything will turn out alright – she turned and saw a young man with big earphones, that looked somewhat familiar, smiling at her, but she didn't stop crying – why don't you calm down a little and tell me why you are so sad? – but she didn't stop, she looked at him like he was out of his mind –come on! What's you name - he said putting a hand on her shoulder, she was so impressed with his that stopped crying –

-Yu... Yuiko, Hawatari Yuiko – she said

-well Yuiko-san, why are crying so much? – he asked, she then told him what had happened to her friends and that she had been left behind – well, a problem isn't called problem unless it has a solution, don't worry so much for your friend Osamu, if the doctor said she would be ok she probably will, and I can assure you that your friend Ritsuka is doing what's best for everyone, you know him better than I do, doesn't he help his friends whenever is in his hands?

-H...Hai –

-well you should be proud of him, instead of crying like that, he's surely doing this for you, - his smile grew bigger – and I know how to get to the place where your group was going and I can help you if you want….-

-you would do that? – she asked surprised that he had solved all her problems (or at least that's what she felt)

-Of course, - he said helping her stand up – follow me

-you HAVE GOT to be kidding me! – screamed Horo-Horo to Silver who had reunited all of them to communicate the news – things start to look bad and you want us to run like crying babies!, you can't just cancel the shaman fight!-

-Its not us – answered Silver, although he understood their anger – We are just messengers of the Great Spirits, it was their decision, not ours.

-well – said Ren - we'll continue it… - but this time Anna interrupted

-how Ren? Who will decide each battle? Who will decide who wins or looses? What are you going to do? Eliminate everyone and turn this into a war in which no body goes back? – she spoke really fast, they all looked at her – because without the priests to put rules, no one will go back. Are you ready to kill everyone? Can you? –

-so what, we're supposed to just sit behind and do nothing? – said Horo agreeing with Ren, but sure he wouldn't just kill.

-No – said Anna, surprising everyone, included herself – we sit behind and protect those we can, or do you just want to see Pilika die like those shamans? Or Jun? – She said turning to Ren – or Tamao? – Now turning to Manta – or Manta? – Turning to Yoh – Or Yoh? – Turned to Riu and Tamao - or those kids in the cottages?... Look, - she said after a short pause in which no one talked - I know is not the best situation, but now we know is something maybe worse than Hao… and I'm not loosing the money I put on guards letting you go – she added in a colder tone. With still a billion things to be said, everyone retired for lunch they were just not in the mood for talking,

"what do we do now?"

"I should go back to China with Jun?"

"School will start soon, although I could find one here… with everyone"

"If Yoh-sama leaves, Would I have to stay with Anna-sama?"

"I would follow Yoh-dono were he goes… but isn't this my best place?"

"If Pilika comes, I could stay here…. I'll call her… but isn't it safer where she is? Should I go to her instead of calling?"

"life's peaceful here, I should stay…. But if the Seimei guy comes…? Everything will turn out alright!"