Notes: I'm quite disappointed with this story. There have only been few reviews whereas hundred people have read it *sighs* Maybe this story isn't as good as I previously thought. Oh well. Hope there will be more reviews for this chapter then. If not, then I don't know whether I can continue or not…
Ok, so, this chapter ends up a bit longer than the other two. It serves as a filler of some sort, which shows us what have happened so far from a different perspective. It revolves mostly around Yato and Yuzuriha as the main focus. I actually don't like these two and am quite confused with what their role in LC aside from being Tenma's tagged along. However, I decide to give them a chance and try my hand in writing them. Hope I get their characters right, at least.
As usual, lots of thanks to those who have reviewed: XOXOXO, Kon, BlueRuins15, Guest, Moar-AnimeGirl1846, Skycendre, hUNTA x hUTA FAN, Satsuriku No Tenshi, IESP, and Purestrongpoem. Thanks for taking a moment of your busy schedule to review my story. Your reviews surely mean a lot to me! I'll be looking forward to your future comments everyone *bows* Once again, thank you!
Anyway, this update is for you, Sky. Sorry for making you wait so long. Our long conversation really does wonder to my life in general and this story in particular. I'm always eager to receive your message, so keep them coming! Thank you, my friend!
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Yours Ever
Chapter 2
And There Was War
(Part 1: The Reminisce)
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Sanctuary
"Are you going to sulk forever?" A slim, blonde haired amazon inquired as she approached her purple-clothed companion. She had been sent, once again, to fetch the boy and stop him from doing anything stupid as per her master order. With the Unicorn's recent tendency to disappear out of blue, the task had somewhat became a routine to the newly appointed Crane.
"I'm not sulking," came a mumbled reply from the brooding boy.
"You are." the Silver Saint responded calmly, "You have done nothing but sulking since our meeting with the Pope and Lady Athena." Actually it had been since their return from the Underworld, but the boy didn't need to hear that. Not now at least.
The younger saint winced at the remark. It had been hard for him to face Lady Athena, especially bearing the news of Pegasus' demise and Hades' attack in Jamir. He had always adored the purple-haired Goddess, and witnessing first-hand how stricken she had been when she received the news…
Yuzuriha watched as Yato clenched his hands into tight fists, face converted into what must be a mix of anger, guilt, and helplessness.
She sighed, understanding if not sympathizing with what her companion was thinking.
The boy must have felt like a failure for failing his beloved Goddess. The Goddess who had welcomed them with a kind smile and thanked them for their hard work despite their failure.
The failure to complete a mission.
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Jamir (a few days prior)
Unicorn Yato woke up with a gasp as his soul was violently thrust back into his body. Beside him, the blessed sword of Athena shuddered before a large crack suddenly appeared on its blade. The boy anxiously watched as the crack spread and the sword shattered into pieces.
"What...?"
"The sword was acting as your replacement," came a calm answer. The Elder of Jamir was standing before the newly returned boy, face passive and arms crossed inside his robe. "It has protected all of you since it's basically impossible to stay alive in the Underworld."
Yato nodded quietly, noticing that Yuzuriha had also came back with him. They both were covered in small wounds and burns. Nothing quite serious. Knowing that they had faced the Lord of Underworld himself, they could actually be considered lucky to come back with such minor injuries.
While Tenma…, the dark-haired boy glanced at where the Pegasus' body rested before immediately turned back, fists clenched tightly at his sides. They couldn't save him. Nor did they succeed in reaching the Mokurenji tree and collecting its bearings. They had screwed up, big time.
Seeing the expression on both youngsters' faces, Hakurei heaved a sigh, "You two have done everything you can. Rest. We still have many things to do after this."
At the grave nods he received, the silver-haired man turned his back on the returning duo; mind already working on the next course of action they had to take.
It would only be a matter of time before Hades finally extended his power over these lands. They would have their hands full by then. Better to let the youngsters rest when they still had time.
Watching the Elder leave, Yato finally mustered the strength (courage) to get up and check on Tenma's body.
Eyes closed as if he was only sleeping, the Pegasus saint looked the same as he was before they left for the Underworld. Pale and unmoving. It felt weird to see the normally cheeky boy looked so dead.
"Yo." he greeted the younger saint solemnly. He didn't expect Tenma to answer him, but still... "You're ok there? Me and Yuzuriha come back safely, no thanks to you."
The Unicorn felt Yuzuriha staring at him, but he ignored it. The girl hadn't move from her position by the door, choosing to stay a good distance away from him. Out of pity or something else he didn't know.
He continued on, "We are fine, mostly. Only scratches and some minor burns. Too bad you can't get back too huh? Lady Athena will be very disappointed. So does Libra Dohko, and probably Aries Shion. They're going to miss you, you know. You are a pretty popular guy. Some of the trainees will surely be crying. The other saints may get jealous because of all the attentions you get, but, hey, they will survive. It's not that I am going to miss you or anything." Yato knew he was babbling, but he simply could not stop himself. Words were pouring before he could control them. "It just, Tenma, you are very annoying, do you realize that? Always speaking up your mind and standing up to your belief. Charging straight forward without paying attention to your condition or what people may think of you. It's very annoying. You also force me to hang out with you. Having to stand all your antics, your closeness with Lady Athena and the Gold Saints. I really really hate you for that, you loud disrespectful idiot. I-" he bit his lips, "Just return would you?! I know you can hear me! Wake up, Tenma! Stop making me say all these stupid things!" He had begun shaking Tenma wildly then. The white and red-clothed body swung limply like a ragged doll.
But still, the boy didn't answer.
"Yato." Yuzuriha had finally approached the younger saint and laid a comforting hand on his shoulder. At the devastated look the boy gave her, she shook her head. "Stop it."
Yato had stared blankly at his new companion for another long while before he silently let go of Tenma's body and retreated to the corner of the room. The longhaired girl watched as the Unicorn sat down with his head bowed between his legs. It seemed that the boy would need time to deal with his grief. No matter how loud he had claimed for not caring about the Pegasus saint, a death of fellow warrior would affect him somehow. Unicorn Yato might be staying in that position for some time.
Yuzuriha then took a quick glance at the body of Pegasus Tenma. They would have to take care of him first. Maybe they could bring the body back to Sanctuary and give it a proper burial.
But— she tensed as she felt tingles of dark, abysmal cosmo tickling her sense. On his corner, Yato had also moved from his momentary depression to adapt a defensive stance.
This cosmo...
They both froze as a swirl of familiar purplish black flame suddenly started circling Tenma's body. It stood, burning menacingly as it created a barrier that separated the unmoving Pegasus from the world.
"TENMA!"
Yuzuriha had quickly reacted by circling her scarf around Tenma's midsection and tried heaving him into air, but her effort proved to be futile as the clothe had promptly combusted the second it touched Tenma. Yato was also having the same luck as he didn't manage to enter the fire even for an inch. Every time he got close, the fire would flared dangerously, sending the Unicorn flying with a horrible burn on his side.
"How foolish." came a dark chuckle as another familiar figure slowly took shape inside the barricade of fire.
The two were instantly on guard as they recognized their new guest. "Hades..." the name was uttered in complete disdain.
Sure enough, the Lord of the Underworld had finally appeared in Jamir in all his dark glory. Hades was supporting a smirk as he held Tenma's limp body in his arms.
"Release him at once, Hades!"
Driven by the commotion, Elder Hakurei had also returned to the room, his trusty blade out and ready to fight should the situation called for it. Next to him, the Unicorn and future Crane had also slipped into a fighting stance.
"Saints..." the look the Emperor sent them was full of contempt, accentuated by a strange sense of…smugness? "Are you trying to get between me and Pegasus with such nonsense? Know your place!" the words were accompanied by a blast of power that sent the trio crashing into the wall.
They slid to the ground with a sickening thud and didn't move.
Barely hanging to consciousness, from his position on the floor Yato watched as the red and black blur he assumed was Tenma and Hades slowly disappearing like a wisp of fog in the morning sun. Hades must have done one of his disappearing tricks again, and he was taking Tenma with him this time.
There would be no more turning back. No more opportunity to save him.
The Pegasus would stay dead.
"Ten...ma." he called out faintly, reaching out for his fellow saint.
The blur sharpened for a moment before it flared and dissolved completely from his vision.
Tenma...
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Sanctuary (present time)
Upon returning to consciousness, the three of them had immediately come to Sanctuary to report what had happened to the Pope and Lady Athena. Their reaction had been as bad as they expected. There had been a brief argument between the Pope and Elder Hakurei with one blaming the other for his recklessness. But then, they had abruptly stopped once Lady Athena had taken control over the situation and welcomed them to her Sanctuary. She had been crushed, that was obvious, no matter how hard she tried to hide it behind her warm and composed exterior. All who were present were obviously aware of the fact; therefore, none had dared to defy the Goddess when she told her subjects to rest as she would do the same.
What everyone needed was a strong, admirable Goddess of War instead of a pitiful, grieving girl. Lady Athena had understood that. That's why she hadn't wanted her loyal saints to see her in a moment of weakness, to worry about her.
The female warrior felt a tiny bit of respect grew for the purple-haired Goddess. She didn't know her before, but maybe serving Lady Athena would not be as bad as she thought it would be.
"Hey, Yuzuriha, during that time when Hades attacked us in Jamir, did… did you hear what he was saying? Before he completely disappeared I mean."
The Crane glanced at her companion for a moment, surprised that the Unicorn was actually willing to talk without being forced to, before shaking her head. She had been busy fighting for consciousness then. Though she remembered watching the Lord of the Underworld's lips moving, she couldn't be sure what he was saying.
"I remember him saying something…" Yato admitted quietly, recalling the moment of Hades' attack and their utter defeat in Jamir. "He was saying something—" important, his gut had kept telling him. It was something that they were supposed to know. "Hades, he was saying—"
"There has been an attack on the Eastern border! The specters are nearing Sanctuary! All saints are to return to their posts and guard them!"
The duo, thrown momentarily from their discussion, had glanced at each other briefly before sharing a silent nod and running to the direction of Eastern border.
Everything would have to wait. They had a score to settle with those specters and a new mission to fulfill.
Watch me, Tenma. I'll be stronger than you ever did. This time, I'll be the one to protect Lady Athena!
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Hades, he was saying—
I win.
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End of Chapter 2
To Be Continued
to
Chapter 3:
And There Was War
(Part 2: The Deal)
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It really ends up longer than I thought. About 2000 words. I am kinda surprised myself *looks at the finished chapter* Did I really write all of this? It must be one of the longest chapters I have ever written…
Anyway, starting next chapter, things would start heating up. Prepare for a wild ride as I will add lots of twists to the original storyline! If you have any interesting ideas or particular scenes you want to see in this story, please tell me. I will see if I can somehow manage to squeeze them into the story. Thank you ^.~
Well, I think that's it. Hope you have a good time reading this chapter. Please leave a review on your way out, everyone. No review equals miserable author, so no update for you. Review!