Author's Note

I'm not sure how quickly I can continue to write these chapters. They're pretty long, aren't they? Sorry! I'm really enjoying getting into writing again though, I haven't had the time to do it often. I've gotten a few more favourites too! I've gotten more positive feedback than I ever expected I would. Thank you so much for continuing to read this tale! I'll do my best not to disappoint.

As always, comments and reviews appreciated!

Chapter 3

Ryoma lay in bed, his arm stretched above him. He stared as blue flames danced around his arm, warming him. Karupin lay on the pillow next to his head, already dozing. She shifted slightly, and the small bell around her neck gave a sweet twinkle. Ryoma's golden eyes flashed with determination as he made up his mind. He swung his legs off the bed, and made his way to the door. Swinging it open, he was surprised to see a fair, brown-haired boy in purple robes.

"Ahh… Good evening." Fuji smiled as he recognized the young boy sitting in the pub earlier today. Something about his emerald hair and golden eyes had captivated him, and he felt inexplicably drawn to him. His eyes trailed Ryoma's figure. Ryoma stood at about his shoulder and had a small frame, but his cat-like eyes and stubborn pout reflected his strength and determination. Fuji opened his eyes, slivers of blue meeting orbs of gold. He looked at Ryoma's bandaged arm. Eiji had told his best friend all about the attack, and it had been Fuji's first instinct to run to the boy and make sure he was alright. He had been on his way down the hall to see if he could find him in the pub, when Ryoma had come out the door of his room. "How's your arm?"

Ryoma blinked. "My… arm?" He glanced at his bandaged arm. Right. It was injured. "Ahh… It's alright. Your healer, Oishi, did a very good job cleaning it up. Please thank him again for me, and do ask him to come by my room some time. I would like to thank him properly, in person."

Fuji nodded, mysterious pangs of jealousy creeping into his heart at the fact that the golden boy had invited Oishi in, but not himself. But he quickly dismissed the feelings. Why would he be jealous? Instead he offered his left hand, wary of Ryoma's injured right arm. "I am Fuji Syuusuke. It is a pleasure to meet, you, sir…?"

Ryoma took his hand gently. "Ryoma. Echizen Ryoma."

Fuji smiled widely, his eyes closing again happily. He finally had the name of the beautiful boy before him. "Well, Ryoma, I shall let you go about on your business. Do stop by to visit if you feel so inclined; my room is actually right next to yours. I am sharing a room with Tezuka, room 209." He gestured to the door on the left of Ryoma's.

Ryoma nodded. "I will keep that in mind, thank you Fuji."

"Please, call me Syuusuke," Fuji said. "Ja, goodnight Ryoma."

Ryoma stared after Fuji. "Goodnight… Syuusuke." He said, trying out the name on his tongue. It felt wispy, and Ryoma immediately loved the name. Unable to hold back his smile, he crossed the hallway and knocked on the door to the Ryuuzaki's room.

Sakuno opened the door. She blushed when she saw who it was. "Pr-prince Ryoma! Come in."

Ryoma stepped into the room. "Where is Sumire?"

Sakuno turned to one of the two beds in the room. Her grandmother lay sleeping in one. "She's still resting after the journey. Tell me, what have you come for?"

Ryoma turned to Sakuno, his expression serious. He quickly recounted the story of how he'd met the eight travelers, and how his first power had been awoken. "I've decided that I would like to travel with these men."

Sakuno sat quietly for a while, mulling the words over. "I don't think that grandmother will be strong enough to keep up with such a journey… I think we will stay here. I will stay and watch over her."

"I understand," Ryoma agreed. He did not wish to put anyone else in danger. He stood to leave. "I wish you both the best."

"Wait, Ryoma!" Sakuno cried, grabbing his hand. Ryoma turned to look at her. She flushed, her brown doe eyes wide. "I… I've been meaning to tell you this. I wanted to tell you on the night of your birthday but… We never had time." She swallowed, looking up. Her long, red-brown hair framed her face and figure. "I love you, Ryoma. I've loved you since we were children."

Ryoma looked at Sakuno for a long moment, not quite understanding her words. Suddenly, he realized that she expected for him to answer to her feelings. Thoughts of silky, light brown hair, and mysterious blue eyes popped into his mind. 'Who…?'

Ryoma shook his head. "I'm sorry, Sakuno," he mumbled quietly. "I treasure you, and your grandmother, greatly as both friends and advisors. Please understand that I cannot return your feelings…"

Sakuno blushed, and nodded. She knew that Ryoma saw her as a sister, at most. "I understand, my prince."

Ryoma smiled at her, and pulled her into a quick embrace. "Take care of yourself, and of Sumire. I will come back for you both, as soon as I have avenged my parents and reclaimed my throne." He disentangled himself, and Sakuno bowed deeply to his retreating form.

"Yes, Ryoma. We shall await your return."

Ryoma awoke to a soft paw batting at his hair. He opened his eyes slowly to see blue eyes staring at him. Immediately, his thoughts turned to Fuji Syuusuke. The way those eyes opened so mysteriously. The way his hair hung, silky soft, framing his fair face. He shook his head, as though to physically dislodge the thoughts from his mind. He looked to Karupin, who crouched down on her front paws, playfully. Ryoma smiled softly, and lightly pet her between her ears. Karupin sprang up, and held Ryoma's hand in her paws. Laughing, Ryoma got out of bed, and washed up. Quickly donning pair of loose black pants, and a tight sleeveless white top, he stopped by the desk beside his bed. There lay his sword, in its scabbard, and the bells. He lightly touched the handle of The Sleeper, and felt it warm to his touch. He quickly slung it over his shoulder and around his waist, attaching his sword after. He shrugged on a blue jacket, and left to find breakfast, Karupin hot on his heels.

Ryoma reached the bottom of the stairs. At the front desk sat a man with short, black hair. "Hello," the man greeted. "My name is Tachibana Kippei. I am the owner of The Golden Lion. I trust your night was pleasant and that everything was to your expectations?"

Ryoma nodded. He had found everything satisfactory. Karupin leapt up onto the front desk, and meowed in Tachibana's face. Ryoma laughed. "Karupin wants to know where she can find her breakfast."

Tachibana laughed with Ryoma. "Luckily, our pub serves breakfast as well. This must be the cat that Akira was talking about. I'm sure he's working this morning as well. He'll probably have another dish waiting for her."

Nodding respectfully, Ryoma lifted Karupin gently and carried her to the pub bar. Sure enough, Akira was there again.

"Yo!" Akira greeted, waving. "Good morning! I bet you two are hungry, aren't you?" From below the bar, Akira produced another small dish, this time with leftovers from dinner last night. Ryoma placed Karupin down in front of the dish, and she gratefully tucked into the rice and chicken. Ryoma glanced at the menu, and ordered some smoked eel and some sweet grape nectar. He accepted the dish, along with the complimentary bowl of rice and clear broth, and carried his tray to the same seat he had occupied yesterday.

He had barely taken a sip of his drink when a deep voice greeted him. "Is this seat taken?"

Ryoma looked up to see the brown-haired bespectacled man that he had seen come in yesterday. He shook his head. "It's all yours."

The man nodded, and took his seat. His breakfast consisted of dark coffee, and a flaky roll with butter. "I apologize for the trouble that some of my boys may have caused you yesterday. My name is Tezuka Kunimitsu. I am a knight of the missing royal family of Seishun."

Ryoma glanced at his robe. Tezuka wasn't wearing his armour this early in the morning, showing off the emblazon of the sun on his robe that was a clear sign he was from Ryoma's homeland. "It's nice to meet you, Sir Tezuka."

Tezuka glanced discreetly at the boy who sipped on his grape nectar beside him. The missing King Nanjirou had the same emerald locks and a golden gaze, but this boy was clearly much younger than him. The King had a son, Ryoga, but it was said that he had perished at the castle that night, sixteen years ago. But the royal family had also been born a son, the day the attack happened… Could it be possible that newborn prince had grown into the fine young man beside him? If he was, where were the King and Queen? No, it couldn't be possible that they had separated. Perhaps the boy's similarities to the King were just coincidence.

Tezuka battled with himself mentally as his eyes trailed the angles of Ryoma's face. The proud cheekbones that his mother had, the strong, yet delicate, jaw. Those determined eyes, his small and delicate frame… Tezuka snapped out of his thoughts as he realized his line of vision was blocked by the young boy's robes. 'Damn it, Tezuka! What were you thinking just now?' He turned back to his breakfast and took a sip of his coffee. "So, what is your name?"

Ryoma thought for a moment. Did he know whether or not he could trust this man yet? If he truly was a guard of the royal family, his name might be enough to grant him protection… But Ryoma did not want people getting hurt or possibly dying on his behalf. Not yet. "Hmm," was the monosyllabic response that Tezuka received.

Karupin meowed, running down the bar to Ryoma. She had finished her breakfast, and now stared hungrily at Ryoma's smoked eel. Her eyes flitted back and forth between the tasty morsel and her master's eyes. "Ryaarnyaaaaa," she pleaded.

Ryoma chuckled, breaking off a piece of the eel for her. Tezuka stared at the cat. On the day of his birth, the young prince had been presented with a Himalayan cat… But that was sixteen years ago! Surely this creature could not be the same. He sighed. He was still a long way from finding the missing royal family after all.

"My quest, and the reason my men and I are traveling together, is to locate the missing royal family of Seishun," Tezuka said, inexplicably feeling the need to explain himself to the boy. "The kingdom has fallen apart without its king. I aim to restore the Echizen family to their rightful place as rulers."

Not bothering to take his eyes off his cat, Ryoma smirked, unseen. "Hmm. Is that so? Interesting." He turned to face Tezuka, who seemed to be the leader of the group. "You guys wouldn't happen to have room for one more, would you? I'm currently journeying through the lands, and would very much enjoy some company."

Tezuka nodded. "It would be my pleasure. Especially after hearing my teammates recall events of what happened yesterday. I would like to personally thank you for protecting Kawamura, Kikumaru, and Momoshirou from whatever that beast was."

"Ah, no," Ryoma said. "It was Kawamura who protected us. I only assisted in the hellhound's defeat."

"Whatever the case was, you have power that will help us, and more knowledge on relevant folklore than anyone in my group does," Tezuka reasoned. "We leave tomorrow morning. Oishi, Kawamura, and Kikumaru will be accompanying me to town today to pick up supplies. Would you like to join us?"

Ryoma shook his head. "There are many preparations that I must undertake myself first, to ready myself for this journey."

"Understood," Tezuka said. "Ja, I will see you later."

It was only after Tezuka had stood and walked back to his room that he realized he had never caught the boy's name.

A gentle breeze ruffled Fuji's hair around his face. He strolled through the quiet courtyard of The Golden Lion, staring up at the sky. He couldn't get the mysterious boy out of his mind.

"Ryoma…" he said softly, tasting the name on his lips. As a gifted seer, he could often read people like the open pages of a book. However, the boy was a mystery to him. He could not get a sense of his past, or of his potential. Rather, Ryoma's golden gaze seemed to see clear through him. It was unnerving… Yet thrilled and excited Fuji at the same time. As if his whisper had worked magic, he spotted the boy sitting under a magnolia tree. His smiling grew wider, and he made his way for the boy.

Ryoma sat under the flowering tree with Karupin napping beside him, polishing his weapons. His long sword lay across his lap, shining brightly. Ryoma ran his open palm along the blade, and a blue flame licked at the metal. He glanced at the bells as they lay in the bandolier beside him in the grass. 'Father…'

His thoughts were interrupted as he felt something land on his head. Looking up, he saw Fuji's smiling face, magnolia flowers swaying gently in the breeze. He reached up on his head and pulled off what Fuji had dropped on his head; a crown of magnolia flowers. He blushed and looked back down. "Good afternoon, Fuji."

"Tsk tsk," Fuji chided gently, taking a seat beside Ryoma. "That's Syuusuke, remember, Ryo-chan?"

Ryoma huffed at the cutesy nickname Fuji had given him. "Fine then, Syuu-chan," he retorted.

Fuji laughed softly. Ryoma couldn't help but smile as well. He could listen to that musical voice all day. "So, Ryoma, what is it that you've got there?"

Ryoma sheathed his sword, and picked up the bells. "These were the last things my father gave to me…" he said quietly. Karupin perked up her ears at the sad tone in her companion's voice. She mewed quietly, and jumped up to settle in Ryoma's lap. Ryoma pet her soft fur absentmindedly. "He and my mother were taken from this world soon after."

Fuji looked down, quiet. He hadn't expected such a painful tale from Ryoma. "Your father and mother… I'm sorry to hear that, Ryoma." He placed a hand on Ryoma's shoulder and squeezed gently, letting Ryoma know that he wasn't alone.

"What about your family, Syuusuke?" Ryoma asked, changing the subject.

Fuji shuffled closer, putting his arm around the boy's shoulders. Ryoma couldn't help the light tinge of pink that appeared on his face, which Fuji pretended not to notice. "Saa… I come from a family of gifted and well-established seers and fortune tellers. The gift has run in the Fuji line for generations. However, it was strengthened exponentially when my grandfather married my grandmother."

Ryoma blinked at Fuji, not understanding how a marriage could strengthen one's powers. Fuji smiled, and explained. "My grandmother was a siren; a being that used her powers to bewitch men."

A siren was a beautiful creature that stayed beside the ocean, and sang her haunting songs to sailors who passed by. Ryoma nodded, remembering what his father had told him about them. Suddenly, Fuji's light skin, fair hair, delicate frame, and blue eyes made sense to him. Fuji's soft, melodic voice was also most likely inherited from his siren blood. Ryoma smirked at Fuji. "Ne, you aren't trying to bewitch me, are you?"

Fuji laughed, tapping his index finger on Ryoma's nose, causing the young prince to scrunch his face adorably. Fuji then traced Ryoma's jaw with the same finger, and tilted his chin up to bring his face closer. "Watch it, Ryoma. I might not be able to see much about you, but I can see that you're only sixteen. You're two years younger than I am… I don't think you'd be able to resist my charm for very long…" Fuji opened his eyes and stared deep into Ryoma's. "If at all."

Ryoma gasped as all the air in his lungs seemed to escape him. The blue eyes were mesmerizing… Little did Ryoma realize that the effect his golden gaze held over Fuji was similar. Fuji immediately wondered if looking into the boy's eyes was a mistake. The golden gaze seemed to draw him in, promising him the world… He leaned in, lowering his face closer and closer to Ryoma's, tilting his head back, wrapping his other hand around the back of his neck…

"Ryoma!" A female voice violently brought the two back to the present. Ryoma turned his head to see Sakuno running to him, a panicked expression on her face. "Ryoma, come quickly!"

"Sakuno, what's the matter?" Ryoma stood, arms outstretched as Sakuno fell against him. Fuji felt himself prickling with anger. Who was this girl?

"It's grandmother… She won't wake up!"

Ryoma paled. He grabbed his sword and bells, slinging them onto his body as he ran inside, Sakuno and Karupin right behind him. Fuji's brow furrowed. Curiousity got the better of him, and he followed.

As Ryoma burst into the Ryuuzaki's room, he noted Kaidou and Inui coming out of their room to check on the commotion. "Hey, boy, what's going on?" Kaidou hissed.

The group entered the room, surrounded Sumire's bed. She seemed to be fast asleep, but every now and then, a flicker of pain would cross her face. Sakuno whimpered. "She won't answer me, and she won't wake up! I don't know what to do."

Everyone looked around the room. It didn't seem as though there was anything that would bother the grandmother's sleep. No sign of weapon nor poison lingered in the room.

"Saa… Would you look at that." Fuji entered the room, staring straight at Sumire's bed. Or rather, above it. "This woman's consciousness has been stolen by a demon."

"Demon?!" everyone in the room exclaimed. "We don't see anything!" Kaidou said to Fuji.

Fuji frowned, and pulled a clear, blue pendant out of his pocket. Holding it by its fine silver chain, he closed his eyes and concentrated. A light seemed to fill the room, and suddenly it was there. A demon stood, over two meters tall. It hovered over Sumire's sleeping form, its black leathery wings and long clawed arms outstretched. An Asmosdai, a winged messenger of Hell itself. These beasts latched onto a soul and drained its power to use as its own. So long as the being remained asleep in its possession, the beast would have infinite power.

Ryoma drew his sword. "Leave, beast!" he commanded, swinging his blade at the beast. The Asmosdai merely laughed, revealing row upon row of sharp canines, flames flying from its mouth. He swat Ryoma away easily with one wing.

Ryoma flew back and hit the wall, pain shooting through his small body. "Argh…" he whined. 'Dammit! I won't let anyone else get hurt!'

Ryoma struggled to get up from amidst the rubble on the floor, propping himself up by his sword. He hesitated when Kaidou stepped in front of him. "Stay down, boy," Kaidou hissed. Ryoma opened his mouth to protest, but Kaidou wasn't finished speaking yet. "I will fight this demon."

Ryoma watched as Kaidou widened his stance. 'Martial arts…' Ryoma realized. He had often heard of this fighting form from a distant land, but this was his first time witnessing it. Kaidou practically flew at the Asmosdai, and landed a powerful kick to its jaw before anyone had time to react. The beast shrieked in pain, and opened its mouth to unleash a torrent of flames at its opponent.

Kaidou balanced his stance, and drew his hands to his chest. Closing his eyes, he hissed air out of his mouth slowly, pushing his hands forwards as though pushing a great force. Ryoma watched as a torrent of water gushed forwards, dousing the flames. "Water…" he mumbled. He glanced down at his chest. There was a humming coming from one of the bells… It was the second bell down, the water bell. Ryoma quickly undid the clasp, and withdrew Suzu the Waker. He glanced from the bell to the battle taking place before him, and knew how to defeat the Asmosdai.

"Kaidou, keep him busy!" he called to his partner in the fight. Kaidou nodded, and sent another torrent of water towards the beast as Ryoma readied himself. Taking the same balanced stance that Kaidou had earlier, he lifted The Waker above his head with his left hand. He brought it down in an arc across his body to his right side, before sweeping it back to his left side. The S-shaped motion brought the bell to life, as a melancholy, echoing bell sounded. It rang, on and on.

Sakuno gasped as Sumire stirred in her sleep, and slowly opened her eyes. "Sakuno…?"

The Asmosdai shrieked again, shrinking now as it lost its grasp on its source of power. "Finish it now, Kaidou!" Ryoma called. Kaidou nodded, drawing the katana from across his back.

"Go back to the depths of Hell where you belong!" he muttered, swinging down unrelentingly upon the beast. With one last screeching cry, the beast disintegrated.

Ryoma collapsed onto the floor.