Warrior Without A Master

Chapter 3: Unfulfilled Pursuit

The humanoid head was separated from it's mutilated body by a vicious swing from the swordswoman, her red hair trailing behind her as her muscles tensed, fighting against the sword's massive weight and momentum. Still though, the warrior pitched forward, as the sword thudded into the ground, still too heavy despite the last year of training to wield with any sort of grace. Ripping it from the hardened ground, she grimaced as searing hot blood splashed onto her skin, the lifeless body falling to the ground with a muffled whump.

"Gross..." She muttered, wiping the sticky red liquid from her chin and then wiping her hand on her jeans. As much as she loved fighting, she was still a girl. And blood was icky!

Turning around, her arms burned with fatigue, bi-colored eyes wide and searching for her next target. Some ways away from her, Ayaka was dispatching demon after demon with a razor sharp katana, thrusting and slicing her way through the throng of demons. Unlike Asuna, she didn't seem to notice the copious amounts of blood staining her clothes, and there was a fiery look of concentration on her face that Asuna found awe-inspiring.

"Okay!" She said, feeling renewed at the sight of Ayaka cavorting through the demons with such ease. Granted, they were small fry compared to the ones Asuna was working through, but it was impressive nonetheless.

Hefting her sword onto her shoulder, she took off at a run, looking up at the sound of beating wings. High above her, a demon glared down angrily, pointing one muscular arm at her, claws extended. It opened it's fanged jaw and growled, wings beating the air at a constant pace to stay aloft.

"Well, if that's how you want to play..." Asuna brought her sword down from over her head, the blunt edged weapon instantly crushing the skull of a demon who had brought an axe to bear against her. Within seconds, blood and brains coated her skin in a slimy covering that made her blanch at the scent of it. Forcing herself onward, she tucked her arm in, and smashed her elbow into the now dead body, knocking it to the ground and never missing a step of her full tilt run. Gathering her strength in her legs, she leapt into the air, dragging her sword with her. As soon as her blood-soaked sneaker clad feet left the grass, snow white wings erupted from her back in a flash of brilliant light, unfurling to their maximum extension and beating the air with slow, sure, powerful strokes. Instantly, she began climbing, a grin working it's way across her face as she raced upward.

Tucking the handle of her sword in close to her side, she tensed up and pointed the blade toward the demon. He reacted instantly, grabbing a metal shield from his back and bringing it across in front of his chest.

Asuna grinned; the tip of her sword was anything but sharp. The blunt tip impacted the shield, and the hardened steel instantly punctured it. Another aggressive beating of her wings, and she drove the sword into his chest. Blood squirted out, coating the inside of the shield, and began running down what remained of the cutting edge of her sword. As the hot liquid ran down Asuna's knuckles before dripping off to begin their descent to the ground, Asuna violently twisted her sword, then ripped it free. Immediately, the beating of scarred leathery demonic wings stopped, and the body fell from the sky, rivulets of blood streaming through the air behind it.

Spinning around, she came to a dead stop in mid-air, surveying the rest of the battle. Her eyes found Ayaka, who was thinning the remaining demons who were bound to the earth, no wings to lift themselves free.

Tilting forward, she trimmed her wings until she stalled, falling from the sky. Gently increasing airflow over her wings until she pulled level with the earth, she hefted her sword up as she sped toward the group of demons attacking her master. Bracing it against her shoulder, she crashed into the swarm.

Immediately, she was soaked from head to toe in fresh hot blood as her sword crashed into so many demons' bodies. The swift reduction in speed was painful; the force of her sword slicing through demons was borne solely on her shoulder supporting it and she grunted in pain. Finally, all momentum lost, she let her wings fade into her back as she fell the final three feet to the ground, ignoring the grunts and growls of pain from the demons around her.

Now, there was only one left, and Asuna spun to face him. He was tall, nearly eight feet, and had a short sword in each hand. His gaunt face turned toward her, and his leathery skin creased as his brow furrowed. Breaking into a run, the demon raised his swords over his head, intent on bringing them down upon her. Asuna went down on one knee, bringing her sword up over her head to guard against the downfall of blades. However, before she got the chance to, she saw a flash of light slice through the air, and the demon's arms were separated from it's body at the elbows, falling to the ground. Stunned, the demon lowered his stubs, looking around confusedly. He wasn't confused for long though, as a blade seemed to grow from his chest, blood squelching from the wound as the sword was twisted ruthlessly. Once withdrawn, the demon fell to his knees. Another swipe, and the head was removed from his body, his now very dead body flumping over in defeat. Behind him stood her Master, blood smeared across her cheeks, sword dangling by her side, and blonde hair swaying in the light breeze that had picked up, the tips stained with dark red blood. Her head slowly tilted to the side, and she smiled softly at Asuna.

"Another flawless sweep of victory, Asuna."

Asuna, muscles aching, let her sword fall to the ground. She exhaled slowly, raising one tired arm up to wipe sweat from her temple; it was insanely ticklish as it ran down her skin.

"How many was that?" Asuna asked. Ayaka strode over, letting the tip of her sword drag through the grass and dirt as she did. When she got close to Asuna, she reached out and put her hand on Asuna's cheek. Closing her eyes, she called forth the boundless magic flowing through her body, summoning the souls from the bodies of the dead. Slowly they rose, small orbs of white light that were tainted faintly iridescent by death and demonic power. One by one, as if drawn to Ayaka like moths to a flame they came, until they disappeared as they entered her body. She could feel a tingle spreading through her as her body absorbed each one, and for a moment she feared she would not be able to absorb this much demonic power so quickly. However, most of them were weak demons, and even combined they didn't pose much of a threat. In time, her own power would overcome them, eradicating the demonic taint and leaving her with left with the untainted raw magical power.

Asuna shivered when she felt the purified souls pass into her body when Ayaka began absorbing them; it was a weird feeling of the likes she had never experienced before. When the souls were split mostly evenly between them; thirteen for her, remaining fourteen residing in Ayaka, the blonde let her hand fall away from Asuna's face, returning to her side. She opened her eyes, then smiled at Asuna.

"Say, Asuna, I've been wondering..." Ayaka started, tracing little circles in the dirt with the tip of her sword lazily.

"Yeah? What is it?" Asuna asked.

"Why do we split the souls between us if we end up just offering them to the Maker anyway?"

Asuna grinned lopsidedly, pink tongue pressing against her right canine. "So if one of us falls outside of battle, the total quantity of souls isn't lost."

"Wait, what?" Ayaka looked at her, clearly confused.

"Well, if one of us dies in battle, the other will automatically die. We share a soul, after all. One cannot live with half a soul. However, if you or I died outside of battle, our contained souls would escape the body; in this case, you would lose the fourteen souls you just collected, and the half of a soul you possessed; it would find it's way back to me and I would once again be complete. Same, if vice versa. If I died outside of battle, I lose my thirteen collected souls, and the half of our soul that I possess. It would wander back to you, pulled by the call of your half of your soul, and you would once again have a complete soul."

"How then, would we both die if one of us fell in battle?" Ayaka queried.

"Simple. The demons are trying to do to us, what we do to them. If you were to fall in battle, they would absorb your half of our soul before it could find it's way back to me. One cannot live with half a soul, so...I would die."

"So the purpose of dividing souls is..."

"Also simple. The Maker is greedy. If one of us were to hold all of the collected souls, then fell in battle, they would be released to wander the earth until someone absorbed them, be it a Collecter like us, or worse, a demon. This way, whether or not one of us dies, the Maker is mostly guaranteed to get half the souls collected."

"I...see..."

Asuna reached out and ruffled Ayaka's hair playfully. "Don't worry about it too much, kid. It'll all make sense in time. You've only been with me a year or so; you have much more to learn."

Ayaka smiled and closed her eyes as Asuna ruffled her hair, unconsciously leaning into the touch. When Asuna removed her hand, Ayaka opened her eyes.

"Would you like to come back to my house? You know, clean up?"

Asuna looked around, noticing for the first time the rapidly darkening sky.

"Yeah, actually...that would probably be a good idea. Setsuna is hopefully asleep by now; she needs her rest."

Ayaka smiled at this, then slipped her sheath from her back with her free hand. Sliding her sword into it, she then grimaced in pain and disgust.

"What's wrong?" Asuna asked, noting her expression.

"My hand...is stuck to my hilt with dried blood." She noted. With a small grunt, the blood cracked, then finally released under the strain of Ayaka pulling. With a sickening sticky ripping sound, her hand came free.

"We're a ways away from your house, shall we take to the air?" Asuna asked, as Ayaka rubbed her hand off on her jeans.

Ayaka nodded. "We might as well." She replied, securing her now sheathed sword to her back.

Another intense flash of light, and Asuna's brilliant white wings were once again visible. Holding out her arms to Ayaka, she wordlessly invited the girl closer. Barely able to contain her glee, Ayaka moved until she was pressed against Asuna's front, her arms around the girl's neck. Asuna easily scooped her up, arm under her knees and supporting her neck. Holding the girl to her chest, she took off. Flying high into the darkening sky, she took a moment to get her bearings before setting a course for Ayaka's house. As Ayaka tightened her grip on Asuna, Asuna tightened hers.

(W.W.A.M.)

It didn't take long for the two to reach Ayaka's house; circling the house high above a few times, looking for people who would notice their descent, they saw none. As Asuna began her rapid descent in the near-darkness, Ayaka felt her stomach flip. She clenched tightly to Asuna and trusted that the girl wouldn't end this night short with their bodies broken on the hard ground below; with great difficulty, she suppressed a scream.

The ground rushed at them seemingly way too fast, but it was with complete control that Asuna pulled up, flaring her wings and coming to a near dead stop a few feet above the ground before gravity resumed control over the lost momentum and they dropped lightly to their feet. Asuna's wings were gone before her feet touched the ground. Gently setting Ayaka down on shaking legs, Asuna noticed for the first time Ayaka's expression.

"Did I go too fast for you?" She asked, biting her lip apologetically. There was an apologetic look in her eyes that Ayaka couldn't tear her gaze away from.

"N-no, it's fine. It's just that it was only the second or third time I've flown with you, that's all. It really takes some getting used to, being airborne, especially when you're not the one in control."

Asuna grinned, and reached out to once again ruffle Ayaka's hair. "Sorry, kiddo. I'll keep that in mind for next time." She gently pulled Ayaka closer into a one armed hug, then released her before the blonde could return the gesture.

Mind spinning, Ayaka reached into her pocket and withdrew her house keys. Asuna had dropped them in the back yard, where there was less chance of being seen, and now she walked up the two steps leading to the back patio where the back door lead into the house.

"It's so exciting that you can afford your own place." Asuna said, as the jingling of a key in a lock reached her ears. A second later, and the door was pushed open.

"Can't you afford your own place?" Ayaka asked, puzzled.

"Well, technically I can, but with Setsuna as a room mate, it's much easier. Besides, the money I save by rooming with someone is going to be very useful one day when I no longer feel like working, and it's nice to have company, especially one who understands the kind of things we do."

"Is that all?" Ayaka asked, teasing in her voice.

"What do you mean?" Asuna asked suspiciously, her tone guarded.

"About Setsuna? Is that the only reason?"

"W-well, she's also become a bit of a close friend, and given her current losing streak, I couldn't leave her on her own, that would be like throwing her to the wolves." Asuna shrugged.

Ayaka flicked on the kitchen lights as she entered, glancing back at Asuna.

"You can shower first, then I will after you." She said, looking at the blood that covered Asuna from head to toe. On second thought, she figured, she probably didn't look much better. Her hand was still cramped and sore from being practically glued to her hilt.

Asuna nodded, suddenly feeling exhausted and too tired to argue about who should shower first. She took quick showers anyway, so it shouldn't be an issue...

"It's the first left after I go upstairs, right?" Asuna asked, moving toward the stairs.

Ayaka nodded. "You got it!"

Asuna nodded, then left, padding silently toward the stairs.

Sighing, Ayaka wondered what to do. She didn't dare sit on the couch and watch television, covered in blood and guts like this, so she settled for staring at the fridge forlornly. She was so dirty she couldn't even make food, and she was starving...

(W.W.A.M.)

Kaede was surveying the bodies littering the ground when she felt Mana come up behind her. A second later, and Mana's lithe body was pressed against her own, the raven-haired warrior's hands encircling her waist. Almost immediately, the transfer of souls began, and Kaede's body was flooded with power. Her thoughts, which were lingering on Mana's touch, immediately changed, focusing instead on how to contain the massive influx of demonic power.

"Can you handle it?" Mana asked softly, mouth near her ear. Kaede cleared her throat, then nodded wordlessly. Knowing Mana cared was enough to boost her resolve, and within moments had the demonic power sealed away.

"When you feel confident enough, you will take over the gathering, purification, and distribution of souls." Mana said, releasing her grip on Kaede and moving away. "I'll do it for the next couple of battles, but you must be prepared to take over when the time comes. You're a relatively new Master, but you must gain control over these things as soon as possible."

Kaede nodded, her eyes giving Mana a once-over. The warrior had an incredibly efficient killing style, and there was barely any sign of spilled blood. There were a few specks on Mana's hands, but that was pretty much it, Kaede noted.

Herself, however, did not fare so well. There were a few stains on her clothing despite her weapon preference being long range, and she had to admit, some of it was her own.

Her shoulder ached at the thought, and she hoped that it would go unnoticed by Mana, given the rest of the bloodstains that adorned her clothing.

She tilted her head up to the sky, noting the late hour. Hopefully, she could claim fatigue and slip away to tend to her wound soon...

"It's getting late." Mana spoke, noting Kaede's gaze. "If you have things to do, our business is done here. Otherwise, I would suggest you accompany me back to my home so I can fix your wound."

Kaede stiffened, caught off guard by Mana's astute observations. Cursing silently to herself, she avoided Mana's gaze.

"I..."

There was hesitation. Mana raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. Even in the dark, her sharp eyes could see the embarrassment flitting across Kaede's face.

"I'm fine. Thank you for your offer. I must be going now, I...have somewhere to be."
With that, Kaede turned and walked away, trying not to show how much she favoured her injured right shoulder as she did.

Mana's eyes fell to the concrete below her feet, and jumped from blood spot to blood spot, leading in the direction that Kaede was walking.

"You're fine, eh?" She muttered. "Alright, then. Be stubborn. See how far it gets you."

Mana stood where she was, breathing the cool night air and gazing at the stars, until she figured that about ten minutes had passed. She didn't bother to glance at her phone to confirm her guess; instead, she picked out the seemingly black blood stains adorning the darkened concrete, and began following them. She of course knew where Kaede's house was, even though the girl herself didn't know that, but she decided to see just how far the blood stains would lead her.

With silent footfalls, the red-eyed girl followed her Master.

(W.W.A.M.)

Kaede grimaced to herself as she released her right shoulder long enough to twist the door handle of her front door, pushing it open. Stepping inside, she kicked the door closed with her foot and blood steamed steadily down from her shoulder, the pain having increased ten-fold since she had left Mana standing on the sidewalk. Not that she didn't want her Warrior to patch her up, it just didn't seem right. Not only should the Master be more experienced, taking care of her Warrior, but it just seemed like she was more of a burden than anything else to Mana. Getting patched up on top of it seemed a little excessive. Mana was a woman of few words, preferring to speak only when necessary, but Kaede had a feeling that if pressed for an answer, Mana would admit that she could care less about Kaede, and had only offered her help because she simply needed her.

It explains why she's so interested in finding this Setsuna character. Kaede thought, moving to the kitchen. With some difficulty, she pulled off her shirt, dropping it to the floor. The motion made her grunt in pain; raising her arm above her head was incredibly painful, given that the wound was to her shoulder and any flexing or motion that pulled at her skin sent a wave of fire burning through her body.

If she can find Setsuna, who supposedly is still living even after the loss of her partner, then she can learn how to accomplish that task, and be done with me.

Not that Kaede was convinced Mana would do anything that would result in her death, but if Mana could fight on her own, then Kaede was sure she would be very interested in how to do that.

The struggle to remove her shirt had retorn part of her wound, and now blood spattered freely from her shoulder, running down her arm and dripping from her elbow onto the floor.

Cursing softly, she jumped up onto the counter, letting her legs dangle freely as she tore a piece of paper towel from the roll and slapped it on her wound.

Now that she had some time to think about it, she realized she knew next to nothing about healing wounds like this. Not to mention, the adrenaline from battle was beginning to fade, and the pain was increasing. If it continued, it would be intolerable after much longer.

Gritting her teeth, she decided to swallow her pride and give Mana a call.

Long bangs falling into her eyes, she didn't notice a figure step silently into the kitchen as she pulled her phone from her pocket.

Clicking through the contacts in her phone, she was oblivious as the intruder moved closer. That is, until a hand grabbed her cell phone, almost causing her to have a heart attack.

"WHAT THE F-"

"Who're you calling this late at night?" Mana asked, her voice low.

Kaede had jumped backward, leaning back on her hands and breathing heavily as she stared wide-eyed at Mana, the pain in her arm intensifying at the sudden pressure.

"Uhh..."

Mana moved closer, one hand on Kaede's knee gently spreading her legs until she could slip between them.

"Come here." She instructed.

Hesitantly, Kaede leaned forward until she was inches away from Mana, a dark, uncontrollable blush spreading across her cheeks. Mana either didn't notice, or she ignored it though, as she gently peeled away the blood soaked paper towel and excamined the wound.

"Trying to hide such a wound is incredibly stupid." Mana said softly, gaze drawn to the smooth skin of Kaede's breasts. The black bra she wore only helped accentuate the curves of her voluptuous breasts, and before she was caught, she quickly returned her gaze to the wound.

Kaede's head dipped in shame, and Mana 'tsk'ed gently.

"I can't have you getting hurt and not telling me, Kaede. You're an important member, and you need to be in top fighting form if you're going to be useful."

"Where do you keep your first aid kit?" Mana asked quietly. "I'll take care of you."

"In the bathroom, under the sink." She softly replied. "Down the hall there, second door on the right."

Mana glanced one more time at the wound, then raised her eyes to Kaede's reddened face before turning around and disappearing.

When Mana was out of sight, Kaede sighed, and rubbed her hands together slowly. This was exactly the situation she was hoping to avoid. The heat wouldn't fade from her face for a week, probably. Why hadn't she locked the door behind her?

Oh yeah, she thought. Her shoulder was pouring blood.

Another sigh. Tonight was going to be a long night.

A/N: Please forgive any mistakes. A few notes; I've decided to take a different approach with the usually confident, powerful, self-assured Kaede. She will eventually become such, but the journey will be lengthy. Also, as chapters go on, the plot, or point, of this story will become more evident, and more things will be explained. Reviews are always appreciated, and seeing as this is my week off of work (I work eight days straight, and get six days off), I hope to have at least another chapter or two posted before i disappear from the internet for another eight days. Also, as with most of my stories, the themes tend to center around feelings and emotions. This story is no exception, and the theme for this story will center around humility, acceptance, loyalty, love, loss, and desire. Thank you for reading, and I hope this fic pleases.