This fic uses the Japanese names, not the English dub names, so here's a guide for new names used in this chapter.
Lord Saberstrike = Kenbukyou (his attack's name is from the sub)
Black Blaze = Byakueno
On to the fic!
"They don't look very intimidating," Kenbukyou said, scratching Byakueno's furry head as they watched the Yoroi Senshi fighting through the demon realm. The scenes were playing on the surface of a lake, while the pair stood on the bank. Trees surrounded the area, but allowed in a little moonlight to shine on the lake.
Kenbukyou was covered entirely in green and yellow armor with two red pinpricks of light that marked his eyes shining out of a shadow-filled helmet. A large ugly cut ran diagonally upward on his armor from his left breast to his upper right shoulder. Byakueno was a large black tiger wearing protective white, black and red armor and carrying two swords on either side of his body.
"It seems to me that Arago was defeated more by luck and his own stupidity than anything else," the demon continued. "He always was far too arrogant." He looked down at Byakueno. "I think we'll just cut him down a peg more by taking that Shiroi Kikotei he covets so. What do you think?"
Byakueno growled.
"Go find the tiger," Kenbukyou said as he stepped back and banished the water mirror. "I'll find us a good field of battle."
Byakueno ran off. Kenbukyou looked up at the sky and said, "Your time will come, Arago. And this time, it will be at my hands!"
"Shu, you sure you don't want to be a chef someday?" Shin asked as he watched Shu putting together yet more food for a midnight snack. Shin was on watch again and Shu had promised him a part of the 'meal'.
It smells really good, too, Shin thought. He glanced at the remains of Shu's late dinner. Does he ever stop eating?
"I thought about it," Shu replied, "and my uncle offered to help get me a job after I finish with school, so I can experiment and see what it is I want to cook." He sighed. "But I don't know. I like food. I just don't know how I would feel just making it all day for other people."
"I'm guessing your uncle runs a restaurant?"
"Yeah, in New York. He's a really good chef and his business is doing really well. It's a very popular restaurant."
"Well, is he happy doing what he does?"
"Oh yeah. He loves it."
"Does he like food as much as you do?"
"Oh, probably more so. It's his life, after all, and I'm just a student!"
"Well then. I don't see any problems with you taking after him some day. Obviously you can still love food and still do that job well."
"Hmm… You're right." Shu laughed. "But I mean, c'mon. That's so far away…"
"Well, we're in high school now… college is next. And you need to have a job in mind." Shin's eyes narrowed. "You wouldn't happen to be one of those rich kids who just goes to college for fun or something, right?"
"What?"
"I bet your parents have a nice, cushy management position for you in some big company somewhere!"
"Shin," Shu looked his friend, trying not to burst out laughing, "Have you slept at all? Because you sound like a crazy person."
"Ha!" Shin shook his head. "I'm just crazy like everyone is." He eyed Shin as the purple-haired senshi finished cooking and placed food on plates. "You know, Shu, you're probably the calmest of all of us."
"Shin, I know I'm really awesome in battles—"
He says with a grin… Shin did not snort.
"—But you know I'm always the first to not know what's going on, and to ask what's going on. I'm always complaining."
"Yeah, but you haven't thrown a tantrum or burst into tears or, well… You've kept your cool, at least in that area. Yeah, you might struggle to know what's going on at times—"
He says without any hesitation, Shu thought as he glared at his snack.
"But you've always been that way. You're not cracking at the seams." Shin smiled at him. "I really respect that."
Shu smiled wryly at his friend, then looked down at the floor. "That's nice of you, Shin, but… I think you've misplaced your respect."
"What do you mean?"
"Look, I know it's stupid. It's bad that I… I mean, I learned how to fight before I came here, like everyone. When you're fighting, you should be calm and focused. But everything that's going on… Let's just say that I'm starting to get glad when enemies show up for me to hit. As long as I can direct everything I'm feeling at them… I'm fine. I can stay somewhat calm. For a while."
He looked back at the other senshi. "But it can't last. I can't just keep working out my anger through fights. That's a bad path to take. So, yeah, I might not be 'breaking down' and screaming at the sky and crying my eyes out or whatever… but just because you can't see it or didn't notice it, doesn't mean it's not happening. Because it is. I'm just as affected as all of you are. Maybe I'm just better at hiding it."
Shin was silent as he took all that in, and took his time before he replied, "I'm sorry, Shu. I didn't know. I should have, but I didn't."
"It's all right, Shin."
Upstairs, Byakuen opened his eyes, saw that Ryo was still sleeping, and then sat up, looking around. He got up and moved to the screen door, which opened for him. He stepped out into the night.
Ryo stirred and opened his eyes. "Byakuen?" He turned to where the cat had been resting, and saw only empty floor. He rubbed his eyes and sat up. "Byakuen? Where are you?" He shivered and pulled the blanket up to his neck. "Jeez, did someone turn down the thermostat?" He felt the wind and turned to see that the screen door was open. "What? Is someone in here?" He shivered again. "Jeez, can't they at least close the door after themselves if they're gonna keep barging in without asking…" He stood up and dropped the blanket, wrapping his arms around himself for warmth and moved towards the screen door. "Hey!" he called out. "Would you finish up out there already—?"
A jarring crash made him pause. What the—? Wait, I can feel the other four. They're all in the house… Shin and Shu are in the kitchen, and Touma and Seiji are in their rooms… So who's…?
He had only that moment to think before a large black tiger wearing shining white armor jumped through the door, straight at him.
"What the—?" He stumbled back, bumping into the wall behind him and summoning the Rekka armor at the last second.
Before the creature could hit him, Byakuen ran in behind it and knocked it aside. It crashed onto the bed and stood up, facing Byakuen. Snarls and the thick sound of heavy flesh hitting heavy flesh filled the air as the two began to fight.
"Byakuen!" Ryo drew his swords, ready to fight.
And then promptly stumbled backward into a wall with his fatigue. Ahh! I can't even attack like this! The cracked metal was painful to look at, but he kept them out. He hoped he could at least get one attack off. Maybe two. I wonder if I could try that trick Touma and Shin got to work. But I wouldn't be able to do it in a hurry. I couldn't even do it while I was concentrating and not under stress… Byakuen, what's going on?
The two tigers carried their fight out of the room and back onto the roof, shattering glass and wood in their wake. Ryo ran after them.
"What the hell is going on?" Touma asked as he ran into the room. He saw Ryo in his armor and stared, wide-eyed. "What—?" But the red senshi was out the door before he could answer. "Kuso! Wish someone would take a moment to tell me what was going on!" He summoned his armor and ran after Ryo. He felt Seiji run up behind him.
"Hey, what's all the—?"
"I don't know! Just get your armor on!"
Green light filled the room and Seiji followed him out onto the balcony.
Ryo had followed the two tigers onto the roof, and then onto the ground when they jumped down. His worry for the tiger was outweighing his weariness, and the armor seemed to be happy that a fight was taking place nearby. He found the strength to keep a decent pace with them. "Byakuen! Be careful! Um… move, maybe so I can hit it too?" But the tigers both ignored him. They ran off into the woods, and Ryo chased after them, the other senshi close on his heels.
"Damn idiot!" Seiji said as he and Touma ran after the trio. "This is the same as last time!"
"He's got a nose for trouble!" Touma called.
"What's going on?" Shin asked, running behind them, Shu groggily in tow. "We heard the commotion and I saw you all were running away."
"It's only been a couple days since he's been awake," Shin said, hopping over roots and running over grass. "What's he planning to do if this is another trap?"
"The same thing he did last time, no doubt," Seiji replied. "Ride by the seat of his pants." There was no more talking as they followed Ryo through the woods. Seiji was primarily following his sense of Ryo's presence up ahead rather than solely searching through the dark with his eyes, although he could also see the best of them all. It took a few tumbles from his comrades behind for him to create a light for the others to follow more easily.
Jeez, Seiji thought, focused on the crashing ahead, Just what are they fighting over? I don't like this at all. And… why is he faster than I am?
They were now on the road and heading towards a valley. They had all reviewed maps of the area, to get a better handle of what they had at their disposal, places to avoid, emergency hideouts and good places to train. Touma had even visited the upcoming valley as a training site earlier in the day.
They spotted Ryo standing a short distance ahead, glowing red in the moonlight and watching the two battling tigers in the distance. They ran up to him. Seiji dimmed his light. They stood on the edge of a large open valley. The far wall of the valley led upward to a road.
"Ryo," Touma said as he put a hand on the senshi's shoulder, trying to not think too hard about the distance they just ran at what speed and how he did not feel winded at all. "Are you all right?"
Ryo looked back at them. His face was a little pale, but he looked fine otherwise. "I'm okay. Just trying to help Byakuen." He looked back at the tigers. "Byakuen started fighting while I was sleeping." He looked back at the other Yoroi Senshi. "I'm sorry I ran off. I would have slowed down for you, but I can't sense either of the tigers, so I didn't want to lose sight of them."
Seiji opened his mouth to reply, but Shin interrupted with, "As long as you're careful for next time. You could still use some recovery time, Ryo, and we're all worried about you."
"I'm sorry." Beat me up later. He looked back at the tigers. "I wish I knew where that black tiger came from."
Seiji turned his attention to the fight. "I can't sense anything from them, either. Do you feel anything, Shin?"
Shin frowned, was quiet for a moment, then shook his head. "No. Nothing."
"Then I guess it's not a demon," Touma said. "We'd feel it if it was."
"Well, what do we do?" Shu asked. "Attack?"
"No," Ryo replied. "We'd hit Byakuen."
"Then… get him to back off?" Shu asked. "Doesn't he like… listen to you when you give him commands, like a dog?"
"Not all the time," Ryo replied, choosing to ignore the 'like a dog' comment for the moment. "Plus, he's fighting. He's distracted. He might not hear me. He didn't listen to me earlier."
The black tiger jumped back from the fight, and Byakuen leapt back as well, still watching the other tiger. Ryo ran forward to stand beside Byakuen, prepared to help fight should the black tiger start the attack up again. "You okay, buddy?" Ryo glanced at the tiger, but saw no wounds - only dirt and ruffled fur. Byakuen stayed focused ahead. "Don't worry," Ryo said. "I can't do much, but you aren't alone." The other senshi moved up to stand behind them, wary.
"So is it just me," Shin asked, "Or is it a good idea to start running away now?"
Seiji looked up and drew his sword. "Demon approaching."
The others prepared their weapons as Kenbukyou materialized from the darkness. "Good evening," he said. "My name is Kenbukyou. I have come to fight you for the Shiroi Kikotei."
"You've got to be kidding…" Touma muttered.
Seiji glared and called out, "Why don't you just go back to the demon realm! You've existed for this long without the damn thing. Why are you people so obsessed with it now?"
"Well, we didn't know it existed before," the demon replied. "Arago now desires it."
"Arago's… still alive?" Shin asked.
"Sadly." The demon noticed the way the Yoroi Senshi tensed from that statement. "You thought a single blow could kill him? He is tougher than that. That's how he managed to take control of the demon realm." He looked at them curiously. "Which one of you bears the armor? I wish to fight that one." The black tiger stepped forward, and Kenbukyou dropped to the ground and drew the swords on the beast's back.
"Do you honestly think we'd fight another of you guys one-on-one?" Seiji called. "Just leave, and we won't kill you like we have your predecessors." He stepped in front of Ryo, surprising the red senshi.
"Seiji…?"
"Stay back," Seiji replied quietly, keeping his focus forward. "You can't fight like that. You don't have a weapon to use."
Ryo looked down at his damaged swords. They were a last resort. That was all. He breathed out heavily and sheathed them. Once more, I get protected by others. I get protected by my friends and they put themselves in harm's way on my behalf. He glared at Kenbukyou. The reason his friends were in danger. He hated the demons. Hated all the terrible things they'd thrown into his life.
Fight!
His heart was racing and he had to take a step back and clench his hands into fists.
Fight!
No! He shut his eyes. No, I won't! I won't summon you again. Stop it!
Fight!
Leave me alone! Just go away!
The voice faded, and he was able to breathe easier. When he opened his eyes, Shu lay on the ground, having been knocked flat by Kenbukyou.
"You'll pay for that!" Shin said as he aimed at the demon, and then fired off a torrent of water in his direction. Kenbukyou dodged and ran forward to slash down at the senshi. Touma fired his Shin Ku Ha at the demon, forcing Kenbukyou to jump back to avoid the golden ray. It crashed into the rock behind him, breaking rock and filling the area with dust.
Ryo ran to Shu, who sat up slowly and grumbled, "Damn helmets. Ringing in my ears."
"You all right, otherwise?" Ryo asked, looking the senshi over for wounds and finding none.
"Yeah," Shu replied, his voice heavy with anger as he stared at the battle, "I can still kill the guy."
Ryo flinched. He sounds so angry… like the armor…
Fight!
Shu's armor began to glow orange.
"No!" Ryo cried. "Stop it!"
Shu's armor ceased to glow and he looked at Ryo in surprise. "What the hell? Ryo, what's wrong?"
Ryo didn't reply for a bit as he waited to be sure that the voice wasn't coming back. Then he replied, "The Shiroi Kikotei. It reacts to anger. Battle lust. Those emotions act like a summons and it just lashes out and I can barely keep it back when that happens…"
"You mean I almost…?"
"I think we both almost did. But I can hold it back for now. For a while, anyway." His face was paler and he started humming to keep his mind focused and drown out the voice, should it return.
Shu touched his left arm. Jeez, no wonder he seems to be going crazy faster than all of us. "Ryo…"
They heard a clang and a cry, and turned to see Seiji fly through the air and crash into the dirt a short distance away, throwing up more dust in his wake. The demon stepped forward, brandishing his swords. Another burst of water crashed into the demon, smashing him into the cliff face behind him. Touma sent another Shin Ku Ha at him, making more of the cliff crumble down around the demon. Seiji pushed himself back up and fired off a Rai Ko Zan at the spot where the demon lay. Touma kept his bow aimed and Shin and Seiji stood ready to attack again. Shu pushed himself up and got into his own fighting stance. Byakuen growled and moved forward to stand beside Ryo.
The black tiger moved up to the pile of rubble and sniffed it. Laughter filled the air.
"Damn," Shin said. "What's it take to kill these things?"
"You definitely only have a piece of Arago's power," Kenbukyou said, standing up as the dust cleared without any obvious damage, outside the dust and dirt now covering his armor and cloak. "Your attacks are nothing in comparison to his."
"You've fought Arago?" Touma asked, his curiosity winning out over his focus.
"Touma…" Seiji warned.
The blue senshi ignored him and continued, "What happened? I thought all of you were Arago's minions."
"I am the strongest swordsman in the demon realm. I ruled my territory with strength and fear at my back and no one dared to face me, until the day an upcoming, arrogant demon with a growing reputation decided to try me, to boost his own reputation. I made the mistake of fighting with honor and believing that he stood by any rules. I struck him down and demanded that he yield and swear fealty. He swore to do so, and then took advantage of my pause to strike me and toss me down, calling me an old fool. My wound from that battle allowed him to take over my territory and I became his servant." He reached to the scarred armor over his shoulder. "But that was long ago. I am here for the Shiroi Kikotei. Though I have no interest in seeing that insulting creature restored to his old power, it is his wish."
"Can't you refuse to fight for him?" Touma asked. "You're a samurai…" Of sorts, he didn't add aloud. "Doesn't working for someone like Arago go against your code of honor?" In whatever demented form demons have…
"You know little of the demon realm and demons, human," Kenbukyou replied. "Arago only gained power after our battle. Even now, with what little power he stole back after he restored his armor and then lost much of it once more, he is too powerful for me. It would be suicide for me to fight him now. And what for? My land is but one part of his territory now. My people only lived in fear of me and I only ruled them because it was convenient and an easy way to find new foes to battle. And I have the chance of finding a worthy opponent for the first time in a long time." He rolled his shoulders. "Although, from our current battle, that doesn't seem very apparent. None of you feel worth my time. To think that one of you pathetic weaklings possesses the Shiroi Kikotei… It boggles the mind."
He's fighting us when we're weak, Shin thought, watching the demon. None of us is really at full strength. We haven't demonstrated the power of the Shiroi Kikotei in this fight yet. These guys keep pounding us into the dirt and wonder why we never seem strong?
"But it matters not. I shall have the Shiroi Kikotei for Arago… or simply take it for myself to kill him with it. Humans could never use it properly. But I could."
"So come and try and get it," Seiji said, stepping forward.
Kenbukyou snorted. "More of the same? How futile." He eyed them all, and his gaze settled on Ryo. Why does that one not fight? Byakueno said that the white tiger protected him. To have the tiger would mean that he has some great power, yet he keeps to the back of the group and does not take part. He does not draw his weapons. He does not offer strategy. What is his purpose? He glanced at the others, and a spark of suspicion filled him. They protect him, all of them. They move to keep him in the back. Run at me at once to keep my notice from him. None of these four have the power of the Shiroi Kikotei. Perhaps he does…
Rather than attacking on his own, he raised his swords and cried out, "Winged Angel of Doom!" The wind picked up, grabbing up dirt and rock from the ground and moving faster and faster until a tornado filled with sharp pieces of rock was formed. The wind dragged and caught at the Yoroi Senshi as they tried to get back, pelting them with sharp bits of rock as they were dragged into the cyclone. They were swung around in circles as they cried out and struggled to free themselves. None of them were able to focus enough to attack Kenbukyou, assuming they could even target him from the way they were being tossed around.
In a final burst of wind, the cyclone broke and the Yoroi Senshi were thrown in different directions. Byakuen, Seiji and Shin crashed into different spots of the cliff face. Shu and Touma were thrown a ways off into the dirt. Ryo was thrown to the tree line. He crashed into a tall tree and fell to the ground, dazed. As he tried to get up, groggy from it all, Kenbukyou hit him in the head with the hilt of one of his swords, knocking the senshi out. The demon then picked him up and tossed him onto Byakueno's back. They raced away from the scene.
A/N: DOOOOM! Copyright, Arago and the Demon Realm.