Title: The Chains That Bind

Author: Centauri2002

Rating: NC-17 (duh!)

Disclaimer: Kannazuki no Miko, its characters, locations and story are copyright to Kaishaku, etc. I am merely borrowing them. All other aspects, including original characters, are copyright to me.

Note: I have changed a few aspects of the story and also mixed a few concepts from both the manga and anime.

Chapter Note: I think it's about time I started moving things along, I think five chapters were enough to introduce the characters and settings right? I'm still not going to rush it but I'll be introducing new plot aspects like I did at the end of Chapter Five. Hope you enjoy and please do keep those lovely reviews coming. I do appreciate them. ^^

Chapter Six

"Klava?"

The voice seemed to act as a catalyst, causing the world around Rei to melt away, replaced by the familiar shrine walls. She was relieved to find herself in the safety of her sensei's company but sad to see the face of the woman disappear aswell. She was overcome by a wave of fatigue and she slumped into the arms of Oogami Kazuki, who had rushed to her side. He allowed her to rest her side against him, keeping her wrapped in the safety of his arms. She closed her eyes and tried to steady her mind, the world spinning around her. Kazuki's presence seemed to anchor her and she was sure she would have been overwhelmed had he not been there.

"Tanaka-san?" Her sensei's kind but firm voice forced her to open her eyes and she lifted her shaking body off of his to look him in the eye questioningly. "What is this Klava you spoke of?"

Rei's brow furrowed as she took in his words. She realised she must have said the name aloud during her vision, just before she had been returned to the real world. "I.." She wasn't really sure what she should tell Kazuki-sensei about that woman but she definitely needed help with sorting the storm of thoughts swirling throughout her mind. "I... had a vision... it was so... vivid." She spoke with difficulty but forced herself to go on, refusing to give in to the exhaustion. "I met a woman recently... I saw her in my vision but it seemed to be... in the distant past. If it was a reall event... I'm not sure how that's possible. I don't know what's happening to me."

Kazuki's features remained neutral as she explained what she could. "I see." He said thoughtfully. "And the name of this woman is Klava?"

The dark haired girl nodded weakly. "She... knows what I am, sensei. She knows I'm a Saiin." She said quietly, hearing the words making the event that much more real for her.

Uncharacteristacally, Kazuki's eyebrows rose and then quickly fell again as his eyes narrowed. "Did you tell her..?"

Rei shook her head with as much emphasis as she could muster. "Of course not. I would never..." She trailed off, slumping against him once more.

"My apologies, Tanaka-san. I do not see how she could know though. You must tell me more of her..." He shifted slightly, pulling her into an upright sitting position. "But once you are rested."

Rei didn't have the energy to nod in affirmation so she merely let the older man lift her and carry her to an empty sleeping chamber within the shrine. On occasion it had been necessary for her to stay overnight here before, much to Souma's chagrin, due to meditation sessions and training running past their usual times. She was barely aware of herself being lowered into a bed and a blanket being pulled over her weary form. Soon, the darkness enveloped her and she was pulled into a fitful slumber.


With practiced ease, Chikane pulled back the string on her bow and let fly another arrow. It sailed through the air with a whistle and plunged into the Kyudo target with a satisfying 'thunk'. She frowned at where it had landed. It rested between one of the outer rings of the target and she knew her poor performance was caused by her wandering thoughts. Sighing, she pulled another arrow from the quiver and placed it into position on her bow and in between her fingers. Raising the weapon and pulling back once more, she paused, the wire taut. She narrowed her eyes, focusing on the centre of the target in front of her. She imagined it was the embodiment of all her frustrations and worries. Releasing the string, the arrow made its deadly flight with precision accuracy, landing within the smallest circle of the target. She smiled. At least she could get that right, when she put her mind to it.

A round of excited applause erupted from behind her and she glanced over her shoulder. A pack of girls had collected, a few from the nearby Kyudo classes. She had come here to practice alone but she realised now that that had been wishful thinking. News of her presence had certainly spread quickly. She gracefully slung her bow over her shoulder and lifted her quiver. The group of girls seemed to know she was about to leave and gave her disappointed stares. Chikane inwardly sighed. She wasn't in the mood for this today. She walked swiftly in the direction of the building that housed the locker rooms so she could change out of her Kyudo clothing and pack away her equipment.

Once she reached the confines of the locker room she allowed herself to relax a little, there didn't seem to be many other girls here and they hadn't appeared to notice her yet. She slipped quietly between the rows of lockers until she reached hers, quickly and deftly entering the combination to open it. She pulled off her arm guard and slipped it into her bag before continuing to do so with the rest of her outfit. She slipped into her school uniform, vaguely aware of a couple of girls chattering on the opposite of side of the row of lockers. Their conversation caught her attention when a familiar name popped up.

"Tanaka Rei-sama didn't come in at all today?" A particularly high pitched voice questioned.

"No, I haven't heard anything. It's odd for her to miss school." Came another, slightly lower toned voice.

"I know she's not always very friendly but I am a little worried. It's not like her. If she was planning to be off she'd have asked me to get copies of the homework for her." The high pitched voice took on a tone of concern.

"You shouldn't worry Kiku-chan, I'm sure she's fine." Came the response.

Chikane wondered how it was possible that that girl had any friends at all, considering her supposedly usual attitude and behaviour. She thought it odd that she suddenly hadn't turned up to school after what had happened the previous night aswell. A twinge of guilt hit her as she thought about what had occured afterwards. Himeko...

She roughly grabbed her bag, barely able to hide her frustrations, and closed the locker. She glanced up as she saw two girls leaving the locker room, one with brown hair tied up into a messy bun and wearing glasses, the other with dark blonde hair falling around her face. She guessed they were the owners of the voices she'd heard. Clasping her school bag in front of her, she followed the girls out, taking her time so they'd be far enough ahead of her so as not to notice her. She followed the path down towards the main school building, noting that the lunch period was almost over. She glanced up at the midday sun, briefly closing her eyes to allow its warmth to soothe her troubled mind. She smiled slightly at the sensation.

A commotion in front of her caused her to open her eyes again and she squinted to see what was causing it. A small group of girls appeared to be circling around something, almost as if they were vultures diving down upon a meaty carcass. She shuddered at similarities. She frowned with concern when she noticed a familiar flash of blonde, her heart fluttering in her chest. She quickened her pace and she could make out the group of four hostile girls taunting Himeko and her companion, who was a wiry girl with messy brown hair and an extremely agitated expression.

"What gives you the right to steal all of Jin-sama's time like that?" Snarled one girl as she jabbed an accusing finger at Himeko, who's eyes were wide with fear.

Chikane froze for a second, torn between intervening or letting it play out. Those panicked violet pools hadn't noticed her yet but they were pulling on Chikane, she so desperately wanted to go to their aid but the events of the previous night caused her to hesitate. What if Himeko didn't want her help? What if she didn't want to see her again. She bunched her hands up into tight fists. No, she had to protect Himeko, something deep inside her assured her. That's what she was there for. If that's all she could do, she should protect her and ensure no harm came to her.

"Back off!" Shouted the messy brunette, trying to come between the girls and the blonde but failing miserably as they were surrounded.

"This is none of your business!" Another of the bullies sneered.

Taking long assured strides towards the group, she was about to call out when one of the girls brazenly grabbed some of Himeko's precious golden tresses and yanked, eliciting a pained yelp from the girl. Without thinking, Chikane dropped her bag and surged forward, quickly making up the distance. It took a while for the others to register her presence but by the time they had she had backhanded the hair-puller and wrapped her arms around Himeko in a protective embrace, her body shielding the smaller girl from any other possible onslaught.

Multiple gasps sounded as the girl who she'd knocked aside tumbled across the path and onto the grass beside it. She stared up at Chikane, shocked at first but soon bursting into tears as she held her reddened cheek in pain. The other girls backed off nervously while Himeko's friend just stared at Chikane in disbelief. As for the blonde, she'd felt her stiffen initially but now she had relaxed into her protective embrace and her shaking arms had latched onto the taller girl's waist.

"M-Miya-sama!" One of the bullies gasped, almost tripping over herself as she backed away further.

"It's n-not w-what it l-looks like!" Another trembled.

Chikane glared at them with cold malice. "If you ever touch Kurusugawa-san again..." She trailed off, allowing the girls' imaginations to finish her sentence, her tone surprisingly calm.

One of the three remaining standing girls burst into tears, sobbing uncontrollably and they all ran, barely taking the time to pick up their injured friend. After they had disappeared out of sight, Chikane finally allowed her tense muscles to relax, releasing the tight grip she had on Himeko slightly and she turned to look down at her. The blonde had buried her head into Chikane's chest and she was unable to see her face. She glanced over at her friend who still seemed to be in a state of shock.

"Are you okay?" Chikane asked her, her tone softer now.

The brunette blinked rapidly for a few moments before silently nodding. Satisfied with the answer, she turned her attention back towards Himeko. She brought up a hand and laid it on the top of the girl's head, gently stroking the golden strands there. This seemed to relax Himeko and she stopped shaking so much. Slowly, she pulled her head away from Chikane's bosom and looked up, teary violet eyes melting her heart.

"Himeko..." She whispered, surprised at how pained her own voice sounded. She moved the hand resting on Himeko's head down to her cheek and brushed away the tears marring the perfect pale skin.

"Chikane-chan?" Himeko murmured, subtly leaning into her hand, just enough so she could feel it.

"Are you hurt?" Chikane enquired, her brow knotted together in concern.

A slight smile fluttered across Himeko's lips as she shook her head. "Nothing serious." She muttered.

Chikane's eyes flitted over Himeko quickly before resting upon her hair again. She stroked the top of her hair. "If she pulled even one hair out I'll-" She growled but Himeko interrupted her.

"Chikane-chan, I'm fine." Her eyes danced with amusement, which caused one black eyebrow to arch upwards.

A not-so-polite coughing came from behind the raven haired girl and she became acutely aware that she and Himeko were still wrapped around one another tightly. She reluctantly pulled away, instantly missing the warmth and scent of the other girl. As for Himeko, she was blushing furiously, which Chikane couldn't help smiling fondly at.

"Th-thank you very much for coming to our aid, Miya-sama." The brunette said with an awkward bow.

"Saotome Makoto-san, I presume?" Chikane asked coolly.

The other girl seemed surprised at this and stuttered out a response. "Y-yes."

If Himeko hadn't told the other girl of their friendship, and Chikane suspected she hadn't, then they would certainly have a hard time hiding it now. Besides, Chikane was growing tired of hiding her affection for the blonde in public and she thought her room mate of all people deserved to know. Himeko spoke of her fondly, afterall. Of course, she'd have to worry about some of the more obsessive fangirls in the school finding out, as today's bullying proved, but she'd deal with that if and when it happened.

"It's a pleasure to meet you finally, Makoto-san." She said with a smile.

Makoto's eyebrows shot up and Chikane was sure they'd fly straight off the top of her head. She peered between Himeko and Chikane, trying to work out what exactly was going on. Himeko looked a little embarrassed, rubbing the back of her neck uncomfortably.

"Mako-chan..." She let out a sheepish laugh. "Chikane-chan and I..." It was proving difficult to find the right words it seemed.

"Eh... 'Chikane-chan'?" Makoto questioned.

Chikane decided to cut in, relieving the pressure on Himeko. "Himeko and I struck up a friendship the day we first met, but we decided to keep it between us for the time being, to avoid any undue attention." She paused, waiting for this new information to sink in. Makoto's expression shifted from shocked to slightly hurt very quickly. "In all honestly, it was by my request, so don't blame Himeko please, Makoto-san."

The brunette stood, eyeing Chikane warily for a few minutes, the silence stretching out between the three of them. Himeko seemed to be growing increasingly uncomfortable and Chikane could tell something was bothering her. She decided now wasn't the time to ask though. Lunch was drawing to an end and the beginning of classes would soon be marked by the school bell.

As Chikane was considering taking her leave, Makoto decided to break the silence. "Wow, Himeko, not only do you keep your new boyfriend a secret but now you're keeping Miya-sama from me too! What else are you hiding?" She half-teased.

Chikane shot Himeko a questioning look, tendrils of dread snaking around her heart at Makoto's words. "Mako-chan!" Himeko complained, her cheeks flushing once more and she avoided Chikane's intent gaze.

"Hime-" The school bell obnoxiously interrupted Chikane's attempts to question Himeko on the matter. She shook her head. "I'd best be going now. Himeko. Makoto-san. Enjoy the rest of your day." And she quickly turned and made her way towards the school, face downcast with a pained expression, all the doubts and worries she had previously were now two-fold and she felt as though she was suffocating.


Feeling slightly refreshed, Rei sat in her chihaya, legs tucked under her body. She had slept for a good part of the day and after getting over the initial annoyance, she conceded that she had needed the rest. Opposite her sat Kazuki-sensei and Yukihito. Rei didn't really feel comfortable with Yukihito being present, she was used to spending time with her sensei only but it was a presence she'd tolerate for now. There were more pressing things to concentrate on. Either side of the trio were placed a few candles, to add to the relaxing atmosphere of the shrine. In between Rei and the two men sat a small tray with tea cups sat upon it.

It was almost as if they were sat prepared for an important ritual but they were, in fact, readying for conversation. Rei was used to this formal atmosphere though. She carefully reached forward and picked up the small tea cup in between both hands and raised it to her lips. Pausing before she took a sip, she looked at the two men before settling her gaze upon her sensei.

"Kazuki-sensei, you wish to ask me some questions?" Rei stated more than asked, finally taking in some of the dark liquid, letting in slide soothingly down her throat. She held the cup in her lap, waiting for the inevitable.

"From what you said last night..." He began, choosing his words carefully. "I think it is important we learn more of this Klava. She obviously knows too much about you."

"I'm not sure..." Rei said thoughtfully. Even though Klava had come out with that knowledge, she hadn't really seemed to be pushing her for information on it. In fact, she seemed just as surprised as Rei was that she knew she was a Saiin at all.

Yukihito decided to chime in. "How do you know this Klava, if you don't mind my asking?"

Rei certainly did mind him asking but kept that thought to herself. They were only trying to help afterall. "Through rumour and her own words, I learned she works for Interpol. Her name is Klavdiya Zhukov, she's supposed to be here investigating the recent murders." She recalled.

Kazuki remained silent so Yukihito continued his questioning. "That doesn't really answer my question, Rei-san."

The Saiin visibly flinched at his use of her first name. Still, she tolerated his words. "She came across me meditating in the woods outside the dorm building. I've been there many times and never been discovered. I remember knowing she was there by her aura, it was almost overwhelming."

The older of the two men's expression shifted slightly, although it was hard to read. "Explain this aura please, Tanaka-san."

Rei drew her lips together into a thin line. It was hard to explain and she didn't want to have to recount everything that had happened that night. How the other woman had made her feel. "I don't know. As I said, it was overwhelming. She had a powerful aura, enough so that I could sense her there whilst in deep meditation. It almost pulled me to it." She explained as best she could.

"I see." Said Kazuki in his usual thoughtful way. "Please continue."

Rei brought the tea cup back to her lips and sipped. She kept silent for a while, not sure what to say next. Once she had finished her tea, she gently set the tea cup back on the tray. "She didn't seem interested in what I was doing there." Was all she said.

Yukihito studied her for a moment. "What was she interested in?"

Rei suppressed the blush that was threatening to rise to her cheeks. Was he being annoyingly perceptive or just asking random questions? "I don't know." She wasn't exactly lying, she truly didn't know what Klava was interested in, though she had a good guess.

"What led up to her revealing she knew of your nature?" Her sensei asked. This was beginning to feel more and more like an interrogation.

Rei finally allowed herself to think back on the previous night. She wasn't sure why it was so painful to her, why she had held so much fear and dread but it scared her. That was pretty much all she did know. Perhaps it was because she truly liked Klava and that she could just turn out to be another person out to use the Saiin for their own ends... well, that was disappointing to say the least. A part of her refused to believe that though and she cursed it. She had never been one to cling to hope before, why now? Baka, she thought.

"Tanaka-san?" Kazuki urged.

Rei blinked back to reality. "O-oh. Sorry, sensei." She apologised, slightly flustered now. "She had asked me to help with her investigation so I agreed to answer a few questions. I went up to... her room and she asked me about rumours and such. I couldn't really give her any new answers so I went to leave when she... she..." She hesitated, remembering what she'd said, her cheeks unintentionally colouring.

Yukihito gave her a questioning look and Rei had to avert her eyes to avoid even more blood rushing to her cheeks. "Tanaka-san? What happened next?" Came Oogami Kazuki's soft words but there was an edge to them now.

Stop acting like a little school girl, Tanaka Rei. Sort your damn hormones out, Baka! She inwardly scolded herself. "She collapsed." She finally decided on saying, omitting their previous conversation. "She seemed to be in a lot of pain so I tried to see if she was okay. I touched her face and she seemed to jerk quite violently and then she was looking up at me with a strange look in her eyes." She shuddered slightly at the memory. "That's when she asked it. No, she seemed to be stating it more than asking it."

"Strange." Kazuki admitted, his brow knotted in deep thought.

"What could it mean?" Yukihito asked him.

The green haired man shook his head, wisps of emerald waving with the effort. "I'm not sure. I'll need to do some research on the matter."

Sensing the matter was drawing to a close, Yukihito lifted the tray and stood, the tea cups clinking together slightly. He looked down at Rei and Kazuki in turn. "Excuse me." He took his leave, the sound of clinking china following him.

Kazuki, still deep in thought, didn't give any signs as to whether he would leave or stay so Rei decided to take the opportunity to ask her own questions. "Sensei..?" The priest looked at her, breaking from whatever thought pattern he had been on. "Could I ask you about my visions?" She ventured.

"Of course." Kazuki stated simply, a slightly smile urging the Saiin onwards.

"You know of my vision last night... well, I don't understand why it was so different. And why I had no control. It just overcame me suddenly." She explained her concerns.

Kazuki didn't speak at first, he merely looked at her, his gaze making the girl uncomfortable. Finally, he answered. "It is another mystery, I'm afraid, Tanaka-san. I can say for sure though, you shouldn't have any where near that amount of clarity in your visions at this point. It takes many many years to reach that. Sight, sound, smell, taste, touch. They are five very slow steps and it seems you have been plunged into their depths. It is troubling indeed."

His words did nothing to calm her fears. "A few days ago I also had a vision. But it was completely different... it was flashes... flashes of images, but they were disturbing and I have the feeling they're important."

Kazuki nodded. "I remember you saying, Tanaka-san." He then lifted himself to a standing position, Rei's head lifting to keep eye contact. "If you will permit it, I'd like to try something with you to reach into your memory and see these images for myself."

Rei arched an eyebrow at his words. "What do you mean?"

He merely smiled. "It is an ancient technique, used for interpreting dreams mostly but, with your help, I think we can adapt it."

"Then why not do it now?" She asked, eagerly.

The priest held up a hand. "While I admire your thirst for knowledge, this procedure will be very draining for both of us, you must rest. Come back to me in a few days, Tanaka-san. Meditate in the mean time."

Rei considered this but she couldn't think of any persuasive arguments that could change his mind. "Fine. I'll be back once I've regained my strength fully." She bowed before him and he reciprocated the gesture before leaving. She let out the sigh she'd been holding in for a while. It was all so confusing. More so since her sensei didn't have any answers either. Klava. What did she have to do with all his? Was she here to harm her? Or was there a reasonable explanation?

Clenching her teeth together, she could feel the frustration rising within her. Meditation was the best course for her now. It would clear her mind and allow her some reprieve from the onslaught of worries and doubts she had. And it would hopefully steer her thoughts away from the brunette that had been haunting her mind as of late.

END OF CHAPTER