YO! Wai con is over and I had a great time cosplaying as the Witch of the Waste from Howl's moving castle. I'm STILL working on that blasted wookie costume as need to get it ready for Swan con (Easter weekend) so my updates are still going to be a little slow.
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Disclaimer: Prince of tennis is not mine. No anime is mine. Only my imagination is mine and Mythics belong to themselves.
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IMPORTANT AUTHOR"S NOTE!
For the purpose of this story I have made a few small changes to the anime this new tale is based on. Instead of going straight into the national tennis tournament the characters will first meet in the preliminaries leading up to the main event. This arc will become the lead in to the medieval fair and following battle.
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"Against the wind"
Part 6
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Closing his eyes, Kunitake could clearly see where he wanted to go. An image of the big Tokyo tennis center loomed within his mind and by focusing his unearthly mental powers the young half dragon found himself gazing into the building's interior. As expected, the place was crowded but by manipulating his 'far sight' Kunitake could shift the picture and view the center's outlay as easily as if he were currently walking through it.
The strong mind link and images he was receiving from his twin made it simple and fixing his focus onto the area Kunisuke had shown him, Kunitake grinned broadly while taking a firm grip on Yuki's left arm. Extending his wings the youth abruptly teleported from his friend's tennis court.
Seconds later he appeared within a deserted toilet and cursing comically under his breath about the cramped space, Kunitake forcefully shoved his way out of the small cubical then paused to glare irritably into space.
'Ha,ha,ha, Kunisuke... very funny.'
'If you don't like my directions, don't be so late next time.'
Kunitake frowned at his twin's smug mind tones.
'You do realize that you will have to wait for me to walk all the way to the front of this building?'
"At least you are here and your being on these premises was my greatest concern. Now start moving or run fifty laps after the meeting.'
Making few loud kissing sounds, Kunitake grumbled a sarcastic; "And I love you too dear brother!" while charging through the open bathroom door.
Rolling his eyes and shaking his head, a slightly ruffled looking Kagayakuyuki dutifully followed his bond mate.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Sitting in the center row of seats, Kunisuke's regal gaze swept the meeting room. At the base of the long sloping lines of seats, a large stage took up most of the floor space. Several officials from the Tokyo tennis association sat behind their desks; their keen eyes roving over the crowd scattered about the room in a manner similar to that of the captain of Seigaku.
A few rows below the proud youth, a couple of teenagers from Ginka high school joked about Rikkadai's current ranking before loudly declaring how Fudomine were coming in two spots behind.
"Of course, Yamabuki and St Rudolf will stay above them." One of the boys airily remarked.
"Kosuke and Hageshi's team could beat them with one hand tied behind their backs!"
Joining in the laughter that followed, a disguised werejackal seated in an upper row chuckled nastily.
"Jomei will have to play twice as hard to keep Rikkadai in the competition thanks to his useless brother!"
Raising his voice above the merry sound of mockery riding on the back of the sneered statement, Hyotei's Toshihiro proudly warned his rivals not to under estimate Yukimura's child.
"Kano has more strength in his little finger than your entire team has in their pathetic little bodies; right Junichi?"
Sitting bolt upright at his captain's side, Kabaji's offspring answered with a crisp: "USU!"
Biting down on his urge to laugh, the one hidden Mythic working among the human officials smiled as he noticed Kunitake appear in the room's doorway.
With the late afternoon sun streaming in behind him, the dragon king's youngest son looked every inch a royal prince as he stood framed by a golden glowing halo of natural light.
Hearing the words: "Kano would not fight even if his life depended on it!" issuing from the mouth of the werejackal's team mate, Kunitake lifted his upper lip. Teeth exposed in a silent snarl, the hidden dragon 'Blood' threatened the speaker while descending towards his twin.
'Sanada...' briefly pausing, Kunitake's mind tone became bitter. '...has been working Kano hard.'
'Too hard and too rough if you ask me.' A newly arrived Chihiro cut in while sliding into a seat in the back of the room.
Turning, Kunitake gave his friend a polite nod before continuing his grim march down between the lines of seats. However, a sudden outburst of muttering stopped him in his tracks and looking around once more, Tezuka's son smiled; his eyes closing as he listened to the deep voice of Chihiro's brother drifting about the room.
"Kano is a superb artist who should be allowed to continue his craft. Oh yes, he may be able to play a strong game of tennis but his paintings are far better than his sports. Sanada is just plain selfish and it's a shame that it causes trouble within his family. Yukimura tries to make him listen but he refuses to see it; even Jomei can't get through to his father. Jomei is pleased that his brother is playing in the nationals but he is worried and I can't say I blame him. Kano may end up being crushed and..."
"Hiroki! Enough!" Chihiro hissed frantically.
Long black hair swaying a little in the room's air con, Shinji's youngest boy blinked once before tipping his head slightly to one side.
"But brother wasn't dad saying just the other day..."
Instantly, Chihiro's right hand shot out. Forcing his palm tight against his twin's lips, the oldest of the pair managed to seal his brother's rant just as Kunitake was drawing level with the room's only werejackal.
Staring at Kunisuke, the youngest of Fuji's sons failed to notice the mean gleam in the hidden Mythic's dark eyes. Dreadlocks swinging as the young man inclined his head; the dark skinned teenager displayed very white teeth as he grinned. Extending his right leg, he attempted to trip his tennis rival but a swift warning from Yuki had Kunitake casually jumping over the offending limb.
Tipping slightly forwards, the sandy haired youth lightly regained his balance before smirking back at the staring tennis player.
"Do all hunting dogs have such long elegant legs?"
Throwing his head back, the human disguised Jackal snorted with laughter.
"Not as long as dragons."
Ignoring the minor annoyance, Kunitake gracefully slid into his seat. Lips quirking up as his brother dealt him a silent reprimand for his tardy arrival; Kunitake focused his attention on the stage below.
The officials were welcoming the teams and very soon, they would be pulling names from a huge rotating barrel that would determine each teams playing days in the preliminaries leading up to the highly competitive all Japan national tennis tournament.
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Hearing his oldest son's voice echoing quietly within his mind, Tezuka Kunimitsu gave a brief nod before gravely turning to his life mate.
"Seigaku will play on the fourth day of the preliminaries."
"That's two days before Aion springs his trap." Fuji solemnly remarked. "Somehow Tyfh this coming battle scares me more than our fight with Raidon did."
Most of the mighty gold's subjects had disbursed. Carefully eying Sakuno and Akutsu putting their heads together, Fuji Syusuke sighed as his open eyes roved over the forest clearing. The few that had remained after the others had left were talking quietly among themselves but at least their gentle discussions were no cause for alarm. Hoping that the young red and volatile green weren't planning anything foolish, the willowy 'Blood' gave his understanding lover a sad smile.
"Only a few days of peace." Tezuka said quietly. "Then once again our secret world must fight for its survival."
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Pausing, Ayame listened to her parents argue. They had been out when she had arrived at home. After raiding the fridge she had proceeded up to her room to tackle her home work. Her brother had come home around half an hour later but she had been too busy to greet him. Humming under her breath, Ayame had listened to music playing softly in the background; her head bobbing in time to the lively beat as her pen flew across the pages. Halfway through her history assignment her parents had returned and all hell had abruptly broken loose.
It had started with her father's raised voice and her 'mother's' quiet but firm objections. Akutsu had roared louder thus setting off Takashi's emotions so he responded in kind. Poor Kaida had innocently walked in on the heated discussion and to make matters worse, he had made the huge mistake of asking what was going on.
A few loud ripe oaths from Akutsu had split the atmosphere and shaking her head as she heard the pounding footsteps of her brother bolting wildly in retreat, Ayame knew it was pointless to continue her studies.
Turning her back on "The lives of the great pharaohs" she took to restlessly pacing around her room while the argument raged on in the kitchen below. It seemed that her parents were deadlocked in a debate over what needed to be done to rescue a black dragon called Dark Rain and stopping, the girl frowned darkly.
A dragon in the hands of Dark Hunters was a dragon in desperate trouble so why were her parents even bothering to discuss it? They should have been out there right now trying to save him! Lifting a thoughtful finger to her lips, Ayame then wondered why the mighty gold wasn't doing something about it. Surely she felt that he of all dragons would be acting but if he wasn't then he must have his reasons.
Cocking her head to one side, she couldn't help but snarl a little as the frantic conversation told her everything she needed to know.
The young black scale was being held somewhere and Aion planned to kill him before a great crowd of humans at some medieval fair. The mighty gold would lead his forces into battle over the harbor while a hidden strike force attempted to rescue their friend.
Striding over to her school bag, Ayame yanked the zip open then reached in to hastily withdraw a large square of paper that she had torn from a light pole on the way home. Studying the photo stamped upon it, she growled as she recognized the background.
"I know where he is." she said quietly, "And it's time for action."
Crumpling the paper tightly within her fist, the lanky teenage girl teleported away.
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As Ayame gathered her team mates, the hidden dragon's thoughts turned to her coach. Fully aware of Sakuno's feelings towards any Mythic in danger Akutsu's daughter felt certain that the young red would be willing to assist them. Ayame had been expecting a favorable reaction but her leader's fierce roar of triumph wed to grim determination startled her.
Gazing furiously upon her tennis team, Sakuno savagely demanded to know where her lover was.
"Look... look at the... background." Ayame stammered while wondering what in the known realms had come over her normally meek and quiet coach. "See that wall and that unruly fig tree? I'm absolutely certain that's the back of the old Kawasaki motor bike factory."
"Are you sure?"
Morphing to half form, Sakuno menaced her team captain with sharp fangs and extended wings.
"Are you one hundred percent sure?"
A little afraid, Ayame took a small step back.
"I'm very sure! Coach Sakuno, who is that dragon? I'm sure I've seen him before."
Noticing how the rest of the girls were becoming intimidated by her ferocious behavior, Sakuno forced herself to relax before speaking in even tones.
"You may have seen him with your sire or around the tennis grounds. His name is Taichi Dan; formally of Yamabuki."
"Of course!" Ayame exclaimed as the fingers of her right hand met with a sharp snap. "Dad often talks about him."
"That's because he and your father are close; sometimes, too close." Sakuno added making the girls wonder at the sudden edge of bitterness marring her tone.
Blinking and shaking her head, Sakuno became brisk.
"Dan... Tyng Nyeh... is very dear to me and I must save him!"
"Because you love him." Aiko quietly stated.
Giving the dark haired girl a sad smile, Sakuno declared that her tennis player was every bit as perceptive as her sire.
"Let us help you nya!"
Bright sparks danced in Mikako's large azure eyes. However, her coach's next words effectively doused her fires of youthful enthusiasm.
"I'm sorry young cat lady, but no."
Sweeping the girls with a severe stare, the half form red dragon firmly told her team that it would be far too dangerous.
Looking at Ayame, she then informed the captain that Akutsu would be more than willing to accompany her on her mission.
Forcefully ordering the girls to stay put, Sakuno opened her mind and on receiving an instant reply, she vanished with a faint pop of displaced air.
For a few seconds, an uneasy silence held sway over the group that was quickly broken by Noriko's rebellious mutter.
"We can't just sit here."
"We should follow them." Yumiko grumbled. "Sakuno will need all the help she can get."
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With the setting of the sun, long shadows began to creep across the land. Spreading out from a crumbling brick wall and its neighboring fig tree large patches of darkness crawled towards the prisoner locked away from prying human eyes.
Around him, a few guards kept watch while several hidden Dark Hunters surveyed the area from above. Yet Dan never noticed his captors any more than he noticed his restraints or his pain for his mind was no longer his own.
His gaunt body was terribly wasted and dreadfully scarred. His wings were torn and the region beneath his tail bore stark evidence of cruel abuse but under the control of the thing that now possessed him, the young dragon was beyond all feeling. Staring blankly ahead of him, the Mythic looked just like a hastily constructed parade float; the exact appearance that Aion wanted for his grand plan to work.
An old door set in the back of what had once been a thriving industry opened with a loud rusty creak and moments later, the lord of the Lyrium strode out into the open. Surrounded by a host of his strongest fighters, Aion grinned wickedly while observing his helpless victim.
Turning, he then smiled evilly at his offspring. Hands deep in his pockets; his odd eyes gleaming behind square glasses, Muraki stared intently at Dan.
"It will be interesting to see how your friends try to rescue you." Muraki smirked. "Even now, they are coming to make an attempt."
"And why drive them away when they are falling so beautifully into our clutches?" Aion purred menacingly. "The turkey is basted and ready for the oven."
Raising his voice, he commanded his forces to hide.
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Had anyone been watching the base of an unkempt overgrown fig tree overlooking the back of an old abandoned factory, they would have been amazed to see two leather winged people suddenly appear out of thin air. However the land adjacent to the derelict buildings was void of humans and only a few birds were around to witness Sakuno and Akutsu's arrival.
Bodies tense, their senses fully alert, the pair of half form dragons gazed up at the brickwork in front of them. Heads turning, their intense eyes then fully scanned the surrounding area.
'No guards.' Akutsu's mind rumbled. 'I don't like it.'
'We must rescue Dan!' Sakuno silently replied. 'Guards or no guards, I'm going in!'
'Wait!'
Flinging out a restraining arm, Akutsu sternly warned his friend that they could be walking straight into a trap.
'I don't care!' Throwing all caution to the wind, Sakuno could think of nothing but liberating her captured lover. 'Either you help me or you don't, but do not dare try to stop me!'
Snarling under his breath, the surly green reluctantly followed the feisty red to the top of the wall. Once there, Sakuno paused; her large scarlet sails spread out for balance as her horrified orbs drank in the terrible scene below.
In the center of the small weed choked courtyard, Dan crouched upon a heavy wooden platform. Thick metal shackles encased his neck and feet and strong chains kept him firmly in place. No muzzle covered his face yet his jaws remained closed. Worst of all, his eyes had lost their sparkle and stared blankly into space.
Orbs quickly darting about, Sakuno watched for enemies as her mind opened.
'Dan! Dan its me, Sakuno! I'm here to help you!'
If the black dragon heard her, he gave no outward sign and grinding her teeth, Sakuno leapt from her lofty perch. Landing lightly on the rough ground, tears welled within her eyes as she reached out to her helpless love mate.
"Oh Dan..." she whispered fearfully, "....what have they done to you?"
Stalking up behind her, Akutsu tensed then growled menacingly. Dropping into a semi crouch; his wings lifting into a threatening posture, the half form green lashed his tail while issuing a harsh challenge at the fig tree.
Nothing happened for a second or two Then, a small group of familiar figures appeared from within the screen of branches. Quickly floating to the ground, they stood together as the scowling adults grumbled their displeasure.
"What in the stinking depths of Jigoku are you girls doing here?" Akutsu snapped furiously. "Ayame! Why I ought to..."
"Punishments can wait!" Snarled Sakuno. "This rescue can't! Hurry girls and help me break his chains!"
Beckoning the quaking teenagers to her side, Sakuno sternly ordered them to start working. Unfortunately, the chains were stronger than steel and resistant to magic and it was doublely unfortunate that everyone was so absorbed in their task that each member of the group completely failed to notice Aion's forces emerging from their hiding places.
In full dragon form, Sakuno, Akutsu and Ayame continued attempting to bite through the thick links of dark metal while Akiko and Noriko kept attacking the chains with their powers. The rest of them crowed around Dan's head in a futile mission to snap the suffering black scale out of his trance and it was only when Yumiko voiced a sudden crisp bark that anyone realized their danger.
Backs snapping ramrod straight, their startled expressions betrayed their shocked surprise moments before teeth were bared and bodies crouched ready for combat. Eyes shooting frantically in every direction, it took the dismayed group a mere fraction of a second to notice that they were completely surrounded and hopelessly out numbered.
Hordes of Dark Hunters grinned at them from every surface while many more clogged the sky above. Even worse; Aion and Muraki stood at the head of the pack smiling viciously while the two huge monsters flanking them grumbled and snarled.
Casually lifting one hand, Aion purred a question.
"Well Muraki, shall I give the order?"
Chuckling evilly, Muraki informed his terrified audience that he had a much better idea.
"Now why just let our Hunters tear them apart when we could have more fun watching them destroy each other?"
Reaching up to caress the foreleg of his shadow flash, the odd eyed demon calmly told his servant to take control of the male green. Making a low pitched rumbling noise that made the ground shake, the genetically produced creation lumbered towards its target.
Feeling the vibrations ringing painfully within his body, Akutsu pressed his front talons hard against the back of his ears. Agony was invading system but worse, something terrible was starting to seep into his mind. Rearing onto his hind legs, the mighty emerald scale clutched at his head while roaring his suffering.
Forgetting the group's dire predicament, Ayame screamed out her fear.
"DAD! NO! DAD, DAD!"
An icy shaft of pure horror ran down her spine and leaping to the right, she tried to reach him. However, a pair of large red front legs encircled her to hastily pull her back. Roughly shoving the hatchling behind her, Sakuno jumped to Akutsu's side.
Only partly aware of the strange fact that none of the Dark Hunters were attacking, the frantic red dragon whimpered with distress while holding the thrashing green against her.
Bellowing and howling; his bulging eyes staring wildly, Akutsu hissed a frantic warning.
"Go! Take the youngsters and go!"
"No!" Sakuno gasped, her heart hammering hard enough to burst as cold anxiety flooded her veins. "I won't leave you!"
"You... you must!" Akutsu breathed as his body convulsed. "Don't you see? The Dark Hunters..." Breaking off, the violently twitching dragon's lower jaw dropped to emit an ear shattering crescendo of agony.
Puffing and panting; his ridged frame shaking as if in danger of falling apart, Akutsu squeezed his eyes shut before he howled once more. When his eyes peeled open, they were blank and white like those of the monster fading away in front of him.
At his feet, the girls tried attacking the other creature but they were driven back then held in place at sword point by Aion's forces.
"The.... the Dark Hunters...." Akutsu forced the words from his foaming mouth. "...they are holding us.... preventing our escape!" Akutsu's eyes snapped shut. "That monster.... it's taking over... I... I can't fight it!"
"What... what are you saying?"
Teeth clamped together, Akutsu wheezed; his breath sounding like wind being forced through a tiny crack as white froth sprayed out and the veins in his head and neck stood out. Layered in sweat and throwing his body about, the suffering dragon voiced a deranged giggle then screamed once more.
"The shadow flash! Its taking control of my mind!" Another sadistic chuckle then Akutsu was clinging to Sakuno for dear life. "It'll force me to kill you! Do you hear? Get away Sakuno, get away!"
Throwing himself backwards, Akutsu screamed to his terrified daughter.
"Fly Ayame! Fly before I kill you!"
Dropping to the ground, he opened his eyes. At that moment the transparent shadow flash vanished completely and muttering a final; "Escape! I'm scared, so scared!" Akutsu's face suddenly twisted into a horrible leer. Slowly; as if being drawn up by strings, the blank eyed green stood then laughed at its huddled victims.
"Die." he hissed in a dry raping voice that was not his own.
Rearing onto his powerful back legs, Akutsu's lower jaw dropped. A huge ball of light formed up in front of his fangs then with an ear splitting crack a thick beam of light lanced forth.
As one, the girls of Kirameki screamed as they desperately clung to each other. Eyes squeezing shut, they braced themselves as they prepared for the white hot fury about to snuff out their lives.
Then, two things happened at once. Roaring, Sakuno threw herself in front of the beam; her body twisting and writhing in mid air. She then uttered one long hideous shriek before thudding lifeless to the ground. Around the horrified survivors, fighting erupted as hordes of Thleerium unexpectedly appeared on the scene to engage the Dark Hunters in hand to hand combat.
Preparing to fight, Muraki glared as he noticed balls of fire bursting into life around him. Breathing Tsuzuki's name like a prayer, his eyes gleamed in anticipation as he sought out his quarry.
A group of wounded Dark Hunters fluttered clumsily to the ground then staggered apart just enough to allow Muraki a clear view of a slender purple eyed male. Black feathered wings standing out from his shoulders the Shinigami half breed stopped and lifted his hands.
Reaching upwards Tsuzuki summoned a large fiery orb that swiftly evolved into a huge bird made of flame. Fixing its beady parrot like eyes upon the snarling Muraki, it opened its hooked beak to emit a deafening squawk and spew a great river of fire at its chosen target.
Calling a dark energy sword into his hands, Muraki whipped it up just in time to block the savage blast. But the screaming fire bird continued to attack and grimly setting his feet the determined Lyrium was slowly but surely pushed backwards; his boots digging little furrows in the crumbling soil as he fought to stand his ground.
However, the massive heat radiating from the expulsion was steadily draining him of his strength. Drenched in sweat and spitting several ripe oaths, Muraki flung his blade before him in a desperate attempt to preserve his skin; the frantic act causing the flame to rapidly rebound and momentarily drive the startled bird away.
With the pressure removed, Muraki stood for a few seconds; his white coat flapping in the hot winds as a great burst of sparks exploded from his flame wreathed weapon. Forcefully ejecting in every direction the unexpected assault slammed into both Lyrium and Thleerium alike and during the resulting confusion the odd eyed demon made his escape.
'Look at the red dragon Tsuzuki for once again your actions towards me have taken an innocent life.'
Hearing the cruel taunt resounding within his mind, Tsuzuki turned away from his air borne enemy and frantically sweeping the war zone, his startled gaze fell upon Sakuno's blood covered form. Looming over her, Akutsu let out a final demented howl before the white light faded from his eyes. Breathing a quiet; "I'm free." he slumped limply to the ground beside his friend.
Around the motionless dragons the Lyrium quickly dispersed and while some Thleerium remained in the now dark sky, most of Tachibana's warriors landed to gather around their stricken comrades.
Eyes bulging, Sakuno's female tennis team clung tightly to each other while slowly inching toward their fallen coach. Trembling violently they began to cry as the true horror of their situation overran their shocked senses.
A sudden faint pop of displaced air heralded the appearance of a dragon and moments later a grim faced Tezuka in his true form was gravely staring at the young red scale's head.
"She is alive; but only just."
Gazing about, he sternly barked out several orders. Assisted by Fuji a group of newly arrived group of Hikari healers worked hard to stabilize Sakuno's failing heart while others turned their magical attention onto Akutsu.
With area now free of Hunters, Tezuka glared towards the long dark road leading down to the abandoned factory. The sound of many wailing sirens carried a warning of approaching firefighters and not wishing to be seen by the hordes of humans about to erupt among them, the mighty gold effortlessly scooped his two injured subjects into his arms. Accompanied by healers and surrounded by friends, the king of dragons extended his wings; lifted off the ground then vanished into thin air.
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"There was nothing you could have done Tsuzuki. Sakuno was already down by the time we had arrived."
Sinking down into a plush leather arm chair, Hisoka shot the watching Atobe an apprehensive glance. Grateful that the wealthy Hikari was allowing them to recover from their latest battle in the comfort of his mansion the young Shinigami once again tried to calm his traumatized friend.
His knees drawn up to his chest, Tsuzuki stared miserably into space as he wrapped himself up in the tentative safety of his own violently quaking arms. Refusing an offered cup of tea the shaken half breed wallowed in the darkness of his sorrow as Muraki's parting remark cycled relentlessly though his shattered mind.
To him, it seemed that at least one person died each time he fought his nemesis and he could almost see the phantom shadows of those sad victims swirling in the air around him. Mostly young females, they watched the part demon through haunted eyes while their hollow bodies moved in a silent dance of the dead.
"I'm sorry." he muttered while burying his face in his hands. "I'm so sorry I failed to protect you."
"Tsuzuki." Hisoka's gentle voice reached out to caress his troubled soul. "You didn't fail them and it's not your fault that humans and Mythics have died at Muraki's hands."
Belatedly recalling that his young partner had also lost his life to Muraki, Tsuzuki slowly lifted his bowed head. For a few long minutes the pair gazed deeply into each other's eyes before gently reaching out to each other. Wrapped up in the security of their warm embrace they tenderly reminded each other of how they would always be there to care for one another.
Sensing the two shinigami's need to be alone together, Atobe quietly dismissed his servants and rising from his chair he padded across the room on cats feet. Just as he reached the door his hand froze on the handle; his lips curving into a sad smile as Hisoka's softly whispered words reached his highly sensitive ears.
"Please stop blaming yourself, you cannot save everyone. Even the mighty gold cannot stop death and if he can accept that then you can too."
Lips met in an understanding kiss; neither one of them hearing the near silent click of a door closing in the room's harmonious serenity.
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Late afternoon the following day, a very young red dragon paused at the foot of a small mountain to lift its head and carefully sniff the wind. He could sense that his mother had been badly hurt yet at the same time there was another more urgent call tugging insistently at his soul.
"Mother maybe in pain, but she will soon heal so I really don't need to rush off to see her... do I?"
Shaking his head, the youngster abruptly dismissed his worries. Time would soon heal the female's wounds but time would never stand still for a contest; especially the one he wanted to attend so badly.
Running into the woodlands surrounding his hideaway the hatchling hurried to a special hollow tree where he had hidden the things he would need for a trip into a human ruled world.
Thanking his lucky stars that Kerin himself had created a spell that now gave all young dragons the power of human transformation; he quickly wiggled into clothing that appeared to have been taken from the set of a jungle boy movie before sitting down to pull sneakers over his slender human feet. Snatching up a back pack that had the handle of a tennis racket sticking out the top, the small teenage boy that the Mythic had become raced out into the open.
Skidding to a halt beside a currently deserted roadway, the boy tipped his head back then whooped joyfully while pumping a victorious fist in the air: "LOOK OUT TOKYO, HERE I COME!"
Breaking into a fast sprint an expression of alarm suddenly spread across his face. Jogging to a stop, he sniffed the air while gazing around in confusion at every direction.
"Erm..." he muttered to himself as a sheepish grin curved his lips."....where is Tokyo?"
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Night had fallen. Some time around midnight, Akutsu and Takashi crawled into bed, shared pleasures then fell asleep. Above their home the thin sliver of a new moon shone faintly behind a veil of clouds. Stars twinkled starkly against the dark night and taking advantage of the black cloak an owl descended in search of food. Hearing the faint rustling sound of a mouse moving through unkempt grass growing under a window, the bird of prey swept in on silent wings.
Falling upon its victim it quickly flew into a handy tree to devour its meal. Moments later its head shot up; its large round eyes gleaming as fear charged throughout it system. Gazing wildly about its startled vision was drawn towards the building and sensing the evil within it took a firm grip on the mouse then flew away as fast as its flight limbs would carry it.
Something bright abruptly flared inside the dark bed room. Securely tucked up in his blankets, Takashi snored peacefully while beside him, Akutsu lay ridged on his back; his open white eyes glowing with silent menace in the deep shadows of the pre-dawn night.
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To be continued......