Fated: Act X
Kotoha entered her room and slid the door closed. She was alone, Chiaki having been called away to a late training session. She gasped upon seeing her flute lying on her tatami. Genta must have asked a Kuroko to put this here for me, she thought, knowing that no one except the Kurokos and now Chiaki would enter her room without her permission. She stood and stared at it. Despite knowing that it was her feelings rather than her music that had affected Dayu, she still couldn't bring herself to touch it, even though deep down she longed to play it again. She took a cautious step forward, trembling slightly. Of all places, why did they have to leave it there? she wondered, wishing that they had put the flute somewhere else. She crouched on her tatami in front of it. It looks so harmless. I still can't believe that this is how I was able to hurt Dayu. She reached out to touch it, but a knock on her door made her jump and she quickly withdrew her hand. A Kuroko slid the door open, walked over and knelt next to her. He whispered that it was time to change her bandages and she nodded, following him out of the room without glancing back.
XxX
Chiaki stood outside in the garden, practicing along with the other Shinkengers. He had groaned at the lateness of the hour, but knew that they all needed to train for when Dayu and her shadow, DayuKage, appeared. He also had a suspicion that Takeru wanted to keep him and Kotoha separated, at least some of the time, in light of their revelation. Despite having been given his approval, Chiaki had a feeling that Takeru didn't want the two of them to become more attached. Either that or he's keeping us apart so the others don't figure it out, he thought, hoping that it was the latter. He sat on the edge of the veranda, watching the others spar against each other, Takeru with Mako and Ryunosuke with Genta, his own sparring partner somewhere in the mansion and he wished that he was with her rather than out here.
"Chiaki." A voice cut across his thoughts. He looked up to see Takeru addressing him. "Swap with Mako."
Mako walked over and sat next to him. She placed a reassuring hand on his arm, making him look at her. She gave him a small smile and nod before he picked up his kendo stick and approached Takeru.
"You cannot let your mind become distracted in battle," Takeru said, taking up his stance. "You must remain focused."
Easier said than done, Chiaki thought frowning, as he too took up a stance. It's not every day that the woman you love is the sole target.
Takeru moved his kendo stick, swiping at Chiaki, who blocked it, pushing him back. Takeru made another swipe, this time from the other side, only to have it blocked again. I have to beat him, Chiaki thought, parrying Takeru's attacks. I have to beat him and prove that I can still fight and win without being distracted, that my feelings for Kotoha make me stronger. I have to win!
Like Mako, Genta and Ryunosuke had also stopped practicing and were watching the two. They walked over and sat next to Mako on the veranda.
"Wow, who do you think will win?" Genta asked, watching them, neither giving any advantage.
"Tono of course," Ryunosuke replied confidently.
"I don't know," Mako said, tilting her head to one side slightly. "Chiaki appears to be very determined."
They continued to watch as Takeru pushed Chiaki back, despite his blows being continuously blocked. Takeru changed tactic and aimed for Chiaki's head, who ducked and spun around so that he was now behind Takeru, making the Shiba head stumble slightly.
"Damn," Ryunosuke muttered. "Chiaki might actually win!"
Using Takeru's moment of unbalance to his advantage, Chiaki placed his kendo stick on Takeru's shoulder, pressing it against his neck. "Do you concede?"
Takeru glanced over his shoulder at the edge of the kendo stick then up at Chiaki's still determined face. He lifted his arms and dropped his kendo stick. "I concede," he said, admitting his defeat.
Chiaki removed his kendo stick and smiled. I did it! I actually beat Takeru!
"Here." Chiaki looked up to see Takeru hand him a towel. "Well done," he said as Chiaki took the towel. Takeru then patted him on the shoulder. "I am beginning to have confidence in you now that you will not become distracted in our upcoming battles." He said this quietly so that the others, who were approaching the pair, couldn't hear.
"Eh, thanks," Chiaki replied, wiping his face with the towel. At least he's beginning to see that mine and Kotoha's relationship won't be a problem.
"I can't believe you actually won!" Ryunosuke spluttered upon reaching them.
"Well done," Mako said, a smile visible on her face.
"Yeah, well done, but Take-chan," Genta said turning to Takeru, "what happened?"
Takeru shrugged. "Chiaki fought well." He started to head back towards the mansion. "It's getting late. I suggest we all get some rest."
"Finally," Chiaki said, running over and leaping onto the veranda. He was about to enter the mansion, but Takeru placed a hand on his shoulder stopping him.
"Don't spend to long with her," he said quietly, knowing where Chiaki was heading. "I need both of you fully awake and focused."
Chiaki felt some redness creep into his cheeks at his words, slightly embarrassed that he was so easily read, but he nodded before entering the mansion.
"Yo, Take-chan, where's he going?" Genta asked, standing next to him.
"Where do you think, to see Kotoha," Ryunosuke replied, exasperated. He then also turned to Takeru. "Tono, have you been successful in discovering what is going on between them?"
Takeru said nothing as he walked quickly into the mansion, Mako just behind him. Ryunosuke and Genta exchanged looks of confusion before following.
XxX
There was a gentle knock on Kotoha's door. She got up from against the wall where she had been sitting and slid the door open. A smile appeared on her face as she saw Chiaki standing there, leaning lazily against the frame still dressed in his training clothes.
"Hey," he said, giving her a crooked smile and a wave, noticing that she was dressed in her pyjamas.
"Hi," she replied, standing to one side, allowing him to enter her room. "How was training?"
Chiaki entered the room before replying. "Good," he said, turning round so that he was facing her. "I actually beat Takeru."
"Really? You actually beat Tono-sama?" Kotoha asked, sliding the door closed.
"Yep. I think he's starting to get that we can be together and not let it interfere with our duties as Shinkengers."
"Good, that's good," Kotoha replied, her voice faltering slightly and she lowered her head.
"What is it?" Chiaki walked over to her and cupped her face in his hands, slowly lifting them so that she was looking at him.
She lifter her hand and placed it against his cheek. "It's just... I'm scared." Her voice trembled as she spoke. "I'm scared of what will happen with Dayu and DayuKage. I'm scared of what will happen when the others find out about us. I know you said that Tono-sama was starting to come round, but what about Ryuu-san and Genta, I'm scared of what'll happen. I'm scared that you'll be taken away from me." Tears began to sting her eyes and she tried desperately to blink them away.
"Hey, hey," Chiaki said in a soothing voice in an attempt to calm her. "That's not going to happen, alright. I'm not going to let Dayu and DayuKage get you and I'm not going to let what anyone says about us get in the way of how I feel. I love you and nothing is ever going to change that, okay." He leaned in and kissed her deeply, reinforcing his statement. "Okay?" he asked once he had pulled away.
Kotoha nodded. "Okay," she said quietly.
Chiaki glanced out the window quickly then said, "I'd better get going. Takeru said that I shouldn't spend too long with you tonight. He wants us well rested for tomorrow."
His words made her freeze as he headed for the door. "No, wait," she said, beginning to panic. "I-I don't want you to leave."
"Kotoha." He walked back over to her and she placed her hands on his chest.
"Please. I need you to stay with me."
Chiaki sighed. He kept forgetting that she had been though a lot. Even though her pain was visible through her bandages, he kept forgetting that she had also been affected mentally. Anyway, he thought, what's more important, following Takeru's orders or staying with your girlfriend because she needs you. It wasn't hard to decide as he placed a reassuring kiss to her forehead. "Of course I'll stay."
She sighed in relief and wrapped her arms around him. "Thank you," she whispered.
Once she had let go, she lead him over to her tatami but stopped upon seeing her flute still sitting on her pillow. Chiaki followed her gaze.
"You still can't-?" he began, but she shook her head quickly, stopping him from completing his question. He bent down and picked the flute up before placing it on her bedside table, hoping that once this was all over she would play it again. I really miss listening to her play, he thought, touching the flute lightly, before turning back around. He waited until she was wrapped up under her blanket before lying next to her. She then adjusted herself so that her head was resting on his chest, wrapping her arm around him. He gently kissed the top of her head. "Good night, Kotoha," he said quietly and the two of them lay there, eventually falling asleep.
XxX
"Shitari!" Dayu screamed.
"Ah, Dayu, you called?" Shitari appeared behind her on the Rokumon Junk. She spun around to face him. Upon seeing the look of anger and frustration on her face, he sighed. "You have worked out how the Earth Samurai was able to inflict hurt upon you."
"Did you know?" she hissed angrily. She pointed her shamisen at him.
"Put that away," Shitari said, and she lowered her shamisen slightly. "It took me some time, but yes. I came to the conclusion that the only way in which damage could be inflicted upon you from the human world was if they had feelings that you cannot bear." He shuffled closer to her. "What do you intend to do?"
"I know whom it is that reciprocates her love. I will make them both pay. I will do whatever it takes."
Shitari sighed. "What about Doukoku. Do you intend to inform him of your plans?"
"No. As long as I create enough screams to fill the Sanzu River Doukoku will not care what I do."
"I don't know. You're going after the Shinkengers directly-"
"Which will create more screams," Dayu interrupted. She was starting to get annoyed. "The screams of the Shinkengers is more than that of a normal, measly human."
Shitari sighed again. "If you say so. Anyway, what is it you wished to see me about?"
"I need you to make DayuKage stronger."
"Stronger? Why?"
"Stop asking questions! Just do what I ask!"
"Fine, fine," Shitari replied, knowing that it wasn't good to get on Dayu's bad side. "Where is she?"
"I'm here." DayuKage appeared on the deck and stood next to her mistress, facing her. "What is it you require of me?"
"Shitari here is going to make you stronger."
"Stronger? Why? Surely I am capable of defeating the Shinkengers as I am."
"I'm not taking any chances. Many Ayakashi before you have said such words and all of them have been defeated. I want you to be as powerful as you possibly can when you destroy them."
DayuKage bowed. "Yes, Mistress."
Shitari shuffled over to the Ayakashi. "This will take but a moment," he said, though he still sounded slightly reluctant, but Dayu chose to ignore it as he started to chant in the strange language she had heard when he had created DayuKage. His chanting became quicker and he lifted his staff, striking DayuKage in the chest with it. There was a flash of red light that filled the room, blinding them momentarily. DayuKage let out a shrill scream as she withered in pain before the light disappeared and she fell to the floor, breathing heavily. "It is done."
Dayu smiled. "Good. Now, to make that Shinkenger pay for everything she has done."
XxX
Chiaki awoke the following morning feeling more awake and refreshed than he had the previous morning, since this time Kotoha had only woken in shock twice and since she hadn't screamed either of those times, he was able to quickly reassure her that she was safe, without any interruptions from the others or the Kuroko, before they fell asleep again.
He looked across at Kotoha who was still fast asleep next to him. Her features were peaceful and he couldn't help but admire how beautiful she looked asleep as well as awake. How did I get so lucky? He thought, sitting up. He looked down at his attire and remembered what Takeru had said to him the previous night. Damn, I'd better get changed before Takeru sees me still dressed like this. Regretfully, he carefully got up, trying not to disturb Kotoha as he slid out of her room. I'll have to be quick in case she wakes up and sees that I'm not there. He carefully slid her door closed and turned to walk to his room, instead, walking in to Takeru.
"Chiaki!" he gasped, "What are you doing?"
"I-uh," he didn't know what to say.
"Why are you still dressed in your training clothes?" He paused for a moment, his eyes glancing at Kotoha's closed door. "You stayed here last night, didn't you? Right after I told you not to."
"What if I did? It's not like we did anything," Chiaki replied, his temper rising.
"You are supposed to follow my orders!" Takeru replied, raising his voice.
"What was I supposed to do? She needed me to stay and you should be grateful that I did. If I hadn't then all of us might have had a restless night."
"That is not the point. I specifically told you not to stay with her last night and now-"
"Stop it!" Mako's voice suddenly hissed startling the pair. They turned to face her. "Stop it," she said again, "arguing's not going to solve anything."
"But-" Takeru began, but she cut him off.
"Chiaki, go and get changed and you," she turned to face Takeru, "you will calm down and when Chiaki gets back we're going to talk this through and sort it out." Chiaki was about to say something but Mako held up her hand, stopping him. "Go and get changed," she told him and he nodded before rushing down the corridor to his room. She turned back to face Takeru, "Come with me," she said.
Takeru swallowed before following her. He knew better than to get her riled up, especially this early in the morning.
"What is going on?" she asked, leading him out into the garden.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"I'm not stupid, Takeru," Mako said, turning around to face him. "Why are you so mad at Chiaki?"
"It's not my place to say and anyway, it's got nothing to do with you."
Mako frowned. "Nothing to do with me? It hasn't got anything to do with him spending the night in Kotoha's room, has it?"
"I-uh-I-" Takeru stuttered. "It's got nothing to do with you," he said again folding his arms across his chest.
Mako sighed. "I know what's going on between the two of them," she said.
He lowered his arms and stared at her, his mouth open slightly. "You know?"
Mako couldn't resist but smile. "Like I said, I'm not stupid. I saw how those two felt about each other long before they did."
"And you're okay with it?"
"Of course. I take it you're not, or you're not sure how you should feel about it."
Takeru sighed. She could always read him so easily. "What do you think?"
"I'm happy for them," she replied. "It's pretty obvious that those two love each other and you know he's not going to take advantage of her, so what's the problem?"
"The problem? They're samurais. They aren't supposed to fall in love."
Mako didn't look satisfied with his answer. "Okay, so what's your problem?"
Takeru paused and thought for a moment. "I'm worried that they'll become distracted during battle," he eventually said. "Especially if Dayu has realised how Kotoha was able to hurt her. She'll probably be more determined to get her than before and as a result, they may lose their judgment."
"I see and do you have any evidence to support this?" Mako asked, crossing her arms.
"Yesterday. I said that she was to stay at the mansion but he brought her to hear what DayuKage had to say and then I told him after training that he wasn't to spend long with her and instead I discover that he spent the night in her room. They disobeyed my orders. Twice!"
"I see." She nodded her head, knowingly. "Okay, put yourself in their shoes. Would you have done anything differently?"
Takeru lowered his head again. He didn't notice a now properly clothed Chiaki or a now awake Kotoha appear on the veranda. Mako nodded to them to stay and listen.
"I guess not," he admitted, lifting his head to look at Mako.
Mako smiled. "Then what's your problem?"
"I haven't got one, I guess," he replied. "Just as long as they remember their duty and don't become distracted."
"Oh, Tono-sama, really?" Takeru jumped and turned to see Kotoha jumping off of the veranda and running over to him. She wrapped her arms around him. "Thank you," she said.
"Uh, Kotoha, do you really think you should be doing that?" he asked.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Tono-sama." She stepped away from him and bowed apologetically.
"That's not what I meant," he replied as Chiaki also jumped off the veranda and stood next to her.
"I don't understand," she said.
"I mean you're not fully healed," he said, gesturing to her leg. All four of them looked down to see a thin red line appear through the knee of her pyjama bottoms.
"Oh," Kotoha cried. "I forgot."
"Come on," Mako said, placing her arm around her. "Let's go and change it." She led Kotoha back into the mansion, leaving Chiaki and Takeru in the garden.
"Thank you," Chiaki said. "I know yesterday you weren't sure, but, thank you. She really needed to hear that."
Takeru nodded back. "Just make sure you take care of her," he said, heading back into the mansion.
"You know I will," Chiaki replied, following him.
XxX
Takeru and Chiaki entered the main room to see Ryunosuke already sat there, waiting.
"Tono." He leapt to feet and bowed as Takeru walked past him and sat in his seat. "Where are the girls?"
"They will be here shortly," Takeru replied, as both Chiaki and Ryunosuke also sat down.
"Good, I'm starving." Ryunosuke patted his knees excitedly.
As they waited, the Kurokos appeared with their breakfast. They placed the trays on the floor and left.
"Come on," Ryunosuke muttered, becoming impatient as he looked at his food.
"Where's Genta?" Chiaki asked, breaking the silence that had formed, aside from Ryunosuke's impatient mutterings.
"He went to check on his cart and DaiGoyou," Ryunosuke replied. "He hasn't been there in a couple of days, what with everything that's been going on."
Chiaki nodded in response, before sighing.
Footsteps could be heard and the three of them turned to see Mako and Kotoha enter the room. Kotoha was now dressed and was being supported by Mako slightly as she limped. Chiaki stood up and took her from Mako, helping her to sit down, whist Mako went and sat next to Ryunosuke.
"Kotoha, how are you feeling today?" Ryunosuke asked, making a start on his breakfast.
"Much better, thank you, Ryuu-san," she replied, swiftly looking at Chiaki, who smiled to himself.
"Good, good." He turned to Takeru. "Have you thought of how Kotoha's flute was able to hurt Dayu?"
Chiaki, Kotoha and Mako all stopped eating and looked up at Takeru.
"No, I have not," Takeru replied and the three of them sighed in relief.
"Oh," Ryunosuke sounded disappointed. "What shall we do if Dayu or DayuKage appear today?"
"We will all go and defeat them," Takeru said.
"What? All six of us? Tono, do you really think that's a good idea?" Ryunosuke asked, glancing at Kotoha, which made Chiaki frown.
"Yes. All of us." Takeru turned back to his breakfast, signalling to Ryunosuke that the discussion was over.
They ate the rest of their meal in silence and were about to leave the room once the Kurokos had removed the trays when the sukima sensor rang. Takeru quickly crossed over and picked up the slip. He looked at the others. "It's Dayu and DayuKage. Let's go."
They all rushed out of the room, Takeru taking out his Shodophone to call Genta, but not before Chiaki placed his hand on Kotoha's arm stopping her. "It's Dayu, are you sure you want to do this?"
Kotoha looked up at him and gave him a swift kiss on the lips. "I have to."
He nodded in response, before taking her hand and following the others out of the mansion.
A/N: Well, there's chapter 10 for you. This was actually pretty difficult to write despite the fact that nothing really happens! So, this was just a filler chapter, sadly, but there should be some action in the next one, since they're going up against Dayu and DayuKage... Hmm, I think that'll take me some time to write.
Also, I know that Genta doesn't stay at the mansion or join in when they train (though I wouldn't have thought he'd sleep at his cart), but for the purpose of this, he does. Or you could see the training as a one-off thing, since they're fighting Dayu.
I forgot to say at the end of the last chapter that I made a trailer for this story. If you want to watch it, the link is in my profile.
Anyway, until next time, please read & review ^_^