"Hotohori" Miaka gasped surprised.
"I wanted to see how you are fairing." He took both her small hands in his own. If Agni had control of their body her eyes would have rolled.
'Look how they swoop in to support her, she'd crumble without them' She scoffed.
'Anyone would' Soma stood up for her friend.
'Did anyone coddle you?'
'You did but look where that's gotten me.' Soma surprised Agni by admitting that as much as the fire sister had destroyed her life, she was still occasionally there for her. Soma stood from her bed and went to push between Hotohori and Miaka.
'You're getting bitter.' Agni snickered knowing that this display of affection was getting to her other half.
"Wait don't leave!" Miaka took Soma's arm in her grasp.
"Soma? Is something troubling you as well? This ordeal with Tamahome has been-"
"No it's-" Miaka was about to try an explain the deteriation of Soma and Tasuki's relationship.
"I'm hungry" Soma blurted nervously making sure her voice drowned out Miaka's, she had no desire to hear the story she was living.
"Excuse me?" Hotohori looked at her puzzled.
"That's the something that's troubling me" She put a hand to her stomach. "I think I'm going to head into town and get some soup." 'Food would be good.' She started to salivate.
"Go to the kitchen the palace servants will make you anything you please." Hotohori tried his best to be a good host.
"Miaka would you like to join me later? I need to leave the palace walls for a while, though thank you anways" She gave an appreciative bow to Hotohori. "I'd gladly wait the day until you're ready for lunch or something" Soma smiled as she made her exit, it was still morning but she could skip breakfast and wait for her friend.
"I don't have much of an appetite." Miaka frowned, those were words neither Soma nor Hotohori had ever expected to come out of Miaka's mouth.
"Miaka you need to keep your strength up-"
"I'll eat alone then, but maybe later you'll share a snack with me . . . just to keep me company?" Soma din't want to push her freind in a time like this. 'Even though it doesn't really matter at this point, that's no excuses to be rude.'
"Mmmh Hmmm" Miaka nodded and with that Soma left the two alone.
'Let me come out to play Soma, you have no better way to spend this time. And you need the rest.' Agni bargained.
'Fine.' Soma shrugged and left the palace changed clothes, and blanked her mind slipping into unconsciousness, unlike when Agni went into recession she didn't stay aware of her surroundings, not ever present in what their body and her counterpart were up to , she blocked it out wanted no part of it, it was like she was on a different planet.
'You send the rain I'll send the flames Jala.' Agni smirked as she flexed her fists as droplets of water fell down to her face.
Mitsukake entered Tasuki's room to redress his wounds. "Nah no thanks, I can't take you roughing me up anymore." Tasuki rubbed his shoulder remembering how the doctor had mended him the first time. "How's Miaka doing?"
"As well as to be expected." Mitsukake replied flatly.
"That good huh?" Tasuki stared up at the ceiling for a minute before letting out a frustrated yell.
"What? Did one of your splints fall loose?" Mitsukake gave a quick scan of his friend's bandages, nothing seemed out of place.
"I feel so helpless I can't just sit around here." Tasuki struggled to get to his feet.
"You shouldn't move so soon. What exactly do you plan to do?"
"I'm heading back to Kuto going to make that Tamahome guy pay for what he did to Miaka." Tasuki pounded his fist into his palm, he was ornery for a few reason added to the fact that he was a bandit and fighter at heart, it was more shocking that he hadn't left for vengeance earlier. Those acts felt comfortable to him, maybe returning to that would help him forget that his life was in disarray. Mitsukake blocked the door.
"You could get yourself killed. Do think that's what Miaka needs right now? What's going on with you?" He looked down at his friend whose fiery rage was mixing with the pain of his wounds. Mitsukake let out a sigh " I won't be able to convince you otherwise will I?" Combining, even overshadowing the hurt and anger, was Tasuki's determination.
"Not a chance." Tasuki shrugged. "Move Mitsukake"
"Promise me one thing?"
"If it get's you to MOVE out of my way I'll promise anything." Tasuki rolled his eyes, not enjoying being lectured like a child.
"Don't do anything stupid, we need you."
"Yeah I know Suzaku w-"
"Not as a warrior Tasuki as a friend." Mitsukake put a comforting hand on Tasuki's shoulder.
"Soma rejected you so now you're trying to pick me up?" Tasuki laughed. "You'd have better luck with Nuriko you know?" His demeanor lightened a bit, Mitsukake relented and allowed the bandit to pass. Had the mood of kohnan not been so down there would have been snickers heard as Tasuki sloppily hobbled through the palace, fumbling and cursing his way to the gate.
And with that Tasuki began his trek to Kuto, giving himself some time alone with his thoughts. 'How long till I can go home, I miss Reikaku, that's my place, where I'm top dog. Here what am I? What good am I? I couldn't take down a brainwashed Tamahome.' Tasuki was beginning to doubt himself. 'I had Soma, but that's all screwed up.' He looked up into the downpour. 'And This goddamn rain is getting on my nerves.' He gave a swift kick to the mud in front of him but being on a crutch left his balance greatly impaired he fell flat on his back. "Owwwww!" He yelled through the forest he was in. 'Why me?' He ran a hand through his goopy hair, turning his face when he heard giggling. "Laugh again I dare you!" Not sure who was laughing he grabbed for his Tessen.
"I bet I could yell louder!"
"What the hell are you-" mud was flung at the bandit's face.
A small girl appeared from the bush. "Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!" She screamed a big smile on her face. At first Tasuki scowled cleaning out his ears but then as she walked over to help him up he shrugged. 'This I can do.'
"Ahhhhhh!" He yelled back at her. and threw some mud at the girl They got in a screaming match. The girl got her giggles and Tasuki got some of his frustration out.
No matter what they thought the two weren't alone in their shrieks. That sound reached heightened ears. 'The idiot is loose' Agni smirked, she walked along the outskirts of town, singeing deep into her surroundings racing the downpour of rain the forest was crumbling around her. 'I'll have him come to me.' The fire grew. 'He has something to prove. He wants to be a hero. Come save the day you bandaged fool.' She stepped into a small Kohnan village. Townspeople's went running, went screaming it was difficult to see in the smoke and rain, the didn't know what it was they were running from.
"Ahhhh!" the girl's voice was growing hoarse, but still she laughed playing in the mud with Tasuki.
"Rui? Rui where are you?" A women was panicking hearing her daughter yell out.
"Mother?" Rui turned around only to be scooped up by her Mother Wen.
"Who are you? What do you want with us? Why did you attack our village?" Wen took a handful of steps back, the woman tried feverishly to break a branch to use as some type of weapon. Tasuki looked on, he tried to speak but he was obviously being ignored.
'I can't even get respect from a house wife.' Tasuki rolled his eyes. 'This is getting insulting.' He walked over and snapped the branch for her. as soon as he did he felt it slam into his head. "Should've seen that coming" He stated flatly as leaves floated down to the ground. " Before you hit me again explain what you said. I've been out here all day. How could I have attacked you? What kind of danger are you in?" But before Wen could respond to the onslaught of questions Tasuki had made a decision. "Rui get behind me. Take me to your village. I promise I'll protect you." Tasuki had to do this, he needed to save these people from whatever had caused them fear, he needed to show himself that he hadn't lost his touch. again he unsheathed his Tessen.
"Nowhere to go." Agni as she did with all her 'prey' surrounded the town with a ring of fire. "Just in time here comes the flaming moron." Agni sensed him nearing.
"Rekka Shien!" pushing his own path through Agni's circle, Tasuki came into view, Rui and Wen scampered over by their neighbors. The air was foggy it had become even harder to see. 'Not fog. Steam.' Tasuki clenched his Tessen tighter waiting in the sauna like atmosphere to see exactly what he was up against. Beads of sweat were accumulating from the high temperatures. "Let them go!" His teeth were grinding in anger.
"Why should I yield to you?" Agni chuckled she didn't even give him the curtsey of looking him in the eye she was staring up at the clouds. Not that it would have mattered it was hard enough to see one's hand in front of one's face let alone an opponent's expression. "Odd weather wouldn't you say?"
'What is her deal? Where is she?' He could barley see her silhouette in the thick air. "Because if you don't let them go I'll turn you ashes." He lifted his tessen, he had no time for small talk.
"Don't joke around. You can barely walk let alone fight. I hear it will stop raining soon, that'll be good right?" She glanced over to the fear stricken townsfolk. "Dead quiet" She smirked. She was mocking Tasuki with her aloof attitude.
"I don't need my full strength to beat you!" At this bold statement Agni's face soured just like that she was done with whimsical chit chat.
'Pompous ass.' "Confident aren't you? Fine, if you manage to beat me I'll leave these no ones alone. But if you lose, they'll all die starting with your little tag along friend." she waved mockingly at the young girl cowering behind her mother.
" I won't lose." Tasuki peered through the steam.
"For her sake I hope not." To mess with him further and with a lift of a finger she sent some flames in the direction of the cherub like Rui. 'Too many distractions I want him able to put up a little of a fight.'
"Rekka Shien!" Tasuki shouted again charging through the heat. The steam lifted rain fell and flames died down. 'Did I do it?' He scanned the terrain blinking stupidly.
"You saved us. " Rui ran up and hugged Tasuki's leg.
'Where is she?' Even though he knew she was playing mind games it didn't make them less effective, she was two steps ahead. "Stay here." Tasuki gently pushed her off of him shaking his head. 'This isn't over.' He began to shuffle through the mud as fast as he could. As he moved farther away from town he saw the steam begin to rise again. "Come out you sna-" His voice was cut off as an Arm wrapped around his throat pulling tight.
"Look how you get yourself stuck in the same predicament time after time. This is exactly the way I remember you." Agni laughed in his ear.
"Remember?" Tasuki rasped.
"Not a lot of memory can fit in that thick skull of yours can it? Don't you recall your 'epic' battle to save your priestess. Do I need to remind you how that ended." She squeezed tighter.
"Shut up!" He gave a hard elbow into her abdomen, causing Agni to release her clutch. He spun clumsily around and again swung his iron fan. "Rekka-"
"This again. Is that all you can do?" Agni snickered a stream of fire came from Tasuki's direction but she effortless swatted it away. She put a palm to the ground and like a erupting volcano flames shot from the ground under Tasuki's feet. Agni let the flames lift him about ten feet before abruptly stopping, causing him to crash with a thud into the ground, writhing in pain.
"Look at you. You're a broken man. I'll give you an opportunity I don't give many, if you back down now I'll let you live." 'Soma would be so proud.' "But there will be consequences." Agni looked back at the direction of the village.
"I don't make deals with scum like you." Tasuki slowly rose to his feet. He picked his Tessan off the ground.
"Fine do as you please. But a tip. That fan won't help you. I've had centuries to perfect the art of fire manipulation. You're sloppy to say the least." Agni unlike Tasuki had patience and a level head, she stood arms crossed, as far as she was concerned Tasuki was no real threat.
"I'll show you sloppy." He would not be deterred, swinging his weapon with all the strength he had, he attacked once again. Agni paused a moment then sprinted full force splitting the flames as she did so. With one hard blast or her own she sent him careening into a tree, he slumped to the ground, she was right this battle in ways did emulate Tasuki and Tamahome's.
"I told you." She pinned him down a foot on his chest watching in as he winced and sputtered for air. "You were dumb to think you could beat me. That you could save anyone. You couldn't save your priestess or the woman you claim to love the most, Soma. Pitiful."
"Soma!" Tasuki grunted, repeating the name, stunned to hear it from Agni's mouth. 'How does this creature know about Soma?' He had finally realized that he had engaged in a fight with no simple human but against a chaos sister.
"Yes, poor Soma. She did fall for you quickly didn't she? But look what grief that's caused her. Not to mention scars. How did you feel when you saw her wounded by that blade?" Agni did enjoy watching the anguish in the bandit's amber eyes.
"How do you know about that?" 'What's going on?'
"Someone has to watch over Soma, you obviously can't." She shrugged.
"I won't let you hurt her."
"Because you love her right? But much like fighting you're inadequate at affection as well. As for me hurting her, you're a bit too late for that." She was unrelenting in her belittling tactics.
"What?" Tasuki's eyes grew wide and panicked. "What did you do to her? Where is she? " 'I have to get out of here. She needs me.' He struggled to get up but Agni just pressed her boot farther into his chest, she could feel his breath all but expel from him.
"Didn't you ever wonder why she never sleeps? It's because of me. She's terrified of me. I wonder why?" She put a finger to her chin.
"When I kill you she won't have that problem. Now tell me what you did to her" His thoughts went to Soma napping in a tree her nightmare contorted face. He wanted to see her pain free and calm in her slumber. He would regain that for her. He would win her back.
"No, see you won't kill me. You'll simply die here all alone." She moved her foot for a moment and leaned down and gave him a kiss. She started to push at his collar kissing down his neck. "Tell me, do my lips feel like hers?" She caressed his side.
"Get off of me." But as he looked up at her he could see it, Agni's features weaved in and out with Soma's for a moment he closed his eyes and he couldn't tell the difference, it felt like Soma was on top of him. He kissed her back only for second. "I'll let you die with a smile on your face. Maybe you'll cry out her name." Her hand moved down to the waist of his pants. " I doubt she'll be disappointed in you, she'd be foolish to expect fidelity from a bandit. Plus that's the least of her troubles right now." Agni laughed.
"Why her? She hasn't done anything, leave her alone." He glanced over at his Tessan. 'One last shot.'
"You don't know the first thing about Soma." Playtime was over she was going to end him. 'He's not even worth death by flames.' two slender hands clamped around his throat, she was as her title dictated chaotic, going from kissing to crushing him. "You don't deserve her. You know that right?" Agni's grip tightened as she grew protective of her only friend. "She's a one of a kind soul and you're a common replaceable mutt!" She spat in his face.
"Are you in love with her?" Tasuki coughed, maybe this woman was jealous of him, wanted Soma for her own. ' I can't blame her, Soma is easy to care for but Soma still loves me and I'm not going to let this psycho take her away from me.'
"I appreciate her, am there for her, I understand her. All the things you couldn't do." Tasuki's face was as red as his hair, it was slowly turning blue in color as she applied even more pressure.
"I'm going to protect her." He was about to make his move. "From you." With that he swung his wrist as hard as he could crashing his metal fan into the back of Agni's knee.
"Aghhh!" Agni let go of him rolling over grabbing her leg in pain. Once she felt mud hit her face, her fists clenched and she stood best she could. She felt insulted "Tasuki I'll kill you." She wiped her cheek clean.
'Tasuki!' Soma finally awoke. Tasuki saw the frustrated look on Agni's face, she was halted for a split second. He limply charged at her, slamming his Tessen into her abdomen.
'She's outsmarting me and her fire is faster than mine but in brute strength I can't be beat.' He looked at the woman holding her stomach. 'I don't really want to hurt a girl. But she is a sister of chaos she's a monster. She's hurt Soma.' He shook his head he didn't have time to think he had to act quickly. "Don't struggle alright. it'll be quick." He hit her in the back of the head to incapacitate her, she passed out face first. He held his Tessen over the motionless woman but he wouldn't allow himself to make another move. 'I'm a man I don't attack someone defenseless, especially not a woman. What do I do?' He looked back to the village, and was surprised as to what he saw. 'Tamahome?' Tasuki's fangs were bared, his pride and desire to protect Miaka overwhelmed him. Tamahome was riding through the pouring rain in the direction of the palace. By the time he looked back to where Agni had been, there was only her imprint in the mud, The chaos sister was gone. "Soma I'm sorry." 'I failed you.' His head hung low. 'But now I know what you were afraid of. Once I'm in better health Soma I'll figure this all out I'll make her regret ever messing with you. But right now I need to stop Tamahome.'
Tasuki found his crutch and began to hobble off. As the adrenalin weaned the pain set in his whole body ached he was biting his lip to keep from screaming, and it wasn't long before he tasted blood. 'Just a bit farther. I can't let him hurt Miaka.'
"Thank you for saving us." Wen tapped him on the shoulder.
"No problem." He didn't stop to speak with her. 'At least I did something right.'
"Please stay and let our doctor heal your wound." she grabbed his arm, causing a his of pain from Tasuki.
"There's a doctor where I'm heading." Tasuki shook his head.
"Well at least take Heng with you." Rui pulled on his jacket's cuff.
'A horse? if it's fast enough I could-' Tasuki turned and stared at the animal in front of him. 'Today is not my day.' "A mule." He tried to seem appreciative. 'any bit of extra speed counts.' He got on the creature that brayed and kicked as he did so.
"Bye." Rui waved as Tasuki and Heng trotted out of view.
Soma now in control of her body ran, her knee still throbbed but she had to outrun Tasuki. 'That shouldn't be hard.' She winced at the though of Tasuki moving through this terrain. 'That and I doubt Agni was kind to him.' Soma hadn't been aware of the confrontation the two people she was closest to had shared but waking up collapsed in mud behind Tasuki made it clear that something had gone down. Agni was still unconscious unable to express the new level of hatred she had for Tasuki. Once she did awaken, she would keep her plans to kill the bandit to herself. Soma never probed so that wouldn't be a problem. She was getting winded as she sprinted through the trees, glancing over to her left she could see him. 'Tasuki.' Her face grew sad, Soma wanted to run over and comfort him. 'And carry him. He'll never get back riding that thing.' She looked at the animal that moved in a inebriated fashion, side stepping and moving backwards it was a sad picture. 'Is that what's making Tasuki so mad?' She could see the scowl etched into Tasuki's usually jovial face. She had no idea they were racing to catch Tamahome or that Tasuki felt that he had failed her. Soma had no idea of the weight Tasuki was carrying on his shoulders. All she knew is she had to beat him. With that in mind she pushed herself to move faster, and did in fact reach the palace first stunned at what she saw.
Tasuki had abandoned his ride at the gates and made it to the center of the palace, to the standoff between Tamahome and Hotohori. He saw Soma standing tensely among the rest of the crowd. Tasuki pushed his way through till he was at her side. Soma gave a slight gasp as she felt Tasuki's arm circle her waist and pull her to him in a protective manner, his chin rested on her head. He covered her hand with his. Without even looking she could imagine the pain in his eyes. She could feel the breath he was holding in his chest. "Tasuki, are you . . . everything will be alright." She was crying slightly though she didn't know why, Tasuki held her tighter.
"I want you to know, that I'll protect you from her." at that statement Soma's eyes shot open.
'What did Agni tell him.'
"I have to admit something to you, and after that I promise I'll never hurt you again."
"Admit?" Both their eyes were still glued to what was transpiring in front of them but this solemn moment seemed as good as any, that and emotions were boiling over.
"Soma . . . I kissed another woman." Tasuki gulped hard as he waited for her response.
A/N: Very long, somewhat off topic and took forever to write but I still liked this chapter well enough. Comments and suggestions are always well received.
