The rain poured down on them and was dampening Uruha's spirits. It really wasn't helping to improve Uruha's mood. He wasn't particularly depressed but the rain has made that an inescapable emotion. At least, he's back on the horse behind Kiera... which reminded him of his plan to interrogate her. She didn't seem to be in a good mood either. Hopefully his nosiness doesn't piss her off too much. But he couldn't control the urge of wanting to know what happened with her and Tora.

"So.. um Kiera," he started, "Did Tora give you any trouble last night?"


Kiera shuddered as Uruha's breath ghosted the shell of her ear. She was regretting giving him loan of her cloak. Her hair was drenched from the relentless rain, her clothes fared little better. Although, he had thoughtfully wrapped the large cloak around both their bodies.

"We had a mutual agreement. I gave him what he asked." She replied.


Uruha did not like the sound of that at all. What the hell does she mean by mutual agreement? Tora's not a perverted man but he is still a MAN. Being alone in a cosy little room with a girl like Kiera... Uruha knows he himself wouldn't be able to get rid of certain thoughts. Oh dear God, Uruha, don't you go there, he yelled at himself inwardly.

"A-and what did he ask?" Uruha continued, trying to sound casual while his brain is being bombarded with disturbing images. Damn it, Reita's not within touching distance either! He wondered if he should ask Reita to ride beside them closely... that'd be weird wouldn't it? He'd definitely suspect something...


Kiera knew her answer had not sated his curiosity. She smiled that her prediction had come true. Once his probing questions would have sent her temper soaring however, at the moment, her anger was dampened. Perhaps it was the rain. It does tend to make her strangely melancholy. He did not need to know that though.

"It is between Tora and I. It does not concern you." She told him coldly.

Kiera squinted, the rain poured down mercilessly that it was hard to see more than a few feet ahead. She worried constantly that Nyx might step on a wayward stone and they should fall. The sloping climb of the mountainous path was dangerous to tread even on a sunny day. Kiera swivelled back to see Reita and Tora's horses flanking behind her and Takeru bringing up the rear. Kai had switched riding partners. He now sat behind Tora and Rika was sullenly placed with Reita. She was not going anywhere without Reita's shadow anytime soon.

As Kiera faced the front again, she was suddenly aware of a heartbeat not of her own. Uruha who was pressed flush against her, his heart thundering in his chest that even through the layers of muscles Kiera could feel it. His arms seem a tad bit tighter around her. Kiera was tempted to relax into his embrace. As soon as she thought it, she shoved the thought away.


Uruha's embrace of Kiera tightened. It was subconscious, he wasn't particularly thinking about it. Her chilly demeanour towards him was colder than the rain itself. "Sorry," Uruha whispered softly and genuinely, feeling truly dejected.

He hated the thought that he annoyed her so much. Should he stop bothering her so much? Should he stop trying to be friendly? He didn't want to do any of that. He buried his face in her neck, his body not listening to his thoughts as usual. It'll probably aggravate Kiera more but in the freezing, pouring atmosphere, it brought Uruha comfort.


An unsuspecting sense of guilt invaded Kiera. Had she been too cold towards Uruha? She refused to take back neither her words nor her actions. It would be highly inappropriate. Besides, his actions weren't exactly appropriate either. Kiera had difficulty breathing normally with his face buried so intimately in her neck. She was strangely aware of his flickering eyelashes.

"Kiki! I can't see a blasted thing in this rain and my hands are frozen on the reins!" Reita's voice called out muffled by the pouring rain. This only caused the guilt to intensify. She should have been thinking of things more important than whether she was being nice to Uruha or not, she berated herself. As though Zeus agreed with her, thunder and lightning rolled across the darkened skies.

"There are caves along this path. Let us seek shelter." Kiera called back. Just as she did, her eyes landed on the opening of a cave. Taking one hand off the reins, she placed it on Uruha's arm.

"Uruha, I need to dismount." She said her voice treacherously soft.


Uruha blushed, aware that he has been quite touchy-feely with Kiera. At least the rain helped her not notice the redness of his face. He released her and they made to get off the horse. Kiera doesn't seem so mad at him now. Perhaps his 'sorry' had settled her irritation. Uruha swore to himself, he'll try to be a much less annoying person from now on. He wanted Kiera to like him so badly. Someone he held dear... Uruha was beginning to fear his own thoughts. Why was his mind always so full of Kiera? It seems like he's thinking about her 99 percent of the time.

Remembering that this can't be good, as soon as Uruha's feet touched the ground, he rushed towards Reita who was still on the horse. Rika was already on the floor and she backed off, nearly stumbling at Uruha's sudden arrival. She stared at him suspiciously, then at Reita. Uruha stared back at her as innocently as possible. Then Reita stared at him. The trio had a weird, rather awkwardly long staring session before Tora and Kai's horse disrupted them, its hooves splashing into a water puddle that splattered all over Rika and Uruha's clothes.

"Hey watch it, Tora!" Uruha yelled at him impatiently, knowing he'd done it on purpose. For a split second, he felt like this was the old Tora. Uruha looked up at his friend and couldn't help but smile. Tora returned it.


Kiera did not take heed of the ruckus behind her. She did, however, vaguely hear Reita's voice saying "Dude! Stop hogging me!" Nyx's reins in one hand and her sword

in other, Kiera cautiously approached the cave. There was no telling what manner of creatures lurked in the shadows.

"They're being noisy." Takeru's voice commented close to her ear. Kiera had to close her eyes, forcibly calming her wildly beating heart at his sudden appearance. She ignored his comment.

"What do you sense in there?" she asked him.

"Bats." His face scrunched up in disgust. Reassured, Kiera sheathed her blade.

Reaching into Nyx's saddle pouch, she drew out a long unlit torch carefully guarding it from the rain then proceeded into the dark cave. Once inside, she lit the torch. The cave was unexpectedly large. As Takeru had predicted, bats hung from the high ceiling. Kiera couldn't hide her smile when Takeru growled up at them.

"This is...big." came Kai's voice at the mouth of the cave. The rest of them piled in hurriedly out of the rain.


Rika sat down on the cold ground of the cave. It was damp and uncomfortable but was still a lot better than the pouring spectacle outside. She eyed her companions carefully. They looked weary and gloomy even though it was still morning. Perhaps she might get lucky enough to escape.

The Marshal was sitting close to her now though. That won't do. Maybe Rika should try to be sociable and get friendly with her. That'd increase her chances of escaping no doubt...

Rika edged closer to the Marshal slowly. Her eyes landed on Uruha in front of them who seemed to be literally afraid of being apart from her captor they called Lord Rei. It was quite unsettling to be honest... but also immensely interesting. Gossiping is a good way to start off a girl's friendship, Rika mused.

Casually, she started, pointing at the duo. "What is the relationship between those two? They seem very familiar with one another. VERY familiar."


Kiera glanced towards where Uruha was huddled closely with Reita and Kai nearby drumming his hands idly on his thighs.

"I am given to understand they be good friends. A band of musicians or so Lord Rei says." Kiera replied, returning to her task of building them a fire.


Rika tilted her head in slight confusion. "Good friends" wasn't the vibe she had gotten all throughout the journey. Uruha had most of the time randomly charged directly at Lord Rei for no apparent reason and with seemingly intense fervour too, after which he would attempt to hide his odd actions with rather transparent greetings. When Lord Rei was not in the room with him, Uruha would inquire about his whereabouts and occasionally go and look for him. It doesn't take a genius to see that Uruha had an unusual desire to be near Lord Rei at all times.

"This may seem...rather inappropriate seeing as how the two of them are both men," Rika started, unsure of how her words would affect the Marshal, "But... Uruha's actions seem to suggest some form of forbidden affection for Lord Rei."


The flint fell from Kiera's hands. Realizing her jaw was hanging open, she closed it composing herself. Though, Kiera had noticed the rather strange behaviour Uruha had picked up, what Rika suggest had never crossed her mind. It was appalling to even think of.

Unbidden her eyes travelled towards the subject of their discussion. Uruha supported a smug expression, sitting so close to Reita that their arms touch. It was then she noticed him watching her. He glanced at Reita then grinned at her. Was he taunting her? Looking away Kiera picked up the flint, her actions harbouring more force than necessary.

"Do not speak of such blasphemy." She told Rika stiffly.


Uruha smiled happily at Kiera. With Reita so close to him, he can have her in his mind all the time and not worry about his thoughts being exposed. It was a wonderful feeling. It might even lift his spirits up despite the solemn weather.

Kiera wasn't looking very good though. She seemed to be thinking about something and not liking it. Wonder what it is... Was it Tora? Did he do something horrible to her last night? She did say she gave him what he wanted. What if what he wanted required her to ... perform certain tasks that she was unwilling to do? Uruha threw a suspicious look at Tora. He was leaning on the cave walls, his eyes closed, looking like he's about to drift into sleep. Uruha bit his lip. Yeah, he must be tired. Tired having done unspeakable things with Kiera!

At that moment, Reita got up, possibly to help Kiera with the fire. No no, he can't go away from Uruha right now! His mind is filled with highly dubious imaginations of Kiera. Panicking, Uruha grabbed Reita's hand abruptly and nearly made him trip.

"What are you doing?" Reita hissed at him.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going to help Kiera," Reita mumbled back, not making eye contact with him for some reason.

"I'll come with you!" Uruha announced and the two of them proceeded to Kiera and Rika, who were both staring at them with the same expression on their faces. Uruha wasn't sure what the expression was though.


Kiera eyed the approaching pair with suspicion. Despite Reita's obvious discomfort, Uruha seemed adamant on clinging onto Reita. Rika's words echoed in her head. As Reita sat down beside her, Kiera could not help but want to throw the stones in her hand at him. The thought made her stop. What was she thinking? This was not Reita's doing. If anyone had impure thoughts, it was obviously Uruha. Yes, rather than Reita, she should be throwing stones at Uruha.

What was wrong with her? She should not be thinking of throwing anything at anyone, especially not Uruha. In a desperate ploy to calm her irrational thoughts, Kiera decided to ask Reita.

"You seem troubled, Lord Rei. What plagues you?" Kiera asked, giving Uruha a pointed look.


Reita sighed. He shot a glare at Uruha who flinched slightly at the sudden hostility. He shoved Uruha's head snappily and clicked his tongue in annoyance.

"Yes, I am very troubled," said Reita, "This person here keeps following me like a dog. I keep waiting for a wagging tail to suddenly sprout on him."

Uruha covered his head in pain, frowning at his friend.

"Eh!" he gasped, "That's not true!" Although obviously it is. He's been hanging around Reita, terrified he'd tell his thoughts to Kiera. He glanced at her to see what her reaction to this would be.


Kiera nodded in understanding. She briefly wondered if Reita was aware of Uruha's attraction towards him. Then it dawned on her. The fearful look with which he regarded Uruha back in the inn. It was Uruha's inappropriate affections that caused him fear! As well he should be. Love between two men was forbidden; a blasphemy.

"I too have noticed his odd behaviour." said Kiera, "Rika thinks that perhaps Uruha harbours less than proper feelings towards you, Lord Rei. I would advise you to rid yourself of such emotions, Uruha. It will not be received with gladness by anyone."

Reita scooted closer to Kiera, nodding in agreement at her words. It was then the sound of laughter reached their ears.

"Oh my god, this is hilarious!" Kai choked out between his laughs.


Uruha gawked at Kiera, his mouth hanging wide open. Kai was laughing his butt off. She had used a lot of big words but the underlying sentiment seems to be that... she thinks he likes Reita? Suddenly he was taken back to Japan with all the yaoi crazed fangirls hounding them.

"What?" he gasped, "That's ridiculous! Th-this guy? Kiera, I am straighter than a straight line! And even if I wasn't straight, I wouldn't like him! He's too thin and sometimes his hair looks like corn! He doesn't have one now, but he normally has that absurd band on his nose back in our world!"

He wasn't sure if anyone heard his rant because Kai was guffawing throughout the entire thing.


Discarding the unfamiliar terms in his speech, Kiera fixed with him a suspicious look. Kai drew closer to them, clutching his stomach giggles still escaping his lips.

"Your actions speak otherwise." She said flatly.

"I'm not too thin! And girls go nuts about my noseband, its not absurd!" Reita said clearly affronted.

Then turning to Kiera, "He shows off his thighs." His finger pointed accusingly at Uruha.

"You guys are killing me here." said Kai, falling into another fit of laughter.

Quite frankly, Kiera was confused. She exchanged a confused glance with Rika. Were all men idiots?


Uruha glared at Reita, "I don't have any suspicious actions towards him! And yes, you're too thin! Just now, the rain and wind was so strong, I was genuinely afraid you'd get washed away or something."

Before Reita could retort back, Uruha added firmly, "I don't show off my thighs. The stylist insists on showing them off. Because they are awesome."


With immense difficulty, Kai held in his laughter. Maybe now he should assert his leader skills and clear the misunderstandings. Although, he was quite tempted to let it run on a little longer. It was just too funny.

"Kiera, ignore them. They're idiots." Kai started, Kiera's brows were furrowed, watching Reita and Uruha argue. "Uruha is sticking to Reita because we were told Reita can read minds."

Reita stopped glaring at Uruha to face Kai. Both he and Kiera seemed surprised.

"That is quite impossible, I'm afraid." Kiera finally said.

"Who the hell told you such nonsense?"


Uruha felt pure anger rising in his heart. Seriously, he's going to rip that demon to shreds. Reita's hatred for him is now completely justified.

"Takeru did," he said through gritted teeth, clasping his fist tightly.


The demon was curled up in one corner, wide eyes staring at them. At the mention of his name, he grinned back innocently.

"I'm going to kill him!" Reita threatened, making to get up. Kiera stopped him placing her hand firmly on his arm.

"He does not deserve death for a mere prank. I shall punish him for his mischief. Do calm yourself, my Lord. After all, no one suffered from his deed." Kiera said calmly but she shot a glare at Takeru.

"I suffered! This one was all over me! Kiki you cannot imagine how creepy it was." Reita protested childishly.

"You should've said something earlier." Kai put in. He found the situation amusing. He was used to his band mates pulling pranks on him and Kiera was right anyway. No one suffered.

Well at least Kai didn't suffer. He wasn't sure of Uruha though.

Reita didn't look convinced. Kai was sure, if he picked a fight with Takeru, Uruha would gladly join. Kai suddenly felt mature although he was younger than both of them.


"Oh I suffered too, Reita," Uruha said through gritted teeth, "You have no idea how horrid it is to run to you all the time even though I'd much rather be with-" Uruha stopped, knowing that he was just about to say Kiera.

If he'd said her name then, he felt like it would be quite inappropriate. The rest of them waited perplexedly for him to finish his sentence, so he cleared his throat shyly and said, "Never mind that. The next time he pulls something like this though... I'll be killing him too!"


Tora was asleep...or so it would seem. Kiera approached him quietly. True the man was a rebel however, for now he was one of her company. For that reason, she felt responsible for his well being. As gently as she could, Kiera opened Tora's cloak revealing his haphazardly dressed wound. She bit the inside of her cheek in contemplation. She would have to redress the wound if it were to heal properly.

"You need this?" Takeru's voice spoke in her ear. He dangled her medicinal pouch nearby. When she took the pouch without a word, the little demon pouted at the inattention.

"I was just having a little fun." He mumbled, crouching beside her. Kiera ignored him, it would have to serve as punishment till she could think of another.

Though she did not possess the hands of a healer, she did as best she could. After all, she should have knowledge of healing should any of her men needed it on the battlefield. Absorbed in the task, Kiera did not realize that Tora had awakened and watched her quietly. With a satisfied nod to herself, she checked her handiwork. Tora smiled gratefully at her.

"I did as best I could. Rest. The rain has not let up, I fear we will be here a while longer." she told him quietly. Gathering her things, Kiera retreated back to the fire. The fire glinted in Uruha's eyes. He was staring at her. As soon as he realized, Kiera had seen him, his cheeks coloured. Was he worried about Tora? Kiera remembered his questions earlier about Tora. Kiera studied Uruha suspiciously.


Ishitaka ran his slender fingers through the sand, drawing circles and various other shapes idly. His boredom had reached its peak. His little stone sanctuary had been void of travellers lately and he hadn't been able to scare or annoy anyone. He was in no mood to go anywhere else either. Laziness had also caught up with him.

Sighing, Ishitaka lied down on the cool ground and stared up at the small opening of sky amongst the dense canopy. He felt like he was forgetting something... Wasn't there something he did a few days ago that ensured he would no longer be bored? His mind was so scattered he didn't even recall his actions. He really should be more focused. And how many times has he told himself that?

The demon suddenly sprang up. Oh yes, he does have entertainment in reserve! There was that person who came through the forest... he'd wanted to be with Lord Rei so Ishitaka had left him there. Now he can call him back! Although the demon had completely forgotten what his name was, he vaguely remembered dubbing the man his 'little brother' and putting the spell on him.

Ishitaka closed his eyes and clasped his hands together. The wind whispered around him as the leaves rustled up in a tempest of swirling green. The trees began to sway and moan at the demon's power. The sound of the breathing wind rose to a loud wail at a gradual pace and then, as if it hadn't started in the first place, died down in a flash.

Amongst the clutter of leaves as they settled down, stood a very confused and scared man. He was literally trembling, hugging himself. A large grin replaced Ishitaka's bored face. "Little brother!" He called out to the man who, upon seeing him, began to tremble more.


They had all gone to sleep. Kiera took it upon herself to keep watch. A strong gust of wind came through the opening of the cave. The hairs on the back of her neck prickled. There was a strange tension in the air. Frowning, Kiera turned to face the sleeping figures near the warmth of the fire. There was one missing. A quick scan of their faces told her all was accounted for except Kai. Her frown deepened. He had been there, sleeping soundly not long ago. If he had gotten up, she would have heard him. Kiera had been sitting on a boulder at the mouth of the cave, there was no other escape out of it. Where had Kai gone?

Bewildered, Kiera reached over to Uruha who was curled up into her cloak. Strange how, that image caused her heart to race. Almost reluctantly, she shook his shoulders in an attempt to wake him. The only response was a moan, and he snuggled closer into her cloak. With a huff, she gave up. Kiera tried Reita next. She did not have to try very hard. His eyes shot open at the slightest touch.

"What is it? Is something wrong?" he asked. Seeing the expression on her face, Reita sat up immediately looking around.

"Kai is gone." Kiera informed him. He looked aghast.

"What do you mean he's gone?" Reita didn't wait for her answer, picking up the nearest item in his reach which happened to be a small pebble; he threw it in Uruha's direction. Kiera felt the urge to give Reita a sound punch when Uruha woke up with pained yelp.


Uruha's head was dazed. He was having a nice dream about sushi and Kiera... although he doesn't remember exactly what happened, it was still a nice dream. He scowled at Reita who had clearly been the one chucking stones at him to wake him up. Uruha rubbed his arm where the pebble had hit.

"What are you doing?" he groaned impatiently, hoping this wasn't another one of those pranks that the Gazette occasionally pulled on sleeping band members. It was usually Reita or Kai that was the victim though.

"Where's Kai?" Uruha asked, noticing that he had disappeared.

"We don't know. That's why I woke you up," Reita said restlessly. He ran his eyes over Rika and Tora who were still sleeping, oblivious to what was happening, and finally landed on Takeru. He strode across the cave to where the little demon was huddled up.

With obvious irritation, Reita asked, "Demon, where is Kai?"


Takeru yawned lazily, stretching like a cat. He blinked, his big eyes landing on the angry Reita.

"Ask nicely." He replied, quickly dodging when Reita made to grab him. He growled at Reita, slinking his way to Kiera's side. With Kiera as his shield, Reita had no choice but to give up.

"Calm yourself, my Lord. Your anger would do nothing to solve this mystery." Kiera interfered smoothly. "Where is Kai?" she asked Takeru. The demon stared at her for a moment then a disarming grin lit up his face.

"He's gone." He said simply.


Uruha rubbed his eyes sleepily, still wondering if this was just another dream. Kai's gone? What does he mean?

"He can't just simply be gone!" Uruha declared, looking at Kiera and Reita's faces to see if they agreed with him.


Kiera knew the little demon was toying with them. There was hardly anything that goes on around him that he did not know of. If she wanted information out of him, she was going to have to use a different tactic.

"I will forget about your punishment...if you tell us where he is." Kiera could almost see the cogs turning in his brain.

"And a reward?" Takeru asked, his big eyes sparkly.

Kiera nodded in agreement, "And a reward." That apparently satisfied him.

"Ishitaka took him."

Kiera's heart sank. Could they not have a moment of peace?