Yes! Chapter 12 is ready to go. Happy reading :)
Chapter 12
Yuri blocked the first move with her sword as he clashed it close to her stomach. Yuri's mark was glowing which gave her the strength to hold on but how long would she be able to? His insane look only pushed her down more trying to intimidate her.
Genrou was ridding back to the hideout. He got down from his horse and opened the doors to find it quiet. All his men were at a table having a quiet conversation. He went pass them trying to look for Koji. He was behind Genrou and he poked him with his index finger which startled Genrou.
"KOJI!" he gritted his teeth holding the yell.
"Well Genrou have you finally calmed yourself down?" Genrou didn't answer him instead he walked past him.
"Yuri's friends are going to Mt. Taikyoku" Koji said
"All by themselves?" Genrou asked incredulous
"Yeah, so aren't you going to say goodbye to Yuri?" he said teasingly
"No the less I have to deal with her the better" he said with his voice slightly disappointed that Yuri was leaving. Not that he would miss her. He knows how to get there but he has full responsibilities in keeping his men guided.
"There packing right now, Yuri went to get her things back at that hideout you and I know about" Genrou just nodded and went into the kitchen with his men. He sat down on the table and started eating as Kedorikku was serving the food since he was cook of the clan.
Meanwhile
"Everything ready then?" Serin asked as the girls had their bags with supplies for the trip. Momo scratched the bag of Serin trying to look for some food. Serin moved the bag from Momo.
"Hey doggy I already gave you a good meal"
"For a little guy he can sure eat a lot" Kuana said with amusement.
"I'm glad to be clean" Kiana said remembering a few hours ago when they had left the hideout for a while to look for a good place to bathe since the bandits didn't have any bathrooms inside. They had taken a little path leading through a small forest which had a little lake.
"I can't believe they don't have showers inside their place" Kiana said annoyingly.
"But it isn't everyday that we get to bathe in a lake" Erein said happily as she sat in the bed next to Kiana.
"And the foods they have here are delicious" Kuana said with her eyes sparkling as she remembered the rice balls she had.
"It's been a while since Yuri hasn't return" Serin said softly as she gazed out the window. Her friends remained silent as Serin mentioned that. Koji went inside checking on the girls.
"Are you sure you want to go right now?" Koji asked
"Yeah don't worry Koji we can handle ourselves" Serin said with determination
"Yuri hasn't come back yet?" Koji said to the girls but more to himself
"No" Serin answered
"She was just going to get her things but I don't know why it can take that long" Kuana said feeling worried over the idea that Yuri is in danger. Koji headed for the door.
"You guys stay here, I'll go see if Yuri's okay" he closed the door leaving the girls frighten for Yuri but hopeful that nothing is going on.
Hansu had been laughing with some of the men. Genrou remained silent through out the whole meal he had. All of them seemed to be normal and Kedorikku came to him.
"You've been quiet, is everything okay Genrou?"
"Yeah" he said in low voice. Kedorikku didn't want to bother so he just nodded and went to talk to the other guys. He decided to get up and walk outside. He opened the doors and saw Koji getting on his horse going somewhere in a rush. Genrou wanted to follow him so he found his horse. The horse didn't except him to get on.
"Stupid animal" the horse raised his front legs in the air almost crushing him. He moved and landed on the ground. He was wildly trying to get away from him. The horse broke the rope and ran away deeper into town.
"Come back here you dumb mule" He yelled at it angrily and chased it but gave up since it was faster. Well if he couldn't ride on a horse then he had to run. He ran in the path that Koji had taken.
"I'm surprised you managed to stay this long" Shan had been able to knock out Yuri a few times but she came back struggling to stay in the sword battle that he had set up. A few new scratches had formed in her legs and some in her face, but nothing serious. He was breathing hard with all the excitement of killing Yuri and thinking of getting his claws on that stupid Mt. Reikaku bandit leader. Yuri gave him a grin of furry.
"Yuri you should just give up" he said as his sword clashed again with hers
"I'll never give up you bastard not after my father's murder" Yuri raised her voice holding back as Shan brought her down to the ground
"Once I kill you than you'll regret every moment of ever showing your face to me" he pushed her even harder to the wall
"Not today you peace of vomit" Yuri said her eyes a cold blue as she struggled to knock him down
"Big words for such a pathetic girl" he said manically as he made a quick movement hitting Yuri's hands as her grip on the sword loosened. He pointed the sword in her heart.
"I've been waiting for this moment too long" he said with satisfaction as he saw her weak form lying on the ground. She raised her hand to reach for her sword as Shan's foot connected with her hand hurting it. Yuri grunted as she felt the pain in her hand. Shan grabbed her neck with firm pressure.
"Your days of living are over" he said as he raised his sword in the air. Yuri struggled and her mark was glowing which gave her the strength to kick him in the groin. He yowled in pain as his grip loosened from her neck. She got her sword pointing it at him.
"Bao-zhi was right about you! the way you fight against your opponents shows that you're not a man."
"You're father is bastard and a traitor who only cares about his needs so once I've killed his most precious item I'll have the complete set of everyone in your family too." Yuri's eyes were in shock but he continued
"All your relatives are dead because my bandits and I murdered them" Yuri dropped the sword in her hand and fell against the wall. Shan got up and walked slowly towards Yuri
"Your family has been negotiating with us before you were born and they were all once bandits. But your uncles and aunts were murdered once they weren't able to keep up with us anymore. It's all about the money Yuri. Once they decide to keep the money for themselves and run off we come after them and give them the punishments they deserved. Since you're the only one left I think its best that you REST IN PEACE!" Yuri eyes were filled with tears learning the history of her family negotiating with bandits. Koji slammed the door opened as he saw a tearful Yuri with Shan on the verge of killing her. Koji just looked at him. His appearance was pretty gross. His face was all burned up. His hands showed the same. Everything was burned. Koji couldn't believe he had survived from the Tessen.
"Let go of her NOW!" Koji roared the command. Shan just smiled evilly at him and looked at Yuri
"Looks like your sweet little savior knows where you are all the time" Koji didn't know why he was smiling that way but when another man came out from the shadows Koji turned around and heard him scream like a warrior. Koji started fighting him with their swords clashing. Shan just watched not wanting to miss the moment of watching Koji's struggles. Ru-su wasn't a bad sword fighter. He definitely met his match. Koji had gotten a few cuts on his face. And then he ripped his shirt with coming close to his heart. Koji cried as he clashed his sword against Ru-su. He only teased Koji with his sword as he waved it. Koji knew Ru-su was up to something. That's when he turned away and got behind Koji. Without hesitation Koji moved his sword hurting Ru-su's arm. He groaned and grabbed his arm. But Ru-su wasn't determined since it only enraged him more. Ru-su kicked Koji on his chest and slashed his stomach causing him to bleed. He fell on the ground grunting with pain.
Ru-su looked at Koji and pulled his hair causing him to face Shan. Yuri looked hopelessly at Koji feeling guilty that she had caused his pain. He grabbed her shoulder softly at first. Yuri shrugged at the feeling.
"What's the matter Yuri?" he said almost laughing. There was hardly a strategy Yuri could come up with. Shan went to Koji while grabbing the sword and pointing it at his throat
"Maybe it would be a delight to see you suffer first?" he said purposely with a wide nasty grin on his face. He got the sword closer to Koji.
Genrou ran fast as a speeding bullet trying to find Koji. Why was he in such a hurry? Before Koji left he did tell him that Yuri went to that other hideout he and Koji knew about. But why was she over there, could she have gotten in any danger? It has been a while since she didn't come back. Genrou started feeling a twinge in him something that hasn't troubled him before. Guilty for not believing Yuri? WHAT? He thought. That's not it? Did she really know about her mark? About the Suzaku warriors? The possibility just made Genrou run faster. He stopped running once he found the hideout. Climbing up the steps he got closer when Ru-su opened the door attacking him.
"Welcome" Ru-su said rudely as he started battling with Genrou.
"Where's Koji?" he said as he aimed his sword to his neck but missed.
"I'm not telling you anything that is if you can beat me" he taunted. Genrou just got angrier. When his anger rose there was something that blinded him only making him stronger. Ru-su started struggling with him as he moved his sword. It only moved slower which tired him. Genrou did a quick swing with the sword causing blood to come out from Ru-su. His stomach was bleeding and he groaned with pain. He grabbed Genrou by his collar as he crawled on his knees grabbing his jacket. His last words were
"You'll be in hell someday" and he dropped on the ground.
"Bastard" he muttered as he left him and went to the doors. What he saw angered him even more. Yuri was in the clutches of Shan while Koji laid beaten and looked like he was going to die. Shan just smiled at him as if he were welcoming.
"This just keeps getting better and better" he said excitedly. Yuri tried pulling herself away but Shan held her tight with the sword going to her throat.
"You just don't give up do you Shan?" He growled at him almost chocking at his own words. He wanted to help Koji and untangle Yuri from Shan. But that could kill her.
"I was hoping you would come so you could watch Sweet little Yuri and Your idiot friend over here die with this sword" He putted closer to Yuri. That's when he traced a line in her throat causing her to bleed. Genrou's nostril flared.
"Stop it! Right know you peace of shit!"
"Care for the little girl?" he said feeling confident. Yuri's mark was glowing but it was hard trying to get out from his grasp. Tears were streaming from her eyes. Then before her eyes her vision was blurred for a moment while she caught herself surrounded in light. A spirit appeared before her. It came out as her father.(A/N: This is where Yuri's parents appear as spirits. Yeah I know it's annoying but this will be an important part later in the chapter).
Yuri couldn't believe her eyes as she saw her mother and father happily together.
"Bao-zhi?" his browned hair stood long as his grey eyes were warm with emotion.
"Mei-li, my beautiful daughter it's been so long" he said trying to reach for her but he stood in front of her.
"I can't defeat Shan and I've failed you."
"You haven't failed me in any way and right know these two friends of yours need you" Yuri bowed her head down not sure she was able to bring Shan down.
"He's right sweetheart" her mother Ai-mu appeared. She was still beautiful with her white face blue sapphire eyes and black flowing hair.
"Mother" Yuri said with so much feelings going through her.
"I know it's difficult for you and I remembered in my grave yard that you said would avenge my death but right know what matters most is to defeat Shan."
"He doesn't want you to defeat Shan for avenging. You have friends that love you and have such a big adventure ahead of you." Ai-mu said with encouragement
"And after all the people Shan's hurt " Bao-zhi said looking at Ai-mu.
"But I don't feel strong" Yuri said
"Strength comes from the ones you love the most." Ai-mu said soothingly
"Right know these two men need your help" Bao-zhi said. Yuri started changing her face trying to believe that she could defeat Shan
"Alright I'll help them" Ai-mu tried reaching for her hand but Yuri couldn't touch her or reach her.
"It's time for us to go now" Bao-zhi said as he started fading away slowly. She didn't want them to go.
"We love you Mei-li" Bao-zhi said putting his arm around his wife's shoulder
"Be strong sweetheart" Ai-mu said "We'll remain in your heart forever" Yuri smiled at the thought remembering those words that she said along time ago before she died in her arms. Her parents' spirits disappeared from her mind as she was back in reality with Shan close to her and Genrou frozen.
"Any last words Yuri?" he said.
"I should ask you that question" Yuri said smiling. Shan looked at her in surprise
"Smiling now? Not for long." He said grabbing the sword raising it up and aiming for her heart. Yuri pushed him away but Genrou ran to her trying to save her anyways. He took out his sword injuring Shan's arm. He groaned and loosened himself from Yuri. She smiled and appeared to be angry at Genrou.
"Yuri?" he asked as Yuri guessed that he was angry with her.
"I'll explain later" she said as Genrou nodded quick. They both faced Shan. He got his sword ready.
"You think I'm afraid to fight two idiots!" he said as he cried out and fought Genrou first Yuri went to help him but he blocked her swing. Genrou was breathing hard as he dodged all the clashes Shan was doing. Yuri however wasn't doing a good job with the sword. Shan had given her cuts on her arms and know she fell on the ground grabbing it quick but Shan stepped on her arm. Shan still fought with one arm as Genrou tried bringing him down.
"You'll pay for murdering people in our town" Genrou growled his temper flaring
"There's nothing I would enjoy more than burning your precious town"
"You're not getting near it"
"Ha! That's what you think" In one quick motion Shan waved his sword the on top of Genrou head when the red head found the aim to kill him. Shan fortunately knew where he was aiming so he tricked him and smacked him on the head real hard with his elbow. That caused Genrou to fall down on the ground. He almost got up but Shan stopped him by stepping on him with his other foot.
"I have to say that both of you are pathetic" Genrou had enough strength to tip him over. He grabbed his foot with his free hand while Yuri did the same
"Forgot to lock both our hands" Yuri said to make him look dumb. They knocked him on the ground and Yuri grabbed her sword pointing it at his heart. She paused for a moment. This is it. You finally got this slime ball in your hands. After he killed my father and my family he deserves to die.
"Aren't you going to kill me?" Yuri was shaking. She was afraid to kill the man. Genrou just stared at her. She put her sword down. Shan gave her a wicked smile
"Bad Choice" he said as he got up and got his sword to aim it at her heart. Yuri thought she was going to die. But it all happened so fast that she didn't even realize how quick she got the sword to protect herself and stab him in the heart. His shocked face proved that he was dying. As he collapsed on Yuri his eyes remained opened looking at her. She moved away from the body. Genrou took out the sword from his heart
"Looks like you killed him"
"Yeah" she said trying to smile. It was hard too when she saw Koji on the ground.
"Koji!" she cried and ran to him. Genrou looked at his wound.
"Here help me pick him up and we'll take him back" Yuri nodded but quickly remembered that her bag was there so she took it and went to Genrou and Koji.
They stepped outside and saw the dead body of Ru-su. Yuri looked at Genrou as he looked at his body in disgust. A horse was at the bottom. It was lucky that Koji had brought it. They placed him gently on top of the horse with his face looking at the ground. Genrou grabbed the horse and dragged it back to the path of the Mt. Reikaku hideout.
Both of them walked back in silence. They had brought Koji inside and Kuana gasped when she saw Koji and Yuri.
"What happened?" she asked looking at Koji
"I'll tell you inside" Yuri said gesturing at one of the rooms. Kuana was interrupted by her cuts
"Look at these cuts" she looked closer at them and noticed one in her throat
"Let's see these wounds" she grabbed Yuri's hand taking her away from Genrou and Koji. Genrou's men came forward and saw Koji badly injured. Kedorikku looked at his wound.
"What happened?"
"That bastard Shan was still alive and one of his goons attacked Koji and Yuri"
"Here let's take him over there" he said gesturing at to another room. Hansu got up immediately looking at Koji in shock. He heard Genrou mentioned Shan.
"What happened to that Son of a bitch?" he asked eagerly
"Yuri killed him" Genrou responded
"She killed him? Hansu asked incrediously
"He'll rest it up in hell" Hansu said with satisfaction. Genrou didn't answer to that and he left going outside to the front. That Neshou leader was a cold hearted man. Yuri had been close to dying and he'd also hurt his best friend. Genrou was grateful that both of them were alive. But he was hoping to make the bastard suffer more for all the grief he had caused lots of people. He looked at the stars in the sky letting his mind drift away.
Yuri had walked with Kuana inside where her friends were. They greeted her. Serin was first
"Yuri, do you have any idea how long you've been gone?" she was half mad and relieved. Erein looked at Yuri's injuries
"I'm sorry Serin"
"Want to tell us what happened?" Yuri sat down on the bed next to Serin and Erein
"Shan came back and found me" Erein went to her bag and took out some medical supplies
"No kidding" Erein said looking at the cut in her throat. Kuana helped Erein as she was slowly placing salve on her other cuts
"That idiot was still alive?" Serin asked
"Koji came in and got badly injured by another bandit he was accompanied with, Genrou found me and we both fought him and I was about to get stabbed by him when I shielded myself with the sword stabbing him in the heart" Erein went to Yuri and sat next to her
"What matters most is that he's dead and he won't hurt anyone else" Erein said. Kuana had bandaged the wound from her throat. Yuri thanked her as Kiana happily said
"It's a good thing Koji and that red head know it all came in"
"Don't like the red haired dude?" Kuana asked her twin sister
"No he's obnoxious and annoying isn't he Yuri?" Yuri nodded and agreed with her.
"Definitely" Serin silently disagreed with both of the girls. In her thoughts Genrou was a good looking bandit. Yuri gave another fallen face.
"What's wrong now?" Serin asked
"It's my fault for hurting Koji" Yuri said
"Why do you say that?" Kiana asked
"Because if he wouldn't of been worried then he wouldn't of gone to the hideout and have that Injury." Erein
"Come now Yuri don't feel like that, Koji had a right to be worried for you, we were already thinking of going there ourselves but Koji told us to stay here so he could go after you" Yuri started dropping of few tears.
"What's wrong now Yuri?
"That I have the greatest friends in the world" Yuri said as she hugged Erein. Kiana and Kuana came to form a group hug. Serin said and then she gave a smile as she went to join the group hug. They finished the hug and Yuri took out her medallion mirror.
"That's a pretty mirror" Kiana said. Erein looked at it with interest
"This is going to help us find Taiits-kun" Yuri said
"So it locates" Erein said
"Yep so I guess we won't get lost after all" Yuri replied with a grin.
"I can't wait to meet the ruler of this world" Kuana said. Yuri put it back in her bag as her friends grabbed their things ready to leave. Genrou walked in looking at her friends and his eyes moved to Yuri
"Can I talk with you?" he said trying not to sound angry. Yuri sighed hard before she looked at her friends and they looked at her saying mentally that they can wait. Yuri just gave him a blank look before walking outside from the room, Genrou following. Yuri stood in front of Genrou waiting for him to say something.
"About the mark…" Yuri cut him off
"Look I know about the mark so you obviously don't have to get all pissed off"
"I wasn't going to say that it's just that I…" Genrou trailed off. He wanted to apologize to her but his stubbornness was blocking. Deep in his mind he knew it was right.
"That trap you put was pretty clever but I'll watch out next time" she said smiling.
"So you know about the mark?" he said
"Yeah I know what it means now" Yuri said annoyingly
"And…" Genrou started
"And I didn't want to believe it but it looks like I'm a suzaku warrior" she finished
"Didn't know about our god in Konan?"
"I remembered my mother told something about it but I obviously forgot about it"
"People in Konan don't forget about Suzaku"
"I was in another world for 6 years but I wouldn't expect for you to believe it" then she changed the subject "Where's koji?"
"He's sleeping" Genrou answered "I don't believe your story" he said before leaving her. Yuri stuck her tongue out at him as he walked away. I guess the apology hadn't come out.
"Stupid fang boy" she said. Genrou heard it
"Brat" he said getting angry. Here we go again. Hansu interrupted them
"How's Koji doing?" Genrou asked
"He'll feel better in the morning just a little sore" Genrou nodded at him and Yuri asked
"Can I see him?"
"Sure I'll take you" he said as she followed him. Genrou didn't follow instead he went the opposite direction. Man I didn't apologize to her. Why does it matter? It's hard to believe she was in another world. Like that's possible. He thought sarcastically. Well she did sound serious but I doubt it.
They walked inside with Kedorikku bandaging his wound. He was awake and he gave Yuri a bright smile as she walked in.
"Hey! How are you feeling?" Koji asked
"I should be asking you that" Yuri said as she got closer and stood on the side of the bed.
"It's nothing serious and the cut will heal" he said half teasing half serious. Yuri grabbed a chair and sat next to him
"I killed Shan" she said quietly
"I guess he's pretty dead this time" Koji said
"Yeah and also I wanted to tell you that I'm leaving tonight"
"You sure?" he asked
"Yes and I already know how to get there"
"I received a mirror locator from Taiits-kun"
"That means you won't get lost then, sure gonna miss having you around"
"We just met today"
"But I enjoyed your company, and I wish you the best of luck on your journey" he said
Koji raised himself slowly so he could embrace her but Yuri brought him back on the bed concerned about his injury. Yuri's eyes started with tears and Koji didn't know why. She turned her face so he couldn't see
"What's this for?" Koji asked
"It's my fault that you got hurt" she said
"Hmm now that I think about it..." he said with a grin as Yuri pushed him away.
"I was just kidding" he said with a grin. He grabbed a tissue and Yuri was suprised when he placed his hands on her face removing her tears.
"What happened to me was not your fault Yuri understood?" Yuri nodded as he let go of her. He was about to raise himself again when Yuri pushed him back on the bed as she was concerned about his injury.
"Don't move" she said. Koji raised himself up again and caught her in a hug.
"You'll always be welcomed here" he said whispering
"Thanks Koji," They seemed to be hugging for a long time.
"I want you to come back okay" he whispered in her hair. Both of them stopped hugging and she said with a smile
"Of course" she said with a smile
"Get going then" Yuri grinned at as he gave her a gentle push behind her back.
"Bye Koji and get well soon" he nodded.
Genrou had been listening to their conversation. He frowned when he saw Koji embraced Yuri but he didn't know why? The door was slightly open and he saw Koji embrace Yuri. And when he touched her face Genrou frowned even more at that Moment. Aaah! What's wrong with me? he thought mentally shaking his head. I should be leaping with Joy that she's leaving so why can't I? I guess she wasn't jesting he thought. She knows where to find Taiits-kun. Wait a minute I don't even know who she is. Why do I care? Hell I just want her to go so she won't cause trouble. It wasn't true because Genrou felt kind of disappointed that she was going to leave soon. Arguing with her was kind of fun. Except when they got carried away. Genrou hadn't heard Yuri. Not until she opened the door and saw him standing there.
"Hey were you listening?" Yuri said
"So what if I was" he said tauntingly
"Whatever"
"Leaving?"
"Yeah, miss me already?" she said smiling
"Nah, at least we won't have anymore pests running around my place" ouch that was a stinger. Yuri's smile faded and the hurt was there but she didn't show him that. Damm I did it again. He thought with regret.
"And if I was such a pest why didn't you break like hell and throw me outside" she said coldly as she walked away. Genrou didn't make an attempt to stop her. She tried not to show the hurt but Genrou could see it in her eyes. His brain said however. You idiot apologize to her! He shook his head ignoring his head. Kedorikku came to see Genrou sitting against the wall.
"Anything bothering you?"
"Go away" he said harshly. Kedorikku gave him a blank look and walked away fast.
Yuri was walking at a fast pace. Stupid bandit who does he think he is? Why is he so mean? She remembered back when he saved her from Eiken, treating her Injury, and helping her defeat Shan. She ignored those nice things and thought of all the bad things he did. She opened the door to see her friends waiting.
"Ready?" Kuana asked And if I was such a pest why didn't you break like hell and throw me outside
"Sure, let's go" Yuri said as her friends got their bags.
"Where were you Yuri?" Erein asked
"I was saying goodbye to Koji"
"Nice guy" Kiana commented as they walked outside. Momo was being carried by Kuana as he growled a little.
"If it wasn't for Momo we wouldn't have found Kiana and Erein"
"So that dog has a good sense of smell, all dogs do" Serin said
"I think he deserves a treat for his hard work" Kiana petted the dog
"Thanks for saving us, you really are a good boy" Erein laughed
"He'll understand you if you give him a treat"
"That's my Momo" Yuri said as she took out a snack for him. Yuri gave him some cookies and Momo gobbled them up fast. She gave some to her friends too.
"It's a good thing you came prepared, I was already missing the food from our world" Kiana said as she ate the cookie.
"I just hope I brought enough for all you guys" Yuri said
Yuri took out the mirror waiting for any sign of Taiits-kun. It gave a red glow as it pointed north.
"Guess we have to go north"
"I'm ready to walk" Serin said.
"I just hope I don't hear you complain about stopping" Kuana said to Serin.
"Eventually you will slow us down. I know your appetite"
"Calling me fat now?" They started having their friendly argument as Kiana smiled and Erein stayed in her calm mood. Yuri was more than ready to meet Taiits-kun. They walked further away from the town disappearing into a wide path.
This is the last chapter I uploaded for today. Damm! I'm so mad. I can't believe I erased my own story. I feel like an idiot. If you want to find out what happens next you'll have to wait for the next update. Chapter 13 coming soon! SophieStar2 over and out.
