Chapter Twenty-Three: Breakdown

Kamui cried out as he was forced in the wall harder that before. His body slowly slumping to the floor. Though Fuuma's seemingly endless onslaught had battered his body, Kamui somehow still held the Sacred Sword tightly in his grip.

There was nothing he could do. He couldn't move, let alone defend himself. Once again he was helpless. Kamui's body trembled as Fuuma took hold of his chin. He actually seemed to be find pleasure in his pain.

Licking the blood clean of his cheek, Kamui let out a whimper as the warm saliva stung his wound.

Why was Fuuma torturing him? If he wanted the sword so bad, he could have just killed him from the start. Maybe there was still a chance the real Fuuma still existed in there. He had to try to reach that side of him. "Fuuma...Please stop."

He was cut short when Fuuma launched a devastating punch to his gut. He fell over to his knees, hacking and wheezing, desperately trying to regain his breath. It was then that Kamui could feel his face began to burn, his eyes swelling. Warm tears began to trickle down his cheek...and releasing his grip from the sword.

Fuuma snatched the sword from Kamui, smiling at the boy as he kissed Kamui's tears. "Our promised day is coming...Will you be ready to fight for what you believe in?" He brought his hand across Kamui's face violently. "You are now very weak...if I see you like this again, You will surely die, Kamui" Fuuma turned away from Kamui, walking toward the exit. There was no smile anymore, just a blank slate as he remembered who that boy was and why he had to die.

Sorata struggled to stay standing. "You're not going anywhere!! I won't forgive you! DAMN IT I WON'T FORGIVE YOU FOR THIS!" He tried to charge a lightning orb, finding it a lot harder in his current state of health. He could only smell the blood that this monster had spilled.

Fuuma looked coldly at Sorata. "You think a mere man can harm me when the messenger of God could do nothing? You never seem to stop entertaining me boy...This is why you have a choice. That girl over there is about to die...so are you. Your choice is drop the barrier or I will not stop my friend from killing her or myself from killing you." Fuuma's eyes pierced into Sorata's, sending his deepest sincerities.

Sorata cringed and looked over to Arashi. His life meant nothing but he couldn't let such a babe die like this. Sorata glared at Fuuma, he again had used a woman to make him back down...it was like Fuuma knew him and what made Sorata tick. Sorata called the barrier down, hating Kamui for being so reckless, Fuuma for calling his bluff, and himself for not being able to stop any of it.

Fuuma smiled slightly and bowed. "Thank you very much...Seishirou, I held my end of the bargain, let's go." He looked to Arashi. "If your opponent would please drop the barrier."

Hearing Fuuma's voice, Seishirou paused and glance at the progression of the other battle. A smirk crossed his lips. Kamui had fallen. And Fuuma seemed to be...certainly taking his time enjoying the victory.

Turning back to the fallen Arashi, Seishirou caught himself from attacking again and stepped back to admire his handiwork. "You heard him," he scoffed, placing one hand on his hip to glare down at her with a holier-than-thou glimmer in his eye. "Let down you're barrier and I'll leave you alive. You're in no position to defy me now." At her silence, he approached her and abruptly planted his boot into her gut. "Release your kekkai! Don't force me to kill you..."

Arashi fell. The pain was too much. If he killed her now, she wouldn't have to feel the pain anymore. No, never. She wouldn't give in.

Her eyes widened as Sorata's kekkai dissipated. What was he doing? She would have to yell at him later. Later, yes. She didn't even know if she had a voice box left. She waited a few moments. She would take her time, make him wait, and suffer.

Slowly though, the barrier came down. She hated herself for it. Arashi was never one to give up easily, but now...

"There." she managed to squeak out. "Be on your way, but this is not the end!" she hissed at him.

Smirking contemptuously in satisfaction down at the struggling Seal, Seishirou tipped his head casually. "You've made the right choice," he muttered in a voice that spoke nothing of death or torment or the desire to inflict pain on another fellow human being.

Shoving his hands into the tattered remains of his trench coat, he pivoted elegantly on the balls of his feet and came to stand beside Fuuma. A relaxed smile of genuine cheerfulness flooded his bloodstained complexion. "Now...what were you saying earlier about ice cream?" It was almost as though nothing had ever happened...as though no battle had just occurred.

Hesitantly Yuurei took the bandages, staring sadly at the tracks of blood on the floor. But he nodded compliantly after a moment and followed Subaru into the bathroom. Wetting the cloth again and ridding it of some of the ensanguined fluid, he pressed it against the young man's back to catch some of the blood from the newly opened wound. "Gomen nasai," he mumbled a quick apology, cursing himself for not being more careful with Subaru's injuries.

"Don't be sorry," Subaru said solemnly. "It's my fault for getting myself into this mess anyway." He looked up at Yuurei with sad eyes. "How did you know...about Seishirou...and I?"

Yuurei smiled softly. "I've been watching the two of you for a very long time. I've seen the way you look at him...and the way he looks at you. Even know...so long after...that incident." He paused, unsure of whether or not to continue. Finally he decided to go ahead. "Even then, I was there. If I could have stopped it..." What else could he say? It was such a painful topic.

Anxious to avert the subject, Yuurei looked around the small bathroom. "Do you have any ointment around here? These wounds could use a bit..."

"You could have stopped it?!" Subaru suddenly jerked towards Yuurei, his eyes filled with anger and accusation, mixed with disbelief. "Why didn't you then?!"

Yuurei jumped at the young man's reaction. He should have seen this coming. Putting his hands gently on Subaru's shoulders, he tried to calm him down. "I was forbidden!" he exclaimed in a harsher voice than he had intended. "Consider my name--Kantoku-sama. The Watcher. This is my position in Fate. I am cursed to observe and never interact, because to do so would mean to face a penalty worse than death. If I were the only one at stake, I would have broken that covenant long ago. Standing here now, talking to you, even that is a risk greater than I should have ever taken!" With anger at both himself and Fate, he released the young man and went back to dabbing at his wounds with forced gentleness.

"If you were the only one at stake?! Who else is at stake that hinders you so much that you can allow yourself to watch people die and suffer?" Subaru spoke in a low voice. He forced himself to calm down. There was nothing that could be done now, nine years later. There was nothing he could do but regret that he had never done anything. But why, then, was he taking it out on Kantoku? Even as he thought about it in his mind, he couldn't figure it out.

Every word was like a scalding acid on Yuurei's soul. Clenching his teeth, he could no longer hold himself up by will alone. He collapsed to his knees and glared icily at the floor. "Gomen nasai...gomen nasai..." He must have repeated those two words for over a minute before glancing up at Subaru's sorrowful face again. "I would have died for you...for her... But my Fate dictates that even if I make such a sacrifice, the deaths that I might prevent would then happen anyway, and Destiny would be carried out as though I had never existed at all...and it would be worse because I would not be there to fulfill my place on the Appointed Day."

He grimaced and shook his head fervently. "To Hell with the Appointed Day! I can't stand this cursed Fate..." He stifled an agonizing moan by placing a hand over his mouth. What was he doing? He was here to help Subaru, and now he was breaking down in front of the young man. Was there a bigger fool anywhere in the world than him?

Subaru suddenly felt really bad. Not only was he acting selfish, but he had hurt someone in the process. He leaned down and pulled Yuurei into his arms, bringing him into a warm embrace.

"No, it is I who am sorry. I didn't know...I'm sorry..."

Yuurei caught the gasp in his throat that tried to force its way out when Subaru pulled him into his arms. Smudges of blood rubbed off on his cloak and his cheek as he found his head being cradled against the younger man's shoulder. He also felt the young Onmyouji trembling from his injuries and blood loss. Guiltily he pushed away and got to his feet.

It had been a terrible mistake coming here in the first place. But now that he was here, he could not bring himself to leave. Subaru was hurting. If Yuurei were to get up and abruptly disappear, he would cause the young man even more pain.

Almost mechanically he went back to washing Subaru's bloodstained skin. Some of the marks did not appear to be the result of anything Yuurei had ever experienced in the way of physical combat. Had Seishirou tortured him? Had Subaru been abusing himself? Yuurei winced and tried to erase the mental images from his mind. Such a loyal, respectable young man did not deserve this horrible, tormenting life...

Turning painstakingly to the cabinet behind the mirror, he rummaged around until he found a tube of ointment. Squeezing some of the medicine onto his palm, he returned to the young Onmyouji and began to massage it into his marred, pallid skin...

Subaru could tell from the look in Yuurei's eyes that he had hurt him. He knew that even if he apologized, it wouldn't matter. Everything he had done had been done, and there was nothing he could do about it.

For a minute, he watched as Yuurei dabbed at his flesh.

"You don't have to do this, you know. I can take care of myself," Subaru lied. He didn't want Yuurei to feel obligated to stay after he had hurt him so badly.

Yuurei smiled and pushed his own troubles temporarily out of his mind. "I know," he replied softly, though it certainly did not look like the young man had been taking very good care of himself lately.

Glancing at the young Onmyouji's profile and saw something of guilt in the man's eyes. Was this guilt...for him? Yuurei would have scowled if Subaru had not suddenly taken to trembling again. As Subaru began to waver with whatever it was weighing heaviest on his soul, Yuurei sighed and held out an arm, letting the young man lean against his chest for support. "You really need to eat something," he said quietly but firmly. "What would you like?"

Subaru shook his head. "I'm not hungry."

It was true, too. He never had much of an appetite before his sister's death, but after she died, he hardly ate at all.

"...if you're hungry, I might have some cereal in the cabinet, and maybe a little milk in the fridge." Subaru's mind wandered to the last time he had done grocery shopping; it had been awhile. "You might not want to drink the milk, though..."

Fuuma's lips were as cold as his hands. There was no emotion in them, no sign of love or hate. Just emptiness. Was that what he had become?

Kamui sat there watching as Fuuma snatched away the sword and walked off with Seishirou. He wanted stop them, but Kamui hesitated to move. There was nothing he could do, not in this condition.

The night was cold as Okita walked down the park near the DIET building. He needed a evening walk after last night's show, its memory still fresh like the cool air that pressed on his cheek. The lights juxtaposed the night sky, the cheers of his fans juxtaposed the serene silence the park provided. He was dressed in a silky white shirt dress shirt and black bondage pants, the purple dye still coating his platinum locks. Somewhat he didn't care if he was found, someone to talk to would be nice even for a moment...The thought of a death threat kind of excited him to the extent that it was something to do...Something to make him alive again.

He remembered being lost in the music, not existing while the words came through his soft lips, while his hands struck the chords on his guitar. Here he physically didn't exist, it was a blissful state of nirvana as each note was created by the void. And he was the king of this nirvana... the master of it's destiny. Was it good or bad? He decided factually while others made opinions. And yet this wasn't enough for him...

Okita felt as if this was all...and if it was then what was the point? He continued to walk the park, coming closer to the diet building. He caught sight of a group of people he didn't know...nothing abnormal about them, crossing the street to get to the place he had parked his motorbike. He passed by those people who were gods of a game Okita wasn't apart of and didn't yet care about, giving a casual and polite "Good Evening," as he passed. Suddenly his violet eyes caught the sight of the kekkai, stopping to look at them, staring in wonderment...and then regarding them as pretty but not something to worry about. This was Okita, but to those who followed pop culture he was Shreek, Visual Rock Star of the youth.

Karen leapt after Seiichirou, following the brown-haired man on the way to the hospital. She noted as they were traveling, however, that her companion seemed a bit distracted. As she watched, Seiichirou removed what looked like a small jewelry box from his pocket and looked at it, first with confusion, then with horrified realization.

"Oh no, my anniversary!"

Anniversary? So Seiichirou was married? For some reason, Karen felt her heart sink at hearing that sentence. She then frowned to herself, puzzled at her own emotions. Why would she be disappointed that he was married? Surely she couldn't be interested in him; after all, she had only just met the man.

Her musings were abruptly interrupted when the jewelry box went tumbling from Seiichirou's fingers, falling into the darkness below. "Shimatta!" the man cursed, an appalled expression coming over his face. Karen's eyes widened slightly; she had never thought that Seiichirou would be one to curse. His wife must have been extremely important to him.

"Kasumi-san, gomen nasai, but we've got to get that box!" Seiichirou called to her anxiously.

Instantly, Karen went diving downwards towards the ground in pursuit of the falling object. "Don't worry, Aoki-san, I'll help you find it!" Karen called back to her companion as she leaped towards the floor. She thought she heard Seiichirou yell something else out to her, but she couldn't hear what he was saying.

"What did you say, Aoki-san?" Karen called to the brown-suited man.

It didn't seem like Seiichirou had heard her, though. Karen was about to repeat her question again when a very familiar figure appeared suddenly and caught the falling jewelry box. Karen stopped, landing on the ground in front of the man next to her fellow Seal. She slowly looked up from the hands to the face, smiling slightly in recognition.

"We meet again, sir," Karen smiled and nodded politely to the handsome blonde Dragon of Earth.

Satsuki's eyes widened, and she staggered back slightly as she felt the two kekkai' raised. She winced as the sensation of the magical auras pushed her off balance; she must have been weakened greatly by the Kamui's attack. Yuuto, however, did not appear to be affected as much as she was.

"We'll have to put this discussion on hold for now. I hope you feel well enough to come along, Satsuki-san. It looks like we have work to do." Without further ado, her fellow Angel charged out the door of the ramen shop and leaped off into the air.

Satsuki pushed herself off the floor and stood up with great effort. "Wait, San-san!" she called out, but he had already gone. The girl grimaced slightly and pressed at one of her wounds with the edge of her sleeve. She definitely wasn't feeling up to battling against the Seals, but she wasn't a quitter, either. It didn't look like she had a choice.

"We'll be back, Kanoe-san. Don't wait for us here. I expect you'll know where we are, anyhow." Satsuki nodded briefly to the dream gazer and jogged out of the ruined shop, bounding into the air after Yuuto.

It turned out that Yuuto hadn't gone very far, however; He was standing in an alley, facing a man in a brown suit and a woman with bright red hair. Satsuki stiffened; she recognized those two people from both their auras and the information that BEAST had given her. Dragons of Heaven.

Yuuto didn't appear to be in any danger from the two Seals at the moment, but the risk was still there. Noiselessly, Satsuki landed on the ground behind Yuuto and walked up to stand beside him, prepared for any attacks that the Seals might try.

Karen whipped around, following her magical senses to the source of the commotion. Kekkais! Two of them! And they were in the direction of the temple, where Arashi and Sorata were!

Something's wrong! Arashi-san and Sorata-san are in trouble!" Karen cursed herself for failing to feel their kekkai' as soon as they had been raised. Why hadn't she paid closer attention to her magical senses? Her fellow Seals could be in grave danger right now, and she hadn't even noticed!

"We have to help them, Aoki-san!!!" Karen cried out in alarm. Without waiting for a response, she started to leap off towards the shrine to aid her comrades.

"Wait."

Karen stopped at the unfamiliar feminine voice and turned around. A girl - a young woman, really; she looked slightly older than Arashi - wearing biker shorts and a yellow jacket had appeared next to Yuuto. She appeared to have been heavily injured, but she still maintained a cool, unruffled air about her. The newcomer looked emotionlessly at Karen and Seiichirou.

"You are one of the Dragons of Heaven, correct?"

The red-haired woman nodded, feeling scrutinized under the girl's cool gaze. "That's right," Karen said calmly.

In response, the young woman coolly gazed at Karen, her eyes boring into hers. "Then I'm afraid I can't allow you to help them," she said smoothly. "It is my duty as a Dragon of Earth."

Karen looked carefully at the girl. So she was one of the seven Angels. The young woman's statement forcibly reminded Karen of a fact that she had pushed aside to the back of her mind. She turned slowly to the blonde man before her.

"It looks like our truce has been broken by our teammates, sir," Karen said quietly to the handsome Angel. She paused and looked between the two Dragons of Earth before her, settling her gaze on the blonde man, the one whom she knew best.

"Does this mean we battle?"

Glancing behind him as Satsuki finally managed to catch up, Yuuto did not even see the fiery Seal nearly take off in the direction of the dissipating kekkai. But apparently his cohort did, for the young computer genius called out, and before he knew it, the two teams were again divided, and the argument had picked back up.

"I guess this means our truce is off," said the fire caster, meeting his gaze as he turned back to face her and her comrade. "Does this mean we battle?"

Tossing a pensive gaze in the direction of the Togakushi Shrine, Yuuto shrugged nonchalantly as a smug simper settled into his fair countenance. "I suppose it does. As much as I feign to care about your friends, we too have allies in that battle. So for you to go to them would ultimately put our side in jeopardy. I guess, then, that it was inevitable it would come to this."

He jumped back, hands casually in his pockets, to stand beside Satsuki. A glimmer that said something of menacing intentions ignited in his sky-blue eyes. "And I suggest you put up your kekkai while you still can, if you wish those residing in the vicinity to live..." Even as he said the words, he was already gathering energy for either an offensive or defensive attack, whichever might be needed first...

Okita wondered the hospital, grounds ignoring the nurses who eyed him as he walked by. ...Women were always eyeing Okita whether they knew who he was or not. He smiled brightly as the patients yelled "Shreek-sama!!!" As he passed. He waved in their direction...He truly cared about their pain because it made him forget how empty he was.

The nurse led him into the room. "And this one was brought in a few hours ago...She's doing better than when we first received her."

Okita looked down at the girl. He sighed and nodded. " I see...What's wrong?"

"A stab wound of some sort...WE think it's from a jealous boyfriend or something."

Okita blinked and nodded. "I see..."He looked down at the girl's chart and then her, smiling. "Get well soon Yuzuriha-san."

"...hh...e.." Yuzuriha suddenly felt light coming into her eyes. She moaned a bit; her chest was hurting her so much.

The nurse blinked. "She's coming to! Okita-san can you watch her while I get the doctor!"

Okita nodded. "Sure...I came here to do some good mom..." Smiling because this was the only nurse who obviously didn't see him as eye candy.

"W...where...?" Yuzuriha sputtered from her lips. She tried to force the rest of the sentence from her lips, but succeeded only in a paroxysm of loud coughs.

Okita watched the girl. "The hospital...Welcome back to the world."

"What..." Yuzuriha forced a deep breath before continuing, "...happened?"

"Umm not sure...I'm kinda just visiting patients and I'm watching you while my mom gets the doctor..." Okita scratched the back of his head.

For a minute, Yuzuriha blinked. The light seemed so foreign now, and she was sure she was seeing things. "...you look...just like...that J-Rocker, Shreek."

Okita blinked and laughed. "Oh? Would it make you feel better if I said I was him?"

Yuzuriha forced a smile. "I'm...sure...right now..., even Morphine... couldn't make me feel better."

Okita sighed. "You'll pull through...I mean you regained consciousness right?"

"Are you...Okita?" Yuzuriha inquired.

Okita nodded slowly. "Yeah...that would be me."

"It worked," was Yuzuriha's quiet response.

Okita smiled. "I'm glad...A girl like you shouldn't be in pain..."

"You're more handsome...in person," Yuzuriha breathed. "I'm sure...you get that...all the time...though."

Okita shrugged. "You would be surprised but it actually means a lot from you..."

"What...does that mean? Yuzuriha asked inquisitively.

Okita looked at her. "Well you don't seem to be like other girls I've met...and you don't look like the type to lie either." He smiled and laughed. " Plus you haven't jumped and rubbed yourself on me yet."

"Not that I could," Yuzuriha laughed. "I never though...I'd meet someone like...you...here."

"I come here a lot...Makes me feel good to meet some of my fans once in awhile...plus making people feel better is always a good thing." Okita smiled and sat beside her bed.

"You're...sweet. I always thought...most entertainers would be...Elite ...but you're...you're, different."

Okita looked at her. " Oh? I'm just a normal guy really...that's what I'm told anyway."

"So I hate to ask but how'd you get hurt?" Okita looked at her, smiling in a friendly manner.

"I...don't remember," Yuzuriha scratched her head. "I was hoping whoever ...it was...that brought me here...would know."

"I see...You don't remember anything?" Okita felt genuinely concerned, hoping she hadn't lost all of her memory.

"Well, I do...remember, I'm Nekoi Yuzuriha, fourteen years old, eighth grade!" Yuzuriha said, on a positive note.

He smiled brightly. "I guess that's good...at least you know what's important."

Yuzuriha smiled back. "I think it's more...important to know...what happened to me," she said thoughtfully. "I'm sure stuff like...this doesn't happen every day...especially in such a...crime-free place...as Tokyo.

"You're not from around here are you? This place is pretty rough if you're out at the wrong time of night. They said it might've been the work of a jealous boyfriend or something."

"Boy...friend...? I don't...have one," confessed Yuzuriha.

"Aww That's probably not true...a pretty girl like you must have 5-10 boys after her." Okita smiled down at the girl.

"Not...really," Yuzuriha blushed. Was he hitting on her?

Okita was oblivious to her thoughts. He looked at his foot. "Well that will come with time...They are probably too young to notice you."

"I'm young...too," Yuzuriha said pointedly.

Okita smiled and felt a smack in the back of the head. The nurse smirked at the boy. "No flirting with the patients!"

Okita winced and gave his mother a surprised look. "I wasn't...yeesh."

Yuzuriha giggled. "Is this your...mother?"

Okita looked at Yuzuriha. "Well it looks like I'm being kicked out..."

"Hmm? Oh yeah...She volunteers here...teases me where ever I go too."

Sorata stumbled toward Kamui, glaring down at the pitiful man he was. He quickly seized Kamui by the collar, letting this bastard see how pissed he really was. He backhanded Kamui, tossing him down disgustedly.

"YOU IDIOT!!! YOU SELFISH,ARROGANT PRICK! IF YOU WOULD"VE JUST LISTENED TO SOMEONE, MONOU WOULD BE..." Sorata paused and looked at the man's body, finding the sorrow almost too much to bare...such a sweet man was dead because of his inability to compensate for this boy. The tears were swelling up in Sorata's angry eyes. Sorata's face grew ever so dark as he stared at Kamui.

"I wish you weren't our savior, because I don't think I can trust my fate in the hands of someone who thinks of no one but himself. And whenever I think of this...I know that our side has already lost and that tomorrow I will die for someone who never cared for anything we did. If you don't want to fight then I'm just wasting my time."

Sorata turned away from Kamui, staggering toward where Arashi was. He didn't look back at the boy because in a sense he was back in that position as well...Forever shamed by his inability.

Kamui fell to his knees after Sorata's attack, holding his cheek as the stinging pain ran though his face.

"Savior...?" his voice cracked. "Is that what you think I am!? I never wanted any of this! I never wanted to be in this war! I never asked to be anyone's savior! Because of all this...Fuuma..."

He didn't know weather his words reached Sorata as he walked away. He didn't care. He just wanted to get away from all this.

Ignoring Arashi's words, Kamui rose to his feet and bounded off into the night.

Fuuma smiled at Seishirou, holding his new found possession respectfully. "Yeah there's this small shop just down the road..." He also didn't show any sign of the previous battle, putting on his usual bright demeanor. "It's a good night isn't it? Who would've thought tonight would be so much fun." He announced as he gripped the hand of the Shinken, unwrapping the canvas that covered it.

"And now I possess the Holy Shinken...the sword that killed my mother all those years ago. It's kind of ironic that it claimed my father as well...I suppose its baptism in their blood makes all the more appropriate I wield it." The blade shined in the street lights, contrasting the shadows that surrounded it's master.

Forcing up a dry chuckle at Subaru's cynical remark, Yuurei carefully finished applying the ointment and wrapping the bandages around the young man's slender chest and torso. After helping the Onmyouji back to his bed, the Watcher headed out the door for the kitchen. He was not particularly hungry himself, but his mind was set on getting something down Subaru's throat--the man looked like he had not eaten in a week.

Rummaging through the cupboards and refrigerator, Yuurei pulled out a few boxes of half-emptied cereal and a can of the infamous Japanese energy drink Pocari Sweat. The drink was a few weeks old, but like soda, did not spoil too quickly. Besides, Subaru could have used the carbs.

Yuurei was just dumping the dry cereal into a bowl when it happened. The pain in his head was set off, and instinctively his hands clutched at his temples and he crumpled to his knees with clenched teeth. Elbowing the box, the bowl fell from the counter and shattered against the floor, strewing crumbs of cereal all over the place. But Yuurei could not see the mess he had made; the scene had suddenly appeared before his eyes. -Togakushi.- The word flitted through his mind like a blazing arrow. He could see glimpses of it: Kamui and his Gemini, the first Shinken fated to be stolen...but by the Twin Star himself? And the kekkai that he suddenly sensed rising...not from Kamui, but from two others. Dragons of Heaven.

Duty abruptly thrust back into his foremost thoughts, Yuurei staggered to his feet and nearly darted back into the night without a second thought. But that second thought did come, and it caused him to halt. He threw a glance over his shoulder in the direction of the bedroom. He could not leave Subaru without at least a fair word of warning. Yuurei liked the man--respected him, even if he had driven himself to the brink of destruction.

The pain still throbbing at his temples and the bridge of his nose, the Watcher sprinted hastily back to the room. "Subaru," he addressed him shortly, bypassing the bed and heading straight for the window. Shoving it open, he gesticulated in the direction of the
Togakushi Shrine. "It's the sword," he tried to explain quickly. "The time is now. My duty calls, but I would suggest you stay here. You're in no condition to face...him...again so soon." Yes, he had caught a glimpse of the Sakurazukamori's presence in the place.

He could wait no longer; the pain was growing rapidly more distinct, and soon he would not be able to suppress it at all if he continued to disobey. Nodding once again at Subaru, he turned and leaped out the window, back into the night...

Subaru stretched his arm out to Yuurei, only to catch the edge of his shirt and have it pull away from his fingertips.

The movement was painful; Subaru staggered, and fell to his knees, crossing his arms in front of his chest. When he pulled away, he found his arm stained with blood. Great.

There was no way he could allow Yuurei to face whatever he was to face alone. He snatched the Hokuto-designed shiny pleather shirt, threw on the black trench coat that matched it as he jumped from the window sill, and to the earth below.

As the scream that had filled the hall a few minutes before slowly faded, scared guests began to call the front desk. The woman at the desk tried to soothe the worried guests even though she herself had heard the cry and she was as frightened as they were.

Ring Ring. The shrill sound of the phone, continued non-stop for a few minutes; each man or woman on the phone trying to get information and reassurance but to little avail.

"Hello, front desk, this is…no I don't know where the scream came from.. yes someone is going to investigate right now. Please don't panic."

Next line is just the same, "Hello, this is….no I can't explain where the scream came from….I don't think it is a ghost Sir. Yes, someone is going to try and locate where it came from. No, need to go to another hotel Sir, I'm sure it was just something outside that's all."

And so, these went on for about a half an hour, the harrowed lady at the front desk had become mono-tone by the end of it and when the calls finally subsided she flopped into a chair with a sigh, only to be called again by the manager and forced to re-phone most of the guests and tell them that it had been something outside….

Inside the locked room on the fourth floor, the scream echoed for a longer time. It had come from the lips of the man lying on the bed…

The room had become chilled as the sun had set. But the other reason was that the window had been opened. A light breeze wafted through, ruffling the bed hangings.

The dream-seer's body shuddered once and the beeping of the machines rose, as if something was making the dream-seer restless or worried.

As if given a signal, a long shadow suddenly detached itself from the gloom of a nearby chair. As the shadow crossed the floor on silent feet to the bed, for a moment the moonlight, bathed it in an eerie light. It showed itself to be a woman. She was tall with a black trench coat that fitted nicely to her slender form.

Walking as close to the bed as she possibly could get without being sucked into Kakyou's dream world, she stopped and stared at the tears that had started to run down the man's cheeks.

"You really are pathetic dream-seer." she sneered, her full lips pursing with contempt. Her maroon eyes narrowed as she tried to figure out what he was doing. It came to her quickly and at it her lips twitched into a tiny smirk.

"If you really think that will stop him then go ahead and do it. Perhaps I'll even give you a bit of help, though I do believe that I'll let him hurt you first." Her voice was low and a bit gleeful as she said this.

Returning to the chair she had been sitting in earlier, Mayouko Tamashii, settled down to wait for the show to start. Her eyelids drooped and with half of her mind she watched the inert dream-seer and with the other half, she kept her inner eyes on the barrier that Kakyou was producing around his dreamscape..

When Yuurei showed up, it would indeed be a very lovely little show. It was time to meet her brother face-to-face and this seemed like the right time indeed...

Yuzuriha turned to Okita's mother. "Anoo...do you know...who brought me here?"

The nurse blinked and thought about it for a second. "It was a man who was wearing a yellow jacket."

"A...yellow jacket?" Yuzuriha bit her lip. "You didn't get her name, did you?"

The nurse sighed. "He left in a hurry so no...but he said he would be back to check on you." She looked to Okita who was leaning on the wall next to the bed.

Yuzuriha scratched her head. "How long have I...been here?"

"About a hour or two dear." The nurse fluffed her pillow.

"Thanks. Did...he say what happened?"

"Something about a man doing this to you"

"A...man?" Yuzuriha blinked. "I don't really have many men friends. I know Kamui and Subaru but," Yuzuriha pondered, "...I can't really think...of anyone else. They wouldn't hurt me."

Okita nodded. "Well you're safe now...I'll check in on you if you want."

The nurse smirked. "Isn't that sweet...my little Okita."

"MOM!"

"That would be...nice," Yuzuriha smiled. "I'd like it if you visited me."

Okita turned back and nodded. "Any time..." He smiled cheerfully.

Yuzuriha felt something gnawing on her hand. She leaned over, only to see an unfamiliar wolf-dog standing there, wagging his tail happily. "Are dogs allowed in the hospital?" she asked, looking directly at the dog with quizzical eyes.

The nurse blinked. "What dog dear?" She looked at the girl as if she was crazy.

Okita blinked at the sight of the dog, noting that his mother couldn't see it. He remained silent.

"This dog, this one right here," Yuzuriha said, pointing directly at Inuki.

The nurse gasped. "Oh dear...she must've hit her head hard." She ran out to get some assistance.

Okita eyed the dog. "You might want to keep the Dog to yourself...I don't think anyone's going to see it"

"But...you can see it, right?" Yuzuriha looked up at him with big eyes.

Okita smiled nervously. "Yeah but I'm special...I see weird things a lot."

"So does that make me special?" Yuzuriha pat the dog as he licked her hand.

"Yeah...it does." Okita smiled and pat the dog. "Sorry to say it but I've got to go...I got a photo shoot early tomorrow." He yawned as he stretched. "I'll be back around here afterward ok?"

"That'll be nice..." Yuzuriha smiled. She then realized that Okita might feel pressured to come because she was sick, and quickly added, "But you don't have to, if you don't want to."

"Nah I want to...but until then you keep this dog a secret...A lot of people will think you're nuts if you broadcast this." Okita smiled as he walked toward the doorway. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Ja ne!" Yuzuriha called out after him.

As he backed up to stand beside Satsuki, Yuuto glanced down at the little object in his hand. He had no reason to keep it from the man who had dropped it; there was no special power being emitted from its presence. Shrugging emphatically, he tossed it in his hand and caught it again tauntingly, eyeing the man in glasses with a teasing smile.

"This is yours, correct?" Without waiting for a response, he tossed it out lightly with a flick of his wrist, aimed in its lofty arch perfectly for the man's waist. "I envy the person lucky enough to receive such a gift," he added in an impish warning. "Don't drop it again."

Sorata sighed as Kamui left, turning back to Arashi. "You ok?" He seemed generally concerned about her health...As he forced a smile, blood trickled down from the side of his mouth.

"I'll live." Arashi replied, same as ever. Her monotone never changed. "You..?" it sounded almost like a statement. Without warning to herself, her hand reached out, and she wiped the blood from his mouth with her index finger.

Sorata's smiled broadened under her touch. "Fine, now that I know you're ok...I wouldn't forgive myself if I lost you."

"Why's that?" she asked. Her expression showed a slight bit of surprise. She withdrew her hand and looked at him.

Sorata smirked as he poked her nose. "Cuz you're the girl I've decided to give my all for..."

"What?" it was a simple question enough. She pulled her face back. She was extremely surprised at his touch. "What are you talking about?"

"You're the girl I'm going to protect with my life..." Sorata blinked at her sudden burst of shyness. She certainly had a lot of reactions for someone who was supposedly emotionless.

Arashi quickly regained her composure. "You life? Where does this come from?" was all she could think of to say.

Sorata smiled. "I'm a sap for those icy eyes of yours and I just don't want any harm to come to them or any other part of you for that matter." He leaned against a tree, using it to hold him upright.

Arashi just stood there, looking at him. She occasionally picked off bits of dry blood from her skin and uniform, but she stood thinking. "What do we do now?" she asked, changing the subject.

Sorata shrugged, changing the subject back. "We could go on a date." Sorata forced a grin despite his pain.

Arashi blinked. "A date? Shouldn't you get cleaned up first?" she asked, pointing a finger at him. Sorata smiled weakly." A date with a girl like you would make me forget the pain."

Arashi still frowned. "But you don't exactly look like you're ready to go on a date." Sorata eyed her. "If I was would you say yes?"

Arashi showed no emotion. How could she answer that? She thought awhile, leaning back against the shrine. "...Maybe..." Sorata smirked. "Then tomorrow night it is."

She raised an eyebrow at him. She had maybe, hadn't she? But she was too weak to argue right now anyways. "Fine..." she said with a slight sigh.

Sorata jumped in the air giving a excited "WOO!" coming back down and griping his arm as he felt the pain surge through it. This was great; a date with the Goth princess of his dreams.

"Hm." she breathed- an almost giggle. "Well, come on. You really should see a doctor."

Sorata smirked. "Lead the way, nothing can get me down now." He tried to walk, finding it very hard to move on his own. Arashi had started to walk off. She turned back, her hair swishing, and falling over her shoulder. "Do you need help walking too?" she asked, scanning him. Sorata smiled weakly. "Yeah I wasn't gonna ask but yeah I kinda do."

Arashi tilted her head to the side meekly. She had to help, he was a fellow Dragon of Heaven. "Alright." she muttered, walking back to him. She wrapped her arm around his shoulder, pulling him close. "This isn't exactly the suburbs, I think it'll be easier to find a taxi here..." she said. "I don't even know where to go to begin with.."

Sorata leaned against her, using her as a support as they moved. "We'll be fine I think...if we don't find a taxi, one of the seals is bound to come looking for us."

"Hai." She walked slowly, dragging Sorata along. She brought him to the gate of the Monou shrine and looked down the street. "I wonder where Karen-san went too..." she said to more-so, herself. "There!" she said a bit loudly, spotting a taxi. She waved her free hand to call it over.

Sorata waved after the Taxi, causing more pain than it should've. He sighed and eyed Arashi from the corner of his eyes. "You don't have to do all that. I've got it." she said coldly. She watched as the taxi pulled to the side of the street. Arashi opened the door, glancing at Sorata. "In." she ordered.

Sorata smirked. "aren't we motherly." He got in, sliding in so she could get in next to him.

She rolled her eyes slightly before ducking into the taxi. "I'm going to ignore that comment." she told him. "Driver, I need the nearest hospital." she told the man. He looked at the from his review mirror. She knew he was staring at the blood that soaked them.

Sorata smiled at the man. "Gang violence...they jumped me and my girlfriend here."

Arashi turned her head, a bit more violently than she meant to. "Girlfriend...hey..." she
started. She frowned, glaring at Sorata. She glanced back at the man. "Yea...hospital, please." she repeated, before glaring back at Sorata. "Hai." the man replied, raising an eyebrow.

Sorata smiled. "What I meant a friend who happened to be female...You think I meant something else?" He laughed cheerfully.

Arashi sighed. She leaned back into the plush-ness of the seat. Her arms folded over her chest, she waited, scanning the scenery outside her window. She wouldn't answer him. Not at all.

Sorata saw her disgust. He sighed and closed his eyes, still smiling. He would see her smile...even if it was at his death.

"What hospital did Chan-chan go to?" Arashi broke out a few minutes later. The taxi stopped, and she creaked open her door. "Do you remember?" Sorata looked up at her. "Not sure about the name but it was the one nearest to the DIET building."

Arashi scanned the street. "I think this might be it.."

As he leaped along the building roofs and through shadowed alleyways, Yuurei's senses suddenly pricked at the presence close behind him. He did not need to glance over his shoulder to know who was there. Abruptly he stopped atop one roof and waited for Subaru to catch up. "I thought I told you to stay in bed," he said flatly, hiding his concern under a gruff tenor. "You're in no condition to do battle."

Subaru's eyes wandered to Yuurei's bandaged face, and let his eyes wander there for awhile to emphasize his words. "And you are?"

Yuurei smirked and turned to continue his quick trip through the city. "I don't plan on fighting," he called back, sure that the young man was still right behind him. "You forget, that's not my job." He glanced over his shoulder to meet Subaru's determined gaze. "But I know you...and if you see him, you will make yourself known."

"Is it safe to assume we're going to be passing in the direction of Seishirou-san?" Subaru inquired with a smile.

Yuurei did not return his smile. "I've seen the situation. He's there." His brow furrowed as he kept his single useful eye locked on Subaru's battered features. "This is quite serious. I won't be responsible for getting you further injured. I suggest you turn back now."

"What's going on that you're so worried about me?" Subaru made no effort to hide his interest. "And why do you think that you can handle it, while I cannot?" Subaru was clearly irritated; he was not the child he was nine years ago.

Fervently Yuurei shook his head. "I don't intend to handle anything. I'm going to watch--so that I might make the correct decision when my time comes between the Kamui of Heaven and the Kamui of Earth. That's my Fate. If you come with me, you'll get yourself involved in a fight. As for being concerned about you..." He glanced away with a melancholy smile. "Of course I'm concerned. You are precious to me, Subaru. I could never forgive myself if something were to happen to you on my account."