Greetings all! Gasp! Fuji (along with a few others) is missing from this chapter, but fear not! He'll be right in the thick of the action next chapter!

Rubymoon 17: Thank you!

Alaena Flame Dragonstar: I agree with you completely!

Yoshikochan: It's a great risk to write people out of character, but as a creative writer it's one I'm willing to take. I'm very pleased you enjoyed the last chapter and hope you enjoy this one.

DnKs Girls: Runs away from rifle. Shinji and his team mates are in for some good, old fashioned demon mischief in the NEXT chapter as a rescue Jiroh mission gets underway!

Kagome Girl 21: Dramatic? oh yes! And I'm keeping it that way!

Tristripe: remember the prophecy? pursued by those of hunter dark ... Fuji is being scoped alright! Jiroh may be over his madness but the poor guy must suffer a little more yet.

Analine: Yes, Jiroh had one HELL of an attitude but by the end of this chronicle, he will be back to his old self again!

Ruji: There is plenty of Tezuka-Fuji love in store!

Disclaimer: Takes long, hard stare at screen.. then sighs heavily as I STILL DO NOT OWN PRINCE OF TENNIS! Takeshi Konomi is so damn lucky...

" Suspended Soul"

Chapter 3

Story: Tora Macaw

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Lips curving into a slight smile, Tezuka allowed himself to enjoy the memory of that peaceful day in the forest. But that quiet time had been brutally shattered by the presence of Dark Hunters and their cruel targeting of the Kirin. True, he and his companions had arrived just in time to save Jiroh from certain death; but the mythic equine had been so traumatised by the incident he had attacked Shinji of Fudomine and almost ended his life. Out of his head due to shock and pain he flatly refused to help the Times Circle prince when Tachibana had asked. But fortunately, Jiroh had come to his senses in time and healed the young demon. However, such a healing had come at a terrible price

Sitting up in his chair, Tezuka steepled his fingers as he recalled the aftermath. The powerful young Kirin had collapsed and lay in a three day coma that Atobe feared he would never wake from. The Shining Cloud Hikari and several others had tried to revive him without success, but then Fuji had stepped in, laid his hands upon the motionless equine and miraculously; Jiroh had awoken.

" I can no longer deny the 'Blood's' power." Thought Tezuka firmly as he pushed to his feet. "But even though he bought the Kirin back from the abyss, not even he can lift such deep rooted trauma...

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Moaning, Jiroh tossed about in his sleep as he relived his endless nightmare. Beside him, his Hikari guardian awoke to hold the whimpering teenager close. Large, soft wings in various shades of white, ivory, cream and dove grey lay across the youth's body as a warm, protective blanket.

Beyond his bedroom window in the depths of the cold night, the wind blew steadily carrying a scattering of rain that drummed hard against unyielding glass.

The youth in Atobe's arms began to thrash as his groans deepened; sounding like a horse in pain and pressing his lips against Jiroh's wavy hair he whispered a quiet; " Ore Sama has you Jiroh, so be calm. It's just a bad dream."

But even as he spoke the soothing words, the Hikari knew full well the night terrors his charge now suffered from was no mere dream. It was a frightening reality; a nightmare the young Kirin couldn't seem to escape from, even when awake. Gently touching his mind, Atobe found not pleasant thoughts; but an endless cycle of horror. Dark Hunters howled their loathsome way throughout the inner recesses of his sub conscious as they taunted him with their cries and forced him to run from stinging whips and claws. Catching him, they bound him with burning ropes that sucked the life from him.

Arms and legs flailing violently in the grip of his terror, Jiroh began to transform; his bed creaking alarmingly under his increasing weight.

" Jiroh!" began Atobe urgently as he desperately clung to the steadily changing youth. " Wake up Jiroh! You must remain a human! Listen to me! You MUST remain a HUMAN!"

Voicing a low pitched nicker, Jiroh's equine head tossed heavily against his pillow; his branched horn tearing great gouges in the bed's large wooden head board. Unable or unwilling to hear Atobe's words, the fully transformed Kirin suddenly sprang to his feet. Eyes rolling with fear, his teeth bared, Jiroh's angry squeal echoed painfully in the confined space of his bedroom.

'By Jinnai's white feathers Atobe!' came the urgent voice of Kabaji in his mind. 'Stop him!'

With no time to spare his bond dragon, the sliver haired angel breathed out a regretful; " Forgive me Jiroh." and snapping out both hands he trapped the frantic Kirin in a blue-white cage of light. Zapping and crackling, the lightening type energy pressed in on Jiroh's foam covered sides then imploded to stun the raging equine into silence. Legs buckling from the impact Jiroh thudded bonelessly to the floor, his horse body fading out to leave him a human once more.

Swiftly, Atobe scooped the unconscious youth into his arms to tenderly bare him back to his bed. Gently tucking the blankets around him the Hikari made absolutely certain his charge was sleeping comfortably, then stood to grimly survey the damage wrought by the nightmare induced rampage.

The bed had taken some damage and the once gleaming floorboards were scarred from Jiroh's sharp hooves, but he knew such things could easily be replaced. Also, having Jiroh in his own home surrounded by Hikari servants meant no human ears had heard the Kirin's unearthly cries and he was quite safe from prowling Hunters.

Lightly dragging his fingertips through Jiroh's sweaty bangs, Atobe sighed as he lovingly caressed the pale skin of the youth's brow to soothe away an ugly bruise that was starting to form above his left eye.

'Did you really have to implode the cage on him?' Kabaji snorted.

' Ore Sama regrets that such action was necessary for his own protection' Atobe answered ruefully while stroking a lax cheek with the back of his index finger.

Outside, the great bronze merely grunted then resumed keeping watch. Laying down beside Jiroh once more, Atobe held the trembling youth close as he covered his team mate with his wings. Carefully stroking his golden-brown hair, the Hikari allowed a weary smile to cross his proud features when his charge finally slipped into a deep, dreamless slumber.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Ash grey clouds carpeted the sky throughout the morning and as the day eased its way into afternoon they morphed themselves into black thunderheads that oppressed the earth below with their malevolent presence. With a low rumbling growl and bright flash of sky fire, rain started to fall in a steady torrent.

All through lunch break Jiroh flatly refused to leave Atobe's side, jumping like a nervous cat at every thunder clap or sudden noise. Such behaviour didn't escape the notice of those around him and one particular malicious gang of trouble makers decided to add volatile fuel to the youth's already flaring emotional fires. A teacher had detained the pair as they made for the library and preoccupied with Jiroh's fears, Atobe failed to notice the group stealthily approaching; a large paper bag blown up and held ready. Spotting them, Kabaji sent a swift warning ...but it was a heart beat too late. An open palm slammed into the bag resulting in a sharp bang that made several students jump and squeal. But with a terrified scream, Jiroh bolted for his life; roughly barging through his fellow students as though they were high grass. In the space of a few minutes the youth had charged clean out of the buildings to slip on the wet, muddy ground and curl up into a foetal position; eyes shut tight as his body twitched violently.

Rain fell in an endless torrent, hammering with its relentless pounding. The cold wind raked at him with its icy claws and he was only just aware of Kabaji carefully picking him up; then carrying him back inside.

Lying safely within the silent confines of the school infirmary, Jiroh clung to Atobe like a limpet; refusing to let go even when the nurse insisted he take off his wet clothes and dry out beneath a warm blanket.

At last she gave up and bustled off to speak to the principle about allowing the boy to go home. Alone, Atobe used his telekinesis to seal the door then he mentally summoned Kabaji. Moments later the in disguise bronze popped into existence and Atobe spoke at once.

" Kabaji, we need to take Jiroh home."

" USU!" he loudly replied then added with his mind ' I'll take him home'

Striding forward, thick arms outstretched, the towering student prepared to lift his team mate but stopped at his captain's far away look and shuddering intake of breath.

" Home. Yes, Jiroh really needs to go...home."

Listening to the almost inaudible words, Kabaji raised a thick black eye brow as he mind spoke.' Home. Yes, lets go before the human woman comes back.'

But the wealthy student didn't seem to hear as his brows drew down in contemplation. For a few heart beats he stared into space as he stroked Jiroh's hair, then he looked around to fix his bond dragon with a proudly defiant expression.

" Pick him up. We're taking him home...to his true home."

'You can't be serious!' But as Atobe nodded with an emphases that left no doubt, Kabaji raised his big hands, his dark eyes widening. 'Atobe, that's dangerous! What if he...we...are attacked again?'

Placing a loving kiss on the crown of Jiroh's head as the youth clung to him, Atobe fixed his team mate with a steely gaze.

" I know, but it's a risk Ore Sama is willing to take as it maybe the only way to heal his mind."

'Keigo' came the very gentle reply 'I'm aware of how much...you love him, but please remember your first duty is to me.'

" And YOUR first duty is him and the rest of the team!" snapped Atobe as his patience gave out. " Summon the others as we will all work together here with no argument bronze! Also summon the dragon lord as Ore Sama requires his help."

" I know my kind are pledged to obey Hikari commands," Kabaji complained aloud as he silently sent to Tezuka. " but I'll probably get my head bitten off over this!"

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

The storm had passed, leaving a peaceful quiet in it's wake. A tired sun forced its way through a rear guard of grey cloud to cast long rays of soft golden light upon a rejoicing earth and gently illuminate a small glade deep with the forest's heart. Jiroh had been born here and arriving at the beautiful setting, he promptly fell asleep.

Hidden within the trees, a small herd of red deer silently watched as red dragon hatchling squeaked with joy while happily chasing butterflies flitting between the many colourful flowers dotting the emerald grass. A second youngster a scant ten years her senior frisked about like a puppy as he playfully romped between his niece and the hulking scarlet form of his mother.

Half concealed by the tall pines ringing the area, the old female sighed contentedly as she soaked up the sun's warmth and relaxing atmosphere. Yet for all her laid back attitude, she was fully alert and watchful; her mind completely attuned to her surroundings for any approach of danger as her amber orbs settled on her brethren.

The brown scale Shishido lay comfortably on his chest as his Hikari bond mate Otori stroked his face and just right of them squatted the massive bulk of Kabaji, his deep orange orbs fixed on the two figures resting between the great talons of his left front foot.

Leaning his back against a huge toe, Atobe constantly ran his fingers through Jiroh's silken mane as a large black horse grazed close by accompanied by a blue haired Kitsune and a leather hide Wyvern. With so many guardians, the Kirin slept untroubled by dreams and with his head pillowed in Atobe's lap he snored in blissful ignorance of the quiet argument taking place around him.

" This Hikari, is not good enough! Take him back to your home and surround him with your servants."

Lifting his chin, Atobe's grey eyes burned with quiet anger as he calmly faced an irate dragon lord. " May Ore Sama remind you that a Kirin needs to be in its forest home. The protection of the dragons.."

" Is not the solution!" interjected Tezuka firmly. " In your human home, surrounded by your people he will forever be safe, but out here he is open to attack. No Hikari, I'll not risk my subjects for the sake of a single life; important as that life may be."

" You of all creatures should understand." growled Atobe as he snapped out his wings and paced before the huge gold. " Ore Sama knows that to bring Jiroh here is exposing you to danger, but you know as well as I do the frustration of remaining locked away for your own safety!" Stopping right before the dragon's face, Atobe reached up to briefly brush the end of his muzzle with his fingertips before continuing to plead his case. " Lord dragon, you..as much as he does ..craves freedom. Tezuka..." leaning forward, the sliver-haired Hikari spoke softly. "...remember how life once was for your kind? For all who have lived before the age of human rule? The whole world was yours to fly where ever you wished, to play in what ever land you wished to visit! And remember how sweet and the clean the air was!"

Lifting his great head, Tezuka's eyes closed as Atobe's words stirred an enormous sense of nostalgia within his soul. Images from long ago formed up to play out before his mind's eye and he effortlessly felt himself revisit the past. He remembered Dodo's waddling between his talons as he relaxed on a remote African island and the giant sea cows that once frolicked in the northern oceans. He saw himself and a flight of his subjects passing over a herd of enormous blue whales two thousand strong, before sighing at the memory of a sun darkening flight of passenger pigeons. He could almost taste the perfectly clear air of the Alps in their pristine state and hear the voices of the mammoths as they strode across the once boundless European plains. But opening his eyes to the here and now, he knew such memories were for fools and that one had to forcefully adapt to survive; or die.

" It's true Hikari, I do understand, but if Jiroh is to live in this modern world then he must embrace it."

" No." replied Atobe with a shake of his head. " He will not embrace a human existence. He sleeps all day to avoid it lord dragon and come night fall, it is all I can do to stop him from running wild." Rounding on the others, he indicated his Hyotei team mates with a wave of his right hand. " Shishido and Otori can sometimes assist, so too can Oshitari and Gakuto...but they alone cannot hold off Aion!" Holding out both wings and arms, he appealed to the dragons flanking their king. "And Kabaji cannot focus on Jiroh alone. Please Tezuka, help me in this."

" If he is under attack, I will help him Atobe." stated the gold firmly " But I'm no one mythics body guard."

"HAHA!" exclaimed Takashi loudly as he sat on his haunches to thump himself in the chest with a clawed fist. " I can help protect Jiroh! Watch this! GREATO... BURNING!"

The others jumped slightly at out the sudden eruption of sound, then grimaced as a great jet of fire thundered from his jaws to sear its way across the clearing. The four Hikari attending Tezuka let out a few ripe oaths that turned even his golden face red, then rose up to swiftly put out the flaming trees.

Snapping his jaw shut, Takashi lowered his head, then rolled his eyes upward to peer sheepishly into a ring of stern adult faces and a very meek sounding "Sorry." drifted out of him.

Stretched out on his side, the young Kirin stirred to grumble a little in his sleep as some kind of fight seemed to rage over his head.

" Quiet!" he drowsily snapped as one hind leg jerked with an irate kick. Instantly, Atobe was at his side murmuring soothing words and snorting, Jiroh pushed at the grass with his muzzle. He could feel the first pangs of hunger starting to plague him, but he had no desire to get up. Sleep without nightmares was what he truly craved but while those voices hung about him, such a peaceful refuge seemed impossible to escape to.

Concerned for Jiroh and Atobe's welfare Kabaji leaned over him, but the sudden shadow his head made caused his friend to startle into a half sitting posture. Wild eyed, he stared fearfully at the dragon a moment; then his eye lids drooped and he flopped onto his side once more to lay trembling.

Sadly shaking his head, the bronze remarked silently; 'Our boy's a total mess.'

" Well wouldn't you be?" growled Ryuzaki as she waved her talons before the huge male's face. " A pack of Dark Hunters catching you is enough to drive the calmest mythic to the brink of insanity, and if you don't believe me, come and talk to Eiji some time!"

Slapping his tail down so it narrowly missed Takashi's head, the bronze left great furrows as he drew his claws along the ground.

'The Cat Lord recovered, so will Jiroh!'

" Fool!" snapped the red female as she reared up, her wings fanning with annoyance. "It took him a long time and that was even with Oishi's help! But..." she said, lowering her voice while lightly dropping back to all fours; "...I will admit one thing. The Hunters don't constantly stalk him the way they will stalk the Kirin. Atobe, as long as he is with you, your entire team is in grave danger!"

" Ore Sama is aware of this fact." he replied as he eyed his Hyotei team mates.

" I do have a solution, If you care to hear it."

Gazing proudly at the old red scale, Atobe waved a wing as he snorted an impatient " Well?"

" Appeal to your Lord Radion. Have him take Jiroh to the upper realm. He'll be very safe there and..."

" NO!" snapped the Hyotei captain, his eyes flashing with anger. " I will Never hand my Jiroh over to that pompous bastard!"

" Yhleahd venac speaks the truth Hikari." Nodded Tezuka as he solemnly spoke. " Not even Aion would pursue him there."

Spread wings lifting high in a sign of his outrage, Atobe was about to round on the dragon king when the youngest of his subjects lifted her head to speak in a nervous tone; " Ah...If I may Hikari Sama?"

Arching his neck to stare down at the hatchling, Tezuka silenced a fuming Atobe with a look then gave a nod of permission for her to speak. Timidly ducking her head, Sakuno glanced down at Jiroh sprawled out on his side then rolled her eyes upward to meet the stern gaze of her elders.

" Can't he...erm ...just stay at school? I mean..erm.. Hyotei has dorms and..ah..."

" Little one." said Tezuka gently, causing Sakuno to squirm uncomfortably as her king had never really spoken directly to her before. " That would put many lives in danger, for the Dark Hunters may chose to take the humans around him for sport and we would be hard pressed to stop them." Turning back to Atobe, Tezuka spoke on with a heavy heart. " I can see only one way for Jiroh to live permanently as a Kirin and that is under Lord Raidon's care among the Hikari."

" No!" the word left his lips as a snarl. Crouching over Jiroh's prone form, he faced his opposition with open defiance. " I said no! You hear me lizard? I'll die before I let that arrogant, cold hearted, Ice demon take him! Jiroh belongs here! With me!"

' Atobe!' said Kabaji silently. 'Why must all of us risk death for one? See reason for Jinnai's sake, before your obsession kills us all!'

For an answer, Atobe instantly leapt to his feet, his light sword a flame as he stood protectively over his charge.

Sighing in a gesture of weary defeat, Tezuka indicated with a wing movement that he wished to speak to Kabaji alone and with the two most powerful dragons in the world walking away Atobe let out his held breath with an explosive puff. Light sword fading out, he sank to his knees and carefully lifted Jiroh's head into his lap. As he fought against the bitter, anguished tears forming in his eyes he hardly noticed the sad shaking of many heads or the sound of Tezuka's stern voice drifting from the tree line with the occasional spoken words of "Yes Sire, No Sire." interjecting between the firmer tone. Just as Kabaji had predicted, he was getting his head bitten off.

.-.-.-.-.-

Needing food, Jiroh's empty belly rumbled and opening his eyes in answer to the urgent summons, his first view was Atobe sitting motionless beside him; his wings drooping while feathers fell like soft rain as his body trembled with contained grief. Afraid to face the coming night but fearing for his friend, Jiroh stood up then gently lipped at his guardian's hair before lovingly butting the Hikari with his nose and hungrily attacking the sweet grass.

A raven suddenly flashed by overhead, calling to its mate in a harsh, resounding caw. Instantly Jiroh screamed, reared frantically and would have bolted if his way hadn't been blocked by surrounding dragons. Flanks quivering and shining with a nervous sweat, Jiroh danced nervously on the spot; calming only when Atobe wrapped both arms around his neck to stroke him into stillness. The assortment of watching mythics shook their heads in despair, then turned sad eyes to the dragon king as his own hazel-gold orbs stared at the sky.

Swinging her head about, Ryuzaki followed the line of his gaze as her amber orbs sought out whatever it was that held her kings attention. She sensed no danger, but spotting a large round orb of glowing golden light drifting toward them she swallowed hard then shot an apprehensive glance at Atobe.

Muttering the words " By Jigoku, this wont be pretty." she stepped closer to Atobe, then lowered her head to push at his shoulder with the pointed tip of her muzzle. " Hikari," she began in tone filled with compassionate sorrow. His face buried in his team mates silken mane, Atobe refused to acknowledge her. " Atobe!" she rumbled, giving his back a hard nudge.

" WHAT?" he practically roared as he lifted his head to glare daggers at the old female but noting how everyone was staring pointedly at the sky, he narrowed his eyes as he too looked up.

Quaking as he realized what the vision that met his widening orbs meant, he recoiled in horror then frantically tugged at Jiroh's mane while quietly urging him to move; but the Kirin stood as though caved from stone, his dull eyes staring blankly ahead. Pulling hard on a shapely ear and still getting no response, Atobe swung about and caught hold of the nearest object; Takashi's nose horn.

" Ow! Atobe! What.." he began indignantly, but the Hikari silenced him with a look.

" Listen hatchling! he said urgently. " Ore Sama commands your assistance. Take Jiroh and flee."

Cocking his head to one side, the young red regarded the close to panicked Hyotei captain with extreme curiosity. " Why?" he asked while pointing with the tip of his tail. " Who are they? Why, they seem like Hikari to me..."

Cutting him off with a powerful tug on his horn, Atobe, with incredible strength, dragged the hatching until he stood beside the motionless Kirin. " I'll have Jiroh transform back into a human, then you carry him far from here. Understand?"

Takashi nodded, his eyes performing a slow blink as he answered with a puzzled; " I think so."

Seizing an equine ear, Atobe whispered roughly into it. " Jiroh, listen! You must transform!" A golden light glowed close by, but Atobe ignored it as he frantically tried touching the Kirin's closed mind. " Transform! Do you hear me?"

" The Kirin can hear no one." snapped a coldly authoritative voice. " Step aside low born, you have failed your mission."

Jiroh's ear fell from limp fingers as Atobe cringed from the voice he knew all too well and out of long conditioned habit, he sank to his knees; his head bowed with wings curved respectfully over his neck.

Staring down his nose, the ruler of the Hikari glared at his grovelling subject then turned sharply to face the dragons. At once, Tezuka and the others dropped into a low bow; their muzzles almost brushing the grass as the enormous gold spoke quietly.

" Lord Raidon."

Hardly sparing the huge beast a second glance, the blond Hikari snapped " Lord Dragon." before deliberately turning his back and reaching out to touch Jiroh as the dazed Kirin strode stiffed leggard towards him. Such action was all the prompting Atobe needed to forget the conditioning of a life time, so as to leap to his feet; then charge between his ruler and his beloved.

" You are NOT taking him!" he snapped, his wings standing wide from his shoulders.

With a positively evil smirk, the taller Hikari faced his defiant adversary with complete contempt as he sneered; " And pray tell me low born! After your fiasco with the Dark Hunters, you still think you are capable of caring for the horned one?"

'Please Lord Raidon..'

Rounding savagely on Kabaji he silenced the bronze with a single glare and satisfied he wouldn't speak again, Raidon summoned his light sword to his right hand to wave it menacingly before Atobe's startled face. " You are lucky I have been this tolerant to let you care for him so long, crooked halo! "

A collective gasp of shock rose from the throats of adult dragons and watching Hikari alike, followed by low muttering or grinding of teeth. All colour drained from Atobe's face at the blatant insult, but then his top lip curled in an angry snarl and his own light sword sprang to life in his hands as he cried out; " High lord or not, you wont get away with that!"

Flaming sword met flaming sword. No sooner was Atobe's first slash blocked, he swiftly made several more. Raidon's arm shook a little from the force of the blows raining down on him, but lifting the limb he swung his own blade in a powerful return attack. Hard and fast, the cutting edge of the sword came. From low to high, then left, right and left again; each one the Hikari ruler effortlessly blocked. The flames of both weapons swirled to leave gold and silver ghosts to mark their passage through the air, then Raidon pressed his attack; filling the space around him with ropes of gold fire as he drove Atobe back on his heels.

The silver-haired Hyotei captain narrowed his eyes as he counter cut, then launched a savage back slash. Parrying, Radion cursed his opponent's strength and reeled away; only to fully spin on his toes and catch his blade on Atobe's to push him back once more. Full in the younger Hikari's face, Raidon gave him no respite as the swords clashed in a cascade of sparks; sprang apart and clashed again in a blazing kiss as the two warriors snarled into each others eyes across the spitting blades.

Springing apart, Atobe moved to his right, but the Hikari lord blocked him with a down sweep then slid sideways to drive him away once more. A quick glance out the corner of his eye showed Atobe his beloved Kirin standing like a statue close by and baring his teeth, he snarled his hatred for the upper realm king as he fought his way forward once more. Five steps in, then two back, his sword met Raidon's in a series of punishing blows that echoed like thunderclaps among the surrounding trees.

Unable to so much as lift a single talon to interfere, the watching dragons crowded against Tezuka as they anxiously awaited the outcome and fearing for Jiroh's safely as the combatants whirled close to him in their deadly dance, the dragon king reached with his claws out to easily pluck the motionless Kirin from out of harms way.

Seeing his beloved vanish out the corner of his left eye, Atobe swore a vile curse then met Raidon's blow with an upward cut that sent a shock radiating through his arms. Wheeling his blade, the younger Hikari leaped to the offensive and with a hard swing he caught the side of Raidon's blade to knock it upwards. His heart racing, he pressed the attack and sneered as his opponent fell back, parrying each blow in an almost casual defence. Furious that Radion would demean his blade skill so, he charged the Hikari ruler and tried to smash the taller angel down with shear brutal force alone. But the flames of the mighty warrior's blade licked at his eyes causing Atobe to jerk his head back and in doing so, he lost his balance to fall heavily on one knee. At once, Radion closed in, his down cut screaming through the air as a fiery arc bent on killing. However, Atobe just managed to lift his sword in time; catching the deadly blow that would have cleaved him in two, then he sprang to his feet to launch a powerful counter attack.

Weapons rose, fell, then slashed high. Radion took a wild swing at Atobe's belly that made his horrified audience gasp, but leaping backwards he narrowly avoided having his entrails split over the grass. But the sudden move took its toll and dodging back to avoid a second slash of his blade, he stumbled back as his balance faulted. Regaining his footing, Atobe felt the brush of death's cold breath on his face as Radion, roaring with triumph rushed in to take his enemy's life. His sword blocked the first fatal blow, but dropping his blade tip, he missed his defensive hit. Raidon's blade sword surged in as he frantically twisted to on side..only to have it chop down and slice into him. Arms thrown up as he uttered a hideous shriek of pain, his light sword spun away in a blazing spiral and vanished into thin air. Ignoring the fierce agony blazing through his shoulder and upper chest, Atobe tried desperately to summon a new one; only to freeze as Radion's blade hovered millimeters away from his throat.

Hardly panting from the effort, the Hikari lord eyed his fallen foe as a wolf watches a helpless lamb. " I'd kill you where you stand low born." he growled menacingly. " But..." he flicked his gold flecked green eyes at Kabaji who stood on his hind legs, his wings spread wide as he loudly keened his grief. " ... I'll not be responsible for the heart brake of a dragon. Take your sorry little pet and go, but the Kirin comes with me."

" NO!" roared Atobe as he made a last ditch desperate lunge at the Hikari lords back, but Radion spun about to slash his blade downwards; its intense brilliance searing the lower ranked angel's eyes. For a brief moment he staggered backwards, blinking frantically to clear his vision as his bond dragon's anguished wail rang out in his ears. Then, Radion's mocking laughter downed out all sound and feeling as it spurred him into movement.

A boot shod foot whipped out to impacted upon tender flesh just above his right knee as Atobe charged, causing the limb to cave backwards and the silver-haired Hikari to scream as bone and sinew snapped. Through a red, foggy haze he saw his antagonist's triumphant smirk, then he turned away to seize Jiroh's forelock in a vicelike grip. A great glowing light rose up around them and even as he staggered forward he never heard the despairing cry torn from his lips; " JIROH! JIROH! JI...ROH!"

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Someone was crying, screaming in great anguish.. somewhere. He could only just barely sense it from an immense distance... the breaking of a proud, yet loving heart. Chestnut ears pricked up in a vain attempt to hear it clearly, but a thick, heavy fog rolled between himself and the cryer so the faint sound faded out completely.

Slowly, the darkness he found himself in lifted and dawn stole into his meadow like a thief. It was deathly quiet.. a silence that made the trembling Kirin feel uneasy and terribly alone. Somewhere far away, was someone Jiroh knew who loved him, and at a deep, subconscious level he knew he loved that someone in return. But his search through the darkness had proved fruitless as he failed find the one so desperately calling him.

With the sun now rising to dispel the mist, he breathed deeply; happy to be free of the fear filled night. Dropping to his knees, Jiroh curled up to rest. The grass was velvety soft and smelled so clean in its purity yet, he found himself sorely missing his warm, comforting pillow. Eyes closing, he hoped his love would come to claim him. But in the solitude of heaven's garden, surrounded by breath taking beauty, Eden's king cried himself to sleep as he remained terribly alone.

To be continued.

A note about the sword fight.

Hikari have two main weapons. One, is their ability to use "light magic". This means they can shoot beams of pure, hot light from their hands to attack or make a containment field, but for close range, hand to hand combat, they can summon a "light sword" This solid weapon is pure energy ...hot, fiery and deadly. Now, it is one of my habits to carry a note book EVERYWHERE as I find story inspiration can come from many sources. I attended a medieval festival a few months back and watching the sword play, I got the idea for Atobe and Raidon's battle. Like Inui, I took notes regarding one particular bout and the Hikari light sword battle is the result of those observations.

A very small number of Hikari have a mind control power that allows them to enslave certain mythics to their will. Sadly,Raidon, is one them. Crooked Halo is indeed a nasty insult refering to those lower down the social ladder. The upper realm is much like ancient Japan. Ruled by Raidon, he is surrounded by the "Royalty" of the Devine Star clan, then come the "Nobles" of Bright Dawn clan. Just below them are the warriors of Solar Fire, then the lesser Hikari clans of servents, food growers, etc.. Atobe's family were once members of the warrior class but due to an ancestral disgrace, they were cast into clan Shining Cloud...a lesser warrior or "Guardian" class.