Chapter Twenty-Nine:
Wicked Dragon
"What sort of statement is that?" Okamio question as Long kept moving about, avoiding her direct gaze. "What do you mean, you never left?"
"Oh, Mei Li, don't you understand?" Long purred, the string now tightly wrapped around her waist. He pulled her close, so they were front to back, and moved his mouth to her ear once more. "I can't leave if you never stopped loving me. Don't you see? I am yours forever and you are mine forever. No one will ever know you the way I do." His fingers gently ran through her hair. "How many times have you gone looking for someone who satisfies you the way I do?"
More times than I'd care to admit. She thought, not daring to open her mouth. She had always been weary of accepting Long's devotion… she wanted something purer. So, she'd searched and searched and thought she found it with Gou… but he had kept her a secret, when Okamio had been fed up with hiding… and then cast her aside in favor of Ran. She thought she found it with Rio, but the nature of his addiction made him incredibly dangerous… even more so than Long (who happened to be feeding it). But, Long had always been faithful… not always honest, but he was still faithful. And no one loved her quite the way he did. "You used me."
"To get through to Rio?" Long scoffed. "Don't be silly. Rio is only in the position he's in because he's a junkie. And I know love is blind, darling, but you can't be that blind. I didn't force this on him. He wanted it. He's a complete addict and that comes with dangerous consequences. You understand right? I may supply him with his drug, yes, but… he's the one who wants more. Do you really want to be involved with an addict who cares nothing for you and only cares for himself?" There was a pause and Long made sure to infuse his string with his energy so that it would penetrate Okamio's mind and poison it.
Okamio had seen what happened to addicts and their families and loved ones. She didn't need to be told such things. "Rio told me he cares for me." She said, forcing herself into thinking that this was another one of Long's lies, but deep down inside, she knew it was true. "He said he loves me."
"Rio lies." Long hissed. "You are the daughter of two Kenma, born with more power than anyone else in Rin Jyu Ken Aku Gata. He only said those things to learn what you knew… to get into that skirt and learn your power so he can defeat you the way you defeated your father. You were another stepping stone to power." Long had to hold back a chuckle. "Darling, Rio never, ever loved you. He filled your head and your heart… with lies."
"Oh, and you don't?" Okamio snapped.
"Yes, but Okamio, I always have your interests at heart. Your mother never cared much for you until your return, I got rid of her. Gou forced you to hide, when you were sick of it, so I pawned him off on another. Rio is going to hurt you in a way I don't want to see, so I am saving you. No one will ever take care of you the way I do. I have loved you forever… let me in, Mei Li."
Okamio fell silent and Long's fingers ran up her arms and he nuzzled her.
"I think I see what you mean…" She murmured.
"You see? I adore you, Mei Li. You're beautiful, special… a true goddess… you deserve someone who will worship you… and someone who will give you everything you want… and be completely irresistible."
Okamio's willpower was beginning to crack. Long's every word seemed to pull her in closer and closer and fighting seemed pointless. Every word he spoke was like honey and he couldn't help but give in. "I have willpower."
"Do you?" Long purred, kisses trailing along the bare skin. He had her now… he knew he could sweet-talk her back into his embrace… straight into the dragon's den. "Then use it to resist Rio's advances. He's going to want to win you back… but you don't want him back, do you?"
Long was a seductive creature. He'd been that way since Okamio met him. He had a hold on her like no one else and she wasn't going to leave him again… not this time. There was no way she was going back into the arms of a junkie.
The evil Retsu paced around Okamio's bedroom, concerned for the state of his mistress and Mele. They had been gone for a couple of days and he was now worried. He hoped that that dammed Long hadn't hurt them.
Just as he was about to go look for them, Mele, terrified and panicked, burst into the room. "Retsu!" She cried. "Okamio-sama… she may be in danger!"
"What?!" Retsu cried. "What happened?"
After he managed to calm Mele down long enough for her to tell him what happened, Retsu was infuriated. Okamio may be in grave danger and he was standing around waiting. Where is Okamio-sama? Take me to her!"
"But, we have to warn Rio-sama about what may happen!" Mele said. "He could die!"
"Didn't Okamio-sama tell you not to tell him?" Retsu asked.
"Yes, but… I don't want Rio to lose his mind!" Mele said. "Please, Retsu… we have to at least warn him!"
Retsu sighed. "All right, but we can only warn him about Okamio. I don't know what Long has planned and I really don't want to find out just how powerful he is."
But before the two could leave the room, Rio, wearing his fur coat and a rather ticked off expression, appeared. "Where is Okamio?" He asked in a low voice.
Mele and Retsu exchanged a look and all Retsu could think was:
Shit.
As far as Michelle was concerned, Gou was a capable student… and he'd appeased her with fish. She had no choice but to take him on and teach him the new technique he was hoping to master.
So, she'd taken him to the woods and began to teach him what he needed to know. With his hard work and dedication, the Heaven and Earth Change Strike would be under his mastery. But, he had been very cryptic about why he wanted to learn it. She knew better than to press. Besides, as long as he was working, she could sit back and enjoy the view.
Oh, to be human again. She thought as she watched him work.
"Wolf-Chan…" Jan was worried as he watched Okamio sit in deep mediation. "I wonder what she is doing…"
"I think she is mediating." Sha-Fu said. "She mentioned that she has a limited psychic bond with her other half and she is trying to access that half's memories to see if she can get a clue as to what this Long character wants."
"I hope this doesn't make Wolf-chan and Eagle-chan go away, Neko. I like thinking of them as my nee-sans."
Sha-Fu was surprised and amused. "You consider them family?"
"YES!" Jan announced. "Everyone here is my family!"
The words warmed Sha-Fu's heart and he chuckled.
Just then, Okamio opened her eyes. "I can't reach her." She announced sadly. "And I wish I knew what Long wanted, but my memories of that time are really fuzzy. I doubt he even told me."
"Don't worry about it." Sha-Fu said. "I have a feeling we will know soon enough."
"Wolf-chan… are you going to try to hurt Evil Wolf-chan?" Jan asked. "I still think there is good in her. She can be saved… like my dad!"
Sha-Fu and Okamio exchanged a look. They wondered how to tell Jan that Dan could never be saved.
"Jan…" Okamio began. "I don't think he can be saved."
The Tiger-Fist's face fell. "He can't?"
"Oh, Jan…. I didn't want to cause you pain, but it's the truth. I don't think you could ever restore Dan to the man he was before." Okamio said. "We don't even know how he got that way in the first place." She got up and gave Jan a squeeze. "But don't worry… we'll figure something out."
Retsu, Mele and Rio stood at the foot of the mountain shaped like the mouth of a dragon and stared at the entrance.
"Is she in there?" Rio asked.
"Yes…" Mele answered. "But the inside of the place is like a labyrinth. It took me forever to find my way out and it might be worse if we go in. We might never find a way to Long's bedroom."
"And who knows what he could be doing to her." Rio growled. "If he had the fucking gall to rape her…"
"I don't think that's what happened." Mele said. "Okamio told me once that sometimes, Long's Genki causes people to lose their memories. So maybe…"
"I don't care what happened…." Rio was not happy. He'd been stupid to trust Long. "…I'm getting my Okamio back. Now, take me to her."
Retsu and Mele looked at one another. "Rio-sama…" Retsu began. "Perhaps it would be wiser if we waited for her to return. For all we know, Long could have rigged his labyrinth with booby traps."
"And it is easy to get lost." Mele added. "We could be in there for any number of days."
Rio looked at them and then he sighed. "Do you think she'll be alright?"
"Okamio-sama is strong." Retsu assured Rio. "And she can handle Long quite well. I am sure she'll be just fine."
Okamio's eye opened and shimmered a soft golden color as she woke up, the smell of Rio faint, but present. The tiny part of her that loved him ached, but she pushed the thoughts away. Rio was a liar, just like Gou had been. Neither of them was interested in building a future with her. Rio had his addiction and was always desperate for a fix and Gou had cast her aside. Neither of them deserved her love.
But Long did.
Over the span of two days, Long had carefully taken back his beautiful Okamio. He'd carefully poisoned her mind against Rio and Mele, telling her all sorts of nasty little things and finally, after what had felt like forever to him; she told him she loved him. He had his lotus back and she bloomed beautifully.
Now, to send her out against Rio and see if she defeats him. Long thought as he rolled over to face her back and press loving kisses all over. "Darling…" He murmured. "Are you alright?"
His touch was soft and made her shiver. "Mmmm, never better, Long." A nip caused her to jump a little. "I should thank you for opening my eyes. Together, you and I are going to bring Rio down using his own little addiction…." She laughed. "His lust for power…is going to be his downfall."
"Oh, no question." Long smiled, pulling her close to him. "And this world will belong to you…" He carefully brushed away the golden string left behind on her skin. "It is a shame that Rio will never truly appreciate you the way I do."
"Rio is far too focused on Jan this, Jan that… Jan, Jan, Jan." Okamio scoffed. She'd always been frustrated by how fixed Rio was about defeating Jan. "I can't wait to see the look on Rio's face when Jan kicks his ass."
"Quite frankly, I suggest getting rid of GekiRed altogether." Long murmured, his fingers trailing up her soft curves, his voice dripping with a mixture of honey and venom. "Get rid of him and then, we can continue to focus on our true plan."
"The Mugendo…" Okamio murmured, her voice trailing off. "Of course. But… the problem is that Rio is going to want to defeat someone more powerful than Jan once Jan's gone. That's how his addiction has sustained itself. Once Rio obtains the power he wants, he can't help but want more…. and he can't help but desire a stronger opponent. He only took the crown because it meant, to him, controlling Dan."
"You let me worry about Rio, darling… you worry about getting rid of all those who stand in your way."
"Long…" Okamio began, casting a glance over her shoulder, but he silenced her with a finger to her lips.
"Don't worry about it, Mei Li." He pushed her on her back and kissed her, his genki energy flowing freely, like venom, through her body, further turning her against Rio… and making her stronger. His plan was back on track… and Okamio was back in his arms.
You'll never escape me, my Mei Li. He thought as he stroked her hair, his embrace around her tightening. I know you far too well… better than anyone else. I know you… intimately.
Ran was ashamed of herself. She had let her hormones do the thinking and wound up having everyone looking at her with distrust. She'd completely blown it. So much for being "Honest Heart."
Jan had readily forgiven her. He told her everyone was entitled to make mistakes. But Okamio had not been so forgiving. Ran had accidentally set of the chain of events that had put them all smack where they were and understandably, Okamio was rather unhappy. So, she and Ran had gotten into a fight and Okamio called Ran a "disgrace."
Ran was upset about it. She hadn't meant for all those things to happen…could she really be that selfish?
"Ran..." Someone was calling out to her and she turned to find Retsu, out of his jaguar body for the moment, looking at her. "I don't blame you. Long is clever, crafty and smart. He only used you to get to Okamio. You couldn't have possibly known what he was up to."
"But I still caused this mess." Ran felt horrible. "I feel I must fix it."
"You let me do that." Retsu said. "Just get back out there and fight. I'll handle Okamio."
"Mama! Mama!" Mei Li could not believe what she had just seen. A monster had destroyed a nearby village! She ran through the rain, as fast as her 6 year old feet could carry her, back to the home she shared with her mother, Rageku. "Mama! A monster!"
"Mei Li, what are you doing out there?" Rageku ran out of the house, scooped up her daughter and carried her inside. "You're far too young to be outside by yourself."
"Mama, I saw a monster!" Mei Li wailed. "A horrible dragon monster with red eyes!"
"Mei Li, what are you talking about?" Rageku asked. "Now, calm down and tell me what you saw."
Mei Li took several deep breaths. "I was playing with my friend Zhang in the next village over like you said I could and her father was taking me home when we heard this loud roar. Her father told me to hide in the woods so no one could find me and he went back to see what the sound was. And suddenly, there were balls of fire and dark energy and I saw this golden dragon monster appear from the rubble and destruction. He was big and nasty with horrible red eyes and he just wiped out everything… I think I saw a hakaijin!"
"A hakaijin?" Rageku was alarmed. If her daughter had seen a destruction god at work, it was very serious. "Are you sure?"
"Mama, I'm positive!" Mele wailed, beginning to cry. "What else could have done such a thing?"
"Mei Li, do you remember anything else about the dragon besides that it was golden?" Rageku had to know so she could warn Brusa-E.
"It had lots of eyes." Mei Li said. "I only saw two at first, but when it turned in my direction, there were more… and it had dragon's heads all over its body…. And it SAW ME!"
"WHAT?!" Rageku shrieked. "It saw you?"
Mei Li nodded.
"Did it say anything?"
"Only that it would let me live if I ran for my life."
Rageku had never been more relieved in her entire life. "Mei Li, do you know how lucky you are?"
"Yes, Mama." Mei Li hugged her mother. "Are you going to tell Brusa E-sama about the hakaijin?"
"Yes…but for right now, let's get you out of those wet clothes… it's way past your bedtime."
No link to the mind of her darker half, but only faded memories of her life as Mei Li arose from the depths of Okamio's mind. She opened her eyes and came out of her trance-like state slowly, frustrated. She had to stop Long… but how could she when she had no idea what he was up to?
"Okamio, you should not blame Ran for what happened." Retsu was standing a few feet away.
"It is her fault things are the way they are. You and I have practically lost our bodies to darkness, this team is practically split apart… and I am about to lose half of myself. You tell me who I should blame!"
"Long himself… this is his work and you know it. You of all people should know that Long is very, very, very crafty. He's been manipulating people for god knows how long."
Okamio gave him a look. "I don't blame Long."
"Well, you should. You know he's crazy. He's clever… he did what he did to Ran in an attempt to get you back and it worked. Don't blame her. She couldn't have known. She just wanted nii-san to herself. She couldn't have known that Long was only after his own interests. She was a pawn…. Just like you."
Okamio's entire body seemed to slump. "I know… but a pawn for what I haven't figured out yet."
Retsu sighed. "At least you get that." He grew stern. "You have to tell Ran you're sorry. She already feels horrible enough. You berating her for making a mistake isn't going to help morale. She also, if you recall, still can't Henshin." He then noticed the look on her face. "What's wrong?"
"I can't get through to my darker half. I keep running into Genki energy or old memories from when I was much, much younger… I think Long's up to something again."
At this Retsu had to chuckle, despite the gravity of the situation. "When is he NOT up to something?"
"We're lost." Mele declared as she, Retsu and Rio found themselves in the exact same spot in the labyrinth they'd been twenty minutes before. "I told you this would happen."
"I'm not leaving without Okamio." Rio wouldn't budge. "I will not let Long use her in whatever plans he has, the treacherous son of a bitch… who knows what else he's done? He could have slaughtered her!"
"I don't think he would do that to her." Retsu spoke up. "Long says he loves her. It's odd considering his behavior, but he does care for her."
"In a fucked up way." Mele muttered.
"I can't believe I trusted him!" Rio was exasperated. "What was I thinking?"
"You wanted power… as always…" Retsu replied. "And you did what you always did and blindly followed without thinking."
"Retsu!" Mele cried.
"It's the truth!"
Rio looked like he was about to punch Retsu but instead he slumped against the stone wall. He put his head on his knees and sighed. "Okamio is one of the few people in this whole stupid world I actually give a damn about. She's special… I love her and I want to get her back into my arms. I don't want her at the mercy of Long."
"And Long is borderline desperate to get her back. God knows what he's done to her in two days?" Mele asked. Mele hadn't wanted to leave Okamio alone, but Okamio had pretty much forced her to go. "He could have brainwashed her!"
"But… why?" That was the part that had always confused Retsu. "What does he want with Rio-sama and Okamio-sama?"
"Well, in Okamio, I wanted someone to spend my life with." Long suddenly appeared, his hood up and his eyes glowing. "Being as old as I am, I'm very lonely. Okamio, is beautiful, powerful, strong… and she is such a wonderful lover…. but I'm sure you know all about her bedroom skills, Rio-sama."
"Where is she, Long?" Retsu demanded. "What have you done with Okamio-sama?"
"Quiet, manservant." Long flicked a finger and sent Retsu into a nearby wall. "Okamio, if you must know, is finally safe, where she belongs… in my arms."
"You twisted fuck." Mele hissed. "You stole her from Rio-sama… who genuinely loves her. How can you say the same?"
"I have loved her since she was a 16 year old human girl, shy and reserved, with enormous reserves of untapped potential." Long smirked. "I have spent endless years cultivating her from the shy Mei Li to the beautiful lotus blossom she is today. You would not love her if it were not for me."
"Where is she Long?" Rio grabbed the Dragon-ken and slammed him against the wall, causing it to crack. "What have you done with her?"
"I restored her to who she is supposed to be… and reminded her of the dangers of loving an addict." Long smirked. "How do you think she felt when I told her you favored your addiction over her?"
"You…" Rio hissed. "You liar! How many lies have you poisoned her mind with?"
"I told her no lies this time. Everything I told her was the truth." Long smirked. "She is mine now… not yours, mine."
Without thinking, not caring, Rio grabbed Long's throat and began to attempt to choke him. "You fucking, lying son of a bitch…GIVE ME BACK MY WIFE!!!' Long's body shook violently. "WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU HIDING HER?!"
Mele moved to stop Rio, but Retsu grabbed her and shook his head. "I don't think that would be a smart idea."
"Not smart at all." Okamio's voice purred as she appeared from the darkness. She was dressed in a tight burgundy and gold dress with matching boots and gloves. "Put him DOWN, Rio."
Rio froze. "Okamio?"
"Don't you dare come near me." Okamio hissed, her voice seething with fury and venom. "You and your addiction… it's a damn cycle! You value your fucking power more than you ever did me!"
"How many lies has he fed you?" Rio threw Long to the side and went up to Okamio. "Okamio, whatever he told you, don't believe him! He's using you as a pawn. He's using all of us as pawns!"
Okamio shoved him. "Get your hands off of me! You never loved me! You only took an interest in me because I had power that you wanted for yourself. You only wanted me because I was the daughter of Maku and the only other person who could help you achieve Dorinki… what a fool I was to think you loved me."
"But he DOES love you Okamio-sama!" Retsu yelled. "He demanded that Mele and I bring you here to rescue you!"
"LIES!" Okamio screamed. "Long is the only one who loves me."
Long smirked. Oh, you could never script drama this good. He loved it.
"If he loves you, you know he's got a fucked up way of showing it." Retsu muttered.
"But he's remained faithful to me." Okamio snapped. "All of you at one point or another have turned on me, but he has not!"
The trio exchanged looks. Whatever Long had done, it had been a fucking doozy.
"What did he do?" Mele asked. "Was it more of that string?"
Okamio turned her golden gaze on Mele and then, exerting more power than she intended, managed to throw the girl clear across the hallway and smack into Retsu. Her entire body was shimmering with dangerous genki energy, a result of Long pumping her full of his for two solid days… and this was after he was finished fucking her into the mattress.
Rio lunged for her but Okamio managed to slam him into the walls and they began a violent brawl, of claws and armor clashing, growling, roaring and brutal displays of raw power. But the problem was that Rio was… for the first time, outmatched. Long had made Okamio stronger on purpose, knowing Rio would come and she'd want to fight.
When Okamio managed to use her energy to send Rio flying straight through three walls of stone, he flipped out. "What the fuck? Where did she get this power from? Has she been hiding it from me all this time? And you call yourself my bride you whore! You've been hoarding ultimate power when you vowed to teach me all you knew1"
"Shit." Retsu muttered. "Rio-sama! Stop!"
"Rio-sama!" Mele cried, as she and Retsu grabbed Rio's arms, not caring that he was in his armored form. "Please, stop! You're falling into Long's trap!"
"She's not supposed to be stronger than me!" Rio roared.
Okamio stared as Retsu and Mele tried to restrain Rio from coming after her and as she watched, Long came up behind her and began to stroke her hair, holding her close to his body. "You see Mei Li? See what he thinks of you once you defeat him? From telling you he loves you to calling you a whore. You deserve so much better…."
The words almost made Mele freeze. "Retsu… we must get Rio-sama out of here…"
Retsu nodded and they tried to drag Rio away before things got worse. But Rio was having none of it and he dove after Okamio.
"Gen Jyu Lycanthrope-ken Genki! Lycan Howl!" A deafening sonic blast of noise from Okamio's mouth sent the trio flying clear out of the entrance of Long's den, and into a nearby lake.
"I'm sorry you had to find out this way, darling." Long murmured as Okamio turned away from the entrance, her fists clenched. "I didn't want to be right about Rio."
"Serves me right for loving a power junkie." Okamio whispered sadly.
"It's all right, Mei Li." Long caressed her face gently, pulling her close to his body. "You couldn't have known things would be as bad as they turned out to be." He kissed her, "You have me, now. I will take care of you."
There was a wicked glint in her eyes. "How about I…" A few quick motions and her dress fell down around her ankles. "…take care of you for a change?" A chuckle. "Let's see how you like being fucked into the mattress for a change."
Long smirked and scooped her up into his arms. No need for them to stay in the darkness any longer than they had to….
After what had seemed like forever, Gou had finally achieved the ultimate technique! As he emerged from the waterfall, practically naked, and dripping wet, he could have sworn he noticed Michelle undressing him with her eyes. But he was too euphoric to care.
Rio's defeat was well within grasp and then, maybe… he could have Okamio back. He wasn't too sure if she still cared for him, but he did her, which was why saving her and restoring her body was important. He wanted that once last chance to reveal his true feelings.
"Now, what are you going to do?" Michelle had to know.
"I'm going to kick some Gen Jyu Oh ass." Gou growled, clenching his fists.
