Warnings: angst, death of minor characters, magic pulled out of ass, evil kidnappers, references to stuff earlier in the story that I bet no one remembers except me, and confusion.

Part Eight

Mitsuki woke up disoriented. She was in a real room now, though it was devoid of furniture. Sakura and Tsuki were curled up in the corner. The dim light coming through the window indicated that it was either very early morning or late evening.

She had been awake for sunrise, so unless she had slept twenty-four hours, it must be evening.

The door opened and her head snapped up as three young men came strolling in. They were unfamiliar; not any of her previous guards.

"Konban wa," one of them said with a smirk. "We'll be keeping an eye on you from now on."

She eyed them coldly, glad that the kids were asleep.

"You want any dinner, m'lady?" the second asked, leaning against the wall.

"If you promise not to poison it," she replied.

"Come on, you're way too pretty to just kill." The first smirked. "We could have so much fun with you . . ."

Mitsuki's stomach lurched. "You shouldn't damage your ransom," she said coldly.

The third laughed. "You're not our ransom. We get paid no matter what, as long as you don't escape. Nobody ever said anything about what kind of shape you should be in."

"And don't even think about trying any magic," the first picked up where he'd left off. "We've got the whole area blocked off. According to our employers, your husband just left his house for the ransom drop. So sit tight, and this will all be over soon."

Mitsuki really didn't like the way he smiled when he said that.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, we have it directly from your kidnappers that they're going to kill your husband at the drop, take the money, then get rid of the three of you," he said casually.

Mitsuki went white. "Then why did they leave me alive all this time?"

"To do their magic, of course. Now they've left you here in our tender care, and it's our job to get rid of you. But they never said how long we could take about it, as long as we waited until after your husband had been properly taken care of."

Mitsuki turned away. "You have no idea who you're dealing with."

The three of them just laughed.

"Ne, what about the brats?" the third man nodded at Sakura and Tsuki.

"Might as well just kill -- actually, no. Keep 'em alive in case m'lady here gets any funny ideas."

Sakura's head emerged from where it was buried. "Mommy? What's happening?"

"D-Don't worry, Sakura-chan." Mitsuki tried to steady her voice. "Dad's going to be coming soon."

The first man laughed. "If he's not already dead."

"As if you pathetic third-rate magicians could do anything to my husband," Mitsuki said coldly.

"That's not our job, m'lady. Our job is merely to take care of you." He smirked. "So that is what we're going to do."

"If you touch me, I'll kill you," Mitsuki said. "Don't think I have martial arts training for nothing."

The first man looked at the second and nodded. He walked over and grabbed Sakura by the arm, hauling her upwards.

"Sakura!" Tsuki sprang to his feet and was immediately grabbed by the third man.

"Now, m'lady," the first said, walking over to her. "If you try anything funny, one of your children will die. So I advise that you hold still. You can scream, if you like." He smiled.

"What are you doing to my mother?" Sakura struggled against the man.

"Let her go, right now!" Tsuki let out a small cry as one of the men slammed him into the wall.

"Tsuki!" Sakura stomped on her captor's foot and went running towards her brother. The third man grabbed her by the wrist and twisted her around, pulling out a knife and holding it to her throat.

"Don't move, Sakura-chan." Mitsuki's voice was choked. "I'll be all right. Just stay where you are."

"But Mommy -- " Sakura began to cry.

"Listen to me, Sakura-chan! You're the Fourteenth Head of the Sumeragi Clan!"

"BUT!" Sakura pressed forward and cried out as the knife drew a tiny drop of blood.

"Sakura-chan, you can't die," Mitsuki said. "You can't let them kill you. I'll be okay."

"Mommy . . ." Sakura slumped backwards against the man, blood trickling down her neck.

Mitsuki closed her eyes.

Tsuki looked up, a little dazed. The man was holding a knife to his sister's throat. He didn't like that. And his mother was crying; he didn't like that either. The other man, who had been holding him, was leaning against the wall and laughing.

"Sakura . . ." Tsuki saw blood on her throat. "Sakura, you're bleeding . . ."

Sakura glanced down at him, then her eyes went wide. "Tsuki, you're right! That's it!"

She planted her feet firmly and threw herself backwards, taking the man off guard and managing to twist out of his grip. The knife glanced along her jaw, drawing more blood. "Tsuki!"

"Hai!" He was already on his feet and tackling the third man before he could come any closer.

Sakura wiped the blood off her chin and traced a symbol on the back of her hand, almost not believing it had only been days since Seishirou had shown it to her.

"Hey, look." The second man began to laugh, getting up and dragging Tsuki to her feet. "The brat's trying to do magic. Cute, huh?"

Sakura felt the magic backlash at her as it glanced off the block, then Tsuki's arms were around her waist and she felt his power silently adding to hers.

"Don't . . ." Sakura gasped out, holding one hand upwards and feeling the barrier tremble. "DON'T HURT MY MOTHER!"

****

Subaru and Seishirou both looked up at the same time, their heads turning as one.

"That was Sakura-chan -- " Subaru began.

"The block's down," Seishirou reported.

Without another word, they both began to run.

****

Hokuto placed the briefcase on the small footbridge and looked around nervously. She was supposed to leave as soon as she had done so, but she lingered for a moment, breathing a silent prayer. Then she readjusted Subaru's hat more firmly on her head and turned to go.

There was someone standing on the edge of the bridge.

"Konban wa," Hokuto said, trying to keep her voice low, to sound like a man. "Can I help you?"

"Sure," he said. "You can die without screaming."

Hokuto was going to reply, but she didn't really have a chance. She threw herself to the ground as a knife flew by her head.

A few petals of sakura drifted by her.

::Run, Sumeragi. I'll stop them.::

Hokuto didn't pause to question the voice or the instructions. She got to her feet and took off, grabbing the briefcase by the handle as she went.

****

"Oops."

It was somehow the only word that Sumeragi Sakura could manage as she stared at the wreckage around her. Tsuki's arms loosened around her waist and the two of them surveyed the damage. The spell had hit the first man head on, then gone past him and collapsed one of the walls, knocking down another one of their captors. The third was simply standing there, mouth hanging open.

"Mommy . . ." Sakura picked her way across the room and knelt beside her mother. "Mommy!"

Tsuki ran over and skidded to a halt next to them.

"Mommy, wake up, wake up!" Sakura shook Mitsuki frantically. "I . . . I didn't mean to hurt you!"

"S . . . Sakura . . . chan . . ." Mitsuki's eyes flickered open. "Tsuki . . . kun . . . I'm all right . . ."

Sakura wiped the tears off her face. "Yogatta . . ."

The other man was checking his comrades. When he turned to face the three of them, his face was dark. "Okay, brats, that's it." He pulled out a gun. "The three of you are coming with me. And if you even look at me funny, I'll shoot all three of you."

The phone rang. He kept the gun pointed at them, backing up to get it. "Hai? . . . Hai . . . really? . . . a few problems here, as well . . . no. I'm taking care of it. . . . Where? . . . Ten minutes. Okay." He hung up the phone. "We're going."

****

Subaru skidded to a halt, out of breath. "What the hell happened?" he gasped out.

One full corner of the house had collapsed. Seishirou cautiously approached it. "It's safe," he called over. "But there's no one here. Well . . . no one alive, anyway."

Subaru looked at the two bodies on the floor, one half-buried. "No . . . how did . . . what happened?"

::There goes my dinner. Tell the Sumeragi his sister is safe at home.::

::Thanks. I'll do my best to make up for the meal.:: Seishirou turned to Subaru. "The Tree wants you to know that Hokuto made it home safely."

Subaru sighed in relief. "Arigatou."

"As to what happened here . . . magic got pretty wildly out of control." Seishirou looked at the bodies, then the wreckage. "Some sort of explosion, really."

"But how on earth . . .?" Subaru stopped as he saw Seishirou's eyes go wide. "What?"

"I'll explain later." Seishirou looked down. "These two were members of the family. Not the kidnappers. And their block is down . . . Sakura must have destroyed it. She packs quite a punch for a five-year-old."

"Well, she is the next Sumeragi Head." Subaru looked around. "So if the block is down . . ."

"Hold on." Seishirou turned his attention to the Tree. ::Have any new blocks been put up?::

::Nope, not a one.::

::Then we should be able to find her.:: Seishirou lifted his arm and sent his Shikigami flying. "They aren't blocked, so we ought to be able to find them. I think right now they're relying more on speed than stealth."

Subaru nodded and sent his Shiki to join Seishirou's. "I see them," he reported, eyes closed intensely. "They're in a car again . . ."

"I see too." Seishirou examined the situation. There were six people in the car. The head magician, the one he'd seen the day before, was driving. Mitsuki was in the passenger seat, about three-quarters conscious. There was a man between her and the driver, holding a knife to her throat. The kids were in back, huddled together. There was another man sitting with them.

"They'll be out of Tokyo soon." Subaru's voice was strained. "What do we do?"

"Hold on again. I need to ask the Tree something."

::Yes?::

::How many men were there with Hokuto?::

::Three.::

::And they're all dead now?::

::Yes.::

::Which means that only two of the men in the car could be part of the original group of five kidnappers.::

::Yes. The one driving definitely is. I think the one in back is, too. The other one I don't recognize.::

::Member of the family, you think?::

::Most likely. Why?::

::Blood magic.:: Seishirou knelt next to one of the men. "Good," he muttered.

"What are you doing?" Subaru's voice wavered. "If anyone in that car moves funny, he'll . . . that man will kill Mitsuki."

Seishirou took out a knife and made a swift cut down the vein in the man's arm. He had only been dead for about ten minutes; the blood still flowed fairly easily. Seishirou traced a few symbols on the floor. "Not," he said slowly, "if I won't let him."

"What are you doing then?" Subaru repeated.

"Blood magic. The one with a knife at her throat is the member of the family. If I can use the blood to control him, I can get the knife away from Mitsuki."

Subaru's eyes widened a little. "You can do that?"

"I hope. It's been a rather long week and it's very complex spell. If I had some of his blood it would be easier, but I don't, so I'll have to make do." He paused. "Keep an eye on what happens, but don't disturb me unless it's an emergency."

Subaru nodded tensely. Seishirou traced another symbol, then folded his hands and closed his eyes. He could 'see' the blood flowing.

::Like calls to like. It should flow towards his brother.::

::Are you up to this, Seishirou?:: The Tree sounded concerned.

::I have to be.:: He watched . . .

::There he is!::

The image crystalized in Seishirou's mind; every detail of the man perfect in his mind's eye.

::Now . . .::

He slowly filtered his consciousness into the other man, until he could see with his eyes.

::Move . . .::

A wave of panic swept over him as the man realized what was happening, and he fought back. Seishirou lost it for a second, then the Tree boosted his energy and he grabbed control again.

::Move . . . the knife . . .::

Seishirou could hear the driver expressing surprise, dismay.

::I've almost got it . . .::

He dropped the knife.

"What's going on?" the driver asked angrily.

::Make them stop!::

****

Mitsuki's eyes widened as she felt the man begin to pull away from her. She watched closely, seeing his half-lidded eyes and shaking hands. Someone is controlling him, she realized, and looked outside the car to see a hawk peering in her window.

He dropped the knife.

"What's going on?" the driver asked angrily.

Mitsuki was jolted forward as the man who had just been holding a knife at her throat reached over the other man and pulled the emergency brake, slamming his foot down on the brake pedal at the same time. The car came to a screeching halt.

"Kids! Run!"

Mitsuki scrambled for the door handle herself and tumbled out of the car, landing in a pile on the pavement. Tsuki and Sakura followed suit, though Sakura was wavering with sheer weariness. Mitsuki scrambled to her feet and grabbed each of them by a hand.

"Where are we going?" Sakura was half-sobbing for breath.

Mitsuki looked around for the hawk, or for Subaru's Shikigami, but neither one was anywhere to be seen. Come get us soon, Subaru-chan, please . . .

"We have . . . to find . . . somewhere populated." She looked around the empty streets. "Where the hell are we?"

She heard pounding footsteps behind her and took off at a run again.

****

Subaru and Seishirou bolted out of the house.

"Have to find a taxi," Subaru gasped out.

"What the hell are you talking about?" a new voice intervened. Seishirou nearly fell over as he saw Hokuto standing on the front walk, twirling her car keys in her hand. "Get into the damn car, you two!"

Seishirou snatched the keys. "I'll drive, thanks."

The three of them piled in.

"How did you get here?" Subaru asked his sister.

"I do have some magic, y'know, and what Sakura did is probably going to bring every onmyouji for miles around running," she said. Then she added guiltily, "Also, the Tree helped me."

Seishirou rolled his eyes.

"Is your Shiki still watching them?" Subaru asked, turning to him.

"Yes, but it's staying a good distance away," Seishirou replied, slamming on the accelerator. "I don't want the kidnappers to be able to use it to tail them."

Subaru nodded. "Good thinking."

****

"Damn it damn it damn it!" Mitsuki slammed her fist into the wall in frustration. They'd been far enough ahead that she'd thought skidding into an alley was a good idea, but it would have to be a dead end. And not even a chain link fence that she might be able to climb, either. "I'm going to boost you two over, okay?" she said.

"But -- " Sakura began.

"No buts."

"We should stay together," Tsuki said. "Or Dad won't be able to find us."

Mitsuki hesitated, not wanting to say that they didn't really have time to wait. Then again, with Sakura as exhausted as she was -- and Tsuki wasn't much better -- the twins didn't really have much of a chance without her.

Then the choice was taken from her as two men appeared in the mouth of the alley.

"This," the man who had been driving said coldly, "has been one disaster after another." Mitsuki noted absently that there was blood on his hands, and she wondered about the fate of the man who had hit the brakes. "I think it's time to cut our losses and run." He lifted his gun and aimed.

****

"Oh, God, he's going to kill her!" Subaru's eyes were wide with panic. "Can't you do something?"

Seishirou wanted to say that he was exhausted, and from a distance he could do very little anyway. But still . . . ::Can you help?::

Even the Tree sounded tired. ::Seishirou, I hate to tell you this, but taking down those three others and helping you with the blood control took quite a bit out of me. And no offense, but I haven't had a decent meal in about a week. One random street scum last night doesn't really count.::

Seishirou cursed. "We're almost there . . ."

****

Mitsuki looked up as a hawk came winging from the sky, crashing into the man's arm and knocking the gun aside just as he pulled the trigger. He went sprawling to the ground.

She dove for the gun, but the other man made it first.

Mitsuki closed her eyes.

She heard a yell from the mouth of the alley, then a crash and there was a shower of white sparks. She buried her head in her arms and waited for it to be over.

When she lifted it, the two men were lying facedown in the alley. "What . . ."

"DADDY!" Tsuki and Sakura both flung themselves at Subaru as he ran over to them.

Subaru swept both of them into a bear hug. Then, "Mitsuki-chan . . ."

She managed a weak smile for him. "I knew you'd come."

Seishirou walked over slowly, Hokuto behind him. He was so tired. Too much magic, not enough sleep. Had Subaru really killed those men? Not like Subaru to kill, though these were special circumstances. But of course he hadn't, that would be why that one was reaching for his gun again.

"Subaru-kun!"

****

Subaru heard the shot about a millisecond after he felt the soft thud of Seishirou impacting against him, tossing him against the alley wall. He slid to the ground, gasping for breath, and Seishirou landed in his lap.

"Seishirou-san!"

The hawk went screaming towards the offending man, tearing the gun out of his hand.

"Seishirou-san . . ."

"Aa . . . I'm all right." Seishirou sat up, holding his arm with a wince. "I got us out of the way in time; it just grazed me, that's all." He wobbled his way to his feet. "Subaru-kun, I suggest you don't watch for a few minutes."

Subaru swallowed hard, then nodded and turned away.

::Dinner?:: The Tree perked up.

::Dinner.::

****

Hokuto surveyed the scene before her. Two dead men. Two small children clinging to Seishirou's legs. Seishirou, who was leaning against the alley wall looking absolutely exhausted. And Subaru, cradling his wife in his arms and apologizing over and over again, raining tears and kisses on her face.

Seishirou closed his eyes.

"Daijoubu, Sei-chan?" she asked softly.

He nodded. "Hai." His voice was dull. He watched Subaru and Mitsuki, trying to look dispassionate about the whole thing.

"I'm so sorry they hurt you, that we couldn't be faster . . . I'll never let anyone hurt you again, I promise . . ."

"Seishirou-san . . ." Sakura spoke up softly. "Those men in the big house . . . I killed them, didn't I."

Seishirou paused, then nodded. He was sick of lying.

"I didn't mean to." She paused. "I used that blood spell that you taught me. But I . . . I didn't know how to control it."

He reached down and smoothed her hair, said nothing.

"They were going to hurt Mommy. And Daddy hasn't taught me much offensive magic. None that I can do without my ofuda. So I did that." She sniffled. "Was I wrong, Seishirou-san?"

Why am I giving advice on morals? Seishirou wondered. "No, Sakura-chan. You did the only thing you could. You shouldn't have let them hurt your mother. They . . . they were bad people. You have to use what you know to protect the people you love." He looked at Subaru, eyes going soft.

"You love my daddy very much, don't you," she said quietly.

"Yes," Seishirou replied. "Yes, I do."

"Then . . . then everything will be okay!" She gave him a tired grin.

Seishirou watched Mitsuki and Subaru a long minute as Subaru kissed her again. A real kiss, too, not just a peck on the cheek. "No," he said. "This time I don't think it will be."

He turned to walk away.

"Where are you going?" Hokuto stood in his path, glaring at him imperiously.

"I'm going home, Hokuto-chan. I'm tired." He paused. ::How's my arm? Do you think it needs medical attention?::

::No,:: the Tree replied. ::Just be sure to clean it and bandage it when you get home. And . . . you should go home, Seishirou. You're tired, and not just because of all the magic.::

::Mother hen,:: Seishirou replied, amused to hear the Tree concerned.

::Yeah, yeah. I'm worried about you, Seishirou. You haven't been yourself lately. I'm sick of letting the Sumeragi hurt you.::

::I'm fine,:: Seishirou replied.

::Yeah, right. You're always fine.::

Seishirou ignored him, taking another step forward.

"And what are you going to do, walk?" Hokuto asked. "You'll stay right here until I can drive you."

Seishirou glanced back at Subaru. "And how many more years are they going to be doing that?"

Hokuto sighed. "Don't get mopey."

Seishirou leaned against the wall to keep his balance. The world was fading remarkably quickly. ::I'm not even sure I'll get home in this state.::

::Then for crying out loud, wait ten minutes and get a ride.::

Seishirou closed his eyes against the sudden dizziness.

"Sei-chan, it's going to be okay." Hokuto pulled him into a hug. Seishirou leaned against her, allowing her to support him. "You'll be fine."

"I'm always fine," Seishirou said, echoing the Tree.

"Except when you're not," Hokuto agreed, and helped Seishirou to the ground as he passed out cold in her arms.

****

Part Nine Preview: Moping!Seishirou, Obnoxious!Tree, Kawaii!Subaru, and the Meeting of the Matchmakers (or: Hokuto Takes the Tree Out to Lunch).