Chapter 8: Broken

            "That's it for today, everyone. And please remember the watercolor project for the next class!" a teacher's voice echoed as Tia left the room. In a rush, she bumped into Juri's strong awaiting arms, awarded with a soft chuckle.

            "In a hurry, Tia?" Juri smiled, brushing a soft lock of Tia's golden hair away.

            Blushing, Tia shook her head, blond strands spilling in front. "No…I was just…waiting…"

            "Waiting? Might I ask for what or whom?" Juri coyly smiled. She loved the mid-afternoon bantering that she and Tia shared.

            Tia gently took Juri's hands in her own small ones and began to drag her towards the picnic area, giggling. "You of course!"

            Both women giggled softly now as they walked hand-in-hand, enjoying the pleasant weather. Meanwhile, Adonis, now also in a uniform, walked casually towards a quiet spot to read. His deep thoughts were soon interrupted, however.

            "Adonis! Sir Adonis!" a little voice loudly called to him. His ears twitched as he moved to the direction of the owner. No sooner had Adonis turned, the owner was in front of him. Her hair was a light shade of blue, held up in two short odangos. She was not more than thirteen years of age.

            "Oh…Riko. I take it you have transferred?" Adonis asked.

            "Yes, you know I am ready to help 'her,'" Riko replied cheerfully.

            "Then you know that Purity is very fragile right now."

            "Yes, we must do our best to keep her strong," she said.

            Adonis gave a sage-like nod.

~*~

            The clang of metal upon metal could be heard in the fencing arena. In the middle of the practicing area, Juri and Tia were sparring. Shiori silently watched from the balcony. Juri and Tia's foils met a few times before they managed to knock them out of one another's hands.

            "What a match," Juri said, smiling. A soft crimson crept into Tia's porcelain cheeks, and she giggled.

            At that moment, Shiori approached both women and looked at Juri. "Juri, please, a word with you?" Softly, she asked. Juri sighed in annoyance and nodded. Placing a hand on Tia's shoulder, Juri smiled a half smile. She had to tie up loose ends. Tia nodded, understanding. Afterward, Juri and Shiori left towards Juri's dorm, while Tia went to visit Adonis in the garden.

~*~

            The door closed behind them as Shiori sat on the soft couch. Folding her arms across her chest, denoting her impatience, Juri looked at Shiori.

            "What is it Shiori? I though I had told you to stay out of my life…"

            "Juri…I won't let you write me off so easily."

            "And who gives you such privilege?"

            "You do. I still occupy your thoughts," Shiori replied, caressing Juri's cheek and running her hand down her face, "…and your dreams," she was moving her hand lower, leaving it inside Juri's blouse, over her heart, "…and your heart." Looking deeply into Juri's emerald eyes, Shiori leaned in to capture the forbidden lips of the fencing captain. As the kiss deepened, Juri became overwhelmed with the flood of memories and feelings that rushed into her mind. Doubt and uncertainty established an ominous base in Juri's psyche.

            After her meeting with Adonis, Tia quickly approached Juri's room. Peeking through the slightly ajar door, the scene before her burned itself into her mind.

            As Juri pulled away from the kiss, she saw Tia's small frame trembling, eyes full of tears. Emerald eyes widened.

            "I was wrong about you, Juri…do as you wish. May the rose seal protect you…"she cried, running away.

            "Juri, stop," Shiori commanded. Juri, once again, turned to look at Shiori. Finally, the light had completely left those emerald eyes as she drifted into a trance. With a smirk of victory, Shiori pulled out a replica of the once shattered locket that Juri possessed. Juri's heart sank as she succumbed to the darkness. Smiling, Shiori placed it around Juri's delicate neck, and kissed her.

            Tia's small legs ran out of Juri's hall, to a destination she had not yet decided. Softly, her footsteps were heard down the long corridor, running. What happened? Why was her heart hurting so? This pain was different than the pain from Janus, yet the sting was just as strong. Not watching where she was going, Tia bumped into Adonis, who gracefully caught her.

            "Tia, what is it? I sense a dark presence. Are you hurt?" He asked. All Tia was able to do was cry. Her heart had been broken for the first time.

            "Juri…"

            The small form of Riko stood next to Adonis, her soft light blue odangos blowing in the wind. She placed a small hand on Tia's cheek, wiping a tear away.

            "Everything will work out, Tia. My name is Riko, and I am the Teal Rose guardian of wisdom. Please put your mind at ease. I will investigate and handle this shadow."

            "What happened, precious one?" Adonis fondly asked. Tia took a breath.

            "It's Juri. She is different…she is with…Shiori now…"

            "I thought her heart had only you in it, Tia?" Adonis asked, obviously taken off guard.

            Sadly, Tia shook her head. "No…she chose Shiori. And I must respect that decision…and still protect Juri's heart…"

            Riko closed her eyes for a few moments, and then opened them. She shook her head, light blue hair spilling forward.

            "No. Both her mind and heart are clouded. Shiori has been possessed by an evil entity, and has captured Juri's thoughts," Riko explained. For thirteen, she was quite intelligent.

            "Is it them?" Adonis asked.

            Looking at each other, they both nodded.

            "So what do we do?" Tia asked.

            "This must be their latest ploy…" Adonis began, "…to possess someone close to a duelist who that duelist has some sort of weakening attachment to. In this case, it was Juri and Shiori."

            "This is only my hypothesis, but I think this is our purpose – duel the possessed to release the shadow and the spell," Riko concluded.

            With soft footsteps, Tristan approached. "Good evening. In response to what you asked, the one destined to protect Arisugawa Juri or any duelist targeted is to duel whomever the shadow has possessed. If the shadow wins, the guardian fades, and we are three steps away from the mission. Tia, you must challenge Shiori. Use your power within you to defeat them."

            At that moment, Tristan placed his hand on Tia's chest, causing a small light to appear and then disappear.

            "That is your power, Tia," he continued, looking into his friend's eyes deeply with sorrow before embracing her tightly.

~*~

            "Juri…so beautiful…you have suffered so much…" Shiori whispered softly, hands wandering to Juri's uniform and unbuttoning it. Softly, she kissed Juri again. Those once lively emerald eyes were darkened, as though she were a robot.

            "Shiori…I…" Juri began, her body collapsing on the couch into Shiori.

            Quickly, Tia ran it, slamming the door open. When had she become so rash?

            "Shiori!" Tia yelled, trying to ignore the horrid image before her eyes: a half nude Juri in the arms of such a person. "I know your game, and I challenge you to a duel…now!"

            "Let's go, little weakling," Shiori started, standing up. "Juri and I will see you there," she continued, taking Juri's hand and disappearing.

            "Darkness beyond twilight," Tia's voice echoed, "Open the gate until the plane of the gods!" With a brilliant flash of light, Tia's form was now that of guardian Purity. Quickly, she also disappeared unto the plane.