Chapter Five: Unpleasant Reunions

~ Fed through the tube that sticks in me

Just like a wartime novelty

Tied to machines that make me be

Cut this life off from me ~

Five lectures and two days later, Siân found herself sitting in the Yatsubadia classroom once again. Where she was prone to sickness, she was quick to recover. Sighing softly she exhaled in order to blow the long strands of hair out of her eyes. To be truthful, it was time for another haircut, but this time she thought she'd wait. It had been years since her hair had remotely resembled anything feminine. And now that her mother was gone, the family didn't need a household of guys.

Pulling out of her reverie, she glanced up at the teacher as he lectured them in his traditional monotone voice. If college was going to resemble this even remotely, she didn't want to go. Looking to her side, she saw Koutoku quietly taking notes. A smile etched across her face as she allowed her thoughts to focus on him. He hadn't told her how he'd received the bruise, but Shunkaku had insisted that he stay the entire week with them.

It was rather funny really; her father hit it off with the older of the twins really well much to both of his children's surprise. Toma wasn't an easy man to impress, but when he met Koutoku, he was completely won over. Furrowing her brow she recalled her brother pulling their father aside in a rather serious conversation. Shunkaku didn't do that often. He didn't like to talk if he could help it.

Sighing softly she turned back to attention waiting for the bell to ring. Where she loved having the both of them at home constantly, she missed how Shunkaku would come to her room just to study and be near her. Now he spent all of his time with his twin. She couldn't blame him really; they'd been separated for the entire first portion of their lives.

That's when the bell shook her from her thoughts only to see that the class was quickly leaving her behind. Snapping up quickly she hurried to put her things away not noticing that Koutoku was standing by her watching her silently. He had noticed her unnatural silence the last few days, and he knew it had everything to do with he and his brother. "Daijoubu yo, Siân-san?"

Bringing her gaze to him as she slipped her history book into her bag, she couldn't help but give him a blank expression. Avoiding his question, she merely grinned at him and looked back to her bag as she latched it closed. "You really shouldn't wait for me when I dawdle. I don't want to make you late."

Giving a resigned sigh, he shook his head causing long strands of deep blonde to fall into his deep blue oculars. "You're avoiding my question."

"And?" Smiling slightly she shouldered her bag and headed for the door. "Come on Kou-kun, we have concert orchestra now so you'd better hurry."

Watching her run on ahead of him, he felt the sadness creep into his eyes. Koutoku hadn't wanted to ruin her happiness. He could tell she liked having him around, but he could also tell she missed the closeness she had once shared with Shunkaku. Shaking his head again, he brushed the thoughts aside in order to hurry on to his class.

Reaching out for the door to the concert hall, his hand never reached its destination. Gasping out in surprise, he felt something run into him from behind. Not like he was being shoved, more like an over excited hug where the person latched onto the unsuspecting prey. Glancing over his shoulder, wide deep blue eyes met a lighter shade. "Ayame-chan…"

The blonde smiled brightly showing no signs of letting him go. "I told you I'd get transferred! Why haven't you been home? Has Shiro-sama… well… been his evil self again?" The ecstatic expression faded into serious concern as she released him gently. Allowing orbs of crystalline blue to scan over his face, she saw the remnants of the bruise on his right cheek. "I see… Genki da na?"

Blinking in surprise, he reached forward to open the door while trying his best to keep his composure. "I've been staying with the Tsukikage's. Father is mad and asked me not to come back for a while. He doesn't know where I've been, and I'm sure he hasn't made an effort to find me either."

Growling lightly, the blonde followed him into the room full of lockers with her arms crossed. Watching him open one to extract his flute, she narrowed her eyes in a dangerous manner. "That man is a sorry excuse for a human being. Why do you let him get away with what he does? Honestly Kou-kun! You should stand up for yourself. You're seventeen now…" Sighing softly she opened another locker not far from his pulling out a case containing a violin. "He's never hit you before where everyone could see it. He's getting braver…"

Wincing at her words he turned to the main hall trying not to dwell on the thoughts. "Hai… Demo, he's my father. I can't be disrespectful."

"You are so brain washed Kou-kun!" Coming up behind him she wrapped her arms about his neck in a gentle manner still holding her violin. "We've been friends since kindergarten… I've seen the sort of life you have had to live. It's not fair. Even my deadbeat parents wouldn't do the things I know those jerks have done to you."

Letting out a melancholic sigh, he allowed himself to lean against her heavily. She was the only one he allowed to see him like this. At any other given moment, he would have fought on behalf of his adopted parents, but with her it was different. He couldn't hide the truth. "Arigauto Ayame-chan… Demo, nothing can be done."

Nodding slowly, he could tell she wasn't convinced. Pulling away from him, she smiled once more then trotted through the doors leading out of the music lockers. Stopping in mid stride, icy blue eyes fell on the brunette sitting at the grand piano. Growling under her breath, she walked over to her and stopped short of the bench drawing the other's attention almost instantly. "So it's you…"

Siân blinked forcing her eyes to focus on the blonde standing near her before swallowing hard. "Konnichiwa Tsumetai-san. I see you really did transfer." Giving a quick once over Ayame's school uniform, she then turned to the piano once more.

"Don't ignore me Tsukikage…" Glaring down upon her, she then turned to go to the strings section slowly while calling over her shoulder. "Don't think I don't know who you are Umiyame. And don't think I forgot the way you treated me before. Your little innocent act doesn't work on me."

Looking up sharply, Siân glared at the retreating form in horror. She had hoped that the girl hadn't remembered. The last thing she needed was a reminder of her past. What she didn't understand was why her former younger cousin was being so cold now if she remembered. What had she done to spur this sort of behavior? Blinking slightly, she allowed her emerald eyes to move over to Koutoku whom was sitting in his designated spot watching them quietly. Meeting his gaze, she saw his questions in his eyes.

A shiver ran down her spine and she wondered if it had been a good idea to tell him whom she was. It was easier when no one knew. Staring down at the ivory keys silently. It was going to be a long school year now that Ayame had shown up and she wasn't sure if that was such a good thing.

~*~

Standing impatiently outside of the school building, Shunkaku gazed at his watch impatiently. Deep indigo eyes then rose to glance about the campus warily making sure a certain blonde and russet haired girl didn't come upon him unexpectedly. He'd been avoiding Yui and Miaka all day, and to his great dismay, Yui had somehow found out that he now remembered.

Groaning inwardly he moved further into an inconspicuous position roving his eyes over the area in search of his twin and Siân. Catching sight of Koutoku, he smirked when he saw a girl with long blonde hair walking with him. It was obvious that she liked him just by watching her body language and the way she looked at him.

Straightening, he then crossed the school grounds coming up behind the couple silently. Reaching out a hand, he gently tapped his aniki's shoulder and smirked as his mirror image turned to look at him in surprise. "Otooto! I didn't see you. Ano… Please meet Tsumetai Ayame. She's my childhood friend."

Glancing at the girl he bowed politely choosing to ignore the wide-eyed expression on her face. "Sugoi! There are two of you Kou-kun!" Staring at Shunkaku with sparkling eyes, she then clasped her hands together in what seemed like anticipation. "This is so great!"

Blinking nervously, Koutoku shook his head while sighing softly. "This is my Otooto, Tsukikage Shawn Shunkaku." Watching the expression fade from the girl's porcelain features he knew exactly why.

"Oh… THAT girl's brother." Rolling her eyes she then grinned not noticing the frown that was deepening on Shunkaku's face. "Oh well!" With that she looped one arm in Koutoku's right arm, and her other in Shunkaku's left. "Let's go get some ice cream or something!"

"Hai, that sounds nice!" Smiling warmly, Koutoku didn't seem to act surprised in the least at her actions. Giving his brother a warm smile in order to calm him, he closed his eyes and nodded. "Doesn't it Shun-chan?"

Arching a brow slowly, he managed a nod merely to please his brother. "I suppose. Demo…" Turning his gaze in order to look about, his deep blue eyes fell on Siân as she stood a mere yard from them smiling sadly.

"You go ahead. I have a lot of homework to do." Bowing swiftly, she then turned and ran in the opposite direction toward their home. Normally she didn't mind being the third wheel, but she wouldn't have been able to stand it with Ayame there. Ayame seemed to hate her, and she couldn't figure out why. Not stopping in the slightest, she sucked in even breaths in order to keep the pain in her chest to a minimum. All of the martial arts classes seemed to have paid off in the end.

Nearing her home, she finally stopped panting for air desperately. She hadn't looked back. Shunkaku wanted to be with his brother, and she knew Koutoku was very fond of Ayame. Why should she ruin it for them? Besides, she didn't feel like arguing with either of them. Walking slowly down the street, her eyes fell on a boy sitting on a mailbox just around the corner from her home. Eyes of deep green stared at him a long moment before shifting to the other young man standing near the other with his arms crossed over his chest.

Blinking slowly, she couldn't believe what she was seeing. "Ano…" Staggering slightly from the exhaustion from her sprint, she found her self-turning in their direction abandoning her venture home. As she neared, certain features came into focus that made her freeze to the spot. Deep amethyst hair crowned the younger's head where the older had long striking platinum hair reaching far down his back. "I… must be seeing things…"

Suddenly the boy perched on the mailbox turned to look at her with wide eyes of iridescent green. Blinking a few times, he then turned to the other and spoke softly. "Tato-san… Look…"

The taller then turned his head locking a solitaire gray eye on the girl that seemed to be frozen in shock. "Well Tan-kun… If I'm not mistaken… She is VERY familiar." Smiling warmly he allowed his arms to fall to his sides before offering her a bow in greeting. "Hello ojousan… My name is Chen Emtato, and this is my friend Chamka Tan."

Tan gazed at her blankly a moment before hopping to the ground with ease. "What is your name?"

Still feeling out of sorts, she stuttered in reply not paying attention to her words. "Samui Koori."

"Is that so? How funny…" Grinning in an arrogant manner, Tan leaned against the mailbox crossing his arms in the same fashion that Emtato had just abandoned. "Ne, Tato-san, Do you think she remembers?"

Shaking her head vigorously she realized her error. "Ano, I mean, my name is Tsukikage Siân. Gomen nesai…" Bowing in order to hide her blush, she didn't dare look back up at them.

"No… She's too polite." Emtato smiled lightly before mirroring his young friend. "Umiyame would never stoop so low as to act in this manner."

Snorting derisively, Tan nodded his head. "You're right."

This caused her to step back. They were exactly who she thought they were, but they too seemed to carry a near hatred for her. What was going on? "Ah… Hikitsu? Tomite?"

Simultaneously their eyes met hers in a calm manner. There seemed to be silent laughter in Tan's eyes as he nodded his consent. "That's right, demo, are you really Umiyame? If you are, I must say I am surprised."

Staring at Tan in shock, she felt her heart sink. This was the one Genbu warrior she had actually cared very deeply about, and now he was treating her as though she were nothing more to him than an obligation. "Tomite…"

Emtato blinked at her tone before reaching out to rest his hand on the younger's shoulder. "That's enough Tan-kun… Leave her alone." Yes, he was Hikitsu all right. Still calm and wise like he'd always been, but the gaze he was now giving her was pity.

Narrowing her eyes at him in contempt, something inside of her flared to life. "Don't look at me that way Hikitsu. I don't need your pity much less want it. You two can just go about your miserable lives and pretend you'd never seen me. Because that's what I'm going to do." Snarling uncharacteristically, the green mark flared to life on her forehead. It was unreal how fast the rate of her anger was now coursing through her. It seemed so foreign, but in truth, so familiar.

Both then blinked in surprise staring at her in silence. They'd hit a nerve that hadn't been hit in centuries. Emtato reached out to her cautiously hoping to calm her rage only to be slapped away angrily. "Umiyame… Calm down…" Retracting from her he wondered if they shouldn't have taunted her like they had. They'd seen her before, but hadn't approached her. To them, she had seemed so happy, very unlike the way they remembered her.

Growling lightly she backed away from them, the green light flaring off of her like tongues of flame. "Calm down? Sure Hikitsu… whatever." Snorting once more, she turned from them and stormed away the green light slowly dissipating from sight. Walking away slowly, she felt her head begin to throb. Raising a hand to cover her forehead, she cursed herself. What had happened? There must have been something she was forgetting…

Tan watched her forlornly unmoving. It wasn't right. He shouldn't have treated her like that. Even if the past he remembered was bitter, she had seemed to be moving on. Sighing softly he turned his gaze to his best friend only to see the concerned mirrored back at him. "Do you think she's all right?"

"I don't know… Demo… I think we went about this the wrong way." The other nodded in agreement, before they turned to watch her again silently. "We'll have to clear this up with her later."

"Hai…" Sighing deeply, Tan couldn't look away, even when she rounded the corner to head home. "I think… we should follow her."

"Naze?"

"Just a funny feeling I have." Lifting away from the letterbox, he started to walk in the brunette's direction only to be halted by his friend. "I mean it Hikitsu! I have this feeling!"

"Are you sure it's not something else Tomite? I know you haven't gotten over her even after all these years." Frowning in contemplation, Emtato showed no urge to release his young friend till he knew for sure. He didn't want the other to get hurt, not again.

"Please Hikitsu…" Trailing off, the other finally released him and shook his head.

"Fine…"

~*~

Watching the twins quietly, Ayame allowed herself to lag behind them. Something was nagging at her mind. Like a wildfire that didn't want to be put out. Closing her ice blue eyes she allowed her thoughts to wander about. Unfortunately, the thoughts that came to mind were from the past she wished had never existed. / I… I don't want to be a Genbu Shichiseishi! / A slender hand then rose to cover the left side of her neck as the mark began to burn her skin.

"Umiyame?" Uruki looked at her cousin with wide eyes as they sat by the fire in the middle of the night. The only two awake were she and the older girl, and she wanted to talk so desperately.

"Hn?" The monosyllabic tone came from the brunette as she casually poked the crackling fire in an attempt to keep it alive.

"What do you think of Tomite? Or Hikitsu? I mean… Tomite is more my age… But Hikitsu is so fine!" The tone was soft, but the ecstasy was more than noticeable. "When this is all over, I want to get married and live a normal life!"

Looking up with frigid eyes of green, Umiyame met her cousin's lively gaze with a frown. "You're such a foolish dreamer Ayame… Tomite is a nobleman from a well-known tribe. Not only that, he's a warrior that has honor. An honorable Seishi wouldn't fall in love with another Seishi. Hikitsu is too old for you, and you are too immature. Grow up already. You're dreams are foolish."

Staring at her in shock, Uruki opened her mouth then closed it several times before finally finding her voice. "Itoko… That… You can't mean that…"

"I can and I do. Stop being stupid. You live only to be a Genbu Seishi… You're life is meant solely for the priestess. So get over yourself." Snarling lightly, the brunette then glared into the flickering flames.

"Get over myself? Why don't you do that first? You're so stuck up. You think you're so tough Ms. Girl-boy. You're nothing but a wannabe. You deserve the life of a Seishi." Frowning deeply, the light in the soft blue eyes vanished.

"Yes I do. You don't! You're worthless! You serve no purpose! You're just a stupid giggling girl that can barely take care of herself!"

"I'll never forgive you itoko…" Still clasping a hand over her neck, Ayame finally looked up to see the twins looking back at her blankly. "It's nothing. I'm going to go on home. Thank you guys. I had fun." Smiling lightly, she then turned to walk away. Walking slowly, her eyes met with a lone figure in the same uniform as herself. Looking closely, her eyes hardened and she snapped to attention.

Approaching slowly was Siân, a hand still firmly cradling her forehead. Looking up, their eyes met. Narrowing her eyes of green, a hidden resentment bubbled up in her heart. Dropping her hand to her side, she glared at the blonde without moving. "Well, well. Hello Uruki."

"Heh. Well, if it isn't Ms. Girl-boy. Still think I'm worthless Koori-san? Want to find out?" Also dropping her hands to her side, Ayame spread the fingers of her right hand forming a small orb of green light at her palm. Still glaring icily, she snapped her hand closed over the orb dispersing it into four congruent points forming a Shuriken. Raising it slowly before her, the light faded and it shined frosted silver in the bright afternoon sun.

Siân smirked lightly before balling her hands into fists causing the long blades to shoot from the tops of her wrists curling menacingly like talons. The symbol on her forehead flared it's greenish light while the green flames surrounded her form. "Mochiron. That is, unless you plan to prove my theory otherwise."

Ayame grinned sadistically as the mark that stood for 'maiden' began to glimmer on the lower left portion of her neck near the collar of her green school blazer. "I do, and I will." Smirking all the more, a similar green fire surrounded her form as they faced one another in anger. "I've been waiting for this for a very long time itoko."

"Have you? Sorry it's taken so long then." Coldly, she smirked at the girl that was a year younger than she feeling the innocence she'd tried so hard to obtain drown in the churning abyss known as Umiyame. Bringing her arms up slowly, the blades slid across each other causing Ayame's skin to crawl. The single moment that passed between them felt like an eternity, but as if a flash of lightning had struck the ground, they sprung toward one another like large cats attacking they're prey.

Waves of green fire erupted from the pair as metal met metal in a loud crack of thunder like sound. They were now face-to-face, weapon-to-weapon. Both snarling in unison, they shot backward landing on their feet in crouching positions. A smirk crossed Ayame's face as she launched forward rearing back in order to throw the weapon at Umiyame. As soon as the Shuriken left her hand, the metal shimmered then faded into an object of sheer energy tinted green.

At this, Umiyame smiled. Situations seemed to be registering slowly in her eyes without thought as she jumped back. Curling one arm back, she swung it forward throwing off a boomerang shaped energy blast, which collided with the Shuriken sending it flying back to its owner. "You're toys aren't going to work on my itoko… They never have and they never will!"

Catching the Shuriken gracefully she lowered it to her side still gluing her death glare on the brunette. "I WILL beat you! You ruined everything for me! You total trashed my hopes and dreams." Tears formed in her eyes as she ran at the taller girl slashing at her repeatedly only to be blocked time after time.

"You're insane! I've never done anything to you, you ingrate!" Parrying the blows easily, she finally timed it to turn the tide and lash out at the younger girl. "You always needed your ears pinned back, it's about time I had the chance!"

"You jerk! Didn't you even realize that I looked up to you?" Blocking the hits as she spoke, the tears spilled down her cheeks. "I wasn't the ingrate! You were! Sure… You're life sucked! But so did mine!" Swinging out at Umiyame blindly, her eyes were closed trying to stop the pain and the tears.

Blinking in surprise at her words, Siân felt her body go limp. All the years of being top of the class for martial arts seemed to disappear as she closed her eyes ready to accept the blow. The words were so true, why hadn't she seen it before? Biting her lower lip, she mentally decided that it was a fit punishment for the worthless life she had lived before. "Gomen ne…"

As she was about to connect, Ayame's eyes widened in surprise. She hadn't expected her late cousin to react in this way. Apologies hadn't been part of her vocabulary. In a small instant, her eyes saw the blades retract and inevitably, the symbol vanish. Umiyame was giving up. Sucking in a breath she knew she wouldn't be able to stop her weapon in time. She'd known she wouldn't win against Siân, but her pain had egged her on.

Just as the connection was about to be made, Ayame slammed into a wall of transparent ice and fell back into a waiting pair of arms. Opening her eyes one at a time, she felt relief wash over her. There, just beyond the barrier. Lay Siân in the arms of a boy with short amethyst colored hair. Tomite. Taking a deep breath, she looked up at the person holding her only to gasp. Long platinum hair fell over his shoulders and he leaned down to her level. "Still hot tempered as ever Uruki-san…" Smiling warmly, Hikitsu carefully brushed the blonde strands away from her eyes.

"Hikitsu… Arigauto…" Sighing softly, she relaxed into his hold. "I… I was so mad… I couldn't stop. I didn't really want to hurt her…"

Nodding in response, Hikitsu gently helped her to her feet. "I know. I'm glad I listened to Tan-kun about this. You two looked like you were about to kill one another. It wasn't a pretty sight." Sighing softly he shook his head before gazing up at his young friend clinging to the brunette.

Siân was too stunned to even move. Staring up into orbs of iridescent green, she felt lost in his embrace. He looked just as lost though. The pain in his gaze was mixed with concern as he clung to her in desperation. "Umiyame-san… Why? You dropped your guard on purpose!"

Blinking slowly, she felt a smile touch her lips. "Because I deserved it…"

"Siân! Siân!" Looking up sharply, her green eyes met with Shunkaku as he ran past Emtato and Ayame. "Daijoubu yo?" Worry was written clearly on his face as he knelt beside her and Tan. Pulling her into his arms away from the other boy, she could feel him shivering. "What happened?"

"Ano…" Glancing at Ayame she let out a sigh. "It's nothing… Don't worry Shun-kun. Please. Let me explain later. Can we go home?" Looking up at him hopefully she saw him give a weak nod. Turning back to Tan she smiled again into his expression of pure agony. "Gomen ne, Tan-kun. I'll see you again. I promise… Arigauto."

Shunkaku eyed the other boy darkly before standing with Siân tightly in his grasp. Looking to his twin he saw him gently taking Ayame away from the other boy looking just as lost as him. The two of them owed an explanation, and he was determined to get one.

~*~

The silence seemed nearly deafening as the two girls sat side by side on the full size bed covered by a black comforter. A set of pine green rested sadly on the silver gray carpet, while the ice blue orbs looked anywhere but at the two boys standing merely feet from them. Shunkaku crossed his arms haughtily as he allowed his lithe form to fall against the door with a soft thud. Beside him stood the older twin with his fists clenched tightly at his sides. Both boys were glaring at the girls with intense indigo blue eyes that spoke of the long and trying lecture that was soon to be given.

Siân bit her lower lip as she gave the blonde beside her a desperate look, which was merely reflected. It had been so many years since they'd shared the familiarity that was exchanged in that moment. After all the time of being cut off from the other, they'd finally allowed the ice to melt. Koutoku let out a soft sigh, half glad to see the two interacting in a friendly way even if it was due to their partnership in crime. "Now… one of you… please enlighten us on what happened just a few moments ago."

This time, it was Ayame that made a near nervous move. Dropping her eyes to the carpet she watched her toe dig into its plush texture. "Ano…" Giving off a soft sigh, her hand automatically rose to rest on the lower left portion of her neck. "You see…"

Turning to look at Ayame slowly, Siân felt her heart sink. After all, this was all her fault, why should she have to go out on a line and explain? Shifting slightly she rested a hand lightly on the shorter girl's shoulder. "Daijoubu itokochan…" Looking up at Koutoku she felt her expression fall at the sight of the disappointment she saw. "I am… the Genbu Shichiseishi, Umiyame. Ayame is the seishi Uruki. In the past, we were cousins." Silencing for the time being, she dropped her eyes once more in order to avoid Shunkaku's look of hurt surprise.

At that moment, Ayame cut her off and spoke in a light voice that tried to cover the pain that was more than apparently there. "We lived on the border of Kutou and Hokkan. Our families were close and we were raised to be warriors since we were destined to fight in honor of Genbu. I was seven when the border attacks occurred. Itoko was eight…"

"Our parents were murdered in cold blood right before our eyes. They had been searching for us, and our parents refused to tell them the truth…" Adding on to the blonde's words, Siân felt her eyes drifting to the window to stare at it blankly as the memories clouded her vision.

Letting out a long sigh, Ayame felt her heart sink. "The Kutou soldiers caught us. But I got away because of Koori-chan… I mean, Siân. I watched helplessly as she was taken away. I thought I'd never see her again." Giving Siân a quick glance she couldn't bring herself to meet the eyes of the boy standing close by. She wanted so badly to make him happy, and this wasn't the way.

Wincing at the memories, Siân soon dropped her head into the cradle her hands made. This caused Shunkaku to jump slightly and cross the room in order to kneel in front of her. "Daijoubu yo?"

Glancing at the worry in his eyes, she forced a smile to touch her lips. "Hai… I just don't like thinking about it. At the age of eighteen, I escaped them and made my way back into the heart of Hokkan. I was held in a small Kutou encampment in the southern portion of Hokkan, so I was lucky really. On my journey back, I met the Lady Takiko for the first time. But I won't get into that…."

"She was different…" Ayame cut in softly wringing her hands gently in her lap. "She wasn't the same smiling child I had known as a child. Umiyame was cold and nearly heartless. She hardly smiled if ever at all. And she strived to look like a boy…" Biting her lower lip she dug her toes deeper into the carpet. "I never thought that it could have been because of her imprisonment. I don't even want to know what happened to her there… Demo… I taunted her a lot, and thought she should be kind to me even though I was such a brat. She was bitter, and one night… her words killed me emotionally…"

Looking up sharply, Siân blinked at the girl slowly knowing full well what occasion she was speaking of. "At that time… I was so tied up in my self-pity… that I didn't care about anyone else. I made an enemy out of my own itoko…" She then looked down dejectedly closing her eyes. "I deserved to be attacked today for the things I said and the way I treated her."

Ayame smirked lightly giving Siân a slight punch in the shoulder. "Buck up Koori-chan. You always were too serious for your own good. Now that we understand each other, lets drop it. Like you said, we're Seishi. We need to work together." Smiling warmly she finally looked up at Koutoku closing her eyes. "I was stupid to attack her anyways. She's even faster now than she was back then. I would have been torn up had she really been fighting back."

At her words, Shunkaku began to smirk darkly in pride. "Honto ni? I'm not surprised. You best me when we spar. It's only right that no one could touch her in a fight unless she allowed it." Blushing darkly, Siân gazed into the fiery blue eyes that stared up at her intensely conveying his pride.

"Ano…" Covering her mouth with a hand lightly, she found herself at a loss for words not even seeing the look of shock on both Ayame's and Koutoku's faces.

"Otooto! What are you thinking? You shouldn't encourage her to fight!"

Directing his attention to his older twin, his face formed a slight pout. "You're no fun Aniki! I have every right to be proud of Siân!"

Simultaneously the girls turned wide eyes toward one another. Ayame blinked before stuttering out a question. "A-are they always l-like this?"

"As long as I've known them? Yes…" Siân gave her cousin a nervous smile before looking up at the brothers laughing slightly. "I think I know why Seiryuu lost…" Snickering lightly along with Ayame, they didn't notice the brothers emerging from their argument to give them a dumbfounded look.

"What's that suppose to mean?" Shunkaku blinked as he stared at Siân in disbelief. "Are you saying that Seiryuu lost against that puny Suzaku bird due to Aniki and I?"

At his words, Koutoku turned to give his twin a hard stare. "Otooto! Don't talk about Suzaku like that! They're good people!"

Arching a brow at his twin, Shunkaku coughed out a word lightly. "Suzaku *cough* wannabe *cough*" Rolling his eyes he feigned an innocent look as Koutoku glared at him.

Once again, the girls found themselves staring at the twins blinking a few times. "I think…. You were right…. Itoko…" Wide eyes of blue watched them start their heated argument once again before letting out a long sigh. Turning back to her cousin from the past she smiled lightly. "I'm sorry about earlier Koori-chan…"

"It's fine. Don't worry about it. We needed to solve that…" Siân smiled in return before poking Ayame in the shoulder. "Hey! I saw you stare at Hikitsu earlier! You went all starry eyed." Snickering under her breath, the blonde became flustered as she shook her head.

"I did not! You can't prove that! You went all goo goo over Tomite too! You can't say that about me!" This caused Siân to shake her head vigorously as well not noticing the twins as they stared at them open mouthed.

"Nani?? Those losers were Genbu Seishi as well?" Koutoku blinked as he looked into Ayame's flushed face. "Were you two together?"

"Iiee! We were just friends! Demo…" A grin cut into her features as she nudged Siân in the side. "Tomite had a MAJOR thing for Umiyame here." Siân instantly turned red as she scowled at the blonde.

"NANI?! I don't think so!" All eyes feel onto Shunkaku as he burst out angrily at Ayame's words. Blinking a few times they watched his indigo orbs darken. "I'm gonna beat that punk down!"

Siân blinked a few times before opening her mouth and closing it again. Ayame also stared at him a bit lost for words before looking at the older twin for guidance. Koutoku felt himself flush slightly in embarrassment before he finally swallowed hard. Resting a hand on his twin's shoulder he tried to calm the other boy gently. "Calm down Otooto. This is nothing to get upset over. Honest."

The four stared at one another blankly before Shunkaku finally looked away crossing his arms over his chest defiantly. "Hn." That was all it took to send the other three into a fit of laughter making Shunkaku frown all the more.

~ Hey! Chapter Five…. How is it so far? Should I keep going? I'm trying to cut back on flash backs, but that is hard since the Genbu Seishi aren't really known. Please Review! Suggestions are welcomed…. Thanks for reading!