In the Wake of Tomorrow

by Desi

Shuten meets his 'future' many years after Betrayal has it's Price

5. Things change

I hate this chapter, it sucks… All the disclaimers I stated in the past apply.

Hiko groaned at the ache of his over taxed muscles, making even the simple task of collapsing into bed painful, he had practiced beyond measure today certain that he could outlast Shuten. He had thought he was doing well, had felt Shuten wearing down, getting slower with each pass and when Hiko could no longer contain his victorious smile from appearing Shuten had leveled him. He was sent sprawling across the floor, losing his weapon and his dignity as he realized that Shuten had been toying with him the entire time. Hiko berated himself for not having the sense to know better, how could he expect to best Shuten, the man had over four hundred years on him. He mentioned this to Shuten when the older man started to lecture him on everything he did wrong and Shuten then did something Hiko would have never believed of his sensei; he laughed at him. Not just a little either and Hiko could only stare at him and frown, feeling further humiliation at this unexpected reaction. The laughter stopped almost as abruptly as it started, Shuten's brows creasing in a deep frown, his voice turned serious as he spoke. 'I held this same advantage over your father.' He had told him quietly almost wistfully. 'Yet I have scars to prove how little it mattered in a fight with him.' After a short awkward silence in which Hiko was aware of Shuten's regret at having mentioned this past with his father, he mumbled an incoherent excuse and left the dojo.

Hiko stood for several moments, a thousand questions coming to life in his head; he thought he should leave Shuten be but found he could not and so left the dojo in search of him. He spied him from the kitchen window, sitting at the edge of the dock, staring out at the lake and Hiko headed out after him. Shuten made no attempt to acknowledge him as he sat quietly beside him on the dock, the water lapping against the large pylons beneath the dock strangely soothing.

Hiko would never forget the words spoken to him that afternoon; the conversation would be forever burned in his mind. He rolled over onto his back; his head sank deep into his pillow as he stared up at the ceiling, hearing Shuten's voice in his head as if they were having the conversation once more.

'I've always thought your mother's house a very beautiful place. I could never figure out how it managed to remain unscathed during the war.' Shuten whispered whimsically, his voice changing to deep self reproach as he continued. 'Certainly I had nothing to do with it.'

He turned then and met Hiko's pleading gaze, the small smile that had momentarily appeared on Shuten's face disappeared as he acknowledged what was being asked of him with a slight nod then turned back to the lake and stared in silence for several minutes.

'It's true Toyohiko.' Shuten sighed heavily. 'Your father and I were once enemies, he would have gladly killed me given the chance and I… on many occasions, attempted to take his life.'

Hiko chewed at his bottom lip, his feet swung in unison where they hung over the end of the dock above the water, while he thought about what Shuten said. Shuten had no reason to lie to him, yet he found it very hard to believe this about his father.

'Demo… he was always so gentle, so calm, I cannot believe that he would want to kill anyone.'

'You are right of course.' Shuten answered after several minutes of silence had convinced Hiko that he would not. 'It was not in your father's nature to want to kill anyone. He would fight to protect the Earth and those he loved but the death of his enemy was never his goal. Even so, he did indeed want to kill me.'

'Naze?' Hiko asked why urgently, what had Shuten done to make his father this angry? 'Naze, Shuten doji-san?'

'Because I…' he turned away again and instead of looking out at the lake he closed his eyes, he seemed to be searching for the right words. 'Because I… I took something that belonged to him, something that he loved very much.'

Hiko was silent again; his teeth once more sinking into his lip as he wondered exactly what it could have been that Shuten had stolen from his father. He was not a materialistic man and Hiko could not imagine even one of his possessions meaning so much to him that he would take another person's life for it.

'After you changed, after you were on the same side as Otousan.' Hiko asked after a long pause. 'Did you give it back? What you took from him I mean?'

'No.' Shuten answered shaking his head slightly his eyes now opened and once again gazing out at the lake. 'No, I did not return it, I did not have to.'

Shuten's mouth curved in that small, self-derisive smile he'd seen so often on the older man's face as he continued. 'In the end, no matter what I did, what belonged to Korin no Seiji would return to him.'

Hiko wanted to ask Shuten what it was that he'd taken from his father; he knew it had to be something that he loved a great deal. However, Shuten had carefully avoided mentioning what the object was and so Hiko refrained from asking, knowing that it was something the older man did not wish to reveal.

'So.' Shuten's voice pulled him from his thoughts. 'What do you think of your sensei now?'

Shuten's tone was light and he'd asked his question in an off hand manner, even so Hiko did not fail to realize how anxiously Shuten awaited his answer. He had taken a chance telling him what he did, not knowing whether Hiko would still harbor the same respect and friendship that he'd felt for Shuten almost from the very beginning. Hiko climbed to his feet and Shuten stared up at him from his seated position making no attempt to stand.

'You did not have to admit to me that you were once my father's enemy… but I'm glad you did.' He smiled at the older man. 'The past is simply that Shuten doji-san, I do not think any less of you because of it, the darkness that you once belonged to is gone, you, my father and the others rid the Earth of it before I was born.'

There was a long pause and Hiko watched Shuten's brows furrow, he looked as though he were struggling with the need to tell him something and dreading doing so.

'But a new evil is on the rise Toyohiko.' Shuten whispered hesitantly. 'Those who seek to harm are growing restless and will soon come for your world again, as well as mine.'

Hiko could not help the chill that ran through him at the gravity of Shuten's words. He'd been told of this weeks ago, that the Yoroiden Samurai Troopers would be called upon to fight once more. The message had been clear back then but he had not sensed this urgency from Shuten then. Was Shuten worried that he would not be able to fight against the evil coming, that he would be too weak before the battle started?

'I know you and the others see me as a gentle person Shuten doji-san, my dependence upon my sister for protection in the past was enough to convince everyone how little I could be counted on in times of trouble.' Hiko decided to set him straight. 'My father was a gentle person as well, I am like him in that way and I will be like him when it comes time to fight too. I will be stronger than him and no one will take any of the things that I love from me; not Oneesan, not Sayuri-san, not you and not Earth.'

When Hiko finished speaking a small smile curved the corners of Shuten's mouth before he turned away to look out onto the lake once more then quietly told him, 'I never failed to see how strong you were Toyohiko.'

Hiko smiled at Shuten's back then turned and made his way back to the house.

----

Hiko winced and his breath hissed through his clenched teeth as he reached for the box on his bedside table. Falling back onto his pillow as he opened it and removed the small orb that rest inside. He did this everyday, it had become a ritual of sorts; at the end of each day he would hold it in his hand, feel the power it contained, power that was to be his. Power that would make him strong enough to defeat anyone.

Once again Shuten's words filled his head, 'because I took something that belonged to him, something that he loved very much.' Hiko felt the orb pulse in his hand and watched the color deepen to almost dark purple.

"No one will ever take anything that I love." He promised clutching the orb tightly in his hand as he spoke his vow aloud, just as he had to Shuten earlier. He opened his hand and felt the light pulse against his fingertips and smiled.

As his sister had promised, she had told no one of his discovering that he too was the bearer of a yori, although not one of the Yoroiden Samurai Troopers he was like them, his armor no doubt cut from the same source. He had no idea who the warrior was that had donned the yori before him although he was certain it must have belonged to one of those who fought along side Shuten, Naaza and Anubis. One of the warriors who sought to conquer the Earth and then changed sides and aided in saving it, giving his life in the process.

He and Yuki talked at great length about each other's yori, she had described in detail what it felt like to actually call the armor, how it got easier each time she had done it since that first time a few weeks earlier. She had told him that under no circumstances was he to call his yori in the house as he had nearly done without realizing it, apparently she had almost done the same thing and Shuten had told her that she would have leveled the entire place if she had. Hiko could well believe it after seeing how much power she had generated in the woods that time he had seen her.

She had never discouraged him from wanting to call the yori but he could tell by the look in her eyes that she was worried about him doing so and despite all his attempts to ease her mind the look never went away. There was something else that seemed to be troubling her as well; she had taken to watching over him, not as she had done before. She now watched him as if he were about to step into a web of trouble, as if at any moment he would turn to glass, shatter and break apart. Often after practice he would turn to exit the dojo to find her standing in a discreet corner, her eyes fixed on him with that strange expression of impending doom in her eyes. If his practice had taken him outdoors, when he walked back toward the house he would see her standing on the balcony, her arms folded across her chest as if hugging herself, warding off her own fear. What she feared he could only guess at and he often found himself whispering silent promises that he would get stronger so she did not have to fear for him, so that she did not have to watch over him. He thought it was perhaps because of the time of year, of what this time of year will represent to her and to him for the rest of their lives. He knew that he could certainly not bear to lose her, not after losing his mother and father and he could not bear to think of what it would do to her if something happened to him, if she was left on the Earth to carry on alone. He knew that she would never smile again, something that rarely happened after since their parents died and occurred even less now that the anniversary of that event was approaching.

"Oneesan." He whispered to the purple orb that pulsed in his hand. "You don't have to be afraid for me."

----

Yuki carefully avoided the sharp gaze of Shuten as she announced her decision not to accompany them into town. She'd gotten quite good at avoiding him since their brief 'encounter' in the forest after the first time she'd called Korin and he had not failed to notice her efforts. At first he had continued to pursue her company, trying to get her to talk to him privately, trying to touch her not intimately like before, just little touches; like holding her hand, toying with her hair or resting his hand on her shoulder. She had shunned all his attentions, finding one excuse after the other to avoid such contact. She was confused and him being near only confused her more, she didn't understand what happened in the forest, how she had gone from hating him one moment and wanting to share her body with him the next.

Ignoring the continued efforts to cajole her into going from Sayuri and Anubis, as well as the general protest of the rest of those gathered at the breakfast table, Yuki climbed to her feet and left the room. She retreated to her bedroom where she dressed in her practice clothes and after she was certain everyone had left the house, she made her way to the dojo. She went over move after move after move, perfecting each as she did so. Fatigue had begun to set in and her mind began to wander, mostly in the direction of her brother. She knew it would not be long before he called his armor to him, she could almost feel the desire burning in him each time she looked at him and that desire was growing rapidly. She wanted to be happy for him, she wanted to be excited at their having this wondrous thing that they could share with each other but she could not help the feeling of dread that filled her each time she thought of his armor. She could not explain how or why but she somehow knew that this was what her father had warned her about all those months ago in her 'dream'. There was nothing in her father's words that made any mention of armor; in fact, the entire warning had been so vague that it could be construed to fit any situation. 'Your brother is special Konoyuki, …unlike you and the others his strength is not a virtue and you must be there to guide him.' Definitely vague. She thought as she made her way to a bench and sat down. It had crossed her mind on several occasions to ask Shuten about the armor but she had promised Hiko that she would not tell anyone that he'd discovered it. Besides, she did not want to ask Shuten for anything after what happened, the further she separated herself from him the better. She did not like the way he made her feel, or rather, she did like the way he made her feel and that she did not like.

What the hell am I saying? She reprimanded herself silently. He's got me so confused I can't even make sense to myself anymore.

Deciding the only way to rid herself of thoughts about Shuten was to fatigue herself even more, she ran back to her room changed into something suitable before making her way outside to run. She took the path that went around the lake, thinking that she just might need to complete the entire distance in order to stop her thoughts of Shuten. She really had no idea what had come over her in the forest, allowing him to kiss her, kissing him back even and then… she felt a tingle rush through her body as she remembered him touching her. She could not look at him in the same way anymore, she had tried to recreate the animosity between them but each attempt fell flat; she couldn't maintain it when she met that look in his eyes. That look of hopeful pleading, that told her she was everything to him, that she hung the moon and stars in his sky and begged her not to take them away. That look that promised he would always be with her, would always protect her and the things she loved, that he loved those same things because he loved her. She did not want to recognize that look; she did not want him to love her. Because it made it far too easy for her to love him in return knowing that he did and that she would not allow. He did not belong to her world and she would never leave it to be with him, when he returned to wherever this place he, Anubis and Naaza had all come from she would be alone with her feelings. Yuki knew she could not withstand the grief of losing another person she loved, she had reached her limit with her parent's deaths. That was another thing… her parents. It was fast approaching the time of year that she knew would bring tears and heartache for the rest of her life and could feel it building in herself and in her brother, with each day that passed. The anniversary of 'the day', she imagined would be almost as bad as 'the day' was and she wished, not for the first time that someone would show up at her bedside the moment she woke up on the anniversary of 'the day' and just hold her. That's what her father would do; Yuki wouldn't even need to get out of bed that day, she could lay in her pajamas tucked into her father's arms as he lay stretched out on the bed beside her. He would not say a word and after a time her mother would come in with tea, which she would set on the bedside table before walking around the bed to mirror her father. She would always talk though, her soft musical voice that would butcher even the simplest jokes until Yuki and her father would have no choice but to laugh at her. She doubted there was anyone in the world capable of making her laugh on the anniversary of 'the day', but she would certainly welcome them if they could. She knew that all the members of her extended family were planning on some sort of gathering. They probably planned to lend their support and make certain that she and Hiko were not left alone to wallow in the melancholy of 'the day'. It was not something Yuki particular wanted for herself and she knew that, with the exception of Sayuri, Hiko would not want to be with anyone either. Perhaps the two of them could just leave town for a few days.

A sudden tingling filled her senses and she could feel a wave of energy approaching and then washing over her, like water from the sea washes over the sand. Her feet came to a sudden halt mid stride and she turned in the direction from which it came, she could see nothing as she peered through the trees toward the lake and then a flash of magenta streaked through her mind and she felt momentarily dizzy. She dropped to one knee, losing her footing as the world momentarily tilted on its axis.

"Hiko!" She whispered somehow knowing it was him and once her head cleared she shot up from the ground and raced toward the energy source she could still feel surrounding the area. Her oxygen starved lungs were stinging with the strain of her all out run to reach her brother, yet when she finally laid eyes on him she could barely draw a breath. Her eyes grew wide with shock as he stood before her in his armor, power radiated around him and she was forced to look up at him as his armor had made him taller.

He had not noticed her yet as he faced the other way and she wondered if he was experiencing that same inner struggle she had contended with when she'd first called Korin. She remained silent and watched from where she stood, not wanting to interrupt but ready to do so if she needed to; she felt the small orb in her pocket pulse. As if he felt it as well Hiko turned and her eyes grew wide as she stared at his armor. He looked ominous, the sharp planes of his helmet in the imperial purple, one eye covered over with black plating, as if mimicking the way his hair fell over one eye. The entire body of his armor was outfitted with a myriad of weapons; scythes, sticks, knives. He took a menacing step toward her and she could not help but take a step back, she could not see anything of her brother in the figure before her except the deep blue of his one visible eye.

His lips curled up in a small humorless smile and he took another step toward her. She backed away further and hesitantly called his name. He halted and she suddenly felt the presence of her father and then the sound of his voice whispered through her head.

'He is not your brother.' She grew tense at the near growl from her father.

Not my brother? She wondered. Who then…?

'Do not let that madman take your brother Konoyuki.' Her father's voice now urgent. Bring him back! Hayaku!'

But how? She wondered. How do I bring him back? Her mind raced at her father's urgency. She contemplated calling Korin dismissing that idea; if he was indeed possessed by his armor, calling her own would most likely only provoke him. She needed to think of something quickly, this thought compounded as she watched him slowly lift a scythe from the many that were arranged almost decoratively across his back. He brought it forward and stepped even closer, lowering it so the tip of it touched her shoulder.

"Shall I reopen your old wound?" He asked her in a voice as cold as ice, then switched his scythe to touch her other shoulder and spoke again. "Or would you prefer a new one on the other side to match?"

She hadn't the slightest idea what her brother was talking about, not even her brother really, it was his armor. Just like Korin had threatened to seduce her with its power so was her brother's armor seducing him. It was the same, but it wasn't; she had not sensed this coldness or rage from Korin's power, nor had she sensed Korin as a single entity but many merged into one. She wondered why her father didn't try to talk him down like he had her and the thought had no sooner formed than her father's voice whispered in her head once more, 'I cannot.' He spoke.

"What will you do lady Nasuti…" Yuki lifted her head sharply at hearing her mother's name, he pressed the tip of the scythe into her shoulder again, punctuating each word as he spoke with enough pressure to draw blood as it lightly pierced her skin. "I can feel Korin nearby but it appears that neither he or Shuten are planning on showing up here to save you."

Why had he addressed her mother with a title, she was not of nobility in Japan or France? Who was this person that had bore this armor?

"You are still as beautiful as I remember." His other hand whipped out and clamped down on her shoulder, preventing her from taking another step back. She felt the cold metal scythe touch the back of her neck and she knew that all he had to do was apply the slightest pressure and she would be decapitated. He lowered his face to hers; he was so close that she could feel his breath on her face.

"Hiko." She called to her brother pleading. He halted momentarily and she hoped that her calling his name was getting through until he suddenly laughed; a wicked, sinister laugh that held no humor.

"Who are you calling now lady Nasuti?" He taunted her. "Some new mortal lover who will be no more able to protect you than the child whose life I took?"

His laughter continued and Yuki found herself filling with anger at this vile being that corrupted her kind and gentle brother. She knew her brother was in there and she had to reach him and so she resorted to a tactic their mother had used that had never failed to bring him to attention in the past.

"Toyohiko Date!" She barked at him just as sternly as their mother had when he was in trouble. "Stop this at once!"

He jolted immediately, his body straightening and his one visible eye blinking in confusion behind his helmet. He glanced around the area, perhaps only just then realizing where he was or what was happening before he turned back to look at her

"Oneesan…" He whispered when his eyes met hers, his voice was faltering as his energy was quickly draining, and the armor was evaporating into a glow that seemed to be converging into the palm of his hand. She could see that he no longer held the scythe. He was now holding the small orb that was so much like her own. His eyes began to flutter closed and she noticed a small amount of blood near his left eye, she caught him in her arms before he could fall but he was too heavy for her to do more than soften his landing on the forest floor. She climbed to her knees and held him against her. She could feel him breathing, his chest rising and falling in a quick, shallow rhythm at first, eventually slowing as his lungs satisfied themselves and she could see the blood from his left eye plainly now, almost like the streak of a tear. She had no idea where it could have come from other than inside his helmet, she had kept her eye trained on the scythe he held and knew that he had not hit himself with it, besides, while he was armored up, that eye was covered. She needed to get him home but knew there was no way she could carry him. She would have to wait until he regained consciousness and then help him walk back and so she held his head in her lap and stroked his hair the same as their mother had done when he was a small boy, waiting for him to recover.

Otousan? She called silently to her father.

I was Korin. He answered the question that she had not needed to ask. The bearer of Nin cannot hear me.

Nin. Endurance. Her father's words again plagued her memories, '…he will be able to endure a great deal but unlike you and the others his strength is not a virtue…' Her arms tightened around her brother's shoulders as she held him, staring at his peaceful face Yuki felt at odds wondering who she would be facing when he awoke. Her kind, gentle brother or the merciless soldier within her brother's armor… and how was she to keep her friends safe from that monster?

----

Shuten tuned out the bickering of the others as they walked along the city sidewalk in search of a place to eat. Something in one of the storefront windows caught his eye and intrigued he moved closer. Jewelry of all things, which was something he'd never cared two straws for in the past. This was different thought, a dark gray Tahitian Pearl surrounding by several small diamonds that sparkled under the harsh light beating down on the ring. It reminded him of the first time he'd seen Konoyuki's eyes; dark with emotion and brimming with tears as she stood beside her brother at her parent's funeral. She had captured his gaze and held it, daring him to look away while at the same time not allowing him to do so. She had stood unafraid while showing him and anyone else that dared look, the sorrow within her deep gray eyes. It occurred to him that he might purchase it for her but thought better of it as he recalled her blatantly ducking out of their outing to avoid being with him. The bickering intruded upon his nerves once again and he was on the verge of telling them all to 'shut the hell up', when he felt a sudden surge of power. His steps faltered and he turned back to face the direction of the countryside, to the house that had become his home since returning to the Ningenkai so many months ago.

What was that? He wondered, turning sharply when Anubis moved up beside him, his eyes narrowed in the same direction. It felt oddly familiar and he surmised it must be Korin again, although it felt slightly different than the times he'd felt Konoyuki's charge ups before.

Shuten gave Anubis a knowing look then turned and walked in the opposite direction. He searched for someplace discreet enough and upon finding a deserted alley he stepped into it, held his right arm out wide and after a few moments the monk's staff appeared in his hand. The light clanging of the rings, a brief flash of light and he was standing in what had become very familiar forest, his eyes fell on Konoyuki, kneeling on the ground only a few yards in front of him, her armor no where to be seen.

"Konoyuki!" He called to her, she jumped slightly at the sound of his voice then turned to look at him, her eyes wide with worry. "Are you all right?"

"Shuten doji-san! Help me… Hiko… he… " He felt the sting of her formality only momentarily as he caught sight of the streaks of blood that stained her bare arms and hurried over to her. Only after reaching her side did he notice an unconscious Hiko, sprawled out on the forest floor, his head in her lap. He checked the boy over quickly, making certain he was breathing regularly, noting the small trickle of dried blood that came from his left eye, he frowned.

What the hell had happened? He wondered. Shuten was certain that it was caused when she called Korin, although it made no sense for her to have let loose enough to harm her brother, she'd gotten so much stronger and controlled her armor with a precision that rivaled her father. It did nothing to explain the wounds on her shoulders either. Perhaps the younger sibling had caught her off guard while she was practicing with her no-dachi and stepped within her reach. That made no sense either as they were always so aware of the other that a mistake such as that was virtually impossible. Shuten was on the verge of asking her to explain it when he heard her quiet voice, timid and pleading.

"Is he… is he going to be all right?" She stammered.

Shuten lifted his eyes to meet hers, they were filled with such fear and implored him so that the questions he burned to ask her, disappeared.. His eyes softened and he reached up and brushed her hair back away from her face then gently cupped her cheek.

"He'll be fine." Shuten whispered offering her a small reassuring smile. "We need to get him home."

Her smile returned and he could not look away, he brushed his thumb gently across her skin and the movement brought the moment to an end as she lowered her eyes to her brother once again. Shuten stood up with the staff, instructed Konoyuki to hold tightly to her brother and watched her eyes grow wide as the effects of teleportation began.

---

Shuten stood within the confines of Toyohiko's bedroom and watched Konoyuki tend to her brother, she had flat out refused to explain what had happened, he had pleaded with her to no end, she had held firm in her resolve not to tell him. Her walls were back in place, she was distancing herself from him again, he could see the curiosity in her eyes, the questions she burned to ask about the staff that had disappeared once they arrived at the house. She refused to give in and continued with each moment that passed to push him further and further away.

It had been weeks since their encounter in the forest after she had first called Korin, when he'd first kissed her, touched her and since then… nothing. With the exception of the smile she had given him earlier today he had not received a knowing glance from her beautiful eyes or a smile from her soft lips or even so much as a word, kind or otherwise. She went out of her way to avoid his company and when he was unavoidable she would lower her chin keeping her eyes hidden behind the curtain of her hair before seeking the earliest possible escape. He was at a loss as to what to do; for the first time in his life he knew what he wanted, could see it clearly without doubt, without hesitation and it all began with the girl before him now. What was he to do then? Wait in silence? Continue with his efforts?

His eyes narrowed as she rubbed her hands up and down her arms to ease the chill. He could see her shivering as she sat upon her brother's bed and continued her vigil. Shuten had tried to insist that she change into clothing that was warmer as she was still wearing what she called her 'running clothes'; two garments that were made up of mere scraps of fabric and left so much of her skin exposed it was almost indecent. She would hear nothing of it, refusing to leave her brother's side even for a moment. Maybe if he persisted she would give in.

"Konoyuki." He quietly repeated what he'd told her earlier, watching her raise her head at the sound of his voice. "You need to change into something warmer, I'll watch your brother while you do so."

"No." She answered quietly, not even turning around to look at him.

Shuten could not keep from sighing aloud as he was met with another dead end, another rebuke. She refused to give even an inch with him. His thoughts were interrupted at the sudden ringing of the contraption that everyone used to communicate with others in different locations. It rang several times and he felt like shouting at the top of his lungs as he'd heard nearly every human staying in this house shout at one time or another, 'SOMEONE ANSWER THAT DAMNED THING!' Although, he really didn't understand what they meant by that statement, he was compelled none the less.

Much to his relief Konoyuki picked the small half of the machine up and held it to the side of her face, putting an end to the incessant ringing.

"Hai?" She answered the telephone and Shuten stared jealously at the easy smile that appeared on her face for the one she communicated with. "I'll see you in a few minutes then."

She set the small half of the device back with the other on the table and moved close to her brother again. She was silent for several minutes as she brushed his hair back from his face.

"That was Ryo Ojisan." She explained the phone call. "He will be over soon, the others are nearly to the house."

Shuten nodded and turned sharply toward the door as the sounds from downstairs and pounding feet announced their arrival. He could hear light footsteps racing up the stairs, followed by the sounds of heavier footsteps close behind, the first one to reach the door was Sayuri, her father coming up behind her. Touma met Shuten's eyes momentarily and could read the silent request to keep everyone else away for the time being, with a slight nod, the former bearer of Tenka turned and led the others back downstairs.

"Hiko…" Sayuri gasped at the sight of him, her fingers came up and covered her mouth and Shuten could see tears filling her eyes. He was thankful that the blood had been wiped from his eye before she saw it, as he could only imagine her reaction. She lifted her eyes from the unconscious boy to her friend, noticing immediately the blood that had dried in streaks down her arms. "Yuki, what happened?"

Yes Yuki, what did happen? Shuten reiterated silently, hoping that she would answer and knowing, even as she shook her head in reply to her friend that she would not answer.

Sayuri seemed a little taken back at her friend's reply, or lack of one but seemed to accept it and moved to stand next to her.

"Will he be okay?" She asked hesitantly. Konoyuki remained silent, merely nodding her head in answer.

"He will be fine Sayuri." Shuten offered her some vocal reassurance. "If Ryo brings his wife she will confirm this I am sure."

Sayuri looked at him and smiled before stepping closer to Hiko's bedside. It was then that Shuten noticed a subtle change in Konoyuki, seating herself on her brother's bed when it was obvious that Sayuri had intended to occupy the very spot. It was as if she was intentionally placing herself between her brother and her friend. He did not miss the odd look Sayuri gave her friend before concluding that it was an accident, she shrugged her shoulders and remained standing. Shuten found Yuki's behavior strange to say the least, why did she suddenly feel the need to stand between these two, she was always protective of her brother but he didn't think that included protecting him from Sayuri. Shuten's eyes narrowed, his brows coming together in a frown as the thought that maybe it wasn't her brother she was protecting, maybe it was her friend.

A small groan from the young man they were all worried about drew everyone's attention and Shuten watched as his sister climbed hastily to her feet and stood between the bed and her friend. Wondering briefly why she would feel the need to, before his attention was caught by another groan from Hiko, followed by one of his hands lifting toward his face, he rubbed at his eyes and then slowly, one at a time they opened, neither showing any damage. Still his sister hesitated approaching him while preventing her friend from doing likewise.

"Oneesan." He whispered when he turned to see her standing beside him, then noticing the blood on her arms he gasped. "Oneesan, what happened?"

"Hiko?" She queried hesitantly as if she wasn't sure that it was really him, puzzling Shuten further and her brother as well.

"The last time I looked!" He teased her and she smiled shaking her head then was nearly knocked aside as Sayuri's impatience got the better of her. Shuten watched the young man blush profusely as Sayuri sat on the edge of his bed, firing a million questions a minute at the poor kid and reprimanding him for making her worry about him. Shuten knew the young man really could not be happier as he was entirely smitten with the girl.

"Well." They all turned toward the door at the sound of Ryo's voice as he led his wife into Hiko's room. "It appears you could not allow your sister to long out do you Hiko-kun. This evens the score and I think the two of you have exhausted your visits from my wife. Neither one of you is allowed to get sick or injured for the rest of your lives. Got that?"

Hiko nodded at Ryo and Sayuri moved aside to allow the doctor to look at her patient.

"What happened to your shoulders Yuki-chan?" The doctor asked her as she looked over her brother. "Your uncle just said the score is even, if I have to look at you too then everything is thrown off again."

"It's nothing Obasan." Yuki answered quietly from the chair she had retired to after Sayuri had nearly sent her to the floor.

"Doesn't look like 'nothing'." She muttered absently. "Shuten will you take her in the other room and clean up those cuts on her arms before they get infected."

"Certainly, Sanada-san." Shuten stepped from the back of the room and moved to the doorway. He held out his hand to Yuki, who stared at him as if she would refuse, climbing to her feet only after everyone turned to look at her. Even the doctor momentarily forgot her young patient.

Shuten was surprised when she followed him out the door without protest, only hesitating briefly when he led her to his room.

Their communication was soundless, he waved his hand at the futon and she sat down, he lifted his index finger and she nodded that she would wait the single moment while he retrieved a washcloth.

Yuki did not like sitting on Shuten's bed, it seemed too intimate an act for her to be entirely comfortable with and so when he stepped into his bathroom, she quietly slid off the edge and onto the floor, her back resting against the hard wooden frame. She did not miss the look he gave her when he returned with a wet washcloth and first aid kit. He recovered quickly however, giving a barely noticeable shrug before walking over to the bed and sitting down; they were still too close for comfort. After dropping the first aid kit onto the bed beside him, he reached forward and lifted her hand, pulling her toward him. Yuki thought he might actually try to kiss her and pulled back on her arm.

"I cannot reach your shoulder to clean it." He told her quietly and when it appeared, no doubt by the stupid, daydreaming, blank look she was wearing, that she didn't understand him, he explained further. "You have to move closer Konoyuki."

"Oh." Was the only reply she could summon, her cheeks turning pink at her stupidity. She had avoided this man like the plague and now here she was, voluntarily moving closer to him but with the same feeling of dread; dread and desire, dread because of her desire. She could feel something wash over her, something that made her want to lean toward him until their lips met and…

"Am I hurting you Konoyuki?" Shuten's voice interrupted her thoughts and she jerked slightly as if she'd been caught doing something she shouldn't.

"Huh?" Another great reply you big Moron. Yuki berated herself at displaying so little intelligence.

"Am I hurting you?" Shuten chuckled slightly as he softly repeated his question.

"Uh… no." Three in a row! She thought about how idiotic she was sounding after another brilliant reply. "Why do you ask?"

"You had a strange look on your face for a moment and I thought that maybe I was a little too rough with the washcloth." Shuten explained letting go of her arm. As he reached forward to lift her other arm Yuki made the biggest mistake of the evening; she looked up and locked eyes with Shuten. Their faces were mere inches apart and Yuki knew that he was about to kiss her, could feel it in every fiber of her being, so much so that her lips parted in anticipation.

"Gomen." Shuten whispered and the cold, wet washcloth on her skin was like water thrown in her face.

Yuki felt her face heat up as she quickly lowered her head, her chin nearly touched her chest as she tried to keep her eyes trained on the floor and her head cleared of thoughts about him. It was impossible; one of Shuten's legs was on either side of her, he was holding her wrist while he wiped the blood from her shoulder and although she could not see it, his face was just above hers. She could feel his breath against her hair; she could smell the scent of his clean skin and when he shifted just so, his long, red hair would brush against her, sending a thousand shivers of sensation through her. She heard him mumble something, which prompted her to look up. He set the washcloth aside and reached for the first aid kit, opening it up and taking a few items from inside. She continued to stare at him as he worked. He did not meet her eyes at all as he continued, pouring some medicinal liquid onto a cotton ball, lifting her arm again and leaning closer he wiped the medicine over her wound. Surprised at the sudden sting Yuki hissed and jerked her arm nearly out of his grasp. Seemingly just as surprised, Shuten looked up and again their eyes locked.

"I… I'm sorry." He muttered after several moments of silence. "I should have warned you."

Yuki could only nod silently at him. Staring at Shuten she was suddenly filled with the feeling as though something was welling up inside her, something she was afraid to keep contained within her but even more frightened to let loose. She had felt it earlier when he'd come to help her bring Hiko home, when he'd reassured her that he was going to be fine and she found herself staring into his eyes and unable to look away.

"May I continue?" Shuten asked and again she could do no more than nod. He gave a small smile and leaned forward again, his long hair falling forward also, blocking his eyes from her view. She felt the sting of the medicine again as he wiped the cotton ball over her wounds but did not flinch and did not make a sound. She was too preoccupied with wanting to brush his hair back from his face so that she could see his beautiful eyes again.

"Okay." He sat up suddenly as he finished with her arm, discarding the used cotton ball for a clean one and saturating it with the same anti-bacterial medicine as he had the other one. "Let's get to that other arm."

Yuki shifted slightly so that her other arm was closer to him and was barely able to keep from flinching when she felt his strong hand close around her arm, just above her elbow.

"The wounds appear to be slightly deeper on this arm." He explained while examining her shoulder. "It may sting a bit more than the other, okay?"

Again she nodded, not paying any attention to the fact that he was not looking at her and therefore, he did not see her reply. It finally dawned on her a moment later when Shuten lifted his eyes to hers expectantly. After a few moments of staring blankly back at him she muttered an affirmative and nodded her head again.

He was right; it did sting more, a great deal more. She tightened her hand into a fist and clenched her teeth against the stinging pain but was unable to keep from whimpering slightly. Then the pain was gone, everything was gone, the people in the next room, the house, the lake, then entire world was gone except the feel of Shuten's breath as he blew soothingly on her sensitive wounds. The feeling was overwhelming and ceased all too suddenly when he raised his head and she found herself once again drowning in his green eyes. She felt his thumb brush lightly against the skin on the inside of her arm where he still held it and she shivered. Again the feeling was overwhelming and again it ceased all too suddenly.

"I'm sorry Konoyuki." He whispered as he continued to hold her eyes captive in his own.

"Yuki." She answered after several moments. "Call me Yuki."

"Yuki…" He whispered her name almost experimentally a small smile on his lips. "I should not have done that. I am sorry."

"It's okay… I… it felt… nice." She whispered back and watched his smile disappear quickly at her words. He continued to meet her steadfast gaze for several moments before lifting his hand and resting it against her cheek. She leaned into his touch and felt the fingers that remained around her arm tighten slightly and loosen again almost immediately. He brushed his fingers lightly across her cheek, then through her long hair; she closed her eyes and let herself get lost in a sea of sensation. She felt his lips brush lightly against her forehead then her temple then her jaw. His lips continued their trail of feather light kisses until he reached the corner of her mouth and here her eyes fluttered open and gazed into his once more. Too impatient, Yuki did not bother waiting for Shuten, she pressed her parted lips against his and kissed him deeply, hearing his deep throated moan and feeling it as well. He pulled on her arm, bringing her closer to him as he returned her kiss. His mouth moved with tender desire over hers. Yuki raised herself to her knees, her hands resting briefly on Shuten's thighs before she leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his waist. She felt him shiver and then he pulled her tighter against him, both his arms going over her shoulders and down her back, holding her to him as their kiss grew more fierce.

The next few moments were a blur of sensation as Shuten kissed and caressed her. The tank top that she wore did not cover much more than was necessary for jogging, his hands taking full advantage. Yuki gathered her courage and slipped her hands beneath Shuten's sweater. When her fingers brushed lightly across his abdomen she felt him flinch beneath her touch. He pulled slightly away and stared down at her and afraid that she had done something wrong Yuki whispered an embarrassed apology and began to remove her hands from inside his shirt. She felt his hands cover hers through the fabric, halting their withdrawal.

"I was merely surprised." Shuten whispered as he smiled at her.

She returned his smile and splaying her fingers out wide she placed them firmly against his skin. He flinched again, removed his hands that covered hers and placing them on either side of her face he leaned forward and resumed kissing her. Yuki's hands explored higher, brushing over his skin lightly as she moved her fingertips across his abdomen and up to his chest, then around to his back. She could feel every indent from every muscle; she could feel the scars of what must have been deep wounds and traced them with her fingertip. With each pass over his skin it made her want more, it made her want him more. Her hands and his began to move over each other with greater urgency, their kisses deepened and everything else was lost in the fog of desire that engulfed her. A few moments later Yuki was somewhat surprised to find Shuten still perched at the end of his bed, herself still kneeling on the floor in front of him and both of them without their shirts. Embarrassed at only just realizing her topless state, increasing exponentially as Shuten sat and stared at her without saying anything, Yuki crossed her arms in front of her, hiding as much of her nakedness as she could.

"Yuki." Shuten whispered and wrapped his arms about her, pulling her close as his mouth teased hers, the teasing soon came to an end as his kisses turned deep and lingering. Yuki felt the light pressure of his arms pulling her tighter against him, up from her knees and onto the bed. They ended up a tangle of arms and legs; her on top of Shuten and staring into his bottomless eyes.

At that moment Yuki selfishly wanted only one thing in the entire world; for this man to love her, with his heart, with his body, with all the ways that one person can love another. It was not just her, for she could see clearly in his eyes that he understood and he knew how she felt because in the entire world, he wanted the same from her.

"Love me." She whispered after several minutes ticked by with neither of them uttering a single word.

"I intend to." He brushed her hair back from her face as he acknowledged her order, cupping either side of her face with his hands he gently coaxed her to lower her face to his. Rising up to meet her part way and settling back into the bed as their lips met.

Shuten's hands shook as he slowly caressed her bare back, he wanted to comfort her, put her at ease but it was difficult to ignore the feelings she invoked in him with her naked skin against his own. He had to force his hands to not move beyond the slight circles he traced on her back and the soft stroking of her hair. His mantra 'stay calm, stay calm, stay calm', on an endless repeat cycle in his head, barely kept him in control of himself.

He was kidding himself; it wasn't working at all. His mantra was a complete waste of time against the feel of her naked breasts pressing against his chest, her trembling fingers in his hair and her lips against his own. She was driving him to the edge of unreason and most likely without realizing it.

She will know soon enough. Thought Shuten as his arms stilled their exploration, holding her as he rolled over and forced her back into the bed, pinning her hands above her head and refusing to release them. He kissed her deeply, passionately then abandoned her lips to press small kisses across her cheek to her neck and shoulder. He moved to her throat and then her collarbone. He trailed his fingertips lightly down her arms and then moved lower; he felt her flinch as one hand gently cupped her breast and his thumb brushed across her nipple. He felt her hands brushing against his hair as she had instinctively lowered her arms, he captured her wrists and pinned them at her sides, he kissed her briefly on the lips, on the neck and then lowered his head to capture one of her breasts in his mouth.

His name was a gasp on her lips; she arched her back, pressing herself against his seeking mouth. He felt her tugging incessantly at her hands and released them, the light hesitant feel of her fingers in his hair, accompanied by the occasional gasp when his teeth scraped her oversensitive skin was oddly hypnotic.

"Shuten." She whispered his name and he moved his mouth over hers once more. He felt her lips move against his, he felt her warm breath and heard her soft whisper. "Aishiteru."

Everything in his life paled up to this moment, there was nothing he had ever desired more, nothing he had ever loved more, not even Nasuti and yet… he was unable to tell her, and unable to do anything other than stare at her with wide-eyed shock.

I love you; when had anyone ever whispered those words to him? No one, not once in four hundred years had he heard them. Nasuti had begrudgingly whispered some semblance of them once but only after she had resolutely decided to give him up. Now he was hearing them without doubt, without hesitation and he… was being an idiot.

As his eyes once again focused on the girl beneath him he could not miss the hurt confusion filling her eyes. He'd been so careless, so self involved that he had failed to consider what it must have cost her to make such a confession. Already she was withdrawing; her hands were pushing at his chest as she quickly tried to back away from him.

"Yuki… I." He began only to be cut off.

"Iie." She waved a hand at him as she scrambled off the bed, picked up her small shirt and began putting it back on, clumsy in her haste.

"Konoyuki, please…" He pleaded.

"No… no, I… I'm sorry, I should never have said…" She shook her head as she rambled on, at the same time struggling with her shirt. "I'm sorry."

She moved to the door and he scrambled off the bed to go after her. He placed a hand on her shoulder to prevent her from taking another step toward the door. She twisted away from his hand as if it had burned her skin. She turned to face him, pinning him with her bottomless eyes. "Please don't." Her voice as fragile as the look in her pale, gray eyes. They stared in silence for long moments until she asked him. "Who was the bearer of Nin?"

He was shocked into silence at the sudden turn of her questioning. He wanted to ignore her; he wanted to tell her that he loved her too, he wanted to hold her close, to kiss her, to feel her skin against his as he had moments ago. But he knew by the look in her eyes that she would not allow it. It was several moments before he realized what her question implied.

It wasn't Korin that had been called as he suspected earlier, it was Nin; Toyohiko had experienced the overwhelming power of his yori for the first time. Shuten was glad for it; the boy was beyond ready and his kind, gentle manner was a perfect match for using Nin wisely. But he could hear the nervousness in Konoyuki's voice; the underlying dread and he thought momentarily of his 'dream' with Nasuti and Korin no Seiji several months earlier. Surely there could be no cause for concern, Rajura had been under the influence of a powerful and twisted master; only those he loved influenced Toyohiko.

Shuten's eyes moved to the small wounds on Konoyuki's arms but he brushed aside his momentary feeling of unease. It had to have been an accident, Toyohiko was constantly voicing his desire only to protect those he loved, to become stronger for them, not to conquer and rule and oppress others. No, Shuten firmly believed that Nin was safe with Toyohiko.

"Rajura." He answered. "His name was Rajura."

She turned and reached for the door.

"Yuki." He called her quietly everything in his voice begging her not to go. She ignored him, opened the door, walked through and closed it behind her. "I..."

----

Yuki wanted to cry as she made her way to her own room. She wanted to cry as she stripped off her running clothes, jumped in the shower and scrubbed her skin. All the while she held her tears at bay, choked down her desire to weep uncontrollably at the pain she was feeling. She turned her mind into a blank canvas, refusing to explore the events that had just happened or the person at the center of them. She had learned this trick quite well, had plenty of practice perfecting it after the death of her parents. She climbed out of the shower, toweled off, combed her hair, tied it back, dressed in her jeans and a small tee shirt and by the time she stepped from her room and headed down the hallway, she had her heart in check and her pain buried deep. She was normal again or so she would appear to all those who looked at her.

She needed to find out all that she could about Rajura, she knew just who to start her questions with but first; she walked past the stairs and headed to her brother's room, she wanted to check on him. There was no sound on the other side of the door and very little light appeared from within, which made her think that he was probably asleep. Not wanting to wake him she slowly opened the shoji, just enough to peak inside. He was not alone and probably most happy about it as Yuki watched Sayuri lean down from where she sat on Hiko's bed and brushed his hair back from his face. It was a completely innocent gesture, still Yuki chose to misconstrue it.

"Well, well, well." She slid the door open and stepped inside her smile growing as Sayuri jumped up. She approached the bed and smiled at her brother. "Looks as though you have your favorite nurse here. And giving you special treatment by the looks of it."

"OneeSAN!" He stated with emphasis, letting her know he didn't appreciate her teasing.

"Urusai Yuki-chan!" Sayuri shook a fist at her.

The knowing blush both of them displayed spoke volumes, although Yuki was surprised to see it appear on her friend. She would have to keep a better eye on Sayuri; it appeared her feelings toward her younger brother were changing.

"How are you feeling?" Yuki asked her brother allowing them a break from her teasing.

"Other than a headache, I feel fine." He shrugged his shoulders. "My left eye seems a bit sensitive to the light, but San-san says she couldn't find anything wrong with it."

Yuki smiled at her brother's name for Ryo-Ojisan's wife. It had developed out of a young Hiko trying to say Sanada-san and only being able to come up with San-san. Once it had been accepted that she was Obasan it was too late, the deed had been done and to Hiko she would always be San-san and she only allowed it from him.

"I guess your armor is no longer a secret?" She commented and he nodded his head, then trying to keep the nervousness from her voice she asked. "How much of what happened do you remember?"

"I remember a sound, like screaming. It grew louder and louder and suddenly I felt as though something big hit me. Like a Tsunami or something." She noticed his brow starting to wrinkle a bit as he concentrated. "I can remember a voice."

"Yuki's voice?" Sayuri asked.

"No, I think it was a man." His brow furrowed further. "I can't remember exactly but I think it was a man and I seem to recall him thanking me."

"Thanking you?" Yuki asked curiously as she stepped closer.

"I think so…" He answered her distantly.

"What else did he say?" Yuki asked in a rush.

"I don't know." Hiko shrugged his shoulders. "The next thing I remember is seeing you in the forest and then I woke up here."

Yuki could see the slight film of sweat that had developed on her brother's face. She was asking too much of him, putting too much strain on him when he needed to rest. Smiling, she nodded then leaned forward and kissed his forehead.

"Next time you decide to power up let me know." She said lightly as she stepped away and moved toward the door. "I'd like to keep clear of all the stuff you stir up and send flying around."

"Yuki!" Her brother calling her made her stop and turn around before she stepped through the door. "Arigato yo!"

She smiled and inclined her head before leaving the room, closing the door behind her. She made her way downstairs and found the kitchen table crowded with Touma, Ryo, their wives, Anubis, Naaza and Shiro.

"Anubis-san." She addressed in a voice that commanded attention. They all stared at her in amazement, for in that moment as she stood facing them with her chin lifted and her back straight, she showed them the brightly burning presence she inherited from her father and the determination she inherited from her mother. "I want some answers!"

"Yuki-chan!" Ryo reprimanded her and she hid her momentary guilt at sounding nothing like the polite people her parents were or their daughter, whom they taught to be likewise.

"What sort of answers are you looking for?" Anubis asked her calmly.

"Tell me about Rajura!" She demanded and watched their eyes widen in surprise and then turn uncomfortably away as they looked at each other. Anubis climbed to his feet and moved around the table. He walked to the doorway and stopped, indicating with his hand that she should lead the way.

---

Anubis followed her in silence; she was losing patience as he made no attempt to begin speaking. It seemed he would volunteer nothing, as they neared the edge of the lake she stopped and turned toward him.

"Who was he?" She demanded to know.

"Rajura was a soldier in the service of the emperor Arago, like myself." Anubis answered her without hesitation. He also didn't elaborate, which confirmed Yuki's suspicion that he would not be volunteering anything, she was going to have to work for it.

"Where is he?" She fired another question in her demanding voice. "Why did he give Hiko his armor?"

"He did not give Hiko his armor Yuki. No one gives it to anyone, the armor chooses the one who will bear it." Anubis' calm voice and rational answers were grating on her nerves. "To answer your other question… Rajura is dead."

Her eyes widened in shock and she was momentarily speechless. She felt ashamed of herself for not thinking through what she was asking him. Of course he would have died, if he were alive he would have come to earth with the others nearly a year ago. Anubis must have known him a long time, having been alive for so many hundreds of years.

"I… I'm sorry Anubis-san." She whispered and then turned away. Her emotions already overwrought by the unfortunate ending of her encounter with Shuten, worry over her brother, combined with the time of year it was getting to be and now this, it was all she could do to keep from breaking down in tears.

"Yuki?" He called her gently and she felt him place a comforting hand lightly on her shoulder. "Did something happen? Are you all right?"

She nodded as she struggled with her tears, gaining control at last she turned to face him, his hand falling away as she did so. She knew she did not fool him though, he could see the turmoil in her eyes, the unshed tears. Thankfully however, he chose to ignore it.

"Rajura and I were not friends Yuki." Anubis told her. "I will not pretend to mourn his absence or that such a death as the one he received was not deserved."

"How did he die?" She asked him and he was silent for such a long time that she thought he was going to refuse to answer her question.

"He was killed during the final battle." Anubis began then halted and turned away from her, his eyes staring far out across the lake. It was several moments before he finished. "By Korin no Seiji."

"Uso! She whispered knowing that her proclaiming it to be a lie did not sound very convincing. "What happened… I can't believe it was simply because you were at war, my father is… was not like that."

Anubis continued his silent observance of the lake for several minutes and Yuki began to think that he would not answer her, when he turned to face her.

"Your mother once asked questions of me that I refused to answer." Anubis told her, a touch of whimsy to his voice. "I thought it was for her own good, that she would be better off not knowing. But these days… I sometimes think that if I had… if I had provided her with some answers, she might not have suffered so much during the war, things might have been different..."

"What do you mean?" Yuki's eyes narrowed on Anubis as he spoke.

"I mean that you deserve answers Yuki." He explained. "However unpleasant you may find them to be."

"I think I deserve answers as well." Yuki inclined her head at him.

"I am afraid that you will not be pleased with everything I have to say." Anubis warned her again. "Just try to remember that in times of war even good people can lose their way and out of desperation come the parts of us that we would like never to be revealed."

Yuki gave a single nod indicating that she understood, while at the same time eyeing him warily. If he said anything about her father, anything that called into question his honor or his sense of right, she would not believe it. There was no way that her father would ever lose his way, even in the most desperate of situations.

"The fact that your mother and Rajura were enemies had long since been established, all those who were the enemy of the Samurai Troopers, were her enemy as well. Myself, Naaza and Shuten were included. The day that her and Rajura's mutual hatred manifested can be pinpointed down to the very moment. As the troopers were struggling to gather Tenka the last of their number, Rajura had gone in search of something to entertain himself. He found it, in the form of your mother."

Yuki grew nervous as she contemplated the possibilities of what this man might have done to her mother. If he had laid a finger on her that would certainly account for her father's violent reaction in killing him.

"In a manner of speaking, she was the backbone of the troopers, she held a wealth of knowledge about the workings of their armor that even they did not understand. Her home had become their base of operations and she was their commander. Rajura knew that Nasuti's death would strike a serious blow to their success against Arago.

From the Youjukai the rest of us were watching Rajura remove a scythe from the decorative display on his back. He fully intended to kill her, Nasuti knew this and yet she stood in the face of death and smiled back at it"

Anubis paused and Yuki did not miss the small, smile that appeared momentarily on his lips. She also did not miss the look that appeared in his eyes. She was certain that she had seen that look before but could not quite put her finger on where.

"Rajura's scythe flew at her and we watched as it moved toward her neck as if in slow motion. It would certainly have taken her head off if not for the boy. As it was, the scythe imbedded into her shoulder deep enough to cut through the bone, she was losing blood and would certainly have died before long."

Yuki reached up to touch her wounded right shoulder recalling the words of her brother in that eerily cold voice, Shall I reopen your old wound? She pushed the thought aside as Anubis continued.

"Needless to say Rajura's scythe missed the target. However, I still believe a part of your mother died that day, I believe it was her soul." Anubis paused for several moments before continuing again. "The boy she was trying to save however seemed to believe that he needed to save her and jumped in the path of the speeding scythe. It sliced open his throat and as I said, cut deep into in her shoulder; the boy died in a matter of minutes and she certainly would have if your father had not stopped her from bleeding to death."

"Who was this boy?" Yuki asked when he paused, her eyes widened in surprise as Anubis turned and looked beyond the house, up the hill to where three granite stones stood upright in the grass. She could only gasp his name. "Jun."

Anubis nodded and continued staring for a few moments longer before turning back toward Yuki.

"Shall I continue?" He asked her and she nodded in reply, he sighed and then began speaking. "Your mother changed after this, I believe she felt that the boy's death was somehow her fault and the guilt ate away at her. It was also at this time that someone new appeared in the lives of the Samurai Troopers. A monk; someone we warriors deemed as insignificant but who seemed to agitate Arago to no end. Having been around someone for hundreds of years and never see him grow concerned over the existence of any single person, you can imagine our curiosity."

Yuki nodded when he looked at her.

"This monk also prophesied that your mother would lead to Arago's ruin, that she was the key to the Samurai Troopers defeating him, your mother heard nothing of the monk's words as he whispered them to your father. We could hear them through our window in the Youjukai, we could hear and see everything. And when your mother was at her most vulnerable, Arago sent Shuten to bring her to us. With promises that he could make her forget her pain, her belief that she was only making things worse for the troopers, that she was somehow, placing them in danger, Nasuti had all the incentive she needed to choose the Youjukai. The added incentive that she would get a chance to attack Rajura was not lost on her either, although that attempt failed. However, she was made to forget the young boy and everything else. The Youjukai became her home and we became her friends; the earth was a distant memory, as were the faces and names of those she had left behind on it, until one day, she was sent to battle the Yoroiden Samurai Troopers. For the first time in two years she faced your father again, only this time as his enemy. I believe that just as a part of her had died on the day that boy was killed, that first glimpse into your father's eyes after all that time brought a part of her to life. Maybe it was the restoration of her soul, who knows… We all noticed the differences in her after that encounter and it was not difficult to figure out what was happening. Fragments of her past began to collect and piece themselves together until she remembered everything. She returned to the earth and her friends not long after and took up her fight against us once more. It was during this time that Rajura happened upon your mother; alone and without the protection of her friends, she had no hope of defeating him. Naaza and I watched from the window in the Youjukai as Shuten fought the troopers and Rajura assaulted your mother. Shuten was defeated and Rajura was stopped by Rekka no Ryo before he could actually… well, let's just say Rekka arrived in time to prevent the worse from happening. Still, he had beaten Nasuti to within nearly an inch of her life."

Yuki gasped and tears leapt to her eyes, her hand clamped over her mouth to prevent herself from screaming in protest at what she was being told.

"When Korin saw her torn clothing and bloody face and body, a wave of violence could be felt as far away as the Youjukai. Rajura had gotten away but there was no doubt that Korin no Seiji would deliver him to his death for what he had done. On the day of the final battle, with barely enough left in him to stand, bleeding internally and one step outside of death's door, Korin delivered on that vow. He arrived to prevent what was surely going to be your mother's death and laid waste to Rajura forever, blasting him apart with a surge of light. Shuten had already turned against Arago and fought side by side with the troopers, the rest of us soon joined him. The monk's prophesy came to pass; she was indeed the key to defeating him. For no one else would I have turned my back on Arago."

Here Anubis paused and Yuki realized where she had seen that look before.

"You loved her!" She whispered quietly.

"We all loved her Yuki." Came Anubis' reply. "She changed us all, showed us the humanity that we had forsaken, returned our souls to us. Taught us that love was not a weakness that we should shun but a blessing that we should cherish."

Yuki stepped closer to Anubis and stared into his eyes. There was no mistaking the look in his eyes; she had seen it a thousand times in her father's eyes when he looked at her mother and only a short time ago, in Shuten's eyes gazing up at her as she lay on top of him. Her mind began to wander back to that moment that she had whispered 'I love you' to him and he had stared back at her blankly. He'd been a soldier of destruction for more than four hundred years and no doubt experienced nothing of joy, laughter, happiness or love…

"Yes." Anubis' voice interrupted Yuki's thoughts. "I was in love with her and so I remain in love with her, after her death, after mine, I will always love only her."

Yuki could only stare in stunned silence for several minutes, a silence that Anubis made no attempt to break after his confession and she could not blame him. It must be a difficult thing seeing the children of another man and the one woman you would love for your entire life, yet he had managed to befriend both her and her brother. She reached up and brushed back his hair that the wind had blown across one eye, her fingers trailing lightly over his brow and then halted, resting against his cheek. She supposed it was her way of offering him comfort, of letting him know that she understood and appreciated his friendship all the more because of it. His eyes drifted closed and he reached up and placed a hand over hers, trapping it against his cheek.

"You are so like her." Anubis told her his voice lower than a whisper. "Sometimes… sometimes… when I hear your laughter I turn and seek her out, knowing that it is not her, but hoping… I see your smile, the way the sun catches the gold in your hair or the determined look in your eyes and…. I feel the familiar beating of my heart stop. I allow myself to think for a moment that it is her I am seeing, that she has come back"

Yuki found herself being pulled against Anubis, his arms around her, holding her tightly against him, one hand stroking her long hair. He was silent for several moments and then continued speaking.

"I witnessed your parents wedding from the Youjukai." He whispered absently. "She was so beautiful and so happy. I never knew her to have such happiness and was glad that she finally found it."

"It is an important memory for me to hold onto. For it is the memory of the kiss they shared that day, which reminds me that… no matter what; she would not come back. Because the only one that she would ever come back for, is with her." He paused then pulled back, his hands going to her shoulders and a warm smile spreading over his face. "This memory also reminds me that it is not her that I hear and see but her daughter; her daughter that carries so much of her mother and her father within her. Her daughter… who I am glad has become my friend."

Yuki's smile grew and she could not help herself when she raised up on her toes and kissed him lightly, muttering a quick 'thank you' as she pulled away. Before she could move away he reached out and embraced her quickly. Yuki was startled at first then returned his friendly hug, her arms going about Anubis comfortingly.

"Lady Nasuti would be happy that we have become friends I think." Anubis told her in his quiet voice.

Yuki's blood ran cold as she barely heard anything beyond 'lady Nasuti'. Just as her brother had said earlier in that voice that had come from his lips but was not his own. She pulled from Anubis' embrace and stared up at him, not wanting to let herself draw conclusions that she feared were correct. She could see by the look in Anubis' eyes that he sensed something was wrong.

"Why do you call my mother that?" She asked him. "Lady Nasuti?"

"It was the title given her by Arago." Anubis informed her. "When she came to the Youjukai, we all called her that."

Rajura as well. She concluded silently her fears gaining strength even as she refused to acknowledge them. Her brother would never allow someone that hurt others control him.

"Dooshite Yuki?" Anubis sensing her unease asked her what was wrong.

"Nothing." She smiled and shook her head. The others didn't need to know about this, she would just make certain to keep a closer eye on her brother.

---

Shuten stood on the balcony and felt a chill rush through him that had nothing to do with the breeze that blew off the lake. His eyes were transfixed on the embracing couple below; there was no mistaking the figure of Yuki and Anubis standing near the shore, their arms about each other. Shuten did not know if he wanted to cry, scream or commit murder at that moment. He certainly did not want to call them in to dinner as Ryo had instructed him. He stepped back into the shadows and contemplated what he should do, what he should think and feel. Shuten knew that what he was thinking could not be correct; Yuki did not feel things lightly and she certainly was not capable of the kind of behavior he was suspecting her of at finding her with Anubis. There had to be another explanation. As for what he should do… at this moment he didn't feel that he should do anything, his feelings were not enough in control for him to do anything rationally. It would be best if he went back inside and waited for them to finish… talking. He could speak to her after dinner, in her room where others would not interfere and he could apologize for earlier, attempt to explain his hesitation and tell her that her confession was not stupid and that he loved her as well.

---

"Anubis-san?" He stopped his progress through the kitchen and turned to face the young woman who called his name. He knew by her wrinkled brow that there was more troubling her than she let on but he would not press her for answers.

"Hai?" He waited for her to continue.

"Would you please make my excuses at dinner?" He raised an eyebrow at this, which she did not miss. "I'm going to take a tray up to my brother and check on him."

"Sayuri-chan is looking after your brother." He reminded her as she began to gather items for tea and arrange them on a tray.

"I know." She nodded as she continued with her task, keeping her eyes averted and head lowered. "Demo… I just need to be sure…"

Anubis stared hard at her as her voice trailed off. He was certain that she was as close to tears as she'd been since her parent's funeral. It being so near that time now, he regretted his actions earlier. He had thought only of helping Yuki but feared he had only increased her melancholy by telling her so much about the time that her parents were alive. Hiko being hurt did nothing to help the matter; her concern over her brother's welfare had no rival, his safety came before anyone else, even her own. There appeared to be something else troubling her as well, something that he could not put his finger on at the moment.

"Very well Yuki." He inclined his head. "I will do as you ask."

He turned to leave and did not miss her quietly spoken 'arigato' as he walked through the door, leaving her alone as he made his way through the myriad of rooms to the dining area, where everyone was gathered except the three that Anubis knew would be absent.

"Where's Yuki-neesan?" Shiro chirruped from beside his mother.

"She went upstairs to look after her brother." Anubis answered. "She was preparing tea for him when I left her in the kitchen."

"Is that so?" Anubis turned at the blatantly derisive tone in Shuten's voice, surprised even further at the sharp gaze in the other man's eyes. Wondering silently, 'what the hell is this about?'

"Yes." Anubis inclined his head as he spoke. It was then that he noted a spark leaping in Shuten's eyes, a spark that represented only one thing… jealously. Shuten was jealous? Because of the time that I spent with Yuki? What in the hell is going on? What does Shuten think he's doing? Anubis felt anger toward Shuten come alive within him, something he had not felt for many years. He would never allow him to make a mess of human lives again, to manipulate the innocent as he had in the past. He had toyed with Nasuti's life enough; Anubis would not let it continue by allowing him to toy with Nasuti's daughter. "She asked that you forgive her absence at dinner this evening."

There was a general acceptance around the table, Shuten offering a silent nod in agreement but remaining quiet and detached throughout the meal. He excused himself at the earliest possible moment and Anubis' sharp gaze did not leave him until he exited the dining area. After lending his assistance in clearing up the dishes, Anubis made his way upstairs to check on the siblings. He glanced down the darkened hallway toward Shuten's room and was met with only silence then moved to Hiko's room where a small light illuminated the shoji but barely cast more than a faint glow about the room. Anubis spied Yuki asleep in the large chair near her brother's bedside, which held a soundly sleeping Sayuri on top of the blankets next to a dozing Hiko. Without any effort he lifted Yuki from the chair and turned toward the door.

"Anubis." Hiko's voice spoke commandingly from behind him and he halted. "Where do you think you're going with that woman?"

Anubis turned and frowned at the young man in confusion.

"I'm taking her to bed Hiko." He explained the obvious confusion turning to shock as the young man sneered.

"Aah… that was my plan as well." He snickered. "Make certain you return her to me when you are finished and be mindful of Shuten doji… he guards her closely."

"You must have hit your head or something Hiko, she's your sister." Anubis spoke as he moved toward the door, ignoring the strange comments from Hiko, thinking that the boy was probably still dreaming and not aware of his true surroundings or of what he was saying. Anubis decided to throw in a comment that would snap Hiko out of his dream "Not to mention there's a woman already in your bed. "

Anubis couldn't help smiling as he thought of Hiko suddenly coming awake to find Sayuri in his bed. He stepped out into the hall and slid the shoji door closed behind him. He made his way to Yuki's bedroom and lay her down as gently as he could, pulling the blankets up and tucking them around her. He stared down at her for a few moments and then turned to go.

"Anubis-san?" Her small voice halted him.

"Yes?"

"Can you tell me more about my mother?" She asked him.

"Yes."

---

'there's a woman already in your bed', just as he recalled Anubis' words a soft feminine sigh made him turn his head to the right and there she was, just as Anubis had said. Thick locks of blue lay in heavy waves across the pillow, obscuring the woman's face from his view. Rajura felt an unfamiliar sensation in his chest as he stared at the cascade of blue hair. Sayuri-san… her name rushed through him like waves rushed up onto the shore, pulling a layer of sand back into the vastness of the sea with each pass. Sayuri-san. He gently brushed her hair back from her face and felt the immediate quickening of his heart as want and need filled him simultaneously, along with the urge to protect. Rajura had never felt these sensations before; women in his past had served one basic service and once he'd sated himself with them, they never crossed his mind again. This girl was different or rather the boy whose body he now occupied had such strong feelings toward her it made it impossible for Rajura not to feel it. It didn't matter, he could just as easily entertain himself with this one until he was able to get to Nasuti. Let the boy have his gentle moments with this girl, Rajura could stem his desire until he was able to punish and dominate that bitch. He smiled as he stared across at Sayuri-san, inching closer he was about to press his lips against hers to wake her when he could feel the boy's will pressing to gain control and finally imposing itself over Rajura's. "Sayuri-san?" Hiko whispered in confusion as he woke up and found himself a mere fraction of an inch away from her. She sighed softly in her sleep and burrowed deeper into her pillow. Hiko reached out and gently traced his fingers across her cheek and was surprised to feel that her skin was cold. Maneuvering the blankets free he pulled them over the top of her and settled back in his bed. Nearly jumping out of his skin when a moment later she sighed again, only this time saying his name and then curling into his side with one arm thrown casually across his waist. After lying stock still for what seemed an eternity, afraid to move, afraid to even breathe, Hiko began to relax and eventually dozed off to sleep.

---

Shuten climbed out of bed and as he showered he resolved to clear up what had happened between him and Yuki. He had to tell her and he knew that she would forgive him once he explained. Just as he would put aside his doubt and worry over seeing her outside with Anubis and Anubis carrying her to bed, remaining in her room for what seemed like and actually might have been, hours. He dried off quickly with his towel, dressed and headed down the stairs in search of her, only to discover that she'd eaten breakfast and gone shopping with Sayuri, not expecting to return until noon.

Pensive and anxious Shuten nearly leapt at the door when he heard her car pull up. Calming himself somewhat, he watched her from the balcony. She was carrying several bags, as was Sayuri, he lost sight of them as they neared the main door below. He heard the door open and then close, footsteps clamored up the stairs and Shuten made to follow her, only to find Shiro and Toyohiko toting the brightly colored shopping bags up the stairs. As the two boys bickered about having to carry the bags for girls who didn't know when to stop shopping, Shuten wondered what the hell was going on.

The rest of the day went on pretty much the same and Shuten was beginning to believe that someone was toying with him. Some god who controls such things was manipulating the time displacement dials and keeping him from meeting up with her face to face. It was insane. He needed to speak to Yuki; she needed to hear him out as he begged for her understanding over what happened and hopefully lay to rest the doubt and feelings of mistrust and betrayal that were increasing with each moment that past. He was trying his best not to allow them to overtake him but as the day wore on the image of her and Anubis embracing began to over shadow everything else.

The sky was growing dark and Shuten made his way toward the dojo by way of Nasuti's garden, looking up he nearly fell over in shock at running into the very person he'd nearly given up every hope of seeing today. Yuki did not turn as he called her name, if anything she averted her face even further.

"What is it Shuten?" She finally asked when he made no move to leave, to him her voice sounded odd, sort of despondent and melancholy.

He hesitated and then thought better of it; hesitation is what had landed him in this position in the first place. Shuten stepped close to her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders, pulling her back against him, his lips close to her ear.

"Yuki." He whispered and kissed her shoulder. "I want to talk to you about yesterday…"

"Please Shuten, I… I can't do this now." She interrupted him and stepped free of his embrace, her voice sounding more distraught then before. "Can we discuss this later?"

Shuten dropped his hands to his sides and turned away. He could feel his anger rising at her rejection and if he'd learned anything in the last four hundred years it was that you did not speak while you were angry, because the result would be things you don't mean and would no doubt regret later. Unfortunately learning something and applying what you have learned were two very different things.

"And when might that be Yuki?" Shuten let spill the first thing that his anger could summon. "After you've finished your little dance with Anubis?"

And just as his subconscious tried to warn him, Shuten began to regret what he had said almost the moment the words left his mouth. But it was too late; his words were already out there, poisoning them both as they lingered in the air around them. He could hear the gravel beneath her feet as she moved, turning around to face him.

"What did you just say?" She whispered in disbelief, he turned to face her and felt guilty at the same disbelief that he'd heard in her voice, now showing in her eyes. This only served to increase his anger as he felt that he had no reason to feel guilty, she was the one that was with Anubis.

"I saw him carry you to your room. I know that he stayed in there for most of the night." He told her full of self-righteousness, daring her to deny it. "And before that, by the lake, I could see you from the balcony."

She stared at him for several minutes in silence and he watched her eyes fill with painful disappointment. Seeing the look in her eyes made him want to drop to his knees and beg her forgiveness but he remained still and resolute.

"Well… I… I never would have believed... that your opinion of me was as bad as this." She began with a short humorless laugh and was silent for several moments before continuing; her voice was quiet and disheartened. "I think you should go now Shuten."

Lowering her head she turned away from him and stepped through the open doors into the dojo without another word. Shuten hurried after her, grabbing her hand to keep her from leaving. She yanked it free and turned on him; her eyes blazed with fire while brimming with barely contained tears.

"You cannot possibly be finding it difficult Shuten, " her voice was growing thick as she tried to choke back the tears. "To let go of someone whom you hold so low an opinion."

Shuten watched her tears spill over and down her cheeks. He could not move, could barely even breathe from the pain he felt at seeing her cry and knowing he was the cause of it. It was as if a knife cut open his chest, his heart was ripped out, wrapped in piercing barbed wire and placed back in his chest.

"Goodbye Shuten." She sobbed and ran from the room, leaving him alone with his agonizing open wound bleeding. It was more painful than anything he'd ever felt before.

---

Yuki bolted from the dojo and made her way toward the other end of the house. She wanted to be alone but did not want to walk past the others to get upstairs to her room; she slipped around to the kitchen and stopped dead. Sitting around the room was Sayuri, her brother, Makoto and Shiro, all but Shiro were facing the opposite direction and she quickly averted her face before any of the others could see her tears.

"Excuse me." She whispered trying to make her voice sound normal and turn back in the other direction before anyone could question her.

"Yuki-neesan?" Shiro called her, his voice full of worry. "Dooshite?"

Yuki ignored Shiro and was determined to escape their well meant concern but found herself running smack into the solid wall of a chest. She raised her eyes up to meet Anubis' gaze, which at the sight of her tears turned to wide-eyed shock.

"Yuki, dooshite?" He echoed Shiro's concern.

Unable to stop herself Yuki sobbed and shook her head at the same time lowering it. She felt his fingers under her chin, lifting her face up and the sobbing became uncontrollable, fresh tears began to pour from her eyes.

"Did something happen Yuki?" He asked her and she felt stupid at only being able to respond with more tears. How could she tell him that her heart was broken and weary and weak? How could she tell him that she was overwhelmed with worry about her brother, with sadness at the approaching anniversary of her parent's death and with pain at Shuten's having shattered her heart into a million pieces? She could not utter a single word, not to anyone because if she did, it would hurt all the more.

"Did Shuten say or do something to you?" Her head snapped up at Anubis' question. Was she so obvious, so transparent that others could see her feelings? She stepped back and out of his embrace then turned and ran up the stairs to her room. Yuki threw herself on her bed and buried her face in her pillow so that she might continue crying without being heard, until a light knock and then the sound of her door sliding open and closed made her quiet down.

"Oneesan?" Her brother called quietly from just inside the door. She did not turn to look at him, she didn't move at all; she just remained lying on her bed facing the wall. Yuki could hear him moving closer and the mattress gave way as he sat down near the head of her bed.

"Oneesan, don't be afraid to trouble me with your feelings." She felt his hand gently stroking her hair, just like her father used to do and at this thought her tears resumed. "It cannot always be you that is the strong one. Let me be strong for you now."

She turned around and let him gather her in his arms. Her tears soon stopped but the two of them remained comfortable in their closeness, as they'd always been.

"Hiko?" Yuki spoke after some time. "Let's go to Otousan's house for a while. I don't want to be here."

"Whatever you want Oneesan." He told her. "I wasn't looking forward to the upcoming week either. I think it will be better if we're away from this place during that time."

It was strange how words that they had both used their entire lives had taken on new meaning since the loss of their parents. They talked about their parent's deaths without actually saying it, words like 'that time', 'the upcoming week' or 'for a while', all signified the anniversary of the day that their parent's had died. The house that the two of them had grown up in, their home had suddenly become 'here' or 'this place' and spoken with much emphasis, as if the house had become a dirty place too filthy to mention.

"It wont be the same without Obaachan and Ojiichan being there." Hiko whispered. "Ne Oneesan?"

"Nothing has been the same since that day Hiko." Yuki answered him. "Nothing will ever be the same again."

Yuki felt bad for saying what she did and wished she could take it back. It wasn't fair to push all this onto him. He didn't need to hear her theory on their bleak future as the only survivors of their family. She was about to apologize when he broke the silence with another question.

"I wonder if Okaasan and Otousan watch over us from where they are?" He asked.

"I know they do." She answered without hesitation.

"Do you think that they are happy?" Hiko fired another question at her. "Do you think they miss us?"

Yuki turned her head to look at her brother; his eyes were so sad, so uncertain that she was momentarily angry with herself. She'd forgotten for a moment how he must be feeling right now, he was just as close to their parents as she was and he was far more sensitive than she. He must be suffering a great deal. She thought to herself.

"I believe that they are happy because they are together." She answered after a few moments of contemplating his question. "And yes Hiko, they miss us very much."

"How can you be so certain?" He asked sounding doubtful. Again she contemplated his question for several minutes. Certainly there can be no harm in telling him her experience, it had to provide some relief as it had her, to know that they were always watching, always nearby and most important, they were together.

"Hiko, do you remember the night we went to the club and Makoto was taken to the police station?" When he nodded she continued, telling him everything from when she'd gone up to her parents markers to her father appearing. She told him of how their father had taken her to another place, how he had talked to her and told her that her brother was worried about her. She told him about the orb and how it was in her hand when she woke up. When she was finished telling him everything, except the apprehension her father expressed over him, she raised her eyes to his, waiting to see his reaction. His eyes were wide with shock but this did nothing to indicate whether he believed her or thought she was some crazy, whack that used to be his sister.

"They really are watching us." He finally spoke and Yuki could not help but smile as she nodded.

"I am glad you believe me Hiko." She told him.

"I have no reason not to believe you Oneesan. You have never lied to me."

"And I never will." She promised.

Feeling her melancholy lift slightly and preferring action to dwelling in self-pity, she slid to the edge of her bed and climbed to her feet. Turning back to face her brother who remained seated.

"How about I ask Sayuri to come with us?" She asked him with a sly smile. "If she agrees we can start packing the car right away and leave first thing tomorrow morning."

"Arigato." He whispered gaining a sudden interest in his feet, staring hard at them as his shyness got the better of him.

"No Hiko." She whispered from the doorway. "Thank you."

---

Anubis removed his shoes as he entered the house, sliding his feet into the first pair of slippers he came to and made his way to the kitchen, where the others were already gathered to play a game of cards. He padded down the long hallway and turned, colliding head on with Yuki. He'd been on the verge of making some comment about her running from trouble when she'd raised her eyes to him and the words died on his lips. To say he was shocked was an understatement, to see her in tears was no small event, she did not like to show weakness to anyone and she definitely saw tears as a weakness. His first thought was that something had happened to her brother; what else could make her breakdown in such a manner.

"Yuki, dooshite?" He asked with urgency, then spying Hiko across the room looking just as confused and unable to explain her condition as everyone else, Anubis' thoughts went directly to Shuten.

He placed his fingers under her chin and bit down on his anger that magnified ten-fold as her quiet sobs increased and more tears slipped down her cheeks.

"Did Shuten say or do something to you?" He asked her while trying to keep the anger from his voice and the others from overhearing him. The look she gave at his question told him all he needed to know. He did not try to stop her when she pulled free of his hands that held her shoulders, he was too angry.

"Anubis-san, what happened?" His eyes suddenly focusing on her younger brother, who now stood before him, his distress at seeing his sister in such a state was obvious. "Did she tell you anything?"

"No Hiko, she didn't." Anubis answered the younger man. "You should go to her, you are the only one she will not turn away."

Hiko nodded and left the room, his footsteps could soon be heard moving up the stairs to his sister's room. Anubis gave everyone else a look that told them to stay put and then turned and left the room, heading straight for the dojo in search of Shuten. He had guessed correctly when assuming he would be there, spotting him standing at one end of the darkened room when he entered. He marched toward him with purposeful steps and as the former Oni Masho turned at Anubis' approach he was met with a powerful foot hammering him in the chest and sending him sprawling across the room.

Shuten's reflexes were impeccable, although many years had passed since he'd been required to respond to an attack. He was on his feet and ready to face his enemy in less than a second; obviously shocked when he realized whom his attacker was.

"Anubis!" He lowered his fists and demanded an explanation. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

"That's a question you should be answering." Anubis snapped as he walked closer to Shuten and stopped in front of him. As he looked the other man over he could see that something was troubling him as well. His former leader had grown less adept at hiding his feelings over the years and although Anubis could not always tell what the other man was thinking, he could always tell when something was wrong. "I just saw Yuki."

Anubis did not need to say anything more, Shuten lowered his gaze and turned away before whispering quietly, 'did you?'

"How could you do this Shuten?" Anubis demanded. "How could you toy with her in this way?"

Shuten turned on him, his own eyes blazing with an angry flame as he demanded, 'you might ask yourself the same question Anubis, I'm sure our answers will be quite similar.'

Anubis stared at Shuten, his brows furrowing as he thought about what he said, not understanding his comment at all. Until suddenly a light went off in his head, had he not just last night confessed to Yuki how sometimes, certain things that she did reminded him of her mother and how sometimes, just for a moment, he would fool himself into thinking that she was indeed, her mother. Still Anubis would never allow himself to be fooled for long and he would never, despite their similarities, intentionally try to replace Nasuti with her daughter. The very idea that Shuten would resort to such means not only surprised him but angered him as well. He would have never believed Shuten capable or even wanting to do such a thing.

"Shuten." He began and then hesitated. "Shuten, I have known you for many years… but, I would never have believed you capable of this."

"Desperation can make a man capable of many things." Shuten gave a short humorless laugh as he once again turned to face the other way. "It is not an easy thing to admit such a weakness, but weak I am. My submission to these feelings was inevitable and having submitted, there is no breaking free."

Shuten laughed derisively once again before continuing, 'I don't even want to break free. How desperate is that?' He asked Anubis who could only stand in silent shock at Shuten's confession. "Arago's rule pales to insignificance in comparison to this force that has captured me and you know first hand the difficulty of breaking free from that master. I am trapped, forever."

Anubis could not help but feel sympathy at Shuten's confession, sympathy and surprise. He thought that Shuten's feelings for Nasuti had waned over the years; he had no doubt that Shuten still loved her but it had faded in their separation from each other. He'd been certain that just as she had moved on, so had he. It now appeared that he was incorrect in his assumption. Still, that did not excuse what he was attempting to do and Anubis knew, as he was certain that Shuten knew, Nasuti would never forgive him for what he was doing.

"I am sorry Shuten." Anubis stepped forward and placed a hand on his friend's shoulder in an attempt to offer some comfort. "I understand your feelings but what you are doing is not right. Nasuti would never forgive you for using her daughter in this way."

"Using her daughter?" Shuten turned to face Anubis, a confused frowned on his face.

"Do you really think nothing at all of trying to replace Nasuti with Yuki?" He asked at Shuten's blatant disregard for the young woman. "You can't be so desperate that you would forget about how this would affect her."

"Is that what you think?" Shuten demanded and Anubis was suddenly confused. Shuten shook his head as the look in Anubis' eyes confirmed that was indeed what he'd been thinking. "Anubis, no one can replace Nasuti, nor would I want them to."

Anubis felt relief and then shock as that relief brought on the realization of what Shuten meant.

"Are you saying that you're in love with Yuki?" Anubis asked him hesitantly.

"No..."Shuten whispered. "What I feel cannot possibly be summed up by such simple words. I breathe, I dream, I live and I ache for her."

Anubis' shock was palpable; he could not believe such a confession came from Shuten. His own feelings toward Nasuti could be summed up exactly the same, although he had never admitted them to anyone, except her daughter, they were no less real and Anubis could truly feel for his friend.

"Did you tell Yuki how you felt?" Anubis asked and was not surprised when Shuten shook his head.

"When the moment came I found myself unable to utter a word." Shuten admitted. "And when I worked up the courage, she was not interested in hearing it."

"Why was she crying earlier?" Anubis asked and did not miss the way Shuten cringed, letting him know that it was a result of something that had happened between the two of them.

"I was angry and upset… and I said some things to her that I did not mean." Shuten confessed; he grew silent and his brows wrinkled for a moment before he continued. "Although, now that I think about it, she seemed to be upset about something else before I said anything to her. I tried to apologize but she…"

"Shuten no baka!" Anubis shouted and cuffed his friend upside the head. "Of course she was already upset. Do you have any idea what the coming weekend represents? She's upset over her brother getting hurt! I am certain she must have already been experiencing some confusion or distress over you! All this on top of the anniversary of her parent's death approaching! Seemed to be upset about something else? I would say she had plenty to already be upset about! No wonder she didn't want to talk to you."

They stared at each other in silence for several moments.

"What did you say to make her cry Shuten?" Anubis sighed.

"I… I told her that I'd seen the two of you by the lake and saw you carry her to bed and remain in her room." Shuten spoke with great hesitancy. Anubis closed his eyes and inhaled long and slow. "I accused her of…

Anubis held up his hand to stop Shuten's confession, opening his eyes at the other man's silence before mumbling, 'you really are stupid Shuten and you had better find some way to apologize to her.'

"But I tried. She will not speak to me, she will not listen to anything I have to say." Shuten pleaded his case.

"Then write her a letter!" Anubis shouted. "I don't care how you do it just make sure you do it! That girl has experienced enough pain in her life without some shit head like you hurting her because you are too stubborn or too stupid to admit how you feel! Not to mention Nasuti will never forgive you for what you have done!"

"Nor will I." They both turned at the sound of a third voice, knowing full well who it belonged to before seeing him silhouetted in the doorway. Hiko stepped into the dojo and walked with purposeful steps toward the two men already there, stopping in front of them his eyes never straying from Shuten's.

"You are my friend Shuten and so it gives me no pleasure to say this." Hiko stated, sounding more grown up than anyone had ever heard him before. "But if you ever intentionally hurt my sister again, I will kill you."

"Hiko!" Anubis started to reprimand the younger man only to be stopped by Shuten's raised hand.

"No Anubis." Shuten spoke quietly his gaze still locked with Hiko's. "Leave him be, Toyohiko has every right to say what he did."

"You find a way to apologize to my sister Shuten." Hiko spoke again. "Do it soon."

"I am sorry for disappointing you Toyohiko, I will apologize to your sister tonight and pray that she forgives me." Shuten spoke with sincerity.

"And if she refuses to forgive you Shuten?" Hiko asked what Shuten did not even want to consider.

"If she refuses to forgive me… and my presence only brings her pain," Shuten began and then paused for several moments before continuing. "Then I will return to the Youjukai and leave her in peace."

It would be better that way. Shuten knew that he could not stay and see her every day if she would not forgive him, would never be his.

The younger man nodded in acceptance and the older nodded in confirmation.

Immediately after Hiko left the dojo, Shuten retired to his room. Taking the advice of Anubis, he began to write down on paper, all that he felt, all that he was sorry for and all that he hoped for the two of them. When he was finished he handed the letter to Anubis who agreed to deliver it to Yuki, as he doubted she would take it from him.

---

"We're leaving now Yuki!" Sayuri shouted from the living room. "Are you sure there's nothing else you want us to add to this list?"

Yuki walked out of her bedroom and down the hall toward Sayuri, she glimpsed Hiko all bundled up in his winter clothes and waiting by the door. She chuckled a little as he showed her his mitten-clad hands.

"I think we wrote down everything we might need Sayuri." Yuki glanced quickly down at the list. "If there's anything you see at the market that you think we may need go ahead and get it."

"Okay." She walked toward Hiko who opened the door for her as she approached. "We'll be back soon."

Yuki nodded as they turned back to waive before closing the door. She watched them drive away and returned to her unpacking once they were gone. They had arrived late yesterday afternoon and after getting almost no sleep the night before and the long drive to Sendai, she, Hiko and Sayuri were barely able to do more than drag their bags and their bodies into the house and collapse. Having surrendered her bedroom to Sayuri and unwilling to take that which had belonged to her mother and father when they'd visited, Yuki settled into the room that had once belonged to her grand parents. Yuki lifted a sweater from her bag and something fluttering to the floor caught her attention, her eyes settling on a neatly folded paper with her name written across it very elegantly. Hanging the sweater in the closet she picked up the paper, noticing it was several pages thick.

"A letter?" She whispered curiously wondering who could have written it. She carefully unfolded the corners and opened it noticing that it was dated two days ago, lifting the first page to see the name at the bottom of the second page. Shuten doji. Yuki's hands began to shake; she swallowed back the lump in her throat and fought the pain she felt welling in her heart. What could he possibly have to say to her, more insults? She was tempted to throw the letter away without reading it and was on the verge of balling it up when she stopped herself. Something in her heart telling her that she needed to read it, that the letter was important. Refusing to be completely undisciplined however, she finished her unpacking and then made her way to the back of the house where she turned the automatic gas on to heat up the bath. She fixed herself a cup of hot tea retrieved the letter and settled down in the living room to read it. Hating her hands that betrayed her by shaking while she opened the letter and began to read.

Konoyuki.

I must first apologize; my behavior to you tonight was despicable. Sadly, I must confess that my behavior to you most other times has been less than I am proud of as well. Certainly it has been far less than you deserve.

When I am confused or uncertain I tend to respond with silence or anger; this is not an excuse, merely an attempt to make you understand and perhaps, forgive me. From the moment my eyes met yours across the stretch of lawn at your mother's house I have been in a constant state of confusion and uncertainty. Confusion over the pair of piercing gray eyes that embedded in my heart and sang to my soul, uncertain because being in love with you, being trapped by you, gave you possession of my certainty.

My silence when you whispered 'I love you' in my ear so sweetly did not mean that I cannot or do not return your feelings, more appropriately it was a representation of my own. I was at a loss, never have I heard another human being say those words to me in my entire life. Perhaps I was overwhelmed at being handed everything that I wanted all at once. Whatever the reason, I am sorry that my silence hurt you. I wish I had told you then that I loved you, it would have made things easy. Then again… how could what I feel be made easy by mere words? I would rip out my heart and hand it to you if you asked; it is yours to do with what you please. I would strip my soul from my body and lay it on the ground at your feet if you wanted it, for it is yours as well. Everything I have ever been or ever will be belongs to you Konoyuki. Without my even realizing, it always has. Always.

My fears and uncertainty got the better of me tonight and against my better judgment, I spoke in anger and said things to you that I didn't mean. I know you are not capable of such behavior. You are strong, forthright and faithful, just like your father was and I am ashamed to have ever suggested otherwise.

I am praying every moment for your forgiveness, I am praying every moment that I have not heard you whisper 'I love you' to me for the last time and I am praying every moment for another chance to whisper those same words to you. However, if after reading this you still cannot or will not forgive me, although it is not what I would hope for, I will respect your decision and wish you well.

Shuten doji.

"Damn that man." Yuki whispered as she wiped her eyes and folded up the letter and began to berate herself. "I told myself I was done crying over that jackass!"

Stomping into the bedroom she flung the letter onto the bed, stripped out of her clothes and grabbed the short robe that hung on a hook just inside the closet. She slipped it on and stormed through the house, outside around the dojo, her bare feet feeling the bite of the chilly air as she walked across the wooden floor that surrounded the dojo and led her to the bathhouse. The steam seeping through the closed window and door were a welcome sight and Yuki nearly dove headfirst into the steaming hot water as she stepped into the house and let the door swing shut, banging against the wooden stops behind her.