Solace chapter 9
Ahem:
Due to confusion over logs, this starts with Ronin being in the forest randomly.
On with the fic!
Oh, and later, Kor's birthday song is once again Miyu Yachiyo, this time in japanese (i found the lyrics ^^)

Rhys is coming back from the manor. The creative juices flowing threw his hot head give him quite the idea.. How to make the circle of fate progress? Simple. Rhys thinks as he conjurs up his plan. Rhys comes to the road and waits... his crossbow armed and ready and his dark red eyes closed replaced by his other two eyes.. the bluish tinted eyes werent just for looks as they gave Rhys the advantage of vision through objects.
Ronin darts down a path away from the inn, not caring where he was going. Just hunting a little. He comes to the road and stops when he sees Rhys. "Hey." he says.
Just as Rhys predicted.. he snifs and smiles as he speaks to Ronin.. "How do you think about humans? Do you not agree that there circle of fate is coming to an end.." Rhys speaks rythmically and manipulativly. It is an odd sounding voice.. not at all as if it was coming from rhys..
Ronin peers up at Rhys. "Humans...bah!" he says, spitting." What good are they? Might as well kill them all and be done with it. Make the world a better place. I woulda done it already if there werent so damn many of them."
"You know.. Korunue wants you to kill a special human.." Rhys says, his blue eyes staring straight at Ronin's pupils.. captavating the blue eyes were reflecting the flickering flames which rhys spewed from his nostrils.
Ronin stares up at Rhys's eyes. "A...special..human?" he asks slowly, as if not believing it. He shakes his head. "Why would Kor want me to kill a human?" he asks, looking back up at Rhys's eyes, the spell seeming to have been broken briefly.
There was no spell to it.. Rhys was just using the eyes to cause Ronin's thoughts to slow.. "Because this human has hurt her unbearably.. and yet she does not tell you.. simply because she fears.."
Ronin stares at Rhys's eyes. Becoming slowly entranced with them again. "Something seems to have been bothering her lately. Maybe that's what it was."
"But you are too weak to assist.. with her problem.. you and your courage is all an illusion.. you are as vulnerable as a deer to a wolf.." Rhys says, chuckling with mockery.. "The question... is.. do you want to know?"
Ronin glares up at Rhys. "I am NOT weak. I'll do anything to help Kor. Who is it? Tell me."
"Sure you are.. because if i told you.. You wouldnt believe me.. You would look in my face with disbelief.. and then even if you did believe you would delay on striking the target and the HUMAN would kill you.."
Ronin growls at Rhys. "I SAID I AM NOT WEAK." he yells at him. Not caring how big he is. "I'll get rid of whoever is bugging her and be done with it."
"What if she is seen as Korunues friend to you? But really enslaves her emotions.. draws from her love to you then what?" Rhys says, circling Ronin..
Ronin growls again. "Stealing my love from Kor...." he says softly. "Sounds just like a damn human."
Rhys smiles mischeaviously to Ronin... "I can help.. if you let me.." Rhys says, chuckling slightly.. "Otherwise you will fail and Korunue will die.."
Ronin cocks an eyebrow at Rhys, both his ears focused intently on him. "Why would I need your help to take care of a human?"
"Because this human has you by your balls maybe?" Rhys says, chuckling.. quite the figure of speech he uses there as he stretches his wings fully.. like a small dragon he looks as he grins at Ronin.
Ronin growls at Rhys. "No human has me by the balls. None ever has, and none ever will."
"Oh but this one does.." Rhys says smiling at Ronin as his wing seems to brush agaisnt the back of Ronin as Rhys circled him.. "The human has korunue as a shield.. and its blocking you from seeing the truth.. Now i can enlighten you by your choice.."
"Tell me then, and stop wasting time." he snarls at Rhys.
"Very well.." Rhys says quietly as he begins to focus.. a black fog seems to surround Rhys blending in with the nightly features.. Rhys's blue eyes begin to dim and the air around them began getting thick.. As Rhys's tail begins to move back and forth with a rythem and the vibrations of Rhys's voice amplified by the fog began to run shrills up Ronin..
Ronin looks around him, eyeing the fog. "Well, whats the purpose in this. Thought you were gonna tell me something?"
Rhys is now in a trance-like state, his dark blue eyes frozen as Rhys stared into space.. the fog itself surrounding Ronin, then suddenly a flash is seen.. an unbearable pain striking at Ronin in every direction.. oddly enough.. it wasn't physical pain.. the surge of power striks at the soul.. tampering the lines Ronin sees as love and hate.. causing Ronin to use his previous love for Korunue and hate Sinai with it.. The innards of Ronin's body feel unbearable as they feel like jello wiggling due to the massive vibrations in the air.. Indeed it is brainwash as the fog itself swirled about the two, attempting to enter Ronin's body.
The spell tries to work its magic.. Tormenting Ronin's spirit itself corrupting what it sees as good as bad.. Ronin is now a monster.. not physically but spiritualy and emotionaly.. Now cold and heartless with an hatred drawn to humans unbreakable... Ronin groans loudly but doesn't say anything. He doesn't know what is happening, or even why.
Rhys breath is gone as Scales burn off his demonic body as Rhys's body is left steaming.. a painful feel ripping through him as the great and powerful Rhys is reduced to panting and holding himself up by a tree..
Ronin groans audibly for a while. "What....did...you...do?" he asks slowly, groaning some more."
Rhys could'nt speak at the momment.. at a loss of breath Rhys turns his back and camoflauges himself in with the forest..
Walking toward her home along the path that begins at the Manor, Sinai passes her home, and goes toward the Inn...Is happy to be out in the forest again, having missed it while she was held captive in the Manor.
Ronin glances down the path and sees Sinai. He grins evilly for a moment before groaning again and rubbing his temples, man his head sure did hurt.
Having been zoned out, out in her own little world as she thought about other things, Sinai snaps out of it to see Ronin coming down the path toward her. "Good--" She looks at the sky to see it is around midday, perhaps in the evening. "Good eve, Ronin."
Ronin nods at Sinai. "'Eve, Sin." he says, nodding and rubbing his temples some more.
"Are you all right?" She asks, furrowing her brow in concern as she grows closer to him.
Ronin shakes his head at her. "Had a run-in with a demon." he says, slowly his hand drifts to his sword hilt and casually rests there.
She furrows her brow more. "What happened?" She is inwardly concerned that he put his hand on the hilt of his sword, keeping that in mind.
Ronin looks at Sinai. "He was telling me about a human. A human close to Kor, and trying to get her away...from...me...." his mouth drops open a bit and he starts to growl. "YOU!" he snarls. "It's you isn't it?" He quickly draws both his swords and growls louder.
Sinai's eyes widen, and she backs up. "NO!" Shocked. "It's no' m', Ronin! I swear it! I dinna know who ye're talking about. I havena been tae the Inn in two days! I havena e'en SEEN Korunue since I spent the night in her room. A demon teleported me to the Manor, and I've been stuck there since today." She is backing away from Ronin, eyes wide, shocked and even a little scared, not wanting to fight him...She wishes she had her sword on her, so she could defend herself better.
Ronin growls louder and advances on her. "YOU LIE!" he yells. "Just like all humans....Liars and backstabbers they are. AND SO ARE YOU!!!" he screams the last part and leaps at Sinai, holding the wakizashi to thrust at her and aiming to swing the katana and decapitate her.
Sinai's eyes widen even more, and she leaps/rolls to the side, even still wearing Korunue's blue kimono, frowning now. "I dinna lie. That's what e'ery other human does tae m', no' the other way around."
Ronin lands in a crouch and turns to Sinai, glaring. "You're still a human. And I'm going to kill you just for that." he snarls at her, leaping again. This time he uses his swords like a giant pair of scissors, bringing them in from both sides.
"And I dinna lie tae m' friends. I hope I can still call ye 'friend'." She stands up, serious. "Why would I go after Korunue? And I'm no' human." She is disgusted with the word. "I am neither wolf nor human." She growls as he still comes after her, leaping up in a tree. "I dinna want tae fight ye. Stop this nonsense, and sit down and TALK TAE M'! Killing me will no' solve anathing."
Ronin growls again. "It will solve something. It'll be one less human in the world for me to have to deal with." he says sheathing his wakizashi and pulling a dagger from his shirt. He throws it straight at Sinai.
Sinai turns just in time for the dagger to lodge itself deep into her arm...She howls out in pain, and braces herself against the tree. "Why? Ye ha' Korunue! She loves ye. Why would I want tae take her away from you? She's m' friend. I want tae see her happy, and she is clearly happy wi' YE!" She pulls the dagger out of her arm, wincing greatly in pain, then smiles wryly. "Now see what ye did...I was gonna give this back tae Korunue, but now it's ripped and soiled wi' blood." She shakes her head. "I dinna want tae take her away from what she holds most dear, Ronin. I'm still looking for my OWN happiness--which I doubt e'en exists."
Ronin grins as his dagger hits. He quickly draws his sword again and leaps up into the tree. "Because, you're a human. Any human is a bad influence on her." he lands on a branch near Sinai and swings both blades at her, one straight at her. And the other at the branch further out from her, aiming to block her escape.
Sinai's eyes widen again. "I told ye! I'm no' a human! I'm a WEREWOLF!!! I've been cursed as being called tha' enough tae know I'm NO' HUMAN." Growling under her breath, the wound hurting her as she tries to leap from the branch to another tree, ducking the blade...
Ronin leaps after her. "Close enough!" he yells as he jumps. "Besides, Kor wants you dead. And I'm going to be the one to do it for her!!!" he screams, thrusting a blade towards Sinai and sweeping the other in from the side again.
Sinai winces as the blade scrapes her hip as she leaps, in mid leap when he tries the thrust-sweep again, wishing the kimono was a little thicker so as to be used as some sort of armor...Her eyes widen and grow sad at such an enlightenment. "What!?! Why?" She leans against the tree's trunk when she lands, hugging it to her, trying to keep the tears that want to come to her eyes back.... "I canna believe tha' Korunue would want me dead...Someone has spoken lies tae ye..."She doesn't want to believe it at all. "What has gotten intae ye, Ronin!?"
Ronin smiles as he sees a little more blood. He leaps after her again. "Thats what the demon told me. So hold still and die already!" he spits at her and thrusts again.
Sinai frowns. "Then whoever spoke this to you has lied. Korunue wouldna wish m' dead. I ha' done nay wrong tae her--nor ye. In fact, I gave ye m' blessing to have a happy relationship."
Ronin swings his blades at Sinai's legs. "LIAR!!!"
Sinai leaps out of the way--barely missing having her legs sliced open as she jumps to another tree...She reaches for a branch, but it is slick from the rain from the night before, and she falls to the ground.
Ronin cackles gleefully and leaps down after Sinai. "Hold still and die for a change human!!!" he says holding a sword upside down and aiming to run the blade straight into her stomach.
Sinai is getting really pissed that he's not listening to her...she rolls out of the way just in time, though is sliced across the back, her hip hurting her enough to inhibit her movements some. She screams in pain from the slice, but is grateful it is not deep, and stands abruptly, the pain seasoning her anger, making it boil up within her. "STOP THIS BLOODY NONSENSE!"
Ronin growls as his blades sticks in the ground. He tugs it out and turns to Sinai. "WHY DON'T YOU DIE HUMAN!!!!"
Suddenly, her anger peaking, Sinai shifts into her Werewolf form, standing now at a good 8'9", her wounds shifting with her, though, but are trying to mend slowly..."THIS is why...I willna fight ye, but I willna just stand here and let ye cut me to pieces." Her voice is a growl but still audable.
Ronin roars, the adrenaline taking him over now. "Shift forms then, your still human." he roars, leaping at her with both swords pointed straight forwards in a thrust.
Sinai leaps to the side, her speed increased, and grabs the blades of the swords, uncaring if they cut her or not because they will heal. "STOP." She rips the swords out of his hands, and throws them away-- but making note of where they land.
Ronin roars at Sinai and pulls another dagger from his shirt. He grins wickedly and bares his teeth. "I dont need the swords to make good work of a human." He leaps at Sinai, trying to shove his dagger into her eye.
Sinai moves her head, but her ear gets slashed, and howls with rage and pain, her ears having been something she prized, and rips the blade out of his hand, blood running down her hands and dripping from her wrists and elbows...She throws the dagger up towards a tree, and it sticks in the trunk, way up high...She growls in his face. "I. Don't. Want. To. Hurt. You. You. are. My. Friend. Stop. This." She is actually having trouble trying to control herself, the Beast within her wanting to rip him apart--has been ever since she shifts to her Werewolf form. "For KORUNUE'S sake, stop this. I don't want to have to hurt you to make you stop."
Ronin doesn't care what she says. Let the human beg, it'll just make victory all the sweeter. He roars and leaps again, trying to bite her, and trying to gouge her eyes with his fingers. Sinai would tear the person apart if she found whoever made Ronin think this way...She graps each of his hands, and pins him against a tree, uncaring if he hits his head now or not...She evades his teeth, and snaps a little bit away from the end of his nose, her eyes glowing a deep, deep red, roaring with rage. "STOP THIS NOW! I DINNA WANT TAE FIGHT YE!" Panting/growling through her teeth, her teeth bared, trying not to give in to the urge to sink her teeth into his soft neck and shake him like a rag doll.
Ronin struggles against her grip, twisting and snapping. He kicks wildly and seems to be foaming at the mouth a little. "DIE HUMAN DIE DIE DIE!!!!"
"Why d' ye hate humans, Ronin?" Sinai says, growling it. "And why me now? I'm only part human. I hate being human as much as you hate humans. I care about Korunue as much as you do. She's m' friend. I want tae see her happy. Killing me would destroy her. "
Ronin is almost past the point of normal sensibility. "DIE HUMAN, YOU KILLED MY MOTHER, DIE!!!!"
That snaps Sinai out of her anger. "Nay, I didna, Ronin." Calm voice. "Tha' was someone else. I dinna kill. Especially kindred souls. "
Ronin doesn't say anythign else, he continues thrashing and snapping at Sinai. He brings his head back against the tree and nearly knocks himself unconcious. All it does tho is drive him ot thrash even more fiercely.
Sinai sighs heavily, and looks at him with a sad look. "I dinna know what happened, Ronin, but I willna hold this against you. I know you're not yourself right now."
Ronin simply thrashes more, he is definately foaming at the mouth now, but seems to be losing some of his energy. He is however, fueled by the magic of the spell. He tries to twist and bite one of Sinai's hands.
Sinai wonders if she should knock him out, as she growls, and moves her hand away from his head, raising them above his head.
Ronin tries to kick Sinai's legs, bouncing off the tree to reach them. Sinai grimaces as he kicks her in the thigh, then the hip...Growls. "Stop that. Calm down, damn it."
Ronin foams at the mouth more and kicks again. "LET ME GO SO I CAN KILL YOU HUMAN!"
"You're just going to get yourself hurt." Sinai gasps as he kicks her in the hip he had grazed with his sword earlier...Lowers her head a little--but out of his head's reach--and gathers herself before speaking again. "And why would I let you go, so you could get yourself killed?"
Ronin keeps kicking at Sinai. A part of him was screaming inside his head. Screaming that this was wrong, that somethign was not at all right. He ignores that voice and keeps up his frantic kicks. Sinai wheezes as he kicks her in the stomach, and has to let go of him to grab her stomach, already starting to grow weaker from blood loss. She throws him aside, back onto the path, leaning against the tree to regain her breath.
Ronin rolls on the ground and reaches out. One of his hands finds a sword, his katana. He growls and leaps up, running at Sinai. "DIIIIE!" he screams as he jumps towards her, blade poised above his head to bring down on hers.
Sinai turns and roars, then kicks him out of the sky with a roundhouse, still wheezing, holding her stomach still. Ronin catches the kick in his stomach. He lands hard on hte ground and rollls again. Groaning he stands back up and charges Sinai again. He tries to bring his sword in horizontally but at her side.
Sinai's eyes again glowing that deep red, a hint that he's certainly enraged to the point of her not taking it anymore...Roaring, she dodges back, and when he comes close enough, she backhands across the face. She is still trying not to harm him--no matter how angry she is. Ronin flies to the side, groaning. "Damn human." he says, spitting. He roars and charges yet again. Picking up a handfull of dust, he throws it in her eyes, trying to blind her. Then he thrusts his sword sraight at her.
"ARRRGGG!!!!" The dust hit her right in the eyes, blinding her--but she knows this trick, and leaps back and to his far left, trying to wipe her eyes of the dust, tears streaming down her cheeks and into her fur. Ronin stumbles when she leaps, but quickly recovers and sweeps his blade to the right, aiming at the inside of her right leg. Sinai didn't think he would adjust his thrust or recover from it so fast, as she is still trying to get the dust out of her eyes. She cries out in pain, and falls to one knee, holding her thigh/knee, tears streaming down her face more, in extreme pain.
Ronin falls on his belly after carrying his slash through. He crawls up, panting heavily now. He raises the sword above his head to bring it straight down on Sinai's skull. "NOw, human, you die."
Sinai growls lowly, and swipes her arm horizontally, so as not to scratch him with her claws, from behind to knock him to the ground, trying to stand. Ronin falls as the arm catches his leg. He lands on his back and scrambles for his sword, snarling the whole time. Sinai stands shakily, and grabs him by the throat, and, wanting to end this fight, punches him square in the head. Ronin crumples like a rag doll and goes limp in Sinai's grasp. Sinai sighs, and carries Ronin back to the Inn, laying him in the bed beside Korunue, taking his swords and daggers off him. After that, she slips out of Korunue's room, leaving some money for her to buy a new Kimono or have one made for her, hoping it will be enough to compensate for the loss of the Kimono she and Ronin shredded.
*************************
Korunue gets up. she goes to the desk, removing a small silver hairbrush. She sits nervously at the chair, looking in the miror, as if she can't belive what she sees. She brushes her hair, singing softly. "tobira wo akete soko wa eien tooku no yobigoe dare no koe?"(a/n- translations follow the chapter)
Ronin groans and rolls over on the bed. He reaches up and rubs his head gently. "Gah, why does my head hurt so much?" he thinks. He moves to sit up and groans as pains erupt in his stomach. He lies back down and places his other hand on his stomach. "Why does that hurt too?" he wonders aloud.
Korunue jumps, looking over. There is a look in her eyes, an all-too familier emotion. Fear. Panic, scarcely controlled. She has not looked at him so since he first came to the inn, waving his swords in Sinai's face and trying to make her behave like a proper youkai. She looks back to the miror, waiting for him to say he no longer loved her, as she continues her song. "kami wo nazeru no anata wa dare?"
Ronin groans again. "Kor...you there?" he mumbles, fully awake now thanks to the pain, but not feeling good.
Korunue hurries over. She kneels on the bed next to him, worried and scared. He would be able to smell the fear coming off of her. "yes?" she says, preparing herself for the worst. Oh cruel birthdays, that always took away the people she loved most. Her mother, Bethie...
Ronin groans again and looks over at Kor. "Do you have any idea why my stomach feels like somone has been jumping on it...and why my head feels split open?"
Korunue shakes her head, confused and scared. "no..." she says, frowning. She sniffs, then her eyes widen and she leaps up, looking at him in horror... "blood... SINAI'S blood.... " she murmers, backing away from him slowly in horror, her breath coming quickly.
Ronin stares at Korunue. "Kor? Whats wrong?" he says, struggling into a sitting position and ignoring the pain in his stomach and the thumping in his head. "Siani's blood?" he asks "Where?"
Korunue breathes in raggady gasps. She gulps, and points to a few dark spots on his shirt. She shuts her eyes, breathing through her mouth so as not to smell the blood. She moans softly, unable to process this information. "Sinai..." her eyes snap open, and she narrows them. "Where is she?" she asks, fierce, then stops. "are YOU alright?" she asks, concerned, her tone softer. She is so confused. Where did her loyalties lie?
Ronin stares at Korunue, bewildered. "Ehhh, I havent seen Sinai since Rhys and Dae came in and was talking to us, tried to get me to go to that manor. I saw Rhys just yesterday tho....don't remember much. Saw him and now I'm here." he says after a moment of silence. "My head and my stomach hurts, but otherwise I'm fine."
Korunue calms a little. she opens her eyes. She looks... sad. She takes a deep breath, then another... "it's my birthday." she says softly, sadly. "I'm 17. 17..."
Ronin smiles at Korunue. "Well happy birthday then. Sorry I don't feel too good."
Korunue looks down, shyly. "no. never a happy birthday." She remembers past birthdays... then shakes her head, resuming her song. "Fue ga kataru wa negai no kuni, toori-sugite yuku jikan to omoi. Tomodachi nanka iranai no. Jibun datte iranai no. Suna no, ashiato, kuzurete'ku." she sings softly, to herself.
Ronin groans and struggles to his feet. He slowly makes hsi way to Korunue. "Don't say, or sing things like that." he says giving her a small hug. "And happy birthday again." He kisses her neck as he hugs her and looks over her shoulder. "Why are my swords on the bed....and my daggers too?" he quickly gathers his weapons up and tucks them away.
Korunue smiles as he kisses her. "I'm sorry... I usually sing that song on my birthday." She looks over at the swords. "I have no idea... perhaps we should venture forth and see if anyone knows what happened, or where Sinai is?" She tilts her head a little, worried.
Ronin nods at Korunue. "Maybe we should. Somebody in the inn probably knows something about her." He checks his swords and daggers one last time
Korunue heads to the door, pulling it open. She wears her normal white kimono with black trim, black dog ears sticking up from night-black hair. Her purple eyes scan the room for any sign of her friend as she descends the staircase. Ronin follows after Korunue a few seconds later. stills checking his swords and getting his daggers to ride just right. He also makes sure to check his herb pouches and get a leaf to chew on.
Aldrea rides towards the inn. She rides a brown horse, brown wavy hair flowing behind her as she rides. She wears a brown dress and brosn riding pants. She trots over to the inn, dismounting and removing the tack on the horse.
Korunue heads over, sitting at the bar, looking about, not seeing Sinai, or the demon that attacked her a while back, or the chair-mage. she is more confidant, with her love here beside her. She looks out the window, spying Aldrea, and smiling. She could help.
Ronin quickly walks to the bottom of the stairs. He stops there and scans the inn, noting the elf woman with all the people around her. His ears are turned in the directions that he cant see. He notices the human with the staff and a jumble of words flash through his head. He stares at the human and reaches for his swords. He lays a hand on a hilt and reaches with the other for a dagger. Slowly he walks up ot the human, concealing the dagger in his sleeve.
Korunue looks at Ronin, fearfully. "Ronin, honey... what are you doing?" she asks carefully, timidly. She blinks at him, suddanly fearful and not sure why.
Aldrea walks towards the inn, looking in the window as she comes and seeing Ronin reach for his swords. She decides that incognito would be best then, and kneels, closing her eyes and murmering softly. She glows a bit, and hints of wings and such can be seen as she appears to sink and glow pink.
The human near the bar looks up. "Can I help you?"
Ronin ignores Korunue, eyes and ears focused on the human. He grins evilly and raises his hidden dagger above the human's head. "Just hold still for a moment and this wont take much time or effort." he says clamly, bringing the dagger straight down at the human in a stab. The human brings his staff up to catch Ronin's wrist.
Aldrea glows brighter, the glow becoing part of her skin, and the wings taking on a more solid form as she shrinks, becoming about a foot high. Her head changes shape as her hair dissapears, twisting into a horn and some spined along her back. She shakes her head, becoming a small pink dragon. she flies in the door and over to the bar, perching on it and watching Ronin.
Korunue jerks up, racing to Ronin, putting a hand on his shoulder to stop him. "Ronin! What are you doing! Stop it! What did he ever do to you?!" she commands in his ear. "Stop it!" She scolds, confused and bewildered
Aldrea chirps, a command, which in dragon was halfway to a spell. the half-spell provides some resitence to his movements, as it was a commmand to stop. She does not push her magic into it, though, keeping it in the shape-change. She mind-tells him Stop that, hanyou, and state your grievence.
Ronin shakes Korunue off and roars at the man. He draws his Wakizashi and charges Darkmoon. "Die human!!!" he screams, sweeping the sword the his right and bring it up from the ground towards the human.Ronin ignores Aldreas mind tells too. The man jumps back about 2 feet.
Another small, pink dragon flies into the inn and lands next to Aldrea, who changes to a fierce red with black spines and horn and wings. They have a fast mind-conversation, then Aldrea hops down and quickly, messily, drops the shape-change. She has a sword-belt in this form, with a long thin sword haning from it, as well as many pouches. She puts a hand to her sword, and kit chirps another stop command, this time putting more magic into it. it would take determination to move far.
Korunue screams, a high shriek. "Stop! Please, stop it, come back, please, RONIN!" she is becoming frantic, tears suddanly flowing. What is wrong with him? Why was he acting this way?!
Ronin stumbles when the human moves. He stops and stands up straight, growling. He reaches into his shirt and draws his remaining two daggers, splaying them in his hand. He grins and tosses a dagger at the man, quickly followed by the second. He follows his two daggers in another charge at the man, this time trying to thrust his sword into the human's stomach. The man quickly ducks the first dagger, then steps left to dodge the second, and backflips to avoid the sword thrust.
Kit looks abashed as he shrugs off her spell. She looks determined, then turns red and begins to glow. She looks quizziclly at Aldrea, as if begging permission. Aldrea shakes her head at the dragonling. "since when did you learn to... never mind that. NO!" she turns back to Ronin, hand on her sword. "Hanyou, cease and desist! I, Aldrea Boralius Dragontamer, am a Dragonslayer, sworn to protect humans. Please stop your attack before I have to use force."
Ronin catches the man's foot to his chin and is knocked down. He lands on his back and groans for a second. Ignoring Korunue and Aldrea he stands up, still growling. He reaches for his sword anc charges at the human again, bringing th sword over his shoulder to slash as the human's head.
Aldrea draws her sword. It glows slightly blue as she prepares her sheild-spell mentally. "I said STOP! Don't think I'll go easy on you because of Korunue." She winces a little, knowing Kor was watching, but swung her sword low at his knees, turning the flat of the blade to strike the back of his legs to bring him down in one strike without killing hiim. The man takes advantage of this to dodge the sword and race out into the forest.
Rhys is outside in the trees. Rhys despises so much people in one place. Expecially at this time when everyone is at everyone else's throat.Ronin catches the flat of hte sword in the back of his legs and falls down on his face. He grunts and reaches for his sword. As he struggles to rse from the floor, he kicks at whoever tripped him and runs out the door after the human.
Aldrea stumbles, cursing in quite a few languages. She looks to the hysterical Korunue and goes over to her, signalling Kit to tail Ronin. "Korunue: listen to me. Calm down and stay here. On second thought... come with me, but only if you can watch the fight without freaking out." her palms grow pink as she channels some healing power into Korunue to calm her, letting go of the sheild spell. She tugs her and heads out after Ronin and Kit. Kit forces a lot of dragon power into another stop command, a real spell this time, trying to force him to stop dead in his tracks. She flies swiftly, keeping up with him. Ronin does stop, but its not the result of the spell. He seems to have lost track of his target. He stands still and sniffs the air, trying to figure out which way the human ran.
Korunue calms somewhat as the power flows into her, as she follows Aldrea. This was too much for her to take, too much confusion, too much to handle. Ronin was... and Sinai, where was she, was she alright? Who was this human, why was Ronin trying to kill him? Where had Aldrea come from? Would Ronin die? she sees him and runs to him, hugging him tightly. "please, stop, please, if you really love me, don't do this" she whispers.
Ronin seems to stop for a second, some of Korunues words may have reached him. He shrugs her off again though and sniffing the air, runs off in the direction that the human ran, growling the whole time.
Rhys is about the trees watching the human run the path.. Rhys's crossbow loaded extrememly large it was with its bolt as thick as a thumb and the head of the bolt the size of a palm.. The 13 foot demonic creature smiled as his dark red eyes seemed to glow in the night.. What are the demons intentions? Rhys doesn't know yet but the urge is high to cause mischief. The human trips over a root and lands with a loud thud and a soft groan. He gets up quickly and limps off further into the woods til he feels better then begins running again.
Korunue stood there, shocked, then slowly sank to her knees. She shut her eyes, sobbing. Perhaps she should just end it all, right then, right there. Forget ceremony, forget everything. He didn't love her. She sobbed, unable to take it, alone.
Rhys chuckles at the human.. it is tempting but no.. it's not in the circles will.. Rhys hums to himself the dark glowing eyes showing the light of the path.. it is evident Rhys was waiting.. for someone or something.. The large trolloc crossbow armed and the creatures wings fully expanded with that mischeavious smile upon his face.
Ronin darts through the trees, sniffing the air and staying right on the Humans path. He leaps past Rhys, flashing a strange grin at him before continuing on with his tracking.
Aldrea races after Ronin, Kit ahead of her pointing the way. Kit flies at Ronin's back, using her 10 lbs or so to try and tackle him, buy some time for Aldrea to handle it. She chirps spell after spell, crying "stop! don't! come back here! stay put!". Her pink color pales a little, she being almost too young for so many spells.
The human comes to the edge of a cliff and looks down the cliff face. He gulps softly and turns around to see if Ronin is still behind him. He hears the dog guy crashing through the woods. "What to do, what to do" he mumbles to himself. He looks around for someplace to hide. He quickly climbs the nearest tree, hoping that his dark clothes and his cloak will hide him enough.
Sinai is taking a bath, her clean clothes sitting on her bed, washing the scent of Ralix off herself so when Amylia awakens, she will not think any less of her close friend...Wonders what she's going to do about Ralix, wondering if her decision to stay with him was a fatal mistake on her part, fatal for perhaps all three of them...she wishes she could go to someone--someone like Korunue, but apparently she hates her now...Ronin's words having sunk deep into Sinai's mind and memory, burning into it like a cattlebrand...She now has no one to talk to, alone once again, left to her thoughts...
Korunue sobs on the forest floor, then slowly climbs to her feet. She looks about for a dagger, trotting back into the inn, grabbing one off the floor, then returning to the forest, preferring the solitude there to the busyness of the inn. She trots into the forest with it, looking about... unsure what she would do.
Rhys smiles viciously toward Korunue.. his intentions would be easily guessable if he wasn't such a lazy bastard.. Rhys screachs.."Ronin.. Come forth.. Your little love awaits your presence with my needle in her heart.." Rhys says as the black creature seems to circle Korunue like a blur.. "What has happened and why? Ronin's change.. all of the circles plan.."
Korunue ignores him, not caring what happened to her, now that Ronin... "he doesn't love me... he never did... " she says to herself. "why did I belive him? He was just being kind to me, to save my life... who could ever love a monster like me..." she sobs, looking at her dagger woefully.
Rhys smiles with glee.. such wonderful tasteful sorrow that makes his body shiver with excitement.. "I can help.." Rhys says, slow and manipulative.. It is hard to destroy Rhys's influence on the mind as he works the psionics in with his voice.
The human hears the weird screech. He thinks quickly about who Rhys could be talking about. The thought hits him, the woman Ronin was with. He thinks about whether stopping her or saving his own life would be better. He thinks "Aww forget it" and hops down from the tree. He quickly runs back towards the sound of the screech, running right past Ronin, ducking the attacks he will presumingly make.
Sinai finishes bathing, dries off, and then gets dressed, hoping she could get a drink at the Inn before going back to Ralix, needing something--like her usual BloodWyne--to impede her thoughts a bit...She gets her cloak, sword and Bow&arrows, and then heads out the door.
Korunue sniffles, then shakes her head. "no, you can't... you can't possibly... nobody can help me. I'm alone, utterly alone... " she forgets that he is a stranger, a demon no less, forgets that she should be afraid of him, forgets that she is in the forest, forgets everything... except the pain.
"Sure I can.. You have yet to let me try.." Rhys says looking to the dagger.. with the use of telekinetics he goes to remove the dagger from her hands and fling it into the forest.. "Now come with me and lets talk... What do you say..." Rhys says, a slight metallic whisper in his grinding voice.
Sinai is just kinda ambling through the forest, hoping she won't happen upon Ronin...then notices she can hear someone...Korunue...She's afraid to answer, but her voice sounds so...alone...and frightened.
Korunue shakes her head. "what would be the point? I'm all alone... Just leave me to die in peace. Talking won't solve anything." She crawls over to where the dagger lay at the base of a tree and picks it up, leaning against the tree, taking the dagger in her hands and testing its sharpness on her left index finger, nodding when it begins to bleed.
Sinai whispers through her mind. Korunue....? Are you all right? Korunue ignores Sinai.
Ronin stops in mid stride and shakes his head as if trying to clear it. "Where the hell am I?" he asks aloud. His ears spin in circles and he hears something....Korunue's voice! He spins and runs towards where he last heard her. Is that Rhys he sees? He leaps at the demon "Get away from her!" he screams as he flies through the air, right at Rhys' back sword at ready.
"At least do me one little favor.. and end your pathetic life infront of Ronin.. it would be such a welcoming end and tasteful story too." Rhys says, smiling casually.. "Oh and Sinai.." Rhys says, hearing Ronin and his tail jumping with the scream the large spiked tail flicks at Ronin.. The many small curly spikes attempting to inject its poison into Ronin.. It wasnt a focused strike more like a reaction but Since Ronin is in the air, it won't exactly be easy to dodge.
Sinai cringes, hearing Ronin's scream of anger, but wants to help her...Can see her form now, as well as Rhys' tail swiping at a still-airborne Ronin...Sees the look of utter pain and sadness on her face, and walks around such a fight, hiding herself in the bushes, shifting into her Wolf form--which makes it easier to hide as she hurries around to Korunue. Korunue...what is wrong, m' friend?
Ronin catches the tail right in his chest. It knocks him down to the forest floor with and audible "Oompf!", sending his sword flying away from him. Ronin grunts where he lays and tries his best to struggle up. "Damn you Rhys." he mutters under his breath.
The human slides to a stop near Korunue. He swings his staff at Korunue's hand, trying to knock the knife out of it. "It isn't worth it lady, even if you love Ronin."
Korunue takes her dagger, trying to remember her training. She had to do this properly, if she wanted to get a good reincarnation. She ignored Sinai once more, knowing that she could not help her. She gasps in pain seeing Ronin, and looks away, lifting the dagger to her heart, then to her neck, then to her ribcage. Did she have to make the first cut, if she had done it before? She struggled to remember. She jerks the knife out of the way of the staff, tears streaming down her face. "what do you know." she mumbles.
The small 1 inch spikes impale Ronin throwing him back.. the very painfuly paralyzing poison like a bee sting using pain to paralyze him from over riding the nerves in the body.. Rhys turned his dark red eyes dimmer then usual as he aims his crossbow at Ronin.. "I dislike when my toys attempt to destroy the creator.." Rhys says walking over to Ronin.. "Although i should keep you alive to let you watch your loved one commit suicide..."
Sinai gruffs, and bites her hand gently with the knife in it, whispering to her within her mind. Korunue...don't...Please...I hate tae b' selfish, but I need you right now...
Ronin simply stares at Rhys, unable to do anymore. Rhys smiles, going to pick up Ronin by his shirt.. the poison causing Ronin to cry out in intense and overwhelming pain.. Rhys lifts him up and speaks aloud.. "Sinai i know you can hear me... You better show yourself otherwise Koru will hurt in more places then one." Rhys says, licking at the small bloody holes on Ronin's arm.
Korunue sobs, turning away from Sinai. "no, please, Sinai, let me do this, I need to do this,I can't stand the pain, he doesn't love me, he..." she sobs, tugging the knife to herself, away from the people who mean to do good. "he doesn't... he... I... he proved it...."
And it seems you need me, too...What happened? Sinai doesn't let go, but can't change into any other form, afraid that Ronin will notice, and she doesn't want to fight him.
Ronin is within Rhys grasp in unbearable paralyzing pain.. as Rhys licks at his minor wounds on his limbs. Rhys was hungry.. but the feeling of mischief needed to be fed.. Rhys throws Ronin on the ground and smiles.. "How do you feel?" Ronin grunts at Rhys and tries to get his muscles to let him pull away.
The human stands, and heads over to try and help Ronin. Aldrea catches up to Kit, who had lost Ronin. She shakes her head at the little dragonling, patting her, then heads towards the sound of voices. She looks, and sees no threat to the human but much threat to her if she enters the area. She sees that they seem to be comforting Korunue as well, and headed towards the stable. Best to leave quickly. She tacks and mounts her horse, riding off into the night.
Ronin tries to spit at Rhys "Ive felt better."
"Good i can get to work then.." Rhys says, smiling, showing his black sharp fingernail like claw.. he kneeled next to Ronin and went to remove any vestments and armors he may hold on his torso..
Sinai figures "hell with it", and changes into her Human form (Fully clothed, of course)...She keeps her hand on Korunue's hand that holds the dagger. "Please. Dinna do this. I care about ye, Korunue..."
Korunue sniffs. "I... I'm sorry, Sinai, I can't take it anymore... I can't stand it... he doesn't love me! He doesn't... I need him... I can't take it, I can't..." she sobs. She looks up, worried about Ronin, but... consumed by pain, she says nothing to him, raising the dagger to her neck. best to get it over with.
" How can you be sure, Korunue? Has he directly told you?" Sinai asks. "I think he's under a spell, Korunue..."
Korunue swallows. "I said... I said if he loved me, to stop, not to get himself killed chasing the human, and he... he..." she sobs harder. "he just ignored me! I... he as good as said he didn't love me!" too much... too much pain... she lowers the dagger to her belly, to be sure she's doing it right, and traces the scar there with the dagger, re-openeing the cut quickly, blood soaking into her kimono.
"KORUNUE!!!!" Sinai rips the knife out of her hands, frowning deeply. She doesn't care if Ronin knows Sinai's there, just wants to save Korunue from causing pain to the ones she loves--namely Sinai and Ronin..She rips her cloak in long, wide strips to cover the cut. "Rhys is up to something, and Ronin is apart of it. He wants you and he dead for some reason."
Ronin looks at Korunue and groans as she slides the dagger in. "Kor!" he yells in as loud a voice as he can manage. He tries to move his body towards her but can't.
Korunue sobs, reaching for the knife. "I can't... I can't... let me do this, Sinai, please... I can't stand living without him..." she hears him yell and sobs harder... "he doesn't love me... he just doesn't want my death on his head... I understand..."she can't stop crying.
Sinai throws the knife away quickly, far, far into the forest. "I will not allow you to kill yourself. I care too much about you and Ronin's happiness...You deserve tae b' happy, and I will not let you jeopardize tha' now." She takes Kor's shoulders in her hands. "Do you know what happened to me the other night, Korunue? Ronin attacked m'. For nay reason. He said he hated all humans, especially me because I was trying to take you away from him. I tried tae tell him that's not true, but he wouldna listen..."
Korunue sobs. "I... I smelled your blood on me, and he wouldn't tell me what happened... he... he hates humans... maybe he's using me to get to you... yes, that must be it... after all, we met with you there... he never loved me..." she sobs, the betrayal getting too much to handle. "please, Sinai... you have claws, and teeth... please, kill me, make it quick..." she bares her throat and tilts her head back, shutting her eyes tightly.
Sinai smiles a little." He was damnably stubborn, but I wouldna hurt him. He cut m' up pretty badly, but in the end, I managed tae knock him unconscious.." she shakes her head. "No. Not until I tell you e'erything. Then ye decide if ye still want tae die or no'. I preferably dinna want ye tae die. But anyhow...Rhys visited my cabin the morning after, and told me you hated me, and that you backed Ronin's decision tae try tae kill m'...I couldna believe it, but his words seemed so true. Rhys has done something to Ronin to make him act this way, Korunue...I dinna know what, or how tae reverse it, but I know there is something wrong."
Korunue sobs, ripping at the bandages with her sharper-than-normal nails, letting the cut bleed freely. She swallows hard. "i'll listen, then... time to die after a story... " she listens quietly to the story, then shakes her head. "but his heart has changed... surely if he loved me... true love overcomes all esle, no matter what Rhys has done to him."
Sinai pulls Korunue's clawed hands away from herself, holding them in front of her. "Tha' is true, but sometimes, just sometimes...evil can persuade someone wi' true love in his or her heart tae do terrible things...Rhys has tha' power...Rhys WANTS ye tae kill yourself. He wants Ronin dead. He perhaps thought that I would do that job for him, he knowing how much rage is in m' heart still." Ronin just lays there, waiting for Rhys to make his move and staring at Kor.
Korunue sobs. "so someone will get what they want, at least... don't you see? even if he does love me, I can never be sure... and things like this will keep happening to us as long as I live... if I die, there's a chance they will leave him alone... please, please, just..." she bares her throat again, shutting her eyes. "just make it fast..." she whispers, breathing ragged, a little dizzy from blood loss." Ronin struggles to get Korunue's attention from where he lies.
" But I didna allow it. I care about your happiness too much tae allow m' anger to kill your beloved...Don't let Rhys win, Korunue...He wants you to committ suicide...Korunue...Ronin said he was going to kill me for you. Does tha' no' say anathing about how much he loves you?" She lets go of Korunue's hands to bandage the wounds again. "And stop undoing these. If I ha' tae bind your hands and feet tae keep ye from hurting yourself, by the gods, I will. I need you to stay alive for me--for Ronin. I know he cares about you. Don't let Rhys fool you, or his spell. Ronin loves you more than anything else."
Korunue sobs. "please... I can't take it anymore..." she struggles to get up, to go find the knife, wishing.. she remembers the quiver on her back, the one she never takes off, the one full of sharp arrows... she reaches back, taking out an arrow, testing its sharpness against her finger, then using it to cut away the bandages before lifting it. She wonders if it will cut her throat, then decides not to risk it and carefully aims it at her heart.
Rhys had Ronin's vestments removed and had his finger nail ready too impale the poor helpless creature. A vicious grin was worn on Rhys gleeful face as he went to impale Ronin attempting to remove his lung slowly and painfully
Aldrea rides through the woods, kit on her saddle looking kinda pale. She passes by the clearing, pausing. No, best to let others handle things. She trots on by, peering through the trees to see... blood? Korunue's blood?! And... she was holding an arrow, with her blood on it... it didn't look like she had been shot. Too wide a cut... she frowned, dismounting, to go to Korunue. She had a feeling her healing magic would be needed.
Ronin glares and Rhys and growls, unable to move a muscle to save himself, or even call for help. Sinai growls lowly, starting to get frustrated. "Korunue. stop this." She takes Korunue's hand with the arrow in it, and lowers it away from Kor. "Now, listen. Ronin is about to get his arse beaten to death over there. I dinna think ye want him to die. I certainly don't. Rhys is about to hurt Ronin. If ye still care about him, pull yourself together now, and come help me save him." She frowns. "I still care about both of you, and I dinna want tae lose either o' ye now."
Aldrea ran into the clearing, over to Korunue. She knelt beside her. "Korunue? Kor, sweetie.. what's wrong?" she looked her over. "She doesn't look strong enough to help anyone... you go, I'll stay here with her."
Korunue smiles weakly. "what does it matter... I'll be dead soon anyway..." she looks up at Aldrea. "he doesn't love me... he as good as said so..." she coughs, and blood comes out, all over Aldrea's dress. She moans a little. "help...me..." she whispers, before passing out entirely.
Aldrea put her right arm behind Korunue's head, holding her gently. She placed her left hand over Korunue's wound... then stopped. "is this true?" she asked, looking up as Sinai left. Her hand hovered, healing magic not pouring fourth yet.
Sinai nods to the woman. "She does matter to me. Hopefully, I matter tae her. Even if she doesn't, I still care about her well-being." She growls lowly, wielding her sword in both hands, glad she can handle a two-handed sword.
Aldrea frowns, does not heal her yet. Korunue still bled, her lifeblood slowly ebbing from her body. "no, I mean, does he really not love her?" she asks, glancing at Ronin. If the answer was yes... she would pity Korunue, and refuse to heal her. Ronin looks towards Korunue and tries to say something...its impossible to tell what though.
Sinai stops, and turns back, calming only a little. "No, it isn't true. Ronin tried to kill me for her sake. It couldna be true, because I know Ronin. I know how hard he worked at himself to finally show her how much he loves her. He wouldna throw her away at the drop of a hat. Ronin is under a spell, for I know he wouldna attack m' without good reason--which he did the other day. Trust is something both of us value, and we wouldn't break a trust we worked so hard to gain."
Aldrea nods. "that's good then." she frowns, concentrating. It glows pink, healing magic sinking into her friend's body. She concentrated hard, looking rather tired and drained afterwards. She finishes her spell, hoping it worked.
Korunue stirs a little, barely, as her wound closes itself. There is too much blood in the soil where she lay, though: blood Aldrea could not replace with magic. She breathes, but barely, shallowly: it would be imperceptable to anyone more than 3 paces away. To anyone across the clearing, she would appear lifeless. Her eyes were closed, as she slept, weak yet.
Ronin lays there, doing his own fair share of looking lifeless. Sinai wields her sword in both hands as she searches for Rhys and Ronin...
Aldrea breathes a sigh of relief. She looks up to see Kit, looking a bit better, standing nearby. She motions to Ronin, and Kit heads over to him. she trills a complex spell, intending to combat the paralysis. She looks really pale afterwords, and flies straight up into the treetops, where she curls up on a limb and sleeps off the magical drain. Ronin watches the dragon, but still doesnt mve....seems the dragon couldn't get rid of his paralysis after all. He just lies there, waiting for someone to do something.
"Ronin?" Sinai calls out to find him, hoping he is well. "Ronin, where are ye?" She is looking all over, not noticing any danger she can sense, she puts her sword down to her side with one hand...Looking behind a bush, she finds Ronin." Ronin! What happened?" She doesn't care if he still wants to kill her, is just afraid for him and worried as she kneels next to him, wishing she knew healing magic, but doesn't.
Ronin stares at Sinai and tries to move....he finds that he can move his arms a little. After a few moments he manages to speak. "Why in the world am I laying here?"
"You tried tae fight Rhys..." Sinai mentions.
Ronin frowns at Sinai. "But, where is here I mean....Last thing I remember is going downstairs in the inn, looking for you."
Korunue wakes, stirring a bit. She finds she is lying in Aldrea's arms, next to a few arrows that have spilled out. she reaches out for one, slowly... then swiftly brings it to her chest, seeing Aldrea concentrating on the events across the clearing. She brings it to her heart and pushes it in slowly, just a little, but deeper and deeper, hoping to pierce her heart.
Aldrea swats the arrow, slapping Korunue's hand. She sighs and begins to heal her once more, pink glow reluctant to come. It is quickly replaced by a copper glow, and Aldrea spasms. The glow and the spasms stop, leaving Aldrea as deathly pale as Korunue, and KOrunue healed. "Korunue. Listen to me. If I have to heal you once more, I will die. If you injure yourself again, I will heal you. Do you want me to die for you? I will." her voice is level, though her face is pale.
Ronin frowns again and tests his arms, finding he can move them a little now. He grobes the ground for his sword.
"Now Korunue thinks you dinna love her anymore, and is trying to kill herself..."Sinai continues, eyes wide. "which reminds me..."She stands. "I need to get back to her. Are you all right now?"
Ronin frowns again and tests his arms, finding he can move them a little now. "Kor is here!?" he says, quite surprised. "Take me to her Sinai." He gropes the ground for his sword. He finds it and closes his fingers around the hilt. Using it as a prop he slowly rises to his feet.
"Aye." Sinai helps Ronin to his feet "Can you walk?" She watches him stand, with help from his sword, but doesn't ask again, and starts helping him walk toward Korunue.
Korunue lapses into unconciousness again, giving no sign that she's heard what Aldrea has said. She appears dead, to all but Aldrea, who was close enough to observe the shallow rise and fall of her chest. her pulse was sluggish, and her breathing shallow, barely existant at all.
Ronin leans on Sinai. "I'll be able to walk soon. Just get me to Kor!" he says, his voice urgent. "If we don't hurry, I'll make my way on my own."
"She's been trying for some time. This woman has been healing her, but Korunue is stubborn..." Sinai can hear her shallow breathing. "She is alive. "She says, hurrying nonetheless, though.
Aldrea looks up, seeing Ronin approaching. She pulls the sleeping Korunue tight to her body and GLARES at Ronin. "I don't know what you did to cause her this much pain, but if you ever do it again, I will hunt you down and personally drag you to hell, even if it means my soul." something about her eyes, sometihng about the depth of the pain and the anger in them, makes it clear that, were it not for Korunue, she would have Ronin by the front of the shirt in classic bully fashion.
Ronin looks at Korunue and groans. "Kor, what have you done to yourself now?" he asks himself out loud. He glances at Aldrea and looks wearily at her. "I don't even know what I did human." His normal prejudice against humans seems to be gone, at least for the moment. Maybe it is because he is too tired and hurt to argue.
"He's alright now..." Sinai says, holding out a clawed hand in defense of him, not in disrespect to the woman who healed her, just trying to keep the peace for now...Helps Ronin to sit by his beloved. "I tried, Ronin...but she wouldn't listen. Her knife is somewhere over there." She points in the direction she threw her knife. "We need tae get her back to the Inn, and put her to bed so she can rest and replentish her blood supply..." Sinai can still smell her friend's blood all over herself and on the ground, wishing Beast wasn't so damnably bloodthirsty right now...
Aldrea nods, lowering Korunue somewhat. "Make no mistake: she's dying. Rather, at the moment she's stable... but stable is such a relitive term. All she would have to do is wake, and hurt herself once more. I would heal her, and die. She would hurt herself once more, and bleed to death before you could bandage her. She will go on hurting herself until something changes her mind. Thus, dying."
Ronin frowns at Aldrea but doesnt say anything. He leans up next to Korunue and places an arm around her. "Kor, I don't know what I did. Maybe you can tell me. I hope you can tell me." he whispers in her ear. He grimaces as the feeling comes back to his body. "My stomach hurts." he says, gingerly placing a hand on it.
Sinai's face becomes grave. "Well, then...Korunue isna allowed tae play wi' sharp objects anamore..."
Korunue stirs a little, betraying that she is awake and has been for some time. "ro... ya'... don.... ha'... to....sta'..." she manages, every syllable a struggle to whisper, each half-word sounding like it could be her last. "i... no...ya'... don.... love...me..." she mumbles, looking pale and sick.
Ronin sheaths his sword and pats his shirt. "That was one of my daggers I'm willing to bet." he says. A frown crosses his face as Korunue speaks. " Why would you think I don't love you Kor?' he says, leaning in close to her. "And I am definately staying."
Sinai looks to the woman and Ronin. "Should we risk moving her?"
Korunue moans a little in pain. "ya... ya said.... no.... ya.... i said, if ya... loved me.... ya'd stop...an' ya... went... i know ya... ya were usin' me... 's alright... lemmie die... won' be on you're head.... i'll make sure..." she began to drift off, that simple speech having taken a lot out of her.
Ronin frowns at Korunue. "I was using you? You told me to stop? Let you die?" He turns and looks at Sinai and Aldrea. "What is she talking about? When did she tell me to stop, and what was it she wanted me to stop?" he says, his voice filled with concern.
Aldrea peered at Ronin. "I remember now.. so THAT'S what brought this on! You were chasing some human, and she seemed to thinkI was gonna kill you. she went to you, in tears, and said 'If you really love me, stop, before you get yourself killed.' you shook her off and went on after him." she frowned. "I wasn't sure why. I lost your trail soon after. Good thing I went riding through the woods..."
"You were killing humans left and right. You had resorted back to killing all humans. When you were fighting me, you accused me of killing your mother." Sinai is grim, but not giving up on Korunue yet.
Korunue despratly fights to stay awake. "ya... ya wanted to kill her... ya used me to get to her..." her shallow breathing was ragged now, and tears streamed down her face once more.
"Shhh...."Sinai says, calming Korunue. "Save your strength...please. None o' us want tae lose you..."She smiles softly to her, reassuring.
Ronin sighs and looks at Korunue. He slowly leans over and kisses her. "I'm sorry Kor. Rhys must have done something to me. Forgive me Kor." he says sadly. He takes a deep breath and tries to sit straight up, but collapses. He doesn't have the energy to go further.
"We need tae get ye both back tae the Inn to rest.."Sinai says softly, then looks to Aldrea. "Are you all right?"
Korunue stops struggling. "I can't... I can't... don't..." her strength is fading fast. "let...me...die...." she says, before succumbing to sleep once more.
Sinai looks to Aldrea. "I willna let her die." She looks to Ronin. "Will you think it dishonorable if I carry you?"
Aldrea begins to nod, then makes a face. "I'm outta magic... tied it into my life force, and ran out, began using that. I got a horse tied up close by, though... I can ride, with Kor even." She begins to struggle to her feet.
Ronin frowns at Sinai. "You aren't carrying me. I'll walk, and maybe lean on you." He looks over at Aldrea "I don't want Kor to get away from me." he says, clinging to Korunue.
Sinai nods. "If I can help Ronin onto the horse, could you ride with him to the Inn? I dinna think Korunue is up for a galloping horse. Would jar her too much..."
Aldrea thinks, twisting her mouth. "Alright... wait here." she lays Korunue down, gently, and struggles to her feet. She stumbles ten feet into the forest, finding her faithful horse. She climbs up into the saddle and rides back, stopping by Sinai and Ronin. "alright, climb on." she says, sliding forward in the saddle to make room.
Sinai picks Ronin up, and puts him in the saddle for her. "There." She focuses, and allows large feathered wings to appear from her back...She picks up Korunue very gently, and holds her against her as she takes flight, flying carefully through the air towards the Inn.
Ronin groans and watches Kor and Sinai. "Kor...." he whispers to himself. "Lets go human, just get me back to Kor."
Aldrea nods to Ronin. "hang on." she said, then spurs her horse into a gallop. She rides straight back to the inn, then slides down, trusting the horse to find it's own way to the stable. It was a smart horse... she stumbles into the inn, wearily.
Sinai lands as gently as possible in front of the Inn, shifting down into her Human form, her wings disappearing back into her back, glad she can keep her clothes intact if she just concentrates, and walks into the Inn, carrying Korunue. She carries her up to her room.
Aldrea follows Sinai, up to the room, and let them in with her key. She sits on the bed, breathing hard and swallowing. She takes a long drink from her hip flask, looking to the door, wondering if Ronin will follow.
Sinai walks in after Aldrea opens the door, and lays Korunue down on her bed carefully, getting a little weaker from hunger, the exertions starting to wear on her.
Korunue stirs a little. "i trusted you.... Ally..." she murmers, shifting a little. "let.....me.....die......." she says once more, pushing her worn out, weak body further.
Ronin climbs down off of the horse and groans as he stands up. He struggles to walk to the inn and up onto the porch where he takes a moment to lean against a wall before lurching hsi way inside. Step by step he makes his way to the stairs where he has to take another rest. His legs feel like jello and seem to be getting painful again...just like when Rhys hit him the first time. He gets up the first few stairs and falls down, rolling back to the bottom.
Sinai covers Korunue's mouth with a finger. "I willna let you die. Save your strength. He loves you. He's--"She hears him fall back down the stairs. "Damn...forgot...Be righ' back..."She hurries out of the room to help Ronin. "Are you all right?" She sees him at the bottom of the stairs.
Aldrea hears the thumping, and gets up. "no." she says fiercly to Korunue, drinking more from her hip flask. she sees Sinai go to him, and sits by Korunue. "you don't mean that.... i know, it hurts, but he loves you, he does. If he didn't, I would let you die... nay, I would help you. If I didn't belive that he loved you, truely." she knows perhaps Ronin could hear her, and doesn't care.
Ronin tries to raise his head and look at Sinai, but it can't. The spell must have just held the paralysis at bay. His body feels like it is burning up inside. He groans and just lies there, letting the pain wash over him.
Sinai picks him up. "She needs ye..." She carries him up the stairs and into Kor's room for him, putting him in the bed next to hers.
Korunue shakes her head. "no... he doesn't..." she tries to get up, to hunt a dagger, then sees Ronin placed in the bed next to hers and sobs, laying back down. She shuts her eyes, unable to deal with the pain.
Sinai goes back to Korunue. "Listen to me. He loves you, otherwise he wouldna have asked me to help him over to you when I told him what you've been saying this whole time."
Ronin simply lies there, wishing the pain would subside. where hte hell had Rhys disappeared to anyways. He could probably fix him, or kill him in the process. And just for fun at that.
"He cares about ye, and I dinna think he will be too happy if ye die. It will probably kill him if you die." Sinai says.
Korunue shakes her head, fighting to sit up. "no... he doesn't.... please, let me die... 'twould be... merciful... "
Aldrea helps her sit, pulling her into a rough hug, saying nothing. She simply holds Korunue as she sobs, rocking her gently. She will not let her friend die needlessly.
"No. Stop this. If he were able to talk right now, he would tell you just how much he loves you, and how much he wants to protect you." Sinai says.
Korunue lays back down. "no..." she says, weakly, drifting off into sleep once more. She can die in the morning, she decides.
Rhys's dark red eyes seem to glow at the window of Koru's room.. the haunting mocking laugh which he did when he commited such vile deeds.. Rhys speaks in riddles like usuall.. but he has more of a teasing tone.. "The soldier falls and womans heart falls with him. As the circle spins fate.. such a predictable element.."
Ronin doesnt appear to hear Rhys and lies still on the bed, dealing with he pain of Rhys' poison. Sinai, however, hears perfectly clear, and growls at the window. "Bastard...you did this...did this to them both..."
"I did not it was all his love that did this.. I could do nothing if he didnt love her so.." Rhys laughs, tapping at the window.. "Its ok Sinai.. I love you too.." Sinai has almost never been this angry, her eyes glowing much like his, but not with evil but with anger, rage that she's been saving just for Rhys. She would love to tell Rhys where he can shove such love, but doesn't, trying to suppress the urge to leap at the window and tear his throat out--in Human form.
"Come on Sinai is your life really worth it? If it is come get me otherwise let me mock you from the window... And dont worry.. your time has yet to shine but the circle spins your web.." Rhys says, flapping his wings and smiling slightly.
Ronin wishes he could crawl over to Korunue's bed. He also wishes he could cut Rhys' head off, what good it would do.
Aldrea turns, seeing Rhys. She reaches over and closes the curtains. "easy." she says, before leaning over Korunue, worried. Sinai tries to ignore Rhys, and sees Ronin looking at Korunue...She helps him out, and picks him up, carrying him the short distance to Korunue's bed, laying him down next to her. "There...You looked like you needed to be over here."
Aldrea sits back, watching Ronin carefully. "remember... hurt her again, and you will burn in hell for eternity. If I have to drag you there and hold you in place myself." the anger is gone, though. She is tired.
"I dinna think it shall come tae tha', Aldrea..." Sinai murmers.
"Sinai... Do you want to know what awaits you?" Rhys whispers at the window.
Sinai smiles a little, glad to see Ronin back to normal. "Just b' glad I could tell ye werena yourself, Ronin...otherwise, I would ha' no' been m' usual pacifistic self. Nearly died because oh tha' knowledge, but..."She smiles more. "At least you are both happy again..." She looks to the window, and wonders what he means by that. "In the meantime, I need tae eat..." she looks really weak.
Aldrea nods. "go ahead, then. We'll be fine... I'll watch her." she looks exhausted, but grim and determined nonetheless. "and him, for that matter." she says, frowning at Ronin. Ronin isnt back to normal yet. His body is still being wracked by the numbing fire of Rhys' poison.
" He's poisoned. I dinna know what tae do for him." Sinai says. "Dinna try tae heal him...I know ye're weak from healing her. "
Aldrea nods, making a face. She looks worried, as she says "my life isn't worth it, for him." She is only worried about Kor, though, and Ronin besides. She stands, heading to the desk, and gets out some herbs, before rejecting them. "I don't know enough about it to help..."
Ronin feels like he got stung by a 13ft. bee. Sinai really needs to feed, but wants to help Ronin, knowing he's in pain...she sighs, and thinks of her survival first, feeling herself starting to get dizzy. "He's in good hands..." she is talking to herself. "I will come back in the morn tae check on them..."
Korunue reaches out and takes Ronin's hand, softly, squeezing the best she can (not that hard, since she's weak yet.) Silent tears continue to fall, and if her arrows hadn't long since spilled out, she'd try and die again. She paws at her scar, but it is no longer a cut she can re-open.
Aldrea nods, shoving Sinai a little. "go on, go feed. He'll be fine, as will Korunue and I." she says, then returns to Korunue. "you're awake!" she says, sounding too cheery, too perky, trying not to let her worry show.
Ronin is dimly aware of Korunue squeezing his hand and tries to squeeze it back, but the fire hasnt let up yet and he can't move. Sinai walks out and down the stairs, then out the door of the Inn, shifting down into her Wolf form, having stashed her sword in the Inn with Moe, knowing he will keep it safe for her.
Korunue sniffs, her emotions going wild. She can't bear to see him like this, and she can't stand him not loving her. He hadn't been able to convince her that he loved her still, and now couldn't. She sees Aldrea's dagger on her waist and snatches at it, bringing it to her throat.
Aldrea grabs the dagger back. "no." she says simply. She puts it, and her sword, on the desk, safe, and far from Korunue.
Korunue frowns, then reaches for Ronin's sword, his smaller one. "may I?" she asks, hesitantly, not wanting to die by her love's sword, if she has to steal it. She'd rather him run her through.
Ronin tries to reach for Korunues hand. Tries to tell her no. Tries to do anythign he can, but his body is still not responding. Hte numbing fire sees to be lessening a little, but that could just be his mind getting delerious.
Korunue frowns. "oh... you... can't move...silly of me..." she just takes the sword anyway, though she does not use it yet. She runs her finger down the flat, then down the blade, testing it's sharpness.
Aldrea sags, defeated, into the chair by the desk. "Kor... you WANT me to die for you.. go ahead, hurt yourself. I can't stop you... but don't make my death meaningless... don't make me heal you, then die anyways because you can. Please."
Ronin struggles with the fire in his body. Did his arm just twitch? Maybe it did, but gods does he feel tired. He still burns all over, but maybe he can move enough to save Korunue.
Korunue holds very, very still. "don't." she says, finally. "don't heal me, don't die, i'm not worth it." She thinks, about how to die in one stroke so that Aldrea won't bother healing her.
Aldrea smiles a little. "then don't hurt yourself." no! her brain screamed. tell her she's worth it, hug her, steal the sword, do SOMETHING! But she was so tired...
Ronin fights to move his hand. Slowly, he raises it and moves it over to lay ontop of Korunue's. he turns his head and looks at her, trying to not show the pain he feels.
Korunue looks back at him. "you can move now." she says, flatly, matter-of-factly. Her brain is having trouble processing all of this. She shook her head to clear it and thought about how to die properly.
Ronin weezes, trying to say something to Korunue. But all he can manage is "...Kor..." He squeezes her hand a little and tries again. "....Kor, I..love you." he says finally, panting heavily afterwards.
Korunue gasps, dropping the sword, She breaths heavily herself. "you... but you... no, no, you just don't want my death on your head... you proved it... don't worry, I'll make sure nobody in the afterlife blames you..."
Ronin pants for a minute or two again, staring at Kor the whole time. "Kor..." he tries again. "I love you, if you kill yourself, then Im coming right after you."
Korunue turns paler. "you... you can't... you wouldn't... you don't mean that.." she murmers, eyes troubled. "no... not for me, surely..."
Aldrea remains grim, sitting in her chair. "hurt yourself, and there will be three dead this night." Her mouth is set; she is prepared to die.
Ronin nods, his head only moving an inch or two. "YOu do it, and I'll follow right after you." he manages to weeze out. The fire is receding fast and it is getting easier to move. "I told you I lvoe you Kor, and I never stopped."
Korunue sobs, her breath coming in gasps. "and to think... I..." she does not finish. "but it still hurts... too much, too much, I can't handle it..."
Ronin moves his arm and gives Korunue as much of a hug as he can manage. "You can handle it Kor. I can help you." he says leaning forwards to give her a kiss. He moves his head back an inch or two afterwards and looks into Korunue's eyes.
Korunue breathes hard. She puts her hand on her new scar, where Aldrea had healed her. "no... nobody can help me... I am alone, now and forever, in my pain..." she says, looking off into space.
Ronin frowns at Korunue. "You're not alone Kor. I'm here with you."
Korunue swallows hard. "you wern't there... when I needed you most... you wern't... I was alone... always, when it's worst, I'm alone..." she is beginning to have trouble breathing.
Ronin squeezes Korunue again. "I'm sorry. Rhys did somethign to me; and whatever he has done to me now....I'm tired Korunue. It hurts me to just talk to you." at the end of this he is panting again.
Korunue nods. "I'm sorry..." she looks withen herself. "it would be so easy... just to let go... Aldrea would stop you from following... " she whispers to the air above her, looking at the ceiling. "so easy... to just stop hurting, be beyond hurt..." she still clutches Ronin's sword, though.
Aldrea shakes her head. "no. I would not stop him. he would have cause to follow you... love is a good enough reason for death."
Ronin glances towards Aldrea and frowns at her, but nods. "She's right. She wouldn't stop me. I would follow you and there would be noone here to stop me." He reaches out and places his hand on Korunue's hand, and wraps his fingers around hers and the sword.
Korunue bites her lip. "then I suffer, now and forever." she sighs, and succumbs to sleep once more.
Aldrea yawns, heading over to collapse on the other bed. She is soon asleep, despite her intentions to guard them. Ronin can watch Korunue; if Aldrea doesn't sleep, she'll be useless.
Ronin frowns at Korunue and kisses her forehead. He takes his sword back and resheaths it. He soon falls asleep himself, the pain washing over him again. "I love you Kor" he manages to whsper one last time.
Korunue whimpers in her sleep, tears never ceasing to flow. She says nothing, whimpering and whining, though she does not toss and turn. the pain that haunted her suddanly intensified in her sleep... though she did not wake, but remained asleep.

Good stopping place. REVIEW

Miyu Yachiyo lyrics:

tobira wo akete soko wa eien The door opens and before me is eternity
tooku no yobigoe dare no koe? Whose voice calls from so far away?
kami wo nazeru no anata wa dare? Someone smoothes down my hair, who are you?
Fue ga kataru wa negai no kuni My flute sings of a land my heart wishes for
toori-sugite yuku jikan to omoi. Where time and my emotions pass me by
Tomodachi nanka iranai no. I don't want any friends
Jibun datte iranai no. I don't even need myself
Suna no, ashiato, kuzurete'ku. Footprints I, leave behind, washed away
(there's more, but that's where she stops singing)